Ex-Croatia President to lead Olympic movement in new host choice system
KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: The International Olympic Committee has taken a further step beyond the old system of event bidding with the appointment of Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović as chair of what is labels as the ‘Future Host Commission for the Games of the Olympiad.’
A clear signal of a change in process emerged with the swift ‘insider’ nomination and approval of Brisbane to host the 2023 Olympic Games.
Grabar-Kitarović, an IOC member since 2020, is a former president of Croatia and replaces Kristin Kloster Aasen who became ineligible under IOC rules after being appointed to the executive board.
IOC president Thomas Bach said: “The future host commissions have an important role in shaping the future of the Olympic Movement.
“Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović will bring rich and diverse skills and experience, including at the very highest levels of government and international relations. As a member of the same Commission, she has already contributed to the successful delivery of the first election under the new approach to choosing Olympic and Paralympic hosts, with the selection of Brisbane 2023.”
Grabar-Kitarović said: “I am grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with potential hosts on Olympic projects, which will help them to achieve their long-term goals for development, public health, sports participation and inclusion.
“I would like to continue to build on the great work begun under Kristin’s leadership. It is an exciting chance to develop innovative ways to steer the Olympic Games into the future and explore the challenges facing upcoming hosts, such as climate change.”
An IOC statement explained:
The new approach to electing Olympic hosts is more flexible and collaborative, with the IOC working with potential hosts to optimise their Olympic projects and align them with long-term social and economic development plans for the benefit of their communities. As a result, there is unprecedented interest from numerous parties on different continents in hosting future Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The vacant position on the Future Host Commission for the Games of the Olympiad has been filled by the IOC member and President of World Triathlon, Marisol Casado.
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