LAUSANNE / AIPS: Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan believes running for the most powerful post in world sport has made him a better person and strengthened his resolve to make a difference in the Olympic Movement regardless of the IOC presidential election outcome on March.

He told a question-and-answer session organised by AIPS: “For me, campaigning has been fascinating. I have learned from people. I have listened to different views, different concerns, and each one of them had something different to contribute to the discussion. And I think I’m a better person as a result of that.”

Prince Feisal, who is currently serving his second term on the IOC executive board, set out his ambition to achieve consensual leadership, adding: “I’m in it to win it and I think I can contribute to making the IOC a better place.”

His priority, if elected, would be “an open and frank dialogue with all the members.”

Prince Feisal explained: “I’ve heard some people say that they are worried that if they express a negative opinion that there are repercussions for that. That is not healthy environment to be in. So I would like to have a retreat, bring everybody together, if it can work out, and spend three, four days just talking about all the issues.

“It’s the starting point for building an Agenda 2036. The logistics of doing that might be a bit of a challenge because the global sporting community has busy schedules but that is something I’d like to do.

“I don’t know if I will be allowed. I don’t even know if I can even suggest that, because it’s not part of my manifesto, but I think this is where the key is, because that’s the only way we’re going to really have a chance to build a proper blueprint for the future.”

Prince Feisal also responded, in answer to a question about whether the IOC fit for purpose, that change was essential going forward.

He said: “If we don’t change, if we don’t adapt, then we’re going to be forced to change, and that usually ends up being evolution versus revolution. Revolutions tend to be quite painful to do.

“I think the  Olympic Agenda 2020 I think that was an attempt to restart the significance of where we are and where we should go. I think we need to look even further than that. That’s why I propose having a new Agenda 2036 and this is where I want to involve all elements within the membership, and also people from outside the movement.

“I’m open to looking at whether the structures that we have are so relevant today as they were in the past, or whether we should look at change. I think one of the advantages that I have is I’m brought up in Middle Eastern culture, but I’m Western educated, so I can help bridge between East and West, and also bridge between North and South.”

One particular challenge was extending the immediacy of the Olympic experience.

Prince Feisal said: “We have a challenge to try and convince global leaders about the relevance of sport.

“After the very successful 2012 Games in London, right now, there’s a study that basically said that there are 7,000 fewer PE teachers in the UK than in 2012. Paris had an amazing Summer Games. What did they do? Few months later, they cut the sport budget by 30pc.

“I think, across the world and in the Middle East [people have] finally realized that there is great potential in this. I think, if I’m not mistaken, the Middle East has a big youth population. What’s wrong with them wanting to be able to be part of a global community and support global sports?

“I think they should be allowed to have that opportunity. And they have the resources to commit to really making their communities different, to really introduce change in how their communities work, how their communities work around the world and to be able to host international events.

“We saw the World Cup in Qatar. Despite all the criticisms that happened prior to it, it was a fantastic tournament. We talk about universality. I was asked whether Africa should be allowed to host the Games. I think all parts of the world should be given the opportunity to be able to do something great and to host international events, because it means so much, and it can fundamentally change societies to the better.”

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