Anita DeFrantz of the United States, says she plans to declare her candidacy for the position of president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
DeFrantz, one of a handful of female IOC members, would be the first woman and the first African American to run for the position. The announcement could come as early as Sunday in Dakar, Senegal, where the IOC is holding an executive board meeting.
DeFrantz told The Associated Press that she is seriously approaching a time of declaring. “I’m pleased people are supporting me, and the time is very, very near when I will make my statement. I will speak for myself at the proper time”.
Canada’s Dick Pound, one of two frontrunners for the position along with Belgium’s Jacques Rogge, wished DeFrantz every success. When asked how he rates her chances Pound said “it’s hard to tell where her support might come from but she must have canvassed many of her colleagues”.
Pound said he hasn’t made any announcement yet about running, but in an earlier interview he said he was thinking about it. “I’m discussing the possibility with colleagues, but haven’t made any final decision”.
IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch she he welcomed the prospect of DeFrantz entering the race to succeed him. “She is a vice president, she is a woman, very intelligent, a medalist in the Olympic Games. She fought against the boycott of the United States. She can be a good candidate” he said.
Paul Schmitt of Hungary is the only declared candidate.
Candidates must declare by April 10; the election takes place July 13 in Moscow.
