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Rogge's election draws sigh of relief
MOSCOW (AP) -- A general sigh of relief filled the Hall of Columns on Monday following the announcement that Jacques Rogge, also known as "Mr. Clean," would succeed Juan Antonio Samaranch as president of the International Olympic Committee. Though it came as no surprise that the diplomatic 59-year-old Belgian was voted in to replace Samaranch after his 21-year reign, most IOC members admitted they were glad the uncertainty was finally over. The feeling across the board was that the untainted orthopedic surgeon would help improve the image of the world's largest sports organization, badly dented in the Salt Lake City scandal. "It's a good choice. He is a representative of the new and reformed IOC," said IOC vice president Thomas Bach of Germany. "I think he will help to show the world that in effect something happened two years ago. It wasn't just a session where nothing happened. It will be helpful in the United States and Salt Lake City. "The firm majority shows that he enjoys the trust of the members." Bach was only one of many Europeans to back the Belgian. In fact, it was Rogge's strong European powerbase and his popularity as head of the European Olympic Committees that virtually secured him the presidency. "It's a wonderful signal. Today was a wonderful thing," said Swiss IOC member Marc Hodler, the man who blew the whistle on members accepting bribes from the Salt Lake City bid committee in 1998. "He's the perfect gentleman. He's respected and respectful," said FIFA president Sepp Blatter. "It will allow the IOC to work in peace in the future." European Union Sports Commissioner Viviane Redding called Rogge's election "good news both for world sport and Europe." Rogge won 59 votes, 36 more than runnerup Kim Un-yong of South Korea. Canadian Dick Pound was third with 22, while Hungarian Pal Schmitt finished fourth with six. American Anita DeFrantz was eliminated in the opening round. "He is a very good friend and will make an excellent president," said a congratulatory Schmitt after the vote. "He has been an excellent team captain in Sydney and the Athens games. I'm happy to have a good captain on the team." Athletes also seemed to be particularly happy with the outcome. Five-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Steve Redgrave felt Rogge would be key in restoring the IOC's image. "Certainly I think this change will do a lot for people's confidence in the IOC," Redgrave said. "The IOC has a bad image and this appointment may well help to give it a clean sweep. I think the fact that Dr. Rogge has been to three Olympics is also a big help for the sporting world. "As an organization they now appear to have the will to change for the better." Former German rower Roland Baar, a member of athletes' committee, said: "I voted for Rogge because I am closer to him personally than to [Dick] Pound, who would have been as good as president. "Athletes will demand more rights now and I have the feeling that we'll have open doors with Rogge." Though disappointed by his defeat, several of Kim's Asian supporters still felt Rogge was a good choice. "He is a nice man, an efficient and intelligent person, that's why the majority of the IOC voted for him," said Rocky Yoon, deputy secretary general of the Korean Olympic Committee and a close friend of Kim's. "Dr. Kim could have been a great sports leader of the world but the wind was not favorable for him." "He's a very capable person and has very good qualities of leadership," said Ching-Kuo Wu, an IOC member from Taiwan. "As an IOC member you have to think about universality and unity."
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