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African IOC members concerned
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- A high-ranking Olympic official said Monday African countries were concerned that the next International Olympic Committee president will pay less attention to the world's poorest continent. The head of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, Francis Nyangweso, said whoever succeeds Juan Antonio Samaranch as president of the IOC must speak for "all the people" and not just represent his particular region. Samaranch, whom Nyangweso described as "a friend of Africa," steps down in July after 21 years as the helm of the IOC. He was expected later Monday in Kenya where he will attend ANOCA's general assembly. "Yes, we are concerned and should be concerned [about Samaranch's replacement]. We are just watching. The candidates are there, and we are looking carefully to see their views," Nyangweso, a Ugandan, told The Associated Press. "We would like a candidate to come in who gives Africa the same attention as Samaranch, a candidate who will listen. He must represent the people, not himself." Nyangweso said Samaranch was responsible for enforcing Olympic Solidarity -- a committee set up in 1961 to aid Africa and Asian countries and which has helped fund continental associations. "Africa has benefited a lot, knowing that we are not affluent and not helped by our governments," he said. Nyangweso declined to say which of the five candidates seeking to succeed Samaranch, a Spaniard, would be his choice. The candidates, who will stand for election at an IOC meeting in Moscow on July 16, are South Korean Kim Un-yong, Jacques Rogge of Belgium, Dick Pound of Canada, Anita DeFrantz of the United States and Pal Schmitt of Hungary. Nyangweso is himself seeking re-election during ANOCA's general assembly Wednesday and Thursday at a resort on the Indian Ocean. The former Olympic boxer and Ugandan army officer became president of the 53-member body in 1999 after his predecessor, Jean-Claude Ganga, resigned following his expulsion from the IOC because of alleged corruption in the Salt Lake City scandal. Ganga, from the Republic of Congo, and five other IOC members were expelled, and four other resigned for taking $1 million in bribes and inducements from Salt Lake City's successful bidders for the 2002 Winter Games. Nyangweso, who was also investigated, was elected at a special ANOCA meeting in September 1999, beating two challengers. His election, he said, "proved the world wrong" about the corruption allegations. "It was a victory for sport," he said. "With African culture, when we are invited and we are given something, we don't ask where it came from ... we don't ask why he gave it," Nyangweso said, adding that he never received cash. "If somebody is invited to my house, I give him the best room ... in the developing world that is corruption." He said so-called corruption of African Olympic officials no longer exists. "People are very careful and people are not willing to accept anything," he said. "I have achieved a lot in two years. There is now a better image of Africa, we are now taken seriously. People know where the funds are going and where the money is spent. There has been transparency throughout. I want to carry on what I have been doing," Nyangweso said. Nyangweso is being challenged by Alpha Ibrahim Diallo of Guinea and Fidele Waura of Gabon. The new president will be elected Thursday.
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