ISA PRESIDENT FERNANDO AGUERRE, IN BUENOS AIRES, CONGRATULATES NEWLY ELECTED IOC PRESIDENT THOMAS BACH
International Surfing Association President Fernando Aguerre with the newly elected IOC President Thomas Bach at the historic 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Aguerre will continue his efforts to promote Surfing to the new IOC leadership and Olympic family.
La Jolla, California, September 10, 2013 - Thomas Bach of Germany has been elected the ninth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Jacques Rogge, the outgoing IOC President, whose 12-year term has ended, announced that the members had elected a new President after two rounds of voting.
Bach's experience as an Olympic Gold Medalist in 1976 in Fencing, IOC Member, and German National Olympic Committee President has prepared him to lead the IOC.
"Thank you very much to all of you," said the new IOC President Thomas Bach in a press release from the IOC today. "Let us, this great universal orchestra of IOC members, play together in harmony towards a bright future for the Olympic Movement under the leadership of the IOC."
Bach has called for more deliberation and debate among IOC members and flexibility in the way cities bid for the Games as well as the way the IOC selects sports for the Olympic program.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre, in his native country, Argentina, for the IOC Session, met with Bach prior to his election as part of his ongoing efforts on behalf of Olympic Surfing.
"As an Olympian and proven leader in the Olympic Movement, Thomas Bach has earned the respect and support of his colleagues to lead the IOC," remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. "On behalf of the 35 million surfers on five continents, we offer our sincere congratulations to President Bach and best wishes for his important mission ahead. We are excited and eager to work with President Bach and his team going forward and to continue to offer our sport of surfing as a way to strengthen the Olympic Movement."
Under Aguerre's leadership, the ISA is building its credentials and relationships with Olympic Movement organizations and leaders. Aguerre was recently elected Vice-President of ARISF, the organization of International Sports Federations that have been recognized by the IOC. He has also been meeting with IOC Members and other influential sport leaders as part of the campaign to fulfill the goal of the modern day 'Father of Surfing," 4-times Olympic Swimming gold medalist, Duke Kahanamoku, who began supporting the idea for Olympic Surfing more than 100 years ago.