Taiwan’s boxing chief Wu to run for IOC presidency

TAIPEI: Taiwanese boxing chief Wu Ching-kuo revealed on Monday that he intends to run for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), becoming the third person to vie for one of the most prestigious jobs in global sport.

Wu, head of International Amateur Boxing Federation since 2006, is likely to unveil his bid officially at a press conference he has called on Thursday in Taipei, his office said.

He will face competition from two IOC vice-presidents, Singapore's Ng Ser Miang and Germany's Thomas Bach who is also president of the German National Olympic Committee.

While confirming Wu's bid, his office declined to say whether the 66-year-old has formally handed in his letter of intent to the incumbent Jacques Rogge, who will stand down after finishing his 12-year term later this year. "The details will be announced by Mr Wu himself," Yu Chung-yung, a liaison officer at Wu's office told AFP.

An election for the new Olympic chief will be held during an IOC session in September in Buenos Aires.

Founded in 1894, the IOC is the supreme authority of the Olympic movement and the biggest group in world sport. (AFP)