Samaranch Is Reelected by IOC to Four-Year Term as President

Juan Antonio Samaranch of Spain became only the third president in the International Olympic Committee’s 95-year history to be re-elected by acclamation Wednesday.

Samaranch’s first term of eight years ended this week, but IOC members passed a resolution by unanimous vote last September at the 1988 Seoul Olympics that asked him to run for a second term of four years.

When no one filed to oppose him by the 5 p.m. deadline Wednesday, a motion to re-elect Samaranch, 69, by acclamation carried without dissent.

Also elected by acclamation were China’s He Zhenliang as the IOC’s fourth vice president and the United States’ Robert Helmick as one of 11 executive board members.

Samaranch, who has visited 160 of the 167 countries belonging to the IOC, said his success is a result of his ability to delegate responsibilities.

“I am a conductor, but the musicians, they are exceptional,” he said.

He said that it will be a particular honor to preside over the IOC when the 1992 Summer Games are held in his hometown, Barcelona.

“It was a dream for me to be president during the Games in my country and my city, Barcelona,” he said. “Now, if I am fit, I will be there, inviting the King of Spain to open the Games.”

The only other presidents re-elected by acclamation were Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France, founder of the modern Olympics who served from 1896-1925, and Avery Brundage of the United States, who served from 1952-72. Samaranch is the seventh president since 1894.