‘Other European’ Relies on His Idealism

The problem confronting Pal Schmitt is not his resume or his record. He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in fencing, president of the World Olympians Assn. and Hungary’s ambassador to Switzerland.

The problem is not that he’s on the outside looking in at the IOC’s inner circle.

An IOC member since 1983, Schmitt was a member of its ruling cabinet, the executive board, from 1991-99. As a measure of his standing, he accompanied IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch on a trip last December to Prague for the funeral of Czech Olympian Emil Zatopek, the famed distance runner. Anyone who knows Samaranch knows that Zatopek was one of his favorite athletes.

The problem for Schmitt, 59, is that he appears to have no real power base, thus making him the “other European” in the IOC presidential race. Belgium’s Jacques Rogge, who among other titles is head of the European Olympic Committees, is widely believed to be one of the leading candidates. Most forecasts have Schmitt winning perhaps a handful of votes--not even 10.

The IOC race has been waged under peculiar rules designed to restrict travel and personal contact, and for the most part have limited candidates to lobbying by phone, e-mail and fax. Schmitt has taken the concept one step farther, publishing a deluxe 28-page booklet, bound in fancy green stock burnished on the front cover with the image of a burning Olympic torch.

The book, printed in several languages, features softly lighted color photos of athletes in action as well as a shot of Schmitt, holding his glasses, looking presidential. Also inside is a letter from Hungarian President Ferenc Madl urging IOC members to vote for Schmitt, as well as quotes from the Roman orator and statesman Cicero (on fair play) and Nobel Prize-winning scientist Marie Curie (“. . . one must show perseverance and, above all, self-confidence.”)

In his manifesto, Schmitt says the next president should be a “team player,” one who “stands out amongst equals.” He says certain IOC commissions should be eliminated or combined.

Saying that the IOC “cannot afford cancellation of any Olympics as a result of any unforeseen event,” he suggests establishing “stand-by cities” for the Summer and Winter Games. Or perhaps, he writes, “appoint winners to two consecutive Games.”

While supporting the “strict enforcement” of drug-testing procedures, he says there should be an “emphasis” on the dangers of using illicit performance-enhancing substances.

Finally, he says, he wants to promote “a culture of ethics” within the IOC and the broader so-called “Olympic family.”

“I may be an idealist,” Schmitt says, “but I do believe that those who play fairly in sports will also do so in their everyday lives, which can only lead to a better world.”

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Schmitt Facts

* Country: Hungary.

* Age: 59.

* IOC member: Since 1983.

* Career: Hungarian ambassador to Spain (1993-97) and Switzerland (1999-present); director of Hungary’s national stadium (1981-present); hotel administrator.

* Sports career: Gold medalist in fencing for Hungary at the Mexico City Games in 1968 and the Munich Games in 1972.

* IOC highlights: IOC vice president (1995-99); member of the executive board (1991-99).