(ATR) A head-to-head with the presidents of Indonesia and the IOC could lead to a discussion of Indonesia bidding for the Olympic Games.
In an exclusive interview with Around the Rings, IOC President Thomas Bach confirmed that he will meet with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo on Sept. 1.
Rumors have circulated that Indonesia would capitalize on hosting the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta to springboard to a 2032 Olympic bid.
Bach said he would not initiate conversations about a potential Indonesian bid.
"That is first of all up to the President of Indonesia and the [Indonesian National Olympic Committee]" Bach said.
"I will congratulate him on the success of the Asian Games and think I can also tell him this success is something sport on Indonesia can build on and then we will see."
Widodo’s government has led the organization of the Games. A keen sports enthusiast, Widodo has attended numerous Asian Games events.
Bach Not Meeting with AIBA President
Bach's schedule while he is in Indonesia will not include a meeting with interim AIBA president Gafur Rakhimov, according to the boxing federation.
Earlier this month, Rakhimov issued a progress report informing member federations that AIBA is implementing initiatives and policies on governance and ethics to meet demands from the IOC. Around the RIngs has been told by sources in AIBA that Rakhimov had indicated a meeting with Bach would happen in Jakarta.
An aide to the AIBA president says no meeting was ever anticipated.
According to the IOC President's office, "under no circumstances" would Bach meet with Rakhimov. It is another indication of the serious rift that exists between the IOC and the federation under the interim leadership of Rakhimov. The Uzbek born businessman has been linked by U.S. authorities to organized crime activities in Russia, which he denies.
The breech between the IOC president and Rakhimov comes amid serious IOC concerns that also are black marks that could keep boxing out of the Tokyo Olympics, Bach told reporters after a three-day executive board meeting in July that AIBA was not making enough progress, pointing to unresolved concerns around financial issues, good governance measures and the upcoming elections.
Bach said boxing’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympics would "greatly depend" on the outcomes of the AIBA congress in November where member federations will elect a new president and vote on reforms. The IOC’s suspension of payments to the federation still remains in place.
Rakhimov is expected to contend for the election in November for a full presidential term. Deadline for nominations is this month. Other candidates could emerge. While Rakhimov was chosen without question to serve as interim president in January, the upcoming election will test jis support and the future of the federation.
Reported in Jakarta by Ed Hula III and in the U.S. by Ed Hula..
Coverage of the 18th Asian Games is made possible in part by the Olympic Council of Asia
Written and reported byEdward Hula IIIin Jakarta, additional reporting from Mark Bisson
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