(ATR) Thomas Weikert, President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), is considering whether to challenge incumbent German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB) PresidentAlfons Hörmann.
The 56-year-old Weikert has advocates in several top associations. The 65 top federations and 16 state sports federations of the DOSB will have the majority of votes at the election congress in Düsseldorf on Dec. 1.
Weikert is currently examining the compatibility of serving in the highest office in the umbrella organization of German sport while keeping his ITTF position. He wants to serve out his ITTF term, which ends in 2021. Two years ago, Hörmann and Weikert publicly argued for weeks over disagreements tied to the office of Chairman of the DOSB Coach Academy. At that time, Weikert questioned Hörmann's suitability as DOSB president.
It would be the first time in the history of the DOSB, founded in 2006, that the incumbent would have to face an opposing candidate. Hörmann succeeded founding president Thomas Bach in 2013 after the latter had been elected IOC president.
Hörmann, 58, announced on Friday that he would stand for re-election. Previously, the Conference of the State Sports Federations had unanimously voted for Hörmann's candidacy, but this is not binding for the election. He sees the opposition against him formed in the circle of the leading associations a great support for itself in the German Olympic Sports Federation.
"From a whole series of federations and long-time companions.I have received completely different and very encouraging signals," he said. But a minimum of 15 to 20 federations are against him, including athletics, table-tennis, judo, and rowing. Federations with a higher number of members have more votes.
"I know that some people are considering standing for election, also because it was unclear until Friday whether Hörmann would stand for election again at all," said Siegfried Kaidel, President of the German Rowing Association (DRV) and spokesman for the umbrella organizations of sport.
"We will probably see on Tuesday to what extent the considerations of a candidacy continue to exist. Then a conference of the sports umbrella organizations will take place at Frankfurt/Main."
Clemens Prokop, long-time president of the German Athletics Association (DLV), had also considered a candidacy but rejected it for personal and professional reasons. "Hörmann is viewed very critically in many professional associations. A new president would be very good for sport," said Prokop.
Hörmann was accused of frequent authoritarian leadership style and lack of critical ability during his term in office. One of his biggest projects, the reform of top sports, has recently come to a standstill, which the DOSB Athletes Commission also lamented.
"Alfons Hörmann has declared himself responsible for the success of the top sports reform. After four years, we athletes sum up that nothing has changed for the better for us. We are happy when we have democratic elections in sport - with alternatives." said athlete representative Silke Kassner.
Written by Peter Kreuzer
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