International Boxing Association (AIBA) president Wu Ching-kuo, the only Taiwanese member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been named one of the most influential individuals involved with the 2016 Olympics.
Wu was listed 24th in the Golden 25 for the 2016 Olympics survey conducted by Around the Rings (ATR), an Internet-based publication covering the business and politics of the Olympic Movement.
Now in its 20th year, the survey ranks 25 individuals or events expected to have a major influence on the Olympics in the year ahead.
Photo: AFP
ATR said Wu will be involved in the ongoing realignment of SportAccord as the president of the AIBA, the federation that represents Olympic boxing.
“Under his no-nonsense style of leadership, Olympic boxing has regained its credibility since he became AIBA president in 2006,” ATR said. “He now faces the challenge of keeping his sport relevant in a fast-changing martial arts landscape.”
ATR said that since 2012, Wu has been the representative of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations on the IOC Executive Board, with his term due to end next year.
“The association has but a handful of federation presidents from whom to select who are also IOC members, Wu by far the most senior among them,” ATR said.
It said that while Wu turns 70 next year, he can serve on the IOC until 2026, as mandatory retirement is at the age of 80.
Wu is also a key IOC member from the Asian region who can follow preparations for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, even if he is a Summer Olympics expert, ATR said.
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