IOC Vice-President and presidential candidate Juan Antonio Samaranch has arrived in China to attend the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, marking a key moment in his campaign to become the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
During his week-long visit, Samaranch is expected to meet with IOC members from across Asia as part of his campaign ahead of the leadership vote scheduled for 20 March at the IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece. The seven candidates vying to succeed Thomas Bach have all been invited by the IOC to attend the event in Harbin, which is hosting the Games for the second time.
A spokesman for Samaranch confirmed that the investment banker will use the opportunity to meet colleagues involved in the organisation of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and to highlight the continued expansion of winter sports in China.
Samaranch, who chaired the Beijing 2022 Coordination Commission, praised the lasting impact of the Games. “I am very proud that after the efforts of Beijing 2022, where I chaired the Coordination Commission of those Games, the Chinese promise to bring 300 million people into winter sports is well underway,” he told Inside The Games.
Stressing the importance of Harbin as the host city, he added, “Here we are again, in the great and successful Harbin, celebrating winter sports for the whole of Asia. If our Chinese partners had any doubts about the legacy of their Games three years ago, Harbin is a testament to that success.”
Samaranch’s visit to China comes at a crucial time in the IOC presidential race, as candidates seek to secure the support of key Olympic stakeholders around the world. His deep-rooted ties to China, a legacy from his father – who was instrumental in awarding the 2008 Summer Olympics to Beijing – could play a role in shaping his candidacy as the election date approaches.
The Asian Winter Games, which run throughout the week, are expected to serve as a platform for wider discussions on the future of winter sports in the region and the role of the Olympic Movement in supporting their growth.
