Rogge names Swiss as Athens coordinator
Denis Oswald, a Swiss member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been appointed the new head co-ordinator for the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. He replaces Jacques Rogge, who became the new president of the IOC last week.
The 54-year old solicitor from Neuchâtel, who was nominated by Rogge on Monday, was already a member of the IOC co-ordination commission. He has made several visits to Athens in anticipation of the summer games.
Oswald faces the task of resolving a row which broke out between the IOC and Greek organisers over the massive delays in the construction of the rowing complex in the north of the capital.
“The problems are more or less under control, but time is running out fast,” said Rogge.
The issue will no doubt crop up again at the next meeting of the co-ordination commission in Athens in September.
Oswald won a bronze medal for rowing in 1968, and has been president of the international rowing union (FISA) since 1989. He entered the IOC executive in 2000, following a ten-year membership in the organisation.
The forthcoming Winter Games in Salt Lake City will also be co-ordinated by a Swiss. Marc Hodler, honorary president of the World Skiing Union (FIS) is also a member of IOC executive.
swissinfo with agencies
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.