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The Union of National Olympic Committees has decided to postpone the presidential elections on Wednesday in a climate of confusion following the decision of the Kuwaiti Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Sabah to withdraw temporarily because of a lawsuit against him.
Sheikh Ahmed denied any wrongdoing and said, without further details, that the charges against him were motivated by political considerations by a Swiss court.
Sheikh Ahmed gave up two Olympic tournaments on the issue and announced Monday that he would temporarily dispense with the chairmanship of the National Olympic Committee, the umbrella organization of all the National Olympic Committees, led by Sheikh Ahmed al- Fahd since 2012.
Sheikh Ahmed, 55, was the only candidate in the presidential election and his decision to stand up temporarily from his term meant that the elections had to be postponed.
Kuwaiti Cheikh Ahmed, who heads the Asian Olympic Council, is an important figure in the world of sport and some delegations expressed some discontent.
"The National Olympic Committee's ship is sailing smoothly so far, so it's not time to abandon the commander," said Azad Joman-Ybadin, president of the Olympic Committee in Guyana, during lively discussions in the meeting room.
His Iraqi counterpart, Raad Hamoudi, agreed with him: "We must stand up and fight against attacks on one of the symbols of the Olympic Movement.
"We believe that he has shown exemplary behavior and adhered to the principles of our movement."
Sheikh Ahmed was eventually forced to return to the room to ask participating delegations to postpone the election date.
"I ask you to accept my position and to agree on the report on the elections.
"I totally agree and I promise you that you will see me very soon."
The report was approved under applause.
The appointment of Robin Mitchell of Fiji as First Vice President and will badume the presidency of the Union of National Committees in the absence of Sheikh Ahmed.
Sheikh Ahmed had already made it clear that he had no intention of giving up his position permanently within the Federation of Olympic Committees.
"I decided to retire for a moment and come back to you with more force, not only in my convictions, but also in trust, I trust myself and my innocence," he said. he said in a speech to the participating delegations. I trust the Swiss courts.
"(The trial) has nothing to do with sports or corruption."
Sheikh Ahmed is a member of the International Olympic Committee and is a key ally of Thomas Bach, chairman of the committee, who was standing with him before the 2013 elections.
Bach sat next to him during the first session and warmly joined Cheikh Ahmed's cheerleaders after his speech.
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