Morariu has been President of the COSR since his election in 2004 and last year became only the fourth person from his country to be elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), following Prince George Ghe Bibescu, George Alexandro Plagino and Alexdru Siperco.

The 52-year-old was President of the Romanian Rugby Federation (RRF) from 2001 to 2003 before taking over the COSR.

He was also a member of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) Executive Committee and vice-president of the EOC EU Commission.

In July 2012, the former Romanian rugby international was elected as President of the European Rugby Association and, following his election as an IOC member last year, was appointed a member of the IOC's Commission for Olympic Programmes and of the Commission for International Relations, by IOC President Thomas Bach.

Morariu became the fourth Romanian to be elected as an IOC member in Buenos Aires last year ©Getty Images



Announcing his decision to stand down, Morariu explained that it was these extra responsibilities from the IOC that have contributed to his leaving.

"I've led the institution for 10 years and I think I was a dedicated chairman in all these years," said Morariu, who will remain a member of the Executive Board of the COSR, which is celebrating its centenary this year.

"All my work requires me to be 100 per cent careful with what happens to COSR.

"There should be someone to handle the day-to-day activity.

"It would be for me a lack of morality and ethics to keep things like this."

Morariu will continue as interim President of the COSR until its General Assembly on May 29 where his successor will be elected.

It is widely believed the front-runners for the job are the current RRF President Alin Petrache and former tennis player Dinu Pescariu.

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