By Nick Butler at the Susesi Convention Center in Belek

Ugur Erdener was elected to the Executive Council of ASOIF today ©AFP/Getty ImagesApril 8 - Uğur Erdener was elected as a member of the Executive Council for the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) during the organisation's General Assembly here today. 


The Turk, also President of World Archery, was elected unanimously via a show of hands and will replace Pat McQuaid on the Council after the Irish former International Cycling Union (UCI) head, who was vice-president, stood down.

Erdener becomes the fifth International Federation President on the Council, alongside International Boxing Association boss C K Wu, International Handball Federation head Hassan Moustafa and International Triathlon Union President Marisol Casado, as well as ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti, who leads the International Tennis Federation.

The Council is completed by the secretary general of the International Basketball Association, Patrick Baumann, as well as a vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations, Sergey Bubka.

Ugur Erdener alongside Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan presenting the merits of Istanbul's 2020 bid to the IOC last September ©Getty ImagesUğur Erdener alongside Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presenting the merits of Istanbul's 2020 bid to the IOC last September ©Getty Images



Erdener's election comes just seven months after his role in Istanbul's unsuccessful bid for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

But Erdener has enjoyed much success in recent months and in February was elected to the ruling Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee in Sochi, defeating Canada's Dick Pound in a tight contest.

Earlier this month, the 63-year-old physician who specialises in ophthalmology and is professor at the Hacettepe University, Ankara, was appointed by IOC President Thomas Bach to head the Medial Commission. 

It is, however, marked the end of McQuaid's involvement in the Olympic Movement following his defeat last September in the UCI Presidential contest against Brian Cookson and subsquent loss of IOC membership last year.

"I have always tried to fight hard for ASOIF and I have sometimes got into trouble for fighting too hard," said McQuaid. 

"But that is what you have to do and I have always really enjoyed it and I have enjoyed working with you all."

Pat McQuaid is standing down from his role on the ASOIF Council ©Getty ImagesPat McQuaid is standing down from his role on the ASOIF Council ©Getty Images



Speaking to insidethegames, McQuaid expressed his "sadness" at being forced to relinquish his ASOIF role but claimed he has not yet completed his work in sport and in cycling and has several other projects under consideration.

The 64-year-old would not reveal whether he will speak in the proposed Commission begun by his UCI successor Cookson into allegations of corruption during his period at the helm of the organisation.

He insisted that his involvement was not up to him to decide. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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