Modern pentathlon, rowing and volleyball today became the latest world governing bodies to resign or suspend their membership from SportAccord in protest at its President Marius Vizer's controversial comments about the International Olympic Committee.

World Rowing were the first governing body to quit today. 

"FISA, today, informed the president of Sportaccord Mr. Marius Vizer that its Executive Committee has decided to resign as a member of Sportaccord with immediate effect," World Rowing President Jean- Christophe Rolland said in a statement. 

The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) soon followed. 

"This decision was made based on the UIPM`s commitment to the Olympic Movement," they said in a statement.

"The legacy of Baron Pierre de Coubertin is an eternal bond linking the Modern Pentathlon with the Olympic spirit.

"Ever since, the UIPM has set its place alongside the International Olympic Committee in a genuine and strong membership.

"UIPM remains open to discuss this affiliation to SportAccord whenever the common sense prevails, for the good of sport worldwide."

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has also suspended its membership, insidethegames understands.

They sent a letter to Vizer yesterday informing him of their decision. 

A total of 14 sports have now left SportAccord.

Today's withdrawals join athletics, shooting, archery, canoeing, boxing, hockey, taekwondo, wrestling, bobsleigh, triathlon and weightlifting.

The IOC President Thomas Bach will, meanwhile, consult with key stakeholders before deciding whether to accept an invitation made yesterday by Vizer to hold a summit on the crisis which has ripped SportAccord apart.

It followed an invitation from Vizer yesterday to Bach and Francesco Ricci Bitti, head of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations to stage talks for "positive discussions which will lead to tangible solutions".

During the SportAccord General Assembly in Sochi last month, Vizer described the IOC system as "expired, outdated, wrong and unfair" in front of Bach

He also alleged the IOC "lacked transparency", that its Agenda 2020 reform process had brought "hardly any benefit" to sport and that it had unfairly blocked SportAccord in its drive to organise new Commissions and multi-sport events.

A total of 27 of the 28 members of ASOIF signed a letter following Vizer's speech in Sochi to "disassociate" its affiliation with SportAccord.

The International Judo Federation, which is led by Vizer, is the only Federation that did not sign the letter. 

Both the International Paralympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation have also disassociated themselves from the organisation. 


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