Following the IOC Presidential Candidates briefing in Lausanne on Thursday, IOC presidential candidate and OCA Executive Board member Ng Ser Miang of Singapore issued the following statement: “The Presidential Candidates briefing went well. I was pleased to have the opportunity to share my vision for the IOC with members and I must say the other candidates also presented very well. It’s great to see the caliber and the breadth of the candidates – The IOC is in good shape. “I was able to articulate my plans around the four issues that I think will define the future of the IOC. These are: · Integrity – Maintaining the integrity and high ethical standards of the Olympic Movement. · Independence – A central part of maintaining our integrity is respecting the independence and autonomy of the IOC, International Federations and NOCs. · Athletes –President Rogge’s strategy of putting athletes at the heart of the Games must be continued to ensure we attract the world’s greatest athletes and organize successful Games in the future. · Youth – If athletes are the heart of the Games then youth must be the centre of the Olympic Movement. The time has come for the IOC to implement a strong and focused youth strategy.” Mr Ng added: “If elected, my first priority will be to empower everyone in the membership. They represent a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise. Within my first six months of office I will personally spend half a day with each member and I have proposed a three-day retreat for all IOC Members where we will create a unified vision that we will all own, and have an open debate and take decisions on key issues. “I also spoke about the leadership style that I feel I offer the IOC. My experience as an IOC member, IOC First Vice President and an Executive Board member represents a solid link with the IOC’s past. But I believe that my heritage, my values and my lifetime of experience in sports, business and diplomacy represents a new approach for the Movement. In this rapidly changing world, the IOC will need a new leader with fresh ideas and new energy to carry our flame. “Twice before I have come to the Membership to ask for their trust. First, to award Singapore with the 117th IOC session in 2005 and then again for the Inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010. In both cases I pledged that we would deliver spectacular results and both times I was honored with their trust. The Membership recognizes my leadership and know that I deliver on my promises.”