Olympics: Hickey facing toughest challenge yet
Thursday, 18 January 2001Pat Hickey will wake this morning, knowing his twelve year grip on the presidency of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) is facing its toughest challenge yet. Following yesterday's nominations by the 27 National Federations, businessman Richard Burrows will stand against Hickey at the OCI's Annual General Meeting next month. Mr Burrows, who is the joint managing director of the drinks giant Pernod-Ricard, was nominated by the Irish Sailing Association.
Mr. Hickey has been nominated by nine federations and has already claimed that victory will be his. Following the failure of his own federation to nominate him, Hickey had to rely on the nominations of others to secure his candidacy. The Irish Judo Federation (IJF), who have supported Hickey throughout his twelve years at the helm of Irish sport, decided to back Michael Power, the current IJF Treasurer.
Mr. Hickey's leadership was challenged four years ago but he won that vote comfortably. The vote takes place on the fifteenth of February.
Filed by Shane Murray
