IOC pronounces itself upon learning of Jorge Rodas’s attempt to take office together with his list as the new Executive Committee of the COG

guatemalalacapital_iqw7v5 November 9, 2022

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A new statement issued Guatemalan Olympic Committee, the second after Jorge Rodas and his list will try to take possession last Monday at the facilities of the Palacio de los Deportes.

The COG made official the notification signed by James MacleodDirector of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations, and Neven Ilic, president of Panam Sports.

In said document the International Olympic Committee makes its statementwhich could condemn Guatemala to a permanent suspension from the IOC.

The IOC reported that it has learned of the current situation through press reports “Attempts by a group of individuals to forcibly seize the NOC (National Olympic Committee) suspended. Such actions definitely go against the fundamental principles and regulations that govern the Olympic Movement and will only serve to worsen the situation, while the NOC of Guatemala has been suspended since October 15, 2022.”says part of the statement.

In addition, it makes it clear that the elections that took place on October 9, 2021, which will never be recognized by the IOC and Panam Sports, pointing out that these were not carried out in a free and fair manner, and that the so-called elected group, which is headed by the former soccer player George Alexander Rhodes and its members are: María José Iglesias, Selvyn Ponciano, Walter Vasquez and Edwin Gutierrez, they did not receive a majority vote of the members of the General Assembly.

“It is extremely unfortunate to note that so far the parties involved have not been able to meet, as requested on several occasions, but we continue to hope that reason will eventually prevail so that a solution can be found in favor of the Olympic Movement and the athletes in Guatemala” , ends the statement.

The COG highlighted that: “attempts by a group of individuals to forcibly take over the suspended NOC. Such actions definitely go against the fundamental principles and regulations that govern the Olympic Movement and will only serve to make the situation worse.

A minority of assembly members came in support of Jorge Rodas’ ticket. (Free Press Photo: Erick Ávila)

All this causes a new stir in the struggle to have the power of the highest sports entity in Guatemala, after Rhodes will try to be sworn in as the new president of the COG along with his list. Something that was not carried out and only had the support of nine leaders of the 41 that make up the Sports Assembly.

Rodas made it clear that they will take legal action and that they will wait for the Constitutional Court to order a new date for the swearing-in to take place, despite the fact that the IOC has made it clear that it will not recognize any other Executive Committee other than the one they endorsed, in this case the one chaired by Gerardo Aguirre.

The only interest that the IOC has at the moment is that the CC lift the provisional suspension of the statutes that they themselves changed and that were endorsed by the General Assembly, so that Guatemalan sports can be enabled again and that athletes can compete on behalf of Guatemala and no longer as neutrals, as some have already done.