From the News Team | 2 Jun 2023

Petra SÖRLING elected as a ASOIF Council Member

ETTU congratulates ITTF President Petra SÖRLING on her election as a Council Member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). This historic moment occurred on Wednesday, May 31st, during the 47th General Assembly of ASOIF held in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Petra SÖRLING's election as an ASOIF Council Member marks a significant milestone, as she becomes the first ITTF President in the forty-year history of ASOIF to join its governing body. The ITTF was well-represented at the assembly, with President SÖRLING leading the delegation alongside Executive Vice-President in charge of Governance, Wahid OSHODI, and Secretary General, Raul CALIN.

The General Assembly, which coincided with ASOIF's 40th anniversary, commenced with a speech by Thomas BACH, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Bach applauded ASOIF for its remarkable achievements and contributions to the Olympic Movement over the past four decades.

During the General Assembly, Petra SÖRLING'S election as an ASOIF Council Member stood out as a notable achievement. Alongside her, Ingmar De VOS, President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and IOC Member, and Morinari WATANABE, President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and also an IOC Member, were elected to the other two available seats on the ASOIF Council.

Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of ASOIF, emphasized the complexity of the global political situation and the preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He underscored the importance of preventing government interference and safeguarding the self-determination of International Federations.