Oswald’s influence recognised

President of the International Rowing Federation, FISA, Denis Oswald is the second most influential person for the coming year in the business of the Olympic Games. This is according to the Olympic news magazine Around the Rings and their annual assessment of the Golden 25.

Along with his role as FISA President, Oswald is the chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for the London 2012 Olympics. Around the Rings describes Oswald’s role, “With the cost of the London Games a favourite media story in the UK, Oswald is a key communicator for the IOC. So far, he says, London is in good shape.”

“Oswald also will be involved in the adoption of new rules for the IOC to add or delete sports from the summer programme.”

Oswald held the same role as chair for the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Oswald was ranked second behind Hein Verbruggen, chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Beijing and ahead of IOC President Jacques Rogge who sits in third. Former president of the IOC Juan Antonio Samaranch still made the list coming in at eight while head of the World Anti-doping Agency, WADA, Richard Pound is at number six.

Last year Oswald was number five on the list.

Around the Rings compiles the list by looking at the names, events and issues that will play an important part in 2007.

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