Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, is making headlines with his candidacy for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency. In a recent discussion on CGTN Sports Scene's Talk Sports series, Prince Feisal sat down with Greg Laffradi to share insights about his campaign and his involvement in the Asian Winter Games held in Harbin, China.
Jordan's participation in the Asian Winter Games saw alpine skier Sharif Zawaideh competing in the men's slalom event, with Prince Feisal present to support and contribute to the Olympic Council of Asia's (OCA's) sports initiatives. Reflecting on his multiple visits to China for international sports programs, Prince Feisal expressed admiration for the country's passion for sports and its success in engaging over 300 million people in winter sports activities.
As one of seven candidates vying for the IOC presidency, Prince Feisal addressed pressing issues such as the impact of climate change on future Olympic hosting. Referencing comments by the incumbent IOC president, Thomas Bach, who warned that only a few countries might be capable of hosting the Winter Olympics by 2040, Prince Feisal emphasized the need for adapting the Olympic schedule and expanding hosting opportunities to ensure the Games remain accessible.
In addition to his environmental concerns, Prince Feisal, an avid video gamer, highlighted the potential of integrating esports into the Olympic program. While acknowledging that esports becoming a medal event is still uncertain, he expressed optimism about its ability to attract a new generation of fans and participants to the Olympics.
Through his campaign, Prince Feisal aims to bring innovative ideas and a commitment to sustainability, positioning himself as a forward-thinking leader for the IOC.
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Jordanian Olympic chief Prince Feisal on running for IOC presidency
cgtn.com
