Sheikh Ahmad re-elected head of world Olympic body

BANGKOK (AP) — Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has been re-elected unopposed as head of the world’s national Olympic committees.

The Kuwaiti, who also heads Asia’s top Olympic body, was the only candidate for president of the Association of National Olympic Committees.

Sheikh Ahmad was elected to a two-year interim term in 2012 after longtime ANOC chief Mario Vazquez Rana of Mexico resigned amid political infighting.

The sheikh was re-elected Friday to a four-year term through 2018. ANOC is an umbrella body representing 204 national Olympic bodies.

Sheikh Ahmad has become one of the most powerful figures in the Olympic movement. He was a key ally of Thomas Bach in his successful campaign for International Olympic Committee president.

Also re-elected unopposed Friday was Ireland’s Patrick Hickey as ANOC senior vice president.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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