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Summary Mario Vazquez Rana was re-elected as president of the Pan American Sports Organization.
Mario Vazquez Rana, one of the most powerful figures in the Olympic movement, was re-elected in disputed fashion to a new four-year term Wednesday as president of the Pan American Sports Organization.The election came at the regional bodys general assembly in the Mexican capital. While 21 countries asked for a formal vote, Vazquez Rana insisted on being elected by acclamation. There were no other candidates.Delegates from several countries asked for a secret or written ballot, including Venezuela, Argentina, Chile and the Dominican Republic. They were visibly upset when the 79-year-old Mexican decided to ignore their requests and asked for a show of applause to confirm his re-election.I thank and receive this (responsibility) from everyone, even those who did not applaud for me, Vazquez Rana said. I take this with love, affection and respect and Im just as excited as I was in 1975, only now with more experience.The Mexican media magnate has headed the body since 1975.I dont think there is anyone that can say I havent served the Olympic Committee, he said. The problem is everyone wants to be (the winner), and not everyone is happy. Of all the sportsmen, there can be only one winner.Vazquez Rana was widely reported to be under pressure to step away from his position at PASO. He has also headed the Association of National Olympic Committees for 33 years.Vazquez Rana has also been an International Olympic Committee member since 1991. He will be forced to retire from the IOC when he turns 80 in June.Vazquez Rana has sought unsuccessfully to get his position on the powerful IOC executive board extended until 2014.Irelands Patrick Hickey, the head of the European Olympic Committees, has been nominated to replace Vazquez Rana on the IOC board. The nomination will come up before the ANOC general assembly in Moscow next month.
