Singapore's Ng Ser Miang announces candidacy for IOC presidency

Ng Ser Miang, the International Olympic Committee(IOC) member in Singapore and First Vice President, came out the second to announce his candidacy for the IOC Presidency here Thursday at the Sorbonne in Paris. A week ago, German Thomas Bach became the first official candidate to be the IOC new president, saying his long experience in the world of sport was his strong asset. "After thoughtful consideration, a meeting with President Jaques Rogge in Lausanne, and informing my fellow IOC Members, today I am formally announcing my candidature for the Presidency of the International Olympic Committee," said Ng while giving remarks Thursday at the site of the first Olympic Congress and birthplace of the modern Olympic Movement. Having served as an IOC Member for 15 years, Ng is currently the First Vice President of the IOC and a member of the IOC's Executive Board. He was the Chairman of the inaugural Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee and the Chairman of the 117th IOC Session. He served on the Coordinationg Commissions for the London 2012 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the 2009 IOC Congress Editorial Committee. "I am inspired by the Olympic Movement and deeply believe in our Movement's values and power to improve lives around the globe," he said. "The passion I feel for the Olympics is the same passion that fuels the dreams of young athletes, ignites the Olympic flame, and breathes life into its ideals." In his announcement, he called for greater empowerment of all IOC Members and deeper collaboration with the entire Olympic Family. "The Olympic Movement faces a new and rapidly changing world, bringing new challenges and opportunities for sport. As a result, the IOC will require a leader with a universal perspective and an inclusive, cooperative leadership style. "I am confident that working together with my IOC colleagues, we can build on the successful legacies of Presidents Rogge and Samaranch to further strengthen Olympism's influence and inspire the lives of youth around the world," Ng said. He made the announcement at the historic Sorbonne in Paris, and paid a personal visit to the exact hall where the International Olympic Committee was founded in June 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin. In addition to his roles at the IOC, Ng is currently Singapore's ambassador to Norway and has previously served as the city state's ambassador to Hungary and as a member of the Singapore Parliament. He is a successful entrepreneur and serves as chairman and independent director of several publicly-listed companies across financial, venture capital, media and transportation sectors.