Bobsled federation joins exodus from SportAccord association

Bobsled federation joins exodus from SportAccord association

Published May. 14, 2015 5:44 a.m. ET

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) Bobsled's world governing body has become the latest federation to freeze ties with umbrella body SportAccord following Marius Vizer's attack on the International Olympic Committee.

The FIBT says its executive committee voted unanimously to suspend its SportAccord membership following Vizer's ''inappropriate presentation of criticism and sharp words'' toward the IOC.

Vizer is president of SportAccord, which represents Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations. He blasted the IOC and President Thomas Bach in a speech at the SportAccord convention in Sochi, Russia, last month. He restated his views this week in Tokyo.

The FIBT says Vizer's ''sharp words did not reflect the opinion'' of the federation.

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Bobsled follows wrestling, taekwondo, boxing, athletics, archery, canoeing and shooting in withdrawing or suspended SportAccord membership. The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations has also suspended ties with Vizer.

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