Five applicants have applied for the position of president of the Latvian Olympic Committee

The current head of the organization, Jānis Buks, is not applying for the position of LOK president, but a long-time politician from the ruling party “Jaunā vietība” Jānis Reirs has applied.

The Latvian Luge Sports Federation has applied for Reiru’s position, the Latvian Sailing Union has applied Ansi Dāli, the Latvian Hockey Federation – Viestura Koziola, the Latvian Athletics Union – Arni Lagzdiņa, while Raimonds Lazdiņš, who was previously involved in various political processes, has the support of 16 different federations.

In total, 87 candidacies have been nominated for LOK elected positions.

Of the 39 Olympic sports federations currently registered as LOK members, 37 have used the right to nominate candidates.

Also, five candidates have been nominated for the position of LOK general secretary, 27 candidates for the positions of members of the executive committee, 53 candidates for the status of individual members of the LOK, while seven candidates have been nominated for the LOK Audit Commission.

Raitis Keselis, Nauris Metnieks, Raimonds Lazdiņš, Vladimirs Šteinbergs and Kārlis Lejnieks, who currently holds this position, are applying for the post of LOK general secretary.

The review of the LOK General Assembly – the election session will take place on June 4 at 9 a.m. in Riga, “Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel”.

It has already been reported that the federation that requested the conduct of the 21 General Assembly believes that the current LOK president Jānis Buks has not fought enough for sports funding and common interests.

Buk said so far that the LOK would be ready to continue the work.

The letter was signed by the federations, which in most cases are relatively small in terms of the number of athletes represented, and they highlighted that Buk, who has been in office since last summer, had previously indicated that he would work only until the next LOK presidential election and would not run for a second term.

Traditionally, the LOK General Assembly with the election of officers is held after the Olympic Games, not before them.

The president chosen at the LOK General Assembly scheduled for June 4 will be the fifth after the restoration of Latvia’s independence.

In 1988, Vilnis Baltiņš became the president of the LOK, in 2004 this position was taken over by Aldons Vrubljevskis, in 2020 by Žoržs Tikmers, and in 2023 by Buk.