Oman's "Gold Medal" Moment: First Omani Elected to IOC

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001036 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SOCI MU SUBJECT: Oman's "Gold Medal" Moment: First Omani Elected to IOC ¶1. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) elected prominent Omani, Habib Bin Abdulnabi Macki to the IOC, marking the first ever Omani representative on the IOC. Macki is widely credited with raising the profile of Omani sports having helped his nation secure the 2010 Asian Beach Games. Not content to rest on his laurels, Macki now has his sights set on securing Omani hosting rights for the full Asian games. ¶2. A former soccer club owner, Macki has helped Oman achieve significant success in increasing the global sports communities' awareness of Oman with a Macki led team credited with helping Oman successfully host the Olympic Torch Relay prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The country is now preparing to host the second Asian Beach Games in December 2010. ¶3. Macki was one of six individuals elected to IOC membership. As Deputy Chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Macki is Oman's first elected representative to the IOC. Schmierer