Kersti Kaljulaid says is considering bid for Estonian Olympic Committee presidency

TALLINN - Former Estonian president Kersti Kaljulaid announced on Thursday that she is considering running for the position of  president of the Estonian Olympic Committee (EOC) this fall.

Before making a final decision, Kaljulaid wants to communicate with as many EOC members as possible to see how broad support there might be for her ideas for the advancement of the field of sports in Estonia.

"I have been approached by members of the EOC to see if I would be willing to stand. As there was quite a number of them in the end, I am now seriously considering standing. I will be willing to do so if I see that my ideas on how to organize Estonian sports and develop physical activity and exercise habits in our society have broader support," Kaljulaid said in the wake of the news published on Thursday that she was about to stand for EOC presidency. 

She pointed out that one of the primary roles of the president of the EOC is to ensure the sustainable funding of sports and to expand the circle of sponsors. In addition to this, the EOC must also become, for example, an advocate for sports ethics, highlight shortcomings when necessary, and never turn a blind eye to these issues.

"In the field of sports ethics, the question always arises: are opportunities equal? For young people from rural and urban areas, for para-athletes, for the young people of Estonia who are ethnic Estonians and those with different cultural backgrounds, for boys and girls? Or have those aged 40, 50, or 75 also been considered if there are enthusiasts of that age?" Kaljulaid said. 

She also emphasized the importance of promoting exercise habits.

Kaljulaid acknowledged the work of Urmas Sõõrumaa, who has led the EOC for the past eight years.

"The ambition to attract more private funding is certainly a right thing to pursue, and we must definitely continue to move in that direction, as well as create new financing models. Similarly, setting a clear focus on creating a habit of exercise in young people, for which I want to give credit to Urmas Sõõrumaa, is a hallmark of this period," she said.

The election of the president of the EOC will take place on Oct. 11. Kaljulaid says that in the weeks leading up to the election she hopes to have a lot of discussions in both the media and in the sports community about what the organization of sports in Estonia should be like and how to promote the field of sports ethics, sports as exercise, and other key topics. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 13, and nominations require the support of at least 15 members of the EOC.