QUESTION: What is your general impression of the IPC Assembly held in Sydney (Australia) last November?

ANSWER : There are two distinct aspects: one less optimistic that occurred right at the start of the Assembly, the first day. All of us there present were absolutely stunned when we saw the procedure chosen to elect the official IPC headquarters: a show of hands, with no serious recount of the votes cast despite the close result, repetition of the show of hands.... anyway, a right mess. This situation produced an uneasy atmosphere and I, personally, informed the IPC president, Robert Steadward, of this fact.

In the afternoon, the dust settled again. How? Well, a censure motion had to be raised against the president, the General Assembly thus clearly demonstrating how democracy works.

I noted the positive aspect of the Assembly when, the next day, Mr Steadward pronounced his "mea culpa" and publicly apologised, thus steering the situation back on the right track.

Q: But, why did the Presidency adopt such an illogical attitude, so unfitting in a supposedly democratic body?

A: To be perfectly honest, I don't know, but I would really like to find out. What I do know is that, on the Agenda for the Assembly, that point - the election of the new headquarters - was not among the first items. I can only say that haste makes a poor counsellor and a worse friend. The fact is that there was an inexplicable hurry to get this item over with. But in any case, I must stress, the truly irritating thing for all of us was the procedure chosen.

Q: Leaving aside that controversy, how are you going to exercise your functions, taking into account the fact that you live in Madrid and the General Secretariat is to be based in BONN (Germany)?

A: Obviously, a few days after my election, the question is still up in the air. In any case, what I have no doubt at all about is that, from now on, and with the new structure of the IPC - with the new appointments - the position of the Secretary General has been strengthened. I am the one given the task of oiling the different bodies that make up the IPC to ensure everything works without creaks or screeches. The fact that I am in Madrid (Spain) and the headquarters in Bonn (Germany) will boil down to just one thing - a greater effort on my part, which will be complemented by the structure to be set up at the German headquarters, comprising an executive director, administrative director, marketing director, etc.

All of this will ease my task. I am convinced that this organisation will result in the work of the Secretary General focusing on more political, management-based tasks.

IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS

Q: What short and medium-term objectives are being considered?

A: In the ultra short-term, if you pardon the expression, the first thing that must be done is to start up the headquarters in BONN, to which Spain was never opposed in any way, quite the contrary. Proof of this is that we withdrew our candidature in order to calm the troubled waters and offered our unconditional support, without conditions or concessions. I have taken the liberty of pointing this out before continuing with my reply because I believe it is most important.

The next step will be to form the team of reliable workers who will take charge of the day-to-day running of affairs; people who know how to deal with the German administration and that of the IPC. Finally, I shall try to implement my personal style. I insist once again: to be the person who can facilitate the consensus between the different viewpoints, between situations that are in no way clear at this moment in time and cause certain friction. To sum up, to improve communications.

Q: What is the IPC spirit following the Assembly in Sydney?

A: Above all else, to improve the relations between the different bodies. We are going to combine all the criteria, no matter how different they may be, in order to achieve benefits for the athletes who are, after all, our most important target. That is what we are going to strive for.

Q: Do you feel this General Assembly has proved to be a turning point for the IPC?

A: Definitely. It has served to ensure that all of us who work for, or with, the IPC make even greater efforts. This is true to the extent that I personally undertake to act with maximum clarity, transparency and to ensure that everything is transmitted in the most honest manner to all those who go to make up this great family that is the IPC.

Q: How do you assess the intervention of GILBERT FELLI, IOC Sports Director, before the General Assembly?

A: Highly positive, because he put across to us an important message from their president, Juan Antonio Samaranch. That message was one of unity, as the fundamental weapon in the struggle to successfully bring about our objectives and aspirations. We must be capable of demonstrating, especially to the athletes, that we are united and we are going to offer them the very best.

Q: Finally, what can you tell us about Sydney 2000?

A: I have the comforting sensation that everything is going really well and on schedule. The administrative structure for these Games is very similar to that at Barcelona. To date, the working links between the Olympics and the Paralympics are functioning well and at a healthy rhythm. All those involved in the project are in a highly positive frame of mind. As for the installations, I can say that, for example, the Village is going to be close to the competition venues and, a priori, no problems are foreseen as far as transport and getting around are concerned.

And, as regards the question of the finances, I can tell you that, in principle and according to the reports available, everything is going as planned. I am totally convinced that these Games will be even better than the Barcelona edition. One has to be optimistic, and I am.

"The first thing that must be done is to start up the headquarters in BONN" "The next step will be to form the team of reliable workers who will take charge of the day-to-day running"