BOC President Vessela Lecheva was a guest on the show “The Day Begins with Georgi Lyubenov“ on BNT. She commented on the work at the BOC, the communication with the previous management, as well as the upcoming legal cases.
“The cases begin at the end of September and will proceed with high public and international interest. Just a few months ago, the IOC lawyers ruled on the legitimacy of the meeting based on the results obtained, documents, reports from committees and the transcripts of the General Assembly. So, for the IOC it is clear who is the chairman“, said Lecheva and reminded that the new leadership of the BOC is already registered in all international structures and registers and this is easily verifiable.
Lecheva added that the only one who has a legal interest in the upcoming lawsuits is Stefka Kostadinova herself. Despite losing the elections on March 19, she is still at the BOC headquarters and receives a salary, BTA reported.
“It can be seen that the complaints are written in indigo. I personally do not have a legal battle. Ms. Kostadinova has a legal battle – the cases are “Ms. Kostadinova vs. Stefka Kostadinova&rdash;, because she organized the General Assembly with Belcho Goranov, who was her Secretary General for 20 years. They had a majority among the members of the commissions that were appointed by them. They led the General Assembly, they gave the floor. His is also the first complaint. He is suing himself and his own organization. So far, the IOC has not had such a case in its practice“, shared Lecheva.
„I respect the Bulgarian court. The whole procedure is in three instances - the first is the Sofia City Court. I am sure that in one of the instances, the conclusion made by their Swiss colleagues from the IOC will be reached“, believes Vessela Lecheva.
Lecheva reported that during one of her last conversations with the International Olympic Committee she was asked why Stefka Kostadinova continues to use the BOC website, as well as the Olympic symbols.
„I myself had not paid attention to this fact, but for the IOC this is a clear violation and contrary to their rules, it makes a bad impression. It should be clear that the IOC holds the rights to the Olympic symbols, to the five rings“, said Lecheva.
The BOC President added that the work is going extremely difficult operationally, but most of all, there is no possibility of implementing the program with which the new leadership won the elections.
“We continue to write emails with BOC employees. Without personal contact and a normal working environment“, Lecheva also said.
To the accusations that she used “illegitimate channels“ to communicate with the International Olympic Committee, made by Stefka Kostadinova during her guest appearance on BNT, Lecheva replied: “It would be tragic if it weren't comical, because I refer only to the decisions of the General Assembly, which was conducted flawlessly, there were no obstructions and scandals, no one made any claims. And if it comes to talks with former president Thomas Bach and current Kirsty Coventry, then such claims are truly ridiculous.
Currently, Vessela Lecheva is the only head from whom the IOC accepts documents related to the participation of Bulgarian athletes in all tournaments and events.
“The next major competition is the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. We have an incredibly talented generation of athletes and I will not allow the blockage in the BOC to have a negative impact on their preparation or participation“, she was categorical.