Sports Journalists’ Association committee member Philip Barker today topped the ballot for election to the ruling executive of the European sports writers’ association, UEPS.
In a vote with 10 candidates for eight positions at the UEPS meeting in Antalya, Turkey, Barker polled 30 votes out of a possible 31.
Barker, 48, is a freelance broadcaster working for Sky Sports and broadcasting regularly on Olympic matters for the BBC and TalkSport.
Barker has been a member of the Sports Journalists’ Association committee for six years. He is renowned for his knowledge of Olympic history and was a recipient of the Vikelas prize in 2008 which recognised his contribution to Olympic history. He has worked in different roles at the Olympic Games of Atlanta, Sydney, Athens and Beijing, and also at the Turin Winter Games.
Barker said: “Only last week we had the opportunity to see the Olympic Park taking shape. The Main Press Centre rising out of the ground so close to the Olympic Stadium was an inspiring sight.
“We already have a wonderful relationship with the organising committee and I look forward to maintaining and strengthening links between our organisations as a result of this election.”
SJA chairman Barry Newcombe said: “It is satisfying to see a British delegate back in the heart of UEPS, where Morley Myers served so well for many years. I know from working alongside Philip at Beijing that his deep knowledge of the Olympics was valued by so many colleagues from other countries as well as the British media. There was rarely an hour went by when his knowledge was not being tapped.”
UEPS, which has its headquarters in Brussels, voted in three new officials.
Yannis Daras, of Greece, the former UEPS treasurer, replaced Poland’s Jerzy Jakobsche as President. Charles Camenzuli, of Malta, once the secretary of AIPS, the worldwide sports journalism body, was elected as UEPS secretary ahead of Rik Lamoral, of Belgium, with Murat Agca, from Turkey, elected to the treasurer’s post left vacant by Daras.
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