(ATR) The president of the Association of National Olympic Committees, Ahmad heads the largest group in the Olympic family, the 205-member ANOC that represents all the national Olympic committees of the world.

Ahmad, 51, is pushing for more clout from ANOC by holding its giant general assembly on an annual basis instead of every two years.

IOC member from Kuwait since 1992, he is close to IOC President Thomas Bach. Chair of Olympic Solidarity, Ahmad oversees the distribution of $400 million in IOC marketing revenues to the NOCs with the help of Pere Miro, the longtime staff director of Olympic Solidarity.

2014 ranking: 4

The Around the Rings Golden 25, now in its 19th year, is sponsored by EY.

The list spotlights 25 individuals who will have substantial influence on the Olympic Movement in the year ahead. The Golden 25 is compiled by the staff of Around the Rings, the world’s most experienced journalistic team dedicated to covering the Olympics.

The countdown from number 25 began December 20. The number-one position will be announced Jan 1, 2015.

Reported by Ed Hula

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