Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and then-Danish IOC Chairman Kai Holm in Beijing in 2008.Oh, Derf. Tsk, tsk. You wanted it SO BADLY, but you're not even putting in minimal time and attention to your IOC duties. You should be glad The Princess Royal hasn't come to Denmark to kick your puny arse. My god, man, for someone who isn't living in his mother's basement, playing video games all day and collecting unemployment benefits, oh, wait a minute. Anyway, you are the world's laziest 43 year old. You could have the world at your fingertips, yet you blow the goodwill at every turn. You will be the last king of Denmark, and careful, because you may need to find actual employment after the Danish Republic is declared during your lifetime and you are stripped of the Order of the Elephant and all those free Audis. Perhaps you could find work in a sporting goods store to supplement Crown Princess Mary's shopping habit?
A string of articles about the spoiled loser in Politiken's Sports section.
Politiken article from 14 January 2012 on Fred and the IOC by Jesper Vangkilde and Kristian Klarskov
Crown Prince Frederik's Olympic work does not live up to expectations and is contrary to the rules, according to experts.
Crown Prince Frederik is not participating as much in Olympic work, sports politics and sports environment, as was expected of him when he was presented as the candidate for the International Olympic Committee, IOC.
Both the Olympic constitution, called the Olympic Charter and the internal laws of DIF (Danish Sports Confederation), state that those serving as IOC members also must be a member of the DIF's board. Since he was elected as an IOC member in the fall of 2009, Crown Prince Frederik has only participated in two of 21 board meetings.
In the two meetings he attended, he has only been involved in some specific theme discussions about sport's international work.
DIF people wonder
Politiken has spoken with a number of sources that are amazed that the Crown Prince has not worked more actively. Several members of the DIF's board praises him for being industrious by attending presentations and gala events. But several others had at one time hoped that he would also work more organizationally.
"We do not have any information about the Olympics which we did not have previously, and it's annoying. I'd be so happy if he came more often - I will not hide that," said treasurer and board member Hans Christian Hansen of DIF.
Chairman of the DIF's active committee, Victor Feddersen, is not very satisfied with cooperation with the Crown Prince. Asked about the work of DIF similar to pre-expectations correspond Feddersen: "No, I can say no to that. I had expected something more."
Fails in his duty
As Crown Prince, he was elected to the IOC, and he took an oath to abide by the Olympic Charter. But experts believe that the basis for the Crown Prince's two-year old IOC work aligns with the Olympic rules. Both the IOC charter and DIF's own laws state that the Crown Prince must be a member of his own country's Olympic committee. In Denmark's case this is equal to DIF's board.
Both the DIF and the Court say that the Crown Prince himself has chosen to have observer status - not as a member. A status that DIF has applauded. But it is a circumvention of the Olympic rules.
"There is a duty that the IOC representative is a member of the DIF's board - no matter who the person is. An observer status satisfies neither DIF statute or the IOC charter," says sports lawyer Jens Rasmussen Bertel.
In violation of the Olympic spirit
The Crown Prince's observer status is rooted in a DIF file note from 2008, according to DIF-Chairman Niels Nygaard never submitted IOC. Professor of History Hans Bonde from the University of Copenhagen interprets the memo as evidence that "DIF has great difficulty in defending the Crown Prince from not sitting on the board."
Professor and Olympic historian Richard Hansen from the University believes that the scheme is contrary to the Olympic spirit.
"The Crown Prince is obliged to sit on the board. Here one makes an interpretation that does not meet the spirit of the Olympic Charter. One interprets the rules carelessly, "says Jørn Hansen.
Disagree with the criticism
It has not been possible to get a comment from Crown Prince Frederik himself or IOC. The Crown Prince's private secretary, Morten Roland Hansen said:
"I strongly disagree with the criticism. The Crown Prince fully meets its obligations in the Charter. As IOC member is partly obliged to 'supervise' the Olympic initiatives in the country. This is up to the Crown Prince, as he receives agendas and board material from DIF."
Culture Minister Uffe Elbaek (R) says:
"I have an expectation that when one takes up a job on a board, one has to fill his role. But compared with DIF, it is up to them to take the discussion. I will not meddle in this."
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The above article references this one from 2010, translated below, which helps document a very long history of disengagement of Derf vis-a-vis the IOC. I suspect Kai Holm is making excuses for Frederik so as to get in good with Daisy, maybe even get an elephant or kammerherre status one day?
IOC predecessor: DIF meetings are a waste of time for the Crown Prince
That Crown Prince Frederik has not attended a single board meeting of the Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF) after last year being elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is in no way problematic.
Thus believes the former IOC member Kai Holm, who thereby defends the crown prince.
"The Crown Prince has done things perfectly so far. It would be wasting his time if he had to sit for board meetings in DIF during which is mainly clarifying administrative things in relation to national federations," said Kai Holm to Jyllands-Posten.
The choice of the Crown Prince has been Kai Holm's work
The former DIF chairman worked hard to put Crown Prince Frederik in his position of the prestigious post of IOC member.
He believes that someone is working to bring the Crown Prince into disrepute.
And Kai Holm thinks it seems like someone just trying to fuel criticism of the Crown Prince.
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Below is this article from 15 January again by Vangkilde and Klarskov
Observers: The choice of crown prince is a loss to Danish sports
With the Crown Prince of Denmark, the IOC has gained prestige, but not influence, experts believe.
Denmark's representative on the International Olympic Committee, Crown Prince Frederik, sits at his post in name - more than in benefit.
These are the judgments from several observers from Danish sports and the International Olympic work.
As Crown Prince Frederik is one of about a dozen royal members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They are responsible for spreading the Olympic ideals throughout the world.
But after almost two years with the Crown Prince on this important, international post, it is clear that Denmark's yield of pure sports policy is limited. When the IOC context discussed important issues that inevitably get a slyly cuts - sports are also political - Denmark must position itself passively in a corner.
This is what Henrik Brandt, CEO of Sports Studies, believes.
"The crown prince has been a person, by virtue of his position, who cannot act politically when it comes to sport. This means that one is forced to sit politely on the rear bench, because you should not get mixed into something political. In fact, it weakens the Danish vote, and it is not surprising to me that it has happened so," said Henrik Brandt.
What are the consequences of the Crown Prince's appointment for Denmark?
"I think it has a negative consequence. It is important that Danish sports top engages in the international sporting agenda, as much about promoting values that we have. Free speech, democracy, etc. There are plenty of cases that require that you go hard in and have an attitude. And there have been weakened possibilities to say what they think. "
Limited role from the start
Henrik Brandt mentions as an example this summer's Olympics in London, which promises to be a big public festival, but when the economy is in tatters - and where it is not as planned have been successfully promoted the sport generally.
For political reasons, the Crown Prince is unable to handle the matter.
In general, the IOC membership opted to try to affect Denmark's Olympic Committee (in practice, the DIF Board), which he, according to both Danish and international law must be a member of - but he only works as an observer.
Several board members want a more present Crown Prince at work. But it is not surprising to Henrik Brandt that the crown prince only has appeared to two of 21 board meetings until now.
"It has always been clear that the Crown Prince could not play any particular sport political role because of his position. Especially in DIF, where it can quickly act on the distribution of money and resources," said Henrik Brandt.
"If they are surprised that he is not strongly committed to the board, they were being a little naive when he arrived."
Loss of Danish sports
Politiken has spoken with several sources that the positive front highlights the Crown Prince's ability to lend luster to events, and he feel at home among athletes, for example, at VM events and the Olympics.
But Professor of History Hans Bonde from the University of Copenhagen in just over two years has seen a situation where Denmark's IOC member has not significantly influenced the search to bring the Olympics idea home.
The obvious place to influence Danish sports in the direction of furthering the Olympic message would, according to Hans Bonde, be at the top - in the DIF board.
"It's a loss for Danish sports that, in this way, he is an inactive member of the IOC. I can understand if someone is annoyed that the Danish authorities do not get more out of the situation," says Hans Bonde.
"I will not make a character evaluation on the Crown Prince. But from the IOC point of view, it is unfortunate that he has not been better about going in and characterising the Danish sports policy and selling the IOC angle. He could do this in the board."
The Royal House disagrees with the criticism
It has not been possible to get a comment from Crown Prince Frederik himself or the IOC.
The Crown Prince's private secretary, Morten Roland Hansen, sees no problem in the crown prince's observer status or activity level.
"I strongly disagree with the criticism. Crown Prince fully meets his obligations in the Charter, since an IOC member is partly obliged to 'supervise' the Olympic initiatives in the country. This makes the Crown Prince, as he receives agendas and board material from DIF," said Morten Roland Hansen.
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Here is yet another article by Vangkilde and Klarskov from 15 January in Politiken which brings up the Crown Prince's laziness in regards to his IOC membership.
Head of the DIF: Will the Crown Prince come anymore?
The DIF Board has received a visit by Crown Prince Frederik for only two out of 21 meetings.
He is not a weekly guest. Nor a monthly guest.
No, Crown Prince Frederik can rightly be described as the yearly guest of the Danish Sports Federation (DIF) board, where he otherwise by both the definition of the official Olympic rules and DIF's own laws must be a member.
It is, however, that he did not show.
The Crown Prince chose a role as an observer, when he was elected to the post in 2009. And he has also chosen not to show up to meetings where else he had an open opportunity to spread the Olympic ideals to the top of the Danish sports world.
Politiken has spoken with the 10 board members who are co-equal with Denmark's Olympic Committee.
Here, say the majority, Crown Prince Frederik has done an either satisfactory or good job. But several members would have preferred that the country's next monarch spent more time at work on the board, since he has only visited two out of 21 times.
The calendar is open
One of the veterans on the board's treasurer, Hans Christian Hansen, says that the Crown Prince's work differs from his two predecessors, the IOC representative Niels Holst-Sorensen and Kai Holm. Both provided a faithful report of Olympic activities.
"Niels Holst came at fixed intervals and oriented us. Kai Holm briefed us constantly because he was there every time. At present we do not have any orientation for the Olympics, and it's annoying. It might have been nice to have it more often," says Hans Christian Hansen.
He estimates that the Crown Prince is not familiar with pre-known requirements, which exactly is required of the role of IOC representative.
"From the beginning we had all together - including the Crown Prince - an expectation that he could meet more often. But I think the scope of the work has surprised him somewhat," says Hans Christian Hansen.
In many of DIF meetings, the Crown Prince had no missions, but still does not turn up. Does that disappoint you?
"Well ... Well, it is certainly a knowledge that I have not had. I am so happy that he came more often - I will not hide."
Had expected more
Also DIF board member Susan Roulund believe that the expectations for the Crown Prince has not been tuned well enough, since he joined the IOC-post.
"I did not expect that he would come to all board meetings. But I had probably expected that he would be a little more present. It's about the relationship with the IOC, and he was elected to the IOC representative in Denmark," says Susan Roulund.
The Crown Prince bends the rules
She points out however that on the board there is a "good relationship" with the crown prince, who in September of last year participated in a grassroots international event, Sports for All, in China's capital Beijing.
Susan Roulund and others say that the Crown Prince's strength is to kick down doors and open opportunities so that the Danish voice can be heard better.
Høyer: We take care of the political
The board also includes Tina Rindum Teilmann.
"I can only agree that it would be nice if he had time and opportunity to get some more. But he contributes course at the meetings where the international work being discussed," she says.
The former Olympic gold medalist in badminton, Poul-Erik Høyer, is a member of the DIF board as a representative of Danish athletes, called the Active Committee. Like others, Høyer stresses the effect that being a Crown Prince can have for the Danish face internationally.
It is important for Poul-Erik Høyer that Crown Prince Frederik reports regularly to the Olympic job.
"In essence, what he does for sport. The policy provides that the board probably take care of. It is nice and good when he is there, but he makes just as much benefit by being out in the field."
"I understand what the situation is. And I'm really happy."
President of the Sports Confederation of Denmark, Niels Nygaard, says the Crown Prince is at most meetings and official events, and he is happy with that.
"The important thing for us is that we are represented in the Olympic Committee, so we have a voice and can follow what's going on. And then we put much emphasis on the Crown Prince being so active in relation to our sports. He is diligent about coming out when we have some events, championships, etc."
Spokesman: meeting activity is not crucial
Several experts have towards politicians declared that the Crown Prince's work does not follow international and Danish regulations.
And sports historian Richard Hansen, who has written several books about the Olympics, says directly that his lack of commitment on the board collides with the whole Olympic idea - because the IOC is based on its representatives actively spreading the Olympic message of individual countries.
It has not been possible to get a comment from Crown Prince Frederik himself or IOC. The Crown Prince's private secretary, Morten Roland Hansen, said:
"I strongly disagree with the criticism. The Crown Prince fully meets its obligations in the Olympic Charter. As an IOC member, he is partly obliged to 'supervise' the Olympic initiatives in the country. This is what the Crown Prince does, as he receives agendas and board material from DIF."
"It is a misconception if one believes that the IOC member's primary responsibility is to attend to all IOC meetings'.
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But hold on! Pro-monarchy broadsheet Berlingske offers an editorial to counter Politiken's barrage of negative articles on Derf's IOC history. Don't worry, Daisy, the "free press" won't let your brand be tainted! Here is Kathrine Lilleør's 15 January blog entry at Berlingske.com
Politiken has been out in every corner to find a bad cover story about the royal family on the occasion of the royal jubilee. That it has been difficult, is demonstrated by the fact that we found only one cold board member of the Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF), who is not angry but just so disappointed with the Crown Prince. Crown Prince Frederik has only appeared for two out of 21 board meetings in DIF, since he was made a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is such that the internal laws of the DIF and the Olympic constitution, called the Olympic Charter, state that an IOC member must also be a member of the DIF's board.
Now just as DIF originally approved, the Crown Prince did not come. He has agreed with DIF that he has "observer status" in the DIF, and thus not a full member of the board. If DIF itself has accepted that the Crown Prince did not come to board meetings, how can it be a problem that he didn't come?
This could be in politics have asked DIF - and especially himself. But it did not, as one would not have had such a nice anti-monarchy-story on the front to mark the anniversary. Instead they have found some experts who find it very problematic that an IOC member is not also a board member of DIF. In the meantime, DIF board members groused further. The President is indeed satisfied with the cooperation, - "but I expected something more." DIF-people had expected to see more of the Crown Prince, and sarcastically congratulated him for just being diligent at formal presentations and gala events.
Now, it is grandstand work to present prizes and go to the prom stuff. By taking on sport awards and gala parties besides the presentations and gala celebrations, he has, as the DIF ought to do, shown some appreciation to those who sweat. Everyone knows that it is gold for Danish businesses that they can get the royal family to travel with trade delegation trips abroad, because the royal family opens doors that otherwise are heavily closed for business people in general. Crown Prince Frederik's support for the DIF and the IOC membership is a gold card for Danish athletes. It is more than fortunate that he is interested in sports in general. He was, so far as I remember, also very thankful for the DIF back in 2008 and why they willingly made a note that the Crown Prince should have observer status.
It's cheap that Politiken is swinging a non-story up to the front page. And it is painful that some members of the DIF's board have more honour to spare since the Crown Prince has kindly made himself available for Danish sports. The DIF should more than anyone else know that this process is not being treated like gold.
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