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Blatter steps down

Swiss minister lined up to head 2006 Winter Olympics bid

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Posted: Wednesday August 19, 1998 03:51 PM

BERN, Switzerland (AP) -- Swiss sports and defense minister Adolf Ogi has been cleared to lead Sion's bid for the 2006 Winter Olympics, Swiss authorities said Wednesday.

Ogi will succeed FIFA President Sepp Blatter in the post when he steps down later this month.

His position will expire in June when the vote is taken in Seoul, South Korea, on a venue for the 2006 Winter Games. The government ruled that he can combine his ministerial role with the Sion bid presidency.

Blatter, elected in June to head FIFA, last month announced his resignation from the Olympic bid panel.

Blatter said he didn't think holding the double role as head of FIFA and the Winter Olympics bid is possible any longer.

However, he is one of the most prominent campaigners for the Sion bid and has said he will continue to support it.

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