SLOC paid for trip to U.S. parks
Posted: Saturday January 23, 1999 12:42 PM
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- The Salt Lake Organizing Committee
paid for a three-day trip to two U.S. national parks for Dutch IOC
member Anton Geesink, his wife and granddaughter, a Dutch daily
reported Saturday.
Geesink is already under IOC investigation on allegations that a
foundation bearing his name was given $5,000 by the organizers of
Salt Lake City's successful bid to hold the 2002 Winter Olympics.
The 1964 Olympic judo champion could not immediately be reached
for comment today on the latest allegation against him.
Geesink, his wife Johanna and granddaughter Leoni were treated
to a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks in July 1994, former
SLOC member Bob Hunter told the Algemeen Dagblad.
"The bid committee organized everything and I paid for it all
with my credit card," Hunter said. "Anton didn't feel comfortable
with it. He took me to one side and said that he wanted to pay but
we did not want that. He and his family were our guests."
Hunter, who was community relations director with SLOC, resigned
last year as the bribery scandal broke in Salt Lake City.
A special IOC panel was meeting today to conclude its
investigation into bribery allegations surrounding Salt Lake City's
bid for the 2002 Games.
Geesink is among 13 members implicated in the scandal over cash
payments, scholarships, free medical care and other favors.
He has denied accepting bribes, claiming the $5,000 was paid to
an independent foundation that funds projects aimed at promoting
Olympic ideals around the world.
Geesink said he has no way of personally taking money out of the
Friends of Anton Geesink Foundation.
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