Sudanese delegate confident of defense
Posted: Sunday January 24, 1999 01:16 PM
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Abdel-Gadir, 58, is one of the few IOC members to be appointed twice AP |
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) -- The International Olympic Committee
delegate from Sudan, who faces possible expulsion in the Salt Lake
City bribery scandal, said Sunday he is confident of his defense.
Gen. Zein el-Abdin Ahmed Abdel-Gadir told The Associated Press
that he would not comment on the allegations "until we are
declared innocent or not."
But Abdel-Gadir said he was "confident about responses" he
gave to an IOC questionnaire that was faxed to him in Sudan. He
declined to disclose the contents of the questionnaire.
Abdel-Gadir is one of 13 IOC members alleged to have accepted
cash payments, scholarships, free medical care and other favors --
reportedly totaling close to $800,000 -- stemming from Salt
Lake's winning bid for the 2002 Winter Games.
The scandal, which triggered the biggest corruption crisis
in the organization's 105-year history, has already led to the
resignation of two of the delegates.
Seven other members, including Abdel-Gadir, face possible
expulsion from the committee.
IOC officials concluded their investigation into the matter on
Saturday and the inquiry panel was to make recommendations to the
executive board Sunday. These were to cover proposed expulsions and
plans for overhauling the bidding and selection process.
Abdel-Gadir, 58, is one of the few IOC members to be appointed
twice. He first served from 1983-87 and then again since 1990. He
is a former president of the Sudanese Olympic Committee and also
has held a ministerial post in the government.
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