Fourth IOC member resigns
Kenyan implicated in bribe scandal claims innocence
Posted: Wednesday January 27, 1999 09:13 AM
| |
Mukora says he was an innocent victim of circumstances AP |
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Charles Mukora on Wednesday became the
fourth IOC member to resign in the Salt Lake City bribery scandal.
He said he resigned "in principle."
"I was an innocent victim of circumstances. However, the
president of the International Olympic Committee has advised us to
tender our resignations before March 17-18 in order to put these
allegations to rest," Mukora said.
"I have decided therefore to accept his advice on principle."
The International Olympic Committee on Sunday named Mukora as
one of nine IOC members who received an under-the-table payment
from Salt Lake City when it bid to host the Winter Olympics in the
year 2002.
The IOC said Mukora, who is a wealthy man in his own right,
received $34,650.
The Lausanne-based organization recommended the nine resign
before they are ousted at an IOC board meeting in March.
Mukora had told the IOC panel the payments were made in support
of "sports development in Kenya" and for "world youth sporting
activities."
But the IOC concluded that Mukora accepted the payment for "his
personal benefit" and should be expelled.
Three members resigned last week in the scandal: Finland's Pirjo
Haeggman, Libya's Bashir Mohammed Attarabulsi and Swaziland's David
Sibandze.
Those "exluded" were Mukora, Agustin Arroyo of Ecuador,
Jean-Claude Ganga of the Republic of Congo, Zein El Abdin Ahmed
Abdel Gadir of Sudan, Lamine Keita of Mali and Sergio Santander of
Chile.
Dutch member Anton Geesink received a warning.
Three others remain under investigation and face possible
expulsion: Louis Guirandou-N'Diye of Ivory Coast, Kim Un-Yong of
South Korea and Vitaly Smirnov of Russia.
Several Kenyan sports officials, including Isaiah Kiplagat,
chairman of the Kenya Amateur Athletics Association, had called on
Mukora to resign from all sports organizations.
The KAAA groups the world famous Kenyan middle and long distance
runners who form the backbone of Kenya's participation in Summer
Olympic games.
Mukora, an IOC member since 1990, has been chairman of the Kenya
Olympics Association and first vice chairman of the Commonwealth
Games Federation.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
| 
