Samaranch: 'painful' decisions face IOC
Posted: Friday March 12, 1999 11:51 AM
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Samaranch: "I must confess that I consider the coming extraordinary session one of the most important in our history, and the most important of my presidency." AP |
LONDON (AP) -- International Olympic Committee president Juan
Antonio Samaranch is warning members that they need to make
"structural changes" to restore the organization's credibility.
Describing next week's IOC meeting as the most important of his
presidency, Samaranch said in a letter sent to all members that
"painful" decisions are needed to clean up after the Olympic
bribery scandal.
Samaranch has called an extraordinary general assembly next
Wednesday and Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland, to deal with the
worst crisis in the IOC's 105-year history.
The session will vote on the expulsions of at least five members
in connection with the vote-buying scandal stemming from Salt Lake
City's successful bid for the 2002 Winter Games.
Four members have already resigned.
The assembly will also vote on a series of reform measures,
including an overhaul of the bidding and site-selection process for
the 2006 Winter Games.
A copy of Samaranch's letter, dated March 9, was obtained by The
Associated Press.
"I must confess that I consider the coming extraordinary
session one of the most important in our history, and the most
important of my presidency," said Samaranch, who has been in power
since 1980. "Our duty requires that we take concrete decisions, in
some cases painful ones, for the whole world will be observing."
The IOC and Samaranch have come under severe attack from outside
critics following revelations of cash payments and other improper
inducements received by IOC members from Salt Lake and other bid
cities.
"We must defend our organization, and the Olympic Games,
through our future actions," Samaranch said. "We must also defend
the honor and integrity of our members ... ."
Noting the support of international federations and national
Olympic committees, Samaranch said, "I am convinced that ... we
will succeed in bringing about the structural changes that are
necessary for us to be able to move toward the third millennium
with confidence and determination."
"I am counting on you all to contribute ... to defining a new
policy for the IOC, in a spirit of renewed unity," the letter
said.
Samaranch also told members the conclusion of the IOC's
investigation into the Salt Lake scandal has been delayed and won't
go before the executive board until next Monday.
"Despite the best efforts and sacrifices of the commission
members, the report has not yet been finalized," he said. "It
appears that it will take longer to conclude than was originally
planned. As soon as it is complete, it will be submitted to the
executive board for its meeting on 15th March."
Nine members resigned or were ousted in the first phase of the
inquiry that concluded in January.
Since then, the IOC inquiry panel has been looking into 19 other
cases -- three holdovers from the first phase, plus 16 additional
names cited in a Salt Lake ethics report.
At least one more member is expected to be expelled in the
latest phase, while the bulk of the others are expected to be
exonerated or receive warnings.
Seiuli Paul Wallwork of Western Samoa, an IOC member since 1987,
will be ousted under the recommendation of the six-man panel,
Olympic sources familiar with the case have told the AP.
Wallwork was named in a Utah ethics report last month that said
his wife, Julia, borrowed $30,000 from Salt Lake City bid chief Tom
Welch "to help a friend in a serious situation." The report said
the money, withdrawn by Welch from his children's' trust fund, was
repaid.
Among those still under investigation from the first phase is
South Korean executive board member Kim Un-yong, the highest
ranking IOC delegate implicated so far.
Kim faces allegations that he used Olympic connections to help
secure lucrative jobs for his children in broadcasting and
entertainment. He has denied any wrongdoing.
In other developments:
- SLOC leader Mitt Romney announced a hiring freeze, reductions
in staff travel and other cuts to save $14 million. He also
highlighted $84 million worth of expenses -- including extra
furniture, decorations, and a planned memorial plaza -- that are not
crucial to the games and should be contingent on revenue.
- A former organizer at the heart of the Salt Lake Olympic
bribery scandal says the senior U.S. official of the games knew
about the vote-buying scheme. Dave Johnson, who was senior vice
president of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee and long involved
in the city's Olympic campaign, told The New York Times that he
discussed "everything" about the program with IOC member Anita
DeFrantz. DeFrantz, now an IOC vice president, denied Johnson's
statements.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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