When SLOC President Tom Welch "returns from his African
safari" he will "face a battery charge for allegedly
assaulting his wife July 9 during a dispute precipitated by
his admission he was seeing another woman," according to
Gorrell & Horiuchi of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. Gorrell &
Horiuchi: "He also will face questions from SLOC's Executive
Committee, which could determine whether Welch will retain
his high-profile position in light of the ... misdemeanor."
The charge "was filed despite the objections" of his wife,
Alma. SLOC Board Chair Frank Joklik said that the Board's
Executive Committee expects to interview Welch when he
returns and will recommend "a course of action" to the full
board. In a statement, Joklik said, "We would like to
assure all interested parties that our primary concern is to
uphold the image of the Olympic movement and respect for its
ideals" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/22). USOC Exec Dir Dick
Schultz said that "he doubted the charges would have much
impact outside Utah" and that it was "premature to
speculate" on Welch's future with SLOC (AP, 7/22).
