SLOC President & CEO Tom Welch resigned yesterday at a
press conference, eight days after being charged with
domestic assault against his wife, Alma. Welch, reading a
statement: "I've concluded that the costs incurred by the
Organizing Committee, by my children, by me, are too great.
In saying that, I want to again reiterate that these charges
are unfounded, that the allegations that have been widely
printed in the press without having an opportunity to
respond have created a very unfortunate situation and a lot
of hurt for a lot of innocent people" (ESPN, 7/29).
DETAILS: In Salt Lake, Mike Gorrell writes that Welch
"expressed surprisingly little emotion, speaking without
tears, without obvious anger. His voice barely cracked as
he steadily read a one-page statement." Welch will remain
with the SLOC "in some capacity, as a consultant."
Gorrell: "The subject of his consultancy and the
compensation he will receive will be discussed today by the
executive committee of SLOC's board of trustees. But it
undoubtedly will be much smaller than his $325,000 annual
salary and projected lifetime pension of $100,000 a year if
the 2002 Games break even" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/30). A
source told the DESERET NEWS that the SLOC Exec Committee
suggested Welch take a leave of absence. It had also hired
its own investigator to look into allegations. Welch said
that he was not forced to quit: "I felt absolutely no
pressure" (Lisa Riley Roche, DESERET NEWS, 7/30).
BEHIND THE SCENES: The TRIBUNE's Gorrell reports that
Welch's "rapid fall from power was inconceivable until three
weeks ago -- even though a number of his Olympic associates
were concerned that his social life, while he was separated
from but still married to Alma, could blow up in his face."
Gorrell adds that Welch "had disturbed several SLOC board
members" by not telling them of the incident with his wife
"when the board met the day after it had occurred" (SALT
LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/30). In N.Y., Frank Litsky writes the
resignation "was not unexpected" after some Olympic execs
"expressed concern" about Welch's "self-control," which they
felt could be a "liability" in meeting with the press or
corporate sponsors (N.Y. TIMES, 7/30). USOC Exec Dir Dick
Schultz, on a resolution: "It gets us out of the newspapers
and off the airwaves and life gets back to normal" (SALT
LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/30).
MOVING ON: The SLOC Exec Committee will meet today to
name an interim president and "discuss where to go from
here," according to Mike Gorrell of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE.
Gorrell: "SLOC could stay close to home, picking a successor
from within the ranks of the board or staff, or go so far as
to conduct a worldwide search" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/30).
SLOC Chair Frank Joklik is the "obvious candidate to assume
Welch's duties temporarily," according to USA TODAY's Mike
Dodd. Joklik "would have considerable support if he were to
agree to take the job permanently." Also mentioned as
possible successors: MSG President/Utah native Dave
Checketts and SLOC SR VP Dave Johnson. USA TODAY's Dodd:
"Most observers feel Welch's successor needs to be someone
either from Utah or at least familiar with the Mormon-
influenced culture here" (USA TODAY, 7/30). MSG's Checketts
had no comment yesterday (Frank Litsky, N.Y. TIMES, 7/30).
