The USOC's 20-member Exec Committee approved a three-
month extension on Friday that "will keep nine U.S.
candidates for the 2012 Olympics and three for the 2007 Pan
American Games in the bid process at least through the end
of the year," according to Jeff Metcalfe of the ARIZONA
REPUBLIC. Baltimore-Washington, N.Y., S.F. and Seattle did
not meet the original September 30 deadline, which
"acknowledges the requirement for government underwriting,"
imposed by the IOC because of the "struggle Atlanta had
meeting" its $1.8B budget (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/10). USOC
Exec Dir Dick Schultz, on the extension: "We had questions
on every bid. Some cities changed the language on the
government resolutions, and a few cities ... don't have
anything [from local governments] yet" (WASHINGTON POST,
10/11). In the SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Liz Mullen reports
that Seattle "may drop out" from Olympic bidding because of
the issue, while N.Y. "hasn't scheduled a council vote on
the subject," and L.A.'s resolution "appears" that it "will
not meet the requirement" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/12).
COUNTING BEANS: The USOC approved a revised budget on
Saturday which includes $28M in spending "previously
approved" for athlete support for the 2002 Winter Games and
2000/2004 Summer Games. USOC Treasurer Jim Morris said that
the USOC is $11M "ahead of schedule in revenue receipt" and
$19M under budget. He called the USOC's financial state
"superior" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/11).
