IOC VP Dick Pound "has dismissed an accusation that he
is using the IOC corruption scandal to further his ambitions
to succeed" IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, according
to John Partridge of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. Jean-Claude
Ganga, one of the six IOC members targeted for expulsion in
the bid scandal around the 2002 Salt Lake Games, said the
scandal investigation is "part of a struggle for the
succession" of Samaranch and "they are doing everything they
can to eliminate those who might campaign against them."
Pound, who has led the investigation, said, "This, if
anything, would hurt any such aspirations. When you do a
cleanup thing, everyone agrees the cleanup should occur, but
the one who's connected with it usually pays the price. I
knew that when I started, but I still think we have to do
it." Partridge writes that Pound "seemed ambivalent" about
whether he plans to seek the top job. Describing himself as
"kind of middle class," he said that the fact the position
is non-paying could "easily affect my ability to even
consider running to be president." Pound also "hinted" that
Samaranch may not necessarily serve out his term as
president, which expires in 2001. Pound: "How long he might
stay after (getting the IOC through the crisis) I think
would be a matter for him to consider" (GLOBE & MAIL, 1/27).
Meanwhile, Pound has been appointed Chancellor of McGill
Univ. in Montreal. Pound will serve a five-year term
beginning July 1. He said his new post "will not interfere"
with his IOC work (Montreal GAZETTE, 1/27).
LIVING LARGE: SLOC Trustee Kenneth Bullock told USA
TODAY that the organization has budgeted $2.6M in hotel
subsidies and $658,000 to cover breakfast costs for members
of the "Olympic family" during the 2002 Games. Another
$284,000 has been set aside for "gifts." IOC VP & SLOC
Trustee Anita DeFrantz said the budget figures should not
have been disclosed by Bullock but declined further comment
(USA TODAY, 1/27)....Rome Mayor Francesco Rutelli said the
choice of Athens as the site for the 2004 Summer Games "is
tainted by the bribery scandal," and said there should be
another vote on the Games' site. IOC members voted for
Athens over Rome 66-41 in September '97 (Mult., 1/27).
