The USOC, "divided about the future" of IOC President
Juan Antonio Samaranch, "is exploring ideas about the
restructuring" of the IOC, according to Jere Longman of the
N.Y. TIMES. The changes could include "recommendations for
term limits and democratic elections by outsiders." While
USOC officials have not made public statements, "privately,
American officials are saying the I.O.C. needs to be more
accountable and representative." One USOC exec said that
USOC President Bill Hybl "wanted Samaranch to resign but
that it was too delicate politically to call for that
action." Another official said that Hybl was not "against
Samaranch, but rather" putting out "feelers about possible"
IOC restructuring. Hybl declined comment on the matter, but
Longman writes that a call by a "senior" USOC exec for
Samaranch to resign could "seriously damage his chances of
riding out the Salt Lake City storm" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/28).
A SWIFT LOOK: SI's E.M. Swift takes an extensive look
at the IOC under the header, "Breaking Point: Years Of
Greed, Corruption Have Caught Up With The IOC." Swift
writes there is "reason to wonder" if the IOC can "cleanse
itself." Of the remaining 112 members (as of Monday), 90
were appointed by Samaranch and "have been weaned in an
Olympian culture of greed." Swift: "If Samaranch steps down
... his successor, if chosen from within the IOC, could
prove to be just as bad. Or worse. Even Pound, whose
reputation for integrity has long distinguished him from
many other senior IOC members and who is Samaranch's most
likely successor, has been tainted" (SI, 2/1 issue).
JUST THE UGLY FAX? AROUND THE RINGS reports of
anonymous faxes "in the past week seeking to defame" Pound
and other IOC members Jacques Rogge and Pal Schmitt "with
explosive allegations." Rogge called the faxes "evil, an
ugly smear campaign," although ATR reports that "he's not
hammered as hard as his colleagues" (AROUND THE RINGS,
1/27). In Toronto, Steve Buffery reports that Pound is
"bracing himself for a nasty smear campaign." Pound, on the
anonymous faxes: "I think that's more of a comment on them
than it is their targets. ... I've certainly heard that [IOC
member Jean-Claude] Ganga's out making anti-Pound comments
in the media." Buffery notes that the "buzz" within the
Olympic community is that "many of the IOC delegates from
poorer nations believe the inquiry made scapegoats of Third
World members and that Pound ultimately will pay the price
when the election to succeed Samaranch is held." Pound: "If
it happens, it happens" (TORONTO SUN, 1/28).
ANOTHER MEMBER STEPS DOWN: In Chicago, Philip Hersh
reports a fourth IOC member, Charles Mukora of Kenya,
resigned yesterday. But three more are still under
investigation, and some have "vowed to fight" their
expulsion by the IOC. Hersh adds that Mali's Lamine Keita
has threatened "offensive" action, "possibly the airing of
more IOC dirty laundry" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/28).
