U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) yesterday "sent a
formal invitation" to IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch
to testify April 14 at U.S. Senate Commerce Committee
hearings reviewing the IOC's tax-exempt status, according to
Amy Shipley of the WASHINGTON POST. Invitations were also
sent to USOC President Bill Hybl and the five members of the
Mitchell Commission (WASHINGTON POST, 3/23).
OLYMPIC NOTES: The John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance
company called on IOC member Phil Coles to step down. Coles
was censured for his actions around the Salt Lake City bid
process and is also involved in a controversy regarding
possible jewelry gifts made by the Athens bid team (AP,
3/23)....The IOC refused Quebec City's request for
compensation for the C$12M spent on the city's unsuccessful
bid to host the 2002 Games (TORONTO STAR, 3/23)....IOC
member and Canadian Olympic Association CEO Carol Anne
Letheren dismissed a Maclean's magazine story that claimed
she received a $50,000 facelift from the 2002 Salt Lake City
bid committee. Letheren: "They can have a look for the
scars" (TORONTO SUN, 3/23)....CA-based Cartan Tours has
begun taking orders for those wishing to attend the Sydney
Games. Cartan "reported strong interest, with more than
25,000 people registering for brochures." American visitors
are expected to spend, on average, $7,000 on their trips to
Australia (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 3/19).