The USOC "finds itself adrift in leadership, lacking
direction to such an extent that some officials of the
organization fear an impact on performance at future Games
and a loss in confidence by corporate sponsors," according
to Jere Longman of the N.Y. TIMES, who wrote that the USOC
"has a reputation as a group that takes forever to make
decisions, is heavily politicized and whose members often
act out of self-interest." One former USOC exec said that
the organization "faces urgencies that, if not handled
properly, could be 'a potential catastrophe.'" The USOC has
been governed by five different leaders in the past six
years and has "struggled to raise money" since former Deputy
Exec Dir of Marketing John Krimsky left two years ago after
raising $2B over 15 years. Longman: "At one point, a
shortfall of as much as $90 million was feared for the 2000-
4 quadrennium, although officials have since whittled that
amount to $20 million on a yet-to-be approved $495 million
budget." Meanwhile, the USOC will begin meeting Thursday in
Washington, DC, to elect a volunteer president and "perhaps
name a permanent" CEO. USOC VP Sandy Baldwin is running for
USOC President against USOC member and Boston attorney Paul
George, whose "style is to lead by accommodation." Baldwin
said, "I don't believe the organization is broke, but it
needs to be fixed" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/26).
