Recurring "friction" between IOC VP Anita DeFrantz and the USOC has "escalated with recent USOC action to preserve" IOC membership for former USOC President Bill Hybl, according to Philip Hersh of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. DeFrantz "thinks Hybl's IOC position belongs to" USOC President Sandy Baldwin, who was recently elected to replace Hybl. But IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch said that the "decision belongs to the IOC," which voted unanimously for Hybl to remain an IOC member. Baldwin: "I feel at this time it is in the best interests of the U.S. for me to concentrate on what I have to do at home. Hersh writes that the key words there "may be 'at this time.'" DeFrantz: "To me the (Olympic) charter is very clear that this position is for the USOC president." Hersh writes that there are "subtexts to this story," and one "is gender: As the first female IOC [VP] and one of just 14 women among 127 IOC members, DeFrantz would like another female member." But another "element is that the voting to name Hybl president-emeritus and to keep the IOC position came after DeFrantz had left Washington for an IOC meeting in Switzerland." DeFrantz: "I made the case for Dr. [Leroy] Walker becoming emeritus. ... He gave 60 years of his life to sport. To me that is emeritus, not four years as president." Hersh cites sources saying the fact Hybl was chairing a USOC meeting "during which votes were taken on his IOC and emeritus status also rankles" DeFrantz. Hybl: "I respect Anita DeFrantz as the senior (U.S.) member of the IOC, and I respectfully disagree with her on this" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/13).
