USOC, IOC Officials Hold Meeting To Discuss Revenue Sharing

Probst (l), Blackmun among delegation representing U.S. in IOC negotiations

USOC and IOC officials "opened talks Tuesday on a new revenue-sharing agreement that could resolve their long-running financial rift," according to Stephen Wilson of the AP. A delegation of USOC leaders “held a first formal meeting” with IOC officials in Lausanne, Switzerland, that “lasted about an hour.” The “new formula would take effect” in '20. USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said, "We had a good, constructive dialogue on the overall allocation of resources. We agreed to get together again." Representing the USOC at the meeting were Blackmun, Chair Larry Probst and former Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee President Fraser Bullock. The IOC delegation consisted of Marketing Commission Chair Gerhard Heiberg, Finance Commission Chair Richard Carrion and Chief of Staff Christophe De Kepper (AP, 1/11).

COST CUTTING: In Colorado, Brian Gomez reported USA Canoe/Kayak “had its funding slashed” by the USOC -- a “big-time blow to the chances of the Americans winning their first Olympic sprint title” since '88. The resources for USA Canoe/Kayak’s sprint national team "were cut by the USOC in another round of cost-saving measures the Colorado Springs-based organization justified through the lack of Olympic medals." USA Canoe/Kayak received $863,777 in '07, $920,382 in '08 and $595,179 in '09 (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 1/11).