IOC President Thomas Bach Says He Wants 'Fresh Wind Coming In'

IOC President Thomas Bach's reforms "may not represent a radical revolution, but they herald the most sweeping changes in the Olympic movement since the cleanup of the Salt Lake City bid scandal in 1999," according to Stephen Wilson of the AP. A revised bidding process. A flexible sports program. More affordable games. Creation of an Olympic television channel. Bach's "Olympic Agenda 2020" is a package of 40 measures "designed to modernize the Olympics, protect the brand and convince potential bid cities that hosting the Games is worth the multi-billion-dollar price tag." The IOC exec board will meet Friday and Saturday in Monaco. The full IOC will meet Monday and Tuesday "to vote on the reform proposals." The recommendations "are all expected to win approval from the 100-plus members, giving Bach a strong endorsement and putting a firm stamp on his presidency just 16 months into office." Bach: "We want to show that the IOC is opening up. We are opening a window and we want to have fresh wind coming in" (AP, 12/4).