IOC President Thomas Bach has "broken his silence on the Rio ticket-touting scandal which first rocked the Games over three months ago by calling for Pat Hickey’s release from Brazil on medical grounds," according to Ian O'Riordan of the IRISH TIMES. It is the first time Bach commented directly on the matter, "despite being a close colleague of Hickey, who sits alongside the IOC president on the IOC executive committee." In September, Brazilian police released details of a series of text messages between Hickey and Bach, "which they claimed were obtained from Hickey’s phone following his arrest, and appeared to suggest Hickey had personally lobbied the IOC president for more tickets for high-profile events at the Rio Games, although there was no subsequent investigation into the matter." Speaking on Wednesday to reporters at the IOC HQ in Lausanne, Bach claimed "he hasn’t had any personal contact with Hickey in recent weeks, and the matter was “in the hand of the Brazilian authorities at the moment." Bach added, “For us it is very clear that the presumption of innocence prevails and we hope that a good solution will be found to address his (Hickey) difficult health situation. And that hopefully he can have his treatment and surgery in Ireland." Bach’s comments follow last month’s General Assembly of the EOC, which voiced its "concern and outrage" at both his treatment by the Brazilian authorities and "lack of intervention by the Irish Government;" acting EOC President Janez Kocijancic said, "We have studied the allegations against Patrick Hickey and from what we know he is not guilty of any criminal offence." Last week, the family of the 71 year-old Hickey "also reiterated their calls for his release home on medical grounds, indicating he is suffering an Atrial fibrillation." Hickey has been in Rio since late July, and "although freed on bail, is still awaiting a trial date" (IRISH TIMES, 11/10).
