SLOC President & CEO Frank Joklik and SLOC Senior VP
Dave Johnson announced their resignations Friday in the wake
of the increasing "bribery scandal over Salt Lake City's
successful quest to host the 2002 Winter Games," according
to Tom Kenworthy of the WASHINGTON POST. Two other
officials who were involved in the bid process, Senior
VP/Marketing & Legal Affairs Kelly Flint and Licensing Dir
Rod Hamson, "were placed on paid leave until the
investigations are complete." The SLOC Executive Board also
"terminated" a $10,000-a-month consulting contract with
former SLOC President Tom Welch. Welch was also CEO of the
bid committee (WASHINGTON POST, 1/9). In addition to cash
payments, a land deal, tuition aid and "excessive gift-
giving," Saturday reports had the SLOC ethics panel
investigating allegations of prostitution, including whether
"credit cards belonging to the bid committee were used to
pay for escort services for I.O.C. members." The charges
"have not been substantiated" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/10).
TV COVERAGE: On ABC's "World News Tonight," Tom Foreman
reported, "The Olympic Committee here had to face up to this
scandal" (ABC, 1/8). NBC "Nightly News" reported the story
roughly seven minutes into its broadcast as part of its "In
Depth" segment. NBC's Tom Brokaw said the Games have gone
from a "big victory and a sense of pride for the city to
shame and recrimination. Now the Salt Lake City Olympic
Committee is cleaning house." NBC's Roger O'Neill: "What
was supposed to be a windfall worth billions for Utah, has
instead become its biggest embarrassment" (NBC, 1/8).
REAX: IOC VP Anita DeFrantz: "There are a few
individuals who abused their privilege. They will be
removed from the Olympic movement. ... Not that many. I'd
say no more than a dozen" (L.A. TIMES, 1/9). The DESERET
NEWS called for the removal of IOC President Juan Antonio
Samaranch, saying he "has become entrenched to a point that
is unhealthy. A change is in order" (DESERET NEWS, 1/9).
In L.A., Mike Penner: "Might Samaranch consider taking a
similar high-road exit? .... I wouldn't bet his 7mm bolt-
action Browning rifle on it" (L.A. TIMES, 1/9). In N.Y.,
Mike Lupica wrote that if Samaranch "had any grace at all,
he would step down now" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/10).