U.S. IOC member and Easton Sports Chair Jim Easton
acknowledged yesterday that his company hired the son of an
IOC member at the request of the Salt Lake City 2002 bid
committee, according to Amy Shipley of the WASHINGTON POST.
Easton: "We were doing a favor for the bid committee. At
the time it seemed perfectly acceptable." Easton said that
Sibu Sibandze "did legitimate work and was hired on the
strength of his credentials" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/12).
Easton Sports manufactures "high-end" sporting equipment,
including products used in Olympic sports such as softball,
baseball, hockey, archery and cycling. Easton: "I certainly
didn't feel I was doing anything improper in cooperating
with the bid committee in getting the Games here" (N.Y.
TIMES, 2/12). Easton added that he will leave the IOC if
"they don't get rid of members who have failed the (Olympic)
oath. ... I've worked too hard and the one thing you can't
buy and repair is reputation" (TORONTO STAR, 2/12).
CANADIAN EXEC UNREST: Canadian Olympic Association CEO
Carol Anne Letheren said she will resign from the IOC if
"nasty political infighting prevents major reforms" at next
month's meeting in Switzerland. Letheren: "If it becomes
impossible for the IOC to create major reforms ... then
you've got to find other avenues" (TORONTO STAR, 2/12).
