The IOC and USOC “made more progress Thursday in negotiations on a new revenue-sharing agreement and hope to sign a deal by July,” according to Stephen Wilson of the AP. USOC Chair Larry Probst and CEO Scott Blackmun met with the IOC negotiating team “in the latest talks aimed at resolving the long-festering financial dispute that has strained relations.” IOC Marketing Commission Chair Gerhard Heiberg said, “We had a very positive meeting.” He added, “We are getting closer and closer to finding an end solution.” Heiberg said that the sides “will meet again next month in Lausanne, Switzerland, and ‘hopefully’ complete an agreement before the IOC general assembly in early July in Durban, South Africa.” The talks Thursday “mark another step in the concerted efforts by Probst and Blackmun to mend ties with the IOC and rebuild relations with the international Olympic movement.” Blackmun said, "One of the most newsworthy things is that it's no longer newsworthy when Larry and I show up at these events. I think that's a good thing." He added, “We're having very constructive discussions" (AP, 4/7).
