Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

IOC ethics panel eyes London, N.Y. bids
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-20 14:04

The IOC ethics commission summoned leaders of the five cities vying for the 2012 Olympics on Tuesday to see if any of them broke bidding rules by offering incentives.


Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), opens the IOC Executive Board meeting in Berlin on Tuesday, April 19, 2005. Rogge reassured international federations Monday that it's unlikely any sports will be dropped from the Summer Olympics. [AP]

The move came after New York and London — seeking votes in the final stretch of the campaign — promised subsidies, free marketing and other benefits to international sports federations and national Olympic committees.

International Olympic Committee spokeswoman Giselle Davies said the panel was trying to determine whether the proposals went beyond what the cities listed in their official bid documents in November. New York and London bid officials said their proposals were included.

London and New York are competing against Paris, Madrid and Moscow. The IOC will select the host city in Singapore on July 6.

The five bid chiefs were called into separate meetings with French magistrate Paquerette Girard-Zappelli, the IOC ethics official who monitors compliance with bid rules. The panel has the power to recommend warnings or sanctions.

"She's looking at it as a day-to-day issue to clarify," Davies said. "We're not talking about an investigation at this stage."

Girard-Zappelli declined comment.

IOC ethics rules have been tightened since the Salt Lake City bid scandal, which led to the ouster of 10 IOC members for accepting cash, scholarships, lavish gifts and other improper benefits.

Tuesday's inquiry came a day after London announced a package of more than $20 million in assistance to athletes and Olympic committees, including $50,000 "credits" to each national Olympic body toward the cost of using pre-games training facilities in Britain.

London said it also budgeted $10 million to cover flexible, round-trip economy air fares for all 10,500 athletes and several thousand team officials. Other perks include $100 worth of free phone calls for athletes, free train travel throughout Britain after the games and discounts at restaurants, shops and theaters.

On Sunday, New York promised to market each of the 28 Olympic sports for free in the seven-year period leading to the games. Federations would get free office space, with computers, phones and staff.

"Our proposal for the Olympic Sports Marketing Council was included in our bid book," New York bid leader Dan Doctoroff said Tuesday before flying back to the United States.

London also offered special hotel rates, price discounts and TV exposure to the federations. A delegate from each federation would be given free accommodations and living expenses to stay in London for up to a year to oversee preparations for the games.

London bid spokesman Mike Lee said the subsidies were covered in the city's proposed $2.85 billion operating budget.

"I'm sure the candidate cities will be happy with clarification," he said. "We're very comfortable with our proposals."

In other matters Tuesday:

The IOC postponed a decision on Beijing's proposal to move equestrian events at the 2008 Olympics to Hong Kong — more than 1,240 miles from the host city. Beijing organizers cited the risk of equine diseases and quarantine problems in the capital. The International Equestrian Federation opposed the switch. The IOC said it would rule in the next few months.

A Japanese developer instrumental in bringing the Winter Olympics to Nagano in 1998 was suspended as an IOC "honor member." Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, once listed by Forbes as the world's richest man, is accused of insider trading and falsifying financial statements at his company and was arrested in March. Tsutsumi, 70, was appointed in 2000 to the IOC post. "Honor" members are invited to IOC meetings but do not have voting rights.

Organizers of the Turin Winter Olympics told the IOC they have solved their financial problems and could guarantee their $1.6 billion operating budget would be met.



Ferrero wins first round in Barcelona
A farewell to Armstrong
Rockets beat Clippers 115-90, win 6th straight
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

KMT leader to visit mainland April 26-May 3

 

   
 

Two Americans get jail for DVD piracy

 

   
 

FM: Annan's advice taken on board

 

   
 

China congratulates Ratzinger as new pope

 

   
 

Tokyo court rejects appeal of war victims

 

   
 

Bush, US Senate jerk up pressure on yuan

 

   
  Chinese U20 hold Stuttgart Kickers to 0-0 draw
   
  Chelsea nears first title in 50 years
   
  Manchester United to bring full squad to Hong Kong
   
  Charlton eyes Asian player
   
  Cavaliers down Celtics, keep hopes alive
   
  Hosts for Champions League finals set
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement