June 30, 1999
The Salt Lake Olympic fundraising effort, already burdened by a bribery scandal, took another shot, this one from one of Utah's most powerful and influential citizens. News Specialist Karen Scullin has the story.
The Huntsman Corporation bought four major businesses from Imperial Chemical Industries of London, for $3-billion. Wednesday the deal was finalized.
Jon Huntsman says the acquisition will have a major impact on Utah, bringing in more revenue, and allowing his family to give more to charitable organizations. But in talking about those charities, Huntsman made it very clear he didn't consider the 2002 Olympics to be one of them. And he was critical of some recent comments made by the Salt Lake Olympic Committee President, Mitt Romney.
We caught up with Jon Huntsman as he arrived from a trip that finalized a $3-billion acquisition. When asked about the 2002 Olympics, it became obvious the games will not benefit from Huntsman's deep pockets.
When asked if he has any plans to offer sponsorship, Huntsman replied, "None at all."
He says he'll offer his enthusiasm when the time comes, but his money will go elsewhere. Huntsman says he thinks SLOC is ignoring a promise it made to the public not to ask for money, by asking citizens to donate $100-million.
Huntsman says, "Our money will go to cancer, and homelessness, and all the things we must do long after the Olympics leave. And I think that most people understand that the Olympics are a short-term, three-week carnival."
Huntsman also took offense to a comment SLOC president Mitt Romney apparently made, referring to anyone who donates to the Olympics as "heroes."
"It's just that the term 'hero' should be a name for those who are noble and who give to other causes and who give to the needy, and who have a great heart," Huntsman told us.
And Huntsman, who in 1988 was working to bring the '98 olympics here, is very concerned about Utah's reputation and a comment Romney apparently made on KSL radio, stating that other countries don't know about the bribery scandal.
Huntsman says, "I've just come from those countries. The very first question we're asked is, 'Mr. Huntsman, do you engage in the same type of bribery that brought the Olympics to Utah?'"
Huntsman says integrity takes years to build, but the scandal will take years to overcome.
Huntsman does say he hopes the Olympics are very successful for the state of Utah, and that when 2002 rolls around, we all should offer support to the athletes and the games.
