(3/1/99)
A Blue Ribbon Commission investigating the biggest ethics scandal in the
history of the Olympic games, has released a report on its findings. And a
list of proposed reforms.
Charles Sherrill made a quick trip to New York, to attend the group's news
conference.
The ethics panel concluded that a culture of corruption exists throughout
the Olympic organization that basic structural reforms are required to correct
it.
What the investigating commission said, essentially, is that the fish rots from
the head.
They proposed a prohibition on gifts of anything more than nominal value.
They said Salt Lake's bid was the best, and that makes the scandal all the more
tragic. They also said so-called assistance programs should be banned from
bids. And that IOC members be elected rather than appointed for life.
The commission also called for regular independent audits of the
International Olympic Committee's finances and said it should open its books to
the public.
And it said a central fund should be set up to pay for travel and expenses
so there would be no direct tie between bid cities and visiting IOC members.
