Big Changes for USOC International Relations

(ATR) U.S. Olympic Committee international relations chief Robert Fasulo will leave his post in August and the office he directed will move from southern California to Colorado Springs.

The changes, announced Monday, are the first major moves to be made by new USOC CEO Scott Blackmun with the IR department.

When asked in February by Around the Rings about such a possibility Blackmun, just two weeks into the job replied "everything is on the table".

In a statement Monday, Blackmun said the time is right for the change.

"While there were very good reasons in the past to have staff based in Irvine, that is no longer the case. I am looking forward to bringing our international relations group to Colorado Springs where it can work closely with the rest of the team," he said.

When Fasulo was hired in 2006, the USOC was led by chairman Peter Ueberroth, whose home and offices are just a few miles from Irvine. Also living in the neighborhood was Bob Ctvrtlik, who was vice president international for the USOC.

Ueberroth stepped down in 2008 and Ctivrtlik ended his work with the USOC last July.

Fasulo came to the USOC with a wealth of international sport experience. He served as a key aide to the IAAF President Primo Nebiolo in the 1990’s. He then worked in Lausanne as executive director of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations.

Fasulo could not be reached for immediate comment, but the USOC release says he "will step down in order to pursue other international opportunities in the global Olympic Movement."

"My experience working with the USOC, our athletes and NGBs has not only been incredibly rewarding but also an honor for me," said Fasulo in the USOC release.

"I am very proud of what we have accomplished in the past four years. Leaving the USOC has been a very difficult decision for me and my family, but I look forward to expanding my opportunities in the international Olympic arena."

The fate of the rest of the IR staff in California depends on whether they are willing to relocate to Colorado Springs. Staff members who elect not to move will be given severance packages.

The changes come as the USOC prepares to move to new office space this month in Colorado Springs. While the IR department will return to Colorado Springs, there are no plans to move the marketing offices from New York City.

"It makes sense for them to be there," said Blackmun in his February ATR interview.

Written by Ed Hula.