Ueberroth on Beijing, USOC HQ Search
U.S. Olympic Committee chairman Peter Ueberroth says he expects Beijing to be “the best ever” Olympic Games.
Speaking following a meeting in Atlanta of the USOC Board, Ueberroth dismissed critics of the Games who are worried about pollution, food safety and other issues.
"This is a virulent worldwide disease that takes place before any Olympic Games, and that's that the doom-sayers all come out and every worst-case scenario is portrayed," he said.
Ueberroth said that while U.S. athletes won’t be under a gag rule to prevent them from voicing opinions at the Games, he also expects them to follow IOC and USOC rules banning political display and comment within the venues.
“We accept those rules. We expect and are sure that our athletes are going to respect their own country, respect their flag, respect the flag of every other country."
Ueberroth says the search for a new headquarters for the USOC is narrowed to three locations. He would only disclose Colorado Springs as one of them. Chicago is believed to be another and Atlanta the possible third.
Ueberroth says he is pleased with the way the Chicago bid for the 2016 Olympics has improved in theten months since being selected as the U.S. nominee. He says he is confident Chicago will make the IOC cut on June 4 to head into the final round of the contest.
Bahamas NOC Gridlock Cleared
After nearly two years of fighting over leadership elections, a judge has ruled against former Bahamas Olympic Association President Arlington Butler.
At the heart of the dispute was who could vote in elections for BOA president. At a November 2006 BOA general meeting, delegates were unable to agree on a president. Arlington Butler was first elected Bahamas Olympic Association president in 1972. (ATR) In response to the deadlock, incumbent President Butler ruled that all executive positions were vacant. Executive officers opposed the decision and made several attempts to hold elections afterwards, with some meetings almost coming to fisticuffs.
The issue escalated to the point that a Bahamas Supreme Court case was required to end the fighting.
Senior Justice Anita Allen said in her ruling on Tuesday, “I could not find any provisions either in the BOA Constitution which provides that officers of the BOA automatically become vacant on the expiration of four (4) years. In the premises, I find that officers are entitled to hold office until those offices are filled by an election held at an Electoral General Meeting.”
BOA Secretary General Dr. Larry Davis said “the executives can vote. Butler had no authority to declare executive posts vacant and no right to appoint anyone to conduct elections.”
Davis added that Butler also was ordered to repay all legal fees.
"The Executive Officers are elated at this ruling that finally restores the BOA Constitution to its rightful place as governing the affairs of the organization," reads a press release from the BOA.
"The BOA will now move to resume the Electoral General meeting and conclude the election of officers originally started on November 30, 2006,” it continues.
Butler was removed from his position in late 2007. An interim president had been serving since his removal from office. The special election for president is expected to take place in March.
World Briefs…
The second annual African International Sports Convention wrapped up on Saturday . The Abuja, Nigeria, conference was attended by IOC members from Africa including General Lassana Palenfo of Ivory Coast, Kip Keino of Kenya, Sam Ramsamy of South Africa and other international sports leaders with ties to Africa. Themes for this year’s event were the financing of sport in Africa, doping in sport, media and sport, sport and migration, and bidding and organization for major events.
Asafa Powell, the world record holder in the 100m, says he plans to set a new record in Beijing . “That is within my reach. I think I can grab it and put it behind me, and that is what I am going to do,” he said after winning the Melbourne Grand Prix. His 10.04 set a race record.
U.S. civil rights campaigner Rev. Al Sharpton says that doping in American baseball is about “criminalizing black men”. Sharpton compared the treatment of pitcher Roger Clemens to outfielder Barry Bonds. After members of Congress questioned Clemens on Wednesday, Sharpton accused some members of acting as if “they were at a fan club meeting.”
Written by Ed Hula III and Eric Connelly
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