Another Interesting Piece on the IOC

[DirtyWorks]

Brazil Games In Trouble

Cost overruns at $700 million dollars and another 3 years of construction to go!

Meanwhile, the leader of the Public agency that coordinates the many municipalities with Olympic projects is the latest to leave the Brazillian Olympics effort.

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/future_olympic_games/1216136723.html

Nice summary including the attempt to build a stadium using public funds then privatize the stadium. http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/07/three...and-world-cup-cause-unrest-in-brazil-3900174/

 

[DirtyWorks]

Show Me The Money!!

Here's more specific information on the money made in London 2013.

Swimming and Gymnastics got promotions into "Group A" funding where only the IAAF was before.

The UCI collects some unknown portion of $22 million dollars.
Second-tier Group B: basketball, cycling, football, tennis and volleyball ($22 million)

Big revenues for London! It is reported that the $520 million revenues from London revenues represent a 75 percent


http://espn.go.com/olympics/story/_/id/9321066/swimming-gymnastics-get-olympic-revenue-boost

 

[Benotti69]

Cost overruns at $700 million dollars and another 3 years of construction to go!

Meanwhile, the leader of the Public agency that coordinates the many municipalities with Olympic projects is the latest to leave the Brazillian Olympics effort.

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/future_olympic_games/1216136723.html

Nice summary including the attempt to build a stadium using public funds then privatize the stadium. http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/07/three...and-world-cup-cause-unrest-in-brazil-3900174/

I would love if the Brazil games failed spectacularly and damaged IOC forever.

 

[D-Queued]

I would love if the Brazil games failed spectacularly and damaged IOC forever.

Can you remove the cancer without killing the patient?

Some of us remember the 1980 boycott very well. The athletes always pay the price. Can we fix the IOC without killing the Olympics?

Thinking further, and noting that we are in the clinic, others among us may remember the Carl Lewis/Ben Johnson/Christie/Trevor Graham/Balco/Gatlin/Bolt continuum very well while others may recall the organized GDR doping

Noting that this is a cycling web site, still others may recall the 1984 US Cycling Team's Doping, along with the evidence from Wade Exum.

Let me rephrase the above. The clean athletes always pay the price.

On second thought, then, perhaps we should get rid of the IOC.

Or, we should let it's corruption and the doping continue such that the brazen extent of human willingness to break every rule in the book is what we really learn from a pursuit of Citius, Altius, Fortius

Dave.

 

[Benotti69]

Can you remove the cancer without killing the patient?

Some of us remember the 1980 boycott very well. The athletes always pay the price. Can we fix the IOC without killing the Olympics?

Thinking further, and noting that we are in the clinic, others among us may remember the Carl Lewis/Ben Johnson/Christie/Trevor Graham/Balco/Gatlin/Bolt continuum very well while others may recall the organized GDR doping

Noting that this is a cycling web site, still others may recall the 1984 US Cycling Team's Doping, along with the evidence from Wade Exum.

Let me rephrase the above. The clean athletes always pay the price.

On second thought, then, perhaps we should get rid of the IOC.

Or, we should let it's corruption and the doping continue such that the brazen extent of human willingness to break every rule in the book is what we really learn from a pursuit of Citius, Altius, Fortius

Dave.

Nah, burn the IOC down.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Double-posted this.

http://www.3wiresports.com/2013/10/17/how-to-read-ioc-news-releases/

The third: Arne Ljungqvist of Sweden, Gerhard Heiberg of Norway and Hein Verbruggen of Holland would continue in their roles as chairmen of the medical commission, marketing commission and Olympic Broadcasting Services until after Sochi 2014, again for the sake of continuity; their terms had been due to run at the end of the Buenos Aires meeting.

Things are definitely being reshuffled for Bach, but Hein's still Chairman of Olympic Broadcasting until after Sochi.

The guy who took Hein's place at SportAccord is Marius Vizer, president of the International Judo Federation.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Nolypia 2018

It's awesome that the Green Party in Germany is pushing for some IOC transparency.

Their site:
http://nolympia2018.ludwighartmann.de/

http://www.gruene-fraktion-bayern.de/termine/ioc-kassiert-muenchen-zahlts
Some already revealed points via Google translate:
Adhesion contracts of the IOC: The guarantees and pre-counties must sign the applicant communities can be tightened at any time unilaterally by the IOC.

Risk costs in municipalities: the profits of the giant event will be deducted from the IOC and its premium advertising partners. The cost stick to the municipalities.

I read the second item as profits pass to the IOC and perhaps some sponsors? If there are German fluent readers, some clarification would be helpful.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Thomas Bach Warming Up

Bach also suggested the IOC could set up its own television network to counter the lack of coverage on existing channels.

"The Olympic Sports do not have enough coverage and the Olympic sports need to be promoted also in the time between games," Bach told reporters in a conference call.


http://sports.yahoo.com/news/olympics-olympic-sports-more-air-time-says-bach-162635037--sector.html

It looks like Bach got the message to Cookson before the UCI general meeting because that's what Cookson was reported to discuss.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/stakeholders-examine-worldtour-at-annual-uci-seminar

 

[Oldman]

Bach might be challenging the UCi to come up with a product worth broadcast by a broader TV audience. It's clear it's not growing into a primetime TV slot beyond Europe. Our pathetic Universal/NBC coverage sunk it in the US.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Billions Embezzled at Sochi Games

Things are running about average for a Games project, about 1/3 of Sochi budget evaporate as fraud and corruption payments delivered straight into government offices. That's at least 10 billion (ruble?/dollar?/euro?)

http://www.srf.ch/news/international/sotschi-korruption-frisst-ein-drittel-der-gelder

I don't speak German, so I borrowed the summary from English reposts of the story.

Same story, different angle, the producer of a critical documentary about the Sochi games was approached by Russians (??) to buy the movie so it would not be screened.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...ats-and-corruption-behind-Sochi-Olympics.html

IOC tried to limit the damage with personal attacks:
Such was the displeasure of the International Olympic Committee when it heard of it that it refused to allow the use of the word "Olympic" in the title, or the use of any archived Olympic footage. They also wrote accusing the producers of making a "politically motivated" hatchet-job.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Alan Abrahamson shilling for the IOC again:

In recent weeks, two high-profile Olympic visitors have flown into the United States. Both, at very different airports, waited in long, long lines at passport control.

According to the post, this is terrible. IOC associates should never deign to wait in passport control lines.

President Obama lobbied the IOC on behalf of Chicago’s 2016 bid. It is also remembered that his security detail kept the IOC members waiting.

Shocking!

http://www.3wiresports.com/2014/01/20/toronto-2024

Toronto gave up on the idea of bidding for a games. Just the bid alone was estimated to cost some $50-60 million.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-65610.pdf

 

[DirtyWorks]

Again, Abrahamson pretending the IOC wants a strong, independent anti-doping administration. Bach is granting WADA an additional $10 million, presumably the rest of their funding remains intact.

This shows what happens when sport takes over the WADA presidency — IOC vice president Craig Reedie becomes WADA president as of Jan. 1 — and is prepared to make this sort of intelligent investment.
..... With that kind of money, the agency could afford to find the best and brightest researchers. Money typically has a way of solving problems that often can seem intractable.

It would cost nothing to grant NADO's the authority to open cases on their own. Except nobody wants the dopers caught.

http://www.3wiresports.com/2013/12/14/iocs-signals-change/

 

[neineinei]

IOC covered up two positives in Salt Lake City

IOC covered up two positive tests at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, because they didn't want "a huge stink around the world".

Who is this information from? Some hack wanting to sell his book or a doper with a grudge? No, it is from the head of the doping lab for the 2002 Olympics, Don Catlin.

 

[del1962]

IOC covered up two positive tests at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, because they didn't want "a huge stink around the world".

Who is this information from? Some hack wanting to sell his book or a doper with a grudge? No, it is from the head of the doping lab for the 2002 Olympics, Don Catlin.

He told me that biathletes were “always at the center of looking for new drugs.”

What is it about blokes with guns

 

[DirtyWorks]

IOC covered up two positive tests at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, because they didn't want "a huge stink around the world".

Who is this information from? Some hack wanting to sell his book or a doper with a grudge? No, it is from the head of the doping lab for the 2002 Olympics, Don Catlin.

Catlin last week admitted publicly — for the first time — that those three positive tests at the Salt Lake Games were only “the tip of the iceberg” of the positive tests for darbepoetin in Salt Lake City.

Article mentions 5 AAF's suppressed and that was supposed to be the tip!

Again, testing is about managing doping controversy, not doping.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Anyone surprised?

Mentioned elsewhere, Austrian Biathlete/XC ski athlete Johannes Duerr has an AAF opened on an EPO violation.

"This was really good work made by our team," Stoss said. "The athlete himself confessed that he is the only one who did that and he takes all the responsibility on himself."


The "lone doper" story. Again. Because 8 years ago was "the dark era." It must have been the single worst EPO program ever. Well, the Belarussian doping program might be worse, but they are "never tested positive" so far(??) in 2014.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/winter/...johannes-duerr-suspended-testing-positive-epo

 

[DirtyWorks]

So Goes FIFA, So Goes the IOC

Both stories should come as a shock to no one.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/high-cost-corruption-claims-mar-brazil-world-cup-23676641

Funding for Brasilia's stadium relies solely on financing from the federal district's coffers, meaning every cent comes from taxpayers.

That's just one quote. It's an AP story, so you'll find a version of it many places.


Another shocker, Qatar's 2022 bidders paid off FIFA members.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...yed-his-welcome-at-Fifa-says-Mark-Palios.html

 

[RobbieCanuck]

Both stories should come as a shock to no one.

Another shocker, Qatar's 2022 bidders paid off FIFA members.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...yed-his-welcome-at-Fifa-says-Mark-Palios.html

This is why Sepp Blatter wants to run for another term as head of FIFA. The pension plan is just too lucrative.

 

[DirtyWorks]

This is why Sepp Blatter wants to run for another term as head of FIFA. The pension plan is just too lucrative.

More specifically though, he's figured out how to get Governments to fork over enormous amounts of taxpayer revenue. He's almost better at it than the IOC.

Specific to cycling, the *only* revenue growth the UCI has had recently is taxpayers financing ASO and the UCI. Comparing the UCI to FIFA, there's little reason to do more to operate with more transparency.

 

[Catwhoorg]

Another shocker, Qatar's 2022 bidders paid off FIFA members.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...yed-his-welcome-at-Fifa-says-Mark-Palios.html

Seriously, form the moment of the announcement was there any doubt of major payoffs ? No-one in their right mind would play footy in the desert in the height of summer.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Going into the way, way, wayback machine for this one:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/st.../panorama/transcripts/transcript_15_03_99.txt

I promise it's worth your time.

The IOC official in charge of drug testing in Los Angeles was Prince Alexandre De Merode. He says that, even before the Games started, he was asked to curtail the drug testing.

You’re saying there was pressure not to carry out doping at all?

PRINCE ALEXANDRE DE MERODE: [Head of IOC Medical Commission ]
Yes, of course, they said “We don’t need it”, and the Americans everywhere, even Major in the United States says doesn’t exist here. We don’t
know what is it, doping, you know.”

Good thing they didn't ask anyone at USA Cycling... That was before Wiesel too!



As the Games drew to a close, a mystery was unfolding inside the IOC’s Medical Commission. Some of the scientists knew there had been
positive tests, possibly involving medal winners. But they couldn’t understand why the results of the B samples hadn’t been made public.

Really, the heart and soul of the IOC is never tested positive!!!

It gets better: JOHNSON: I was the most tested athlete in the world at that time.

 

[DirtyWorks]

This is a very useful paper that sheds some light on IOC anti-anti-doping through the 1960's onward.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/etd/d/2007/huntt51425/huntt51425.pdf

Mentions the great Michael Hiltner, now known as Victor Vincente of America.

 

[DirtyWorks]

IOC can't find a Democracy to host the 2022 Olympic games. They are left with oil rich Kazakhs or manufacturer to the world China. Both countries are generally described as authoritarian regimes.

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/winter_olympic_bids/2022_olympic_bid/1216136982.html


Norway/Oslo apparently estimated the budge for a winter games to be 5.4 billion kroner. And we know those numbers are always much smaller than the final costs.

IOC responds by saying their vague contribution of about 15% of that should be more than sufficient. Then blaming the matter on the Norwegians for not showing up for the IOC to make their case why spending 6+ billion kroner would be a great deal.

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/winter_olympic_bids/2022_olympic_bid/1216136984.html

China and Kazhakstan are the only host countries left and the IOC does not appear to get the clue the West in general understands the lack of value or credibility in the IOC and their sports.

 

[Swifty's Cakes]

IOC can't find a Democracy to host the 2022 Olympic games. They are left with oil rich Kazakhs or manufacturer to the world China. Both countries are generally described as authoritarian regimes.

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/winter_olympic_bids/2022_olympic_bid/1216136982.html


Norway/Oslo apparently estimated the budge for a winter games to be 5.4 billion kroner. And we know those numbers are always much smaller than the final costs.

IOC responds by saying their vague contribution of about 15% of that should be more than sufficient. Then blaming the matter on the Norwegians for not showing up for the IOC to make their case why spending 6+ billion kroner would be a great deal.

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/winter_olympic_bids/2022_olympic_bid/1216136984.html

China and Kazhakstan are the only host countries left and the IOC does not appear to get the clue the West in general understands the lack of value or credibility in the IOC and their sports.

There was a very good leader column in the sunday times about why Norway pulled out of the running, sadly can't link it as they have a paywall. Some trivial stuff like what free booze must be provided on a normal day versus a ceremonial day to highlight the level of control the IOC wants and plenty about the big ticket stuff like all the tax breaks they want. Basically calling out the IOC for its bullying attitude to all potential host countries.

 

[DirtyWorks]

There was a very good leader column in the sunday times about why Norway pulled out of the running, sadly can't link it as they have a paywall. Some trivial stuff like what free booze must be provided on a normal day versus a ceremonial day to highlight the level of control the IOC wants and plenty about the big ticket stuff like all the tax breaks they want. Basically calling out the IOC for its bullying attitude to all potential host countries.

London's Zil lanes were a huge clue. A metropolis like London with space at an absolute premium and some Olympics people demanding, and getting, ridiculous privilege.

The IOC is completely out of touch and reduced to being perfectly okay taking (lots of) money from non-democratic nations. The brand damage is obvious.