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| Monday, July 16 |
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| Pound leaves World Anti-Doping Agency Associated Press | |||
MOSCOW -- Dick Pound, who negotiated the Olympics' lucrative
TV and sponsorship deals, resigned Monday as the IOC's marketing
chief and head of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The Canadian quit the posts immediately after losing his bid for
the presidency of the International Olympic Committee to Jacques
Rogge of Belgium.
Rogge asked him to return, and Pound said he would reply later
this summer.
"It's a matter of common courtesy to an incoming president that
you leave him with a free hand," Pound said. "Decency and
integrity requires me to resign."
He said he didn't want Rogge to be "stuck with the detritus of
a former regime" but made it clear he had no intention of quitting
the IOC altogether.
"When I started this race, my view was that if I was
unsuccessful I should resign from all those positions, and I mean
that if there someone else who can do them I'm quite content," he
said.
Pound, who has been an IOC member since 1978 and handled a
number of key assignments from outgoing President Juan Antonio
Samaranch, had said he would consider defeat a vote of
no-confidence.
He has been the driving force in the commercialization of the
Olympics, negotiating the TV rights and global sponsorship deals
which have poured billions of dollars into IOC coffers.
He is also chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency, which was
set up by the IOC in 1999.
Asked by reporters if he was convinced that Samaranch had
worked behind the scenes in the election for Rogge, Pound
replied: "Yes. There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever."
Samaranch has consistently said he is neutral in IOC votes.
Pound also headed the internal IOC inquiry into the Salt Lake
City bid scandal, which led to the expulsion or resignation of 10
members.
In Monday's secret ballot, Pound received 20 votes in the first
round and 22 in the second. Rogge prevailed on the second ballot
with 59 votes. Pound's rival, Kim Un-yong of South Korea, got 21
votes in the first round and 23 in the second.
It was a double blow for Pound -- Toronto finished second with 22
votes in Friday's selection of the 2008 Olympic host, behind
Beijing.
Pound was particularly irked to finish behind Kim.
"I was disappointed to get a bronze medal instead of a silver
medal. I would have much preferred gold," he said.
Rogge made it one of his priorities to try to soothe Pound's
feelings.
"I have officially asked Dick Pound to continue the excellent
work he has been doing," Rogge said. "He's asked for some
reflection time. That is legitimate."
Pound said he would consider Rogge's proposal. He said he would
inform the new president of his decision on the doping agency by
the start of August and on his IOC marketing role by September.
"I want time to think about the future and the basis on which I
would be prepare to carry on the work," he said.
Kim stayed away from the ceremony announcing Rogge's victory and
spent most of the day in his hotel room.
Information from The Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.
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ALSO SEE Rogge elected IOC boss Rogge brings high standards, diplomatic touch to presidency Samaranch leaves office with amid some criticisms Samaranch's son elected IOC member Presidential candidate Kim denies reports of expense offer Samaranch asks for conference to settle conflicting drug laws Outgoing IOC chief wants to stay involved Garber: Samaranch's legacy of corruption | |
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