Summer Olympics 2000 Samaranch appoints Knight to board

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Monday, October 23
Samaranch appoints Knight to board
Associated Press

SYDNEY, Australia -- Sydney Olympic Games chief Michael Knight has been appointed to the International Olympic Committee's coordination commission overseeing the Athens 2004 Games.

IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch said Friday that Knight accepted an offer to join the commission and would attend its next meeting in Athens in November.

When asked what qualifications Knight had for the job, Samaranch said: "He was the head of the organizing committee of the best Olympic Games ever."

It is common for a member of the organizing committee that has just staged a games to be involved with the coordination commission for the next Olympics.

Up to 12 IOC coordination commission meetings are expected to be held before the Athens Games begin.

The Athens organizing committee is struggling to be ready for the games and has been warned by the IOC to end delays regarding preparations.

The commission of about 20 people is chaired by IOC vice president Jacques Rogge, who also had responsibility for the Sydney Games.

Knight will travel to Athens once or twice a year, with the IOC picking up the costs of the trip and accommodation, as well as paying Knight's daily expenses.

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