IOC members argue over Russian appeals
IOC President Thomas Bach called it “a lively and spirited debate.” That’s an understatement. With the Winter Olympics set to open in this week, Bach faced a barrage of criticism — and entrenched support — from roughly 100 International Olympic Committee members Tuesday over the decision to exclude many Russian athletes from the Pyeongchang Games.
Two members — Richard Pound and Gerardo Werthein — got into a nasty exchange on the floor of the spacious meeting room, rare in the genteel traditions of the Olympic body.
Pound is the IOC’s longestserving member, and he was among more than a dozen to air views in what he called “the matter of Russian doping activities.” Pound is also the former president of WADA, the world body charged with policing doping in sports.
“I believe that in the collective mind of a significant portion of the world, and among the athletes of the world, the IOC has not only failed to protect athletes, but has made it possible for cheating athletes to prevail against the clean athletes,” Pound said, describing the IOC’s world as a “comfortable cocoon.”
Werthein jumped in, siding with Bach and going directly after Pound with the other 100 members listening.
“For some reason, if Mr. Pound doesn’t agree, then it’s wrong,” Werthein said. “We have to understand that this is not Mr. Pound’s organization. But this is the IOC.”
As Pound and Werthein argued, 32 Russian athletes on Tuesday filed yet more appeals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking spots in the Games. The 32 failed to pass IOC vetting and were not invited.
The CAS decision is expected Wednesday.
The IOC expects 168 Russian athletes who have been deemed “clean” to participate in the Games under the banner of “Olympic Athletes from Russia,” absent any national flags, uniforms or national logos. Ivanka Trump leads way: The White House says President Donald Trump’ daughter, Ivanka, will lead the U.S. delegation to the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
Ivanka Trump serves in the White House as an unpaid adviser to her father.
Vice President Mike Pence is leading a delegation to the Opening Ceremony for the games. He arrived late Tuesday in Japan. Security forces sickened: South Korean authorities deployed 900 military personnel at the Olympics after the security force was depleted by an outbreak of norovirus.
Games organizers said 32 workers are being treated for norovirus in quarantine, including 21 from the Civil Security Staff and three foreigners.
About 1,200 people working security were being kept in their rooms while being tested for norovirus.
“To address the shortfall in security workforce due to the isolation, 900 military personnel have been deployed to take over the work of the civil safety personnel,” the organizing committee said in a statement. “They will work across 20 venues until all affected workforce are able to return to duty.”
Tests over the past five days on the water used for cooking and general consumption have proved negative for norovirus, organizers said. Hygiene inspections will be intensified on all food and beverage facilities.
“Surveys on tap water, the food-preparation staff, and food items are currently being conducted to trace the route of transmission,” organizers said.
Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea. The most effective way to stop the spread is to practice good hand-washing and personal hygiene.