IOC meeting becomes contentious over doping

Genteel traditions of group give way to nasty exchanges.

PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KO EA — IOC President Thomas Bach called it “a lively and spirited debate.” That’s an understatement. With the Winter Olympics set to open in only three days, Bach faceda barrage of criticism — and entrenched support — from roughly 100 International Olympic Committee members on 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 lon- gest-serving member, and he was among more than a dozen to air views in what he

Rcalled “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.”

“We talk more than we walk,” Pound added. “The athletes and the public at large ... no longer have confi- dence that their interests are being protected. Our com- mitment to both is in serious doubt. With respect, I don’t think we can talk our way out of this problem.”

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.”

Werthein went on, calling what some of what Pound says “very unfair.”

“He makes statements that create an environment of doubt,” Werthein added. “In one way it discredits the work that is being done in the IOC.”

Pound then asked for time to respond. And he shot back.

“I think it’s extremely inap- propriate to turn this in to an ad hominem (a character attack),” Pound said. “The fact I have a different opinion from others ... does not mean I am not entitled to the opin- ion. I think it’s very unfortunate in a collegial gathering like this to suggest that I am not entitled to give that opinion.”

As Pound and Werthein clashed, 32 Russian athletes on Tuesday filed yet more appeals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking spots in the games. The

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