Other Issues / Archive - Olympic Reform

Olympic Reform

Statement | Olympic Summary | Bill

Statement

International Olympic Committee Reform Act of 1999
April 12, 1999

Statement of Rep. Henry Waxman

The Olympic Games hold a special place in the hearts of Americans. We all have our favorite Olympic memory. For some, it's Jesse Owens's courageous performance in Nazi Germany in 1936, or Wilma Rudolph's three gold medals in 1960. For others, it's Mark Spitz's incredible 11 swimming medals, or the U.S. hockey team's "Miracle on Ice" in 1980. Sadly, however, the spirit of fair play that epitomizes the Olympic movement has been tarnished by recent controversies involving the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Over the past few months, we have learned how IOC members have received large sums of cash and lavish gifts from cities vying to host the Olympic Games. These cash payments and gifts were intended to influence how IOC members voted on which cities would be chosen as Olympic hosts. One quarter of IOC members have already been implicated in these allegations. The truly sad aspect of this scandal is that this culture of greed and corruption has been flourishing for years. Those involved in the scandal clearly deserve blame, but so too does the system that allows such a culture to develop.

Since the bribery allegations first surfaced last November, the IOC has shown that it is unwilling to take the necessary steps to reform itself. Consequently, I am introducing "The International Olympic Committee Reform Act." This bill is aimed at restoring the integrity and dignity of the Olympic Games. The process by which cities are selected to host the Olympic Games should be based on which city would be the best host, and not on the amount of money that is spent on gifts for IOC members.

This bill is based on a series of proposals recommended by an independent commission led by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell. Among other things, the Mitchell commission recommended that the IOC ban the giving or receipt of gifts of more than nominal value. The commission also recommended that the IOC subject its members and leadership to periodic re-election. The bill I have introduced today would prohibit American corporations from providing any financial support to the IOC until the IOC adopts the Mitchell commission reforms.

I regret that this legislation has to be introduced. I had hoped that the IOC would adopt the necessary reforms on its own accord. It is apparent, however, that the IOC is reluctant to take strong and immediate action. Perhaps, the only thing that will get the IOC's attention is if American corporate money is cut off.

Currently, the IOC derives a substantial portion of its operating revenues from American corporations: NBC has paid $3.5 billion for the television rights for the next five Olympic Games; and nine American corporations each pay $10 million a year for the right to be an official Olympic sponsor. Quite simply, the IOC could not operate without American corporate money.

In a recent editorial in the Los Angeles Times, Olympic gold medalist Frank Shorter wrote: "The United States, through corporate sponsors and the funding provided through the [U.S. Olympic Committee], is the single largest contributor to the Olympics. Its voice is one the IOC simply cannot ignore."

It is my hope that this bill will be the first step in restoring the legitimacy of the Olympic movement. In the past, Congress has been quick to act when it has disapproved of the activities of foreign countries, international organizations, and multinational corporations. We should be no less willing to act when the Olympics are involved. I ask all my colleagues to join me and support this legislation. As Senator Mitchell explained, "The Olympic flame must burn clean once again."