[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 49 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE REFORM ACT

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                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 12, 1999

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, 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' 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 reelection. 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 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 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.''

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