The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Ethics Commission is meeting to examine whether financial incentives offered by London and New York violate the bidding rules for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, reports Reuters.
Their rivals, Madrid, Moscow and Paris will also meet with the Ethics Commission Tuesday as the IOC seeks to clarify what is permissible under bid rules.
IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said, “The Ethics Commission is looking into this as we speak. There are no conclusive developments but I can tell you the Ethics Commission is taking a look so we can have matters clarified”.
Davies said the commission will examine whether the proposals went beyond what the cities listed in their official bid documents in November.
The Associated Press reports that taking the matter to the Ethics Commission suggests the IOC was taking the case seriously. The commission has the power to recommend warning or sanctions.
London 2012 bid spokesman Mike Lee said, “I’m sure the candidate cities will be happy with clarification. We’re very comfortable with our proposals”.
IOC ethics rules have been tightened since the Salt Lake City bid scandal, which led to the ouster of 10 IOC members for accepting cash, scholarships, lavish gifts and other improper benefits.
