Two days after they were adopted, members of the International Olympic Committee reversed their decision regarding conflict-of-interest rules because the new rules were too broad and would create an investigation and paperwork nightmare for them.
Most called for a thorough review of the proposal, but one member, Tay Wilson of New Zealand said there was no need for the rules at all. He said, “I’m disappointed that we have so little confidence in ourselves that we need an ethics commission to tell us how to act”.
IOC President Jacques Rogge said the rules would be withdrawn for more study and submitted to a special meeting on reforms in Mexico City in November.
Canadian Dick Pound said the rules were “a wonderful start”, but contained “a built-in series of conflicts” for members who also represent sports federations and national Olympic committees.
Members also discussed how to keep the Olympics filled with sports that people want to watch, while trying to trim the size of the Games at the same time.
