The London Telegraph reports that according to sources within the International Olympic Committee, London 2012 is still being investigated for alleged wrongdoing by offering sweeteners at the Berlin Conference to help its bid, but New York 2012 is likely to be cleared of any wrongdoing by the IOC’s Ethics Commission.
IOC President Jacques Rogge was upset that the cities had not informed the IOC they were going to make the offers and felt the way it was announced was unwise.
London and New York both said they had done nothing not already mentioned in their bid books, but the Telegraph reports that the Ethics Commission has accepted New York’s explanation, but not London’s.
If London is reprimanded it would only be after a meeting of the IOC executive board. Rogge has said if the commission finds against any of the cities, their sweeteners would have to be withdrawn.
New York promised to provide the 28 Olympic sports federations free office space, computers, phones and staff for the seven years leading up to 2012. London has promised a package worth more than 15 million pounds, which includes free airfares for thousands of athletes and team officials, 25 thousand pounds of credits to each national Olympic association to meet pre-game training costs in Britain, and perks such as 50 pounds of free phone calls for athletes.
Meanwhile, Cherie Blair, wife of Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair, will be taking a more leading role in London’s bid. Blair is already an official ambassador for London 2012, but she will discreetly lobby for the bid at a round of sports events this summer.
The Independent reports that Blair has already forged links with IOC members after meeting a majority of them during three visits to Athens for the 2004 Games.
Blair will also be at the unveiling of a London 2012 Countdown Clock in Trafalgar Square Friday which will count down to decision day in Singapore on July 6. The clock will remain in position until that date.
According to the Independent several members of the IOC believe that London has been too reserved in lobbying compared to New York and Paris. One IOC member said, “London’s approach to lobbying us has been more reserved and that may be intentional but it is a high-risk strategy. Mrs. Blair is one of their assets – I met her in Athens and she seemed very knowledgeable and enthusiastic”.
Another member reportedly said that Prime Minister Blair, if re-elected, should be pressed into action for the bid, as he would be in a stronger position than his counterparts from other bids, including Jacques Chirac who is currently weakened over his campaign for France to adopt a new European Union constitution. The member said, “they should roll out Blair. He is highly impressive on a one-to-one basis and could make the difference”.