Although he earlier had said he wanted IOC member Dick Pound back working as top TV rights and sponsorship negotiator and head of the IOC sponsored World Anti-Doping Agency, IOC president Jacques Rogge said that marketing contracts through 2008 gave the IOC “enough time to take the best possible decision”.
Rogge said, “I will meet Mr. Pound in a couple of weeks. I will also engage with sponsors in the United States. The same will be done with all the Asian sponsors, the European sponsors and broadcasters”, said Rogge. Rogge, who is due to meet with Pound on Oct. 3, said a decision was expected by the end of November or early December.
Since he earlier said he wanted Pound to resume his leadership roles, two developments have now strained their relationship. They include the release of documents showing Pound’s Montreal law firm received more than $3 million over 15 year from the IOC to cover Pound’s extra legal work in negotiating Olympic sponsorship and TV contracts. Also, shortly after the election Pound sent a letter to IOC sponsors questioning the committee’s commitment to reform.
Pound said those issues won’t affect his future on the committee. Pound also said he had never considered Rogge’s request that he resume his duties as an open-ended offer. “I resigned from my positions after Moscow and I remain resigned. We both needed time to think things out. We’ve had some discussions but nothing has been decided one way or another”.
