The USOC’s executive committee voted 16-1 Saturday to accept the recommendation of its compensation committee which included a “strong letter of reprimand” and allow CEO Lloyd Ward to keep his job but forfeit an $184,800 bonus for two violations of the USOC’s ethics code.
Bill Martin, the USOC’s interim president said, “Lloyd screwed up. I can’t say it any clearer. But we’ve got to get beyond that”. He added, “we have faith in him and we’re going to go forward with him”.
“We have confidence in his ability to lead the organization. We think that Lloyd Ward has suffered, we believe we’ve suffered, but it’s time to move on”, said Martin.
Prior to the meeting Ward had said he wasn’t planning to resign.
Of the decision Ward said, “I think this was a very fair and thoughtful judgment. I accept it fully and I am looking forward to moving on with the sport of Olympics and the support of our athletes”.
“I’ve paid, and unfortunately the Olympic movement itself has paid. It’s time for us to get on with it and build for the future”, said Ward.
