Toronto 1996 Olympic organizers deny wrongdoing
Last Updated: Friday, November 10, 2000 | 11:53 PM ET
CBC News
Henderson and other members of Toronto's Olympic Organizing Committee (TOOC) said they did nothing wrong. "TOOC did not violate the rules of conduct established by the International Olympic Committee," said Norman Seagram, a member of the 1996 committee.
But the committee concedes the Olympic bidding process is riddled with serious problems. Seagram told the news conference, "We were constantly harassed by many IOC members looking for favours."
The organizers say none were granted, but it did rent a house for Finnish IOC member Pirjo Haeggman and her husband. TOOC paid the monthly rent for the home in Sault Ste. Marie. "Our records show the money was to be considered a receivable to be paid back by Mr. Haeggman," said Seagram.
The money was never recovered and it was written off. As for Henderson he said he's already made several recommendations to the International Olympic Committee. "Why don't all the cities just put $500,000 into a pool in Lausanne. And all travel arrangements must be made out of Lausanne. None can be made by the bid city."
Henderson also says bid consultants should be controlled and all bids should be capped at a $500,000 U.S. He says the IOC promised to get back to him, and never did.
The IOC is expected to write to all cities that have bid for the Olympics between 1996 and 2006. The IOC wants details of any alleged misconduct.
