Olympic leaders launch audits amid growing corruption in sports

Responding to incidents of corruption in sport, the International Olympic Committee announced Thursday it has launched independent reviews of its own operations and the money it gives to sports organizations around the world.

IOC officials said they decided to take action after receiving requests from federations that “are concerned their reputation is being tarnished.”

Over the last few months, soccer’s international federation has been engulfed in allegations of corruption that have led to the arrest of top executives. In the sport of track, the international and Russian federations have similarly been accused of wrongdoing.

Next year, the IOC plans to begin examining the funding it provides to federations, national Olympic committees and Games’ organizing committees.

The IOC has also hired the International Institute of Management Development in Switzerland to review its own practices.

“In the interest of the credibility of all sports organizations, immediate action to reinforce good governance is necessary,” the committee said in a statement.