Chief USOC Physician to Resign

Robert O. Voy, chief medical officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee, announced Tuesday that he will resign March 17 to become medical director of the Las Vegas Institute of Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine.

Voy, 55, who plans to begin a private family practice in Las Vegas, helped develop the USOC’s drug-testing program, beginning in 1983.

Voy, who said in an interview earlier this year that he would someday like to help establish an independent drug-testing agency, said in a statement that his interest in sports drug abuse will continue.

“I’ve always been convinced that drug use in sport is an epidemic,” he said.

“I’m very concerned with what’s going on today, with the Ben Johnson situation and others like that. . . . There’s now more suspicion of people than actual use, and I’m concerned that the athletes who don’t cheat are being painted with (the wrong) brush.”

Kenneth S. Clarke, USOC deputy executive director, told The Times: “It won’t be the same without Bob in charge. But we don’t intend to slow what’s been started.”