IOC’s Three-Year Search Ends, Easton to Fill Second U.S. Slot

The three-year search for a second International Olympic Committee member from the United States ended Monday, when James L. Easton of Van Nuys was elected at the conclusion of an IOC session in Paris.

His selection is part of IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch’s effort to strengthen representation of international sports federations within the 100-member organization. Easton, 59, is president of the international archery federation.

Anita DeFrantz of Los Angeles has been the lone representative of the IOC to the United States since former U.S. Olympic Committee president Robert Helmick of Des Moines, Iowa, resigned in 1991 amid a conflict-of-interest inquiry.

“I think it was necessary that the position got filled now because it’s been too long,” Easton said. “People start wondering what’s wrong with the United States or the IOC because they can’t select somebody.”

Easton was not among the four recommendations for the position submitted to Samaranch by the USOC.

“I don’t know Jim very well,” USOC President LeRoy Walker said when it became apparent Easton had emerged as the favorite. “But, from everything I’ve heard, he’s someone we can work with for the good of the Olympic movement in the United States.”

Also, the IOC adopted tough anti-doping regulations that mandate a minimum two-year suspension for a first serious drug offense and a lifetime ban for a second. The long-awaited IOC medical code is meant to bring all Olympic sports in line with uniform anti-drug rules, procedures and sanctions.