Will USOC Put Games Face On?

The United States Olympic Committee wrapped up its semiannual meeting here Sunday by opting to vote by mail--with the vote to be announced in late June--as to whether it will seek the 2008 Games.

Interested cities have until May 1 to respond with a letter of intent to bid, along with a $100,000 bidding fee. Alfredo La Mont, the USOC’s director of international relations, spoke about the hurdles, one of them being a possible reluctance by the International Olympic Committee to return to the United States before going to other regions first.

One IOC requirement, an indemnification guarantee by the host city and state, has caused at least one interested city, Chicago, to think about withdrawing from the process. But USOC executive director Richard Schultz said, “It is my personal feeling is that’s all highly negotiable.”

In other news, William Hybl, elected USOC president less than four months ago, drew praise for his efforts in increasing representation of women and minorities in handing out committee assignments.

Minority participation increased to 53 spots, compared to 22 in the last quadrennium, and women received 104 assignments compared to 76 for the previous four-year cycle.