IOC Chooses New Members, Names Bach Vice President

The International Olympic Committee chose new senior executives Wednesday and voted in 14 new members to comply with a reform plan enacted after the Salt Lake City corruption scandal.

Wrapping up a three-day meeting before the start of the Sydney Games, members chose a new vice president, added new delegates to the policy-making Executive Board and voted in 14 new members. The 14 new members raise the IOC’s membership ranks from 113 to 127.

Among the new members: U.S. Olympic Committee President Bill Hybl and Kip Keino of Kenya, the former distance-running great. Keino got the most votes, 89, Hybl the fewest, 55.

The vote might have reflected dissatisfaction with Hybl personally or with the the United States in the wake of the Salt Lake scandal--which led to the resignation or expulsion of 10 IOC members and, last December, to the enactment of a 50-point reform plan. Some IOC members believe Hybl shifted blame for the scandal from the USOC to the IOC.

“I’m just honored to have been elected,” Hybl said in an interview afterward, adding a moment later, referring to a variety of elections he’s been involved in over the years, “I’ve been elected sometimes by a lot, sometimes by a little. The important thing is to be elected.”

Resentment about the scandal remains intense within the IOC rank and file. Greek delegate Lambis Nikolaou went so far Wednesday as to inquire whether the IOC’s meeting in 2002--scheduled for Salt Lake--could be moved. IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch said today the session is still on for Salt Lake.

Thomas Bach of Germany, a fencing gold medalist in 1976 and an IOC member since 1991, was elected as one of the IOC’s four vice presidents.

Bach, who will occupy that post for the next four years, defeated Japan’s Chiharu Igaya, 64-32, with one abstaining vote. Bach has been on the Executive Board since 1996.