(12 Dec 1999) English/Nat
International Olympic Committee (IOC) members voted on Sunday to give-up their most controversial privilege - travelling around the world to inspect the cities bidding to host the games.
In a major victory for I-O-C President Juan Antonio Samaranch, the general assembly approved a blanket ban on visits to complete a sweeping reform package designed to help restore the organisation's image and credibility.
The reform measures come a year after the I-O-C was plunged into crisis by allegations of Olympic corruption.
In a further move to give the organisation a younger and more representative image, the delegates agreed to the appointment of 15 athletes as full I-O-C members.
Ten of the athletes were officially installed on Sunday.
They are: Ukrainian pole vaulter Sergei Bubka, Czech javelin champion Jan Zelezny, former U-S volleyball star Robert Ctvrtlik, former Canadian runner Charmaine Crooks, Russian swimmer Alexander Popov, Norwegian speed skater Johann Olav Koss, Algerian 15-hundred-metre runner Hassiba Boulmerka, German rower Roland Baar, Italian cross-country skier Manuela di Centa and Kazak cross-country skier Vladimir Smirnov.
An additional five athletes will be selected at a later date.
The I-O-C reforms were prompted by the bribery scandal that erupted a year ago surrounding Salt Lake City's winning bid for the 2002 Winter Games.
Ten I-O-C members were expelled or forced to resign for accepting money, gifts, complementary travel, scholarships and other inducements.
I-O-C President Juan Antonio Samaranch said it was essential that the whole of the reform package was accepted before he travels to Washington on Wednesday to testify at a Congressional hearing.
The American Congress has threatened to strip the I-O-C of its tax-exempt status if the organization fails to enact significant changes.
SOUNDBITE:(English)
"This is a great victory for athletes of the world we can influence the decisions and have a huge impact on the outcomes and that is a big victory for the athletes"
SUPER CAPTION: Robert Ctvrtlik, former U-S volleyball star
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The real victory is our president able to get through this year with all of these magnificent changes for our movement"
SUPER CAPTION: Anito de Frantz, American Member of the International Olympic Committee
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I am very happy and very relieved it has been a long year..we are coming out of the storm..I am very happy for the athletes was very happy to see ten athletes amongst us"
SUPER CAPTION:Kevin Goster, Australian I-O-C Member
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Entry of the athletes into the IOC because finally the athletes are the actors on the field of play it is a must that athletes are given consideration"
SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Blatter, President of the World Football Federation
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"50 reforms proposed have been approved with an overwhelming majority. They are our answer to the public and to the athletes and to the ordinary people we did what we promised. We recognise that there has been a breach of trust between the IOC than public opinion but I think that the decisions taken today is a start and the confidence will come again maybe stronger than before. For me this session really was historical
SUPER CAPTION: Juan Antonio Samaranch, President I-O-C
SOUNDBITE (English)
"I don't care of the future and I know many of the possible candidates and they are first class people to succeed me"
SUPER CAPTION: Juan Antonio Samaranch, President I-O-C
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