Wednesday, March 3, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 7
Olympic official contests report in investigation by ethics panel
The Associated Press
LONDON — A senior IOC official yesterday disputed a U.S. ethics panel's contention that the international committee fostered a culture of improper gift giving that led to corruption in the Olympic bid process.
The U.S. Olympic Committee panel, headed by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, leveled most of the blame for the Salt Lake City vote-buying scandal on the IOC.
But Kevan Gosper, an IOC executive board member from Australia, said Mitchell's report failed to acknowledge that since 1987 the committee has had rules on gifts, travel and other items related to the bid process.
the bid process.
"It's quite unacceptable to say that the IOC has created an environment which has enabled gift giving and serves to run
out of control," Gosper said in a telephone interview from Melbourne. "I take strong objection to that."
In its report issued Monday, the panel said the conduct tolerated by the IOC was potentially illegal and corruptive. It said leaders turned a blind eye to corruption that was flourishing even as the Olympics grew into a billion-dollar industry.
Gosper welcomed Mitchell's recommended reforms, which include opening the IOC's books to annual public audits and having the bulk of IOC members elected to limited terms by other sports bodies. The IOC traditionally picks its own members to virtual life terms.
"We are going through a difficult period at the moment," he said. "But we are not out of business. It is our job to recover our position sensibly and quietly with some sensible reforms."
Gosper expected the executive board to convene by conference call this week to deal with remaining members implicated in the Salt Lake scandal.
He said it was especially important to exonerate any members found innocent of wrongdoing.
"We should be through the process by Friday," Gosper said. "We need to take those names who have been mentioned out of limbo and clear them."
Gosper predicted that fellow Australian IOC member Phil Coles, accused of accepting excessive hospitality during several visits to Salt Lake City, would be exonerated.
But Gopher said Coles needs to account publicly for his activities.
"It would be wise for him to sit down and quietly explain his events to the press and as open and transparent as possible," Gospel said. "I'm sure he will do that."
So far, nine IOC members either have resigned or been ousted in the Salt Lake City affair.
Three cases still are pending from the initial phase of an IOC inquiry commission, and 10 new names were implicated last month in a report by the Salt Lake City ethics board.
Dick Pound, IOC vice president, said Monday the panel was looking at an additional six members whose names were included in the board's working papers. That brings the total number of members implicated to 30, more than one-fourth of the total membership.
Brazilian legend scolds widespread conservative play
Pele sees U.S. as rising soccer power
The Associated Press
NEW YORK - No less a soccer expert than Pele, merely the greatest player the world's most popular sport has known, sees the United States as a rising power heading toward the next World Cup.
Speaking during a conference call yesterday in which Master. "d announced the renewal of its World Cup sponsorship and its deal with Pele, Pole also criticized the conservative manner in which games are played these days.
"With the clinics and training in the United States, I feel very proud to see the growing of football in U.S.," said Pele, the company's best-known spokesman. "When a national team has more experience,
"America beat England, Mexico, Germany, all these big teams. They have improved a lot since France '98. Of course, they need more experience and to play abroad. But no doubt today it is not easy to beat the American team."
they have become more strong. For the next World Cup in three years in Japan and South Korea, no doubt the United States will be a good team.
Pele, who led Brazil to three World Cup titles, then ventured to New York to play for the Cosmos and build the sport in the United States in the 1970s, would like to see a return to wide-open soccer. He is dismayed by the way coaches play not to lose rather than to win.
"People sometimes ask me as a joke this question, but it is not a joke, it is serious," he said. "The public looks for great players and nice individual plays, and this is difficult right now. The mind of the coach is to play as a team and not give the athlete too much space and creativity.
"I think we should work with the
youth and the coaches who come up from the base. Those coaches treat the under-18 and under-16 teams like they are training a professional team. They want to win the game, then they don't let the kids be creative.
"We should work harder on that. If you look in the last five years, we have one or two names we can mention (as stars). Before, we would have three or four on each team. I think this is damaging for the sport."
Soccer's global ambassador, Pele has worked for MasterCard since 1991 and will be conducting clinics and making appearances throughout the world in the buildup toward 2002. As an official sponsor, MasterCard's commitment to FIFA, the world governing body for soccer and its various international tournaments, will cost the company nearly $40 million.
A marketing source familiar with World Cup sponsorships told The Associated Press that MasterCard is likely to spend $130 million through the next three years, including what
"With the clinics and training in the United States, I feel very proud to see the growing of football in U.S."
Pele
Brazilian soccer player
member banks spend, in leveraging the 2002 sponsorship. That's about $30 million more than MasterCard committed to the 1998 World Cup.
Clearly, MasterCard finds that the association with soccer works. The Japan-South Korea tournament will be its fourth World Cup as an official sponsor.
"This is the most popular sport and largest sports event in the world, and we are a large global brand," said Mava Heffler, senior vice president of global promotions and sponsorship for MasterCard. "It is a good marriage overall."
Testaverde signs three-year, $19.5 million deal with Jets
1998 AFC passing leader cites family, desire to stay with Parcells as reasons
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Vinny Testaverde sensed he finally had found the right place. Oddly, he had to come home to discover it.
Long Island native Testaverde signed with the New York Jets as a free agent before last season. Then he led them to its best season in three decades and within a step of the Super Bowl.
On Monday, the 12-year veteran quarterback was rewarded with a three-year contract worth nearly $19.5 million to remain with his hometown team. The deal also includes a $6.2 million signing bonus, and the Jets hold a four-year option beyond the original three seasons. If exercised, Testaverde would earn $42.4 million for seven years.
"I didn't want the talks to be a distraction for me or the team," said Testaverde, who led the AFC in passing in 1998 and went 13-2. "I knew things would work out as soon as I signed there last year. It was a gut feeling I had. I think my decision has worked out for me to perform the best I can.
"After these talks today, I can refocus and get ready for the upcoming season. I'd like nothing more than to finish my career at home. When I first signed there, it was not on the top of my list wanting to come back home, to the Jets. It was playing for coach (Bill) Parcells and knowing his background and the way he coaches. Then coming home and being around my family, and as we went along, the family part moved up the ladder quite a bit."
The announcement of the deal was postponed after Testaverde's father, Al, died of a heart attack Feb. 14. Al Testaverde's heart condition prohibited him from watching his son's games live.
"The last few weeks have been a roller coaster," Testaverde said. "One thing I am still thankful for is my father got to enjoy a great season after my being away from my family my first 11 years in the NFL. I had the opportunity to come home last year and see him at training camp each day, knowing he couldn't watch the games on TV.
"But I was able to see him on a regular basis and talk with him on the contract negotiations. I'm very happy I got to share that time with him."
he now heaps to share more success with a team that until Parcells was hired in 1997 was one of the league's perennial losers. Testaverde was used to losing, having been drafted No. 1 overall in 1987 by Tampa Bay, which has had even less success than the Jets.
But the 1986 Heisman Trophy winner who grew up in Elmont, N.Y., not far from where the Jets train, turned around his career in '98. Signed ostensibly to be a backup to Glenn Foley, he became a starter when Foley got hurt. Testaverde took the Jets to their first division title since the team joined the NFL in 1970. Testaverde completed 259 of 421 passes for 3,256 yards and a team-record 29 touchdowns. The Jets advanced to the AFC title game, losing to Denver 23-10.
"After the success we had as a team and individually, in my heart I just wanted to get this deal done with the Jets," Testaverde said. "This year was the best of my career. I think there were reasons for that, and the biggest reason was Bill Parcells. I wanted to remain with him, so I can continue to have that success."
Royals look for leadership as well as playing ability in shortstop Rey Sanchez
Team hopes player will be a role model
The Associated Press
HAINES CITY, Fla. — Rey Sanchez knows that one of the reasons he was signed by the Kansas City Royals was because of his heritage.
Sanchez admits that in addition to his playing ability, the Royals brought him
in because he is a Spanish-speaking veteran who can help their Hispanic players adjust to living in the United States and playing in the major leagues.
"That's exactly what I see myself doing this year," Sanchez said. "That's one of the reasons that Tony (Muser) brought me here."
Muser hopes Sanchez, who is expected to be the starting shortstop, will play a big role in the development of second baseman Carlos Febles.
Sanchez is one of 10 players in the Royals' camp who were born in Latin American
countries. And that doesn't include pitcher Jose Rosado, who was born in New Jersey but grew up in Puerto Rico.
"It took me six months to learn the language," said Sanchez, who came to the United States from Puerto Rico at age 16 to attend high school in California as an exchange student. "All of my classes were bilingual."
Shortstop Mendy Lopez arrived from the Dominican Republic four years ago at age 19.
"It was tough," Lopez said.
"I was crying every day because I missed my family and everything. People don't know how tough it is for Latin players. You become afraid. Say something wrong, and everybody will laugh at you."
Muser is hopeful the lessons Sanchez has learned during his career will rub off on Febles and the others.
"I think he has the experience to do that," Muser said. "He's got a very young second baselman to work with. I don't know if he's ever considered himself to be a leader, but the demand of leadership is going to be asked of Rey."
A KU Bookstores Event
Kansas Union, Level Two March 2,3,4 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us for this special event!
Official KU Graduation Announcements
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Drawing for eligible '99 graduates only. No purchase required.
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"THE FAMINE WITHIN"
Film on Eating Disorders
March 3,1999
7-8:30 p.m., Pine Room
Kansas Union
Facilitator:
Kathy Jorgensen
Graduate Assistant
Sponsored by: The Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, 22 Strong Hall, University of Kansas. For more information call 864-3552.