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Wednesday, August 22, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
World Sports
Anti-apartheid leader optimistic about 1996
Progress could open Olympics to South African athletes
The Associated Press
LONDON — Rafer Johnson was winning the decathlon, Wilma Rudolph was dominating the sprints and Abebe Bikila was running barefoot toward a marathon gold medal in South Africa competed in the Olympics.
Now, three decades later, one of the leaders of the anti-parthied sports movement says that isolation from international competition could be over by the time the modern ages celebrate their 100th birthday.
"I am very hopeful that South Africa will now return for 1996," said Sam Ramsamy, executive chairman of the South African Non-Racial Association (SNRA) whose no reason they can't. It's up to them, but we want them to succeed."
Ramsamy has just returned from a fact-finding trip to South Africa, his first visit to his homeland since fleeing 18 years ago under threat from authorities angered by his anti-apartheid activities.
"I was not shocked by what I saw, because we monitor the South African sports situation very closely," Ramsay said. "But the reception we got certainly was very different from what I got 18 years ago.
"For the first time, I can see light at the end of the tunnel."
His 12-day visit this month was at the request of the Association of National Olympic Committees for Africa. Ramsamy has briefed Jean-Claude Ganga, head of the African association committee to be sent this week to International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch.
It also is expected to be discussed at a meeting of anti-aaparthid sports leaders in Stockholm, Sweden next month, which Samaranch and Ganga are scheduled to attend. Sports officials from South Africa and black African nations are due to hold fortnight the first time in Harare in November.
The IOC has said repeatedly that it won't move to end South Africa's 20-year-old isolation from international sports leaders give the go-ahead.
Ramsay said black Africa still wanted aparthied abolished before allowing South Africa back into the international arena.
"That has not changed," he said in an interview.
But Ramsamy said his trip convinced him that most white and black sports officials in South Africa were ready to work together, a major step in addressing the rulings of white minority insisted on separate sports programs.
"I am very hopeful that South Africa will now return for 1996."
Committee
Sam Hamsamy Executive chairman of the South African Non-Racial Olympic
Most of the remaining problems confronting sports unity "can all be over in 18 months," he said.
The last time South African athletes competed in the Olympics was 1960 in Rome. Three years later, South Africa was suspended by the IOC for apartheid and thrown out in 1970. Since then, most international federations have barred South African athletes from participating worldwide and imposed sanctions against those from other countries who compete in South Africa.
The release of African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela this year and talks between black leaders and the Pretoria government aimed to get the stage for Ramsay's visit. He said he saw good signs all around.
"What has brought me the most optimism is the attitude of sports administrators, black and white, who are working for unified sport," he said.
KANSAN
Germanys discuss unifying teams
The Associated Press
WEST BERLIN — East and West Germany have not merged their Olympic teams, but officials already are trying to defuse criticism that a unified German squad would be too powerful.
"A common German Olympic team is nothing new," West German Olympic Committee Chief Will Daume said. "We had it up until 1984 in Tokyo. We were never the best. I will be all right, and that's it."
two-day visit to Berlin.
Daume and his East German counterpart, Joachim Wischmil, said Friday that they hoped for a merger by the end of this year but that they refused to put a specific date on such a move.
The two German Olympic leaders briefed International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Guzman on the reunification on the second day of his
East Germany finished second only to the Soviet Union in total medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, surpassing the United States by eight medals. West Germany was fourth overall.
Earlier this week, East German sports minister Cordula Schubert said she believed a unified team would do worse than the East Germans did alone in 1988 because the nation would be too busy worrying about reconstruction to concentrate on Olympic medals.
"We do not have enough money to be an Olympic power," she said. "We need money for the economy, for the sports and also for sports for all the people."
German Olympic and civic officials also told Saramanch of their desire to host the 2000 Summer Games in Berlin.
Weiskopf and Daume said that the
merger would depend on the timing of the political reunification of Germany, which is expected this year, but that the Olympic reunion would take place no matter what happened in the political sphere.
"It is not a question of principle, it is a matter of logistics," Weiskopf said, adding that three committees approved the details of Olympic reunification.
A merger of the Olympic teams would need approval of the IOC, and Samaranch said the IOC would accept any decision reached by the national Olympic committees of the two Germanys,
"We are very happy to know there will be a reunification of the two German Olympic committees coming up," Samarcand said.
Germany has not sent a unified team to the Olympics since the 1964 Summer Games in Tokyo and there have been fears that a single squad
could be a dominant force in future Olympic Games.
West Berlin Mayor Walter Momper and East Berlin Mayor Tino Schwierzina said their city hoped to bid for the 2000 Summer Games. Samaranch said the history and current importance of Berlin meant "it certainly could be a candidacy with a lot of weight."
Momper said Berlin epitomized the end of the Cold War and had the cultural diversity necessary for a host city. He said most of the sports could be staged within six miles of the Brandenburg Gate.
The last time Berlin hosted the Olympics was in 1936, when Jesse Owens won four gold medals and mocked Adolf Hitler's theory of Aryan supremacy. Berlin also was awarded the Olympic Games in 1916, but they were canceled because of World War I.
Games organizers expect small profit
But Turner Broadcasting loses millions
The Associated Press
SEATTLE — Organizers of this summer's Goodwill Games say they may make a small profit on the Olympics-style event, which cost the Turner Broadcasting System $44 million.
Final financial results are weeks away, but the Goodwill Games Seattle Organizing Committee said it did not anticipate anything like the loss sustained by TBS, which sponsored the broadcast had broadcasting rights to them.
arent entity from TBS with its own budget of $68 million, might even make a small profit, he said. The money would be donated to charity.
"Based on everything we have looked at, we are going to come out BIK," said board member Herb Bickel. "We will balance the budget."
Tick sales fell $2.3 million short of the $17 million goal, but souvenir sales were higher than forecast and merchandise savings money by cutting costs.
The non-profit organization, a sep-
Local government officials said they also expected to be in good shape financially after the games.
Seattle police scaled back officers' hours when huge crowds and traffic jams failed to materialize, and the federal Department of Defense, which equipped with security, spent $2 million on the $20 million Congress authorized
Steinbrenner releases grip on Yankees after final surprise
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — George Steinbrenner signed his resignation letter Monday, effectively ending his 17½-year grip on the New York Yankees. But he played the Boss until the finish, making one final, surprising game, naming Gene Michael general manager.
Steinbrenner had until midnight to give up control of the team under an agreement reached July 30 with commissioner Fay Vincent.
A last-ditch effort by two limited partners to keep him in charge failed when a federal judge in Cleveland turned down a request for a temporary restraining order.
"Deputy commissioner Steve Greenberg has been assured by Mr. Steinbrener's lawyers that the resignation will be on his record." He said to Rich Levin, a spokesperson for Vincent said.
be over.
the legal manuevering, however, may not
An attorney for the two limited partners said he wanted to appeal U.S. District Judge Alice M. Batchelder's decision to the 6th U.S. Circuit of Appeals in Cincinnati. But Patrick one of Vincent's attorneys, said a judge's order requiring restraint order cannot be appealed.
Steinbrenner, at a news conference at Yankee Stadium before Monday night's game against Toronto, said his resignation was signed and would be submitted by midnight.
"I've always said 10 years is maybe enough for a corporate chief executive," he added. "I'd rather work in my office."
Steinbrenner must resign as the *Yankees* general partner, although he can remain as its managing director.
"We obviously are pleased and gratified that the decision of the court in Cleveland is approved."
I've always said 10 years is maybe enough for a corporate chief executive. Perhaps it's time for a change.
— George Steinbrenner
— George Steinbrenner Former owner of the Yankees
e statement
Batchelder's ruling cleared the way for Steinbrenner's resignation, and he said he
"I've gotten all of my work done," Steinbrenner said.
Steinbrenner made sure of that earlier in the day, changing general managers for the 14th time and giving the job to Michael for his first season. The new manager of the Yankees, was GM in 1980.
It was Steinbrenner's second major move in his final 36 hours. On Sunday, he extended the streak to three games.
through the 1992 season.
Steinbrenner left his final imprint on the Yankees by rewarding two of his most loyal employees: Merrill, the dedicated minor-league pitcher who started as a shortstop and helped his way up.
Michael began this season as a scout, became the "eye-in-the-sky" and was working as an advance scout when he was appointed general manager.
Michael replaced Pete Peterson, who will remain with the team as a special adviser to the general manager. Vice president George O'Brien will be in charge of the major-league department.
"I think we'll work fine together," Michael said. "I'm going to handle the major league part of it. I couldn't be happier. I've been with this organization for 21 years."
Michael, a former player and coach for the Yankees, got a three-year contract.
Merrill took over the team June 6 when
Bucky Dent was fired with an 18-31 record, and the Yankees have gone 31-39 under their new manager.
"We been together a long time," said Merrell, who attended Stemley's news conference.
Stainbremer switched managers 18 times during his tenure. His front office, coaches and players seemed to change equally as often.
"There have been a lot of mistakes, but there have been a lot of good decisions."
"I just wanted to show you I'm not remorseful, that I'm not in grief," he said. "I'm very happy."
Under terms of the agreement with Vincent, Steinbrenner can attend games at Yankee Stadium as long as he buys a ticket. He cannot sit in the owner's box.
"I hope the fans will get along with me sitting with them," he said.