Olympic movement needs reform

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken some positive steps to limit the opportunity for corruption in the selection of sites for the Summer and Winter Games, but its leaders need to consider even more reforms before it can hope to restore public faith in the Olympic movement.

Responding to Salt Lake City's blatant payoffs in its successful bid to win the 2002 Winter Games, the IOC board moved last weekend to expel six of its 115 members for accepting cash or other gifts from Salt Lake officials. Three resigned and three others remain under investigation.

Whether this action will rid the committee of all its rotten apples is uncertain.

Currently, (IOC) members pick the president, who, in turn, appoints members to fill seats as they become vacant.

For all the criticism he has received, Samaranch has achieved considerable good during his 19-year tenure. He added the first women to the IOC and brought in more members from outside Europe, which had dominated the Olympic hierarchy. But Samaranch also tolerated an atmosphere in which cities like Salt Lake felt compelled to shower gifts on IOC members if they hoped to win the Games. If the IOC really wants to put this scandal behind it, now is the time to thank Samaranch for his long service and choose a younger, reform-minded successor.

-- The Los Angeles Times