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Olympic Reform

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Olympics Summary

International Olympic Committee Reform Act of 1999

The International Olympic Committee Reform Act of 1999 (H.R. 1370) is a bipartisan response to the recent Olympic bribery scandal. Its goal is to prod the IOC into adopting necessary reforms to restore the integrity of the Olympic movement and prevent a future scandal from occurring.

In March, an independent commission headed by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell recommended a series of internal reforms that the IOC should adopt. These reforms include: the prohibition of the type of gift-giving that produced the bribery scandal; the establishment of an independent IOC office to investigate gift-giving violations; and the subjecting of IOC members to periodic re-election. These reforms are intended to ensure that future Olympic Games are awarded to host cities in an impartial manner.

The International Olympic Committee Reform Act of 1999 is designed to ensure that these reforms are adopted. It would prevent American corporations and persons from providing any financial support to the IOC until the IOC adopts the Mitchell commission's recommendations. Currently, American corporations provide a substantial portion of the funding for the IOC: NBC has agreed to pay $3.5 billion for the television rights for the next five Olympic Games; and nine American corporations contribute $10 million a year to be official Olympic sponsors. Without American corporate money, the IOC would not be able to function.

The bill's prohibition against financial support to the IOC would not apply to funding directed specifically to the organizing committees for the three Olympic Games already awarded by the IOC (2000 Sydney, 2002 Salt Lake City, and 2004 Athens). American corporations and persons also would be able to continue supporting the U.S. Olympic Committee and other U.S. sports governing bodies. The bill allows the media to cover the Olympic Games, although there can be no payment for broadcast rights.

The International Olympic Committee Reform Act of 1999 was introduced by Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) and Rep. Rick Lazio (R-NY) on April 12, 1999. The bill is an amendment to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, which prohibits American corporations and persons from bribing foreign officials.