http://msn.espn.go.com/oly/news/2002/0927/1437522.html USOC reviewing possible rule violations -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press NEW YORK -- The U.S. Olympic Committee is reviewing possible improper contact between Olympic officials and representatives of the two American cities vying for the 2012 Games, a USOC spokesman said Friday. The probe of bid representatives in New York and San Francisco was confirmed a day after the USOC said it was checking into comments made by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg during a recent trip to Athens. "If we find on any occasion that either city violated the rules and regulations, we will demand immediate action to insure it is not repeated,'' USOC spokesman Mike Moran said. Under rules strengthened after the Salt Lake City bidding scandal, the USOC bans cities bidding for the Olympics from participating in promotional activities. The committee also restricts contact with board members. The USOC will determine whether Bloomberg violated rules prohibiting cities bidding for the Olympic Games from lobbying. While touring Olympic construction sites during a visit to Athens last week, Bloomberg touted New York as an ideal host for the 2012 Summer Games. "New York is the world's most international city, and I can think of no city, save the birthplace of the modern Olympics, that is better suited to host the world games. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity.'' Bloomberg has said he did not do anything inappropriate. The USOC also is looking at e-mails athletes sent to members of the USOC's board of directors promoting San Francisco's Olympic bid. The organization planned a "complete review based on our rules and regulations,'' Moran said. But Moran said there was no probe into a Sept. 6 meeting between U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Olympic selection committee representative Anita DeFrantz. "The USOC does not conduct investigations of U.S. senators,'' Moran said. New York and San Francisco are the two U.S. cities in the running for the 2012 Games. The USOC will choose between the two on Nov. 2, with the winner awaiting the final decision of the International Olympic Committee in 2005. Clinton, D-N.Y., hosted DeFrantz for a special session of Congress at Federal Hall. DeFrantz has publicly stated that she discussed New York's bid with Clinton. A Clinton spokeswoman denied any wrongdoing. "We have not been apprised of any constraints on senators when it comes to promoting their states,'' spokeswoman Karen Dunn said. Dunn said Clinton had invited DeFrantz at the request of Daniel L. Doctoroff, the deputy mayor for economic development and a founder of the city's Olympic bid organization. "We knew of nothing to prevent us from agreeing to the city's request,'' Dunn added Friday. Howard Gantman, a spokesman for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., denied a report that she had spoken with DeFrantz. DeFrantz, through Moran, echoed Gantman's comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well well well...looks like the 2 cities which were chosen over Houston (with inferior technical bids) have been involved in a little mischeif.
