FED: IOC officials should catch a bus Coates

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-1999
FED: IOC officials should catch a bus Coates

SYDNEY, Feb 1 AAP - International Olympic officials may be forced to abandon
chauffeur-driven cars and take buses to Sydney 2000 events, Australian Olympic Committee
president John Coates said today.

A range of luxuries routinely provided to Olympic delegates, including chauffeur-driven
cars, were under review, Mr Coates said.

"(Olympics Minister) Michael (Knight) and I have had discussions. We would like to review
the level of assistance we're providing in those areas," Mr Coates told radio 2UE today.

"For example, I can't understand why we need, for all of the 100 IOC members, to provide
them with a car to go to the venues each day - a dedicated vehicle - when we can just line the
buses up outside the Regent."

But the delegates, along with athletes, are classed as VIPs and therefore allowed to travel
on ferries to the Homebush site.

Special treatment of IOC delegates has come under the spotlight after six delegates
resigned in the wake of the bribes scandal surrounding Salt Lake City's successful bid for the
2002 Winter Games.

"So far as the Sports Commission that I'm involved with in SOCOG, we also will be reviewing
the VIP lounges, the hospitality arrangements generally at all of the Games," Mr Coates said.

"I think one of the problems with sport generally is it has lost its egalitarian nature."

AAP sb/cjh/br

KEYWORD: OLY LUXURIES

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