Olympic bids process under scrutiny — French authorities extend their corruption probe
Investigators are looking into the conditions under which the 2016 and 2020 Games were awarded
French judges investigating corruption in athletics have extended their inquiry into the conditions under which the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games were awarded, according to France’s Financial Prosecutor.
“We are looking at these elements, but at this stage it is a question of verification. Nothing has been proved,” said an official from the prosecutor’s office.
Allegations of corruption in athletics which emerged last year have so far been focused mainly on events organised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which has no say in the awarding of Olympic hosting rights.
We are looking at these elements, but at this stage it is a question of verification. Nothing has been proved
The French investigation was opened in December in response to media reports that questioned the way the IAAF awarded its 2021 championships to the US City of Eugene.
World athletics has also been shaken in recent months by a wider corruption and doping scandal.
In response to the news, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it would act on any evidence French prosecutors provided about how the Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020 games bid processes were conducted.
Spokesman Mark Adams said: “When we get evidence we have shown we will act on it. It is an easy thing to talk about, but no one has any evidence... At the moment there is nothing to act on.”