Romney Attacked for Olympic Funding; Rio 2016 Security Chief Resigns

Democrats Criticize Romney for Olympic Funding

Mitt Romney is under attack for what political rivals deem an excessive use of taxpayer money for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

The Democratic National Committee released a video accusing the Republican presidential hopeful of organizing the "most expensive Games in U.S. history" with taxpayers doling out $1.3 billion.

The advertisement claims that the taxpayers who footed the bill were the real saviors of the event.

During the advertisement, Republican senator and Romney supporter John McCain criticizes the planning and funding of the event. "The Olympic Games, supposedly hosted and funded by Salt Lake City, began in corruption and bribery and has now turned into an incredible pork-barrel project," he said.

Romney was brought in as CEO as the Salt Lake City Games were struggling financially and has since touted his Olympic tenure during his campaign.

The attack comes as Romney is increasingly seen as the Republican Party’s nominee to take on incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

In response to the video, Romney’s campaign team told CBS News’ "Political Hotsheet" blog the majority of the funds were used for security since the competition took place five months after the September 11 terrorist attack.

Rio 2016 Security Chief Resigns

Luiz Fernando Correa announced his resignation as Rio 2016 Security Director. In a statement, Rio 2016 said he resigned after "the Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed a complaint requesting public legal action regarding his past administration as the national secretary of Public Security."

Media reports say Correa was charged with corruption related to the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. He is not accused of any wrongdoing related to the Olympics.

Rio 2016 said in a statement that Correa is "confident" he will receive a favorable ruling, but noted that if he remained with the organizing committee, it "may cause unease", prompting his resignation.

Correa’s announcement comes on the heels of the news that the organizing committee’s marketing director, Flavio Pestana, resigned for personal reasons.

Silver Medalist Fails Drug Test

Ukrainian silver medalist Olha Korobka failed a drug test at the world championships in November and will now miss the summer Olympics as part of a four-year ban.

The International Weightlifting Federation made the announcement and also amended the results from last year’s world championships, stripping her of the bronze medal she won.

Her ban expires November of 2015.

Reuters reports that Korobka had no comment leaving training camp and her coach was fired.

Taekwondo Leader's Father Dies

Young Seek Choue, father of World Taekwondo Federation president Chungwon Choue, died on Saturday. He was 91.

A statement from WTF said Choue died after a "chronic illness."

Choue founded Kyung Hee University, one of Korea’s largest private universities. Among other accomplishments, he was the first president of the Goodwill Cooperation Society International, perpetual-president-emeritus of the International Association of University Presidents and the architect of the U.N.’s International Day of Peace.

A memorial altar at Kyung Hee University was established, and the funeral is scheduled for Feb. 23, starting at the university.

Whitney Houston Laid to Rest

Pop star and Olympic performer Whitney Houston was laid to rest this weekend.

Houston, who recorded the song "One Moment in Time" for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, passed away on Feb. 11 of unknown causes.

Houston performed the Emmy-award winning song at the main ceremony for the Games and the anthem’s video featured footage of previous Olympic highlights.

The 48-year-old recording artist was buried in New Jersey next to her father, who passed away in 2003. She is survived by her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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