On the Scene -- Rogge Discusses U.S. TV Rights, WADA Regulations

IOC President Jacques Rogge joined IOC and EOC officials at the opening of the new European Olympic Committees office in Brussels. (ATR)IOC President Jacques Rogge says formal negotiations with U.S. broadcasters over TV rights for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics are yet to begin.

The IOC's agreement with marketing agency Sportfive for the European TV rights for 2014/2016 had fueled speculation that an announcement on the lucrative U.S. rights deal could be closer than previously expected.

Despite confirming positive expressions of interest from major U.S. broadcasters, including NBC, ABC/ESPN and Fox, Rogge indicated only that contacts had been made but there was no progress to report.

“We have not yet started with the U.S. but we are very glad with the [Sportfive] deal we have struck now. This is definitely a sign that there is still great interest for TV and sports rights in general even in a difficult period,” he told reporters in Brussels at the opening of the European Olympic Committees' new European Union liaison office.

Rogge said he had “absolutely no idea” if a deal with U.S. broadcasters would be finalized before the announcement of the 2016 Olympics host city at the IOC Session in Copenhagen on Oct. 2. “It depends on the circumstances,” he said.

Speaking in December, Rogge had dismissed suggestions that the U.S. TV rights deal could influence the election of the city and that any delay in negotiations with networks until after the vote might favor Chicago over its rivals Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. U.S. broadcasters have traditionally supplied the biggest revenue stream for the IOC.

In comments about the financial crisis today, the IOC chief said the popularity of sport would be damaged at the grassroots level in the long term if the downturn continued longer than expected.

He said small clubs, national federations and some national Olympic committees were struggling to find sponsorships, while governments were diminishing financial support for sports organizations because funds were being redirected to help industries hit by the credit crunch.

Rogge joined EOC President Patrick Hickey, EU Sports Commissioner Jan Figel and IOC Vice President Thomas Bach at the opening of the new 4,300 sq. feet EOC-EU office.

IOC members in attendance included Great Britain's Craig Reedie, Guy Drut of France and Denmark's Kai Holm. NOC representatives from many of the 27 EU countries and other members of the 49-strong EOC were also present.

“The aim of the EOC-EU office is to monitor, identify and analyze subjects of relevance to sport at European level, to represent the interests of our partners to the European institutions, to impact any EU initiatives which may have an influence on our activities,” Hickey said in a speech.

He said ratification of the EU's Lisbon reform treaty, which would give sport a legal basis within the bloc, was vital. It could lead to specific EU sports policy and funding programs for sport, he added.

“We need a good and effective cooperation with the members of the European Parliament and member states on a long-term basis. A lot of work is ahead of us and the role of the EOC-EU office led by Folker Hellmund will be crucial to this evolution.”

The new office continues the work of the EU Office of German Sports, which operated between 1993 and 2008.

Figel welcomed the opening of the liaison office, noting that increased dialogue and cooperation between the Olympic Movement The new EOC-EU office. (ATR)and EU could offer solutions in areas of common concern such as the fight against doping.

Rogge had earlier defended the World Anti-Doping Agency's out-of-competition drug testing 'whereabouts' rules following a torrent of criticism from athletes who claimed it was impractical and invasive. Tennis stars Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and FIFA are among those to have slammed the system.

“WADA has a good attitude on the principle and will not budge. Without whereabouts you cannot have out-of-competition testing and we all know that this is the most important measure in the fight against doping,” he told the media briefing.

He said he understood “the clean athletes that see this as an invasion of privacy” but insisted the principle remain. However, he suggested “the circumstances could be adapted” via consultations between WADA and athletes.

The revised WADA code that came into force Jan. 1 means athletes must give three months' notice of where and when they can be located for testing one hour a day every day of the week.

Asked to comment on Michael Phelps, Rogge said the star of the Beijing Olympics should be given a second chance after his apology.

“It is not enough to win eight medals. He has a role to play for the youth, he has to set an example,” Rogge said. “He promised he would not do it again and I tend to believe him.”

With reporting from Mark Bisson in Brussels.

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