(ATR) Director general of NOC relations for the IOC Pere Miro says Mexico’s participation in the 2016 Olympics will not be affected by the ongoing political dispute between the Mexican government and national sports federations, according wire reports.
The dispute arose when a government agency began financial inspections of the national federations, scrutinizing the way funds are spent by the organizations. The federations worried the government interference would put them at risk to compete in next year’s Games.
The IOC strictly prohibits political interference with a country’s sports organizations. The Kuwait NOC was suspended in October due to government interference.
The Kuwait decision had Mexican Olympic Committee president Carlos Becerra "worried but optimistic" about the IOC’s upcoming ruling.
Miro is scheduled to report to the IOC Executive Board in Lausanne today. He is expected to report to the EB that government plans to analyze the financials in the interest of transparency are legitimate.
"We don't believe there is an important problem or a conflict with the Olympic Charter or autonomy," he said. "The government has requested to some national federations to justify the money the government has given to them. This is completely fine," he's quoted by AP.
Miro says the IOC had been in extensive talks with the head of Mexico’s National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports Alfredo Castillo. Castillo assured the IOC the ministry "respects completely the autonomy" of the national federations.
Becerra tells Around the Rings he is now tasked with bringing the government and the federations back on common ground.
"From this day on, the task I received from the IOC is to become the bridge for solution between the National Federations and the Government Department, not only in representation of the IOC but as the President of the Mexican Olympic Committee," Becerra tells ATR.
Written by KevinNutley
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