USOC CEO Out for PyeongChang Olympics

(ATR) U.S. Olympic Committee CEO will likely miss the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang as he recovers from treatment for prostate cancer.

Blackmun, 60, will undergo surgery in Denver on Jan. 26.

In an e-mail with the subject "Change in Plans" Blackmun told staff that he had been diagnosed two weeks ago.

"My physicians are recommending that I begin treatment ASAP. The treatment will likely prevent me from going to Pyeong Chang, and will certainly mean that I am not in South Korea for the Opening Ceremony," he writes.

"My plan is to watch the magic on NBC. I will be working and connected, so reach out whenever you need me. I am not making any changes in reporting structures, mostly because you guys are the best in the business and the last thing you need is a new structure to deal with," says Blackmun, nowin his ninth year as CEO at the headquarters in downtown Colorado Springs.

Blackmun will be the second high-ranking USOC exec to miss PyeongChang over health matters. External Relations Director Patrick Sandusky has been recuperating from illness that required some time in hospital. He says he’s getting fitter by the day but will still miss the Winter Games.

While Blackmun and Sandusky are big cogs in the operation of the USOC at the Games, the NOC has a substantial staff to provide services for athletes under chef de mission Alan Ashley. USOC chairman and IOC member Larry Probst will be in PyeongChang as well.

Probst and Blackmun are ranked 8th in the 2018 Around the Rings Golden 25.

Media chief Mark Jones and other communications staff are expected to take on press conference hosting and other roles handled by Sandusky at past Olympics.

Reported by Ed Hula.