Olympics boss axed two weeks before Games begin

AUG 30: Just 16 days from the start of the Olympics here, the Games organising committee faced renewed turmoil yet again Wednesday followi...

AUG 30: Just 16 days from the start of the Olympics here, the Games organising committee faced renewed turmoil yet again Wednesday following the demotion of its chief executive. After a long string of sackings, gaffes and scandals within the Olympics organisation, Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) Chief Executive Sandy Hollway suddenly found himself relieved of most of his responsibilities on Tuesday.

Cynics say Palfreyman was replaced because he knows a lot about what goes on in the Olympics organisation. “Liz Smylie knows a lot about tennis, and chewing gum,” said one observer. Senior SOCOG management were told on Tuesday night Richmond had been appointed to the position, which was created the same day prior to the final full board meeting before the Games.

The internal e-mail to management also noted that Hollway would retain his statutory position as CEO and keep his position on the Board. Hollway said in a statement that put a brave face on demotion that the preparatory work for the Olympics had to be done. “My sole concern is the national interest and to continue to play my part in delivering a great Games,” he said.

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A spokesman for Knight said Richmond’s appointment was part of the operational integration between SOCOG and the OCA. “It’s only about the paperwork catching up with reality of the last six months,” he said. “It’s minor housekeeping. It’s nothing to do with Sandy Hollway.”

The spokesman said Hollway was still the CEO and a member of the SOCOG board. Gary Pemberton was the first President of SOCOG, assuming a hybrid position of Executive President in July 1994 but he resigned his role as President in March 1996 and was replaced by John Iliffe.

However, Iliffe only lasted six months and stood down after the Atlanta Olympics. Knight assumed responsibility for the role, giving himself total power and control.

Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu and Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji

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