IOC chief answers critics on Russian doping, Rio Games

IOC President Thomas Bach defended his handling of the Russian doping scandal, attacked critics of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and claimed no cities would have bid for the 2024 Games without his "Agenda 2020" reform programme.
In a speech to the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees yesterday, Bach appeared determined to counter the negative public perception surrounding the Olympic movement following a turbulent year of doping crises, the troubled buildup to Rio and continuing concerns over the costs of hosting the games.
Bach cited media headlines in the months ahead of the Rio Games about security, water quality, the Zika virus and allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia. Citing Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election last week, Bach said the Rio Games were a "case study" in the difference "between published opinion and public opinion" and "between perception and reality."
Bach said the Rio Games were a great success, citing record global television viewership and social media interest, though he made no mention of the empty seats and organizational glitches that also affected the event. He also went to great lengths to defend the International Olympic Committee's decision not to impose a total ban on Russia from the Games, saying he has received support from dozens of world leaders on the issue. The World Anti-Doping Agency had called for the complete ban following a report by investigator Richard McLaren that detailed systematic, state-assisted doping in Russia. The IOC instead allowed international sports federations to decide which Russian athletes could compete.
Bach said he has met with many heads of state and government since the games and all backed the IOC's position.
"They appreciated and acknowledged we did not take a political decision but we took a decision that took in the interest of sport and respected justice for clean athletes and protecting the clean athletes worldwide," he said.
"To see this acknowledgement and this appreciation by so many political leaders was a confirmation of our decision and is a great encouragement for all of us."
Meanwhile, Olympic bosses made an impassioned plea to Brazilian authorities yesterday to allow Irish Olympic Committee President Patrick Hickey to return home while awaiting trial over an alleged ticketing scam.
Hickey, who is also the head of the European Olympic Committee, was arrested by Brazilian police during the Rio Olympics in August as part of a raid into an illegal ticket sales scheme.
He denies any wrongdoing but has been formally charged. He has stepped down from both posts while the investigation continues.
The trial date has still not been set but could take up to two years to be heard, according to his lawyers. The 71-year-old Hickey remains under house arrest in Brazil but has had his passport confiscated and has been banned from leaving the country.
The ANOC President, Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Ahmed Al Sabah, referred to Hickey as our "dear VP" while the International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said: "We have to put the system into place for prevention, and, if that fails, for sanctioning and appropriate measures. We should never claim the sports world is immune.  Patrick Hickey is still in Brazil concerning the sale of tickets. We have to say, clearly, that as long as there is no result, our colleague enjoys the presumption of innocence."