Post by chileduck on Feb 2, 2018 8:49:53 GMT -8
Rumors about an investigation into Tracktown's bid for the World Championships are going to resurface based on some reporting by the NYTimes who obtained copies of subpoenas "in a far-reaching investigation of international sports corruption," and I think the key here is "far-reaching".
Here is the originanl article and headline: Justice Dept. Escalates Inquiry on Global Sports Corruption
And here is the relevant report:
The Justice Department is exploring possible racketeering, money laundering and fraud charges related to two track and field world championship events and the business executives who have consulted on bids for various other elite competitions, according to one of the subpoenas, which was obtained by The New York Times.
...
Of particular interest to the Justice Department, according to the subpoena, is the world governing body for track and field, known as the International Association of Athletics Federations. That federation awarded the sport’s 2019 world championships to Doha, Qatar, and the 2021 event to Eugene.
...
Of particular interest to the Justice Department, according to the subpoena, is the world governing body for track and field, known as the International Association of Athletics Federations. That federation awarded the sport’s 2019 world championships to Doha, Qatar, and the 2021 event to Eugene.
The implication is that the Eugene bid is under investigation but it doesn't come right out and say that.
Of course the Eugene Register Guard then runs this story and a more sensentional headline yesterday:
Report: Eugene’s 2021 World Championships bid under investigation
But the article itself just mentions the NYTimes report and then reports that no one in Eugene or associated with the bid for the World Championships for Tracktown have been contacted by anyone. So because the US Justice department is investigating these world sports organizations, the Eugene bid (or lack thereof) is "facing increased scrutiny by the U.S. Justice Department" according to the RG.
I guess scandal and corruption are newsworthy, but there seems to be very little smoke and no fire ... at least yet.
