Lima: Tainted Olympic official Patrick Hickey who was arrested at the Rio Olympics last year in connection with a ticket scandal has resigned from his position on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board with immediate effect, an IOC spokesperson confirmed, Sunday.
“Mr Patrick Hickey has informed the IOC of his resignation as a member of the IOC executive board ‘with immediate effect’,” the spokesperson said. This now vacant post will be filled by an election during the forthcoming IOC session in Lima.
The 72-year-old Irishman, Hickey was detained by Brazilian police in a dramatic raid at his hotel last year wearing only a bathrobe and was behind bars for almost five months. He was held in connection with an illegal ticket sales scheme and was allowed to return to Ireland despite his arrest.
Hickey however denies any wrongdoing but has been formally charged, along with nine others, on counts that include ticket-touting (scalping), ambush marketing, theft, tax evasion, money-laundering and criminal association.
However, the IOC defines Hickey’s resignation from the executive board as to protect the IOC and to ensure that the interests of the National Olympic Committees are represented on the executive board as said in his resignation letter. “He reiterated his innocence in respect of all charges and confirmed that he hopes to exercise his functions as an IOC member in the future,” the spokesperson added.
Hickey had already suspended himself from all other IOC functions. Meanwhile, the IOC is gathering in Lima next week to confirm the hosts for the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games.
agence france-presse
