Campaign to remove OCI officials grows

On the same day Richard Burrows emerged as a probable candidate for the presidency of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), it was learnt javelin thrower Terry McHugh, the new chairman of the Athletes' Commission, will also be seeking a voting position in the organisation.

It is unclear whether McHugh will be able to vote at next month's OCI a.g.m.

Earlier this week it emerged that at least three federations - swimming, athletics and canoeing - had sent complaints to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the OCI's statutes and modus operandi. One of the letters maintained that the OCI was involved in "a lack of accountability" and "unnecessary conflict".

On Thursday, it became clear an organised campaign to unseat the entire OCI council was also in full swing when a letter was circulated by the Irish Sailing Association (ISA), of which Burrows is a member, to the 27 affiliated Olympic federations urging them to vote for change. It stated: "National federations within the group (lobbying against the OCI) intend supporting candidates to contest all available positions on the council."

It went on to say that the group believe "this election is a unique opportunity to effect positive change within the Olympic Council for the benefit of all Olympic sports".

The letter put their case under four headings - democracy, co-operation, development and resources. It claims that because of the OCI Officers and Executive Committee has a 30 per cent voting bloc at an a.g.m., it has "significantly reduced the role and importance of National Federations in the policy decisions of the Olympic Council".

The letter also encourages a closer relationship with the Irish Sports Council, the National Coaching and Training Centre (NCTC) and Government departments. The Minister for Sport, Jim McDaid, the Sports Council chief executive, John Treacy, and NCTC director Pat Duffy have publicly stated that their current relationship with the OCI is poor.

After Sydney, the OCI declined an invitation to appear in front of the Public Accounts Committee to explain various aspects of Ireland's showing at the Olympics.

While the campaign escalates in both Dublin and the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, the focus of attention now switches to Burrows, the joint managing director of Pernod Ricard. Burrows yesterday declined to comment on whether he had an interest in running against OCI president Pat Hickey.

As the former chief executive of Irish Distillers, and now the first non-French managing director of Pernod Ricard, Burrows' business acumen is in little doubt. His position is now one of the most senior in what is the world's fifth biggest drinks company. He is one of two managing directors, with responsibility for about half of Pernod's global business.

His passion for sailing also led him to become chairman of the Atlanta and Sydney Challenge, while his track record at attracting sponsorship and administration has been described as excellent. Those in sailing, who have worked with him, speak of him in awe.

"He puts manners on everything. He has underpinned sailing in this country for years and really has a passion for it," said one leading sailor.

Having travelled to both Atlanta and Sydney, Burrows also has a personal interest in the Games as his son, David, was one of only four Irish sailors to qualify for Sydney, along with Maria Coleman, David O'Brien and Mark Mansfield. David also sailed for Ireland in the Atlanta Games.

Ironically, Burrows was previously nominated by the Irish Judo Association, the sport in which Hickey once excelled, but declined to allow his name go forward.

Hickey has robustly resisted challenges before. Indeed, following the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, he not only saw off the threat from a number of disenchanted OCI officials but emerged with his power base even more secure.

Hickey has also carefully moved up the slippery IOC pole, and last year just failed to gain entry to the exclusive IOC executive. But the fact that he was in the running and is currently vice-president of the European branch of the IOC indicates a political ability - and he intends to run again this year for the executive.

For the February a.g.m. official nominations must be sent into the OCI by 5.0 p.m. on January 17th.

That date also occupies the mind of Olympic athlete McHugh, who may become the first athlete elected into a voting position in the OCI. The Athletes' Commission met on Thursday evening, when McHugh was appointed chairman.