In the midst of another World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Commission Report being released this week pertaining to the alleged corruption within the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), another potential scandal may have been inadvertently unveiled.
In its investigation of the doping and corruption accusations surrounding the IAAF, WADA inquirers seem to have uncovered a nocuous link pertaining to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its site selection process, specifically regarding the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Gamesbids.com reveales a footnote printed on page 36 of WADA’s commission report, which reads “Transcripts of the various discussions between Turkish individuals with KD make reference to a discussion regarding the Olympic city bidding process for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.”
Read the reference from #WADA report released today. Did #Tokyo2020 try to buy the Olympic Games? pic.twitter.com/n7qtR5VhHL
— GamesBids.com (@gamesbids) January 14, 2016
The report continues “it is stated that Turkey lost LD’s support because they did not pay sponsorship moneys of $4 to 5 million either to the Diamond League or IAAF. According to the transcript the Japanese did pay such a sum. The 2020 Games were awarded to Tokyo.” Note: KD references Khalil Diack, son of former International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and IAAF President Lamine Diack (LD).
Essentially, the WADA investigation has revealed that at least $4 million of sponsorship money may have been a factor in swaying Lamine Diack’s vote in the form of his dropping support for Istanbul and instead supporting Tokyo after after the cash was paid.
“The 2020 Games were awarded to Tokyo. The IC [Independent Commission] did not investigate this matter further for it was not within our remit.”
This isn’t the first time the IOC’s credibility in selecting an Olympic host city has been questioned. A 1998 bid vote-buying scandal included IOC members receiving cash and gifts leading to some members being “expelled or suspended over ethics charges.”