IOC confirms it will not pay Pat Hickey’s €410k bond

The International Olympic Committee has revealed that it will not pay the bond that the former president of the Olympic Council of Ireland Pat Hickey is required to produce as a condition of being allowed leave Brazil.

While the Olympic Council of Ireland had ruled out paying the 1.5m Brazilian Dollar bond (€410,000), the IOC had previously referred media queries to Mr Hickey’s representatives.

As a member of its Executive Board, the IOC had covered the cost of Mr Hickey’s flights to the Rio games.

However yesterday the IOC’s media relations team confirmed its position to the Irish Examiner.

“No, the IOC will not pay for Mr Hickey’s bond,” the media relations team said.

It did not elaborate as to whether or not it was contributing to Mr Hickey’s legal fees or other associated costs.

On Wednesday Mr Hickey, who is facing charges relating to alleged ticket touting during the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, was given permission to return to Ireland on health grounds by Brazil’s special court for supporters and large events.

Denying all allegations against him, he had been released from custody in August. Brazilian authorities retained his passport.

The 71-year-old has stepped aside from his Olympic duties until the conclusion of the investigation.

Earlier this month the legal team for ticket agent Kevin Mallon — who has also been charged following allegations of ticket touting — had complained that there was an undue delay in the processing of his application for the return of his passport.

Mr Mallon, an executive of hospitality firm THG Sports, is facing charges facilitating ticket touting, illegal marketing and forming a criminal cartel.