Rio aftermath: Clean sweep by OCI chiefs

THE one thing the leaders of the country’s Olympic movement do not deserve this week is any congratulations for accepting in full Judge Carroll Moran’s findings on the Rio ticket-touting scandal, a cocktail of dodgy dealings — enabled by autocratic control and shoddy accountancy practices and worthy of the Sepp Blatter prize for transparency and competence.

It has been a debacle that embarrasses Ireland and, more importantly, undermines the achievements of its athletes and those who support them.

The board of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) could do no other than accept the judge’s detailed indictment, not least because it needs the Government to resume state money.

It also needs to win back corporate sponsorship; marketing and sponsorship deals accounted for more than 70% — almost €1m — in 2015.

In committing to co-operate comprehensively with the investigation now under way by the ethics arm of the International Olympic Committee, and in stating without qualification that the return to its board of its former president would be unacceptable, the OCI has made it clear that it wishes to get moving on a reform agenda that results in collegiate leadership, accountancy standards appropriate for an organisation that receives taxpayers’ money, and an unambiguous focus on the country’s athletes and those who are cheering them on for success.