September 21, 1999
Web posted at: 1:11 p.m. EDT (1711 GMT)

WASHINGTON -- A House subcommittee chairman said Tuesday that Congress is prepared to issue a subpoena to force the head of the International Olympic Committee to testify next month on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Fred Upton, (R-Michigan) told reporters the Olympic process "has run amok and it's got to change."

Upton singled out IOC Chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch and urged him to appear before Congress when hearings begin in mid-October. Upton described the Olympic bidding procedures in Atlanta and Salt Lake City as a "culture of corruption, chock full of bad things that never should have transpired."

Saying "it doesn't take a rocket scientist" to see that things got out of hand, Upton said Congress will seek legislation to enforce existing rules and close loopholes. He also called on advertisers to lend their weight and "ratchet up the pressure."

Upton pointed to numerous violations between the IOC and representatives from Atlanta and Salt Lake City which included gift exchanges of travel vouchers, golf clubs, pewter dishes, scholarships, medical care and credit cards.

Upton told reporters Samaranch himself received gifts in excess of the $100 limit.

"There was very little that wasn't on the table to get their vote," Upton said. "It's wrong. It's called ethics. Votes were for sale... It muddies the name of the Olympics."

Tuesday, September 21, 1999

• Bradley gains on Gore but has a long way to go
• Hatch proposes special congressional panel to investigate Justice Department
• Bush announces gun crimes initiative in Texas
• California voters head to the polls in crowded congressional primary
• Senator calls Clinton travel costs 'excessive'
• IOC chief urged to testify before Congress
• Dole disputes rumors of campaign troubles
• Delaware governor to challenge Roth
• Swiss banks freeze $16.8M; Accounts held during probe of Russian money-laundering case
• Clinton says U.N. must do more to stop atrocities
• Both parties out to protect Social Security -- but not just yet
• Moynihan to endorse Bradley presidential bid
• Clinton denies political consideration in clemency
• Bombmaking videotapes to be aired at Puerto Rican clemency hearing
• Analysis: Clemency offer a political loser for Clinton
• Reagan associates concerned over use of fictional narrator in biography
• Conservative groups denounce McCain's campaign finance plan

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