IOC Called In To Settle Boa And Locog Feud

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been asked to settle the dispute between the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) over funding.

The disagreement between the two main bodies responsible for the London 2012 Games has escalated over the past few days, resulting in the IOC being called in to sort the matter once and for all.

The BOA is fighting for a larger cut of any surplus once the Olympic Games are over, but LOCOG disagrees.

In a statement, BOA said: ‘This is about protecting the future for athletes, for Olympic sport and for our national governing bodies. We are doing exactly what every national Olympic committee is expected to do we: we are safeguarding a future sports legacy in our country’.

‘We have taken these steps with the full support and direction of our board of directors. We are confident an amicable and equitable resolution will be reached’.

The BOA sold the marketing rights for the use of the Olympic brand in Great Britain to LOCOG in 2004 for approximately £30m, however, BOA chief executive Andy Hunt has always claimed that the agreement is worth more money.

Hunt, who did not join the association until 2008 said: ‘We inherited an extremely poor deal… we believe the Brazilian Olympic committee can expect to receive more than £100m through its JMPA with the Rio 2016 organisers’.

The Joint Marketing Programme Agreement (JMPA) was made between the two bodies, designed to cover the sever-year period in the run-up to the Games in 2012. 

LOCOG responded: ‘The vision for London 2012, created by the BOA, Government and the Mayor of London and set out in the bid book is for one festival of sport, with an integrated Olympic and Paralympic Games, underpinned by a single budget’.

‘It is sad that this vision is now disputed by the new leadership of the BOA. We are grateful that the IOC is helping to resolve the issue’.