Andrew Jennings, consultant to BBC documentary "Buying the Games", comments in an interview for Sofia News Agency the latest developments in the bribery scandal, involving Bulgarian IOC member Ivan Slavkov.
Jennings works for British and foreign press, TV and radio as an investigative reporter, presenter, producer, consultant and commentator. He has published three books about investigating the International Olympic Committee - 1992: The Lords of the Rings, 1996: The New Lords of the Rings: Olympic Corruption & How to Buy Gold Medals, 2000: The Great Olympic Swindle.
Sofia News Agency Editor-in-Chief Milena Hristova approached Andrew Jennings hours after IOC's executive board recommended that Slavkov be kicked out of the elite club for breaking ethics rules and "seriously tarnishing" the IOC's image.
Q: How would you comment the decision of Ivan Slavkov not to give up his Bulgarian posts as head of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee and Football Association after the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee recommended his expulsion?
A: It is long overdue that Bulgarian sport asked itself why it tolerates a man like Ivan Slavkov holding any position at all. While he remains in any position, the world will laugh.
Q: Why did IOC President Rogge refuse to take actions against the other 30 individuals on BBC corruption list?
A: Because he is weak, and will not authorise his own investigations. Meanwhile the credibility of the IOC continues to sink.
Q: What do you expect to be BBC response to this decision?
A: Why should they respond? They are journalists, they made a report, the whole world cheered and respected them, they move on to new challenges and continued good journalism.
Q: In the meantime Goran Takac said that the British broadcaster has offered him an out of court settlement. An indication of what do you take this to be?
A: Goran Takac said . . . Can he produce any proof of this claim? One document from the BBC? He is history and should be forgotten. If the BBC is offering any apologies to Mr Takac, the moon is made of blue cheese, pigs can fly and he is a man of honour. His claim is pathetic.
Q: Do you think London succeeded in its efforts to ensure that the documentary did not adversely affect its bid?
A: I do not know but I doubt it. All you need to remember about the IOC is that it was not them who went out and found the evidence of corruption in their ‘family.' I did it in the 1990s and now the BBC has done a job that sport needed. The IOC will not forgive the British for this.
Q: Do you share fears that the timing of IOC regular meeting in Singapore could see the concerns about BBC programme affect the vote?
A: I have no idea. I have no fears. I am a reporter, not an ideologue.
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