Paris 2012 Official Steps Down Over Corruption Charges

Former French Sports Minister Guy Drut, an official with Paris’ bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, is stepping aside from his posts at the Paris bid and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) until his corruption trial is over, IOC sources told Agence France Presse.

Drut is expected to make a public announcement within the next 24 hours but has already privately told several IOC members in Spain where he is attending the Mediterranean Games.

Drut’s friends reportedly said Drut was determined he did not want the legal case against him to harm either Paris’ 2012 bid or the IOC.

It’s believed that Drut has already told IOC President Jacques Rogge of his decision.

Last month Drut was accused of picking up a 3,000 euro-a-month salary for a non-existent job with a building company from 1990 to 1993. He is among 47 defendants, including politicians, party officials and representatives of some of France’s biggest building companies, to be accused of fixing public works contracts in the Paris region to obtain illegal party funding.

A verdict on the charges is not expected before the IOC host city vote in Singapore on July 6.

A former bid leader told AFP, “even if Drut was there or not in Singapore it would not particularly harm Paris but it would be a distraction at a time when they want to focus on their message to IOC members”. Write or read comments about this article

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