For an organization that accepts change at the speed of the continental drift, the International Olympic Committee's decision to adopt a reform package over the weekend is noteworthy and commendable.
The reform banning IOC-member visits to bid cities sends the clearest signal that the IOC is serious about cleaning up its image and restoring confidence in the Olympic bid process. Granted, this caused some grumbling -- including gripes about the way the vote was taken, by a show of hands instead of an actual vote -- but it was needed.The corruption demonstrated by both IOC members and officials from various bid cities -- including Salt Lake City -- during the bid process had gotten to the point that the entire Olympic movement was threatened. Since the Salt Lake bribery scandal broke about a year ago, investigations have revealed numerous abuses and excesses in the bid process.
Now, an IOC evaluation commission will visit bid cities and prepare reports as a basis for members to make the final host city selection.
The IOC also wisely changed the makeup and terms for those serving on the committee --members were previously appointed for life -- as well as the term conditions for the organization's president.
Fifteen athletes will now be part of the IOC, which can have a maximum of 115 members. That will give the body a much-needed perspective from those who compete in the Games. The delegates' age limit was lowered to 70 years, and each member will have renewable eight-year terms of office.
The IOC president will be limited to an initial eight-year term and an additional term of four years.
Time will tell how effective the changes are. No system is fool-proof. The key to success lies in the personal integrity of the IOC's members. Judging by comments from IOC members, they may not embrace the new concepts immediately.
The IOC as a whole is still reluctant to accept responsibility for its past conduct. It prefers instead to point fingers at Salt Lake City and other bid cities for the current lack of trust in the Olympic movement. Yet, despite this, the IOC did a good thing for its future and the future of the Games.