LONDON — Even in the unpredictable world of Olympic politics, Dick Pound and Kim Un-yong would seem the unlikeliest of political allies.
So why were the two men — rival contenders for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee — dining together in Paris this week?
On the same day Belgium's Jacques Rogge was formally declaring his candidacy in Brussels on Monday, Pound and Kim were chatting tete-a-tete at a Japanese restaurant in the French capital.
The meeting fueled speculation that the powerful Canadian and South Korean officials — once considered sworn enemies — are forging some sort of strategic election deal.
In a telephone interview Wednesday with The Associated Press, Kim gave little away.
"We've had dinner a couple of times before and thought we should get together," he said. "We discussed a lot of things, what's going on in the world, a lot of issues. We exchanged views. We will keep in touch."
"It was just the two of us," he said, "a friendly get-together, relaxed, for old time's sake. We have some different views maybe, but nothing special."
Did they discuss the election?
"Yes, nothing particular," Kim said. "The election's still three months away. We compared notes, discussed things of common and mutual interest."
And what about rumors the two men could strike an election alliance?
"It would be too premature to say that," Kim said. "We talk. We are friends. We talk about many things together. The rest is speculation. There is no hidden thing."
Pound was unavailable for comment Wednesday. He was away from his Montreal law office and messages were not returned.
The Paris rendezvous added further intrigue to the race to succeed Juan Antonio Samaranch, who is stepping down this summer after 21 years as IOC president.
IOC members will elect the new president in Moscow on July 16.
Rogge, American IOC vice president Anita DeFrantz and Hungary's Pal Schmitt have formally declared as candidates. Kim will make his official announcement in Monaco next Tuesday, with Pound set to submit his name before the April 10 deadline.
"It looks like he's planning (to run)," Kim said. "He's a modest man. He doesn't tell me. Some have said he might not run, but I'm sure he will. He was indicating that."
Kim is 70 and Pound 59.
Several possible scenarios have been suggested for a Kim-Pound accord. One theory goes that Kim, if elected, would leave before the end of the eight-year term and Pound would take over. Another is that whoever is eliminated first in Moscow's voting will throw his support to the other.
With about 120 members eligible to vote, the candidate with the lowest number of votes goes out after each ballot until one person achieves a majority.
Kim and Pound have a recent history of acrimony.
As head of the IOC inquiry into the Salt Lake City bid scandal, Pound investigated Kim. While 10 members resigned or were expelled, Kim — the highest-ranking delegate implicated — escaped with a "most severe warning."
Kim's son, John Kim, was indicted in the United States on charges of immigration fraud and lying to the FBI in connection with the scandal. He was accused of accepting a sham job funded by Salt Lake's bid committee.
The Kims have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
In March 1999 at the height of the scandal, Kim had a heated confrontation with Pound and IOC director general Francois Carrard at IOC headquarters in Lausanne. Kim — a taekwondo expert — struck a martial-arts pose, but no blows were exchanged.
Kim struck a conciliatory tone Wednesday, noting that he and Pound had worked closely together in the past on television rights deals. He said he had put any personal differences with Pound behind him.
"For me, I forget a long time ago," he said. "I only remember friendship. We are all dedicated to Olympic ideals and sports. That's all based on human relations. I would hate to see some of those human relations damaged or destroyed over the years."