Eng. Mario D. Goijman
Buenos Aires, October 15, 2003
Mr.
President of the
International Olympic Committee
Dr. Jacques Rogge
Dear Sir,
On September 22, four weeks ago, I sent you a letter, containing what
I considered to be very sensitive and accurate information, in which
I detailed irregularities in the movement of funds between
the International Olympic Committee and the International Volleyball
Federation.
These differences came to light as a result of the investigations carried out as a consequence of the criminal complaint filed on last December in Switzerland against Mr. Ruben Acosta, member of the IOC and President of the International Volleyball Federation, for adulteration of FIVB Financial Statements, fraudulent administration and other charges.
From these investigations it became evident that, apart from the more than 15.000.000 dollars withdrawn from FIVB accounts by Mr. Acosta in the past years, in concept of what he referred to as COMMISSIONS for his work, and of his efforts to conceal these withdrawals with the safeguard of his clean and honest image, there were serious discrepancies between what the International Olympic Committee paid the FIVB in terms of subsidies, and what the FIVB recorded in its audited accounts.
In 1996 the IOC paid the FIVB u$s 4.670.000 as a result of the Atlanta Olympic Games but the FIVB recorded SFR 3.613.198 which represents a difference of 2.650.000 Swiss Francs at the exchange rate applicable in 1996.
The International Olympic Committee paid the FIVB SFR 15.212.000 for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games but the FIVB recorded SFR 13.013.987, which represents a difference of 2.200.000 Swiss Francs.
This total discrepancy of 4.850.000 Swiss Francs disappeared, either because IOC officials or FIVB authorities kept it. Under no circumstances can either situation be justified. In the same way that it cannot be justified that IN LIGHT OF THE VERIFICATION OF THESE FACTS THE MAXIMUM AUTHORITIES OF THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT DECIDE TO “SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG”.
Mr. President, I am a 58-year-old sports official who has been voluntarily working for the past 30 years in favor of world sports, without any monetary compensation whatsoever precisely because I believe that sports are an essential tool for the education and development of individuals.
I firmly believe in the saying, MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO, I believe in educating through example, and to achieve my goals I devote myself to the defense of principles and values that I consider of utmost importance.
It is because of these principles that I made public Mr. Acosta’s irregularities as leader of our sport, I lifted the veil on corruption, I faced all the risks and have paid the consequences of aspiring to a HEALTHY AND TRANSPARENT sport, an example to our youths.
For this I have been unjustly sanctioned by a corporation that does not respect the right of all individuals to say the truth and defend it, as it also does not respect any form of independent justice system.
It is also due to this that Argentine Volleyball as a whole was sanctioned in the person of honest officials that defend these same principles and who were chastised for not accepting the obscure rules the Mr. Acosta wanted to impose to hide his illegal dealings to enhance his personal fortune.
Even the Argentine players have had to bear the consequences because we, as their leaders, stood by our principles and values, and have therefore been separated from numerous tournaments and competitions, World Championships, Pan-American Games and Olympic Qualification Tournaments, which represents an open violation of the OLYMPIC CHARTER, and still continue in that situation, besides the ridiculous tricks used by FIVB to simulate that they are now allowing Argentine Volleyball players in their tournaments.
All this has been presented to you in our letters dated June 5, August 13 and August 27, requesting your intervention as the maximum authority in WORLD SPORTS.
Why you?
Because you are the President of the International Olympic Committee.
Because you have repeatedly stated in your speeches that you are a
strong advocate of transparency in sports, clean procedures, fair
play and honest leadership.
Dr. Jacques Rogge, to this day, you disappointed me, YOU have privileged a false sense of “sprit de corp” in defending the IOC members at all costs, instead of favoring transparency and fair play.
Up until today, you have done absolutely nothing to change the current status of things.
It would seem that you don’t care about what the members of the IOC do, about the final use given to IOC funds, supposedly intended for the promotion and development of world sporting activities, that is of no concern to you, and that it is completely irrelevant whether or not it ends up in the pockets of some unscrupulous IOC member.
Until today, you have given me a clear idea of the difference that exists between your speech and your acts, in line with so many other politicians who say one thing, but when it comes to action, they continue defending their supporters.
My exemplary background of 58 years of honesty allows me to demand that you revise your attitude, recapitulate and act consequently.
Best regards,
Eng. Mario Goijman
Former President of the Argentine Volleyball Federation
Former President of the 2002 Men’s World Volleyball Championship
Organizing Committee
Former Member of the FIVB Administration Board
Ciudad de la Paz 1808 5 Piso
1428 Buenos Aires
Argentina
Te 54 11 4787-6557/8/9
E-mail: mgoijman@hotmail.com
c.c. President of the Argentine Republic
Judge Dr. Cruchet – Vaud Canton
President of the Argentine Olympic
Committee
Mr. Mbaye, President of the IOC Ethics
Commission
International Sports Press and Media