USOC convinced changes mean better days are ahead

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) ended their annual assembly on Saturday convinced they had established a framework to rebuild the troubled organisation.

The upbeat mood was dramatically different from last year when the USOC was consumed by anger and finger-pointing after Chicago's embarrassing first-round exit in voting to host the 2016 Summer Games.

The USOC has been in a state of almost constant upheaval since Jim Scherr's resignation as CEO in March 2009 which was followed by Stephanie Streeter''s brief but rocky tenure.

Scott Blackmun was handed the CEO reigns in January and inherited the massive challenge of restructuring the fractured organisation and rebuilding damaged international relations.

As part of the reorganisation efforts the USOC approved several recommendations made by a task force headed by former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Among the recommendations was expanding the board to 15 members from 11 and awarding Blackmun a non-voting seat on the board. Blackmun hopes to have the new spots filled by January 1.

The board has also voted to eliminate term limits for the USOC chairman, a post currently held by Larry Probst.

"I think (the Tagliabue commission) laid out a very thoughtful road map and for all intents and purposes most of that road map has been followed," said Probst.

"There were some tweaks and minor adjustments but I think they did an extraordinary job."

Probst's four-year term was to end in Oct. 2012 but he   will remain in the unpaid job as long as the board deems fit, bringing an element of continuity to the position that they hope helps strengthen international ties.

A revolving door at the USOC was viewed as a major factor behind the United States' inability to forge key relationships, leaving it increasingly isolated and with little influence in the international sporting arena.

"Let's be clear, there is a four-year check point and if I'm not doing the job to their expectations; then see you later Larry," Probst told reporters. "I'm fully engaged now and I expect to be fully engaged for some time.

"I want to see the USOC be as successful as it can be and be as well positioned in the Olympic movement as possible and that's not going to happen overnight."

The board also received a report from another task force that outlined recommendations on providing athletes with safe training environments.

Allegations of sexual abuse have surfaced at USA Swimming, the USOC signalling it is prepared to take on a leadership role in preventing such situations.

"We're not saying the current situation is intolerable, we're saying that the occurrence of sexual abuse is intolerable," said Blackmun.

The USOC is expected to outline the recommendations early next week.