The head of the U.S. Olympic Committee has resigned in a surprise move. The resignation comes at a time when the U.S. Olympic Committee is facing financial difficulties as it tries to bring the Olympics to Chicago in 2016.
Jim Scherr announced his resignation at a difficult time for the USOC which is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Stephanie Streeter, the former chairman, president and CEO of Banta Corp. and a members of the USOC board of directors has been named interim chief executive officer of the USOC.
In a story on the USOC Web site Sherr is quoted as saying, "It has been an honor to
serve the USOC in this capacity and to lead such a talented team that
believes deeply in the mission of the organization. Working together,
we have accomplished things that may have seemed impossible six years
ago."
"Jim guided our organization through a period of unprecedented
challenge and change, and did so with an unwavering commitment to
enabling America' s athletes to succeed on the field of play," USOC
chairman Larry Probst said in the news release.
According to the Associated Press:
"The timing is bizarre. The USOC is moving into the final stages of
helping with the bid to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago. The
SportAccord, an international gathering of sports dignitaries,
including those from the International Olympic Committee, is set for
later this month in Denver with all four finalists scheduled to present
their pitches for the games. And in April, Chicago will host the
International Olympic Committee on a final tour of the city in advance
of the October decision."
On Tuesday Sherr had announced that the USOC would trim 15 percent of its staff as part of an effort to pare $7.1 million from the 2009 budget. This suddent move is seen as potentially troubling developement in bringing the Olympics to Chicago in 2016 by many insiders.
Jim Scherr announced his resignation at a difficult time for the USOC which is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Stephanie Streeter, the former chairman, president and CEO of Banta Corp. and a members of the USOC board of directors has been named interim chief executive officer of the USOC.
In a story on the USOC Web site Sherr is quoted as saying, "It has been an honor to serve the USOC in this capacity and to lead such a talented team that believes deeply in the mission of the organization. Working together, we have accomplished things that may have seemed impossible six years ago."
"Jim guided our organization through a period of unprecedented challenge and change, and did so with an unwavering commitment to enabling America' s athletes to succeed on the field of play," USOC chairman Larry Probst said in the news release.
According to the Associated Press:
"The timing is bizarre. The USOC is moving into the final stages of helping with the bid to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago. The SportAccord, an international gathering of sports dignitaries, including those from the International Olympic Committee, is set for later this month in Denver with all four finalists scheduled to present their pitches for the games. And in April, Chicago will host the International Olympic Committee on a final tour of the city in advance of the October decision."
On Tuesday Sherr had announced that the USOC would trim 15 percent of its staff as part of an effort to pare $7.1 million from the 2009 budget. This suddent move is seen as potentially troubling developement in bringing the Olympics to Chicago in 2016 by many insiders.