Tjongarero, NNOC rally behind Fredericks
Deputy sport minister Agnes Tjongarero says the ministry stands behind Frank Fredericks, who has been charged with corruption and money laundering.
Fredericks was suspended from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) amidst allegations that he had received a payment of close to N$4 million from Papa Massata Diack, the son of former International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack, when Rio de Janeiro won the vote to host the 2016 Olympics, French newspaper Le Monde recently reported.
Fredericks consequently stepped down from the two key administrative roles he held, saying he did not want to be a distraction while investigations took place.
The money was reportedly paid to Yemi Limited, a company set up by Fredericks in the Seychelles.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde early this year, Fredericks defended the payment, saying it had “nothing whatsoever to do with the Olympic Games”.
Tjongarero yesterday said the allegations against the former sprinter did not hold water, adding that she believed in his innocence.
“We stand behind him until the day he is proven guilty,” she said.
Fredericks was a council member at the IAAF and was head of the evaluation commission for the 2024 Games, which was helping Russia to return to international competition after doping scandals.
He was tasked to lead a team assigned to do inspection visits in Los Angeles and Paris, which were bidding to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
The IOC suspended Fredericks on Tuesday, saying his case “impacted on the IOC's reputation”.
The committee said: “Considering the gravity and urgency of the situation and its impact on the reputation of the IOC, the IOC executive board has decided to suspend Mr Frank Fredericks from all the rights, prerogatives and functions deriving from his quality as an IOC member.”
Fredericks insists the money was legitimate payment for consultancy and promotional work he had done for the athletics governing body. He says the payment was related to his role in the promotion of several athletics events.
The president of the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC), Abner Xoagub, said the former sprinter had stepped down from his voluntary post at the IOC some time ago and he did not understand the latest suspension.
“He is not involved with either committee as he recused himself from the situation. He was also a member of the NNOC but withdrew,” Xoagub said.
“For our part we cannot stop him from giving motivational speeches to athletes or anything he does in his personal capacity as it has nothing to do with the allegations he is facing.”
Xoagub also said Fredericks had proof of the payments he received and the grounds on which he was paid, adding that Fredericks had probably provided that information to the IOC.
-Additional reporting BBC Sport
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Fredericks was suspended from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) amidst allegations that he had received a payment of close to N$4 million from Papa Massata Diack, the son of former International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack, when Rio de Janeiro won the vote to host the 2016 Olympics, French newspaper Le Monde recently reported.
Fredericks consequently stepped down from the two key administrative roles he held, saying he did not want to be a distraction while investigations took place.
The money was reportedly paid to Yemi Limited, a company set up by Fredericks in the Seychelles.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde early this year, Fredericks defended the payment, saying it had “nothing whatsoever to do with the Olympic Games”.
Tjongarero yesterday said the allegations against the former sprinter did not hold water, adding that she believed in his innocence.
“We stand behind him until the day he is proven guilty,” she said.
Fredericks was a council member at the IAAF and was head of the evaluation commission for the 2024 Games, which was helping Russia to return to international competition after doping scandals.
He was tasked to lead a team assigned to do inspection visits in Los Angeles and Paris, which were bidding to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
The IOC suspended Fredericks on Tuesday, saying his case “impacted on the IOC's reputation”.
The committee said: “Considering the gravity and urgency of the situation and its impact on the reputation of the IOC, the IOC executive board has decided to suspend Mr Frank Fredericks from all the rights, prerogatives and functions deriving from his quality as an IOC member.”
Fredericks insists the money was legitimate payment for consultancy and promotional work he had done for the athletics governing body. He says the payment was related to his role in the promotion of several athletics events.
The president of the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC), Abner Xoagub, said the former sprinter had stepped down from his voluntary post at the IOC some time ago and he did not understand the latest suspension.
“He is not involved with either committee as he recused himself from the situation. He was also a member of the NNOC but withdrew,” Xoagub said.
“For our part we cannot stop him from giving motivational speeches to athletes or anything he does in his personal capacity as it has nothing to do with the allegations he is facing.”
Xoagub also said Fredericks had proof of the payments he received and the grounds on which he was paid, adding that Fredericks had probably provided that information to the IOC.
-Additional reporting BBC Sport
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article