Another Term Looms For Ioc President

When Juan Antonio Samaranch of Spain became the International Olympic Committee’s president during the 1980 Summer Olympics at Moscow, no one was certain whether congratulations or condolences were in order.

Terrorism in 1972 had turned Olympic villages into armed encampments; the Montreal Games in 1976 lost $1 billion for the federal, provincial and city governments; the United States and other countries were boycotting the Moscow Games; and the only city that bid for the 1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles, would not agree to cover any debts.

Fifteen years into Samaranch’s reign, however, the Olympic movement is stronger than ever.

At least 10 cities from five continents have indicated they will bid for the 2004 Summer Olympics; multinational companies spend $20 million to become sponsors; the inclusion of professionals has created more worldwide interest; and NBC has agreed to pay $3.57 billion for U.S. television rights to the five Olympics between 2000 and 2008.

For his successes, Samaranch, 75, is likely to be rewarded with a fourth term in 1997. Although some believe he has led the Olympics too far down the commercial path, no one has had more positive impact on the IOC since its founder, Baron Pierre de Coubertin.