IOC "Postpones" Korean Air Sponsorship Due to Conflict of Interest

The International Olympic Committee has ruled on the potential conflict on the case of the Korean Air-International Skating Federation (ISU) sponsorship, which it was believed by some may have created a conflict of interest for the 2018 Olympic bid process. The sponsorship has been "postponed" until after the 2018 vote, while another case involved Samsung and the International Rowing Federation was deemed to have no conflict and will remain.

Here's the IOC's release:

After indications last week of potential conflict of interests concerning partnership deals involving International Sports Federations and commercial partners, the IOC Ethics Commission has taken the following action.

The International Skating Federation (ISU) and Korean Air - a partner of the Pyeongchang 2018 bid committee - have agreed to postpone their partnership until after the vote on who will host the Olympic Winter Games in 2018. The election will take place in Durban on 6 July 2011. The Ethics Commission reminded Pyeongchang 2018 and its related organisations to fully respect the Rules of Conduct related to Candidate Cities and issued a warning.

The Ethics Commission also looked into the partnership deal between the International Rowing Federation (FISA) and Samsung, a global (TOP) sponsor of the Olympic Movement. The agreement did not infringe IOC rules. FISA President and IOC member Denis Oswald decided to abstain from voting in Durban to avoid a perception of conflict of interests. The IOC Ethics Commission recognised that FISA and its President acted in good faith.