USOC Board Votes In Support Of Streeter, Probst

At least a handful of people in the Olympic movement support the U.S. Olympic Committee leadership _ members of the USOC board, who voted Friday in support of embattled chairman Larry Probst and CEO Stephanie Streeter.

The USOC announced that the nine board members met in a conference call and voted "as an overwhelming majority" in support of the chairman and CEO. The board also committed to finding Streeter's replacement by the end of the year.

"I am pleased to have such strong support from the USOC board," Probst said in a statement.

When Streeter announced she would not seek the CEO spot on a permanent basis Wednesday, Probst said he had no plans on leaving his spot, but recognized that he served at the pleasure of the board.

Streeter's announcement came the same day that leaders of America's Olympic sports organizations called for both her and Probst's immediate resignations.

The leaders, part of a group called the Association of Chief Executives for Sport (ACES), commissioned a survey that turned out overwhelmingly negative for the USOC leadership. The leaders answered 'No' by a 40-0 margin to the question: "Do you believe the acting CEO has the ability to be an effective leader of the Olympic movement?"

Probst fared little better. The leaders voted 'No' by a 38-4 vote to the question, "Do you approve of the way the USOC board chairman is handling his job?"

The leaders were similarly negative about the independent directors on the USOC board, who were key in the moves that led to Streeter becoming CEO in March, when she replaced Jim Scherr.

Also on Friday, a group of former American Olympic athletes sent out a statement asking for a bigger official role in the USOC organization.

The U.S. Olympians Association, led by former American track and field star Willie Banks, represents more than 6,000 American Olympians.

The Olympians want a spot on the USOC's board of directors, among other things. They have been included in the search process for the USOC's new CEO, and want to be part of future searches for chairman and chief communications officer.

Streeter is committed to staying on through next year's Olympics, but the board recognized the value of relieving her from a lame-duck status and getting someone in the CEO spot beforehand.

"Having a new CEO on board by the end of the year will allow that individual to attend the Vancouver Games, providing an invaluable opportunity to make an immediate impact and collaborate directly with our partners at the Games," Probst said.