Federation calls for discourse, not discord

Salt Lake City, UT - October 7, 2009) -- Given the hostile climate in the American Olympic movement in the wake of Chicago's failure to land the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, USA Team Handball chairman Dieter Esch today called for a broader discussion of the future of the sports in the United States.

"Blaming individuals for the actions of the past six months is short-sighted," Esch said. "We need a thorough analysis to cure the fundamental chasm between the USOC and the IOC."

"We need to build a consensus on television's influence on the movement in the USA and abroad. We need to come to a long-term agreement on revenue sharing between IOC and USOC on sponsorship and other revenue. And we need to thoroughly examine the personnel that represent Olympic sports in this country - at the board and management level. Only then, will we be able to move forward from lessons learned over the past six years - regardless of events of the past six months."

"There is too much at stake to just call for resignations," Esch continued. "We are prepared to lead a group that puts actionable plans, not finger-pointing, at the forefront."

USA Team Handball president Brad Krassner indicated a desire at last month's Olympic Assembly to participate in a blue ribbon panel of NGB executives and board members that would offer concrete "white paper" recommendations to the USOC Board of Directors.

Areas of discussion would include additional NGB representation on the USOC Board of Directors; application for federal funding and/or the creation of a federal sports ministry; a strategic strengthening of USA's international relations efforts; and a preemptive alliance with NBC and Comcast to secure future television rights and launch the U.S. Olympic Network.

Formation of the blue ribbon panel is expected to be confirmed at a conference call this Friday by members of the National Governing Bodies Council.