House Resolution Urges IOC to Bypass Beijing

The House of Representatives urged the International Olympic Committee on Monday to reject Beijing’s bid for the Summer Games in the year 2000 because of China’s “massive violations of human rights.”

In a resolution passed, 287-99, the House said it “strongly opposes” allowing Beijing to play host to the Games, and asked the IOC “to find another, more suitable venue.”

It urged the U.S. representative to the IOC to vote against Beijing when the IOC’s 94 members meet in Monte Carlo in September to select the site for the 2000 Games.

Sydney is considered the front-runner, with Beijing a serious contender and Manchester, England; Istanbul, Turkey; Berlin and Brasilia also in the running.

The resolution quoted a State Department report stating that the Chinese “government’s human rights practices have remained repressive, falling far short of internationally accepted norms.”

Soccer

Investigators of the Olympique Marseille game-fixing scandal are checking allegations owner Bernard Tapie tried to persuade a rival coach to take the blame. Judge Bernard Beffy questioned Boro Primorac, former Valenciennes coach who says Tapie offered him money and career opportunities to become a scapegoat.

At least 15 were injured and 19 arrested in celebrations throughout Mexico after its 4-0 victory over the United States in the Gold Cup soccer tournament at Mexico City, news reports said. Six were injured in car accidents in Mexico City after the Sunday afternoon game, as fans jammed the streets waving Mexican flags.

Miscellany

The Big Ten Conference will lose $75,000 in grant money because seven member schools awarded more scholarships than permitted under NCAA rules, the first time a national conference has been fined, an NCAA official said.

The University of Iowa--the biggest violator--will forfeit 19.52 scholarships. Indiana will lose 17.59. Minnesota must give up 15.32. Other schools affected are: Wisconsin (4.9), Illinois (3.39), Michigan (2.57) and Purdue (2.27).

A state lawmaker said he will ask the Ohio legislature to force the Cleveland Indians to drop their nickname and Chief Wahoo logo.

A bill authored by Sen. Jeff Johnson (D-Cleveland), who is part American Indian, would bar public funding of any agency that uses a mascot or logo that treats “a recognized racial or ethnic group in a demeaning manner.”

Names in the News

Unbeaten junior-welterweight David Kamau of Los Angeles stopped Julio Flores of Puerto Rico in the first round of their scheduled 12-round fight at the Forum. . . . Joe Walton, who had been serving as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator, will become the first football coach at Robert Morris College near Pittsburgh. . . . Phil Gaspar, a three-year letterman at USC in football and track, died Saturday in Los Angeles at 75. . . . NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman invalidated the offer sheet given to left wing Craig Simpson by the San Jose Sharks because the sheet was not properly structured. . . . Thomas Hamilton, a 7-foot-4, 310-pound center, will enroll at the University of Pittsburgh after being denied entrance to Illinois because he did not meet academic requirements.

Names in the News