Working as a police officer in Mexico-Chapter 1728 - 775: There Will Always Be Dissenting Voices

Capítulo 1728: Chapter 775: There Will Always Be Dissenting Voices

June 10, 1996, Switzerland Lausanne, International Olympic Committee Headquarters.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, who looked like “Einstein,” sat behind a large mahogany desk with three documents spread out: the official statement on the postponement of the Atlanta Olympics, the Olympic Committee’s financial report, and an “urgent” briefing on the North American War Zone. This veteran IOC President had furrowed brows and bloodshot eyes.

“Mr. President, the latest report from the finance department.”

Secretary Marina stepped lightly into the office, placing a stack of documents at the corner of the desk, “The sponsors’ payments are overdue by three months, the pre-paid television broadcast rights have been half consumed, and if we can’t determine a new host city and start preparations within three months, our operational funds will completely dry up.”

No money, no progress.

With money, home everywhere!

Samaranch picked up the financial report, his gaze sweeping over a series of declining red numbers.

The 1996 Atlanta Olympics was supposed to open in July, but after the outbreak of the North American civil war, Georgia, controlled by the Freedom Alliance, fell into chaos, venue construction stalled, and safety couldn’t be guaranteed, leading the IOC to announce the postponement in March.

But since the postponement, there had been no further developments.

European countries were reluctant to take over.

Germany was focused on economic reconstruction; France was busy seizing resources on the North American battlefield, unable to spare attention; the United Kingdom was worried that hosting the Olympics might affect its North American concessions.

Asian countries were too far away, with insufficient preparation time. For months, the IOC’s invitations disappeared like stones into the sea, with even symbolic responses being rare.

“Contact Madrid and Sydney again,” Samaranch said wearily, “Tell them that the Olympic Committee can cover 30% of the preparation costs.”

Marina shook her head, “Madrid replied that domestic protests are too loud, opposing the use of public funds to host the Olympics during wartime; Sydney said venue expansion would take at least 18 months, making it completely unfeasible.”

Samaranch leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

He had led the Olympic Committee for years, through the boycotts of the Cold War era, but had never been in such dire straits.

The Olympics are a grand sports festival for all of humanity, yet in the face of war and interests, this “feast” was becoming worthless.

If the Olympics were completely canceled, not only would the existence of the Olympic Committee become meaningless, but the sports spirit he had upheld throughout his life would also turn into a laughingstock.

“By the way, Mr. President.” Marina suddenly recalled something and picked up an envelope, “We received an encrypted letter from the Mexico Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning, would you like to have a look?”

Samaranch opened his eyes, a trace of surprise flashed through them, then he shook his head, “Mexico? No need.”

“But…”

“Marina, you should know.”

Samaranch interrupted her, “Victor’s international image is too poor, the Mexico he leads is waging war on North America, occupying California and Texas, and has been listed by many European countries as a destabilizing factor. Letting a country in a state of war host the Olympics neither aligns with the Olympic spirit nor will it escape strong international opposition.”

Marina pressed her lips together, remaining silent.

However, she wondered: when the United States waged war, why didn’t anyone question Atlanta’s eligibility to host? But she dared not speak these thoughts, silently retreating to the doorway.

“Wait.” Samaranch suddenly spoke, “The numbers on the financial report… how long can we last?”

“At most two months, sir,” Marina replied softly, “If there are no further injections of funds, we may have to cut half of our staff and even abandon the promotion of certain international events.”

Samaranch fell silent.

He looked at the Mexican letter at the corner of the desk, its cover printed with the Mexican National Emblem, labeled “Confidential” next to it.

No money, truly spineless. He had devoted his life to maintaining the independence and dignity of the Olympic Committee, yet reality had slapped him hard.

“Bring the letter here,” Samaranch ultimately said, “Additionally, inform all executives to convene a closed-door meeting at two in the afternoon, with the topic being ‘Alternative Host Location for the 1996 Olympics.’

Marina responded and retreated.

Samaranch picked up the Mexican letter and opened the envelope. The contents of the letter were concise: the Mexican Government was willing to take over the 1996 Olympics, with Mexico City as the main host city, Belize and Cancun as co-hosting cities, promising to bear all preparation costs and ensure the safety of all participants. The letter concluded with the signature of the Mexican Foreign Minister, stamped with a bright red national seal.

Samaranch looked at the letter; this was the only option currently, but also the most risky.

The closed-door meeting that afternoon lasted only 45 minutes.

The meeting room was shrouded in smoke, and the executives argued fiercely.

Some supported accepting Mexico’s proposal, believing “Preserving the Olympics is more important than anything else,” while others firmly opposed it, stating “Collaborating with war mongers would stain the purity of the Olympics.” Yet others suggested waiting to see if the North American war situation would change.

Ultimately, Samaranch made the decision: “Set up an evaluation group to visit Mexico within a week, while continuing to contact other countries. Before the evaluation results are out, no information shall be publicly disclosed.”

But he didn’t expect the news to leak faster than imagined.

Less than half an hour after the meeting ended, a Reuters journalist sent a bulletin, “Exclusive: Mexico seeks to take over the 1996 Olympics, International Olympic Committee convenes emergency meeting.”

Soon after, AFP and AP followed suit, with increasingly sensational headlines: “War and Olympics: Mexico’s Ambition” “Samaranch’s Compromise? Olympic Committee considers letting warring parties host the event.”