International Olympic Committee member Frankie Fredericks has stepped down as as head of the team evaluating bids to host the 2024 Olympics as an IOC ethics commission investigates alleged payments to him before the awarding of the 2016 Games to Rio.
Namibian Fredericks, a four-time Olympic sprint silver medallist over 100 and 200 metres, denied any wrongdoing and said he was moving aside on Tuesday so as not to be a distraction in the investigation, which was launched last Friday.
On Monday he stepped down as head of a task force at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
"I categorically deny any direct or indirect involvement in any untoward conduct and confirm that I have never breached any law, regulation or rule of ethics in respect of any IOC election process," Fredericks said in a statement.
As head of the IOC bid commission, he had been due to lead an inspection visit to 2024 candidate cities Los Angeles and Paris in April and May and draft a report.
Fredericks said he would not now attend a July briefing for IOC members on the 2024 bids, and would not take part in voting for the host city, due to take place in Peru in September.
The IOC said its ethics commission had recommended that Fredericks be removed from his positions both within the organisation and the 2024 bid process.
"In line with the IOC ethics commission, the IOC Executive Board recalls the importance of respecting the principle of the presumption of innocence. It also notes Mr Fredericks' categorical rejection of the allegations made against him, the IOC said.
The probe followed a report by French newspaper Le Monde that prosecutors were investigating payments made shortly before the vote in 2009 that awarded the 2016 Olympics to Rio.
