Samsung denies Pyeongchang Olympic lobbying allegation
The company says media reports it used a lobbyist to help bring the games to South Korea are incorrect
Former IOC president Jacques Rogge (right) meets with former South Korean president Lee Myung Bak (left) and Samsung Chairman Lee Kun Hee (centre) in Durban, South Africa in 2011
SOUTH KOREAN multinational conglomerate Samsung has denied a media report that it launched illicit lobbying to help bring the 2018 Winter Olympics to Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The Seoul-based SBS television network reported last week that Samsung tried to use as a lobbyist Papa Massata Diack — the son of Lamine Diack, a disgraced former head of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
SBS said the son requested Samsung to sign a $9.5 million (£6.6m) sponsorship for the IAAF's Diamond League circuit from 2010-2012 in return for possibly lobbying some International Olympic Committee (IOC) members to support Pyeongchang's bid.
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