OSAKA -- Although an advisory panel to the International Olympic Committee recommended this past weekend that IOC members be banned from traveling to candidate cities, at least 11 members are expected to visit Osaka next month for a meeting of top-level sports executives.
From Oct. 13 to 16, Osaka will play host to the general assembly of the General Association of International Sports Federations, which is based in Monaco.
Headed by IOC executive Kim Un Yong, a member who was nearly expelled for his role in the Salt Lake City scandal earlier this year, the GAISF consists of nearly 90 sports federations, about 50 of which are expected to send representatives to the Osaka conference.
Jean Louis Meuret, a GAISF spokesman, said in a telephone interview Tuesday with The Japan Times that about 11 GAISF members who are also IOC members have committed to the Osaka trip, despite the recent recommendations by the advisory body.
"The IOC members are coming as representatives of the GAISF, and include the heads of the archery, sailing, skating, cycling, shooting, and fencing federations," he said. IOC president Juan Samaranch was invited, but IOC member Kevan Gospar of Australia will come in his place, Meuret said.