Lloyd Ward resigns as Olympic Committee CEO

Lloyd Ward recently resigned as CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), capping three months of turmoil that began with a conflict of interest probe and led to the resignation of six other top officials.

Ward said in a statement issued by the USOC: "In the hope that we can shift the focus back to the athletes and the ideals of the Olympic movement, I have decided to resign."

He added, "I do so with a deeply ingrained belief that I have served the USOC and the Olympic movement constructively and with integrity. It is my steadfast belief that the USOC should never lose sight of its primary mission, which is to provide support for America's athletes."

The upheaval, which began in December with the conflict of interest investigation, has included Senate hearings and the resignations of other officials, including President Marty Mankamyer.

Ward had been under fire since he was accused of trying to steer Olympic business to a company with ties to his brother. No deal was made, but after an ethics investigation, Ward was reprimanded.

USOC Acting President Bill Martin commended Ward for "giving a higher priority to the well-being of the U.S. Olympic program than to his own self-interest" and thanked him for his "resolute commitment to the thousands of young men and women who have dedicated themselves to participating in the Olympic program."

Ward, former chairman and CEO of the Maytag Corporation, became the first Black to head the USOC in 2001.