COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Bob Gambardella was picked
Wednesday as chief executive of the U.S. Taekwondo Union, an
organization that nearly lost its Olympic charter over management
issues.
Gambardella's appointment was announced by the U.S. Olympic
Committee. He replaces Sang Lee, who resigned last week after a
USOC investigation found financial and managerial irregularities.
USTU faced losing its status as the governing body for taekwondo
in the United States unless Lee resigned.
Gambardella most recently served as the USOC's associate
director in its International Programs in the International Affairs
Division. He will work with a five-person panel announced Tuesday
designed to restructure USTU and help it come in compliance with
the USOC constitution.
"I am confident that with Bob at the helm working closely with the newly appointed USTU governance and management committee, the USTU will quickly become a model National Governing Body," USOC
chief executive Jim Scherr said in a statement.
"Bob has the experience and expertise to restore the level of
managerial responsibility and integrity to the U.S. Taekwondo Union
that is expected of a National Governing Body."
Gambardella's appointment is the latest step in a plan agreed
upon at a USOC meeting on Jan. 27. USTU's board of governors still
must approve the plan by Feb. 17 or the USOC will continue with
decertification proceedings. Its executive committee approved the
plan Tuesday.
Gambardella joined the USOC in 2000 in its sports partnership
division. He also has ties to USA Volleyball and was the women's
volleyball coach at the U.S. Military Academy from 1983-1996.