The Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) held an Extraordinary Meeting on Monday afternoon at the offices of Der Deutsche Olympische Sportbund (DOSB) in Frankfurt and has issued the following statement regarding the arrest and recent release from preventative custody of Mr Patrick Hickey, the elected President of the EOC [who has temporarily stepped aside from all his Olympic positions pending the outcome of all inquiries]. The meeting was chaired by EOC Vice-President and acting President of EOC, Mr Janez Kocijančič.

“The EOC welcomes the news that Patrick Hickey has been released from preventative custody in Bangu maximum-security prison. We believe this was the correct decision as it respects the dignity and fundamental human rights of Mr. Hickey. The EOC respectfully requests that these rights continue to be respected, including the principle of proportionality when under criminal investigation and Mr Hickey’s presumption of innocence.

“The EOC Executive Committee fully respects the Brazilian judicial procedures and it is not our intention to comment on, nor question, any matter relating to a specific legal case in Brazil.”