ROME -- The chief organizer of the 2006 Turin Olympics might be staying after all.
Valentino Castellani said Tuesday he had reached an accord that could allow him to stay as head of the organizing committee, known as TOROC.
Last week, Castellani said he would resign because of a power struggle with the Italian government over control of the Winter Games. He said he felt undermined by the government's appointment of Mario Pescante, a culture ministry undersecretary, as overall supervisor of the Feb. 10-26, 2006, Games.
But Castellani met with Pescante on Tuesday and said he decided against submitting his resignation at a Nov. 24 board meeting. Castellani said the two men agreed on a "clear and undivided framework that spells out the chain of command at TOROC."
Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has called a meeting Thursday to discuss the Turin situation. TOROC has come under sharp criticism for a $227 million budget shortfall, and IOC officials have said there is a lack of public awareness and enthusiasm in Italy for the Olympics.
