He left summer to plunge into winter. He abandoned the South American beaches to return to the arteries of Dublin. But Patrick Hickey shows no regrets at having left Brazil and Rio de Janeiro behind. The Irish leader himself confirmed on Sunday December 18, in a succinct but precise press release, his geographical location, his state of mind and his short-term schedule.
His position, first of all. Patrick Hickey is in Ireland. As announced, the suspended president of the Association of European Olympic Committees (EOC) and the Irish National Committee (OCI) took advantage of the last weekend to fly from Rio de Janeiro. A first stopover in London. Final stage in Dublin. Back home. He traveled with his wife, Sylviane.
Second information, his current state of mind. A mixture of relief, determination and bitterness. “These past few months have been extremely traumatic for myself and my family,” Patrick Hickey wrote in a statement sent to the media. But once again, I want to state that I am completely innocent of all charges against me. I intend to respond to any requests from the Brazilian authorities, and I will do everything I can to clear my name and be able, in due time, to resume the course of my life with my wife and my family. »
Arrested on August 17 at his hotel in Rio de Janeiro, in the early morning, Patrick Hickey was placed in detention in a high security center, before taking up residence in an apartment in the Leblon district. He was informed on November 16 that the Brazilian justice system agreed to give him back his passport and his freedom, a decision motivated by “medical reasons. »
The only condition is the payment of a deposit, the amount of which has been set at 410.000 euros. The Irish Olympic Committee could have paid it, just as it paid the legal fees of its future ex-president. But the organization quickly made it known that the Hickey case was a private matter. No question, therefore, of paying the deposit. In early December, the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), led by Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, came to the aid of its "temporarily suspended" vice-president, in the form of a loan to be repaid to a date and terms not communicated.
Patrick Hickey speaks of these four months of detention in Brazil today as “the most difficult period” of his entire life. He is angry with “certain media” for having judged him guilty too quickly. He asks for his peace to be respected and explains that he does not want to make further comments. The Irishman also confides his wish to spend the end of year holidays with his family, in Dublin, in the company of his wife, his four children and his five grandchildren.
Patrick Hickey specifies that he will soon have to undergo medical treatment, supervised by his usual doctor. At 71, his heart appears fragile. The last four months have put him to the test, but the future promises to be tough. Released for medical reasons, the Irishman is not out of the woods. He is still accused by Brazilian justice of having been involved in vast Olympic ticket trafficking. His 2017 could well remain confused and turbulent.
