Accused Hickey bows out as Irish Olympics chief

Pat Hickey formally left as president of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) on Monday in a long statement reflecting on 28 years in the role - but failing to acknowledge a ticketing scandal. The 71-year-old was due to step down following last year's Olympic Games, but was arrested in Rio de Janeiro as part of an investigation into an alleged ticketing scam.
He was allowed to return to Ireland in December after being detained by the Brazilian authorities in August and has vowed to clear his name, saying he is "totally innocent".
"Since 1989 it has been my great honour and privilege to lead this great Irish sporting institution as president," Hickey said in a statement sent to AFP.