Ward resigns as USOC chief amid long-running turmoil.(Chicago Tribune)

Byline: Philip Hersh

CHICAGO _ Lloyd Ward's tumultuous tenure as CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee ended Saturday when he resigned after 16 months in the $550,000-a-year job.

Though he frequently insisted during the past two months he had no intention of quitting, Ward finally succumbed after media revelations of his ethical and managerial lapses and pressure from U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell cost him the support of the USOC executive committee.

In a statement, Ward said he was resigning "in the hope we can shift the focus back to the athletes and ideals of the Olympic movement." He did not acknowledge wrongdoing and said he left "with an ingrained belief that I have served the USOC and the Olympic movement constructively and with integrity."

In a letter released by the USOC, acting President Bill Martin told Ward he had made "the appropriate decision."

An interim CEO is to be named early this week. Former USOC president Bill Hybl and current USOC Vice President Paul George are candidates, sources said. The executive committee likely will ask Fraser Bullock, chief operating officer of the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee, to be a candidate for the permanent job.

"My idea of being of assistance to the USOC is not being CEO, but I want to help in any way possible," Hybl said Saturday, adding he had not been contacted about the job.