International Olympic Committee (IOC) member James Easton of the United States has been implicated in the corruption scandal that has rocked the Olympic movement.

The International Archery Federation president admitted hiring the son of another IOC member at the request of Salt Lake City bidders six weeks before a 1995 IOC vote gave the Utah capital the 2002 Winter Games.

"I certainly didn't feel I was doing anything improper in co-operating with the bid committee in getting the Games here," Easton said. Hindsight is wonderful. I wouldn't do it if I knew what I know today. I'm tainted by the brush of IOC corruption."

This is the first direct US link to IOC wrongdoing, and Easton becomes the 25th IOC member implicated in the scandal, meaning that almost a quarter of the once-august panel have been implicated.

"We and other companies in Salt Lake City wanted to help the bid committee in any way we could," Easton said. "The bank hired people. The state did. The city did."