Still, the individual international federations must sanction the use of pros and the basketball honchos decided against it for these Olympics.

Eligibility of professionals is determined by the individual international federations that govern each sport, and some federations have more relaxed rules than others.

Instead, the power now rests with individual federations for each sport, the leaders of which are selected through free elections.

Local Decisions Frank Strauss, the press officer for the council, said it would be up to the individual federations to decide whether to participate in the subscription offer.

However, the individual national federations that make up CAF are not obliged to follow the motion.

Whether other events could be staged in South Africa, or whether South African athletes could compete outside their country, would still be determined by the individual federations.

From an organizational standpoint, the biggest change is the autonomy given the individual federations, which have to fend for themselves in areas of finance and athletic development.

"We prefer to leave it open to the individual federations to determine how to test," Dr. De Rose said.

The individual federations also raised money from corporate sponsors and fund-raising activities.

The German Government has contributed only $750,000 to $900,000 to its Olympic team here, but it does support the individual federations.