The IOC has confirmed that it currently examining sponsorship deals announced earlier this month involving the International Skating Union (ISU) and Korean Airlines as well as one between Korean electronics firm Samsung and the international rowing federation, FISA, to sponsor its World Championships, which opened in New Zealand today.

Both international federations are headed by senior and influential members of the IOC - Italian Ottavio Cinquanta is the President of the ISU while Switzerland's Denis Oswald is the head of FISA - who are eligible to vote when the IOC meets to elect the host city for 2018 at its Session in Durban on July 6, 2011.

insidethegames understands that the Ethics Commission is looking more closely into the deal between the ISU and Korean Air because the air carrier is headed by Yang-Ho Cho, who is also the chief executive and chairman of Pyeongchang's bid.

Cinquanta has defended the deal which has seen Korean Air become the title sponsor of ISU World Cup Short Track series in a two-year deal.

Cinquanta has claimed that the ISU did not negotiate with Cho and that there is no record that they ever corresponded with him when they were concluding the deal.

Cinquanta has claimed that, although the deal was signed after Pyeongchang became an official candidate for the 2018 Olympics and Paralympics, he cannot recall whether he was even aware that Cho (pictured) was involved in Pyeongchang's bid.

"It's very confusing," Cinquanta told Associated Press.

"I'll tell you quite frankly that I really don't remember.

"We've now gone through all the documents and this Mr. Cho never shows up.

"I never spoke with him about this."

But Cho was quoted heavily in the press release issued by the ISU earlier this month.

“Our support of this global short track competition is one way that we are showing our country’s commitment to winter sports," he said in the ISU release.

Short track speed skating is hugely popular in South Korea and its team won two Olympics gold medals at the Games in Vancouver earlier this year.

Pyeongchang are seeking clarification over the deals and what affect it will have on their bid. 

The South Korean city, bidding for the third consecutive time having narrowly lost out on the 2010 Games to Vancouver and for 2014 to Sochi, are currently considered the favourites ahead of rivals Annecy and Munich.

"Pyeongchang2018 is particularly sensitive in making sure that there are no misunderstandings as far as its conduct is concerned during this bid race," bid spokesman Muchol Shin told insidethegames.

"As it has in the past it will always will seek advice by the IOC in taking any measures necessary to protect the integrity of its bid."

Munich 2018 chief executive Bernhard Schwank claimed he had no fears that Cinquanta  or Oswald's judgement would be affected by the deals their federations had signed.

"We have no doubt in the integrity of IOC members Oswald and Cinquanta," he said.

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