Two of the International Olympic Committee's most prominent figures, including a leading presidential contender, yesterday denied any wrongdoing, as their names were linked to the Games' biggest corruption scandal.

South Korea's Kim Un-Yong, a powerful member of the IOC executive board, and former vice-president Vitaly Smirnov of Russia confirmed they were among the 13 IOC delegates under investigation in the Salt Lake City bribery case.

Both said they were prepared to defend themselves in person when the six-man IOC investigative panel meets in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Saturday to conclude its inquiry. IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch said last week that nine members were accused of serious misconduct and could face expulsion and four others were cited for lesser violations and could escape with a warning or no punishment.

Any member found guilty of corruption will be suspended pending an expulsion vote by the full IOC assembly at a special session in March.

Kim, 67, is by far the biggest name on the list. A powerful figure in the IOC's inner circle and considered a candidate to succeed Samaranch as president, he angrily suggested the allegation were a plot to foil his presidential bid.

"It was the work of some IOC members to exclude me from the group of those seeking the IOC presidency in 2001," he said.