It was confirmed yesterday, July 5, that the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) had launched an independent investigation into its “internal stadium procedures” following the suspension of its director of services, Dionne Knight. 

Knight received sanctions after it emerged that she had carried out consultancy work on behalf of West Ham United – the club that won the bid to take over the Olympic stadium after next year’s London games over then Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

In February, the OPLC board voted uinanimously in favour of West Ham’s bid (14-0) to move into the Stratford site to the detriment of their rival bidders Tottenham, who later launched a judicial review against the decision making process.

In what has become a bitter public row between the two London clubs, West Ham has confirmed that Knight carried out consultancy work for them but vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

However, it has since been revealed that Knight is in a relationship with West Ham director Ian Tompkins, who spearheaded the club’s bid to move to the Stratford ground.

An OPLC statement said: “The Olympic Park Legacy Company has launched an independent investigation into its internal stadium procedures as a result of the allegations made concerning employee Dionne Knight.

“The auditors Moore Stephens have been appointed to carry out this investigation into our procedures.

“They have put together a team led by their specialist forensic unit.

“We are also investigating the nature of the consultancy work that Dionne Knight undertook without our knowledge or permission.

“An independent barrister will be instructed to conduct the employment elements of this investigation.

“We will communicate the outcome of both investigations when the work is complete.

“We remain confident that the integrity of our processes has not been compromised.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, one of those who ratified the OPLCs decision to award West Ham preferred bidder status, insists there was “no reason” why the case should be re-examined.

“The woman concerned made her relationship known to the OPLC and was immediately excluded from having anything to do with the bid process,” he said.

“Obviously they took steps, quite rightly, to exclude her of any involvement with the bid process and it now transpires there was a financial relationship – that is a matter that is currently under investigation.

“I have no reason to believe that this in any way will blow the decision off course.”

Delegate places for the upcoming 2011 SportAccord Convention in London have been sold out, the event organisers have announced.

The sell-out is not the first in the event’s history but is the earliest, coming one month ahead of the ninth annual edition. The 2011 SportAccord Convention will take place from April 3-8 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bride Hotel in London.

Anna Hellman, executive director of the SportAccord Convention, stated: “We are of course delighted to be sold out again, especially so early, although it’s unfortunate that we will not be able to accommodate everyone who wants to attend.

“We are very concerned with preserving the exclusive networking environment we provide and therefore we put a ceiling of 1,500 delegates on attendance,” added Hellman.

China has turned to the public to find a slogan for the country’s bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Members of the public have been invited to submit ideas that reflect the Olympic spirit, the character of the Games, and public enthusiasm for the joint bid by Beijing and Zhangjiakou, Hebei province.

“The slogan should be simple and catchy, and should connect with the vision of the application,” said a spokesman for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Bid Committee.

Residents in Beijing and Hebei are being encouraged to suggest slogans, though individuals and groups elsewhere in the country and abroad can also submit ideas. However, companies, institutions and schools may not take part.

Almaty in Kazakhstan is also bidding to host the Games, and the winner will be announced on July 31 next year.

Bob Staddon has been announced as the new President of Exeter Rugby Club.

The long-serving club stalwart, who first represented Exeter’s first team during the 1964-65, has taken on the role from another former player, Dick Manley, who has decided to step down following a 15-year tenure in the post.

Bob is no stranger to supporters of the club as not only did he represent the club playing wise until 1981, but since then he has occupied various roles such as Director of Rugby, Coach and Trustee.

“I was somewhat shocked when I first got asked,” said Bob. “For me, accepting this role is a huge honour and something that I am very proud of.

“The way the club has moved on over the years, especially since the old days at the County Ground, is nothing short of phenomenal. To be part and parcel of not only the elite clubs in England, but European rugby as well, is a fantastic achievement and long may it continue.

“As everyone knows, the Chiefs and Sandy Park are continuing to grow by the year and the investment put into the team and the stadium itself shows that we are moving forward at a great pace.”

Exeter Rugby Club chairman and chief executive, Tony Rowe OBE, said: “I’d like to go on record in thanking Dick for all the duties he has carried out during his tenure as club president. In Bob, though, we have the ideal man to step into the role and we look forward to him continuing in the same vein for many years to come.”

The World Olympians Association (WOA), see the representative body for all Olympians worldwide, anesthetist | has looked to broaden its digital offerings by launching French and Spanish language versions of its website.

The move will showcase WOA to more countries and territories around the world.

The French and Spanish websites will have all of the features the users of the English site enjoy including news stories regarding events, adiposity projects and initiatives involving Olympians around the world.

Speaking about the launch, WOA President, Joël Bouzou, said:“We are delighted to launch new versions of our website in French and Spanish – especially as French is one of the official languages of the IOC and the language of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games.

“By creating these new sites we are opening ourselves up to more nations and regions around the world, not only France and Spain but also other countries in Europe, Africa, and North and Latin America. This is a great opportunity for us to spread our message and highlight the fantastic things that Olympians are doing to serve their communities around the world.”

FC Schalke 04 have announced a new deal with Kentaro with the Swiss-based rights company tasked with strengthening the Bundesliga club’s global exposure. 

The partnership includes an annual football tournament at Schalke’s Veltins Arena, which will be organised by Kentaro, as well as regular trips abroad to play friendly matches against top European sides and teams on other continents.

“It is our intention to further expand Schalke´s international presence – we have a very big number of fans not only in Europe but all over the world,” said Alexander Jobst, Member of the Managing Board Marketing at FC Schalke 04.

“Central to this internationalisation process will be the global TV exposure for a high-­‐quality tournament at our VELTINS-­‐Arena at the end of our pre-­‐season preparation period as well as selected tours in target markets, also in cooperation with the DFL. We aim to deliver our home fans an attractive tournament with excellent opponents and so very much look forward to working with Kentaro.”

Kentaro´s Stefan Fueg, said: “We see a huge growth potential for Schalke both within and outside Europe. We will support that through global TV exposure for Schalke´s high-­‐class season kick-­‐off tournament. Speaking from experience, we would expect to distribute such tournaments live to more than 160 countries. International awareness also works via a regular presence in new and commercially attractive foreign markets. Thanks to the successful organisation and marketing of numerous events in recent years, Kentaro has accumulated a lot of know-­‐how and experience in this area. We look forward to working with Schalke’s professional team and the club´s great set-­‐up.”

The Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles will not feature on the European Tour in 2014 as the venue is hosting the Ryder Cup in the same year.

The decision has been taken because the venue is staging the Ryder Cup, check but Gleneagles will host the Johnnie Walker Championship again in the summer of 2015.

Ryder Cup director Richard Hills said: “We are very grateful to the management of both Diageo, cialis the owners of Johnnie Walker, generic order and The Gleneagles Hotel for agreeing to postpone the Johnnie Walker Championship so that preparations for the Ryder Cup can begin as planned in July 2014.

“The magnitude of the Ryder Cup is such that trying to host the Johnnie Walker Championship in the same season would have compromised both events.”

Keith Waters, chief operating officer and director of international policy for the European Tour, admitted much thought had gone into the decision.

“We looked at rescheduling the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles to an earlier week on the 2014 schedule but a suitable date could not be found,” Waters said.

“But we are delighted all parties have agreed to reschedule the Championship for 2015.”