Badminton is optimistic that the sport will be one of the 22 included in the 2020 Paralympic programme.

The sport’s governing body, the Badminton World Federation had unsuccessfully tried to gain inclusion for Rio 2016, with the International Paralympic Committee(IPC) choosing to include canoe and triathlon instead.

If the BWF are to have any success, they would need to present their sport against stiff competition, such as powerchair football, golf and taekwando.

A statement released by the BWF reads: “It’s clear that Badminton must be a part of future Paralympic celebrations of sport.

“Para-Badminton would be a positive addition to the sports programme for the 2020 edition of the Paralympic Games.

“In its 2009/2010 bid for inclusion in Rio 2016, the BWF learned that it needed to do more for Para-Badminton and to position the sport well for inclusion.”

Upon hearing the recommendations made by the IPC, the BWF have taken the sport under their wing and integrated it into their management structure, as well as providing additional funding for disability sports, altering the games’ rules and implementing new regulations concerning classification.

Speaking to the exclusively to iSportconnect, Thomas Lund, BWF General Secretary and Chief Operation Officer, said: “Para-Badminton is very much a part of the ‘BWF Family’ and we are confident that we are on the right path towards inclusion in the 2020 Paralympic Games.

“We can point to a number of key achievements since 2010 that demonstrate our commitment – for example, formally integrating para-badminton into our governance and management structure; including para-badminton as a core activity area in our Strategic Plan 2012–2016; implementing a new classification system and becoming an IPC-Recognised International Organisation.

“Most importantly, we are developing the systems to support the main actors in our sport – the players. We saw inspiring performances and stories in London at the Paralympic Games and these stories and amazing performances are in our sport too.

“We want people all over the world to be inspired by our Para-Badminton athletes and we hope to see this in 2020.”

 

The Olympic bidding process to decide who takes over the London 2012 stadium after the Olympic Games has been extended by eight weeks to address “a number of issues”, seek the London Legacy Development Corporation said on Monday.

West Ham United, medicine who are one game away from a return to the Premier League, medstore were one of only four confirmed bidders for the 500 million pounds ($804.85 million) venue by the original deadline in March.

However, the London Legacy Development Corporation said in a statement they were extending the process to allow all parties who registered to receive the Invitation to Tender (ITT) additional time to submit bids.

It said some had been discouraged because of governing body approvals, naming rights issues and technical improvements.

“We are determined to run a process that is fair to all and delivers the best possible legacy for the Olympic Stadium,” chief executive Andrew Altman said.

“We have been very encouraged by the quality of the bids so far. However, a number of issues have arisen during the process and we believe it is sensible to give everyone more time so they can be addressed.”

What happens to the stadium after the Games has become a long-running saga with some fearing the 80,000-seater venue, which will be scaled down, could become a white elephant.

Initial plans to sell the stadium to West Ham after the Games fell apart last October with the government citing “legal paralysis” after a challenge from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur whose initial bid was turned down.

Whatever happens, an athletics track will remain in place as the 2017 world championships will be staged in the stadium that will now remain in public ownership.

Despite the eight-week extension, it is still hoped the future of the stadium will be decided by October.

“Extending the competition period will allow all parties that registered an initial interest in the stadium another chance to bid,” Altman added.

“The fundamentals have not changed and it remains our intention to sign construction contracts for converting the stadium at the end of October, with the intention of re-opening in 2014 as previously announced.”

International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have today agreed a renewal to their deal which will see the 2018 and 2020 Paralympic Games will be held in the same city as the Olympic Games. 

The current Co-operation Agreement signed in June 2006, order and which runs through to 2016, viagra sale will now be extended to the Pyeongchang 2018 Games and the 2020 Games, continuing the practice of “one bid, one city.” 

In addition to renewing the Co-operation Agreement, the IOC and IPC have signed a new partnership whereby the IOC and IPC have identified new IOC programmes and activities which the IPC could participate in, including IF development, IOC Olympic Solidarity, Transfer of Knowledge. The Parties also agreed to discuss further areas and projects of mutual interest and collaboration. In particular this includes further co-operation in the commercial area and to explore the benefits of a closer co-operation on the Games planning and delivery functions 

The agreement will also lead to an increase in funding from the IOC to the IPC, a figure that will not be disclosed by both parties publicly. 

IOC President Jacques Rogge commented on the signing of the agreement: “The IOC and the IPC have had a long and strong relationship and it is with great pleasure that that we are able to extend this agreement with the IPC and ensure that the Olympic and Paralympic Games continue to be held in the same host cities until 2020. 

“Our continued financial support to the Paralympics shows that the Olympic Movement is universal and also indicates the importance that the Paralympic Games have in promoting sport to the youth of the world – one of the fundamental principles of Olympism.”

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, added: “These two agreements are excellent news for the Paralympic Movement as we, and our members, can continue our growth secure in the knowledge that our Games will benefit from using the same venues, infrastructure and levels of detailed planning as the Olympic Games.

“We are grateful to the IOC for their continued and growing support. Without them the Paralympic Games would not have grown to the superb sporting spectacle it is today. By working together over the coming years we can continue to deliver a 60 day global celebration of sport. 

“Not only are we reaping the benefits of fully integrated Organizing Committees now, but also all Candidate Cities are fully integrating the Paralympics into their bids which is hugely beneficial to the Paralympic Movement.”

Rugby League’s 1eague3, the new Super League Players’ Association, was officially launched yesterday as the players followed other sports in creating their own players union.

The Super League Players Association expect to represent 85% of all players in the elite competition.

The organisation, was officially launched in Manchester on Monday night, with St Helens forward Jon Wilkin appointed chairman and joined on the management committee by Leeds prop Jamie Peacock, the England captain.

The new body has already been condemned by the GMB trade union, who claim to represent more than 800 rugby league players and insist they are better placed to cater for the needs of all players.

Ernie Benbow, chief executive of 1eague3, said the decision to form the association was taken after a ballot of 350 Super League players produced a 94% return, of which 329 were in favour and one against.

“The results were quite overwhelming,” he said. “Membership at the moment stands at around 75% of Super League professionals in first-team squads and we still have one club (Catalan Dragons) to deliver a presentation to.

“The aim is to reach 85% which, considering we have come from a standing start, is quite a fantastic achievement. There is clearly an appetite for greater representation from within the sport itself.

“The players within Super League have been the catalyst for 1eague3 and we have now been given a mandate by those who have become members to represent them.”

Most Super League clubs were represented at the launch by delegates, who will form a Player Council to put forward proposals to the management committee.

Benbow said the aim is to provide players with a strong and unified voice and to provide assistance in all aspects of player contracts, health, education, welfare, career and disputes.

The organisation has become members of the Professional Players Assocation, which puts rugby league players on same footing as footballers, cricketers and rugby union players.

Related Discussion: Super league Player’s Association… What took them so long?

viagra buy helvetica, buy sans-serif;”>A number of British athletes have been unveiled as official ambassadors for London’s bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships with Mo Farah, cialis heading the list of names backing London 2017.

Farah is a gold medalist at the recent World Championships i Daegu and is joined by fellow World Champion Dai Greene as well as Phillips Idowu and Hannah England. 

In addition, a number of Great Britain’s former athletes have joined the current stars in providing their support, including Denise Lewis, Sally Gunnell, Jonathan Edwards, Roger Black and Steve Cram.

Ed Warner, UKA chairman, said: “I am delighted that so many of our top athletes, past and present, have backed London 2017. The message from the athletes loud and clear is that London is the athlete’s choice. The athletes know that London 2017 will deliver an iconic venue, full of passionate and knowledgeable fans.”

World Champion Mo Farah added: “London is such a fantastic multi-cultural city. We have great resources, great people and a real love of sport, and it’s because of this that I think it would be a fantastic host for the 2017 IAAF World Championships. The athletes will all have an incredible experience in my home city and can be sure that the fans will get right behind them.” ??

The ambassadors will play a crucial role in the Bid process including attendance at key events, meetings with stakeholders and use of imagery in promotional materials. ??

The London 2017 bid, which has been put together by UK Athletics, DCMS, the Mayor of London, London & Partners and UK Sport, will be looking to secure the votes of the 27 IAAF Council Members before the decision on who will host the Championships is made in Monaco on 11th November

British Telecom (BT) have appointed Delia Bushell as their new Managing Director of BT TV and Sport.

Bushell, who will join BT in July, is currently Chief Commercial Officer of Sky Italia, overseeing marketing and sales for its c.€2.5bn residential business. 

Bushell has spent the past fourteen years at BSkyB and Sky Italia in a variety of roles. She was Director of Broadband and Telephony at BSkyB from 2006 to 2011, taking its new broadband service from launch to more than 3.5m subscribers. Prior to that she was Managing Director, Sky Ireland, doubling Sky’s subscription growth rate in the Irish Republic over 2005-6. 

Bushell will report into John Petter, BT Consumer Chief Executive, and have responsibility for both BT TV and BT Sport. She will set the long term strategy for both services, ensuring they enhance BT’s broadband business and help BT Consumer in its drive to achieve top and bottom line growth. 

She will be responsible for developing the BT TV platform and the BT Sport channels as well as for their financial performance. She will also oversee the development and acquisition of content at BT TV including premium rights. 

Speaking today, Bushell said: “BT is shaking up the UK TV market and I am thrilled to be joining at such an exciting time. Sport may have grabbed the headlines recently but the opportunity is far broader and I look forward to working with the team to build on the successes to date.” 

John Petter, BT Consumer chief executive said: “Delia has an excellent track record of delivery and is an experienced top class executive. She helped Sky build a formidable triple play base and I am sure she will help us to build on our strong success with BT TV and Sport.”

Virgin London Marathon Runners Set Fundraising Record

Runners in the 2012 Virgin London Marathon set another fundraising record with £52.8 million ($85.7 million) being donated to charity for this year’s race.

London Marathon runners have now broek London Marathon runners have broken the Guinness World Record for charity fund raising at a single annual event worldwide for the last six consecutive years.

The total raised for causes since the race began in 1981 now stands at £610.7 million ($991.7 million).

There were a record 36,705 London Marathon finishers on April 22. Seventy-four percent of finishers runners raised money for good causes.

“We are extremely pleased to announce another amazing record amount of money raised for charities by London Marathon runners,” said Virgin London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher.

“This is an especially impressive total and the fact that this figure increased again for the sixth year in a row, despite the well-publicised economic woes, shows just how committed our runners are to raising funds for good causes”.

Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said: “We are really pleased to confirm that we are well on the way to achieving the quarter of a billion pounds fundraising target that we set at the beginning of our sponsorship with the London Marathon.”{jcomments on}

Miami Heat forward, LeBron James will be leaving Creative Artists Agency, the agency that also represents teammates Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, in order to be represented by longtime friend Rich Paul, according to media reports.

Rich Paul has a significant roster of clients already, including Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Tristan Thompson and Jonny Flynn.

James had been represented at CAA by Leon Rose, while Wade and Bosh will continue to be represented by CAA’s Henry Thomas. Paul had worked at CAA under Rose but will now leave CAA to form his own agency.

The source close to James emphasized that the parting with CAA is amicable and is not a reflection of any James unease with CAA, with Wade and Bosh both made aware of the impending move.

James signed with Rose in 2005, with Rose then joining CAA in 2007.

The CAA link was cited among the factors that brought the three stars together during 2010 free agency, when James left the Cleveland Cavaliers and Bosh left the Toronto Raptors to join Wade with the Heat.

James already had a working relationship with Paul under the umbrella of their LRMR Marketing company, a collaboration that also includes James’ manager Maverick Carter and friend Randy Mims, who has emerged as a member of the Heat’s traveling party. Through that association, James branched into an international marketing deal with the Fenway Sports Group, leading to his stake in Premier League soccer power Liverpool FC.

While agency switches are not uncommon, with James having previously left the representation of agent Aaron Goodwin, they generally tend to have the greatest impact with the expiration of contracts.

While James is under contract to the Heat through 2015-16, he has an early-termination option in his contract for the 2014 offseason and a player opt-out clause for the 2015 offseason. A new agency only would collect on a new contract.

The source close to James said the 2014 opt-out clause was not a consideration in the move and the impending agency switch should not be taken as the precursor to an eventual opt-out by the 2012 NBA Most Valuable Player.

The National Football League’s St Louis Rams have submitted their plan to refurbish the Edward Jones Dome and ensure that the team remains in St. Louis.

Details of the team’s plan are not being made public and the Rams said the process will remain confidential. The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission said Tuesday that that NFL team has submitted its counterproposal to a plan the CVC announced in February. The CVC will begin the review process, but spokeswoman Donna Andrews declined further comment.

The Rams can break their lease after the 2014 season if the dome is not deemed to be among the top tier of NFL stadiums.

The CVC plan called for $124 million in improvements but asked that the Rams pay 52 percent.

This follows their announcement that they secured a three-year deal to play regular season games at Wembley, England.