The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) confirmed yesterday, June 9, that the 12,000 capacity London 2012 Basketball Arena has become the fourth venue on the Olympic Park to be completed and one of the quickest to finish construction.

The arena will be one of the largest temporary venues ever used for an Olympic and Paralympic Games and will be dismantled after the Games to be reused elsewhere in other parts of the UK and overseas.

It’s completion has come ahead of schedule and on budget after initial works on the site began in October 2009, with work to erect the 1,000-tonne steel frame starting in March 2010.

ODA chief executive Dennis Hone said: “Completing construction on the Basketball Arena delivers another striking Games-time venue for the Olympic Park and an innovative structure that can be reused elsewhere after 2012.

“As the fourth Olympic Park venue completed and one of the quickest to finish construction, the Basketball Arena is another milestone for the Olympic Park Big Build and a tribute to the companies from across the UK involved in its delivery.”

During London 2012 the arena will stage preliminary matches and women’s quarter finals for the Games’ basketball tournament, in addition to the handball men’s quarter finals, all semi-finals and all medal matches. It will also host wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby during the Paralympic Games.

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: “Basketball is one of the most popular Olympic sports and spectators will be able to see the game played out in spectacular surroundings.

“It is a superb venue which will be the centre of some of the best team action during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, added: “Basketball is one of the most atmospheric competitions of the Games and this has been captured by the artistic design of the arena.

“The speed with which this venue has been constructed is a tribute to the ODA and the architect whose design means this facility can be reused after the Games.”

Henry Kissinger, 88-year-old former US Secretary of State, has confirmed he is considering FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s offer to take up a role with the governing body’s new anti-corruption committee.

Kissinger told BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday, June 5, that he had been approached by the re-elected president after he stood unopposed last week for a further four-year term. One of Blatter’s pledges was to create a ‘Solutions Committee’ to deal with corruption investigations.

Kissinger stated: “He’s not been specific, except to say he wants to create a group of wise men to deal with issues which may arise. If it can help, I’d be willing to participate but we need to know other participants and terms of reference.”

Kissinger, who won the Nobel Peace prize in 1973 and was a major figure in the Richard Nixon administration, was a member of the reform panel set up by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after the scandal over Salt Lake City’s winning bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics.

He is also a keen follower of soccer and was part of the bid team that secured the 1994 FIFA World Cup for the United States.

The city of St. Louis is returning to the professional soccer fold after USL Pro, order the third tier of US Soccer, anabolics announced announced on Thursday that it has awarded an expansion franchise for the 2015 season to the Missouri soccer hotbed.

The new, ed as-yet-unnamed club will be operated by longtime St. Louis business executive and former professional player Jim Kavanaugh in partnership with St. Louis Scott Gallagher, a tradition-rich youth club with a list of alumni that includes former and current MLS stars Taylor Twellman, Steve Ralston, Chris Klein, Brad Davis and Jack Jewsbury.

“We are thrilled to welcome St. Louis into USL PRO,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said in a statement. “St. Louis, more than any other US city, has significantly contributed to the development and growth of American soccer on all levels – youth, collegiate and professional.

“Through the years, St. Louis players, coaches and soccer executives have greatly impacted not only the game of soccer, but the history of American soccer itself.”

The St. Louis USL PRO franchise will compete at the 5,000-seat Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo., and will be led by head coach Dale Schilly, who has nearly 30 years of coaching experience at every level.

“The St. Louis area has waited patiently for the return of professional outdoor soccer,” Schilly said.  “It has been gratifying to watch the professional game blossom across the country, yet frustrating for the St. Louis soccer community to not be a part of the growth on the professional level.

“With the new agreement in place between the MLS and USL PRO, there could not be a better time for St. Louis to be a part of the enthusiasm and passion that comes with this great sport.”

St. Louis last hosted a pro team in 2010, when AC St. Louis competed in the NASL Conference of the USSF D2 Pro League, a US Soccer-managed second-division league, before shutting down due to financial issues the following year.

Golf Australia have announced today the re-election of two directors to the Board of Golf Australia.

Golf Australia Chairman John Hopkins and Michael Sammells were both re-elected for a term of three years at the company’s Annual General Meeting on Monday 18 November.

A former lawyer, medicine Mr Hopkins has been a professional company director in recent years and has served as a chairman and director of a significant number of public listed companies over the past 25 years.

Mr Hopkins has been actively involved in golf administration for a long period of time and was president of the Australian Golf Union in 1997.

Mr Sammells is currently the Finance Director at Healthscope and has spent over 14 years in the health care industry industry after commencing his career in logistics. He was previously the Chief Financial Officer at Medibank.

Mr Hopkins and Mr Sammells were both elected to the Board in 2010. Mr Hopkins was appointed Chairman in 2011.

Former internationals Peter Nicol MBE and Tim Garner will contest 7 Squash Matches in 7 Days on 7 Continents in a bid to help raise the profile of Squash’s campaign to join the programme of the 2020 Olympic Games.

The Xodus 7 Continent Challenge, inspired by legendary British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes‘ Land Rover 7x7x7 (ie. seven marathons in seven days on seven continents), was conceived by Garner.

The Xodus 7 Continent Challenge will see the English pair travel more than 40,000 miles and spend over 70 hours on planes over the course of a week that will be a test of endurance both mentally and physically.

Crossing squash rackets in each of the destinations the matches will be the focal point of squash activity on each continent at that time.

“I wanted to come up with something that would highlight the fantastic bid that Squash is putting together to join the Olympic Programme in 2020 and got thinking about the 7 Marathons Challenge and how that could be adopted,” said Garner.

“This will not only hopefully do that, but will also demonstrate the global universality of the sport.

“It is fantastic to have someone with the profile of Peter Nicol to share it with,” added the 42-year-old former world No26. “Hopefully we will start and finish as friends – though I have the feeling we both intend winning!”

Nicol, the former world champion and world number one, said: “When Tim approached me about the idea I had no hesitation – well, maybe a little – in saying yes! Through the course of this bid process, Squash has been demonstrating all of its strengths and why it will be a great addition to the Olympic Programme and the more people that hear about it the better.”

Xodus Chief Operating Officer Stephen Swindell added: “As we continue to grow Xodus globally, it made perfect sense to back the 7 Continent Challenge – given that it covers all the corners of the world!

“We are passionate about sport and squash in particular, as it is accessible to all ages, abilities and in all the countries we operate in. Squash has many of the attributes that we look for in the business environment, so are delighted to be able to help with the Olympic Bid process in this way.”

Die Deutsche Sporthilfe kann zur Halbzeit der Spiele der XXX. Olympiade in London eine für Athletinnen und Athleten erfreuliche Bilanz vorlegen: Die Entscheidungen des Samstags – nach Abschluss der Schwimm-Wettbewerbe – eingerechnet, prostate zahlt die Sporthilfe für die Gewinner von Gold, Silber oder Bronze sowie für die Platzierten bis Rang acht insgesamt rund 550.000 Euro an Prämien aus. Das ist ein ähnlicher Stand wie vor vier Jahren in Peking zum vergleichbaren Zeitpunkt. An Gesamtprämien für die Plätze 1 bis 8 wurden 2008 nach den Spielen 1,3 Millionen Euro ausgeschüttet.

“Wir ziehen den Hut vor bisher großartigen Leistungen deutscher Athleten in London”, sagt Dr. Michael Ilgner, der Vorstandsvorsitzende der Deutschen Sporthilfe. “Die Ergebnisse sind auch ein Beleg für die Wirksamkeit der Fördermaßnahmen und vor allem der Elite-Programme der Sporthilfe. Wir sehen uns aber zugleich in der Verantwortung für jene Sportler, deren Erwartungen sich in London, aus unterschiedlichsten Gründen, nicht erfüllt haben – oder, schlimmer noch für die Betroffenen, die erst gar nicht ihr großes Ziel der Olympiateilnahme erreichen konnten.” Ilgner weiter: “Vor allem ist es für die Athleten wichtig zu wissen, dass wir unabhängig von Vermarktungserfolgen, von Popularität und Marktmechanismen zu unseren Sportlern stehen, in der Regel über viele Jahre.”

Ein herausragendes Beispiel für die Förderung der Deutschen Sporthilfe ist die erfolgreiche Equipe der Vielseitigkeitsreiter, die in London die erste Goldmedaille für die deutsche Olympia-Mannschaft gewinnen konnte. Ingrid Klimke wurde bis heute 19 Jahre 7 Monate gefördert, Peter Thomsen 18 Jahre 7 Monate, Dirk Schrade 14 Jahre 7 Monate, Doppel-Olympiasieger Michael Jung 11 Jahre 4 Monate und Sandra Auffarth 6 Jahre 7 Monate. Insgesamt flossen an diese fünf Reiter bislang über 420.000 Euro, die Prämien von London sind bei dieser Aufstellung noch nicht mitgerechnet.

Die Erfolgsprämien der Sporthilfe sind unverändert seit Sydney 2000 und betragen:

Gold 15000 Euro, Silber 10000, Bronze 7500, 4.Rang 4000, 5. 3000, 6. 2500, 7. 2000, 8. 1500. Bei Mannschaftsentscheidungen wird in der Regel jeder einzelne Athlet bedacht; der Triumph des Ruder-Achters ist der Sporthilfe also 135.000 Euro wert.

98% aller Olympiateilnehmer 2012 werden von der Deutschen Sporthilfe gefördert oder sind in ihrer Laufbahn gefördert worden. “Nationale Förderer” sind Lufthansa, Mercedes-Benz, Deutsche Telekom und Deutsche Bank. Sie unterstützen die Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe, die von ihr betreuten Sportlerinnen und Sportler und die gesellschaftspolitischen Ziele der Stiftung in herausragender Weise.

LiveU, the pioneer of portable video-over-cellular solutions, has announced that BBC News is extending its use of LiveU LU60 mobile uplink solution for news gathering in both the UK and the US jsut in time for the London 2012 Olympics.

 

The UK broadcaster will use the technology to enhance coverage of both the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics, and the US Presidential election campaign. Footage will be supplied to BBC News, BBC World and BBC World America.

BBC News has been using LiveU technology for upwards of three years. The BBC deployed LiveU’s cellular uplinking technology for coverage of worldwide events including the Queen’s visit to Ireland in 2011, the recent anniversary of the Tsunami in Japan as well as the US mid-term elections during 2010.

 

In the UK, LiveU’s technology is regularly used for BBC newsgathering, taking advantage of the three ways it can be deployed: live, as-live and also store-and forward. With its portability, flexibility, high resiliency and cost-effectiveness, the LU60 uplink solution can be used in diverse situations as well as extreme weather conditions – a prime example being the recent storms in the UK.

 

Samuel Wasserman, LiveU’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to be working with a broadcaster of the BBC’s stature and are proud of its usage of LiveU equipment worldwide. It’s a significant vote of confidence in the flexibility of our solution and we look forward to seeing the increased BBC coverage over the weeks leading up to this Summer’s Olympic Games.”

 

The technology has been supplied by LiveU’s UK distributor Garland Partners Ltd., alongside a full service package.

 

LiveU’s flagship LU60 product is the industry’s first bonded 3G/4G LTE backpack with proprietary RF technology for superior resiliency, up to 1080 HD video and sub-second latency for a satellite-like experience.

It has been confirmed that the newly renovated Aviva Stadium in Dublin will host the Heineken Cup final in 2013 after it re-opened in 2010 following massive redevelopment.

The Lansdowne Road venue last staged European rugby’s showpiece occasion in 2003 but will return as host 10 years later after next year’s final at Twickenham.

Irish provinces have won three of the last four finals with Munster lifting the cup in 2008, followed by Leinster in 2009 and 2011 and Leinster beat Leicester and Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium on their way to winning this year’s competition.

ERC Chief Executive Derek McGrath stated: “It is a world-class venue which has quickly established a close affinity with the Heineken Cup.

“The decision to bring the final back to Dublin for the first time since 2003 is recognition of the passion Irish fans have for the tournament and we are confident our showpiece game in 2013 will be another landmark occasion in the history of Irish rugby and sport.”

 

Legal reasons have prevented suspended FIFA vice-president Jack Warner from publicly revealing details of e-mail correspondence between himself and re-elected president of soccer’s world governing body, Sepp Blatter.

The Trinidad and Tobago Government Minister had promised that he would read out the e-mails to supporters but went on to disappoint a crowd of several thousand when reiterating his innocence of the charges against him but adding that he would not be the emails public after discussions with his lawyers.

Speaking at a an arranged gathering in his constituency in Chaguanas, Warner said: “I had plans to speak to you today a bit more on this matter but the best legal advice I received has suggested that I do not do so at this point in time and that advice I am going to respect.

“I haven’t thieved anything, I haven’t given anybody anything and I don’t know what the hullabaloo is all about.”

In referring to his fellow accused and suspended FIFA member and former presidential candidate, Mohamed Bin Hammam, he added: “My friend came here to talk to some people, he spoke to them and then he left. The rest is now history and let the facts come out.”

Warner went on to hit back at critics who have called for Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to fire him from his Government position as Minister of Works and Transport before the FIFA investigation is done, stating: “If it comes to a choice between FIFA and you [his constituents], the choice is you.”

In other news, acting CONCACAF president Lisle Austin, who stood in for Warner following his suspension, has been suspended for allegedly breaking the rules.

According to a statement on the Confederation’s website, Austin has been suspended following his attempts to sack its secretary general Chuck Blazer, the man who handed in the file condemning Warner, a strong ally of Austin.

The statement revealed that Honduran official Alfredo Hawit appointed in his place and added: ”Lisle Austin has been provisionally banned from all football activities within CONCACAF and at the national level by a majority of the CONCACAF Executive Committee members for apparent infringement of the CONCACAF Statutes.

”This suspension took effect on Thursday, June 2, 2011. Notice of this suspension is being sent to FIFA to be extended worldwide.

”As the senior most Vice President of CONCACAF, Alfredo Hawit, assumes the role of acting President under the CONCACAF Statutes.”

The International Softball Federation has signed an agreement with Helios to acquire sponsorships on behalf of the world governing body. The announcement was made by ISF President Don Porter and is effective immediately, beginning with preparing assets and then soon moving into securing sponsorships, with Helios having exclusive worldwide rights to work as such on behalf of the ISF.

“Helios is a major player on the Olympic and international sporting landscape,” Mr. Porter said. “Their proven track record and impressive list of clients and contacts have all given us great confidence in taking them on for this important service to our Federation and our sport.”

The ISF president added that, “Clearly we are very serious about continuing to promote and develop our sport not only in the 128 countries where we already have member federations, but in other nations as well. Surely these programs and opportunities will hold great value and appeal for companies looking to penetrate certain or all locations where we are and where we intend to go. The sport of softball is not going away and we look forward to having multi-national or international partners onboard with us soon as we continue this new era that began with our re-branding from a new ISF logo to our web domains and to what still lies ahead.”

“We are very excited about working with the International Softball Federation,” said Terrence Burns, President of Helios Partners. “There are very few sports that offer such a strong combination of worldwide reach and grassroots popularity for potential corporate partners. Softball is one of those sports, and we’re looking forward to helping further its growth and global presence.”

The ISF is the world governing body of the sport as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and SportAccord. Softball (women’s fast pitch) made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. There are 128 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide. The sport is contested in more than a dozen multi-sport Games.

Serving a wide range of global clients, with offices in Atlanta, London, Paris and Beijing, Helios Partners specializes in sponsorship consulting, sports property representation, and bid city and organizing committee consulting.