Residents of the South Korean city of Pyeongchang, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics, are reportedly growing frustated by POCOG’s failure to listen to them regarding key decisions.

Controversial decisions have included switching the opening and closing ceremonies from the originally planned sites, and changing venues for events.

Hong Young-ki, a resident of nearby Daegwallyeong, said: “The most frustrating problem is that POCOG has been failing to communicate with us. The decision to change the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games should have been discussed with the local people in advance.”

Another contentious issue is POCOG’s plans to build an ice hockey stadium for the men’s competition at the Gangneung Athletic Complex. The decision comes despite the request of Wonju, a city in the same province as Pyeongchang, to build it near the city to try to achieve balanced regional development.{jcomments on}

London 2012 organisers are facing fresh criticism this week from the world’s media after they adopted a new system whereby they are charging up to £150 ($239) a month for access to the internet during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Media organisations from all around the world are due to attend the third World Press Briefing, where officials from London 2012, including chairman Sebastian Coe, will update them on preparations for next year’s Games. 

But they have already come under fire from the AIPS, the International Sports Press Association, who are angry that more than 10,000 accredited journalists face the prospect of having to pay for the internet despite BT being a Tier One London 2012 sponsor. 

London 2012 are proposing to make journalists to sign-up for one of three packages to gain internet access.

A bronze package will cost £90 ($143) per month, silver £130 ($207) and gold £150 ($239).

Gianni Merlo, the AIPS President, said: “We have asked LOCOG to offer the rate card at no cost. We believe it is possible to offer the rate card at no cost because in the past large organisations have offered the media a chance to use internet free of charge at many other large-scale sporting events, e.g. the FIFA World Cup and all recent World Championship eventsnc, including the 2011 World Championships in Athletics held in Daegu, Korea.”

London 2012 have claimed that the packages they are offering will guarantee the most reliable and fastest internet connection ever at a major event.

“The managers of LOCOG have pointed out that their offer package also includes the cables in all the stadiums and that this has been a great investment,” said Merlo. 

“However, we think that this is normal, because the organisers of an Olympic Games must offer this, as did the organisers of the FIFA World Cup in all the stadiums. It is not something special, nor is it unique.”

The AIPS are also upset that there is no dedicated Media Village for journalists and that they will face further internet charges in hotels. 

“[It’s] a choice that is understandable and has saved the Organising Committee a lot of money but in this case the international media has been penalised,” said Merlo. 

“For example, many of the official media hotels do not offer a free internet connection, therefore forcing colleagues to in effect pay a second rate card. This is absolutely unacceptable.

“We suggested to the LOCOG press office managers that, with BT, they could develop the possibility of offering a USB mobile internet modem to all the accredited media, one which could be used outside the Olympic Park, because, journalists now work everywhere, including on the buses during transfers. 

“BT, the communications giant, is one of the 2012 Olympic sponsors and so we’ll pay what the sponsor makes available to LOCOG. It makes us think that, in the end, we’ll be the ones paying for the sponsorship.

“The problem of the rate card was immediately criticised last year by the SJA, the British Sports Journalists’ Association, and we completely agree with them. I believe that the Organising Committee could find a solution and offer the press the basic rate card free of charge for the media and on payment for special requests, as is right and correct.”

London 2012 claim that neither they or BT are making any profit from the charges and, for one fee, cabled internet connectivity will be available at all venues, as well as the Main Press Centre and Olympic Village, for the first time in the history of the Games. 

But Merlo is not satisfied with the response from London 2012.

“We believe that what the Organising Committee is providing to the press should be standard practice for a top event such as the 2012 Olympics which will be held in Great Britain and not in a third world country,” he said.

“Yes, journalists can afford to pay, we are not beggars. But it is the duty of the organisers in these difficult times to make available the best working conditions with the minimum sacrifice . 

“What must not be forgotten is that it is the media who have in the past saved the spirit of the Olympics  without  asking for anything. And this because they believe in sport. For this reason we believe that further steps can be taken and these are within the power of LOCOG, an organisation that we respect for its high professionality.”

A new professional development body has been launched this month – The Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (IMSPA).

The Institute has officially confirmed that it has been granted Chartership accreditation by The Royal Privy Council, a first for sport.  The announcement will provide a welcome boost for those who have dedicated their lives to managing and delivering sport, placing careers in sport and physical activity on a par with those associated with other professional Chartered bodies.

Sean Holt, CEO of The Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity said: “Times are changing and so are we.  We are preparing our workforce to cater for the demands of tomorrow. Securing Chartership accreditation recognises the importance of the work that our members do day to day and our role in shaping their future.

“The Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity will reach out to a wide range of people engaged in a variety of roles such as leisure centre managers, local development officers, coaches, health officers and governing body representatives.  It is important to remember that what will define our members is not the role that they do but their ambition to develop their knowledge and skills to become celebrated leaders, deliverers and shapers of the sport and physical activity sector.”

The Institute is based at SportPark in Loughborough and represents the first unified voice tasked with providing leadership, support and empowerment for professionals working in the UK’s sport and physical activity sector.  It has been built on two successful historic mergers – firstly ILAM (Institute for Leisure and Amenity Management) with NASD (National Association for Sports Development), followed in early April by ISPAL (The Institute for Sport, Parks and Leisure) and ISRM (Institute of Sport and Recreation Management), paving the way for IMSPA.

The Institute will launch with a listening brief to ensure that it can clearly articulate and respond to the challenges ahead. A number of key influencer events will kick off around the country starting in London on June 7th. A major membership drive will launch in September 2011 to encourage people to sign up and shape their personal development programmes prior to the Olympic spotlight being directed at UK Sport.

To support the Olympic legacy efforts the Institute will be tasked with providing a strong professional development programme with the aim of improving the customer experience, to support participation and retention figures in sport and physical activity.

A not-yet-built National Hockey League (NHL) arena to be constructed in Quebec, Canada, will be called the Videotron amphitheatre after reaching a naming-rights deal with the cable provider via its parent company, Quebecor according to the city.

Videotron will pay US$33.85m for naming rights for a period of 25 years.

An additional $3.23m fee has been agreed annually for arena management rights. Videotron will give the city 15 per cent of profits from the facility. In return, the arena will be built entirely with taxpayers’ money.

Terms are specific to the building and profits from any future NHL team would be separate.

Buenos Aires bid for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games has received a boost after former World No. 1 tennis player and U.S. Open Champion Andy Roddick pledged his support.

Marking six months until the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decides on a host city for the 2018 Youth Games, Roddick played in an exhibition tennis match with Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri, and former Argentine tennis players Jose Luis Clerc and Gaston Gaudio.

The event was held in Roca Park, one of the proposed sports venues in Buenos Aires 2018 plan.

Roddick said: “I have always been a great supporter of the Olympic Movement and the spirit of Olympism. I have been lucky enough to represent my country at two Olympic Games and each time it has been a great honour”.

He added: “During my visit to Buenos Aires, I am impressed by this city’s passion for sport, their enthusiasm for Olympism, and their commitment to become a host city for the Youth Olympic Games. Buenos Aires and Argentina as a whole have a great sporting heritage. The city has excellent sports facilities that will enable athletes to perform at their very best. It would be a great choice for 2018”.

Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macre said: “Here in Buenos Aires and across Argentina we are immensely proud of our sporting heritage and our commitment to Olympism. Today, we can again reaffirm that the national and city governments fully support Buenos Aires’ bid for the 2018 YOG”.

Francisco Irrarazaval, Buenos Aires Under-Secretary of Sport and Chief Executive of the Buenos Aires 2018 bid committee said: “We know that there is still a lot of hard work to be done, but with less than six months to go until the IOC decision in Lausanne, this is an important step in the journey of our 2018 YOG bid and our goal to inspire young people in Argentina, South America and across the world to participate in sport and become the next generation of Olympic Champions”.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has formally opened the Olympic Truce Wall in the Olympic Village.

The Wall, which has been a fixture in the Olympic Villages since Sydney 2000, forms the backdrop for the Team Welcome Ceremonies and provides a place of reflection and inspiration of peace through sport. The wall features images and statements from St John’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive school in Gravesend, Kent, which reflects what the idea of the Olympic Truce meant to them.

Continuing the tradition from past Games, athletes and officials were yesterday invited to sign the Wall as a symbol of their support. Approximately 10,500 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are in London to compete. Following the Games, the British Olympic Association will display the Wall at the British Olympic Museum in the Olympic Park.

At yesterday’s Ceremony President Rogge said “Sport is not immune from, and cannot cure all the ills of the world. But sport can help bridge differences and bring people together. We can see proof of that at these Games.”

At yesterday’s unveiling, tribute was also paid to the victims of the attacks during the 1972 Munich Games. President Rogge said “The 11 victims of the Munich tragedy … came to Munich in the spirit of peace and solidarity. We owe it to them to keep that spirit alive and to remember them”.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “In ancient Greece the Olympic truce would see arms laid aside across the lands to ensure safe passage for athletes and spectators. Now in 2012, the Truce Wall here in London’s Olympic Park allows us to record for posterity a shared commitment to the ideals excellence, respect and friendship. I hope the gathering of the many nations who have travelled to the Olympic Village this summer and the manner they will conduct themselves, will act as a beacon to inspire people around the globe to follow this ancient tradition of harmony during Games-time and beyond. I’d also like to thank Jacques Rogge and the IOC for the appropriate, heartfelt observation of remembrance held today in memory of victims of the tragic events that unfolded in Munich 40 years ago and which should never be forgotten.

Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair, said “As an athlete and as Chair of LOCOG, I have seen firsthand how sport can bring people together. Through our Truce Inspire programme, we have recognised local and neighbourhood projects across the UK which use sport or culture to address local conflict, to bring different neighbourhoods together and to raise awareness of the Olympic Truce. The UK Government has supported this vision too, working with NGOs in the UK and their embassies and High Commissions around the world.”

To commemorate the Olympic Truce, traditionally the Host Country presents a resolution to the United Nations (UN) calling for a truce during the Olympic Games. For the first time, all 193 UN member states unite to co-sponsor the Olympic Truce Resolution for the 2012 Games.

At yesterday’s Ceremony, athletes also made their first donations to the Giving Is Winning programme.  This is a worldwide campaign led by the International Olympic Committee in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and LOCOG.  Athletes and officials are encouraged to donate sports and casual clothing which will then be distributed by the UNHCR to various refugee camps around the globe and to people affected by violence, famine, and other catastrophes.

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Olympic organisers for London 2012 say the technology systems for next year’s games have tested thoroughly and can withstand the danger of cyber attacks.

The Technology Operations center, which will monitor security, power, telecommunications and the results systems that will send Olympic data to fans and the world’s media, opened Monday in the Canary Wharf section of London.

Paul Deighton, chief executive of London organizing committee LOCOG, said: “Security is a big concern of the games and cyber security is a major part of that. We are obviously very attentive of the risks involved.

“The key steps we’ve taken to protect these systems are really to make sure we have an independent Olympic-dedicated network which gives us an insulation from the rest of the world that makes it much harder to penetrate.”

A quarter of LOCOG’s overall budget of $3.1 billion has been spent on technology, with organizers expecting to process 30 percent more results than at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

A 450-member team of experts has been working out of the center, trying out the technology in a series of Olympics test events this year.

“It went very well,” Deighton said. “It was a good way to break in the kind of coordination and monitoring we’ll need.

“All the testing we’ve put in place on technology ahead of the games— that’s one of the prime purposes of these test events—gives me a lot of confidence that the technology would be capable of withstanding any problems.”

Deighton is confident there will be no repeat of the technological problems that occurred at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Since 2002, Atos—a Europe-based information technology firm—has been the lead technological company for the Summer and Winter Games.

“Every part of the system has a contingency arrangement,” Deighton said. “Many of the tests we have exercised on have worked on the basis that, if we do that instead of that, how do we recover and how does the show go on?

“If Usain Bolt breaks the world record, the timing system needs to work. We don’t want to ask him to do it again.”

Ed Warner, chairman of UK Athletics, has been appointed to the prestigious position as chairman of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics Sport Technical Committee (STC), meaning he will play a leading role in the development of the sport beyond London 2012 to Rio 2016.

The announcement comes as somewhat of a consolation to Warner after his embarrassing failure to get a seat on the ruling Council of European Athletics last month, leaving Britain without any representation at the top table of the sport in Europe for the first time in its history.

Warner will now be a key figure in the development of disability athletics following his four-year appointment and stated: “I’m delighted to take on this role.

“While it further cements UKA’s positive working relationship with the IPC, it is also recognition of Great Britain’s commitment to the development of Paralympic sport globally.

“I hope that we can build on the great work that has taken place in recent years and continue to evolve Paralympic athletics in this crucial period through to the London 2012 Paralympics and onto Rio [in 2016].

“The profile of our sport has never been higher and I’m excited to be involved with the key decision makers going forward.”

The appointment of Warner follows the publication of the IPC’s new four year strategic plan to propel Paralympic Games to the next level while increasing the number of people participating in disability sport at all levels around the world and Xavier Gonzalez, the IPC’s chief executive, revealed he was delighted to secure an individual of Warner’s calibre to take on the role.

“I am delighted that Ed Warner will take on the position as chairperson of the IPC Athletics Sport Technical Committee,” said Gonzalez.

“For many years he has worked in a professional capacity with the sport of athletics, both non-disabled and athletes with a disability, and his strategic leadership, sports knowledge and experience will contribute greatly to further establishing a strong foundation for the sport.”

ParalympicsGB chairman Tim Reddish added: “Ed’s appointment is great news and it is testament to the high esteem in which Ed and his work at UKA is held internationally.

“I am especially delighted because in Britain we are proud to be a leading nation in Paralympic sport, not just in terms of winning medals but in relation to the development of all of the sports.

“Ed’s appointment is recognition of this.”