Graham Annesley has become the Gold Coast Titans new chief executive after quitting his previous job as New South Wales sports minister.

Annesley, who has been NSW’s sports minister since his election as the MP for Miranda in 2011, tearfully quit parliament on Wednesday afternoon as he announced the decision.

“I believe I’ve been a good minister,” the former grand final referee told parliament.

“Equally and I’m only too happy to admit, I don’t consider myself to be a very good politician.”

Annesley fills the role left vacant following the departure of Englishman David May in June. He is expected to take up the role in mid-September.

Before entering politics, Annesley had worked as the NRL’s director of football and then chief operating officer since 1995.

Titans chairman Darryl Kelly said Annesley’s experience as a sports administrator made him the ideal person for the job.

“Graham has an outstanding reputation within the game and it’s extremely significant that an individual with such a reputation for professionalism and integrity has elected to join the club as our new CEO,” Kelly said in a statement.

“We considered a number of strong candidates for the position and we are fortunate to have someone of Graham’s calibre joining the club.”

The United States Olympic Committee have opted against bidding for the 2022 Winter Games, but will look into the summer 2024 or 2026 Winter Games instead.

The last time the U.S. hosted the Olympics was a decade ago in Salt Lake City.

In a statement today — the committee’s CEO said hosting the games is still of great importance, but they believe waiting will give the U.S. the best chance to be chosen.

“It’s not so much about bidding for 2022 as what strategy gives us the best chance to submit a winning bid,” chief executive Scott Blackmun said. “Looking at 2024 and 2026 gives us the best chance to do that. It allows us to form partnerships with all the people who need to be involved in a bid. That would allow us to put our best foot forward.”

Reno-Tahoe, Denver and Salt Lake City were all exploring a 2022 bid.

Procter & Gamble has announced today its pledge to donate $400,000 to the P&G|Team USA Youth Sports Fund, enriching and supporting youth sports programs across the country.

P&G’s commitment to youth sports expands on its partnership with USA Gymnastics, Alicia Sacramone and Natalie Coughlin for the London 2012 Olympic Games and global marketing partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through the 2020 Olympic Games.

Proven to foster overall well-being, organized sports help children develop confidence and strong peer relationships by allowing them to succeed and promoting teamwork. Lessons in healthy and active living also encourage positive practices later in life.

“I’m proud to be partnering with P&G’s Beauty brands in their effort to support youth sports,” says Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Silver Medalist Alicia Sacramone. “With gymnastics being a sport comprised of such young athletes, my team and I understand first hand how important youth sports organizations are. The sense of camaraderie and value of a team’s unconditional support gives young women the confidence they need to thrive, as it does for us while we train and compete.”

Friends, family and supporters can join forces with P&G Beauty brands, including Always, Aussie, Clairol Nice ‘n Easy, COVERGIRL, Crest 3D White, Herbal Essences, Ivory, Olay, Pantene, Secret, Tampax and Venus, to raise money for the P&G|Team USA Youth Sports Fund by “liking” P&G Beauty on Facebook. The company will donate $1 for every “like” the Facebook page receives, up to $100,000.

“Beauty and sports share an inspiring, motivating effect, uniting young women and helping them be at their best every day,” says Gina Drosos, Group President, P&G Beauty. “P&G believes that providing access to organized sports programs through the P&G|Team USA Youth Sports Fund will help ensure the health and wellness of young people today, as well as develop the elite athletes of tomorrow.”

Beginning in June, Facebook users can participate in P&G’s Make Waves experience, a custom application designed to bring girlfriends together to show support for each other, Team USA athletes and Olympic Games hopefuls. “With Olympic Trials and the Games in London just around the corner, my teammates and I will be relying on everyone’s support for confidence and motivation on the mat,” says Alicia Sacramone. Make Waves allows young women to participate in themed digital “waves”, invite girlfriends to join and keep the momentum going through the Olympic Games in London.

Also beginning in June, Pantene Pro-V will launch Facebook and Twitter social media campaigns with Olympic Swimmer and Pantene Pro-V Brand Ambassador, Natalie Coughlin. Fans can follow Coughlin on her journey by using and following #GoGold on various social media platforms. Each time a consumer uses #GoGold, Pantene Pro-V will make a charitable donation to the P&G|Team USA Youth Sports Fund, up to $100,000.

The additional $200,000 will be raised via sales; with every $50 purchase of P&G Beauty products from Always, Aussie, Clairol Nice ‘n Easy, COVERGIRL, Crest 3D White, Herbal Essences, Ivory, Olay, Pantene, Safeguard, Secret, Tampax and Venus between 04/29/12 and 06/05/12, P&G will donate $10 to the P&G|Team USA Youth Sports Fund. P&G Beauty’s contribution, along with the $500,000 from sales and donations raised through P&G’s “Thank You, Mom” program, support the Company’s plan to raise $5 million globally to help establish and sustain youth sports programs around the world.

West Ham United have suggested they be left out of any direct discussions with the London Legacy Development Corporation and Leyton Orient over the Olympic Stadium.

A House of Lords report was published on Monday which recommended the two clubs work together, and even suggests that Orient be granted occasional use of the stadium.

Negotiations ended last March with the LLDC signing off West Ham as anchor tenants, the Premier League side agreeing a 99-year lease with the stadium to be transformed into a 60,000-seater venue in time for the 2016-17 season.

While Orient chairman Barry Hearn wants there to be three-way talks between the two clubs and the LLDC, for West Ham any discussions should be just between the League One club and the LLDC which owns and manages the stadium.

“Looking forward, our focus is solely on creating a stunning new home for the club and its supporters in 2016, alongside a long-term legacy for the community of east London,” said a West Ham spokesman.

“What goes on with other interested parties is very much a matter for (Leyton Orient) and the LLDC and not West Ham United.

“We welcome the committee’s comments and are happy the House of Lords have recognised that West Ham United’s selection will ensure the stadium reaches its full legacy potential.”

Orient welcomed the report and on their website a statement from Hearn read: “I agree with the House of Lords recommendation – ourselves, West Ham and the LLDC should sit down and work this out together once and for all.

“Leyton Orient is a local club which undertakes a huge amount of community work in one of the poorest areas in London.

“It has been said that Orient did not bid enough to cover its costs of using the stadium, but we were bidding within our means and against ourselves – we do not know what the LLDC want from us because they will not tell us.

“So we ask them again, publicly, to say what we have to pay to share the stadium, a national asset which is on our doorstep.

“We are writing to the LLDC seeking a meeting so that we can have an open and transparent discussion about what part we can play in the future use of the Olympic Stadium.”

The Lake Tahoe Winter Games Exploratory Committee (LTWGEC) announced that five esteemed U.S. Olympians have agreed to join its efforts to develop a bid for the Tahoe region for the Winter Olympics.

The announcement comes just weeks after the LTWGEC formed itself with civic leaders from both California and Nevada. The new organization supersedes two organizations that were previously exploring bids, the Sacramento based California Winter Games Coalition and the Reno based Reno-Lake Tahoe Winter Games Coalition.

The five Olympians – Andy Gabel, Bret Hedican, Jonny Moseley, Tamara McKinney, and Kristi Yamaguchi – represent a diverse array of Winter Olympic sports including Downhill Skiing, Hockey, Women’s Figure Skating, Speed Skating and Freestyle Skiing.

“We are delighted to have such an impressive array of Olympians join our effort,” said Andy Wirth, CEO of Squaw Valley/Alpine Resorts and Acting Chair of the LTWGEC. “The Olympic experience starts with the athletes themselves. We look forward to integrating the influence of these great champions into each and every aspect of our effort.”

“As a four-time Olympian, I’ve seen some of the best venues in the world,” said Andy Gabel (’88, ’92’, ’94, ’98 – Speed Skating). “I know that Lake Tahoe would be an amazing place for the Winter Games.”

“As Olympians, we are used to tough challenges and intense competition,” said Bret Hedican (Albertville ’92, Turin ’06 – Ice Hockey). “I’m proud to be a part of this team as it explores a potential bid. I’d put our region – with all of its natural beauty and incredible human creativity – up against any place in the world.”

“Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on the planet,” said Jonny Moseley (Nagano ‘98 – Freestyle Skiing). “In 1960, the world took a chance on making Squaw Valley it’s choice for the Olympics. We’re proud to invite everyone back.”

“I grew up here in Lake Tahoe,” said Tamara McKinney (Sarajevo ’94 – Downhill Skiing). “It is a magical place with great mountains that would anchor some of the most breathtaking downhill skiing events in history. Standing atop one of our peaks and looking at that beautiful Lake Tahoe will be a memory that everyone – Olympians and spectators alike – will never forget.”

“The Olympic flame still burns in Lake Tahoe to this day. It inspires all of us to be better, work harder and achieve more,” said Kristi Yamaguchi (Albertville ’92 – Figure Skating) “The members of the Olympic family on our team are ready to show the world the astounding assets this region has to offer the world.”

“We’re especially proud to be doing this as a family,” Yamaguchi continued, referring to her husband and fellow committee member Bret Hedican. “As parents, as partners and as Olympians, we are brimming with enthusiasm.”

The williamhill.com Greyhound Derby for the first time will see six trap runners wear a one-off Union Jack coat to celebrate the Olympic and Jubilee year.

Following a series of discussions, abortion The Greyhound Board of Great Britain have agreed to break a life-long tradition and allow trap 6 runners the choice to wear the bespoke Union Jack design over the standard black and white stripe with red number 6, ed for one night only.

The majority of Trap 6 runners, including Charlie Lister’s Eden Star and the Champagne Club syndicate’s Bubbly Phoenix have chosen to wear the coat and become part of Greyhound history on the opening night of the Derby this Friday.

Clive Feltham, Director on The Greyhound Board of Great Britain commented: “2012 is such an iconic year for Britain with the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics, we felt it was appropriate to relax the rules for one night to also salute our great country. And there is no better place to do this than at one of the biggest greyhound races in the world.’

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, added: “It’s fantastic joining in with patriotic celebrations and having the first ever unique coat design agreed by The Greyhound Board of Great Britain. We hope it brings extra luck to the runners wearing our nation’s flag in the Williamhill.com Greyhound Derby.’