The 2020 Olympics and Paralympics will not be In South Africa, according to the South African Sports Minister, Fikile Mbalula.

South Africa’s Cabinet initially decided in May it would not bid for the Games as South Africa has more pressing national social welfare priorities.

But Mbalula had maintained that the bidding process for the Games was still not determined.

He had claimed he would lobby to change Government’s mind before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) deadline which is on September 1st.

His case appear to have been strengthened after Durban last month successfully hosted the IOC Session, which was attended by President Jacques Rogge. Durban had been keen to bid and were expected to be the South African candidate if they bid.

But Department of Sport and Recreation spokesman Paena Galane said today that it was clear Mbalula had now decided against asking the Government to reconsider.

“We are not going to resubmit the request to bid to Cabinet,” Galane said. 

“There will be no bid from South Africa for the 2020 Olympics. 

“After careful consideration, the [Sports] Minister has decided to respect the Cabinet decision.”

There will be a re-shift of focus as Mbalula said the Sports Ministry will focus on the 2024 Olympic bid and the 2022 Commonwealth Games instead.

Sam Ramsamy, the South African who is a member of the ruling IOC Executive Board, admitted he was disappointed that the country was not going to try to capitalise on the success of last year’s FIFA World Cup with a bid for the Olympics and Paralympics. 

“We are disappointed but we understand the complexities of the issues,” Ramsamy told the Associated Press.

“We will certainly go for 2024. 

“We will engage Government and even though there is nothing official yet [for 2024], the indication is that the Government will be favourable to a bid.”

South Africa’s decision leaves Istanbul, Madrid, Rome and Tokyo as the confirmed bidders with Doha still deciding whether or not to bid.

It has been confirmed that the President of Rio 2016 Carlos Nuzman has been taken to hospital after suffering from heart problems.

Rio’s Organising Committee said in a statement that the 69-year-old Nuzman, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), had checked himself into a hospital late on Tuesday, June 14, after a routine health exam showed an abnormal heart rhythm.

Detailed exams yesterday showed Nuzman’s rhythm had returned to normal and he was expected to leave the intensive care at the Samaritano Hospital, in Botafogo, later today, June 16.

A statement from the hospital read: “The patient arrived at the hospital on Tuesday at 21 hours, with a case of cardiac arrhythmia, and was taken to the ICU. At the moment, Nuzman is stable and we are performing a series of tests.”

A Rio 2016 spokesman said: “The heart arrhythmia clinical status is already reversed.”

Nuzman has been President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) since 1995 and was the driving force behind Rio’s successful bid to host the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, the first time the Games will be staged in South America.

NBC Sports Group has signed a multi-year agreement with World Series of Fighting (WSOF) to extend their exclusive rights to televise the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts promotion’s events through 2017, it was announced today.

The multi-year renewal extends the partnership, which began with World Series of Fighting’s debut in November 2012, and includes multi-platform rights to the organization’s events, which will be televised on NBCSN and NBC and featured on NBC’s digital platforms.

NBC Sports Group will televise live 14 World Series of Fighting events this year, including NBC’s first-ever broadcast of mixed martial arts when “World Series of Fighting 11: Gaethje vs. Newell” takes place July 5, followed by a year-end card on NBC on December 27. Additional events will be added to the NBCSG schedule in ensuing years.

To date, NBCSN has televised all World Series of Fighting events live, as well as two World Series of Fighting Canada events and seven unique editions of “WSOF Future Champs” and “Unstoppable: Best of World Series of Fighting.”

“We are excited to extend and broaden our partnership to continue to bring World Series of Fighting’s unique brand of elite mixed martial arts to our viewers,” said Jon Miller, President of Programming for NBC and NBCSN.

Sports retail giant, ambulance PUMA has appointed Andy Koehler as Chief Operating Officer (COO), rx starting from June 1.

Koehler, who succeeds former COO Klaus Bauer, will be part of PUMA’s Managing Director team around PUMA’s future CEO Björn Gulden, who will take up his office on 1 July 2013.

As the COO, Koehler will be in charge of the functions Operations as well as Supply Chain Management, Logistics and IT. With this organizational change PUMA will streamline the organization within its Transformation program and integrate the responsibilities of the former Chief Supply Chain Officer into his resort.

“I am pleased that Andy Koehler will be joining PUMA as Chief Operating Officer, an important step in rebuilding and establishing a strong and effective senior management team under the leadership of PUMA’s future CEO Björn Gulden”, said Jean-Francois Palus, Chairman of the Administrative Board of PUMA SE. “Andy Koehler brings international and industry experience in sourcing and supply chain management necessary to manage PUMA’s operations through the company’s Transformation period and consequently its next phase of growth.”

“I am excited to be a member of PUMA’s top management team contributing in supporting the company and brand strategy within its Transformation program and beyond”, said Andy Koehler, Chief Operating Officer of PUMA. “PUMA has an enormous potential to tap both the sports performance and lifestyle markets with its design and innovation power as well as its unique brand heritage and I am eager to support reaching the business and growth targets within the next stage of the company’s development.”

Andy Koehler has a broad international experience in various industries such as the sporting goods, automotive Tier 1 industries and consumer goods. Before joining PUMA, he was Managing Director Hong Kong and Head of Global Sourcing at adidas Group, where he led the global sourcing activities across all product categories for adidas, Reebok, Taylormade and others. From 2004 to 2008 he held the position as Vice President Purchasing at automotive and Industrial products company Johnson Controls Automotive and was member of the leadership team responsible for Europe, South Africa and South America.

This follows PUMA appointing Bjorn Gulden as their new CEO.

Queensland Athletes have given strong backing to the Gold Coast 2018 bid as delegates from the European and Canadian Commonwealth Games Association pay a three day visit.

Athletes showing there support were Chantelle Newbery, herbal Commonwealth and Olympic Games champion diver, Daph Pirie, former Australian Hockey Captain, Anne-Marie Forder, Commonwealth Games bronze medal shooter and Sara Carrigan, Olympic champion and Commonwealth Games medallist. They were joined by Scott de Jongh, Broadbeach lawn bowler, Sara Tait, junior wheelchair basketballer and athlete, Damon Kelly, Commonwealth Games medallist and weightlifter, and Andrew Baildon, Athlete Advisory Chair.

Cyclist Sara Carrigan said, “I am immensely proud of Gold Coast city and know from experience that it would be a brilliant location to host the Commonwealth Games.

“This region provided me with the perfect training ground to compete for many years at an elite level – it’s a combination of the weather, the training facilities and the lifestyle that make it so attractive to athletes from all over the world.

“The delegates were very interested in my experiences not only at Commonwealth and Olympic Games but my training and current cycling school on the Gold Coast.”

Carrigan is also serving on the Gold Coast 2018 Athlete Advisory Committee.

“The delegates were particularly interested in the development of a Gold Coast Games as a regional model and our identification of innovative solutions to potential infrastructure of selected venues,” said Mark Peters, Bid CEO.

“We were able to demonstrate how our model for the Games would work effectively and deliver sustainable benefits to this city and provide a blueprint for others into the future.

“Wherever we went across the weekend our guests were welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm and have left with a sense that our athletes and our community are very much ‘Behind the Bid’ and very keen to host a 2018 Commonwealth Games.”

The next delegation scheduled to visit the Gold Coast will be the Caribbean and American group who will be there from September 22-26.

The ultimate decision on who will host the 2018 Commonwealth Games will be decided on November 11 at the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis.

Samsung ambassador David Beckham helped the worldwide Olympic sponsor unveil its new logo to be used on all its London 2012 campaigns and advertising, including its sponsorship of the Torch Relay, for which it is a Presenting Partner yesterday, June 13.

Samsung says that the logo, designed by award winning London-based artist Kate Moross, signifies an open invitation from the company to the general public in order to coincide with the marketing campaign’s “Everyone’s Olympic Games” strapline.

Samsung hopes to select from more nominees than ever before to carry the Olympic Flame as it travels the UK in 2012. Soccer star Beckham announced his nomination for Gabriella Roseje, an 18-year-old from Bermondsey, for her outstanding work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds using her sporting talent.

Swindon Town have revealed their directors Gary Hooper and Callum Rice have stepped down from their positions at the English League One club.

Along with current chairman Jed McCrory and general manager Steve Murrall, Hooper and Rice were added to the board of directors in February following the takeover by Seebeck 87 Limited.

Following the initial transition period the pair have been spending less and less time at the County Ground in recent weeks and have now returned to concentrate on their own outside business interests.

“I would personally like to thank Gary and Callum,” McCrory told the club’s official website.

“We have had a very testing three months and their efforts have been much appreciated during this period.

“Callum has stepped down to concentrate on his own business interests but has enjoyed his short time involved at Swindon. Gary will also be focusing his efforts on his own business.

“We have a solid foundation to take the club forward and now it is the time to strengthen the board with the skills required for longer term sustainability and success.”

A club statement added: “Swindon Town Football Club would like to thank both Gary and Callum for helping with the transition period and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.”