iSportconnect will be your LIVE guide as the 2018 Winter Games candidate cities of Munich, Annecy and PyeongChang make their final bid presentations at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Durban today, July 6, with votes to be cast later this afternoon to decide on which will host the event.

We will be updating the latest news and happenings from the session live on the site as well as through our Twitter account which can be followed at http://twitter.com/isportconnect.

After IOC president Jacques Rogge claimed yesterday, July 5, that the process was still very much a three horse race, long time perceived underdogs Annecy will be hoping to pull a surprise to overcome their competitors, between whom opinion is divided upon who is the favourite.

However, Annecy bid chief Charles Beigbeder insisted: “There is no big favourite or underdog. It’s a three-horse race. We are doing everything we can to win.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the IOC Session in Durban, South Africa, Rogge said all three cities would be “outstanding” hosts of the event, adding: “After a thorough review of all technical aspects of the bids, including on-site visits, the IOC evaluation commission…has concluded that all three candidates – Munich, Annecy and PyeongChang – could successfully host the Games.”

PyeongChang of South Korea is bidding for a third successive time having been narrowly beaten in the last two tenders for the 2010 and 2014 Games, eventually won by Vancouver and Sochi respectively. If Munich were to be awarded the rights to host the Games, the German city would become the first to host both a Summer and Winter Olympics.

PyeongChang bid leader Cho Yang-ho spoke ahead of the bid presentations this morning: “After the last two Olympic bids we learned and listened to the IOC family and the members. The difference with this bid is seven out of the 13 venues are complete, which means we aren’t just showing people the drawing board. We are showing them physical venues.”

German IOC vice-president Thomas Bach said: “People have realised that this is about the quality of bids, not about the number of bids…People have realised there is a certain cycle and that this cycle speaks for Munich.”

Keep checking iSportconnect for regular updates on the proceedings as well as the announcement of the eventual winner later this afternoon…

English Premier League club Aston Villa’s veteran American goalkeeper Brad Friedel has claimed it would be a “travesty” if British players were denied the chance to compete in the London 2012 Olympic soccer tournament, speaking on a panel discussing a unified British team for next year’s Games, at the Soccerex European Forum.

Debate over Team GB has raged ever since the Olympics were awarded to London, with the Home Associations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland steadfastly refusing to release players for fear of losing their national identities within FIFA.

But Friedel, who has played in England since 1997 and has twice competed in the Olympics in 1992 and 2000, said he could not understand the anti-Team GB lobby, stating: “As an American growing up, the Olympics is the pinnacle of all sports.

“It was very different feeling from the three World Cups I have been fortunate to play in. For a player to miss out on the experience of playing in an Olympics would be terrible. It’s not just the actual games you play in, it’s the entire learning experience. 

“You get to be around the other sportsmen and women. It’s difficult to put into words how important the Olympics are as a growing experience. To miss out on it would be a travesty.”

Freidel continued to urge any players selected for London 2012 to defy pressure from their domestic federations not to take part, adding: “I would advise them to play. I’d like to think sport will prevail over politics.

“I think if they are left out, in the future, because of that decision, they would regret it. I would hope a lot of pressure would be put on those FAs not to keep them out. 

“It is an experience they should not miss. When is the Olympics going to be here again? 

“It is a world event. People have to take that into consideration and stop thinking about themselves.”

Friedel, now 39, claims there should not even be a debate, saying: “I thought the issue would be resolved straight after the Games were awarded to London. Instead we have to let the powers that be decide.”

Although the Olympic football event is primarily an under-23 competition, Friedel said it still had enormous credibility: “The Olympics are special,” adding “You might not have the same talent as at the World Cup, but for me an Olympic gold medal is right up there with a World Cup winners medal.”

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has secured free-to-air broadcasting rights to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, decease it has been revealed.

The SABC will broadcast at least 100 hours of conventional coverage with extensive news and highlight coverage on SABC 2 and Radio 2000. 

SABC’s coverage will ensure that South Africans across the breadth of the republic have the opportunity to follow their heroes and see if their athletes can better the 12 Gold medals their team won in each of the two previous Commonwealth Games. 

Glasgow 2014 will be the biggest multi-sport event Scotland has ever hosted and around 4, remedy 500 athletes from 71 nations and territories will take part in the Games with 17 sports on show across the 11 days of competition. 

It is anticipated that a total audience of 1.5 billion worldwide will experience Glasgow 2014’s sports action and Opening and Closing Ceremonies through a range of international television and radio channels – creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland to engage and inspire young people across the globe. 

The sale of broadcast right packages worldwide is a part of Glasgow 2014’s commercial programme which aims to raise around £100million in revenue through licensing, merchandise, sponsorship and ticketing. 

Announcing the agreement with SABC, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, David Grevemberg, said: “We are thrilled that through the SABC, viewers in South Africa will have the opportunity to enjoy the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games – the biggest sporting event ever to be held in Scotland – and be absorbed by the world-class competition that will be on offer across our 17 sports.”

Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the SABC’s Acting Chief Operations Officer, said: “The SABC has gained immense experience in covering sporting events of this magnitude, including the successful coverage of the previous Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010, wherein South Africa was 5^th with 12 Gold Medals on the table.

“As a public service broadcaster we are pleased that we have managed to secure the broadcast rights for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as we serve the needs of sport-loving fans in our country. We will utilise our 18 radio stations, broadcasting in 11 official languages and we have also dedicated one of our television channels SABC 2, to be the home of the Commonwealth Games.”

Australian Rugby League’s Cronulla Sharks chairman Glenn Coleman has stepped down from the embattled NRL club after just two months in the job with former Olympian Damian Keogh expected to take his spot.

Coleman took over from predecessor Damian Irvine, who stepped-down in the midst of ASADA’s investigation into drugs in sport.

Coleman was left as the only director not aligned with the Sharks Unity ticket – headed by three-time Olympian and former Sydney Kings basketballer Keogh – whose group swept to power in recent board elections.

He remained unchallenged as chairman but had differing views to the new board.

Coleman said he was leaving to allow the new board of directors to lead the club.

“I’m handing over to a dynamic new group of directors,” he told The Daily Telegraph on Thursday.

“They’ve got to get their head around the ASADA issue and then move forward from there.

“I have no doubt, that long term, the club is going to be okay.”

Coleman, who played 123 first-grade games for Cronulla, said he was happy to step back and concentrate on his business.

“I’m extremely busy running my business so the timing is right,” Coleman said.

“I wish the club and the new board well in what I’m sure is going to be an exciting future.”

The new board is expected to ratify Keogh as chairman next week and appoint a new director in his place.

Cronulla have endured an inconsistent season 2013 season with the ASADA investigation proving a constant distraction to the players and officials.

Bringing the Generations For Peace Advanced Training 2013 to a close after five intensive days of active learning and knowledge exchange, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Founder and Chairman of Generations For Peace, and Mr Bumsuk Hong, President of Samsung Electronics Levant, presented the Samsung Generations For Peace Awards at a special Gala Dinner hosted by Samsung at the Millennium Hotel’s Skylounge, Amman. The Awards recognised the exceptional effort and achievement of Generations For Peace volunteers in four categories:  innovation, quality, impact, and sustainability.(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ8f32MXcm4&feature=youtu.be)

The Award for Innovation was awarded collectively to the team of “2^nd generation” Generations For Peace volunteers in Aden, Yemen, for the creativity of their advocacy efforts to promote understanding, respect, diversity and social inclusion amongst local communities, internally displaced people and Somali refugees.

The Award for Quality was presented to Sanja Angelovska, from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, for the quality of her programme methodology to address divided schools in multi-ethnic Skopje, where classes are segregated by ethnicity.

The Award for Impact was presented to Rasena Mohammad from Aden, Yemen. Rasena founded her own community development organisation, Social Services Association (SSA), which supports marginalised people and promotes inclusion and youth empowerment. Rasena’s personal impact is immense, and she is a role model for the large group of young male and female volunteers that she has trained. She leads by example to achieve real impact in their communities in Aden.

The Award for Sustainability was awarded collectively to the team of 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th generations of Generations For Peace volunteers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Demonstrating the power of the cascading model, these 181 youth leaders are running regular conflict transformation activities in six local government areas, reaching more than 5,000 children, youth and adults.

At the Gala Dinner, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein paid tribute to the Awardees and to all Generations For Peace volunteers around the world: “They live and work in diverse communities facing very different challenges, but they share the values of Generations For Peace – and a shared determination to take personal action to create a better future. They really are an inspiration to us all. As volunteers, as role models, trainers and facilitators, they are cascading values, knowledge and skills in conflict transformation to others in their communities; supporting greater understanding, tolerance and trust across conflict divides.”

Samsung Electronics Levant President, Bumsuk Hong, stressed the achievements of the partnership over the past six years:  “We are extremely impressed with the growth and achievements of Generations For Peace over the last six years.  The efforts of Generations For Peace Pioneers and Delegates are really demonstrating impact – promoting youth leadership, community empowerment, active tolerance, and responsible citizenship. Your work is important and is an inspiration to others. Samsung is very proud to support you and very honored with the partnership with GFP.”  Samsung has been a partner of Generations For Peace since 2008.

Details of the four Awards:

The Award for Innovation was presented as a collective award to Marwa Abdo Ali and Yaser Altaf on behalf of the team of “2^nd generation” Generations For Peace volunteers in Aden, Yemen. Working with local communities, internally displaced people and Somali refugees, they show exceptional creativity in their advocacy efforts to promote understanding, respect, diversity and social inclusion. Their activities for International Day of Peace, involved local NGOs, Local Council members, community members youth, parents and teachers, as well as stars from the national football team, and featured a song called the ‘Peace Operetta’, which they composed and recorded themselves a few days before. Sung in Arabic, English, Somali and French to reflect diversity, the song was an extremely creative way to raise awareness about the need for peaceful co-existence in a multi-cultural society. The song quickly gained popularity on YouTube and was aired on Aden Radio to an audience of 500,000. Despite political unrest, the work of the group continued and on International Women’s Day, the Delegates chose to honour eight women leaders in Aden, including Somalis, Palestinians and Indians, each engaged in different community work, such as elderly care, child support, cleaning services, education, the media, and NGOs. All these women have played a vital role for decades in their community, supported their families, and creating positive role models for other women in Aden. They were honoured with appreciation letters, small gifts, and visits by the Delegates to thank them personally for their life-time of hard work and contribution to their community. One of these women was Amal Baljoun, a TV host from a show called ‘Maraseel’ aired on Aden Channel. Her letter was presented to her while she was live on air, and the whole episode was captured and aired on live TV. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzl0vw3Tt1w&feature=youtu.be)

The Award for Quality was presented to Sanja Angelovska from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Promoting interaction, social inclusion and improving communication in a multi-ethnic society is the focus of the peace-building programmes that Sanja is delivering in the Skopje. In a country where so-called “divided schools” operate on a shift system so children from different ethnicities are taught separately and avoid any contact or communication. Being herself a psychologist and conflict resolution graduate, Sanja’s approach has been rigorous and systematic, building relationships and capacity over time through advocacy and training until there was readiness from stakeholders including teachers, students, and parents for Sport-for Peace activities to be integrated into the schools, providing opportunities for children from different ethnic groups to interact, have fun, and break down stereotypes. Sanja’s approach demonstrates real attention to quality, based on feedback and reflection sessions with the participants and other stakeholders, supporting her monitoring and reporting and decisions to adjust and improve the quality of her programmes. Two years on, Sanja’s programmes are gaining acceptance and respect, showing that whilst overcoming long-standing conflicts takes time, with patience and solid programme design, change is possible. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlNK7M7BkFE&feature=youtu.be)

The Award for Impact was presented to Rasena Mohammad from Aden, Yemen. Rasena used to be a maths teacher, and through her engagement with children and youth, she developed a strong passion for community work in Aden. In 2004, Rasena’s passion for community work led her to establish her own community development organisation, Social Services Association (SSA), focusing on the inclusion of marginalised people, poverty eradication, and youth empowerment. Rasena developed income generation activities for women and literacy programmes for children who left the school, followed by more advocacy initiatives emphasising the importance of youth volunteer engagement, as well as raising awareness about HIV and other health issues. Attending the Generations For Peace Camp in Abu Dhabi in 2009, Rasena gained knowledge and skills in conflict transformation methods she could use for the conflict issues in her own community. She began a series of Advocacy Events, Sport For Peace Training, Train The Trainers, and Empowerment For Peace Programmes, week-in, week out. Through the training she built up new generations of Delegates and Pioneers willing to share the burden of responsibility and follow in Rasena’s footsteps. Rasena’s personal impact is magnified by her incredible networking ability and her connections with a wide range of local stakeholders. And for her second generation Delegates and Pioneers in Aden, she remains an inspiration, supporting them on their own Generations For Peace journey in Aden. Rasena is a role model for young volunteers, male and female alike, leading by example to achieve real impact in their communities.(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vprHGIpDFSo&feature=youtu.be)

The Award for Sustainability was presented as a collective award to Babatunde Ayo and Abdiel Kude on behalf of the group of 2nd, 3rd and 4th “generations” ofGenerations For Peace volunteers in Kaduna State in Nigeria. First trained by Safiya Ibn Garba on her return from the Amman Camp 2008, a second generation of volunteer youth leaders from different walks of life in Safiya’s community in Kaduna, began using sport as an extremely popular entry point to engage youth, and advocacy events to generate awareness and support in the community, including the education authorities and schools. So began a rolling series of Empowerment and Sport For Peace Programmes for more than 1,000 children and adolescents, addressing issues of gender, ethnic and religious divides. To expand their reach and sustain their activities for the long term, these 2nd generation Delegates also recruited and trained more volunteers, successfully cascading their vision, values and knowledge to a new group of 3rd generation of Delegates. They expanded to schools in three Local Government Areas in Kaduna State and communities beyond the State. The activities also grew to include adult women and men in income-generation skills training. In 2012, a 4th generation of Delegates were trained bring the total to 181 second, third and fourth generation youth leaders from six local government areas reaching more than 5,000 children, youth and adults with their activities. Last year a Generations For Peace Satellite Office was established in 2012, run by Pioneers and offering four quarterly internship opportunities for outstanding Delegates each year. This has strengthened administrative and operational capacity, and provided a solid support to sustain their activities. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asKk2TOAqD4&feature=youtu.be)

After it was confirmed that a winner was voted in the first round of voting for the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Durban due to a majority of over half the votes, PyeongChang have been confirmed as the hosts of the Games, making it third time lucky for the South Korean city.

IOC President Jacques Rogge announced one of the three candidates had achieved an outright majority in a first round of voting, leading the vast majority to conclude that the South Korean bid had been successful over its rivals from Munich and Annecy. An opinion which was confirmed at 4:17pm UK time.

The decision was not due to be announced until a special ceremony scheduled for 5.22pm but it became evident that PyeongChang appeared to have had big enough support to claim victory in the first round.

On the eve of the vote, one of their officials claimed that they had already secured 54 votes which is 1 less than half of the IOC members. However, due to a number of members being confirmed as absent from the vote, and representatives from the bidding nations not being able to vote, in the end only 95 IOC members were eligible. This meant that Pyeongchang would have needed 48 for an outright victory.

The last time a city won in the first round of voting when there were more than two cities bidding was back in 1995 in Budapest when Salt Lake City won its bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, a process which was shrowded in controversy at the time and led to major reforms at the IOC.

PyeongChang will be mightily relieved to have beaten their opponents in the first round of voting having led at this stage in the previous bidding tenders for the 2010 and 2014 editions of the Games, only to be eventually outdone by Vancouver and Sochi respectively.

Presentations Round-up

Munich were first up to make their final presentation in a bid to win the rights to host the 2018 Winter Olympics at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Durban this morning, July 6, and delivered a strong pitch.

IOC vice-president Thomas Bach was joined in the bid team by German President Christian Wulff, bid chair Katarina Witt, bid CEO Bernhard Schwank, vice-chair of athletes’ commission Claudia Bokel, German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer, Munich mayor Christian Ude, 12-time Paralympic champion Verena Bentele and Double Olympic champion Maria Hoefel-Riesch.

The German city’s presentation revolved around the sporting experience of Munich. The team emphasised that the Games would be held in the warm and charming atmosphere of Bavaria, with “incredible” winter sports fans. The use of 1972 Olympic venues was also stressed to show the bid’s sustainability, along with the promise of no white elephants.

Bach made a slight dig at PyeongChang, who have failed in their bids for the previous two editions of the Games, stating : “Today’s decision is not about how many times someone has bid or how long someone has been waiting. This decision today is about the merits.”

Next up were the long-perceived underdogs from the French city of Annecy which has suffered a turbulent bid campaign thus far.

The bid team headed by leader Charles Beigbeder delivered a quaint and charming presentation which included input from the likes of French Prime Minister François Fillon, IOC member Guy Drut, French Olympic committee president Denis Masseglia, bid vice presidents Pernilla Wiberg and Jean-Pierre Vidal, Olympian Kevin Roland, Annecy mayor Jean-Luc Rigaut and French sports minister Chantal Jouanno.

Annecy bid team emphasised a key message and promise of delivering an intimate, friendly and accessible Games. The presentation stressed the capability of the Alpine town delivering “an authentic Games celebration in an exceptional mountain setting” graced by the character and spirit of the local communities. Interestingly, Annecy claimed that their bid offers the most compact venues plan for a Winter Olympics, despite IOC criticism of distances between facilities.

Prime Minister Fillon stated: “France is ready to take up the challenge. In 2018, it will be 50 years since Grenoble. In the 21st century, we want to reinvent this experience with you. France wants to be this partner, offering you the strength of its commitment, its passion.”

Last up were PyeongChang, the South Korean bidders who many believed were favourites in the run up to today’s session, and they didn’t disappoint. An emotive, passionate and inspiring presentation did their already strong chances of success no harm whatsoever.

The presentation included persuasive pleas from President of Korea Myung Bak Lee, bid chairman and CEO Yang Ho Cho, Korean Olympic Committee president Yong-Sung Park, reigning ladies figure skating Olympic champion Yuna Kim, Communications director Theresa Rah, former Governor of Gangwon province and special ambassador, Jinsun Kim, Korean IOC member Dae Seong Moon, and Olympic bronze medalist, Toby Dawson.

Speeches paid lip service to PyeongChang’s tagline New Horizons and the team were keen to highlight its ambition to open up the Winter Games to new regions of the world. Theresa Rah said that of 20 Winter Games since 1984, 19 were in traditional markets. None in Korea.

Yu Na Kim was arguably the teams best speaker, stating: “I am an example of a living legacy of the government commitment to improving winter sports. I know now more than ever what our victory will mean.

“Thank you dear IOC members for allowing someone like me to achieve my dreams and inspire others.”

An international selection process has been launched by Rio de Janeiro to hire a mega-events company, stomach charged with the Ceremonies for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, order along with their segment during the Closing Ceremony at London 2012.

However, the creative aspects are excluded from this process and will be the object of a future selection phase, restricted to Brazilian talent, which gives an early idea of what to expect from the Ceremonies in Rio. 

Proposed bidders have been asked to register on the Rio 2016 official site and will be required to prove prior experience in the production of Olympic or Paralympic Ceremonies. 

An Evaluation Commission formed by members of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, representatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other experts yet to be announced will select the winner.

The first presentation to be produced by the Organising Committee is a show of approximately eight-minutes during the Closing Ceremony of London 2012, when the Olympic Flag will be handed over to the Mayor of Rio.

The executive production company will be involved in other large projects besides the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Games, including the delivery of the Paralympic Flag at the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the Tour of the Olympic and Paralympic Flags, the Live Sites in Brazil and at 15 international locations, the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay, the medal ceremonies during the Games, the reception of the Delegations at the Olympic and Paralympic Villages and the sports presentations during the Rio 2016 Games.

The winning firm, or consortium, will plan and manage all the technical and administrative aspects of the Rio 2016 Ceremonies and Large Events, including the development of the production schedule, the organisation chart, the budget, personnel contracting and management and the ceremonies and events production, Rio 2016 said.

Among the tasks related to the ceremonies are the design and management of a logistics plan, operational plans, identification of the production and rehearsals sites, development and management of an accreditation database and the assembly and removal of all stage items, scenarios, props and costumes.

The winning firm or consortium will also involve and supervise other production companies, in a process that will multiply Olympic mega–event expertise throughout the Brazilian market, as well as taking part in audience involvement programmes with the purpose of creating high spectator engagement. 

The selection process will be open to Brazilian and international bidders and the establishment of consortia will be allowed to enable two or more companies to combine their qualifications in order to meet the participation criteria.

If selected, international bidders will be required to establish a branch office in Brazil and to assure professional qualification and development of Brazilian talent as a legacy of the Rio 2016 Games.

Leonardo Gryner, the chief executive of Rio 2016, stated: “The events and ceremonies will be critical components of the spectator experience, and an essential tool to awaken the interest of the largest number of people possible for the Rio 2016 Games.

“Projects such as the Olympic and Paralympic Flag Tour and the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay will result in greater public engagement and participation throughout Brazil. 

“The ceremonies will convey images of Brazil that will be remembered forever all around the world, and it is critical to partner with a top level organisation in their production.

“This is why we will select highly qualified suppliers, and work with the best Brazilian and international professionals.”

The firms and consortia shortlisted will be announced on May 5 and invited to a briefing in Rio.

The finalists will be chosen by the end of June with the winner chosen on August 31.

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) announced today that it is has formed a broadcast partnership with CBS Sports Network.

Beginning today and running through early August, CBS Sports Network will serve as the home of Minor League Baseball’s “Game of the Week” during the 2014 season.

Additional game dates will be announced at a later date and could feature multiple classifications of play ranging from Single-A to Triple-A. Each week’s matchup will be anchored by three-time Kentucky Sportscaster of the year, Dick Gabriel, and former Major League Baseball player Doug Flynn, a two-time World Series Champion with the Cincinnati Reds and Gold Glove winner with the New York Mets.

“We look forward to exposing even more fans to the excitement of Minor League Baseball, from top prospects working their way up to the major leagues to the fun and engaging elements our fans enjoy at our ballparks,” Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O’Conner, said. “We feel this partnership with CBS Sports Network will truly capture the emotion of our game to a national audience week after week.”

The partnership between Minor League Baseball and CBS Sports Network was formed in conjunction with JMI Sports and its Chief Executive Officer, Erik Judson. JMI Sports, based in San Diego, California, is a leading provider of sales, marketing, and project management and multi-media rights management services to universities, professional teams, and municipalities.

“This partnership will allow us to further expose the experience of Minor League Baseball beyond the 41 million-plus fans that pass through our gates each season,” added Michael Hand, Chief Marketing Officer for Minor League Baseball and President, MiLB Enterprises. “Since baseball began its first player draft in 1965, only 21 selections out of nearly 60,000 have advanced directly to Major League Baseball without first playing in Minor League Baseball. This partnership is the first truly comprehensive television package that will allow MiLB to feature the next generation of stars at all classifications as they travel The Road to the Show.”