The Munich 2018 Winter Games bid has received a further boost after a national poll in Germany voted the city as the nation’s sports capital.

German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) conducted the poll, which has some 27 million members and more 90,000 sports clubs, making it the world’s largest sports organisation. 

Munich picked up 38 per cent of the vote, a long way ahead of the second-placed city, the capital Berlin, with 14.7 per cent.

The Bavarian capital is probably best known internationally for Bayern Munich, Germany’s most successful soccer club, but it also hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics and is a regular venue for a number of top-class events. 

Katarina Witt, the chair of Munich 2018, stated: “That buzzing, full-stadium atmosphere is such an important part of a successful Winter Games.

“It’s what the athletes have been dreaming of since they were young, and what they deserve after years of preparation. 

“It’s what fans travel all over the world to experience. And it’s what makes the television spectacle such an irresistible draw for audiences and sponsors. 

“Munich 2018 doesn’t just promise full stadia; we guarantee full stadia, filled with knowledgeable, ardent fans who live and breathe winter sports.”

Bernhard Schwank, the chief executive of Munich 2018, claimed it underlined the city’s message that if the IOC picks Munich ahead of rivals Annecy and Pyeongchang at its Session in Durban on July 6 then they will be able to guarantee a successful Games, both in terms of atmosphere and financially.

“We’re very pleased at this result because it cements one of Munich 2018’s unique strengths: in Bavaria, sport is in our DNA,” he said. 

“The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships was an excellent example, with 130,000 spectators celebrating the world’s finest athletes in a warm and friendly atmosphere. 

“It was a great experience for the fans, but it also meant it was a huge sporting and commercial success. 

“The athletes all said they felt inspired by the atmosphere, and the event made a €5 million (US$7.2 million) surplus.”

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has unveiled the route for the London 2012 Olympic cycling road race, with Buckingham Palace providing the starting and finishing point.

The event will take place from, and conclude at the landmark after travelling through central London before crossing the Putney bridge in Fulham, followed by a loop of Surrey county.

The man’s race takes place on the 28th July and span over 250 kilometres, with 145 cyclists competing. The women’s event will go ahead on the following day, consisting of 67 riders over a course of 140 kilometres.

The route has been altered to the one offered in the original proposal for the London Olympic bid, which would be more concentrated around north London, and a test event has been planned in August.

The Austrian Ski Association (SV) have extended their partnership with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for the media rights to the FIS World Cups taking place in Austria.

The agreement secures for the EBU and its participating Members the exclusive exploitation of the rights until the end of the season 2017/2018.

The Austrian rights package includes the crown jewels of Alpine skiing in Kitzb hel and Schladming, ampoule along with the last two events, arthritis in Innsbruck and Bischofshofen, adiposity of the most prestigious Ski Jumping competition, the Four Hills Tournament, taking place around New Year with the other two events in Germany. In all there are more than 30 World Cup races of various FIS disciplines in Austria every season.

SV President Peter Schrcksnadel said: “Our agreement with the EBU ensures the widest possible distribution of our events on different platforms to a worldwide audience. We always try to organise professional quality events in Austria, which can be flagship events of each World Cup season, and we truly appreciate sharing with the EBU and their Winter Sports Members our deeply rooted passion for Skiing.”

Stefan K rten, Director Sports & Business at the EBU added: “When the EBU joins forces with a top professional federation such as the SV, the outcome is bound to be a resounding success. The EBU leads the way with regard to free-to-air coverage for all sports organisations. The SV World Cups are benchmark events as a result of close and trustful professional partnership between the parties. This long-term commitment to the SV, a key player on the market, paves the way to a similar approach towards other federations.”

The Munich 2018 bid to host the Winter Olympics got an extra boost with the support of the German national soccer team having a bid rally moment right before their friendly victory over Uruguay.

IOC vice-president, viagra sale Thomas Bach said: “I am thrilled that Germany’s entire sporting community is behind the bid. Munich 2018 has an excellent partnership with the DFB [German Football Association].

“The celebration at the 2006 FIFA World Cup shaped the image of Germany very positively. We want to take that celebration to another level in 2018 with a ‘Festival of Friendship’ to inspire athletes and fans all over the world.”

Two time Olympic champion and bid chair, Katarina Witt, recalled the festive atmosphere during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, adding: “Everyone I speak to has fond memories of the warm welcome they received and the incredible atmosphere they experienced. So it’s great to know that German football is backing us, whether it’s individual players and sports ambassadors like Theo Zwanziger and Franz Beckenbauer – who are both on our Board of Trustees – or organisations like the German Football Association, the German Football League and the national team.

“Munich 2018 is a bid by athletes, for athletes – and our stars appreciate that.”

Oliver Bierhoff, manager of the German national team, added: “The 2006 FIFA World Cup showed what kind of passion a huge sporting event in Germany can generate. That’s why we all hope that Munich will win its bid to host the Winter Games in 2018. Backing the bid is just a natural step for us.”

Leading media rights company MP & Silva have secured media rights to the 2014 editions of Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana for selected territories in Asia.

Copa Libertadores is the Champions League of South America and the region’s most prestigious club tournament. The deal will see 2014 Copa Libertadores available on all platforms and devices in the territories of Hong Kong SAR, buy Indonesia, Macau SAR, Myanmar, New Zealand, South Korea and Vietnam.

Copa Sudamericana is the Europa League of the South American continent and one of the region’s most watched tournaments. The 2014 Copa Sudamericana package will be available on all platforms and devices in the territories of Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Macau SAR, Myanmar, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam and Japan.

MP & Silva has acquired 2014 Copa Libertadores and 2014 Copa Sudamericana from Sportfive Asia, with negotiations assisted by FSA MEDIA.

Andrea Radrizzani, Founding Partner, MP & Silva said: “We are very pleased with this addition to our football portfolio available in Asia, as we firmly believe that South American football has great potential for further growth in the region especially with the World Cup being held in Brazil and the popularity of Argentinean and Brazilian players over there.”

Hillary Mandel, anabolics Senior Vice President of IMG Media, prostate has assumed responsibility for operations in the U.S. for acquisitions and distribution of IMG Media programming, troche  it was announced by London based Ioris Francini—Executive Vice President, Head of Acquisitions and Sales Worldwide, IMG Media—to whom she reports. 

Mandel has worked for the company in various media capacities for 14 years and has been involved in many areas of business including, media consulting, programming development, property representation, and media sales.  Mandel also co-manages IMG Media in Canada alongside longtime IMG Senior executive Peter Smith.

“Hillary’s understanding of the North American marketplace is second to none and covers the entire media spectrum, from established national networks to the niche sport channels that have been emerging both in Canada and U.S. in recent times,” said Francini.  “In addition to this, Hillary’s extensive experience at IMG Media has provided her with a unique insight into the international markets as well as with a comprehensive up to date knowledge of the full range of IMG Media’s services to clients around the world. This appointment is the natural step for Hillary and will further strengthen the bonds with our Northern American-based clients and customers.”

Over the last several years, IMG Media has fortified its position as the world’s largest independent distributor, both domestically and internationally, of premier sports programming, representing over 20,000 hours of live programming per year. In helping build on that reputation, Mandel has led the way in selling world championship properties into the U.S. as well as creating partnerships with some of the biggest broadcasters, ESPN, NBC, CBS, FOX and targeted cable networks like The Tennis Channel for such prestigious sports properties as Wimbledon, Australian Open, Premier League, the NYC Marathon, the IRB, Diamond League, FIVB and dozens of other properties represented by IMG.

Mandel, who has also been instrumental in establishing  IMG Media’s partnership with the NFL by representing their foreign rights to over 70 countries, also manages the international business for the US Golf Association and continues to  grow the portfolio with media consultancy and representation for companies like Feld Motor Sports, Super Cross and Monster Jam.  She has also worked for IMG clients including the ACC, BCS, Indycar and PBR.

While the majority of Mandel’s focus is on sports, under her watch IMG Media  continues to develop its event and entertainment properties including TV specials for ABC stations, “Road to the Academy Awards,” “Boston Pops 4^th of July” on CBS and critically acclaimed documentaries like “My Moment with Lindsey Vonn.”

Barry Frank, Executive Vice President of IMG Media Worldwide and Mandel’s longtime mentor, continues with IMG as a senior executive consulting across many sectors of the company.  Frank, with more than 45 years in the sports industry, over 40 of them spent at IMG, is regarded as a true pioneer of the sports TV business  and one whose contributions have shaped IMG as a leader in the sports media industry.

“In the 14 years we have worked together at IMG Media, I have watched Hillary develop into a brilliant executive,” said Frank. “She is smart, popular, industrious, reliable and far-sighted, the ideal person to take on the responsibility for running IMG Media in the U.S. and Canada.  It has been a thorough delight to be her partner and I look forward to a continuation of our relationship in the years to come.”

Soccerex has announced that David Dein, anabolics one of the foremost authorities in European football and one of the founders of the Premier League will be speaking at this year’s Soccerex European Forum on 10-11 April, cialis Manchester.

The former Arsenal and The FA Vice-Chairman will be speaking on the ‘League Leaders’ panel alongside La Liga CEO Francisco Roca and the Association of European Professional Football League (EPFL) CEO Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros. Drawing on their vast experience, David and Francisco will discuss the comparative strengths of the Premier League and La Liga and then open up the discussion to look at the broader issues affecting Europe’s top leagues including the impact of FFP and the role of leagues in enforcing it, marketing to an international audience, corruption and the possibility of a winter World Cup and the impact it will have on European leagues. 

As Vice-Chairman of Arsenal FC for 24 years, president of the G-14 group of European football clubs from 2006 to 2007 and responsible for bringing some of the biggest names to the Premier League such as Arsène Wenger, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry, David is one of the foremost authorities in European football and will be able to provide an expert opinion throughout the session.

Commenting on his participation David Dein said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at the Forum alongside Francisco and Emanuel.  As Europe’s leading football business event, it allows the industry to renew its interest and passion for the game and bring the industry closer together.”

Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said: “We are thrilled to have David speaking at the Forum, without him there would be no Premier League as we see it today. His comparative insight on European football alongside Francisco and Emanuel is a key session of the Forum and will be a privilege to listen to.”

The Soccerex European Forum is a two-day event which attracts over 1,600 delegates from the elite of Europe’s football industry to come together to debate, network and do business. This year’s agenda setting conference programme will tackle the key issues shaping European football, including fan engagement, media rights, league development, life after football, monetising social media and a selection of special 1-2-1 sessions with Gianni Infantino, Alexey Sorokin, Sir John Madejski, Sir Bobby Charlton and Gary Neville.

For further information about this event please call +44 (0)208 987 5522 or visitwww.soccerex.com/europe.

According to Gerhard Heiberg, an executive board member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), there are as many as 10 cities interested in hosting the 2020 Olympic Games.

The tender to bid for the Games was launched last week with National Olympic Committees given until September 1 to nominate an applicant city for the Games. However, although South Africa has surprisingly opted against a bid, and the Italian capital of Rome is the only city to be confirmed in the running to date, Heiberg has insisted there is plenty of interest.

Heiberg told Reuters: “We are not concerned at all about South Africa pulling out. We think there are so many interested parties. Up to 10 cities are interested for 2020, so one has pulled out, fine.”

The Japanese capital of Tokyo is expected to be nominated, while a bidder from the Middle East is also likely to emerge.

Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara wrote to every member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following his re-election, fuelling speculation that the Japanese capital is gearing up to announce that it is going to bid for the event.

Heiberg added: “The process is going on and we are in contact with them (potential 2020 applicants). We hope it will be a combination of some of the big ones and some smaller ones.”

When asked whether the IOC had wanted a South African city to bid for the 2020 Olympics, Heiberg replied: “Yes absolutely. They showed they could do it very well in soccer and they would do it very well for the Olympics. Fine, they are not coming. They won’t come for 2020, they will come for 2024.”

ESPN will exclusively televise the 12-round World Boxing Council (WBC) World Heavyweight Championship fight and rematch between top-rated contenders Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne and Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola live on Saturday, May 10.

The fight from the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, Calif., will be televised live in the U.S. on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and will be presented by Corona Extra. The fight will also be available on computers, smartphones, tablets, Apple TV, Xbox and Roku via WatchESPN. 

ESPN will also carry the fight exclusively in Latin America, the Caribbean, Brazil, and Canada (via TSN/RDS). In addition, ESPN will televise the fight in Australia and New Zealand.

“ESPN has a long history of carrying world class boxing events, but this certainly ranks up there with the best that we’ve televised,” said Brian Kweder, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions. “Dan Goossen and Don King deserve credit for having the vision to distribute this historic match to as many households as possible and we are thrilled to be televising the fight.” 

King, promoter of Stiverne, said, “ESPN is in it to win it…and ‘win’ in it they have…hitting a grand slam homerun in public opinion in welcoming the prodigal son of the sport of boxing – The WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World Title Event – back to America…Halleluiah!” 

Goossen, promoter of Arreola, said, “For nearly 35 years, ESPN has been the premier destination for sports fans. We’re thrilled to work with their team to allow fans around the world the opportunity to watch a World Heavyweight Championship on what is the undisputed Worldwide Leader in Sports.”