LA2024 Welcomes IOC Evaluation Commission For Three-Day Visit

By Christian Radnedge

The International Olympic Committee’s evaluation commission began their inspection of Los Angeles on Wednesday, judging the city’s effectiveness to host the 2024 Olympic Games.

The sun was shining on delegates and assembled media as they arrived this week for their three-day visit, which will then be followed by a similar visit to rival candidate city Paris.

Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, who was recently elected for a second term, welcomed the commission and said that his city’s bid was “no risk” as questions remain over the efficiency of staging the Games in difficult financial climates.

“We are not going to have a huge Olympic village that is going to be abandoned right afterwards,” Garcetti said. “We have UCLA, which is extraordinary, with beautiful rooms which can feed 10,000 people a day already. So we don’t have to work out any kinks.”

The IOC has set up a working group to examine the option of whether it would make sense to award the host of the 2028 Games at the same time as 2024 at the IOC session in Lima, Peru on September 13.

Garcetti said he would be open to the idea but insisted that LA should be preferred as the host for 2024.

The evaluation commission will be ferried around LA to inspect all the potential Games sites, including the LA Coliseum which was the centrepiece for the city’s two previous Olympics in 1932 and 1984.

“We are very well prepared, we are enthusiastic, we have been rehearsing, literally every minute is planned,” LA2024 chief executive Gene Sykes said.

IOC member Patrick Baumann heads up the evaluation commission team, who were treated to an LA Dodgers game on their first day in the city.

Paris 2024 Leaves Door Open For President Macron to Join Lima Delegation – EXCLUSIVE

By Christian Radnedge

The cochair of Paris’ bid to host the 2024 Olympics has refused to rule out new French President Emmanuel Macron being part of the delegation that heads to the decisive IOC session in Lima, Peru in September.

Following his election victory on Sunday, President Macron is due to meet with the Paris 2024 team this week as the city bids to host the Games for the first time since 1924.

Tony Estanguet did not say yes or no on whether the new president would be part of the Lima delegation, but told iSportconnect that his endorsement is a “great asset for the bid”.

“Following his election victory, Paris 2024 will continue to work with President Macron on the campaign,” Estanguet said.

“Our plans for Lima are still evolving but the bid already has full support from all levels of national and city government and President Macron’s endorsement is a great asset for the bid.”

Macron had already thrown his weight behind Paris’ bid before the election, and is expected to continue the front-line role that his predecessor Francois Hollande took in the process, to bring the Games to the city for a third time.

Paris is currently preparing for the IOC’s evaluation commission who will arrive on Saturday for their three-day inspection of the city, following a similar visit to rival candidate Los Angeles this week.

With the French capital basing their bid on having pre-planned and existing venues, the bid team are hopeful of giving the evaluation commission a good idea of how a Games would look in 2024 in Paris.

“Paris 2024 is looking forward to the IOC Evaluation Commission visit and we have planned an interesting, informative and fun programme that will showcase the great assets of the city” Estanguet explained toiSportconnect.

“This visit is an opportunity for us to share our vision and ambition for the 2024 Games, further cement our relations with the IOC and continue to build trust.

“When they arrive, the IOC will see how Paris can serve as an Olympic Park with amazing city-centre venues and a wonderful passion for the Games. Paris is ready to welcome the IOC and international media to the City of Light!”

Following the culmination of their two visits, the evaluation commission will return to Lausanne and prepare their final report, which will be published in June.

The two cities will then get to present to the IOC once more in July before preparing for session in Lima in September.

Live Premiership Rugby to Air on Terrestrial TV for First Time

Premiership Rugby matches will be shown live on terrestrial television for the first time in the competition’s history, as Premiership Rugby and Channel 5 today confirm a landmark four-year deal.

The agreement will see Channel 5 broadcast five live games each season from 2017-18, as well as show a highlights programme every Sunday night, covering Premiership Rugby, Anglo-Welsh Cup and Premiership Rugby 7s.

The new contract has been agreed after a competitive bidding process and will see Channel 5 simulcast five live games with BT Sport, who will continue to broadcast up to 80 live Premiership games per season.

This new deal for club rugby adds to Channel 5’s growing sports portfolio, which includes live boxing and motor sports (including live Formula E Racing), weekly football highlights from across the EFL, as well as its acclaimed cricket highlights package showcasing all England home games. The channel also demonstrated its commitment to live sport recently by providing a terrestrial home for live cricket (also simulcast with BT Sport) for the first time in over a decade, earlier this year, when it broadcast five T20 fixtures from the Australian Big Bash League.

Earlier in the season Premiership Rugby extended its agreement with Perform, one of the world’s leading digital sports content and media groups. The five-year deal with Perform Group confirms that they will continue producing the Premiership Rugby Highlights show.

“This agreement with Channel 5 will supplement the brilliant, season-long coverage we have with BT Sport,” said Mark McCafferty, Chief Executive, Premiership Rugby. “It will give even more fans a taste of the excitement, incredible skills and unpredictability on show in Premiership Rugby every week.

“We have a very successful partnership with BT Sport that has seen our ratings grow by more than 40% across the last four years. This new agreement with Channel 5 complements that partnership and will bring club rugby to a new audience to provide a fantastic shop window.”

Paul Dunthorne, COO of VIMN UK, Northern and Eastern Europe commented: “We’re delighted to build on our growing sports portfolio and give a terrestrial home to Premiership Rugby. This deal underlines our commitment to live sport following our coverage of the Big Bash League, with terrestrial TV viewers enjoying live cricket for the first time in over a decade.

“Premiership Rugby is one of the most exciting competitions in UK sport; we hope our national reach aligned with our commitment to the sport will enable Premiership Rugby to reach new audiences.”

Manchester City Partners With Power Management Company Eaton

Manchester City has partnered with Eaton, to become the Club’s Official Home Energy Storage Partner in the UK.

The power management company, with over 100 years of experience, will join in a multi-year deal that further demonstrates Manchester City’s commitment to leading the way in sustainability.

Manchester City adopts a wholly sustainable approach to energy and utility use and this partnership will support the Club to further develop in this area. Eaton will share their best practice in energy storage to help amplify the Club’s efforts across all its daily operations at the Etihad Stadium and City Football Academy.

The partnership also marks the launch of Eaton’s limited edition xStorage Home, one of the most reliable and affordable energy storage systems on the market.

Damian Willoughby, Senior VP of Partnerships at City Football Group, explains, “We are delighted to be partnering with Eaton as this relationship exemplifies the Club’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Eaton shares City’s values of operating in a way that promotes a positive impact on our community and environment.

“We are looking forward to working with Eaton and tapping into their heritage and expertise to further grow our knowledge in this field.”

Cyrille Brisson, EMEA Vice President at Eaton continues: “At Eaton, we make what matters work. Aside from making power safe and reliable, it also needs to be sustainable to improve our overall quality of life and contribute to a better environment. Energy storage is a key part of that strategy and part of Eaton’s ongoing commitment to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. We’re proud to partner with Manchester City – a club that also supports our vision of a greener tomorrow.”

Australian Rugby Union COO Rob Clarke Resigns

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has confirmed the resignation of its Chief Operating Officer, Rob Clarke.

Clarke, who returned to the ARU in 2014 as General Manager Professional Rugby, Marketing and Operations before being promoted to COO in 2015, has called time on a decade-long career in Rugby administration.

Clarke had previously held the COO role at the ARU from 2006-2007 and has also served at the helm of the Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels as Chief Executive Officer.

ARU CEO, Bill Pulver said:  “His resignation was difficult to accept but Rob has decided the time is right to pursue a different course along with his family and he deserves to be incredibly proud of his career in the game.

Clarke will conclude his role with the ARU in June 2017. He has chosen not to comment on his personal decision until the ongoing process in Super Rugby has concluded.

Dodd Defeated in Bid to Regain FIFA Council Spot by Bangladeshi

Australia’s Moya Dodd failed in her bid to regain a place on the FIFA council after being beaten by Bangladeshi Mahfuza Akhter Kiron 27-17 in a vote at the congress of the Asian Football Confederation in Manama.

The two other candidates, North Korea’s Han Un Gyong and Palestine’s Susan Shalabi, had withdrawn before the ballot.

Dodd had previously served on the former executive committee of world football’s governing body but only in a co-opted capacity.

China’s Zhang Jian, South Korea’s Chung Mong-Gyu and Philippines’ Mariano Araneta were elected by acclamation to fill Asia’s three available ‘open’ slots on FIFA Council.

Also at the congress was FIFA president Gianni Infantino who told delegations that the world federation was “implementing day by day” its reforms after “some quite difficult times.”

The good news for Asia in particular was that he expected FIFA Council this week to approve proposals that the region’s World Cup allocation would jump from 4.5 slots to 8.5 at the 48-team finals likely to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026.

Paris 2024 Congratulates Emmanuel Macron On Election as President of France

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee has offered its full congratulations to Emmanuel Macron who was elected as President of France at the weekend.

Paris 2024 bid committee co-chairs Tony Estanguet and Bernard Lapasset said: “On behalf of the entire Paris 2024 Bid Committee we would like to congratulate Emmanuel Macron on becoming the newly elected President of France.

“We know that our new President will be a great supporter of the Paris 2024 bid and play a key role in helping us secure the nation’s ambition to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“He understands the power of sport and how the Games can be a force for real change and help build inspiration and inclusion.

“The Paris 2024 team are looking forward to working with President Macron all the way to the IOC session in Lima, and beyond, to show the Olympic Family and the world why Paris would deliver the most incredible Games in 2024 full of passion and purpose.”

Ascot Racecourse Announces Pernod Ricard As Official Spirits Supplier

Ascot Racecourse has announced that Pernod Ricard UK has been designated the Official Spirits Supplier in a three-year deal.

The premium spirit brand will become the Official Spirits Supplier with immediate effect and will lead with Absolut Vodka, Beefeater London Dry Gin and Chivas Regal Whisky introduced across all bars, restaurants and private boxes at the racecourse, throughout the year.

Other Pernod Ricard UK brands will also be available across the site. Ascot has worked closely with Pernod Ricard UK to create a new Royal Ascot cocktail; The Royal Blush, made with Beefeater London Dry Gin, rhubarb syrup, lemonade, lemon raspberries and cubed ice and served throughout the Royal Meeting.

Pernod Ricard UK will also create a new bespoke gin bar in the Grandstand as well as take over the Bit and Bridle cocktail bar in the King Edward VII Enclosure, year-round and the Stewards House Lawn cocktail bar at Royal Ascot.

Mark Harris, Pernod Ricard UK Channel Director On-Trade, said: “We are proud and excited to become the Official Spirits Supplier of Ascot. Our premium drinks portfolio matches perfectly with the prestigious nature of the Ascot experience. This partnership allows us to jointly meet the demands of the modern consumer by offering truly memorable brand experiences.”

Juliet Slot, Commercial Director at Ascot, welcomed the new relationship saying: “We are delighted to welcome Pernod RicardUK as an official supplier at Ascot and are excited to see an increased offering of high end spirits for our customers.”

World Rugby to Examine Japan 2019 World Cup Preparations Ahead of Pool Draw

World Rugby will review the preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Kyoto, Japan this week while also taking a look at the candidates vying to host the 2023 edition.

Kyoto will host rugby’s decision-makers for a schedule of meetings that includes Rugby World Cup Limited Board, World Rugby EXCO and World Rugby Council meetings, culminating in the pool draw for the 2019 World Cup on Wednesday.

With Japan preparing to host Asia’s first Rugby World Cup, and the global game experiencing record participation (8.5 million) and fan-base (300 million) growth and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland set to inspire a new generation of players, the meetings come at an exciting time for the sport.

The Rugby World Cup Limited Board will review hosting preparation for Rugby World Cup 2019 and the latest from the candidate phase of the Rugby World Cup 2023 host selection process as the race to host rugby’s showcase event enters the home straight.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “This is an exciting and defining year for our sport as we look to further the competition and regulatory framework that will provide the platform for rugby to continue to sustainably grow in both established and emerging markets.

“Set against a backdrop of strong participation and fan growth, we have achieved agreement on a long-term optimised global calendar that provides certainty and stability over the decade beyond Rugby World Cup 2019, which is a major milestone. This week we will consider the game’s eligibility framework following a detailed review of the criteria governing international representation.

“As rugby grows, we need to ensure that it continues to be relevant and inspiring to the next generation of players and fans. Everyone has a say and everyone has a role to play in our future.

“I would like to thank our friends from the Japan Rugby Football Union, Japan Rugby 2019 organising committee and Japanese rugby community for their warm welcome and look forward to the week ahead.”

The meetings take place at an exciting time for rugby in Asia, where participation across the region has almost doubled since 2009 to more than 500,000 players. A further 610,700 children participated into Get Into Rugby activities in 2016. Later this month IMPACT Beyond RWC 2019 will be launched, an ambitious project to sustainably support and grow rugby participation in Asia, targeting one million new players by Rugby World Cup 2019.

Japan Rugby 2019 organising committee CEO Akira Shimazu added: “We welcome these important meetings that consider the future of rugby, including here in Asia, being hosted in Japan alongside the Rugby World Cup 2019 pool draw.

“The unique significance and opportunity of hosting Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan lies in further spreading rugby in Asia and ensuring rugby is a truly global sport. We will continue to work with World Rugby and Rugby World Cup Limited to build a robust and sustainable legacy through the successful delivery of Rugby World Cup 2019, the first  in Asia.”

GolfSixes Gets Off To Positive Start With Danes Emerging as Inaugural Winners

Denmark are the first ever GolfSixes champions after a 3-1 victory over Australia in the final at the Centurion Club, St Albans.

The European Tour was breaking new ground in St Albans with 16 teams of two starting the weekend and battling it out first in a group stage and then a knockout over six holes in greensomes.

By Sunday evening only two teams remained and it was Thorbjørn Olesen and Lucas Bjerregaard who took home the trophy after a hard-fought win over Scott Hend and Sam Brazel in front of an excitable crowd.

Entrance music, pyrotechnics and a sprinkling of celebrity gave the event a whole new feel but it was world class golf that proved to be the highlight, with Olesen claiming his second team win for Denmark in six months after his victory at the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf alongside Søren Kjeldsen.

Bjerregaard said: “I think it’s definitely got the crowds’ attention. I was really happy to see how many kids came out these last couple days, and hopefully that will get some of them into golf and think it’s fun.”

Scotland’s Richie Ramsay echoed the Dane’s positive comments on the inaugural event. “It’s been great,” he said. “It’s a really good format. With all the activities around it, the guys have done a great job.

“The biggest thing is, a lot of young kids are out watching and hopefully they take to it and say to their mum and dad – we want to go out there and we want to try golf and see what it’s like. I think it’s something for the future we can build on.”