Japan Withdraw from 3 IIHF World Champs. Due to Disaster

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) have announced that Japan has pulled all its teams out of three World Championships because of the country’s devastating earthquake and tsunami that ravaged the north.

IIHF President Rene Fasel stated: “What we are witnessing in Japan is one of the biggest natural disasters in recent memory and the consequences of the earthquakes and tsunamis are catastrophic.

“As ice hockey in Japan is concentrated to the northern parts [of Japan], we know that many of the athletes selected to represent their country and also the officials have been directly or indirectly affected by the disaster.

“We recognise with full sympathy the need of the athletes and officials to be with their loved ones during the very difficult times of mourning and national recovery.”

The IIHF said Japanese ice hockey’s governing body had stated its moral obligation to forgo participation in three World Championship tournaments, including the event for second ranked teams in Budapest next month.

They have also withdrawn from the women’s World Championship Division One in Ravensburg, Germany, and the under-18 World Championships Division One in Riga, Latvia.

Fasel added: “Although we regret the absence of the Japanese athletes at our championships, this is a time where sporting activities become almost irrelevant.

“Our thoughts are with the Japanese people who have suffered immeasurably during the last weeks and we know that it will take many years to overcome the damages.”

Wasps Set for Stake in Ricoh Arena

Wasps have taken a majority stake in the Ricoh Arena as part of a multi-million pound plan to relocate to the West Midlands, order acording to reports.

The Daily Telegraph reports that players have already been told they can expect to move in time for the start of next season after months of discussions proved successful.

Wasps, viagra who currently play games at Adams Park in High Wycombe, are understood to have agreed a £90 million deal to take at least 90% of the company that owns the stadium – Arena Coventry Limited (ACL) – and hope the proposal will be approved by Coventry City Council at a meeting next Tuesday.

The club have declined to comment on the deal and are thought to be bound by confidentiality clauses with third parties. ACL is joint-owned by the council and the Alan Edward Higgs charity.

Wasps were rescued from potential bankruptcy last year by a multi-million pound takeover led by Irish businessman Derek Richardson.

Capricorn Group Buys Germany’s Nurburgring Circuit

Germany’s Nurburgring circuit has been bought by the Capricorn Group following a long search for a new owner after its previous went into administration in 2012.

The German company, which supplies parts to the motor sport industry, beat out rival bids from buyout firm H.I.G Capital and at one point, F1’s own Bernie Ecclestone put down an offer which was declined.

The administrator behind the sale, Nurburgring GmbH, didn’t disclose a figure, but it’s believed Capricorn have paid more than £80 million ($140m) for the facility. The sale includes a 5.1 km FIA Grade 1 circuit which is used by Formula 1, the full 20.8 km Nordschleife circuit, an amusement park and various buildings.

“As an enthusiastic motor sport fan, the Nürburgring has always been a passion of mine. We have identified the enormous potential of this unique race venue and would like to optimise the existing structures, but above all turn the vision of an Automotive Technology Cluster into reality,” said Dr. Robertino Wild, managing partner of the Capricorn GROUP.

The group is hoping to develop the site into a centre of technology for the automotive industry, which has already invested in the area with several automakers basing research centres at the site.

It hasn’t been confirmed if Capricorn plan to retain the German GP which currently alternates between the circuit and Hockenheim.

Digital Caddies to Supply PGA National Golf Resort

Digital Caddies Inc. have announced today that it has signed an agreement with the PGA National Golf Resort located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to install the Company’s proprietary golf information system, The Players Network, at all five of the resorts’ golf facilities.

Since opening in 1981, the PGA National has hosted some of golf’s most defining moments, including the 1983 Ryder Cup, the 1987 PGA Championship and the 1982-2000 Senior PGA Championships.

“The Digital Caddies Players Network is an exciting new technology for golfers and golf course operators,” said Jane Broderick, Director of Golf at PGA National. “We are very excited to be able to offer our customers this leading-edge service and to leverage the technology to its fullest.”

The Player’s Network provides applications and services including GPS-based course information, scoring, touch screen interaction and on-course messaging. Golfers can also use the system to notify the beverage cart of their location to receive more prompt service, access weather, news, sports, and other entertainment online. 

In addition, The Player’s Network provides the golf course a broad portfolio of course management tools via GPS-based cart tracking and communications. 

“Having The Players Network installed at a world-class facility like PGA National is not only very exciting, it’s also an honor,” said Mike Loustalot, President of Digital Caddies. “The five golf courses at PGA National are among the finest in Florida and have hosted many defining moments in golf history. We look forward to a prosperous and lasting partnership with the PGA National team.”

Team Pelfrey Seals CoForce Partnership

Team Pelfrey, allergy which competes in the Star Mazda Championship, discount has announced a partnership with CoForce International, LLC, whose principals, accomplished race car drivers Anders Krohn and Jonathan Baker, have become an integral part of the team.

“Team Pelfrey is very excited to have formed a partnership with Anders and Jonny of CoForce,” said Team Pelfrey Team Manager Nigel Tuckey. “They will both assume key team management positions with immediate effect. The agreement will add significant expertise and direction in several key areas including maximizing the performance and development of our drivers, both on and off the track, as well as continuing development of the Team Pelfrey brand via exciting new products, resources, partnerships and programs.”

Previously focused only on driver development, Krohn and Baker will assume larger responsibilities as Team Pelfrey expands and aims to repeat its stellar 2012 season which brought both the driver and team championships in what is now the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. CoForce CEO Krohn has been named director of performance and driver development, while Jonathan Baker, CFO at CoForce, will serve as director of business development for Team Pelfrey as well as the recently created Pelfrey Performance initiative.

“Pelfrey Performance is all about creating value,” said Baker. “Our plan is to create value for our drivers through extensive driver development programs, career growth campaigns and discovering how to identify, create and build commercial partnerships. With the addition of the Pelfrey Performance Hospitality Center and our extensive Racing Experience program, we believe we are providing the necessary tools to create maximum value for our drivers and our partners.”

Next up for Team Pelfrey is the Mazda Road to Indy Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Ala., on December 9-10, when newly signed Pro Mazda drivers Pipo Derani and Dalton Kellett will work together for the first time.

Returning Austrian F1 Grand Prix Sold Out in Three Days

The Austrian Grand Prix, which is set to return to Formula 1 calendar next year, has been sold out in a rapid three days.

Next June’s race at the former A1-Ring, demolished and rebuilt by Red Bull and now named Red Bull Ring, went on sale a mere three days ago.

Race organisers Spielberg GmbH, a subsidiary of the energy drink company that also owns two formula one teams, said on Thursday that only cancelled tickets will now be available.

APA news agency said the few cancelled tickets were bought by fans so eager to attend the Austrian grand prix – last held in 2003 – that they booked twice.

“We are overwhelmed by the interest,” a spokesman is quoted as saying.

The organisers have applied to authorities for qualifying and race-day capacities of 80,000 spectators per day.

A maximum of only 30,000 spectators will be allowed into the circuit on Friday, according to the 100-page application.

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EuroBasket Format to Be Cut from 2017

EuroBasket will be in a shorter format from 2017 after the elimination of the second round group stage, anesthetist following widespread criticism of the length of this summer’s tournament in Slovenia.

The move, cough approved by FIBA Europe’s board at their meetings in Madrid on Saturday, will see the championships move into the elimination rounds directly after the first phase.

It will be the first standalone European Championships with fears it will fail to attract leading players from the NBA and elsewhere.

It was also confirmed that the contract of current Secretary General, Kamil Novak, has been extended through 2016.

The Board also approved the 2014 European Youth Championships host countries, with GB’s Under-20 men and women bound for Greece and Bulgaria respectively.

Sarah Stevenson Named Taekwondo Ambassador for 2013 SportAccord World Combat Games

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has appointed Sarah Stevenson as its ambassador at the 2013 SportAccord World Combat Games.

Sports Ambassadors’ role is to engage in promotion of their sports and the world of martial arts & combat sports during the World Combat Games; via press conferences, capsule radio and television interviews, prostate as well as publications in international and Russian newspapers and magazines.

Stevenson, ambulance 30, a native of England, first came on the international scene when she became Junior World Champion in 1998 at the age of 15. She went on to become the World Champion in 2001 and has since become four-times European Champion and World silver medallist in 2005. 

Sarah recently created her own company ‘Sarah Stevenson Inspires’ which aims to educate and train young athletes across a range of sports.

“I am so proud of what I have achieved both on and off the mat. I am now committed to pass on my experiences and help young people gain the life skills and opportunities that I have had over the years. My ambition is to keep raising the profile of Taekwondo as a sport and encourage all youngsters to feel the benefits that come from being involved in sport,” she said.

Chicago & Philadelphia Reveal Super Bowl Hosting Interest

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has reiterated his interest in hosting a Super Bowl at Soldier Field.

Emanuel’s spokesman says the mayor and the commissioner talked recently and discussed having the Super Bowl and College Draft in Chicago.

“The mayor and Roger Goodell spoke last week on a number of matters, sale ” spokesman Tom Alexander told ESPNChicago.com. “They speak or see one another on occasion. The mayor spoke with the commissioner about several things that would allow Chicago and the NFL to expand their already wonderful relationship. Chicago is a great sports town and a great football town, adiposity and the mayor wants to build on these strengths.”

The NFL will have the draft at Radio City Music Hall through 2014, but after that it’s possible the event could move out of New York City.

If next year’s New Jersey Super Bowl goes off without a hitch, Chicago may be one of several cold-weather cities with outdoor stadiums that bid for future Super Bowls. 

Eagles Stadium Improvements Ignite Super Bowl Interest

The Eagles have unveiled plans to expand and improve Lincoln Financial Field, with an eye on convincing the rest of the league that Philadelphia could host an outdoor Super Bowl.

Plans include expanding the stadium by 1,600 seats, adding HD video boards, making wi-fi available to fans and installing bridges to connect both sides of the upper concourse.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie says he’ll be keeping an eye on next year’s New York/New Jersey Super Bowl and hoping that it shows an outdoor stadium in a cold city can host the game.

“We’re going to watch that very carefully,” Lurie said, via PhillyBurbs.com. “I’m sure we’ve all been at phenomenal football games outside in December and January. So, absolutely, root for a decent-weather day in New York and New Jersey and we think we’ve got a great city here to host it, a great stadium, and I’m sure others feel the same way.”

The Super Bowls have been awarded to Arizona in 2015, San Francisco in 2016 and Houston in 2017, so the earliest Chicago or Philadelphia could host the game is 2018.

London Awarded 2017 IPC Athletics World Championships

The 2017 IPC Athletics World Championships were awarded todat to London following their amazing success at the London 2012 Olympics. 

The Championships will be held in July 2017 at the Olympic Stadium, just a month before the same venue plays host to the IAAF World Athletics Championships. London will become the first city to host the two Championships side-by-side, recreating the summer of sport which transformed the British capital in the summer of 2012. 

The Greater London Authority will organise the Championships, partnering with the London Borough of Newham, UK Athletics, ParalympicsGB, the London Legacy Development Corporation and the University of East London. 

During the bid process, London Mayor Boris Johnson used the success of London 2012 to argue for the return of international Paralympic competition to the British capital, which receives 26 million overnight visitors annually. 

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London and chairman of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “This year London just staged the best spectacle of sport the world has seen. By bringing the IPC Athletics World Championships to our wonderful Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park just a month before the World Athletics Championships, the capital is poised to recreate the magic of 2012. 

“London’s Paralympic Games were the first ever to sell out, and these Championships provide a perfect chance to build on that enthusiasm for disabled sport, bringing back the world’s greatest Paralympians to the Olympic Stadium, and at the same time providing a major economic boost to the capital.” 

The city hosted the first-ever sold out Paralympics this summer, staging one of the most accessible Paralympic events ever and establishing the foundation of a legacy for years to come after what IPC President Sir Philip Craven hailed the “best Games” in history. 

In total 1,134 athletes took part in track and field events in London this past summer, setting 102 world and 139 Paralympic records. Of the 141 countries that participated in athletics, 75 won at least one medal. 

The athletics competition at the Paralympics drew sold-out crowds of 80,000 for every session and attracted more than a billion cumulated television viewers worldwide at what is now one of the world’s most well-known stadiums.

Tim Reddish, President of the British Paralympic Association, was delighted with the outcome and hoped disability sport in the country would gain further momentum from this.

“It’s fantastic news for both athletes and sports fans that the 2017 IPC World Athletics Championships are being held at the London 2012 Olympic Stadium,” he told iSportconnect exclusively.

“It will enable the disability sport community to build on the momentum gained from this year’s Paralympic Games and through a strong 5 year plan it will, hopefully, attract more athletes, coaches and volunteers to disability sport.

“The delivery of the London Games told us that with clear planning and excellent execution the World Championships will attract the world’s best athletes and fill the stadium with dedicated sports fans.”

Ed Warner, IPC Athletics Sport Technical Committee Chairperson and Chair of UK Athletics, said: “The UK’s capital city has already demonstrated its ability to provide an excellent experience for athletes and spectators alike. London 2017 will bring record crowds for an IPC World Championships, creating an ideal backdrop for athletes to break records, further raising the profile of sport for people with an impairment in the process.” 

The IPC Athletics World Championships are the largest single-sport competition for athletes with an impairment in the world and take place on a bi-annual basis. 

Xavier Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of the IPC, said: “The London 2012 Paralympic Games were some of the best we’ve ever seen, and we cannot wait to see Great Britain embrace the Paralympic Movement once again with open arms. The bar has been set high for the 2017 IPC Athletics World Championships, and we are eager to see the worldwide media attention they attract.” 

Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson said: “We want to build on the huge success of the London 2012 Paralympics so I am delighted that the International Paralympic Committee has awarded London the honour of hosting its 2017 Athletics World Championships. This is the latest in a long line of top class sporting events that will be staged in the UK over the next few years. Hosted in the iconic Olympic Stadium, I know it will receive huge support from the British public.”