Bernard Lapasset, view International Rugby Board Chairman, cialis has hailed a record-breaking Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens event as the perfect Olympic Games springboard.

A Rugby Sevens world record crowd of more than 170,000 fans were treated to four sessions of the sport.

With two years to go until Rugby Sevens makes its Olympic Games debut, fans in the stadium and watching around the world were given an exciting taste of what to expect at Rio 2016.

Lapasset said: “Glasgow 2014 has been the ideal stage to showcase our sport and the perfect springboard to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”

“Once again, Rugby Sevens has proven to be one of the events to see at the Commonwealth Games with its winning blend of skill, speed and tries and carnival atmosphere attracting a world record attendance for a Sevens event.”

“Rugby Sevens is thriving and continues to reach out and inspire new audiences. Glasgow 2014 has furthered the Sevens success story, taking Rugby Sevens to new fans around the world and I would like to congratulate the teams, the organisers, volunteers and people of Glasgow for delivering an exceptional event.”

In Rio, men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens will be played at the Deodoro Olympic Park alongside 10 other sports and the IRB is determined to ensure that its Olympic debut is a success on and off the field, delivering new audiences to the Olympics and Rugby.

Lapasset continued: “All the indications are that good progress is now being made at the Deodoro Olympic Park and we are working closely with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and the IOC to deliver spectacular and successful men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens events.”

“We do not get a second chance to make a first impression and we are all focused on ensuring that our debut is great for Rugby, but also great for the Games. The Commonwealth Games has yet again underscored Rugby Sevens’ ability to deliver a vibrant, youthful crowd and great sport.”

Saxo Bank, the leading online trading and investment specialist, have activated their partnership with Lotus F1 Team for the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.

Saxo will expand on its branding of the team’s 2014 challenger, the E22, as driven by Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado.

As reinforcement of the exposure and business-to-business opportunities Saxo Bank has enjoyed since becoming Lotus F1 Team Official Business Partner at the start of this season, the E22’s sidepods will feature the distinctive Saxo Bank logo for the Monaco Grand Prix highlighting the bank’s partnership with the team.

Ultimately, Saxo Bank branding will feature on five race cars: The two Lotus F1 Team cars, the Tech 1 Formula Renault 3.5 race car driven by Marco Sørensen and the two Lotus Formula Renault 3.5 team cars.

Lars Seier Christensen, co-CEO and co-founder of Saxo Bank, has said: “At Saxo Bank, we are proud to be supporting the entire Lotus team, especially Denmark’s very own Marco Sørensen, the official Lotus F1 Reserve and Development driver. Lotus is one of the most iconic and successful marques within global motor racing, and the Monaco Grand Prix is the perfect platform upon which to exhibit the Saxo brand.”

The PGA TOUR and the PGA of America have announced a significant expansion in cooperative initiatives that benefit the membership of both organizations and help grow the game of golf.

PGA of America President Ted Bishop said The PGA of America’s intention was to increase the PGA Championship’s purse to $10 million, recipe which will equal that of THE PLAYERS Championship as the highest in professional golf. This represents a $2 million increase over last season’s PGA Championship, story while Finchem said THE PLAYERS’ purse will increase by $500, cough 000 over 2013. In addition, the PGA TOUR will increase its longstanding support of the PGA Professional National Championship and various PGA Section Championships.

“We have always believed that working together with The PGA of America enhances efforts to grow the game and benefits the membership of both organizations,” PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem (pictured) said. “Today’s announcement reflects what regular communication between our organizations can accomplish, and we look forward to continuing discussions with Ted and The PGA of America regarding further opportunities.”

“The relationship between The PGA of America and the PGA TOUR has never been stronger for a variety of reasons,” said Bishop, 38th president of The PGA of America. “There have been a series of cooperative efforts  and today’s announcement is a further reflection that the essence of our relationship has been our ability to jointly do what is best for golf and our respective memberships. After all, PGA TOUR players are also members of The PGA of America.”

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The 2016 All-Star Game will be in Toronto, marking the first time the showcase event will be held outside of the United States, the National Basketball Association have confirmed today.

Top players representing the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences will tip off at the Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Raptors, on February 14, capping a weekend that includes the popular slam dunk contest and other events.

“We are thrilled that Toronto is hosting our first NBA All-Star Game outside the United States,” NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “As the site of the first game ever in the NBA, Toronto is an ideal location for this global basketball celebration.”

The 2013 event was held in Houston, which estimated a direct economic impact of $60 million, and an overall economic impact of slightly below $100 million.

The 2014 All-Star Game is set for New Orleans, while the 2015 event will be co-hosted by Manhattan and Brooklyn.

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Tyre manufacturer Michelin has hinted they would be open to a return to Formula 1 to take on Pirelli next year.

With the sport’s existing sole supplier Pirelli having already inked 2014 contracts with Bernie Ecclestone and the bulk of the teams, Michelin have opened up the possibility of joining the grid.

Michelin competition boss Pascal Couasnon said on Monday that the French marque has dropped its earlier condition that it will only return to F1 if it can go in competition with a rival.

“We have changed one of our conditions,” he told Le Figaro newspaper. “Now, we don’t mind becoming the exclusive supplier.

“We are ready for it, as there is quite an interesting technical challenge.”

But Couasnon said Michelin is also still open to a tyre war.

“We have always said that we are interested in competition,” he added.

He said talks with the governing FIA, led by Frenchman Jean Todt, have already begun.

“We have sent them the same information as we have to the general public, so our position is known to all,” said Couasnon.

He denied, however, that talks with F1 chief executive Ecclestone are already underway.

“I was surprised by these reports, but I’m starting to get used to it,” Couasnon smiled.

“Two weeks ago, I read that Michelin planned to hold a press conference, but nothing happened. In formula one, there are always a lot of rumours.

“I can confirm that I have not scheduled any meetings with Bernie Ecclestone. If negotiations were to begin, we would hold them with the FIA, Bernie Ecclestone and the teams.”