Lviv Pulls Bid for 2022 Winter Games Amidst Political Crisis

Lviv in Ukraine has withdrawn its bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games due to the continued political crisis in the country.

The city becomes the third to drop out, ailment after Stockholm and Krakow did the same, leaving Almaty in Kazakhstan, Beijing and Oslo as the only remaining candidates.

The decision from Lviv is no surprise considering the situation with the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said: “We concluded that it would be extremely difficult to pursue the 2022 bid under current circumstances but that a future bid would make sense for Ukraine and Ukrainian sport.”

That future bid is likely to be 2026, with officials confirming that the Games in that year would now be their focus.

Lviv bid CEO Sergei Goncharov told The Associated Press: “We have always said that we will only continue if we can be certain to deliver on all our promises.

“Due to the current circumstances in Ukraine, we, however, felt that a bid for 2026 would make more sense.

“We remain convinced of the positive impact that hosting Olympic Games would have for the city of Lviv and the whole country.”

The news is bad for the IOC, who are set to announce the shortlist in one weeks’ time.

They are now running out of bidders and potential sites to host the Games, with many in western Europe put off by the amount Sochi spent this year  – $51bn.

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London Welsh Confirm ‘substantial funds’ Committed by Investors & are Likely to Stay in Oxford

By Steve Moorhouse

Relegated Aviva Premiership side London Welsh have confirmed that they are in a good position to compete in next season’s Championship, after ‘substantial funds’ had been committed by investors.

London Welsh had a tough season back in the Premiership and their relegation was in part due to points being docked for fielding an illegible player, a decision the then CEO, Tony Copsey told iSportconnect was ‘extremely disappointing’ and a ‘massive blow’ to the club.

However, following the Championship Final between Newcastle Falcons and Bedford Blues, where the Falcons were promoted to the Premiership, Chairman Bleddyn Phillips has moved to confirm the club were in a position to compete for promotion next year.

Phillips said: “I am pleased to say that we have in place the financial resources to ensure we can indeed compete effectively among the top Championship clubs next season.

“This is fundamental to our continued success and to ensure that the all the hard work and success we have achieved is not allowed to dissipate and be squandered over the coming season.

“There are several people who have already committed substantial funds for next season and we are confident that several more will likewise lend their support in the weeks ahead.”

Where to call home

Another issue for the side is finding a place to call home for next season, having spent last year away from their spiritual home at Old Deer Park in Richmond and instead at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium.

Phillips confirmed that the likely destination would be in the Oxford area where they have created a solid fanbase.

The chairman said that a ground would be found based on the ‘need to be commercially viable’ at the top of club rugby and that a home attendance in Oxford would be ‘demonstrably higher’ than in Richmond.

Phillips did not say that the Kassam would remain their home and insisted that all options were being considered and that discussions had been held with ‘several grounds and local clubs.’

F1’s Ecclestone Tight-Lipped Over 2013 New Jersey Grand Prix

Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone remains coy over whether New Jersey will actually host the 2013 grand prix even though a 10-year partnership was secured last year.

 

“Maybe the New York race will be 2013,” he told the BBC. “It’s a when, 2013 or 2014.”

 

The east-coast race is likely to be coupled with Canada on successive weekends and would give the United States two rounds of the championship, with Austin in Texas due to make a debut on the calendar this November if its new circuit is ready in time.

 

New Jersey’s street-circuit race is due to be held on the banks of the Hudson river with New York’s Manhattan skyline as a backdrop.

The United States, a key market for Formula One manufacturers such as Ferrari and Mercedes as well as team sponsors, has not had a grand prix since Indianapolis in 2007.

 

Source-Reuters

Chief Executive Officer – Triathlon Canada

Location: Victoria, adiposity Canada

Closing Date: 30th September

Background:

Triathlon Canada is world leader in promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging participation and the development of personal excellence through participation in Triathlon, treatment Paratriathlon and related Mutlisports. From Kids of Steel to the national Elite level, stuff triathlon has become one of the fastest growing sports in the world by including a wide range of multisport events and paratriathlons.

The first modern swim/bike/run event to be called a “triathlon” was held in 1974. Since those humble beginnings, Canada has produced Olympic champions, ITU World Cup champions as well as World champions.

Based in Victoria BC., Triathlon Canada is seeking candidates for the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Strong candidates will be those with an understanding of amateur sport in Canada, a demonstrated track record in organizational leadership and a passion for continuing Canada’s stellar reputation in triathlon.

Overview:

Reporting to the Board of Directors (“Board”), the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is responsible for the management and day to day business of Triathlon Canada, carrying out those responsibilities in accordance with its mission, vision and strategic plan.

This position is based in Victoria.

Triathlon Canada’s current Strategic Plan focuses on three pillars:

1. Pathway – To identify, develop and improve partnerships and opportunities in growing participation.

2. Performance – To optimize the platform for elite athletes to excel in Olympic and Paralympic competition.

3. Organizational Sustainability – To diversify and enhance resources and capacity to support excellence and growth

More specifically, key responsibilities of the CEO include (but are not limited to) the following:

– Providing overall direction and leadership toward fulfillment of Triathlon Canada’s vision and mission, as well as strategic and operational objectives;

– Overseeing development of annual business plans and budgets;

– Working closely with the President in leading and directing appropriate communication with ITU, CAMTRI, COC, Sport Canada, OTP, corporate sponsors/partners and other key relationships;

– Working with provincial triathlon organizations to align identification and development of talent;

– Ensuring the branding, communication and marketing of Triathlon Canada is “top of mind” with a wide range partners across the country facilitating an increase government funding, and corporate sponsorship;

– Providing operational leadership to Triathlon Canada’s staff, including providing guidance to Triathlon Canada’s marketing, communications and fund development activities; and

– Working closely and supportively with the High Performance Director (“HPD”) to support the overall development and direction of Triathlon Canada’s High Performance Program;

How to Apply

Click to apply HERE

Formula E ride away with Truck Partner

Formula E today announced that Charge, cough the British-based automotive technology company and maker of smart electric trucks, are to become the Official Electric Truck Partner of the FIA Formula E Championship.

The agreement will see Charge supply electric trucks at Formula E events in flagship cities around the world. The trucks will be used for the driver parade and for logistics both on and off the track.

Read more HERE.

Michael Owen Signs Up For Soccerex

Soccerex Ambassador and former England International Michael Owen will again be attending this year’sSoccerex Football Festival and Global Convention, taking place in Manchester, 5-6 and 7-9 September respectively, bringing with him his stories, experience and new ideas to the world’s premier football business event.

As an ambassador, Owen has been a big part of Soccerex’s events since retiring from the professional game, speaking at last year’s Global Convention and the 2013 European Forum, and this year, Owen’s involvement will begin with him hosting a coaching clinic with local youngsters at the Football Festival, held in Old Granada Studios, Manchester.

During the Convention, Owen will team up for a session with Davor Suker to look at the particular routes the players took after retiring.

Both players took the 1998 FIFA World Cup(tm) by storm, with Suker scoring six goals in seven matches to lead Croatia to a remarkable 3rd place finish, picking up the Golden Boot award on the way, while a young Michael Owen burst on to the scene by becoming England’s youngest ever goal scorer at the time and won ‘Best young player’ at the tournament.

The players will discuss their differing paths since retiring, with Michael discussing his range of commercial interests, which include M7 Aerial; filming and photography specialists using remote controlled drones, who will be sponsoring the session and will do a short presentation to kick off proceedings.

After retiring from an incredible career which saw him play for the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United, Michael has joined BT Sport as a pundit for the channel’s football coverage, occasionally appearing on BBC’s Match of the Day. In addition to M7 Aerial, he has also pursued various commercial interests including becoming a successful racehorse breeder and owner.

Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said: “It’s a real pleasure to welcome Michael back to Soccerex. As one of the sharpest finishers to ever grace the Premier League and international scene, he’s bringing that ability to the world of business and as an avid horseracing fan myself, it will be fascinating to listen to his comparisons between football and horseracing. It’s always good to have one of the greats at Soccerex.”

Owen will join a growing list of footballing stars and legends who will be attending the Global Convention this year including former and current England internationals Tony Adams, Kelly Smith and Steph Houghton, former Spain international Gaizka Mendietta, former France international and co-founder and director of Axis Stars Louis Saha, and former Italy international and co-founder and brand ambassador of Tifosy and Gianluca Vialli.

The Convention kicks off with the Football Festival on 5-6 September, with the Conference starting on Monday 7 September. A packed international exhibition and a programme of networking and social events complete the schedule for what is widely acknowledged as the world’s leading football business event.

For full information about Soccerex please visit http://www.soccerex.com/global //  call +44 (0)20 8987 5522 //  email enquiry@soccerex.com

FIFA’s Makudi Cleared as Thailand FA President after Winning Court Case

Worawi Makudi’s election as the Football Association of Thailand’s President has been cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after dismissing the case against him.

The FIFA board member had to go through the courts after losing candidate Virach Chanpanich appealed.

CAS has now thrown out Chanpanich’s appeal to challenge the 2013 result.

CAS said that “irregularities alleged by Mr Chanpanich either did not exist … or were not supported by evidence.”

Makudi won the election 42-24 in October 2013.

Tokyo 2020 Celebrate Olympic Day by Partnering with 552 Universities

Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games celebrated Olympic Day by announcing a partnership arrangement with 552 universities from every prefecture in Japan.

The agreement is to ‘promote Olympic education, hospital help keep Olympism at the heart of Japanese society and raise awareness of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.’

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori said at an official gathering: “The universities and the organising committee will pool their collective resources and proactively undertake a variety of issues including promotion of Olympic education, anabolics and the development of global human resources.

“I would like to see students from universities all over Japan utilize their dynamism and vitality and help us to ensure the overwhelming success of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Among the universities that have entered into the partnership agreement are Tokyo University, pills Waseda University, and Sophia University.

Olympian Anna Doi, Paralympian Fukutaro Yamasaki and Lausanne’s International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS) President Jan-Anders Manson and Executive Director Claude Stricker were also among the invited guests at the ceremony at Waseda University