GAMES

An immediate review into possible changes for Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 will be taken if proposed Agenda 2020 recommendations are approved here next week, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has promised.

He also revealed that postponement of last month's Pyeongchang 2018 Coordination Commission inspection until March occurred in order to allow the Organising Committee "more time" following the appointment of Yang Ho-cho as its new President in July.

Since then, news of a dispute between the Central and Provincial Governments in South Korea has emerged, with Gangwon Province officials warning they will be crippled financially unless the Government in Seoul adopts a greater share of the costs, particularly for the new Stadium in which the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are expected to be held.

If a solution is not found, it has been reported in South Korea that Pyeongchang could even consider withdrawing from hosting the Games, something which has not happened since Denver pulled out of staging the 1976 Olympics after they were awarded them and they were instead given to Innsbruck.

Pyeongchang 2018 has downplayed these fears, with spokesperson Lee Jihye claiming how "negotiations about funding for the Olympic Stadium are ongoing between the National Government, the Provincial Government and the Organising Committee, and we expect them to be completed soon".

Bach also claimed he was not concerned by the reports following a presentation from Pyeongchang 2018 today to the IOC Executive Board.

"We had the report from Pyeongchang Organising Committee today, and they told us they will deliver on time and on budget," he said.

"We have been discussing the budget, of course.

"We have a new President of the Organising Committee and he has the full confidence of the IOC Executive Board.

"He has asked for more time after he took over to address the different issues, including the budget, he has to have discussion with the different levels of the Government in [South] Korea.

"We will see some progress on this by the Project Meeting in January and this is why we postponed the Coordination Commission from November until March next year."

The Coordination Commission visit will now take place from March 17 until 19, the IOC has confirmed to insidethegames.

When asked about the impact of Agenda 2020, which could lead to a more "flexible" Games in order to reduce costs, with one recommendation permitting "the organisation of entire sports and disciplines outside the host city or, in exceptional cases, outside the host country notably for reasons of geography and sustainability", Bach claimed changes could be made quickly.

"Immediately after this Session, if Olympic Agenda 2020 is approved and more flexibility is possible, we will enter into discussions [with Pyeongchang and Tokyo] regarding the implementation," Bach said.

"This could lead to changes with regard to different venues and to other decisions."

Speaking today,President Cho also reflected on these possibilities, describing how "Agenda2020 is now shaping-up and a lot of opportunities will emerge that will benefit current and future Olympic and Paralympic Games Organisers".

"At this stage various ideas are pondered," he added.

"After this session we will have a clear understanding about the new flexibility that Agenda 2020 provides all Games organisers and we will consult with the IOC."

The proposed changes could also be particularly significant for Tokyo, with proposals underway there to move several events to pre-existing venues outside the capital, rather than construct new ones within the city.

This move would sacrifice planned legacy benefits but significantly reduce costs, now seen as more important.

Source

September 2 - Tokyo have been installed by the bookmakers as the favourites to win the race for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics with Baku and Doha ranked as the outsiders.

William Hill has installed the Japanese capital as their 2/1 favourites to host the Games for the first time since 1964 following the confirmation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier today that they are among the six bidders.

Tokyo bid unsuccessfully for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, which were awarded to Rio de Janeiro.

They reached the second round of voting before they were eliminated.

Tokyo's bid had been placed in jeopardy following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March, which killed at least 15,000 people with another 5,000 still missing.

Tokyo being installed as favourites will surprise most people as their bid is widely seen to be hampered by the fact that the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics are being held in Pyeongchang in nearby South Korea.

Hills have listed Madrid and Rome as joint second-favourites at 9/4.

Rome hosted the Olympics in 1960 and were the favourites to stage them in 2004 only to be surprisingly beaten by Athens.

Madrid, meanwhile, which claims to the only major capital in Europe not have hosted the Olympics will be bidding for a third consecutive occasion, having gone close for 2012 and 2016, reaching the last round the last time before being beaten by Rio.

Istanbul, who will be bidding for a fifth time in six Olympics, are seen as the favourites by many experts within the Olympic Movement but are listed only at 6/1 by Hills, which will be seen as outstanding value.

"Tokyo and Madrid missed out on the 2016 Games when it was awarded to Rio and their perseverance in applying once again may well be rewarded," said Hill's spokesman Joe Crilly.

Baku and Doha are listed at 14/1.

But Doha will draw strength from the fact that Qatar's bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup started in a similar position but they ended up seeing off more fancied contenders like Australia, Japan and South Korea before beating favourites United States 14-18 in the final round of voting.

Doha's bid is dependent on persuading the IOC members that they should be allowed to host the Games between September 20 and October 20, which is outside the normal window, to avoid the worst of the Qatari heat.

Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) general secretary Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman today refused to be downhearted by the long odds offered against Doha.

"Our team will be working tirelessly on all aspects of our bid and hosting concept all the way through to the IOC Executive Board meeting in May 2012 when we hope to be confirmed as a 2020 Candidate City and then all the way to the IOC Session in September 2013," he said.

"We want to build on what we have achieved in sport in recent years as we set out our plans to the Olympic Family.

"To have the opportunity to host the first ever Games in the Middle East will have a profound impact not just on sports development throughout the region, but also in encouraging a greater bridge between the Middle East and the wider international community.

"Doha already has significant experience in hosting international events and, of course, that experience will grow further when Doha hosts 8,000 athletes during the Arab Games 2011 this December.

"The IOC Executive Board has shown great vision in allowing us to bid to host the Games outside the traditional date window and we will do all we can to show why that was the right decision."

Source: www.insudethegames.biz

By Duncan Mackay

The former head of the Brazilian Olympic Committee was sentenced to 30 years and 11 months in jail for allegedly buying votes for Rio de Janeiro to host the 2016 Olympics.

Over 30 athletes and coaches showed up to the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Tuesday to participate in the “Learn By Doing” Hurdles Clinic. The one-day session, the country’s first in three years, was led by Mikel Thomas, a three-time Olympian and national 110m record-holder, along with clinicians Shayne Cooper and Antonia Burton.