OLYMPIC GAMES

(ATR) A simmering battle of wills over the direction of a major Olympic body is now out in the open, a dispute called “vulgar” by one of the protagonists.

The issues: who will take command of the 204-member Association of National Olympic Committees in 2014 and who will represent the association on the IOC’s powerful Executive Board starting next year.

Mario Vazquez Rana has served as ANOC President for 30 years. His current term expires in 2014. But Vazquez will turn 80 in 2012, meaning his career as an IOC member comes to an end -- as well as his ability to continue serving on the IOC Executive Board as the ANOC representative.

European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hickey is leading a movement to see a successor for the ANOC EB seat named as early as next month. So far, Vazquez Rana has not signaled who he would like to succeed him on the EB, while Hickey tells Around the Rings that he wants the seat, subject to vote at the IOC Session next July in London.

Hickey says Vazquez Rana has not represented the interests of the National Olympic Committees on the EB as forcefully as Hickey believes should be done.

“I have spoken to many NOC leaders who say that we are losing ground against the international federations,” Hickey says.

He raised the concern publicly for the first time this week in his address to the EOC general assembly in Sochi.

“To insure a better future for all our members, I think we now have to make our voices heard on this,” said Hickey, proclaiming unhappiness from the world’s NOCs with the 2010 ANOC Assembly in Acapulco, as well as the Sports Ministers meeting held at the conclusion of the Acapulco meeting.

Responding to questions from ATR posed by email, Vazquez blasted Hickey’s speech and called into question his motives.

“I believe no other moment could be more inopportune to express such a diatribe of lies than now, when the Olympic Movement needs further unity, cohesion and a team spirit to carry out its mission to promote the Olympic principles and values worldwide and I truly regret it,” says the ANOC chief.

“When Mr. Hickey took over the EOC’s presidency, we had a respectful relationship of good collaboration, as was the case during President Rogge’s period. However, the lack of coincidence in our approaches and points of view began to be noticeable when Mr. Hickey’s excessive craving for power and his aspiration to different positions became evident, aspirations that have been frustrated over and over again,” said Vazquez referring to past attempts by the Irish sports leader to win an EB seat.

Hickey insists he is not gunning for the ANOC presidency or trying to oust Vazquez from the post.

“I did not call for him to step down,” Hickey says. “I fully expect that he will serve out his mandate until 2014. And then if someone wants to challenge him, that’s their prerogative.”

Hickey is meeting this weekend in Dubai with Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad and other IOC members from Asia to plot the next moves on the ANOC EB seat. They are seeking a decision on the EB nominee Dec. 6 when the ANOC Council, of which Hickey is one of five continental vice presidents, is scheduled to meet in Lausanne.

“Fireworks” is what one of the council members tells ATR he expects at the meeting.

Vazquez Rana tells ATR that the EB seat will be discussed at the meeting but that it will be up to the ANOC general assembly to decide on who replaces him on the EB when it meets in April. Vazquez Rana predicts failure for Hickey.

“In his wild mind he has given rise to a 'battle of succession' in which he intends to involve other directors of ANOC and the NOCs and confuse the public opinion. It seems it is not enough for him to aspire and lose, but that he enjoys tarnishing the name of a prestigious and strong Organization which should be very much above any aspiration of a person or group.

“The NOC representatives that participate in our General Assembly are experienced, they know how to elect their directors and have a very fine instinct to distinguish

honesty, virtue and merits from mediocrity, opportunism, disloyalty and a lack of the most basic ethical principles.

“Due to the fact that I know them and have had the honor to lead them for three decades, I know they will not allow themselves to be confused and that they will elect directors capable of maintaining the course of ANOC and strengthen its leadership as one of the Olympic Movement’s main pillars,” says Vazquez.

“I truly regret the situation provoked by Mr. Hickey, due to the fact that I am not used to deal with these issues through the media before doing so with my colleagues. It is not usual for me to use such a strong tone towards a person, but I had to do it because it was my duty and obligation and part of my responsibilities as ANOC President.

“Nothing and no one will be able to keep us away from the road we chose and much less selfish, ambitious and opportunistic persons who shield behind any excuse to divide and prosper at the expense of ANOC’s image and prestige,” he says to conclude his remarks .

Hickey says he would like to see Vazquez Rana leave ANOC gracefully by not seeking a new term in 2014.

“We would treat him royally, give him a proper send off,” he says.

While it is clear Hickey has his sights on the EB, he says other candidates are possible to succeed Vazquez Rana as ANOC president.

He mentions New Zealand’s Barry Maister, Robin Mitchell of Fiji or OCA chief Ahmad. But the Sheikh may not be available if he succeeds with his own ambitions to become prime minister of Kuwait. And while he is popular and youthful, one IOC member tells ATR that Ahmad can’t be a credible candidate as long as the Kuwait Olympic Committee remains under suspension by the IOC over Kuwaiti law the IOC says intrudes on the autonomy of the NOC, in violation of the Olympic Charter. The suspension has been in effect since last year.

By Ed Hula

Source: www.aroundtherings.com

November 24 - Reigning 1000 metre sprint kayak Olympic champion Tim Brabants (pictured) has told insidethegames that he "fully supports" the British Olympic Association (BOA) bylaw preventing athletes convicted of doping offences from competing in the subsequent Games, adding that he would not want to be part of the same team as sprinter Dwain Chambers, who is still hoping to compete at London 2012.

Chambers is hoping that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling last month, which determined that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could not ban athletes who had been convicted of anti-doping offences and suspended for more than six months from the next Olympics, will give him the opportunity to compete at the Games next year.

The CAS outcome nullified the IOC's rule 45 – or Osaka rule – and meant that US 400m sprint champion LaShawn Merritt could compete at London 2012, while also increasing pressure on the BOA to scrap their own bylaw, which prevents drugs cheats competing for their country at future Olympics.

The bylaw has become an increasing bone of contention between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the BOA, with CAS reaching its decision last month on the basis that WADA regulations only allow for a maximum of a two year ban for drug cheats.

Speaking at the launch of Team EDF – of which he is a member – at London's Tower Bridge yesterday, Brabants hit out at this two year ban, saying that it was insufficient in itself, and believes the BOA's own bylaw does not go far enough.

The sprint kayaker, who left the sport after winning gold in Beijing in 2008, is also a doctor, and so brings a medical perspective to the debate.

"I don't believe those athletes aren't still gaining from cheating [after serving their suspension]," he told insidethegames.

"You may have a two year ban but you're still benefiting from that bulk and that strength that you gained from cheating – it doesn't seem fair.

"I'm very clear on that matter; I fully support the BOA bylaw.

"I don't believe it's fair that athletes who cheated to improve their performance should be allowed to represent their country in sport ever again, let alone at the Olympics.

"To go away for two years and come back is not much of a discouragement.

"What's discouraging you from taking that risk?"

Though the main point of contention over the bylaw is that it is not consistent with WADA's regulations, Brabants feels that this reasoning is "crazy".

"Just because it is not consistent with what everyone else is doing does not mean it is wrong," he insisted.

"I think as an athlete as well I like being involved in an organisation where we have such stringent, tough punishments for cheats.

"I don't understand why WADA are wasting money and time opposing the ruling.

"They should spend their money trying to find more cheats – not trying to force the BOA to drop their bylaw.

"Some athletes talk about restriction of trade, [but] what about restriction of trade for athletes knocked out by cheating athletes who may give up the sport if they think they can't make it unless they cheat?

"So there is a restriction of trade on both sides if that is their argument – if you cheat why should you be allowed to ever represent your country?"

Though he adds that the BOA's appeals process in the case of a genuine misunderstanding is vital, the 2007 world champion insists he does not want to be on the same team as Chambers (pictured) or anyone else who is found guilty of taking drugs.

"I don't want to be on a Team GB alongside people who have cheated.

"[I have] no interest in being on a team with him [Chambers].

"I know it sounds harsh but he took drugs to boost his performance and was quite happy to represent our country and stand on the podium to collect his medals.

"I think other Team GB athletes feel the same way."

Away from the bylaw controversy, Brabants is still waiting to qualify for the Games next year, but told insidethegames that he was "very confident" that he would be competing in London next year.

"Barring any accidents or injuries I see no reason why I won't be there as long as I can avoid having surgery like I did at this time last year," he said, adding that he was "definitely" looking to retain his gold medal.

He also said that having had time off after Beijing, before deciding to come back to the sport ahead of the London 2012 Games, he had been able to train harder than before because of the break he gave his body.

"Having a break gave my body a chance to repair itself so you can train harder when you come back into it," Brabants explained.

"So actually I changed training for the better in a positive way.

"Having had a break you lose weight and muscle and I really look forward to getting the fitness and strength back and look to build myself into a better shape than before."

By David Gold

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

November 23 - Deep divisions have emerged in the relationship between Mario Vazquez Raña, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), and Europe, who want him to step down.

Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olymic Committees (EOC), used his opening address at the organisation's 40th General Assembly here to express his dissatisfaction at the Mexican's leadership of ANOC, the umbrella organisation of the world's National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

"ANOC is in the situation at the moment where there seems to be perpetual conflict between the international federations and NOCs," Hickey told insidethegames.

"Many of the NOCs in the room here are deeply unhappy at the leadership of ANOC at addressing all these problems."

ANOC was founded in 1979 and under Raña has grown from 144 members to 205.

But the belief among many of the 49 countries of the EOC is that it has lost its way.

"They were not very enthused at the last ANOC General Assembly in Acapaulco," said Hickey.

It is claimed that the behaviour of Raña, who also heads Olympic Solidarity, the IOC programme that distributes nearly $400 million (£257 million/€299 million) to NOCs around the globe, has become increasingly erratic in recent months.

There is particular anger about an incident last month in Guadalajara on the eve of the Pan American Games where Raña allegedly publicly humilated Christophe De Kepper, the director general of the IOC.

It followed the failure of the IOC President Jacques Rogge to attend the final day of the Pan American Sports Organization Assembly after he had changed his travel plans because Raña had originally cancelled it before changing his mind.

Raña, a billionaire who is the President and director general of Organización Editorial Mexicana, the largest newspaper company in Latin America, is currently due to continue as the head of ANOC until 2014.

But pressure on him to step down is set to intensify when the ANOC Executive Board holds its next meeting in Lausanne on December 6.

There they will discuss who should replace Raña as ANOC's representative on the IOC's ruling Executive Board when his current mandate ends at the Session in London next July.

He ceases to be a member of the IOC at the end of 2012 because he will have reached the compulsory retirement age of 80 and attempts by him to negotiate with Rogge a special dispensation to be allowed to continue beyond have fallen on deaf ears.

The favourite to succeed Raña on the Executive Board is Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

Hickey is scheduled to travel from here to Dubai to meet Al-Sabah to discuss their strategy, insidethegames understands.

"I'm in constant contact with my colleagues in the other continents to find a solution to this because we should all be playing on the one team," said Hickey.

By Duncan Mackay

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

November 23 - London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe confidently claimed today that London is ready to cope with the huge volume of transport expected during the Olympic and Paralympics Games next year, though he admitted that there will be major challenges ahead.

Transport issues have been one of the key concerns ahead of next year's Games, with the capital's train network, in particular London Underground, at risk of failing to provide sufficient capacity for spectators travelling between Olympic venues.

It has been suggested that Transport for London (TfL) requires up to a 30 per cent drop in commuters in order to reduce waiting times, whilst there has also been considerable effort to encourage employers to allow and encourage flexible working, possibly from home, during the Games.

Speaking here at Tower Bridge as EDF unveiled its 36 strong team of Olympic and Paralympic Games athlete ambassadors, Coe said London 2012 had two objectives, both inside and outside the venues where the action will be taking place.

"Number one is precision, athletes need to know if I say to them that it is 38 minutes from the village to their venue – because [if they think it is] 45 minutes it means you are eating at the wrong time, you are warming up at the wrong time," he said.

"The second is making sure the city works for people who are not in the Games."

Coe insisted though that the capital was well placed to deal with the extra pressures on its transport network.

"London does this all the time, we had the Tour de France and Wimbledon at the same time this year," he said.

"Of course there will be challenges; London is not designed like a modern European city.

He also added: "I'm not here though to resolve the broader London transport issues which have challenged politicians for 60 years."

By David Gold

Source: www.insidethegames.biz