NOCs of Britain, Ireland on McIlroy Decision
The heads of the British Olympic Association and Olympic Council of Ireland say golfer Rory McIlroy is free to decide which country he wants to represent at the Olympics.
Peter Dawson, president of the International Golf Federation, said McIlroy would have to represent Ireland due to his past performance for the country. He is from Northern Ireland. McIlroy has said he will decide which country.
"It's entirely up to him," BOA chairman Sebastian Coe was quoted as saying by British media.
"I don't have a personal choice here – the athletes have the personal choice."
His Irish counterpart Patrick Hickey agreed.
"That great athlete Rory has clearly stated it is his choice and what people forget is that this is nothing new," he said.
"This is going on for 80 years – an athlete in Northern Ireland has always had the choice to go for the British team or for the Irish team.
"We've never had a row or a dispute in all that time."
Japanese Select Top Athlete
Gold medalist in gymnastics Kohei Uchimura was selected as Japan's top athlete of 2012. The decision came at a Tuesday meeting of the Japanese Olympic Committee, according to the Kyodo News Agency.
He was the first Japanese gymnast to win the all-around event in 28 years.
Saori Yoshida will be honored for winning her third consecutive gold in women’s wrestling.
A ceremony will be held June 23.
JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda also stressed the value of adhering to IOC protocol in the 2020 campaign. Tokyo governor Naoki Inose came under fire for making controversial comments over the Istanbul 2020 candidacy. Istanbul is running against Tokyo and Madrid for the right to stage the Games.
"I plead with you to observe the rules on bid activities and make sure this kind of trouble does not occur a second time," he said.
Former IOC member Chiharu Igaya said the "complicated issues" of religion and politics are best ignored in the campaign.
"If there are 115 members of the IOC, there will be 115 different ways of thinking," he said. "All we can do is do our utmost to make something good come out of this disaster."
Mike Stanley Reelected
The New Zealand Olympic Committee reelected Mike Stanley as president on Wednesday.
He was first elected in 2009 and was unopposed.
Elections took place at the NZOC General Assembly. At the meeting, the NZOC pledged to increase resources and staff for selecting and training sport teams.
Canada Sunglasses Campaign
The Canadian Olympic Foundation launched a scheme to raise money for elite sports by selling sunglasses – a riff on the red-hot red mittens program for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
On Wednesday, the scheme was announced, a partnership with the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Available in red, white and black, the sunglasses will cost $10 Canadian, with one-third of the proceeds going to sport.
"Our athletes are truly fortunate to have such a devoted partner in sport," said Adam Van Koeverden, Chair of the Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission. "It is because of partnerships and initiatives such as these that our athletes and National Sports Federations continue to be able to excel and deliver results during international competition."
Written by Ed Hula III.
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