Olympians Endorse Singh; New Japanese Judo Coach; Belarus Financial "Violations"

Olympians Endorse Singh

A group of 22 Olympians endorses IOC member Raja Randhir Singh to become the new president of the Indian Olympic Association.

"We Olympians strongly believe and support the candidature of Raja Randhir Singh who besides being an Olympian has been the face of Indian Sports in the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia giving India its duly deserved place in the international Olympic body," a statement from the Olympians said.

"The legendary Sir Sebastian Coe at the recently conducted London Olympics, Franz Beckenbauer by conducting a successful World Cup in football, showed their leadership and sporting qualities.

"So why not Randhir Singh, a sporting figure to bring about a change in Indian sports and resurrect the Olympic Movement in India which has taken a severe beating due to the controversial members of the previous committee, who have committed more grave illegal acts in destroying our national game."

Singh is the current secretary general for the IOA and an IOC member. He is running against Abhay Singh Chautala, chair of the national boxing association, in the Nov. 25 election.

No Golds Leads to New Japanese Judo Coach

Kosei Inoue will reportedly serve as the new head coach of the Japanese men’s judo team.

Inoue will replace Shinichi Shinohara after Japan's men failed to win a gold medal at the London Olympics, Kyodo News reports.

Japan, the birthplace of judo, has dominated the sport at the Olympics, having earned at least one gold at every Olympics –except London.

Inoue is a gold medalist from the 2000 Olympics.

Olympians in Darwin

Australian Olympians visited the city of Darwin on Thursday, with the Australian Olympic Committee saying the visit was in line with "typical Northern Territory style", which includes: "excited crowds, blistering heat and even a crocodile or two."

Six Olympians and a Paralympian comprised the delegation that was honored with a parade, civic reception hosted by the mayor and a visit to a local school.

"It’s really nice to come home and be welcomed by my family and friends," hockey bronze medalist Joe Carroll said. "It’s great to see everyone in Darwin come out and be here today."

Belarus Finds Financial "Violations" in Sports Organizations

The State Control Committee of Belarus told the Belarus National Olympic Committee executives it found "violations" in spending governmet funds, local media report.

The committee chairman addressed a meeting of the BNOC Executive Committee, with the SCC determining the administration "spent excessive sums on its well-being while failing to cater to the key task set by its charter."

From 2010 to 2011, the SCC determined the BNOC spent millions of dollars on numerous superfluous projects, and salaries that exceeded the national average. The sports ministry was also found to have hired extra employees, despite there being no need for their roles.

BNOC and Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko said of the findings: "A careful approach should be exercised. Relevant things should be revised."

New BNOC vice president Igor Rachkovsky said he intends to bring "order" to the organization’s finances.

"Financial experts should be hired because financial discipline has not just been broken, there is no financial discipline."

Written by Ed Hula III.

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