Visa Olympic Exec Leaves; Rematch in Contentious NOC Election

The ATR Olympic Newsdesk

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Visa Marketing Exec Leaves

One of Visa’s top Olympic sponsorship executives, Andrew Woodward, has left the company.

In an email Visa supplied to Around the Rings, Woodward announced last week he would be leaving his position due to a corporate relations "restructuring."

It appears Woodward left on good terms with the company.

"In Australia and the United States, I did many cool things with Visa and worked with some fabulous people," he wrote.

For the immediate future he will return to his native Australia where he says he will cheer the Manly rugby club onto "greatness" and spend time with his family.

GOC Election Re-Match

Francis Dodoo, the man who was part of a contentious election for the presidency of the Ghana Olympic Committee, announced he will make another run at the seat.

Dodoo, president of Ghana’s athletics association made the announcement to Ghanaian media over the weekend.

"I will contest for the GOC presidency but it would depend largely on the endorsement of some constituencies of mine, because the outcome of the last elections had some negative impact on my family and I need to get their approval first" he said.

Dodoo ran for the position in 2009 and initially won the election over long-term incumbent Benson Baba. Baba was eventually determined to be the victor.

An Olympian in the triple jump, Dodoo is a sociology professor at Pennsylvania State University in the United States. He is am member of the school’s athletic team coaching staff.

Director of Sport Named for Toronto 2015

Blair McIntosh will serve as sport director for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

"Blair McIntosh has an intimate and extensive knowledge of the sporting capabilities in each of the 17 communities that will help us host the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games," said Ian Troop, CEO of Toronto 2015.

He added, "Blair embodies the passion for sport and the volunteer spirit that the Toronto 2015 Games will be built upon. Our sport and venues team will benefit greatly from Blair's experience."

As the director of sport, McIntosh will be responsible for the delivery of the Games, which are scheduled for July 10-26.

Appeals Court to Determine Lewis' Candidacy

Carl Lewis' legal battle for a New Jersey state Senate seat continues today in a federal appeals court.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday on Lewis' eligibility to run for a seat in the legislature.

The debate over the Olympian's candidacy started shortly after Lewis' filed to run as a Democrat about five months ago. Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno argued that he was ineligible because he did not meet the state's requirement that candidates live in New Jersey for four years.

Last week, an appellate court ruled in favor of Lewis’ candidacy.

Lewis grew up in New Jersey, but lived in California for years and recently voted there, according to an Associated Press report. Written by Ann Cantrell.