Aussie Investigation; Olympic Book; Additions to Swiss, Singaporean Squads

AOC Calls for Investigation

The Australian Olympic Committee is calling for an independent investigation into reports that weightlifter Daniel Koum attempted to extort money in exchange for competing in an Olympic qualifier.

Koum was accused Wednesday of demanding $5,000 from Australian Weightlifting Federation chief Michael Neelan to compete in an Olympic qualifier. Without Koum’s participation, Australia would not have qualified to send a male lifter to the Games.

"The AOC has urged the AWF provide Mr. Koum with an opportunity to respond to the allegations and has encouraged the establishment of an independent body to consider this matter on behalf of the AWF," the AOC said in a statement.

"The AOC encourages the continued independent consideration of this matter and at the conclusion of the 2012 AWF Olympic Nomination Trial, the AOC will seek confirmation on the selection status of all athletes in the Shadow Team. That is, athletes identified for nomination and those no longer in contention for the 2012 Australian Olympic Team.

"Should Daniel Koum be identified for nomination to the AOC, the AOC would not consider this nomination until the AWF has concluded its independent investigation and dealt with this matter."

Olympic Book Launched

"Olympic Gold", a book detailing Australia’s individual Olympic gold medalists, was released Friday – 16 years in the making.

Penned by Kevin Berry, himself a gold medalist at the 1964 Olympics, the book was dreamt of at the 1996 Olympics.

Berry died in 2006, and his wife, Libby Thomas, was present for the ceremony.

"This is the book Kevin dreamt of for so long," she said. "I can’t think of a nicer tribute. His passion was the Olympics and total concern to preserve all they stood for."

He received help from Ian Heads and Robin Poke, Australian Olympic media officials, with completing the book.

"It was the least we could do", co-editor Poke said at Friday's launch. "It was, after all, to have been Kevin’s legacy to a movement about which he cared so much. I am just so pleased the project has at last reached fruition."

AOC president John Coates also paid tribute to Berry’s work.

"A great deal of time and effort – indeed passion – has gone into this book. It has truly been a task of Olympian proportions. I commend those involved and welcome this outstanding addition to the catalogue of Australia’s Olympic literature".

Berry also wrote "2,000 Things You Don’t Know about the Olympic Games".

Athletes Added to Swiss Olympic Team

The Swiss Olympic team now consists of 41 athletes.

On Friday, swimmer Swann Oberson, canoeists Elise Chabbey and Mike Kurt as well as triathletes Nicola Spirig, Daniela Ryf, Sven Riederer and Ruedi Wild were named as the latest additions to the Swiss Olympic team.

Kurt, Oberson, Spirig, Ryf and Riederer have competed in previous Olympics. Chabbey and Wild will be making their Games debuts.

Singapore's Olympic Team

The Singapore National Olympic Committee announced 18 of the athletes who will represent the island country at the London Games.

Shuttlers Derek Wong, Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia Sari, shooter Jasmine Ser, table tennis players Feng Tianwei and Gao Ning, gymnastLim Heem Wei, kayaker Geraldine Lee, sailors Colin Cheng and Elizabeth Yin, and swimmer Joseph Schooling are the first athletes to gain approval from the SNOC.

The final list will be confirmed next month.

Rio 2016 Cultural Contest

Rio 2016 is inviting amateur photographers to submit photos depicting their favorite sports to the "Olympic Instant Cultural Contest."

Participants will have until June 22 to submit their pictures for the chance to win an Olympic pin and a spot for their photo on the Rio 2016 Facebook page.

WADA Unveils New Digital Library

The World Anti-Doping Agency website now hosts a digital library of educational tools to assist in the fight against doping.

Designed to allow educators to quickly locate the appropriate resources to spread awareness, the WADA digital library is available in English here and in French here.

Botswana Newest Member of World Taekwondo Federation

Botswana became the newest member of the World Taekwondo Federation.

The decision was made at the June 9 Extraordinary WTF Council Meeting.

The African country will maintain a provisional member status until the next WTF General Assembly in 2013.

The addition of Botswana brings WTF’s total affiliations to 202 members.

Happy Birthday

The staff of Around the Rings would like to wish happy birthday to Editor and Founder Ed Hula.

He celebrates his birthday on June 17 when he will turn ... one year older.

Written by Ed Hula III and Hannah Reid.

20 Years at #1: