Austrian Kidnapping Threat; Chan Comments; CAS Ruling -- On the Scene

Austria Athletes Kidnapping Threat

The Austrian Olympic Committee says it received a letter threatening to kidnap two of its athletes. The letter was reportedly sent from Russia and contained threats against slalom ski star Marlies Schild and skeleton slider Janine Flock, according to the Austrian Press Agency.

The OOC confirmed receiving the anonymous letter, but a spokesman said the letter did not mention names. The letter was handed over to officials at the Vienna Interior Ministry for further review.

Patrick Chan Comments on Plushenko

At a Canadian figure skating news conference, men’s gold medal contender Patrick Chan addressed the firestorm over the selection of three-time Russian Olympic medalist Evegeni Plushenko.

"This is the talk of the town," Chan said. "There has been so much drama after the results at the Russian nationals and the decision was made to send him. But hats off to him. In his place, I would have been so distracted."

"Things have changed a lot since Vancouver and I look forward to competing with him."

CAS Rules Against Skier

The Court of Arbitration for Sport as hoc division rendered its first decision of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, denying Austrian half pipe skier Daniela Bauer’s application against the Austrian ski federation and Austrian NOC contesting that she should be placed on the Olympic team.

The case was heard on Monday evening at the CAS premises in Sochi.

Bauer contended that she had met the FIS qualification requirements and that a quota place had been promised to her. The CAS panel agreed that the person responsible for freestyle skiing at the ASF may have created an expectation that they would recommend the nomination of the athlete in women’s halfpipe.

However, the individual did not have any authority on behalf of the ASF to guarantee or promise to Bauer that this would occur.

Omega Pavilion Opens in Sochi

IOC TOP sponsor Omega opened its Olympic Park Pavilion Tuesday, three days before the opening ceremony.

President of Omega Stephen Urquhart, IOC president Thomas Bach, and Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. At the ceremony, Bach was presented with a special edition "final lap bell" from the Omega executives.

The two-story Omega Pavilion will house spectators, athletes, and offer numerous brand activation activities such as a watchmaking demonstration and a bobsleigh simulation.

"Our partnership goes beyond timekeeping and it is beyond a sponsorship," Bach said at the ceremony.

"It is really based on sharing Olympic values and the wish to assist the athletes for a fair competition."

Written by Brian Pinelli and Aaron Bauer

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.