Badminton Brawl; One Year to Glasgow 2014; Ice Hockey Orientation Camps

BWF Investigates Brawl

The Badminton World Federation launched an investigation into a brawl which broke out at the 2013 Canada Open on July 21.

Thailand’s Bodin Issara and Pakkawat Vilailak were disqualified during the men’s doubles final, after Issara ran down and assaulted his 2012 Olympic partner Maneepong Jongjit.

Vilailak and Jongjit’s current partner, Nipitphon Puangpuapech, were not involved in the fight. Jongjit and Puangpuapech were awarded the men's doubles title following their opponents' disqualification.

"The events surrounding the conclusion of this match will be thoroughly investigated," said the BWF in a statement to the media.

The BWF faced another scandal during the 2012 London Olympics. Eight women’s double players from South Korea, Indonesia, and China were expelled from competition for tanking - not putting their best efforts forward and for actions detrimental to the sport.

Chris Hoy and Glasgow Celebrate One-Year Milestone

Sir Chris Hoy celebrates the one-year milestone to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The Six-time Olympian and double Commonwealth Gold medal winner, helped kick off festivities with the Glasgow 2014 Cycle Challenge and a "Breakfast of Champions" on Buchanan Street.

Officials also unveiled the Glasgow 2014 Official Ticketing Guide. 350,000 copies will be distributed throughout Scotland and online at www.glasgow2014.com/tickets.

Hoy joined Team Scotland athletes, Glasgow 2014 Chairman Lord Smith and Games Partners for its official launch.

"The Commonwealth Games has a very special place in my heart," Hoy said and added, "It’s an occasion like no other in sport and I have no doubt that Glasgow and Scotland will ensure next year’s Games are an unforgettable and enjoyable experience for athletes and spectators alike."

Fans can begin purchasing tickets on August 19. Athletes from around 70 nations will compete in 17 different sports across 11 days of competition throughout the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Orientation Camps Named

Canada, Russia, Finland and the United States announced preliminary rosters for their men’s pre-Olympic ice hockey orientation camps.

Russia invited 35 players to train in Sochi on August 23-24. Of those invited, 17 participated in the 2013 IIHF World Championship, and 13 were on Russia’s 2010 Olympic Squad.

The team will be coached by Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, while half of the squad plays in the National Hockey League; the other half is represented by Kontinental Hockey League players. The KHL is Russia’s top domestic hockey league.

The United States invited 48 players to Arlington, Virginia for their orientation camp, representing 24 different NHL teams.

Nine participants played on last year IIHF World Championship quad, while 16 were on the 2010 silver-medal winning Olympic Team. This includes all three alternate captains, Dustin Brown, Ryan Suter, and Zach Parise.

The United States will be coached by Dan Blysma.

Finland invited 54 players to its camp, 26 of whom play in the NHL. Erkka Westerlund is the head coach.

Canada looks to defend its Vancouver gold-medal by inviting 47 players to Calgary, Alberta.

All but one player has represented Canada at some level, senior or junior, internationally, while fifteen players from the 2010 gold-medal winning team were invited. Mike Babcock will coach Team Canada.

Sweden announced its 35-man preliminary roster for the Olympic Games.

The men’s Olympic ice-hockey tournament begins February 12th.

Pope Begins Brazil Tour

Pope Francis faces a turbulent start to his trip to Rio for the 2013 World Youth Day (WYD). The tour began with a bomb scare near the Pope's arrival site, riots, and masses of admiring fans.

The Pope will address WYD participants during a prayer service on Thursday.

Written by Nicole Bennett and Aaron Bauer

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