Joao Havelange is reported to have boasted that 20 IOC members are pledging support for Rio 2016. (ATR) Havelange Says IOC Members Pledge Rio Vote
A Brazilian newspaper reports that Joao Havelange, the longest-serving IOC member and honorary FIFA president, committed an "indiscretion" in claiming that 20 IOC members have promised him they will vote for Rio de Janeiro to host the 2016 Olympics.
According to Poliesportivo, Havelange, 93, said on the TV Bandeirantes morning show "Deles & Delas" that he has gotten 20 votes for Rio. He even named four IOC members: Zhenliang He of China, Tomothy Fok of Hong Kong, Mohamed Mzali, Tunisia and Olegario Vasquez Rana of Mexico.
Havelange, who joined the IOC in 1963, wrote personal letters to the 100-plus IOC members and said he received 20 replies - all vowing to vote for Rio. He said the Chinese member replied that he would never break with Havelange, and Fok gave a similar answer. Mzali gave a "gorgeous" response and Vazquez Rana's letter brought "tears" to his eyes.
The newspaper said Havelange was indiscreet because all of the cities are trying to hide "possibilities of votes" in the final days leading up to the Oct. 2 vote in Copenhagen.
Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo are the other 2016 candidate cities.
Because the host city vote is by secret ballot, IOC members consider it bad form to have their private conversations and correspondence disclosed in public.
Rio 2016 had no official comment on the matter.
Spanish Drug Laws in WADA Compliance
The Spanish government has adjusted anti-doping laws to be in full compliance with WADA rules for out of competition testing.
The IOC Evaluation Commission for the 2016 Olympics had flagged possible non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code as an issue for the Madrid bid.
“With this initiative, the government wants to boost Madrid's 2016 candidacy so that it can go to Copenhagen with the approval of all the international bodies involved in the fight against doping," said deputy prime prime minister Elena Salgado following the weekly cabinet meeting.
Tokyo Names Athlete Delegation to Copenhagen, Waits for PM
A group of 13 Olympians will attend the Copenhagen : A cheer from the Tokyo 2016 delegation at the press conference Thursday.(M.Oda)IOC Session to campaign for the Tokyo 2016 bid, but still no definite world on Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama or the Crown Prince.
Tokyo 2016 media officer Masa Takaya explains that the participation of the Crown Prince is subject to a decision by the Japanese Cabinet. Hatoyama and his new government came to power only in the past few days and apparently has not had time to handle the question of going to Copenhagen.
Hatoyama did send a message of support to the ceremony held Thursday to announce the athlete delegation.
“We eagerly want to have Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo,” said the minister.
“I want to help the bid succeed. Let us work together,” he said.
Speaking at the press conference, Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Shintaro Ishihara acknowledged the perception that the bid from Japan needs more emotion.
“We Japanese are not good at exposing our heart in front of people,” he said.
The Olympians were announced at a press conference Thursday in Tokyo, a group that has won 31 Olympic and Paralympic medals, including 11 golds. Among them are Yuko Arakida, volleyball gold medalist in 1976, 1992 bronze medalist in speedskating Seiko Hashimoto, Mikako Kotani, 1988 synchronized swimming bronze medalist, Koji Murofushi, 2004 gold medalist in the hammer throw, Daichi Suzuki, 1988 gold medalist in swimming and Naoko Takahashi, 2000 marathon gold medalist.
Olympic Playground for Chicago
An Olympic-themed playground and field house in Jesse Owens Park in Chicago opened Friday.
"Two weeks from today the International Olympic Committee will select the next host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Mayor Richard Daley at the dedication.
"That's why today, with great excitement, we are celebrating Jesse Owens' impact to our city and to the Olympic Movement by dedicating this Olympic-themed playground and new field house in his honor."
Owens first came to national attention at a Chicago high school meet in 1933 when he broke the 100-yard world record. He went on to win four gold medals in 1936.
Written by
Ed Hula, Karen Rosen, Mitsutasu Oda
For general comments or questions,
click here
Últimas Noticias
Sinner-Alcaraz, the duel that came to succeed the three phenomenons
Table tennis: Brazil’s Bruna Costa Alexandre will be Olympic and Paralympic in Paris 2024
Rugby 7s: the best player of 2023 would only play the medal match in Paris
Rhonex Kipruto, owner of the world record for the 10000 meters on the road, was suspended for six years
Katie Ledecky spoke about doping Chinese swimmers: “It’s difficult to go to Paris knowing that we’re going to compete with some of these athletes”
