BOA Backs Glasgow 2018; Sochi 2014 Unveils Housing, Coins

BOA Endorses Glasgow for YOG

The British Olympic Association selected Glasgow as its bid city for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Glasgow earned the backing at a meeting of the BOA on Wednesday.

Colin Moynihan, BOA chairman, said winning the rights to stage the Games would be a legacy of the two biggest sporting events in the U.K., the 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"We believe that hosting the 2018 Youth Olympic Games would present an outstanding and unique opportunity to further expand the legacy of the London 2012 Games," he said.

"Among the many attributes that Glasgow has to offer the Olympic Movement is the fact that, as Host City of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, a great deal of the required infrastructure will already be in place. Glasgow also has outstanding leadership, a strong dedication to sport and will benefit greatly from the experience of hosting a major international multi-sport competition in 2014."

By hosting the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow will have much of the needed infrastructure in place, the BOA notes.

Several bids are expected from around the world by the March 1 IOC deadline to bid. So far Guadalajara, Mexico announced its intention to bid for the YOG, and a bid from Dagestan, Russia is also anticipated, among others.

Sochi Housing, Coins

Sochi 2014 continues its plans for the Winter Olympics with programs for sustainable housing and Olympic-themed coins.

The organizing committee announced Wednesday plans for mountainside communities in the region that will address social, economic and environmental issues.

One of the proposed settlements could become a sport and eco-tourism attraction with mountain biking and hiking activities and also historical sites. The settlement of Chereshnya will focus on agriculture with a proposal to develop greenhouses and a processing plant for fruits and vegetables.

Sochi 2014 also unveiled plans to release coins depicting Olympic themes. This month four commemorative coins featuring skeleton, snowboarding, ski jumping and freestyle skiing will be circulated.

In September, several coins made of precious metals including gold and silver will also be released. Nearly 37 million coins will be produced between 2011 and 2014.

Gold Coast 2018 Taps CEO

The leaders of Gold Coast’s successful bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games will reprise their roles on the organizing committee.

Mark Stockwell, who transitioned from bid chair to chief organizer in December, announced that acting CEO Mark Peters will now assume the job on a permanent basis following an "intensive" interview process.

"As CEO of the Bid Peters was instrumental in delivering a winning proposal, has an intimate knowledge of Games operation and brings to the table an unrivalled understanding of sport and sporting administration," said Stockwell.

Peters, who captained the Australian baseball team for more than 10 years and most recently served as CEO of the Australian Sports Commission, added: "There is a very long journey ahead but I am thrilled and honored to lead the team towards 2018."

Gold Coast beat out Hambantota, Sri Lanka for 2018 hosting rights at the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly last November.

Nike Unveils 2012 Uniforms

Nike began unveiling uniforms and other athletic apparel for the London Olympics on Tuesday.

With the help of a number of athletes – including track and field star and gold medalist Carl Lewis – the company showcased footwear, uniforms and other running gear.

"Today we’ve unveiled technology we believe has the potential to change sports performance," said Nike president and CEO Mark Parker. "Nike has always been committed to bringing the best innovations to athletes at every level and we’ve done that today in a powerful way."

One of these technologies is the Nike Flyknit running shoe, which Parker described as "lightweight and virtually seamless." Also unveiled were the Olympic basketball jerseys for the U.S., China and Brazil.

Olympic years provide Nike with a big opportunity to showcase its technology, president of the Nike Brand Charlie Denson told Dow Jones Newswires.

"It gives us a chance to really amplify some of the things we are working on," he said.

Another highlight is the uniform for the U.S. basketball team, which pays homage to the 1992 Dream Team. Warm-up gear features the Roman numerals for 20, in reference to the 20th anniversary of the gold medal won by what is widely considered to be the greatest basketball team ever assembled.

Mitt Inspires Wife

Ann Romney, wife of former SLOC chiefand current U.S. Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, says she draws inspiration from her husband’s Olympic tenure.

In a post to her new Pinterest page, under the aptly titled "Inspiration" section, Ann posts a photo of her husband with two of their sons, Josh and Tagg, at the Salt Lake City Games.

"This picture of Tagg and Josh with Mitt at the 2002 Olympic Games in Utah still inspires me," she said on the new social media network. "Mitt worked tirelessly to help turn around the Games."

It appears her followers agree.

Comments on the photo range from: "When Mitt took over [at SLOC], he was a miracle in action," to two comments saying: "He did an amazing job."

Media Watch

The Deseret News features an editorial saying the true legacy of the Salt Lake Olympics was the boon to Utah’s economy.

A photo gallery in The Salt Lake Tribune continues their 10th anniversary retrospective.

The International Sailing Federation reflects on the 1920 Olympic sailing tournament.

Written by Ann Cantrell, Matthew Grayson and Ed Hula III.

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