Cookson Slams McQuaid; Toronto Unveils Mascot; London 2012 Savings

Brian Cookson on UCI President's "Notable Absence"

UCI presidential candidate Brian Cookson called out current President Pat McQuaid in his latest blog post titled: "Tour proof that cycling needs new leadership".

Skepticism resulting from the ongoing doping scandal in the cycling world reared its head during the Tour De France.

"People are very skeptical of exceptional performances," Cookson writes in his post.

"The biggest issue at the biggest bike race in the world is an obvious instance where the UCI President ought to be showing credible leadership. Instead, Pat McQuaid is notable by his absence."

If elected, Cookson promises to make UCI’s relationship and cooperation with WADA his "first priority."

Toronto 2015 Unveils Mascot

Pachi the porcupine is introduced as the official mascot for the Toronto 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games.

Children filled the CBC auditorium awaiting their chance to meet new mascot.

Pachi’s original design came from a group of students who entered the Toronto 2015 Mascot Creation Challenge as part of a school project. The team includes Fiona Hong, Michelle Ing, Paige Kunihiro, and Jenny Lee.

The young team’s design was chosen out of more than 4,000 entries.

"A lot of hard work and creativity has gone into making this character and Pachi truly represents the spirit of the Games," Toronto 2015 CEO Ian Troop said in a statement.

The public can meet Pachi online at TORONTO2015.org/mascot.

London 2012 Costs

The London 2012 public sector funding package will come in at approximately $802 million under budget.

U.K. Sports Minister Hugh Robertson revealed these figures to Parliament in a written ministerial statement. This statement shows an increase in savings of an estimated $229 million since the last update in October.

"As the one year anniversary of staging the London 2012 Games approaches we can look back on last summer as a nation with a real sense of pride and be encouraged by the progress made over the last twelve months in delivering a lasting legacy," Robertson said in a statement.

"The transformation of the Olympic Park is well under way," he added.

Residents will occupy the first of the Olympic Village blocks this summer. The entire project is set to be complete in 2014.

Site Inspectors visit London Bid

In other news from London, the city continues its bid for the 2018 Gay Games.

London recently hosted the site selection committee from the Federation of Gay Games. The committee visited the O2 Arena, the Southbank Center, the London Aquatics center, as well as Queen Elizabeth Park.

"We are delighted to welcome the site inspectors to London and have the opportunity to show them our vibrant city," said London 2018 Chair Alex Davis.

"We have the venues, infrastructure and enthusiasm that would make the Gay Games in 2018 the best yet," Davis added.

On the final day of the inspection, the committee was joined by bid supporters Amal Fashanu and British women’s sitting volleyball star Claire Harvey.

"We are determined that London 2018 would be the most inclusive Gay Games ever and would set the benchmark for the future," Harvey said during the farewell event’s keynote speech.

London has support from Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and London Mayor Boris Johnson. Limerick, Ireland and Paris, France are the other two cities on the 2018 shortlist.

Tokyo 2020 Congratulates Kazan

The Tokyo 2020 bid delegation praises Kazan’s organization of the Summer Universiade.

"I congratulate the Kazan 2013 Organizing Committee and the International University Sports Federation (FISU) for hosting exciting and thrilling Universiade," said Masato Mizuno, Tokyo 2020 CEO.

Mizuno also commended the Japanese athletes who competed at the Universiade.

Japan earned 84 medals overall throughout the Summer Universiade.

Written by Nicole Bennett and Aaron Bauer

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