Cycling Spreads Upcoming Championships Around the Globe -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The International Cyclist Union (UCI) is demonstrating its goal to spread the influence of cycling around the world.

The UCI announced the hosts of the next 15 UCI World Championships across seven disciplines that will take place in 10 different countries from 2017 to 2020 on Wednesday.

"We are delighted to be able to reveal the names of so many new hosts from such a wide range of countries around the world and we look forward to working closely with the successful cities and regions in the coming months and years as we build towards each of these UCI World Championships," said UCI president Brian Cookson.

Winning bids included Turkey, a first time host of a UCI championship, Poland, Germany, United States, Canada, Belgium, Great Britain, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands.

"We were especially impressed by the strength of interest in hosting our flagship events, as demonstrated by the sheer number and caliber of the bids we received," Cookson said. "The UCI is committed to expanding the reach of cycling worldwide and ensuring the sport continues to grow in both established and emerging markets."

The host countries were announced during the UCI Road Cycling World Championships currently underway in Doha, Qatar, the first time a cycling event of that caliber has been staged in the Middle East. The championship concludes on Oct. 16.

FIFA Council to Provide Update on 2026 World Cup

The FIFA Council will meet on Oct. 13 and 14 in Zurich at world football’s global headquarters to give updates on the federation’s upcoming tournaments.

The match schedules and draw procedures for the U-17 and U-20 World Cups taking place in India and South Korea respectively will be determined before a review of the Olympic football tournament that recently concluded in Rio.

The council will also hear a report from the Russia 2018 World Cup organizing committee while approving media regulations, the World Cup final match and dates for player release and rest periods.

FIFA leaders will then provide an update on the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA has not conducted a World Cup bidding process since Russia and Qatar were awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in 2010.

FIFA will hold a media briefing following the meeting on Oct. 14 at 2 pm CET.

World Mixed Curling Championships Begin this Week

The World Mixed Curling Championships (WMxCC) will be held in Kazan, Russia from Oct. 14-22.

Thirty-seven member associations (MA) are expected to compete and will be divided into five groups.

Group A: Defending champion nation Norway, Italy, Scotland, Japan, New Zealand, Belarus and Romania.

Group B: 2015 silver medalists Sweden, Hungary, Finland, Slovakia, Ireland, England and Brazil.

Group C: Hosts Russia, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, Australia and Kazakhstan.

Group D: Canada, USA, France, Latvia, Austria, Belgium and newcomers Korea and Andorra.

Group E: Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Estonia, Wales, Slovenia and debutantes Netherlands and Croatia.

Each MA is allowed to enter one mixed team consisting of two male and two female athletes.

The countries of Andorra, Croatia, Netherlands and Korea will be making debuts, competing in their very first WMxCC this year. Lithuania, Israel, and 2015 bronze medalist China will not participate.

Scotland and Germany are the only teams that remain intact since the 2015 edition of this event .

Host country Russia will be competing in the first round robin session against Spain to begin the games.

The opening ceremony for the World Mixed Curling Championships begins Friday Oct.14.

World Rugby Opens Hall of Fame

The World Rugby Hall of Fame will open on Nov. 17 in Rugby, England, the city where the sport began. The Hall of Fame will be an addition to the recently opened Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.

Former Irish Lions captain and current World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont will lead the opening.

"After extensive planning, we will soon have a permanent and physical World Rugby Hall of Fame, which will celebrate the sport's rich tradition and history while also providing inspiration for the current and future generations of players, officials and supporters of the game," said Beaumont.

"And how appropriate it is for the museum to be based in the town of Rugby, where it all began nearly 200 years ago," he said. "It really is a momentous occasion of our sport and I hope that people from all over the world will flock to visit the Hall of Fame and learn more about rugby, its journey and its future direction."

At the exhibit, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the 121 World Rugby national unions and discover the sports origins to present day.

Hall of Famer Agustin Pichot, World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper and representatives from the Rugby Borough Council (RBC) are all expected to attend.

Twelve rugby legends who are yet to be announced will receive a cap and pin once inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Written by Kevin NutleyandCourtney Colquitt

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