Federations Roundup - Golf Greats Pitch Rio Course Plans; 2014 YOG Additions

Nicklaus, Norman Pitch Rio Course Plans

International Golf Federation executive director Antony Scanlon tells Around the Rings he’s "extremely pleased with the quality of the submissions" received for Rio 2016’s course design.

Scanlon is in the Olympic city this week hearing pitches from some of his sport’s most storied names.

Among the eight finalists for the coveted task of designing the stage on which golf will make its return to the Games after a 112-year absence are teams that pair Jack Nicklaus with Annika Sorenstam and Greg Norman with Lorena Ochoa.

A mix of more golfing greats – Gary Player, Peter Thomson – and course architects – Robert Trent Jones Jr., Ross Perrett, Tom Doak, Gil Hanse, Martin Hawtree – round out the competition.

"All the presentations have been first class," Scanlon told ATR on Tuesday after wrapping up the first of two all-day sessions, adding that he cannot comment on any specifics.

The remaining presentations will follow Wednesday with a decision expected by the end of the week.

The IGF has one representative on the jury with the other members coming from Rio 2016, city government and the legacy entity that will oversee the management of the course post-Games.

Groundbreaking is slated for October with the course to be complete in time for a 2015 test tournament.

Pentathlete Ineligible for London Allegiance Transfer, Rio Possible

The International Modern Pentathlon Union tells Around the Rings that following a rejected transfer of allegiance, Donata Rimsaite will not be able to compete for Russia and will have to qualify for the Lithuanian Olympic team.

Last week, the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee rejected her transfer of allegiance. She requested the change after marrying a Russian, moving there and acquiring Russian citizenship.

Matthew Pound, UIPM spokesman, says the federation approved her transfer in 2010 allowing her to compete for her new country, and she spent all of 2011 on the Russian team.

When asked about her Olympic future, Pound says the situation is "completely out of the hands of UIPM."

"At the moment, the situation of Rimsaite competing in the Olympic Games is completely out of the hands of UIPM, as the Lithuanian NOC has to release her to the Russian NOC, which they are not obliged to do as she has not been competing for Russia for 3 years" he said.

"UIPM believes that this has been denied by the Lithuanian NOC, which means that Rimsaite can keep on competing for Russia in UIPM competitions in 2012. However, she will not be able to competein the London Olympics and will have to wait until Rio 2016. In case the Lithuanian and ROC will find an agreement for 2012 both will need to address the UIPM Executive Board for support. The decision to allow her to start for Russia lies with the IOC Executive Board based on number 2 of the Bylaw to rule 41 of the Olympic Charter."

Rimsaite represented Lithuania in Beijing and won a silver at the 2010 pentathlon world championships. She is currently ranked 40th in pentathlon's world rankings.

YOG Additions for Shooting

Shooting is the latest sport to mix genders and nationalities at the Youth Olympic Games.

The International Shooting Sport Federation announced Wednesday that mixed team events for both air rifle and air pistol will be included on the program of Nanjing 2014.

"We are extremely satisfied of the fact that we will have two additional events in the YOG program," ISSF secretary general Franz Schreiber said in a statement.

According to the ISSF, the IOC turned down its proposal for two new shotgun events due to the costs associated with a second venue.

Instead, shooting will make do with the same number of quota places, 80, as Singapore 2010 but six events rather than four.

After four days of individual competition in Nanjing, the first place air rifle men’s athlete will be paired with the last place women’s, the 2nd will be paired with the 19th and so on for the team event. The same will occur for the pistol event, and no two athletes from the same country will be paired together. Highest combined score wins.

500 Days to Confederations Cup

FIFA is marking 500 days to the Confederations Cup in Brazil by unveiling the tournament’s logo.

The logo features a species of Brazilian bird –the Rufous-bellied Thrush.

"This unveiling goes to show just how quickly things are progressing," FIFA said in a statement posted to its website. "And, in exactly 500 days’ time, will come the moment Brazil has been waiting for since they were announced as 2014 FIFA World Cup hosts back in 2007: watching the world’s best players grace Brazilian soil."

The Confederations Cup features the winners of FIFA’s continental associations, plus the current world champions Spain and hosts Brazil.

Competition runs from June 15 to 30 of 2013.

Last Chance for African Paddlers

African canoe slalom paddlers will get their last chance to qualify for the London Olympics this weekend on Bethlehem, South Africa’s Ash River.

Running alongside the African Canoe Slalom Championships are a trio of training camps with athletes attending from as far away as Canada, Brazil and France.

"The Ash River is a unique treasure and to see all the top athletes come here to train is exciting," said International Canoe Federation development officer Pierrick Gosselin.

Written by Matthew Grayson and Ed Hula III.

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