FIBA Opens New HQ; IAAF Denies Cover-Up; Campbell-Brown Provisionally Suspended

Rogge Helps Open House of Basketball

IOC president Jacques Rogge is among the first visitors to the International Basketball Federation’s new home.

"The new headquarters represent the spirit of FIBA: solid, universal and dynamic," he said at Tuesday’s inauguration of the appropriately named House of Basketball on the outskirts of Geneva.

"With the close proximity of Mies to Lausanne, we look forward to continuing our strong collaboration," Rogge told the more than 400 guests in attendance, including representatives of FIBA’s member national federations across its five zones as well as marketing partners and members of the 2013 Class of the FIBA Hall of Fame, who will be enshrined Wednesday.

Also among the attendees on Tuesday, FIBA’s 81st birthday, were the federation’s top two leaders.

"The House of Basketball is more than just FIBA’s headquarters. It is a home for all basketball lovers around the world," said FIBA president Yvan Mainini.

IOC member and FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann added: "The hand shape of the House of Basketball reflects a key element of our sport, as well as a symbol of team spirit and unity.

"This building represents our sport organization, while the woven net structure that sustains it represents all its member federations. It is an investment in the future of our sport."

Olympic Champion Provisionally Suspended

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association announced that gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown was provisionally suspended.

A statement from JAAA president Warren Blake says a panel was formed to investigate her case and mete out punishment if found to have violated anti-doping rules.

"We also wish to point out that Mrs. Veronica Campbell-Brown voluntarily withdrew herself from competition and accepted the provisional suspension," the statement added.

Reports say a urine sample from Campbell-Brown contained furosemide, a masking agent for other drugs.

She is one of Jamaica’s most decorated Olympians, winning gold medals in the 200m and 4x100m relay, in addition to two silver and two bronze medals.

IAAF Denies Cover-Up for Gold Medalist

The International Association of Athletics Federations denied there was any cover-up to allow 2008 racewalk gold medalist Alex Schwazer to compete in London.

On Tuesday, The New York Times reported it had evidence that athletics officials had evidence from as far back as April 2012 that Schwazer had abnormal drug tests but did nothing to stop him competing in London.

"The IAAF is aware of and shocked by the accusations made against it in today's New York Times concerning the ongoing investigation in Italy regarding the case of the sanctioned Italian race walker Alex Schwazer," the IAAF said in a statement.

"The IAAF categorically refutes these claims in the strongest possible terms.

"The case outlined involved abnormal blood results with respect to an Athletes Biological Passport and was handled in strict accordance with IAAF rules and those of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)."

Louganis to Wed

Olympic legend Greg Louganis will marry his partner, paralegal Johnny Chaillot.

A report in People magazine said the two will celebrate their nuptials later this year.

Louganis is the only male diver to win consecutive gold medals in the platform and springboard events, doing so at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.