Legal Action Considered for 2002 Spying; 2016 Doping Lab Trouble

Salt Lake Mayor Considers Law Suit

Rocky Anderson, the mayor of Salt Lake City during the 2002 Olympics said he is considering the United States government after it was revealed the government intercepted electronic communications in the lead up the Games.

It was revealed recently that the National Security Administration conducted wiretapping in security efforts related to the Olympics.

Anderson told local media he was unaware of the spying.

"If it had, I would have raised utter holy hell," he told the Salt Lake Tribune. "For them to have done this to the people in Salt Lake City in every single instance was a federal felony under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act."

He added: "When we brought the Olympics to this city, nobody agreed that we would trade off our fundamental civil rights for the government to come in and spy on us."

WADA Suspends Rio 2016 Lab

The doping laboratory that will be used for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics lost its accreditation from the World Anti Doping Agency.

On Tuesday, WADA announced the LAB DOP - LADETEC / IQ – UFRJ Doping Control Laboratory, which is currently suspended, lost its accreditation due to "non-compliance" with international standards.

The suspension takes place effective Sept. 25.

A statement from Rio 2016 said the organizing committee will "continue to monitor the situation."

"We are fully aware of the developments with regard to LABDOP/LADETEC," the statement said. "Anti-doping testing is an important element of the Rio 2016 Games and we are confident that the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and LABDOP/LADETEC will take the necessary measures to successfully reapply for WADA accreditation in advance of 2016. We will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Istanbul Peninsula Recognized by UNESCO

The Istanbul peninsula was placed on UNESCO’s "best-practice World Heritage Committee list," recently, which Istanbul 2020 shows the value of an Olympics in Istanbul.

"With less than two weeks to go before the vote, the city’s credentials as a cultural capital are being further enhanced," said Hasan Arat, Istanbul bid chairman. The peninsula is home to the Hagia Sophia and other key icons of the city.

"In 2020, if Istanbul is awarded the right to host the Games, sport and culture will be woven together at every turn throughout the city."

The IOC will select a host city for the 2020 Games on September 7 at its Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The IOC will choose between Istanbul, Madrid, and Tokyo.

Madrid Heads to Buenos Aires, Taking New Supporter

NBA star Pau Gasol endorsed Madrid 2020.

The Spaniard will travel to the Session to represent Spanish athletes for the bid.

Madrid 2020 also announced bid leaders Alejandro Blacno, Victor Sanchez and Theresa Zabell had landed in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, nearly two weeks before the vote. Mayor of Madrid Ana Botella and Ignacio Gonzalez, President of the Regional Government of Madrid, will arrive on Aug. 30.

Bid president Blanco said he is "optimistic" ahead of the vote.

"Work, work and more work- -that’s our formula for the coming days," he added. "We are very confident that we have a great project, created by a great team. The messages in our presentations have been very well received, and we hope that this last presentation will be the best."

92% Support for Tokyo

A new poll finds 92 percent of Japan supports Tokyo 2020.

The Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology conducted the latest survey.

"The vast public support in Tokyo and across Japan for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games illustrates the positive momentum that is continuing to build for our bid," said bid president Tsunekazu Takeda.

"The latest survey result underlines the nation’s passion for sport and excitement about both our plans to host a superb Games and global vision to benefit sport."

Sochi Jerseys Released

Alexander Ovechkin and Natalia Bragilevskaya unveiled Russia’s hockey jerseys for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Both jerseys feature the Russian coat of arms and a nod to Russia’s eight Olympic ice hockey championships.

The United States also released the blue and white jerseys they will wear in Sochi.

Written by Ed Hula III, Nicole Bennett and Aaron Bauer.

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