London Training Camps; Bach Confident in Rio Preps; Appeal of GOC Decision

London Olympic Training Camps

More than 100 sites throughout the U.K. will become pre-Olympic Games training camps.

LOCOG made the announcement Wednesday, saying the agreements showed how London 2012 is continuing the vision of Olympic founder Pierre de Coubertin.

"We have always been determined to make the 2012 Games not just about London, but the whole of the UK," said Hugh Robertson, minister for sport and the Olympics.

"Offering 100 training camps across the country highlights the many world class sporting facilities that can be used by athletes from around the World."

The camps will also include cultural exchange programs such as a project around Loughborough University – where Team Great Britain and Japan are training – that teaches local students about Japanese culture.

"Each facility will provide a vital service to ensure athletes can prepare for competition in 2012 while engaging their local community with sport and culture" said LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe.

Bach has No Rio Worries

Leading IOC member Thomas Bach says there is little to worry about with Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic preparations.

Bach made the comments in an interview with Reuters news agency, saying the recent departure of sports minister Orlando Silva should not impact the city’s work for the Games.

"The preparations for the Games always have their ups and downs," he said.

"The organizing committee is doing an excellent job and the political commitment is as strong as ever, also with the new president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff.

"The new sports minister will have these two great events as a top priority. I think there is no reason to be worried."

Bach also said "the challenges" of staging the 2014 World Cup in Brazil would likely not impact the 2016 Olympics. "They are two different issues."

Appiah to Challenge IOC Ruling

Frank Appiah says he will challenge the IOC’s decision to back Francis Dodoo as president of the Ghana Olympic Committee.

Appiah lost toDodoo in the Oct. 29 election, and said he will bring his case to court. He claims the voting procedure was not carried out properly.

AOC Head Bemoans Drop in Medal Tally

Government funding is needed to increase Australia’s Olympic medal tally, says AOC President John Coates.

Speaking at the National Elite Sports Council Forum in Canberra, Australia, Coates said the country is winning fewer medals every Olympics.

"It is a worrying trend we are medalling in less disciplines," he said. From the 2000 Sydney Olympics to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the number of medals won droppedoff from 58 to 46.

Coates said increased funding from the government last year was not enough and encouraged the Australian Sports Commission to seek more money.

"I would hope the ASC will take the fight up to the Government for more funding and not leave it to the AOC to put its head up again."

The number of scholarships awarded to young athletes has fallen from 5000 to 3000 and many organizations have suffered from inadequate funding.

"Institutes have been forced to cull some sports because of a lack of funding," said Coates, adding that sports like shooting have been short changed by the commission.

ISAF Selects Sailors of the Year

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and Rolex announced the winners of the World Sailors of the Year award.

American Anna Tunnicliffe received the women’s award at the ceremony in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"I really have to thank everyone that's been part of the reason I won this award, especially my team. This is truly a team effort. I couldn't have done it without them," said Tunnicliffe, who also received the award in 2009.

The Spanish two-man crew of Iker Martínez and Xabier Fernández won the men’s award and accepted it from their sailboat as they take part in a race from Spain to South Africa.

Written by Eh Hula III and Ann Cantrell.

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