Michelle Obama to U.S. Olympic Media Summit
First Lady Michelle Obama will attend the Team USA Media Summit in Dallas on May 14.
She will speak about her "Let’s Move!" initiative, designed to fight childhood obesity in the U.S.
"We're incredibly honored to have Mrs. Obama join us in Dallas to celebrate the accomplishments of America's finest athletes and announce new ways we can all work together to increase access to sport for young children," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun.
"The Let's Move! Initiative is an important one and something the entire Olympic family in the United States is eager to support."
The Team USA Media Summit is a three-day opportunity for journalists to conduct interviews and photo sessions withOlympic and Paralympic hopefuls ahead of London 2012.
Samsung Unveils Olympic Phone
Samsung plans a worldwide campaign to launch its Galaxy S III, the official smartphone of the London Olympics.
Close to 2,000 people packed the Earl’s Court Exhibition Arena on Thursday night in London for the unveiling of the feature-laden phone. Responsive to voice and eye movements, the phone is "designed for humans" says Samsung.
Sales of the phone begin at the end of May in Europe, expanding worldwide in June. Product launches are planned on every continent where the phone is available.
The phones on display in London did not come with Olympic branding. In the hour-long presentation, mention of the Olympics came only at the end, with a brief video about Olympic ideals of unity and participation in the Games.
"And let’s celebrate our shared humanity together with Samsung Galaxy S III" read the title as the video came to a close.
The phones will be distributed in the thousands to Olympic Family members in London, where the company is expected to use the Games as a bigger launching pad for the new product, which will also include Olympic-themed applications, according to reports.
Paris Anniversary
The Games of the VIII Olympiad in Paris opened today in 1924.
A total of 44 countries sent 3,089 Olympians to compete in 17 sports.
Some of the notable aspects of the Games include the first Olympic Village; the first time the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius was used and the marathon distance being fixed at 26.2 miles.
French Sports Ministry Medal Target
France’s sports minster David Douillet announced his goals for the French Olympic Team on Thursday.
"The French Olympic team should comprise some 340 sportsmen and women, and the French Paralympic team some 175 sportsmen and women, and guides," a statement on the French Embassy in the U.K.’s website read, following a Council of Ministers meeting.
"The Minister of Sport announced a target of 41 medals, 14 of them gold, at the London Olympic Games and a target of 52 medals, 16 of them gold, at the London Paralympic Games," the statement added.
Mutua Open Showcases Madrid
Ana Botella, the Mayor of Madrid, sees a benefit to Madrid 2020 from the Mutua Madrid Open, running May 7 to 13.
The tournament brings some of the world’s best tennis players to Madrid and will feature competition on blue clay, a first for the sport
"This is an extraordinary occasion to promote Madrid’s image and a unique opportunity to present the city’s efforts and willingness to host the Olympic Games," Botella said.
"Madrid 2020 will be the best Games in history, since they are the result of the efforts, constancy and strength of all of us.The Mutua Madrid Open is one of the greatest exponents of the Madrid 2020 Bid."
Olympic Boxing Qualifiers
Africa’s boxing qualifier wraps up Saturday in Casablanca, Morocco with 48 tickets to the Games at stake.
Continental qualifying for the Americas, meanwhile, begins Friday and runs through May 13 in Rio de Janeiro.
Also ahead are the women’s world championships May 9 to 20 in Qinhuangdao, China, the only opportunity for athletes toqualify in advance of women’s boxing’s Olympic debut.
FIH Qualifying
Hockey’s fields for London 2012 will be finalized this weekend with the conclusion of Olympic qualifying tournaments in Kakamigahara, Japan.
The last of a dozen women’s teams will be either Japan or Azerbaijan, who arrive in Saturday’s final as the top two seeds.
On the men’s side, the winner of Sunday’s South Africa versus Japan match will be the last team through to the Games.
FIVB Presidential Candidate Taps VERO
VERO will handle communications for Ary Graca and his bid to become International Volleyball Federation president.
"I believe that Mike Lee and his team possess the values and the track-record to help my campaign, which will be based on a plan to build the volleyball brand on an international level," said Graca, who already heads both the Brazilian VolleyballFederation and the South American Volleyball Confederation.
He’ll stand for election at the FIVB World Congress slated for Sept. 19 to 21 in Anaheim, California. USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal and Australian Volleyball Federation chief Chris Schacht are the other two candidates.
Media Watch
The Australian Olympic Committee interviews Edwina Tops-Alexander, the first rider selected to the Aussie equestrian team for London 2012.
Written by Ed Hula III.
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