Next Step for Madrid Bid
Spanish Olympic Committee leaders will discuss Wednesday whether to endorse a third straight bid from Madrid.
The executive board meeting follows a press conference in the Spanish capital last week during which newly reelected mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon announced the city's plans to bid for the 2020 Olympics.
Madrid lost out to Rio de Janeiro in the final round of voting for the 2016 Games and finished third behind London and Paris in the race for 2012.
Tuesday Talk with Russian Olympic Chief
This week’s Tuesday Talk is with Russian Olympic Committee president Alexander Zhukov.
Zhukov, also a deputy prime minister, cut his teeth on the Olympics as the lead minister for the Sochi bid six years ago. In the wake of a disastrous performance by Russia at the Vancouver Games, he was handed the presidency of the NOC, charged with making sure the home team is ready for the first Winter Olympics in Russia.
Next April he’ll get the chance to ratchet his profile a little higher in the Olympic world when Moscow plays host to the 2012 ANOC Assembly.
Check back Tuesday for Zhukov’s take on preparations for 2014, Russian medal hopes, the choice of PyeongChang for 2018, bidding for 2020 and more.
Aquatics World Champs
Racing begins this week at the FINA world championshipsalready underway in Shanghai.
Synchronized swimming and diving filled the opening day of competition Saturday with water polo kicking off Sunday.
Open-water events begin Tuesday and swimming next Sunday.
Competition runs until month’s end at the Shanghai Aquatic Sports Center, where a total of 66 gold medals are for grabs throughout these world champs.
Military World Games
The fifth MilitaryWorld Games continue this week in Rio de Janeiro.
More than 4,000 soldiers from 112 countries took part in Saturday’s opening ceremony, as did Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff.
A record 20 sports are on the program for this edition of the International Military Sports Council’s biennial showcase. Some are also practiced by civilians – athletics, basketball, beach volleyball and so on – while others are specific to the military – orienteering, parachuting and a variety of pentathlons.
Events run through Sunday in Rio.
Volleyball Test Event
London 2012’s busy schedule of test events resumes this week with volleyball at historic Earls Court.
The international invitational tournament begins Wednesday and runs through Sunday.
Written by Matthew Grayson.