NOC News - Greece Tries to Weather Financial Crisis; Trouble in Uganda

Greek NOC Tries to Weather Financial Crisis

Hellenic Olympic Committee president Spyros Capralos tells Around the Rings the suspension of sporting operations by the Greek athletics federation in protest at government funding cuts will not jeopardize the torch lighting ceremony or the HOC's preparations for London 2012.

The athletics federation, SEGAS, halted all track and field activities in the country earlier this month due to financial cuts, which it claimed were affecting the preparation of athletes and maintenance of training facilities.

Capralos dismissed fears that the athletics crisis would impact the HOC's Olympic preparations, saying that 75 athletes had already qualified and he expected Greece to send a team of more than 100 athletes to London.

"They [SEGAS] are in crisis but the athletes are preparing, they have qualified for the Olympics. I am sure that nobody would like to punish the athletes for the efforts of what they have done up to now and not giving them the possibility to participate in the Olympics," he told ATR.

"We expect to have a better result than what we had in Beijing, despite the financial difficulties...despite the problems that we have in Greek sport. It's [the financial crisis] the problem of all Greek society."

With Greece sending more than 50 fewer athletes to London 2012 than it fielded at Beijing 2008, Capralos is still expecting more medals; the country won four medals at the last Games. "Our goal is to have more than six this time," he said.

Asked what needed to happen to resolve the Greek athletics federation's protest, Capralos said he wasn't entitled to speak on their behalf.

He added: "What they [SEGAS] are saying is they are trying to put pressure on the state to give them more funding.

"From our side, we have had zero funding for the preparation of our athletes for the Olympic Games. But we managed to get private sponsors and to fund the preparations of the athletes to qualify them for the Games."

Questions have been raised about the repercussions of Greece's financial meltdown on the HOC's staging of the Olympic torch lighting ceremony on May 10 and the eight-day Greek leg of the flame before it heads to England.

"The lighting ceremony is unaffected, the Olympic flame will go all around Greece," Capralos confirmed.

"We think that the flame is one of thestrongest symbols of the Olympic Games and we don't want it to be affected by the financial crisis – and it won't be."

Beyond London 2012, Capralos admitted that the government cuts would continue to impact the NOC's operations.

"As the same time, also for funding of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Greek state has reduced dramatically our funding, which makes us have problems in surviving in the future," he said.

Trouble in Uganda

Reports from Uganda say the head of the country’s Olympic Committee is suspended, and now facing a challenge from his secretary general.

Roger Ddungu was reportedly suspended "for gross abuse of office and failure to work with the team," one report in Ugandan media said.

The move came following a meeting of the Uganda Olympic Committee executive meeting on Tuesday. Ddungu was not present for the meeting.

"We had to take the action for the good of the sport," Denis Galabuzi, a UOC vice president was quoted.

"We do not want to sink but to keep afloat but he has refused to take any ideas. He is fighting personal wars while using funds from the committee and we cannot accept it."

William Blick is the interim president.

On Tuesday, Peninah Kabenge announced she will challenge Ddungu for the UOC presidency.

Kabenge is mired in her own controversy, with allegations she forged Ddungu's signature to win an IOC women in sport prize.

Elections are scheduled for next year.

Dduungu seemed to welcome the challenge.

"That is okay," he said."Competition is healthy."

IPC Launches First Regional Website

Oceania is the first region to receive a website from the International Paralympic Committee.

The website will contain news on the regions’ member countries and Paralympic sport within the area.

"Over the coming years the IPC aims to work closely with our members to provide them with the relevant tools that can help them grow awareness of the Paralympic Movement in their country or territory," said Craig Spence, IPC Media and Communications Director.

"This is the first of many websites we will be developing and launching ahead of London 2012, and by providing an online presence for our members we hope more people can learn about the Paralympic Movement and get involved."

Reported by Mark Bisson and Ed Hula III

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