NOCs News -- Ukraine Ticket Controversy; Canada Fundraising; Italy Flagbearer

Sergey Bubka, president of the Ukraine National Olympic Committee has suspended his secretary general,VolodymyrGeraschenko, after he was filmed allegedly attempting to sell Olympic tickets on the black market.

"For us it is a really unpleasant situation, particularly for me as president of the National Olympic Committee," Bubka told journalists on the sidelines of the SportAccord convention in Quebec City. "First I would like to say we have suspended Mr. Gerashchenko and started an investigation.

"We will create an independent commission to investigate what has happened."

Bubka added: "we must be fairand come to a correct decision."

LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe thanked Bubka for his swift efforts. He added that it is too early torender judgememt on the situtaion.

LOCOG has also asked The BBC, whichaired video of Geraschenko attempting to sell the tickets, for evidence.

"We need to know exactly what’s happened. I’m pleased that the Ukrainian NOC has acted as promptly as it has. We will work very closely with them and the International Olympic Committee.

"I’ve already spoken to Sergey. I told him I was very pleased that he’d acted as promptly as he had and we’d work collaboratively together to find out exactly what happened.

"And I think he, too, will be asking the BBC for whatever evidence they have."

Rogge Headlines COC Fundraiser

More than 4,000 supporters of the Canadian Olympic Committee turned out Tuesday at a fund raiser with IOC President Jacques Rogge at the Quebec Exhibition Center.

COC President Marcel Aubut tells Around the Rings that the event generated $800,000 CND.

Rogge, in Quebec for the SportAccord Convention and a meeting of the IOC Executive Board delivered a somber speech covering the challenges sport faces with doping, illegal betting, corruption and violence in sport.

At the same time, Rogge noted that despite these threats to the integrity of sport, he believes that sport remains a powerful force for good in the world.

The event was sponsored by Bell Canada.

Canadian Olympians were featured at the event including Mark Tewksberry who will serve as chef de mission for the Canadian team in London.

Italy Names Flagbearer

Valentina Vezzali will serve as Italy’s flagbearer in London.

The Italian National Olympic Committee, CONI, made the announcement at a board meeting on Tuesday.

Vezzali, a fencer, has a total of seven Olympic medals including five gold.

"Carrying the Italian flag is like winning an Olympic gold medal," she said. "I could ask for some advice from the great champions that have preceded me, but maybe there's no use; the parade will be a unique experience. I know I'm representing a country that excels in many areas."

Also at the board meeting, CONI President Gianni Petrucchi announced a total of 221 Italians have qualified for the London Olympics. CONI also approved a draft proposal that would make participating in sports betting for athletes and their entourage illegal. Italian football was recently rocked by a massive match fixing scandal.

Uganda Ousts President

The Ugandan Olympic Committee executive board voted out president Roger Ddungu over the weekend but it is unclear what impact that will have.

Ddungu says the EB vote was unconstitutional and her remains as UOC president.

"Whatever they arrived at is not binding because that meeting was wrongly convened, constituted and conducted," he said.

William Blick is, for now at least, acting president of the UOC.

"I hope we can work together to promote Olympism," Blick said to Ddungu following the vote.

Ddungu, first elected to the UOC in 2009, is still listed on the ANOC website as UOC president.

Dow/COC Partnership

TOP Sponsor Dow Chemical unveiled a partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee to promote the Games.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the program, called the Dow Media Olympic Club in China, will serve as a vehicle to showcase Dow’s scientific work and the Olympics.

"As the official chemical company of the Olympic movement and a leader of sustainabilitythrough science, Dow is uniquely positioned to support the advancement of the Olympics inChina," said Peter Sykes, president of Dow Greater China.

"We look forward to playing a positive role in promoting the Olympic spirit and sports cultureamong the public with the same enthusiasm as we do within our company.

"We also intend to contribute our industry-leading technology to the success and sustainabilityof the sports industry in China."

Written by Ed Hula III.

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