Olympic Briefs -- AIBA Selects Busan for Worlds; Swedes Blame Russia for Threats

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) selected Busan, South Korea as the host city for the 2011 world championships on the opening day of its executive committee meeting in Milan, Italy.

The AIBA also selected Barbados as host of the 2011 women’s world championships. France was chosen for the 2010 youth world championships. The French Boxing Federation will choose between Nice and Grenoble for the youth tournament.

"It is with great pleasure and excitement that we are able to confirm these three host cities," AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu said. "All three bids have illustrated the type of professionalism and direction AIBA is seeking in its aim to give international boxing an excellent platform to grow and prosper."

The AIBA also signed a shareholders agreement with IMG to develop the World Series of Boxing, which is set to begin in 2010.

Swedish Biathletes Claim Death Threats from Russia

Swedish biathlon coach Wolfgang Pichler says his athletes are receiving death threats from Russia.

In a report from the SID news agency, e-mails from Russia containing death threats were sent to Swedish biathletes Mattias Nilsson and Bjorn Ferry.

Pichler believes the threats are a result of Sweden’s efforts to fight the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport. The Swedish coach accused the Russians of doping earlier this month.

As a result of the threats, Pichler said he is calling on the International Biathlon Union and Russian authorities to provide security for the final World Cup event of the season in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia March 25-29.

“We are scared for our lives,” Pichler said. “If the IBU does not ensure our safety, we will not be able to go to Russia to compete. We have several athletes who have a chance to win the World Cup, but security is paramount.”

Hockey Canada Reaches Agreement on Jersey with COC

After months of disagreement, Hockey Canada has come to an agreement with the Canadian Olympic Committee concerning the uniforms for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The COC has agreed to submit a modified version of Hockey Canada’s traditional jersey to the IOC for approval.

The IOC had objected to the federation’s logo stating it was a violation of the Olympic committee’s rules. The uniform logo features a silhouetted player skating inside and a red-and-black maple leaf.

However, IOC President Jacques Rogge said last week he believed there could be a compromise between COC and Hockey Canada. As a result of the IOC’s “flexible approach,” COC agreed to present the altered version of the jersey.

FIVB Sets 2009 World League Schedule

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has set the match schedule for the 2009 World League.

The 20th edition of the sport’s leading yearly event will include 16 national teams playing 106 matches over seven consecutive weekends in 42 cities around the world. There will be $20 million in prize money at stake.

The 16 teams will be divided into four pools for the six intercontinental rounds that begin the weekend of June 12-14 and end July 15-19. Six teams will advance to the final round, playing 10 matches July 22-26 in Belgrade, Serbia.

The U.S., Italy, China and the Netherlands will be in Pool A, with Serbia, France, South Korea and Argentina in Pool B. Russia, Bulgaria, Japan and Cuba are in Pool C and Brazil, Poland, Finland and Venezuela will be in Pool D.

Briefs…

…Hein Verbruggen, an IOC honorary member and the president of the General Association of International Sports Federations, was presented with China’s 2008 Friendship Award on Tuesday for his contributions to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The award is China’s highest honor for foreign experts who have made exceptional contributions to the nation’s economic and social development.

…Figure skater Sasha Cohen, a silver medalist at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, is considering a return to competition and attempting to qualify for the 2010 Games in Vancouver. Cohen will not make a decision until June.

…Mississippi State coach Jay Miller was named coach of the USA Softball women’s national team. Miller will coach the team through 2012 and will play a role in the sport’s campaign to return to the Olympic program.

Written by Greg Oshust.