Olympic Briefs -- Divac Wins Serbian Election; USOC Demands Sailing Fix Rules

Vlade Divac is the new president of the Serbia Olympic Committee. He was elected to the post after the incumbent Ivan Curkovic withdrew his candidacy.

The AP quoted Divac as saying one of his goals was to "create better conditions for our sportsmen."

The former NBA star said the basketball court taught him many lessons that may prove valuable in his new position.

"Basketball has taught me not only how to compete, but also to be a team leader," Divac said.

Divac has previously advised the Serbian government on sports policy. He has done humanitarian work in his native country following his retirement from professional basketball. He was nominated for the post by the Serbian basketball federation.

USOC Rules US Sailing Violated U.S. Law

The USOC determined US Sailing’s protest rules violated the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1978.

In a unanimous ruling from the USOC, USS was told they have six months to comply with the law and the USOC’s bylaws or it could lose its status as the national governing body of the sport within the United States.

At the 2007 windsurfing trials, Farrah Hall won her race. However, while Hall was showering, Nancy Rios filed a complaint that a collision caused her to slip to fourth in the race. A one-member panel agreed with her and put her on the Olympic team, leapfrogging Hall into first place.

Hall then requested a hearing under USS rules to regain her spot on the Olympic team but her request was denied by USS.

In the 23-page ruling, the USOC said, “This controversy could have been avoided if US Sailing had notified Hall of Rios’ Oct. 14 request for redress, allowed her to participate as a party, and made its determination on evidence submitted by both parties. Instead, US Sailing seemed to have gotten wrapped around its own rules, and the Racing Rules of Sailing, and created a situation in which neither Hall nor Rios was ably served.”

Rios finished 26th in Beijing.

Hall, who is now training for the 2012 Olympic Games, welcomed the decision. She said in a statement posted on her Web site, “I am delighted that as a result of this USOC hearing panel decision other athletes will not suffer the same convoluted, expensive and prolonged procedures that US Sailing subjected Nancy Rios and me to. The USOC panel recognized that before a National Governing Body like US Sailing can change the results of an Olympic qualifying event, it has to give all the athletes involved a fair hearing.”

USS was dismayed with the ruling saying it would “fundamentally change how the sport of sailboat racing is conducted.” It claims the current rules have “served the sport well for many decades.” The federation added that the ruling would hurt U.S. sailors.

Calls requesting comment from USS were not returned.

New Zealand Wants 10 Medals after Funding Increase

SPARC [Sports & Recreation New Zealand] wants New Zealand athletes to win 10 medals at the 2012 London Games after they increased funding for five Olympic sports.

Athletics, cycling, rowing, triathlon and yachting received increases in funding. New Zealand won nine medals at Beijing from the sports. The sports will receive $48 million over four years.

Swimming did not turn out medals in Beijing and took a cut in funding.

“Priority has been given to sports with the greatest chance of success,” SPARC manager Martin Toomey said.

“ We have had to be uncompromising in applying criteria based on past performance and the likelihood of future success.”

SPARC will review the sports in two years. If they do not measure up to expectations, they will reduce funds.

Killer of Olympic Athlete Gets Life Sentence

A London court gave the killer of former Olympic judo fighter Tamas Bujko a life sentence Monday.

Ferenc Ifi, a London waiter, ambushed 45-year-old Bujko at an ATM in London, beating him with a hammer and stabbing him before throwing acid in his face.

Bujko had 17 stab wounds around his eyes, collapsed lungs and broken ribs. He died from head and chest injuries.

Bujko, a Hungarian athlete, finished fifth at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He also won a silver medal at the 1983 world championships and bronze in 1985.

Briefs…

…Michael Phelps will return to swimming in May at the Charlotte UltraSwim after serving his three-month suspension. The meet will be the first major event that Phelps is eligible to compete. Phelps set records in the 200 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, and 200 Individual Medley at the meet in 2006.

…Olympic gold medalist Denise Lewis has backed the bid to include netball in the Olympics. “It’s far quicker and much more physically demanding than most people think, and in my opinion the game definitely has all the skills deserving of a place at the Olympic Games,” Lewis said. Twenty million women and girls play netball worldwide but is not a participating sport in the Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III and Isia Reaves.