Olympic Briefs -- ISU Reduces Olympic Judges; Lopiano to Head Women's Baseball

The ISU has voted to reduce the number of judges on Olympic figure skating panels. (Getty Images) The governing council of the International Skating Union voted to cut the number of judges on Olympic figure skating panels, according to a report in Toronto's Globe and Mail.

The article states that the ISU will reveal the decision next week, though it was voted on by the federation during the world figure skating championships in Los Angeles three weeks earlier.

The decision was made in an effort to cut costs, according to the skating federation.

A figure skating panel consists of nine judges, with officials dropping the highest and lowest marks. Under the new system, an additional two marks will be taken out through random selection, leaving only five judges to determine the results in Olympic competition.

The decision has brought about concerns from skating federations and judges that a reduction in the number of judges deciding an Olympic skating event will increase the possibility of voting manipulation.

Lopiano New IBAF Women’s Baseball Chair

The International Baseball Federation has named former Women’s Sport Federation CEO Donna Lopiano as the chair of the organization’s new women’s baseball committee. This comes on the heels of the decision to include the female version of the sport in its bid for Olympic reinstatement in 2016.

“We are truly honored that Donna has decided to join us as we formulate our global plan for women’s baseball and its inclusion in our bid for the 2016 Games,” IBAF President Harvey Schiller said. “There is perhaps no one more respected in sports or the development of women and girls in athletics Donna Lopiano is the new chair of the IBAF’s women’s baseball committee. (Getty Images) than Dr. Lopiano and we look forward to having her work with us in this very important endeavor.”

Lopiano, currently the president of Sports Management Resources, an Easton, Conn.-based consulting firm, will play a key role in promoting women’s baseball and its addition to the bid.

“Baseball is a global game that embodies all the ideals of the Olympic movement and one of those ideals is fair play for all.” Lopiano said. “I am honored that the IBAF recognizes the great global opportunity that they have in giving women of all ages the chance to take part in baseball at any age and I am looking forward to helping in any way that I can to get baseball where it belongs for both men and women, as part of the Olympic program.”

Canoeing Federation Holds YOG Test

The International Canoeing Federation conducted a technical test of the course layouts and competition format for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in St. Pierre-de-Bouef, France on Friday.

A total of 39 athletes from France and Belgium took part in the test, which included races in Canoe Slalom and Sprint. It was attended by officials from the municipality as well as the family and friends of the event participants.

A number of boat producers were in attendance to test eight new boat designs on the course.

With the data gathered from the test, the ICF will now complete the course designs, select the boats and put the finishing touches to the competition format for the 2010 YOG.

Streeter to Remain as USOC CEO

The USOC’s Board of Directors met via conference call on Friday to finalize the process of selecting its new CEO, agreeing to keep acting chief Stephanie Streeter on board through the 2010 Paralympics.

According to a statement released by the USOC, the organization will mount a nationwide search for its next chief, and Streeter will remain on board until the search is complete. The search will begin during the fourth quarter of 2009 and will be overseen by Larry Probst, the USOC’s chairman of the board. Probst will be aided by a subcommittee charged with bringing him possible CEOs.

Streeter, who will soon relocate to the organization’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., has the option of being considered for the CEO position.

“We are extremely pleased with Stephanie’s leadership of the organization,” said Probst. “Stephanie stepped in during a challenging time for the USOC and has made an immediate and positive impact that is already strengthening our organization. She has the full authority to direct the day-to-day operations of the USOC and the full support of the Board of Directors in doing so.”

The Board of Directors also formally accepted Streeter’s resignation as a member of the Board, as well as the USOC committees on which she previously served. The Nominating and Governance Committee will select an Independent Director to replace Streeter on the Board of Directors.

Merga, Kosgei Boston Marathon Winners

Diruba Merga of Ethiopia and Salina Kosgei of Kenya won the men’s Salina Kosgei of Kenya edged out Ethiopia’s Dire Tune to win the closest Boston Marathon’s women’s race in history. (Getty Images) and women’s titles respectively at the 113th Boston Marathon on Monday.

Kosgei edged out defending champion Dire Ture of Ethiopia in the women’s race by only one second, the shortest margin of victory in race history.

Meanwhile, Merga won the men’s title in more convincing fashion. The fourth-place finisher in the men’s marathon at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing finished nearly a minute ahead of runner-up Daniel Kono of Kenya.

U.S. Olympians Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher finished third in the men’s and women’s races respectively, the best finish by American runners in 24 years.

The winners received $150,000 each, along with a laurel wreath.

Media Watch

Harvey Schiller and his quest for baseball to be reinstated into the Olympic program is profiled in The New York Times.

Daphne Braham says in an editorial in The Vancouver Sun the lack of women’s ski jumping is “rank, old-fashioned discrimination” against women.

AFP reports that the Tokyo bid team showed off the city’s culinary prowess to IOC members evaluating the city’s bid.

An article on The Domincan’s Web site warns of possible corruption in the Dominican Olympic Committee, and calls on journalists to ensure its upcoming elections are ethical and fair.

The Fiji Times profiles Sara Quinn, an Australian who is leading the Fijian NOCs’ fundraising.

The Colorado Springs Gazette has an article on how U.S. National Games Boards are dealing with the economic crisis.

Written by Ed Hula III and Greg Oshust.