Match-fixer Claims to Have Influenced Olympic Games
Convicted football match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal claims to have influenced elements of games at the 1996 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games, according to a BBC report.
Perumal makes his claims in a new book published on Monday titled Kelong Kings.
The 48-year-old Singaporean says he arranged for players from one team at the 2008 Games to ensure their side took the kick-off in two separate matches. Perumal and his associates would then profit by placing large bets with bookmakers.
Perumal was arrested in Finland last week.
Aside from his claims about the 1996 and 2008 Olympic Games, Perumal alleges he targeted a number of World Cup qualifiers, international friendlies, competitions, and league games in several countries.
The BBC reports the publication of Kelong Kings comes ahead of a "major report into the scale and scope of sport corruption, sports betting, and betting fraud."
Sorbonne University in Paris, along with the International Center for Sport Security, will complete this global investigation and release a report next month.
Both the IOC and FIFA have recently implemented measures to combat corruption imposed on sport by match-fixers, but have yet to respond to Perumal’s claims.
New UCI Commission Holds First Meeting
The International Cycling Union’s Mass Participation Commission met for the first time at the organization’s office in Aigle, Switzerland.
Italian Cycling Federation president Renato di Rocco led the seven-member commission in the two-day meeting.
UCI president Brian Cookson and director general Martin Gibbs were in attendance at the meeting.
"The Mass Participation Commission will be central to the UCI's desire to help drive the development of non-elite and amateur cycling, and growing the number and reach of mass participation events will be central to this aim," Cookson said in a statement.
Cookson added, "I was delighted to see the energy and commitment of the commission in its first meeting, and it confirmed to me that mass participation events have huge potential."
The UCI reports mass participation events are "booming in many parts of the world." For example, the 2014 Liege-Bastogne-Liege Challenge attracted thousands of participants, including the UCI president, in April.
At a meeting in Lausanne on June 12, the UCI Management Committee will consider a number of recommendations from the Mass Participation Commission.
Great Britain Chef de Mission Announced
Great Britain has appointed Mark England as the chef de mission for the 2015 European Games and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
England had been Team GB’s deputy chef de mission for six Olympics, including the London 2012 Games.
"I'm hugely honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the teams heading out to Baku and Rio over the next couple of years," England said in a statement.
"I look forward to working with my Team GB colleagues and the national governing bodies to ensure the preparations being put in place are world class."
Vancouver Debt Absolved
The debt on the Olympic Village in Vancouver has been paid off by a private corporation acquiring the development.
The Aquilini Group, which owns the city’s Vancouver Canucks, purchased the remaining 67 units, officially ending the city’s debt on the property.
The city of Vancouver acquired the Olympic Village after developers ran into financial problems, ensuring the village would be complete for the Olympics.
"The city has shown sound business-like leadership that has made the Olympic Village project an attractive investment and we’re pleased to be investing in such a great neighbourhood," Francesco Aquilini, managing director said on the sale, according to AFP.
A total of $70 million in surplus will be reinvested by the city after the deal is completed.
"I’ve been determined to ensure that taxpayers would not be left on the hook for a single cent. I am proud to say we have achieved that goal," Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a statement.
Written byNicole Bennett and Aaron Bauer
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