Olympic Newsdesk -- IOC on Ghana NOC Vote; WADA Media Symposium

IOC Confident in Ghana Election Results

The IOC says based on what it knows, it has no reason to doubt the outcome of the Ghana Olympic Committee election Oct. 29-30.

Francis Dodoo defeated Frank Appiah for the GOC presidency after a 19-hour meeting. Appiah said he would challenge the results.

However, Emmanuelle Moreau, a spokesperson for the IOC, says they are "well aware" of the tumultuous lead-up to the vote, including allegations that Appiah’s backers rigged the vote in his favor.

To ensure a proper election took place, the IOC and ANOCA appointed an observer to monitor the vote.

"We are currently awaiting his report and the official documents from the GOC General Assembly," Moreau said.

"However, based on the preliminary information that we have received thus far, we have no particular reason to question the outcomes or decisions of this Elective General Assembly.

"The IOC took a strong stance with regard to preparations for the GOC election process and urged the outgoing GOC officers to organize a democratic, free, fair, transparent and open election. We also advised them, in accordance with the GOC Constitution, to respect the decisions of the GOC General Assembly as the highest decision-making body of the GOC."

The election clears the way for Ghana to avoid a return to the IOC sin box; in January the IOC suspended, but later restored the status of the NOC, pending proper elections. Quarrels over a new election have plagued the NOC for two years.

Pistorius Must Still Qualify, Says SASCOC

Increased regulations may keep double-amputee Oscar Pistorius out of the London Olympics.

While Pistorius ran a qualifying time in July, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee is requiring that he run another qualifying time closer to the 2012 Olympics.

"Oscar would have to satisfy the 'A' qualifying criteria as is for able-bodied athletes within the stipulated time period, which I think is within three months of the Games," SASCOC CEO Tubby Reddy said at a news conference.

And according to SASCOC president Gideon Sam, these tightened restrictions are to avoid any "flash in the pan" athletes.

"The criteria works like this: to avoid a situation of a flash in the pan, you make the time, but you have to show evidence that again you can make that time," Sam said.

Pistorius ran the 400-meters in 45.07 seconds this summer, just below the qualifying time of 45.25.

His time earned him a spot at the athletics world championships in Daegu, making him the first amputee to run in the competition.

WADA Welcomes Media

The World Anti-Doping Agency will soon discuss developments in the fight against performance-enhancing drugs specifically with the press.

On Feb. 7 in Lausanne, the so-called "Media Symposium" will include presentations from WADA president John Fahey and director general David Howman as well as opportunities for one-on-one interviews with the WADA chiefs.

Legal director Olivier Niggli will also outline the review process for the agency’s code of anti-doping rules and regulations.

New Website for Octagon

Octagon Olympics & Action Sports boasts a new division website showcasing its roster of Olympians, Olympic hopefuls and action sports stars.

As part of the facelift, Octagon OAS is also bolstering its social media presence through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

With more than 800 employees representing its many sports stars, Octagon is the world’s largest sponsorship consulting practice.

Written by Ann Cantrellwith reporting fromEd Hula III in Lausanne.