Olympic Newsdesk- London Olympics Rumors; Three City Bid from Japan?

Olympics Minister Rumblings in London

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell is denying rumors that she is about to resign her post over dissatisfaction with the leadership of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Reports from London political watchers say either that Jowell is leaving – or that the relationship between the two politicians is in good shape.

Late Tuesday Jowell rejected rumor of her resignation.

"The story is complete and utter rubbish and I have no intention of resigning,” she is quoted in a Press Association report.

Jowell has served as Olympics Minister since the days of the London bid. While a devoted member of Tony Blair’s government, she stayed on when Brown took over as Labour leader in 2007.

Brown, who must call for an election before June, is believed to be facing a strong challenge from the Conservatives to keep Labour in power – and avoid a certain change in the Olympics portfolio.

South African IOC Leader on Brutus Passing

South African IOC member Sam Ramsamy tells Around the Rings he is saddened by the passing of Dennis Brutus. While praising the work of Brutus, which led to the expulsion and ultimate return of South Africa to the Olympic Movement, Ramsamy notes that Brutus “did not fully comprehend the realities of reconciliation.”

“Sadly, he divorced himself from post-apartheid reconstruction of South African sport,” Ramsamy said.

“I believe that was because he did not fully comprehend the realities of reconciliation and the difficult process of uniting all sectors of South African society.

"He was an activist on many fronts for countless causes; but not always in tune with majority opinion. However, his contributionagainst apartheid sport will remain indelible,” said Ramsamy.

Brutus died of prostate cancer on Dec. 26. He was 85.

Three City Bid for 2020?

The governor of Tokyo is proposing Tokyo bid for the 2020 Olympics with Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two cities that proposed a joint-bid for the Olympics that was rejected by the Japanese Olympic Committee.

Speaking to Kyodo News, Shintaro Ishihara said on Tuesday "If Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Tokyo were all bidding for the Olympics then Tokyo would probably win."

"Once Tokyo puts its hat into the international bidding ring then it would be able to get both Hiroshima and Nagasaki involved."

The biggest potential problem comes from the JOC. It rejected the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bid because the Olympic Charter stipulates only one city can host an Olympics.

The JOC said in late December it may wait another year before a decision is made on launching a new bid from Japan.

Briefly…

…FINA and the European Broadcasting Union extended their partnership until 2013. EBU will broadcast the 2011 and 2013 FINA World Championships. An estimated 1.5 billion viewers from EBU stations watched the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome from July 17- Aug. 2. EBU reaches 62 countries…

… Felt Bicycles will supply the World Cycling Centre with 120 bicycle frames, the International Cycling Union announced on Tuesday. The bicycles will benefit riders who participate in training courses at the centre. UCI President Pat McQuaid said, "UCI's training and coaching centre would simply not be able to fulfill its missions without the support of all its partners, and one of the most important of these is Felt."

Written by Ed Hula III.