Olympic Newsdesk: Madrid Venue Changes Possible; Jungwirth Trial Postponed; JOC Visits PM

Madrid Costs

The CEO of Madrid 2020 said the bid is exploring ways to "significantly reduce" the cost of Games.

Victor Sanchez made the remarks at a panel with the Europa Press agency on Wednesday saying Madrid 2020 is exploring adding Las Ventas bullring and the Palacio de Vistalegre as Olympic venues.

"Of course, these are two possibilities we are not excluding," he said.

The new venues would be used to reduce the cost of the 2020 Olympics. When short listing the 2020 bid cities, the IOC noted the ongoing economic woes of Spain and expressed concern about Spain meeting financial guarantees for the Games.

"It seems to be logical to use the top-level venues we currently have," he was quoted by the bid in a statement.

"We are considering which sporting and non-sporting venues may be used during the Olympic Games in order to significantly reduce the investment to be made. This means savings for the administrations, which are then translated into guarantees before the IOC."

Heinz Jungwirth Trail Postponed

The trial of former Austrian Olympic Committee secretary general Heinz Jungwirth was postponed until July 31.

Jungwirth’s embezzlement trial was supposed to resume July 3. On July 4, his lawyer requested a further postponement to call witnesses favorable to the defense.

Austrian media report that Salzburg bid leaders and consultants Fedor Radmann and Erwin Roth are among the new witnesses.

Olympians Visit Japanese PM, Encouragement for Tokyo 2020

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda offered encouragement to some of Japan’s Olympians and the Tokyo 2020 bid.

Wrestler Saori Yoshida and breaststroke swimmer Ryo Tateishi paid a visit to the PM on Tuesday for a ceremony before the London Olympics.

"I hope that you will exert your potential to the fullest and (with your performance) cheer up the people and give them inspiration," Noda was quoted by the Kyodo News Agency.

He added the government will give "full support" to Tokyo 2020.

"I am encouraged and honoured by the Prime Minister’s strong support ahead of the London Games," JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda said. "The rock steady support from all levels of government, up to and including the Prime Minister, demonstrates Tokyo 2020’s readiness to deliver a lasting legacy for the city, our country and for international sport."

Graca Formally Launches FIVB Campaign

Ary Graça formally started his campaign for president of the InternationalVolleyball Federation, FIVB.

The announcement came Monday at a World Volleyball League event in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Graça is currently the President ofBrazil’s national volleyball federation.

In an email, Graça outlined a twelve-point "Manifesto" for his presidency.

The key points of the manifesto include: stronger media relationships, "integration" of the sport, and creating new competitions.

"I believe that our Manifesto demonstrates the long-term vision that I have for the sport and my dedication to ensure that Volleyball has a flourishing future," he said in a statement.

Doug Beal is the other declared candidate.

Brazilian Art in London

Rio 2016 will bring Brazilian art to the London Olympics.

The organizing committee announced it will host a free exhibition of Brazilian art at Casa Brazil.

Theexhibit: "From the Margin to the Edge: Brazilian Art and Design in the 21st Century" will run from July 21 to Sept. 8. The show will highlight33 Brazilian artists and designers and is intended to show "the nation’s rich cultural offering."

"It will make me very proud, when the world gathers in London for the Games, to showcase the best of Brazil’s contemporary art and design," Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman said.

"We have gathered a team of first-class artists who express our country’s vibrant culture and we are delighted everyone in London will be able to experience their work at Somerset House this summer."

Pre-Olympic Boxing Camp

Forty four boxers will train in the "Road to London (II)" boxing training camp.

The camp is organized by the International Boxing Association, and participants will come from 25 countries. The camp runs from July 5 -24.

"This is an exceptional opportunity for these promising boxers to learn a few new moves, to hone in their technique and get their fitness to the levels required to face the world's finest in the ring," the federation said in a statement.

Buenos Aires Olympic Day Celebrations

The Argentinean Olympic Committee and the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games bid celebrated Olympic Day recently.

The event was a week-long festival at Buenos Aires’ largest outdoor green space, "Palermo Woods."

More than 5,000 people took part in more than 30 Olympic sports.

"With our bid for the Youth Olympic Games in 2018, we want to show how we can also help connect the [Olympic] Movement with millions of new, young hearts and minds in Argentina and across South America," Gerardo Werthein, President of the Argentinean Olympic Committee, said.

Buenos Aires 2018 is one of six bids for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games along with Glasgow, Guadalajara, Mexico, Medellin, Colombia, Pozan, Poland, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Written by Ed Hula III.