Olympic Newsdesk -- New CEO for Olympic Delivery Authority; Cauldron Removal; Road Race Worlds

New Leadership Coming for Olympic Delivery Authority

The Olympic Delivery Authority will get a new CEO less than 18 months before London opens.

Chief executive elect Dennis Hone will replace current CEO David Higgins when he leaves for Network Rail in February.

"This is a change of Chief Executive for the ODA but it does not mean a change of direction or focus," Hone said in a statement.

"The challenge ahead of us is to continue to hit our milestones, bear down on costs and complete the venue construction at the same time as maintaining our excellent record on health and safety."

The longtime public servant has overseen the ODA’s budget as director of finance and corporate services for more than four years.

"He has played a key role in our success to date and is a first class replacement," ODA chairman John Armitt said. "He will give the ODA important continuity as we face the challenges that lie ahead."

Higgins has run the ODA since its inception in late 2005.

"A large part of the confidence the British public and the IOC has in this project is due to the great progress David and his team have made on the Olympic Park," LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe said.

"David’s wealth of experience and his leadership puts us in an excellent position to ensure the athletes of the world have the best possible environment to compete in 2012."

Higgins will become CEO of Network Rail, the government-owned operator of the bulk of Great Britain’s train infrastructure.

"There is still hard work ahead," he said, "but I am confident we will have created a fantastic stage for the Games in 2012 and that LOCOG will put on a brilliant show."

The ODA announced last month the canoe slalom venue is on track to be completed later this year as the first new 2012 facility.

Beijing Cauldron Moves

The cauldron from the Beijing Olympics is preparing for its new home.

Over the weekend, workers began the process of removing the 44 ton cauldron from the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

It will take until year's end to finish removing the cauldron.

More than 2,000 pipes were used to construct the cauldron.

After reinforcement and renovation, it will move to a permanent square northeast of the stadium.

Cycling Road Race World Championships

The first cycling road racing world championships in Australia begin on Wednesday.

The International Cycling Union, UCI, has high hopes for the tournament.

"The 2010 UCI Road World Championships in Melbourne and Geelong…will undoubtedly be greeted with the same whole-hearted enthusiasm, even euphoria, which currently surrounds Australian cycling" it said in a statement.

Oct. 3 is the final day of the championships. It is also when the men’s road race—the premier event—will take place.Australian Cadel Evans won the event in 2009. For the first time, earpieces will not be used during the road race.

Six events total, men’s women’s and under 23 races in the time trial and road race, will be contested. Winners of each event get to wear the rainbow jersey when cycling for the next year.

Aquatics World Champs Awarded to Barcelona

Barcelona will host the aquatics world championships in 2013.

Julio Maglione, president of the aquatics governing body, FINA, made the announcement Monday.

The city was selected in part, as a tribute to the late president of the IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch, who was born in Barcelona.

Piscines Bernat Picornell, venue for the 1992 aquatics events and the 2003 world championships will be the competition venue.

China Supports India in Games Preparation

As India rights the Commonwealth Gamesship ahead of Sunday’s opening ceremony, organizers received a vote of confidence from the Chinese government, as well as a measure of sympathy.

"I think the Indian government has made great efforts to prepare for the games," foreign ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said Tuesday during a press conference.

"I wish it will be a successful one."

Yu’s comments come two years after Beijing hotsed the 2008 Olympics and just six weeks before Guangzhou stages the 16th Asian Games.

"No matter which country, to host such large scale games is quite a challenge," he said when asked about the past week’s Commonwealth controversies.

Chinese media have followed the Games buildup with fervor after organizers insisted Delhi’s facilities would surpass those of the 2008 Summer Games.

As such claims seem less likely by the day, Guangzhou thinks its event will be the one to top Beijing.

The host city’s organizing committee took control of all Games venues last week, including housing for more than 8,000 athletes.

"The facilities for the athletes at the Asian Games are much better than at the Beijing Summer Olympic Games," Guangzhou vice-mayor Xu Ruisheng toldstate media recently.

The Asian Games are the world’s second largestathletic competition, and the Commonwealth Games are the third largest.

Delhi 2010 opens Sunday, and Guangzhou 2010 follows Nov. 12.

Dutch Riders Eye First Dressage Title

The Netherlands is in pole position halfway through team dressage action at the World Equestrian Games.

The heavily favored Dutch grabbed the lead Monday as Imke Schellekens-Bartels finished first and Hans Peter Minderhoud third in the first half of the grand prix.

Germany’s Christoph Koschel took second on the leader board, ensuring the powerhouse a fighter’s chance as a second wave of riders wraps up competition Tuesday.

Germany has won all but one of the event’s world team championships, but Netherlands is poised to become the new dominant force in dressage.

Britain lurks third on the leader board after taking the fourth and 10th spots Monday. With top riders Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer still to come, the title remains within reach.

Also slated for Tuesday is the qualifying competition for individual reining.

Eventing kicks off Thursday, and driving, jumping, vaulting and para-dressage will follow next week.

This is the quadrennial competition’s sixth installment and first held outside Europe.

Events run through Oct. 10.

Trigger-Happy iPhone Users Get Shooting Sport App

A new iPhone application allows shooting fans worldwide to follow the sport wherever they may be.

The International Shooting Sport Federation announced Tuesday the program will deliver news, results, photos and video from all major competitions as well as an ongoing schedule of events.

The program’s release comes ahead of next month’s Rifle & Pistol World Cup Final as well as November’s Asian Games.

"ISSF Shooting Sports" is free, rated 4+ and compatible with iOS 3.0 or later.

"Well it's about time," the sole user review on iTunes reads.

"Great to see you guys as an app now. Nice to finally get results, pictures etc at the convenience of your mobile phone. It was only time."

The review gave the application four out of five stars.

Media Watch

What role could Comcast’s takeover of NBC play in bidding for Olympic TV rights?

Written by Matthew Grayson and Ed Hula III.