Olympic Newsdesk -- Nicklaus on Olympic Golf Course; Vancouver Debrief

Nicklaus, Sorenstam Interested in Olympics Golf Course

Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam, considered to be the greatest male and female golfers of all time, say they want to design the course used for the 2016 Olympics.

In a letter to the International Golf Federation and obtained by the Associated Press, the two said a decision on the course has to come "pretty quick."

"I think this is a very functional partnership," Nicklaus said. "I hope we can work a deal."

A confident Nicklaus wrote: "I'll be surprised if they don't select us. But I'm sure other people are interested."

Currently there is no suitable golf course in Rio for the Olympics.

Ty Votaw, secretary general for the IGF, told the AP "It's still possible we could use an existing course."

Since retiring from golf, Nicklaus started a firm that has designed hundreds of courses around the world.

Vancouver Debrief Heads to Finish Line

The Vancouver debrief for Sochi comes to a close Thursday after a week of exchanges between organizers of the 2010 Games and the group staging 2014.

Wednesday was the peak day, with 12 topics covered in workshops, including spectators, security, Olympic Village, transport, sport, accommodations and the torch relay.

The meetings, which were not open to the press, are being held at the Hotel Grand Polyana in the mountains of Sochi.

More than 400 people are taking part in the debrief, including stakeholders such as sponsors, government and international federations.

Teams of half a dozen observers from each of the 2018 Winter Olympic bids are taking part in the debrief. CEO Edgar Grospiron leads the Annecy team, Munich CEO Willy Bogner heads the German delegation and Yangchun Park, vice chair of PyeongChang 2018 is here with his group from

Korea.

IOC President Says Debrief Part of Vancouver Legacy

IOC President Jacques Rogge says the success of the Olympic Games is due in part to the debriefings such as the one being held this week in Sochi with Vancouver passing on its experience to Russian organizers.

In a column published in The Vancouver Sun, Rogge notes that London and Rio will also benefit from the debrief.

"It is an opportunity for them to build on the Vancouver Organizing Committee's considerable experience, enabling them to innovate in their own Games and increase the legacy that they will leave to their communities and the Olympic Movement once the Games are over," writes the IOC leader.

UK Sport CEO Joins English Rugby Union

UK Sport is searching for a new chief executive following today's announcement that John Steele is leaving the elite sports funding agencyto become CEO of the Rugby Football Union. He leaves UK Sport in late July.

Steele, who joined UK Sport in June 2005, said: "I am extremely proud of UK Sport and what it has achieved over the past few years, and what I am sure it will go on to achieve. It has a vital role to play not just in ensuring our athletes' success in London 2012 but also helping to shape the future of the sporting landscape in the UK."

In his new role at the RFU he will guide preparations for the home World Cup in 2015. "During this time I will be totally committed to ensuring a legacy is created from the World Cup at both a community and elite level, whilst building on the sound commercial basis already created at Twickenham," he said.

Commenting on today's announcement, chair of UK Sport Sue Campbell said: "Since joining five years ago, John has made a terrific impact at UK Sport and has led the organisation to a place where it is respected both in the UK and internationally for its leadership in performance sport.

"That he has been able to move on to one of the most high profile CEO roles in British sport speaks volumes I think not just for him but also the reputation and credibility of the organisation as a whole."

Last month, UK Sport's budget was cut by about $2.45 million in the first round of public spending cuts introduced by the new Conservative-Liberal Democrats coalition.

London Canoe Venue Nearing Completion

The canoe course for the London Olympics is coming closer to completion.

Aerial images released by the Olympic Delivery Authority Wednesday show the training course is "nearing completion", according to LOCOG, with the 300m competition course "taking shape".

"We are on track to complete the White Water Center later this year, helping deliver an early sporting legacy for the East of England region well before the Games in 2012," ODA Chairman John Armitt said.

Construction on the Lee Valley White Water Center began in July 2009. LOCOG estimates the course will be completed for training this year.

Briefs…

…Outdoor accessory manufacturer Highlander will provide merchandise for London 2012.The Scotland based company will provide items such as blankets, folding furniture, sleeping bags, wallets and picnic rugs, after signing a licensee agreement Wednesday with LOCOG.

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Written by Ed Hula, Ed Hula III and Mark Bisson.