Former Deputy Russian PM Predicts Sochi Games Catastrophe”
Former Russia Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov says the Sochi Olympics will be a catastrophe.
Speaking to Foreign Policy magazine, Nemtsov said: "these Olympics will be an economic and ecological catastrophe. A road being built from Sochi to the ski areas in the nearby mountains will cost around $130 million per kilometer. This is now one of the world's most expensive roads and a symbol of corruption.”
Nemtsov, who is from Sochi, added “sometimes, it seems like God doesn't even want the Olympics in Sochi.”
The biggest problems for the Games, according to Nemtsov, are corruption, organized crime and the weather.
“[Putin] has found one of the only places in Russia where there is no snow in the winter. He has decided to build these ice rinks in the warmest part of the warmest region. Sochi is subtropical. There is no tradition of skating or hockey there. In Sochi, we prefer football, and volleyball, and swimming. Other parts of Russia need ice palaces -- we don't.”
Nemtsov is an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Read the rest of the FP article here.
Paralympic Torch Relay Begins
Multi-sport Paralympian Arnold Boldt officially sparked the 2010 Paralympic Flame Relay when he dipped his torch into the Paralympic community cauldron in Ottawa.
The torch is now on a ten-day journey across Canada that will end in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Paralympics. The Paralympics begin March 12 with the Opening Ceremony at B.C. Place Stadium.
"The Paralympic Torch Relay is designed to illuminate the extraordinary achievements of Paralympians and celebrate the endless possibilities of the human spirit," said John Furlong.
"We encourage Canadians to come out and experience the energy and wonder of the Paralympic Flame throughout its 10-day journey."
Boldt appeared in the Toronto 1976 Paralympic Games where he set a world record of 1.86 meters in the high jump. He was the first of more than 600 torchbearers that will participate in the relay sponsored by Coca-Cola and RBC.
"To carry the Paralympic Flame is truly an honor," said Boldt. "I hope it sparks inspiration and dreams in people of all abilities across Canada and the world as it travels to Vancouver for the start of the Games. Dreams will come true here in 2010."
2010 Paralympic Torch Relay Schedule
March 3 Ottawa
March 4 Quebec City
March 5 Toronto
March 6 Victoria and Esquimalt
March 7 Squamish
March 8 Whistler
March 9 Lytton and Hope
March 10 Maple Ridge
March 10-12 Vancouver
Crowdsin Munich Cheer German Olympians
A large crowd in Munich welcomed German Olympians home from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games on Wednesday.
Munich officials hope that Germany's performance in Vancouver will boost its bid for the 2018 Winter Games. Germany won 30 medals in Vancouver including 10 gold to finish second in the medal count. The medalists took part in a civic reception at Munich City Hall before a celebration party began in front of thr Munich Victory Arch.
"I am absolutely delighted with this extraordinary welcome party for our athletes in Munich," said Munich 2018 CEO Will Bogner. "It is the first time all the national athletes have gathered together in one place to meet fans and supporters from all over Germany. This is a great experience. If Munich stages the winter Games in 2018, I am certain that the Bavarian fanswill ensure a non-stop Olympic celebration like today.'
World Taekwondo Federation
The World Taekwondo Federation is in the process of setting its calendar and rules changes for the next few years during meeting in Tijuana, Mexico.
WTF added a new member, approved rule changes and awarded major events during meetings this week.
Oman became the newest member of the federation on Tuesday. There are now 190 members of the federations and the WTF hopes to surpass 200 in a few years
Earlier the WTF Council decided host sites for three of its major events in 2010 and 2011. The Chinese city of Urumqi will host the 2010 WTF World Cup Taekwondo Team Championships. Azerbaijan will host the 2011 WTF World Taekwondo Qualification Tournament for the 2012 London Olympic Games in Baku. Uzbekistan will host the 5th WTF World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Tashkent in 2011.
Rules changes include a coach's box, guidelines for video replay and a provision that allows a round to be extended from a minute to 1 minute and 30 seconds.
Olympic Highlights on YouTube
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic will live on the internet. Highlights from the Winter Games will be on the IOC YouTube Channel and on the Universal Sports web site. Viewers in the U.S. can only watch clips on the Universal Sports Web site due the agreement between the IOC and NBC.
Instant Classic
Universal Sports is rebroadcasting the Canada-USA gold medal hockey game at 8 p.m. EST. Canada won the game 3-2 in overtime with a goal by Sidney Crosby.
Written by Ed Hula III and Sam Steinberg.
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