Putin Puts Rubles Behind Olympics
Vladimir Putin tells the IOC that Russia will make sure the money is there to make the Sochi Olympics a success.
The Russian prime minister spoke by video connection with the IOC Coordination Commission, which ends its latest visit Thursday morning.
"On the whole, the work is progressing on schedule. We are discharging the planned financial resources in full and there are no delays," Putin is quoted by RIA Novosti in his remarks to the IOC panel.
He told the IOC that in 2010 alone, $1 billion will come from the government and a similar sum from private sources to fund preparations for the 2014 Winter Games.
The dozen-member IOC commission took a venue tour as well on Wednesday, led by chairman Jean-Claude Killy. AP reports Killy saying he was happy with most of what he’s seen on this trip.
Also giving Sochi high marks is an inspection team from the International Ski Federation led by FIS vp Bernhard Russi.
Russi and colleagues are in Sochi ahead of next February’s FIS European Cup at Rosa Khutor, the first test event for Sochi 2014.
"Competitions can already be staged in Rosa Khutor tomorrow, if necessary. I am very satisfied with the results," is how Russi is quoted in a Sochi 2014 press release.
More from Sochi Thursday: Killy will hold a closing press conference and Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko will brief international media by phone.
Obama to Welcome Olympians
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams to the White House on April 21.
The White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic, and Youth Sports will organize the event.
"President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and the entire White House staff have shown tremendous support for the Olympic Movement and for Team USA, and we are looking forward to extending our appreciation and visiting with them at the White House later this month," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun.
A reception for the team will be held at the Supreme Court April 21.
Several public service projects, such as work on a Habitat for Humanity house are planned for the Olympic team as part of a three day tour.
Stern Encourages Stars to Play for Country
NBA commissioner David Stern would like players to represent their country despite a few stars opting to skip the world championships later this year.
"We encourage our players to represent their countries," Stern said on Tuesday at a press conference in London.
"The World Championship continues to grow and there will be a good competition in Turkey that will lead in to a good Olympics in London which will lead in to a good championship in Spain in 2014.
"We are cooperating with FIBA [the International Basketball Federation] on that as we have for many years and we hope to see the competition of national teams continue to grow."
The 2010 FIBA World Championships will take place in Turkey from Aug. 28 to Sept. 12.
In recent years, some NBA stars have chosen not play for Team USA in a non-Olympic year. Earlier this month, Lebron James told reporters that he would probably skip the world championships due to a "really busy summer" that includes free agency. Other NBA stars including Carmelo Anthony still have not decided whether they will play this summer.
Games Planner Jules de Heer, 53
A funeral was held Wednesday near Lausanne for Jules de Heer, a consultant for a number of Olympic bids. He died April 7, said to be suffering from cancer.
"Jules de Heer was one of the best experts on sport and sustainable development," Jean-Loupe Chappellet, another expert on Olympic bids based in Lausanne tells Around the Rings.
"He invented the idea of a "Green Book" to complement the bid book of Sion's bid for 2002, an idea which was subsequently adopted by the IOC for future bid cities. He worked for several bid committees including Sion 2006, Paris 2012, Almaty 2014 and Tokyo 2016, as well as organizing committees including Turin 2006 and Sochi 2014."
De Heer Consulting was located in an office at the Maison du Sport in Lausanne. What happens with the practice is not yet determined.
Briefs…
The Canadian Broadcasting Company will broadcast the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games starting on Oct. 4. CBC has broadcasted every Commonwealth Games since 1954.
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