Olympic Newsdesk: South American Games, Weather Havoc for Paralympics, FIBA Presidency

South American Games Open

More than 3,000 athletes from 15 nations are in Medellin, Colombia for the 8th edition of the South American Games. Competition actually started two days ago with cycling events, which have been dominated by Colombia, the powerhouse for the sport on the continent.

The program through March 28 includes 30 sports, most of them Olympic sports. Field hockey, golf and rugby are the only Olympic program sports not contested in Medellin. Non-Olympic sports include baseball, bowling, karate and water ski.

ODESUR, the continental organization which oversees the games, held its general assembly Friday.

The major topic for the assembly was the 2010 South American Games.

Mario Vasquez-Rana, president of the Pan American Sports Organization and the Association of National Olympic Committees served as the representative for IOC President Jacques Rogge. Rana told delegates Friday "Rogge asked me to congratulate all of you and Colombia, in particular Medellin" for what Rana predicts "these will be a great Games".

The meeting was chaired by ODESUR President Carlos Nuzman, who also serves as an IOC member, Rio 2016 President and Brazilian Olympic Committee President.

Friday’s general assembly will be the last for Carlos Roberto Osorio as ODESUR secretary general. Mario Cilenti was appointed by Nuzman to be the new secretary general. Cilenti, international relations chief for the Brazilian NOC, takes over for Osorio, who now works with the Mayor of Rio De Janeiro.

Osorio describes his new role as "someone from the Olympic movement infiltrating the government".

Weather Destroys Paralympics Schedule

Paralympic alpine events originally scheduled for Sunday are going to take place Friday and Saturday due to concerns about weather.

With 2010 Winter Paralympics ending on Sunday, organizers made the decision to move the events forward with earlier start times. VANOC said it will refund Sunday tickets but there are tickets available for Friday and Saturday alpine events at Whistler.

"We’re adapting to the forecasted weather conditions and adjusting the schedule to ensure that the athletes are competing on a safe and world class field of play for these final days of competition," said Tim Gayda, VANOC Vice-President of Sport.

"We regret the inconvenience this causes to Sunday ticket holders and encourage them to purchase a ticket for Friday or Saturday for what promises to be great sporting moments showcasing the growing spirit of the Paralympic Games in the lead up to Sunday’s Closing Ceremonies in Whistler."

Meanwhile VANOC invited fans to watch the wheelchair curling tiebreaker match today between Italy Sweden for free. The winner will face Canada in the semifinals on Saturday.

FIBA Presidency Moves to Europe

The next president of the International Basketball Federation will have experience as head of FIBA Europe on his resume.

Former FIBA Europe President Yvan Maininim of France and the current president George Vassilakopoulos of Greece want to succeed Australian Bob Elphinston as head of the international federation.

The FIBA presidentfor 2010-2014 cycle comes from Europe, according to principle of rotation. This May, FIBA Europe willdecide at its General Assembly in Munich the candidate they will nominate for FIBA elections. In September, the president will be selected during the FIBA World Congress in Istanbul ahead of the world championships.

"We are very happy to have such high-profile candidates," Elphinston said. "We look forward to the European General Assembly’s decision on which candidate will be brought forward for Istanbul."

London Finds Uniform Sponsor

London 2012 technical officials and reception staff will wear uniforms designed by Next, signed as the 27th domestic sponsor LOCOG.

The company will be the Official Clothing and Homeware Supplier for London 2012.

Next also will design the Opening and Closing Ceremony uniforms and formal suits for the 2012 Team GB and Paralympics GB as part of the sponsorship.

Next also will provide furnishings and linen for the Olympic Village.

Another Head Rolls in Russia

A second Russian sportsleader is out in the wake of a disappointing Vancouver Olympic for the country.

Gennady Alyoshin, a Russian deputy minister of sports, tourism and youth policy, tendered resignation according the government agency. Alyoshin oversaw preparation for the Winter Games. Earlier this month Russian Olympic Committee President Leonid Tygachev quit his post just three months after winning reelection.

After the Games, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called on officials responsible for training Russian Olympians to resign. Russia finished sixth in the medal tally with 15 medals, its lowest total in the post-Soviet era.

Wayne Collett, 60, Drew IOC Wrath in Munich

Wayne Collett, silver medalist in the 400m at the 1972 Olympics, died this week in Los Angeles from cancer.

Collett and teammate Vince Matthews, who won gold, drew the wrath of IOC President Avery Brundage when they casually stood on the podium during the medal ceremony, jackets unzipped, conversing while the U.S. anthem was played. Collett raised a clenched fist in the black power salute as he stepped down, four years after John Carlos and Tommie Smith famously introduced the gesture at the Mexico City Games.

Brundage moved to ban Collett and Matthews from the Olympics for life. That banishment was rescinded, but they were kept from running with the U.S. relay team in Munich.

Collett never apologized for his actions, saying the protest reflected his beliefs.

"I love America. I just don’t think it’s lived up to its promise. I’m not anti-American at all. To suggest otherwise is to not understand the struggles of blacks in America at the time," he told the Los Angeles Times in 1992.

Collett became a lawyer, specializing in real estate and mortgage law.

Media Watch: Doha Rising

NBC Universal Sports columnist Alan Abrahamson says he continues to be impressed by the potential of Doha, Qatar as a host for international sports events.

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Written by Ed Hula III on the scene inMedellin, Colombia, and Ed Hula and Sam Steinberg in Atlanta.