(ATR) The Chinese table tennis national coach is upset with new entrant numbers for London 2012 that could threaten Chinese dominance of the sport.
The International Table Tennis Federation reduced the number of single entries for London 2012 from three to two players from each team during an executive committee meeting in Beijing on Wednesday. The committee also reduced the number entrants at world champions to two players for singles and two pairs for mixed doubles. The regulations passed by a vote of 14-1.
Chinese national coach Liu Guoliang was outspoken in opposition against the new guidelines, reports Xinhua news agency.
"This rule is clearly against China," he said. "I understand that ITTF wants to break the domination of Chinese players and to promote this sport in other countries, but changing rules will not settle a matter once and for all."
Beijing Olympic silver medalist Timo Boll of Germany said the changes hurt countries where the sport is played at a high-level including China, South Korea and Germany.
The ITTF will discuss whether to make the regulation permanent at a representative conference in May.
Guoliang added that he hopes the ITTF asks athletes and coaches their opinions before voting.
South Korea "Cool Runnings"
The South Korean four-man bobsleigh team qualified for its first-ever Winter Olympics.
The team finished in fifth at the America's Cup last weekend to secure its spot in Vancouver. Team captain Kwangbae Kang will be the first athlete from any country to participate in every sleigh event including bobsleigh, luge and skeleton at the Olympics.
Kang said that the Olympic birth and new sliding facility being built in PyeongChang will attract more athletes to sleigh sports. The South Korean winter resort is making its third bid for the Olympic Winter Games.
Giuliani Blames Rio 2016 for Political Choice
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani left the political stage on Tuesday to give more time to Rio 2016.
Earlier this month, Rio 2016 hired Giuliani as a long-term security consultant. Many considered the republican as possible candidate for New York governor or the U.S. Senate in 2010.
Giuliani told the New York Daily news, "It would be hard running from Brazil."
Torch trouble
An Ontario journalists union wants RCMP officers wearing VANOC uniforms charged for assaulting a videographer and photographer from the Toronto Sun.
Ian Robertson was tackled and sustained a concussion while Dave Thomas was shoved on Dec. 18 in Newmarket, Ont. Robertson needed hospital treatment.
"The Olympics are supposed to represent the highest of human values but the behaviour of the security offers represents nothing less than brutality and cowardice," said local labor union president Brad Honywill.
Sun interim editor-in-chief James Wallace was "appalled by what appears to be an unprovoked and unwarranted assault."
VANOC torch relay director Jim Richards said: "Our top priority during the Olympic torch relay is the safety of torchbearers and all participants. Any injury sustained by anyone involved in the relay is unfortunate. We have conveyed our regrets to the journalist involved and his editors."
Briefly…
...The World Anti-Doping Agency announced the memberships of standing committees for 2010. Standing committees serve an advisory role for policy and priority development. Click here for complete details.
….VANOC will announce its third phase of its transportation plan on Jan. 11 or 12, said executive vice-president Terry Wright. The new information will focus on overcoming transportation challenges on the opening and closing days of the Games. VANOC is hoping a 30 percent reduction in traffic during the Games.
Media Watch:
The Washington Post's Amy Shipley writes a series called "USOC in Limbo."
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/21/AR2009122101900.html?nav=emailpage
Want to rent a home in Vancouver during the Olympics? The Seattle Times explores the costs and benefits.
Link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010564196_whistler22m.html
The Beijing Bird's Nest is dressed up for winter but is anyone visiting?
Link: http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2009/12/23/snowboarding-the-birds-nest/
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Written by Bob Mackin and Sam Steinberg.
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