Olympic Newsdesk - Torch Relay Sponsor Announcement; Pistorius Confident of Competing in London

Major Sponsor for London Torch Relay

Around the Rings understands a major sponsorship announcement for the London Olympic Torch Relay is expected Wednesday.

The announcement is expected to involve a top-tier London sponsor or one of the worldwide Olympic sponsors taking the lead for the torch relay.

Under new policy of the IOC, the London relay will be confined to the United Kingdom to avoid the costs and controversy that marred international legs of the Beijing relay in 2008. Still, there is a possibility that a stop in the Republic of Ireland might be included in 2012.

Pistorius "Confident" of Competing in London

South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius says competing at the London Olympics is his goal and he is "pretty confident" he will run in the Games.

Pistorius had both legs amputated and competes using artificial limbs. He attempted to qualify for the 2008 Olympics, even though the international athletics federation ruled he had an unfair advantage over able-bodied sprinters. The Court of Arbitration for Sport sided with Pistorius, however, his qualifying times in the 400m were not good enough to compete in Beijing.

"2012 is a really big goal for me" he said.

"Coming to London for the Paralympic and Olympic Games would be a dream that I’ve been chasing for the last five years. In 2008 I was a quarter of a second away from qualifying for the Olympics, but this time I’m sure that’s going to happen.

"I’m still quite young, so I think with the experience I need to gain over the next two years, whether it be to rest in a better fashion or diet better or train smarter, these are all things that are going to help me bring my time down, so I’m pretty confident I will be able to make the London 2012 qualification times. I’ll definitely be pushing for it," he added.

Pistorius won gold at the Beijing Paralympics in the 100m, 200m and 400m races.

Indian Sports Ministry Seek IOC Meeting

The Indian sports ministry is accusing Indian Olympic Association secretary general and IOC member Randhir Singh of misleading the IOC on the matter of tenure limits.

The IOC is involved in a dispute between the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the IOA. The ministry is seeking restorationof a 1975 law imposing term limits for the IOA and sports federation officials.

On Tuesday, the sports ministry sent a letter to IOC President Jacques Rogge, reiterating its desire for a meeting to discuss the impasse. The letter also accuses Singh of a conflict of interest, because his term would end under the proposed regulations.

"It is unfortunate that the IOC member from India has not even cared to consult us before taking up this matter with you," wrote Injeti Srinivas, secretary for the sports ministry.

"However, it appears that IOC has not been apprised by him of the national (in this case Indian) perspective in its entirety, thereby exposing his conflict of interest as well, since he has been holding the post of SecretaryGeneral, IOA for over two decades."

The IOC is backing the IOA on this matter. Last week, the IOC and Olympic Council of Asia wrote in a joint-letter that India could face suspension from the Olympic Movement if term limits are introduced. The sports ministry claims it has the right to impose these regulations because the IOA receives government funds.

World Football Insider Report -- Strikes Threaten World Cup Chaos

Striking South African transport workers have called for sympathetic strike action from other industries, threatening a shutdown of the country’s transport and power services during the World Cup.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union [Satawu], whose members are currently involved in industrial action against Transnet – a rail, port and pipeline conglomerate – says that it has issued notices for sympathetic actions at other transport and shipping firms.

For the full version of Strikes Threaten World Cup Chaos visit www.WorldFootballInsider.com

Written by Ed Hula Ed Hula III andSam Steinberg.