Paralympics to Consider Lifting Russian Suspension -- Monday Memo

(ATR) The independent taskforce monitoring Russia’s doping reformation will report to the International Paralympic Committee at its Governing Board meeting this week.

The IPC Governing Board, led by president Philip Craven, convenes in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from Sep. 3-4. The meeting marks Craven’s last as president of the Paralympic Movement with his successor set to be chosen at the IPC General Assembly on Sep. 8.

While the election of the next IPC president will be a topic during the meeting, it will undoubtedly be overshadowed by any decision taken regarding Russia’s return to the Paralympic Movement. The country was suspended ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympics due to the damning McLaren Report that uncovered state-sponsored doping programs that affected both Olympians and Paralympians in Russia.

The Russian Paralympic Committee recently received a letter of support from 14 countries welcoming its reinstatement, according to Russian news agency TASS. Winter Paralympic hosts South Korea were among the signatories, possibly aiding the country’s case to rejoin the movement ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Games in February.

Although it is undoubtedly refreshing for Russia to receive any notice of support at this stage, the IPC told Around the Rings the only factor it will consider in lifting the suspension is the work of its independent taskforce.

"When deciding if NPC Russia will have its suspension lifted or not, the only views that the IPC will take into account are those of the IPC Taskforce who are responsible for monitoring NPC Russia’s progress in meeting the reinstatement criteria," an IPC spokesperson told ATR.

If a satisfactory report is given, the last decision made by Craven and the outgoing Governing Board could welcome Russia back into Paralympic competition.

Putin to Attend Judo World Championships

The International Judo Federation World Championships begin today in Budapest, Hungary following an opening ceremony where Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend.

Putin, a skilled judoka, has attended the event in the past, and was given an open invitation by Vizer to come to Budapest.

"We expect the Russian president to participate in the event’s opening ceremony on August 28," Vizer was quoted by Russian news agency TASS.

TASS also reported that Putin is expected to meet with Hungarian President Viktor Orban during the trip.

CNN will cover the 2017 World Championships in full and will host a "micro-site" dedicated to judo. Starting next month, CNN will produce a 30-minute show called "Judo World" to "cover the sport’s major events with unprecedented coverage," according to a release.

"With front seats at the biggest events on the Judo calendar across all platforms, our audiences will be able to follow the very best of the action and meet the world’s champion judoka, starting at the 2017 World Judo Championships in Budapest," Matthew Percival, executive producer and commissioning editor, CNN International, said in a statement.

The championships are taking place at László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in the Hungarian capital where judokas from more than 50 countries are scheduled to compete. Men and women will compete across seven weight categories as well as in the team event.

The 2017 Suzuki World Judo Championships will conclude Sep. 3.

Rhythmic Gymnastics Champs Begin

Pesaro, Italy is ready to welcome the world’s best gymnasts this week as the 2017 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships begin on Aug.30.

The International Gymnastics Federation is staging the event at the Adriatic Arena where gymnasts from 54 countries will seek a world championship title. The event will be the first to use FIG’s new points system for rhythmic gymnastics.

The new rules stipulate a maximum of two gymnasts per country allowed in the individual competition, contending in the all-around and the four handheld apparatus of hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. Rhythmic groups of five gymnasts will compete for the Group All-around title and medals in apparatus finals with five Hoops, three balls and two ropes.

The 35th edition of the championships mark the first time Pesaro, Italy hosts the competition, although the city has held nine FIG World Cup events in the past.

The individual all-around final will take place on Sep. 1, followed by group all-around final on Sep. 2. Competition concludes on Sep. 3 with the group apparatus finals.

Written by Kevin Nutley and Aaron Bauer

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