PyeongChang Heeds IOC Warning; Sailing Plots 2016 Program

No Conflicts of Interest, PyeongChang Pledges

PyeongChang 2018 leadership says the bid will heed an IOC warning to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

The AP reports that bid chairman Yang-ho Cho pledged to "strictly respect the IOC Code of Ethics, the Rules of Conduct and all proper implementing provisions" in a letter emailed Thursday to IOC headquarters in Lausanne.

Cho’s promise comes hot on the heels of a memo sent Wednesday to the bid committee regarding concerns that Korean Air’s sponsorship of the International Skating Union may have caused a conflict of interest.

Cho is both co-chair of the bid and chairman of Korean Air, itself a partner of the bid.

According to an IOC statement, the Ethics Commission "reminded Pyeongchang 2018 and its related organizations to fully respect the Rules of Conduct related to Candidate Cities".

Also Wednesday, the Ethics Commission ruled that Korean Air’s two-year, $1 million sponsorship of the ISU must wait until after the July 6 vote for a host city at the IOC Session in Durban, South Africa.

"We believe that this matter is now closed and we can all move forward into the next phase of the 2018 bid campaign," Cho said in Thursday’s letter to the IOC.

"PyeongChang 2018 has always been and continues to remain committed to complying with all IOC rules and regulations."

Sailing To Decide Its Rio 2016 Program

Olympic sailing hopefuls await a decision that will shape how they spend the next six years.

The International Sailing Federation, ISAF, will over the next 10 days debate which 10 events make the Rio 2016 program, a matter at the top of the agenda for its Nov. 4-14 conference in Athens.

ISAF’s Olympic Commission convenes Friday to mull recommendations made in a May report to the federation’s executive committee.

Any decisions will have to wait a week. The ISAF Council meets Nov. 11-14 and has final say.

Based on its May report, the Olympic Commission is expected to ask the Council to confirm the six core events of men’s and women’s laser radial, skiff and windsurfing.

Six other events – men’s and women’s keelboat, tornado mixed, 470 mixed, men’s finn and another single-handed weight division for women – are expected to vie for the remaining four spots.

Men’s finn would likely get thenod only as a package deal with another women’s event due to the Olympic Commission’s recommendation of genderbalance.

Also in Athens, ISAF will hand out its Sailor of the Year awards and discuss preparations for London 2012.

Check back next week to see which events made the cut for Rio 2016.

Doping Ban Upheld for Spanish Cyclist

Yet another court upholds Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde’s doping ban.

Switzerland’s supreme court rejected the 30-year-old’s appeal to overturn suspensions handed down first by the Italian Olympic Committee and then by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Valverde was the top-ranked cyclist until late May when the International Cycling Union removed his name and points in response to the CAS ruling.

The federation retroactively banned Valverde starting Jan. 1 for usingthe blood booster EPO.

His ban will run through January 2012 barring a successful appeal at the European Court of Human Rights, an action his advisers said he would resort to back in May if necessary.

Valverde rode in the 2004 Olympics and will be ineligible for the 2012 Games, due to IOC rules.

Jagr Awarded Presidential Honor

Gold medalist in hockey Jaromir Jagr was awarded the Medal of Merit by Václav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic.

Jagr won gold playing for the Czech team at the 1998 Olympics. He won bronze at the 2006 Olympics, and played on the teams that failed to medal in 2002 and 2010.

"I never thought I could receive such an honor. It's a great privilege for me," Jagr said.

His teammate from 1998, goalie Dominik Hasek was bestowed with the honor in 1998. Three other hockey players have Medals of Merit.

Jagr is considered to be the greatest Czech ice hockey player ever.

The medal recognizes outstanding service to the Czech Republic.

ANOCA to Run All Africa Games

The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa will reportedly assume control of the All Africa Games.

Speaking at a gathering of ANOCA secretaries general, Lasana Palenfo, ANOCA president, said the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa was preparing to dissolve itself, and once that happens, ANOCA will run the Games.

Palenfo said the inability to attract sponsorships caused the decision.

ANOCA also has its own multi-sport event, the ANOCA Games which Palenfo says will not conflict the All Africa Games.

Written by Ed Hula III and Matthew Grayson.