Qatar Expands Reach; World Series of Boxing; Judoka Wins Doping Appeal

Qatar Expands Reach Ahead of 2022 World Cup

The British Olympic Association and Qatar Olympic Committee have an understanding.

BOA chairman Colin Moynihan and Qatari crown prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, also QOC president, met Wednesday in Doha to sign a memorandum promising a friendly relationship as well as an exchange of knowledge throughout this year and next.

"With the London 2012 Olympic Games fast approaching we are entering the most exciting period in our history as a National Olympic Committee," BOA chairman Colin Moynihan said in a statement.

"I welcomed the opportunity to share some of our experiences with our colleagues in Qatar, who have themselves embarked upon their own journey to prepare to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022."

British prime minister David Cameron was also in Doha for Wednesday’s ceremony.

New Finish Line for World Series of Boxing

World Series of Boxing is moving its end-of-season finale from Macau to mainland China.

The International Boxing Association announced Tuesday that Guiyang will host the title bouts "in order to guarantee greater TV coverage and public attention" for the AIBA pet project now in its debut season.

"The support from Guizhou province to host the team and individual championships of the World Series of Boxing in the city of Guiyang is part of a broader commitment to develop boxing and sport in general in the region," AIBA president C.K. Wu said in a statement.

"I look forward to welcoming our WSB teams and the world's media to China's number one summer holiday destination for the WSB finals."

Franchises in Europe, Asia and the Americas face only their continental rivals during the 12-match regular season that wraps up next month. The top four finishers will then advance to playoffs in April ahead of the May 6-7 team championship.

Three weekends later, the league’s top-ranked boxers will square off during the individual championships with five spots at London 2012 up for grabs, quite a perk from what is designed to be a team competition.

Olympic Champion Judoka Wins Doping Appeal

Tong Wen of China can defend her 78+kg judo gold from Beijing at next year’s London Games.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Wednesday in the reigning Olympic champion’s favor after she appealed the doping violation and subsequent two-year suspension that stripped her of a 2009 world championship and would have kept her from competing come 2012.

Wen won the 78+kg division at the World Judo Championships in Rotterdam on August 30, 2009 and then took a drug test that same day.

It’s A sample came back positive a week later for the banned substance clenbuterol, and that’s where the mess begins.

According to a statement from CAS, "the athlete first requested the opening and analysis of the B sample. However, in November 2009, following the advice of the Chinese Judo Association, the athlete withdrew her request to have the B sample analyzed. On 25 November 2009, the IJF nevertheless had the athlete’s B sample tested, without informing her or offering her an opportunity to attend herself or through a representative. The B sample also tested positive for clenbuterol."

The juoka was then slapped with a two-year doping ban by the International Judo Federation in April of last year, a punishment reversed by Wednesday’s ruling.

"The CAS annulled the IJF’s decision because the athlete was not given the opportunity to be present herself, or by her representative, for the opening and testing of the B sample," a procedure required by the 2009 IJF Anti-doping Regulations.

Wen will also get back her world championship gold medal from 2009.

Aussies Predict Russia Topping Medal Tally

A review of 2010 sporting performance from the Australian Olympic Committee predicts Russia will top the London 2012 medal tally while the Aussies would finish eighth.

The study, conducted by analyzing performances at world championships and world cup events, shows Russia taking home 97 medals, the United States 94 and China 93.

Great Britain and Germany round out the top five with 48 and 47 medals respectively.

Even with this study, AOC president John Coates believes the country can finish in the top five. The results say Australia would earn 42 medals if the Games were held today, meaning his vision may not be farfetched.

"A top five position is still very achievable," said Coates. "There are five countries jostling for fourth and fifth spots who are all very close together."

Coates said the Australian government will pump millions into 2012 preparations and Australian athletes are sure to improve between now and the London Olympics, about a year-and-a-half away.

The top five at Beijing were, in order, the United States, China, Russia, Great Britain and Australia.

Written by Matthew Grayson and Ed Hula III.