Rio 2016 on Golf Course Dispute; Mark Cuban on Olympic Pay

Rio 2016 on Golf Course Dispute

Rio 2016 insists any land disputes over the golf course site will not impact Olympic preparations.

Last week, news reports surfaced that the ownership of the plot of land for the proposed venue is in doubt. Currently, the city of Rio de Janeiro claims the land, but the Elmway Participacoes company and businessman Pasquale Mauro also claim ownership. A Brazilian court is expected to hear a challenge from the company this week.

However, Rio 2016 spokesman Carlos Villanova made clear Monday the issue rests on the shoulders of the city government of Rio.

"Rio 2016 is not aware of any changes to the ownership of the land where the City Hall intends to build the golf course," Villanova said in an email to Around the Rings.

"We fully trust that City Hall will meet the deadlines for the planning, construction, and operation of the course."

The International Golf Federation was not immediately available for comment on the matter.

A report in the Associated Press quotes a lawyer for Elmway saying there is "more than enough" evidence to support Elmway’s ownership claim.

"Olympic Turnaround" Updates

Marketing expert Michael Payne tells Around the Rings his 2005 book "Olympic Turnaround" will get a revised paperbackand Kindle eBook this month.

The new editions feature a preview section on London 2012, including the back-story of how the British capital won the bid in the first place.

Payne, who served as marketing director of the IOC from 1983 to 2004, says the book has sold more than a million copies to date and is now available in more than a dozen languages.

Mark Cuban: Pay NBA Owners for Olympics

The outspoken owner of the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks saysthe NBA allowing its players to go to the Olympics for free is "stupid."

Mark Cuban made the comments to Fox Sports columnist Greg Couch, saying "It's the biggest mistake the NBA makes."

"If you look up stupid in the dictionary, you see a picture of the USA Dream Team playing for free for corporate America so the U.S. Olympic Committee can make millions of dollars," he added.

"If you come up with something that you own, that you give it to me for free so I can make billions of dollars, I want it. And it has nothing to do with patriotism. It's all about money. You don't see the Olympic Committee saying, 'Oh we made so much money. Let's give it to people."

The U.S. Olympic Committee does not directly profit from NBA stars playing in the Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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