Rome 2020 Decision Ahead; Illegal Gambling Meeting; Swedish YOG Bid Update

Rome Mayor Expects PM Decision This Week

Gianni Alemanno says Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti will back Rome 2020 this week.

Italian news outlet AGI posted a translation of video from Alemanno’s blog that quotes the mayor saying: "The coming week will be decisive for the Olympic selection. We are convinced that Prime Minister Monti, an intelligent person, will sign the letter of governmental support for our candidacy, and we must show that Rome is ready for the Olympic challenge."

Monti is considering postponing Rome’s 2020 bid to 2024 due to the ongoing debt crisis in Italy.

As reported by Around the Rings last week, a decision from Monti is expected by mid-February. Applicant files are due to IOC headquarters Feb. 15.

Alemanno also thanked Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo for his support of Rome 2020.

"It is precisely in times of crisis you have to bet on the future and create the conditions to revive the economy," di Montezemolo was quoted by Roman news outlet Nuovo Paese Sera. Alemanno said the comments are "the best answer to those who have sown doubts about the economic value of this candidature."

In addition to nearly being tapped as the Rome bid leader, di Montezemolo is one of Italy’s most influential men.

IOC Resumes Illegal Gambling Talks

The IOC will hold a meeting Thursday to continue discussions about how to fight illegal betting in sports, Around the Rings has learned.

IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moureautells ATR: "The objective of Thursday's meeting is to review the recommendations made by the groups of experts that were set up in June last year by the Working Group established to tackle the issue of irregular and illegal sport betting.

"The three groups were formed to look at three main areas: Education, Monitoring, intelligence and analysis, and Legislation and regulations. The Working Group is expected to endorse the three series of proposals and to agree on their implementation. Representatives from the sports world, governments, international organisations and betting operators who were already involved in the first meetings of the Working Group will be present."

The meeting will take place at the Lausanne Palace hotel from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m with a press release to follow.

No Swedish YOG Decision

Swedish Olympic Committee secretary general Gunilla Lindberg tells Around the Rings no decision has been made on a Swedish bid for the Youth Olympic Games.

Reports circulated that Stockholm, Malmo and Gothenburg, Sweden’s three largest cities, have reportedly expressed interest in bidding for the YOG.

Toronto 2015 Solves Velodrome Saga

Milton, Canada will host Pan American track cycling after committing to the construction of a permanent velodrome.

"We would like to thank the town of Milton for making this velodrome a reality," Toronto 2015 CEO Ian Troop said following Monday night’s town council decision to pay for 44 percent of the up to $45 million in building costs.

"This is the result of sound deliberation and an appreciation for the potential associated with a permanent velodrome."

The solution ends months of murkiness surrounding the future of one of Toronto 2015’s few remaining stand-alone venues. Pan Am officials stripped Hamilton of its status as preferred bidder late last year after city council capped their contributions toward construction at $5 million.

The velo now bound for Milton will also include an infield to host recreational activities such as basketball, volleyball and badminton.

Upgrade for Olympic Stadium

ANZ Stadium in Sydney –the 2000 Olympic Stadium –is getting a $3 million upgrade in preparation for the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Part of the upgrades will go to new cricket-dedicated training facilities. A report in Melbourne’s The Herald-Sun says the upgrade is "essential if the former Olympic venue is to be taken seriously as a cricket ground."

Following the 2000 Games, the stadium has hosted several cricket matches.

Media Watch

Online reaction to the Madrid 2020 bid logo was quick, and negative:

Spanish blogger Moe de Triana finds similarities between the logo and a group of sandals, showing how slippers could be substituted for a winter bid.

London's The Telegraph has a Twitter roundup of what the paper calls a "bizarre logo".

The BBC finds out what riders of the much-heralded Jubilee Line think of the new rail route.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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