Saudi Arabia Criticism; Sochi Stamps; Offensive Olympic Name?

Tessa Jowell on Saudi Arabia

Former British Olympic minister Tessa Jowell says Saudi Arabia is violating "the spirit" of the Olympic Charter by not having female Olympians.

Jowell was quoted by London’s The Daily Telegraph saying the country is "clearly breaking the spirit of the Olympic Charter's pledge to equality."

She added: "The London Games would be the perfect opportunity for the Saudis to spell out a way forward" for women to compete for Saudi Arabia.

"I would like to see them set out a clear plan for equal inclusion of women in time for the 2016 games in Rio de Janiero. This has to be a substantive commitment."

Dalma Rushdi Malhas did represent Saudi Arabia at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, where she won an equestrian bronze medal.

An Offensive Olympic Name?

Outraged Native American groups believe the host of the 1960 Winter Olympics should be called something other than Squaw Valley.

Nine states are trying to pass legislation to remove the word "squaw" from U.S. place names because of its pejorative association for Native American women, but California is not one of them, according to the Associated Press.

"It's so disrespectful I'm not even going to say the name," Chairman James Ramos of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians in Southern California told the AP. "Every time I hear that I think of our women elders and my daughters and my wife, and I'm not going to degrade them that way by repeating the name. It's deplorable to all native people across the United States."

The AP says there are 1,100 "squaws" on place names and geographic features in the U.S., including the California ski resort which was created especially for the 1960 Games.

Minnesota was the first state to pass legislation outlawing the word in 1995, although the process took five years. Oregon originally had 172 "squaws," but has been trying since 2001 to change the names to historically accurate ones.

If Squaw Valley did change its name, it's doubtful that would have any effect on Olympic history. The 1984 Winter Olympics are still listed as taking place in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, although Yugoslavia no longer exists and the city is now the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Marathon Showcases Tokyo’s Readiness

Tokyo 2020 says this year’s marathon in the capital shows Japan’s passion for sport.

The Tokyo Marathon 2012 brought out 2 million supporters and 10,000 volunteers on Sunday to see Kenya’s Michael Kipyego take first place. Atsede Habtamu nabbed thegold medal in the women’s field.

"The Tokyo Marathon is an extraordinary exhibition that demonstrates the remarkable powerof sport and its ability to unite and inspire us all," said bid committee CEO Masato Mizuno.

"I am proud to be a part of an incredible sporting city with the dynamic atmosphere permeating us all. The Tokyo Marathon is a great showcase of our hosting experience and I look forward to Tokyo playing host again to all our international friends in 2020."

The course ran by several scenic sites and ended at potential Olympic venue Tokyo Big Sight, which would be used for wrestling, powerlifting, taekwondo, boccia and wheelchair fencing.

Sport Security Center Gains New Exec

UnitedNations official Massimiliano Montanari is now part of the senior executive team for the International Centre for Sport Security.

In the newly created position of director of international co-operation and external relations, he will work with other organizations to develop research projects and share information.

Montanari has an extensive career in security for major events and coordinated the security for the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"At the ICSS, we are committed to helping event organizers stage safer major sporting events," said ICSS president Mohammed Hanzab.

"We are delighted that Montanari, with his wealth of experience in foreign affairs and international diplomacy, as well as sport security, has joined the ICSS to help us develop global networks, build knowledge and share best practice in this critical area."

Sochi 2014 Stamps

Sochi 2014 is launching new stamp sheets starring its Olympic mascots.

The 440,000 sheets feature images of the polar bear, leopard, hare and the Paralympic mascots, the ray of light and snowflake. Schoolchildren in Sochi are the first owners of the stamps.

Sochi 2014’s philatelic program started last year with 10,192,000 stamp sheets released in 2011.

Written by Ann Cantrell and Karen Rosen .

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