Sochi F1 Circuit on Track; Germans Dominate Luge WC; More Cycling Events in Rio?

Sochi Track on Target, Says Formula 1 Boss

Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone says he’s "super-impressed" with progress on the circuit construction site in Olympic Park.

Ecclestone was in Sochi on Monday to inspect preparations for the first Russian Grand Prix, now scheduled for November 2014.

Together with officials from regional and federal government including Deputy PM Dmitry Kozak, he drove through the basic layer of asphalt and inspected facilities for the 5.95km circuit, including the pit building and pit lane.

According to a statement from the Formula Sochi team, Kozak pointed out that all works are on schedule while Ecclestone said he was "super-impressed" with the construction completed since his last visit to Sochi.

"The track is located on the Olympic Park; it is necessary to coordinate activities of many building organizations and facilities. But we’ve solved all those problems and entered the final straight," said Kozak.

Ecclestone added:"I was here before the building work started on the track and I was already impressed then. Now I’m super-impressed with what’s going on here."

More Cycling in Rio?

Amidst calls to altogether strip its Olympic status, cycling is seeking six new events for Rio 2016.

According to an Associated Press report, the International Cycling Union wants points races back on the track program as well as BMX freestyle and mountain bike eliminator events.

Men and women would compete in all three additions, according to the proposal from UCI’s management board.

Points races were last staged at Beijing 2008. A new omnium event into which they were folded made its debut at London 2012.

New events must be added to an Olympics three years in advance, meaning the IOC will finalize the program for Rio 2016 this year.

Germany Dominates Luge Worlds

German lugers are the ones to beat at the 2014 Olympics after a command performance at the 2013 FIL World Championships over the weekend.

The sliding powerhouse took eight of the 12 medals on offer in Whistler, British Columbia, including all four golds.

Olympic champion Felix Loch was first again on the Vancouver track, and 2010 bronze medalist Natalie Geisenberger won women’s singles.

Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt won the doubles event, and the four Germans teamed together to win the mixed relay too.

Canada, Austria and Latvia were the other countries to medal.

Table Tennis Flooring for Nanjing

Tinsue Floor Technology will supply the surface upon which paddlers play at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

"The brand "TINSUE" has become synonymous with top quality sports flooring, and of course as the table tennis Olympic sports floor," International Table Tennis Federation President Adham Sharara said Monday, referencing the Chinese company’s similar role at London 2012.

"The agreement for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games further strengthens the relationship between Tinsue and the ITTF, and will provide to the young athletes taking part in the YOG in Nanjing a top quality sports floor for peak performance."

As part of their deal, Tinsue will also supply the ITTF with flooring for events in Africa, North America, Latin America and Oceania throughout 2013 and 2014.

IRB on Wheelchair Rugby

International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset wishes best of luck to the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands and Ireland as they face off this weekend in Dublin for two available spots at the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation’s upcoming European Championship.

"Wheelchair Rugby is a successful Paralympic sport and is growing all over the world in terms of participation and popularity thanks to its blend of world-class competition and entertainment," Lapasset said Monday in a statement.

"I'm very much looking forward to what promises to be a spectacular competition in Antwerp later this year and an event that promises to springboard the sport to new audiences and fans."

The European Championship is a qualifier for the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

According to the IRB, rugby enjoys a close relationship with wheelchair rugby following a 2010 memorandum of understanding with the IWRF.

Written by Matthew Grayson.

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