UCI, Cyclists Push Improved Rider Safety -- Federation Focus

(ATR) There should be additional measures in place to improve rider safety at professional cycling races in time for the 2020 season.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) made the announcement after meeting at UCI headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland on Wednesday.

The UCI says it has listened to the safety concerns of riders, passed on by the CPA, following a series of incidents at major and national races in recent weeks.

The UCI and the CPA have agreed to set out a road map over the coming weeks, during which time they will also hold several working meetings attended by representatives of the riders, teams and organizers. These meetings should lead to specific proposals being put to the vote by the UCI Management Committee, with a view to being applied from the 2020 season onwards. The new measures would be presented at the UCI WorldTour seminar on Dec. 10-11.

"The safety of cyclists is an absolute priority and I would like to thank the CPA for their cooperation at the meeting,"said UCI President David Lappartient. "Along with our partners from cycling’s various families, we have already done much to improve race conditions for riders, although recent events have reminded us that we can never rest on our laurels."

CPA President Gianni Bugno said: "Rider safety is one of the CPA’s key missions, and we are delighted that the UCI is listening on this issue and is determined to do something about it. We are going to come up with specific proposals as part of a constructive approach, with the aim of seeing significant measures introduced for the benefit of riders in 2020."

Rugby World Cup Could be Disrupted by Weather

The final weekend of the Rugby World Cup’s pool stage could be thrown into disarray by Super Typhoon Hagibis.

The powerful storm is currently predicted to directly impact Tokyo and Yokohama this weekend. There are two high-profile games scheduled for Yokohama: England faces France on Saturday in what will determine the winner of Pool C. Both teams have already qualified for the quarterfinals.

The stakes are higher for Sunday’s match between Japan and Scotland, which will determine one of the quarterfinalists from Pool A.

If the matches were to be cancelled, they would be recorded as 0-0 draws. Should this happen, England would win Pool C and Japan would go through to the last eight.

Organizers say that moving the fixtures to a different venue is also a possibility. The other two matches scheduled for the weekend are in the southwest part of Japan. Ireland plays Samoa in Fukuoka and Wales faces Uruguay in Kumamoto.

World Sailing Joins Forces With The Ocean Race

The next two editions of The Ocean Race receive Special Event status from World Sailing.

The around the world yacht race has been held every three or four years since 1973. The next two editions are scheduled for 2021-22 and 2025-26.

Special Event status ensures that World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport, formally recognizes and sanctions the event. It also means that The Ocean Race will be held under World Sailing's Racing Rules of Sailing and Regulations, with World Sailing administering the anti-doping rules and supporting the World Sailing Race Officials overseeing the event. Furthermore, World Sailing will support The Ocean Race with promotional and marketing activities.

World Sailing President Kim Andersen commented, "The Ocean Race has continuously inspired millions with its innovative approach to presenting sailing and telling some of the most compelling narratives in worldwide sport.

"We’re excited about working with The Ocean Race over the next seven years and showcasing the event to an expanding audience and inspiring millions more people to fall in love with sailing."

The Ocean Race is the sixth sanctioned World Sailing Special Event, joining SailGP, World Match Racing Tour, PWA World Tour, Star Sailors League and the Global Kitesports Association’s freestyle world tours.

World Squash Day is October 12

World Squash Day is this Saturday, and efforts are planned around the world to support efforts by the World Squash Federation and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) to attract one million new players to the sport over the next decade.

The Black Ball Sporting Club in New Cairo, Egypt has hosted two major PSA World Tour events in its first year of operation. The club’s Squash Director Ashraf Hanafi said: "We will be welcoming new players and also inviting local schools to join us on World Squash Day."

More than 200 events are planned across the UK while the USA will be celebrating World Squash Day with events coinciding with finals day of the US Open at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Events are taking place across the United States where World Squash Day was launched following the death of numerous squash players during the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

In Australia, squash enthusiasts will be taking to the streets in Brisbane to hit balls against the walls of landmark buildings to raise the profile of the sport.

In India, former national champion and PSA World Tour star Ritwik Bhattacharya's growing academy is running World Squash Day camps at squash clubs and military bases.

Events are also taking place across South America in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Peru and Colombia.

The World Squash Day maptracks every registered event.

Written by Gerard Farek

For general comments or questions,click here.

Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.