UCI Schedules Decision; More Armstrong Fallout; Salt Lake City 2026?

UCI Schedules Armstrong Announcement

President Pat McQuaid will announce Monday at a press conference in Geneva whether the International Cycling Union will appeal the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s reasoned decision on the alleged doping of Lance Armstrong.

More Armstrong Fallout

Dutch bank Rabobank is ending its sponsorship of professional cycling as a result of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s reasoned decision against Lance Armstrong.

A statement on the website of Rabosport, the bank’s sports marketing division, said neither its men’s nor women’s team sponsorships would be renewed once they expire at the end of 2012.

"It is with pain in our heart, but for the bank this is an inevitable decision," said Bert Bruggink, a member of the Managing Board. "We are no longer convinced that the international professional world of cycling can make this a clean and fair sport. We are not confident that this will change for the better in the foreseeable future."

Cycling is one of the most popular sports in the Netherlands. Rabobank began its support of cycling 17 years ago. The bank will continue its sponsorship of amateur teams.

"Cycling is a beautiful sport, which millions of Dutch people enjoy and a large number of those Dutch people are clients of Rabobank. But our decision stands: we are pulling out of professional cycling. It is painful. Not just for Rabobank, but especially for the enthusiasts and the cyclists who are not to blame in this," added Bruggink.

A team statement says it "regrets" but "understands" the decision.

"We’ve been cycling for 17 years now with the name Rabobank proudly on our shirts and it hurts that going forward we’ll have to do without that name. We are confident that Rabobank will take good care of the cyclists and staff members of Rabobank Wielerploegen BV in the finalization of this matter."

Committee Says Bid for 2026

The Utah Olympic Exploratory Committee says 2026 is the right time for Salt Lake City to bid for the Olympics.

A 36-page document outlining the group’s findings was delivered to Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker on Thursday. The two will review the report and make a decision by "mid-November" on whether to move forward with a bid.

"We have taken this responsibility very seriously in recommending to the Governor and Mayor our next steps," Lt. Governor Greg Bell, lead Co-Chair for the UOEC, said in a statement. "Our research considered all aspects, from public opinion, hospitality and venues, to transportation, finances and competitive analysis. We already have first-class Olympic level venues. Because of this, we can host the Games in a world-class manner for much less investment than any U.S. city we know of."

Steve Price, Co-Chair of the UOEC and President of the Utah Sports Commission Board of Trustees, added: "The legacy of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games is still being realized today, 10 years later. This legacy has continued with the hosting of approximately 400 sporting events since 2002. The Olympic legacy will not only continue but be expanded well into the future with another Winter Olympics in Utah."

However, the fate of the Salt Lake 2026 bid likely rests in the U.S. Olympic Committee’s hands. The organization is also studying a bid—namely whether to try for the 2024 Summer Olympics or 2026 Winter Olympics.

Click here to read the full report (PDF).

Russia Wants Women’s Hockey Bronze

The head of the Russian Hockey Federation says the goal for the women’s team in Sochi is a bronze medal.

Vladislav Tretiak told RIA-Novosti: "The national team has serious tasks ahead of it. We'd love our girls to win the bronze in Sochi, although for this we need to put in a lot of work."

He added the federation "will do everything for the development of women's hockey."

Russia’s women are yet to win an Olympic medal, with their best result coming at the 2002 Games where they finished fifth out of eight. Women’s ice hockey has long been dominated by the United States and Canada, having captured every gold and silver at major tournaments. Russia is currently ranked sixth in the world.

BOA Communications Chief Returning Home

Darryl Seibel, Director of Communications for the British Olympic Association tells Around the Rings he will return to the United States "likely in early to mid-December."

Seibel had always planned to return to the U.S. following the completion of the London 2012 Olympics. He served in his position for three years.

"“It has been an extraordinary privilege to work here and I amgrateful for the opportunity," Seibel tells ATR. "The experience has exceeded anything Icould have hoped for or expected."”

Tonga Gets Pacific Games

Tonga won the right to stage the 2019 Pacific Games.

On Friday, the Pacific Games Council awarded the south Pacific country the Games over Tahiti.

Reports say Tonga will need to secure a $70 million budget for the Games.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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