WADA Chief on Contador; Rugby Revamps Sevens World Series

World Anti-Doping Chief on Contador

The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, John Fahey, tells Around the Rings that Monday’s Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that determined Alberto Contador failed a drug test en route to winning the 2010 Tour de France is a victory for clean athletes.

"It’s a strong message to say there is a process out there that will stand up for the clean athletes of the world," Fahey said Tuesday from Lausanne, where WADA is holding a Media Symposium.

"I say it’s a good day for the clean athletes out there. They can take some comfort in the fact that there is a system in place that will protect the fact that they are competing in a very honest manner."

He added that political interference may have been behind the initial decision from Spanish authorities to clear Contador of wrongdoing.

"I think the regrettable event there was that there was some political interference in Spain, around the time a decision was to be taken by the Spanish [cycling] federation. A 12-month ban turned into exoneration. In my mind, that left WADA no choice but to appeal," Fahey told ATR.

"In between those two steps, the then-prime minister publicly stated that Contador was innocent. That leads you to a conclusion that there was political interference. To me, that is regrettable to say the least and concerning if it should be a practice that occurs ever again, not just in Spain but anywhere."

Spanish Olympic Committee president Alejandro Blanco said on Monday he continues to believe Contador is innocent.

Fahey said he hopes Blanco sets aside his "patriotic sentiments" and "supports" the CAS decision.

Contador’s ban is backdated, expiring on Aug. 6.

As a consequence of the ruling, Contador will lose his 2010 Tour title. Andy Schleck, who finished second in the race, said he will not claim the vacated title.

BA Debuts Olympic Ad Via Facebook

British Airways will unveil a London Olympics advertisement Thursday on Facebook.

The 60-second commercial will focus on a British girl’s baggage that is racing to beat other pieces of luggage. The ad will be available at 11 a.m. GMT and will run later on Google+ and during the television program "Coronation Street".

The ad will also feature BA baggage handlers, agents and cabin crew as well as the tagline "2012. We’re ready. To fly. To serve." Print advertisements will also launch on Friday.

Abigail Comber, British Airways’ head of brands and marketing, said the overall campaign builds on the company’s dedication to customer service.

"This campaign builds on our ‘To Fly. To Serve.’ promise. We have an amazing team at British Airways who work to deliver hundreds of flights a day, all over the world," she said.

"Each team from check-in, baggage handling and ‘dispatch’, through catering and on to the flight and cabin crew effectively hands the baton on and it’s that team spirit combined with the sheer scale of the British Airways operation that we wanted to convey."

Rugby Revamps Sevens World Series

A new qualification system for rugby’s HSBC Sevens World Series will open up the sport to every rugby-playing nation ahead of its Olympic re-inclusion in 2016.

Next month’s Hong Kong Sevens from March 23 to 25 will double as a qualification tournament during which the current 12 "core" countries contest one event while another 12 compete in a separate event with three additional "core" spots for the remainder of the Series up for grabs.

From the 2012-13 season onwards, promotion and relegation will come into effect with the International Rugby Board inviting a 16th team to round out each event outside of Hong Kong.

"As we build towards Rio 2016 and our Olympic Games debut it is important that opportunities exist for all nations to progress to Series core team status if they are good enough," IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said in a statement.

"The new systemprovides every nation competing in their regional qualifying tournaments with a direct opportunity to gain core team status and compete on every round of the World Series."

Baku 2020 Taps Comms Head

The general secretary of the Azerbaijani Football Association will pull double duty as Baku 2020’s new head of communications.

Elkhan Mammadov, 32, is already overseeing preparations for the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup slated for September in the Azeri capital.

"Our bid is all about enabling Azerbaijan’s young sportsmen and sportswomen to realize their true potential – and Elkhan is already doing that magnificently in football, especially in the way he has built an U17 women’s side from scratch that is now ready to take on the best in the world later this year," said Baku 2020 CEO Konul Nurullayeva.

OFC Olympic Qualifier Moved

Oceania qualifying for the men’s Olympic football tournament at London 2012 will unfold in New Zealand because of a legal dispute between the Oceania Football Confederation and original host Fiji.

According to a Tuesday announcement from the OFC, the eight-team competition will be staged March 16 to 25 in Taupo with the winner representing the confederation at the Games.

The move follows contempt of court charges levied against OFC general secretary Tai Nicholas by Fiji’s military regime for apparent criticisms he made of the country’s judicial system.

Coe Supports African Olympics

London’s Olympic chief says he will "do what I can" to bring the Olympics to Africa for the first time.

Sebastian Coe made the comments in Tanzania.

"Like many around the world, it would also be a dream for me to see the Games staged on this continent," he was quoted by the South African Press Association.

If Coe does work for an African bid – one is expected from South Africa for 2024 – the campaign will have a successful advocate. Coe led London 2012’s bid and was a key figure in London’s 2017 athletics world championship bid.

Media Watch

Reuters news agency reports on Londoners who are leasing their homes during the Olympics.

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Salt Lake Olympics, USA Today’s Vicky Michaelis surveys the Olympic landscape, and the Games' decade-long absence from U.S. soil.

Following the addition of Rugby Sevens to the Olympic Program, a change in focus is in order for the IRB’s Sevens tournament.

The IAAF previews the Race Walking Challenge 2012 season.

Written by Ed Hula III and Matthew Grayson.

20 Years at #1: