World Briefs: Blow for Baseball's 2016 Bid, Vancouver Olympic Village Official Quits

MLB Chief Dents Baseball's Olympic Bid

(ATR) Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig expresses doubts about MLB player participation in the Olympics, dealing a blow to baseball’s campaign to return to the Olympic program for the 2016 Games.

But Selig said this week that the league would be “flexible”.

Selig is concerned with how the Olympics would affect the MLB season. The IOC is keen for the league's players to be made available for the Olympics.

“We want to do everything to help and (International Baseball Federation President) Harvey (Schiller) knows that,” Selig said. “You can’t stop a season in August and tell your fans, ‘We’ll see you in two-and-a-half or three weeks.’ That would not play well. Look, you’d then be playing (Major League) baseball almost to Dec. 1. So, it’s just pragmatism takes over.”

Schiller briefed MLB owners on baseball’s bid to return to the Olympics at a meeting Thursday.

"The reaction was good," Schiller said. "They know it's within their best interests to get back into the Olympic program. The big statement is getting the best players in there."

Baseball will not be feature at London 2012 after being axed from the Olympic program in 2005. It is one of seven sports seeking inclusion at the 2016 Games.

Vancouver Olympic Village Head Resigns

Jody Andrews, the Vancouver deputy city manager in charge of the Olympic village for the 2010 Games, has resigned his post amid the project's financial crisis.

Andrews met with Vancouver city manager Penny Ballem on Thursday, and his resignation was later announced.

Andrews’ resignation comes in the midst of a funding crisis for the Olympic village, with construction in danger of being stopped without an infusion of cash by mid-February.

The British Columbia legislature will reconvene Saturday in a bid to resolve the Vancouver Olympic village financing crisis.

The project's financial woes also led to the firing of Vancouver city manager Judy Rogers in mid-December and chief financial officer Estelle Lo earlier in the fall.

Boxing Federation Upholds Obreja Suspension

The International Boxing Association this week upheld the suspension of AIBA executive committee member Rudel Obreja of Romania imposed last August.

Obreja was suspended by the AIBA on Aug. 22 during the Beijing Olympics for violations related to selection of referees and the judging system. He was cited for violating clauses 45 (serious violation to the statues and/or the rules), 47 (damage to the reputation and interest of AIBA) and 49 (damage to the homir) of the federation’s disciplinary code.

In the decision by the AIBA, Obreja was suspended for 3 ½ years retroactive to Aug. 22 and also received a fine. Obreja, 43, competed for Romania in the welterweight division at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Helfant Named ATP President

Adam Helfant, Nike’s corporate vice president for global sports marketing, is the new president of the Association of Tennis Professionals.

The 44-year-old Helfant replaces Andy Anson, who left the ATP to become chief executive of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Helfant, who will be based in London, served the last 12 years as a senior executive with Nike. He was also an attorney for the National Hockey League for three years.

“There is no doubt that men’s professional tennis is one of the world’s most popular sports and, as a lifelong fan, it is a great honor to have been given the opportunity to take the helm at such an exciting time for the ATP,” Helfant said.

“The ATP World Tour is a truly global sporting event, featuring some of the world’s best athletes and followed by millions of the most dedicated sports fans and I could not be more excited about being its new executive chairman.

BOCOG Accounts Due in Months

Beijing Olympic organizers say the final accounting of revenues and expenditures for the 2008 Games will be released sometime during the first half of 2009.

Liu Jingmin, BOCOG executive vice president and Beijing vice mayor, said the final accounting would not be ready in time for the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Congress or the National People’s Congress in March but should be available after that.

Liukin Wants More Olympic Gold in 2012

Beijing Olympic gold medal gymnast Nastia Liukin of the U.S. is considering going for a second consecutive Olympic all-around championship at London 2012.

“I mean, you know, why not?” Liukin told reporters. “The most important part is my health. Besides that, I’ve been thinking about it and gymnastics is like my life. All the time I’ve had off from it, I’m ready to get home and get in the gym.”

Liukin edged out American teammate Shawn Johnson by six-tenths of a point to win the all-around gold medal at last year's Games. She won five medals in all, including three silver and one bronze.

…Briefs

...FIFA President Sepp Blatter has sent his condolences to Palestine Football Association head Jibril Al Rajoub following the deaths of football players Ayman Alkurd and Wajeh Moshte and Palestinian NOC member Khalil abed Jaber during attacks on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. “On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide family of football, I wish to extend our condolences to you, to the Palestinian football community and, most importantly, to Ayman Alkurd’s, to Wajeh Moshtahe’s and to Khalil abed Jaber’s families, friends and loved ones.”

…The International Ski Federation extended media registration for the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships 2009 in Inawashiro, Japan, until Jan. 31. According to the federation's web site, the extension was due to an expectation of “record participation, both in terms of number of nations and athletes.”

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Written by Greg Oshust.