World Cup Construction Pledge; Arab Games Progress; The Other Sergey Bubka

Brazilian Leader Offers World Cup Pledge

Brazil's president Dilma Rousseff says work on nine of the stadium projects for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be completed next year.

"We are monitoring the execution of works. The renovation and construction of stadiums are on pace," Rousseff said in her weekly address on Tuesday, according to O Globo Esportes, in response to criticism of delays in the preparation of the 12 host venues.

Brazilian sports minister Orlando Silva had previously promised that 10 stadia would be ready for the Confederations Cup in June of 2013 and that all 12 World Cup venues would be complete by the end of that year.

FIFA remains concerned about the sluggish modernization program for the host stadia and various transport upgrades, particularly airports.

But last month FIFA president Sepp Blatter expressed confidence the projects would be delivered on time.

The biggest worry appears to be construction of the new Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paolo that is slated to host the World Cup opener.

Rousseff offered assurances that the stadium project was on schedule. She also said that work was underway to upgrade six of Brazil's outdated airports for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. Other contracts are to be awarded shortly for the development of five other airports.

For more on the developing story, follow World Football INSIDER.

The Other Sergey Bubka

Sergey Bubka Jr., son of the legendary Olympic pole-vaulter and Ukrainian IOC member, is making the name his own.

The 24-year-old professional tennis player won three straight matches last week to qualify for the ongoing US Open, then won his first-ever Grand Slam match Tuesday in Flushing Meadows, New York.

According to a Reuters report, his father did not attend the 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win over Andreas Haider-Maurer of Austria due to his duties as an IAAFvice president. The athletics world championships are running this week in Daegu, South Korea.

"He was watching the live scores. He didn't sleep but he's very happy that I'm improving and I broke through," Bubka Jr. told the British news agency.

"Everybody, every week asks me 'Are you the son of the famous pole vaulter?"

"I just hope that I will continue improving and I will be known for Sergey Bubka the famous tennis player and not the son of a great pole vaulter.

"I like my name but I'm just a regular guy."

He’ll face 11th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in the second round.

Arab Games Progress

Organizers of the 2011 Arab Games in Dohasay Games preparations are well on track.

Scheduled for Dec. 9 to 23, the Games will be used to benefit the entire Arab world, organizers say.

"Our vision is to create the ideal sporting environment to inspire Arab athletes and excite fans from all nations," said Abdullah Al-mulla, official spokesman of the Games.

"The Arab Games Doha 2011 will bring everything together to make that vision a reality. In 99 days the nation will welcome the finest Arab athletes and today marks the start of the official countdown to a spectacular two week festival of sport and culture."

More than 8,000 athletes will participate in 30 sports at the Arab Games.

Sochi Flash Mob

Sochi 2014 will stage the country’s largest-ever flash mob.

On Wednesday the organizing committee made the announcement, saying the mob will have 1,500 lessons dedicated to the "Legacy of the 2014 Sochi Games" for 50,000 students from 30 Russian cities.

"The record-breaking educational flash mob proves once again that the Games in Sochi is a unique project that is uniting the whole country" said Sochi 2014 president Dmitry Chernyshenko. "Hundreds of people are taking part in organizing Olympic lessons because they genuinely want to."

Written by Mark Bisson and Matthew Grayson.