Another Hurdle Cleared for Munich 2018; Sochi 2014 Brings Down Barriers

Big Win for Munich 2018 Bid Book

Munich 2018 secures the blessing of yet another council and the use of still more land, long a scarce resource for this Olympic bid.

The regional council of Berchtesgadener Land voted 84% in favor of the bid book Monday, a key show of support from the site of bobsleigh, luge and skeleton should Germany win the 2018 Winter Games.

This latest result comes less than two weeks after both the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district council and Munich city council approved the bid book within hours of each other. Both votes were nearly unanimous.

Under the bid's two-park concept, ice competitions will take place in Munich and snow competitions in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, about one hour south of Munich. Bobsleigh, luge and skeleton will be held at the sliding center at Lake Königssee in the Berchtesgadener Land.

Around the Rings will be on the scene this week as Munich 2018 make its first international presentation to the Olympic family at the Association of National Olympic Committees general assembly in Acapulco, Mexico.

Japanese Star on Course for Gold at Gymnastic Worlds

Japan, defending all-around champions, have an early lead at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam.

Kohei Uchimura helped Japan lead the standings in the six-apparatus team event qualifying Monday. South Korea is currently second.

The U.S. compete later, with China and Russia still to compete on Tuesday. The team final takes place Thursday.

Uchimura also leads the individual standings.

Eight countries advanced to the women’s team final following the conclusion of qualifying Sunday.

Russia, China, the U.S., Romania, Great Britain, Australia, Italy and Japan will compete in the finals on Wednesday.

Sochi 2014 Strives Toward ‘Barrier-Free’ Games

Sochi organizers want not only the 2014 Paralympics but also the 2014 Olympics to welcome those living with disabilities.

The public council charged with Games preparations met Thursday as the IOC Coordination Commission’s fourth visit to the Russian host city wrapped up.

Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko, council chairman Vitaly Ignatenko, Sochi mayor Anatoly Pakhomov and four-time Paralympic champion skier and biathlete Irek Zaripov joined in the proceedings.

The council discussed how to make the upcoming Winter Games accessible for people with disabilities and implemented a plan from the Russian federal government aimed at exactly that.

"Everything being constructed for the Games - transport, roads, sporting and public facilities - will be a model for a barrier-free environment throughout Russia," Chernyshenko said in a statement.

The plan also calls for the training of roughly 5,000 volunteers ahead of the 2014 Paralympics.

"The Organizing Committee is making some excellent progress in a number of areas not only in terms of building infrastructure but trying to change attitudes towards people with a disability,"International Paralympic Committee representative and Coordination Commission member Miguel Sagarra said.

"We will continue to monitor their progress closely and are keen that their plans to create a barrier free environment for Sochi and Russia are integrated into their design plans for all venues that will be built between now and 2014."

Sochi last week hit the halfway point in preparations for the Games. The IOC will next visit in March when a section of the new rail link connecting the city with the mountain venues is expected to be unveiled.

No Doping Found At Volleyball Worlds

The men’s volleyball world championship that ended last week was squeaky clean.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced Monday that all 158 anti-doping tests associated with the two-week tournament came back negative.

A total of 318 players competed in the 24-team showdown, held from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10 in Rome.

More than half of the tests were administered out-of-competition during the build-up to the tournament. The remainder occurred in Rome, where at least two players were randomly picked for testing after each match.

"Players have never been subjected to such in-depth testing aheadof a World Championship event as they were this year," FIVB executive VP Amr M. Elwani said in a statement.

"These results prove that top performance in volleyball can be achieved without the use of any prohibited substances or any other methods which contravene the true essence and spirit of sport."

Brazil beat Cuba for its third consecutive men’s title.

The women’s world championship kicks off Oct. 29 in Tokyo.

Olympic Host Cities, Hopefuls Trade Secrets

A who’s who of host cities past and future met over the weekend in Beijing to exchange knowledge and to promote all things Olympic.

The third annual Lausanne Summit gathered members of the World Union of Olympic Cities (UMVO) to discuss the relationship between Games hosting and city development as well the role youth can play in the process.

"Olympic Games, as well as other major international sports events, offer unique opportunities such as the chance to rethink your city, develop it along new lines, and promote it through the tremendous showcase of a major sports event," Lausanne mayor Daniel Brelaz said in opening remarks.

"And what better way is there, in this context, to put a spotlight on young people, the actors of the long-term vision we need to define and the future we are trying to build."

UMVO is a Lausanne-based organization consisting of active members, or cities that have hosted or are set to host the Games, and associate members, or cities that hope to one day host.

Both PyeongChang and Annecy have joined as associate members. Thanks to the 1972 Summer Games, Munich is an active member.

Written by Matthew Grayson.