Cycling Tests Mixed Relay Event -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The International Cycling Union (UCI) tested out an on Monday for which it has Olympic aspirations.

An international test of a mixed gender track cycling event was carried out at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland.

Under-23 international teams of two men and two women from four countries - France, Great Britain, Italy and Spain - hit the track with BMX trainees. They moved through qualification rounds, semifinals and finals.

UCI president Brian Cookson called the event "a huge success" in a release.

"All the teams took it in great spirit, and I would like to thank them for their motivation and their stunning performances in this event, which was totally new to them. I am sure we have seen some of the world’s future stars here today."

The mixed relay format is already in use at the Youth Olympic Games.

Judo Tabs Budapest

The International Judo Federation selected Budapest to host a number of upcoming events.

The 2017 Judo World Championships and the 2017 IJF Congress will both be held in the capital of Hungary, as per a contract signed by IJF president Marius Vizer and Hungarian Judo Federation president Laszlo Toth on March 25.

According to the agreement, the Hungarian Government will provide full support and approval for the organization of the two events.

At the contract signing, Toth referred to the agreement as a "milestone" in Hungarian sports.

"In my opinion, it is very important to hold international judo competitions in our country, because children and youth can meet with world class judoka and they may try to practice our sport," Toth said.

"Hopefully, after 10 or 15 years, we will see them on the tatami of top international judo events and they might reach worldwide results."

"I am convinced that Hungary will organize a successful World Championship, especially with the possibility of candidature for the 2024 Olympic Games and also given the successful history of judo in Hungary," Vizer added.

USA Luge Film

A USA Luge marketing campaign centers around a newly-released promotional film.

The film, created by sports documentarian Rupert Wainwright and firm Adore Creative, premiered on March 24.

Filmed on location at the Utah Olympic Park Track for three days, the film focuses on the intensity of the sport, the concept of speed, and the progression of time. Included are U.S. lugers Erin Hamlin, Chris Mazdzer, Julia Clukey and Emily Sweeney.

"This film kicks off something new and powerful for our athletes and programs," said USA Luge CEO Jim Leahy said in a release.

"The creative in the film gives us a chance to tell the story of our sport broken down to its most basic component; the luge athlete’s never ending competition against time. The difference between going home with a medal or going home empty handed is literally milliseconds."

Further information on the film can be found here.

Written by Nick Devlin and Andrew Murrell

Homepage photo: UCI

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.