Federations Roundup - Japan Judo's Message; McQuaid's Legal Challenge

Judo President Sends Message to Japan

International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer has warned the All-Japan Judo Federation to "clean up".

The announcement comes after the national federation endured three separate scandals in the past year.

In February, Japan learned that some of its coaches were practicing abusive behaviors towards their athletes in the lead-up to the London Olympic Games. In April, the federation discovered that government subsidies were misappropriated to officials that did not act as coaches in the federation.

Last month, Jiro Fukuda, a high ranking official in the national federation, resigned amidst sexual harassment allegations.

Vizer has given the All-Japan Judo Federation until Oct. 15 to submit a report on the scandals. At that time, the IJF will take appropriate legal action.

"The IJF follows very carefully the present situation in Japanese judo," said Vizer.

"The IJF with the All-Japan Judo Federation will do our best to clean up the situation and start with new reforms and new development in Japanese judo."

Legal Challenge to McQuaid

Former Swiss National Team Coach Kurt Buergi and the Skins clothing company announced they will bring legal suit against the Swiss Cycling Federation’s nomination of Pat McQuaid for UCI president.

The suit is being brought "on the basis that the endorsement was unconstitutional and made without proper authority".

McQuaid received a nomination to run from the Swiss Cycling Federation, rather than from Cycling Ireland.

The Irish Federation was set to vote on whether to nominate McQuaid this week during an extraordinary general meeting

"The Presidential election requires a candidate to be a member of an affiliated Federation, but Skins and Kurt Buergi contest that Swiss Cycling was not constitutionally able to officially support Mr. McQuaid and that the endorsement is therefore null and void," the suit states.

"As a confirmed member of Cycling Ireland, Mr. McQuaid has already sought endorsement from the Irish Federation and membership of two Federations is not permitted under the UCI constitution."

FEI Updates Movement of Horses

Two major advances have been made to protect the safety and health of horses traveling to Shanghai for the Shanghai Masters event.

The European Commission, FEI, and Chinese Authorities signed off on legislation that will temporarily allow the importation of EU horses into Shanghai.

This comes after OIE, the World Organization for Animal Health, passed a new resolution updating the procedures to create "disease-free zones" in certain metropolitan areas.

This resolution allows for OIE to monitor and establish a disease-free zone in Shanghai for the event.

This is the second time a special zone was created in mainland China for an FEI event. A similar scenario presented itself in Guangzhou in 2010.

"The response to the various proposals on high-health high-performance horses was very positive and constructive, and all regions of the world supported the general principles, which was tremendous," said OIE Special Advisor Gardner Murray.

"The key issue from now on is to translate the principles into practical application. That is, how to define an HHP horse or the specific standards applied to them, and how to take them to the next stage of practical implementation."

Cyprus President Opens ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Nicosia

The President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades welcomed international athletes at the opening ceremony for the 2013 ISSF Shotgun World Cup held at the shooting range of Nicosia.

Cyprus Shooting Sport Federation President Demetris Lordos addressed Anastasiades in his opening speech at the World Cup.

"We would like to express our gratitude to the Cyprus Shooting Sport Federation for hosting this important event, and thank his Excellency Mr. Nico Anastasiades, the President of Cyprus, for attending at this Opening Ceremony," said Lordos.

"Once again, the Government of Cyprus granted a great support to the shooting sport."

Following competitions in Acapulco and Al Ain, the event in Nicosia marks the third step in this year's ISSF World Cup Series.

The 2013 ISSF Shotgun World Cup Final will be held in Abu Dhabi in October.

Canoe Slalom Champion Helps Clean Up Prague Course

Double European Canoe Slalom Champion Jiri Prskavec returned to Prague following a competition in Poland to help ensure the slalom course is ready for the 2013 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championship.

"Right after the teams medal ceremony I underwent doping control and then I jumped into the car with Vavrinec [Hradilek] and Vit [Prindis] towards Prague," said Prskavec.

"We arrived back from Poland at around 3 a.m.."

Prskavec received a warm welcome from volunteers and local organizing committee members in Prague.

"I really admire the people working in the Prague slalom area," Prskavec added.

"It is a great thing that they’re able to join their power and efforts to clean and secure the area for the planned World Championships."

Prskavec will compete at the Czech Cup in Slovakia next weekend and then at the 2013 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Cardiff.

Written by Aaron Bauer and Nicole Bennett

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