Federations Roundup - Rugby Delays Elections; Ice Hockey Boss Bound for Sochi

IRB Postpones Elections

International Rugby Board elections will have to wait until after the Rugby World Cup.

The election of the chairman and vice-chairman were planned for Wednesday’s meeting of the IRB Council meeting but will now be delayed until December.

Incumbent chairman Bernard Lapasset is running against current vice-chairman Bill Beamont.

"Both candidates and Council were in agreement that in future the election of chairman should not take place during Rugby World Cup, but should take place at the IRB annual meeting of Council in the year following rugby's showcase tournament," the IRB said in a statement.

The RWC comes to a close Sunday with host New Zealand taking on France in the final.

According to IRB bylaws, the elections must be held before Jan. 1.

Hockey Honcho Heads to Olympic University

René Fasel, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, will deliver a speech at the Russian International Olympic University in Sochi next month.

The IOC member from Switzerland will join three executives from the 2014 organizing committee as guest lecturers on its innovative Brand Building and Communications Program. The course runs from Nov. 14 to 25.

The Sochi 2014 lecturers are Igor Stolyarov, executive VP of marketing, Alexandra Kosterina, VP of communications, and head of communications Anna Kharnas.

"In the current economic climate any sports organisation that wants to be taken seriously by its target audiences, needs to learn to communicate effectively and efficiently. RIOU’s programme will show delegates how to do this," Fasel said.

The new speakers will line-up alongside the already announced team of brand building and communications expert Jon Tibbs, David Eades, BBC broadcaster, and Alan Abrahamson, sports journalist and member of the IOC Press Commission.

Set up two years ago, RIOU’s mission is to deliver the professional training of management resources for the sports industry in Russia and worldwide, and for the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

Victoria to Host 2013 Curling Champs

Victoria, Canada will stage the men’s world curling championship in 2013.

The event will be held from March 30 to April 7 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Center, also host of the 2005 edition.

"The Ford World Men’s Curling Championship was highly successful in 2005, and we believe that Victoria is primed to build on this success in 2013 as they host the world," said Greg Stremlaw, CEO of the Canadian Curling Association.

CCA and the World Curling Federation have an agreement making Canada the host country for the men’s world championships in 2013 and thewomen’s world championships in both 2012 and 2014.

Sprinter Lends Support to Doha 2017

Three-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown backs Doha’s bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Championships.

"One cause that is close to my heart is the development of women in sports. Doha 2017 has new and innovative ideas for breaking through many barriers facing our sport," she said in a statement.

"I hope my supportwill serve as a platform for one in particular - to advance the development of women in sports in Qatar and around the world."

The Jamaican is a two-time reigning Olympic champion in the 200m. She also has a gold medal for the 4x100m from Beijing, a silver in the 4x100m from Sydney and a bronze in the 100m from Athens.

Marathon Canoe Champs Kick Off

The canoe marathon world championships start this Friday in Singapore.

The competition is expected to bring 600 athletes and officials from 40 countries. The paddlers will compete in six different race categories with distances ranging from 10 to 18 miles.

Renata Csay of Hungary, who won two gold medals at the championships last year, is the woman to beat in the kayak category.

The championships will end on Sunday with the men’s two-person kayak race.

Written by Ann Cantrell and Mark Bisson.