ISU Chief Stepping Down; Barcelona 2026 Talks; Rebelo Recants

(ATR) Skating chief stepping down in 2016… Barcelona mayor meets with Bach regarding bid… Aldo Rebelo staying on as sports minister. 

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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (C) and President of International Skating Union Ottavio Cinquanta (L) watch the pairs competition at the ISU Figure skating World championships in Moscow, on April 27, 2011, with Russian figure skater Yevgeny Plushchenko (bottom R) attending.   AFP PHOTO/ RIA-NOVOSTI POOL/ ALEXEY DRUZHININ (Photo credit should read ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images)
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (C) and President of International Skating Union Ottavio Cinquanta (L) watch the pairs competition at the ISU Figure skating World championships in Moscow, on April 27, 2011, with Russian figure skater Yevgeny Plushchenko (bottom R) attending. AFP PHOTO/ RIA-NOVOSTI POOL/ ALEXEY DRUZHININ (Photo credit should read ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images)

Skating Chief to Step Down

Ottavio Cinquanta, president of the International Skating Union, said he will step down in 2016.

Speaking to the Francs Jeux newsletter, Cinquanta said he realized he had to "give way to others."

The 75-year-old Italian has led the ISU since 1994. He will forego his IOC membership when he steps down from the ISU presidency.

Future of Barcelona Bid Unclear

Despite reports earlier this week saying Barcelona would not bid for the 2022, it is now unclear if the city will.

On Friday, reports surfaced that the city’s mayor, Xavier Trias, had met with IOC president Thomas Bach on Wednesday. Trias claimed Bach told the mayor to bid for the 2026 Olympics.

"His advice wasn't criticism but aid aimed at giving us a better chance of winning," the mayor’s office was quoted as saying in a statement.

He added that while he wants a 2022 bid, " if that's not possible, then we'll try for 2026."

Bids are due to the IOC by November 14. After the failed Madrid 2020 bid, it seems unlikely the Spanish Olympic Committee would approve a bid for the 2022 Games.

Other mentioned candidates for the 2022 Olympics include a bid from the Ukraine, a joint Poland/Slovakia bid, and one from Munich.

Brazil Sports Minister Changes Mind

A day after saying he would be leaving his post at the end of the year, Brazil sports minister Aldo Rebelo now says he will stay on the job through next year’s World Cup.

The government was concerned by Rebelo’s announcement, given the enormity of hosting a World Cup and the many challenges that still lie ahead.

"After meeting with President Dilma Rousseff today, and at her request, the minister decided to remain in charge of the ministry and won’t become a candidate next year," a spokesman for the sports ministry told the Wall Street Journal.

Though the president’s office denied it was her request, they confirmed Rebelo would stay.

Rebelo had previously voiced a desire to run for governor of Sao Paulo, the country’s wealthiest and most populous state. Brazilian election rules require all candidates leave unelected government positions six months prior to an election.

Instead, he will focus on the remaining World Cup preparations, including the readiness of stadiums and ensuring event security.

Written by Ed Hula III and Nick Devlin.

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