Paris Mayor Pushes Olympic Triathlon in Seine -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The mayor of Paris wants to see the city’s iconic river join the 2024 Olympic bid.

Anne Hidalgo suggested to Francs Jeux that the Seine River could hold the swim leg of the triathlon if Paris’ bid to host in 2024 is successful.

"Making water [in the Seine] possible … for swimming would be a legacy after the Olympics," said Hidalgo, pointing out that the current water quality does not make swimming in the river an option.

The International Triathlon Union tells Around the Rings that its president Marisol Casado mentioned the idea to Hidalgo at a meeting in May.

"Should Paris win the 2024 bid, we would welcome the opportunity to hold triathlon in the heart of the city," an ITU spokesperson told ATR.

"We would work closely with the city to raise the standard of water quality for both the safety of the athletes and the enjoyment of all as a legacy of the Olympics."

FIFA Suspends Inspector of Russia, Qatar Bids

(ATR) The former chair of the bid evaluation groups for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups has been given a seven-year suspension.

Former Chilean Football Association president Harold Mayne-Nicholls is banned from taking part in any football-related activity for the duration of his term as a result of the ruling by the FIFA ethics committee.

A release from FIFA says more information will be available once the final decision becomes effective.

Mayne-Nicholls led the inspection teams for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which were awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Both selections have been dogged by accusations of bribery. Separate U.S. and Swiss investigations into the football governing body are ongoing.

World Games Commends Tokyo Shortlist Feds

(ATR) The International World Games Association is thrilled for its seven sports which now have a chance to be staged at Tokyo 2020.

Seven of the eight sports on the shortlist to be added to the 2020 Olympics - baseball/softball, bowling, karate, roller sports, sport climbing, squash and surfing - are part of the IWGA.

"The decision underlines our close cooperation with the IOC regarding the composition of the sports program and how sports are evaluated," said IWGA president Jose Perurena.

"It is a matter of fact that the World Games are the stepping stone to the Olympics. We wish all our members the best of luck in the process now starting of selection the new sports for 2020."

Wushu joined the seven IWGA federations in the mix for the 2020 program when the shortlist was announced on June 22.

The eight were chosen from a list of 26 possible sports that submitted their application to the organizing committee.

Tokyo will make its final recommendations by the end of September.

Written by Nick Devlin

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