Taekwondo Test Event in Rio This Weekend -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The Rio 2016 Organizing Committee faces another test of its preparations for this summer's Olympic Games this weekend when the Aquece Rio International Taekwondo Tournament comes to town.

The tournament, which is the Olympic taekwondo test event, will be held Feb. 20-21 at the Carioca Arena 1 in the Olympic Park.Carioca Arena 3 will host Olympic taekwondo during Rio 2016 but Carioca Arena 1 has been chosen to host the test event as it is fully complete and so will allow Rio 2016 to deliver the same world-class environment that athletes can expect during the Games. Carioca Arena 3 is said to be 98 percent finished with just the very final installations to be completed.

A total of 49 athletes from 15 countries will compete in the test event across four weight categories.

"This competition is the only opportunity for athletes and teams of all Olympic weight categories to orient themselves with the future Olympic venue, and all Rio 2016 schedules, systems and processes that will be followed for the Olympic Games" writes Mark Kauffman, the Taekwondo Manager of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee.

IAAF World Indoor Championships A Month Away

Portland, Oregon is hosting the IAAF World Indoor Championships from March 17-20 as the signature event returns to the United States for the first time since its inaugural edition in 1987.

A number of athletes who had initially decided not to compete in Portland are now starting to reconsider. The IAAF says its newWorld Indoor Tour is the reason behind that. The federation says the tour has provided the perfect platform for athletes to test their form ahead of the championships.

ITU opens bidding for World Triathlon Series

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has opened bidding for the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series, as well as the 2019 ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final.

"Triathlon as a sport continues to grow at a rapid rate, attracting hundreds and thousands of athletes to races," said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. "The World Triathlon Series brings the world’s best athletes to a city, while also offering it international exposure as the races are broadcast live to a global audience."

ITU says that while it accepts bids for WTS races annually, local organizing committees have the opportunity to present a multi-year bid. The deadline for cities interested in hosting a race on the 2017 World Triathlon Series calendar is May 2, with successful cities being notified following the ITU Executive Board meeting on Jun. 10.

For the 2019 ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final, cities must submit their bid to the ITU by May 16, and should be prepared to present their bids to the ITU Executive Board in person at their meeting on Jun. 10. Successful cities will be notified on or before Aug. 22.

Written by Gerard Farek

Homepage photo: Getty

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