Thorpe in Rehab; Hope for Rio 3-on-3; Marathon Trials to L.A.

Thorpe Admitted to Rehab

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe has entered treatment for depression and alcohol abuse.

The Australian swimmer was admitted to a Sydney hospital on Wednesday night. According to a news.com.au report, he has been fighting the afflictions for a decade.

"Yes, it’s serious, but there’s not a lot I can or want to add," said friend and broadcaster Alan Jones. "Ian is a beautiful person, but he has difficulty recognizing his problems."

Thorpe admitted to battling depression last year in his autobiography.

A nine-time medalist, Thorpe is the most decorated Olympian in Australian history. Five of the medals, including three golds, came in his hometown at the 2000 Sydney Games.

Hope for 3-on-3 in Rio

There are hints that new medal events could still be added for Rio 2016, opening the door for 3-on-3 basketball.

"If this matter is re-opened, 3-on-3 is ready," FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann told the Associated Press on Wednesday. "We know that the organizing committee in Rio would not mind."

The half-court version of the game was thought to have missed out on its opportunity to join the Games last July. However, reports in Brazil are suggesting that, after IOC president Thomas Bach’s visit last week, new medal events could still be added.

Baumann suggested it may be more a case of eager media members than an actual change of heart by Bach.

"I can imagine the IOC sports director, executive director of the Games, and the president have much bigger mountains to climb than 3-on-3," said Baumann, "but we are there."

L.A. Tapped for Marathon Trials

For American marathoners, the road to Rio 2016 runs through Los Angeles.

The city will host the 2016 men’s and women’s Olympic marathon trials for Team USA. The races will take place on a multi-loop course through downtown L.A. designed to simulate the one in Rio, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The city beat out Houston and Cincinnati for the right to stage the event.

"We believe L.A. is and will continue to be the ideal location for future Olympic events of any size," said mayor Eric Garcetti at a news conference outside the Coliseum, host of the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics.

The trials will be held on February 13, 2016, a day before the L.A. Marathon.

On the Web

...Sports PR firm Vero Communications has a new website in time for the Sochi Games. "With Sochi in mind, we are working with the World Olympians Association as they set out on a program of reform and growth," said Vero chairman Mike Lee.

…As CONI celebrates its 100th anniversary, Italy's Olympic committee has an English site for the first time.

Movers & Shakers

...Sochi 2014’s Olympic News Service hired Olivia McGrath as its sliding supervisor.

…Syd Thayer has taken a position as light-touch editing supervisor at NBC Olympics.

Written by Nick Devlin

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