UCI Disbands Commission; Handball, Bobsleigh Champs; 500 Days to FIFA World Cup

UCI Disbands Armstrong Commission

The International Cycling Union will disband its Independent Commission into the Lance Armstrong doping scandal in favor of a Truth and Reconciliation process.

"We have listened carefully to the views of WADA, USADA and cycling stakeholders and have decided that a truth and reconciliation process is the best way to examine the culture of doping in cycling in the past and to clear the air so that cycling can move forward," Pat McQuaid said Monday in a statement.

According to the UCI president, he spoke over the weekend with his World Anti-Doping Agency counterpart John Fahey, who he said confirmed WADA's willingness to help in the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission – and its lack of confidence in the existing Independent Commission.

"Given this development," said McQuaid, "the UCI Management Committee today decided that the federation could no longer fund a procedure whose outcome is likely to be rejected by such an important stakeholder. We have therefore decided to disband the Independent Commission with immediate effect."

The UCI's independent commission had met Friday for the first time.

500 Days to World Cup

Monday marks 500 days to go until kickoff of the 2014 World Cup.

Brazil had planned to celebrate the milestone with a special event in the capital of Brasilia but cancelled in the wake of Sunday's Santa Maria nightclub fire that claimed the lives of 231 people.

"Although words can do little to comfort the pain and anguish being suffered in your country at this moment, I would like you to know that the football family is thinking of the Brazilian people at this sad time," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in a letter to President Dilma Rousseff, according to FIFA.com.

"I would like you to know that with 500 days to go until the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, our game is here to support people who are suffering through the hope and positive emotions it brings with it, and to carry them through these dark days."

The launch event of the FIFA World Cup official poster will now be held Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro with a press conference to follow at the Royal Tulip Hotel São Conrado.

In the meantime, click here to watch a video update on stadium construction prepared by the Secretariat for Social Communication of the Presidency of Brazil and to read FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke’s thoughts on the first World Cup test event staged Sunday in Fortaleza.

Madrid 2020 Praises Handball Champs

Alejandron Blanco says Spain’s win at the IHF World Men’s Handball Championship is "the best possible start" to 2013.

"The home nation’s victory is the best possible start to a crucial year for Spanish sport, one in which Madrid will learn if it is to host the 2020 Olympic Games," said the president of Madrid 2020 and the Spanish Olympic Committee.

Sunday’s final match, won 35-19 over Denmark, was staged in the Palau Sant Jordi, venue for artistic gymnastics, the volleyball final and the handball final at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

According to the International Handball Federation, Spain once again did the sport proud.

"The organization has been excellent and there has been an incredible atmosphere at all the matches," IHF president Hassan Moustafa said Monday in a statement distributed by Madrid 2020.

"I am not alone in thinking that. The players, match officials and all the delegations are of the same opinion."

Notably, the Magic Box, which hosted group matches during the world champs, will provide the venue for tennis and wheelchair tennis tournaments should Madrid win the 2020 Olympics.

Bobsleigh Gold for Lolo Jones

Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones joins rare company as a world champion in sports both summer and winter.

After winning 60m hurdles gold at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2008 and 2010, she helped the U.S. edge Germany by .24 seconds Sunday in a team competition at the ongoing FIBT World Championships in St. Moritz.

Jones served as brakewoman for Elana Meyers in the women's bobsled portion of an event that also included two-man bobsled as well as men's and women's skeleton.

Also over the weekend, Francesco Friedrich and Jannis Backer of Germany took gold in two-man bobsled while Kaillie Humphries and Chelsea Valois of Canada won the women’s event.

Skeleton starts Thursday with bobsleigh’s showcase four-man event to follow Saturday and Sunday.

Written by Matthew Grayson

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