YOG Mascot; First Golf Federation President; Sambadrome Expansion

Mountain Goat YOG Mascot

A mountain goat will be the mascot of the 2012 Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck. Voting for the mascot ended Wednesday, with the mountain goat, called "Mountain Goat" edging out an ibex.

Designed by Argentinians Florencia Demaria and Luis Abbiati, Mountain Goat will undergo revisions before being unveiled at the one year to go celebration on Jan. 13

"The modern and youthful design of the Mountain Goat also combines tradition (he’s wearing the lederhosen, the traditional Tyrolean outfit) and aims at inspiring young people to do their best at the Youth Olympic Games" a statement said.

IGF Leaders

Peter Dawson and Ty Votaw will serve as president and vice president respectively of the International Golf Federation for the next two years.

On Wednesday, the IGF Board approved the two positions.

Dawson has served as Joint Secretary of the IGF since 1999, and Votaw was the IGF executive director from July 2008 until November 2010, leading the sport’s bid to join the Olympic program.

"I am honored to become the first president of the International Golf Federation," Dawson said.

"Today’s announcements, coupled with Antony Scanlon’s appointment as IGF Executive Director and our relocation to Lausanne, demonstrates golf’s determinationto play an active part in the Olympic Movement.

"With the collective strength of the world’s leading golf organizations behind us, I am confident that the IGF is well-placed to meet the challenges that lie ahead."

"It is gratifying to have the confidence of the IGF Board and I look forward to continuing to work with Peter on behalf of the IGF and the sport as a whole," Votaw said.

"As we look ahead, the work has just begun in regard to the Olympic Games and the coordination efforts that are required in order to ensure success in Rio. But we very much look forward to the challenge."

Sambadrome Expands

Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome will increase capacity for the Olympics.

The stadium, which is the centerpiece for the city’s annual Carnival parade, will increase from 60,000 seats to 75,000 seats.

''This is a present for Rio, '' Mayor Eduardo Paes said on Tuesday. ''The city of Rio is moving forward to launch all it promised the International Olympic Committee for the Games. And that without spending a cent of public money.''

Archery and the start of the marathon will take place at the Sambadrome.

Construction will begin following the 2011 Carnival and will cost around $18 million.

Written by Ed Hula III.