Med Games Get Go-Ahead
Mediterranean sport officials tell Around the Rings today’s start of pre-Games festivities will go ahead as planned in Mersin, Turkey despite violent clashes with protesters in Istanbul.
In an email to ATR, Isidoros Kouvelos, secretary general of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games, said "there is no alert" for next week’s Mediterranean Games.
"We are confident that we are going to celebrate another successful edition of the Mediterranean Games," Kovelos said of the event, scheduled for June 20-30.
"The Organizing Committee has assured us that all the necessary measures to ensure the security of the Games and of all the participants have been taken," Kouvelos said.
Government officials fired tear gas at protesters in Istanbul's Taksim Square this week.
IRB Keeps Rugby Sevens World Cup
Rugby World Cup Sevens will remain on the sport’s calendar despite its return to the Olympics.
The International Rugby Board announced Wednesday that the tournament will be integrated into the Games cycle following consultation with Member Unions and major stakeholders.
"RWC Sevens provides an opportunity for a large number of nations to compete at a high level," IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said in a statement.
"Like all Olympic sports, we believe that a world championship event will increase competitiveness, interest and participation, slotting into the multi-sport Games cycle and enhancing Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games and the sport as a whole."
Rio 2016 will features 12 men’s and 12 women’s team, whereas the RWC Sevens later this month in Moscow will include 24 men’s and 16 women’s team.
According to the IRB, the next RWC Sevens will follow in 2018, or midway through the Summer Games cycle.
Pro Boxing Heading to Olympic Park
British boxing promoter Frank Warren signed a deal to bring boxing to the Copper Box Arena in London Olympic Park.
"The Copper Box is what all the investment in the Olympics was about – legacy and giving London a fantastic arena," Warren said on Monday.
Six fights will take place at the Arena. The first features British middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders facing challenger John Ryder in a Sept. 21 title fight.
A statement from Warren’s company said the deal "re-enforces East London as the spiritual home of boxing in the UK".
Istanbul Hosts Sport Conference
Istanbul 2020 used the International Herald Tribune Sport Business Summit in Istanbul as a chance to promote the country’s sport development efforts.
The conference took place June 11-12 in Istanbul.
"Sport has never been stronger in Turkey," Turkish National Olympic Committee president Uğur Erdener said in his address to delegates. "Our National Sports Plan means $500 million per year for sports development at every level, from grassroots to elite. Turkey is investing another $2.5 billion in nearly 700 sports facilities and 25 stadiums across the country."
Chairman of the Istanbul 2020 Bid Committee, Hasan Arat, said hosting conferences allows the bid to "listen and learn" in its Olympic campaign.
Tokyo and Madrid are the other 2020 bid cities.
Written by Nicole Bennett.
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