(ATR) The effects of recent IOC reforms on the flexibility of the Olympic program could be felt in the Winter Olympics.
International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) president Frits Vrijlandt says his federation is "very supportive of the reforms undertaken by the [IOC] to strengthen the future of the Games and the spirit of international cooperation and fair play.
"We are proud members of the Olympic family and are committed to making the exciting sport of ice climbing an Olympic sport in 2022," Vrijlandt tells Around the Rings.
One of two cities - either Almaty, Kazakhstan or Beijing - will be chosen to host the 2022 Olympics at the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur this summer. Reforms adopted at last month's IOC Extraordinary Session could allow host cities to add a sport or sports of their choosing to the program.
"The UIAA strategy is to lobby whichever host city is chosen to stage the 2022 Winter Olympics to ensure ice climbing is part of the program."
International Luge Federation secretary general Svein Romstad told ATR on January 7 that future Winter Olympic hosts could have the flexibility to add a sport of their choosing when the time is right.
Kosovo Nearing Basketball Fed Membership
(ATR) Just over a month after Kosovo’s national Olympic committee received recognition by the IOC, the International Basketball Federation says the country is working toward becoming an official member.
"Please note that Kosovo are in the process of applying to become a national member federation of FIBA," a spokesperson told ATR in an email.
Kosovo was recognized as the 205th NOC on December 9 at the IOC Extraordinary Session in Monte Carlo.
"This recognition is a good example of what can be achieved through sports and autonomy and with diplomacy of sports," said Kosovo Olympic Committee president Besim Hasani at the time.
IOC president Thomas Bach said full recognition of the country "was a very important decision … particularly for the athletes of Kosovo, [it’s] very good news.
"They can start to prepare for Rio."
Written by Nick Devlin
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
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