IOA Expects Suspension Lifted "Soon"; Ukraine Support for European Games in Baku

IOA Expects Suspension Lifted "Soon"

The newly elected secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association says he expects the IOA suspension to be lifted "soon."

Speaking to the Press Tribune of India, SM Hashmi said he has written to the IOC and sports ministry, and that the IOA will meet with the IOC "soon."

According to the report, Hasmi also "assured" the IOC "there will be no interference with the Olympic Charter."

Olympic Champs Named Sportsmen, Women of the Year

Usain Bolt and Serena Williams bagged the Sportsmen and Sportswomen of the Year titles from French sports daily L’Equipe.

Bolt defended his 100m, 200m and 4x100m titles from Beijing, while Williams won Olympic gold in singles and doubles tennis, in addition to her Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles in 2012.

"It has been a great season. I worked a lot to win again. It has been a real pleasure and an honor to defend my titles," Bolt told the new L'Equipe 21 TV channel.

"Now I look forward to Rio to break some records."

High-Level Support for European Games

Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich told his Azeri counterpart that Ukraine will offer "a friendly shoulder" in the organization of the 2015 European Games in Baku.

"I’m surely happy that Azerbaijan will host the first European Games," Yanukovich told Ilham Aliyev, according to a post on the Azeri president’s website.

Yanukovich’s official website had an extended statement, quoting him as saying: "This brave decision is an evidence of your safety margin.

"We are ready to assist you because we have an experience. We can provide our opportunities, documentation, builders and resources," Yanukovych added.

Aliyev congratulated Yanukovich on successfully staging the Euro 2012 football championships.

Lithuania Considers Investigating Secretary General

The National Olympic Committee of Lithuania says it may investigate the case of former secretary general Vytautas Zubernis.

Zubernis was reprimanded by the IOC for attempting to sell tickets to the London Olympics in a sting operation by The Sunday Times.

A statement on the LTOK website asked the IOC to hand over all information relating to Zubernis, and following an analysis of the information, "will consider what further action regarding V.Zubernio will be taken."

The LTOK added it takes "very seriously" any allegations of "illegal activity and potential damage to the reputation of the Olympic Movement."

WADA Hesitant Over UCI Involvement

President John Fahey says the World Anti-Doping Agency harbors "significant concerns" over whether to collaborate with an independent commission investigating the International Cycling Union.

"I can confirm that WADA has been contacted by lawyers representing the independent commission established by the UCI, cycling’s governing body, and has agreed to meet with them in the near future to discuss WADA’s possible involvement in the process that has been proposed by the UCI," Fahey said Thursday in a statement.

"However, WADA has some significant concerns about the commission’s terms of reference and has alerted the lawyers representing the commission of its concerns.

"If WADA’s concerns cannot be resolved as a result of this meeting, WADA will consider seriously whether it can take part in the commission’s process."

Fahey added that WADA will make no more comment until after meeting with the independent commission, which is investigating allegations made about UCI and possible cover-ups of positive drug tests since the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency published its reasoned decision detailing how Lance Armstrong was front and center in cycling's "most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program" ever.

Curling Awards 2014 Women's Worlds

Saint John, Canada will host the Ford World Women’s Curling Championship in 2014 for the first time in 15 years.

"The people of the city of Saint John and the Province of New Brunswick put on a first class show for all of the world in 1999," World Curling Federation president Kate Caithness said Thursday in a statement.

"The World Curling Federation, Canadian Curling Association and our partner Ford of Canada expect to see a great crowd for this event given the momentum and interest that will be created around the Olympic Winter Games in Russia being held just a month before the World Women’s Championship."

Riga, Latvia will stage the world champs in 2013.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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