Japan, Chinese Taipei Appeal IOC Election; Olympics Shakeup in Cameron's Cabinet

Japan, Chinese Taipei Appeal IOC Athletes' Commission Election

The disputed IOC Athletes’ Commission election is set to drag on for another four months after the NOCs of Japan and Chinese Taipei confirmed appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Of the 21 candidates vying for four places on the commission, Koji Murofushi and Mu Yen Chu garnered enough votes in the election held on Aug. 11. to become IOC members. But the IOC cited the Japanese hammer thrower and Chinese Taipei’s taekwondo athlete for violating rules of conduct for the election, then withdrew their candidacies.

In a statement sent to Around the Rings, director of the Japanese Olympic Committee’s president's office Yasuhiro Nakamori said the JOC and Murofushi respected the IOC's ruling but "we believe that a misinterpretation of Murofushi's actions caused the current circumstance.

"We are hopeful that a continued constructive dialogue will soon clarify remaining misunderstandings," the statement said.

"Considering the tight deadlines for the process, we have taken the decision to appeal to the CAS. The matter is of extreme importance to Murofushi, an athlete who is proud to have adhered to the Olympic values throughout his career."

The CAS said in a statement late Tuesday that it had received the statements of appeal from the JOC and Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee.

"The appellants request the annulment of the IOC Executive Board’s decision and an order that Mr. Murofushi be reinstated as a candidate in the election and an order that the votes registered for Mr. Murofushi up to the close of voting on 8 August 2012 be considered valid, resulting in his election to the IOC Athletes’ Commission," the statement said.

It added: "Today, the CAS Court Office also received an email from the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee announcing a similar appeal against the same decision of the IOC Executive Board relating to the athlete Mu Yen Chu. The CTOC has been informed of the requirements for the filing of an appeal at the CAS."

The CAS has requested written submissions before any hearings are held, adding that the procedure was expected to last around four months.

On the penultimate day of the London Olympics, Danka Bartekova, Kirsty Coventry, Tony Estanguet and James Tomkins were declared the winners of the Athletes’ Commission election.

But the IOC Session did not accept the controversial results.

The IOC has said the outcome of the election will be resolved via postal vote among IOC members once the CAS appeals are resolved.

Olympics Shakeup in Cameron's Cabinet

London 2012 CEO Paul Deighton is the British government's new treasury minister responsible for economic delivery.

"This proves we mean business," Prime Minister David Cameron said about his appointment of Deighton, the chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs in Europe prior to his LOCOG leadership.

Also announced Tuesday as part of Cameron’s cabinet shakeup, Maria Miller will take over as Olympics minister. She replaces Jeremy Hunt, now the health minister.

LOCOG spokeswoman Jackie Brock-Doyle told ATR that Miller’s appointment will have no impact on London 2012. The Paralympics end in five days, and she will be at the closing ceremony.

Miller, who was junior minister for disabled people at the Department for Work and Pensions, takes over the culture, Olympics, media and sport brief from Hunt at a crucial time. She will be responsible for helping deliver the government’s Olympic legacy plans, which include more investment in school sport.

Curaçao Fail in Olympic Bid Appeal

The Curaçao Sport and Olympic Federation’s bid to be recognized as an NOC by the IOC has failed.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport published a statement on Monday saying that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the appeal filed by the CSOF against the IOC.

The appeal came out of the break-up of the Netherland Antilles in October 2010 when Curaçao became an independent country under the jurisdiction of the Netherlands.

At the IOC Session in Durban last year, the IOC withdrew its recognition of the Netherlands Antilles.

The IOC said that post-London 2012, the athletes from the five islands which made up the Netherlands Antilles, including Curaçao, would be allowed to compete under the jurisdiction of the NOC of their choice recognized by the IOC within the Kingdom of the Netherlands: either the Dutch NOC or NOC of Aruba.

The IOC had contested the CAS’ jurisdiction to hear the matter and requested that a preliminary award be rendered on the issue of jurisdiction. In the absence of a specific arbitration agreement between the parties to refer the dispute to the CAS, the sport court’s panel concluded that the CAS had no jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

The IOC has not responded to requests from ATR as to whether Curaçao has the right to another avenue of appeal.

Turkish Paralympians Bolster 2020 Bid

Istanbul bid leaders are looking ahead to 2020 after Paralympians broke Turkey’s previous medals record at the Games.

Turkish Paralympians in London tally seven medals so far, including the country’s first-ever medals in women’s powerlifting.

"I am so proud of all our Paralympians, especially our medalists who have shown the progress that Turkey is making on the world stage," Istanbul 2020 CEO Hasan Arat said in a statement.

"The 2020 Paralympics in Istanbul would help us to build on this success and leave a sustainable legacy for all people in Turkey with a disability."

Arat is part of a senior delegation from Turkey observing London 2012 on behalf of Istanbul 2020.

FEI Jumps Into Fashion Arena

The International Equestrian Federation will launch its first clothing collection in 2013.

FEI signed a three-year merchandise licensing agreement with international equestrian clothing manufacturer and distributor euro-star Reitmoden GmbH.

"This is the first of a number of FEI brand merchandising agreements that will be announced over the coming 12 months," said FEI commercial executive director Carsten Couchouron.

The collection will be available direct from retailers through euro-star Reitmoden, on FEI’s forthcoming online store, and at FEI events.

Russian Consortium Secures Sochi Rights

ANO Sports Broadcasting will bring Russia’s first Winter Games to the host country’s television viewership.

Sportfive, the agency that markets many European rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympics, revealed that the consortium of Russian TV networks including RTR, Channel One and NTV PLUS will get dibs on both Sochi and Rio de Janeiro.

"The consortium’s free-to-air television channels, Channel One and Russia 1, will broadcast the key events, with further coverage offered on Russia 2 and Russia 24," said Monday’s announcement.

Sportfive CEO Shaila-Ann Rao added: "We are certain that this will provide the best possible coverage to both the Winter and Summer Games across Russia and greatly contribute to the success and excitement of the Games in Sochi."

Poland for Canoe Polo

The 10th International Canoe Federation Canoe Polo World Championships kicked off Tuesday in Poznan, Poland.

A total of 63 teams from 25 countries are participating.

"It's great how competitive canoe polo is becoming," said Greg Smale, ICF Canoe Polo Committee chair and chief official. "With the shot-clock being used in the Worlds for the first time, the competition for spectators will be really exciting".

Written by Mark Bisson, Hannah Reid and Ed Hula III

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