IOC President in Japan
IOC president Thomas Bach embarks on what will be his longest visit to Japan ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. After arriving later this week, Bach will accompany Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Fukushima on November 24. No details available yet about the trip to the region of the great earthquake and tsunami of 2011, as well as the nuclear plant radiation crisis.
The IOC has okayed the launch of the Olympic Torch Relay in Fukushima in March 2020, as well as softball matches in the Olympic tournament in July 2020. A softball match in the region will be the first outdoor sports event of the Tokyo Games.
After Fukushima, Bach will prepare for the Association of National Olympic Committees assembly in Tokyo and a meeting of the IOC Executive Board at the end of the month. The IOC leader will spend about 10 days in Japan.
Women’s Boxing Championships Debut in Delhi
The AIBA Women’s Boxing World Championships are underway through the week in New Delhi,second time for the event in India.
More than 270 boxers are competing at the Indira Gandhi Sport Complex in the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium. The venue is India’s biggest sports facility and was a centerpiece of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
The opening of the tournament was marred by a diplomatic row over India’s failure to issue a visa for Kosovo boxer Donjeta Sadiku.She is the only competitor at the championships denied an entry visa.
AIBA president Gafur Rakhimov issued a statement protesting the Indian government decision, saying sport and politics should be separate. Rakhimov says unless this row is settled, India may lose the 2021 men’s world championships already awarded by AIBA.
International Canoe Federation Holds Annual Congress
Budapest is the site for the annual assembly of the International Canoe Federation,November 23 and 24.
A review of plans for Tokyo 2020 as well as Paris 2024 for all the disciplines of the sport is on the schedule. Some changes in governance are being proposed to bring the federation into line with ASOIF best practices.
No elections are on the agenda for the Federation headed by José Perurena, IOC member in Spain.
IAAF Athletes of the Year
Announcements this week from the athletics federation for the finalists for Athlete of the Year. The women will be announced November 20 followed by the list of men’s finalists November 21. The winners will be revealed at the IAAF Gala in Monaco at the end of the month.
Official Farewell for Calgary Olympic Bid
Monday, November 19 brings the latest meeting of the Calgary city Council. Of note will be the official vote by the councilors to put an end to the bid from the city for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The formality follows the November 13 defeat of the plebiscite to continue the bid. No CPR is anticipated to revive the bid.
Reported by Ed Hula.