Moscow Named to Host 2012 ANOC Assembly

(ATR) Moscow is confirmed as the host for the 2012 assembly of the world’s 205 national Olympic committees after London declines to host the giant meeting.

A statement from the headquarters office of the Association of National Olympic Committees issued late Monday made the choice of Moscow official.

As Around the Rings first reported earlier this month, the deal to host the giant meeting in Russia was sealed in principal in London during the SportAccord convention.

April 10 to 18 is the date set for the meeting, which will include a meeting of the IOC Executive Board.

ANOC President Mario Vazquez Rana and Russia NOC President/sports minister Alexander Zhukov hashed-out the details during a meeting on the sidelines of the IOC EB taking place at the London convention.

Ironically, the 2012 ANOC assembly was to have been held in London, a chance for many of the NOC leaders to get a last look at preparations in the Olympic City. Athens and Beijing both hosted ANOC ahead of the Games; Sydney and now London declined the challenge of hosting the affair.

With as many as 1,000 people attending the ANOC assembly, the meeting requires logistics and a host NOC with the few million needed to stage this week-long series of meetings. Along with three days of general assembly, the five continental associations that make up ANOC also get together.

The ANOC release acknowledges "this situation so difficult to solve" had become apparent last October during the last meeting of ANOC. BOA chair Colin Moynihan made it clear to Vazquez Rana that the funding was not available to host the NOCs as desired in London.

The release notes that since the October ANOC meeting Vazquez Rana "made very many approaches with the aim of finding the most adequate venue".

The British Olympic Association said that it was disappointed to not be in a position to host the 2012 ANOC General Assembly, but remains committed to being an active partner in supporting other ANOC initiatives.

No word yet on the location to be used in Moscow for the meeting, but there are but a handful of properties which have hotel rooms and meeting space for such a gathering.

It’s the third time this year for the increasingly influential Zhukov has come to the rescue of a major event. After troubles in Egypt, the modern pentathlon world championship was moved to Moscow.

This week the figure skating world championships take place in Moscow after being dropped from Tokyo last month amid the earthquake aftermath. Zhukov stepped forward to make sure the event had all the government support needed to move to Moscow –includingfast-track visas.

ANOC’s release praised the Russians and noted that the return on the investment would be seen in greater influence for the country in world sport.

"ANOC expresses its most profound gratitude to the NOC of Russia for its solidarity and its decision to host such important events, which will undoubtedly lead to new steps that will consolidate the NOC’s firm support to the Olympic Games of London and strengthen their leadership in the Olympic Movement".

Russia’s star is on the ascent it would seem with Sochi hosting the 2014 Winter Games and Russia the 2018 FIFA World Cup host. St. Petersburg has its eye on a Summer Olympic bid.

Zhukov, who is also a deputy prime minister, cut his teeth on the Olympics as the lead minister for the Sochi bid six years ago. In the wake of a disastrous performance by Russia at the Vancouver Olympics, Zhukkov was handed the presidency of the NOC, charged with making sure the home team is ready for the first Winter Olympics in Russia.

Next April he’ll get the chance to ratchet his profile a little higher in the Olympic world.

Written by Ed Hula.