Olympic Newsdesk -- 2011 for U.S. TV Rights; Prince Albert Engaged

2011 for U.S. TV Rights to the Olympics

The lead negotiator for the IOC says he’s not expecting to strike a deal for the U.S. rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympics until 2011.

IOC member Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico tells Steve Wilson of the Associated Press that the economy in the U.S. is still too weak for the IOC to open up talks.

Current rightsholder NBC paid $2.2 billion for the 2010/2012 rights.

"We're in no hurry yet," Carrion said. "It's more the economic environment that shapes these things. We still see a fragile economy in the U.S. ... There is a lot of change going on in the market," Carrion is quoted by the AP from his interview with Stephen Wilson

Prince Albert Engaged

IOC member from Monaco Prince Albert II is now engaged to Olympian Charlene Wittstock.

Wittstock competed at the Sydney Olympics for South Africa and was Commonwealth Games champion in the 100m backstroke.

Albert is also an Olympian, representing Monaco five times in bobsleigh.

The couple has been seen together since 2006.

Albert made the announcement on Wednesday.

New Digs for ANOC Headquarters in Lausanne

The new headquarters for the Association of National Olympic Committees should be operatingby the middle of June in Lausanne. The former headquarters in Paris near the Champs Elysee are in the process of closing with files being shipped to Lausanne.

IOC President Jacques Rogge, ANOC President Mario Vazquez Rana and a host of IOC members were on hand at a reception Tuesday night to dedicate the new offices.

With about 200 square meters of space, the offices will have room for a staff of five along with an office for visiting NOC officials to use while visiting Lausanne.

Located on the third floor of a building across the street from the Lausanne Palace Hotel, the headquarters boast a commanding view of the Lausanne skyline.

Olympic Orders for Olympic Day

As part of Olympic Day festivities in Lausanne, IOC President Jacques Rogge presented the Olympic Order to World Games Association President Ron Froehlich and ex-International Fencing Federation President Rene Roch.

Roch, a native of France, has devoted decades to the sport of fencing, serving as secretary/treasurer of FIE before election as president in 1992, a post he held for 16 years.

Froehlich has been involved with sport for 45 years, leading the former International Trampoline Federation and then serving as chairman of USA Gymnastics. A South African by birth, Froehlich is now a U.S. citizen. He was re-elected as president of the World Games Association in April.

Written by Ed Hula, Mark Bisson and Ed Hula III.