Flood Support from Australian NOC
The Australian Olympic Committee is doing its part in relief of the month-long flooding that has killed at least 15 and displaced thousands more.
The AOC pledged $100,000 on Thursday to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal, a sum consistent with its 2009 donation to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
"Queenslanders have consistently been great supporters of our Olympic Teams. It is only right that the Olympic movement shows its solidarity with the Queensland community during these difficult times," AOC president John Coates said in a statement.
"Our thoughts are with all the people of Queensland and we trust that this contribution will assist them to cope with the terrible impact of this disaster."
Australia’s worst flooding in decades continues to threaten critical infrastructure in South East Queensland, including the capital, Brisbane. Major cities were largely unaffected by the floods, but on Thursday, Brisbane’s Central Business District and several suburbs were evacuated due to rising water.
Damage from the floods is expected to cost billions of dollars, with some economists predicting an economic loss of nearly $13 billion.
Water Polo Gets London Venue
One of London’s last Olympic Park venues is about to take shape.
The Olympic Delivery Authority announced Thursday a list of contractors who will help build London 2012’s 5,000-seat water polo arena.
Site clearing is underway, and construction will begin in March.
"The start of work on the Water Polo Arena, one of the last venues to be built on the Olympic Park, shows how far we have come since construction started in 2008," ODA project sponsor Ian Crockford said in a statement.
"The venue will join the Aquatics Center to form a dramatic and action-packed gateway to the Olympic Park when spectators arrive in 2012."
The wedge-shaped arena will feature a 120 foot competition pool as well as a warm-up pool. The facility will be disassembled after the Games, and parts will be reused elsewhere in the U.K.
USADA Opposes IOC Rules
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency doesn’t like the IOC’s anti-doping rules.
Speaking to Reuters, Travis Tygart, USADA chief executive says banning athletes from the next Olympicsif banned for more than six months due to doping means athletes won’t speak up to aid the fight against doping.
He says this rule "unintentionally has had the effect of deterring those who would otherwise provide substantial assistance to anti-doping authorities" adding that it "goes beyond" the World Anti Doping Agency Code, the supreme anti-doping regulation.
"Each case should be reviewed by an independent legal tribunal to determine the fairness of the automatic application of the IOC rule" he says.
A current point of contention within American sport is the case of LaShawn Merritt, the 2008 gold medalist in the 400m. He tested positive for a banned substance, claiming it was in a male-enhancement product. The IOC did not recognize a U.S. arbitration panel decision that said Merritt should not be banned from the 2012 Games as it goes againstthe WADA Code. He was banned for 21 months by the panel.
Olympics Inspire Ronaldinho
Two-time Olympian Ronaldinho says theOlympicshave inspired him
He made the announcement at press conference following his transfer to Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo.
Ronaldinho has played club football in Europe for the past 10 years, most recently for powerhouse A.C. Milan.
"After years away from Brazil, the World Cup and the [2012 London] Olympics have given me motivation to return" he said.
Making his Olympic debut in Sydney as part of the Under-23 Brazilian squad, Ronaldinho did not medal, with the team suffering defeat in the quarter finals. Eight years later in Beijing, he was added as an over-age exemption and won bronze.
In 2004 and 2005 he was named the world’s best footballer.
He was part of the successful 2002 World Cup squad and the 2006 team that was eliminated in the quarter finals. He was passed over for last year’s World Cup team.
When the Olympics head to Rio in 2016, Ronaldinho will be 36, still potentially able to represent Brazil.
Flooding in Rio
Massive flooding has hit the state of Rio de Janeiro, with reports saying more than 400 are dead, and thousands of people remain at risk.
Flooding has taken place outside of the city of Rio, and it is unknown if the flooding has impacted any Olympic preparations.
Officials reportedly evacuated 5000 families in areas that could suffer more damage.
Rain started after Jan. 1 and is expected to continue for the rest of the week.
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Written by Ed Hula III and Matthew Grayson.
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