Political Strife Forces Change for Major WBSC Event -- Federation Focus

(ATR)Barranquilla will host the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup this October.

Nicaragua originally had the rights to the competition, but due to the current political climate in the country, WBSC moved the event elsewhere. Violent unrest aimed at Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega began in April. The conditions are so dangerous that a reported 23,000 citizens are seeking asylum in neighboring Costa Rica.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said, "Barranquilla have built the premier baseball stadium in South America, and it is the ideal setting to showcase the best under-23 players and teams in the world. Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Colombia, and the Colombian leaders have done a great job expanding the baseball and sports infrastructure in their great country."

The main venue is the 12,000-seat Edgar Renteria Baseball Stadium, called the "Jewel of the Central American and Caribbean Games." The event will also open two new stadiums, in Repelón and Manatí.

It is a busy week for the baseball and softball federation.The WBSC Women’s Softball World Championships begin tomorrow in Chiba, Japan. Teams from 16 countries will compete in the first qualification event for Tokyo 2020.

IAAF Publishes Qualification System for Tokyo 2020

With just under two years to go, the IAAF Council approved the timeline and entry requirements for the next Olympic Games.

The qualification period begins January 1, 2019 for the marathon, 10,000m, walks, and combined events and relays. For the rest of the events, the start date is July 1, 2019. The qualification period closes on June 29, 2020.

The IOC Executive Board and Tokyo 2020 organizing committee have already released the competition schedule and ticket prices for the Games, respectively.

Sailing World Championships Underway

The sport’s primary qualification event for Tokyo 2020 is underway in Aarhus, Denmark. The competition will decide around 40 percent of the available spots for the next Olympics.

A total of 1,400 athletes from 85 countries will attempt to punch their ticket to Tokyo, meaning nearly 1,000 boats will be in the water over the 11-day event.

The Hempel Sailing World Championships 2018 are the first in the new Aarhaus International Sailing Center. Danish sailor Jonas Warrer, an Olympic gold medalist in Beijing, commented on the new facilities.

"It’s amazing how big it is," Jonas Warrer said in a statement. "The interest is far bigger than anything before, it’s more like the Olympics, except it’s happening where I grew up. Everyone is coming to Aarhus. I grew up just there, the other side of Riis Skov wood. To have your friends here watching is incredible."

The World Championships run through August 12.

Written by Jeffrey Farek

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