Rogge at Putin Inauguration; ASOIF Presidential Deadline; Windsurfing Nixed for Rio

Rogge, Killy at Putin Inauguration

IOC president Jacques Rogge met with the newly installed President of Russia, Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss the Olympics and Putin’s return to the office.

Rogge noted the bright future of Russian sport, saying "a shining future of world sport awaits Russia."

"It’s not just about the Winter Olympics in Sochi," Rogge was quoted by RIA-Novosti, "it’s also about the football World Cup that will take place in Russia in 2013, in Kazan the Universiade will take place, Formula One races will be held in your country, the world championships in athletics and swimming."

Putin, who was sworn in as Russian President on Monday, assured Rogge there would be no impact on Sochi 2014 plans.

"Regardless of our internal political events, I want to assure you that the presidential structures, I personally, the government of the Russian Federation will give priority attention to – we attach great importance to preparations for the 2014 Olympic Games," he said.

Rogge, Sochi 2014 Coordination Commission chair Jean-Claude Killy and IOC Executive Board member Rene Fasel were among the guests at Putin's presidential inauguration ceremony in Moscow.

Putin was sworn in as president for a third time Monday after four years serving as prime minister.

He took the presidential oath at the Grand Kremlin Palace amid a second day of opposition protests in the Russian capital.According to reports, 436 people were arrested in protests Sunday following clashes between police and anti-Putin demonstrators.

ASOIF Presidential Deadline

Midnight in Lausanne, May 7 is the deadline for individuals to declare their candidacy for the presidency of ASOIF, the umbrella organization for Summer Olympic sport federations.

International Tennis Federation president Francesco Ricci Bitti is the heir apparent to Denis Oswald, and no serious challengers are expected to run against him.

Out with Windsurfing, In with Kiteboarding

Windsurfing is out as the International Sailing Federation’s board event of choice for Rio 2016.

Members of the ISAF Council voted Saturday at their mid-year meeting to instead go with kiteboarding, ending a streak of eight straight Summer Games with men’s windsurfing and six with women’s.

ISAF also selected the 49er FX for women’s skiff in Rio and the Nacra 17 for two-person mixed multihull, dashing tornado’s attempt at an Olympic comeback after getting nixed from London 2012.

"These announcements mark a new era for sailing, and we welcome the new classes into the ISAF family," ISAF president Göran Petersson said in a statement.

"Kiteboarding has proven to us that it is ready to be included into the list of prestigious ISAF events and itis a fantastic addition to the sailing program for the 2016 Olympic Games."

Also sailing toward Rio are men’s Laser, women’s Laser Radial, men’s 49er and men’s Finn as well as the 470 for both men and women.

These 10 classes will also feature at the 2012-2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup and at the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander, Spain in the meantime.

Media Watch

The New York Times analyzes the difference between the London Olympics vis-à-vis Beijing and Rio de Janeiro. "Wedged between Beijing and Rio de Janeiro, the London Olympics look suspiciously like a Games without a big-ticket theme," the report says.

Just a few years ago, TOP sponsor McDonald’s was on the brink of a P.R. disaster. The New York Times Magazine examines how the company changed its image and turned its fortunes around.

Polish organizers of Euro 2012 insist their end of the work needed for the UEFA showpiece is on schedule.

Written by Mark Bisson.

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