The latest news, notes and quotes from the Global Five Rings Circus:
"I am very sorry that it has reached this point. The tennis world in China and Hong Kong is full of talents who have worked with us for many years. They should be proud of their achievements, hospitality and success. But unless China takes the measures we require , Otherwise we can’t host matches in China and put our players and staff at risk. Chinese leaders have no choice but to leave the WTA. I still hope that our request can be heard and the Chinese authorities will take measures to resolve them legally this problem."
This is what the President of the World Tennis Association Steve Simon (USA) said in a statement on behalf of the Women's Tour on Wednesday (1st), which also includes:
"[W] With the full support of the WTA Board of Directors, I announce the immediate suspension of all WTA events held in China, including Hong Kong. With conscience, when Peng Shuai was not allowed to communicate freely and seemed to be forced to refute her allegations of sexual assault, I don’t understand how I can ask our athletes to compete there. Given the current situation, I am also very worried about the risks that all our players and staff may face if we hold a tournament in China in 2022.”
Chinese venues including Hong Kong hosted 9 games before the 2019 pandemic, and the WTA finals, which ends this season, will be held in Shenzhen for the rest of the decade.
Simon's message is not only about Peng's current environment, but also about allegations that she was sexually abused by the former regime's deputy prime minister:
"Unfortunately, the Chinese leadership has not solved this very serious problem in any credible way. Although we now know where Peng is, I seriously doubt whether she is free, safe and free from censorship, coercion and intimidation. WTA Having made it clear what is needed here, we once again call for a full and transparent investigation of Peng Shuai’s allegations of sexual assault — no review.”
As far as the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is concerned, the spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in response to a reporter's question, "We are firmly opposed to the politicization of sports." The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not make any direct response.
The International Olympic Committee issued a detailed statement, partially responding to WTA's tough tactical stance, including:
"[J] Yesterday, an International Olympic Committee team had a video call with [Peng] again. We provided her with extensive support, will maintain regular contact with her, and have agreed to hold a personal meeting in January.
"There are different ways to achieve her happiness and safety. We have adopted a very humane and people-oriented approach to her situation. Since she is a three-time Olympian, the International Olympic Committee is directly addressing these issues with Chinese sports organizations. We are using'silent diplomacy', which is considered to be the most promising way to effectively handle such humanitarian affairs in light of the circumstances at the time and the experience of governments and other organizations."
Observation: Although they seem to be connected, Peng's situation is not directly related to the 2022 Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics will come and go within 80 days. This question relates more broadly to how international sports organizations deal with China, as long as Peng (1) stays in China (2) what will happen to her allegations of abuse. As a major global market in China, sports organizations of any size have an important relationship with China.
Pay close attention to the distribution of major events in the future: Who will go to China now? If so, how would their athletes, especially female athletes, react?
● The 24th Winter Olympics ● The postponement of the Chinese National Figure Skating Championships may be a sign of the increasing difficulty of the Winter Olympics.
The pandemic, originally scheduled for next week in Chengde, about 125 miles northeast of Beijing, has already caused the event to erupt, and the Winter Olympics are still months away.
Another sign of difficulty: the Olympic Games did not arrange ticket sales; another option for the Chinese government is to only open events to specific audiences of its choosing.
● The 34th Olympic Games: Los Angeles 2028 ● The Olympic track of the Los Angeles Stadium was demolished in 1993, and the venue was lowered to make the seats closer to the football stadium of the National Football League.
For the first time since then, the stadium will install a quarter-mile track-the stadium will be the home of track and field for the 2028 Olympic Games-for the annual NASCAR season opening exhibition, known as the "Clash at Stadium" ."
The non-points event will be held outside Daytona Beach, Florida for the first time on February 6, 2022, and installation of a temporary asphalt track will begin later this month. Ben Kennedy, senior vice president of strategy and innovation at NASCAR, said:
"[S] series officials have considered two or three configurations for the quarter mile bullring. The iRacing computer simulation helps determine the real situation of the track. [Kennedy] said that 5 degrees and 2.5 degrees have been carried out. The simulation test, without tilting when turning. "You can only go this high, just because of sight and temporary construction, but we have played some differently,'...we will have more later. '"
The 2028 Olympic track will use polyurethane instead of asphalt and will not have a slope, but as an engineering feat, installation and dismantling work will arouse great interest before the installation of the LA28 temporary Olympic track.
● Thirty-seventh Olympic Games: 2040 ● IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) said in an interview that he hopes that African cities can come forward and become a strong contender for the 2040 Olympics.
"In my mission, it is impossible to organize the Olympic Games on that continent. Or assign them to it.
"I very much hope that by 2040, an African country will have a dialogue with the International Olympic Committee to organize the Olympic Games.
"It's really important to see the Olympics in Africa. Now the ball is on the courts of African countries."
● Archery ● Will archery suddenly pay a price?
Archery World announced that the 2022 World Cup, which will start in April, will be divided into five stages, with a total prize of 323,600 Swiss francs, of which 30,400 Swiss francs will be awarded for each stage, and 202,000 Swiss francs will be awarded for the September World Cup final. (1 Swiss franc = 1.09 US dollars)
This is an increase of about 220% compared to 2019. Although archery is not comparable to any major sport in terms of athlete bonuses, this is another welcome sign of the most active and aggressive of all international federations.
● Athletics ● The World Athletics Council held a meeting in Monaco and agreed to increase the number of Russian authorized neutral athletes who can participate in the 2022 World Athletics Championships to 20.
This is not the total number of each event, but the 20 athletes in the six events in 2022, including the 2022 World Indoor Championships (March), World Championships (July) and European Championships (August). The Tokyo Olympics limit reached 10 people in this event alone.
Ruen Andersen (NOR), chairman of the Russian task force, stated in a report, “The task force’s view is a cautious optimism. RusAF has made steady progress in meeting the conditions for restoring IAAF membership. "
Budapest Mayor Ghergueli Karaksoni announced on Wednesday (1st) that he will not hinder the holding of the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
In view of the national government's transfer of land from the proposed "student city" to the Hungarian campus of Fudan University in China, which will be built with Chinese funds, Karaksoni has threatened not to hold the event.
The mayor once asked the central government to pay for medical expenses and continue to promote the student city project (not the Fudan campus). Both obviously have reached an agreement; although it has not been confirmed by the National Government, Karaksoni said: "I know the fact that the government has actually let go of this Fudan story. They let go because the Chinese let go, because of this. It's not worth that much money to them."
The World Athletics Federation named the Olympic 400-meter champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm (NOR) and 100/200-meter Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Hera (JAM) as World Athlete of the Year in Monaco on Wednesday .
Two American athletes won the "Rising Star" award: Men's 200m Olympic finalist Erriyon Knighton and Olympic 800m gold medalist Ating Mu. The Inspiration Award was awarded to Tokyo Men’s High Jump Gold Medalist Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT) and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi.
The Coaching Achievement Award was awarded to American Bobby Kersee. His Tokyo medal winners include the iconic Allyson Felix and the women’s 400m Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin.
The Presidential Award was awarded to NBC retired American television executive Peter Diamond, and World Athletics Federation Chairman Sebastian Coe (GBR) stated:
“Athletics owes Peter a lot of gratitude. Peter has worked effectively with us for 40 years. He has been a source of great advice and wise advice. The occasional humor can soften the edges of any given situation. He makes athletics change. Better."
The Women of the Year Award was awarded to Anju Bobby George of India. She is a former international long jump star and is now the Senior Vice President of the Indian Athletics Federation. She opened a women’s training academy in 2016 and continues to provide Women provide guidance.
The sad news is that former shot put world champion CJ Hunter (USA) passed away on November 29 at the age of 52. As a controversial figure, he was banned from steroid use after he tested positive a few weeks before the 2000 Sydney Olympics (Australia). The cause of death has not yet been specified.
He was married to Marion Jones at the time and divorced in 2002. Both made headlines in the BALCO doping scandal uncovered in 2004. Jones admitted to doping in 2007.
Ken Goe of The Oregonian reported today that the University of Oregon “strengthened the agreement in late October to ban sports events from requiring athletes to be tested for body fat percentage.”
This became a problem reported by Goe in October, in which Oregon often used such scans and provided the results to coaches; six former Oregon female track and field athletes stated that these tests led to treatment options that led to eating disorders.
The new regulations allow for such tests, but the distribution of results is limited to medical and fitness personnel, not coaches.
● Figure skating ● Not surprisingly, the ISU Grand Prix finals originally scheduled to be held in Osaka (JPN) from December 9th to 12th were cancelled due to the new Covid-19/Omicron restrictions on admission. According to the International Skating Union:
"Unfortunately, considering the complex epidemic situation involving travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, safety issues, and logistical challenges, the organization of this event is extremely challenging. The Japan Skating Federation and local organizing committees do their best to find solutions , But finally came to the conclusion that, unfortunately, they were unable to organize and hold the competition as planned."
● Modern Pentathlon ● Pentathletes United, an athlete group, declared victory at the UIPM conference last weekend, saying that the Federation’s press release did not announce:
"The constitution and articles of the International Modern Pentathlon Union have not been revised, and horse riding is still part of the modern Pentathlon."
The three-page letter included: "We understand that people are confused and worried about what happened at the UIPM conference over the weekend, especially considering the misleading press release issued by UIPM."
It specifically pointed out that on Sunday (28th), "[UIPM Executive Committee] withdrew the German [National Federation] proposal to cancel horseback riding." This was not included in the UIPM press release, and it was listed as 66- 15 One day after it was passed by Congress, although its introduction had obvious procedural flaws. with:
“It’s disappointing that the vote passed to confirm the EB’s decision to cancel horseback riding because it gives the impression that most modern pentathlon communities want to cancel horseback riding. We know this is not true. However, this time Congress voted nothing. It is meaningless because (i) EB’s decision on October 31 is invalid, and (ii) item 17 is illegal because EB did not give Congress 30 days’ notice. This will be our case in [Sports Arbitration Court] For one part, we hope to win."
According to governance regulations, this issue can only be raised again at the UIPM conference, which means 2022. Stay tuned. The GoFundMe page of "Save the Hyundai Pentagon" has raised 13,944 euros (55.8%) of the 25,000 euro target to fund its CAS cases and other expenses.
● Weightlifting ● Due to the Omicron variant, Uzbekistan has implemented new Covid-19 restrictions, and the World Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent from December 7 to 17 are in danger.
The International Weightlifting Federation has not announced changes to the plan, but Uzbekistan has banned flights from multiple countries. stay tuned.
● Swimming ● The U.S. Open for the U.S. Swimming Team is being held in Greensboro, North Carolina. Olympic idol Katie Ledecky (Katie Ledecky) showed that she is in a healthy state after coaching and training at the University of Florida.
She won the first night of the women's 800-meter freestyle with an excellent 8:12.81, which was only 0.24 points behind her winning time of 8:12.57 in Tokyo. this is not right. 2 Annual performance in the event...in December!
Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke (Bobby Finke) won the men's 800-meter championship at 7:54.07.
The meeting lasted until Saturday.
"The International E-Sports Federation (IESF) and the World E-Sports Federation (ESWF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together for the development and unification of global e-sports."
It was announced on Thursday that this development should not be underestimated when e-sports will be promoted to more Olympic-related international competitions in the future. One of the problems that exclude a sport from the Intercontinental Games or the Olympic Games itself is the lack of a unified sports governance structure.
The beginning of the working relationship between IESF and ESWF will only increase the appeal of video games to the International Olympic Committee and other organizations.
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