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By David Owen Source: www.insidethegames.biz

The timing of the measure is likely to hinge on whether England succeeds in winning the right to stage the 2018 World Cup at next month's all-important vote in Zurich.

If it does, then Hugh Robertson, the UK's well-regarded Sports Minister, indicated to insidethegames that the process would have to begin "straight away".

But even if the World Cup bid fails, Robertson suggested there was 'outline' approval for a bill to be put to Parliament at some point.

The idea behind the measure is to give domestic federations what Robertson terms a "proper calling-card" when they approach their international counterparts to bid for world-class events.

Such events are becoming increasingly professional and, hence, place increasingly onerous and complex demands on the nations hosting them.

Winning a bid frequently requires the passage of new legislation as a matter of urgency.

The drafting of a new, generic sports events Act - covering issues such as visas, ticket touting, image/trademark protection and advertising - could, it is felt, act as a template for any event, leaving specific details to be addressed via a statutory instrument.

The one area that, insidethegames understands, could not be dealt with through such an approach would be tax concessions, which would still need to be incorporated into a Finance Bill.

Robertson indicated that the new Act would be aimed at future events that the UK has yet to be awarded, rather than competitions such as the 2015 Rugby World Cup won by England last year.

UK Athletics recently withdrew its bid to host the 2015 World Athletics Championships, hoping instead to bid for the 2017 event.

It is thought the proposed Act would be an asset should that 2017 bid in due course materialise.

By Simon Hart Source: www.telegraph.co.uk 

Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson join a growing list of athletes to have tested positive for methylhexaneamine in recent months – a minor stimulant that has become an increasingly common ingredient of nutritional supplements.

Failed drug tests for the substance have become so prevalent that last month UK Anti-Doping took the unprecedented step of issuing a warning to British athletes to be extra-vigilant when it comes to taking supplements.

Methylhexaneamine first came to global attention last year when five Jamaican athletes tested positive for the substance. The stimulant was traced to a supplement being distributed during the Jamaican Championships and the five were subsequently banned for three months.

During last month’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Nigerian sprinter Damola Osayemi was stripped of her gold medal after the stimulant was detected in her urine sample.

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Australian anti-doping officials announced several weeks ago that nine Australian athletes were facing sanctions after testing positive for the same substance.

This year, shot putter Rachel Wallader became the first British athlete to be disciplined for taking the drug. The Geoff Capes-coached athlete, who said she took a supplement that she was convinced was legal, received a one-year ban, reduced to four months on appeal.
UKAD has confirmed that two other unnamed British athletes have tested positive for the substance.

The stimulant was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list after the Jamaican cases but was downgraded on this year’s list to the less serious category of ‘specified stimulant’ to reflect the high number of inadvertent positive tests. Violations typically carry a three-month suspension.

One of the dangers facing athletes in choosing nutritional supplements is that methylhexaneamine can often appear in the list of ingredients under a different name. In Wallader’s case, it was listed as “1,3-dimethylamylamine”.

Under Wada’s strict liability rule, however, ignorance of the ingredients is no defence against a positive drug test.

Andy Parkinson, the UKAD chief executive, said: “There is no guarantee that any supplement is free from a prohibited substance. Athletes are ultimately responsible for anything found in their system, no matter how it gets there.”

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

By Mark Pouchet

The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) will team up with the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs to seek a new cycling coach, as the cycling executive admitted yesterday they made a mistake in hiring American Erin Hartwell as high performance manager.
And in response to questions from Minister of Sport Anil Roberts, cycling officials revealed the six-time Olympic and World Championship medallist Hartwell was given the job although he was unqualified and only possesses a US coaching license.

Roberts summoned the meeting with the deputy permanent secretary Ashwin Creed, TTCF executive and reporters from the Trinidad Guardian, Newsday and Trinidad Express, he said, as part of a new policy to have the media to sit in on contentious issues between NSOs and the Ministry of Sport.

Yesterday dealt with the Hartwell appointment and performance with the TTCF executive, including president Robert Farrier, vice-presidents Ian Mc Lean and Gregory D'Andrade, general secretary Joseph Charles Walcott, racing secretary Rowena Williams, treasurer Richard Jimenez, assistant general secretary Betty Alexander, and assistant racing secretary Colleen Farrier.

As members of the former executive, both Farriers, Jimenez , Caryl Kellar, the current advisor to the Minister of Sport, and Mc Lean took the decision to hire Hartwell back in April.
But six months into a two-year contract, the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) notified the TTCF in an October 26 letter that they would no longer be providing funding to cover Hartwell's $40,000 per month salary, adding that they should seek "someone who can prepare the Trinidad and Tobago cyclists for successful participation in the 2012 Olympics in London, England."
On November 4, Farrier said he did not understand the decision to terminate Hartwell's two-year contract which started on May 29.

"To my knowledge, the entire executive was totally satisfied with Hartwell. He was a hard worker and brought to us an overall coaching experience and ability, and we were totally impressed with him," said Farrier of the head coach of the T&T teams at the Senior Pan American Championships, the Junior Pan American Championships, the Colorado Springs training camp, the CAC Games and Commonwealth Games. "I don't know who is advising them (SPORTT) but I think they needed to have interaction on this matter. It is unfortunate."
But at yesterday's meeting Jimenez admitted the executive had made a mistake while several members of the executive moved their heads when Farrier (R) revealed that Hartwell was not certified or qualified.

Earlier in the meeting, Farrier said the UCI (the world governing body for cycling) advised the .former executive to seek a person who could develop an overall plan to include toddlers to elite level cyclists. After eight months, he added, they examined over 12 resumes, including former US coach, T&T-born Des Dickie, and selected Hartwell.
He said the TTCF took "extra care" in selecting and formalising the contract of Hartwell with the SPORTT, following the mistakes they made with the hiring of Colombian coach Absilon Rincon.
Farrier said Hartwell was UCI recommended but when Roberts asked twice what was Hartwell's qualification, Farrier said, after a long pause, that Hartwell was not qualified.

"I am putting it to you that an individual who has absolutely no qualification should not have qualified to come into any position paid for by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.....How did he beat out the other 11 applicants when he has no qualifications whatsoever?", asked Roberts, adding that to hire a driver at the Ministry, that person must be qualified.

Farrier said that out of the 12 resumes they received, Hartwell was the best person for the job because the ones who did have certification, did not speak English, although Roberts pointed out that Dickie was well-qualified while the unqualified Hartwell, given the job, did not engage in the daily routine of the cyclists.

Roberts added that the personality problems between members of the executive and other officials should be put aside and they should seek applicants locally and internationally for the post of the national cycling coach. Farrier then asked Creed for his assistance in this matter.

Rugby breaks in to T&T  TV market

WI Sports -Channel 14 (FLOW) will broadcast the T&T A vs T&T Development Rugby Game ,which will be played on Wednesday 10 November -Larry Gomes Stadium-Kick off 7.30pm, on Friday 12 November at 6pm with a rerun at 9pm.

WI Sports will also cover the second game in the 2nd Annual series on Wednesday 17 November 2010.

Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) President Leslie Figaro is elated that full broadcast of local rugby games will finally take place in T&T.

“I am delighted that the TTRFU have agreed in principle with WI Sports that local rugby content will be shown on WI Sports. The TTRFU tried to get rugby on local TV for a number of years.

The vision of WI Sports to be the home of local sports is a brave and visionary and one that the TTRFU is happy to embrace. It is groundbreaking for T&T Rugby."

Figaro believes that WI Sports is a multi-media platform that places value on quality, innovation and is focused on creating high quality audience expereince.Rugby's inclusion as an Olympic sport has raised the profile and heightened interest in the sport.

He confirmed that the concept of mid week games is not unique to international rugby and it is a feature the TTRFU will look closely at progressing as part of the TTRFU's strategic plan to raise the profile of rugby .

"Rugby is a hip and cool sport. It attracts a dynamic, ambitious and determined demographic who aren't afraid of challenges. Those are attributes Rugby shares with WI sports. This is exciting and historic and I dare say the beginning of a new era for local rugby" added the local rugby leader.

Former Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies rugby player Brent Barry will do the match commentary and analysis.

According to Figaro the TTRFU is planning to broadcast other matches with live and delayed match video available on line.

A Rugby show is also on the drawing board with features such as pre match show, half-time and post match analysis.

Editor's Note: The first T&T National Senior A vs T&T Development Team series was played last year (2009) .The T&T Development team surprisingly defeated the T&T Senior Team.

Haqq eyes Olympic glory

Saturday, November 6 2010
Source: www.newsday.co.tt   By Kern Ramlochan

Boxer Tariq Abdul Haqq has shifted his focus to winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics after successful performances this year at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games as well as at the Commonwealth Games.

The super heavyweight boxer punched his way to a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the CAC Games and is one of Trinidad and Tobago’s main hopes for a medal at the London 2012 Games.

“I am really looking forward to participating in the Olympic Games and hopefully I could join Hasely Crawford as our next gold medallist” said Haqq confidently.

He added, “The Olympic Games is going to be in 2012 and that is basically the pinnacle of everything.”

The Commonwealth silver medallist revealed that he is gradually returning to training and will intensify his preparations next year.

“Currently I am in my off-season and I plan to start back training from next week to do some maintenance work to prepare me for when I start back training around next year February” said Haqq.

He continued: “The Olympics is the next step, in order to participate in the Olympics I am going to need to qualify next year at the World Boxing Championships which is in September/October so when I start training in February next year I should be preparing for that major event.”

Haqq explained that the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games has given him a gauge on his boxing and where he needs to be to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games in two years time. “Actually it is a pretty good measuring stick. The Commonwealth Games is right under the Olympic Games in terms of magnitude, so achieving a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games you automatically know that you have a certain standard, a high standard, that you are world class material to move on to the Olympics and do great things” he added.

The law student noted that it has been difficult balancing boxing with his academics but attributed his support structure and dedication as important areas which have ensured his success.

“(It has been) pretty difficult to balance off, for example going to the Commonwealth Games I had to stay away from classes.

Sometimes there is a bit of a clash when it comes to when you want to train and when you want to study but you just have to pray and everything will work out in the end” noted Haqq.

He revealed that after the London Olympics a decision will be made about his future and which path he intends to persue.

“I have to decide next what I want to do after the Olympics because next year I am not too sure when I complete the actual law degree if I am going to try to get into law school because I will be considering a professional career” Haqq said.

BOA limits tenure of chairman to 12 years

Source: www.insidethegames.biz  By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

November 5 - Colin Moynihan will have to stand down as chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) in 2017 after he himself help introduce a new rule which limits the term of the position to 12 years.

It is the most eye-catching of several rule changes proposed by Moynihan following a nine-month review and which are designed to help modernise the BOA, which was founded in 1905.

"We have ensured that the governance of the [BOA] meets the highest standards of governance of the leading companies in the country," Moynihan told insidethegames.

"That means transparency, it means accountability, it means elections, it means responsible autonomy.

"These are far-reaching changes that I warmly welcome."

Moynihan, who was elected to replace Sir Craig Reedie as chairman of the BOA in 2005 shortly after London were awarded the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, claimed that the changes will keep driving the organisation forward.

Sir Craig had served as chairman for 13 years.

"What we have here is democratic accountability," he said.

"I think you need to have term limits - you need to be able to refresh the organisation."

Members of the BOA's Board will also have a limited tenure and they will all be subject to more scrutiny than is the case at the moment.

"We are going to undertake evaluations of all the Board members, including the chairman," said Moynihan.

"We are going to have key performance indicators for the chairman."

The BOA also plans to follow the Government and begin moving its Board meetings around the United Kingdom so that in future they will be held in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as the headquarters in London.

Moynihan is also to oversee the appointment of new non-voting independent Board members.

"Firstly to chair the audit committee and secondly for Board members for strong commercial and legal background," he said.

The elections for the sport representatives to the BOA Board are also to be staggered and will now take place every two years, rather than four.

The BOA Board has also decided to postpone the next elections of the chairman and vice-chairman.

They are currently due to take place after London 2012.

"If you have elections straight after the Games you lose the continuity when there are still things to be sorted out," said Moynihan.

One immediate change, though, is that the BOA has elected a new winter sports representative onto the BOA Board.

Hew Chalmers, the director of British Curling, replaces David Cranston, who is stepping down both from his position on the BOA Board and British Biathlon Union Board.

"I am delighted to join the BOA Board and look forward to working with them to further develop winter sports here in the UK," said Chalmers.

"I will also support existing relationships to ensure that the BOA continues to have a strong independent and powerful voice both here in the UK and internationally.

"[London] 2012 is a unique opportunity and will shine a bright light on all Olympic sports, summer and winter, creating the platform to transform lives through the power of the Olympic values and success of Team GB."

Editor's Note: Since 1997, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) has established a two term(8 years) limit on its executive officers with the exception of the secretary general and trustees positions.

London eyes Olympic benefits as Canada ranked number one country brand in the world

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

November 5 - Canada has leapfrogged the United States to become the world's number one country brand thanks in large part to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, proving beyond doubt the benefits of hosting a major international sporting event such as the Games.

Using techniques such as handing stunning coast-to-coast video shots to international broadcasters the country has emerged as powerful, engaging and vibrant in an intensely competitive international tourism marketplace.

The ranking, from the Country Brand Index by FutureBrand, will not have gone unnoticed by London as it ramps up its preparation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Michele McKenzie, President and chief executive officer of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), will be present at the formal awards ceremony, at the 31st annual World Travel Market in London next Thursday (November 11).

"Several years ago, CTC set out to refresh Canada's tourism brand in anticipation of being on the world stage in 2010," said McKenzie.

"We believed that - with the right strategy - a legacy of the Games could be more interest in Canada as a travel destination, and ultimately more visitors.

"The CTC and our partners seized the once-in-a-generation opportunity provided by the Games to showcase Canada's tourism brand internationally."
Vancouver 2010 officials claim as many as 3.5 billion viewers worldwide tuned in to watch the Olympics February 12-28.
The Games were shown on more than 300 TV stations and more than 100 websites around the world with a total of about 50,000 hours of broadcast hours of the Games across all media platforms.
The 24,000 hours of television coverage alone was about 47 per cent more than for the Turin Winter Olympic Games just four years earlier.
The CTC's Olympic strategy, which runs to the end of 2012, was funded by a $26 million (£16 million) investment from the Federal Government.
After launching the revitalised tourism brand - "Canada. Keep exploring" - six years ago, Canada leapfrogged from 12th place in 2006 to sixth place in 2007, and jumped again to second place in 2008, a position it held again in 2009.
"Initial results of the CTC's marketing campaigns conducted before, during and after the Games indicate that the number of trips booked has increased over 2009 as a result of the awareness created of Canada as a top-ranked travel destination," said McKenzie.

National Cycling coach axed

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

By Mark Pouchet

mark.pouchet@trinidadexpress.com
November 4, 2010

Six months into a two-year contract, the services of Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (T&TCF) high performance manager Erin Hartwell have been terminated.

In an October 26 letter, the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) informed the T&TCF that the Ministry of Sport's implementation arm "shall no longer be providing your Association with funding to cover the expenses of the High Performance Manager with immediate effect.

"SPORTT is of the view that the association should acquire the services of someone who can prepare the Trinidad and Tobago cyclists for successful participation in the 2012 Olympics in London, England."

T&TCF president Robert Farrier said he did not understand the decision to terminate six-time Olympic and world champion Hartwell's two-year contract, which started in May and was valued at TT$40,000 per month (US$6500/month).

"To my knowledge, the entire executive was totally satisfied with Hartwell. He was a hard worker and brought to us an overall coaching experience and ability, and we were totally impressed with him," said Farrier of the head coach of the T&T teams at the Senior Pan American Championships, the Junior Pan American Championships, the Colorado Springs training camp, the CAC Games and Commonwealth Games.

"I don't know who is advising them (SPORTT) but I think they needed to have interaction on this matter. It is unfortunate," Farrier said, adding that the T&TCF came out of a $500,000 debt this year and depends on Government funding for their programmes.

But Roberts said the Ministry is very concerned about taking public funds to pay for a high performance manager who does not work "day in, day out" with the T&T cyclists. He said when the T&TCF presented Hartwell at the June National Sporting Organisation (NSO) meeting, he had agreed to allow Hartwell to continue, funding the cyclists' Colorado Springs training camp. But Roberts said after he investigated, he realised that Hartwell was not involved in the daily routine of the cyclists.

"I have never heard of an internet coach or a manager just for competition. It simply does not work. So therefore, the cycling federation is autonomous and they can do what they want. If they want to keep the gentleman, it is their choice.

"I also have my choice and I go to Cabinet and fight for money and I take away money from children in hospitals and beds, from roads, from drains, from social programmes to fight for money for sport and I have a decision to make in consultation with my experts here at the Ministry, and we have decided we are not going to spend taxpayers money on anyone who we don't deem is doing the job or putting in enough time to get the best results for T&T. That's our decision.

"I'll give the T&TCF a call and we'll discuss it but if they are very happy with the person they could keep him."

Chee Ping lays down gauntlet to Sportt board

Source: www.guardian.co.tt 

Writer: Nigel Simon

Rhett Chee Ping, the newly elected chairman of the Sport Company of T&T (Sportt) has laid down the gauntlet to his fellow newly elected members. The 44-year-old Chee Ping was handed his instruments of appointment along with the 12 other elected board members by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Anil Roberts, at his Abercromby Street head office, yesterday.

In addition to Chee Ping, who is also the president of the Shipping Association of T&T (SATT) and Director of Shipping Department, Gordon Grant & Co Ltd, the other members of the Sportt board for a two-year term are: Dr Chela Lamsee-Ebanks (Deputy Chairman); Ashwin Creed (Deputy Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs); Caryl Kellar (Special Advisor to the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs); Kent Samlal; Anyl Goopeesingh; Annan Ramnanansingh; Milton Siboo, Harold Seeramsingh; Nisa Dass; Matthew Quamina; Cheemattee Martin and Wade Ballah.

They were presented with a congratulatory letter issued by the Minister of Finance, Winston Dookeran; a copy of the standard procurement procedures and a copy of the state enterprises performance monitoring manual. Chee Ping, also a former national swimmer, triathlete and national rugby player added, “The gauntlet base has been laid down by Minister Roberts and just by looking around I feel extremely confident that I have a good team.

“Moving forward I agree with the Minister that youth is what will see us through and hopefully we can bring programmes together that will see this to a fruition.
Chee Ping added, “I also agree with Roberts that every time you hear the Sportt company’s name or mention it to anyone its a shroud of “oh my god”, somethings wrong, how much you are going to steal or what are you going to steal.

“For anyone who knows me, if your plans are to do so then I suggest you get out right now. “I’m not going to tarnish my name nor do I want the Minister to tarnish his , nor that of the People’s Partnership. “So we have to put our heads together and get the job done. We need to stick to a time frame because that’s what sport is about. We need to be on the ball and get it done right. You don’t get four and five times to get that gold medal, you get one shot and that’s it.”

New Sports Company Board now in place

Source:  www.trinidadexpress.com
By Mark Pouchet

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts handed the 13-member Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) board of directors, led by Rhett Chee Ping, their instruments of appointment yesterday, advising them to re-brand the company and to air opposing views.

Roberts also said the appointments, to last for two years, came after, "a painstaking process." The government's State Board committee considered resumes and applications for this and other boards.
At the Ministry's headquarters yesterday, Roberts said the delay in naming a board, "was not due to any lack of interest on the part of the People's Partnership government", but they wanted to prevent repetition on various Boards.
Minister Roberts said the SPORTT had been tainted by, "a lack of transparency and accountability; a lack of corporate governance; and absolute wastage of taxpayers' money."
Roberts had called for a forensic investigation, he said, so that the new Board can start with a "clean sheet".
" I ask them that their first task be the re-branding of the company because I don't want citizens who are coming to serve to be tainted by what has gone before. What went before was an embarrassment to the country and to citizens at large. We will not repeat those mistakes," he said.

The Minister said SPORTT and the Ministry must work together and be accountable to the people.
After congratulating the new members, whom he said came from varying fields like finance, sports medicine, business, child safety and paediatrics, marketing and public service, Roberts added that sport must become an industry and help to reduce youth crime
And the Olympic swim coach said the board should give their views.
"We are going to argue because I have not assembled a bunch of 'yes men and women' who will say 'yes, minister'. We have people who will voice their opinion vehemently and that is good for governance. When you all agree and there is no dissension, you got $2 million flags, $55 million Caribbean Games without a Games going off and forensic audits and get embarrassment in the Parliament which we do not want," he concluded.

The new chairman Chee Ping said he would not tolerate misuse of public funds.
"When you mention the sports company it's a matter of "oh My God! What you are going to steal and how much you are going to steal. For anyone that knows me, and I am bringing it to the Board, that if you plan to steal, I suggest you get out right now because I 'm not going to tarnish my name nor do I want the minister to tarnish his name nor the People's Partnership," he said.

NEW SPORTT BOARD

Rhett Chee Ping (chairman)
Dr Chela Lamsee-Ebanks (deputy chairman)
Ashwin Creed
Caryl Kellar
Kent Samlal
Dr Anyl Gopeesingh
Annan Ramnanansingh
Milton Siboo
Harold Seeramsingh
Nisa Dass
Matthew Quamina
Cheemattee Martin
Wade Ballah

Top Trinidad and Tobago swimmer George Bovell never shies away from a challenge.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com By Mark Pouchet

When he popped his knee in a team Paint Ball activity back in 2004, soon after he had won the Athens 200 metres Individual Medley (IM) bronze medal, George "The Hammer" Bovell changed specialty.

He went from one of the most difficult races, the 200m Individual Medley involving all four competitive strokes, all muscle groups and energy systems, to the 50m freestyle sprint.

And he splashed to top rankings in that event, culminating in a fourth spot world ranking last year.

That was akin to 1980 and 1984 Olympic champion Daley Thompson abandoning the decathlon for the 100m dash and being among the top eight in the sprint.

So when Bovell, disappointed by a string of poor results over the last two years, decided to quit the state-of-the art facilities, world-ranked training partners and easy access to world-class competition in the United States for training by himself in run-down, dated pools and in an environment where he lacks top competition, he faced another challenge.

"Yeah, it's (training in T&T) much harder in certain respects. There is more energy when you have training mates and are competing with them day in and out. Now the challenge is to draw the energy from yourself, it's intrinsic and I have noticed to do things fast, I feel as if I don't really know how fast I am. But that's what my coach Anil Roberts is for," said Bovell.

He certainly has a good base from which to work.

The Olympian scored the highest in athletic functionality tests performed by the world renowned athletic conditioner Vern Gambetta two weekends ago.

"I am afraid I made some of the track athletes look bad, but I have really been focussed on a full-body programme in weight training, medicine ball and plyometrics training. It's all towards making me a better athlete," he said.

Bovell, who says he is entertaining the idea of inviting former training partners like Olympic champion and world record holder Brazilian Caesar Cielo here, said Roberts, the ASCA Level five swim coach and tv/radio show host who is now Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, was the man to take him back to his fast-swimming ways.

"Anil also supplies motivation where a team environment would have provided it before. It has been good so far and I am looking forward to see what we can do later this year. He is a really positive presence at big meets....He is there to give me a pump-up speech, a race critique, someone to tell you, "you looking good" when you not swimming so fast, and of course his expertise in coaching. Coaching is as much an art as a science and Anil has proven himself to be a real artist," said Bovell.

Bovell, who said Tobago's YMCA eight-lane 25 metre pool is "the best pool in the country", is tweaking his technique with Roberts' help and is already seeing some "little improvements and little mistakes" that he is making.

"I am going to fix them. I think my 50 freestyle technique is where I need to be but now I am working to get back my 100 free technique. I think the banned high-tech suits gave a lot of swimmers a false sense of ability. Without them, there is nothing to lift you, without the suits you have to create your own lift and we are focussing on stroke efficiency, doing the fastest time with the least amount of strokes which is going to force us to become swim efficient.," he stated.

Bovell added that preparing for the 100 will set him up nicely for the 50m free at the London 2012 Olympics.

More short term though, Bovell will next prepare for the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Dubai in December.

For 2011, the 2010 CAC gold medallist is looking to peak for the Mexico 2011 Pan Am Games and the Shanghai 2011 World Long Course Championships in October and July respectively.

Between those meets and the Olympics, Bovell is looking to get in as much racing as possible.

And the challenge is to progress to 21.6 seconds in 2011, and to 21.3 seconds in 2012 to set up a shot at the gold medal in the Men's 50m free.

"I think that time will win gold. A matter of three more tenths and two years of solid racing and coaching to the rare air of a gold medal," he concluded.

Sport is the investment of the future

Source:www.insidethegames.biz

By Cathy Wood at the Global Sports Industry Congress in London

Awarding major events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the FIFA World Cup to emerging nations have far reaching economic, political and social benefits according to speakers at the opening session of the Global Sports Industry Congress in London.

Dmitry Chernyshenko , chief executive officer of the Sochi Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2014, opened the Congress by explaining Russia had a clear and deliberate strategy to host as many international events as possible, a plan already reaping rewards.

Apart from the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Russia will also host the World Athletics Championships in Moscow in 2013 and the first ever Formula One race, in Sochi in 2014.

"Sport can be the greatest catalyst for change," said Chernyshenko.

He also revealed the strategy had resulted in legacy benefits including an opportunity for people to sign up to become volunteers, new green building standards in Sochi which will then be implemented throughout the city, and new standards for people with disabilities.

Faruk Nafiz Ozak, Turkey's State Minister for Youth and Sport, was another platform speaker to pick up on the positive effect big sporting events can have on society.

"We should create environments for people to do sport from 7-70," he said. "We should keep in mind the conscience of social responsibility."

And he revealed Turkey's ambition to host the biggest multi-sport event in the world remain undimmed.

"Our achievements so far show Turkey is ready to host the Olympic Games," he said, adding "sport is the investment of the future".

Jeanine Pires, Director of Rio 2016, touched on two core strands that need to be in place for a city, like Rio, to successfully host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

First, there needs to be a policy of social inclusion and, second, there has to be economic stability and growth.

Pires explained that since 2003 more than 30 million Brazilians had overcome poverty and that over the same period a programme of after-school activities, called Second Half Time, had helped more than 3.5 million children at social risk.

Between 2014 and 2016 Brazil will host both the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic Games both of which, according to Pires, are opportunities to show the world what emerging nations can achieve.

"The goals are going to be improving the infrastructure, the sports legacy of high performance sport and to use sport values to educate and include young people in Brazil," she said.

"It is a way to end stereotypes," Pires added. "Sometimes the general public think we are not able to deliver big sporting events.

"You heard that about South Africa."

Patrick Baumann, Secretary General of FIBA and an IOC member, told Congress that International Federations, looking to award events to emerging nations, often face issues around culture and a lack of people with skill in organising events.

One emerging nation to experience very public difficulties was Delhi as it prepared for the Commonwealth Games last month.

But Mike Hooper, chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation, who was among the Congress audience, said it was absolutely the right decision to award the Games to India.

"Yes there were real issues," he said, "but I believe the measure of the success of the Games was from an athlete perspective.

"The athletes would look back and say they were a great Games."

Romany cautions athletes about image

Page 32 NEWSDAY SECTION A Monday November 1, 2010

LARRY ROMANY, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), has cautioned athletes and sporting bodies that they risk damaging their brand, intellectual property of their brand and asset value in relation to the corporate sector if they use the media to air their grievances.

Romany was speaking at a function hosted by the Ministry of Sport on Friday to honour medalists at the Commonwealth Games, Central American and Caribbean Championships and the Youth Olympics.

“We have to take careful consideration of how we manage our affairs,” he said.

Romany noted that he is aware of the obstacles athletes face but advised them to conduct their business in a manner that will not generate negative publicity to their sport.

“I understand very clearly the challenges that we face on a day to day basis.  But we must understand that we live in a community of 1.3 million people and a corporate sector that is very small and very timid when it comes to financing sport,” he explained.

Romany warned that if athletes and sporting organizations do not be careful of what they say then TT will throw away the good platform built by athletes such as former “World” 200m champion Ato Boldon, Olympic silver medalist Richard Thompson, Olympic gold medalist Hasely Crawford and Olympic bronze medalist George Bovell III.

“We have to be very careful on how we protect our brand, our intellectual assets and our intellectual property rights as individuals.  If we don’t, we will squander everything that the last 12 years has brought,” he argued.

Romany stated that he expects all stakeholders in sport to work in unison to ensure that the success that is now enjoyed continues in the future.

PERFORM OR ELSE!

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com By Mark Pouchet

October 29, 2010

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts yesterday congratulated athletes on their achievements this year before telling them to consistently perform at a high level or risk losing funding.

At a function to honour this country's medallists at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC), the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and the Commonwealth Games yesterday at Movie Town in Port of Spain, Roberts said elite athletes were being rewarded for their sacrifices and feats.

But the former radio/tv show host said that these athletes, seeking to compete against the world's best in the Mexico 2011 Pan American Games and the London 2012 Olympic Games, will be evaluated and their performances assessed before Government determine the level of funding they will receive.

"Let me explain something. We have a Minister of Finance who would not pay 25 cents to see an ant wine, so when they give me that money that could have gone to hospitals or education, we definitely are not going to waste it." said Roberts. " Those who want and love their sport and are passionate about it and are disciplined in training will get full support. Those who feel they want to stop and do SEA and then come by the Ministry to get money to go Carifta, have a barbeque. Those who feel they want to do everything, they want to go Olympics in one sport but want to have a sweat in another sport, have a carwash. That is not happening anymore. Understand, the elite level programme is going to be well organised and well audited....It will be for serious athletes with serious records with serious audits on their performances."

Roberts said elite sport was neither for the faint-hearted nor cry babies and is measured by one benchmark:

"Winning!", he said.

Roberts, who resumed coaching top T&T swimmer George Bovell back in September, added it is possible to make great athletes in limited facilities but having great facilities and insufficient and unqualified coaches did not ensure medal-winning athletes.

Roberts said he will perform a complete analysis that would include athletes, coaches and national sporting organisation administrators.

"So that in London 2012, we will be looking to mount the podium. Too many times we have said we want someone to join Hasely Crawford but it is not going to happen by mistake or with any short-cuts. It is going to happen with hard, torturous work , a lot of funding from the Ministry of Sport, and a lot of intelligence from our coaches and support from our administrators." he said.

Roberts added that the athletes were now going to be held to very high standards based on performance and results.

"We all have potential; potential to do a lot of things but a great coach told me once, potential means you haven't done anything yet," he concluded.

Gordon Tietjens: Six years to Rio is not a long time
Nov.01.2010

Source: (IRB.COM) Wednesday 27 October 2010

By Gordon Tietjens
From Auckland, NZ

In his latest column for IRBSevens.com, the New Zealand Sevens coach of 17 years Gordon Tietjens reveals his dark horse for this year's HSBC Sevens World Series and looks back on another Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning performance.

I always look forward to a new World Series and this year it’s no different. Obviously I have had a lot of enjoyment over the years being involved - it’s eight good tournaments, all of them really enjoyable, and I am really looking forward to it.

The pools were announced this week for the first event in Dubai, which has to be one of my favourite places to visit, and I often get asked what I make of our pool. The truth is that you just don’t know, you are going into the unknown.

I don’t know what Argentina are going to be like, I don’t know what the USA are going to be like and I certainly don’t know how Zimbabwe are going to shape up. It’s the very first tournament where everyone is feeling out what everyone has got until you get out on the track. And I will have a new team as well so it is going to be different for all the teams, particularly on day one. After that we’ll sit down and have a look at the DVDs but, we won’t really know much until day two.

I’m excited too that my boys will be defending our title in Dubai. It was a great performance first up last year, one that made me really proud, and winning the Commonwealth Games has upped the ante for us.

People might see us as the team to beat and clearly we'll be going all out to win in Dubai and win the World Series, but I think the sleeping giant is Fiji this year. They weren’t at the Commonwealth Games, which was a real shame for them, but they’ll go quietly about their business, they play Sevens week in and week out in Fiji and I think that they will bring a very good side.

Defending Series champions Samoa will be strong too, England will be good and Ben Ryan has already said to me that he’ll have the same side that he took to Delhi, and then of course Australia you mustn’t forget. They got better and better with every tournament last season, ended up winning one in London and made the final in Edinburgh. They also pushed us very close in Delhi, so they’re also a threat, a very good team.

So what’s the secret?

I get asked a lot what the secret is to winning Commonwealth Games and to be honest it’s just a lot of hard work, and knowing how special the prize is if you do win. The most memorable moments in my rugby coaching career have been seeing a player being presented with a gold medal to the raising of the flag and listening to your anthem – there is nothing better than that.

It is quite sentimental but you are not just representing rugby, you are representing New Zealand at all sports. There is a little bit of added pressure, particularly after you have won the first three gold medals at the Games - Kuala Lumpur in 98, Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006 - and the expectation within the NZ sports team was right up there, and I had a pretty good side.

I still thought we may have to battle to win it because obviously the game of Sevens has closed dramatically over the last few years and everyone was going there with ambitions to win the gold medal, but we managed to do it, which was really pleasing.
 
I turned up with four former All Blacks, using Sevens perhaps to get back into the main side, which two of them did – Liam Messam and Hosea Gear got themselves back in the All Blacks through good performances at the Games. But the other two players, Ben Smith and Zac Guildford had never really played much Sevens outside of club level and one had played at provincial Sevens, so that was that. But they are good rugby players.

“I had to smash them..”

We had to work particularly hard, especially in Dubai before we went to Delhi. I had to smash them for a couple of days there because we hadn’t been playing in any tournaments whatsoever. Some of the other teams had played in Darwin the week before, Australia and Samoa, so I felt we were behind the 8-ball. We worked particularly hard in 40 degrees in Dubai and I think those two days we had there was the winning of the tournament.

And these Commonwealth Games are becoming more and more relevant to us all. I was told the other day that we’re now less than 70 months until the Olympics in Rio and when you put it like that you start to realize that it’s not too far away in terms of a player’s lifecycle.

We’ve had some meetings in New Zealand looking at where the players are going to come from that will play in the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. Those players are basically coming through the secondary schools now so we’ve got identify them and encourage them to come into Sevens. We’re also fortunate to have players like Zac Guilford and Ben Smith, who will be around in six years time very much pushing for that Olympic team.

There’s a lot of research and work to do in the next two years though. We’ve seen how successful Sevens is at a multisport games in the Commonwealths, not just because we’ve been winning but just the support, the crowd, the excitement and it’s only going to get better going to Rio.

Six years isn’t a long time at all and you can see the interest even now that there is in China and Asia, and it’s not just men it’s women too. There’s no doubt, it’s all very exciting working towards the Olympics but in many respects the work’s only just beginning, and Dubai is another major building block.

Regrouping for London

Source:  www.trinidadexpress.com By Mark Pouchet

October 30, 2010

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts says he is working on peaking his protege George Bovell for a gold medal shot in the 50m free at the London 2012 Olympics.

In September, Roberts resumed coaching duties of this country's Athens 2004 200m IM bronze medallist after Bovell made the request.

"He's been so great for the country and it's a joy to coach him or even interact with him, the knowledge he has for swimming. So when he made the decision to switch and come back home and train and he asked me, even though he was worried if I'd have time or not, I told him if it is anything I'll make time for you if it's four o'clock in the morning or 10 o'clock at night," Roberts told the Express last week.

The 26-year-old Bovell had expressed displeasure with his sub-par performances earlier this year and decided to quit the Auburn Aquatics club in the United States, where he trained with Brazilian Olympic champion Cesar Cielo and French Olympian and former world record-holder for the 50m freestyle Frederick

Bousquets.

Roberts said he had already started some technical changes to improve to Bovell's racing.

"When I first started he wanted to go to the World Short Course Championships in Dubai in mid December and it didn't look good, his technique had gone, he was a little bit out of shape. But being the consummate professional, as soon as we started doing technique and so on, he had a dramatic response and adaptation and so now he is looking quite good, it looks like he will be able to go to Dubai and give a good account of himself," Roberts said.

But the former radio/tv show host says the Dubai competition is just part of achieving the main goal-winning an Olympic medal again.

"So he is starting to look good but all of this is just the beginning for London 2012 where he'll go (in) the 50 and 100 freestyle.

"Beijing was quite good where he went 48.8, but I think he has a 48.04 in him.

We'd like to get that and while that won't win an Olympic medal, it should place him in the final and maybe fourth or fifth and that will set up the 50m freestyle where it is my opinion he has the potential to win gold," said Roberts.

Roberts added the world of sprint freestyle is "quite open" and with the world governing body for aquatic sports FINA banning of the high-tech suits, technically sound swimmers like Bovell are starting to come back into the top of the world rankings.

Roberts said that even though Bovell was the fourth fastest in the world last year in the 50m free, he is an experienced novice because the other top ten sprinters have been racing this event since they were 15 to 16 years old.

Asked what was responsible for Bovell's poor performances over the last two years, Roberts said his coaches in that period did not understand how to peak him.

"He (George) was the man who did the work, the man who listens to the coach who did everything....They (Bovell's previous coaches) were giving him the same two to three-week taper.

"Even though he had done all the mileage, he could have gone up to five weeks and yes, some people will say that is madness because the science says you can't do that. However the science is not specific on tapering. You have to understand the individual inside out. He is a very confident swimmer, his muscle tone is good, he does not put on weight when he rests.

"When he works hard, you can take the risk of resting him much longer and I think they never did that," Roberts said.

The good thing, Roberts said, is Bovell has the work under his belt. Six weeks since resuming training, he is in a better frame of mind. But coach Roberts believed he and his charge had one major obstacle.

"I don't cry about facilities once you have water and you have a pool, you are good. But...the real weakness and challenge is getting him world class competition on a regular basis.

"What he'll have to do is fly out quite a lot.... He is looking at Canada and England to get those swims in. But going into next year—May, June, July—he will have to choose his competitions carefully, do them in 'grap' as we say...Swim six races in seven days and come back.

"That is going to be a bit of a challenge but we'll put our heads together and get it done and every race he can get we have to make sure he learns something."

Minister of Sport : Athletes must justify investment with results

Teenage swimmer Christian Homer (right) is presented with a package by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts during a ceremony held in honour of T&T’s participants at the Commonwealth and CAC Games at Movie Towne’s Conference and Banquet Centre yesterday. PHOTO: CLAYTON CLARKE

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts said that his administration would not tolerate any mediocrity from T&T’s elite athletes once the Ministry is investing in them. Roberts was speaking during a ceremony held in honour of T&T’s participants at the Commonwealth and CAC Games at the Banquet and Conference Centre in Movie Towne yesterday. After formally congratulating those in the audience, including Commonwealth medallists Tariq Abdul Haqq, Ayanna Alexander, Roger Daniel and Rhodney Allen, Roberts advised them to begin focusing on the 2012 Olympics in London. “We are very proud of you. So for now, congratulations,” he said, “but that thing done. You are now starting from zero and going again.” He quickly reminded them that they needed to justify the amount of money being spent on elite athletes since it could be put to use in other areas.

“When I go in Cabinet to argue and shout for money, I am taking money away from hospital beds, from road drainage, from school feeding programmes, from all sorts of different uses,” he said. “So when they give me that money for you, we are definitely not going to waste it. If you feel that we are taking money from babies in the hospital to play the fool with it, that’s not happening anymore!” While he acknowledged the value of good sportsmanship and diplomacy, the Minister stressed the importance of the bottom line. “Elite level sport is serious business and its one and only benchmark is winning. When we’re talking about elite level funding and a lot of money, we’re talking about winning.”

Roberts took a jab at the previous administration’s handling of the Elite Athletes Assistance Programme, insisting that it would be running more efficiently under his watch. “They spent a lot of money over the last nine years, but understand that our programme will be well-organised and well-audited. Serious athletes with serious records will have a serious audit of their performances.” He advised those who did not show consistent improvement to raise their own funds via car washes, barbecues or bake sales, adding that it was the athletes’ duty to live up to the expectations of those who had invested in them.

“When you accept money, you have an awesome responsibility to perform. You have to ensure that so give it your all. Sponsors don’t have to sponsor you. Sponsors want to buy your brand. They want to link their product to your brand so they could sell more and make more money, end of text. So if you understand that, you have to ensure that you protect that brand.” In conclusion, Roberts pledged his commitment to T&T’s next Olympic campaign and encouraged the country’s athletes to strive for further success. “As we go forward we will work together to make our nation proud in 2012,” he said. “It’s not going to happen by mistake and it’s not going to happen with any short cuts. It’s going to happen with hard, tortuous work, a lot of intelligence from our coaches and a lot of funding and support from the Ministry of Sport.”

Commonwealth Games Honour Role

Silver:
Ayanna Alexander (Triple Jump),
Tariq Abdul Haqq (Super Heavyweight Boxing),
Roger Daniel (25m Standard Pistol),
Cleopatra Borel-Browne (Shot Put).

Bronze: Rhodney Allen & Roger Daniel (50m Pistol Pair),
Aaron Armstrong (100m).

oct.29.2010

In less than one month, sport has been twice considered as “a means to promote education, health, development and peace” by the United Nations (UN).
Just a few weeks after the Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the 65th UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognising the potential of sport to attain these G

oals by 2015, and to foster an atmosphere of tolerance. With this new resolution, the Assembly recognises the important role the IOC and the Olympic Movement play in this respect through various actions, starting with their premier event, the Olympic Games, their new project, the Youth Olympic Ga

mes, and of course, the Olympic Truce.

The resolution received broad support from the world community, being co-sponsored by 192 UN member states. The IOC used an address to the General Assembly to explain its role as a powerful tool to foster development, cooperation, solidarity, social inclusion and peace, making full use of its new UN observer status. As such, “the IOC looks to the UN, to governments and to specialised non-governm

ental organisations to take the lead in promoting development. But sport has shown time and again that it can contribute effectively.”
Furthermore, the annual report from the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki- moon, outlined a revised UN Action Plan on Sport for Development and Peace, which includes promoting the principle of “sport for all” and developing inclusive sport and physical education policies.

Sport was considered as an important tool for education, development and peace by world lead

ers during a summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that took place in New York from 20 to 22 September.

The role of sport to “promote cooperation and solidarity, tolerance, understanding, social in

clusion, and health, at local, national, and international levels” was mentioned in the official outcome document of this high-level United Nations (UN) meeting, which aimed to assess and accelerate the efforts made towards achieving the eight global goals by the deadline of 2015.

Nawal El Moutawakel, an Olympic champion and IOC Executive Board member, addressed the UN General Assembly on behalf of the IOC and said: “We are now just five years away from the deadline which was set by the UN for achieving the goals. Time is short; the list of needs is still long. The IOC shares your sense of urgency.” She added: “The Olympic Movement — the IOC, the International and National Sports Federations and the 205 National Olympic Committees — is using the power of sport to pro

mote the MDGs in countries across the world and cooperate to this end with all sectors, from governments to UN agencies, funds and programmes, NGOs, the business community and civil society at large. While we indeed are doing our best, we are fully aware that more must and can be done.  All of us in sport can and must do more. This is a clarion call to sports organisations and the billions of sportspersons, their supporters and fans throughout the world, to play their part.”

During a roundtable that took place at the sidelines of the summit and focused on the value of sport as a development tool, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “We use sport in many of our programmes. Some of the world’s greatest athletes are helping us to raise awareness of important issues, s

uch as hunger, HIV/AIDS, gender equality, education and environmental care.” He added: “Here at the MDG Summit, we will hear much talk about the need for stronger partnerships in making the Goals a reality. Sport exemplifies that very spirit: teamwork… fair play… people collaborating for a common goal.” At the same event, Wilfried Lemke, the Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Sport for Development and Peace, said: “We need to re-engage governments and review how to use sport in development plans and policies.”

As the leader of the Olympic Movement, the IOC strives to act as a catalyst for collaboration with the ultimate objective of making the world a better and more peaceful place through sport. By using sport as a tool, the IOC and its partners implement various activities across the globe in fields such as humanitarian assistance, peace-building, education, gender equality, the environment and the fight against HIV/AIDS, hence contributing to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Last year’s decision to grant the IOC UN observer status pays tribute to these efforts and is a sign of the strong bonds between the IOC and the UN, which share the same philosophy and values.

The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed upon by all of the world’s countries and all of the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanised unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest.

Source: www.olympic.org

Sport officially recognised to boost Millennium Development Goals,New UN Resolution on Sport

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has encouraged ''a cleanout'' of Fifa during discussions with the football president Sepp Blatter 

Dr Rogge said he had spoken to Mr Blatter in recent days and hoped that Fifa becomes a more transparent organisation.
He said the IOC had to remain vigilant to corruption, even though the Olympic Movement had a painful reform processs in the wake of the 1998 Salt Lake City bribery scandal.
 
''I encouraged him to do what he has done and clean out as much as possible, we have been through this... and the IOC came out as a better and more transparent organisation and I hope that happens to my friends.
"Will this happen again to the IOC? I hope not, we have the processes to protect us as much as possible, but cheating is embedded in human culture, we are very vigilant, we have strict rules and I believe this protects us as much as possible, but you can never say never.''

IOC official seeks to avoid age limit

Associated Press

ACAPULCO, Mexico -- One of the most powerful figures in the Olympic movement is trying to get around the age-limit rules to keep his     high-ranking IOC position until 2014.

Mario Vazquez Rana, the Mexican media magnate who has headed the Association of National Olympic Committees for  31 years, was re-elected this week to another four-year term.

The 78-year-old Vazquez Rana will be 82 at the end of his next mandate. That would put him two years past the International Olympic Committee's mandatory retirement age of 80.

Vazquez Rana pushed through an ANOC resolution Friday calling on the IOC to let him retain his spot on the IOC and its policy-making executive board through the rest of his term.

"I feel like I am 60," Vazquez Rana said. "As long as I can keep on working, I will keep on working, whatever my chronological age."
Vazquez Rana was elected to the IOC in 1991. As leader of the world's national Olympic bodies, he automatically gets a seat on the executive board.

The proposal sets up a sensitive choice for the IOC, which enacted the age limit rule as one of its major reforms in the wake of the Salt Lake City corruption scandal.

"I owe it to my colleagues on the executive board to discuss it with them," IOC President Jacques Rogge said, declining to comment on the merits of the case. Vazquez Rana's status is unlikely to be decided at the current IOC board meetings in Acapulco. The issue is expected to be discussed at the next board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, in January.