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F
INA considers adopting
two world record marks
The argument over the use of high
tech bodysuits in swimming has taken
another turn after it was revealed
the world governing body FINA is
considering recommendations to adopt
two sets of world records – one for times
set using the performance-enhancing
apparel and one without.
The Coaches Commission of FINA has
recommended to the world governing
body’s ruling executive, which meets in
January, the creation of a ‘World Textile
Mark’ which would honour swimmers
who beat world records that stood prior
to 1st January, 2008, when all race suits
were made of textile.
A new set of rules regarding the use of
bodysuits came in on 1st January 2010,
which bans suits that do not revert
back to the ‘textile-only’ version of the
apparel.
Since the launch of the Speedo LZR
Racer, with several other high tech suits
following in its wake, no fewer than 234
world records have fallen. The race suits,
made of polyurethane and neoprene,
aided buoyancy, speed and endurance
by compressing tired muscles.
If the proposal of coaches is taken up,
event organisers and suit makers are
likely to offer two levels of world-record
bonuses: one for those who get past the
world record as it stood on 1st January,
2008, and another for those who pass
suit-assisted performances.
Many would like to see a line drawn
in the record books that does what
coaches are suggesting, without the
need for parallel sets of records: anyone
who gets past a world record that stood
on 1st January, 2008 would be the next
world record-holder, without reference
to the high tech era.
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IC NE S T KE Y IN T E F ST L E
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The International Rugby Board has
confirmed that three Unions have formally
expressed their intention to tender to host
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013. Brazil,
Germany and Russia are keen to host
Rugby Sevens’ showcase tournament for
the first time, featuring 24 men’s and 16
women’s teams playing over three days
of competition.
Thestronglevelof tender interest isanother
significant boost for Rugby Sevens at a
time when the sport is enjoying its highest
ever profile following the International
Olympic Committee’s decision to include
the sport in the Olympic Games, starting
from 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
The host of Rugby World Cup Sevens
Following the 15 October deadline, only
three cities have announced their official
bids to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Annecy in France, Munich in Germany
and PyeongChang in South Korea
have submitted bids to the International
Olympic Committee.
This is a decrease from previous bidding
processes for these Games, most recently
for the 2014 Winter Olympics, which saw
The England and Wales Cricket Board
is looking to strike back at the proposed
decision to add the home Ashes Test
Series to the newly revamped Listed
Events ruling, which governs which
sports events are reserved for free-to-air
television, by producing its own review
detailing the severe
financial
implications
the move will have on
the sport.
A nine month review of
the existing structure
of the Listed Events
ruling led by former
FA executive director
David Davies, has
recommended that the
UK government add
the national flagship
cricket series to the list
of events that cannot be shown on pay-
TV in order for them to be made available
to the widest possible audience.
The move, to be announced alongside
2013 will look to follow in the footsteps
of Dubai 2009, which elevated
Rugby Sevens to new heights and
demonstrated why the sport is a perfect
fit for the Olympic Games.
The first to feature a women’s
competition, Rugby World Cup Sevens
2009 pushed the boundary for Rugby
Sevens once more, shattering all
previous broadcast records with the
action reaching 141 countries through
29 international broadcasters in 19
languages.
The Host Union for Rugby World Cup
Sevens 2013 will be selected by the IRB
Council at its May 2010 meeting.
a number of other amendments, has
significant financial implications for the
ECB whose revenues derived from its
existing TV rights deal with Sky would
be likely to be reduced by over £100m in
the advent of being forced to negotiate
solely with terrestrial broadcasters.
If
the
proposed
changes were to come
into effect, the next
home Ashes series
(2013) would remain on
Sky under its existing
contract,
with
the
first to switch back to
terrestrial TV being the
2017 series.
The recommendations
for the government are
also likely to include
placing
international
football qualifiers for the home nations,
the Wimbledon tennis championship
and golf’s Open championship on the
list.
seven applicant cities put forward a
case to the IOC.
The winner will be announced in Durban,
South Africa in July 2011.
Three cities to bid for 2018 Winter Games
ECB to fight back over Listed Events decision
Bidders for 2013 Rugby Sevens World Cup announced