oh really..i hope the visits get even more interesting....:):)

Oh, I'm sure they will :)

And Bellville has no height restriction that I'm aware of...........or at least it may be taller than downtown CT.

^^
Yeah, does the height restriction affect the whole Cape Town metropole or just the CBD? Anyone??

Fifa inspection team positive
October 21, 2005, 18:45

The head of an inspection team of the world soccer body Fifa said he was overwhelmed by South Africa's enthusiasm to host the 2010 World Cup. "Our report-back to our president (Sepp Blatter) will be positive as well," Jim Brown said at a press conference at the Johannesburg International Airport before his departure.

"We were quite frankly overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and the willingness that is required to deliver (a successful World Cup)," he said at the end of a five-day visit to South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique.

Brown said although the three-man team's visit was successful, the delegation had "some questions. "We obviously have some questions. There are stadiums that need to be built. I would say that it's not an issue, it's obviously a question that we have," he told reporters.

Brown is the director of competition at Fifa. With him were Jerome Valcke, director of marketing and television and Alain Leiblang, head of media operations.

Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 World Cup's local organising committee, who attended the press conference, said South Africa's focus would now be on eliminating three venues from the 13 proposed stadiums that were in the country's 2010 bid book, then to start with the construction of those that needed to be built.

"We are very happy with where we are now. We are comfortable that we are well ahead of some of the matters that we had to deliver on," Jordaan said.

Leiblang said Fifa would have a permanent office in South Africa from the beginning of next year. - Sapa

these are just some random images of the mbombel stadium i found today one of the stadia hoping to be chosen for 2010
http://www.bkajhb.co.za/images/newprojectimages/mstadium1.jpg

http://www.bkajhb.co.za/images/newprojectimages/mstadium3.jpg

http://www.bkajhb.co.za/images/newprojectimages/mstadium5.jpg


rainbow stadium plan


http://www.holmjordaan.co.za/rainbowjunction2.jpg

^^cool

Mo Rush, can you tell me about the proposed Olympic Village in Cape Town? I am interested to see what it would be like

thanks man,

SP!RE

ATHLONE STADIUM AS YOU'VE NEVER SEEN HER BEFORE !!!!

BEFORE:

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/africa/south_africa/western_cape/cape_town_athlone.jpg

http://www.turtlesa.com/images/bsocwc/B22%20ath%20st%203.jpg

AFTER:

http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/4835/athlonestadiumnew0zz.jpg

nice work mate. thanks. what an improvement.

for spire:

A VILLAGE OF DREAMS: Beautifully spacious, extremely secure, convenient and designed for athletes by athletes.

http://img433.imageshack.us/img433/935/ovillage1116gz.jpg

The Olympic Village will be on 45 hectares within walking distance of the Olympic Stadium and 7 competition venues and ten minutes by a high speed rail service from the sights and sounds of the City Zone, as well as being the heart of the Olympic Park. It will be adjacent to the Olympic Canal which will run through the village itself adding aesthetic appeal to the apartments as well as commercial value post games. Every competitor irrespective of the location of their event will have a bed reserved in the Olympic Village. The Village land itself is not too compact but neither too large, allowing for spacious accommodation in four to six storey apartment buildings, able to house 16,000 athletes and NOC team officials in 16,800 beds, and with space and capacity to add more if need be, while maintaining the quality of living conditions for every individual.



The 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium would be constructed within walking distance of the Olympic Village and in the midst of most sports venues, and ample routes separate from spectator routes will be designated for competitors allowing safe, convenient and unobstructed journey's to the various venues. The Olympic Village will include an internal non-polluting transportation system which will extend along the athlete routes ensuring competitors arrive refreshed and on time. The vast majority of competitors ( 80% of Olympic Athletes and 90% of Paralympic athletes) will be within 20 minutes of their venues.



The Village has been designed "by athletes for athletes" drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience of individuals who have lived, worked or managed an Olympic Village, ensuring that standards are exceeded and that all athletes are more than satisfied. Athletes will reside in a joyous yet peaceful and secure environment providing the best conditions for athletes to reach their peak performances. Restaurants, services, welcome areas, leisure and training zones will be very well located, ensuring athletes quick, easy and safe access to all of them. The same applies to all other services and amenities required by athletes at any time of the day. The Olympic and Paralympic Village will be one and the same, allowing for full access to athletes in wheelchairs and at the same instance constructing the village to suit each paralympian, providing special attention where circumstances are extreme.

There will be no negotiating regarding the quality of living conditions provided to Paralympians and the Village in itself will address these needs. The design and layout of Olympic apartments and services will ensure a swift and efficient change from Olympic to Paralympic mode. At the core of the development of the Olympic Village is sustainability which allows to provide for a great legacy for all. Closer work will be needed with Environmental experts to assure that the land and area is not heavily impacted and ensuring that emission of carbon and other ozone decaying items are not a factor.

Looking beyond the Games, the Olympic Village will become a symbol of Cape Town's pledge to continue its pursuit to rectify any existing housing shortages and improving the lives of its communities at the same time. More than half of the apartments will be made available at reduced prices to accommodate specifically lower-middle income families who would not usually be able to afford such high standards of accommodation elsewhere in Cape Town.

The centrally located Polyclinic will remain as a health centre for the surrounding apartments and communities, where as the buildings which house the administration offices and supporting facilities will be converted into a sustainable educational and cultural legacy ; with nursery, primary, secondary schools and a lifelong learning centre to serve the needs of the local community. Plans are also in place to construct a museum which will highlight the history of the land and its purpose during World War II as well as its role to greatly improve and develop the lives the people of Cape Town. The large Village Dining Area itself will be slightly modified and relocated to a nearby secondary school to serve as a multi-purpose sports and cultural centre. The remaining areas of the international zone will be integrated into the new Olympic Park community of offices, homes and sports facilities ensuring vital services and entertainment is provided to the new community. This is a key factor and vision of the Olympic Games Committee and the City of Cape Town in ensuring a well rounded, safe, environmentally aware and diverse local community is created as an inspiration to produce and initiate greater development across other areas of Cape Town.


The Olympic Village in Cape Town in 2016 is where the worlds greatest athletes will live in peaceful society, safely and comfortably, in accordance with the Olympic Ideals of a truly cultural and sporting celebration.

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/3637/ctstadium4zk.jpg

^^ That looks really neat Mo Rush- thanks for posting it :)

The Olympic Village thing in particular, but the stadiums are lookin' hot!

Hefty budget boost for provinces and local government
Wyndham Hartley

CAPE TOWN — Government is to increase spending R97bn over the next three years, and the lion’s share of the additional expenditure — 61% — will go to provinces and local government.

Targets for expenditure across the provinces will be provincial and municipal infrastructure, including massive allocations of R23,5bn over the next three years for the provision of housing.

While some R50bn more will go to provinces and local government, the key to this contributing to accelerated growth will be their capacity to spend it all.

Transfers to the provinces will rise 6,3% in real terms over the three-year period.

This raises the allocations to the provinces from the revised final position for 2005-06 of R209,7bn to an estimated R290bn in 2008-09. This includes both the equitable share allocation and conditional grants for targeted spending.

The increases in equitable share will mainly go to bolstering education, health and social development while conditional grants will focus on housing, HIV/AIDS and infrastructure.

Local government gets an apparent bonus of R24bn in grants from national treasury to replace Regional Services Council (RSC) levies — but this is simply an allocation to metropolitan and district councils, which still have RSC levies, allowing for when RSCs are scrapped next July.

The revised position of local government spending for the current financial year is R17,1bn.

For 2006-07 to 2008-09 the allocation to local government increases more than R2bn. Of this R1,5bn will be for free basic services and basic infrastructure, job creation and poverty relief initiatives, and building capacity and governance.

Currently, local government is owed a massive R40bn in arrears service payments and most municipalities have displayed an inability to collect the money.

Over the three years R1,9bn will be spent on capacity building in local government. There is also an additional R500m over the next three years for the municipal infrastructure grant.

“Local government plans to spend R25,3bn on municipal infrastructure over the next three years,” the policy statement read.

A special amount of R241m has been set aside for capital projects in cities that will host matches in the 2010 Soccer World Cup tournament.

http://www.softball.co.za/CT2007_files/image066.jpg

http://www.softball.co.za/CT2007_files/image060.jpg

http://www.softball.co.za/CT2007_files/image062.jpg

http://www.softball.co.za/ussasa03.jpg

http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/4866/thallatnight0ze.jpg

http://www.perspectiveartist.co.za/large/soccer.jpg?

Dubai, I bet!

Dubai, I bet!

No, a south africa city....lol..

man those are class pics mo though i still don't like the rainbow junction could be loads better ....thinking of it now a how many rugby staduims are we going to use for 2010? since we only need 10 and there 13 prov well 12 the northerncape doesn't count

Financially, SA's World Cup bid is strong

By Peter Bills

A revealing set of financial figures circulated in the past few days has seen South Africa now emerge as favourites to win the race for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

While the sentimental vote might be for Japan, hard-nosed financial considerations are likely to be the final deciding factor when the decision is made in Dublin in 17 days time. And the sums involved have been shown to be massively in favour of the South African bid.

All three bidding countries - South Africa, Japan and New Zealand - are likely to have to guarantee the International Rugby Board a sum in excess of £55million (R650-million) for the right to stage the tournament.

But it is in the field of ancillary rights where South Africa has been shown to be out on its own
The French have had to guarantee the board £48-million (R569-million) for the 2007 event so, four years later, an increase of at least £7-million (R83-million) would seem fair.

But it is in the field of ancillary rights where South Africa has been shown to be out on its own. And this aspect will surely be a key factor.

If the decision is made to go to South Africa, the ancillary rights (covering TV rights, sponsorship and travel), are now estimated to gross probably two and a half times more than would be the case with Japan or New Zealand.

One expert estimated the ancillary rights from a successful South African bid as "perhaps another £50-million (R592,7-million)".

In other words, if the decision goes to Japan or New Zealand, the TV rights and sponsorship negotiators in Britain and Europe, where the serious money is, will reduce by more than half their commercial offers. It is a powerful factor in selecting South Africa.

The reason is the time difference to Britain, Ireland and Europe. World Cups now often see three or four matches held in a single day. It is the only way a lengthy schedule can be accommodated.

But if that were to happen in Japan or New Zealand, it would inevitably mean several matches being shown in mid-morning or around midday back in Europe. Viewing figures would be seriously diminished, thereby reducing the commercial value enormously.

By contrast, South Africa is just one hour ahead of UK time when a World Cup would be played. It would give broadcasters the opportunity for major games to be screened at peak hours. Advertisers would be required to pay top dollar for exposure to such viewing numbers.

Can any sports governing body afford to throw away as much as £25-million (R296-million) to £30-million (R355-million) by one decision? It would be surprising if professional rugby, a sport strapped for cash in almost every playing country, could afford to do so.

The IRB could dress up a decision for South Africa as a positive in terms of growing the game. IRB officials are privately expressing their delight at what is termed "the explosion of rugby" in French-speaking Africa.

Therefore, opting for South Africa as host nation would undoubtedly enhance the spread of the game in that continent, a region where the game remains in its infancy.

The fact that South Africa hosted the event in 1995 is not seen as a factor. In their favour is a rugby-mad country whose people would fill the grounds, a magnificent setting for the tournament, with the hotels, transport and stadiums to host a major world event.

The fact that the Soccer World Cup will be held here in 2010 is another advantage. Huge sums of money are being spent already to transform stadiums and improve facilities.

While it might alarm Fifa in the light of their tournament 12 months earlier, the fact remains that rugby could piggyback on that promising scenario. The biggest factor against New Zealand is that it struggled to cope with 20 000 British & Irish Lions supporters this year.

Some fans had to fly in and out on Test match day from Australia's Gold Coast. Others flew from different cities in New Zealand because there was no accommodation in the Test match venue.

How would they cope with 50 000 to 60 000 visitors? And, apart from Auckland, the grounds are far too small. Crucially, the financial return would be far smaller.

Japan is the best nation of the three in terms of taking the game to a new audience. But under the present system, that may not be enough. If finances are the critical factor, it must go to South Africa.

South Africa ahead in 2011 World Cup race

01.11.05
By Wynne Gray

A confidential IRB report has rated South Africa the best choice to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The document was compiled after visits to the three nations - New Zealand, South Africa and Japan - who are bidding to stage the tournament when the votes are cast later this month.

The Sunday Times in London acquired a copy of the report which was compiled by a special IRB touring team headed by chief executive Mike Miller.

The newspaper said the IRB thought South Africa’s bid was the strongest, New Zealand had a "safe" bid while Japan needed to overcome various challenges.

Apparently there was no mention about the standard of New Zealand’s stadiums in the report.

The country’s lack of quality hotels was indicated but countered by the New Zealand Rugby Union with an updated version of their Lions’ hospitality plan - "cruise liners and camper vans".

New Zealand and South Africa were lauded for the Government guarantees underpinning their tenders, with concern Japan could raise only half the funding from the Government.

The article said the IRB report ignored that it was illegal in Japan for there to be greater Government support while there was scant recognition given for the massive Japanese corporate backing.

South Africa, who hosted the 1995 tournament, had the largest predicted profit of the three bidding for the 2011 event.

"South Africa offers the greatest potential of the tenders," the IRB report concluded.

The republic’s greatest advantage was being in the same time zone as Europe which would boost television broadcast revenue. South Africa’s drawback was its unstable rugby administration.

While the report accepted Japan could deal with the commercial aspects of a World Cup, it worried about their inexperience of hosting major rugby events.

The Sunday Times offered the opinion that the IRB report, while meant to be an impartial look at each tender for the November 17 vote, had the smell of old-boys politics about it.

There has been conjecture, for instance, that the All Blacks extra test this year against Wales and one proposed against England next year are in response to voting support.

Meanwhile details of a $100,000 bonus payment for each All Black if they win the 2007 World Cup in France will be revealed today as part of the new collective agreement between the players and NZRFU.

Information about the $2 million salary cap for the expanded NPC next year will also be unveiled and the changed guaranteed payment structures.

Two years ago the All Blacks’ preparation for the World Cup in Australia was hampered by the players and NZRFU arguing over an $80,000 bonus package for winning that event.

The new agreement, which has been nutted out over much of this year, sets down a $35,000 incentive for reaching the 2007 final and an extra $65,000 for each All Black if they win it.

The early deal suited national coach Graham Henry.

"I’ve got no problem with that. We all want to win the World Cup no matter what the bonus is - but it’s professional sport after all," Henry told NZPA in Cardiff.

Under the new arrangement, players involved in all levels of New Zealand rugby will split up almost a third of the $70 million NZRFU revenue they are forecast to generate next year.

Super 14 salaries will start at $65,000 while provinces have to contract 26 players for their squads on a minimum $15,000 wage.

All Blacks will be paid selection fees of $7500 a week, Junior All Blacks will get $3500 a week and New Zealand Maori and All Blacks trialists will earn $2000 a week.

Go SA, go!

got bored of studying this weekend] ...thought id give the harare national stadium and area an olympic sized makeover....wotcha think?
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7282/olympicparkhararebeforeafter8v.jpg

quite lonely stadium. lots of room for improvement. like your idea.

Just an updated version: i like this one better...

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/2854/oparkhararebeforeandafer7nk.jpg


1. National Olympic Stadium currently seats 60,000 but capacity is set to increase to 90,000 using retractable seating to accomodate the large influ of spectators into harare and mugabes entourage.
2. The existing hockey facility will be transformed and a new 10,000 seater hockey stadium will enable harare to host international hockey events and world championships.
3. A new 15,000 seat aquatic centre, one main pool a diving pool and a training pool adjacent to the olympic nature area...
4. A large indoor hall to be used in future as an exhibition centre and refugee centre. It consist of two large indoor halls with 17,000 and 10,000 capacity.
5. A new warm up athletics track.
6. An international broadcast centre, opposite the main stadium along with the Main press centre to the west of it.
7. betwee the MPc and IBC lies the new football stadium to seat 48,000 during the olympic football competition.
8. the olympic village north of the stadium will house 18,00 athletes and offiicials in the best olympic village ever..
9. The most exciting feature of the park would be the 2km long regatta centre for rowing and kayaking. It will lie adjacent to the olympic park and bring great crowds to the events.
10. TRANSPORT:
The olympic park is very accesible by rail, subway and car as well as a bus shuttle service.

The main rail line adjacent to the olympic park running from north to south consists of three dedicated olympic lanes. It will be known as the Assegai Rail station.

A subway lieing just north of the MPC will transport those further away from the olympic action using a high speed underground rail system.

The excellent road network will create excellent traffic conditions for those using the bus shuttle service and park and ride systems across harare.


The Harare Olympic Park will be the centre of Olympic Action drawing the crowds and inspiring the world. Harare 2028. Life. Hope. Humanity...

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6311/logo26us.jpg

2014 -- PyeongChang --It is PC's to lose.
2016 -- Monterrey, Mexico -- I think there a real desire to go to NA but NOT to Canada or the US. That said...a US games wouldn't shock me either--I'd go Chicago or over NYC though.
2018 -- Europe, likely Salzburg, but I think a real good Eastern Europe bid could take the day.
2020 -- They will probably take that Cape Town flyer here
2022 -- Reno -- It's NA's turn and there are only so many places in NA that can host a Winter Games

Might as well keep going....
2024 -- Asia or Europe...Oh probably Paris if they still have the desire
2026 -- somewhere in China
2028 -- How about Toronto? unless the LA '32 people play dirty and force it elsewhere
2030 -- How about we finally throw the Swedes a bone.
2032 -- Depends on '28....

Joseph,

2014: PyeongChang, South Korea is considered as the frontrunner of the 2014 Winter Olympics and I am have a feeling that South Korea will host the 2014 Winter Olympics after the successful World Cup that the portion South Korea hosted during the 2002 World Cup. The reason I think that PyeongChang didn’t get the 2010 Winter Olympics is because South Korea is very close to China which is hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

2016: Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota USA. Not a Chance! If the United States does host the 2016 Summer Olympics, it will be to a much better and more prestigious city such as New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles.

2018: Jaca, Spain. This site could be possible site of the 2018 Winter Olympics but I am for sure many American cities will consider bids for the 2018 Olympics including cities such as Salt Lake City, Denver, and Reno-Tahoe and I would be surprise in Anchorage puts forth a bid.

2020: Cape Town, South Africa. Absolutely, I believe that Cape Town, South Africa will host the 2016, 2020, or the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

2022: Ostersund, Sweden. It is hard to say where the 2022 Winter Olympics will be held. I think that the 2022 Winter Olympics will be held in either Europe or Asia.

2024: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: I am for sure that Rio de Janeiro will host the Summer Olympics one day in the future. I believe that it will host the Summer Olympic Games before the 2032 Summer Olympics.


Joseph--

Minneapolis-St. Paul is undoubtably a great city that deserves to get the games someday. However, with big names like New York, Chicago, Rio, Cape Town... likely bidding in the not too distant future, MSP doesn't have much chance to win. Even if MSP was chosen as the USA bid, they would likely be dismissed when the IOC finally voted. Minneapolis-St. Paul could definately pull off a great games; now just isn't the right time. In a few decades, I would not be surprised to see MSP as the olympic host city, but currently, they don't have a chance to win. :)

1) I am 100% sure the IOC will not have Cape Town and Rio back to back, it makes no sense for the IOC to tkae that big a risk becuse if one of those is a flop the IOC will take a big hit

2) Minneapolis-St. Paul will never host in the next 150 years, it is two smalls, more cities are wanting the Olymipcs, and the USA has a thousand small cities they can submit but the major cities are all you will see the Olympics are HUGE, the only thing i could see is maybe after 2012 (London) and 2016 (NYC or NBC) the IOC may have a small town Winter Games

3) 2014 - PyeongChang
2016 - NYC
2018 - Salzburg
2020 - Cape Town
2022 - Oustersund
2024 - Paris


2016: a North American city
2020: Cape Town or Rio de Janeiro
2024: Rio de Janeiro or Cape Town


2014 - Salzburg, Austria
2016 - New York City, United States of America
2018 - Sapporo, Japan
2020 - Berlin, Germany
2022 - Reno, United States of America
2024 - Cape Town, South Africa

"South Africa will definitely bring the Olympics to Africa for the first time. Cape Town is also the most logical choice. I already can imagine it. Beach Volleyball will be great. Having the Table Mountains as teh backdrop is picture perfect. "

"I know...Cairo, a dirty, polluted metropolis. Egypt should try Alexandria, a much cleaner city.

Abuja? Please. Remember the riots and bloodshed because of Ms. World?

Cape Town is still the best African bet; but CT don't try too hard for 2016. "

"Never mind that Abuja is contemplating a 2014 Commonwealth Games bid. Frankly, I can't see it going far with the CGF at this time.

As for Cape Town here, the Olympic Games is a big venture that should be treaded lightly and with caution. With the way the Games have been and will be going now, the city officials should really look and study the issue carefully before going this way. The World Cup is one thing; the Olympic Games is a whole new adventure."

Reno-Tahoe...YUK.......go Santa Fe!!!!!!

Minneapolis wont get them........


and I have no doubt CT will get 2020.

2020 such along time away i wonder where will all be by then

2020 such along time away i wonder where will all be by then

probably in cape town, all you people with your millions of kids coming to watch the 100m sprint final at the olympic stadium.....

WATCH NELSON MANDELA's VIDEO as part of the TORINO 2006 "celebrate humanity" campaign....its cool

http://www.olympic.org/uk/passion/humanity/mandela_uk.asp

got bored of studying this weekend] ...thought id give the harare national stadium and area an olympic sized makeover....wotcha think?
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7282/olympicparkhararebeforeafter8v.jpg

Nice work Mo Rush, wow how much would Zim have to change before it had the Olympics.

The National Stadium is OK, it doesn't have seats (not where I sat anyway) more big concrete steps which you sit on.

Nice work Mo Rush, wow how much would Zim have to change before it had the Olympics.

The National Stadium is OK, it doesn't have seats (not where I sat anyway) more big concrete steps which you sit on.

Zim cant actually host the games ever i dont think....yeah my plan is for the national stadium to get seats of up to 90,000 im not sure if u can notice but the stadium is slightly larger in my image....

Venue: National Stadium;

Location: Olympic Green;

Total land surface (10,000 sq. m.): 25.8;

Seats: 91,000;

Functions during the Games: Athletics, Football;

Post-Games use: The Stadium is to stage sports events at national and international levels, as well as cultural and entertaining activities;

Groundbreaking date: Dec. 2003;

Designer: Herzog & DeMeuron (Swiss) and China Architecture Design Institute;

Status quo: Groundwork has been finished. Following work is underway.


http://images.beijing-2008.org/67/74/Img211987467.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/69/74/Img211987469.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/70/74/Img211987470.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/71/74/Img211987471.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/72/74/Img211987472.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/74/74/Img211987474.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/75/74/Img211987475.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/76/74/Img211987476.jpg

Venue: National Aquatics Center;

Location: Olympic Green;

Total land surface (sq. m.): 65,000 - 80,000;

Seats: 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary;

Functions during the Games: Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, and Synchronized Swimming;

Groundbreaking date: Dec. 24, 2003;

http://images.beijing-2008.org/86/74/Img211987486.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/87/74/Img211987487.jpg
http://images.beijing-2008.org/88/74/Img211987488.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/90/74/Img211987490.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/92/74/Img211987492.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/93/74/Img211987493.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/99/74/Img211987499.jpg

Venue: National Indoor Stadium

Location: Olympic Green

Total land surface (10,000 sq. m.):8.09

Functions during the Games: Artistic Gymnastics, Trampolines, and Handball;

Post-Games use: The venue, one of the best sports facilities in Beijing, can be used for sports competition, cultural and entertaining purposes, and will serve as a multi-functional exercise center for local residents.

Groundbreaking date: May 28, 2005


http://images.beijing-2008.org/07/75/Img211987507.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/10/75/Img211987510.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/09/75/Img211987509.jpg

enue: Beijing Shooting Range Hall

Location: Shijingshan District, Beijing

Total land surface (sq. m.): 45,645

Functions during the Games: Qualifications and finals of 11 shootings events, consisting of all 10-meter, 25-meter, and 50-meter range shooting events. The entire shooting sports of the 2008 Paralympic Games will also be held in the venue.

Groundbreaking date: July 13, 2004


http://images.beijing-2008.org/21/75/Img211987521.jpg

Venue: Wukesong Indoor Stadium

Location: Wukesong Culture and Sports Center

Total land surface (10,000 sq. m.):6.3

Functions during the Games: Basketball

Post-Games use: The stadium, which includes Wukesong Indoor Stadium, Wukesong Baseball Fields, and sports and commercial facilities, will be able to meet the needs of residents in western Beijing

Groundbreaking date: March 29, 2005


http://images.beijing-2008.org/26/75/Img211987526.jpg

Venue: Laoshan Velodrome

Location: Laoshan, Shijinshan District, Beijing

Total land surface (sq. m.): 32,920

Seats: 6,000

Functions during the Games: Cycling (track)

Groundbreaking date: Oct. 30, 2004

http://images.beijing-2008.org/51/78/Img211667851.jpg

http://images.beijing-2008.org/52/78/Img211667852.jpg

Venue: Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park

Location: Mapo Village, Shunyi District, Beijing

Functions during the Games: Rowing, Canoe/Kayak (flat-water racing and Slalom Racing)

http://www.masters-cup.com/Global/Styles/TMC/photos/other/stadium2.jpg

the Beijing Stadia are MIGHTY impressive! I am so going to those olympics!

cool see ya there

oh so u coming too? well then me have to make it a joint visit...:)

oh so u coming too? well then me have to make it a joint visit...:)

well as long as i dont have to carry any baggage around with me....

we'll hire help

we'll hire help

k but ure paying...

Why are you messing up an Olympic thread to promote Cape Town, with images of Beijing? I freaking hate everything abouth the evil chinese state, especially since they were rewarded with the Games, despite their extremely poor human rights record and constant war talk with Taiwan!

Why are you messing up an Olympic thread to promote Cape Town, with images of Beijing? I freaking hate everything abouth the evil chinese state, especially since they were rewarded with the Games, despite their extremely poor human rights record and constant war talk with Taiwan!

OH i do apologize....how will you ever forgive me...

He's a Communist!!! Lol

He's a Communist!!! Lol

i am a communist...

OK mate, you are doing a good job! No harm intended :)

So Joburg was unsuccessful in its bid to stage the Gay Games 2010. It was given to Cologne. Sorry to hear about the sad news. Eventhough Jozi has lost out on this big event- albeit not widely known for obvious reasons, it brought more attention to SA's abilities to host great sporting events. Cape Town should exploit that attention and market itself more vigorously should it wish to stage big events like the Olympics.

sad as joburg not getting the games is...i think one of the main reasons they didnt get it, is that it looked like they were being greedy, with SA getting the 2010 soccer world cup. maybe if they had bid at a different time they would have won, cos i think that would have counted heavily against them

sad as joburg not getting the games is...i think one of the main reasons they didnt get it, is that it looked like they were being greedy, with SA getting the 2010 soccer world cup. maybe if they had bid at a different time they would have won, cos i think that would have counted heavily against them

i disagree..cape town has more gay culture than joburg or not??? its not the 2010 soccer world cup fact...we cant blame everything we dont win on that...cologne is awesome and will host awesome games...joburg was just kinda like a few people on a small budget hoping all capies will trek there to watch the gay games....cape town would have stood a better chance but thats just my opinion..

As for harkerb...you are abs correct an agressive marketing strategy is needed, that will exploit and use cape towns potential to the full...in bidding for the olympic games another chris ball as CEO just will not do...we NEED a sebastia COE or danny jordaan as the figurehead....every cape town strength will need to be made known...i also suggest a top quality communicatins manager.


BTW im not sure that many of you are aware how "last minute" the 2004 bid was put together by a few people in a bellville building....i think the metropolitan one...im not saying the bid book was not ready..it was just a rush..and it was the second best bid book of the five after stockholm...its a down right miracle how they developed and created such plans....also athens was destined to win...our bid commitee would be fools not to know that...it was clearly a TRIAL run..a bloody good trial run id say...



http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8661/capetownbanner4oz.png

This is the banner i created for the banner forums hoping it will be used :)

sad as joburg not getting the games is...i think one of the main reasons they didnt get it, is that it looked like they were being greedy, with SA getting the 2010 soccer world cup. maybe if they had bid at a different time they would have won, cos i think that would have counted heavily against them


I don't think that is the reason. Germany is hosting the 2006 world Cup, too.

nice banner morush.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Pusan 2020 Olympic Bid Could Include North Korea
Posted 12:30 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Pusan’s Mayor Hur Nam-sik formally announced Tuesday in a press conference at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center that Pusan is bidding for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. When asked if the city was willing to co-host with North Korea the Mayor said he is willing to make utmost efforts to realize that goal, but the city doesn’t have a detailed plan on co-hosting the Games and hasn’t had contact with North Korean authorities about the idea.

“In principle, as the mayor, I have a passion and the opinion to co-host, North and South, the Summer Olympics in 2020. But this has to be on the condition there is progress in North-South Korean relations”, he said.

He said if the two Korea’s co-host “that will be a significantly meaningful step toward peace on the Korean Peninsula and world peace”.

The Mayor said, “Pusan has already successfully hosted many international events including the 2002 Asian Games and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It shows that we are qualified to host any international event and are equipped with infrastructure and human resources”.

The Mayor said the city plans to launch a preparation committee for the bid, adding it plans to commission private research institutes, including the Busan Development Institute, to conduct a feasibility study of bid plans and specific tactics.

Hur said Pusan has a good chance of winning the bid because the Olympic Games normally go from continent to continent, and he pointed out one European country and one North American country are expected to host the Games in 2012 and 2016.

“China is scheduled to host the 2008 Olympic Games so I believe Pusan, which already has hosted the Asian Games, is one of the strongest candidates. In fact I don’t worry much about domestic competition as other cities are more focusing on the Asian Games”.

The host city of the 2020 Summer Games will be selected in 2013.

Cape Town gets an 8 year headstart

Still eight years from now, before the host city to the 2020 Summer Olympic Games hosts will be announced and Cape Town stands out in the international media like a sore thumb. Arguably Africa's most cosmopolitan city, Cape Town, has been mentioned time and time again whether during the 2012 race as a partner to the Commonwealth in supporting London with hopes of the favour returned in its future bid, to general consensus among the international public that 2020 will be Africa’s turn and Cape Town will step forward ahead of its competitors.

The first mention of a possible Olympic bid by the "Mother City" of South Africa also recently described in the 2010 football world cup bid book as the "jewel" of South Africa, was during a parliamentary conference on bidding for future international events back in April 2003. The 2010 soccer world cup, the 2014 commonwealth games and the 2020 Olympic Games were highlighted as priority events. South Africa’s recent withdrawal from the commonwealth bid and its subsequent support for Nigeria who are still going forth with a commonwealth 2014 bid, has been noted and could be a strategic move in attempts to ensure full African support when it bids for the 2020 summer Olympic games.

Dick Pound, a highly ranked IOC executive has over the past year remarked that the games would need to head to new frontiers soon, and the bidding process may become obsolete, if the IOC makes strategic decisions to move the games into South America and Africa, where the games have never been held before, as early as 2016. This would certainly be in favour of Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town the early favourites for their respective continents. However, this seems very unlikely given the large media attention surrounding the actual bidding process and the good publicity the IOC and many cities receive from simply bidding. Not to mention the substantial "fee" the IOC expects each bidding city to cough up.

If Cape Town is as "hot" as many pundits predict it will and shall be, it would definitely need to have its story together in all aspects of its bid. Gaining invaluable experience in hosting large scale events both sport and non sport related, from cricket, rugby and soccer world cup matches as well Cape Town's top eight position as one of the world best meeting destinations according to bescities.net. This will only improve Cape Town's already solid credibility in the eyes of the IOC. But it would need to battle it out against tough competition such as Prague, many of the losing cities of a 2016 bid as well as Busan, South Korea who just this week announced their plans to go full steam ahead with a bid for the 2020 games. In their respect, Busan hosted 2002 soccer world cup matches and Korea has shown once before it is able to host the games, but the need for something that will redefine the IOC and its true ideals is what previous IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch would describe as a step in making the Olympic Games a truly global event. The list of past and future host cities reads like the who's who of the world's best cities and indicates explicitly the direction the IOC wishes to take, that is, the aim of bringing the Olympic games to all corners of the earth, with some of the best cities in each corner as hosts .Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, perhaps Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Cape Town 2020 would add colour and life to an already world class list.

Whatever the outcome may be, the international competition will regard the city of 2.9 million as the main opposition and will not be afraid to point out each and every weakness Cape Town possibly has. Cape Town however has learned all too well the skill of bidding for an Olympic Games be it only once before for the 2004 games, which in itself placed Cape Town in the back of the mind of the IOC for years to come. Whether or not the IOC will offer the "sympathy" vote to Cape Town, a strong technical plan cemented with unequivocal government backing and a realistic sports venue plan with all other criteria in tact will be a compulsory requirement even before it goes ahead and bids.

Come rain or snow or wind for which the Mother City all too well known for, Cape Town will remain embedded in the minds of international public, media and the International Olympic Committee as the destination for the first Olympic Games on the African continent and another step forward for the IOC to give true meaning to each of the five coloured Olympic rings. Nobody envisions a Cape Town Olympic Games better than former president Nelson Mandela when he says: "In the mind's eye I see the youth of the world gathered at the foot of Table Mountain to fulfill themselves, to give joy to millions, to celebrate peace and to participate in and sponsor the rebirth of a continent."

--- Mo Rush

Yeah, I've seen on korean news about Busan's bid (Korea's 2nd city). They feel very confident, especially now with them playing host city to the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Commission(?)) meeting.
But is Cape Town's bid 2020 official now?

isn't it way too earler to be official thats a good 14 years away thats if we're biding for the 2020 what about 2016 thats 6 years after the worldcup and we could get the commonwealth in 2014 as a testrun event

Back to the gay games thing:

U seriously dont think that SA having the 2010 soccer world cup a few weeks/months apart from the Gay games had anything to do with us not getting it? if u think that plays no role than ur fricken mad. Yes there were prob many other things wrong with the Jozi bid, but the wc must have played a large role.

I also seriously doubt that we will get the Rugby world cup in 2011, for that is also too close to the soccer wc. Personally i believe that Japan should get it...(go ahead and kill me i dont give a f*ck)

Also to say that jozi would expect all the gay people from CT to trek there is a bit arrogant. There are many more gay people in Jozi than in CT, even tho it has the rep as being the Gay capital. It may be a more gay place...that i dont deny...but when it comes to numbers jozi will stand ahead of CT...its a population numbers game, and the CT population is small compared to that of Gauteng. Anyway...if ct had the games, they would expect everyone else to trek there too!

And cologne getting it is fine...them having it and the soccer world cup are 4 years apart. Thats a big time scale, compared to weeks or months in SA's case. Whether the Joburg bid was good or not, i would have never given it to them on the fact that it would be too much for SA for too short a period...cos then we will get f*ck all for many years to come.

people are saying japan will. the thing is that japan doesnt play much, and it is in the wrong time zone. nz doesnt have the facilities and is in the wrong time zone.

what the hell are you guys talking about gay games , rugby worldcup , soccer worldcup ?
*looks at dysan and ct guy* im lost

nevermind... :)

Dont bank on getting the Commonwealth and Olympics..CT (or any city for that matter) wont get both within a few years of each other. So pick one and focus on trying to get that. Saying that getting the Commonwealth will be a warm up to the Olympics just puts the value of it down. Anyway trying to get the Olympics be a huge struggle as it is, let alone trying to get the world to give u 2!

A good way to start on the road to the Olympics, would be for CT to actually start hosting some international sports events, besides the rugby and cricket that we all get. For that u must take a look at what Durban is doing, for if u have Olympic ideals, u need to place yourself as more of a sports city, for frankly at the moment CT doesnt come across as a sports city at all.

Durban has the FINA swimming, has the Clipper round the world yacht race in at the moment, The A1 grand prix next year, the international veterans tennis champs in 2006 and the world lifesaving champs in 2006. These events position the city as a sports place and shows our capabilities of hosting major sports events. CT has to try and get these type of events to build up a sporting profile.

Yes u have the two oceans and the argus, but we have the dusi and the comrades. We have to think international in events to get the recognition. I feel (all say i'm a biased durban boy) that durban is streets ahead on the sport positioning front. I'm not saying that we should host the olympics, i'm merely saying that the things that we are doing, is exactly what a potential olympic city should be doing...and CT is not

Dont bank on getting the Commonwealth and Olympics..CT

we'll see about that.

nevermind... :)

Dont bank on getting the Commonwealth and Olympics..CT (or any city for that matter) wont get both within a few years of each other. So pick one and focus on trying to get that. Saying that getting the Commonwealth will be a warm up to the Olympics just puts the value of it down. Anyway trying to get the Olympics be a huge struggle as it is, let alone trying to get the world to give u 2!

A good way to start on the road to the Olympics, would be for CT to actually start hosting some international sports events, besides the rugby and cricket that we all get. For that u must take a look at what Durban is doing, for if u have Olympic ideals, u need to place yourself as more of a sports city, for frankly at the moment CT doesnt come across as a sports city at all.

Durban has the FINA swimming, has the Clipper round the world yacht race in at the moment, The A1 grand prix next year, the international veterans tennis champs in 2006 and the world lifesaving champs in 2006. These events position the city as a sports place and shows our capabilities of hosting major sports events. CT has to try and get these type of events to build up a sporting profile.

Yes u have the two oceans and the argus, but we have the dusi and the comrades. We have to think international in events to get the recognition. I feel (all say i'm a biased durban boy) that durban is streets ahead on the sport positioning front. I'm not saying that we should host the olympics, i'm merely saying that the things that we are doing, is exactly what a potential olympic city should be doing...and CT is not


hahahaha firstly...u didnt read..south africa has withdrawn its commonwealth bid to focus on the olympic bid in 2020..secondly..durban could host what it wants, it still wont outdo cape town.....Cape town F1 grand prix 2008 kicks A1 grand prix....lifesaving champs yeah thats great good for you..cape town hosts an annual leg of the FIVA beach volleyball world cup...the argus and two oceans are large large events that are well run..i know this i was part of it...lets not make this thread about durban.....and lets not get angry....i do however appreciate the humour in "durban is positioning itself for olympic glory"...perhaps it is just not in this century...."ifu have olympic ideals" hahaha it get even funnier as i go along....i am def adding this to my blog page..thanks for the daily humour dysan my headache has gone away thanks...:)

you forgot to mention cape town is one of the top 8 cities as a meeting destination in the world according to bestcities.net? durban with its convention centre??? why is it not one of the 8?....

cape town has hosted the world fenching champs the world indoor junior cycling champs...it will be hosting an olympic qualifying event for the cycling at the velodrome..it has hosted an olympic qualifying event at hartleyvale for hockey...it hosted a tennis exhibition last year...cricket and rugby world cup opening ceremonies all do impress the IOC...cape town hosted some of the worldsbest at the royal cape golf course this does not discredit durbans wonderful events....u make it sound as if cape town is doing nothing

The 2005 SWATCH-FIVB World Tour
14 - 27 November 2005


The 2005 SWATCH-FIVB World Tour ends the season on the African continent when the Cape Town suburb of Camps Bay.

Cape Town is set to take its place as one of the major beach volleyball capitals of the world as it prepares to host the Swatch FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour from 14-27 November. Following the success of last year’s Men’s World Tour event, the 2005 tournament is now double the size, as the ladies tournament has been added to the project. The Cape Town leg of the World Tour is an initiative by Volleyball South Africa and the City of Cape Town.

The double gender event attracts the world’s top beach volleyball players, including both men’s and ladies Olympic gold medallists and current world champions. Over 80 two-member teams in each gender category have entered the tournament to date.

Camps Bay with its pristine fine white sandy beach, spectacular backdrop, world-class facilities and “refreshing” sea temperatures, plays host to tournament. The beach was highly commended by the players and officials on the international circuit, during the recent 2004 Swatch-FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.

The confidence that the FIVB (International Federation of Beach Volleyball) has shown in Cape Town’s ability to stage events of this magnitude bodes well for the city’s bid for the sport’s flagship event, the 2009 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships. Cape Town has bid against Miami for the blue chip event.

A 2 000 seat stadium is to be built around the center court. Four other beach courts and numerous warm up courts are used for the tournament.

An international contingent of referees, tournament officials and FIVB administrators will travel to Cape Town with the project.

The Camps Bay tournament attracts wide international and local media attention. Television packages of the tournament are screened in 219 territories, as diverse as Cuba and Mexico and Holland and Australia. Local live television of the both men’s and ladies finals will also be flighted.

Cape Town is now firmly entrenched as part of the thirteen-leg World Series, on which all of the top international players must participate to earn valuable international qualifying points.

The ladies tournament occurs first from the 15 - 20 of November followed by the men’s from 21 – 27 November. Eight top South African teams will participate in the tournament.

Entry to all the games, including the semis and finals, on the peripheral or center court is free of charge and on “a first come first served basis”.

The bid for the 2009 World Championships is an initiative between the City of Cape Town and Volleyball South Africa (VSA). The move is central to the VSA’s Beach Volleyball Plan 2008, aptly entitled “The Road to Beijing”. The bid forms part of a five-point strategy to resuscitate beach volleyball in South Africa.

The Swatch/FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour is a major impetus for the sport in South Africa. Gershon Rorich and Colin Pocock, South Africa’s representatives at the Athens Olympics, finished in 9th spot, the highest ever achieved by an African team. Subsequently Rorich has been appointed within the structures of VSA as a project manager responsible for overseeing the development of beach volleyball.

uhm i would find images and so forth but im on my way out too tired sorry...point is made though.....oh i almost forgot..cape town is rebidding to host the world softball championships in 2007 and is possibly the favourite...pity its no longer an olympic sport...a winning bid will see an upgrade to the already great turfall softball stadium...and those olympic trials in cycling are for beijing 2008...cape town hosts enough hockey internationals at the hockey stadium....we dont have an amazing swimming venue not that i would call that cement durban aquatic centre amazing...but anyhow..

well it comes across as ct is doing nothing...and as i said in my post i wasnt all "go durban for olympics", cos frankly i think they are waste of money. But if u think its comedy then whatever.

I find it funny tho how u never ever listen to anything that i ever raise, its always torn to shreads to protect your little dream. open ur eyes and realise that other people do have comments that could actually mean something...and ur F1 debut is but a promise at this stage...until they say yes, then that is all it is

you forgot to mention cape town is one of the top 8 cities as a meeting destination in the world according to bestcities.net? durban with its convention centre??? why is it not one of the 8?....


Bestcities.net is a brand name for a convention bureau alliance, it's not the world's top 8 convention cities.
Durban was rated as one of the top 10 cities in the world by the International Congress & Convention Association, the Durban Convention Centre is rated as one of the top 10 by the International Association of Congress Centres and has won the World Travels Awards for best convention centre in Africa for several years in a row. When it come to conference business Durban is in a league of its own in Africa.

But don't worry Cape Town beats Durban in other areas and the healthy competition is making better cities of them both.

just to show what greg was saying...

ICC DURBAN LISTED AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 "BEST CONGRESS CENTRES IN THE WORLD

The Board of Directors of the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC), has listed ICC Durban as one of the top ten 'Best Congress Centres in the World.'

The announcement was made at this year's AIPC General Assembly in Edinburgh from a field of 16 finalists competing for the coveted award.

Winner of the 'World's Best Congress Centre,' is the Cairns Convention Centre in Australia. (It is policy for AIPC not to announce the exact positions of the entire Top Ten list.)

The AIPC Apex Award is the ultimate form of recognition amongst convention centres and in order to win, a centre must have extraordinary performance in all operational aspects.

Furthermore, the Award is made following evaluation by the Centre's clients, which makes winning an endorsement by the market itself.

Chief Executive Officer of ICC Durban, Mr Alec Gilbert, commented "We are thrilled to be listed amongst the ten best in the world. We have strived hard to achieve this position and will definitely be aiming for first place next year."

well it comes across as ct is doing nothing...and as i said in my post i wasnt all "go durban for olympics", cos frankly i think they are waste of money. But if u think its comedy then whatever.

I find it funny tho how u never ever listen to anything that i ever raise, its always torn to shreads to protect your little dream. open ur eyes and realise that other people do have comments that could actually mean something...and ur F1 debut is but a promise at this stage...until they say yes, then that is all it is

yes sir....will do and i fully realse durbans strength as the convention capital of africa...type convention centre and search for images...the first image is durban convention centre....i apologize to appear erratic on issues such as these....its just what im like...extremely temperamental about anything related to cape town and an olympic bid...

i really do support your ideals of and passion for the olympics, i was only trying to point out some areas that CT, or any city going for them should work on. Cos lets face it, CT is a gorgeous place, but it is not really aligned with sport in the majority of peoples minds. That is a perception that the city will need to change to reach great success and appear more like an olympic city. At this stage, in a SA context, durban does portray the more sport orientated image. Thats a fact. CT will need to do more to achieve that.

But yes, u have many many strengths that we dont, and vice versa...we gotta share and love, not shread to sh*t :)

i really do support your ideals of and passion for the olympics, i was only trying to point out some areas that CT, or any city going for them should work on. Cos lets face it, CT is a gorgeous place, but it is not really aligned with sport in the majority of peoples minds. That is a perception that the city will need to change to reach great success and appear more like an olympic city. At this stage, in a SA context, durban does portray the more sport orientated image. Thats a fact. CT will need to do more to achieve that.

But yes, u have many many strengths that we dont, and vice versa...we gotta share and love, not shread to sh*t :)

i prefer to say make love not war :) dont u agree nick?

This makes me SICK!!!!!



Swimming against the desert tide

Nicole Jeffery
November 19, 2005


WHAT would you do for $4million? Or, more to the point, what wouldn't you do?

Most people will never face that dilemma, but South African Olympic gold medallist Ryk Neethling has, and he knows his answer. He would not sell his allegiance to his country.

Two months ago, a phone call made on behalf of the oil-rich Persian Gulf nation of Qatar promised to make him a rich man if he abandoned his homeland and joined the burgeoning ranks of sporting mercenaries.

Qatar has already had great success with its sports recruitment program across several sports, most famously in the case of former Kenyan 3000m steeplechase champion Stephen Cherono, who, under his new Arabic name of Saif Saeed Shaheen, has won the past two world titles.

And in the past few months the sheiks have extended that program to swimming, targeting Neethling, his fellow South African gold medallist Roland Schoeman and Croatian Olympic silver medallist Duje Draganja.

According to Neethling, who is competing at the Sydney World Cup meet this weekend, he was offered $US1m ($1.37m) a year for three years, an enormous sum for most elite swimmers, to represent Qatar.

"I got the offer and I took a week to think about it, and I said, 'it's not for me'," Neethling, 28, said.

However, world 50m freestyle champion Schoeman and Draganja are believed to be seriously considering a future as the desert nation's first world-class swimmers. Neethling, having resisted the temptation, has become a campaigner against such incentives to transfer allegiance.

"If people are going to be changing countries like they change clubs, where is the end going to be?" he asked.

"The rich countries will start buying people and it will be like professional sports teams. What if Qatar buys four guys for a relay team, and the United Arab Emirates buys four guys ... it could get out of control."

Neethling called on the international swimming federation (FINA) to tighten its eligibility rules to restrict the practice.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has already done so, after seeing more than a dozen leading athletes take flags of finance in the past three years.

One of those, former Moroccan Rashid Ramzi, won the 800m-1500m double at this year's world championships in Helsinki competing for Bahrain, just days after the IAAF tightened its rules to reflect the International Olympic Committee's stricter eligibility criteria.

Under present IOC rules, an athlete changing nationality has to stand down from international competition for three years before they will be allowed to represent their new country at the Olympic Games, unless both countries and the sport's international federation agree to waive the eligibility period.

"What we don't like is athletes being lured by large incentives by other countries - giving them a passport when they arrive at the airport," IOC president Jacques Rogge said in the lead-up to last year's Olympics.

"From a moral point of view we should avoid this transfer market in athletes."

Australia's senior IOC member Kevan Gosper said the IOC was encouraging all the international federations to adopt its rules.

"It's a sensitive issue as this is a way for athletes from poor countries to channel income back to their families," Gosper said.

"But the international federations feel it is undermining the integrity of international competition, and a three-year imposition would stop the trade."

FINA's rules are much weaker.

They demand only that an athlete "must have resided in the territory of and been under the jurisdiction of (the new country) for at least 12 months prior to his representation of the country". Australia's head coach Alan Thompson said FINA had applied its rules more strictly in recent months - denying Australian-raised backstroker Joanne Fargus permission to change from British to Australian representation in time for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March.

The Australian team will miss Fargus' services but Thompson believes the eligibility rules should be enforced.

"It's against the ideals of sport when nations start buying swimmers," Thompson said. "If a swimmer has other links which lead to citizenship, then that's fair enough."

Interestingly, the head swimming coach of Qatar is veteran Australian Otto Sonnleitner.

He is quick to distance himself from the recruitment program, saying it is the brainchild of the Qatar Olympic Committee, which is run by the heir to the throne, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Ironically, Al-Thani is also an IOC member. However, Sonnleitner defended the ethics of the practice.

"If an athlete thinks they could make a great deal of money towards the twilight of their careers by doing this, I can't see any harm in it," Sonnleitner said.

"It happens in football and other sports. Not everyone is in the situation of Ian Thorpe, with endorsements in Australia and Japan that will support him for the rest of his life."

Sonnleitner said the Qatari administration was driven by the desire to have a successful team when it hosts the Asian Games in Doha in December next year.

this is not right. where you get born, you should stay. unless you have a fair arguement. this should be banned.

this is not right. where you get born, you should stay. unless you have a fair arguement. this should be banned.

i spose but im getting my green card then winning american idol so it all depends...i think my reason is good though

i think unless your born in a country and move straight afterwards and grow up in the new country. then its a diffrent story. but to just move after you've already represented a country shouldnt be allowed.

^^^^ totally agree with u! Otherwise it will depend on who has the most money and they will buy everyone they need! You should also have to live in a country for more than 5 years after switching nationallity b4 ur allowed to represent them.

And mo...Amercian idols? seriously?....ok.....

^^^^ totally agree with u! Otherwise it will depend on who has the most money and they will buy everyone they need! You should also have to live in a country for more than 5 years after switching nationallity b4 ur allowed to represent them.

And mo...Amercian idols? seriously?....ok.....

if it pays the bills why not?

cos then what will be the difference between playin for a club and a country?

Images from the womens competition and preliminary phase:

Crowds are looking good and there is still one week to go.

http://www.fivb.org/vis_web/beach/2005/Photos/WCAP2005/HighRes/WCAP2005.102.jpg
http://www.fivb.org/vis_web/beach/2005/Photos/WCAP2005/HighRes/WCAP2005.105.jpg

http://www.fivb.org/vis_web/beach/2005/Photos/WCAP2005/HighRes/WCAP2005.97.jpg
http://www.fivb.org/vis_web/beach/2005/Photos/WCAP2005/HighRes/WCAP2005.92.jpg

http://www.fivb.org/vis_web/beach/2005/Photos/WCAP2005/HighRes/WCAP2005.04.jpg

http://www.fivb-beach-capetown.com/b_Site_plan.jpg

unday, November 27, 2005

London 2012 May Have Massive Mosque
Posted 11:04 am ET (GamesBids.com)

A massive three-storey mosque that will hold more than 40,000 worshippers is being proposed near the London 2012 Olympic complex to be open in time for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

The Times reports the project's backers hope the mosque and its surrounding buildings would hold 70,000 people, only 10,000 fewer than the Olympic stadium. It’s futuristic design features wind turbines instead of the traditional minaret, and a translucent latticed roof would replace the domes seen on most mosques. The sweeping roof is intended to evoke tented cities, reports the Times.

The complex would include a garden, school, library and accommodation for visiting worshippers.

The complex is designed to become the “Muslim quarter” for the Games, acting as a hub for Islamic competitors and spectators.

The east London complex would have by far the largest capacity of any religious building in Britain, reports the newspaper.

The new building will be called the London Markaz (Arabic for centre) and will be built in place of an existing mosque on a 10-acre site 500 yards from the Olympic development.

Islamic calligraphy would cover the walls and ceilings, the washing areas would have cascading water mimicking a stream, and the complex’s buildings would be adapted to allow extra worshippers during festivals such as Eid, accommodating a further 30,000 visitors.

It is estimated the project would cost more than 100 million pounds and donations are being sought from Britain and abroad.


Saturday, November 26, 2005

Nigeria’s President Launches 2014 Commonwealth Bid – Wants Competitors To Withdraw
Posted 3:42 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasango launched Abuja’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games Saturday, and asked competitors Canada and Scotland to withdraw their bids so that the event could be held in Africa for the first time.

The launch was announced at an informal function on the margins of the 53-nation Commonwealth summit in Malta, reports the Australian.

Obasango said “we all want to see the Commonwealth Games hosted in Africa for the first time. For the year 2014 Nigeria is putting up a bid.

“We already have an infrastructure that can handle a Games of Commonwealth standard because it hosted the All Africa Games two years ago.”

He suggested that other cities bidding to host the Games – Glasgow and a Canadian city yet to be chosen – withdraw their bids.

“These are two cities that have put out strong bids, Abuja and Glasgow. I hope the third city, from Canada, will now not come out.

“One of the attractions for us is that 2014 is the centenary celebration of the amalgamation of Nigeria into one country”, he added.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Turin 2006 Torch Lighting Rehearsal Went Well
Posted 3:39 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

The dress rehearsal for the torch-lighting ceremony for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games went off without a hitch Saturday, but there are concerns about the real event which takes place on Sunday when rain is forecast. Bad weather has affected ceremonies for the Sydney 2000 Summer Games, the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games, and the Nagano 1998 Games.

Greek actress Theodora Siarkou, the newly appointed high priestess, offered a traditional prayer to the sun god Apollo and Zeus, chief god in the ancient pantheon. She then used a conclave steel mirror to focus the sun on a silver torch, which took a couple of minutes to light, reports the Associated Press.

On Sunday Siarkou and 17 female followers – all wearing pleated white dresses and sandals – will carry the flame in a copy of an ancient Greek pot to a cypress-ringed clearing named after baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics.

Next to a marble pillar under which de Coubertin’s heart is buried she will kindle the official flame for the 2006 Games in the presence of Turin organizing head Valentino Castellani and Greek Olympic Committee President Minos Kyriakou.

After the ceremony 534 runners will carry the torch through Greece for days on a 2,000-kilometre trip.

Turin Games organizers hope the ceremony and the Italian leg of the torch relay which starting on December 8 will boost the Games’ image and sluggish ticket sales.

Friday, November 25, 2005

London 2012 Orientation Seminar Ends On A Positive Note
Posted 12:48 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

The first-ever two-day orientation seminar between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and London 2012 ended Friday. According to the IOC Web site the seminar ended “in a positive spirit of partnership and with a greater appreciation of the common journey that lies ahead for the IOC” and London 2012.

On Thursday London 2012 organizers were urged to avoid the mistakes and chronic delays by Greece in the years leading to the Athens Games.

Dennis Oswald, head of the IOC commission overseeing London’s preparations, said of Athens, “they were waiting too much until they really started to work”.

On the final day of meetings there was a presentation of the master schedule for Games preparations, as well as the announcement of a commercial framework for the London Games.

The master schedule relates to the delivery and development of key London Olympic Games venues, services and programs, including revenue-raising programs.

The first part of the schedule covers such areas as the establishment of the first Games budget, assessment of transport needs, review of venue locations and the scope and singing of the IOC-LOCOG marketing plan agreement.

Timo Lumme, the IOC’s Director of Television and Marketing Services, strongly endorsed London 2012’s plans aimed at protecting the investment of companies wishing to become Olympic sponsors. He said, “strong controls on the use of the Olympic symbols and brand are essential for creating the right environment for attracting and supporting companies who wish to become Olympic sponsors. The London Olympic Games organizers have adopted the right approach and I am confidant LOCOG will draw and impressive roster of sponsors and supplies”.

Keith Mills, deputy chairman of London 2012 said, “Olympic partners, sponsors and providers are the lifeblood of the Olympic Movement and have made outstanding contributions to success of the Olympic Games. They deserve our continued support and protection”.

London 2012 organizers received a timetable of deadlines from the IOC to be met every year in the run-up to the Games. Next year’s tasks include agreeing on a marketing and sponsorship plan with the IOC, embarking on the design of a logo, establishing a budget and finalizing transport requirements.

Plans for all the facilities and venues are to be finalized by 2007 with above ground construction to begin in 2008.

Mills said talks were already underway with potential sponsors. He said, “it’s very important we can build on the enthusiasm of July to go into the market to raise funds for LOCOG in a positive climate. We have had very positive feedback from business in the UK who view the opportunity of being a partner as very exciting and unique”. The main sponsors should be announced by the end of 2006.

Mills added, “the major building works we will see coming out of the ground in 2008 – that’s when things will start happening on the surface. Things are happening right now - drilling very large holes in preparation for establishing the power lines, sewage systems and other utilities”.

Britain plans to spend 16 billion pounds on facilities that include an Olympic stadium, swimming centre and village for 15,000 athletes, along with road and rail links.

Sebastian Coe, head of London 2012’s bid said, “I think the U.K. construction industry is extraordinarily prepared for this. There are massive construction benefits to be had”.

Oswald said London had made a “very, very good start”. He said Athens had taken 11 months to form an organizing committee while London had done so within two months of winning the bid.

“This shows the commitment of all involved, including the government, not to lose one day in order to make sure the Games will be implemented the way they should be. Learning from the past is certainly a key element to future successes”, said Oswald.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Turin 2006 Ticket Sales Sluggish
Posted 12:42 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Ticket sales for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games remain sluggish just two and a half months before the Games begin, with about 60 per cent of tickets sold against a target of 82 percent, reports Reuters.

Turin 2006 said Thursday that hockey, ice speed skating, figure skating and alpine skiing were among the most popular events.

TOROC Chairman Valentino Castellani said he expects a last-minute rush for tickets once Italians see the Olympic Relay and are reminded that the Games are about to begin.

The Olympic torch relay begins December 8 and the 2006 Games will run from February 10-26.


Thursday, November 24, 2005

Sewage Could Envelope London 2012 Venues - Report
Posted 12:03 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

The Guardian reports that according to the Environment Agency millions of gallons of sewage could envelope the London 2012 Olympic park, the Athlete’s Village and the main stadium. A report by the agency says the venues could become a “foul smelling and unsightly mess”.

Two of London’s major sewage overflow pipes, carrying up to 30 per cent of all London’s waste, empty into the river Lee near site of the Olympic Village and the main stadium. But the newspaper reports that an expert group looking at the capacity of London’s drains said even a moderate summer storm would overflow the drains sending sewage back up the river Lee on the tide.

Computer modelling by the Tideway strategy group suggests that the chances of these sewage overflows happening when the Olympics will be in full swing is 99.5 per cent.

The Guardian says the issue may force the government’s hand over the building of a 3.5 billion pound, 22-mile “super-sewer” under the river Thames.

The International Olympic Committee has prioritized environmental issues and London 2012’s bid said the Games would be the “most sustainable Olympics ever”.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Sofia 2014 To Launch “Active” Campaign
Posted 12:01 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Bulgaria’s President Georgi Parvanov vowed to support Sofia’s bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games at a meeting with Sports’ Agency Chief Vessela Lecheva and Stefka Kostadinova, chairwoman of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee.

Parvanov will be sending a letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacque Rogge indicating his support for Sofia’s 2014 bid.

Kastadinova explained that Sofia is a bit late in promoting itself as a good Olympic host “therefore we should launch an active campaign”.

The two sports chiefs will be meeting with government officials asking for their support.

This is Bulgaria’s third bid to host an Olympic Games. It had failed bids in 1992 and 1994.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Turin 2006 Update
Posted 11:58 am ET (GamesBids.com)

The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Coordination Commission is to pay its tenth and final visit to Turin November 29-30. Snow has already fallen in the Italian Alps and the commission members will be taking a close look at the conditions that the athletes can expect to find when they arrive in Turin, as well as examining the final details of Games preparations. The commission will cover a wide range of topics, including sponsor services, the International Federations, media operations, Olympic Family Services, NOC relations, and communications. Turin Mayor Sergio Chiamparino said that “all the deadlines and commitments are being respected and the IOC visit will also serve to gauge the attention the city is devoting to the Games”, something which, according to the Mayor, “is getting bigger and better. As the date comes nearer you can feel the anticipation and excitement for the event grow and I think this is highly positive”.

Turin 2006 has produced a special guide to give spectators information about tickets, transport, the Olympic sites, the Olympic sports and everything there is to know about the Olympic region. A full version of the guide will be included with tickets to the event and a “pocket” guide can be picked up at the Olympic sites during the Games. One hundred and sixty thousand copies of the full version guide will be published in Italian and English. There will be 1.2 million copies of the pocket guide, which will also be in French and will be available online starting the middle of December.

More than 500,000 tickets have been sold for the Turin 2006 Games and about 360,000 of them have been sold abroad - mostly to the United States, Canada and Japan. Tickets sold for the most popular sports include ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating, alpine skiing and cross country skiing.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Seoul Official Has Advice For Beijing 2008
Posted 11:55 am ET (GamesBids.com)

Traffic congestion is a big problem for Beijing and as the 2008 Summer Olympic Games draw near, foreign officials and experts are contributing ideas constantly during their visits to Beijing.

Friday a vice mayor of Seoul, who is in charge of information technology, said at the Fifth Korea-China IT Forum that a digital transportation-management system could be a possible solution to the problem.

The system offers real-time monitoring of the city’s public buses. It also provides information such as the whereabouts of all the public buses and the passenger flow that can be viewed on monitors in the control room to better regulate the city’s public transportation.

Seoul’s vice mayor said Seoul instituted a rule that all cars had to take one day off a week during the World Cup, and the rule has now been implemented during the five work days of the week.

The Seoul government also sets surveillance cameras on roadsides to see if the rule is obeyed and awards abiding car owners with a tax exemption.

Meanwhile, China is to select the catering supplier for the Beijing 2008 Games, reports the Xinhua news agency. During the Games 10,000 to 17,000 people are expected to live in the Olympic Village daily, and the media village will house thousands of people.

Although some catering companies have provided catering to the Asian Games and the World University Games, Xiang Ping, vice director of the service division of Beijing 2008 said, “we are not sure if these companies are able to shoulder the responsibility”.

He said stronger foreign companies will disadvantage any single Chinese suppliers, but catering companies can join hands to win the bid together.

Xinhua said the Beijing 2008 Games menu should be unveiled in the first quarter of next year. Seventy per cent of the menu will be western style and Chinese food will make up the rest.

just going back to the qatar thing i happy ryk decided to swim for sa the shuld make it like rugby(once u play a country u cant swap) or soccer where u need a residents permit to play for the nation

I salute Ryk Neethling for making the right, moral decision. Its simply terrible how rich countries are going about swaying dollars to poach our top athletes. They can't make them now they steal them! We need every athlete we can as an inspiration to our youth and to make our sport competitive.
Please stop the 'muscledrain' from happening!

i passed. :D

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

USOC Wants Stronger Government Commitment For 2016 Olympic Games Bid
Posted 12:53 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Unless there’s a strong commitment from all levels of government United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chairman Peter Ueberroth said no American city will bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Ueberroth said the bidding process to host the Olympics had altered on issues such as guarantees and security and that the United States had to adapt to those changes, reports Eurosport.

Ueberroth told a media summit for the Turin 2006 Games “we are looking less favourably toward 2016 bidding at this moment. We have not ruled it out. The rules are changing a bit and we need to have a strong mayor and a strong city with a strong governor, with strong senators and congressional members.

“We need a federal government that understands that the game has changed for bidding cities”.

He said the USOC would decide within the next six months whether to bid.

“We don’t want to enter and not win. We don’t want cities spending an awful lot of money and not have a full chance to be victorious.

“The thing that is going to be most important is that there is a federal, state, private-sector, city coordinated effort before anybody gets out of the blocks”, he added.

“I’m not saying we won’t bid. I’m saying we want to be very careful, understand it all before we start spending money and getting enthusiastic and competing against each other. We have to be smart”.

Several U.S. cities have expressed an interest in bidding for the 2016 Summer Games. The International Olympic Committee will make its decision in 2009.

“We want to bid”, said Ueberroth. “ But if we’re going ragtag we’re not going to win”.


Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Nigeria’s Request To Exclude Competitors From 2014 Commonwealth Bid Ignored
Posted 12:50 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Canada and Scotland have largely ignored Nigeria’s request that the two countries abandon their bids for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in favour of letting Africa become host city for the Games.

Thomas Jones, the chief executive officer of Commonwealth Games Canada said Canada’s not turning back. “At this stage we don’t have any plans to move any direction other than forward”. The Canadian federation will select Canada’s representative on December 15 from the Region of York (near Toronto), Hamilton, Ottawa and Halifax.

Jones said, “we’re well launched into the domestic process. We bid for a particular bunch of reasons. The Games do an amazing number of things, from infrastructure to the economy to national spirit and health”.

A Canadian Commonwealth source told the Globe and Mail that a grassroots movement in the Commonwealth thinks its time to take a major sports event to Africa.

Since 1930 the Games have stayed mainly on a circuit of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Britain, with a few exceptions.

In Glasgow the Evening Times reported that Scotland’s minister of tourism, culture and sport wrote to every local council and cultural group across the country and called them to a forum in which she urged a national push to ensure the Games came to Scotland.


Wednesday, November 30, 2005

IOC’s Coordination Commission Ends Final Visit To Turin 2006
Posted 12:44 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

The International Olympic Committee’s Coordination Commission has concluded its 10th and final full visit to Turin to review preparations for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

The commission’s visit comprised three days of intensive meetings and site visits and considered all aspects of the work required to ensure the successful staging of the Games.

During the plenary session TOROC president Valentino Castellani presented a general picture of the progress made in the past few months.

TOROC CEO Cesare Vaciago and his deputy Luciano Barra explained the financial aspects and the progress of construction, reassuring the committee that the facilities will be completed on time.

Commission head Jean Claude Killy said “in and around Turin great preparation work has been accomplished. The IOC is confident that one final effort from the Torino 2006 team, working as one, will lead to wonderfully successful Games. The world’s best winter sports athletes deserve nothing less”.

Killy added, “we were particularly pleased to see all the public authorities that will help Torino 2006 deliver the Games around the same table. Preparing for the Olympic Games is a team effort. It is important this team stays focused and stays together, taking its cue from strong leadership on the part of the Organizing Committee”.

No further Coordination Commission meetings will take place before the Games begin, but smaller groups from the IOC will continue to visit, providing observations, advice and helping apply lessons from previous Games. IOC President Jacques Rogge will visit Turin to meet with TOROC, tour venues and visit the ISU speed skating World Cup event on December 9.

London 2012 Gets Public Support
Posted 12:40 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

A recent survey carried out as part of the Association of London Government (ALG) showed that two-thirds of Londoners believe there will be long-term benefits in hosting the London 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sixty eight per cent of Londoners said the Games would have long-term benefits for people living in London, but that percentage rose to 78 per cent in the 18-34 age group.

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South Africa: Mandela to attend Volvo Ocean Race Cape Town festivities PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 01 December 2005
Lizzie Green:


Mandela is set to attend a special waterfront ceremony on 16 December to mark the establishment of Nobel Square, adjacent to the Victoria Basin where the Volvo yachts are moored, in honour of four South African Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Fellow winners Desmond Tutu and Fredrik De Klerk, the former President of South Africa, will also be in attendance with current president Thabo Mbeki hosting proceedings.

Local tourist and government authorities in Cape Town are bracing themselves for one of their busiest seasons ever. Never before has a Volvo stopover coincided with a Christmas holiday and attendances are expected to be in excess of 2.2million visitors for the period up to the start of the second leg on 2 January.

Many of the visitors will come to Jetty One in the V&A Waterfront, where the village has been sited and the boats will be berthed, so they can view the boats and experience the interactive technology exhibits on display.

The Volvo Ocean Race is estimated to have brought more than 225 million rand (£20 million) of revenue to Cape Town in 2001 when the fleet last visited. This year, with the change in scheduling and the resulting overlap with Christmas, that economic impact is set to go through the roof.

Hundreds of Volvo banners and pennants have been draped around the city leaving visitors in no doubt about the impending celebrations, and plans have been hatched over the past three years to make sure the 3,600 strong Volvo Ocean Race family and an army of supporters receive the warmest of warm welcomes.

Over the next four weeks, activities in the village will be frenetic, ranging from the semi-serious to the downright bonkers, but all designed to educate and entertain visitors. Among the former is the popular skippers and navigators forum, which will be staged in the main amphitheatre where every question, however weird or tricky, is guaranteed to receive an answer.

On Boxing Day, which historically is the biggest shopping day in the Cape Town calendar, the V&A Waterfront is expected to attract an additional 120,000 visitors all keen to see a display of hard-nosed competitive action from the masters of Volvo In Port racing.

The fleet will battle it out over a triangular course between the port of Cape Town and Robben Island, which is 12 km from the mainland and which until 1997, was a dumping ground for political troublemakers and social outcasts including of course Nelson Mandela.

Thousands are expected to watch the racing from the shoreline around the city and in the race village where the action will be relayed on big screen.

Visitors can also participate by donating a gift to the Volvo Ocean Race Cape Town Christmas Tree in aid of the Mayor of Cape Town’s Smile a Child Campaign. The gifts will be handed over in a Carols by Candlelight event on 23rd December.

Other stopover activities include a Youth Sailing Day which is likely to involve up to 100 youngsters of varying degrees of skill and experience who will get the chance to sail with professional sailors from both the Volvo race and crewmembers of Team Shosholoza, South Africa’s America’s Cup entry, which is back in Cape Town for just two months.

A host of South Africa’s leading sporting celebrities from the worlds of cricket and rugby are also set to get involved, but if none of them tickle the fancy, there is every chance of running into Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken at their Jumping Castle or even one of the Powerpuff Girls or Ed Edd and Eddy at their trampoline, as the cartoon characters of the moment arrive in Cape Toon to crank up the hubba hubba hola.

Bungy bouncing, wall-climbing, salsa dancing, rope skipping from the Bouncing Bulldogs Rope Skipping team of North Carolina, a jazzathon, a cycleathon and the Barracudas 1,000m challenge involving 300 swimmers. . . These are just some of the events that have been lined up for December, along with a tantalising schedule of concerts, fashion shows and firework displays.

So get your winkle-pickers on and get ready to roll!

i passed. :D
Hey, are you a matriculant or graduate? If so, congratulations and welcome to adulthood!

Hey, are you a matriculant or graduate? If so, congratulations and welcome to adulthood!

3rd year uct next year , stats, economics, finance, major...and some fin maths ill see...

Friday, December 09, 2005

London 2012 Begins Logo Design Process – Olympic Bill Clears Another Phase
Posted 1:00 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has appointed agency search and selection company AAR to help it select a brand and design agency to help refine brand positioning for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games and to develop a Games emblem and associated corporate identity.

It is expected the agency will be selected by February 2006 and will be given the task of developing the Games emblem with a full set of brand guidelines, and considering how the emblem – the identifying symbol of the London Games – would work in a variety of different settings.

The logo will be launched in late 2006 or early 2007 and will be used more prominently after the Beijing 2008 Games until the run-up to and after the 2012 Games.

LOCOG chief executive Keith Mills said, “the logo and brand identity of the London Games is hugely important – it is the emblem that everyone will identify with and be used to promote the Games. It needs to be visually attractive, strong and inspirational. The public must easily identify with it and it must be an effective tool for us to raise sponsorship to help fund the Games”.

The logo will be displayed at sporting competition venues, on merchandising and sponsor programs, and on vehicles and uniforms and associated corporate hospitality. It will also be featured prominently on the official London 2012 Mascot to be launched after the Beijing 2008 Games.

Meanwhile the London Olympic Bill cleared the House of Commons on December 6. The Bill will, among other things, formally establish the Olympic Delivery Authority and put in place controls on advertising and street trading around venues.

The Bill now moves to the House of Lords where it will receive its second reading on December 19.

London 2012 Aquatic Centre Row Continues
Posted 12:51 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Architects for the London 2012 Aquatic Centre insisted Thursday the project would cost 41 million pounds more than the sum promised by Culture Secretary and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, reports the Guardian.

A source close to the project said the final budget for the complex was likely to be 116 million pounds. Plans for the venue included a 20,000-seat arena, with two 50-metre swimming pools and a separate 25 metre diving pool.

Last week Jowell said she sent the project back to the drawing board to bring the costs down to 75 million pounds, but a spokesman for architect Zaha Hadid told Building Design magazine that “the total project costs will be significantly more.

“The figure (75 million pounds) always referred to the base construction costs only. The specifications of the building and the design, along with the estimated construction cost of the building, have not changed since Zaha Hadid Architects won the original competition”.

She said inflation costs, professional fees and other contingencies would also need to be considered in calculating the total cost.

A spokesman for the Culture Department said, “we will not get into a running commentary and detailed discussions on the cost of individual projects. We will deliver what we said in the candidate file presented to the International Olympic Committee”.

Meanwhile, the Times reports sports world governing body Fina, was outraged Thursday at the possibility of the reduction in the number of seats promised in the original submission to the IOC.

A senior industry source who has seen the plans told Construction News “the simple problem that it is too big. The geometry of the building is driven by the number of people they want to attend. If you have capacity for 20,000 it is wider and taller”.

When told of the possibility that the number of seats would be reduced Bartolo Consolo, honorary secretary of Fina, said Thursday, “No. Then thousand is not nearly enough. The minimum we ask for in world swimming these days is 15,000. By the time you consider 2,500 officials and the swimming family, and another 2,000 when you consider the media, swimmers and coaches, then a capacity of 10,000 is very short of what is necessary”.

When asked if he believed that London had reneged on the plans given to the IOC, he said, “well look at the promises that we got from Athens. There was to be a roof, all the way along. For many months we were promised a roof. In the end…no roof. I hope that will not be the experience of London”.

Should Skateboarding Become An Olympic Sport?
Posted 12:46 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

There’s a national debate over whether skateboarding should become an Olympic sport, which is dividing the skating community.

Some say converting skateboarding into an Olympic sport goes against the nature of skating, while others say the Olympics are only one step away from current competitions.

Clarkie Clark, editor of realskate.com, an online skateboarding magazine, reportedly said the average riders do not perceive themselves as Olympic athletes. “Skateboarding never did consider itself the kind of sport that would be attached to the Olympics. For me, it’s a no-brainer that skateboarding should not be in the Olympics”.

While Miki Buckovich, a member of the United Skateboarding Association board of directors, said acceptance by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could benefit all skater. I think it would change attitudes toward skating. I think that would be a very positive thing”.

Buckovich added the IOC seems to be interested in new sports as opposed to more antiquated traditional sports, noting the elimination of baseball and other “obscure” Olympic events.

“I think the IOC is looking to include sports that are more interesting today. Skating in the last 10 or 15 years has really got that profile. Maybe it’s time for us”, said Buckovich.

Clark voiced concerns about the motivation of large governing bodies tied to corporations and trade organizations when it comes to establishing skateboarding as an Olympic sport. “The question is not why skateboarding shouldn’t be in the Olympics. It’s ‘why are people pushing it there?’”

Clark is also concerned that the addition of skateboarding to the Olympics will cause the sport to be altered in the way snowboarding was for the winter games, citing the creation of the slalom race.

Extremist Groups Behind Violence In Italy – Solution To Doping Dispute
Posted 12:53 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said extremist groups were behind the violence following reports that protesters blocked roads and railways near Turin Wednesday.

About 30 people, including policemen, were injured Tuesday when police evacuated a camp preventing building work on a planned high-speed railway line connecting Italy and France. The protesters say the project in northern Italy’s Alpine Val di Susa area may release harmful deposits of asbestos on the mountains.

Reuters reports that buildings in Turin’s historical centre that were recently scrubbed clean for the 2006 Games, were covered in graffiti saying “Hands off Val di Susa” and “No to the high-speed train, No to the Olympics”.

Berlusconi issued a statement after a meeting with Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu which said “extreme left-wing groups from antagonistic and anarchic-insurrectionist wings are trying to extend the unrest from Val di Susa to Turin, Rome, Milan and various other cities. The government is committed to dealing firmly with this plan, which has nothing to do with the peaceful protest by inhabitants of the valley”.

Meanwhile Turin 2006 government supervisor Mario Pescante said Wednesday that a solution has been found to balance the conflict over Italy’s anti-doping laws during the 2006 Games.

Pescante said “we have found a solution – within three or four days it will be communicated. I was optimistic and now I am happy that we have found a solution that respects Italian law but eliminates all the dangers we faced”.

Africa Supports Nigeria’s 2014 Commonwealth Bid
Posted 11:32 am ET (GamesBids.com)

African countries attending the 20th General Meeting of Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) say they are in support of Nigeria’s bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the first of its kind in Africa.

ORKULA SHAAGEE reports that the countries came to the decision after listening to a presentation by the Secretary General of the 2014 Commonwealth Bid Committee, Mohammed Tukur Modibo.

General Palampo, president of the body who spoke on behalf of the association, declared that “Nigeria’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games has not only been accepted, it has indeed been adopted as the African bid by ANOCA and will be actively involved in the campaign to ensure that Nigeria succeeds in winning the bid”.

According to a statement from the sports ministry, representatives at the meeting also spoke in favour of Nigeria’s bid, pledging their support and confidence in Nigeria’s ability to host the Games.

Representatives were also said to have pledged to contribute towards ensuring the success of the bid whenever called upon to assist.

mO RUSH gotta haircut.

A poll conducted just before the 2012 race ended


Question: Where will it be in 2020? :: Total Votes:78
Poll choices Votes Statistics
Cape Town, South Africa 24 [30.77%]
San Francisco, USA 7 [8.97%]
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 21 [26.92%]
Rio de Janiero, Brazil 14 [17.95%]
Toronto, Canada 9 [11.54%]
London, Britain 3 [3.85%]

thats cool. hope its true.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Turin 2006 Olympic Cauldron Unveiled
Posted 12:41 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

The Turin 2006 Organizing Committee has unveiled the Olympic cauldron for the Turin Games which will be lit during the Opening Ceremony and will protect and display the Olympic flame during the Games.

Pininfarina, also the designer of the Turin 2006 Olympic torch, designed the cauldron.

Five support columns will rise upwards representing the values of the Olympic spirit. As it rises towards the sky the tension of sports will generate a twist of pure energy that will be transformed immediately into the flame.

With a height of 57 metres, the cauldron is reported to be the tallest cauldron in the history of the Olympic Games. It has three segments of 31, 15 and 11 metres respectively, which will tower out of the Olympic Stadium, which measures only 26 metres in height.

The cauldron will be visible from the entire city and will stand on five tubular structures with a diameter of 60 cm that will rise in a circumference having a three-metre diameter.

A sixth central tube will start from the base and arrive at the summit widening in the last three metres to give space to the burners needed to produce the flame.

The five outside tubes will twist in the final part and will be crossed by the central tube.

The flame is expected to rise to a height of about four metres and will run on methane gas.


Beijing 2008 – Baseball Venue Construction Starts, New Sponsor Named
Posted 12:38 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Construction began Thursday on the Beijing 2008 baseball venue. The Wukesong Baseball Field, one of the nine temporary competition venues for the 2008 Games, is a component of the Wukesong Cultural and Sports Center located in the west of Beijing.

The entire project is due for completion by the end of 2007.

The venue has seating capacity for 15,000 and includes two competition pitches and one training pitch.

New technology and green concepts have been incorporated into the design and construction work, including the use of geothermal energy and solar energy, green construction materials and a rain water-recycling system, following Beijing 2008’s Green Olympics, Hi-tech Olympic and People’s Olympics themes.

Also, China’s leading textile producer Heng Yuan Xiang, was named Thursday non-sportswear sponsor for the 2008 Games.

According to the agreement the company will provide funds, formal wear, homeware and other textile products to the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, BOCOG, the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Chinese sports delegations to the Olympic Games.

Both sides refused to reveal the value of the contract.

BOCOG’s marketing director Yuan Bin said the agreement with Heng Yuan Xiang will not conflict with Adidas’ partnership with the organizing committee that was signed early this year.

Yuan said, “Heng Yuan Xiang’s products mainly include formal wear and woollen wear, while Adidas is the sponsor of sportswear”.


Bulgaria To Attract Investment Over Sofia 2014 Olympic Bid
Posted 11:58 am ET (GamesBids.com)

Bulgarian ski federation chairperson Tseko Minev told a recent news conference that the opportunity to host the Winter Olympics would have a significant impact on Bulgaria’s economic development with increased employment expected in the years leading up to the event.

The Sophia Echo reports that Minev also stressed that winning the bid for the 2014 Games would improve Bulgaria’s reputation for natural and cultural heritage and lead to a dramatic increase in the building of sports facilities.

With improvements also made to Bulgaria’s transportation system it is believed that a successful bid would lead to investment of around 1.322 euros in and around Sofia, Borovets and Bansko, where several venues will be located.

The popular ski town of Bansko has been the centre of attention for some time and received a boost last weekend with the news that the municipality will invest more than BGL ten million in its infrastructure during the next year. There are also plans to build an airport near the resort.

But Sofia has to solve the problems of insufficient parking lots and hotel accommodation, according to former sports minister and member of the Sofia 2014 organizing committee Vassil Ivanov.

http://www.olympic.org/upload/news/gallery/ARTP_1586_530_big.jpg


The 2006 Turin winter games olympic cauldron

^^That's a Cool looking cauldron.

^^That's a Cool looking cauldron. yeah but cape towns cauldron will be outta this world hehe...and now for some news....

Friday, December 23, 2005

Wrong Button May Have Given London The 2012 Games
Posted 12:58 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

London’s successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games may have been attributed to an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member pressing the wrong button during the voting process, reports the BBC.

Senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Alex Gilady is quoted on the matter in a BBC News 24 investigative report that will be televised Sunday night.

According to Reuters the report says that the member mistakenly voted for Paris in the third round of voting in Singapore on July 6, giving it 33 votes to 31 for Madrid, instead of a 32-32 tie which would have prompted a vote-off before the final round.

Madrid had been ahead after the second round. London then beat Paris 54-50 in the final round of voting, although Reuters reports it is widely believed that Madrid would have been a bigger threat to London had they gone through to the final round where Paris votes would have moved across to their bid.

In the BBC broadcast Gilady outlines the chain of events that eventually resulted in London winning the bid. He told the BBC, “let us say we think we know what happed, that one member made a mistake and voted for Paris rather than Madrid”.

Gilady said in an interview with Israel Army radio Friday the voting error had been brought to light by the Madrid bidding team and that the IOC had known of it for nearly six months.

The London Times reports that Lambis Nikolaou of Greece is widely thought to be the “offending button pusher”.

Nikolaou, president of the Greek Olympic Committee, complained after the third round that he had not had sufficient time to register his choice, but IOC president Jacques Rogge dismissed it saying he had been granted the minute allowed.

Reacting to the story a London 2012 spokesman told the BBC, “there are a lot of folklore about who voted for whom. At the end of the day, it was a secret ballot. This is the opinion of one individual. The result is what matters and we are not going to be drawn into speculation”.

Craig Reedie, a British member of the IOC dismissed the claims. “The story is totally irrelevant, the voting was conducted in a secret ballot under the rules of the IOC, absolutely properly, all votes were recorded”, he told the BBC.

“If Alex is claiming that an unnamed member ‘might’ have done something which ‘might’ have brought about something else which ‘might’ have brought about a different voting structure then I’m afraid that this is the kind of tittle-tattle that happens after many an IOC vote”.

He said London won the Games hands down.

Madrid mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, responding to the report, said Friday, “that game has been played and is now over. We accepted the rules of the vote and, of course, we accept the IOC’s decision in Singapore. We don’t want to look back”.

Representatives of Madrid’s bid said they had been aware of Nikolaou’s apparent error on the day of the vote but their requests for a re-vote were rejected.

Alejandro Blanco, head of the Spanish Olympic Committee told Radio Marca, “talking about this now is very difficult because we are dealing with a hypothesis and we can’t change what actually happened. In any case for me it is deplorable that a voting procedure of such importance in which so many interests and so many emotions are at stake depended on the behaviour of someone who didn’t even have their mind on the job”.

He told Europa Press, “this confirms that Madrid had very great possibilities of winning the vote in Singapore and that without a doubt it was the best bid”.

Madrid’ mayor said the mix-up had only made the city more determined to succeed in a possible future bid.


Friday, December 23, 2005

Government Backs Delhi’s 2016 Olympic Bid
Posted 12:48 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

The government has announced it will support Delhi’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, said Indian Olympic Association (IOA) head Suresh Kalmadi Friday.

Kalmadi said, “for the first time, the government has declared that they will support the bid. Sports Ministry took a decision in this regard last month”.

Delhi is hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games and is strongly promoting itself as a major sporting destination and is also a strong contender for the 2014 Asian Games.

Kalmadi said, “due to the 2010 Commonwealth Games we will have excellent infrastructure in place”. He added the fact that Beijing, another Asian city, was hosting the 2008 Summer Games would not affect Delhi’s chances.




Friday, December 23, 2005

Decision On Italy’s’ 2016 Olympic Bid Candidate To Come In January
Posted 12:46 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

The Italian Olympic Committee will decide January 24 which of the two cities, Rome or Milan, will be Italy’s representative in its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Gianni Petrucci, president of the Italian Olympic Committee, made the announcement during an executive committee meeting.

Only cities who have officially stated they will bid in the year 2005 have been added as well as those serious about bidding)



BID PROFILE AND FACT SHEET - 2016 SUMMER OLYMPIC BIDS


Bid: 2016 Summer Olympics

When IOC Chooses Winner: TBA

Bid Status: Not Yet Begun. The IOC will likely begin to collect applications in 2007.

2016 Bid Timeline: TBA

Bid Documents: TBA


* New Delhi, India
*Sapporo, Japan
*Nairobi, Kenya
*Madrid, Spain
*Rome, Italy
*Montreal, Canada
*Moscow, Russia
*Bangkok, Thailand
* Tokyo, Japan
AND...the US candidate: either New York, Chicago, San Francisco or others. New York will be the assumed candidate for now


Shortlisted:The IOC will have trouble not shortlisting top european cities.....which could be a problem if it sends the games to europe again after 2012, So they might appear very in favour or New York and Tokyo...but pref New York

so perhaps six cities will be shortlisted...

*New York
*Tokyo
*Madrid
*Rome
*Monteal

and token inclusion of New Delhi??...the IOC has a tough job on their hands ensuring 2016 does not head back to europe...

just trying to find better quality pics of the stadium

before and after:

http://www.lccint.com/images/long%20photos/athlone.gif


http://p.vtourist.com/2398577-Travel_Picture-2010_World_Cup_Soccer_Stadium.jpg

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/908/photo04995ey.jpg

this is a definate hey, itDoenst matter what the final choice is for what stadium between newlands and athlone?

this is a definate hey, itDoenst matter what the final choice is for what stadium between newlands and athlone?

personally i think both should be used...however the stadium will be built irrespective of the outcome of fifas decision in march 2006

joburg and cape town should be the major centres...

so..
1. soccer city 95,000..opening ceremony and final, QF
2. ellis park 65,000 QF
3. newlands stadium 50,000 QF
4.athlone stadium 48,000 SF and opening match
5. kings park stadium 60,000 SF
6. Free state stadium 40,000
7. loftus versfeld stadium 55,000
8. nelson mandela stadium PE 50,000 QF
9. rainbow junction 40,000
10. peter mokaba stadium polokwane 42,000

thats just my opinion....

The actual figure for Soccer City is 97 500 i think.

Its going to be cool to see what happens with Germany, cos we'll have to top it!

The actual figure for Soccer City is 97 500 i think.

Its going to be cool to see what happens with Germany, cos we'll have to top it!

94,700 rounded off to 95,000

ok. lol. I cant wait. 4 years.

ok. lol. I cant wait. 4 years.

no 2 and a half years and the stadia need to be complete for the confederations cup..... the hype around the 2010 world cup begins next year august....the world cup draw is in 2009...soo much of the buzz is before the competition..which to me is going to be very exciting...build those stadiums build!!!

To me too. I am going to try and watch some local football if i can. Though I want the upgrades to begin before i do that.

U ever been to a Ajax, Santos, Hellenic game?

Monday, December 26, 2005

Sochi’s 2014 Winter Olympic Bid Plan Revealed
Posted 12:11 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Russia’s Sports Minister Vyacheslav Fetisov told a news conference Monday that Russia is prepared to spend $6.75 billion to develop the resort area of Sochi, situated on the Black Sea shore 800 miles south of Moscow, if it wins the bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

He said most of the money would come from the federal budget but did not specify how much that would be.

Fetisov and other officials said they viewed the Games as a potential boost for the area, which is popular among Russian tourists but not well known internationally.

Fetisov said, “the realization of the Olympic project in Sochi can be the locomotive of developing the whole region…today Sochi gets two million tourists a year, and after nine years that could grow by three times”.

The plan is to hold indoor ice events - hockey, speedskating, figure skating and curling – on flatlands around the city, with skiing, snowboarding and bobsledding centred around the nearby mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana.

The distance from the athlete’s village to any of the venues would be no more than about six kilometres, according to Dmitry Chernishenko, general director of the bid committee.

The road leading to the snow-sport venues would be closed to private vehicles, ensuring smooth transport, and a light-rail system would be built from the airport to the snow-sports area, said officials.

Sochi’s competition is PyeongChang, Almaty, Borjomi, Georgia, Jaca, Salzburg and Sofia.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will name three or four cities as finalists in June and the winner will be selected in July 2007.


Monday, December 26, 2005

Madrid Politicians Upset Over Mistaken Vote During 2012 Summer Games
Posted 11:44 am ET (GamesBids.com)

The Times reports that Madrid was in an uproar last week after it heard that it lost the 2012 Games to London because International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Lambis Nikolaou from Greece mistakenly voted for Paris rather than Madrid in the crucial third round on July 6.

According to the Times the Spanish Socialist party called for an inquiry. Trinidad Jimenez, a spokesman for the party in Madrid’s regional government said, “we are calling for an investigation to see if any errors have been committed. Even though this would not change the result, it would prevent such errors happening in the future”.

But Madrid’s Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon declined to get involved in the controversy saying, “the game is over. Not even one mistaken vote will change the result. We look to the future. We want to win enough votes to stage the Olympic Games in the future”.


Monday, December 26, 2005

Almaty 2014 Group Prepares To Amend Legislation
Posted 12:08 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

A support group for Almaty’s 2014 Winter Olympic Games bid has prepared amendments to legislation concerning automobile emissions, and if adopted it would help ensure that Almaty 2014 would be a greener games if the city is selected to host the 2014 Winter Olympics..

The Kazakh Information Agency reports that there would be amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code on Administrative infringements, and the laws on automobile transport, protection of atmosphere and the state management of production and turnover of several kinds of oil products, according to Maral Itegulov, a member of the group.

combine being sick and stuck at home high on pills...with stomach ache...and u get this...

http://img271.imageshack.us/img271/2553/newlandsathletic1smallerlabel8.jpg

South Africans get belated golds

Members of the South African relay team celebrate their silver medal
US sprinters deliver gold
South Africa's 4x100m relay team have been awarded gold at the 2001 World Championships following Tim Montgomery's doping ban.

Montgomery was part of the American team that won gold in Edmonton but they have been stripped of the title after he received a two-year suspension.

All of his results from March 2001 have now been scrubbed from the records.

Trinidad and Tobago have been awarded the silver medals with Australia being promoted to third.

The United States team won the race in a time of 37.96 seconds, with Montgomery bringing the quartet home.


Montgomery hit with two-year ban
Montgomery was banned together with Chryste Gaines in December based on evidence gathered in the Balco laboratory case.

Neither sprinter tested positive for drugs and both vehemently denied the charges.

The decision to award the golds to Morne Nagel, Leeroy Newton, Matthew Quinn and Corne du Plessis doubles South Africa's gold-medal tally at the 2001 event.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Bid To Be Promoted At Meeting
Posted 10:53 am ET (GamesBids.com)

The Telegraph reports that EventScotland has invested 25,000 pounds to ensure a Commonwealth select side will compete at the Norwich Union International indoor meeting January 28 and help advertise Glasgow’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

EventScotland wants the event at Kelvin Hall to help back Glasgow’s commonwealth bid by ensuring the BBC-broadcast meeting is distributed globally, particularly to Commonwealth countries.

David Williams, chief executive said, “EventScotland is delighted to support the Norwich Union International as it returns to its established home in Glasgow. Our investment in the event has helped ensure the inclusion of a Commonwealth select team which will enhance BBC coverage of the event and increase international TV distribution.

“This will provide excellent opportunities to demonstrate that Scotland is one of the world’s foremost events destinations as we work towards developing the bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow”.


Tuesday, January 03, 2006

“The Big Sunday” To Celebrate London 2012 Summer Games
Posted 11:55 am ET (GamesBids.com)

Called the biggest 2012 Olympic and Paralympic-themed event since the successful London bid was announced, Newham in East London is staging The Big Sunday on February 5 between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the ExCel exhibition centre.

The event will feature a host of celebrities and six “action packed” zones full of interactive fun and games for the Newham community in East London.

Event partners and exhibitors include Newham Council, the London 2012 Organizing Committee and the Olympic Delivery Authority, police and health services, schools, the University of East London, job and training agencies, and care charity Community Links.


Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Observers Program To Inform Future Bid Cities
Posted 11:53 am ET (GamesBids.com)

Future hosts and bid cities of major multi-sports events are invited to Melbourne in March to meet and learn from the vast array of specialists involved in organizing the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The Victorian Government in partnership with Melbourne 2006 and the Commonwealth Games Federation has established the M2006 Observers Program.

The team bringing the Games to Melbourne has expertise in areas including infrastructure development, city management and transport, technical sport expertise and event management.

The program offers participants an opportunity to gain insight into major multi-sport events and valuable knowledge that will support the bidding for and staging of future major events around the globe – Commonwealth Games, other regional games, Olympic Games, as well as major single sport events.

Participants in the program will receive briefings by Melbourne 2006 and other major event specials on all aspects of Games planning and staging including the high-level post-Games related issues such as legacy, venue viability and leveraging.

Participants will also receive accreditation or ticketed access to events and an opportunity to meet with the companies who have played key supplier roles to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Beijing Not As Liveable Ahead Of 2008 Games
Posted 11:46 am ET (GamesBids.com)

Beijing reportedly has slipped out of a list of China’s 10 most liveable cities, although it is spending billions of dollars sprucing up for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

Beijing fell from third place in 2004 to 15th place in 2005 because of increasingly bad traffic, rising housing prices and heavy pollution, reports the China Daily.

The survey was conducted by Beijing-based pollsters Horizon Group and measured the “urban habitable index”, taking into account issues such as traffic, environment, social welfare and security.

ATHLETICS

* JANUARY
6: Dubai Marathon - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
7: Belfast International Cross-Country - Belfast, Northern Ireland
14: Edinburgh Cross-Country - Edinburgh, Scotland
15: Cross-Country meeting - Seville, Spain
22: Cross-Country meeting - Tourcoing, France
26: Telstra A Series Meeting - Canberra, Australia
28: Indoor Athletics Meeting - Glasgow, Scotland
29: Loule Cross-Country Meeting - Albufeira, Portugal
29: LBBW Indoor Meeting - Karlsruhe, Germany
29: Indoor meeting - Moscow, Russia

* FEBRUARY
2: GE Galan Indoor Meeting - Stockholm, Sweden
3: 2006 Millrose Games - New York, USA
4: Sparkassen Cup - Stuttgart, Germany
5: Cross-Country Meet - San Vittore Olona, Italy
11: Nairobi International Cross-Country Meeting - Nairobi, Kenya
11: Indoor Meeting - Valencia, Spain
18: Indoor Meeting - Birmingham, England
19: Eurocross Cross-Country Meeting - Diekirch, Luxembourg
19: Valencia Marathon - Valencia, Spain
25: Athina 2006 Indoor Meeting - Athens, Greece
26: Flanders Indoor Meeting - Ghent, Belgium
26: Seville Marathon - Seville, Spain

* MARCH
3: Telstra A Series Meeting - Brisbane, Australia
3: Gaz de France Meeting - Lievin, France
5: Fukuoka Cross-Country Meeting - Fukuoka, Japan
9: Telstra Melbourne Track Classic - Melbourne, Australia
10-12: World Indoor Championships - Moscow, Russia
19: Cross-Country Meeting - Chiba, Japan
25-26: IAAF Race Walking Challenge - Tlanepantla de Baz, Mexico
26: Rome Marathon - Rome, Italy

* APRIL
1: Race Walking Grand Prix - Rio Maior, Portugal
1-2: Cross-Country World Championships - Fukuoka, Japan
2: Lisbon Marathon - Lisbon, Portugal
22: IAAF Race Walking Challenge - Kunshan, China
23: Leipzig Marathon - Leipzig, Germany
23: London Marathon - London, England
29: IAAF Grand Prix - Dakar, Senegal
30: Madrid Marathon - Madrid, Spain

* MAY
1: Race Walking Prand Prix - Sesto san Giovanni, Italy
6: IAAF Grand Prix - Osaka, Japan
6: Grand Prix Series - Abuja, Nigeria
6: Jamaica Invitational - Kingston, Jamaica
7: Europe Marathon - Trieste, Italy
7: Rhein Marathon - Duesseldorf, Germany
7: Vienna Marathon - Vienna, Austria
7: Grand Prix Sudamericano - Porto Alegre, Brazil
12: Qatar IAAF Super Grand Prix - Doha, Qatar
13-14: IAAF World Combined Events Challenge - Desenzano, Italy
13-14: IAAF World Race Walking Cup - La Coruna, Spain
14: Prague Marathon - Prague, Czech Republic
14: Grand Prix Sudamericano - Rio de Janiero, Brazil
17: Grand Prix Sudamericano - Fortaleza, Brazil
18: Asian Grand Grix - Bangkok, Thailand
21: Adidas Track Classic - Carson, California
21: IAAF Grand Prix - Belem, Brazil
21: Copenhagen Marathon - Copenhagen, Denmark
22: Asian Grand Prix - Bangalore, India
26: Asian Grand Prix - Pune, India
27-28: IAAF World Combined Events Challenge - Goetizis, Austria
28: Prefontaine Classic - Eugene, Oregon
28: Thales FBK Games: IAAF Grand Prix - Hengelo, Netherlands
30: Golden Spike: IAAF Grand Prix - Ostrava, Czech Republic

* JUNE
1: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Bydgoszcz, Poland
2: Bislett Games: Golden League - Oslo, Norway
3: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Huelva, Spain
3: Reebok Grand Prix - New York, USA
3: Stockholm Marathon - Stockholm, Sweden
3-4: IAAF World Combined Events Challenge - Arles, France
5: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Prague, Czech Republic
6: Memorial Primo Nebiolo: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Turin, Italy
10: Meeting Lille Metropole: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Lille, France
11: IAAF Grand Prix - Gateshead, England
13: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Lucerne, Switzerland
17: Meeting de Madrid: IAAF Grand Prix - Madrid, Spain
17: CAA Grand Prix Series - Rabat, Morocco
18: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Warsaw, Poland
20: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Zaragoza, Spain
22: CAA Grand Prix Series - Algiers, Algeria
24: Memorial Znamensky: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Kazan, Russia
24-25: IAAF World Combined Events Challenge - Ratingen, Germany

* JULY
1: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Cork, Ireland
3: IAAF Super Grand Prix - Athens, Greece
7: Golden League - Saint-Denis, France
11: Athletissima: Super Grand Prix - Lausanne, Switzerland
14: Golden League - Rome, Italy
18: Herculis IAAF Super Grand Prix - Monte Carlo, Monaco
21: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Rethymno, Greece
22: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Heusden, Belgium
24: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Thessaloniki, Greece
25: DN Galan IAAF Super Grand Prix - Stockholm, Sweden
26: IAAF Grand Prix - Helsinki, Finland
28: IAAF Super Grand Prix - London, England
28: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Tallinn, Estonia

* AUGUST
9-13: African Championships - Reduit, Mauritius
15-20: Junior World Championships - Beijing, China
18: Weltklasse Golden League - Zurich, Switzerland
22: EAA Outdoor Meeting - Linz, Austria
25: Memorial Van Damme Golden League - Brussels, Belgium
27: IAAF Grand Prix - Rieti, Italy
27: Brussels Marathon - Brussels, Belgium
30: EAA Outdoor Meetings - Rovereto, Italy
31: IAAF Grand Prix - Zagreb, Croatia

* SEPTEMBER
3: ISTAF Golden League - Berlin, Germany
9-10: World Athletics Final - Stuttgart, Germany
16-17: World Cup - Athens, Greece
16-17: World Combined Events Challenge - Talence, France

* OCTOBER
7-8: IAAF Road Running World Championships - Debrecen, Hungary
15: Enzo Ferrari Marathon - Maranello, Italy
15: Amsterdam Marathon - Amsterdam, Netherlands

* NOVEMBER
11: Athens Marathon - Athens, Greece

* DECEMBER
31: St Silvester 15km Road Race - Sao Paulo, Brazil


Back to top ^



CRICKET


* JANUARY
2-6: Third Test: Australia vs South Africa - Sydney, Australia
3: Second ODI: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka - Christchurch, New Zealand
6: Third ODI: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka - Wellington, New Zealand
8: Fourth ODI: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka - Napier, New Zealand
9: Twenty20 International: Australia vs South Africa - Brisbane, Australia
13: VB ODI Series: Australia vs Sri Lanka - Melbourne, Australia
14-18: First Test: Pakistan vs India - Lahore, Pakistan
15: VB ODI Series: Australia vs South Africa - Brisbane, Australia
17: VB ODI Series: South Africa vs Sri Lanka - Brisbane, Australia
20: VB ODI Series: Australia vs South Africa - Melbourne, Australia
22-26: Second Test: Pakistan vs India - Faisalabad, Pakistan
22: VB ODI Series: Australia vs Sri Lanka - Sydney, Australia
24: VB ODI Series: South Africa vs Sri Lanka - N Adelaide, Australia
26: VB ODI Seris: Australia vs Sri Lanka - Adelaide, Australia
30-Feb 3: Third Test: Pakistan vs India - Karachi, Pakistan
29: VB ODI Series: Australia vs Sri Lanka - Perth, Australia
31: VB ODI Series: South Africa vs Sri Lanka - Perth, Australia

* FEBRUARY
3: VB ODI Series: Australia vs South Africa - Melbourne, Australia
5: VB ODI Series: Australia vs South Africa - Sydney, Australia
7: VB ODI Serise: South Africa vs Sri Lanka - Hobart, Australia
7: First ODI: Pakistan vs India - Peshawar, Pakistan
10: VB ODI Series: First Final - Adelaide, Australia
10: Second ODI: Pakistan vs India - Rawalpindi, Pakistan
12: VB ODI Series: Second Final - Sydney, Australia
13: Third ODI: Pakistan vs India - Lahore, Pakistan
14: VB Series ODI: Third Final (if needed) - Brisbane, Australia
16: Fourth ODI: Pakistan vs India - Multan, Pakistan
16: Twenty20 International: New Zealand vs West Indies - Auckland, New Zealand
18: First ODI: New Zealand vs West Indies - Wellington, New Zealand
19: Fifth ODI: Pakistan vs India - Karachi, Pakistan
22: Second ODI: New Zealand vs West Indies - Queenstown, New Zealand
24: Twenty20 International: South Africa vs Australia - Johannesburg, South Africa
25: Third ODI: New Zealand vs West Indies - Christchurch, New Zealand
26: First ODI: South Africa vs Australia - Centurion, South Africa

* MARCH
1: Fourth ODI: New Zealand vs West Indies - Napier, New Zealand
3: Second ODI: South Africa vs Australia - Cape Town, South Africa
4: Fifth ODI: New Zealand vs West Indies - Auckland, New Zealand
5: Third OD: South Africa vs Australia - Port Elizabeth, South Africa
8-12: First Test: India vs England - Ahmedabad, India
9-13: First Test: New Zealand vs West Indies - Auckland, New Zealand
10: Fourth ODI: South Africa vs Australia - Durban, South Africa
12: Fifth ODI: South Africa vs Australia - Johannesburg, South Africa
16-20: Second Test: India vs England - Nagpur, India
16-20: First Test: South Africa vs Australia - Cape Town, South Africa
17-21: Second Test: New Zealand vs West Indies - Wellington, New Zealand
24-28: Second Test: South Africa vs Australia - Durban, South Africa
25-29: Third Test: New Zealand vs West Indies - Napier, New Zealand
25-29: Third Test: India vs England - Mumbai, India
31-April: Third Test: South Africa vs Australia - Johannesburg, South Africa

* APRIL
4: First ODI: India vs England - Goa, India
7: Second ODI: India vs Englan - Cochin, India
9-13: First Test: Bangladesh vs Australia - Dhaka, Bangladesh
10: Third ODI: India vs Enlgand - Guwahati, India
13: Fourth ODI: India vs England - Faridabad, India
15-19: First Test: South Africa vs New Zealand - Centurion, South Africa
16: Fifth ODI: India vs England - Guwahati, India
16-20: Second Test: Bangladesh vs Australia - Chittagong, Bangladesh
19: Sixth ODI: India vs England - Jamshedpur, India
20-24: First Test: West Indies vs Zimbabwe - Georgetown, Guyana
22: Seventh ODI: India vs England - Indore, India
23: First ODI: Bangladesh vs Australia - Chittagong, Bangladesh
26: Second ODI: Bangladesh vs Australia - Dhaka, Bangladesh
27-May 1: Second Test: South Africa vs New Zealand - Cape Town, South Africa
28: Third ODI: Banglaesh vs Australia - Dhaka, Bangladesh
28-2 May: Second Test: West Indies vs Zimbabwe - Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

* MAY
5-9: Third Test: South Africa vs New Zealand - Johannesburg, South Africa
6: First ODI: West Indies vs Zimbabwe - Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
7: Second ODI: West Indies vs Zimbabwe - Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
10: Third ODI: West Indies vs Zimbabwe - Castries, St Lucia
11-15: First Test: England vs Sri Lanka - London, England
13: Fourth ODI: West Indies vs Zimbabwe - St John's, Antigua
14: Fifth ODI: West Indies vs Zimbabwe - St John's, Antigua
20: First ODI: West Indies vs India - Kingston, Jamaica
21: Second ODI: West Indies vs India - Kingston, Jamaica
24: Third ODI: West Indies vs India - Molyneaux, St Kitts
25-29: Second Test: England vs Sri Lanka - Birmingham, England
27: Fourth ODI: West Indies vs India - Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
28: Fifth ODI: West Indies vs India - Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

* JUNE
1-5: First Test: West Indies vs India - Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
2-6: Third Test: England vs Sri Lanka - Nottingham, England
9-13: Second Test: West Indies vs India - Castries, St Lucia
15: Twenty20 International: England vs Sri Lanka- Southampton, England
17: First ODI: England vs Sri Lanka - London, England
20: Second ODI: England vs Sri Lanka - London, England
22-26: Third Test: West Indies vs India - Basseterre, St Kitts
24: Third ODI: England vs Sri Lanka - Chester-le-Street, England
28: Fourth ODI: England vs Sri Lanka - Manchester, England
30-July 4: Fourth Test: West Indies vs India - Kingston, Jamaica

* JULY
1: Fifth ODI: England vs Sri Lanka - Leeds, England
13-17: First Test: England vs Pakistan - London, England
27-31: Second Test: England vs Pakistan - Manchester, England

* AUGUST
4-8: Third Test: England vs Pakistan - Leeds, England
17-21: Fourth Test: England vs Pakistan - London, England
28: Twenty20 International: England vs Pakistan - Bristol, England
30: First ODI: England vs Pakistan - Cardiff, Wales

* SEPTEMBER
2: Second ODI: England vs Pakistan - London, England
5: Third ODI: England vs Pakistan - Southampton, England
8: Fourth ODI: England vs Pakistan - Nottingham, England
10: Fifth ODI: England vs Pakistan - Birmingham, England

* NOVEMBER
5: ICC Champions Trophy Final - India
23-27: First Test: Australia vs England - Brisbane, Australia

* DECEMBER
1-5: Second Test: Australia vs England - Adelaide, Australia
14-18: Third Test: Australia vs England - Perth, Australia
26-30: Fourth Test: Australia vs England - Melbourne, Australia


Back to top ^


CYCLING


* MARCH
3: Track World Cup - Sydney, Australia
5-12: Pro Tour: Paris-Nice - Paris-Nice, France
8-14: Pro Tour: Tirreno-Adriatico - Tirreno-Adriatico, Italy
18: Pro Tour: Milan-San Remo - Milan-San Remo, Italy

* APRIL
2: Pro Tour: Tour des Flandres - Brussels, Belgium
3-7: Pro Tour: Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco - Madrid, Spain
5: Pro Tour: Gent-Wevelgem - Brussels, Belgium
9: Pro Tour: Paris-Rouaix - Paris, France
13-16: Track World Championships - Bordeaux, France
16: Pro Tour: Amstel Gold Race - Amsterdam, Netherlands
19: Pro Tour: La Fleche Wallonne - Wallonne, Belgium
23: Pro Tour: Liege-Bastogne-Liege - Liege, Belgium
25: Pro Tour: Tour de Romandie - Lausanne, Switzerland

* MAY
6-28: Giro d'Italia - Various sites, Italy
15-21: Pro Tour: Volta Ciclista a Catalunya - Various sites, Spain

* JUNE
4-11: Pro Tour: Criterium du Dauphine Libere - Various sites, France
10-18: Pro Tour: Tour de Suisse - Various sites, Switzerland
18: Pro Tour: Eindhoven Team Time Trial - Eindhoven, Netherlands

* JULY
1-23: Tour de France - Various sites, France
28-30: BMX World Championships - Sao Paolo, Brazil
30: Pro Tour: HEW-Clyclassics-Cup - Hamburg, Germany

* AUGUST
1-7: Pro Tour: Deutschland-Tour - Various sites, Germany
10-13: Junior World Championships - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
12: Pro Tour: Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian - San Sebastian, Spain
16-23: Pro Tour: Eneco Tour - Various sites, Netherlands
22-27: Mountain Bike Trail World Championships - Rotorua, New Zealand
26-Sept 17: Vuelta a Espana - Various sites, Spain
27: Pro Tour: GP Ouest France - Plouay, France

* SEPTEMBER
4-10: Pro Tour: Tour de Pologne - Various sites, Poland
8: Pro Tour: Paris-Tours - Paris-Tours, France
19-24: Road World Championships - Salzburg, Austria


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GOLF


* JANUARY
5-8: Euro PGA: The Royal Trophy - Bangkok, Thailand
5-8: US PGA: Mercedes Championships - Kapalua, Hawaii
12-15: US PGA: Sony Open - Honolulu, Hawaii
18-22: US PGA: Bob Hope Chrysler Classic - Palm Desert, California
19-22: Euro PGA: Abu Dhabi Golf Championship - Abu Dhabi, UAE
20-22: US LPGA-LET: Women's World Cup of Golf - Sun City, South Africa
26-29: Euro PGA: Qatar Masters - Doha, Qatar
26-29: US PGA : Buick Invitational - La Jolla, California

* FEBRUARY
2-5: Euro PGA: Dubai Desert Classic - Dubai, UAE
2-5: US PGA: FBR Open - Scottsdale, Arizona
9-12: Euro PGA: Johnnie Walker Classic - Perth, Australia
9-12: US PGA: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am - Pebble Beach, California
16-18: US LPGA: SBS Open at Turtle Bay - Kahuku, Hawaii
16-19: Euro PGA: Malaysian Open - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
16-19: US PGA: Nissan Open - Los Angeles, California
22-26: US PGA-Euro PGA: WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship - Carlsbad, California
23-25: US LPGA: Fields Open in Hawaii - Kapolei, Hawaii
23-26: US PGA: Chrysler Classic of Tucson - Tucson, Arizona

* MARCH
2-5: Euro PGA event - TBA
2-5: US PGA: Ford Championship - Miami, California
9-12: Euro PGA event - TBA
9-12: US PGA: Honda Classic - Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
10-12: US LPGA: MasterCard Classic - Mexico City, Mexico
16-19: Euro PGA: TCL Classic - Hainan Island, China
16-19: US PGA: Bay Hill Invitational - Orlando, Florida
16-19: US LPGA: Safeway International - Superstition Mountain, Arizona
23-26: Euro PGA: Madeira Island Open - Santo da Serra, Madeira
23-26: US PGA: The Players Championship - Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
30-April 2: Euro PGA, Algavre Open of Portugal - TBA
30-April 2: US PGA Tour: Bellsouth Classic - Duluth, Georgia
30-April 2: US LPGA: Kraft Nabisco Championship - Rancho Mirage, California

* APRIL
6-9: US PGA: The Masters - Augusta, Georgia
13-15: US LPGA: LPGA Takefugi Classic - Las Vegas, Nevada
13-16: Euro PGA: Volvo China Masters - Beijing, China
13-16: US PGA: MCI Heritage - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
20-23: Euro PGA: BMW Asian Open - Shanghai, China
20-23: US PGA: Shell Houston Open - Houston, Texas
20-23: US LPGA: Atlanta Charity Championship - Stockbridge, Georgia
27-30: Euro PGA: Jazztel Open de Espana - San Roque, Spain
27-30: US PGA: Zurich Classic of New Orleans - New Orleans, Louisiana

* MAY
4-7: Euro PGA: Telecom Italia Open - Milan, Italy
4-7: US PGA: Wachovia Championship - Charlotte, North Carolina
4-7: US LPGA: Franklin American Mortgage Championship - Franklin, Tennessee
11-14: Euro PGA: British Masters - TBA
11-14: US PGA: EDS Byron Nelson Championship - Las Colinas, Texas
11-14: US LPGA: Michelob Ultra Open - Kingsmill, Virginia
18-21: Euro PGA: Irish Open - Maynooth, Ireland
18-21: US PGA: Bank of America Colonial - Fort Worth, Texas
18-21: US LPGA: Sybase Classic - New Rochelle, New York
25-28: Euro PGA: BMW Championship - Virginia Water, England
25-28: US PGA: FedEx St Jude Classic - Memphis, Tennessee
25-28: US LPGA: Corning Classic - Corning, New York

* JUNE
1-4: Euro PGA: Wales Open - Newport, Wales
1-4: US PGA: Memorial Tournament - Dublin, Ohio
2-4: US LPGA: ShopRite LPGA Classic - Galloway Township, New Jersey
8-11: Euron PGA: BA-CA Golf Open - Vienna, Austria
8-11: US PGA: Barclays Classic - Harrison, New York
8-11: US LPGA: McDonald's LPGA Championship - Havre de Grace, Maryland
15-18: Euro PGA: St Omer Open - St Omer, France
15-18: USGA: US Open - Mamaroneck, New York
22-2: Euro PGA: Johnnie Walker Championship - Gleneagles, Scotland
22-25: US PGA: Booz Allen Classic - Potomac, Maryland
22-25: US LPGA: Wegmans LPGA - Pittsford, New York
29-July 2: Euro PGA: Open de France - Paris, France
29-July 2: US PGA: Buick Championship - Comwell, Connecticut
29-July 2: USGA: US Women's Open - Newport, Rhode Island

* JULY
6-9: Euro PGA: European Open - Straffan, Ireland
6-9: US PGA: Western Open - Lemont, Illinois
6-9: US LPGA: HSBC Women's World Match Play Championship - Gladstone, New Jersey
13-16: Euro PGA: Scottish Open - Luss, Scotland
13-16: US PGA Tour: John Deere Classic - Silvis, Illinois
13-16: US LPGA: Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic - Sylvania, Ohio
20-23: British Open - Liverpool, England
20-23: US PGA: BC Open - Endicott, New York
26-29: US LPGA-LET: Evian Masters - Evian-les-Bains, France
27-30: Euro PGA: Players Championship of Europe - Hamburg, Germany
27-30: US PGA: US Bank Championship - Milwaukee, Wisconson

* AUGUST
3-6: Euro PGA: Scandinavian Masters - Malmo, Sweden
3-6: US PGA: Buick Open - Grand Blanc, Michigan
3-6: US LPGA-LET: Weetabix Women's British Open - Lytham, England
10-13: Euro PGA: KLM Open - Zandvoort, Netherlands
10-13: US PGA: The International - Castle Rock, Colorado
10-13: US LPGA: CN Canadian Women's Open - London, Ontario
17-20: Euro PGA: Russian Open - Moscow, Russia
17-20: PGA of America: US PGA Championship - Medinah, Illinois
18-20: US LPGA: Safeway Classic - Portland, Oregon
21-27: USGA: US Amateur Golf Championship - Chaska, Minnesota
24-27: US PGA -Eur- PGA: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational - Akron, Ohio
24-27: US PGA: Reno-Tahoe Open - Reno, Nevada
24-27: US LPGA: Wendy's Championship - Dublin, Ohio
31-Sept 3: Euro PGA: BMW International Open - Munich, Germany

* SEPTEMBER
1-4: US PGA: Deutsche Bank Championship - Norton, Massachusetts
7-10: Euro PGA: European Masters - Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland
7-10: US PGA: Bell Canadian Open - Ancaster, Ontario
8-10: US LPGA: John Q Hammons Hotel Classic - Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
14-17: Euro PGA: World Match Play Championship - Virginia Water, England
14-17: US PGA: 84 Lumber Classic of Pennsylvania - Farmington, Pennsylvania
22-24: 36th Ryder Cup - Straffan, Ireland
21-24: US PGA: Valero Texas Open - San Antonio, Texas
21-24: US LPGA: Longs Drugs Challenge - Danville, California
28-Oct 1: Euro PGA: WGC American Express Championship - Hertfordshire, England
28-Oct 1: US PGA: Southern Farm Bureau Classic - Madison, Mississippi

* OCTOBER
5-8: Euro PGA: Dunhill Links Championship - St Andrews, Scotland
5-8: US PGA: Chrysler Classic of Greensboro - Greensboro, North Carolina
5-8: US LPGA: Corona Morelia Championship - Morelia, Mexico
12-15: Euro PGA: TBC
12-15: US PGA: Las Vegas Invitational - Las Vegas, Nevada
12-15: US LPGA: Samsung World Championship - Palm Desert, California
19-22: Euro PGA: Mallorca Classic - Pula, Balearic, Islands
19-22: US PGA Tour: Funai Classic - Lake Buena Vista, Florida
26-29: Euro PGA: Volvo Masters - Sotogrande, Spain
26-29: US PGA Tour: Chrysler Championship - Palm Harbor, Florida
27-29: US LPGA: CJ Nine Bridges Classic - Jeju Island, South Korea

* NOVEMBER
2-5: US PGA: Tour Championship - Atlanta, Georgia
3-5: US LPGA-Japan LPGA: Mizuno Classic - Otsu, Japan
6-7: Exhibition Tournament: Tommy Bahama Challenge - Scottsdale, Arizona
7-10: Euro PGA, WGC World Cup - TBC
9-12: Exhibition Tournament: Franklin Templeton Shootout - Naples, Florida
9-12: US LPGA: The Mitchell Company LPGA Tournament of Champions - Mobile, Alabama
13: Exhibition Tournament: ADT Skills Challenge - West Palm Beach, Florida
13-14: Exhibition Tournament: Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge - Henderson, Nevada
16-19: US LPGA: LPGA Playoff - West Palm Beach, Florida
21-22: Exhibition Tournament: Grand Slam of Golf - TBC
25-26: Exhibition Tournament: Merrill Lynch Skins Game - La Quinta, California

* DECEMBER
7-10: WGC-World Cup - TBC
14-17: Exhibition Tournament: Target World Challenge - Thousand Oaks, California


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MISCELLANEOUS


* JANUARY
3-8: Badminton: Swiss Open - Basel, Switzerland
9-15: Badminton: German Open - Mulheim an der Ruhr, Germany
17-22: Badminton: All England Open - Birmingham, England
25-29: Field Hockey: Women's Invitational Tournament - Mar del Plata, Argentina
25-29: Softball: Inaugural Men's Commonwealth Championship - Manila, Philippines

* FEBRUARY
14-19: Badminton: Thomas/Uber Cup Contintental Qualifiers - Various Sites

* MARCH
1-5: Badminton: Philippine Open - Manila, Philippines
3-20: Baseball: World Baseball Classic - Various Sites
8-12: Badminton: China Masters - Beijing, China
13-18: Archery: European Indoor Championships - Jaen, Spain
25: Horse Racing: Dubai World Cup - Dubai, UAE
26: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Mooloolaba, Australia
28-April 2: Badminton: Asian Championships - Johor Baru, Malaysia

* APRIL
8: Horse Racing: Grand National Steeplechase - Aintree, England
9-16: Badminton: European Championships - Den Bosch, Netherlands
16: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Ishigaki, Japan
28-May 7: Badminton: Thomas/Uber Cup finals - Tokyo, Japan

* MAY
6-7: Horse Racing: Guineas Festival - Newmarket, England
6-11: Badminton: Singapore Open - Singapore
7: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Mazatlan, Mexico
13-18: Badminton: Malaysia Open - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

* JUNE
3: Horse Racing: Derby - Epsom, England
4-9: Badminton: Thailand Open - Bangkok, Thailand
4: Triathlon: World Cup - Madrid, Spain
14-17: Archery: World University Championships - Vinicne, Slovakia
20-24: Horse Racing: Royal Ascot - Ascot, England
26-30: Badminton: Hong Kong Open - Hong Kong

* JULY
1-6: Badminton: China Open - Guangzhao, China
9: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Edmonton, Alberta
23: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Corner Brook, Newfoundland
30: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Salford, England
20-29: Softball: ISF XI Women's World Championship - Beijing, China
22-Aug 3: Equestrian: 2006 World Games - Aachen, Germany
27-Sept 2: Archery: 20th World Field Championships - Goteborg, Sweden

* SEPTEMBER
2: Triathlon: ITU World Championships - Lausanne, Switzerland
6-17: Field Hockey: Men's World Cup - Moenchengladbach, Germany
9: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Hamburg, Germany
9: Horse Racing: St Ledger - York, England
13-16: Archery: European Outdoor Target Championships - Athens, Greece
18-24: Badminton: World Championships - Madrid, Spain
24: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Beijing, China
27-Oct 7: Field Hockey: Women's World Cup - Madrid, Spain
29-Oct 7: Fencing: World Championships - Turin, Italy

* OCTOBER
1: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Gamagori, Japan
12-15: Karate: World Championships - Tampere, Finland
12-15: Judo: Junior World Championships - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
14-22: Gymnastics: Artistic World Championships - Aarhus, Denmark
15-21: Archery: World Junior Outdoor Target Championships - Merida, Mexico

* NOVEMBER
1-9: Weightlifting: World Championships - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
4-5: Gymnastics: Rhythmic World Cup Final - Mie, Japan
5: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - Cancun, Mexico
12: Triathlon: ITU World Cup - New Plymouth, New Zealand
23-26: Gymnastics: Trampoline World Cup Final - Birmingham, England


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MOTORSPORT


* JANUARY
31-15: Rallying: Dakar - Various Sites
15: A1 Grand Prix: Indonesia GP - Sentul, Indonesia
20-23: Rallying: Monte Carlo Rally - Various Sites, Monaco
29: A1 Grand Prix: South Africa GP - Durban, South Africa

* FEBRUARY
3-5: Rallying: Swedish Rally - Various Sites, Sweden
16: A1 Grand Prix: Brazil GP - Curitiba, Brazil
25: Superbikes - Doha, Qatar
26: A1 Grand Prix: Mexico GP - Monterrey, Mexico

* MARCH
3-5: Rallying: Mexican Rally - Various Sites, Mexico
5: Superbikes - Phillip Island, Australia
12: F1: Bahrain Grand Prix - Sakhir, Bahrain
12: A1 Grand Prix: US GP - Laguna Seca, California
19: F1: Malaysia Grand Prix - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
19: Superbikes - TBC
24-26: Rallying: Catalunya Rally - Various Sites, Spain
26: Moto GP: Spanish Grand Prix - Jerez, Spain

* APRIL
2: A1 Grand Prix: Shanghai GP - Shanghai, China
2: F1: Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, Australia
7-9: Rallying: Corsica Rally - Various Sites, France
7-10: Rallying: New Zealand Rally - Various Sites, New Zealand
8: Moto GP: Qatar Grand Prix - Doha, Qatar
23: Moto GP: Turkish Grand Prix - Istanbul, Turkey
23: F1: San Marino Grand Prix - Imola, Italy
30: Superbikes - Valencia, Spain

* MAY
7: F1: European Grand Prix - Nuerburgring, Germany
7: Moto GP: Chinese Grand Prix - Shanghai, China
14: F1: Spanish Grand Prix - Barcelona, Spain
14: Superbikes - Monza, Italy
19-21: Rallying: Italian Rally - Sardinia
21: Moto GP: French Grand Prix - LeMans, France
28: F1: Monaco Grand Prix - Monte Carlo, Monaco
28: Superbikes - Silverstone, England

* JUNE
2-4: Rallying: Greek Rally - Various Sites, Greece
4: Moto GP: Italian Grand Prix - Muguello, Italy
11: F1: British Grand Prix - Silverstone, England
11: Moto GP: Catalunya Grand Prix - Barcelona, Spain
17-18: Le Mans 24 Hour Race - Le Mans, France
24: Moto GP: Dutch Grand Prix - Assen, Netherlands
25: F1: Canadian Grand Prix - Montreal, Canada
25: Superbikes - Misano, Italy

* JULY
2: Moto GP: English Grand Prix - Donnington Park, England
2: F1: United States Grand Prix - Indianapolis, Indiana
11-13: Rallying: German Rally - Various Sites, Germany
16: F1: French Grand Prix - Magny-Cours, France
16: Moto GP: German Grand Prix - Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany
18-21 N various sites, Finland N auto racing, Finland Rally.
23: Moto GP: United States Grand Prix - Laguna Seca, California
23: Superbikes - Brno, Czech Republic
30: F1: German Grand Prix - Hockenheim, Germany

* AUGUST
6: Superbikes - Brand Hatch, England
6: F1: Hungarian Grand Prix - Budapest, Hungary
11-13: Rallying: German Rally - Various Sites, Germany
18-20: Rallying: Finnish Rally - Various Sites, Finland
20: Moto GP: Czech Grand Prix - Brno, Czech Republic
27: F1: Turkish Grand Prix - Istanbul, Turkey

* SEPTEMBER
1-3: Rallying: Japanese Rally - Various Sites, Japan
3: Superbikes - Assen, Netherlands
10: F1: Italian Grand Prix - Monza, Italy
10: Moto GP: Malaysian GP - Sepang, Malaysia
10: Superbikes - Klettwitz, Germany

17: Superbikes - TBC
17: F1: Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
17: Moto GP: Australian Grand Prix - Phillip Island, Australia
20-24: Squash: World Team Championships - Edmonton, Canada
22-24: Rallying: Cyprus Rally - Various Sites, Cyprus
24: Moto GP: Japanese Grand Prix - Motegi, Japan

* OCTOBER
1: F1: Chinese Grand Prix - Shanghai, China
1: Superbikes - Imola, Italy
8: F1: Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka, Japan
8: Moto GP: Portuguese Grand Pprix - Estoril, Portugal
8: Superbikes - Magny Cours, France
13-15: Rallying: Turkish Rally - Various Sites, Turkey
27-29: Rallying: Australia Rally - Various Sites, Australia
29: Moto GP: Valencia Grand Prix - Valencia, Spain

* NOVEMBER
17-19: Rallying: New Zealand Rally - Various Sites, New Zealand

* DECEMBER
1-3: Rallying: Wales Rally - Various Sites, Wales


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MULTISPORTS


* FEBRUARY
10-26: Winter Olympic Games - Turin, Italy

* MARCH
3-12: Central American Games - Cartagena, Columbia
10-19: Winter Paralympics - Turin, Italy
15-26: 18th Commonwealth Games - Melbourne, Australia

* JUNE
23-July 7: 2006 Micronesian Games - Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

* DECEMBER
1-16: 15th Asian Games - Doha, Qatar


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RUGBY


* FEBRUARY
3-4: IRB Sevens Series - Wellington, New Zealand
4: Six Nations: Ireland vs Italy - Dublin, Ireland
4: Six Nations: England vs Wales - London, England
5: Six Nations: Scotland vs France - Edinburgh, Scotland
11-12: IRB Sevens Series: -Los Angeles, USA
11: Six Nations: France vs Ireland - Paris, France
11: Six Nations: Italy vs England - Rome, Italy
12: Six Nations: Wales vs Scotland - Cardiff, Wales
25: Six Nations: France vs Italy - Paris, France
25: Six Nations: Scotland vs England - Edinburgh, Scotland
26: Six Nations: Ireland vs Wales - Dublin, Ireland

* MARCH
11: Six Nations: Wales vs Italy - Cardiff, Wales
11: Six Nations: Ireland vs Scotland - Dublin, Ireland
12: Six Nations: France vs England - Paris, France
18: Six Nations: Italy vs Scotland - Rome, Italy
18: Six Nations: Wales vs France - Cardiff, Wales
18: Six Nations: England vs Ireland - London, England
31-April 2: IRB Sevens Series - Hong Kong, China

* APRIL
4-12: Under-19 World Championship - Dubai, UAE
8-9: IRB Sevens Series - Singapore

* JUNE
3-4: IRB Sevens Series - London, England
10: Test Matach: Australia vs England - Sydney, Australia
10: Test Match: New Zealand vs Ireland - Hamilton, New Zealand
24: Test Match: Argentina vs New Zealand - Buenos Aires, Argentina
24: Test Match: Australia vs Ireland - Perth, Australia
27-28: IRB Sevens Series - Paris, France

* JULY
8: Tri-Nations: New Zealand vs Australia - Christchurch, New Zealand
15: Tri-Nations: Australia vs South Africa - Brisbane, Australia
22: Tri-Nations: New Zealand vs South Africa - Wellington, New Zealand
29: Tri-Nations: Australia vs New Zealand - Brisbane, Australia

* AUGUST
5: Tri-Nations: Australia vs South Africa - Sydney, Australia
19: Tri-Nations: New Zealand vs Australia - Auckland, New Zealand
26: Tri-Nations: South Africa vs New Zealand - TBC

* SEPTEMBER
2: Tri-Nations: South Africa vs New Zealand - TBC
9: Tri-Nations: South Africa vs Australia - TBC


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SOCCER


* JANUARY
4-15: FMF Interliga - Various Sites, United States
11: Start of Brazilian State Championships - Sao Paulo, Brazil
20-Feb 10: African Cup of Nations - Various Sites, Egypt
21-22: Opening Round of Mexican League Clausura Championship - Mexico City
25-Feb 1: Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Primary Phase - Various Sites
27: Euro 2008: Qualifying Draw - Montreux, Switzerland
27: AFA Clausura First Round - Buenos Aires, Argentina

* FEBRUARY
8-April 19: Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Second Group Phase - Various Sites
10: African Cup fo Nations: Final - Cairo
15-16: Uefa Cup: First Knockout Round, First Leg - Various Sites
15-July 19: CBF: Brazilian Cup - Sao Paulo, Brazil
21-22: Uefa Champions League: First Knockout Round, First Leg - Various Sites, Europe
22: Concacaf Champions Cup: Quarterfinals, First Leg - Various Sites
23: Uefa Cup: First Knockout Round, Second Leg - Various Sites
26: English League Cup Final - Cardiff, Wales

* MARCH
7-8: Uefa Champions League: First Knockout Round, Second Leg - Various Sites
8: Concacaf Champions Cup: Quarterfinals, Second Leg - Various Sites
9: Uefa Cup: Second Knockout Round, First Leg - Various Sites
15-16: Uefa Cup: Second Knockout Round, Second Leg - Various Sites
22: Concacaf Champions Cup: Semifinals, First Leg - Various Sites
28-29: Uefa Champions League: Quarterfinals, First Leg - Various Sites
29: Concacaf Champions Cup: Semifinals, Second Leg - Various Sites
30: Uefa Cup: Quarterfinals, First Leg - Various Sites

* APRIL
4-5: Uefa Champions League: Quarterfinals, Second Leg - Various Sites
6: Uefa Cup: Quarterfinals, Second Leg - Various Sites
9: CBF Brazilian State Championships: Final Round - Sao Paulo, Brazil
12: Copa Del Rey Final - TBC, Spain
12: Concacaf Champions Cup: Final, First Leg - TBC
16:CBF Opening Round of Brazilian National Championship - Sao Paulo, Brazil
18-19: Uefa Champions League: Semifinals, First Leg - Various Sites
19: Concacaf Champions Cup: Finals, Second Leg - Various Sites
20: Uefa Cup: Semifinals, First Leg - Various Sites
25-26: Uefa Champions League: Semifinals, Second Leg - Various Sites
26: Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Third Round, First Leg - Various Sites
27: Uefa Cup: Semfinals, Second Leg - Various Sites
29: German Cup: Final - Berlin, Germany

* MAY
3: Italian Cup: Final, First Leg - TBC
3: Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Third Round, Second Leg - Various Sites
7: Dutch Cup: Final - Rotterdam, Netherlands
8: Italian Cup: Final, Second Leg - TBC
10: Uefa Cup: Final - Eindhoven, Netherlands
10: Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Quarterfinals, First Leg - Various Sites
13: FA Cup: Final, London, England
13: Scottish Cup: Final - Glasgow, Scotland
14: Portuguese Cup: Final - Lisbon, Portugal
17: Uefa Champions League: Final - Saint-Denis, France
17: Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Quarterfinals, Second Leg - Various Sites
17/18: Mexican Clausura Championship: Final, First Leg - Mexico City
20/21: Mexican Clausura Championship: Final, Second Leg - Mexico City
21: AFA Clausura: Final Round - Buenos Aires, Argentina

* JUNE
9-July 9: World Cup - Various Sites, Germany

* JULY
1-2: Uefa Intertoto Cup: Second Round, First Leg - Various Sites
8-9: Uefa Intertoto Cup: Second Round, Second Leg - Various Sites
11-12: Uefa Champions League: First Qualifying Round, First Leg - Various Sites
13: Uefa Cup: First Qualifying Round, First Leg - Various Sites
15-16: Uefa Intertoto Cup: Third Round, First Leg - Various Sites
18-19: Uefa Champions League: First Qualifying Round, Second Leg - Various Sites
19; Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Semifinals, First Leg - Various Sites
22: Uefa Intertoto Cup: Third Round, Second Leg - Various Sites
25-26: Uefa Champions League: Second Qualifying Round, First Leg - Various Sites
26: Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Semifinals, Second Leg - Various Sites
27: Uefa Cup: First Qualifying Round, Second Leg, Various Sites

* AUGUST
1-2: Uefa Champions League: Second Qualifying Round, Second Leg - Various Sites
2: Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Final, First Leg - TBC
8-9: Uefa Champions League: Third Qualifying Round, First Leg - Various Sites
9: Conmebol Copa Libertadores: Final, Second Leg - TBC
10: Uefa Cup: Second Qualifying Round, First Leg - Various Sites
22-23: Uefa Champions League: Third Qualifying Round, Second Leg - Various Sites
24: Uefa Cup: Second Qualifying Round, Second Leg, Various Sites
25: Uefa Super Cup - TBC

* SEPTEMBER
6-Dec 6: Conmebol Copa Sudamericana - Various Sites
12-13: Uefa Champions League: Group Stage, Matchday One - Various Sites
14: Uefa Cup: First Round, First Leg - Various Sites
26-27 Uefa Champions League: Group Stage, Matchday Two - Various Sites
28: Uefa Cup: First Round, Second Leg - Various Sites

* OCTOBER
17-18: Uefa Champions League: Group Stage, Matchday Three - Various Sites
19: Uefa Cup: Group Stage, Matchday One - Various Sites
31-Nov 1: Uefa Champions League: Group Stage, Matchday Four - Varous Sites

* NOVEMBER
2: Uefa Cup: Group Stage, Matchday Two - Various Sites
21-22: Uefa Champions League: Group Stage, Matchday Five - Various Sites
23: Uefa Cup: Group Stage, Matchday Three - Various Sites
29-30: Uefa Cup: Group Stage, Matchday Four - Various Sites

* DECEMBER
3: Brazilian National Championship: Final Round - Sao Paulo, Braziil
5-6: Uefa Champions League: Group Stage, Matchday Six - Various Sites
13-14: Uefa Cup: Group Stage, Matchday Five - Various Sites
10-17: Fifa World Club Championship - TBC


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WATERSPORT


* JANUARY
2: Volvo Ocean Race: Start of Leg 2 - Cape Town, South Africa
16: Volvo Ocean Race: End of Leg 2 - Melbourne, Australia
17-18: Fina World Cup: Fourth Leg - Stockholm, Sweden
21-22: Fina World Cup: Fifth Leg - Berlin, Germany
25-26: Fina World Cup: Sixth Leg - Moscow, Russia

* FEBRUARY
3-4: Fina World Cup: Seventh Leg - New York, USA
4: Volvo Ocean Race: In Port Race - Melbourne, Australia
10-12: Fina World Cup: Eighth Leg - Belo Horizonte, Brazil
12: Volvo Ocean Race: Start of Leg 3 - Melbourne, Australia
13-15: Fina Diving Grand Prix - Sydney, Australia
16: Volvo Ocean Race: End of Leg 3 - Wellington, New Zealand
19: Volvo Ocean Race: Start of Leg 4 - Wellington, New Zealand

* MARCH
3-5: Fina Diving Grand Prix - Rostock, Germany
7: Volvo Ocean Race: End of Leg 4 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
9-12: Fina Diving Grand Prix - Electrostal, Russia
16-19: Fina Diving Grand Prix - Madrid, Spain
25: Volvo Ocean Race: In Port Race - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

* APRIL
2: 152nd Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race - London, England
2: Volvo Ocean Race: Start of Leg 5 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4-11: International Flying Dutchman World Championship - St Petersburg, Florida
5-9: Eighth World Short Course Championships - Shanghai, China
17: Volvo Ocean Race: End of Leg 5 - Baltimore, Maryland
21-23: Fina Diving Grand Prix - Zhuhai, China
29: Volvo Ocean Race: In Port Race - Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland

* MAY
5-7: Fina Diving Grand Prix - Victoria, Canada
7: Volvo Ocean Race: Start of Leg 6 - Baltimore, Maryland
8: Volvo Ocean Race: End of Leg 6 - New York, USA
11: Volvo Ocean Race: Start of Leg 7 - New York, USA
11-14: Fina Diving Grand Prix - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
11-18: America's Cup: Louis Vuitton Act 10 - Valencia, Spain
19: Volvo Ocean Race: End of Leg 7 - Portsmouth, England
19-21: America's Cup: Louis Vuitton Act 11 - Valencia, Spain
26-28: Rowing World Cup - Munich, Germany
29: Volvo Ocean Race: In Port Race - Portsmouth, England

* JUNE
2: Volvo Ocean Race: Start of Leg 8 - Portsmouth, England
2-4: Fina Diving Grand Prix - Rome, Italy
4-11: 49er Class World Championship - Aix-les-Bains, France
7: Volvo Ocean Race: End of Leg 8 - Rotterdam, Netherlands
11: Volvo Ocean Race: In Port Race - Rotterdam, Netherlands
14-19: Men's Water Polo World Cup - Budapest, Hungary
15: Volvo Ocean Race: Start of Leg 9 (final) - Rotterdam, Netherlands
17: Volvo Ocean Race: Finish - Goteborg, Sweden
22-July: America's Cup: Louis Vuitton Act 12 - Valencia, Spain
24-28: Women's Water Polo World Cup - Tianjing, China
28-July 7: Rowing: Henley Royal Regatta - Henley, England
30-July 8: Yngling Open and Women's World Championship - La Rochelle

* JULY
1-8: Laser 4.7 World and European Championships - Hourtin, France
7-9: Rowing World Cup - Lucerne, Switzerland
8-16: Europe World Championship - Copenhagen, Denmark
19-23: Diving World Cup - Chang Shu, China
27-Aug 6: European Swimming Championships - Budapest, Hungary

* AUGUST
3-6: Slalom World Championships - Prague, Czech Republic
4-17: Masters Worlds Championships - San Francisco
10-13: Canoe Polo World Championships - Amsterdam, Netherlands
17-20: Pan Pacific Championships - Vancouver, British Columbia
20-27: Rowing World Championships - Eton, England
23-27: World Youth Swimming Championships - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
23-27: Diving Junior World Championships - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
24-27: Canoe/Kayak Flatwater World Championship - Szeged, Hungary
29-Sept 3: Open Water World Championships - Naples, Italy

* SEPTEMBER
4-13: Sailing: 470 World Championships - Rizhao, China
14-17: Synchronized Swimming: World Cup - Yokohama, Japan
27-Oct 8: Sailing: Star World Championships - San Francisco, California

* OCTOBER
7-11: Synchronized Swimming: Junior World Championships - Guangzhou, China
14-21: Sailing: Mistral World Championships - Zhenzheng, China
16-22 Sailing: Soling World Championship - Annapolis, Maryland
31: Syncronised Swimming: Fina World Trophy - Moscow, Russia

* DECEMBER
1-9: Sailing: Tornado World Championship - Buenos Aires, Argentina
7-10: Swimming: Short Course European Championships - Helsinki, Finland


Back to top ^


TENNIS


* JANUARY
Dec 30 - Jan 6: Hopman Cup - Perth, Australia
2-8: Next Generation Adelaide International - Adelaide, Australia
2-8: Qatar ExxonMobile Open - Doha, Qatar
2-8: Chennai Open - Chennai, India
2-8: Australian Women's Hardcourts - Gold Coast, Australia
2-8: ASB Classic - Auckland, New Zealand
9-15: Heineken Open - Auckland, New Zealand
9-15: Sydney International - Sydney, Australia
9-15: Canberra International - Canberra, Australia
9-15: Hobart International - Hobart, Australia
16-29: Australian Open - Melbourne, Australia
30-Feb 5: International Indoor Championships - Zagreb, Croatia
30-Feb 5: Delray Beach International - Delray Beach, Florida
30-Feb 5: Movistar Open - Vina del Mar, Chile
30-Feb 5: Toray Pan Pacific Open - Tokyo, Japan

* FEBRUARY
6-12: Open Gaz de France - Paris, France
6-12: Pattaya Open - Pattaya, Thailand
10-12: Davis Cup - Various sites
13-19: Open 13 - Marseille, France
13-19: SAP Open - San Jose, California
13-19: Copa Telemex - Buenos Aires, Argentina
13-19: Proximus Diamond Games - Antwerp, Belgium
13-19: Bangalore Open - Bangalore, India
20-26: Brazil Open - Costa do Sauipe, Brazil
20-26: ABN AMRO Tournament - Rotterdam, Netherlands
20-26: Regions Morgan Keegan Championships - Memphis, Tennessee
20-26: Dubai Duty Free Women's Open - Dubai, UAE
20-26: Copa Colsanitas Seguros Bolivar - Bogota, Colombia
27-March 5: Dubai Tennis Championships - Dubai, UAE
27-March 5: Tennis Channel Open - Las Vegas, Nevada
27-March 5: Abierto Mexicano Telcel - Acapulco, Mexico
27-March 5: Qatar Total Open - Doha, Qatar

* MARCH
6-19: Pacific Life Open - Indian Wells, California
20-April 2: Nasdaq-100 - Miami, Florida

* APRIL
3-9: Bausch & Lomb Championships - Amelia Island, Florida
7-9: Davis Cup - Various Sites
10-16: Open de Tenis Comunidad Valenciana - Valencia, Spain
10-16: US Men's Clay Court Championships -
Houston, Texas
10-16: Family Circle Cup - Charleston, South Carolina
17-23: ATP Masters Series - Monte Carlo, Monaco
22-23: Fed Cup - Various Sites
24-30: Open SEAT Godo - Barcelona, Spain
24-30: Grand Prix Hassan II - Casablanca, Morocco

* MAY
1-6: BMW Open - Munich, Germany
1-6: Estoril Open - Estoril, Portugal
1-6: J&S Cup - Warsaw, Poland
8-14: Campionati Internazionali d'Italia - Rome, Italy
8-14: Qatar Total German Open - Berlin, Germany
8-14: ECM Prague Open - Prague, Czech Republic
15-21: ATP Master Series - Hamburg, Germany
15-21: Campionati Internazionali d'Italia - Rome, Italy
15-21: Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem - Rabat, Morocco
22-28: Internationaler BTM Power GP - St Polten, Austria
22-28: Internationaux de Strasbourg - Strasbourg, France
22-28: Istanbul Cup - Istanbul, Turkey
29-June 11: French Open - Paris, France

* JUNE
12-18: Stella Artois Championship - London, England
12-18: Gerry Weber Open - Halle, Germany
12-18: DFS Classic - Birmingham, England
12-18: Internazionali di Modena - Modena, Italy
19-25: 10tele.com Open - Nottingham, England
19-25: Ordina Open - Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
19-25: Hastings Direct International Championships - Eastbourne, England
26-July 9: Wimbledon Championships - Wimbledon, England

* JULY
10-16: Synsam Swedish Open - Bastad, Sweden
10-16: Allianz Suisse Open - Gstaad, Switzerland
10-16: Campbell's Hall of Fame Championships - Newport, Rhode Island
15-16: Fed Cup - Various Sites
17-23: RCA Championships - Indianapolis, Indiana
17-23: Dutch Open - Amersfoort, Netherlands
17-23: Mercedes Cup - Stuttgart, Germany
17-23: Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open - Cincinnati, Ohio
17-23: Internazionali Femminili di Palermo - Palermo, Italy
24-30: Generali Open - Kitzbuehel, Austria
24-30: Countrywide Classic - Los Angeles, California
24-30: Croatia Open - Umag, Croatia
24-30: Bank of the West Classic - Stanford, California
24-30: Budapest Grand Prix - Budapest, Hungary
31-Aug 6: Legg Mason Tennis Classic - Washington
31-Aug 6: Orange Prokom Open - Sopot, Poland
31-Aug 6: Acura Classic - San Diego, California

* AUGUST
7-13: Rogers Masters - Toronto, Canada
7-13: JPMorgan Chase Open - Los Angeles, California
7-13: Nordea Nordic Light Open - Stockholm, Sweden
14-20: ATP Masters Series - Cincinnati, Ohio
14-20: Rogers Cup - Montreal, Canada
21-27: Pilot Pen - New Haven, Connecticut
21-27: Forest Hills Women's Classic - Forest Hills, New York
28-Sept 10: US Open - New York

* SEPTEMBER
11-17: China Open - Beijing, China
11-17: BCR Open - Bucharest, Romania
11-17: Wismilak International - Bali, Indonesia
16-17: Fed Cup finals - TBD
18-24: WTA China Open - Beijing, China
18-24: Slovenia Open - Portoroz, Slovenia
18-24: Sunfeast Open - Calcutta, India
22-24: Davis Cup semifinals - TBD
25-Oct 1: Thailand Open - Bangkok, Thailand
25-Oct 1: Vietnam Open - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietman
25-Oct 1: Camponati Internazionali di Sicilia - Palermo, Sicily
25-Oct 1: Guangzhou International Women's Open - Guangzhou, China
25-Oct 1: Korea Open - Seoul, South Korea
25-Oct 1: Fortis Championships - Luxembourg

* OCTOBER
2-8: Open de Moselle - Metz, France
2-8: AIG Japan Open - Tokyo, Japan
2-8: Porsche Grand Prix - Stuttgart, Germany
2-8: Tashkent Open - Tashkent, Uzbekistan
9-15: BC-CA Trophy - Vienna, Austria
9-15: Stockholm Open - Stockholm, Sweden
9-15: Kremlin Cup - Moscow, Russia
9-15: Thailand Open - Bangkok, Thailand
16-22: ATP Masters Series - Madrid, Spain
16-22: Zurich Open - Zurich, Switzerland
16-22: Anda Open - Tel Aviv, Israel
23-29: Swiss Indoors - Basel, Switzerland
23-29: Grand Prix de Lyon - Lyon, France
23-29: St Petersburg Open - St Petersburg, Russia
23-29: Generali Ladies - Linz, Austria
30-Nov 5: ATP Masters Series - Paris, France
30-Nov 5: Bell Challenge - Quebec City, Canada
30-Nov 5: Gaz de France Stars - Hasselt, Belgium

* NOVEMBER
6-12: WTA Tour Championships - Madrid, Spain
12-19: ATP Tennis Masters Cup - Shanghai, China

* DECEMBER
1-3: Davis Cup Final - TBD

You did not type all that out, now did ya?

You did not type all that out, now did ya?
of course i did...duh heheh

Gee Mo, for a gay guy you really dig ur sports!

Liverpool to retain the UEFA Champions League this year?
Boks to win Tri Nations?
Bafana to pass the first round of CAF cup?
Toyota to take constructors championship in F1?
Germany to win the soccer World Cup?
Sharks to win the Currie Cup?

Those are wat i am hoping for, wat u think?

Sweet dreams Dursboi...2006 may be a tad disappointing for you :)

Liverpool to retain the UEFA Champions League this year?
They would be more deserving to win this year than last but not going to happen

Boks to win Tri Nations?
Let's hope so...I'd rank this as your best hope

Bafana to pass the first round of CAF cup?
What an embarrassing situation, first round is about as good as it'll get. Man I'm not even going to watch because we probably won't.

Toyota to take constructors championship in F1?
:lol:

Germany to win the soccer World Cup?
I really hope not! But home advantage will probably push them past better teams.

Sharks to win the Currie Cup?
Ah that's sweet and I'd love it to happen but...well at least we'll have fun trying (pun intended)

Gee Mo, for a gay guy you really dig ur sports!

Liverpool to retain the UEFA Champions League this year?
Boks to win Tri Nations?
Bafana to pass the first round of CAF cup?
Toyota to take constructors championship in F1?
Germany to win the soccer World Cup?
Sharks to win the Currie Cup?

Those are wat i am hoping for, wat u think?


boks can win...so can germany...just wondering what holland will do..and brazil and england are hot hot hot...im wanting england to win of course...and holland well...cause i love orange...bafana..??? forget about it....currie cup is not that important anymore...australian open starts monday..its fairly open draw...expect a suprise winner perhaps...

I think Liverpool can do it in the Champs leauge again, why not? maybe FA cup.
Ferrari is showing pace in the current testings in Spain, fastest overall!!!
Mclaren 2nd fastest & TOYOTA 3rd fastest! & all the cars have their new engines!!!

Bok's.......Van Rooyen must get kicked out then maybe all the problems will straighten out!

World cup, Germany must win, I hate to see Brazil win it all the time! but watch out for Cezh Republic. BIG danger their! nobody thought much of them in Euro 2004, yet they made it to the semi's!

Aussie open!! Nadal is out, is Federer playing?

My Maria baby will take the womans!
http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/9108/ausopen0683mx.jpg

Men's seedings:

1. Roger Federer (Swi)
2. Andy Roddick (US)
3. Lleyton Hewitt (Aus)
4. David Nalbandian (Arg)
5. Nikolay Davydenko (Rus)
6. Guillermo Coria (Arg)
7. Ivan Ljubicic (Cro)
8. Gaston Gaudio (Arg)
9. Fernando Gonzalez (Chi)
10. Thomas Johansson (Swe)
11. David Ferrer (Sp)
12. Dominik Hrbaty (Svk)
13. Robby Ginepri (US)
14. Richard Gasquet (Fr)
15. Juan Carlos Ferrero (Sp)
16. Tommy Robredo (Sp)
17. Radek Stepanek (Cze)
18. Mario Ancic (Cro)
19. Tomas Berdych (Cze)
20. James Blake (US)
21. Nicolas Kiefer (Ger)
22. Gael Monfils (Fra)
23. Igor Andreev (Rus)
24. Olivier Rochus (Bel)
25. Sebastien Grosjean (Fra)
26. Jarkko Nieminen (Fin)
27. Taylor Dent (US)
28. Fernando Verdasco (Sp)
29. Filippo Volandri (It)
30. Max Mirnyi (Bls)
31. Feliciano Lopez (Sp)
32. Carlos Moya (Spain).

Women's seedings:

1. Lindsay Davenport (US)
2. Kim Clijsters (Bel)
3. Amelie Mauresmo (Fra)
4. Maria Sharapova (Rus)
5. Mary Pierce (Fra)
6. Nadia Petrova (Rus)
7. Patty Schnyder (Swi)
8. Justine Henin-Hardenne (Bel)
9. Elena Dementieva (Rus)
10. Venus Williams (US)
11. Nathalie Dechy (Fra)
12. Anastasia Myskina (Fra)
13. Serena Williams (US)
14. Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus)
15. Francesca Schiavone (It)
16. Nicole Vaidisova (Cze)
17. Daniela Hantuchova (Svk)
18. Elena Likhovtseva (Rus)
19. Dinara Safina (Rus)
20. Flavia Pennetta (It)
21. Ana Ivanovic (SeM)
22. Anna-Lena Groenefeld (Ger)
23. Jelena Jankovic (SeM)
24. Tatiana Golovin (Fra)
25. Maria Kirilenko (Rus)
26. Ai Sugiyama (Jpn)
27. Marion Bartoli (Fra)
28. Anabel Medina Garrigues (Sp)
29. Klara Koukalova (Cze)
30. Vera Zvonareva (Rus)
31. Gisela Dulko (Arg)
32. Sania Mirza (Ind).

the OZ open is really a very open tournament everyone is fresh or injured!!...lol in bold are some of the favourites i spose...well an Martina Hingis hehe..my favourite...

Yeh gud to see miss Hingis back in Action!
She & maria must team up in the doubles! :)
gud eye candy to look out for!

Friday, January 26, 2006

Foundation Formed To Bring 2016 Games To Africa
Posted 1:22 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

AFP reports that a group of European and African executives and sports officials have launched a campaign to bring the 2016 Olympic Summer Games to Africa. The founders of the Geneva-based foundation NewSporAfrica said they wanted to generate support inside Africa and in wealthy nations for bids by African countries.

Former French industrialist Jean-Pierre Sirot, who is the driving force behind the foundation said, “it will never be partisan by taking sides for one country”.

Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, president of Cameroon’s Olympic Committee, said after 116 years the modern Olympic movement should give Africa its turn to host the Games. He told AFP “what we regard as an injustice must be repaired” underlining that it would be just a return for decades of medal-winning performances by African athletes and teams.

No African country has ever hosted an Olympics and only four nations outside Europe and North America – Australia, Japan, South Korea and China – have ever won a bid for the Games, reports AFP.

The foundation hopes to build on the growing trend to give each continent their turn to host major events typified by South Africa’s winning the 2010 World Cup for football.

So the Australian Open came to an end. It was great to see Hingis back- she took the mixed doubles title. A nice surprise was to see Amelie Mauresmo being crowned the Champ. Henin spoiled the fun however, when she retired just as Mauresmo was steamrolling her.

Federer was the winner as expected. But werent the tears a bit too much. There he was playing tennis like the the terminator- cool and collective, just to burst out in tears on the podium before saying anything! Oh, it was such a beauty queen crowning moment! "World Peace, uh"!!
As for his opponent, man was it hard to concentrate on the balls that guy hit? He was so bally himself, I could hardly take my eyes off his the bulging self!

Gautrain plans 'need more time'
02/02/2006 21:10 PM

Johannesburg - It could take several more weeks to finish the paperwork and legal processes needed to start building the Gautrain, the project's spokesperson said on Thursday.
Barbara Jensen said: "Construction will only begin once we've signed the concession agreement, but we don't want to put a timeline on it."

Gauteng's finance MEC Paul Mashatile said last year construction on the project would start at the beginning of 2006.

"(Financial closure with Bombela) should be completed by the end of the year," Mashatile said in November 2005.

Jensen said the successful end to the agreement was expected "in the next few weeks".

The concession agreement - between the province of Gauteng and the preferred bidder, Bombela - decided who would carry the risks for what.

Lawyers from each party would then need another four to six weeks to finalise the decisions.

Reports would be presented this week on proposed changes to the route. The public would then have 30 days to comment on these.

Jensen said the final stages of talks with Rand Water, Telkom, Eskom and Egoli Gas on moving their lines and pipes were also underway.

The Democratic Alliance said on Thursday it was becoming "increasingly obvious" that Bombela will not have started construction by the end of April.

"By the time all the paperwork is completed and the legalities tied up, we will be a week away from April. And that is a best case scenario," said James Swart, the party's provincial spokesperson on transport.

Cabinet approved the R20bn project in December.

The DA warned that Cabinet would live to regret its decision.

The money could be better spent improving existing public transport, the Congress of SA Trade Unions and the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union have said.

Jensen said it would take 54 months to build the Gautrain from the date the concession agreement was signed.

The entire Gautrain route of 80km would thus not be completed in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

"(Bombela) will start the Johannesburg International Airport to Sandton link. That will be constructed and completed by 2010," Jensen said.

This would make it possible to ferry tourists into Johannesburg.

SOME NEWS:

Etienne De Villiers is the ATP chief...ATP being the mens tennis tour...and btw he is SOUTH AFRICA..he was formely a senior executive for Walt Disney and now basically runs the ATP tour...expect a tennis tournament returning to Cape Town ..not too soon, but surely soon enough...i think him being south africa will work greatly in our favour a recent Q&A with De Villiers did show that he does have interest in spreading the games of tennis across the world and certainly his homeland would be a key place to start...South africa has not seen a WTA or ATP tournament in a decade or so and this would be a great opportunity to bring a masters event to the county..!!! we all know were capable of running a succesful event, i believe this is a neccessary step to grow tennis in the country, even if support at the moment is fairly low in comparison to other countries, we'll need to start somewhere and an ATP or WTA event could be just what we need!!!...u can betcha ill be pushing for a permanent masters stop over for CAPE TOWN..more news soon...

Hopefully he can do something about the terrible state of SA tennis.
SA should learn from Tennis Australia...gosh SPORT Australia on how to produce champions.
Tennis should be brought back tennis to our tv screens. It's pathetic that not even Grand slam tennis is shown on national tv anymore. By exposing the game, youngsters would show more interest, and hopefully we would produce more Amanda Coetzers & have a home grown Roger Federer.

Tennis is really phasing out in our country, ok they might be alot of choaching centers & clinics but we not seeing the fruits of them, there are no good players coming out of them, Wesley Moodey is one the best I have seen in a long time, people should look at him as a role model & try harder to improve their game.

Hopefully he can do something about the terrible state of SA tennis.
SA should learn from Tennis Australia...gosh SPORT Australia on how to produce champions.
Tennis should be brought back tennis to our tv screens. It's pathetic that not even Grand slam tennis is shown on national tv anymore. By exposing the game, youngsters would show more interest, and hopefully we would produce more Amanda Coetzers & have a home grown Roger Federer.

well roger federer is half south african so ive always thought of him as our own...

SA, Fifa agree on stadiums
06/02/2006 16:26 - (SA)
Related Articles
# Location of 2010 stadiums

Cape Town - Host nation South Africa is to refurbish five existing stadiums and build five new venues for the 2010 World Cup, in terms of an agreement with international football association Fifa.

Briefing the media at parliament on Monday, deputy sport minister Gert Oosthuizen said new stadiums would be built at Polokwane in Limpopo, Mbombela in Mpumalanga, in the Nelson Mandela Metro in the Eastern Cape, in KwaZulu-Natal's Ethekweni Metro, and in Cape Town.

He said the Cape Town stadium, on the site of the existing Green Point Track, would be a "totally new facility", and would include a dome that could be closed in bad weather.

Stadiums to be refurbished and upgraded included three in Gauteng - Soccer City, Ellis Park and Loftus Versveld - as well as the Royal Bafokeng stadium in North West, and Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein.

The only province to miss out on the 2010 World Cup, at least as far as hosting matches goes, is the Northern Cape.

Oosthuizen said government had allocated R242m towards planning for the stadiums.

"The spread of the announced stadiums indicates that government acted swiftly to scrap the imbalance between rugby and soccer fields.

"Furthermore, we have tilted the scales in respect of stadiums in favour of the people. The five new (ones) will be owned by the municipalities on behalf of the citizens of South Africa," he said.

Great progress had been made towards preparing for 2010, and "everything is on track", he assured journalists.

Earlier at the briefing, Education Minister Naledi Pandor said building or refurbishing the stadiums would provide opportunities for communities and institutions to show their skills in construction, tourism and marketing.

"We are on track with building a lasting legacy from hosting the 2010 World Cup. Those in charge of football must play their part and prepare a winning squad for the tournament," she said.

i actually have some rrrrreally shitty designs for the new stadium...i did not include a domed roof though...but ill see what i can do..

so dos that mean that kings park is not being used?

so dos that mean that kings park is not being used?

exactly...

I can't wait for the desgn of the new stadiums. Cape Town will get the best ever stadium, but I MUST SAY I wasn't impressed with that at first as the people in CT are not soccer fanatics, but I realised that the stadium is gonna be used to campaign for the olympics. I believe that Durban will put a very good one. Durban just knows how to do their stuff and will be glad if Durban bids for the Olympics, rather than CT. KZn have got the capability and CT have got Nomandia Mfeketho. I hope you CT guys are gonna vote for DA instead of the ANC. ANC in the Western Cape is a failure and I admit it.

I can't wait for the desgn of the new stadiums. Cape Town will get the best ever stadium, but I MUST SAY I wasn't impressed with that at first as the people in CT are not soccer fanatics, but I realised that the stadium is gonna be used to campaign for the olympics. I believe that Durban will put a very good one. Durban just knows how to do their stuff and will be glad if Durban bids for the Olympics, rather than CT. KZn have got the capability and CT have got Nomandia Mfeketho. I hope you CT guys are gonna vote for DA instead of the ANC. ANC in the Western Cape is a failure and I admit it.

as for durban bidding for the olympics...inside info still places cape town leaps and bounds ahead if we actually wanna win the bid..i however in all fairness dont dount the possible strength of a durban bid...but this topic has been discussed already...

by late 2008 cape town will have
1.athlone stadium 50,000
2. newlands stadium 50,000
3. new domed stadium 60,000 +

it is vital that the retractable roof stadium somehow is able to incorporate an athletics track...cape town does not need nor can it afford a purpose built athletics stadium if it decides to bid for anything involving athletics...however...greenpoint athletics stadium will remain where it is and IMO when the athletics venue is upgraded and our domed stadium is built next to it...the athletics stadium will be a pretty good training venue..esp before big matches...players rest at the table bay hotel..a one minute walk or 1 min drive to the stadium...training at the existing greenpoint stadium...return to their hotel...and then return for the big match at the domed stadium...

we all know that when the origional Sa bid committe did its evaluation Durban beat CT as the best city to hold it in SA. However I also agree with the logic of showcasing SAs most beautiful city (Slap Stad) as it will create a better impression for the unconvinced international traveller

we all know that when the origional Sa bid committe did its evaluation Durban beat CT as the best city to hold it in SA. However I also agree with the logic of showcasing SAs most beautiful city (Slap Stad) as it will create a better impression for the unconvinced international traveller

untrue.joburg was rated first
cape town second and durban a distant third.

Cape Town to get 2010 super stadium boost
Staff Reporter
February 07 2006 at 12:09PM

Cape Town is to get a new 70 000-seat domed stadium in time for the 2010 World Cup on the site of the old Green Point track near the existing stadium.

This development gives the Mother City a serious claim to host glamour ties in the latter stages of the World Cup.

Bid committee chairperson Danny Jordaan said the new Green Point Stadium should be celebrated by Cape Town, as it would accommodate matches past the group stages and well into the knock-out stages of the World Cup.

Commenting on the announcement of the new stadium in parliament on Monday, Jordaan said the new stadium would definitely be on the final list to be presented to the world body Fifa.

The new stadiums would be owned by the municipalities
“Cape Town can certainly celebrate the fact that Fifa and their commercial partners viewed the city as a destination of international stature and that they would like to keep it involved in the World Cup tournament for as long as possible.

“That would only have been possible with a stadium that has a capacity greater than 40 000. The new stadium has given us as organisers a significant boost.”

Details of the new stadium were to be announced by premier Ebrahim Rasool and mayor Nomaindia Mfeketo today at noon, at a media briefing at the Green Point stadium.

Deputy sports minister Gert Oosthuizen announced the Cape Town’s venue for the 2010 World Cup during a sitting of parliament on Monday.

He said South Africa would refurbish five existing stadiums and build five new ones in time for the soccer showcase.

But can a new stadium be built in Green Point in time?
A total of R242-million had been allocated for “planning for the stadiums”. Other new stadiums would be built at Polokwane in Limpopo; Mbombela in Mpumalanga; in Port Elizabeth; and in Durban.

Oosthuizen emphasised that the new stadiums would be owned by the municipalities on behalf of the people of South Africa.

The new Green Point stadium would be roofed by a dome that could be closed in bad weather.

The announcement ends months of speculation about Cape Town’s preferred venue for the World Cup.

It also caught local football administrators completely off guard.

The City of Cape Town, the provincial government and the SA Football Association (Safa) Western Province have at various times put forward Athlone, Newlands rugby stadium and a R460-million new stadium in Delft as proposed sites for the main world cup venue.

The proposed stadium would be on par with the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff that has hosted the English FA Cup Finals in recent years, while Wembley, the traditional home of English football, undergoes a major revamp.

Shado Twala, spokesperson for Rasool, said Rasool was expected to announce specific details of the new stadium.

These would include how much would be spent on the new stadium, its capacity, how many jobs the new complex would create and what it could be used for after 2010.

The stadium would help to regenerate what was a fairly run-down area near the city centre, she added.

But can a new stadium be built in Green Point in time?

A new structure on the site of the old stadium would not be a change in existing land use so is unlikely to need rezoning. But any development which has the potential for being detrimental to the environment, which could include such problems as noise or light, has to be subject to an environmental impact assessment (EIA) in terms of national environmental legislation.

The area around the existing stadium has been city commonage for centuries, and has been used for recreation for well over a century.

For example, the Metropolitan Golf Club just opposite the stadium was established in 1895.

The common also accommodated a prisoner of war camp during the South African War.

The EIA process includes a scoping report, which is the initial step and which identifies the various potential impacts of a planned development, including heritage.

It is certain that a proposed major development like this will, at the very least, involve an EIA process that will focus specifically, but not exclusively, on such issues as heritage and traffic.

Because an EIA process includes statutory public consultation and a possible appeal process at the end before final approval is granted, it could take months – even years – before a single brick is laid.

However, the government is about to introduce revised EIA regulations that have been designed specifically to reduce the length of a EIA process and avoid delays.

Environment minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk told the Cape Argus in an interview last week that the new regulations would be published “in the foreseeable future”.

“It is important to align our development goals with our environmental objectives.”

The new regulations would simplify processes but not lower environmental standards.

Although there has been speculation over the past two weeks about plans for a mega stadium in Green Point, the city’s two Premier league clubs Ajax and Santos were taken by surprise by the announcement.

Neither Ajax boss John Comitis or his opposite number at Santos, Goolam Allie, had been told about the plan or approached for input.

Safa Western Province originally proposed a new stadium for the Delft/Blue Downs area, suggesting that the aim should be to take football to the areas where most of the game’s supporters lived.

Another proposal, put forward by the Cape Town City Council and the Western Cape Provincial Government, was that Athlone Stadium should be developed into a World Cup class stadium.

The original proposal by the SA Football Association national body was that to save great expense, Newlands should be upgraded.

This was the original plan as contained in the body’s bid book, with which Danny Jordaan’s bid committee won the right to host the World Cup.

Three carry SA’s hopes at Winter Games
Posted on 01 February 2006 - 14:12
Eastern Cape bob skeleton sensation Tyler Botha will be looking to produce some speedy times, when he joins the experienced alpine skier Alex Heath and cross country skier Oliver Kraas, on Team SA duty at the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, from February 10-26.

Botha, a product of Grahamstown’s St Andrews College, steering a bob sled that carries a single person, caused a major surprise in Konigsee, Germany a fortnight ago, by finishing second in both combined runs in the bob skeleton discipline in the Challenge Cup competition, to finish first overall and is viewed as a Top 10 contender going into the Winter Olympics programme.

Heath, will compete in the downhill, super G, giant slalom, slalom and combined alpine skiing disciplines, while Leipzig-based Kraas will compete in the 15km classical, 50km free mass start, and sprint cross country events.

The athletes will be accompanied to Torino by Chef de Mission Hajera Kajee and team manager Peter Pilz where they will be joined by coaches Oliver Schwankhart (alpine skiing), Sascha Konig (cross country skiing) and Thomas Schmidt (bob skeleton). SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee President (SASCOC), Moss Mashishi viewed the athletes’ qualifying performances as a great source of encouragement for athletes of snow sports in SA, and wished the team the best of luck for their participation in Torino.

“SASCOC is proud to send a team of athletes to the world’s top winter sports event, and the experience to be gained and friendships that will be built, will further enhance SA’s image as a proud sports nation,” said Mashishi, who thanked the National Lottery Board, Olympic Solidarity and Sport and Recreation SA for their financial support which has allowed SA’s snow sports stars to compete at the highest level in Torino.
Back

(I-Newswire) - The City of Cape Town has once again illustrated the fact that it can host a world class championship, after winning the bid to host the 2006 African Archery Continental Games.

This will be the biggest internationally recognized archery event held on the African continent.

Held under the banner of the Federation of African Archery ( FAA ), representing some 18 African Countries, the event will be held concurrently with the South African National Archery Championships at the Turfhall Sports Complex in Athlone, Cape Town from the 31 March – 4 April 2006.

According to the General Secretary of the FAA Mr. Yehya BUNDHUN, of the Mauritius, South Africa has not hosted the continental event in more than 30 years which serves as a great opportunity to bring the African countries closer together.

“Cape Town won the bid against Cameroon and the Central African Republic primarily because of their excellent facilities and the development programme they have in place as a consequence of the Continental Games”.

“Inspection of their facilities reveal a world class standard able to host Olympic events and the ability to cater for the sport and its fans” he concluded.

According to Selwyn Moskovitz, chair of the organising committee, the awarding of the All African Archery Championships to Cape Town ( South Africa ) is the beginning of an exciting era for the sport and its fans.

“Cape Town raised the bar at the 2005 SA Championships by ensuring that many sporting disciplines benefited from the event, especially the disabled. The All African Championships will be no different, in that we will be creating job opportunities and direct long term employment for the disabled”, he added.

Gert Bam, the director of social development for the City of Cape Town added “To host the Continental Championships is an honour for Cape Town. It contributes to the international profile of the City as a Major Sports Event City. Our partnership with Western Province Archery has enabled us to create opportunities for all communities in Cape Town”

Participants from all over the world are expected to compete in the event.

will the athlone thing really go ahead now that a new stadium is to be built? Cos two 50 000 seater, and a 70 000 seater is far far too much capacity for the city to fully utilise! There will be alot of wasted money and empty stands and with lack of crowds and games over time, one of the stadiums will go into ruin. It doesnt make any sense for it to continue with expansion plans.

will the athlone thing really go ahead now that a new stadium is to be built? Cos two 50 000 seater, and a 70 000 seater is far far too much capacity for the city to fully utilise! There will be alot of wasted money and empty stands and with lack of crowds and games over time, one of the stadiums will go into ruin. It doesnt make any sense for it to continue with expansion plans.


Yes it is. All the papers here are covering this.

Olympic Sports and Experience:

Sailing: Volvo Ocean Race, Cape to Rio and many others
Archery: Cape Town to host All African Archery Championships 2006
Football: New football stadium to be built, respectable league teams,
Hockey: Excellent well used hockey facility, regularly in use
Table Tennis: Hosts City of Cape Town Championships 58 players from 10 countiries
Cycling: Regularly used bellville velodrome, hosted a few international champs, will host trials for beijing 2008 olympic games, road cycling : cape argus cycle tour and numerous other cycling events, well run events.
Beach Volleyball: hosts the annual FIVA leg in camps bay, a compulsory tournament on the FIVA calendar
Gymnastics: Hosted 2004 National Gymnastics Games, 2006 African Championships in November this year
http://www.gymnastics.co.za/GymGames/VelodromePic.jpg

Softball: The home of softbal in south africa, bidding to host 2007 junior women world championships
Tennis: No major events, besides exhibitions, most recently 2005 grand masters
Weightlifting:1997 Junior World Weightlifting Championship

to be cont.

will the athlone thing really go ahead now that a new stadium is to be built? Cos two 50 000 seater, and a 70 000 seater is far far too much capacity for the city to fully utilise! There will be alot of wasted money and empty stands and with lack of crowds and games over time, one of the stadiums will go into ruin. It doesnt make any sense for it to continue with expansion plans.


athlone stadium news see cape town discussion
it wil be a 30,000 seater and get a new roof etc...

but who will use it properly?

santos and ajax.

LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC PARK VISION: ( cape town and durban take note!!!)

http://static.flickr.com/19/90706859_3a217a8658_b.jpg

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NEXT STEP: GET A SOUTH AFRICAN IOC MEMBER ONTO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.....DONE!

Election of five new IOC members, one new vice-president and two new members of the Executive Board
The 118th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session today voted to elect five new IOC members, one IOC Vice-President and two Executive Board members.

New IOC members
Beatrice Allen (Gambia), Vice-President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee; Nicole Hoevertsz (Aruba), Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Aruba; HRH Prince Tunku Imran (Malaysia), President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia; Francesco Ricci Bitti (Italy), President of the International Tennis Federation; and Hein Verbruggen (Netherlands), Executive Vice-President of the International Cycling Union, were elected as IOC members. With the election of Beatrice Allen and Nicole Hoevertsz, the number of female IOC members is now 14.
These five new members will serve a mandate of eight years. As of today, the IOC has 115 members.

New IOC Vice-President
Thomas Bach was elected as IOC Vice-President, as James L. Easton came to the end of his mandate as first Vice-President. Thomas Bach was an IOC Vice-President from 2000 to 2004 and he is currently Chairman of the Juridical and Sport and Law Commissions. The four IOC Vice-Presidents are: Gunilla Lindberg, Lambis V. Nikolaou, Chiharu Igaya and Thomas Bach.

Two new Executive Board Members
There was also a vote for the position of two EB members due to the terms of Alpha Ibrahim Diallo and Toni Khoury coming to an end. Mario Pescante and Sam Ramsamy were elected to the EB as members. The EB comprises Gerhard Heiberg, Denis Oswald, Mario Vázquez Raña, Ottavio Cinquanta, Sergey Bubka, Zaiqing Yu, Richard L. Carrión, Ser Miang Ng, Mario Pescante and Sam Ramsamy.

Taking into Account the new Greenpoint Dome as the Olympic Stadium
here is my new venue plan
Existing Sports Venues Sports/Events Total Spectator Capacity Location Upgrade Status

Cape Town International Convention Centre Weighlifting/Fencing 5,000 + 5,000 City Centre None
Newlands Rugby Stadium Football 50,000 Newlands None
Athlone Stadium Football 30,000 Athlone None
Sahara Park Newlands Archery 25,000 Newlands None
Newlands Waterpolo Centre Waterpolo 5,000 Newlands Minimal
Hartleyvale Hockey Centre Hockey 15,000 + 5,000 Observatory New temporary stadium on site
Kenilworth Racecourse Equestrian 20,000 Kenilworth Extensive
Stellenbosch Sports Centre Modern Pentathlon 10,000 + 5,000 + 5,000 Stellenbosch Minimal
Cape Town Olympic Stadium Athletics/Football/Ceremonies 75,000 Green Point Olympic Park None
Good Hope Centre Table Tennis 6,000 City Centre Minimal
Bellville Velodrome Cycling (Track) 6,000 Bellville Minimal
Kings Park Stadium Football 70,000 Durban None
Soccer City Football 94,700 Johannesburg None
Port Elizabeth Stadium Football 40,000 Port Elizabeth None
Mew Way Arena Boxing 10,000 Khayaletsha Minimal
Metropolitan Exhibition Centre Badminton 5,000 None
Coetzenburg Cycle Centre Cycling (Mountain Bike) 4,000 Stellenbosch Minimal
Belhar Sports Centre Judo and Taekwondo 8,000 Belhar Extensive
Phillipi East Sports Centre Basketball (Prelims) 10,000 Phillipi East Extensive
Planned sports venues
Olympic Aquatic Centre Aquatics 15,000 + 5,000 Green Point Olympic Park Permanent
Cape Town Exhibition Centre Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball (Finals), Volleyball 15,000 + 10,000 Culemborg Permanent
Olympic Tennis Centre Tennis 10,000 + 5,000 Green Point Olympic Park Permanent
Additional Sports Venues
Granger Bay Triathlon 10,000 Granger Bay Temporary
Coetzenburg Cycle Centre Cycling (BMX) 4,000 Stellenbosch Temporary
Simon's Town Sailing Centre Sailing 5,000 Simon's Town Naval Base Temporary
Camps Bay Beach Beach Volleyball (Fields 1 and 2) 10,000 + 2,000 Camps Bay Temporary
Olympic Park Arenas Rythmic Gymnastics/ Trampoline/Handball (finals) Arena 1 (10,000) Green Point Olympic Park Permanent
Handball/Wrestling Arena 2 (6,000) Green Point Olympic Park Temporary
Olympic Whitewater Centre, Olympic Park Canoe/Kayak (Slalom) 10,000 Green Point Olympic Park Permanent
Atlantis Olympic Shooting Centre Shooting (stand and field) 3,000 + 3,000 Atlantis Permanent
Zeekoevlei Olympic Regatta Centre Rowing/Canoe-Kayak (flatwater) 20,000 Zeekoevlei Permanent

I doubt London will build that Olympic park as it is in the pictures, too much wasted material, I mean wat they gonna do with the area after the Olympics? Sydney & Greece also had wonderful Artist's impressions similar to these ones, but none were built like the impression's infact they looked no where near it!

But they all turned out magnificent in its own way.

Most impressions & visions just stay that way being "Visions" but never reality.

Iconic MCG to be transformed
27 Feb 06 11:27
The largest temporary stage ever erected, inside the MCG.
The largest temporary stage ever erected, inside the MCG.

With the Opening Ceremony just 16 days away, the MCG is currently transforming on a scale never seen before in Australia.



Come 15 March, 80,000 spectators inside the MCG will witness one of the most exciting creative projects ever staged in the country.



Ceremonies executive producer Andrew Walsh said the centrepiece of the spectacular is the aerial flying system and mammoth stage, believed to be the largest temporary stage ever constructed.



“The stage covers an area in excess of 7,300 square metres and the aerial flying system, when fully loaded, weighs 30 tonnes.”



The Opening and Closing Ceremonies have a combined total of around 5000 cast members.



Approximately 70 volunteer audition sessions were held over a period of five months beginning in August 2005. 800 volunteers have supported activities behind the scenes in areas ranging from make-up to pyrotechnics.



Over 30,000 meals will be served during the rehearsals and stadium installation period, and cast and crew have so far used over 3,500 litres of sunscreen.



Preparations are also underway on the neighbouring Yarra River, which will be the pathway into the MCG leading 71 Commonwealth nations to the breathtaking Opening Ceremony.

IT could be durban someday!!!

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/56828874.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F47001C6AE36B5232CAEC7C8B898F47883EDB

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/56828873.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F47001C6AE36B5232CAECA18E42ADAF31B0FE

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/56828876.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F47001C6AE36B5232CAEC624FA01F1E4CF354

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/56828872.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F47001C6AE36B5232CAECF8EC553BCE56688F

The area around the stadium with the rail tracks reminds me of the durban kings park complex..

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/56828866.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F47001C6AE36B5232CAEC6C997D38637933CE

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Hehe it would be nice if Durbs got an MCG, 100 000 baby!

Hehe it would be nice if Durbs got an MCG, 100 000 baby!
apparently on 80,000 seats will be available during the opening ceremony...i cant wait for all the flying elements..the australians know how to throw an opening ceremony...

our bois in torino...wud have posted it earlier but forgot where i saved it
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/56796294.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=AAAB1D3D22B8F28CB1B69094F8A514E9

In other news

:
(I-Newswire) - In a move that will place Cape Town in the international sporting spotlight, the SA National Archery Championships and All African Archery Championships have been granted world ranking by the international body FITA.
This will be the biggest internationally recognized archery event held on the African continent.
The championships are to be held between the 31 March - 4 April 2006 at the Turfhall Sports Complex in Athlone, Cape Town, the facility built for the 2004 Cape Town Olympic bid.
More than 100 of the countries archers will be competing in the five day event against the continents top archers.
Made possible by the partnership between the City of Cape Town’s sports authorities and the Western Province Archery Association, some 18 African countries have been invited to participate in the games.
FITA, the international governing body of the sport have appointed two international judges and one continental judge to join the South African judges officiating at the event.
Andrew Omalla of Uganda, who has over 10 years experience as a continental judge will be assisting Konrad von Ermelo and David Wallace, one of the highest ranking international judges in archery.
According to Barbara Manning, secretary of the SA Archery Association, "the process to be granted world ranking is a complex one, where facilities and organisational abilities must meet very high international standards"
“This goes a long way in showing the world the sporting capabilities we have, especially in light of the participation of members of the archery section of the South African Society for the Physically Disabled “, she added.
“The world ranking status of the event enables African archers to gain world ranking points without having to travel to an international event with similar status. From these points gained archers are ranked against their counterparts in the rest of the world.
One of the goals of our top archers is to feature on the FITA's world ranking list which consists of the the top 50 archers world wide and the top 3 archers per continent.”, concluded Manning.

SA Reach Big League of the Baseball World

Cape Argus (Cape Town)
NEWS
February 28, 2006
Posted to the web February 28, 2006

By Tom Singer
Phoenix

They stood under a searing afternoon sun and dug their cleats into grass so green, it could've been painted, not grown. Carpenters, plumbers, construction workers. Ball-players.

As they overran Phoenix Municipal Stadium, in their floppy shorts and black socks pulled up to their knees, Paul Rutgers stood at short-stop and called out in a heavy accent: "Welcome to the big leagues".

It's as big as anyone playing baseball in South Africa had ever dared dream.

The World Baseball Classic is already a success. The sceptics and cynics can call it a day. Any event that sits a wide-eyed 19-year-old left-hander from Cape Town on the same bench once occupied by Reggie Jackson is a smash.

If you listened carefully through balls popping into mitts and bats cracking pepper-choppers, you could hear the earth shrivel like a ball of wool thrown into the dryer.

They had arrived here, three-dozen strong. Now they began their crash course in uptown baseball at the Oakland A's spring training camp.

Team South Africa stretched and sprinted and went through the dreaded pitchers-cover-first drill under the all-encompassing eyes of manager Rick Magnante.

"Don't wear your new shoes! Old shoes - we don't want any blisters. Run on the balls of your feet, so the ball doesn't look like it's bouncing!"

"We've got a combination of veterans and young kids with limited experience," says Magnante, who spends most of his time scouting for the A's. "They've never played in a venue like this."

Lee Smith is the pitching coach. Yes, that Lee Smith, the one who saved a Major League record 478 games.

"We got some good young kids," Smith says. "Hope they won't be nervous facing some guys they've only seen in video games."

A century-plus of baseball as a club sport, played by as many as 350 000 in a country of 44 million, brought South Africa to this point - on-site as one of 16 participants in the inaugural WBC.

South Africa have had a taste of international baseball fruits. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, their only victory was over a Netherlands team that would later beat Cuba.

In October 2003, they were the big fish in the little bowl of the All-Africa Games, flattening Nigeria in the gold medal game, 15-0, on a one-hitter by Barry Armitage.

Well, the fishbowl just got a whole lot bigger.

"It'll be awesome," Jason Cook says. "It'll be bigger than the Olympics, because of the quality of the competition."

Cook is a 30-year-old outfielder. He has played on the national team since 1995. A decade of little victories and big defeats has been worth it, because his perseverance has brought him here.

To the first World Baseball Classic. Pool B. United States, Canada, Mexico? Bad News Bears cracks are permissible. Some might consider it an upset if South Africa scores, never mind wins.

Magnante's drills proceed in a hush, his baritone instructions carrying to the warning track and beyond. His squad, the 37 on the provisional roster which will have to be trimmed to 30 by March 2, appears stocked with lithe, quick players with good hands. Defence looms as a team strength.

It will have to be, reasons Magnante. The hitters, though excelling at bat control, have trouble pulling balls or hitting them with power under normal circumstances, much less Roger Clemens circumstances. And the WBC pitch limits will deter a staff that has a couple of aces - Armitage and Carl Michaels - but little depth.

Not giving up too many runs may be too much to wish for. In the seven games of those 2000 Olympics, South Africa were outscored by an aggregate 73-11.

"They're still learning," Smith cautions. "I hope that, if they focus, here they can play up to the level of the competition.

"I hope they don't get too excited, and just relax. Easier said than done."

SA Reach Big League of the Baseball World

Cape Argus (Cape Town)
NEWS
February 28, 2006
Posted to the web February 28, 2006

By Tom Singer
Phoenix

They stood under a searing afternoon sun and dug their cleats into grass so green, it could've been painted, not grown. Carpenters, plumbers, construction workers. Ball-players.

As they overran Phoenix Municipal Stadium, in their floppy shorts and black socks pulled up to their knees, Paul Rutgers stood at short-stop and called out in a heavy accent: "Welcome to the big leagues".

It's as big as anyone playing baseball in South Africa had ever dared dream.

The World Baseball Classic is already a success. The sceptics and cynics can call it a day. Any event that sits a wide-eyed 19-year-old left-hander from Cape Town on the same bench once occupied by Reggie Jackson is a smash.

If you listened carefully through balls popping into mitts and bats cracking pepper-choppers, you could hear the earth shrivel like a ball of wool thrown into the dryer.

They had arrived here, three-dozen strong. Now they began their crash course in uptown baseball at the Oakland A's spring training camp.

Team South Africa stretched and sprinted and went through the dreaded pitchers-cover-first drill under the all-encompassing eyes of manager Rick Magnante.

"Don't wear your new shoes! Old shoes - we don't want any blisters. Run on the balls of your feet, so the ball doesn't look like it's bouncing!"

"We've got a combination of veterans and young kids with limited experience," says Magnante, who spends most of his time scouting for the A's. "They've never played in a venue like this."

Lee Smith is the pitching coach. Yes, that Lee Smith, the one who saved a Major League record 478 games.

"We got some good young kids," Smith says. "Hope they won't be nervous facing some guys they've only seen in video games."

A century-plus of baseball as a club sport, played by as many as 350 000 in a country of 44 million, brought South Africa to this point - on-site as one of 16 participants in the inaugural WBC.

South Africa have had a taste of international baseball fruits. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, their only victory was over a Netherlands team that would later beat Cuba.

In October 2003, they were the big fish in the little bowl of the All-Africa Games, flattening Nigeria in the gold medal game, 15-0, on a one-hitter by Barry Armitage.

Well, the fishbowl just got a whole lot bigger.

"It'll be awesome," Jason Cook says. "It'll be bigger than the Olympics, because of the quality of the competition."

Cook is a 30-year-old outfielder. He has played on the national team since 1995. A decade of little victories and big defeats has been worth it, because his perseverance has brought him here.

To the first World Baseball Classic. Pool B. United States, Canada, Mexico? Bad News Bears cracks are permissible. Some might consider it an upset if South Africa scores, never mind wins.

Magnante's drills proceed in a hush, his baritone instructions carrying to the warning track and beyond. His squad, the 37 on the provisional roster which will have to be trimmed to 30 by March 2, appears stocked with lithe, quick players with good hands. Defence looms as a team strength.

It will have to be, reasons Magnante. The hitters, though excelling at bat control, have trouble pulling balls or hitting them with power under normal circumstances, much less Roger Clemens circumstances. And the WBC pitch limits will deter a staff that has a couple of aces - Armitage and Carl Michaels - but little depth.

Not giving up too many runs may be too much to wish for. In the seven games of those 2000 Olympics, South Africa were outscored by an aggregate 73-11.

"They're still learning," Smith cautions. "I hope that, if they focus, here they can play up to the level of the competition.

"I hope they don't get too excited, and just relax. Easier said than done."

CAPE EPIC 2006 MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE
by Magna Carta | Published 26/2/2006 | News & Events | Unrated

16 600 METRES OF CLIMBING.

Cape Town – The CAPE EPIC is the largest Mountain Bike stage race in the world. The CAPE EPIC, presented by Adidas, will kick off for the third time on 22 April 2006 in Knysna and lead over 1000 mountain bikers from 37 nations through the magnificent scenery of the Western Cape.

Riders will tackle more than 920 grueling kilometers and climb some 16600 vertical metres during the eight stage race that finishes at Spier Wine Estate on 29 April 2006.

Participants ride in 2 person teams and include some of the best mountain bike athletes in the world including Olympic medalists, world champions and overall world cup winners.

The route changes each year, and the 2006 race will visit George, Mossel Bay, Riversdale, Swellendam, Greyton, Hermanus and Franschhoek (Boschendal).

Please see www.cape-epic.com for more information or contact the Cape Epic Race Office at info@cape-epic.com and (021) 426 4373

Hi Mo Rush,

well done on keeping the dream alive.

What are the general timescales for a Cape Town bid, would it be for 2016 etc?

Love to see the baseball news!! So cool!! :D

people actually play baseball in SA?????? i thought it was a sport only played in Psyh Ed.

Mmm baseball, wats that? ............that would be the responce from ur avg farmboy

Just a few months from now, the soccer World Cup kicks off in Cape Town -

- What!?? -

screech SA Blog's legion readers. Particularly those who've already bought their non-refundable plane tickets to Berlin, and paid their hefty accommodation deposits. (And also those who abstained from voting for South Africa during the 2006 World Cup bid process, thus handing the event to Germany, i.e., Charles Dempsey, may his name roast forever in the fiery annals of infamy.)

Well, it's quite true, folks: the World Cup is coming to Cape Town in 2006. The Homeless World Cup, it should at this point further be clarified.

What is the Homeless World Cup?

It's a global poverty-fighting initiative pioneered by the International Network of Streetpapers (INSP), which brings individuals from the world's homeless communities - all of whom earn a living by selling streetpapers like The Big Issue - together for a week of fun, community-building, global-poverty-awareness-raising, and, of course, competitive streetsoccer. The yearly event first kicked off in Graz, Austria, in 2003, and has since visited Gothenburg, Sweden and Edinburgh, Scotland. The champions from those tournaments were, respectively, Austria, Italy, and Italy once again.

* Homeless World Cup Online
* Best site for the other World Cup.

The HWC opens in Cape Town on 23 September 2006, hosted by The Big Issue South Africa. The tournament's vital stats:

* Over 30 countries expected to participate; each continent represented.
* Almost 50 teams competing for top honours (taking into account that many countries have more than one streetpaper).
* Direct benefit for participants: of the 204 HWC players in 2004, 78 have moved into regular jobs, 16 have signed with football clubs or work as coaches, and 95 have improved their housing situations.

To participate in the Homeless World Cup, all you need to do is buy a streetpaper. Vendors make an honest living doing what they do - support one today! Alternatively, donate to the HWC directly, or purchase an item from its online shop.

YCLING
CT wins another cycling race

Fri, 24 Feb 2006

Cape Town Routes Unlimited announced that Cape Town has won the bid to host the 2008 UCI Junior Road and Track World Championships.

According to Cape Town Routes Unlimited’s CEO, Nokhuthula Dube, “To win a bid of this nature is endorsement of the destination’s overall spectacular qualities. Besides having the infrastructure and capability to comfortably stage such an event, we believe that it is the unsurpassed beauty of the province that swayed the UCI’s decision to bring both races to Cape Town.”

The marketing organisation announced in September 2005 that Cape Town also secured the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) ‘B’ World Championships in 2007 which will see 1 400 international cyclists and support teams converge on Cape Town.

The Junior World Championship takes place from July 12-20 2008. The Individual Time Trial takes place at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve close to one of the Cape’s landmark tourist attractions, Cape Point. The individual road race will start and finish outside of the Cape Town Civic Centre and the route includes the historic harbour and the University of Cape Town.

The event will also enable other key attractions and facilities in and around Cape Town to be showcased such as the Bellville Velodrome which has already hosted a plethora of international cycling events like the 2003 UCI Track World Cup. The event is yet another feather in the City’s cap which already boasts the largest timed cycle race in the world, the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour.

Widespread local support for both events also influenced the final decision in favour of Cape Town. Enthusiastic letters of endorsement were received from Cycling South Africa, the Cape Town Partnership, the Premier of the Western Cape, and the City of Cape Town.

“This is a major win for Cape Town and the Western Cape. We have recently demonstrated our ability to host major international maritime- and extreme sporting events, and are pleased therefore to add both the UCI’s races to our event calendar”, said Dube.

According to Alec Lenferna, event director, who submitted that bid to the UCI, “We are excited that from a tourism perspective many of the competitors are supported by their families who travel with them to the event. In 2005, the event was held in Vienna with 49 nations represented and more than 1 800 officially accredited athletes and personnel and figures available suggest that official team hotel bookings alone exceeded €789 000, approximately R6 400 000. This figure is exclusive of any additional spending such as hotel accommodation for supporters; spending in restaurants; retail spending; and pre and post tours, which means that the overall economic impact of the event was considerably higher.”

“Entry is open to those athletes that are under-18 and is for both males and females. These are the champions of tomorrow — the future Tour de France and Elite Road World Champions who will more than likely be riding the streets of Cape Town in 2008,” added Lenferna.

Also planned are cycling clinics and workshops for local cyclists, officials and coaches designed to boost the standard of cycling in South Africa.

homeless world cup...kinda clashes with CT's upmarket image...interesting all the events that are created these days...but will it get crowds? guess its good for ct

homeless world cup...kinda clashes with CT's upmarket image...interesting all the events that are created these days...but will it get crowds? guess its good for ct
Yeh Capetown could do with a bit more homeless ppl, scatter them around the camps bay area. Add some colour to the surroundings.

uhh question, who is gonna find the homeless ppl for this comp. & how are they gonna get to Cape Town for this comp? or are they jus gonna look around the cape town area for homeless ppl to compete? if that is so, then ur'll are cheating, wat about the rest of the homeless ppl all over the country I am sure some of our guys can run faster than ur homeless guys! :runaway:

Team South Africa in the World Baseball Classic.

South Africa faced South Korea, Canada, Mexico and the U.S......today, South Africa lost to the USA 17-0.

I think its great SA has a team, and really hope they do well next year.

PHOENIX (CP) -- Adam Loewen stares forward blankly, and exhales deeply.

The power-throwing left-hander has just been asked what he knows about the South African team he'll be starting against Tuesday in Canada's World Baseball Classic opener and he's drawing a major blank.

"Ummm," he says, buying himself some time to think.

"I know Ernie Els is from there," he says with a smile. "That's about it."

Nice try.

Loewen isn't the only one stumped, as legions of baseball fans across North America are no doubt wondering just what exactly South Africa is doing in a World-Cup style tournament featuring many of baseball's biggest stars.

The cricket-, rugby- and soccer-mad country at the southern tip of Africa boasts exactly one professional ball player -- double-A pitcher Barry Armitage, 26, in the Kansas City Royals system.

Only five other players on its WBC roster have any kind of pro experience, including first baseman Nathan Dempsey, who played with Canadian slugger Jason Bay in the Montreal Expos system. Most are just amateurs, playing games around their day jobs.

Pitcher Gary Maree and catcher Willie Kemp, both 36, are the elder statesmen on a club that features 10 teenagers, four of them just 17, and another five players aged 20-22.

Quite literally the matchup against Canada (Rogers Sportsnet, 6p.m. PST), and the rest of Pool B at the Classic, will pit boys against men.

"The adage I use is of Jack and the Beanstalk, Gulliver and the Lilliputians and David and Goliath," manager Rick Magnante said Monday as his team worked out the Papago Park Baseball Complex.

"All of them apply, there's no doubt about that. But if we can find the magic beans, or if we can zero the stone, then you never know what can happen."

At least Magnante, a longtime Oakland A's scout responsible for the signings of Barry Zito and Bobby Crosby among others, is keeping a sense of humour about things.

He jumped at the job when Major League Baseball offered it to him in October and he has no regrets.

Running his players through basic drills on a hot, overcast day, Magnate's teaching skills are evident, which is why the A's recently named him manager of the single-A Vancouver Canadians.

The South African group has plenty to learn and they'll get some lessons from Loewen and the rest of the Canadians on Tuesday.

Although Loewen will only make his double-A debut this season, most of the South African players will have only seen a pitcher of his calibre on TV.

The highly touted Baltimore Orioles prospect, just 21 himself, throws in the high 90s with a nasty curveball and slider, plus an improving changeup.

Rubber-armed Carl Michaels, who threw 189 pitches in 12-plus innings for South Africa in a 4-3 loss to South Korea at last fall's World Cup, starts against Canada followed by Armitage.

After that the South Africans face a solid Mexican team Wednesday and a star-studded United States club Friday.

"A lot of us are in awe, even myself," said Dempsey, who stands 6-5, 225.

"We got Rogers Clemens I think pitching against us Friday and Canada and Mexico, everyone is going to be in awe against such big names."

© Alberni Valley Times 2006



"Ads By Google"

and we scared those canadians in that match...came close

Giro del Capo set for grandstand finish

March 11 2006 at 05:17PM

By Vata Ngobeni

Cape Town - The fifth and final stage of the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Giro del Capo will be nothing short of a game of Russian roulette on Sunday.

After Saturday's enthralling climb up Signal Hill, which was won by Team Nedbank's David George in a time of 12 minutes and 14 seconds, the overall winner will be determined on Sunday.

Favourites Team Barloworld failed to gain the upper hand on the race after defending champion Tiaan Kannemeyer ended in ninth place and teammate Ryan Cox managed to finish in fifth.

George and Kannemeyer will have to put aside their rivalry
Team Konica Minoltai Peter Velits continued his spectacular form as he retained the overall leader's pink jersey after flying up Signal Hill in 12 minutes and 22 seconds to take second place with Barloworld's Columbian climber Felix Cardenas grabbing the final podium position.

Much talk has been around George and teammate Darren Lill coming against their former teammates Kannemeyer and Cox.



However, with this quartet of riders entrenched in their mini dual, Velits seized the opportunity during stage two when he went on to with the stage.

The 21-year-old Slovakian goes into Sunday's final stage with a slender six-second lead but is well poised to win one of the closest finishes in the 15-year history of this race.

George and Kannemeyer will have to put aside their rivalry if they are to make sure that the title stays in Cape Town.

'We are going to sacrifice everything'
Not natural sprinters, George and Kannemeyer will have to rely heavily on their respective teammates to keep Velits and co in check.

Velits though, has the luxury of sitting back momentarily, making sure that he does not lose sight of the race leaders.

"Everybody has been talking about George and Kannemeyer and who is going to win it between them. Well we have been doing all the hard work and it's paying off because we just came here to race," said Velits' manager, Barry Austin.

"Peter deserves more credit than he is getting now but I guess we will have to wait until the end of the race for his moment to come.i

Velits might just have done enough to give himself and his team their biggest title on home soil yet.

Another dimension though, to the final stage will be that prized glory of winning on the day, which is also the Cycle Tour day in front of thousands of spectators.

For the past few days Team Microsoft's Malcolm Lange has been talking about his team's build-up to Sunday, placing little significance on his first stage Giro win on Wednesday.

"It's coming down to Sunday. We have come here to win that race and winning stage one of the Giro was a bonus," Lange had said earlier in the week.

New boys on the road, Team Colorpress Cyclingnews, also have their eyes set on a podium finish with their 20-year-old sensation Juan van Heerden.

Van Heerden announced his arrival in South African cycling circles with a second place finish in last year's Cape Argus race and his team have promised to throw everything to ensure that Van Heerden goes one better this time around.

"We know that it is going to be tough out there. We just have to keep up with the leaders and make sure that Juan is in place when the sprint comes at the end," said team manager Zoon Cronje.

"Our aim is to go one better than last year and we know we are going to do it. The team have spoken about it and we are going to sacrifice everything to make sure that Juan is there at the end."

Van Heerden's aspirations will be buoyed by his teammate's Shaun Davel gutsy ride during the week with has secured Davel the Most Aggressive rider jersey.

Fighting for confidence ahead of a tough European season will be Team Weisenhof's Steffen Radochla who will be wearing the points leader's blue jersey on Sunday.

"It is important that we go for a win on the last stage as this will give us plenty of confidence going into the European season," Radochla said on Saturday. - Sapa

the cricket world cup might be returning to south africa in 2007 if the windies dont get their act together, it seems they might be doing an athens on us, even though the ICC are carefully confident (meaning shitting in their pants) about the "developmental" progress( meaning nothing is really on time but if we make the workers work 18 hour days im sure we can do it)...the topic was then avoided by talks about how venues need to be "integrated" into the surroundings (meaning shit when is this press conference gonna end...there'll be no integration we just need more time)

all in all windies will be ready one week before the opening of the world cup or we'll see..

Following a recent tour of Sabina Park - host venue for the semi-finals and six first-round matches - the inspectors, including Lockerbie, were "satisfied with progress" being made on the site, albeit work being some weeks behind schedule.

It was also noted, after the tour of Sabina Park, that Guyana and Antigua were on schedule, with Barbados two weeks behind and Grenada five to six weeks off schedule.

However, in giving his remarks on behalf of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Jamaica, chief executive officer, Robert Bryan sided with Lockerbie as well.

"Let me affirm our satisfaction with the progress that has been made," Bryan said. "...It allowed all of us to consolidate the considerable planning, across all nine LOCs," he added.

But while giving reassurance and that there is no need to panic, Bryan called for other challenges that "must" be met, which particularly involves other direct participation of the Caribbean people.

"The region must be involved. The success of it will come from such participation," Bryan said.

The Venue Summit meetings will focus its attention on the integration of stadium planning surrounding various commercial programmes like ticketing and licensing and merchandising.

"With exactly one year to go to warm-up matches, stadium planning for Cricket World Cup is about to reach high gear, as we integrate venue development plans with all the stakeholders who will use the stadiums in 2007," explained Lockerbie.

Lockerbie further said: "There will be a number of integration meetings involving Cricket World Cup departments to ensure we all understand their venue needs and requirements. We will also be finalising overlay planning for each venue as well as getting an update on the Pitch & Field programme."

FEBRUARY 2006!

http://www.guyanastadium.netfirms.com/index_files/image3945.jpg

http://www.guyanastadium.netfirms.com/index_files/image3896.jpg

MARCH 2006 !

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8190/2040/400/3%207%202006%20voc%20copy.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8190/2040/400/3%207%202006%20south%20west%20stand%20copy.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8190/2040/400/3%207%202006%20mound%20copy.jpg



http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8190/2040/400/3%207%202006%20guyana%20providence%20stadium%2051.1.jpg

Thys wins Seoul marathon
12/03/2006 08:48 - (SA)

Seoul, South Korea - South Africa's Gert Thys reclaimed his Seoul International Marathon title on Sunday with his third win in four years.

Thys, last year's runner-up, finished in 2 hours, 10.40 seconds. Two other Africans, Jason Mbote of Kenya and Ethiopias Araya Haregot, overcame the biting cold to come second and third on the zigzagging course.

Thys set the Seoul course record of 2:07.06 in 2004, five months before finishing 16th at the Athens Games. Sunday's time was almost one minute slower than his season-best performance in Oita, Japan, last month (2:09.45), as high winds plagued the course.

In the womens marathon, IAAF world No. 4 road runner Zhou Chunxiu of China set a new course record with a time of 2:19.51 to defending her title. South Korean Lim Kyung-hee failed to close the gap and finished second with 2:34.08

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57063011.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6EDFDD854DCFE3E96EC7C5022FB410D56

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57063016.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6EDFDD854DCFE3E964EF3EA9A178B7582

http://cache.gettyimaghttp://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57063089.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A61B13E29D218FC7C5810F755E003CBEB8

es.com/xc/57063019.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A6EDFDD854DCFE3E96810F755E003CBEB8

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/56413640.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F4700F178C33EFA17396939742E97D93696B7

its been going on for a while now..but ive got the hugest crush on this boi..its quite stupid actually

I said b4! windies are way behind in stadium preparation! it should have been finished by now! World cup cricket in SA 2nd time around? anybody? lets do it better this time!

Japan First Nation To Formally Bid For 2016 Games
Posted 1:46 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

Japan is off and running. It’s the first nation to formally inform the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of its candidacy for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, which will be decided in 2009.

Governor Shintaro Ishihara told the metropolitan assembly as early as last September, “we want to invite the Olympics to the capital Tokyo by any means as a catalyst to break the boxed-in feeling hanging over Japan”.

The assembly adopted a resolution in March to bid for the 2016 Games and set aside $850 million for the 2006-2007 financial year as reserves for a 2016 Olympics.

Ishihara called on the central government to divert resources to support a Tokyo Olympics rather than extending economic aid to China, which has “ostensibly matured as a nation”.

Fukuoka, in the south of Japan, is the only other domestic candidate and is seen as a token rival of Tokyo, which already has such world-class arenas as the Budokan, the Tokyo Dome and the Equestrian Park.

The Japanese Olympic Committee is choosing the Japanese candidate August 30 after receiving bid plans from Tokyo and Fukuoka by June 30.

A panel set up by the Tokyo metropolitan government to advise on an Olympic bid projected “the world’s most compact Games possible with 80 per cent of facilities within a radium of 10 kilometres”.

Kazihiro Goto, an official in charge of Olympic bid preparations said, “what we will need to build is, for example, a main stadium with some 80,000 seats which London plans to build”.

A group of architects and developers advised the redevelopment of two existing 1964 Olympic complexes in the city centre to turn one of them into a 100,000-seat main stadium.

Goto said the media centre or the athletes’ village will be built in an area vacated by the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, which the government is trying to move out of central Tokyo.

Japan’s IOC Vice President Chiharu Igaya said Tokyo’s bid will be difficult if the South Korean resort of PyeongChang wins the 2014 Winter Olympics, because of geographical distribution of the Olympics.

all things considered the culemborg site lends itself to great site for an olympic village....starting a great urben regeneration of the neglected east site of the city centre of cape town

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7551/stad2topvillage15wb.jpg

CAPE TOWN 2004 OLYMPIC BID STADIUM WINGFIELD

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9519/olympicstadium1dy.jpg

Very generic, but nice.

http://rapidshare.de/files/19003037/vr.mov.html

^^ were u dug that up from ?

^^ were u dug that up from ?
the video? was on my laptop for ages...the image? from the bid book itself..

Twenty20 World Championship

South Africa to host inaugural Twenty20

Cricinfo staff

April 30, 2006

Click here for a list of all events awarded by the ICC

South Africa will host the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in September next year, the ICC announced in Dubai. The tournament will feature 12 countries, including all 10 Test-playing countries, in a nine-day event.

"The members of the ICC board have embraced Twenty20 cricket while at the same time managing its growth," said Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive. "South Africa has been an early-adopter of Twenty20 cricket and will be an excellent first venue for the Twenty20 World Championship."

England, who invented the format, will stage it in 2009, and the next event will be in 2012.

can NZ do it?

Auckland's transport will cope for 2011 Rugby World Cup, says ARTA

Posted at 2:28pm on 28 Mar 2006

Rugby fans are being assured Auckland's public transport network will be able to cope during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Auckland Regional Council (ARC) has warned the public transport network will barely be able to cope, because a $700 million funding shortfall means some upgrades will have to be shelved.

But the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) says the city will have enough trains and buses, despite the funding shortfall.

Chief executive, Alan Thompson, says by 2011 the region will have more trains and the double-tracking of the western rail line will be completed.

However, the shortfall means the extra trains will not be new, but will be refurbished secondhand ones.

Council chairman, Mike Lee, says the ARC wants a "world-class" public transport system. He says this means Auckland's public transport network will be "mediocre" by 2011, when the city hosts the Rugby World Cup.
Lions fans late for game after train delay

The city was red-faced during last year's Lions' tour, when hundreds of fans missed the start of a game at Eden Park after their train was held-up.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

USOC 2016 Short List Cities Reaction
Posted 12:08 pm ET (GamesBids.com)

The Bay Area Council has applauded the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) decision for short-listing San Francisco as a candidate in a possible U.S. bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Jim Wunderman, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council representing more than 275 of the region’s largest employers said “the previous 2012 bid provides a strong foundation to prepare us for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Due to strong community support, our experience hosting international sports, and our region’s quantified international appeal, no place better represents the United States on the international sports stage”.

A poll of Bay Area residents for the 2012 bid showed that 88 per cent of registered voters favoured hosting the Olympics Games in the Bay Area.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday, “we are honoured to have been selected as a candidate for the 2016 Games. San Francisco embodies the Olympic ideals of peace, friendship, universality and tolerance”.

The mayor’s office of economic development is looking into some of the logistics of hosting an Olympic Games, including which facilities could be used for the Opening Ceremonies, the track and field events and the Olympic Village, said Jesse Blout, director of the mayor’s office of economic development. The office is also looking into what sort of financial impact hosting the Games would have for the city.

Anne Cribbs, President of the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee (BASOC) said, “BASOC has stayed together. We’ve continued to bid and win events with the idea that we could gain experience for the next time”.

Philadelphia’s Mayor John F. Street said in a statement after the USOC announcement “this certainly is an exciting time to be in Philadelphia”.

Efforts to bring the Olympics to Philadelphia are being led by the Philadelphia 2016 Working Group and the Philadelphia Sports Congress Committee.

Street said, “I believe Philadelphia can host the Olympic Games and I believe the Olympics will come to Philadelphia…. I look forward to a great initial meeting with the USOC and am confident this city will continue to shine on to 2016.

“Philadelphia is the birthplace of democracy in this country and a city founded on the principles of faith, tolerance and brotherly love – values wholly consistent with those of the Olympic Games. As a city we take our sports very seriously. We’re proud of our sports facilities, which distinguish us from other U.S. cities and would serve as the foundation for hosting the Games”.

Meanwhile Joe Torsella, a leader of a small fact-finding group that was assembled last spring said they were looking forward to “welcoming key USOC officials to Philadelphia. After our discussions with the USOC we will make a full announcement about our plans”.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s deputy press secretary said on being told the city was on the USOC short list, “we are looking forward to meeting with the USOC delegation so we better understand the new (bidding) process and the timeline and so we can make an informed decision about whether to move forward with the exploratory process.

Chicago is a world class city, and it is uniquely position to host large-scale international cultural, business and sports events like the Olympics”, he said.

Chicago has been selected as a “Community Partner” - one of four U.S. cities that have agreed to raise money for Olympic-related causes.

Daley has said he believes hosting the Olympics could be a landmark event for Chicago in the same vein as the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the 1933 World’s Fair, which he said “changed the city…the feeling of the city and the perception of the city”, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Barry Sanders, chairman of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games said of Los Angeles’ selection, “two of the most successful Games ever held were in LA. LA is the perfect city for the Olympics, that’s why it kept coming back. There’s no feeling that you can’t host it three times”.

He said the USOC requested a “low-key” meeting for its Los Angeles visit on May 18, one that won’t include a tour of the city. “It’s not necessary at this time. When the time comes, we’ll show every inch of this town”, said Sanders.

What other US cities were interested in bidding?

What other US cities were interested in bidding?
http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/8384/usa20164ac.jpg

SF 2016: "hey jackie darling..seeing that ure like the big kahuna at this IOC Party thing...is it ok if we can like use all the colours of the rainbow in the olympic rings...it wud just be so much more funky dont u think?..like cant we have the gay games at the same time and make it one BIG part-tay? for the poor kids of tomorrow of course..."

L.A 2016: "if i dont win 2016 beed ...ill be back!!"

Houston :...."u got some more of that coke? no not the atlanta games kind..u know the white one...*sniff sniff*...and iiiiiii will always love uuuuu mr president...jake rogers.."

Philly 2016: Prince Albert to Philly 2016 bid team "Where exactly is your city?" Response: "Its near New York..."

Athens syndrome not to be replicated at South African stadiums
Peter MannDelivering a successful major sports event represents a significant challenge for any city.

Meeting this challenge for an event spread throughout the country such as the 2010 soccer World Cup and the challenges, according to PMP Legacy executive chairperson Peter Mann “are multiplied several times over”.

South Africa, unlike Athens (2004 Olympic Games) or Melbourne (2006 Commonwealth Games), will host the 2010 soccer World Cup, through the inspiration of Safa, across the length and breadth of the country, using a large number of new and existing stadiums and training venues. However, questions remain about how one measures the success of a sporting event such as the Olympics or the soccer World Cup? Athens is, by common opinion, a good event and provided 16-plus days of excellent competition followed by an equally exciting Paralympics. Despite an exciting Olympics, Athens is currently left with 14 major sporting venues, which are underused and responsible for almost bankrupting the country in its attempts to pay for this sporting spectacle. “Hardly then a success” explains Mann, “when one considers the enormous costs of the event and the vast ongoing costs of maintaining (or probably not) a host of redundant stadiums and specialist features”. According to Mann, Fifa and Safa are very much aware of the potential problems and are determined that the “Athens syndrome, will not be replicated in any of the stadiums identified as a host venue – whether Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Nelspruit Metro or any other potential cities and venues under consideration. According to Mann, CEO of the Organising Committee Danny Jordaan has gone on record as saying that every facility development (whether stadium, training complex or support amenity) must be sustainable in the long term.

In addition, Jordaan strongly emphasised the use of South African expertise and resources in sporting infrastructure and other aspects. The South African contribution, according to Jordaan, should be delivered using no less than “90% of local expertise and resources”. Mann agrees, “Because, if the host country’s economy does not benefit considerably from taking on the challenge of a major sports event, you do away with one of the main driving factors behind the decision to bid in the first place”.

According to Mann, the remaining 10% used to deliver sporting infrastructure and other aspects of the event should be used to ensure “knowledge and skill exchange from leading international experts to ensure 2010 lives long in the memory of every stakeholder whether they are participants, spectators or visitors to South Africa.” Organising the 2010 soccer World Cup will be a real challenge, but one that Mann believes both Safa and the local organising committee have shown they are equal to.

However, organising a major sporting event is only half the challenge, as the Athens example illustrates. The planning for ensuring sustainable benefits from the event, long after it has passed, represents and even larger challenge with far-reaching implications for a country’s economy in the long term.

The planning and process for ensuring these benefits is referred to by Mann as “a parallel legacy that runs in tandem with the event”.

According to Mann, “legacy” is defined as “ensuring that as many sustainable benefits as possible are generated by the event for the host country, cities, all communities and stakeholders, before, during and after the event has taken place”.

The process can only be achieved if “effective legacy planning and implementation are put in place and these potential benefits are identified and targeted within a clear time-frame”, says Mann. The benefits, as explained by Mann, are numerous and wide-ranging: • social and physical city area and township regeneration; • enhanced sport and community facilities with clearly-defined usage long after the event; • major economic upliftment – including temporary and permanent employment; • improved transport infrastructure; • an enhanced tourism product; and • hardest of all, perhaps, is delivering new and redeveloped stadiums that are sustainable in the long term.

WSP South Africa has brought together a team of professionals able to tackle the event legacy challenge and, particularly, the issue of sustain- able stadiums.

WSP has gained extensive experience during delivery of over 130 major sports and leisure venues throughout the world.

These venues have been built on every continent and have been used for sports and leisure events at the highest levels. This experience has allowed WSP to develop an understanding of the issues and opportunities in hosting a world cup event.

In addition, WSP recognised the need for a unique combination of professional skills to accompany new or refurbished stadiums. These include robust stadium-design experience, technical and engineering expertise and stadium business-planning expertise and specialist ‘legacy’ planners to ensure that all the elements are brought together in a comprehensive plan. WSP South Africa MD Andrew Mather explains, “South Africa has a huge opportunity with the 2010 soccer World Cup. If the appropriate ‘legacy’ planning is carried out for all the new stadiums, then this opportunity will be realised. However, failure to properly address the social, commercial and sustain- ability issues, could turn this oppor-tunity into a liability for the country.” The WSP team for 2010 Metro developments is comprised of leading South African companies, and presents a solution which comprises significant broad-based black economic empowerment, experienced South African consultancies and international experts in sporting infrastructure. WSP looked worldwide to find a suitable company to join its team and provide the sustainable staid package and further legacy experience. Its global search resulted in the selection of PMP Legacy, of London, to assist.

PMP Legacy is actively carrying out similar business planning and legacy work for major sporting events.

After several visits to South Africa, PMP Legacy decided “that the country might benefit from skills transfer and knowledge exchange in their specialist areas of business planning and legacy”, says Mann.

The joining of WSP to PMP Legacy’s development team cemented this view.

“PMP South Africa will ensure that the company adheres to its own philosophy on legacy by becoming a local employment generator in the years ahead and beyond 2010,” concludes Mann.

Posted on Wed, May. 10, 2006


Bob Ford | Olympic dreams no match for reality

By Bob Ford
Inquirer Columnist

A United States Olympic Committee delegation led by board chairman Peter Ueberroth was here yesterday to meet with Mayor Street and others who think bidding to land the 2016 Summer Games for Philadelphia is a neat idea.

Ueberroth's mission was twofold. The USOC wants to be polite to a city that expresses sincere interest, and it wants to chase away those in which civic boosterism has clouded good sense.

Aside from bringing a willingness to listen, Ueberroth brought along a large bucket of cold reality. He brought the facts and figures on how much it costs just to bid for the Games, in the competition among U.S. cities to gain the USOC blessing and then in the larger competition among international bidders that is decided by the imperious International Olympic Committee.

Actually, getting the Olympics is such a huge long shot that the problems and headaches associated with that potentially Pyrrhic victory aren't even worth talking about.

So, for now, we're just talking about the bid.

"We're going to be very, very direct and factual when we tell them the difficulties about a bid," Ueberroth said before beginning his cold-water tour of Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. "We try to give them... all the positive and negative implications in a competition that has only one worldwide winner and is very, very difficult to win."

With the understanding that well-meaning, decent people already have put time and effort into exploring the Olympic possibility in Philadelphia, there is only one bit of advice to add at this juncture:

Run away.

As fast as your community-spirited legs can carry you.

Get us out before another dollar is wasted.

New York City spent $50 million on the bidding process leading up to last year's selection of the 2012 site for the Games. New York emerged as the official U.S. bid city but finished fourth of five in the IOC voting, won by London.

The process has been streamlined this time around, so interested cities won't have to invest as heavily. But no one knows how much less. Part of the streamlining was the decision to make preliminary visits such as the one here yesterday. There were no tours of the city, no marching bands at the airport, no expensive dinners. Just the hard facts.

Here are some of the hard facts. The USOC isn't going to select a city in which there isn't a proven partnership between a smoothly functioning municipal government and a got-your-back state government. Think we have that here? Think major funding from Harrisburg is a certainty - even with the support of Gov. Rendell?

The USOC also will require that bidding cities, with no quibbling whatsoever, already have an Olympic-quality track-and-field stadium for the Games or have the construction of one completely funded when the U.S. nominee is selected next year.

Forget some fanciful renovation of Franklin Field. We're talking about a new stadium that could cost as much as $1 billion. Think the approval and financing for that can be in place in 12 months?

The USOC also will look favorably on a city with a history of making budget on its building projects, and without a history of labor hassles and cost overruns. Yeah, that sounds like us.

There are also political realities associated with the bidding process that have nothing to do with Philadelphia, but that make this bid even less likely.

The USOC, which hasn't even said it will nominate a city for 2016, is looking for a safe, defendable choice if it does. The IOC is very intent on taking the Summer Games soon to South America and Africa, two continents that have never hosted the event. By all indications, a city on each continent will be ready to win the bids for 2020 (Rio de Janeiro) and 2024 (Cape Town).

That means the 2016 Olympics could be the last Games up for grabs until 2028. So all the heavy hitters are coming out. Bids are expected from Rome, Tokyo and Madrid, among others. If the USOC even decides to get into the scrap, it will need a slam-dunk candidate, not a city that might pull things off but has major issues. Like it or not, Philadelphia falls into the latter category.

Pursuing an Olympic bid sounds terrific. It will employ a lot of consultants and make for nifty billboards. It also will cost money the city doesn't have, money that shouldn't be wasted.

It's fine to dream, but you have to wake up at some point.

Now would be a very good time.

Bob Ford |

Possible Beijing 2008 Torch relay




1. Athens (1896, 2004)
2. Rome (1960)
3. Barcelona (1992)
4. Lausanne (IOC headquarters)
5. Paris (1900, 1924)
6. London (1908, 1948, 2012)
7. Brussels (EU headquarters)
8. Antwerp (1920)
9. Amsterdam (1928)
10. Munich (1972)
11. Berlin (1936)
12. Stockholm (1912)
13. Helsinki (1952)
14. Moscow (1980)
15. Cairo (as 1st African stop)
16. Cape Town (as 2nd African stop)
17. New York (UN headquarters)
18. Montreal (1976)
19. Atlanta (1996)
20. St. Louis (1904)
21. Los Angeles (1932, 1984)
22. Mexico City (1968)
23. Rio de Janeiro (as 1st South American stop)
24. Buenos Aires (as 2nd South American stop)
25. Sydney (2000)
26. Melbourne (1956)
27. Tokyo (1964)
28. Seoul (1988)

talking to urself again?

talking to urself again?
Well he has made 390 posts in this thread.

2014 Winter Olympic Bid

The IOC has just announced the shortlist:

1. Sochi, Russia
2. Salzburg, Austria
3. Pyeong Chang, Korea

Durban to bid for 2016 Olympics
22/06/2006 08:04 - (SA)


Durban - Durban is being touted as the next city to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

Launching the city's Durban Beach Africa beach festival on Wednesday evening, the city's deputy mayor, Logie Naidoo, said: "We believe that the 2016 Olympic Games should come to Durban. Cape Town has had its chance. It's time for Durban to bid for this biggest of events."

No decision has, however, been made by the city's executive council, he said.

He cited Durban's facilities and the recent announcement that a R1.6bn stadium is to be built next to the Sharks' rugby stadium in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

"2010 will be an important year, but we have always said 2010 and beyond."

Speaking after the press launch of the festival, Naidoo said that if Durban did make a bid for the Olympic Games, it stood a very good chance with South African and former National Olympic Committee president Sam Ramsamy being a member of the executive board of the International Olympic Committee.

Ramsamy hails from Durban.

The 2012 Olympics are to be held in London.

Cape Town had bid to stage the 2004 Olympics but lost out to the eventual winner Athens.

I thought this was a "Cape Town Olympic Thread" ?

I thought this was a "Cape Town Olympic Thread" ?
Ill request it be altered to Mo Rush Olympic Thread. Hopefully durbans intentions will spark a national competition.

Ah, I meant to post it in this Thread, but couldnt find it :)

Since Mo is away I thought I'd contribute...

Two Japanese cities have submitted rival bids to the host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Tokyo - Japan's Olympic Committee has announced that Tokyo and the south-eastern city of Fukuoka have submitted rival bids to the host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The committee will announce on August 30 which city will win its backing as Japan's official bid.
Tokyo, which hosted the Summer Games in 1964, is billing itself as the "compact" choice, promising to provide facilities for 26 of 28 games within a 10km of downtown.
Fukuoka, the biggest city on Japan's south-eastern island of Kyushu, is planning to centre its Olympic facilities at three sites around town.
Brazil, Spain, the United States and India are, along with Japan, among the potential host nations for the Games.
The International Olympic Committee will make the final selection in July 2009.

News24/SAPA

Since Mo is away I thought I'd contribute...

Two Japanese cities have submitted rival bids to the host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Tokyo - Japan's Olympic Committee has announced that Tokyo and the south-eastern city of Fukuoka have submitted rival bids to the host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The committee will announce on August 30 which city will win its backing as Japan's official bid.
Tokyo, which hosted the Summer Games in 1964, is billing itself as the "compact" choice, promising to provide facilities for 26 of 28 games within a 10km of downtown.
Fukuoka, the biggest city on Japan's south-eastern island of Kyushu, is planning to centre its Olympic facilities at three sites around town.
Brazil, Spain, the United States and India are, along with Japan, among the potential host nations for the Games.
The International Olympic Committee will make the final selection in July 2009.

News24/SAPA
thanks dude...in durbs now. and have full internet access here.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Madrid To Bid For 2016 Summer Olympics
Posted 11:15 am ET (GamesBids.com)

According to media reports Madrid, who failed in its bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, will announce Thursday that it will bid for the 2016 Summer Games.

Madrid’s announcement July 6 coincides with the date last year the city learned it had lost the 2012 bid to London.

Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, Mayor of Madrid, will make the announcement. He said despite the fact London was chosen to host the 2012 Games, “the Olympic spirit continues in our city”.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said this year that European cities would still have a chance to host the 2016 Games. “If a bid is strong enough, the idea of rotating the Games between continents will not come into play”.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Tokyo, Fukuoka – Two Distinct 2016 Olympic Bids
Posted 8:43 am ET (GamesBids.com)

Tokyo and Fukuoka unveiled their bid plans Friday with both cities hoping to represent Japan in its bid to become the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reports that the two bids showed contrasting approaches in design.

Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara said, “ours is a plan that makes the most of Tokyo’s size and will have more international clout”, while Fukuoka Mayor Kotaro Yamazaki called his city’s plan “far more intimate and compact than Tokyo and should be a base of friendly exchange within Asia”.

According to the newspaper Tokyo’s bid includes twenty-six venues located within a 10-kilometre radius of the city centre. The plan shows that travel time from the Athletes’ Village to any venue will take only up to 20 minutes because of a special Olympic lane on the metropolitan expressway.

The estimated operational cost is 294.3 billion yen, and venue construction will be 495.6 billion yen, of which 4.53 billion yen will be paid for by Tokyo.

The central government will build the main stadium, while the Athletes’ Village and the Media Centre are to be built with private funds.

There will be accommodation for about 120,000 people within the 10-kilometre area.

As for security, in addition to about 45,000 Metropolitan Police Department officers many private security guards can be mobilized.

Following the Games the Athletes’ Village will be turned into private condominiums, and the Media Centre will be used as a conference venue and leased as offices. The metropolitan government will also attract private firms to build facilities around the main venue which it hopes will form a town around a stadium that will become a base for the sports industry, reports The Yomiuri Shimbun.

The newspaper says the biggest attraction of Fukuoka’s plan is Tenjim Marine Messe Cluster – the main Olympic venue complex of the Athletes Village, 12 venues, and the media centre. Sixty per cent of athletes would be able to travel to each venue in five minutes.

Other venues are concentrated in two areas connected by expressways, which the newspaper says will make it easy for athletes to travel to each venue. There should be “efficient security” because of the concentration of the facilities and the locations of the venues that are facing the sea, said the newspaper.

Travel time to the main venue complex would take eight minutes from Fukuoka Airport and six minutes from JR Hakata Station.

According to the newspaper the estimated operational cost is 285 billion yen, and facility and infrastructure improvements costs are estimated at 486.4 billion yen of which the city will fund 97 billion yen.

Under the plan the Athletes’ Village will use a temperature control system making the most use of the natural environment in and around Hakata Bay.

Accommodation for guests other than the athletes is considered insufficient.

The main stadium will be built with moveable seating which will be scaled down once the Games are over.

The facilities, which would be located along the 12-kilometre-long Umino-Nakamichi sandbank, will be used as an athletes’ training centre once the Games are over.

Material used in temporary facilities will be offered to developing countries through the United Nations, reports the newspaper.

The Japanese Olympic Committee’s (JOC) Olympic host candidate assessment committee will visit Fukuoka July 24 and 25 and Tokyo July 30 and 31 to inspect the two bids. On August 17 the committee will submit a report to the JOC’s selection committee.

Delegations from 29 sports federations and the Japan Sports Association for the Disabled will also be inspecting the two candidate cities from last Saturday until July 19.

Fifty-five people, including JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda and representatives of relevant sports federations, will vote August 30 on who will be Japan’s candidate for the 2016 Summer Games based on assessment reports and speeches made by representatives of both candidate cities.

Please start the next part if the thread crosses 500 posts