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Now that Brisbane 2032 has it’s own sub-forum, it’s probably time to start populating it by moving some discussions to dedicated threads. So let’s start with the possible/probable centrepiece of the games - the Gabba. While it’s still expected to be the main games aand ceremonies stadium, and it seemed all sewn up, at the present, it’s status is not totally secure:

Adidas presents to us its new 2023 Women's World Cup Official Game Ball--introducing the Oceaunz (with a nod to Australia's AU and New Zealand's NZ at the end obviously). From Sportslogos.net: "Covering its white pearlescent base is a pattern of blue and green shapes “inspired by the unique Australasian landscape, with visuals nodding to the vast mountains of New Zealand and Australia’s connection with the Indian Ocean." Co-designed by indigenious artists (Aboriginal artist Chern’ee Sutton for the Australian patterns while those representing New Zealand created by Māori artist Fiona Colliswith cultural markings. Both also created the 2023 WWC logo.) Good looking ball--with connected ball technology of course: At the Sydney Harbour Somewhere in New Zealand (don't know exactly where) https://news.sportslogos.net/2023/01/24/adidas-unveils-match-ball-for-2023-womens-world-cup/soccer/

I have to confess, I do get a bit of schadenfreude watching the debacle Bach ravels himself into - maybe he’ll retire early to foist the mess onto his successor. But it’s so typically Bach to play the fence sitter and still manage to piss off everyone in the process. He provokes the west into publically labelling him Russia’s pet, while his Moscow mates still accuse him of being a NATO puppet. Just let your balls drop Thomas, and you might actually be able to leave the job with some semblance of a legacy. Meanwhile, it’s the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) who are emerging as the rogue mavericks of the Olympic movement. It’s them (and the AFC in football) that are playing kissy-kissy with Vlad now he’s found himself with no friends in Europe bar Lukashenkostan. And that shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s stuffed full of potential mates - China, Iran, the Stans - even Saudi Arabia, the “ally” the West is embarrassed to acknowledge and which only pays lip service to the West because it hates Iran more. And cash counts in the OCA - surely the only continental Olympic council where petro dollars can buy the Winter Asiad for the world’s most pre-eminent hot desert fiefdom. I’m glad Oz and NZ seem to have deleted the OCA off its Tinder contacts.