Sir Rols

I think Gianni’s calls finally got through… Donald Trump says it would be a ‘terrible mistake’ to replace Fifa’s Gianni Infantino

I really thought Infantino would slime his way through all this and come out the other side still in charge and impervious. But it really does look like the lines are being drawn and a civil war and split may just actually happen. I’m stocking up on the popcorn 🍿

I didn’t realise (or had forgotten) that Rome was also bidding (according to ITG https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/rome-and-london-lead-race-for-2029-world-athletics-championships) My thoughts…. Sentimentally: 1 Nairobi, 2 Munich, 3 London, ? Rome Realistically: 1 London, 2 Munich, ? Rome, …….. daylight……… Nairobi

And good to see he’s learned humility: “As previously communicated, the FFE proposal, which would have been subject to the approval of the Fifa member associations and the Fifa council, is now off the table. With the project withdrawn, it was agreed that Fifa will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.“

He’s fighting on… Fifa insists Gianni Infantino will remain president after Rabat crisis meeting

I agree with that. Haven’t seen the Glasgow performance so I can’t comment, but I do have some respect for her. She works hard, writes a lot of her own material and is one of the few Aussie artists than can aspire to fill a stadium tour. She’s filled a gap that Farnsey left as our national troubadour. That said, and harking back to my diatribe earlier in this thread about (usually female) artistes taking popular upbeat songs and turning them into slow, tortured ballads to showcase their “serious” artistic sensibilities and vocal range, under NO circumstances should she be allowed to perform this travesty at Brisbane 2032. Why Colin Hayes agreed to participate in this abortion is beyond me…

For all the CGF hailing this as a model for future games, they really only accepted it out of necessity. In the future, they’ll likely only accept such a trimmed down mini-games if they had no other choice and have to go begging again. In the meantime, they’ll be quite happy to approve the likes of Amdavad flexing their capabilities. Yeah, it would be good to see Canada show some interest again. The other Victoria in 1994 was a nicely scaled event that would be a good example for today’s realities facing the CGF. Personally though, I’d like to see them sign-up an African games before 2030 in India scares them off again. It’s about time. Doesn’t seem like South Africa’s interested (or would be trusted) but either Nigeria or (my personal favourite) the combined Kenya-Uganda-Rwandan-Tanzania idea would be nice IMO. Who wouldn’t want to see Kenya finally host a major athletics meet?

It’d be great to be a fly on Gianni’s wall at the moment. It would be so sweet if this was the most spectacular own goal in football history and this was the beginning of the end for him. But… he’s like a vampire. I don’t know if he can be killed. I suspect he still has too many FAs stuffed in his pocket

Now it’s official: Fifa scraps proposal to sell off stakes in World Cup after widespread backlash

Of course it was railroaded - Infantino rigged the whole timetable for Saudi. Considering a centennial three opening matches in 2030 counts as South America’s “turn” taken, Oz is certainly forbidden territory for 38, NZ or not. Even with the Kiwi’s, a 64 team tournament is likely still beyond us. Besides, our focus has been more on teaming up with South East Asia for a joint bid.

Ask, and he shall receive… Fifa ‘undermining the very foundations of football’, says AFC as Uefa talks loom

It actually wasn’t looking too bad. They were going through the process and timetable outlined by the IOC, had most local stakeholders on board and it was widely expected they were going to get the government guarantees requested in the time frame requested. But then France gave those guarantees early at a dinner at the Élysée Palace between Bach and Macron, and the IOC then promptly closed the whole process precipitously and gave it to France on the basis of a wink and a handshake. It would likely stand a much better chance now Bach has gone - his antipathy and sour grapes to the Nordics was well known. But really it’s all academic te: a future bid - with Switzerland (which had a more problematic bid than Sweden’s) locked in for 2038, and 2042 likely to look beyond Europe, 2046 is the earliest it might have a chance again - and that’s a bit too far to make any sort of prediction. Anything could happen politically, or indeed with the global warming.

Well, that explains a lot. I’m not sure how far her “fame” has spread overseas, but for those who don’t know her, Gina Rinehart is an odious piece of sh!t - Australia’s richest person who aspires to be our own Elon Musk. She funds the extreme right wing One Nation party. She also pours tremendous amounts of cash here into sportwashing - but expects a return for her largesse. She gives millions to our swimmers, for example (but not through the Olympic committee or official channels but as individual “gifts”). In return, she sicked the swimmers on to complain on her behalf, for example, when the National Gallery displayed a portrait of her she considered unflattering. Conversely, she used to fund Netball Australia, but dropped it like a hot potato when one indigenous netballer had the temerity to refuse to wear a uniform emblazoned with her mining company logo over its past dismal record on indigenous rights. Gina is a blight on our national life and a dangerous threat to our democracy. Her sports funding is self aggrandising and sinister in its motives. She should NOT be allowed to have any influence on the Brisbane Olympics.

Another interesting update from Duncan Mackay: Africa calls for award of 2034 Commonwealth Games, but told will not receive special treatment For those who can’t read it all, basically it re-iterates that Nigeria’s definitely bidding, and is calling for 2034 to be reserved for Africa. CGF sports President Rukare say’s they can’t make any promises, but are open to bids from Africa. He mentions another idea being floated… “… One popular idea is a coalition of countries in East Africa, with Kenya staging athletics and rugby sevens, Uganda swimming, Rwanda cycling and 3x3 basketball and Tanzania boxing. “We saw it during the World Cup when the United States, Mexico and Canada put together a bid,” said Rukare. “It’s similar to the 2030 World Cup when Spain, Portugal and Morocco, along with Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. It’s a very interesting idea. “We want to be as flexible as possible but, at the same time, retain the essence of the Games and of the athletes having a truly good experience. “All the cards are still on the table.” …”

Think of it this way - they‘re not building a stadium, they‘re building a housing complex that will have a temporary stadium overlay during it‘s construction

I felt I should watch it considering it seemed to get good reviews on here. I regretted it. Oh, I just realised that’s the band. The song was Tubthumping. Didn’t realise they were Mancunian. Just know it as that annoyingly catchy ear worm from the 90s. The CGF didn’t dump them as much as the South African government pulled the plug. If they had stayed the distance, I expect COVID would have forced Durban 2022 to be postponed to this year, just as the Dakar YOGs were (when’s that starting, by the way?). Would have made an interesting year for African hostings - Durban and Dakar. Would have fuelled a bit of “when will Africa get the Oly Summer Games” speculations here.

The scale didn’t bother me - it was what it was and did pretty well with limited resources. Though it was noticeable that the projections and pre-recorded stuff (which was pretty good) overshadowed anything which was live on stage (which was pretty unimpressive). it was more the tone for me. Take the I Would Walk 500 Miles number. Now it was actually quite a nice arrangement, but hardly a banger. Such a boppy song in the original, but a bit of a downer as used here. As I mentioned, even the bopping highlight, Yes Sir I Can Boogie, didn’t really lift the house. Fair enough to be solemn, but I do think these ceremonies need some rousing moments too. I missed that, and the Brits usually do that so well. Speaking of downbeat versions of songs - it’s a bit of a bugbear for me that so many artist/singers feel the need so often to take upbeat jumping tunes and turn them into slow, soulful ballads. And I’m looking at you Mariah with your Volare. Can’t wait to see some chanteuse turn Chumbawumba into some reflective slow dirge.

The tenders sure look interesting

Finally got around to watching the OC, so might as well throw my two cents worth in. Well, that was… modest. And strangely subdued. It started off promising with the Tardis. And the parade was the pace and length you’d hope or wish the Olympic parade would be. But I never felt any real energy after. Even the boogie was weirdly flat to me. I guess I expected more after the generally positive reception on here. I know it was a pared back ceremony for a pared back games, but I was expecting more whimsy and something more upbeat. Sorry, I was primed to be positive and like it - the Brits usually have the ceremony format down pat - but I just didn’t feel it this time.

Simple Minds, eh? One of the few reasons I might watch

Nobody’s mentioned this? It would at least get him out of FIFA Trump ‘backing Gianni Infantino for UN boss

Don’t get me wrong. I expect Brisbane will put on a good games (I have a bit of a worry that the ceremonies will come off as “homey”, but we’ll see), and likely at least once LA28 is done the real anticipation will build and it’’ll be embraced by Oz when the show’s on. Just now, and certainly personally, it’s a very dull and uninspiring lead up compared to the once of a lifetime thrill of the Sydney trip. And while compelling iconic host cities are part of the appeal of an Olympics, I’m open to see smaller aspiring locales have their moments. The likes of Seoul and Barcelona weren’t exactly global alphas or icons when they had their moments in the sun. I think what I’m most disappointed in with Brisbane is that they’ve abandoned their original pitch and selling point that did give them a good case - that they would be an example of how a smaller city could stage a sustainable regional games with most facilities existing (90 per cent plus venues in place) and minimal new builds. Instead, through stuffing around and Queensland parochial hubris we now have the usual extravagant spendfest the IOC has been at pains lately to avoid. Anyway, sorry for the off topic. It’s just few of us dare poke the bear in the Brisbane threads. I see the new “King of the North” PM has already renewed a bit of speculation about a North England bid. From Duncan Mackay: Burnham appointment as UK Prime Minister strengthens chance of North of England Olympic bid

That’s not particularly novel, though. So far, more than half of WC finals - 12 matches- have been Europe v South America affairs, versus only two all South American match-ups and nine all Europe match-ups. Only three this century, 2006, 2010 and 2018, haven’t been north v South match-ups. I’m more disappointed we still haven’t had a breakthrough from Asia, Africa or North America. There’s been a precious few times they’ve made the semis, but this time only one, Morocco, even made it as far as the quarter finals before being turfed out. That’s the real final frontier I’d love to see broken before I shuffle off.

I’ve been trying in my mind to rate this edition against Qatar’s. And I was very scathing of 2022 at the time - the obscene cost, the death toll of migrant workers, the human rights questions et all - but at least I can’t recall it so polluting the conduct of the sport itself (apart from the big elephant in the room of it’s schedule turning it into a pre-Christmas pageant). Maybe I’ve forgotten something (yes, I do recall the usual outcries about ref decisions and conspiracy theories of certain teams *cough* Argentina * cough* being favoured, but that’s part and parcel of every World Cup). But 2026 seemed to have risen to a whole new level of the sport itself being compromised by political corruption and sheer commercial greed. The issues that arose have been discussed here at length. It’s really very, very concerning, but we all know Infantino will just brush it all off and continue on his shameless way. But then I’m mindful of posts like @Bear’s excellent one above, and how such events can still bring joy and rally communities. It reminded me of Oz during our 2023 Women’s World Cup (or indeed Sydney 2000). The sport itself can still bring us joy and rise above troubling political questions. I’m no football purist or fanatic- I’ve said before I’m a once-every-four-years fan, maybe twice every four years now the Matilda’s have risen in national esteem - and I missed almost the entire group stage through travelling, but I still managed to get some real thrills from some of the matches I did watch. Cape Verde versus Argentina and the third/fourth place playoff will linger in my memory. Even hissing villains like Paraguay, post-Trump’s intervention USA and, at the end, Argentina, had its moments. It’s such a personal balancing act, isn’t it? Appreciating the sports snd athletes while trying to keep in perspective the political and social currents and issues around them. Sigh… I’ll just say again, I just pray Coventry shows more backbone than Infantino over the next two years.

That’s how I feel about Brisbane as well. The sheer sugar rush of Sydney was a lot to do that it was a once in a lifetime thing. Hosting again so soon just doesn’t raise the same level of excitement. And I think that’s widely true of the country as well. It’s just not engendering the same level of impending anticipation that the seven years up to 2000 delivered in Australia. Not to say I won’t take the win, but I can’t muster the same gung-ho “this is going to be the highlight of our lives” spirit. You guys really are just soooo overdue a World Cup, but we know Gianni will pull every little trick in his book to try and frustrate that. It’d be nice if Oz had such another event beyond the Olympics to pine for. Yeah, we could aim for a World Cup too, but let’s face it, we’re not even really second string football royalty in terms of deserving it. Plus the political machinations of the Asian confederacy are on par with FIFA itself.