Rio Olympic Sports an Events

[gotosy]

ICF Clarifies Position on Women’s Canoe Category and Gender Equity

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) would like to clarify its position on the Women’s Canoe category, in light of the incorrect conclusions drawn from the ICF Congress held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

At the Congress ICF President Jose Perurena reported that the IOC would not be increasing Canoeing’s quota at the next Olympic Games in Rio. This means that the same number (330) of Canoeing athletes that participated at the London Games will compete in Rio.

At no point during his report to the Congress did the President or any representative of the ICF, say that Women’s Canoe will not be included in Rio 2016. On the contrary the President informed Congress that he would continue to have discussions with the IOC about the inclusion of Women’s Canoe in the Canoe Slalom Olympic Prorgamme in 2016.

The ICF is in the process of recruiting two Technical Directors for Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom respectively and they will be responsible for developing and monitoring the programme. The ICF is working to develop the Women’s Canoe Category Programme in 3 steps: the first was the inclusion of the Women’s Canoe category in both Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. The second step is to conduct Training Camps every year in Sprint and Slalom to increase the level of performance at Junior & U23 World Championships and at Senior World Championships. The final stage is to include the Women’s Canoe category at the Olympic Games.

Discussions underway to include Women's C1 (Canoe Slalom) at Rio 2016

The ICF would like to point out that on a global scale, few National Federations are developing the Women’s Canoe category in the Canoe Sprint discipline whereas much progress is being made in the development of the Women’s Canoe category in Canoe Slalom.

“The goal remains to have an equal number of women and men’s medals at the 2020 and/or 2024 Olympic Games, but progress is made in stages and the ICF is taking the necessary steps to close the gap between male and female participation in the sport, not only at an elite level but also at a development level," said the President who was re-elected last Saturday for another four years. "In the next Congress in 2014 in Warsaw, we will set the programme for 2020 and/or 2024 and this is a plan that all the National Federations unanimously approved."

“We have to look at where we were 5 years ago, to see that women in Canoeing are in a stronger position now. There are more women in leadership positions on every Continent, not just in North America and Europe, and a lot of progress has been made also in terms of participation at competitions.

“The IOC accepted the ICF’s proposal to include a Women’s Canoe Category at the next Youth Olympic Games in both the Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom competitions, and we still endeavour to have Women’s Canoe in the Slalom prorgamme in Rio. Even at London 2012 we added a new women’s event in Canoe Sprint - the K1 200m.

“It is good that people are mindful of gender equity in our sport, but it is equally important that people acknowledge the progress that has been made, and even though they wish it could all happen faster, or happen all at once, they have to recognize that Rome wasn’t built in one day.”

...

ICF

[gotosy]

Tennis considers minor rule changes for Rio 2016

ROME (AP) -Tennis officials are considering adding third-set tiebreakers at the next Olympics after some marathon matches in London this year.

Also, bronze-medal matches could be eliminated to lighten the loads of players entered in multiple events.

On the sidelines of a European Olympic Committees meeting, ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti tells The Associated Press that the matches this year were "very balanced and very long and that ruins the scheduling somewhat.''

For example, Roger Federer beat Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 7-6 (5), 19-17 in the London semifinals, and was then soundly beaten by Andy Murray in straight sets in the gold-medal match.

If bronze-medal matches are eliminated, it would mark a return to handing out two bronzes for each of the semifinal losers, as happened at the 1988 Seoul Games.

AP

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/wires/12/07/2070.ap.ten.oly.rule.changes/

[Fox334]

Tennis considers minor rule changes for Rio 2016

ROME (AP) -Tennis officials are considering adding third-set tiebreakers at the next Olympics after some marathon matches in London this year.

Also, bronze-medal matches could be eliminated to lighten the loads of players entered in multiple events.

On the sidelines of a European Olympic Committees meeting, ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti tells The Associated Press that the matches this year were "very balanced and very long and that ruins the scheduling somewhat.''

For example, Roger Federer beat Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 7-6 (5), 19-17 in the London semifinals, and was then soundly beaten by Andy Murray in straight sets in the gold-medal match.

If bronze-medal matches are eliminated, it would mark a return to handing out two bronzes for each of the semifinal losers, as happened at the 1988 Seoul Games.

AP

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/wires/12/07/2070.ap.ten.oly.rule.changes/

Both fairly sensible changes, I think. Some of the games in London where a bit ridiculous considering how tight the schedule is, and I understand that the ITP wants to reduce the number of games the players play as much as possible since, well, Tennis players are a busy bunch.

Essentially, I'm all for last set tie-breakers. Two bronze medals? Not opposed to it, but not super keen on it either. Sets a precedent for more sports (Fencing, Badminton, Table Tennis) asking for the same thing. We already have Judo and Wrestling that moved to having two bronzes, how many of those sports do we want on the program? Giving too many bronze medals devalues them.

[Texas]

Ah yes, Tennis, one of two Summer Olympic sports where there are millionaires representing their countries.

A bronze medal is probably near the bottom of most Tennis players' list of goals.

[gotosy]

Modern pentathlon targets Rio 2016 as it launches new Mixed Relay World Series

December 13 - The President of the international modern pentathlon federation, the UIPM, has said that he hopes the mixed relay event - which will be introduced to the event calendar next year in the Mixed Relay World Cup series - will be a part of the programme at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

...

The mixed relay - which involves a male and female competitor working in tandem for each team - made its debut on the senior circuit at the 2010 World Championships after its successful premier at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and has been a regular fixture at all World Championships since.

The Mixed Relay World Series 2013 will comprise four main events - scheduled for the United States, Brazil, China, Hungary - followed by a final in Novogorod, Russia, on June 2.

The programme is: Palm Springs, February 24; Rio de Janeiro, March 24; Chengdu, April 21; Budapest, May 12.

Each mixed relay pair is made up from a man and women from the same country.

Each pair fences against each other in a round robin, with the man fencing the man and the women fencing the women from the opposing team.

Each pair swims in a 2x100 metres relay.

Both team members take it in turn to ride a nine-obstacle equestrian course.

All the pairs points are tallied from the previous three disciplines and the pair with the most points starts first.

The women from the pairs start first and complete two rounds of the combined event which involves two shooting series (hitting the target five times) and two rounds of 800m running.

Once this is completed, the men then have to do the same and whoever crosses the finishing line first is the winner.

http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/modern-pentathlon/1012067-modern-pentathlon-targets-rio-2016-as-it-launches-new-mixed-relay-world-series

[Fox334]

A mixed, two person relay with small distances compared to the real thing? Why do they keep trying to add these things to the Olympics?

It's bad enough that the mixed relay got added for Biathlon in the winter games >.>

[intoronto]

its not officially in yet

[gotosy]

After 15 year of exciting innovations in Modern Pentathlon I welcome you to our newest concept, the Pentathlon Stadium.

Now a spectator can watch 5 disciplines in 5 hours with 1 ticket from 1 seat. This revolutionary innovation will make its Olympic debut in Rio 2016 (currently in discussions) and will once again enhance our great sport to the spectators and media.

The main change that will occur is the fencing discipline. All the fencing action will now take place on one piste in an exciting, ladder, knock out system that ranks the fencers based on the results of the traditional fencing round held the day before and has them battling one another to improve their place and determine the overall winner.

The Pentathlon Stadium, is the latest innovation in Modern Pentathlon, after the highly successful implementation of environmentally and spectator friendly laser shooting & the combined event in London 2012 which resulted in it’s the highest ever media interest at the Olympic Games.

All these innovations target the world’s youth, as they are the future of our sport. The young athletes were the first to try laser shooting at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, and they will benefit from the new Pentathlon Stadium concept, as it will make the sport quicker and more exciting which is attractive to the fast paced life of today’s younger generation.

UIPM is not only focused on the sport at the Olympic level; we are also using the new laser technology to complement modern pentathlon’s development event, Biathle (run-swim-run) with a brand new event called Triathle which will see athletes run-shoot-swim. With the safe & environmentally friendly laser shooting, these events can now take place anywhere, such as in schools, city centres or even on beaches, which will allow us to spread our sport around the globe.

2013 will also see the debut of the UIPM Mixed Relay World Cup series in 5 countries in 4 continents. Ever since the event was included at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and the 2010 Senior World Championships, it has been the athletes & fans favourite event. UIPM is looking forward to expanding this exciting discipline with this new series, building towards the event’s inclusion at Rio 2016.

The next 4 years are set to be very exciting for UIPM, as we continue to grow our sport internationally, as reflected by 6 different nations from 3 continents winning medals at in London 2012 and as we increase our appeal to the youth, through our fun, innovative technology and our new development event Triathle.

Modern Pentathlon Timeline

1912 - Stockholm: Introduced in the Olympic Programme by Pierre de Coubertin

1948 - London: UIPM was created

1996 – Atlanta: First time all five events were contested in one day at Olympics

2000 – Sydney: First time women competed in the Olympic Programme

2010 – Singapore: First Youth Olympic Games with Mixed Relay and the combined event with laser shooting

2012 – London: 100 Years of Modern Pentathlon in the Olympic Games with the combined event and laser shooting

2013 - Mixed Relay World Cup Series and Fencing Ladder system

2016 – Rio de Janeiro: Introduction of the Pentathlon Stadium with all 5 disciplines in 5 hours with 1 ticket from 1 seat

Dr h.c. Klaus Schormann

UIPM President

http://www.pentathlon.org/component/k2/item/2052-open-letter-from-uipm-president-about-new-pentathlon-stadium

[intoronto]

This is the last straw. Are the yreally serious? This will no doubt an added expense. The only reason why I saw MP being kept was it used venues being built for other sports not new ones.

[Fox334]

...that concept art looks fucking ridiculous.

[gotosy]

Rugby-Sevens World Cup will be huge for Rio - IRB

Feb 1 (Reuters) -The rugby sevens World Cup in June will be one of the most important indicators for the success of the sport's debut at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, the International Rugby Board's tournament manager has said.
"Moscow is going to be very interesting," IRB tournaments manager Beth Coalter told Reuters at Wellington Regional Stadium, where the fourth round of the men's sevens world series was being played.
"Where the teams finish will determine the funding they get from their National Olympic Committees to go through to Rio," she added of the sixth edition of the sevens World Cup that will be played in Moscow from June 28-30.
"They do need to make sure that they're up there, that they're world class and competitive. And a medal chance."

Rugby was last played at the Paris Games in 1924 in the full 15-a-side form, but the shortened form has been included for the 2016 Rio Games because it was deemed an attractive option for the IOC due to its speed, youth appeal and the number of countries competing around the world.
"We need to build on the best teams that will compete in 2016. That's the goal," Coalter added.
"We need to make sure that when we get there we have built the best, most competitive, entertaining, exciting competition going.
"We have only got two (Olympic cycles) 2016, 2020 to show how brilliant this sport is so we need to make sure we have the best teams around."

The IRB implemented a women's sevens series, with the second tournament in Houston this weekend, to ensure that the women's game would also develop in time for the Rio Games.

WOMEN'S GAME

Prior to the first tournament of the series last November in Dubai, there had been little women's sevens at the international level since the last World Cup in 2009.
"We really needed to get the girls having international competition," Coalter added.
"It has been very hard to rank the girls because they have not had any games since 2009 and the difference in standard is very marked."
Rankings from the Houston tournament would help determine seedings for the 16-team women's tournament in Moscow, while the 24-men's teams will cement their seedings after the Las Vegas round of the series next week.
The IRB's desire to grow the 15-man code outside of its traditional strongholds in Oceania and the Six Nations, had been one of the reasons behind the push to join the Olympics, and Coalter said they were witnessing real growth in the sport, particularly among women.
"There has been phenomenal growth in (non-traditional rugby markets) Russia, China. There was 150 media to see the Japanese women's sevens team (leave for) their tournament in Houston.
"They're sending a television crew to Houston, so that's huge.
"In Europe they have had competitions for many years but the skills haven't been that great. But now there are better coaches, better trainers coming through and the high performance directors are including them in their programmes.
"So, 2016 is going to be very interesting. It's still a bit of an unknown, but once we get through that then I think there will be a huge growth in rugby across all areas.
"The women's game, the sevens and the 15s."

Reuters

[intoronto]

FIBA officially submitted today a proposal to expand the men's competition to 16 teams and to add 3x3 basketball

[gotosy]

Cycling shake up could see three more events added for Rio Olympics

The 2016 Olympic Games cycling programme could be extended after the International Cycling Union agreed to make a proposal for the addition of three events.

The Olympic track programme was radically altered between the Games of Beijing 2008 and London 2012 to create gender parity, but saw traditional endurance disciplines marginalised in favour of the multi-event omnium.

It has been suggested another overhaul could see the omnium - the women's event in London was won by Britain's Laura Trott - removed for Rio, but the UCI made no reference to this at its meeting ahead of the Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Louisville.

Instead the UCI will bid for points races, which featured in Beijing, to return, plus an extension to the BMX and mountain bike programmes which in London 2012 featured one discipline.

A statement from the UCI management committee read: 'With regards to the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro (BRA), the management committee expressed its support for a proposal to be made to the International Olympic Committee for the addition to the cycling programme of a points race and BMX freestyle and mountain bike eliminator events for both men and women.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2272333/Olympic-Cycling-programme-events-added-it.html

[intoronto]

If it doesn't add athletes I'd think the IOC would be okay with it.

[Fox334]

The point race coming back would be positive. Its not an easy event to broadcast but by most accounts its a crowd pleaser. I also don't think the Omnium getting the boot would be all that negative, it always struk me as a really weird event. Just a bit too bad for all the athletes that made the switch to it.

A Mountain Biking "eliminator" seems very similar to the sprint race in Cross Country skiing (wouldn't be surprised if that's where they got the idea). Sounds pretty good to me.

Not sure how I feel about BMX freestyle, especially since as far as I know the ICU doesn't hold competitions in that format yet.

I really hope 3 on 3 Basketball doesn't get in. Its ridiculously underdeveloped.

[intoronto]

I really hope 3 on 3 Basketball doesn't get in. Its ridiculously underdeveloped.

I disagree with the underdeveloped. THere is a ridiculous amount of countries that are competitive.

[Fox334]

I disagree with the underdeveloped. THere is a ridiculous amount of countries that are competitive.

So where are those competitions? Has there even been an international competition outside of the YOG? Do countries have stable national teams and high performance structures in place? Has there even been a world championships?

I'm not saying there aren't bodies to play it. I'm saying there doesn't seem to be a structure in place for 2016.

[intoronto]

So where are those competitions? Has there even been an international competition outside of the YOG? Do countries have stable national teams and high performance structures in place? Has there even been a world championships?

I'm not saying there aren't bodies to play it. I'm saying there doesn't seem to be a structure in place for 2016.

Yes there has been World Championships. Last year in Athens.

[micheal_warren]

Cycling shake up could see three more events added for Rio Olympics

The 2016 Olympic Games cycling programme could be extended after the International Cycling Union agreed to make a proposal for the addition of three events.

The Olympic track programme was radically altered between the Games of Beijing 2008 and London 2012 to create gender parity, but saw traditional endurance disciplines marginalised in favour of the multi-event omnium.

It has been suggested another overhaul could see the omnium - the women's event in London was won by Britain's Laura Trott - removed for Rio, but the UCI made no reference to this at its meeting ahead of the Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Louisville.

Instead the UCI will bid for points races, which featured in Beijing, to return, plus an extension to the BMX and mountain bike programmes which in London 2012 featured one discipline.

A statement from the UCI management committee read: 'With regards to the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro (BRA), the management committee expressed its support for a proposal to be made to the International Olympic Committee for the addition to the cycling programme of a points race and BMX freestyle and mountain bike eliminator events for both men and women.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2272333/Olympic-Cycling-programme-events-added-it.html

I would like to see the individual pursuit added for 2016 on the track.

[reidjr]

Would 3 on 3 basketball replace the current basketball format?

[jo1998sh.]

So, I've got 19 new events for Rio

CYCLING

2x Cross country elimination race

2x BMX freestyle

2x Points race

JUDO

2x Team event

GOLF

2x Individual

RUGBY

2x Team competition

TRIATHLON

1x Mixed team relay

BOXING

3-5x WOMENS

CANOUEING

1x womens c1 slalom

BASKETBALL

2x 3 on 3 competition

Have I missed anything?

[intoronto]

So, I've got 19 new events for Rio

CYCLING

2x Cross country elimination race

2x BMX freestyle

2x Points race

JUDO

2x Team event

GOLF

2x Individual

RUGBY

2x Team competition

TRIATHLON

1x Mixed team relay

BOXING

3-5x WOMENS

CANOUEING

1x womens c1 slalom

BASKETBALL

2x 3 on 3 competition

Have I missed anything?

Most of those events are not confirmed.

[jo1998sh.]

Most of those events are not confirmed.

Sorry, I meant possible new events.

[gotosy]

Fewer eventing but more dressage riders to compete at Rio 2016 Olympics

March 14 - Ten fewer eventing riders will compete for their country at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with an extra ten dressage athletes to take their spots, according to new equestrian quota systems proposals released by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Outlined in the document, which aims to bring the qualification for the three equestrian disciplines into line, a country's eventing team would comprise four riders plus a reserve – a decrease from the usual five-member teams, while an extra ten dressage riders will be called up to also make four athletes per team to match what is already the standard for Olympic jumping squads.

The main goal of the proposals, which will be presented at the FEI Sports Forum in Switzerland next month, is to "harmonise our rules by doing this to make them easier to understand for a larger public," Ingmar de Vos, secretary general and chief executive of the FEI, explained.

Despite growth in the sport, particularly in emerging nations, no increase to the quota of athletes and horses for Rio 2016 was on the cards for the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

...

full article

http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/equestrian/1013327-fewer-eventing-but-more-dressage-riders-to-compete-at-rio-2016-olympics

[A_Baeumer]

the possible Relay in Modern Pentathlon is missing in this overview.

So, I've got 19 new events for Rio

CYCLING

2x Cross country elimination race

2x BMX freestyle

2x Points race

JUDO

2x Team event

GOLF

2x Individual

RUGBY

2x Team competition

TRIATHLON

1x Mixed team relay

BOXING

3-5x WOMENS

CANOUEING

1x womens c1 slalom

BASKETBALL

2x 3 on 3 competition

Have I missed anything?