Rogge on Istanbul; Jungwirth Trial Postponed; Zylberberg Dropped from Olympics?

Rogge on Istanbul

IOC president Jacques Rogge says Turkey can host either the Olympics or Euro 2020 football tournament – not both.

Rogge made the comments to French news agency AFP, saying: "On September 7 next year in Buenos Aires, if Istanbul is elected we will respectfully ask them not to host the European Championships."

Past that, he acknowledged, there was little the IOC could do.

"Ultimately, it will be for the government to make their mind up but I would say the election would be conditional on not organizing another competition."

Turkey submitted a bid for Euro 2020 last month and is so far the only candidate for the UEFA showpiece, scheduled just weeks prior to the Games.The strain on infrastructure for a quick turnaround on events is seen as potentially dooming for Istanbul’s Olympic bid.

In a statement released later in the day from Istanbul 2020, Turkish sports minister Suat Kılıç said Istanbul is still on track to host the Olympics.

"Our Prime Minister announced the bid himself, and Istanbul 2020 retains the same support from the same highest level," he said. "We will fulfil every requirement to win the right to host the Games, under the leadership of our Prime Minister."

Jungwirth Trial Postponed

The embezzlement trial of former Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC) secretary general Heinz Jungwirth is postponed until July 3.

Reports in Austrian media say the trial was rescheduled so more detailed reports on the allegedly embezzled funds could be prepared and so witnesses who could not make it to testify in court could do so.

Jungwirth is accused of diverting around $3.5 million from a secret bank account of the ÖOC between 2003 and February 2009 for private use. He faces 10 years in prison if found guilty.

When the charges were read against him in a Vienna criminal court, he was seen shaking his head. He pleaded not guilty.

The trial started Monday and was scheduled to end on Wednesday.

Argentina Drops Captain

Fernando Zylberberg, captain of the Argentine hockey team and star of a controversial ad, could miss the London Olympics.

Zylberberg was not on the roster for the sport's final pre-Olympic tournament and was not seen with the rest of the team for a farewell ceremony at the British Embassy in Buenos Aires.

The team’s coach says he was dropped for "sporting reasons".

However, he appeared in an advertisement aired last week that showed him training on the Falkland Islands, a disputed territory that is currently under British rule with the ad calling the archipelago "Argentine".

British media report that as a result, his absence could be due to security concerns and efforts to ease tensions between Britain and Argentina.

P&G Helps Moms Get to Games

TOP sponsor Procter & Gamble is giving away $1,000 Visa gift cards to nearly 800 mothers of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians.

"We asked the U.S. Olympic Committee how P&G could support and thank the moms of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes. They told us, ‘help them get to London to see their child compete,’" said Jodi Allen, P&G Vice President, North America Operations and Marketing.

"After years of sacrificing to help their children achieve their dreams, many of these moms struggle to find the financial means to see this dream realized."

The gift is part of the conglomerate’s "Thank You Moms" campaign and comes just a few days before Mother’s Day in the United States.

Additionally, P&G announced details about its "P&G Family Home" in London, which will be fully stocked with a range of P&G products to serve as a "home away from home" during the Games.

Istanbul 2020 Works with Turkish NOC Plan

The National Olympic Committee of Turkey’s new strategic plan will work in tandem with Istanbul 2020.

According to a statement from the bid, the NOCT plan has two key components: "providing a solid relationship between education and sports and creating a bridge to the world stage for aspiring young Turkish athletes."

NOCT vice president Hasan Arat outlined how the bid will help achieve these goals.

"For many young athletes there is often a difficulty in balancing education and sport, and for turning a passion for sport into a career. Thanks to Turkey’s growing economy, and its stable political situation, we are now in a position to be able to devote the investment needed to solving this problem, with Istanbul’s 2020 bid as the catalyst. Already our bid is connecting the Olympic Movement with the country’s young population, raising its profile among a brand new audience."

Paralympic Improvement in Azerbaijan

The 2020 Olympics in Baku would improve Paralympic sport in Azerbaijan, two of the country’s leading Paralympians claim.

"The government is already building a number of facilities for Paralympic sports around the country, but I am certain that this programme would accelerate enormously if we are successful in our bid," Paralympic judo champion Ilham Zakiyev said in a statement.

One sport center for visually impaired athletes is under construction in Baku, and two other Paralympic sport centers are planned.

Media Watch

"Marketplace" from American Public Media profiles the nascent Tahoe Winter Olympic bid.

China Daily reports on the lessons London learned from Beijing Olympic organizers.

RT touches on some of the political scandals that have "darkened" the 2012 Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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