Around the Rings On the Scene for World University Games, ANOCA General Assembly

(Atlanta) - The Olympic Movement has a full schedule for July 2013, and Around the Rings will be on the scene for two major events in the world of international sport: the 27th World University Summer Games in Kazan, Russia and the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Around the Rings correspondent Brian Pinelli will be on the scene providing coverage of Kazan 2013 during its final week. More than 9,000 student athletes from over 160 countries are expected to participate in 27 sports from July 6-17.

"It is evident that FISU and the Kazan Organizing Committee are committed and ready to put on a world class sporting event, welcoming university athletes from around the globe," Pinelli said. "I look forward to meeting the young athletes, digging for compelling stories, and trying to capture the flavor and atmosphere of the event."

The coverage is sponsored by the Russian Olympic Committee.

Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, is the first Russian city to host the Games since Moscow in 1973.

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) was founded in 1949 as a world governing body of national university sports organizations and student-athletes. The inaugural Universiade was held in 1959 in Turin, Italy. Since then, FISU has held a summer and winter Universiade every two years.

Elsewhere, ATR will be present for the General Assembly of ANOCA, beginning July 11. Assignment Editor Edward Hula III is scheduled to be in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire for the duration.

Highlights of the session will include elections for some of ANOCA’s executive positions. Incumbent ANOCA president Lassana Palenfo has served since 2005, and is running for his final four-year term. Additionally, long-serving IOC International Cooperation Director Tommy Sithole will contend for the position of secretary general against incumbent Ahaled Zein El Din.

Representatives from the candidate cities for the 2020 Summer Olympics will also be in attendance.

ANOCA was formed in 1981 to serve as a governing body of the 53 Africa-based National Olympic Committees. It is the largest continental Olympic association, currently headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.

For the latest news in the Olympic Movement, follow Around the Rings on Twitter

To schedule an interview with Ed Hula, contact Joe Longoria at joe@aroundtherings.com or call +1 404-874-1603.

For a two-week trial of Around the Rings, email twoweektrial@aroundtherings.com.

# # #

Around the Rings links

• Twitter

• Facebook

About Around the Rings

For more than 20 years, AroundTheRings.com has been the only publication devoted to providing original, on-the-scene reporting about the $5 billion dollar business of the Olympic Movement. Based in Atlanta, Ga., with a worldwide team of correspondents, Around the Rings provides thorough international sport business news coverage with daily email blasts, a weekly newsletter and special edition magazines.

In 2009, ATR’s sister site, World Football INSIDER was launched. INSIDER was the first internet publication to focus on the business of football.