Olympic Briefs -- Phelps Cleared; Universiade Prep for Hosting Winter Olympics?

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps will not face pot charges. Richland County authorities said there was not enough evidence to prosecute anyone.

“We had a photo and him saying he was sorry for inappropriate behavior,” Sheriff Lean Lott said. “He never said, ‘I smoked marijuana.’ We didn’t have physical evidence.”

USA Swimming suspended the 14-time gold medal swimmer after the photograph was released.

“I’m glad this matter is put to rest,” Phelps said.

Lott said at a press conference Monday he hopes Phelps is willing to offer an anti-drug message to children.

Winter Universiade Opens Tomorrow

The 24th Winter Universiade begins on Thursday in Harbin, China.

International University Sports Federation (FISU) President George Killian said China’s preparation for the Universiade was excellent and said their organization shows China would be a good host of a Winter Olympics.

"Now it is the first time Harbin holds the Winter Universiade" the former IOC member and basketball federation president said. "Seven years later from now, you will be excited to prepare for the Winter Olympics."

"Beijing successfully held the 2008 Olympic Games seven years after holding the Summer Universiade for the first time in 2001," the Chinese newspaper China Daily reported.

"I know you can do it. I was amazed to see the great progress of the city over the years and I believe Harbin is fully competent to hold a best-ever Universiade," said Killian.

China has invested $370 million into the Universiade. The 10-day event will have 4,000 athletes from 44 countries competing in 12 sports.

Killian said Harbin had been transformed into a top-rate winter sport city.

Tajik President Assumes NOC Presidency

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon was elected president of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Tajikistan (TNOC).

According to Radio Free Europe, Rahmon was elected president after the three other candidates “asked to have their names removed from consideration at the last moment.”

The network report also claimed the NOC considers it a normal practice for a head of state to lead an NOC. Rahmon is the second head of state to be elected to lead an NOC in recent weeks. Marcus Stephen, president of Nauru, was elected president of his NOC in late January.

The NOCs of Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Turkmenistan are also governed by their head of state.

…Briefs

… The Australian Olympic Committee arranged for a group of Olympians to visit the Victorian bushfire region Tuesday. The visit is part of the AOC’s support of the destroyed Australian communities. The Olympians also visited the King Lake area.

…The Canadian Olympic Committee will name assistant chefs de mission for Vancouver 2010 at a Westin Bayshore news conference. Chef de mission Nathalie Lambert is a retired, three-time short track speedskating Olympic medalist.

…Chinese figure skaters Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao are striving for a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. “I believe we have the ability to win gold medal in Vancouver. There are ups and downs in life and I don’t think any athlete can always be perfect in their competition,” said Zhang Hao. The two earned a bronze medal at the 2009 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.

…The 2010 South Asian Games were awarded to Dhaka, Bangladesh on Monday. The South Asian Olympic Council executive board met in Kathmandu, Nepal and set the date of the games for Jan.29 – Feb. 8. Eight games were added to the program: judo, cycling, badminton, volleyball, basketball, cricket, golf and wrestling.

…Grenada’s National Sports Award winners for 2008 were announced on Monday. The awards, given out by the Grenada Olympic Committee, were given to male athlete Randy Lewis, and female cricketer Afy Fletcher. Lewis represented Grenada in the triple jump in Beijing, finishing 16th.

Written by Ed Hula III and Isia Reaves.