Olympic Briefs: Rogge on European Sports, Israeli Could Face Inquiry

IOC President Jacques Rogge wants sport to speak as a single voice in negotiations over the role of sport in the European Union. (ATR)Rogge Convenes Summit on EU and Sport

IOC President Jacques Rogge chaired a meeting of sports leaders in Lausanne Thursday, seeking to build consensus on language relating to the autonomy of sport in the European Union Lisbon Treaty.

“It is important that the sports movement works in unity to defend and promote its values and structures - also in the European context,” said Rogge.

“I am glad to see that today the IOC, the European Olympic Committees, the International Federations with their representatives from summer and winter sports, the General Association of International Sports Federations as well as the football world with FIFA and UEFA came together to speak with one voice,” said the IOC leader.

Israeli Could Face Discipline over China Slurs

The Israeli Olympian who hurled insults at Chinese people in a newspaper interview last week could face a disciplinary hearing by the Olympic Committee of Israel.

Shahar Zubari, who won a bronze medal in windsurfing, used a vulgarity to describe the Chinese and then attacked Chinese food and language.

Israel’s NOC could recommend disciplinary action for Shahar Zubari following slurs against the Chinese. (Getty Images) IOC member in Israel Alex Gilady tells Around the Rings he has written to NOC President Zvi Varshaviak asking that Zubari’s behavior be considered at the Sept. 21 board meeting of the NOC.

Gilady says he wants the board to consider discipline procedures against him for unsportsmanlike behavior.

Zubari’s comments led the Chinese embassy in Israel to cancel a reception this week meant to toast Israeli Olympians.

On Tuesday, Zubarigave an apology in an Israeli publication saying, "I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart" for the comments, explaining they were made "without thinking."

Swedish Wrestler Abrahamian Appeals Medal Stripping

Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision rendered by the Executive Board of IOC on Aug. 16 to strip him of him of his bronze medal.

The EB kicked Abrahamian out of the Beijing Olympic Games after he placed his medal on the mat as a protest against the results during the medals ceremony of the Greco-roman 84kg event.

Abrahamian Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian walks away from the podium to protest the men's Greco-roman wrestling 84kg results. (Getty Images)requests that the sanction be limited to a warning.

Further directions with respect to the arbitration procedure will be issuedlater by the Tribunal in accordance with the Code of Sports-related arbitration.

As a general rule, the CAS delivers its decisions within four months of the filing of the appeal.

Tourism Numbers Fall During Beijing Games

According to reports in the English-language Beijing Times, the Chinese capital did not see an influx of tourists for the Games.

During the month of August, hotels saw only 389,000 foreign visitors, a 7.2 percent decrease from last year. There were only 708,000 guests from other parts of China, 47 percent less than last year.

The newspaper did not give a reason for the drop.

Did Bolt’s Bragging Cost Him a Better Record?

Four scientists have submitted a study to the American Journal of Physics that Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt might have run faster in the 100-meter dash if he hadn’t slowed down to celebrate.

A research team based at the University of Oslo watched footage of the race, studying both Bolt’s position as well as Richard Thompson’s, the runner-up.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt celebrates in the final moments of the men’s 100-meter dash. (Getty Images)While both runners slowed at the end, the scientists determined that Bolt slowed faster, possibly costing him a time of 9.55. He ended up setting a world record of 9.61.

The hypothesis is based on footage obtained from various Web sites and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.

Sprinter to Appear on Letterman

Will Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt do some fast talking when he meets David Letterman?

The triple Olympic gold medalist will make his first U.S. talk show appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman" on Sept. 24 (11:35 p.m. ET on CBS).

Bolt set world records in winning the 100-meter, 200-meter and running a leg on the 4-by-100 meter relay at the Beijing Games.

The Creepy Side of Stardom

During a recent appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson shared the down side of fame with the audience.

Gymnast Shawn Johnson signs an autograph during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. (Getty Images)

“At my homecoming there were people in the stands with 'Marry me' signs. It's kinda weird. I mean, I'm only 16. I saw one, and I kinda looked at him, and he was like, 'Call me. Call me.'"

When asked whether he looked young, the gold medalist replied no.

“That’s creepy,” Degeneres replied.

Written by

Trista McGlamery

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