Olympic Newsdesk- Korean Speedskaters Ban, Fox Not Talking to IOC

South Korean Speed Skaters Face Ban medalists

Two South Korean Winter Games medalists face a three-year ban from competition for involvement in a race-fixing scandal.

The Korean Skating Union suspended short-track speed skaters Lee Jung-Su, and Kwak Yoon-Gy from competition until 2013 for fixing recent competitions including national team tryouts in March.

KSU informed the pair on Tuesday of the suspension and the skaters have seven days to appeal the decision. If there is an appeal, then KSU would open a second investigation that might take months to finish.

The punishment is harsher than a suggestion from a special joint commission last month. The joint commission recommended a one-year suspension. The joint commission consisted of officials from the government, KSU and the Korean Olympic Committee.

In Vancouver, the 20-year old Lee captured gold medals in the 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters and silver in the 5,000 meter relay. Kwak, 21, took silver in the 5,000 meter relay.

The scandal gained attention when Lee failed to qualify for the 2010 world short track championships in Bulgaria, reported the Associated Press. The joint commission's investigation found that national team coach Jeon Jae-Mok coerced Lee to relinquish his national team spot in favor of Kwak.

Jeon received a permanent ban from KSU speed skating in accordance with the special committee’s original recommendation

Lee denied the charges to the Korean Times and told the newspaper that he is a victim "of deep-rooted and wrongful practices on the local sport scene.''

Fox Not Talking to IOC Yet

While the head of Fox Sports says his network is willing to make a play for the U.S. broadcast rights for the 2014/2016 Olympics, David Hill apparently needs to talk to the IOC about his plans.

Around the Rings understands that Fox is not one of the U.S. networks that have engaged the IOC in initial discussions about U.S. rights. A source familiar with the situation says the Rupert Murdoch-owned network has not spoken to the IOC yet. NBC, CBS and ABC/ESPN are all said to have begun talks with the IOC.

Nonetheless, Hill is quoted by Daily Variety this week saying the Olympics would be good for Fox.

"It's one of those great things to have. It's an iconic event. We will make a strong bid next time around. Last time, our bid was under NBC's bid, but we did what we thought was right for us," Hill said.

No change in status for the rights talks, ATR hears. Lead IOC negotiator Richard Carrion said during the Vancouver Games that no deal would likely be struck until market conditions improve later this year.

That would suit Hill and Fox. He tells Variety that the IOC should try for October – November as the time frame for negotiations.

Sochi Seeks 2013 SportAccord

Sochi 2014 Olympic organizers today officially launched their pitch to host the 2013 SportAccord Conference.

It comes after an offer to host the event was made by Sochi 2014 president and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko at the 2010 edition in Dubai.

"We would be delighted to host such a significant event, an occasion that brings together so many of our partners from the Olympic and sports world," he said in a statement Thursday.

"Holding SportAccord 2013 in Sochi would provide a wonderful opportunity to invite the sporting world to Sochi only a year ahead of the Games and to have the chance to demonstrate further the strength of Sochi as a major sporting destination.

SportAccord will be held in London next year. The venue for the 2012 edition has yet to be announced.

UCI Overhauls Track Cycling Qualification System

Great Britain's hopes of dominating in track cycling at the London Olympics have been dented after the international cycling federation (UCI) announced major changes to the Olympic qualification system.

The UCI has confirmed that teams will be restricted to one athlete per event in London. The European Championships, previously an under-23 event, is now included as a qualification event for the Games. Previously, only the World Championships and World Cup events were on the Olympic qualification schedule.

The overhaul -- coupled with the UCI's recent changes to the track program to create gender parity -- means Britain faces a major challenge to improve on the seven gold medals it won out of the 10 events at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Chris Hoy claimed three golds for Team GB, with Bradley Wiggins winning two titles; Victoria Pendleton and Rebecca Romero bagged the other golds.

The UCI has yet to announce qualification criteria for the 2012 road events.

With reporting from Mark Bisson, Ed Hula and Sam Steinberg .