WTF Help for Haiti
The World Taekwondo Federation will offer support for taekwondo in Haiti after learning that two taekwondo athletes were among the casualties of the Jan. 10 earthquake.
WTF spokesman Seok-jae Kang tells Around the Rings the federation heard from Leo Cartright, president of the Haiti Taekwondo Association on Jan. 19.
Cartright confirmed the deaths and said he is safe, but that the national taekwondo association office was destroyed in the tremor.
Kang added while concrete plans are still being formulated, WTF hopes to send Taekwondo Peace Corps members to assist in relief efforts. Kang says the WTF will waive entry fees and provide housing for Haitian athletes for the World Junior Taekwondo Championships and the World Qualification for the Youth Olympic Games. Both events take place in Tijuana, Mexico in March.
Along with taekwondo athletes, two boxers and two judoka are reported to be among the athletes who died in the earthquake. From football, 30 individuals, including coaches, officials and players are reported as dead after the collapse of the headquarters of the Haitian Football Association while a meeting was underway.
Lula : Abolish Favelas by 2016
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva wants to destroy the favelas of Rio de Janeiro by the start of the 2016 Olympics.
Nearly one-fifth of Rio’s population lives in the favelas, which are beset with crime and drugs.
Rio mayor Eduardo Paes said his goal was to eradicate the slums before the Games, and according to reports in Brazilian media, Lula is the only politician backing the plan. Reportedly Lula wants the favelas’ demise to be a lasting legacy of his administration, which ends in 2011.
The citydoes not have enough money to pay for the project, and will ask the federal government for a loan to help pay for the project. No concrete details were offered, but 109 slums and 12, 000 homes need to be destroyed by 2014, according to the proposal.
Paes said the plan “is simple”. Police will storm the 40 most dangerous favelas to break up drug gangs, but a formula to determine the most dangerous favelas was not discussed.
Sergio Cabral, governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro said more police are needed before the plan can be implemented.
Abu Dhabi to Host 2011 Laureus Awards
The 2010 Laureus Awards will take place in Abu Dhabi.
Scheduled for March 10 at the Emirates Palace, the ceremony will be broadcast worldwide.
The Laureus Awards are considered one of the world’s top sporting awards.
“I am thrilled and delighted that the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards is to be staged in Abu Dhabi. This is an important step for Laureus to move our Awards Ceremony to a new part of the world, and a wonderful way to start the second decade of our existence,” said Laureus Chairman and gold medalist Edwin Moses in a statement.
Dutch NOC Secretary General Steps Down
After a decade on the job, Theo Fledderus will step down as secretary general of the Netherlands Olympic Committee (NOCNSF) on May 1.
Fledderus joined the NOCNSF Jan. 1 of 2000.
"After so many beautiful years it is time for a new challenge," said Fledderus in a press release.
NOC president Erica Terpstra praised Fledderus for leading major initiatives, including the first steps of a Dutch 2028 Olympic bid.
Written by Ed Hula III.
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