Franz Wever, president of one of the two factions claiming to be the Panama Olympic Committee. (ATR)
Breakthrough Possible In Panama
The stage is set for a breakthrough in the stalemate over the leadership of the Panama Olympic Committee when the President of Panama, Martin Torrijos, arrives in Rio de Janeiro for the open of the Pan American Games.
Torrijos will meet with Pan American Sports Organization Presiident Mario Vazquez Rana late Thursdayafternoon, say officials with the faction of the Panama committee that is represented in Rio de Janeiro. IOC President Jacques Rogge is also here and a meeting between the two is also possible.
The NOC has been split for a year between two factions, each claiming to be rightful leadership.
One faction has the support of a Panama Supreme Court ruling, the other has the support of Rana, who sent a team to Panama in January to oversee the election of the second slate of NOC officers. Since then both sides seem to have stiffened their resolve not to back down.
The help of President Torrijos may be needed to push for changes to the laws affecting the NOC. Cash and patriotism may have help catch his attention.
Last week the IOC effectively cut its ties with either of the NOC factions, ending payments due the committee from sponsorships and TV rights, as well as other IOC services until the dispute over recognition is resolved.
Panamanian athletes in Rio de Janeiro will march under the PASO flag during opening ceremony Friday night. Should they win medals, the PASO, not Panamanian flag, will rise at the medal ceremony.
Rana, speaking at a closing press conference for the PASO General Assembly, would not predict a breakthrough for the meeting with Torrijos, whom he called “a friend”.
Rana describesthe faction that broke away last year as an "intruder", accusing renegadePresident Miguel Vanegas of taking thousands of dollars from the Panama committee treasury.
Bogota, Caracas, Lima – and Canada Line Up for 2015 Pan American Games
Three cities in neighboring countries of South America have taken the first steps in the campaign for the 2015 Pan American Games, which has yet to be officially opened.
Bogota, Caracas and Lima all made short presentations in Head to head: Rio 2007 chief Carlos Nuzman with PASO President Mario Vazquez Rana. (ATR)the closing hour of the PASO General Assembly Wednesday night in Rio de Janeiro.
Based on the presentations, Bogota would seem to have the edge on showmanship and communication, the team led by new IOC member Andres Botero and Mayor Luis Eduardo Garzon.
But watch out South America: Canada is coming. Canadian Olympic Committee President Michael Chambers tells Around the Rings that Canada is serious about mounting a Pan Am bid, most likely from the Hamilton-Toronto area.
“We’re considering our options now,” which Chambers also says includes a look at a bid for the Olympics in 2020 or 2024.
With Chicago campaigning for the 2016 Olympics, a bid from the U.S. for the 2015 Pan Ams is not in the works, officials with the U.S. Olympic Committee tell ATR.
And for now, the race for the 2015 Pan Ams is still unofficial, despite the presentations made Wednesday to the PASO assembly. Shortly after they cities finished Rana warned the potential bid cities not to engage in any campaigning until the race is officially opened.
Five Years of Preparation for Pan Ams Not Enough ?
Setting the dates for the campaign and selection of the 2015 Pan Am City depends on the possibility that PASO will change its schedule to allow future host cities an additional year or so of preparation. Currently Pan Am hosts have five years to get ready; Rio was elected in 2002. Mario Vazquez Rana says the PASO Executive Committee will meet in Rio de Janeiro to consider a change for 2015. At the most, a six year window of preparation might be best, says Carlos Nuzman, president of RIO 2007 and the Brazilian Olympic Committee. The change would make the selection of the Pan Am 2015 host fall in 2009 instead of 2010.
Mexico Meeting Schedule
If PASO goes for a 2009 election for the 2015 Pan Am host, the vote will come in Guadalajara, Mexico, 2011 Pan Am Games host. PASO traditionally has a general assembly in the Pan Am host city two years before the games.
PASO will also meet in Mexico next year, too. Acapulco will be the site for the assembly in late November, 2008. The timing of the assembly will allow the finalists in the race for the 2016 Olympics to lobby the Pan Am crowd.
Guadalajara Pan Ams in October
No dates have been firmly set, but organizers of the 2011 Pan American Games say October will be the month they host the Games. October fits better with events in Mexico and the weather will be at its best for the competition say organizers.
On the scene coverage from the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro continues through the month at www.aroundtherings.com.
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