Ukraine Bids for 2022; Swimming Australia Rebuilds; Recognition for Games Makers

Ukraine Bidding for 2022

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych signed a decree authorizing Ukraine to bid for the 2022 Olympics.

His decree called for four cities – Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Lviv and Chernivtsi – to draft plans for a bid as well as an overhaul of the country’s sport, infrastructure and tourism laws.

A statement on the President’s official website said the bid committee will be headed by a Vice Prime Minister.

On Wednesday, the Oslo City Council also approved a 2022 Olympic bid. A joint Poland/Slovakia bid is formalized, and other bids are expected. The IOC will select a host in 2015.

London Volunteers Earn New Qualification

Thousands of London 2012 "Games Makers" volunteers obtained a specially created national qualification from their Olympic work.

The qualification, called Level 2 City & Guilds Award in the Principles of Customer Service, was created by McDonald’s and designed to certify Games Makers, boost their resumes and leave a legacy of volunteering, according to the TOP sponsor.

"The Games Makers were crucial to the success of London 2012 and I'm proud that many of them are now using their experience and qualification to open up opportunities in their careers, as well as in sport and volunteering," said LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe.

"The number of Games Makers awarded the qualification far exceeds expectations, and it’s great to see such an appetite for learning and personal development," added Richard Forte, Chief Operations Officer, McDonald’s UK.

"It was always our ambition to use our role as Presenting Partner for the Games Maker program to deliver a lasting legacy that created opportunities for the volunteers themselves, raised hospitality standards in our own business and across the service sector as a whole."

Swimming Australia Acknowledges "Rebuilding" Period

Following the resignation of Swimming Australia president Barclay Nettlefold and the loss of two major revenue streams, SA CEO Mark Anderson acknowledged a difficult path ahead for the organization.

On Wednesday, Energy Australia ended its sponsorship of SA after one year of what was supposed to be a five-year deal. The agreement is worth a reported $2 million a year, and Australian media say that is about half of SA’s annual corporate sponsorship.

"This is obviously disappointing but we respect the decision," Anderson said in a statement.

"This is a difficult time for Swimming Australia and we recognize there are no easy solutions."

In April, the Australian government also cut funding for SA by nearly $500,000.

"Financial support from sponsors is important to the success of Australian Swimming, but ultimate success in the pool is built upon hard work and a strong and stable supporting organization," Anderson said.

"Recent results are testament to the hard work and dedication by our athletes, coaches and their families."

Australian swimmers largely disappointed during the London Olympics. Following the Games, a scandal erupted that Australian swim team members used the Stilnox sleeping pill as part of a bonding session.

Written by Ed Hula III and Aaron Bauer.

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