Denmark/Latvia for 2017 Ice Hockey Worlds; Rugby in Space

(ATR)

World Baseball Classic Begins

Baseball’s largest international tournament starts on Saturday.

The World Baseball Classic features 16 teams competing through March 19 in four countries: Chinese Taipei, Japan, Puerto Rico and the United States.

Japan are the defending champions, having won the past two editions in 2006 and 2009.

Brazil and Spain are making their WBC debuts.

Games leading up to the WBC were marked with intrigue with teams accusing their opponents of espionage and rejecting baseballs supplied by teams.

Sport Federation Websites Ranked

FIFA.com was found to be the most popular Summer Olympic Sport Federation website by website statistic company Alexa.com.

According to the internet statistics website, FIFA.com is the most popular Summer Sport Federation followed by ITFTENNIS.com and ITTF.com.

"These finding are an accurate reflection of the global popularity of Table Tennis. We have the 2nd highest number of National Federation in the Olympic movement at 217, and we are the 2nd highest participated sport in the world. So it is very satisfying to turn these participation numbers into hits on ITTF.com," said ITTF president Adham Sharara.

First Extra-Terrestrial Rugby Match

Russian cosmonauts played what is believed tobe the first rugby match in space.

The trio, all rugby players on Earth, played the match on the International Space Station to promote the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow on June 28 -30.

A statement from the International Rugby Board announcing the game did not contain a score.

Denmark, Latvia Joint Bid for Ice Hockey WC

Denmark and Latvia join the fray for the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships with a joint bid.

The bid was presented to the International Ice HockeyFederation Event Committee in Zürich Friday. The IIHF will select a host at the annual congress set for May in Stockholm.

Germany and France are the only other bidders, also a joint bid.

In the joint bid concept, Denmark will be the main host and Latvia the co-host.

Copenhagen Arena, under construction, would host the finals and semifinals as well as 30 preliminary matches. Latvia will host the rest of the preliminary matches and two quarterfinals in Arena Riga.

"Our bid more than meets all criteria, with the most important factor being our two large multi arenas tailor-made for hockey at the highest level. Our event concept is based on outstanding facilities, a strong event organization and a legacy plan that aims to further develop hockey in new markets," says Henrik Bach Nielsen, president of the Danish Ice Hockey Association.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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