#ICYMI: Bach Could Go to Fukushima; Olympic Elections; Gymnastics Decertification

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Bach Could Visit Fukushima

Thomas Bach could visit Tokyo 2020 venues in Fukushima Prefecture following the 2018 ANOC General Assembly.

The Association of National Olympic Committees yearly General Assembly is in Tokyo, after which the IOC Executive Board will meet. Such a visit would provide an opportunity for Bach to tour Tokyo 2020 venues, get an update on the project, and visit other IOC ventures in Japan.

"Tokyo 2020 and the Japanese Olympic Committee are in close contact with the IOC for an on-going planning including the IOC leaderships activities in Japan," Masa Takaya, Tokyo 2020 spokesperson, told Around the Rings about Bach’s plans when in the country. "Details will be released once plans are cemented."

Bach will visit Fukushima as part of his Japan leg, according to a report from Kyodo News. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will accompany Bach, according to government sources.

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Mitt Romney to U.S. Senate, Dick Fosbury Wins Idaho Election

The elections in the U.S. come with some links to the Olympics.

Former Salt Lake City 2002 President Mitt Romney will head to Washington as the new U.S. Senator from Utah. He was the easy victor over a Democratic challenger in the November 7 vote.

Romney, 71, was recruited from the business world in 1999 to rescue the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics which were floundering amid the aftermath of the bidding scandal involving IOC members.

Romney left soon after the end of the Games to stage a successful run for governor of Massachusetts. Twice he tried to run for U.S. President, in 2012 as the nominee of the Republican Party.

Romney will take office in January for a term of six years.

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USOC Begins Process to Decertify USA Gymnastics

The United States Olympic Committee began the process to revoke the recognition of USA Gymnastics as the sport’s National Governing Body.

USOC Chief Executive Sarah Hirshland said in a statement a Section 8 proceeding was filed today against the NGB. She said that the decision was "not a conclusion that [the USOC] have come to easily," and that short-term solutions for gymnasts were still being worked out.

"This is a situation in which there are no perfect solutions," Hirshland said. "In the short-term, we have to work to ensure that USAG gymnasts have the support necessary to excel on and off the field of play. We are building plans to do just that.

"In the long-term, it will be the critically important responsibility of the recognized Gymnastics NGB, whether the existing organization or a new one, to lead gymnastics in the United States and build on the supportive community of athletes and clubs that can carry the sport forward for decades to come. We are prepared to identify and help build such an organization."

Both the men’s and women’s national gymnastics teams had wrapped up competing at the Artistic World Championships in Doha, days earlier. There, the women’s team qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by winning the team competition.

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