Innsbruck Torch Update; Squash Star Backs 2020 Bid; Ruggiero Retires

Innsbruck 2012 Torch Relay

The Olympic flame continues to make its way across Austria on day three of Innsbruck 2012's torch relay.

The flame traveled through the towns of Dellach/Drautel, Lienz and Millstatt on Thursday after starting the day in Matrei.

On its journey around Austria, the flame will be carried by 2,012 runners, including six Olympic champions. World Cup skier Werner Franz took over the flame in Dellach/Drautal.

The final stop will be Bergisel Stadium in Innsbruck on Jan. 13 for the opening ceremony of the first-ever Winter Youth Olympics Games.

Squash Star Pushes for Olympic Inclusion

Squash star Nicol David is determined to get her sport into the 2020 Olympics, according to media in her native Malaysia.

"My dream has always been to play in the Olympics and I will do everything I can to see squash in the Games," she was quoted Thursday by the Star.

David, who won the sport’s world championship six times since 2005, presented a paper on squash's behalf to the IOC in 2009. The IOC instead decided to add golf and rugby to the 2016 Olympics, but squash is now on a shortlist of eight sports for 2020.

"It’s discouraging that the IOC have rejected our appeal for the 2016 Olympics as well but I haven’t given up hope," said David.

"We will keep at it until the sport becomes an Olympic event. We will be getting together soon to prepare a bid for inclusion in the 2020 Games.

"We are expected to make our presentation to the IOC in September. We have to redouble our efforts to convince them that squash merits recognition," she added.

Squash is up against karate, baseball, roller sports, softball, sport climbing, wakeboarding and wushu for a spot on the 2020 Olympic program.

Cycling World Champs To Provide Olympic Preparation

Great Britain’s track cycling team will use the 2012 world championships to prepare for the London Olympics.

British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford had earlier indicated that the April competition in Melbourne, Australia could detract from training, according to a Daily Telegraph report.

As the Games approach, Brailsford now says, racing in the worlds would be an importantexperience for the athletes.

"We just can’t give up any opportunities to race. The Olympics are getting too close," he was quoted Thursday.

"There are just two World Cup meetings and the World Championships in Melbourne left now. The clock is counting down very quickly.

"There is something about the process of pinning a number on you back in a major competition and going to the start line at a World Championships," Brailsford added.

"There is no substitute for that."

Olympic Champion, IOC Member Retires

Four-time ice hockey Olympian Angela Ruggiero is retiring after 16 years with Team USA.

The 31-year-old won a gold medal in 1998 as Team USA’s youngest member and later won two silver medals and a bronze as well.

"USA Hockey will always be a part of me, and I will cherish the experiences and memories with this team," she said in a statement.

"I am now looking forward to my next career, as well as continuing my work representing the athletes of the world through my roles on the IOC and the USOC."

Ruggiero is a USOC board member and was also elected in 2010 to the IOC Athletes' Commission.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said athletes would be well-represented by the hockey star.

"Athletes need to be at the heart of the Olympics to make sure the Games in particular and the movement in general properly cater to their needs," he said.

"With someone as dedicated and hard working as Angela representing their cause the ‘athletes’ voice’ is in safe hands."

Correction

In an Olympic Newsdesk dated Dec. 23, ATR incorrectly reported that Jizhong Wei would face a challenge for the FIVB presidency next year from Ary Graca of Brazil. Graca is indeed running, but Wei has said since he first took office in 2008 that he would not be standing for reelection.

Written by Ann Cantrell.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.