IOC Evaluation Commission To Wrap Up Paris Visit -- Monday Memo

(ATR) The IOC Evaluation Commission will be wrapping up its inspection tour of the 2024 bid cities on Tuesday in Paris.

The three-day commission inspection began on May 14 with opening remarks from commission chairman Patrick Baumann and Paris 2024's bid leaders.

Baumann and Paris 2024 co-chairmen Bernard Lapasset and Tony Estanguet then held a closing press conference in the media center. It was revealed Estanguet would become president of the Organizing Committee should Paris 2024 win the host city contract over Los Angeles while Lapasset would be named an honorary president of the OCOG.

The commission inspection includes a full day of venue tours throughout the city on Monday. Another closed-doors working session will take place on May 16 before a final press conference will be held by Baumann, IOC executive director Christophe Dubi and Paris 2024.

The commission spent three days in Los Angeles last week before arriving in Paris. The IOC will decide on the host for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics on Sep. 13 at a Session in Lima, Peru.

World Surfing Games in Biarritz

Surfing’s world championship hits the waves of the southwestern French seaside resort of Biarritz beginning on May 20.

International Surfing Association president Fernando Aguerre tells Around the Rings everything is ready to go as the French prepare to welcome the global surfing community, hosting the flagship event for the first time since 1980.

"There is a lot of excitement in France and around the world for this event," Aguerre said. "Several Olympic leaders have confirmed their attendance."

Biarritz is widely considered the epicenter of surfing in Europe and is a likely venue should Paris win the 2024 Summer Games.

"We are anticipating a record number of teams in the competition, making this the largest World Surfing Games ever and evidence of the ISA’s successful growth and development programs," said Aguerre. "Surfing’s new Olympic status is certainly increasing interest in the sport."

Afghanistan, Senegal, China, South Korea and Chinese Taipei will be participating in the World Surfing Games for the first time.

US Government Tackles Issue of Athlete Health and Safety

The United States Senate is looking into ways of keeping athletes healthier and safer.

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, chaired by Senator John Thune of South Dakota, will convene a hearing on May 17 on Capitol Hill in Washington.

There are six witnesses scheduled to testify at the hearing titled "Current Issues in American Sports: Protecting the Health and Safety of American Athletes".

Among the issues to be discussed under the committee’s sports jurisdiction are efforts to promote athlete safety and the prevention of opioid abuse among athletes.

Anti-doping efforts will also be a part of the agenda, with United States Anti-Doping Agency Sport Ambassador Lauryn Williams being one of the witnesses.

Williams is won of only five athletes to have won a medal at both the Summer and Winter Games. She won a gold medal at London 2012 and a silver medal at Athens 2004 as a sprinter before taking silver in the bobsleigh at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.

Written by Gerard Farek

For general comments or questions,click here.

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