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BOA Ink Cooperation Deal with Russian NOC
The British Olympic Association and Russian Olympic Committee inked a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday to boost mutual cooperation ahead of London 2012 and Sochi 2014.
The agreement was signed at the White House in Moscow by ROC president Alexander Zhukov and BOA chairman Colin Moynihan. Andy Hunt, the BOA's chief executive and Team GB chef de mission for London 2012, was also present.
The BOA delegation also met with Sochi 2014 leaders including president and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko to receive an update on Winter Games preparations. A meeting with the Russian Ski Federation is also scheduled.
The MoU aims to mutually benefit sports and aspiring Olympic athletes from both countries. The two NOCs will cooperate in the development of excellence in sport performance and Olympic preparation.
They will share information and best practice in a range of areas including: details of national facilities, training conditions, venues and other key information about sport performance; 2012 and 2014 Games preparations; assisting each other through strategic partnerships and operational assistance between their respective national governing bodies; and supporting the development of the Olympic Movement and the moral and ethical values of sports.
"As the host National Olympic Committees for the next editions of the Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games, both organizations have a great responsibility to the Olympic Movement upon our shoulders," Moynihan said.
"Today’s agreement displays our commitment to share best practice and support each other in the development of our relationships – both at National Olympic Committee level – and between our sport National Governing Bodies."
Praising Sochi 2014's planning and preparations, Moynihan added: "While the majority of the UK are understandably focused onthe countdown to London 2012, today’s agreement demonstrates that we are simultaneously ensuring that our winter sports will continue to receive our full support and dedication on the exciting journey to Sochi 2014."
New French Sports Minister
Olympian David Douillet is France’s new sports minister.
Douillet replaces Chantal Jouanno, who was removed from the Cabinet by French president Nicholas Sarkozy as part of a shakeup following his party’s defeat in the French senate elections.
The judoka currently serves as the junior minister for French citizens abroad.
He won a gold medal at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics and a bronze in 1992.
Caracol Televisión Gets Olympic Broadcast Rights
Caracol Televisión S.A. will broadcast the next two Olympics in Colombia.
The IOC announced Wednesday that the company will have the television and radio rights for the London Olympics as well as the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck.
"The London 2012 Olympic Games and the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games are world events of sporting excellence which we are proud to bring to our Colombian audience through our nationwide television network," said Carlos Alejandro Pérez Dávila, Caracol’s president.
"The Olympic Movement and its ideals will be well represented through our first-rate coverage."
Caracol has broadcast the Olympics before in Colombia.
Written by Ann Cantrell.