SportAccord Newsdesk - Summer Feds Vote; Sheikh Spotting; Host Hospitality

5/22/2012

Atop ASOIF

Tops on the agenda for Tuesday's general assembly of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations are elections to replace retiring president Denis Oswald.

His post atop ASOIF will almost certainly pass to sole candidate Francesco Ricci Bitti. But IOC age limits prevent the 70-year-old head of the International Tennis Federation from also taking over Oswald's seat on the IOC Executive Board.

A separate ballot among the 28 member IFs will award that prize to either boxing boss C.K. Wu or cycling chief Pat McQuaid. Whoever is selected will still need to be ratified by the IOC Session in London this July.

ANOC Appearance

Also on Tuesday, Association of National Olympic Committees president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah will address the ASOIF general assembly in the wake of his election last month in Moscow.

It's unprecedented for an ANOC president to meet IFs as part of SportAccord, but the gesture symbolizes the Sheikh's resolve to bridge differences between NOCs and federations, Around the Rings is told.

IOC president Jacques Rogge, no stranger to SportAccord, will also address ASOIF mid-morning.

Host Hospitality

Among the perks of staging SportAccord: deciding what's for lunch – and what's on TV as delegates dine.

Footage of Canada's past Olympic glories played on big-screens throughout the room at Monday's international federations welcome luncheon, co-hosted by the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.

Sharing Space for Bat and Ball Sports

Baseball and softball are playing nice ahead of this week's big decision from the IOC Executive Board.

EB members will decide Thursday whether to allow a joint pitch for Olympic reinstatement ahead of the 2020 Summer Games.

A single, combined federation would then be formed if the IOC gives the green-light.

In the meantime, the International Baseball Federation and International Softball Federation are sharing space in hopes a joint booth can give way to a joint bid.

Networking is already underway within the cavernous exhibition hall, though the space doesn't officially open until Tuesday morning.

Meet the Media

Olympic beat reporters Stephen Wilson of the AP, Hiroki Shoda of Kyodo News and Sven Busch of DPA will join ATR editor Ed Hula to discuss the 2020 shortlist, possible new sports for the Games and more at Thursday morning's ATR Newsmaker Breakfast, also a part of the official SportAccord program.

Coffee, pastries and networking begin at 7:30 a.m. in Room 200A with the panel to follow from 8 to 8:50 a.m.

Availability is limited, so email Sheila@AroundTheRings.com to reserve your place.

With reporting in Quebec City by Matthew Grayson and Ed Hula

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