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On the Record: World Bowling CEO Kevin Dornberger
(ATR) It's been more than 30 years since bowling made its first and only appearance at the Games in Seoul. Since then, bowling seems to have fallen off the Olympic radar.
World Bowling CEO Kevin Dornberger discusses the ongoing quest for Olympic glory as well as the new scoring system, the Pan Am Games and much more.
Around the Rings - Ok, let's get right down to business. Is bowling a sport or a game?
Kevin Dornberger:Yes. It’s a sport to the top of the participation pyramid, it’s a game to the 200 million people who are in it for the recreational/social aspects. I compare bowling to swimming – a lot of backyard and public pools, a small percentage of competitive swimmers.
ATR:Bowling seems to have universal appeal. But your champions tend to be American. What are your emerging markets? Where are you putting your development efforts?
KD:Historically strong markets, particularly at the competitive level, exist in Scandinavia (Sweden/Finland/Denmark), Germany, Colombia and Venezuela, Mexico, Canada, the Arabian Gulf, Japan and Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Bowling centers are being built by the dozens in China and Russia. These markets are still primarily recreational.
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Czechs Ready for ANOC World Beach Games
(ATR) Czech athletes are excited to compete at the inaugural ANOC World Beach Games in Qatar but they are going in without any preconceived notions.
"It’s a new event and I don’t expect anything – it’s better than having some big expectations," said Karolína Rehackova, the captain of the Czech women's four-member beach volleyball team.
The Czech Republic is one of 97 NOCs sending athletes to compete at the first-ever World Beach Games, Oct. 11-16, in the Middle Eastern country. The Czech delegation will be 25, including 13 athletes competing in six sports.
Rehackova, who has participated in the European Games but has no Olympic experience, is looking forward to the vibe and atmosphere in the Athletes Village situated just off the Arabian Gulf.
"It’s always nice to see some athletes from other sports because during my season I see only beach volleyball players," she said.
The Czech athletes spoke to Around the Rings at an informal press conference at the Kayak Beach Bar, on Prague’s Vltava River last week.
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South American Goes to the Net for Tennis Development
(ATR) IOC President Thomas Bach was one of the first to congratulate Camilo Pérez López-Moreira for his election last week to the International Tennis Federation Board of Directors.
Pérez is now the only member of the IOC on the ITF board, elected until 2023.
The Paraguayan sports leader proved his popularity, winning more votes than any other South American who has run for the ITF board. The vote Sept. 27 in Lisbon reelected David Haggerty of the U.S. as ITF president for a second term.
"His call made me very happy," Pérez told Around The Rings.
"It is a great support and at the same time a commitment," said Pérez, who is the president of the South American Tennis Confederation.
Pérez also received the congratulations of the president of Panam Sports, Neven Ilic. Pérez is a member of the executive of the continental organization.
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Homepage photo: Lima 2019
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