Short EB Set in Lausanne
The 15 members of the IOC Executive Board hold one of their shortest regular meetings May 2 to 3. Scheduled to begin mid afternoon Wednesday, the meeting will end Thursday evening. Under IOC Pres. Thomas Bach, EB meetings have become shorter in length from what once were three-day agendas. The efficient Bach has trimmed them down to two days for the most part.
The meeting at the Lausanne Palace hotel will open with reports on the next Olympic Games in Tokyo, Beijing, Paris and Buenos Aires. The Wednesday afternoon agenda will include self congratulations. The final item of the day is titled "Success of PyeongChang 2018".
Thursday morning begins with reports on the summer and winter federations. Of particular interest is the situation with boxing federation AIBA. Last week the Federation responded in writing to a series of IOC questions involving governance, doping control, finance and other issues. The IOC is threatening to cut boxing from the Tokyo Olympics if it is not satisfied with reply and steps the Federation has already taken to address IOC concerns.
This will be the first regular EB meeting in some time that may have no specific agenda item that by name involves the Russian doping scandal. Nonetheless, doping control as well as relations with National Olympic Committees are on the program for the meeting. With Russia no longer suspended by the IOC, Kuwait is the only NOC still under sanctions. The IOC suspended Kuwait over government interference allegations.
Doha Opens Diamond League Season
Qatar once again marks the start of the IAAF Diamond League series that will run through August. The Qatar Sports Club in Doha will be the venue for the May 4 meet.
Olympic high jump champ Mutaz Barshim of Qatar is among the stars competing for cash and points. Christian Taylor, Castor Semanya and Katerina Stefanidi some of the other leading athletes expected.
The Diamond League includes 13 more events in Europe, China, Morocco and the U.S.
Ice Hockey Championship in Denmark
Competition begins May 4 in the men’s 2018 IIHF World Champs. The Royal Arena in Copenhagen is the main venue with some matches taking place in Herning. The 14-team tournament ends May 20.
Table Tennis in Sweden
The 2018 Liebherr Table Tennis World Championships opened April 29 in Halmstad, Sweden. The final matches are May 6.
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