Don King Rejects IOC Proposal
Don King spoke out against AIBA and the IOC’s proposition to allow professional boxers to fight in the Olympics.
King, a notorious American boxing promoter, argued that the proposition goes against the three pillars of AIBA’s mission statement.
Concern for safety of amateur boxers, abuse of power by officials and professionals, and harm to the growth of boxing were King’s main arguments.
"I am frightened, shocked and appalled that the AIBA and the IOC could support such a harmful policy against human interest and public interest," said King in a statement.
"I strongly advise that the AIBA and the IOC dismiss their efforts to emasculate the boxers in their monopolistic practices and circumnavigate the boxing organizations and the professional promoters, giving the AIBA and the IOC veiled control over the sport of boxing, competitive wise, as well as business wise, under the so called auspices of ‘we are doing the best thing for the athlete (boxer).’ I am prayerful and hopeful that they change their minds."
FINA Names New Sponsor
NVC Lighting agreed to a sponsorship agreement with FINA Diving World Series.
The agreement, which runs from 2014 through 2017, will make the Chinese lighting company the title Sponsor for the event. NVC Lighting was the official lighting supplier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
NVC and FINA signed the agreement during the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona.
"Sportsmen and women consistently exhibit qualities of perseverance, integrity and a passion for continuous improvement," said Changjiang Wu, president of NVC.
"These are values that coincide closely with the values of NVC."
ITTF Extends Sponsorship
The International Table Tennis Federation announced the extension of ITTF World Tour Title Sponsorship with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd.
The agreement was extended for three years and will run through 2015.
GAC Group first sponsored the ITTF World Tour in 2011.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for GAC Group to showcase our company's brand and culture on the world stage," said Mr Zeng Qinghong, General Manager of GAC Group.
"Table tennis is a very competitive and intellectual sport, with a strong foundation amongst the public. The World Tour is a top ITTF Event that not only provides a stage for athletes to prove themselves, but is also a platform that promotes international friendship and understanding."
London Extends IPC Marathon Cup
The International Paralympic Committee’s Marathon World Cup will take place in London through 2017.
The extension comes after 70 para-athletes competed in the 2013 London Marathon in April, 2013. Athletes competed in four categories: visually impaired, arm and leg amputees, and wheelchair racers.
"We are delighted to agree to this deal with the London Marathon, as this year's event was a great success and the feedback from the athletes who took part has been tremendous," said Ed Warner, Chairman of the IPC Athletics Sport Technical Committee.
"Our strategic aim is to give the world's best athletes greater high-level competition opportunities ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and this deal helps to provide this for marathon racers."
Written by Aaron Bauer
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
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