Judo Considers North Korea to Host 2017 Tournament -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The North Korean government assured the International Judo Federation there would not be any problems issuing visas to athletes and officials if the country is awarded the 2017 Junior World Judo Championships.

IJF president Marius Vizer recently visited North Korea to hold discussions about bringing the junior championship to the country. If successful, judo would be the first Olympic federation to stage a world championship in North Korea.

Vizer met with high-ranking government officials such as the sports minister and National Olympic Committee members. The North Korean judo federation also attended the discussions.

As for how participating countries would travel to the country, the North Korean government said chartered flights may be arranged from Beijing for athletes and officials.

"I consider that for the youth of North Korea it is an important event that can inspire and motivate them," said IJF president Marius Vizer. "This is an open door for friendship and international relations. I believe that it should be one of the missions of high level sports for the society."

The IJF will decide the host of the 2017 Junior World Championships at its executive committee meeting prior to the Rio 2016 Olympics.

FIFA Continues Israel-Palestine Mediation

The FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine met for the second time in the Middle East since its formation at the 65th FIFA Congress in May.

The two-day meeting took place in Jericho where committee chair Tokyo Sexwale and representatives from the Palestinian Football Association and Israel Football Association discussed the implementation of a permanent support unit to help with the free movement of Palestinian people and goods connected with football through Israel.

The unit will deal with permit applications as to avoid delays in transportation.

"Our challenge is broader than football and we will continue with our tireless efforts to ensure that we also have the full backing of the authorities as some of the crucial issues are of a political and security nature," said chairman Sexwale.

President of the IFA said he believes football could be a "bridge for peace" between the two countries.

"A football match between our two national teams would underline that peaceful coexistence between our people is possible," said Eini.

The committee will continue mediation leading up to the 66th FIFA Congress where the outcomes and progress of the committee will be presented.

World Bowling Appoints Next President

Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah of Kuwait will take over as head of WorldBowling following the World Bowling Congress that took place Dec. 15 inAbu Dhabi.

Although he is now the head of the international federation, Talal willremain in his position as president of the Asian Bowling Federation, onehe has held for the past 11 years.

Sheikh Talal replaces Kevin Dornberger who will remain in anadministrative role with the federation as its chief executive officer.

Dornberger and Talal agreed on the new leadership positions one monthahead of the World Bowling congress so no election occurred.

Triathlon Finalizes Race Calendar for 2016

The International Triathlon Union released the dates for all WorldTriathlon Series, paratriathlon, world championship and continental cupraces for the 2016 calendar year.

"Next year is very important for ITU, as our athletes turn theirattention towards Rio in hopes of making their Olympic dreams cometrue," said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado.

Although the World Cup schedule was announced earlier this year, the ITUhas added a race to take place in Cagliari, Italy on May 7-8.

The 2016 calendar also features seven World Paratriathlon Events and aseparate Paratriathlon World Championship. The year is particularlyimportant to paratriathlon as the sport makes its debut at the Rio 2016Paralympics.

ITU also added several winter triathlon events to the 2016 calendar aspart of an initiative to grow the sport in the winter months.

USA Gymnastics Board of Directors Chairman Steps Down

Olympic gold medalist and chairman of the USA Gymnastics board of directors Peter Vidmar is stepping down to pursue a three-year service trip.

Vidmar made the announcement on Dec. 11 that he and his wife Donna will oversee mission efforts for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a yet-to-be-determined location. The assignment begins in July 2016.

Vidmar was elected as chairman of the board in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, the same year he joined the International Gymnastics Federation’s executive committee. He says he plans to return to USA Gymnastics once his mission trip concludes.

"Upon my return, I look forward to again doing what I can to assist USA Gymnastics moving forward," said Vidmar, a two-time gold medalist at the 1984 Olympic Games.

He is replaced by his vice chairman Paul Parilla. Parilla has been vice chair since 2009.

"Paul has been a part of this organization’s leadership for more than 16 years, not only as a member of the Board but also as the chair for several key committees," said president of USA Gymnastics Steve Penny. "He brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to this position."

FIFA Women’s World Cup Reaches Record Viewership

The FIFAWomen’s World Cup 2015 final between USA and Japan was the most watchedfootball match in United States history, but the records don’t stopthere.

The tournament also set all-time viewing records for FIFA,making the Women’s World Cup now the second most-watched FIFAtournament after the FIFA World Cup.

More than 750 milliontelevision viewers tuned into the event worldwide, while 86 millionpeople watched matches online or via a mobile device.

In total 7,781 hours of coverage were devoted to the tournament, up 31 percent from the Women’s World Cup in 2011.

Written by KevinNutley

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