The traditional powerhouses of rowing — including Australia, Britain and the US — could face limits in the number of events they compete in at the 2012 London Olympics.
The 126 member nations of FISA, the sport’s world governing body, will vote next month on a Swiss proposal that would restrict countries to entering a maximum 10 of 14 gold medal classes. The move is intended to give smaller European nations more chances to qualify.
The move was opposed on Friday by FISA Council member John Coates, who heads Australia’s national Olympic Committee and is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Christian Stofer, director of the Swiss Rowing national federation, said the plan was designed to “shake the world of rowing a little bit” and was in the sport’s long-term interests.
“The strong countries have to feel they also have a certain responsibility,” Stofer said by telephone. “Is it really necessary that big countries have a boat in more or less all the boat classes?”
Australia was the only country to qualify in all 14 race categories at the Beijing Games last August. Germany and the US had 13 crews, Britain 12 and China 11.
MEDALS
Britain led with two gold medals, two silvers and two bronzes. Australia had two gold medals and a silver, followed by Canada (1 gold, 1 silver, two bronzes) and the US (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).
Stofer said Olympic exposure was crucial for smaller European teams to earn domestic funding that helped develop young talent and host world-class events.
But those same countries have been squeezed in qualification by a FISA continental quota system that ensures places for emerging teams from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
However, Austria missed out and Spain was represented by a lone women’s sculler who had to be given a wild card entry by FISA, Stofer said.
“We are not asking for free seats — we know our rowers have to be good enough,” said Stofer, whose country had one qualifier, men’s sculler Andre Vonarburg.
WINNING SUPPORT
The Swiss official said he was confident of winning support at FISA’s congress in Cape Town, South Africa, from Feb. 13 to Feb. 15. The proposal needs two-thirds support for approval.
But Coates said it would do little to help international rowing.
“Having improved the opportunity for developing rowing nations to qualify for the Olympics through our continental Olympic qualification regattas, the IOC and FISA must be careful to ensure that the Olympics remains a competition for the very best of our rowers and scullers and in every class of boat,” he said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and