Saturday 31 October
Abolishment of Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ATUEs)
Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ATUEs) for beta-2 agonists have been progressively phased out during 2009.
Please note that all ATUEs will expire on 31 December 2009. Any athlete with an existing ATUE will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) before this time. Please see TUEs for athlete types (pdf, 56kb), which outlines which body (either their International Federation or ASDMAC) athletes should be applying to for their TUEs.
We are expecting that ASDMAC will be quite busy processing TUE applications in the lead up to 31 December 2009, so it is strongly recommended that athletes undertake the appropriate medical tests and apply for their TUE ASAP to allow time for the TUE to be processed. Athletes who do not have a TUE approved by 1 January 2009 will not be covered by their previous ATUE.
For more information about TUE applications, please visit the ASDMAC website at www.asdmac.gov.au or call 13 000 ASADA and press ‘4’ for ‘TUEs’.
Thursday 29 October
Time trials pave way for domestic season
Australia’s elite rowers are continuing their preparations ahead of the upcoming domestic season and last weekend all completed a 5km time trial out of their respective home states.
With a number of national camps scheduled at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra over the next three months all rowers contesting Australian selection in 2010 will be keen to leave a strong impression with national selectors and coaches.
A number of Beijing Olympians will return after a 12 month lay-off, including gold medallist from Beijing, Duncan Free. The Queenslander, who won gold in the men’s pair with Drew Ginn in Beijing, has been training on the Gold Coast with fellow Beijing team member Sam Conrad, with the duo slowly working back to full fitness.
Sam Conrad (L) and Duncan Free
Rowing Australia National High Performance Director, Andrew Matheson, says the return of some more experienced athletes is always welcome.
“In the first year of the Olympic cycle there is always a drop off in numbers and this allowed us to build a fine new stock of younger athletes,” Matheson said. “With a number of the Beijing athletes now coming back into the mix in 2010 it will create some healthy competition for seats and that is only a positive for the program.
“We will be running a number of camps in Canberra across the summer and it will give our coaches a good opportunity to run their eye over everyone who attends and continue the planning process ahead of the domestic season.”
The heavyweight men’s sweep group will be the first camp held from 22–27 November.
Monday 26 October
Athletes have their say at the RA Selection Forum
In a workshop and forum originally planned for June/July, but delayed due to the swine flu epidemic, the RA Board-initiated Selection Forum was conducted at Melbourne’s RACV Club on Wednesday 21st October.
A broad cross section of participants drawn from athletes, coaches, administrators, selectors, judges and lawyers brought their views to the table in an in depth look at the major issues facing selection of RA’s National Teams in the lead up to London 2012.
One of the attendees was Fiona de Jong, Director of Sport from the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). Ms de Jong commended RA for initiating the Forum to take a look at a complex and difficult issue. Ms de Jong informed the meeting of recent changes to the AOC’s appeals procedures, but was quick to note that RA’s approach to and management of selection appeals is one of the best among sports.
"I’m pleased that many key stakeholders had the opportunity to express their views, including athletes, and that those views have been clearly and openly discussed and considered,” said Ms. de Jong. “RA will benefit from discussing these tricky issues well before the London 2012 Olympic Games."
The meeting was jointly chaired by Mr Andrew Dee, RA CEO and Mr Andrew Plympton, AOC executive member and former St Kilda Football Club President (and President of Yachting Australia). RA Board member Colin Smith – the Director responsible for High Performance – commented that Andrew Plympton was ideal in that role.
“We were extremely conscious to make sure that all people who attended had a fair chance to put their views. Not only that, with such a complex and detailed task, we were worried we would be able to keep on track. Andrew’s knowledge and experience, and unquestioned impartiality, surely helped us do that.”
Members of the Athletes Commission in attendance were Rebecca Joyce (Chair and RA Board member), Sarah Tait (Commission member), Kim Crow and former national coxswain Marty Rabjohns (now Manager of the NSWIS Rowing Program). Ms Joyce commented that she found the spirited discussions the best part of the workshop.
“The mere fact that we can all sit in a calm, open and honest way and discuss complex and emotional issues just goes to show that athletes (and coaches) are taken seriously in this process, and have been put well and truly in the middle of finding the optimal policy”.
Also happy with the seminar proceedings was Andrew Matheson, National High Performance Director. Matheson is the man charged with the delivery of medals success in London.
“I fully understand that selection is an emotional issue. No athlete, coach or coxswain who misses selection is ever happy about that. But, making people happy is not our primary aim. We have to build a policy that allows us to select the right people who are capable of winning Olympic medals, and that’s sometimes a hard call,” commented Matheson.
He added “But, there is also a higher duty that sits foremost in our minds during selection. The Policy has to be fair and be seen to be fair. That doesn’t mean that everyone can be selected, that’s impossible. But we do want an athlete or coach having been cut from selection at least understanding why, feeling that they have been fairly treated and walk away having some suggestions from our Head Coaches on how they can best address their training in the coming seasons,” said Matheson.
Outcomes and recommendations will be put to the RA Board and the NRCE for discussion and consideration in the near future, and notes of the Seminar will be distributed to attendees and other related parties shortly.
Sarah Tait, Olympic athlete and former Team captain, addresses the meeting
Monday 26 October
2009 Media Awards |
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The 2009 Australian Sports Commission Media Awards will be held at Crown Casino on Thursday 3 December.
The finalists have now been announced. |
Friday 23 October
Australian Sports Commission Media Awards 2009 – Finalists announced
Finalists have now been announced for the following Awards categories:
- Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Sports Journalism
- Best Reporting of an Issue in Australian Sport
- Best Contribution to the Coverage of Sport - by an organisation
- Best Contribution to the Coverage of Sport - by an individual
- Best Profiling of an Athlete, Team or Coach - broadcast media
- Best Profiling of an Athlete, Team or Coach - print media
- Best Sports Journalism from Rural, Regional or Suburban Media
- Best Journalism on Community Sport
- Best Sports Photography
- Best Sports Journalism by a Student
The Australian Sports Commission Media Awards — now in its eighth year — celebrates analytical and insightful presentation of sport and sporting issues by journalists, broadcasters and photographers.
This year the ASC Media Awards presentation gala dinner will be at Crown Casino (Southbank, Melbourne) on Thursday 3 December 2009.
Tickets for the presentation gala dinner are now on sale. To purchase tickets to the event please download the ticket order form (pdf, 137kb).
Thursday 22 October
Passing of an Olympian
Rowing Australia would like to pass on their condolences to the family of Dr Colin Douglas-Smith (aged 91), who passed away on Tuesday of this week.
Originally from Victoria, Colin competed in the 1948 Olympic Games in London as a member of the Australian coxed four rowing crew.
Since moving to Perth from Victoria in 1955, Colin has been a much loved and highly regarded member of the Olympic, Rowing and Medical families in Western Australia.
Colin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Kathleen. She will be presented with the Olympic flag.
Details of the funeral service are:
Thursday 29th October
2pm
St Aiden's Church, cnr Princess Rd and Chester Street, Claremont
Monday 19 October
Rowers scoop pool at ACTAS awards
The Canberra rowing contingent won three out of five awards on offer at the annual ACTAS awards on Saturday night.
Amy Fowler won ahead of a strong field in the Junior Female Athlete of the Year after winning a silver medal as part of the junior women’s quad scull at the 2009 World Junior Rowing Championships in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France.
Angus Moore was a favourite heading into the Junior Male Athlete of the Year after an excellent year that had already seen him win the Pierre de Coubertin award. Moore, who was part of the junior men’s coxed four that won silver in France, added the top ACTAS award to his list of accolades.
Head Coach of the ACTAS rowing program, Gordon Marcks, won the Coach of the Year award jointly with cycling coach Glenn Doney.
In further good news for the Canberra rowing community, two former rowers were named as part of the Top 20 ACTAS athletes. Bruce Hick and Jane Robinson were named in the group of 20 athletes that included Michael Bevan (cricket), Matt Giteau (rugby) and Michael Rogers (cycling).
Monday 19 October
World Rowing website news feed
The Rowing Australia homepage now features a live feed to the World Rowing website. Scroll down the homepage and look for the 'www.worldrowing.com news feed', just beneath Australian 'latest news' in the left hand column.
Thursday 15 October
Coates elected to IOC Executive Board
Courtesy of the Australian Olympic Committee, 9 October
AOC president John Coates will be sitting at the top table at the International Olympic Committee in future following his elevation to the IOC Executive Board, one of the most powerful positions in world sport.
Coates won a place on the 15- member Board in an election held at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen today.
Coates, 59, has been a member of the IOC since 2001 and is a member of several key IOC committees. He currently sits on the TV Rights and New Media, Juridical and the London 2012 Co-ordination Commissions.
“I am greatly honoured and I understand the responsibilities that come with the office and will continue to serve the Movement faithfully,” Coates said.
Kevan Gosper is the only other Australian to reach the Executive level within the IOC. He spent 17 years on the Executive Board and 8 years as IOC Vice President. Gosper paid tribute to his colleague today.
”This is most deserving result. John Coates is not only an outstanding national sports leader but is also highly respected within the international sports community,” Gosper said.
Coates has led the Australian Olympic Committee since 1991 and has led the Australian Olympic Team as Chef de Mission for the past six Summer Olympic Games.
His Olympic career stretches back to the 1976 Montreal Games where he was the Section Manager for Rowing.
Coates also played a key role in the Sydney 2000 Olympics serving as Senior Vice President on the Sydney Organising Committee (SOCOG) and he was Vice President of the Sydney Bid Committee.
The IOC recognised his contribution to the “best games ever” by awarding him the Olympic Order in gold at the closing ceremony of the Sydney Games.
In 2006 he was appointed to the country’s highest civilian honour as a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) “for service to the development of sport nationally and internationally through the Olympic movement."
There were five candidates for two positions on the Executive Board. The list included Sir Craig Reedie of Great Britain, Patrick Hickey of Ireland, Samih Moudallal of Syria, C K Wu of Chinese Taipei and Coates.
The second position was won by Sir Craig Reedie a key player in the organisation of the London Olympics.
IOC President Jacques Rogge was re-elected unopposed for his final four-year term.
Wednesday 14 October
Wind, Wins and World Masters:
2009 Sydney World Masters Games draws to a close
Sydney weather proved to be the toughest competitor in the final two days of racing at the 2009 World Masters Games Rowing. As winds reached 75km/h boats were capsized, crews were thrown overboard and racing necessarily abandoned as conditions became too dangerous to continue.
The Day Four racing schedule had been cancelled mid-morning. Despite near-perfect conditions for the early morning racing session, the wind gusts made racing unsafe and unfair.
Day Five began with the scheduled mixed events program, in which men and women row together on what is the most social – though still competitive – day of the regatta. As the wind strengthened racing was cancelled and the regatta came to an unfortunately premature close.
Despite the shortened program, Australian and international crews leave the Sydney International Regatta Centre today with fond memories and medals from the Masters Games.
A rower who particularly enjoyed the event was the regatta’s oldest female competitor, Nelly Brandsma. At 84 years of age, Nelly came to the 2009 Sydney World Masters Games having only just returned from the World Masters Regatta in Vienna, Austria. Nelly completed a busy event schedule at Sydney, representing the Western Australian Swan River Rowing Club.
At 91, Ralph Howard, the oldest rowing competitor at the World Masters Games, cannot walk through the boat yard without receiving a celebratory clap on the back.
Ralph, who rows for the Banks Rowing Club in Melbourne, has been rowing for more than 70 years and is passionate about the sport.
“Rowing is fantastic,” he says. “Anyone can row. You don’t get too many injuries – maybe a bit of battering and bruising from around the boat – but the friendships you make and the competition you can compete in are great.”
Competing in the J category of racing, Ralph and his Ancient Mariners crew were hoping to perform strongly in the Men’s J Eight. The crew featured two former Olympians and current Masters Champions. Though the average age of the crew was over 80, the competitive spirit of the boat was undeniable.
“I don’t like to lose,” Ralph said simply.
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Ralph Howard, 91-year old rower (the oldest registered rowing competitor at the games) |
Anonymous rower |
Due to the weather conditions Ralph and his Eight were unfortunately unable to take the water on Day Four, as rough water and wind conditions made the 1000m Penrith course too dangerous.
Despite the shortened schedule, the 2009 Sydney World Masters Games Rowing has been a huge success. Current and former Olympians, ex-World Champions, international teams and everyday masters rowers have competed in the largest regatta ever held in the Southern Hemisphere. With a total of 2443 rowers (mixing together to race in 4638 crews) racing every four minutes over an Olympic-grade 1000m course, the 2009 World Masters Games Rowing has been an enormous – if at times dramatic – sporting success
For further information please contact the Rowing NSW Communications Advisor
Emma Schiller at esch7116@uni.sydney.edu.au or 0419 161 740
Wednesday 14 October
Rowers conquer Hawaii Ironman
Congratulations to Todd Skipworth and Ben Cureton who successfully completed what is regarded as the world’s toughest event, the Hawaiian Ironman.
The West Australian duo, who both competed in the men’s lightweight four at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, have had a year out of the boat and built up towards this event which was held on Saturday 10 October.
The Hawaiian Ironman takes place over a 3.8km swim, a 180.2km cycle and a 42.1km run leg.
Both performed exceptionally well in the gruelling 30+ degree heat, gaining top 20 place finishes in their respective age categories.
Skipworth, competing in the 18–24 age group, recorded a sixth place finish in a time of 9 hours, 41 minutes and 31 seconds. Skipworth also recorded the quickest swim leg of all athletes in his age group, getting out of the water in 53:16.
Cureton meanwhile recorded a time one second better than that of Skipworth (9h, 41m, 30s) to finish 20th in the 25–29 age category.
Tuesday 13 October
Calling for Expressions of Interest for AIS/National Senior Coach – Adaptive
The AIS with the support of the Australian Paralympic Committee, is establishing an AIS Adaptive Rowing Scholarship program focussed on fixed seat boats.
A new full-time role of AIS/National Senior Coach - Adaptive has been created to coach the AIS scholarship athletes, and will also have full national responsibility for the entire adaptive high performance program (all boat classes).
This program is based in Canberra, operating as a fully integrated member of the NRCE team, and is scheduled to start in late November 2009.
Employment arrangements including length of contract and attractive remuneration package will be discussed with short-listed candidates.
Coaching and personal attributes sought:
1. Qualifications and Experience
a. Tertiary qualifications in coaching or a related field
b. Level II NCAS accreditation, or equivalent
c. Demonstrated successful experience coaching elite adaptive rowers at the national and international level
d. Experience and proven capability in the holistic development of young people
e. Demonstrated experience in planning, organising and implementing a comprehensive high performance coaching program for elite athletes.
2. Knowledge and Skills
a. Outstanding technical knowledge of individual and team principles including techniques, tactics, coaching trends and international developments
b. In-depth understanding and application of the principles of coaching, sports science, medicine and technology within a high performance program
c. Well developed liaison, interpersonal, oral and written communication, and people management skills
d. Sound financial and administration skills.
3. Personal Attribute
a. Self motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team
b. Demonstrated ability to meet competing demands through effective prioritisation in a results oriented environment
c. Demonstrated success in managing individual differences and group dynamics
d. Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, observe confidentiality and use discretion and initiative
e. Ability to work irregular and long hours, and capacity to travel domestically and overseas for extended periods.
Application Process:
- Applications should contain a letter indicating an expression of interest and accompanying curriculum vitae.
- Applications are to be sent via email to Matt Bialkowski, NRCE High Performance Programs Officer at mbialkowski@rowingaustralia.com.au
- Applications close 5:00pm Monday 19 October 2009
- Enquiries regarding this position should be directed to Andrew Matheson, National High Performance Director on 0488 048 112
Download the job description (pdf, 80kb).
Tuesday 13 October
2009 FISA Adaptive Rowing Classification Workshop
The international adaptive rowing classification program has recently been revised, and the impending changes that have been made will be effective January 1, 2010.
In partnership with the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) and in collaboration with FISA, Rowing Australia will be conducting a Classification Workshop from Friday 13th November till Sunday 15th November 2009 at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra.
The goals for this workshop will be to achieve the following:
- Re-training current national and international classifiers (Medical and Technical)
- Train potential national and international classifiers (Medical and Technical)
- The creation of state based classification panels (1 Medical and 1 Technical classifier per rowing state)
- Internationally classify athletes that are at an internationally competitive level
- Nationally classify athletes prior to the 2010 Australian Rowing Championships
The NRCE will be targeting certain current and potential classifiers for the workshop to be trained as Medical and Technical Classifiers. Those members of the adaptive community that are not targeted by the NRCE are invited to attend the workshop, but there may be some individual costs associated with the workshop.
The NRCE will be conducting a Paralympic Preparation Program (PPP) camp to coincide with the classification workshop. Targeted athletes will be invited by the NRCE to attend this training camp. Those athletes who wish to attend the workshop to be nationally classified are invited to do so, but there may be some individual costs associated with the workshop.
Download the:
All forms are due back to Rowing Australia by 23 October.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Matt Bialkowski
High Performance Programs Officer
Rowing Australia & National Rowing Centre of Excellence
Mobile: +61 412 167 574
Office: +61 2 6260 4724
Email: mbialkowski@rowingaustralia.com.au
Friday 9 October
Australian Olympic Committee media release:
Doping – IOC going after coaches, managers and doctors
Coaches and officials who are involved in doping could be jailed under new IOC rules targeting what they call the “athletes’ entourage”.
The IOC Session in Copenhagen has been told the fight against doping should be extended beyond the athletes to catch coaches, managers and doctors starting at next year’s Vancouver Olympics.
National Olympic Committee’s and International Sport Federations would be asked to investigate cases where they suspect coaches, managers or doctors are behind or involved in an athlete doping.
They would then report to the IOC Disciplinary Commission who would take action.
In cases where the law in a particular country carries a jail term in regard to doping the IOC should inform the national authorities.
The plans are contained in a paper prepared by the Chairman of the IOC Juridical Commission, Thomas Bach, who presented it to the IOC Session in Copenhagen today.
The report states “In cases where the relevant national law allows for penal provisions, with regard to the athletes’ entourage, in relation to activities connected to anti-doping rule violations, the IOC should inform the relevant national authorities of the case in order that they may take appropriate action”.
It says that if an athlete is found to be cheating the IOC should compile a list of persons who were managing, coaching or providing medical assistance to the athlete at the time of the doping offence.
The Session was told the principals of “strict liability” would be extended to include the athletes’ entourage. Under the present strict liability rules athletes are totally responsible for any substance they might consume either wittingly or unwittingly.
Earlier at the Session, the IOC President Jacques Rogge said the fight against doping remained the number one priority for the IOC.
Friday 9 October
Australian Olympic Committee media release:
World anti doping agency expanding rapidly
WADA President John Fahey has told the IOC Session his organisation now covers 90% of the sporting world.
Mr Fahey, the former Premier of NSW, told the IOC members 630 organisations have adopted the code with more countries likely to sign up soon.
He said all Olympic Federations are now code compliant.
He said under the revised WADA code drug education is now mandatory, and WADA would play a key role at the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010 where they will educate young athletes about the dangers of doping.
Fahey said under the revised code athletes declaring their whereabouts is also mandatory and crucial to out of competition testing.
When quizzed about the controversy over whereabouts rules Fahey said there was a level of intrusion for athletes but he didn’t apologise for that. More and more athletes are declaring their whereabouts he said.
“I don’t deny it has caused anxiety but it is for the benefit of all the clean athletes”.
Friday 9 October
Latest RA News now available
The 51st edition of RA news is now available. Catch up on the latest Australian rowing news.
Thursday 8 October
Rowing Australia live on Facebook
Rowing Australia today continued its drive into the world of social media when it launched its Facebook fan page.
With social media continually expanding, Rowing Australia is endeavouring to align itself within this market and encourages everyone to become a “fan” of this page.
The Rowing Australia fan page will contain links to athlete profiles, regular news updates, information on rowing events and photo galleries of its athletes.
Fans are welcome to email photos they would like published of rowing events to rowingaustraliamedia@gmail.com. Please ensure you name the regatta and location of the regatta when sending through photos.
So make sure you visit Facebook today and sign up to be a fan of Rowing Australia.
Thursday 8 October
Australian Olympic Committee media release:
Doping still our biggest challenge – Jacques Rogge
IOC President Jacques Rogge has vowed to continue to fight to stamp out drug cheats at the Olympic Games.
He’s told the IOC members in Copenhagen “fighting against doping remains our absolute priority”.
Rogge said the number of out of competition drug tests had doubled in the past eight years and he “would have no hesitation in calling in the police if necessary as we did in Torino”.
At the 2006 Winter Games the Italian police raided accommodation housing members of the Austrian Olympic Team.
In his address to the IOC meeting Rogge also promised to maintain the fight against illegal betting. He said the IOC would form a new body to deal with irregular betting and match-fixing and they would work with Interpol and international sports federations.
The new body would check for athletes involved in illegal betting and who might be “fixing” Olympic events.
The new body should be operational by next year’s Vancouver Winter Games.
Australian athletes, coaches and officials are banned from betting on Olympic events under the AOC’s Team Agreement which is strictly enforced.
President Rogge told the session income from marketing and television rights had increased significantly. Income from the IOC’s top sponsors for 2009 – 2012 was $883 million US and negotiations were still underway to finalise the program.
He said television rights had climbed to $3.8 billion US for the 2010- 2012 period. This compared with $2.2 billion US for the 2002-2004 period.
Rogge said free to air television broadcasting would remain a priority for the IOC but they would also use new platforms such as mobile telephones and the internet to attract the young audience.
Thursday 8 October
Australian Olympic Committee media release:
Beijing gets the big tick of approval from the IOC
The Chairman of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the 2008 Games, Hein Verbruggen, said today Beijing “proved to be the right choice”.
In response to criticism of China’s human rights record he said “I am more convinced than ever that the games have and will prove to be a positive catalyst for change in China. Let's remember that the Olympic Games remained fundamentally a force for good and a catalyst for collaboration and change”.
He was supported by the IOC President Jacques Rogge who repeated his declaration that “Beijing was truly a remarkable Games”.
Verbruggen also led the Coordination Commission which was responsible for overseeing the Beijing preparations.
“I award the gold medal for friendliness to the Chinese people” he said.
"Awarding the games to China and allowing the Chinese citizens to welcome the world was the best path to continued dialogue between cultures and civilizations, building cultural bridges will remain one of the most valuable legacies of these games” he said.
Verbruggen described the Beijing as a “unique” event and suggested subsequent host cities London and Rio should not to try and match them for “size and grandeur”. No one could match the size and investment of China’s Games he said.
Wednesday 7 October
RA media release:
Gold Coast ready for Trans Tasman showdown
Tuesday 6 October
16 of the world’s most talented rowers will face off this Saturday (10 October) as an Australian men’s eight does battle with a New Zealand eight at the Griffith University Paradise Regatta, Surfers Paradise.
The main event of the 2009 regatta will feature the two eights in a scratch race along the Nerang River, with no fewer than 10 Olympic athletes amongst the crew members.
The Australian crew boasts 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist in the men’s pair, and hometown favourite, Duncan Free (QLD). Free is joined in the crew by the Olympic silver medal winning men’s four of Francis Hegerty (NSW), Cameron McKenzie-McHarg (VIC), James Marburg (VIC) and Matt Ryan (NSW), while fellow 2008 Olympian in the men’s eight, Sam Conrad (QLD) also features.
Nick Hudson (NSW) and Jared Bidwell (QLD), members ofthe men’s quad scull that won silver at the 2009 World Rowing Championships complete the crew, which will be coxed by 2004 Olympian, Michael Toon (QLD).
The New Zealand crew will be headlined by four times world champion in the single scull, Mahe Drysdale.
Olympic and world championship silver medallist in the men’s four, Francis Hegerty, says the race will provide a nice change to regular competition.
“It will be a great race to take part in, especially considering the great sporting rivalry that exists between the two nations,” Hegerty said. “With such a high quality group of athletes competing this weekend it will only add to the competitive juices.”
Event organiser Dr David Houston says there is a buzz of excitement surrounding the race.
“To have so many high quality athletes competing in the race should provide a great spectacle for the crowd,” Houston said. “The concept of the race has been warmly embraced by all involved and come Saturday afternoon I am sure both crews will be eager to impress.”
The regatta will commence at 11am on Saturday and concludes with the Trans Tasman showdown at 3.45 local Queensland time.
The race will be followed by cameras on the water, from the top of nearby apartment blocks and from a helicopter.
For more information please call David Polglase on 0401 453 041
Tuesday 6 October
Australian Olympic Committee media releases:
Updates from the IOC Session in Copenhagen
Monday 5 October
Grim warning for idol youth – Horta
The president of East Timor, Jose Ramos Horta, has warned the world is in crisis because of lack of physical activity by young people.
He described the crisis “ is as bigger threat as poverty and global warming”.
President Ramos Horta said sport is the tool to solve our global ills and he called on the United Nations to lead the way.
“The power of sport can heal” he said.
The Nobel Peace prize winner was speaking at the Olympic Congress in Copenhagen where he warned “people need to get up and get active”.
“Sport needs to be a more integral part of our lives” he said. “Sport should be compulsory in schools and governments need to provide more sporting facilities in urban areas”.
President Ramos Horta reminded the 1200 Congress delegates of the current human tragedy in Indonesia, Samoa, the Philippines, Vietnam and India.
He called on the world to work together to overcome climate changer.
“We all need to work together to heal the cancer damaging mother earth. We should not point fingers at each other, the poor can’t blame the rich” he said.
He applauded the International Olympic Committee for the introduction of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG)… the first to be staged in Singapore next year.
He appealed to all delegates to take action to stop sport falling off the social agenda all together.
“Sport is all about building peace in the world” he said.
President Ramos Horta talked of the thrill for him and his young East Timorese Team when they marched into the Olympic stadium at Homebush in 2000 and the entire crowd stood and cheered.
The IOC had fast-tracked their membership of the Olympic movement so they could participate in the Games. He thanked the IOC, in particular Australian IOC member Kevan Gosper, for allowing East Timor to be part of the Sydney Games.
He said “it was an honour” to be in Copenhagen where “the power of sport is very evident”.
“It is young people who will guide, support and motivate the world in which we live in the future. We must put the interests of young people first ” he said.
Friday 2 October
Rio – Let the party begin
While still stunned by the early exit of Chicago the mood at the IOC Session in Copenhagen is “let the carnival begin” for Rio.
While thousands danced on the beach in Rio the Brazilian bid team celebrated their historic victory well into the night in Denmark. President Lula wept tears of joy, overcome with emotion “It’s Brazil’s time” the President cried.
I cry now because I didn't have the courage to cry during the presentation," Lula said.
In contrast, the king of soccer, Pele, had a smile a mile wide. He was bursting with pride; his country had now won the double. The right to host the Olympic Games in 2016 as well as the 2014 Soccer World Cup.
A booming economy, Brazilian officials believe they do both successfully. The IOC members obviously agreed, Rio won the Olympic vote by a whopping 66 to Madrid’s 32.
Normally a contest decided by a single vote Rio romped in overcoming the enormous pulling power of President Barack Obama, Chicago’s trump card, and King Juan Carlos and Juan Antonio Samaranch, for the former IOC President, who led the charge for Madrid.
The Rio vote is also seen as a triumph for the current President of the IOC, Jacques Rogge. Rio is seen as a bold risk by the President and his members, they are taking the Olympics out of the comfort zone and into unchartered waters, a gamble many felt they would take.
Rio has a very high crime rate. In their final pitch the bid team addressed the problem head on saying they have spent $3.5billion US on public safety… another word for crime prevention.” We can guarantee a safe and secure Games’ they said.
Brazil has a booming economy, but there were doubts about their ability to pay the enormous costs associated with staging the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games. To counter this argument they brought along the Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil. He delivered a clear message; money is no object in his country.
Perhaps the biggest vote winner for Rio was the fact that the dynamic economy had helped millions of Brazilians escape poverty and they promised the Games would enable millions more to improve their quality of life.
Friday 2 October
South America to host Olympics – The first time in history
Rio de Janeiro will be the first South American city to host the Olympics after winning an historic vote to stage the 2016 Games at the IOC session in Copenhagen.
The Brazilians pipped the Spanish city of Madrid after the raging hot favourite Chicago who had the support of US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle was knocked out in the first ballot.
The other candidate city Tokyo was eliminated in the second round of voting.
Rio’s final pitch to the IOC members was a clincher with President Lula making an impassioned plea that his country was an economic super power and deserved to be an Olympic host for the first time.
Lula told the session it was "time to address this imbalance and send a powerful message to the whole world that the Olympic Games belong to all peoples, to all continents, to all mankind."
The Games in Rio would be a “magical moment for South America. Brazil is ready to stage an exceptional event. Give us this chance you won’t regret it” he said.
A high crime rate was seen as the negative for Rio but the bid team assured the delegates “they could guarantee a safe and secure Games”.
To counter crime Rio has spent $3.5 billion on a public safety campaign.
75% of their Olympic venues already exist and they highlighted the attractive beaches and bays around the city where the Olympic events would be staged.
In what was seen as a major vote winner they told the IOC members 30 million Brazilians “had been lifted out of poverty in the past ten years and the Games would help even more poor Brazilians to escape poverty”.
Madrid was a rank outsider but has the support of two Olympic heavyweights, King Juan Carlos and the former President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch.
The elder statesman of the Olympic movement, former President Samaranch appealed to his old colleagues “I know that I am very near the end of my time. As you know I am 89 years old, I ask you to consider granting my country the honour and also the duty to organize the Games in 2016,” he said.
His heartfelt plea struck a chord with the delegates.
King Juan Carlos, a 1972 Olympian, told the gathering “a vote for Madrid would foster the Olympic values throughout the world. There would be more understanding and solidarity and the world would be a better place to live following Madrid 2016” he said.
Earlier President Barack Obama became the first US President to address an IOC Session. He told delegates “peaceful competition between nations is all that is good about humanity. One of the legacies I want to see coming out of Chicago is a reminder that America at its best is open to the world”.
The new Prime Minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama, also focused on world peace in his pitch to the IOC. “The Games (in Tokyo) will make the world a better place” he said.
Both walked away without the prize.
Friday 2 October
World leader stresses the importance of sport
“Sport builds bridges throughout the world” declared the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as he delivered the keynote address at Olympic Congress in Copenhagen today.
Waving a small green ball made out of plastic and newspaper and held together by string he told how sport is vital to poor and abused children across the globe.
The ball came from the slums of Nairobi he said, made by children playing soccer.
“I travel to countries mired in poverty, to communities struggling to survive, to war ravaged places where all hope seems lost, suddenly a ball appears made out of plastic bags or newspapers and we see sport gives life to hopes and dreams."
He said the UN and the Olympic family shared common goals.
“We are fighting for our shared global goals – for a world that is cleaner, healthier, more peaceful, more sustainable and more prosperous. We must summon the energy and run and run and never stop until we reach the finish line. I am counting on all of you to join me. We must go for gold.”
About 1,200 delegates from the Olympic family, including International Federations and National Olympic Committees, as well as coaches, trainers, academics, medical specialists and representatives of the public, national sporting federations and the media are attending the three-day Congress.
IOC President Jacques Rogge told the delegates their task is to provide “intellectual guidance” to help strengthen and improve the Olympic Movement. Under the theme, “The Olympic Movement and Society,” the three-day Congress will examine issues related to Olympic athletes, the Olympic Games, the structure of the Olympic Movement, Olympism and youth, and the digital revolution.
“We have gathered in this beautiful city to take stock of the Olympic Movement — to consider where we are today and where we want to be in the future,” Rogge said. “We’re here to continue the search for improvement. As we approach this task, we should think as boldly and as fearlessly as our founder.”
The UN and the IOC cooperate on a host of projects related to the IOC’s work as a values-based sport organisation. The IOC has embraced the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and the environmental goals of Agenda 21. The two organisations also work together on the Olympic Truce, development through sport, education, humanitarian aid and health protection around the world.
Friday 2 October
Give athletes a better deal
The Olympic Congress opened in Copenhagen today with calls to provide better health and welfare for athletes particularly after their sporting careers end.
Speakers at the Congress told how many Olympians are left abandoned, forgotten and poor after providing the world with many magic moments on the sporting arena.
There was a widespread belief amongst the IOC members and other delegates that the athletes deserve support, education and an overall better deal once their careers end.
“Athletes need help with their social and professional lives after competition” the opening session was told.
The President of the IOC Athletes Commission, Frankie Fredericks, said an athlete’s life should not be restricted to the sports arena and they should be helped “do a career”.
National Sporting Federations (NF’S) were urged to help athletes post their athletic career as they prepare for life after sport which can be daunting.
“National Olympic Committee’s and NF’s have a moral responsibility to help the athletes” he said.
Fredericks, a multiple Olympic medallist on the track while representing Namibia, told how sport helped him escape apartheid and poverty on the dusty streets of his local village.
He considered himself one of the lucky ones as athletics enabled him to move to the USA and study.
“An athlete’s job does not stop on the sports field, their role extends way beyond” he said.
During his address he called for cheats to be banned for life and said the standard of judging at the Olympic Games need to be of the highest standard.
About 1,200 delegates from the Olympic family, including International Federations and National Olympic Committees, as well as coaches, trainers, academics, medical specialists and representatives of the public, national sporting federations and the media will attend the three-day Congress. Their recommendations will be forwarded to the decision-making bodies of the IOC and other relevant stakeholders.
Thursday 1 October
World Rowing e-newsletter, September 2009: now available
Read the September 2009 e-newsletter and subscribe to future editions.
