Turin Finished

For the first time ever, in the history of the Olympics, the main venues have been completed a whole year ahead of the event.

Agenzia Torino 2006, the agency in charge of construction for the 2006 Turin Olympics, has reported that it had completed each of the venues to be used for official test events this winter.

The bobsled track in Cesana, which will also be used for skeleton and luge, is in the process of receiving its first layer of ice.

The ski jumping facility, in Pragelato, is also complete; and will host a World Cup event February 11-12.

All of the venues for Alpine and Nordic skiing are also ready.

The building agency said "final touches" were being made to the Palavela arena in Turin that will host a short track skating event January 14-16 and the European figure skating championships January 24-30.

The Turin Olympics will be held February 10-26, 2006.

Muju Protest

Pyeongchang County Korea has been chosen as the candidate for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

On December 23, the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) held a standing committee; and chose Pyoengchang County, in a choice between Pyeongchang and Muju, by a unanimous vote.

The KOC will present Pyeongchang County as the single candidate to the general committee on December 29.

Muju is objecting to the decision quote:

"We can’t obey KOC’s decision"

150 officials of Muju, who had cancelled the standing committee of KOC on December 21 by occupying the meeting room, held a protest demonstration on December 23 again.

Boycott Of 2008 Olympics

A South Korean human rights group, in Washington, started a campaign to collect 1 million signatures on Wednesday to oppose Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympics.

The Asia Pacific Human Rights Association started the campaign, aiming to stop China from repatriating North Korean defectors hiding in its territory.

Adidas Goes For Gold

The chairman of sportswear manufacturer Adidas-Salomon has said that he is expecting massive growth in the brand's sales in China, as the 2008 Beijing Olympics draws near.

Herbert Hainer, chairman, said:

"You can already feel the anticipation ahead of the 2008 Olympics...In Asia, in four years' time, we will have turnover of two billion euros..."

Adidas is the world's number two sportswear brand, and China and Japan are their second most important markets after the USA.

Money Talks

It is reported that Athina Roussel, the granddaughter of late shipping billionaire Aristotle Onassis, is going to bid to ride for the Greek equestrian team for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

She has recently joined the Avlona Equestrian club, near Athens, and is considered to be one of the richest women in the world (she was left $2.7BN by Onassis).

The club said that Roussel would train for the Greek national equestrian team, and the 2008 Olympics.

George Dendrinos, a member of the board of directors of the Greek Equestrian Federation and the Avlona Equestrian Club, is quoted as saying:

"Her presence here will bring another dimension to Greek equestrianism..Athina Onassis is a major boost not only for the Greek equestrian community, but for Greek sports in general. She will soon visit us to see the facilities and to discuss administrative matters...".

Doubtless her money will also bring an "extra dimension" as well!