Dragon

Rumour is that some of the American threatened to sue the IAAF. At the moment only 4 have qualified to take part.

Based on its wish to ensure gender equality on the field of play, the IAAF Council has decided to create a new 50km race walk competition for women at the IAAF World Championships London 2017. Scheduled to start at the same time as the men's event, the women’s 50km race walk in London will have separate results and prize money. The entry standard is 4:30:00 to be achieved by Tuesday 25 July midnight Monaco time. In order for athletes to be allowed to finish the race in London, they shall be required to start the last two-kilometre lap within the time limit of 4:17:00. IAAF Member Federations have been advised of the decision along with the qualifying standard. “IAAF Council’s decision to create a new 50km race walk competition for women with separate results and prize money at the World Championships in London follows the 2016 IAAF Race Walking Team Championships in Rome, where one female athlete from the USA joined her four male teammates,” said IAAF President Sebastian Coe. “There has been equal prize money for men and women at the IAAF World Championships since the introduction of financial rewards in the early 1990s and this decision brings gender quality in terms of competition opportunity too. “But we must acknowledge this has been a last-minute decision based upon the request of a small group of athletes,” added Coe. “Therefore, to ensure the long-term credibility of the World Championships, we will follow the recommendation of the Race Walking Committee and assess the development of the event to determine whether there are sufficient numbers of athletes and countries legitimately interested.” IAAF

I like the idea that the Summer Olympics would have a 12 year schedule. 1st Olympics could go to North or South America 2nd Olympics to Europe or Africa 3rd Olympics to Asia or Australia. Then back to #1 again

If Paris did not win this time then it is unlikely any city in Western Europe would bid for 20 years. The same applies to the USA if LA did not win, This way we have a few more years to find new host cities. Maybe by 2032 India or South Africa will be able to bid? I think Paris 2024 - LA 2028 is a brilliant decision but I don't like the way they made the decision. Too much secrecy.

I hear rumours of a medical problem causing strange readings in his biological passport

Very strange. They have been rumours about Schwazer for many years, Stories that he was on EPO and other drugs long before he won his gold in Beijing but even the athletes who believe he cheated them of medals find this new doping case very suspicious,

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/06/philippa-york-gender-transition-cyclist-robert-millar?CMP=share_btn_tw

The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) rejects an appeal by Sagan to be reinstated to the TdF http://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Media_Release_5225.pdf

This shouldn't be possible according to the rules but let's wait and see what happens

This is probably the best view

Cavendish is out

Listening to an interview with him, It seems impossible he'll start tomorrow

No appeal is possible. Decision is now final

Now confirmed

Reports that Sagan has been thrown off the tour

Maksim Oberemko - shooting Glenn Eller - shooting

Olaf Tufte - Rowing Vasilij Žbogar - Sailing Oussama Mellouli - Swimming Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum - Shooting

Major announcement just been made. A study has revealed female athletes with hyperandrogenism get a huge boost because of their high testosterone levels http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/ATH_IAAF_TESTOSTERONE_STUDY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-07-03-16-50-17 Too late for 2017 but, for example, the 800m could be very different in 2018

This is slightly off subject but I notice Jitendarjit Singh Ahluwalia of India tried to qualify for Rio at dressage. He competed in eventing in Moscow in 1980 and not since

Taizo Sugitani - Equestrian David Mier - Sailing Otryadyn Gündegmaa - shooting Reinder Nummerdor - volleyball/beach volleyball

Which reminds me Kim Rhode - Shooting Made her in debut in 1996 and competed in all Games since - won gold 6 days after she turned 17

Marcel Hacker - Rowing Sabine Spitz - Cycling