The US Figure Skating Championships are coming to my hometown of Cleveland next week and I’m lucky enough to get a chance to cover the week-long event. The competition, held annually since 1914, is the most prestigious event in US figure skating and draws around 1500 skaters in three classes: Novice, Junior, and Senior. These skaters compete in dance, pairs, mens, and womens events.
The US Figures Skating Championships are a great place to get an early look at up-and-coming champions as well as see first-hand those who will be competing in Vancouver next February. Look for my daily posts …read more

After an exciting two weeks in Beijing, don’t forget that the Winter Games in Vancouver are just 535 days away–February 12 to 28, 2010. In the intervening months, we’ll be talking about the 86 events, 7 sports, and many of the estimated 5500 athletes to be featured in those Games as well as the venues and preparation for the Vancouver Games.
Tickets for Vancouver are going on sale October 3, 2008.
Stay with us. The Olympics aren’t ending; they’re just beginning.
(photo © Newscom)

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Olympic host city, Vancouver, is taking their anti-doping tactics very seriously.  They had already estimated the costs of the lab for the upcoming 2010 Winter Games but, ultimately, it will cost double the anticipated amount.  The facility, which will be inside of the speed-skating venue in Richmond, B.C., will cost $5 million to build in addition to the $4.1 million organizers had already budgeted to run the program.  The main reason for the cost is that they have chosen to create a building for the lab rather than use …read more

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The eastern Canadian culture of Newfoundland and Labrador will be among those highlighted on the international stage at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.  The arrangement comes after Newfoundland pledged to contribute $1.5 million toward Canadian athletes and staging and the Games.
“Our government is proud to be a partner in the 2010 Winter Games, and we look forward to contributing the rich cultural heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador to this international phenomenon,” said Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams.
I think that is excellent.  I am originally from eastern Canada and I don’t …read more

Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist in Figure Skating (Albertville), has been back in the news again this season. She’s the front-runner in season six of “Dancing with the Stars,” having finished first in seven of the nine episodes. The season finale is Monday and she’s up against actor, Cristian de la Fuente and Miami Dolphin, Jason Taylor. Do you think she’s got what it takes to win?
(photo of Yamaguchi throwing out the first pitch at the May 9 LA Dodgers game © Newscom)

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The Beijing Olympic Games are just slightly more than 100 days away. Just how much do you know about the Olympic Games and their history and traditions? For instance, did you know…?

that the original Olympic games, called the PanHellenic Games in ancient Greece, were held as part of national religious festivals
that women were not permitted to participate…or even watch…the Olympic games until the 2nd century A.D.
that the first record of Olympic Games dates from 776 B.C.
that the last record of the original Olympic Games was in 261 A.D.
that …read more

Here are the four candidate cities for the First Winter Olympic Youth Games 2012, listed in no particular order:
Harbin (China)
Innsbruck (Austria)
Kuopio (Finland)
Lillehammer (Norway)
Now briefed and oriented with the concept of the Youth Olympic Games, these cities will now prepare their respective candidature files which will be submitted on 19 June 2008. The IOC will then evaluate draw up the shortlist by August 2008 and the shortlisted cities will be announced by December 2008.
Good luck to them all!
Source

Vancouver, BC – 17 January 2008 – The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will hold a press conference today in Langley, British Columbia, to announce a new contract and an Official Supplier sponsorship.
What: VANOC news conference to announce a new contract and Official Supplier sponsorship
When: Thursday January 17th, 2008 10:30 AM PT
Where: 21690 Smith …read more

12 October 2007 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced an agreement with Nine Network (Nine) and Foxtel for the broadcast rights within Australia for the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.
The IOC assessed the bids it received and selected Nine Network and Foxtel on their capacity to reach the broadest possible audience on a variety of broadcast platforms and their commitment to promoting the Olympic Games and the values of the Olympic Movement.
Commenting on the agreement, IOC President Jacques Rogge said “This is an excellent deal. Our aim is to ensure that as many people as possible …read more

13 September 2007 – Sport was at the centre stage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s visit to Vancouver this week. Reviewing the progress of the preparations for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the IOC Coordination Commission, led by its Chairman René Fasel, and the Winter Olympic International Sports Federations present on the occasion, focused on sport looking forward to the first test event to be staged next February.
“Vancouver 2010 made a commitment to the world of winter sports that it would have its venues completed early, so that the athletes would be able to come and train on those …read more