Bach New bidding process has no negative impact on Olympics

(Xinhua)11:20, June 27, 2019

LAUSANNE, June 26 (Xinhua) — IOC President Thomas Bach said here Wednesday that the dramatic change to the bidding process will not have a negative impact upon the future Olympic Games.

If you see the proposals of the working group, one of the first proposals was to maintain the magic of the Games, he said at a press conference after the three-day IOC Session.

All the changes to the rules were based on the recommendations of a working group led by Australias IOC member John Coats.

Bach pointed out that staging the Olympic Games in one city is still the IOCs first choice.

We want to make it clear that we are preferring our candidatures where the cities are making use of existing facilities or temporary facilities. Then the closer, the better.

Under the reforms, a flexible timeline has been installed by removing from the Olympic Charter the requirement for the host city to be elected seven years in advance.

Bach said this will give the IOC and potential bidding cities a second chance if there is an accident like Japanese city Sapparo, which was forced to withdraw their bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics after being hit by an earthquake.

Sapparo unforunately had to withdraw from the 2026 race. We were made aware of their intention by then to be a candidate in 2030. With the new procedure, we can start having conservation with Sapporo and other interested cities.

The IOC president said that the reforms will give potential candidates more room for manoeuvre facing unfavourable environments.

This new procedure is to avoid eliminating potential candidates. We want to have good candidates and to give them the appropriate time to organize the Games. If they have not won once, we want them to come back in four or eight years, said Bach.

Venezuela have no plan to stop Messi Dudamel

(Xinhua)09:11, June 28, 2019

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 27 (Xinhua) — Venezuela head coach Rafael Dudamel said Thursday he would not adopt a plan to stop Argentinas Lionel Messi when the teams meet in the quarterfinals of the Copa America.

Fridays clash at the Maracana stadium pits a Venezuela outfit that has exceeded the expectations of most pundits here against an underperforming Argentina side which has managed just two goals in open play from three matches.

Five-time Ballon dOr winner Messi has scored only once – from the penalty spot in Argentinas 1-1 draw with Paraguay – but Dudamel said he is not reading anything into the Barcelona forwards inauspicious performances so far.

I remember what happened in 1985, (in a World Cup qualifier in San Cristobal), Dudamel told a news conference. We had a specific plan to man-mark Maradona but he still scored two goals and Argentina won 3-2.

I dont waste time trying to figure out a way to stop the best player in the world. There is collective planning and we adapt that according to how the game develops. There has not yet been a manager capable of coming up with a strategy to stop Messi and its not going to be us.

Venezuela began the continental tournament with goalless draws against Peru and Brazil before beating Bolivia 3-1 in their final group match last Saturday.

We have always produced good players but now were adding hard work, Dudamel said of Venezuelas improvement. We want to be protagonists. We have 95 percent of our squad based abroad and that has helped to develop our players.

We understand the game more than we did before. The difference is in our heads and our players are now more prepared than ever.

Peru shock Uruguay to make Copa America semifinal

(Xinhua)14:48, June 30, 2019

Luis Suarez missed his spot-kick as Uruguay suffered a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat to Peru in the Copa America quarter-finals following a 0-0 draw on Saturday.

Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin failed to convert good chances into goals in the first and second half, respectively as Peru had only three shots throughout the whole match and none was on target. Uruguay had three goals disallowed due to offside.

Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese became the hero of the match after saving Suarezs opening penalty.

Peru is to face defending champions Chile in the semifinals of Copa America in Brazil.

Kevin Durant signs with Nets as free agent

(Xinhua)10:51, July 01, 2019

WASHINGTON, June 30 (Xinhua) — 10-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant confirmed on Sunday that he is to join the Brooklyn Nets after spending three seasons with the Golden State Warriors.

Durant confirmed on Instagram that he would sign for the Nets after he becomes a free agent on July 6. According to media reports, the two-time NBA Finals MVP will sign a deal worth 164 million U.S. dollars over four years, while the Warriors could have given him 211 million dollars over five years to stay.

The 30-year-old won two NBA championships with the Warriors before injuring his right calf in Game 5 of the 2019 Western Conference semifinals. The Warriors lost in six games in this years NBA Finals to the Toronto Raptors, with Durant rupturing his Achilles tendon in Game 5, which could cause him to sit out the entire 2019-20 season.

Meanwhile, the Nets are also reported to be strengthening their roster still further by acquiring NBA champion guard Kyrie Irving and veteran center DeAndre Jordan.

Benitez reportedly set to take charge of CSLs Dalian Yifang

(Xinhua)14:49, July 02, 2019

BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — Former Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly set to move to China to take charge of Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang, after the departure of Choi Kang-hee.

Sky Sports reported that the 59-year-old Spaniard has agreed a contract with Dalian which doubles the six million pounds a year he earned at St Jamess Park, and will be introduced as the new boss on Tuesday.

Dalian announced late Monday that Choi had stepped down as head coach, citing personal reasons. His departure paves the way for Benitez, who had been linked to the Chinese side since announcing his intention to leave Newcastle when his contract expired last month.

Dalian are currently ranked 10th of 16 teams in the Chinese top flight with 17 points, 22 behind pacesetters Beijing Guoan.

Benitez, who led Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League in 2005, succeeded Steve McClaren as Newcastle boss in March 2016.

After failing to prevent the Magpies from being relegated in 2015/16, he guided them back to the Premier League at the first attempt and has since won plaudits for establishing the side in the top flight on a meager budget.

However, the Spaniard was known to be frustrated with owner Mike Ashleys refusal to invest further in the team, and in an open letter to fans published on Monday, wrote that those at the top of the club did not share the same vision [as me]

Newcastle finished 13th in the 2018/19 Premier League.