The Olympic movement has had too many controversial moments in its history, such as when it was the mouthpiece of Nazism at the 1936 Berlin Games, with Adolf Hitler in the stands, although the image of the American Jesse Owens raising his fist in front of the Nazi leader after winning the 100m has gone down in history. 

Boycotts and the politicisation of sport

The US-led bloc boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games and the US and Commonwealth-led reaction to the 1984 Los Angeles Games remain anecdotal in the face of the new situation in which the Olympic body itself vetoes countries over non-sporting issues such as Russia and Belarus. 

The very rapid reaction of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to the war between Russia and Ukraine contrasts with the Thomas Bach-led organisation’s lukewarm attitude to the armed conflict between Israel and Palestine, Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of embassies, Iran’s response with two dozen missiles and drones, or the bombing between the United States and the Houthis in Yemen.

The International Olympic Committee has become another actor on the political scene, like the UN, NATO, the European Union or the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan). Wouldn’t Baron Pierre de Coubertin have dreamed of an embrace between a Ukrainian and a Russian athlete? Or between an Israeli and a Palestinian? In this objective of depoliticising sport, the International Olympic Committee has failed miserably, especially during the ‘pranked’ “Bach era”. 

Umar Kremlev, a pioneer

The other major problem is economic. In a context where fewer and fewer countries and cities want to organise the Olympic Games, the question of amateurism has been left behind since the basketball ‘Dream Team’ of the United States, with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, Larry Bird or John Stockton, marvelled at the Barcelona Games. It was the triumph of professionalism at the Olympic Games. 

The question that has been asked for some time is this. If the Olympic Games are no longer professional, why is all the money going to the Olympic committees, with the IOC at the top, of course? Huge advertising contracts exploiting the image of the real protagonists, hundreds of executives living like royalty for almost three weeks in five-star hotels with four-figure daily allowances and television revenues that could feed entire countries. Well, those who see the money least are the athletes themselves, in a situation reminiscent of the gladiators in the Colosseum in ancient Rome. 

In this scenario, Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Federation (IBA), is very clear that the athlete must be at the centre of attention, which is why he has decided to professionalise amateur boxing, which has caused a storm in some institutions. The Olympic Games, which, strangely enough, already allow professional boxers to take part. 

“We must be able to feed our families and make money from boxing. I can state categorically that the IBA should invest in boxing and not make money from it. We must continue to prove through our actions that boxing is not only a sport to be practised for health and fitness, but that it is also a means of advancement for many, it can even be a career,” he stressed, outlining the organisation’s new goals. 

And… what about the athletes? Former world boxing champion Roy Jones Jr., for example, has a clear opinion. “I am really pleased to see the great work the IBA is doing. The athletes feel safe and secure in the IBA. With more prize money, they will be able to achieve more, train harder and deliver more spectacular fights,” said the American. 

Coe announces economic awards for Paris 2024

This war against the IBA is even threatening the continuity of one of the most emblematic sports of an Olympic Games in the programme, by a IOC led by septagenarians who have curiously adopted the ‘Millennium’ T-shirt featuring breakdancing in the Paris 2024 programme as their latest contribution, while some members of the IOC are in favour of including e-sports in the Olympic movement. The biggest, fastest and strongest of Coubertain… but let a puppet do it all on screen. 

The decision by Kremlev and the IOC to reward athletes financially tasted like burning horns to Thomas Bach and company, but the new order now comes not from a Russian but from a British lord who dreams of succeeding the German at the helm of the IOC: Sebastian Coe. 

The President of World Athletics was as skilful as he was individualistic. Overnight, and without consulting anyone, the two-time Olympic champion announced that in Paris in 2024 the Olympic champions in each athletics event will receive $50,000 (€46.647), a prize that will be retained in Los Angeles in 2028, with an additional $30,000 (€27,988) for the runners-up and $20,000 for the bronze medallists, a total of $2.4 million (€2.24 million). 

Many athletes back Coe’s decision

Instead, athletes backed Seb Coe’s idea. Norway’s Karlsten Warholm, the reigning Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, was quoted by AFP as saying: “To be honest, anything that’s offered in terms of a prize is good for the athletes, it’s motivation, so it’s very important that it recognises this changing landscape”. 

Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barhim, high jump gold medallist at Tokyo 2020, agrees with the Scandinavian. “Anything that’s offered in terms of a prize is good for the athletes, it’s motivation. These athletes work really hard and make sacrifices and this kind of prize is very important. The prize money in athletics can’t be compared to football or basketball, for example,” he said. 

Was Kremlev right? Will the IOC take action against Coe and his World Athletics as it did against the IBA? Absolutely not, and this is where the first premise of the politicisation of the Olympics becomes important. Kremlev is Russian and Coe is British. A gentleman who, if he succeeds in his balancing act, could preside over the IOC itself. There he would have confirmation of his good management of the London 2012 Olympics, where he was president of the organising committee. 

If the Games are the great economic business on which the entire Olympic movement lives (and does very well) on a global scale, and if they have almost completely lost the amateur character that made them magical, including Neymar, Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, why not give their success to the athletes whose image pays for the whole party? 

Criticised by international federations

Sebastian Coe’s decision has come as a blow to most international sports federations. The ANOCA (Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa) has described his manoeuvre as “repugnant” and this balance to reach the top of the IOC could be damaged by these hate attacks. 

The Association of International Olympic Federations (ASOIF), chaired by Francesco Ricci Bitti, also commented on the controversial issue. “In recent days, ASOIF members have expressed several concerns regarding the announcement made by World Athletics. This move undermines the values of Olympism and the uniqueness of the Games. You cannot and should not put a price on an Olympic gold medallist and in many cases, Olympic medallists benefit indirectly from commercial sponsorship. This ignores the less privileged athletes,” said the Italian. 

What are these federations afraid of? That the snowball will get bigger and they will be forced to pay the athletes? Will Coe be right in the end? If so, Kremlev will not be the devil the IOC thinks he is, but a visionary who understood better than anyone else that if you want to squeeze the athletes, you have to pay them for what they do. 

Footballers with contracts worth over €10 million give up almost three weeks of their career to the IOC and live in an English bed and breakfast in the Olympic Village. Doesn’t anyone understand that this is nonsense? How much money did the IOC make, directly or indirectly, from Neymar’s presence at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with ticket sales, television rights and image rights? How much money did the Brazilian player receive? 

Inequalities between athletes

Another important detail is a profound inequality, as the IOC does not reward Olympic champions financially, thus preserving the original spirit of the ancient Games. It is the various national organisations that do this, creating significant differences between countries. Far from promoting equality, an American Olympic champion can receive many times more for a gold medal than one from a developing country. Or some may receive nothing at all

For example, Spain’s three Olympic gold medals at Tokyo 2020 were distributed as follows: karate fighter Sandra Sánchez (kata) and rock climber Alberto Ginés (combined) received a total of 94,000 euros, while the shooting team of Fátima Gálvez and Alberto Fernández (mixed team trap) took home €75,000 each. Had a team won gold, each member would have received €50,000. 

The coaches of the champions will also be rewarded. They will receive 10% of each medal won by their athletes, i.e. €9,400 euros for gold, €4,800 euros for silver and €3,000 euros for bronze, from which the taxes applicable in their country of residence will be deducted, as these are non-tax-exempt economic amounts. 

Spain is in the lower middle of the world rankings in terms of prize money, ahead of countries such as the United States (€31,600 for each gold medal, €19,000 for silver and €12,650 for bronze), but far behind the €622,400 that Singapore receives for its gold medals alone, followed by Taiwan (€603,000 euros) and Indonesia (€291,807 euros), as reported by Expansion in an article published after the last Olympic Games.

The hoaxers, Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, known as Vovan and Lexus, managed to extract unprecedented statements from Bach and Schinas during the 27-minute video call. The fake African leader, actually one of the pranksters, engaged the two leaders in a discussion about persuading African athletes to boycott the Friendship Games in Russia.

During the conversation, Bach and Schinas expressed strong opinions against the Friendship Games, citing Russia’s alleged war of aggression against Ukraine and its misuse of sports for political purposes. Schinas condemned the games as an attempt to legitimize Russia’s actions, urging National Olympic Committees not to participate.

The call took an unexpected turn when the fake African leader inquired about Russian members on the IOC Executive Board. Bach clarified that no Russian member was part of the board and emphasized that IOC members, like athletes, were subject to strict rules regarding support for war.

Schinas, pressed about the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in future Olympics, indicated openness but underscored the complex geopolitical context of the conflict.

Both Bach and Schinas showed surprise and concern when asked if their statements could be published, suggesting caution in their responses. The call concluded with an agreement not to disclose the conversation and a bizarre moment where Bach and Schinas agreed to “pray to some invented gods” to influence the outcome of the Friendship Games.

Meet the International Olympic Committee-disapproved Friendship Games, coming this September in Russia: 36 sports, 21 venues, 17 in Moscow, four in Ekaterinburg (including track and field Sept. 18-22).

Total prize money, across all sports: $100 million. Winners get $40,000. Second place, $25,000. Third, $17,000. No ‘Olympic village.’ Instead, you’ll be welcome in three- or four-star hotels.

Push, meet shove – brought to the world in some significant measure by Umar Kremlev, arguably one of the most provocative and interesting figures in world sport in 2024. 

These details and more about the World Friendship Games 2024 and the creation of the ‘International Friendship Association’ have been widely circulating in recent days – confirmation of what some see as a ploy by an isolated Russia or, more likely, an existential threat to the IOC, now in its third century, and what the IOC stands for. 

Since 1896, the Olympic world has operated on the notion of an aspirational ideal – the promotion of world peace by bringing the athletes of the world together in the hope that one-to-one exchange can reveal that we are all, in the end, more alike than different.

That’s not what the IFA – to be based in Abu Dhabi – is about. 

“The World Friendship Games is an international commercial multisport tournament held under the auspices of the International Friendship Association,” the details proclaim.

“The purpose of the Games is to create an effective platform for high-performance sports, to ensure the non-discriminatory access of athletes from all countries and sports organizations to international sports activities, and to develop new formats for international sporting cooperation.

“The World Friendship Games honors the human right to participate in sport without political interference. The only criterion for participation in the Games is the athletes’ sporting achievements, and they will be invited individually based on the recommendations of national sports federations and international athletic ratings.”

Quarrel, if you will, with all of this, especially the part about “without political interference.”

The workaround is “invited individually.” And the part about getting paid—that’s very real. If you’re on a team, getting paid—that’s real, too.

We are, ladies and gentlemen, at an inflection point.

As International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has said repeatedly over his 10-plus years in office, sport and politics very much do find each other. 

To start, U.S. intelligence agencies, for instance, on Monday described an “increasingly fragile world order.” 

As a distinct corollary, this space has pointed out numerous times in the past 12 to 18 months that Western hegemony over international sport is fraying.

Start with a powerful one-two in what those American intelligence agencies called a “confrontational” Russia and “ambitious but anxious” China. Now consider the emerging Global South; too, the economic power of the Gulf states, and their increasing reach in world sport; the South American and African voices who not unreasonably can feel subordinate in international sport; what the intelligence directors called “more capable non-state actors … challenging longstanding rule of the international system”; finally, add in the desire of athletes everywhere to get paid.

This is a combustible mix. 

Also, this: the war in Ukraine is indefensible. All the same, the many nations of the world are not lined up behind Ukraine.

Heading toward the Paris Olympics, another war in the Middle East has suddenly captured enormous attention.

One person in particular has tapped into these threads, steadfastly promising — and, so far, delivering — to put the athletes in his sport first, and this is why the much-bigger Friendship Games represents such a dangerous threat to the IOC: Kremlev, the Russian head of the International Boxing Association.

The IOC is so miffed at Kremlev it booted the IBA from the Olympic space. That dispute now plays itself out at the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport. 

It’s foreseeable that the IOC will prevail there. 

Boxing will still be on the Olympic program in Paris this summer and in Los Angeles in 2028. 

If the IOC wins that battle – what about the long-term war?

Kremlev, as any number of documents readily available have made plain, is one of those who proposed the idea of arranging the Friendship Games and has unequivocally emerged as a driving force to and through implementation.

Within the IBA, Kremlev is the one who tapped into a new way to richly pay winning boxers—$200,000 to the 2023 IBA world championship men’s gold medalists in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and $100,000 to the women’s winners in New Delhi. By 2027, the plan is that the men’s winners will get $1 million.

Money talks.

We live in age of disruption – in our global order, politics, media, world sport. Money is a proven disruptor in soccer (Doha 2022, Saudi Arabia 2034) and golf (LIV). 

For decades, activists in the United States have been wrangling to see college athletes get paid for playing sports. Now they can – via name, image and likeness, or NIL, deals.

What is the difference between NIL money in the bank account for high-jumping at, say, an NCAA meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and prize money for an Olympic-style event in Ekaterinburg, Russia?

Either way, dollars are dollars.

This is the crux of the matter.

Ask: is this the change, perhaps long overdue, on the Olympic horizon?

This is the question facing not just the IOC but the several dozen Olympic federations. 

The immediate institutional response seems all too predictable. On the one hand, all federations pay enormous lip service to the concept that athletes are at the core, the heart, of everything they do. Then this innovative way to pay athletes appears—and what?

If this were not Russia, would it be different?

If this were Saudi Arabia, would the response be the same? China?

If the Friendship Games were being put on in Eugene, Oregon, or London or Lausanne, Switzerland, would this be the response from World Athletics?

In a March 8 letter, it advised its more than 200 member federations that the Friendship Games would not be part of its global calendar, and therefore, any world records that might be set there wouldn’t count. Similarly, any performance wouldn’t count for world ranking purposes.

Can World Athletics stop anyone from going? The letter says participation is a “personal choice.” 

The World Anti-Doping Agency issued a communique Monday expressing “concerns” about “Russia’s plans to stage the Friendship Games, an unsanctioned event,” declaring “health and fairness for athletes may be compromised” and urging all “not [to] legitimize this event” as WADA “cannot vouch” for the anti-doping program that may or not be in place.

More: the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, WADA pointed out, is currently non-compliant; there’s currently no WADA-accredited lab in the country, and “overall trust in the anti-doping system in Russia remains low.”

Asking for a friend: isn’t this last assertion kinda on WADA and certain Western nations because they’re the ones charged with rebuilding the Russian system? 

At any rate, please read closely from the Friendship Games bulletin: “Doping control at the World Friendship Games 2024 will be performed by a specialist anti-doping organization in accordance with the international standards and requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code.”

Note: it does not say the Russian anti-doping agency. It says an anti-doping agency. 

The Friendship Games expects “over 6,000 athletes from more than 70 countries.”

Compare: Paris 2024 will see roughly 11,000 athletes from over 200 national Olympic committees.

With respect to WADA and the several dozen Summer Games federations, let’s say over 6,000 athletes do indeed show up. What would motivate those many thousands?

Bach is keenly aware of the danger of a Friendship Games-style competition, saying last year at the IOC session at which the IBA was banished:

“We will have Games of political bloc A, Games of political bloc B and separate Games for countries who don’t want to align themselves. Universal Olympic Games will no longer be possible. World Championships in the true sense will no longer be possible.”

This raises another logical series of questions: should they be? 

The Olympic Games, like everything, need to be relevant. 

What happened to Blockbuster? The printed version of the Encyclopedia Brittanica? Howard Johnson’s restaurants?

Woolworth’s lunch counters? AM radio? Disco?

Just because the modern Olympics have been around for 130 years is no assurance of anything. What do those TV ads say? Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

To his credit, Bach has sought to drag the IOC, a tradition-minded, Eurocentric institution, into the 21st century. He has directed a series of governance and program reforms.

For all that, though, the IOC is struggling mightily to attract and maintain interest among its key demographic, 18- to 34-year-olds. This is why it has added sports such as surfing, skateboarding and breakdancing, or in IOC jargon, breaking, in a Paris 2024 one-and-done, to the program.

On the Friendship Games program: “acrobatic rock ‘n roll,” Sept. 19, in Moscow. And mixed martial arts, Sept. 15-17, in Ekaterinburg. 

In all, 36 sports, 208 disciplines, 283 medal sets.

Olympic television numbers are down dramatically. 

Globally, from 3.6 billion in London in 2012 to 3.05 billion in Tokyo 2020/1, 15%. 

In the United States, roughly 50% from London to Tokyo, roughly 31.1 million average in primetime to 15.6 million across TV and digital platforms. 

The IOC’s big hope is that, after the so-called Asian triple – PyeongChang 2018 and the two Covid Games in Tokyo and Beijing – Paris will jumpstart renewed interest in the Olympics, revving things up even more for LA in 2028. 

What, though, if the opening ceremony – the plan calls for a flotilla of boats down the Seine – is beset by a security flaw?

Or something else during the Paris Games goes askew?

Or even if everything goes right, the TV numbers don’t rock?

Or – the athletes of the world go, the Olympics are everything the IOC hopes for (speaking generally, the Games have survived and thrived this long for good reason), but some significant number still decide:

World peace is all good, and the together thing can be fun, but … when it comes to higher, faster, stronger, I want to (try to) get paid.

Isn’t that entirely – reasonable?

According to EU Reporter, during the press conference, Kremlev emphasized that boxing should be kept out of politics and that cooperation and compromise are essential for the sport’s development. He noted that boxing is a friendly family that will continue to grow regardless of political strife. Kremlev spoke about the issue of interaction between the IBA and the IOC, stressing that each organization should focus on its own responsibilities without interfering with each other and athletes’ interests.

The IBA has always been open to dialogue, and a commission has been created to interact with the IOC. Kremlev mentioned that the investigation into corruption under the rule of former AIBA President Xi K Wu has nothing to do with the current state of affairs in the organization.

The topic of the US and UK initiative to create an “alternative boxing association” was also discussed during the press conference. Kremlev stated that the IBA is the only international association that governs boxing and is trusted by 205 countries. He questioned the idea of registering an association in a “garage” and calling it international and asked why anyone should pay attention to it.

The press conference also addressed the US Boxing Federation’s previous decision to withdraw from the IBA, with Kremlev noting that American athletes themselves are requesting help in organizing a new federation, and the decision to withdraw was an exclusively bureaucratic initiative that does not reflect the views of the athletes.

Regarding funding, the IBA plans to allocate between $50,000 and $100,000 to each National Federation for the development of boxing after submitting a development plan.

Kremlev emphasized the focus on cooperation, noting that the IBA’s task is not to limit athletes but to help them. There are no questions about the popularity of boxing, with 120 countries having submitted applications to acquire the rights to the finals, and athletes from Europe personally contacting Kremlev to resolve current problems in the interests of everyone.

In conclusion, the press conference highlighted the IBA’s commitment to the development of boxing and its cooperation with other organizations while focusing on its responsibilities. Kremlev emphasized that politics should be kept out of sports, and cooperation and compromise are essential for the sport’s growth. The IBA is trusted by 205 countries and is the only international association governing boxing. With a focus on cooperation and development, the IBA aims to help athletes and ensure the sport’s continued popularity worldwide.

According to the 53-year-old president, Egypt can host any global event and is a perfect fit for the 2036 summer Olympic Games. Given the African continent’s long exclusion from hosting the event, Egypt seems like a great place to start. He has also announced a couple of developments to go along with the bid. These include plans for the proposed International Olympic City.

Egypt has competed in 23 Summer Olympic Games since the tournament’s inception in Sweden in 1912, racking up 8 gold, 11 silver, and 19 bronze medals.

What is Included in the Bid?

Even though international heavyweights such as Russia and Spain have expressed keen interest in the bidding process, the Egyptian bid stands out for various reasons. Sobhi expressed this during a recent meeting with Mustapha Berraf. As the president of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Berraf expressed his support for an African country hosting the tournament as soon as possible. ANOCA brings together the national Olympic committees of the 54 African countries. The organization’s headquarters are in Abuja, Nigeria.

Egypt, according to Sobhi, is preparing comprehensive documentation to accompany the proposal. He also went over plans for infrastructure upgrades in preparation for the Olympics.

Egypt would be the First Arab Nation to Host the Summer Olympics

This is not only a big move for African countries, but for the Arab world as well. To date there has not been an Olympic event hosted in the Arab world. With Qatar set to host the 2022 World Cup, Egypt shouldn’t be far behind with hosting a world event.

In November 2021, IOC President Thomas Bach expressed his desire for an African country to host the Olympic Games before stepping down in 2025. However, it is now clear that his wishes are unrealistic, given that China, France, Italy, and the United States have already been designated as the next in line.

Africa is the only continent that has yet to host the Olympics. Now that the existing list will cover at least a decade, he hopes that an African country will secure a spot in 2036 or 2040.

How Egypt is preparing for the Summer Olympics in 2036

The country’s sports minister reported that Egypt has already begun construction on Egypt International Olympic City. This impressive sports complex will cost millions of dollars to build.

Egypt is constructing infrastructure as one of the pillar projects in the new administrative capital being built 45 kilometers east of Cairo. Currently, the largest stadium in Egypt, Borg El Arab, has a capacity of approximately 86,000 people.

The new megastructure will house a 90,000-person stadium, an indoor venue, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and tennis courts.

Is Egypt a Good Fit?

Despite having the upper hand in the bid, Egypt faces stiff competition from Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Spain. All of which have expressed interest in hosting the games in the same year. The rivalry, combined with Egypt’s illustrious history of boycotting the games in 1956 due to British and French interference in its Suez Canal tug-of-war with Israel, may jeopardize its chances.

Nonetheless, when weighing all the factors, such matters are insignificant. Regardless, Minister Sobhi sees significant potential in the opportunity as part of Egypt’s ambition to reclaim its athletic supremacy while also strengthening its economic resilience.

The Olympics have a long history of boosting host country economies through trade and tourism. However, Sobhi stated that national officials would need to assess their bid’s logistical, technical, and financial aspects before submitting it to the IOC.

Is Egypt likely to Triumph?

Egypt is expected to become one of the Middle East’s largest economies by 2030. Egypt will be unrivaled in Africa and the Middle East if the projections come true. The selection criterion for an Olympic host is based on a secret ballot voting system among active IOC members. Citizens of a candidate country are the only IOC members not allowed to vote.

Given Egypt’s robust sports infrastructure, development projects in the works, the country’s growing international influence, and the region’s protracted stability, a bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics is not out of the question.

Conclusion

On February 3, 2022, Egyptian President El-Sisi traveled to China for the 24th Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. The president stated that he intends to strengthen the two countries mutual vision and strategic relations, as well as discuss and coordinate several regional and international issues involving the two countries.

As the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia boycott the Winter Olympics this year, Egypt’s president will undoubtedly be one of the competition’s special guests. Such cooperation will only bolster Egypt’s bid for future Olympic events.

Lately, An Egyptian official announced earlier this month that Egypt, Greece, and Saudi Arabia were in talks to jointly host the 2030 World Cup. While Egypt hosted the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and last year’s World Handball Championship amid the Covid-19 pandemic. We keep high hopes for Egypt.

Over the past twenty years, the main driving force behind the development of television rights to football has been the division of each day of the championship (or Champions League) into many time intervals. For Ligue 1, there are now 7 time slots that are split between Friday night and Sunday. This multiplication of tranches makes it possible to increase the number of lots during bidding and, consequently, increase income from audiovisual rights. The ban on night matches will mean the exclusion of the top 3 slots (Friday, 21:00, Saturday, 21:00 and Sunday, 20:45), in other words, a disaster for the marketing of Ligue 1 broadcasts.

The only «positive» aspect of such a measure would be an increase in the number of matches at 13:00 or 15:00, which, if not satisfying the fans, would improve the visibility of our «Talent League» in Asia. However, the fans have just found a new reason (quite acceptable) to declare the end of the matches at 13:00: the meeting of «Toulouse» and «Nice» on Sunday, August 7, 2022, took place at 35 °C despite the health of the players and spectators!

In addition to the difficulties caused by the abnormal heat, a big bet on the «international development of League 1» (which should allow for a significant increase in international audiovisual rights) may face a cooling of economic and diplomatic relations with China. (The first goal of LFP leaders).

Since Maxim Saada, the boss of Canal+, hinted that his channel would not remain indifferent to the announcement of tenders for the rights to broadcast Ligue 1 in 2023, smiles have returned to the faces of LFP executives. The ban on night matches may cast doubt on this optimism, since Canal+, itself affected by the broadcasts of Champions League matches, will think twice before eagerly interrupting bets. If we add the destructive effect that the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which would be favorable for the European Super League (ESL), could have on the value of the television rights of national leagues, it is possible that a favorable time sequence (associated with the acquisition of CVC’s stake in the commercial company LFP) it’s coming to an end.

Of course, there will undoubtedly be taken into account the voices demanding an exception to the rule prohibiting night games, in the interests of professional leagues. But it’s not a fact that a citizen invited to lower the temperature of the house and turn off the Wi-Fi will taste these new privileges.

The six-time Grand Slam winner, declared bankrupt in 2017, faced up to seven years in prison for each of the crimes found against him by the people’s jury of the Royal Court of Southwark in London under the articles «disclosure of assets» and «concealment of debt».

Boris Becker has been living in the UK since 2012. He is accused of transferring hundreds of thousands of pounds from a professional account to other accounts, in particular, his ex-wives, as well as failing to declare real estate in Germany and hiding a loan of 825,000 euros and company shares. Prosecutor Rebecca Chalkley accused him of using a business account as a «piggy bank» for everyday expenses and tuition fees for children.

Boris Becker, who disputes all charges, was acquitted of twenty other charges, including those relating to the disappearance of his trophies. During the court session, he assured that he did not know where they were.

These are just some of the things that are likely to happen next year. We don’t want to reveal everything straight away. If you are interested in finding out more, take a few minutes of your precious time to read through this post.

Let us walk you through predictions and trends that will impact the future of shooting sports in 2020 and beyond.

The Ammunition Prices Will Go Down

The good news is that sport shooting ammunition will be slightly cheaper in many states. That will allow shooting sports enthusiasts to shoot more. The same goes for reloading equipment, which is also expected to be less expensive in 2020. This will make shooting sports more appealing to people on a budget.

Better Gun Accessories and Ammo Supply

Whether you are looking for handgun ammo, rifle ammunition or shotgun shells, you will be able to find supplies much easier. For instance, many shooters and hunters had trouble finding .22LR rimfire ammo in the past year. Ammo supply will be better in the future, so you will be able to buy .22 ammo in most gun and ammunition stores.

By the way, you can expect to see more well-stocked online ammo stores in the coming years. Gun Forest is a good example of a website where you can find everything from rifle scopes and gun racks to M1A magazines and pistol safes.

New Firearms and Guns

In 2020, plenty of new guns will enter the sports gun and hunting market. The same is true for defensive guns. A growing number of guns will be shipped with pre-installed optics. Aside from new models, there will be more lightweight options as well as unusual action types like revolver carbines and lever action shotguns.

Listed below are some of the new guns that will be very popular in 2020:

• Alfa Proj Double-Action Revolver
• Black Aces Tactical Pro Series L 12GA Lever Action Shotgun
• Charles Daly .410 Double-Barrel Field Shotgun
• KSA 91/30 Mini Mil-Surp Rifle
• Heritage Rough Rider Rancher 22LR Revolver Carbine

More and More Women Will Participate in Shooting Sports

Shooting sports are growing in popularity with women, which is why we will see more female shooters at the shooting ranges in the future. This trend is of great importance to the sports gun industry.

While the majority of women decide to buy a gun for home or personal protection, a good number of women say that they enjoy shooting with family or friends. Not only does the participation of women in shooting sports grow rapidly, but their achievements regarding accuracy and speed are impressive.

Final Thoughts

Even though it is hard to predict the future, these trends will no doubt dominate 2020 when it comes to shooting sports. They will have a great influence on both the shooting sports and gun market in the years to come. What other trends are going to affect the future of shooting sports? Only time will tell.

The new franchise are set to play their first competitive fixtures in March and have signed only two players so far.

Jorge Mas – one of four co-owners including Beckham – says the club are “very close” to appointing a manager.

“We are trying to get someone who can also commit here for a period of time and leave his fingerprints on our team,” Mas told BBC Sport.

“It’s someone you’re going to know who has coached before at the highest level and who has played at the highest level.”

Mas says the club’s first coach will “fit an attacking style”.

Inter Miami will join Nashville SC as new franchises in 2020, taking the MLS to 26 teams. Its eventual goal is 30.

So far Inter Miami have signed two players from clubs in Argentina – striker Julian Carranza from Banfield and midfielder Matias Pellegrini from Estudiantes.

Players including former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill and ex-Manchester United defender Antonio Valencia have been linked with the franchise.

“I think you will see if you look at our young signings, we’ve made substantial investments in them,” added Mas. “We’re going to couple them with players who have played in Europe who are very well known.

“We’ve looked at some English players. We’re having some conversations with some English players and we anticipate Inter Miami will have some English presence.”

For the time being, 1,450 certified tourist guides-interpreters are working in Moscow holding tours in 24 languages. 810 more guides give tours in Russian. By 2018, Moscow will have 2.5 thousand certified tourist guides-interpreters and  guides. Metropolitan authorities expect to host over 21 mln. visitors in  2018, nearly one million of which will be football fans.

For those fans who are do not feel comfortable when making their way within the city, or who came to Moscow for the first time, walking tours “On the way to match” will be available. Such tours will allow fans to see major sightseeing sites and museums of the capital and to attend a match on time, since the length of a walk will be known ahead of time. 6 tour itineraries in Russian and in English have been developed.

The project “Going on excursions over Moscow”, which became an integral part of City Day celebrations, will allow fans to visit over 50 tours in literature, historic and regional studies museums especially within the framework of FIFA World Cup.

Moscow authorities promise to create holiday atmosphere, therefore all tours will be held free of charge.

Photo: Clive Rose / Getty Images / Agence France-Presse
Hamilton is in search of a fourth world champion title and a third for 2014.

Lewis Hamilton was true to himself on the circuit of the Americas, where it has already signed up four victories.

The driver of Mercedes and current leader in the championship has made the best lap of Friday free practice for the Grand Prix of United States Formula 1. Hamilton had dominated the session on a dry track by signing a time of 1 min 34 s 668, thus adding to the pressure on the shoulders of its main rival in the title race, Sebastian Vettel.

The pilot of Red Bull Max Verstappen has finished second, 397 milliseconds. Vettel, who hopes to reduce the gap of 59 points that he blamed on Hamilton, took the third rank in 524 milliseconds.

Vettel will likely have to win or finish ahead of Hamilton on Sunday if he wants to prolong the suspense in the race for the drivers championship.

Hamilton triumphed at the last three events presented on the circuit of the Americas, a circuit which promotes the power of Mercedes engines. The English driver was pulled away from Vettel winning five of the last seven races.

“He has reached another level,” said the boss at Mercedes, Toto Wolff. It is very satisfying to see. “

Valtteri Bottas, the team-mate of Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen, in order, are the only other drivers to have rolled under the bar of 1 min and 36 sec

Stroll 16th

The young Canadian Lance Stroll has passed the 16th clock (1 min 37 s 788), but he can hope to do better on this circuit because his team-mate Felipe Massa was offered the eighth time.

“We have had some trouble here and there — my headrest is detached from the track at a certain time, so I had to enter the well of emergency. But hey, we are preparing for [Saturday], said Stroll. The car is competitive, and it will just have to put all the components together. “

Hamilton is in search of a fourth world title and his third since 2014.

Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev Agence France-Presse
The ousted president of FIFA, Joseph Blatter, and the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

He promises a book that “salty” behind the scenes of the FIFA ” before the World in Russia “, which he will attend the” invitation ” of Vladimir Putin : at the age of 81, Joseph Blatter, the ousted president of FIFA, is far from being inactive, as he explains to the AFP.

“I’m waiting for a day retreat, but when we do advance, we retreat,” explains the Swiss. After an operation to his knee and back problems, he confides that ” the body has been repaired and the motor, remains a very good turn out “.

Enough in any case to make the next summer the World in Russia. “Yes, I will go, I received an invitation from president Putin, as Michel Platini, the rest. “

“You know that Putin and Blatter are long, it can be said, friends said Friday the spokesman of the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov. The world Cup is a great celebration of soccer and […] the old friends will also be welcome. [Mr. Putin] knows [Michel] Platini and we will be happy to see in Moscow. “

But Platini ” has not received an invitation from Mr. Putin to go to the World in Russia, and not known what he will do next summer “, indicated to the AFP the entourage of the former president of UEFA.

“I don’t know how long I’ll go, if I’ll be there for the opening match or the final, adds for his part, Blatter. As I can’t work in football and that I don’t have a mission to accomplish, I may be just a passage. “

When questioned, the FIFA did not find anything wrong ” because Mr. Blatter has no official function “. Prior to this, the Valais is finalizing a book on his years at FIFA that he promises to “salt” : “I talk about things that happened in the past. “

Sepp Blatter has been suspended six years “of any activity related to football” by the internal justice of FIFA for payment of the controversial 2 million swiss francs ($2.8 million CDN) to his former friend and ally Michel Platini.

Forced to leave his seat in the full wave of corporate scandals in 2015 after 17 years of reign, the octogenarian said he ” was always ready to talk about the situation in the football world “.

Except for the criminal proceedings initiated against its former secretary-general Jerome Valcke and the president of the Paris SG and beIN Media, Nasser al-Khelaïfi, revealed last week by the swiss justice : the first would have been corrupted by the second for the broadcast rights for several world Cups.

“I can’t express myself, because I was heard as a person who is willing to give information [witness assisted] in the first procedure” against his former right-arm French.

Valcke, before the folder which binds them to Al-Khelaïfi, has been suspended for ten years from any activity related to soccer for other business.

Since its suspension, the Valais has had a long time to discover the inner workings of the justice, swiss or French. Charged for “suspicion of mismanagement” and ” abuse of social goods “, for a payment to be suspected of 1.8 million euros to Platini, Blatter confirmed that he had also been heard in April last in Zurich as a witness by the Prosecutor’s office of the national French financier.

“This was about the attribution of the World 2022 in Qatar. This was in response to my statements to the effect that there had been a recommendation in favor of Qatar and to the intention of Michel Platini on the part of the French presidency “, he explains.

Blatter has always ensured that the edition 2022 was promised in the United States, but that Platini, on the recommendation of Nicolas Sarkozy, then president of the Republic, had swung the vote in favour of Qatar. Platini has never made a secret that he voted for Qatar but has always said that ” neither Sarkozy nor anyone else [he] had been asked to vote for Qatar “.

And if you ever appeared to be evidence of any corruption in the award of the World 2022 in Qatar ? “The bodies of FIFA have already received the conclusions of Mr Eckert [ex-head of the internal justice of FIFA], following the report Garcia [ex-investigator internal FIFA] saying that there was nothing that could prevent the holding of the World 2022 in Qatar. It would take an earthquake to change this allocation. “

The Global 2026 — promised to the Confederation of north american for their support in the election of Gianni Infantino to the presidency of FIFA in 2015 — should he return to the joint application States-States–Canada–Mexico ?

“If I believe the news about the american federation, and the love there is not much between the three countries on the political and economic. The union of the three countries does not. There will be other candidates, surely Morocco, Africa must move. “

Photo: Mark Duncan, Associated Press
The former coach Marv Levy

Before you jump on their training pitch of the olympic Stadium, the players of the Montreal Alouettes have had a visit to an inspiring Friday : that of the ex-coach Marv Levy.

Always right as an oak at the age of 92 although rattled, the one who won the Grey cup in 1974 and 1977 at the head of the club spoke for a few minutes the troops of Kavis Reed. You could hear a pin drop in the large conference room as the players drank the words of the veteran coach, who has also achieved four consecutive years, the Super Bowl — and has lost every time — with the Buffalo Bills in the 1990s.

“What a meeting ! exclaimed Kyries Hebert. I remember looking at these matches in the Super Bowl. There were several players in this team who were my idols : Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, Don Beebe, Jim Kelly. When I saw that he would respond to some questions, even if I hadn’t prepared anything, there was no chance I would seize the opportunity to talk to this legend. “

Reed wanted to take advantage of the presence of Levy in Montreal — it is in town because of the gala as a tribute to the edition 1977 of the Alouettes this Saturday evening — in order to discover the history of the organization.

“Our guys need to learn this part of our history, he noted. Since I arrived here, there has not been many opportunities to come for our alumni to meet our players. But they must learn who these people are. “

“It’s special, noted the quarterback Darian Durant, who will return to his post after a two week absence on Sunday against the Tiger-Cats. It shows that there has been great players, great coaches who have walked in this locker room. Hear today, after the defeat of the hard he has experienced — a bit like us — it helps us to improve our preparation, even to do a little more. “

It was also the essential message of Levy with the Larks. “I know that you are aware of the difficult times currently. People will ask you : “Are you willing to do what it takes to win ?” But the real question is : “Are you willing to do what it takes to prepare you ?” It is the drive that the games are won. If you are not willing to do the work every day, you will not be able to win. “

“The other point to don’t forget, this is you having fun, he recalled. You play football because it is fun. Yes, it is always more fun to win. But remember that you have chosen this sport because of the pleasure that you gave. “

“It is good to hear this said During. As a person who like himself has reached such a high level we say this, it puts things in perspective. Sometimes, as is currently the case, there are more difficult times, and we can come to doubt ourselves. It reminds us to stay the course, perhaps putting a little more effort, that’s good. Either the 1970s or the 2010s, the basic principles of football remain the same. “

Levy, who has published five collections of poetry since he retired from football, is very touched that we had thought of him for the weekend’s festivities. “I spent 47 years in the world of football, but only 5 in Montreal. They remain for me among the most beautiful. […] I am extremely touched that, 40 years later, people remember still to this conquest of the Grey cup. “

Line decimated

If, During will return to his position, he could do behind a line on the attack decimated. The guard Kristian Matte, and Philip Blake have both missed practice, and their presence at the stade Percival-Molson is unlikely this weekend.

However, During may very likely rely on the veteran receivers Nik Lewis. Even though he has missed practice Friday because of gastric problems, Reed believes it will be able to be at his post in the face of the Tiger-Cats (4-11).

In defence, the Alouettes (3-12) may be required to again pass the half defensive Jonathon Mincy. Touched the hand, it represents a questionable case for the game. Finally, the specialist long discounts Martin Bédard is always subject to the protocol of concussion of the circuit Ambrosie and will not be in the game.

This last game at home this season could be the last one before the supporters of the team for a few veterans, like Luc Brodeur-Jourdain and John Bowman. None of the two players has, however, attempted to disclose the game to any 48 hours of the confrontation.

The Cheerleader, excluded from the series for a third season in a row, will conclude their campaign with two meetings abroad.

Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/ Associated Press / Pool
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin

Moscow — The Kremlin has accused the us government of putting pressure to exclude Russia from the olympic Games.

In the wake of the comments of the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, according to which the international olympic Committee (IOC) was under pressure of the United States, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin was referring to ” State [structures], including through social organisations and non-governmental. “

Putin has said that the effort’s aim was to exclude Russia of the winter olympic Games next year, or that his athletes were forced to compete under a flag neutral.

In his televised comments Thursday, Putin said that the IOC was dependent on sponsorship revenue “, and in turn, these sponsors receive clear signals from some u.s. agencies. We are not just making assumptions, we know that. “

Miss the olympic Games or send athletes under the flag of a neutral would be “degrading” for Russia, said Putin, and suggested that this could be intended to interfere in the Russian presidential election in march. Putin should be candidate for his re-election, but has not yet been confirmed.

“If someone is thinking of and be able to influence the election campaign in Russia in the spring of next year, then he is deeply disturbed,” said Mr. Putin.

No specific organisms

Russia is already the subject of an IOC investigation into allegations that she would have put in place a comprehensive programme of doping supported by the State, including the replacement of contaminated samples at the screening laboratory of the olympic winter Games in Sochi, Russia, in 2014.

Neither Putin nor Peskov specified what specific organizations the us government could be involved in the pressure alleged to the place of the IOC.

The anti-doping Agency american, a non-governmental organization that receives part of its funding from the u.s. government, is part of a group of 37 national anti-doping agencies that have requested that Russia be excluded from the olympic Games, which begin on February 9 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The IOC has said that its investigators expect that” a number ” of doping cases involving Russian Sochi olympics are resolved by the end of the month of November, but that they did not intend to give guidance on the eligibility of these athletes for the Games in Pyeongchang.

The implication of Putin that interference by the United States in the Russian election occurs in the middle of investigations conducted in the United States about a putative interference in the presidential election last year. A special committee of the u.s. Senate is conducting an investigation on the influence of Russia in the elections of 2016 and wondered if there are links with the campaign of Donald Trump.

Photo: Graham Hughes The canadian Press
Patrice Bernier will play Sunday, his 151st game with the Impact in MLS. It has harvested so far, 14 goals and 25 helpers in the regular season.

The name of Patrice Bernier will be on everyone’s lips at the Saputo stadium on Sunday, while the captain of the Impact will be right on his last lap of the track when the club will host the Revolution of New England.

As much Impact (11-16-6) the Revolution (12-15-6) are eliminated from the race to the playoffs of the MLS. The players of the Blue-white-black promise, however, to give everything in the hope of giving a final victory to Bernier.

“It is certain that this is not the end of the season you want, but there is one last match, a home game, and this is the last Pat. We want to finish it in beauty, has recalled forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel, earlier this week. We also want to reward our supporters, who have been there throughout the season. To win the last home game, the last of Pat, it would be special. “

The club will pay tribute to Bernier during a ceremony on the field before the game. The captain will also do a lap of honour after the game.

38-year-old Bernier had announced prior to the campaign for 2017 that it would be his last as a player. Person within the Impact has not wanted to reveal what awaits Brossardois the next season, but everything indicates that he will occupy the post of coach, be with the big club, either in the Academy.

“Patrice has always been a student of the sport,” said the head coach of the Impact, Mauro Biello. This may be the next step for him. I think it could do well. “

“He knows very well his football,” said Jackson-Hamel. He gave advice to the training on positioning, tactics and technique. […] He spoke to me often of my positioning, how to place my body in the game. “

Difficult to replace

Jackson-Hamel and defender Laurent Ciman has also recognized that the one who was captain of the Impact for 2014 will be difficult to replace next season.

“He always showed the example. He was always on his case and he was there for all the world. He gathered the troops when they were needed. This will be a big piece to replace, ” said Jackson-Hamel.

“He does not let go ever. He has a big heart and always the right word at the right time to comfort us and to lift the morale of the troops, has added Ciman. It is he who made the speech before the game and he always had the good word to encourage us and enable us to get by the lions. We will miss it, but it is going to stay in the area. I think that we will continue to see it often here. “

Even if the Impact only has one victory in its last nine games (1-8-0), the Revolution could be a good prey for the white-Blue-black under his record abroad of 0-13-3. Ignacio Piatti could be back in the game in the camp montreal, after having treated an injury to a knee. Jackson-Hamel should also be in the lineup, who has recovered from an injury in a thigh.

Biello has promised to provide a few minutes for those who have had less opportunity to make an impression this season. However, they also want to maximize the chances of giving a final victory to Bernier.

“We discussed a plan together, and it is him who will tell me when he is ready to come out, said Biello. I have a lot of respect for him and I’m going to let him make this decision. “

Bernier made his debut with the Impact in 2000, in the now-defunct A-League. After an exodus a decade in Europe, he returned to Montreal in 2012, when the team made its entry into MLS. He will play Sunday, his 151st game with the team in MLS, and he has harvested so far, 14 goals and 25 helpers in the regular season. Bernier has also participated in 56 games with the Canadian national team during his career, amassing two goals and five helpers.

Photo: Fabrice Coffrini Agence France-Presse
The lack of mountains and natural snow in downtown Beijing, will force the cross-country events to be presented in Chongli, as well as in the district of Yanking.

Beijing, host city of the olympic winter Games of 2022, has a problem of snow. Despite the cold temperatures, it does almost no snow on the chinese capital.

Taking matters into their own hands, the organizing committee of the olympic games 2022 has formed a “team snow” and has invited experts from Finland, Canada and other nations to help find solutions, according to the official guide produced by the municipal government.

The work team will need to ” accelerate research on advanced technologies for the manufacture and keep the snow, in addition to putting forward a plan that will help ensure an adequate supply of snow “.

On Thursday, the deputy mayor of Beijing, Jiandong Zhang, said all the competition venues and all the transport networks of the olympic games will be completed by the end of 2019, which will help the chinese capital to hold test events as of next year.

“These projects are progressing smoothly and without encountering any problem whatsoever,” said Zhang at a meeting of the chinese communist Party.

Beijing was awarded the Games in 2015, ahead of Almaty, in Kazakhstan, in the election to become the first city to host the summer Games and winter. The centre of the city of Beijing will host the indoor testing such as hockey and speed skating, in the amphitheatres to the most used during the 2008 summer Games.

The lack of mountains and snow, natural force, however, the cross-country events to be presented in Chongli, as well as in the district of Yanking. These two poles will be connected to Beijing by high speed train.

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko Associated Press
The quebec driver Lance Stroll during his test session for the Grand Prix of Japan, October 6,

The eyes will be turned to Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel this weekend at the Grand Prix of the United States since the fight in the championship of Formula 1 drivers could know the outcome. But behind, another battle is taking shape. And it involves the Quebec Lance Stroll.

With four races to negotiate this season, the rookie pilot “a native of Mont-Tremblant is currently the 12th level of the drivers’ standings, with a crop of 32 points.

It is only two points behind his team-mate at Williams Felipe Massa and the Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg, holders respectively of the 10th and 11th ranks, with 34 points. Stroll would send a strong message to his boss Paddy Lowe, ending the season in front of his experienced team-mate brazilian, in the top 10, although it ensures not too much to think about.

“It is, of course, I want to win the most seats as possible in the standings, but if I finished 10th, 11th, 12th, or 13th in the standings, so this will be it, he said during a meeting with the media Thursday, on the eve of free practice. I should, however, go race by race, lap by lap, and I’ll see where it leads me. “

Stroll hopes to bounce back after having been forced to abandon the race two weeks ago at the Japanese Grand Prix, following a puncture. The young man, who is older than 18 years of age, sees rather a good eye for the race weekend, which will be presented on the circuit of the Americas, which is recognized to promote the car with a powerful engine.

Hamilton will not be the knee on the floor

Moreover, Lewis Hamilton remained stoic Thursday when he was reminded that he could be crowned world champion as early as this weekend if he wins and Sebastian Vettel collapses once more.

The british driver also put an end to rumors that he would put the knee on the ground during the american national anthem before the start of the race on Sunday. Hamilton, the only driver black in F1, said he is in favour of actions that have been taken to protest against the treatment of the police towards ethnic minorities — and highly publicised due to the war of words between the NFL and the american president Donald Trump.

Photo: Laurent Gillieron Associated Press
The president of the IOC athletes ‘ Commission, Denis Oswald

The investigators of the international olympic Committee (IOC) expect that “a few” cases of doping involving Russian Sochi olympics are resolved towards the end of the month of November, but they did not intend to establish if these athletes are able to participate in the winter olympics of Pyeongchang in 2018.

The president of the IOC athletes ‘Commission, has written this week to Angela Ruggiero, the director of the IOC athletes’ Commission, and obtained an update of the 28 records launched following a report on the state of a system nationalised doping in Russia.

Denis Oswald has said that, of the 28 cases in which his or her commission is in charge of the review, priority was given to athletes who aim at a participation in the next winter Games, in Pyeongchang. Among these, six casters, of which the temporary suspension should end on 31 October.

Oswald also stated that the Board will decide on the results of these athletes in Sochi, but not on their eligibility for Pyeongchang. It will be up to their sports federations to decide on this aspect. The IOC had taken a similar decision before the olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro last year, leading to decisions last-minute and in complex cases ; in the end, 300 Russians were involved.

This decision is disappointing for many of the leaders of the anti-doping movement who have asked the IOC to ban Russia from participating in the Games to Pyeongchang.

“The IOC should not once more put the burden of the decision on eligibility, [as well as the pressure and the risk of error] on the shoulders of the international federations, and this, at the last minute,” said Joseph de Pencier, president-director general of the Institute of national anti-doping organizations, of which 37 of them have required the prohibition of participation of Russia in the olympic games.

At the end of the day Thursday, the canadian olympic Committee (COC) has also reiterated its call for a ban to Russia to participate in the Games to Pyeongchang.

“Following a meeting of its board of directors, the end of last week, the COC has once again asked [Thursday] to the IOC to impose sanctions that are immediate and meaningful to the Russian olympic Committee (ROC) as well as the sports leaders and athletes of Russia, in accordance with the conclusions of the report by McLaren on the doping systemic supported by the State “, could we read in the press release.

Another committee of the IOC analysis of the doping scandal in Russia as a whole, and the results of this investigation may have consequences on the eligibility of countries to participate in the olympic games. That being said, these two groups act according to the information contained in the report McLaren, whose first part was released in July 2016.

Explaining the modus operandi, Oswald wrote that, given that the ploy of Russian involve the exchange of urine specimens contaminated by ” own “, it took time to adapt the method of verification samples that have been exchanged — including identifying marks on the containers that have been opened and then resealed.

A Symposium in Calgary

In his desire to serve as a catalyst for positive change for a clean sport, and to foster a broader discussion on anti-doping, the COC will hold a Symposium on sports ethics, on the 24th of November, in Calgary. The member countries of the olympic movement and around the world are invited to join and participate in this important discussion. This symposium will bring together international leaders in the field of clean sport and anti-doping and will lay the foundations for a concerted intervention in order to defend and promote a clean sport and ethics.

Photo: Paul Chiasson, The canadian Press
Milos Raonic has played only three tournaments since July.

Milos Raonic has officially withdrawn from the tournament of Vienna and the Masters of Paris, which means that his season 2017 is completed, has revealed Tennis Canada by way of a press release on Wednesday.

The Canadian has played three tournaments — Washington, Montreal and Tokyo — since he reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in July.

Raonic has marked the history of canadian tennis at the end of season 2016 in the third world. Since that time, it has tumbled to the 12th place, after a season punctuated by numerous injuries. The five best players in the world ranking of the ATP in 2016 — Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Raonic, Stanislas Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori — have all ended their campaign earlier than expected because of injuries.

Even if the Ontario, who is originally from Thornhill, has participated in two finals in 2017, this is the first time since 2011 that he has not raised a trophy. He has won eight tournaments during his career.

Raonic has concluded its season with a record of 29-12. He has participated in two finals, two semi-finals and four quarter-finals. He came to the quarter-finals of the Australian open and Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round at the French open. It is, however, taken the absence of International of the United States because of an injury to the left wrist.

Raonic is expected to return to the game in time for the Brisbane tournament.

Photo: Julie Jacobson Associated Press
Roger Goodell press conference on Wednesday

Washington — The boss of the NFL, Roger Goodell, said on Wednesday that the players of professional league of american football should be standing up during the national anthem, without turning it into an obligation as required by the president, Donald Trump.

“The NFL has decided that she would force no players to stand up for our national anthem. Total lack of respect to our great country ! ” wrote Mr. Trump in a tweet early in the morning.

This new attack, the american president against the NFL comes after a meeting between the owners of the clubs and the player representatives on Tuesday and Wednesday in New York.

No decision has been taken during this meeting on the thorny issue of the protests of the players during the national anthem, which divides the world of sports and american society the past several weeks.

In a joint statement, the NFL and the union have ensured that ” every member of the community NFL has a huge respect for our country, our flag, our anthem and our soldiers “.

“We believe that players should stand during the national anthem “, said the commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell at a press conference.

“We want our players to be standing and we will continue to encourage them to get up,” he said, adding that the members of the meeting had not discussed any possible sanctions against players knelt. “I can’t talk about hypothesis,” he responded to a question about the penalties.

“It is important for us to honor our flag and our country, and this is what the supporters expect from us,” he recalled, noting that the players who protest in this way ” don’t do it to disrespect the flag “.

He assured that the NFL did not want to ” not do politics “, considering that the topics of protest were ” complex “. And is said to be sensitive to the protests of the players that ” speak of a reform of the judicial system, guarantees, penalties floor “.

For almost a month, the american president is engaged in a standoff with the NFL players posing a knee on the ground during the national anthem. This gesture controversial, made to denounce the police brutality against African-Americans, racial tensions in the United States and sometimes the american president himself, is interpreted by Donald Trump as a lack of respect for America.

Mr. Trump on Monday called the NFL to suspend the players who kneel during the hymn. The rules of the league says that players “should” stand up during the Star-Spangled Banner, but does not make this mandatory.

On Tuesday, Mr. Goodell indicated that the league had not asked the players to stand up during the anthem.

Photo: Graham Hughes The canadian Press
Patrice Bernier is a relatively serene as he prepares to close one chapter of his life.

Unlike many Quebecers, Patrice Bernier was not dreaming at the Stanley cup when he was young. He dreamed rather to the soccer world Cup.

Even if this goal could hardly have been achieved in Canada oscillates always around the 100th largest in the world, Bernier is relatively serene as he prepares to put an end to an important chapter of his life. There is one last lap around the track at Brossardois 38-year-old Sunday, when the Montreal Impact will host the Revolution from New England at stade Saputo.

“I talk every week and I’ve probably played the game in my head before playing it. Up here, every day is normal, but maybe it will be different Saturday, when I will be attending my last training session, explained Bernier earlier this week. My preparation is the same, but not quite. This is the last time that I repeat the same gestures. This is special. I am perhaps a bit nostalgic.

This is what I wanted to do since I was very small. This is the end of my childhood dream.
Patrice Bernier

This dream, Bernier has been formed by looking at the Canada participate in the world Cup of 1986 in Mexico. He has also to his father, John, and his uncles, all passionate about the round ball.

“I lived through the Stanley cup of the Canadian in 1993, but for me, it was the soccer,” said Bernier. It was the world Cup in 1986, with the achievements of Maradona. It took place in Mexico. It was not far. I saw the stadiums filled. It was what I wanted to do. I wanted to play in stadiums filled.

“In 15 years, I have played with the national team under 17 years of age at the world Cup, and it is here that I realized that I could aim for the pros. “

The course Bernier has led him to Syracuse, in the State of New York, Norway, Germany and Denmark. He has also toured the planet, playing in 56 games with the national team of Canada.

His return to Montreal in 2012 has enabled him to achieve the status of a local star, after a decade to evolve in a certain anonymity in Europe. He thus became an inspiration to a new generation of soccer players in quebec.

“I have a few friends that have also made career, including Olivier Occéan, who is in Norway, but we were not much, recalled Bernier. Perhaps I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of Quebecers assets at a certain time. Here, there are more of them. “

Her tone of voice becomes more fragile when he discusses the last game to come. “A lot of people have made this journey with me. My parents, my friends. We played in the street, in the park. It is imagined to be someone else, he told. There is also my wife, who has spent the last 20 years with me. She saw me become a professional. That career, it is mine, but it is also hers.

“I also think to me. This is what I wanted to do. I have managed and I’m glad. But there is an end. If I could play in a league paid for 38 years and more, I would ! It is more than a passion for me. “

Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images / Agence France-Presse
The players of the San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid kneel during the national anthem before a match of October 2016.

New York — The team owners of the national League of american football (NFL) and player representatives met Tuesday to address the issue of the anthem, become an issue of high policy in the United States.

“The owners and the players have had a productive meeting focused on the issue of joint working to promote social change and address inequalities within our communities “, explained in a joint press release from the NFL and the players association of the NFL.

These discussions, which lasted four hours, under the aegis of the boss of the NFL, Roger Goodell, have however led to no agreement, but both parties have agreed to ” continue to work together “.

Eleven team owners, including Jerry Jones (Dallas), which has threatened to dismiss any player not respecting the anthem, participated in this meeting. “All those who are part of the family of the NFL have the utmost respect for our country, our flag, our anthem and our army,” they insisted.

Since 2016, at the initiative of Colin Kaerpernick, then quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, NFL players are protesting against social inequality, and police violence against Black people in the United States by placing a knee on the ground or sitting when the anthem rings out before the matches.

The movement, which has made spot oil, has rebounded in recent weeks, especially after the heavy criticism of the us president, Donald Trump.

“If the fans of the NFL refuse to go to matches until players stop disrespecting our flag and our country, you will quickly see a change. Transfer or hang up ! “he thus wrote on Twitter at the end of September, urging” owners to do something “.

Protesters invite to the meeting of the circuit

Of events preceded the opening of the annual meetings for the fall of the NFL. The protesters yelled at the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, talking about white supremacy, while Jones was surrounded by body guards. Jones stopped to listen, but he said nothing, and the protesters have been peacefully repelled. Outside of the hotel, a dozen supporters of the Black Lives Matter New York — an activist movement african-american — have organised a rally aimed at supporting the players who took the floor — in particular, the former quarter back of the 49ers Colin Kaepernick, quin knelt during the national anthem last year to protest against racial injustice in the United States.

Photo: Paul Chiasson, The canadian Press
The former owner of the Montreal Expos, Charles Bronfman performs the launch protocol, together with the mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, the mayor of Toronto, John Tory, in a game in April 2016.

The expansion project aiming to increase the number of teams from 30 to 32 in major league Baseball seems to take more and more shape. And inevitably, this will raise speculation as to the chances of Montreal to welcome back a team.

The renowned columnist Tracy Ringolsby supports on the website of the magazine Baseball America as the consensus in the circles of major league Baseball, it is that an expansion is coming. And Montreal and Portland, Oregon, are among the favorites.

This initiative, however, will require a major reorganization and adjustments to the timetable, which would address some of the concerns of the players ‘ Association regarding the relocation and in the days of leave.

One of the proposals advanced would be to group the teams geographically into four sections of eight clubs, which would have the advantage of reducing the travel time, particularly for the teams of the East and West coasts. This option would also create rivalries natural.

In the article, Ringolsby offers including a Northern section formed of the new Expos, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, two teams in new york, the Indians of Cleveland, the Tigers of Detroit and the Minnesota Twins.

Over the course of a season reduced to 156 meetings, a team compete for twelve games — six at home and six abroad — against each of its rivals section, and three against each club playing in the other sections. A day of compulsory leave would also be in the program each week.

Perfect Conditions required

Quebec businessman Mitch Garber, who is among the group of business people in montreal who wish to bring back baseball to Montreal, did not want to comment on these latest developments.

“It takes perfect conditions and, currently, there is nothing more to say on the subject, said Garber, Tuesday noon, at a media scrum following his speech to the Chamber of commerce of metropolitan Montreal. This is not me who manages the folder, are MESSRS. Coderre and Bronfman. Me, I stay back until we have something to announce. I can not make any more comments on the subject. “

Mayor Denis Coderre was for his part pleased to see that Montréal continues to feed into discussions about a possible expansion. “See that Montreal and Portland are part of the plans, I think it sends a very strong message. It is useless to speculate, but what delights me is that, once again, Montreal did its homework and that it is taken seriously with regard to the return of the Expos, ” said Mr. Coderre to The Press.

Photo: Philippe Lopez, Agence France-Presse
Reigning champion Chris Froome attended Tuesday in Paris at the unveiling of the route of the next Tour de France.

The defending champion Chris Froome can expect to see an opposition still more relieved the Dutchman Tom Dumoulin in the next Tour de France.

Froome will be there in search of a fifth win that would allow him to join them in the annals of the Belgian Eddy Merckx, frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, and Spaniard Miguel Indurain.

Froome and Dumoulin have won all three Grand Tours this year, Froome adding the Vuelta Spanish to her list of accomplishments and Dumoulin at the Giro d’italia.

The 105th edition of the Tour offers a time trial of 31 kilometers in the basque Country during the pre-last step. Froome is an exercise specialist, but Dumoulin is the reigning world champion.

Froome, aged 32, is still at its peak, while Dumoulin, 26 year old, approach. “A showdown between Chris Froome and Tom Dumoulin, both riders with similar qualities, I wouldn’t mind. This would force one of the two to try something different to surprise the other, said the director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme.

“We are in search of a new generation that wants to entertain. I think that if Froome is in front of Dumoulin, they will want to do. They will be more or less equal game in the against-the-shows. It promises to be very exciting. “

The start of the race will be on 7 July — a week later than usual due to the football world Cup in Russia — and begins with a step on the flat, 195-km for the sprinters of Noirmoutier in Fontenay-le-Comte in Vendée, on the atlantic coast.

With the return of an against-the-shows absent of the last two editions, the team Sky of Froome is confident to create gaps of time from the 3rd stage — a route of 35 kilometers, starting and ending in Cholet in the west of France. But Sky will have to deal with competition up, because the team Sunweb-of-Dumoulin is the world champion of against-the-shows by teams.

The course of the Tour, which will follow the direction of the needles of a watch, includes 25 ascents in the mountains — ranking of the category 2 relatively difficult in the category 1 and the dreaded non-category (non-classified). Eleven are located in the Alps, four in the region of the Massif Central and ten in the Pyrenees.

“It is a huge challenge and a Tour of France which touches on all aspects of cycling, said Froome, who has won the last three editions and the 2013. I was expecting nothing less from the organizers. “

The Tour also provides more time bonuses at the steps on the flat over the 3329 km of the race.

The real things begin from the 10th step, the first of three consecutive days of alpine climbing challenging.

But the organisers have preceded the first and a ninth step difficult, which could stir the cards. She will lead the riders over a portion dangerous 15 cobbled sections : the highest number since the Turn of the 1980’s, with close to 22 km in total.

“This will be a race of high tension,” said Froome.

The classic 21 steps ends with the traditional procession on the Champs-Élysées.

Photo: Ryan Remiorz, The canadian Press
Defender Mark Streit

The direction of the Canadian of Montreal has confirmed that it has terminated its association with the defender Mark Streit.

Streit had accepted a contract for one season at a value of $ 700,000 on July 25, which allowed him to get back with the organization that had selected him in the ninth round — 262nd in total — in 2004 and has opened the doors of the national hockey League a year later.

However, the Swiss 39-year-old has experienced a training camp to be rather difficult and he has only taken part in two games of the regular schedule, the first two of the Canadian this season, during which he received no points and posted a differential of minus-2.

Subject to the voting on Thursday, Streit has not been claimed and the next day, the Canadian announced that he gave up to the Rocket of Laval. Streit, however, has chosen not to relate to and the direction of the team submitted his name shall be unconditional, Sunday.

The decision of the Canadian to break the contractual relationship with Streit has no impact on the salary cap.

In 786 games in the NHL, Streit has recorded 96 goals and 434 points. With the canadiens, he took part in 207 meetings and amassed 109 points, including 25 goals. He had his best campaign in 2007-2008, in the uniform of the Canadian, getting 13 goals and 62 points in 81 games. This year, he had been particularly productive numerical advantage, scoring seven goals and 27 assists.

Streit has also worn the colors of the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, he helped them win the Stanley cup last spring.

A spot opens up

By releasing Streit of its training of 23 players, the Canadian is able to make room for the defender David Schlemko. However, the latter did not accompany his teammates in anticipation of the trip of three games in California.

Schlemko has played a first game of the season, Friday, with the Rocket of Laval, and has been recalled by the Canadian Saturday morning, without, however, participate in the meeting on Saturday to face the Toronto Maple Leafs.

However, it seems that Schlemko is still bothered by an injury to a hand, suffered from the first day of training camp, and his first outing in the uniform habs will still have to wait.

The men of head coach Claude Julien are driven to San Jose on Tuesday for the matchup Tuesday against the Sharks, a formation against which the Canadian has not won in California in the last ten attempts, since 23 November 1999.

At its last four meetings in San Jose, the Canadian has scored only three goals and suffered two setbacks by laundering.

Photo: Jack Guez Agence France-Presse
The judoka of israel Gold Sasson bronze medalist at the olympic Games in Rio.

Jerusalem — Israel denounced on Monday the decision of the organisers of a judo tournament in Abu Dhabi not to play the anthem of israel, and to prohibit representatives of this country to wear signs identifying their nationality.

The organisers have asked that the 12 judokas israelis committed at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam (26 to 28 October) boast not the letters SRI on their kimono, and the anthem of israel is not played in case of victory, said the israeli ministry of Sports.

These requirements “are going against the mandate of the international sports federations, the main purpose of which is to separate politics and sport,” protested the minister of Sports in a letter addressed to the president of the international olympic Committee.

“Any country that has the privilege of hosting an international competition is held to allow athletes to represent their country in a honorable and ensure their safety,” added Miri Regev in this letter made public Monday.

The judo israelis will go well in Abu Dhabi, indicated to the AFP the spokesperson of the minister of Sports, that she will not make the move.

In 2015, the Federation of israeli had accepted the terms and conditions of the tournament in Abu Dhabi and its judokas had worn kimonos and the colors of the international Federation.

Difficulties frequent

No comments were received on the side of the United Arab Emirates, a country that does not recognize Israel.

The participation of israeli athletes in international competitions regularly gives rise to hostile reactions and decisions of boycott on the part of organizations or athletes arabs or muslims.

The olympic Games of Rio in 2016, the judoka in the egyptian Islam El Shehaby had refused to shake the hand of his conqueror israeli, Or Sasson.

Judo is a sport flagship, in Israel and told him his only two medals of the olympic games-2016 (in bronze, including one for Sasson).

Photo: Scott Conningham Archives Getty Images / AFP
Colin Kaepernick, the former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers

New York — Colin Kaepernick, the former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, has filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that he remains unemployed as a result of collusion between the owners in retaliation for his protests during the national anthem.

Kaepernick has initiated a national debate on the political activism of athletes last season when he decided to stay seated, and then put a knee on the ground, during the anthem to draw attention to the ill treatment of African Americans by the police. Other players have followed suit this season, drawing the ire of the president Trump, who has said that the players who do not come up during the anthem should be dismissed.

Kaepernick has chosen to end his association with the 49ers at the end of last season, and he remains free agent despite a wave of injuries and underperformance at quarterback.

Sanctions ?

Mark Geragos, one of the lawyers of Kaepernick, said in a statement posted on Twitter on Sunday that the player filed the complaint ” only after pursuing all possible routes with all the NFL teams and their leaders “.

“If the NFL (and all professional team sports leagues] should remain a meritocracy, the political protests of principle and peaceful — that the owners themselves have mimicked a few weeks ago — should not be sanctioned, said Geragos in its press release. And the athletes should not be deprived of employment on the basis of the provocation of partisanship of the executive branch of our government. Such precedent threatens all Americans, patriots and brings us back to the darkest days as a nation. “

The half safety of the 49ers, Eric Reid, the former teammate of Kaepernick, knelt down during the anthem before games, including during the defeat of 26-24 against the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

The players union the NFL has revealed that he would support the grievance, which was filed with the arbitration system that is part of the collective bargaining agreement of the league.

Photo: Chandan Khanna Agence France-Presse
Federer won in two sets 6-4 and 6-3.

Shanghai — Switzerland’s Roger Federer has had reason on Sunday to his eternal rival, spaniard Rafael Nadal, in the final of the tennis Masters in Shanghai, China.

Federer won in two sets 6-4 and 6-3, to register a 4th win in as many matches against Nadal this year.

The two players are now faced each other 38 times, and Nadal dominates, with 23 wins.

Earlier this year, Federer has beaten the Spaniard in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Miami.

For the Swiss, it was a 94th title in career, joining the Czech Ivan Lendl in the 2nd rank of the modern era of the ATP.

Photo: Andy Wong, Associated Press
Federer wins his 4th victory this season against Nadal.

Roger Federer was extended to four series wins this season against Rafael Nadal with the favourite 6-4, 6-3 in the final of Masters in Shanghai on Sunday.

The Swiss, who has won 19 titles in the Grand Slam, now has a record of 23-15 against the Spanish in their career. It has not been confronted with the less ball breakage, and he started and finished the match with a break at the expense of Nadal.

“I didn’t know what to expect before the game, said Federer. I thought I would have difficulty in the beginning of the meeting due to the fact that I had finished my duel in the semi-finals very late the night before. “

“Surprisingly, I was very relaxed prior to the meeting. I had a game plan well defined before the face [Nadal]. I set the tone from, and then I could take my ease. “

In spite of its successes in 2017, Federer does not believe that he will one day return to the threshold of respectability in these duels against Nadal.

“It doesn’t happen. We do not have enough time to spend on the circuit. We are too high in the standings, which means that we can not compete in the final of a tournament… To be honest with you, you can’t always win against “Rafa”. He is too good, ” said Federer.

Federer converted three of his seven balls break during the meeting to rein in 16 the series of victories of the Spaniard, who has notably won the title last week at the China Open.

Federer, who has won the last five clashes against Nadal, if you go back up to the final of the Basel tournament in 2015, was also defeated in the final of the Australian open, eighth-finals at Indian Wells and final in Miami earlier this season.

“The match was very difficult, agreed on Nadal. He played quickly, and very well. “

“This was not my best match this week. When an opponent plays better than you, you can’t do a lot of things. This is the reality, no ? Quand tu affrontes a player who is better than you in most aspects of the sport on this type of surface, then it becomes very difficult. “

It was the 94th title of Federer’s career, allowing him to join Ivan Lendl in the second rank of modern history in this chapter.

On the other hand, Nadal has refused to indicate whether it planned to participate in the tournaments of Basel, Switzerland, and Paris.

Photo: Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images / Agence France-Presse
The Canadian will face the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday and the Ducks of Anaheim on Friday.

Carey Price has been recognized, after the defeat in extra-time 4-3 of the Canadian in the face of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Saturday, that if he had known a better meeting, his team probably would have known a lot better.

Price has not appeared on the three goals of the Leafs in regulation time and he has made his mea culpa after the game.

“We scored three goals and we probably had our best game so far this season. Unfortunately, I have not had my best game, ” he admitted.

The Maple Leafs arrived in Montreal with 22 goals to their record in four games. For his part, the Habs had registered only four goals in regulation time in as many parties since the beginning of the campaign.

Missed opportunities

It is, however, the Canadian (1-3-1), which has generated the most opportunities, which has increased the disappointment after the defeat in extra.

“We have well-enough played to win, said head coach Claude Julien. These are small errors, of small misfortunes. Look at the second goal [of the Leafs], Carey has lost the balance and he has not had time to reposition. Looking at it on the bench, you say to yourself ” My god, it could not happen to us this time ? “”

“Last week we spoke about the fact that we do not hit not a lot of goals. We scored three and it is a step in the right direction. But we have agreed to four. I think we have a good team and it probably deserves a better card. […] We need to continue to work out of this bad sequence. It’s going to make us a better team. But it starts to be time that the wind is turning. “

Since a stinging defeat of 6-1 to face the Washington Capitals on October 7, the defense of the Canadian has been able to limit the New York Rangers and the Chicago black hawks to each 25 shots on goal and the Maple Leafs at 22.

“I think we limited their space, noted Price about the defensive work in the face of the Leafs. This is a team very fast and we stopped them to exploit their speed by playing aggressively. It has made a good difference. “

An important challenge

Things will not be easier for the Canadian in the next few days, then he will spend the week in California. He will play against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday and the Ducks of Anaheim on Friday.

The Canadian has not had much success in recent years, during his annual stay in California. During the last four seasons, the Habs have compiled a record of 2-8-2 in California and the two wins have been earned in tie-breaker.

It is necessary to go back to the 2009-2010 season to see the Blue-white-red leave California with a win (2-1-0).

“The time zone change is probably what makes this trip more special, said defender Karl Alzner. It is past 22 h for us when the games begin. Our bodies are not accustomed to mode match at this time. In addition, these are good teams and they are in big lecture halls intimidating to visitors. “

“The team is counting on some new players and I hope we can break the trend and get some wins,” he added.

Alzner also believes that the time is right for the Canadian going on a trip.

“The first voyages in a season are always good for the team spirit, he mentioned. I know that we started the season abroad, but now that we have a few more matches in the bank, I think it will be good. But it is time that we start to rack up the points because the gap may build quickly in the standings. “

The Canadian would have broken the bridges with the defender Mark Streit

The Montreal canadiens would have inscribed the name of the defender Mark Streit to tie in order to cancel his contract, revealed a source to the fact of the situation to the Associated Press (AP) on Sunday. This person requested anonymity to discuss with the AP since the Habs has not confirmed the information. Streit has not been claimed in a runoff last week, but it was not reported at the club-school team, the Rocket de Laval. When his contract will be officially terminated, Streit, who is 39 years of age, will go home and play in Switzerland, in order to prepare for the olympic Games to Pyeongchang, the next winter. The Canadian had offered him a one-year contract worth $700,000 US, with many of the bonuses to the performance, during the summer season. The veteran has taken part in only two matches in the CH before finding himself in a runoff. Streit has scored 96 goals and amassed 338 assists in 786 regular season games with the canadiens, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, where he won the Stanley cup last season.