The Rugby Football Union has confirmed that former British Cycling Dir MATT PARKER will join the England rugby squad. Parker "will start work early next month as England's head of athletic performance." Parker "will be joined by new senior team doctor PHIL BATTY, who arrives at Twickenham following spells with EPL clubs ManU, Manchester City and Blackburn" (Belfast TELEGRAPH, 12/14). ... MAURICE HERZOG, the French climber who conquered Annapurna in the first recorded ascent of a peak above 8,000 metres, "has died at the age of 93." Herzog "reached the Himalayan peak's summit without oxygen in '50 alongside his compatriot LOUIS LACHENAL" (RFI, 12/15). ... F1 world champion SEBASTIAN VETTEL and Red Bull Racing "have been included on the list of nominations for the 2013 Laureus World Sports Awards." Vettel will go up against USAIN BOLT, MO FARAH, LIONEL MESSI, MICHAEL PHELPS and BRADLEY WIGGINS. Other "nominations in the Team category include China's Olympic Table Tennis Team, the European Ryder Cup Team, the U.S. Miami Heat Basketball team, Spain's Men's Football Team and the U.S. Men's Basketball Team" (CRASH, 12/14). ... Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee Head DMITRY CHERNYSHENKO revealed that pole vaulter ELENA ISINBAYEVA "will become mayor of the Olympic Village in Sochi during the Winter Olympics in '14." The official also "revealed plans to launch 'embassies' of all Russia’s regions in Sochi’s Olympic Park during the games, which will be held on Feb. 7-23, 2014." Chernyshenko said, "In these ‘embassies’ the regions will be able to demonstrate their historic and cultural legacy as well as their latest achievements in different fields" (RUSSIA TODAY, 12/14). ... Hurdler RYAN BRATHWAITE "was crowned the Digicel 4G Athlete of the Year at the Barbados Olympic Association Christmas Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday night at the Hilton Hotel" (CARIBBEAN SPORTS NETWORK, 12/16). ... London Games Opening Ceremony Dir DANNY BOYLE "has turned down an offer of a knighthood to stay as 'a man of the people'" (ITV, 12/16). ... Hockey India, the countries governing field hockey body, "signed legendary Dutchman and three-time FIH World Player of the Year TEUN DE NOOIJER as its third brand ambassador for the Hockey India League due to start in January" (PTI, 12/15).
