Russia will "waive visa fees for all athletes and officials participating at this year's world athletics championships," Moscow organizers said on Monday. Alexander Palinsky, who is overseeing the preparations, said, "The principal decision on free visas has already been made, we just need to take care of some formalities and get all the signatures in place" (REUTERS, 4/8). ... Jungle Marathon Vietnam, "the first of its kind in Vietnam, will be held in central Quang Binh province" starting May 31. "Around 30 athletes from countries and regions have registered to compete in the race," which is reserved for a maximum of 60 competitors (XINHUA, 4/8). ... Birmingham, U.K.'s Alexander Stadium "will host the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Athletics Grand Prix Final" on On June 29. More than 144 paralympic athletes are set to compete in 18 events (BBC, 4/8). ... Chelsea will end its season with a second friendly fixture against Manchester City in N.Y. on May 25. The match will kick off at 5:30pm EST. It also follows on from the already sold-out fixture against the Citizens at Busch Stadium in St. Louis two days earlier (Chelsea FC). ... The FA of Ireland "has lined up a glamour friendly clash with world and European champions Spain at Yankee Stadium" in N.Y. in June.
The game "will cap off a busy end of season run of games" for Manager Giovanni Trapattoni’s side, starting with friendlies against England at Wembley (May 29) and Georgia at the Aviva Stadium (June 2) ahead of the World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands in Dublin on June 7 (IRISH TIMES, 4/8).
