The European Olympic Committees announced the appointment of PIERCE O'CALLAGHAN as European Games senior consultant, following his role as sports director for the inaugural European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, last year.
O’Callaghan’s immediate focus will be on all workstreams related to the selection of the host city for the 2019 European Games, and his role includes developing the European Games concept in the long-term. He has occupied various positions in European sport including head of communications for the European Athletics Association (EOC). ... Mongolia National Olympic Committee Deputy President J. KHATANBAATAR "has been appointed the Chef De Mission of the Mongolian national team that will take part in the Rio De Janeiro Summer Olympic Games" (MONTSAME, 3/1). ... AEG Global Partnerships promoted Senior Dir JON WERBECK to VP/sales for facilities, Dir of Sales JOSH GOLD to senior director of sales for AEG Live and Sales & Activation Analyst DAN RAFFETY to sales account exec/facilities (THE DAILY).
DISCOVERY APPOINTMENT: Discovery Communications appointed MICHAEL LANG as exec VP of int'l development and digital. Lang "will lead Discovery Networks International’s Corporate Development with responsibility for both the strategy and execution of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, and other equity-related transactions and third-party partnerships."
Lang also will work with the int'l management team "to accelerate existing initiatives, including the Eurosport Player, Dplay and Discovery K!ds Play, and to help shape and execute the division’s overall digital strategy."
Lang, who will assume his responsibilities in April based in London, will report to Chief Development, Distribution & Legal Officer BRUCE CAMPBELL and Discovery Networks Int'l President JEAN-BRIAC PERRETTE (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 2/29).
COACHES/MANAGERS: The Jebel Ali Dragons appointed HENRY PAUL as its new coach.
The former England center, who also played rugby league for his native New Zealand, "will officially start duties with the club on July 1."
Paul won the Dubai Rugby Sevens with England in '05 (THE NATIONAL, 3/1). ... Argentine first division side Boca Juniors sacked coach RODOLFO ARRUABARRENA after its "dismal start to the campaign continued with Sunday's 1-0 loss to Racing Club."
The club "was not immediately available to comment."
The front-runner to take over as Boca coach is GUILLERMO BARROS SCHELOTTO (REUTERS, 2/29).
