Former Calgary Police Chief RICK HANSON was named the volunteer head of a 17-member committee "tasked with examining if it makes sense for Calgary to bid on the 2026 Olympic Games." Hanson said that the group will "embark on a fact-finding mission, so Calgary's elected leaders can make an informed decision about a possible Olympic bid" (CALGARY HERALD, 9/19). ... Fox Sports Exec VP/Communications & Integration CHRIS HANNAN will leave the company after the MLB World Series next month to take a job as WME-IMG exec VP/sales integrations and global partnerships. Hannan will become the seventh communications exec to leave Fox Sports since April, joining LOU D'ERMILIO, DAN BELL, CHRIS BELLITTI, ILEANA PENA, ELIZABETH CONLISK and EMILY PARKER (John Ourand, Staff Writer).
COACHES/MANAGERS: JORDI RIBERA was on Tuesday named the coach of Spain's national men's handball team. He replaces MANOLO CADENAS. The presentation of Ribera was attended by Spanish Superior Sports Council Dir General ÓSCAR GRAEFENHAIN and Spanish Handball Federation President FRANCISCO V. BLÁZQUEZ (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 9/20). ... La Liga side Valencia sacked Manager PAKO AYESTARAN on Tuesday after "four straight defeats to open the season." Ayestaran was appointed in March to replace GARY NEVILLE, "but the poor start to the campaign sealed his fate after Sunday's 2-1 loss at Athletic Bilbao." A club statement said, "Following a meeting of the board of directors, Valencia Football Club have taken the decision to release Pako Ayestaran from his role as first team coach" (ESPN, 9/20).
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