Paris 2024 Olympic bid committee co-Chair Tony Estanguet said Tuesday that he was "not against the awarding of the 2024 and 2028 Olympics in the same session later this year, but ruled the French capital out of the latter Games," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Three-time Olympic canoeing Gold Medalist Estanguet said, "It is now or never. We will not come back for 2028." Paris is "up against" L.A. for the right to stage the 2024 Games. IOC President Thomas Bach hinted he would "not be against awarding those Games and the 2028 Games at the same time," and said last week that the IOC exec board "agreed to set up a working group to explore potential changes to the process and report back in July" (REUTERS, 3/21).
MARUKAWA SEEKS ANSWERS: KYODO reported Japan Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa "expressed satisfaction" Tuesday with the decision made by the 2020 Tokyo Olympics golf venue to scrap its men-only policy but said that she "intends to find out how the golf club was selected." Marukawa is "keen to take it a step further and seek full transparency of the venue selection process" and an explanation as to why the private club was "chosen as an Olympic venue in the first place." Marukawa said, "It may take a little time, but I'd like for all the facts to be brought to light" (KYODO, 3/21).
