NHL Washington Capitals captain ALEX OVECHKIN will be the first Russian torchbearer for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The torch will travel through all 83 Russian regions, visiting 2,900 towns and settlements (Washington Capitals). ... Super Rugby League side ACT Brumbies coach JAKE WHITE "has quit his Super Rugby job just two months after leading the club to the grand final." The Brumbies have granted White a release from the last two years of his contract because ‘‘his heart's not in it.’’ Assistant coaches STEPHEN LARKHAM and LAURIE FISHER "are the front-runners to replace White" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 9/25). ... Former FC Barcelona and Spain handball star ENRIC MASIP, "considered one of the greatest players of all time in the sport, is considering running as President of the club" (INSIDE SPANISH FOOTBALL, 9/26). ... Former Australian tennis player PAT CASH "lands in Phnom Penh on Sunday evening for his first ever visit to the Kingdom." Although his three-day trip "is purely private in nature, Tennis Cambodia will occupy most of his time" (PHNOM PENH POST, 9/26). ... MICHAEL JACKSON "was known for his elaborate entrances and glittery stage shows." On Wednesday, the King of Pop "was hauled away in air-bubble packaging by four burly stonemasons." It was "an unceremonious end to his nearly three-year run" at EPL Fulham’s stadium, Craven Cottage. After 90 minutes of "chiseling, sawing and hacking, Jackson left the building, horizontally, on the back of a truck" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/25). ... Spain Anti-Doping Agency Head ANA MUÑOZ has been appointed to replace Spanish Superior Sports Council (CSD) Sports Dir General DAVID VILLAVERDE. Muñoz will have "to leave her position with the anti-doping agency" (MARCA, 9/26). ... The CSD has awarded Barcelona Mayor XAVIER TRIAS with a "Gold Plaque For Sporting Merit" for the "brilliant organization" of the 2013 Int'l Swimming Federation (FINA) World Championships held in Barcelona in July and August. The "distinction is Spain's top honor for an organization, athlete or politician's success or help in spreading sports throughout the nation" (AS, 9/26). ... PRINCESS HAYA of Jordan "has announced she will not seek a third term as president" of the Int'l Equestrian Federation, days after opponents flagged up her alleged “conflict of interest” as wife of SHEIKH MOHAMMED, ruler of Dubai, in "trying to reduce doping and horse welfare issues in endurance riding in the Middle East" (London TELEGRAPH, 9/25). ... U.S. social media entrepreneur and handball player LEWIS HOWES has "a lot of money, a successful business, innovative ideas and an Olympic dream." Howes is currently in Spain with one objective: "to participate in the 2016 Rio Olympics." Howes is attempting to join the U.S. national handball team, and "to achieve this objective, he has spent the past two weeks with Spanish handball side Reale Ademar, where he is hoping to translate what he learns to his current team, the New York City Handball Club" (LIBERTAD DIGITAL, 9/26). ... Former LOCOG CEO PAUL DEIGHTON, "has visited the UAE to drum up further financial support" for £300B ($480B) in infrastructure projects planned for the next decade (THE NATIONAL, 9/25).
