The exec board of the IOC voted Tuesday in Lausanne, Switzerland, to grant the Int'l Federation of American Football provisional recognition. The move is a significant step in American Football becoming an Olympic sport. A vote on football could take place as early as '17, and, if approved, football could join the Olympics in '24. IFAF is American Football's int'l governing body with 64 member nations on six continents (IOC). ... The Paralympic Committee of India "has been handed a stern warning by its parent international body to hold elections next month or else face suspension." In a letter, IPC Membership Relations Manager Claire Magras wrote, "In the light of all the past communications and complaints, we are asking PCI to hold an Extraordinary AGM in which, according to your Constitution, all members are invited and all members elect the office bearers and also secretariat. We need to make sure that a complete democratic process is followed and that all members are allowed to fully express their opinion. Not only the vacant positions must be filled, but all positions must be elected" (PTI, 12/9). ... Avalanches "might threaten" the subtropical resort of Sochi during the 2014 Winter Olympics. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said, "Avalanches could cause blackouts, disruption of communications, housing services and transportation" (XINHUA, 12/10).
