The IOC has ruled out "any chance of an extra place being created for Ireland in the show jumping competition" at next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The notion had been "floated as an option" after Ireland lost out on an Olympic place when Cian O'Connor was "impeded by a member of the ground crew" at last week's European Championships. Horse Sport Ireland said that it intends to "file a protest with a tribunal" of the Int'l Equestrian Federation (FEI) (IRISH EXAMINER, 8/30). ... The Chinese Olympic Committee launched the sale of 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics' merchandise in Chinese markets on Sunday, providing Chinese fans "unique licensed products for next year's Summer Olympics." With the partnership of Beijing Honav Culture Development Co. Ltd., a company that offers licensed merchandise, the COC announced several licensed merchandise items for Rio 2016. Sales of plush toys, pins and keychains will be on sale in Chinese markets beginning in October "under the authorization of the 2016 Olympic Games organizing committee" (CHINA DAILY, 8/31).
