The IOC is taking on a leadership role in the new UN Sports for Climate Action Initiative. It aims to set the course for the sports world to address climate change through concrete commitments and partnerships, while applying verified standards to measure, reduce and report greenhouse gas emissions -- in line with the Paris Agreement. IOC President Thomas Bach said, "Sport is about action, and today the world needs urgent action to limit the rise of global temperatures" (IOC). The Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee also joined the initiative (Tokyo 2020).
THINKING IT OVER: YONHAP reported South and North Korea will discuss organizing a joint march at the opening ceremony of the next Summer Olympics and "fielding combined teams there, when they hold sports talks this week," a Seoul official said Tuesday. Sports officials from both sides are scheduled to meet Friday at the joint liaison office in the North Korean border city of Kaesong. An official with the South's sports ministry said that Tokyo 2020 will "likely dominate the agenda." The official said, "Having unified teams and marching in together at the opening ceremony are the pressing issues" (YONHAP, 12/11).
GREAT BRIDGE OF DREAMS: KYODO reported an Olympic flame cauldron will be installed for Tokyo 2020 on the city's waterfront, sources said. The cauldron will be placed near the "Yume no Ohashi" (Great Bridge of Dreams) connecting the Ariake district with the Odaiba artificial island in Tokyo Bay. The area is also the site of the so-called urban cluster hosting youth-oriented events such as sports climbing, skateboarding and three-on-three basketball. Unlike previous games, Tokyo 2020 will not have an "Olympic Park," with organizers hoping the Urban Cluster will "become a focal point for crowds" (KYODO, 12/11).
BACK IN THE MIX?: AS reported the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) is considering bidding to host the 2032 Olympics in Madrid. The Spanish capital "has tried to host the Olympic Games" four times ('72, '12, '16 and '20) without success. After the '20 bid, Madrid did decided not to bid for the Games in '24 or '28. Other possible bids in '32 include Buenos Aires, Indonesia, Mexico and a joint bid by North and South Korea (AS, 12/11).
