OLYMPIC COMMITTEE CONSIDERS GIVING TWO BIDS THIS FALL
pyeongchang, south korea» The International Olympic Committee moved closer toward picking both Los Angeles and Paris to host a Summer Games in an unprecedented double vote this year.
IOC President Thomas Bach has repeatedly hinted at awarding the hosting rights for both the 2024 and 2028 Games at the IOC Session on Sept. 13 in Lima, Peru. Only the 2024 Games is currently scheduled to be voted on in Lima.
“All the options are on the table, and this includes also the ’24-’28 procedure and vote,” Bach said Friday when announcing a working group to study changing the candidate process.
The IOC executive board asked its four vice presidents to “explore changes” in Olympic bidding and report back in July.
“We have two excellent candidates there from two major Olympic countries,” Bach said at a news conference after a two-day board meeting. “This is a position you like to be in.”
Bach said the four-man working group will make proposals to the board and full membership. They meet from July 9-12 in Lausanne, Switzerland, where L.A. and Paris will make formal presentations of their 2024 hosting plans.
Los Angeles and Paris are in a twocandidate race after several rivals dropped out facing public opposition to expected spiraling costs and doubts about the long-term value of being an Olympic host.
Sock knocks off Nishikori in three
B indian wells, calif.» Jack Sock defeated Kei Nishikori 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 for the biggest singles victory of his career in the BNP Paribas Open quarterfinals.
The 24-year-old American finally broke through against a top-five ranked opponent after losing his first seven matches against such competition.
Sock improved to 15-2 this year and set up a semifinal against Roger Federer, who advanced via walkover when Nick Kyrgios withdrew with suspected food poisoning.
Hoffman claims lead
B orlando, fla.» Charley Hoffman made seven birdies in slightly warmer conditions for a 6-under-par 66 that gave him a one-shot lead over Emiliano Grillo at Bay Hill.
• Michelle Wie shot a 5-under 67 on another hot and low-scoring day in the Bank of Hope Founders Cup to enter the weekend a stroke behind leaders Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn.
• Fred Couples shot an 8-under 65 in the Tucson Conquistadores Classic, leaving playing partner Steve Stricker two strokes back in his PGA Tour Champions debut.
Logano claims pole after meeting
B avondale, ariz.» Joey Logano capped a day in the spotlight with a fast late lap to claim the pole for the NASCAR Camping World 500.
Ryan Blaney qualified second to give Ford the top two spots to start Sunday’s race.
The day began for Logano with a meeting with Kyle Busch and NASCAR officials about the crash and subsequent scuffle late in last Sunday’s race in Las Vegas.
Logano won with a top speed of 137.321 mph on the Phoenix International Raceway track.
Erik Jones qualified eighth, and his Furniture Row Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. qualified 16th.
Air Force heads to title game
B rochester, n.y.» Shane Starrett made 29 saves and Ben Kucera scored the game-winner as No. 17 Air Force defeated Army 1-0 in the Atlantic Hockey semifinals.
Air Force advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Conference championship game against Robert Morris on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Footnote.
Callum Crawford and Stephen Keogh scored hat tricks as the Mammoth beat the Toronto Rock 14-11. Denver Post staff and wire services