A Day of Politics

Organizers believe that a proposed cut to Rio's oil revenue would hinder their ability to host the 2016 Olympics and 2014 World Cup. In other wonderful Olympic venue news, the UN Environmental Program is criticizing Sochi for not taking appropriate action to protect wildlife and natural ecosystems in the region.

Joannie Rochette withdrew the World Championships. Rochette is scheduled to skate her Celine Dion exhibit on ABC's "Thin Ice" on Friday. However, this event is not sanctioned and the ISU is threatening to end her eligibility if she skates at the event because she should give priority to the World Championships. Has it even crossed their mind that her mom just died and that she might want to skate in the show as a tribute to her mom as Celine Dion was her mom's favorite singer. Rochette has never screamed consistency and gave the performance of a lifetime in Vancouver. Maybe she just also wants to end her competitive career on a high note.

In other figure skating news, Evgeni Plushenko, the most humble figure skater on the planet, announced his intentions to compete in Sochi. Stars on Ice officially said that Johnny Weir's presumed sexual orientation was not the reason he was not included on the tour. We all know that is not true. To sign GLAAD's petition, click here.

The IAAF recommended that the 2004 women's 4x400 meter Olympic relay team be stripped of their gold medal due to Crystal Cox's doping suspension. Cox ran in the preliminaries. I hate seeing relay teams lose medals because one athlete screwed up. This case is especially disheartening because the team probably could have easily qualified without her.

USA Speedskating fired its executive director, high performance director, and communications director, following a somewhat underwhelming performance in Vancouver.

For an interesting read on what happens to athletes after they win gold medals, click here.