The two biggest names in sports speak about the major 2007 issues and the New Year's challenges With just eight months to go before the Beijing 2008 Summer Games, it may seem natural that International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogges be preoccupied solely with the Olympics. "As 2007 comes to a close, however, the IOC has not lost sight of future Games coming in great cities around the world or the challenges that sport continues to face today," Rogges wrote on the official IOC website. "As in sport, challenges can offer remarkable opportunities. Our goal for the International Olympic Committee in 2008 is to achieve as much as possible from these opportunities. "The many high-profile doping revelations in 2007 might make some observers think that we are losing the battle. I disagree. The fact that so many instances of unfair play were revealed, and that more athletes admitted responsibility, tells us that we are on the right track. "Illegal betting presents a formidable threat to the credibility of sport. It must be fought in the same aggressive way in which we are fighting against doping. In 2008, zero tolerance for illegal betting and doping offences has to reach out at an even higher level. "Fighting against these threats will help create a more level playing field for sport and for the young people who are essential to its future. I was very pleased when the IOC wholeheartedly approved the new Youth Olympic Games last July. The first candidate cities have already been announced, and we are convinced that these new Games will help encourage young people to participate according to best practices and principles as early as possible. "The IOC was honoured that it was chosen to receive a United Nations Environment Programme Champions of the Earth Award in 2007. Our achievements to host a 'green' Olympic Games earned the recognition of the expert community. The IOC will continue to support new standards for host cities to conduct sustainable Games. "Among the IOC's challenges ahead in 2008, the dialogue surrounding Beijing will likely increase in volume. A remarkable amount of effort and dedication has been focused on an array of social and political issues in China, as Beijing prepares to host the Games. This, too, is natural. It is positive proof that we live in a world in which citizens are concerned and eager to express what they believe is best for the common good." The IOC president hoped that Beijing 2008 realises its potential as a spectacular Olympic Games. "We can be certain that the Games alone are a powerful catalyst, even if to show that challenges often provide opportunities that can have profound potential." FIFA President Jospeh Blatter said the past year had brought FIFA success and many unforgettable moments. "It has, however, also raised a number of critical issues and new problems that will occupy football in both the medium and long term," Blatter said on FIFA's website. "When we look back on the positive stories of 2007, we can certainly count among them the World Cups, which thrilled players and experts alike in both the U-20s in Canada and the U-17s in Korea. "The Beach Soccer World Cup and the Club World Cup also contributed to a successful year. The Women's World Cup in China, meanwhile, was an opportunity for the women to prove that their game has now reached a very high level. "And to allow such success stories to continue, the FIFA Executive Committee passed a number of important decisions. For example, the hosting of the FIFA World Cup will cease to be rotated as from 2018. The rotation system has served its purpose as it has allowed us to take our flagship competition -- which is still the ultimate for any footballer -- to Africa for the first time and back to South America after a lengthy absence. In Germany in 2011, the women will be welcomed by hosts who are devoted to the development of the game and will continue to help women's football go from strength to strength. "The Executive Committee has also approved the Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP), a pioneering development concept consisting of the following two related elements: the preparation of potential match officials for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the professionalisation of refereeing at the top level and the development of refereeing at member association level. In total, FIFA plans to invest some $40 million in the programme. "We have also strengthened football's structures with the FIFA Club Licensing Regulations, the revised Players' Agents Regulations and the updated Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. The latter regulations now contain a provision that, in direct response to the Tévez case, will prevent third parties from influencing transfers. Finally, by founding the Early Warning System GmbH, FIFA has for a number of months been combating the negative effect that betting can have on football matches." The FIFA president also spoke about 2008 tournaments. "Even though the World Cup qualifiers have already started in some confederations, 2008 will witness several other tournaments, too. The two women's youth tournaments -- the U-17 in New Zealand and the U-20 in Chile -- will throw the spotlight on the other half of humanity who are playing an increasingly important role in football. The women footballers will be attracting at least 50 per cent of public attention at the Olympic football tournaments in Beijing and other Chinese cities. Experience has shown that the U-23 national teams, rounded off with three older players, usually present the next generation of first-rate players who will be leaving their mark on future World Cups. "We can also look forward to the Beach Soccer World Cup, to be held this summer for the first time in the French city of Marseilles, not Rio de Janeiro. To make up for it, Brazil will be welcoming the world's futsal elite to the sixth Futsal World Cup in October whereas Japan will be entertaining the world's best clubs at the Club World Cup for the fourth time around. "Before these two treats, Sydney will be the backdrop of the FIFA Congress in May. For the first time in the history of FIFA, our football parliament will be guests 'Down Under' in Oceania, although in footballing terms Australia now belongs to the Asian Football Confederation. It is indeed time for FIFA to experience this premiere in a history spanning over 100 years."
