…Yet another NCAA Division 1 coaching position has opened up in what has been a tumultuous year, as New Mexico coach Tracy Ljone has resigned after 7 years at the helm of the lady Lobos. “”It saddens me to leave my team but I would like to say thank you to all of the amazing ladies I have had the privilege to coach here over the past eight years,” said Ljone. “They will always be a part of my life and I wish them all the very best as they become successful women in this world.” During Ljone’s tenure, New Mexico never finished higher than 6th in the Mountain West Conference, but she did develop a consistent conference-leader in academics (including a league-leading 12 members of the MWC All-Scholar team in 2010). This won’t be the last D-1 coaching job opening that we’ll see this summer- there’s at least one major position that will come open in the near future…
…The IOC announced in a press release that it has extended its agreement with the Paralympic Games through 2020. As part of the agreement, the IOC has increased its financial contributions to the International Paralympic Committee, and ensured that through 2020, the summer and winter games of the Olympics would be followed, in the same city, by the Paralympic Games. Full press release here…
In case you couldn’t be in Athens today for the official torch-lighting ceremony (or you won’t be able to make it to the UK-exclusive torch relay), the IOC has posted the video online. Check out the full ceremony, with is really quite breathtaking in its tradition, below…
As a 3 time Paralympic swimmer, I hope SwimSwam fans know how thrilling it is for you to report on the Paralympic movement. Paralympic Swimming and it’s evolution since Seoul has been tremendous to watch and to watch swimmers without limbs, or limbs with limited use, and limited or no eyesight is simply beautifully athletic as Phelps vs Lochte.. Can’t wait to watch both as a fan and as a former swimmer. Go team USA.