FISU president Primo Nebiolo has hinted publicly at his preference for Moscow, perhaps making it a foregone conclusion that the games will be held in the Russian capitol. Organizers have announced that the first European Masters Games , scheduled for August of 2000 have been postponed. A letter from games President David Moner i Codina mentioned the busy event schedule for the year 2000 and pressures on venues and sponsors as reasons for the postponement. Codina assures that the games will go on, and the postponement will only serve to make the even better in the long run. New dates will be announced in the near future.
Russian athletes have yet to be paid for winning medals at the Nagano Olympics.
Officials from Miami-Dade County decided at the last minute to withdraw financial support for the event because the event would include Cuban athletes. The meet went on with 500 athletes from 35 nations, but the Cubans decided not to attend. Miami's reputation has been sullied by throwing away the opportunity to host this event, while Tampa Bay's stock has risen as it stepped in at the last minute under great pressure and successfully hosted the meet. Jon Huntsman, the long-time sponsor of the Huntsman World Senior Games , and a critic of the of the Winter Olympic games coming to Utah, has reluctantly agreed to support the games after meeting with the Governor of Utah, Michael Leavitt, and the leaders of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. I cannot be dishonest.