TSX REPORT: Fourth arrest of Takahashi in Tokyo 2020 bribe probe; Griner on way

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Takahashi arrested for fourth time in Tokyo sponsorship scandal
2. Brittney Griner transferred to Russian penal colony
3. Ex-FIFA chief Blatter says France wanted Qatar to get World Cup
4. FIFA announces Israel and Palestinian fan flights from Tel Aviv
5. U.S. women tie it late, but Germany wins, 2-1, in the 89th minute

Former Tokyo 2020 board member Haruyuki Takahashi was arrested for a fourth time on Wednesday as part of the sponsorship bribery scandal at the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee. Prosecutors believe the combined bribes uncovered so far totaled more than $1.3 million. In Russia, two-time Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner was moved – more quickly than expected – to a penal colony and is continuing to serve a nine-year sentence for “drug smuggling” while U.S. diplomats try to negotiate her release. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter said in an interview that French government influence ended up giving the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar instead of the U.S. He also called the selection of Qatar a “mistake.” FIFA announced an agreement to allow several thousand Israeli and Palestinian World Cup ticket holders to fly on special flights from Tel Aviv into Qatar, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel. In Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the no. 3-ranked German women defeated the no. 1-ranked U.S., 2-1, the third straight loss for the Americans, something which had not happened in 29 years.

This weekend, the 2027 World University Games will be awarded to the U.S. (North Carolina) or to Korea, and the modern pentathlon federation will decide whether to replace riding with obstacle course at the UIPM Congress.

1.
Takahashi arrested for fourth time in Tokyo sponsorship scandal

No let-up in indictments and arrests in the Tokyo 2020 sponsorship and marketing influence scandal as former organizing committee board member Haruyuki Takahashi was arrested for a fourth time.

Kyodo News reported that Takahashi, a former senior director of Japanese ad giant Dentsu, Inc., was arrested for a fourth time for bribes paid by advertising agency ADK Holdings and toy maker Sun Arrow, Inc.

The bribe line-up reported so far includes:

● ¥51 million from suit retailer Aoki Holdings (~$360,699 U.S.)
● ¥76 million from publisher Kadokawa Corp. (~$537,377)
● ¥15 million from ad agency Daiko Advertising (~$106,061)
● ¥7 million from plush-toy maker Sun Arrow Inc. (~$49,495)
● ¥47 million from ad agency ADK Holdings (~$332,325)

The Tokyo prosecutors have now alleged bribes totaling ¥196 million, or about…