★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★
★ To get the daily Sports Examiner Recap by e-mail: sign up here! ★
≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● International Testing Agency ● The ITA announced its 2024 results, including significant increases – in an Olympic year – for testing:
● “In 2024, more than 44,400 samples were collected from over 17,200 athletes from 216 countries and at over 1,100 international sports events, marking a 10% increase in testing volume compared to 2023.”
● “Reports submitted via the ITA’s confidential platform REVEAL [1,042] rose by 68% in 2024, marking a significant increase in actionable intelligence received by the organisation.”
● “The ITA also evaluated and processed 532 potential anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs).”
The number of nations tested was way up: 216 vs. 185 in 2023, with 55% collected out-of-competition and 45% in-competition. Testing by sex remained constant at 65 male and 35% female.
In terms of the violations:
“Of the 532 potential ADRVs managed in 2024, 232 led to sanctions, 105 are ongoing, and 181 were reviewed but not pursued as ADRVs. Additionally, the ITA reviewed 827 Whereabouts Failures, of which 437 were recorded, 77 were referred to NADOs, and 313 were dismissed after explanation.”
● Anti-Doping ● A terrible case of in-family doping, reported by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency:
“After receiving information from a whistleblower, USADA initiated an investigation that uncovered evidence demonstrating that Michael Vowell, 49, administered his own prescription testosterone gel to his minor child, Seth Vowell, 16, at the 2023 USA Track & Field Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championships on December 10, 2023.”
The steroid testosterone has been banned for decades, and the penalties were severe:
“Michael Vowell’s actions constituted anti-doping rule violations for possession of a prohibited substance, administration of a prohibited substance, and complicity. He accepted a lifetime period of ineligibility for his violations. Based on the circumstances of the case, Seth Vowell qualified for a reduced two-year period of ineligibility for his testosterone use anti-doping rule violation.”
● Archery ● USA Archery named a veteran Recurve team for the World Archery Championships in Gwangju (KOR) in September, including all three Paris women’s Olympians: 2021 Worlds runner-up Casey Kaufhold, Catalina GNoriega and Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez.
Five-time Olympic medalist and 2019 World Champion Brady Ellison leads the U.S. men’s Recurve team, along with 19-year-old Christian Stoddard and Trenton Cowles.
James Lutz, the 2024 World Cup Final Compound winner, leads the American Compound squad, with first-time Worlds Team members Curtis Broadnax and Jesse Clayton. Alexis Ruiz, a Mixed Team winner at the 2023 Worlds, leads the women’s Compound squad with Olivia Dean and Sydney Sullenberger.
● Athletics ● A new world outdoor lead for Tokyo Olympic co-champ Katie Moon of the U.S., who cleared 4.83 m (15-10) at the Maximum Velocity Born to Run Invitational in Chula Vista, California last Sunday.
U.S. sprinter Celera Barnes, the 2025 U.S. Indoor 60 m champ, won the women’s 100 m in a swift 10.79, but with over-the-allowable wind of 2.5 m/s.
¶
The Athletics Integrity Unit posted its sanctions list for June, with 19 listings: seven Kenyans, six from India, two from France and one each from Brazil, Turkey, New Zealand and Nigeria.
Kenya and India continue to be the most sanctioned countries by the AIU, with no actions taken against either as yet.
● Football ● In view of the high temperatures and lightning delays at some FIFA Club World Cup matches in the U.S., British Columbia Premier David Eby said he has written to FIFA that Vancouver would be happy to take on additional matches if FIFA wanted to move some for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Vancouver’s B.C. Place and BMO Field in Toronto are the Canadian venues for 2026; three venues in Mexico will be used and 11 in the U.S.
● Swimming ● One of the best ways to assure the future of an in-danger university sports program is an endowment. The storied swimming, diving and water polo programs at Cal are apparently safe now, thanks to a $26 million commitment from Ned and Carol Spieker; Ned played water polo at Cal and became a titan in commercial property.
It’s the third program at Cal to be endowed, joining men’s and women’s golf, and rugby.
● Volleyball ● The Cuban Volleyball Federation said that the U.S. denied visa applications for the Cuban women’s national team to play in the NORCECA Final Four tournament in Manati, Puerto Rico from 16-21 July.
The Associated Press reported the federation “said last week that the team, comprising 12 athletes, a referee, and several coaches, had their visa request denied and will be unable to attend the tournament.”
The Trump Administration’s proclamation of 4 June 2025 directed the U.S. State Dept. to “partially restrict and limit the entry of nationals” from seven countries, including Cuba and eliminated entry from 12 others.
¶
★ Receive our exclusive, weekday TSX Recap by e-mail by clicking here.
★ Sign up a friend to receive the TSX Recap by clicking here.
★ Please consider a donation here to keep this site going.
For our updated, 694-event International Sports Calendar for 2025 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!
