★ 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 ≡
● Olympic Winter Games 2026: Milan Cortina ● A unique aspect of the upcoming Winter Games will be two cauldrons for the Olympic Flame, lit simultaneously in two locations: in Milan at the Arco della Pace and in Cortina d’Ampezzo in Piazza Dibona. Per the announcement:
“They will be lit and extinguished in perfect synchrony, paying tribute to the constant dialogue between the different territories of this widespread edition of the Games.”
The cauldrons are made of aluminum, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s “Knots”:
“The structure features variable geometry, with a diameter that expands from 3.1 meters when closed to 4.5 meters when open [10.2 to 14.8 feet]. The complex mechanical system integrates 244 pivot points and 1,440 components, mounted on pins and bearings. At its core, the Flame is enclosed in a glass-and-metal container and makes use of sustainable scenic effects: no material fallout, low acoustic impact, minimal smoke emissions and complete safety for environments in contact with the public.”
The Milan cauldron will be featured in a special, 3-5 minute daily show from 7 February, occurring on the hour, every hour, from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., open to the public.
● Paralympic Games 2026: Milan Cortina ● Russian athletes had been announced to be ineligible for the Winter Paralympic skiing and snowboarding events based on the position of the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS).
However, it was reported Tuesday that the International Paralympic Committee will allow “bilateral invitations” to be issued to specific Russian athletes in alpine and cross-country skiing and snowboard.
These invitations are expected to be made by 13 February and are to be approved by the IPC. No indication was given on the number of invitations to be extended.
● Alpine Skiing ● The FIS women’s World Cup stopped in Kronplatz (ITA) on Tuesday for a Giant Slalom, with Austria’s Julia Scheib winning her fourth gold this season, coming from second after the first run to win the second and time 2:19.85. That was just enough to beat Swiss Slalom star Camille Rast (2:20.22) and Sara Hector (SWE: 2:20.31).
American star Mikaela Shiffrin was fourth overall at 2:20.71, showing she is going to be a contender for an Olympic medal in this event. Fellow American Paula Moltzan was eighth (2:21.36) and Elisabeth Bocock was 12th in 2:22.54.
Much attention was focused on the return to the slopes of Italian star Federica Brignone – the 2025 Giant Slalom World Champion – who suffered a bad crash at last April’s Italian championships, but has recovered enough to ski and finished a very creditable sixth overall. She was not sure, however, about competing at the Winter Games.
● Athletics ● Impressive season opener from Olympic women’s high jump champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR), clearing 2.03 m (6-8) at home in Lviv on 17 January.
It equals her sixth-highest jump ever and only 12 other women – including her – have ever jumped higher indoors.
● Football ● Sunday’s African Cup of Nations final in Rabat (MAR) between host Morocco and Senegal descended into chaos when in a 0-0 match that was in stoppage time of the second half, a goal for Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr at 90+2 was disallowed on video review.
This incensed the Senegalese, who were then further infuriated by a penalty called against them at 90+5 on Morocco’s Brahim Diaz. The foul was not initially called by the referee, but the Video Assistant Referee signaled and the play was reviewed and a penalty given.
At that point, Senegal coaches, players and officials protested on the field and some Senegal fans tried to come onto the pitch as well, then being accosted by security staff. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw then ordered his team off the field as a protest, with some following and some staying.
After a 14-minute delay, Diaz finally took the penalty but keeper Edouard Mendy stopped it; Diaz just popped it straight toward the goal, expecting Mendy to jump one way or the other. Play continued, with regulation time finishing 0-0.
Senegal’s Pape Gueye finally scored in the 94th and Senegal held on for the win, 1-0. There were flare-ups between writers in the press section and between Moroccan flag-waving fans and some Senegal substitutes on the field, but the final score stood. Arguments continued in the media center and Senegal coach Thiaw was booed by Moroccan media members at the post-match news conference and left!
The African Confederation issued an unhappy statement on Monday:
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) condemns the unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night.
“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.
“CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty.”
¶
FIFA announced that the “FIFA PASS” program for ticket buyers for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in the U.S. is open.
It’s “a voluntary, opt-in process that allows FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders travelling to the United States to access prioritised visa interview appointments” according to FIFA, but is not needed for fans from U.S. Visa Waiver Program countries. The announcement noted:
“All current FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders will be notified in the upcoming days by the FIFA ticket office with information on the availability of FIFA PASS, along with instructions on how to opt in to the process. Future ticket purchasers will receive the same opt-in opportunity at time of purchase.”
¶
Midfield star Rose Lavelle has been voted U.S. Soccer’s women’s player of the year for 2025, scoring three goals in her national team matches and helping Gotham FC to the NWSL title.
Lavelle received 29.2% of the weighted vote, ahead of Sam Coffey (23.9%) and Catarina Macario (22.3%).
● Ski Jumping ● In the first of two competitions off the 102 m hill in Zao (JPN), early-season sensation Nozomi Maruyama (JPN) won her sixth FIS women’s World Cup gold, scoring 222.5 points, well ahead of Lisa Eder (AUT: 207.1) and Germany’s Selina Freitag (205.8). Slovenian star Nika Prevc’s six-event win streak ended, as she finished fourth (205.6).
Paige Jones of the U.S. was 16th (172.3).
● Tennis ● Venus Williams, now 45, played and lost in the first round of the Australian Open, losing a three-set match against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 4-6. Sje had been granted a wild card entry. She is now the oldest to play in a women’s Singles main draw at the tournament in the Open Era.
She is also entered in the women’s Doubles with Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova.
● Water Polo ● The U.S. women’s national team defeated 2025 Worlds runner-up Hungary, 13-8, in Budapest on Saturday to complete a sweep of their two exhibition matches.
The Americans had only a 6-5 lead at half, but broke the game open in the third period with a 4-1 advantage. Ryann Neushul was the individual star, with five goals, and four for Jordan Raney.
¶
★ 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, 45-sport, 910-event International Sports Calendar for 2026 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!
