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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● Anti-Doping ● The International Testing Agency unveiled a reporting “dashboard” on the applications for Therapeutical Use Exemptions – being allowed to take a banned substance in order to treat a specific medical condition – which shows 3,528 applications between 2019 and 2025.
These are only for TUE applications that come to the ITA, and the number has expanded as the agency has become the doping administrator for an expanding number of federations. In recent years, there were 631 in 2023, 777 in 2024 and 852 in 2025.
Of the total of 3,528 from 2019-25, 2361 were approved (66.9%), 903 were not needed or withdrawn (25.6%), 75 were denied (2.1%) and there are 186 cases pending (5.3%).
The sports with the most applications included equestrian (379), cycling (323), gymnastics (227), archery (208) and aquatics (193); track & field is not included since it has its own Athletics Integrity Unit.
The no. 1-requested exemption? It’s for Methylphenidate, a stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with 944 requests among the 3,528 total applications.
● Athletics ● The Athletics Integrity Unit announced another Kenyan doping sanction on Tuesday, with Nancy Jalegat Meto suspended “for 2 years from 5 February 2026 for Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Furosemide).”
Meto is a 2:19:31 marathoner, from December 2021. Now 40, she has not raced since.
● Baseball ● The World Baseball Classic championship match pits the U.S. and Venezuela in Miami, 73 days after Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro was captured by U.S. forces.
This post will be updated with the results when available.
● Cycling ● Although it’s not supposed to be, professional cycling is often a contact sport, such as the attack on American Matteo Jorgenson after the difficult penultimate stage of the 61st Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy last Saturday.
Jorgenson, riding for the Dutch team Visma-Lease A Bike, finished third in that sixth stage, ending in Camerino, but was met at his team bus and attacked by Spanish rider Javier Romo (Movistar team-Spain), who grabbed Jorgenson by the neck and screamed at him.
The incident was apparently generated by an action taken by Jorgenson during the race, but which was not seen on the race broadcast. The two were separated and Jorgenson continued into the bus and moved on to the Sunday finale, where he moved up from third overall to second.
A team spokesman said later of the in-race situation, “It was just a race incident, nothing special.” There was no report of further escalation on Sunday, with Jorgenson finishing second overall and Romo, 12th.
● Fencing ● USA Fencing announced it will be participating as a part of the America250 celebrations taking part this year:
“Plans include live fencing experiences and demonstrations at America250 events, athlete appearances by U.S. Olympians and Paralympians at celebrations nationwide, collaborative storytelling through the Our American Story program highlighting the diverse backgrounds of the fencing community, volunteer engagement through the America Gives initiative, and patriotic celebrations at USA Fencing’s national events leading up to and including the Fourth of July.
“USA Fencing’s 2026 Summer Nationals and July Challenge, held June 28 through July 6 in Portland, Ore., will feature America250 activations during the event.”
America250 “Programming Partners” with Olympic ties include the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the U.S. Soccer Federation and now, USA Fencing.
● Flag Football ● Exhibition matches between the World Champion United States men’s team and two teams of current and former NFL players will take place at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday (21st), the site of the 2028 Olympic competition.
The “Fanatics Flag Football Classics” was to be played in Riyadh (KSA), but was relocated in view of the conflict in Iran and is slated for 1-5:30 p.m. Pacific time. The games will be played under International Federation of American Football (IFAF) rules and refereed by IFAF officials.
NFL owners have approved the participation of team players for Olympic competition; the exhibitions will offer an interesting contrast between a championship flag team and NFL players.
● Football ● Given the continuing conflict, Iranian representatives in Mexico said they were trying to get FIFA to move their 2026 World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum telling reporters Tuesday:
“They are discussing with FIFA whether it’s feasible because they were going to hold the (games) in the United States. They are looking into whether they can hold (them) in Mexico, and we will inform you when the time comes. Mexico has relations with all countries in the world. We’ll see what FIFA decides and then we’ll announce it.”
FIFA’s statement was straightforward: “FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on Dec. 6, 2025.”
Iran plays New Zealand and Belgium in Inglewood, California in its first two matches and then Egypt in Seattle in its third group match. None of those teams seem interested in moving.
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