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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● Olympic Games 2028: Los Angeles ● After a bruising budget battle in 2025 which ended with a $14.10 billion allocation for the 2025-26 fiscal year, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass submitted a proposal for $14.85 billion in spending for 2026-27.
The spending plan, which will be reviewed in detail by the City Council, adds 510 police officers and adds money for street and sidewalk repairs. Homelessness measures continue to be a major effort in the City. The budget plan announcement does not mention the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, amid a continuing fight by the City Council over funding from the LA28 organizing committee.
● Olympic Games: Germany ● The Olympic bid referendum in North Rhine-Westphalia, covering 17 cities and towns, passed easily in all 17, including with 57.4% in support in Cologne, the largest city in the region.
Majorities over 60% were seen in Dortmund (68.3%), in Dusseldorf (67.2%) and even higher in Duisburg (73.0%), Wuppertal (72.2%), Mönchengladbach (74.5%), Gelsenkirchen (74.2%), Recklinghausen (72.9%), and Aachen (76.3%). In Herten, 73.8% were in favor, but the turnout was only 12.5%, below the required 15% for passage. The 1972 Olympic sailing city of Kiel also passed the referendum by 63.5%.
The German sports confederation (DOSB) will determine which of four candidates will be the national bidder for 2036 or 2040 or 2044, yet to be determined. Munich’s referendum passed and Hamburg will vote on 31 May. Berlin is not holding a vote.
● Archery ● A showdown between two of the world’s best highlighted the U.S. Archery Team Qualifier, Easton Foundation Gator Cup in Newberry, Florida, as two-time Worlds silver medalist Marcus D’Almeida (BRA) faced five-time Olympic medalist Brady Ellison of the U.S.
The windy weather didn’t help, but D’Almeida managed a 6-4 win. American women’s star Casey Kaufhold won the women’s Recurve final with a 6-2 victory over Ana Luiza Caetano (BRA). Defending champion Mike Schloesser (NED) won the men’s Compound title again, 147-146 over James Lutz of the U.S.
American Olivia Dean won the women’s Compound division, 147-143, over Tanja Gellenthien (DEN).
● Athletics ● Interesting results from Velocity Fest 26 in Kingston (JAM), with a men’s 100 m win for 2025 World Championships 200 m bronze medalist Bryan Levell, in 9.90, equal-second in the world for 2026.
How about this: Jamaica’s Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 100-200 m Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah, now 33, won heat two of the women’s 100 m in 10.92, third on the 2026 world list and her fastest since 2023! She skipped the final, won by Lavanya Williams (10.96) over Jonielle Smith (10.99). But Thompson-Herah appears to be back in action.
● Football ● The shuttle system in Kansas City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was also announced last week, with very modest pricing.
Tickets from 15 boarding points to the FIFA Fan Festival at the World War I Memorial and Museum will be $5 for a day pass, $25 for a week or $50 for the tournament.
A ride from the fan fest or from four other park-and-ride lots to Arrowhead Stadium is $15 round-trip, limited to those who have tickets. All of these services will require advance booking via a World Cup-specific mobile application; the fleet for the World Cup program will include 200 buses.
● Swimming ● An American Record for rising star Van Mathias in the men’s 50 m Breaststroke with a 26.39 heats win at the Bergen Swim Festival in Norway on Sunday morning.
His mark betters the 26.45 by Nic Fink from the 2022 World Championships, and moves Mathias to no. 8 all-time. Mathias won the final in 26.46.
The former Indiana All-American had already won the men’s 100 m Breast in a lifetime best of 58.19 – a world-leading time – to move to no. 2 all-time U.S. and no. 5 all-time, and the 50 m Butterfly, in a lifetime best 22.99.
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