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TSX REPORT: Toyota’s end to its IOC sponsorship could impact LA28; Richardson among the Pre Classic stars; historic Giro win for Pogacar

By
Rich Perelman
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Britain's Josh Kerr wins the Bowerman Mile showdown with Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the Pre Classic (Photo by Matthew Quine for Diamond League AG)

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Kyodo: Toyota will end IOC sponsorship post-Paris
2. U.S. Senators demand WADA answers on China swim incident
3. Chebet gets WR, Hodgkinson, Kerr, Richardson star at Pre
4. Pogacar finishes biggest Giro d’Italia win in 59 years!
5. New Teahupo’o tower in use for WSL Tahiti Pro tournament

● Kyodo News reported that Toyota will not renew its TOP sponsorship with the International Olympic Committee, ending a project begun in 2015. Toyota’s exit had been expected, but opens important sponsorship and budgeting questions for upcoming Olympic Games in Milan Cortina in 2026 and Los Angeles in 2028.

● Three U.S. Senators wrote to the World Anti-Doping Agency, accusing it of “selling access” to a Chinese firm that is supplying it with apparel at its events. The letter asks questions about WADA’s commercial partnerships, the anti-doping rules and asks for an independent audit of the Chinese swimming incident.

● Terrific action at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, with eight world-leading marks and a world women’s 10,000 m record from Kenyan Beatrice Chebet, breaking the 29:00 barrier. Later came impressive wins from American Sha’Carri Richardson in the women’s 100 m, and British stars Keely Hodgkinson (women’s 800 m) and Josh Kerr in the Bowerman Mile.

● Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar finished a brilliant win in the 107th Giro d’Italia with a margin of almost 10 minutes, the most since 1965! Next up, he’ll try for a third Tour de France title.

● The replacement judging tower that was the subject of so much controversy in Tahiti for the Olympic surfing competition is working well for the World Surf League competition underway there.

● World Championships: Ice Hockey (miracle home title for Czechs in men’s Worlds!) = Judo (Japan wins Mixed Team final, as always ) ●

● Panorama: Switzerland 2038 (Swiss formally accept “privileged dialogue” with IOC) = Archery (Korea dominated in Yecheon World Cup) = Athletics (hot sprinting at NCAA regionals) = Badminton (Denmark wins two at Malaysia Masters) = Beach Volleyball (Nuss and Kloth win Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 in Portugal) = Cycling (2: Wiebes sweeps RideLondon Classique; Pidcock and Ferrand-Prevot take Mountain Bike World Cups) = Gymnastics (France, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria win two at World Challenge Cup) = Modern Pentathlon (Bohm and Venckauskaite take World Cup Final) = Rowing (five wins for Dutch and British at World Cup II) = Swimming (2: another American Record for Regan Smith; Olivier and Cunha take Open Water World Cup) = Triathlon (Yee and Beaugrand win important WTCS in Cagliari) ●

1.
Kyodo: Toyota will end IOC sponsorship post-Paris

According to Japan’s Kyodo News Service, Toyota Motor Corporation will end its agreement with the International Olympic Committee as a “TOP” sponsor after the 2024 Olympic Games:

“The world’s biggest automaker will not extend the contract it signed in 2015 but does plan to continue supporting athletes and promoting sports in its own way, the sources said.”

The Kyodo story noted that sources had said that the company’s total spending on Olympic-related programming had likely exceeded ¥100 million (about $636.7 million U.S.) across 10 years. Further:

“Some people at Toyota have been dissatisfied with how sponsorship money is handled as they believe it is not used effectively to support athletes and promote sports, according to sources close to their thinking.”

Toyota became the first automobile manufacturer to become a TOP sponsor when it joined up, and received what appeared to be a windfall when Tokyo was later awarded the 2020 Olympic Games. But with the pandemic and the move of the Games to 2021, Toyota essentially collapsed its Olympic promotional projects and was mostly silent during the Games.

Kyodo reported that Toyota would like to continue as a sponsor of the International Paralympic Committee, but may be prohibited from doing so by the IOC-IPC support agreement.

Toyota will support the Paris 2024 Games with more than 3,000 vehicles in a demonstration of its technology innovations and sustainable approach to the future.

Observed: This is not a surprise, as Toyota’s unhappiness with its return-on-investment on its IOC sponsorship has been whispered for more than a year. Since its Olympic tie-in, the company has invested widely in various sports programs with Olympic federations in multiple countries, and is a sponsor of both USA Swimming and USA Track & Field. Those programs could continue, with the question now being asked: since its IOC sponsorship failed, what can (or should) it get out of these lower-level tie-ins?

A decision by Toyota not to renew their IOC sponsorship will have multiple additional ripple effects that will require quick answers:

● Will the IOC try to replace it at the TOP (worldwide) level?

● If so, how long will it bar National Olympic Committees – like the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee – from signing their own potentially lucrative auto (or “mobility”) sponsor or sponsors, so that it can sign another auto maker?

● If the IOC is not successful in getting a replacement sponsor, when will it release the category, and will there be enough time for sales efforts by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties unit prior to 2028?

Moreover, Toyota’s decision not to re-new could have an impact on the revenue expected by the LA28 organizing committee. The Host City Contract for 2028 states:

“for indicative purposes only, based on the experience of the IOC from previous editions of the Games of the Olympiad and without taking into account potential evolutions in the International Programme that may occur after the execution of the HCC (including, without limitation, potential renegotiations or renewals of current agreements covering key product categories which are forecasted to generate an estimated increase of USD 200.000.000 (two hundred million United States dollars) in the amount indicated below), the amount of the OCOG’s share of the net revenues (including cash and value-in-kind) from the International Programme foreseen under §8.1(e), is currently estimated at USD 437.000.000 (four hundred thirty seven million United States dollars).” (Emphasis added)

The LA28 revenue projection of $6.88 billion includes both the $437 million estimated in the Host City agreement and the expected additional $200 million from increased renewals. Toyota will not be contributing to that added $200 million on the revenue side as a continuing IOC sponsor.

In addition, without Toyota as a worldwide sponsor, future organizers for Milan Cortina 2026, LA28, Brisbane 2032 and the expected hosts for the 2030 Winter Games (French Alps) and 2034 Winter Games (Salt Lake City) will now have to find vehicles to replace those donated by Toyota, potentially another significant hit the expense side of their budgets.

There will be significant pressure on the IOC to make a decision on this category quickly, but that may not be in line with its longer-range thinking.

2.
U.S. Senators demand WADA answers on China swim incident

Three U.S. Senators sent a three-page letter on Thursday to the World Anti-Doping Agency, accusing it of “selling access” to China via a sponsorship deal in 2023.

The letter was generated as a further inquiry into the continuing tumult over the clearance by the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency of 23 star Chinese swimmers of positive tests for Trimetazidine from January 2021 due to “accidental contamination” of a hotel kitchen which was preparing meals for the swimmers.

The letter went further than criticizing WADA for not filing an appeal or launching its own inquiry, but accused the agency of complicity:

“It is not just this one incident that causes concern for many athletes, anti-doping agencies, and fans across the world, but it is the fact that WADA has long shown questionable ethical behavior. For over a decade, WADA has taken commercial sponsorships from organizations with questionable ties. For example, WADA has a sponsorship deal with Chinese company ANTA Sports, which also sponsors the PRC’s national swimming team implicated in this scandal.

“This partnership amounts to WADA selling access to the regulators of the preeminent international anti-doping agency, gives the impression of impropriety and a conflict of interest, and raises questions about WADA’s relationship with other state sponsors of doping.”

ANTA Sports was reported to enter a three-year agreement in 2023 to provide WADA with WADA-branded apparel for use for its staff at events.

The letter asks for an independent auditor and for answers to five questions about anti-doping rules and three about sponsorships. The questions about doping included asking why an appeal was pursued against Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva in 2021, and

“Did the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, or the proximity of the Tokyo Olympics, play a
role in the decision to decline to follow your own rules with respect to the positive tests from 23 Chinese swimmers?”

The sponsorship questions included about WADA’s commercial partnerships, and “In your view, does accepting sponsorship from countries that you regulate create a conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety?”

The letter was signed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee); no specific reply date was included.

Observed: This was not an especially insightful letter, but is another log on the fire building under WADA for its lightweight treatment of the January 2021 Chinese doping incident.

WADA’s ability to investigate anything inside China in early 2021, with the Covid-19 pandemic still locking down parts of the country was essentially nil. Thus, it had to wait for the CHINADA report, which came months later, such that any follow-up investigation by WADA would have been worthless. Worse, the German ARD channel’s “The China Files” documentary in April, stated that the CHINADA report was developed from information collected by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.

As WADA has stated, its ability to get anywhere with an appeal was zero, so it did not file. That was not the situation in the Valieva case, where the testing was done by a Swedish laboratory (with records available to WADA) and the Russian reinstatement of Valieva followed a defined internal appeals process within the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (with records available).

Moreover, having U.S. Senators criticizing WADA for having commercial sponsors is fairly laughable, especially accusing a Chinese company of having “access” by making WADA-branded shirts and jackets in its own factories.

The letter, however, touches on the real issue at hand, “trust and accountability” and that “When WADA loses the international community’s trust, it can no longer effectively do its job.” This pressure point will continue to be pressed by multiple sides, and needs to be addressed.

3.
Chebet gets WR, Hodgkinson, Kerr, Richardson star at Pre

Another hot Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field in Eugene featured a sensational final mile and the return of Sha’Carri Richardson, but the history was made before noon, while the meet as a whole produced world leads in eight events:

● Men/Mile: 3:45.34, Josh Kerr (GBR)
● Men/10,000 m: 26:50.81, Daniel Mateiko (KEN)
● Men/110 m hurdles: 13.03, Grant Holloway (USA)
● Men/Shot Put: 23.13 m (75-10 3/4), Joe Kovacs (USA)

● Women/800 m: 1:55.78, Keely Hodgkinson (GBR)
● Women/Steeple: 8:55.09, Peruth Chemutai (UGA)
● Women/5,000 m: 14:18.76, Tsige Gebreselama (ETH)
● Women/10,000 m: 28:54.14, Beatrice Chebet (KEN) ~ World Record

The women’s 10,000 was not only the Kenyan Olympic Trials, but was set up as a world-record attempt for Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, the reigning World Champion.

And she was game, setting a hard pace, passing 5,000 m right on schedule at 14:31.08 in excellent, 55-degree (F) morning weather. She was towing the field, but not breaking them, and Chebet finally got the lead in the final three laps. Chebet, the 2023 women’s World Road Champion at 5 km, powered through the final km in 2:46.10 and broke Tsegay on the way to a 28:54.14 victory: the first woman ever to break 29 minutes! She crushed Letsenbet Gidey (ETH) and her 29:01.03 mark from 2021.

Tsegay was second in 29:05.92, the no. 3 performance ever, and Kenyans Lilian Rengeruk and Margaret Kipkemboi were 3-4 in 29:26.89 (no. 6 performance all-time) and 29:27.59 (no. 7). Spectacular!

The men’s 10,000 – also the Kenyan Olympic Trials – went off just after noon, and saw another world lead as Daniel Mateiko, a 27:03.94 man from 2021, won in a four-way, all-Kenyan sprint to the finish in 26:50.81 from Nicholas Kipkorir (26:50.94), Benard Kibet (26:51.09) and Edwin Kurgat (26:51.54). Benson Kiplangat and Kibiwott Kandie ran lifetime bests of 26:55.09 and 26:58.97 … and weren’t in it. Wow.

The distance races just kept delivering, with Ethiopians taking the top six places in the women’s 5,000 m and Tsigie Gebreselama taking the lead over Worlds 10,000 m bronze winner Ejgayehu Taye on the final straight to win, 14:18.76 to 14:18.92, with World Indoor 1,500 m champ Freweyni Hailu third (14:20.61) and the top five the fastest in the world this season. Gebreselama moved to no. 14 all-time.

Three races later, Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji took control of the women’s 1,500 m with 600 m left and just ran away from Australia’s Jessica Hull and World Indoor 3,000 m champ Elle St. Pierre (USA), winning easily in 3:53.75, now no. 11 all-time! Hull got a lifetime best and national record of 3:55.97 in second and St. Pierre was third in 3:56.00, the second-fastest time in American history! Olympic silver winner Laura Muir (GBR) was fourth (3:56.35).

Next was the women’s Steeple and world-record holder Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN) led for most of the way, and at the bell, but her shadow, Olympic gold medalist Peruth Chemutai (UGA) made her move over the water jump to get even and then sprinted home off the final barrier to win in another world leader of 8:55.09 to 8:56.51, the nos. 9 and 15 performances ever. Faith Cherotich (KEN) was third in 9:04.45. Val Constein was the top American at 9:14.29, now no. 7 in U.S. history!

Perhaps the most impressive performance aside from Chebet was British 800 m star Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic silver winner and twice Worlds silver medalist. She tracked down World Champion Mary Moraa (KEN) with 200 m to go and then exploded into the final straight and won a dominant victory in a world-leading 1:55.78, her third-fastest time ever. Moraa was second in 1:56.71, a seasonal best, with Britain’s Jemma Reekie third in 1:57.45, and Nia Akins of the U.S. fourth in 1:57.98.

Finally, the Bowerman Mile included a superstar line-up, but all eyes were on Olympic champ Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway, facing Worlds 1,500 champ Josh Kerr (GBR) and American record holder Yared Nuguse. Last year in Budapest, Kerr out-kicked Ingebrigtsen on the final straight, but on Saturday, Kerr took the lead with 600 m to go and had Ingebrigtsen right behind him at the bell, with Nuguse trailing. Kerr and Ingebrigtsen dueled into the straight, but Kerr had more in the final 50 m to win in 3:45.34, the ninth-fastest time in history and moving Kerr to no. 6 all-time. Ingebrigtsen ran 3:45.60 for second and Nuguse was third in 3:46.22, as nine men broke 3:50!

On the infield, world-record holder Ryan Crouser did not throw as expected, but two-time World Champion Joe Kovacs continued his sensational season with a brilliant 23.03 m (75-6 3/4) in round two for a world-leading mark, then extended to 23.13 m (75-10 3/4) – the no. 9 throw of all-time – in the final round. Fellow American Payton Otterdahl got out to 22.16 m (72-8 1/2) in the fourth round for a clear second.

The sprints were also a story, starting with the men’s 110 m hurdles. Three-time World Champion Grant Holloway got out fast and dominated his race, with a world-leading 13.03 (wind: -0.1 m/s). Worlds bronze winner Daniel Roberts made up some ground on the run-in, but was second in 13.13, with Freddie Crittenden of the U.S. third (13.16) and Olympic champ Hansle Parchment (JAM: 13.28) fourth.

The women’s 100 m hurdles saw world no. 2 Tonea Marshall of the U.S. out early, but France’s improving Cyrena Samba-Mayela came on in lane seven and had the lead by mid-way and leaned hard to win in 12.52 (-0.9), equaling her national record. Olympic champ Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR) closed for second on the run-in (12.54), with Marshall third in 12.55.

The men’s 100 m was a start-to-finish win for 2019 World Champion Christian Coleman, winning in 9.95 (+1.2), with barely ahead of a fast-closing Ferdinand Omanyala (KEN: 9.98), with Brandon Hicklin (USA: 10.08) in third.

The much-anticipated women’s 100 m had the crowd in a frenzy and World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson delivered. She got a quality start and overtook World 60 m champ Julien Alfred (LCA) by 40 m and kept building her lead to the tape in 10.83 (+1.5), no. 2 in the world in 2024 to the injured Jacious Sears (USA). Alfred ran a season’s best of 10.93 in second, with Dina Asher-Smith (GBR: 10.98) third. Ninth was two-time Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM: 11.30), who was making her seasonal debut.

Olympic silver winner “Kung Fu Kenny” Bednarek continued winning 200 m races against excellent fields, defeating training partner Courtney Lindsey, 19.89 to 20.09 (+1.8), with Kyree King of the U.S. third (20.15). The men’s 400 m hurdles went to Costa Rica’s Gerald Drummond in 48.56; world leader Rai Benjamin had been entered, but did not race.

American Emily Grove got a seasonal best of 4.63 m (15-2 1/4) on her third try to win over Olympic champ Katie Moon (USA: 4.53 m/14-10 1/4) in the women’s vault, and Cuban Leyanis Perez won the women’s triple jump over World Indoor winner Thea LaFond (DMA), 14.73 m (48-4) to 14.62 m (47-11 3/4).

Olympic champ Valarie Allman of the U.S. won her sixth meet without a loss in 2024 in the women’s discus, leading into the final round and then extending to 67.36 m (221-0), just enough to hold off Cuba’s world leader Yaime Perez’s final throw of 67.25 m (220-7). World Champion Cam Rogers (CAN) got a season’s best in the women’s hammer at 77.76 m (255-1), enough to hold off American Worlds winners DeAnna Price (76.74 m/251-9) and Brooke Andersen (76.34 m/250-5).

4.
Pogacar finishes biggest Giro d’Italia win in 59 years!

Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar didn’t just win the 107th Giro d’Italia, he mauled a good field and won by the biggest margin since 1965 and the fourth-biggest since World War II!

The two-time Tour de France winner was the big favorite coming in, and had a 7:42 lead on Colombia’s Daniel Martinez going into Friday’s 19th stage. This was a nasty, 157 km route to Sappada, with three big climbs in the last half of the race. Italian Andrea Vendrame, 29, who had won a Giro stage back in 2021, attacked with 28 km to go and raced away to the win in 3:51:05, with Spain’s Pelayo Sanchez way back in second (+0:54); Pogacar was 21st (+15:56) and Martinez 23rd.

Saturday’s stage included two misery-inducing climbs to the 1,671 m Monte Grappa in the final half of the 184 km route to Bassano del Grappa, finishing on a giant descent. Pogacar took off near the crest – on the second run – and raced away over the final 34 km to record his sixth win in the race in 4:58:23, a sensational 2:07 up on seven chasers, led by Valentin Paret-Peintre and Martinez.

Pogacar’s lead was increased to a staggering 9:56 over Martinez and 10:24 over 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas (GBR). His six stage wins equal the most in the post-World War II era, by the legendary Eddy Merckx (BEL) in 1973.

On Sunday, the flat, 125 km ride into Rome finished with the expected mass sprint and Belgium’s Tim Merlier getting his third stage win of this year’s Giro over Italian Jonathan Milan, who won three stages, was second four times and took the Points title. Pogacar was 74th and the first 101 riders received the same time.

Pogacar’s winning margin ranked as the best since 1965 – 59 years ago – and the fourth-best since World War II:

● 1. 24:16 for Carlo Clerici (SUI) in 1954
● 2. 23:47 for Fausto Coppi (ITA) in 1949
● 3. 11:26 for Vittorio Adorni (ITA) in 1965
● 4. 9:56 for Tadej Pogacar (SLO) in 2024
● 5. 9:18 for Fausto Coppi (ITA) in 1952
● 5. 9:18 for Ivan Basso (ITA) in 2006

Pogacar will contest the Tour de France, trying for a third title (also in 2020 and 2021), after finishing second to Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) the past two years. No one has ever won all three Grand Tours in a single year – ever – and Pogacar says he won’t try, looking to the World Road Championships in Zurich (SUI). But if he wins the Tour?

5.
New Teahupo’o tower in use for WSL Tahiti Pro tournament

“We did things well: the tower was baptised in the traditional way, in the presence of a Tahitian sage and a priest. The situation here has calmed down now.”

That’s Max Wasna, the president of the Tahitian surfing federation and a native of Teahupo’o in Tahiti, speaking ahead of last week’s opening of the World Surf League’s Shiseido Tahiti Pro tournament that will continue through the 31st.

The event is using the new, aluminum replacement tower that was installed to replace the old wooden judging platform that was considered unsafe. After a huge controversy about the size and complexity of the facility – originally much larger – the construction of what was essentially an aluminum replacement was approved, constructed and installed.

The tournament is also functioning as essentially a rehearsal for the Paris 2024 Olympic competition and Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet was on hand to see the event and the tower. He told Agence France Presse:

“Eveything is progressing well. Teahupo’o is a small corner of paradise, we are delighted to do it honour.

“We listened to the concerns expressed and we modified the tower a little so that it could integrate into this exceptional environment and respect this magical place.”

Annick Paofai, president of the Defence of Fenua ‘aihere group, which had been among the skeptics about the tower, even in its reduced format, and damage to the coral, was enthusiastic:

“We are happy, the tower is beautiful, I even have the impression that it weds itself to nature.

“It is excellent the associations protested because otherwise they (the construction workers) would have done just anything. One has to be honest and say there was not much damage.”

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The IIHF men’s World Championship in Prague (CZE) had a surprise ending as the big favorites – undefeated group winners Canada and Sweden – both going down in the semifinals!

Instead, it was the home Czech Republic facing Switzerland in the final, with the Swiss returning for the first time since 2018 and the Czechs for the first time since 2010, and the Czechs hoisting the trophy for the first time in 14 years in front of a delirious crowd of 17,413 at the O2 Arena in Prague.

The final was tightly played through two periods with no score, only four total penalties and the Czechs having an edge on shots by 23-17. But at 9:13 of the third, David Pastrnak took a pass off of a Czech face-off win and smashed a one-timer from the left side for the first goal of the game, and keeper Lukas Dostal made it stand up.

The Swiss pounded the Czech zone and had 14 shots in the third to nine for the hosts, but ended up losing by 2-0 after an empty-net goal with 19 seconds left in the game from David Kampf.

The Czechs had won a bronze in 2022, but won for the seventh time in this tournament, previously in 1996-99-2000-01-05-10; Czechoslovakia won six times between 1947 and 1985.

In the semis, the Czechs smashed Sweden by 7-3, breaking open a 2-2 game with three goals in the second for a 5-3 lead and adding two more in the third. A blitz of three goals in 2:58 of the second – between 6:05 and 9:03 – changed the game, with Ondrej Kase, Martin Necas and Dominik Kubalik (his second) scoring. Two more came from Lukas Sedlak in the third, despite Sweden having a 40-23 edge on shots!

Then it was Canada’s turn to go down, despite coming back from two Swiss power-play goals in the first period, with single tallies in the second and third. The Canadians finally got even at 17:53 of the third on their own power-play with a John Tavares goal. But neither side could score in the period, or in overtime, so on to the penalty shoot-out, also tied, 1-1, after three rounds. But defender Owen Power missed to the right for Canada and Swiss forward Sven Andrighetto scored and the Swiss had a 2-1 victory!

In the third-place game, Sweden came back from 2-1 down in the third to score three times and win, 4-2. Defender Erik Karlsson evened the game at 9:35, then Carl Grundstrom got his second goal of the game for a 3-2 lead at 13:42 and the Swedes held on, getting an empty-netter from Marcus Johansson with five seconds to play for the 4-2 final. It’s Sweden’s first medal in this tournament since 2018!

The tournament was a big success with fans as well, with record attendance for the IIHF men’s Worlds of 797,727 or 12,464 across the 64 matches played from 10-26 May.

Looking to the future. IIHF President Luc Tardif (FRA) is looking to expand the quality of its tournaments:

“We have reached an agreement to bring NHL players for not just one but the next two Olympic Games [in 2026 and 2030].

“We’re going to sit down with the NHL to see if it’s possible to organize a World Cup on the level they’re doing in football.”

● Judo ● The IJF World Championships concluded in Abu Dhabi (UAE), with Japan winning the Mixed Team title over France, 4-1, to finish atop the medal table as usual.

This was the seventh time that the Mixed Team event has been held and Japan has won all seven. Moreover, France has won the silver in six straight Worlds! Georgia and Italy won the bronze medals, the second time in a row for the Georgians.

As for the final medal standings, Japan collected 10 total medals (4-2-4) to six for France (1-2-3), despite many of the sport’s top stars staying home to prepare for the Paris Olympic Games. Georgia (2-1-2) and South Korea (2-0-3) each won five medals.

Japan’s four golds were double the total for Georgia, South Korea and Azerbaijan, which won two each.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Winter Games 2038: Switzerland ● Although considered a formality, the Swiss agreed last week to continue seeking the 2038 Olympic Winter Games:

“At an extraordinary meeting of the Sports Parliament, the Olympic member associations of Swiss Olympic unanimously gave the green light to enter into the so-called privileged dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and reaffirmed their full support. During this dialogue phase, Switzerland will have exclusive time until the end of 2027 to deepen its candidacy dossier for the 2038 Winter Games.”

The Swiss Olympic Committee will contribute €6.7 million (about $7.3 million U.S.) and the federations about €200,000 for a total of €6.9 million in funding to support the bid effort.

● Archery ● The second World Archery World Cup was in Yecheon (KOR), with all-Korean finals in both the men’s and women’s Recurve gold-medal matches.

The men’s final went to 2023 World Team gold medalist Woo-seok Lee, who overcame three-time World Champion Woo-jin Kim in the final, 6-5, after a 10-9 shoot-off win. Abdullah Yildirmis (TUR) won the bronze.

The Korean men – Lee, Kim and Je-deok Kim – took the team title with a 5-1 win over Germany, with Canada third.

Si-hyeon Lim, who won the 2023 Worlds Mixed Team gold with Kim, took the women’s Recurve title, also by 6-5 on a 10-9 shoot-off with Hun-young Jeon. Mexico’s Alejandra Valencia, the 2023 Worlds silver medalist, won the bronze.

China’s Jiaman Li, Zhiyun Xu and Qixuan An upset the Korean women in the Recurve Team final by 5-4, while Germany won the bronze.

Mexico’s Valencia teamed with Matias Grande to take the Mixed Team gold over Ruka Uehara and Junya Nakanishi of Japan, 6-2

● Athletics ● While the Pre meet had much of the track & field world’s attention, the NCAA T&F Regionals in Fayetteville (West) and Lexington (East) had plenty of quality marks, especially in the sprints and hurdles (athletes are from the U.S. unless noted):

● Men/100 m: Louie Hincliffe (GBR-Houston) topped the Fayetteville quarterfinals in a swift, but windy 9.84 (+2.5), with Shaun Maswanganyi (RSA-Houston) second in 9.89, and California’s David Foster third in 9.91. In Lexington, Auburn’s Favour Ashe (NGR) was the fastest at 9.94 in quarterfinal two.

● Men/200 m: Lance Lang from Arkansas had the fastest mark in Fayetteville at 19.99w (+2.1) in quarterfinal one, but Maswanganyi scored a legal 20.08 (+0.4) to win quarterfinal three. Two fast quarterfinals in the East, with Penn State’s Cheickna Traore (CIV) winning quarter one in 19.93 (-0.1), ahead of Makanakaishe Charamba (ZUM-Auburn: 19.95). Jamarion Stubbs (Alabama State) followed with a win in 19.95 (+1.4) in quarter two and Wanya McCoy (BAH-Florida) chimed in to win quarter three in 19.95 (+0.5).

● Men/400 m: The action was in the East, with Alabama frosh Samuel Ogazi (NGR) winning quarter three in 44.53, no. 13 in 2024, over teammate Khaleb McRae (44.78). Just before, Virginia Tech’s Judson Lincoln took quarter two at 44.55.

● Men/110 m hurdles: In Lexington, Auburn freshman JaKobe Tharp won his quarterfinal in 13.24 (0.0) and in Fayetteville, Houston’s De’Vion Wilson won quarterfinal one, also in 13.24 (+1.8). Darius Luff of Nebraska won West quarter two in 13.27w (+2.4) and Ja’Qualon Scott (Texas A&M) won quarter three in 13.25w (+2.7).

● Men/400 m hurdles: Texas Tech junior Caleb Dean moved to no. 5 in the world by winning West quarter three in 48.05, with Oskar Edlund (SWE-Texas Tech) second in 48.70. The fastest East mark was Alabama’s Chris Robinson, winning quarter one in 48.77.

● Men/Long Jump: USC’s Johnnie Brackins moved to no. 12 on the world list with his West win at 8.15 m (26-9).

● Women/100 m: At the West Regional, Rosemary Chukwuma (NGR-Texas Tech) got things started with a 10.86w (+3.1) win in the first round, followed by a 10.87 win in the next race by Oregon’s Jadyn Mays in 10.87w (+4.7). In the quarters, Mays won the first race in 10.83w (+2.3), but Chukwuma got a legal wind and moved to no. 3 in the world at 10.88 (+1.2).

In the East, the wind cooperated and Georgia’s Kaila Jackson sped to 10.95 (+0.8) in the first round, then Brianna Lyston (JAM-LSU) opened the quarters at 10.99 (+0.8), followed by Dajaz Defrand of Florida State at 10.94 (+0.1) in the second race and McKenzie Long of Mississippi in quarter three at 10.92 (+0.5), no. 7 on the year list. Jackson ran 11.03 for second behind Defrand.

● Women/200 m: More of the same, with Mays running 22.13w in Fayetteville (+2.7), but legal winds in Lexington. Jackson had the fastest first-round some at 22.28 (+0.1), but Long – already the world leader at 22.03 – won the second quarterfinal at 22.10 (+0.5), with DeFrand at 22.34. JaMeesia Ford (South Carolina) won the first quarter at 22.28 (-0.1) and Jackson took the third at 22.43 (-0.1).

● Women/400 m: World leader Nickisha Price (JAM-Arkansas) had the fastest West mark at 49.93, followed by teammate Kaylyn Brown (49.98).

● Women/100 m hurdles: Washington State’s Maribel Caicedo (ECU) flew to a 12.49 (+1.3) win in heat five in the West and then a windy 12.38 (+3.1) in her quarterfinal! USC’s Jasmine Jones won quarter three in a windy 12.58 (+3.1). In Lexington, Florida’s Grace Stark had the best mark at 12.55 (+1.4).

● Women/400 m hurdles: Rachel Glenn (Arkansas) sped to no. 4 on the world list with her 53.94 win on her home track in Fayetteville; Canada’s Savannah Sutherland (Michigan) ran 54.61 in the first round to stand seventh on the year list.

● Women/Jumps: Jamaica’s Ackelia Smith (Texas) won the West long jump at 6.86 mw (22-6 1/4w) and the triple jump at 14.31 mw (46-11 1/2w).

● Women/Shot: A collegiate record for Oregon’s Jaida Ross, who reached 20.01 m (65-7 3/4) in Fayetteville to stand no. 3 on the 2024 world list.

The NCAA Championships in Eugene come from 5-8 June.

● Badminton ● Denmark was the big winner at the BWF World Tour Malaysia Masters in Kuala Lumpur (MAS), taking two titles, with top-seeded Viktor Axelsen (DEN) winning the men’s Singles over Zii Jia Lee (MAS), 21-6, 20-22, 21-13, and second-seeds Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen winning the men’s Doubles against Korea’s Yong Jin and Sung Seung Na, 21-18-21-14.

China’s Zhi Yi Wang, the no. 2 seed, won the women’s Singles over India’s V. Sindhu Pursarla, 16-21, 21-5, 21-16. Japan’s top-seeded Rin Iwanaga and Kie Naknaishi (JPN) got the win in women’s Doubles by 17-21, 21-19, 21-18 over Yu Lim Lee and Seung Chan Shin (KOR).

Malaysia’s Mixed Doubles team of Soon Huat Goh and Shevon Jemie Lai (MAS) defeated Rinov Rivaldy and Pitha Haningtyas Mentari (INA) in their final, 21-18, 21-19.

● Beach Volleyball ● The world’s second-ranked women’s team of Americans Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth scored their first win of the season in the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 in Espinho (POR).

The Worlds bronze medalists last season, Nuss and Kloth finished second in the prior Elite 16 tournament, in Brazil, but defeated Tanja Huberli and Nina Brunner (SUI) in a difficult final, 17-21, 28-26, 15-10. They had already gotten by top-ranked Ana Patricia and Duda Lisboa (BRA) in their quarterfinal match in Espinho.

The third-place match went to Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon (NED) over Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno (ESP), 21-18, 21-12.

The 2023 Worlds silver medalists, David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig (SWE), got their second tournament win of the season with a 21-16, 21-13 victory against Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler (GER). In four Elite 16 tournaments this season, Ahman and Hellvig have won two and finished second one.

Brazil’s George Wanderley and Andre Loyola Stein took the third-place match against Steven van de Velde and Matthew Immers (NED), 21-15, 30-28, for their third medal of the season (1-0-2).

● Cycling ● No doubt whatsoever about the winner of the UCI women’s World Tour’s RideLondon Classique, as Dutch star Lorena Wiebes won all three stages!

She took the first stage of 159.2 km in a final sprint over Letizia Paternoster (ITA) in 4:06:27, then out-sprinted countrywoman (and defending champ) Charlotte Kool for the stage 2 win over 142.6 km in 3:33:26.

Wiebes had just a 20-second lead over Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky going into Sunday’s 91.2 km in and around London, but out-dueled Kool and Kopecky to sweep the stages in 2:08:47 and finish with a 25-second win over Kool and 26 seconds over Kopecky in third and Paternoster in fourth.

It’s Wiebes’ third championship in this race, also in 2019 and 2022 … and she’s still just 25.

The third leg in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season was in Nove Mesto (CZE), with familiar faces in the winner’s circle.

Britain’s Tom Pidcock, the Tokyo Olympic champ and 2023 World Champion, took charge on the fourth of seven laps and stormed to a decisive win in 1:21:41, 32 seconds up on 10-time World Champion Nino Schurter (SUI: 1:22:13) and teammate Marcel Guerrini (1:22:25). It’s Pidcock’s first medal of the season.

France’s Victor Koretzky won his second straight men’s World Cup Short Track race in a blanket finish with American Chris Blevins and Thomas Litscher (SUI), all timed in 19:34.

The women’s XCO winner was French star Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, the four-time World Champion, who was even more dominating, winning by 1:02 over 2022 Worlds bronze medalist Haley Batten of the U.S., 1:24:44 to 1:25:46. Swiss Alessandra Keller was third in 1:26:15.

Keller, the 2022 Worlds Short Track silver winner, won the Short Track event by just one second – 19:06 to 19:07 – over Ferrand-Prevot and Batten.

● Gymnastics ● France, Kazakhstan and Bulgaria had multiple winners at the third FIG Apparatus World Challenge Cup in Varna (BUL), with France scoring victories on the men’s Parallel Bars with Cameron-Lie Bernard (14.333) and on the women’s Beam, as Lucie Henna won at 13.066.

Kazakhstan’s men got first-day wins on the Floor Exercise with Dmitriy Patanin scoring 14.033 to win over France’s Nicolas Diez (13.66), then Nariman Kurbanov won on Pommel Horse (15.433). Bulgaria’s Yordan Aleksandrov took the men’s Horizontal Bar title at 13.700, and 2024 European runner-up Valentina Georgieva (14.083) was the best in the women’s Vault.

The other men’s winners included Armenia’s Artur Avetisyan on Rings (14.500) and Ukraine’s 2023 Worlds bronze medalist Nazar Chepurnyi on Vault (14.383). Germany’s Elisabeth Seitz, the 2018 Worlds bronze winner on the Uneven Bars, won that event at 14.400, and Britain’s Ruby Evans took the Floor gold at 13.300.

● Modern Pentathlon ● The UIPM World Cup Final in Ankara (TUR) saw a first-time victory for Hungary’s Csaba Bohm, overcoming France’s three-time Worlds Team gold medalist Valentin Prades.

Bohm was third at the 2022 World Cup Final and took the lead in the swimming phase, taking a two-second lead into the Laser Run. And with a strong performance, second overall, he finished with 1,535 points, a new world record by a single point held by Woongtae Jun of Korea, Giorgio Malan of Italy and Emiliano Hernandez of Mexico.

Prades finished at 1,525 and Egypt’s Ahmed Elgendy was third at 1,524, after posting the fastest Laser Run in the field.

The women’s World Cup final was a runaway for Gintare Venckauskaite of Lithuania, a Worlds Team silver winner from 2023. Things looked best for France, as Marie Oteiza and Rio 2016 silver medalist Elodie Clouvel were 1-2 going into the Laser Run. But Venckauskaite, a Laser Run specialist, zoomed to the front from sixth place and 18 seconds back, with the second-fastest time in the field – while Oteiza and Clouvel were 16th and 13th – and won with ease, scoring 1,422 points.

Belarus’ Mariya Gnedtchik (a “neutral”), 20, a World Cup winner in Budapest this season, started 11th in the Laser Run but was third-fastest in the field and got second (1,405), with Turkey’s Ilke Ozyuksel coming up for third (1,400).

Hungary won the Mixed Relay with Balazs Szep and Michelle Gulyas finishing second in fencing and riding, winning the swimming and with a third in the Laser Run, scored 1,381 points to win over Egypt’s Ahmed Hamed and Salma Abdelmaksoud (1,372).

● Rowing ● As the prep for Paris is getting serious, Dutch and British crews won five golds in Olympic events at the second World Rowing World Cup in Lucerne (SUI), and the U.S. won in two events.

In the men’s Single Sculls, Worlds silver winner Simon Van Dorp (NED) turned the tables on World Champion Oliver Zeidler (GER), coming from behind to win, 6:48.29 to 6:49.33. World Double Sculls champions Melvin Twellaar and Stefan Broenink were convincing winners, 6:11.46 to 6:14.28 for Italy. And the Dutch – with their 2023 World Champions line-up – won the Quadruple Sculls by 5:44.98 to 5:46.50 for Poland.

The British won the Pairs with Worlds silver winners Oliver Wynne-Griffith and Tom George in 6:32.56, ahead of Spain (6:35.19), and the Eights – where they are World Champions – in 5:25.75, ahead of the U.S. (5:25.95) and the Dutch (5:27.88).

In the Lightweight Double Sculls, Italy’s Tokyo Olympic bronze medalists Stefano Oppo and Gabriel Soares won in 6:17.08, beating Switzerland (6:18.13).

In the women’s Single Sculls, World Champion Karolien Florijn (NED) won a high-profile race in 7:25.76, beating Worlds bronze winner Tara Rigney (AUS: 7:27.33) and New Zealand’s Olympic champ Emma Twigg (7:28.25).

Her Dutch teammates, World Champions Ymkje Clevering and Veronique Meester won the Pairs in 7:07.37, ahead of Australia (7:11.10), with Azja Czajkowski and Jessica Thoennes (USA) in sixth in 7:21.22.

World Champions Britain won the women’s Quadruple Sculls, and also took the Fours title (over the Dutch and the U.S.), as well as the Lightweight Double Sculls with World Champions Emily Craig and Imogen Grant (6:54.83), ahead of New Zealand (6:57.68) and the U.S. in third with Michelle Sechser and Molly Reckford (7:01.37).

The U.S. duo of Worlds bronze medalists Sophia Vitas and Kristina Wagner took the Double Sculls in 6:53.15, beating Amanda Bateman and Harriet Hudson (7:21.22). Canada won the eights in 6:04.47, with Britain second (6:05.57) and the U.S. third (6:08.77).

The final World Cup is from 16-18 June at Poznan (POL).

● Swimming ● An American Record for 2022 World Champion Regan Smith in the 100 m Backstroke, winning in 57.51 at the Nova Speedo Grand Challenge in Irvine, California on Sunday.

She broke her own mark of 57.57 – at the time a world record – from the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, Korea. She remains the no. 2 performer in history, now with the no. 4 performance ever, and no. 7. The rest of the top 10 remains with Olympic champ Kaylee McKeown (AUS).

Smith was on fire in Irvine, also getting lifetime bests in the 100 m Fly (56.26, no. 4 in 2024) and the 200 m Freestyle (1:57.23).

French star Leon Marchand won the men’s 200 m Medley in 1:55.74, moving to no. 2 in the world in the event this season.

Great news for France at the second World Aquatics 10 km Open Water World Cup in Golfo Aranci (ITA), as Rio 2016 bronze medalist and 2023 Worlds runner-up Marc-Antoine Olivier and Logan Fontaine went 1-2 in the men’s race as four men raced to the touch.

Late in the race, it looked like Hungary’s World 10 km Champion Kristof Rasovszky and teammate David Betlehem might be on the way to a gold-silver finish, but Olivier took charge with 300 m left and touched first in 1:50:03.0 to 1:50:04.4 for Fontaine. Rasovszky had to settle for third in 1:50:04.5 and Betlehem was fourth (1:50:04.8). Fontaine and Olivier went 1-2 in the World 5 km Championships in Doha in February, but the result was reversed here.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic women’s 10 km gold medalist, Brazil’s Ana Marcela Cunha, showed that she is back from shoulder surgery at the end of 2022, winning the women’s race with a charge in the final 700 m to go 1-2 with teammate Viviane Jungblut, 2:02:00.7 and 2:02:02.0. Germany’s Leonie Beck, the 2023 World Champion, got third (2:02:02.2), out-touching lap 6 leader and 2016 Olympic champ and two-time World Champion Sharon van Rouwendaal (NED).

Italy won the 4×1,500 m relay by a second over Germany, 1:06:58.8 to 1:06:59.8, thanks to a strong anchor from 2022 World 10 km gold medalist Gregorio Paltrinieri. Hungary was third in 1:07:00.1.

● Triathlon ● Tokyo Olympic silver winner Alex Yee got a statement win at the World Triathlon Championships Series in Cagliari (ITA) on Saturday, our-running Hayden Wilde (NZL) to the finish by two seconds for his third straight win in this race.

The two were locked in against each other by the end of the bike phase and distanced themselves from the pack on the run, with Yee sprinting best to the finish to win, 1:39:44 to 1:39:46. It’s Yee’s sixth career World Championship Triathlon Series win. Wilde, the 2023 World Sprint Champion, finished second at Cagliari for the second straight year.

A mass of 24 women came out of the second transition and began the run together, but it was France’s Cassandre Beaugrand got her fifth career World Triathlon Championships Series win. She used the second-fastest 10 km run in the field, beating Lisa Tertsch (GER: fastest in the field by a second), 1:47:25 to 1:47:28, with 2023 World Champion Beth Potter (GBR: 1:47:31) edging Emma Lombardi (FRA: 1:47:32) for third.

The U.S. women’s Olympic selections will be heavily influence by this race and Taylor Knibb (already selected) finished 11th in 1:48:26, followed closely by 2019 World Champion Katie Zaferes (12th: 1:48:33). Taylor Spivey was 15th in 1:48:44.

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TSX REPORT: Police arrest possible Olympic Torch attacker; could Pogacar win all three Grand Tours in one year? Star-driven Pre Classic comes Saturday!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar on his way into Paris to win the 2020 Tour de France (Photo: Chabe1 via Wikipedia)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. French police make arrest over possible Torch Relay attack
2. Could Giro leader Pogacar do the unthinkable?
3. Superb men’s mile, shot, women’s 100 m headline Pre Classic
4. Hold on: McLaughlin-Levrone is qualified!
5. Injury ends Chusovitina’s try for a ninth Olympic Games

● French police arrested a man after seeing online chatter about a possible attack on the Olympic Torch Relay as it moved through Bordeaux on Thursday. There was not a specific threat to the relay, but no chances were taken. Meanwhile, recent rains canceled another opening ceremony rehearsal in the Seine River.

● Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar is cruising to a win in his first Giro d’Italia, which will finish on Sunday. He’s entered in the Tour de France, in which he is a two-time champion. If he should win, would he think about trying to win the Vuelta a Espana as well, a feat never accomplished in a single year? One cycling icon says he should think about it.

● The lone Diamond League meet in the U.S., the Prefontaine Classic, comes Saturday, with a power-packed line-up and live coverage on NBC. The men’s mile with Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen, American Ryan Crouser in the shot and the women’s 100 m with Worlds winner Sha’Carri Richardson and Jamaica’s two-time Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah are the expected headliners.

● Correction! It turns out that women’s 400 m hurdles Olympic champ Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials, despite not having run the event since 2022. A rule passed by USA Track & Field in December 2008 allows Olympic and Worlds medal winners automatic entry to the following U.S. selection meets in the event(s) they took a medal!

● Uzbekistan’s Oksana Chusotivitina, 48, had to withdraw from the Asian Gymnastics Championships due to injury and is unable to chase a spot in a ninth Olympic Games. The Vault specialist would have had to win the All-Around to get to Paris, but likely finishes with more Olympic appearances than any gymnast in history.

● World Championships: Ice Hockey (Canada and Sweden on to men’s Worlds semis, U.S. out) = Judo (Japan finishes with most individual medals, again) ●

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (Olympic and Paralympic podiums unveiled) = Athletics (Warholm runs 33.28, no. 2 ever, in the 300 m hurdles) = Boxing (20-event World Boxing calendar published) = Football (FIFA celebrates 120th anniversary in Paris) = Sailing (World Sailing passes new transgender policy) ●

1.
French police make arrest over possible Torch Relay attack

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Thursday that police arrested a man over suspicions he might attack the Olympic Torch Relay in Bordeaux. According to the German news agency DPA:

“Investigators confiscated a weapon that could fire rubber bullets.

“The prosecutors said the suspect had shown interest in the violent and misogynistic ‘incel’ movement, which is characterized by heterosexual men who blame women for their failings in life, romantic or otherwise.

“The relatives of the man in his mid-20s stated that he was mentally unstable.”

Online surveillance noticed a post from “Alex G” that referenced a murder of six people 10 years ago in Isla Vista, California related to blaming women. Prosecutors opened an investigation into possible charged for glorification of a criminal offence and criminal association.

The Paris 2024 Torch Relay opened in Marseille on 8 May and has been moving around the country, as well as to French departments overseas. Rioting over a voting reform measure in New Caledonia – completely unrelated to the Games – has canceled the Torch Relay leg there, scheduled for 11 June.

Another rehearsal of the opening ceremony program on the Seine River was canceled on Wednesday due to high water levels amid continuing rain in Paris. An 8 April rehearsal on the river was canceled and on Wednesday, a 27 May rehearsal was postponed.

Paris 2024 told Agence France Presse that rehearsals will continue “when the weather conditions allow for it.”

Beyond the ceremony, there has been concern about the use of the Seine for open-water swimming and the triathlon events due to high bacteria levels from too much water in the river. A massive new treatment reservoir has been completed to ensure that untreated water is not released into the river, but could be overloaded – causing unsafe bacteria levels – if there are heavy rains, as in 2023.

2.
Could Giro leader Pogacar do the unthinkable?

“If he wins the Giro and the Tour de France, and I’m him, then 100 per cent I try and win the Vuelta.

“If in 2015 I had my Giro victory, and [if] I then won the Tour de France, then I would have gone to the Vuelta. I didn’t win the Tour and I didn’t go to the Vuelta but Tadej has a good opportunity in history to do because it’s really hard to win. But he’s young and maybe in three years another rider arrives who is very strong and he can’t do it.”

That’s Spain’s legendary Alberto Contador, now 41, speaking to GCN before stage 16 of the 107th Giro d’Italia, with Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar the runaway leader and almost-sure winner come Sunday’s final stage in Rome.

Contador won the Giro in 2008 and 2015, the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009 and the Vuelta a Espana in 2008-12-14, so he knows what he’s talking about. And no one has ever won all three Grand Tours in the same year.

Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard is the two-time defending Tour de France champion, having edged Pogacar in each of the last two years, after Pogacar won in 2020 and 2021. Vingegaard would normally be the favorite in 2024 again, but suffered a bad crash in April during the Itzulia Basque Country race, with a fractured collarbone and ribs and a punctured lung, and his status is uncertain.

Pogacar plans to ride in the 2024 Tour de France and if he wins, would he try for the first-ever triple crown? Only seven riders in history have ever won the career Triple Crown – Contador being one – but no one has won them all in a single year.

But Pogacar’s interest – for now – are elsewhere. Told of Contador’s comments, he told GCN:

“I think Vuelta for sure not. I have other plans after the Tour. But let’s focus first on the flat stages also, because you never know, we’re getting tired, all the peloton, and it can be some accidents or whatever, let’s hope not. So let’s go day by day to Rome.

“Then the big goal of the season is the Tour and World Championships so let’s take it easy.”

The Tour de France comes quickly from 29 June to 21 July, and the Vuelta a Espana is scheduled from 17 August to 8 September.

The UCI World Road Championships will be in Zurich (SUI) from 21-29 September. He finished third at the Worlds Roads Champs race in 2023, his first Worlds medal. But if he wins the Giro and the Tour, he could reconsider, right?

At the mostly-downhill 18th state of the 107th Giro d’Italia, the expected mass sprint finale saw Belgium’s Tim Merlier get his second victory – also in Stage 3 – in 3:45:44 over three-stage winner Jonathan Milan (ITA), with Kaden Groves (AUS) third, for his third medal of this Giro.

It’s Merlier’s third career Giro stage win.

The 178 km ride into Padova saw Pogacar cruise home in 30th with the same time as the first 89 riders. He maintains a 7:42 lead on Daniel Martinez (COL) and 8:04 on Britain’s Geraint Thomas with two climbing stages coming on Friday and Saturday before the ride to Rome on Sunday.

3.
Superb men’s mile, shot, women’s 100m headline Pre Classic

Another excellent edition of the Prefontaine Classic, the only Diamond League meet held in the U.S., is on tap for Saturday at the new Hayward Field in Eugene, with the usual plethora of Olympic and Worlds medal winners.

Perhaps the most anticipated event is the men’s mile, with 15 entries, including Olympic 1,500 m champ Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) making his seasonal debut, Diamond League Final runner-up (and World Indoor 3,000 m silver) Yared Nuguse of the U.S., Britain’s 2022 Worlds 1,500 m champ Jake Wightman and 2023 World 1,500 champ Josh Kerr, Rio 2016 Olympic champ Matthew Centrowitz of the U.S., Worlds Road Mile champ Hobbs Kessler (USA) and a lot more. Ingebrigtsen is the favorite in any race he runs; how ready is he?

The women’s 100 m is billed as a showdown between 2023 World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the U.S. and two-time Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM), but don’t overlook Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith (CIV), at 35, currently no. 3 on the world list at 10.91, or World Indoor 60 m champ Julien Alfred (LCA).

Olympic and World Champion Ryan Crouser leads the field in the men’s shot, along with two-time World Champion Joe Kovacs of the U.S. and 2017 World Champion Tom Walsh (NZL). Any time Crouser is in the field, it’s special and the world-record holder will be making his outdoor debut for 2024.

The rest of the meet is terrific:

● Men/100 m: Final entries were not posted, but 2019 World Champion Christian Coleman of the U.S. and Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake, the 2024 World Indoor 60 m bronze winner, are the expected stars.

● Men/200 m: “Kung Ku Kenny” Bednarek, the Tokyo Olympic silver winner, and the world leader at 19.67, is slated to again face Courtney Lindsey (19.71) of the U.S. and 2023 Worlds silver winner Erriyon Knighton – now 20 – making his seasonal debut.

● Men/110 m hurdles: Three-time World Champion Grant Holloway, 2022 Worlds runner-up Trey Cunningham, Tokyo Olympic champ Hansle Parchment (JAM) and 2023 Worlds bronze winner Daniel Roberts, among others!

● Men/400 m hurdles: World leader Rai Benjamin ran 46.64 at UCLA last week and won the Diamond League final last September in Eugene in 46.39! He’ll be chased by 2022 Worlds bronzer Trevor Bassitt of the U.S. and Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke (48.11 this year).

● Women/800 m: World Champion Mary Moraa (KEN) will face runner-up Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) and 2019 World Champion Halimah Nakaayi (UGA).

● Women/1,500 m: A too-big field of 15, starring World Road Mile champ Diribe Welteji (ETH) and teammates 2024 World Indoor 1,500 m gold winner Freweyni Hailu and Hirut Meshesha (3:54.87), plus Tokyo silver winner Laura Muir (GBR) and World Indoor 3,000 m champ Elle St. Pierre of the U.S.

● Women/Steeple: Look for world-record holder Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN), Olympic champ Peruth Chemutai (UGA), 2023 World Champion Winfred Yavi (BRN) and 2024 world no. 2 Faith Cherotich (KEN).

● Women/5,000 m: A huge field of 21, with all eyes on Olympic champ Sifan Hasaan (NED), running her third race of the year, challenged by Ethiopians Ejgayehu Taye, the 2023 Worlds 10,000 m bronze winner, possibly Hailu and Meshesha as well.

● Women/100 m hurdles: World Indoor Champion Devynne Charlton, two-time World Champions Danielle Williams (JAM) and Nia Ali of the U.S., Olympic silver winner Keni Harrison and Olympic champ Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR). And this isn’t even a Diamond League event!

● Women/Vault: Olympic and World Champion Katie Moon of the U.S. and two-time World Indoor Champion Sandi Morris (USA) are the expected stars.

● Women/Triple Jump: World list top three in Shanieka Ricketts (JAM), Thea LaFond (DMA) and Jasmine Moore of the U.S., plus American Record setters Keturah Orji and Tori Franklin, 2023 Worlds bronze winner Leyanis Perez (CUB) and two-time Worlds silver winner Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk (UKR).

● Women/Discus: A showdown between Olympic champion Valarie Allman of the U.S., 2023 World Champion Lagi Tausaga (USA) and world leader Yaime Perez (CUB).

● Women/Hammer: The World Champions from 2019 (DeAnna Price/USA), 2022 (Brooke Andersen/USA) and 2023 (Cam Rogers/CAN), with Andersen, Price and Rogers 1-2-3 on the world list for 2024!

The meet will be shown on NBC on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. Eastern, as well as on the Peacock streaming service.

As part of the Pre Classic, Kenya will hold its Olympic Trials races in the 10,000 m, with the women at 10:50 a.m. and the men at 12:05 p.m.

American sprint star Noah Lyles, for one, was confused, posting on X (ex-Twitter):

“Why in the world are we hosting another countries Olympic qualifier. We should know how much of an issue this is after worlds 22. Also their country won’t be able so see their athletes make the team in person.”

His reference was to the visa issues for Kenyan and other athletes to get into the U.S. for the 2022 World Athletics Championships, also in Eugene. It has been reported that Daniel Ebenyo, the 2023 Worlds 10,000 m silver winner, was denied a visa to enter the U.S.; however, he is on the entry list.

The 2023 women’s Worlds 5,000 m champ, Beatrice Chebet, is entered, as is 2023 Worlds 10,000 m bronze winner Margaret Kipkemboi and World Roads 5 km runner-up Lilian Rengeruk. The race favorite, however, will be Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, the reigning World Champion.

The men’s entries also include Kibiwott Kandie, the 2020 Worlds Half silver medalist, and Nicholas Kipkorir, the 2023 World Roads 5 km bronze winner.

The use of facilities in other countries for trials races has been common for Kenya and Ethiopia in recent years, especially for qualification for events which will be held near sea level. Running trials at higher altitudes in their home countries has been considered a disadvantage in selecting athletes who would perform best in Paris, which 115 feet above sea level. Nairobi is 5,889 feet above sea level.

4.
Hold on: McLaughlin-Levrone is qualified!

Thursday’s story noting that Tokyo Olympic women’s 400 m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone correctly stated she hadn’t run a 400 m hurdles race since 2022.

But to say that she’s not qualified for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in the event was quite wrong (yes, very sorry about this).

Statisticians extraordinaire Kevin Saylors and Glen McMiken were both up early to point to USATF Rule 8 on “Automatic Qualification”:

“Any athlete who attains any of the following shall be afforded automatic qualification into a USA Indoor, Outdoor, Race Walking or Marathon Championship or USA Olympic Team Selection in the same event in which the performance was attained:

“1. Track and Field –
“(a) During the current or four previous calendar years, earned an individual medal in track and field in an Olympic Games or in a World Athletics World Indoor or Outdoor Championship.
“(b) Is the reigning USA Indoor or Outdoor champion.
“(c) Has a World or Olympic ‘A’ Standard that would apply to the current championship team selection.
“(d) Finish as one of the top three at the preceding year’s corresponding national championship (Indoor qualifies for Indoor, Outdoor qualifies for Outdoor).”

As reigning Olympic champ, McLaughlin-Levrone has a clear path into the field under item (a) and need not post a qualifying mark to be admitted to the Trials in Eugene from 21-30 June.

She will need a qualifying mark (a modest 54.85; she hasn’t run that slowly since 2018) to get into the Olympic Games, as she has not raced the event during the qualifying period beginning 1 July 2023, and must have a mark by 30 June 2024.

The USATF Rule 8 which allows medal winners to enter trials events without qualifying marks is fairly new. McMiken notes that it was included in the rule amendments approved at the 2008 USATF Convention in Reno, which took place after the Beijing Games were concluded earlier in the year, and has been in effect for London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and now Paris.

5.
Injury ends Chusovitina’s try for a ninth Olympic Games

Oksana Chusovitina, 48, trying for a long-shot qualification for Paris and a ninth Olympic Games at the Asian Championships in Tashkent (UZB), had to withdraw due to injury on Thursday. She wrote in an Instagram post (computer translation):

“Yesterday, while training on the podium of the Asian Championships, which is taking place in Tashkent and is a qualifying event for the Olympic Games in Paris, I was injured during the floor exercise. I will not be able to take part and I am very upset as I have been preparing for this competition for a long time. I started doing all-around and I wanted to perform in our country, in front of our fans. But, unfortunately, tomorrow you will not see me among the participants. I would like to express my gratitude to all of you, but you can come and support our girls. That’s what I’m going to do tomorrow!”

In order to qualify for Paris, Chusovitina would have had to win the All-Around in Tashkent, a tall order for a Vault specialist. But she will not compete and this ends a string of eight straight Olympic appearances for three different teams, and two medals:

● 1992: Unified Team (Team gold)
● 1996: Uzbekistan (10th in all-around)
● 2000: Uzbekistan (45th All-Around, 25th Vault)
● 2004: Uzbekistan (23rd Vault)
● 2008: Germany (9th All-Around, Vault silver)
● 2012: Germany (5th Vault)
● 2016: Uzbekistan (7th Vault)
● 2020: Uzbekistan (14th Vault)

She is one of just 18 athletes who have appeared in eight or more Olympic Games – including summer and winter – and the only one in gymnastics. Beyond her Olympic exploits, she also owns 11 World Championships medals, including three golds from 1991 (Team and Floor for the USSR) and a 2003 Vault win for Uzbekistan.

And she has a further legacy, with three named skills, two on the Uneven Bars and one on Floor. Amazing.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Ice Hockey ● Group winners Canada and Sweden marched into the semifinals at the IIHF men’s World Championship, while the U.S. was eliminated by the host country, the Czech Republic.

Canada (now 8-0) won a convincing 6-3 victory over Slovakia (4-4) in Prague, taking a 2-1 lead after the first period on Jared McCann and Pierre-Luc Dubois goals, extending to 3-1 after two and scoring three more in the third. Nick Paul scored two goals for Canada, which had a 43-21 shots edge.

They will gave Switzerland (7-1) in Prague, which defeated Germany (5-3) by 3-1 in Ostrava, taking a 2-0 lead in the first, giving back a goal in the second and scoring the only third-period goal. Forward Christoph Bertschy was the scoring star, with goals in the first (7:22) and third periods (19:02).

Sweden is also undefeated at 8-0, pulling out a 2-1 win over eternal rival Finland (3-5) in overtime in Ostrava. The Swedes out-shot Finland, 35-20, but neither side could score in the first two periods. Finally, Rasmus Dahlin got a goal at 15:02 of the third that looked like a game winner, but the Finns got even at 19:02 from Hannes Bjorninen’s score and onto overtime. But a Finnish penalty for hooking led to a power-play goal from Joel Eriksson at 5:54 of the OT.

The home Czechs (6-2) thrilled a crowd of 17,413 in Prague with a 1-0 win over the U.S. (5-3), getting the only score of the game in the second period, just 16 seconds into a power play as Pavel Zacha scored. The U.S., which had a tournament-high 37 goals coming in, could not solve keeper Lukas Dostal, despite a 36-28 shots edge.

The semis are on Saturday and the medal matches on Sunday.

● Judo ● Individual weight classes were concluded at the IJF World Championships in Abu Dhabi (UAE), with Japan – as always – leading the medal table with nine total and three golds.

On Thursday, Wakaba Tomita won the women’s +78 kg class for the first time, after a silver in 2021 and bronze in 2022. She defeated Turkey’s Kayra Ozdemir in the final, who won her third career Worlds medal (0-1-2).

The men’s 100 kg division went to Zelym Kotsoiev (AZE), the bronze medalist in 2022 and 2023, who got to the top of the podium by beating Canada’s Shady Elnahas, the 2023 Pan American Games winner, who got his first career Worlds medal.

In the men’s +100 kg class, Korea’s Min-jong Kim also got a break through after bronzes in this division in 2019 and 2022. He beat Georgia’s 2018 World Champion, Guram Tushishvili, who won his fourth career Worlds medal (1-1-2).

The Mixed Team event will be held on Friday.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The International Olympic Committee, the Paris 2024 organizers and sponsor Proctor & Gamble (P&G) unveiled the victory podiums for this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The designs are spare, with details that reference iconic French engineer Gustav Eiffel’s arch designs, with muted colors: gray for the surfaces and off-white for the sides. The Paralympic podiums include wheelchair ramps as a standard element.

Following a project from Tokyo 2020, the podiums themselves were made from recycled plastic, and sustainably-sourced French poplar wood. All were constructed in France.

● Athletics ● First it was Brazil’s 2022 World Champion Alison dos Santos with a sensational 46.86 season-opening win at the Doha Diamond League meet on 10 May. Then Rai Benjamin, the Olympic silver winner in Tokyo, with a fabulous 46.64 at the L.A. Grand Prix last Saturday at UCLA.

Now, Olympic and World Champion Karsten Warholm (NOR) showed he is also in form with a 33.28 win – by more than two seconds – for the 300 m hurdles at the Trond Mohn Games in Bergen (NOR) on Wednesday. That’s just 0.02 off of his own world best from 2021, with his 400 m hurdles debut coming at the Bislett Games in Oslo on 30 May.

● Boxing ● World Boxing announced a schedule of 21 member tournaments for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025 in eight countries, for men and women from U15 up to the elite level.

This provides a set of opportunities for boxers from its 27 federations to compete in, with the organization trying to attract other national federations to join to try and get boxing onto the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The only U.S. tournament listed now is the USA Boxing women’s championships from 13-20 August 2024.

● Football ● FIFA celebrated its 120th anniversary on Tuesday the 21st, the same date on which six national federations – Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as Real Madrid CF (for Spain) – which created the Federation Internationale de Football Association, in 1904.

The inaugural meeting took place in Paris at 229 rue Saint Honoré in Paris’ 1st arrondissement. Tuesday’s event was held at the Palais de l’Elysee, with representatives of the initial seven members, FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) and other guests were welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron.

● Sailing ● The World Sailing Council adopted a new Transgender Participation Policy, effective on 1 January 2025, that brings the federation in line with others such as World Athletics and the Union Cycliste Internationale in protecting the women’s category. From the announcement:

“[T]ransgender female athletes will only be permitted to participate in the female category of an event, or as a female athlete in the mixed category of an event, if:

“● they have not undergone male puberty;

“● they are also able to demonstrate that the concentration of testosterone in their blood has been less than 2.5 nanamoles per litre (nmol/L) continuously for a period of at least 12 months prior to the first event in which they wish to compete.

“In addition, transgender female athletes must maintain testosterone in their blood below 2.5 nmol/L at all times.

“Transgender male athletes will be permitted to compete in the male category of an event, or as a male in the mixed category of an event, if they provide a written and signed declaration that their gender identity is male.”

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

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TSX REPORT: Now the U.S. House is interested in Chinese swimmers; McLaughlin-Levrone needs a qualifier; inside a $14M NGB budget!

By
Rich Perelman
-
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. U.S. House committee wants action on Chinese swimming case
2. Could Pogacar approach a 60-year win margin at Giro d’Italia?
3. McLaughlin-Levrone still needs Trials 400H qualifier!
4. Wanda Diamond League adds new Chinese partner: Zeekr
5. USA Fencing reports $14.4 million budget for 2024-25

● Now the U.S. government is into the 2021 Chinese swimming doping incident, with the House Select Committee on the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party sending a letter to the International Olympic Committee, but also to the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI, asking about action under the feared Rodchenkov Act.

● Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar is not just rolling toward victory in his first Giro d’Italia, but has compiled such a big lead that he might win by the biggest margin in almost 60 years! Wow!

● Olympic women’s 400 m hurdles champion and world-record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was superb at UCLA last weekend in winning the 200 m. But: she doesn’t have a qualifying mark yet in the 400 m hurdles for the U.S. Olympic Trials and the entry deadline is coming up quick! (Wrong: see below)

● The Wanda Diamond League is seeing increasing visibility by Chinese companies, with new electric-car maker Zeekr coming on board as the “mobility” sponsor with specific activations coming up at four famed European meets.

● A detailed look into a U.S. National Governing Body budget, this time the projected $14.4 million for 2024-25 for USA Fencing. Where the money come from, and where does it go? Most of it comes from the fencers themselves!

● World Championships: Judo (Japan wins second, France and Germany win first in UAE Worlds) ●

● Panorama: Paris (Naudet brothers to produce Olympic film and documentary) = Special Olympics (World Games headed to Chile in 2027) = Athletics (GoFundMe page collecting for distance legend Gerry Lindgren) = Swimming (what if McIntosh won five golds in Paris?) ●

1.
U.S. House Committee wants action on Chinese swimming case

Now the U.S. government is in the act on the Chinese swimming doping incident, in which 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for the banned substance Trimetazidine in January 2021, but were not sanctioned due to “accidental contamination” in the kitchen in which their meals were prepared.

On Wednesday:

“Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party called on the U.S. Department of Justice and the International Olympic Committee to launch a formal inquiry, seeking immediate action and transparency following the World’s Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) decision to allow Chinese swimmers to participate in the 2021 Olympics after testing positive for illegal substances.”

The letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray began with:

“We write today to request that the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation use its exterritorial jurisdiction to investigate individuals involved in doping schemes at international sports competitions that involve U.S. athletes as outlined in the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act of 2019 (RADA).

“We specifically request that you investigate troubling reports that ‘[t]wenty-three top Chinese swimmers tested positive for the same powerful banned substance seven months before the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021′ and ‘continue[d] to compete after top Chinese officials secretly cleared them of doping and the global authority charged with policing drugs in sports chose not to intervene.’”

The Rodchenkov Act gives the Department of Justice authority to pursue individuals anywhere in the world who themselves assist or help others to carry out doping offenses related to major international sports competitions (it does not apply to athletes). It carries a 10-year statute of limitations and penalties of up to $250,000 in fines and up to 10 years imprisonment.

It has not been widely used, but did find a ring helping athletes including star Nigerian sprinter and long jumper Blessing Okagbare, who was banned for 10 years in 2022. El Paso kinesiologist Eric Lira was arrested, charged and pled guilty to supplying doping materials to Okagbare and others in 2023 and was sentenced earlier this year to three months in prison.

The letter to the International Olympic Committee begins:

“We write today to express our unwavering support for United States Olympic athletes and our profound concern regarding the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s mishandling of the recent scandal involving 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) prior to the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.”

The IOC is requested to undertake an independent investigation – beyond that already being done by WADA – into the decision not to challenge the finding of no sanctions:

“How the IOC responds to this scandal will directly affect this summer’s Olympic games and their promise of fair play that unites athletes from around the globe. …

“The IOC must act decisively to uphold the spirit of fair play and accountability that unites athletes from every corner of the globe.”

Observed: Have no doubt that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which has relentlessly ripped WADA on this case since a 20 April documentary from the German ARD channel was aired, contributed to the interest of the House Select Committee.

How the FBI and the Justice Department react will be more interesting, since WADA was clear that it believed there was no way to counter the finding of the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency of accidental contamination. Is there more to be uncovered?

If the FBI or Justice could find more, regardless of whether it would rise to the level of a prosecutable offense under the Rodchenkov Act, it could cause serious damage to WADA, which chose not to pursue the case under the difficult circumstances it was presented with as to access and time passage after the incident.

2.
Could Pogacar approach a 60-year win margin at Giro d’Italia?

Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar, still only 25 and a two-time Tour de France winner, continued adding to his lead on Wednesday, finishing second in the 17th stage of the 107th Giro d’Italia.

The brutal, 159 km ride from Val Gardena – a ski resort – followed an up-and-down course across five climbs and ended with yet another uphill finish to Passo Brocon. Germany’s Georg Steinhauser, 22, attacked with 34 km left and could not be caught, finishing in 4:28:51.

Behind him, the overall second-placer, Colombian Daniel Martinez, tried to secure second, but Pogacar was having none of it and passed everyone else on the final uphill to the finish, taking second 1:24 behind Steinhauser, but 18 seconds up on Antonio Tiberi (ITA), Martinez and 2018 Tour de France champ Geraint Thomas (GBR).

With the time bonus for finishing second, Pogacar extended his lead again, now to 7:42 on Martinez and 8:04 on Thomas. With two more climbing stages remaining on Friday and Saturday, Pogacar seems able to name his margin of victory, already one of the biggest in Giro history.

Consider that in the post-World War II era, Pogacar currently has a 7:42 lead, already tied for no. 6 in margin of victory:

● 1. 24:16 for Carlo Clerici (SUI) in 1954
● 2. 23:47 for Fausto Coppi (ITA) in 1949
● 3. 11:26 for Vittorio Adorni (ITA) in 1965
● 4. 9:18 for Fausto Coppi (ITA) in 1952
● 4. 9:18 for Ivan Basso (ITA) in 2006
● 6. 7:42 for Eddy Merckx (BEL) in 1973

Could he approach 9:18 margin for Coppi in 1952 and Basso in 2006 and possibly ride to the biggest win in 59 years? Very little seems out of Pogacar’s reach … if he wants to go for it.

3.
McLaughlin-Levrone still needs Trials 400H qualifier!

/Updated/The last time Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ran the 400 m hurdles, she won at the Gyulai Memorial in Szekesfehervar, Hungary on 8 August 2022, winning in 51.68, after setting the world record of 50.68 at the 2022 World Championships 17 days earlier.

She’s clearly ready for defense of her Tokyo Olympic 400 m hurdles gold after a lifetime best of 22.07 in the women’s 200 m at the L.A. Grand Prix at UCLA last Saturday. Just one small problem.

McLaughlin-Levrone is not qualified to compete in the event at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

The USA Track & Field entry regulations explain the qualifying window as:

● Opened: 1 July 2023
● Closes: 9 June 2024

McLaughlin-Levrone has no 400 m hurdles races in that period, so she has entered the women’s 400 m hurdles at the Edwin Moses Legends Meet at Morehouse College in Atlanta on 31 May, a meet named for the men’s 400 m hurdles icon who redefined the event (and was a two-time Olympic champion). 

(McLaughlin-Levrone, as Olympic champion in the 400 m hurdles from Tokyo, is granted automatic qualification into the U.S. Olympic Trials under USATF Rule 8, exempting medal winners from qualifying marks for Worlds or Olympic Trials. Sorry about that.)

It’s a Puma American Track League meet as well as a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet, and includes races from 100 to 1,500 m, plus the long jump for men and women and the high jump for women.

McLaughlin-Levrone has a modest seven-race win streak across 2023 and 2024, with four races at 400 m, two at 200 m and one in the 100 m hurdles.

4.
Wanda Diamond League adds new Chinese partner: Zeekr

China has increased its presence significantly in the track & field Diamond League, first with the naming of Wanda – the finance, real estate and sports conglomerate – as the title sponsor in a 10-year agreement than began in 2020.

As part of that deal, Diamond League meets were added in China and now clear of the Covid-19 pandemic, were held at the start of the 2024 season in Xiamen and Shanghai on 20 and 27 April.

Now comes a new Chinese sponsor: Zeekr.

The Tuesday announcement included:

“The Wanda Diamond League today announces electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr as its new official mobility partner, in a move which brings athletics’ premier global series to the cutting edge of mobility and sustainability innovation.

“From 2024, Zeekr will partner with both the Wanda Diamond League and four individual series meetings to provide transport and mobility solutions for athletes, officials and VIPs in Oslo, Stockholm, Monaco and Paris.

“Since it burst onto the scene three years ago, Zeekr has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in electric mobility, driven by the conviction that great things happen when you seek more.”

Zeekr is not sold in the U.S., but is planning a $368 million initial public offering (IPO) for the U.S. market. Founded in 2021, it offers electric models in China with high technology applications and a focus on sustainability. Expansions are planned elsewhere in Asia and Europe.

It’s an interesting move, and in contrast to World Athletics – a part owner of Diamond League AG – which has five first-line commercial partners, all from Japan: ASICS, NTN, Seiko, Sony and TDK.

5.
USA Fencing reports $14.4 million budget for 2024-25

What does it take to run a national federation which has produced six medals in the last two Olympic Games, has 39,500 members and a staff of 19? Less than $15 million.

At its 18 May meeting, the USA Fencing Board approved the 2024-25 budget of $14,390,941, a reduction of 3.1% from 2023-24. What goes into all this?

● 46%: $6.59 million for national and regional events.
● 27%: $3.87 million for team training camps and competition travel.
● 14%: $1.97 million for administration and international events.
● 8%: $1.19 million for membership processing and support.
● 5%: $0.69 million for marketing and diversity-equity-inclusion.

And the revenue?

● 62%: $8.96 million from national events.
● 21%: $3.08 million from membership.
● 9%: $1.33 million from sport performance.
● 6%: $0.87 million from marketing and communications.
● 2%: $0.24 million from international events.
● 0%: $0.04 million from other items.

Total revenue is projected at $14.51 million for a small surplus for the year.

Grants from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee are forecast at $896,250 for the year, or 6.2% of the entire budget. Marketing revenue, including sponsorships, are projected at $845,006, or 5.8% of the total revenue.

Fencing, for the most part, is a sport paid for by the fencers, primarily through membership and tournament registration fees.

The financial statements were also part of the Board package and are showing growth, USA Fencing had $11.44 million in revenue in 2021-22 and $12.30 million in 2022-23; the projection is for $14.51 for 2024-25.

Assets were $4.69 million at 31 July 2023, with $1.12 million in reserves, but also $2.31 million in deferred income sitting in the bank, but not yet realized. There is $3.21 million in cash and investments.

This is not a wealthy National Governing Body, but its financials paint a picture of an efficient, reasonably healthy one for now, looking for new sources of revenue.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Judo ● Japan scored its second win at the IJF World Championships in Abu Dhabi (UAE), as Goki Tajima, 26, won at 90 kg for his first senior individual medal! He defeated Serbia’s Nemanja Majdov, the 2017 World Champion at this weight, who also won a bronze at the 2019 Worlds, giving him a career medal of each color.

France won three medals on the day, with an all-French final in the women’s 70 kg class, and a win for Margaux Pinot over Marie Eve Gahie. Pinot, 30, won her first individual Worlds medal since 2019 and her first gold, overcoming Gahie, the 2019 World Champion.

Germany’s Anna-Maria Wagner became a two-time World Champion, winning at 78 kg over Alice Bellandi (ITA), a 2023 bronze medalist. France’s Madeleine Malonga, the Tokyo 2020 runner-up, took one of the bronzes.

Competition continues through Friday.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● Paris 2024 and the International Olympic Committee announced that brothers Jules and Gedeon Naudet have been selected to produce the Official Film of Paris 2024.

The twist is that beyond the usual, 90-minute Official Film of the Games, a documentary series of five, 52-minute episodes will further showcase the “behind-the-scenes” effort for an athlete to get to the Games and the organization of the Games from within Paris 2024.

The series will be shown in France on France TV, ahead of the Olympic Games and after the Paralympics. The Naudet brothers will be working with French documentary company ELEPHANT.

● Special Olympics ● The Special Olympics World Games is headed to South America for the first time, as Santiago, Chile, will host the 2027 edition.

Following the 2023 Pan American Games and Parapan American Games held in Santiago in 2023, the 2027 Special Olympic World Games are projected for 19-31 October, with 170 national delegations competing in 20 sports.

Since holding the SOWG outside the U.S. for the first time, in 2003, the event has gone to Ireland, China, Greece, back to the U.S. (Los Angeles in 2015), to the UAE and Berlin, Germany in 2023, with 6,500 athletes participating.

● Athletics ● Gerry Lindgren, one of the greatest high school distance runners of all time and a 1964 U.S. Olympian, is now 77 and trying to retire, but is well short of enough money to do so.

A long-time fan and former high school runner in California, Kevin Young, has organized a GoFundMe page for Lindgren, with a goal of $150,000, and which has raised $8,994 so far from 91 donors. Wrote Young:

“Gerry Lindgren gave his all, training harder than any American runner ever had, winning many titles and races in high school, college and beyond. He represented the USA in the 1964 Olympics at age 18 in the 10,000m.

“Now it’s possible for us fans and supporters to show our appreciation for his hard work and sacrifice. Your donations will help him pay for recent medical bills (strokes in December 2023), will help him retire from his job at age 77 as a janitor at the University of Hawaii, and will help him pay off his mortgage.”

Lindgren won 11 NCAA titles at Washington State, including the 1969 Cross Country title over Steve Prefontaine among others. He is now running one more race, this time for retirement and against homelessness. All donations to the GoFundMe page go directly to Lindgren.

● Swimming ● Further to our note yesterday that Canadian teen sensation Summer McIntosh could challenge – in Paris – for the most individual-event Olympic golds in a single Games by a women’s swimmer: four by East German Kristin Otto in 1988.

Olympic stats star Dr. Bill Mallon (USA) chimed in, adding:

“And if McIntosh should go really wild, only three persons have ever won 5 individual gold medals at a single Olympics – Eric Heiden, Vitaly Shcherbo, and Michael Phelps.”

Heiden (USA) won five in speed skating at Lake Placid in 1980; Scherbo won five in men’s gymnastics as a member of the post-Soviet “Unified Team” in 1992 and Phelps, of course, won five in Beijing in 2008.

Phelps’ program in 2008 was strikingly similar to McIntosh’s events for Paris! He won the 200 m Free, 100-200 m Butterflys and the 200-400 m Medleys. McIntosh will also contest the 200 m Free, 200 m Fly and both medleys, but will swim the 400 m Free, not the 100 m Fly.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: L.A. Grand Prix did 846,000 on NBC; five events for Canadian swim star McIntosh; police search Milan Cortina 2026 offices

By
Rich Perelman
-
Olympic 200 m medalist Gabby Thomas: a true professional (Photo: Tim Healy for TrackTown USA)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. L.A. Grand Prix track meet gets 846,000 viewers on NBC
2. Gabby Thomas shows what a true professional is
3. Five Paris events for Canada’s teen sensation Summer McIntosh
4. Italian investigators search Milan Cortina offices in probe
5. U.S. Anti-Doping blasts WADA once again

● USATF’s L.A. Grand Prix drew a respectable 846,000 viewers on NBC on Saturday, still short of the million-plus viewers for three indoor meets aired in February. The USA Gymnastics Core Hydration Classic drew 296,000 live on CNBC, but 805,000 for a next-day highlights show on NBC.

● U.S. sprint star Gabby Thomas did not run well in Los Angeles, but explained on X (ex-Twitter) that she was in the middle of a heavy training period, but had (1) committed to the meet and (2) did not want to disappoint her fans. That’s called professionalism.

● Canadian teen superstar Summer McIntosh, 17, qualified for Paris in five events and ranks in the top three in the world in each so far in 2024. Could she be the first woman to win five individual swimming golds in a single Games?

● The Italian financial prosecutors office searched the headquarters of the Milan Cortina 2026 organizing committee, looking for irregularities regarding contracts for digital development services. The prosecutors said no current employees were targets of the probe.

● The U.S. Anti-Doping roared back at the World Anti-Doping Agency, refuting caustic comments concerning U.S. doping programs, and asking for the full file on the 2021 Chinese swimming doping incident to be publicly released.

● World Championships: Ice Hockey (Canada and Sweden win men’s Worlds groups) = Judo (Georgia gets second win at IJF Worlds) ●

● Panorama: Cycling (Pogacar wins bad-weather Giro stage 16) = Rowing (U.S. picks up four spots at final qualifying regatta) = Swimming (Phelps says he is retired for sure) ●

1.
L.A. Grand Prix track meet gets 846,000 viewers on NBC

Reasonably good viewing audience for Saturday’s L.A. Grand Prix from Drake Stadium at UCLA, as an average of 846,000 U.S. viewers tuned in from 3-5 p.m. Eastern to see wins by Sydney McLauglin-Levrone, Rai Benjamin and others.

That was third in the time slot, behind the PGA Championship on CBS (3.517 million) and a WNBA game on ABC (1.343 million).

Viewership on U.S. television was good during the indoor season, with more than a million for three straight week in February, but then dropped for the World Indoor Championships and since then:

● 04 Feb.: 1.197 million on NBC for New Balance Indoor Grand Prix
● 11 Feb.: 1.087 million on NBC for Millrose Games
● 17 Feb.: 1.051 million on NBC for USATF Indoor Nationals
● 03 Mar.: 539,000 on NBC for World Indoor Championships
● 28 Apr.: 790,000 on NBC for USATF Bermuda Grand Prix
● 18 May: 846,000 on NBC for USATF L.A. Grand Prix

In terms of demographics, NBC had 58,000 viewers from 18-34 for the L.A. Grand Prix, vs. 149,000 for the Sparks at Aces WNBA game and 320,000 for the PGA Championship on CBS.

Cable viewership has been poor, with none of the Diamond League shows (live or replays) reaching the 100,000 level, but:

● 18 Apr.: 158,000 on ESPN2 for Boston Marathon
● 05 May: 107,000 on CNBC for World Relays

Sunday’s Diamond League meet from Marrakech did not reach the 100,000 viewership level for Nielsen’s reports. The NBC and CNBC shows are also presented on the Peacock streaming service, for which viewer information is not available.

However, the online-only Atlanta City Games, shown on the adidas YouTube channel and Noah Lyles’ channel, had 170,077 total views as of Monday, with 57,078 views on adidas and 112,999 on Lyles’ channel. It was on from 4:45-7:45 Eastern time, beginning 15 minutes before the end of the L.A. Grand Prix broadcast on NBC.

The USA Gymnastics’ Core Hydration Classic was also a televised highlight of the week and once again showed the impact of network television vs. cable.

On Saturday, the meet – featuring superstar Simone Biles – drew an average of 296,000 for live coverage at 7 p.m. Eastern on CNBC. Not bad, but the highlights show on Sunday on NBC at 2 p.m. Eastern did 805,000 viewers, with 53,000 in the 18-34 demographic.

Being on the network matters, still.

2.
Gabby Thomas shows what a true professional is

One of the unexpected results at the L.A. Grand Prix on Saturday were the modest performances for U.S. sprint star Gabby Thomas, the 2021 Olympic 200 m bronze winner and 2023 Worlds 200 m silver medalist.

At UCLA, she ran an early section of the women’s 100 m, finishing fourth in 11.42 and then, in the featured 200 m, was never in the race and ran 22.68 for sixth. Those are way off her 10.88 wind-aided 100 win and 22.08 200 victory at the Texas Relays at the end of March.

She owned up to the situation on X (ex-Twitter) afterwards:

“Obviously didn’t look like myself today, it happens every season when I compete in the middle of this training block, but I committed to the meet long ago, and I just can’t pull out when fans look forward to seeing us compete. I’m okay, everything is going according to plan.”

Observed: The main takeaway is not that Thomas’ ran poorly; she noted the reason in her post. But her attitude of (1) “I promised I would come” and (2) “fans expect to see me” is a key element not only in respect for her professionalism, but for a sport which too often has seen no-shows for no stated reason, disappointing fans who paid good money for tickets.

Good for her!

3.
Five Paris events for Canada’s teen sensation Summer McIntosh

When you’re planning your Paris viewing, don’t forget Summer McIntosh.

The 17-year-old Canadian swimming star concluded the Canadian swimming trials in Toronto last week with impressive wins that demonstrate she will be in the mix for gold in five events.

Her Trials events and times, and standings in 2024 so far:

● 200 m Free: 1:53.69, no. 2 in 2024
● 400 m Free: 3:59.06, no. 1 in 2024
● 200 m Fly: 2:04.33, no. 1 in 2024
● 200 m Medley: 2:07.06, no. 3 in 2024
● 400 m Medley: 4:24.38, no. 1 in 2024 ~ World Record

Interestingly, only her 400 m Medley record is a lifetime best! But she is already a Worlds medalist in four of her five events for Paris:

● 200 m Free: 2023 Worlds bronze
● 400 m Free: 2022 Worlds silver
● 200 m Fly: 2022 and 2023 World Champion
● 200 m Medley: no Worlds medals
● 400 m Medley: 2022 and 2023 World Champion

McIntosh will be one of the star attractions in the pool for Paris – not just for Canada – and it would not be a surprise to see her as the winner in what could be the race of the Games: the women’s 400 m Free – in which she is a former world-record holder – against world-record holder (and Tokyo winner) Ariarne Titmus of Australia and Rio 2016 champ Katie Ledecky of the U.S.

And if McIntosh should go wild? Only one woman has ever won four individual events in swimming in a single Games: East German Kristin Otto, in Seoul in 1988 (six total with the relays).

4.
Italian investigators search Milan Cortina offices in probe

The Italian financial prosecutor’s office – the Guardia de Finanza – searched the offices of the 2026 Winter Games organizing committee on Tuesday. Prosecutors explained in a statement:

“The checks underway are aimed at procedures used for the selection of technological providers and sponsors as well as the hiring of employees by the foundation.

“No current manager or employee of the foundation is under investigation.”

The Italian news agency ANSA reported “Former Fondazione Milano-Cortina 2026 CEO Vincenzo Novari is among three people under investigation in a probe into alleged bribery and perverting the free market.”

Searches were also made at Quibyt (formerly Vetrya), a company which was providing digital services for the organizing committee, and an office of the professional services firm Deloitte (an IOC sponsor), which took over the contract.

The Italian daily Il Fatto Quotidiano added that investigators were also asking about a possible attempt to interfere with the choice of the Milan Cortina 2026 logo, chosen by a public online vote.

This is yet another organizing committee which has been investigated for possible financial crimes, as was Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Criminal prosecutions were made in Rio and Tokyo.

5.
U.S. Anti-Doping blasts WADA once again

Expanding on its frustration and anger with the World Anti-Doping Agency over the handling – in 2021 – of doping positives by 23 Chinese swimmers for Trimetazidine that were dismissed for environmental contamination, and what it sees as further mishandling of the case, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency unleashed yet another broadside on Monday. It included:

● “There is nothing more classic in a cover-up than diversion and smoke and mirrors, which seems to be all we are getting from WADA leadership ever since whistleblowers revealed blatant rule violations stemming from positive tests for the banned pharmaceutical drug, trimetazidine (TMZ). The second most classic response to a cover-up is to attack the messenger, which is the current situation as [WADA President Witold] Banka [POL] and surrogates plumb the depths of misinformation and half-truths to make personal attacks, even stooping so low as to attempt a hit-job on all U.S. athletes.”

● “Clean athletes, especially as we approach the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, deserve to know how a prescription drug, only available in pill form, found its way into a restaurant kitchen. Raising even more questions, is the suggestion that the drug managed to remain in that kitchen for months, at a time when strict COVID protocols required the most extensive cleaning regimens of public-facing facilities we have ever experienced. And, of course, even if this ‘immaculate contamination’ did happen, why did WADA allow China to escape its failure to follow the rules in not finding a first violation, no disqualification, or public announcement?”

The statement than went after five separate comments from WADA President Banka concerning U.S. athlete testing, and replied to each. The statement’s conclusion:

“Banka’s statement to WADA Foundation Board members attacked U.S. athletes and manipulated data to create a false narrative that is harmful to all athletes and the entire global anti-doping system. WADA must be a firm and fair arbiter of the rules, not the school yard bully instilling fear and abusing its power.

“Again, WADA can put all the world’s questions to rest by simply being transparent as the rules require and publishing the entire China file. We would hope this is a better outcome for the global anti-doping system than calling athlete’s integrity into question.”

This was USADA’s sixth public statement from 20 April on the Chinese swimming case, when the German ARD channel aired “The China Files” concerning this case.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Ice Hockey ● Group play concluded at the IIHF men’s World Championship, being played in Prague and Ostrava (CZE), with Canada and Sweden winning their pools and moving on to the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The Canadians won Group A at 7-0 (32-18 goals-against), followed by the Swiss (6-1), the host Czechs (5-2) and Finland (3-4). Sweden was also 7-0 and had an outstanding 35-9 goals-against total in Group B. The U.S. was second, winning four straight after a 1-2 start (37-16), followed by Germany (5-2) and Slovakia (4-3). The quarterfinals:

● Canada vs. Slovakia
● Sweden vs. Finland
● Switzerland vs. Germany
● U.S. vs. Czech Republic

The semifinalists will be re-seeded; the medal matches are on Sunday.

● Judo ● Georgia’s Tato Grigalashvili won his third consecutive Worlds gold in the men’s 81 kg class at the 2024 IJF World Championships in Abu Dhabi (UAE) on Tuesday.

He defeated Russian “neutral” Timur Arbuzov, 20, who won his first career Worlds medal. Joon-hwan Lee (KOR) won his second straight Worlds bronze and Somon Makhmadbekov (TJK) took the other bronze medal. Georgia become the first country to score a second gold this year.

The women’s 63 kg winner was Joanne van Lieshout, who moved up from bronze in 2023 by defeating first-time medal winner Angelika Szymanska. Olympic champ Clarisse Agbegnenou won her ninth career Worlds medal (6-2-1) with a bronze, and Kosovo’s two-time European medalist Laura Fazliu got her first Worlds medal.

The tournament continues through Friday.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Cycling ● Despite rain and snow that chopped up the route, Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar poured it on again, winning a weather-shortened 16th stage of the 107th Giro d’Italia.

Bad weather and a risk of avalanches caused the riders to refuse to ride a shortened route and forced the organizers to change the race to a 118.7 km ride from Laas to the uphill finish at Santa Cristina Valgardena.

Four riders were in front with 5 km left, with Ewen Costiou (FRA) on the attack, but passed by Giulio Pellizzari (ITA), only to be passed by Pogacar, who had moved up and made the decisive move with only 600 m left.

Pogacar won his fifth stage of the 2024 Giro in 2:49:37, 16 seconds up on Pellizzari and Daniel Martinez (COL). His lead is now an enormous 7:18 on Martinez and 7:40 on Geraint Thomas (GBR) with the race finishing in Rome on Sunday.

● Rowing ● At the World Rowing final Olympic qualifying regatta in Lucerne (SUI), the U.S. picked up four more spots for Paris:

● Men/Single Sculls: Jacob Plihal (second)
● Men/Double Sculls: Sorin Koszyk and Ben Davison (first)
● Men/Eights: (first)
● Women/Quadruple Sculls: Joyce-Delleman-Cohen-O’Connor (first)

This gives the U.S. entries in 12 of the 14 total events in rowing, equal with Romania for the most events qualified, ahead of Great Britain and the Netherlands (10).

● Swimming ● Michael Phelps is retired and that’s the way he wants it.

Interviewed for a “Meet the Press” segment on NBC, Phelps was asked how long it would take to get back to an Olympic level again:

“I know at my old age – I say ‘old age;’ I’ll be 39 this year – it’ll take five years for me to really get back. You know, I think the whole process of physically and mentally preparing for an Olympic Games is challenging. So, for me to be able to give myself the best chance to be able to perform how I would want to, it would take five years.”

But he also noted, “looking back, throughout my career there’s nothing else to do. And there’s no passion inside here that’s burning to get me out of bed to do it one more time.”

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For our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: USATF L.A. Grand Prix improved in 2024; FIFA prepared for Palestinian sanction ask at Congress; three world leads in Atlanta

By
Rich Perelman
-
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) at the 72nd FIFA Congress (Photo: FIFA video sctreenshot)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Promising improvements at the L.A. Grand Prix at UCLA
2. FIFA sidelines Palestinian proposal vs. Israel before it starts
3. World leads by Simbine, Holloway, Davis-Woodhall at Atlanta City Games
4. Foundation Board supports WADA on China swimming case
5. IPC chief Parsons says “you will be dazzled” in Paris

● The Los Angeles market is a tough one for sports, but there was noticeable improvement in the operation of the USATF L.A. Grand Prix last Saturday and the Distance Classic on Friday night. Attendance in 2023 was about 4,500, but between 5,500-6,000 showed up on Saturday this year.

● The FIFA Council, led by President Gianni Infantino, removed the question of a vote on the Palestinian proposals to suspend the Israel Football Association from the FIFA Congress two days prior to the Congress itself – in the FIFA Council meeting – removing the possibility of a vote even before the Palestinian representative asked for a floor vote.

● The Atlanta City Games saw three world outdoor leaders from Akani Simbine (RSA: 100 m), Grant Holloway (USA: 110 m hurdles) and Tara Davis-Woodhall (USA). Noah Lyles won the men’s 150 m, equaling Tyson’s Gay’s American Record. More than 170,000 views of the event were made on two YouTube channels.

● The WADA Foundation Board supported the organization’s handling of the 2021 doping positives of 23 Chinese swimmers, but the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency continued its criticism.

● International Paralympic Committee head Andrew Parsons said the Paralympic Games are shaping up well, and that ticket sales are in line with the great success of London in 2012.

● World Championships: Judo (six nations win first six weights at 2024 Worlds) ●

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (2: Russian volunteers for Paris continue to be stonewalled by the French Interior Ministry; Russian news media must also refrain from wearing any national symbols) = USOPC (FIGS to outfit medical staff) = Athletics (2: Vetter gets world lead in Gotzis heptathlon; Kwemoi sanctioned for six years by the AIU) = Boxing (India’s Hooda hit with sanctions, out of Paris) = Fencing (USA Fencing partners with 2-4-1 Care to introduce fencing to kids) ●

LANE ONE:
Promising improvements at the L.A. Grand Prix at UCLA

There was a time when a major track & field meet at UCLA’s Drake Stadium drew more than 10,000 spectators, but not recently. But the improved presentation and operation of USA Track & Field’s L.A. Grand Prix was a sign that such things might be possible again in the future.

Los Angeles natives nod to each other about the power of stars to attract attention and there was no doubt that the expected presence of Olympic women’s 400 m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone – promised last year, but injured and did not run – was a significant factor in the success of the 2024 meet.

She received – by far – the loudest cheers on Saturday and the crowd was hushed for the unusual start right in front of them, as the prevailing wind indicates the 200 m should be run onto the backstraight. Once out of the blocks and into the lead on the straight, the crowd roared its approval as she beat an excellent field in a lifetime best of 22.07 (into a 0.3 m/s headwind!).

Where the first edition of this meet in 2023 had multiple operational gaffes, Saturday’s meet was better, much better:

● For those who purchased premium seating – hardly identified in 2023 – the two sections were clearly marked.

● A long-suggested VIP-type program at trackside – along the start – was implemented with a tent, catering and also access to the premium seating in the stands if desired. The price was $175 early and $250 late, but the area was busy and lively, and the Drake Stadium layout lends itself to expanding this concept.

● Interest in the premium seating, in two sections near the finish line, was modest. Tickets were $75 early vs. $135 late, but this seating area was only about 40% full.

● Sales in the general admission area – $30 early and $40 late – were good and most of the better sections, near the finish line, were fairly full.

● The single concession stand at Drake Stadium was initially overwhelmed – as always – but was easier to access later and beer and wine was available in a separate area and a Jersey Mike’s sub station – $15 turkey subs – was also available.

USATF did not get any help from local media, as the Los Angeles Times did not cover the meet. But even with tickets going on sale just 12 days prior, people figured it out anyway and where last year the announced Saturday attendance was 7,249 and about 4,500 people actually showed up, there were legitimately between 5,500 and 6,000 on Saturday, a significant improvement.

The post-meet concert program from 2023 was happily ditched, although DJ Trey Money was busy on both Friday night and Saturday with non-stop selections that covered 70 years. The coordination between what he was doing in one rim-of-the-stadium booth and the public address – in another booth – was not always in line, but much better on Saturday than Friday night.

And Friday night in 2024 was a lot better than Friday night in 2023.

First off, the Drake Stadium lighting is only concentrated on the football (soccer) field, added in the 1999 renovation of the facility, and the post-sundown events in 2023 were run in the dark. On Friday, a half-dozen temporary light banks were up and the runners could see where they were going, and the spectators could see them.

Very few spectators came early on Friday to see the women’s hammer and the good idea of having two-time World Champion Sam Kendricks interview the women’s vaulters ended up confused and uninformative, with no coordination of the stadium public address, DJ Trey Money and Kendricks.

But those who did come knew what they wanted to see: the men’s and women’s 5,000s in the evening and the attendance swelled to about 1,500 when those races went off, with considerable excitement to see a 12:51.60 win by Tokyo 10,000 m champ Selemon Barega of Ethiopia, and an impressive 14:34.12 lifetime best from World Indoor 3,000 m champ Elle St. Pierre of the U.S.

The L.A. market is a difficult one, but stars matter and there continues to be – as it has been for a century – strong interest in track & field in Los Angeles, a good sign for the LA28 organizers looking at four years down the road.

2.
FIFA sidelines Palestinian proposal vs. Israel before it starts

Almost 55 minutes during the middle of Friday’s 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok (THA) was spent with presentations and discussion on the Palestinian Football Authority’s proposals to suspend the Israel Football Association.

But the decision had already been taken.

It’s a lesson from FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino (SUI) into defusing a red-hot issue, brought by the PFA in the midst of Israel’s response to the murderous 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas.

First up was Palestinian Football Association head Jibril Rajoub, who spoke in English for nine minutes. He catalogued a series of wrongs it attributes to the Israel Football Association, only obliquely referred to the brutal Hamas attack on Israel and concentrated on the suffering in Gaza.

He said:

“Regarding the proposal under discussion, [we] request a vote in today’s Congress which without any further delay as follows: to temporarily suspend the IFA as a member of FIFA with immediate effect, with the consequences that its membership rights under the FIFA statutes cannot be [continued] until the until the statutory objectives are respected.

“And to ban the IFA and its direct and indirect from any football-related activities falling under the competence of FIFA with immediate effect until when the statutory objectives of FIFA are respected.

“Three, to respect the territorial integrity of the PFA and to stop with immediate effect any footballing activity of the IFA and its direct and indirect members which is carried out in violation of article 71, paragraph 2 of the FIFA statutes, in the territory of the PFA, and to refer the overall matter to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for adjudication and for imposing appropriate sanctions on the IFA, and its direct or indirect members.”

Next up was Israel Football Association head Shino Moshe Zuares, who also spoke for about nine minutes, but began with the atrocities of 7 October, when “Instead of celebrating a holiday, we find ourselves fighting for our lives, against inhuman terrorists who raped, abused and murdered more than 1,400 civilians and took over 300 hostages.

“Instead of enjoying 500 football matches in our different leagues in that weekend, we find ourselves sitting in shelters, worried about the fate of our brothers and sisters.”

Zuares spoke directly to the PFA proposals:

“Once again, we are facing a cynical, political and hostile attempt by the Palestinian association to harm Israeli football. Make no mistake, the IFA never violated rules set by FIFA or UEFA, and we will never do so in the future.

“We are not ones who allow using sports infrastructures for military and hostile action. The proposal submitted by Palestinian FA has absolutely nothing to do with the IFA’s activities.

“Unfortunately, I am standing here today on behalf of the IFA, answering once again the hostile and blatant proposal brought before you by Mr. Rajoub, a proposal that is based on motives and ambitions that have nothing to do with the spirit of sports, of the FIFA value of separating sports and politics.

“I am holding myself back and will not speak about the true motives, out of respect for this institution. I am doing it out of full confidence … that things can be better, for the game, for those who play it, in Israel, in the Palestinian authority, all over the world.”

Two other speakers demanded an immediate vote, but they were wasting their time.

Infantino, an excellent public speaker in multiple languages, has plenty of detractors as well as supporters. But he was completely prepared and explained, calmly, the issues presented to FIFA by the PFA proposals:

“The first one is that whilst the United Nations struggles in decades with the question of whether Palestine is a country or not a country, when it comes to FIFA, Palestine is a full member of FIFA like any of the other 210 members of FIFA, with exactly the same rights, and exactly the same obligations, like any other country.

“Now, like everyone else, I was extremely shocked by what happened on the 7th of October in Israel. And like anyone else, I was extremely, extremely shocked , and am extremely shocked, by what is happening now in Gaza. I pray. I pray for the mother who list their children. I pray for the children who lost their parents. I pray for all those people who suffer the unimaginable. I pray for all of them.

“And I want like all of you, just one thing – just one thing – peace. Peace. (Applause)

“What can we do? We are a football organization, and football is here to unite, not to divide. Sometimes it’s easier to divide , as I said before, but we are here to unite and I do not want to divide. I do not want to divide this Congress. I do not want to divide FIFA. I do not want to divide our 211 member countries and I have a responsibility, as President of FIFA. I have to apply the statutes of FIFA and its regulations.

“Whatever my personal conviction on this and other terrible matters around the world.

“So, first of all, during the Council meeting of the 15th of May 2024 – two days ago – all the Council members unanimously agreed to condemn the acts of violence that have taken, and are currently taken place, and decided to send a strong message of solidarity for the victims that are suffering.

“The FIFA Council also reiterated that football should not, and should never, become hostage of politics and always remain a factor for peace, a source of hope, a force of good, uniting people rather than divide them.

“Secondly, it is important to underline that the three requests that came from the proposal of the Palestine Football Association to this 74th FIFA Congress – all three of these proposals – they fall under the competence of the FIFA Council, and need therefore, to be treated by this body.

“Now due to the obvious sensitivity of these matters, FIFA will mandate as of now, independent legal expertise to analyze and assess the three requests made by the Palestinian Football Association and ensure – and ensure – that the statutes and regulations of FIFA are applied in the correct way.

“In order to ensure a fair and due process, of course, this legal assessment will have to allow for input, and claims, of both member associations. The results of this analysis and the recommendations which will follow from this analysis will subsequently be forwarded to the FIFA Council.

“But, due to the urgency of the situation, because we all know, all understand how urgent it is, an extraordinary FIFA Council will be convened and take place before the 20th of July of this year. So in the next two months, to review the results of the legal assessment and to take the decisions that are appropriate.

“I trust that you, the Congress, can support to proceed in this way. Thank you very much. (Applause)

“In conclusion, let’s send to the world from this stage and this Congress a call, a strong call, for peace. Thank you very much.”

Observed: FIFA and Infantino took the PFA proposal and its impacts seriously and were thoroughly prepared. The PFA’s Rajoub acknowledged that he had brought similar proposals against Israel for the past 10 years, and this was more of the same.

With the constant references by Rajoub to FIFA’s rules and international law in support of his proposals, Infantino deflated the entire issue by saying that the FIFA’s rules required that the Council deal with this and not the Congress.

No doubt that the Palestinians already had significant Asian and African associations lined up for a vote, but there was no possibility of a decision already two days prior to the Congress. The Council has 37 members vs. 211 associations in the Congress and is geographically diverse, with Europe having the most members with nine, plus Infantino.

The reports will be written and the Council will decide what to do in July, but Infantino and the FIFA management retained firm control of the situation that could have been ugly.

3.
World leads by Simbine, Holloway, Davis-Woodhall at Atlanta City Games

Among all the great meets on last weekend, the lowest profile was the Atlanta City Games street meet in Piedmont Park, concentrating on sprinting with three world-leading outdoor marks:

● Men/100 m: 9.90, Akani Simbine (RSA)
● Men/110 m hurdles: 13.07, Grant Holloway (USA)
● Women/Long Jump: 7.17 m (23-6 1/4), Tara Davis-Woodhall (USA)

The men’s 100 m field was of high quality, but Simbine, the 2018 Commonwealth Games champ, stormed to victory in 9.90 into a small headwind of 0.4 m/s, ahead of Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala (10.00) and prior co-world leader Kendal Williams of the U.S. (10.05).

Holloway, the three-time Worlds winner in the 110 hurdles, had only run the race in one meet this season, but blasted out of the blocks as usual and ran away, winning in 13.07 (-0.7), ahead of Robert Dunning of the U.S. (13.40). He’s ready for anything.

The headliner coming into the meet was triple World Champion Noah Lyles, running the odd 150 m, and winning convincingly in 14.41 to 14.66 for Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, the Worlds 100 m bronze medalist (wind +0.3). Lyles was not far behind the all-time best of 14.35 by Jamaican icon Usain Bolt from 2009 and his time equaled Tyson Gay for the best time by an American in 2010 during a 200 m race. Both are now no. 2 all-time.

In the 200 m straightaway race, Jamaica’s Oblique Seville had to hold off a late charge from Jereem Richards (TTO) to win in 19.96 (to 20.04, wind -1.1).

Italy’s Mattia Furlani came over from the continent to win the long jump at 8.06 m (26-5 1/2), but the bigger news was the women’s LJ, as World Indoor Champion Tara Davis-Woodhall, who got her fourth 7 m-plus meet this season at 7.17 m (23-6 1/4) in the fifth round, the best in the world outdoors in 2024. Fellow American Quanera Hayes was second with a season’s best 6.89 m (22-7 1/4), but no one except Davis-Woodhall has jumped 7 m in 2024.

Aleia Hobbs, the 2022 Worlds sixth-placer, equaled her season’s best in the 100 m at 10.88 (+0.5), and stayed no. 2 in the world for 2024. She was clear of Tamara Clark (10.98) and Mikiah Brisco (11.00).

Candace Hill barely beat Favour Ofili (NGR) in the women’s 150, with both timed in 16.30, with Hill equaling the American best in the event by Tori Bowie back in 2017. Lynna Irby-Jackson won the 200 m on the straight in 22.67 into a 2.2 m/s headwind!

Tokyo Olympic silver winner Keni Harrison made her seasonal debut in the 100 m hurdles, winning in 12.67 into a 2.2 m/s headwind over world-record holder Tobi Amusan (NGR: 12.73).

Observed: This is a fun meet and with adidas as sponsor, brings in many of the adidas-contracted athletes world wide. But on a weekend with a Diamond League meet in Morocco and Continental Tour Gold meets at UCLA and in Tokyo, this edition of the Atlanta City Games was much less visible because it was only shown on YouTube.

A Monday look at sites for the video showed 57,078 views on adidas’ YouTube channel and 112,999 on Lyles’ channel for a quite-respectable total of 170,077. The viewership for NBC’s L.A. Grand Prix show will be available in a couple of days.

4.
Foundation Board supports WADA on China swimming case

On Friday, the 42-member World Anti-Doping Agency Foundation Board was briefed on the Chinese swimming matter, during which 23 athletes were found to test positive for Trimetazidine, but were not sanctioned. WADA’s statement on the meeting included:

“At all stages, WADA has maintained that according to all the available evidence, this was not a case of doping but of no-fault contamination, and that WADA acted according to applicable processes and rules making no attempt to cover up the case in any way. As a response to calls, WADA has now referred the matter to an independent prosecutor, Mr. Eric Cottier [SUI], who will conduct a review with the intention of issuing a report by the end of June.”

WADA provided additional information, not seen publicly before, about the testing of these high-profile Chinese swimmers:

“As it relates to testing of the 23 Chinese athletes at the center of this story, Board members were informed that the athletes had undergone significant testing in the past few years. In fact, WADA is able to confirm that the 23 athletes provided approximately 1,700 doping control samples between 2018 and 2022, with certain athletes having been tested dozens of times per year, whether by swimming’s International Federation (now known as World Aquatics) or the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency. Indeed, in the almost four months from 1 April 2021 until the start of the Tokyo Olympic Games in July 2021, close to 300 samples were collected from the 23 athletes, which equates on average to several samples per month, per athlete.”

The Cottier inquiry is continuing and the Foundation Board was supportive. Questions remained unanswered as to why the inquiry took months, and if (and why) the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency report was in fact developed by the China’s Ministry of Public Security, as alleged in the German ARD documentary, “The China Files.”

However, WADA’s Founding President Dick Pound (CAN) was clear that he disapproves of the continuing, shrill protests of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency:

“I am deeply disappointed and disgusted by the deliberate lies and distortions coming from the United States Anti-Doping Agency, including that WADA has swept doping cases in China under the rug. That accusation, bereft of any truth, has but a single purpose: to deliberately damage the reputation of WADA and to lessen the worldwide trust that has been built up since WADA was created a quarter of a century ago to head up the international fight against doping in sport. What is missing in USADA’s conduct is a willingness to work for solutions; [it’s] just endless and biased criticism.”

Unimpressed, USADA head Travis Tygart shot back:

“As predicted, WADA is much better at circling the wagons than they are at actually being transparent. The fact is that WADA leaders violated their own rules by, at a minimum, not finding any violations or publicizing the cases. This is self-evident, no matter how many times or how angrily WADA denies it and replays its scripted efforts to convince the world everything is okay.”

5.
IPC chief Parsons says “you will be dazzled” in Paris

“Things you will not imagine possible – these athletes, they make it possible. You will be surprised, you will be excited, you will be dazzled. At the same time, you know that all the exciting events help change the world. It has a higher purpose. This combination is the future of sports.

“By watching the Paralympic Games, you will be electrified by the performances of the athletes, but also, something will change in you for the better. Whether you like it or not, whenever you’re exposed to Paralympic sport for the very first time, something changes in your heart.”

That’s International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons (BRA), looking forward to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Asked about the legacy, he underscored the place of the Paralympics beyond the field of play:

“This is an important question because the Paralympic Games are the only event with a global impact that puts persons with disabilities on centre stage. We have a big opportunity here – we have an incredible platform to advance the social agenda, the human rights agenda of persons with disabilities. ….

“We believe that compared to other marginalised groups or other minority groups, persons with disabilities are being left behind. On the global level, you see many people talking about gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and so on, but not about disability to the same level.

“So, right before this incredible event that will shape the way governments see the future of mankind, it is important to have this platform of the Paralympic Games to say, ‘We are here, and we are important.’ It’s not about representing the 4,400 athletes on the field of play, but providing a platform for the 1.2 billion persons with disabilities.

“This is what I want Paris 2024 to be: an incredible and exciting sports event that people will want to watch. At the same time, it will make the Paralympic Movement relevant to the point that people understand that we are a Movement that helps change the world.”

Parsons noted that ticket sales are also moving ahead:

“There is a lot of excitement in Paris and in France. I think the ticket sales reflect that – we are very, very close to where we were in London 2012.

“We know that many tickets will be bought in the final weeks and months. I think we have a very good foundation of awareness and interest, and now is the moment to focus on ticket sales. We have some good numbers, and we have some sports – wheelchair fencing, Para triathlon and shooting Para sport – that have already sold out.”

The 2024 Paralympics run from 28 August to 8 September.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Judo ● The 2024 World Judo Championships are underway in Abu Dhabi (UAE), with the first six weights going to winners from six different nations.

In the men’s lighter weights, Georgia’s Giorgi Sardalashvili moved up from bronze in the men’s 60 kg in 2023, defeating Yung Wei Yang (TPE) in the final, while Japan scored gold and silver at 66 kg by Ryoma Tanaka and Takeshi Takeoka. Two-time Worlds bronze winner Hedayat Heydarov (AZE) finally moved up to gold at 73 kg, defeating Tatsuki Ishihara in the final.

Mongolia’s Baasankhuu Bavuudorj won her first Worlds medal with a gold at 48 kg, beating Assunta Scutto in the final. Two-time Olympic medalist Odette Giuffrida (ITA) won her first Worlds gold at 52 kg, with a win over Diyora Keldiyorova in the championship match, and Korea’s Mimi Huh – 21 – won the 57 kg class for her first Worlds medal by defeating defending champ Christa Deguchi (CAN)!

Competition continues through the 23rd.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● Russian volunteers for the Paris 2024 Games continue to get the cold shoulder from the French Interior Ministry, which will not even consider issuance of visas for the purposes of assisting at the Olympic and/or Paralympic Games.

The Russian news agency TASS quoted an unnamed Paris 2024 volunteer from Russia, who had received an assignment from the organizing committee:

“In early May, we wrote a collective letter to French Interior Minister [Gerald Darmanin], which was delivered to the ministry by Russian volunteers living in this country.

“More than two weeks have passed and there has been no response. But we continue to hope that the ban on Russian volunteers will be lifted and we will be able to join like-minded people from other countries for the Paris Olympics. We’ve worked with these people more than one Games and have become a friendly family.”

They received a explanation on 29 April from the French government that “volunteers with Russian citizenship received the letters with the refusal of accreditation and participation in the volunteer program for security reasons.”

Russian media will also be prohibited from displaying any national symbols at Paris 2024. TASS asked the International Olympic Committee about regulations on media, noting that via the IOC’s rules for athletes and teams, they “will be prohibited from displaying national symbols, including the national flag colors, the state emblem and the anthem.”

The IOC replied that “The same applies for media personnel, as for all spectators as specified in the document.”

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● The medical apparel brand FIGS will outfit the 250-plus members of the USOPC medical support team for not only the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but through the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The announcement specified support of the USOPC medical staff, but not LA28 medical staff or volunteers.

● Athletics ● A world-leading heptathlon performance of 6,642 for Tokyo Olympic runner-up Anouk Vetter (NED) headlines the annual Hypo Meeting in Gotzis (AUT), perhaps the premier multi-events meet in the world.

Vetter won the shot and the javelin and finished third in the long jump and finished more than 100 points in front of Annik Kaelin (SUI: 6,506) and American Michelle Atherley, who got a lifetime best of 6,465. Annie Kunz of the U.S. was seventh (6,209).

Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Damian Warner of Canada dominated the decathlon, scoring 8,678 to move to no. 3 on the 2024 world list. He won the 100 m and 110 m hurdles, was second in the discus and third in the long jump.

Sven Roosen (NED) got a lifetime best of 8,517 in second and Estonia’s Johannes Erm scored 8,462 in fourth.

The Athletics Integrity Unit sanctioned Kenyan Tokyo Olympian and 2018 Commonwealth Games 10,000 m bronze medalist Rodgers Kwemoi for six years – beginning 8 August 2023 – for abnormalities in his Athlete Biological Passport. Further, his results from 18 July 2016 to 8 August 2023 are wiped out, removing his Commonwealth Games medal.

The expert panel found that “the profile bears several features of blood manipulation during the preparation for competition.” Kwemoi had bests of 26:55.36 from 2019 in the 10,000 m and 58:30 in the Half Marathon from 2022.

● Boxing ● Indian boxer Parveen Hooda, the 2022 Asian Games women’s 57 kg bronze medalist, was suspended for 22 months – ending 16 July 2025 – by the International Testing Agency for whereabouts failures.

She therefore loses her place at the Paris Olympic Games, to be filled by the International Olympic Committee under its qualifying process for the Olympic tournament.

● Fencing ● Addressing a major issue in the sport, USA Fencing is getting creative on how to attract new fencers:

“It doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars to get a young person interested in fencing. All you need is an empty space, a bag of modified pool noodles, and a group of kids who want to have fun and try something new.”

The federation announced last week that it has partnered with 2-4-1 Fencing, a project of the 2-4-1 CARE nonprofit. It debuted at the Project Play Summit 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland and is designed to offer an introduction to the sport “at roughly 2% of the traditional cost.”

How does it work?

● “The program uses modified pool noodles with a removable plastic handle, optional safety goggles, and simplified rules in games and activities that are tons of fun. But these activities deliver fun while also teaching skills in ways that will directly translate to Olympic-style fencing once the young person is ready to level up.”

● “Through a series of fencing games like Bodyguard, Swords vs. Spears and Time Tag, students have a blast while developing a lifelong love of fencing. Once they’re ready, students use the noodles like a foil, where the end of the noodle is used to score, and only touches on the torso count.”

Clever and interesting, it’s a creative initiative for a sport where the cost barrier to entry is quite high.

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For our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: FIFA gives ‘27 Women’s World Cup to Brazil; Palestine ask for Israel suspension to be studied; Biles sensational at Classic!

By
Rich Perelman
-
The incomparable Simone Biles (Photo courtesy USA Gymnastics/John Cheng)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. FIFA votes on Women’s World Cup … and racism
2. Palestine asks for Israeli exclusion; report coming
3. Biles shines for seventh win at Core Hydration Classic
4. First Olympic Qualifier Series draws 45,000 in Shanghai
5. Sekgodisa gets world 800 m lead at Marrakech Diamond League

● At the 74th FIFA Congress in Thailand, Brazil was awarded the 2027 Women’s World Cup by 119-78 over the Belgium-Netherlands-Germany bid. FIFA’s new anti-racism program was unanimously adopted.

● As it has done many times in the past, the Palestine Football Association demanded that FIFA suspend Israel from the federation on an immediate vote. Instead, FIFA will obtain a legal review and put the matter to the FIFA Council in late July.

● The great Simone Biles dominated the Core Hydration Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, winning two events and second in two others to win by almost two points over Shilese Jones. London 2012 All-Around gold medalist Gabby Douglas fell twice on her Uneven Bars routine and did not continue in the event.

● The International Olympic Committee’s first-ever Olympic Qualifier Series drew 45,000 spectators over four days in Shanghai, China, to see competition in BMX Freestyle, Breaking, Skateboarding and Sport Climbing. The U.S. got three wins!

● South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodisa took the world lead in the women’s 800 m at the Diamond League meet in Marrakech, Morocco in 1:57.26, but just as impressive were wins by Mykolas Alekna in the men’s discus and Moroccan national hero Soufiane El Bakkali in the men’s Steeple.

● World Championships: Cycling (Willoughby wins another BMX gold in Rock Hill!) = Ice Hockey (Canada and Sweden lead IIHF men’s groups) ●

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (2: riots in New Caledonia cause Torch Relay to be canceled; Macron’s “Olympic Truce” ask rejected by both sides) = Badminton (two wins for hosts in Thailand Open) = Cycling (4: Pogacar dominant and on the way to victory at Giro d’Italia; Vollering puts the hammer down to win final stage and Vuelta Burgos a Femenina in Spain; Quinn and Faulkner take U.S. road titles; Dunne and Cabriou take Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup wins) = Fencing (husband-and-wife Foil stars Meinhardt (silver) and Kiefer (bronze) both medal in Grand Prix) = Gymnastics (three U.S. wins at Pan American Trampoline Champs in Peru) = Swimming (more wins for Ledecky and Dressel in Atlanta Classic) = Table Tennis (Jha on to Paris at Pan Am Olympic Qualifier) ●

1.
FIFA votes on Women’s World Cup … and racism

FIFA, the worldwide governing body for football, moved forward on two issues of import during its 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok (THA), but sidestepped – for now – a Palestinian request to oust Israel from the federation.

At the top of the agenda was the vote for the host for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with Brazil – which had the highest score in the evaluation report – winning by 119-78 (and seven abstentions) over the joint bid from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Brazilian federation chief Ednaldo Rodrigues told the Congress:

“This is a win for women’s football in South America, and for women’s football everywhere which FIFA works every day to improve and strengthen.

“You can be certain that, without wanting to be vain, we will try to stage the biggest and best FIFA Women’s World Cup of all. I hope you can all come to Brazil and enjoy the hospitality of our country.”

It’s the first time the Women’s World Cup will be held in South America and follows the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil, for which multiple new stadia were built or refurbished. Those facilities will be used again and no new venues will be built.

The award also gives Brazil and South America a major football event after the odd awarding of the FIFA World Cup for 2030 to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with single, centennial-celebration games in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay that eliminated a South American bid for 2034. Saudi Arabia was left as the only bidder for 2034 and will be confirmed as host later in 2024.

The FIFA Congress also unanimously passed the federation’s anti-racism program presented on Friday. FIFA’s summary of the program included (re-formatted for clarity):

“There are five action areas:

● “Racism is to be made a specific offence with mandatory inclusion in the individual Disciplinary Codes of all 211 FIFA Member Associations, and given specific and severe sanctions, such as match forfeits;

● “The introduction of a global standard gesture for players to communicate racist incidents and for referees to signal the implementation of the three-step procedure to halt, suspend and ultimately abandon matches;

● “A push for racism to be recognised as a criminal offence in every country in the world and for appropriate punishments; the promotion of educational initiatives together with schools and governments;

● “And the establishment of a new Players’ Anti-Racism Panel composed of former players, who will monitor and advise on the implementation of these actions around the world.”

Said FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI):

“Racism is something terrible. It is a scourge that exists in our society. And is one also that is infiltrated in football. For too long we were not capable of dealing with it in an appropriate way. We need to stand up and fight racism and defeat racism all together.

“We cannot accept any more what is happening in the stadiums, what is happening on the pitch, and those who still believe in the world – anywhere in the world – that they can still behave in a racist way when they are dealing with football, when they are attending a football game, when they are playing a game.

“Those who believe that, they must know that we don’t want them – we don’t want them. They have to go out, they have to be out, they don’t have to be part of our community, they don’t have to be part of football. …

“Racism is darkness, and somebody much more wise and intelligent than me once said: ‘If you are in a dark room, don’t be afraid, just light a candle.’ Today, we don’t light a candle: we light a big fire that will shine all over the world.”

2.
Palestine asks for Israeli exclusion; report coming

But racism continued on the agenda at the FIFA Congress.

The Palestine Football Association asked for FIFA to exclude Israel from the federation, with its head, Jibril Rajoub, asking for FIFA “to temporarily suspend the IFA as a member of FIFA with immediate effect.”

He was seconded by the Jordanian federation, with Secretary General Samar Nassar saying “We are not here to deliberate on the human tragedy. We are here to take a vote, the world is witnessing what FIFA will do today.”

No vote was forthcoming, and Israel Football Association President Shino Moshe Zuares told the Congress:

“Today, maybe more than ever, I believe that football must be a key element in healing the fractures and wounds, helping us and everyone to recover. Yet once again, we are facing a cynical, political and hostile attempt by the Palestinian Association to harm Israeli football.

“Make no mistake, the IFA never violated rules set by FIFA and UEFA and will never do so in the future.

“Seven months after the terrible day, when football matches cannot be played in large parts of Israel, north and south, and over 130 Israelis are still being held in Gaza, it is injustice that even in these circumstances we find ourselves fighting for our basic right to be part of the game.”

The Associated Press reported that the Palestinian federation has asked for similar sanctions against Israel “at least five times since 2014” and had gotten nowhere.

FIFA’s Infantino explained the next steps to be taken:

“Now, due to the obvious sensitivity of these matters, FIFA will mandate as of now independent legal expertise to analyze and assess the three requests made by the Palestinian Football Association and ensure that the statutes and regulations of FIFA are applied in the correct way in order to ensure a fair and due process.

“This legal assessment will have to allow for inputs and claims of both member associations. The results and the recommendations … will be forwarded to the FIFA Council.

“Due to the urgency of the situation, an extraordinary FIFA Council will be convened and will take place before July 20 to review the results of the legal assessment and to take the decisions that are appropriate.”

He concluded with:

“Palestine is a full member of FIFA, like any of the other 210 members of FIFA, with exactly the same rights and exactly the same obligations, like any other country.

“Now, like everyone else, I was extremely, extremely shocked by what happened on 7 October in Israel. And like anyone else, I was extremely, extremely shocked and am extremely shocked by what is happening now in Gaza. I pray.”

“I pray for the mothers who lost their children. I pray for the children who lost their parents. I pray for all those people who suffer. And, I want, like all of you, just one thing – just one thing: peace. Peace.”

3.
Biles shines for seventh win at Core Hydration Classic

There was no doubt about the winner, as the incomparable Simone Biles won two events and was second on the other two on the way to her seventh career win in the All-Around at the Core Hydration Classic (formerly U.S. Classic) in Hartford, Connecticut.

Biles was supreme on Vault, winning with a sensational 15.600 score, with two-time Worlds Team gold medalist Shilese Jones a distant second at 14.350. Biles was also a runaway winner on Floor at 14.800, with Jones tying with Kaliya Lincoln at 14.000 for second.

On the Uneven Bars, Biles’ least-efficient event, she placed a very creditable second at 14.550 to Jones’ excellent 15.250 total. Biles also scored 14.550 on Beam, good enough for second.

The total was 59.500 for Biles’ seventh win in this event, in 2014-15-18-19-21-23-24. Jones was her primary challenger, totaling 57.650, with the win on Bars, second on vault (14.350), tying for second on Floor with Lincoln at 14.000 and fourth on Beam (14.050).

Tokyo Olympian Jordan Chiles, a member of the 2022 Worlds Team winners, was a clear third at 55.450, tying for third on Bars (14.300) and fourth on Vault (14.100). Jade Carey, the Tokyo Olympic Floor Exercise gold medalist, was fourth overall at 54.400, with a third in Vault (14.300), but only fifth on Floor (13.800). Skye Blakely, also a two-time Worlds Team gold winner, was fifth overall, scoring 54.350.

Suni Lee, the Tokyo All-Around gold medalist, skipped the Uneven Bars, but won on Beam (14.600). She also scored 13.150 on Vault for 22nd and tied for 17th on Floor at 13.000.

London 2012 Olympic All-Around champion Gabby Douglas was trying to qualify for the All-Around at the U.S. Nationals, but fell twice and scored only 10.100 on the Uneven Bars (43rd) and withdrew. She’s qualified in three events for the national championships, but not for the All-Around.

Next up is the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas from 30 May to 2 June, and finally the U.S. Olympic Trials in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 27-30 June.

4.
First Olympic Qualifier Series draws 45,000 in Shanghai

The International Olympic Committee’s foray into combined events in multiple sports as a showcase for the Olympic qualifying process received strong attention in Shanghai (CHN) for the first Olympic Qualifying Series program, which concluded on Sunday.

An announced 45,000 people attended the four-day event at the Shanghai Huangpu Riverside, in a temporary facility, built up with the competition sites for four sports, plus music and performance stages, food areas and more. There were more than 460 athletes from 55 National Olympic Committees and 120 national federations.

The U.S. came away with a win from Brooke Raboutou in climbing and two golds in Skateboarding, from Jagger Eaton and Tate Carew:

● BMX Freestyle Park:

France’s Anthony Jeanjean, the 2022 Worlds bronze winner, took the OQS win with a first-round 93.54 total, outlasting Tokyo Olympic champ Logan Martin (AUS), whose second-round score of 92.65 was just short. Darren Reilly (GBR: 89.28) was third.

China swept the women’s Park competition, with 2023 Worlds silver medalist Sibei Sun scoring 95.86 on her final routine to defeat Jiaqi Sun (93.68) and Yawen Deng (91.50). Five-time World Champion Hannah Roberts of the U.S. was fourth at 91.24.

● Breaking:

Twelfth-ranked Lee (Lee-Lou Diouf Demierre/NED) won the men’s division with a two-rounds-to-one decision in the final over China’s Lithe-ing (Xiangyu Qi), 7-2, 2-7, 5-4 for a 14-13 total.

The women’s all-Japan final went to Ayumi (Ayumi Fukushima), who won all three rounds against Ami (Ami Yuasa), by 6-3, 6-3, 7-2 for a 19-8 total.

● Climbing:

American Brooke Raboutou, the 2023 Worlds Boulder bronze medalist, scored an important win in the combined Boulder & Lead final, scoring 140.9 to out-score 2021 World Lead Champion Chae-hyun Seo (KOR: 134.3) and Britain’s Erin McNeice (127.8).

Korea’s Doh-yun Lee, the 2023 Worlds Boulder bronze winner, won the men’s division at 134.5, comfortably ahead of Alberto Gines Lopez (ESP: 124.5) and three-time Lead Worlds winner, Czech Adam Ondra (124.1).

In Speed, former world-record holder Veddriq Leonardo (INA) flew to an Asian Record of 4.83 to win the men’s division over Peng Wu (CHN: 4.88). China’s Yafei Zhou took the women’s Speed victory in 6.54 over Indonesia’s Rajiah Sallsabillah (6.75).

● Skateboarding:

The 2021 World Street champ, American Jagger Eaton, was consistently strong, posting two of the four routine scores over 90.00 and the second-best individual score at 92.55, then scored 93.13 and 92.60 on two of his tricks to win at 278.28, ahead of Japan’s Ginwoo Onodera (277.34) and Chris Joslin (275.34), who flew up the standings with his last two tricks scoring 92.86 and 94.61, best of the day.

The women’s Street title went to Brazilian star Rayssa Leal, the Tokyo silver medalist at 13, and now 16, who won a tight duel with Japan’s Liz Akama, 274.89 to 274. 35. Leal had one of only routine that scored over 90 at 92.23 on her second run, and added tricks worth 91.81 and 90.85, while Akama scored 92.55 and 91.69 on her last two tricks to nearly close the gap.

The U.S. scored again in the men’s Park, with Tate Carew getting a big score of 93.33 in the second round and that was enough for the win, ahead of Keegan Palmer (AUS: 92.30 in the final round) and Eaton, getting a second medal at 91.61 with his second-round routine.

Australian Arisa Trew, 14, scored 91.16 on her second run to win the women’s Park title, just ahead of Japan’s 2023 World Champion Kokona Hiraki (90.18) and 2018 World Champion Sakura Yozozumi (87.02), with all three scoring runs coming in the second round.

The second and final round of the Olympic Qualifier Series will be from 20-23 June in Budapest (HUN).

5.
Sekgodisa gets world 800 m lead at Marrakech Diamond League

Stop no. four on the Wanda Diamond League circuit was in Marrakech (MAR), with a small crowd at the Grande Stade, with a world lead in one event, in the women’s 800 m at 1:57.26 for South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodisa.

The race looked to belong to two-time Ethiopian Olympian Habitam Alemu, who had the lead at the bell, breaking away from the pack with Sekgodisa, the 2022 African Championships bronze winner.

Sekgodisa tried to take the lead on the inside on the backstraight, but Alemu shut her down, and continued leading into the straight. Sekgodisa tried to pass on the inside again, but couldn’t get through, but as Alemu drifted a little in the lead, Sekgodisa got by with about 40 m to go and won in a lifetime best and world-leading 1:57.26! Alemu was second in 1:57.70, now no. 4 in the world for 2024, and Noelle Yarigo (BEN) got third in 1:59.96.

The men’s Steeple, featuring national hero and Olympic and World Champion Soufiane El Bakkali was the concluding event, and included world leader Samuel Firewu of Ethiopia. And as usual in the Diamond League meets in Morocco, it was El Bakkali moving into the lead at the bell, with Ethiopia’s Olympic fourth-placer Getnet Wale giving chase.

Wale closed up with El Bakkali with 200 m to go and Firewu was closing as well, but El Bakkali sprinted into the water jump and re-established himself and sprinted hard on the straight to win in 8:09.40 in his seasonal debut, no. 3 on the world list. Wale was at 8:09.78 and Kenyan Amos Serem moved up to pass Firewu for third, 8:10.82 to 8:11.73. American Hillary Bor was sixth in 8:13.30.

The most-anticipated showdown was in the men’s discus, with new world-record man Mykolas Alekna (LTU), Olympic champ Daniel Stahl (SWE), 2022 World Champion Kristjian Ceh (SLO) and 2022 Commonwealth Games winner Matthew Denny (AUS).

Alekna showed his class right away, taking the lead at 69.94 m (229-5) in the second round, and no one else was close. Denny reached 67.74 m (222-3) in round one, but Alekna spun out to 70.70 m (231-11) in the fourth. That was the winner; Stahl got third with his second-round 67.49 m (221-5).

All eyes were on Jamaica’s two-time World 200 m Champion Shericka Jackson in the women’s 200 m and she took the lead into the straight over Swiss Mujinga Kambundji. But Jackson did not thrash this field and held off Maboundou Kone (CIV) in the final 15 m to win in a modest 22.82 (-1.0), with Kone at 22.96. American Caisja Chandler was fifth at 23.06. Much less than had been hoped for from Jackson in her season opener.

Canada’s Tokyo Olympic 200 m champ Andre De Grasse was the headliner in the men’s 100 m, but Emmanuel Eseme (CAM) came on in the final 50 m and emerged as the winner in 10.11 (wind: -0.8 m/s). De Grasse was second in 10.19; Brandon Hicklin was the top American in fourth in 10.26.

The men’s 400 m had recent world leader Bayapo Ndori (BOT: 44.10) leading coming into the home straight, but World Indoor winner Alexander Doom (BEL) was gaining in lane three, with Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga coming on in lane two. Ndori ran out of gas about 5 m short and Doom out-leaned Samukonga at the line, with a lifetime best of 44.51. Samukonga ran 44.54 and Ndori stumbled in third at 44.59. American Quincy Hall was sixth in 45.52.

Kenyan world leader Emmanuel Wanyonyi ramped up the speed with 200 m to go in the men’s 800 m and was able to hold off countryman Wyclife Kinyamal, 1:43.84 to 1:43.98. The two were already 1-3 on the world list and France’s Yanis Mexiane had to make a hard charge in the last 70 m to get third in 1:44.13. But he could not challenge the Kenyans.

France’s Azeddine Habz took the lead at the bell as the pacesetter exited and just could not be caught. A sub-3:30 man, he kept extending his lead and then sprinted away from the field entering the home straight and won surprisingly easily in 3:32.86. Ethiopia’s Steeple world-record holder Lamecha Girma made a late push, but ended up fourth in 3:33.54, as George Mills (GBR) just edged countryman Elliot Giles for second, 3:33.47 to 3:33.50.

Cuba’s 2022 World Indoor Champion Lazaro Martinez got out to 17.10 m (56-1 1/4) in round three and Olympic champ Pedro Pablo Pichardo of Portugal just could not get right. He reached 16.92 m (55-6 1/4) in round four and had to settle for second, with Almir dos Santos (BRA: 16.90 m/55-5 1/2) a close third.

The women’s 5,000 was a four-woman breakaway, finally settled after the bell. Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay did most of the leading, but lurking closest was teammate Medina Eisa, the 2022 World Junior Champion. Tesfay led down the backstraight and through the turn, but Eisa would not be shaken, and found an extra gear in the final 15 m to get the win in 14:34.16, with Tesfay getting a lifetime best of 14:34.21 in second. Kenya’s Edinah Jebitok moved from fourth to third on the last lap in 14:35.64, also a lifetime best.

Jamaica’s world-leading Rushell Clayton got out quickly in the women’s 400 m hurdles and had a huge lead coming off the final turn. Clayton was cruising, with teammate Shiann Salon moving up to challenge a bit over the final hurdle and on the run-in. Clayton won in 53.98, with Salmon getting a seasonal best of 54.27 in second.

Teen Angelina Topic (SRB), the 2022 European bronze winner, got a lifetime best and a national record of 1.98 m (6-6) to win the women’s high jump. The 18-year-old was the only to clear 1.95 m (6-4 3/4), then went on to 1.98; Christina Honsel (GER) got second and Lia Apostolovski (SLO) were 2-3, also at 1.95. Topic moves to no. 2 on the world outdoor list for 2024.

In the women’s vault, 2021 European Indoor winner Angelica Moser (SUI) and Roberta Bruni (ITA) both cleared 4.65 m (15-3). Moser got over 4.73 m (15-6 1/4) on her third try and Bruni could not match, ending up second.

Two-time World Champion Chase Jackson of the U.S. took hold of the women’s shot with a 20.00 m (65-7 1/2) effort in round two and everyone had to chase her (pun intended). German Yemisi Ogunleye got closest at 19.40 m (63-7 3/4) in round two and was second; World Indoor winner Sarah Mitton (CAN) managed 19.36 m (63-6 1/4) in the third round and finished third.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Cycling ● American star Alise Willoughby won her third UCI BMX World Championships gold on home soil at Rock Hill, South Carolina, her first in five years!

Now 33, she won as Alise Post back in 2017 at Rock Hill, then as Alise Willoughby in 2019 and now at Rock Hill again. She won a tight final in 32.513, just ahead of Swiss Zoe Classens (32.886) with Fellow American Delaney Vaughn third in 33.522.

The U.S. had four of the eight finalists, with Felicia Stancil fourth (34.283) and Carly Kane in sixth (35.255). Classens won her second career Worlds silver – also in 2022 – and Vaughn got her first Worlds medal. Said the winner of her second Rock Hill Worlds gold:

“Honestly, I always say this place has a special place in my heart and I wanted to deliver here. U.S. fans, U.S. based everything – I put in the work, [husband and two-time World Champion Sam Willoughby] at my side the whole way and here we are again.

“It is such an honor to deliver on the day. When you dream of it, when you hope for it, but doing it is a whole other thing. This feeling is so special. My family, my friends, fans, husband, coaches, staff, that have been here for this very long ride that continues. I’m just so proud to say that I’m still rising to potential.”

With medal finishes, both Willougby and Vaughn secured their Olympic team positions for Paris, with Willoughby making her third team, winning a silver in Rio in 2016, but crashing in Tokyo.

The men’s Worlds gold went to France’s Joris Daudet for his third career Worlds gold, first in 2011, then in 2016 and now 2024. He finished just ahead of two-time World Champion Niek Kimmann (NED: 33.300) and then French teammate, and 2018 World Champion Sylvain Andre (33.864).

For Daudet, 33, it’s his eighth Worlds medal (3-2-3), stretching from 2010 to 2024. Kimmann now has six Worlds medals (3-3-0) and Andre has four (1-1-2).

● Ice Hockey ● With group play set to conclude on Tuesday, Canada and Sweden are the lone unbeatens left at the IIHF men’s World Championship in Prague and Ostrava (CZE).

The Canadians are 6-0, with two matches remaining and have out-scored their opponents, 28-15. Host Czech Republic is 5-1 (23-10) and the Swiss are 5-1 (26-11).

Sweden is 5-0 with a 26-7 goals edge, giving up the fewest goals so far. The U.S., which lost two of its first three games, is now 4-2 with a 31-13 goals-against total, getting six goals so far from forward Brady Tkachuk and five from Matt Boldy. Germany (4-2) is third in the group and Slovakia (4-2) is fourth; the top four advance to the quarterfinals, which begin on Thursday (23rd).

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● Rioting over a voting reform proposal in the French department of New Caledonia has left six people dead and French police and military on station on the streets of the capital city of Noumea.

In view of this, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera confirmed that the Olympic Torch Relay appearance, scheduled for 11 June, is being canceled.

“Priority must be given to a return to calm … I think that everyone understands, given the context, that the priority really is to consolidate the return to public order.”

French President Emmanuel Macron’s plea for an Olympic Truce during the Olympic and Paralympic Games has been rejected.

It was discarded by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said the idea was noble, but not while Russian athletes are being refused entry into the Games. On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with Macron and shared with Agence France Presse:

“Let’s be honest… Emmanuel, I don’t believe it”.

“Who can guarantee that Russia will not use this time to bring its forces to our territory? First of all, we don’t trust Putin. We are against any truce that plays into the hands of the enemy.

“If it’s a truce, an Olympic truce for the duration of the Olympics, a land truce, they will have an advantage … [because of] a risk that they will bring heavy equipment to our territory and no one will be able to stop them.”

● Badminton ● The hosts got two wins to highlight the BWF World Tour Thailand Open in Bangkok, with Supanida Katethong winning the women’s Singles title over top-seeded Yue Han (CHN), 21-16, 25-23, and Jongkolphan Kitithrakul and Rawinda Prajongjai taking the women’s Doubles from Febriana Kusuma and Amallia Pratiwi (INA), 21-14, 21-14.

The Mixed Doubles had another Thai finalist with top-seeded Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, but they fell to China’s fifth-seeded Xin Wa Guo and Fang Hui Chen, 12-21, 21-12, 21-18.

Malaysia’s Zii Jia Lee took the men’s Singles over Ka Long Angus Ng (HKG), 21-11, 21-10, and India’s top-seeded Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the men’s Doubles from Bo Yang Chen and Yi Liu (CHN), 21-15, 21-15.

● Cycling ● After two sprint-stage wins for Italian stars Jonathan Milan and Filippo Ganna, Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar put the hammer down that essentially ended the Giro d’Italia with a brilliant victory in Sunday’s mountain stage.

On Friday, Milan won his third stage in Stage 13, getting to the line first in 4:02:03 in the 179 km route into Cento, just ahead of Poland’s Stanislaw Aniolkowski and German Phil Bauhaus. On Saturday, the second Individual Time Trial was on a flat, 31.2 km course to Desenzano del Garda and Ganna, a two-time World Time Trial Champion, timed 35:02 to win, with Pogacar second, 29 seconds back. That increased his overall lead from 2:40 to 3:41, now over 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas (GBR).

Then came Sunday’s 222 km, four-climb mountain stage, with an uphill finish to Livigno and the 2,387 m Mottolino. Pogacar attacked on the final climb, with about 15 km to go and in third place overall. He passed Georg Steinhauser (GER), then set his sights on Colombian star Nairo Quintana, the 2014 Giro d’Italia winner.

With 1.9 km to go, Pogacar unleashed a final attack, passed Quintana and rode alone to the finish in 6:11:43, 29 seconds up on Quintana and 2:32 ahead of Steinhauser. Thomas was sixth, 2:50 behind and now trails Pogacar by 6:41 going into Monday’s rest day. Colombian Daniel Martinez is now third, at +6:56.

This is Pogacar’s sixth Grand Tour and he’s finished 3-1-1-2-2, with the last four in the Tour de France. Looks like he’ll win his third Grand Tour – and his first Giro – next Sunday in Rome.

Dutch star Demi Vollering won her third multi-stage race in a row with a 1:56 win in the Vuelta a Burgos Femenina in Spain.

After Finn Lotta Henttala won the opening stage in a mass sprint finish, Vollering won the hilly second stage to take the overall lead, played along in another sprint finish in stage 3, then won the final, 122 km stage on Sunday – with a major climb near the end – in 3:17:44. That was 41 seconds ahead of Dutch countrywoman Lucinda Brand and gave Vollering the overall title.

She finished 1:28 up on France’s Evita Music and 1:59 ahead of Karlijn Swinkels (NED). It’s Vollering’s second win in a row in this race and she is the defending champ in the upcoming tour de France Femmes. Can anyone stop her?

Sean Quinn won his first USA Cycling national road title at the USA Cycling National Road Championships in Charleston, West Virginia, winning a final sprint to the line over Brandon McNulty and Neilson Powless with all three timed in 5:15:52.

The hilly 212 km, 10-lap race saw the trio break free of the peloton on the third lap and they raced together on the final lap, with Quinn just ahead of McNulty.

The women’s race was six laps and 126 km and saw Kristen Faulkner, the Time Trial runner-up, win her first road national title in 3:29:38, 55 seconds up on Ruth Edwards. The two were together through five laps, but Faulkner stormed away on the final lap and won easily. Coryn Labecki was third in 3:35:17.

Ronan Dunne of Ireland barely out-fought five-time World Champion Loic Bruni (FRA) in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill in Bielsko (POL), winning in 2:55:766 to 2:55.830 after maintaining the lead for most of the race. France’s Loris Vergier finished third (2:56.963).

France’s Marine Cabirou, the 2021 Worlds silver medalist, got the women’s title more comfortably, winning by more than a second over 2020 World Champion Camille Balanche (SUI), 3:26.643 to 3:27.831. German Nina Hoffmann was third in 3:28.323.

● Fencing ● At the FIE Grand Prix in Foil in Shanghai (CHN), world no. 2 and Tokyo Olympic champ Ka Long Cheung (HKG) took the men’s win over American Gerek Meinhardt, 15-7. It’s Meinhardt’s ninth career Grand Prix medal (4-3-2).

Italy’s no. 2-ranked Martina Favaretto took the women’s gold, 15-9, over Julia Walczyk-Klimaszyk of Poland, for her first career Grand Prix win. American Lee Keifer, the Tokyo Olympic champ – and wife of Meinhardt – picked up the bronze.

The FIE men’s Epee World Cup in Saint-Maur (FRA) saw Hungary’s 2019 World Champion, Gergely Siklosi, score a 15-9 final victory over Masaru Yamada (JPN). At the men’s Sabre World Cup in Madrid (ESP), Sebastien Patrice (FRA) won a tight duel with Hansol Ha (KOR) by 15-13, for his first career World Cup gold. William Morrill of the U.S. took one of the bronze medals.

At the FIE women’s Epee World Cup in Fujairah (UAE), no. 1-ranked Man Wai Vivian Kong (HKG) won by 15-13 against Swiss Pauline Brunner. It’s Kong’s fourth career World Cup win. In Plovdiv (BUL), France’s Olympic Team silver winner Sara Balzer took down Ukraine’s four-time World Champion Olha Kharlan in the women’s Sabre World Cup final, 15-8. It’s Balzer’s sixth career World Cup win, while Kharlan earned her 33rd career World Cup medal.

● Gymnastics ● Ana DeHanes of the U.S. won the women’s division at the Pan American Trampoline Championships in Lima (PER), scoring 51.990 to edge Maria Oliveira of Brazil (51.460) and Rielle Bonne (CAN: 51.190).

The U.S. women – DeHanes, Logan McCoy and Leah Edelman – won the team title (51.520), while the men’s team gold went to Mexico (53.090).

Argentina’s Santiago Ferrari took the men’s title at 56.890, ahead of Americans Elijah Vogel (56.060) and Cody Gesuelli (55.740). The U.S. pair of Gesuelli and Paul Bretscher took the Synchro gold (49.190) over Brazil (47.550), while DeHanes and Edelman finished second in the women’s Synchro final (44.900) to Mexico 47.640).

● Swimming ● Freestyle super star Katie Ledecky continued winning at the Speedo Atlanta Classic, adding the women’s 200 m Free title on Friday in 1:55.71, about three-quarters of a second off of her seasonal best. It was her third win of the meet after the 400 m and 1,500 m Frees.

Star sprinter Caeleb Dressel was also busy, taking fourth in his first men’s 200 m Free final since 2022, timing 1:47.38 – an Olympic Trials qualifying time – behind winner Kieran Smith (1:47.10). Later that night, Dressel came from more than a second behind on the final lap of the men’s 100 m Fly and won in 51.38. Not his fastest this season, but the second half (26.15) was impressive.

Tokyo Olympic distance Freestyle double gold medalist Bobby Finke won the men’s 400 m Medley by more than eight seconds in an Olympic Trials qualifying time of 4:14.44.

● Table Tennis ● American Kanak Jha qualified for Paris 2024 by winning one of the knock-out draws at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier in Lima (PER). Jha qualified for his third Olympics by taking down Horacio Cifuentes (ARG), four games to one in the third knock-out tournament. Fellow American Nikhil Kumar reached the final of one of the knock-outs, but fell to Santiago Lorenzo (ARG), 4-1. The U.S. had no women’s entries, having already qualified.

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TSX BULLETIN: McLaughlin-Levone stars, Benjamin and Nakaayi get world leads at L.A. Grand Prix at UCLA

By
Rich Perelman
-
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone readies for a 22.07 win in the women's 200 m at the L.A. Grand Prix (TSX photo by Alan Mazursky)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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After a sterling distance program on Friday night, the main program of the second Los Angeles Grand Prix started at UCLA’s Drake Stadium under overcast, but friendly skies and only light winds and a knowledgeable crowd. They were rewarded with two world-leading marks on Saturday:

● Men/400 m hurdles: 46.64, Rai Benjamin (USA)
● Women/800 m: 1:57.56, Halimah Nakaayi (UGA) and Tsige Duguna (ETH)

But neither was the star.

The main actors got going before noon with Worlds 200 m runner-up Gabby Thomas in the B section of the women’s 100 m, but it was Destiny Smith-Barnett (LBA) who was out best, then overhauled in lane 8 by Rio 2016 relay gold medalist English Gardner, 11.22 to 11.27 (wind 0). Abby Steiner came on in the final 50 for third (11.32) and Thomas was fourth (11.42).

Ninety-three minutes later, Thomas and Steiner were back for the 200 m, with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. It was over by 80 m, as McLaughlin-Levrone surged into the lead and ran onto the Drake Stadium backstraight clear, winning in a lifetime best of 22.07, moving to no. 2 on the world list for 2024. There no no doubt. Steiner moved well in the final 60 m for second (22.32), with Brittany Brown third (22.35); Thomas was sixth in 22.68.

McLaughlin-Levrone is apparently going to defend her Olympic 400 m hurdles title and after this, how fast can she go?

Former UCLA star Benjamin made his season’s 400 m hurdles debut at his former home track, and left no doubt about his status as a gold-medal contender for Paris. He took over by the four hurdle and was clear of the field into the turn and ran all alone to the finish in a world-leading 46.64! That’s the no. 9 performance all-time, of which he owns four. Roshawn Clarke (JAM) was the next-best finish on the straight in 48.11, with Kyron McMaster (IVB) third in 48.51.

The women’s 800 m turned out to be a two-man race between world leader Tsige Duguma (ETH) and 2019 World Champion Nakaayi of Uganda. The two separated from the field after the 400 mark and 55.36 and kept moving away. They came off the final turn looking only at each other with 70 m to gop, then 50 ,, 30 m and finally Nakaayi edged ahead in the final 5 m, only to have to withstand a final charge from Dugima at the line. Both were timed in a world-leading 1:57.59. American Sage Hurta-Klecker came on in the final straight to get third (1:58.98).

In the men’s 100 m, all eyes were on Botswana’s 20-year-old star Letsile Tebogo, already with marks of 19.71 and 44.29 this season, Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake false-started out, and on the re-start, Kyree King of the U.S. exploded in the middle of the race and took over, clearly the winner until Tebogo’s finally caught fire in the final 15. But King won in 10.11 (+0.6), with Tebogo in 10.13 and Aaron Brown (CAN) third in 10.23.

London Olympic champ Kirani James (GRN), 2022 World Champion Michael Norman of the U.S. and U.S. champ Bryce Deadmon faced off in the men’s 400 m, with Norman coming to the front on the turn and exploding after 300 m to get a clear lead that he carried to the line in 44.53. James fought off multiple challenges to get second (44.85), with Vernon Norwood of the U.S. (44.86) getting third over Deadmon (44.92).

The men’s 800 m was another showcase for American 2024 World Indoor champ Bryce Hoppel. Brandon Miller had the lead on the final backstraight, but Kenya’s Noah Kibet came on with 200 m to go. Then it looked like Miller was back in front onto the straight, but Hoppel was coming fastest with 75 m left and passed everyone, winning cleanly in 1:43.68, no. 4 on the world list in 2024. Isaiah Jewitt of the U.S. also moved up late, as did Jake Wightman to go 2-3 in 1:44.02 and 1:44.10, with Miller getting a lifetime best of 1:44.24 in fourth.

The men’s 1,500 m had world leader Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot as the lead actor and he followed the pacer and took the lead with a lap to go, just ahead of Australia’s Ollie Hoare. On the final turn, it was Cameron Myers (AUS), making a hard move, but Cheruiyot was still in front. Finally, Hoare emerged with 70 m to go and had all the speed to catch and pass Cheruiyot to win in 3:34.73 to 3:34.3:34.83. An encouraging third with a strong finish out of traffic was Rio 2016 gold medalist Matthew Centrowitz with a seasonal best on 3:35.16, ahead of Henry Wynne (3:35.24).

E.J. Obiena (PHI) was the only one to clear 5.80 m (19-0 1/4) in the men’s vault, winning over Simen Guttormsen (NOR) and KC Lightfoot of the U.S. at 5.70 m (18-8 1/4).

Two-time World Champion Joe Kovacs of the U.S. owned the men’s shot, taking the lead right away and recording a brilliant series of 22.29 m (73-1 3/4), 22.66 m (74-4 1/4), 22.93 m (75-2 3/4), 22.73 m (74-7), 22.03 m (72-2 1/2) and 21.97 m (72-1). The 22.93 m is the second-best throw in the world this year. Roger Steen of the U.S. moved up to second in round five at 21.78 m (71-5 1/2).

TeeTee Terry got the best start in the women’s 100 m and was in front by halfway, but Morolake Akinosun looked like the possible winner, but was passed by World Relays 4×100 m star Melissa Jefferson, 11.27 to 11.28, running into a headwind of 2.4 m/s. Terry faded to fifth (11.37).

Marileidy Paulino, the 2023 World Champion, was the big favorite in the women’s 400 m and looked like it, coming hard on the turn to take the lead and broke away to win in 50.27. Kenyan 800 m World Champion Mary Moraa came up quickly on the outside on the final straight to get second (50.56), with Alexis Holmes of the U.S. third in 50.73.

The women’s 1,500 m included last year’s winner, Diribe Welteji (ETH) found herself trailing countrywoman Freweyni Hailu with 600 m to go, and Hailu led at the bell, with Welteji close behind. The two separated from the field with 1,200 m to go and they dueled into the straight, where Welteji pushed to the lead and won in 3:55.25, with Hailu at 3:55.48 Kenya’s Susan Ejore won the race for third in 3:58.63.

The women’s 100 m hurdles lost some luster when Olympic champ Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR) false started, then ran under protest. On the re-start, it was world no. 2 Tonea Marshall of the U.S. who was strongest in mid-race and pulled away to win in 12.55 (-1.0). Alaysha Johnson came on hard in the final 30 m in lane eight and timed a seasonal best of 12.57 in second. Camacho-Quinn had her protest upheld and she got fourth in 12.66.

Anna Cockrell came on over the final half of the women’s 400 m hurdles to out-duel Andrenette Knight (JAM), 53.75 to 54.69. Cockrell, already no. 2 on the world list in 2024, improved her seasonal best by 0.01.

The women’s triple jump was won by Thea LaFond of Doninica with her 14.37 m (47-1 3/4) in the fifth round, just ahead of Shanieka Ricketts (JAM: 14.36 m/47-1 1/2). Tori Franklin of the U.S. was third (13.87 m/45-6 1/4).

Right at noon, nine former stars were introduced, many of whom had a UCLA connection, such as Olympic gold medalists Steve Lewis and Danny Everett and coaches Bob Larsen and John Smith. But the biggest cheer was for 1996 Olympic sprint icon Michael Johnson, heading what the crowd clearly hoped will be a sport-changing league in 2025. A knowledgeable crowd, indeed.

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TSX BULLETIN: Barega and St. Pierre win star 5,000s at USATF Distance Classic at UCLA

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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All the hype coming into the USATF Distance Classic at UCLA on Friday night was on the 5,000 m races, with world-record holder Joshua Cheptegei (UGA), Tokyo 10,000 m champ Selemon Barega (ETH), American Record holder Grant Fisher and a lot more in the men’s race. It lived up to the billing.

The on-track wavelights were set at 12:54 and at 3,000 m, it was Sam Atkin (GBR) at 7:47.05, followed by American star Cooper Teare and Fisher. Teare took over with three laps left, with 12 still in contact!

Aregawi took over with 2 1/2 laps left, with Cheptegei close, but the pack still compact. The pressure increased with 600 m left and 2023 World Cross runner-up Berihu Aregawi (ETH) took the lead, but with a precarious lead over Barega, Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo, the Olympic 10,000 m bronze medalist.

At the bell, Barega was in full flight, but this only energized Aregawi, Biniam Mehari (ETH) and Cheptegei. No one could catch Barega and only Aregawi was in contention, with Cheptegei coming hard on the straight. Barega finished in 54.15 and slew an impressive field in a world-leading 12:51.60, with Aregawi at 12:52.09, Cheptegei at 12:52.38 and Kiplimo at 12:52.91. Fisher was fifth at 12:53.30.

The B race was a showcase for U.S. national champ Abdi Nur, who ran away from the field by the bell and steamed home with a lifetime best of 13:04.40, ahead of 13:08.47 lifetime best for Drew Hunter in second.

American 3,000 m World Indoor champ Elle St. Pierre was towing the women’s 5,000 m field, passing 3,000 m in 8:54.50, ahead of Joselyn Brea (VEN). St. Pierre and Brea were clear of the field with three laps left, and stayed together until the bell. St. Pierre put the hammer down with 300 m left and was unchallenged to the line in a huge personal best of 14:34.12, no. 4 on the world list in 2024 and no. 5 all-time U.S.

Brea got a national record of 14:36.59 in second and Britain’s Hannah Nuttall was a distant third (14:57.91).

The women’s Steeple featured 2022 World champ Norah Jeruto (KAZ), who led most of the race, but was in a pack of four with a half-lap to go, with Canada’s Ceili McCabe, American Madison Boreman and German Lea Meyer. It was McCabe who had all the speed down the straight and won handily in a national record of 9:20.58, now no. 8 on the 2024 world list. Boreman got a lifetime best of 9:21.98 in second and Jeruto was third in 9:22.45.

The men’s Steeple was another burner in the final straight, as Jean-Simon Desgagnes (CAN) out-sprinted Matthew Wilkinson of the U.S., 8:16.49 to 8:16.59, a lifetime best for Wilkinson.

The highlight of the early races was the B section of the men’s 800 m, with Mexico’s Jesus Lopez leading off the final turn, but with World Road Mile champ Hobbs Kessler coming hard on the straight. Kessler passed Kenya’s Festus Lagat with 50 m left and set his sights on Lopez and passed on the inside, squeezing by with a shoulder shove about 10 m from the finish. Kessler got a lifetime best (and Olympic Trials qualifier) of 1:45.07 for the win, with Lopez at 1:45.23 and Kagat at 1:45.28.

The men’s B race in the 1,500 m featured strong finishes from Matt Beadlescomb, who won with a lifetime best of 3:35.84, followed by Matt Wisner (3:36.45 PR) and John Gregorek (3:36.55).

The men’s hammer started at 5 p.m. in front of a 100 or so spectators, but proved to be historic, with a Dutch national record of 79.09 m (259-9) in the first round – also a Drake Stadium record – but passed by Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan, who got stadium marks of 79.33 m (260-3) in round two and 80.33 m (263-6) in round three!

They finished in that order, with Daniel Haugh of the U.S. third at 76.86 m (252-2).

The women’s hammer, held concurretly with interleaving rounds, had the top four on the world list for 2024, and world leader (and 2022 World Champion) Brooke Andersen of the U.S. had the best mark through five rounds when the field was cut to three for the final throw, at 77.32 m (253-8). The 2019 World Champion DeAnna Price improved to 75.22 m (253-2) for second, with reigning World Champion Cam Rogers (CAN) settling for third (75.56 m/247-11). .

The women’s vault was preceded by an on-field chat (not really an interview) between former U.S. World Champions Sam Kendricks and Sandi Morris, who previewed a closing song she wrote for tomorrow’s meet. Morris won at 4.53 m (15-0 1/4), clearing on her second try. She went to 4.70 m (15-5, equal-third outdoors in 2024) for a first-time clearance, then went to 4.80 m (15-9), but missed three times. It’s a new Drake Stadium record.

The women’s discus had Olympic champ Valarie Allman of the U.S., World Champion Lagi Tausaga of the U.S. and 2019 World champ Yaime Perez (CUB). Allman wasted no time taking the lead at 65.59 m (215-5). Perez was second at 64.28 m (210-11). But Allman strengthened her grip, extending to 67.79 m (222-5) in the second round and 67.93 m (222-10) in the third.

She didn’t improve, but neither did anyone else, although Perez matched her mark the sixth round. Van Klinken remainhed in third.

Jamaica’s Roje Stone was the clear leader after three rounds in the men’s disc at 66.90 m (219-6).

The meet continues tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific time and on NBC for the final two hours.

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TSX REPORT: ITA starts accelerated pre-Paris testing program; 11 gymnastics stars at Core Classic; FIFA pitches new anti-racism protocol

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. ITA acknowledges Chinese swimmer controversy in Paris plan
2. All-stars out in force for USA Gymnastics’ Core Hydration Classic
3. FIFA proposes new, anti-racism protocol at Congress
4. Volleyball World announces betting sponsorship tie-in
5. Coaches, retired fencers want better Sabre cheating inquiry

● The International Testing Agency announced the start of its pre-Games testing protocol for Paris, noting the controversy over the 2021 Chinese swimming positives and promising comprehensive testing for all “at-risk” countries and events.

● A spectacular line-up of women’s stars, including the last three Olympic All-Around gold medalists – Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Suni Lee – will line up for the USA Gymnastics’ Core Hydration Classic on Saturday in Hartford, Connecticut.

● FIFA sent a letter to its 211 national federations, proposing a more detail, five-part protocol to combat racism across football, including asking federations to lobby for criminal penalties in their own countries, but not changing the rules on forfeiture of matches.

● Volleyball World, the FIVB-CVC Partners joint venture, announced a five-year sponsorship agreement with Cyprus-based 1xBet, looking to take advantage of new revenue possibilities in the gambling field. This project will be closely watched by other federations and the International Olympic Committee, worried about sport integrity.

● A group of mostly U.S. coaches and retired Olympians posted an open letter to the USA Fencing board, demanding a better, deeper and more thorough investigation of match-fixing in Sabre, stating “Athletes are aware that evidence exists that discloses money being offered to fix matches.”

● World Championship: Ice Hockey (Canada, Swiss, Sweden still unbeaten in IIHF men’s Worlds) ●

● Panorama: European Games (EOC signs memo with Istanbul to host 2027) = Canada (health tech entrepreneur donates C$1.4 million for athlete prizes for 2024-26) = Aquatics (World Aquatics takes over Tunisian federation) = Archery (Ellison and Kaufhold lead U.S. team for Paris) = Cricket (from-scratch 34,000-seat T20 World Cup stadium ready in New York) = Cycling (Alaphilppe gets first career Giro stage win!) = Figure Skating (Kerry will appeal SafeSport ban) = Swimming (2: McIntosh gets another 400 m Medley world record at Canadian Trials; Dressel and Ledecky keep improving in Atlanta) ●

1.
ITA acknowledges Chinese swimmer controversy in Paris plan

“ITA is taking due consideration to the current situation regarding Chinese swimmers.

“While neither the ITA nor its partner World Aquatics have come across any evidence that would suggest that a cover-up or a manipulation of the anti-doping process took place as some media reports suggest, the ITA has nonetheless taken the recent concerns over the matter into account.

“To ensure the credibility of the Games and reinforce the trust that the athlete community places in the global anti-doping system, the ITA decided, with the full support of World Aquatics, to adapt its testing plans to further reinforce independent and intelligence-led testing activities on all high-risk swimmers worldwide in this sensitive period ahead of the Games.

“This further reinforcement follows work carried out by the ITA on behalf of World Aquatics to increase these independent and intelligence-led testing activities on high-risk swimmers over the past three years.”

That’s from a Thursday post by the International Testing Agency, detailing some of its procedures as it “ramps up to focus on high-risk sports & athletes and supports global anti-doping efforts ahead of the Olympic Games.”

The ITA – not the World Anti-Doping Agency – has the testing responsibility for more than 80% of the summer Olympic federations, and has begun implementation of its testing efforts for identified “high risk” National Olympic Committees and sports:

“This risk is determined by several variables, of which the combination of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) to which they belong and their discipline is one of the determining factors. …

“[A] minimum of three targeted doping controls [are to] be performed on high-risk athletes from the beginning of the year until the Games begin: over 50% of these high-risk athletes have already been tested at least once. 7% have been tested three times and a further 7% have been tested more than three times. As the majority of the tests will take place in the next 70 days, this can be seen as a positive trend in this area. More than two-thirds of these doping tests on high-risk athletes were carried out by NADOs, and around one-third by IFs.”

And special attention is being paid to “neutral” athletes:

“The ITA also continues to implement doping controls on Russian and Belarusian athletes potentially participating in the Games as individual neutral athletes (AIN) for the sports it is responsible for using independent doping control officers outside of the country.”

Observed: The ITA is under a lot of pressure for Paris and knows it. It has a good reputation, but the doping program in Paris will be very carefully scrutinized, and it will be fascinating to see whether the ITA or WADA provide detailed as-we-go reports on doping tests and positives or negatives, as we saw for Covid from the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 organizing committees.

2.
All-stars out in force for USA Gymnastics’ Core Hydration Classic

One of the finest fields in the history of women’s gymnastics was announced for the USA Gymnastics’ Core Hydration Classic on Friday and Saturday at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

This is a U.S.-only, women-only event, with youth and junior competitions on Friday, and senior competitions on Saturday. The second session, at 7 p.m. Eastern, includes the last three Olympic women’s All-Around champions, reportedly for the first time ever:

● 2012: Gabby Douglas: 3 Olympic golds; 2011-15 Worlds Team golds
● 2016: Simone Biles: 4 Olympic golds, 23 Worlds golds
● 2020: Suni Lee: 3 Olympic medals, 2019 Worlds Team gold

Add to that:

● Skye Blakely: 2022-23 Worlds Team golds
● Jade Carey: Tokyo Olympic Floor gold; 7 Worlds medals
● Jordan Chiles: 2022 Worlds Team gold, Vault and Floor silvers
● Kayla DiCello: 2023 Worlds Team gold; 2021 Worlds A-A bronze
● Shilese Jones: 2022-22 Worlds Team golds; 6 Worlds medals
● Joscelyn Roberson: 2023 Worlds Team gold
● Leanne Wong: 2022-23 Worlds Team golds; 4 Worlds medals
● Lexi Zeiss: 2022 Worlds Team gold

USA Gymnastics reported that these athletes have combined for 15 Olympic and 62 career World Championships medals. Hard to beat that.

The Saturday evening session will be shown on CNBC and the Peacock streaming network.

This is the start of a month-long program that will culminate in the naming of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team. Saturday’s meet will be followed by the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas from 30 May to 2 June, and finally the U.S. Olympic Trials in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 27-30 June.

3.
FIFA proposes new, anti-racism protocol at Congress

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom (SWE) sent a letter on Thursday describing an initiative that will be presented on Friday to the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok (THA) on curbing racism in football.

A major issue in the sport for decades, racist behavior in La Liga matches in Spain against Brazilian star Vinicius Junior – a striker for Real Madrid – has raised sensitivity and prompted FIFA to implement a new approach across the entire football world.

The Associated Press shared the two-page letter, which included:

● “We, together united as global football, will make racism a specific offence with mandatory inclusion in the individual Disciplinary Codes of all 211 FIFA Member Associations, differentiating racism from other incidents, giving acts of racism their own specific and severe sanctions, including match forfeits.”

● “We, together united as global football, will pause, suspend and abandon games in cases of racism, introducing a global standard gesture for players to communicate racist incidents and referees to signal the implementation of the three-step procedure which will be made mandatory in all 211 FIFA Member Associations.”

● “We, together united as global football, will push for the recognition of racism as a criminal offence in every country in the world, and where already an offence, will push for prosecution with the severity it deserves.”

The “global standard gesture” is suggested as crossed hands at the wrists in a “V” shape to alert the referee to a racist incident. Then:

● The referee will pause the match and activate a public address announcement, demanding an end to the offending behavior;

● Suspend of the match until the incident ends, and

● If needed, end the match.

This protocol has been in use already, but match suspensions and especially match-ending penalties have not been widely seen so far. In some cases, teams which have been victimized by racist chants from spectators, or in support of players who have been targeted, have walked off the field, but this action was not mentioned in the letter.

The crossed-hands signal is well known to Olympic observers, first being used by Rio 2016 men’s marathon runner-up Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia as he crossed the finish and used a crossed-hands gesture over his head as a message of support for a group of Omoro people who were facing relocation from areas around the capital of Addis Ababa by the government, which wanted to use the land for development projects. Tensions between the Ethiopian government and the Omoro continue to this day.

The proposal will be discussed at the FIFA Congress on Friday. The host of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will also be chosen.

The FIFA Council authorized a working group to study possible changes in the “FIFA Regulations Governing International Matches,” specifically to create recommendations concerning the playing of domestic league matches in outside countries.

FIFA has been sued by promoters trying to stage European league matches in the U.S. and other countries, currently not allowed by the FIFA regulations. The instructions or considerations given to the working group center on access by fans of a team in the domestic league country to matches scheduled in other countries, the impact on competition balance as a home-and-home protocol would be disrupted by matches held elsewhere, the impact on the country in which the matches would be played and so on.

The next steps:

“The working group will consist of 10-15 members from a variety of different football stakeholders, including representatives from member associations, confederations, clubs, leagues, players, supporter organisations, and also private entities engaged in organising international matches or competitions. The FIFA Council anticipates that the working group will make its recommendations in the following months.”

4.
Volleyball World announces betting sponsorship tie-in

Betting and international volleyball have come together as Volleyball World, the joint venture between the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and private equity firm CVC Partners, announced a multi-year sponsorship with 1xBet:

“The partnership will see 1xBet fully leverage Volleyball World’s digital platforms as well as branding featured throughout live events. It encompasses major volleyball tournaments such as the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), Volleyball World Championships and Club World Championships, as well as marquee beach volleyball events like the Beach Pro Tour (BPT) and the Beach Volleyball World Championships.

“1xBet is set to benefit from the sport’s global appeal, enhancing its international exposure and brand visibility thanks to the worldwide popularity of volleyball.”

Founded in 2007, 1xBet is headquartered in Cyprus. A check of the company’s primary Web site showed a message, “Access to this website is prohibited in the USA.”

Observed: This sponsorship, announced as a five-year deal, will be watched closely by other Olympic federations. Match-fixing is a major worry for Olympic sports, and most federations do not have enough money to maintain a dedicated team against such risks. The International Olympic Committee is already involved in programs to guard against manipulation.

There’s a lot of money in betting. The worry for federations has been to find reliable, safe partners and then guard against unscrupulous actions of outsiders to fix events for profit.

5.
Coaches, retired fencers want better Sabre cheating inquiry

A group of 54 coaches and retired Olympic fencers posted an open letter to the board of USA Fencing, calling for added attention to match manipulation in the Sabre discipline. In part:

“We, as the collective group of US Saber Fencing Coaches and Retired Saber Olympians, would like to address the urgent issue of saber fencing bout manipulations at the US and international levels which have egregiously impacted US Olympic selection and demoralized our saber fencers.

“We are extremely concerned with the process that US Fencing has put in place to investigate allegations of bout manipulation. The athletes we have heard from have no confidence in the current investigation for several reasons.”

Specific concerns were described, including “a one-way investigation relying on people who fear retribution to come forward and provide evidence. To our knowledge, the investigation has not followed up on leads and pertinent evidence that have exposed the manipulation,” a requirement to speak “on the record” vs. whistleblower status and no re-allocation of points earned in matches officiated by the two judges who have been suspended. In addition:

● “The interim investigation suspension of Mr. Jacobo Morales and Mr. Brandon Romo has left the impression that US Fencing is lenient on match-fixing. The suspension of only 9 months for both of these referees, who were found guilty of violating the USA Fencing Referee Code of Ethics, the FIE Technical Rules, and the FIE Ethical Code (International Fencing Federation) for the San Jose NAC on January 6, 2024, is ineffective as both referees continue to direct international FIE bouts and some domestic ones.”

● “Athletes are aware that evidence exists that discloses money being offered to fix matches, yet they have been told there is not enough proof. Additionally, the undersigned coaches who have testified to the investigation have informed the investigators that cheating has occurred, yet their expert input has been disregarded.”

On 24 April, USA Fencing announced suspensions of Morales and Romo, and said that the independent investigation it had commissioned was still incomplete. However, the work so far indicated that no athletes were involved in manipulating their own bouts and called the incident at the San Jose North American Cup in January “an isolated incident.”

It’s clear that there is a difference of opinion; the investigative report is scheduled to be published once completed, which is also the request of the coaches and retired fencers. The next public step appears to be the release of the investigation, being conducted by three firms.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Ice Hockey ● A little more than halfway through the group stage of the IIHF men’s World Championship in Prague and Ostrava (CZE), Canada, Switzerland and Sweden continue undefeated.

In Group A, Canada is now 4-0 after a 4-1 win over Norway and the Swiss also improved to 4-0 by shutting down Great Britain, 3-0. The home Czechs (3-1) are currently third and Finland (2-2) owns fourth and the final playoff spot.

Sweden continues undefeated in Group B, now 4-0 with a 19-5 goals-against total after a 3-1 win against Kazakhstan. Slovakia (3-1) shut out Poland, 4-0, and the U.S. (2-2) moved up third in the group with a 5-0 whitewash of France. Latvia holds fourth, with the round-robin to continue through the 21st.

Finn Oliver Kapanen has taken the goal-scoring lead in the tournament with six, one more than Canadian star Connor Bedard.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● European Games ● The European Olympic Committees (EOC) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Turkish Olympic Committee in Rome (ITA), setting the stage for the formal award of the 2027 European Games to Istanbul. Said EOC President Spyros Capralos (GRE):

“The city is already set up to host Europe’s best athletes. The infrastructure is in place and there will be no new permanent venues built, which will make this a cost-efficient and sustainable Games, building on the model which worked in Poland last year.”

● Canada ● A Canadian patient-safety software entrepreneur, Sanjay Malaviya, pledged C$1.4 million ($1.03 million U.S.) to the Canadian Olympic Foundation and the Paralympic Foundation of Canada for added rewards for medal winners at Paris 2024 and Milan Cortina in 2026. The upshot:

“The Team Canada Podium Awards will give Paris 2024 and Milano-Cortina 2026 medallists a $5,000 grant per medal earned. Additionally, $100,000 will go to Olympic and Paralympic Next Generation Initiatives, helping to fund the highest priority needs of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and the Paralympic Foundation of Canada.”

Malaviya, through his Malaviya Foundation, gave C$1.2 million to retroactively support Canadian medalists for Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The donations will allow awards beyond the existing Canadian Olympic and Paralympic awards of C$20,000-15,000-10,000 for medal winners in Paris.

● Aquatics ● With the turmoil in Tunisia, with the country’s Youth and Sports Ministry dissolving the national swimming federation board and the head of the federation arrested for following the World Anti-Doping Agency’s sanctions for non-compliance, World Aquatics announced Thursday that it has created a Stabilization Committee:

“The Stabilization Committee will run all day-to-day operations of the Tunisian Swimming Federation, conduct the proper and necessary amendments to the national federation’s Constitution, and organise and conduct a new election within six months.”

The action is effective immediately.

● Archery ● Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold confirmed their places as the top archers in the U.S. and are headed off to another Olympic Games in Paris.

The U.S. Olympic Trials in archery finally concluded with a sixth, weather-delayed stage in Newberry, Florida on Monday and Tuesday, with Ellison – the 2019 World Champion and a three-time Olympic medal winner – dominating the men’s division with 144.5 points, compiling the highest score in stage 6.

Kaufhold, still just 20 and a Tokyo Olympian in 2021, also scored 144.5 points and was the overwhelming winner in the women’s division.

In the final Trials program, Kaufhold won the first round-robin, had the highest score in the simulated team round and won the second round-robin. Catalina GNoriega finished second at 105.0 and Tokyo Olympian Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez was third (103.0); no one else scored higher than 88.0.

All three will go to Paris, as the U.S. women qualified as a team. Not so the men, so while Ellison is confirmed as an individual entrant, the U.S. will try to qualify for two more spots as a team in the World Archery final qualifier in Turkey in June.

Ellison, 35, qualified for his fifth Olympic Games, and won both round-robins on arrow average and the simulated team round to finish at 144.5. Texas A&M’s Trenton Cowles was a clear second at 115.0 and Jack Williams, also a Tokyo Olympian, was third at 95.0.

● Cricket ● The International Cricket Council’s Men’s T20 World Cup is coming to the U.S. and the West Indies from 1-29 June, with 20 teams playing a total of 55 matches.

This is the same format (T20) that will be used for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and a demonstration of what can be done in temporary facilities is being showcased in Nassau County, New York, where an open field has been turned into a 34,000-seat stadium that will host eight matches.

The facility uses portable bleachers and boxes normally used for hospitality suites at golf tournaments to create a first-class facility that will host its first event on 3 June, with Sri Lanka facing South Africa. The 9 June India-Pakistan game is expected to be a complete sell-out.

Construction took only three months. After the tournament ends, the stands will be removed and Eisenhower Park will be left with a permanent cricket competition field and practice facilities.

● Cycling ● French star Julian Alaphilippe owns two World Road Championship golds and has won six stages at the Tour de France, but never at the Giro d’Italia, until Thursday.

He attacked with 11.5 km left in the hilly, 193 km ride to Fano in stage 12, and no one could catch him. Alaphilippe – in his first Giro – finished in 4:07:44, with a 31-second edge on Ecuador’s Jhonaton Narvaez, the winner of stage 1. Quinten Hermans (BEL) finished third, 32 seconds behind.

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, the race leader, was 13th at the front of a large pack of the main contenders and maintains a 2:40 edge on Daniel Martinez (COL) and 2:56 on Geraint Thomas (GBR).

Stage 13 on Friday is flat and for the sprinters, with the second Individual Time Trial on Saturday – expect Pogacar to be aggressive, with a four-climb mountain stage with a long, uphill finish on Sunday to Livigno to finish the second week. If Pogacar is on, the final week could be largely ceremonial.

● Figure Skating ● Retired Australian skater Brendan Kerry, sanctioned for sexual misconduct with a minor and a lifetime ban from the sport in the U.S. by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, has said he will appeal:

“After hearing nothing from the US Center for SafeSport for almost three years … I received their decision with no advance warning whatsoever, sanctioning me for alleged violations that I did not commit.

“That decision is not final and I intend to challenge this suspension and request arbitration before a neutral arbitrator as is my right.”

The misconduct which led to the sanction took place during the 2016-17 period when Kerry was a registered coach with U.S. Figure Skating.

A three-time Olympian for Australia in the men’s Singles, he retired after the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

● Swimming ● Another world record for 17-year-old Summer McIntosh, this time in the 400 m Medley at the Canadian Olympic Trials in Toronto, crushing her year-old mark of 4:25.87 from 2023 with a win in 4:24.38, winning by than 14 seconds.

She’s the two-time World Champion in the event and has now qualified for Paris in the 200 and 400 m Freestyle and the 400 m Medley. It’s her third world mark, after her 3:56.08 in the 400 Free (since surpassed) and two in the Medley.

She is entered in three more events, the 100 m Free, 200 m Butterfly, and 200 m Medley.

At the Speedo Atlanta Classic, Tokyo superstar Caeleb Dressel continued his methodical comeback, winning the men’s 100 m Free in 48.30, his best time since returning to competition. That’s only 32nd on the 2024 world list, and only fifth-best among Americans with a month to do before the Olympic Trials. But he is coming on, slowly.

U.S. distance icon Katie Ledecky also showed her continuing surge in fitness, joining the sub-4 club in the women’s 400 m Free, winning by more than nine seconds in 3:59.44. That’s equal-third on the world list for 2024, and just 0.38 behind McIntosh’s world-leading 3:56.06 at the Canadian Trials on Monday (13th).

The meet continues through Saturday.

● Weightlifting ● The President of the International Weightlifting Federation, Iraqi Mohammed Jalood, visited Baku in Azerbaijan for talks with the country’s Prime Minister, Minister of Sports and the National Olympic Committee and national federation on further development of weightlifting in the country.

But, as weightlifting barely made it onto the Los Angeles 2028 program in view of a history of widespread doping, that issue is still pertinent. The IWF report on the meetings noted Jalood’s comments:

“[T]hey want to elevate the level of weightlifting in Azerbaijan. The performances of the younger athletes in the country are already quite encouraging, but the sport and political officials are determined to develop a new weightlifting culture in the country, namely in the fundamental area of anti-doping.”

Continued attention to anti-doping is the only way weightlifting will continue as an Olympic sport.

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For our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Semenya appeals in Euro Court of Human Rights; 2014 Boston Marathon winner Deba gifted $75,000 prize! New low for Russia?

By
Rich Perelman
-
On to Paris: National Time trial champs Taylor Knibb and Brandon McNulty! (Photo: USA Cycling)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Semenya case reappears at Euro Court of Human Rights
2. Deba gifted $75,000 ten years after 2014 Boston Marathon win!
3. Another new low? Russia called IOC’s Bach “criminal”
4. WADA confirms Tunisia now compliant
5. FIFA Council OKs Women’s Club World Cup 2026

● The Caster Semenya case was heard once again, this time before a 17-member Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, France. After losses against the World Athletics rules for women with “differences in sex development” at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Swiss Federal Tribunal, she got a 4-3 decision from the ECHR for a deeper review, which was appealed by the Swiss to the larger panel. A decision is not expected for several months.

● After the winner of the women’s division of the 2014 Boston Marathon was disqualified for doping, winner Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia never received her $75,000 winner’s prize money, or the $25,000 course-record bonus. After a story in the Wall Street Journal, a Philadelphia businessman sent Deba the $75,000 prize and will pay the rest of the race does not!

● The Russian Foreign Ministry is on the warpath with the International Olympic Committee once again, calling the IOC’s plan to look over athlete social-media posts to check on their neutrality vis-a-vis the Ukraine invasion as “criminal.” Perhaps a new low?

● The World Anti-Doping Agency announced that Tunisia has been deemed compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, following the country’s inclusion of the Code in its legal system. No word from Tunisia about a release of the head of the national anti-doping agency, arrested after following WADA sanctions. A statement was posted from the WADA Athlete Council about the Chinese doping positives in January 2021, which raises as many questions as it gives answers.

● The FIFA Council announced a new women’s Club World Cup for 2026 and smaller tournaments in other years, and confirmed Swede Mattias Grafstrom as the FIFA Secretary General.

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (garbage collector’s strike averted for Games) = Athletics (world leaders for Fabbi and Furlani in Savona) = Boxing (World Boxing gets Nike-linked sponsorship) = Cycling (2: Knibb qualifies for Paris in cycling in addition to triathlon; Milan wins second Giro stage) = Figure Skating (Australia’s Kerry banned by U.S. SafeSport) = Swimming (Ledecky and Finke take 1,500s at Atlanta Classic) = Table Tennis (China’s Wang and Chen dominate at Saudi Smash) ●

1.
Semenya case reappears at Euro Court of Human Rights

The latest chapter in the case of South African double women’s Olympic 800 m winner Caster Semenya came on Wednesday, as she appeared as part of a hearing before a Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.

The specific case in front of the ECHR Grand Chamber of 17 judges does not directly concern the World Athletics regulations for athletes with “Differences in Sex Development,” in Semenya’s case, an extraordinarily high, natural testosterone level in comparison to other women.

At issue now is the procedure in her case. In 2019, the Court of Arbitration for Sport held that the World Athletics regulations were discriminatory, but “reasonable and proportionate” and allowed them to stand in order to protect the women’s competition category.

Semenya, now 33, appealed to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, which has very limited grounds to review CAS cases, and the case was dismissed in 2020. She then took her case to the European Court of Human Rights, demanding that she receive a more thorough review from the Swiss Federal Tribunal and protesting its limited right of review. In effect, she was asking for the Swiss Federal Tribunal to act as a full appellate court for the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

In July 2023, the ECHR panel voted by 4-3, to uphold part of her complaint, especially “that the applicant had not been afforded sufficient institutional and procedural safeguards in Switzerland.”

This was appealed by the Swiss – who do not want to see their court workload expanded with a long line of Court of Arbitration for Sport cases – and asked for a hearing before a much larger Grand Chamber. This was granted in November.

Multiple outside groups have been allowed to file briefs in the current case, including World Athletics, the British government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and a hearing was held Wednesday.

If successful, no regulations would be changed in Semenya’s case, but her case would be sent back to the Swiss Federal Tribunal for a more thorough re-examination. It would have the authority to change or modify the holding at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and could send it back for s re-hearing. If the holding is for Switzerland, Semenya’s legal channels would appear to be closed.

Semenya said after the hearing:

“The outcome of this case is very important. You need to pave out a way for young women so they cannot face the injustice, the scrutiny of being judged, being dehumanized and being discriminated.

“I don’t think this is about my career. It is about me being an advocate for what is right, to voice out for those who cannot fight for themselves.”

No decision is expected for several months.

2.
Deba gifted $75,000 ten years after 2014 Boston Marathon win!

Kenyan marathon star Rita Jeptoo won the 2014 Boston Marathon in a course-record 2:18:57, with New York-based Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba finishing second in 2:19:59, also under the old course mark.

Jeptoo was later disqualified for doping, which elevated Deba as the winner and she holds the course record to today.

What she did not get was the $75,000 first prize that was given to Jeptoo, nor the $25,000 bonus for the course record. The Boston Athletic Association, which owns and operates the race, has never been able to get the money back from Jeptoo.

Deba last competed in a major marathon in 2020 and still lives in New York, and her situation was detailed in a 12 April story by Rachel Bachman of the Wall Street Journal. And then, everything changed.

Seeing that story was Doug Guyer, the co-founder of Brandshare US, one of the first e-commerce media networks – founded in 1984 and sold to private equity investors in 2015 – and a 1983 Boston College graduate.

He decided to do something about Deba’s plight, and a Monday (13th) follow-up WSJ story reported that Guyer sent Deba the $75,000 winner’s prize personally, and will consider paying the remaining $25,000 himself if the B.A.A. does not.

WBZ-TV Boston asked the B.A.A. for comment and it replied, in pertinent part:

“The B.A.A is still pursuing Ms. Jeptoo to recover the prize money for Ms. Deba, which the B.A.A. believes would be a just and fair result for her and all runners who follow the rules.”

Deba, now 36, said she would use the money for her family and could return to competition:

“For us, it’s a miracle. It’s life-changing, big money. We were waiting so long.”

The 2024 Boston Marathon had an open-division prize purse – for men and women – of $806,000, and a $50,000 race-record bonus.

Jeptoo, 43, was banned for four years from October 2014 to October 2018, and was apparently out of competition until 2022, when she ran in three marathons. She has competed sparingly in 2023 and 2024 and finished third in the Semi-Marathon du Grand Nancy in France on 17 March. Maybe she won some prize money there she could send to Deba?

3.
Another new low? Russia called IOC’s Bach “criminal”

In March, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova ripped into the IOC’s conditions for Paris participation by Russian “neutrals” and its criticism of September’s World Friendship Games, telling reporters:

“Absolutely unacceptable, not just politicized, but indeed standing on a par with decisions supported by racial discrimination, is the statement of the International Olympic Committee, which directly called on athletes and states to refuse to participate in the international competition World Friendship Games.

“These decisions demonstrate how far the International Olympic Committee has departed from its stated principles in favor of political expediency and slipped into racism and neo-Nazism.”

International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams (GBR) replied:

“We’ve seen some very aggressive statements coming out of Russia today, but there is one comment even which is going beyond that and we’ve even seen amongst one of two ones that link the president, his nationality and the Holocaust, and this is completely unacceptable and reaches a new low.”

Maybe there’s a new, new low.

On Wednesday, Zakharova was at it again, responding to last week’s Instagram post from the anti-government, activist Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation that it and a group of Ukrainian athletes would be scouring social media sites and providing information to the IOC’s “Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel” announced in March:

“This joint project focuses on the verification of Belarusian and Russian athletes planning to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games.

“The aim is to ensure these athletes do not have ties to military or paramilitary structures, aligning with the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations on athlete neutrality.

“Through the collection and analysis of information from open sources, both pre and post-Olympics, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and neutrality in sports.”

IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) is not a member of the Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel, but that did not stop Zakharova from another furious tirade on Wednesday, about the use of social-media comments made by Russian athletes as a reason not to allow them to compete in Paris as “neutrals”:

“We would have previously labeled this as the height of dishonesty, but in actuality it is a criminal statement.

“This reasoning goes not just against, but in direct opposition to all documents that regulate the work of Thomas Bach.

“We are convinced that by resorting to such unscrupulous, illegal, unlawful and immoral steps the IOC leadership is discrediting itself, undermining the Olympic Charter and creating chaos in the world of global sports.”

A new low? Could be.

4.
WADA confirms Tunisia now compliant

As had been expected, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced that the 2 May 2024 changes to Tunisian law appropriately incorporated the World Anti-Doping Code and confirmed that the country is compliant.

The Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports had projected this outcome after the legislation had passed, but when the Tunisian flag was covered – as required by WADA’s sanctions at the time – at last week’s 20-nation, Tunisian Open Masters swimming meet, it created a crisis in which the Tunisian President Kais Saied came to the pool in Rades and had the flag raised.

He then set in motion the arrest of the head of the Tunisian swimming federation, the head of the Tunisian anti-doping agency and seven other officials, with charges including including “attack on the flag of Tunisia,” “formation of an organised group to commit attacks and cause disorder,” and a “plot against the internal security.” Two have been detained with the other seven freed ahead of a trial.

On Tuesday, WADA issued its own comment:

“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has expressed its deep concern following the arrest of the Director General of the National Anti-Doping Organization of Tunisia (ANAD) and dismissal from his role for simply trying to abide by the consequences of ANAD’s non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).”

No announcement has been made about the situation of the Tunisian officials who were arrested.

The WADA Athlete Council issued a statement on the 2021 Chinese swimming doping positives,

“We acknowledge that the athlete community may feel frustrated by what they are reading and hearing, which could lead to uncertainty about the case and the entire anti-doping framework. As members of the AC, we understand these sentiments, especially for those who have personally experienced the impact of cheating in their sports.

“At the same time, we are concerned by the fact that athletes’ personal information, including their names and photos, have been leaked to the media. This is a serious breach of athletes’ rights, including of minors, which simply cannot be tolerated. As such, we have asked WADA to investigate what led to this information being leaked to the media and whether any adjustments to rules, processes or procedures should be made to limit this risk in the future, while maintaining protection of whistleblowers. …

“We firmly believe that athletes who dope, which has not been asserted here, must be appropriately sanctioned and that the global anti-doping system must be robust. We equally believe that the presumption of innocence and the right to fair and due process, regardless of an athlete’s sport or country, must be at the core of the antidoping system.”

Observed: This is a troubling statement, especially the phrase “athletes who dope, which has not been asserted here …” In fact, there were 28 positive tests across 23 athletes for the banned substance trimetazidine. Under normal procedures, this would have resulted in immediate suspensions. None were imposed.

Further, the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency waived off the positives, saying that the source of the drug was a hotel kitchen where meals were prepared for the athletes. WADA took CHINADA’s word for it and did not do its own investigation; admittedly, this would have been nearly impossible in China, an authoritarian state.

However, the German ARD report “The China Files” stated that the CHINADA report was in fact compiled by China’s Ministry of Public Security, not the anti-doping agency itself. This raises serious questions about the report and its timing, released months later.

These questions need to be answered, and then WADA’s reaction can be judged. The WADA Athlete Council only injures its own credibility in stating that doping in this case “has not been asserted here” in the face of 28 acknowledged doping positives.

5.
FIFA Council OKs Women’s Club World Cup 2026

In advance of the FIFA Congress which will elect the host of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for 2027, the FIFA Council on Wednesday approved the promised creation of a FIFA Women’s Club World Cup for January and February 2026, with 16 teams.

The event will be held every four years, with an additional tournament in the other three years beginning in 2027. No format was announced.

The Council also confirmed Mattias Grafstrom (SWE) as the FIFA Secretary General.

Friday’s 2027 Women’s World Cup vote was confirmed between Brazil and the joint Belgium-Netherlands-Germany bid, and the “global stand against racism in football” declaration was also approved for presentation to the Congress.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● A threatened garbage-collector’s strike during the Games has been averted as the Paris City Hall announced a deal on Wednesday. The Associated Press reported a city statement that “An increase in the allowance system has been approved: 50 euros ($54) gross per month from July 2024, then 30 euros ($32.5) gross per month from January 2025.”

In addition, bonus payments for workers engaged during the Games period “remains between 600 euros ($650) and 1,900 euros ($2,060), depending on the degree of intensification of the workload during the preparation, organization and/or participation in the staging.”

● Athletics ● More world-leading action, this time in Savona (ITA) at the 13th Citta Di Savona meet on Wednesday, with Italian shot putter Leonardo Fabbri getting a national record and world lead at 22.95 m (75-3 1/2).

Fabbri, the 2022 Worlds runner-up, surpassed the 1987 national mark of 22.91 m (75-2) by Alessandro Andrei, the last of three world records he achieved on 12 August 1987 in Viareggio. Fabbri moved up to no. 5 on the all-time list and no. 2 in European history.

Equaling the world lead in the men’s long jump was Italian Mattia Furlani, 19, the 2024 World Indoor runner-up, who won at 8.36 m (27-5 1/4) to match Olympic champ Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece. It’s also a World U-20 (World Junior) record for Furlani, eclipsing the 8.35 m (27-4 3/4) by Sergey Morgunov (RUS) from 2012.

● Boxing ● The World Boxing group trying to become the International Federation for Olympic boxing announced its second commercial sponsorship, with Nike licensee Athlete Performance Solutions, to supply Nike Boxing sporting apparel and footwear for officials and “co-branded apparel and products for sale to consumers.”

It’s the second sponsorship for World Boxing, as Sting joined in 2023 to provide “gloves, protective clothing, handwraps and training equipment.”

● Cycling ● Taylor Knibb was already on the plane for Paris in the women’s triathlon when she lined up for Wednesday’s USA Cycling national Time Trial championship in Charleston, West Virginia.

Less than 42 minutes later, she is now going to be competing in cycling as well as triathlon as she won the 33.7 km Time Trial in 41:54.69, ahead of Kristen Faulkner (42:05.88) and two-time World Champion Amber Neben – now 49 – in 42:44.53. Said Knibb, 26:

“I’m in shock. I’ll be perfectly honest, I’m just in shock. Last year was hard for the TT [Nationals]. And there are so many incredible riders out here, it was such an incredible day riding with them.”

Looking ahead to the Paris schedule, the women’s Time Trial is on 27 July, the first full day of competition, and the women’s triathlon will be on 31 July.

Brandon McNulty won the men’s race and is off to Paris, winning in 37:42.08, ahead of Tyler Stites (38.40.22) and Neilson Powless (38:44.17). McNulty heads to his second Olympics, after finishing sixth in the Road Race in Tokyo in 2021.

No change at the 107th Giro d’Italia, with a sprinter’s stage on Wednesday that went to home favorite Jonathan Milan, for his second stage win this year.

Stage 11’s 207 km ride to Francalla al Mare was flat for the last half and Milan won the mass sprint to the line over Kaden Groves (AUS) and Giovanni Lonardi (ITA), for his third career Giro stage victory.

Race leader Tadej Pogacar (SLO) was 27th, as the first 89 riders all received the same time. He continues with a 2:40 advantage on Daniel Martinez (COL), with a hilly but not dramatic stage on Thursday, a flat sprint stage on Friday and the second Individual Time Trial on Saturday.

● Figure Skating ● The U.S. Center for SafeSport listed three-time Australian Olympian Brendan Kerry as permanently ineligible as of Tuesday for “Sexual Misconduct – involving a minor.” The holding was shown as subject to appeal.

Now 29, Kerry competed at the 2014-18-22 Winter Olympic Games in the men’s Singles and stopped competing after the 2022 season.

He was the subject of reports for misconduct by American skating star Gracie Gold in 2016, and by an unnamed, minor skater. Reuters reported that Kerry was a registered coach with U.S. Figure Skating during the 2016-17 season.

Ice Skating Australia said in a statement, “We are in the process gathering and considering all information available in relation to the determination by the US Centre for SafeSport.”

● Swimming ● We’re getting closer to the U.S. Olympic Trials – presented by Eli Lilly & Co. – in Indianapolis in a month and Olympic champs Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke are showing their fitness at the Speedo Atlanta Classic.

On Wednesday, they won the women’s and men’s 1,500 m Freestyles, with Ledecky taking charge from the start and finishing with a world-leading 15:38.25, improving on her 15:38.81 in January in Knoxville. It’s the no. 17 performance in history and she has the top 18 and 24 of the top 26. Open-water ace Ashley Twichell was second in 16:22.69.

Finke won the men’s 1,500 m in 14:58.08, moving to no. 14 on the world list, from no. 24, also from January in Knoxville. He won by almost 44 seconds and reportedly has never swum this fast this early in the year, a good sign.

The meet continues through Saturday.

● Table Tennis ● The $2 million Saudi Smash tournament in Jeddah concluded with a Chinese sweep of all five titles, with the 2023 Worlds individual silver medalists playing roles in all five wins!

No. 1-ranked Chuqin Wang, 24, won his biggest tournament title so far in the men’s final, edging German Patrick Franziska, four sets to two: 11-2, 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 10-12, 11-6, moving up from his second-place finish at the 2023 World Championships.

Meng Chen, ranked fourth coming in, won the all-China final from top-ranked Yingsha Sun, also by four to two: 6-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8. Chen had been second, third and second in the last three Worlds; this time, she ended on top of the podium.

Wang got a second win with two-time Olympic champ Long Ma in the men’s Doubles, defeating Japan’s Hiroto Shinozuka and Shinsuke Togami, 11-6, 11-5 and 11-9, and then got a third gold in the Mixed Doubles! He teamed with Sun to cruise past Hong Kong’s Chun Ting Wong and Hoi Kem Doo, 11-6, 11-6 and 11-6.

Chen got a second gold in the women’s Doubles, as she and Manyu Wang swept second-seeded Jihee Jeon and Yubin Shin (KOR), 11-6, 11-6, 12-10.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Study says Paris ‘24 injects €6.7-11.2 billion impact; IOC excited about new Olympic Qualifier Series; WADA angry over Tunisian arrests

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. New study puts Paris 2024 impact at €6.7 to €11.2 billion
2. Inaugural Olympic Qualifying Series starts in Shanghai
3. Olympic Qualifying Series set for future expansion
4. WADA protests arrest of Tunisian anti-doping chief
5. U.S. ski star Johnson hit with 14-month whereabouts sanction

● A new study of the long-term economic impact of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games shows potential impacts over 17 years – 2018 to 2034 – of between €6.7 billion and €11.2 billion. That’s comparable to the estimates way back in 2016, during the bid phase. Even so, it’s only a small contributor to the massive economic engine of the Ile-de-France region.

● The International Olympic Committee’s first “Olympic Qualifier Series” starts on Thursday in Shanghai, with competitions in Breaking, Sport Climbing. Skateboarding and BMX Freestyle cycling. Combined with June’s second stop in Budapest, it will determine the Paris qualifiers in these sport, giving them a higher profile than otherwise possible. Capacity crowds of 15,000 are expected each day.

● IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell explained that the Olympic Qualifier Series will be continued, but not as a simple stand-alone, but as part of a concerted push – especially on digital media – to highlight the qualifying path not only to the Olympic Games, but to the Winter Games in 2026 as well.

● The World Anti-Doping Agency expressed “deep concern” over the arrest of the head of the Tunisian Anti-Doping Agency, who was carrying out WADA instructions over non-compliance of Tunisia with the World Anti-Doping Code. WADA will also hold a meeting of its Foundation Board on Friday to discuss the 2021 incident in which 23 Chinese swimmers were found to be doping, but were not sanctioned after the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency said they consumed contaminated food.

● American ski star Breezy Johnson was sanctioned with a 14-month suspension for recording three “whereabouts” failures over a 12-month period. The sanction is fairly mild and runs from October 2023 when she missed her third report. That means she could be back – if recovered from her 2022 injuries – for this December’s World Cup Downhill in Colorado.

● World Championship: Ice Hockey (Four unbeatens left in men’s Worlds, as U.S. hangs on for playoff spot) ●

● Panorama: Russia (Degtyarev takes over as sports minister) = Athletics (2: Kerley promises 100 m world record!; no interest on delayed Doha Diamond League show) = Cycling (Paret-Peintre takes Giro stage 10) = Swimming (2: Lilly takes presenting role for U.S. swim trials; McIntosh takes world lead in 400 m Free at Canadian Trials) ●

1.
New study puts Paris 2024 impact at €6.7 to €11.2 billion

The Limoges Center for Sports Law and Economics (CDES) announced in a new study released on Tuesday that the long-term economic impact of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is estimated in a range from €6.707 billion to €11.145 billion from 2018 through 2034! (€1 = $1.08 U.S.)

The lengthy period takes into account the preparation and staging of the Games, and a 10-year legacy period, and is limited to the Ile-de-France region which includes Paris. Most of the impact comes from the 2018-24 timeframe:

● Lowest: 92% for Games period, 8% for legacy
● Middle: 84% for Games period, 16% for legacy
● Highest: 83% for Games period, 17% for legacy

And the drivers are well familiar to mega-events:

● Lowest: 21% tourism, 31% construction, 48% organizing
● Middle: 30% tourism, 28% construction, 42% organizing
● Highest: 32% tourism, 27% construction, 41% organizing

The study includes all economic centers of the 2024 effort, not only the Paris 2024 organizing committee, but also the government’s SOLIDEO construction agency and related works. It also included a warning about the overall impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on the economy of the region. Even at the maximum impact of €11.145 billion over 17 years, it’s essentially a trivial amount compared to even a single year of the Ile-de-France Gross Domestic Product, estimated in 2021 at €765 billion!

The methodology as described is fairly standard, with gross, unduplicated spending with a multiplier taking into account future indirect and induced spending in the Ile-de-France region, with a reduction for displacement of “normal” economic activity – in tourism for example – that was pushed out due to the Games being held. The multipliers for the low-middle-high values were conservative at 1.05, 1.25 and 1.50, yielding the overall impact spread.

An analysis of the Paris 2024 organizing committee’s expenses showed an impressive 75% spent inside the Paris region (Ile-de-France) and 25% outside.

Estimates of visitors to the Games, in part relying on ticket sales, news media and athletes (and families) who will come to Paris showed:

● 2.3 to 3.1 million unique visitors coming to the Games
● 36% foreign spectators for the Olympic Games
● 17% foreign spectators for the Paralympic Games
● 90,000+ athletes, officials, media and volunteers

Careful calculations were made about the number of visitors who actually were accommodated in Paris during the Games and “day-trippers,” who came in to see events, but then went back home. Interestingly, a comparison of the economic impact of news media to volunteers showed:

● News media: 25,045 out of region, spending €119 million
● Volunteers: 27,900 out of region, spending €133 million

The displacement impact – subtracting out normal tourism activities if the Games had not been held – was significant in Paris, at 22%.

An appendix compared the 2016 economic impact projections for 2018-34, reducing the 2024 report numbers for inflation. It’s a mixed result:

● Lowest: €5.3 billion in 2016 vs. €5.69 billion now
● Middle: €8.1 billion in 2016 vs. €7.64 billion now
● Highest: €10.7 billion in 2016 vs. €9.47 billion now

Observed: The takeaway from all the numbers is that the Paris 2024 effort has been fairly successful in maintaining its cost structure and that the total overall economic impact is substantial.

However, it is only a modest contributor to a much, much larger economic engine that is the Ile-de-France region. Having the Games is a net plus for the French, Ile-de-France and Paris economies, but hardly a major driver. That, in itself, is crucially important to remember.

2.
Inaugural Olympic Qualifying Series starts in Shanghai

“This is the uniqueness of this event: it’s about sport, it’s about culture, it’s about art, it’s about music, it’s about fashion. And you can really see in that festival area, you have the sponsor showrooms – these are really expanses of fans trying sports – you have the big stage of concerts, you have food trucks, so we have a fantastic set-up for this first edition of the Olympic Qualifier Series.”

That’s Pierre Fratter-Bardy (FRA), the International Olympic Committee’s Associate Director for Olympic Games Strategy & Development, speaking during a Tuesday news conference about the two-stage Olympic Qualifier Series that begins in Shanghai (CHN) on Thursday and will finish in Budapest (HUN) next month.

Olympic qualifying competitions will be held in Breaking, Sport Climbing, Skateboarding and BMX Freestyle.

The Olympic Qualifying Series was developed out of the Olympic Agenda 2020+5 recommendation to raise the profile of the qualifying process for Paris 2024. IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell (NZL) noted that more than 400 events have been shown on the IOC’s Olympic Channel and highlighted on the IOC’s digital channels.

In Shanghai and Budapest, McConnell explained that more than 450 athletes will participate in total, from 120 national federations across 55 National Olympic Committees, with about 80 Olympians from prior Games and 18 prior Olympic medal winners in the four sports. He explained how the sports were selected:

“The four sports really fit together well in terms of the field of play … and they all fit together culturally as well, with the community atmosphere, the individual expression, the music, the culture that comes along with these four sports and disciplines.”

Moreover, for Sport Climbing and Skateboarding in their second Olympic Games and Breaking in its first Games, these sports did not have long-established, traditional qualifying processes. The same is also true for BMX Freestyle, first contest at Tokyo 2020.

Asked what constitutes “success” for this first-time effort, Fratter-Bardy observed:

“It all starts with the athletes and this is about getting their feedback and ensuring that this new Olympic experience, it brings something to them. What we heard from them, speaking to them here on the ground, is that it can’t get closer to the Games. … For most of them, it is the first time they are competing in an event with the Olympic Rings and this triggers a lot of excitement. It’s also a multi-sport event and we are offering them the opportunity to go and watch the other sports competitions, which is very unique as well.

“So I said, it starts with the athletes, obviously then, we have the fans and we expect the park to be full. We expect huge crowds … We have four days of competition: you have Thursday, Friday [for] prelims, Saturday, Sunday for finals, and every day we have a big show. On Thursday we start with the dance show, on Friday we have a fashion show, on Saturday, it’s about Chinese culture, and on Sunday, we’ll end up with a big concert.

“So we will look at success from the athlete’s and from the fan’s perspective, and then, obviously, it’s an event that has been designed with a digital mindset in mind, and we have plenty of activations that have been planned especially for digital platforms.”

Fratter-Bardy, speaking from Shanghai, said, “It’s an exceptional setup. The park is truly phenomenal.” One ticket will allow access to all competitions and festival programs on each day, with the park capacity at 15,000.

The Olympic Qualifier Series is another Olympic Agenda 2020+5 activation for the IOC, and tributes were paid to the Youth Olympic Games programs in Nanjing (CHN) in 2014 and Buenos Aires (ARG) in 2018 that showcased some of these new sports very successfully. Moreover, the mammoth success of the annual International Festival of Extreme Sports (FISE), which draws more than 100,000 a day each year.

Fratter-Bardy emphasized the IOC’s actualization of its mission: “In Shanghai, in a couple of days, we will see a continuation of this real focus on innovation, and urban sport in the Olympic program.”

3.
Olympic Qualifying Series set for future expansion

IOC Sports Director McConnell was asked about the future of the Olympic Qualifying Series, and he focused on the wider promotion of the Olympic qualifying process rather than on actual events that the IOC would arrange:

● “In terms of the wider promotion of the Olympic Qualifiers, we really do see this continuing and probably expanding in the future. And for the Olympic Winter Games, we’re already discussing with the winter Olympic federations how we could build on what we’ve done, learned all of the successes on the pathway to Paris for the winter pathway towards Milano Cortina over the next couple of winters.”

● “Yes, we see a continuation of promoting the qualifiers more generally, always in partnership with the federations and not limiting what they do around their own events, and then specifically around the Olympic Qualifier Series, we’ll take this back and have a look . We’re really sure it’s going to be hugely successful over the two stops on the series and then we’ll see how we can look at that as we move forward to Los Angeles.”

● “What we try and do with the Qualifiers promotion is find ways of allowing the federations to have their commercial partners, their partners across their different events and different hosts, and promote those, including a lot around the digital promotion to ensure that people know those qualification events, to amplify and add value to the federations, to the hosts, to the athletes, to the [National Olympic Committees] and everyone.”

● “In terms of the Olympic Winter side, I think, again, just to be clear, we’re not looking necessarily at the Olympic Qualifier Series being implemented for Milano Cortina, but what we are looking to do is really promote the pathway towards Milano Cortina, the qualification … to really celebrate that there are a huge number of events across all of the winter disciplines over the next two winter seasons, and in the case of the indoor sports, over the course of the summers as well that count towards Milano Cortina and the pathway there.”

An Olympic Qualifying Series for Los Angeles in 2028 will look different, as Breaking is not on the program, while BMX Freestyle, Skateboarding and Sport Climbing has been confirmed. A federation which will be on the Olympic program for 2028 for the first time will be World Squash, which would be a candidate for a Qualifying Series inclusion.

4.
WADA protests arrest of Tunisian anti-doping chief

“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has expressed its deep concern following the arrest of the Director General of the National Anti-Doping Organization of Tunisia (ANAD) and dismissal from his role for simply trying to abide by the consequences of ANAD’s non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).”

Monday night’s statement came in the aftermath of furious response by Tunisian President Kais Saied, who heard about the covering of the Tunisian flag in accordance with Tunisia’s non-compliant status at the 20-nation Tunisian Open Masters championship in Rades, appeared unannounced at the facility and had the flag raised and national anthem sung.

On Monday, the state prosecutor’s office confirmed that the head of the Tunisian swimming federation, the head of the national anti-doping office and seven others have been arrested, with charges under seven sections of the penal code including “attack on the flag of Tunisia,” “formation of an organised group to commit attacks and cause disorder,” and a “plot against the internal security.” Two have been detained with the other seven freed ahead of a trial.

The WADA statement also included:

“WADA supports the efforts of ANAD and International Federations to uphold the decision by the WADA Executive Committee to assert non-compliance in this case. Reports that the ANAD Director General has been arrested for doing so is a matter of grave concern. WADA calls for his immediate and unconditional release from custody, as well as the dropping of any charges made against him pertaining to this.

“Since the non-conformity in Tunisia was established, WADA has been working closely with the authorities to ensure the matter could be dealt with as quickly as possible. Indeed, excellent progress has been made in that regard, making this latest development all the more unfortunate and untimely. WADA remains confident that the matter will be resolved in the very near future.”

A spokesman for the Tunisian Youth and Sports Ministry said last week – prior to the meet – that changes to Tunisian law had been made to accommodate the World Anti-Doping Code and that the non-compliant label – as WADA alluded to in its statement – would be lifted within a couple of weeks.

An extraordinary online meeting of the WADA Foundation Board will be held Friday to further discuss the 2021 case concerning the doping positives of 23 Chinese swimmers for trimetazidine during a January national-level competition.

WADA accepted a report from the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency that excused the positives due to contamination of a kitchen in which meals were prepared for the swimmers, but a documentary from the German ARD channel has raised significant questions about the tests, the report and that WADA did not appeal the excused positives to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The WADA Executive Committee has already had extended discussion on this matter on 25 April, and an independent counsel has been engaged to determine if WADA’s actions in the case were proper.

5.
U.S. ski star Johnson hit with 14-month whereabouts sanction

American women’s downhiller Breezy Johnson agreed to a 14-month suspension by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for three “whereabouts” failures in a 12-month period:

“At the time of the Whereabouts Failures, Johnson, 28, was included in the USADA Registered Testing Pool (RTP), which consists of a select group of elite athletes subject to certain Whereabouts requirements in order to be located for out-of-competition testing. Within a 12-month period, Johnson accrued three Whereabouts Failures: the first on October 29, 2022, the second on June 13, 2023, and the third on October 10, 2023.”

The penalty for a first failure of this type is 12-24 months and her relatively low ban is “because Johnson’s degree of fault was relatively low given the circumstances of the case.” Her ban was effective as of 10 October 2023.

Johnson owns seven FIS Alpine World Cup medals, from 2021 and 2022, and had a very promising 2022 season cut short by injury during training in January 2022, three weeks prior to the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, where she was a medal contender.

Because of this late announcement and the 2023 start date for her ban, she will be eligible again in December of this year and could rejoin the World Cup tour in time for the season’s first Downhill, at Beaver Creek, Colorado on 14 December.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Ice Hockey ● Pool play continues at the 2024 IIHF men’s World Championship in Prague and Ostrava (CZE), with Canada and Switzerland still unbeaten in Group A and Sweden and Latvia undefeated in Group B.

Through three rounds of seven matches in both groups, Canada is 3-0 with 16 total goals, led by Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks) leading the tournament with five goals so far. The Swiss are also 3-0 and the two sides will meet on the 19th.

Sweden has also scored 16 total goals and is 3-0, beating the U.S., 5-2, then Poland (5-1) and Germany (6-1). Latvia is 3-0 with two overtime wins, followed by Slovakia (2-1) and the U.S., which has a win over Germany (6-1), the loss to Sweden and an overtime loss to Slovakia, 5-4, on Monday. Nevertheless, the top four in each group make it to the playoffs, and the U.S. schedule is favorable.

The quarterfinals are on the 23rd and the medal matches on the 26th.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Russia ● Mikhail Degtyarev has been appointed the new Minister of Sport for Russia, with Russian President Vladimir Putin signing the decree on Tuesday (14th). He replaces Oleg Matytsin, the former head of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), who became minister in 2020.

Degtyarev, 42, is a State Duma member and has been the governor of the eastern Russian territory of Khabarovsk Krai since 2021. He has been sanctioned by multiple countries, including the U.S., for his role in supporting Russian invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022.

He said he plans no changes in policy regarding Russian athletes and their decisions whether to compete as neutrals – if permitted – at Paris 2024, and he expects to continue with contacts in the Olympic Movement despite the continued suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee.

● Athletics ● American Fred Kerley, the 2022 World men’s 100 m champion, with a lifetime best of 9.76 from that year, posted on X (ex-Twitter) on Tuesday:

“World record next time I touch the 100m”

Jamaican Usain Bolt’s 9.58 world mark has been untouched since his brilliant performance at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin (GER). Kerley’s last 100 m was on 27 April at the Suzhou Diamond League, finishing third in 10.11.

Whoever watched the Diamond League meet in Doha (QAT) last Friday watched it live on Peacock, as the Nielsen report for Saturday’s shows did not include the “encore presentation” of the meet on CNBC, which meant it drew less than an average of 100,000 viewers.

● Cycling ● No change in the overall standings at the 107th Giro d’Italia on Tuesday, as Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar continues with a 2:40 lead on the field.

The 10th stage, a 142 km ride from Pompeii to Bocca della Selva with a nasty uphill finish, saw Jan Tratnik (SLO) lead onto the 18 km final climb, but was passed with 2.7 km left by France’s Valentin Paret-Peintre, who won in 3:43:50. Countryman  Romain Bardet also passed Tratnik for second, 29 seconds behind, with Tratnik third (+1:01).

● Swimming ● On Monday, Canadian teen sensation Summer McIntosh won the Canadian Olympic Trials in the women’s 400 m Freestyle with the fastest time in the world this year: 3:59.06. She’s one of three to break four minutes in 2024, with American Katie Ledecky fourth on the year list at 4:01.41.

But McIntosh, 17, the 200 m Fly and 400 m Medley Worlds gold medalist in 2022 and 2023 and runner-up in the 400 m Free in 2023, said afterward, “To be honest, I’m not happy with that.”

She won again on Tuesday night in the 200 m Free at 1:53.69, a seasonal best and improving her grip on the no. 2 spot on the world list.

McIntosh will be in the pool many more times this week as the Canadian trials continue through the 19th.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced an expanded sponsorship agreement with existing partner Eli Lilly & Co., becoming the Presenting Sponsor of the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials in swimming at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Lilly is headquartered in Indianapolis and has long been a significant civic supporter of events in the city. As part of its new deal with the USOPC, it will also be an official partner of Making Team USA presented by Xfinity, a new platform illustrating the stories of U.S. athletes.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Tunisia arrests swim, anti-doping heads on WADA sanction; Poistogova appeals 2012 doping penalty, 73% of Olympians are one-timers

By
Rich Perelman
-
The Paris 2024 Olympic torch relay in Arles on Sunday: full of joy, but also under threat (Photo: Paris 2024, by Clement Manhoudeau-Sipa Press)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Tunisia arrests swim and anti-doping heads over flag cover
2. Ex-Russian Poistogova appeals London 2012 medal DQ
3. Bednarek a happy road warrior after Doha world lead
4. More T&F world leads and a new, teen 800 m star
5. Mallon: 73.3% of all Olympians appear in one Games only

● The head of the Tunisian swimming federation and the country’s national anti-doping agency were arrested, along with seven others for following the World Anti-Doping Agency’s sanctions against Tunisia at a meet last week. The youth and sports ministry dissolved the swimming federation’s board and appointed an interim body. This is a problem.

● Former Russian Ekaterina Poistogova won the bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic women’s 800 m, was raised to silver after the Russian winner was disqualified for doping, and then she was disqualified for doping in April. She has decided to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, delaying any re-allocation of the medals to Kenya’s Pam Jelimo and American Alysia Montano.

● U.S. 200 m star Kenny Bednarek was a happy guy after taking the world lead with a lifetime best of 19.67 at the Doha Diamond League meet. But he said that time doesn’t matter at this stage. Slovenian giant Kristian Ceh won the discus at 231-3, but said he wasn’t in shape!

● More track & field world leads to report, in the women’s shot and javelin, and in the men’s 4×400 m, where an all-American quartet from Arkansas had to win 2:59.03 to beat Alabama (2:59.06!) to win the Southeastern Conference men’s title! And remember this name: Phoebe Gill, Britain’s new teen 800 m star!

● Olympic stat star Dr. Bill Mallon posted a fascinating list of Olympians – summer only – by number of Games they participate in. Just more than 73% of them have appeared in one Games only, and one has appeared in 10.

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (23 reported attempts to disrupt Olympic torch in first week) = Asian Games 2026 (no village, but a cruise ship in Nagoya!) = Modern Pentathlon (Egypt takes Mixed Relay to end Sofia World Cup) ●

1.
Tunisia arrests swim and anti-doping heads over flag cover

On 30 April, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced that the national anti-doping agency of Tunisia – “ANAD” – was non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code as “the result of its failure to fully implement the 2021 version of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) within its legal system.”

This means, among other sanctions, “Tunisia’s flag will not be flown at regional, continental or world championships, as well as other events organized by Major Event Organizations (including the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) until the ANAD is reinstated.”

On Friday, 10 May, the Tunisian flag was covered by the national swimming federation during the Tunisian Open Masters championship in Rades attended by swimmers from 20 countries – sending the country’s president, Kais Saied, into a fury. A video from Saied’s office showed him at the pool on the same day, raising the flag and singing the national anthem.

Further, Saied said in a cabinet meeting that covering the flag was an “act of aggression” and that “Tunisia comes before the Olympic Committee and before any other committees,” and demanded “immediate measures… against those responsible for the incident of hiding the national flag.”

On Monday, the state prosecutor’s office confirmed that the head of the Tunisian swimming federation, the head of the national anti-doping office and seven others have been arrested, with charges under seven sections of the penal code including “attack on the flag of Tunisia,” “formation of an organised group to commit attacks and cause disorder,” and a “plot against the internal security.” Two have been detained with the other seven freed ahead of a trial.

Further, the Tunisian youth and sports ministry dissolved the board of the swimming federation and appointed an interim board instead.

A ministry spokesman said prior to the meet that WADA’s requested changes to Tunisian law ha been made by 2 May and that the national anti-doping agency would be compliant again and that WADA’s sanctions would be lifted within 15 days.

Observed: This is a bad situation all around, especially in a country where, the Associated Press reported, Saied “has amassed ever-greater powers and moved to stifle opposition voices,” notably in a 2022 referendum.

Reports last week indicated that the Tunisian legislature has made provisions to normalize its law with the World Anti-Doping Code, but WADA has made no public comment about this as yet.

The dissolution of the national swimming federation’s board of directors now raises questions of government interference with the autonomy of sport for the Aquatics Integrity Unit, World Aquatics and possibly for the International Olympic Committee.

Saied’s prosecution of nine individuals so far puts them in substantial jeopardy for following the WADA edict from two weeks ago, another challenge to WADA’s authority and to the rules-based administration of international sport led by the International Olympic Committee.

As of now, the Tunisian flag would not be flown at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris; the country sent 63 athletes to the Tokyo 2020 Games and won two medals (1-1-0).

The other currently non-compliant National Olympic Committees are Angola and Russia.

2.
Ex-Russian Poistogova appeals London 2012 medal DQ

Former Russian 800 m runner Ekaterina Poistogova (now Guliyev), who won an Olympic bronze in London in 2012 and later upgraded to silver before she was disqualified for doping, has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Russian Maria Savinova won the women’s 800 m race on the track in London, but was disqualified in 2017 for doping, moving Poistogova up to silver from bronze and giving the gold medal to South Africa’s Caster Semenya. The appeal is from a Court of Arbitration for Sport decision upholding an allegation from the Athletics Integrity Unit, which noted:

“This [appeal] follows the decision of CAS, at first instance, to uphold the AIU’s charges against Guliyev and impose an effective ban of 2 years, from 28 March 2024, for Use of a Prohibited Substance/Method (McLaren and LIMS evidence). DQ results from 17 July 2012 until 20 October 2014.”

That decision gave the silver medal to Kenyan Pam Jelimo (originally fourth) and the bronze to American Alysia Montano (originally fifth), with Semenya still the winner.

Poistogova, now Guliyev after marrying Turkey’s 2017 World men’s 200 m champ Ramil Guliyev in 2019, is still active and competes now for Turkey, finishing third in the national indoor 800 m in February.

The appeal means that any re-allocation of medals by the International Olympic Committee will have to wait. Montano, however, says she has time. She wrote on her Instagram page in April:

“We need policy reform we need to institute an athlete mental health protection policy plan and a institute a framework that pays athletes for their loss. Here’s my ask at the very least: I want my medal at LA2028 in front of my entire family and friends on my home turf. I waited this long, 4 more years to do it right. I also want financial losses recouped. The emotions are so very mixed, but I believe this is the least that can be done. Who’s with me?”

3.
Bednarek a happy road warrior after Doha world lead

One of the highlighted events at last Friday’s Doha Diamond League meet in Qatar was the men’s 200 m, where world leader Courtney Lindsey of the U.S. faced countryman – and Olympic silver medalist – “Kung Fu Kenny” Bednarek.

Bednarek left no doubt from the start, taking control on the turn and finishing in a world-leading and lifetime best 19.67 (+1.7 m/s), with Lindsey second at 20.01. Bednarek moved to no. 9 on the all-time U.S. list and was a happy winner afterwards:

“I knew what I was gonna run, I won with the world lead, I was just hoping that the weather would work with us and that is what it did. So, when I crossed the finish line I saw the time I didn’t know if it was the [world] lead; when they wanted to hand me the World Lead sign, I knew I did it.

“I knew I was in a good shape because my teammates would push me on practice. We are happy for each other, I am happy for them, they are happy for me, that is all that matters. It is just love.

“The best I can do this year is gold-medal in the Olympics, I did it in Tokyo [silver medal], I know I have the talent and good training. Running this fast this early is really good, it means I will be fast by the time we start the Olympics.

“Time doesn’t matter, my main focus is not the time, but competing and making sure we get the job done. The next race may be in Los Angeles [on Saturday, 19 May], I am not sure, I have been running lot of back-to-back races.

“’Fear No One’ is the message on today´s headband I’m wearing. I have a special headband with me for every single track event, I give it to the other competitors, we try to have a great time.”

The wind was a major factor at the meet, and even so, there were world-leading performances in six events, including the men’s discus. Slovenia’s 2022 World Champion Kristjian Ceh – who stands in at 6-9! – took advantage and won at 70.48 m (231-3), now no. 3 in the world for 2024. But:

“My performance was fine. I am still not in a good shape. I was really surprised that I threw a very long shot over 70 meters, but still I´m not in a very good shape yet.

“I want to be in a really good shape to participate in the European Championships [in Rome in June], there will be four events for me until then. The following competition is next week, the Marrakesh Diamond League.”

He also appreciated a strong crowd at the Qatar Sports Club:

“It is always good to be here. The crowd is very loud, and the weather is really good.”

And in the future? “I think the world record will be broken again”

Ceh, Tokyo Olympic winner Daniel Stahl (SWE) and new world-record holder Mykolas Alekna (LTU) are scheduled to face off on Sunday at the Marrakech Diamond League meet.

The other truly brilliant performer was Brazil’s 2022 World men’s 400 m hurdles champ Alison dos Santos, who opened his season with a scary 46.86, the no. 15 performance in history and the fastest time ever run before June:

“I am really excited, it is a very good way to start things! It is still very early in the season, we know that we have much work to do, so this result gives us a good, good vibe for the rest of the season!

“It is going to be very tough this year, so to start in such a fashion is so positive. It was just like come here, see how work and preparation is going and it proved to be a very good day!

“The crowd was amazing, too… I have three places in my heart, these are Zurich, Bellinzona and Doha. It always feels so special to be here and compete before these fans. Looking forward to seeing them again in the future.”

4.
More T&F world leads and a new, teen 800 m star

Even with the Doha Diamond League, the Jamaica Athletics Invitational and all of the U.S. conference championships, even more world-leading performances continue to come at a rapid pace. Now on top of the world lists:

● Men/4×400 m: 2:59.03, United States (Arkansas)
● Women/Shot Put: 20.68 m (67-10 1/4), Sarah Mitton (CAN)
● Women/Javelin: 66.70 m (218-10), Flor Dennis Ruiz (COL)

With the World Athletics Relays just a couple of weeks ago, it’s astonishing that a collegiate team could take the world lead in the men’s 4×400 m, but that’s what the Arkansas all-American quartet of TJ Tomlyanovich (45.5), Lance Lang (44.3), Steven McElroy (44.77), and James Benson (44.18) did.

And they had to, because the SEC men’s title depended on it and their 2:59.03 was just 0.03 better than Alabama, which ran 2:59.06! By winning, the Arkansas men took the team title by 110-104 over the Crimson Tide.

Alabama’s team included Chris Robinson (USA), Samuel Ogazi (NGR), Corde Long (USA: 45.6) and Khaleb McRae (USA: 43.73!) Florida was third at 2:59.48, with anchor Jenoah McKiver (USA) turning a 43.96 split!

Mitton, the 2024 World Indoor gold medalist, won the shot at the Throws U meet in Leesport, Pennsylvania, and Dennis Ruiz, the 2023 Worlds runner-up, won the Ibero-American Championships in Cuiaba (BRA) with a lifetime best and a South American record.

And there is a new name to remember in the women’s 800 m.

Just off the world lead – by 0.13 – was the 1:57.86 win by 17-year-old British newcomer Phoebe Gill at the Belfast Irish Milers Meeting on Saturday (she just turned 17 on 27 April!). She crushed her prior lifetime best of 2:01.50 and set European U-18 and U-20 records. She won by almost 2 1/2 seconds, taking the pace out under 57 seconds.

A new face to watch for Paris perhaps?

5.
Mallon: 73.3% of all Olympians appear in one Games only

Fascinating statistics from super-statistician Dr. Bill Mallon (USA) in a Monday post on X (ex-Twitter), noting that there have been 122,382 participants in the Games of the Olympiad – summer Games – from Athens 1896 through Tokyo 2020.

Of those, the overwhelming majority appeared in just one Games and taking those who appeared twice, the total is 112,869 or 92.2%! The breakdown:

● 1 Games: 89,664 athletes or 73.3% of the total
● 2 Games: 23,205 or 19.0%
● 3 Games: 6,952 or 5.7%
● 4 Games: 1,913 or 1.6%
● 5 Games: 485 or 0.4%

● 6 Games: 114 or 0.1%
● 7 Games: 34 or 0.0%
● 8 Games: 11 or 0.0%
● 9 Games: 3 or 0.0%
● 10 Games: 1 or 0.0%

The single athlete who has competed in 10 Olympic Games is Canadian equestrian Ian Millar, who participated in every Games from 1972 to 2012 except for the 1980 Moscow Games, boycotted by Canada and others (he rode on eight different horses!).

A show-jumping specialist, he was 25 years old in Munich and 65 in London in 2012 and won a 2008 Olympic Team Jumping silver, at 61! His best individual finish came in his last Games, in London, where he was ninth.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● French interior minister Gerald Darmanin said in a Sunday post on X (computer translation from the original French):

“Thanks to the preparation and great vigilance of agents of the Ministry of @Interieur_Gouv, 23 actions aimed at disrupting the smooth running of the Olympic festivities linked to the torch relay have been hampered since the start of the week.”

A story on CNews noted that four of the incidents involved anti-Olympic protests and seven related to Palestinian protestors. The relay has a special detail of 115 police officers on the route to ensure security.

● Asian Games 2026: Aichi-Nagoya ● While no specific Games village is being built for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, there will be a central village “facility”: a cruise ship.

The Aichi-Nagoya organizers told the Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly in Bangkok (THA) that a ship in the Port of Nagoya, with accommodations for 3,000 people, would be the central “village.” The accommodations plan is to use 50 hotels or other accommodations in all, with 10 in Nagoya, 30 more across the Aichi prefecture and 10 in other prefectures, close to the competition sites.

● Modern Pentathlon ● The Egyptian combo of Haydy Morsy and Mohanad Shaban started the Laser Run second, but got to the line first in the Mixed Relay at the end of the fourth UIPM World Cup of the season, in Sofia (BUL). They barely edged China’s Yewen Gu and Bailiang Chen and Catherine Oliver and Duilio Carrillo (MEX), 1,352-1,351-1,350 as all three almost crossed together.

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For our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Bednarek, dos Santos star in Doha; four big T&F meets on six channels this week; FIFA unmoved by FIFPRO complaints

By
Rich Perelman
-
World-leading 19.67 for Kenny Bednarek over Courtney Lindsey at the Doha Diamond League (Photo: Marise Nassour for Diamond League AG)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Bednarek, dos Santos star at Doha Diamond League
2. Big week for track & field, with no one in charge
3. FIFA brushes off FIFPRO, WLA issues with Club World Cup
4. Did Pogacar just win the Giro d’Italia in the first week?
5. Olympic Trials pool construction starts in Indianapolis

● Brazil’s Alison dos Santos showed he’s fully recovered from last season’s injuries with a spectacular 46.86 win in the men’s 400 m hurdles at the Doha Diamond League and American 200 m star Kenny Bednarek claimed the world lead over former world leader Courtney Lindsey as well, among world leads in six events.

● This is a big week for top-class track & field meets, with the USATF Distance Classic on Friday, the L.A. Grand Prix and Atlanta City Games on Saturday and Diamond League Marrakech on Sunday. The four meets will be shown on TV and online on six different channels, with no coordination between them. Why?

● FIFA replied with a firm “no” to the demands for changes to the Intercontinental Cup and Club World Cup competitions from the worldwide player union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association, but said it would be happy to have further talks.

● Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar was the big favorite heading into the 107th Giro d’Italia race, but did he already win it in just the first week? Maybe.

● Construction has started on the temporary pools to be used for the U.S. Olympic Trials in June at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the biggest facility ever to house such pools.

● World Championships: Ice Hockey (IIHF men’s Worlds underway in Czechia) = Sailing (Italy’s Tita and Banti win fourth Nacra 17 Worlds gold) ●

● Panorama: Archery (Nodal and Munico-Fernandez surprise with Gator Cup wins) = Athletics (4: Williams equals world 100 m lead; fabulous SEC Champs with three world leads; Amusan, Clayton, Hibbert get world leads at Jamaica Athletics Invite; Estrada and Saina set U.S. records at 25 km champs) = Canoe-Kayak (Queiroz and Kopasz bag two each at Sprint World Cup) = Cycling (2: Vollering wins final stage to win Itzulia women; Jeanjean wins BMX Freestyle Park World Cup again) = Football (Guinea wins final men’s Olympic qualifier, will play in U.S.’s group) = Gymnastics (Varfolomeev dominates again at World Challenge Cup) = Judo (Japan and Russia win two each at Almaty Grand Slam) = Modern Pentathlon (Dejardin and Guzi use Laser Runs to win World Cup golds) = Shooting (Kim and Liu get world records to close ISSF World Cup in Baku) = Triathlon (Pearson’s fab run earns first U.S. World Tri Series win in 15 years!) = Wrestling (U.S.’s Lee and Retherford earn men’s Freestyle spots in Paris) ●

1.
Bednarek, dos Santos star at Doha Diamond League

The third stop on the 2024 Diamond League schedule was at the Qatar Sports Club in Doha, with sensational performances from American Kenny Bednarek and Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, and – despite a difficult crosswind at times – world-leading outdoor performances in six events:

● Men/200 m: 19.67, Kenny Bednarek (USA)
● Men/Steeple: 8:07.25, Samuel Firewu (ETH)
● Men/400 m hurdles: 46.86, Alison dos Santos (BRA)
● Men/Long Jump: 8.36 m (27-5 1/4), Miltiadis Tentoglou (GRE)
● Women/5,000 m: 14:26.98, Beatrice Chebet (KEN)
● Women/Vault: 4.73 m (15-6 1/4), Nina Kennedy (AUS) and Molly Caudery (GBR)

The men’s 200 m was a showdown between Tokyo Olympic silver winner Bednarek and co-world leader Courtney Lindsey of the U.S., already at 19.71 this season. But Bednarek was hot from the start, had the lead off the turn and steamed home the winner in 19.67, with a +1.7 m/s wind, to Lindsey’s 20.01, and fellow American Kyree King third in 2021.

Dos Santos, the 2022 World Champion who came back from injuries to get fifth at the 2023 Worlds, was ready in Doha and took the lead entering the final turn, overtaking American CJ Allen. The Brazilian was easily the best on the final straight and extended his lead, winning in 46.86, the no. 15 performance of all time … in his season opener! Moreover, no one has ever run so fast before 15 June!

The final race on the track was the men’s Steeple, with Olympic fourth-placer Getnet Wale (ETH) in charge with a lap and a half to go, with Amos Serem (KEN) and Ryuji Miura (JPN) following. But fellow Ethiopian Samuel Firewu moved up third at the bell, then took the lead into the final turn and won in 8:07.25, a lifetime best and the world leader. Kenya’s 2023 Worlds bronze winner Abraham Kibiwott passed Wale on the straight for second, 8:07.38 to 8:09.69.

Olympic long champ Tentoglou had the early lead, but then Jamaican Carey McLeod unloaded a big jump in the fourth round at 8.52 mw (27-11 1/2, +5.2 m/s) to grab the lead and dare anyone to match him. No one could, but Tentoglou tried, reaching 8.26 mw (27-1 1/4w), 8.34 mw (27-4 1/2w) and finally 8.36 m (27-5 1/4, +1/9) in rounds 4-5-6, his last jump taking the world lead. Swiss Simon Ehammer got out to a windy 8.30 m (27-2 3/4w) for third.

The women’s 5,000 m saw Chebet, the 2023 World Champion, take over at 2,000 m, then Ejgayehu Taye (ETH: 2023 Worlds 10,000 bronze) took over had forged a significant lead, only to have Chebet and Medina Eisa (ETH) close in by the bell. Chebet took over for good with 200 m to go and won in 14:26.98, followed by Taye (14:29.26) and Eisa (14:34.11).

In the vault, both World Indoor champ Caudery and 2023 Worlds co-champ Kennedy cleared 4.73 m (15-6 1/4) on their first tries, but Caudery won on the countback. Tina Sutej (SLO; 4.63 m/15-2 1/4) was third, ahead of Bridget Williams, the best American, in fourth.

Elsewhere. Ethiopia’s World Indoor 1,500 m winner Freweyni Hailu broke away after 800 m and won the women’s 1,500 m easily, 4:00.42, over late-closing Jessica Hull (AUS: 4:00.84) and Nelly Chepchirchir (KEN: 4:01.19). Swiss Ditaji Kambundji was the surprise winner of the women’s 100 m hurdles in 12.49 (+1.7) on the run-in over early leader Tonea Marshall of the U.S. (12.51).

Britain’s Daryll Neita similarly came on late to win the women’s 100 m in 10.98 (+2.0), taking over from Americans Tamari Davis (10.99) and Celera Barnes (11.02). Despite trouble with the wind, 2023 World Champion Mary Moraa (KEN) was decisive winner in the 800 m, ahead of Britain’s Jemma Reekie, 1:57.91 to 1:58.42, moving to nos. 2 and 7 on the 2024 world list.

Olympic men’s 400 m gold medalist Steven Gardiner (BAH) was a clear winner in the 400 m, taking control from the backstraight – despite the wind – and winning in 44.76, with Muzala Samukonga (ZAM: 45.07) a distant second. Americans Vernon Norwood (45.49) and Quincy Hall (45.98) were fourth and seventh.

Brian Komen of Kenya, the African Games winner earlier this year, came hard in the final 200 m to win the men’s 1,500 m in 3:32.43, edging teammates Tim Cheruiyot, the 2019 World Champion, and world leader Reynold Kipkorir (3:32.96).

With the wind, the possibilities in the discus were intriguing and 2022 World Champion Kristjian Ceh (SLO) got off a big fourth throw to win at 70.48 m (231-3), now no. 2 on the world list. Australia’s Matt Denny was second at 69.02 m (226-5). Same for the javelin, with Tokyo Olympic silver winner Jakub Vadlejch (88.38 m/289-11) outlasting India’s Olympic champ Neeraj Chopra (88.36 m/289-11).

The Diamond League circuit moves on to Marrakech (MAR) for next Sunday’s meet on the 19th.

2.
Big week for track & field, with no one in charge

There will be lots of big-time U.S. track & field this coming weekend on 17-18-19 May, if you know where to look and have your computer(s) and your TV ready!

● On Friday (17), the USATF Distance Classic will be held at Drake Stadium at UCLA, from 5-8 p.m. Pacific time (8-11 p.m. Eastern), with stars like World Indoor champ Bryce Hoppel of the U.S., 2022 World 1,500 m champ Jake Wightman (GBR) in the men’s 800 m, World Indoor 1,500 m runner-up Cole Hocker of the U.S. in the men’s 5,000 m, American Steeple record holder Evan Jager, World Indoor 3,000 m gold winner Elle St. Pierre in the women’s 5,000 m and a lot more.

It’s on the USATF.tv subscription channel.

● On Saturday (18), from 3-5 p.m. Eastern (12-2 p.m. Pacific) is the L.A. Grand Prix from UCLA, promoting match-ups including Bednarek and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo in the men’s 100 m, Olympic champ Kirani James (GRN) and Michael Norman of the U.S. in the men’s 400, past World Champions Joe Kovacs and Tom Walsh (NZL) in the men’s shot, an all-star women’s 200 m with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Abby Steiner and Jenna Prandini, and plenty more.

It’s on NBC and the Peacock subscription service.

● Also on Saturday (18) – with an overlap – from 4:45-7:45 p.m. Eastern – is the Atlanta City Games, a street meet to feature World Champions Noah Lyles (men’s 150 m), Grant Holloway (men’s 110 m hurdles), Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) and Steven Gardiner (BAH) in the men’s 400 m, world-record holders Tobi Amusan (NGR) and Keni Harrison of the U.S. in the women’s 100 m hurdles and others.

It’s on (for free) on adidas’ YouTube channel and Noah Lyles’ YouTube Channel.

● On Sunday (19), is the Diamond League meet from Marrakech, Morocco from 2-4 p.m. Eastern. A discus showdown with 2022 Worlds winner Kristjian Ceh, Olympic gold winner Daniel Stahl and new world-record setter Mykolas Alekna (LTU), women’s World shot champ Chase Jackson of the U.S. and others.

It’s on CNBC and the Peacock subscription service.

That’s four should-be-terrific meets in three days … on six different channels.

This is good?

It’s not the fault of the broadcasters, but a demonstration of the lack of coordination among governing bodies, agents, sponsors and others who all have their own interests.

Michael Johnson: will your new “track league” for 2025 fix this?

Johnson, by the way, is serious about his effort to help the sport. Asked on X (ex-Twitter) about how little McLaughlin-Levrone races, he replied:

“I would love to see her race more but she is not the problem. The current structure is. It’s not her job to fix it. But it is now my job and I’m on it. Stay tuned.”

3.
FIFA brushes off FIFPRO, WLA issues with Club World Cup

Ahead of this week’s FIFA Congress in Thailand, FIFA brushed aside concerns from the world players union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association about the impact of its forthcoming Intercontinental Cup in December and its radically-expanded Club World Cup next June.

In a reply to the letter sent last week by FIFPRO and the World League Association about the burden of these new and expanded competitions on players and their clubs, FIFA said it is “fully within our rights to set the parameters of our competitions whilst respecting the regulatory framework in place.”

Moreover, while it is will to further discuss the matter, FIFA noted that its competitions “are responsible for a fractional amount of the total elite club games around the world.

“While we disagree with the tenor and content of your letter, we have nonetheless taken note of your concerns and are more than happy to invite you to discuss the matter further at a time convenient to you.”

The Intercontinental Cup is a new event (with an old name) to be held at the end of 2024 among six clubs who are the best in each of the six confederations of FIFA. The Club World Cup is being expanded from six or seven teams to 32 in a month-long tournament in the U.S. in June and July next year.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom (SWE) wrote in FIFA’s reply that both FIFPRO and the WLA had been substantially consulted on the setting of the International Match Calendar, to which both objected in their letter:

“From the outset we reject any suggestion or inference that FIFA somehow ‘imposes’ the International Match Calendar (IMC) on the football community without adequate consultation or to suit its own ‘business strategy.’”

FIFPRO and the WLA said that legal action against FIFA regarding the staging of the Intercontinental Cup and the expanded Club World Cup was possible. Grafstrom retorted:

“It would be useful for us to understand if the motivations expressed in your letter have resulted in similar written representations and references to legal action to your members or other competition organisers.”

4.
Did Pogacar just win the Giro d’Italia in the first week?

Although the Tour de France is by far the most famous cycling race in the world, the other Grand Tours – the three-week extravaganzas in Italy – the Giro d’Italia – and Spain – the Vuelta a Espana – are also widely known and celebrated.

Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar, the 2020 and 2021 winner of the Tour de France, is making a shambles of the 107th Giro in just the first week.

It’s his first time in the Giro, the last Grand Tour for him to try, after the 2019 Vuelta a Espana (third) and four straight top-two finishes in Le Tour: 1-1-2-2. Sure, he was the big favorite to win, but after nine stages, he is dominating the race in stunning fashion:

● Three stage wins in the first eight stages
● Individual Time Trial win by 17 seconds
● Now 2:40 up on the first after nine stages

In a demonstration of superiority, he has won all three stages with climbing finishes – 2, 7 and 8 – by 27 seconds, 17 seconds and in a three-way sprint, with most of the field more than two minutes behind!

Pogacar, 25, entered Friday’s Individual Time Trial with a 46-second lead on Britain’s Geraint Thomas, the 2019 Tour de France champion, and 47 seconds up on Daniel Martinez (COL). He crushed the field, winning the 40.6 km race from Foligno to Perugia with a significant uphill finish in 51:45, 17 seconds up on Italy’s two-time World Time Trial champ Filippo Ganna and 2:00 up on Thomas!

On Saturday, now up by 2:36 in Martinez and 2:46 on Thomas, Pogacar faced a 152.6 km course from Spoleto to Prati di Tivo with six climbs and another steep uphill finish. He won again, in 4:02:16, beating Martinez and Ben O’Connor (AUS) to the line, along with four others who were two seconds back (including Thomas). So with the time bonuses for the medalists, Pogacar led by 2:40 over Martinez and 2:58 on Thomas. O’Connor moved up to third, 3:39 back.

For some perspective, consider that the last nine Giro d’Italia finishes were all within 2:00 from first to second. Back in 2014, famed climber Nairo Quintana (COL) won the Giro by 2:58 and Italian star Vincenzo Nibali won his second Giro by 4:43: the only two to win by more than 2:00 in the last 17 Giros.

On Sunday, the 214 km ninth stage to Naples was downhill, then flat and for the sprinters, to be followed by the first rest day on Monday. Olav Kooij (NED) won the sprint to the line over stage 4 winner Jonathan Milan (ITA) and Sebastian Molano (COL), with no change among the overall leaders.

Next Tuesday is another major uphill-finishing stage, and a second Individual Time Trial – on a flat course – comes next Saturday.

Will it all be over by then? There are three mountain stages to follow in four days, all with uphill finishes, and Pogacar could be hindered by injuries or mechanical failures. Or he could be on the way to history.

5.
Olympic Trials pool construction starts in Indy

Installation of the competition and warm-up pools at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is starting in advance of the 15-23 June U.S. Olympic Trials in swimming, potentially in front of 30,000 people a night.

Italian-based Myrtha Pools, with its U.S. headquarters in Sarasota, Florida, is once again providing the pools for the Olympic Trials, with WRTV in Indianapolis reporting on the project.

Myrtha Pools USA Director of Technical Services John Ireland told WRTV’s Taj Simmons:

“This is the biggest venue that a pool has ever been inside of. There are some very unique challenges associated with that and a lot more moving parts than we’re used to. …

“It is intimidating. We’re doing something that typically takes six to nine months in just a few weeks.”

Myrtha (and Ireland) are highly experienced with these kinds of temporary installations, but a unique challenge is covering a football field. The facility requires two sheets of plywood and then a tarp, for protection. The venue will take advantage of the Trials and will be replacing its turf as soon as the swimming is done and the temporary pools are removed.

Once the event is completed, Myrtha then gets to break everything down and reassemble the pools in their permanent location, a new facility being arranged by the Fort Wayne Swim and Wellness Alliance, which has purchased the pools. Said Fort Wayne Swim Team director Ben Sutton:

“Indianapolis has sixteen 50-meter pools, we have just one in Fort Wayne. We desperately need some more water space and lane space. We’re lane locked with our swim team.”

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The IIHF men’s World Championship has started with group play in Prague and Ostrava (CZE), continuing through 21 May. In Group B, Sweden flew past the U.S. in their opener, 5-2, then the Americans rebounded with a 6-1 win over Germany.

The Czech Republic won its first two games in Group A, and Canada pummeled Great Britain, 4-2, in its opener and Denmark, 5-1, in its second game.

● Sailing ● Olympic champions Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti of Italy continued their dominance of the Nacra 17 class World Championship off La Grande Motte (FRA), taking their third straight Worlds gold and fourth total.

They won five races and were second six times on the way to a net total of 67.0 points. That was comfortably ahead of Britain’s two-time champs John Gimson and Anna Burnet, who finished second for the second consecutive years, with 79.0 points.

Two-time Worlds runner-ups Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei grabbed third with 100.0 net points and six top-three finishes.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Archery ● Surprises at the U.S. team qualifier at the Easton Foundations Gator Cup in Newberry, Florida, with 2021 Worlds Team silver winner Matthew Nofel – the sixth seed – winning the men’s final; by 6-5 over 13-seeded Christian Stoddard. Top-seed Trenton Cowles finished third, winning the bronze-medal match, 6-2, against Jacob Robinson.

The women’s top-seed, Casey Kaufhold, took third with a 6-0 win over Emma Kim, while second-seeded Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez the women’s Recurve title over Catalina GNoriega, 6-4.

The sixth and final stage of Olympic Team Qualification and Trials takes place on Monday and Tuesday. Kaufhold leads the women’s rankings and 2019 World Champion Brady Ellison leads the men’s list.

● Athletics ● Lots of hot sprinting at the Pure Athletics Sprint Elite meet in Clermont, Florida, with 2014 World Junior Champion Kendal Williams of the U.S. riding a +2.0 m/s wind to a world-leading-equaling win at 9.93, a lifetime best, in the men’s 100 m. Josephus Lyles won the 200 m in a wind-aided 20.05 (+2.6).

Tamara Clark, the 2022 Worlds 200 m sixth-placer, won the women’s 100 m in 10.98 (+1.9) and the 200 m in 22.32 (+1.3).

Even more action at the SEC Championships in Gainesville, Florida, where Alabama’s Tarsis Orogot (UGA) won the men’s 200 m in 19.75 (+1.0) to move to no. 4 on the 2024 world list, and Canada’s Christopher Morales Williams (Georgia) moved to no. 1 in the world in the 400 m, winning in 44.05, a national record. Samuel Ogazi (NGR/Alabama) and Khaleb McRae (USA/Alabama) moved to 11-13 on the world list at 44.58 and 44.60 in second and third.

In the women’s 100 m, world leader Jacious Sears (USA/Tennessee) was the qualifying co-leader at 11.09, but pulled up in the final, holding her left leg, and finished last. Brianne Lyston of LSU won in 10.91 (+0.3), ahead of Kaila Jackson (Georgia: 10.95), now no. 3 and 6 on the 2024 world list.

McKenzie Long of the U.S. and Ole Miss won the women’s 200 m in a world-leading 22.03, ahead of South Carolina frosh JaMeesia Ford (22.11) and Thelma Davies (LSU: 22.17), now nos. 1-3-4 on the year.

And the women’s 400 was sensational, with the top four times of the year: 49.32 for Nickisha Pryce (JAM/Arkansas), 49.47 for Kaylyn Brown (USA/Arkansas), 49.51 for Amber Anning (GBR/Arkansas) and 49.79 for Aaliyah Butler (USA/Georgia). Rachel Glenn (USA/Arkansas) ran a world-leading 54.02 in the 400 m hurdles in the prelims, then fell in the final while all alone in the lead.

A world-leading 12.40 in the women’s 100 m hurdles for Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan highlighted the Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston on Saturday. She came on late to pass two-time World Champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica (12.46, wind +0.9 m/s) for the victory.

Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton took over the world lead in the women’s 400 m hurdles, winning in 53.72, ahead of Anna Cockrell of the U.S. (53.76, no. 2).

Jaydon Hibbert (JAM) dominated the men’s triple jump and claimed the world lead, winning at 17.57 m (57-7 3/4) into a 1.3 m/s headwind!

Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith won the women’s 100 m in 10.91 (+1.1) and 2019 World Champion Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) took the women’s 200 m in 22.51.

Jamaican Ackeem Blake won the men’s 100 m in 10.02, Zharnel Hughes (GBR) won the 200 m over Fred Kerley of the U.S., 19.96 to 20.17 (+1.1), and Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith took the men’s 400 m in 44.69, ahead of Matthew Boling of the U.S., who got a lifetime best of 44.98.

American records were set at the USATF 25 km Championships – held in conjunction with the Amway River Bank Run – in Grand Rapids, Michigan for Betsy Saina and Diego Estrada.

Saina, the defending women’s U.S. 25 km champ, broke away with Annie Frisbie by the 5 km mark and then broke from Frisbie at 20 km and ran away, finishing in 1:22:32 to 1:22:37 for Frisbie. Dakotah Lundwurm finished third in 1:23:08.

Saina’s mark shaved four seconds off Shalane Flanagan’s 2014 American Record time in Berlin (GER).

Estrada, the 2015 U.S. Half Marathon champion, was part of a pack of four at 15 km, but then surged after 20 km and won easily in 1:13:10, far in front of Nico Montanez (1:13:30) and Biya Simbassa (1:13:45). That’s better than Parker Stinson’s U.S. mark of 1:13:38 – also in Grand Rapids – from 2019.

● Canoe-Kayak ● World Champions Isaquias Queiroz and Balint Kopasz each won two events to highlight the ICF Sprint World Cup I in Szeged (HUN), along with a win and a loss for New Zealand superstar Lisa Carrington.

Queiroz, the Tokyo men’s C-1 1,000 m gold medalist and a seven-time World Champion, is still going strong at 30 and won the C-1 500 m by more than a second in 1:45.88, and took the C-1 1,000 m in 3:45.84, ahead of France’s Adrien Bart (3:47.23).

Kopasz, the Tokyo K-1 1,000 m men’s champ and a four-time World Champion, won the K-1 500 m in 1:36.06 over Poland’s Slawomir Witczak (1:36.59) and the K-1 1,000 m in 3:24.91, leading a Hungarian 1-2 with 2023 Worlds runner-up Adam Varga (3:25.40) and 2023 World Champion Fernando Pimenta (POR: 3:25.48) in third.

In the other men’s Olympic-program events, Russians Alexey Korovashkov and Ivan Shtyl won the C-2 500 m in 1:37.03; Australians Jean van der Westhuyzen and Thomas Green took the K-2 500 m in 1:26.59 and World Champions Germany won the K-4 500 m in 1:18.50 to 1:18.76 for Australia.

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Carrington, also a 15-time World Champion, won the K-2 500 m race with Alicia Hoskin, 1:38.61 to 1:39.92 over Denmark’s current World Champions, Emma Jorgensen and Frederikke Matthiesen. Fellow New Zealander Aimee Fisher, the 2021 K-1 500 m Worlds winner, won that race over Carrington, 1:46.19 to 1:46.52. The Kiwis got a third win in the non-Olympic K-1 1,000 m from Alyce Wood (3:55.96).

Nine-time World Champion Katie Vincent (CAN) was the clear winner in the C-1 200 m final, beating teammate Sophia Jensen (46.16), with Tokyo Olympic winner Nevin Harrison of the U.S. in ninth (47.13).

Hungary went 1-2 in the women’s C-1 500 m, with Agnes Kiss (2:03.17) and Bianca Nagy (2:05.19), and Germany won the women’s K-4 500 m.

China’s World Champions Mengya Sun and Shixiao Li won the (non-Olympic) women’s C-2 500 m, over Vincent and Sloan Mackenzie, 1:51.49 to 1:53.12 and Sun doubled back with Hao Liu to win the Mixed C-2 500 m final as well (1:45.35).

● Cycling ● The third UCI Women’s World Tour Itzulia stage race for women in Spain started on Friday with a win for Dutch rider Mischa Bredewold, in a sprint over Cuba’s Arlenis Sierra and 2022 winner Demi Vollering (NED).

On Saturday, Bredewold won another sprint, by one second over Mavi Garcia (ESP) and Juliette Labous (FRA). But in Sunday’s final stage, Vollering blew away the field and won by 44 seconds over Thalita de Jong (NED) and Bredewold and won the overall title at 9:03:42, 34 seconds up on Bredewold. Labous was third at +0:52.

At the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup in Montpelier (FRA), three-time European Champion Anthony Jeanjean of France won his second straight Park World Cup this season, scoring 92.50 to edge 2019 World Champion Brandon Loupos (AUS: 91.32) and Britain’s Declan Brooks (89.87).

The women’s title went to 20-year-old Laury Perez (FRA), scoring 94.00 to finish just ahead of 14-year-old Miharu Ozawa (JPN: 93.00) and Britain’s Sasha Pardoe (18: 90.12).

In the Flatland finals on Sunday, Japan’s teens swept the women’s finals with Nina Suzuki (15: 85.67) winning over Ayuna Miyashima (15: 79.00) and 2023 Worlds bronze medalist Kirara Nakagawa (18: 67.67).

Japan’s World Champion Yu Shoji (22) won the men’s title, scoring 92.33 to edge 35-year-old Worlds bronze medalist Matthias Dandois (FRA: 90.00) and 19-year-old (and 2023 Worlds silver winner) Kio Hayakawa (JPN: 86.33).

● Football ● The field for the men’s Olympic football tournament was completed with a playoff win by Guinea over Indonesia, 1-0, in the CAF-AFC playoff in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France. This places Guinea in Group A for Paris, playing New Zealand, France and the U.S. on 24-27-30 June.

It’s the first Olympic appearance for Guinea.

● Gymnastics ● German star Darja Varfolomeev, the five-time gold medalist at the 2023 Worlds, continued her winning ways, this time at the FIG Rhythmic World Challenge Cup in Portimao (POR).

She won the All-Around over Belarus’ Alina Harnasko (as a “neutral”), the 2020 Olympic A-A bronze medalist, and Harnasko won on Ball (33.550).

Varfolomeev won on Hoop (34.500), on Clubs (34.110 to 33.650) for Harnasko) and on Ribbon (31.900). Two Americans made the apparatus finals: Lili Mizuno was eighth with Clubs (28.750) and Evita Griskenas scored 28,850 for six on Ribbon.

In the five World and Challenge Cup events so far, Varfolomeev has won three A-A titles and eight apparatus titles.

● Judo ● Japan and Russia each won twice at the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam in Almaty (KAZ), highlighted by Tokyo Olympic Aaron Wolf taking the men’s 100 kg class, and Tatsuru Saito winning at +100 kg, for his second career Grand Slam gold.

Russian winners, competing as “neutrals,” include Abdulaev Ramazan in the men’s 60 kg and Murad Chopanov in the 66 kg division. Belarusian “neutral” Yahor Varapayeu won at 90 kg.

France’s Romane Dicko, the 2022 World Champion, won the women’s +78 kg class; two-time World Champion Christa Deguchi (CAN) defeated 2016 Olympic gold medalist Rafaela Silva (BRA) to win the 57 kg class, and two-time Worlds silver winner Manuel Lombardo (ITA) took the men’s 73 kg division.

● Modern Pentathlon ● France’s Pierre Dejardin had never won a UIPM World Cup and heading into the final event of the UIPM World Cup IV in Sofia (BUL), he stood second, but 18 seconds behind Egypt’s Mohanad Shaban.

No problem, as Dejardin was 20.5 seconds faster and won with 1,502 points to 1,500 for Shaban, with teammate Mohamed Elgendy third (1,498). Dejardin was second in fencing and riding, but slipped to 14th in swimming, while Shaban had won the fencing and the riding and was fourth in the pool to set up the Laser Run showdown.

Hungary’s Blanka Guzi was also a Laser Run star and had a World Cup gold in her collection from 2023. But after a 12th in fencing, ninth in riding and third in swimming, she started seventh in the Laser Run, 1:10 behind leader Elodie Clouvel of France, the Rio 2016 silver medalist.

But Guzi was not to be denied, posting the fastest time in the Laser Run in the entire field, while Clouvel was 16th. Guzi won with 1,400 points, to 1,396 for Jessica Varley (GBR: 5th in Laser Run) and 1,379 for Egypt’s Malak Ismail (eighth in Laser Run).

● Shooting ● The ISSF World Cup in Baku (AZE) concluded with an odd second round of competitions in the men’s 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol, women’s 25 m Pistol and the men’s and women’s 50 m Rifle/3 positions to provide the same number of competitions this season as those in other events to earn Olympic Qualification ranking points.

So, Korea’s Ye-ji Kim won the second women’s 25 m Pistol final, defeating first-final winner Ji-in Yang (KOR) by 42-38, improving on Yang’s world record of 41 from January at the Asian Championships in Jakarta (INA). German Josefin Eder was third, as she was in the first final (31).

China’s Yukin Liu won the first men’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions final with a world record score of 467.3, then improved it with another win and world mark of 468.3 in the second final. Austria’s 2023 World Champion, Alexander Schmirl, was second at 463.2 and 23-year-old Jiri Privratsky (CZE) got third (452.4).

China got another win from 2023 World Champion Yuehong Li in the second men’s 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol final, taking the second final with 34/40, ahead of two-time Worlds runner-up Clement Bessauguet (FRA: 31) and Korea’s Jong-ho Song (27).

Britain’s Seonaid McIntosh, the 2018 World Champion in the 50 m Rifle/Prone event, won the women’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions second final at 466.3, just beating Siyu Xia (CHN) at 464.6. German Anna Janssen, who won the first final, finished third (454.1).

In the Skeet Mixed Team final, Chile’s Hector Flores and Francisca Crovetto edged the U.S. pair of Dustan Taylor and Dania Jo Vizzi, 45-42.

● Triathlon ● A major win for American Morgan Pearson at the much-anticipated World Triathlon Championship Series in Yokohama (JPN), running the fastest 10 km in the field by 17 seconds to win his first Series gold.

Pearson was 17th out of the water and trailing leader Mark Devay (HUN) by 13 seconds, then lost more time on the bike, but a series of crashes closed things up. Pearson lost more time in the transition, but was running fast and moving toward the lead quickly on the run.

He got to the lead on the fourth lap and won in 1:42:05, seven seconds ahead of Australia’s Matthew Hauser (1:42:12), who passed teammate Luke Willian (1:42:20) on the final lap as well. World Triathlon reported it’s the first win for an American man in a WTCS race since Jarrod Shoemaker in 2009. Fellow American Matthew McElroy finished 13th (1:43:13).

The women’s race also saw a first WTCS victory for France’s Leonie Periault, who was only 21st out of the water, but had the fastest bike phase in the field to get close to French teammate Emma Lombardi and American star Taylor Knibb, a two-time WTCS winner.

But like Pearson, there was no way to counter Periault on the run. She was third-fastest overall, in 33:02 – Knibb was fourth, in 33:31 – and Periault won by 1:52:28 to 1:53.04, with Lombardi third (1:53.08).

Knibb, already confirmed for Paris, led three Americans in the top five, with Taylor Spivey fourth in 1:53:25 and Kirsten Kasper fifth (1:53:34). Comebacking Rio 2016 winner Gwen Jorgensen had the second-fastest run in the field and finished 15th overall in 1:54:42 and had made it up to sixth among U.S. women in the World Triathlon Olympic rankings.

● Wrestling ● The U.S. qualified two more men’s Freestyle wrestlers for Paris 2024 at the World Olympic Qualifier in Ankara (TUR), with Spencer Lee crushing four opponents in a row and Zain Retherford doing it the hard way.

Lee, competing at 57 kg, had won the U.S. Trials and had to win four matches to get to Paris. He sailed by with wins by 10-0, then 10-9 against no. 1 seed Wanhao Zou of China, then 12-2 and 10-0 to win his bracket and a spot at the Olympic Games.

Retherford won his first two matches at 65 kg by fall and 11-0, then lost to Tulga Tumur Ochir of Mongolia, 7-2, who went on to win an Olympic quota by winning his next two matches. That sent Retherford into the repechage round, needing to win four straight matches to earn an Olympic berth.

He won over Alibeg Alibegov (BRN) by pinfall, then handled Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK), 5-2, won a tight, 2-2 battle with India’s Sujeet Sujeet on criteria, then shut down Niurgin Skriabin of Belarus, 7-0 to punch his ticket for Paris.

The U.S. has now qualified in all six men’s Freestyle categories and in all six women’s Freestyle classes. American wrestlers are in for three Greco-Roman classes, but all three at the World Qualifier – Dalton Roberts (60 kg), Ellis Coleman (67 kg) and Kamal Bey (77 kg) – were unsuccessful.

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For our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: FIFPRO, leagues ask FIFA to reschedule Club World Cup; Japan’s Uno retires; 2024-25 alpine schedule has finals in Sun Valley!

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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★ It’s here! Our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport: Click here!

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. FIFPRO, WLA threaten FIFA over 2025 Club World Cup
2. Ex-RFEF chief Rubiales to be tried for sexual assault
3. Japan’s skating star Shoma Uno says he is retiring
4. FIS Alpine calendar ‘24-25 has finals in Sun Valley
5. NFL Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson passes at 86

● The worldwide football players union FIFPRO and the World League Association sent a strongly-worded letter to FIFA, demanding it reconsider the staging and timing of its new Intercontinental Cup at the end of this year and the greatly-expanded Club World Cup for June 2025, calling them “inherently abusive” to both player health and to their club teams and leagues.

● A Spanish court confirmed trials for former Royal Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales and three other current or former RFEF staff for their roles in the Jenni Hermoso kissing scandal and attempted cover-up after the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in 2023. No date was set, but all four face possible imprisonment.

● Japan’s two-time men’s World Champion Shoma Uno announced his retirement from competitive skating, after three Olympic medals and back-to-back Worlds golds in 2022 and 2023.

● The FIS Alpine World Cup calendar was “provisionally” revealed, with the seasonal finals at Sun Valley, Idaho, which has not hosted World Cup races since 1977! Otherwise, two other women’s stops will be in the U.S. and more one men’s stop among 20 stages for each.

● Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson, an NCAA high hurdles champion at UCLA and younger brother of Rafer Johnson, passes at 86.

● Panorama: USOPC (coaches of the year named) = Cycling (Sanchez takes Giro stage 6, but Pogacar still leads) = Football (some Estadio Azteca suite owners not giving up boxes to FIFA for 2026) = Shooting (Smith wins Skeet at ISSF World Cup) ●

1.
FIFPRO, WLA threaten FIFA over 2025 Club World Cup

“Players are being pushed beyond their limits, with significant injury risks and impacts on their welfare and fundamental rights.”

That’s from a letter sent by the worldwide football players union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association to FIFA, concerning the expanded 2025 Club World Cup and the 2024 Intercontinental Cup to be played in December.

The Associated Press reported that it has seen the letter, which calls the added tournaments “inherently abusive” and that FIFA is making “unilateral decisions that benefit its own competitions and commercial interests.” The letter demands:

● FIFA “review its decision” on holding a new Intercontinental Cup competition this December, in which the champion clubs in each of the six confederations would play; the same teams are also scheduled to play in the 2025 Club World Cup.

● FIFA to reschedule the 32-team Club World Cup – expanded from seven in 2023 – slated to be held in the U.S. from 15 June to 13 July.

● The FIFA match calendar, which sets aside periods dedicated to league play and to national-team play, must be reopened and revised: “Leagues and players cannot simply be expected to ‘adapt’ to FIFA’s decisions, which are driven by FIFA’s business strategy. We have reached the point where this situation must immediately be addressed both from a procedural and substantive perspective.”

The letter adds:

“FIFA has ignored repeated attempts by leagues and unions to engage on this issue.

“Should FIFA refuse to formally commit to resolving the issues, as set out above, at its upcoming council, we shall be compelled to advise our members on the options available to them, both individually and collectively, to proactively safeguard their interests.

“These options include legal action against FIFA on which we have now commissioned external expert advice.”

The pressure on top-level players is greater than ever, with club teams expanding their schedules with exhibition games all over the world, now new FIFA events such as the Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup, as well as the FIFA World Cup expansion to 48 teams and 104 matches vs. 32 teams and 64 matches in Qatar in 2022.

The FIFPRO and WLA demands are deliberately timed to raise questions at next week’s FIFA Congress in Bangkok (THA).

2.
Ex-RFEF chief Rubiales to be tried for sexual assault

Spanish judge Francisco de Jorge confirmed on Wednesday that former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales is to be tried for sexual assault for his forced kiss of Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the victory ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

Rubiales will face a sexual assault charge related to the ceremony, and then coercion allegations that he and three other officials pressured Hermoso into withdrawing her criticism of Rubiales’ actions.

The sexual assault charge carries a maximum sentence of a year in prison. The coercion charge could carry an 18-month sentence; Rubiales and Jorge Vilda, former coach of the women’s national team; Albert Luque, the Spanish national team’s current sporting director, and Ruben Rivera, the RFEF marketing head, will also face the coercion charge.

The trial date has not been set, but is scheduled to be held at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid.

Rubiales, 46, has maintained his innocence, saying the kiss was consensual, and despite the international uproar after the 20 August 2023 final, he said he would remain as RFEF President. He finally resigned on 10 September 2023, and was subsequently banned by FIFA from football activities for three years.

3.
Japan’s skating star Shoma Uno says he is retiring

“I have taken the decision to retire.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me and cheered for me as a competitor until now. I discovered skating when I was five years old and am very grateful to have continued for 21 years and have had a wonderful competitive career.”

Japanese figure skating star Shoma Uno, 26, posted his retirement message on Instagram on Thursday and said he would hold a news conference next Tuesday to add to it.

Overshadowed to some degree by 2014 and 2018 Olympic men’s figure skating gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu, Uno was World Champion in 2022 and 2023 and owns Olympic silvers from 2018 (men) and 2022 (team), as well as a bronze from the Beijing 2022 men’s final.

Standing just 5-2, he combined grace and power and is credited as the first to land the quadruple flip in competition and the second to do the quad loop in international competition.

He finished fourth at the 2024 Worlds in March, and Kyodo News noted Uno’s comments: “Maybe it’s my age, or Nathan [Chen’s] and [Yuzuru Hanyu’s] influence, but I wasn’t able to feel strongly like I wanted to win.”

4.
FIS Alpine calendar ‘24-25 has finals in Sun Valley

The first look at the “provisional” FIS Alpine World Cup schedule for the 2024-25 season was posted on X (ex-Twitter) on Thursday, with the all-events final scheduled – but “to be confirmed” – for Sun Valley, Idaho for 22-27 March 2025.

It will be a historic return to Sun Valley, which hosted World Cup races previously only in 1975 and 1977.

There will be only one prior stop in the U.S. during the season for men, at Beaver Creek, Colorado, on 6-7-8 December for a Downhill, Slalom and Super-G. No men’s races are shown at all for Canadian sites.

Two U.S. stops are planned for women’s racing, first for 30 November and 1 December in Killington, Vermont for a Giant Slalom and Slalom, then on 14-15 December for a women’s Downhill and Super-G. In between, two Giant Slaloms are scheduled for Tremblant (CAN) on 7-8 December.

The 20 stops on the women’s tour include:

● 5 in Austria
● 4 in Italy
● 3 in the U.S.
● 1 in Canada, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, Switzerland

The men’s stops will be in:

● 4 in Austria and Italy
● 3 in Switzerland and the U.S.
● 2 in Norway
● 1 in Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Slovenia

The World Alpine Championships will be in Saalbach (AUT) from 4-16 February. The calendar remains subject to approval by the FIS Council.

5.
NFL Hall of Famer, NCAA hurdles champ Jimmy Johnson
passes at 86

Jimmy Johnson, a Hall of Fame defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL, an NCAA hurdles champion for UCLA and the younger brother of Olympic icon Rafer Johnson, passed away on Wednesday (8th) after a lengthy illness.

Born in 1938, four years younger than Rafer, he moved with his family to Kingsburg, California, graduated from Kingsburg High School and followed Rafer’s path to UCLA.

There, he was a wingback and defensive back and ran track for coach Ducky Drake, winning the 1960 NCAA 120-yard hurdles championship at Berkeley (14.0) as a junior, as well as long jumping. He missed the 1961 NCAA meet due to injuries.

He was drafted by San Francisco and was a star at cornerback from 1961 to 1976, honored as a first-team All-Pro from 1969-72 and a second-team All-Pro from 1964-66 and 1968. He finished with 47 career interceptions and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994, after being selected as UCLA Hall of Famer in 1992.

At his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, he shared the honor with his brother (who passed in 2020), who had introduced him:

“Rafer Johnson is in fact my hero and that is an amazing thing in itself. Most young men growing up usually have a hero in another town, another city, another country, and they will write to this individual, receive an autographed photo and then tack that photo up on the wall and worship that photo, play for that photo and get inspiration from that photo. No such problem for me.

“I had a brother living with me on a day-to-day basis that I was able to talk to, ask the pertinent questions, get the pertinent feedback and get corrected in my direction, if needed. I must say I must give brother Rafer credit for everything that I have accomplished in the field of athletics. And I just wish that we could split this trophy, this bust of myself, right down the middle because he surely deserves half of it.”

That says a lot about both of them.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● The USOPC named its coaches of the year for 2023, honoring eight coaches and staff members who have made a difference across five sports:

● Olympic Coach of the Year: Jenni Meno-Sand (figure skating)
● Paralympic Coach of the Year: Ellen Minzner (rowing)

● Coach-Educator of the Year: Richard Guy Krueger (archery)
● College Coach of the Year: Todd DeSorbo (swimming)
● Developmental Coach of the Year: Dr. Robert Park (archery)
● Doc Counsilman Science & Technology Award: Garrett Lucash (figure skating)
● Service Provider of the Year: Dr. Caroline Silby (figure skating)
● Volunteer Coach of the Year: Patrick Wentland (speed skating)

Desorbo, the head coach at the University of Virginia – his women’s teams have four NCAA team titles in a row – won’t have much time to enjoy his award, as he is training swimmers for the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials and will serve as the head women’s coach for the U.S. team in Paris.

● Cycling ● Spain’s Pelayo Sanchez won a final sprint among three riders to take the sixth stage of the 107th Giro d’Italia, riding Thursday on a hilly, 180 km course from Viareggio to Rapolano Terme.

Luke Plapp (AUS), two-time World Road Champion Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) and Sanchez broke free with about 40 km left in the race and were never headed. Plapp led late, but was passed first by Alaphilppe and then by Sanchez in the final 100 m for the win in 4:01:08; Plapp was given 4:01:09. It’s Sanchez’s first career UCI World Tour victory!

Race leader Tadej Pogacar (SLO) retained his 46-second lead over Geraint Thomas (GBR), both finishing in a huge group that was 29 seconds back of the leaders. Pogacar will look to increase his lead on the uphill-finishing 40.6 km individual time trial on Friday and more difficult, 152 km course on Saturday with six climbs and another uphill finish.

● Football ● In another of the innumerable issues that will come up prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., a lifetime box holder at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium has said FIFA cannot use his suite for the World Cup.

The AP spoke with Roberto Ruano, whose father purchased a box – with a 99-year term – when the stadium was originally built:

“We’ve already paid for the right to be there when we purchased the title and there can be no restrictions for us. We have a title to support us. It’s not up for debate.”

He is the spokesman for 134 box owners with similar rights at the Azteca, which began construction in 1961 and opened in 1966. One report notes that stadium now has 856 “executive suites.”

Discussions are continuing with the stadium ownership, with Ruano pointing out that box owners were allowed use during both the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cups.

● Shooting ● American Worlds Mixed Team gold medalist Austen Smith won the women’s Skeet final at the ISSF World Cup in Baku (AZE), scoring her last 10 shots to defeat Martina Maruzzo (ITA: 50) and London 2012 bronze winner Danka Bartekova (SVK: 43).

China’s Jianlin Lyu won the men’s Skeet with 56 hits to 50 for two-time Olympian Federico Gil (ARG), and China went 1-2 in the men’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions with Yukun Liu, who set a world record of 467.3 in the final to edge five-time World Junior gold winner Linshu Du (21: 466.1).

Germany’s World Team gold medalist Anna Janssen won the women’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions at 467.2, ahead of Swiss Tokyo Olympic champ Nina Christen (465.3).

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TSX REPORT: Flavor Flav to sponsor U.S. water polo women; FIFA report likes Brazil for Women’s World Cup ‘27; LA84 success turned on 8 May

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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★ Updated! Get our 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport: click here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Flavor Flav to Steffens: “imma sponsor the whole team”
2. IOC launching AI-driven social media protection service
3. FIFA rates Brazil best of bids for 2027 Women’s World Cup
4. Olympic flame arrives in France, Manaudou starts relay
5. Forty years since the turning point for the 1984 Games

● U.S. women’s water polo captain Maggie Steffens – a three-time Olympic gold medalist – urged her Instagram readers to support the team for Paris, recognizing that some team members also hold down multiple jobs while trying to play. She got a quick reply from Public Enemy co-founder Flavor Flav, who wrote back, “imma sponsor the whole team.”

● The International Olympic Committee announced an artificial-intelligence-powered program to provide social-media “protection” for the Paris 2024 Games, both shielding athletes from abuse and reporting abusive posts to the relevant platforms. The concept has been tested and follows successful efforts in this area from FIFA and World Athletics.

● FIFA’s evaluation report rated Brazil’s bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup as slightly better than the Belgium-Netherlands-Germany bid, mostly due to concerns over contract matters which do not meet FIFA’s preferences. A closer look at the text reveals concerns for reservations from both bidders.

● The Olympic Torch Relay for the Paris 2024 Games is now in France, with the flame delivered to a big crowd in the harbor of Marseille, and French swimming gold medalist Florent Manaudou taking the first leg. The relay will continue right up to the opening on 26 July.

● Wednesday marked the 40-year anniversary of the start of the 1984 Olympic Torch Relay, the longest in history at the time, and the announcement by the USSR that it would not attend the Los Angeles Games. Both the relay and the Games were huge successes, and the Soviet boycott effort was a failure, as a then-record 140 countries came to the transformative 1984 Games.

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (official music and composer introduced) = On Screen (tiny audience for World Athletics Relays) = Russia (5: Politician says Russia may not be at LA28 either; re-allocated Rio medalist won’t get any medals from the IOC until Russia turns over 15 medals it owes; canoer Pavlov disqualified for “liking” Putin inauguration; 60+ countries expected for BRICS Games; RUSADA having trouble setting up a new lab) = Ukraine (weightlifting champ Pielieshenko first Olympian to die fighting Russia) = Athletics (2: Lewis says “ not in the culture to work that hard” in track or anything else; another Kenyan doping positive) = Badminton (SafeSport confirms arbitration upholds sanction for ex-USAB chief executive) = Boxing (World Boxing meets with IOC for first time) = Cycling (Pogacar still on top of Giro d’Italia as Milan, Thomas win sprint stages) = Flag Football (USOPC advertising for an NGB) = Shooting (Korea’s Yang equal own world record in 25 m Pistol at ISSF World Cup) = Swimming (Tokyo 400 Free champ Hafnaoui opts out for Paris) = Wrestling (Taylor named to replace Smith at Oklahoma State) ●

● Errata: Tuesday’s post mentioned 1996 Olympic icon Michael Johnson as a triple gold medalist; he won two (now corrected, thanks to reader David Greifinger). Also, John Smith was identified on Monday as the coach of 400 m star Michael Norman; in fact, he is back with USC head coach Quincy Watts. ●

1.
Flavor Flav to Steffens: “imma sponsor the whole team”

Three-time Olympic gold medal winner Maggie Steffens, one of the greatest water polo players in history and the U.S. captain, asked for support in an enthusiastic Instagram post on Saturday (4th); in part:

“There is no greater honor then representing Team USA on the Olympic stage side by side with strong, talented, & driven women who empower you every day. Who dedicate their whole lives to a common goal that forces you to face uncertainty and adversity when you least expect it. And who are willing to commit their entire selves to the process for true love of the sport, teamwork, and the Olympic dream. These selfless women are my WHY. My motivation to keep going no matter what & to never stop, for them.

“Water polo, women’s water polo specifically, may not be the most popular sport or on everyone’s radar, but with women’s sports even more on the rise – I encourage everyone to give these women a try! To join our family & friends and watch them strive to defy odds & chase history. To see what committed training day in and day out for over a year can create! To see what women can do in the water And if it’s not water polo, learn a new sport and watch it! Support it! Join the team behind the team.

“This support means everything to us & impacts our sport more than most. You all are truly the team behind the team and we feel it and we need it! Many of my teammates aren’t just badass champions, but also teachers, business owners, coaches, physicians assistants, and more. Some may not know this, but most Olympians need a 2nd (or 3rd) job to support chasing the dream (myself included!) and most teams rely on sponsors for travel, accommodations, nutritional support, rent/lodging, and simply affording to live in this day and age. Especially female sports and female athletes. We’ve had companies & amazing individuals support our sport alongside donors, USAWP & USOPC, but we always need more help … So leading into this Olympics, let’s continue to increase exposure of female teams & female athletes so they can continue to pursue their dreams & show the world what they do best. We are ONE TEAM!”

Steffens, 30, got a quick reply from Public Enemy co-founder Flavor Flav (born William Jonathan Drayton Jr., 65):

“AYYY YOOO,,, as a girl dad and supporter of all women’s sports – imma personally sponsor you my girl, whatever you need. And imma sponsor the whole team. …

“That’s a FLAVOR FLAV promise.”

And he added on X (ex-Twitter):

“The US Women’s Waterpolo team has won the GOLD MEDAL THREE OLYMPICS IN A ROW,,, these women should not have to be working 2-3 side jobs to be able to compete.

“FLAVOR FLAV promises to sponsor/support captain Maggie Steffens the US Women’s Waterpolo team”

Exactly what that support is going to look like is not yet clear, but it’s a great sign for the women’s team, trying for a fourth consecutive Olympic gold in Paris. On Monday, the women played a friendly match in the Olympic venue in Paris, stomping France, 12-6, with Jenna Flynn scoring four times and Steffens among four other U.S. stars who scored twice.

2.
IOC launching AI-driven social media protection service

Following its announced push into using artificial intelligence and building on efforts by several International Federations, the International Olympic Committee outlined an AI-powered monitoring service to help protect athletes from online abuse at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:

“The AI-powered system will monitor thousands of accounts on all major social media platforms and in 35+ languages in real time. Any identified threats will be flagged, so that abusive messages can be dealt with effectively by the relevant social media platforms – in many cases before the athlete has even had the chance to see the abuse.”

This is a joint project of the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission and the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission, and the system is being prepared to handle about 15,000 athletes and 2,000 officials at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

Importantly, the concept has already been trialed, with good results:

“The AI-powered tool was successfully piloted during Olympic Esports Week, where it monitored targeted, abusive content posted on the social media accounts of players participating in the event. This included identifying slurs, offensive images and emojis or other phrases that could indicate abuse.

“It subsequently analysed more than 17,000 public posts, flagging 199 potentially abusive messages from 48 authors targeting accounts from a study set of 122 players and two official IOC accounts. A total of 49 posts were then verified as abusive by a team of experts against an agreed definition of discriminatory abuse and flagged for action via the relevant social media platforms.”

This new program will be complemented by IOC Safeguarding Officers in the Olympic Village, as well as a dedicated mental-health helpline and other services.

The social-media-monitoring concept has been implemented by federations such as FIFA and World Athletics:

● At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand:

“5.1 million posts and comments were analysed for abusive content, in 35 different languages, protecting 697 players and coaches actively using 2,111 accounts across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube. 239 active accounts held by 29 match officials and the 32 participating teams were also covered by this service.”

● For the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the project – also using AI – analyzed more than 20 million online comments concerning a total of 1,070 players and officials, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.

Out of this total, some 433,696 posts were identified for review and 19,636 flagged as abusive and reported to the platforms. There were 286,895 comments which were hidden and not shown at all.

The threat to athletes is significant. Kenyan marathon star and two-time Olympic champ Eliud Kipchoge told the BBC that he received significant abuse following the death of fellow Kenyan star Kelvin Kiptum on 11 February in an auto accident:

“I was shocked that people [on] social media platforms are saying ‘Eliud is involved in the death of this boy.’ That was my worst news ever in my life.

“I received a lot of bad things; that they will burn the [training] camp, they will burn my investments in town, they will burn my house, they will burn my family. It did not happen but that is how the world is.”

3.
FIFA rates Brazil best of bids for 2027 Women’s World Cup

The 182-page evaluation report for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 released Wednesday stated that both the Belgium-Netherlands-Germany and the Brazilian bids were strong, but:

“Based on the results of the technical evaluation, the Brazil bid received the highest overall average score of 4.0 out of 5, followed by the BNG bid with 3.7.”

The overview of both bids was summarized thus:

● Belgium-Netherlands-Germany:

“The BNG 2027 bid proposes a compact tournament footprint with very good general infrastructure, including excellent connectivity and short distances between the proposed venues – all of which would be viewed in a positive light by the tournament stakeholders.

“Together with a solid commercial position and suitable football-specific sporting infrastructure, the bid presents a sound all-round bid. The stadiums proposed have relatively smaller capacities, which would mean that they would need to be at high occupancy if they were to eclipse the attendance records set for the 2023 edition of the tournament, though the bid is confident in achieving this with the ambitious plan it has put in place.

“It is important to highlight that while the bidder, their respective governments and other stakeholders have all shown clear and demonstrable support for the bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a number of material changes were made to the hosting documentation, which would result in a more complex legal framework as the point of departure for planning the tournament if the bid were successful.”

● Brazil:

“The Brazil 2027 bid offers good stadiums that are purpose-built and generally configured for the largest international football tournaments, having hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“It also presents a strong commercial position, with a combination of competitive revenue potential and clear cost efficiencies. The Brazilian Football Association and the Brazilian government have shown support for the bid and a commitment to hosting the event, which is particularly important given that certain investments in infrastructure and services would be required to ensure the success of the tournament.

“Lastly, with respect to hosting opportunities, it is worth noting that, if the bid were successful, South America would be hosting the competition for the first time, which could have a tremendous impact on women’s football in the region.”

Both bids projected the tournament to be held in June and July, with the BNG program encompassing 13 stadia across the three countries and 10 in Brazil (all from the 2014 FIFA World Cup). The stoplight-style grading system highlighted that both bids were generally sound, but gave a red-light rating to the BNG “Legal contractual framework.”

And as to scoring, the two key elements both favored Brazil:

● 35%: Infrastructure: Brazil 3.7 vs. BNG 3.3
● 30%: Commercial: Brazil 4.5 vs. BNG 4.0

The costs to FIFA of running the tournament – it no longer uses local organizing committees – were considered higher in Europe than for Brazil, but the commercial opportunities are better than for Brazil given the economic strength of the host countries.

However, FIFA’s issues with enforcement it wants for its own needs are significant with the BNG bid. Highlighted were issues with “taxes, immigration procedures, labour law, and safety and security” in Belgium, “taxes, immigration, safety and security, and commercial rights” in the Netherlands and “taxes, as well as visas and work permit procedures” in Germany.

Moreover, the report criticized – the comments regarding Germany are used as illustration – “amendments made to the stadium and host city agreements will likely result in increased cost obligations, a significant dilution of rights (including a limit on the stadium authorities’ liability) and a loss of operational control under these agreements (including in relation to FIFA’s right to determine the tournament’s hosting requirements and tournament budget).”

FIFA’s costs in Brazil are considered to be low and the weather – in the Brazilian winter – is expected to be generally good. The report described the legal situation in much the same way it did for the BNG bid, but had a different outlook:

“The content of the submitted government support documents generally complies with the FIFA templates, although FIFA has identified some material deviations, including in relation to taxes and the general enforceability of the guarantees provided. In addition, the government legal statement flagged possible challenges regarding the potential implementation of tax exemptions.”

But the evaluation team was satisfied with the “clarification process” with the Brazilian federation.

In terms of tickets and money, the report noted 1.7 million spectators and $63 million from a BNG hosting, and 2.1 million spectators, but $59 million from Brazil.

The U.S. and Mexico pulled out of a joint bid for 2027, now aiming at 2031, allowing for evaluation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.). The selection of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup host will be made at the FIFA Congress on 17 May.

4.
Olympic flame arrives in France, Manaudou starts relay

The Olympic Torch Relay has begun in France, with the arrival of the French tri-masted ship Belem at 11 a.m. in the Marseille harbor and London 2012 Olympic 50 m Freestyle gold medalist Florent Manaudou taking the first turn with the torch on French soil.

The Belem was accompanied by 1,024 local vessels and a flyover by the Patrouille de France. Manaudou, as the first of 10,000 torchbearers, handed the flame to French Para sprinter Nantenin Keïta, then local rapper Jul took it, before lighting the Olympic Torch Relay cauldron.

The Associated Press reported that security was tight, with about 8,000 police on station for the ceremony and “Thousands of firefighters and bomb disposal squads have been positioned around the city along with maritime police and anti-drone teams patrolling the city’s waters and its airspace.”

The Torch Relay program will formally begin on Thursday, to start a 69-day relay which will visit more than 450 locations – including overseas extensions in French Guiana, Reunion Island and French Polynesia (Tahiti) among others – before concluding at the Olympic opening on the Seine on 26 July.

A security team will accompany the relay throughout its journey. A spokeswoman for the French Interior Ministry told the AP, “We’re employing various measures, notably the elite National Gendarmerie Intervention Group unit, which will be present in the torch relay from beginning to end.”

5.
Forty years since the turning point for the 1984 Games

For those who worked on the development and staging of the revolutionary Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad in Los Angeles in 1984, Tuesday, 8 May is a day that will never be forgotten.

It was initially marked as the start of the longest Olympic Torch Relay in history: 15,000 km (9,320 miles) on a zig-zag course across the United States, finishing in Los Angeles 82 days later for the opening of the Games on 28 July. A total of 3,636 runners carried the torch.

The relay was created as a way to raise money for charity, with the Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, Special Olympics and eventually others as recipients of $3,000 “Youth Legacy Kilometers” that collected $10.95 million in donations ($32.92 million today). The cost of the relay itself was paid by sponsor AT&T and by the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.

The start of the relay was at United Nations Plaza in New York, with LAOOC President Peter Ueberroth present on a cold, rainy morning. A short program was led by LAOOC Board member and 1960 Olympic decathlon champ Rafer Johnson and the first kilometer was run by Gina Hemphill, the granddaughter of 1936 Olympic legend Jesse Owens, and Bill Thorpe, Jr., grandson of 1912 Stockholm immortal Jim Thorpe.

The second kilometer was run by 91-year-old Abel Kiviat, a gold (3,000 m Team) and silver medalist (1,500 m) at Stockholm and Thorpe’s roommate at the 1912 Games.

About two hours after the relay started came the dreaded announcement that the Soviets declined the invitation to participate in the 1984 Games, claiming insufficient security for its delegation and supposed violations of the Olympic Charter and stating “in these conditions, the National Olympic Committee of the USSR is compelled to declare that participation of Soviet sportsmen in the Games is impossible.”

The boycott announcement was later reported to be a decision of the Soviet Politburo as revenge for the U.S.-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games.

But the outcomes were quite different.

The Moscow Games included 80 countries, but there were 66 that did not attend, with at least 63 boycotting the Games, including the U.S. The Soviets expected their refusal to attend to create a counter-boycott to cripple the Los Angeles Games. But the opposite happened.

At the LAOOC, an afternoon all-staff meeting at the vast Culver City headquarters – a former Hughes helicopter design facility – was led by Executive Vice President and General Manager Harry Usher. The messages were simple: (1) this changes nothing, the Games will happen and (2) let’s get busy with changing the narrative.

One notable advantage was the presence within the LAOOC of dozens of foreign nationals and naturalized U.S. citizens from other countries. Many had ties with national sports federations or National Olympic Committees in those countries and all were enlisted to “call home now” and not just ask the NOCs to come to the 1984 Games, but to declare their acceptance of the invitations ASAP in order to counteract the impact of the Soviet boycott.

Delegations were sent to Warsaw Pact countries to extend personal invitations to come, some turning away the LAOOC in tears because they had been looking forward to the Games. Ueberroth made a high-profile trip to Havana to ask Cuban dictator Fidel Castro to come, especially since baseball – the national sport – was going to be played as a demonstration and the Cubans were likely winners.

That failed, but it made an impression. The deadline for acceptance of the LAOOC invitation to the Games was 2 June, but on 12 May, China accepted the invitation to send athletes, despite being a Communist country. The U.S. State Department was also working feverishly to encourage acceptances.

The International Olympic Committee, then headed by Spain’s Juan Antonio Samaranch – a former ambassador to the USSR, with supreme diplomatic and sports contacts – was also all-out to get formal acceptances to the invitation to the Games and coordinated strategy with the LAOOC.

The hard push yielded results, and on 24 May – 16 days later – the LAOOC announced the receipt of 123 acceptances for the 1984 Games, eclipsing the prior record of 122 for the 1972 Games in Munich. That did not include Romania, which had signaled that it would come despite its Warsaw Pact membership, but had not sent in its formal agreement.

Said Ueberroth, “Two weeks ago the world’s most powerful propaganda machine waged a campaign of lies against the Olympics. We asked the nations of the world for their help … and did they help!”

By the deadline of 2 June, there were 141 acceptances, a new record and Angola came in two days later, citing communications issues. Eventually, Angola did not send a team (it never said why) and Libya withdrew on the eve of the Games, leaving the final total at 140.

On the Soviet side, 14 countries boycotted and five others (including Angola and Libya) did not send teams.

At the opening of the 1984 Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on 28 July, Hemphill ran the torch into the stadium and handed it to Johnson, who memorably lit a set of Olympic rings that set the cauldron at the top of the peristyle end alight.

That was 82 days after a memorable 8 May, the day which started the final march to success for one of the most pivotal Olympic Games in history.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The “Official Musical Theme” of the Paris 2024 Games, written by French composer Victor le Masne, debuted in Marseille during ceremonies welcoming the Olympic Torch to France. Per Paris 2024:

“The Official Musical Theme of the Paris 2024 Games, entitled ‘Parade,’ will be performed on 8 May at 7.30pm, when the Olympic Flame arrives in Marseille. It will be played live, exceptionally, by the Marseille orchestra from the Palais du Pharo, marking the start of the Games celebrations in France. This musical theme, which will be played throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games, was recorded with the Orchestre National de France and the Chœur et Maitrise de Radio France.”

Le Masne has also been appointed as the Musical Director for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He has worked previously with Ceremonies Director Thomas Jolly (FRA). 

● On Screen ● The U.S. had a fantastic World Athletics Relays, winning four of the five events, but little interest from television viewers on CNBC.

The final-day session from Nassau (BAH) at 7 p.m. on Sunday drew a paltry 107,000 viewers per the Nielsen report, with just 10,000 viewers on average in the age 18-34 demographic.

That’s way below the usual 700-900,000 or more for track broadcasts on NBC; the meet was shown on both Saturday and Sunday on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock.

Earlier that day on NBC, the Laureus Awards program on delay at 3 p.m. Eastern drew an average of 324,000 viewers (28,000 in 18-34 demo).

Sunday’s NCAA Beach Volleyball final between USC and UCLA at 11 a.m. on ESPN had 306,000 viewers (37,000 in 18-34).

● Russia ● Doubts are now being raised about Russian entries for Los Angeles in 2028. Evgeniy Revenko, the deputy head of the dominant United Russia party, which holds 325 of the 450 seats in the State Duma, said at a Wednesday committee hearing:

“We are faced with an important strategic task, the prospects for participation in the Olympics are now at zero, 2028 is in question. Next year is 2032. The next Olympics, when we can expect to take full part, is in eight years. Now we are faced with the task of full, very serious and very deep preparation for these Games.”

A disqualification for doping in the Rio 2016 Olympic men’s canoeing final in the C-1 1,000 m event gave the bronze medal to Russian Ilia Shtokalov, with the IOC confirming the re-allocation in 2018.

But Shtokalov has not received his medal. An inquiry by the Russian news agency TASS received a reply from the IOC:

“Medal reallocations must be and have always been handled by the respective National Olympic Committee of the athlete concerned. When the Russian Olympic Committee was not suspended, it had failed to return the medals to the IOC after 15 Russian athletes or teams were disqualified from the Games as per usual procedures. This means that the IOC, regardless of the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, is currently not in a position to reallocate medals to Russian athletes.”

Russian sprint canoeist Mikhail Pavlov, a four-time Worlds gold medalist, was disqualified from participation by the International Canoe Federation, apparently for “liking” a video on social media concerning the inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Pavlov, 37, was set to try and qualify in the men’s C-2 500 m, with Zakhar Petrov, but were replaced by Alexey Korovashkov and Ivan Shtyl, who won the European Qualifying event on Wednesday in Szeged (HUN) and, subject to review of their “neutrality,” will go to Paris.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that “more than 60 countries” are expected to be represented at the 11-23, 20-sport June BRICS Games in Kazan (RUS).

Tickets have gone on sale for the event, according to TASS, “ticket prices range between 100 and 300 rubles (between $1 and $3).”

The creation of a new, anti-doping laboratory in Russia is at a standstill, according to the Russian Anti-Doping Agency Director General, Veronika Loginova:

“My opinion is that we are not ready yet, the issue has not been worked out, so that we move away from the system that exists and move on to a new, independent one.

“We have a concept, it has been worked out. But there are questions about the materials that are used in analysis. For most analyses, reagents and other consumables are available, but some materials are purchased from abroad, and we do not receive them.”

She said that Russian doping samples are tested aboard, with 36% going to Ankara (TUR), 33% to Seibersdorf (AUT), 30% to Ghent (BEL) and 1% to Cologne (GER).

Loginova also noted that requests by RUSADA for testing of samples at foreign labs for the BRICS Games and September’s Friendship Games are meeting with resistance, due to the requests by the IOC not to support these events.

● Ukraine ● Sad news of the first Ukrainian Olympian to die in service fighting the Russian invasion of his country: weightlifter Oleksandr Pielieshenko, on Sunday (5th) at age 30.

Pielieshenko was the European champion at 85 kg in 2016 and 2017 and placed fourth at the Rio 2016 Games at 85 kg. He joined the Ukrainian infantry shortly after the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

● Athletics ● In an interview during the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Carl Lewis said that there is a good reason why interest in his best event – the long jump – is low right now.

“Why is the long jump not popular? Because no one’s jumping far..

“It’s not rocket science. When you have a generation that got used to people that were jumping 8.60 m [28-2 3/4] and competition was there, people were excited … With the long jump at one point, you really felt like ‘I want to be there because I’m going to see something special’.”

Lewis, the head coach at the University of Houston, cited the difficulty of the event, combining speed and technique and then went further:

“I just don’t think our culture is raising kids to do that anymore. It’s just not in the culture to work that hard, to not be distracted. It’s just not there.

“And in our culture, I’m not talking about just athletes but I’m talking about kids. What I had to go through, a kid now? ‘Oh no, got to stop, mental health’. Seriously, I’m just being honest.”

Wow.

Another Kenyan doping positive, this time for marathoner Josephine Chepkoech, 35, for testosterone, with a charge issued by the Athletics Integrity Unit on 7 May. Chepkoech won the women’s division in the Santiago (ESP) Marathon on 28 April in 2:30:16, and was second at the Sevilla Marathon in February in 2:22:38.

She was previously sanctioned for doping for two years from March 2015 to March 2017 for a positive test for steroids on 31 December 2014. If confirmed this time, she will be in for a long sanction.

● Badminton ● The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Center for SafeSport informed the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and USA Badminton that an arbitrator had upheld a five-year sanction against former USA Badminton chief executive Linda French for interference in the reporting of an abuse allegation by a staff member.

● Boxing ● World Boxing met for the first time with the International Olympic Committee, specifically Sports Director Kit McConnell (NZL), on Monday in Lausanne:

“During the meeting the IOC clearly indicated that the new International Federation had to be supported by a global body of National Federations and the new International Federation had to show evidence of proper governance and leadership for the sport for the IOC to consider to put boxing back on the Olympic programme of LA28.

“Currently World Boxing is the only suitable International Federation to fulfil this mandate and is grateful to the IOC for starting a formal dialogue and outlining a future pathway to keep the sport in the Olympic Games.”

The IOC has said the clock is ticking and could make the decision on boxing and 2028 by early 2025.

● Cycling ● At the 107th Giro d’Italia, Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar continues as the unchallenged leader, with a 46-second edge on Geraint Thomas (GBR) after the fifth stage.

Wednesday’s rise, a 179 km route from Genoa to Lucca with one significant climb early, saw a breakaway by four riders at the 100 km mark: Enzo Paleni (FRA), Michael Valgren (DEN), Andrea Pietrobon (ITA) and Benjamin Thomas (FRA). Pietrobon attacked with less than 2 km left, but was caught by Valgren, who then saw Thomas whiz by to win the stage in 3:59:59, with Valgren and Pietrobon given the same time and Paleni three seconds back. It’s Thomas’s first win in a Grand Tour.

Stage four on Tuesday also had a major early climb, but the last 60 km were mostly flat. That means a mass finish for the sprinters, with Italy’s Jonathan Milan powering to victory in 4:16:03 for the 190 km ride to Andora. Kaden Groves (AUS) and Phil Bauhaus (GER) finished 2-3.

● Flag Football ● With Flag Football now on the program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is obligated to support a National Governing Body for the sport. So, on Tuesday came the announcement:

“This serves as public notice that the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is seeking applications for certification as the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of Flag Football in the United States.”

Indianapolis-based USA Football, founded in 2002, is the American member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and will not doubt be confirmed. But it has to apply, with the deadline set for 7 June 2024.

● Shooting ● The ISSF World Cup in Baku (AZE) continues, with Korea taking wins in the women’s 25 m Pistol and 10 m Air Rifle.

Twenty-year-old Jiin Yang (KOR) equaled her own world record of 41/50 in the 25 m Pistol final, previously at the Asian Championships in January, to defeat Nan Zhao (CHN: 37). In the 10 m Air Rifle final. Korea’s Ji-hyeon Keum edged China’s Zifei Wang, 253.4 to 252.3. American Mary Tucker was fifth (186.0).

The men’s 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol title went to two-time Olympian, Dr. Martin Podhrasky (CZE: 40), who won a shoot-off (5-2) with China’s Xinjie Wang after both scored 32 in the final. Tokyo Olympic silver winner Lihao Sheng led a Chinese 1-2 in the men’s 10 m Air Rifle, out-scoring Linshu Du by 251.8 to 251.4. American Rylan Kissell finished seventh (143.0).

Competition continues through the 12th.

● Swimming ● A surprise as Tunisia’s Ahmed Hafnaoui, the Tokyo Olympic men’s 400 m Freestyle gold medalist, said he would not compete in Paris.

He did not give specific reasons, but his form has been off in 2024, ranking 31st in the world in his specialty, and 23rd in the 800 m Free. Hafnaoui had been training in the U.S., but left the Indiana University team after two meets this season.

● Wrestling ● Tokyo Olympic 86 kg Freestyle gold medalist David Taylor of the U.S. did not make the U.S. Team for Paris, but will take over a legendary collegiate program as he was named as the head coach for Oklahoma State on Monday.

Taylor, 33, who also own three World titles at 86 kg (2018-22-23), takes over for another U.S. wrestling legend in John Smith, the 1988 and 1992 Olympic 62 kg Freestyle winner, who oversaw the Cowboys’ program for 33 years and won five NCAA team titles and had 33 individual NCAA national championship wins.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX SPECIAL: It’s here! Our updated, 547-event International Sports Calendar for 2024 and more now posted!

By
Rich Perelman
-

The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris is almost here, but there are lots of events coming before, so it’s time for an update to our TSX calendar – an exclusive 547-event listing– for 2024, with a few of the larger events beyond to 2028.

Our updated International Sports Calendar focuses on sports and events on the Olympic and Winter Games program for 2024 and 2026, plus a few other meetings and multi-sport events.

Please note: this listing will change! However, this edition is a good place to start for following many of the events coming up in the rest of a busy Olympic year ahead.

Two calendars are included in the single PDF download: an 12-page listing in chronological order and a 13-page listing by sport (and in date order within each sport).

It’s free! Get your download right here!

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

TSX REPORT: Belarus and Ukraine athletes to check Russian “neutrals”; Johnson critical of World Relays’ fan approach; $65,000 Oslo torch!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Too much fan attention and too little security at the World Athletics Relays for U.S. star Noah Lyles? (Photo: Francesca Grana for World Athletics)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Belarus and Ukraine activist athletes checking “neutral” entries
2. Israeli wrestlers forced to skip Olympic qualifier in Turkey
3. Michael Johnson on World Relays: example of a problem
4. Enhanced Games founder claims 50-100 Olympians to compete
5. Oslo ‘52 torch goes for $65,000 to highlight Ingrid O’Neil 96

● A coalition of Belarusian athlete activists against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Ukrainian athletes have joined together to offer (unsolicited) advice to the International Olympic Committee’s own “neutrality” review panel on Russian and Belarusian athletes submitted by the International Federations as Paris participants.

● Five Israeli wrestlers who planned to compete for a spot at the Olympic Games in Paris are not being allowed to go to the final Olympic qualifier in Turkey over concerns for their safety after Turkey’s government cut off trade with Israeli last week over its response to the 7 October 2023 massacre and hostage-taking by Hamas. They are no longer shown on the entry lists.

● Atlanta 1996 sprint icon Michael Johnson’s new track league for 2025 will make him a meet promoter and meet director, and he shared his concerns about last weekend’s World Athletics Relays as for the athletes, but not fans. However, Noah Lyles posted that too much fan interaction – and not enough time to concentrate on his warm-up – tired him out!

● The head of the doping-encouraged Enhanced Games said in an interview that he hopes for 50-10 Paris Olympians to compete in his event in 2025. He says swimmers and lifters have shown interest, but not so much for track athletes.

● The Ingrid O’Neil Auction 96 ended with two rarities bringing big prices: a torch from the first Winter Games relay at Oslo in 1952 ($65,000) and a gold medal from the special 1956 Olympic equestrian events held in Stockholm due to quarantine restrictions in Australia ($32,500).

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (2: China’s Xi says he favors Olympic Truce during Games; Australia announces Paris athlete bonuses) = Anti-Doping (Cambodia now considered compliant by WADA) = Athletics (4: Bannister broke the 4:00 mile barrier 70 years ago; Price past injuries, reaches 252-9; USATF to send team to World Juniors; L.A. Grand Prix tickets on sale) = Boxing (IBA sets championships) = Cycling (Merlier sprints to Giro stage 3 win) = Fencing (2: El-Sissy and Navarro win Seoul Sabre Grand Prix; worries over Sabre match-fixing) = Gymnastics (FIG hands 2025 Worlds to Jakarta, but will Israel to able to compete?) ●

1.
Belarus and Ukraine activist athletes checking “neutral” entries

The International Olympic Committee has already said it expects its program of only “neutral” athletes to limit the number of Russian entries at this summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games to be in the dozens, not the hundreds.

Part of that qualification process includes a “Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel,” announced by the IOC in March, including IOC members Nicole Hoevertsz (ARU), Pau Gasol (ESP) and Seung-min Ryu (KOR), which will check on the neutrality of the athletes submitted as qualified for Olympic participation by the International Federations.

Now, they are getting some more advice.

The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation – an activist, anti-government athlete group – and Ukrainian athletes are joining together to scrutinize the credentials of Belarusian and Russian qualifiers. From their Instagram post last Friday:

“Belarusian athletes led by the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation and Ukrainian Athletes led by Vladyslav Heraskevych with the support of the Open Society Foundation (USA) to launch an important initiative ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“This joint project focuses on the verification of Belarusian and Russian athletes planning to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games.

“The aim is to ensure these athletes do not have ties to military or paramilitary structures, aligning with the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations on athlete neutrality.

“Through the collection and analysis of information from open sources, both pre and post-Olympics, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and neutrality in sports.”

Various Ukrainian groups have been posting notices, photographs and social-media posts of athletes they claim are not “neutral,” but this new collaboration can significantly extend that work to Belarusian athletes as well.

The numbers are not big, but that’s not the point, as Ukraine has protested the appearance of even a single Russian or Belarusian athlete as an insult in view of Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine. The IOC’s statement in March noted:

“The experts currently project that, under the most likely scenario, 36 AINs with a Russian passport and 22 AINs with a Belarusian passport will qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The maximum number, which is unlikely to be reached, would be 54 and 28 respectively.”

The last time Russia had less than 200 athletes at the Olympic Games was in Stockholm in 1912, when 159 competed for the Russian Empire. Prior to that, there were five at Paris 1900 and six at London in 1908. So the number of Russians in Paris will be the lowest in 116 years.

As for Belarus, it competed as an independent country first in 1996, with 157 athletes; it sent a low of 101 to Tokyo in 2020, and Paris 2024 will be a new low.

2.
Israeli wrestlers forced to skip Olympic qualifier in Turkey

The massacre and hostage-taking by Hamas – the elected leadership of Gaza – of Israelis on 7 October 2023, and the fierce response of Israel since then has roiled multiple countries around the world, including protests and counter-protests in the U.S.

Now, it is keeping Israeli athletes from trying to qualify to compete in Paris.

United World Wrestling is holding its final world Olympic qualifier in Istanbul (TUR) from 9-12 May, with five Israeli wrestlers set to compete, but who will now not be allowed to compete as the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) has barred the athletes from going to Turkey.

The Turkish government, which has been supportive of Hamas, said it was halting trade with Israeli last Thursday. In March, Israel’s National Security Council warned against travel to Turkey: “The potential for terrorist threats against Israelis and Jews more than five months after the start of the war is very high.”

A Monday check of the list of participants for the Olympic Qualifier showed no Israeli entries.

Said Ilana Kratysh, the 2015 European 69 kg silver medalist and who wrestled in the women’s 69 kg class at the Rio 2016 Games – Israel’s first female Olympic wrestler – said:

“I’m disappointed, but I knew that this was going to be the decision.

“I hope that the Israeli [wrestling] association and the Olympic committee will demand from the world association [UWW] to consider us and give us a free ticket to the Games; the athletes should not be harmed by the situation.”

3.
Michael Johnson on World Relays: example of a problem

Already a high-profile commentator on track & field for the BBC after his iconic performance as a double gold medalist at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, when Michael Johnson talks, people listen. Even more now that he has announced a new track “league” for 2025, with $30 million raised in capital.

Over the weekend, he was in action on X (ex-Twitter) about the World Athletics Relays going on in Nassau (BAH) as an Olympic qualifier in five events:

● “World Relays is an example of a constant problem with track. Amazing event! But feels like the primary focus is providing an opportunity for athletes and federations, and fans are an after thought. Broadcast was poor and stands were half full for an event I believe the casual fan would find incredibly entertaining. But requires a fan focused strategy. Too much of track is structured as ‘this is our event for us.’ Kind of like opening a restaurant set up to serve just your family and wondering why you have no customers.”

● “Watching the build up to one of my favorite sporting events. @KentuckyDerby Not a single mention of times or how fast the horses have run. Just 1) The stories of how they got here, and 2) their chances of winning or where they may place in the race. Track needs this!”

U.S. television audience information for the Sunday session shown on cable (CNBC) will not be available for another day or so. The international feed was shown, with the English and Dutch announcers, not the NBC announce crew.

As Johnson will now be a meet promoter and meet director in 2025, it was also notable that he re-posted this comment from superstar Noah Lyles, who anchored the winning U.S. men’s 4×100 m:

“I would love to thank Bahamas for hosting a very successful meet. The atmosphere was so energetic and welcoming. I’m just sorry I could not meet that atmosphere with the same energy because I was emotionally and mentally drained.

“This track meet was difficult. Not because of the race but the lack of boundaries at the warm up track. There were so many people who would try to interact with me during my race preparations and while practicing. Management, athletes, and even coaches I could not find time to dial in to the competition.

“The saddest part about this is it left me so drained that I had no energy after my race to approach fans with a smile and give them the energy I normally give. I might be the first to speak on how this affects athletes but I know I’m not the only athlete that had this happen to them. I hope to see you all at the next track [meet] well rested and with tons of new energy.”

4.
Enhanced Games founder claims 50-100 Olympians to compete

Australian lawyer Aron D’Souza, founder and promoter of The Enhanced Games, which will be free of doping controls, said in an interview that he expects dozens of Paris 2024 Olympians to compete in his event in 2025:

“We have a great many who are in the sign-up process at the moment, who are competing at Paris.

“I would hope 50-100 is [the number] of Paris Olympic alumni who would be competing at the first Games. You will see at the Paris Olympics, some athletes are going to be very open about the Enhanced Games concept. We have quite a plan for the Paris Olympics.”

His Enhanced Games are designed as doping-allowed world-record-attempt events, with a focus on track & field, swimming, gymnastics, weightlifting and combat sports. He said that 1,500 athletes had applied in some form to take part, without providing more details; formal entries are to be opened in late 2024.

He plans to pay participants a specified amount, with major bonuses for beating established records. D’Souza said that interest among swimmers and lifters had been good, but less so in track & field:

“Our perfect candidate is not the 19-year-old who is going to their Olympics for the first time.

“It’s the 28-year-old who has gone to the Olympics twice and won a silver medal and they’re like, ‘I don’t want to become a personal trainer’.

“They feel like they have got a little bit more in them before their ‘retirement’ and put out to pasture at age 30 in elite sports.”

The event has been condemned as dangerous by the World Anti-Doping Agency and multiple International Federations have come out against it, some promising significant bans for those who participate.

5.
Oslo ‘52 torch goes for $65,000 to highlight Ingrid O’Neil 96

The first torch relay at an Olympic Winter Games was in Oslo, Norway in 1952 and one of the 95 torches made for that program was the highlight of the Ingrid O’Neil Auction 96 that concluded on Saturday.

It was by far the highest-priced item that sold, with 12 items that sold for $9,500 or more:

● $65,000: Oslo 1952 Winter Games torch
● $32,500: Stockholm 1956 gold medal (equestrian)
● $16,000: Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1936 Winter gold medal
● $14,000: Los Angeles 1932 gold medal
● $12,000: St. Louis 1904 participation medal
● $12,000: Antwerp 1920 gold medal (swimming)
● $12,000: London 1948 gold medal
● $12,000: Tokyo 1964 gold medal (fencing)
● $12,000: Sydney 2000 gold medal (taekwondo)
● $11,000: Rome 1960 gold medal (wrestling)
● $11,000: Seoul 1988 gold medal (fencing)
● $9,500: Stockholm 1912 gold medal (track & field)

The Stockholm 1956 gold is another rarity; the 1956 Olympic Games was held in November in Melbourne, Australia, but due to quarantine regulations there, the six equestrian events were held in Sweden in June.

The $12,000 for the St. Louis 1904 participation medal confirmed its status and high esteem among collectors of what are usually modestly-priced collectibles.

There were some other interesting items of lower prices that were noteworthy:

● An “official stopwatch” marked for the 1928 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games sold for $1,000.

● A fuel pack container – no fuel – for use with a Melbourne 1956 Olympic torch sold for $1,200.

● A silver and amber ring presented by the Ministry of Sport to German winners at the 1936 Berlin Games, replete with the Nazi swastika, sold for $2,000.

● A 1976 Montreal ceremonial Sword of Honor – 44 1/2 inches long and made by Wilkinson in England – and bearing the Montreal city crest, sold for $800.

And a 12-inch miniature version of the Munich 1972 torch, made as a lighter (!), sold for $140.

Many other medals and torches did not sell and will no doubt be seen again, but there was good interest in many other documentation and souvenir-style items of lower cost.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● Chinese Premier Xi Jinping said he supports an Olympic Truce this summer, saying through an interpreter during a meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron:

“The world today is far from being calm. As member of the United Nations Security Council and as a responsible country, China urges with France for a truce in the world during the Paris Olympic Games.”

Macron added, “We wanted to explain the impact of this conflict on Europe’s security and our determination to support Ukraine for as long as necessary.”

The Australian Olympic Committee announced its prize money structure – the Medal Incentive Fund – for the Paris Games, with A$20,000 to be given to gold medalists, A$15,000 for silver and A$10,000 for bronze (A$1 = $0.66 U.S.).

(This amount is also awarded in non-Olympic years for events such as world championships, Commonwealth Games or similar events.)

Two new funds are being set up in Australia, which can receive tax-deductible contributions through the Australian Sports Foundation: the existing Medal Incentive Fund, and the Aspiring Australian Olympic Athlete Fund, allowing direct donations to individual athletes rather than rewards for Olympic or Worlds performances.

A new “Indigenous Athlete Support Grant” program has also been started to provide grants of A$5,000 to assist “Indigenous athletes selected in the Australian Olympic Team.” Moreover, the project will continue through the new “Australian Olympic Indigenous Athlete Fund.”

At its Annual General Meeting, AOC delegates were told that the Committee’s four-year sponsorship target of A$74 million had been met and that the cost of sending the Australian team to Paris will cost about A$25 million.

● Anti-Doping ● The World Anti-Doping Agency announced that Cambodian law has properly come into conformity with the World Anti-Doping Code that its national anti-doping agency is now considered compliant with the Code.

This removes any penalties, such the loss of flag and anthem status at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

● Athletics ● Worth remembering that Monday (6th) was the 70th anniversary of the first sub-4:00 mile, achieved by Britain’s Roger Bannister at the Iffley Road track in Oxford in a dual meet between Oxford University and the British Amateur Athletic Association.

Bannister, 25 at the time, meticulously planned and trained for the race, paced by his British Olympic teammates from 1952, Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway. He passed the 1,320 mark in 3:00.7 and finished in 58.7 for the 3:59.4 record-breaker.

While Bannister broke a nine-year-old mark from 1945, his status as world-record holder lasted only 46 days, as John Landy (AUS) ran 3:58.0 on 21 June in Turku (FIN).

Almost (but not quite) lost in the wild weekend of track & field was the impressive 77.05 m (252-9) win by 2019 World women’s hammer champ DeAnna Price of the U.S. at the Fighting Illini Tune-Up meet in Champaign on Saturday.

Price has been bothered by injuries over the past couple of years, but moved to no. 2 on the world list for 2024 and also had another in-series throw of 77.02 m (252-8).

Good news for U.S. juniors, as USA Track & Field reversed its stance on refusing to send a team to the World Athletics U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru:

“USA Track & Field has received reassurance of sufficient safety measures that will be in place at the event and has made the decision to field a team to represent Team USA at the Championships taking place August 26-31, 2024, in Lima, Peru.

“The safety and well-being of USATF athletes, coaches, managers, and staff remain our top priority, and we will continue to communicate closely with all relevant stakeholders. USATF is committed to providing our athletes with the highest level of competitive opportunities on their journey to gold.”

Tickets are now on sale for the 18 May USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix to be held at UCLA’s Drake Stadium from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring – among others – a return appearance from Ryan Crouser, who set a world shot record of 23.56 m (77-3 3/4) in 2023. Currently-discounted ticket options include:

● $175 (vs. $250): An upgraded VIP package from 2023, that includes track-side, tented seating near the finish line (with catering) and premium seating in the stands. Plus free admission to the Friday night distance and field events.

● $75 (vs. $135): Premium seating in the stands, and “premium access” to the field events, and free access to the Friday night events.

● $30 (vs. $40): General Admission single tickets (or $80 for a family of four), also with free access to the distance events on Friday.

The Grand Prix will be preceded on Friday by the USATF Distance Classic from 5-9 p.m., starting with the women’s hammer throw and also including the women’s vault and discus.

● Boxing ● The International Boxing Association, now excommunicated from the Olympic Movement and more of a professional boxing organization concerned with prize money, announced world championships for men in 2025 and 2027 and for women in 2024 and 2026. Prize purses were announced as a quite-unequal $10.4 million for men and $4.8 million for women.

● Cycling ● Monday’s stage three of the 107th Giro d’Italia finished with the expected mass sprint at the end of the 166.3 km course from Novara to Fassano, with German Tim Merlier winning in 3:54:35, as the top 91 riders received the same time.

Merlier beat Italy’s Jonathan Milan and Biniam Girmey (ERI) to the line for his second career Giro stage win, previously in 2021. Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar added a second to his lead, now 46 seconds over Geraint Thomas (GBR).

● Fencing ● Worlds bronze medalist Ziad El-Sissy of Egypt won the FIE men’s Sabre Grand Prix in Seoul (KOR) that ended Monday, defeating 2023 Worlds silver winner Sandro Bazadze (GEO) by 15-13 in the final. Both bronze medals went to Americans, with Colin Heathcock and Filip Dolegiewicz losing in the semifinals; it’s Heathcock’s third medal of the season and the first international medal for Dolegiewicz.

Spain’s Araceli Navarro, the 2022 Worlds bronze winner, took the women’s victory with a 15-13 decision against Sarah Noutcha of France, 24, who won her second career international medal and first since 2018!

The self-described left-leaning Splinter site highlighted the 24 April announcement of sanctions on two Sabre referees by USA Fencing over actions at a North American Cup match in January, and that preliminary findings from a wider inquiry showed (so far) that individual fencers were not involved in match-fixing and that the NAC actions by the two officials involved was an isolated incident.

Splinter’s report concentrated on a YouTube video posted by “ponce de leon,” identified only as a retired Sabre fencer:

“The video analyzes tournament footage and statistics to convey ponce de león’s suspicions about a small cadre of powerful referees and coaches – each invested in the success of specific athletes or national fencing programs – and suggests that they have bent or broken rules to give their preferred athletes a leg up in competition.”

USA Fencing stated in its post that its inquiry is continuing.

● Gymnastics ● The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) announced that Jakarta, Indonesia has been chosen as the site for the 2025 World Artistic Championships, from 19-25 October.

This will be a first for Indonesia, with FIG President Morinari Watanabe (JPN) stating, “I am delighted that our discussions last year led to the national federation submitting a bid for our flagship event, the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, which has now been approved by the FIG Executive Committee. I am convinced that the event will be organized to a high standard.”

No mention was made about potential Israeli entries, such as current Olympic men’s Floor gold medalist and 2023 World Floor Champion Artem Dolgopyat. Indonesia canceled the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games so as to not allow Israeli athletes to participate (the organizers said the government canceled the funding at the last minute) and FIFA removed its 2023 men’s U-20 World Cup, where Israel was entered (and won a bronze medal in the relocated tournament in Argentina).

Indonesia has been strongly pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel in its foreign policy, extending directly into sports in 2023.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our 920-event International Sports Calendar for 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: U.S. wins four in 35 minutes at World Relays; Bach tells World Athletics how to spend IOC’s money; Ledecky could swim at LA28!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Paris-bound: the U.S. men's 4x100 m relay, winners of the World Athletics Relays (Photo: Francesca Grana for World Athletics)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. U.S. wins four, qualifies five at World Athletics Relays
2. Ukraine tells athletes “refrain from direct contacts” with Russians
3. Bach tells World Athletics where to spend, Coe has other ideas
4. IOC suspends former power broker Sheikh Ahmad for 15 years
5. Ledecky excited, almost promises continuing to 2028

★ A special thanks to the International Sports Journalists Association (AIPS), which honored The Sports Examiner with a worldwide fifth place in its 2023 AIPS Sports Media Awards for “Writing – Best Column” for “With the best of intentions, the IOC has lost its way.” ★

● The U.S. dominated the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, overcoming a Saturday disqualification in the men’s 4×400 m to qualify for Paris on Sunday and the other four finals in just 35 minutes, taking the Mixed 4×400, the women’s 4×100, the men’s 4×100 and the women’s 4×400, all by big margins. Gabby Thomas won on both the women’s 4×1 and 4×4.

● The Ukrainian National Olympic Committee and Ministry of Youth and Sport issued “recommendations” to its Paris Olympians to essentially stay away from Russian and Belarusian neutrals, as any interactions could be used for propaganda purposes.

● International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach told reporters last week that the role of the International Federations was to develop their sport, but hand out prize money at the Olympic Games as World Athletics is doing. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said before the World Relays in Nassau that development is important, but so is rewarding athletes.

● The IOC Ethics Commission suspended Kuwaiti former powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad for 15 years after his Swiss conviction for fraud was confirmed by the appeals court, and he refused to turn over the full decision to the Ethics Commission. The suspension almost certainly ends Sheikh Ahmad’s controversial time as an IOC member.

● Katie Ledecky said in an interview that she intends to continue swimming after Paris, and is thinking about carrying on to Los Angeles in 2028, when she will be 31. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Friday, along with 18 others, including a posthumous award to the legendary Stockholm 1912 star Jim Thorpe.

● World Championships: Badminton (China sweeps Thomas & Uber Cups) = Ice Hockey (Canada comes from behind to win men’s U-18s from U.S.) ●

● Panorama: Aquatics (World Aquatics forms doping review committee) = Artistic Swimming (Alexandri sisters star in Paris World Cup) = Athletics (6: McLaughlin-Levrone wins two, Norman 44.21 at Oxy Invite; Anderson gets women’s hammer lead in Tucson; Davis-Woodhall takes women’s LJ lead in Fayetteville; World Athletics to trial mixed 4×100 m; Coburn breaks ankle, out for Trials; Bekele and Assefa lead Ethiopian marathoners for Paris) = Beach Volleyball (Patricia and Lisboa take down Nuss and Kloth in Brasilia) = Cycling (3: Pogacar surges to big Giro lead after stage 2; Vollering dominates Vuelta Femenina; Bruni and Hoell win Mountain Bike Downhill opener) = Fencing (2: Weintraub scores first Foil World Cup gold; Kano upsets Koch in Cali Grand Prix final) = Judo (Riner stars in Dushanbe Grand Slam) = Rugby (New Zealand sweeps Singapore Sevens) = Shooting (Willett and Bassil win Baku World Cup Trap titles) = Sport Climbing (Watson and Hunt sweep Speed titles for U.S., Grossman wins again in Salt Lake City World Cup) = Swimming (Grimes and Gravely win U.S. 10 km open-water titles) ●

1.
U.S. wins four, qualifies five at World Relays

Unlike the first five editions, the sixth World Athletics Relays – back in Nassau (BAH) – wasn’t about fun, but the business of qualifying teams for the Paris Olympic Games in the 4×100 m, 4×400 m and Mixed 4×400 m.

On that score, the U.S. job got done, advancing both 4x100s, the women’s 4×400 and Mixed 4×400 on the first day, but had to go to the second qualifying round on Sunday for the men’s 4×400 m.

That’s because third-leg Champion Allison moved Japan’s Fuga Sato from the inside line while lining up for the second exchange with Christopher Bailey (who ran 44.66). Technical Rule 24.20 states that the runners “shall, under the direction of a designated official, place themselves in their waiting position in the same order (inside to out) as the order of their respective team members as they enter the last bend.” The U.S. won the heat in 3:00.42, but was disqualified as Japan (3:00.98) was elevated.

Well, Allison was moved to the second leg – taking the stick in his lane this time – and Bailey went third, with Jacory Patterson again first up and national champion Bryce Deadmon on anchor. Patterson ran well again (45.54 vs. 45.55 on Saturday), passing essentially tied with Qatar, and then Allison stormed away down the back straight to give the Americans a 7 m lead at the exchange (44.79). Bailey saw the pack close in after 170 m of his leg, then turned on the jets and ran away down the straight with a great 44.26 leg and Deadmon had a 20 m lead as the others handed off and he cruised home the easy winner in 45.36 and 2:59.95. Done.

On to the finals:

● Mixed 4×400 m: The question was how would the U.S. deal with Dutch superstar Femke Bol on the anchor? Matthew Boling started off brilliantly in 45.11 and had a solid lead, handing to Lynna Irby-Jackson, who maintained a big lead over everyone and at 50.10, gave ex-UCLA star Willington Wright a 2 m lead over Ireland, but with the Dutch well back. The pack closed on Wright until he ran away on the straight (45.18) and have anchor Kendall Ellis a 7 m edge. Bol and Sharlene Mawdsley for Ireland nearly closed the gap with 100 m left, but Ellis strode away to a 50.34 final leg and a 3:10.73 win. Bol’s 49.63 brought the Dutch in second (3:11.45), with Ireland in a national record 3:11.53. Second leg Rhasidat Adeleke – last year’s NCAA champ for Texas – ran a 48.45 split for the Irish.

● Women’s 4×100 m: Tamari Davis of the U.S. was gaining from the gun and the pass to Gabby Thomas was clunky, but she was flying! Clearly in the lead, Thomas passed cleanly to Celera Barnes, who extended the lead and made an efficient pass to Melissa Jefferson who ran away from the field to win easily in 41.85. That’s the world leader in 2024 and a meet record.

France was second – from lane one – in 42.75 and Britain third in 42.80.

● Men’s 4×100 m: The quartet of Courtney Lindsay, Kenny Bednarek, Kyree King and Noah Lyles led the qualifying in a world-leading 37.49 and the same four came out on Sunday. Same result: Lindsey ran up on Italy to his outside and a good pass to Bednarek sent him flying into a clear lead. The pass to King was efficient and he routed the field around the turn and sent Lyles home with a big lead on the way to a world-leading 37.40 win. “Who’s going to stop us?” shouted Lyles as he collected the U.S. flags for the celebration. No one … if the passes are there. This time, no problem.

Canada was second with Andre De Grasse on anchor in 37.89 and France was third (38.44) as Italy was disqualified.

● Women’s 4×400 m: The Americans were second in qualifying at 3:24.76 with Quanera Hayes, Bailey Lear, Na’Asha Robinson and Alexis Holmes, but Thomas doubled back from the 4×1 to take the second leg from Lear, who was moved to third leg, replacing Robinson.

Hayes slowly moved up (51.16) and made the pass first to Thomas, who took over. She had a 4 m lead with 200 to go and ran away from everyone with a 49.58 leg and gave Lear (51.33) a 20 m lead on the third leg. It was 25 m into the turn and Holmes took the stick up 35 m and cruised home in 49.63 in a world-leading 3:21.70.

No baton problems, and the U.S. won four titles in a row in 35 minutes. Yowsah!

● Men’s 4×400 m: No U.S. team after Saturday’s disqualification, but Botswana and South Africa both ran sub-3:00. All eyes were on star Letsile Tebogo for Botswana on second leg and he powered into the lead down the straight and had a 5 m lead at the handoff, finishing a sensational 43.72 leg.

Leungo Scotch extended the lead (45.27) and gave world 400 m leader Bayapo Ndori a 7 m lead on the anchor. Ndori was up 10 m into the straight and he ran away with a 44.13 leg and a world-leading 2:59.11 win. South Africa won the fight for second at 3:00.75 from Belgium (3:01.16).

Worth noting was the second qualifying round in the mixed 4×400 m, as the home Bahamas quartet of Olympic 400 m men’s champ Steven Gardiner (45.08), 16-year-old Shania Adderley (53.12), Alonzo Russell (45.07) and Olympic 400 m women’s champ Shaunae Miller-Uibo (49.54) won in style at 3:12.81, and are headed to Paris to the delight of the crowd.

The top eight teams in each event earned prize money (per team) of $40,000-20,000-10,000-8,000-6,000-4,000-3,000-2,000. Teams that didn’t make it still can qualify via the world list, to fill two spots in each race for Paris.

2.
Ukraine tells athletes “refrain from direct contacts” with Russians

There is little doubt now that some Russian and Belarusian athletes will be present as “neutrals” (“AIN” athletes) at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, despite the protests of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee and the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.

So, the two entities posted a two-page letter last week offering “RECOMMENDATIONS regarding contact with individual neutral athletes from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.”

In short: stay away. In specific:

● “Refrain from direct contacts with representatives of the aggressor countries, which may cause provocative actions on their part both in the Olympic Village and outside it.”

● “[I]nform the higher-ranking person and the leadership of the official delegation about any attempts at provocative actions by the representatives of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.”

● “[N]ot to participate in any communication in social networks and discussions with [“neutral” Russians and Belarusians], not to share and not respond to the content of AIN [athletes], not to publish joint photos and video materials both in relation to the competition and outside the competition period.” …

● “[D]uring and outside award ceremonies and flower ceremonies, as far as possible, keep a distance and distance yourself from any contact with AIN [personnel], as well as refrain from joint photos or videos, if such a need is not related to compliance with obligations language requirements in the competition rules.”

● “[R]efrain from participating in press conferences, live broadcasts (which have no inseparable connection with the proper conduct of the competition), interviews and other advertising events before and after the competition together with the AIN of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.”

The letter is explicit that it is not limited to only Russians and Belarusians who are in Paris, but also to “contacts with representatives of aggressor countries, as well as other persons who support the policies of these countries and may be used for propaganda purposes.”

The obvious situation most likely to turn up would be an awards ceremony in which both a Ukrainian and Russian or Belarusian win a medal, or some sort of an introduction to a match – possibly in judo or taekwondo – where competitors from the two sides could be standing together.

This is not going to be pleasant, but it will be heavily watched on all sides.

3.
Bach tells World Athletics where to spend, Coe has other ideas

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) told reporters in a news conference last week that he felt World Athletics should not be using its Olympic television dividend to pay athletes, but to use it for development.

“This is not a discussion about prize money because prize money exists for decades.

“My teammates and I in 1976 [fencing team gold medalists in Foil], we received prize money for our gold medal through the foundation supported by the [German] National Olympic Committee. In the meantime this is more or less common practice among NOCs.”

He explained:

“This question in principle is a question of how to support the athletes best. …

“The NOCs and [International Federations] are major recipients of this money, of this share of the commercial success of the Games.

“The role of the IFs … is they have to make every effort to try to close the gap between the athletes coming from privileged countries and those coming from less privileged countries.

“This is where this discussion is coming from.”

Noting that federations have never before offered prize money for Olympic performance, Bach added that prize money should not be “the role of an international sports federation,” but instead should be up to “sponsors, governments or private institutions.”

Speaking directly to the controversy prior to the World Athletics Relays in The Bahamas, World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe (GBR) pointed to the whole picture, not to the past:

“I’ve always unashamedly said I will always do whatever I can to make our sport financially viable for athletes. This misnomer that every Olympic champion is going off into the Elysian Fields of commerciality is just naive and wrong. It isn’t.

“And so, it’s a balance, and we put a lot of money into development and integrity – much more actually than we earmark for our prize money, and that’s the way it should be. But listen: if athletics emerges as the number one sport, as it consistently does at an Olympic Games, I have to reflect that there’s a reason for that.

“And it’s the quality of our athletes that are bringing those broadcast numbers in, that give us access to our share of the broadcast revenue – and there are arguments [from other federations] about the equity of that – and I just can’t keep standing up and saying we’re growing the sport and bringing in new sponsors on board, the athletes have to see some connection between growing the sport and their own well-being and welfare. And that’s really [it]; there’s nothing more to it than it.

“It’s really not that complicated. I want the athletes to have a career ahead of them that gives them just a little bit more financial security, and, believe me, we will do more in this space; that’s not the end of it.”

World Athletics, World Aquatics and the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique are the three first-tier federations in terms of Olympic television revenue and each will receive a still-to-be fixed sum from $35-40 million from the IOC from its Paris television revenues.

Observed: This is a clear friction point between Coe and just about every other International Federation, the IOC and many National Olympic Committees. There is no chance whatsoever that World Athletics will back down from its Paris payments.

However, as Coe’s third and final term as World Athletics President will end in 2027 – a year short of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles – it will be fascinating to see how the issue plays into the election of the next World Athletics chief and whether the winner will maintain Coe’s pledge to pay not just the winner, but all medalists at Los Angeles 2028, potentially at $4 million or more, vs. $2.4 million in 2024.

4.
IOC suspends former power broker Sheikh Ahmad for 15 years

One of the most controversial figures in international sport, Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah was suspended by the International Olympic Committee’s Ethics Commission for 15 years in a 12 April decision that was made public late last week.

At various times, Sheikh Ahmad was the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (1991-2021), the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (2012-2018), a member of the International Olympic Committee (since 1992) and was also a member of the FIFA Council from 2015-17, until he resigned related to a bribery investigation.

He was known as a confidant of IOC President Bach and, given his ability to support candidates in various area with Kuwait’s vast oil wealth – he has been, at various times, the Kuwaiti Minister of Oil and Minister of Defense – was known as a key influencer, match-maker and operative in international sport.

Sheikh Ahmad and others were criminally charged in Switzerland in 2018 related to fraud concerning evidence faked to implicate others in a coup in Kuwait. He was found guilty in September 2021, confirmed in December 2023 with a 24-month suspended sentence. He has appealed the finding to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.

The IOC Ethics Commission asked for a full copy of the decision of the appeals court, but did not receive it. Sheikh Ahmad had already been suspended for three years for defying a specific directive of the IOC Ethics Commission not to campaign for his brother (Sheikh Talal) at the Olympic Council of Asia elections in 2023, where Talal won, but the election was nullified.

Now, the Ethics Commission noted that Sheikh Ahmad has not resigned, challenged his IOC suspension in 2023 and could be expelled. But:

“However, since Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah agreed to suspend himself from the beginning of the criminal procedure in 2018 until 2023, the IOC Ethics Commission proposes to continue the sanction of full suspension for a further second suspension period.

“The Commission considers that, respecting the principle of proportionality, full suspension of all the rights, prerogatives and functions of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah for fifteen (15) years is proportionate and appropriate to protect the IOC’s reputation and credibility. As this is the continuation of the previous decision taken by the IOC Executive Board, this sanction period will start from 27 July 2023.

“The IOC Ethics Commission notes that during this period of suspension, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah will not fulfil the necessary ethical criteria to be proposed for re-election at the end of his current term.”

The last sentence is important. Now 60, Sheikh Ahmad could serve to age 80 under normal circumstances, since he was elected prior to 11 December 1999, meaning he could potentially return to the IOC in 2039, at age 75. But the IOC Ethics Commission decision closes the door on his return, indicating his career (and his use of Kuwaiti wealth to advance interests) in the Olympic Movement is effectively over.

5.
Ledecky excited, almost promises continuing to 2028

“I take things year by year, but right now, I definitely could see myself competing in 2028, with it being a home Olympics. It’s something that’s very unique. It’s something that not every Olympic athlete gets. And so I definitely know I’m not retiring after this summer and 2028 is very appealing.

“So I think, at this point, I want to be there, I want to compete in at least one event, maybe more. But again, plans can change. It’s a long ways away, my focus is solely on this summer in Paris at this moment.”

That’s as close as American distance superstar Katie Ledecky will come to flat-out confirming she will try to swim at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, in an interview with Juana Summers on the NPR “All Things Considered” program.

Interviewed in advance of Friday’s ceremony in which she was one of 19 to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Joe Biden, Ledecky told Summers that her preparations for the U.S. trials are on track:

“I’m ready. We have our Olympic Trials in about a month now. So that’s what I’m gearing up for, I have one more meet before then. So everything is tracking well, my training is going well. And I’m really excited for hopefully the opportunity to represent the U.S. at a fourth Olympics. I can’t believe that I get this opportunity and it’s gonna be a great summer and I’m excited.”

Ledecky, 27, already owns seven Olympic golds, 10 Olympic medals and 21 World Championship golds and will be the favorite in Paris in the women’s 800 m and 1,500 m Freestyles, and a medal contender in the 400 m Free and the 4×200 m Free relay (she won Tokyo 2020 silvers in both of those events).

She could become the most decorated women’s Olympic swimmer ever in Paris; Americans Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin all won 12. With four medals in Paris – as in Tokyo – she would be four behind Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina (18 from 1956-64) for the most medals by a women in Olympic history, going in 2028.

She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a White House ceremony, in which Stockholm 1912 Olympic pentathlon and decathlon gold medalist Jim Thorpe was posthumously honored, and recipients included Malaysian film star Michelle Yeoh (also an IOC member), assassinated civil rights leader Medgar Evers, television host Phil Donahue and a host of current and former political figures.

Asked about her post-swimming future, Ledecky said she’s really not thinking about that yet:

“When I think of swimming, and I think of this career that I’ve had, I think of all the joy that I’ve had in the sport, and everything that I’ve been able to learn through the sport, all the people that I’ve gotten to meet through the sport, all the places that I’ve gotten to go through competitive swimming. And I think because of all that joy that I’ve experienced in the sport, it’s something that I’m never going to stop doing.

“Of course, some day my competitive career will come to an end and I’m not going to be looking at the clock or having a coach get my times every set. But I think I’ll always find myself going back to the pool and swimming some laps or splashing around. And it’s a place that I find so much joy.

“As we get into the summer months, I hope that a lot of other people can find that joy and learn how to swim. It’s such an important life skill. And, in my view, the greatest sport on earth, and something that you can do for the rest of your life. I hope that I’ll be swimming into my 90s – I have a 98-year-old grandma, so I’m lucky to have some good genes there, and I hope that I’ll be able to stay healthy and happy, and happy in the pool and happy in the water. It’s definitely my happy place.”

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Badminton ● The Thomas & Uber Cup – the men’s and women’s team world championships – concluded in Chengdu (CHN) on Sunday, with China winning its 11th Thomas Cup title and its 16th Uber Cup championship.

In the Thomas Cup, China swept through group play with a 3-0 record, then defeated India, Malaysia and Indonesia in the playoffs, all by 3-1 margins.

In the Uber Cup, China was even more dominant, sweeping all three of its group-stage matches (15 matches to 0) and then continuing with 3-0 wins in the playoffs against Denmark, Japan and Indonesia.

● Ice Hockey ● The defending champion U.S. and four-time winner Canada were on a collision course at the IIHF men’s World U-18 Championship from the first day and clashed in the final on Sunday in Espoo (FIN), with a massive U.S. penalty opening the door for Canada to win the final, 6-4.

Christian Humphreys opened the scoring for the U.S. With just 52 seconds left in the first period, then four goals were scored in the second, with Ryder Ritchie tying it for Canada at 5:31. The U.S. scored consecutive goals from Cole Eiserman (8:31) and Cole Hutson (13:04), but Gavin McKenna got Canada to 3-2 at 15:40 of the period.

The game changed at 9:25 of the third, when U.S. forward Trevor Connelly was called for an illegal check to the neck or head – a five-minute penalty – and got a 20-minute game misconduct penalty on top of it. Canada took advantage with three quick goals for a 5-3 lead, by McKenna (10:25), Cole Beaudoin (13:40) and Tij Iginla (14:19).

The U.S. cut the lead to 5-4 on a Brodie Ziemer goal at 15:36, but McKenna sealed Canada’s win with an empty-netter with 1:18 to go for the 6-4 final. It’s Canada’s fifth win in this tournament and its first since 2021.

In the semis, the U.S. skated past Slovakia, 7-2, taking a 2-1 lead in the first on goals by Teddy Stiga and Eisenman, then breaking it open with three second-period goals by Max Plante, Hutson and Will Skahan; Plante got a second goal in the third. The Canadians edged Sweden, 5-4, taking a 4-0 lead in the first, then holding on with a 5-2 lead after two periods but with Sweden closing to 5-4 with 5:41 to play. Carter George made 31 saves for Canada.

Sweden was a clear winner in the third-place match, winning by 4-0, with all four scores in the final period.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Aquatics ● From a letter sent by World Aquatics to its national federations on Friday:

“[P]lease be advised that by decision of the World Aquatics Bureau, an anti-doping audit review committee has been appointed to review the process and procedure of World Aquatics (and the prior FINA) in examining doping-related procedures.

“The goal is to enhance our understanding of the anti-doping review and decision-making process within our federation as it concerned this particular case and take away any learnings from this experience to make World Aquatics more equipped for the future. Your confidence, and the confidence of all athletes, in our system is vital to our future together.”

The committee is headed by Aquatics Integrity Unit Supervisory Council members Miguel Cardenal (ESP) and Ken Lalo (USA), and includes Paralympic swimmer Annabelle Williams (AUS), French 2012 Olympic 50 m Free winner Florent Manaudou, and Brazilian coach Fernando Possenti.

Although FINA (now World Aquatics) was not directly involved in the Chinese doping issues raised by January 2021 positives for trimetazidine, the federation wants to future-proof its processes, in coordination with its contracted doping-control partner, the International Testing Agency. The audit committee report is due by the end of June.

● Artistic Swimming ● The second leg of the Artistic World Cup series was a dress rehearsal for the summer Olympics, in Paris (FRA), with Austria’s 26-year-old Alexandri sisters all coming up golden.

The 2023 Worlds Solo Technical and Solo Free silver medalist, Vasiliki Alexandri won both in Paris, scoring 253.7933 to take the Technical and 257.3939 to win the Free segment decisively.

Sisters Anna-Maria and Eirini-Marina Alexandri teamed to win the Duet Free at 265.964, and Britain’s Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe won the Duet Technical event (260.0517). 

Gustavo Sanchez (COL) won the men’s Solo Technical at 209.811, and the Solo Free at 204.0210. American Kenneth Gaudet was the Technical runner-up at 197.4216 and third in the Free (161.6187).

In the Mixed Duet Technical, Nargiza Bolatova and Eduard Kim (KAZ: 216.3250) were the winners, with Spain’s Jordi Caceras and Judith Calvo taking the Free title, scoring 189.2749.

● Athletics ● Things were heating up far away from Nassau, notably at the Oxy Invitational at Occidental College in Southern California. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone continued her work-up to the Olympic Trials, with two decisive wins, in the 100 m hurdles in 12.71 (wind: -0.4 m/s) and a windy 200 m victory in 22.38 (+2.9).

For context, that’s her second-fastest 100 m hurdles ever, behind her 2021 best of 12.65.

Then there was the men’s 400 m, with a sensational 44.21 by 2022 World Champion Michael Norman of the U.S., his fastest in two years, his ninth-fastest ever and now no. 2 on the 2024 world list.  

The men’s 1,500 m was a Northern Arizona 1-2, with junior Nico Young winning in 3:34.56, ahead of junior Colin Sahlman (3:34.64), with Rio 2016 Olympic champ Matthew Centrowitz third (3:35.39) and Abdi Nur fourth (3:35.63). Young moves to no. 15 on the year list for 2024 and Centrowitz to no. 18. It’s Centro’s fastest time since 2021!

Young doubled back in the 5,000 m in 13:36.58!

Brooke Andersen, the 2022 women’s World Champion in the hammer, got a world-leading win at 79.92 m (262-2) at the USATF Throws Festival in Tucson, Arizona. She took the world lead with her second throw of 78.16 m (256-5), then posted her big throw in the final round. It’s the no. 4 throw in American history!

Fellow American Daniel Haugh, ranked sixth worldwide this season already, nearly matched his seasonal best, winning at 79.01 m (259-2), with Tokyo Olympian Rudy Winkler of the U.S. moving up to 12th at 76.89 m (252-3) in third.

Payton Otterdahl continued his hot run in the men’s shot winning at 22.41 m (73-6 1/4), ahead of Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell (21.69 m/71-2).

Tara Davis-Woodhall, the 2024 World Indoor Champion, took the world outdoor lead at the Arkansas Twilight meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas, winning at 7.16 m (23-6), her second-longest jump ever behind only her indoor Worlds gold-medal performance of 7.18 m (23-6 3/4).

World Athletics chief executive Jon Ridgeon (GBR) said the federation will explore the viability of a mixed 4×100 m relay. Speaking on the federation’s “Inside Track” podcast (4 May):

“The whole mixed relay thing is actually a really interesting concept, and, in many ways, we think that mixed athletics could be the future.

“For example, we are this year looking into testing a concept of a mixed 4×100 m relay. We’re not saying it’s going to work; we’re not saying that it will be an event, but it is one of the things that we are going to be testing. We are starting with an open mind and we’re starting with all various variations.”

While the mixed 4×400 m relay has proved workable, questions in a 4×100 m will involve the differences in speed between men and women, which could prove difficult to coordinate efficiently.

Emma Coburn, the dominant force in the U.S. in the women’s Steeplechase and the 2017 Worlds gold medalist, suffered a broken ankle during the Wanda Diamond League race in Suzhou (CHN) on 27 April and is out for several months, if not the season. She wrote on Instagram on Thursday:

“I don’t really know what to say… i broke my ankle on the water jump in Shanghai. At first I thought I just sprained it, even though the pain was pretty intense. When I got home, images showed torn ligaments, damaged cartilage, and a fracture in my medial malleolus. I had surgery yesterday and got a screw in my ankle for the fracture and got the cartilage cleaned up. If all goes well, I can start jogging again in 6 weeks.

“That means I’m out for the Olympic Trials. The dream of Paris is over. There has been a *lot* of heartbreak in the last couple years for me, but damn, I love this sport and nothing heals a broken heart like working hard and getting back. See ya out there later this year.”

Coburn was the Olympic Steeple bronze at Rio 2016 and was the Worlds silver winner in 2019. Now 33, she has suffered from injury problems since the pandemic, although she made the U.S. team for Tokyo in 2021 and the Worlds teams in 2022 and 2023.

Ethiopia named a superstar marathon team for Paris, led by 41-year-old Kenenisa Bekele, the third-fastest man in history at 2:01:41 from 2019, who already owns Olympic golds in the 5,000 m (2008) and 10,000 m (2004-08). He was second at the London Marathon this year at 2:04:15.

He will be joined by Sisay Lemma, the fourth-fastest marathoner ever at 2:01:48 from the 2023 Valencia Marathon and the 2024 Boston Marathon winner, and Tamirat Tola, the 2022 World Champion and 2023 New York City Marathon winner (2:03:39 from 2021).

Women’s world-record holder Tigist Assefa, who ran an astounding 2:11:53 in 2023 in Berlin, headlines the women’s squad, along with Amane Beriso, the no. 5 marathoner ever (2:14:58 in 2022) and the 2023 Boston runner-up, and Gotytom Gebresilase, the 2022 World Champion and runner-up in 2023 (2:18:11 from 2022).

● Beach Volleyball ● At the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 in Brasilia (BRA), the 2022 World Champions and home favorites, Ana Patricia and Duda Lisboa (BRA) swept aside the 2023 Beach Pro Tour Finals winners, Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth (USA), 21-17, 21-14, for their first win of the season.

It’s the 12th career World Tour (past and present) win for Patricia and Lisboa, ranked no. 1 in the world. Nuss and Kloth continue at no. 2.

In the third-place match, Swiss Esmee Bobner and Zoe Verge-Depre won over Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon (NED), 21-19, 17-21, 15-12.

The men’s final saw Evandro Oliveira Jr. and Arthur Lanci (BRA) completing the Brazilian sweep by coming from behind to take a 17-21, 23-21, 15-9 win against Steven van de Velde and Matthew Immers (NED). It’s the second tournament win of the season for Evandro and Arthur.

Brazil’s 2022 Worlds bronze medalists George Wanderley and Andre Loyola Stein won the third-place match, 21-17, 17-21, 15-12 against Nils Ehler and Clemens Wickler (GER).

● Cycling ● The 107th Giro d’Italia got underway, with a first-stage win for Jhonatan Narvaez of Ecuador winning a sprint to the line in Turin from German veteran Maximilian Schachmann and race favorite Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia. All three covered the hilly, 140 km route in 3:14:23, with Navarez getting his second career Giro stage win, also in 2020.

Sunday’s second stage was marked by a nasty uphill finish to the Santuario di Oropa at the end of 161 km, with Pogacar making sure that everyone knows he is the favorite, with a dominating, 27-second win off a final attack with 4.3 km to go. He finished in 3:54:20, ahead of Daniel Martinez (COL), Geraint Thomas (GBR), Lorenzo Fortunato (ITA) and Florian Lipowitz (GER). After two of 21 stages, Pogacar has a 45-second edge already over Thomas and Martinez.

After taking control of the 10th Vuelta Espana Femenina in Spain with her stage 5 win on Thursday, Dutch star Demi Vollering – the 2023 Tour de France Femmes winner – concluded with the overall title on Sunday, winning by 1:49 over countrywoman Riejanne Markus.

Vollering had a 31-second lead after stage 5, then was second in the 132.1 km, uphill-finishing stage 6 in a sprint finish with France’s Evita Muzic and then fourth in the seventh stage in another group finish behind Dutch veteran Marianne Vos (3:27:56 for 138.6 km), Kristen Faulkner of the U.S. and Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini, for a 52-second lead heading into Sunday.

And Vollering finished in style, winning stage 8 with a 6 km solo and timing 2:43:06 for the 89.5 km route that included two difficult climbs, 29 seconds up on Muzic. Markus finished second overall (+1:49), followed by Longo Borghini (+2:00). Faulkner was the top U.S. finisher, in 12th (+7:14).

Vollering moved up from third in 2022 to second last year and now, the gold in the Vuelta Femenina.

At the season opener for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill in Ft. William (GBR), five-time World Champion Loic Bruni (FRA) took the lead from the start and won the men’s race in 4:04.264, ahead of three-time Worlds medal winner Troy Brosnan (AUS: 4:06.104) and Finn Iles (CAN: 4:06.253). Americans Dakotah Norton (4:07.353) and Luca Shaw (4:07.943) finished 4-5.

Two-time defending Worlds women’s gold medalist Valentina Hoell (AUT) won the women’s race in 4:41.424, just ahead of 2022 Worlds runner-up Nina Hoffmann (GER: 4:41.985) and Britain’s two-time Worlds silver winner Tahnee Seagrave (4:43.255).

● Fencing ● An upset in the men’s final at the FIE Epee Grand Prix in Cali (COL), with Japan’s Koki Kano, who had never won a Grand Prix medal before, defeating 2019 World Champion and Tokyo Olympic silver winner Gergely Sikosi (HUN) by 15-8. Kano had beaten Hungarian – and reigning World Champion – Mate Tamas Koch in his semi by the same 15-8 score.

In the women’s final, 16th-ranked Auriane Mallo-Breton (FRA) managed a 15-14 win over no. 12 Giulia Rizzi of Italy. Mallo-Breton earned her first career Grand Prix gold, after winning a bronze in 2018 and a silver in 2022. It’s Rizzi’s second Grand Prix silver of the year.

At the FIE Foil World Cup in Hong Kong, American Maia Weintraub – named to the U.S. team for Paris – won over Elena Tangherlini (ITA), 15-11, for her first career World Cup medal. Jackie Dubrovich of the U.S. – also headed to Paris – took one of the bronze medals.

Italy’s Guillaume Biachi defeated Takahiro Shikine (JPN) in the men’s final, 15-10, for his first career World Cup gold.

● Judo ● The IJF Dushanbe Grand Slam in Tajikistan was headlined by 11-time heavyweight World Champion Teddy Riner of France, expected to be one of the star attractions of the 2024 Olympic Games, who won the +100 kg class over home favorite (and Asian Champs bronze winner) Temur Rakhimov. For Riner, now 35, it’s his 11th career Grand Slam title.

Swiss World Champion Nils Stump won at 73 kg, and 2021 women’s 57 kg World Champion Jessica Klimkait (CAN) won her class. Austria’s Tokyo Olympic 70 kg silver medalist Michaela Polleres won as did Tokyo Olympic bronze winner Anna-Maria Wagner (GER), at 78 kg.

● Rugby ● The penultimate Rugby Sevens tournament of the season was in Singapore, with the race for the seasonal titles now sure to continue to the final stop in Madrid.

The men’s tournament was the second-straight win for New Zealand, which dispatched Ireland in the final in a tight, 17-14 battle. Argentina, South Africa and the U.S. topped the pools, but Ireland dumped the Argentines, 21-5, in the quarters, as New Zealand skipped by the U.S., 19-14 and Australia eliminated South Africa, 29-24. Ireland beat Great Britain, 15-12, in the semis, and New Zealand won by 28-12 over Australia. Britain defeated Australia, 26-7, for third.

Argentina has a slim 106-104 lead in the seasonal standings, with New Zealand at 93 and Australia at 83. The U.S. is 10th (52).

The Black Ferns took the women’s title, their fourth in a row to assume the seasonal women’s lead at 126 points to 124 for Australia and 104 for France, with the U.S. fourth (85).

New Zealand, France and Australia were all 3-0 in pool play, and sailed into the semis along with Fiji. The Kiwis out-scored Fiji, 33-22, and Australia topped France, 19-12 to make it to the final. Once there, New Zealand took a 31-21 decision against Australia, and France defeated Fiji, 29-7, for third.

● Shooting ● The ISSF World Cup in Baku (AZE) has begun, with China’s World 50 m Pistol World Champion Yu Xie taking the 10 m Air Pistol won over Germany’s 2023 10 m World Cup Final winner Robin Walter, 243-1 to 238.7 in the final. France’s Camille Jedrzejewski – the 2022 World Cup Final winner – took the women’s 10 m, 243.0 to 241.0 against Yeji Kim (KOR).

The men’s Trap win went to Tokyo Olympian James Willett (AUS), defeating Filip Marinov (SVK), 46-42, while three-time Olympian Ray Bassil (LBN) won the women’s title, 44-40, against Tokyo Olympic sixth-placer Penny Smith (AUS).

● Sport Climbing ● The U.S. swept the Speed events at the IFSC World Cup in Boulder and Speed in Salt Lake City, Utah, with world-record holder Sam Watson winning the men’s event and Emma Hunt the women’s final.

Watson scared his own world mark of 4.79 from earlier in 2024 with a 4.89 final victory over countryman Noah Bratschi (6.71), after winning his semifinal in 4.81 and his quarterfinal in 4.88!

Hunt got her first career World Cup gold at 6.55 in the final, as Poland’s Aleksandra Kalucka fell.

In Boulder, Japan went 1-2 in the men’s final, with Sorato Anraku getting his fifth career World Cup win with 3T4Z ~ 11/11 against countryman Meichi Narasaki (1T4Z ~ 1/13). In the women’s final,

American Natalia Grossman, the 2021 World Champion, loves to perform in Salt Lake City and won her sixth straight Boulder competition there with a 3T4Z ~ 3/10 performance. She was just a little more efficient than France’s Oriane Bertone (3T4Z ~ 6/6) and Naile Meignan (3T4Z ~ 6/13). Fellow American Brooke Raboutou finished fifth (2T3Z ~ 2/7).

● Swimming ● Katie Grimes did it again at the USA Swimming National Open Water Championships in Sarasota, Florida, winning the women’s 10 km title for the third consecutive time, in a tight finish with Claire Weinstein.

Grimes, still just 18, finally took control on the penultimate lap and won in 1:58:18 to 1:58:22 for Weinstein, with Mariah Denigan third at 1:58:38. Grimes already qualified for Paris with her Worlds bronze medal in the 10 km in 2023.

Axel Reymond of France won the men’s 10 km race in a photo finish with Ivan Puskovitch in second and Dylan Gravely in third, 1:53:20-1:53:21-1:53:21. It’s Puskovitch’s best-ever nationals finals and Gravely finished third for the second year in a row.

Gravely returned on Sunday to win the men’s 5 km race in 54:40, over Chip Wheelie Shoyat (54:54) and Trey Dickey (54:57). Japan’s Ichika Kajimoto took the women’s 5 km in 59:05.

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TSX REPORT: AIPS honors for The Sports Examiner; how AI will score gymnastics in the future; World Relays this weekend!

By
Rich Perelman
-
The AIPS Sports Media Awards for worldwide "Writing - Best Column" for 2023: Look who's no. 5!

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. FIG chief Watanabe showcases AI future for gymnastics
2. Olympic-qualifier World Relays on in Nassau
3. IOC names third Refugee Olympic Team for Paris
4. Mammoth Seine River overflow reservoir opens in Paris
5. Belarus athletes on their own for Paris participation

★ A special thanks to the International Sports Journalists Association (AIPS), which honored The Sports Examiner with a worldwide fifth place in its 2023 AIPS Sports Media Awards for “Best Column.” ★

● International Gymnastics Federation chief Morinari Watanabe explained at the AIPS Congress how artificial intelligence will revolutionize scoring and training in gymnastics, a process which the federation has been working toward since 2017.

● The World Athletics Relays, one of the most fun events in the sport, is serious this time as Olympic qualifying is on the line. The U.S. has a strong squad in Nassau for the meet, with the emphasis on qualifying more than winning.

● The International Olympic Committee named its largest Refugee Olympic Team of 36 for the Paris 2024 Games, with a quarter of the squad returning from Tokyo 2020. The selected athletes come from 11 countries and will compete in 12 sports. Sadly, 14 of the 36 refugee Olympians were originally from Iran.

● The gigantic reservoir built to house rainwater and prevent wastewater flowing back into the Seine River – eventually allowing swimming once again – was opened on Thursday in Paris, one of the city’s signature initiatives related to the 2024 Olympic Games.

● The President of Belarus said that the decision on whether to compete in Paris as a qualified “neutral” would be up to each Belarusian athlete, mirroring the Russian approach.

● World Championship: Ice Hockey (U.S. and Canada sweep on to semifinals at men’s U-18 Worlds) ●

● Panorama: World Games (Karlsruhe confirmed for 2029) = Anti-Doping (USADA rips WADA Q&A document on 2021 Chinese swimming positives) = Memorabilia (Ingrid O’Neil auction 96 ends Saturday) = Athletics (2: Kenya names marathon teams, led by Kipchoge; Merber to help Johnson on new track league) = Cycling (2: Vollering takes over in Vuelta Espana Femenina; Pogacar a huge favorite in 107th Giro d’Italia) = Football (star U.S. defender O’Hara retires) ●

≡ THANK YOU! ≡

In a considerable surprise, my 24 February 2023 column, “With the best of intentions, the IOC has lost its way,” was awarded a worldwide fifth place in the AIPS Sports Media Awards for ‘Writing – Best Column” of 2023. The announcement was posted on Thursday.

In fact, the column, about the incomprehensible position of the International Olympic Committee to return Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competition despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine continuing without end, was actually ranked as the best of the year related to the Olympic world, as the four stories ahead of it were all about football.

I started The Sports Examiner in 2016 to create a site where the focus was on the competitive, economic and political aspects of Olympic sport, an area vastly undercovered by American media with the failure, implosion or merger of so many once-great U.S. newspapers.

This is, for the most part, a one-man operation of collecting, sifting, questioning and researching news and information about the Olympic Movement and Olympic sports. It is not easy and it is sometimes tedious, but it is always interesting and the stories are compelling.

All of the top four stories were by experienced journalists at major newspapers in Argentina, Spain and Egypt. The Sports Examiner was the sole online-only publication to be honored in this category for 2023, for which I am very grateful (and still surprised).

My thanks to the AIPS and its Sports Media Awards project, which includes eight professional categories in audio, photography, video and writing, plus three more for Young Reporters.

As our regular readers know, The Sports Examiner is a free site, but donations are welcome, and so grateful to have our first patron, the LA84 Foundation, supporting the site in 2023. If you would like to join in, don’t hesitate to let me know, so even better work will be ahead!

Rich Perelman
Editor

1.
FIG chief Watanabe showcases AI future for gymnastics

An important presentation by Federation Internationale de Gymnastique President Morinari Watanabe (JPN) showcased the place for artificial intelligence (AI) projects in his sport.

Speaking during the centennial AIPS Congress in Santa Susanna, Spain, Watanabe explained the three primary applications he sees for AI in gymnastics, already in development since 2017 with FIG supplier Fujitsu:

“1. Eliminating misjudging and harmonising judging standards

“In the history of gymnastics, there have been issues caused by misjudging. Such issues must never be repeated. The elimination of misjudging will be achieved through parallel use of human judging support by ‘shadow’ judging by AI.

“Currently, there is a gap between the scores that athletes get at national competitions and the scores that athletes get at the Olympic Games. The AI judging of gymnastics will be like the use of false start and photo-finish technology in athletics. It means that gymnasts will be scored by the same standard in all competitions.

“2. Helping to develop gymnastics as entertainment

“Spectators are wowed by gymnastics, but it is difficult for them to understand the differences between scores. Visualisation of the live score with the help of AI will help spectators and TV viewers to understand the scoring.

“Using AI in this way also helps to reduce the competition time, meaning that finals that currently take three hours could potentially be reduced to less than two hours, making them more appealing to TV broadcasters.

“3. Future development as an AI coaching system

“The time will come when AI will be able to point out athletes’ weak points and advise appropriate training methods to coaches. No matter where you live, on a small island or in a mountain jungle, no matter how poor you are, if you have a smartphone, you will be able to receive coaching from the world’s best.”

The “Judging Support System” is now available for all 10 apparatus – the six for men and four for women – as of the 2023 World Artistic Championships in 2023. The system uses three-dimensional sensors and converts the movements of the gymnasts into data, with the AI application tracking all movements and comparing them to the scoring database and rules to come up with an automated score.

Acknowledging that the project is at the beginning and will take time to be fully accepted, Watanabe followed up with the point that “I want to depart from the era in which only the wealthy in the wealthiest countries have access to training, and I want to ensure that children all over the world have equal opportunities to develop their gymnastics abilities.”

2.
Olympic-qualifier World Relays on in Nassau

What has been one of the freshest and most entertaining events in track & field is suddenly quite serious as the sixth World Athletics Relays returns to the site of the first three: the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau (BAH).

At stake are Olympic qualifying berths in all five track relays:

● 4×100 m for men and women
● 4×400 m for men and women
● 4×400 m mixed relay

Per World Athletics:

● “The top 14 teams in each event at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 will automatically qualify for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The remaining two places in each discipline will be awarded based on top lists during the qualification period (31 December 2022 to 30 June 2024).”

● “Olympic places are up for grabs on both days of action in The Bahamas. On the first day, the top two teams in each heat will advance to the final on day two, while also securing their qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

● “In the finals on day two, teams will compete for prize money and obtain Olympic lane seeding positions.”

● “All other teams will compete on day two in the additional round where the top two teams in each heat will also qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

So for the U.S. – and everyone else – the key is to get the stick around and not to be disqualified or fail to finish. USA Track & Field announced a strong squad of 28 to compete in Nassau, including Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, Kyree King, Kendal Williams, Courtney Lindsey and Pjai Austin in the 4×100 m.

The men’s 4×4 options include reigning U.S. 400 m champ Bryce Deadmon, plus Jacory Patterson, Champion Allison and Christopher Bailey.

The women’s 4×100 m group is interesting, with 200 m star Gabby Thomas the headliner along with Tamari Davis, who was with Thomas on the winning Worlds 4×1 last year in Budapest. Tamara Clark and Melissa Jefferson, who ran in Budapest in the heats, are also on the Nassau squad, along with Mikiah Brisco and Celera Barnes.

The women’s 4×400 team includes Alexis Holmes, the hero of the 2023 Worlds Mixed 4×4, when she passed a falling Femke Bol (NED) just before the line, plus veterans Quanera Hayes, Kendall Ellis, Jessica Wright, Paris Peoples and Na’Asha Robinson.

Matthew Boling, Brian Faust and Ryan Willie are in the Mixed 4×400 m pool, with Bailey Lear and Lynna Irby-Jackson for the women.

There is prize money for the top eight teams in each event, of $40,000-20,000-10,000-8,000-6,000-4,000-3,000-2,000.

In the U.S., Saturday’s heats will be shown at 7 p.m. Eastern on NBC’s Peacock streaming service; Sunday coverage of finals will be on Peacock and CNBC.

3.
IOC names third Refugee Olympic Team for Paris

The International Olympic Committee named its Paris 2024 Olympic Refugee Team on Thursday, with 36 athletes from 11 countries to compete in 12 sports “represent the more than 100 million displaced people around the world.”

This is the third Olympic Refugee Team, introduced at Rio 2016:

● 2016: 10 athletes from 4 countries in 6 sports
● 2020: 29 athletes from 11 countries in 12 sports
● 2024: 36 athletes from 11 countries in 12 sports

The breakdown by (original) country includes Afghanistan (5), Cameroon (1), Congo (1), Cuba (2), Eritrea (2), Ethiopia (2), Iran (14), South Sudan (1), Sudan (2), Syria (5) and Venezuela (1).

The breakdown by sport: Athletics (7) Badminton (1), Breaking (1), Boxing (2), Canoe (4), Cycling (2), Judo (6), Shooting (2), Swimming (2), Taekwondo (5), Weightlifting (2), and Wrestling (2).

Fully a quarter of the team are repeaters from Tokyo 2020:

● Aala Maso (originally SYR) in swimming
● Dorian Keletela (originally CGO) in athletics
● Jamal Mohamed (originally SUD) in athletics
● Tachlowini Gabriysos (originally ERI) in athletics
● Saeid Fazloula (originally IRI) in canoeing
● Muna Dahouk (originally SYR) in judo
● Nigara Shaheen (originally AFG) in judo
● Luna Solomon (originally ERI) in shooting
● Dina Pouryounes Langeroudi (originally IRI) in taekwondo

Said IOC President Thomas Bach (GER): “You are an enrichment to our Olympic Community, and to our societies. With your participation in the Olympic Games, you will demonstrate the human potential of resilience and excellence. This will send a message of hope to the more than 100 million displaced people around the world.”

No refugee athlete has won an Olympic medal; as yet.

4.
Mammoth Seine River overflow reservoir opens in Paris

One of the signature efforts of the City of Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games is to make the Seine River swimmable again, at least in specific areas. One of the key elements of this project, now costing €1.4 billion (about $1.5 billion U.S.) in all, opened on Thursday, the huge water-storage tank next to the Austerlitz train station.

With a capacity of 46,000 cubic meters of water (about 12.2 trillion gallons), the underground stormwater storage tank will remove rainwater and help to prevent overflows that would require discharging wastewater from the Paris sewage system back into the river.

This has been the key program to allow not only public swimming in the Seine – banned since 1923 – but to allow the use of the river for open-water swimming at the Games and for the swimming phase of the triathlon.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who was present for the ceremony on Thursday, and French President Emmanuel Macron have both pledged to swim in the river prior to the Games – possibly in June – as a symbol of the project’s success.

Hidalgo told reporters, “For more than ten years already, we’ve seen a very significant improvement of the Seine water quality and our river’s fishes and wildlife are back,” noting that about 35 species now populate the river vs. just three in the 1970s. The opening of the tank follows up on a new water-treatment plant east of Paris, which was opened in April.

The plan for the Games is for daily testing of the water quality at 3 a.m. to certify World Aquatics or World Triathlon quality levels that would allow competitions to be held. If the water is too dirty, the events can be postponed.

5.
Belarus athletes on their own for Paris participation

“This is the business of the athletes. Of course, I would like to have an anthem, a flag, etc. But I understand the athletes: this is their life. Understanding this, I do not insist on any of the options.”

That’s Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko in a Tuesday interview, explaining that he will not interfere in the decision of individual Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as neutrals.

“But if you have already qualified and are going there in a neutral status, punch them in the face, show them that you are a real Belarusian. We will still understand that you are a Belarusian, and when you emerge victorious, this is a good topic for us to We also punched them in the face politically.

“Tomorrow we will return to this European, global family. And we will show them what we can. And let the athlete decide for himself: if he wants to go, let him go and perform, but only perform with dignity, so that we are proud of him. I won’t put pressure on anyone and I won’t insist.”

Lukashenko has adopted the same stance as Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has also left any decisions on whether to compete in Paris as a “neutral” up to the individual athlete.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The top seeds at the IIHF men’s U-18 Worlds in Finland, the U.S. and Canada, breezed into the semifinals with decisive wins in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The defending champion U.S. took care of Switzerland, 4-0, breaking open a scoreless game with three second-period scores from James Hagens (7:11), Christian Humphreys (15:22) and Brodie Ziemer at 18:03. Hagens scored again at 10:27 of the final period and Nick Kempf handled 17 Swiss shots for the shutout. The U.S. finished with a 35-17 edge on shots.

Canada shut down Latvia, 4-0, with Maxim Masse scoring just 5:08 into the game and Ryder Ritchie adding a second at 12:12 for a 2-0 lead. After a Porter Martone goal for a 3-0 lead at 12:47 of the third, the issue was decided and Jett Luchanko got an empty-net finale at the 19:00 mark. Carter George got the shutout in goal for Canada, stopping 23 shots (to Canada’s 38).

Sweden surprised Finland, 2-1, in their quarter and Slovakia prevailed over the Czech Republic by 3-2, setting up Saturday’s semis:

● U.S. (5-0) vs. Slovakia (2-3)
● Canada (5-0) vs. Sweden (3-2)

Both are re-matches from group play, where the U.S. beat Slovakia by 9-0 in the opener, and Canada skated past Sweden, 6-3. The medal matches are on Sunday.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● World Games ● As expected, Karlsruhe (GER) was named as the site for the 2029 World Games at the International World Games Association Annual General Meeting on Wednesday (1st).

Karlsruhe previously hosted the World Games back in 1989; for the 13th edition in 2029, about 4,000 athletes from more than 100 countries will contest 35 or more sports.

The IWGA also announced that full membership has been granted to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), which was an added sport at Birmingham 2022 and will be on the program for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and to the International Cheer Union (ICU).

Both will be included in the 2025 World Games in Chengdu (CHN). The additions bring the IWGA federation total to 40.

● Anti-Doping ● The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency posted a scathing, 16-page review of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s question-and-answer document on the 2021 doping positives by 23 Chinese swimmers, who were not sanctioned due to contamination of their food. In short, the USADA’s view:

“WADA’s doubling down on half-truths and self-serving rationalizations for failing to enforce its own rules is deeply concerning, and those who value fair play remain completely unsatisfied by the answers being provided by WADA regarding its sweeping of 23 positive tests under the carpet. How much longer must we watch WADA dance around the truth, avoiding all accountability and responsibility?

“We echo athletes’ demands to create a truly independent investigation and let impartial experts and stakeholders participate in the process. We must get real answers, ensure accountability for any failures, and secure true reform at WADA to fulfill the promise we all have to clean athletes and the fairness of sport.”

The review also speculates that the case file received from the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) was not provided to WADA’s own Intelligence and Investigations team:

“In its statement, WADA appears to acknowledge that it did not provide the case file to its investigators. How would its investigators know they have ‘no impetus to investigate’ as they told USADA in 2023, if WADA never provided them the case file?”

● Memorabilia ● Auction 96 from Ingrid O’Neil will end on Saturday (4th) at 8 p.m. Pacific time, with 478 lots on offer and an excellent selection of medals, torches and badges from the first modern Games in Athens in 1896 to the present.

A torch for the 1952 Olympic Winter Games in Oslo (NOR) – the first Winter Games torch relay – has already received a bid for $65,000 as the highest price recorded so far.

● Athletics ● Kenya named its marathon teams for the Paris Games, led by two-time Olympic gold medalist and former world-record holder Eliud Kipchoge and defending Olympic women’s champion, Peres Jepchirchir.

Kipchoge, now 39, won in Rio and Tokyo and will try to become the first to win three Olympic marathons. He will be joined by world leader Benson Kipruto (2:02;16), the winner of the Tokyo Marathon in March, and Alexander Mutiso, who just won the London Marathon in April (2:04:01).

Timothy Kiplagat, second in Tokyo and no. 2 on the 2024 world list at 2:02:55, was named as the alternate.

Jepchirchir proved her fitness with her 2:16:16 win at the London Marathon on 21 April and has won six of her last seven marathons, including victories in New York in 2021 and Boston in 2022.

She will be challenged by Hellen Obiri, new to marathoning, but already the Boston and New York winner in 2023 and Boston again in 2024 in 2:22:37. Obiri, 34, owns Olympic silvers from 2016 and Tokyo 2020 in the 5,000 m and will be a prime contender. Brigid Kosgei, the former world-record holder (2:14:04 in 2019) and Tokyo Olympic runner-up, is the third women’s team member.

The 2022 New York winner, Sharon Lokedi, who was second to Obiri in Boston this year (2:22:45), is the women’s alternate.

Latest sign of serious intent at the Michael Johnson venture to create a 2025 track “league”: hiring of Kyle Merber, 33, the 2015 Pan Am Games 1,500 m finalist with a best of 3:34.54, who has been a popular commentator, especially on his newsletter, “The Lap Count” – inaugurated in March of 2021 – and with Citius Magazine. He posted on X on Wednesday:

“I am excited to share that I will be the Director of Athletes and Racing working alongside @MJGold to help revolutionize track and bring it into the mainstream of sports.”

He won’t be doing The Lap Count any more, of course, but will be working on what hopes to be a game-changer for track & field in the U.S.

● Cycling ● Dutch star Demi Vollering, who won 13 Women’s World Tour races in 2023, won Thursday’s fifth stage of the X Vuelta Espana Femenina, sprinting away with 700 m to go to finish the 113.9 km route to Jaca in 3:09:52 and took the overall race lead.

She won by 28 seconds over countrywoman Yara Kastelijn and Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini, with prior leader Marianne Vos (NED) well back in 26th. With the race ending Sunday, Vollering – third in this race in 2022 and second last year – is up by 31 seconds over Longo Borghini. American Kristin Faulkner is fourth (+1:10) and Vos is ninth (+2:07).

One of the three annual Grand Tours, the 107th Giro d’Italia, begins its three-week trek across Italy on Saturday with a 136 km stage from Venara Reale to Turin and will finish in Rome on 26 May.

The overwhelming favorite in this year’s Giro is Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar, winner of the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021 and second the last two years. He also contested the Vuelta a Espana in 2019, finishing third, so he has medaled in all five of his career Grand Tours.

In limited racing in 2024, he won three of his four events: Strade Bianche and the Volta Ciclista de Catalunya in March and Liege-Bastogne-Liege on 21 April. He was third at Milan-Sanremo in March. He’s ready.

Geraint Thomas (GBR), the 2023 Giro runner-up and the 2018 Tour de France winner, also returns and may be Pogacar’s biggest rival.

The route of 3,400.8 km across 21 stages includes:

● 6 flat stages
● 8 hilly stages
● 5 mountain stages
● 2 individual time trials

The three mountain stages 15, 16 and 17 – held over four days – may decide the race, all three with uphill finishes, with a final challenge in stage 19, with four climbs finally ending at 1,235 m at Sappada.

● Football ● Star U.S. defender Kelley O’Hara announced her retirement on Thursday, finishing her career at age 35 as a two-time Women’s World Cup winner and as an Olympic gold and bronze medalist. She told U.S. Soccer:

“It has been one of the greatest joys to represent my country and to wear the U.S. Soccer crest.

“As I close this chapter of my life, I am filled with gratitude. Looking back on my career I am so thankful for all the things I was able to accomplish but most importantly the people I was able to accomplish them with.”

O’Hara was a fearless ballhawk and played in 160 national-team matches, with three goals and 25 assists. She appeared for the U.S. in the 2011-15-19-23 World Cups with two wins and a silver medal in 2011, and won Olympic gold with the American team at London 2012 and a bronze at Tokyo 2020. She played professionally in the short-lived Women’s Professional Soccer league and for four clubs in the National Women’s Soccer League.

She will officially retire following the end of the current NWSL season.

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TSX SPECIAL: AICO and AFCOS save Olympic pin-trading tradition with a venue for Paris

By
Karen Rosen
-
The Parc de la Villette site in Paris that will be the home of the Olympic Collectors Area this summer (Photo: AICO).

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

The collecting and trading of Olympic pins goes back more than a century, with identification badges being fabricated for the first revival Games in Athens in 1896. A pin depicting a national flag dates from at least 1906 and the trading of pins, at least among athletes, may have started at the Paris Games of 1924.

It was another 60 years before the mania really began.

The first major Olympic pin trading center was in Los Angeles for the Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad in 1984. Anheuser-Busch donated a 50-foot high, inflated six-pack of Budweiser to attract collectors – away from any official Olympic site, of course – and Commerce, California-based official pin manufacturer Ooh La La Inc., organized the space. The company produced an estimated 30 million pins related to the 1984 Games and created a frenzy.

The Coca-Cola Company – an Olympic supporter since 1928 – knew a good thing when it saw it and sponsored its first official pin-trading center at the Calgary Olympic Winter Games in 1988 and continued the tradition for the next 30 years. During the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, the beverage giant hosted a branded pin trading “activation” in Gangneung Olympic Park which included a trading space and featured an exhibition of Coca-Cola Olympic pins – some highly prized – from previous Games.

But no major companies stepped up to sponsor an Olympic pin-trading center in Paris, and collectors worried they would have no place to gather at the Games. They were relieved to hear in April that the International Association of Olympic Collectors (AICO) and the Association Francaise des Collectionneurs Olympiques et Sportifs (AFCOS) announced the first-ever “Official Olympic Collectors Area.” The space will be located at the Parc de la Villette, which will be near Club France and other NOC houses.

The Folie des Merveilles de Villette Makerz will host the pin trading center, the exhibition “24 Heritages Olympiques” – “24 Olympic Legacies” – and other events catering to collectors. “In this unique venue, fans and enthusiasts of the Games will share all that is Olympic in them,” according to the AICO announcement.

The “24 Olympic Legacies” exhibit will showcase the vision and passion of 24 collectors through a presentation of their collections, in philately, numismatics, pins and memorabilia.

The ground-floor space, which is approximately 150 square meters (about 1,615 sq. ft.), will be open to all visitors free of charge from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the duration of the Games from 26 July to 11 August. Volunteers will guide collectors to their trading tables, manage the rotation of collectors occupying the tables and explain how pin trading works to the uninitiated.

It will be a welcome return for one of the most endearing of Olympic hobbies, especially since there were no official or sponsored pin trading centers due to the Covid-19 pandemic for the Tokyo Games in 2021 or the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

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TSX REPORT: World Cup 2026 Vancouver cost could be C$581 million; Infantino visits U.S. House and State Dept.; 840,318 apply for ‘25 London Marathon!

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Cost of Vancouver World Cup matches now at C$483-581 million
2. FIFA’s Infantino visits U.S. House & State Department
3. Tunisia joins Angola as WADA non-compliants
4. Ticket prices announced for World Athletics Champs 2025
5. Staggering 840,318 apply to run London Marathon in 2025!

● A new cost estimate of the costs related to the staging of seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Vancouver’s BC Place is now estimated from $483 to C$581 million, up from an estimate of C$240-260 million in 2022. The Province of British Columbia and City of Vancouver believe federal subsidies, sponsorships and tax revenue will be more than that.

● FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. State Department on Wednesday to discuss issues such as visa control, security and transportation for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

● The World Anti-Doping Agency has classified Tunisia as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, meaning – unless something changes – that it will not be able to use its flag for any of the Olympic ceremonies in Paris this summer. Angola is in the same situation.

● Pricing for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, much anticipated since the spectator-less Olympic Games in 2021, were announced. Some 700,000 tickets are expected to be available, with pricing from $16 to $317, depending on the session and seat location.

● Registrations for a spot in the 2025 London Marathon reached an all-time record high of 840,318, even though only about 2% will be drawn to run. Of these entries, 80% came from Britain and the rest from outside the country.

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (NBC adds comedy highlights program to Peacock Games programming) = Athletics (4: good TV audience for Bermuda Grand Prix; Fabbri joins 75-foot club in Modena; prep 400 m star Quincy Wilson signs with WME; AIU says some athletes must get three OOC tests pre-Paris) = Cycling (2: Van Gils sprints to Eschborn-Frankfurt win; Vos leads Vuelta Espana Femenina halfway) = Fencing (anonymous fencers complain about referee penalties) = Rowing (US Rowing strips late star Nash of honors in abuse finding) = Swimming (McIntosh’s program for Canadian Trials revealed?) ●

1.
Cost of Vancouver World Cup matches now at C$483-581 million

“After taking into account estimated revenues and recoveries, the Province estimates the net core cost of seven FIFA World Cup 26 matches to be $100 million to $145 million. This does not take into account potential additional provincial tax revenues as identified in the Province’s updated estimates of economic impact benefits, which are projected to be $224 million.”

That’s from a Tuesday announcement by the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver and the BC Pavilion Corporation, stating that the estimates for the cost of staging seven matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are now estimated at C$483 to $581 million, compared with C$240 to C$260 million in 2022. (C$1 = $0.73 U.S.)

Part of the cost increase is attributable to Vancouver now staging seven matches instead of the five it expected in 2022. Tuesday’s announcement explained in detail. Costs (in C$):

● $246 to $276 million for the City of Vancouver, for security, decor, legal support, traffic and other municipal services.

● $149 to $196 million for BC Place Vancouver for stadium upgrades and staging the matches.

● $88 to $109 million for the Province of British Columbia and other public entities for security, transport, medical and emergency management.

The total is C$483 to C$581 million, which is to be partly offset by a combination of government and event revenues (C$)::

● $116 million from the Canadian national government.

● $230 million from a 2.5% increase in hotel taxes in Vancouver from 2023-30.

● $16 to $46 million from the City of Vancouver, Host City sponsorships, venue rentals.

● $21 to $44 million for transport and other venue rentals.

These revenues total C$383 to C$436 million, leaving a core “cost” of staging the matches of C$100 to C$145 million.

Against that amount are models showing that for the period of 2026 to 2031, the World Cup impact will include 350,000 visitors during the tournament and:

● “$1 billion added to provincial GDP
● “Over one million additional out-of-province visitors [2026-31]
● “Over $1 billion in additional visitor spending
● “Potentially up to $224 million in direct, indirect and other related provincial tax revenues”

That’s C$224 million in direct and indirect tax revenue is seen as offsetting the cash costs of C$100-145 million. It’s a risk, but one which Vancouver – as one of two cities in Canada hosting World Cup matches – thinks is worth taking. At present, BC Place seats 54,500.

Said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim: “Hosting FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver will boost Vancouver’s hospitality and entertainment industries, transform our city and make us a world-class destination for tourism and major event hosting for decades to come.”

Toronto, which will host six matches, estimated its costs at C$380 million in February.

Observed: It’s worthwhile to note that Qatar registered huge increases in tourism during its 2022 World Cup months of November and December, totaling 1.18 million international visitors to attend the event, but with all eight stadia close together. Considerably more people are forecast to attend the three-nation World Cup in 2026 as the Canadian, Mexican and U.S. stadiums are mostly larger than those in Qatar.

For Vancouver and other areas which are spending richly to host the event, the question is how many attendees will come from out of town, which is the driver for hotel, restaurant, transport and merchandise tax revenues for local and regional governmental entities.

2.
FIFA’s Infantino visits U.S. House & State Department

With FIFA expecting billions of dollars in revenue from the expanded, 32-team 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 48-team FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. in 2026, FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) made the rounds on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

Infantino posted on his Instagram page, in part:

“A big thank you to all the wonderful lawmakers of the United States federal government who I had the opportunity to meet in Washington DC. It was great to meet many dignitaries and to discuss how we can make sure, together, that the new FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup in 2026 will be fantastic successes, because overall there will be over five million people coming to follow these two global events. We need to be ready, and we need to be prepared! …

“Thanks also to the House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for giving me their time to discuss these important points as we prepare for these global events in the United States.”

In terms of issues discussed:

“The exchanges addressed a wide range of topics related to the planning of both tournaments, especially given their global scale and the need to maintain a constant collaboration on issues related to transportation, safety and security, visas and immigration, as well as other operational and commercial matters to ensure the smooth delivery of the event for all fans, teams and officials – both for those in the United States and for those travelling to the country from abroad.”

Infantino and his team were busy:

“The FIFA delegation met with United States Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other DHS officials, before attending a meeting at the [Department of State] with the United States Department of State Deputy Secretary for Management & Resources Richard Verma, and other DOS officials.”

Again, the discussions included visas, security, transportation and other operating items.

It will not be Infantino’s last visit to D.C. before 2026.

3.
Tunisia joins Angola as WADA non-compliants

The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that Tunisia has not brought its national “legal framework in line” with the World Antti-Doping Code and announced that its “alleged non-compliance is deemed admitted and the consequences and reinstatement conditions deemed accepted.”

What that means is that Tunisia and Angola are non-compliant nations within the meaning of the World Anti-Doping Code; this has implications for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, with neither national flag to be “flown at regional, continental or world championships, as well as other Events organized by Major Event Organizations (including the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) until reinstatement.”

The WADA guidance further notes:

“This consequence shall be limited to official display of flags by the event organizer in the venue/arena/stadium where e.g. a regional, continental or world championships is taking place, whether those displays are for the duration of the event or for a specific part of the event such as medal, opening or closing ceremonies or other protocol elements.”

In other words, it does not ban flags in the stands waved by spectators. WADA explained that besides Angola and Tunisia, the two other federations on suspension are the Russian Anti-Doping Agency and the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation. Neither of those will be in Paris this summer as there will be no Russian team, but only specific individuals competing as neutrals, and bodybuilding is not on the Olympic program.

4.
Ticket prices announced for World Athletics Champs 2025

Tokyo will host the World Athletics Championships for the second time in 2025, after a very successful 1991 IAAF Championships, still remembered for the greatest long jump competition in history, where Mike Powell defeated Carl Lewis with a world-record of 8.95 m (29-4 1/2) at the old National Stadium.

The 2025 meet is especially meaningful for Japan, which had to host the 2020 Olympic Games in 2021 without spectators due to the Covid pandemic. The Japan National Stadium seats 68,000 for track & field and ticket pricing was announced Wednesday for the 2025 Worlds:

● ¥2,500 to ¥15,000 ($16 to $95 U.S.): Morning sessions

● ¥4,000 to ¥30,000 ($25 to $190 U.S.): Evening weekday sessions

● ¥5,000 to ¥50,000 ($32 to $317 U.S.): Evening weekend sessions

About 700,000 total tickets will be offered, with the organizers stating that “[a]round 70% of tickets will be available for less than 10,000 JPY [$64].”

A special program will offer tickets at ¥2,025 ($13) each, with 2,025 tickets issued for each session, for families and groups, including children, elderly or those with a disability.

The organizing committee is asking for those interested to register to get a “fan ID” for ticket information and early access to tickets.

5.
Staggering 840,318 apply to run London Marathon in 2025!

“An astonishing and world record-breaking 840,318 people from the UK and across the globe applied in the public ballot for an entry to next year’s TCS London Marathon which takes place on Sunday 27 April 2025.

“This total shattered the previous world record total of 578,304, which was set last year in the ballot for the 2024 TCS London Marathon.”

Tuesday’s announcement was remarkable in the increase of 45.3% overall and by 49% among women:

● British applications for 2025 were 672,631, with 338,549 from men (50.3%), 329,793 from women (49.0%) and 4,288 (0.64%) from non-binary.

● Applications from outside Britain were 167,687 (20.0%)

Race director Hugh Brasher (GBR) noted:

“The 2024 TCS London Marathon on 21 April was the biggest in our history with more than 53,700 finishers and has already raised a world record-breaking £67 million [$83.93 million U.S.] for charities. More than 12,900 children took part in the mass TCS Mini London Marathon the day before and hundreds of thousands of children across the UK are now doing their Mini Marathon in their schools.”

These are the biggest numbers anywhere, and amazing testament to distance running as a widespread, popular activity. However, only about 17,000 will win a “public ballot” spot, or about 2% of the applicants. Most of the entries are for runners who will be raising money for charity – hence the world-record charitable funding – and there are 6,000 entries for “Good For Age” runners who have excellent qualifying times.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● NBC announced a “comedic commentary series” as a part of its Paris 2024 coverage, with an eight-part series called “Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson.”

The eight shows of 30 minutes each will be shown on Peacock, with 2-3 new episodes per week, starting with the opening on 26 July.

● Athletics ● A good start for the USA Track & Field Grand Prix series with the first meet, the Bermuda Grand Prix on NBC on Sunday at 4 p.m. Eastern, drawing an average of 790,000 viewers.

That was fourth in its time slot, behind the NBA’s Clippers-Mavericks game on ABC (5.56 million), the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic on CBS (1.85 million) and the NASCAR Cup Series from Dover Raceway on FS1 (2.40 million).

A big shot effort by Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri, who won at Modena (ITA) on Wednesday with a fifth-round, world-leading toss of 22.88 m (75-0 3/4), a lifetime best and moving him to no. 6 on the all-time list.

He’s now no. 2 in Italian history and is the seventh man to reach the 75-foot level. According to the Italian federation FIDAL, Fabbri said afterwards:

“And to think that I had a fever of 38 [100 F] for two days and I felt a bit weak. Having thrown 22.88 m without still being 100% is confirmation of my potential.”

Know this name: Quincy Wilson. Already on the radar as an emerging 400 m star from the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, the 16-year-old has run 45.19 in the open men’s 400 this season, but went crazy at the Penn Relays.

In the heats of the prep 4×400 m, he brought Bullis from way back – due to a dropped baton on the first leg – in the anchor with a 44.37 split to win in 3:14.84. That’s the fastest high school split in the history of the Penn Relays!

In the final, Bullis suffered another dropped stick on the second exchange and Wilson, on anchor, ran 44.69 to bring his team home in third place in 3:13.10.

Now, he’s retained William Morris Endeavor as his management agency; he already has a name-image-likeness deal with New Balance, and has qualified (by 0.01) for the U.S. Olympic Trials for the 400 m in June.

A Kenyan report noted that the Athletics Integrity Unit is requiring that any athlete who wants to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games must complete three-out-of-competition tests by 4 July 2024, with the first test by 3 May 2024.

This applies to the eight Category A federations, which includes Bahrain, Belarus, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Russia and Ukraine.

● Cycling ● The 61st Eschborn-Frankfurt race, with two major rises and two small ones, ended with a 35 km descent and flat run into Frankfurt that ended with a mass sprint of 35 riders, with Belgian Maxim van Gils getting his first UCI World Tour victory in 4:46:48.

He got to the line ahead of Alex Aranburu (ESP) and American Riley Sheehan, with the top 35 all receiving the same time. Sheehan’s bronze is noteworthy: it’s the first-ever U.S. medal in this race, inaugurated in 1962.

The eight-stage Vuelta Espana Femenina in Spain has reached halfway, with Dutch star – and three-time World Road Champion – Marianne Vos continuing to lead, by five seconds over Hungary’s 22-year-old Blanka Vas, with Kristen Faulkner of the U.S. in third place (+0:09).

After the first-stage Team Time Trial, Canada’s Alison Jackson won the hilly second stage, then Vos won stage three, both winning final mass sprints to the line. Faulkner attacked with 6 km left in stage four and won in 3:02:37 on Wednesday, vaulting Vos into the lead, who finished third (+0:10).

● Fencing ● USA Fencing announced last Friday (24th) that “Mr. Jacobo Morales and Mr. Brandon Romo have been sanctioned for violation of the USA Fencing Referee Code of Ethics, the FIE Technical Rules, and the FIE Ethical Code.”

The issue was match manipulation during a January North American Cup match in Sabre:

“The Panel finds that Morales violated Rules t.100 and t.109, as well as the above-referenced sections of the FIE Ethical Code, by providing input to Romo during the [Kira] Erickson – [Tatiana] Navlymov bout. The Panel similarly finds that Romo violated the same Rules and sections of the Ethical Code by asking for input from Morales.”

Morales was suspended as a referee for nine months and Romo was suspended from national-level matches for nine months.

A letter was posted on Tuesday by “Select members of the USA Fencing Team” complaining the decision “undermines the ethics of the sport and every athlete who strives for success on the grounds of fair play. …

“These officials, who are not competing for medals, are expected to uphold the rules of the sport with integrity. Yet, they have undermined the very fiber of sport – a level playing field – and are facing inconsequential repercussions. If USA Fencing is committed to protecting the rules and integrity of their sport, these officials must receive multi-year suspensions.

“Furthermore, based on this decision and with a pending second investigation yet to be complete, USA fencing has set a precedent that leniency is afforded to officials who break the rules. How can athletes have confidence that the sport will abide by its own rules that were established to protect athletes and fair play when decisions, as per this case, indirectly endorse match manipulation?”

● Rowing ● US Rowing announced Tuesday that it was revoking all honors from the late Ted Nash in view of an investigation that found “compelling evidence” of abuse 51 years ago:

“In late 2022, Jennifer Fox contacted us claiming she had been sexually abused as a child by the late Ted Nash in 1973. Upon learning of these allegations against Mr. Nash – an athlete and coach in the rowing community for decades and recipient of several USRowing accolades – we engaged the law firm of Shearman & Sterling (now A&O Shearman), who graciously agreed to conduct a pro-bono investigation. …

“Having reviewed the investigation’s findings, USRowing believes there is compelling evidence supporting Ms. Fox’s allegations of child sex abuse by Mr. Nash. Regardless of Mr. Nash’s contributions to the sport of rowing, our commitment to the safety and well-being of our participants – especially youth athletes – is of the utmost importance and compels us to act in accordance with our values.”

Nash won an Olympic gold for the U.S. in the men’s Four at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and a bronze in that event in Tokyo in 1964 and was directly involved in Games through 2008.

Fox was 13 and Nash 40 when she said he abused her at a summer camp in 1973, making a film – without identifying him – in 2018. Nash died at age 88 in 2021. US Rowing said it has revoked his “Man of the Year” award from 2005 and the 2013 US Rowing Medal of Honor.

● Swimming ● A big question in the sport is what events will Canadian teen superstar Summer McIntosh swim at the Canadian Trials and be extension, in Paris this summer.

Now, one of her sponsors, Ninepoint Partners may have revealed her program, listing:

“2024 Olympic & Paralympic Trials, May 13-19 (Toronto, On):

“400-meter Freestyle, 100-meter Back Stroke, 400-meter IM, 200-meter Butterfly, 200-meter IM”

She’s a former world-record holder in the 400 m Free and is the world-record holder in the 400 m Medley, and is the two-time World Champion in the 200 m Fly and 400 m Medley. She was the world leader in 2023 for the 200 m Medley, but was not a medal contender in the 100 m Back.

She could opt for the 800 m Free – where she is the world leader in 2024 – instead of the 200 m Medley, but the listing indicates she prefers the medley.

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For our new, 920-event International Sports Calendar for 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: WADA on offense with Q&A on Chinese doping; France rejects Russian volunteers for Paris; Montreal wants Torch Relay spot!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Tourisme Montreal’s cheeky demand for a part of the Olympic Torch Relay!

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. WADA issues Q&A on 2021 Chinese doping positives
2. France refuses visas to Russian volunteers for Paris 2024
3. FEI forum: changes must come to equestrian championships
4. ISU Congress proposal reduces figure skating jumps
5. Montreal’s newest publicity stunt: demanding the Olympic Flame

● The World Anti-Doping Agency is back on offense on the 2021 Chinese doping matter, issuing a detailed “question-and-answer” document on Tuesday. It’s comprehensive, but still leaves questions unanswered.

● A story by the Russian news agency TASS says that 20-plus Russian citizens who volunteered to help at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have been refused entry by the French authorities.

● At the annual FEI Forum in Lausanne, concern was raised over the future of FEI championship events, especially as to costs for people, horses and broadcasting. A change from asking for formal bids to informally soliciting interest – a la the IOC for the Olympic Games – could be coming.

● Proposals submitted for June’s International Skating Union Congress in Las Vegas include a reduction in the number of jumping elements in figure skating from seven to six in the Free Skate for Singles and from three lifts to two in Pairs. Why? Less athletics, more artistry.

● The agenda and proposals list for June’s International Skating Union Congress include a reduction in the number of “jumping elements” from seven to six for Singles and from three lifts in Pairs to two, to try and add some more choreography to the Free Skate programs.

● In a cheeky, but well-played publicity stunt, Tourisme Montreal demanded that – given its huge French-speaking population – it should have part of the Paris 2024 Torch Relay. Nice try!

● World Championship: Ice Hockey (U.S. and Canada undefeated in IIHF men’s U18s) ●

● Panorama: Athletics (Echevarria to return for Cuba in long jump; refugee team’s Lohalith suspended for doping) = Basketball (women’s superstar Parker retires) = Football (FIFA collaborating with Miami Dade College) ●

1.
WADA issues Q&A on 2021 Chinese doping positives

The World Anti-Doping Agency is on the offensive, issuing a detailed “question-and-answer” document dealing with the heavy criticism it is receiving over its perceived lack of follow-up to 28 doping positives from the heart medication trimetazidine at a January 2021 swim meet in China.

The key facts, per WADA:

● “There were 28 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for the prohibited substance,
trimetazidine (TMZ), involving 23 different swimmers, which means that a small number of them tested positive more than once.

● “In early April 2021, CHINADA informed WADA that it had initiated an investigation, involving the public health authorities, into the source of TMZ found in the samples. There were strong indicators that these cases could be a case of group contamination considering the following factors:

“– There were 23 swimmers, and 28 positive samples. All tested positive at the same time for TMZ at consistently very low levels (pg or low ng/mL range).

“– The swimmers were from different regions of China, with different coaches and from different swimming clubs.

“– The swimmers were in the same place at the same time when the positive samples arose.

“– A number of these swimmers were tested on multiple occasions during the swim meet. Some of them were tested on two or even three occasions on consecutive days. For several swimmers, the results varied from negative to positive within a few hours, which is not compatible with a doping scenario of deliberate ingestion nor with micro-dosing. …

● “On 15 June 2021, WADA was notified of the decision by CHINADA to accept that 23 swimmers had tested positive in early 2021 for TMZ, after inadvertently being exposed to the substance through food/environment contamination as a result of TMZ detected in the kitchen (including spice containers, the extraction fan above the hob and the drains); and that, they would not move forward with Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) cases. This decision was also provided to World Aquatics (formerly FINA) at the same time as WADA, as required under the rules.”

WADA reviewed the case file, World Aquatics reviewed the case file and WADA sent the materials to outside counsel for review. All three decided there was no appealable case and allowed CHINADA’s contamination theory to stand, with no sanctions for the swimmers.

In view of the furor which has ensued, WADA has engaged former Canton of Vaud Attorney General Eric Cottier to review the matter. That’s where we are.

Observed: WADA believes it is in the right here and is strongly defending its position, which is its right, of course.

The unresolved issues – which were not addressed in the Q&A – come from the German ARD documentary “The China Files,” which stated that the CHINADA report that cleared the swimmers was created by the Ministry of Public Security, not the anti-doping agency. Moreover:

“The report states that more than two months later, investigators inspected the [hotel] kitchen and found traces of trimetazidine in the extractor hood, on spice containers and in the drain.”

So, the inspection which cleared the swimmers took place months after the incident, and WADA did not investigate the situation on its own, but agreed to take the CHINADA report at face value.

Perhaps an investigation 2-3 months after the fact would have been worthless, but having a report that was ostensibly from a national anti-doping agency that was – if it was – in fact written by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, is troubling.

WADA may not have been able to successfully prosecute the 23 swimmers involved in the January 2021 doping incident. But what appears to be a too-trusting attitude, dealing with an admittedly difficult security apparatus in China, has caused substantial doubts that still need to be either dispelled or further explained.

2.
France refuses visas to Russian volunteers for Paris 2024

“Yesterday, I received an official letter saying that France’s authorities turned down my application for being a volunteer at the Olympic Games.

“I contacted more than 20 Russians whom I worked at several Olympics with and who also filed volunteer applications. All of these people, who have vast expertise, have been denied as well.”

That’s from an unnamed individual who contacted the Russian news agency TASS, explaining that she and others she contacted have been refused entry into France by the French government for volunteer positions for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. According to the TASS story, the unidentified prospective volunteer added:

“The Organizing Committee wrote to me that it is unaware of the reasons why the French authorities have turned down my application. Under France’s domestic security code, the Organizing Committee referred my data to the relevant administrative body for a check. I could have been accredited only after its approval, but, regrettably, my application was declined.

“I am very upset to receive the refusal. Bearing in mind the fact that many volunteers from Russia took part in Olympics before, I think that all applicants with Russian passports have been denied accreditation.”

The Paris 2024 organizers had said in 2023 that the volunteer process, with 45,000 to be selected, was open to all nationalities. But, of course, the French government has the last word on entry into the country.

3.
FEI forum: changes must come to equestrian championships

A fascinating session of an “FEI Championships Review” was held on Tuesday during the annual, two-day FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne, exploring the issues surrounding major equestrian events in the wake of the implosion of the World Equestrian Games, last held as a single event in 2018 in Tryon, North Carolina.

The presentation noted the federation’s “major” championships as the FEI World Championships, the FEI European Championships and the FEI World Cup Finals in dressage and jumping. Minor championships include other continental championships, youth championships and young horses championship events.

As for the World Equestrian Games, split into two parts for 2022, Italian federation Secretary General Simone Perillo said that “while the WEG concept is fantastic, with all the disciplines together, it is economically unsustainable, but it’s critical to keep the value of team sport alive” and he proposed “a complete reversal of the economic model to avoid equestrian becoming an individual sport.”

A review of the current attractiveness of the FEI’s events showed a “relatively low number of bids for major FEI Championships indicates that there are some issues with the current FEI Championships model that might need to be addressed.”

This means a change could be made along the lines of what the International Olympic Committee has done, moving away from asking for bids by a specific deadline to more of a “direct dialogue” model to encourage national federation and possible hosts to consider hosting events.

The current model for the “World Equestrian Games” asks possible hosts to submit proposals for one or more disciplines instead of requiring one site to host everything. The big cost items continue to be accommodations and meals – for people and horses – as well as broadcasting, although new technologies are bringing the broadcasting costs down.

The outcome:

● “To close the session, delegates requested a long-term plan for major FEI Championships as the number one tool to show equestrian sport to the world. A transfer of knowledge between former and future hosts would allow bidders to work together to develop more comprehensive and cost-effective bids.”

● “[FEI Deputy Legal Director] Aine Power [IRL] explained that the next steps would be to report back to the FEI Board at the June in person meeting with a strategy to be developed for presentation to the FEI Board at its November 2024 Board Meeting during the FEI General Assembly.”

Observed: These discussions are important and are happening everywhere. Since scale is always an issue and shared expenses are repeatedly seen as desirable, it will be fascinating to see if International Federations look to each other to seek out potential partners to work together.

In Germany, a collection of multiple national championships into a single, co-produced, four-day, multi-sport entity called “Die Finals” has been popular. In 2023 – the fourth edition – 18 sports were massed into the program, with 210,000 total spectators and 25 hours of national television coverage on national channels ARD and ZDF.

That could be the basis for discussions between International Federations seeing limited interest in their championship events, perhaps coordinated at the start by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). Interestingly, the newly elected head of ASOIF is FEI chief Ingmar De Vos of Belgium!

4.
ISU Congress proposal reduces figure skating jumps

A potentially significant rule change has been listed in the proposals for rule changes by the International Skating Union at its upcoming Congress in Las Vegas, Nevada from 8-14 June, reducing the maximum number of jumps in figure skating competitions.

For the men’s and women’s Singles Free Skate, proposal 239, from the Singles & Pair Skating Technical Committee would require a “well-balanced Free Skating program” to include:

● “maximum of six jump elements (one of which must be an Axel type jump);

● “maximum of three spins, one of which must be a spin combination, one a flying spin and one choreographic spin;

● “maximum of one step sequence;

● “maximum of one choreographic sequence.”

This would reduce the number of jumps from seven to six, and introduces the “choreographic” spin, which must be related to the music.

Proposal 240 on jump combinations and jump sequences further reduces the maximum number of jump combinations from three to two in the Free Skate.

In Pairs skating, a similar new rule proposal (245) would reduce the number of lifts from three to two and add a “choreographic lift” and eliminate the “pair spin combination” in favor of a “choreographic pair spin.”

Why? According to the reason posted for proposal 245: “to encourage the creativity and to have more entertaining programs.”

This is a clear move by the ISU Technical Committee to try and reduce the overwhelming role of athleticism in Free Skate program and try to introduce some more artistic elements. Many competitors and commentators have noted that the Free Skate programs are essentially jumping exercises and little else. These rules, if agreed to, will temper that balance, at least somewhat.

The issue of age and skating came up again. Following the Kamila Valieva doping incident at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games – she was 15 at the time – the ISU passed a rule which mandated a gradual increase to a minimum of 17 years of age.

Proposals 45 and 46 from the ISU Council clarify the new standard for both figure skating and speed skating, requiring:

“In International Senior Competitions, ISU Senior Championships and the Olympic Winter Games, only Skaters may compete who have reached at least the age of seventeen before July 1 preceding the Events.”

However, U.S. Figure Skating proposed a lower limit of age 16 for Pairs for 2024/25 onwards and 17 for Singles and Ice Dance. This drew a negative response from the ISU Council, which noted, “The Council is not in favor as the age increases were overwhelmingly accepted after extensive discussion at the 2022 Congress. It is also a matter of the reputation and image of the ISU in the sporting and wider world.”

A Dutch proposal (37) asks for sponsor markings to be allowed on the outside of the skates, so as to receive some attention from the live and television audiences:

“At this moment, there are no possibilities for sponsor markings and exposure during the competitive performance in figure skating. This is only possible during the Kiss & Cry moments and a few other moments beside the competitive performance. However, the media coverage is mostly focused on the competitive performance. To stimulate the financial situation in smaller figure skating countries, and the level playing field, it would help enormously to create sponsor exposure and visibility also during the competitive performance.

“Sponsor exposure will lead to a better financial situation and more professionalism in the sports. We are aware that a marking on the dress or suit won’t fit, but a marking on the boot seems to be possible.”

There are other concerns, notably in Short Track, where proposal 35 states:

“The World Cup Short Track Speed Skating is suffering from lack of finances. In order to provide for better access to Sponsors, a World Tour like in other International Sports Federations shall be introduced.”

The proposal calls for a “World Tour” for Short track vs. the current “World Cup” title, with a new format to be specified before each season.

However, the Korean federation is asking for a new event, a Short Track World Team Championships, with $326,000 in prize money. The ISU Council was not impressed, commenting:

“The Council is not in favor. Referring to its own proposal for amendment of Rule 100, the Council feels that the urgent priority for Short Track Speed Skating is to increase the interest and reputation of the existing ISU Events, including team competition elements, rather than establishing new ISU Championships. Furthermore, the indicated budget for implementation, without evidence of potential related TV rights and advertising incomes, would require a significant addition to the overall ISU budget.”

5.
Montreal’s newest publicity stunt: demanding the Olympic Flame

A clever publicity effort by the City of Montreal’s tourism arm is now up on its Web site with the title: “Pass the flame to Montreal.”

The front-page takeover further states:

“Montreal has more French men and women than almost half of the cities crossed by the flame. It goes without saying that we were surprised not to be considered in the relay route”

The Olympic Torch Relay will hit French soil on 8 May, when it arrives on the tall ship Belem in Marseille, with a huge crowd expected to meet it there. During its trip throughout France and to overseas French departments – including French Guiana, Reunion Island and French Polynesia (Tahiti) – the Olympic Flame will crisscross the world … but it not planned to land in other countries.

French-speaking Montreal is Canada’s second-largest city at 1.76 million, with a metro population of 4.29 million, both second only to Toronto. In fact, it is larger than every city in France except Paris.

Tourisme Montreal has a video, promoting the city’s tourism attractions (of course) and reminding viewers of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, with many of the facilities still present and in use.

“This request is symbolic,” the site notes, but asks visitors to share a tourism promotion video of the city anyway.

Cute, and well played.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The IIHF men’s U-18 Worlds are getting serious in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland, with the U.S. and Canada the pool winners.

The defending champion Americans went 4-0 and won their games by a combined total of 33-7. Canada was also 4-0 in Group B, with a similar, 31-7 scoring margin. They will lead the playoff seedings for the quarterfinals on Thursday:

● U.S. (4-0) vs. Switzerland (1-3)
● Finland (3-1) vs. Sweden (2-2)

● Canada (4-0) vs. Latvia (1-3)
● Czech Republic (2-2) vs. Slovakia (1-3)

The semifinals will be on Saturday (4th) and the medal matches on Sunday the 5th.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Athletics ● Interesting story from Pan Am Sports, that superstar Cuban long jump Juan Echevarria is returning to competition for Cuba, to be coached by Cuban legend Ivan Pedroso, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Champion.

Echavarria, still just 25, last competed in 2021, when he was the Olympic silver medalist in Tokyo, after winning the World Indoor Championships gold in 2018 and the 2019 Pan American Games. With his best of 8.68 m (28-5 3/4) from 2018, he still ranks 11th all-time and has a scary windy best of 8.92 m (29-3 1/4 but +3.3 m/s) from 2019. He has been living in Portugal and was widely expected to change allegiance, but he wrote on Instagram:

“I have fulfilled my dream of joining the great Ivan Pedroso’s team. This would not be possible without all the work done by my previous coaches to whom I owe being here. Thank you for the journey together. And from today we will work for more dreams, the first to achieve the mark required for the #Paris2024 Olympic Games, with the desire to compete and continue giving triumphs to #Cuba.”

Another provisional suspension for doping, this time of Athlete Refugee Team member Anjelina Nadai Lohalith from South Sudan, now living in Kenya, for the use of trimetazidine, the same substance as used by now-banned Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva.

The allegation was issued on Tuesday; Lohalith participated in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio as a member of the Refugee Olympic Team in the 1,500 m, running in the first round.

● Basketball ● Two-time Olympic gold medalist Candace Parker (USA) announced in an Instagram post on Sunday that she has completed her basketball playing career:

“I’m retiring.

“I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it. The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time. My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.”

She explained that, at 38, her health was becoming a significant issue:

“This offseason hasn’t been fun on a foot that isn’t cooperating. It’s no fun playing in pain (10 surgeries in my career) it’s no fun knowing what you could do, if only…it’s no fun hearing “she isn’t the same” when I know why, it’s no fun accepting the fact you need surgery AGAIN.”

And she is hardly done with the game:

“In the mean time, know IM A BUSINESS, man, not a businessman. This is the beginning…I’m attacking business, private equity, ownership (I will own both a NBA & WNBA team), broadcasting, production, boardrooms, beach volleyball, dominoes (sorry babe it’s going to get more real) with the same intensity & focus I did basketball.”

She finishes as one of the greatest players ever in women’s basketball, playing primarily as a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA from 2008-20 and later for the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. She was on three WNBA champion teams, a seven-time All-WNBA First Team selection, a two-time Most Valuable Player and Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. in 2008 and 2012.

● Football ● FIFA announced a collaboration agreement with Miami Dade College, a unit of the Florida College System, with eight campuses and more than 47,000 enrollees, which will “give students chance to intern at FIFA’s Miami office” and have the “FIFA Museum to loan exhibits to Miami Dade College to bring beautiful game closer to local community.”

FIFA’s headquarters for the organization of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is in Coral Gables, Florida, in the Miami-Dade area. Miami Dade College offers Bachelor’s Associate of Arts and technical degrees at the campuses and more than 20 outreach centers.

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TSX SPECIAL: Prague named to host 2025 World Olympic Collectors’ Fair

By
Karen Rosen
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The 1925 commemorative medal for the VIII IOC Congress in Prague (Photo: RR Auction)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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Olympic collectors have another 100th anniversary celebration on their schedule following the 2024 Paris Games, held 100 years after the memorable Paris Games of 1924.

The Czech Republic capital of Prague will host the XXVIII World Olympic Collectors’ Fair in 2025 with the dates of 29 May through 1 June, chosen to coincide with those of the VIII Olympic Congress held in Prague – then in Czechoslovakia – in 1925.

The Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage awarded the fair to Prague, which emphasized the anniversary in its proposal. The event will be organized by the International Association of Olympic Collectors (AICO) and OLYMPSPORT, the Czech Olympic and sports collectors society, and will be held at the aptly named Hotel Olympik. According to the Prague Daily Monitor, the hotel was built in preparation for a Prague bid for the 1980 Olympic Games, which was awarded to Moscow.

The previous Fair was held in Paris in 2023 and the United States has applied to host the 2026 event in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The application was made jointly by the Olympin Collectors Club and Sports Philatelists International, which are member associations of AICO in the U.S.

There are typically 50-100 tables at these international fairs, with memorabilia ranging from Olympic winners’ medals and torches worth thousands of dollars to pins and stamps … worth a lot less.

No doubt collectibles from the 1925 Olympic Congress, the last under legendary International Olympic Committee President Pierre de Coubertin of France, will make an appearance, including the Congress badge and stamps that were overprinted for the event and cancelled with a special postmark.

The Czech Olympic Committee and other city and sports organizations are planning special events to celebrate the centennial. Fair attendees will be invited to visit locations of importance to the 1925 Congress, a seminar will be sponsored by the Czech Olympic Academy and there will be an exhibition by the National Museum and Museum of Czech Post.

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TSX REPORT: U.S., Mexico exit 2027 Women’s World Cup bidding; Bach says Olympics future never brighter; FIS approves key rights centralization initiative

By
Rich Perelman
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The FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy (Photo: FIFA)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. U.S. and Mexico withdraw FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 bid
2. Bach: future of the Olympic Games is very secure
3. Lyles runs 9.96 at windy Bermuda Grand Prix
4. FIS approves centralization of media rights
5. Big April in the pool: 15 world leads in Olympic events

● U.S. Soccer and the Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF) announced they are ending their bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and concentrating instead on 2031. Their proposal had promised a sensational $3 billion in revenue last December, but there was very little follow-up.

● International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach (GER) said in an interview that the future of the Olympic Games has never been better, with awards in place through 2032 and a plethora of interested bidders for 2036 and beyond. He does not see, however, e-sports events in the Games.

● World men’s 100 m champ Noah Lyles won the 100 at the wind-blown USATF Bermuda Grand Prix on Sunday in 9.96, with all of the races wind-aided, or hindered by the wind if beyond 200 m.

● The Council of the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) approved the centralization of all media rights for all of skiing to be concentrated within the FIS and marketed by the Infront Sports & Media agency. The centralization initiative is the key effort by FIS chief Johan Eliasch to jump the money involved in the sport.

● A big April for swimming, with plenty of national championships and new, world-leading marks in 15 of the 28 individual events on the Olympic program, despite having a World Championships in February of 2024!

● Panorama: Russia (FIBA and BWF extend Russian federation suspensions) = Canoe-Kayak (2: Brazil best in Pan Am Sprint qualifiers; Eichfeld and Leibfarth advance in Slalom trials) = Flag Football (NFL Academy opening in Australia) = Judo (Jayne overcomes doubts to earn Pan Am silver at 90 kg) = Sailing (France, Germany and Britain all qualify full teams for Paris) = Water Polo (U.S. women finish 6-0 vs. Australia, China) ●

1.
U.S. and Mexico withdraw FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 bid

FIFA announced Monday that the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be awarded on 17 May. A few hours later, the joint U.S.-Mexico bid for the tournament was withdrawn:

“U.S. Soccer and Mexican Football Federation have withdrawn their joint bid to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and will instead focus on bidding to host the tournament in 2031.

“In a historic first, the bid will call for equal investment as the Men’s tournament, eliminating investment disparities to fully maximize the commercial potential of the women’s tournament. 

“The revised bid will allow U.S. Soccer to build on the learnings and success of the 2026 World Cup, better support our host cities, expand our partnerships and media deals, and further engage with our fans so we can host a record-breaking tournament in 2031.”

The U.S.-Mexico bid proposal made headlines last December, projecting a staggering $3 billion in total revenue:

“$3 billion is on the table in this U.S. and Mexico-hosted Competition, with the opportunity to make this the largest, most commercially successful women’s sporting event the world has ever known. We have the ability to dramatically raise the stakes for women’s football and benefit Member Associations and the sport not just in North America but around the globe for years to come.”

But the follow-up was characterized as “half-hearted,” with a preference to see the outcome of the 2026 World Cup (in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) before charging ahead. 

The remaining proposals are from Brazil, and a joint European proposal for Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, which forecast revenues of $885 million or more, compared to the $570 million generated by the highly successful 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The nine prior Women’s World Cups have been in Europe three times, North America three times (U.S. 2, Canada 1), China twice and in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. With a reputation for solid organization, and with Germany hosting the 2024 UEFA European Championship, the combined European bid looks strongest on the way to 17 May.

However, between now and then, a FIFA Evaluation Report will be released, which will be a significant step in the Congress vote.

2.
Bach: future of the Olympic Games is very secure

“We have never been in such a favorable position. We have never seen such a high interest in hosting the Olympic Games.”

That’s International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach (GER), commenting to Agence France Presse last week, on the sunny outlook for the future of the Olympic Games.

Since becoming the IOC President in 2013, Bach has navigated a sea change in the way that the IOC handles the selection of Olympic hosts. He got rid of the formalized process of direct elections, which required bidding cities to spend millions chasing IOC members and possible influencers around the globe, with only the winner getting any return at all. He had the rules changed to encourage the use of existing and temporary facilities and allowed events to be spread across multiple cities, regions and even countries, saving billions in new construction and (mostly) eliminating useless facilities that would end up being abandoned in the future.

After a series of collapsed bids due to public pressure on costs for the 2024 Games, Bach led the IOC into awarding two Games at the same time – something it hadn’t done in a century – to Paris for 2024 and Los Angeles for 2028.

Now, with the costs reduced for both bidding and staging, countries have lined up for informal discussions with the IOC about future Games in 2036 and beyond. Inquiries from countries such as Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey and others have all started. Asked about the status, Bach demurred:

“We are now 12 years away from these Games, so it is way too early to comment on any of these interests.”

Bach has also led the IOC into a determined dialogue with the e-sports community and announced in 2023 a move to create – in 2025 or 2026 – an “Olympic Esports Games,” focusing mostly on digital versions of existing physical sports. And e-sports events in the Olympics?

“I don’t think that you will see e-sports events at the Olympic Games, but you may see very soon its own Olympic e-sports Games.”

As for the Winter Games, awards to the French Alps for 2030 and Salt Lake City for 2034 appear set for this summer, and a preferred location for 2038 – Switzerland – has already been announced. Interest is being shown in potential 2042 candidatures.

Bach also told AFP that he is happy with the security measures being undertaken by the French authorities for the opening ceremony on the Seine River:

“The very meticulous, very professional approach gives us all the confidence that we can have this opening ceremony on the river Seine and that this opening ceremony will be iconic, will be unforgettable for the athletes, and everybody will be safe and secure.”

3.
Lyles runs 9.96 at windy Bermuda Grand Prix

The wind was the winner at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix on Sunday, with strong marks in the sprints all over the 2.0 m/s limit, starting with a 9.96 win in the men’s 100 m for World Champion Noah Lyles.

He won easily, with an over-the-allowable wind of 3.0 m/s, well ahead of Canada’s Aaron Brown (10.09) and fellow American Pjai Austin (10.10). Trinidad & Tobago star Jereem Richards, the 2022 World Indoor 400 m champ, won the 200 m in 20.39w (+4.9). Matthew Boling of the U.S. was second at 20.42.

How rough was the wind? Grenada’s Kirani James, the 2012 Olympic champ, who ran 44.30 last year, won the 400 m in 46.00, ahead of Alonzo Russell (BAH: 47.05). Britain’s Joshua Zeller won the 110 m hurdles at 13.38w (+3.5 m/s), beating Louis Rollins (USA: 13.45w).

Jamaican star Jaydon Hibbert, the 2023 NCAA champ for Arkansas, won the triple jump with a big, wind-aided jump of 17.33 m (56-10 1/4 at +4.3 m/s). Bermuda’s Jah-nhai Perinchief was second at 17.13 mw (56-2 1/2 at +4.5 m/s).

The women’s races were similar, with Worlds 100 m finalist Tamari Davis of the U.S. winning in 11.04w (+2.2 m/s), ahead of Kortnei Johnson (USA: 11.27), and 2022 NCAA 200 m champ Abby Steiner winning in 22.71 (+3.0 m/s) in the 200 m.

Jamaican Stacey-Ann Williams ran away with the 400 m in 51.71 (she won by almost 1.3 seconds), and Amber Hughes took the 100 m hurdles in 12.57w (+3.4 m/s), well ahead of Ebony Morrison (LIB: 12.80w). Shiann Salmon (JAM) won the 400 m hurdles in 56.59, with 2015 Worlds bronze winner Cassandra Tate of the U.S. second in 57.04, again slowed by the wind.

The only women’s field event was the long jump, with Monae Nichols of the U.S. winning at 6.91 mw (22-8: +4.0), and Chanice Porter of Jamaica second at 6.62 mw (21-8 3.4: +3.9).

Someone else to consider in the men’s 100 m? Brandon Hicklin, whose prior best was 10.06, won the invitational section of Saturday’s LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge in 9.94 (+1.7), to move to equal-second on the 2024 world list.

Also, at the Corky-Crofoot Shootout in Lubbock, Texas, Zimbabwe’s Tapiwanashe Makarawu won the men’s 200 m in a lifetime best (and national record) of 19.93 (+1.6), now no. 4 on the world list.

At the East Coast Relays in Jacksonville, Florida, the Tokyo Olympic 200 m winner Andre De Grasse (CAN) won the 100 m from Tokyo Olympic 100 m champ Lamont Jacobs (ITA), with both timed at 10.11 (+0.9) and American star Trayvon Bromell third in 10.14.

In the middle distances, Cooper Teare of the U.S. moved to no. 2 on the outdoor world list with a 3:32.16 win at the Virginia Hi-Performance meet on Sunday, and 2024 World Indoor 3,000 m silver winner Yared Nuguse had the best finish to win a fast Penn Relays mile in 3:51.06, fastest in the world outdoor this season. He beat Olli Hoare (AUS: 3:51.28) and Eric Holt of the U.S. (3:51.46).

More on the indoor shot at the Drake Relays, won by Payton Otterdahl of the U.S. at 22.59 m (74-1 1/2) at the Drake Fieldhouse last Wednesday, moving him to no. 5 all-time U.S. (indoors and out) and no. 3 all-time indoors, behind only fellow Americans Ryan Crouser and Randy Barnes. In fact, it’s the longest throw by an American who is not Crouser or Joe Kovacs since Kevin Toth in 2003!

4.
FIS approves centralization of media rights

A central focus of Johan Eliasch, the Swedish President of the International Ski & Snowboard Federation, has been the centralization of all of the disparate media rights to the federation’s various events and races within the FIS itself, so that they can be sold only by the FIS.

He believes that’s the best way to unlock more value from the competitions in Alpine, Nordic, Freestyle and Snowboard, but that has required agreements – especially in Alpine – with the national federations and other operators who have controlled those rights in the past.

But after a July 2023 agreement with Infront Sports & Media which has been doing most of the federation sales, the way was open for FIS to agree to adopt the centralized sales program. That was accomplished on Friday:

“[T]he FIS Council voted in favour of the centralisation of media and broadcast rights and paved the way for FIS to sign an exclusive agency agreement with Infront.

“The agreement includes the distribution of the international media rights to FIS World Cup events for all platforms until and including 2033/34.This decision by the FIS Council follows months of intensive exchange with all FIS World Cup federations, in which FIS addressed open questions.

“The vote by the FIS Council enables FIS to move forward with the centralisation for the benefit of the sport and the athletes and to secure the future of snow sports.”

Said Eliasch, the agreement “offers the opportunity to elevate our sport to new heights, to showcase the incredible talent and dedication of our athletes on a global stage and to establish a long-term calendar that provides stability for our World Cup hosts.”

The Infront deal was huge, including terms to start with the 2026-27 season (€1 = $1.07 U.S.):

● “Minimum compensation more than €100 million above current terms

● “Commission-based agency agreement with a minimum sales guarantee of more than €600 million

● “FIS in full control over the sales process

● “Infront to provide exclusive marketing implementation and international media operations services”

The deal also provides FIS with full access and rights to highlights and streaming for markets for which rights are not sold.

Reaction to the Council action was hardly popular among some ski associations, but the deal is moving forward. Time will tell if Eliasch is right.

5.
Big April in the pool: 15 world leads in Olympic events

April was a big month for swimming with national championships in China, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, South Africa and Switzerland (and Russia), and the Australian Open Championships ahead of its Olympic Trials in June.

What happened? Although there was a World Aquatics Championships in Doha (QAT) in February, the world-leading marks in 15 of the 28 individual pool-swimming events on the Paris 2024 schedule were made in April, ahead of more major meets in June, especially the U.S. Olympic Trials, on the road to Paris in July.

The new world-leading swims as of the end of April:

● Men/200 m Free: 1:44.14, Lukas Martens (GER)
● Men/400 m Free: 3:40.43, Martens (GER)
● Men/100 m Back: 52.34, Miron Lifincev (RUS)
● Men/100 m Breast: 57.94, Adam Peaty (GBR)
● Men/100 m Fly: 50.16, Noe Ponti (SUI)
● Men/200 m Medley: 1:55.35, Shun Wang (CHN)
● Men/400 m Medley: 4:09.14, Max Litchfield (GBR)

● Women/200 m Free: 1:53.57, Mollie O’Callaghan (AUS)
● Women/400 m Free: 3:59.13, Ariarne Titmus (AUS)
● Women/200 m Back: 2:03.84, Kaylee McKeown (AUS)
● Women/100 m Breast: 1:04.39, Qianting Tang (CHN)
● Women/200 m Breast: 2:19.01, Tatjana Schoenmaker (RSA)
● Women/100 m Fly: 55.68, Torri Huske (USA)
● Women/200 m Medley: 2:06.99, McKeown (AUS)
● Women/400 m Medley: 4:28.22, McKeown (AUS)

That’s seven for the men and eighth for the women, with five women’s leads for Australia, three of those from Tokyo 100-200 m Back gold medalist McKeown. China, Germany and Great Britain each had two, and the U.S. had one – for Torri Huske – despite everyone pointing to the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis that begin on 15 June.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Russia ● The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) extended its suspensions of Russia and Belarus, with the report of last Friday’s meeting noting:

“The Central Board has extended the current status of the two National Federations of Russia and Belarus until the next Central Board meeting in December 2024.”

The Badminton World Federation has also continued its suspension of the Russian federation at its annual general meeting in Chengdu (CHN) by 151-78, “until further notice.” The BWF has agreed to allow Russian and Belarusian athlete to compete as “neutrals” under specific conditions.

● Canoe-Kayak ● Paris 2024 places in eight events were up for grabs at the Pan American Olympic Sprint Qualifier in Sarasota, Florida, with Brazil capturing three wins and six overall quota spots.

Brazil won the men’s C-2 500 m with Jacky Godmann and Filipe Vieiera (1:46.458), the women’s C-1 200 m by Valdenice do Nascimento (47.739) and the women’s C-2 500 m via Barbara Jara and Karen Roco (2:07.282).

The U.S. obtained one spot in the men’s K-2 500 m from Jonas Ecker and Aaron Small (1:31.750), while four other nations claimed one each.

Cuba’s Jose Pelier won the men’s C-1 1,000 m in 3:51.033; Matias Otero (URU) took the men’s K-1 1,000 m in 3:31.203; Brenda Rojas of Argentina won the women’s K-1 500 m, and Mexico’s Karina Alanis and Beatriz Briones triumphed in the women’s K-2 500 m in 1:48.620.

In the U.S. Olympic Trials for Canoe-Slalom in Oklahoma City that was cut short by rainy conditions on the Riversport OKC course, Casey Eichfeld and Evy Leibfarth will return to represent the U.S. once again.

Eichfeld, 34, made his fourth Olympic team – previously in 2008-12-16 – in the Canoe Slalom, winning all four of his races over two days, each time ahead of Zachary Lokken, a Tokyo Olympian for the U.S.

Leibfarth, 20, returns for her second straight Games, in the Canoe Slalom, Kayak Slalom and likely in the new Kayak Cross. In the Canoe Slalom heats, she finished 2-1-3-1, then won all four heats in the Kayak Slalom heats.

She also won the Kayak Cross Time Trial in 65.14, over Ria Sribar (68.21).

● Flag Football ● The National Football League, and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), are done celebrating the inclusion of flag in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and are already thinking about how to get into the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane and Queensland in Australia:

● “The National Football League has announced it will open an NFL Academy in Australia in September 2024 to service the Asia-Pacific region, as the league continues to invest in long-term global football development efforts and pathways for international talent.”

● “The NFL and A.B. Paterson College, supported by the City of Gold Coast and the Queensland State Government, will also fund and build an elite high-performance NFL Academy facility on existing college grounds, to be completed in 2026, that will also be available for community use.”

● “The program will also be central to continuing to grow flag football in the region for men, women and young people following the sport’s successful inclusion at the LA28 Olympic Games. In partnership with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the league is investing in the development and growth of flag football at both grassroots and elite levels across Australia, New Zealand and around the world. Fast, highly accessible and inclusive, the non-contact format of the game is spearheading extraordinary growth in participation globally. Played by over 20 million people across 100 countries, women and girls are driving some of the fastest growth.”

This will be the second NFL Academy, after the initial site in Great Britain that opened in 2019.

● Judo ● Inspiring story by American judoka John Jayne in the men’s 90 kg class, who won the silver medal at last weekend’s Pan American Championships in Brazil, where he faced a major challenge in world no. 12 Rafael Macedo (BRA) in the semifinals:

“I didn’t think I could win and I went out there thinking ‘all right, we’re just going to go do some judo.’ Last year, I went out there trying to really give it to him, really fight. This year, I was like ‘That didn’t work last time. So this time we’re going to go out, try and do some judo, keep it calm.'”

He won by ippon and advanced to the final, where he was thrown by 2021 Pan Am champ Robert Florentino of the Dominican Republic, but it was still a considerable achievement:

“Beating the Brazilian today in the semifinal was probably the best win of my career so far. I waited, he made mistakes. I capitalized on those mistakes and I beat someone I didn’t think I could ever beat. I’m very happy with that. It gave me a pretty big confidence boost.

“Getting the silver, getting the 490 points is pretty big for me going towards the Olympics. I also feel a big confidence boost now, beating the Brazilian, having a good match in the final with the Dominican. I feel like, coming into those next competitions, I can really pull out some top eights if I fight like I fought today.”

● Sailing ● With the conclusion of the Last Chance Regatta in Hyeres (FRA) at the Semaine Olympique Francaise, World Sailing announced that three nations – France, Germany and Great Britain – have qualified entries in all 10 classes for Paris 2024.

Close behind with nine spots: China, Italy, Spain and the United States.

● Water Polo ● The U.S. women’s national team, three-time defending Olympic gold medal winners, completed a 6-0 run in recent exhibitions, defeating China – an Olympic qualifier – by 11-7 in Torrance, California, led by three goals from Maggie Steffens.

The American women completed a three-match sweep, having beaten China 17-7 in Long Beach on the 20th and 21-11 in Long Beach on the 22nd. Prior to that, the U.S. won three matches from Australia – fifth at Tokyo in 2021 – 10-4 on 7 April in Santa Barbara, 14-8 on 9 April in Long Beach and 14-6 on 13 April in Irvine.

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TSX REPORT: Saving NCAA “non-rev” sports can be done; WADA invites inquiry on China swimming; confidence in French Alps 2030 plan

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. LANE ONE: Can NCAA “non-revenue” sports survive? YES, it’s possible
2. WADA engages independent prosecutor on China
3. IOC shows high confidence at French Alps 2030 visit
4. ANOC, Bach continue pressure on World Athletics’s Paris pay plan
5. Paris details limited Seine access during the Games

● As college football threatens to implode all of college sports, a look at dollars and sense shows that an NFL-style under-23-type league could be formed and throw off enough money to fund the existing NCAA sports program for the 68 big schools that are part of the four major conference as of this fall.

● The World Anti-Doping Agency has engaged a former Swiss prosecutor to examine its handling of 23 Chinese swimming positives in 2021. Its critics are not impressed.

● The International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission finished its visit to the French Alps, examining its 2030 Winter Games bid and showing “high confidence” that it will be confirmed this summer.

● The Association of National Olympic Committees and IOC President Thomas Bach both came out against the World Athletics plan to pay its Olympic winners $50,000 each for Paris. This will have no impact on World Athletics at all, but could discourage others.

● The City of Paris released significant new details on its closures related to the 26 July Olympic opening to the public and they will be significant. Parts of the planning relates to measures taken after a major terrorist incident in 2015.

● World Championship: Curling (Swedish brother-sister combo take Mixed Doubles Worlds gold) ●

● Panorama: Winter Games 2034 (Park City sets aside money for Olympic hosting activities in 2024-25) = Archery (Spain’s Temino and Korea’s Kim take World Cup singles titles in Shanghai) = Athletics (5: Wanyonyi gets world road mile record; four U.S. wins at wild Suzhou Diamond League; Kovacs, then Otterdahl get world outdoor shot leads; Brooks equals best in Multistars win; Ohanian says no field events in 776 Invite this year) = Cycling (2: unheralded Rodriguez wins Tour de Romandie; Kimmann and Sakakibara sweep Tulsa BMX races) = Football (3: worries already over U.S. visas for 2026 World Cup; FIFA and UEFA worried over Spanish government takeover of RFEF; FIFA inks sponsorship deal with Saudi’s Aramco) = Gymnastics (2: Carey wins, Lee impresses, Douglas returns at American Classic; Varfolomeev and Okromova face off at Tashkent Rhythmic World Cup) = Judo (Brazil dominates Pan Am Champs in Rio) = Modern Pentathlon (Elgendy and Gnedtchik win World Cup III) = Sailing (10 nations win the 10 events at Last Chance Regatta) = Shooting (Svensson and Crovetto take qualifying Skeet wins in Doha) ●

1.
LANE ONE:
Can NCAA “non-revenue” sports survive? YES, it’s possible.

We are seeing the death of American collegiate athletics as it was conceived, with college football the no. 2 sport in the U.S. and players pushing to be paid as employees of the universities they represent, instead of students getting an education and receiving free tuition, accommodations and board in return.

If some sort of payment for football players is coming, that sport may end up morphing into something like a professional under-23 league in a structure like the National Football League, with geographically-based divisions, collective bargaining and all the rest (and why have them go to class?). Casey Wasserman, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee chair, said in a March interview that the NFL could take the lead on this:

“I actually think the NFL can say, look, we can help solve the problem, not take control of college football, but sort of create the pathway, and use that as a means to save all these Olympic sports that are good for this country and by the way, think about the Paris Olympics this summer: there’ll be 100 athletes competing in Paris for countries not for the United States, who went to college for free and got their athletic training at American universities.

“We train our competitors. Talk about power and soft power … that’s a powerful thing. All those things are going to go away if we don’t fix this problem.

“To push the institutions to do what’s right to maintain the sanctity of non-football sports, I think the NFL has a real opportunity to be a leader in that movement.”

The question is how will a chunk of money – and how much – from a fully-professionalized “college football” league be transferred back to universities which license their name, logo, practice facilities and stadiums to a new “college football” league?

One of the first questions is what do these non-football programs cost now? In fact, the real question is how much do all sports cost – outside of football and men’s and women’s basketball – at the 68 universities which will be part of the four major conferences as of this fall, which will be the core of any NFL-style future football league.

(This includes the Atlantic Coast Conference (18 schools); Big 10 Conference (18), Big XII Conference (16) and Southeastern Conference (16).)

There are some answers, if you know where to look. TSX asked George Perry of Texas-based NALathletics to take a look at the U.S. Department of Education’s Equity in Athletics database, a public presentation of revenues and expenses at U.S. university athletic programs. It’s not the best data available on college sports spending, but it is the best that is publicly available.

The numbers are fascinating. For the 2023-23 academic year, the 68 schools in the four major conferences to be:

● $8,566,114,905 ($8.57 billion) in total athletics spending.

● $4,764,306,894 ($4.76 billion) in spending outside of football and basketball (men and women).

● $392,858,132 ($393 million) in spending for individual sports outside of football and basketball.

There’s a big difference between the $393 million for individual-sport spending and $4.76 billion for all-other athletic department expenses. What makes up that $4.371 billion?

Perry noted that while the accounting divisions between schools in their reports is not completely consistent, elements which are important include general administration, shared services (finance, rent, technology support, sports medicine to provided to all teams, academic support) plus coaching salaries, recruiting expenses, and so on.

So the ask from the 68 ACC-B1G-XII-SEC would not be $393 million to cover the other, non-revenue sports, but somewhere between $393 million and $4.76 billion.

If we assume that 60% of the $4.371 billion went to support football and basketball, that leaves $1.748 billion in other costs and added to the sport-operations total, would create a non-revenue-sports cost of $2.141.4 billion.

A lot of money, right? You bet it is. But (and there is always a but): do those “non-revenue” sports bring in any money? Perry was asked and with his magical spreadsheet touch, came up with more amazing numbers:

● $3,389,879,617 ($3.390 billion) in non-revenue-sport “revenue.”

● $2,285,868,096 ($2.286 billion) “Not Allocated by Gender/Sport Revenue.”

● $1,104,011521 ($1.104 billion) in non-revenue sports, by-sport revenue.

Now what does this mean? The “Not Allocated” total – 67.4% – is likely athletic department donations which are not broken out on a per-sport basis. And which are also likely to be primarily focused on football and basketball, although not exclusively.

But what the numbers show is that “non-revenue” sports brought in more than $1.1 billion at these 68 schools in 2022-23! The leaders:

● $45.91 million: Stanford
● $41.69 million: West Virginia
● $38.92 million: Notre Dame
● $35.15 million: Arizona State
● $34.38 million: Virginia

Some additional calculus will be needed to figure out how to integrate basketball into these calculations, assuming it stays within the NCAA framework and is not spun off as an NBA/WNBA U-23 league. But it says that:

● $1.104 billion a year is realized in “non-revenue” sport revenue
● $2.141 billion a year estimated in “non-revenue” sport costs
● $1.037 billion a year “gap” between “non-rev” revenue and costs

Translation: an NFL-style, 68-team, U-23 professional football league should pay the 68 universities which would host their teams at least $1.037 billion a year to make them whole for the revenue lost from football (there is a better number to be had, but not from the Equity in Athletics database).

Is this possible. Well, Kristi Dosh’s BusinessofCollegeSports.com site reviewed the available college football television contracts in March. For the 2024 college football season:

● ACC: $240 million per year expiring 2026-27
● Big 10: $1.05 billion per year expiring 2029-30
● Big XII: $220 per year deal expiring 2024-25; $380 million per year starting 2025-26
● SEC: $740 million per year starting 2024-25
● Playoffs: $470 million per year expiring 2025-26; $1.3 billion per year starting 2026-27

● All: $2.72 billion per year through 2024 football season
● All: $2.88 billion per year for the 2025 football season
● All: $3.71 billion per year for the 2026 football season

Is a $1.04 billion transfer to the 68 schools possible (about $153 million each) for stadium and practice field rent, team facility spaces, on-campus medical support and the rest? Sure looks like it.

Moreover, some of the money which is now going to donations for football at these schools (not mention name-image-likeness money) will come back to school athletic departments as the football programs become professionalized and separate entities.

Bottom line: It is possible to allow collegiate sport to continue across a broad base of sports and avoid a catastrophic contraction because football players want to be paid in money instead of education. But it’s a business deal and Wasserman’s contention that the NFL is well poised to lead this transition is absolutely right.

Commissioner Goodell, the NFL Draft is over. Ready to start a new “NFL-U” league?

Rich Perelman
Editor

(Special thanks again to George Perry for his wizardry with the Equity in Athletics database.)

2.
WADA engages independent prosecutor on China

“In light of the damaging and baseless allegations that are being leveled at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding the China Anti-Doping Agency’s (CHINADA’s) no-fault contamination case involving 23 swimmers from China in 2021, WADA has responded to calls and invited an independent prosecutor, Mr. Eric Cottier, to conduct a thorough review of WADA’s handling of the matter.”

Friday’s statement will calm, for now, the continuing criticism of WADA’s 2021 handling of the report of 23 Chinese swimmers who posted positive tests for trimetazidine, but still allowed them to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The announcement identified Cottier:

“Eric Cottier is a prosecutor of 39 years’ experience, who was the Attorney General of the Canton de Vaud, Switzerland, from September 2005 until his retirement in December 2022. Prior to that, he had been a public prosecutor from 1984 to 1991, President of the 2nd District Court in Vevey and Lavaux from 1991 to 1998, and a cantonal court judge from 1999 until 2005.”

As for his inquiry, the statement specified: “[H]e will be asked to present his opinion related to the two main questions at hand:

● “Is there any indication of bias towards China, undue interference or other impropriety in WADA’s assessment of the decision by CHINADA not to bring forward anti-doping rule violations against the 23 Chinese swimmers?”

● “Based on a review of the case file related to the decision by CHINADA not to bring forward anti-doping rule violations against the 23 Chinese swimmers, as well as any other elements that WADA had at its disposal, was the decision by WADA not to challenge on appeal the contamination scenario put forward by CHINADA a reasonable one?”

He is expected to make his findings available within two months, essentially by the end of June.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which has been harshly critical of WADA’s handling of these positives in 2021, issued a sour statement on Friday in reply:

“By calling this an ‘independent’ investigation, WADA leadership is trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Instead of WADA’s hand-picked lawyer with a limited and self-serving scope of review, the world’s athletes deserve a truly independent review commission with a wide scope of review that is constituted with an independent athlete representative and impartial respected jurists with anti-doping experience appointed by government consensus.

“A truly independent investigation also requires investigation of facts on the ground in China related to this case to include interviews of hotel staff, athletes, coaches, etc. (not just a compliance audit of CHINADA, which should have been done in 2021), immunity for whistleblowers to include WADA and CHINADA employees, full access to all internal emails from WADA and CHINADA, and raw data from the laboratory in China. All findings, and the documents upon which those findings are based, must also be published.”

Observed: WADA’s action is on the right track, but the USADA reply makes an important point that a detailed review of the details of the case in China is at the heart of the issue. The CHINADA report which was discussed in the ARD documentary “The China Files” specifically noted that the doping positives were investigated and reported “under the supervision of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security” instead of the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency.

The positives were reported through the worldwide Anti-Doping Administration & Management System (ADAMS) in normal course by CHINADA, so why didn’t it follow up, instead of a national security organization in China?

Cottier needs to answer these questions, but if he focuses only on what WADA did, his inquiry will be incomplete.

3.
IOC shows high confidence at French Alps 2030 visit

“There will be a rule: there will be no white elephants. Absolutely none, and I am saying that, when you look at our roadmap, it will be quite unique. We are not going to be constructing all kinds of crazy things. We are not going to be building any old place. We are not going to make huge infrastructures that do not correspond to the needs of our regions.”

That statement, from Laurent Wauquiez, President of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (AURA) region in France typified the vibe from a Friday news conference in Nice (FRA) wrapping up a week of inspections by the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission, of the French Alps 2030 bid.

Wauquiez was almost in a rhapsody, talking about the 2030 Winter Games and how it will fit into the future plans of his region (English from the simultaneous interpreter on the video link):

● “The second thing that I want to bring forward was the vision that we want to convey. … it’s not the mountains adapting to the Games, the Games are adapting to the mountains, and this is an amazing vision that we’re being given.”

● “We want to give a special vision, we want to give a vision of the French Alps 2030, which will invent the Olympic Games of the future, which will be frugal, which will respect the environment, and we want to build the mountains of the future, dedicated to sport, to being dynamic, where people want to love and where nature is respected.”

● “There are no major constructions, let’s not get things out of proportion. We ask others who are talking about the throwaway society; we want to be proud that the things we build will be used in the next three decades. This is a very strong message and it corresponds to all of the different requirements.”

David Lappartient, the head of the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF; he’s also the head of the Union Cycliste Internationale), noted that opinion polling for the French Alps candidature was good, with 62% in favor in a national survey, but 81% in the AURA region and 73% in the PACA region.

The budget for the organizing committee was confirmed at €1.975 billion (€1 = $1.07 U.S.), which does not include any infrastructure improvements which would be funded by national or local governments. No figure for the infrastructure spending was given, although an estimate of €1-2 billion was offered, with more details to come by the “end of the summer.”

Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur (PACA) region, was almost as excited as Wauquiez, but had a different approach:

“I grew up with something prickly in my pocket, like sea urchins in my pocket, so I don’t like to dig deep to pay for things. So, we needed help with the payment, so we need to have the cheapest-ever Winter Olympic Games and you’ve already pronounced the figures. I think we’re on the right track there. …

“What we are manufacturing for 2030 is to develop our Alps, our regions, the quality of life, respect of our inhabitants and that’s committing us for the coming 30 years. So the Games are accelerating improvements to our living environment: it’s absolutely outstanding.”

And:

“We are ready. We are committed. We are organized. We started the [bid] work before you gave us the get-go, the green light. We know we can do it, we know we will do it, if you can confirm this to us.”

IOC Future Host Commission Chair Karl Stoss (AUT) was calmer, but also enthusiastic about the process and the French Alps bid:

“For the IOC, it is now a totally different way, to go into a dialogue, with the candidates, with the targeted dialogue. And it was, and it is, successful. And it saved a lot of money for all of us, and a lot of time.

“You showed us a really strong legacy of the previous Games, in many of the venues, we saw in our tour. We have a high confidence about your ability to deliver the Games, because the venues are excellently maintained. You use [them] daily, for the society, for the youth, for the children, for the elite athletes as well.”

Stoss also noted the strong community support that the inspection team felt during the visit: “Passion, enthusiasm, commitment, professionalism: we could see and feel it all the time.”

He said the Commission report will be drafted and presented to the winter-sport International Federations at a meeting in late May, then to the IOC Executive Board for review at its 12-14 June meeting. If approved, then the French Alps 2030 bid will be presented to the IOC membership in an online meeting at the end of June before the actual election on 24 July in Paris.

With the Paris 2024 opening on the Seine coming this summer, questions were raised about the ceremonies plans for 2030. A concept for the closing in Nice could be on the Promenade des Anglais; for the opening, Wauquiez said, “We want to get dreaming with the mountains,” in multiple locations.

On the question of the speed skating venue, either a temporary site will be created – the first preference, as is being done for Milan Cortina in 2026 – or to place the sport in another country. The bid team has already identified possibilities in Italy or the Netherlands and an announcement is expected within about six weeks.

There’s work to be done, but the tone was all good and no hiccups are expected on the road to election of the French Alps 2030 bid in July.

4.
ANOC, Bach continue pressure on World Athletics’s Paris pay plan

The Association of National Olympic Committees unsurprisingly sided with the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations in condemning the World Athletics plan to pay each of its 48 gold-medal winners – individuals or teams – $50,000 prizes for the Paris 2024 Games.

Moreover, the statement following Saturday’s ANOC Executive Board meeting demands that no international federation should pay Olympic medal winners; in pertinent part:

“While the Executive Council fully supports athletes being recognised for their performances, it was agreed that the decision by World Athletics to award prize money for the highest achieving athletes at the Games threatens to undermine the principles of Olympic solidarity that sit at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

“ANOC recognises that the IOC redistributes over 90% of its revenue to the Olympic Movement, including to the NOCs and IFs, appreciates that this contributes to reducing the sporting gap between richer and poorer countries, and also significantly contributes to the costs relating to the organisation of the Olympic Games and the participation of athletes from the 206 NOCs.

“The Olympic Games cannot be compared to any other event and the unique values of Olympism, embodied by athletes from all nations, must be protected and preserved.

“The Executive Council emphasised that the decision whether to award prize money to athletes should remain at a national level and is best coordinated by NOCs and governments for the purposes of celebrating national achievements across all sports.”

Also on Saturday, IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) distanced himself from the World Athletics action, telling Agence France Presse:

“The international federations have to treat all their member federations and their athletes on an equal basis and to try to balance this gap between the privileged and the less or under-privileged.

“Each pillar of the Olympic movement has its role to play. It’s very clear what the responsibility of an international federation is and what the responsibility of a national Olympic committee is.”

Observed: These statements will certainly do nothing to rein in World Athletics, which has charted an independent path under President Sebastian Coe (GBR), continuing to keep Russia out of its competitions – including Paris 2024 – now over the Ukraine invasion, and now paying 2024 winners and promising to pay all medalists in Los Angeles in 2028.

What it does do is challenge all of the other International Federation not to pay athletes. Most can’t because they can’t afford to. ANOC is trying to ensure that others which could – FIFA, World Aquatics and the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique – don’t.

This isn’t really over. In fact, it’s just starting.

5.
Paris details limited Seine access during the Games

A City of Paris newsletter sent Friday details the access and closures close to the Seine River for the Olympic Opening Ceremony on 26 July, with an already-in-place anti-terrorism program as the base layer of the control plan. According to the Paris Info Jeux post (computer translation from the original French):

● “mid-June (June 17): start of assembly on the lower platforms;

● “end of June (June 26): start of assembly on the high platforms (partially impacted area open to traffic with occasional cyclist or pedestrian bypasses);

● “July 8: start of assembly on the bridges with the Debilly pedestrian bridge (assembly of the first bridge usually open to motorized traffic begins on July 8);

● “after July 14: closure of the high quays and low quays to the general public with maintenance of local access and maintenance of access to ERPs (establishments open to the public);

● “July 27-August 2: release of part of the spaces in order to leave the banks of the Seine without work during the Olympic Games and so that everyone can reclaim the quays and their activities;

● “July 29: partial reopening to traffic of the high platforms (partially impacted area open to traffic with occasional cyclist or pedestrian bypasses);

● “August 4: end of dismantling on the high platforms.”

The area will be fully-reopened between 12-25 August, in advance of the Paralympic Games, which open on 28 August.

Of the 18 bridges across the river, access will narrow to only six on the day of the ceremony, and will be blocked for many by the 22nd.

The security plan close to the river was also discussed quite frankly, referencing the series of Islamist terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015:

“Since the attacks of 2015, perimeters called ‘SILT’ [‘Strengthening Internal Security and the Fight Against Terrorism’] are regularly implemented during major events. They result in the neutralization of numerous accesses.

“This SILT perimeter is activated continuously (unlike the SILT perimeters established around competition sites which are activated discontinuously depending on the sports sessions).

“Anti-terrorist in nature, its main objective is to secure the immediate surroundings of the Seine, which becomes an Olympic site for the opening ceremony. Access to the riverside is therefore limited to what is strictly necessary and is closely controlled, in order to ensure the safety of the place.

“To access this area, you will need a pass which may take several days to be issued. To obtain it, all residents and professionals in the area will have to register on the Police Prefecture platform which will be open on May 10. Access to the perimeter will also be subject to control and pat-down measures and searches of bags and luggage, as well as the opening of trunks for vehicles.”

While pedestrian and bicycle access to the security perimeter will be allowed, vehicles will – for the most part – not be allowed.

French tourism sites are now carrying this information, three months ahead of the Games.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Curling ● Sweden won its second World Mixed Doubles Championship before home fans in Oestersund, as siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wrana, ranked 47th coming in, sailed through the group stage and then won their two playoff games by 14-7.

The Wranas were 8-1 in group play, losing only to Scotland and qualified directly to the semifinals. There, they went from down 2-1 after four ends to a 6-3 win with three scoring ends in the final four. They faced no. 2-ranked Estonia in the final, with Marie Kaldvee and Harri Lill, who finished third in Group A (6-3) and edged Canada (6-5) and Norway (8-6) in their playoff wins.

In the final, the Swedes scored twice in the second end, once in the third and twice in the fifth for a 5-2 lead and after Estonia cut it to 5-4, closed out with two points in the seventh and one in the eighth for an 8-4 victory and Sweden’s second title (also in 2019). It’s Estonia’s first-ever medal in this championship.

Norway, with Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten, won the bronze, 6-5, over the Swiss. The U.S. team of Becca and Matt Hamilton finished fifth in their group and 10th overall.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Winter Games 2034 ● Park City, Utah has begun the process of setting aside some money for 2034 Winter Games – just in case – by allocating $75,000 for its fiscal 2025 budget, from mid-2024 to mid-2025.

City Manager Matt Dias said, “If the mayor and council require to host a delegation or to make travel to be part of these Olympic delegations – trying to identify a funding source for that, that doesn’t currently exist. That’s something we weren’t doing last year, the last two, the last five years.”

● Archery ● At the World Cup opener in Shanghai (CHN), Spain’s Andres Temino surprised Korea’s two-time Olympic team winner, Je-deok Kim, 6-2, in the final, with fellow Korean (and three-time World Champion) Woo-jin Kim in third.

Si-heon Kim, Korea’s triple gold winner at the Asian Games last year, won the women’s Recurve final by 6-0 over India’s Deepika Kumari, with China’s Jiaman Li taking the bronze.

India won a surprise gold in the men’s team final, defeating Korea, 5-1, and China defeated the Korean women, 6-2, in their final. In the Mixed Team final, Lim and Kim teamed to beat Spain (Temino and Elia Canales) by 5-4 after a 19-18 shoot-off.

● Athletics ● Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the 2023 Worlds 800 m runner-up, won Saturday’s adizero Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach (GER) in 3:54.56 for a new World Road Mile record.

He bettered the 3:56.13 mark by American Hobbs Kessler in winning the World Athletics Road Mile Championship last October. Kessler came up to challenge Wanyonyi at the 1,200 m mark, but the Kenyan pulled away; Kessler was second in 3:56.18, with Ryan Mphahlele (RSA) third in 3:56.45.

The program included road events at 800 m, mile, 5 km and 10 km. Canada’s World 800 m champ Marco Arop won the men’s 800 m race in 1:44.30, Ethiopian star Yomif Kejelcha took the 5 km win in 13:00 and Nicolas Kipkorir (KEN) won a tight 10 km in 27:05, ahead of countryman Sabastian Sawe (27:06).

Kenyan Nelly Chepchirchir took the women’s mile in 4:30.93, ahead of American Addy Wiley (4:31.97). Ethiopia went 1-2-3 in the women’s 5 km, with Medina Eisa winning in 14:38 and Melknat Wudu second in 14:40, and Kenya went 1-2-3 in the women’s 10 km, with Agnes Ngetich scaring the women’s-only world mark with her winning time of 30:03 – two seconds off – and Margaret Kipkemboi second in 30:39.

The second Diamond League meet of the season was in Suzhou (CHN), with lots of action and plenty of surprises, with world-leading marks in both 5,000s:

● Men/5,000 m: 12:55.68, Selemon Barega (ETH)
● Women/5,000 m: 14:36.70, Mekedes Alemeshete (ETH)

Barega fought off a challenge from 17-year-old countryman Biniam Mehary on the final turn and into the straight and won by 12:55.68 to Mehary’s lifetime best of 12:56.37, with Kenyan Benson Kiplangat third (12:58.78 lifetime best). In the non-Diamond League women’s 5,000, Alemeshete – 18 – led a 1-2-3-4 Ethiopian finish in a lifetime best of 14:36.70, with Ayal Dagnachew also with a personal best of 14:36.86 in second and 2022 10,000 m World Champion Letsenbet Gidey getting third in her season opener at 14:37.13.

There was furious sprinting and lot of surprises, starting with a win for Tokyo Olympic fourth-placer Akani Simbine (RSA) over 2019 World Champion Christian Coleman of the U.S. in the men’s 100 m in 10.01, to 10.04 (wind: -0.1 m/s), with 2022 World Champion Fred Kerley of the U.S. third in 10.04.

The 200 m for women was also wild, with Britain’s Daryll Neita, the 2022 European 100 m bronze medalist, getting an excellent start and giving back nothing on the way to a 22.62 win (+0.2), ahead of Americans Anavia Battle (22.99), World 100 m champ Sha’Carri Richardson (23.11) and Tamara Clark (23.13).

Nigeria’s world-record holder in the 100 m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, was caught for a false start in her race, but protested and was allowed to run under protest. Indoor record-setter Devynne Charlton (BAH) got the best start, but Olympic champ Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR) and Amusan closed hard after the final hurdle. Amusan got to the line first, but her disqualification held and Camacho-Quinn was awarded the victory in 12.63, with Charlton second in 12.64.

A similarly-tight finish in the men’s 110 m hurdles saw 2023 Worlds bronze medalist Daniel Roberts of the U.S. out-lean Japan’s improving Shunsuke Izumiya, 13.12 to 13.23 (+0.8). Olympic champ Hansle Parchment (JAM) was third (13.26) over Cordell Tinch of the U.S. (also 13.26).

Roberts’ win was one of four for the U.S. Marquis Dendy, the 2016 World Indoor champ, got out in front in the second round at 8.05 m (26-5) and China’s Jianan Wang, the 2022 World Champion, could not catch him, finishing second at 8.04 m (26-4 1/2), also in the second round.

Two-time World Champion Chase Jackson of the U.S. got out to 20.03 m (65-8 3/4) in the second round and that held up for the women’s shot win against World Indoors winner Sarah Mitton (CAN: 19.86 m/65-2). And Tokyo Olympic winner Valarie Allman of the U.S. had the five best throws in the women’s disc and won with her fifth-round strike of 69.86 m (229-2). Lagi Tausaga of the U.S., the 2023 World Champion, had three fouls.

In the men’s 800 m, Algeria’s 2022 African champ Slimane Moula held off Kenyan Wycliffe Kinyamal, 1:44.55 to 1:44.88, with American Clayton Murphy in third (1:45.18). The 2024 World Indoor Champion, Hamish Kerr (NZL) scored a nice win over co-Olympic champ Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT), 2.31 m (7-7) to 2.29 m (7-6). American Vernon Turner was third at 2.27 m (7-5 1/4).

In the vault, world-record setter Mondo Duplantis (SWE) won at 6.00 m (19-8 1/4), ahead of Ben Broeders (BEL) and Sam Kendricks of the U.S., both at 5.82 m (19-1). Duplantis did try another world record, at 6.25 m (20-6), but missed three times.

Dominican Marileidy Paulino, the 2023 World 400 m winner, won her specialty easily at 50.89, with American Talitha Diggs second in 51.77. World-record holder Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN) won the women’s Steeple in 9:07.36, way ahead of Olympic champ Peruth Chemutai (UGA: 9:15.46).

Marthe Koala (BUR) won the long jump at 6.68 m (21-11), ahead of American Quanisha Burks (6.59 m/21-7 1/2).

Good shot put action, with outdoor world-leading marks from two-time World Champion Joe Kovacs at the Ashland Alumni Open in Ohio on Friday, reaching 22.01 m (72-2 1/2), but that was surpassed by Tokyo Olympian Payton Otterdahl at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, who won at 22.14 m (72-7 3/4). He beat fellow American Roger Steen at 21.69 m (71-2) and Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell at 21.56 m (70-9).

At the annual Multistars in Brescia (ITA), American Taliyah Brooks defended her 2023 victory with an identical score of 6,330. She won the 100 m hurdles and the 200 m and then the long jump on the second day and set a lifetime best in the 800 m at 2:13.81. Kate O’Connor of Ireland was second overall at 6,104.

Belgium’s Jente Hauttekeete won the decathlon at 8,020, setting a lifetime best in the javelin, finishing ahead of Risto Lillemets (EST: 7,971) and Teo Bastien (FRA: 7,963).

The new 776 Invitational coming in September, sponsored by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, will have no field events. None.

In response to his announcement of the meet, 2024 World Athletics Indoor long jump champ Tara Davis-Woodhall asked on X (ex-Twitter):

“can i be apart of the field events meet :)” (sic)

Ohanian:

“don’t be mad… we’re not doing field events for this…. it’ll just be track, but I have ideas and definitely wanna get you involved”

Oy.

● Cycling ● At the six-day Tour de Romandie in Switzerland, Spain’s Carlos Rodriguez moved into contention with a seventh-place finish in the Individual Time Trial in the third stage, then took the lead off a third-place finish in stage four and won the race in 15:44:46.

Russian Aleksandr Vlasov (the 2022 winner), competing as a “neutral,” finished seven seconds back and German Florian Lipowitz was third (+0:09).

The third and final stop on the UCI BMX World Cup tour – for races 5 and 6 – was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with Tokyo Olympic champ Niek Kimmann (NED) taking Saturday’s race in 34.614 seconds, ahead of Izaac Kennedy (AUS: 34.936) and Cedric Butti (SUI: 35.260); all three won their second medals of the season.

The women’s Saturday race was won Australian star Saya Sakakibara in 37.874, for her third win of the season and fifth medal in five races. She was a clear winner over Manan Veenstra (NED: 38.111, her third medal of the season) and American Alise Willoughby, a two-time World Champion) in 38.293.

Sakakibara completed a sweep on Sunday, winning again in in 38.945, with Willoughby second (39.553) and Sienna Pal (AUS: 40.432) getting third. In the six races, Sakakibara won four and was second twice and was the seasonal winner with 2,860 points, to 1,996 for Veenstra and 1,880 for Willoughby.

Kimmann then completed his sweep in the men’s Sunday final, in 35.686, ahead of Kennedy (35.762) and American Kamren Larsen (36.676). However, Kennedy won the seasonal title with 1,787 points to 1,764 for Butti, with Kimmann (1,456) third after missing two of the six races.

● Football ● A story at The Athletic, by Adam Crafton warned:

“FIFA & US tourism sector have raised concerns to US govt, inc meetings at White House, due to fears extreme visa wait times may deter fans from attending ‘26 WC. US visa interview for Mexicans 800 days & Colombians currently 685 – WC is 777 days away!”

“The Spanish government has taken this decision in order to correct the serious situation that the RFEF is going through and to allow the organisation to begin a period of regeneration.

“This Commission for Supervision, Normalisation and Representation will be headed by independent persons of recognised prestige.”

That’s from Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) on Thursday, taking control of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in the aftermath of the exit of former President Luis Rubiales after the victory-ceremony fiasco following Spain’s win at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia. Questions have further been raised about RFEF actions under interim chief Pedro Rocha as well; he has resigned in order to run for the REF presidency himself.

Government takeovers of national federations are met with considerable alarm at the International Federation level, and FIFA and the European confederation UEFA offered a joint statement that included:

“FIFA and UEFA will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD’s appointment of the so-called ‘Supervision, Normalisation and Representation Commission’ may affect the RFEF’s obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference.”

FIFA announced a four-year sponsorship agreement with the Saudi energy giant Aramco, which will run through the end of 2027. The deal specifically includes visibility at the FIFA World Cup 2026 – in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. – and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027, for which the U.S. and Mexico are also in a combined bid (along with others). The statement included:

“Through the partnership Aramco and FIFA intend to leverage the power of football to create impactful social initiatives around the world.”

● Gymnastics ● Tokyo Olympic Floor Exercise gold medalist Jade Carey won the senior All-Around at the USA Gymnastics American Classic meet in Katy, Texas, scoring 55.000 and winning on Vault (14.200) and Floor (13.750). She was also second on Beam (13.650).

Defending A-A champ Myli Lew was second (53.900) and won in the Uneven Bars (13.950). Gabby Douglas, the 2012 Olympic All-Around gold medalist, returned to competition and finished 10th at 50.650, scoring a second place in the Vault (14.000).

Suni Lee, the Tokyo 2020 A-A winner, contested only two events, but won on Beam (14.300) and was 11th on Vault (13.250).

The A-A minimum to advance to the U.S. nationals was 51.00, so Douglas was a little short, but could try again at the U.S. Classic in May.

The fourth FIG Rhythmic World Cup was in Tashkent (UZB), but Germany’s five-time 2023 World Champion Darja Varfolomeev was on top again, taking the All-Around on Saturday over home favorite Takhmina Ikromova, the 2023 Asian Games All-Around winner, and four-time Worlds medalist Boryana Kaleyn (BUL) in third.

The individual events were a showdown between Varfolomeev and Ikromova. The Uzbek star won the Hoop, 35.50 to 35.30 and on Ball, 34.90 to 34.70. But Varfolomeev took the Clubs win: 35.75 to 34.55 and Ribbon, 33.45 to 32.95.

● Judo ● Host Brazil dominated at the Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, taking six wins and three silvers in the individual events, including Michel Augusto in the men’s 60 kg class, 2019 World Junior Champion Willian Lima (66 kg), 2023 Pan Am Games winners Guilherme Schmidt (81 kg) and Larissa Pimenta (women’s 52 kg), 2016 Olympic champ Rafaela Silva (women’s 57 kg) and 2022 Worlds runner-up Beatriz Souza (women’s +78 kg).

The U.S. won silvers from David Terao in the men’s 60 kg class, John Jayne (90 kg) and Angelica Delgado in the women’s 52 kg division.

● Modern Pentathlon ● At the UIPM World Cup III in Budapest (HUN), the youngsters led the medal parade, as 21-year-old Mohamed Elgendy of Egypt and 20-year-old Mariya Gnedtchik of Belarus won the men’s and women’s finals.

Elgendy, who had finished 35th and 16th in the first two World Cups, was only eighth in fencing, 11th in riding and eighth in swimming and entered the Laser Run in eighth place, 43 seconds behind the leader. Hungary’s Bence Demeter, a five-time Worlds Team medal winner, from moved second to first fairly quickly, but missed a couple of shots and Elgendy and fellow Hungarian Balazs Szep were moving quickly. On the final lap, Szep moved into position to win, but was passed by Elgendy, who crossed first with the second-fastest time on the Laser Run, finishing with 1,511 points to 1,509 for Szep, who had the fastest Laser Run in the field. Egypt’s Mohanad Shaban finished third (1,503) as Demeter faded to fifth (1,500).

Korea’s Seung-min Seong had won medals in both of the prior World Cups this season and got off to a hot start, winning the fencing, placing 10th in riding but then third in swimming. She had a seven-second lead on the field for the Laser Run, but it was Gnedtchik (a “neutral”) who roared him from eighth on the Laser Run start list. She had the fastest time in the field by more than nine seconds and won with 1,435 points, with Seong only eighth-fastest and settling for second (1,427). Two-time World Champion Elena Micheli (ITA) got the bronze with 1,417 points.

Manuel Padilla and Mayan Oliver won the Mixed Relay for Mexico, winning the fencing and riding and finishing second in the Laser Run, and scoring 1,408 points to 1,374 for Brice Loubet and Louison Cazaly (FRA).

● Sailing ● The “Last Chance Regatta” to make it to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was the Semaine Olympique Francaise off Hyeres (FRA), which concluded on Sunday,

In the Formula Kite boardsurfing class, Britain’s Connor Bainbridge – the Paris 2024 test event runner-up – was the clear winner with 18 net points and nine wins, over Poland’s Maksymilian Zakowski (34) and Jan Marciniak (38). The women’s title went to Swiss Elena Lengwiler, with just 12 net points and 11 wins, ahead of Poles Julia Damasiewicz (21) and Izabela Satrjan (35).

The windsurfer (IQ Foil) winners – decided by the medal race – were Makoto Tomizawa (JPN) over American Noah Lyons in the men’s race, with both qualified for Paris, and Czechs Katerina Svikova and Barbora Svikova, both also qualified now.

In the women’s dinghy (Laser Radial), Romania’s Ebru Bolat won a tight men’s competition with Marilena Makri (CYP), 36 net points to 37, despite Makri winning the medal race and Bolat finishing fourth. In the men’s (Laser) racing, Jee-min Ha of South Korea won with 49 net points to 55 for Karl-Martin Rammo (EST), thanks to Ha’s third-place finish in the medal race vs. sixth for Rammo.

The men’s skiff (49er) class was won by Germans Jakob Meggendorfer and Andreas Spranger, again in a medal-race finale against Yannick Lefevre and Jan Heuninck of Belgium, 88 to 91, with Meggendorfer and Spranger winning the medal race to clinch their victory. The women’s (49erFX) racing ended with a Polish 1-2 for Aleksandra Melzacka and Sandra Jankowiak (59) over Gabriela Czapska and Hanna Rajchert (75).

In the mixed-crew dinghy (470), Italy had the 1-2 finish, with Giacomo Ferrari and Alessandra Dubbini (23) and Elena Berta and Bruno Festo (43). The multi-hull (Nacra 17) class went to Denmark’s Natacha Saouma-Pedersen and Mathias Bruun Borreskov in a rout, scoring 37 points and winning by 26 over Turkey’s Alican Kaynar and Beste Kaynakci.

● Shooting ● The last ISSF Olympic Qualifier concluded in Doha (QAT) with the Skeet finals, with Rio silver medalist Marcus Svensson (SWE) winning the men’s final over Peeter Juerisson (EST), 55-53. The women’s final went to Chile’s Francisca Crovetto over Maheshwari Chauhan (IND), in a shoot-off (4-3) after a 54-54 tie after 60 shots.

Juerisson and Chauhan both earned places in Paris.

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TSX REPORT: Alekna’s world record was with a new discus; Hirscher to return to ski racing! Johnson reported to raise $30 million for new track league!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Mykolas Alekna’s world-record discus: the Denfly Skymaster! (Photo: VS Athletics)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Alekna had the right setting, wind, and a special discus
2. Skiing great Hirscher to return to Alpine World Cup!
3. Report: $30 million raised for Michael Johnson track league
4. Clark becomes first-ever two-time Sullivan Award winner
5. New transgender study shows mixed results on non-elite cohort

● In addition to perfect wind conditions in Ramona, Oklahoma, Lithuanian record-setter Mykolas Alekna also had an interesting partner in his world record throw: a special, new discus! The story behind the Denfly Skymaster.

● The eight-time FIS Alpine World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher, now 35, wants to return to the slopes, but not for his native Austria, but for Netherlands – his mother’s homeland – beginning with the 2024-25 season.

● A new report says that 1996 Olympic star Michael Johnson has raised $30 million for his proposed, 2025 track “league,” with more details to come in June.

● Another honor and more history for ex-Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark, who became the first ever to win the AAU Sullivan Award twice, winning in 2023 and 2024, with the announcement made Tuesday in New York.

● A study conducted in England, sponsored by the International Olympic Committee, on transgender and from-birth “athletes” in their mid-30s was designed to show that blanket bans should not be imposed and sport-by-sport studies are needed. But the cohort studied has no relation to Olympic-level athletes and is hard to take seriously.

● World Championship: Curling (Norway and Sweden lead in Mixed Doubles Worlds in Sweden) ●

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (16-year-old arrested for planning Olympic bombing) = Russia (3: Putin aide says athletes will decide for themselves about Paris; RUSADA says 150 doping positives in 2023; new rhythmic gymnastics league presented) = Athletics (Semenya appeal to be re-heard on 15 May) = Shooting (final Olympic Trap qualifier in Doha) = Swimming (U.S. Trials festival program to feature 66-foot-high “Eiffel Tower”) ●

● Errata: Wednesday’s post included an item identifying the start of the Olympic Torch Relay in France as “8 March.” It’s actually 8 May; thanks to reader Paul Roberts for the correction. ●

● Schedule: Due to a scheduling conflict, there will be no post for Friday; we’ll be back on Monday! ●

1.
Alekna had the right setting, wind, and a special discus

The greatest series in discus history came from 21-year-old Lithuanian star Mykolas Alekna on 14 April at the Ramona Throws Festival in Oklahoma, where he parlayed a perfect, quartering wind into a spectacular series of throws, capped by a world record 74.35 m (243-11) in the fifth round.

It was a stunning performance for the University of California’s two-time NCAA scorer, erasing a 38-year old record of 74.08 m (243-0) by Jurgen Schult, competing for a country – East Germany – that doesn’t exist any more.

Alekna was ready, the wind was helpful … and he had a special, added edge: a new discus.

Alekna was throwing the Denfly Skymaster Discus, developed by long-time Danish discus maker Palle Densam, whose models had been sold in the U.S. for decades by Torrance, California-based Springco Athletics, now called VS Athletics.

Densam and Springco had worked together on manufacturing the models sold in the U.S., with the platter itself produced in Denmark and the rims produced in California. Eventually, production moved back to Denmark, but the VS Athletics folks still wanted to sell Densam’s implements and moved to find their own, more accessible source.

Contracting with a foreign manufacturer and perfecting the fabrication process over two years, VS Athletics was finally able to obtain a consistent supply. In the meantime, Densam had designed a new model, the Skymaster, which had a unique, ultra-thin rim. In tests, the VS Athletics team found that the Skymaster – due to its radical rim design – was faster to stabilize in flight, meaning longer throws … in the right hand, of course.

The VS Athletics catalog entry notes that the Skymaster offers “5-8% longer throws than with conventional-rim-weight discus” and a high spin rate of 9-16 revolutions per second on release. It is stated to meet all World Athletics, NCAA and National Federation of High Schools rules.

Alekna proved the idea worked, not just on his record throw, but for the greatest series of all time: 72.21 m (236-11), 70.32 m (230-8), 72.89 m (239-1), 70.51 m (231-4), his world-record 74.35 m (243-11) and 70.50 m (231-3) in round six.

Actually, Alekna had brought three implements with him, with the Denfly Skymaster as a backup, but the other two were not approved during on-site inspection, so he had only one option, but it turned out to be a historic one.

The Denfly Skymaster is available commercially via VS Athletics – it’s one of five Denfly models on sale – in the men’s 2 kg size ($199.95), the high school 1.6 kg size ($189.95) and the women’s 1 kg size ($179.95).

The next time you’re watching the discus, check for the rims!

2.
Skiing great Hirscher to return to Alpine World Cup!

Marcel Hirscher is one of the greatest Alpine skiers of all time. A technical specialist, he won the FIS men’s Alpine World Cup title eight years in a row from 2012-19 and won 67 World Cup races and 138 World Cup medals across 12 seasons for his native Austria.

Now 35, he retired in 2019, but on Wednesday announced he wants to return to the World Cup circuit next season, but skiing for the Netherlands, in honor of his Dutch mother. He said on Instagram:

“For people asking, why are you doing this, for me it’s clear – because the joy of skiing never left, it’s just so much fun for me.”

A change of nationality requires approval by the FIS, but this has been made much easier by the agreement of the Austrian Ski Federation (OSV). In a statement, OSV General Secretary Christian Scherer explained:

“In the last few days there have been discussions with various people involved in which we were informed that Marcel Hirscher could imagine returning to the international ski circuit.

“As the Austrian Ski Association, we have of course tried very hard to offer Marcel the best possible and individual conditions in the event of a return to alpine racing and were able to explain these to him in a personal exchange.

“Of course, we very much regret his decision to request a change of nation to the Dutch Ski Association (Nederlandse Ski Vereniging/NSV), but in the end we supported it. Marcel has done enormous things for skiing and for the ÖSV. In appreciation of this and in the spirit of the internationality of skiing, the ÖSV Presidential Conference unanimously approved his request for a change of association today.”

Hirscher was born in Austria to Austrian father Ferdinand and Dutch mother Sylvia in 1989. He has represented Austria with distinction, winning three Olympic medals (2-1-0) and 11 Worlds medals (7-4-0), primarily in the Slalom and Giant Slalom.

In retirement, he also came out with his own brand of skis, Van Deer, developed in cooperation with his sponsor, Red Bull. He had a conflict over the use of those skis in Austria, as they are not approved equipment for the OSV, but should have no issues with the Dutch federation.

Look for Hirscher to work his way back to the World Cup circuit by competing in lower-level races in New Zealand, but still has to complete the necessary documentation for the transfer to the Dutch federation.

3.
Report: $30 million raised for Michael Johnson track league

Good news for 1996 Atlanta Olympic icon Michael Johnson and his concept for a 2025 track “league,” as the Sports Business Journal reported that his program, coordinated with the Winners Alliance arm of the Professional Tennis Players Association, has raised $30 million in capital.

The story indicated that the league format and other details will be announced in June. Agencies for graphical design, sports marketing and public relations have been hired. Winners Alliance will be the “operational partner.”

The meets are to be held during the spring and summer, but the number, type and format has not been disclosed.

4.
Clark becomes first-ever two-time Sullivan Award winner

Ex-Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark made more history Tuesday evening as the first to win the AAU Sullivan Award twice, selected for a second consecutive year as the nation’s best collegiate or Olympic athlete.

The 94th Sullivan Award winner was announced at the New York Athletic Club, with Clark’s high school coach, Kristin Meyer accepting. Clark appeared by video conference:

“The AAU Sullivan Award is an incredible honor. I have been inspired by so many athletes that came before me and I hope I can be that same inspiration for the next generation to follow their dreams.”

Clark won over five other finalists: Olympic wrestling gold medalist David Taylor, Olympic speed skater Emery Lehman, World Artistic Gymnastics Championships medalist Fred Richard, Texas women’s volleyball star Madisen Skinner, and U.S. Paralympic swimmer Noah Jaffe.

Voting was done by multiple groups, including the public, the AAU Sullivan Award Committee, AAU Board of Directors, sports media, and past winners.

5.
New transgender study shows mixed results on non-elite cohort

A new study comparing “transgender athletes to cisgender athletes,” funded by the International Olympic Committee, concluded – in line with the IOC’s own guidelines – that:

“While longitudinal transitioning studies of transgender athletes are urgently needed, these results should caution against precautionary bans and sport eligibility exclusions that are not based on sport-specific (or sport-relevant) research.”

Posted on 10 April 2024 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the study compared small numbers of transgender males against from-birth males and transgender women against from-birth women:

Male cohort:
● 12 transgender males and 19 from-birth males
● Testosterone: 20.5 nmol/L and 24.8 nmol/L
● Handgrip: 38.8 kg and 45.7 kg
● VO2 max: 3635 ml/min and 4467 mL/min

Female cohort:
● 23 transgender females and 21 from-birth females
● Testosterone: 0.7 nmol/L and 0.9 nmol/L
● Handgrip: 40.7 kg and 34.2 kg
● VO2 max: 3682 ml/min and 3226 ml/min

The study participants were recruited via social media – Facebook, Instagram and X – and were tested during a single examination at the University of Brighton in England. All were required to participate in competitive sports or undergo physical training at least three times per week, and transgender participants must have been on testosterone suppression for at least a year.

It’s worth noting that even in this study of non-elite athletes that transgender women had significant advantages in handgrip strength and absolute oxygen capacity (VO2 max).

Observed: While the study opines that the presumed advantages of a transgender woman vis-a-vis a from-birth woman should not be trusted and that more research is needed, it is very difficult for any careful reader to take this study seriously.

Let’s remember that the issue at hand is Olympic- and World Championship-level athletes and the possible advantages of from-birth male athletes who become transgender women vs. from-birth women, such as Penn swimmer Lia Thomas, an undistinguished men’s competitor, who became an NCAA champion in 2022 as a female swimmer.

The study says:

● “No cisgender or transgender athletes were competing at the national or international level.”

● “The results may not apply to all levels or ages of athletes, specifically as this research did not include any adolescent athletes competing at the national or international level.”

Moreover, the age of the male and female “athletes” who were part of this very small testing group confirms that this study has very little to do with athletes at the Olympic or World Championship level:

● Transgender men (12): average age of 34
● From-birth men (19): average age of 37

● Transgender women (23): average age of 34
● From-birth women (21): average age of 30

Remember that these “athletes” were required to work out at least three times a week.

For comparison, a 2016 study of 3,548 high-performing Olympic athletes competing at London in 2012 showed average ages of 27.0 years for men and 26.2 for women. Moreover, 72% of all athletes in that study were between 20-30 years of age.

Across 40 disciplines, men’s averages in 37 out of 40 were at 29.5 years or less and for women, 39 of 40 were under 30 years of age. These folks work out 6-7 days a week and sometimes more than once per day.

The IOC paid for a study whose conclusion reinforces its policy that blanket bans are not acceptable and that only sport-specific studies can establish prudent policies. But the study’s clear miss on testing a meaningful set of subjects – and enough of them – makes it essentially worthless.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Curling ● The World Curling Mixed Doubles Championship in Oestersund (SWE) is nearing the end of round-robin play, with the group leaders Norway (Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten: 6-2) and Sweden (Isabella Wrana and brother Rasmus Wrana: 7-0) already qualified for the playoffs. 

Pool play finishes Thursday. The top three teams in each pool will move on to the playoffs, currently Switzerland and Estonia on Group A and Canada and South Korea in Group B. The U.S. team of Becca and Matt Hamilton are fourth in Group B (4-3) and still have matches against Canada and the Netherlands ahead of them.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The French newspaper Le Parisien reported an arrest of a 16-year-old in Marginier, Haute-Savoie, “suspected of preparing jihadist action during the Olympic Games.

“He was taken into custody by police officers from the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI) as part of an investigation taken over by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat) and opened for ‘criminal terrorist association.’”

His activity on the Telegram social-media site alerted officials, with the posts stating a desire to create an explosive device and target the La Defense district during the Games, knowing that he would also be killed.

● Russia ● An influential advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated that Russian athletes who do qualify as neutrals for the Paris 2024 Games can decide for themselves if they will go. Igor Levitin told the Russian news agency TASS:

“The Olympics is a place where athletes represent themselves, not their countries. It is the right of each of them, and if an athlete wants to attend the Olympics, he does so under a neutral flag. But it is very important for him not to sign any documents that denounce the work that our compatriots are doing on the frontline [against Ukraine].”

The number of doping violations by Russian athletes rose to 150 in 2023 vs. 135 in 2022, according to the head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, Veronika Loginova. She explained:

“[W]e launched anti-doping inspections of athletes, who either come from a lower echelon or participate only in the country’s regional competitions. In my opinion, this is the main cause behind the increase in reported violations.”

By contrast, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency lists 44 sanctions – not exactly the same as a gross total of doping violations – for the calendar year 2023.

Continuing the Russian concept of creating their own competitions outside of the International Federations, the head of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, Irina Viner, said in a presentation in Dubai (UAE) that an “International League of Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs” is being set up to allow competitions outside of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

● Athletics ● The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights will re-examine the appeal of South Africa’s double Olympic women’s 800 m champion Caster Semenya on 15 May.

A smaller panel of three ECHR judges had ordered the Swiss Federal Tribunal to make a more detailed review of its dismissal of Semenya’s appeal from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which held that the World Athletics’ regulations discriminated against her, but that it was allowable in order to protect the women’s category of competition.

The Swiss appealed and asked for the Grand Chamber panel, whose ruling will be binding. If Semenya wins, then the case will return to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.

● Shooting ● The final Olympic qualifying tournament for the Shotgun events is taking place in Doha (QAT), with Spain’s 2021 World Junior Trap Champion Andres Garcia winning the final and getting a place at the Paris Olympic Games.

He edged Italy’s already-qualified Mauro de Filippis, 46-45, in the final, with Turkey’s Oguzhan Tuzun third, also getting a Paris qualifier.

In the women’s Trap final, Tokyo champion (and already qualified) Zuzana Rehak Stefecekova (SVK) was a 46-42 winner over Laetisha Scanlan (AUS); the qualifiers for Paris were sixth-place Melanie Couzy (FRA) and Mariya Dmitriyenko (KAZ), who was seventh in the qualifying.

The Skeet competitions come next.

● Ski Jumping ● Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi flew an astonishing and all-time best 291 m (954-9) in a specially-arranged event in Hlidarfjall, Iceland, but it won’t count as a world record:

“A ski flying competition must be based on a FIS-certified distance measuring system and take place on a ski flying hill homologated by FIS in order to stand up to comparison with other flights and be eligible for an official ski flying record.

“At the same time, there are regulations for the material that is used and that must be tested by a FIS certified equipment controller; for example, the length of the ski and the mass of the suit.”

The project was a promotional program by Red Bull, but the record remains 253.5 m by Austria’s Stefan Kraft from 2017 at Vikersund, Norway.

● Swimming ● The Indiana Sports Corporation, the host of the U.S. Olympic Trials that will take place at the Lucas Oil Stadium beginning on 15 June, announced its festival program for the Trials, including a 66-foot-high replica of the Eiffel Tower and a concert series for all nine nights of the Trials.

The programming for USA Swimming LIVE will start a day before the Trials, on 14 June, from 5-9:30 p.m. and then from 2-7 p.m. on the nine days of swimming. A “Swim Up Bar,” five new artworks made specially for the Trials, the “Shining A Light” salute to veterans, food and beverage vendors and more will be featured.

The locally-made replica Eiffel Tower, which will weigh 19,000 pounds, will be installed on 10 June.

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TSX REPORT: Justice Dept. to pay $138.7M to Nassar victims; another high-pay track meet (for women); USADA screams for WADA overhaul!

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Justice Dept. agrees on $138.7M for bungled Nassar inquiries
2. IOC Future Host Commission inspecting French Alps 2030 bid
3. Another new track meet: the all-women 776 Invitational
4. Canada’s Brown asks for all Olympic finalists to get money
5. USADA triples down, asks for WADA overhaul

● The U.S. Justice Department announced a $138.7 million settlement with 139 claimants regarding the botched inquiries by two field offices of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding the Larry Nassar abuse matter.

● The International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission for the Winter Games is in France, inspecting venues for the French Alps bid for the 2030 Winter Games, which is expected to be confirmed at the IOC Session this summer in Paris.

● During a sports conference in New York, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian announced that his venture-capital firm would sponsor an all-women’s “776 Invitational” track & field meet in September that will pay $60,000-25,000-10,000 for the top three places. Great to have more high-paying meets, but this is not the answer.

● Canadian sprint star Aaron Brown wants World Athletics not just to pay the Olympic winners in Paris, but all of the finalists, as is done at the World Athletics Championships. He says the federation need to change “the strategy of how the sport is marketed and presented to its audience.”

● The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency issued a stinging post, asking for a special prosecutor to look into the 23 Chinese swimming positives in early 2021 that were declared excused by the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency, and for an overhaul of the World Anti-Doping Agency itself.

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (2: lagging interest in ultra-lux Olympic-period rentals; another strike threat against the Torch Relay) = NCAA (no restrictions on transfers between schools) = On Screen (modest interest in wrestling trials on USA) = Athletics (2: Ciattei and McArthur win USATF Road Mile titles; record finishers and charity fundraising at London Marathon) = Figure Skating (U.S. Nations in Wichita in 2025) = Wrestling (UWW disciplines officials who worked error-filled Chamizo-Bayramov in Euro qualifiers) ●

1.
Justice Dept. agrees on $138.7M for bungled Nassar inquiries

“The Justice Department announced today that it has settled 139 administrative claims arising from allegations of sexual abuse committed by former physician and USA Gymnastics official Lawrence Gerard Nassar. …

“The settlement agreements, which have been approved by the Department, resolve 139 claims for a total of $138.7 million to be distributed to claimants.”

That’s from a Tuesday news release from the U.S. Justice Department, closing out a sad chapter at the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, in which two field offices knew about Nassar’s abuses, but failed to act properly.

The announcement also included:

“Over the course of nearly two decades and ending in 2016 when he was arrested by the State of Michigan, Nassar sexually abused hundreds of victims under the guise of performing medical treatments.

“These settlements will resolve administrative claims against the United States alleging that the FBI failed to conduct an adequate investigation of Nassar’s conduct. In July 2021, the Department’s Office of the Inspector General issued a report critical of certain aspects of the FBI’s response to, and investigation of, allegations against Nassar.”

That’s an understatement. In his 2021 appearance before the U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Committee, U.S. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz said in his report:

“Larry Nassar’s abuses very well could and should have been stopped sooner, if appropriate action had been taken by the FBI in response to the courageous actions of these athletes. Not only did that not occur, but after the FBI agents’ inadequate and incompetent response came to light, FBI records were created that falsely summarized the testimony of an athlete who had spent hours detailing the abuses she endured, and inaccurately described the FBI’s handling of the matter. Further, when called to account for their actions, two of the agents lied to our OIG investigators.”

Horowitz noted that the Indianapolis Field Office learned of the Nassar issue in July 2015 and the Los Angeles Field Office was informed in May 2016. But:

● “The OIG found that, despite the extraordinarily serious nature of the allegations and the possibility that Nassar’s conduct could be continuing, senior officials in the FBI Indianapolis Field Office failed to respond to the Nassar allegations with the utmost seriousness and urgency that they deserved and required, made numerous and fundamental errors when they did respond to them, and violated multiple FBI policies. The Indianapolis Field Office did not undertake any investigative activity until September 2—5 weeks after the meeting with USA Gymnastics—when they telephonically interviewed one of the three athletes. Further, FBI Indianapolis never interviewed the other two gymnasts who they were told were available to meet with FBI investigators.”

● “The OIG also found that, while the FBI Los Angeles Field Office appreciated the utmost seriousness of the Nassar allegations and took numerous investigative steps upon learning of them in May 2016, the office also did not expeditiously notify local law enforcement or the FBI Lansing Resident Agency of the information that it had learned or take other action to mitigate the ongoing danger that Nassar posed. Indeed, precisely because of its investigative activity, the Los Angeles Field Office was aware from interviewing multiple witnesses that Nassar’s abuse was potentially widespread and that there were specific allegations of sexual assault against him for his actions while at the Karolyi Training Camp (also known as the Karolyi Ranch) in Huntsville, Texas. Yet, the Los Angeles Field Office did not contact the Sheriff’s Office in Walker County, Texas, to provide it with the information that it had developed until after the MSUPD had taken action against Nassar in September 2016. Nor did it have any contact with the FBI Lansing Resident Agency until after the Lansing Resident Agency first learned about the Nassar allegations from the MSUPD and public news reporting. Given the continuing threat posed by Nassar, the uncertainty over whether the Los Angeles Field Office had venue over the allegations, and the doubt that there was even federal jurisdiction to charge the sexual tourism crime that the Los Angeles Field Office was seeking to pursue, we found that prudence and sound judgment dictated that the Los Angeles Field Office should have notified local authorities upon developing the serious evidence of sexual assault against Nassar that its investigative actions were uncovering.”

The Justice Department agreement is separate and apart from the $339.5 million pool of insurance funds for the survivors approved in 2021, in actions principally against USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

2.
IOC Future Host Commission inspecting French Alps 2030 bid

The International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission for the Winter Games is in the French Alps this week, looking into the proposal to stage the 2030 Olympic Winter Games there, in advance of an expected formal award at the IOC Session in Paris in July.

The Future Host Commission, led by Karl Stoss (AUT) began its tour program on Monday in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region (AURA) and saw the Le Grand-Bornard site for cross-country skiing and biathlon and will move on to the Provence Alpes-Cote d’Azur (PACA) venues later, ending in Nice on Thursday and Friday.

The French Alps concept concentrates on using existing facilities mostly already in use for World Cup events in four “zones”:

● Haute-Savoie: Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing

● Savoire: Alpine Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping, Bobsled, Luge, Skeleton

● Briancon: Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard

● Nice: Curling, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Short Track

At the opening session, Commission Chair Stoss said that the selection of the French Alps should not be considered as a foregone conclusion:

“The finish line has not yet been crossed.

“We have to ask questions to the presidents, to the Olympic committee, to the community, this is a very important step. We still have a little work to do with the study of the sites, the Olympic villages, the transport networks and interviews with the mayors and the athletes concerned.”

Significant issues remain with the plan for speed skating, which could be held in a temporary facility as in Milan for 2026 – a convention center – or at an existing facility in The Netherlands or Italy.

The current tour is not the end of the discussions, as presentations will be made by French Alps and Salt Lake City to the winter-sport International Federations and IOC members in May or early June, followed by the Future Host Commission’s final report on both bids and recommendations for election at the IOC Session in Paris.

3.
Another new track meet: the all-women 776 Invitational

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian announced another women’s sport promotion at the Business of Women’s Sports Conference in New York on Tuesday, during a conversation with Tokyo Olympic women’s 200 m bronze medalist Gabby Thomas, the 776 Invitational.

Sportico.com reported that the event, which will feature only women’s events and take place in September, will be sponsored by Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six venture-capital organization and award prize money of $60,000-$25,000-$10,000 for the top three places.

The venue, timing and events were not disclosed.

This is the latest in a series of track & field ventures which have popped up over the last few months. Atlanta Olympic icon Michael Johnson is teaming with Winners Alliance, an arm of the Professional Tennis Players Association, to create a series of meets in 2025; Johnson has pointed to the “majors” concept in golf and tennis as possible ways to promote the sport across an entire year.

Software entrepreneur and former Cornell distance runner Barry Kahn has proposed a multi-day, head-to-head show featuring 10 men and 10 women that would concentrate on a single event – the 100 meters to start – and create a tournament-style progression to a big-money final. A $1 million prize purse is envisioned, with the first “Duæl 100″ in September in Jamaica.

Another project which has been teased on social media, but not formally announced, is another one-on-one concept that would include track events, but is not necessarily limited to one sport.

Observed: The increase in interest in track & field is great and welcome, but none of these ideas solve the problem. Triple World Champion Noah Lyles identified this in a 2023 interview after his brilliant Budapest triple:

● “Everybody only gets paid for the big moments, and that’s really what they see as what our sport is doing. But the problem is because we only get paid for those big moments, we only show up for those big moments.”

● “If you look at basketball, football, tennis, soccer, golf, they have their regular season and of course, they can all go to the Olympics, but that’s an afterthought because their sport supplies them with the ability to stay here, play, compete and still keep a normal job, a steady income.”

Lyles was speaking about the Olympic Games and the World Championships; while World Athletics will break ground with $50,000 winner’s prizes for Paris 2024, the World Athletics Championships pays prizes of $70,000-35,000-22,000-16,000-11,000-7,000-6,000-5,000 for the top eight places.

Johnson has talked about the need for a league-style program, with teams and rivalries. There are plenty of good ideas on this, and it is doable from an athlete’s perspective. At last week’s USOPC Media Summit in New York, Tokyo men’s 200 m silver winner Kenny Bednarek said that in a league format, he could run every week if he had to, but certainly every other week, and would welcome a U.S. “league” held in the spring, ending before the U.S. national championships and leaving the summer open for championship events and the Diamond League.

Continuity is the issue and one-off meets are fun, but do not create a sustainable “employment” situation for track athletes, something which has been talked about since the 1980s, but has never happened. Yet. Maybe one of these events will energize their backers enough to create a league that can grow over time, as Major League Soccer and the Women’s NBA have done.

That’s the answer.

4.
Canada’s Brown asks for all Olympic finalists to get money

Amid the catcalls from other federations over the decision of World Athletics to pay the Paris Olympic gold medalists $50,000 and extend that to all medal winners at Los Angeles 2028 comes Canadian sprint star Aaron Brown, the two-time Olympic relay medalist, who wants all Olympic finalists to be paid. He told the CBC:

“I’d like to see all finalists in the Olympics make money to make it adjacent to the world championships. I’d like to see more compensation for the athletes who perform well.”

Now 31, he was appreciative that his federation was channeling more money to its athletes:

“It signals [World Athletics] is putting an effort toward 2028 to finally revitalize the support structure for the athletes. I wasn’t sure it would [happen] while I was still active as an athlete.”

But he was also critical of the situation that track & field athletes find themselves in, not only as regards the Olympic Games, but during the entire season:

“I watch other sports [that] operate more professionally increase the revenue for their athletes year over year because the overall business of the sport is growing.

“World Athletics needs to do more to drastically increase this by changing the strategy of how the sport is marketed and presented to its audience.”

He also suggested the heretical idea – to some – of having appearance fees be announced so that athletes could understand who is actually getting what:

“Perhaps putting more into the prize money pot as opposed to the appearances would make athletes want to compete more often.

“More transparency would allow us to know where [money] is being spent, what athletes are willing to show up and compete and establish a true market akin to other sports.”

5.
USADA triples down, asks for WADA overhaul

On Tuesday, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency issued a “Call for Independent Prosecutor and Overhaul of WADA” in a lengthy unsigned, defiant post, specifically focused on the revelations concerning the 23 doping positives for Chinese swimmers in early 2021:

“Unfortunately, none of the outstanding questions about the failure of the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency or the World Anti-Doping Agency to uniformly enforce the anti-doping rules were satisfactorily answered for clean athletes and the public in WADA’s press conference yesterday.

“The selective and self-serving application of the rules we heard about yesterday destroys public trust in the authenticity and value of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Learning that different rules can be applied to different countries sours the commitment of those who are vital to its ongoing viability, including the world’s best athletes, fans, sponsors, and the next generation of athletes.”

Further, the post continued to focus on these test results, which were – according to the ARD documentary “The China Files” which aired on Sunday – were investigated and reported “under the supervision of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security” instead of the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency. The USADA post continued:

“The statute of limitations has not run out in these cases and the pathway for application of the rules and due process may still exist. The effort to achieve whatever justice possible at this time must happen before the 2024 Paris Games, as it is unfair for all athletes competing in these Games to possibly compete against those who tested positive and whose results were kept secret until now.

“WADA’s willingness to blindfold and handcuff itself as we learned yesterday, and to maintain that it would do the same thing all over again, is yet another stab in the back to clean athletes. How can a global regulator possibly be satisfied when it allows 23 positive tests to be swept under the carpet, and no athlete or organization is held accountable?”

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and especially its chief executive, Travis Tygart, have been critics of WADA for a long time. But the USADA post went into considerable  additional detail on its problems with the WADA response to the presence of the prohibited drug Trimetazidine (TMZ), including:

● “WADA did not do any factual investigation into the circumstances of the hotel.”

● “China did not determine the source of the TMZ, and WADA apparently did not raise the obvious questions: How did a controlled drug, TMZ, arrive in the kitchen? Did any kitchen staff have a prescription or use TMZ? Did an employee crush TMZ pills while in the kitchen? Was CCTV reviewed to determine who had access to the kitchen? Certainly, the Chinese Security Service could have interviewed the hotel staff to attempt to learn who might have been using TMZ.”

● “WADA also appears unconcerned by the fact that TMZ was discovered at a hotel in China by the Chinese State Security over three and a half months after the athletes who tested positive were in the hotel. Does WADA believe that the hotel was not cleaned despite these three months spanning the height of the Covid epidemic when restaurants and public places were almost certainly required to perform extensive daily and nightly cleaning?”

The post raised 28 specific issues with the handling of this case, and noted that “WADA’s own rules require that a violation be found in contamination cases, that in-competition results be disqualified, that a provisional suspension be imposed at the outset, and that the violation be publicly announced.”

What happens now? There is no doubt that Tygart will continue to agitate on this issue, something for which he has a gift. Of special interest, however, will be the response of the International Testing Agency, which has the lead for the testing before and during Paris 2024, and the ITA provided at least one tip to WADA about doping in Chinese swimming.

So far, the ITA has issued no public comment about this situation. The question is whether it is already in motion about this case, and the swimmers involved. Coincidentally, the Chinese national swimming championships are ongoing and continue through Saturday, with – so far – one world-leading performance, in the women’s 100 m Breaststroke, by Qianting Tang.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● “The supply is there, but we don’t have as much demand as we thought. Unfortunately, right now it’s not up to par with what I was hoping for.”

That’s from Omar Meniri (FRA), in charge of Paris rentals at the Engel and Völkers firm, explaining that demand has been soft for super-lux rentals of apartments for the Olympic period. Pricing at two or three times the going rate has disinterested prospective customers.

But it’s also true that for many wealthy Parisians who are usually on vacation in August when the Games will take place, if they don’t rent their place, they won’t care.

Another strike threat, this time from a French police union, which said it might disrupt the Olympic Torch Relay if the Olympic-period bonuses – up to €1,900 – are not confirmed. A first protest could come on Thursday, with the Olympic Torch coming to Marseille on 8 May.

● NCAA ● The NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved new rules on Monday regarding transfers:

“Division I student-athletes who meet certain academic eligibility requirements will be immediately eligible at their next school, regardless of whether they transferred previously.

“Specifically, to be immediately eligible after a transfer, undergraduate student-athletes must have left their previous school while academically eligible and in good standing (not subject to disciplinary suspension or dismissal) and meet progress-toward-degree requirements at their new school before competing.

“For graduate transfer student-athletes to be eligible, they must earn a degree from their previous school, leave while academically eligible and be enrolled as a full-time postgraduate student while satisfying minimum academic standards.”

In other words, everyone is a free agent all the time. More flexibility was also added to the rules for name-image-likeness:

“Schools can identify NIL opportunities and facilitate deals between student-athletes and third parties. Student-athletes are not obligated to accept assistance from the school and must maintain authority over the terms in their NIL agreements. Beginning Aug. 1, member schools will be permitted to increase NIL-related support only for student-athletes who disclose their NIL arrangements.”

● On Screen ● Modest interest in the U.S. Olympic Trials in wrestling, with 142,000 watching on USA Network on Friday and 162,000 on Saturday.

The NCAA women’s gymnastics final did very well on ABC on Sunday, drawing an impressive average of 856,000 viewers, at 4 p.m. Eastern time.

● Athletics ● Favored Vincent Ciattei won his second Grand Blue Mile in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday that was also the USATF National Road Mile Championship for 2024. Ciattei, who won this race in 2022 and was fourth last year, charged through the tape in 3:57, clearly ahead of John Reniewicki (3:59) and Alec Basten (also 3:59).

The women’s Grand Blue Mile (and U.S. title) was won by first-time road miler Rachel McArthur, the 2022 NCAA Indoor fourth-placer for Colorado, who won in 4:33, just ahead of Anna Camp Bennett, the 2021 NCAA 1,500 m champ for BYU, who was given the same time.

At the indoor vault, held at the Jordan Creek Town Center, American record man KC Lightfoot won at men’s competition at 5.90 m (19-4 1/4), with Bridget Williams of the U.S. taking the women’s event at 4.68 m (15-4 1/4).

Spectacular success for the London Marathon, which set records for its most finishers ever and a record haul for charity.

Although the count is not final, more than 53,000 finished the race on Sunday out of 54,281 starters and more than £67 million was raised for charity (£1 = $1.24 U.S.), bettering the old high of £66.4 million from 2019.

● Figure Skating ● U.S. Figure Skating that its 2025 national championships will be held – for the first time – in Wichita, Kansas, from 20-26 January at the 15,750-seat INTRUST Bank Arena.

Skate America will again be held in Allen, Texas, from 18-20 October 2024.

● Wrestling ● Two-time Freestyle World Champion Frank Chamizo of Italy lost to Turan Bayramov of Azerbaijan in the semifinals of the European Olympic 74 kg Qualifier in Baku (AZE) on a controversial call that removed a winning, two-point move at the end of the match and gave Bayramov the win, 8-8, on criteria.

The Italians alleged multiple refereeing errors and Chamizo sensationally said that a bribe was offered for him to lose the match. On Tuesday, United World Wrestling said Chamizo had good grounds to be upset:

“During the Chamizo-Bayramov bout, Roman PAVLOV [UKR] was the referee on the mat, Ali M. SAIWAN [IRQ] was the judge and Aleksei BAZULIN [RUS] was the mat chairman. The referee delegation comprised Kamel BOUAZIZ [TUN], Ibrahim CICIOGLU [TUR] and Casey GOESSL [USA].

“The Disciplinary Chamber has decided to suspend both Pavlov and Cicioglu from all their duties until December 31, 2024. Saiwan is suspended from all his duties until September 30, 2024. Mat chairman for the bout Bazulin is suspended from all his duties until June 30, 2024, and the remaining two members of the referee delegation Bouaziz and Goessl have been handed suspensions from all their duties until June 30, 2024.”

The UWW formed two panels to look at the match officiating:

“Both panels agreed that some actions during the bout were not scored correctly, including not spotting the passivity of the wrestler(s). It also agreed that the refereeing consultations were not efficient, a timing error was made and the challenge consultation suffered major shortcomings in its functioning.

“In addition, the panels reported a gross lack of discernment in the assignment of the refereeing body, and in the distribution of the roles during the challenge for this specific match.”

The result of the match did not change, nothing has been said about Chamizo’s allegation of a bribe, and as far as Chamizo’s opportunity for Olympic qualification, “The Disciplinary Chamber, however, asked UWW to place Chamizo as a top seed in the brackets of the next qualifying event, the World OG Qualifier from April 9 in Istanbul.”

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TSX REPORT: WADA says China swim doping case closed; FIG chief not interested in medal payments; high schooler sets 100 m record at 9.93!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Artist’s rendering of the entrance to the Team USA House at the Palais Brongniart in Paris (Image: USOPC-OnLocation).

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. WADA stands firm: no reason to doubt CHINADA
2. Gymnastics: no interest in paying Paris medal winners
3. USA House opens to public for Paris 2024
4. IOC opens Artificial Intelligence project in London
5. Beijing Half top four disqualified over race antics

● The World Anti-Doping Agency issued a statement and held an online news conference in response to the German ARD documentary concerning positive doping tests for 23 Chinese swimmers prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021. It reiterated that it agreed with the Chinese anti-doping agency’s analysis and no penalties, but questions remain.

● The head of the International Gymnastics Federation said he had no interest in paying prize money to winners of the 18 gymnastics events at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, as World Athletics has said it will. However, the federation could certainly afford it!

● The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is, for the first time, opening the Team USA House to the public for Paris 2024, at €325 (+ taxes) per day during the Olympic Games and €150 per day (+ taxes) for the Paralympics. The site will be the elegant Palais Brongniart, formerly the Paris stock exchange, dating from the time of Napoleon!

● The International Olympic Committee launched a major project to study the use of Artificial Intelligence as related to sport and to the Olympic Games. AI is already in use in technology applications such as timing and scoring and broadcasting, but a working group will look at its use for athlete identification, training and safeguarding uses, among others.

● The pathetic finish of the Beijing Half Marathon from earlier this month, where the three leading runners – from Kenya and Ethiopia – let the top Chinese runner go by and win, has been revised with those four top finishers all disqualified.

● Panorama: Olympic Games 2040 (South African study group to observe in Paris) = Athletics (4: 22 countries qualify for Olympic Marathon Mixed Relay at Team Walk Champs; Miller screams to 9.93 high school 100 m record in Florida; Olga Fikotova Connolly passes at 91; two more doping positives for African distance runners) = Equestrian (jumping horse Chromatic BF dies after World Cup Dressage performance in Riyadh) = Swimming (Colts, Pacers and Fever join USA Swimming to promote Trials) = Wrestling (U.S. Freestyle star Cox retires) ●

1.
WADA stands firm: no reason to doubt CHINADA

The German ARD investigative documentary “Die Akte China” – “The China Files” – aired on Sunday, raising questions about an early 2021 incident prior to the Tokyo Olympic Games in which 23 star Chinese swimmers tested positive for the prescription heart medication Trimetazidine, the same drug for which Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for in December of that same year and was eventually banned for four years.

The program cited a 31-page investigative report from the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA), which clears the swimmers, saying that the low levels of the drug found in the swimmers was the result of traces in the kitchen where food was prepared for the group. The document raises questions:

● Although the report is from CHINADA, the ARD program says the investigation was carried out by the Ministry of Public Security, not the anti-doping agency.

● “The report states that more than two months later, investigators inspected the [hotel] kitchen and found traces of trimetazidine in the extractor hood, on spice containers and in the drain.”

● “WADA did not address the question of whether the scenario in the hotel kitchen was realistic or not. It was clear from the statement that WADA did not conduct an independent investigation in China and only decided not to investigate based on the CHINADA report.”

● “The positive cases were correctly entered into WADA’s official ADAMS reporting system in March 2021 after a two-month delay attributed to a local Covid outbreak. However, instead of reporting an official anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), the internal Chinese investigation took place. In this way, the usual steps of publicly announcing the case and imposing an interim ban were avoided.”

● WADA decided not to challenge the outcome from CHINADA and did not undertake its own investigation.

In a statement and accompanying news conference on Monday, WADA acknowledged the ARD program and stood behind its findings:

“Following WADA’s review of the documentary, the Agency still stands firmly by the results of its scientific investigation and legal decision concerning the case. We are equally confident that WADA’s independent Intelligence and Investigations Department followed up on all allegations received, which were not corroborated by any evidence; and thus, did not meet WADA I&I’s threshold to open an investigation.

“Based on all available scientific evidence and intelligence, which was gathered, assessed and tested by experts in the pharmacology of trimetazidine (TMZ); and, by anti-doping experts, the Agency had no basis under the World Anti-Doping Code to challenge the China Anti-Doping Agency’s (CHINADA’s) findings of environmental contamination – a position that was also accepted by World Aquatics.

“To be clear, if any new evidence had come to light at any point, WADA would have reviewed this information as it would today.”

As far as WADA is concerned, the case is closed. However, there are lingering questions, especially how a prescription drug like trimetazidine – offered in very small 20 mg and 35 mg pills – gets into a hotel kitchen at all?

ARD asked forensic toxicologist Fritz Soergel (GER) about the contamination theory; he replied, “The concentrations that were allegedly found by the laboratory in China could actually only have arisen because the doping agent was administered weeks before.”

During Monday’s news conference, WADA General Counsel Ross Wenzel (GBR) said, “In the absence of any evidence of any sort of misconduct … I’m very confident we would have had close to a 0% chance in establishing” a case. He added:

“With respect to the concentration in the Kamila Valieva case, and I believe it’s public, it’s in the decision, it was 2.1 nanograms per ml; the vast majority of the concentrations in this case were significantly lower than that, but the fundamental point is not that one.

“The fundamental point is that in the Valieva case there was nothing to exclude that that was the end of an excretion, that the pharmacological dose of trimetazidine hadn’t been taken several days before. In this case, the fluctuating negative and positive values of those athletes that were tested on multiple occasions effectively excluded that pharmacological dose scenario, so that’s a significant difference with the Valieva case.”

Observed: WADA’s explanations fall flat because the normal procedures which are expected to be employed in such cases were not followed. The positives were reported in the WADA system, but no provisional suspensions were imposed by CHINADA and according to the CHINADA report, the entire matter was left to the Chinese authorities, not to the country’s anti-doping agency, as would normally have been expected.

The German athletes organization, Athleten Deutschland, asked:

“What conclusions can be drawn from the revelations about the effectiveness of WADA and the global fight against doping, especially in closed, authoritarian regimes?”

More precisely, what conclusions can be drawn from a Chinese government authority running the inquiry into the matter in place of CHINADA, which is supposed to have jurisdiction in these matters?

Moreover, Chinese athletes have had doping issues in the past, of course including six-time Olympic medalist Yang Sun, who tested positive for trimetazidine in 2014 and received only a three-month suspension as the drug was only recently added to the banned list. He was later banned for four years after a 2018 incident with a drug-testing team that he said were not properly credentialed.

These questions will not go away quickly and the Chinese team – and the International Testing Agency – will be highly scrutinized in Paris, and the ITA will be asked about how often (and where) Chinese swimmers were out-of-competition prior to showing up in Paris.

2.
Gymnastics: no interest in paying Paris medal winners

The head of the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), Morinari Watanabe of Japan told Kyodo News that his federation will not be paying its Olympic medal winners in Paris, as will World Athletics:

“The FIG uses this revenue to support the development of gymnastics around the world, and in developing countries in particular.

“Many developing countries do not have enough gymnastics apparatus, or are using out-of-date apparatus. Beautiful flowers need good soil to bloom. I believe that IF’s job is to invest in the soil in which my beautiful flowers can grow.”

Watanabe is an elected member of the ASOIF Council, the executive committee of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, which denounced the World Athletics’ payment plan in unusually strong language in a statement last Friday.

The FIG position is in solidarity with ASOIF, which insisted that “Paying prize money in a multi-sport environment goes against the principle of solidarity, reinforces a different set of values across the sports and opens up many questions.”

But the FIG position is also interesting from other perspectives:

● It pays very little prize money for its Artistic World Championships: for 2023, about $15,500-9,300-6,200 for teams 1-3 and $3,000 each for teams 4-6 in men and women, and CHF 5,000-3,000-1,000 for the All-Around medal winners and CHF 3,000-2,000-1,000 for the apparatus medal winners.

That’s about $80,000 for the teams, $19,800 for the All-Arounds and $66,000 for the 10 apparatus finals, or about $165,800 in total. For the Rhythmic Worlds, the total is CHF 93,000 or about $102,300, and for the Tumbling and Trampoline Worlds, about $75,600 with payouts in Swiss francs and U.S. dollars. All together: about $343,700 for all three.

In contrast, the World Athletics Championships paid $8.498 million in prize money for 2023 and the World Aquatics Championships offered $5.670 million in 2023 and 2024.

The FIG payout amounts are quite astonishing. Consider that the International Judo Federation offers €1,000,000 for its World Championships, to the medal winners at €26,000-15,000-8,000 for its 14 individual events and €90,000-60,000-25,000 for its team event! (€1 = $1.07 U.S.)

● FIG only has 18 events in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: 14 in artistic gymnastics and two each in Rhythmic and Trampoline. Paying $50,000 as World Athletics will do for its winner would cost the FIG only $900,000 vs. $2.4 million for athletics!

● FIG can afford it: its 2022 financials showed CHF 56.8 million in assets and CHF 33.1 million in reserves. However, its revenue in non-Olympic years is only a little over CHF 12 million a year, and needs its Olympic television dividend to maintain healthy finances. It’s a terribly under-revenued sport, despite its Olympic popularity. (CHF 1 = $1.10 U.S.)

World Athletics, by contrast, had $54.9 million in 2022 revenues and $61.7 million in reserves. Both federations, as well as World Aquatics, will receive more than $35 million in IOC television revenue for the Paris 2024 Games.

3.
USA House opens to public for Paris 2024

“Until today, Team USA House access was only sold through Paris 2024 hospitality packages, developed by On Location, which also include tickets to a sporting event of the attendees choosing. Beginning today, fans can purchase Team USA House access without a sporting event ticket for €325 (plus tax) for the Olympic Games and €150 (plus tax) for the Paralympic Games. These passes include all-day access, food and beverage options, entertainment, athlete appearances and more.”

The Team USA House concept began at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City and has been an invitation-only program for U.S. Olympians, team staff, sponsors and lots of guests, including prior American Olympians.

For Paris 2024, the USOPC has expanded the program considerably at the massive Palais Brongniart, opened in 1825 as the home of the Paris Stock Exchange, until 1987, and now a conference and events center. The first floor will be open to anyone who wants to buy a ticket, at €325 per day, plus 20% value-added tax (or about $415 U.S.) for the Olympics and about $192 U.S. for the Paralympic, including the VAT.

What will happen there? According to the announcement:

“Team USA House will host a main stage for medal celebrations, panels, and athlete appearances, all-day dining options including American favorites and a rotating selection of international cuisines, two bars, a dozen large monitors to watch Team USA go for gold, and interactive activities throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“There will also be an official Team USA Shop, operated by Fanatics, which will be open at Team USA House during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Team USA pop-up shop will have exclusive Team USA and LA28 merchandise from Nike, Ralph Lauren, Oakley, New Era, Mitchell and Ness, and Fanatics, and will include custom Team USA and Paris 2024 pins, a fan tradition at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“There will also be exclusive programming including special guest athlete appearances; medal celebrations with Team USA athletes fresh off the podium from their wins; daily trivia games; theme nights, and more.”

The Team USA House hours are noon to midnight from 26 July to 11 August, and then again for the Paralympic Games, which runs from 28 August to 8 September.

There is a second, “VIP Floor,” with enhanced food and beverages and some private parties, not accessible to the public. Passes will be issued to athletes and guests, U.S. Olympic alumni, National Governing Bodies and USOPC staff. Donors to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation can also obtain access through specific hospitality packages; individual tickets to the VIP Floor for those who qualify are €525 plus 20% VAT or about $672 U.S., per person, per day.

Observed: This is a nice amenity for those who want to mix with current and former athletes and others from the U.S. Olympic Family during the Games in Paris. It isn’t cheap, but it isn’t designed to be: it’s a fundraiser, after all.

Navigating to the actual sales site for Team USA House tickets is difficult (hence no link); perhaps it will become easier to find as the Games get closer.

4.
IOC opens Artificial Intelligence project in London

Launched with considerable fanfare, the International Olympic Committee introduced its new project – the “Olympic AI Agenda” – to explore the possibilities and problems of AI last Friday in London, outlining multiple areas of study:

● Talent Identification
● Athlete Training
● Sports Equipment
● Judging and Refereeing
● Safeguarding in Sport
● Organizing the Games
● Broadcasting the Olympics
● Enriching Historical Images

IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) made the point that the central focus of the Games will remain:

“At the centre of the Olympic AI Agenda are human beings. This means: the athletes. Because the athletes are the heart of the Olympic Movement. Unlike other sectors of society, we in sport are not confronted with the existential question of whether AI will replace human beings. In sport, the performances will always have to be delivered by the athletes. The 100 metres will always have to be run by an athlete – a human being. Therefore, we can concentrate on the potential of AI to support the athletes.

“AI can help to identify athletes and talent in every corner of the world. AI can provide more athletes with access to personalised training methods, superior sports equipment and more individualised programmes to stay fit and healthy. Beyond sporting performance, AI can revolutionise judging and refereeing, thereby strengthening fairness in sport. AI can improve safeguarding in sport. AI will make organising sporting events extremely efficient, transform sports broadcasting and make the spectator experience much more individualised and immersive.”

Already in play are ways to make existing technology applications better:

● From Swiss Timing chief executive Alain Zobrist (SUI): “AI technology is already being integrated into OMEGA’s timekeeping systems at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and allows us to analyse and understand athletic performances much deeper than ever before. We’re excited about where the innovation can go next in terms of data storytelling and judging support.”

● From NBC Olympics & Paralympics Production Executive Producer Molly Solomon (USA): “AI can enrich our presentation through data analysis, with graphics and enhanced video, personalisation and predictive analysis. It can also help navigate the plethora of content the Olympic Games provide, connecting fans with the events and athletes they love, which will result in deeper engagement and spending more time on our platforms.”

A 90-minute discussion covered eight areas of possible AI intervention and support and an 18-member working group has already been formed to explore more concepts. No date was noted for a follow-up report or findings.

5.
Beijing Half top four disqualified over race antics

The ridiculous finish of the Beijing Half Marathon on 14 April, in which the three leading runners – two Kenyans and an Ethiopian – allowed China’s Jie He to pass by and win the race in the final 200 m was addressed on Friday as all four were disqualified.

The race organizers said in a statement that the video of the finish showed Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu Bikila “actively slowed down in the last 2 kilometers and as a result He Jie won the men’s championship.”

He won in 1:03:44, with the other three finishing one second behind. Now, all four have had their results nullified and their placements and prizes forfeited.

The Xtep sports apparel company sponsored both the race and He as one of its athletes, and apparently hired the three Africans as pacemakers, but did not tell the race directors, who gave them elite-runner status instead of labeling them as pacers. Indeed, they would have gone 1-2-3 except for slowing down and letting He pass.

The race directorate said that the race management company, Zhong’ao Lupao Beijing Sports Management, had been removed as operator of the Beijing Half going forward and that Xtep has been banned from sponsoring any further races this season.

Xtep said in a statement, “We bear a great responsibility for this, fully accept the punishment decision made by the organizing committee.” It promised to “reflect seriously and conduct a deep review” to “ensure such incidents do not happen again in the future.”

The committee disqualified the operator from hosting the Beijing Half Marathon and banned Xtep from sponsoring any more races this season.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2040 ● A private-sector research team called “CapeTown2040″ has announced an observation mission to the Paris 2024 Games to inspect how Paris has adapted itself to host the event. It’s a think-tank effort so far, currently focused on determining how the South African city might fit as an Olympic host.

No African city has ever hosted the Olympic Games; South Africa broke ground in 2010 by hosting the FIFA World Cup.

● Athletics ● At the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya (TUR) on Sunday, 22 teams qualified for the Olympic Marathon Mixed Relay, with five nations earning a second team.

Francesco Fortunato and Valentina Trapletti of Italy were the winners, in 2:56:45, well ahead of Koki Ikeda and Kumiko Okada (JPN: 2:57:04) and Alvaro Martin and Laura Garcia-Caro (ESP: 2:57:47). The U.S. team of Nick Christie and Robyn Stevens finished 41st (3:25:53) and did not qualify.

In the senior-level 20 km races, Sweden’s four-time Worlds medal winner Perseus Karlstrom taking the 20 km in 1:18:49, ahead of Spanish walkers Paul McGrath (1:19:14) and Diego Garcia Carrera (1:19:51). Two-time Worlds gold medalist Kimberly Garcia of Peru won the women’s 20 km in 1:27:12, followed by Zhenxia Ma (CHN: 1:27:55) and Erica Sena (BRA: 1:29:22).

More on the sensational world-leading 9.93 100 meters from new U.S. star Christian Miller from the Pure Athletics Invitational Saturday in Clermont, Florida.

Miller, still 17, rode a legal, +1.6 meters-per-second win to the victory, erasing his previous best of 10.06 from 2023 and setting a new American Junior Record, taking down the 9.97 from Baylor’s Trayvon Bromell from 2014. Miller is now no. 3 all-time on the World Junior all-time list.

A senior at Creekside High School in St. John’s Florida, he also lowered the U.S. high school mark and became the first wind-legal sub-10 man in prep history. He smashed the prior best of 10.00 by Trentavis Friday (Cherryville High, North Carolina), also from 2014.

Miller has committed to attend the University of Georgia. Wrote triple World Champion Noah Lyles on X (ex-Twitter): “If you are a HS runner and you want to run 9 second you just come on down to clermont.”

Sad news of the death of Olga Fikotova Connolly at 91 on 12 April, one of the unforgettable Olympians whose love affair and finally marriage to American Hal Connolly was a Cold War sensation in 1956.

As Czech Olga Fikotova, she won the Olympic gold in the discus at Melbourne in 1956 and met and fell for Connolly, the Olympic hammer gold medalist from the U.S. The romance between a U.S. strongman and a Warsaw Pact discus star was international headlines at the time, and they married in Prague in 1957.

She came to the U.S. and she and Hal raised four children, with both continuing their athletic careers. Hal made the U.S. hammer team in 1960-64-68 and Olga competed for the U.S. in four more Games, in 1960-64-68-72. Neither won another Olympic medal.

They divorced in 1975, but Olga continued with her career in education, physical fitness and sports. Hal passed in 2010, and Olga is survived by her four children, Mark, Jim, Merja and Nina and grandchildren Van Freund, Denali and Cianni Connolly.

More doping sanctions from the Athletics Integrity Unit, including Ethiopian women’s steeplechaser Zerfe Wondemagegn – fourth at the 2023 World Championships – banned for five years from 20 October 2023 for the use of erythropoietin (EPO) and testosterone.

Kenyan Celestine Chepchirchir, a 2:20:10 women’s marathoner from 2022, was sanctioned for three years from 26 March 2024 for using testosterone.

● Equestrian ● Sad news last Friday from the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) from the FEI World Cup Final in Riyadh (KSA):

“It is with great sadness that we announce that the US [showjumping] horse Chromatic BF, ridden by Jill Humphrey, has passed away during the FEI World Cup Final.

“Chromatic BF had returned to the stables after competition on the evening of 18 April and unexpectedly collapsed. He was immediately attended to by the US Equestrian veterinary staff and FEI veterinarians but was unable to be resuscitated.

“In line with the FEI Veterinary Regulations, samples have already been taken from the horse, and a full postmortem in line with FEI protocols will be conducted.”

Humphrey and the 13-year-old Chromatic finished third in the Jumping World Cup Final II on the 18th, remarkable for a horse who entered competition only in the fall of 2023. Owner Katharine Branscomb wrote on Facebook:

“I am writing this to try to clarify what has already begun to travel as rumours surrounding events that happened here in Riyadh involving Chromatic after tonight’s spectacular performance. After hacking normally after the class, Chromatic returned to the barn happy and calm attended by his lifetime caretaker Pepe Rodriguez and Jill. After resting and refreshment, he was given a routine recovery shot of electrolytes by the USET team veterinarian. Upon returning to his stable to be wrapped, blanketed, and put away for the evening, with me present the horse began seizured and collapsed in the stall. He was immediately treated and examined by both the USET and FEI veterinarians and was pronounced dead shortly after.

“As owner and breeder, I want it clearly stated that no one was at fault. The horse did not suffer and there is no evidence that his passing was in any way related to his strenuous and spectacular performance with Jill well over an hour earlier or the routine injection by the veterinarian. A full autopsy report will be provided to me at some point. But what I HOPE people will take away from this freak accident and great tragedy is that it was a night of tears – tears of joy and tears of loss. If I would ask anything of those of you that knew or celebrated him, let’s remember him for how he lived and not for how he died.”

● Swimming ● With a couple of months to go before the U.S. Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, USA Swimming announced “Centennial Partners” agreements with the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL and Pacers Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Indiana Pacers of the NBA and Indiana Fever of the WNBA, which just drafted Iowa star Caitlin Clark.

The deals come with tickets and branding, but will no doubt have both organizations reaching out to their ticket buyers and fan bases to support the Trials, which begin on 15 June. That’s a win for USA Swimming as it tries to fill a 30,000-seat facility, the largest ever for the Olympic Trials in swimming.

● Wrestling ● Five-time Worlds medal winner and Tokyo men’s 86 kg Freestyle bronze medalist J’den Cox retired after his loss in the men’s 97 kg Freestyle Challenge semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Trials last week. Following a 2-2 loss to Kollin Moore on criteria, Cox, 29, left his boots in the center of the mat.

Cox was a three-time NCAA Champion for Missouri at 197 lbs. (~ 89 kg), and was World Champion at 92 kg in 2018 and 2019, third in 2021 and runner-up in 2022. He had previously won a Worlds bronze at 86 kg in 2017.

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TSX REPORT: ASOIF angry over World Athletics pay plan; Chinese doping allegations for Tokyo explode; vault and marathon world records!

By
Rich Perelman
-
A happy Mondo Duplantis chats after his eighth world vault record! (Photo: World Athletics video screenshot)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. ASOIF rips World Athletics over $50,000 Paris pay plan
2. Claim of China doping in Tokyo swimming explodes!
3. World record 20-5 1/2 for Duplantis in Xiamen!
4. Women-only world record 2:16:16 for Jepchirchir in London
5. Four U.S. Olympic wrestling medalists now Paris bound

● The usually calm Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) issued a cross statement, criticizing the World Athletics’ plan to pay $50,000 to the winners of its 48 events in Paris. Most of the other federations can’t afford that and ASOIF expressed annoyance and shock at not being informed and at the lack of “solidarity.” Are we at a pivot point?

● A furious weekend of charges and counter-charges, with someone from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency telling American swimmers that Chinese doping in Tokyo will result in a re-allocation of their silver medal in the women’s 4×200 m Free Relay to gold. This was denied by the World Anti-Doping Agency, with name-calling back and forth with USADA chief Travis Tygart. There is a lot at stake here and it’s a considerable mess.

● Sensational track & field weekend, with world-leaders in 13 events at Xiamen Diamond League and Continental Tour Gold Keino Classic in Nairobi, with Mondo Duplantis getting his eighth world vault record at 6.24 m (20-5 1/2). And there were eight more world-leading performances elsewhere!

● The expected women’s-only marathon world record came through in London, as Olympic champ Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya fought off absolute world-record holder Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia, 2:16:16 to 2:16:23.

● Surprises at the U.S. Olympic Trials for wrestling at Penn State, with three of the four U.S. medal winners from Tokyo being defeated, but four prior Olympic medal winners are on a powerful American teams for Paris, with other still having to qualify next month.

● Panorama: Beach Volleyball (second-ranked Ahman and Hellvig win Elite 16 in Mexico) = Cycling (3: Pogacar dominates Liege-Bastogne-Liege; Niewiadoma wins final sprint in women’s La Fleche Wallonne; U.S.’s Batten sweeps Mountain Bike races in Brazil) = Diving (China wins eight of nine events at World Cup Super Final) = Fencing (Volpi beats Errigo as Italy sweeps Foil World Cup in Georgia) = Gymnastics (2: Davtyan brothers both win at Doha Apparatus World Cup; Varfolomeev dominates Rhythmic World Cup in Baku) = Modern Pentathlon (Seo gets first World Cup win) = Shooting (U.S. scores another qualifier in Rifle-Pistol finale in Brazil) ●

1.
ASOIF rips World Athletics over $50,000 Paris pay plan

“ASOIF was neither informed nor consulted in advance of the announcement, which was made one day after the ASOIF General Assembly and during SportAccord. As a matter of principle, ASOIF respects and defends the autonomy of each and every member federation. However, when a decision of one IF has a direct impact on the collective interests of the Summer Olympic IFs, it is important and fair to discuss the matter at stake with the other federations in advance. This is precisely why ASOIF was created more than 40 years ago, with the mission to unite, promote and support its members, while advocating for their common interests and goals.”

That’s from an unusually blunt statement issued Friday by the Association of Summer International Sports Federations concerning the World Athletics plan to pay $50,000 to the winners of its 48 events in Paris: a total of $2.4 million. The statement ran on for 13 paragraphs, including:

● “During the last days, ASOIF’s membership has expressed several concerns about World Athletics’ announcement.

“First, for many, this move undermines the values of Olympism and the uniqueness of the Games. One cannot and should not put a price on an Olympic gold medal and, in many cases, Olympic medallists indirectly benefit from commercial endorsements. This disregards the less privileged athletes lower down the final standings.”

● “Second, not all sports could or should replicate this move, even if they wanted to. Paying prize money in a multi-sport environment goes against the principle of solidarity, reinforces a different set of values across the sports and opens up many questions.”

● “If the Olympic Games are considered as the pinnacle of each sport, then the prize money should be comparable to, and commensurate with, the prizes given in the respective top competitions of each sport. This is technically and financially unfeasible.”

Then came the key portion of the statement:

“While some National Olympic Committees and governments have put in place schemes to reward athletes for outstanding performances at the Olympic Games, these are for purposes of national pride and are applied consistently across all the sports at the Olympic Games.

“Finally, there has been consensus that Olympic revenues should, at least for the more commercially successful and financially independent IFs, be invested as a priority into development and integrity matters. Development and integrity are the principal areas where IFs can distinguish themselves from commercial operators and promoters.”

The statement concluded with ASOIF saying that it “will raise these concerns with World Athletics” and with the International Olympic Committee.

Observed: This is an unusually strong statement in the Olympic world, which always couches its communications in terms of unity and shared purpose. Which is to say that the World Athletics has struck a nerve with its fellow International Federations.

The ASOIF statement makes it clear that while World Athletics believes it can afford to pay $2.4 million in Olympic prize money for Paris and possibly double that in Los Angeles in 2028, very few other federations can. FIFA, for sure. World Aquatics, yes, and some others. But for the 20 federations in the third, fourth and fifth tiers of IOC television payments, almost certainly not.

World Athletics received $39.48 million from the IOC for the Tokyo 2020 Games, the most of any federation. Those in the third tier received $17.31 million, the fourth tier got $15.14 million and the fifth tier, $12.98 million. Those federations have to make that money stretch across four years until the next Olympic distribution comes, as their own revenue is often insufficient to cover its program and salary costs. That’s the reality.

World Rowing, for example, had annual revenue – outside of IOC television money – in 2021 of CHF 2.61 million and in 2022 of CHF 3.45 million (CHF 1 = $1.10 U.S.). It spreads its $17.31 million in IOC money over all four years to stay solvent and run its programs; outside of its IOC funding, it showed CHF 3.63 million in reserves. That’s not much. Many other federations are similar.

And if they were to offer Olympic prize money, the amount would be a fraction of the World Athletics payout, for first place or otherwise. So now, the International Federations are even further classified into successes and failures by what they would pay in Olympic prize money.

Long term, this could put future pressure on the IOC to drop some of these commercially-uninteresting sports, who would ask the IOC itself to pay prize money. For its part, the IOC has said only that federations are on their own to decide how to spend the money they get from the TV rights sales, and harking back to its Greek origins, would be much more likely to make a grant to all Olympians than to those who won medals, as the ancient city-states were the ones who sent and rewarded their champions who returned in glory.

This is a new and unexpected division point within the Olympic Movement, and will be a headache that will face the next IOC President, whoever that ends up being.

2.
Claim of China doping in Tokyo swimming explodes!

In a confused series of statements, clarifications and name-calling, a claim that China’s gold-medal-winning and world-record-setting women’s 4×200 m Freestyle team from Tokyo 2020 was disqualified for doping was refuted by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

In a 21-tweet thread by ARD investigative reporter Nick Butler (GBR), the key facts:

● “ARD Doping Editorial Team world exclusive after two-year investigation: Mass doping suspicion in China – WADA fails to act: 23 top Chinese swimmers tested positive in 2021 but were secretly cleared in time to compete at the Tokyo Olympics. With @hajoseppelt 1/”

● “The 23, which included Tokyo 2020 gold medallists – Zhang Yufei and Wang Shun, plus current World Aquatics Swimmer of the Year, Qin Haiyang, all tested positive in January 2021 for trimetazidine, the same substance taken by Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva 2/”

● “After months of silence, the athletes were all cleared of doping following an internal Chinese investigation, which supposedly found traces of the substance in the kitchen of the hotel where the athletes had stayed during their competition 3/”

A further post, noting shared reporting with the New York Times, listed the 23 athletes involved, which included Tokyo 2020 medal winners Zhang (women’s 200 m Fly gold, 4×200 Free relay gold), Junxuan Yang (women’s 4×200 m Free relay gold), Wang (men’s 200 m Medley gold), and Zibei Yan (mixed 4×100 m Medley silver).

Another story reported that a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency representative had told U.S. swimmers on Friday that their Tokyo women’s 4×200 m Freestyle relay silver would be upgraded to gold due to the doping of at least one Chinese swimmer on their world-record-setting team.

But that was countermanded on Saturday, with World Aquatics telling SwimSwam.com that it “not currently aware of any Anti-Doping Rule Violation that might lead to a disqualification of results obtained in competition, and resulting consequences, for the Women’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay at Tokyo 2020.” Moreover, the USADA said it did not tell anyone that China was doping in Tokyo.

More fireworks came quickly from Travis Tygart, the head of the USADA, who released a Saturday statement:

“It’s crushing to see that 23 Chinese swimmers had positive tests for a potent performance-enhancing drug on the eve of the 2021 Olympic Games, as reported by the New York Times and ARD. It’s even more devastating to learn the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency secretly, until now, swept these positives under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.

“Our hearts ache for the athletes from the countries who were impacted by this potential cover-up and who may have lost podium moments, financial opportunities, and memories with family that can never be replaced. They have been deeply and painfully betrayed by the system. All of those with dirty hands in burying positive tests and suppressing the voices of courageous whistleblowers must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the rules and law.”

WADA released its own Saturday statement, which included:

“Following some misleading and potentially defamatory media coverage this week, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) wishes to provide more information in relation to a group of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) in 2021.

“WADA was notified in June 2021 of the decision by the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) to accept that the swimmers had tested positive in early 2021 for TMZ after inadvertently being exposed to the substance through contamination. As it always does, WADA carefully reviewed the decision and, in this instance, requested the full case file. As part of its review, WADA collected additional, unpublished scientific information on TMZ and consulted with independent scientific experts to test the contamination theory and also whether low doses of TMZ could have benefited the athletes during a swimming competition event. During this review process, which spanned several weeks, scientists and external legal counsel thoroughly put the contamination theory presented by CHINADA to the test. It was not possible for WADA scientists or investigators to conduct their enquiries on the ground in China given the extreme restrictions in place due to a COVID-related lockdown. WADA ultimately concluded that it was not in a position to disprove the possibility that contamination was the source of TMZ and it was compatible with the analytical data in the file. WADA also concluded that, given the specific circumstances of the asserted contamination, the athletes would be held to have no fault or negligence. As such, and based on the advice of external counsel, WADA considered that an appeal was not warranted.”

Tygart fired back in another Saturday release, including:

“It is disappointing to see WADA stoop to threats and scare tactics when confronted with a blatant violation of the rules governing anti-doping. When you blow away their rhetoric, the facts remain as have been reported: WADA failed to provisionally suspend the athletes, disqualify results, and publicly disclose the positives. These are egregious failures, even if you buy their story that this was contamination and a potent drug ‘magically appeared’ in a kitchen and led to 23 positive tests of elite Chinese swimmers.”

WADA then issued another statement, including:

“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is astonished by the outrageous, completely false and defamatory remarks made by the CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, who has made very serious accusations against WADA in connection with the case of 23 swimmers from China that was reported upon by the media earlier today.

“Mr. Tygart’s allegations are politically motivated and delivered with the intention of undermining WADA’s work to protect clean sport around the world. WADA notes that the damaging comments have been delivered without any supporting evidence whatsoever.

“The truth of this matter is that according to all available scientific evidence and intelligence, thoroughly gathered, assessed and tested by leading anti-doping experts, WADA had no basis to challenge the explanation of environmental contamination. At all times, WADA acted in good faith, according to due process and following advice from external counsel when it decided not to appeal this case. In the absence of any other evidence WADA, still today, stands by the results of its rigorous scientific investigation as well as the approach of its Intelligence and Investigations Department.”

That’s where we are as of now.

Observed: This is a mess. At stake is the credibility of the World Anti-Doping Agency, which has been good and steadily improving. And its defense against Tygart’s charges is weakened by this key sentence:

“It was not possible for WADA scientists or investigators to conduct their enquiries on the ground in China given the extreme restrictions in place due to a COVID-related lockdown.”

WADA was not on the ground and accepted CHINADA’s explanation, yet it did not do so when a positive test came back against Russian figure skater Valieva in the run-up to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

It is also not clear what the view of the International Testing Agency is, which was responsible for the testing of athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Some of the athletes on the positives list published by ARD are stars in position for glory in Paris, including breaststroker Haiyang Qin, who won the men’s 50-100-200 m Breast events at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships and will be favored in Paris. Will they receive extra scrutiny now from the ITA?

All of this creates more questions than answers and the matter is certainty not over.

3.
World record 20-5 1/2 for Duplantis in Xiamen!

A sensational Saturday in track & field, with the Diamond League opening in Xiamen (CHN) and the Continental Tour Gold Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi (KEN), with a world record and 13 world-leaders between them:

Xiamen (8):
● Men/800 m: 1:43.61, Marco Arop (CAN)
● Men/Steeple: 8:20.54, Abraham Kibiwot (KEN)
● Men/5,000 m: 12:58.96, Lamecha Girma (ETH)
● Men/110 m hurdles: 13.11, Daniel Roberts (USA)
● Men/Vault: 6.24 m (20-5 1/2), Mondo Duplantis (SWE) ~ World Record
● Men/Triple Jump: 17.51 m (57-5 1/2), Pedro Pichardo (POR)

● Women/1,500 m: 3:50.50, Gudaf Tsegay (ETH)
● Women/Steeple: 8:55.40, Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN)

Nairobi (5):
● Men/200 m: 19.71, Courtney Lindsey (USA) and Letsile Tebogo (BOT)
● Men/400 m: 44.10, Bayapo Ndori (BOT)
● Men/800 m: 1:43.57, Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN)
● Men/1,500 m: 3:31.96, Reynold Kipkorir (KEN)
● Men/Hammer: 84.38 m (276-10), Ethan Katzberg (CAN)

Duplantis stole the spotlight with his eighth world record, taking only four jumps! He made first-time clearances at 5.62 m (18-5 1/4), 5.82 m (19-1), 6.00 m (19-8 1/4) and then the world record of 6.24 m (20-5 1/2). American Sam Kendricks was second at 5.82 m (19-1). Said the Swedish star afterwards:

“This result is more than what I wanted it to be, so I was very excited about it. You know this my first time to jump in China. You always get a bit nervous when you jump in front of a new crowd, because it’s people that haven’t seen you do what you can do. So I really want to show the people here. …

“I know that every competition I go to, there’s gonna be very high expectations and everybody’s gonna be expecting. I think that myself too. I expect a lot of things out of myself. I want to have high all the time and I want to keep jumping high. My expectations on myself always outweigh everything else.”

What a way to start the season! And there was more.

In Xiamen, 2022 World Champion Fred Kerley got out ahead of usual-super starter Christian Coleman – the 2019 World Champion – but Coleman took over in mid-race and won, 10.13 to 10.17 (wind: -0.6 m/s).

In the men’s 800 m, Canada’s 2023 World Champion Marco Arop took over after the bell and held on to get a world-leading win in 1:43.61 over Kenya’s Wycliffe Kinyamal (1:43.66). Same for Ethiopia’s Steeplechase world-record holder, Lamecha Girma, took the lead with 300 m left in the men’s 5,000 m and charged to the finish in 12:58.96, ahead of Nicholas Kipkorir (KEN: 12:59.78) and Birhanu Balew (BRN: 13:00.47).

Americans Daniel Roberts and Cordell Tinch were 1-2 in the men’s hurdles in 13.11 and 13.16, with Japan’s Shunsuke Izumiya third in 13.17 (wind: -0.3), and fellow American Shelby McEwen defeated three-time World Champion Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT) in the high jump, both at 2.27 m (7-5 1/4).

A shocker came in the women’s 200 m, as American star Sha’Carri Richardson stormed into the lead in the final 30 m over countrywoman Anavia Battle, but it was Australian Torrie Lewis (19) who jumped everyone at the line out of lane 9 in 22.96! Richardson was second in 22.99 (-0.4), with fellow Americans Tamara Clark (23.01) and Battle (23.02) going 3-4.

Dominican World Champion Marileidy Paulino was the clear and expected winner in the 400 m at 50.08, with American Britton Wilson third (51.26). One of the most dominant performances came in the women’s 1,500 m, with 2022 World Indoor Champion Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) taking over after 800 m and running away with a brilliant, 3:50.30, moving her to no. 3 all-time, with the no. 3 performance! She led a 1-2-3-4-5 Ethiopian finish, with 18-year-old Birke Haylom second in 3:53.22, now the no. 10 performer ever! Worknesh Mesele got a lifetime best of 3:57.61 in third.

Kenya’s world Steeple record holder Beatrice Chepkoech ran away from the field in the Steeple in 8:55.40, the no. 11 performance of all time, of which she owns four. Countrywoman Faith Cherotich was second in 9:05.49, no. 2 this season. Olympic champ Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR) won the women’s 100 m hurdles in a speedy 12.45, no. 3 in 2024 (wind -0.2), defeating indoor world-record-setter Devynne Charlton (BAH: 12.49), with outdoor world-record-holder Tobi Amusan (NGR: 12.58) in fifth.

The home crowd enjoyed seeing Olympic champ Lijiao Gong win the women’s shot at 19.72 m (64-8 1/2), with 2023 World Champion Chase Jackson of the U.S. in third (19.62 m/64-4 1/2). Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Valarie Allman (USA) dominated the discus field, winning at 69.80 m (229-0) in the fifth round, to defeat Cuba’s world-leading Yaime Perez (68.83 m/225-10).

In Nairobi, “Kung Fu Kenny” Bednarek came from the USOPC Media Summit in New York to win the 100 m in a wind-aided 9.91 (+2.2), ahead of Emmanuel Matadi (LBR: 9.99w). But the best action was in the 200 m, as American Courtney Lindsey, the 2023 NCAA 100 m winner for Texas Tech, led into the final meters with 2023 Worlds 200 m bronze medalist Letsile Tebogo (BOT) coming hard … but started too late and Lindsey was in front at the line, with both timed in a world-leading 19.71 into a 1.5 m/s headwind!

Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori also emerged as a star to watch, winning the 400 m in a world-leading 44.10, now no. 30 all-time! He as clear of 2023 U.S. champ Bryce Deadmon (44.41). Kenya dominated the distance races, with 2023 Worlds silver winner Emmanuel Wanyonyi getting a world-lead in the 800 m in 1:43.57, ahead of Aaron Kemei’s lifetime best of 1:44.10 in second. Raynold Kipkorir, a 2023 Worlds 1,500 m finalist, won his race in a world-leading 3:31.96, lead a Kenyan sweep of the top four places, with Brian Komen (3:32.29) second.

In the Steeple, 2023 Worlds bronze winner Abraham Kibiwot led a Kenyan 1-2-3-4-5 finish, in a world-leading 8:20.54, ahead of Amos Serem (8:21.40).

The highlight of the women’s racing was Kenyan World Champion Mary Moraa’s 1:57.96 win in the 800 m, moving to no. 2 this season. American Janee Kassanavoid won the women’s hammer at 75.99 m (249-3) to move to no. 3 on the 2024 world list.

And there were more world-leading outdoor performances all over the place as the outdoor season got into full swing:

● Men/100 m: 9.93, Christian Miller (USA)
● Men/High Jump: 2.34 m (7-8), JuVaughn Harrison (USA)
● Men/Shot Put: 21.80 m (71-6 1/4), Josh Awotunde (USA)
● Men/Decathlon: 8,732, Ayden Owens-Delerme (PUR)

● Women/100 m hurdles: 12.42, Tonea Marshall (USA)
● Women/4×100 m: 42.03, Team International (mixed)
● Women/Hammer: 76.91 m (252-4), Brooke Andersen (USA)
● Women/Heptathlon: 6,372, Michelle Atherley (USA)

Tokyo Olympic men’s 400 m hurdles silver winner Rai Benjamin opened his season with a win at the Mt. SAC Relays in the men’s 400 m flat in 44.42.

There was also a world record in the rarely-run Distance Medley Relay (1200-400-800-1600 m), with the all-U.S. “Brooks Beasts” team of Brannon Kidder, Brandon Miller, Isaiah Harris and Henry Wynne winning at the Oregon Relays in Eugene at 9:14.58.

Kidder started off at 2:49.60, with Miller at 46.60, followed by Harris in 1:45.75 and Wynne finishing in 3:52.64. Their time broke the record of 9:15.50 by the U.S. at the 2015 World Athletics Relays.

4.
Women-only world record 2:16:16 for Jepchirchir in London

The women’s-only race at Sunday’s London Marathon was expected to be fast, and it was, with Olympic champ Peres Jepchirchir finally running away with a 2:16:16 victory, the fastest ever in a women’s-only race.

There were nine in the lead pack by the 10 km mark, with absolute world-record holder Tigist Assefa (ETH) in the lead, and seven were together at the half, with Assefa still leading at 1:07:04. Only five were left in the lead pack by 30 km and by 35 km, it was a four-women race, with Jepchirchir finally in the lead, followed closely by 2023 London runner-up Megertu Alemu (ETH), Assefa and 2021 London winner Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN).

Alemu was the first to fall back and then Jepchirchir threw in a burst of speed and pulled away for the win and the women’s-only record, winning by seven seconds over Assefa, 2:16:16 to 2:16:23, with Jepkosgei just behind in third in 2:16:24. Alemu finished fourth in 2:16:34.

It’s the no. 14 performance all-time, but well ahead of Kenyan Mary Keitany’s 2:17:01 women’s-only winner from the 2017 London race, which had been the record. It was a lifetime best for Jepchirchir by a full minute from her 2020 Valencia victory and moves her to no. 11 on the all-time women’s marathon list.

The top four are now nos. 4-5-6-7 on the 2024 year list.

The men’s race wasn’t a record-breaker, but came down to a duel between Kenyan Alexander Mutiso Munyao, the 2023 Valencia runner-up and the legendary Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia’s 41-year-old, three-time Olympic champ on the track and the third-fastest marathoner in history.

Ten were in the lead pack at the half in 1:01:29, but only six by 30 km, with Ethiopia’s 2022 World Champion Tamirat Tola in the lead. But he faded as Bekele and Munyao surged and were 1-2 by 35 km, with Munyao continuing to press and Bekele unable to stay close.

Munyao had a six-second lead by 40 km and cruised home in 2:04:01, good for no. 5 on the world list for 2024. Bekele – at 41 – finished in 2:04:15, his third-fastest marathoner ever, in second, with Emile Cairess (GBR) – in his second marathon – coming up from eighth at the 35 km mark to get third in 2:06:46. Brian Shrader was the top American, in 10th at 2:10:50.

5.
Four U.S. Olympic wrestling medalists now Paris bound

The all-or-nothing U.S. Olympic Trials in wrestling was held at State College, Pennsylvania over the weekend, with only the winners making it either to Paris – 13 – or moving on to a final qualifying opportunity next month (5). There are four U.S. Olympic medal winners who are now headed to the Games once again, but with some stunning upsets that will leave former Olympic stars home.

In the men’s Freestyle finals, three of the four U.S. medalists in Tokyo will not return. Heavyweight Gable Steveson decided not to compete, 86 kg winner David Taylor and 57 kg bronze medalist Thomas Gilman both were beaten.

At 74 kg, however, Tokyo bronze medalist and two-time World Champion Kyle Dake will return, beating Jason Nolf, 4-1 and 3-1. At 86 kg, Aaron Brooks, the 2023 U.S. champ and World U-23 Champion, stunned Tokyo gold medalist Taylor, 4-1 and 3-1 and is on the plane to Paris. No doubt about the 97 kg class, as Rio 2016 gold medalist Kyle Snyder made the U.S. Olympic or Worlds team for the 10th straight time, wearing down Isaac Trumble, 5-0 and 4-0. Mason Parris, the 2023 Worlds bronze medalist, was the clear winner at 125 kg, taking two 7-0 victories against Hayden Zillmer.

The U.S. men’s Freestylers have not yet qualified in two categories for Paris, and have one more shot at the World Qualification Tournament in Istanbul (TUR) from 9-12 May. At 57 kg, two-time national champ and former three-time NCAA champ at Iowa, Spencer Lee, defeated Gilman by 6-3 and a pinfall. At 65 kg, 2023 World 70 kg Champion Zain Retherford swept Nick Lee, 2-1 and 5-0.

In the women’s Freestyle finals, the U.S. had already qualified in all six classes, so the Olympic Trials winners are on the plane. Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sarah Hildebrandt had no trouble winning against Audrey Jimenez, taking 10-0 technical falls in both matches. The 2022 World Champion at 53 kg, Dominique Parrish, is off to her first Olympic Games, after sweeping 2012 Olympian Haley Arguello, 2-1 and 5-2.

Helen Maroulis, the memorable Rio 2016 Olympic 53 kg champion, made history as the U.S.’s first three-time women’s Olympian in wrestling, defeating 2020 Olympian Jacarra Winchester by pinfall and then 6-0, at 57 kg. Maroulis won the Tokyo bronze in this weight class.

At 62 kg, two-time Worlds silver medalist Kayla Miracle heads to her second Olympic Games after sweeping Macey Kilty, 8-5 and 4-1.

Then came the continuing saga of phenom Amit Elor, the 20-year-old who has won eight (!) Worlds golds over the last three years – Cadet in 2021, Junior in 2021-22-23, U-23 in 2022-23 and Senior in 2022-23 – and is on to Paris after 6-0 and 2-1 wins over 2021 Worlds 65 kg bronze winner Forrest Molinari. In her eight Worlds appearance, Elor is 29-0 and has outscored her opponents by 251-9. And in Paris?

Finally, a stunner at 76 kg for 20-year-old Kennedy Blades, the 2020 Trials runner-up at 68 kg, who moved up and defeated six-time World Champion Adeline Gray, 11-6 and 8-3 to make it to her first Olympic Games. Wow.

In Greco-Roman, the U.S. has qualified in three of six classes, with Payton Jacobsen coming from the seventh seed at 87 kg to win the Trials over Spencer Woods (2-1) to make the team, Joe Rau winning the 97 kg class over Alan Vera (2-1) to make the Olympic team on his third try, and 2018 Worlds runner-up Adam Coon taking the 130 kg title, coming from a match down to defeat Cohlton Schultz, two matches to one.

Three others will have to try to qualify in Turkey next month, with Dalton Roberts defeating Ildar Hafizov at 60 kg, in their 17th meeting by two matches to one, and his 10th win in the series. Ellis Coleman was a 20-year-old Olympian in 2012 and has a chance to go back at 32, winning at 67 kg over Alejandro Sancho, also by 2-1. Pan American Games winner Kamel Bey took the 77 kg title with 9-1 and 6-0 wins against Aliaksandr Kikinou.

This is a powerful U.S. team, with Snyder and Maroulis already well known, but Elor a potential break-out star.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Beach Volleyball ● At the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 in Tepic (MEX), world no. 2 and 2023 Worlds silver winners David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig (SWE) scored their first win of the season with a 21-17, 19-21, 15-10 victory against fifth-ranked George Wanderley and Andre Loyola Stein (BRA). It’s the fourth Elite 16 tournament win for Ahman and Hellvig and they defended their 2023 title.

Cuba’s Noslen Diaz and Jorge Alayo won the third-place match against Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wicker (GER), 21-18, 21-17.

Two-time European champions Tanja Huberli and Nina Brunner (SUI) won the women’s final, defeating two-time European medalists Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon (NED), 21-14, 19-21, 19-17. It’s the second career win for the Swiss on the FIVB World Tour, but first in an Elite 16-level tournament.

In the third-place match, Brazil’s Carol Solgado and Barbara Seixas won by 22-20, 21-23 and 25-23 over Valentina Gottardi and Marta Menegatti (ITA).

● Cycling ● The ancient Liege-Bastogne-Liege race in cycling-mad Belgium, first contested in 1892, was a showcase for Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar, the two-time winner of the Tour de France, who escaped with 34.4 km to go on the 254.5 km circuit and won with ease in 6:13:48, some 1:39 up on the field, with French stalwart Romain Bardet second and Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel in third (+2:02).

Van der Poel was hampered as part of a crash at the 160 km mark and had to chase hard to get back into contention for the podium. But when Pogacar attacked on the Col de La Redoute, no one could respond.

For Pogacar, still just 25, it’s his second win in this race – one of the five “Monument” races in the sport – after 2021, and his sixth career Monument, also including Il Lombardia (3x) and the Ronde van Vlaanderen in 2023. Bardet won his second medal in this race, after a bronze in 2018.

The women’s race, 152.9 km from Bastogne to Liege, came down to a six-rider sprint, with Australia’s Grace Brown overtaking Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) in the final meters to cross first in 4:29:00, with defending champ Demi Vollering (NED) third and Swiss Elise Chabbey fourth, all with the same time. It’s Brown’s first win in this race after being runner-up in 2020 and 2022, and the second straight runner-up finish for Longo Borghini.

At the La Fleche Wallonne races on Wednesday, it was Britain’s Stephen Williams who got the sprint finish to win the 88th edition of the men’s race, in 4:40:24 for the 198.6 km ride from Charleroi to Huy in Belgium. Williams was just better than Kevin Vauquelin (FRA) and Maxim van Gils (BEL) and is the first British rider to win the race! Vauquelin and van Gils were also first-time medal winners.

Poland’s Kasia Niewiadoma got her fifth career UCI Women’s World Cup win in the women’s race of 146.0 km in and around Huy. She won a final sprint from defending champion Vollering (+0:02) and Longo Borghini (+0:04) in 3:55:29. Niewiadoma had been second in 2021 and third in 2017, but now owns a gold.

At the second leg of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, in Araxa (BRA), former World Junior Champion Simon Andreassen (SUI) won a tight battle to the finish with Victor Koretzky (FRA) and 2018 U-23 World Champion Alan Hatherly (RSA) by a second: 1:20:00 to 1:20:01 over the nine-lap course.

Koretzky had already won the Short Course race, 19:26 to 19:29 over American Christopher Blevins, with Hatherly third (19:30).

American Haley Batten, the 2022 Worlds bronze medalist, won the women’s race in a runaway, finishing in 1:23:04 for the eight laps, 17 seconds up on Rio 2016 Olympic champ Jenny Rissveds (1:23:21) and 40 seconds up on fellow American Savilia Blunk (1:23:44). Former World Champion Kate Courtney of the U.S. was ninth (1:25:48).

Batten and Blunk also finished 1-3 in the Short Course race in 22:01 and 22:07, with Swiss Linda Indergand in second (22:05).

● Diving ● China won eight of nine events at the World Aquatics World Cup Super Final in Xian (CHN), with 2024 World Champions Zongyuan Wang (3 m Springboard) and Hao Yang (10 m Platform) winning by 49.45 and 26.05 points, respectively.

The women’s individual winners were 2024 Worlds silver medalists Yiwen Chen (3 m Springboard) and Yuxi Chen (10 m Platform) won by 74.10 and 32.50 points, with China 1-2 in the 10 m with Hongchan Chan.

The men’s Springboard Synchro winners were World Champions Wang and Daoyi Long (+53.94) and on Platform, World Champions Junjie Lian and Yang, by 32.55 points over Britain’s Worlds silver winners, Tom Daley and Noah Williams.

World women’s Platform Synchro winners Yuxi Chen and Quan were 68.76-point winners, but in the women’s 3 m Springboard Synchro, Australia’s Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith won with 284.67 points, ahead of Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook of the U.S. (284.10), as the Chinese did not enter.

China won the Mixed Team event by 500.75 to 456.75 over Great Britain, with the U.S. fifth (377.60).

● Equestrian ● The FEI World Cup Finals for Dressage and Jumping were held in Riyadh (KSA), with a repeat victory for Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann (and King Edward) in Jumping.

Von Eckermann, 42, the 2022 Jumping World Champion and 2023 Grand Prix Final winner, led with 70 points after the second final and no penalties, and then had a clean third round to finish perfect (0)! France’s Julien Epaillard suffered a fault in the second round and none in the third to take silver (4), with Swede Peder Fredricson third with 6 fault points. American Kent Farrington (10) was fourth.

In the Dressage Grand Prix, Britain’s 2022 World Champion, Charlotte Fry (and Everdale), won at 75.388%, ahead of Patrik Kittel (SWE: 73.292%) and Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN: 72.904%). The ageless Isabell Werth (GER: 54) – a five-time winner in this event – was fourth at 72.236%.

The Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle was a win for Kittel, 47, and Touchdown, scoring 81.661%, ahead of Skodborg Merrald (81.429%) – runner-up for the second straight year – and the amazing Werth (81.404%).

● Fencing ● At the FIE women’s Foil World Cup in Tbilisi (GEO), Italy swept the top four places, led by two-time World Champion Alice Volpi, who won a match of Worlds gold medalists, 15-9, over Arianna Errigo, the 2013 and 2014 World Champion. For Volpi, it’s her ninth career World Cup win and 18th World Cup medal.

Martina Favaretto and Anna Cristino both won bronze medals.

Naturally, the Italian team was a winner as well, taking the final from France, 45-36, with the U.S. (Jacqueline Dubrovich, Zander Rhodes, Lauren Scruggs and Maia Weintraub) and Japan taking bronze medals.

● Gymnastics ● The final FIG Apparatus World Cup was in Doha (QAT), with the Armenian Davtyan brothers each scoring wins.

Artur Davtyan, the 2022 World Champion on Vault, won his third World Cup out of four in his specialty, scoring 15.166 to best 2021 World Champion Carlos Yulo (PHI: 15.066), while older brother (and three-time European Champs medalist) Vahagn Davtyan, 35, won on Rings at 14.833, over Nikita Simonov (AZE: 14.800).

Yulo got his own gold in the Parallel Bars, where he is a two-time Worlds medal winner, scoring 15.200 to 14.966 for Yuan-hsi Hung of Chinese Taipei. Hung’s teammate, Chia-hung Tang won his third World Cup on the Horizontal Bar, 15.133 to 14.700 for Lithuania’s Robert Tvorogal.

Jordan’s Ahmad Abu Al-Soud won his second World Cup on the Pommel Horse, barely out-scoring Chih-kai Lee (TPE), 15.500 to 15.400, with two-time World Champion Rhys McClenaghan (IRL: 15.233) third. Kazakhstan’s Milad Karimi, the 2023 Worlds Floor Ex bronzer, won that event at 14.766, ahead of Luke Whitehouse (14.566).

In the women’s competition, Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour, the 2023 Worlds runner-up on the Uneven Bars, won that event (15.366) and got a second gold on Floor, scoring 13.700 to beat Ruby Evans (GBR: 13.300).

Karta Navas of Panama took the Vault at 13.850, and Ukraine’s Anna Lashchevska won on Beam at 13.533, with Nemour second (13.400).

The third FIG Rhythmic World Cup was in Baku (AZE), with a big meet for five-event 2023 World Champion Darja Varfolomeev, 17, of Germany. She won the All-Around at 71.200, ahead of Elvira Krasnobaeva (BUL: 69.750) and Italian star Sofia Raffaeli (68.300).

Varfolomeev then took wins in Hoop (35.550), Ball (34.200) and Ribbon (33.400). Raffaelli, who won five golds at the 2022 Worlds, won on Clubs (34.500) – with Varfolomeev third – and was second on Hoop and fourth on Ball.

● Modern Pentathlon ● At the UIPM World Cup in Ankara (TUR), Korea’s Chang-wan Seo finally got his first World Cup gold after three finishes in the top four in 2023. He scored 1,497 points to edge Egyptians Mohamed Moutaz (1,490) and Ahmed Elgendy (1,483). Seo was second in the fencing, 10th in riding and sixth in the swimming to start the Laser Run with a 23-second lead on Moutaz and although eighth overall, broke the tape with eight seconds to spare.

Britain’s Kerenza Bryson got her second career World Cup win in the women’s division, at 1,427 points to 1,401 for Seung-min Seong (KOR) and Malak Ismail (EGY: 1,396). Bryson won the fencing and was second in riding and after a 16th in swimming, entered the Laser Run with a 16-second margin. Seong was sitting seventh – 25 seconds back – at the start but moved up nicely, finishing seventh in the Laser Run to move up to second overall. Bryson, after some early shooting issues, won by 26 seconds!

In the Mixed Relay, Pavel Ilyashenko and Elena Potapenko (KAZ) won with 1,327 points over Moutaz and Amir Kandil of Egypt (1,318).

● Shooting ● Norway was the only country to win more than once at the ISSF Olympic Qualification tournament for Rifle and Pistol in Rio de Janeiro (BRA), taking the women’s 50 m Rifle gold, and the Mixed 10 m Air Rifle team event, over France, 16-14. The winners:

● Men/10 m Air Pistol: Federico Maldini (236.8)
● Men/25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol: Martin Podhrasky (CZE: 28)
● Men/10 m Air Rifle: Lazar Kovacevic (SRB: 249.0)
● Men/50 m Rifle/3 Positions: Aleksi Leppa (FIN: 461.9)

● Women/10 m Air Pistol: Elmira Karapetyan (ARM: 240.7)
● Women/25 m Sport Pistol: Josefin Eder (GER: 35)
● Women/10 m Air Rifle: Oceanne Muller (FRA: 250.4)
● Women/50 m Rifle/3 Positions: Jeannette Duestad (NOR: 462.9)

The U.S. earned a second qualifier in the men’s 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol from the already-qualified Keith Sanderson, who finished fifth. The already-qualified Ivan Roe finished fourth in the men’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions.

Turkey won the Mixed 10 m Air Pistol final over Ukraine, 17-13.

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TSX REPORT: Crouser happy with $50,000 Olympic bonuses; Hill explains USA Basketball picks for Paris; U.S. to pay Nassar survivors $100M?

By
Rich Perelman
-
Olympic and World shot champ Ryan Crouser at the USOPC Media Summit (Photo: USOPC video screen shot)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Crouser wants more recognition for track and field
2. More criticism of World Athletics’ Olympic pay plan
3. Hill and Reeve stress player versatility for U.S. hoops teams
4. Fascinating data: Olympics ranks third in U.S. fan interest
5. FBI’s Nassar-case failures could lead to $100 million payout

● At the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Media Summit in New York, shot world-record holder Ryan Crouser said he can’t understand why there is criticism of the World Athletics plan to award prize money to the Paris 2024 winners. He also talked about how to create greater interest in the sport.

● Three international federations, in cycling, rowing and tennis, are not following the World Athletics example regarding Olympic prize money, and the head of the British Olympic Association and the entire Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa all panned the concept.

● Also at the USOPC Media Summit, how the U.S. men’s basketball team roster was put together was discussed by USA Basketball men’s national team Managing Director Grant Hill, and the women’s approach by Paris 2024 head coach Cheryl Reeve.

● Included with a Variety story about NBC’s plans for Olympic coverage was a chart which showed the relative standing of the Olympic Games among fans vis-a-vis other sports. In most, it’s football and the Olympic Games that dominate. Not in the U.S.

● Reports are circulating that the U.S. government could agree to award 100 abuse survivors of former USA Gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar a combined total of $100 million. But the deal is not done yet.

1.
Crouser wants more recognition for track and field

“I think that the key thing that we lack in track & field is conveying the level of sport that we have.”

That’s shot put superstar Ryan Crouser, speaking Wednesday at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Media Summit in New York, asked about how to raise the profile of his sport. He had plenty to say:

“It is the pinnacle of human performance. Like it or not, we’ve run faster, jumped higher and thrown farther than any other sport. And we do a poor job of conveying that to the public.

“When you have the eight fastest people on a track next to each other; eighth place – ‘oh, he’s slow’ – but he’s actually the eighth-fastest man in the world. And so if you can take a way to convey that, I mean, who was it – Bill Murray – famously said, ‘put an average person in every event.’ I think you don’t necessarily have to go that far, but taking the event out of the stadium … if you watch the shot put from 100 meters away, you’ve got eight guys, they’re all over 300 pounds, they all mostly can bench 500, squat 600 pounds, so the level of strength and athleticism is lost over that 100 m distance. But we do street shots, you put them in a public square – wherever it might be – and let people stand right there, pick up a shot and have them try and throw it; 20 feet is really good for the average person.

“And then when they see that 20 feet is good, they realize how far 75 feet is. So, I think the same thing in the long jump, pole vault, all of those things bringing it to the people, getting them to stand right there they can try it if they want, is what really makes the sport shine.

“And then also for the throwing events, I think we are so set on six attempts and farthest throw wins, we miss that feedback. I can tell the average person on the street, I throw the shot put 20 feet and they would say that’s really good. But in pole vault, especially, high jump, you see a bar clearance, you that was a successful attempt. I think we could implement that into the shot and have an increasing line that you throw over, get two or three attempts at each line – 60 feet, 65 feet, 70 feet – something along that , so that the average spectator can understand right away, ‘oh, that’s over the line, it’s good,’ or ‘it’s under the line, they came up short.’

“So I think there’s really a few small changes that we could do within our sport that could really elevate the level, just to the broader public, in terms of understanding and engagement.”

Crouser was also asked for his view on the World Athletics’ announcement that it will pay $50,000 to each Paris 2024 gold medalist – and he is the favorite – the first International Federation to do so:

“I’ve gotten this question a lot, and it’s a bit surprising to me, I’ve read that [there’s] been any opposition to it at all.

“I think there’s a big misconception amongst Olympic athletes – in regards to the public – I think they think you make the Olympics, and if you win a medal, that you’re a millionaire. I know that it doesn’t really work that way.

“You win the Olympics and you get a lot of recognition, but in terms of financial gain, the day you win the Olympics, you have zero dollars added to your bank account, in that aspect. So, any way we can help out athletes, I think, is great. I will never be against athletes being paid more money.

“The state of track & field is in a difficult time right now. I know athletes that have won medals at World Championships are still working multiple part-time jobs to make rent, and so I will always support athletes getting paid in that instance.

“Yeah, I think the biggest issue with that is the public not realizing that a lot of these athletes are winning Olympic medals and financially struggling.”

In terms of his forthcoming schedule, he’s planning to return to the spot where he set the current world mark of 23.56 m (77-3 3/4) last year:

“I’m planning on opening my outdoor season at UCLA [at the L.A. Grand Prix on 18 May]. World record would be nice, but I’m planning on going and then a pretty quick turnaround, L.A. to Eugene for the Prefontaine Diamond League and then a little bit of break before Trials.

“It is a slightly limited outdoor season for me, before the Olympics. That’s the main goal and at this point in my career, I have to limit myself. I can’t compete the same number of times when I was 21, so I’m a little limited; I like to say that on the day, I can still have as much as ever, but I can’t tap that well quite as often as I could when I was younger. So, I have to train smarter now [at 31].”

2.
More criticism of World Athletics’ Olympic pay plan

The critics of the World Athletics plan to pay each of its Paris gold medalists $50,000 continue to surface. The head of some of the other International Federations – who are not giving prizes – are making their disagreement known:

● Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) President David Lappartient (FRA), said that World Athletics made the announcement without any discussions with other International Federations:

“If we concentrate money on top athletes, a lot of opportunities will disappear for athletes all over the world. We really believe that this is not the Olympic spirit. The proposal was not discussed. …

“The Olympic spirit is to share revenues and have more athletes compete worldwide. Not only put all the money on the top athletes but spread the money.”

● World Rowing chief Jean-Christophe Rolland (FRA) added: “Obviously, we need the athletes. But we also need to ensure that we will have athletes tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.”

● Agence France Presse reported, “[t]he International Tennis Federation said it had no plans to follow suit and pay prize money and any change in the future ‘would be made in consultation with the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations and the International Olympic Committee’.”

And the World Athletics plan from President Sebastian Coe (GBR) was criticized by the head of the National Olympic Committee of his home country, Andy Anson, the chief executive of the British Olympic Committee (BOA). In an interview with Sky Sports, he explained:

“I think what was wrong with last week’s announcement was is that a sport does something on its own, without including others, the IOC or the National Olympic Committees. This creates a real problem, because now other sports will be observed, and we can expect pressure from athletes who will say: how can this sport do it and not us?

“This is a debate we can have, but we must have it at the right time, in the right place and together. With this announcement, there is today the risk of a two-speed sport, even if the number of athletes concerned [winners of the 48 athletics events] is ultimately quite small. Nobody wants this to happen.”

The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) issued a statement from its President, Algeria’s Mustapha Berraf:

“This goes against the principles of solidarity advocated by the Olympic Movement and related substantial programmes, he said.

“Solidarity must be the order of the day within countries and sports organisations in order to bridge the gulf between athletes from the most affluent countries and those from the developing world, and not the other way round.

“The proposal by World Athletics goes against the fundamental principles of the Olympic Movement and is aimed simply at bolstering the bank accounts of athletes who are not in need, rather than helping the most needy.

“Suffice it to note that athletics is an incomparable social asset and has enabled entire populations on the African continent to distinguish themselves and participate in the socio-economic development of their countries and nations.

“It is for this very reason that ANOCA believes it would be more useful to make the most of this income to meet the needs of young African talents, who only aspire to have the necessary infrastructural and material resources for their development.”

3.
Hill and Reeve stress player versatility for U.S. hoops teams

A leaked story that appeared on Tuesday named 11 of the 12 members of the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team and Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers was reported on Wednesday as the 12th and final member of the team.

Later that day at the Media Summit, USA Basketball’s Grant Hill, a member of the 1996 Olympic gold-medal team and now the Men’s National Team Managing Director, explained how the 2024 Paris team was assembled:

“First of all, I want to clarify – I know things were reported [this week] and things of that nature – but the roster was finalized three weeks ago and [Leonard] was included in that. As things got out, they didn’t know who that last person was. …

“We’re excited, we’re honored to have him on board. He wasn’t the last guy at all; he was one of the top guys in terms of priority. So we’re grateful to have him and we’re grateful to have everyone. I mean, everyone is on this team for a reason, because they provide something that’s needed on the FIBA stage, or provide multiple things that are needed.

“We like the versatility of our team. You’re going to get a lot of different styles, playing styles that you’re going to go against. We feel like we’ve checked the boxes for everything we’ll see as we go on this journey, so we’re feeling good.”

He underlined that the U.S. men are hardly a shoo-in to win in Paris:

“We know we have a collection of incredible talent for this summer and a lot of guys are experienced . We have seven guys who have won Olympic gold medals for USA Basketball, and they know. They know very well just how difficult this is.

“We can’t just show up. We have to come, we have to play, we have to compete. We have to have a great deal of respect for our opponents and for the FIBA game. And because of the experience, I think 10 guys have participated in FIBA basketball, I think we’ll have that appropriate fear, that respect and we’ll come out and compete.”

Asked for more depth on how the team was assembled, Hill explained:

“It’s not always the best player per se, but maybe the best fit, and whose game really translates and resonates on the FIBA stage, and there’s a difference, a difference between the two games, the FIBA game and the NBA game.

“A lot of thought went into that … to be able to defend, to be able to maintain our identity offensively, the size and strength of some of the teams we will face. There’s certain things that you’re looking for. …

“It’s not just in terms of talent, too, but personalities. You’re blending personalities together. It’s like a puzzle, you know, and you’re trying to put the puzzle together. It’s an interesting, and certainly – at times – exhausting exercise but a very fulfilling one nonetheless.”

Women’s U.S. Olympic coach Cheryl Reeve, head coach of four WNBA championship teams with the Minnesota Lynx, is working on her roster selections now, which are not yet finalized:

“We’re working long and hard on roster formulation and making sure that, like Grant mentioned, we’re checking boxes and I think the identity of this team, you can look at the WNBA and say ‘what are the strengths of the league,’ making sure that we’re understanding how to position the players; [Breanna Stewart] Stewie’s multi-positional when she plays, gives us a lot of flexibility, along with some of the other players.”

Reeve was not asked directly about star guard Caitlin Clark, but about building on the culture of women’s basketball, so much in the headlines now:

“Now we’re in a movement, and I think it’s a direct correlation to the WNBA being existence for 28 years and so what you have is … all the kids know now is having the WNBA. So that has increased the overall talent, the natural evolution of the athlete – bigger, faster, stronger – we’ve seen all that and by the way, it’s exactly the same path for men’s basketball with the NBA. It’s not a surprise to us that this would be the trajectory of the WNBA.”

She also noted that “Media has played a role in that. Media’s played a big role in finding games and the time: you know it’s going to be on, what network it’s going to be on.”

Stewart, a two-time Olympic gold winner already, said that despite her success, her game keeps changing to keep up with the times:

“You’re going from positions to position-less, and having people being able to do multiple things. Your biggest player on the floor is shooting threes… As a player, I feel like how can I continue to get better, and that’s how can I continue to evolve, and that means, what else can I do?”

4.
Fascinating data: Olympics ranks third in U.S. fan interest

A very interesting table was inserted into a long story in Variety about how NBC is going to try and engage its Olympic audiences with a steady stream of celebrities during its Paris 2024 telecasts: the “fan popularity” of the Olympic Games vis-a-vis other sports in multiple countries. Check out these numbers:

● United States:
1. 85%: NFL
2. 72%: Major League Baseball
3. 66%: Olympic Games
4. 63%: Olympic Winter Games
5. 50%: NBA and NHL

● Mexico:
1. 86%: Liga MX football
2. 86%: FIFA World Cup
3. 80%: UEFA Champions League
4. 78%: Olympic Games
5. 74%: UEFA Europa League

● Great Britain:
1. 88%: FIFA World Cup
2. 87%: English Premier League
3. 74%: UEFA Champions League
4. 71%: Olympic Games
5. 62%: UEFA Europa League

● France:
1. 84%: FIFA World Cup
1. 84%: Olympic Games
3. 77%: UEFA Champions League
4. 75%: Ligue 1
5. 74%: Rugby World Cup

● China:
1. 88%: Olympic Games
2. 82%: FIFA World Cup
3. 80%: NBA
4. 78%: Olympic Winter Games
5. 77%: English Premier League

Outside of the U.S., it’s football and the Olympics, with a few others thrown in here and there. Also included were charts for Spain, Germany and Italy. The numbers were derived from polling in a Cawi Consumer Survey, with 2,500 total respondents.

As for the NBC shows from Paris, the story summarized the NBC approach this way:

“Making events available live, as they hap-pen in France, means that NBC will need to have different Olympics programming during prime- time — a curated show that will combine event highlights with entertainment and stars commenting on the Games in the hopes of luring sports fans and channel surfers. In short, NBC’s primetime Olympics coverage may at times feel more like a variety show filmed in Paris.”

Look for Jimmy Fallon, Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, podcast star Alex Cooper and Snoop Dogg – among others – to feature different aspects of the Games, along with the actual competitions.

5.
FBI’s Nassar-case failures could lead to $100 million payout

It was widely reported Thursday that the U.S. government is nearing a deal with about 100 plaintiffs who were sexually abused by infamous former sports doctor Larry Nassar, with the total payout at about $100 million.

The potential payouts concern the botched work of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation field offices in Indianapolis and Los Angeles, both of whom separately knew of Nassar’s activities, but failed to follow up properly.

In a 2021 appearance before the U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Committee, U.S. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz said in his statement:

“Larry Nassar’s abuses very well could and should have been stopped sooner, if appropriate action had been taken by the FBI in response to the courageous actions of these athletes. Not only did that not occur, but after the FBI agents’ inadequate and incompetent response came to light, FBI records were created that falsely summarized the testimony of an athlete who had spent hours detailing the abuses she endured, and inaccurately described the FBI’s handling of the matter. Further, when called to account for their actions, two of the agents lied to our OIG investigators.”

Horowitz noted that the Indianapolis Field Office learned of the Nassar issue in July 2015 and the Los Angeles Field Office was informed in May 2016. But:

● “The OIG found that, despite the extraordinarily serious nature of the allegations and the possibility that Nassar’s conduct could be continuing, senior officials in the FBI Indianapolis Field Office failed to respond to the Nassar allegations with the utmost seriousness and urgency that they deserved and required, made numerous and fundamental errors when they did respond to them, and violated multiple FBI policies. The Indianapolis Field Office did not undertake any investigative activity until September 2—5 weeks after the meeting with USA Gymnastics—when they telephonically interviewed one of the three athletes. Further, FBI Indianapolis never interviewed the other two gymnasts who they were told were available to meet with FBI investigators.”

● “The OIG also found that, while the FBI Los Angeles Field Office appreciated the utmost seriousness of the Nassar allegations and took numerous investigative steps upon learning of them in May 2016, the office also did not expeditiously notify local law enforcement or the FBI Lansing Resident Agency of the information that it had learned or take other action to mitigate the ongoing danger that Nassar posed. Indeed, precisely because of its investigative activity, the Los Angeles Field Office was aware from interviewing multiple witnesses that Nassar’s abuse was potentially widespread and that there were specific allegations of sexual assault against him for his actions while at the Karolyi Training Camp (also known as the Karolyi Ranch) in Huntsville, Texas. Yet, the Los Angeles Field Office did not contact the Sheriff’s Office in Walker County, Texas, to provide it with the information that it had developed until after the MSUPD had taken action against Nassar in September 2016. Nor did it have any contact with the FBI Lansing Resident Agency until after the Lansing Resident Agency first learned about the Nassar allegations from the MSUPD and public news reporting. Given the continuing threat posed by Nassar, the uncertainty over whether the Los Angeles Field Office had venue over the allegations, and the doubt that there was even federal jurisdiction to charge the sexual tourism crime that the Los Angeles Field Office was seeking to pursue, we found that prudence and sound judgment dictated that the Los Angeles Field Office should have notified local authorities upon developing the serious evidence of sexual assault against Nassar that its investigative actions were uncovering.”

An agreement between the government and the complaintants has not been finalized, but if completed, would be separate and apart from the $339.5 million pool of insurance funds for the survivors approved in 2021, in actions principally against USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

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TSX REPORT: T&F stars love World Athletics’ $50,000 pay for Paris gold; Olympic Torch Relay on in Greece; last major ticket drop for Paris 2024

By
Rich Perelman
-
Lighting of the Olympic Flame at Olympia (Photo: IOC/Greg Martin)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. T&F stars fully in support of $50,000 first prize for Paris
2. Olympic Flame lit at Olympia and torch relay starts
3. U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team roster leaked
4. Last major Paris 2024 ticket sale: 250,000 available Wednesday
5. Was something rotten at the Beijing Half Marathon?

● At the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Media Summit in New York, track & field athletes in two different panels were unanimous in their support of the new, $50,000 prize money to be paid to the winners in Paris this summer. So was Sanya Richards-Ross, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and long-time NBC track & field analyst.

● The Olympic Flame was lit by the sun during a Monday rehearsal and fired the Olympic Torch on an overcast Tuesday at Olympia, with the relay to continue for 11 days in Greece, then moving to France for a massive relay that will end at the Olympic opening in Paris on 26 July.

● A report listing eleven of the 12 members of the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team was leaked on Tuesday, to be led by NBA – and Olympic – stars Kevin Durant and LeBron James, but also this time with Steph Curry, Joel Embiid and more. It’s a powerful team, but no shoo-in for another Olympic gold.

● The last big ticket sale for Paris 2024 opened on Wednesday, with 250,000 new tickets now available for the Games, including new tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics, basketball and so on. Paris 2024 has already sold more than 8.8 million of its projected 10 million tickets available for the Olympic Games.

● Inquiries are being made about the recent Beijing Half Marathon, where star Chinese marathoner Jie He was waved on to the win by one of the three African runners ahead of him less than 600 m from the finish. World Athletics is aware and is interested to know if there was some collusion on the results.

● Panorama: Los Angeles 2028 (sponsor Salesforce leaves, but Guild signs on) = Artistic Swimming (Hu and Martinez win U.S. Nationals Solo titles) = Badminton (U.S. wins four of five titles at Pan Am Champs) = Ice Hockey (Edwards named Women’s World MVP) ●

● Schedule: TSX will not appear on Thursday due to a scheduling conflict, and Friday’s post will be late. Apologies in advance. ●

1.
T&F stars fully in support of $50,000 first prize for Paris

At the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Media Summit in New York, U.S. track & field stars were unanimously in favor of the newly-announced and first-ever $50,000 first-place prizes for the Paris Olympic Games to be paid by World Athletics.

Gabby Thomas, the Tokyo Olympic women’s 200 m bronze medalist, was the first to ring the bell:

“I do love it … I do love that track & field is pioneering this. So for this Olympic Games, the winner will be getting prize money – $50,000 – and then in the L.A. Olympics, all the medalists will be receiving a prize for their accomplishment.

“And I think this is amazing. We’ve been talking about paying athletes for their hard work, for being in the Olympic Games, for so long now, and the times are changing a little bit, and I like to see that athletes are really, really being appreciated for the hard work that they put into it.

“But it also just kind of levels the playing field a little bit, too. I mean Oksana [Masters, a Paralympic star] was just talking about how much the support is so helpful, and means so much to so many people.

“We don’t know every athlete’s story, we don’t know what it takes to get there, we don’t how many resources they need or what they don’t have access to, or need access to, to achieve their dreams. So anytime you can have any type of support for athletes – we’re not receiving a lot – this is really just done off of hopes and dreams and effort and a lot of people don’t have the same opportunities.

“So to see track & field make a difference in that way is remarkable and I can’t wait to see the other sports follow suit.”

A following all-track panel was also unanimous with praise.

“Cha-ching. It’s more money in my bank account,” said 2024 World Indoor long jump champ Tara Davis-Woodhall, a serious contender to win one of those prizes.

“That’s good. It’s evolving. We were talking about this earlier; World Athletics, it’s not their area, so to give money up like that, in an area they’re not even sponsoring and they’re just giving money to their athletes, that’s pretty cool.”

Everyone was on the same page:

● Fiona O’Keefe, the surprise winner of the women’s Olympic Marathon Trials race:

“I think it’s great that they’re doing it across all event groups, too, because I’m lucky that there’s a little bit more opportunity in distance running, but – for example – I have a friend who’s a hammer thrower. He’s one of the best in the world at his event and he has to work another job. And he shouldn’t have to, because he’s every bit as elite as I am, so I think it’s great that there’s some effort to equalize things.”

● Kenny Bednarek, the Tokyo Olympic men’s 200 m silver winner:

“I’m happy to see it, it’s a step forward for sport, and honestly, it’s about time, because you have athletes who work their butt off – blood, sweat and tears – every single day, every single year and some compensation is needed for them.

“There’s some cases where you might have somebody who’s at that level, but they’re not sponsored, so that would help them in the long run, for the next couple of months or the next couple of years. So I’m just happy to see improvement on that point.”

● Keira D’Amato, the former U.S. women’s marathon record holder, who will try to make the Paris team in the 10,000 m:

“And I think it ensures that the athletes who are the top in the world have the funds to continue this and continue their passion and be able to compete at this levcl for longer time. I think that it’s awesome that they are doing it, and they contnue to move forward in that way.”

NBC track & field analyst Sanya Richards-Ross, the four–time Olympic gold winner in the women’s 400 m and relays, was the host of the panel and agreed emphatically:

“It’s nice to see World Athletics lead the way on something that I think is long overdue. I do believe that Olympic athletes deserve to be paid, deserve to have prize monies. Most of the athletes that compete in the Olympics nowadays are not amateur; the majority of athletes you see compete are professional.

“And just like any other profession, they should be rewarded for their efforts, so I’m really, really, really proud that World Athletics is doing something this huge and I hope that other sports will follow suit, including Paralympic organizations because every one of these athletes is the absolute best, the most elite. It takes so much to get to this level and it’s really almost impossible to think that athletes are doing this while having other jobs or having to do other things. So, I’m really, really proud of World Athletics and hope that they will do more in the future, and I hope other organizations will do the same.”

“We’re still rocking with it: Kung Fu Kenny.”

Bednarek also described how he acquired his nickname, not simply about the colorful headbands he wears during competitions:

“In 2021, I was pretty new to the scene, I came out pro in 2019, and the whole Covid thing happened, so actually being able to go overseas, then just compete on the regular [circuit], I wanted to stand out as an athlete because every time you watch a race you have Nike, adidas, whoever, all of us look the same with the same uniform.

“I said for women, it’s a little bit easier to differentiate them, because they can change the hair color, the nails and all that stuff. Guys can do it too, but it’s not the same, so I was like, ‘what can I do that would make me ‘me,’ like that wouldn’t make me go out of my comfort zone, so ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ – I like Kendrick Lamar, so he says ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ in some of his songs, and I also like anime.

“So I chose ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ because it has a set of values which pertain to me, which is humbleness, dedication, discipline and respect, so I just wanted to live those on and off the track daily and then, also, you know, we have the headband, so I do the little bow every single time before the race.

“That’s how ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ became a thing.”

2.
Olympic Flame lit at Olympia and torch relay starts

It was cloudy at the Temple of Hera at ancient Olympia, so the Olympic Flame for Paris 2024 was lit by a standby flame, kindled by the sun on Monday. But with the ceremony, the formal movement of the torch towards Paris has begun.

A new High Priestess – Greek actress Mary Mina – led the ceremonial elements, followed by remarks, including from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER), which included:

“This power of sport will make the Olympic Games Paris 2024 a great symbol of human excellence and unity of all humankind in all our diversity. These expectations are shared by billions of people around the world.

“In these difficult times we are living through, with wars and conflicts on the rise, people are fed up with all the hate, the aggression and negative news they are facing day in and day out. In their hearts – in all our hearts – we are longing for something which brings us together. We are longing for something that is unifying. We are longing for something that gives us hope.”

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo attended the ceremony.

The first torchbearer was Greek Stefanos Ntouslos, the 20024 Olympic rowing gold medalist in Single Sculls. He passed to the first French torchbearer, swimmer Laure Manaudou, the Athens 2004 winner in the women’s 400 m Freestyle.

From this point, the Olympic Torch will move through Greece on a 5,000 km route that will reach 43 cities and towns and then be transferred to the Paris organizers at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.

It will sail on the French tall ship Belem, which will carry the torch to Marseille, where it will be welcomed on 8 May by a crowd projected at 150,000.

The Paris 2024 relay will comprise 69 days, about 10,000 torchbearers and 400 cities and towns, including to six overseas territories: Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique, French Polynesia, Réunion and New Caledonia, before finally arriving for the Olympic opening on 26 July in Paris.

Observed: The importance of the Olympic Torch has especially been felt in the host country, not only as a reminder that the Games are coming, but has often been a turning point in local support for the event. Whether truly inspiring or simply sentimental, the Torch makes an impact and heightens the awareness that the event really is coming, and soon.

3.
U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team roster leaked

A powerful and experienced U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team will arrive in Paris as overwhelming favorites, led by three-time gold medalist Kevin Durant and two-time winner LeBron James.

They are among 11 players leaked on Tuesday, of the 12 who will be selected by USA Basketball, with 1996 Olympic gold medalist Grant Hill leading the selection process. The 11 players said to be selected:

● C Bam Adebayo ~ 2020 gold
● G Devin Booker ~ 2020 gold
● SG Stephen Curry ~ first Olympic Games
● C Anthony Davis ~ 2012 gold
● PF Kevin Durant ~ 2012-2016-2020 gold
● SG Anthony Edwards ~ first Olympic Games
● C Joel Embiid ~ first Olympic Games
● PG Tyrese Haliburton ~ first Olympic Games
● G Jrue Holiday ~ 2020 gold
● PF LeBron James ~ 2008-2012 gold, 2004 bronze
● SF Jayson Tatum ~ 2020 gold

The U.S. will have a training camp in June and exhibition games against Canada on 10 July (in Las Vegas), and in London against South Sudan on 20 July and 2023 FIBA World Cup champs Germany on 22 July. The U.S. will open Olympic play on 28 July in Lille against Serbia and then play South Sudan on the 31st.

The American men are 143-6 all-time in Olympic play and have won four golds in a row, following a bronze in 2004. And although Durant willed the U.S. to another gold in Tokyo, it came after a pool-play loss to France, and the final was a tight, 87-72 rematch win against the French.

4.
Last major Paris 2024 ticket sale: 250,000 available Wednesday

“More than 250,000 tickets for the Olympic Games will go on sale on this occasion, for all the sports on the Programme and all the sessions! This will be the last ticket sale before the Games for all the Olympic sports (31 sports out of the 32 on the Paris 2024 programme, as surfing is not ticketed) …

“More than half of the 250,000 new tickets will be offered for sale at €100 or less, which includes almost 20,000 tickets priced at €24, while sports previously advertised as sold out will one again be available.”

These are tickets which had been held for possible construction issues, possible television camera positions and other contingencies, but can now be sold as the planning is completed. Among the new releases:

● 35,000 for beach volleyball from €24 to €420 (€1 = $1.06 U.S.);
● 15,000 for swimming from €24 to €980;
● 12,000 for tennis from €24 to €420;
● 12,000 for table tennis €24 to €280.
● 9,000 for the equestrian in the gardens of the Château de Versailles, from €24 to €420.

Also new tickets for the Ceremonies will be sold, with Opening Ceremony at €90 and Closing Ceremony at €250. Tickets for athletics at the Stade de France are also available, from €24 to €980.

Paris 2024 has said more than 8.8 million out of 10 million Olympic tickets have already been sold, with 63% of buyers from France. The Associated Press reported the “top 10-selling sports in order: soccer, track and field, basketball, rugby sevens, volleyball, handball, beach volleyball, field hockey, tennis and water polo.”

5.
Was something rotten at the Beijing Half Marathon?

Inquiries are being made about last Sunday’s Beijing Half Marathon, won by 2023 Asian Games Marathon winner Jie He of China, who crossed first in 1:03:44 after being waved on by three African runners who were in position to win.

A statement by the race organizers to the Chinese digital site, The Paper, included: “The situation is still being confirmed and verified by multiple parties. Further information will be communicated as soon as possible.”

He is no slouch, having set a national record of 2:05:49 for the marathon on 24 March, finishing fourth at the Wuxi Marathon. He is sponsored by the Chinese sports apparel company Xstep, which is also a sponsor of the Beijing Half. The Paper reported (computer translation from the original Chinese):

“[T]he broadcast footage showed that in the last few hundred meters, He Jie was originally lagging behind. Some of the three foreign athletes looked back and waved their hands. Later, He Jie completed the overtake and finally won the championship with a one-second advantage.”

In fact, the video shows Kenyan Willy Mnangat gesturing to the other two runners at the front of the race to slow down in the final straightaway and let He go by and win the race. Mnangat told the BBC, “I was not there to compete. My job was to set the pace and help the guy win but unfortunately, he did not achieve the target, which was to break the national record.”

Kenyan Robert Keter and Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila were the other two runners at the front, with He trying for the national Half mark of 1:02:33, but well behind.

A statement from World Athletics to BBC Sport said: “We are aware of the footage circulating online from the Beijing half marathon this weekend and understand an investigation is currently being conducted by the relevant local authorities.

“The integrity of our sport is the highest priority at World Athletics, while this investigation is ongoing we are unable to provide further comment.”

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2028: Los Angeles ● The LA28 organizers have “decided to amicably parted ways” with Salesforce, one of its three top-tier sponsors, announced in a Los Angeles Times story on Tuesday. It retains deals with Comcast and Delta Airlines at its high sponsorship level – “Founding Partners” – those agreements were announced in 2020 and 2021.

LA28 and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced a new deal with Guild, which provides “curated education and learning programs designed for the success of working adults.” According to the statement:

“Guild will serve as an Official Education, Skilling & Career Mobility Provider of Team USA and LA28, providing a first-of-its-kind opportunity for Team USA athletes to receive education and career development opportunities with personalized one-on-one coaching to support athletes in building competitive careers alongside their athletic achievements.”

● Artistic Swimming ● At the USA Artistic Swimming national championships in Houston, Texas, Angel Hu won the women’s Solo Technical final and Ana Martinez took the Solo Free, while Olivia Perez and Haley Chu won the Duet Technical final and Sophie Schroeder and Mona Schweikert won the women’s Duet Free Final. Chris Leahy won the men’s Solo Final.

● Badminton ● The U.S. claimed four titles in five divisions at the XXVII Pan American Championships, held in Guatemala City (GUA), that finished last Saturday.

Top-seeded Beiwin Zhang won the women’s Singles over Canada’s Michelle Li by 21-18, 18-21, 21-17, for her second career Pan Am title, also in 2021.

Allison Lee won two golds, first in the women’s Doubles with Presley Smith in the all-American Mixed Doubles final over Vinson Chiu and Jennie Gal: 15-21, 21-15, 21-14. Lee than won the women’s Doubles with Francesca Corbett, against Annie Xu and Karen Xu of the U.S., 21-1, 21-15.

In the men’s Doubles, Zhi Yi Chen and Smith won in straight sets against Canada’s Dong Adam and Nuyl Yakura, 21-14, 21-11.

Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon took the men’s Singles with a 21-16, 21-15 triumph against El Salvador’s Uriel Francisco Canjura.

● Ice Hockey ● The U.S. lost to Canada in the final of the IIHF Women’s World Championship held in Utica, New York, but did pick up an honor for scoring star Laila Edwards, named Most Valuable Player in the tournament.

Edwards had six goals, tied for the lead with teammate Alex Carpenter, and Carpenter and teammates Hilary Knight and Caroline Harvey tied for the points lead with 10.

The Tournament Directorate Awards included Carpenter as Best Forward, Canada’s Renata Fast as Best Defender and Germany’s Sandra Abstreiter as the best goalie.

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TSX REPORT: USOPC chief sees Paris “re-introducing” the Games to the U.S.; Paris opening could still move, world discus record for Alekna

By
Rich Perelman
-
USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland and sports and athlete chief Rocky Harris at Monday’s opening of the USOPC Media Summit.

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Hirshland: time to “re-introduce the country” to the Games
2. Macron: Paris opening could move if security worries warrant
3. Alekna shatters discus world record with greatest-ever series
4. Lemma runs away, Obiri repeats at Boston Marathon
5. Russia and Olympic doping: the worst ever

● The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Media Summit kicked off in New York on Monday, with chief executive Sarah Hirshland confident in the preparations, but also excited about “re-introducing” the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the country, free from the shadow of the pandemic in Tokyo and Beijing. And Sports and Athlete Services head Rocky Harris talked about a competitive advantage the U.S. can provide for its athletes.

● French President Emmanuel Macron said the Paris 2024 opening could be re-arranged or even moved if security concerns merited such a severe change. But it could happen.

● Astonishing world record by 21-ywear-old Mykolas Alekna in Ramona, Oklahoma on Sunday, using ultra-favorable wind conditions to author the greatest series in history, including a sensational 74.35 m (243-11) in round five. In a single series, he made the nos. 1-5-8 throws in history!

● Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma ran away with the men’s Boston Marathon title, winning in 2:06:17, th 10th-fastest Boston race ever. Kenya’s Hellen Obiri defended her 2023 win, but had to break away from fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi in the final 800 m, to win, 2:22:37, to 2:22:45.

● A check of the all-time doing disqualifications in Olympic history by stats star Dr. Bill Mallon shows Russia way out in front, with more than 22% of all cases. Wow.

● Panorama: Winter Games 2030 (Speed skating could be in The Netherlands or Italy) = World Games (Karlsruhe set to be named for 2029) = Russia (Vyalbe doesn’t see Russian skiers back until 2028) = Athletics (2: Sahlman’s PR 3:33.96 now no. 3 in 2024; more Kenyan and ex-Kenya doping) = Curling (Gushue and Tirinzoni win at Players’ Champs) = Cycling (2: Archibald and Lavreysen finish with three wins each at Nations Cup; Blevins and Rissveds win in Mountain Bike World Cup opener) = Gymnastics (three wins for Bulgaria in home Rhythmic World Cup) = Rowing (British and Dutch dominate World Cup opener in Varese) = Sport Climbing (U.S.’s Watson sets two world records at Speed World Cup in China) ●

1.
Hirshland: time to “re-introduce the country” to the Games

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is its 21st pre-Games Media Summit – started in 1984 – in New York this week, kicked off with a leadership panel of USOPC staff members led by chief executive Sarah Hirshland, who talked about the unique opportunity that this post-pandemic event offers:

“You can feel the energy and the excitement building, certainly inside the walls inside of our organization, but also around the country. …

“I think I’m most excited we get to – in some ways – re-introduce the country to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s been a minute, so it’s time. And we’re excited to bring the whole country along with us on this journey. …

“It brings us together like almost nothing else can.”

Rocky Harris, the Chief of Sports and Athlete Services, noted that this is the time when the team is actually being selected:

“This is really the season when everything happens. We’ve only had 89 Olympians qualify by name and 44 Paralympians, so it’s only about 15% of the overall team has been named. …

“We always want to win the medal count, but it’s really about making sure every Team USA athlete has their personal best and that’s our focus. Yes, we do focus on medals, but if every athlete reaches their personal best, then we’ve all done our job.”

And the USOPC is trying to ensure that directly:

“One competitive advantage for us is we create a high-performance center in each city of the Olympics and Paralympics. In Paris, we have a high-performance center at a world-class facility called Athletica, where we essentially transport our Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to Paris. It has everything from nutrition, training facilities, they built a brand-new kitchen, a brand-new dorm, a brand-new track for us. So it’s really for us – and I saw this in Tokyo – a huge competitive advantage. Sixty percent of our medalists worked out at the high-performance center.

“It’s about 15-20 minutes from the Village, and we have transport going back and forth throughout the day, so for us it’s a major point of differentiation for us and a competitive advantage.”

The USOPC’s head of security, Nicole Deal, said their area is a challenge:

“As a security officer, what keeps me up at night? The distractions. I don’t want security to be a distraction for Team USA athletes and the delegation. I want them to come to Paris, knowing that we got them, we got their back and that we put all the processes, procedures and resources in place to keep them safe when they’re in Paris.”

Deal explained that the coordination with the Paris 2024 organizers, the French government and the U.S. State Department and other agencies has been excellent, deeply coordinated with the U.S. Embassy, with agents working directly with the U.S. teams at the Games.

Hirshland was confident: “The things we can control, I feel great about.”

2.
Macron: Paris opening could move if security worries warrant

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a Monday television interview that if the security situation requires it, the Olympic opening planned for the Seine River could be modified or even moved to the Stade de France.

“This opening ceremony… is a world first. We can do it and we are going to do it. There are plan Bs and plan Cs. We are preparing them in parallel, we will analyse this in real time.”

He said the ceremony could be limited to the Trocadero area, where the protocol elements of the ceremony will be held, or the planned 6 km route on the Seine could be shortened, or it could be possible to “repatriate the ceremony to the Stade de France,” the 80,000-seat athletics and football stadium that will host the Olympic closing.

Asked by a viewer about security concerns for the opening, Macron said “If there’s one place where your son will be safe, it’s here.

“There are always risks in life. And we see it every day, unfortunately. But we’ve given ourselves the means to do it.”

He added that the security plans include “drone systems, coding, cyber protection” and that the perimeters would be in place days or weeks before.

The Paris opening has been scaled down already due to logistics and security worries, from a projected 600,000 spectators to a more reasonable 326,000, with 104,000 ticketed fans on the lower quays, and 222,000 on the upper quays who will come for free, but will have to get tickets from the government.

Macron also talked about the Olympic Truce concept, adopted by the United Nations, and which dates from ancient times:

“We want to work towards an Olympic truce and I think it is an occasion for me to engage with a lot of our partners. The Chinese president [Xi Jinping] is coming to Paris in a few weeks, and I’m going to ask him to help me.

“This is a diplomatic moment of peace.”

3.
Alekna shatters discus world record with greatest-ever series

Mykolas Alekna, 21, was always precocious, but this is ridiculous. The son of Lithuania’s two-time Olympic gold medalist Virgilijus Alekna, Mykolas went to Cal and earned two NCAA All-American finishes in 2022 and 2023 and won his first World Championships medal in 2022 (silver) and bronze in 2023.

Now he’s the world-record holder, after authoring the greatest series in history at the Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational in Ramona, Oklahoma on Sunday:

● Round 1: 72.21 m (236-11) ~ no 6 throw all-time
● Round 2: 70.32 m (230-8)
● Round 3: 72.89 m (239-1) ~ no. 4 throw all-time
● Round 4: 70.51 m (231-4)
● Round 5: 74.35 m (243-11) ~ World Record
● Round 6: 70.50 m (231-3)

The average was 71.80 m (235-6!), a distance that only seven others have ever reached! Alekna smashed one of the oldest records in the book, the 74.08 m (243-0) throw by East Germany’s Jurgen Schult, way back in 1986, and the 1988 Olympic gold medalist.

Even more astonishing: the Alekna family now stands 1-3, with Virgilijius throwing 73.88 m (242-5) back in 2000. Mykolas’s series produced the nos. 1-5-8 throws in history.

How did this happen? And why in Ramona? For decades, the discus – especially – has been thrown extra far in unusual locations which have specific wind characteristics which carry the platter extra far. Wind-tunnel rings in places like La Jolla, California and Wailuku, Hawaii are well known; in fact, the meet in Waikulu is known as the “Wailuku Big Wind”!

And competing with Alekna in Ramona, five of the next seven placers got lifetime bests. Jamaica’s Roje Stona, who came in with a lifetime best of 68.64 m (225-2) in 2023 got out to 69.05 m (226-6) for second in Ramona.

The women’s throwing on Saturday also produced sensational marks, with Cuba’s Yaime Perez – the 2019 World Champion – moving to no. 10 all-time at 73.09 m (239-9) and American Veronica Fraley (67.17 m/220-4) moving to no. 7 on the all-time U.S. list.

4.
Lemma runs away, Obiri repeats at Boston Marathon

Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma came into Monday’s Boston Marathon as the no. 4 performer of all time (2:01:48) and the 2021 London Marathon champion. He now owns two World Marathon Majors golds, taking charge almost from the start in Boston and winning in 2:06:17, the no. 10 performance in Boston history.

He was in the lead at 5 km, led a group of nine at 10 km, then ran away and had a 1:21 lead at 15 km, and was never headed. He passed the half in 1:00.19, with a 1:49 lead on Kenyan Albert Korir.

The lead was 2:14 by 35 km, and down to 1:22 by 40 km, but he cruised home in 2:06:17. The 2023 Tokyo Marathon runner-up, Mohamed Esa (ETH). mounted a charge in the final mile to move from fourth to second, in 2:06:58, ahead of two-time defending champ Evans Chebet (KEN: 2:07:22). C.J. Albertson was the top American man, finishing 2:09:53 in seventh.

The women’s race was the complete opposite, as defending champion Hellen Obiri (KEN) was in a fight to the finish. There were 19 in the lead pack at the half, with Americans Emma Bates and Sara Hall running 1-2 at 1:12:33.

Sixteen runners was still together at 30 km, with Bates still leading, then Obiri took over by 35 km, but still with 12 in tow. Finally, the pack thinned and Obiri led a group of three at the 24-mile mark (38 km), including fellow Kenyans Sharon Lokedi – the 2022 New York City winner – and two-time World Champion and two-time Boston winner Edna Kiplagat (44!) – who had been at the back of the lead pack and would not go away.

At 40 km, it was down to Obiri and Lokedi, with Kiplagat 18 seconds behind and secure in third. They were still together with a mile to go, and Obiri finally pulled ahead in the last 800 m to win in 2:22:37, to 2:22:45 for Lokedi. Kiplagat finished in 2:23:21, ahead of Buze Diriba (ETH: 2:24:04). It’s Kiplagat’s 12th top-three finish in a World Marathon Majors race.

Bates was the top American in 12th in 2:27:14, with Hall 15th in 2:27:58 and 2018 Boston winner Des Linden next in 2:28:27.

This was Obiri’s fourth career marathon and she’s won three in a row: Boston and New York in 2023 and now Boston again. She’s the first Boston women’s repeat winner since Catherine Ndereba (KEN) in 2004 and 2005, and the eighth to be a repeat women’s winner.

Now 34, Obiri owns two world 5,000 titles, a World Cross Country gold and now three World Marathon Majors in a row. How many event for Paris?

5.
Russia and Olympic doping: the worst ever

Olympic super-statistician Dr. Bill Mallon (USA) got busy on X (ex-Twitter) in light of the most recent doping sanctions that came out of the London 2012 Games:

● “With CAS releasing decisions on PED penalties for Yekaterina Poistogova and Nikolay Chavkin (both 2012 London in athletics), time for an update on overall Olympic doping penalties/sanctions:

● “Here are the 5 NOCs with the most doping penalties/sanctions (inclusive since 1968):

“Russia 115
“Ukraine 39
“Belarus 35
“USA 22
“Turkey 20″

● “Note that Russia now has more penalties/sanctions than the next highest nations – combined. There have 510 such cases at the Olympic Games, which means that Russia now has 22.5% of all such cases.”

● “Here the 5 sports affected the most by doping penalties/sanctions at the Olympic Games:

“Athletics (T&F) 207
“Weightlifting 119
“Cross-Country Skiing 38″
“Wrestling 22
“Biathlon 14″

● “This means that over 60% of the doping cases at the Olympics have been in track & field athletics and weightlifting.

“Although athletics looks like the worst sport, remember that athletics has about 8 times more competitors (because of more events) than weightlifting.

“So relatively speaking, weightlifting is by far the worst sport in terms of doping penalties at the Olympics.”

The numbers speak for themselves. No wonder why athletes continue to ask questions about Russian athletes competing in Paris or elsewhere.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Winter Games 2030 ● The International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission is readying for its 26-30 April inspection of the French Alps candidature for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games, needing to know what the solutions are to some remaining venue issues.

On Monday, International Olympic Committee Executive Director for the Olympic Games, Christophe Dubi (SUI), told reporters in an online news conference that speed skating could be held in the Netherlands or Italy.

A temporary solution, such as what Milan Cortina 2026 is doing at a massive Milan convention center, would be fine, as “we now know that it is doable with all the guarantees needed for ice quality.”

● World Games ● “The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has nominated the city of Karlsruhe as a candidate for hosting The World Games 2029. The DOSB announced this in a letter to the IWGA on Friday. Earlier this year, two cities from Germany, Karlsruhe and Hanover, had expressed their interest in hosting the 13th edition of the multi-sport event in 2029. Karlsruhe is the first city to apply for a second edition of the Games: the city organised the third edition of The World Games in 1989.”

Monday’s announcement from the International World Games Federation should sew up the World Games sites through the end of this decade, with the event moving to Chengdu (CHN) in 2025. On timing:

“The decision on the host for The World Games 2029 will be taken by the Executive Committee of the IWGA and ratified by the Annual General Meeting at the beginning of May.”

● Russia ● Following the very limited presence of Russia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the head of the Cross Country Ski Federation of Russia, three-time Olympic relay gold medalist Elena Vyalbe said Monday it will be years before Russia fully returns to international competition:

“We are always ready to come back but you are all aware of the current circumstances. I don’t believe that it [the return] will be possible next year or even in the next two or three years.

“Our return will be very complicated. I know that all our athletes are just as frustrated by this as I am, but there is no need to grovel in front of anyone. When a country or a World Cup bid is at stake no one should have any doubt about what to choose.

“We have to be very strong. Of course, we missed the World Cup [season]. I don’t think that we will be able to come back before the year 2028. It will be possible only if the world changes.”

That means she expects similar treatment for the Milan Cortina 2025 Winter Games as for Paris.

● Athletics ● Not to be lost in the blizzard of great marks last weekend was the Brian Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, was the stunning men’s 1.500 m win for Northern Arizona sophomore Colin Sahlman – age 20 – in 3:33.96, a four-second lifetime best and now no. 3 in the world for 2024.

Sahlman’s old best was 3:38.30 from 2023, but he outran 2023 NCAA champ Nathan Green (USA/Washington: 3:34.29) and veteran star Craig Engels (3:35,46). Sahlman and Green are now third and sixth on the 2024 world list.

More doping suspensions from the Athletics Integrity Unit, including Kenyan half-marathoner Agnes Mutua “for 5 years from 29 January 2024 for Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Testosterone and Trimetazidine).”

Former Kenyan and now Bahraini marathoner Marius Kimutai (2:05:06) was banned “for 3 years from 28 March 2024 for Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (EPO).”

● Curling ● Veteran stars dominated The Players’ Championship of the Grand Slam of Curling in Toronto, with Canada’s Brad Gushue and Swiss Silvana Tirinzoni leading their teams to wins.

Gushue won his 15th Grand Slam title, winning the final over Joel Retornaz (ITA) by 7-6 on a clutch final shot in the eighth end. Tirinzoni, skip of the four-time World Champions – who settled for second this year – also had a tight match, but scored twice in the second, fourth and seventh ends to hold on for a 6-5 win as well over Isabella Wrana (SWE).

● Cycling ● Olympic track cycling star Kate Archibald (GBR) – a two-time gold winner – concluded a three-gold performance at the UCI Track Nations Cup III in Milton (CAN) on Sunday, winning the Omnium to go with her earlier wins in the Team Pursuit and the Madison. American Jennifer Valente, who won the Elimination Race, was third in the Omnium.

Men’s Sprint star Harrie Lavreysen (NED) also got his third gold, winning the men’s Sprint, to add to his Team Sprint and Keirin wins. New Zealand’s Ellesse Andrews, second in the Sprint, won the Keirin, in which she is the reigning World Champion.

American Chris Blevins, the 2021 Worlds Short Track gold winner took the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup opener in Mairipora (BRA), winning the Cross Country Olympic race by a whisker in 1:30:00 over French Worlds relay gold medalist Victor Koretzky (1:30:02) and Swiss Filippo Columbo (1:30:03). Australia’s Sam Gaze, the two-time Short Course World Champion, won the Short Course race.

Rio 2016 Olympic champ Jenny Rissveds (SWE) took the women’s Cross Country race in a rout, finishing in 1:17:18 to 1:17:45 for American Sevilia Blunck and 1:18:03 for teammate Haley Batten. Britain’s Evie Richards took the women’s Short Course race.

● Gymnastics ● Lots of smiles for home fans in Sofia (BUL) for the FIG Rhythmic World Cup that concluded Sunday, with Boryana Kaleyn and Stiliana Nikolova on the victory stand a lot.

Kaleyn, a Team gold medalist from the 2023 Worlds, took the All-Around at 137.300, with Nikolova, a six-time Worlds medalist at age 21, second at 135.100. Israel’s Darya Atamanov finished third (132.600).

Nikolova won two apparatus finals, on Ball (36.950) and Ribbon (33.650), with Atamanov taking bronze and silver, respectively. Atamonov won on Hoop (35.550), ahead of Nikolova (34.950) and Italy’s 2022 World Champion Sofia Raffaeli (34.150). Raffaeli won on Clubs, scoring 34.250, beating Kaleyn (33.900).

● Rowing ● Britain and the Netherlands dominated the first World Rowing World Cup, held in Varese (ITA), although the home team also scored three wins.

The Dutch took the men’s Double Sculls with World Champions Melvin Twellar and Stefan Broenink (6:07.09) beating Luca Rambaldi and Matteo Sartoni (ITA: 6:08.45), and the Quadruple Sculls (5:38.32) over Britain (5:40.05), but the Brits won in Pairs with Worlds runners-up Oliver Wynne-Griffith and Tom George (6:18.62) taking down Worlds winners Roman Roeoesli and Andrin Gulich (NED: 6:19.24), and took the Eights in 5:27.67 to 5:29.83 for the Dutch.

The Italian duo of Worlds bronze medalists Stefano Oppo and Gabriel Soares took the Lightweight Double Sculls at 6:10.46.

World Champion Oliver Zeidler won the Single Sculls over Worlds silver medalist Simon Van Dorp (NED), 6:44.15 to 6:47.03.

The women’s World Champion in Single Sculls, Karolien Florijn (NED) was a decisive winner in 7:19.31 to 7:25.94 for Alexandra Foester (GER). Dutch Double Scullers Lisa Scheenaard and Martine Veldhuis won in 6:49.75, with Thea Helseth and Jenny Marie Rorvik (NOR) in 6:50.60. And the Dutch Pair of World Champions Ymkje Clevering and Veronique Meester won in 6:56.53 against Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh (IRL: 6:57.57).

Two British teams took gold and silver in the Quadruple Sculls, 6:18.88 to 6:22.74, and Italy won the women’s Eights in 6:02.34 to 6:03.10 for Britain. Ukraine took the Quadruple Sculls in 6:11.32, with the Dutch second (6:13.16).

Britain also won the women’s Lightweight Double Sculls with World Champions Emily Craig and Imogen Grant in 6:45.86.

● Sport Climbing ● Big news from the IFSC World Cup in Lead and Speed in Wujiang (CHN) over the weekend, with world records in Speed from American Sam Watson.

He scaled the 15 m wall on the first qualifying run in 4.85, busting the 2023 mark of Indonesia’s Veddiq Leonardo, then raced to a 4.79 record in his second run!

Watson didn’t win, however, finishing second in the final to China’s defending champ, Peng Wu, 4.91 to 5.11.

Two-time World Champion Aleksandra Miroslaw (POL) win her 12th IFSC World Cup in the women’s division in an all-Polish final with Natalia Kalucka, equaling her own world record at 6.24, with Kalucka at 6.75.

No doubt about the women’s Lead winner, as star Janja Garnbret (SLO), as she was the only one to get to the top, with home favorite Zhilu Luo finishing second (44+).

Toby Roberts (GBR) won his second career World Cup at 36+, getting the victory on the countback against Taisei Homma (JPN).

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For our 920-event International Sports Calendar for 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Ex-IBU chief Besseberg guilty, gets 37-months; Glasgow proposes cheap Commonwealth Games; all smiles for Salt Lake City!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Sensational: American Torri Huske scared the world women’s 100 m Butterfly record at the Tyr Pro Swim San Antonio! (Photo courtesy USA Swimming)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Ex-IBU chief Besseberg found guilty and sentenced to 37 months
2. Glasgow proposing ultra-low-cost 2026 Commonwealth Games
3. All positive vibes from IOC visit to Salt Lake City
4. Venezuela’s TJ star Rojas out for Paris 2024
5. UWW sets up two investigations into Chamizo bribe allegations

● Former International Biathlon Union chief Anders Besseberg, now 78, of Norway was convicted of “aggravated corruption” in a Norwegian court on Friday, from gifts he received to help cover up Russian doping. He was sentenced to 37 months in prison, but filed an immediate notice of appeal.

● Glasgow, the site of the successful 2014 Commonwealth Games, has proposed to hold the 2026 Commonwealth Games on a low budget of £130-150 million, using existing facilities and a reduced program of 10-13 sports. Thanks to a subsidy of £100 million from the Commonwealth Games Federation, Glasgow’s effort can be financed with little to no public funding.

● The International Olympic Committee’ Future Host Commission was delighted with what it saw during its visit to Salt Lake City in advance of a recommendation to the IOC Executive Board to formally select Salt Lake City as the site for the 2034 Winter Games.

● Venezuelan triple jump superstar Yulimar Rojas suffered a left achilles tendon injury that has required surgery and she will be unable to defend her Tokyo Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

● Following the allegation of bribery to throw his semifinal match at the European Olympic Qualifying tournament in Azerbaijan by two-time World Champion Frank Chamizo of Italy, United World Wrestling has commission two investigations into the matter.

● World Championship: Ice Hockey (Canada trips U.S. women in overtime in gold-medal final) ●

● Panorama: Archery (U.S. women’s team qualifies for Paris) = Athletics (3: Jacious Sears screams 10.77 (!) in women’s 100 at Tom Jones Memorial; Negeeye and Ashete win Rotterdam Marathon; another 2012 Russian doping positive) = Cycling (2: Valente strikes gold at Track Nations Cup III; Vos and Pidcock win Amstel Golds) = Fencing (U.S. stars Kiefer and Meinhardt putting off medical school for Paris 2024) = Swimming (Huske scares women’s world 100 Fly record at Tyr Pro Swam San Antonio) = Taekwondo (U.S. gets three qualifiers at Pan Am qualifier) ●

1.
Ex-IBU chief Besseberg found guilty and sentenced to 37 months

The former long-time head of the International Biathlon Union was convicted by a Norwegian court of “aggravated corruption” and sentenced to three years and one month in prison on Friday.

Anders Besseberg (NOR), now 78, said he was surprised by the verdict and would appeal. The prosecutors – the Norwegian OKOKRIM agency – issued a detailed statement:

“In 2023, The Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) indicted a Norwegian man who was president of the IBU from 1993 to 2018, for aggravated corruption. The offences took place during the period 2009 to 2018.

“The charges included accepting bribes in the form of watches, hunting trips and trophies, prostitutes and a leased car which he enjoyed the use of from 2011 to 2018 in Norway.

“The man is now sentenced to 3 years and 1 month in prison.”

The Senior Public Prosecutor, Marianne Djupesland, commented:

“The verdict is an important signal that corruption is uncovered and prosecuted, also in the international sports federations.

“International top-level sports generate large revenues and handle large assets. The federations are managing large assets and make important decisions that affect both athletes and businesses. We therefore do hope that this verdict will have preventive effects.”

The former IBU chief was convicted on two of three counts by a three-judge panel, which was unanimous in finding that he accepted Russian gifts, and that he acted in favor of Russian interests in both word and deed. The judges determined that he will not have to pay a fine as requested by prosecutors, but the gifts he received, including NOK 1.4 million will be confiscated (about $128,437 U.S.). Said the court:

“The defendant breached the trust that accompanied his position in the IBU by accepting the benefits. … In light of the time series of documents that have been referred to, as well as witness statements, the court has no doubt that he has acted in favor of Russia, by both word and deed.”

Besseberg, in return for the favors, worked to cover up doping violations by Russian athletes and the removal of IBU competitions from Russia.

The Associated Press reported Judge Vidar Toftoy-Lohne saying during the reading of the verdict, “The defendant clearly lacks understanding of the position he held and self-awareness, as the court sees it.”

The Besseberg matter drew attention at least eight years ago, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency, which “welcomed” the verdict:

“WADA initiated an investigation into this matter in November 2016 through its independent Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department. Information collected at that stage gave the criminal investigation its initial impetus and WADA investigators were in close communication with law enforcement authorities in Austria and Norway, as well as INTERPOL. …

“Today’s verdict should be seen as a warning to other administrators who threaten the integrity of sport. WADA commends the diligence of the Austrian and Norwegian law enforcement, as well as the prosecutors who brought the case to court, in using WADA’s information and taking it further for the protection of clean sport.”

The IBU, for its part, issued a short statement:

“The IBU has taken note of the verdict in the case against Anders Besseberg. The IBU welcomes the conclusion of the trial which brings to a close a deeply troubling period in the federation’s history. The IBU is looking forward and committed to continuing to build on the significant reforms that have positioned the IBU at the forefront of good governance and ensured it delivers the very best sport for its athletes and fans.”

Biathlon Integrity Unit head Greg McKenna (GBR) stated in court testimony in January that the federation also plans action against Besseberg: “We have concluded that he should be banned for life from office and activities and receive a fine of up to 100,000 euros. We have also filed a motion for reprimand.”

2.
Glasgow proposing ultra-low-cost 2026 Commonwealth Games

“Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) can confirm the development of an innovative concept that could provide a solution for the 2026 Commonwealth Games without the need for significant public investment.”

That’s from a Friday announcement, with significant detail (£1 = $1.25 U.S.):

● “The Games concept that has been developed can be delivered within two years and for a budget of £130-150 million, with no significant ask of public funds.

● “The Games would be funded by £100million from the Commonwealth Games Federation as part of the Victoria financial settlement towards the cost of the Games. The remaining £30-50million would be funded predominantly by commercial income (ticketing, sponsorship, broadcasting etc).

● “The Games would be expected to deliver a Gross Value Added of £100-200 million, with additional spending from outside the UK of at least £100million.

● “We are planning for an 11-day sporting competition in July/August 2026.

● “The concept has been developed on a core offering of approximately 10 sports.”

Importantly, the statement gave a reason to have the Commonwealth Games:

“The Commonwealth Games is crucial to the health of Scottish sport; the four-yearly event is the pinnacle for several sports and represents the only chance for many athletes to compete for Scotland on a global stage.”

The proposal is all the more interesting because Glasgow was the site for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and has a wealth of existing sites. No new sites would be built and athletes would be accommodated in a range of options, but not in a custom-built “Commonwealth Village.”

The 2014 Games had 17 sports, 261 events and 4,947 athletes; the BBC reported that “the budget for 2014 was £543m, with £425m from the Scottish government and from Glasgow City Council.”

However, the Commonwealth Games was as small as 10 sports as recently as 1994 in Victoria (CAN) and then jumped to 15 in Kuala Lumpur (MAS) in 1998. Moreover, Scotland just experienced the 2023 UCI World Championships, a first-time, 13-discipline, 10-venue, 11-day program with 2,600 competitors and about one million total spectators. The calculated Gross Value Added to the Scotland economy was £205 million, of which £129 million was in the Glasgow area alone.

The Commonwealth Games Scotland statement noted:

“We are satisfied that the concept developed could see a refreshed format for the Games, that would see it be delivered on time and on budget, providing significant benefit to the Scottish economy and a potential blueprint for a sustainable Games model of the future.”

Observed: This gives the Commonwealth Games Federation choices, with Ghana also interested in the 2026 Games. The Glasgow concept is another move is the politically-popular format of putting on a Games with essentially private-sector financing, introduced 40 years ago for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The Scotland statement said that there could be as many as 13 sports and a Commonwealth Games strategy document from 2019 indicated that only athletics and swimming are required, with a suggested (but flexible) maximum of 15.

The Commonwealth Games Federation said it would have news on the 2026 situation in May.

3.
All positive vibes from IOC visit to Salt Lake City

All good signs from the visit of the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games to Salt Lake City that concluded on Friday. Said a beaming Fraser Bullock, chief executive of the Utah-Salt Lake City Committee for the Games, and the chief operating officer of the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City:

“We could see how much they love Utah and how much they love the relationships that we’ve put together. We feel like we’re in a great spot.”

The IOC visit was thorough, taking in venues such as Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah, the Delta Center arena, Deer Valley, Utah Olympic Park, Park City Mountain, Soldier Hollow, Snowbasin Mountain, the Olympic Oval in Kearns and more.

Said Karl Stoss (AUT), the head of the Future Host Commission:

“We could feel the enthusiasm and the spirit of Utah. The spirit from the Games from 2002 is still here.”

He was especially enthusiastic about the no-build bid that Salt Lake City is offering, using the same venues as in 2002, with no added sites to be built for the Games:

“This is one of the most important thing for the IOC. Could you offer all the venues still with no new buildings? Start with souvenirs. Starting with the venues from the previous Olympic Games, and this is a fantastic concept.

“It is incredible how you maintained all these venues since 2002. This is one of our success stories I think in the IOC. We would like to build our legacy on the venues you had before.”

Christophe Dubi (SUI), the IOC’s Executive Director for the Olympic Games, added:

“You have not only the venues, but you have the people. Because in the end, this is what matters. Organizing the games is about having competent people, the expertise, the knowledge. And this is right here, right now.”

At the opening presentation, Dubi was also impressed by the Salt Lake City he was seeing now:

“When you leave a gap of 20 years … it’s not the same at all anymore. I remember coming to Salt Lake some Sundays, and you would feel quite alone around because of the little residents that there was. … This is really night and day.”

Bullock summed up the visit this way:

“They love the venues and they are turnkey ready. I think the other thing: they see the passion of the people that are there. Every venue we go to we have the people that were there in ’02 and the future people going forward and we also have young athletes.”

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who has been significantly involved in supporting the effort, added: “The reception has been enormously positive. Everything that we’re hearing from the IOC, everything that we’re hearing from people adjacent to the IOC? This has been a wildly successful trip out here.”

In terms of process, the Future Host Commission will make a report to the IOC Executive Board, no doubt to recommend the election of Salt Lake City for the 2034 Games. If approved, the final approval must be given by the IOC Session meeting in Paris in July – possibly 24 July – for the formal award.

The IOC Future Host Commission will stay busy, moving next to view the plan for the French Alps 2030 plan – also in “Targeted Dialogue” – from 26-30 April.

4.
Venezuela’s TJ star Rojas out for Paris 2024

The defending Olympic women’s triple jump champion and four-time World Champion and world-record holder Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela will not defend her title at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. She wrote on Instagram on Friday (computer translation from the original Spanish):

“To my Venezuela, to the family of the Olympic and Sports Movement, especially to my followers; I want to inform you that I will not be able to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“With a lot of pain and sadness I want to tell you that while training when I fell in the descent of a jump I had an intense pain that was diagnosed to an injury to the left achilles tendon. My heart is broken and I feel so much sadness that I want to apologize for not being able to represent you at Paris 2024.

“These have been very complex hours, in which I have questioned and analyzed why this has happened, however I understand that, in God’s designs, we are only instruments of His will. Today I feel very emotionally affected by not being able to represent them, the desire to defend my Olympic title excited me enormously but today I have to stop, understand this, recover and come back with a lot of strength to continue flying together.

“I want to thank my family, friends and my entire work team, who at the moment have not separated from me trying to make me understand the very complex situation I am going through. To all my sponsors and sports institutions in my country for all the support provided.

“I wish a lot of success to our Venezuelan delegation in Paris 2024, since I am already very proud of you, and to my track teammates, may you give the maximum to also achieve glory.

“See you soon, with the same dreams and desires.”

She said in a post on X that she had surgery on 11 April in Madrid (ESP). She has dominated the women’s triple jump since winning the Rio Olympic silver medal and then taking the Tokyo Olympic gold and World titles in 2017-19-22-23 and World Indoor titles in 2016-18-22.

5.
UWW sets up two investigations into Chamizo bribe allegations

Bribery, gambling and match-fixing are bad words in sports and the International Olympic Committee is pushing harder to head off future issues in competition integrity.

In view of the explosive allegations made last week by two-time Freestyle World Champion Frank Chamizo (ITA) about his bout with Azerbaijan’s Turan Byramov in the semifinals of the 74 kg class of the European Olympic Qualifier in Baku (AZE), United World Wrestling has responded with two investigations:

“United World Wrestling has set up two different panels to independently and separately analyze the refereeing decisions, including the challenge decisions, of the match between Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and Turan BYRAMOV (AZE) at the European OG Qualifier in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“Each panel will be composed of three members, respectively the chairman of the Refereeing Commission plus two experts, and three Bureau members with expertise in refereeing and International Wrestling Rules.

“In addition, the Chairman of the UWW Disciplinary Chamber will appoint a panel of three members to review the outcomes of the ongoing investigation concerning the allegations of attempted corruption and alleged violation of the integrity of our sport. This panel will decide on the disciplinary actions to be taken in this matter.

“UWW is resolutely committed to thoroughly investigating and clarifying all aspects of the 74kg semifinal bout between Chamizo and Bayramov, ensuring transparency and upholding the integrity of wrestling.”

Byramov won on criteria after an 8-8 tie in regulation, after Chamizo’s apparent, winning two-point score near the end of the match was reversed on an appeal from the Azerbaijan corner. According to an interview with the La Repubblica daily, Chamizo said:

“I knew I had to give double, triple in Azerbaijan, because I was fighting at their house and they had bought everything. The same referee was with the Azerbaijanis throughout the tournament. I made it, but then something happened that reminds me of boxing from many years ago. And so yes, I mean it, they came to me offering me money, $300,000 to lose.

“But Chamizo (not kindly) returned the offer to the sender: ‘I don’t want to say who did it, but it happened on the morning of the weigh-in. I sent them to … because I represent not only myself, but also Italy, my federation FIJLKAM, and the Army. I’m so disgusted that I don’t feel like talking about sports.”

By winning the match Byramov qualified for the Paris 2024 Games; Chamizo will have one more chance at the World qualifier from 9-12 May in Istanbul (TUR).

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The U.S. had participated in all 22 finals of the IIHF Women’s World Championship coming into the 2024 edition, held in Utica, New York. That streak continued for a 23rd straight final with a 5-0 semifinal rout of Finland on Saturday at the Adirondack Ice Center, while Canada reached the final for the 22nd time (out of 23) by defeating the Czech Republic, 4-0.

The U.S. was on offense from the drop against the Finns, out-shooting them 22-4 in the first period, but only scoring once on a Hannah Bilka goal at 12:01. Finland suffered two penalties in the first 13 minutes of the second period and the Americans got a power-play goal at 13:14 from Laila Edwards for a 2-0 lead at the end of two periods. The issue was decided just 2:34 into the final period as Edwards scored an equal-strength goal and she got a hat trick at 6:24 of the period to extend the lead to 4-0. Defender Savannah Harman added a final score at 16:10 for the 5-0 final, with the U.S. enjoying a 55-15 shots advantage. Aerin Frankel got her fourth shutout of the tournament in goal for the U.S.

Canada, which lost only to the U.S. so far, got its first score just 4:32 into the game, from Blayre Turnbull, and closed out the period with another goal at 18:15 from defender Jocelyne Larocque. Shots were 13-1 for Canada.

Emily Clark scored another fast goal in the second, at 1:39 for a 3-0 lead, and Sarah Fillier made it 4-0 at 4:40 of the third and that’s how it ended. Canada finished with a 47-9 edge on shots and Ann-Marie Desbiens got the shutout in goal.

Going into Sunday’s final, the Canada had won 12 of the 21 gold-medal meetings with the U.S., but the American women had taken six of the last eight, including a 6-3 decision in 2023. This was another classic.

Both teams scored in the first, with Erin Ambrose opening for Canada at 6:32 and Edwards tying it for the U.S. at 8:12. Each side scored twice in the second, with the U.S. taking a 3-2 lead on an Alex Carpenter goal at 16:32, but Marie-Philip Poulin evening it at 18:58 for Canada.

On to the third, with Hilary Knight putting the U.S. back on top at 8:56, but Clark tying at 10:46. Then Canada got the lead again at 5-4 on Poulin’s second goal at 12:19, but once again, the U.S. got even with Caroline Harvey scoring at 14:58. All tied at the end of 60, with Canada having the edge on shots, 29-23.

The pool-play game between these two was also an overtime, won by the U.S., 1-0. This time, there were goals galore in regulation, but again one overtime goal. This time it went to Canada’s Danielle Serdachny, who beat U.S. keeper Frankel at 5:16 of the period for Canada’s 13th women’s world title.

In the third place game, Finland and the Czech Republic went to a shoot-out, with the Finns winning, 2-1, for a 3-2 victory. Finland now has 14 bronze medals in this tournament, but its first since 2021.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Archery ● The U.S. women’s team booked their places in Paris at the Pan American qualifier in Medellin (COL), making it to the final against already-qualified Mexico with a 6-2 win over home favorite Colombia, thanks to a final 10 by no. 1-ranked Casey Kaufhold, finishing up for Catalina GNoriega and Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez.

The all-Canadian women’s individual final saw Kristine Esebua defeat Virginie Chenier, 6-4, with Puerto Rico’s Alondra Rivera winning the bronze on a shoot-out against teammate Nilka Cotto, 6-5. Esebua, formerly of Georgia, qualified for Paris, as did Rivera, since only one per country was allowed to qualify at this event.

Colombia’s Santiago Arcila punched his ticket for Paris by winning the men’s individual title, 6-2, over Nicholas D’Amour (ISV). Both finalists qualified for Paris.

In the men’s Recurve team qualifying final, Arcila and Colombia defeated Canada in a shoot-off, 28-25, to qualify for Paris. The U.S. was eliminated in the semis by Colombia.

In the individual Pan Am Championships, Mexico’s Matias Grande won the gold over American Jackson Mirich, 6-4. Jack Williams of the U.S. won the bronze over Cuba’s Hugo Franco, 6-5. Kaufhold took the women’s title, 6-5 in a shoot-off with Alejandra Valencia (MEX).

A final qualifying event for individuals and teams will be held on 15-16 June in Antalya (TUR).

● Athletics ● Ever heard of Jacious Sears? You have now.

The Tennessee senior exploded at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida on Saturday, winning the women’s 100 m final in 10.77 with 1.6 m/s wind, easily the fastest in the world this year.

The NCAA Indoor fourth-placer in the 60 m in 2024, she lowered her lifetime best from 10.96 and is now equal-15th on the all-time list and no. 7 all-time U.S. Only Sha’Carri Richardson and English Gardner have ever run faster among still-active American women! Georgia’s Kaila Jackson was a distant second at 11.10.

There were lots more world leaders:

● Men/200 m: 19.90, Tarsis Orogot (UGA)
● Men/200 m: 19.88, Courtney Lindsey (USA)
● Men/110 m hurdles: 13.21, Grant Holloway (USA)
● Men/400 m hurdles: 47.95, Chris Robinson (USA)

● Women/400 m: 49.95, Kaylyn Brown (USA)
● Women/100 m hurdles: 12.44, Nia Ali (USA)
● Women/4×100 m: 41.94, USA Red (Brisco, Steiner, Prandini, Hobbs)
● Women/4×400 m: 3:23.83, Empire Athletics (mixed nationalities)
● Women/Long Jump: 6.71 m (22-0 1/4), Quanesha Burks (USA)

A new star, Arkansas frosh Kaylyn Brown, won the women’s 400 m in 49.95, the first under 50 seconds this season, ahead of Georgia’s Aliyah Butler (50.05). In the women’s 100 m hurdles, Ali won the final in 12.44 (-0.8 m/s), just ahead of Tonea Marshall (12.45).

Two U.S. women’s relay teams ran the nos. 1-2 times in the world this season, with Mikiah Brisco, Abby Steiner, Jenna Prandini and Aleia Hobbs winning a tight race in 41.94, ahead of Tamari Davis, Anavia Battle, Kiara Parker and Melissa Jefferson (41.99).

All of this overshadowed the men’s 100 m, with Noah Lyles winning at the line over Kenny Bednarek, with both timed in 10.01 (+1.7 m/s), and Kyree King third in 10.02. The women’s 100 m final was just as tight, with Tamari Davis edging Jefferson, with both at 10.94 (+1.2 m/s).

Goodness gracious, Jacious Sears!

The Rotterdam Marathon, at which the late Kenyan star Kelvin Kiptum was going to try for a sub-2:00 world record, was won by Dutch star Abdi Nageeye, the Tokyo Olympic silver winner, in a national record of 2:04:45, ahead of Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn (2:04:56), with two-time Tokyo Marathon winner Birhanu Legese (ETH) third in 2:05:16.

Four were in contention at 35 km, but Kenneth Kipkemoi (KEN) was dropped and then Legese let go past 40 km, and Nageeye sprinted home for the win. Leonard Korir was the top American, in 19th at 2:12:47.

Ethiopia’s Ashete Bekere, the 2019 Berlin Marathon champ, ran away from the women’s field after 30 km and won easily in 2:19:30, with Viola Kibiwot (KEN: 2:20:57) and Sally Chepyego (KEN: 2:22:46) finishing 2-3. The top U.S. finisher was Layne Hammer, in 30th at 2:48:19.

Another Russian doping positive from 2012, against Nikolay Chavkin, now 39, for two samples that were initially shown as negative as part of the state-sponsored doping program from 2011-15, but finally shown to be positive after retrieval of data from the Moscow Laboratory of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency.

Chavkin was an Olympic steeplechaser at London 2012, but did not make it out of the heats. He tested positive for the steroid methyltestosterone and was banned for 30 months, with his results from 4 July 2012 to 3 January 2015 nullified.

● Cycling ● The third and final Track Nations Cup was in Milton (CAN), with another win for American star Jennifer Valente.

The Tokyo Olympic Omnium champion, she won the women’s Elimination Race, beating Letizia Paternoster of Italy and could be in line for another win in the Omnium.

British star Kate Archibald scored two wins, first in the Team Pursuit – where she won a Rio 2016 gold – and then in the Madison – where she won in Tokyo in 2021 – this time with Neah Evans. Fellow Brit Ethan Hayter, the two-time Omnium World Champion, collected golds in the Omnium (of course) and in the men’s Team Pursuit.

Dutch stars Harrie Lavreysen (Tokyo Sprint champ) and Jeffrey Hoogland were busy, going 1-2 in the men’s Keirin, with Lavreysen winning and the two together with Roy van den Berg in the Team Sprint.

Canada’s 20-year-old star, Dylan Bibic, the 2022 World Scratch Race gold medalist, won the men’s Elimination Race. France’s Mathilde Gros, the 2022 women’s Sprint winner, won over the 2023 Worlds bronze winner, Ellesse Andrews (NZL).

At the Amstel Gold Race, the women started first and a crazy race ensued, with the peloton stopped with 45 km to go on the planned 158 km course from Maastricht to Berg en Terblijt due to an accident further ahead. After an hour’s delay, the route was shortened to comprise only 101.4 km and of course, resulted in a mass sprint to the finish.

There were 23 in the group heading to the line and Dutch star Lorena Wiebes, already with two Women’s World Tour wins this season, found a path and looked like the winner, throwing her arms up in celebration. But just at that moment, countrywoman (and three-time World Road Champion) Marianne Vos threw her bike ahead and won at the line in 2:35:02, her second win in this race and a shocking finish to a wild ride. Norway’s Ingvild Gaskjenn finished third.

The 68th men’s Amstel Gold Race was re-routed (but still 253.6 km) to avoid the women’s finish and found a group of four in front with 11 km remaining: Marc Hirschi (SUI), Tokyo Olympic Mountain Bike gold medalist Tom Pidcock (GBR), Tiesj Benoot (BEL) and Mauri Vansevenant (BEL). With 2 km to go, those four had a 30-second lead on the peloton, and Benoot attacked with 1,000 m left. He could not get away and Vansevenant sprinted with 300 m to go, but Pidcock had the most left in the tank and led Hirschi across the line in 5:58:17. Benoot and Vansevenant finished 3-4.

Pidcock is hardly unknown in road racing, winning a stage in the 2022 Tour de France and the Strade Bianche in 2023. But this is a signal win for him, perhaps a sign of more road work to come? He also made some history as the first British winner of this race; he was second in 2021.

● Fencing ● The U.S. husband-and-wife fencing duo of Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt – both Olympic medalists – are plotting their return to medical school once the Olympic season is completed.

Kiefer won the Tokyo gold in the women’s Foil and Meinhardt won a Team bronze there (also in Rio in 2016) and said in an interview:

“I was trying to figure out what direction my life was going after Tokyo. I really wanted to keep fencing because I still love it and enjoy doing it. I felt like I could keep growing my skills, my routine.

“However, the biggest obstacle was the [University of Kentucky] College of Medicine. I was not sure they would let me continue, which would have been totally understandable.”

Kiefer and Meinhardt are both studying medicine at Kentucky:

“My husband also felt the same way. We thought through the timeline and decided to keep fencing and came up with a logical proposal. We talked to the dean and here we are (still competing).

“Your last two years are in the hospital, so I will come back and restart my third year. We plan to rematriculate in June of 2025 when the semester starts after we have had some time to re-study. We know it won’t be easy, but that’s what we plan to do.”

They also have a good chance of landing on the podium in Paris, as Kiefer is ranked no.1 in the world in women’s Foil and Meinhardt is no. 9, with two Americans – Nick Itkin (1) and Alex Massialas (5) – ahead of him and forming a powerful entry in the Team Foil competition.

● Swimming ● Torri Huske was the story at the Tyr Pro Swim Series in San Antonio, Texas, especially in the women’s 100 m Butterfly, where she scared the world record and won in the no. 3 time in American history, in 55.68.

Huske, 21, was the 2022 World Champion in the 100 Fly and won three more relay golds, then took the bronze at the 2023 Worlds. Now she is back to top form and her 55.68 is now only the world leader for 2024, but the equal-9th performance in history and she owns three of those 10 fastest swims. Runner-up Gretchen Walsh touched in 56.14, now no. 5 in the world for 2024, but also no. 3 in U.S. history!

Huske wasn’t done and also won the 200 m Medley in 2:08.47, moving to no. 4 on the 2024 world list, beating 2022 World Champion Alex Walsh (2:08.60).

The comeback of Tokyo superstar Caeleb Dressel continued, tying for the win in the men’s 100 m Fly with Hungary’s Hubert Kos, both at 50.84, with Dressel storming up from fifth at the turn. It’s the fastest Dressel has swum in this event since his comeback and the time places he and Kos at no. 3 in the world for 2024. Kos also won the 100 m Back from Justin Ress of the U.S., 53.08 to 54.36.

Dressel was third in the men’s 50 m Free at 21.85, behind Mexico’s Gabe Castano (21.70) and fellow American Ryan Held (21.79).

Five-time Worlds gold winner Regan Smith was busy, winning three events: the women’s 200 m Fly on Thursday (2:05.97), the 200 m Back on Friday (2:05.46) and the 100 m Back on Saturday (57.74)

Freestyle superstar Katie Ledecky took the women’s 400 m Free on Thursday (4:01.41), then won the 800 m Free on Saturday in 8:12.95 – the second-fastest time this season – and was second in the 200 m Free in 1:54.97, moving to fourth on the world list for 2024.

The winner was Hong Kong star Siobhan Haughey, who finished in 1:54.52, now no. 2 for 2024, after Thursday’s win in the 100 m Free (52.74).

An upset in the men’s 200 m Breast had 2023 Worlds bronze winner Matt Fallon beating French star Leon Marchand, 2:08.18 (world no. 5 in 2024) to 2:08.40, after Marchand had won their 200-yard duel at the NCAA Championships. Marchand announced at the meet that would skip his remaining eligibility at Arizona State and was turning professional.

Another upset had Venezuela’s Alfonso Mestre winning the men’s 800 m over Tokyo Olympic champ Bobby Finke of the U.S., 7:52.22 to 7:54.48; Finke had won the 1,500 m Free on Wednesday.

In a fast women’s 50 m Free, Poland’s Kasia Wasick got to the touch in 24.20, ahead of American Abbey Weitzeil (24.27, equal-4th in 2024) and Gretchen Walsh (24.29, no. 6).

This was the last major U.S. tune-up meet ahead of the Olympic Trials that begin on 15 June at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

● Taekwondo ● At the Pan American Olympic qualifier in Santo Domingo (DOM), nine countries won places for Paris 2024, including Jonathan Healy, Faith Dillon and Kristina Teachout of the U.S.

All three reached the finals of their weight classes (there was no final), with Healy qualifying in the men’s +80 kg class, Dillion in the women’s 57 kg group and Teachout in the women’s 67 kg division.

Along with no. 2-ranked C.J. Nickolas at 80 kg, the U.S. has qualified a full complement of athletes for Paris. Brazil also qualified three for Paris in Santo Domingo, including 2022 Worlds 74 kg silver medalist Edival Pontes and 2023 Worlds bronze winner Maria Pacheco at -57 kg.

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VOX POPULI: World Athletics ~ a threat to modern Olympism?

By
Helmut Digel
-

/This is an essay by Professor Helmut Digel of Germany, a handball player in his youth, but well known as the President of the DLV, the German track & field federation, from 1993-2001 and a member of the IAAF (now World Athletics) Council from 1995 to 2015. As a professor of sport sociology, he taught at universities in Frankfurt, Tubingen and Darmstadt between 1978 and 2010. He now edits the online magazine Sport Nach Gedacht. His writing offers a sobering perspective, and his views are, of course, his alone./

Once again, it is “showmaster” and “rhetoric artist” Sebastian Coe – who is also of the English House of Lords – who, as President of World Athletics, speaks out with a spectacular message to secure the attention of the sporting world public with a populist action, in which he can be sure of the applause of some star athletes and their representatives.

In a press release in the second week of April 2024, World Athletics and its President Coe announced that the World Olympic Athletics Federation will introduce prize money as early as the 2024 Paris Olympics and that the winners of an Olympic gold medal will be rewarded with $50,000. At the same time, a commitment is made that the prize money will be extended on a staggered level to the winners of the Olympic silver and bronze medals at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. In Paris, a gold medal will be awarded in 48 athletics events, bringing the total prize money to $2.4 million. The money is provided from the funds that World Athletics receives from the IOC every four years. For Coe, this underscores World Athletics’ commitment to “empowering athletes and recognizing the critical role they have in the success of the Olympic Games.”

As was hardly to be expected, Coe initiated his latest media coup without consulting the IOC and, quite obviously, without any solidarity with the other summer Olympic federations. “Solidarity” once again seems to be a foreign word for him. Rather, he is following the tradition of his predecessors in office and inflicting great damage on modern Olympism and endangering the further development of the Olympic Games with his solo effort. Was it the delusional IAAF presidents Primo Nebiolo (ITA) and Lamine Diack (SEN), who repeatedly cultivated a special affront to all other Olympic federations during their term of office and announced every four years that the Olympic Games actually only begin with the first competition of athletics, the Queen of the Olympic Games, and have never been willing to streamline the athletics program at the Games, to reduce the number of gold medals to be awarded and to give other and new Olympic disciplines more space to present their sports, the current World President of Athletics is following this unique selling point strategy by calling for even more athletics disciplines to be included in the Olympic programme and, like his predecessors, by withdrawing from any solidarity within the Olympic Movement. This also includes the hypocrisy of World Athletics towards the participation of neutral athletes in the Olympic Games and the unilateral action in the fight against doping, although athletics is the sport that has the most doping cases in the world.

The IOC has so far only reacted to the introduction of prize money at the Olympic Games by World Athletics with a very brief statement. It said that it distributes 90% of its income to the National Olympic Committees and to the International Sports Federations and that it is up to them to decide how the federations use the money. The IOC would distribute $4.2 million (€3.9 million) a day to support athletes and sports organizations around the world.

It now remains to be seen what further reactions the IOC will have. However, it can already be argued that the IOC has made a big mistake for a long time by transferring millions of dollars from the proceeds of the very successful sale of marketing and television licensing rights to the IOC’s stakeholders every four years, without tying the allocation of these funds to certain verifiable criteria of use.

It will also be interesting to see the reactions of the umbrella organisations of the international sports federations and the other international summer Olympic federations, which will now be confronted with the problem at the Paris Games that Olympic champions in athletics will receive 50,000 US $ in prize money for winning a gold medal. All other Olympic champions, on the other hand, have to be content with the honor of winning an Olympic gold medal.

For someone who knows the character of the president of World Athletics and his personality, his populist action is hardly surprising. In many respects, however, this action is completely unacceptable and must be seen as a threat to the future of the modern Olympic Games, because in this way Coe radically calls into question the unique selling point that has distinguished the more than 100-year history of the modern Olympic Games. He does this with the support of a council dominated by “yes-men” and “yes-women”, with the support of a secretary-general who exercises his office at Coe’s mercy, and with the support of ethics and compliance committees, whose members can be sure of the president’s friendship.

If Coe were to abide by the Olympic Charter to which he and World Athletics have committed himself, going it alone would be out of the question in every respect. For more than 100 years, the Olympic Games were for good reason “ad-free games” and, from a commercial point of view, deliberately limited games. During the Games themselves, in the Olympic sports arenas, commercial advertising, e.g. by means of advertising boards, is not allowed and advertising is only permitted to an extremely limited extent on the athletes’ clothing. The participation of athletes is subject to clear ethical guidelines and the payment of prize money is not provided for in the Olympic Charter. The Olympic Games are by no means a mere series of world championships of different sports. Their mandate is clearly defined in the Olympic Charter and since the IOC session in Beijing in 2022, all IOC members have spoken out in favor of a “communiter” and thus an extension of the Olympic motto in the Olympic Charter. The principle of solidarity thus applies to all participants in the Olympic Games.

The appropriate way to introduce prize money at the Olympic Games would therefore have been for World Athletics to submit its concerns to the IOC Executive at an early stage and, above all, to consult all other international federations. However, this path was not disputed by Coe for obvious reasons, as it was contrary to his own interests and he could not be sure of IOC support and the support of his IF colleagues. Rather, Coe seeks the applause of successful athletes such as Colin Jackson (GBR) or Robert Hartung (GER), who have already earned a lot of money with their sporting successes and only represent their own selfish interests with their support. Track and field athletes who will win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics can now count on $50,000 in prize money, although many of them do not need this additional income because of their other income. Most track and field athletes who win a gold medal have been so-called “sports millionaires” for a long time, who have sufficient advertising revenues, sponsorship contracts, entry fees and prize money at athletics meetings and world championships. Coe’s altruistic reasoning is therefore inaccurate in every respect, because it is above all those athletes who do not reach the finals of the Olympic competitions who are most likely to need financial support. With Coe’s initiative, rich athletes will become even richer and poor athletes even poorer, and the already far too wide gap between rich and poor Olympic sports will be widened. Because the promotion of the rich is at the expense of the promotion of all those who urgently need it.

The economic principle also applies to the revenues generated by the IOC that each euro can only be spent once. If all Olympic sports federations were to follow the example of Word Athletics and use the financial resources made available by the IOC to finance bonuses for their medal winners in the competitions of their sport, the question would arise as to which tasks can no longer be carried out by the international federations in the future. One thing is already certain. The unilateral action of World Athletics will lead to a new financial desire from athletes in all Olympic sports. After all, one question is legitimate and obvious: is it fair if the Olympic champions in one Olympic sport receive $50,000 for their gold medals, but the Olympic champions in all other Olympic sports are left empty-handed?

The objection of Coe’s compatriot, Britain’s five-time rowing gold medalist Steve Redgrave, to his grip on the Olympics is therefore particularly noteworthy. He points out that this attack goes against the “ethos of the Games” and that the Olympics are characterized by the fact that all athletes are at the same level of a platform and there is no “top” and “bottom.” Thus, a very special ideal of equality comes into play in the games.

Coe sees himself as a member of a generation that still walked to the honour of their own country for a 75 pence meal voucher and a second-class train ticket. He emphasizes this fact in order to demonstrate his competence for the changes that have been observed in modern high-performance sport in recent decades.

We agree with him that we live on a completely different planet today than we did when he competed. However, the conclusions he draws from it are in contrast to all the necessities and challenges that we face on our planet these days. In the face of an impending climate catastrophe, in the face of dangerous military conflicts and in the face of a global economic crisis, modesty and renunciation rather than the propagation of growth ideological maxims are the order of the day. A radical reduction of the CO2 emissions caused by world sport is demanded and an expansion of the existing competition operations is out of the question. Rather, a reduction in the number of international competition structures must be demanded. Coe’s announcement to extend or increase the competition season and the number of competitions is just too fatal. The gap between rich and poor must be reduced in the long term for the benefit of the disadvantaged of this world and must not be increased by the promotion of an insatiable greed for money.

With World Athletics’ decision to use remuneration from the IOC’s revenues to fund prize money, Coe has dangerously opened the door to new forms of commercialization of the Olympic Games. The demand for the release of “advertising on men” or “advertising on women” and advertising in the Olympic arenas could pose an even more serious threat. For those who still consider modern Olympism to be important and who emphatically express an interest in Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin‘s idea of peace even these days – despite all the dangers – the hope remains that the IOC will find ways to credibly oppose a creeping commercialization of the Games. The hope must also be combined with the wish that the international Olympic federations will be aware of their commitment to solidarity with the Olympic Charter and will also be prepared to resist self-destructive commercialization.

Comments are welcome here.

[≡The Sports Examiner encourages expressions of opinion – we really do – but preferably based on facts. Send comments to [email protected]. We do not guarantee publication of any comment, but all comments submitted will be considered and your submission implies your agreement to publication (and light editing if needed to meet our grammatical and punctuation standards) at our sole discretion. Please include your name and hometown on any comment submitted for publication.≡]

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TSX REPORT: Staggering doping levels in Russian 2012 medalist; worry over Olympic prizes fracturing the Games; UIPM to pick new chief

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. CAS: Poistogova’s 2012 testosterone was 4.7x normal levels!
2. World Athletics’ Olympic prizes creating a two-tier Games?
3. World Boxing drawing more interest from national feds
4. Nike unveils Paris 2024 uniforms in multiple sports
5. Schormann to end UIPM Presidency at 31 years

● The written decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the case of the ex-London 2012 women’s 800 m medalist Ekaterina Poistogova (now Guliyev) underscored the enormity of the Russian doping program as a test a month prior to the Olympics produced a testosterone score nearly five times higher than her personal norm!

● Some pushback on the announcement that World Athletics will award Paris 2024 gold medalists $50,000 prizes from British rowing icon Steve Redgrave, saying his federation can’t afford to match that and that the Olympic Games could be severely fractured.

● World Boxing reported that it is seeing much more interest from national federations in view of the International Olympic Committee’s warning that if a new international federation for the sport is not available by “early 2025,” boxing will not be included on the Los Angeles 2028 program.

● In Paris, Nike held a gala unveiling of uniforms and footwear it is providing to the teams it is equipping for Paris 2024, with new technology in the shoes, but some unhappy comments on the dramatic cut of the women’s track & field singlet!

● Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne President Klaus Schormann announced that he will not stand for re-election at the federation’s Congress late this year, and will conclude his 31-year term, in favor of new leadership.

● World Championships: Ice Hockey (U.S. and Canada easily into semis of women’s Worlds) ●

● Panorama: Commonwealth Games (Glasgow considering 2026 hosting) = Athletics (O.J. Simpson passes at age 76) = Football (2: FIFA study shows many women players also have second jobs; good TV audience for USA-Canada SheBelieves final) = Ski Mountaineering (France sweeps Cortina World Cup Sprint and Relay) = Swimming (Dressel, Ledecky, Jacoby and Smith win at Tyr Pro Swim) = Weightlifting (Armenia’s Lalayan concluded IWF World Cup with win) ●

1.
CAS: Poistogova’s 2012 testosterone was 4.7x normal levels!

While the report of the disqualification of Russian 800 m runner Ekaterina Poistagova (now Guliyev) at the London 2012 Olympic Games came from the All-Russian Athletics Federation, the Athletics Integrity Unit released Thursday the full decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The AIU explained on X (ex-Twitter):

● “The AIU has banned Ekaterina Guliyev (born Zavyalovya; divorced Poistogova) (Russia/Turkey) for 2 years from 28 March [2024] for Use of a Prohibited Substance/Method (McLaren and LIMS evidence). DQ results from 17 July 2012 until 20 October 2014.”

● “NOTE: Guliyev has 45 days (until 13 May 2024) to appeal. If that deadline elapses without an appeal, this decision becomes binding and the AIU will proceed with the next steps regarding Guliyev’s results at the London 2012 Olympic Games to send a sanction memo to World Athletics’ Competition Department to disqualify the athlete’s results and thereafter to notify the IOC that World Athletics has modified the relevant results and rankings on their website.”

● “The IOC will determine any reallocation of Olympic medals and any update of its database.”

So the process is underway. The 35-page written decision explained that Poistogova’s samples from 17 July 2012 and 25 July 2012 were reported as clean to the World Anti-Doping Agency, but investigation of the Russian state-sponsored doping program from 2011 to 2015 showed those tests on a “washout schedule” in the Russian Anti-Doping Agency’s Moscow Laboratory database. The tests apparently showed three prohibited substances: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and boldenone, but the documentation (chromatograms) was rather obviously doctored to show a negative result.

The decision also noted that Poistogova’s testosterone levels were sky-high in the 17 July and 25 July tests at 108 ng//ml and 58 ng/ml, respectively, compared with “five other samples from the athlete, which feature normal testosterone concentrations between 8 ng/ml and 23 ng/ml.”

The arbitrator had plenty of grounds to hold Poistogova to be doping, and she was sanctioned for four years from 28 March 2024 – the date of the judgement – with two years removed for time she previously served for a prior doping sanction in 2014!

Her results had been nullified from 20 October 2014, but now reach back to 17 July 2012, and wipe out her London 2012 Olympic bronze from 11 August. Her bronze medal was upgraded to silver after the disqualification of the winner, Russian Maria Savinova, for doping, leaving South Africa’s Caster Semenya as the gold medalist.

Now her silver should be removed by the International Olympic Committee, moving Kenyan Pam Jelimo to silver and American Alysia Montano to the bronze. Montano, in an Instagram post, pointed to bronze medals she “won” at the 2011 and 2013 World Championships, both times being advanced from fourth after Savinova disqualifications. Now, two Russian disqualifications will move her to third for the London 2012 Games.

Observed: One important fact reported in the arbitrator’s decision was the testosterone level recorded for Poistogova: 108 ng/ml from the 17 July test, compared to her “normal” level of 8-23 ng/ml! That’s 4.7 times what her high-end “norm” was!

That’s what you can call “juiced,” and is a demonstration of how deeply into doping the Russians were during the 2011-15 time period and why so many athletes today are wary of trusting Russian athletes in any return to competition.

2.
World Athletics’ Olympic prizes creating a two-tier Games?

There was plenty of cheering after the World Athletics announcement that it would award $50,000 to the winners of each event at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, a total of $2.4 million.

But not everyone was happy. For example, British rowing icon Steve Redgrave, now 62, and a five-time Olympic gold medalist in 1984 in the Coxed Four and in 1988-92-96-2000 in the Pairs. He told the Daily Mail (GBR):

“I was very surprised. If you win an Olympic gold medal in any athletics event, you are able to earn substantial financial gains from those results.

“It smacks a bit hard for the sports that can’t afford to do this. Rowing is in that situation. We struggle bringing sponsorship and finance into it.

“This separates the elite sports to the others like rowing, canoeing and most combat sports. They just don’t have the same funding that there is in World Athletics.

“I would prefer that the money they’re putting in to be helping more of the grassroots of their own sports – or helping other Olympic sports to be able to be at the same level on the same footprint.’

“Most of the other sports won’t be able to follow this. You’re making this into a two-tier process. This is to me the wrong direction.”

World Athletics said that it would fund the prize money – and expand it for LA28 to the top three places – from its tier-1 share of the IOC television rights fees, which was $39.48 million from the Tokyo 2020 Games. Rowing, a tier-3 sport, received $17.31 million, which it uses to fund its operations over the four years between Olympic Games.

The new offer also caught the attention of Jamaican sprinting icon Usain Bolt, who won nine golds in the 100-200-4×100 m relay in 2008-12-16, but lost one of the relay golds to a doping positive of a teammate. His reply on X:

“Any retroactive payment (wink emoji)”

Bolt’s achievements would have been worth $325,000!

3.
World Boxing drawing more interest from national feds

With the clock ticking on boxing’s place at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, it appears that significantly more interest is being turned toward the new World Boxing group which aims to form an international federation that can be recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

The Associated Press reported comments from Secretary General Simon Toulson (GBR):

“We’re in excess of 25, 30 countries asking us quickly if they can apply. And I think there’s another 25, 30 countries behind them that are starting to assess the implications and how they can join.”

World Boxing had just 27 national federation members at its formative Congress last November, but is the only obvious option for boxing to be included for the 2028 Games. Following the 3 April dismissal of the International Boxing Association’s appeal of the IOC’s withdrawal of recognition in 2023 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the IOC issued a stern statement which included:

“[F]or governance reasons, the IOC is not in a position to organise another Olympic boxing tournament. To keep boxing on the Olympic programme, the IOC needs a recognised and reliable International Federation as a partner, as with all the other Olympic sports.

“The establishment of such a federation, which respects the IOC conditions for recognition, is now in the hands of the National Boxing Federations and their National Olympic Committees (NOCs). These conditions include good governance, the integrity of competitions, transparency of finances and accounts, and autonomy. Every National Boxing Federation and every NOC that wants its boxers to make their Olympic dreams a reality and win medals will now have to take the necessary decisions. The NOCs and National Boxing Federations thus hold the future of Olympic boxing in their own hands, and the required actions cannot be clearer.

“At the moment, boxing is not on the sports programme for the Olympic Games LA28. In order to remedy this, the IOC needs to have a partner International Federation for boxing by early 2025.”

What the IOC has not said is how many countries constitute a “partner International Federation.” If World Boxing can get to 100, it will certainly get a serious look from the IOC, which has repeatedly said it likes boxers and boxing, but not the International Boxing Association.

National boxing federations have an incentive to join as well, since most of them are funded by their governments, which will hardly be interested in supporting a federation which has no association with, or path to, the Olympic Games.

4.
Nike unveils Paris 2024 uniforms in multiple sports

Worldwide apparel giant Nike showed off the uniforms it has created for multiple sports and multiple countries on Thursday, with considerable controversy over its women’s track & field singlet.

Reuters reported that: “As well as outfitting U.S. athletes across all sports, Nike will provide kit for the athletics teams of Canada, China, Kenya, Germany, and Uganda at the Olympics, basketball for China, France, Japan, and Spain, and athletes in breaking – a new breakdancing event at the Paris Games – for Korea.”

The announcement was made in Paris, including stars such as Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) and Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon. It also featured details on new shoes, using new materials to be lighter and faster. Nike running footwear manager Elliott Heath told CBS Sports:

“For our sprinters and our track athletes, they need something that is stable and that they can control, but they want all that energy back on the track.

“This comes to life in a dual-chamber pod system that helps create stability as well as capture that force and return it to the athlete … that’s what makes Air Zoom different than the other types of Air from Nike is that you’re able to put high pressures and really shape that [Air] bag to design around it and deliver the performance that athletes need.”

The uniform which drew the most attention was the women’s singlet – Nike is the apparel supplier to USA Track & Field – which has an exceptionally high cut that drew derision in online comments from current and former athletes. Lauren Fleshman, a three-time U.S. World Athletics Championships team member, a former Nike athlete and later a Nike critic, posted on Instagram:

“I’m sorry, but show me one WNBA or NWSL team who would enthusiastically support this kit. This is for Olympic Track and Field. Professional athletes should be able to compete without dedicating brain space to constant pube vigilance or the mental gymnastics of having every vulnerable piece of your body on display. …

“This is not an elite athletic kit for track and field. … I don’t expect or enjoy seeing female athletes or male athletes put in a position to battle self-consciousness at their place of work. That is not part of the job description.”

Only a few images of the Paris uniform packages have surfaced, and Nike’s USATF uniform program has offered multiple options for athletes to choose from; details on the 2023 uniform program was exclusively covered by TSX last October. USATF International Teams Manager Brad Birling explained that, for example, the 2023 World Athletics Championships, athletes got to pick out four uniforms to use in Budapest last summer.

For Paris, Nike said it will offer U.S. track athletes a specially-designed uniform to wear for finals; it created a special uniform for the American relay teams for Budapest in 2023.

5.
Schormann to end UIPM Presidency at 31 years

“Dr Klaus Schormann announces today that he will not seek re-election as President of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne at the 73rd UIPM Congress in November 2024.

“Dr Schormann, 77, intends to bring his Presidential tenure to a close at the end of this year having served at the helm of the global Modern Pentathlon movement since July 1993.”

The UIPM announcement follows up on a promise Schormann (GER) had already telegraphed during the difficult post-Tokyo period when the sport teetered on the brink of elimination from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic program.

A incident during the riding competition in Tokyo in which German coach Kim Raisner hit the horse Saint Boy that would not jump for German star Annika Schleu caused the IOC to pressure the UIPM to change its program and eliminate riding. Schormann oversaw this process, which ended with obstacle racing being included – after considerable controversy – and the sport confirmed by the IOC for Los Angeles in 2028.

Schormann became the head of pentathlon in 1993, when the federation included both pentathlon and biathlon (UIPMB). The two sports were finally split for good in 1998, and Schormann has been the President of the single-sport Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne ever since.

He has been given credit for maintaining pentathlon’s place in the Games by maintaining close relationships with the IOC, despite his sport’s continuous ranking as the least popular in the Games.

The format of the sport has changed radically, from being held over consecutive days at five different sites, to a single venue and with the finals condensed for television to a 90-minute program in a specially-arranged arena. Beyond adding obstacle for 2028, the UIPM has absorbed the obstacle-racing federation (FISO).

A new president will be selected at the UIPM Congress in Riyadh (KSA) on 16-17 November of this year.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The quarterfinals of the IIHF Women’s World Championship, being held in Utica, New York, advanced Finland, the Czech Republic, Canada and the U.S. to the semifinal round.

Finland, the 2019 silver winners, stormed past Switzerland, 3-1, in the first game, scoring single goals in the second and third periods to break a 1-1 tie, and out-shooting the Swiss by 37:17. The tense second match had the Czech Republic defeating Germany, 1-0, on a third-period goal by defender Daniela Pejsova, with 7:06 to play.

Canada had little trouble with Sweden, winning 5-1 as Renata Fast scored twice and the Canadians had a 44-18 edge on shots.

The U.S., undefeated so far, got off to a 3-0 lead vs. Japan in the first period off scores from Lacey Eden at the 3:59 mark, then Hilary Knight at 8:35 and Alex Carpenter at 11:51. That ballooned to 9-0 in the second, with Abbey Murphy scoring twice. Carpenter got a second 5:25 into the third for 10-0 and that’s how it ended, with the U.S. out-shooting Japan, 48-14.

The semifinals – U.S. vs. Finland and Canada vs. the Czechs – will be held on Saturday, with the medal matches on Sunday. Twenty-one of the 22 finals in this tournament have featured Canada and the U.S., with Canada taking 12 titles all-time and the U.S., 10.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Commonwealth Games 2026 ● Sport Business reported that Glasgow (SCO), host of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, is discussing the possibility of hosting again in 2026. The Games have been looking for a home since the Australian state of Victoria pulled out from hosting responsibilities in mid-2023.

Ghana, which just hosted the African Games in Accra, has also shown interest. The Commonwealth Games Federation said it would have an announcement on the 2026 situation in May.

● Athletics ● The famed football star and accused murderer O.J. Simpson passed away on Wednesday (10th) from prostate cancer at age 76, according to his family.

He was a football superstar, winning the Heisman Trophy at USC in 1968 and going on to the NFL, where he became the first player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season (2,003) in 1973. He went on to fame as a broadcaster, actor and advertising spokesman, but was tried for the murder of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in 1994. He was acquitted of criminal charges, but found civilly liable. He later went to prison from 2008-17 for an armed robbery incident in 2007.

Simpson was fast and was a member of the USC world-record 440-yard relay team that ran 38.6 to win the NCAA championship at Provo, Utah in 1967, with Earl McCullouch, Fred Kuller, Simpson and Jamaica’s two-time Olympic 100 m medalist Lennox Miller. Simpson on his own was a 9.4 100-yard man and won All-American honors for his sixth-place finish in the NCAA 100 yards in that 1967 NCAA meet (9.53 auto time).

● Football ● Interesting study from FIFA, surveying 736 female players from 12 countries – amateurs, semi-pros and professionals – and asking them whether they have second jobs, whether they made more on football than they spent, caregiving responsibilities and more. On the job question:

● Australia (45 players): 78% had another job
● Botswana (52): 44% had another job
● Brazil (171): 5% had another job
● Chile (35): 40% had another job
● England (27): 33% had another job
● Fiji (31): 55% had another job
● Korea (86): 3.5% had another job
● Mexico (75): 19% had another job
● New Zealand (34): 40% had another job
● Nigeria (62): 13% had another job
● Sweden (70): 40% had another job
● U.S. (27): 30% had another job

Overall, the survey showed that 67% of all of these players “earn a substantial portion of their total annual income from playing football.”

The U.S. Women’s National Team penalty-shot win over Canada in Tuesday’s final of the SheBelieves Cup drew a quite respectable 621,000 audience on TBS, no. 3 in its time slot and the no. 7 sports show on the day. Even the post-game show did well, with 441,000 watching the trophy presentation; the pre-match program did 213,000.

● Ski Mountaineering ● At the final ISMF World Cup of the 2023-24 season, in Cortina d’Ampezzo (ITA), France swept the men’s and women’s Sprints.

The 2023 Worlds women’s bronze winner in Sprint, Emily Harrop won by nearly seven seconds in 3:18.63, trailed by Worlds runner-up Marianne Fatton (SUI: 3:25.43) and Celia Perillat-Pessey (FRA: 3:27.34).

The men’s Worlds silver medalist, Thibault Anselmet took a tighter men’s Sprint in 2:49.52, ahead of Swiss Arno Lietha (2:52.99) and Loic Dubois (2:57.82).

And, of course, Harrop and Anselmet teamed up to win the Mixed Relay in 33:43.45, from Johanna Hiemer and Paul Verbnjak (AUT: 33:51.50).

● Swimming ● The stars were out at the Tyr Pro Swim Series in San Antonio, with good, but not great times, and continued improvement from sprint star Caeleb Dressel.

The winner of five golds in Tokyo, Dressel has been slowly returning from time away from the pool since the middle of the 2022 World Aquatics Championships. He barely made it to the final of the men’s 100 m Free – he was the eighth qualifier – and was only fifth at the turn, but roared home and won in his fastest time since 2022 in 48.40. Fellow Americans Ryan Held (48.48) and Matt King (48.62) went 2-3.

That was the only men’s race won by an American on the night, as Brazil’s 2022 Worlds bronze winner Guilherme Costa took the 400 m Free in 3:46.61, ahead of Alfonso Mestre (VEN: 3:47.14) and Carson Foster (3:47.64). Denis Petrashov (KGZ) won the 100 m Breast ahead of 2024 World Champion Nic Fink, 59.83 to 1:00.03 and French star Leon Marchand won the 200 m Butterfly in 1:54.97, moving him to no. 7 on the world list. American Luca Urlando was second at 1:55.63.

Freestyle superstar Katie Ledecky posted her fastest time of the year in the women’s 400 m Free in 4:01.41, no. 2 in the world so far, ahead of 1,500 m Free winner Paige Madden (4:04.86). Hong Kong sprint star Siobhan Haughey won the 100 m Free in 52.74, beating Americans Katie Douglass (52.98, no. 5 in 2024) and Torri Huske (53.08: 7th in 2024). Rio 2016 co-champ Simone Manuel was fifth in 53.25.

Tokyo Olympic winner Lydia Jacoby won the women’s 100 m Breast in 1:05.74 to move to no. 3 in the world for 2024, ahead of Emma Weber (1:06.50) and Rio 2016 winner Lilly King (1:06.71). World leader Regan Smith, the Tokyo women’s 200 m Butterfly runner-up, took that event in 2:05.97, well ahead of Dakota Luther (2:09.51).

The meet continues through Saturday.

● Weightlifting ● The 12-day IWF Grand Prix in Phuket (THA) – the final Olympic qualifier – closed with the men’s +109 kg class and a win for 2023 World Championships silver medalist Varazdat Lalayan from Armenia.

Lalayan won the Snatch at 210 kg and barely edged Tokyo Olympic runner-up Ali Davoudi (IRI) in the Clean & Jerk by 253 to 252 kg. The Armenian’s total of 463 kg was a clear winner, with Davoudi at 454 kg. Fellow Iranian Ayat Sharifikelarijani finished third at 447 kg.

Americans Caine Wilkes and Alejandro Medina were 11th and 13th, respectively, finishing with totals of 384 kg and 380 kg.

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TSX REPORT: World Athletics to pay Paris winners $50,000! Montano asks for 2012 bronze at LA28; Dillard’s London ‘48 100 m gold on auction!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Harrison Dillard’s London 1948 Olympic 100 m gold medal is now on auction! (Image: Ingrid O’Neil Auctions)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. World Athletics to pay $50,000 to Paris Olympic winners
2. ASOIF: New Olympic-program sports want IOC TV money earlier
3. Montano: “How can clean athletes be supported better?”
4. FloTrack to take over U.S. Diamond League rights in 2025
5. New auction features Dillard’s London ‘48 100 m gold!

● World Athletics became the first International Federation to award prize money for the Olympic Games, promising $50,000 to the 2024 Olympic champions in that sport in Paris. Moreover, the federation will pat the top three medal winners in 2028 in Los Angeles!

● At the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations meeting on Tuesday, the ASOIF Council and the head of the sport climbing federation asked the International Olympic Committee to help the new sports on the LA28 program with advanced TV rights sales money between 2025-28, instead of waiting until after the 2028 Games are over.

● Former U.S. 800 m star Alysia Montano is happy that she appears to be set to receive the London 2012 women’s 800 m bronze medal, but wants her ceremony in Los Angeles during the 2028 Olympic Games!

● FloTrack announced that it will have exclusive rights to the Diamond League track & field rights for all meets outside of the U.S., beginning in 2025, as NBC has decided not to continue showing the series, even with the 2028 Olympic Games coming to Los Angeles.

● A huge new auction of Olympic memorabilia has some memorable lots, including an Athens 1896 winner’s medal (in silver in those days), but especially Harrison Dillard’s 1948 Olympic 100 m gold, with the opening bid set at $120,000!

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (logo designer accuses organizing committee of fraud) = Olympic Winter Games 2034 (IOC Future Host Commission visits Salt Lake City) = Cycling (UCI hires ex-Homeland Security investigator on technological fraud) = Sport Climbing (Narasaki wins men’s Boulder World Cup) = Swimming (Finke and Madden take Tyr Pro Swim 1,500s) = Weightlifting (China’s Li returns with big win in IWF World Cup) = Wrestling (Italian star Chamizo alleges bribe attempt at European Olympic qualifiers) ●

● Errata: Wednesday’s post had a typographical error in the list of under-18 athletes at the Olympic Games in 2012-16-21; the London 2012 entry was shown as “London 2023″ and has been corrected. Thanks to Jill Jaracz of the “Keep The Flame Alive” podcast for the first notice.

1.
World Athletics to pay $50,000 to Paris Olympic winners

“In a landmark decision, World Athletics has today (10 April) announced it will become the first international federation to award prize money at an Olympic Games, financially rewarding athletes for achieving the pinnacle of sporting success, starting at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

“A total prize pot of US$2.4 million has been ring fenced from the International Olympic Committee’s revenue share allocation, which is received by World Athletics every four years. This will be used to reward athletes who win a gold medal in each of the 48 athletics events in Paris with US$50,000.”

Wednesday’s announcement was truly a first, and the federation promised to do more in four years:

“This initiative by World Athletics also includes a firm commitment to extend the prize money at a tiered level, to Olympic silver and bronze medal winners at the LA 2028 Olympic Games.”

While it is true that no International Federation has been paying Olympic prize money, Olympic medal winners routinely receive cash awards from their National Olympic Committees. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s “Operation Gold” will pay Paris 2024 Olympic medal winners $37,500-25,000-15,000 to gold-silver-bronze medal winners and many other countries provide awards to medal winners.

While the $50,000 Olympic winner’s bonus from World Athletics is a breakthrough, it is less than the federation pays for its own World Championships, where the top eight receive prize money. At the 2023 Worlds in Budapest (HUN), the prize pool was $8.498 million, with individual awards of $70,000-35,000-22,000-16,000-11,000-7,000-6,000-5,000 and relay awards of $80,000-40,000-20,000-16,000-12,000-8,000-6,000-4,000.

Said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe (GBR):

“While it is impossible to put a marketable value on winning an Olympic medal, or on the commitment and focus it takes to even represent your country at an Olympic Games, I think it is important we start somewhere and make sure some of the revenues generated by our athletes at the Olympic Games are directly returned to those who make the Games the global spectacle that it is.”

Observed: This is a leadership moment for World Athletics and Coe, a two-time Olympic champion himself, from 1980 and 1984.

There has been commentary that such a move would infuriate the International Olympic Committee, but this hardly seems likely as so many National Olympic Committees already award prizes for their athletes who win medals. Moreover, this was the tradition at the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, with the city-states who sent their athletes to the Games rewarded them for success at the Games.

As for the International Federations, they didn’t exist in ancient times, and the Olympic federations each receive millions from the IOC as a share of the television rights sales from the Games. For Tokyo in 2020, World Athletics received $39.48 million and expects to receive more after Paris 2024.

2.
ASOIF: New Olympic-program sports want IOC TV money earlier

Only a 10-minute discussion out of a day-long series of presentations at the General Assembly of the Association of Olympic International Sports Federations (ASOIF), but one to keep an eye on came at the end of the International Olympic Committee presentation by Sports Director Kit McConnell (NZL).

ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti (ITA) followed with some issues raised by the ASOIF Council for the IOC to hear – not necessarily for McConnell to respond to – but to take back to Olympic House in Lausanne.

Ricci Bitti, the former head of the International Tennis Federation, again asked for a raise to $596.5 million in the IOC’s payments to the International Federations, as requested in 2023; the IOC paid out $540.0 million for both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Of note in this regard is that the new contract with NBC – $7.65 billion for the 2022-24-26-28-30-32 Games – is now in effect.

He also asked for a review on how the federations are “rated” for the purposes of how that money is distributed:

“The third point, we believe that, not in the short term, but perhaps in the longer term, means the next cycle – I don’t want to commit my successor, but I have to represent what the [ASOIF] Council feel – we need to review or to study – that doesn’t mean that you have to take measures [on the grouping] – but at least we have to review, to update, the study of the criteria of our federations because, basically, at the end, our aim is to evaluate data which is the level of contribution of each sport.

“And the sports are very different. Some sports are one discipline, some sports have many disciplines, so we have to see from a little bit different perspective what we did 10 years – 20 years ago, sorry – so we start to review, I think for many reasons and I hope you will always be available … to help us.”

Ricci Bitti then asked for the IOC to look at the situation for the federations for sport climbing (IFSC), skateboarding (World Skate) and surfing (ISA), which have now been included in three straight Games – Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles – and their need for some advanced payments from what they will finally get following LA28 as a full, Olympic-program sport:

“We raise also the point that in the case of the new statute, that means that the new sports become full sports of the scheme in the third cycle, perhaps considering in the third cycle because these sports normally needs more money to have an advance payment, not to pay only after the Games some money they have cash-flow problems.

“I think this would be very useful to the small sports, and to the new sports.”

(At present, federations receive IOC TV money only after a Games has taken place. )

This was followed by International Federation of Sport Climbing President Marco Scolaris (ITA), to address “the topic of the transition from additional sport, now OCOG sport to program sport.

“The transition today affects us, climbing, surfing and skateboarding, our athletes and our governing bodies. It is not a caprice, it is a real issue. Please, you international federations, our colleagues, our friends, put yourselves in our shoes, and imagine to deliver in Paris the event of your dreams, and then you start living in the uncertainty, not having the resources to move from Paris to Los Angeles.

“The issue now on the table, some of you expressed their solidarity to us already and I wish that you could help us to find a solution together with the IOC. Thank you.”

Ricci Bitti added, “We are working on that as you know, to clarify what the IOC could do, and we are very sensitive to your needs.”

McConnell commented briefly on all of the requests, including on the money:

“We have continuing discussions with ASOIF on the revenue distributions, and we won’t go into that now, but I think being on the program for L.A. opens us a different discussion as we go forward to L.A.

“We fully understand the point you’ve raised regarding the timings of those payments, particularly for you, and you’re not building on the back of payments from Paris to get you through the cycle to Los Angeles, but in that regard I think we can also say we’ve had a lot of dialogue and provided a lot of support both through the Tokyo cycle and the Paris cycle, not only directly, but also through all of the other ways that the sports on the program benefit, through Olympic Solidarity, through CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport], WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency], ITA [International Testing Agency], other investments, including the investments we’ve made for some of you around the Olympic Qualifier Series as well.”

This is not going to go away, especially as all three of these federations are veterans of a brutal process to get into the Games and then to stay in.

3.
Montano: “How can clean athletes be supported better?”

This has been a whirlwind week for former U.S. women’s 800 m star Alysia Montano, who is in position to be advanced to the bronze medal in the London 2012 Olympic women’s 800 m after the All-Russian Athletics Federation retroactively disqualified Ekaterina Poistogova (now Guliyev) for doping based on evidence from the Moscow Laboratory which supervised the Russian state-sponsored doping program from 2011-15.

Poistogova was originally third, then moved up to silver after Russian winner Marina Savinova was disqualified. Now, she stands to be disqualified by World Athletics and for the International Olympic Committee to move Montano up to third, behind Caster Semenya (RSA: gold) and Pam Jelimo (KEN: silver).

Montano expressed her mixed emotions about the news and what she wants to see happen in the future in an Instagram post on Tuesday:

“Time. It waits for no one. We’ve all heard that. It’s true, and it’s what we have that makes life’s moments so precious. Olympic Bronze medalist 12 years later … I think about loss, but I try not to … who was here that isn’t, mainly my grandma, Mama, our biggest supporter and inspiration. What could have been that isn’t … the struggle that didn’t have to be (my stomach in knots doing so). A mixed bag of emotions, truth prevailing, heartbreak and relief, joy and pain. A constant dull ache over the last 48 hours, one that I’d learned to suppress over the years, but there. It’s not a good feeling to live with for so many years. How can clean athletes be supported better?

“2012 – 12 years ago. A lot of loss. 3 podium moments that should have happened in real time that didn’t?!

“There is also a lot I moved forward with by knowing deep down. I couldn’t let dopers win. I moved forward with my family knowing this Olympic medal was mine. I laid it out there every time. I have no regrets, only that I wish I was supported in real time – I ran with integrity I represented myself, my family, my country, my friends, my supporters and my community with honor. I respected and respect my competitors and their pursuit. That’s what the Olympic spirit is suppose to embody. Respect, bravery, courage. I fought well and true and I always will. I put my foot forward to leave the sport better than I found it and I fight for the future and I’ll continue to fight. It’s time to fight for me in the present, but also her in the past … we fight for justice.

“We need policy reform we need to institute an athlete mental health protection policy plan and a institute a framework that pays athletes for their loss. Here’s my ask at the very least: I want my medal at LA2028 in front of my entire family and friends on my home turf. I waited this long, 4 more years to do it right. I also want financial losses recouped. The emotions are so very mixed, but I believe this is the least that can be done. Who’s with me?”

Montano’s story is excruciating. As she mentioned, the 2012 Olympic bronze would be her third medal awarded as a result of doping positives. At the 2011 World Championships in Daegu (KOR), she finished fourth in a race won by Savinova, later disqualified for doping as one of eight such Russian women medal winners.

In 2013 in Moscow (RUS), she was fourth again, with Savinova second and later disqualified for doping, and again moved up to third.

The only international medal she was awarded at the site of the race was her 2010 World Indoor bronze, in a race won by the Russian Savinova. Now 37, Montano says she wants her London 2012 bronze – still to be re-allocated by the IOC – in Los Angeles in 2028.

4.
FloTrack to take over U.S. Diamond League rights in 2025

“In a major announcement on April 10, FloTrack revealed it will add to its five-star live content schedule by streaming the Wanda Diamond League for U.S. audiences and territories beginning in 2025.

“FloSports, the global sports media company and operator of FloTrack, signed a multi-year media rights agreement with the Wanda Diamond League to distribute the world’s very best track and field meets, including events held in London, Monaco, Stockholm and Rome, among others.”

Wednesday’s statement signaled the end of NBC’s coverage of the Diamond League, except for Diamond League meets held in the U.S. (i.e., the Prefontaine Classic). NBC Sports Communications Vice President Dan Masonson confirmed that “this is our final season presenting Diamond League.”

The World Athletics Championships will remain on NBC’s channels through 2029, as will some other meets, but the top-tier invitational circuit will now only be on streaming. Much of NBC’s coverage had been heading to its Peacock streaming service anyway, but many of the Diamond League meets were shown – live or delayed – on CNBC or USA Network.

Peacock reached 31 million subscribers as of the end of 2023, well behind Disney+ (150.2 million) and Paramount+ (67.5 million), also with linear television networks. Peacock is available at $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year; Flotrack charges $29.99 per month or an annual rate of $150 per year.

Founded in 2006, FloSports provides streaming coverage of about two dozen sports, and has expanded its track & field footprint by absorbing the Track and Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS, for NCAA statistics) and MileSplit.com, a national high school reporting site.

Observed: Whether FloTrack will be a good home for the Diamond League is yet to be determined. But what is clear is that, with the Olympic Games coming to Los Angeles in 2028, NBC was getting so little interest in the Diamond League that it simply jettisoned it.

That’s not good.

5.
New auction features Dillard’s London ‘48 100 m gold!

A new, 478-lot auction of Olympic memorabilia from Ingrid O’Neil is on now featuring an enormous inventory of medals and some rare torches, including one of Harrison Dillard’s famous golds from the 1948 London Olympic Games.

Dillard was the heavy 1948 favorite in the 110 m hurdles, but failed to make the U.S. team, but did make it in the 100 m. In the final, he upset teammate Barney Ewell as both were timed in an Olympic Record of 10.3; this 100 m gold is on auction – with its leather presentation case – with a starting bid of $120,000. Dillard won the 110 m hurdles four years later in Helsinki, was on winning 4×100 m relays in both Games and passed away at age 96 in 2019.

There are 37 items with starting bids of $10,000 or more:

● $240,000: 1972 Sapporo Winter cased set of Olympic badges (48)
● $120,000: 1948 London gold medal won by Harrison Dillard
● $80,000: 1896 Athens first-place medal
● $65,000: 1952 Oslo Winter torch
● $65,000: 1992 Albertville Winter torch
● $30,000: 2012 London silver medal for men’s gymnastics
● $30,000: 1964 Tokyo Imperial Family badge
● $28,000: 1972 Sapporo Winter torch
● $24,000: 1956 Stockholm gold medal for equestrian
● $24,000: 1964 Tokyo gold medal for canoeing

● $22,000: 1956 Cortina Winter torch
● $22,000: 1988 Calgary Winter torch
● $20,000: 1908 London gold medal for football
● $20,000: 2016 Rio silver medal
● $20,000: 2016 Rio bronze medal (2 offered)
● $18,000: 1924 Sevres Porcelain Award vase for Johnny Weissmuller
● $16,000: 1936 Garmisch Winter gold medal
● $15,000: 1904 St. Louis silver medal for football
● $15,000: 1932 Lake Placid Winter bronze medal
● $15,000: 1968 Grenoble Winter gold medal for ice hockey

● $12,000: 1920 Antwerp gold medal for swimming
● $12,000: 1924 Chamonix Winter bronze medal (2 offered)
● $12,000: 1976 Innsbruck Winter gold medal for speedskating
● $12,000: 1988 Calgary Winter silver medal
● $12,000: 1994 Lillehammer Winter bronze medal for luge
● $12,000: 2000 Sydney gold medal for taekwondo
● $12,000: 1904 St. Louis Participation Medal
● $11,000: 1960 Rome gold medal for wrestling
● $11,000: 1964 Tokyo gold medal for fencing
● $11,000: 1988 Seoul gold medal for women’s fencing

● $10,000: 1948 London gold medal
● $10,000: 1964 Innsbruck Winter gold medal for speedskating
● $10,000: 1972 Munich gold medal for canoeing
● $10,000: 1984 Los Angeles gold medal for women’s gymnastics
● $10,000: 2008 Beijing silver medal for baseball

The 1896 winner’s medal from the first modern Olympic Games in Athens is silver, as the use of gold medals for winners did not start until Paris in 1900. The 1920 Antwerp gold is from the 4×200 m Freestyle relay, given to second-leg swimmer Pua Kela Keoloha of the U.S. team.

The 1924 vase presented to star American swimmer Weissmuller was authenticated by his wife in 1993 and was offered at a post-Paris ceremony by the French President, the head of the French Olympic Committee and IOC chief Baron Pierre de Coubertin!

There are many items from the 1906 Athens anniversary Olympic Games and the 1912 Stockholm Games, and a couple of badges from the 1919 Inter-Allied Games held after World War I. A large selection of items from the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles is available, including a child’s kimono ($150 starting price) and a gear-shift knob ($120)!

Lot 1 is a mystery package of “Winners Medals of the Olympic Summer and Winter Games” but without further details. The auction continues to 4 May 2024.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The FrancsJeux.com site reports allegations by the designer of the Paris 2024 logos, Sylvain Boyer, that his work has been insufficiently promoted and was “fraudulently sidelined” in 2020 by the hiring of another marketing agency. The French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) is looking into the matter.

● Olympic Winter Games 2034 ● The IOC’s evaluation team for the 2034 Winter Games is in Salt Lake City, Utah, seeing the planned venues and program details in person this week. While the IOC team, led by Winter Future Host Commission Chair Karl Stoss (AUT) is not promising the Games are a sure thing – an evaluation report will be followed by votes by the IOC Executive Board and the IOC Session – he said, “We have a very good feeling” at the introductory presentation.

● Cycling ● The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has hired a former U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigator to head its efforts against technological fraud.

Nicholas Raudenski served with Homeland Security before moving on to FIFA and then UEFA in football, dealing with match-fixing and other corruption issues. He comes to the UCI from the International Testing Agency, where he headed investigations since 2021. His mission:

“[L]ead a detailed global strategy for the fight against technological fraud in cycling, building on the work already carried out by the UCI in this domain. He will strengthen the UCI’s programme, optimise the use of existing resources, monitor and assess current technological advancements and supervise the development of new methods to detect technological fraud. He will also analyse and investigate – swiftly and robustly – all allegations and reports of possible technological fraud.”

● Sport Climbing ● Heavy weather canceled the qualifying and 19 climbers went directly to the final of the men’s IFSC Boulder World Cup in Keqiao (CHN) on Wednesday, but it didn’t bother Japan’s Tomoa Narasaki.

The two-time Bouldering World Champion led a Japanese 1-2, winning with two tops and four zones (2T4Z ~ 2/4), ahead of teen star Sorato Anraku (17), who managed 2T4Z ~ 4/8. Hannes van Duysen (BEL) was third at 2T3Z ~ 4/4.

● Swimming ● The Tyr Pro Swim Series in San Antonio, Texas started on Wednesday, with Olympic champ Bobby Finke scoring a decisive win in the men’s 1,500 m Freestyle.

Finke won in 15:05.96, just behind his best for the year (15:04.43), which ranks 20th on the world list. He beat Austria’s Felix Auboeck, the 2021 World Short-Course 400 m Free winner (15:13.62) and American William Mulgrew (15:19.25). Paige Madden of the U.S. won the women’s 1,500 m in 16:19.77, well ahead of Densz Ertan (TUR: 16:33.20) and Paige Downey (USA: 16:35.01).

The meet continues through Saturday.

● Weightlifting ● At the IWF World Cup in Phuket (THA) – the final Olympic qualifier – Tokyo Olympic champ and world-record holder Wenwen Li of China returned from injury and destroyed a good field in the women’s +87 kg class by lifting 145/180/325 kg to win the Snatch, Clean & Jerk and the overall total. South Korean Hye-jeong Park – the 2023 World Champion – was second at 130/166/296 kg and teammate Young-hee Son was third (283 kg total).

American Mary Theisen-Lappen, the 2023 Worlds runner-up, finished fifth, lifting a combined total of 274 kg.

Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Akbar Djuraev (UZB) was an easy winner of the men’s 109 kg class, winning all three segments at 189/227/416 kg, way ahead of Dadash Dadashbayli (AZE: 177/211/388 kg). The competition ends on Thursday.

● Wrestling ● Shocking allegation of bribery reported in the Italian press involving Frank Chamizo, the two-time Freestyle World Champion at 65 kg (2015) and 70 kg (2017), who lost at the European Olympic Qualifier in Baku (AZE) last week in the semifinals of the 74 kg class to Azerbaijan’s 2021 European runner-up Turan Bayramov on criteria after an 8-8 tie in regulation.

Chamizo was awarded what appeared to be a two-point score late that would have won the match, but the decision was reversed on an appeal from the Azerbaijan corner. Chamizo, originally from Cuba, wrote on his Instagram page (computer translation from the original Spanish):

“sorry to whoever is watching this my sport is beautiful. This is just a group of bribed and corrupt people that sadness the heart cries to me … my sport is beautiful my sport is beautiful I’m sorry I’m sorry.”

By winning the semi, Bayramov qualified for the Paris Games.

According to an interview with the La Repubblica daily, Chamizo said:

“I knew I had to give double, triple in Azerbaijan, because I was fighting at their house and they had bought everything. The same referee was with the Azerbaijanis throughout the tournament. I made it, but then something happened that reminds me of boxing from many years ago. And so yes, I mean it, they came to me offering me money, $300,000 to lose.

“But Chamizo (not kindly) returned the offer to the sender: ‘I don’t want to say who did it, but it happened on the morning of the weigh-in. I sent them to … because I represent not only myself, but also Italy, my federation FIJLKAM, and the Army. I’m so disgusted that I don’t feel like talking about sports.”

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TSX REPORT: IOC formulating young-athlete guidelines, big LA28 venue reveal coming, can Ghana save the Commonwealth Games?

By
Rich Perelman
-
LA28 Senior Director of Sports Nicco Campriani at the ASOIF General Assembly, explaining the sports schedule timeline (ASOIF video screenshot)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. ASOIF: IOC to introduce “youth athlete” guidelines
2. Paris readies 500,000 new tickets, LA28 to announce venues
3. ASOIF: Four new members, IBA excluded per statute
4. Ghana a possible 2026 Commonwealth Games host
5. Naeher saves U.S., beats Canada in SheBelieves Cup final

● At the General Assembly of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), International Olympic Committee Sports Director Kit McConnell explained that the IOC is undertaking a framework on support for under-18 (minor) athletes, with a “consensus statement” coming in May and a more detailed guideline in 2025. The ASOIF also elected a new president, the FEI chief Ingmar De Vos.

● Also at ASOIF, a report from Paris 2024 said a new sale of 500,000 tickets will start on 17 April, the last large offering of tickets for the Games. An LA28 report indicated that announcements on venue locations will come later this year. Athlete quotas per sport for 2028 will likely be very close to or the same as for 2024, bad news for those sports which got cuts for Paris.

● The ASOIF General Assembly adopted new rules on how federations which are admitted for a single Olympic Games can become part of the organization for the purpose of receiving a share of the IOC television revenue for that Games. Also, the International Boxing Association was dismissed from ASOIF as it is no longer recognized by the IOC.

● Ghana has emerged as a possible host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the national sports minister saying that the success of March’s African Games shows they can handle the event. The Commonwealth Games have never been held in Africa.

● The U.S. women won a thriller from Canada on penalty kicks (5-4) after a 2-2 tie during regulation time in the final of the SheBelieves Cup in Columbus, Ohio. American keeper Alyssa Naeher starred in the shoot-out, making three saves and scoring once herself!

● World Championships: Ice Hockey (quarters set in Women’s World Champs) ●

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (2: NBCU sees record ad sales for Paris; all holidays for Paris police canceled for Games period) = Athletics (China to fund $36 million in repairs to Robinson National Stadium in The Bahamas) = Football (2: FIFA settles Relevent Sports lawsuit, opening the door for national leagues matches to be held in a foreign country; Greece bans paper tickets, will require digital tickets for security) = Modern Pentathlon (UIPM approves 13 “neutrals” for World Cup entries, but won’t name them!) = Sport Climbing (Garnbret wins World Cup Boulder opener) = Swimming (796 qualified so far for U.S. Trials) = Taekwondo (World Taekwondo study shows 60% of elite-level athletes in mental-health distress) = Weightlifting (Dajomes returns from injury to win at IWF World Cup) ●

1.
ASOIF: IOC to introduce “youth athlete” guidelines

The appearance of very young athletes at the Olympic Games, notably 12-year-old Skateboarding Park silver medalist Kokona Hiraki of Japan and bronze winner Sky Brown of Great Britain and 13-year-olds Momiji Nishiya (JPN: gold) and Rayssa Leal (BRA: silver) in Street at Tokyo 2021, raised the issue of minors and their special needs.

The International Olympic Committee is now in the process of creating a framework on this issue, with IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell (NZL) explaining the concept and the timeline during Tuesday’s General Assembly of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF):

● 2024: Jan.-Feb.: Elite athlete survey
● 2024: Mar.-May: Federation, country consultations
● 2024: Mar.-May: Athlete consultations in 7 nations
● 2024: May: Consensus Statement on Elite Youth Athletes
● 2024: Oct.-Dec.: Stakeholder review
● 2025: (date tbd): Launch of the IOC Framework

McConnell also shared statistical data on under-18 athletes at recent Games, which has actually gone down considerably.

● 230 at London 2012 (2.15% of the athlete total)
● 190 at Rio 2016 (1.67%)
● 158 at Tokyo 2020 (1.39%)

He also noted that just 11 athletes in Tokyo were from 12-14 years old, 23 were 15, 43 were 16 and 81 were 17. By contrast, there were 180 athletes over 40 in Tokyo against 158 under 18.

As for the federations, McConnell explained that 29 of the 48 sports disciplines for Paris have minimum age limits and 19 do not.

The forthcoming “Consensus Statement” in May continues a series of IOC initiatives on international sport questions, and while not providing definitive rules – the IOC wants to leave the federations to work out what is best for them – makes its view known.

There was considerable activity at the ASOIF General Assembly, with the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) President Ingmar De Vos (BEL) elected by 29-0 as the next President of the organization. He was the only candidate and will take over on 1 January 2025.

There was no announcement about future distribution amounts or tiers of the IOC’s Olympic television rights money to the federations, with current President Francesco Ricci Bitti (ITA) explaining that the IOC has been well informed about the expectation of the federations that more money will be distributed for Paris 2024 than for Rio and Tokyo (both $540 million).

However, Ricci Bitti told the delegates that new, internal discussions were needed on the criteria for distribution, as the classification into five tiers – agreed in 2013 – needs to be updated, taking into account the rise of social media The IOC provides significant data on Olympic television viewing, but Ricci Bitti indicated that ASOIF has additional data which can be taken into account when determining who gets how much.

2.
Paris readies 500,000 new tickets, LA28 to announce venues

A big chunk of the ASOIF meeting was reports from future organizing committees, starting with the Paris 2024 team, led by President Tony Estanguet. The popularity of the Games was highlighted, with 7.9 million Olympic tickets sold so far, with 37% sold outside of France, and the U.S. and Great Britain the leading out-of-country buyers.

A major new sale is coming on 17 April, with 500,000-plus tickets to be made available, covering all sports and most sessions. These are tickets which had been held for contingencies and possible camera positions, but can now be sold.

With just more than 100 days to go, it was noted that the Paris organizers will still bring on some 2,500 paid staff for the Games. In the Sports Department alone, staffing between now and 26 July will rise from 326 to 514, and 10,932 volunteers will be assigned to the department.

LA28 Senior Director of Sports Nicco Campriani – the three-time Olympic gold medalist in Shooting from Italy – led the report from the 2028 organizing committee, accompanied by Senior Advisor for Sport Planning Katy Dunnet (CAN), representing the five-person LA28 Sports Department, addressed the assembly:

“We continue to be quite lean, not only as a Sports Department, but as an organizing committee. Just for your information, we’re approximately 180 in terms of head count. We are searching for our new CEO and we hope to make an announcement of the appointment before Paris.”

He indicated that staffing would rise quickly after Paris, and expressed appreciation for the arduous process of agreeing with the federations on the disciplines for 2028, confirmed by the IOC last year:

“We learned a lot in terms of cost and complexity within the Olympic context, as well as looking at optimization. And so, in the end, I think we were very creative in finding new venues shares, new field-of-play shares and we are here today, not having to cut disciplines, but looking at a more efficient way to deliver the Games, is thanks to our collaboration.”

He also thanked the federations for keeping quiet about the venue plans:

“I think we have engaged with each one of you and we have asked each one of you not to share your location, in particular if your location has changed since the time of the bid with anybody, because we are getting ready for a number of announcements throughout 2024. …

“We also have a number of venue changes; they’re exciting ones and we do stress the confidentiality, so we can all make a big splash when it comes to that announcement, all together. The reason is that we didn’t have venues for skateboarding, surfing and sport climbing in 2017 at the time of the bid. Of course, we have the new sports. …

“The announcements are coming, but the concept of the sport parks has not changed.”

LA28 has not announced venues for the five new sports, but changes are already known for flatwater canoeing and rowing, from Lake Perris in Riverside County, to the Long Beach Marine Stadium, and basketball from the Crypto.com Arena to the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman said in March that UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion will not be used for competitions, so judo and wrestling will go elsewhere – possibly to the Los Angeles Convention Center and/or Crypto.com Arena, and there are questions about sites for equestrian and modern pentathlon, both originally located at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area.

The most tantalizing rumors are for the canoe slalom to be held at the world-class Riverpark OKC in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and hushed whispers about relocating swimming from the proposed Dedeaux Field at the University of Southern California – in a temporary pool – to the 70,240-seat SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the site of the opening ceremony.

(To do that, the scheduling for the Games from 1972 on, with swimming during the first week, would have to be shifted at least somewhat, to bring the temporary pools in. Wouldn’t that be something!)

Of high interest to the federations was the determination of the final event program for 2028. Federations submitted their wish lists in March, with post-Paris evaluation data to be collated by November of this year. Discussions – negotiations – will take place in December and January of 2025, with a proposal for approval by the IOC’s Olympic Program Commission and then the IOC Executive Board during the first quarter of 2025.

Once the events are formalized, the sports schedule by session – already under development – is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2025.

With 35 sports already in the 2028 Games – the most ever – the number of athletes reserved for each sport is under extreme pressure. The IOC’s McConnell reminded the federations of the event framework adopted last November, including:

● “Avoid any increase to the respective sport specific quota allocation compared to the Paris 2024 Programme.”

● “Demonstrate a positive and sustainable impact on the Games and host, focusing on ensuring compelling and high-value sessions while reducing cost and complexity of operations, e.g., number of competition and training days.”

● “Use only existing venues and fields of play with no major adaptations, as per the discipline definition abovementioned unless otherwise agreed with the IOC and LA28.”

The agreed-on athlete quota of 10,500 for the 2024 Games in Paris is expected to be pushed to 11,242 for LA28 with the five added sports; for now, the cuts made to sports for 2024 will be maintained to 2028.

3.
ASOIF: Four new members, IBA excluded per statute

The ASOIF General Assembly welcomed in four new members, based on the new sports being added for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, for cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash. The votes were overwhelming, but not unanimous:

● International Cricket Council: 26 yes, 1 against, 1 abstained
● Int’l Federation of American Football: 26-2-0
● World Lacrosse: 25-1-2
● World Squash: 28-0-1

ASOIF also approved a rules change, necessitated by the now-common movement of sports on and off of the Olympic program. International Federations may now apply to be members – and therefore receive a distribution of International Olympic Committee television rights fee money – once their sport has been approved for inclusion in a specific Olympic Games. But:

“Associate Membership will only become effective for the Olympiad (meaning beginning on 1 January and ending on 31 December of the fourth year) relating to their inclusion.”

In this way, the IOC payout to a sport on the Olympic program for a single Games will receive money only related to that Games.

“The least we can say is that this process is not very stable,” said ASOIF chief Ricci Bitti at the post-General Assembly news conference.

“Originally, for the Tokyo Games, additional sports were intended to help the organizing country enrich the program with disciplines popular among its public. The Japanese did this. Paris 2024 also more or less respected this principle. But for Los Angeles, the process was totally distorted.

With the Americans’ choice [of five added sports], we will have 35 or 36 sports. We had 26 at the London Games in 2012.”

This impacts, of course, the amounts that all of the federations receive and although the choice of sports is up to the IOC and the organizing committees, Ricci Bitti noted, “But then we suffer the consequences.”

ASOIF also voted, by 28-0-1, to exclude the International Boxing Association, which was de-recognized by the IOC at the 2023 IOC Session in India. The ASOIF rules require that member federations are in “good standing” with the IOC and IBA is not.

So the vote was taken, with Ricci Bitti saying, “It is very regretful, but we have to do it this way.”

The IBA posted a statement that included:

“While this outcome is profoundly disappointing, we wish to stress our unwavering commitment to the sport of boxing and our remarkable athletes and coaches across the globe as the IBA starts its recognition journey.”

4.
Ghana a possible 2026 Commonwealth Games host

In an interview with Ghana’s GHONE TV, Mustapha Ussif, Ghana’s Youth and Sports Minister, said that the success of the recent African Games in Accra shows that the country could be the host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games:

“We have the existing facilities to host the Commonwealth Games, plus it won’t cost us much to host the games as compared to how much it cost us to host the African games if we decide to”.

“The Commonwealth Games secretariat even gives the host nation money unlike the African Games where the host solely funds every expenditure for the games, so Ghana can host it if we decide to do it.”

And the Commonwealth Games Federation – which announced this week that it would have a 2026 host by next month after losing the Australian state of Victoria as 2026 host in 2023 – has already been in Ghana to discuss it. Said Ussif:

“In fact, [Chris Jenkins/WAL] the President of the Commonwealth Games was in Ghana recently, and we held several meetings with him. He visited our facilities for the African Games and was impressed. They want an African nation to host the Games.”

The 22 prior Commonwealth Games have never been held in Africa, but seven times in England-Scotland-Wales, five times in Australia, four times in Canada, three times in New Zealand, and once in Jamaica, Malaysia and India.

The African Games in Accra were plagued by delays, but came off reasonably well. Held from 8-23 March, the program include 2,644 athletes from 53 nations, contesting 335 in 22 sports and seven more demonstration sports.

By contrast, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (ENG) had 5,054 athletes from 72 Commonwealth federations, competing in 280 events in 20 sports.

The Commonwealth Games Federation is offering a subsidy of £100 million (about $127 million U.S.), from the abandonment fee paid by the Australian state of Victoria when it gave up on the Games last year.

5.
Naeher saves U.S., beats Canada in SheBelieves Cup final

A tightly-contested contest ended in penalty kicks at the SheBelieves Cup final in Columbus, Ohio, with U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher once again the star at the end of the night, saving three penalties and scoring one herself, for a 5-4 final after a 2-2 tie.

Both sides were ready to go from the kickoff and the game was played at a hot pace for the first 20 minutes, but neither side could score. U.S. striker Jaedyn Shaw had a big chance in the 29th, taking control of the ball in the box and sending a point-blank shot at Canadian keeper Kailen Sheridan, who came out and smothered it.

In the 40th, Canada struck for the first goal, starting with a long pass down the right side of the pitch that resulted in a footrace between midfielder Ashley Lawrence and American defender Tierna Davidson trying to gain possession and Naeher coming out to clear. Lawrence and Naeher collided and the ball squirted toward the middle of the field, just above the box to defender Deanne Rose, who sent a pass to her left to striker Adriana Leon, who pounded a right-footed shot through the legs of defender Abby Dahlkemper and into the empty net for the 1-0 lead.

The U.S. had more chances, with an Alex Morgan shot inside the box blocked in the 42nd and Shaw sending a promising shot over the top of the net in the 44th. The Americans controlled possession with 63%, but Canada had a 5-4 shot edge and the lead.

The second half saw the U.S. on the attack and after Canada could not clear a few minutes in, the ball ended up on the right side of the field, with Shaw making a pass to forward Sophia Smith just beyond the box. Smith took a look and saw a path to the goal and sent a left-footed laser diagonally across to the far side of the goal and beyond Sheridan’s dive for a 1-1 tie in the 50th.

The defenses were stiff and the action was end-to-end, but Shaw once again broke the game open. She took a pass in the midfield from midfielder Lindsey Horan, then pushed the ball forward to sub striker Trinity Rodman between defenders and Rodman sprinted forward and fed Smith to her right. Running in stride, Smith ripped a right-footer across the goal and again beat Sheridan to the far side of the goal for a 2-1 lead in the 68th.

Canada poured on the pressure, but the U.S. was equal, then defender Crystal Dunn was called for a push in the back of Leon in the box in the 84th. Leon took the penalty and sent a rocket to the right of Naeher for the 2-2 tie in the 86th.

Defender Kadeisha Buchanan almost won the game for Canada in the 90th, as her header off a Leon corner hit the crossbar, then the ball was cleared. But it ended 2-2, with the U.S. at 60% possession and a 12-9 edge on shots thanks to an aggressive second half. But on to penalty kicks, the third straight game to finish for Canada this way.

Jessie Fleming and Leon hit their penalties for a 2-0 lead, then Smith scored (2-1) and Naeher took over. She saved Jade Rose’s try, then scored herself for a 2-2 tie and saved Cloe Lacasse’s shot. Horan gave the U.S. a 3-2 lead, but Julie Grosso tied it at 3-3. When midfielder Emily Sonnett sent her shot over the top, it was on to sudden death.

Lawrence started and scored easily, as did Dahlkemper, but Naeher stopped Evelyne Viens’ try, giving defender Emily Fox the chance to win it, and she did with a smooth right-footed strike to the left of Sheridan, for the 5-4 tally on penalties.

It’s another U.S. victory in the SheBelieves Cup, now seven of the nine held. Canada had its best-ever finish, having only medaled once, third in 2021.

There was nice interest in the SheBelieves semi between the U.S. and Japan last Saturday, with 393,000 tuning in on TNT at 12:28 p.m. and another 289,000 on Spanish-language Telemundo, for a 682,000 total that ranked fourth in its time slot.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Ice Hockey ● Pool play concluded at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Utica, New York and the quarterfinals are now set.

The U.S. won Group A with a 4-0 mark, ahead of 3-1 Canada, and Germany finished with a 4-0 mark in Group B, ahead of Sweden (3-1).

The quarters will be held on Thursday, with a re-seeding for the semifinals:

● U.S. (4-0) vs. Japan (1-3)
● Canada (3-1) vs. Sweden (3-1)
● Germany (4-0) vs. Czech Republic (2-2)
● Finland (1-3) vs. Switzerland (0-4)

The semis will be on Saturday and the final on Sunday, at the Adirondack Sports Center. The U.S. and Canada have met in 21 of the 22 prior Worlds finals.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● NBC announced commitments for $1.2 billion in ad sales for the 2024 Games, with 107 days prior to the opening on 26 July. It expects to break the Tokyo 2020 high of just over $1.2 billion, with sales running 18% ahead of sales for the 2021 event.

Dan Lovinger, NBCU’s President of Olympic and Paralympic Sales, said in a conference call with reporters that $350 million in sales is from new broadcast sponsors: “Very few properties can help (brands) build reach and know exactly where their advertising is running. That is why the Olympics continues to garner support from major advertisers.”

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in an interview, “I have canceled 100% of holidays and thank the police and gendarmes for their unprecedented efforts,” for the upcoming Olympic Games. He also noted that airspace over Paris will be closed.

He said that about 200,000 of the planned million security checks had been carried out so far.

● Athletics ● Repair to the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau (BAH) are being fully underwritten by the government of China and are expected to be finished ahead of the upcoming World Athletics Relays in May.

The gift of $36 million to renovate the stadium makes some sense given that the stadium, which opened in 2011, was also built by China with a $30 million gift. An athlete camp, including accommodations, is being built nearby as part of the project.

● Football ● A lengthy lawsuit by U.S. promoter Relevent Sports against FIFA to allow European league matches to be played in the U.S. was settled with a Tuesday filing at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York:

“Relevent and FIFA stipulate and agree to the dismissal without prejudice of all claims asserted by Relevent against FIFA in the above-captioned action, with each side bearing its own attorneys’ fees and costs.”

Relevent chief executive Danny Sillman said, “FIFA and Relevent Sports have agreed to resolve this matter specific to FIFA while FIFA considers changes to its existing rules about whether games can be played outside of a league’s home territory. Relevent Sports looks forward to supporting FIFA as both sides work to grow the game.”

A FIFA statement noted, “As it concerns FIFA, pending FIFA’s consideration of changes to existing FIFA policies with respect to playing official season games outside of a league’s home territory. FIFA has not admitted any liability and continues to deny the legal claims alleged in Relevent’s complaint.”

But this is a major step to clear the way for Relevent to promote matches of foreign leagues in the U.S., a move which FIFA’s rules does not currently allow and that the U.S. Soccer Federation has blocked. The court filing added that “The Stipulation has no bearing on Relevent’s claims against Defendant United States Soccer Federation, Inc. (‘USSF’).”

The suit was filed in 2019, dismissed in 2021, but overturned on appeal and revived in 2023.

Violence at Greek soccer matches resulted in the death of a police officer who was hit by a flare in Athens in December, and led to the closure of stadiums to fans for two months.

Now, the Greek government is eliminating physical tickets for league matches, except for children and seniors, and will require all other ticket holders to switch to a system of QR codes to be shown at entrances. This will allow security forces to know who is actually on site, as a government application will be required to verify online ticket purchases.

The physical ticket elimination will take place over about a month’s time.

● Modern Pentathlon ● The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne announced that 13 athletes – 12 Belarusians and one Russian – have been approved as “neutral athletes” for the two World Cup events coming up in May, but did not name them. Only four men and four women can compete in the Sofia World Cup from 8-13 May.

Observed: Why aren’t these athletes named? Will they be identified only by number at the Sofia World Cup? If they are truly “independent athletes,” isn’t this a show of disrespect to these “neutrals”?

● Sport Climbing ● Slovenian star Janja Garnbret, three-time World Boulder Champion and Olympic combo champ from Tokyo 2020, showed why she is the favorite for Paris with a decisive win in the IFSC World Cup opener in Keqiao (CHN).

In the women Boulder final, she cleared four tops and four zones in just five tries (4T4Z ~ 5/5) to win over Italy’s Camilla Moroni (2T3Z ~ 10/13) and Zhilu Luo (CHN: 2T2Z ~ 2/2).

● Swimming ● SwimSwam.com reported that “the total number of eligible swimmers to 796, 354 women and 442 men” for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in swimming that begin on 15 June in Indianapolis.

The last high-profile meet prior to the Trials is this week’s San Antonio stop of the Tyr Pro Swim Series, running from Wednesday through Saturday, but qualifying marks can be achieved up to 30 May. The swimmers with the most events so far:

● Men: Carson Foster and Kieran Smith (8 each), Shaine Casas (7), seven with six each.

● Women: Bella Sims (11), Katie Grimes and Regan Smith (9), Leah Smith and Rylee Erisman (8).

The most popular event among the men is the 400 m Medley, with 87 qualifiers, with the top women’s event the 50 m Free, at 68.

● Taekwondo ● World Taekwondo released a survey entitled, “Mental Health in Elite Level Taekwondo Athletes,” showing significant levels of strain among international-class competitors:

“Among athletes involved in the study, 60% surpassed the threshold for psychological distress, with 20% exceeding the threshold for anxiety and 23% for depression. Notably, 6% of the cohort indicated severe anxiety, while an equal proportion exhibited moderately severe depression. Additionally, 4% presented with severe depression. Alarmingly, 9% of athletes admitted to considering the use of harmful substances for weight loss.”

The survey covered 515 athletes from five continents, including three age groups: 21-25, 26-30 and 31+:

“Athletes aged 26 to 31 reported the highest levels of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression, while those aged 31 and above reported the lowest ones. Significantly, Africa exhibited lower anxiety scores, while Asia demonstrated higher disordered eating scores. Europe, on the other hand, displayed lower disordered eating scores, while Pan America revealed higher depression scores.”

● Weightlifting ● At the IWF World Cup in Phuket (THA), Tokyo Olympic 76 kg champ Neisi Dajomes (ECU) scored an impressive win in the women’s 81 kg class, coming back from a knee injury in 2023.

She won the Snatch title at 123 kg, then finished second in the Clean & Jerk for a winning total of 269 kg, just ahead of China’s 2023 Worlds runner-up, Zhouyu Wang (267 kg). American Katie Vibert had a big performance, setting an American Record of 145 kg in the Clean & Jerk and tied the American Record for the total with 258 kg.

That placed Vibert fourth overall and moved her into sixth on the IWF Olympic rankings. But she likely won’t be going to Paris as three Americans are ahead of her in the Olympic rankings in other weight classes and each country is limited to three total lifters in each gender. According to USA Weightlifting:

“As it stands, Olivia Reeves ( 71 kg, 2nd), Jourdan Delacruz (49 kg, 4th), and Mary Theisen-Lappen (+81 kg, 5th) lead the U.S. women’s rankings heading into the final day of competition in Thailand where Theisen-Lappen will defend her position.”

At 87 kg – a non-Olympic class – Norway’s 2022 World Champion, Solfrid Koanda, was the clear winner, taking all three sectors at 123/152/275 kg.

Competition continues through the 11th.

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TSX REPORT: Commonwealth Games 2026 to be saved after all? Ukraine preps for Russians in Paris; USATF skips another World U-20 champs

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Commonwealth Games Federation says 2026 host coming
2. Ukrainian protocol for meeting Russians in Paris on the way
3. Russian IOC member rips Pozdnyakov on tennis name-calling
4. USATF to skip World U-20 Champs for second time in four years
5. NAIA bans transgender athletes from women’s category

● The Commonwealth Games Federation announced that it will reveal a host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games – in some format – next month, after losing the Australian state of Victoria as its host last year and getting turned down by Malaysia and Singapore. It also endorsed a study of the 2022 Commonwealth Games that reported a £1.2 billion economic impact!

● Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee is working on a protocol for its athletes to follow in Paris, telling them not to be seen with Russian or Belarusian athletes, don’t take pictures with them … and don’t shake hands!

● The senior Russian member of the International Olympic Committee – and head of the Russian Tennis Federation – classified comments about Russian tennis players as “foreign agents” to be “stupidity,” as senior officials continued to criticize each other.

● USA Track & Field announced it will not send a team to the World Athletics U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru in August, citing unrest in the country, the late date vis-a-vis the U.S. school calendar and the lack of warm-up meets over the summer. It also announced its 2024 Journey to Gold schedule, with the same seven meets as in 2023.

● The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) passed a new transgender participation policy on Monday, requiring that only females by birth can compete in women’s competitions. It passed by 20-0.

● World Championship: Ice Hockey (U.S. women take down Canada, 1-0, in overtime to win Group A) ●

● Panorama: London 2012 (Russian Poistogova suspended for doping, losing 2012 women’s 800 m silver) = Paris 2024 (French Mint says medal production on schedule, despite protests) = Los Angeles 2028 (Kosovo government allocates €4 million to train athletes for LA28) = Athletics (3: Sensational 234-2 discus opener for Alekna in Berkeley; Kenyan marathoner Cheboror suspended for whereabouts; Butch Reynolds documentary premiere in Cleveland) = Hockey (USA Hockey explains why Carolina star Matson cannot try out for Olympic team) = Modern Pentathlon (new format for LA28 tipped from OBS meetings: more handicap racing) = Ski Mountaineering (Bonnet and Gachet Mollaret sweep first two races in Cortina World Cup) = Weightlifting (more world records at IWF World Cup) ●

1.
Commonwealth Games Federation says 2026 host coming

“Following the April meeting of its Executive Board, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is pleased to confirm that it is considering multiple proposals to Host the 2026 Games.

“Significant progress has been made and we are excited by the early concepts, which aim to reset and reframe the Games. We are now working collaboratively with the relevant Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) to undertake further detailed assessments, and aim to announce the 2026 Commonwealth Games Host in May. Our CGAs have asked, and we have agreed, to keep their proposals confidential while this process is on-going.”

So, a promise of more information to come on a 2026 Commonwealth Games next month. The 2026 situation and the future of the Commonwealth Games – first held in 1930 – has been in free fall since last year when the Australian state of Victoria abandoned the hosting duties it had signed onto in 2022. No other Australian hosts could be found with the requisite governmental support, and in the past month, both Malaysia and Singapore have turned down the opportunity to host in 2026, even with a subsidy of £100 million (~$127 million U.S., i.e., £1 = $1.27).

Not coincidentally, the CGF on Monday also promoted a year-after report by KPMG on the highly-successful 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (ENG), highlighting a significant economic impact:

● “The evaluation analysis estimates that the Games contributed approximately £1.2 billion [Gross Value Added] and approximately 22,380 FTE years of employment in the UK economy between FY 2017/18 and FY 2023/24.

“Of this total net GVA contribution at least £217.3 million of GVA is estimated to have been generated in Birmingham; and £516.3 million of GVA381 is estimated to have been generated in the West Midlands (including Birmingham).”

● “The Games were delivered under budget. Financial data provided during the course of this evaluation shows that between FY 2017/18 and FY 2023/24 approximately £810.9 million (£858.7 million in 2023 prices) of Games-related spending was incurred to deliver the Games, including:

— £638.3 million (£670.8 million in 2023 prices) of operating spending to deliver the Games, of which £120.5 million (£124.5 million in 2023 prices) was funded through commercial income, resulting in a net operating cost of the Games of £517.8 million (£546.3 million in 2023 prices); and

— £172.7 million (£187.9 million in 2023 prices) of capital spending on sporting and other infrastructure needed to host the Games, providing assets for future use, of which approximately £25.0 million (£27.2 million in 2023 prices) would have been invested by SMBC in a new alternative leisure centre had the Games not taken place in the West Midlands and is therefore not considered an additional cost of the Games.

“This equates to a net Games-related public sector cost of £665.5 million (£707.0 million in 2023 prices).”

The report indicated that only 2% of ticket buyers for the 2022 Commonwealth Games came from outside Great Britain, a very minor percentage compared to other mega-events of this size. However, almost 835 million around the world saw the 2022 Games on television.

The new host announcement could be of a traditional host, or the disassembly of the Games into parts, held at different locations throughout the Commonwealth.

2.
Ukrainian protocol for meeting Russians in Paris on the way

“Don’t congratulate each other, don’t stand next to each other in photos, don’t give joint interviews, of course, and don’t shake hands.”

That’s the core of the code of conduct being worked on now by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, in preparation for at least some Russian and Belarusian “neutrals” being present at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

NOC chief Vadym Guttsait said during a television appearance that the complete requirements are being finalized: “That is, we are in the middle. Now we will resolve the last issues, and it [the protocol] will be approved.”

After the issues at last year’s world championships of the Federation Internationale de Escrime (FIE), where Sabre star Olha Kharlan was disqualified for not shaking hands with Russian Anna Smirnova after their elimination bout, Guttsait said the details are being discussed in advance with the relevant federations.

Ukrainian star high jumper – and World Champion – Yaroslava Makuchikh said on the World Athletics “Inside Track” podcast that she thinks of the situation at home all the time:

“I’m competing for my country, for my people, for our soldiers. I’m thankful to all of them that I have the opportunity to train outside of Ukraine and to represent my country. I like the fact that people have been inspired by me to start track and field. Doing sport is really important for your physical and mental health. Perhaps in 10 years’ time we’ll have a new generation of athletes in Ukraine.

“Sport has helped me to take on the challenge with this war. Being an inspiration for my country helped me to focus at the [2022] World Indoor Championships in Belgrade and win the gold medal.”

3.
Russian IOC member rips Pozdnyakov on tennis name-calling

Shamil Tarpischev has been a Russian member of the International Olympic Committee since 1994 and continues as the President of the Russian Tennis Federation. He did not take kindly to comments from Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov – a gold-medal-winning Olympic fencer – calling out Russian tennis players like Daniil Medvedev as “foreign agents” for their willingness to play at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

On Monday, Tarpischev told the Russian news agency TASS:

“Calling [tennis players] foreign agents is stupidity. An athlete does a job to which he devoted his whole life and never betrayed the country. This is utter stupidity.

“And that a tennis player plays more than 30 competitions abroad is the specifics of the sport. They performed before the pandemic, now, and will do so later. At the same time, when possible, many come home to prepare. Both [Veronika] Kudermetova and [Karen] Khachanov came to train here. Blame them for not spending much time at home.

“This is ignorance of the specifics of sports by those people who begin to speak out on this subject. There are no tournaments in Russia where tennis players could win points in order to be in the rankings.

“The sporting unity of Russia must be preserved, and not destroyed by statements. And I am grateful to the tennis players and other athletes that they are true patriots of our homeland.”

Russian and Belarusian wrestlers did very well at the final European Wrestling Qualifier for Paris 2024, with eight Russian and five Belarusians reaching the finals and securing an Olympic quota spot.

However, that does not mean that the Russians will go. Russian Wrestling Federation chief Mikhail Mamiashvili said Saturday:

“The Russian Wrestling Federation fully supports the policy of the President of Russia, and Russian wrestlers will consider the possibility of participating in the Olympic Games to prove that, despite all the difficulties, restrictions and sanctions, the medals of the main world sports forums will still go to the strongest power: Russia.

“But in order to make a decision on participation in the Olympic Games, you must first win the right to participate there on a sporting basis, which is what Russian wrestlers are doing today at a qualifying tournament. I want to emphasize that at the moment we are not talking about participation in the Olympics, but about winning the right to participate there.

“And Russian wrestlers, according to the sporting principle, are allowed to qualify, and according to the sporting principle, they compete for the right to be among the participants in the main sporting event of the four years, and after that we will decide whether to participate in the Games based on the criteria that will be proposed by the International Olympic Committee.”

4.
USATF to skip World U-20 Champs for second time in four years

USA Track & Field issued a statement on Monday, pulling out of another World Athletics junior championship:

“After careful consideration concerning both the domestic & international athletics calendar, consultation amongst the internal team, advice of security consultants and relevant government authorities, it has been decided that USA Track & Field will not be sending a Team to the 2024 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Peru. …

“We understand that this decision may be disappointing for those who were looking forward to participating, but we have the responsibility to prioritize the safety and security of all involved.”

The U.S. government issued a travel advisory on 23 November 2023 concerning Peru of “Exercise increased caution.” Further USATF cited the timing and lack of competition in the U.S. after June:

“The August 26-31 date of the event is at the end of the summer period and will be problematic for many high school and college athletes as many will have already returned to school/campuses for the 2024-2025 academic year.”

(The World Athletics calendar shows two Continental Tour Silver meets in the U.S. July, with the Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis from 11-13 July and the Holloway Pro Classic in Gainesville on 19 July; none are shown in August.)

This is the second time in three World U-20 Champs that the U.S. will skip. USATF decided not to send a team to the 2021 World U-20s in Nairobi, Kenya, issuing a statement that noted:

“Due to a number of factors including timing, logistics, and most importantly the health and well-being of our athletes and team staffs, USATF will not send athletes to the following 2021 events,” which included the World U-20s, the Pan American U-20s in Chile and the NACAC U-23s in Costa Rica.

Lima was selected for the meet in 2021. It will be fascinating to watch the attitude of other U.S. federations toward Peru, as the 2019 Pan American Games was successfully held in Lima and will be held in Lima again in 2027.

USATF announced its “Journey to Gold” schedule for 2024, with the same seven meets as in 2023 (although on slightly different dates):

● 28 Apr.: Bermuda Grand Prix (Devonshire, BER)
● 04 May: Throws Festival (Tucson)
● 17 May: Distance Classic (Los Angeles)
● 18 May: L.A. Grand Prix (Los Angeles)
● 25 May: Prefontaine Classic (Eugene)
● 09 Jun.: NYC Grand Prix (New York)
● 21-30 Jun.: U.S. Olympic Trials (Eugene)

The Prefontaine Classic is a Diamond League meet and the L.A. and NYC Grand Prix meets are World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meets. The Bermuda Grand Prix and Throws Festival Continental Tour Silver meets.

5.
NAIA bans transgender athletes from women’s category

On a 20-0 vote from its Council of Presidents on Monday, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) adopted a new transgender participation policy which includes:

● “A. Participation by students in sports designated as male by the NAIA:
“All eligible NAIA student-athletes may participate in NAIA-sponsored male sports.

● “B. Participation by students in sports designated as female by the NAIA:
”Only NAIA student-athletes whose biological sex* is female may participate in NAIA-sponsored female sports.”

● “*For the sake of this policy, biological sex is defined by distinguishing characteristics and can be supported by birth certificate or signed affidavit. While rare, there have been cases where the sex assigned at birth does not match the biological sex, which led to the use of biological sex in this document.”

The policy does not apply to Competitive Cheer and Competitive Dance, which are open sports, not segregated by sex. Further, women who have begun “masculinizing hormone therapy” may practice, but not compete in a “countable contest.”

The NAIA is an association of 241 smaller colleges and universities, covering about 83,000 students who compete in athletics. The new policy will take effect on 1 August 2024.

The prohibition on transgender athletes in women’s sports is in contrast to the much-larger NCAA, which has allowed transgender athletes in women’s competitions, subject to lowered levels of testosterone. However, the NCAA policy on testosterone levels is separate and is not yet connected to those of any International Federation, leading to criticism – and a lawsuit – from some female athletes.

NAIA President Jim Carr told The Associated Press:

“We know there are a lot of opinions, and a lot of people have a very emotional reaction to this, and we want to be respectful of all that. But we feel like our primary responsibility is fairness in competition, so we are following that path. And we’ve tried as best we could to allow for some participation by all.”

The AP further noted that “At least 24 states have laws barring transgender women and girls from competing in certain women’s or girls sports competitions.”

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The U.S. got a taut, 1-0 overtime victory over Canada in their final pool-play match at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Utica, New York.

The two sides, which have met in 21 of the 22 prior women’s Worlds finals, put up 49 shots between them in regulation time, but neither American Aerin Frankel (26 saves) nor Canadian star Ann-Renee Desbiens (23 saves) could be beaten.

The Canadians had been on the offensive in the second and third periods, but the U.S. came out shooting in the overtime, piling up seven shots in the first 3:38, with Kirsten Simms finally getting the winner off a 3-on-1 break and a crisp pass by defender Caroline Harvey for Simms’ quick-release shot. Canada did not get a shot off in the overtime.

The two teams are in a path to meet again, with the U.S. winning Group A at 4-0 and Canada at 3-1. Group B play will finish on Tuesday, with Germany at 3-0 and Sweden at 3-1 so far. The playoffs will start on the 11th.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2012: London ● Another historical doping positive, with more medals to be re-allocated, this time in the women’s 800 m.

Russia’s Marina Savinova won the race on the track in 1:56.19, but was disqualified for doping, along with sixth-placer Elena Arzhakova (1:59.21). That moved South Africa’s Caster Semenya (1:57.23) up to gold-medal status, followed by Russian Ekaterina Poistogova (1:57.53 for silver), then Pamela Jelimo (KEN: 1:57.59) for the bronze and American Alysia Johnson-Montano (1:57.93) in fourth.

In 2017, the World Anti-Doping Agency found Poistogova to be doping and suggested a lifetime ban, which was shortened by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on appeal to two years, annulling her results only since 24 August 2015.

Now, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, working off of data from the infamous Moscow Laboratory that oversaw the state-sponsored doping program from 2011-15, has imposed new penalties. According to the All-Russian Athletics Federation:

“The period of ineligibility for the athlete is from 28 March 2024 to 27 March 2026, taking into account the period of ineligibility served by the athlete in accordance with the decision in the case of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). All results achieved from July 17, 2012 to October 20, 2014 are canceled.”

That would take away her London (now) silver, which would go to Jelimo, with Johnson-Montano getting the bronze. This would have to be confirmed by the International Olympic Committee.

Poistogova, 33, now competes for Turkey, as the wife of 2017 World 200 m Champion Ramil Guliyev (TUR) in 2021.

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The French Mint said Monday that production of the medals for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is on target, refuting claims that the work had been interrupted by workers protesting for higher wages and an “Olympic bonus.”

A statement explained, “Production of the medals is not blocked. All of the medals have been minted and we are at the finishing stage. We will deliver on schedule and on time.”

● Olympic Games 2028: Los Angeles ● The government of Kosovo has created a €4 million (about $4.34 million U.S.) program called “Super Athletes” to develop new stars specifically for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

According to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajrullah Ceku, “‘Super Athletes’ aims to provide sustainable support for the country’s athletes, focusing on athletes with high potential to achieve success in the international sports events.”

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been dogged by political refusals to compete in certain countries which do not recognize it. Nevertheless, it has had success, especially in judo, where its athletes have won three total golds, in Rio in 2016 (1) and at Tokyo 2020 (2).

● Athletics ● A massive lifetime best and world-leading mark in the men’s discus at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational at Cal’s Edwards Stadium on Saturday for two-time Worlds medalist Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania at 71.39 m (234-2), moving him to no. 10 on the all-time list.

His big throw came in the third round, but it was no fluke, as his second-rounder went 69.82 m (229-1) and his fifth try reached 69.96 m (229-6).

At the same meet, World Champion Cam Rogers (CAN) scored a world leader in the women’s hammer at 76.87 m (252-2), on her fifth throw.

At the Miramar Invitational in Florida, Tokyo Olympic 200 m silver medalist Kenny Bednarek of the U.S. won the men’s 200 m over 2019 World 100 m gold medalist Christian Coleman, 20.35 to 20.43, into a 2.8 m/s headwind.

Another Kenyan doping suspension, this time of Kennedy Cheboror, 33, a 2:06:59 marathoner from 2019 who has not run since May of 2022. He was suspended for two years for “whereabouts” failures, and will be eligible again on 3 March 2026.

An ESPN documentary on the saga of 400 m star Butch Reynolds – the 400 m world-record holder for 11 years – is coming, focusing on his efforts to finally get a doping sanction removed.

Called “False Positive” and scheduled to air later this year, it premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival last Saturday, telling Reynolds’ story as a track star, setting the world mark of 43.29 in 1988 and winning a relay gold and 400 m silver at the Seoul Olympic Games.

But the core of the film involved the years-long effort to overturn a 1990 doping positive, which Reynolds – now 59 – insists was not valid. Suspended for two years by the IAAF (now World Athletics), Reynolds fought the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ordered that he be able to compete at the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 400 m. He finished fifth and qualified for the U.S. relay pool, but was not allowed to compete in Barcelona by the IAAF.

After the suspension, Reynolds continued his career, winning World Championships silvers in the 400 m and relay golds in 1993 and 1995. He made the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, but suffered an injury and didn’t quality for the 400 m final and could not run on the 4×400 m relay.

● Hockey ● USA Field Hockey issued a statement on Friday explaining why star player Erin Matson – who played for the U.S. at the Indoor Pan-Am Cup in March – was not eligible to be considered for Olympic selection in 2024:

“Erin Matson did not meet the qualification requirements and requested a special exception to the published Olympic Selection Process policies. This came after the team qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and in the final stage of preparing the team for Olympic level competition.

“Erin was invited by USA Field Hockey to tryout in early 2023, but turned down the opportunity, which established the main pool of candidates for potential selection. Subsequently, Erin has not played in national or international competitions necessary to be evaluated on an ongoing basis since the original selection of the centralized athlete pool in early 2023. It was not possible for the selection committee to fairly evaluate the inclusion of Erin. As a result, Erin did not qualify under the mandatory terms of the selection criteria that all athletes had to follow for possible inclusion on the team.”

Matson was a mega-star for North Carolina, winning four NCAA titles as a player in 2018-19-20-22, then becoming the Tar Heel coach at age 22, winning another title in 2023. She has extensive USA Field Hockey experience, including a bronze medal with the U.S. Pan American Games team from 2019, scoring six goals.

In a November interview, Matson noted the situation was difficult: “The door (to playing for Team USA) is not closed, but it’s not open.”

● Modern Pentathlon ● Although no official announcement has been made, the possible format for the sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games may have been previewed in a Web post by Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne Secretary Shiny Fang (CHN):

“The new TV product took further shape during a constructive meeting with a comprehensive [Olympic Broadcasting Services] programming team and senior leadership in their Madrid headquarters on March 12.

“One of their many intelligent suggestions related to the order of the event, to start in LA with Obstacle, marking the dawn of a new era and introducing Pentathlon with a series of short and thrilling head-to-head races to grab the attention of new audiences.

“Next comes the new Fencing with single-elimination format that our [national federations] are currently testing, followed by an innovative change to the operation of the Swimming event that is designed to appeal to viewers but is also sensitive to athletes. The idea is that athletes start Swimming with an overall time handicap from points gained in Obstacle and Fencing – something that had already been discussed at times within our community.

“The detail has to be worked out by our internal team and committees, and there are various options and ways to do this, but a Swimming handicap means more relevant races, which means viewers continue to follow the overall storyline without switching off. And then we finish with our dramatic Laser Run as per the status quo.”

This format has yet to be approved, and if a swimming handicap is included, it will make three of the five disciplines subject to a “handicap” system, as that is already in place for the Laser Run.

Observed: As modern pentathlon barely made it back onto the program for 2028, and its future will be judged by its popularity against all other Olympic sports in Los Angeles, there can be little doubt that the UIPM will do whatever OBS prefers in order to try to maximize its chances of audience success in 2028.

● Ski Mountaineering ● The final ISMF World Cup of the season is ongoing at Cortina d’Ampezzo (ITA), with superstars Remi Bonnet (SUI) and Axelle Gachet Mollaret (FRA) sweeping the first two events in the men’s and women’s divisions.

Bonnet, the reigning World Champion in the Vertical Race and Individual Race, won both, taking the Vertical in 24:05.93, ahead of fellow Swiss Marti Werner (24:39.51) and Aurelian Gay (24:42.06). Bonnet then won the 6,500 m Individual in 1:26:24.85, beating Italy’s Davide Magnini (1:27:51.18) and William Bon Mardion (FRA: 1:28:41.45).

Gachet Mollaret is also the current World Champion in the Vertical and Individual women’s races and won both in Cortina. She was a runaway victor in the Vertical in 27:35.51, ahead of Sarah Dreier (AUT: 28:59.87) and Tove Alexandersson (SWE: 29:11.90). In the Individual, she led a French 1-2 in 1:40:44.51, with relay World Champion Emily Harrop second (1:42:29.45) and Italian Worlds runner-up Alba de Silvestro third (1:45:31.01).

The Sprint races and relays will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

● Weightlifting ● More world records at the IWF World Cup in Phuket (THA), the final Olympic qualifier, with China’s 2023 World Champion Huanhua Liu winning the men’s 102 kg class and writing his name in the record books twice.

He was only fifth in the Snatch at 181 kg, but lifted a record 232 kg in the Clean & Jerk and the combined total of 413 kg was also a new world mark. Well back in second was Armenia’s Garik Karapetyan, the 2023 Worlds fifth-placer, at 401 kg total.

South Korea’s Jong-beom Won, the 2023 Worlds silver medalist, won the men’s 96 kg class, sweeping all three segments, lifting 170/219/389 kg. Egypt’s Karim Abokahla, last year’s World Champion, finished second at 165/205/370 kg.

North Korea won its fifth women’s gold, with Chun Hui Jong taking the 76 kg division, lifting 114 kg in the Snatch (second) and winning the Clean & Jerk at 145 kg for a 259 kg total. France’s Marie Fegue was second at 245 kg combined; American Estelle Rohr was eighth overall (223 kg).

Competition continues through the 11th.

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TSX REPORT: Olympic opening on the Seine re-confirmed; Salt Lake warned on Federal funds for 2034 Winter Games; Russians rage over tennis!

By
Rich Perelman
-

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Paris officials underline: Olympic opening is on the Seine
2. Romney warns Salt Lake bid on tight Federal budgets to come
3. Russian officials rage over tennis participation at Paris 2024
4. New York Governor says leave the NYC Marathon alone
5. ISU to allow somersaults in figure skating?

● Paris officials reiterated that the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony will take place on the Seine River, although the program could be tweaked in case of security concerns. But the event will be held on the water as planned.

● U.S. Senator Mitt Romney warned a Friday conference in Salt Lake City that a giant request for Federal funds to assist the 2034 Olympic Winter Games may not be available as the national debt continues to balloon. He opined that asking for much smaller amounts over time would be better.

● Russian sports officials have turned on each other over whether its tennis players should compete at the Paris Games. The head of the Russian Olympic Committee called them “foreign agents” but was rebuked by the national sports minister!

● The governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, told the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority to leave the New York City Marathon alone and stop trying to get more money out of the race for crossing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. A study showed the race brings in even more than the MTA was asking!

● A Russian news report said that the International Skating Union will consider allowing somersaults in figure skating competitions at this summer’s Congress. No word on whether helmets will be required.

● World Championships: Curling (Edin wins seventh title in men’s Worlds) = Ice Hockey (Canada and U.S. undefeated in women’s Worlds, play Tuesday) ●

● Panorama: International Olympic Committee (Greece wants all future IOC Presidential elections at Olympia) = Alpine Skiing (Shiffrin and Kilde announce engagement) = Archery (Ellison and Kaufhold dominate Olympic qualifying in Arizona) = Artistic Swimming (six wins for China in World Cup I) = Athletics (2: Bor and Durgin win U.S. 10 Mile titles; Ethiopia’s Uma and Fikir win Paris Marathon in debuts) = Cycling (3: Ayuso wins Tour of Catalonia as Vingegaard, Roglic and Evenepoel all hurt in stage four crash; van der Poel dominates Paris-Roubaix and Kopecky sprints to women’s win; Valente dominates Pan Am track champs) = Fencing (2: Virgin Islands wins Paris spot in Pan-Am qualifiers; Hungary’s Kun charged with “whereabouts” failure) = Football (U.S. edges Japan and Canada penalty-kicks Brazil in SheBelieves Cup semis) = Gymnastics (France’s de Jesus dos Santos wins two at FIG World Challenge Cup) = Rowing (Kohler makes third U.S. team at Olympic Trials) = Rugby (New Zealand sweeps Sevens Series in Hong Kong) = Sailing (Italy wins two at Trofeo Princesa Sofia Olympic-classes regatta) = Shooting (U.S. wins three at final Americas Olympic qualifier) = Water Polo (U.S. women sail past Australia in first of three exhibitions) = Weightlifting (Reeves shines with three American Records in IWF World Cup) ●

1.
Paris officials underline: Olympic opening is on the Seine

Days after French President Emmanuel Macron and Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera spoke openly about a “Plan B” for the Olympic opening on the Seine River on 26 July, Paris city officials hustled to dispel talk of a possible change in venue.

Paris First Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire and Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan – whose portfolio includes sports – told reporters on Friday the show will be on the river, for sure. Said Rabadan:

“We have the possibility to reduce the impact and the facilities of the opening ceremony if the international risk becomes harder. We can reduce it, the show, the number of people. But there is no plan B.”

A record crowd for an Olympic opening of 326,000 is currently expected, with 104,000 on the lower quays with purchased tickets and another 222,000 on the upper level, with free tickets distributed by the French government. That total could be reduced if security concerns require it. Said Gregoire:

“Of course, we talk about hypotheses. We are focused on preparing the situation. We are doing our best to guarantee security with major, major measures.

“The police need to check who they are in case they represent a threat to security. They will have strong security measures days before. The idea is to maintain the possibility that neighbors can welcome friends and family. At the same time [we need to] to guarantee security.”

Rabadan also expressed full confidence that the Seine will be safe for athletes for the open-water swimming events and the triathlon:

“There is no plan B. We know that if there is a problem, we can postpone the event by two days.

“We will finish all the work and water quality, unless there is two months of continuous rain in the summer, then we will be ready.”

2.
Romney warns Salt Lake bid on tight Federal budgets to come

“Ten years from now, our country is likely to be facing some very tough financial times.

“If Salt Lake goes to the government and says, ‘Hey, we need $3 billion or $4 billion for security and transportation,’ that may not be a welcome request, and it may not be granted.”

That’s U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) – the head of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic organizing committee – talking to the Salt Lake City political and Olympic bid leaders at a Friday forum at the University of Utah.

“So instead of asking for $3-4 billion down the road, we’re able to get $200 million or $300 million year after year going into special accounts.”

He suggested looking toward what the Games can mean to Utah beyond 2034 and beginning to coalesce around solutions to issues:

“I think what made [the 2002] Olympics so successful was that people began to realize this was an opportunity for us to help serve the world. This was about service. It was about giving, not receiving.

“Acknowledge the difficulties. … Travel’s going to be hard. It’s going to be intrusive. Acknowledge those things.”

Utah State Senator Mike McKell acknowledged that the 2034 Winter Games could be the backdrop to a discussion of Utah’s future:

“It’s time to have that discussion. I don’t think we know exactly as a state what we want to accomplish, right now. And I think we need to decide. We need to harness government at all levels … we need to decide what is the legacy, what do we want to accomplish.”

Former Utah Governor Mike Leavitt underlined a theme of his recent memoir series, reflecting on his term and what he learned about looking to the future:

“The Olympics is a 17-day activity, then it’s over.

“That isn’t the value of the Olympics to the state. The value … is the 10 years in advance of the Games, during which there is a huge amount of back pressure that will allow you to get a lot of things done that you could never get done in their absence.”

A U.S. General Accounting Office report in 2001 specified that identified governmental spending on the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City was projected at $567 million (in 2001 dollars):

● $342 million: U.S. government
● $150 million: State of Utah
● $75 million: Local governments

The national government spending for 2002 was concentrated on security ($185 million), transportation ($106 million), venues ($27 million), operations ($19 million) and housing and infrastructure support ($4 million). The report, filed after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., noted that added spending – perhaps $25-30 million – would be made in light of extra security requirements.

At, let’s say, $600 million for government spending in 2002, the equivalent amount today would be just more than $1.05 billion.

3.
Russian officials rage over tennis participation at Paris 2024

Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev has been clear that, if allowed, he is ready to play as a “neutral” at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

In response, he and other Russian and Belarusian tennis have been bitterly criticized by Russian sports officials. The latest was Russian Olympic Committee President – and four-time Olympic gold medalist in fencing – Stanislav Pozdnyakov:

“Currently, a discussion has unfolded in the public space between [Russian rhythmic gymnastics chief] Irina Viner and tennis representatives regarding performance at the Olympic Games in a neutral status. I would like to emphasize that I share and support Irina Aleksandrovna’s position, our opinions here completely coincide.

“The only thing is that I do not agree with [her] definition of ‘a team of homeless people’ specifically in the case of tennis players who live abroad most of the time, earn money there, while claiming that they are ‘playing for themselves,’ condemning the policies of their country and the Central Military District.

“So, from my point of view, it’s more correct to call it a ‘team of foreign agents.’ For which there will definitely not be any obstacles to representing themselves at the Olympics. Moreover, individual Olympic entrepreneurship is now being actively promoted from Lausanne. I sincerely respect the achievements of the masters at courts, but from a human and civil point of view, our approaches to the current situation are diametrically opposed.”

That touched off a storm of comments aimed at Pozdnyakov and Viner:

● From famed figure skating coach Tatyana Tarasova: “I think it’s insulting, ugly and unfair that sports leaders called athletes who decided to go to the Olympic Games and who will compete for Russia this way.”

● From Russian Cycling Federation President Vyacheslav Ekimov:

“If we ignore the Olympics, we may not be allowed to attend the next one. Of course, we are not expected at these Games in Paris. I look at this story like this: we have these couple of dozen people, they must go.

“I don’t see any big reasons why we shouldn’t go. You can remember how we went to Tokyo and Beijing without a flag and an anthem, however, there was another excuse, but we went, then everyone honored our champions. Here is the challenge for us: they’re not waiting, so we have to go, otherwise we just gave up without a fight.”

● From Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin:

“Today it is especially important to treat each other with respect within the professional sports community; accusatory rhetoric against Russian athletes performing on the international stage is unacceptable.

“We are a single sports family, at this difficult moment it is necessary to unite and treat those with respect.” who with their hard work won the right to compete at the Olympics. We have a great country with a great history and glorious victories, behind every achievement there is enormous work, the contribution of coaches, medical personnel and other specialists, and therefore the entire sports industry.

“After all, we know that these are Russian athletes and they are going to the Games to defend not only their sporting honor, but also the honor of their native country, despite the discriminatory decisions of the International Olympic Committee. Now the gaze of the entire world sports community is turned on us, so it is especially important to demonstrate an example of consolidation, not to give reasons for disunity.”

● Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov:

“The President has already repeatedly said that the athletes themselves make this decision.”

Peskov rejected a Viner suggestion that a “coaching council” be assembled to decide whether Russian athletes should go to Paris, noting that “the IOC promised not to force anyone to sign anything. Therefore, each athlete, each federation makes their own decision.”

On Saturday, Pozdkyanov acknowledged the differences in opinion, but doubled down on his position:

“It should be directly noted that the Russian Olympic Committee is on the side of those of our compatriots among athletes who deliberately choose the other side of the ‘barricades’ and dividing lines stubbornly erected by Lausanne since February 2022. For whom the IOC conditions are unacceptable neither in essence nor in form.”

Peskov also dismissed claims by French President Macron that Russia will try to undermine the Paris 2024 Games through misinformation and Czech transport minister Martin Kupka that Russian hackers are trying to disrupt European railways:

“These are absolutely unfounded accusations in both the first and second cases. They are often heard, but they are never supported by any adequate evidence or argumentation. We absolutely do not accept such accusations.”

4.
New York Governor says leave the NYC Marathon alone

“I’ve directed the MTA to fix this mess and allow the marathon to move forward as it always has.

“The marathon is an iconic symbol of New York City’s tenacity and resilience that unites communities across the five boroughs each fall.”

That’s New York Governor Kathy Hochul from Friday, as she instructed the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority to abandon its demand for an additional $750,000 for the race’s 50,000-plus runners to cross the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn to begin the event.

Last Wednesday, the head of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, Catherine Sheridan, demanded:

“Taxpayers cannot be expected to subsidize a wealthy non-government organization like the New York Road Runners to the tune of $750,000.

“The MTA is prepared to continue working toward a final agreement with the NYRR, provided it leads, over time, to full reimbursement for the lost revenue.”

Hochul put a stop to the request and to the transit agency’s threat to limit the use of the bridge to only one level, which would slow the start considerably.

The New York Road Runners, which puts on the race, had already agreed to increase its payment to the MTA from $150,000 to $200,000. Chief executive Rob Simmelkjaer told the New York Post:

“We have agreed to increase payments to the MTA in the form of both direct payments and the purchase of advertising on subways and buses. The MTA has made few concessions in these negotiations, however, and continues to insist on 100% reimbursement of lost toll revenue.”

That’s over now. The Post noted that ridership on MTA on Marathon Sunday in 2023 was up by 365,000 over normal levels, a race-day bonus of $1.1 million for the agency, not including any payments from the NYRR.

5.
ISU to allow somersaults in figure skating?

“It is planned to remove the somersault from the list of prohibited elements, and this proposal is planned to be included among other proposals of the ISU technical committee at the organization’s congress. This item is not yet included in the published proposals of the technical committee.”

This report, from an unnamed source according to the Russian news agency TASS would be a big change in skating. Celebrated Russian coach Tatyana Tarasova was less than enthusiastic:

“There will be more injuries while they teach it, plus they will need to attract new acrobatics coaches, pay them separately. Don’t they think about that? Some guys do somersaults, and everyone will learn, but if a person is tall, but it will be hard to do this element, apparently. They don’t care much about that.

“This is a trifle, there are more serious issues, like, for example, our admission to competitions.”

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Curling ● The 65th World Curling Men’s World Championship finished the way 26 of the previous tournaments did, with Canada or Sweden as the winner. And for the seventh time, it was Sweden’s Niklas Eden who hoisted the trophy at the KSS Sports Complex in Shaffhausen (SUI).

Edin’s rink led the qualifying at 11-1, ahead of Canada’s 2017 World Champion Brad Gushue and Scotland’s 2023 winner Bruce Mouat, both at 10-2.

The U.S. squad, led by 2018 PyeongChang Olympic gold medalist John Shuster, won its final two round-robin games and got into the final playoff spot – sixth – with a 7-5 record, but was eliminated by Mouat by 8-4 in the quarterfinals.

Edin’s squad got past Joel Retornaz and Italy in the semis by 5-3, with three points in the seventh end, and Gushue broke open a tight match with Mouat with three points in the sixth and eighth ends for a 9-4 win.

In the final, Edin got up 2-0 in the second, was ahead by 3-2 (4th) and 5-3 in the 8th, but Gushue got two in the ninth to tie and go to extras. But Edin scored one in the 10th and claimed the title (again) with a 6-5 triumph.

The Swede has now won five of the last six Worlds, while Gushue lost in the final match for the third straight Worlds: twice to Edin and once to Mouat. His Scots were up, 6-3, after the ninth end in the bronze-medal game, but Retornaz and Italy scored three to tie and another in the 10th to win, 7-6.

● Ice Hockey ● Pool play continues at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Utica, New York, with the U.S. continuing undefeated in Group A and meeting Canada for first place on Monday.

The Americans are the defending champions and cruised past Switzerland, 4-0, in their opener (two goals for defender Haley Winn) then crushed the Czech Republic, 6-0, on a hat trick by Alex Carpenter, and beat Finland by 5-3, with Kendall Coyne Schofield getting two goals.

The Canadians beat Finland by 4-1, shut down the Swiss (3-0) and moved past the Czechs, 5-0 on Sunday. Sweden (3-0) and Germany (2-0) are leading Group B.

The U.S. and Canada have met in the final of all 22 editions of the women’s Worlds, going back to 1990 and both appear ready to get there again.

Pool play will finish on Tuesday (9th) and playoffs will begin with the quarterfinals on Thursday (11th); the championship final will be next Sunday.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● International Olympic Committee ● The head of the Greek Olympic Committee wants the IOC to elect all of its future presidents at Olympia. Spyros Capralos told Agence France Presse:

“My dream is to have this election in Ancient Olympia, to remind everybody where the Games started, 2,800 years ago.

“Every eight or 12 years to organise the election of the IOC president in Ancient Olympia, this is something that is feasible. I think that overall it would give positive vibes to everybody in the Olympic Movement.”

Athens was selected to host the 143rd IOC Session in 2025, when the next IOC Presidential election is scheduled.

● Alpine Skiing ● Hardly unexpected, but happy news for skiing stars Mikaela Shiffrin, 29, of the U.S. and Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, 31, who announced their engagement.

They have been together since 2021 and both spend time this past season recovering from bad injuries, with Shiffrin returning just before the season’s end.

● Archery ● A surprise at the AAE Arizona Cup in Phoenix, as top-seeded and three-time Olympic medalist, Brady Ellison, was eliminated in the round of 16 and Tokyo Olympian Jack Williams surged to victory in the men’s Recurve division, with a 6-2 win over Davaang Gupta of Canada.

The women’s top seed, Olympic Casey Kaufhold, won the women’s Recurve title with a 7-3 finals triumph over no. 11 Emma Kim.

However, in the three-day third stage of the USA Archery Olympic Trials that preceded the Arizona Cup, Ellison impressed by (1) winning the 72-arrow round at 688 to 680 over Gabe Anderson, (2) then went 15-for-15 in the round-robin matches, (3) won the Team Round simulation, 347-344 over Jackson Mirich, and then won the Stage 4 72-arrow round at 672, with Trenton Cowles the closest at 661.

Kaufhold won the Stage 3 72-arrow round at 677, then tied with Kim for second in the round-robin with 12 wins (Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez had 13), was second to Mucino-Fernandez in the Team Round simulation, 339-336, and won the Stage 4 72-arrow round at 664, to 644 for Catalina GNoriega.

Ellison and Kaufhold are well in front for Olympic qualification, as the U.S. has secured one spot each for men and women so far for Paris.

● Artistic Swimming ● China dominated the World Aquatics World Cup I in Beijing (CHN), winning six events. Huiyan Xu, 18, won the women’s Solo Technical, 244.9183 to 234.8867 over Belarus’ Vasilina Khandosha, and Xu took the women’s Solo Free, scoring 240.3021 to 206.7833 for Isabel Cui (ESP).

Yanhan Lin and Yanjun Lin won the Duet Technical, 238.8985 to 210.5867 over Spain’s Rocio Calle and Aurora Lazaro, while Israel’s Shelly Bobritsky and Ariel Nassee won the Duet Free over China’s Yanhan Lin and Xu, 225.7613 to 221.0156.

China’s Muye Guo and Heyue Ji, both 15, won the Mixed Duet Technical, 206.8800-199.4450 over 2024 World Champions Nargiza Bolatova and Eduard Kim (KAZ) and Italy’s Filippo Pelati joined with Flamina Vernice – both 17 – to win the Mixed Duet Free (175.9655).

Jordi Caceras (ESP) won the men’s Solo Technical, then was second to Italy’s Pelati in the men’s Solo Free.

Kazakhstan won the Team Acrobatic, China won the Team Technical and the Team Free.

● Athletics ● Hilary Bor won his third USATF 10 Mile Championship in a row on Sunday morning at the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in Washington, D.C., out-running Nathan Martin in the final stretch to win by 45:56 to 46:00. Biya Simbassa finished third in 46:17.

Bor crushed his own American Record of 46:11 in the process, but was actually third in the race overall, with Kenyan Wesley Kiptoo winning in 45:54, ahead of countryman Raymund Magut (45:55).

The women’s U.S. championship race was a runaway for Emily Durgin – third in this event in 2022 – winning in 51:26 to 51:40 for defending U.S. champ Rachel Smith, who was fourth overall.

Uganda’s defending champ, Sarah Chelangat, who finished sixth in the recent World Cross Country champs, was a clear overall winner at 51:14 – 12 seconds up on Durgin, who was second – with Kasanesh Avenew (ETH: 51:38) third overall.

At the Paris Marathon, Ethiopians Mulugeta Uma and Mestawut Fikir won in their debut performances at the distance. Uma was a clear winner in the men’s race in 2:05:33 and moved to no. 10 on the 2024 world list. Kenya’s Titus Kipruto and Elisha Rotich finished 2-3 in 2:05:48 and 2:06:54.

Fikir ran away from fellow Ethiopian Enat Tirusew in the final meters of the race, winning in 2:20:45 – no. 14 in 2024 – to 2:20:48, with four-time Worlds 5-10,000 m winner Vivian Cheruiyot, now 40, third in 2:21:46.

● Cycling ● The 63rd edition of the Itzula Basque Country stage race in Spain got its first home winner since 2019 and its first Spanish 1-2 since 2017 as Juan Ayuso won in 15:56:50, 42 seconds up on Carlos Rodriguez and 43 seconds over Dane Mattias Skjelmose. American Brandon McNulty was fifth (+1:56).

Slovenian star and two-time winner Primoz Roglic won the opening stage and led through three stages, but the fourth stage last Thursday (4th) changed everything.

A major crash about 36 km before the end of the hilly, 157.5 km ride into Legutio, during a major descent from the Olaeta climb. On a tight right-hand turn, one rider slid out and about 12 riders in all went down, with six taken to the hospital for care.

Roglic was one of those who ended up in a concrete drainage ditch, but worst off as two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard (DEN), who suffered a broken collarbone and broken ribs. Belgian star Remco Evenepoel, the 2022 World Road Champion and a medal favorite for Paris 2024, also suffered collarbone and right shoulder injuries. The stage was closed down, except for the six breakaway riders ahead of the crash, who were allowed to finish on their own.

Sjolmose had the race lead after stage four and kept it after stage five, but with the top 10 all within 30 seconds. In Saturday’s final stage, Rodriguez and Ayuso broke away and finished 1-2 in the same time, but 41 seconds up on the field, including Skjelmose in fourth and that made the difference.

The 121st Paris-Roubaix race on Sunday was a showcase for Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel, who defended his 2023 win and took his sixth career “Monument” win with a sensational 59.6 km breakaway, winning by 3:00 over the 259.7 km route.

Jesper Philipsen (BEL), Mads Pedersen (DEN) and Nils Politt (GER) finished together in places 2-3-4, but way behind van der Poel, who won his third race of the season in five tries, also with a second at Gent-Wevelgem.

The women’s Paris-Roubaix – the fourth – saw a final sprint of five riders at the end of the 148.5 km route that started in Denain. Belgium’s 2023 World Champion Lotte Kopecky got her third Women’s World Tour win of the season, crossing the line ahead of Elisa Balsamo (ITA), Pfeiffer Georgi (GBR), Marianne Vos (NED) and Amber Kraak (NED), all in 3:47:13.

The U.S. and Colombia both won 17 medals to lead the field at the Pan American Track Championships in Carson, California, but Olympic Omnium gold medalist Jennifer Valente was the star.

The seven-time Worlds gold medalist won five golds, taking the Elimination Race, Scratch Race, Points Race, Omnium and the Madison, teaming up with Megan Jastrab! The other double individual winner on the women’s side was Colombia’s two-time World medalist Martha Bayona, who took the Keirin and the 500 m Time Trial.

American Emily Ehrlich won the Individual Pursuit and was on the winning U.S. Team Pursuit squad. Daniela Gaxiola (MEX) won the Sprint, beating Tokyo Olympic winner Kelsey Mitchell (CAN), 2-0.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Nicholas Paul won the Sprint and Keirin in this event in 2023 and doubled up again, winning the Sprint over Colombia’s Cristian Ortega, 2-0.

Grant Koontz of the U.S. won the Elimination Race, took the Madison with Peter Moore and was part of the Team Pursuit winners. Moore also won the Points Race, and teammate Anders Johnson took the Individual Pursuit.

● Fencing ● Six more tickets to Paris were punched at the Pan American Olympic qualifier in San Jose, Costa Rica, with only the winner to qualify.

In the men’s events, Nicholas Zang (CAN) won the Epee; Kruz Schembri (ISV) triumphed in Foil and Mexico’s Gibran Zea qualified in Sabre.

The women’s Epee winner was Maria Doig Calderon of Peru, with Mariana Pistoia (BRA) winning the Foil tournament and Katherine Paredes (VEN) taking the Sabre title.

The International Testing Agency announced that Hungarian Epee star Anna Kun has been charged with three “whereabouts” failures over the past year. She won the Budapest Grand Prix on 8 March and is ranked fourth worldwide.

She has not been suspended (yet) and the case has been referred to the FIE Doping Disciplinary Tribunal.

● Football ● The U.S. and Canada managed wins at the 2024 SheBelieves Cup and will meet for the tournament title on Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio. But it wasn’t easy.

Saturday’s games were played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with a big crowd of 50,644 in attendance, the biggest U.S. home crowd since the 1999 FIFA World Cup final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena!

Nevertheless, Japan went up 1-0 after 31 seconds after midfielder Kiko Seike scored off a long pass down the right side, then dribbled into the box and ripped a shot to the left corner of the net, past U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher.

But the U.S. took control from there and earned a tie in the 21st as striker Jaedyn Shaw sent a hard shot from the top of the box into the left corner for the 1-1 tie, taking advantage of a turnover by defender Sam Coffey. It was Shaw’s fifth goal already in 2024.

While the Americans had 53% of possession and an 18-6 edge on shots, it took until the 77th minute for the winning goal. Striker Sophia Smith was fouled in the box and earned a penalty, converted by midfield star Lindsey Horan with a low shot to her left for the 2-1 final.

Canada and Brazil played a tight second match, with defender Tarciane getting the first goal in the 22nd off a penalty against striker Ludmila in the box. The Brazilians stayed on offense, but could not beat the Canadian defense again and defender Vanessa Giles finally tied it for Canada on a header off a cross from midfielder Jessie Fleming in the 77th.

The game went to penalties, with both sides missing their first attempts, but then the Canadians made four in a row, with sub striker Julia Grosso scoring the last one to close out a 4-2 total and advancing the Canadians to face the U.S. on Tuesday.

● Gymnastics ● France came away with three wins and four-time European champ Melanie de Jesus dos Santos was the individual star at the FIG Apparatus World Challenge Cup in Osijek (CRO).

A member of the Worlds Team bronze winners in 2023, de Jesus dos Santos won on the Uneven Bars (14.533) and Floor (13.866) and finished second on Beam to Ukraine’s Anna Lashchevska, 14.000 to 13.133. France won the Vault as well, with two-time European champ Coline Devillard scoring 13.700.

Through two rounds of the World Challenge Cup series, de Jesus dos Santos already has five medals!

Two-time Worlds medalist Ilia Kovtun of Ukraine won all three legs of the FIG World Cup series so far on the Parallel Bars, but this time started off with a win in the men’s Floor, scoring 14.400 to best Ilyas Azizov (KAZ: 14.200). But 2023 World Champion Lukas Dauser edged Kovtun on the P-Bars, 15.550 to 15.350.

Azizov won on the Pommel Horse, 14.600 to 14.300 over 37-year-old home favorite Filip Ude, the 2008 Olympic runner-up. Croatia did get a win in the men’s Vault, with Aurel Benovic and Spain’s Paul Jimenez both scoring 14.575, but Benovic winning on criteria.

Chinese Taipei’s Chia-Hung Tang, the 2018 Asian Games champ, took the Horizontal Bar over Tokyo silver medalist Tin Srbic of Croatia, 15.350 to 14.650. Kevin Penev of Bulgaria won in Rings at 13.250.

● Rowing ● The US Rowing Olympic Trials were held in Sarasota, Florida, with Kara Kohler winning the women’s Single Sculls and qualifying for her third Olympic team. She was a clear winner over Margaret Fellows, 8:04.01 to 8:10.68.

Jessica Thoennes and Azja Czajkowski won the women’s Pair and qualified for Paris and won in 7:37.62, almost eight seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Thoennes was on the women’s Eight in Tokyo.

William Bender and Oliver Bub won the men’s Pair in 6:54.64, taking the lead in the second half of the race and making their first Olympic teams. Anders Weiss and Alexander Richards, both prior Olympians, finished second in 6:57.37.

The remaining winners will advance to the World Olympic qualifier in Lucerne (SUI) from 19-21 May to try to get to Paris. In the men’s Single Sculls, Jacob Plihal won in 7:25.99 over Casey Fuller (7:29.65), while Ben Davison and Sorin Koszyk won by more than 30 seconds in the men’s Double Sculls in 6:36.85, and Sam Melvin and Cooper Tuckerman took the men’s Lightweight Double Sculls in 6:48.50, ahead of Zachary Heese and Jimmy McCullough (6:52.28). All-star boats also qualified in the men’s and women’s Quadruple Sculls and will try to advance in Lucerne.

● Rugby ● New Zealand swept the men’s and women’s Sevens Series tournaments in Hong Kong, their third win in a row on the men’s side and first of the season for the women.

France, Australia and Canada all went 3-0 in the women’s pool play, but the Canadians were knocked out by New Zealand in the quarters by 26-7. In the semis, the U.S. held France down, 19-5, and the Kiwis doubled up Australia, 28-14. That set up the final, won by New Zealand over the U.S. by 36-7.

By winning, the Kiwi women are now in a tie for first in the seasonal standings, with 106 points and own the tie-breaker over Australia. France sits third at 88 and the U.S. fourth at 82.

New Zealand and South Africa were the only undefeateds in the men’s pool play, but South Africa was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Australia (15-0), while New Zealand edged Fiji (19-12). Neither semi was close, as France sailed past Ireland, 26-10, and New Zealand beat Australia, 26-7. The final was a defensive gem, as New Zealand won by only 10-7.

The men’s standings still have Argentina on top at 94, followed by Ireland (86), Fiji (76) and France (74).

● Sailing ● Italy came away as the only country to win twice at the important, pre-Olympic Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta off Palma de Mallorca (ESP).

In the IQ Foil, a new Olympic class, 2024 Worlds silver medalist Pawel Tarnowski (POL) was the easy winner, scoring just 18 net points – winning his first six races – to win over 2021 World Champion Nicolas Goyard (FRA: 30). Norway went 1-2 in the women’s tournament, with Mina Mobekk winning over Maya Gysler, both with 22 points, but Mobekk won on criteria and had three wins.

Singapore’s 2023 World Champion, Maximilian Maeder, won the men’s Formula Kite class, winning the final over Riccardo Pianosi (ITA). American Daniela Moroz had the best regatta on the women’s Formula Kite competition, with 12 wins, but was second in the final to Australia’s Breiana Whitehead.

Worlds bronze winners Diego Botin and Florian Trittel took the men’s 49er title, 75-81, against Hernan Umpierre and Fernando Diz (URU), with Andrew Mollerus and Ian MacDiarmid fourth (94). The women’s 49erFX tournament came down to the wire, with Jana Germani and Giorgia Bertuzzi (ITA) eking out a 73-74 victory against Helene Naess and Marie Ronningen (NOR).

Britain’s 2023 Worlds silver medalist Michael Beckett was the decisive winner in the men’s Laser class, scoring just 36 net points and taking four wins to defeat 2018 Worlds bronze winner Philipp Buhl (GER: 80). The women’s Laser Radial class was much tighter, as 2023 Worlds gold medalist Maria Erdi (HUN) finished with 90 points to win over Zoe Thomson (AUS: 97).

In the mixed-crew 470, Camille Lecointre – a two-time women’s Olympic bronze medalist – and Jeremie Mion of France won the lack-of-wind shortened, nine-race program, 38-39 over 2023 Worlds silver winners Jordi Xammar and Nora Brugman (ESP).

The Nacra 17 racing was an Italian 1-2 for Olympic and World champs Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti over Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei, 77-107.

● Shooting ● The last Americas qualifier for Paris 2024 was held in Buenos Aires (ARG), with several qualifiers actually finishing second or third in specific events because the athletes ahead of them were from already-qualified countries.

The U.S. won three events, all of which they had already Olympic qualification as Sagen Maddalena won the women’s 10 m Air Rifle over fellow American Alison Weisz, 253.0 to 249.9, and took the 50 m Rifle/3 Positions win, defeating Brazil’s Geovana Meyer – who qualified for Paris – by 460.5 to 455.9.

Ecuador’s Andrea Perez won the women’s 10 m Air Pistol over American Katelyn Abeln, 241.4-239.3, and took the 25 m Pistol by 30-26 over Cuba’s Laina Perez (who qualified for Paris).

In the men’s 10 m Air Pistol, Chile’s Diego Parra earned his Olympic spot with a 244.2 to 238.6 win over American Nick Mowrer, who would have qualified if he had won.

Cuba’s Leuris Pupo, already qualified, won the men’s 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol over teammate Jorge Alvarez, 30-22, but Alvarez is now qualified. Keith Sanderson of the U.S. was fourth.

The 10 m Air Rifle title went to Marcelo Gutierrez of Argentina and American Ivan Roe won the 50 m Rifle/3 Positions tournament by 453.7 to 446.9 over Tye Ikeda of Canada (who therefore qualified).

Mexico won the Mixed 10 m Air Pistol final, 16-12, over Ecuador and in the all-American final of the Mixed 10 m Air Rifle, Weisz and Rylan Kissel won over Maddalena and Roe, 17-13.

● Water Polo ● The U.S. women started a three-game exhibition set against Australia on Sunday at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California with a 10-4 win, thanks to four goals from captain Maggie Steffens – two in the final quarter – and two from Maddie Musselman.

The U.S. opened a 4-2 lead at the quarter and 7-2 at half and Ashleigh Johnson made 15 saves in goal to assure the victory. Australia had the edge in shots, 30-24, but converted only four, compared to 10 for the U.S., who also had 21 blocks during the match.

The American women are the three-time defending Olympic champs and will play Australia again on the 9th in Long Beach, California and on 13 April in Irvine, California.

● Weightlifting ● The final qualifying event for Paris 2024, the IWF World Cup in Phuket (THA) turned into a Sunday showcase for American Olivia Reeves, who not only won the women’s 71 kg class, but set American records in all three lifts.

The no. 2-ranked Reeves already owned the U.S. marks at 115/147/262 kg, but won the Snatch at 118 kg, the Clean & Jerk at 150 kg and the total at 368 kg. The 2023 Worlds bronze medalist, she defeated China’s 2023 World Champion, Guifang Liao, who made 115/149/264 kg.

North Korea took its fourth women’s gold at 64 kg, as Un Sim Rim and Suk Ri went 1-2, at 258 kg (winning all three elements) and 248 kg.

In the men’s 81 kg class, North Korea scored its third men’s gold, with Asian Games champ Chong-song Ri easily winning all three segments with 166/200/366 kg. It was much tighter at 89 kg, with Karlos Nasar (BUL), the 2021 Worlds winner at 81 kg, setting a world record of 181 kg in the Snatch, then seeing it surpassed by Yeison Lopez of Colombia, at 182 kg! But Nasar won the Clean & Jerk at 215 kg and the overall title at 396 kg to 392 for Lopez.

Competition continues through the 11th.

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TSX REPORT: Australian stars demand new 2032 stadia, but Miles says no; death of the Commonwealth Games? Paris opening “Plan B”?

By
Rich Perelman
-
The Paris 2024 concept for the Opening Ceremony on the Seine (Image: Paris 2024)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Australian athletes rip Brisbane 2032 plan as “embarrassment”
2. Commonwealth Games 2026: Singapore not interested either
3. Aquatics Centre inaugurated in Paris, “Plan B” for opening?
4. Fewer and fewer Russians willing to go to Paris as neutrals
5. NBC planning U.S. Trials coverage in five sports

● A group of 14 star Australian athletes, including Olympic gold winners Sally Pearson and Leisel Jones, are insisting the Queensland government to reconsider its position not to spend A$3.4 billion on a new stadium for the 2032 Olympic Games. The Premier responded, “I can’t justify spending billions more on stadiums, no matter how many swimmers ask me.”

● The future of the Commonwealth Games dimmed further as Singapore decided not to host the 2026 edition, even with an £100 million subsidy from the Commonwealth Games Federation. There are currently no known bidders for any future Commonwealth Games, which is to mark its centennial in 2030.

● The new Centre Aquatique Olympique, purpose-built for the 2024 Olympic Games, but a legacy facility for the Saint-Denis area, was formally inaugurated on Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron said there was a “plan B” for the opening ceremony on the Seine River if security concerns merit changes.

● Russia media reported that many Russian athletes are deciding not to go to Paris, even if qualified, due to the requirement to perform as a “neutral.” United World Wrestling removed Russia’s two-time Olympic wrestling gold medalist Abdulrashid Sadulaev from qualifying, for actions taken in support of the war against Ukraine.

● NBC released its U.S. Olympic Trials broadcast schedule, with coverage of six sports and wall-to-wall coverage of swimming, diving, track and gymnastics from 15-30 June.

● World Championship: Curling (Edin and Gushue clinch playoff spots at men’s Worlds) ●

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (athletes will sit, not march at Paris closing) = Athletics (84% of top-eight finishers at 2023 Worlds had 3+ out-of-competition doping tests) = Swimming (Rio-Tokyo champ Peaty takes world lead in 100 Breast) = Tennis (WTA signs three-year deal for finals in Saudi Arabia) = Weightlifting (more world records at Phuket World Cup) ●

1.
Australian athletes rip Brisbane 2032 plan as “embarrassment”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles and his government rejected both the planned rebuild of the Gabba Stadium and the idea of a new, A$3.4 billion stadium in Brisbane suggested by a review committee as poor value for money. (A$1 = $0.66 U.S. today)

Instead, a renovation of the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) for athletics, the Gabba, and SunCorp Stadium – also known as Lang Park – for football and other sports is proposed, with the view to cost efficiency and legacy use, albeit at more than A$2 billion combined.

That’s not what some of Australia’s famous athletes want.

In a letter released Tuesday, past stars such as London 2012 women’s 100 m hurdles champ Sally Pearson and 2004-08 triple Olympic swimming gold medalist Liesel Jones and others – 14 in all – demanded something bigger and better:

“We, the undersigned, representing current and former Queensland Olympians and Paralympians, implore you to revisit your decision to host the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics events at the current Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre at Nathan.

“While we understand that you want to get the best value for taxpayers out of the Games, we do not believe that the QSAC site represents that, not just financially but also in terms of a legacy for Brisbane and Queensland. And frankly, a main stadium with a capacity of only 40,000 would be an embarrassment which in no way would represent the go-ahead spirit of Queensland.

“Also, the QSAC facility is the nursery of athletics in this state, and any disruption to the site could only hurt our performance in our home Games. We all remember the magnificent event that Sydney put on in 2000. Queensland deserves something equally spectacular, without a centrepiece that would reek of compromise. It’s not too late to change your mind, Mr Miles.”

Swim star Ariarne Titmus, the reigning Olympic champ in the 200 and 400 m Freestyles, previously said that a new, national aquatics center should be built. Current plans call for the swimming events to be held in a temporary pool inside a massive new arena, which is planned to be constructed as part of the 2032 plan.

Miles shot back later in the day:

“They’re entitled to their opinions but we listen to Queenslanders. They’re talking to me about their hospital, about their school, about how hard they’re finding it to make ends meet.

“When Queensland is facing those kinds of day-to-day challenges, I can’t justify spending billions more on stadiums, no matter how many swimmers ask me.”

Observed: That the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre would be the site for ceremonies is certainly an open question, as Suncorp Stadium/Lang Park seats 52,500 now and could be a better ceremonies site.

The demand by more than a dozen elite athletes for billions in new spending certainly puts them at odds with the International Olympic Committee’s drive to make the Olympic Games less expensive and less complex. And Miles is quite right in pointing out it’s not their money at stake, it’s taxpayer money.

2.
Commonwealth Games 2026: Singapore not interested either

“Commonwealth Games Singapore and Sport Singapore have studied the feasibility of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games and have decided not to make any bid to host the Games.”

Wednesday’s statement came just more than two weeks after Malaysia also decided to pass on hosting the 2026 edition, citing too little time and too much potential cost.

The Commonwealth Games Federation made a subsidy offer of £100 million (about $126.5 million U.S.) to both countries, after receiving A$380 million (~$237.6 million U.S.) from the state of Victoria (AUS) in 2023, after it pulled out of its hosting agreement, citing high projected costs.

This leaves the Commonwealth Games, started in 1930 as the British Empire Games, in Hamilton (CAN) potentially with no host for 2026 and none on the horizon. Since Victoria pulled out, other cities or regions in Australia have not come forward – a short-lived bid from Gold Coast was shut down as Queensland said it was concentrating on the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane – and no one else has indicated an interest.

The event was successfully held in Birmingham, England in 2022; that could be the last one for a while. Costs, which included the construction and renovation of several venues, has been estimated at £778 million (~$984.1 million U.S. today).

The Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive, Katie Sadleir (GBR), told Agence France Presse last month:

“The process to determine a host for the 2026 Games is continuing at pace with interested Commonwealth Games Associations. While acutely aware of the incredibly tight timeframe, we have encouraged proposals that will reset the Games.

“Alongside this process, we have accelerated work to refresh and reframe the Games. This has included exploring innovative new concepts and event opportunities.”

Observed: This could be the end of the Commonwealth Games altogether, or it could be disassembled into individual championships, or morph into something else.

One of the elements which has hurt events of this type is the enormous expansion of competitive opportunities – whether Grand Prix or World Cup-type series – in each individual sport, greatly lessening the need for multi-sport games to offer chances for top-quality competition.

That’s only going to increase, making it even more difficult for the Commonwealth Games to survive, unless it is re-imagined or finds a country wanting the publicity shot that such events bring.

3.
Aquatics Centre inaugurated in Paris, “Plan B” for opening?

The major new sports venue built for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Centre Aquatique Olympique, was formally handed over for operations on Thursday, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The facility is in the Saint-Denis area, close to the Stade de France and will seat up to 5,000 for the Games, depending on its configuration. For Paris 2024, it will be the home of artistic swimming, diving and water polo matches. Seating will be reduced to about 2,500 for post-Games use.

The cost came in at €180 million (about $195.2 million U.S.), overseen by the government’s SOLIDEO agency, responsible for Olympic construction.

During the inauguration event, Macron was asked if he expected trouble from the Russians related to the Games, and replied “Without a doubt, including in the field of information.

“Every day it is putting out stories saying that we are unable to do this or that, so (the Games) would be at risk.”

An aide added later, “There is a hardening from Russia, which we have been seeing for several months.”

As for the opening ceremonies on the Seine River, Macron added:

“We will be ready. We are preparing several scenarios. If the threat were to evolve, if we considered that circumstances made it necessary, we have back-up scenarios.”

Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera told the France 2 channel, “Today there is no specific terror-related threat targeting the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

She also pointed to the opening and noted, “It’s not because we are not talking about a Plan B that there isn’t one.”

4.
Fewer and fewer Russians willing to go to Paris as neutrals

The popular Russian site Sport-Express.ru posted a Wednesday story headlined, “‘We decided that it was impossible to perform.’ Many Russian athletes refuse the Olympics,” detailing specific sport groups which have elected not to go to Paris, or to even try to qualify (computer translation from the original Russian):

● “There are fewer Russian athletes ready to go to the Olympic Games in Paris in a neutral status literally every day. The day before, representatives of rowing and sailing announced their refusal to participate in the Olympic selection. Given previous refusals, the pool of our potential neutral Olympians continued to narrow.”

● “And it’s not to say that Russian rowers didn’t think about participating in them: in March, qualifying races were held in Mingachevir, Azerbaijan, as a result of which a team was even created to participate in the European qualifying rounds. But the team will never go to Szeged [qualifying races]. And here’s why. The national team’s coaching staff and athletes held a general meeting, deciding to refuse Olympic selection on the terms of the IOC and the International Rowing Federation. And on April 2, this decision was supported by the Russian Rowing Federation.”

● “Russian archers, who, we recall, won two silver medals at the Tokyo Games in 2021, abandoned the Olympics in Paris. ‘Firstly, our leading athletes represent Dynamo or CSKA. We interviewed the entire team. The team said that without a flag and anthem, in a gray uniform, they have no desire to participate in the selection and in the Olympic Games. Secondly, there is a sports component. The strongest athletes refused to participate. It turns out that from the point of view of elite sports this is not serious. The sporting principle is violated. The best athletes refused to participate in the Olympic Games,’ Vladimir Yesheev, head of the Russian Archery Federation, told SE.”

● “Even earlier, the leadership of Russian artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, diving and weightlifting declared their reluctance to perform at international competitions and specifically at the Games in Paris in a discriminatory status. So it is already obvious that in Paris, if we see neutral Russians, it will be at a minimum.”

On Wednesday, 200 m Breaststroke world-record holder Evgeniia Chikunova told Russian MatchTV, “Will I go to the Olympics? No. And I will not receive neutral status. I’ll keep an eye on it. But I don’t see myself as a neutral athlete.”

On Thursday, the Russian federation for sport climbing said its athletes will not compete at the IOC-staged Olympic Qualifier Series 2024, in Shanghai (CHN) from 16-19 May and Budapest from 20-23 June, and therefore, will not qualify for Paris.

A major announcement underlining the eligibility screening of Russian athletes came from United World Wrestling on Thursday, removing two-time Olympic Freestyle champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev, 27, from Olympic consideration:

“Abdulrashid SADULAEV has been ruled out of the European OG Qualifiers in Baku after he failed to meet the eligibility criteria set by the International Olympic Committee for Individual Neutral Athletes.

“The two-time Olympic champion was ruled ineligible by the United World Wrestling Eligibility panel. This third-party panel continuously monitors the eligibility of wrestlers based on the criteria defined by the IOC.

“Sadulaev was declared ineligible after the panel found new information about his support of the Ukraine-Russia war and that he is still officially declared a member of the Dynamo club.

“Each Individual Neutral Athlete goes through a rigorous vetting process by UWW in preparation for any tournament and is examined based on the criteria set by the IOC which rules thorough background and social media checks of individuals from Russia and Belarus.”

Sadulaev had been repeatedly listed as an athlete who should be declared ineligible due to his promotion of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The latest came on 3 April, in a letter from the Ukrainian Ministry of Youth and Sports to IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) and to UWW President Nenad Lalovic (SRB), in which nine wrestlers – including Sadulaev – were singled and named in specific instances of support for the Russian invasion. The conclusion:

“We would like to reiterate Ukraine’s steadfast stance: as long as Russian troops, supported by the Belarusian government, continue their brutal war against the Ukrainian people, Russian and Belarusian athletes must be banned from participating in any international competitions, in any status, including as neutrals. We rely on your solidarity with the Ukrainian sports movement.”

5.
NBC planning U.S. Trials coverage in five sports

Beginning in April and continuing through the end of June, NBC will show U.S. Olympic Trials competitions in six sports – canoeing, diving, gymnastics, rowing, swimming, track & field and wrestling – with its broadcast schedule released on Thursday.

Most of the coverage, of course, is on the Peacock streaming network, but some is on NBC and its related cable channels:

● Apr. 06-07: Rowing: Peacock only (2 shows)
● Apr. 13-14: Canoe Slalom I: Peacock only (2)
● Apr. 19-20: Wrestling: USA Net (2: finals) and Peacock (4)
● Apr. 26-27: Canoe Slalom II: Peacock only (2)
● Jun. 15-23: Swimming: USA (8: heats)-NBC (9: finals)-Peacock (17)
● Jun. 17-23: Diving: USA (1: final)-NBC (7: finals)-Peacock (18)
● Jun. 21-30: Track & Field: USA (2: finals)-NBC (8: finals)-Peacock (11)
● Jun. 27-30: Gymnastics: USA (1: qualifying)-NBC (3: 2 finals)-Peacock (5)

Much of the USA Network coverage of the swimming trials will be same-day delayed coverage of the morning heats, coming on just prior to the finals on NBC.

Daily primetime coverage is slated for 15-24 June and 27-30 June.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Curling ● At the 2024 World Curling Men’s World Championship in Schaffhausen (SUI), Sweden’s reigning Olympic champion Niklas Edin and his squad scored two major wins and clinched a playoff spot.

Edin and Sweden defeated John Shuster’s U.S. rink, 6-4, overcoming a 4-3 deficit in the final two ends, then beat Canada’s Brad Gushue, 6-5, in the evening. Those wins brought Sweden to 10-0 and the round-robin leader, with two matches left.

Gushue (8-2) and Scotland’s 2022 Olympic-runner-up Bruce Mouat (8-2) also clinched playoff berths, with the round-robin matches to finish on Friday. Italy (Joel Retornaz: 7-3) is fourth, and the Swiss and Germans are 5-6 at 6-4 each. Shuster and the U.S. are 5-5 and sitting seventh, outside the playoffs, but will play the Czech Republic and New Zealand and will be favored for two wins.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The FrancsJeux.com site reported that Paris 2024 ceremonies director Thomas Jolly (FRA) foresees a different protocol for the Olympic closing ceremony at the Stade de France: no parade of athletes.

Traditionally, athletes from all countries romp into the stadium for a lap of honor, before being seated to watch the show. Jolly’s comments to Telerama indicated athletes will be seated in the stadium and that the ceremony will center on “an Olympic flag relay with Los Angeles 2028 and a big show where only music will resonate.”

● Athletics ● Posted on Thursday by the Athletics Integrity Unit was a look at testing for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, showing a clear testing focus on athletes who were likely to be finalists:

Total athletes: 2,004
● 45% had 3+ out-of-competition tests
● 28% had 1-2 out-of-competition tests
● 27% had 0 out-of-competition tests

Athletes finishing in the top 8: 329
(in individual events)
● 84% had 3+ out-of-competition tests
● 10% had 1-2 out-of-competition tests
● 6% had 0 out-of-competition tests

All of the top-eight finishers had at least one test – in-competition or out-of-competition – by the end of the championships.

The most-tested teams in the 10 months prior to Budapest 2023:

● 11.4: Kenya average total tests per athlete on the Budapest team
● 11.3: China
● 8.9: Ethiopia
● 7.1: Morocco
● 6.2: United States
● 5.4: Uganda
● 5.3: Nigeria and the Netherlands
● 5.2: India
● 5.1: Spain

The total number of tests was way up from Eugene in 2022, from 6,358 to 8,466 total, and from 4,235 to 5,542 for out-of-competition tests.

● Swimming ● The two-time Olympic 100 m Breaststroke champion and world-record holder, Britain’s Adam Peaty, showed he is ready to defend his title in Paris by winning the British Trials in London this week.

Peaty cruised past the world-leading time by American Nic Fink, 58.53 to 58.57 in the heats, then won the final going away in another 2024 world leader, 57.94, the no. 29 performance of all-time (he owns the top 14 and 21 of the 29).

Perhaps most importantly, it’s his fastest time since the Olympic year of 2021.

● Tennis ● The Women’s Tennis Association announced a three-year agreement with the Saudi Tennis Federation to host the 2024-25-26 WTA Finals in Riyadh, meeting the stated desire of players for more money:

“The agreement with the Saudi Tennis Federation will offer record prize money of $15.25 million at the WTA Finals in 2024 with further increases in 2025 and 2026. The partnership will also support broader investment in the future development and growth of women’s tennis, including the WTA’s plans to grow the global fanbase for women’s tennis through increased investment in marketing, digital and fan engagement.”

This follows the 28 February announcement from the men’s Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) of a multi-year agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

● Weightlifting ● World records continued to fall at the IWF World Cup in Phuket (THA), with lifters from North Korea and China making new entries.

Won-ju Ri won the men’s 67 kg class, and set a world record of 189 kg in the Clean & Jerk, adding a kilogram to the mark set by countryman Jong-ju Pak in 2019. Ri was second in the Snatch to Sergio Massidda (ITA), but with his record C&J lift, won the overall title at 333 kg to 317.

Indonesia’s 2022 Worlds runner-up Rizki Juniansyah set a world record for the combined total to win the 73 kg class, lifting 164/201/365 kg, one kg better than China’s two-time Olympic champ Zhiyong Shi in Tokyo in 2021.

The women’s record-setting continued as well, with China’s Shifang Luo taking the 59 kg division at 248 kg, one kg better than Tokyo Olympic champ Hsing-Chun Kuo (TPE) in 2021. Luo tied for the win in Snatch, won the Clean & Jerk easily and finished with a 248-240 win over Il Gyong Kim (PRK).

The competition, the final qualifier for Paris 2024, continues through the 11th.

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TSX REPORT: Salt Lake City offers all-existing venues for 2034 Winter bid; IOC puts boxing feds on the clock for new IF; worries on LA28 transport!

By
Rich Perelman
-
The Olympic Cauldron Plaza at the University of Utah, commemorating the 2002 Olympic Winter Games (Photo: University of Utah)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Salt Lake City: 100% existing venues, 82% same as 2002
2. IOC puts national boxing feds on notice: 2028 decision next year!
3. Future of ANOC World Beach Games decided on 28 April?
4. Worrying has officially started on LA28 transportation
5. WADA reports testing in 2022 up, close to pre-pandemic levels

● With the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission coming next week for a visit, the Salt Lake City-Utah Commission for the Games released its venue assignment proposal for the 2034 Olympic Winter Games. No new venues are planned, with all 11 sites previously used for the 2002 Winter Games; the ceremonies and village will once again be at the University of Utah.

● The IOC posted a statement on the dismissal of the International Boxing Association appeal of its expulsion from the Olympic Movement, and warned national boxing federations that the sport will not be included on the LA28 program if a new international federation – such as the new World Boxing group – is not in place by “early 2025.”

● At the Oceania National Olympic Committees General Assembly last week, the fallout of Indonesia’s cancellation of the ANOC World Beach Games last week was noted, with the Association of National Olympic Committees possibly pursuing a lawsuit to recover losses from the event not being held. The future of the World Beach Games concept may be decided at the next ANOC Executive Committee meeting on 28 April.

● A Los Angeles Times story reported on a worried Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority over its responsibilities for public transportation during the 2028 Olympic Games. But Metro Director (and L.A. City Council member) Katy Yaroslavsky said of the Games, “It’s also an excuse to go after federal funding and state dollars in a way we might not otherwise be able to do.”

● The World Anti-Doping Agency released its 2022 testing report, showing total doping tests close to the 2019 pre-pandemic level. However, the number of positive tests was significantly lower than in 2019, a good sign. The most-tested sport and the sport with the most positive tests was Athletics.

● World Championships: Curling (Edin’s Swedes undefeated in men’s Worlds so far) ●

● Panorama: World University Games (North Carolina’s 2029 WUG will be held from 11-22 July) = Russia (World Rowing charging CHF 20-22,000 to evaluate neutrality of six athletes and two staff for qualifying events) = U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (Athletes’ Commission asking for petition signatures for independent status) = Athletics (New York MTA asking N.Y. Road Runners for $750,000 for NYC Marathon crossing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge) = Football (3: Rubiales arrested and released on Spanish Super Cup inquiry; Morocco to build 115,000-seat stadium for 2030 World Cup; FIFA confirms North Korea forfeit of March World Cup qualifier vs. Japan and adds a fine) = Swimming (Chicago River also being cleaned with open-water event in September) ●

1.
Salt Lake City: 100% existing venues, 82% same as 2002

The Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games announced its venue line-up for its proposed 2034 Olympic Winter Games on Wednesday, with nine of 11 competition sites the same as at the 2002 Winter Games and all 11 sports sites both existing and heavily used in 2002 (* = same venue as in 2002):

● Alpine Skiing: Snowbasin* (in Ogden, Utah)

● Biathlon: Soldier Hollow Nordic Center* (Midway)

● Bobsled and Skeleton: Utah Olympic Park* (Park City)

● Cross Country Skiing: Soldier Hollow Nordic Center* (Midway)

● Curling: Salt Palace Convention Center (Salt Lake City)

● Figure Skating: Delta Center* (Salt Lake City)

● Freestyle Skiing 1: Block 85 (Salt Lake City: Big Air)
● Freestyle Skiing 2: Deer Valley Resort* (Park City)
● Freestyle Skiing 3: Park City Mountain* (Park City)
● Freestyle Skiing 4: Utah Olympic Park (Park City)

● Ice Hockey 1: Maverik Center* (West Valley City)
● Ice Hockey 2: Peaks Ice Arena* (Provo)

● Luge: Utah Olympic Park* (Park City)

● Nordic Combined 1: Soldier Hollow Nordic Center* (Midway)
● Nordic Combined 2: Utah Olympic Park* (Park City)

● Snowboarding 1: Block 85 (Salt Lake City: Big Air)
● Snowboarding 2: Park City Mountain* (Park City)
● Snowboarding 3: Utah Olympic Park (Park City)

● Speed Skating 1: Delta Center* (Salt Lake City: short track)
● Speed Skating 2: Utah Olympic Oval* (Kearns: long track)

The major changes from 2002:

● Alpine Skiing is all at Snowbasin, after being spread between Snowbasin (Downhills and Super-Gs), Deer Valley (Slaloms) and Park City Mountain (Giant Slaloms).

● Curling was at the 2,000-seat Ice Sheet at Ogden in 2002; the sport is being moved to the larger Salt Palace Convention Center – with seating for 6.500 – which will also house the Main Media Center, as it did in 2002.

● Freestyle Skiing included just four events in 2002 – aerials and moguls – all at Deer Valley. For the 2026 Winter Games, Freestyle has 15 events, now distributed among four venues, including Block 85 in downtown Salt Lake City, which served as the Medals Plaza in 2002 (and will again).

● Snowboard, like Freestyle, had only four events in 2002 – halfpipe and parallel giant slalom – taking place at Park City Mountain. For 2026, 11 events are scheduled, assigned to three venues, including Block 85.

The ceremonies are once again proposed for the University of Utah’s 51,444-seat Rice-Eccles Stadium, with the Olympic Village at the University of Utah, both already existing and operating.

Salt Lake City-Utah Committee chief executive Fraser Bullock, who was the Chief Operating Officer of the 2002 Salt Lake Organizing Committee, said in a statement:

“Our venue partners represent a modern, sustainable approach to sport. They have continued contributing to Utah’s sports legacy with ongoing programs and regular updates. And the ability to bring Big Air into downtown Salt Lake City will create great memories for athletes and spectators.”

The Salt Lake all-existing plan is especially remarkable considering the 2002 Games had seven sports and 78 events and the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games will have eight sports and 116 events.

And there are possible new venues coming to the Salt Lake City area, having nothing to do with a Winter Games, including talk of a new arena and perhaps a baseball stadium. If built, they could be incorporated later.

The International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission will visit Salt Lake City next week, from 10-13 April. As the targeted candidate for 2034, Salt Lake City is expected to be formally selected at the IOC Session in Paris in July.

2.
IOC puts national boxing feds on notice: 2028 decision next year!

The International Olympic Committee was cheered by the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced Tuesday that dismissed the appeal by the International Boxing Association of its 2023 withdrawal of recognition.

But its statement issued on Wednesday was much stiffer, following up on warning from President Thomas Bach [GER] warning to national boxing federations that they will need to figure out their next move – which does not include the IBA – pretty soon if they want to see boxing on the Los Angeles 2028 program:

“Following the IBA’s suspension and the subsequent withdrawal of its recognition by the IOC, the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 boxing tournaments, including the qualification process, were and are being organised by boxing units set up by the IOC. This has been done to protect the sport of boxing and the athletes. Because of the universality and high social inclusivity of boxing, the IOC wants it to continue to feature on the programme of the Olympic Games.

“Unfortunately, this is far from certain for the Olympic Games LA 2028 because, for governance reasons, the IOC is not in a position to organise another Olympic boxing tournament. To keep boxing on the Olympic programme, the IOC needs a recognised and reliable International Federation as a partner, as with all the other Olympic sports. …

“Every National Boxing Federation and every NOC that wants its boxers to make their Olympic dreams a reality and win medals will now have to take the necessary decisions. The NOCs and National Boxing Federations thus hold the future of Olympic boxing in their own hands, and the required actions cannot be clearer.

“At the moment, boxing is not on the sports programme for the Olympic Games LA28. In order to remedy this, the IOC needs to have a partner International Federation for boxing by early 2025.”

The World Boxing group, formally constituted last November, was set up to provide a new international federation to ensure boxing’s continued inclusion in the Olympic Games. But it has only 27 national federations at present and forecast it would have 50 by the end of this year.

Now, however, the IOC has enormously increased the pressure on most national federations to make a choice between their existing relationship with the IBA and moving to World Boxing … or doing something else.

Not to be lost in the discussion is the real possibility that if boxing is not included for LA28, some national federations could lose their government funding. So the pressure from the IOC’s deadline will come from multiple sides.

The IBA issued its own statement, decrying – as expected – the Court of Arbitration decision and insisting it did nothing to merit expulsion from the Olympic Movement:

“The International Boxing Association (IBA) has disappointingly heard that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) did not uphold IBA’s appeal against the decision of the IOC Session that withdrew the recognition of the organization.”

The statement lists the changes that the IBA has made – fully sufficient in its view – and concludes:

“The IBA feels that disregarding these and other improvements suggests a biased view. We further understand this noting that CAS is far from independent of the IOC, bringing those doubts based on comments from [IOC President] Thomas Bach on Tuesday [GER]; by virtue, his expectations of what would be happening, were interestingly released ahead of both parties receiving communication directly from CAS. He also announced the IOC’s victory in this dispute prior to the award being issued.

“Driven by personal and purely political reasons, IOC President disrespected the Olympic Charter and discredited himself and the IOC as an organization naming the reason behind IBA’s recognition withdrawal.

“The IBA will refrain from further comments until the CAS award has been thoroughly analyzed by its legal experts which is taking place right now to draw a conclusion whether the organization appeals to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.”

This is a continuation of the IBA’s position over the many months since its suspension by the IOC. While it can appeal the judgement to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, the grounds on which any changes can be made are quite narrow, and unlikely.

World Boxing posted a statement which concluded:

“This is an urgent situation and the clock is ticking. The leaders of boxing’s National Federations now have a critically important decision to make and we urge every one of them that cares about boxers and the future of the sport to apply to join and support World Boxing in its efforts to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement, before it is too late.”

3.
Future of ANOC World Beach Games decided on 28 April?

Indonesia was set to host the second edition of the ANOC World Beach Games in Bali in August 2023, but the refusal of the Bali governor to allow Israel to compete caused the event to be canceled on 5 July. The organizers cited a refusal of the national government to release funds for the event, but the refusal to allow Israelis to compete – Indonesia is politically strongly pro-Palestinian – was the real reason.

The implosion of the 2023 event left considerable carnage in its wake and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) has been trying to determine the way forward, if any.

The decision on the future of the event may come this month.

ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg (SWE) explained the current status at the General Assembly of the Oceania National Olympic Committees last week:

“As you know, we had problems with last year’s ANOC World Beach Games, and the General Assembly in Bali. They cancelled just four weeks before the event, and we have been struggling and they have really done a lot of harm, to our organization, to the NOCs, and, of course, most of all to the athletes that had qualified.

“We are working with them, we are trying to get money out of them and the good thing is that we at least managed to pay all the NOCs back for the travels that concerning the athletes and your trips.

“But, we don’t give up. We had the President of the Indonesian NOC as I said, at the [ANOC Executive Committee] meeting in December [8th]. He promised he would have a solution until the end of December. Now we are in March, and we have to take other actions, and that may be juridical one.

“So, next meeting coming up is in Athens, in April, the day after the handover of the Torch from Greece to Paris, that’s on the 26th of April. At that meeting, we will, of course, have further discussion about the World Beach Games, and also our ANOC strategic plan evaluation and see our program for the coming year.”

Translation: look for a lawsuit against the Indonesian NOC to be filed, a circumstance which will certainly impact any discussions Indonesia wishes to have with the IOC concerning a future Olympic Games in that country.

Lindberg further detailed the next steps in the life or death of the event:

“We will, of course, make an evaluation on if we should continue or not and what our different stakeholders have to say, so we have had [a] meeting with the previous host, the Qatar Olympic Committee, the IFs, the technical working group of NOCs, the Athletes and the Events Commission, and we will make a report until the next meeting.

“I can say so far all the stakeholders have been very positive, especially of course the athletes, and the IFs want to promote their sport, but we also say that we have to make another format, we have to cut the cost and it should not cost the NOCs anything.

“So we’re trying to have that as a special project.”

Lindberg’s presentation on the World Beach Games showed a slide with the meeting on 28 April to include the “ANOC Executive Council decision.”

4.
Worrying has officially started on LA28 transportation

The headline of Wednesday’s Los Angeles Times story read, “As Paris Olympics near, Los Angeles officials worry about preparations for 2028.”

The focus was not on the LA28 organizing committee, but one of the intransigent aspects of Southern California life over the last century: traffic:

“The steep financial cost of the 2028 Olympic Games is starting to come into closer focus in the run-up to the Paris Games, as Los Angeles planners are tabulating the billions of dollars that will be needed to prevent traffic jams and long waits for commuters.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is the current Chair of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“Metro”), and told the Metro Board during its meeting last Thursday (28th):

“We took a delegation to Paris to prepare for the 2028 Olympics and to make sure – here we are on the 40th anniversary of the ‘84 Olympics – but to make sure we have the same kind of outcome and legacy in 2028 that we did in 1984, where, to this day, we continue to benefit from those Olympics.

“So I’m glad that Board Directors [Paul] Krekorian, [Katy] Yaroslavsky and CEO Stephanie Wiggins were also on that trip. And I think it was an exciting trip, but I also think it put fire under us to realize that we need to get far more involved in Olympic preparation and all that it might mean, and I look forward to when the Olympics is over in Paris, that the staff – the [Paris] Mayor’s Office – agreed to do a deep-dive debrief with us on lessons learned.

“The Mayor of Paris agreed to that , and I think we will really look forward to that and I am sorry that other mayors couldn’t be along, especially Mayor [James] Butts [of Inglewood], but he was a little busy during that time.

“But while we were in Paris, the L.A. region secured $900 million in funding to strengthen critical infrastructure …Metro will also receive $139 million to reconnect communities … and improve connectivity throughout L.A. County.”

Yaroslavsky, also an L.A. City Council member, was more explicit about the Paris trip and what happens next:

“It was very illuminating. It was a little bit terrifying. I just want to add a little bit. It really highlighted for me the enormity of the opportunity and the workload we have in front of us, to deliver the Games in four short years.

“Heading into the trip I was really eager to explore the housing, transportation and urban tree canopy investments delivered by Mayor [Anne] Hidalgo and other leaders ahead of those Games.

“The transformative nature of the work was palpable, but it also reinforced for me how rapidly we need collaboration at all levels to deliver the Games in a sustainable way. I’m thinking about 2028 as the drop-dead deadline for accelerating all the work we want to do.

“It’s also an excuse to go after federal funding and state dollars in a way we might not otherwise be able to do, and in my mind, a lot of that is going to be around first-mile, last-mile, delivering our priority transit projects, ensuring we’re not using dirty diesel buses for the Olympics, and, most paramount of all, of course, is housing for our unhoused population.” (Emphasis added)

The Board approved a motion to create a “Legislative Advocacy Working Group for the 2028 Games” specifically designed to lobby for federal and state funding.

The Times’ story quoted Metro’s Chief Innovation Officer Seleta Reynolds, from a committee hearing in March:

“We have a huge challenge when it comes to the supplemental bus system.

“There are no discretionary grants that the federal government offers that will cover operations at that scale. There are very, very few sources of money that could cover that kind of cost.”

Metro reportedly estimates the cost of spectator transit for the 2028 Games at $700 million and could rise of $1 billion if buses have to be leased.

So the worry game is now on, but not related to the Games at all, perhaps another Los Angeles Olympic first.

Observed: It’s important to note that Metro’s transit concerns are not related to the athletes, coaches, officials or news media attending the 2028 Games, as their needs are handled by the LA28 organizing committee.

Metro’s role is for public transportation – including Olympic spectators – which it has worked on tirelessly for decades and has thus far been unable to break Southern California’s long love affair with the car.

5.
WADA reports testing in 2022 up, close to pre-pandemic levels

The 320-page 2022 Anti-Doping Testing Figures report released Wednesday shows the anti-doping world nearly getting back to the pre-pandemic levels for testing, but with – happily – a significant drop on positive tests.

The overall picture showed an increase from 2022 over 2021, but still behind 2019:

● 2022: 256,769 samples analyzed
● 2021: 241.340
● 2019: 278,047

● 2022: 218,774 samples analyzed in Olympic sports
● 2021: 207,008
● 2019: 227,032

● 2022: 1,986 total positive tests (0.77%)
● 2021: 1,560 (0.65%)
● 2019: 2,702 (0.97%)

● 2022: 1,222 total positives in Olympic sports (0.56%)
● 2021: 1,013 (0.49%)
● 2019: 1,519 (0.79%)

So, while testing levels are almost back to pre-pandemic levels, the number of positive tests is down significantly, by 297 in Olympic sports, in 2022 vs. 2019.

The type of tests have not changed substantially, but the beginning of dried-blood-spot technology – a very promising development – was started in 2022. Urine samples accounted for 80.3%, blood tests were collected in 7.9% of cases, dried-blood-spot testing was used for 1.0% and Athlete Biological Passport cases comprised 10.8%.

The top Olympic sports in terms of testing:

● 1. 33,960: Athletics ~ 259 positives (0.8%)
● 2. 33,601: Football ~ 92 positives (0.3%)
● 3. 22,551: Cycling ~ 133 positives (0.6%)
● 4. 15,943: Aquatics ~ 65 positives (0.4%)
● 5. 12,897: Weightlifting ~ 153 positives (1.2%)

Sports with 1% or more positive tests included boxing (49: 1.1%), equestrian (13: 1.4%), golf (4: 1.1%), and wrestling (70: 1.0%).

Among the winter sports, skiing (all forms) had the most tests at 8,398, followed by skating (all types) at 4,607 and then ice hockey (3,779).

The most active national anti-doping agencies in terms of collections in 2022:

● 1. China: 19,228
● 2. Germany: 13,653
● 3. Russia: 10,186
● 4. France: 9,775
● 5. Italy: 9,101

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency ranked seventh at 6,782.

The anti-doping organizations returning the highest positive-test rates were Syria (50.0% across two tests), Philippines (34.6%), Cambodia (33.3%), Angola and Tanzania (16.7%), Myanmar (15.0%), Oman (12.5%), Guatemala (10.8%), Iraq (10.3%), and Grenada (10.0%).

As usual, the busiest labs in the world were at Cologne (GER: 31,118 tests) and Siebersdorf (AUT: 24.571).

Steroids are still the biggest issue in doping. Among the positive tests, the leading categories were anabolic agents (1,124 or 42%), followed by the related groups of diuretics and masking agents (419 or 16%), then Stimulants (412 or 15%), hormone and metabolic modulators (288 or 11%) and cannabinoids (134 or 5%).

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Curling ● The World Curling men’s World Championships continue in Schaffhausen (SUI), with round-robin play now two-thirds complete. Sweden’s Niklas Edin, skip of the 2022 Olympic champs and six-time World Champion, leads the standings with his rink at 8-0, followed by Canada’s 2006 Olympic champ Brad Gushue (7-1), followed by Switzerland (Yannick Schwaller: 6-2) and Scotland’s Beijing 2022 Olympic runner-up Bruce Mouat (6-2).

The top six will advance to the playoffs; the U.S. team is skipped by 2018 Olympic champ John Shuster, sitting seventh at 4-4 so far. Round-robin play will finish on Friday and the playoffs will be held on the weekend.

● Ice Hockey ● The U.S. got strong goal tending from Aerin Frankel and Haley Winn scored twice on the way to a 4-0 win over Switzerland in their opening match of the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship, being played in Utica, New York.

Winn scored at 5:23 of the second period for a 1-0 lead and Kendall Coyne Schofield made it 2-0 at the 16:00 mark. Veteran star Hilary Knight scored the third goal at 10:47 of the third and Winn got her second at 14:41. The U.S. out-shot the Swiss by 55-11.

Group play continues through the ninth, with the playoffs beginning on the 11th.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● World University Games ● The North Carolina organizers and the International University Sports Federation (FISU) agreed on the dates for the 2029 World University Games from Wednesday, 11 July through Sunday, 22 July 2029.

Hill Carrow, Board Chair and chief executive for the North Carolina organizers said in a statement:

“These were the dates recommended and requested by our university hosts and other venues involved in our bid as being the best dates for those host institutions and facilities to be able to accommodate the Games. Now that the dates have been set, we can add more specificity to our project timelines as we continue to plan for the big event.”

● Russia ● There is a cost to trying to qualify as a neutral athlete for the Paris Olympic Games, according to Russian Rowing Federation President Sergei Svirin:

“Russian athletes, who last year were tested by World Rowing for compliance with neutral status, would have to go through this again in the Olympic season.

“For studying the data of six athletes and two specialists, we had to pay the international federation from 20 to 22 thousand Swiss francs.” (CHF 1 = $1.11 U.S.)

Remaining qualification options for Russians include the European qualifier from 25-28 April in Hungary and the world qualifier in Lucerne (SUI) from 19-21 May.

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● The Team USA Athletes’ Commission is pushing for Congress to pass legislation which would make the entity “independent,” with its own funding, although where that funding will come from is not stated.

American athletes are being urged to add their name to a letter to sent to Representatives and Senators which notes the recommendation of the Commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics to make the Athletes’ Commission independent:

“One recommendation is to make Team USA AC completely independent of the USOPC. This is a monumental step for all Team USA athletes, and a long-awaited change in the right direction to ensure a truly empowered athletes’ voice within the Movement.”

The letter says this entails “fairly easy amendments to the Ted Stevens Act to … ensure a steady revenue stream for Team USA AC and any method of securing independent funding must guarantee a revenue stream with which an empowered Team USA AC can hire professional staff with a legal duty to act in athletes’ best interests.”

Observed: Nothing dealing with the Congress and money is ever “easy.”

● Athletics ● “New Yorkers love Marathon Sunday, but taxpayers cannot be expected to subsidize a wealthy non-government organization like the New York Road Runners to the tune of $750,000.”

That’s Catherine Sheridan, head of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in a statement saying the NYRR should pay a crossing fee for its runners to cross the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn at the start of the annual New York City Marathon.

NYRR spokesperson Crystal Howard told The Associated Press the organization has asked for the mathematics behind the $750,000 claim, noted the race provides significantly increased MTA ridership and:

“The impact of MTA’s request would represent a material change to the cost structure and would require an increase to how much runners pay to run the Marathon, making it less affordable for local runners and those who travel to New York City from around the world – both of whom contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to the City’s and State’s economy.”

● Football ● Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation who lost his position after forcibly kissing Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the victory ceremony following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, was arrested and later released on Wednesday by Spanish authorities.

Rubiales was detained as part of a continuing investigation into arrangements made by Rubiales and the RFEF to play the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. The first Super Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia was in Jeddah was in 2020, and has subsequently been held there in 2022-23-24, all in Riyadh.

The RFEF reportedly agreed in 2019 on a three-year arrangement, receiving €120 million ($130.04 million U.S. today) to play an expanded four-team tournament in the Middle East.

Rubiales was held and released on his return to Madrid from the Dominican Republic; he is being investigated for “illegal commissions” from the Super Cup deal, with prosecutors asking for a 30-month jail term. Rubiales are denied any impropriety.

A long-planned, giant football stadium near Casablanca, Morocco is coming closer to reality, with €456 million (~$494.1 million U.S.) allocated and construction to be completed by 2026.

If built, it is expected to be the largest stadium in the world at 115,000 seats, and a strong candidate for the 2030 World Cup final; the tournament will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

The “Grand Stade de Casablanca” would actually be built in El Mansouria, a coastal town of about 20,000, with the design by the Populous (U.S.) and Oualalou + Choi (MAR) selected.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled Wednesday. on the North Korean forfeit of the 26 March 2024 Asian qualifying match (for the 2026 FIFA World Cup) against Japan, slated to be played in Pyongyang. But the Koreans claimed an “infectious disease” in Japan would not allow them to play. Per FIFA:

“After analysing the various factual elements in light of the applicable regulations, the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to declare the match lost by forfeit 3-0 by the representative team of DPR Korea. Additionally, the DPR Korea Football Association has been ordered to pay a fine to the amount of CHF 10,000.”

● Swimming ● While Paris has trumpeted the return of swimming to the Seine River – banned since 1923 – for this summer’s Olympic open-water swimming and triathlon events, a similar effort in the U.S. will re-opened the Chicago River to swimming.

The “A Long Swim” organization, which raises funds for ALS research, is putting on the first Chicago River swims in about 100 years on 22 September. Registration continues to 28 April, with one-mile and two-mile swims being offered, subject to proper water quality.

Participation is limited to 500 swimmers, with participants selected by lottery on 6 May. All swimmers must have previously completed a one-mile or two-mile swim, and in addition to a $50-70 participation fee, all swimmers “agree to fundraise a minimum of $1,500 (USD) for 2-mile swimmers or $1,000 (USD) for 1-mile swimmers to support A Long Swim.”

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TSX REPORT: IOC’s Bach insists sport must engage with politics, that digitalization is the future; Johnson & Kahn both eye big-pay T&F concepts

By
Rich Perelman
-
U.S. weightlifter Hampton Morris celebrating a world record in the 61 kg class Clean & Jerk at the IWF World Cup in Thailand (Photo: USA Weightlifting)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Bach: “I hope we will always have issues with politics”
2. Bach: digitalization “will determine the future of sport”
3. Court of Arbitration throws out IBA appeal vs. IOC
4. Johnson and Kahn talk up big-money track & field events
5. Albuquerque says $3.4 million in direct spend from indoor track

● International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach gave a groundbreaking speech before the General Assembly of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) last week in Fiji, saying that sport and politics do mix and that sport must engage with politics, but retain its autonomy.

● Bach told the delegates that the single most important force they must deal with for the future is digitalization. The two prime areas of interest today are engagement with eSports to maintain the interest of youth, and with artificial intelligence. He said the IOC would start an AI vision project in April.

● The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed the appeal by the International Boxing Association of the withdrawal of recognition by the IOC in 2023. The arbitrators reinforced the idea that the IOC can run its Olympic Games – within reason – how it wants, with who it wants and its own terms.

● Atlanta Olympic star Michael Johnson and former Cornell distance runner and software entrepreneur Barry Kahn are both working – separately – on high-profile, high-paying track & field meets. Johnson’s project is a multi-meet package aimed at 2025, but Kahn wants to stage a $1 million extravaganza later this year, limited to the men’s and women’s 100 meters.

● Visit Albuquerque reported that eight indoor track & field meets at its convention center provided a direct-speed boost to the region of $3.4 million! It’s part of a 16-event program expected to bring $18 million in spending in 2024.

● Panorama: Olympic Games 2036 (Indonesia confirms interest in bidding, will observe in Paris) = International Paralympic Committee (IPC moving into new home in Bonn) = Swimming (2: Bowman to continue training elite swimmers in Austin; Singapore’s Schooling retires at 28) = Weightlifting (records galore at IWF World Cup, including first by a U.S. man since 1969) ●

1.
Bach: “I hope we will always have issues with politics”

A new formula for engagement between sport and politics as intertwined and essential was described last week by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) in an important, 48-minute keynote address to the General Assembly of the Oceania National Olympic Committees, meeting in Fiji.

Bach spoke directly to the issues between the IOC, representing world sport, and governments around the world that have their own issues and interests. It’s easily the most exacting description of how any IOC President has ever seen the intersection of sport and politics:

“When speaking about good governance and promoting the relevance of sport in our society, then it’s also about respecting the different roles of the actors in society.

“And that is, in particular, true for politics. We will, hopefully, always have issues with politics.

“Because if we don’t have issues with politics any more, it means we are not relevant any more.

“Politicians are only interested in successful organizations. If we are not successful, if they don’t have the feeling that we have access to so many people in society, that we can contribute something, they will not be interested.

“So, I hope we will always have issues with politics, but what we need to do is that we can address these challenges in the right way and that means that we have to deal with politics in mutual respect.

“It means for us, in the world of sport, we have to respect that the world is run by politicians, and not by us. Unfortunately. But we also have to make politics understanding, in politicians understanding that we can only contribute to society, if they respect our autonomy.

“If they want to politicize us, if they want us to use as political tools, we cannot contribute any more, because then we are losing our values.

“Politics is always divisive. You always have different opinions, you also always have confrontation, you always have a clash of interests. Sport is unifying. Sport is the contrary of being divisive. Sport is the glue which holds our societies together.

“To mention only one example, for the differences between sport and politics. So we have to defend by all means our autonomy. And I say it here – I don’t know for how many times I’ve said it already, but it needs, apparently, to be repeated – that does not mean that we are apolitical, that we behave as if we would live on an island of the Saints, and that we would not acknowledge that also our actions have a political impact, and should have a political impact.

“Because otherwise, again, we would not be relevant. But, and that’s the difference, we have to be politically neutral. That means, for you as an NOC, whoever is in government, always realize that tomorrow they can be in opposition. And the ones who are in opposition can be in government tomorrow.

“And that they have, by nature, different interests than we have and must have in sport. So, keep your neutrality, work closely with them, as long and as much they respect your autonomy. But draw the line when you feel they want to take you over and they want to absorb you into their political field.

“And what is true on a national level is also true in an international level. This is why the IOC Executive Board just last week, together with [IOC Vice President] John Coates [AUS] and [ONOC President] Robin Mitchell [FIJ], we passed a declaration against the politicalization of sport, which is about the international level, where we can see such kind of efforts by or the other governments trying to start organizing purely politically-motivated games and sports events without any respect for our values and for our rules.”

Observed: So we can say that, as of 25 March 2024, any further discussion of sport being separate from politics must be dismissed. Bach has worked tirelessly – and to the distress of many observers – to further embed the IOC in United Nations projects, which he also spoke to during his ONOC address.

By following this path, Bach believes that it is better, in today’s ultra-connected world, to be engaged than apart. So far, he is pulling it off, but it is an open question how well any concept of comity amidst a deeply divided and increasingly hostile world can survive, let alone thrive, now, or for his successor.

2.
Bach: digitalization “will determine the future of sport”

IOC President Bach, now in his 12th year at the helm of the Olympic Movement, also spoke passionately and in deep detail about staying current and getting ahead of the digital future, and promised a new initiative from the IOC:

“I would like to encourage you to stay ahead of the curve in particular with regard to the one topic that will determine the future of our lives, of our personal lives, that will determine the future of our societies, and which will also determine the future of sport and this is digitalization.

“The ever-accelerating development of digitalization will, within a couple of years, change our world. And this, when it comes to sport, true, in particular with regard to two work streams.

“The one is with regard to eSports and eGames, where we cannot ignore that about three billion people on this planet are familiar with these games, and are not necessarily familiar any more in the young age with sport and physical activity. Therefore, we have to look into this area. We cannot ignore it; if we just ignore it, we will lose with we have, with hard work, got back in the last couple of years and what we can see from the numbers and figures in [social-media] followership for games and for sports [by] the young generation. …

“We have gained them back. But we will not maintain it, again, if we do not change, if we do not address their areas of society, if we do not address their lifestyle, if we do not address their interests, and there, eSports and eGames is a very important factor. This is why I’ve asked, there at the latest IOC Session in Mumbai last November our Esports Comission to study the establishment of Olympic Esports Games, where we want to make an effort in this respect, while, of course, always respecting our values, our values of nonviolence, of non-discrimination, of respect and tolerance. These will not be given up, but we have to go, we have to approach this community, to win them over for us, and to keep them interested in us.

“And the other, even more overwhelming development is artificial intelligence, which has the potential to start to change sports in every respect, from the training of the athletes to judging and refereeing and the fight against doping, to the experience of spectators, be [it] live – where it will be more immersive – be [it] on the screen, where everybody can be there own director in the future and has not to rely on the directors of the broadcasts and so on.

“There is a huge potential, related also with an imminent risk, like every new technology has risks, which have to be addressed, but there again, sport is different. Not from all other areas of society, but from most of the other areas of society, because there they discuss whether AI will take over their areas. Whether AI will take over human beings, whether AI will replace human beings, and there, for not being alleged of something, let’s take our profession, John [Coates, IOC Vice President], we remember that once we have been lawyers, where many people are saying in 10 years you don’t need lawyers any more, maybe already in five years.

“This is different in sport. The 100 meters will always have to be run by an athlete. They will be run by a robot, it’s not sport any more.

“So in sports, this principal question is answered: there in sports, AI can help, can assist, can support, but cannot replace the athlete.

“And it can help all of us organize sport in a more efficient, in a more sustainable, in a better way.

“There, you will see next month [in April], already in a couple of weeks – mid of next month – an initiative of the IOC where we will present such a project which brings together a vision of artificial intelligence in sport, and I can only encourage you maybe at your conference preceding your general assembly next year, maybe to dedicate to this topic of AI, in follow-up and implementation of this vision of AI in sport because, again, this will be the main challenge, and, you know me, I’m not so much worried about challenges. I always like to look at the bright side of life, to look at the opportunities AI is offering for us and to do it at the right time, again, before others are taking us over in this respect.”

3.
Court of Arbitration throws out IBA appeal vs. IOC

“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal filed by the International Boxing Association (IBA) against the decision taken by the IOC Session on 22 June 2023 withdrawing the IOC’s recognition of the IBA as the IF for the sport of boxing.”

Tuesday’s announcement was likely the end of a long-shot attempt by the IBA to overturn what was essentially a expulsion from the Olympic Movement. The matter was heard in November and the statement noted:

“The Panel determined that these three elements justified the IOC Session’s decision to withdraw recognition of the IBA and emphasized that the IOC’s right to control the circumstances in and the conditions on which it confers recognition outweighed the IBA’s personality rights.” The specific elements included:

● “The IBA had not increased its financial transparency and sustainability including through diversification of revenues.”

● “The IBA had not changed its process relating to referees and judges to ensure its integrity, including a monitoring period for IBA’s own competitions ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.”

● “The IBA had not ensured the full and effective implementation of all the measures proposed by the ‘Governance Reform Group’ established by the IOC, including a change of culture.”

In other words, the decision reinforced the IOC’s position – as owner of the Olympic Games – that it can choose – within reason – whomever it wants to be in charge of any sport on its Olympic Games.

A further appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal is possible, but the review there is extremely limited.

During his ONOC address on 25 March, IOC chief Bach told the delegates that unless the world’s national boxing federation coalesce around a new International Federation (such as the new World Boxing group), boxing will not be included at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He said that the IOC will not serve as the boxing organizer beyond Paris 2024, having already managed the sport at Tokyo 2020.

4.
Johnson and Kahn talk up big-money track & field events

A Sports Business Journal story on Monday profiled two concurrent development projects in track & field, one headed by Atlanta Olympic icon Michael Johnson and the other by former Cornell distance runner and later software entrepreneur Barry Kahn.

Johnson had previously announced an agreement with Winners Alliance, the for-profit agency founded in 2022 as part of the Professional Tennis Players Association, to create a series of meets in 2025. These would have larger prize purses than the current Diamond League meets ($10,000 winner’s prize); although no schedule or other details have been posted, Johnson shared his formula for success in a 2022 Twitter thread that included:

● “I asked what sport represents a successful example of what track & field could be or should be. In the thread below I have listed my response to some of the replies, and end with my opinion what the sport needs to achieve its potential.”

● “Tennis/Golf. Individual sports, most comparable to track. 4 ‘Majors’ every year serve as the pinnacle. T&F calendar is confusing & crowded. Olympics, World Champs, 14 Diamond League events. All presented as major, but Olympics is ‘The Major’, and not controlled by the sport.”

● “Team sports. Make T&F a team sport. Sports fans identify with teams. NFL, NBA, EPL, etc. To successfully transition to a team sport or add a team element requires a well orchestrated approach that won’t create more confusion with athletes sometimes team and sometimes not.”

Kahn proposes a different kind of project, a single-event extravaganza that would be held over two or three days. His Duael Track concept is hoped to launch after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; the story explained:

“Duæl Track will hold head-to-head matchups in the 100 meters and, ultimately, the mile as well. It will launch with Duæl 100 in September in Jamaica, though the exact date and location have not been finalized. The three-day event will feature 10 men and 10 women, racing head-to-head in heats of two until a winner stands atop the bracket.”

The program is built for television and could expand to 40 athletes in 2025 and an event for the mile could launch in 2026, with more added in the future.

The 100 meter event is slated to have a $1 million prize pool, with $500,000 to be paid to the two winners.

Both groups are looking for television and sponsorship agreements, as well as venues.

5.
Albuquerque says $3.4 million in direct spend from indoor track

Eight indoor track & field meets drew about 9,000 athletes, coaches and fans to the Albuquerque Convention Center in January and February, resulting in direct spending of $3.4 million in the region.

Visit Albuquerque said in a statement that the events are part of a larger program of sports events attracted to the area, which are expected to bring in more than 35,000 attendees and more than $18 million in direct spending.

Scheduled events for the remainder of the year are in archery, boxing, cycling, gymnastics and volleyball, addition to track.

The first-quarter track events included the USA Track & Field Indoor Championships, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Indoor Track Invitational, University of New Mexico Team Open, New Mexico Collegiate Classic, Don Kirby Elite Invitational, Mountain West Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships, Great Southwest Track & Field Indoor Meet and Western Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships. Indoor track events have contributed $10.4 million in direct spending over the last three years in Albuquerque.

The USATF Indoor meet produced a direct-spend in the region of $700,000, but was expected to be the second-largest indoor track event of the season, at 1,500 total attendees. The annual Don Kirby Elite Invitational, held the week prior, was expected to host a total of 1,600.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Games of the XXXVI Olympiad ● Indonesia confirmed that it is in discussions with the IOC concerning a future Olympic hosting – possibly for 2036 – and will send an observer delegation to Paris for this summer’s Olympic Games.

In addition to representatives from the Indonesian Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing will be included in the Paris delegation.

Observed: Beyond the questions of venues, villages, transportation and so on, Indonesian officials will have to explain to the IOC why they should be considered after the cancellation of the ANOC World Beach Games in 2023 and forfeit of the FIFA men’s U-20 World Cup because the government would not allow Israel to participate. Although FIFA withdrew the men’s U-20 World Cup over the rejection of Israel – which eventually won the bronze in the relocated tournament in Argentina – it awarded its men’s U-17 World Cup to Indonesia, held in November and December last year (Israel did not qualify).

● International Paralympic Committee ● Headquartered in the same building in Bonn (GER) since 1999 – its first central office location – the IPC closed the doors on 28 March and is moving to a new home just about 500 m away.

From its initial 10 staff members in 1999, the IPC’s 130-strong staff will soon occupy the former State Representation building in Bonn, close to the Bonn World Conference Center. The German State of North Rhine-Westphalia decided in 2019 to provide the facility at Dahlmannstrasse 2 in Bonn for IPC use beginning in 2020, but subsequent events – like the Covid-19 pandemic – put everything on hold.

The IPC had staff in multiple buildings in Bonn, but all will now be under one roof.

● Swimming ● New Texas coach Bob Bowman was introduced in Austin at a news conference on Tuesday and said that the swimmers who are training with him for the U.S. Trials and the Olympic Games will continue to do so.

That includes French star Leon Marchand, who led Arizona State to its first NCAA men’s swimming title in March and is expected to be a gold-medal contender in multiple events in Paris, and Hungarian backstroke star Hubert Kos, the 2023 World Champion in the 200 m Back.

Bowman’s American post-collegiate trainees, such as Rio Olympic women’s 100 m co-champ Simone Manuel, Tokyo Olympic men’s 400 m Medley gold medalist Chase Kalisz and others, will train with Bowman for a few more days at Arizona State. After the Tyr Pro Swim Series meet in San Antonio, Texas next week, Bowman will split time between Tempe and Austin, then go to a training camp in Colorado in May and then coach his swimmers in Austin up and through the U.S. Olympic Trials in June.

Singapore’s Joseph Schooling, a 12-time NCAA swimming gold medal winner and the 2016 Olympic 100 m Butterfly winner, announced his retirement on Tuesday at age 28.

Schooling, now 28, will be remembered most for his startling upset win at Rio in an Olympic record of 50.39, destroying a fine field that included American superstar Michael Phelps, who tied for second with Chad Le Clos (RSA) and Laszlo Cseh (HUN) at 51.14. Schooling received a reward of S$1,000,000, or about $739,810 U.S. today; the NCAA allowed him to keep the money since he was a foreign student.

● Weightlifting ● The record books are being rewritten at the IWF World Cup in Phuket (THA), with two men’s marks and North Korean women claiming seven records in the first three classes!

In the men’s 61 kg class on Tuesday, China’s Tokyo Olympic champ Fabin Li set a world record of 146 kg in the Snatch and won the overall competition at 312 kg, but not far behind was American Hampton Morris. Still just 20, Morris was only seventh in the Snatch (127 kg), but set a world record for the Clean & Jerk at 176 kg and vaulted up to second overall at 303 kg.

He broke Li’s world C&J mark of 175 kg from 2022. This was the first world record by an American man since 1969 when Bob Bednarski set marks for the Snatch and total at 110 kg. Morris also got U.S. records for the Snatch and total at 61 kg and now ranks no. 2 in the IWF’s Olympic rankings.

North Korea is dominating the women’s lifting, with Hyon Sim Won taking the 45 kg class with 87 kg (Snatch) ~ 109 kg (Clean & Jerk) ~ 196 kg (total), setting world records in all three segments! Siriwimon Pramonghkhol (THA) was well back in second at 176 kg (total).

PRK teammate Song Gum Ri won the women’s 49 kg division over China’s Tokyo Olympic champ, Zhizhi Hou, 221 kg to 217 overall. Hou started with a world record of 97 kg in the Snatch, but Ri lifted 97/124/221 and took the world mark for the total. (Hou got the world mark for the Snatch over Ri because she lifted it first.)

At 55 kg, Hyon Gyong Kang (PRK) continued the sweep, lifting 103/131/234 to win easily against Romanian Mihaela-Valentina Cambei (91/110/201). Kang got world records in the Clean & Jerk (131 kg) and total (234 kg), in both cases breaking her own marks from the 2023 Asian Games.

The competition – the last Olympic qualifier – continues through the 11th.

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TSX REPORT: Promised U.S. Center for SafeSport reforms announced; Paris Mayor Hidalgo enrages Russia; star swim coach Bowman heads to Texas!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. SafeSport announces key process changes as promised
2. Russia’s Pozdnyakov inflamed over Hidalgo’s dismissal
3. Wasserman on LA28: “To me, this is a public service”
4. IHF promoting Beach Handball with demo program in Paris
5. Star swim coach Bowman wins NCAA at ASU, leaves for Texas!

● The U.S. Center for SafeSport promised significant reforms at last month’s Congressional hearings. These were announced Monday, including a revision of its “administrative closure” process, a more efficient structure and new training for trauma sensitivity, all long requested.

● Anne Hidalgo, the Paris Mayor, said on a video recorded in Kyiv that Russian and Belarusian athletes “are not welcome in Paris.” Russian reaction was angry and bitter, even with the International Olympic Committee assuring the those “neutral” athletes allowed to compete in Paris will be accommodated in the Olympic Village.

● LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman was asked last week on The Rich Eisen Show what his grandfather – legendary entertainment giant Lew Wasserman – would think of his role, and spoke of pride, but also legacy. Former L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke directly to what that legacy will be in 2019.

● The International Handball Federation is trying to get Beach Handball into the Olympic Games and will have a three-day demonstration of the sport at the French Handball Federation during the Games in Paris this summer.

● Two days after leading Arizona State to its first-ever men’s NCAA Swimming & Diving title, coach Bob Bowman was announced as the new Director of Swimming & Diving at the University of Texas! Wow! And what happens to the many post-collegiate stars Bowman is training in Tempe?

● Panorama: Athletics (world best at Texas Relays in women’s 4×2) = Football (report from Mexico says Estadio Azteca behind on 2026 World Cup renovation) ●

1.
SafeSport announces key process changes as promised

The U.S. Center for SafeSport announced a series of organizational and policy changes for better efficiency and performance, as promised during Congressional hearings last month:

“After spending the past eight months conducting a top-to-bottom review of its processes and seeking feedback from athletes and national governing bodies (NGBs) along the way, the Center has launched an initial set of process improvements that impact nearly every aspect of its work.”

SafeSport was a significant focus of the 1 March report of the Commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics and the House and Senate sub-committee hearings, at which SafeSport chief executive Ju’Riese Colon was a central witness.

The changes highlight the concerns made over several years:

● The heretofore-separate Intake and Resolutions, Investigations, and Legal groups were combined into a single Response and Resolution unit for better service, and much-requested trauma-sensitivity training is being developed:

“The Center is dedicating 50% of an employee’s time to implementing a comprehensive training curriculum for its Response and Resolution department, including enhanced trauma-sensitivity training grounded in research and best practices.”

● The much-maligned “administrative closure” process is being modified:

“Center will be redefining and recategorizing Administrative Closures and Holds to provide more clarity and understanding. As a part of this change, the Center will provide to participants in its process and NGBs specific categories that explain the reason for these outcomes, without compromising Claimant confidentiality.”

● Communications will be improved: “The Center is taking steps to ensure consistent communication with those involved in its process by asking Claimants their preferred method and cadence of communication and committing to providing updates as requested. The Center will also contact Respondents every 30 days.”

● A specialized team has been formed to handle interviews involving minors.

● Deeper examination of grassroots sports: “Considering the substantial number of minor athletes competing at non-national level events, the Center began conducting audits to seek accountability deeper into grassroots sports. These audits began in January of 2024 and were announced in 2022.”

During her Senate sub-committee appearance, Colon said, “The Center is requesting legislative change to establish a definition for National Governing Bodies that is inclusive of locally-affiliated organizations, and makes clear that NGBs have oversight over them.” This change could be included in a forthcoming House bill from Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), tentatively titled the “Safer Sports for Athletes Act of 2024.”

SafeSport operates on a budget of about $23 million in 2024; Colon said at last month’s hearings that it requires $30 million a year to handle the current and foreseen caseloads.

2.
Russia’s Pozdnyakov inflamed over Hidalgo’s dismissal

The latest cause celebre for Russian sports officials came Saturday from a video posted by the Ukrainian outlet, United News, in which Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said “I want to tell Russian and Belarusian athletes that they are not welcome in Paris and to tell Ukrainian athletes and all the Ukrainian people that we support them very strongly.” She was visiting Kyiv and toured a training site for Ukrainian athletes.

The International Olympic Committee, in response to an inquiry from the Russian news agency TASS, explained any Russian “neutrals” will be hosted in Paris:

“Like all other athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Individual Neutral Athletes are entitled to accommodation in the Olympic Village (or satellite villages, as applicable) as well as logistical support necessary for their participation in the Games.”

But Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in fencing, posted a bitter but spirited response on his Telegram page:

“In theory, if the host city is not ready to host athletes who have received the right to participate in competitions, then the IOC should at least move the Games to another place, but the IOC leadership does not comment on Ms. Hidalgo’s individual political demarche at all.

“Should silence be regarded as a transfer of authority to host the Games to the Paris authorities, who have the right to determine who they are happy with and who is not? However, the mayor of the French capital has rendered a great service to the IOC.

“Now, if there are any problems with ‘unwanted guests,’ there is always someone to point the finger at – the Paris City Hall – which ‘did not want to see’ and generally behaved not in the spirit of the Olympic Truce.

“It is not so important whether the words of the mayor of Paris are an irresponsible anti-Russian slogan or a responsible official statement of intent. After all, it is no coincidence that the capital of France is hung with Ukrainian flags, such is the political situation.

“This does not change the essence: even completely impersonal athletes from our country really do not want to [be viewed] at the Olympics. Neither the host country, which has repeatedly stated the lack of security guarantees for neutralized athletes, nor the IOC, which has done everything possible to eliminate Russia from the international sports arena and reduce to a few potential depersonalized applicants for a trip to Paris.”

That Pozdnyakov could reference the Olympic Truce in view of Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine is amazing, but he kept going, continuing to rail at the IOC:

“In recent years, the leadership of the international Olympic Movement has skillfully mastered the skill of proving that black is white, and shifting its own responsibility to anyone to solve custom tasks. Such as squeezing everything Russian out of the international sport usurped by them, for example. The fact that Lausanne is now a political player and the sport is completely in politics has finally been officially announced. One less myth. …

“The Olympic boycott is today about the suspension of athletes on a national basis by the IOC, which at the same time, with ‘titanic efforts,’ masterfully managed to ‘resolve problems and dilemmas’ with all parties involved, without contacting, however, at the same time in any way with the Russian side, which was also stated publicly. Olympic magic, no less.”

3.
Wasserman on LA28: “To me, this is a public service”

More on LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman’s interview on The Rich Eisen Show on the Roku Channel last week, as Eisen asked what Wasserman’s grandfather, the legendary head of MCA Universal, Lew Wasserman, would think of his role at the head of the 2028 organizing committee:

“I think he would be proud.

“To me, this is a public service. I’m giving back to the city I was born in and love. The city loves the Olympics, and if we do this right, we can truly change this city forever, and I think L.A. is one of the two or three most important cities in the world.

“And so my ability to use my skill set – look, I could not do this job in any other city in America, and I couldn’t do this job if my day job wasn’t my day job – so I’m like lucky that I have that day job and I live in Los Angeles, because if this Olympics was in New York, obviously, it’s a different perspective, right?

“We’re not building things, this is not a construction project, this is a commercial project, so my day job and my city are allowing me this opportunity, and so I’m willing to do this and work hard and have two jobs essentially and I think he’d be very proud because the legacy of the Games won’t be buildings, the legacy of the Games will be an incredible human impact that we could have for generations.”

Casey Wasserman referred to his “day job,” which is as founder and chair of his privately-owned Wasserman agency, allowing him the freedom to work on both programs at the same time. He served – at the invitation of then-Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti – as the volunteer head of the Los Angeles 2024 bid effort and continues as the LA28 Board Chair, also an unpaid, volunteer position.

His grandfather was not only a giant in the entertainment arena, but also a key member of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee Board of Directors and its Executive Committee for the 1984 Olympic Games, who saw the rise of the organizing effort from the start in 1978.

Casey Wasserman’s reference to a human legacy of the 2028 Games reflects how former Mayor Garcetti talked specifically about this at the 2019 Los Angeles Sports Summit:

“Let me turn for a second back to the Olympics. Every Olympics says that they create a great legacy, and I think they mean it. And when they are bidding certainly …. It’s very important for us to remember what it is that the Olympics are about. They were about, initially, a truce – peace between warring folks in ancient times – and secondly about an opportunity of competition.

“I think for a long time we have moved away [from that]. We’ve got cities scared to bid for the Olympics because they cost so much, because people so much infrastructure for two and a half weeks; that wasn’t a very sustainable model.

“The legacy that people want to leave behind often is the last thing they are able to do because they are still trying to get the plumbing to work at the Olympic Village. We created a different model. In L.A., we made a million bucks in ‘32. We made about $250 million in ‘84 and I think we will make at least a billion dollars net in 2028, because we have the ability to look at the profitability, to think about that legacy right away and a longer time to plan.

“So I told you about the swim lessons, but it is my goal to make sure that no family looks at the opportunities for their children and says, ‘we can’t afford for them to play sports.’ … That shouldn’t be a barrier for a kid’s dreams.

“So without taking a single spot away from a boy, by adding more dollars and programming to girls with something called ‘Girls Play L.A.’ that my wife and I have led, We were able to get to 45% participation in just two years, from 25% of girls in our Rec & Parks program. That’s the sort of legacy we want to leave behind.”

If the 2028 Games do leave behind a surplus – and that is expected – then the Games Agreement between the City of Los Angeles and LA28 calls for the formation of a new, charitable entity that will continue the support of youth in sports into the future.

4.
IHF promoting Beach Handball with demo program in Paris

There’s no better place to promote a future Olympic event that at the Olympics, right? That’s the thinking behind the International Handball Federation’s beach handball demonstration program announced last week for Paris.

Four men’s and women’s teams – with a total of eight players per side (four play at any one time) – will play on three days – 27-28-29 July – at the French Handball Federation’s headquarters in Creteil, just outside of Paris. The French national team will play and the other three teams will be global all-star assemblies – from 18 countries – including American men Drew Donlin and Ebiye Udo-Udoma and Christine Mansour on the women’s side.

The reason for the show is clear. Said IHF Beach Handball Working Group Chair Giampiero Masi (ITA): “After its debut at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, this is another step towards its presence at the Olympic Games as an official sport in the future.”

Handball joined the Olympic program at Munich in 1972 and has been part of the Games ever since, with the women’s competition added in 1976. But it has not expanded beyond that, but has had success with its beach version in several multi-sport events in recent years.

5.
Star swim coach Bowman wins NCAA at ASU, leaves for Texas!

The story was so startling that SwimSwam.com had to put a line at the top of its story: “this is not an April Fools article.”

Just two days after coaching Arizona State to its first-ever NCAA men’s Swimming & Diving title, iconic coach Bob Bowman – he who coached Michael Phelps at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club – was announced as the new Director of Swimming & Diving at the University of Texas, and the head coach of the men’s squad.

Bowman, 58, literally resurrected the Arizona State program, which he joined prior to the 2016 season. From a first season with two points in the NCAA meet, Bowman’s team emerged after the pandemic, placing sixth nationally in 2022, second in 2023 and won the 2024 title, led by French star Leon Marchand, who won three individual events for the second year in a row.

Now he’s headed to Austin, to take over from another legend, Eddie Reese, who is finally retiring – after a false start in 2021 – after 46 years, leaving an unparalleled legacy of winning a record 15 NCAA team championships. Reese will formally conclude his tenure at Texas at the end of the U.S. Olympic Trials in June.

Texas will be Bowman’s third collegiate stop. He started at Michigan, from 2004-08, then went to Baltimore and to Arizona State.

Bowman’s move will have repercussions for the U.S. national team and others. In addition to his duties with the Sun Devils, he has been working with a group of world-class swimmers including Olympic stars Simone Manuel, Olivia Smoliga, Regan Smith, Chase Kalisz, Jay Litherland, Allison Schmidt and others.

And, of course, he is Marchand’s coach. Do some or all follow him to Austin? When?

The Texas women’s team, NCAA runners-up the last three years, will continue to be coached by Carol Capitani, under Bowman’s overall direction.

Arizona State named Associate Head Coach Herbie Behm to take over for Bowman.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Athletics ● More highlights from the weekend, including the first sub-10 clocking of the season in the men’s 100 m, from Nigeria’s Favour Ashe, an Auburn junior, who won the Florida Relays in 9.99.

At the Texas Relays, the four-nations quartet of Dina Asher-Smith (GBR), Rhasidat Adeleke (IRL), Lanae Thomas (JAM) and St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred won the women’s 4×200 m in a world-best time of 1:27.05. That’s better than the listed world record of 1:27.46 by the “USA Blue” team at the 2000 Penn Relays, but World Athletics only recognizes relay records with all of the team members from one country. So it’s a world best now.

The same quartet won the women’s invitational 4×400 m in 3:25.31, no. 2 in the world for 2024.

● Football ● Chatter about Mexico’s historic Estadio Azteca and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with 365ScoreMexico posting on X (ex-Twitter) last Friday (computer translation from the original Spanish):

“AZTECA STADIUM DELAYED.

“@365scoresmx has learned EXCLUSIVELY that the Azteca Stadium did NOT pass the FIFA tests for the 2026 World Cup.

“The first report of the year has arrived and the Azteca is DELAYED by 6 months according to its planned renovations.

“Unlike BBVA [Monterrey] and Akron [Guadalajara], which are going according to plan.”

There’s a couple of years to go, but the worrying can start anyway.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our new, 920-event International Sports Calendar for 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Wasserman warns of college-sport implosion; Kiplimo & Chebet repeat in World Cross; Leon Marchand stars at NCAA swim!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda repeats as World Athletics Cross Country champion! (Photo: Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images for World Athletics)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Wasserman: “if we lose that system, we don’t have Team USA any more”
2. France asks 46 countries for security help
3. Now a Paris poll showing Olympic interest split by politics
4. Kiplimo and Chebet repeat at World Cross Champs
5. France’s Marchand stars again at NCAA swim champs!

● LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman was on The Rich Eisen Show on the Roku Channel last Friday and explained that U.S. Olympic-sport development is in danger due to the continuing aggregation of money around college football, and suggested that the NFL could be a leader in finding a solution.

● France made the usual request of Olympic host countries and asked for security assistance from friends, in this case, 46 other countries for people, systems and things.

● A new poll in Paris showed a divide – of course – in the French population about the 2024 Olympic Games … by political affiliation!

● The 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade saw the same winners as in 2023: Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo and Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet. Kenya won both the men’s and women’s team titles.

● At the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships, Arizona State won its first team title and French star Leon Marchand won three individual events, set three collegiate records, helped win two relays and two second-place finishes for 97 points  by himself! He’s on course to be the face of the Paris Games for France in the pool.

● Panorama: Athletics (world leads at the Texas and Florida relay meets and a 37.67 men’s 4×1!) = Bobsled & Skeleton (Del Duca and Hoffman get two wins each at U.S. nationals) = Cycling (van der Poel solos, Longo Borghini sprints to Ronde van Vlaanderen wins) = Gymnastics (two wins for Turkey at FIG World Challenge Cup in Antalya) = Judo (five wins for Japan, three for France at Antalya Grand Slam) = Table Tennis (Liang and Sun win WTT Champions in Incheon) = Triathlon (indoor triathlon World Cup debuts inside an indoor track facility in France!) = Weightlifting (IWF Secretary-General creates the federation’s anthem!) ●

1.
Wasserman: “if we lose that system, we don’t have
Team USA any more”

The crisis in collegiate athletics, created by the enormous financial control of football, needs to be fixed, in part to assure that all the other sports survive.

Casey Wasserman, the chair of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee, visited The Rich Eisen Show on the Roku Channel last Friday and had some clear ideas about not only what the stakes are, but how it might get worked out.

It’s complicated, but Wasserman, who as the founder of the Wasserman agency, is one of the power brokers in entertainment and sports representation, media and events. His take:

“The only entity with the ability – I’m not sure they’re capable or qualified – but the ability is the federal government. It takes national legislation, but here’s the part where miss, or underestimate.

“If you’re a senator from Mississippi, or Iowa, you kind of like the system the way it is [for the SEC and Big 10]. Are you really going to take away from yourselves to prop up the Big 12 and the ACC and these other conferences to lift everybody or do you like winning the national championship every year, or having the SEC and Big Ten get a disproportionate share of income? You’re asking people to be truly magnanimous for something that is truly local and parochial to their states and their environment.

“That’s a hard thing to do to get the two senators from Georgia to say, ‘yeah, we’re going to take money away from the University of Georgia, who wins national championships – the pride of the state – and we’re going to give it to Washington State.’”

Eisen volunteered, “That’s why the federal government can’t be involved.” But something has to happen. Explained Wasserman:

“I think we’re at this turning point which is, college is absolutely the second-most popular and valuable sport in America; it’s not even a question.

“The question is, do they monetize that opportunity and keep all the money in college football and don’t share it, so college football becomes its own entity, away from the NCAA? So, Michigan basketball and UCLA basketball are part of the Big 10, but college football is its own thing? Michigan is in that, but it’s not really a Big 10 thing, it’s really just a college football thing?

“And then Michigan basketball and UCLA softball are over because there’s no money. Because the money – 90% of the value and the economics – come from college football.

“Or, do you keep them in the system, and use that money to solve the problem, because NIL [name-image-likeness] is not fixing the problem. NIL has made the problem worse. …

“NIL is just, truly pay-for-play, and where are you going to spend your money, you’re going to spend money where you drive revenue, and you drive revenue in football. So, you were just making the rich richer in that system.

“You know, I think the average NIL deal in the country is $500 … But Ohio State says it costs them $13 million a year to maintain their roster. I mean [Coach] Ryan Day says that publicly. That’s not a secret.

“I can assure you in terms of Title IX, he’s not spending $13 million – Ohio State’s not spending $13 million a year – on their women’s programs. So it’s just made college football way more outside the system, and the problem is that all of the Olympic sports, if you will, or basketball and all the Olympic sports only exist because football provides so much of the economics to subsidize those.”

Eisen asked how to keep connecting football to the other sports, which he called “absolutely necessary,” and asked about a commissioner to control football. It’s not the NCAA, right? Answered Wasserman:

“They’re not, they don’t have the control or purview clearly, because it’s very clear the conference commissioners at a minimum and the university presidents are running the system. You have to keep the money in the system.”

And the danger is obvious, Wasserman said:

“By the way, in this country, all of our American athletes who are Olympians, are trained in universities. So if we lose that system, we don’t have Team USA any more.

“Our government does not provide funding to the U.S. Olympic Movement. There’s zero federal dollars going to any part of the U.S. Olympic Movement. All of our athletes are trained in colleges, and that’s a great source of pride. And that’s going to evaporate.”

So where does the solution come from? Wasserman said there are two groups that can help move things in the right direction:

● “I think what you’re going to have to do is the conference commissioners, there’s really the Big 10, the SEC, the ACC and the Big 12, are going to have to say, look, football is great and we can make a lot of money organizing college football in a different kind of way, but if we’re doing that and it’s not benefitting all the other student-athletes, we’re actually missing the mark here, and we’re not doing our job, and we’re not actually serving the universities.

“I mean, UCLA, we’re proud of all those athletes and student-athletes who do incredible things. So, we’re going to miss that if they don’t take that ownership of that responsibility and embrace it, they’re going to be the ones who get blamed for it, and the system right now is totally screwed.”

● “I actually think the NFL can say, look, we can help solve the problem, not take control of college football, but sort of create the pathway, and use that as a means to save all these Olympic sports that are good for this country and by the way, think about the Paris Olympics this summer: there’ll be 100 athletes competing in Paris for countries not for the United States, who went to college for free and got their athletic training at American universities.

“We train our competitors. Talk about power and soft power … that’s a powerful thing. All those things are going to go away if we don’t fix this problem.

“To push the institutions to do what’s right to maintain the sanctity of non-football sports, I think the NFL has a real opportunity to be a leader in that movement.”

On the 2028 Olympic Games, Wasserman was asked how he got involved. Explaining that Los Angeles had bid and lost at the domestic level for 2012 and 2016, he said that then-Mayor Eric Garcetti asked him if he had any ideas on who could lead a bid for L.A. for 2024; Wasserman replied:

“By the way, this is a terrible idea, because we’re going to lose. The [International Olympic Committee] does not love America, generally speaking, just for the record, so – bad idea – but here are some people.

“Calls me back a few weeks later; you know, why don’t you do this? I said, well, first of all, in case you forgot, it’s a bad idea and second of all, I have a job, so I’m good.

“And a month later, he goes like, ‘I hate to do this to you, but I’m the Mayor, you have to do this.’

“And I said, well, in case you forgot, this is a terrible idea, and it just proves the old adage that you can’t win unless you play the game. … And so we started this process and the one thing we committed to each other was that we were going to do it our way, authentically. Basically, we weren’t going to try and pretend to be stuffy Europeans; we were two relatively young guys from L.A. We were going to be authentically L.A., embrace that we’re a different kind of American city, and just compete.

“Started against Rome, Hamburg, Budapest and Paris and lo and behold, Hamburg first, then Rome and then Budapest all dropped out for different reasons, left with L.A. and Paris. And I had come up with this idea in that time zone which was, like, one of two things was certain to happen in 2024 bidding: Paris would have lost four consecutive bids, or the three largest cities in America would have lost three consecutive bids. And if you’re the IOC, one of those two things happening is a bad result, and so I said, ‘just give us each a Games, like, it’s not like there’s a list of 100 people who want these things.’

“These are two incredible, global cities, this is a clear victory from the jaws of defeat, not how they normally do things, but lo and behold, the more you talk about it, the more they think about it, the more they understand it, and so what started with a crazy idea became a reality in September 2017, and here we are, some 1,570 days away from Opening Ceremonies in L.A. …

“And it was this dance of who was going to go when. We were always happy to go in 2028 because the risk of time if you’re building things is construction things escalate and expenses escalate. We have nothing to build permanently here. So, time just allowed us to generate more revenue, and think about what’s happened in the interim since we got the Games in 2017: SoFi [Stadium] opened, Intuit [Dome] opened, massive renovation of the Coliseum, massive renovation at Crypto [.com Arena], Dodgers obviously have [changed] … the Rose Bowl is doing some renovations; L.A. has changed dramatically.

“And so even by 2028, just on the non-facility side, all the infrastructure – airport – all those things, so we’re really lucky. And I didn’t know Covid was going to happen, so I’m glad I didn’t have to try and generate revenue during Covid, and lo and behold, 2028 is coming fast, and on October 11th, we’ll take the flag in Paris – literally take the Olympic flag – and then we’re next.

“We bring it home the next morning, we’ll hang it in City Hall and then when we’re done, we’ll give it Brisbane.”

Eisen asked about some of the events and their locations, a question Wasserman has been asked about a lot recently:

● “The Opening Ceremonies, the traditional parade of athletes is at SoFi. We will go through the Coliseum because it’s important to recognize the history of that venue, but the technology you need to produce an Opening Ceremonies for television and infrastructure and sound and stuff, if you will, you can’t do it at the Coliseum without spending hundreds of millions of dollars.”

● “The actual lighting of the torch will be at SoFi,” but Wasserman also noted that another cauldron may also be arranged during the Games in another, more central location.

● “Athletics will be at the Coliseum, so we will build a track at the Coliseum, and it’s going to be spectacular.”

● “Rose Bowl will have soccer finals and semi-finals. The challenge is – and I remind people – the [FIFA] World Cup is coming to America in 2026 which is nice, but as I say that’s a little boutique event. We have 36 sports in the Olympics – right, 36 sports – we will produce a men’s and a women’s World Cup as one of our 36 events.

“So we can’t play, actually, more than the semi-finals and the finals because we’ve got semi-finals and finals – men’s and women’s – so you’ve got two games on each side, finals two games and you’ve got a bronze-medal game, so you go back and play it, so you’ve got [eight] games essentially in five days, it might be too much for the field.”

● On the Olympic Village, Wasserman replied that it will be at UCLA, but that the early start date of the Games – 14 July – is due to two calendars:

“If you just draw the line from when UCLA ends, and USC starts, it’s the only time we can fit the Olympics and the Paralympics and get in and out between those two universities, because they are the key to our delivery, USC and UCLA.”

Eisen asked about other venues and Wasserman explained that announcements are coming up soon on some moves:

“Things like soccer prelims we’ll play up and down the state for sure … you use most of the MLS stadiums in the state because there’s so many games that you’ll have to play.

“We’re going to move a couple events out of the state of California, which we’ll announce here in the next month or so. … There’s a few sports for which you have to build a temporary facility which is expensive and doesn’t have a lot of legacy use that other places in the country have world-class facilities, so to be able to go use those facilities as is [great].

“You know it sounds crazy because this country is so big – but we’re unique in L.A. – but think about Paris, you can’t sail in Paris, so sailing is in Marseille. Marseille is an hour-and-45-minute plane flight from Paris, so Paris is a small country relatively, but an hour-and-45 plane flight from L.A., you get to a lot of places to do another event. So it’s not a crazy thing, it just sounds crazy because you’re in a different state and it sounds different.”

Eisen kept pushing, thinking about a 1:45 flight time: Colorado perhaps?

“Not quite Colorado, maybe a little further; but like in Paris, they’re doing surfing in Tahiti, French Polynesia.

“So we’re not surfing in Hawaii, no … funny enough, there’s not great waves in Hawaii in the summer, so we’ll be surfing in Southern California.”

Wasserman suggested that Eisen be the play-by-play announcer for NBC for flag football, an added sport for 2028. Eisen noted that decision will not be his to make. But Wasserman is ultra-enthusiastic:

“It’s going to be awesome for flag football … and you know, that 1932, it wasn’t flag football, it was American Football, they didn’t have other countries, but they had four – West, North, East and South – playing 11-on-11 football, and like Pop Warner was one of the coaches in the 1932 Olympics. It was a demonstration sport in 1932.

“It’s crazy how excited they are. … The NFL, there’s no way – and Roger [Goodell], the Commissioner has said this – there’s no way they’re not going to let their players play because they all want to do it.”

Observed: Wasserman’s comments were compelling and the college football problem is becoming more and more acute. The idea that the NFL could play a significant role in shaping the future is wholly logical and practical.

As for the LA28 venues, his comments are the latest indicators that the canoe slalom events are headed to Oklahoma City and the world-class Riversport Rapids venue. Reports indicate that LA28 is also looking for venues for equestrian, modern pentathlon and perhaps, shooting and others. And there are the added sports of baseball and softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash, whose venues are not yet determined.

Clarifications on the 1932 Olympic demonstration of American Football at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. It was an all-star game between two all-star teams – West and East – with USC’s Howard Jones as the West coach (assisted by Stanford’s Warner and others) and former Yale coach Tad Jones in charge of the East squad. Some 41,653 saw the West win, 7-6.

2.
France asks 46 countries for security help

The French Interior Ministry said last week that it has asked the governments of 46 countries for assistance with security staffing and support for the Paris 2024 Games.

The requests were made in January for a total of 2,185 individuals for a variety of tasks, with Agence France Presse reporting an official commenting, “It’s a classic move for host countries ahead of the organisation of major events … for the spectators’ experience, to respond to the capacity challenge of the Games and to reinforce international cooperation.”

France is among multiple countries which sent officers to Qatar to assist with the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including with liaison with fans from French-speaking countries.

A Defense Ministry source told AFP, “Several foreign nations are going to reinforce us in certain critical areas, such as dog-handling capabilities where the needs are enormous.”

Poland and Germany have both said they would be assisting in Paris; Polish Defense Secretary Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz posted on X (ex-Twitter):

“The Polish Armed Forces will join the international coalition established by France to support the preparations and security of the 2024 Summer Olympics. A task force of our soldiers, including dog handlers, will be sent to Paris. Its main goal will be to undertake activities related to the detection of explosives and counteracting terrorist phenomena.”

France has been especially concerned with Islamic terrorist activity, and raised its readiness to an emergency level after the mass shooting at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on 22 March.

U.S. intelligence and defense agencies routinely assist Olympic host countries with security issues at recent Olympic Games, although no comment on the Paris 2024 Games has been made.

3.
Now a Paris poll showing Olympic interest split by politics

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) has called today’s polarized world “aggressively divisive” and France is not immune, even on the Olympic front.

The newest poll numbers, from Paris-based CSA Research survey of 1,013 adults commissioned by Europe1, CNews France and Le Journal du Dimanche, found a split in views on the Paris 2024 Games based on political outlook.

Wow, what a surprise:

● Overall, 47% believed that France is ready to host the event and 52% did not. The leading concerns are over security, transportation and transit restrictions near Olympic sites.

● The age groups with more than 50% believing that the country is ready were in the 18-24 and over-65 cohorts.

● Interestingly, Socialists were optimistic about the Games – Socialist Anne Hidalgo is the Paris Mayor – with 66% in favor of the preparations. Taking into account all of the leftist parties, 57% say France will be ready, while 57% of right-wing parties say France is not prepared. The poll showed 58% of centrist-party respondents think France will be ready.

Observed: This is hardly a new phenomenon. Opinion in host cities on the Games is often split several months out in polls, even with overwhelming applications for volunteer positions and 8.8 million tickets sold in Paris so far.

A better idea will come after the Olympic Torch Relay gets going and the Games seem much more real; this is often the time that positive opinions of the Games take off.

4.
Kiplimo and Chebet repeat at World Cross Champs

The 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade (SRB) had a very familiar look, as Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo repeated their 2023 championship runs, the first time since 2006 that both the men’s and women’s champions repeated.

The women’s race ran first – both over 10 km and featuring a 270 m start, then five loops of 1,887 m and a finishing straight of 320 m – with Kenya’s Emmaculate Achol leading after the first full lap, with 19 runners in the lead group. It was hot, at 78 F at the start at 12:47 p.m.

But the race broke open after that as the Kenyans took charge, with Achol leading and Kenya running 1-5 and 12 in contact. Only six were in contention after three laps and the five Kenyans were the lead pack after four laps and the race was between them.

Defending champ Chebet has the most left and powered down the final straight to win in 31:05, with Lilian Rengeruk second (31:08), Margaret Kipkemboi third (31:09), Achol fourth (31:24) and Agnes Ngetich fifth (31:27). Those five had a 33-second lead on Uganda’s Sarah Chelangat in sixth (33:00).

Weini Kelati was the top American, in 15th (32:53), followed by Allie Ostrander in 30th (34:11) and Abby Nichols in 33rd (34:27).

Kenya, of course, won the team scoring with the minimum of 10 points (top four score), followed by Ethiopia (41) and Uganda (44). The U.S. was fourth, but well back at 113.

The men’s race, at 1:33 p.m., saw temperatures of 79 F and a big group together through two laps. By the end of lap three, Gideon Rono (KEN) was out in front, but a mass of about 20 runners were running just 5-8 seconds behind.

The chase pack got busy and caught Rono, with 10 in contention by the end of the fourth lap. Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the 2019 World Cross Champion and 10,000 m world-record holder, had the lead, but not for long.

Kiplimo surged ahead on the final lap and strung out the field behind him, winning in 28:09, with Olympic 10,000 m champ Selemon Barega (ETH: 28:12) in second – as he was last year – and Benson Kiplangat in third (KEN: 28:14). Kenyans Nicholas Kipkorir (28:16) and Samwei Masai (28:18) helped with the team scoring, as Cheptegei fell back to sixth (28:24).

Anthony Rotich was the top American, in 22nd (29:22), while Emmanuel Bor was 25th (29:37) despite one of his shoes falling apart!

Kenya got the team title with 19 points, to 31 for Uganda and 40 for Ethiopia. The U.S. was seventh with 120.

Chebet is the eighth woman to win two or more titles back-to-back and Kiplimo is the eighth man.

Kenya won the four-loop (7.55 km) mixed relay, in 22:15, ahead of Ethiopia (22:43) and Great Britain (23:00). The U.S. – Kasey Knevelbaard, Ella Donaghu, Johnathan Reniewicki and Katie Izzo – was eighth in 23:21.

5.
France’s Marchand stars again at NCAA swim champs!

If you haven’t heard of Leon Marchand, you will. The French swim star sent notice that he is in prime shape and getting ready to for his assault on the medal stand in Paris this summer after leading his Arizona State team to its first NCAA men’s swimming title in Indianapolis, Indiana.

In 2023, Marchand won his three NCAA individual events – the 200-yard Breaststroke, 200-yard Medley and 400-yard Medley – as a sophomore, all in collegiate-record times. He also collected two relay silvers and two relay bronzes as ASU finished second in the team standings.

In 2024, Marchand was at it again, leading Arizona State to its first-ever men’s team title, with 523 1/2 points:

● 1st: 500-yard Freestyle (4:02.31 ~ collegiate record)
● 1st: 200-yard Breaststroke (1:46.35 ~ collegiate record)
● 1st: 400-yard Medley (3:32.12)
● 1st: 400-yard Freestyle Relay (lead-off)
● 1st: 400-yard Medley Relay (second leg)
● 2nd: 800-yard Freestyle Relay (lead-off)
● 2nd: 200-yard Medley Relay (second leg)

He set a third collegiate record with his lead-off leg of 1:28.97 for the 200-yard Free on the 800-yard Freestyle Relay. In the 400-yard Medley Relay, he clocked a 48.73 Breaststroke split, fastest ever recorded, and finished with a 40.28 leg on the 400-yard Freestyle Relay, the third-fastest ever by a collegian!

Marchand scored 60 points for his three individual event wins and 37 more on relays for 97 points by himself.

And his Arizona State coach, the legendary Bob Bowman – also the coach of Michael Phelps – will continue to coach him right through the summer.

Marchand won the 2023 World Championship golds in the 200 and 400 m Medleys and the 200 m Butterfly and looks ready to add the 200 m Breast to his event list. He will be the face of the Games for France during the first week.

Not to be overlooked was the great meet by Canada’s Josh Liendo. Swimming for Florida, he won the 50-yard Free in 18.07, the 100-yard Free in 40.20 and the 100 m Fly in 43.07. He also contributed legs on the winning 200-yard Free Relay (18.25 lead-off) and the 200-yard Medley Relay (third: 18.97 Fly) and second in the 400-yard Free Relay (41.28 lead-off).

Liendo, now 21, won the 2023 Worlds silver in the 100 m Fly and won two bronzes at the 2022 Worlds, in the 100 m Free and 100 m Fly. He appears poised to do more in Paris.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Athletics ● U.S. action exploded over the weekend, with the Florida and Texas Relays, and multiple world-leading marks.

In Austin, 2023 NCAA decathlon champ Leo Neugebauer (GER) posted a tremendous score of 8,708 on his home track, his second-best score ever.

Jamaica’s O’Brien Wasome got the men’s world lead in the triple jump at 17.09 m (56-1), Gabby Thomas ran 22.08 for the women’s world 200 m lead, and the “USA Red” team of Celera Barnes, Thomas, Tamara Clark and Morolake Akinosun won the women’s 4×100 m relay in 42.25. On the infield, Tokyo 2020 Olympic champ Valarie Allman went to the top of the world list at 67.98 m (223-0).

Thomas also ran a fast 10.88 in the women’s 100 m final, but wind-aided at +2.2 m/s.

At the Florida Relays in Gainesville, the “Gainesville Elite” quartet of hurdles World Champion Grant Holloway, Pjai Austin, Worlds 200 m silver winner Erriyon Knighton and Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh won the men’s invitational 4×100 m in a sizzling 37.67, well ahead of the “USA Blue” team (38.23). Fahnbulleh was just slightly ahead of the “USA Red” team of Brandon Carnes, Christian Coleman, Kendal Williams and Noah Lyles at the exchange but Lyles never got the stick and the team did not finish.

Holloway was impressive on lead-off and Knighton ran a brilliant turn to give his team the lead at the hand-off to Fahnbulleh. Remember that when relay time for Paris comes around.

Also in Gainesville, Grace Stark of the U.S. (and Florida) took the world lead in the women’s 100 m hurdles at 12.70.

At the Battle on the Bayou in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Texas A&M junior Sam Whitmarsh exploded in the men’s 800 m, taking his lifetime best from 1:46.09 in 2022 to 1:44.46! Whitmarsh won the SEC Indoor title this year, but is now suddenly the U.S. leader and no. 4 on the world list for 2024!

● Bobsled & Skeleton ● The American bob and skeleton season closed with the U.S. national championships in Lake Placid, New York, with double wins for Sylvia Hoffman and Frank Del Duca.

Hoffman won a Beijing 2022 Olympic bronze with driver Elana Meyers Taylor, but is now driving and took the Monobob title at 2:03.15, over Riley Tejcek (2:04.77). Hoffman then teamed with Sydney Milani to win the Two-Woman event in 1:57.16, with Tejcek and Macy Tarlton second (1:57.87).

Del Duca – eighth in the Two-Man IBSF World Cup this season – and Josh Williamson won the Two-Man in 1:54.24, in front of Kris Horn and Hakeen Abdul-Saboor at 1:54.84. Del Duca and Williamson added Adrian Adams and Manteo Mitchell to win the Four-Man in 1:51.39, with Hunter Church’s sled second in 1:51.54.

In the Skeleton races, 2012 World Champion Katie Uhlaender took the women’s title in 3:45.78, ahead of Sara Roderick (3:47.08), and Austin Florian won the men’s racing at 3:41.10, beating Dan Barefoot (3:41.82).

● Cycling ● The cycling world was focused on one of the “Monument” races in the sport, the 108th Ronde van Vlaanderen – the Tour of Flanders – with brilliant wins for World Road Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED) and Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini.

Van der Poel had already won this race, with its hilly course and irritating cobblestone sections, in 2020 and 2022. This time, the 270.8 km route from Antwerp to Oudenaarde saw van der Poel assume the lead about 216 km with a group of five behind him, then saw Ivan Garcia (ESP) go past.

No matter, as Garcia fell back due to mechanical trouble and van der Poel re-assumed the lead with about 45 km left. American Matteo Jorgenson – winner of the Dwar Doors Vlaanderen during the week – was game, but van der Poel would not be challenged and sailed on to a 1:02 victory, in 6:05:17. Ten were in the chase group (+1:02), starting with Luca Mozzato (ITA), then Nils Politt (BEL), with Magnus Sheffield the top American in sixth. Jorgenson ended up 31st.

It’s the second win of the season for van der Poel, after the E3 Saxo Classic and he was second at Gent-Wevelgem. He’s one of the favorites for the Olympic road race in Paris.

The women’s race – the 21st – over 163 km and starting and finishing in Oudenaarde, came down to a three-way sprint between Longo Borghini, Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) and emerging Dutch star Shirin van Androoij.

Nine riders were in contention with 25 km left, but van Androoij attacked and had the lead on the way to the final climb of the day, the Paterberg, chased by countrywoman Puck Pieterse as the next eight riders were only a few seconds back. On the descent, Longo Borghini and Niewiadoma surged and caught van Androoij, with the Italian sprinting to the line first.

All three finished in 4:16:04, with Niewiadoma second and van Androoij third and Dutch star Marianne Vos in fourth, nine seconds back and in a group of four that included Pieterse in sixth.

It’s the second win in this race for Longo Borghini, also in 2015! Kristen Faulkner was the top American, in 21st (+1:46).

● Gymnastics ● Host Turkey scored two wins at the FIG World Challenge Cup in Antalya, by Adem Asil and Ibrahim Colak.

Asil, the 2023 European All-Around champ, won on Floor at 14.400, over Joel Plata (ESP: 14.250), while Colak – the 2019 World Champion on Rings – won that event, scoring 14.650 to edge Asil – the 2022 Worlds Rings winner – at 14.600.

Jordan’s two-time Worlds Pommel Horse medalist, Ahmad Abu Al-Soud won that event at 14.900, just ahead of 2022 Worlds bronze winner Nariman Kurbanov (KAZ: 14.850). Kazakhstan got a win from Assan Salimov in Vault (14.300) and Spain’s Nicolau Mir took the Parallel Bars at 14.800.

Plata, the 2022 European bronze winner on Horizontal Bar, won that event with a 14.000 score.

The four women’s events each went to a different winner, with Tjasa Kysselef (SLO) taking the vault over the amazing, 48-year-old Oksana Chusovitina (UKR), 13.017 to 12.917. French star Melanie de Jesus dos Santos won the Uneven Bars, 14.567 to 14.067, over Brazil’s Tokyo Olympic All-Around runner-up Rebeca Andrade.

China’s Xinyi Sun took the Beam at 14.267 and three-time Worlds medal winner Jade Barbosa (BRA) won on Floor at 13.833.

● Judo ● A huge field of 628 judoka, from 93 countries, showed up at the IJF World Tour Antalya Grand Slam in Turkey, with another memorable brother-sister victory for Hifumi and Uta Abe of Japan.

They memorably both won Tokyo Olympic golds in 2021 on the same day and did it again this time – on Saturday– with Hifumi taking the men’s 66 kg class and Uta winning the women’s 52 kg class over Tokyo bronze winner Chelsie Giles.

Japan’s three-time World Champion Tsunoda Natsumi won the women’s 48 kg class over Sila Ersin (TUR), and Japan also got wins in the men’s 81 kg final from Tokyo Olympic champion Takanori Nagase and at 90 kg from Sanshiro Murao, his second win this season. That’s five in all.

France scored three golds on Sunday, led by three-time Olympic gold medalist and 12-time World Championships gold winner Teddy Riner, who defeated Tatsuru Saito (JPN) in the final. Madeleine Malonga, the 2019 World Champion, won the women’s 78 kg class and Julia Tolofua, the 2023 Worlds runner-up, won the +78 class over Xin Su (CHN).

Two-time Worlds winner Christa Deguchi (CAN) took the 57 kg class against 2022 Pan American champ Jessica Lima (BRA), and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Michaela Polleres (AUT) won the women’s 70 kg final, defeating Tais Pina (POR).

● Table Tennis ● The first World Team Tennis Champions tournament of the season was held in Incheon (KOR), with familiar winners from China.

World no. 3 Jingkun Liang took the men’s title, disposing of two-time Olympic champ Long Ma (CHN) in the semis in seven sets, 4-3, then zipped past Brazil’s Hugo Calderono in the final by 4-1: 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5.

Yingsha Sun, ranked no. 1 and reigning World Champion, won the women’s title over no. 2 Manyu Wang (CHN) in straight sets: 11-7, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4. Sun steamed through her five matches, winning 17 games out of 20!

● Triathlon ● Can’t get enough triathlon and the weather outside is bad? No problem: go for an indoor tri!

The first World Triathlon Indoor Cup was held in Lievin (FRA), with a 150 m swim, 3,000 m bike phase and 1,000 m run; the formula: “build a 25m pool inside an indoor track, and have the athletes swimming, biking in the outer lanes of the track and running on the inner lanes.”

Norway’s Vetle Thorn, the 2023 European Games winner, won the men’s final, as he and teammate Casper Stornes dashed for the line at the end of the run, with Thorn finishing in 9:24, France’s two-time World Champion Vincent Luis coming up for second (9:25) and Stornes third (9:26).

The women’s final was even closer, with German Laura Lindemann, the 2023 World Sprint bronze medalist, attacking on the final lap of the 200 m indoor track to win at the line in 10:19, from 2020 World Champion Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) and Rio 2016 Olympic winner Gwen Jorgensen of the U.S., both given the same time.

It was an exciting debut for the concept; it will be interesting to see how World Triathlon manages this new format with its in-place Olympic and Sprint-distance programs.

● Weightlifting ● “It all started last November, when we were in Guadalajara for the IWF World Junior Championships. After listening to the Mexican anthem at the opening ceremony, our IWF Communications Manager [Pedro Adrega/POR] approached me and said: ‘We need an IWF anthem. You could be the person doing it.’ I immediately liked the concept and many ideas started to flow in my head. But, one day in December, the melody came naturally. In no more than 30 minutes, I had it written down.”

That’s International Weightlifting Federation Secretary General Antonio Urso (ITA), not only an administrator, but also a musician! He wrote the first-ever IWF anthem, then found Maltese musician Aidan Zammit to create the arrangement and the recording, now complete and available.

The piece is just 1:21 in length, and Zammit recalled the sound of marching bands from his youth, remembering, “They weren’t usually in tune, but they conveyed an air of happiness and power, and were very captivating.”

So the federation has its own anthem, with a light beginning that builds to the finish. Which federation will be next?

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TSX REPORT: Clark on U.S. Olympic radar; big rating for Malinin’s Free Skate on NBC; Canadian athletes asking for more money

By
Rich Perelman
-
Iowa mega-star Caitlin Clark: Olympic-bound? (Photo: John Mac via Wikipedia)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Caitlin Clark invited to U.S. training camp in Cleveland
2. Malinin’s Worlds Free Skate show draws 1.56 million on NBC!
3. World Boxing publishes 2024-28 strategic plan
4. Garnbret warns against eating disorders in Sport Climbing
5. Poverty plaguing Canadian athletes, now asking for a raise

● She may be busy leading her Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, but Caitlin Clark has the attention of USA Basketball, which invited her to its national-team training camp during the women’s Final Four in Cleveland. But Clark may already be there with her team.

● Even with the NCAA men’s basketball tournament against it, the men’s Free Skate at last Saturday’s ISU World Figure Skating Championships drew more than $1.56 million on NBC, to see U.S. star Ilia Malinin win his first Worlds gold. The Spanish-language audience for the USA-Mexico CONCACAF Nations League final was impressive too.

● The new World Boxing group published its Strategic Plan 2024-28, aiming to become the new, recognized International Federation for the sport. It has an uphill battle, and time is short, as the IOC will likely only wait to 2026 to see if boxing will be held at LA28.

● Slovenian Olympic climbing star Janja Garnbret warns against eating disorders in her sport, now common in a misplaced drive for lower weight; the international federation created a new protocol to monitor athlete health indicators this season.

● Painful report on Canadian bobsledders and rower who are struggling to survive financially and asking the Canadian government to increase direct-athlete funding by C$6.3 million in 2024, and index future funding for inflation.

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (remarkable salary control revealed in organizing committee budget “investigation”) = Winter Games 2034 (Salt Lake City plan for 2034 rearranges 2002 venue plan to handle event expansion) = USOPC (three Para-sport championships to be included in NCAA events) = Athletics (World Cross Champs coming Saturday from Serbia) = Cycling (2: surgery for van Aert after major crash this week; a $60,000 track cycling bike?) ●

1.
Caitlin Clark invited to U.S. training camp in Cleveland

The U.S. women’s basketball team is an Olympic dynasty, having won seven straight tournament golds and riding a 55-game win streak in Olympic play going into 2024.

Even with a roster of WNBA all-stars available, there is one burning question that has not yet been answered about the 2024 American roster:

What about Caitlin Clark?

The Iowa mega-star will lead the Hawkeyes (31-4) into the NCAA women’s regional semifinals on Saturday against Colorado in Albany, New York, and with a win, would advance to the regional final on Monday.

But Clark now also has an invitation to join the U.S. women’s national team training camp, as USA Basketball announced its roster for the 3-5 April program in Cleveland, Ohio, that will be held concurrently with the NCAA women’s Final Four:

“Caitlin Clark will attend training camp, contingent on University of Iowa’s progression through the NCAA Tournament.”

The Final Four semifinals will be held on Friday, 5 April in Cleveland, with the final on Sunday (7th). If Iowa is in, she’ll miss the training camp.

But the U.S. federation has sent the message that Clark is on the radar for selection. Importantly, she is no stranger to international play: she owns two consecutive golds from the FIBA U-19 women’s World Cups in 2019 and 2021, and was named Most Valuable in the 2021 tournament in Hungary.

The group she might join is layered with stars, starting with five-time Olympic champion Diana Taurasi (2004-08-12-16-20), two-time gold winners Brittney Griner (2016-20) and Breanna Stewart (2016-20) and six Tokyo winners: Ariel Atkins, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, A’ja Wilson and two women’s 3×3 winners: Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young.

Clark would prefer to be back in the Final Four, trying to move up from second in 2023 to the national title in 2024. But if not, it looks like she’ll be in Cleveland anyway.

The actual Olympic Team selection will come at a later date.

2.
Malinin’s Worlds Free Skate show draws 1.56 million on NBC!

The U.S. put on a good show at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal last week, with Ilia Milanin winning the men’s competition, Madison Chock and Evan Bates repeating as Ice Dance winners and Isabeau Levito taking the women’s silver.

And when Malinin came on for what turned out to be a historic performance – the second-highest score ever, to win his first Worlds gold – U.S. fans were ready.

The live, 8-10 p.m. broadcast of the men’s Free Skate last Saturday (23 March) drew an average of 1.561 million fans on NBC, also shown on the Peacock streaming service (not included in the total).

That made it the 11th-highest-rated sports program of the day, according to Nielsen, and no. 3 in its time slot. All of the shows ahead of them were NCAA men’s tournament broadcasts!

As usual, being on NBC mattered and the other skating Worlds telecasts on cable did not do nearly as well:

● 21 Mar. (Thu.): 170,000 for men’s Short Program (USA: 1 p.m. Eastern)
● 21 Mar. (Thu.): 238,000 for Pairs Short Program (USA; 8 p.m. Eastern)
● 22 Mar. (Fri.): 331,000 for women’s Free Skate (USA; 8 pm. Eastern)
● 23 Mar. (Fri.): 304,000 for Ice Dance Free Dance (USA: 3 p.m. Eastern)
● 23 Mar. (Sat.): 1.561 million for men’s Free Skate (NBC: 8 p.m. Eastern)

Even with the strong audience for the men’s Free Skate on NBC, younger audiences were not moved. The NBC telecast drew only 38,000 in the 18-34 age group, and the earlier Ice Dance show on USA – with Chock and Bates – drew only 4,000 in that demographic. For the evening NCAA games opposite the NBC show, Tennessee-Texas drew 6.656 million in total and 841,000 from 18-34; the Oakland-North Carolina State game had a 3.293 million total audience and 541,000 from 18-34.

Nevertheless, the 1.561 million on NBC is the second-best for skating this season, behind only the 2.207 million for the women’s Free Skate at the U.S. Nationals on NBC on 26 January.

The CONCACAF Nations League semifinals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, were shown only on Paramount+ in English, but also by Univision’s TUDN in Spanish:

● 21 Mar. (Thu.): 140,000 for U.S. vs. Jamaica on TUDN (6:28 p.m. Eastern)
● 21 Mar. (Thu.): 294,000 for Panama vs. Mexico on TUDN (9:37 p.m. Eastern)

● 24 Mar. (Sun.): 395,000 for Panama vs. Jamaica on UniMas (5:25 p.m. Eastern)
● 24 Mar. (Sun.): 121,000 for Panama vs. Jamaica on TUDN (5:25 p.m. Eastern)
● 24 Mar. (Sun.): 2.301 million for U.S. vs. Mexico on Univision (8:33 p.m. Eastern)
● 24 Mar. (Sun.): 484,000 for U.S. vs. Mexico on TUDN (8:33 p.m. Eastern)

The combined 2.785 million Spanish-language viewers for the Sunday final ranked no. 8 on the day, behind seven NCAA men’s Tournament games and a NASCAR race on Fox, and no. 3 in its time slot. The Sunday matches drew age 18-34 audiences of 79,000 for Panama-Jamaica and 499,000 for USA-Mexico.

Also strong last week was the NCAA Wrestling Championships on ESPN, which drew an average of 300,250 across four shows:

● 21 Mar.: 282.000 on ESPN (7 p.m. Eastern)
● 22 Mar.: 399,000 on ESPN (8 p.m. Eastern)
● 23 Mar.: 110,000 on ESPNU (11 a.m. Eastern)
● 23 Mar.: 410,000 on ESPN (7 p.m. Eastern)

NBC had reason to be cheered about interest in swimming, with a Saturday highlights program of the two-weeks-ago Tyr Pro Swim Series at Westmont, Illinois averaging 503,000 viewers on NBC on Saturday (23rd) at 1 p.m. Eastern, again up against the NCAA basketball tournament.

3.
World Boxing publishes 2024-28 strategic plan

Boxing as an Olympic sport is in limbo. Its longtime international federation, now called the International Boxing Association, was de-recognized by the International Olympic Committee last year.

IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell (NZL) told reporters last week that patience with boxing by the IOC Executive Board was thinning, as the IOC was overseeing Olympic competitions for a second consecutive Games:

“The IOC E.B. made it clear, once again, that this must be the last time that such a process can be undertaken by the IOC. Following the decision by the IOC Session last year, the inclusion of boxing in the LA28 Olympic programme is on hold and not confirmed.

“If there is no boxing body supported and driven by the National Federations, we will not be in a position to include boxing in the Olympic programme.

“So it’s now up to the National Federations to drive this change and to work to create a body that we can work in partnership with, because we cannot move forward with this current situation.”

The new player in the game is World Boxing, which held its foundational Congress in November 2023 and which published its Strategic Plan 2024-28, with five prime objectives:

● “Establish World Boxing as a recognised credible organisation
● “Operate best practice governance
● “Deliver world standard competitions
● “Increase the worldwide media exposure of boxing
● “Achieve financial stability and sustainability”

The first goal is the key to all of the others and the plan lists five must-have goals:

(1) “Obtain International Olympic Committee recognition for Boxing.

(2) “Ensure Boxing remains on the Olympic Programme. Ensure the maximum medals and maximum athlete quotas for boxing at the Olympic Games.

(3) “Build strong relationships and obtain membership of sport umbrella organisations such as, ASOIF, SportAccord and WADA, Commonwealth Games Federation, ANOC, Continental Olympic Associations.

(4) “Build and maintain the image of Olympic style boxing.

(5) “Deliver fair and trustworthy boxing competitions.”

All the other objectives are achievable if these first five are met, and the plan outlines activities for each item, focused on improving relationships with all levels of international sport – starting with the IOC – especially through better communications and personal contacts.

On the fairness of competitions, the plan importantly calls for “independent third-party oversight for results of bouts,” standardized performance reviews of referees and judges and “new technology to support the enforcement of fair bouts.”

A noteworthy task under the third objective on “world standard competitions” is:

“Make competition strategy easier to understand for audience. Make the event more of a show for the audience (eg. Use of graphics, light, music, data)”

This could be a major change in the sport. Punch statistics are already available, but can be substantially upgraded, and it is worth considering how to show the boxers – as well as fans – live scoring, so everyone knows the situation in real time.

The fourth strategic goal, on increasing media exposure, importantly identifies “Consistent timing of events and regular content production that supports story creation and generate[s] news.” In today’s continuous news cycle, the recognition of timing as a crucial component of credibility is at the beginning of a true understanding of how to raise the sport’s profile.

World Boxing has only 27 member federations at present, and at last November’s congress, said that it is targeting 50 by the end of 2024. IOC Sports Director McConnell said at last week’s news conference that for boxing to be included for LA28, a new federation will have to be in place sometime in 2026.

Time is short.

4.
Garnbret warns against eating disorders in Sport Climbing

If there is a true superstar in Sport Climbing, now a permanent part of the Olympic sports program, it’s Tokyo Olympic champ and eight-time World Champion Janja Garnbret of Slovenia.

She won the women’s combined competition in Tokyo and is the favorite for the combined Boulder-Lead event in Paris this summer. But she spoke to CNN Sports about a significant problem plaguing the sport: weight.

“This is a cultural thing in climbing, it’s integrated in our brains that the lighter you are, the stronger you are.

“Of course you don’t want to weigh too much, but you don’t want to weigh too little and so you just have to be something in the middle.

“I’m a strong believer that you can do climbing, or any sport, in a healthy way.”

The problem is identified as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport or REDs, already a concern for the International Sport Climbing Federation (IFSC). It issued a new protocol in February, creating a more comprehensive screening procedure to obtain an accurate picture of an athlete’s health, not simply based on body-mass index.

Athletes are to provide baseline data on themselves, especially height, weight, heart rate and blood pressure at the start of the season, which will be monitored. The IFSC will conduct both random and focused testing during the season, looking at all of these elements and working with an independent, expert commission to analyze the data.

The story noted:

“Left untreated, medical experts say REDs can damage an athlete’s metabolism, their bone health – leading to more fractures – their immune system, their cardiovascular health, their menstrual cycle, and mental health, as well as their athletic performance.”

Garnbret explained to CNN Sport:

“When you see someone winning, you want to be like them. You want to have results like them. You want to look like them.

“I was the same, but luckily I didn’t fall into this trap. I had people around me to guide me on the right path.

“I had friends who fell into this trap, and I tried to help them in any way possible. I was trying hard for, let’s say, two years to help them get out of it, but I couldn’t help. It was really hard for me to see them destroying themselves, mentally and physically.”

5.
Poverty plaguing Canadian athletes, now asking for a raise

“With the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris on the horizon, Canada’s athletes are asking for a $6.3 million raise to the Athletes Assistance Program (AAP), informally known as ‘carding’ money, in the federal government’s April 16 budget.

“A monthly cheque of $1,765, $1,060 for a development-level athlete, is for living expenses and competition costs their sport’s governing body doesn’t cover.” (C$1 = $0.74 U.S.)

That’s from a Canadian Press story that profiles the financial difficulties for female bobsledders Cynthia Appiah and Melissa Lotholz, and rower Andrea Proske. Canada – like every other country except the U.S. – spends government funds to support athletes in Olympic sports; the Athlete Assistance Program in 2023-24 was budgeted at C$33 million, to support more than 1,800 athletes in 94 different sports disciplines.

Appiah, a former shot putter who was a Beijing 2022 Olympic bobsledder and won an IBSF World Cup bronze in the Monobob this season and ranked eighth in the World Cup seasonal standings in both the Mono and the Two-Woman sleds.

She can get C$21,000 from the Athlete Assistance Program and about C$7,000 from an Ontario Provincial grant and some small sponsorships. She said that when she goes to the national bobsled training center in Calgary, she “couch surfs” with friends to save money.

Proske, 37, a member of Canada’s Tokyo Olympic gold medalists in the women’s Eights, said:

“In women’s rowing, especially as a top-tier gold medallist, I put myself into debt and my husband into debt trying to stand in the middle of the podium with the Maple Leaf on my chest.

“We are not professional athletes. We’re amateur athletes. Many of our sports do not pair very well with sponsorships. Using rowing as example, I can’t sell any sponsorship space on my boat, I can’t put a logo on my visor, I am limited in how many logos I have.”

So, the AthletesCAN group, made up of national-team athletes in Canada, has asked the Canadian government for that added C$6.3 million, but also for the AAP annual appropriation to be indexed for inflation:

“Today, the AAP is no longer reflective of the reality that athletes experience while pursuing their sports at the international level. Athletes are experiencing rising costs like all Canadians, with the majority of National Training Centres located in Canada’s most expensive cities – including Toronto, Vancouver/Victoria and Calgary – which have experienced a 13.1 per cent year-over-year increase in average rent, on top of increasing costs for team fees, equipment, travel and health and wellness.”

These asks are separate from a request by the Canadian Olympic Committee for C$104 million in additional support for its national sports organizations.

Appiah would hardly be able to live pleasantly if the increases were granted, but it would help:

“The AAP is, for most people, is their only source of income, so you make decisions that no sane person would actually make.

“If we had that increase of 18 per cent and then also tied to inflation, we can live like normal human beings for the most part.”

Observed: One of the key takeaways from this story, heard over and over again across multiple sports and multiple countries, is that the Olympic program includes many sports which are not only commercially unsuccessful, but dozens which might fold completely as worldwide programs if not for shares of the television money that the IOC receives for the Olympic and Winter Games, principally from the U.S. and Europe.

After the excitement of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games subsides in the fall, will the IOC begin looking at the program post-2028 for possible changes? Does it have to commit to 30 or more sports at the Olympic Games?

For 2028, the Los Angeles organizers have brought in baseball and cricket, two sports with very significant commercial foundations, as well as flag football, backed by the National Football League. Lacrosse and squash are less well funded.

But is it even advisable to continue including sports which, except for the IOC’s distributions, could not fund their own operations on an annual basis? That’s a question that deserves discussion.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● A Thursday story on the France 2 TV channel program “Further Investigation” reported on an 11 December 2023 internal version of the Paris 2024 organizing committee budget it obtained.

Of the €4.397 billion total, €584.8 million was listed for officer and staff salaries, or 13.3% of the total. (€1 = $1.08 U.S. today).

That’s amazingly low, with Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet paid €270,000 and chief executive Etienne Thobois at €260,000. There were – supposedly – shocked reactions, of course, from silly public officials on the program, but this is remarkable salary restraint for any organizing committee.

● Olympic Winter Games 2034 ● It’s not 2002 any more. Representatives of the 2034 Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games bid team met with Park City and Summit County officials about the current venue concepts, with significant changes from the 2002 plan. For now:

● “Deer Valley would host the freestyle skiing disciplines of aerials and moguls.

● “Park City Mountain would host undetermined snowboarding and freestyle skiing events.

● “The Utah Olympic Park would host the sliding sports, ski jumping and the ski jumping portion of the Nordic combined. There would be undetermined freestyle skiing events and undetermined snowboarding events held at the park.”

In 2002, the Alpine Giant Slaloms were held at Park City Mountain and Slaloms at Deer Valley Resort; all of the Alpine racing for 2034 is proposed at Snowbasin Resort.

A major reason for this is the expansion of events in the Freestyle and Snowboard categories. While the Olympic Alpine program has remained fairly stable – 10 events in 2002 and the same for 2026 – Freestyle has expanded from four to 15 from 2002 to 2026 and Snowboard from four in 2002 to 11 in Milan Cortina in two years. And more may be added.

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● The USOPC and the NCAA Office of Inclusion announced that three Para-sport championships will be included within NCAA championship events this spring.

First up will be a Team USA vs. College All-Star Game wheelchair basketball scrimmage during halftime of the NCAA women’s Division I National Championship Game in Cleveland on 7 April.

In tennis, the semifinals and finals of the national collegiate wheelchair championships will be held within the NCAA Division I single championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma on 24-25 May.

In track & field, the finals of the men’s and women’s college wheelchair 100 m championships will be held during the NCAA Division I track & field nationals on 7-8 June in Eugene, Oregon.

The events are a continuation of the joint USOPC/NCAA Para-College Inclusion Project that was inaugurated in 2023.

● Athletics ● The World Athletics Cross Country Championships are on in Belgrade (SRB) on Saturday (30th), with live coverage on CNBC and Peacock.

There are five races in all, starting with the women’s U-20 final at 6 a.m. Eastern time (11 a.m. in Belgrade), then the men’s U-20, the mixed relay, the women’s senior race at 7:45 a.m. Eastern and the men’s senior race at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei (2019) and Jacob Kiplimo (2023) won the last two men’s titles and will be head-to-head again on Saturday. Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet is the defending women’s champion.

● Cycling ● Belgian cycling star Wout van Aert crashed in Wednesday’s Dwar Doors Vlaaderen and underwent required surgery on Thursday, putting his season on hold.

He suffered a broken sternum, broken ribs and a broken collarbone and is out for a while; his participation in the first Grand Tour of the season – May’s Giro d’Italia – is also now in doubt.

He still plans to compete at Paris 2024, in the road race and/or the time trial. He’s a three-time cyclocross World Champion and 25 race or stage wins on the UCI World Tour.

A $60,000 bike?

Bicycling.com reported on a game being played by high-end bike manufacturers to provide teams with near-custom rides, which meet the UCI rules to be – technically, anyway – available to the public:

“[T]he Australian track cycling team announced that they will be riding the Factor Hanzo track bike, currently available on the British brand’s website for $97,979 (Australian Dollars). That translates to right around $60,000 U.S. dollars.”

The UCI’s idea is to level the playing field, allowing only bikes that are available to the general public, so that anyone can get one. But doesn’t this kind of pricing essentially eliminate everyone else other than sponsored teams? And Factor Hanzo is only one example.

Great Britain’s powerful squad uses the UKSI-BC1 track bike, which was introduced last November, is 3D printed and retails for £55,000 or about $69,436 U.S. And the American team is in the game, using the Canyon’s Speedmax CFR Track Time Trial bike, listed at $20,000 each, a relative bargain.

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TSX REPORT: IOC oversight team “very confident” on Brisbane 2032; auditor worries on French Olympic costs; new Tahiti surfing tower done!

By
Rich Perelman
-
New U.S. cycling star Matteo Jorgenson wins again! (Photo courtesy Dwars Door Vlaanderen on X)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. IOC on Brisbane 2032: “We’re very confident”
2. French audit head not sure of Olympic costs, except they’re rising
3. Paris 2024 surfing judging tower up at Teahupo’o
4. Turkey awarded 2027 European Games
5. Jim Hines’ 100 m Mexico City gold on auction

● The International Olympic Committee’s Coordination Commission for Brisbane 2032 met online this week and expressed high confidence that the tumultuous venue selection and construction issues will be worked out, and that the organizing committee is moving ahead nicely with its planning, branding and sponsorship sales efforts.

● The head of the French Court of Auditors said he didn’t know what the final amount of government spending will be on the Paris 2024 Games, but that it’s going up, possibly even to €5 billion, as the government now plans bonuses for many workers to avoid strikes.

● The new, aluminum judging tower for the Olympic surfing competition at Teahupo’o in Tahiti is done and up, apparently with very little damage to the coral, according to an Australian photographer who lives on the island. He posted a drone video of the new stand on Instagram.

● Istanbul was selected as the host for the fourth European Games, in 2027. It’s an important stepping stone for Turkey, which has bid five times for the Olympic Games, but lost each time. Now it can demonstrate its capabilities with a major pre-LA28 event with many Olympic qualifying events.

● The 1968 Mexico City Olympic gold medal in the men’s 100 m, won by the late Jim Hines of the U.S., is now up for auction, as is a 2018 PyeongChang gold for Freestyle Skiing by Ukrainian Oleksandr Abramenko, who will use the proceeds to support his family and Ukraine’s defense against the continuing Russian invasion.

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (3: official stamps introduced; torches and medals go in style in Louis Vuitton trunks; Saudis refused use of Les Invalides) = Los Angeles 2028 (no word on venues for a few more months) = Winter Games (Austria, Italy, Slovenia to pursue future bid) = ASOIF (FEI’s de Vos will be new leader, in 2025) = Russia (2: archers will not pursue Paris qualifying; Russian ambassador in Paris warns fans they can’t help during Games) = Athletics (14 new members of collegiate hall of fame, including eight Olympic medalists) = Basketball (U.S. names prior World Cup champs as Olympic men’s 3×3 team) = Cycling (new U.S. star Jorgenson takes Dwars Door Vlaanderen) = Football (2: U.S. men’s Olympic squad ties France, 2-2, in friendly; Spanish prosecutors wants 2 1/2-year jail term for Rubiales) ●

1.
IOC on Brisbane 2032: “We’re very confident”

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games is still a ways off, but the headlines over the rearrangement of the venue construction program by the State of Queensland pushed it into the spotlight, followed by online meetings that concluded Wednesday with the International Olympic Committee’s Coordination Commission.

So, is the IOC worried?

Nope.

Said CoComm Chair Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), not only a seven-time Olympic medalist in swimming, but also the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, during an online news conference:

“We’re very positive about Brisbane. 2032. We’re very confident in the team that is in place, and it will just take a little bit of time over the next few months to a year to allow for the stakeholders – specifically in the different government levels – to agree on what they feel is best for their country and for their state and for their region.

“And the Games will, as I said before, fit into that so we are really not seeing things in any which way other than very positive at the moment.”

Pressed further, Coventry referred to Australia’s history in sport when looking ahead to what will eventually be decided on government-funded construction efforts:

“We’ve seen Australia, over many years, deliver incredible world championships, Commonwealth Games, I mean, the list goes on and on. And I think at some point the federal, the state and the cities that are being used for the Games will hopefully come to an agreement sooner than later on what they feel is best, and I know that through the independent [Sport Venue] Review.

“They heard from a lot of different communities from the three specific cities. And they’re really listening to what the people want and what the region needs.

“So for us right now, I don’t ever foresee this sort of continuing on and on and on. I think that there’ll be some good decisions made for the people in Queensland and Brisbane, and the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, and the other relevant cities, and what will be best for the region. And the Games, as I said, will come in and adapt and deliver an incredible Games. …

“We don’t have a concern at this time. And we will not be stepping in, really, at any point. We’re always there to to help with the technical side of things, and to give advice but it is not for us to step in and give direction in a regional development for the governments.”

Coventry said the Coordination Commission was happy with the organizing committee’s work, especially on collaboration:

“We heard on the Games Plan, which is really an excellent document. I don’t think we’ve ever had such early visibility on how an organizing committee is planning on delivering the Games with all stakeholders being included. So that was very impressive work.”

Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris expanded the discussion to note the underplayed positives he saw in the venue discussions and the Sport Venue Review project headed by former Brisbane Mayor Graham Quirk:

“We will use, therefore, the venues and infrastructure made available to us.

“I want to make sure that you hear very loudly that we’re very pleased that 27 of the 30 venue recommendations were immediately supported by the [Queensland] government. That shouldn’t be overlooked.

“That is a tremendous statement and great work by the review panel, but also the government to quickly come out and endorse 27 of those recommendations. So as due diligence is carried out, together with the IOC and [International Paralympic Committee], Brisbane 2032 will refine our venue master plan and our sport program in line with our Olympic host contract, and with the support, of course, of the IOC.”

Liveris pointed to the recommendations that were accepted, with the results to be seen shortly:

“The beginning of work on some of the – let’s call it – early decisions, easy decisions, ones that did not get questioned, will be this year. The tenders will happen this year. Procurement will start and ground will be turned.

“I mean, in particular, you know, we’re very excited that grassroots sport is the winner of this venue review. This is back to the community support point with the five new indoor centers for this city of Brisbane, the region of southeast Queensland. This is impressive, and these locations are pretty much determined and ratified by the independent review.

“So those will begin. You’ll see activity this year, which is very exciting.”

The sites in discussion, such as the Gabba, the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre [QSAC], SunCorp Stadium and the new Brisbane Arena, will be subject to an extensive “due diligence” process to determine the cost, benefits and timelines.

Liveris was asked about the organizing committee’s other efforts:

“We’re starting our commercial strategy to commence preliminary discussions with potential future sponsors, and last, but not least, our foundational brand assets and preparing those, including our social channels and website.

“Yeah, we’ve been busy. And there are a range of priorities ahead of us, including solidifying our engagement, commercial and sustainability strategies, developing our sports program for IOC and IPC approval, and supporting initiatives, implementation plans linked to the Queensland Government’s ‘Elevate 2042′ legacy strategy.”

Observed: Emotions were high around the proposed, A$2.7 billion Gabba redevelopment and the even wilder, new A$3.4 billion suggested stadium in Victoria Park by the Sport Venue Review. These expenditures will concern public funding and public debate is essential and worthwhile.

But it actually has not that much to do with the Brisbane 2032 organizers right now and the focus of Liveris and chief executive Cindy Hook (USA) on what they have to do is the right strategy today and will be for some time. As the IOC itself pointed out in its evaluation report prior to the award of the 2032 Games to Brisbane, there are existing sites available in the region for all of the sports. It’s only a question of making the right matches.

And as Coventry noted, even the Queensland opposition has said that it supports the success of the 2032 Games, signaling little if any disruption if there is a change in the ruling party in October’s elections. On with the “due diligence” to figure out what should be built and where.

2.
French audit head not sure of Olympic costs, except they’re rising

If there is any office of the French government which has been suspect of the cost and organization of the 2024 Olympic Games, it’s the Court of Auditors.

Pierre Moscovici, the head of the agency, offered considerable concern about the national finances – not just the Olympics – in a France Inter radio interview, noting that the budget deficit in France was up to 5.5% of Gross Domestic Product, well above the projected 4.9% (computer translation from the original French):

“If you combine the fact that we have the highest public spending in Europe, which has increased by two points since the Covid crisis, that we have the highest compulsory levy rate in Europe, that we have one of the highest public debts in Europe … this puts us in an unfortunate position.”

As for the 2024 Olympic Games:

“We still don’t know the cost of the Olympics. The Court of Auditors will conduct an audit after the Games. These Games will cost between three, four or five billion euros, we’ll see, but it won’t have a huge impact [on national economics].” (€1 = $1.08 U.S.)

That could be well above the government’s forecast of €2.44 billion spending, including the Olympic Village and other venues. Police and labor unions have demanded extra pay for their workers for the Games to avoid strikes, which will require heavy staffing in August, when many people are on vacation. Moscovici estimated a public cost of about €3 billion last year, before government promises of bonuses for police and some workers.

The Paris 2024 organizing committee budget is set at €4.397 billion and appears to be on target, with strong sponsorship sales in the last year and excellent ticket sales of more than 8.8 million so far.

3.
Paris 2024 surfing judging tower up at Teahupo’o

Noted Australian photographer Tim McKenna posted drone footage of Tahiti’s Teahupo’o surfing site for the 2024 Paris Games on Instagram and explained:

“The new tower is up.

“The wave is as perfect as it has ever been.

“The coral suffered minimal damage after a channel was marked in the lagoon so the construction boats could access easily.

“It will take some time to see if Ciguatera has drastically increased in certain fish living in that specific lagoon area.

“Meanwhile the aluminum construction looks pretty slick and was assembled faster than expected.

“Tahiti now has a state of the art judging tower for the 20 next years of surf events at the #endoftheroad. It will still be taken down and rebuilt every year like the previous one.

“The Teahupoo village and all the population is ready to cheer on local surfers @vahinefierro [Vahine Fierro] and @kaulivaast [Kauli Vaast] to take gold this July at the @paris2024″

The Paris 2024 organizers replaced the prior wooden tower that had become a safety issue and scaled down a plan for a much larger tower after significant local protests. The new, all-aluminum structure is essentially a rebuild of the old tower, but updated for safety and stability.

The first use of the new tower is expected to be at a World Surf League event in May.

4.
Turkey awarded 2027 European Games

The Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committees announced Wednesday the award of the 2027 European Games to Istanbul, Turkey, an important step for a country which has had Olympic hosting ambitions for decades.

Turkey unsuccessfully bid for the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2020 Olympic Games, but the European Games will provide a significant showcase for the country’s organizational ability. Turkey has talked about a 2036 Olympic candidature, along with multiple other countries.

The ExCom decision has to be ratified by the EOC General Assembly, which will meet in Bucharest (ROU) in June, but as Istanbul was the only bidder, no issues are expected. The announcement noted that the plan complies with the IOC’s new standard for facilities:

“Istanbul’s venue plan for the European Games 2027 would see no additional construction beyond the venues either already built or already planned for the city.”

This will be the fourth European Games, with the third in Krakow-Malopolska (POL) a considerable success in 2023. As with other continental or regional events, the EOC is hoping to place as many Olympic qualifying competitions as possible as part of the 2027 Games, drawing the best possible fields.

The sports to be included were not announced.

5.
Jim Hines’ 100 m Mexico City gold on auction

One of the iconic sprint races in history, the men’s 100 m final at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, saw U.S. star Jim Hines take over in the final half and cross in a world-record-equaling 9.9, with Jamaica’s Lennox Miller second (10.0) and American Charlie Greene third (10.0).

Hines’ time was electronically recorded at 9.95, the first man to ever pass under 10 seconds with automatic timing and lasted for 15 years until fellow American Calvin Smith ran 9.93 in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1983.

Hines passed away in 2023 and his Mexico City 100 m gold is now on auction as part of the SCP Auctions’ Spring Premier Auction, with a minimum price of $15,000.

SCP Auctions previously sold Hines’ men’s 4×100 m relay gold – he anchored the U.S. team to a world-record win with a brilliant final leg – in 2017 for $33,359.

Also up is a 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic gold-medal package from Ukrainian Freestyle skier Oleksandr Abramenko, including his men’s Aerials gold, diploma, event bib and his Olympic accreditation badge. Now 35, the proceeds will be used for Abramenko’s family and to support the Ukrainian defense against Russian aggression.

Opened at $10,000, the first bid came in at $37,982.

The auction also includes bronze medals from the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix (FRA) in 1924 and also from the 1932 Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York, both with starting prices of $4,000.

There also are an interesting selection of Olympic participation medals, including one from the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens which is plated in gold!

Bidding on this auction loses on 13 April 2024.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The official stamp of the 2024 Paris Games was unveiled on Wednesday, offering an Art Deco-style design with the Paris 2024 logos, a stylized Eiffel Tower, a heart and other features.

The stamps are €1.96 each and will be sold in limited French postal locations beginning on Friday. A total of 800,000 stamps were printed.

The Olympic and Paralympic torches and the medals for the Olympic and Paralympic Games will move in style, as specially-designed Louis Vuitton trunks were unveiled on Wednesday.

The torch trunk, presenting a single torch, will be used throughout the Olympic Torch Relay, which will reach France on 8 May in Marseille. The black-leather interiors show off the chromed torches and each trunk uses brass corners and closures.

The huge medal trunks can each hold 468 medals – whether Olympic or Paralympic – in a center section and in two winged cabinets, with black leather handles for each drawer. A specially-designed magnet system holds each medal in place during transport.

All of this is part of the top-tier sponsorship of the Games by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

Saudi Arabia’s planned “Olympic village” facility planned for the Les Invalides area has been rejected by the French government, which received significant opposition to such use by a foreign country.

The Les Invalides complex include Napoleon’s tomb and museums relating to the military history of France. The French Army said it had specific requirements on how the Saudis could use the space, but did not receive a reply and has canceled further discussions.

● Olympic Games 2028: Los Angeles ● A Wednesday story in the Los Angeles Daily News concerning possible venues in the San Fernando Valley area noted that no formal announcements had been made on sports to be held in that area, and that:

“A representative for the LA28 committee said in an email this week that they expect to discuss more of their plans with city officials in the next few months.”

The plan from the 2017 bid documents had temporary facilities to be set for canoe slalom, equestrian and shooting. Both the canoeing and equestrian events have been subject to continuing discussion about finding a different site, possibly leaving only shooting in the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area.

● Olympic Winter Games: Future ● Although the International Olympic Committee has identified Switzerland’s bid for 2038 for “Privileged Dialogue” into at least 2027, a three-way bid for 2038 or beyond was publicly discussed last week for Austria, Italy and Slovenia.

Governor Massimiliano Fedriga of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and Tanja Fajon, the Slovenian Foreign Minister, told reporters at a news conference last Friday in Trieste that a bid was in the planning stages. The year 2034 was mentioned, but the IOC is already on a path to award that Winter Games to Salt Lake City.

● Association of Summer Olympic International Federations ● ASOIF announced that International Equestrian Federation (FEI) head Ingmar De Vos (BEL) is the sole candidate for President, and is to be elected at the ASOIF General Assembly on 9 April in Birmingham (GBR).

He will take over on 1 January 2025, at the conclusion of the (third) term of former International Tennis Federation chief Francesco Ricci Bitti (ITA).

● Russia ● “Our athletes will not participate in the selection for the Olympics. There are no people in the national team who want to compete without the flag and anthem, especially since many of us represent CSKA and Dynamo.

“The executive committee of the federation approved the participation of athletes in a neutral status, but they themselves did not show interest in going to the Olympics.”

That’s from Russian Archery Federation head Vladimir Yesheev on Wednesday, also explaining that any individual Russian athletes who wanted to go as “neutrals” would be responsible to pay World Archery a fee of CHF 2,000 (CHF 1 = $1.11 U.S.) for the requisite background check on neutrality.

Warnings against attending the Olympic Games in Paris as a fan are being issued by Russian Ambassador to France Alexey Meshkov. He said in a Rossiya-24 interview:

“Those of our athletes, those of our tourists who intend to go to the Olympic Games in Paris, should understand one simple thing that they are not going to that blossoming garden of Eden that [High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep] Borrell [ESP] talked about, but they are going to the harsh Western jungle, where they will be left completely alone because of the actions of the French authorities.

“And in case of any emergencies arising, they will have to swim out alone, because they have completely cut off all our structures – the embassy – from not only visiting or participating in events related to the Olympic Games, but even despite repeated appeals, do not give us any guarantees that we will get elementary passes to move around the center of Paris, which will be completely blocked, and where, unfortunately, all our institutions are located.”

This was also noted by Dmitry Peskov, the Russian Presidential spokesman, who said in a AIF.ru interview:

“Accommodation, medicine, doping control and so on: how will all this be organized? It is no secret that our embassy in France has been trying in vain to contact the organizers of the Olympics for many, many weeks. Therefore, athletes who decide to go there should take this into account.”

Peskov also endorsed the personal choice of an athlete whether to go to Paris:

“This [participation in the Olympics] is a matter of personal decision of athletes and federations.

“They may simply not have another chance. Therefore, the athletes’ decision to go to the Games must be treated with respect.

“Well, okay, a person will perform without our flag. Won’t you and I know that this is our athlete? We will. And if he wins, won’t we be proud of him, because he is without our flag? We will be proud. He himself will be a flag! An Olympic champion, he immediately becomes a flag. Both an anthem and a flag.”

And Peskov was relieved that the IOC has not required a condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine:

“Of course, no one here could imagine that a Russian athlete, in order to participate in the Olympics, would sign some kind of paper condemning the [invasion of Ukraine] in order to sell his homeland for these pieces of silver. Anyone who would do this would simply become the fiend of hell.

“But now there seems to be no such obligatory condition, and everyone who has qualified can go to the Olympics.”

● Athletics ● The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced their Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame Class of 2024, with 14 stars to be inducted on 2 June 2024 in a ceremony in Eugene, Oregon. The class:

● Rosalyn Bryant (Cal. State L.A.: sprints)
● Regina Cavanaugh (Rice: throws)
● Hollis Conway (Louisiana: jumps)
● Bill Dellinger (Oregon: distances)
● Benita Fitzgerald (Tennessee: hurdles)
● Glenn Harden (LSU: hurdles)
● Balazs Kiss (USC: throws)
● Marty Liquori (Villanova: middle distances)
● Larry Myricks (Mississippi College: jumps)
● Louise Ritter (TWU: jumps)
● Karl Salb (Kansas: throws)
● Amy Skieresz (Arizona: distances)
● Trecia Kaye-Smith (Pitt: jumps)
● Angela Williams (USC: sprints)

Twelve of the 14 are Americans, with Kiss from Hungary and Kaye-Smith from Jamaica. Beyond their sensational collegiate success, many were Olympic medal winners, with Bryant winning an Olympic silver in the 1972 women’s 4×400 m, Conway the 1988 men’s high jump silver, Dellinger the 1964 men’s 5,000 m bronze, Fitzgerald a 1984 Olympic gold in the women’s 100 m hurdles, Hardin the 1932 silver and 1936 gold medalist in the men’s 400 m hurdles, Kiss the 1996 hammer winner, Myricks the 1988 men’s long jump bronze winner, and Ritter the 1988 women’s high jump gold medalist.

● Basketball ● USA Basketball named familiar faces to its Paris 2024 men’s 3×3 team on Tuesday, with the announcement of Canyon Barry, Jimmer Fredette, Kareem Maddox and Dylan Travis.

The quartet won the 2022 3×3 AmeriCup, won the 2023 Pan American Games, was second at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup and collected two wins, a second and a third-place finish on the FIBA 3×3 World Tour in 2023.

Barry (F: 6-6) played collegiately at Florida; Fredette (G: 6-2) at BYU; Maddox (F: 6-8) at Princeton, and Travis (G: 6-3) at Florida Southern. All are first-time Olympians; Fredette is the only one with significant NBA experience, playing for seven seasons.

● Cycling ● Another major win for American Matteo Jorgenson at the 78th edition of the Belgian classic Dwar Doors Vlaanderen on Wednesday!

The hilly, 188.6 km course from Roeselare to Waregem saw Jorgenson attack with 7 km left and break away from five others and storm to a 4:07:44 finish, 29 seconds up on Jonas Abrahamsen (NOR), Swiss Stefan Kung, and Belgian stars Tiesj Benoot and Dries de Bondt.

At just 24, Jorgenson, who rides for the Dutch Team Visma-Lease A Bike, is suddenly a force on the UCI World Tour. He won the prestigious Paris-Nice stage race, was a very creditable fifth in the E3 Saxo Classic last Friday and now this.

He’s the first-ever U.S. winner of this race, with Neilson Powless close in third in 2023 and Tyler Farrar was second in 2015. Jorgenson will have lots of eyes on him on Sunday in the celebrated Ronde van Vlaanderen – the Tour of Flanders – one of the season’s highlights.

The Visma-Lease A Bike star Wout van Aert (BEL) suffered a broken collarbone and several broken ribs in a crash during the race, and will be out for at least a couple of weeks.

Dutch star Marianne Vos won the women’s race (UCI Women’s Pro Tour) in a sprint with countrywoman Shirin van Androoij, in 2:52:08 for the 114 km race. Vos moved up from third last year, and earned her (amazing) 250th professional victory!

● Football ● The U.S. men’s Olympic came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against France on Monday in Montbeliard (FRA). France led by 1-0 at the half off a penalty kick by Arnaud Kalimuendo after a U.S. hand-ball in the box, and the hosts went up 2-0 in the 79th off an Andy Diouf score.

But the Americans fought back, with Griffin Yow scoring to the near post from the left side of the box in the 86th, and Cade Cowell tied it in the 89th on a bounding shot that deflected on a defender into the net.

The U.S. will face France in group play at Paris 2024 as its opening match on 24 July. The U.S. U-23s sailed past Guinea, 3-0, last Friday (22nd) in Spain in its first warm-up game.

Spanish prosecutors are asking for two-and-a-half years of prison time for former Royal Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales for his forced kiss of midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the awards ceremonies of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.

One year of prison time would be related to sexual assault and the other 18 months for coercion. Prosecutors also want Rubiales to pay €100,000 to Hermoso and be required to stay at least 200 m from her for four years.

The prosecutors are also asking 18-month sentences, and fines for coercion for Albert Luque (men’s team sports director), former women’s coach Jorge Vilda and former RFEF marketing manager Ruben Rivera. All are accused of pressuring Hermoso to say Rubiales’s kiss was consensual in order to head off the scandal that happened anyway.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our new, 920-event International Sports Calendar for 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Paris 2024 security unchanged over Moscow attack; Walsh sisters star in NCAA swimming; IOC pairs with Looney Tunes!

By
Rich Perelman
-
A new Delta "LA28" Airbus airliner coming soon! (Photo courtesy Nuno Seletti/Airways Magazine)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Paris 2024: no change in security status after Moscow attack
2. CONCACAF: Mexican fan chant “extremely disappointing”
3. Walsh sisters lead Virginia to another NCAA women’s swim title
4. IOC formalizes Looney Tunes licensing deal
5. Modest early ratings for ISU Figure Skating Worlds

● Friday’s horrific mass killings at a suburban Moscow concert hall has not impacted the planning for security for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. French authorities are already extra vigilant for Islamic plots, given past incidents in the country. The Ile-de-France President told reporters that fans might want to choose less crowded transport options and walk the last leg to the venues this summer.

● The CONCACAF Nations League final was stopped twice near the end the game for yet another instance of a homophobic chant from Mexican fans on goal kicks from U.S. keeper Matt Turner. CONCACAF issued a statement condemning the conduct and multiple fans were sent home, but the problem persists.

● Gretchen Walsh had an NCAA women’s swimming championship to remember, with three individual wins, three collegiate records and four more wins on relays as her Virginia squad won its fourth title in a row. Sister Alex Walsh also got three individual wins, and Florida frosh Bella Sims won two individual events and a relay. Remember those names for the Olympic Trials!

● The International Olympic Committee announced its formal licensing deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s worldwide merchandising arm, another step in its effort to raise the Olympic profile in non-Games years.

● Audiences for the first day of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal last Thursday ran right into the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and were down from their usual levels. Same for the CONCACAF Nations League semis in Spanish, but wrestling did well!

● Olympic Trials: Table Tennis (U.S.’s Wang and Sung on to Paris; Jha and Kumar head to qualifier) ●

● Panorama: Los Angeles 2028 (new LA28-themed Delta plane spotted) = Alpine Skiing (2: Radamus stars at U.S. Alpine nationals; Zermatt-Cervinia abandoned for 2024-25 season) = Bobsled & Skeleton (four indicted to USABS Hall of Fame) = Football (Reyna named top player at CONCACAF Nations League) = Freestyle Skiing (Two more national Moguls titles for Kauf!) = Rowing (U.S. names Paris Olympic selections in larger boats) ●

● Errata: Some readers saw a version of Monday’s post which stated that U.S. star Ilia Malinin was the third-to-last skater at the 2024 men’s Free Skate at the 2024 World Championships. In fact, he was the last skater. Thanks to former USA Figure Skating Executive Director David Raith for the correction! ●

● Schedule: Owing to a scheduled technical installation, no post will appear on Wednesday. Back in action on Thursday! ●

1.
Paris 2024: no change in security status after Moscow attack

The terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue in a Moscow suburb on Friday night, which killed 137 and injured more than 100, did not change the stance of security forces working on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In response to the attack and continuing concerns over Islamist plots against French targets, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal posted on X (ex-Twitter) on Friday:

“Following the attack in Moscow, a Defense and National Security Council was convened this evening at the Elysée by the President of the Republic.

“Given the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the attack and the threats weighing on our country, we have decided to raise the Vigipirate posture to its highest level: attack emergency.”

RMC Sport reported comments from an unidentified member of the Paris 2024 organizing committee on Monday, which explained:

“This has already been taken into account for several months.

“After the attack in Arras in 2023, the Vigipirate plan had already reached the maximum level, the same subject came back in the news. The attack of October 7 [by Hamas against Israel] is also taken into account in our analyzes and in the work of the Olympic Intelligence Center. The threat has never weakened, we must keep that in mind.”

Valerie Pecresse, the President of the Ile-de-France region which includes Paris, told reporters on Monday, “You shouldn’t be afraid to do a little walking, it’s good for your health. It’s August.”

Pecresse said the transportation services throughout the region are being coordinated with the Paris 2024 schedule of events and that online resources will be available to show rail lines that are overcrowded, and – importantly – “all the deserted lines with the distances to be covered on foot with their equivalent in minutes.”

Her hope is that spectators will opt for alternate routes, “which sometimes require finishing the journey on foot.”

She also hopes for help from younger visitors to take up the walking option: “We hope that between 25 and 35 years old, we can from time to time extend the journey on foot.”

2.
CONCACAF: Mexican fan chant “extremely disappointing”

It has happened again and again and it happened Sunday evening at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas near the end of the U.S.’s 2-0 win over Mexico in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Referee Drew Fischer (CAN) stopped play in the 89th minute for more than three minutes after the chant came following a goal kick from U.S. keeper Matt Turner, and then again after a Turner goal kick at 90+6.

A CONCACAF statement was issued late Sunday:

“Concacaf condemns the discriminatory chanting in the final minutes of the Nations League Final between Mexico and the United States men’s national teams.

“Security staff in the stadium identified and ejected a significant number of fans, and the referee and match officials activated the FIFA protocol.

“Concacaf in 2021 launched its What’s Wrong Is Wrong campaign, through which it has consistently urged fans to cease the chant, with regular digital communications and significant in-stadium messaging before and during all Concacaf events.

“It is extremely disappointing that this matter continues to be an issue at some matches, particularly in the context of the next two years presenting such a tremendous opportunity to grow the sport in our region. We will continue to urge fans to support their teams positively and with respect for the opposition and all participants in the game.”

There were 59,471 at AT&T Stadium for the final, which was well in hand for the U.S. after Gio Reyna’s goal in the 63rd for a 2-0 lead. The homophobic chant from Mexican fans has been an issue for years, and happened in 2023 during the U.S.’s 3-0 win against Mexico in the Nations League semifinal in Las Vegas on 15 June.

The U.S. team was also hit by fan-thrown debris after Reyna’s 63rd-minute goal.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) has suggested stronger measures are needed to respond to fan provocations, such as immediate forfeits, but no new rules have yet been adopted.

3.
Walsh sisters lead Virginia to another NCAA women’s swim title

The University of Virginia women won their fourth straight NCAA Division I women’s swimming & diving title last week at Athens, Georgia, powered by Gretchen and Alex Walsh.

Those will be familiar names at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis in June. Gretchen, 21, won a full set of medals at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships with a gold on the women’s 4×100 m Medley relay, silver on the 4×100 m Free relay and a bronze in the women’s 50 m Butterfly.

Alex, 22, won the Tokyo Olympic silver in the 200 m Medley and was the 2022 World Champion in that event.

Between them, they won six individual events and had legs on four winning Virginia relays as the Cavaliers won the team title with 527.5 points to 441 for Texas and 364 for Florida.

Gretchen not only won her three events, but destroyed the records in each:

● 50-yard Free: 20.37, NCAA and American Records
● 100-yard Free: 44.83, NCAA and American Records
● 100-yard Fly: 47.42, NCAA and American Records

Alex also scored three wins:

● 200-yard Breast: 2:02.07
● 200-yard Medley: 1:49.20
● 400-yard Medley: 3:55.97

Overshadowed by the Walsh sisters was Florida frosh Bella Sims, a Tokyo Olympic silver medalist in high school in the 4×200 m Free relay, who won two events:

● 200-yard Free: 1:40.90
● 500-yard Free: 4:32.47

Sims also grabbed a third win with her teammates in the 800 m Free relay in 6:48.59, with Emma Weyant – the Tokyo Olympic 400 m Medley silver medalist – also aboard, and was third in the 200-yard Back.

Remember those names come June.

4.
IOC formalizes Looney Tunes licensing deal

As previously signaled, the International Olympic Committee and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products formally announced their licensing deal which will see official Olympic products featuring WBD’s iconic cartoon characters:

“Beloved characters such as Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote and Tweety will now feature in a range of consumer products developed with official licensees.

“The Looney Tunes characters have a long association with sport, including their starring role in the 1996 blockbuster ‘Space Jam’ and its 2021 sequel ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy,’ as well as a past product collection featuring Team USA that debuted during the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996.”

The deal goes beyond the IOC alone and the announcement noted:

“WBDGCP has partnered with the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games in the United States of America and Italy, and with the National Olympic Committees in Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Spain and Mexico to create country-specific Looney Tunes merchandise for each Olympic team. It also created Paralympic team merchandise for the USA and Brazil.”

All of this is part of an effort, stated in Olympic Agenda 2020+5, to promote the Olympic Games more strongly during the “off years” when no Olympic or Winter Games is held. The IOC has slowly but surely begun a licensing program which included merchandise with some past Olympic marks, but is now working with a global licensing giant in Warner Bros. Discovery.

No timetable was offered on the availability of items online or in stories in licensed countries.

5.
Modest early ratings for ISU Figure Skating Worlds

The ISU World Figure Skating Championships were held in Montreal (CAN) last week, an excellent time zone for U.S. viewers, but directly against the enormously popular NCAA men’s Basketball Tournament.

Audience data from Nielsen from the first day (21st) showed below-average viewing for the men’s Short Program and Pairs Short Program on USA Network:

● 21 Mar.: 170,000 for men’s Short Program (1 p.m. Eastern)
● 21 Mar.: 238,000 for Pairs Short Program (8 p.m. Eastern)

While the entire event was shown on Peacock (no audience totals available), portions were shown daily on USA Network or on NBC. More data is expected later this week.

The CONCACAF Nations League semifinals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, were shown only on Paramount+ in English, but also by Univision’s TUDN in Spanish:

● 21 Mar.: 140,000 for U.S. vs. Jamaica on TUDN (6:28 p.m. Eastern)
● 21 Mar.: 294,000 for Panama vs. Mexico on TUDN (9:37 p.m. Eastern)

These numbers are also down from other Spanish-language broadcasts with Mexico or the U.S. playing. Blame March Madness!

Surprisingly strong on Thursday (21st) was the NCAA Wrestling Championships on ESPN, which drew an average of 282,000 viewers at 7 p.m. Eastern, against both the NCAA basketball games, figure skating and the Nations League!

≡ OLYMPIC TRIALS ≡

● Table Tennis ● Two-time Olympian Kanak Jha and two-time national champion Amy Wang collected victories at the U.S. Olympic Trials held West Monroe, Louisiana, with Wang and runner-up Rachel Sung headed to Paris.

The U.S. women had already earned three Olympic quota spots for Paris – with Lily Zhang already qualified – so the top two at the Trials will go. Wang and Sung played on Sunday’s final day, with Wang winning in straight sets, 11-9, 11-5, 12-10 and 13-11.

Wang finished undefeated (9-0) and lost a total of only five sets. Sung was 3-3 going into Sunday, but won her matches against Angela Guan and Tiffany Ke to secure second. Both Wang and Sung are UCLA sophomores and lifelong friends.

Jha steamed through the Trials with a 9-0 record and lost only seven sets during the tournament. Nikhil Kumar finished second, starting 7-2 before a Sunday loss to Jha. 8-11, 3-11, 11-9, 4-11, 9-11.

Jha and Kumar, a 2019 Pan American Games Team gold medalist, will attempt to qualify for Paris at the Pan American Qualifier in Lima (PER) from 14-18 May.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2028: Los Angeles ● Airways Magazine reported a new Delta airplane is being readied, with special LA28 decorations.

An on-order Airbus A350-900 has been spotted at the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France, yet to have its engines attached, and will be ready in a few months.

The red-and-deep blue color scheme – with night stars – incorporates Delta’s integrated LA28 logo on the side of the plane, and three black palm trees mark the transition between the front of the plane – in white – and the mid-plane coloration.

Delta introduced a “Team USA” plane in 2022, an A330-900; the airline said it wasn’t ready to talk about the LA28-themed aircraft just yet.

● Alpine Skiing ● The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine nationals were in Sun Valley, Idaho, with River Radamus collecting two titles to bring his career total to four.

He won the Super-G in 1:15,24, ahead of Kyle Negomir (1:15.38) and Isaiah Nelson (1:15.45), then took the Giant Slalom in 2:03.91, taking a big lead on the first run. Bridger Gile (2:04.58) finished second and George Steffey (2:05.11) was third.

Luke Winters won his fourth U.S. title overall and third in the Slalom, timing 1:46.22, ahead of Croatia’s Matej Vidovic (1:46.65) and Camden Palmquist of the U.S. (1:47.32).

The women’s Super-G went to 18-year-old Elisabeth Bocock (1:06.62) over Allison Mollin (1:07.37) and Tatum Grosdidier (1:07.45); it’s Bocock’s first U.S. title. World Cup veteran Paula Moltzan won the Giant Slalom by 2:10.34 to 2:10.39 over Bocock, with Madison Hoffman (AUS: 2:12.83) in third. It’s Moltzan’s fourth national championship.

The women’s Slalom was a rare tie for the win between three-time Australian national champ Hoffman and defending champ Lila Lapanja (USA), both in 1:46.07. Zoe Zimmerman of the U.S. got third (1:46.42). It’s the fourth career U.S. national title win for Lapanja.

The International Ski & Snowboard Federation announced Monday that the controversial Zermatt-Cervinia cross-border race will not be attempted in the 2024-25 season:

“[I]t has been agreed by FIS, Swiss-Ski and the Federazione Italiana Sport Invernali (FISI) not to include Zermatt/Cervinia in the Alpine draft calendar 2024/25.

“The first cross-border Alpine World Cup races were part of the men’s and women’s calendars in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons but could not make history due to unfavourable weather conditions in both years.”

The event, initially organized as a cross-border breakthrough event, not only had to be canceled twice, but drew criticism from environmental groups for race grooming that involved excavations on the Matterhorn glacier.

● Bobsled & Skeleton ● USA Bobsled & Skeleton hosted the final IBSF World Cup of the 2023-24 season and also inducted four new members to the USABS Hall of Fame.

The 1936 Winter bobsled Two-Man bronze medalists, Gilbert Colgate Jr. and Dick Lawrence, were inducted posthumously, as was photographer Kay Jones of Lake Placid, a fixture at the track for decades.

Skeleton racer David Kurtz, a Pennsylvania attorney, was a captain of the 1994 and 1998 U.S. Olympic Bobsled teams and served as the Skeleton race director at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.

● Football ● U.S. midfield star Gio Reyna was named as the Best Player at the CONCACAF Nations League after his goal in the final and two assists in the semifinal win over Jamaica.

Teammate Matt Turner was named Best Goalkeeper, with two shutouts in the four matches he played, including the final against Mexico.

Panama received the Fair Play Award.

● Freestyle Skiing ● At the U.S. Moguls Championships at Waterville, New Hampshire, Beijing Olympic silver medalist Jaelin Kauf was the star, winning both the Moguls and Dual Moguls events for her sixth and seventh career U.S. titles.

She first took the Moguls win at 84.80, ahead of Kasey Hogg (84.47) and Tess Johnson (83.24) in exceptionally snowy conditions. In Dual Moguls, Kauf won over Elizabeth Lemley in the gold-medal final and Alli Macuga defeated Kylie Kariotis for the bronze.

The men’s Moguls gold went to Ryan Tam (84.23) over 2021 national champ Nick Page (84.12) and Charlie Mickel (83.98), and then Mickel took the Dual Moguls win, beating Gavin Tobey in the gold-medal final. Jackson Crockett won the bronze. It’s the first U.S. title for Tam and the second for Mickel.

● Rowing ● USRowing named 21 members of its Paris 2024 Olympic Team, including medal-winning teams from the 2023 World Championships.

The men’s Four, silver medalists in 2023, returns intact, with Liam Corrigan, Michael Grady, Nick Mead and Justin Best, all second-time Olympians. In the women’s Double Sculls, Sophia Vitas and Kristi Wagner won the Worlds bronze last year, with Wagner a Tokyo Olympian.

The 2022 Worlds silver medalists in the women’s Lightweight Double Sculls, Michelle Sechser and Molly Reckford, are headed to Paris; they finished fifth in Tokyo. Sechser also won the Worlds silver in 2023, but with Mary Jones.

In the women’s Eights, five members of the 2023 Worlds silver winners will be available, with Charlotte Buck, Cristina Castagna (coxswain), Margaret Hedeman, Mary Mazzio-Manson, and Regina Salmons all named to a 13-women squad for the Eights and Fours. Meghan Musnicki, now 41, a three-time Olympian and member of the 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medalists and a five-time World Champion, was also named to the squad.

The U.S. men’s Eights team was selected and will try to qualify at the World Rowing Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne (SUI) from 19-21 May.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic trials for other events will be held from 4-7 April in Sarasota, Florida.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our new, 920-event International Sports Calendar for 2024 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Study says IOC transgender guide fails women; Malaysia passes on 2026 Commonwealth Games; Malinin’s brilliant skating gold!

By
Rich Perelman
-
World Champion: American skating star Ilia Malinin (Photo: ISU)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Study says IOC’s “Framework on Fairness” fails to protect women
2. Malaysia passes on 2026 Commonwealth Games
3. Council of Europe head urges no Russians at Paris 2024
4. Paris 2024 volunteer uniforms unveiled at La Defense Arena
5. U.S. shuts down Mexico, 2-0, in CONCACAF Nations League final

● A new, multi-national study of transgender regulations in sport says that males who experience puberty have permanent advantages over women and the IOC’s Framework on transgender status insufficiently protects women. It calls on the IOC to change its stance.

● The government of Malaysia examined the costs of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games – it hosted in 1998 – and decided it was too expensive, even with a £100 million subsidy from the Commonwealth Games Federation.

● The head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Greek Theodoros Rousopoulos, asks IOC why Russian and Belarusian athletes who are state-funded should be allowed in Paris?

● At a huge rally at the Paris La Defense Arena, the Paris 2024 volunteer uniforms were unveiled, a 15-piece collection made partially of recycled materials and reflecting French naval history. A million pieces were produced (250,000 T-shirts), with 53% made in France.

● At the CONCACAF Nations League final in Arlington, Texas, the U.S. defense smothered Mexico at every turn and brilliant strikes from Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna were the keys to a 2-0 win and a third straight U.S. Nations League triumph.

● World Championships: Curling (Canada halts Swiss women’s title streak!) ~ Figure Skating (Malinin magnificent to win first World title, as Sakamoto and Chock and Bates repeat) ●

● Panorama: African Games (Ghana delivers as Egypt tops medal count in Accra) = Alpine Skiing (Odermatt finishes with four Crystal Globes, and Ledecka wins another Super-G) = Biathlon (Irwin sweeps U.S. Nationals) = Bobsled & Skeleton (2: Friedrich wins two, Germany sweeps bob titles; Ro wins final Skeleton race, but Bos takes seasonal win) = Canoe & Kayak (Harrison takes U.S. C-1 200 Olympic Trials, on the way to Paris) = Cross Country Skiing (McCabe sweeps U.S. women’s nationals) = Cycling (3: Pogacar storms to Volta a Catalunya win; van der Poel wins E3 Saxo Classic; Pedersen and Wiebes win Gent-Wevelgem sprints) = Diving (China wins the individual events, Britain (3) and U.S. (2) win team at Berlin World Cup) = Fencing (3: Cannone wins twice in Tbilisi Epee World Cup; Rizzi takes two in Nanjing Epee World Cup; Szatmari and U.S. men takes Budapest Sabre titles) = Freestyle Skiing (2: Mobaerg and Thompson take Ski Cross wins; U.S.’s Forehand wins Slopestyle Crystal Globe) = Gymnastics (2: Krasnobaeva, 16, wins two at Rhythmic World Cup; China wins two in Trampoline World Cup) = Judo (Georgia wins four at Tbilisi World Cup) = Shooting (Roe, Abeln, Tucker, Maddalena could do two events each in Paris after U.S. Rifle-Pistol Trials) = Ski Jumping (2: Kraft wins season title, but Prevc family gets three wins in Planica!) = Snowboard (2: Grondin and Trespeuch take Snowcross globes; Brearly and Murase win Slopestyle titles) = Swimming (Acerenza and Beck win Open Water World Cup opener) ●

1.
Study says IOC’s “Framework on Fairness” fails to protect women

“The IOC framework on fairness, inclusion and nondiscrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations is misaligned with current scientific and medical evidence and offers insufficient protection of fair competition for female athletes within a female category.”

That’s from a new study, published Thursday in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sport, and principally authored by Tommy Lundberg of the Karolinsja Institutet in Stockholm (SWE), Ross Tucker of the University of Stellenbosch (RSA) and Emma Hinton of the University of Manchester School of Biological Sciences in Great Britain.

The paper looks to discredit the International Olympic Committee’s 2021 “IOC Framework on Fair, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations,” which took the position that each sport must develop its own, independent regulations concerning transgender athletes and those with differences in sex development (hyperandrogenism). In particular, the Framework states:

“Eligibility criteria should be established and implemented fairly and in a manner that does not systematically exclude athletes from competition based on their gender identity, physical appearance and/or sex variations.”

The new study refutes this approach as regards transgender athletes:

“We argue that eligibility criteria for female competition must consider male development rather than relying on current testosterone levels. …

“The IOC framework states that there should be ‘no presumption of advantage’ based on ‘biological or physiological characteristics,’ and that eligibility criteria should recognize individual-level differences in factors that impact performance and safety.

“We and others disagree with the IOC principle of no presumed advantage, despite the further explanation provided by the position statement. It is incoherent for the IOC to take a stance of ‘no presumption of advantage’ when a transitioning transgender woman athlete comes directly from a population with an inherent and well-established male biological advantage.

“It would be more logical to assume a biological advantage until proven otherwise, especially as several physical attributes (e.g., stature, heart, lung, bone, and muscle size) have not been shown to be reversed with any treatment, as we describe subsequently.”

In specific:

“It is well established that exposure to higher levels of testosterone during male versus female development promotes the development of male sex characteristics (e.g., larger muscle mass, heart size, lung capacity, bones, strength, and circulating hemoglobin) that are integral for sports performance.

“Thus, it is not the adult level of testosterone that predicts the performance of an individual athlete, but rather developmental exposure to testosterone and the development of male secondary sex characteristics that underpin the existence of the male category and category-level differences between the sexes.”

The study notes that post-puberty males retain skeletal advantages that are not reduced by testosterone-reduction therapy, in fact, “testosterone suppression for 1 year induces only a 5% loss of pre-transition muscle mass/strength.”

And while the authors applaud the IOC’s intentions, its focus is misplaced:

● “We agree that everyone should be welcome in sports, regardless of gender identity. However, this does not entail a right to compete in opposite-sex categories, as this conflicts with the established human right of female athletes to nondiscrimination and equal opportunities based on sex.”

● “The IOC position statement states that the athletes ‘most directly impacted by eligibility criteria’ are transgender athletes and/or athletes with sex variations, while – remarkably – female athletes are not identified as stakeholders.”

At the end, the study asks:

“The IOC must reconsider its framework and revise the 10 principles to reflect scientific evidence and fundamental principles of fair competition. We also recommend implementing a system to enable female stakeholders to be consulted in this matter and to have their voices heard, recognized, and valued.”

Observed: The study did not deal with differences in sex development (hyperandrogenism), but only transgenders.

While the IOC’s 2021 Framework document has led to new reviews of transgender policies, many of the leading international federations in which transgenders could be an issue have taken a different path. World Aquatics, World Athletics, the Union Cycliste Internationale and others have required very low testosterone levels and World Aquatics was the first to exclude female transgenders who had begun puberty, more in alignment with the new study than with the IOC’s Framework.

The IOC noted that its Framework document calls for consideration and is not a series of regulations. So far, actions by larger international federations have moved toward the study’s point of view, but more research, reporting and regulations are on the way.

2.
Malaysia passes on 2026 Commonwealth Games

After a short review, the Malaysian government decided not to offer to organize the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh posted a Friday statement that included (computer translation from Indonesian):

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports today announced the Government’s decision not to accept the offer of the Commonwealth Sports Federation (CGF) to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Ministerial Conference which convened today has taken this decision after examining all aspects recommendations and implications.

“A delegation from the CGF met the Minister of Youth and Sports and held an information session regarding the offer to host the event which was also attended by the Second Minister of Finance on February 5 2024.

“The results of the meeting were presented at the Ministerial Congregation Meeting and, among other things, it was stated that the CGF’s offer of 100 million pounds (RM603 million) was thought to be unable to cover the total costs of organizing a large-scale sporting event. In addition, the economic impact cannot be determined in this short period of time.

“The Madani Kingdom would like to thank the CGF for offering to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. However, at this time the government wants to focus on sports development as well as the goodness and welfare of the people.”

The Commonwealth Games Federation’s offer of £100 million (about $126.0 million U.S.) came from the A$380 million (~$247.6 million U.S.) paid by the state of Victoria, Australia, after it abandoned the hosting of the 2026 Games last year.

Singapore has indicated interest in 2026, but has made no announcements on its decision. For its part, the Commonwealth Games Federation has said it is willing to move the event to 2027, or even disassemble it and hold Commonwealth Games championships in individual sports.

3.
Council of Europe head urges no Russians at Paris 2024

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) urged the International Olympic Committee not to allow any Russian or Belarusian athletes to participate at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Although the IOC has made the decision to allow a limited number of Russian and Belarusian “neutrals” to compete in Paris, Theodoros Rousopoulos (GRE) released a statement which included:

“It is very clear that the fundamental principles of Olympism are therefore, by definition, opposed to war.

“So I put the question: should athletes from a country which has invaded another one take part in the Olympics and proudly represent this country? Or, put another way: can we condemn Russia for bombing Ukrainian civilians, kidnapping children, torturing prisoners, carrying out massacres – and then applaud its athletes? Knowing that many of these athletes are actually engaged in the Russian army, and the vast majority of them receive State salaries? Is this the spirit of Olympism?

“In the Parliamentary Assembly, which brings together parliamentarians from 46 countries, we discussed this question several times, we heard different opinions, and a year ago we adopted a resolution with a straightforward answer: Russian and Belarusian athletes should not compete in the Paris Olympic Games. Why? Because their participation would be an insult to Ukrainian athletes, several of whom have died because of the war, and the majority of whom are not able to train properly, because of the destruction of sport infrastructure.

“I have heard some people suggest that athletes and sportspeople should not be held responsible for the decisions of their governments. Let’s not be naïve. Any victory by these athletes, even under a neutral flag, could be celebrated – and used – as a tool for propaganda, creating a narrative of acceptance and normalisation that downplays the gravity of the actions of the Russian and Belarusian Governments.”

Prior discussions at the Council of Europe have focused on an area noted by Rousopoulos: disqualification of Russian or Belarusian athletes who receive state funding. This is not part of the criteria being used by the IOC and its Eligibility Review Panel and will not be a reason for disqualification.

Rousopoulos insisted in his statement that “any participation by Russian and Belarusian citizens will not be used as propaganda.” With the IOC ready to allow at least some Russian and Belarusians into Paris 2024, there is no doubt that the propaganda infrastructures in both countries will be working overtime come July.

4.
Paris 2024 volunteer uniforms unveiled at La Defense Arena

A “volunteer convention” that drew a huge crowd to the Paris La Defense Arena on Sunday, which saw the unveiling of the Paris 2024 volunteer uniforms.

Designed by the French sportswear firm Decathlon, the uniform program for the 45,000 volunteers for the Games is a unisex design, with sizing from extra-small to 4x extra-large, made from recycled polyester, recycled polyamide and organic cotton. Some 53% of the production was made in France – Roubaix, Marseille, Troyes and Orleans – with a grand total of 1,000,000 total pieces produced.

Everyone gets 15 pieces:

● 4 T-shirts (250,000 in blue and aqua)
● 2 pairs of pants, convertible to shorts (blue)
● 4 pairs of socks (two blue, two pink)
● 1 pair of shoes (white)
● 1 windproof vest (white)
● 1 jacket (white)
● 1 hat (multi)
● 1 cross-body bag

Careful planning went into the design; according to Decathlon (computer translation from French):

“Each product is designed to be antiperspirant and buildable. In addition to its obvious function, the bucket hat features UPF50+ fabric to ensure protection against UV rays in summer weather (at least 95% of the rays are blocked).”

Decathlon’s Artistic Director, Philippe Daguillon said his favorite item in the collection was the T-shirt:

“We are proud of the result because we make a nod to France and its history by drawing inspiration from the codes of the sailor shirt (stripes, 3/4 sleeves) while combining the codes of today’s sport: neckline, markings. The fact is that the pattern printed on the body is cut randomly in production so that each Tshirt is unique while belonging to the same family/uniform.”

Stylist Quentin Despagne is partial to the multi-colored hat:

“Light and breathable, it provides more coverage than a cap and perfectly meets the need for volunteers to use it in direct sunlight this summer. The printed pattern makes the volunteer stand out in a crowd and will certainly make an impression on the public coming to attend the Games.”

No schedule has been announced for the distribution; staff uniforms have not been previewed yet.

5.
U.S. shuts down Mexico, 2-0, in CONCACAF Nations League final

Yet another trophy was decided in a U.S.-Mexico final, this time for the CONCACAF men’s Nations League, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. But as with the two prior Nations League finals, the outcome was the same: a U.S. win.

The Americans went on offense right away and controlled most of the half. The U.S. got a quick chance to score in the fifth minute, as midfield star Christian Pulisic was in on left side of the Mexican goal off a headed pass from Gio Reyna, but Pulisic’s right-footed shot was expertly saved by iconic Mexican keeper Memo Ochoa. Mexican midfielder Luis Chavez took a left-footed whack at a loose ball in the 22nd minute from inside the box, but American keeper Matt Turner made the save.

U.S. right back Sergino Dest let go with a screamer from just beyond the box in the 38th that went just over the top of the Mexican net, a good idea that paid off a few minutes later.

It looked like a 0-0 half, but with seconds to play, the U.S. was looking for offense in the Mexican zone, with midfielder Weston McKennie sending a pass into the middle for fellow midfielder Tyler Adams. Only loosely marked, Adams moved right and sent a right-footed rocket from 15 yards beyond the top of the box toward the left corner of the Mexican that went through the legs of flying midfielder Erick Sanchez and steamed past Ochoa for a 1-0 lead!

The U.S. had 61% possession in the half, which had only four shots for the U.S. and one for Mexico.

The Americans continued to control most of the play in the second half, but Mexico’s Chucky Lozano and Henry Martin were active in the U.S. zone, but did not seriously challenge Turner. Then what appeared to be a safe clearance in front of the Mexican goal in the 63rd by defender Johan Vasquez bounded out to Reyna just inside the box on the left side; he had space, and ripped a right-footed liner that flew past Ochoa for a 2-0 lead.

Then, U.S. defender Antonee Robinson tried to clear a ball at the edge of the box in the 72nd and had his leg way up in the air and appeared to bring down sub striker Santiago Gimenez for a penalty, but a video review by referee Drew Fischer (CAN) called it no foul, as Robinson hit the ball before any contact.

The U.S. threatened again in the 87th, as Pulisic was in for a close shot from the left side, but Ochoa blocked it. A subsequent goal kick by Turner was followed by a three-minute stoppage in play due to the re-appearance of the infamous discriminatory chant by frustrated Mexican fans.

The match was stopped again at 90+6 and Fischer finally blew the whistle at 90+9.

The U.S. back six was excellent and irritated the Mexican attack throughout, and two magical strikes from Adams and Reyna were more than enough. The Americans ended with 53% of possession and an 11-9 edge on shots.

There have been three editions of the Nations League and the U.S. has won them all: in 2020 over Mexico, in 2023 over Panama and now over Mexico again.

In the third-place match, Jamaica held a 1-0 halftime lead on Panama, on a Dexter Lembikisa goal in the 41st, as the Reggae Boyz were the aggressors with a 7-3 edge on shots. Panama turned up the offense in the second half and out-shot the Jamaicans, 8-3, but to no avail as they could not sure and lost by 1-0, despite 62% possession in the game. Jamaican keeper Andre Blake made four saves to preserve the win.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Curling ● The big question going into the 2024 Women’s World Championship in Sydney (CAN) was whether anyone could derail the four-time defending champion Swiss juggernaut, skipped by Silvana Tirinzoni?

Canada, skipped by 2017 World Champion Rachel Homan, compiled the best record in the round-robin, finishing at 11-1, with an 8-5 win over the Swiss, but a 6-5 loss to Eun-ji Kim’s Korean rink.

Tirinzoni’s squad was 10-2 and second, with Stefania Constantini’s Italian rink also at 10-2 in third. The U.S., skipped by Tabitha Peterson, finished 6-6 and because of a loss to Denmark (also 6-6), ended up seventh and outside the playoffs.

Kim’s Koreans ousted Sweden by 6-3 and Italy swept past Denmark, 7-4, in the qualification games, setting up two tense semifinals. The Swiss and Italy were 2-2 after six ends, but then Tirinzoni’s squad managed two points in the seventh, gave one back in the ninth, but scored twice in the 10th for a 6-3 win and their fifth straight Worlds gold final.

Homan and Canada were in a wild match with Kim and Korea, scoring twice in the second only to see Korea up, 3-2, after three. Kim was up, 5-4, after seven, but a two-score seventh gave Homan a 6-5 lead. No problem for Kim, who responded with a two-point ninth to lead, 7-6, into the final end. But Homan pulled out the win with a three-score final end and took the match by 9-7!

In the final, Homan scored in the first, but the Swiss led 2-1 after two ends and 4-2 after four. But Homan tied it with two in the fifth and after a Swiss score in the eighth, struck back with three in the ninth for the 7-5 win and Canada’s first win since 2018. It was also their 18th women’s Worlds gold. It was the first Swiss loss in a final since 2000, with eight straight wins coming into 2024.

Kim’s Korea squad won the third-place match by 6-3, the country’s third medal in the women’s Worlds, after a bronze in 2019 and silver in 2022.

● Figure Skating ● Defending champions were back on top at the 2024 ISU World Championships in Montreal (CAN), with history made in the women’s final, but a new American star taking the men’s title.

Japan’s defending champion, Kaori Sakamoto, entered Friday’s Free Skate standing in fourth place, a significant 3.69 points behind leader Loena Hendrickx of Belgium. But Sakamoto saved her best for last and skated an elegant, clean program that earned a seasonal best of 149.67, more than 11 points better than the rest of the field and vaulted her into first place at 222.96 for her third straight Worlds gold.

That hadn’t been done on the women’s side since the 1966-67-68 wins for American Peggy Fleming!

The U.S.’s Isabeau Levito, 17, fourth at the 2023 Worlds, was in second place after the Short Program and authored another solid performance, scoring 138.43 for second-best and a total of 212.16 that won the silver medal! Korean Chae-yeon Kim, also 17, got a seasonal best of 136.68 for a 203.59 total, in third when Hendrickx came on as the last skater.

But the two-time Worlds medalist suffered a fall and had a jump downgraded, leaving her eighth in the Free Skate and fourth overall at 200.25. American Amber Glenn was 10th overall at 186.53. Said an ecstatic Levito:

“At the end of program I threw my arms out and hopped on the ice. I was in a state of shock that I did that. I had two goals coming into this World Championship, getting on the podium and securing the third spot for the American women next year. I did both. It was extremely satisfying. I worked so hard for this moment, it took everything of me and I did it.”

Defending champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. left little doubt in Ice Dance, winning their second straight title and their fifth Worlds medals (2-1-2), winning the Rhythm Dance at 90.08, building a 2 1/2-point lead. They were second in the Free Dance, 133.14 to 132.12 to Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, but won the overall title at 222.20 to 219.68.

It’s the third Worlds medal for Gilles and Poirier, third in 2021 and 2023. Italy’s 2023 runners-up, Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri, fell to third in the Free Dance, scoring 129.00 for a 216.52 total and the bronze medal.

Americans Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko were a very creditable seventh overall at 200.32.

The men’s final asked whether Japan’s Shoma Uno could collect a third straight Worlds golds, not done since Nathan Chen of the U.S. in 2018-19-21. Uno led after the Free Skate, 107.72-106.35-105.97 over teammate Yuma Kagiyama and Ilia Malinin of the U.S.

Malinin, the master of the quadruple jump and the only one to ever complete a Quadruple Axel in competition, went last and opened with four straight quads and added two more later and scored a spectacular lifetime best of 224.76, the highest Free Skate score in history (!) and a total of 333.76, the no. 2 score ever!

Kagiyama started off with three quads, but fell on a Triple Axel and scored 203.30 for a 309.65 total, his second-best score ever and 12th-best ever.

Uno also programmed three quad jumps to start his program, but fell right away and ended up sixth in the Free Skate at 173.13. His total of 280.85 left him fourth overall, behind France’s Adam Siao Him Fa, whose 206.90 Free Skate (second) and 284.39 total vaulted him from 19th to the bronze medal! American Jason Brown finished fifth overall at 274.33.

Malinin was in his third Worlds: ninth in 2022, bronze in 2023 and now gold in 2024, at age 19. Have no doubt, he IS the favorite now for Milan Cortina 2026.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● African Games ● There was great concern whether the 2023 African Games, awarded to Accra (GHA), would ever come off, but it did and concluded Sunday with Egypt the big winner.

The Egyptians amassed 191 total medals (102-47-42), to 121 for Nigeria (47-34-40), 114 for Algeria (29-38-47) and 106 for South Africa (32-32-42). Some 2,644 athletes from 53 countries participated, with 335 events held in 22 sports and seven demonstration sports (including Scrabble).

The big individual medal winners starts with Algerian swimmer Jaouad Syoud, who won nine in all (4-1-4), including golds in the men’s 50 and 200 m Breast and 200-400 m Medleys. Egyptian star Farida Osman won eight medals (4-4-0), including wins in the 50 m Free and 50-100 m Fly. Fellow Egyptian swimmer Abdalla Nasr also won eight medals (3-4-1), with individual golds in the men’s 100-200 m Fly.

On the track, there were outdoor world-leading marks in six events:

● Men/4×100 m: 38,41 Nigeria
● Men/Triple Jump: 16.97 m (55-8 1/4), Hugues Fabrice Zango (BUR)
● Men/Decathlon: 7,500 Friedrich Pretorius (RSA)

● Women/400 m: 50.57 Mary Moraa (KEN)
● Women/800 m: 1:57.73 Tsige Duguma (ETH)
● Women/Steeple: 9:15.61 Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN)

Zambia set an African Games record of 2:59.12 in the men’s 4×400 m, and Ethiopian star Hirut Meshesha got a Games mark of 4:05.71 in winning the women’s 1,500 m.

World-record holder Chepkoech also got a Games record in the women’s Steeple and three field-event meet records were set by Mire Reinstorf (RSA: 4.35 m/14-3 1/4) in the women’s vault, Zahra Tatar (ALG: 69.65 m/228-6) in the women’s hammer, and in the women’s javelin by Jo-Ane van Dyck (RSA: 60.80 m/199-6).

● Alpine Skiing ● No doubt about the seasonal winners, but still surprises in the final World Cup of the season in Saalbach (AUT).

The women’s season finished first, with 2018 Olympic Super-G winner Ester Ledecka – primarily a snowboard star – showing she’s still in the mix with her fourth career World Cup gold in the Super-G in 1:15.94, beating Italian star Federica Brignone (1:16.22) and Kajsa Lie Vickhoff (NOR: 1:16.24). Lauren Macuga was the top U.S. finisher, in 14th (1:17.10).

Overall winner Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) also took the seasonal Super-G title with 576 points, to 546 for Brignone.

Saturday’s Downhill saw the sixth career win for Austrian Cornelia Huetter, just ahead of Ilka Stuhec (SLO: 1:45.25) and Nicol Delago (ITA: 1:45.57). Jacqueline Wiles was the top U.S. finisher in 13th (1:46.53).

Huetter’s win stole the seasonal Crystal Globe, with 397 points to 369 for Gut-Behrami.

The men’s Super-G was a Swiss sweep, but with a new face on top of the podium: 29-year-old Stefan Rogentin (1:13.36), who took his second career World Cup medal and his first gold! He was just 0.03 up on teammate Loic Meillard (1:13.39), who won his first medal in the last six World Cup races. Arnaud Boisset was third (1:13.51), who his first career World Cup medal.

Jared Goldberg of the U.S. was 11th (1:14.26). Seasonal winner Marco Odermatt (SUI) had long wrapped up the Super-G title at 495 points, to 409 for Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT).

Sunday’s Downhill was canceled due to heavy snow and wind, so Odermatt won the seasonal discipline title with 552 points to 510 for emerging French star Cyprien Sarrazin. In addition to his overall World Cup title, he took the seasonal wins for Downhill, Super-G and Giant Slalom!

● Biathlon ● At the U.S. National Championships at Fort Kent, Maine, Beijing Olympian Deedra Irwin swept the women’s senior-level events, taking both the Sprint and the Pursuit.

She won the Sprint by more than two minutes over Grace Castonguay, 27:11.3 (3 penalties) to 29:43.0 (4), and beat Castonguay in the Pursuit, 59:53.3 to 1:05:06.4 (no penalties reported).

Jake Brown won the men’s Sprint in 28:39.3 (4) over Maxime Germain (28:49.3/2), but Germain took the Pursuit in 1:07:56.0, beating Sean Doherty 1:08:11.0, with Brown fourth (no report on penalties).

● Bobsled & Skeleton ● The season’s final IBSF World Cup was in Lake Placid, New York, with a confirmation than even though he did not win as many races as he would like, it’s still hard to beat Germany’s Francesco Friedrich.

The two-time Olympic champ in both the two-man and four-man sleds, Friedrich had not won a World Cup race this season, but he was clearly the best this time, teaming with Alexander Schueller to win both runs and the total of 1:49.70. He led a German sweep as Johannes Lochner, the Beijing Olympic runner-up, was second in 1:49.95 and emerging star Adam Ammour got third (1:50.60). Americans Frank Del Duca and Manteo Mitchell were fifth (1:50.96) and Kristopher Horn and Joshua Williamson finished sixth (1:51.16).

Friedrich took the seasonal title with 1,675 points to 1,512 for Lochner and 1,410 for Ammour; Del Duca was the top U.S. driver, in eighth (1,192).

Friedrich completed his sweep in Lake Placid by winning the Four-Man in 54.75, as only one run was complete due to damage in the ice layer during the second run. Lochner was second (54.92) and Ammour was third (55.03). Del Duca was seventh (55.19) and Horn was eighth (55.26) for the U.S.

This was Friedrich’s fifth win of the World Cup season – out of eight races – and he was an easy winner of the seasonal crown, with 1,745 points. Latvia’s Emils Cipulis was second (1,529) and Lochner was third (1,515). Del Duca was the top American, in 14th (504).

Australian Bree Walker got her first World Cup in the women’s Monobob in 1:58.67, winning both runs and taking her fifth medal of the season. American Elana Meyers Taylor, fully back in action after maternity, won her third straight World Cup medal and her second straight silver, in 1:58.91, with Canada’s Cynthia Appiah (1:59.13) third, for her first medal of the season. Kaysha Love of the U.S. was fifth (1:59.32).

German Lisa Buckwitz, the 2018 Olympic Two-Woman gold winner, won the seasonal title with 1,644 points to 1,549 for Walker and 1,547 for German Lisa Nolte. Love, in her first season as a driver, was fourth (1,516) and Meyers Taylor was fifth (1,508).

The 2023 World Champion in the Two-Woman sled, German Kim Kalicki, won her third World Cup of the season in Lake Placid – with Leonie Fiebig – in 1:53.59, ahead of surprise silver winners Adele Nicoll and Kya Placide (GBR: 1:54.20). Nolte, the Beijing Olympic winner, teamed with Claudia Schuessler for third (1:54.24).

The U.S. finished 6-7 with Meyers Taylor and Emily Renna (1:54.53) and Love and Azaria Hill (1:54.62).

Nolte won the seasonal title with 1,720 points to 1,683 for Kalicki, 1,539 for Buckwitz, with Meyers Taylor fifth (1,240).

The U.S. got a happy victory in the final women’s Skeleton event, with find-of-the-season Mystique Ro winning her fourth medal of the season and her first win in 1:50.33, to 1:50.37 for Kim Meylemans (BEL) and 1:50.55 for seasonal winner Kimberley Bos (NED).

American Katie Uhlaender finished fourth in 1:50.61; Bos won the seasonal title with 1,570 points to 1,364 for Meylemans. Ro finished eighth with 1,175.

● Canoe & Kayak ● The American Canoe Association’s Olympic Selection Trials were held at Lake Natoma, California (near Sacramento), with the U.S. so far qualified for only one place in Paris, in the women’s C-1 200 m.

That spot came from Nevin Harrison, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist in the event, via her fourth-place finish at the 2023 Worlds. She’s headed to Paris to defend her title after her Trials win in 49.050 over Andreea Ghizila (49.416).

The U.S. can compete for more Paris entries at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier, to be held in mid-April in Sarasota, Florida; Harrison was the only U.S. Sprint entry at Tokyo 2020.

The other women’s winners who could compete in Sarasota include Ghilzia and Azuza Murphy, who won the C-2 500 m final in 2:09.188, in a tight match with Emma Albrecht and Audrey Harper (2:10.106). Ghizila also won the non-Olympic C-1 500 m race with more than three seconds to spare, winning in 2:22.326, to 2:25.663 for Harper.

Elena Wolgamot crossed first in the K-1 500 m final in 2:04.625, with Kali Wilding second in 2:07.062, and then the two of them teamed up to win the K-2 500 m final in 1:57.104, with Emma McDonald and Knytly Sybounmy second in 2:04.551.

In the men’s finals, Jonathan Grady took the C-1 1,000 m win by more than two seconds in 4:08.477, with Ian Ross second in 4:11.118. Grady and Kenny Kasperbauer teamed to win the C-2 500 m final in 1:59.731, with Isaac Lozano and Alistair Leith the only other finalists (2:19.145), and Kasperbauer routed the field in the non-Olympic C-1 500 m final, winning in 2:08.195, with Ryan Grady second in 2:15.827.

Jonas Ecker won all three kayak finals, taking the K-1 1,000 m win against Cole Jones, 3:39.381 to 3:42.047, and then Ecker and Aaron Small won the K-2 500 m final by less than a half-second in 1:36.637 against Jones and Sean Talbert (1:37.130).

Ecker also won the non-Olympic K-1 500 m, winning with plenty to spare in 1:46.582, with Small second in 1:50.245.

● Cross Country Skiing ● Novie McCabe, a 2022 World Junior relay medalist, swept the women’s Sprint and Individual events at the U.S. Spring National Championships in Duluth, Minnesota.

She took the Classical Sprint final in 3:28.17 to 3:28.53 for Erin Bianco and the 10 km Classical Individual race in 26:27.0, ahead of Sydney Palmer-Leger (26:44.0).

Beijing Olympian James Schoonmaker took the men’s Classical Sprint final in 2:52.86, with Zanden McMullen second (2:53.73) and Antoine Cyr (CAN: 2:54.25) third. Cyr won the men’s 10 km Classical in 22:39.8, beating John Steel Hagenbuch (22:51.5).

The men’s and women’s 40 km Freestyle will be held Tuesday.

● Cycling ● Two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar (SLO) gave notice he will be a contender for all honors again this year with a dominating performance at the 103rd Volta Ciclista de Catalunya in Spain.

Pogacar, a great climber, won the uphill-finishing second stage by 1:23 and the triple-climb third stage by 0:48 to establish a 2:27 lead over Spain’s Mikel Landa. That stayed unchanged until Saturday’s final climbing stage, a five-rise route from Berga to Queralt over 154.7 km, and Pogacar put away the field by 0:57 for his third win and a final-day lead of 3:31 over Landa and 4:53 ahead of Egan Bernal (COL).

Sunday’s modestly-hilly seventh and final stage of 145.3 km in Barcelona ended in the expected mass sprint, with Pogacar winning his fourth stage of the race in 3:15:23, just ahead of France’s Dorian Godon and Guillaume Martin. Pogacar finished as the overall winner by 3:41 over Landa and 5:03 over Bernal, in 28:21.29.

American star Sepp Kuss was 13th, 8:20 behind the winner.

Friday’s 66th E3 Saxo Classic in and around Harelbeke (BEL), was a showcase for Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel, who broke away with 44 km left on the 207.6 km course and won going away in 4:39:28, with Belgian riders going 2-3-4. Jasper Stuyven (+1:31) and two-time defending champ Wout van Aert (1:34) took silver and bronze, with Tim Wellens (+1:48) fourth and American Matteo Jorgenson fifth (1:50).

It’s van der Poel’s 19th career UCI World Tour win, to go along with his 2023 World Road title; he now has a complete set of medals, finishing third in this race in 2021, second last year and now a win.

One of the famous races of the Classics season is Gent-Wevelgem, held for the 86th time for the men on Sunday (BEL), with the decision down to a final surge off the last Kemmelberg climb between Denmark’s 2019 World Road Champion Mads Pedersen and van der Poel.

Pedersen had a little more in the tank and got to the line first in 5:36:00, for his second Gent-Wevelgem victory, also in 2020. Van der Poel was second in the same time and Jordi Meeus (BEL) led the chase pack behind him in third, 16 seconds behind the winner.

The women edition, 171.2 km from Ieper to Wevelgem, came down to a mass sprint and Lorena Wiebes (NED) got her second win of the season, this time over Elisa Balsamo (ITA), with the first 38 riders all given 4:16:19.

Balsamo won this race in 2022 and in her last four races has finished 2-1-1-2.

● Diving ● The second of three stages of the World Aquatics World Cup was in Berlin (GER), with China sweeping the four individual events it entered and the U.S. and Britain winning two Synchro events each.

World Champion Zongyuan Wang was a decisive winner in the men’s 3 m Springboard with 505.90 points to 476.70 for Worlds bronze medalist Osmar Olvera, with Lars Rudiger (GER: 463.20) third.

Junjie Lian (CHN), the 2023 Worlds runner-up, won the 10 m Platform easily, scoring 542.55 to 494.50 for Rylan Wiens (CAN), with 2023 World Champion Cassiel Rousseau (AUS: 476.90) in third. Americans Zachary Cooper (440.25) and Brandon Loschiavo (435.55) went 4-5.

In the men’s 3 m Synchro, British stars Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding were clear winners, 423.37 to 397.62 for Giovanni Tocci and Lorenzo Marsaglia (ITA). American Tyler Downs and Greg Duncan took the bronze at 374.85.

Britain doubled up in the men’s 10 m Synchro, with Tom Daley and Noah Williams scoring 465.00 to 408.99 for Nathan Zsombor-Murray and Rylan Wiens (CAN). Rousseau and Domonic Bedggood (AUS) placed third at 402.57, with Americans Maxwell Flory and Cooper fourth (379.62).

China’s two-time World Champion Yiwen Chen took the women’s 3 m Springboard with 356.40 points, with Australia’s Rio Olympic Synchro bronze winner Maddison Keeney close at 344.75 and American Sarah Bacon third (327.75)

Hongchan Quan, China’s 10 m World Champion, won the Platform gold at 432.80, with Britain’s Worlds bronze winner Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix second (339.10) and Canada’s Caeli McKay third (331.30). American Delaney Schnell was fourth (326.10).

A modest five teams entered the women’s 3 m Synchro, with the American pair of Kassidy Cook and Bacon taking top honors (303.21), ahead of Keeney and Anabelle Smith (AUS: 296.73). Five teams also contested the women’s 10 m Synchro, with the U.S.’s Jessica Parratto and Schnell winning with 306.00 points. Kate Miller and McKay (CAN) were second at 282.72 and Ukraine’s Ksenila Bailo and Sofiia Lyskun got third (276.36).

Great Britain won the Mixed Team final, scoring 461.15 to 430.75 for Germany, 419.60 for Italy and 410.55 for the U.S.

● Fencing ● World no. 5 Romain Cannone of France – the Tokyo Olympic champ and 2022 World Champion – scored his second career FIE Epee World Cup win in Tbilisi (GEO) in the FIE World Cup, taking a 15-10 win over Neisser Loyola (BEL), the 2022 Worlds bronze medalist.

Cannone was also a member of the French team winners, defeating the Czech Republic in the final by 45-34.

At the women’s Epee Wold Cup in Nanjing (CHN), Italy’s Giulia Rizzi took the gold with a 15-8 win over 2022 World Champion Sera Song (KOR). It’s the second medal of the season for Rizzi, who also won a Grand Prix silver on Doha in January.

She got a second gold as Italy won the team title over China, 43-34.

In the men’s Sabre World Cup in Budapest (HUN), home favorite Andras Szatmari, the 2017 World Champion, defeated Italy’s 2019 Worlds bronzer Luca Curatoli, 15-10 in the final. It’s Szatmari’s second World Cup gold, but first in seven years.

The powerful U.S. men’s squad of Eli Dershwitz, Filip Dolegiewicz, Colin Heathcock and Mitchell Saron took the team title over Korea, 45-30. The Americans dominated the bracket, winning their bouts by 45-30, 45-39, 45-36 and 45-30 in the final.

● Freestyle Skiing ● The Ski Cross World Cup season finished at Idre Fjall (SWE), with 2023 Worlds Team gold medalist David Mobaerg of Sweden riding a three-race win streak to the seasonal title!

Mobaerg won his first race of the season at Veyzonnaz (SUI) on the 16th, then won on Friday over 2023 World Champion Simone Deromedia (ITA) and Canada’s Reece Howden. On Saturday, he won again, this time over Howden and older brother Erik Mobaerg (SWE).

That gave David 780 points to pass Howden and Alex Fiva (SUI: 698) to win the Ski Cross Crystal Globe!

Canada completed its domination of the women’s division, with 2018 Olympic runner-up Brittany Phelan winning on Friday for their 10th straight victory! She finished ahead of teammate India Sherret and Swiss Saskja Lack. On Saturday, it was 2014 Olympic champ Marielle Thompson with her sixth win of the season, beating Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA) and Phelan.

Thompson got the seasonal title with 1,077 points to 990 for Berger Sabbatel and 934 for Phelan.

In the season-ending Slopestyle in Silvaplana (SUI), bad weather caused the finals to be canceled and the qualifying results were used for final placings.

The 2021 World Champion, Swiss Andri Ragettli for his first win of the season at 81.06, ahead of Lukas Muellauer (AUT: 78.84) and Luca Harrington (NZL: 78.61). Americans Hunter Henderson (78.09) and Mac Forehand (77.44) went 4-5. Forehand won the seasonal title, 310-260 over fellow American Alex Hall, with Ragettli third (255).

The women’s win went to 2017 World Champion Tess Ledeux (FRA) by 77.52 to 77.32 over Beijing 2022 Olympic winner Mathilde Gremaud (SUI), with American transgender Jay Riccomini third (73.96). Gremaud won the seasonal title by 380-316 over Ledeux.

● Gymnastics ● The FIG Rhythmic World Cup season started up in Athens (GRE), with Bulgaria claiming the top two spots in the All-Around, by 16-year-old two-time World Junior gold medalist Elvira Krasnobaeva and 19-year-old Evia Brezalieva.

They were well ahead of the field, scoring 131.100 and 130.350 points to 125.000 for Tokyo Olympic A-A bronze winner Alina Harnasko (BLR); Rin Keys was the top American in seventh (13.750).

In the apparatus finals, Krasnobaeva won on Hoop (34.300), Daniela Munits (ISR) won on Ball (32.950), Zilu Wang (CHN) won on Clubs (32.700), with Krasnobaeva second, and Harnasko took Ribbon (31.550), again with Krasnobaeva second.

In the second Trampoline World Cup, in Cottbus (GER), the 2023 Worlds gold and silver medalists repeated their places, with China’s Langyu Wang winning with 61.870 points to 61.800 for Zisai Wang. Tokyo Olympic champ Ivan Litvinovich (BLR) was third at 61.330; American Aliaksei Shostak was eighth (59.560).

China went 1-2 in the women’s final, as 2023 Worlds Team gold winner Yicheng Hu won with 57.120, ahead of Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Xueying Zhu (56.660). Russian Iana Lebedeva, the 2021 Worlds All-Around bronze winner, was third (56.470), beating Britain’s 2023 World Champion, Bryony Page (54.450). Americans Cheyenne Webster and 2023 Worlds bronzer Jessica Stevens finished 5-7, at 54.260 and 52.780.

In the men’s Synchro final, German World Champions Fabian Vogel and Caio Lauxtermann won at 51.900 with Isaac Rowley and Trevor Harder of the U.S. in sixth (48.660). China’s Yunzhu Cai and Xinxin Zhang took the women’s Synchro gold (48.880), ahead of the 2023 World Champions, Americans Nicole Ahsinger and Webster.

● Judo ● There was plenty for the home fans to cheer about at the Tbilisi Grand Slam (GEO), with wins in four classes to lead all nations.

Lasha Shavdatuashvili, the 2012 Olympic champion, defeated Russian Karen Galstian in the men’s 73 kg final as Galstian won his first Grand Slam medal. On Sunday, Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Lasha Bekauri took the 90 kg gold over Eljan Hajiyev (AZE), and 2018 World Champion Guram Tushishvili won at +100 kg, beating Ushangi Kokauri (AZE) for the title.

Eteri Liparteliani took the women’s 57 kg by defeating Canadian 2021 World Champion Jessica Klimkait.

In the men’s 100 kg class, Spain’s two-time World Champion Nikoloz Sherazadishvili won his fifth career Grand Slam gold, defeating Shady Elnahas (CAN) in the final. The Spanish also got a win in the women’s 52 kg division as Ariane Toro Soler won over Ana Viktorija Puljiz (CRO).

At 63 kg, Canada’s Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard won her fifth career Grand Slam gold, this time over Poland’s Angelika Szymanska. 2021-22 World Champion Barbara Matic won the women’s 70 kg class, defeating Tokyo Olympic bronze winner Sanne van Dijke (NED) in the final.

● Shooting ● The third phase of the USA Shooting Rifle-Pistol Olympic Trials concluded at Ft. Moore, Georgia, for qualification for pistol and rifle events.

In the men’s Air Pistol, two-time Pan Am Games silver winner Nick Mowrer won both days of the third stage and finished with a ranking total of 579.4 points, the top overall qualifier. Jay Shi was second overall (577.6) and Samuel Gens (572.2) was third. As the U.S. does not yet have a quota spot, Mowrer’s status for Paris is uncertain; there are still a couple of chances to get in.

The men’s 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol winner was three-time Olympian Keith Sanderson, who won on both days and in the final. His ranking total of 582.0 was tops, ahead of Tokyo Olympian Henry Leverett (579.0). The U.S. has one quota place, so Sanderson is in position for his fourth Olympic appearance.

Ivan Roe, a Worlds gold winner in the Team 50 m Rifle/Prone, was second on the first day of the Air Rifle and tied for fourth in the second day, but his ranking total was the best of all at 631.9, ahead of Ryan Kissell (630.3) and Tokyo Olympian Lucas Kozeniesky (629.4). The U.S. has one quota spot for Paris, so Roe should be on the plane.

In the men’s Smallbore Rifle (50 m/3 Positions), Roe won the first day’s competition and won the final, giving him a ranking total of 589.8, ahead of Mowrer’s 587.0. As the U.S. has one quota place, Roe has qualified for a second event in Paris.

The women’s Air Pistol event saw Tokyo Olympian Lexi Lagan tie for second on the first day, then finish third on day 2 and second in the final to end with the top ranking total of 575.6, ahead of Katelyn Abeln and Suman Sanghera (both 571.2). The U.S. has two quota places, so Lagan gets to a second Games, while Abeln ranked ahead of Sanghera with 81 10s to 74, and should be on the way to Paris.

In the women’s Sport Pistol, Abeln was third on day 1, won day 2 and was second in the final for a ranking total of 586.6, clearly ahead of Ada Khorkin (582.8). So, Abeln is on her way to Paris again, thanks to the quota place she won for the U.S. at the Championship of the Americas!

Tokyo Olympic Team Air Rifle silver medalist Mary Tucker was second on both days at Ft. Moore, won the final and led the ranking totals with 633.9, ahead of Tokyo Olympian Sagen Maddalena (632.9) and fellow Tokyo Olympian Alison Weisz (632.3). The U.S. has two spots, so Tucker and Maddalena appear to both be qualified for Paris.

The women’s Smallbore (50 m/3 Positions) was a re-run, with Tucker and Maddalena tying on the first day and Maddalena winning on the second day. Their ranking totals were the same at 592.1 and with two quota spots, both can do in second events for Paris.

The actual Olympic team members have not been certified as yet and there are a couple of additional qualifying paths in the four events where the U.S. does not have a second slot.

● Ski Jumping ● The FIS World Cup season ended as usual, off the mammoth, 240 m ski-flying hill in Planica (SLO), with the Prevc family having a lot to celebrate at home!

The oldest of the five Prevc kids, Peter, won Friday’s ski-flying competition at 452.1 points, to 448.5 for Daniel Huber (AUT) and 441.3 for Norwegian star Johann Forfang. On Sunday, Huber got the win, scoring 487.7 points to 444.3 for Domen Prevc (SLO) and 438.1 for Poland’s Aleksander Zniszczol. Huber also won the annual Planica 7 tournament that scored all jumps, with 1,374.6 points to 1,282.4 for Peter Prevc.

Austria’s Stefan Kraft had already locked up the seasonal title and finished with 2,149 points to 1,672 for Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN) and 1,477 for Andreas Wellinger (GER).

The women also finished in Planica, off the 102 m hill, with four-time Worlds silver medalist Eva Pinkelnig (AUT) taking the win at 244.9, over Canada’s Alexandria Loutitt (242.1) and seasonal winner Nika Prevc (SLO: 235.6).

Prevc, 19, from the famed Prevc ski-jumping family, took the seasonal title as a teen, scoring 1,454 points to 1,305 for Pinkelnig and 1,030 for Loutitt.

That means that three Prevcs took home medals in Planica: Peter, Domen and Nika!

● Snowboard ● Canada’s 2022 Olympic runner-up Eliot Grondin got his sixth win in 11 events at the FIS World Cup Snowcross in front of home fans at Mont-St-Anne (CAN) on Saturday and celebrated his first Crystal Globe.

He crossed first ahead of Cameron Bolton (AUS) and Czech Radek Houser, then repeated the feat on Sunday, beating Bolton in the final, with Leon Ulbricht (GER) finishing third.

Grondin finished the season with 952 points, an easy winner over Austria’s Alessandro Hammerle (604) and Bolton (552).

The women’s competition was tighter, with the seasonal title up for grabs. Beijing 2022 winner Charlotte Bankes (GBR) got her fourth win of the season on Saturday, this time over seasonal leader (and two-time Olympic medalist) Chloe Trespeuch (FRA) and Lea Casta (FRA), cutting Trespeuch’s lead to 742-657.

On Sunday, Bankes won again, beating 2018 Olympic champ Michela Moioli (ITA) and 2023 Worlds runner-up Josie Baff (AUS) to the line. But Trespeuch made the final and was fourth, scoring 50 points, to give her the seasonal trophy over Bankes, 792-757. Moioli was third at 704.

In the Slopestyle finale in Silvaplana (SUI), Canada’s Liam Brearley won for the second time this season in three events – two others were canceled due to weather – scoring 88.10 to 85.52 for Japan’s Taiga Hasegawa and 83.77 for Australia’s 2023 Worlds Halfpipe silver winner Valentino Guseli.

That was enough to give Brearley the seasonal title with 229 points, over 140 for Ruoma Kimata (JPN).

Japanese star Reira Iwabuchi was a clear winner in the women’s competition at 79.62, to 72.98 for Olympic bronze winner Kokomo Murase, and two-time Olympic Big Air champ Anna Gasser (AUT: 71.08).

Murase amassed 225 points to win the seasonal Crystal Globe over Iwabuchi (160).

● Swimming ● Italy swept the men’s medals at the World Aquatics Open Water World Cup season opener in Soma Bay (EGY), with 2022 Worlds runner-up Domenico Acerenza swimming away in the final 200 m to claim the victory.

Hungary’s 2022 World Junior 10 km champ David Betlehem led much of the race in windy conditions (and the resulting choppy seas), but the Italians emerged on the final lap, with Acerenza swimming to the win in 1:55:26.4. The 2022 World 10 km champ, Gregorio Paltrinieri was second (1:55:28.9), with Dario Verani (1:55:29.5) completing the sweep. Betlehem, 20, fell back to fifth (1:55:31.6);

Hungary’s Bettina Fabian looked well positioned in the women’s race – with calmer winds and seas – leading on the final lap, but was passed late by 2023 World Champion Leonie Beck (GER) by 0.4 at the touch: 2:04.31.0 to 2:04.31.4. Spain’s Angela Martinez was third in 2:04:33.8.

France’s Marc-Antoine Olivier won the 4 x 1,500 m relay by out-touching Italy’s Paltrinieri, 1:11:10.1 to 1:11:10.2! Germany was third at 1:11:17.6.

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TSX REPORT: Colon asks $30 million for SafeSport; Russian Deputy P.M. OK with Russians at Paris Games; Lyles aiming at records in 2024!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Upset Pairs World Champions Maxime Deschamps and Deanna Stellato-Dudek of Canada (Photo: ISU)

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Colon estimates SafeSport needs $30 million a year
2. Chernyshenko says Russians should go to Paris; Pozdnyakov blames U.S.
3. IBA decries IOC’s “circus management and clown behaviour”
4. Lyles knows what earns a 4×400 relay berth in Paris
5. U.S. survives, Mexico thrives in CONCACAF Nations League semis

● A U.S. House Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee hearing on Thursday explored the issues with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, focusing on changes in policies, procedures and funding. SafeSport chief executive Ju’Riese Colon said that at the current pace, a rise in funding to $30 million a year will be needed.

● The Russian Deputy Prime Minister said that if Russian athletes do not have to sign a declaration against the invasion of Ukraine, the decision whether to compete at the Paris Olympic Games should be up to them. The head of the Russian Olympic Committee blames the U.S. for the sanctions imposed by the International Olympic Committee.

● The International Boxing Association, head by Russian Umar Kremlev, once again criticized the IOC, this time focusing on Tuesday’s comments that unless a new international federation for Olympic boxing is formed – the IBA has been kicked out – the sport will not be included in the LA28 sports program. The IBA statement called the comments “circus management and clown behaviour from Thomas Bach’s camp.”

● Noah Lyles is the star of the latest World Athletics “Inside Track” podcast, talking about his goals for 2024 in the sprints and relay, and explaining that his added strength work allows him to think about a possible leg on the U./S. 4×400 m relay in Paris.

● At the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, the U.S. tied Jamaica in the final seconds of stoppage time, then won 3-1 in extra time. Mexico shut down Panama, 3-0, and will meet the U.S. for the championship on Sunday evening.

● World Championships: Figure Skating (Canada’s Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps surprise with Pairs gold; Uno leads men’s Short Program) ●

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (NFL Red Zone’s Scott Hanson to host Peacock “Gold Zone”) = International Olympic Committee (IOC hit by African Union fake calls) = World Anti-Doping Agency (2: Cambodia now non-compliant; guidance notes on recreational drugs) = France (sports minister reports 300+ accusations of abuse in 2023) = Cycling (Balsamo wins sprint for women’s Brugge-De Panne) = Skeleton (Yin wins Lake Placid World Cup finale, Weston wins season title) = Swimming (corporate “pool party” contest for U.S. Olympic Trials!) ●

1.
Colon estimates SafeSport needs $30 million a year

At a well-attended hearing of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, U.S. Center for SafeSport chief executive Ju’Riese Colon told legislators that an annual budget of $30 million is needed to deal with the current flood of cases:

“Based on the trajectory of cases, I would say that our budget needs to be around $30 million.”

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colorado), who has pushed for more governmental funding of SafeSport, observed, “One of the reasons we have these long delays right now, is because you simply don’t have enough investigators to investigate it as far as you want to.”

Colon agreed, and added “If we are to get 25%, 50%, 100% more cases over, let’s say, the next 3-5 years, we will continue to have this conversation [about delays].”

The Center’s 2022 Annual Report showed total revenues of $23.76 million, of which $20 million came from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and $2.39 million from the Federal government (94.2%).

Colon was one of four panelists, also including Nicole Deal, Senior Vice President for Security and Athlete Safety of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, former NWSL soccer player Mana Shim, now Chair of the U.S. Soccer Federation Participant Safety Task Force, and Craig Cress, chief executive of USA Softball.

Shim crystalized the view of many, noting “abuse in our sport was rooted in youth soccer,” and listing the primary legislative reforms desired by athletes and U.S. National Governing Bodies:

● “First, we need increased transparency by SafeSport. The lack of information sharing is standing in the way of protecting athletes from abuse. If SafeSport does not share information about the allegations it receives, its investigative process, or any findings it might make, we cannot develop an understanding of what appropriate safety measures can and should be instituted.”

● “Second, we need to limit the number of SafeSport investigations that end in administrative closure. Administrative closure is when SafeSport closes a matter without any findings, resolution on the merits, sanctions, or public record of the allegations.

“The administrative closure process leaves parties in limbo indefinitely or, worse, allows sexual predators to fall through the cracks and remain in the sport without restriction. This problem is made worse by the sheer volume of cases SafeSport ‘resolves’ in this manner. In soccer, approximately 89% of all cases involving sexual misconduct with no criminal disposition are administratively closed.”

● “Third, we need to ensure that U.S. Soccer and other NGBs can take action when SafeSport does not. When SafeSport administratively closes a matter, it maintains exclusive jurisdiction. If an NGB like U.S. Soccer tries to take any sort of action to protect athletes, SafeSport will report them to Congress and initiate an investigation against the NGB. We believe that NGBs should be allowed to take some form of action in cases following an administrative closure so they can ensure abuse does not occur in the future.”

● “Finally, we need to rethink the appeals process. SafeSport’s appeals process gives respondents who are found to have engaged in harassment or abuse the right to an entirely new fact-finding process. Rather than rely on the record of the original investigation, victims of abuse who were brave enough to participate in an investigation are forced to go through the process all over again.

“In cases where the victim is unwilling to participate in a second proceeding, SafeSport has vacated its findings, or arbitrators have overturned SafeSport’s decisions, resulting in SafeSport lifting sanctions against abusers, even after they had been found by substantial evidence to have committed sexual misconduct.”

Cress explained that the logic behind the original, 2017 SafeSport legislation was sound, but no longer applies:

“There seems to be an assumption that, by regulating the NGBs, all youth sports participants are covered and protected; however, that is an incorrect assumption.

“In just our sport of softball, there are at least 25 other organizations that are conducting softball events that are not obligated to meet SafeSport requirements or adhere to SafeSport policies, including the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies.

“This means that there are hundreds of thousands of youths participating in play where the adults are not SafeSport-educated and potentially not had any background check screening in just the sport of softball alone. Those athletes are as equally important and equally deserving of protection as the athletes participating in USA Softball programs – yet they are not receiving the benefit of those policies and procedures.”

In fact, Cress and Subcommittee Chair Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Virginia) both noted that some of these unregulated leagues actually promote themselves by stating that SafeSport oversight does not apply!

Colon was closely questioned about administrative closures; she explained:

“An administrative closure for us is a way for us to maintain the ability to re-open a case. … We hold on to cases in many instances through administrative closure to ensure we’re able to [allow survivors to go forward when they are ready.”

She acknowledged that the administrative closure procedure need to be “used more judiciously in the future” and that new processes are being developed. But Colon also said she wants to retain jurisdiction and not turn the cases back to the NGBs:

“I’m against that. … One of the reasons that we keep cases when we administrative close them is the ability to re-open them. What we would not want to happen is that if we were to hold that case, then the NGB would start to investigate again.

“We’ve had instances where athletes have called us and say, ‘Hey, wait a minute, SafeSport, you told me you were going to give this a hold, and then I got a call rom my NGB. We don’t want that to happen.

“We do recognize, however, that NGBs need additional information, however, in order to make better decisions, whether that is around safety planning, membership decisions or employment decisions.”

U.S. Soccer’s Shim said, “We see administrative closures, and have to affirmatively allow what we see as bad actors to re-enter our sport. And that’s an obvious problem.”

Another issue which surfaced was the maintenance of SafeSport’s Central Disciplinary Database, which includes individuals currently on suspension, but any mention of someone who has finished their sanction period is removed. In the parallel world of doping, there are extensive databases of athletes who have concluded their sanctions, but the information about their offense, and any sanctions and time served are available.

Deal explained, “It’s not evergreen. If someone has a suspension for two years, they’re on that CDD for two years and then they are removed. So what we are seeing now are the different NGBs putting that evergreen list on their sites.”

Colon added, “We also would also like to be able keep people on the CDD longer, we would require a legislative change to be able do that. I would also like to see other organizations outside of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement make use of this more regularly, so that when we are banning people from sport, they are not introducing them into other sports programs across the country.”

A bill in development by Rep. Deborah Ross (D-North Carolina) tentatively titled the “Safer Sports for Athletes Act of 2024″ will apparently be introduced soon and is being written to address multiple issues that were discussed in the hearing.

2.
Chernyshenko says Russians should go to Paris; Pozdnyakov blames U.S.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, who was also the head of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games organizing committee, gave the clearest signal yet that the Russian government will not prohibit its athletes from competing in Paris:

“The conditions created by the International Olympic Committee and international federations are such that practically none of our athletes will be able to go there and will not be able to qualify.

“There are quite a few sports where such an opportunity remains, and then national federations and the Russian Olympic Committee will have to make a decision together. If the athletes have the opportunity, then they probably should go.

“The assessment of the Olympics should be made by the athletes themselves. If the IOC officially confirms that the conditions under which eligible athletes must condemn the [invasion of Ukraine] or abandon their homeland are being lifted, then I think that there will be no legal obstacles for athletes to go to the Olympics.”

Comments from the International Olympic Committee and President Thomas Bach (GER) continue to aggravate the head of the Russian Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, who places the blame on the United States.

He wrote Thursday on his Telegram page (as reported in English by the Russian news agency TASS):

“Thomas Bach says that the restoration of relations between the IOC and Russia depends completely on the ROC.

“Are there any intelligent people left in the world of sport, who understand that the key to overcoming artificially created barriers in the Olympic family, which has been in the hands of Lausanne up to now, lies across the Atlantic Ocean?

“Today, the IOC, unfortunately lost its autonomy and independence, and this is clearly reflected in the mirror of the world. Therefore, all of their slogans and statements come from the other side of the mirror.”

Pozdnyakov referenced 19th Century British novelist Lewis Carroll to his comments to levitate his already-surreal comments:

“From the very beginning, the IOC openly chose the side of the political conflict, which in itself contradicts its mission, consistently fulfills an external political order to isolate Russian sports, and now it has gone so far as to delegate the right to approve the candidacies of Olympic participants from one country to the national Olympic Committee of another country. But at the same time, according to Lausanne, Russia is engaged in the politicization of sports.

“To sum up the IOC statements made over the past two days, there is a sneaking feeling that the leadership of this organization has been engulfed in a deep looking glass, where cause-and-effect relationships are being reversed, black is seen as white, and some kind of parallel universe has become reality.”

3.
IBA decries IOC’s “circus management and clown behaviour”

The announcement by IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell (NZL) at Tuesday’s news conference that “If there is no boxing body supported and driven by the National Federations, we will not be in a position to include boxing in the [2028] Olympic programme” set off a firestorm at the International Boxing Association, the now-former international governing body for the sport.

McConnell explained:

“So it’s now up to the National Federations to drive this change and to work to create a body that we can work in partnership with, because we cannot move forward with this current situation.

“The IOC Session in Mumbai in 2023 also made it clear that the IBA will not be involved in the organisation of the boxing tournament at LA28, should boxing be included in the sports programme.”

The IBA posted a lengthy reply on Thursday, quoting President Umar Kremlev (RUS) and repeating its list of grievances with the IOC in its now-familiar, colorful point-of-view, including:

● “The International Boxing Association (IBA) strongly condemns [IOC President] Thomas Bach, [Sports Director] Kit McConnell, [Executive Board member] Nenad Lalovic, and [Ethics and Compliance Director] Paquerette Girard Zappelli, as they continue to place themselves above the entire sports world in pursuit of their own harmful and politicized ambitions. Time for this organization to reflect and to understand their continued mistakes and to draw appropriate conclusions. The IOC leadership attempts again to destroy the sports family and violate all the rules of clear democracy and transparency.”

● “With their statements, the current IOC leadership deliberately creates a split, uncertainty, and instability in the sporting community. These individuals, by their actions, force athletes to become ‘slaves’ of this ridiculous situation whilst the current IOC leadership continue to take money from our athletes, lining their very own pockets.”

● “The reality and truth are that there is no alternative to the IBA as a governing body neither financially, nor in terms of organization and experience. With their statements, the ruling elite of the IOC constantly interferes in the affairs of the IBA and other international sports federations, violating the principles of its own Olympic Charter, freedom of speech and imposing its own fictitious rules.”

● “Circus management and clown behaviour from Thomas Bach’s camp is apparent; we continue to see this with those disappointing antics, with the IOC hiding their own personal gains to the detriment of others and our boxing community as a whole. IBA remains transparent and will continue to speak up for its loyal members.”

● “The clear goal of the IOC leadership is to destroy the IBA, this is undeniable. This continued attempt only puts them to shame, the facts are clear; the rogue organization has damaged the reputation of our sport, with no financial support from global sponsors (circa-900k annual budget), no experience or subject matter expertise to manage the sport globally. In addition, let’s not forget the grassroots of boxing, who will manage these competitions to bring up our athletes of the future?”

The IBA filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the withdrawal of recognition by the IOC last year as the recognized governing body for Olympic boxing. The new World Boxing groups held its organizing meeting last November and has 27 member federations so far.

Observed: The IBA’s whining and crying about the IOC is nothing new; he called IOC officials “like prostitutes in sports” last year and U.S. and Irish federation officials “hyenas and jackals” for leaving the IBA.

But the IBA correctly perceives McConnell’s comments as a direct threat, because the IBA will not be involved in Olympic boxing going forward. That means that its 195 member federations, most of whom are funded by their national governments, will not be involved in the Olympic Games and are therefore subject to be de-funded by those same governments.

Kremlev is hoping for help from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is unlikely. In any event, the IBA has no recourse against a decision by the IOC that it will not hold boxing in Los Angeles in 2028, and if that happens, the reason for governments to financially support national boxing federations is going to disappear.

McConnell was asked if 2027 was the deadline for a new international federation to emerge for boxing; he said it was “earlier than that.” So this issue will apparently be determined in the next couple of years.

4.
Lyles knows what earns a 4×400 relay berth in Paris

Yet another confirmation of Noah Lyles’ superstar status came in a World Athletics feature on Thursday, promoting his appearance on the “Inside Track” podcast, where he had a lot to say about his goals for 2024 and beyond. Highlights:

“For this year specifically, I want to solidify myself as the world’s fastest man in the 100 m and the 200 m. Breaking as many records as I can.

“I definitely have the American record in the 100 m [9.69] on my mind and even the world record [9.58]. In the 200 m, I have that idea of 19.10 just constantly in my head. I’ve already put together the data to say that I can do it. …

“Of course, I want L.A. [2028 Olympic Games] to be my magnum opus. It’s going to be in the U.S., I feel it’s happening in probably what’s going to be the greatest peak of my career.

“Of course, I want to show the world that when I leave the sport, it will be forever changed on the track, but that it will also be leaving with the greatest showman that track has ever seen. And then I want to create some new ideas. This doesn’t have to be just hardcore sport – this can be entertainment too.”

As for his thoughts of running a leg on the 4×400 m relay, for a possible fourth Olympic gold this summer, he explained that changes to his training is making this possible

“I am lifting a lot more; my body is taking on so much more load. I did the triple [in Budapest] and I was very shocked by how my body held up.

“Every time I go to track meets now it’s like, how many races can I get in? Because I am just constantly trying to push my body to a point where if it comes down to it – if I have the body and I am in the right headspace – I can drop a 44 or even a 43 split [in the 4x400m] at the end of some other great performances.”

At the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow (GBR), Lyles was second in the 60 m in 1 March, then ran a 45.68 third leg for the U.S.’s silver-medal men’s 4×400 m relay, the sixth-fastest leg in the race. But he’s going to have to go much faster to earn a spot in Paris; as an example, the top six finishers at the U.S. Olympic Trials for Tokyo in 2021 went 44.07-44.35-44.74-44.90-44.92-44.94. And that’s not counting add-ins like 400 m hurdles star Rai Benjamin, who anchored the Tokyo Olympic team to victory in 43.40!

He also commented on his exuberant fashion sense:

“I found fashion to be an outlet for creativity, which is what I am all about. I kept going with it.

“On Instagram, I’m looking at all these basketball players and football players and soccer players and they are on GQ all the time. I’m like, I can dress better than these guys! Why are we not on here!

“The subcultures of track are very small – we can make them bigger, and this is just one of those areas that we can increase.”

5.
U.S. survives, Mexico thrives in CONCACAF Nations League semis

Plenty of drama at the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where Jamaica was on the verge of beating the United States for the first time since 2019, but lost again, 3-1, in extra time.

The game started sensationally for Jamaica, with a goal in the first minute by defender Greg Leigh on a header from the left side of the penalty area off a cross from the far endline by attacking midfielder Bobby Decordova-Reid that went all the way over the goal, to where Leigh was running toward the U.S. net.

The U.S. dominated the rest of the half, but could not score, despite 83% possession and nine shots to four for Jamaica. Striker Folarin Balogun sent a header from the center of the box over the net in the 17th and midfielder Malik Tillman’s shot from in front of the net in the 45th was too soft and was blocked and saved.

The second half was more of the same. The U.S. completely dominated possession, but could not score. Sub midfielder Gio Reyna made a promising through-ball for Tillman in the 50th, as he was cutting to the net, but the pass went wide. Jamaica only challenged on counter-attacks, as in the 63rd, when Jamaican forward Renaldo Cephas out-ran the American defenders for a one-in-one shot against U.S. keeper Matt Turner, who saved the shot.

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter brought in more offense, with Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright in the 61st and Brenden Aaronson in the 76th, but nothing penetrated the packed-in Jamaican defense in front of keeper Andre Blake.

Pepi had a chance at 90+1 off a long cross from the right side, sending a right-footed shot at Blake from the middle of the box, but it was saved. The seconds were ticking away at 90+6 when midfield star Christian Pulisic sent the U.S.’s 10th corner to the near side of the Jamaican net, where it was headed on by defender Miles Robinson and stunningly bounced off the head of Jamaican sub forward Cory Burke on a flubbed clearance and past a stunned Burke for the 1-1 tie!

Regulation time ended with the U.S. at 20-5 on shots, Jamaica committing 18 fouls to eight for the U.S. and the Americans holding 82% possession.

On to extra time, with the U.S. still on offense, but this time with quick results, as Reyna sent a perfect lead to Wright, running in the box, who acquired possession and then sent a diagonal, left-footed skipper past Blake for the 2-1 lead in the 96th.

In the second extra period, the U.S. slammed the door in the 109th, as Reyna sent a right-footed pass that found Wright again in the clear. He found the ball, spun around a defender and sent a right-footer past Blake to the far side of the net for a 3-1 lead. No goals for 95 minutes and then three in the next 10!

The U.S. finished with 78% possession and 25 shots, to six for Jamaica. The win sends the Americans – who won the first two CONCACAF Nations League titles in 2021 and 2023, to the final once again, extending a seven-game unbeaten streak over the last five years against Jamaica.

Top-seeded Panama met Mexico in the second semi, and the Mexicans broke through with two goals before halftime, on an Edson Alvarez header in the 40th and Julian Quinones in the 43rd, who scored from the center of the box, but confirmed only after a video review.

Sub midfielder Orbelin Pineda made it 3-0 in the 67th with a shot from outside the box that assured the outcome. Panama enjoyed 59% of possession and had 18 shots to six for Mexico, but only five were on target, all saved by Mexican keeper Memo Ochoa.

And so it will be the U.S. and Mexico in Sunday’s championship final, a re-match of the inaugural final from 2021, won by the U.S. in Denver, 3-2, in extra time.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Figure Skating ● It wasn’t supposed to be this way, but the home favorites came through with an upset win at the 2024 ISU World Championships at the Bell Centre in Montreal (CAN).

Canada’s Deanna Stellato-Dudek (40) and Maxime Deschamps (32), who finished fourth at the 2023 Worlds in their only appearance together, led the Short Program with a sensational lifetime best of 77.48, more than four points better than their prior 73.05 best. But could they repeat that in the Free Skate?

No problem! As the penultimate skaters, they were brilliant and scored a lifetime best in the Free Skate at 144.08 for a 221.56 total, nearly seven points more than they ever scored before, and won Canada’s first Worlds gold in Pairs since 2016. Said Deschamps:

“At the end of our program I felt nothing but pride. Deanna was sick, our training session was difficult today, but we kept at it and pulled through. She is a warrior. The only three words I had for her at the end of the performance was: We did it! It was great to be able to have a winning performance in front of family and friends at the Bell Centre. I am speechless. I will remember this moment for the rest of my life. It’s an incredible moment I lived tonight with Deanna.”

They had to wait for defending champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara (JPN) to skate, but they would have had to score a 4.35-point personal record to win. Miura and Kihara were game, and won the Free Skate with a lifetime best of 144.35 (old best, 143.69), but had to settle for their second silver in three years with a total of 217.88.

Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin won their country’s first Pairs medal since 2017 with a strong Free Skate and moved up from fourth to the bronze, with 210.40 points.

The U.S. entries finished 11-12-13, with national champions Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea (180.41), Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe (175.44) and Valentina Plazas and Maximiliano Fernandez (174.15).

In the men’s Short Program, two-time defending champion Shoma Uno (JPN) was on top, scoring a season’s best of 107.72, ahead of teammate and 2021 and 2022 runner-up Yuma Kagiyama (106.35) and Americans Ilia Malinin (105.97) and Jason Brown (93.87). Each of the top three had two quad jumps in their routines, with many more coming in the Free Skate on Saturday.

Said Uno: “I felt really well while skating and the audience was great and they pushed me to skate and perform even better. Although my combination jump was not the best one I could have done, my first jump received very high marks, which helped me to get a high score overall.”

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● NBC is taking no chances with its “Gold Zone” program for its Peacock steaming service for Paris 2024, announcing Wednesday that Scott Hanson, who hosts “NFL Red Zone” for the NFL Network, will also host a portion of the daily “Gold Zone” show this summer.

SportsMediaWatch.com reported that Hanson will open the daily coverage at 7 a.m. Eastern during the Games, then hand off to Andrew Siciliano – who hosted the “Gold Zone” for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 – and closing each day (at 5 p.m. Eastern) with “American Ninja Warrior” hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila.

● International Olympic Committee ● The IOC posted a notice Thursday about a continuing disinformation campaign against it, including:

“Fake calls [to the IOC] purporting to be from the African Union Commission appear to have been made by the very same [Russian] group that has already attacked a number of global political leaders and other high-ranking personalities in the same way.

“During the calls, a person pretending to be the Chair of the African Union Commission wanted to have arguments in particular from the IOC against the politicisation of sport by the Russian government, in order to prepare a statement against such politicisation.”

The African Union Commission does exist; it is the administrative arm of the African Union and is headquartered in Ethiopia.

● World Anti-Doping Agency ● On Monday, WADA designated the Cambodian Anti-Doping Agency (CADA) as non-compliant, “related to the implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) in its legal system.”

This means that the Cambodian flag will not be flown or shown at the Olympic or Paralympic Games until reinstated.

WADA restated its guidance note on recreational drugs – cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and cannabis – which are known as “substances of abuse” in the anti-doping parlance, reiterating:

“As per Code Article 10.2.4.1, where the Anti-Doping Rule Violation involves a Substance of Abuse and ‘the Athlete can establish that any ingestion or Use occurred Out-of-Competition and was unrelated to sport performance, then the period of Ineligibility shall be three (3) months. In addition, the period of Ineligibility calculated may be reduced to one (1) month if the Athlete or other Person satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment program approved by the Anti-Doping Organization with Results Management responsibility.’”

An in-competition positive for these drugs will lead to much longer suspensions

● France ● Abuse in sport goes far beyond the U.S., as French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera told a Paris news conference that more than 300 French coaches, teachers and sports officials were accused of sexual abuse, or tried to cover it up, in 2023.

She said that of the victims, 81% were female and the accused or actual perpetrators were 90% men. The Associated Press reported:

“Since 2020, complaints have been filed against 1,284 coaches, teachers and sports officials. Of those, 186 faced criminal proceedings and 624 have been sanctioned with temporary or permanent bans.”

During 2023, complaints were made against 377 individuals; of these, 293 were coaches and 15 were sports officials. Of these, 176 have been banned – either temporarily or permanently – and 36 have or are facing criminal prosecution..

● Cycling ● The UCI Women World Tour Classic Brugge-DePanne in Belgium was – just as the men’s race on Wednesday – a mad dash for the finish, and just as in the men’s race, a second straight win for a star sprinter.

Belgian Jasper Philipsen won both Milan-Sanremo and Brugge-DePanne, and in the women’s 155 km ride, it was Italy’s Elisa Balsamo, who won last Sunday’s Trofeo Alfredo Binda title, who got to the line first.

The flat route set up the race for a finish dash and Balsamo crossed in 3:49:56, with the top 77 all given the same time. She won over Charlotte Kool (NED), Daria Pikulik (POL) and Italy’s Chiara Consonni, with American Chloe Dygert in sixth.

It’s the second Brugge-DePanne win for Balsamo, 26, who also won in 2022.

● Skeleton ● The opening day of the final IBSF World Cup, in Lake Placid (USA), saw emerging Chinese star Zheng Yin take his third straight World Cup gold, but Britain’s Matt Weston won the seasonal title.

Yin won the first heat and placed second in heat two, finishing at 1:46.97, to 1:47.01 for Britain’s Marcus Wyatt and 1:47.34 for Amedeo Bagnis (ITA). American Austin Florian was 10th, but was the winner of the Pan American Championships being held concurrently.

Weston, the 2023 World Champion, finished with 1,523 points to leapfrog 2022 Olympic champ Christopher Grotheer (GER: 1,494), with Yin third (1,453). The competitions continue through Sunday.

● Swimming ● USA Swimming is going all-out for a big turnout on the first night of the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis on 15 June, announcing the Swim Trials Pool Party Ticket Challenge:

“Each session ticket (June 15-23) purchased by an employee scores a point for their company. Tickets purchased for June 15 receive double points as part of the effort to set the record for the largest swim meet ever on opening night. The company with the most points, relative to the size of its employee count, will win the pool party for 50 of their employees. Floats, noodles, and beach balls will be provided!”

There are divisions for companies with 25-100 employees and for those with more than 100. There will even be a leaderboard posted by USA Swimming, through 14 June. The event will be held inside the Lucas Oil Stadium, normally the home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

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TSX REPORT: IOC’s Bach reports Paris 2024 “on track,” Russian insults called “a new low”; U.S. Senate hearing talks SafeSport improvement

By
Rich Perelman
-
U.S. Center for SafeSport chief executive Ju'Riese Colon at a 2024 U.S. Senate committee hearing (U.S. Senate Commerce Committee video screen shot)

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Bach: “Paris is on track to welcome the world”
2. IOC blasts Russian insults of it and Bach as “a new low”
3. Bach calls Brisbane 2032 worries “fake news”
4. U.S. Senate committee hearing focuses on SafeSport
5. NBC announces re-formatted Peacock for Paris 2024

● International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach told reporters that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are “on track” for a successful staging in July, with full confidence in the organizers and the French security authorities.

● In view of highly insulting Russian comments about the IOC, including “racism and neo-Nazism,” spokesman Mark Adams said the language was “unacceptable” and “reaches a new low.”

● Bach called reports of a discussion among Queensland officials to possibly renounce hosting of the 2032 Olympic Games “fake” and underscored the IOC’s strong preference for the use of existing and temporary facilities, not new ones.

● A U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing focused on issues with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and how improvements can be made, including consideration of federal funding and a revision of the jurisdiction of the Center vis-a-vis the U.S. National Governing Bodies.

● NBC shared details of new features of its Peacock streaming service for the 2024 Games, including an NFL RedZone-like “Gold Zone” to follow the hottest events taking place in Paris and ways to easily transfer from seeing multiple sports on the same screen to following the one you like best, right now.

● World Championships: Figure Skating (Hendrickx and Levito 1-2 after women’s Short; Canada leads in Pairs, in Montreal) ●

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (2: football draws completed; Champions Plaza available for medal re-allocations presentations in Paris) = Boxing (World Boxing invites federations to join) = Cycling (Philipsen sprints to win at Classic Brugge-De Panne) = Shooting (USA Shooting confirms Paris Shotgun team) = Volleyball (2025 FIVB men’s Worlds in the Philippines) ●

1.
Bach: “Paris is on track to welcome the world”

“The preparations are going extremely well. …

“All together, Paris is on track to welcome the world and to deliver exceptional Olympic Games, in line – and fully in line, from the start to the finish – with Olympic Agenda 2020.

“So these Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be younger, they will be more urban, they will be more inclusive, they will be more sustainable and, as you know, the IOC has allocated the same number of quota places for male athletes and for female athletes, so they will be the first Olympic Games with full gender parity.”

That’s International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach (GER) giving the Paris 2024 status in a nutshell, speaking at a Wednesday news conference following the close of the two-day IOC Executive Board meetings; the Board received briefings from the organizing committee during its session yesterday.

He noted one significant issue that added time was spent on:

“We talked also about what has to be on everybody’s mind and what unfortunately you know has to be a major concern for every organizer of a big event in world, and this is security.

“There, we received another very comprehensive report by the [French] Interministerial Delegate [for Sport], Mr. Michel Cadot, and as a result, I can inform you that we have full confidence in the French authorities, and the French authorities, [in] their turn they can also benefit from a very close cooperation with their international partners.”

And Bach reiterated his hope that the Paris Games can be a hopeful event in a difficult world:

“The people around the globe are fed up with all the hate, the aggression, the extremely negative news, wars, conflicts they are facing day in and day out. And you really get the feeling that they, as we, in our hearts, they are longing for a positive message. They are looking for something what is unifying them in all these divisions and aggression. And they are looking for something what gives us hope in these otherwise so dark times.”

Asked if the IOC can actually help make peace, Bach once again explained the IOC’s position in the world and what it can contribute:

“We don’t have the power to make peace and to convince people not to hate each other, not to be so aggressive. Our mission is to send a signal, to set a symbol that despite all of these what is happening in the world, it is still possible to come together. And this is what we feel and … that this is a feeling of many, many millions or even billions of people around the globe.”

2.
IOC blasts Russian insults of it and Bach as “a new low”

That there were no questions about construction delays, strikes or boycotts says that the Paris Games are moving ahead nicely. But there was nothing nice about Russian replies to the IOC Executive Board announcements from Tuesday, including the introduction of the “AIN” (neutral athlete) flag and anthem, the AIN Eligibility Review Panel and that Russian and Belarusian athletes who are allowed to compete in Paris will not participate in the opening on 26 July.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova ripped into the IOC’s conditions for Paris participation and its criticism of September’s World Friendship Games:

“Absolutely unacceptable, not just politicized, but indeed standing on a par with decisions supported by racial discrimination, is the statement of the International Olympic Committee, which directly called on athletes and states to refuse to participate in the international competition World Friendship Games.

“These decisions demonstrate how far the International Olympic Committee has departed from its stated principles in favor of political expediency and slipped into racism and neo-Nazism.”

She further said that the accusation that Russia is politicizing sports through the staging of the World Friendship Games is “absolutely groundless. This is disinformation. This is what in the West is called fakes.

“Russia is open to sports interaction with all countries on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, in accordance with the spirit and principles of Olympism. … We stand for honest, fair competition.”

Bach was asked about this and replied:

“This is, unfortunately, only one quote, and you know, there are a number of more quotes coming from Russia which are extremely aggressive, and since some of them are personal also, if you allow, I would like to ask Mark Adams to respond to this question.”

Adams (GBR), the IOC spokesman, read a prepared statement:

“We’ve seen some very aggressive statements coming out of Russia today, but there is one comment even which is going beyond that and we’ve even seen amongst one of two ones that link the president, his nationality and the Holocaust, and this is completely unacceptable and reaches a new low.”

But there were others in the same vein. The head of the Russian Wrestling Federation, Mikhail Mamiashvili, raged to the Russian news agency TASS:

“In general terms, everything is clear: not to sit at the table where white people sit.

“That’s why the IOC, a commercial cut-and-sew tent, adopted draconian recommendations, after which [Russian Olympic Greco-Roman 97 kg champ Musa] Evloev, who was photographed in front of a poster with the words ‘No to Nazism,’ has no right to participate in the selection? Is that why we can’t go as a team?

“Condemnation [of the Ukraine invasion], thank God, we do not need; we bow at the feet, kiss the hands, we have been blessed. And then what do the thieves check – who created companies that check for involvement – loyalty and disloyalty? How is that? And where is this said in the Olympic Charter? I’ve been trying to find it in it for two years, but I still can’t find it.

“All this raises a huge number of questions. ‘We’re letting you go, just be good boys.’ What did they call it in the concentration camps, ‘sterilize’? And I don’t want to hear this anthem, why do I need it? I have my own, of my country, where I live.

“Evloev has been preparing for two years, and now who will be responsible for all this? You are members of the IOC, you have a Charter. And if you don’t, then officially take an anti-Russian political position, but you will no longer have the right to be a member of the IOC. What respect do you want for yourselves if you have trampled on everything?”

(Worth noting: Russian propaganda has characterized Ukraine, a democracy, as a “Nazi” state as a justification for its continuing invasion.)

Svetlana Zhurova, a member of the Russian Duma and the Turin 2006 women’s 500 m speed skating winner, continued with her view that the IOC is trying to force a Russian boycott:

“They will follow the path when in the history of the Olympic Games there will be no champions from Russia. As if they will be erased from history, they say, no one is obliging them to write that there were such people. They do this so that we ourselves refuse to go to Paris.

“It’s best for the IOC that we boycott, we’ll give them grist to the mill. To get rid of this problem. And if someone is allowed in, then countries can start boycotting the competition. I think that the guys in such conditions are unlikely to agree [for participation]. There, most likely, many legal nuances are hidden, in particular this concerns the signing of various documents for participation in the Olympics.”

Zhurova appears to be on her own planet; the IOC flatly stated on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian “neutrals” will not be required to sign any declaration related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also weighed in on the IOC’s decisions, but with a more balanced approach:

“We perceive this negatively, of course. This is the destruction of the idea of Olympism, this is an infringement of the interests of athletes, Olympians. Of course, this is absolutely contrary to the entire ideology of the Olympic movement, it absolutely does not look good on the IOC.

“As for participation, we paid attention to the statements of one of the IOC representatives that there will be no requirements, no additional papers need to be signed, and so on. This is rather positive information. And then we will continue to observe.”

Asked if he spoken to anyone in Russia about this or other matters, Bach stated, “No, I have not talked to a minister, or an advisor, or an elected official. I have not talked to the National Olympic Committee. No. I think that answers your question.”

Bach was also asked about what it will take for Russia to return to the good graces of the IOC, and had a concise answer:

“That’s very clear: everybody who is following the rules is welcome in the Olympic Movement. So the moment the Russian Olympic Committee is following the rules, they are welcome. And so the ball is in their court at this moment. …

“It’s in their hands.”

3.
Bach calls Brisbane 2032 worries “fake news”

Bach was asked about the controversies in Brisbane for the 2032 Games, amid a report that the Queensland government considered whether to renounce the Games on cost concerns:

“This is mere speculation; all the actors have made it very clear there was no mention of this in any of the conversations or planning they had, so this was some kind of fake news apparently.”

He was further asked whether the IOC was concerned over the decision not to build a large new stadium for the Games, and reacted consistently with his position that has been a major reform he has introduced to the Olympic Movement:

“I can only refer, you know, to the candidature of Brisbane, where it was said that no new stadium or venue would be built for the Games. And this is our position, that we want to have Games being in line with Olympic Agenda 2020, and that means making use of existing venues as far as possible, and if not, looking for temporary facilities, and I understand from two days discussion that there are some scenarios being discussed now after this independent review. …

“At this moment in time, I think we are all aligned with these principles, so I do not have at this moment, major concern.”

The question was asked again, and this time it was Christophe Dubi (SUI), the IOC’s Olympic Games Executive Director who answered in detail:

“We should all take pride in being consistent in what we have said at the time, which are Games that do deliver the goods for the host community. And it’s very important to maintain this line that we said the Games would adapt to the local conditions. It was also the case that maximum use of existing or temporary venues would be made.

“Of course, in this we have no judgement of value with respect to the final venue that will be used. Now there are different scenarios, indeed, President, that were floated and that was the crux of the [Brisbane venue review] report, with one of them being the creation of a new stadium in a new location in Victoria Park. But we understand that the preference would be to look into the renovation of an existing facility.

“And as far as we are concerned, this is a choice that has to be made by the local communities and we will obviously adapt, whatever the size of that stadium will be and whatever the location will be.

“What is of central importance, though, is that the experience for the athletes remains and as far as we are concerned this is the only guiding principle that we have established. And we have received full assurance that it would be the case. …

“The size does not matter. What really is important is to consider the legacy, the choice of the given community. As far as the IOC and the federations we do adapt, we don’t have minimum standards any more. And that’s probably also why so many cities are interested for the future because they know they don’t have to build huge venues. Existing or temporary, whatever the size, we will adapt.”

4.
U.S. Senate committee hearing focuses on SafeSport

In an 80-minute hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) essentially summarized the program in her opening statement:

“The mental-health epidemic in this country, coupled with the increasing reports of abuse of athletes, demands that SafeSport get busy, get your act together and live up to your mission.”

This was essentially a re-hash of the September 2023 hearing of the Commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics, with Co-Chair Dionne Koller explaining:

“Our Commission carried out the most comprehensive analysis of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement and its governance ever undertaken. Ours was the first independent governmental and bipartisan commission tasked with evaluating this Movement broadly in more than four decades. …

“The findings we shared demonstrate the urgent need for systemic reforms if our nation is to make Movement sports safer, more equitably accessible and better accountable to the public it serves.”

As was the case in the Commission hearing, the U.S. Center for SafeSport chief executive, Ju’Riese Colon, was the central witness and said that new procedures to help streamline its procedures are being announced in the next week or so and would be implemented by 1 April. She admitted that improvement is needed, caused in part by the exponentially-expanding workload:

“When the Center opened our doors seven years ago, we were faced with a daunting task, to undue years of inaction. … Our work has been a catalyst for culture change.

“Reports of abuse and misconduct have increased by more than 2,000% since opening. People are coming forward with their stories, because they know the Center is a resource to them. In our first year, we received roughly 300 reports; last year, we received 7,500, and to date, the Center has received more than 25,000 reports of abuse and misconduct.

“The names of more than 2,000 individuals are now listed on our Centralized Disciplinary Database. It’s a first-of-its-kind resource, listing individuals who have been restricted or banned from sport, which any parent, local sports league, youth service organization or employer can easily access from our Web site.

“And we’ve delivered more than five million trainings to more than 2 1/2 million participants in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.”

But she also recognized the situation:

“We are very clear-eyed about why we are here today. … We know change is necessary and are ready to make improvements, particularly as it relates to timeliness of investigations, communication and trauma sensitivity. …

“We must continue to listen and to evolve. We pledge to continue to seek athlete input, and keep Congress and the public informed. This is an inflection point for the Center, and for the entire U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement.”

Colon finished her statement with the expected request for more money, but also what that money will buy:

“Increased resources are necessary to these efforts. We expect reports to continue to grow exponentially, especially as new sports such as flag football and lacrosse have a potential to add more than a million individuals to the Movement.

“With additional resources, the Center will move forward with setting maximum ceilings on timeframes for case resolutions, as well as add additional investigative staff to meet the growing demand.”

Grace French, a Larry Nassar abuse survivor and founder of The Army of Survivors, touched on the main athlete complaints about SafeSport:

“The bottom line is SafeSport does not have the trust and respect of athletes, coaches, families or sports communities. For some athletes, reporting to SafeSport can be a first step to healing and accountability, but from our experience, no athlete has seen the Center that way. …

“My primary concern lies in the re-traumatization of survivors of sexual abuse within the SafeSport process. These survivors have been disregarded, hushed through non-disclosure agreements and subjected to excessively lengthy investigations, some lasting years.

“Second, SafeSport must increase transparency of its process and improve communication. SafeSport arbitrarily closes cases without providing details to survivors, and retaining jurisdiction even after closure. This hinders external investigations and accountability.”

USA Hockey Executive Director Pat Kelleher, also the head of the U.S. NGB Council, expressed the concerns of the National Governing Bodies, whose programs are where problems can begin:

● “We believe that all youth sporting organizations should be subject to the same standards NGBs are required to have in place, including background screens, SafeSport training, mandatory reporting and monitoring and auditing of their programs to ensure compliance.”

● “The reason we are all here is because our greater sporting community, including the NGBs, have lost faith that the Center will timely, promptly and fairly resolve cases of misconduct.”

● “As the federal government has mandated the operation of the Center, we firmly believe the Center should be federally funded, subject to Congressional oversight.”

Kelleher suggested changes so that SafeSport would be “exercising jurisdiction only over the most egregious cases that require Center involvement,” significantly improve its communications and transparency, and reach “a decision on the merits for every case for which it accepts jurisdiction, which would reduce the number of administrative closures and free up the Center’s resources to address the most serious cases.”

But he was also clear that “anything sexual in nature, needs to go to the Center.”

Colon, French and Kelleher all testified at the Commission hearing last September.

Koller also promoted other aspects of the Commission report, such as independent funding for the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, and removing coordination of youth sport from the responsibility of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the U.S. National Governing Bodies, but these drew no interest from the senators.

On Thursday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will have a hearing on “Timeout: Evaluating Safety Measures Implemented to Protect Athletes” at 10:30 a.m. Eastern.

5.
NBC announces re-formatted Peacock for Paris 2024

One of the areas which clearly needed revision in NBC’s online presentation of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games was helping viewers find what they wanted to watch on the Peacock streaming service.

NBC announced Wednesday that it has developed multiple new approaches for Paris 2024:

● “Peacock Live Actions,” an interactive tool to allow viewers to find what they want, including the new “Gold Zone” – think NFL Red Zone for the Olympics – which moves from event to event, but allows viewers to choose to concentrate on a specific event.

● “Peacock Discovery Multiview,” another Red Zone-like concept, with four events being shown at once and the ability to click to watch any single event. Up to four Multiview options – 16 screens – will be available at any one time.

There will also be a “Spotlight” feed of the prime events live, a “Browse by Sport” option, a “Search by Star Athlete” for live events or replays and a better, interactive schedule of the competitions.

All pretty important with 329 events being contested across the Games.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Figure Skating ● The ISU World Championships opened in Montreal (CAN), with two-time Worlds medal winner Loena Hendrickx (BEL) leading the women’s competition after the Short Program.

Hendrickx, the 2022 silver and 2023 Worlds bronze winner, posted a seasonal best of 76.98 to lead by more than three points over American Isabeau Levito (73.73), 2023 runner-up Hae-in Lee of Korea (73.55) and two-time defending champ Kaori Sakamoto of Japan (73.29).

Amber Glenn of the U.S. suffered a fall and was ninth at 64.53, but qualified for the finals.

In the Pairs Short Program, home favorites Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps – fourth in 2023 – took a sizable lead on Japan’s defending champs Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, with a huge lifetime best total of 77.48 points. Miura and Kihara stand second at 73.53, followed by Italy’s Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii (72.88).

Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea were the top Americans, in 10th at 64.44. The Worlds continue through Saturday.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The draws for men’s and women’s football were completed and the groups set for Paris, with a few qualifying spots still to be filled:

Men:
● A: France, United States, New Zealand, playoff winner
● B: Argentina, Morocco, Ukraine, Asia no. 3
● C: Spain, Egypt, Dominican Rep., Asia no. 2
● D: Paraguay, Mali, Israel, Asia no. 1

Women (with world rankings):
● A: France (3), Colombia (23), Canada (9), New Zealand (28)
● B: United States (4), Germany (5), Australia (12), Zambia or Morocco
● C: Spain (1), Japan (7), Brazil (10), Nigeria or South Africa

The men’s competition is for players ages 23 and under, except for three designated players, so the FIFA rankings are of only marginal use.

The new “Champions Park” concept for Paris 2024, placed in the center of Paris at the Trocadero Gardens, brings some of the vibe of the Winter Olympic Medal Plaza to the summer Games, offering music and live events on a giant screen, but also appearances by Games medal winners.

Athletes who won medals on the prior day and have concluded their competitions will be invited for a parade from 5:30 to 7 p.m. daily. The IOC confirmed this week that the Champions Park can also be used for medal re-allocation ceremonies from prior Games, at the discretion of the athlete(s) involved.

The suggestion was made by the IOC Athletes’ Commission and approved by the Executive Board.

● Boxing ● The fledgling World Boxing group issued a statement in response to the IOC Executive Board’s challenge to national federations to form a new International Federation in order to retain boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, including:

“World Boxing will seek recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and, should it choose to engage with us, we are committed to working constructively and collaboratively with National Federations and all stakeholders to develop a pathway that will preserve boxing’s place on the Olympic programme at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.

“With its comments, the IOC has sent a direct and unequivocal message to everyone connected with the sport and we call upon all National Federations and everyone that cares about boxers and the future of boxing to join and support World Boxing and work with us to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.”

● Cycling ● The red-hot Belgian sprinter Jasper Philipsen successfully defended his 2023 victory at the UCI World Tour’s 48th men’s Classic Brugge-De Panne in Belgium on Wednesday.

Fresh from his victory at Milan-Sanremo on the weekend, Philipsen was perfectly suited to the flat, 198.9 km course and won in 4:22:22, racing to the line ahead of countryman Tim Melier, Dutch rider Danny van Poppel, Jason Tesson (FRA) and Simone Consolini (ITA).

● Shooting ● USA Shooting confirmed the eight Shotgun athletes who have earned Olympic selection for Paris:

● Skeet/Men: Vincent Hancock (5th Olympics), Conner Prince (1st)
● Skeet/Women: Austen Smith (2nd), Dania Vizzi (1st)

● Trap/Men: Derrick Mein (2nd), Will Hinton (1st)
● Trap/Women: Rachel Tozier (1st), Ryann Phillips (1st)

Hancock has already won three Olympic golds and is trying to become the first U.S. shooter to win four.

● Volleyball ● The Philippines will host the FIVB men’s World Volleyball Championship in 2025.

It’s only the third time the men’s Worlds will be held in Asia, with Japan hosting in 1998 and 2006. The tournament will feature 32 teams from 12-28 September.

The Philippines is becoming more aggressive in pursuing major championship events, having hosted group and playoff matches of the 2023 FIBA men’s World Cup.

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