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THE TICKER: USOPC re-structuring tosses Adams and Penn; could New Balance’s showy new facility galvanize others? Riders in limbo via UCI’s harsh ban rules

By
Rich Perelman
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USOPC Chief Executive Sarah Hirshland

● Plus: Russia: Foreign athletes to be invited to summer aquatics festival = Athletics: public 5K to be added to Oregon Worlds = Bobsled: U.S. federation looking for new head coach = Skiing: FIS sub-committee clears ski-flying for women = Swimming: Schoenmaker to skip FINA Worlds for Commonwealth Games; ISL appoints new Commissioner and chief executive = Wrestling: U.S. turns to Ivanov to raise Greco success = SCOREBOARD/Athletics: how about those adidas and Florida 4×4 relay splits; Webb returns to the track at age 39 = Shooting: Germany and Norway best
at Rifle-Pistol ISSF Grand Prix ●

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus/updated/:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

Getting through the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, followed by the Beijing Olympic Winter and Winter Paralympic Games was a challenge for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, but one which was successfully completed.

Now comes the spring cleaning.

The Sports Business Journal reported last week that USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland informed the staff by video message that Chief of Sport Performance and National Governing Body Services Rick Adams and Chief of Business Operations Kevin Penn will be leaving as part of a restructuring.

In addition, USOPC Vice President for Bids & Protocol Chris Sullivan will be retiring, as has been expected. Chief of Athlete Services Bahati VanPelt, who had come with considerable fanfare from a long career with the National Football League and the NFL Players Association program, The Trust, left just prior to the Beijing Games after two years and four months.

Hirshland joined the USOPC as Chief Executive Officer in August 2018, following the exit of Scott Blackmun, who resigned in February of that year due to prostate cancer, and replacing interim chief executive Susanne Lyons, who became the USOPC Board Chair.

An re-organizational initiative within the USOPC will now see the athlete performance and athlete services groups combined into a single division, with a new head to be hired, and the business and legal operations merged under the direction of General Counsel Chris McCleary. A replacement will be hired for Sullivan, who will help with the transition.

While Penn had been with the USOPC since July 2016, Adams and Sullivan represented significant institutional memory and experience. Adams joined the then-USOC in 2010, dealing with the National Governing Bodies and sport performance. Sullivan’s tenure goes back to 1997, when he came from Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid, New York.

The Sports Business Journal story noted that there is no specified date for Adams or Penn to leave the organization.

With long-time Board member Lyons concluding her term at the end of this year – she joined the Board in 2010 and was elected Chair in 2019 – the USOPC will be primarily in Hirshland’s control.

She spoke of “fundamental reform” of the organization – which had 567 employees as of the end of 2020 – during her video address, with an all-staff meeting held on Tuesday. Whatever her future plan is, it will be watched closely with the Paris Games now only two years away and an agreement with the Los Angeles 2028 organizers for the USOPC to receive more than $476 million from their joint marketing venture from 2021-28.

Hirshland is not universally popular, but who is? But with Paris 2024 and LA28 on the horizon, not to mention Salt Lake City’s bid for the 2030 Winter Games, this is the right time to leap towards the future. The question is, where is the USOPC headed and how will it get there?

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Russia ● The Russian sports ministry and national federations have been chatting about separate competitions for their athletes, now banned by the International Olympic Committee and nearly all of the International Federations.

Is this the start of a separatist movement by Russia? On Tuesday, Olga Pavlova, the Vice President of the Russian Federation of Synchronized Swimming, told TASS that foreign countries would be invited to compete in Kazan (RUS) at a summer “Friendship Games”:

“We are working hard. All the countries of the Caribbean, Venezuela, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, we will contact everyone, we want to see China. We are working, we are waiting for these competitions.”

Other aquatic-sport invitations are being planned; earlier this year, the Russians staged a nine-nation Paralympic winter festival to give Russian Paralympic athletes a chance to compete after they were banned from the Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing.

● Athletics ● Although there was a massive grand opening and even a staged time trial to beat the “world record” in the women’s indoor Distance Medley on Friday evening, the long-term impact of the new The TRACK at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts may be much more important than anyone realizes.

Although not in the same league as Nike and adidas, New Balance is a $4 billion-plus company in annual sales and has been increasingly aggressive with signings of elite athletes, such as Sydney McLaughlin and Elle Purrier St. Pierre.

According to the company, the facility includes a 200 m indoor track with hydraulically-lifting turns and seating for up to 5,000, the ability to turn the infield into a playing field of various types, a separate throwing area, a court area with two basketball and volleyball layouts, a sports research laboratory, a 50,000 sq. ft. performance venue with a 60-foot-wide stage “and a Beer Hall named Broken Records where visitors can take in the action happening throughout the facility.”

What this does is create a training facility and a showcase for competitions as an extension of the company’s headquarters offices. It’s indoors and limited in size, but if this were to become a trend, consider the possibilities if larger players were to get involved in this way, combining a public, multi-purpose arena with a performance research and development program inside a major metropolitan center.

The race was held on Friday and the quartet of Heather MacLean (3:14.92), Kendall Ellis (52.05), Roisin Willis (2:03.30), and Purrier St. Pierre (4:23.55) dutifully ran under the recognized world best of 10:39.91 by the Nike Union Athletics Club from 11 February in Spokane, Washington.

(Update: David Monti of Race Results Weekly notes that while the Distance Medley is not a recognized event by World Athletics, it is a USATF-recognized event for record purposes and that there was a second team in the race, as required. Thanks, David!)

The annual New Balance Indoor Grand Prix will be held in this space in 2023 and the chatter is about future collegiate or open championship events. Interesting. Maybe game-changing?

World Athletics sponsor ASICS announced a public 5 km run as a part of the World Athletics Championships program this July in Eugene, Oregon.

The ASICS Uplift Oregon 5K will be held on Sunday, 17 July, the third day of the 2022 Worlds in Eugene, finishing outside Autzen Stadium, the football home of the Oregon Ducks, about 2 1/2 miles from Hayward Field.

The 5K course route will be run on a section of the course to be used for the Worlds marathons; registration is $50 with about 2,000 runners expected.

● Bobsled & Skeleton ● USA Bobsled & Skeleton is in the market for a new head coach for the bobsled discipline.

Coach Mike Kohn stepped down earlier this month after four seasons as head coach, citing a desire to spend more time with family. He had been part of the USABS coaching staff since 2011.

The job description requires “5+ years of sport-specific experience” and “Candidates must be willing and able to travel 120+ days per year, on the IBSF World Cup tour and to related bobsled and skeleton events.” In short:

“The Bobsled Head Coach is responsible for the leadership, development, and execution of the bobsled program to ensure optimal performance by USA athletes at domestic and international competitions, including the World Championships and Olympic Games.”

The no. 1 responsibility: “Create a culture of passion, teamwork, support, innovation, transparency, and clear communication throughout all aspects of USABS.”

● Cycling ● Italian road racer Nicola Conci is a victim of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, even though he is nowhere close to the war zone.

He is a 25-year-old rider on the Russian-named Gazprom-Rusvelo team that has been suspended by the Union Cycliste Internationale, and posted:

“The words of this post are addressed to the UCI. It’s 50 days already that me and my teammates of the ex-Gazprom Rusvelo Team have seen our right to do our job being revoked. We have seen our salaries and our goals being suspended.

“We waited and worked with you and [Professional Cyclists Association] in a professional way, but you now need to take your responsibilities and solve our situation. The time of answers has come. Stop talking start doing. Our future depends from your choices.”

The team is actually based in Italy, managed by a Swiss company and was sponsored by the German subsidiary of Russian energy giant Gazprom, but was shut down nonetheless. And the UCI is apparently not helping.

● Ski Jumping ● This sport is not for the feint of heart. Especially if you are jumping off the staggering 240 m Ski-Flying hills, for example in Vikersund (NOR). For older American fans, the image of Slovenian Vinko Bogataj crashing every week during the intro to ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” show – on a ski-flying hill – is an unforgettable image of what can happen in this sport.

But the women’s side of the sport has advanced far enough, with enough quality competitors, to begin ski-flying competitions. Probably. It was announced that the FIS Ski Jumping Sub-Committee voted 14-0 to allow jumping at Vikersund:

“We all agreed to open this door for the women. There are still many concerns and fears regarding safety and so on, but the time is right and we want the women to start on a Ski Flying hill.”

The decision was not to hold a World Cup yet, but likely “the 15 best athletes of the Raw Air overall ranking will be allowed to ski fly on the Monsterbakken in Vikersund in the final event of the Raw Air 2023.” The decision must be confirmed by the full Ski Jumping Committee in May.

● Swimming ● South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champ in the women’s 200 m Breaststroke and runner-up in the 100 m Breast, has declared herself out of the 2022 FINA World Championships in June and will compete in July’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

She follows multiple Australian swimming stars who are also skipping Budapest for Birmingham.

The International Swimming League is on hiatus in 2022, but founder Konstantin Grigorishin (UKR) has appointed Hong Kong tech company Voxoglass founders Ben Allen as Commissioner and Matt Dawe as chief executive.

Before the calamity in Ukraine collapsed the league’s planning 2022-23 season, it was already facing substantial losses of perhaps $20 million per year, a constantly-changing line-up of senior managers and contract staff and claims of non-payment from swimmers, teams and vendors.

● Wrestling ● USA Wrestling has turned to Bulgarian-born Ivan Ivanov, a 1994 Worlds silver medalist, to upgrade its Greco-Roman program.

The U.S. has won more Olympic medals in Freestyle wrestling – men and women combined – than any nation, with 123 since 1904 (52-38-33); Japan is second with 61 and the USSR and Russia combined have 90.

In Greco-Roman, however, the U.S. has won 15 medals all–time (3-6-6), compared with 60 for the USSR (plus 22 for Russia), and 58 each for Sweden and Finland. Enter Ivanov.

He won the 1994 Worlds silver at 62 kg and placed fifth in Atlanta in 1996. In the U.S., he has been a successful coach for decades, with his own wrestling club and school in Boise, Idaho. He coached at the U.S. Olympic Education Center in Marquette, Michigan and at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He is optimistic about the future:

“I am all about building a USA Greco-Roman identity, a style that is typical for America. It is our USA cultural style. This will be very specific for our country, for what we are trying to do.

“We need to find a way that we train while, at the same time, making it difficult for people to figure out what we are doing. We are not coming here to fight with rusty weapons, but with new weapons. This is who I am. I am very optimistic about U.S. Greco-Roman because we have a lot of resources.”

The U.S. record in Greco has been dismal, with the last medal (a bronze) in 2008. At Tokyo in 2021, the American entries finished 12th, 10th, 1th and seventh in the four classes it qualified for.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Athletics ● The astounding men’s 4×400 m at last weekend’s Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville is worth a deeper look, with a mixed-nations adidas team winning in 2:57.72 and Florida finishing a tight second with a collegiate record of 2:58.53. The splits, courtesy of Track Newsletter:

(1) adidas 2:57.72: Steven Gardiner (BAH) 44.2, Quincy Hall 44.6, Erriyon Knighton 45.1, Grant Holloway 43.8.

(2) Florida 2:58.53: Jacory Patterson 44.4, Ryan Willie 44.5, Jacob Miley 46.0, Champ Allison 43.6.

World 110 m hurdles champ Holloway ran 43.8?! U.S. coaches might want to remember that in the future; he also ran the third leg on the all-American adidas 4×100 m team – with Knighton on anchor – that ran 38.09 for the 2022 world lead.

American mile record holder Alan Webb popped up in the Little Rock Twilight 1,500 m on Friday, placing 13th in section two in 4:13.55. Now 39, he was an assistant coach at Arkansas-Little Rock before taking over at a high school in Little Rock for this season.

He has lifetime bests of 3:30.54 (1,500 m) and 3:46.91 (mile) from way back in 2007, but nice to see him on the track once again.

● Shooting ● The non-stop ISSF World Cup schedule saw the 10-day Rifle and Pistol competition in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) conclude on Monday, with Germany topping the medal table at 12 total (7-3-2), ahead of Norway (10: 3-4-3).

In the men’s 10 m Air Pistol, Slovakia’s Juraj Tuzinsky won gold over Robin Walter (GBR) by 16-6 in the final, and Germany defeated Iran, 16-10, in the men’s Team final. Germany’s Christian Reitz, the 2016 Olympic champ, defeated Tokyo 2020 winner Jean Quiquampoix in the 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol final, 29-27, with American Will Shaner third (20). Reitz got a second gold in the Team Rapid Fire Pistol as Germany skipped past Brazil, 17-1.

Zorana Arunovic (SRB), the 2010 World Champion, defeated Greece’s Rio 2016 25 m Pistol Olympic winner, Anna Korakaki in the women’s 10 m Air Pistol final, 16-6. Iran beat Thailand, 16-12, in the women’s Team final.

Camille Jedrzejewski of France won the women’s 25 m Pistol gold over Doreen Vennekamp (GER), 32-25, but Vennekamp led Germany to the Team win, 17-7, over Thailand.

Reitz and wife Sandra Reitz also won the Mixed Team 10 m Air Pistol event, 16-10, against Thailand.

Croatia’s Peter Gorsa won the men’s 10 m Air Rifle final, 16-4, over Israel’s Sergey Richter. The U.S. trio of Lucas Kozeniesky, Rylan Kissell and Shaner won the Team title, 16-12, over the Czech Republic.

Czech Jiri Privratsky won the men’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions gold, 16-10, against Simon Claussen of Norway and then the Czech team stomped Norway in the final of the Team 50 m Rifle event by 17-3.

German Anna Janssen defeated France’s Oceanne Muller, 17-7, in the women’s 10 m Air Rifle gold-medal match and then Janssen led the Germans to a 16-12 win over Norway in the Team Air Rifle final.

Norway scored a gold in the women’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions, with Jeanette Hegg Duestad defeating Janssen in the final, 16-6, and getting a second gold in the Team event, 16-4, over the American trio of Morgan Kreb, Mary Tucker and Sagen Maddalena.

In the Mixed Team finals, the Czech Republic edged Norway, 16-14, in the 10 m Air Rifle championship match, but the Norwegians got the gold in the Team 50 m/3 Positions final against the Czechs, 16-12.

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: Swiss government asks for ban on Russian officials; remembering T&F expert Dwain Esper; new USA Judo star Dominic Rodriguez

By
Rich Perelman
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Dwain Esper, Jr. doing what he loved best: announcing at UCLA's Drake Stadium circa 1971. (Photo: Damin Esper via Twitter).

(Dear readers: For those who might have missed Monday’s Boston Marathon story, please note that our competition coverage columns – such as Sunday’s Highlights summary of the week – are posted but not e-mailed as they are constantly updated. To be fully informed of all TSX posts when they go live, please follow us on Twitter.)

● Plus: Russia: New domestic “Grand Prix” circuit envisioned; RUSADA approves six TUE exemptions = Figure Skating: Russia may lose ISU Grand Prix slot = Gymnastics: Another $365,036 in legal fees in USA Gymnastics case = Modern Pentathlon: Russia’s Lesun quits sport over Ukraine invasion = Swimming: Aussie stars Chalmers, McKeon and Titmus skipping FINA Worlds for Commonwealth Games = Volleyball: FIVB picks Poland and Slovenia to host 2022 Worlds = Weightlifting: IWF picks Albania for key Electoral Congress; Osei and Miyake to Athletes Comm.; new “street” lifting event coming Saturday = SCOREBOARD/Athletics: Fast wins for Geremew and Melly at Seoul Marathon ●

News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

On 28 February, the International Olympic Committee called for a ban on Russian and Belarusian participation in international competitions in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Now the Swiss government is asking the IOC and the International Federations to ban Russian officials who continue to serve as officers and committee members.

The Swiss Minister of Sport, Viola Amherd, has asked IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) to exclude Russian and Belarusian officials from their positions within the IOC and in the international sports federations:

“According to [Swiss] Keystone-SDA news agency, the letter states that in view of the situation in Ukraine it is no longer sufficient to exclude athletes from the two countries from competitions abroad.”

On Monday, the IOC “justified the non-exclusion of Russian and Belarusian officials, saying IOC members are elected as individuals by the IOC and, according to the Olympic Charter, do not represent their country in the body.”

It added that it will continue to “denounce people and organizations ‘responsible for this war and violating the Olympic Truce.’”

The IOC maintains that its members are ambassadors of the Olympic Movement to their countries, but in most cases, the government-funded National Olympic Committees are the ones who nominate their country’s IOC members. The two Russian members are former tennis player and longtime coach Shamil Tarpischev (elected in 1994) and two-time women’s Olympic pole vault winner Yelena Isinbaeva, elected as an Athletes’ Commission member in 2016.

Neither is a member of the IOC Executive Board, or active in the IOC’s decision-making processes.

Russia’s Dmitry Svishchev, the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports, told TASS on Monday:

“[I]n general, such a line of thought from the IOC is direct discrimination [and] once again speaks of the politicization of the Olympic movement, which the IOC has embarked on for some reason. … Sport cannot be an instrument of pressure or politics.”

As for the International Federations – most of which are headquartered in Switzerland – three have Russian Presidents. Umar Kremlev is the head of the International Boxing Association; Vladimir Lisin – an oligarch who owns one of Russia’s largest steel companies – is the head of the International Sport Shooting Federation and Alisher Usmanov, a metals and mining magnate, is the head of the International Fencing Federation, but has stepped away from his position while trying to clear his name. The only Russian who is the chief executive or a Secretary General of an IF is Alexander Ratner in shooting.

Other than Usmanov, the others are still serving in their positions.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Russia ● Since Russia cannot compete in most international competitions, it is planning to hold its own. Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said last Thursday:

“We jointly with the sports federations are considering a large-scale format of organizing tournaments to give, on the one hand, an opportunity for athletes to compete, and, on the other, to give an opportunity for Russian fans to watch their athletes compete. …

“We are planning to organize Grands Prix in figure skating, gymnastics and many other sports, to allow many [Russian] regions and cities to see competitions of our strongest athletes, who had been absent abroad for a long time.

“It will be also a good chance to popularize sports and to raise the patriotic spirit, when people come to stadiums, see their heroes and root for their athletes.”

The IOC will watch closely anything that looks like a Russian “separatist movement” in sports, but while sanctions continue, Russian athletes have little choice but to compete domestically, if at all.

TASS also reported that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency had approved six requests for Therapeutic Use Exemptions during the first quarter of 2022.

The announcement would normally draw little attention except for the many criticisms by Russia of TUE approvals allowed in other countries. Maybe Russia really is coming into line?

● Athletics ● American track & field lost one of its distinctive voices last Wednesday (13th), as Dwain Esper, Jr. passed away eight days after turning 100.

Esper was one of the track & field cognoscenti in Los Angeles when the city was a central player in the sport in the United States in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. A sportswriter by trade, he was known for his booming voice over public address systems at UCLA’s Drake Stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Mt. San Antonio College and USC’s Loker Stadium.
Born 5 April 1922 in Los Angeles, Esper, Jr. was the son of the notorious 1920s film producer Dwain Esper, who was characterized in a Wikipedia entry thus:

“He produced and directed inexpensive pictures with titles like ‘Sex Maniac’, ‘Marihuana’, and ‘How to Undress in Front of Your Husband’. To enhance the appeal of these low-budget features, he included scenes containing gratuitous nudity and violence that led some to label him the ‘father of modern exploitation.’”

After graduating from Hollywood High School, Esper, Jr. served with distinction in World War II, and was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps’ 306th Bombardment Group, flying B-17s over Germany. His plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire in 1944 and he was awarded the Purple Heart.

Once he returned to Los Angeles, he attended UCLA and wrote for the Daily Bruin and met his future wife Diane, the social-page editor. He then began a long career in newspapers, writing sports for multiple publications, but most famously for the Pasadena Star-News, as well as the Los Angeles Mirror, the Los Angeles Daily News and the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. His career coincided with the explosion of professional sports in Los Angeles and Esper was a fixture in the press section of every important event in town. He knew almost everything there was to know about sports in Southern California – high school, college and professional – because he had been there and seen it, personally. He was, literally, a walking encyclopedia of the history of sports in Los Angeles.

But it was in track & field that Esper was most at home and his love affair with it lasted more than 80 years. He was so knowledgeable that he was an obvious choice to take the public address microphone and help spectators understand what was going on.

Given his history with UCLA, it was no surprise that he was the announcer at Trotter Track and then Drake Stadium when it opened in 1969. He was the original “Voice of Drake Stadium,” alternating with Stan Eales when his real job interfered with the meets.

Esper was an expert, no doubt. Just ask him and he would tell you. But his contributions were significant; his son Dilan, in an excellent Twitter thread, explained:

“Dwain, along with three other people – Pincus Sober, Dick Nash, and Stan Eales – invented the modern approach to PA announcing of track and field, including boxing-style intros of competitors listing accomplishments, dramatic race calls & extensive information about field events.

“The announcements at any major track meet still follow the template Dwain helped originate.”

Esper announced at UCLA into 1973, but was involved in meets everywhere, including NCAA and AAU championship meets on the West Coast, on television (especially for KTLA in Los Angeles) and USC’s home meets from 1981-2002. He also worked on Lakers telecasts for HBO in the early days of cable television.

Esper continued to attend meets, often with sons Darin (who passed away in 2001), Damin and Dilan and loved to talk about the sport, always with passion and very often with impressive insight. He was important to the sport when it was an important sport in the United States.

As a holder of the Purple Heart, Esper will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. For those who knew him, he was a indispensable part of the Southern California sports scene for more than half a century, and one of the people who made sports fun in a town that loves sports and the people in it.

● Figure Skating ● The Russian news agency TASS reported that the International Skating Union is prepared to remove the Russian stop on its fall Grand Prix circuit from that country if other national federations approve.

What has been known recently as the Rostelecom Cup is scheduled for 25-27 November.

● Gymnastics ● The USA Gymnastics bankruptcy case continues on at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana, with an order to distribute funds to the victims still to come. In the meantime, the monthly report of operations for March showed legal fees of $365,036, bringing the total to $19,500,873 so far.

Of this total, some $11,017,490 has been paid or 56.5%.

● Judo ● Dominic Rodriguez won the men’s 73 kg class at last weekend’s Pan American Championships in Lima (PER) to lead the eight-medal U.S. outburst (1-1-6), but there is more to the story.

Rodriguez, still just 17, is the first U.S. men’s Pan American champion since Nick Delpopolo won the same class all the way back in 2013! Moreover, he’s the youngest American to win in an Olympic weight class at the Pan Ams since 2004.

Along the way, he defeated three-time Pan American champ Antoine Bouchard (CAN) by waza-ari in the quarterfinals, three-time Pan Am champ Magdiel Estrada (CUB) by waza-ari in the semis and then scored an ippon to defeat six-time Pan Am Championships medal winner Alonso Wong (PER) in the gold-medal final.

Remember the name: Dominic Rodriguez. Why? The last U.S. star to win a Pan American gold at 17 was 2007 World Championships silver medalist and 2008 Beijing Olympic bronze medalist (and MMA and WWE star) Ronda Rousey.

● Modern Pentathlon ● “Russia was always something dear to my heart, something strong, great. And I am not talking about politics or the army, I am talking about people, about natural beauty. I always felt connected to it.”

That was Rio Olympic champion and two-time World Champion Alexander Lesun, 33, speaking to the BBC in a story published last week. His world changed in February.

“‘I quit all my sports positions on 22 February and in two days all the events [in Ukraine] began.

“‘What did I feel? … To say that I was shocked is to say nothing. I understood that the world would never be the same again.’

BBC writer Alexandra Vladimirova noted:

“Lesun had no ‘plan B’. He describes his decision as impulsive. He had no other offers, nobody offering to fly him out of Russia. He has instead started another job not directly connected to sport” and “He is one of very few Russian sportspeople to speak out against the war in Ukraine,” despite the potential for serious penalties. But for Lesun, he refuses to be part of the problem, even if cannot see how to be part of the solution.

● Swimming ● SwimSwam.com reported that Australian stars Kyle Chalmers, Emma McKeon and now Ariarne Titmus will skip the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest in favor of the soon-after Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

The 2022 FINA Worlds in Budapest are on for 18 June to 3 July, with the swimming in the front half of the program; the Commonwealth Games is set for 28 July to 8 August, with swimming the 29th to the 3rd.

Chalmers was the 2016 Olympic champ in the 100 m Free and won silver in Tokyo in 2021; McKeon won the 50 and 100 m Frees in Tokyo and a 100 m Fly bronze (and four more relay medals), and Titmus was the 200-400 m Free gold medalist, beating American star Katie Ledecky in both, but with Ledecky winning the 800 m Free, and Titmus taking silver.

Kaylee McKeown, who won the 100-200 m Backstroke events in Tokyo, is currently planning to swim at the Worlds; the Australian Trials are scheduled for 18-22 May.

The star sprinting sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell are taking 2022 off completely.

● Volleyball ● The FIVB has moved its 2022 men’s World Championship from Russia to Poland and Slovenia, with Ukraine nominated to replace the now-barred Russian team.

The event was slated to be held in eight Russian cities, but will now be split perhaps further as the FIVB noted:

“In a clear demonstration of European solidarity, there is also the potential for one or several more European nations to join Poland and Slovenia in hosting the event, and these will be announced accordingly at a later stage.”

● Weightlifting ● The not-especially-convenient Albanian capital of Tirana was chosen as the site of the International Weightlifting Federation’s Electoral Congress on 25-26 June.

There were 10 countries who had submitted bids to host the event, including the U.S. The IWF’s decision was clearly influenced by:

“Notably, Albania will provide a neutral setting for the upcoming Electoral Congress as there are no candidates put forth by the national weightlifting federation.”

The results of these elections will determine, in part, whether the sport is included in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

With the resignation of Britain’s Sarah Davies as head of the IWF’s Athlete Commission, the athlete group appointed Forrester Osei of Ghana as Chair and elected two-time Olympic 48 kg medalist Hiromi Miyake of Japan as vice-chair.

Miyake won the London 2012 silver and Rio bronze in that class and also competed in Tokyo, but did not complete the competition.

Osei was previously Vice Chair and both will have a seat on the IWF Executive Board.

The IWF announced a new, “street” competition, to be held for the first time on 23 April in the Olympic capital of Lausanne.

Sponsored by the Swedish equipment company Eleiko, the event will have seven mixed-gender teams of two athletes each competing against entries from Europe, South America and the Middle East.

No other details on the competition format were available, but the idea is a good one. Even so, it may not help the IWF get out of the Olympic doghouse.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Athletics ● Strong running at the Seoul Marathon on Sunday, with Ethiopian star Mosinet Geremew winning the men’s race in a swift 2:04:43 and now-Romanian Joan Chelimo Melly running a lifetime best 2:18:04 to win among the women.

Geremew, the 2019 World Championships silver medalist, ran away from countryman Herpasa Negasa (2:04:49) and Daniel do Nascimento (BRA: 2:04:51) only in the final 2 km for his first marathon win since 2018. His time of 2:04:43 moves to equal-4th on the 2022 world list.

Melly also stands at no. 4 for 2022 after separating late in the race from Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH), who finished second in 2:18:12. Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba was third in 2:20:02.

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, 620-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

ATHLETICS: Kenyans sweep Boston, as Chebet runs away and Jepchirchir challenged to the end by Yeshaneh

By
Rich Perelman
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A fifth straight marathon win for Olympic champ Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) in Boston on Monday (Photo: Gr5555 via Wikipedia)

(For our Highlights of the weekend’s major competitions, click here)

The crowds were back, the weather was crisp and clear in Boston on a sunny Patriots’ Day for the 126th Boston Marathon, finally back in the spring for the first time since 2019.

Running in mid-40s temperatures, the men’s race featured a huge pack of up to 20 runners sauntering through the first half of the race.

The lead men’s pack crossed the halfway mark in 1:03:24, with American C.J. Albertson in the lead – he was 10th in Boston in 2021 – and stayed together, narrowing to 15 by 30 km, with American Elkanah Kibet leading.

Then a major push came toward 35 km, with Kenyan Evans Chebet and Gabriel Geay (TAN) taking over and creating a 50 m gap with the field and stringing out the race. The two leaders stayed on the gas hard, ahead of a chase pack of 4-5 that included 2019 Boston winner Lawrence Cherono (KEN) and defending champ Benson Kipruto (KEN).

Chebet broke away from Geay with a 4:27 mile and was running solo with an expanding lead at 23 miles. Cherono and Kipruto moved up to 2-3 and set their sights on Chebet, but the gap at mile 24 was substantial and Chebet – who ran 2:03:00 in 2020 in Valencia – looked strong.

By the 40 km split, Chebet had 18 seconds on his chasers and the result was no longer in doubt. Chebet had abandoned the miserably wet, cold and windy 2018 race, but dominated the last four miles today to win in 2:06:51, splitting 4:27, 4:26, 4:26 and 4:41.

In his 15th career marathon, Chebet has won four times, finished second six times and third once: 11 podiums out of 15. And on a notoriously difficult course, Chebet’s time is no. 8 on the all-time Boston list.

Cherono broke away from Kipruto with about a mile to go and expanded his advantage into the finish: 2:07:51 to 2:07:57. Geay finished fourth in 2:07:53; Scott Fauble was the top American, finishing seventh in 2:08:52; Kibet was ninth in 2:09:07.

While the men’s race featured a big pack, the women’s race broke apart fairly early.

Four stars – Kenyans Tokyo Olympic champ Peres Jepchirchir and 2021 London Marathon winner Joyciline Jepkosgei and Ethiopians Ababel Yeshaneh (2:20:51 ‘19) and Degitu Azimeraw (2:17:58 ‘21) – broke away by 15 km. Azimeraw was dropped soon after and it was a trio running together through the half in 1:09:41.

Yeshaneh and Jepchirchir dropped Jepkosgei after 35 km and the two ran together to 39 km, when Yeshaneh took a small lead into the 40 km mark. Both were running strongly, but with a mile to go, Jepchirchir exploded to the front and appeared to run away, but Yeshaneh responded on the small incline with a half-mile left to take the lead again.

Jepchirchir sprinted  again and Yeshaneh responded again, then Jepchirchir took the lead  on the turn onto Boylston Street, but Yeshaneh passed her again. Jepchirchir sprinted one more time on the final straight and got a lead that she would not relinquish, winning in 2:21:02 to 2:21:06 for the Ethiopian. These are the nos. 5-6 performances in the history of the women’s Boston Marathon.

Jepchirchir won her fifth straight marathon and has won five of her seven career marathons. At 28, she has years of running ahead of her and appears on the way to becoming one of the best ever. Yeshaneh, the 2019 Chicago runner-up and 2021 New York bronze medalist, confirmed her place as a world-class competitor.

Kenyans Mary Ngugi and two-time World Champion Edna Kiplagat (42!) finished 3-4 in 2:21:32 and 2:21:40. Nell Rojas was the top American, finishing 10th in 2:25:57.

It’s the second straight men’s and women’s sweep for Kenya and ninth in the history of the race.

The top finishers got more than a handshake at the finish; there was $353,000 in prize money for the top 10 placers in the men’s and women’s races ($706,000 total): $150,000-75,000-40,000-25,000-18,000-13,500-10,500-8,500-7,000-5,500.

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For our updated, 620-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

LANE ONE: Exploring the unmatched 2022 schedule at Eugene’s Hayward Field; what’s the best value?

By
Rich Perelman
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(For our Highlights of the weekend’s major competitions, click here)

For the U.S. track & field fan, there has never been a year like 2022, with the World Athletics Championships coming for the first time. And there has never been a venue schedule like Hayward Field, which, in addition to the University of Oregon’s home schedule, will host five elite-class meets within two months.

Those would be the Pacific-12 Conference Championships, the Nike Prefontaine Classic, the NCAA Championships, USA Track & Field Championships and the Worlds. Pretty amazing.

So what does it cost to attend any or all of these meets? Happy to be your guide!

The first order of business is to consider the layout of the new Hayward Field, opened in 2021. The new, bowl-style seating program includes 33 lower-level sections (numbered in the 100s) and 27 upper sections (numbered in the 200s) for a total of 60 sections and 12,650 seats. Extra seats are being added for the World Championships.

So let’s get to the meets; pricing does not include any seller’s fees:

(1) Pac-12 Conference: 13-15 May

One of the nation’s best collegiate meets, featuring – of course – the host Ducks and sure to include multiple athletes who will appear at the other meets to come this season. Prices:

● 13 May (Fri.): Reserved seats $20, General Admission $15
● 14 May (Sat.): Reserved seats $20, General Admission $15
● 15 May (Sun.): Reserved seats $20, General Admission $15
● All Sessions: Reserved seats $60; General Admission $45

There are 19 reserved sections out of the 60 total; the only reserved seats are on the home straight and the first turn.

(2) Nike Prefontaine Classic: 27-28 May

The Diamond League mainstay in the U.S. is always a great show, now expanded to two days, but primarily on Saturday, with elite invitational fields of the top class. Pricing:

● 27 May (Fri.): Reserved seats $25-35; General Admission $15
● 28 May (Sat.): Reserved seats $75-95-140; General Admission $35

For the main day on Saturday, there are 46 sections of reserved, with general admission at the north end and south end.

(3) NCAA Championships: 8-11 June

This is always a sensational meet, with dozens of world-class performances, a great team battle for men and women and an early look at some of the Worlds medal winners to come in July:

● 08 June (Wed.): Reserved seats $34; General Admission $23
● 09 June (Thu.): Reserved seats $34; General Admission $23
● 10 June (Fri.): Reserved seats $34; General Admission $23
● 11 June (Sat.): Reserved seats $34; General Admission $23
● All Sessions: Reserved seats $136; General Admission $92

Seating for all four sessions is the same, with 27 sections of reserved seats. The entire back straight and the far turn are general admission, with the upper sections of the ends of turns also general admission.

(4) USA Track & Field National Championships: 23-26 June

This is the selection meet – in most events – for the U.S. team for the World Championships and runs for four days less than a month prior to the Worlds. The competition will be exceptional, but expect the schedule to shift around to accommodate the various calamities that always seem to show up somewhere at the U.S. nationals, regardless of location:

● All Sessions: Reserved seats: $170-250; General Admission $110

The only present offer is for all-session tickets. It’s a pretty generous seat map, with both turns and the backstraight all classified as General Admission and only the home straight sections 118-128 (11) and 218-229 (12) as Reserved, or being used for athletes or news media.

Individual-session seats will be offered later. This is a bargain, at least for the all-session offer.

(5) World Athletics Championships: 15-24 July

Never before held on U.S. soil, the Worlds will be held in mid-July and the hope is for good weather and excellent conditions. Given the small size of the stadium compared to where this meet has been held before, the tickets are not cheap. Pricing for remaining inventory as of 17 April (all seats are reserved):

● 15 July (Fri. a.m.): Reserved seats: $35-55-75-95
● 15 July (Fri. p.m.): Reserved seats: $70-95-130-150-175-200-250

● 16 July (Sat. a.m.): Reserved seats: $55-65-95-125-135
● 16 July (Sat. p.m.): Reserved seats: $85-115-145-165-195

● 17 July (Sun. a.m.): Reserved seats: $45-65-95-125-135
● 17 July (Sun. p.m.): Reserved seats: $85-115-145-165-195

● 18 July (Mon. a.m.): Reserved seats: $25-55-75-95
● 18 July (Mon. p.m.): Reserved seats: $70-95-130-150-175-200-250

● 19 July (Tue. p.m.): Reserved seats: $70-95-130-150-175 (others sold out)
● 20 July (Wed. p.m.): Reserved seats: $70-95-130-150-175-200-250
● 21 July (Thu. p.m.): Reserved seats: $85-115-145-165-195-255
● 22 July (Fri. p.m.): Reserved seats: essentially sold out

● 23 July (Sat. a.m.): Reserved seats: $35-55-75-95
● 23 July (Sat. p.m.): Reserved seats: essentially sold out

● 24 July (Sun. a.m.): Reserved seats: $25-35-55-75-95
● 24 July (Sun. p.m.): Reserved seats: essentially sold out

Of course, there is a hospitality option as well, offered by Daimani, with seating on the home straightaway (sections 123-124-125) for the Cadence Club “Leisure” section, with a hospitality area, catering and parking. The pricing is only for the evening sessions and runs from $450 per person for the opening evening session to $550-975-450-875-450-650, and 1,250 for each of the last three days.

The even more upscale Cadence Club “Finish Line” offer is for seating on or near the finish line in sections 121 or 122, plus a hospitality area (with reserved tables), food, beverages, parking and special guests. Champagne will be offered on arrival and the per-person cost per session runs $950-1,050-1,450-950-1,770-950-1,150-2,250-2,250-2,250.

The seating plan for the Worlds expands the normal bowl with the addition of five sections – nos. 100-102, 111 and 137 in the lower level – and seven second-level sections, numbered 232-234 and 238-241 on either side of the far turn video board. The architectural descriptions of the new Hayward Field state that the standard capacity of 12,650 can be expanded to “nearly 25,000,” but it does not appear from the ticket-sales drawings that the seating total has been almost doubled.

And then there are the issues of accommodations and transportation.

The Eugene-Springfield area has limited accommodations to begin with, but the Pac-12 and Prefontaine meets are usually manageable for spectators. The NCAA meet is a problem with the influx of teams and related personnel and the inns will be full for the USATF Nationals as well.

Accommodations for the World Championships are almost out of the question at this point, with availabilities in Portland or Corvallis or the Oregon coast. And give yourself perhaps two hours to get to Hayward Field itself for the evening sessions. The cost of tickets to the Worlds may, in fact, be dwarfed by the costs of staying to see the meet.

It’s a great schedule and the meets will be superb. But if all the arrangements are too much, all of them will be on television somewhere!

Rich Perelman
Editor

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For our updated, 620-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

HIGHLIGHTS: Thompson 10.89, Kerley 19.80 among 18 T&F world leaders in California and Florida; 3 U.S. World Junior skating golds!

By
Rich Perelman
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Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley is now 2022 World Champion! (Photo: jenaragon94 via Wikipedia)

Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world/Updated/:

● Athletics ● The Mt. SAC Relays and Saturday’s USATF Golden Games at the renovated Hilmer Lodge Stadium at Mt. San Antonio College showed that one of the sport’s historic venues is better than ever with 10 (outdoor) world-leading performances:

● Men/200 m: 19.80, Fred Kerley (USA)
● Men/400 m: 44.28, Michael Cherry (USA)
● Men/High Jump (=): 2.30 m (7-6 1/2), Earnie Sears (USA)
● Men/Pole Vault: 5.80 m (19-0 1/4), Clayton Fritsch and Jacob Wooten (USA)
● Men/Decathlon: 8,528, Ayden Owens (PUR)

● Women/100 m: 10.89, Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM: in heats)
● Women/Steeple: 9:26.88, Courtney Wayment (USA)
● Women/5,000 m: 15:02.77, Karissa Schweizer (USA)
● Women/100 m hurdles: 12.46, Tonea Marshall (USA)
● Women/High Jump (=): 1.96 m (6-5), Vashti Cunningham (USA)

Most of the highlights came on Saturday with the invitational sprints and field events, starting early with the heats of the women’s 100 m, with Jamaica’s double Olympic sprint champ Elaine Thompson-Herah storming to a world-leading 10.89-10.95-10.96-11.00 win over Aleia Hobbs of the U.S., Michelle-Lee Ahye (TTO) and Olympic 200 m silver winner Gabby Thomas. Jamaica’s Briana Williams won the second heat in a wind-aided 10.91.

Thompson opted out of the final, with ex-USC star Twanisha Terry pushing past Williams after 60 m and winning in a sensational (but wind-aided: +3.3 m/s) 10.77! The top six were all under 11 seconds, including Hobbs (10.80w), Thomas (10.86w) and Teahna Daniels (10.91w), with Williams fifth (10.97w). Terry’s legal best is 10.89 from 2021.

The men’s 100 final was a showcase for Oregon’s Micah Williams, fifth at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2021, who ran past the field early and won in a windy 9.83 (+2.5 m/s), ahead of Brandon Carnes (9.93).

Earlier in the day, Texas star Julien Alfred won the women’s collegiate 100 m in 10.98 and USC’s Davonte Burnett won the men’s 100 m in 9.99 (both with legal wind).

The 200 m races were held right after the 100s and Thomas showed impressive strength in the women’s race, leading from start to finish in 22.02 (+1.9), the no. 2 mark in the world for 2022.

The men’s 200 m was to be the event of the meet, with superstars Fred Kerley (19.76 lifetime best), Michael Norman (19.70) and Rai Benjamin (19.99) in the middle of the track. Norman and Kerley separated from the field on the turn and Norman had a small lead that Kerley erased in the final 10 m, winning in a world-leading 19.80 (+1.6) to 19.83 for Norman and 20.01 for Benjamin. Incredibly impressive for April!

American Michael Cherry, who had a career year in 2021, including an Olympic fourth and then a relay gold, won the men’s 400 m convincingly in a world-leading 44.28. Second was Brazilian 400 m hurdles star Alison dos Santos, the Tokyo 400 m hurdles bronze medalist, with a lifetime best of 44.54!

The hurdles were also hot, with American world-record holder Keni Harrison leading the heats at 12.42w, but she was tracked down in the final by ex-LSU star Tonea Marshall, who won by 12.46-12.56 (+0.8) for another world best and her second-fastest ever. Marshall was favored to make the Tokyo Olympic team, but suffered a late-season injury and was fifth at the Trials.

Devon Allen, newly signed to be a receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, won the men’s 110 m hurdles with a late charge to pass Daniel Roberts and won in 13.35, with fellow American Jamal Britt second at 13.44.

On the infield, American star Vashti Cunningham won with a third-try clearance at 1.96 m (6-5) to tie for the outdoor world lead. America’s women stars won the throws, as Olympic champ Valarie Allman won the discus with the no. 2 mark of the year (behind her American Record) of 69.46 m (227-11), the no. 8 throw in U.S. history. Fellow world leader Brooke Andersen, the women’s hammer world leader, also got the no. 2 performance of the year at 76.76 m (251-10) to win. Canada’s Cam Rogers – throwing for Cal – set a collegiate record for second and moving to no. 2 in the world for 2022 at 75.73 m (248-5).

The top men’s throw was by shot putter Darrell Hill, who won with a season’s best 21.68 m (71-1 1/2) to move to no. 3 on the 2022 outdoor list. U.S. hammer champion Rudy Winkler won at 76.11 m (259-6) on his final throw.

The men’s discus featured Olympic champ and world leader Daniel Stahl of Sweden, the winner at 67.65 m (221-11) in the third round.

On Friday, U.S. distance stars Karissa Schweizer and Emily Infeld went 1-2 in the invitational women’s 5.000 m, with Schweizer winning in a world-leading 15:02.77, to 15:05.80 for Infeld.

Earlier in the week, American Steeple star Evan Jager, plagued by injuries in 2021, finished second in invitational steeple at 8:34.89, beginning a comeback aimed at the U.S. Nationals and perhaps the World Championships.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Puerto Rico’s Ayden Owens – competing for Arkansas – tore up the men’s decathlon, setting a collegiate best of 8,528, tops in the world for 2022.

On Friday at the nearby Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Kenyan Eliud Kipsang of Alabama demolished the collegiate record in the men’s 1,500 m, winning in 3:33.74! That’s the world outdoor leader and erases Notre Dame’s Yared Nuguse (USA: 3:34.68) from the record list.

As spectacular as Mt. SAC was, the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida was just as sensational:

● Morocco’s Moad Zahafi (Texas Tech) ran a world-leading 1:43.69 to win the men’s 800 m, the no. 3 performance in collegiate history.

● American Trey Cunningham won the men’s 110 m hurdles in a world-leading 13.22 in the qualifying, then won the final in 13.38.

● Quincy Hall, the 2019 NCAA 400 m hurdles champ for South Carolina, won his specialty in 48.55, his third-fastest time ever, for another world leader.

● Favour Ofili (NGR), running for LSU, won the women’s 200 m in a wind-legal and world-leading 21.96 (+1.3), breaking Kyra Jefferson’s 22.02 mark for Florida at the 2017 NCAA meet.

● Already the women’s 400 m world leader at 50.00, Jamaica’s Charokee Young – running for Texas A&M – won in 49.87. Twice Olympic champ Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) won the invitational 400 m in 49.91.

● Puerto Rico’s Olympic women’s 100 m hurdles champ Jasmine Camacho-Quinn improved her world-leading time to 12.39, ahead of 2019 World Champion Nia Ali (USA), in 12.59.

Perhaps the biggest mind-blowers came from the relays. An Adidas USA all-star team of Devin Quinn, Erriyon Knighton, Grant Holloway and Ronnie Baker won the men’s 4×100 m in 38.09, then an Adidas mixed-nationality team of Steven Gardiner (BAH), Hall, Knighton and Holloway won a stirring 4×400 m in an unreal 2:57.72, followed by Florida in 2:58.53.

Florida’s all-American quartet of Jacory Patterson, Ryan Willie, Jacob Miley and Champ Allison smashed the collegiate record; the old mark of 2:59.00 was by USC from 2018; if the Gators were an independent nation, this team would rank no. 10 all-time!

A college team running 2:58.53 IN APRIL! That’s an average carry of 44.7 per leg!

● Badminton ● The BWF World Tour Korea Masters in Gwangju turned out to be a showcase for China and host Korea, with the home team winning all three of its finals.

In the men’s Singles, Hyeok Jin Jeon (KOR) took care of Kodai Naraoka (JPN), 21-17, 21-16, and Gi Jung Kim and Sa Rang Kim (KOR) won the men’s Doubles by 21-14, 21-16 over Yu Chen Liu and Xuan Yi Ou (CHN).

The all-Korean women’s Doubles final had Ha Na Baek and Yu Lim Lee winning over Soyeong Kim and Heeyong Kong by 21-17, 21-12.

There were all-Chinese finals in the women’s singles and the Mixed Doubles. Bing Jiao He won out over Yufei Chen, 21-14, 14-21, 21-9, and Yi Lyu Wang and Dongping Huang defeated Xuan Yi Ou and Yaqiong Huang, 21-17, 21-17, in the Mixed Doubles final.

● Beach Volleyball ●/Updated/The Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge in Itapema (BRA) attracted an excellent field, with play concluding on Sunday.

In the men’s final, Brazil’s George Wanderley and Andre Stein dueled with Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner (CZE) into a tight third set before winning by 19-21, 21-14, 15-12. The third-place match was a 21-0, 21-0 rout for Leon Luini and Ruben Penninga (NED) over Kusti Nolvak and Mart Tiisaar (EST).

The women’s final saw Kelly (Larsen) Kolinske and Sara Hughes (USA) triumph over Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon (NED) by 21-18, 21-18 scores. For Hughes, it was her fourth career FIVB Tour win, all four with different partners! For Kolinske, it’s her third FIVB Tour-level gold and first since 2017; she won twice in 2017 with Betsi Flint.

Andressa Ramalho and Vitoria Rodrigues (BRA) won the women’s bronze medal with a 21-11, 21-17 win over Karla Borger and Julia Sude (GER).

● Curling ●/Updated/ The penultimate event of the 2022 Grand Slam of Curling tour, the Players’ Championship in Toronto (CAN), with two veteran winners.

Fresh off his sixth World Championships gold and the Beijing 2022 gold, Sweden’s Niklas Edin charged into the final to face familiar foe Bruce Mouat of Scotland in a re-match of the Olympic title match. But unlike the 5-4 struggle in Beijing that required an 11th end for Edin to win, Olympic silver medalist Mouat ran away to a 5-0 lead in the first two ends and won easily, 8-3.

The women’s final was a tight battle between Swedish star (and 2018 Olympic champ) Anna Hasselborg’s rink and Canadian Kerri Einarson, the 2022 Worlds bronze medalist. Einarson got off to a hot start with three points in the first end, but Hasselborg scored one point in the second end, two in the fourth and one in the fifth to get even at 4-4. Einarson went up 5-4 in the sixth end, but Hasselborg took two in the eighth and final end to come away with a 6-5 win and the tournament title.

● Cycling ● The third of the annual “monument” races, the 119th Paris-Roubaix from Compiegne to Roubaix was the biggest win ever for Dutch rider Dylan van Baarle, who broke away from the field with 19 km to go and soloed to the line in 5:37:00.

That was a startling 1:47 ahead of Belgian star Wout van Aert, who won a sprint from Stefan Kung (SUI), Tom Devriendt (BEL) and Matej Mohoric (SLO).

Van Baarle had won 2021’s Dwars door Vlaanderen and finished second in the 2021 Worlds Road race and the recent Tour of Flanders, but this was a major milestone. Said the winner:

“I mean, it’s a Monument, so of course, I wanted to win a Monument. To be second in Flanders and then to win Roubaix, I’m lost for words.”

Saturday’s second women’s Paris-Roubaix race was a flat, 124.7 km route from Denain to Roubaix, perfectly suited for a breakaway win for Italian star Elisa Longo Borghini.

She took off with 33 km remaining and was never headed, accelerating through the cobblestoned sections and winning in 3:10:54, a full 23 seconds up on Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky – the Tour of Flanders winner – and five others, including Lucinda Brand (NED) in third and Italy’s Marta Cavalli in fifth.

Longo Borghini was third in the first women’s Paris-Roubaix and scored her fifth career Women’s World Tour victory.

● Fencing ● The FIE World Cup for men’s Epee was in Paris (FRA) this week, with a surprise win for home favorite Nelson Lopez-Portier, who defeated 2017 Asian Champion Ruslan Kurbanov (KAZ), 15-11, in the final. For the winner, 26, it’s his first international medal of any kind!

Alexander Bardenet (FRA) and Mate Tamas Koch (HUN) shared the bronze medal.

The Foil fencers were in Belgrade (SRB) for a men’s and women’s World Cup, with Italy going 1-2 in the men and Germany taking 1-2 in the women’s division.

In the men’s final, 22-year-old Tommaso Marini won his first-ever World Cup medal with a 15-9 victory over veteran Giorgio Avola, who made his seventh World Cup final, but finished with the silver once again (0-7). Daniel Giacon (NED) and Kazuki Iimura (JPN) shared the bronze medals.

The women’s gold went to German Anne Sauer, winning her second career World Cup medal with a 15-14 win over countrywoman Leonie Ebert, who won her third World Cup podium. Olympic champ Lee Kiefer of the U.S. and Martina Batini (ITA) shared the bronze.

● Figure Skating ● The ISU’s World Junior Championships were finally held in Tallinn (EST), with both Russian and Chinese skaters absent, and the U.S. entries shined.

Ilia Malinin, 17, the son of two Uzbek national team skaters, won the men’s division with a lifetime best of 276.11 points, the highest score ever achieved in a juniors competition. He led the Short Program at 88.99, then won the Free Skate with a personal high of 187.12. Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov was second at 234.31 and Japan’s Tatsuya Tsuboi third (233.82).

American Isabeau Levito became the first U.S. women’s World Junior Champion since Rachel Flatt in 2008, winning the Short Program and finishing second in the Free Skate for a total of 206.55 points. That was just enough to hold off Korea’s Jia Shin (206.01), who won the Free Skate.

American Lindsay Thorngren (199.42) was third and Clare Seo (182.81) was sixth.

In Pairs, Georgia’s Karina Safina and Luka Berulava won both the Short Program and Free Skate at 188.12, easily ahead of Anastasia Golubeva and Hektor Giotopoulos Moore (AUS: 169.91) and Brooke McIntosh and Benjamin Mimar (CAN: 156.80). Americans Anastasia Smirnova and Danylo Siianytsia were fourth at 148.53.

A third U.S. win came in Ice Dance, as siblings Oona Brown and Gage Brown won both segments to score 170.25 points, ahead of Natalie D’Alessandro and Bruce Waddell (CAN: 162.56) and Nadiia Bashynska and Peter Beaumont (CAN: 157.64). Americans Katarina Wolfkostin and Jeffrey Chen were fourth with 157.27.

● Gymnastics ● The FIG Rhythmic World Cup in Tashkent (UZB) was a showcase for home favorite Takhmina Ikromova, who won the All-Around, scoring 119.60 points, ahead of Ekaterina Vedeneeva (SLO: 118.20) and Darja Varfolomeev (GER: 112.65). American Alexandria Kautzman was ninth (103.25).

In the individual event finals, Ikromova won in Hoop and Clubs, with Vedeneeva getting the victory in Ribbon. Margarita Kolosov (GER) won on Ball.

The women’s NCAA Championships had a special extra flair in 2022 thanks to an influx of American Olympic stars, including All-Around gold medalist Suni Lee, now at Auburn.

But the big winner was former national team member Trinity Thomas of the Florida Gators. As collegiate scoring is focused on execution rather than difficulty, what might work in international competition is not necessarily rewarded at the NCAA level.

And Thomas was precise and nearly perfect on all four apparatus, winning the All-Around title at 39.8125, ahead of Lee (39.6750), Florida’s Megan Skaggs (39.6625), Oregon State’s Jade Carey (39.6500) and Gator – and 2021 Worlds All-Around silver medalist – Leanne Wong (39.6250).

Thomas also won national individual titles on Uneven Bars and Floor; Lee won on Beam Utah’s Jaedyn Rucker won on Vault. Carey was one of five silver medalists on Uneven Bars.

The team title went to Oklahoma, which outscored Florida, 198.2000 to 198.0875, the fifth team title in eight years for the Sooners. Ragan Smith, a five-time U.S. National Team member and a 2018 World Championships Team gold medalist, clinched the meet for Oklahoma with her 9.9625 performance on Beam.

● Judo ● The Pan American Championships in Lima (PER) drew 217 entries, with Brazil taking charge from the start.

Eric Takabatake won the men’s 66 kg class, Guilherme Schmidt and Vinicius Panini went 1-2 at 81 kg and Marcelo Gomes (90 kg), Rafael Buzacarini (100 kg) and Rafael Silva (+100 kg) all won silvers.

Women’s titles went to Amanda Lima at 48 kg, Larissa Pimenta at 52 kg, Jessica Lima at 57 kg, Mayra Aguiar at 78 kg, and Beatriz Souza (+78 kg). The Brazilians won 15 medals in all.

The U.S. did well, scoring a win in the men’s 73 kg final with Dominic Rodriguez, and men’s bronzes from Ari Berliner at 66 kg, John Jayne at 90 kg and Christian Konoval at +100 kg.

Angelica Delgado was the runner-up in the women’s 52 kg class, Mariah Holguin got a bronze in the 57 kg division, former Cuban Maria Celia Laborde – the 2014 World 48 km bronze medalist – won a 48 kg bronze, and Nina Cutro-Kelly took bronze in the +78 kg class.

● Rugby Sevens ●/Updated/The men’s Seven Series was in Vancouver (CAN) for the sixth leg of nine this season. Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa all finished 3-0 in pool play and Argentina and France were both 2-0-1 in Pool D.

In the quarters, Samoa shocked the South Africans, 28-17, and Fiji and Argentina both won and while New Zealand got out to a 12-0 lead, Australia rebounded for a 19-12 win and a place in the semis.

Fiji and Argentina were decisive winners in their semis, and the Argentines dominated the final, winning by 29-10 for their first Seven Series win this season and into second place in the standings, behind South Africa.

In the third-place game, Samoa was up at half on Australia, 19-14, but the Aussies came back for a 21-19 victory and their fourth medal of the season.

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THE LATEST: Felix to retire at end of ‘22 season; collegiate track & field Hall of Fame announced; Ukraine to play Scotland on 1 June in World Cup qualifier

By
Rich Perelman
-
More Worlds medal than anyone else: American sprint icon Allyson Felix (Photo: Wikipedia)

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What you need to know now, from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

“As a little girl they called chicken legs, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined I’d have a career like this. I have so much gratitude for this sport that has changed my life. I have given everything I have to running and for the first time I’m not sure if I have anything left to give. I want to say goodbye and thank you to the sport and people who have helped shape me the only way I know how—with one last run. This season isn’t about the time on the clock, it’s simply about joy. If you see me on the track this year I hope to share a moment, a memory and my appreciation with you.

“This season I’m running for women. I’m running for a better future for my daughter. I’m running for you. More to come on that, so stay tuned, but I’ll be sharing a series of announcements that I’m hoping will make the world better for women.

“Here’s to my final season.”

Wednesday’s Instagram post by American sprint superstar Allyson Felix was not expected, but was not a surprise. But it will allow fans and casual followers to follow her a little more carefully during 2022 as she tries to make yet another U.S. and compete at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene in July.

Felix was a sensation from an early age, but exploded into worldwide consciousness in 2003 as a high school senior at L.A. Baptist, running an altitude-aided 22.11 in Mexico City in the 200 m and then not only making the U.S. Olympic Team in 2004, but winning the 200 m silver medal in Athens.

She also showed her independence by skipping college altogether and becoming a professional, signing an endorsement deal with adidas that allowed her to get a degree in elementary education at the University of Southern California while maximizing her athletic potential.

Although she attended USC and has participated in promotional programs for the Trojans, she trained almost her entire career at UCLA’s Drake Stadium and was coached professionally by ex-UCLA head coaches Pat Connolly (through 2004) and then Bobby Kersee.

Her career on the track was nothing short of iconic. She was one of the world’s dominant sprinters from 2004-17, primarily in the 200 and 400 m, winning 200 m world titles in 2005-07-09 and the 400 m in 2015. She won seven Olympic golds in the 200 m (2012) and on U.S. teams in the 4×100 m (2012-16) and 4×400 m (2008-12-16-20), and 11 total Olympic medals, the most ever for a female track & field athlete.

Her 18 total World Championships medals (13-3-2) are the most by anyone.

Her lifetime bests are outstanding, but she is only in the all-time top-10 in the 200 m (no. 7). She has run 10.89 for the 100 m (2012), 21.69 for 200 m (2012) and 49.26 for 400 m (2015).

But everywhere she ran, she always exuded a calm, confident, low-key demeanor that covered a steely determination to compete at the highest level. She won often, always crediting her competitors and her coaching, and when she lost, always congratulated the winners and expressing satisfaction for having done her best.

Felix was, and is, overwhelmingly charming and gracious, a true role model in behavior, temperament and demeanor.

But when Felix wanted to make her feelings known, she was a devastating proponent, especially on issues of fairness to women. She famously held Nike accountable when the company – her main sponsor for many years – asked her to take a 70% pay cut during her pregnancy in 2018, with a guest editorial in The New York Times. Under pressure from Felix and others, the company changed its maternity policy in 2019.

Felix returned to competition in 2019, finishing sixth in the 400 m at the U.S. nationals and making the American team for the World Championships in the relay pool. She won golds in the mixed 4×400 m and for running in the heats of the women’s 4×400 m. She actually benefitted from the one-year delay of the Tokyo Games to 2021, making the U.S. team in the 400 m and earning the bronze medal in 49.46, considered an astonishing feat of recovery from a difficult pregnancy less than three years before. She additionally won another gold on the U.S. women’s 4×400 m relay.

Now she will conclude her career in 2022, with the possibility of running in the first World Championships to be held in the U.S. Whatever the results, she will be universally remembered for class, dignity and grace under pressure, both on and off the track.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● International Olympic Committee ● The first and only member of the IOC from Israel, Alex Gilady, passed away on Wednesday (13th) at age 79, in London, after a battle with cancer.

A long-time broadcaster and executive for NBC Sports, Gilady was elected to the IOC in 1994 and served in many roles, up to and including the Coordination Commissions for the Games in Athens (2004), Beijing (2008), London (2012), Rio (2016), Tokyo (2020-21) and was a member of the Paris 2024 commission team. His contributions were usually behind the scenes, although he occasionally showed up in headlines for direct-to-the-point comments.

He helped found the Keshet Media Group in Israel in 1992 and was its head from 2005-17. He was accused of sexual harassment, then sued his accusers; the cases were later settled.

● Athletics ● American high jump star Chaunte Lowe, 38, a four-time Olympian, announced her retirement, concluding a career which saw her win the 2012 World Indoor Championship.

She was a top performer at the biggest meets, with a 2005 World Championships silver, an Olympic bronze medal in 2008 and a Worlds Indoors bronze in 2010, to go along with her 2012 indoor gold.

She ranks equal-11th all-time with her career best of 2.05 m (6-8 3/4) from 2010, still the American Record. She owns six of the top 11 jumps in U.S. history, indoors and out.

In addition to her Olympic bronze in Beijing in 2008, she finished fifth in London in 2012 and fourth in Rio in 2016, losing the bronze medal on the countback.

She’s also a three-time mom, to daughters Jasmine and Aurora and son Mario, and overcame cancer in 2019 and 2020, astonishingly returning to competition in 2021.

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) unveiled the first class of the Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, celebrating the centennial of the NCAA Track & Field Championships, which began in 1921.

The inaugural class includes 30 athletes from 25 schools who combined for 205 national collegiate individual titles, 99 world records, and 19 Olympic gold medals during their collegiate careers. The induction ceremony will be held on 6 June in Eugene, Oregon, also the site of the 2022 NCAA Championships. The selections:

● Jenny Barringer (Colorado)
● Ralph Boston (Tennessee State)
● Ron Delany (Villanova)
● Harrison Dillard (Baldwin-Wallace)
● Suzy Favor (Wisconsin)
● Charlie Greene (Nebraska)
● Carlette Guidry (Texas)
● DeHart Hubbard (Michigan)
● Vicki Huber (Villanova)
● Jackie Johnson (Arizona State)
● Jackie Joyner (UCLA)
● Sally Kipyego (Texas Tech)
● Carl Lewis (Houston)
● Gerry Lindgren (Washington State)
● Randy Matson (Texas A&M)
● Ralph Metcalfe (Marquette)
● Rodney Milburn (Texas Southern)
● Bobby Morrow (Abilene Christian)
● Suleiman Nyambui (UTEP)
● Billy Olson (Abilene Christian)
● Merlene Ottey (Nebraska)
● Jesse Owens (Ohio State)
● Mel Patton (USC)
● Steve Prefontaine (Oregon)
● Meg Ritchie (Arizona)
● Henry Rono (Washington State)
● Wilma Rudolph (Tennessee State)
● Jim Ryun (Kansas)
● Erick Walder (Arkansas)
● John Woodruff (Pitt)

The USTFCCCA noted that “Eligibility for induction this year was limited to men who had completed their collegiate eligibility prior to 2000 and women prior to 2010, with the difference being an effort to increase the number of women eligible, as the men’s side of the sport has a much longer history.”

● Football ● The play-off schedule for the final European qualifying group for the 2022 FIFA World Cup – which includes Ukraine – has finally been set, with Scotland and Ukraine playing on 1 June in Glasgow.

The winner will face Wales in Cardiff on 5 June, with the victor qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar in November. The “Path A” winner, as this segment of the UEFA qualifying is known, will join Group B, with England, Iran and the U.S.

● Swimming ● FINA announced that the 2022 World Junior Championships will be held in Lima, Peru, from 30 August-4 September 2022.

Lima, the 2019 Pan American Games host, replaces Kazan (RUS), which was stripped of the event in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lima hosted this event one before, in 2011. Per FINA:

“Over 600 promising swimmers from more than 100 National Federations, between the ages of 14-17 for women and 15-18 for men, are expected to compete in the premier international event for junior swimmers.”

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PANORAMA: College recruiting getting crazier due to $5,980 cash awards; French elections on 24 April could impact Paris ‘24; fans call Infantino “clown”

By
Rich Perelman
-

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● Plus: Beijing 2022: Chinese government spent $300,000 on social-media influencer campaign, including U.S. Paralympian Long = Olympic Winter Games 2030: Vancouver City Council kills motion for referendum on bid = Athletics: Houlihan replies to Stafford exit from Bowerman TC; Kenyan Chepkirui’s doping ban confirmed = Bobsled: German Olympic champ Jamanka retires at 31 = Modern Pentathlon: Athlete group complains about new format = Sport Climbing: Olympic champ Garnbret to take time off = Weightlifting: IWF Athletes Comm. head Davies suspended by British federation = Wrestling: Two-time Worlds medalist Green to coach U.S. elites = SCOREBOARD/Football: U.S. women shut down Uzbekistan, 9-0 ●

Key status updates on the urgent stories in Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

In a guest editorial on SwimSwam.com, Rick Paine, the Director of Swimming at the American College Connection recruiting service, suggests that “As if getting recruited isn’t tough enough it is about to get a whole lot tougher.”

His prediction is that universities, operating in the aftermath of rule changes occasioned by the 2021 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Alston vs. NCAA (141 S. Ct. 2141), will follow the lead of the University of Texas and begin paying athletes the allowed-amount of “academic-achievement awards” of $5,980 per year in two payments tied to semesters. Wrote Paine:

“A couple of months ago, the University of Texas announced that they were going to provide a $6,000 (approximate) stipend per year to every student-athlete at the school. This affects all student-athletes, including Walk-Ons.

“Since Texas is doing this, the other D-I programs that want to compete with Texas will have to follow suit. Texas has just under 700 student-athletes at the school so we are talking about an extra $4,000,000+ that the school has to come up with each year.”

His prediction is that in order to meet budget constraints, schools will begin reducing roster sizes on all teams, men and women. In Division I, the scholarship limits include:

● FBS Football: 85
● Men/Basketball: 13
● Women/Basketball: 15
● Women/Gymnastics: 12
● Women/Tennis: 8
● Women/Volleyball: 12

These sports can only offer scholarships to the stated number of athletes. Other sports have limited on the total number of scholarships, but these can be split up as much as desired. Swimming and diving scholarships limits are 9.9 for men and 14 for women (track & field has 12.6 for men and 18 for women).

So, athletes who might want to walk-on at a school to benefit from the coaching and facilities there will be turned away, sending them to scholarships at other schools and moving other recruits down the line to smaller schools, and to lower divisions, which have fewer scholarship opportunities.

The result: the big football schools – with the money to spend – will be the first ones in line to pay these bonuses, and reap the rewards. ESPN reported last week that 22 of the 130 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision schools have decided to pay these bonuses; by conference:

● Big East (1): Connecticut (for basketball only)

● ACC (3): Clemson, Miami, North Carolina

● Big 10 (1): Wisconsin

● Big 12 (5): Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech

● Pac-12 (3): Colorado, Oregon, Washington

● SEC (9): Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee

Connecticut, which is limiting its initial payment plan to men’s and women’s basketball only, is the only school not in a major football conference to commit to these bonuses.

Twenty other schools told ESPN they planned to pay these bonuses as soon as the 2022-23 academic year.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Games of the XXXIII Olympiad: Paris 2024 ● Sunday’s French elections for President ended with incumbent Emmanuel Macron (En Marche!; liberal) leading the returns with 27.84% of the vote among 12 candidates. He will face right-wing (and third-time) candidate Marine Le Pen (National Rally; conservative) in a re-match of the 2017 election on 24 April; she received 23.15% of the vote.

Almost 74% of eligible voters turned out. Among the losers was Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (Socialist), who received 1.75% of the vote.

Macron defeated Le Pen by 66.1-33.9% in 2017, but the re-run is expected to be much closer. Le Pen runs on a nationalist platform, while Macron is pro-European and has been active in diplomacy with Russia, trying to end its invasion of Ukraine.

Should Le Pen win, questions will immediately arise about the government’s enthusiasm for the 2024 Paris Games. A second term for Macron will continue the national government’s support of the Games.

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● A Vancouver City Council motion to compel a referendum on the area’s bid for the 2030 Games died for lack of a second from any other Council member on Tuesday.

City Council member Colleen Hardwick introduced the motion to include a vote on the bid on the 15 October ballot. Questions had been raised about whether such a vote would counter the agreement with First Nations leaders, who are to lead the bid effort, and Hardwick said she had not conferred with the First Nations leadership concerning her motion.

Hardwick is running for Mayor this fall against incumbent Kennedy Stewart, who has said the proposed vote does not square with the understanding made with the First Nations.

● Athletics ● The decision of Canadian distance star Gabriela DeBues-Stafford to leave the Bowerman Track Club due to the impact of U.S. star Shelby Houlihan’s doping positive in 2021 was responded to by Houlihan on Tuesday. In part:

“I never wanted to have a negative impact on anyone in my decision to continue training and it hurts that I’m finding out that I did. Running and working out have always been a source of joy and happiness for me as well as a coping mechanism. My legal team and I have been very deliberate and intentional in contacting the [Athletics Integrity Unit] and other governing bodies to figure out how I can continue to run and train for my own mental health in a way that is also abiding by and respecting the rules put in place. …

“I do wish Gabriela the best with her transition and moving forward. I hope she found a training environment that’s positive and brings her happiness.”

Houlihan added that she is continuing to pursue a long-shot appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal of her four-year ban confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last August.

Kenya’s 2014 Commonwealth Games women’s 10,000 m gold medalist Joyce Chepkirui has had her doping ban confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The BBC reported that she has been suspended since June 2019 for abnormalities in blood samples in 2016 and 2017 that indicated likely “blood manipulation.” Her results from April 2016 to August 2017 have been annulled – this included a third in the 2016 Boston Marathon – and her four-year ban will continue into June 2023.

● Bobsled & Skeleton ● Germany’s 2018 Olympic women’s bobsled champ, Mariama Jamanka, 31, announced her retirement on her Instagram page on Wednesday, including (computer translation from the original German):

“After a little over a decade, it’s time for me to say goodbye to competitive sports. It was a wonderful time with incredibly great and interesting people, some of whom have also become friends for life.

“Bobsledding has given me a lot to experience and I’ve learned a lot about myself. There were highs I never expected, but also many lows that were probably worse than most can imagine. It wasn’t always easy, but it was worth it. If someone had told me at the beginning of my journey where I would end up, I probably would have laughed at them.”

Originally a discus and hammer thrower, she was a near-instant success when she took to driving in 2015. She won World Championships golds in the two-women sled in 2017 and 2019, a gold in PyeongChang in 2018 and a silver in Beijing in 2022.

● Football ● Sometimes, it’s personal.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, born in Switzerland of Italian parents, has had plenty of criticism as the head of the federation. But his recent comments during an appearance in Florence (ITA) – “Fiorentina won, Juve lost, it’s the perfect day to be here” – was too much for some Juventus fans.

FootballItalia reported that during last Saturday’s match against Cagliari:

“Juventus fans briefly held up a banner which read ‘Infantino clown’ nine minutes into their Serie A match against Cagliari on Saturday, with insulting chants complimenting the message.”

The club was fined €2,000 (~$2,175) by the league.

● Modern Pentathlon ● The PentUnited athletes group has revved up their online presence from social media to the Web and published an April newsletter, this time slamming the UIPM’s implementation of a new qualifying, semifinal and final format for Paris 2024.

This format continues to include riding, but only for the final. It was introduced in February in a Budapest indoor pentathlon, and then at the first World Cup in Cairo in March. The PentUnited view:

“From a large number of athletes, we heard clear that the new format, with a qualification, semifinal and final, was very difficult. It was a challenge to perform at the same standard throughout all three competitions [over] just 4 days.

“The format was also found to be incredibly challenging for the officials. The judges had to rush from one place to another – putting them under real physical stress. Istvan Gallai, Secretary General of the Hungarian federation, reported that ‘this form of competition is more difficult than the inventors thought, not only for athletes but officials as well.’ The Hungarian pentathlon federation is one of the most experienced and well-resourced pentathlon nations in the world, and they openly said that they struggled to cope with the format.”

As for the Cairo World Cup:

“[T]he competition was well organised, and it was the first chance for athletes to really get a feel for the new format with back to back events in the semis and finals.

“However, while the UIPM promised that the 90-minute format would be shorter, simpler and easier to understand, it turned out to be the opposite. It was complicated enough for the athletes to understand the multiple layers of the new format, let alone new viewers. As one athlete reported, ‘I don’t think it increases the attractiveness of pentathlon. It’s even harder for a person to even understand how everything works.’

“The idea that this format is unnecessarily complicated is not a new suggestion, but it is a worry – especially at a time when the IOC have told the UIPM that they must improve their audience size.”

As for riding only being in the final:

“[I]t was clear to see the problems of the new format, and that the UIPM continues to badly mismanage the riding and ignores both athlete safety and horse welfare. The fact that only athletes who reach the final, the top 18, are given the chance to ride, means that the format qualifies the best tetrathletes for the final and not pentathletes. None of the finalists are tested on their equestrian skills leading up to the final.

“Several riders were allowed to compete who, according to riding experts, immediately did not look safe, and should have been prevented from entering the competition arena.”

The next World Cup comes at the end of April, once again in Budapest. The newsletter also noted their view of responsibility for the future of the sport: “Our current UIPM leadership is a failure, but it is the National Federations (NFs) who are to blame. The NFs acquiesce with the UIPM leadership and leave them in place.”

The UIPM announced at the beginning of April:

“The [5th Discipline Working Group] will have a physical meeting during the UIPM 2022 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest in the last week of April to make its final decision of the discipline to be tested, in order to start more detailed competition rules and format study within Q2. It will then report to UIPM Executive Board about the outcomes of its working phases.

“A further announcement which will cover the selection results as well as the next steps, including the new discipline tests will be made on May 3 following the UIPM Executive Board Meeting which will take place on May 2 in the Hungarian capital.”

● Sport Climbing ● Slovenia’s Olympic champ Janja Garnbret was a decisive winner at the IFSC World Cup in Bouldering last week in Meiringen (SUI), taking her 32nd career World Cup medal at age 23.

But, as she said afterwards, she is not taking the win for granted:

“Today’s win was a privilege. It means a lot to me because it’s not obvious that you will win every competition – each competition is a story in itself. Just because you won everything last year doesn’t mean that you can next year, so every win means a lot to me. That’s why I was so emotional.

“I’ve decided to skip the [rest of the] Boulder season this year. The Olympics last year were a pretty hard take on physical and mental preparation, so I feel that I need a little time off from comps and this year is the perfect year to do that. I already have Paris [2024] in mind.”

● Weightlifting ● British lifter Sarah Davies, head of the International Weightlifting Federation’s Athletes Commission and a vocal critic of the IWF’s corruption and doping scandals, was suspended for three months by British Weightlifting.

She was sanctioned for “making comments of a discriminatory nature against a fellow athlete,” in contravention of the federation’s Code of Conduct. She will be out of competition for three months, and wrote in a social-media post:

“Having worked hard for the last 18months to better the international landscape of our sport it deeply saddens me that I have had to step down from my position on the Athletes Commission. In that time I have stood for what is right for our sport and fought to keep our sport in the Olympic movement, built strong relations with the IOC and made significant change within the organisation, including having the athlete voice recognised, stepping down from this position has been the hardest part of the sanction.”

Davies was fifth in the women’s 64 kg class at the Tokyo Games and won a silver medal at 71 kg at the 2021 World Championships.

● Wrestling ● USA Wrestling announced that two-time Worlds medalist James Green will become the federation’s National Freestyle Developmental Coach.

He will immediately put his experience to use with the U.S.’s elite age-group Freestyle wrestlers, and directly manage the Elite Accelerated Program at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

A savvy competitor, Green, 29, won the Worlds bronze medal at 70 kg in 2015 and the silver in 2017, his best finishes in six appearances on the national team. He won two Pan American Championships, two national titles and was a four-time All-American at 157 lbs. for Nebraska from 2012-15. Said Green:

“The opportunity presented itself, and I was looking at college coaching and my career path. It is a great opportunity to be on board with Team USA. I will be working with the next generation, getting them ready to bring home medals for our country. We are at the tip of the iceberg with these young athletes, I believe I have a lot to offer on the coaching side. It is something I feel that I have been called to do.”

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Football ● The storyline of Tuesday’s second U.S. women’s match against Uzbekistan became clear just 25 seconds into the game, as a Rose Lavelle cross from the right side deflected off Uzbek defender Kamila Zaripova for an own goal and a 1-0 U.S. lead.

The American women scored five more times during the first half, with goals from Catarina Macario in the 12th minute and two minutes into stoppage time, Mallory Pugh in the 14th and Lavelle in the 25th (on a rebound) and 27th minutes, before 13,373 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.

With a 6-0 lead, the second half started slower, with the ball continuously in the Uzbek end, but with the U.S. missing multiple chances. But Tiffany Rodman got her first international goal for the U.S. in the 71st minute on a right-footed strike from the right side that glided past substitute keeper Laylo Tilolova, to get to 7-0.

Midge Purce got her third career goal in the 85th minute on a free kick that ended up flying around in front of the net; it landed at her feet and she didn’t miss, for an 8-0 lead. Ashley Sanchez got the final goal, off a strike from the left side that went over the head of Tilolova for the 9-0 final.

The U.S. had 67% of the possession and out-shot Uzbekistan, 38-0. U.S. keeper Aubrey Bledsoe got the easiest shutout of her career. The U.S. women are off until June, for additional friendlies.

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For our updated, 620-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

THE TICKER: The ties between sport and politics in Russia; Australia lands ‘26 Commonwealth Games; more Oregon money for Eugene World Champs

By
Rich Perelman
-
This badge, for a Sports Technical Official at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games, just sold for $8,000! Wow! (Photo: Ingrid O'Neil Auctions)

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● Plus: Winter Games 2030: Aragon suggests a new distribution of events for Spanish bid = Olympic Games 2036: A cheap Games in Copenhagen? = On Screen: Modest viewing of USATF Bermuda Games and USA-UZB women’s game = Athletics: World Athletics creates Ukraine Fund; Canadian sprinter Williams passed at 62 = Football: FIFA+ free streaming service announced = Gymnastics: Paris 2024 qualification system streamlined = Judo: Passing of two-time Olympic silver winner Rodriguez = Sailing: Shock death of teen Tunisian in training accident = Speed Skating: Retirements from Kodaira and Nana Takagi = SCOREBOARD/Swimming: More world leaders; seven swimmers hold world leads in 19 of 34 individual events = THE LAST WORD: Strong (ridiculous?) auction prices for official’s badges from Los Angeles 1932 and beyond ●

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

Slava Malamud describes himself as “a Soviet-born American citizen who came to the US as a refugee in 1991 after deciding to not linger in a part of the former USSR that was getting into the business of civil war. Another thing that is true is that for many years I was one of Russia’s premier sports journalists while working for Sport-Express as the national daily’s foreign correspondent in North America.”

In mid-March, he posted a startling 31-Tweet thread to dove into the close ties between the Russian government and Russian sport. Some highlights:

● “The main point: never, ever, ever take seriously any talk by any Russian athlete/sports official/sports writer that sports and politics must be separate.”

● “Sports and politics in Russia aren’t only inseparable, they are synonymous. Sport is an organic part of Russia’s body politic and is unimaginable without it. At the same time, while Russians KNOW very well that sport is politics, they are conditioned to always SAY the opposite.”

● “Soviets slowly began to understand the ideological value of big-time sports. Italy’s win at the 1934 World Cup was a huge boost for fascism and, of course, Hitler’s 1936 Olympics were a propaganda bonanza. There was much to emulate there. …”

● “Stalin, who was by no means interested in sports in and of themselves, absolutely refused to let the Soviets participate in international competitions without solid guarantees of a triumph.”

Malamud underlines that one cannot understand Russian attitudes toward sport without understanding the history, and his thread is a guided tour of how the USSR got into international sport, beginning at the Helsinki Games in 1952. Absolutely worth reading.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XXIII Commonwealth Games: 2026 ● Australia continues to reel in major events, with the Commonwealth Games Foundation announcing that the State of Victoria will host the 2026 Games in March of that year, primarily in Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland.

The region had been selected for “exclusive dialogue” in February, so the confirmation of the award was hardly a surprise. A total of 16 sports have been identified so far and others may be added. It’s the first time the Commonwealth Games has used the regional approach adopted by the International Olympic Committee.

This will be the fifth Commonwealth Games in Australia, previously in 1938 (Sydney), 1962 (Perth), 1982 (Brisbane) and Gold Coast in 2018.

Australia and New Zealand will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, now the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and the Games of the XXXV Olympiad in Brisbane in 2032.

The 2026 Games was originally supposed to go to Birmingham (ENG), but after Durban (RSA) abandoned the 2022 Games due to costs, Birmingham moved forward to take this year’s event, requiring the Foundation to find a new 2026 host.

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● The tug-of-war between the regions of Aragon and Catalonia continues in Spain. Calling the announced division of sports between the two region unfair, Aragon proposed a new division of the events for a projected Spanish bid for the Winter Games.

This concept would place biathlon and snowboarding in Aragon, with freestyle skiing and ski mountaineering in Catalonia and both regions hosting parts of alpine skiing and nordic skiing.

Aragon would host curling figure skating and short-track, while Catalonia would have ice hockey and speed skating.

The next move is up to the Spanish Olympic Committee to try and find a solution that works for the political leadership of both regions.

● Games of the XXXVI Olympiad: 2036 ● GamesBids.com reported on an interview in a Copenhagen (DEN) newspaper with city council member Mia Nyegaard of the Social Liberal party Radikale, proposing holding the Olympic Games there on a “small budget.” Per the report:

“Radikale party culture spokesperson Zenia Stampe told Berlingske ‘I thought it would be difficult, but now I can see that it could be done in a way so that it develops Copenhagen’s urban space, and that it could develop the way you hold the Olympics.

“‘A kind of moon landing – a goal on the horizon that can be used to create urban development.’”

This is yet another indication of how the International Olympic Committee’s changed bidding format has altered the views of local politicians on the value of having the Games. Of course, there is also the reaction of the marketing manager of Dansk Erhverv (the Danish chamber of commerce), Lars Ramme Nielsen, to a possible hosting of the Games:

“Basically, at the moment, it is not possible – as in not at all – to do so.”

At a minimum, a new main stadium and an Olympic Village would have to be built, making the cost of the event not-so-small after all.

● On Screen ● The big U.S. television stars of the week were the Monday NCAA men’s basketball tournament final between Kansas and North Carolina, drawing 17.952 million combined across TBS-TNT-TRU TV, and the final round of the Masters, with 10.173 million watching on CBS.

In terms of Olympic sport on television, the USATF Bermuda Games, shown on NBC on Saturday afternoon, drew 607,000. The U.S. women’s friendly against Uzbekistan later on Saturday on Fox drew 438,000 viewers.

● Athletics ● “World Athletics, together with the International Athletics Foundation (IAF) and the Members of the Diamond League Association, has today launched a Ukraine Fund to support professional athletes affected by the conflict in their home country.”

The fund was initiated with $190,000 in donations from those three partners, targeted at up to 100 Ukrainian athletes who are qualified (or be expected to qualify) for a World Athletics championship event, as well as to coaches, team leaders and family members of the athletes.

The primary focus is on athletes who are affiliated to the Ukrainian Athletic Association and have qualified, or have a credible chance to qualify, for any upcoming World Athletics Championships. The second priority includes those acting as a designated coach or team leader, as well as parents, spouses and children of those athletes.

The state of Oregon and the city of Eugene continue to spend money on the Oregon22 World Championships coming in July, but now on a free festival site for both locals and visitors to the area.

The Downtown Riverfront Park will be the site, with the event open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday through Thursday and noon to 10 p.m. on both sets of Friday-Sunday weekends. The show is budgeted at $1.2 million in total, with Eugene contributing $400,000 and Travel Oregon giving $100,000. Sponsorships are being sought by local producer REVERE and added governmental funding.

The state of Oregon has provided $40 million in funding for the World Championships, against a projected budget of $75 million.

Staffing will be provided by professionals and volunteers; the Worlds is recruiting about 1,500 volunteers for its programs, and the festival will wait until those needs have been mostly filled.

More sad news, of the passing of Canadian sprint star Desai Williams, at 62. He was a bronze medal winner at the Los Angeles 1984 Games in the men’s 4×100 m relay, and had career bests of 10.11 (1988) and 20.29 (1983). He also competed at the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988.

Born in St. Kitts & Nevis, Williams was a consistent contender, but never an outright star in the sprints, and was overshadowed by the infamous Ben Johnson, who won the 1988 Olympic 100 m title on the track, but was then disqualified for steroid use.

Williams coached sprinters in Canada for many years, and was a speech coach for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was a coach for Athletics Canada, but was reported to have violated its sexual harassment policy in 2015 and was banned in 2018.

● Football ● FIFA announced the launch of FIFA+, a direct-to-consumer online service that will provide

“access to live football matches from every corner of the world, interactive games, news, tournament information, ground-breaking, unrivalled video content delivering truly global storytelling around the men’s and women’s game and much more. FIFA is the first sports federation ever to offer such an extensive streaming and content experience to its fans.”

The programming will include 29,000 men’s and 11,000 women’s matches in 2022, an archive of FIFA World Cup matches of the past, a live “Match Centre” with data from hundreds of competitions, news, games and original programming, including documentaries and interviews with greats of the game.

It will initially be available with support for five languages – English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish – with six more language editions coming in June.

The service is free at the start, and geo-blocking will be used to protect rights-holding broadcasters in specific territories. But it is an interesting experiment, by the federation best positioned to try it, even if only as value-added for its existing and future sponsors.

“Deloitte and U.S. Soccer Federation announced today a multi-year sponsorship renewal continuing Deloitte’s role as the Official Professional Services Provider of U.S. Soccer and Foundational Sponsor of SheBelieves.”

The worldwide professional services firm has made headlines of late with its TOP sponsorship with the International Olympic Committee, on top of its existing agreements with the LA28 Olympic Organizing Committee and National Olympic Committees in Canada, Germany, Ireland, Poland and the U.S.

The specific goals for the continuation of its sponsorship of the U.S. Soccer Federation are ambitious:

“Deloitte will continue to provide professional services to support the evolution of the Federation and its business needs to meet its 2030 goals and achieve its mission of becoming the preeminent sport in the United States. Deloitte will help support some of the Federation’s most important business opportunities covering a range of strategic initiatives, such as developing U.S. Soccer’s organization-wide sustainability strategy, defining a roadmap for the future of technology across the organization, and helping U.S. Soccer identify a world-class home for a National Training Center.”

● Gymnastics ● The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique confirmed some of the details of the qualification program for the Paris 2024 Games. Of special note are changes in Artistic Gymnastics:

“The qualifying path has been simplified compared to that for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The main changes concern the number of gymnasts per team, with a return to a maximum of five gymnasts, who can take part in both the team and individual competitions.

“Also, while a country that qualifies for the team event may no longer win any additional individual spots above the five places it has already obtained, a country that has not qualified a team can earn up to three places for the individual competitions.”

There will be 192 places for Artistic gymnasts, 94 for Rhythmic and 32 for Trampoline.

Most of the qualifying places will come from the results of the World Championships in 2022 and 2023, with a small number of other places from continental events and some of the FIG World Cup series.

● Judo ● Sad news of the death of Cuban star Estela Rodriguez, who won Olympic silvers in the women’s +72 kg class in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996. She was World Champion in the Heavyweight and Open-weight classes at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana.

Just 54, Rodriguez became a coach after her competitive career ended; she passed away on Sunday (10th), reportedly from a heart attack.

● Sailing ● Shocking report of the death of Tunisian Tokyo Olympian sailor Eya Guezguez, 17, on Sunday during a training session.

Eya and her sister Sarra were sailing on Sunday and their boat overturned; Sarra survived, but Eya did not. The pair finished 21st in Tokyo in the 49er FX event at the Games. Per SailingScuttlebutt.com:

“With their coach alongside in a [Rigid Inflatable Boat] while training, he was able help free Sarra from the tangled rigging before locating Eya on whom he attempted CPR. The young Olympian was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead after drowning.”

● Speed Skating ● Japanese superstar Nao Kodaira announced her forthcoming retirement on Tuesday, at age 35, closing a career that included three Olympic medals and four world titles.

She said, “The last race of my athletic career will be the 500 meters at the national single-distance championships in October this year,” which will be held in her home region of Nagano from 22-24 October.

She competed in the 2010-14-18-22 Winter Games, winning a gold in the 2018 PyeongChang 500 m and a silver in the 1,000 m; she had previously won a silver in 2010 in the Team Pursuit.

Kodaira won World Championships golds at 500 m in 2017 and 2020 and the World Sprint Championships in 2017 and 2019. She won a sensational 34 World Cup races during her career.

Her announcement follows the retirement of fellow Japanese star Nana Takagi, 29, who won the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Mass Start race and a gold on the Team Pursuit squad. She was a three-time World Champion in the Team Pursuit in 2015-19-20.

Her younger sister, Miho Takagi, 27, has said she will take some time off from competition, but did not say she was retiring, The younger Takagi owns seven Olympic medals, including golds in 2018 for the Team Pursuit and from Beijing in 2022 for the 1,000 m, and was the 2018 World Allround Champion.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Swimming ● The rush of national championships over the weekend saw a few more world-leading performances not shown in Sunday’s Highlights review:

● Men/200 m Free: 1:45.44, Lukas Martens (GER)
● Men/800 m Free: 7:46.01, Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA)
● Men/200 m Medley: 1:56.08, Duncan Scott (GBR)

● Women/100 m Fly: 56.70, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)

Checking the world lists for 2022, just seven star swimmers currently account for the world leads in 19 of the 34 standard individual events:

● 3: Ryosuke Irie (JPN): 50-100-200 m Back
● 3: Lukas Martens (GER): 200-400-1,500 m Free
● 2: Duncan Scott (GBR): 200-400 m Medley

● 3: Katie Ledecky (USA): 200-800-1,500 m Free
● 3: Kaylee McKeown (AUS): 50-100-200 m Back
● 3: Sarah Sjostrom (SWE): 50 m Free, 50-100 m Fly
● 2: Summer McIntosh (CAN): 200 m Fly, 400 m Medley

McIntosh, just 15, could be the break-out star of the FINA World Championships coming in June in Budapest (HUN). The U.S. Trials for the 2022 Worlds will be held from 26-28 April in Greensboro, North Carolina.

≡ THE LAST WORD ≡

Beyond the highlighted Olympic medals and Olympic torches in the recently-closed Ingrid O’Neil Auction 91 were sales of some seemingly trivial items which brought significant money. Some of the highest interest was shown in official’s badges from the Games of the Xth Olympiad in Los Angeles in 1932.

This was long before today’s ubiquitous accreditation badges, so they were important for identification during the Games and highly collectable now:

● Sports Technical Official badge, one of 28 made, sold for $8,000.

● A rowing team badge, expected to bring $300, sold for $6,000.

● Xth Olympiad Official’s badge, one of 41, sold for $1,800.

● A “messenger” badge for the Riviera Country Club venue, sold for $1,700.

● Team Chief de Mission badge, no. 18 of 38, sold for $1,100.

Another stunner was a Berlin 1936 management badge for the Polo competition, expected to bring $1,500, but sold for $5,000. A Tokyo 1964 badge and ribbon for special delegates sold for $3,000. A news film crew credential badge (with ribbon) for the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo brought $1,400.

Pretty good for items that were little more than a small piece of metal and some colored ribbon.

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: LA28 “very, very comfortable” on finances despite deficit; Dillard’s ‘48 100 m gold sells for $120,000; Liu retires at 16?

By
Rich Perelman
-
In the beginning: an 1896 Athens winner's medal, which sold for $80,000 in Ingrid O'Neil's Auction 91 (Photo: Ingrid O'Neil)

(★ THANK YOU to our 51 donors, who have covered 84% of our costs for the first six months of 2022. Can you help? Please donate here. ★)

(For our updated – as of 10 April – 620-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!)

(For our Highlights of the weekend’s major competitions, click here)

● Plus: Beijing 2022: Chinese government paid $300,000 for U.S. social-influencer campaign = Winter Games 2030: Aragon region “demands respect” in bid = Brisbane 2032: Organizing committee board completed = Athletics: Hurdles star Allen signs with NFL Eagles; U.S. Marathon Trials champ Conover succumbs to cancer; Canada’s Stafford moving on due to Houlihan doping positive = Luge: FIL furious at reversal of Russian sanctions = Scoreboard/Athletics: World leads for Steiner and McLeod ●

News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

The Los Angeles City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games approved the proposed amendment to the City’s Youth Sports Partnership Agreement with the Los Angeles 2028 organizing committee and the plan for spending for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Final approval will be needed from the City Council.

Monday morning’s meeting had five of the seven Council members present and all four items – two of which were informational only – passed by 5-0 votes.

The Youth Sports Partnership Agreement amendment was a minor change to allow more flexibility in the use of funds, for support services such as transportation. Council member Paul Krekorian noted:

“The single most important factor that should govern all of this is, what investments are going to maximize the greatest degree of youth participation in sports, per dollar. That’s really what our emphasis should be, the most bang for the buck in getting more kids who are not currently active in sports, to become active in sports.”

A long list of action items for the 10 working groups defined in the LA28 Games Agreement was also approved, with nominations the first priority and most of the groups to meet not later than 31 March 2023, and to have approved plans in place by 31 March 2025.

LA28’s team was led on the call by chief executive Kathy Carter, who reiterated the committee’s priority:

“Our number one objective is to make sure that our incredible opportunity also comes with a responsibility to the City, and to the taxpayers, to make sure we actually host a Games that are both fiscally [responsible] and low-risk. And that’s something that is an ongoing mantra inside our offices here at LA28.”

Krekorian asked about the 2020 financial report, which showed a $33.9 million deficit for the year, Carter explained:

“Essentially, what we’ve done is we’re showing the income statement and ultimately how we are [showing] revenue recognition for the year of the report [2020]. And what that means is that because we were just beginning operations, for all intents and purposes, while we are collecting revenue, we have not actually provided the services for the recognition of that revenue in the calendar year.

“So our cash flow is actually very, very healthy. We have money that’s essentially in the bank, but it’s just a timeline by which we are actually reporting out basically the assets and the liabilities. So it should cause no concern; it’s just literally just the way the accounting of the revenues and expenses are coming in. So we feel very, very comfortable with where we are, and we’re tracking as per our initial plans.”

The City staff noted that no change in the projected budget for the Games project – $6.884 billion – has not changed.

Carter was asked about what was learned from the Tokyo Olympic and Beijing Winter Games experiences, both of which took place with heavy anti-Covid countermeasures. Her answer was reassuring:

“What we did learn, though, in Tokyo and Beijing were really key and important lessons around how and what we should do to challenge the operating assumptions of what was perhaps the way we thought we needed to do things previously. So, rest assured, we certainly continue to challenge the operating assumptions of what was the way to host these Games previously, and we look at everything as an opportunity to refine and do it better as we approach 2028.”

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Memorabilia ● Sensational conclusion to Ingrid O’Neil’s Auction 91, with two historic medals going for $120,000 and $80,000.

The star of the program was Harrison Dillard’s gold medal from the London 1948 100 meters, one of four he won in his Olympic career. Offered by his family at $120,000, the lot had no takers until close to the end of the bid period on Saturday, when a bid at that amount came in, and the lot sold. Amazing.

Lot no. 2 was a winner’s medal – in silver; the use of gold started later – from the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens, that pictured Zeus on the front and the Acropolis on the back. It sold for the asking price of $80,000.

And many more Olympic medals were sold, some for impressive prices:

● 1920 Olympic (Antwerp) silver medal: $5,500
● 1924 Winter (Chamonix) silver medal: $30,000
● 1928 Winter (St. Moritz) bronze medal: $9,000
● 1952 Olympic (Helsinki) gold medal: $8,500
● 1960 Olympic (Rome) bronze medal: $12,000
● 1972 Winter (Sapporo) gold medal: $42,500
● 1976 Olympic (Montreal) gold medal: $18,000

The auction was also one of the best ever in its selection of Olympic torches:

● 1936 Olympic (Berlin): $5,000
● 1948 Olympic (London): $7,500
● 1960 Olympic (Rome): $7,000
● 1964 Olympic (Tokyo): $11,000
● 1968 Olympic (Mexico City): $8,000
● 1972 Olympic (Munich): $2,000
● 1976 Olympic (Montreal): $2,600
● 1980 Olympic (Moscow): $3,000
● 1984 Olympic (Los Angeles): $4,000
● 1988 Olympic (Seoul): $5,000
● 1992 Winter (Albertville): $65,000
● 1992 Olympic (Barcelona): $5,000
● 1996 Olympic (Atlanta): $3,000
● 2000 Olympic (Sydney): $3,750
● 2004 Olympic (Athens): $2,800
● 2008 Olympic (Beijing): $5,000
● 2016 Olympic (Rio): $3,500
● 2020 Olympic (Tokyo): $16,000
● 2022 Winter (Beijing); $22,000

Nope, not a misprint on the 1992 Albertville torch: $65,000! Wow!

● XXIV Olympic Winter Games: Beijing 2022 ● A wild scheme by the Chinese government to use U.S. social-media influencers to help support the Beijing Winter Games was widely reported last week. Axios explained:

“The Chinese consulate in New York paid [Vipp] Jaswal’s firm Vippi Media $300,000 for the influencer marketing campaign, according to [Foreign Agents Registration Act] filings.”

The influencers included U.S. Paralympics swimmer Jessica Long, whose representative said that her participation was “to basically to be able to support her fellow team members and Team USA and highlight and showcase that.”

According to the filing, the campaign created 3.8 million impressions.

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● The drama in Spain over its 2030 Winter Games bid continues with Aragon region President Javier Lamban tweeting last Thursday:

“We want to agree with [the Spanish Olympic Committee and the Catalan government] a winning candidacy for 2030. But, for that, it must be equal and balanced. Out of dignity and in defense of the interest of the #PyreneesAragones we will not accept anything else. We demand respect”

He had earlier shown a map which demonstrated only three venues in Aragon and six in Catalonia. Further meetings are to be held, with Aragon to propose its own version of a Games plan.

● Games of the XXXV Olympiad: Brisbane 2032 ● The Board of the Brisbane 2032 organizing committee was finalized on Sunday, with 21 total members.

Former Dow Chemical Chair Andrew Liveris was named as the President of the Board, with four current and former Olympic athletes and one Paralympic athletes. Also named were two individuals from the Australian Olympic Committee and two from the Australian Paralympic Committee.

The Board includes six elected officials, including four Members of Parliament, led by Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Premier and Australia’s Minister for the Olympics.

● Athletics ● Two-time Olympian and three-time U.S. 110 m hurdles champion Devon Allen signed a three-year agreement to be a wide receiver with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, beginning in the fall.

Allen, now 27, was an accomplished – but often injured – receiver for Oregon, catching 41 passes for 684 yards during the 2014 season. He caught only nine passes in 2015 and four in 2016. But he impressed NFL scouts with his speed, running a “4.35″ – using the NFL’s timing standards – for 40 yards during Oregon’s pro day earlier this month.

His plan is to compete in the 2022 track & field season, which will culminate in August on his home track at the University of Oregon with the World Championships. Allen was fifth in the 2016 Rio Games and fourth in Tokyo, and was a semifinalist in the 2017 Worlds and seventh in Doha in 2019.

He will certainly be favored to make the U.S. team off of his 2021 season, in which he set his lifetime best of 12.99.

The impact of the doping positive and resulting four-year suspension of American middle-distance star Shelby Houlihan in 2021 is still being felt.

Canadian star Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, the national 1,500 m-mile-5,000 m record holder (3:56.12, 4:17.87, 14:44.12) posted on her Instagram account on Sunday:

“It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that I have left the Bowerman Track Club. I am extremely grateful for the time that I spent with this incredible team. I learned so much about our sport, and made some amazing friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime. I wish this team nothing but the best in their future.

“Last summer, a fellow athlete received an anti-doping ban, and this event was deeply upsetting. I have said this publicly before that learning this news in mid-June almost derailed my Olympics. It was a small miracle that I showed up in Tokyo in shape to run sub 4 twice in 48 hours and place 5th. Going into the fall, I did my best to put this event behind me, and focus on all of the positives this group has to offer, as I truly did and do love this team. However this event and its ongoing aftermath continued to be a major distraction and stress for me. For the sake of my athletic performance and mental health, I needed to move on.

“And so I am excited to have this fresh start back in Canada. I am now working with Trent and Hilary Stellingwerff, based out of Victoria, BC along with the entire Athletics Canada West Hub sport science and medicine staff. I’d like to thank Nike for being supportive through this difficult time and for their continued support through Eugene and beyond.”

Terrible news that Mark Conover, 61, the 1988 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials winner, passed away after a long bout with cancer.

A multi-time All-American at Humboldt State, Conover was the surprise winner of the ‘88 Trials in a lifetime best 2:12:26, but did not finish at the Seoul Games. He came back at the 1992 Olympic Trials and finished 10th in 2:18:17.

He was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992, but beat it and went back to running, qualifying for the 1996 U.S. Marathon Trials, where he finished 71st.

Conover became a highly-respected coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, but was diagnosed with cancer again in 2018 and beat the disease again. But a third cancer in 2021 eventually provided too much.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly, and three children. A special sale of socks replicating his iconic striped style is on now, through 24 April.

● Figure Skating ● Staggering announcement from two-time U.S. champion Alysa Liu, 16, on Saturday, verbatim:

“heyyyyy so i’m here to announce that i am retiring from skating i started skating when i was 5 so that’s about 11 years on the ice and it’s been an insane 11 years. a lot of good and a lot of bad but yk that’s just how it is. i’ve made so many friends, and so so sooo many good memories that i’ll have for the rest of my life. i honestly never thought i would’ve accomplished as much as i did LMAOO i’m so happy. i feel so satisfied with how my skating career has gone. now that i’m finally done with my goals in skating i’m going to be moving on with my life. rn i’m probably just gonna spend all my spare time with my family and friends; and i’m also going to study ykwim. but fr this skating thing has taught me a lot more about life than i anticipated. i’m really glad i skated.”

Liu won a Worlds bronze medal in March after finishing seventh at the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. She was the 2019 and 2020 U.S. national champion, initially winning at just 13 years old in 2019.

This is a shock, to say the least. Look for much more to come out about the decision and whether Liu sticks with it.

● Luge ● The Federation Internationale de Luge had a tumultuous week, with the FIL Court of Arbitration setting aside the federation’s penalties on Russia last Thursday, imposed on 2 March in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The FIL Board reacted with considerable anger, issuing a statement today that included:

“The FIL Executive Board intends to have it checked in a suitable manner as to whether any sanctions of any kind against the Russian Luge Federation are actually legally permissible for reasons of ‘political neutrality’, anchored in the FIL statutes.

“The members of the FIL Executive Board, but also the majority of the member federations of the FIL, cannot and do not want to behave neutrally regarding the war of aggression by Russia against the Ukraine. …

“The FIL leadership, together with the FIL Legal Committee, will look for possibilities to solve the unsatisfactory situation caused by the arbitration judgment of the FIL Court of Arbitration by means of a possible change in the statutes, which would have to be decided by a 2/3 majority at the ordinary FIL Congress on June 18-19, 2022 in Riga/LAT.

“In international sport, too, it should be possible to impose sanctions on sports associations and members of a country’s association that demonstrates behavior contrary to international law that has been confirmed by a UN body or the IOC.”

On Friday, a first-ever Extraordinary Congress of the FIL was held online, with votes taken on two Russia-related issued. The first was a vote to expel Russia from the federation, which required a 2/3rds majority to pass. It received 15 votes in favor, 12 against and four abstentions and was defeated. A subsequent vote to expel all Russian officials from elected FIL offices was passed; it required only a majority vote and passed, 16-13, with three abstentions.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Athletics ● More world-leading performances over the weekend, with Kentucky’s Abby Steiner (USA) getting a wind-legal 10.92 to win the women’s 100 m at the May Invitational in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday and then coming back against a 5.6 m/s headwind to win the 200 m in 22.38, the best outdoors by an American in 2022.

Rio Olympic 110 m hurdles champion Omar McLeod of Jamaica won the Hurricane Alumni meet in Coral Gables, Florida in 13.27, the top mark for 2022 as well.

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LANE ONE: City posts LA28’s annual report, showing loss of $33.9 million at the end of 2020, but with major payments starting to come due

By
Rich Perelman
-
A July poll said Americans like the 2028 Olympics being in Los Angeles by 78-4%!

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and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!)

(For our Highlights of the weekend’s major competitions, click here)

“LA28 is well on track to deliver an amazing Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los
Angeles in 2028.”

That’s the primary message from Kathy Carter, the chief executive of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Organizing Committee in its annual submittal to the Los Angeles City Council.

Posted late last week, the 135-page package includes a short overview of LA28’s operations in 2020 and 2021 and financial statements through 31 December 2020. Of its current status:

“LA28 completed an integrated strategic plan and annual operating plan for 2022 continuing to focus on: [l] evolving our organizational strategy and expanding business operations; [2] advancing Games delivery plans and models; [3] growing LA28 brand awareness and collaborating with Team USA; [4] advancing development of a legacy plan and social impact strategy; and [5] continuing to solidify our commercial future.”

Achievements in 2021 include an expansion of the LA28 branding and sponsorship sales program, but the three key items included:

● “[A] substantial reduction or deferral of planned contractual, administrative and travel spend, among other near-term savings.”

● “In 2021, LA28 successfully completed key commercial agreements, announcing partnerships with Salesforce, Comcast and Deloitte.”

● “In addition, LA28 [along with the organizing committees for Paris 2024 and Milan-Cortina 2026 and the IOC] entered into an innovative agreement with On Location – transforming the global hospitality model and guaranteeing significant revenue to LA28.”

That last item – “guaranteeing significant revenue to LA28″ – is going to be important soon, as the $180 million in payments from the International Olympic Committee, at $9 million per quarter since the start of 2018, will come to an end at the close of 2022.

The financial statements showed yet another sizable loss for the year, as expected in a time when revenues are not coming in, except from the IOC:

● 2018: net loss of $16.081 million
● 2019: net loss of $22.024 million
● 2020: net loss of $33.865 million

Some $8.344 million (23%) of the 2020 total costs of $36.493 million were attributable to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties (USOPP), a wholly-owned subsidiary organization that is a combined effort of LA28 and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee for sponsorship sales and other marketing ventures.

The 2017-20 cumulative net deficit was shown as $74.422 million, including some losses from a partial year of operations in 2017. But more money is coming; in total, the IOC is expected to pay $1.535 billion in cash to LA28 from television rights sales and a share of the TOP sponsorship program. The projected budget of $6.882 billion for the entire project did not change.

Thanks to the IOC’s payments, the LA28 cash balance at the end of 2020 was a very healthy $59.024 million.

However, the agreement between LA28 and the USOPC, however, requires that significant payments were due in 2021 and through to 2028. In 2021, the USOPC was to receive cash and/or value-in-kind of $46.076 million, then $58.0 million in 2022-23-24, and $64.0 million in 2025-26-27-28 for a total of $476,075,684. Wow!

The LA28 organization was still small at the end of 2020, with 48 staff and 28 volunteers, but growing significantly since 2018 (28 staff, no volunteers) and 2019, with 34 staff and no volunteers. There are roughly another 40-50 staff involved today with the Los Angeles 2028 effort on the sales side, coordinated by USOPP (also overseen by Carter).

LA28 made a lengthy series of commitments to the City of Los Angeles in the Games Agreement that was approved at the end of 2021. Last Thursday, the City Administrative Officer and Chief Legislative Analyst posted the initial benchmarks and working priorities of 10 oversight groups designed to create a positive Games experience across the City, including:

● Community Business Procurement Working Group
● Local Hire Working Group
● Sustainability Working Group
● Arts and Culture Plan
● Human Rights Strategy
● Legacy Entity
● 2028 Games Mobility Executives
● Public Safety Cooperative
● Games Energy Council
● Airport Operations Plan

Work with most of these groups is expected to start in 2022.

LA28 is also continuing to fund its Youth Sports Agreement with the City’s Recreation and Parks Department, committing $160 million of the $180 million to be received early from the IOC to sports programs in Los Angeles. The funding commitment is already scheduled for delivery into 2028, and as of 31 December 2020, LA28 had funded $4,481,705 against the $160 million commitment ($2,480,992 in calendar year 2020).

The City’s Recreation and Parks Department filed a 182-page plan last Thursday to ask for authorization to access $17,533,441 for use in 2022-23. Most of the money is for programs and classes at 123 sites for recreational league and special programs in rowing, teqball and golf, with smaller amounts for the continuing SwimLA program, surfing ($402,492), running and track & field, judo, tennis, golf, skateboarding, equestrian, taekwondo, adaptive sports, marketing efforts for all of the sports and $500,000 to the U.S. Center for SafeSport for “training and tools to ensure the safety of all youth participants in RAP sports and fitness programs.”

The plan states that the “baseline” 2018-19 program year served 61,925 youth at recreation centers and another 31,013 in aquatic programs, or 92,938 in total. The target for the 2022-23 program year is 77,470 at rec centers and 38,101 in aquatics, or 115,571 in total, which would be an overall increase of 24.3%.

The Youth Sports Agreement allocates $19.2 million for the 2022-23 period, more than the requested amount.

LA28’s $160 million commitment may be increased, as an amendment to the contract allows the City to propose additional funding – transportation support has been identified as a non-covered need – during the remaining term of the agreement.

All of these items will be considered by the City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Games on Monday, with action items submitted to the Council if needed.

When Los Angeles was awarded the 2028 Games in 2017, it seemed like a long time away. With just more than six years left, it’s getting a lot closer and the financial responsibilities – especially to the USOPC – are getting a lot bigger.

Rich Perelman
Editor

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HIGHLIGHTS: Allman’s 235-9 the biggest discus throw in 30 years! U.S. women rout Uzbeks, 9-1; Sweden wins men’s Curling Worlds again

By
Rich Perelman
-
Tokyo Olympic champion and American Record holder in the discus, Valarie Allman

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(For our updated – as of 10 April – 620-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!)

Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world/updated/:

● Artistic Swimming ● USA Artistic Swimming hosted its massive senior and junior national championships in Geneva, Ohio, which also included some guest competitors from other countries.

Among the U.S. performers, Maya Schwickert was the star, winning the women’s Solo Technical, ahead of Ryan Lewis, 71.8753-71.2661, then was third in the Solo Free (74.3833), behind Rebecca Moody (78.4000) and Bianca Hofstatter (75.5250).

Schwickert teamed with Una Tatar-Timburg to win the Duet Technical with 71.4192 points, well ahead of Lilly Ortiz and Valeria Calixto (66.1666). In the Duet Free, Schwickert scored again, this time with Natalie Franson, winning with 74.9667, beating Manasvi Pindi and Nathalia Valdez, 72.5250.

● Athletics ● The first of the 12 World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meets in 2022 was at the Flora Duffy Stadium in Devonshire (BER), with strong winds against the runners on the home straight keeping the times down at the USATF Bermuda Games on Saturday.

Olympic 110 m hurdles silver medalist Grant Holloway, seeing winds of up to 13 miles an hour against the runners, decided not to run on Saturday and there were others who joined him.

Nevertheless, the running events opened with Olympic champ Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR) running into a 2.5 m/s headwind, still getting a world-leading win in 12.67, ahead of American Chanel Brissett (13.06).

None of the other events were good on the clock, but were very competitive. The most interesting race was the last on the track, in the men’s 100 m. U.S. star Noah Lyles had the fastest qualifier, but Canada’s Jerome Blake, Lyles and Olympic 200 m fourth-placer Erriyon Knighton were dueling to the finish and Blake got there first in an upset, 10.38 to 10.39 for Knighton and Lyles. That’s a major win for Blake, 26, whose best is a modest 10.06 last year. The wind was 5.6 m/s against the runners.

Olympic 400 m champ Steven Gardiner pushed to the lead off the turn to win the 200 m in 20.79, into a 4.7 m/s headwind, ahead of Jereem Richards (TTO: 20.86). London 2012 Olympic 400 m gold medalist Kirani James (GRN) was impressive in moving down the straight – against the wind – to win the 400 m in a very creditable 45.63. Shane Brathwaite (BAR) came on late to win the men’s 110 m hurdles in 13.78 (-3.8 m/s).

American Olympic finalist Teahna Daniels and 200 m bronze medalist Gabby Thomas were 1-2 in the women’s 100 m in 11.45 and 11.49 (-5.2 m/s) and former USC star Anthonique Strachan (BAR) won the 200 m with a late rush in 23.24 (-5.0 m/s). Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, the 100 m bronze winner in Tokyo, won the 400 m in 51.40. Jamaica swept the women’s 400 m hurdles, with Shiann Salmon edging Rushell Clayton, 55.35-55.89.

In the two distance races, World Indoor Champion Ajee Wilson (USA) won the women’s 800 m from the front, with a surge into the home straight in 2:03.10, and Kenya’s Kamar Etiang barely held off a late charge from German Amos Bartelsmeyer, 3:45.26-3:45.35.

The wind badly damaged the field events. Rachel McCoy of the U.S. won the women’s high jump at 1.84 m (6-0 1/2), and fellow Tokyo Olympian Quanesha Burks (USA) won the long jump with her third-round jump of 6.77 mw (22-2 1/2w: +2.5 m/s).

Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts took the triple jump at 14.15 m (46-5 1/4). American Chris Benard won the men’s triple jump with a very wind-aided 16.57 m (54-4 1/2w) at 5.0 m/s!

Why was this meet in Bermuda? The early schedule showed a meet on this date in Miramar, Florida, but three-time U.S. 800 m Olympian, Hazel Clark – now with the Bermuda Tourism Authority – worked out a deal with USA Track & Field to put the meet in Devonshire, with a nice crowd on hand, despite overcast skies, a slight drizzle and the heavy winds.

Olympic discus champion Valarie Allman of the U.S. extended her American Record with a win at 71.46 m (235-9) at the Triton Invitational in La Jolla on Friday (8th). The big toss came in the second round, moving her to no. 16 on the all-time list.

That improves on her 71.16 m (233-5) from 2021 and is the longest throw this century! In fact, it’s the longest throw since China’s Yanling Xiao in 1992 (71.68 m/235-2) and before that, since 1989. The drug-free world record?

Fellow U.S. Tokyo Olympian Rachel Dincoff was second with 61.27 m (201-0).

A day before, Sweden’s Olympic champ Daniel Stahl got a world-leader in the men’s discus, throwing 69.11 m (226-9) to win an invitational event in Chula Vista, California.

Another world-leading mark came from U.S. Olympian Brooke Andersen, who won the women’s hammer at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Arizona at 77.26 m (250-2).

Sunday’s always-fast Rotterdam Marathon was a fight to the finish for Olympic silver medalist (and Somali-born) Abdi Nageeye (NED) and Leul Gebreselassie (ETH), with Nageeye getting the win as both were timed in 2:04:56.

A large pack crossed the halfway mark in 1:02:16, but only seven were left by 30 km and three by 40 km. While Reuben Kiprop Kipyego (KEN) fell back, Nageeye and Gebrselaisse raced for the line, with the Dutch star setting another national record with the win. Kipyego ended up third in 2:05:12.

Ethiopia’s Haven Hailu ran away with the women’s race, winning by 50 seconds in 2:22:01.

● Badminton ● The BWF World Tour’s Korea Open in Suncheon was a popular one with the home fans, as the hosts qualified finalists in four of five events and got three wins!

The Korean wins came in the women’s Singles, as Seyoung An defeated Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA), 21-17, 21-18; in the men’s Doubles for Min-hyuk Kang and Seung-jae Seo, over Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto (INA), 19-21, 21-15, 21-18, and in the women’s Doubles, as Na-eun Jeong and Hye-jeong Kim sank Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard (THA), 21-16, 21-12.

In the Mixed Doubles, Kian Meng Tan and Pei Jing Lai (MAS) took down the Korean pair of Sung-hyun Ko and Hye-won Eom, 21-15, 21-18.

China’s Hong Yang Weng defeated Jonatan Christie (INA) in the men’s Singles final, 12-21, 21-19, 21-15.

● Curling ● /Updated/Sweden’s Niklas Edin did it again, leading his team to a fourth straight WCF men’s World Championships in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The 13-team round-robin ended with Brad Gushue’s Canadian rink the best at 10-2, ahead of Sweden (Edin: 9-3), with Italy (Joel Retornaz) at 8-4 and Scotland (Kyle Waddell) and the U.S. (Korey Dropkin) at 7-5.

In the Saturday play-offs, the U.S. took a 4-1 lead over Scotland after four ends and held on for a 6-4 victory, despite single points from the Scots in ends 7-8-9. That sent the U.S. on to face Canada, whom the Americans had tamed, 10-6, during the round-robin.

Gushue got off to a 2-0 lead against the U.S. in the second end and was up, 5-2, at the end of six. But Dropkin got close with two points in the ninth end to close to 6-5, but Gushue finished with two points in the 10th for an 8-5 final.

Italy scored four times in the first end and cruised to 10-4 win that advanced them to meet Sweden in the semis. That match turned in the fifth end, when the Swedes scored four times to take a 7-1 lead, and won, 8-4, to advance to the gold-medal match.

Gushue, the 2006 Olympic winner and 2017 World Champion, and Edin, the three-time defending World Champion and Beijing 2022 winner, are 1-1 in World Champs finals. Gushue won their first match-up in 2017, but Edin won in 2018.

In the bronze-medal match, Retornaz’s Italian squad crushed Dropkin and the U.S., 13-4, scoring four in the first end, and with a 7-4 lead in the sixth end, scored six times in the seventh. It’s the first-ever Worlds medal for Italy!

The gold-medal final was a see-saw affair, with Gushue’s squad leading by 3-0 after the second end, but Edin and Sweden scoring two in the third, one in the fourth and two in the sixth for a 5-4 lead. Undaunted, Gushue got points in the seventh and ninth ends to draw even at 6-6 going into the 10th. But Edin’s Swedes were game and took two points to win by 8-6.

This is the fourth straight Worlds win for Edin, his sixth overall and the second time in four years that he has edged Gushue’s Canadian squad in the gold-medal final. Edin is also the first ever to win the Olympic-Worlds double as a skip in the same season. He and his team are the best, no doubt.

● Cycling ● The 56th edition of the men’s Amstel Gold Race, on a hilly, 254.1 km route from Maastricht to Valkenburg, end in a two-man sprint as Poland’s Michal Kwiatkowski edged Benoit Cosnefroy (FRA) at the line in 6:01:19.

Cosnefroy was initially identified as the winner, but a review of the finish gave the race to 2014 World Road Champion Kwiatkowski, for his second win in this race (also in 2015). Said the winner:

“A tough finish, a tough sprint. I was super-confident that I could win, but at the same time, the last 50 metres were super-tough, when Cosnefroy still accelerated when I got to the side of him.”

Belgian star Tiesj Benoot was third, 10 seconds back, ahead of a pack of eight contenders who ended up 20 seconds back.

The women’s Amstel Gold Race (128.5 km) was a clear win for Italy’s Marta Cavalli, who broke away with less than 2 km remaining and got to the line in 3:17:41. That was four seconds ahead of Demi Vollering (NED), Liane Lippert (GER), Annemiek van Vleuten (NED), Kasia Niewadoma (POL) and Mavi Garcia (ESP).

American Coryn Labecki (nee Rivera) was ninth, nine seconds behind the winner.

The six-stage Itzulia Basque Country looked to be a showcase for two-time champion Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, who won the opening time-trial stage and continued to hold the lead through Thursday’s fourth stage.

But he had a rough time in the uphill finish of the fifth stage, finishing 19th and fell to eighth as Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel took a two-second lead over Daniel Felipe Martinez (COL).

The final stage was another climbing exercise, with seven different uphills in the 135.7 km route from Eibar to Arrate. Spain’s Ion Izagirre won the stage in a final sprint of four riders, including Martinez. Evenepoel wasn’t far behind, but finished 24 seconds back of the lead group and that gave the win to Martinez.

The final tally showed Martinez at 21:59:36 in total, 11 seconds up on Izagirre in second, followed by Aleksandr Vlasov (RUS: +0:16) and Evenepoel (+0:21). It’s Martinez’s second career major multi-stage race win after the 2020 Criterium du Dauphine. Roglic ended in eighth.

The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup opened racing in Cross Country in Petropolis (BRA), with 35-year-old Swiss superstar Nino Schuter showing he is as tough as ever.

The Olympic champ from Rio in 2016 and nine-time World Champion lost the lead in mid-race to emerging Romanian star Vlad Dascalu, but charged home on the final lap to win the seven-lap race at the line in 1:26:52 against familiar rival Maxime Marotte (FRA).

Dascalu took charge (barely) on the fifth and sixth laps, but Schurter had the second-fastest final lap to race to the line, with he and Marotte given the same final times. Dascalu finished third in 1:26:55.

Alan Hatherly (RSA) won the seven-lap men’s Short-Course final in 19:55, ahead of Thomas Litscher (SUI: 19:56).

In the women’s Olympic Cross-Country race, two-time Worlds bronze medalist Rebecca McConnell (AUS) stayed close to the front throughout, then charged to the lead on the sixth and final lap for a 17-second win in 1:29:41 over the 27.05 km course.

McConnell was third entering the final lap, but passed Dutch star Anne Terpstra and France’s 2021 seasonal champ, Loana Lecomte, to win, with Terpstra second and Lecomte, the leader for the first half of the race, third in 1:30:19. American Kate Courtney was ninth (1:34:01).

Three-time World Champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot (FRA) took the six-lap Short Course race in 19:55, just a second better than Laura Stigger (AUT) and Evie Richards (GBR: also 19:56).

● Equestrian ● The FEI World Cup Final in Leipzig (GER) included the Olympic disciplines of Dressage and Jumping, as well as Driving and Vaulting.

In the Dressage World Cup Final – Grand Prix Freestyle, Germany and Denmark dominated, with Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Jessica von Bredlow-Werndl (GER) – on TSF Dalera – winning before the home crowd at 90.836%. Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour (on Vamos Amigos) finished second – a welcome advance over her fourth-place finish in Tokyo – at 86.164%, with the seemingly immortal Isabell Werth (on Weihegold) taking the bronze (85.921%), after getting silver in Tokyo. Danes Carina Cassoe Kruth and Nanna Skodborg Merrald went 4-5.

The amazing Werth, 52, won her 13th career World Cup Final medal (5-5-3).

Von Bredlow-Werndl, Dufour, Werth and Skodborg Merrald were 1-2-3-4 (84.793%, 80.019%, 79.756% and 64.752%) in the Dressage Short Grand Prix earlier in the week.

The Jumping competitions included a two-stage final with a combined score and then Sunday’s finale over two rounds. In the Final I & II, American McLain Ward – the 2017 World Cup champ and a four-time Olympic team medalist – won with a combined score of 67 points, moving from fifth to first with the leading performance in the second final. Dutch rider Harrie Smolders was second (59), followed by Harry Charles (GBR: 57).

Sunday’s two-round Final III ended with a three-way tie – all with no faults – between David Will (GER), two-time Olympic silver medalist Jens Fredricson (SWE) and Martin Fuchs (SUI). In the overall Jumping standings, Fuchs – the 2018 World Equestrian Games silver medalist – was the winner with a total of just five penalty points across three rounds. Smolders was second with eight, Fredricson third (also with eight) and Britain’s Charles was fourth with nine.

● Football ● The U.S. women’s National Team faced Uzbekistan for the first time ever, in a late afternoon game in Columbus, Ohio, that ended with a 9-1 U.S. victory.

The American women had 70% of the possession for much of the first half and generated chance after chance, but no goals in the first 25 minutes.

The U.S. finally broke through in the 26th minute off a corner that landed on the head of Lindsey Horan, who pitched the ball forward to defender Alana Cook, who sent a header to the front of the goal for Andi Sullivan, who finished for a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute.

Off the kickoff, the U.S. got possession and Rose Lavelle took charge and played the ball ahead to Mallory Pugh on the left side. Pugh played a hard shot toward the goal and beat Uzbek keeper Laylo Tilovova at the near post for a devastating goal just seconds later, and a 2-0 lead.

Sophia Smith got a third goal for the U.S. in the 33rd minute, scoring off a long cross from Pugh on the left side and pounding a right-footed shot into the net from in front of the goal. Smith got another in the 35th minute, sending a left-footed rocket past Tilovova and the rout was on, with the U.S. speed, cutting ability and sharp passing shredding the Uzbek defense.

The U.S. finished the half with 74% of the possession and a 17-0 edge on shots.

Off the second-half kickoff, Lavelle got loose in the Uzbek zone and sent a seeing-eye pass to Catarina Macario, who dodged Tilovova and sent a right-footer into the net for a 5-0 lead in the 46th minute. Smith got a third in the 56th minute (6-0) and Jaelin Howell got her first international goal in the 64th for a 7-0 lead.

But Uzbekistan got a stunning goal on the 60th minute. A corner by Solikha Khusniddinova sailed through the U.S. defense in front of goal and found the left knee of Aziza Norboeva, and her shot sailed past keeper Alyssa Naeher for a 7-1 score. It was the first score against the U.S. during a home game since 2020, a streak of 17 straight matches.

Ashley Hatch got an eighth goal on a header in the 86th minute, popping the ball over Tilovova’s head on a punch-away attempt. Ashley Sanchez scored her first international goal on a clever move around a defender in the 90th minute for the 9-1 final.

At the whistle, the U.S. ended with 74% possession and a 33-1 shots advantage. The two sides will meet again on Tuesday, in Chester, Pennsylvania.

● Gymnastics ● The second leg of the FIG Rhythmic World Cup in Sofia (BUL) was a triumph for home favorite – and 2021 European Championships All-Around silver medalist – Boryana Kaleyn.

She won the All-Around at 127.300, comfortably ahead of Sofia Raffaeli (ITA: 124.550) and Stillana Nikolova (BUL: 123.800). American Lili Mizuno was sixth (111.300).

Kaleyn also won individual titles in Hoop (32.100, over Raffaeli, 30.300), Ball (32.650, over Raffaeli, 32.250) and Ribbon (over teammate Nikolova). Nikolova won on Clubs, scoring 31.850, ahead of Raffaeli (31.450).

Mizuno made the final in Hoop, finishing sixth (28.000).

● Rugby Sevens ● The fifth leg of the 2022 HSBC men’s World Rugby Sevens in Singapore got crazy from the start as South Africa – winners of all four tournaments this season, without a loss – was upset by the U.S. in group play by 12-7, thanks to a Perry Baker try at the end of the match. That ended a 36-match winning streak for the Blitzboks.

The U.S., Australia and New Zealand all finished 3-0 in their groups, with Fiji and Ireland both 2-1 in Group D.

In the playoffs, Fiji won tight matches against South Africa (19-14), Australia (19-12) and then won the final with a 28-17 thrashing of New Zealand. The U.S. lost to Ireland, 14-12, in the quarterfinals and ended up sixth. The Kiwis got past the Irish in the semis, 22-19; Australia won the third-place game over Ireland, 21-19.

After five of nine rounds, South Africa remains in the lead with 98 points, with Australia and Argentina at 83 each and the U.S. fourth at 67.

● Sailing ● The first of three legs in the Hempel World Cup Series, the 51st Trofeo Sofia Mallorca in Spain, concluded on Saturday, offering one of the first tests of the Paris 2024 classes in a single, Olympic Classes Regatta. There were some familiar faces on the podium.

Spain’s Jordi Xammar, the Tokyo bronze medalist in the men’s 470 class, won the new mixed-crew 470 racing, teaming with Nora Brugman (ESP) to win with 28 net points (and four race wins) to 45 for Italy’s Giacomo Ferrari and Bianca Caruso.

In the men’s 49er class, France’s Erwan Fischer and Clement Pequin built up a big lead and then survived the medal race against Ian Barrows and Hans Henken of the U.S., 50-53. The French won six races, but were only sixth in the medal race, vs. second for the Americans.

The women’s 49er FX class saw Tokyo bronze medalist Annette Duetz now teamed with Odile van Aanholt (NED) and they held off Olympic champs Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA) by 51-61, even with the Brazilians winning the medal race.

The men’s Laser class had Britain’s Michael Beckett score three wins and three seconds and finish with 51 net points to win, just ahead of Olympic gold medalist Matt Wearn (NZL), 51-57. The women’s Laser Radial class was a runaway victory for Canadian Sarah Douglas, sixth in Tokyo, over Britain’s Hannah Snellgrove, 28-59.

The new Formula Kite class for men was a 1-2 for France, with Theo de Ramecourt (13) and Benoit Gomez (20), also going 1-2 in the medal race. The women’s Kite winner was American Daniela Moroz, who won the medal race over Lauriane Nolot (FRA).

The men’s Foil, another new class, saw a victory for Britain’s Andrew Brown, 37-56, over Italy’s Nicolo Renna, and these two were 1-2 in the medal race. France’s Helene Noesmoen took the women’s Foil over Spain’s Pilar Lamadrid, finishing 1-2 in the medal race.

The mixed-crew Nacra 17 winners were Italy’s Olympic champs, Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti, who dominated the racing with eight wins and just 16 points, to 52 for Finland’s Sinem Kurtbay and Akseli Keskinen.

● Shooting ● The ISSF World Cup in Shotgun finished in Lima (PER) on Thursday, with the U.S. leading the medal table with 11 total, including four golds (4-3-4).

The second-week Skeet competitions saw Peru’s Nicolas Pacheco get a 4-3 shoot-off win against Federico Gil (ARG) for the gold, with American Hayden Stewart third. Italy defeated Puerto Rico, 6-4, for the men’s Team Skeet victory.

The U.S. went 1-2-4 in the women’s Skeet final, with 2017 World Champion Dania Jo Vizzi taking the all-American final from Tokyo Olympian Austen Jewell Smith, 36-35, hitting her last seven shots. Lucie Anastassiou (FRA) was third, over Caitlin Connor of the U.S., 25-16. It was no surprise that the U.S. women won the Team event, shutting out Italy, 6-0.

However, in the Mixed Skeet Team final, Italy’s Domenico Simeone and Simona Scocchetti won a 4-3 shoot-out against Smith and Dustan Taylor, after a 5-5 tie in the five-round match.

The World Cup series continues this week in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) for Rifle and Pistol events through the 19th.

● Short Track ● /Updated/The delayed ISU World Championships finally took place in Montreal (CAN), with Beijing Olympic stars still in excellent form.

Hungary’s Shaoang Liu won the Olympic 500 m and took his second consecutive world title in the men’s 500 m in 40.573, ahead of Quentin Fercoq (FRA: 40.674) and Stijn Desmet (BEL: 40.710).

Liu was fourth in the Olympic 1,500 m final, but got to the top of the podium in Montreal in 2:15.096, winning by daylight over Canada’s Pascal Dion (2:15.644) and Desmet (2:15.716).

Sunday’s races started with the 1,000 m, which Liu won in style in 1:25.462, edging Koreans June Seo Lee (1:25.529) and Yoon-Gy Kwak (1:25.662). Dion took the 3,000 m Superfinal in 4:42.214 to 4:42.306 for Lee and 4:42.721 for Dutch star Sjinkie Knegt, with Liu seventh.

Added up, Liu won his second consecutive Worlds overall title, with 104 points, to 63 for Dion and 55 for Lee. Desmet finished fourth, with 39. At 24, Liu now owns four Olympic medals (2-0-2) and 13 Worlds medals (6-5-2).

In the women’s racing, Korean star Min-jeong Choi defended her 2022 Beijing 1,500 m gold with a convincing win in Montreal in 2:23.594. Canada’s Kim Boutin, who finished 10th at the Winter Games, got the silver, her third career Worlds medal in the event (0-2-1). Korean Whimin Seo was third (2:24.455).

Olympic relay gold medalist Xandra Velzeboer, 20, showed that she is the next-star-in-line for the Netherlands, winning the 500 m Worlds title in 42.476, ahead of Beijing bronze medalist Boutin (42.570), and Yara van Kerkhof (NED: 42.642).

But Choi would not be stopped. On Sunday, she won her third 1,000 m world title and her third 3,000 m world gold. She won the 1,000 m – where she was second in Beijing – in 1:27.956, just edging Boutin (1:28.076) and Velzeboer (1:29.144). Choi and Boutin were 1-2 again in the 3,000 m – 5:05.641 to 5:05.734 – with Seo third (5:06.840).

That gave Choi her fourth Worlds overall title – also in 2015-16-18 – with 107 points, to 84 for Boutin and 53 for Velzeboer. All this and still just 23, Choi has lots of skating ahead of her.

● Sport Climbing ● The IFSC World Cup season opened in Meiringen (SUI) with a Bouldering test for men and women, with Olympic champ Janja Garnbret (SLO) showing no post-Tokyo letdown.

Garnbret, now 23, led the qualifying with five tops, won the semi with four tops and cruised to the victory in the final with four tops and four zones. American Natalia Grossman, 20, the 2021 World Championships runner-up, scored the silver with three tops and four zones in the final.

No one else had more than one top, with Andrea Kumin (SUI) getting third with one top and two zones.

The men’s final on Sunday had two-time World Champion Tomoa Narasaki (JPN) in charge from the beginning. He led the qualifying, semifinals and won the final with two tops and two zones (3-6), ahead of teammate Yoshiyuki Ogata (also 2T3Z-5-19), and France’s Medji Schalck (2T3Z-7-9).American Colin Duffy was fifth (1T4Z-19-27).

● Swimming ● Britain, Canada, France and Italy were among multiple countries with national championships and/or World Championships selection meets during the week, with multiple world-leading marks:

● Men/100 m Free: 47.88, Lewis Burras (GBR)
● Men/400 m Free: 3:41.60, Lukas Martens (GER)
● Men/400 m Medley: 4:09.18, Duncan Scott (GBR)

● Women/200 m Medley: 2:10.58, Sydney Pickrem (CAN)

More swimming to come today; the U.S. Worlds selection meet comes 26-30 April.

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For our updated, 620-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

SPECIAL: Updated! Our revised, 620-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 now posted!

By
Rich Perelman
-

The continuing Covid-19 pandemic and now the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to plague our world, including the international sports calendar. But sport goes on, and as your guide, here’s our exclusive 620-event listing of events for the remainder of 2022, with a few of the larger events beyond to 2026.

Our updated International Sports Calendar focuses on sports and events on the Olympic and Winter Games program for 2022 and 2024, plus a few other meetings and multi-sports events.

Please note: this listing will change, and some federations have still not posted their complete events list for 2022! However, this edition is a good place to start for following many of the events coming up in a very busy year ahead.

Two calendars are included in the single PDF download: an 14-page listing in chronological order and a 14-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.

THE TICKER: U.S. skaters’ medal-ceremony appeal explained; new petition to limit transgender women in sport; Deloitte signs as IOC sponsor

By
Rich Perelman
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The Beijing 2022 awards podium and backdrop (Photo: Beijing 2022)

(★ WOW! Now 50 donors have covered 83% of our site costs for the first six months of 2022. Can you help? Please donate here. ★)

● Plus: Los Angeles 2028: Flag football? = IOC: Signs CBC for Canadian rights to 2026-28-30-32 Games = USOPC: Kiraly leads Coach of the Year honorees = Women in Sport: 5,446 sign petition asking NCAA and NGBs for fairness to women in transgender regs = Athletics: Schwazer’s doping “manipulation” scenario found false = Diving: Chinese stars Xie and Shi retire = Football: Platini’s criminal complaint vs. Infantino made public = Volleyball: Russian federation wants $80 million from FIVB for removing 2022 Worlds = Weightlifting: USA Weightlifting goes public with Congress, Worlds proposals
= SCOREBOARD = Curling: Canada leads as men’s Worlds round-robin nears the end ●

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

The Court of Arbitration for Sport finally published the detailed, 15-page decision on why it rejected the appeal of the nine U.S. figure skaters who petitioned for a Team Event medal ceremony at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

The appeal was made by the nine skaters as a group, independent from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and without the support of the other medal-winning teams from Russia or Japan, and was turned down. Why the appeal was refused was explained.

The three-member panel, made up of arbitrators from Denmark, France and China, noted the skater’s interest in a public ceremony, and their claims that not having a ceremony in Beijing, during the Winter Games would result in serious damages:

● “31. The absence of the public recognition of the Applicants’ outstanding life achievements to win an Olympic silver medal may cause a mental hurdle and psychological damage, which will affect their future performance.”

● “32. Moreover, not having the medals awarded to them during the OWG 2022 will be damaging to the Applicants, in particular with regard to the possible sponsoring and endorsement opportunities, which will normally only be available during a narrow window after the closing of the Olympic Games and at the momentum of the public exposure of the medal ceremony.”

The appeal was made on technical grounds, taking a very narrow interpretation of the language of the Olympic Charter.

The IOC’s reply was that the skaters cannot pick and choose which language of the Charter and other event regulations it wants to apply, that the situation was unprecedented and that they have not been sanctioned in any way, since the results of their event have not – as the situation developed – been finally determined.

The U.S. skaters had a high bar to clear since Rule 56 of the Charter reads:

“Any decision regarding the awarding, withdrawal or reallocation of any victory medal or diploma falls within the sole authority of the IOC.”

The skaters pointed to the Host City Contract and the IOC’s various operations guides and requirements that a medal ceremony should follow the conclusion of each event, but the Panel held that – under Swiss law – these contractual requirements are only binding between the IOC and the organizing committee, and not between others (such as competing athletes). That finding will be one to remember for the future.

Further, the Panel noted that the U.S. athletes are not being deprived of a medal ceremony, but only of the timing and place of that ceremony, and

“While the Panel appreciates that the Applicants might feel that they have been treated differently than other Olympic athletes, who were competing in different Olympic events and who subsequently were awarded their well-deserved Olympic medals at a public medal ceremony held during the OWG 2022, the Panel agrees with the IOC that the decision to treat a different and unprecedented situation in a different way does not per se constitute or imply an unjustified unequal treatment of the athletes covered by such a decision. The Appealed Decision did cover all of the Olympic medallists in the OWG 2022 Figure Skating Team Event, and the Panel also finds that the Appealed Decision was neither arbitrary nor unjustifiable.”

The decision was not unexpected, especially in view of the IOC’s absolute rights reserved to it under the Olympic Charter. And it did clarify the legal applicability of the Host City Contract and the IOC’s operating requirements for the Games to others who are not a direct party to those agreements.

In the meantime, the Valieva doping positive has still not been resolved and everyone continues to wait.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Los Angeles 2028 ● “We’ve got to make the game matter. If flag football becomes an Olympic sport, more countries will invest in playing that sport.”

So said Damani Leech (USA), the chief operating officer of NFL International, in a CNBC interview. “Over the next five years, we want to expand NFL flag football.”

There are more than a dozen other sports asking the LA28 organizers to include them as added sports on the 2028 program and NFL Flag Football is one of the least-developed on the international level.

However, it will get exposure at the upcoming 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, in the heart of SEC football country, with IOC observers in attendance.

● International Olympic Committee ● The IOC sold its broadcasting rights in Canada for the 2026-28-30-32 Games to incumbent rights-holders the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Radio Canada.

No cost figures were provided in the announcement; CBC/Radio Canada has held the Canadian rights for the Games in recent years – 2014-16-18-20-22-24 – and now through 2032.

Chris Wilson, executive director of CBC Sports, said, “It’s the biggest thing we do as a company. It draws the biggest audiences. It is one of the most relevant things we do that brings the country together. And so I really believe it just sort of cements, as part of our mandate, a really major programming pillar for the company as a whole.”

Wilson said that 70% of Canadians watched some part of the recent Beijing Olympic Winter Games, following 74% for the Tokyo Olympic Games held last year. The comparable figures in the U.S. are under 50% for NBC.

The IOC agreement includes a commitment to showing at least 200 hours of the Olympic Games and 100 hours of the Winter Games on free-to-air television.

The IOC also announced a new TOP sponsorship with the worldwide consulting firm Deloitte, to provide “expertise in management and business consulting to help enhance and secure the IOC’s digital ecosystem supporting the Olympic Movement.”

London-headquartered Deloitte has already been deeply involved with Olympic partners in specific countries, including as a sponsor of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Los Angeles Olympic & Paralympic Games organizers, and National Olympic Committees in Canada, Germany, Ireland and Poland.

According to the announcement: “Deloitte will utilise its environmental, social and governance services expertise to assist the Olympic Movement in driving progress on critical challenges identified in Olympic Agenda 2020+5 related to corporate governance, strategy, sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and athlete support and well-being.”

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● Coaches of the year were named in multiple classifications, including Karch Kiraly as Olympic Coach of the Year.

Kiraly, acknowledged as one of the greatest players in volleyball history and an Olympic gold medalist both indoors and on the beach, led the U.S. women’s team to its first-ever Olympic gold in Tokyo.

Nathan Manley was named as Paralympic Coach of the Year for his support of athletes training at the USOPC Training Center during the pandemic and for their success in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Two coaches from USA Swimming were honored: Ron Aitken (Sandpipers of Nevada) as Developmental Coach of the Year and Todd DeSorbo (Virginia) as College Coach of the Year. Also:

● USA Hockey’s Phil Edwards was selected as Coach-Educator of the Year.

● Physical therapist and athletic trainer Kara Kessans was named Service Provider of the Year for her work with the U.S. women’s indoor volleyball team.

● Mary Murphy of the Madison Speedskating Club was recognized as the Volunteer Coach of the Year.

● The highly-respected sport physiologist Dr. Randy Wilber earned the Doc Counsilman Science Award.

National Governing Bodies nominated their 2021 coaches as part of the USOPC Coach of the Year Recognition Program, and the winners were determined by a USOPC selection panel.

● Women in Sports ● The Women’s Sports Policy Working Group and Champion Women released a 141-page announcement that more than 5,446 individuals – including 297 Olympians and Paralympians – have signed petitions “that call upon legislatures and sports governance organizations to prioritize fairness and safety for females over blanket transgender inclusion or exclusion in girls’ and women’s competitive sports.”

The goal of the petitions is explained thus:

“The WSPWG’s policy position is that sport leaders should work cooperatively to fashion rules so that transgender girls and women are fully welcome into sport. Their sport performances should be respected in girls’ and women’s competitive sports if they are separately scored OR if they can demonstrate that their male post-puberty advantage has been sufficiently mitigated. Similar separate scoring based on performance advantages are already fully accepted in sports, such as age categories, or weight categories in wrestling, rowing, and weightlifting, etc.”

The Champion Women petition asks for international and national governing bodies (including the NCAA) to “adopt transgender eligibility guidelines that are evidence-based and that affirm fairness for females in the women’s sports category” and adds:

“In January, the NCAA asked USA Swimming to create transgender eligibility standards. [USA] Swimming created outstanding policies and procedures that conformed to the fairness tests set out below. The NCAA then quickly reversed course, and allowed Lia Thomas to swim in the NCAA Women’s Championships, even though it knew inclusion would not be fair to the biological women.”

The lengthy explanation of the transgender issue, especially as it relates to swimming included this:

“In the 1970s and 1980s, sport failed to address the travesty of East German women dominating swimming by ingesting and injecting large amounts of performance enhancing drugs. At the time, sport leaders did not stand up for U.S. women who were not testosterone advantaged. Instead, women were told to be gracious losers. Now in 2022, on the 50th anniversary of Title IX, USA Swimming’s 2022 guidelines on transgender inclusion must support competitive equality for biological women. Do not tell women to be gracious losers again.”

● Athletics ● The drama over Italian race walking star Alex Schwazer continues.

Schwazer won the Beijing 2008 Olympic 50 km Walk and the 2010 European Championships 20 km Walk, but tested positive for doping in advance of the 2012 London Games and was suspended for 3 1/2 years in April 2013 by the Italian anti-doping agency.

A January 2016 test that was initially declared clean was re-tested in May and found positive. Schwazer appealed, but was found to have committed a doping violation by the Court of Arbitration for Sport and given an eight-year ban into July 2024.

An Italian court held in February 2021 that Schwazer’s 2016 positive was due to manipulation of his sample and, although not binding against his international doping ban, has cast doubt on the proceedings.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has continued to pursue the issues and stated on Thursday that “the athlete’s sample collected on 1 January 2016 by World Athletics was not subject to any form of manipulation.”

WADA commissioned an independent report on the findings of the Italian judge; the review “establishes that the manipulation scenario devised by Judge Pelino is wholly implausible and that there is no analytical evidence of it.”

The Athletics Integrity Unit independently conducted a test of the DNA levels in the sample, as against a blind sample of 100 others and found that the DNA concentration was within the normal range, disproving another allegation of manipulation, detailed in a nine-page report.

The bottom line: “the manipulation scenario is wholly implausible – if not to say impossible – from a scientific perspective.” Schwazer remains suspended.

● Diving ● Reports in Chinese media indicate that star divers Tingmao Shi and Siyi Xie have retired.

Xie, now 26, won the Tokyo Olympic 3 m Springboard gold and teamed with Zongyuan Wang to win the 3 m Synchro gold. He won the 3 m World Championships title in 2017 and 2019 and the Worlds 1 m Springboard in 2015.

Shi, 30, won a double-double in Rio and Tokyo in the 3 m Springboard and 3 m Synchro (with Minxia Wu in 2016 and Han Wang in 2021), plus eight World Championships golds from 2011-19, including three individual 3 m Springboard titles.

Don’t expect much of a let-down from the Chinese, however, as they went 1-2 in Tokyo in both the men’s and women’s Springboard and Platform events and won three golds and a silver in the four synchro events.

● Football ● Former French football great and ex-UEFA President Michel Platini (FRA) filed a criminal complaint against current FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) in November in France, alleging influence peddling.

Platini was indicted in Switzerland, along with former FIFA President Sepp Blatter (SUI) on fraud charges from payments made in 2011. They are expected to be tried later this year.

Platini’s action against Infantino appears to target discussions Infantino had with former Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber in 2016, possibly about the payments-to-Platini scandal. Swiss authorities have been investigating the activities, but Infantino has not been charged.

● Volleyball ● The Russian news agency TASS reported an appeal by the All-Russian Volleyball Federation with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). According to the federation’s statement:

“The All-Russian Volleyball Federation has filed an appeal with the FIVB Appeals Committee regarding the cancellation of the World Championship. Further steps will be taken following the committee’s decision, including a possible lawsuit [at the Court of Arbitration for Sport].”

The tournament was removed from Russia on 1 March in view of its invasion of Ukraine; it was slated to be held from 26 August-11 September in 10 cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Yaroslavl, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Novosibirsk, Kemerovo and Krasnoyarsk.

A prior report stated that a filing had been made with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, asking for $80 million in compensation for the removal of the 2022 men’s World Championship, but this may have been premature.

● Weightlifting ● USA Weightlifting publicly announced its offers to the International Weightlifting Federation to host the IWF Electoral Congress in June and the 2022 IWF World Championships in November.

The Electoral Congress, scheduled for 25-26 June, is proposed to be held in Las Vegas, at the same time as the U.S. national championships. USA Weightlifting is also creating a new event, the Friendship Cup:

“This exhibition concept, not currently sanctioned by the IWF, will see two-person teams where a man is randomly paired with a woman from a different nation. Youth-level athletes will compete June 25-27, followed by juniors June 28-30 and seniors July 1-3. Results will be determined by each team’s Sinclair coefficient.”

The Worlds proposal is centered on Atlanta and the Georgia International Congress Center, with close rail links to Hartsfield International Airport and walking distance from the proposed team hotels. China withdrew from hosting the 2022 Worlds in view of continuing Covid concerns in the country.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Curling ● The men’s World Championship is ongoing in Las Vegas, with the 13-team round robin continuing through Friday, with the top six teams to make it into the playoffs.

So far, Turin 2006 Olympic gold medalist Brad Gushue’s Canadian squad leads at 7-2, but is closely followed by Scotland (Kyle Waddell), Sweden (Beijing 2022 champ Niklas Edin), and the U.S. (Korey Dropkin) at 6-3., with South Korea (Soo-hyuk Kim) at 5-3.

The championship matches will be on Sunday.

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THE BIG PICTURE: Life and money advice to athletes by superstars in hockey and track & field: Chris Pronger and Ato Boldon

By
Rich Perelman
-

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One of the frustrating aspects of money is that it doesn’t come with instructions. For athletes who are making money, that has often been their financial downfall.

Canadian-born Chris Pronger, now 47, and a National Hockey League star defenseman for all or part of 18 seasons and a two-time Olympic gold medalist in 2002 and 2010, shared some advice about pro athlete money in a 16-tweet thread on Monday that every athlete – and every family member and friend – should read. Spliced together for readability (but unedited):

I played 20 years in the NHL.

I was one of the highest earning NHL players of all time. And friends with many other pro athletes.

My guess is more than 50% of pro athletes have financial issues in retirement.

Here are 3 problems I’ve seen (and some stories).

Point #1: Athletes tend to be wasteful early in their careers and think the money train will last forever. (Been there done that)

It doesn’t. We are only one injury away from retirement. Always!

I had a $1M signing bonus at 18. That’s a huge sum for a young adult. Huge! Understanding the magnitude of that was daunting say the least.

I was lucky to have great mentors early on. Many aren’t as lucky.

When I first turned pro in 1993 a lot of players at that time made around $300k/year.

Nowadays, the median salary in the NHL is maybe around $2m.

On a $2m/year salary, there is anywhere from 39%-56% in taxes give or take.

But there’s also agents fees (3-5%), escrow and much more

Then there’s job related expenses. A chef/nutritionist for some, off-season trainer, $5k-10k/month for a house near the practice facility.

An athlete can easily spend $20k/month.

And since the avg. career is 4 seasons, an athlete might have $2m-$3m in savings when they’re done. But with spending habits already formed, in a few years there will be issues.

And in my opinion, this is a fairly optimistic scenario.

For example, I’ve heard crazy stories about guys spending $1M in a strip club !

I know a guy who had a $2M signing bonus. He immediately bought $400k in cars, dropped $1.5m on a home for his mom. But didn’t realize he owed taxes on it! knock knock it’s the IRS.

So, while the earning can be great. It’s easy to spend a lot…and the income doesn’t last as long as one might think.

Which brings me to point #2: People take advantage of athletes. You always have to have your guard up.

My teammates and I joked that there were professional deals and then athlete deals.

Financial advisors, lawyers, etc…they assume we don’t read the paperwork (often true for many) and charge us more than the average person.

You’re in your 20’s, a public figure, celebrity of sorts and everyone knows you’re making money.

You’re a mark.

At times I felt like they had 2 sets of documents: one for athletes and another for everyone else.

Another example: Very common to get a pitch for an investment that needs $500k and closes in 3 days.

Why are they doing this? Because they can’t get $ from alleged more sophisticated investors.

After a few errors myself, my rule is: If someone needs an answer right now, the answer is always NO. They learn this lesson real fast.

Another example: athletes are convinced to give power of attorney to advisors, which means they do not control their money.

This is crazy!

Aroldis Chapman, NY Yankees pitcher, had $3m stolen from him by his financial advisor thanks to the power of attorney.

We’re pro athletes. Not pro-investors.

So I understand why we sometimes make that mistake.

But the sad part is that shady professionals are far more common than most think. And it’s a common trap many fall into [not] just athletes.

And finally, point #3: Many players have an entourage to take care of.

It can be hard for many to let go of friends from back home.

I’m lucky not to have had too many issues with this. But we have seen many instances of this.

Often, athletes have the attitude of “if one of us makes it, we all make it.”

That means unqualified friends on payroll, investments in deals because we grew up together, and big entertainment bills.

This is another dangerous trap.

Instead, we need to be vigilant about saying NO, which is always tough.

Pronger’s experience in a high-profile team sport like ice hockey is a lot different than that in track & field or swimming. But his advice echoes the brilliant advice of four-time Trinidadian Olympic sprint medalist and NBC analyst Ato Boldon from his presentation at The Business of Sport Conference in Jamaica in 2011. The Jamaica Observer’s story on the list was headlined “The 10 Commandments, according to the gospel of Ato Boldon”:

(10) Save some of all that free gear that you constantly give away — it will end.

(9) No one ever remembers the pain but medals are forever. Push. No pro-track athlete has ever died from a workout. Post-career regret sucks.

(8) No one from that shoe company you love so much loves you. The romance with no finance is a nuisance. The more you love them and the more in love you are, the less you make.

(7) The competitors you think you hate will be your friends when you are retired. Don’t take it that seriously. Compete without hate.

(6) Figure out what job you will do next in early or mid-career not post-career. Few get to decide when they retire. Most get forced out.

(5) One day you’ll awaken and you won’t be fast anymore. Does a career define your whole life or existence? It shouldn’t. Have a life so you don’t have to go get one after.

(4) Make use of the best things about being a track athlete — the travel. Years in exotic locales and all you know are hotels and McDonalds, (that) is pointless. Get outside. Take pictures. Learn something. Experience other lands.

(3) Your career is infinitely more fun with a good training group. Choose your training group wisely. Chances are if you hate your career after, it’s because you either hated your training partners, bounced around several camps or had no training partners.

(2) Europe can be wild and crazy and fun and it can also shorten your career drastically if you are incapable of not acting a damn fool there. European wine and men/women have prematurely ended many a promising career.

(1) Save your money like your life depends on it — it does. Make your money earn more while you are earning a lot of it and yes, get a pro to do this. Your cousin who is good with money does not count.

Great advice then, and now; feel free to share this post with people who should know.

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LANE ONE: New Olympic-federations report rips U.S. pro-sports model, asks for more government support, and ignores U.S. school-sport systems

By
Rich Perelman
-

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● Plus: Winter Games 2030: Catalan referenda set for 24 July = IOC: Miro retires = On Screen: Big audiences for NCAA basketball, 537,000 for Tyr Pro Swim = Boxing: Cuba to allow pro boxing after 60 years = Football: CONCACAF Nations draw for 2022-23 = Weightlifting: Six new doping cases in Kazakhstan = Memorabilia: Melbourne ‘56 official’s pin sells for €3,000!?! ●

It’s always nice to know what other people think of you, even if what they think of you isn’t nice, or accurate.

In a new, 40-page report titled The Solidarity Model of Organised Sport in Europe and Beyond, the Swiss-based Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) explains at some length why national governments should commit “to protecting the solidarity model of organised sport in Europe and beyond.”

In particular, the report is hardly enamored with the spreading contagion of American-style professional sports leagues. The core passage is long, but worth reading slowly:

“While largely respecting the international sport pyramid, features of the ‘American Model of Sport’ are increasingly emerging across European sport and exerting an influence from a commercial point of view. This model is essentially an outcome of commodity production of sport where commercial values predominate. Sport is sold as an entertainment product, especially to broadcasters, which constitute the primary consumer with massive bargaining power. It is organised in a way to accommodate TV and franchises relocate to capture new and larger fan bases and viewers. Elite athletes are promoted as celebrities. These features have inspired especially some of the bigger IFs to professionalise their operations, in particular their revenue generation.

“Generally, this is a positive development. However, it must be noted that in the American Model, closed championships and multiple sport federations are standard. Sport is regarded and treated the same as any other business venture. While [International Federations, National Federations and National Olympic Committees] located in [North] America generally have integrated into the pyramidal structure of international sport, the American model is still predominant nationally.

“One example of how the American model has impacted international sport is with the National Hockey League (NHL) in North America. The NHL decided not to interrupt its season, and therefore its players were not able to participate in the men’s ice hockey competitions and represent their countries at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, even though it had done so for the previous five editions.”

For ASOIF, formed in 1983, it’s all about the “European Model.” This makes sense, since of the 28 International Federations which are part of the permanent program of the Olympic Games – as of Tokyo 2020 – 26 are headquartered in Europe and two in Asia.

And the report makes no secret of its goal, as its recommendations are “first and foremost addressed to the [European Union] institutions and EU Member States. However, in time, as the benefits of a certain and stable structure for the evolution of sport become apparent, these principles should be recognised and applied worldwide.”

So, what is the “European Model”?

“The solidarity model of organised sport referred to in this paper reflects both the international pyramidal system of sport and the European Model of Sport.

“The advantages of this pyramidal structure are that:

“● it reinforces financial solidarity mechanisms from elite or professional sport at the top to grassroots sport at the base;

“● it ensures open access to sport for everyone at grassroots level; and

“● it provides the possibility for athletes to move up from the base of the pyramid to professional levels and vice versa (open system of promotion and relegation).

“It should be noted that physical activity is also organised independently from this structure at grassroots level – either informally or commercially. …

“Thanks to its pyramidal system, any profit made through events and activities at elite level are reinvested at the lower levels into sport development. Any profit made is treated as incidental, not central, which is an important difference to commercial sport event organisers.”

This is an outright slap at the top level of professional sports in the U.S., that displays a clear lack of understanding of the way organized sports have developed in the United States.

First and foremost, the ASOIF paper makes the case for continued and expanded national governmental funding of national federations in each country, to support sport from the top down to the bottom.

The U.S. has no such federal funding program – the only country in the world without it – and yet the U.S. is the world’s leading power in the Olympic Games and has the highest-level leagues in the world in men’s basketball (NBA), ice hockey (NHL), baseball (MLB) and American Football (NFL), with soccer (MLS) on the rise as well and expanding leagues in women’s basketball (WNBA) and soccer (NWSL). Most of the major championships in golf are held in the U.S. and one of the four tennis Grand Slams (the U.S. Open).

It’s essentially only those sports which follow the “American model” the report complains of. And in most of these sports, they happen to be the best leagues in their sports in the world. But you wouldn’t that from the report.

Moreover, contrary to the report’s superficial characterization, the U.S. has deeply-ingrained development programs funded both privately and by governments at the local and regional levels. Private organizations at work with youth and sport for decades include Little League and other levels of baseball, Pop Warner football, AAU basketball, AYSO for soccer, YMCAs and so on: some are affiliated with national federations and professional teams, some not. But government support of sport runs deep through the uniquely-American system of sports-in-schools beginning in the middle school and continuing through the immense high school and collegiate programs.

As of 2020, statistics showed that some 7.94 million boys and girls competed in sports in U.S. high school programs and more than 499,000 competed at the collegiate level. For the most part, their participation was supported – in whole or in part – by local or state governmental entities, and is the finest sports development system in the world. The NCAA estimated that about 75% of the American team at Tokyo 2020 competed at a U.S. college, and hundreds (if not several thousand) foreign athletes receive scholarships to study and train at American universities.

Even more insulting is the sniffling irritation at the enormous commercial success of the U.S. leagues in baseball, basketball and ice hockey (American Football is not widely played – or understood – internationally), as noted by the NHL’s decision not to participate in the 2018 or 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

But if sports are all about the athletes – and that’s hardly mentioned in the ASOIF paper – then what about the fact that most athletes aren’t paid to compete in the Olympic Games. In the NHL, the minimum salary this season is $750,000, and $925,258 in the NBA. It’s in the $700,000 range now for Major League Baseball and the NFL, but much less for the less-well-heeled MLS, WNBA and NWSL. The European model says athletes should compete for national teams to the detriment of their clubs, and if a government is paying them, this makes sense.

But in the Olympic world – at least for basketball, football and ice hockey – the U.S. government pays them nothing.

Moreover, the European model – for which the ASOIF paper asks for more support, while demanding no governmental involvement within national sport organizations – has widely failed to support the Olympic-program International Federations. The report notes:

“Currently, in terms of the Summer Olympic Games, around half of the IFs may be said to have significant reliance on IOC revenues, that is more than 25% of their revenues coming from their Olympic Games revenue share in any four-year cycle, with more than a third of the IFs relying on Olympic Games revenue share for more than 45% of their incomes.”

In other words, if it wasn’t for the enormous financial success of the Olympic Games, primarily powered by American television giant NBCUniversal and American-based Discovery, Inc. (for European rights from 2018-24), multiple International Federations would simply cease to exist.

And so the report states the obvious: “with increasing competition emerging from new sport formats, esports and other entertainment forms, there is a pressing need for [International Federations] to embrace commercialisation.”

Plus the kicker:

“In ASOIF’s view, the commercialisation of sport and upholding sporting values can be compatible if the revenues generated through professional sport are reinvested at the lower
levels for sport development, applying the solidarity model. In fact, IFs can thereby become more professional and develop their sport in a holistic way.”

That is exactly what happens in the U.S., but not in a tidy, top-down, unified, pyramidal scheme. Instead, it’s the usual confused American jumble of public and private interests, in commercial, educational, civic and community-based organizations, all trying to make sport work for kids, parents, sponsors and fans, whether in person, on television or being streamed online. It’s only the most successful sport development system – athletically and commercially – in the world, in the sports that use it.

The ASOIF report speaks little of vision, entrepreneurship, innovation and investment, the driving forces in successful U.S. sport ventures. It talks a lot about the need for more money from government, to be spent without oversight.

European soccer has embraced U.S. concepts and has attracted more and more U.S. ownership, which is learning more about development academies and other structures outside of the American high school and collegiate systems. These, in turn, come back into the U.S. commercial environment and lead to new deals for fans via streaming, and soon, for online promotion through betting and eSports.

It should be noted that the European model is very much alive in America’s Olympic-sport national federations. Those which are not affiliated with professional leagues, are – with some exceptions – dependent on grants from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, whose money comes mostly from a share of U.S. television and sponsorship rights. Kind of like those European national federations that get their money from their governments.

And how are they doing? The vast majority of U.S. Olympic-sport federations would desperately like more revenue for their operations and their athletes, but their commercial popularity ranges from tepid to near-zero. So much for the “European model” in America.

Near the end, the ASOIF report makes a plea not only for government financial support, but for protection:

“In Europe, for example, the inconsistency between the judicial bodies and other institutions leaves not-for-profit IFs exposed to an increasing number of legal challenges from wealthy private entities or individuals.

“IFs’ not-for-profit nature, their cultural values and social contribution all over Europe (and globally) are not always acknowledged by the market-based approach pursued by the courts and legislators. These matters must be allowed to evolve and recent reports from the European institutions indicate there is now a willingness to adopt a new sport-specific approach.”

The “values” and “social contributions” championed by ASOIF in the “European model” are fully present in the U.S., but the report isn’t savvy enough to understand or appreciate them, or the value of passion and vision to drive new ventures. And as for the redirection of large amounts of money from those American for-profit leagues into government hands for other uses, may we introduce you to some other American institutions: the Internal Revenue Service and its state counterparts.

Rich Perelman
Editor

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● Public voting in nine counties in the Catalan region of Spain will take place on 24 July to determine whether the region wishes to go forward with a bid for the 2030 Winter Games.

The primary vote will be among the six counties which would host events at the Games, with the cumulative vote deciding whether the region would go forward with a bid.

A second vote, on the same day, will be held in each of the three counties that would be “indirectly impacted” by the Games – Ripolles, Solsones and Bergueda – with each county voting “yes” or “no” on being involved. A rejection would result in only that county being removed from the Games plan.

The vote does not apply to the Aragon region, which has said it is not satisfied with the Games plan as currently proposed and intends to submit its own ideas.

● International Olympic Committee ● Only those deeply involved in the Olympic Movement know his name, but Spain’s Pere Miro has been a key member of the IOC’s management team since being invited to Lausanne in 1992 by then-President (and fellow Spaniard) Juan Antonio Samaranch.

Over 30 years, he has been a key advisor to three IOC Presidents and retired today, as Deputy Director General for Relations with the Olympic Movement. He was instrumental in setting up the Olympic Solidarity program and worked to create deeper ties between Lausanne and the 200-plus National Olympic Committees around the world.

He will continue as a Senior Advisor to IOC chief Thomas Bach (GER), but plans to spend more time exploring Switzerland … on foot!

● Russia ● The Court of Arbitration for Sport issued an update on all of the current actions before it from various Russian entities and the status:

● Russian Football Union: Filings were made against FIFA, UEFA and multiple national associations; none of the requests for stays were granted and arbitrators are being lined up in two of the three cases; one appeal was withdrawn.

● Russian Olympic Committee: This filing asked for a stay from the European Olympic Committees ban on Russian athletes at the since-completed Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Finland. The request for a stay was denied; a full hearing is still to come.

● Russian national federations: Five Russian national federations in figure skating, gymnastics, rowing, rugby and biathlon all filed against their International Federations, trying to annul the bans on Russian participation. None of the six cases have been heard yet; the action against the International Biathlon Union is on hold for now.

The Russian Ministry of Sport stated that as many as 50 actions will be filed against continental and worldwide federations, challenging their bans on Russian participation, so more are coming.

● On Screen ● The sports television blockbusters of last week were, of course, the NCAA Tournament games, for both men and women.

The men’s semifinal between North Carolina and Duke last Saturday drew a combined 17.663 million viewers on TBS, TNT and TruTV, while the earlier Villanova-Kansas match drew 11.701 million combined.

Sunday’s women’s championship between Connecticut and South Carolina drew 4.683 million between ESPN and ESPN2.

The European World Cup qualifying match between North Macedonia and Portugal drew 200,000 viewers last Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time, pretty impressive given the day and time. In swimming, the Tyr Pro Swim Series/San Antonio highlights on NBC on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. drew a very good 537,000 viewers.

● Boxing ● Retracting a Fidel Castro-imposed rule from 1962, the Federacion Cubano de Boxeo announced Monday that Cuban fighters will be allowed to box professionally, starting almost immediately.

In a statement provided to BoxingScene.com, FCB president Alberto Puig explained:

“Three and a half years ago a serious analysis began that has resulted in the approved agreement and well seen by the direction of the country’s sport and the Cuban Boxing Federation with Golden Ring Promotions, for the representation of Cuba in its entry into professional boxing.”

Mexico-based Golden Ring Promotions will handle the events for the Cuban fighters, and put on an exhibition card of Cuban stars last June in Aguascalientes. Cuba scored four boxing golds at the Tokyo 2020 Games, from lightweight Andy Cruz, welterweight Roniel Iglesias, light heavyweight Arlen Lopez and heavyweight Julio Cesar La Cruz, all of whom will be sought-after pros.

● Football ● The 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League draw was completed on Monday night, with the defending champion U.S. men taking on El Salvador and Grenada in Group D, sometime in June.

The U.S. will also play two friendlies in June, continuing its preparation for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November.

The CONCACAF Nations League group stage will continue in March 2023 and the finals will be played in June of 2023.

● Weightlifting ● The Weightlifting Federation of Kazakhstan has reported six doping positives from out-of-competition testing from 9 February to 2 March, as reported by InsideTheGames.

Among the dopers is Tokyo Olympic 61 kg bronze medalist Igor Sun, 23, who had previously been suspended for a doping positive in 2015 as a teenager. The other five are teenagers who won medals in youth and junior events, or have not competed internationally at all.

It’s another bad sign for weightlifting, and for Kazakhstan; its Rio 2016 Olympic 77 kg gold medalist, Nijat Rahimov, had an eight-year doping suspension confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 22 March.

● Memorabilia ● The Sporlympic VIII auction by Vermont & Associes of Paris concluded on Saturday, with 227 of the 389 lots sold.

Among the highlights was a 1924 Olympic medal in silver that sold for €4,900 (€1 = $1.09), and an official’s pin from the 1956 Melbourne Games, apparently to be worn by a National Olympic Committee Secretary General. Expected to bring €150-200, it sold for €3,000!

Seven Olympic torches sold (all prices do not include the buyer’s fees):

● 1936: Berlin, sold for €3,000
● 1948: London, sold for €5,100
● 1948: London, sold for €5,000
● 1964: Tokyo, sold for €5,600
● 1972: Munich, sold for €2,900
● 1992: Barcelona, sold for €1,600
● 2008: Beijing, sold for €2,800

The featured lot was an ornate “golden bowl” – Le Bol d’or – created for an 1894 cycling race of the same name as a promotion for a new magazine, Paris-Pedale. Created by the noted French sculptor Francois-Raoul Larche in bronze, it weighs 33 pounds and stands 15 inches high. Expected to sell for between €18,000-20,000, it brought €23,000 plus the buyer fees!

The massive Ingrid O’Neil Auction 91, including Harrison Dillard’s 1948 Olympic 100 m gold medal, continues through Saturday.

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For our 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

HEARD AT HALFTIME: Paris 2024 schedule a win for boxing, shooting and swimming; more 2030 Winter bid drama in Spain; four gold medalists in basketball HoF

By
Rich Perelman
-

(★ MANY THANKS to our 46 donors, covering 81% of our site costs for the first six months of 2022. If you would like to join in, please donate here. ★)

● Plus: Athletics: Three more Kenyan suspensions for “whereabouts”; deadly hit-and-run tragedy for Milligan University distance runners = Canoe-Kayak: Oklahoma City and Sarasota picked for 2024-25 ICF Worlds = Football: 1930 host Uruguay at center of four-country proposal for centennial World Cup; ex-USWNT star keeper Solo arrested = Gymnastics: Israeli gold medalist Ashram retires = SCOREBOARD: Golf: Kupcho takes first LPGA title at last major to be played at Mission Hills = Athletics: new world leaders of note in weekend sprints ●

News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

The Paris 2024 Olympic schedule announcement last week was an interesting balancing act among the sports and the flow of interest during the Games. But there were some clear winners.

The biggest was boxing: it’s still on the program! Despite all of its many issues with refereeing and judging and substantial concerns with the validity of the International Boxing Association, the sport is on the schedule for Paris.

It has been substantially re-formatted: the 286 fighters in Rio in 2016 competed in 10 divisions for men and just three divisions for women (36 total entries), and 8 vs. 5 in Tokyo. In Paris, there will be 124 men and 124 women competing on seven men’s and six women’s weight classes.

The IBA’s statement included, “The International Boxing Association (IBA) is proud to welcome the IOC Executive Board’s confirmation of the Olympic Qualification System (OQS) and categories for boxing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.” The confirmation that boxing will still be on the program is the most important thing for the IBA.

Next is swimming, which saw its profile raised once again for the Games. While no new events were announced, the swimming program was maintained at nine days for Paris – same as Tokyo – increased by one day from Rio. By doing so, swimming now stretches right through the second weekend of the Games, but with all evening finals, vs. many morning finals in Tokyo to support U.S. television audiences.

However, the overall aquatics quota was reduced from 1,410 in Tokyo to 1,370 for Paris, and swimming’s quota took most of the cuts from 878 to 852. That leaves athletics – track & field – with the largest sport quota for Paris, with 1,810, down from 1,900 in Tokyo. The next biggest is 514 for cycling.

A third winner is the International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF), which introduced what are essentially semi-finals into the competitions for pistol, skeet and trap. Not everyone was happy with the changes, but the IOC accepted them for 2024.

The big loser, as has been seen from the original announcement of the program itself, is weightlifting. This sport had 260 athletes in eight men’s and seven women’s divisions as recently as Rio 2016. But thanks to unending doping revelations and later discovery of corruption inside the International Weightlifting Federation, the quotas were cut to 196 in Tokyo (in 14 weight classes) and now just 120 for Paris, in five classes each for men and women.

The IWF will hold an electoral Congress in June – possibly in Las Vegas – with its fate as a future Olympic sport hanging in the balance.

The added sports for Tokyo that were incorporated into the Paris program all got more athletes:

● Skateboarding: from 80 in Tokyo to 88 for Paris
● Sport Climbing: from 40 to 68
● Surfing: from 40 to 48

The new sport, Breaking, gets 32 athletes, compared with 80 for the one-and-done Karate program and the 234 in baseball and softball. However, the Games took an overall, 5% haircut from 11,090 down to an athlete total of 10,500, so many sports lost a few spots to accommodate the new limits.

Look for even more jockeying for position as the Los Angeles 2028 organizers and the International Olympic Committee’s sports staff figure out whether boxing, weightlifting and the in-transformation modern pentathlon will return to the program and what added sports the LA28 folks want to include.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● The drama in Spain continues, as the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) announced on Friday a confirmation of the “technical proposal” on the distribution of events for a bid by the regions of Catalonia and Aragon for the 2030 Winter Games.

According to the Catalan-based El Nacional newspaper, “The COE explained that the meeting had ‘validated the proposal presented, debated and agreed by the Technical Commission’, thus ratifying the project even though Aragon apparently now renounces it.”

The COE statement also added, “We hope and trust that the government of Aragon will join this proposal.” Javier Lamban, the President of the Aragon region, stated publicly last week that the project as proposed is unfair to Aragon and cannot be accepted.

It’s not clear what the next steps will be; Lamban said Aragon will offer suggestions for change to the existing plan. Catalonia could also offer to go it alone.

● Athletics ● Kenya’s The Nation reported three more doping suspensions by the Athletics Integrity Unit for Kenyan distance runners:

● Marathoner Morris Gachaga was suspended for two years for “whereabouts” violations, failing to report his location in order to allow out-of-competition drug testing. His results from December 2021 forward have been nullified and his suspension began on 24 March of this year.

He posted a lifetime best in the marathon of 2:05:09 in finishing sixth in the 2021 Marathon de Paris.

● Mathew Kisorio, 32, was provisionally suspended, also for “whereabouts” failures; he had previously served a two-year doping ban from 2012-14. Kisorio was the 5,000 m and 10,000 African Junior Champion in 2007 and has not competed internationally since 2019; he has a marathon best of 2:04:53 from 2018.

● Justus Kimutai, 29, was also provisionally suspended for “whereabouts” issues and has not competed internationally since 2019. His marathon best came in 2016 at 2:09:29.

The story noted that 11 Kenyan athletes “who have either been suspended or banned for having violated anti-doping rules in months.”

Another horrible hit-and-run incident by a drunk driver, this time involving five Milligan University distance runners, this from last Thursday (31st), causing the death of 20-year-old Eli Cramer.

The five athletes were on a run on a road near Williamsburg, Virginia, in advance of a weekend meet when they were hit by a car driven by Jose Efrain Hernandez Mancia, later found to be intoxicated.

Milligan University’s statement included, “Sophomore Eli Cramer succumbed to his injuries. Seniors Alex Mortimer and Eli Baldy also were injured. Mortimer is currently undergoing treatment. Baldy was treated and released.” Mortimer said he suffered a broken leg and a dislocated shoulder. The other two runners were apparently uninjured.

Milligan is a private university in Carter County, Tennessee.

● Basketball ● Four Olympic gold medalists were announced as selections for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last Saturday.

Among the 13 inductees will be Argentina’s Manu Ginobili, a member of the memorable 2004 Olympic champions; American Tim Hardaway, a member of the 2000 Olympic gold-medal team; Swin Cash (USA), a two-time gold medalist in 2004 and 2012, and Lindsay Whalen (USA), from the 2012 and 2016 Olympic winners.

Coach Marianne Stanley will also be inducted, the coach of the U.S. team that won the 1986 FINA World Championship.

The International Direct Elect Committee approved Yugoslavian star Radivoj Korac, a mainstay on the Olympic silver-medal team of 1968, which lost to the U.S. in the final. He was killed in a car crash in 1969.

Induction ceremonies will take place on 9-10 September.

● Canoe-Kayak ● The impact of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles might extend to Oklahoma and Florida.

The International Canoe Federation announced Saturday that the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will return to the U.S. for the first time in 12 years in 2026, to be held in Oklahoma City, to be staged by the American Canoe Association.

In addition, Sarasota, Florida was awarded the first-ever, combined World Championships for Canoe Marathon and Stand-Up Paddling Worlds, for 2026, the 2024 Stand-Up Paddling Worlds and the 2026 ICF Junior and U-23 Canoe Sprint Worlds.

The Canoe Sprint Worlds for 2026 was awarded to Poznan, Poland. Also:

“The two-day ICF board meeting also endorsed the executive committee decision to suspend Russia and Belarus from all competitions following the invasion of Ukraine, and also received an update on the ongoing support being provided to Ukrainian athletes and their families.”

● Football ● The centennial of the FIFA World Cup is coming in 2030 and four South American nations – Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile – are working on a comprehensive bid for the centennial World Cup to be held in the same region it started.

Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930, with the idea now to play games in the same Montevideo stadium – the Estadio Centenario – used then.

FIFA is expected to select a site for the 2030 World Cup in 2024, so the jockeying is already beginning. A South American site would be the third World Cup in five to be played in the Western Hemisphere, after Brazil in 2014 and Canada, Mexico and the U.S. in 2026.

After Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup, the event has gone to South Africa (2010), Brazil, Russia (2018) and Qatar this November. Argentina (1978) and Chile (1962) have also previously hosted a World Cup.

Many other bid candidates have announced interest, including prior bidder Morocco, possibly with Tunisia, Algeria and/or Egypt, Spain and Portugal, a multi-nation bids from the Balkans and possibly even another multi-country bid from South America.

For those already planning their vacation and/or viewing schedule around the Qatar ‘22 World Cup, the one-page, game-by-game schedule per last week’s draw is here.

The Associated Press reported that former U.S. Women’s National Team star goalkeeper Hope Solo was arrested Thursday (31st), after “she was found passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle in North Carolina with her 2-year-old twins inside.”

According to the police report, she was taken from her car, parked at a Winston-Salem shopping center and charged with “driving while impaired, resisting a public officer and misdemeanor child abuse.” She was released, has returned home and is scheduled to return for a court appearance on 28 June.

Solo, now 40, completed her 20-year career on various U.S. age-group and senior national teams in 2016 and was a member of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic champion teams and the 2015 World Cup winners.

● Gymnastics ● Israel’s Linoy Ashram, who memorably upset the favored Averina sisters from Russia to win the Tokyo Olympic All-Around title in Rhythmic Gymnastics, announced her retirement on Monday.

“Today, on this festive occasion, I am announcing my retirement from competition.

“Athletes need to know when to retire, and as far as I’m concerned, I achieved my dream. I reached my professional peak, and I decided that this is the right time to continue on the same path, but this time from the other side of the mat.”

Still only 22, she will continue as a coach. Even thought she competed in the shadow of Russian gymnasts her entire career, she piled up 11 World Championships medals (0-6-5), seven European Championships medals (2-2-3) and an impressive 55 FIG World Cup medals (18-17-20).

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Athletics ● Lots of action on the weekend, with 10 world-leading outdoor marks on Saturday, most of which were good – but not great – marks in the early season. But there were some noteworthy performances.

The women’s 100 m got its first sub-11 mark of the season with American Brittany Brown clocking 10.99 to win the Baylor Invitational in Waco. Namibian star Christine Mboma, the Olympic 200 m silver medalist, is racing in the U.S. and stormed to the best 200 m of the outdoor season in 22.12 to win the UAB Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama. She also won the 100 m in 11.03.

● Golf ● The first LPGA major of the season concluded in Rancho Mirage, California on Sunday with the last edition of the Chevron Championship – known since its founding in 1972 for its association with singer Dinah Shore – to be held at Mission Hills Country Club.

The 2022 edition was dominated by American Jennifer Kupcho, who co-led after a first-day 66, but ran away from the field with an eight-under-par 64 in the third round to enter Sunday’s final round with a six-shot lead.

She withered a little in hot conditions with a four-over 74, but withstood a charge from fellow American Jessica Corda (69-276) to finish at 274, two shots up and three up on Japan’s Pia Babnik, who shot a 66 to finish at 277 and move up eight places to third in the final standings. Defending champ Patty Tavatanakit (THA) finished in a four-way tie for fourth at 278.

It was Kupcho’s first LPGA win in her fourth full-time year on tour!

With Chevron now at title sponsor, the tournament will move to Houston next year, ending a 50-year run at Mission Hills.

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 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

HIGHLIGHTS: Curzan wins four, Casas three at Tyr Pro Swim San Antonio; van den Poel and Kopecky win Flanders; teen Grimes wins 10 km nationals

By
Rich Perelman
-
Triple winner at the Tyr Pro Swim Series in San Antonio: Shaine Casas (Photo: USA Swimming)

(★ BRAVO to our 46 donors, who have supported 81% of our site costs for the first six months of 2022. If you can help, please donate here. ★)

Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world:

● Alpine Skiing ● Despite multiple changes due to weather, the U.S. Alpine nationals wrapped up on Friday at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine, combined with the Nor-Am Cup.

After the Downhill a week earlier and the cancellation of the Super-G, the Slaloms were held on the 29th, with Jett Seymour leading a U.S. men’s sweep in 1:28.18, followed by Benjamin Ritchie (1:28.71) and George Steffey (1:28.98).

The Giant Slalom saw Steffey take the title (2:08.29), ahead of Brian McLaughlin (2:08.62) and Austria’s Tobias Kogler third (2:08.63).

American World Cup veteran Paula Moltzan led a U.S. 1-2-3 in the women’s Slalom, finishing with a time total of 1:32.28, with Katie Hensien a distant second (1:35.09) and A.J. Hurt in third (1:35.13).

Canada’s Britt Richardson won the women’s Giant Slalom (2:01.89), with Moltzan taking the U.S. title (2:02.04) and Hurt third (2:03.80).

● Archery ● The first USA Archery qualifier for 2022, the AAE Arizona Cup in Phoenix, saw U.S. Olympians Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold sail through to the finals in the men’s and women’s Recurve divisions.

In the men’s final, Ellison, the 2019 World Champion, got a challenge from sixth-seeded and 19-year-old Joonsuh Oh, seventh at the 2021 Junior Pan American Games, but triumphed 7-1 (28-27, 28-27, 29-29, 29-28).

Jackson Mirich won the men’s bronze medal over Dallas Jones, 6-5. Atlanta 1996 gold medalist Justin Huish, now 47, reached the quarterfinals, but was eliminated by Oh, 6-5.

Tokyo Olympian and 2021 World silver medalist Kaufhold, 18, was upset in the women’s final by Olympic alternate (and no. 6 seed) Catalina Noriega. Kaufhold took a 3-1 lead after the second end, but Noriega won three straight by 28-27, 27-24 and 28-26, to record a 7-3 win. Gabrielle Sasai took the third-place match by 6-4 against Savannah Vanderweir.

● Artistic Swimming ● The second leg of the FINA World Cup was in person, in Paris (FRA), with the home team finding a new star.

In the women’s Solo class, France’s 16-year-old Oriane Jaillardon won the Technical event, scoring 83.5476 to best Audrey Lamothe of Canada (age 17), who scored 83.3653. The women’s Solo Free was a win for Spain’s Iris Tio Casas (86.7333), ahead of Federica Sala (ITA: 85.8000).

Jaillardon took a second gold in the women’s Duet Technical, teaming with Romane Lunel to win at 83.7000, followed by Greece’s Eleni Fragkaki and Krystalenia Gialama (82.7753).

Americans Megumi Field and Natalia Vega won the Duet Free, scoring 85.7667 to 83.8000 for Shelly Bobritsky and Nicol Nahshonov (ISR).

The U.S. won the women’s Team Highlight event (87.8333); Israel was the only entry in the Team Free Combination (84.0667) and Spain took the women’s Team event (90.7000).

In the Mixed Duet Technical, Spain’s Emma Garcia and Pau Ribes won with 84.3804, followed by Ivy Davis and Ken Gaudet of the U.S. (79.0104). The same pairs went 1-2 in the Mixed Duet Free: 85.5667 for Garcia and Ribes and 83.0333 for Davis and Gaudet.

● Athletics ● Sharp racing at the Marathon de Paris, with Ethiopia’s Deso Gelmisa winning a tight battle from countryman Seifu Tura, 2:05:07-2:05:10 for the nos. 5-6 places on the 2022 world list.

Gelmisa set a lifetime best by nine seconds by winning the final sprint from Tura, the 2021 Chicago Marathon champion. France’s Morhad Amdouni was third in 2:05:22.

Kenyan Judith Korir Keptum won the women’s race in a lifetime best of 2:19:48, uncontested for most of the last half of the race. Ethiopia’s Fantu Jimma was second, also with a lifetime best, in 2:22.52.

● Boxing ● The AMBC Elite Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador drew 197 contestants from 25 countries, including a record 75 in the women’s division. Brazil and the U.S. dominated, with the Brazilians taking wins in six divisions and the Americans in six.

Brazil scored four golds in the men’s division, with Luiz Gabriel Oliveira winning at 57 kg, Wanderson Oliveira at 67 kg, Worlds silver medalist Keno Machado at 86 kg and Olympic bronze medalist Abner Teixeira da Silva at +92 kg. They also got victories from Olympic silver medalist Beatriz Ferreira in the women’s 60 kg class (over Worlds bronze medalist Rashida Ellis of the U.S.), by Beatriz Soares at 66 kg and Barbara Dos Santos at 70 kg.

The U.S. got wins from Worlds silver medalist Roscoe Hill in the men’s 51 kg class (beating Cuba’s Erislan Romero, 5:0), Obed Bartee-El at 75 kg, World Champion Robby Gonzales at 80 kg and Jamar Talley at 92 kg. Women’s winners started with the women’s 50 kg division with Jennifer Lozano and women’s 63 kg with Jajaira Gonzalez.

Silver medalists for the U.S. included 2021 World Champion Jahmal Harvey in the men’s 57 kg division, Arjan Iseni at 86 kg and Ellis in the women’s 60 kg class.

Canada scored two women’s golds from Scarlett Delgado at 54 kg and 2019 Worlds bronze medalist Tammara Thibeault at 75 kg, and the Dominican Republic won two men’s classes: Pan American Games champ Rodrigo Marte at 54 kg and Pan Am Games bronze winner Alexys de la Cruz at 60 kg.

● Cycling ● The spring “Cobbled Classics” season continued in Belgium with the 76th Dwars door Vlaanderen from Roeselare to Waregem in a hilly, 183.7 km loop course perfect for Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel.

He won his second title in this race – also in 2019 – in a two-man sprint to the line with Belgium’s home favorite Tiesj Benoot, in 4:05:39 and 4:05:40. They emerged from an eight-rider breakaway in the final 2 km and finished ahead of Tom Pidcock (GBR), Victor Campenaerts (BEL) and Mils Politt (GER), all five seconds behind the winner.

One of the major races of the spring season, the 106th Tour of Flanders – Ronde van Vlaaanderen – took place on Sunday, covering 272.5 km from Antwerp to Oudenaarde.

A lot of the interest pre-race was on two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar (SLO), now competing in one-day races, and he was game for the challenge. He stormed into the lead multiple times during the race and was in front over the final climb –  Paterberg – heading into the final 13 km.

He then got into a cat-and-mouse game with the favored van der Poel, which allowed chasers Dylan van Barrle (NED) and Valentin Madouas (FRA) to catch up with 300 m left. And on the final sprint, van der Poel got to the line first, with van Baarle and Madouas 2-3 and Pogacar a disappointed fourth, all in 6:18:30.

It’s the second career win for van der Poel in this race (also 2020) and his third straight podium after being runner-up in 2021.

The women’s Tour of Flanders – the 19th – was 158.6 km along much of the same route as the men, but with a Belgian winner for the first time since 2010 as Lotte Kopecky got her second major win of the year!

The race came down to a three-women finale over the last 10 km, as Kopecky dueled with Dutch superstar Annemiek van Vleuten – the defending champion – and Chantal van den Broek-Blaak, the 2020 winner. It came down to Kopecky and van Vleuten and the Belgian was fastest to the finish, winning in 4:11:21 to wild cheers from the home crowd and van den Broek-Blaak two seconds behind.

Kopecky, 26, had already won the Strade Bianche this season and finished third at the Ronde van Drenthe, but this was the biggest win of her career.

Good news for Italian star Sonny Colbrelli, who collapsed just past the finish of the first stage of the Volta Cyclista de Catalunya on 26 March. He was diagnosed with unstable cardiac arrhythmia and after treatment in Spain, was flown to the Padova University Hospital.

After tests, he had a successful subcutaneous defibrillator (ICD) implantation operation last Thursday and was discharged. While he continues to recover, his future in the sport is uncertain.

● Gymnastics ● The final leg of the 2022 FIG Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup was the AGF Trophy in Baku (AZE), with a gold-medal performance by Ukraine’s Worlds All-Around bronze medalist Ilia Kovtun.

Kovtun won in Baku on Parallel Bars, scoring 15.333 to beat Turkey’s Ferhat Arican and won the event at all four Apparatus World Cups to take the seasonal title, with Arican second.

Israel’s Olympic Floor Exercise winner Artem Dolgopyat won on Floor at 14.700m ahead of Milad Karimi (KAZ: 14.300), and won three of the four World Cups to take the season crown. On Rings, Italy’s Salvatore Maresca won with 14.800, ahead of Ibrahim Colak (TUR: 14.766), but Armenia’s Vahagn Davtyan – with two prior wins – was the seasonal champion. American Alex Diab finished fifth in Baku (14.333).

The men’s finals on Sunday saw Nariman Kurbanov (KAZ) win on the Pommel Horse (14.633), ahead of Albania’s Matvei Petrov (14.466). Ukraine’s Nazar Chepurnyi (15.016) took the Vault, with Andrey Medvedev (ISR: 14.500) second and Dolgopyat (14.450) third. Britain’s Joe Fraser was the Horizontal Bar winner at 14.000, ahead of Austria’s Mitchell Morgans (13.966) and Kovtun (13.866).

Kurbanov won the seasonal Pommel Horse title; Armenia’s Artur Davtyan won the seasonal Vault crown and the Horizontal Bar champ was Israel’s Alexander Myaknin.

The women finals saw France’s Lorette Charpy win on Uneven Bars (13.866), with Naomi Visser (NED: 13.100) second, and the amazing Oksana Chusovitina (UZB) – now 46 – won on Vault, scoring 13.266, but winning on degree-of-difficulty over Csenge Bacskay of Hungary (also 13.266). Ukraine’s Daniel Batrona won the seasonal Bars title and Chusovitina won the seasonal Vault competition.

On Beam, Germany’s Sarah Voss won at 13.733, well ahead of Charpy (12.966) and Ukraine’s Daniela Batrona (12.900). Brazil’s Julia Soares was the Floor winner, scoring 13.433, with Dorina Boeczoego second at 13.166.

Batrona won the seasonal Beam title as well, and Hungary’s Boeczoego was the seasonal Floor champion.

● Judo ● A major event on the IJF World Tour, the Antalya Grand Slam was held in Turkey, with 525 judoka in attendance from 63 countries!

France led all nations with seven total medals, including wins from 2019 World Champion Marie Eve Gahie in the women’s 70 kg division and Lea Fontaine at +78 kg, over Israel’s Raz Hershko.

Georgia also got two wins, taking the men’s 73 kg class with Giorgi Terashvili defeating Manuel Lombardo (ITA) in the final, and 2018 World Champion Guram Tushishvili winning at +100 kg over Alisher Yusupov (UZB).

Three current World Champions won their classes. Portugal’s Jorge Fonseca won the men’s 100 kg division, Canada’s Jessica Klimkait, the 2021 World 57 kg gold medalist, won her class, as did German Anna-Maria Wagner at 78 kg.

● Shooting ● The non-stop ISSF World Cup tour is in Lima (PER) for a Shotgun World Cup, with the U.S. sending a strong team.

Trap events were featured in the first week, with Alberto Fernandez (ESP) winning the men’s final in 2-1 shoot-off with Erminio Frasca (ITA), with American Derrick Mein third (20). Mein, Casey Wallace and Will Hinton won the men’s Team event, 7-6, in a shoot-off with Spain.

Italy’s Gaia Ragazzini, 21, was an upset winner of the women’s trap final, scoring a 30-27 win over Kayle Browning of the U.S., the 2020 Olympic silver medalist. Alessandra Della Valle (ITA) was third (20). Browning, Aeriel Skinner and Rachel Tozier took the women’s Team event for the U.S., 6-4, over Guatemala.

The Tokyo Olympic gold-medal team of Fernandez and Fatima Galvez won the Mixed Team event for Spain, 6-0, over Mexico in the final.

The shooting continues through the 7th.

● Swimming ● The Tyr Pro Swim Series in San Antonio was a warm-up for a major event for American swimmers: the Philips 66 International Team Trials from 26-30 April. Everything in San Antonio was about the racing to come in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Some stars – like five-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel – are still in heavy training. Others are starting to sharpen.

The big winners in San Antonio were 17-year-old Tokyo Olympian Claire Curzan and emerging star – and 2021 World Short-Course 100 m Back gold medalist – Shaine Casas.

Curzan was everywhere, winning the women’s 50-100 m Freestyles, the 100 m Backstroke and the 100 m Fly. Her times were solid: 24.43, no. 3 on the world list for 2022; 53.68 (equal-3rd), 58.73 in the 100 Back (no. 2) and 57.02 in the Fly, where she is already the world leader.

Casas won three events: the men’s 100 m Back (53.54), 100 m Fly (51.09, no. 2 in 2022) and 200 m Medley, with a world-leading 1:56.70, ahead of French star Leon Marchard, 2017 World Champion Chase Kalisz of the U.S. and do-everything star Michael Andrew.

Andrew logged two wins, in the 50 m Free (21.73, no. 2 in 2022), ahead of Dressel (21.86), and in the 100 m Breaststroke (59.02, no. 2), beating Nic Fink (59.32, no. 4). He said afterwards that he’s targeting the 50 m Free, 100 m Breast and 100 m Fly at the International Team Trials.

French distance specialist Tommy-lee Camblong also won twice, in the men’s 800 m and 1,500 m Freestyles (7:59.08 and 15:23.33). Marchard got the other world leader in the meet, winning the 400 m Medley in 4:10.38; he was initially disqualified for an improper stroke, but was reinstated.

Dressel tied for the win in the 100 m free with Slovenian Andrej Barna in 49.13, was second in the 50 m Free and the 200 m Free (1:49.12) and second in the 100 m Fly to Casas.

The women’s distance Freestyles, of course, belonged to superstar Katie Ledecky, who won the 200 m Free in 1:55.66 and the 400 m Free in 4:03.84. She also finished fourth in the 100 m Free in 54.93, behind Curzan.

Five-time Olympic medalist Lilly King doubled in the 100 m and 200 m Breast events, winning in 1:05.32 (no. 2 for 2022) and 2:23.69 (no. 3). Two-time Olympic bronze medalist Hali Flickinger won her specialties: the 200 m Fly (2:08.57) and the 400 m Medley, in 4:40.62.

Rio 2016 Olympic champ Ryan Murphy of the U.S. lowered his own world-leading time in the men’s 200 m Back at the Fran Crippen Swim Meet of Champions in Mission Viejo, timing 1:56.43. He had already swum 1:56.78 earlier this season.

Tokyo Olympian and sprinter Abbey Weitzeil won the women’s 100 m Free in 54.01, second only to Curzan on the 2022 world list. The meet concludes late Sunday afternoon.

The USA Swimming National Open Water Championships were held off Ft. Myers Beach, Florida in windy and difficult conditions, but ultimately produced 10 km wins for France’s Axel Reymond and American teen Katie Grimes.

Reymond – a two-time world 25 km Champion – overtook American Brennan Gravely on the final lap to win in 2:02:49 to 2:02:53. Brennan’s younger brother, Dylan Gravely, moved up on the final lap to finish third in 2:03:13, ahead of Joe Tepper (USA: 2:03:39).

Grimes, 16, fourth in the Tokyo Olympic 800 m final in the pool, won the women’s 10 km national title in 2:16:40, swimming away from Marian Denigan (2:17:50) for a U.S. 1-2, with France’s Caroline Jouisse third (2:18:34).

Early leader – and fellow Tokyo Olympian – Erica Sullivan was passed by Grimes heading in the fourth lap, then faded and did not finish.

It was Grimes’ first national title; she said afterwards, “I really had a good time out there today; the conditions were a little rough but I’m learning to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. …

“The tide was really strong and the wind was making it really choppy, but like I said, it is just about being comfortable with being uncomfortable, learning to adjust your stroke and adapting each lap to the new challenges.”

Sunday had the men’s and women’s 5 km racing, with Gravley winning the men’s race, ahead of Reymond and Marcel Schouten (NED).

The women’s event was a French 1-2, with 2015 and 2017 10 km World Champion Aurelie Muller and Caroline Jouisse, and Bella Sims of the U.S. third.

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PANORAMA: U.S. draws England, Iran and maybe Ukraine for ’22 World Cup; Paris ‘24 announces daily schedule; Andrews leaves USA Weightlifting

By
Rich Perelman
-

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● Plus: Paris 2024: Daily schedule announced; IOC to organize new qualifying series for four sports in 2024 = Los Angeles 2028: IOC announces added-sport criteria = L.A. Mayor Garcetti’s nomination as Indian Ambassador slows = Rose Bowl celebrates its centennial = IOC: More than $2 million raised for Ukrainian sport relief = On Screen: over 1.0M watch USA-Panama and World Figure Skating = Athletics: World Athletics starts online store = Cycling: UCI bars undeclared British transgender Bridges from competing = Football: U.S. Soccer extends bargaining period with national teams = Gymnastics: USA Gymnastics bankruptcy case legal fees pass $19M = Modern Pentathlon: fifth discipline choices narrowing = Skiing: FIS chief Eliasch unopposed for election = Swimming: American open-water Olympic medalist Anderson retires ●

Key status updates on the urgent stories in Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

The FIFA World Cup Draw was held Friday evening in Doha (QAT), determining which teams will play in the group stage. The groups, with each team’s FIFA world rankings:

● Group A: Qatar (51), Netherlands (10), Senegal (20), Ecuador (46)

● Group B: England (5), United States (15), Iran (21), Wales (18) or Scotland (39) or Ukraine (27)

● Group C: Argentina (4), Mexico (9), Poland (26), Saudi Arabia (49)

● Group D: France (3), Denmark (11), Tunisia (35), UAE (68) or Australia (42)

● Group E: Spain (7), Germany (12), Japan (23), Costa Rica (31) or New Zealand (101)

● Group F: Belgium (2), Croatia (16), Morocco (24), Canada (38)

● Group G: Brazil (1), Switzerland (14), Serbia (25), Cameroon (37)

● Group H: Portugal (8), Uruguay (13), South Korea (29), Ghana (60)

The presenters included former English player Jermaine Jenas, British sports anchor Samantha Johnson and American women’s soccer icon Carli Lloyd.

On to the matches, beginning 21 November. The draw program had its usual razzmatazz opening, followed by short remarks from FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Infantino made a plea for the war in Ukraine to stop, to be replaced with dialogue and understanding.

Russia, world-ranked 36th, was excluded from the tournament by FIFA.

The instant analysis: the U.S. got a difficult draw in Group B, especially if Wales qualifies in the continuing European playoffs, and hard games against England and Iran. Group C with Argentina, Mexico and Poland is also going to be rough and tough, and Group G will be a test for Brazil, as the Swiss and Serbia will both be difficult to score against.

The defending champion French got a favorable group, with Denmark, Tunisia and either Australia or the UAE. The wild card of the tournament might be Canada, the CONCACAF regional winner, matched up in Group F with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Paris 2024 ● The Paris organizers announced the day-by-day time schedule for the 2024 Games, maintaining the general pattern of the last 50 years.

Artistic gymnastics, diving and swimming will dominate the first week, followed by athletics in the second week, with 2-3 days of competitions in all three. The marathons will come at the end of the Games, as will weightlifting and wresting. Track cycling, often held in the first week, will be held during the second week.

All of the swimming and athletics finals are scheduled for the evening, placing them in the afternoon in the U.S. Eastern time zone and morning and early afternoon on the West Coast.

There will be 32 sports, 329 events and 762 competition sessions.

Following up on its plan to introduce new qualifying events as part of its Agenda 2020+5, the International Olympic Committee announced a four-sport qualification series for the Paris Games, to include cycling BMX freestyle, break dancing, skateboarding, and sport climbing.

Three events of four days each will be held from March to June in 2024, expanding the visibility of breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing, each of which have small International Federations, none of which are supported by an IOC television rights distribution.

The IOC also approved the qualification procedures for each sport for Paris 2024, with the details to be released over the next week.

The IOC Executive Board, following up on the Kamila Valieva (RUS) case at the Beijing Winter Games, “recommended to the International Federations (IFs) that they should address the question of minimum age in their sports and, if needed, make the appropriate adjustments to their regulations.”

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Los Angeles 2028 ● The IOC also announced its “program principles” for the 2028 Games, in order to evaluate the sport, discipline and events:

● Cost and complexity
● Best athletes and athlete safety
● Popularity and host country interest
● Uniqueness, universality, gender equality and relevance for youth
● Integrity and fairness
● Environmental sustainability

“The finalisation of the disciplines for each sport will be completed in 2023, along with the LA28 OCOG-proposed sports. The events and athlete quotas are expected to be confirmed in December 2024.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that the confirmation of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to be the U.S. Ambassador to India has been significantly slowed.

At issue are concerns are about what Garcetti knew about the activities of a former aide who was accused of abuse; while the allegations were already well known, there are some added details which have drawn the interest of some Senators and will delay a vote on Garcetti’s nomination at least until the end of April.

Garcetti, a Democrat, was elected Mayor twice and is heading toward the end of his second term and cannot run again. He was deeply involved in the Los Angeles bid for the 2024 Games and the ultimate agreement to host the 2028 Games.

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium will turn 100 in 2022, opening for the first time on 28 October 1922. The centennial is not going unnoticed, with a “Party of the Century” being staged on 30 July on the Rose Bowl floor, featuring a parade of stars and memories, hosted by NFL Network anchor Rich Eisen.

The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation is the organizer and the event is planned to cap a multi-year campaign to raise $40 million for additional upgrades to the stadium, now the home to UCLA football home games as well as the iconic Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day.

Attendees will be encouraged to dress in 1920s style, befitting the centennial, with tickets beginning at $750. An auction, a “speakeasy” and plenty of entertainment are on the program.

The Rose Bowl was the site of cycling at the 1932 Olympic Games and football in 1984, plus the finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the memorable 1999 Women’s World Cup final, won by the U.S. over China on penalty kicks before a then-record women’s football crowd of 90,185 (just surpassed by the 91,553 at the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal in Barcelona on Wednesday, where FC Barcelona defeated Real Madrid, 5-2).

It’s planned to be used for football again in 2028.

A Rose Bowl centennial commemorative book has also been issued, celebrating the amazing history of the facility in photography, from the black-and-whites of the early days to the full-color imagery of today.

● International Olympic Committee ● The IOC reported that more than $2 million has been received for the fund established to aid the Ukrainian sports community.

The IOC put up $1 million to found the fund and $500,000 was contributed by the European Olympic Committees. Other donations have brought the total to more than $2 million; per the IOC:

“The main objective of the Fund is to maintain the level of Ukrainian sport by meeting the immediate humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian elite and high-level athletes, and to cover their participation in training camps at home and abroad, thus allowing them to prepare for competitions.”

Support programs using the fund and assistance from other National Olympic Committees has been given to athletes and teams in archery, artistic swimming, fencing, freestyle skiing, handball, track & field, and International Federations in shooting and swimming.

The Ukrainian Paralympic Team was brought back from Beijing with help from the Polish NOC, and the NOCs of Poland, Italy, Finland and Austria made it possible for the Ukrainian team to compete at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Finland, last week.

The IOC’s statement noted that for the EYOF, support included not only “border crossings, accommodation and transport, but also to fully kit out the whole team, as sadly the warehouse in which the national team uniforms were stored had been destroyed a few days previously.”

● On Screen ● The U.S. men’s 5-1 thrashing of Panama in World Cup qualifying in Columbus drew a respectable audience of 1.036 million last Sunday, the best of the Olympic sports on U.S. television last week.

The other major event was the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, which had 1.001 million watching on NBC last Saturday evening. Saturday’s earlier shows on USA Network drew only 265,000 for the men’s Free Skate and 252,000 for the Ice Dancing Free Dance.

The biggest audience of the week was for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, with Sunday’s North Carolina-St. Peter’s East Regional final drawing 13.584 million on CBS. All 12 games had viewership of at least 2.364 million. The top women’s NCAA tournament game was Connecticut’s win over Indiana, which drew 1.437 million on ESPN.

● Athletics ● World Athletics announced its first online store, to be coordinated by Britain-based Cube Partnership, with apparel from official sponsor ASICS.

A “Belgrade Collection” of six items was available for the recent World Indoor Championships: T-shirts, a hooded sweatshirt, caps, a water bottle, a coffee mug and a collector’s pin. An “Oregon Collection” is promised in advance of the 2022 Worlds in Eugene, as well as other items.

Unusually, no items featuring the World Athletics logo are yet available. The agreement with Cube runs through 2025.

● Cycling ● The Union Cycliste Internationale ruled that 21-year-old British rider Emily Bridges, who previously competed as a man, cannot compete in this weekend’s National Omnium Championships as she has not changed her registration from male to female.

British Cycling was going to allow her to compete, but the UCI’s rules – adopted in 2020 – require (1) that a formal declaration of a change of gender be filed, (2) that the transgender-to-female rider maintain a serum testosterone level of 5 nmol/l or less, (3) continuously for at least 12 months.

Bridges was reported to have begun hormone therapy in 2021; as a male rider, she set a national junior record for 25 miles in 2018.

UCI President David Lappartient (FRA) told the BBC on Wednesday, in part:

“The question is, is there a memory from your body from what you were before? Do you have an advantage for this? Do we have a breach of fair competition? ..

“I believe that maybe the situation we have now, of the rules of five nanomoles per litre, is probably not enough.

“Clearly this is something we have to put on the agenda of the Association of Summer International Olympic Federations because we can’t solve this alone, we have to work together. We can’t just close our eyes on what is happening and this is something we have to do within the next months.”

World Athletics has adopted similar rules, as has World Rowing and the International Tennis Federation and FINA is in the process of doing so. World Triathlon is also working on new regulations.

● Football ● Although the U.S. Soccer Federation and the men’s and women’s national teams had hoped to wrap up new collective bargaining agreements by the end of March, the USSF announced that the discussions are continuing into April:

“Over the past two weeks, U.S. Soccer and representatives from the Players’ Associations for our U.S. Men’s and Women’s senior National Teams have been in all-day collective bargaining sessions. … The discussions, which have included equalizing FIFA World Cup Prize money and a first-ever framework for revenue sharing as part of each respective labor agreement, are complex and require significant due diligence from all parties. Nevertheless, we feel we are closer to reaching agreements on these issues than ever before.”

The women’s team agreement terminated at year’s end, but was mutually agreed to extend to 31 March, while the men have continued playing under the terms of an agreement which ended on 31 December 2018.

● Gymnastics ● U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) demanded Tuesday that the U.S. Justice Department revisit their decision not to prosecute two former FBI agents for their roles in botching the investigation into abuses by former USA Gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar. The letter included:

“We write to urge the Department to conduct a comprehensive review of all information in its possession to determine whether any additional investigations should be opened or widened, and if other individuals and institutions who enabled the cover up this egregious abuse should be charged and held accountable.”

Beyond the review of the decision not to prosecute, Blumenthal and Moran also asked what the Justice Department has done concerning allegations referred to it by their subcommittee about possible filings against former USA Gymnastics head Steve Penny and former United States Olympic Committee chief executive Scott Blackmun. “To date, we do not know what, if anything, the Department did with this referral … it is not clear whether the Department has ever investigated these events.”

Four of the survivors who testified before the subcommittee asked for this kind of follow-up to ensure transparency – in fact, a much broader investigation was requested – and accountability.

Legal fees in the USA Gymnastics bankruptcy case continued to pile up in February – $586,514 in all – with the cumulative total in the case now $19,135,837. Of this amount, $11,016,090 has been paid: that’s 57.6%.

The final approval of the plan agreed to between USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Survivors’ Committee has yet to be finally approved and declared effective by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The next scheduled hearing date is 13 April.

● Modern Pentathlon ● The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne announced Friday that it “received 61 discipline proposals, sent by 39 different stakeholders from 37 nations” on a new, fifth discipline and its working group will meet at the end of April “to make its final decision of the discipline to be tested, in order to start more detailed competition rules and format study within Q2.”

The new discipline will be tested as soon as 3 May, although exactly how was not disclosed.

Riding will remain in the sport through the 2024 Paris Games.

● Skateboarding ● World Skate confirmed Friday “that it will not allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in any of its international competitions, with immediate effect and until further notice.

“World Skate also clarifies that no events are scheduled to take place in Russia or Belarus in 2022.”

This was the first comment from the federation in a month, when it agreed with the IOC’s February request to not Russian or Belarusian entrants to compete under their country’s name or flag. Almost every other international federation has adopted the IOC’s further request not to permit Russian or Belarusian entries at all, and now World Skate has joined in.

● Skiing ● The Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) announced the candidates for office for the 2022 elections at its 26 May Congress, with President Johan Eliasch (SWE) to run unopposed for a full term..

Eliasch won a heavily-contested election to replace long-time chief Gian Franco Kasper (SUI) in June 2021, but was the only candidate to file for the four-year term from 2022-26.

Two-year terms will be available for the FIS Council: 23 candidates are running for 18 positions, including influential American businessman Dexter Paine, already a member of the Council. Of the 23 running, 14 are existing FIS Council members, including Russian Elena Vyalbe, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in cross-country skiing in 1992-94-98.

American Freestyle star Hannah Kearney is one of the two athlete representatives on the FIS Council, elected in 2020 and will serve to 2023.

● Swimming ● Two-time World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Haley Anderson announced her retirement at age 30 after a brilliant career, especially as an open-water swimmer.

She posted a message of thanks on Instagram, and that she will now be working at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee in an unspecified capacity. She wrote, “The little girl that started swimming on her local summer league team could have never dreamed up this journey.”

Anderson was a three-time Olympian and won a silver at the 10 km swim in London in 2012, then finished fifth at Rio and sixth in Tokyo. She won five World Championships medals, including golds in the 5 km races in 2013 and 2015, a silver in 2017 (Team event) and a silver (10 km) and bronze in 2019 (Team), making her one of the finest – if not the best – American women’s open-water swimmer ever.

● Weightlifting ● Stunning announcement from USA Weightlifting that chief executive Phil Andrews (GBR), who had led a significant upsurge in the federation’s competitive and financial situations, will resign as of 15 July 2022.

Andrews “leaves a legacy of great achievement,” said Board Chair and President Paula Aranda, adding “We understand his desire to pursue other opportunities and wish him the very best.”

Andrews came to USA Weightlifting in 2013 and began its chief executive in 2016. He has been a leader not only inside the American federation, but within the International Weightlifting Federation, pushing for change as the sport teeters on the edge of Olympic oblivion. He was so highly respected that he served for a time as the Deputy Secretary General of the IWF during the interim term of American Ursula Papandrea, later thrown out in a Board coup. Papandrea is expected to be a candidate for IWF President at elections this June.

Andrews tweeted: “After 10 years and the journey of a lifetime, I’m open to my next adventure. Thank you @USWeightlifting.”

USA Weightlifting, under Andrews’ direction, has offered to stage the 2022 Electoral Congress in Las Vegas and after China withdrew as the host of the 2022 World Championships in November, wrote to the IWF to present Atlanta as a new host for the event.

The federation stated that the USAW Board would begin a search for a replacement.

Observed: USA Weightlifting posted the announcement at 7:49 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, not wanting to wait until Friday, when it would likely have been considered an April Fools’ joke. Andrews was a star at the Congressional hearings on athlete abuse and the role of National Governing Bodies and will be missed in the weightlifting community.

It will not be a surprise to see him re-appear in a high-level appointment within the Olympic Movement. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee is advertising for a new International Relations director and he would be – with his British background – a sensitive and savvy choice for the position.

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THE BIG PICTURE: FIFA chief Infantino says of biennial World Cup concept: “We are not in a hurry.”

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

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The 72nd FIFA Congress took place in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, a day ahead of the FIFA World Cup Draw, with no decisions on a possible change in the staging of future World Cups, but a lot of politics.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) was asked directly about the status of the every-two-years World Cup proposal in the post-Congress news conference:

“On the international match calendar … 88% of the Congress asked us last year to study the feasibility of a World Cup every two years, amongst other things.

“We did study that. We found out that it’s feasible and it would even be positive for a big part of the world, but there is, of course, also big opposition to it. And that’s exactly where the discussions have to start.

“Because, we could go for a vote, and get a majority vote for more competitions, but we are aware that it’s more important to exchange, to discuss and to see and try to convince everyone that it is important to do something more for football. Now, whether it’s a World Cup every two years, or every three years, a different type of competition – we had the Confederations Cup in the past – we have to think about what is best for the development of football and everyone has to realize that it’s not to the benefit of anyone to close itself, even if you are the biggest and the richest. It’s always better to be open, it’s always better to share a little bit, because those who are on the top, they will grow even more, but you give as well to all the others a chance. (Emphasis added)

“So we are looking at all different options. We are discussing with all confederations, with all member associations, and we will take the time that it takes. We are not in a hurry. The calendar is there until 2024, we have now a World Cup that takes place. Every final agreement in one week is great, if we find it in one year, it’s great as well. What we want to do is have an impact on the global football, an impact on really making football global and we take the time it takes, again, with the utmost of understanding for all the positions, respect for everyone, respect mainly as well for the institutions and I think this is crucial as well. …

“Now, some 100 years ago, some wise men decided that the World Cup should take place every four years. Times are evolving, let’s see what we can do better and how we can do better.

“But again, we take all the time it takes, we are not in a rush, we are not a hurry. It’s better to take a little more time and to do it right.”

So, for now, status quo. Infantino’s remarks inferred that the biennial proposal could be forced through, but the blowback from both inside and outside FIFA need to be addressed before introducing such a radical change to football and to the rest of the international sports world.

There were plenty of other issues on the table.

At the top was November’s World Cup in Qatar, around which significant debate was had on the Congress floor. Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klaveness criticized the 2010 selection of Qatar and the acceptance by FIFA of holding the event in a country with unacceptable labor and social acceptance conditions, including:

“FIFA has addressed these issues, but there is still a long way to go. The migrant workers injured or families of those who died in the build up to the World Cup must be cared for. FIFA, all of us, must take all necessary measures to really implement change.”

Her comments were rebutted by organizing committee chief Hassan al-Thawadi, who noted the major labor reforms which have taken place since 2016, and by Infantino, whose closing remarks noted, “It has to be recognized that, six years later, the work that has been done, is exemplary. The work that in other countries has taken decades, has been done in a few years” and that the 2022 World Cup presents “an opportunity for the Arab world to present itself to the entire world.”

The Congress also saw an emotional, three-minute video from Ukrainian football federation head, Andriy Pavelk, delivered from Kyiv and while wearing a protective vest, which received wide applause.

Infantino said of the Qatar World Cup, it “will simply be the best World Cup ever and the biggest show on earth.” He also announced that he would be standing for a third term as FIFA President at the 2023 Congress.

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LANE ONE: WADA survey shows doping is about performance, but also meeting expectations; education seen as the key to prevention

By
Rich Perelman
-

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● Plus: Russia: Expect appeals from 50 national federations to the Court of Arbitration for Sport = Milan Cortina 2026: Organizing committee says CEO will stay = Winter Games 2030: Vancouver referendum motion rescinded = Athletics: USA Track & Field issues ‘24 Marathon Trials RFP; Philippine star Obiena settles with federation = Football: Riot mars Ghana-Nigeria qualifier as doping control physician dies, and Egypt’s Salah hit with laser pointers on penalty shot vs. Senegal; British teen gets six weeks in jail for racist Tweet re Euro 2020 Final; Qatar 2022 sells more than 800,000 tickets in first sales effort = SCOREBOARD: Football: U.S. men finish World Cup qualifying with 2-0 loss at Costa Rica, but are in for Qatar ‘22 ●

Why do athletes use performance-enhancing drugs?

The obvious answer is to enhance performance, but a new survey from the World Anti-Doping Agency show that there are also other factors in play.

The “Athlete Vulnerabilities Research Project” was released Tuesday and reports the results of a modest mid-2021 survey designed to find out the motivating factors in doping and the view of athletes and support staff in prevalence and prevention.

It’s hardly comprehensive – “Completed questionnaires were obtained from 355 sport personnel (coaches/technical personnel, medical personnel and administrators/leaders of sport federations) from 85 countries and 46 sports, and 219 athletes from 30 countries and 35 sports, a total of 574 respondents from 85 countries and 59 sports” – but it gives an insight into the thinking of a small sample of people on the front line of sport in multiple countries. Some highlights:

● Motivations

Sure, increasing performance was no. 1, but there are other significant factors in play other than an athlete’s own desire to do better. The nine identified motivators among athletes:

1. 57% said Performance Enhancement
2. 49% said Meeting Expectations
3. 32% said Compensate for Deficiencies
3. 32% said Concentration Enhancement
5. 29% said Search of Approval
6. 27% said Gain of Financial Rewards
7. 23% said Medical Motivation
8. 22% said Aesthetic Enhancement
9. 20% said Recreational Motivation

That half cited the pressure of “Meeting Expectations” is a major red flag in looking at doping, and was a major factor in one of the most infamous doping cases, that of American sprint star Marion Jones. She said she turned to doping prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, fearing that she was slipping back from her 1997 and 1999 World Championships form, where she was dominant.

Coaches and support staff saw athlete motivation a little differently; their top five:

1. 73% said Performance Enhancement
2. 55% said Meeting Expectations
3. 42% said Compensate for Deficiencies
4. 41% said Search of Approval
5. 37% said Gain of Financial Rewards

Again, the pressure element ranked high, although better performances were still most important.

● Vulnerabilities

When considering doping itself, the top risks in doping differed significantly between athletes and support staff. For athletes, the factors cited by more than 15% out of 35 factors:

1. 30% said Need for Fast Physical Change
2. 26% said Negative Social Environment
2. 26% said Health Condition
4. 25% said High Rate of Injury
5. 21% said Strength-driven Sport
6. 20% said Nutritional Supplements
7. 18% said Goal Orientation
8. 16% said Pressure of Expectation
8. 16% said Increased Physicality Requirement

There was no one outstanding factor seen as more risky than others. For coaches and support staff, the answer was much different:

1. 50% said Nutritional Supplements
2. 25% said Pressure of Expectation
3. 24% said Need for Fast Physical Change
4. 23% said Goal Orientation
5. 21% said Negative Social Environment

In terms of who is going to be doping, the answer was clear: the higher the level, the more the pressure for doping. Among male athletes, 37% said the pressure was highest at the international level, compared to only 18% at the national level or 16% among youth. For women, 29% of athletes said the international-level athlete was most likely to dope, compared with only 12% at the national level.

Once again, it’s about pressure, something to keep in mind as we observe athletes rising in the public consciousness and especially those who are not part of teams, with permanent care teams of coaches, trainers and other support staff.

A fascinating question was asked about the perceived prevalence of doping:

“Overall, the total sample estimated 21% of athletes to be doping. Athletes had a higher estimation at 25% compared to all stakeholders at 21%. Stakeholder types varied with their estimates, with coaches/technical personnel estimating 22%, medical personnel 17% and administrators/federation leaders the lowest at 15%.”

Asked who the most important influencers are at varying stages of their careers, athletes at the top levels of competition – including national and international level – cited their coach, trainer and manager. Younger athletes paid more attention to coaches and parents, but also to their teammates and peers.

What’s the best way to prevent doping and reduce the vulnerabilities? Athletes cited four elements more than any others:

1. 64% said Education
2. 39% said Nutritional Support
3. 37% said Psychological Support
4. 36% said Education of Athlete Support Personnel
(no others above 22%)

Among athlete support staff, “education” was cited 84% of the time as the best way to prevent doping, followed by more education of athlete support staff (34%) and psychological support (also 34%).

The report was compiled by WADA, in cooperation with the University of Sherbrooke in Canada.

Observed: This is only the first step, and a small one at that, to learn more about athlete and support staff attitudes toward doping and prevention. What is does show – clearly – is that athletes have to be constantly reminded not to use prohibited substances in a race to get to the top and/or stay there.

Given the extreme demands of being a professional athlete and the short careers of even the biggest superstars in most sports, one cannot directly compare being an athlete with a lifetime career in accounting or law or being an electrician or a plumber. But many professions require continuing education to maintain licenses as a way to ensure a basic level of knowledge that the public can expect from any licensed individual.

Are we not at the stage today that all athletes – and that means all – should be required to attend and complete a mandatory anti-doping and competition integrity session before participating in (1) annual national championships, (2) selection events for World Championships or regional or Olympic Games, if not part of the nationals and (3) at all World Championships and major regional championships and Games.

Is it too much to ask that athletes from as many as 200 different countries sit for 90 minutes to be sure they understand that there are worldwide penalties based on the World Anti-Doping Code and if they cooperate with bettors or others engaged in match-fixing?

There are now well-developed educational program within the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Testing Agency to do this, and emerging tools in the competition integrity area to be sure everyone knows what the rules are.

Would that have stopped American sprint star Marion Jones from doping in 2000? Maybe not, but it would have been a counterbalance to other messages she was getting at the time, and if someone of her stature had been telling younger athletes what happened to her – including imprisonment – would they listen?

Yes. The first Games to implement this should be Paris in 2024, with electronic certificates of completion issued, eventually to be a requirement to enter any major international competition.

Being a world-class athletes is a serious undertaking; no reason they should be not be just as serious about refraining from doping.

Rich Perelman
Editor

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Russia ● The Russian Minister of Sport, Oleg Matytsin, told the Russian news agency TASS that more than 50 Russian national sports federations are working together to file appeals against the widespread bans imposed by international sports federations.

The appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport will ask for the bans to be annulled or reduced, tracking back to the International Olympic Committee’s request to ban Russian participation back on 28 February.

● XXV Olympic Winter Games: Milan Cortina 2026 ● In response to a widely-picked-up La Repubblica story that Milan Cortina 2026 chief executive Vincenzo Novari will be replaced, the AroundTheRings.com site reported a denial from an organizing committee spokesperson.

Saying “we haven’t any news about changes in our future,” the spokesperson added “The relationship between our president Mr. [Giovanni] Malago and Vincenzo Novari is super and the relationship between Novari and our stakeholders is also very strong.”

The Milan Cortina 2026 board is scheduled to meet on 6 April.

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● Vancouver City Council member Colleen Hardwick withdrew her motion to ask for a referendum on the bid for the 2030 Winter Games on Tuesday evening, prior to any consideration.

The politics of the motion, seen as challenging an understanding with the historic tribes in the region who have agreed to lead the bid effort, were fragile at best and may not have attracted even a second in the City Council.

Hardwick, who is challenging incumbent Mayor Kennedy Stewart – who is against the motion – said she will re-introduce the motion in two weeks after more discussion.

● Athletics ● USA Track & Field released a 70-page Request for Proposal for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, with a $100,000 rights fee and a projected “$20 million Economic impact to your city.”

Interested bidders must signal their intention on 15 April and the proposal is due by 20 May. A site visit will be made and a decision is expected by 14 July. As usual, any bidder has very limited revenue opportunities:

“The USOPC owns all revenue sources, as well as all media and licensing rights, associated with the Olympic Team Trials – Marathon. No sponsor or partner that is not a USOPC sponsor may receive any recognition associated with the Olympic Team Trials – Marathon and no sponsor or partner may receive any benefits in association with the Olympic Trials without the express written consent of USATF and the USOPC. Furthermore, USATF and USOPC sponsors and suppliers shall have a right of first refusal with respect to business opportunities related to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon.

“Notwithstanding the above, via USATF’s contract with USOPC, certain opportunities may be made available to local supporters of the LOC and others. In general, USATF and the USOPC will grant the LOC certain rights (subject to Visa’s exclusivity outlined below) to ticket sales, in-stadium food and beverage concessions, and agreed upon local partnerships (local revenues) to the LOC. The grant of these revenue sources will be subject to venue-specific negotiation and revenue sharing. Accordingly, LOCs should propose a complete revenue plan as part of its bid. This plan must include a comprehensive ticket and event marketing plan and promotions program. Advice may be provided to LOCs as it relates to marketing and promotions packages upon request.”

The Road Race Management site commented, “At least the last four cities to host the trials, Atlanta in 2020, Los Angeles in 2016, Houston in 2012 and New York and Boston in 2007 lost money on the event, in some reported instances over $1 million.”

Rich Kenah, the head of the Atlanta Track Club, indicated that his group would not bid for 2024.

Philippine vault star and Tokyo Olympian E.J. Obiena has reportedly reached an agreement with the Philippine track & field federation which will allow him to represent the country in international competitions such as the Southeast Asian Games and the World Athletics Championships in Eugene in July.

The federation had accused Obiena last October of misusing funds intended for his coach, which both he and the coach vigorously denied, but suspended him anyway. That has been ended. Obiena was not allowed to compete at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Serbia, despite ranking fifth on the 2022 year list, with a national record of 5.91 m (19-4 3/4).

● Football ● The qualifying contests for the FIFA World Cup are coming to a close, but not always in a pleasant way.

In Dakar (SEN), Egypt had won the first of the home-and-home series by 1-0 and after a 1-0 win by Senegal that tied the cumulative score at 1-1, extra time was held and then penalty kicks. Egypt’s star forward Mohamed Salah lined up for his penalty shot, but had what appeared to be dozens of laser pointers aimed at his face in an effort to distract him, and his shot went high and over the goal.

Senegal won the shoot-out by 3-1 and advance to the World Cup. The Egyptian Football Association released a statement, including:

“The Egyptian team was subjected to racism after offensive banners appeared in the stadium stands against the players, specifically against Mohamed Salah, the team leader.

“The crowds also terrorized the players by throwing glass and rocks at them during the warm-up process.

“Additionally, the Egyptian mission’s buses were attacked, causing their windows to break, injuring and wounding some, which was documented with photos and videos that were taken and risen with the complaint.”

FIFA said it was aware and would review the incidents.

In Abuja (NGR), Ghana and Nigeria tied, 1-1, with the aggregate score of the two matches tied as well (0-0 first match). Ghana advanced due to scoring an away goal, allowing it to advance to the World Cup, but causing a riot on the field.

Spectators without tickets had rushed the stadium prior to the game, and some ticketholders were turned away as a safety precaution. Fans rushed the field after the game, overturned the team benches and were rushed by police, who also used tear gas to clear the field.

Even worse was the death of Zambian physician Joseph Kabungo, serving as an anti-doping officials on behalf of the Confederation of African Football. The official report stated:

“Kabungo had a cardiac arrest when walking towards the team dressing rooms and collapsed on the floor. Both team doctors and other medical personnel administered CPR on him, but after a while, he was taken to hospital, and that’s when the terrible news was confirmed.”

A 19-year-old British man, Justin Lee Price, was given a six-week jail sentence for posting a racist Twitter message targeting English striker Marcus Radford after he missed a penalty shot against Italy in the UEFA 2020 final in London.

Said prosecutor Mark Johnson: “Price targeted a footballer based on the colour of his skin and his action was clearly racist and a hate crime. I hope this case sends out the message that we will not tolerate racism and offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

FIFA reported that the first round of sales for the Qatar 2022 World Cup resulted in 804,186 ticket purchases, with Qatar, the United States, England, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, India, Brazil, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia the top-ten purchasers.

The next phase will open on 5 April, following the Final Draw coming up on Friday.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Football ● The CONCACAF World Cup qualifying marathon concluded on Wednesday, with Canada, Mexico and the U.S. heading to Qatar, but as the Americans lost to a young Costa Rican side, 2-0, on the road in San Jose.

The first half was physical, with 13 fouls – nine by the home team – and the U.S. maintaining 61% of the possession. Playing most of the half in Costa Rican territory, the U.S. got eight shots to six, with two good chances. Off a corner, Miles Robinson brought down a volley to the left of the box in the eighth minute, and sent a right-footed missile straight at goal that got behind keeper Keylor Navas, but he was able to cover it short of the goal line. Striker Ricardo Pepi hit a hard shot from the right side in the 13th minute, that was blocked out of bounds by Navas.

The U.S. got a quick triple chance in the 48th minute, but could not score. Off a free kick by Christian Pulisic, Miles Robinson sent a swift header to the corner of the Costa Rican goal that was blocked by Navas. But the ball came right to Tim Weah and his shot was saved, with the rebound hit by Walker Zimmerman at goal again, but Navas handled it.

But the game changed just three minutes later, as a Costa Rican out-swinging corner by Brandon Aguilera met the head of a charging Juan Vargas, with the shot flying past U.S. keeper Zack Steffen for a 1-0 home lead.

It got better for the home team as the U.S. defense got sloppy. Costa Rica went up 2-0 after a save by Steffen on striker Anthony Contreras resulted in the rebound going wide and midfielder Jewison Bennette’s pass across the U.S. net found a running Contreras behind Steffen and he pounded the ball into the net in the 59th minute.

The U.S. had most of the remaining possession, but could not finish its attacks, either against Navas, or his replacement, Esteban Alvarado, who came in at the 77th minute due to injury. The Americans ended with 65% possession and 15 shots to 12.

The loss means the U.S. has still never won in Costa Rica, now 0-11-2 all time, and 0-10-1 in road World Cup qualifying games. But they are back to the World Cup – for the 11th time – after infamously missing the 2018 event in Russia.

Elsewhere, Mexico defeated El Salvador, 2-0, in Mexico City; Panama scored a rough, 1-0 win over Canada in Panama City in a game with 32 fouls, and Jamaica finished with a 2-1 win over Honduras in Kingston. So, in the end, the CONCACAF standings:

1. 28 points: Canada (8-2-4; +16 goal differential)
2. 28 points: Mexico (8-2-4; +9)
3. 25 points: United States (7-3-4; +11)
4. 25 points: Costa Rica (7-3-4; +5)
5. 21 points: Panama (6-5-3; -2)
6. 11 points: Jamaica (2-7-5; -10)
7. 10 points: El Salvador (2-8-4; -10)
8. 4 points: Honduras (0-10-4; -19)

The impressive scoreless draw with Mexico in Mexico City on 24 March ended up being the key to the U.S.’s third-place finish; otherwise, the Americans are in the inter-continental qualifier.

Costa Rica finished 6-0-1 in its last seven qualifiers and will face New Zealand in a play-off for another slot at the World Cup.

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THE TICKER: Dillard’s 1948 Olympic 100 m gold on auction; Spain’s 2030 Winter bid in disarray; gymnasts ask Sport Canada to investigate abuse

By
Rich Perelman
-
Harrison Dillard's 1948 Olympic men's 100 m gold, now on auction (Photo courtesy Ingrid O'Neil Auctions)

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● Plus: Seoul 1988: Seoul Sports Complex in $1.8 billion renovation = Milan Cortina 2026: New chief executive to be named next month = Biathlon: IBU suspends Belarus and Russia = Gymnastics: USA Gymnastics to replace women’s program head with three; names 2022 Hall of Fame class = Swimming: USA Swimming announces Indianapolis as 2024 Trials site = Wrestling: USOPC & USA Wrestling ask NCAA to table training center rule change = SCOREBOARD: Football: Portugal and Poland qualify for Qatar ‘22; U.S. faces Costa Rica in final CONCACAF qualifier ●

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

Another massive auction of Olympic memorabilia by veteran dealer Ingrid O’Neil is underway and will conclude on 9 April. The dazzling program includes 502 lots, starting with the men’s 100 m gold medal won by legendary American sprinter and hurdler Harrison “Bones” Dillard.

Inspired by Jesse Owens, who attended the same high school – Cleveland East Technical – Dillard was best known as a hurdler, but failed to make the London ‘48 U.S. team in his specialty. But he did make the American team in the 100 m and won the gold in a major upset over teammate Barney Ewell, 10.3-10.4, with favored Mel Patton sixth.

Four years later, in Helsinki, he won the 110 m high hurdles in another tight finish, this time with fellow American Jack Davis, both timed in 13.7. And Dillard ran on both of the winning U.S. men’s 4×100 m teams in London and Helsinki for four career golds in all.

Dillard, universally known not only as a great athlete, but as a gentle, pleasant and kind man, passed away in 2019 at age 96.

Offered with the original case, the medal was made available by Dillard’s daughter, Terri, with bidding starting at $120,000.

There are plenty of other interesting lots in the auction, including:

● An amazing winner’s medal from the first modern Games in 1896! These were in silver – not gold yet – picturing Zeus on the obverse and the Acropolis in Athens on the reverse. A bid of $80,000 has already been received!

● A solid gold winner’s medal for the football (soccer) tournament at the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games, won by the Galt Football Club of Ontario, Canada. Bids start at $95,000.

● A Stockholm 1912 silver medal, in its presentation case, starting at $7,000, and a bronze medal, starting at $5,000.

There is a staggering selection of additional Olympic medals offered, from Antwerp 1920, from the first Winter Games in Chamonix (FRA) in 1924 (one already has a $26,000 bid), Paris 1924, Amsterdam 1928, St. Moritz 1928 Winter, Los Angeles 1932, Berlin 1936, London 1948, St. Moritz 1948 Winter, Oslo 1952 Winter, 1952 Helsinki, 1956 Melbourne, 1960 Rome, Innsbruck 1964 Winter, 1972 Sapporo Winter, 1976 Innsbruck Winter, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980, Lake Placid 1980 Winter, Calgary 1988 Winter, Seoul 1988, Albertville 1992 Winter, Salt Lake City 2002 Winter and Rio 2016, plus the 1906 10-year Anniversary Games in Athens and many Paralympic Games medals.

And, of course, no Olympic memorabilia auction would be complete without Olympic torches, and there are 31 to choose from:

● 1936 Berlin: $5,000 starting bid
● 1948 London: $7,500
● 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter: $22,000
● 1960 Rome: $7,000
● 1964 Tokyo: $11,000
● 1968 Mexico City (2): $3,000 and $2,000
● 1972 Munich: $2,000
● 1976 Montreal: $2,600
● 1976 Innsbruck Winter: $22,000
● 1980 Moscow (2): $2,800 and $1,500
● 1984 Los Angeles: $4,000
● 1984 Sarajevo Winter: $5,500
● 1988 Seoul: $5,000
● 1988 Calgary Winter: $28,000
● 1992 Barcelona: $5,000
● 1992 Albertville Winter: $65,000
● 1996 Atlanta: $2,400
● 2000 Sydney: $3,750
● 2002 Salt Lake City Winter: $3,250
● 2004 Athens: $2,800
● 2006 Turin Winter: $1,800
● 2008 Beijing: $5,000
● 2010 Vancouver 2010 Winter: $1,800
● 2012 London: $5,000
● 2014 Sochi Winter: $2,600
● 2016 Rio de Janeiro: $3,500
● 2020 Tokyo (2): $12,000 and $9,500
● 2022 Beijing Winter: $12,000 already bid

An enormous sampling of Olympic participation medals is also available; truly a sensational offering of Olympic hardware spanning the entire modern Olympic era. Bidding continues to 9 April.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Seoul 1988 ● The Seoul Sports Complex, built for the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympic Games, is being redeveloped in a $1.8 billion project that is expected to begin construction in mid-2023.

The Populous architectural and planning firm detailed the program on Monday, with the Olympic Stadium preserved and new facilities to be added or revamped, such as a convention center, concert hall, an 11,000-seat sports arena, 35,000-seat baseball park, 3,000-seat swim complex and 2-3 hotels or office towers.

Now known as the Jamsil Sports MICE Complex, it hosted track & field, football and equestrian jumping in the Olympic Stadium in 1988, plus swimming, basketball, volleyball, boxing and baseball in other facilities.

● XXV Olympic Winter Games: Milan Cortina 2026 ● Italian media are reporting that Vincenzo Novari, head of the Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee, will be replaced soon.

Hired in November 2019, Novari is expected to move on after the 6 April board meeting, being seen as slow to integrate himself into the international-sport community in Italy. According to La Repubblica:

“To replace Novari, there are various solutions: one could be Michele Uva, now at UEFA. Certainly, Uva has strong experience in sports management and excellent contacts also at an international level. Then, other candidates could be Alessandro Antonello, CEO of [Inter Milan], [retail executive] Alberto Baldan and Gianfranco Battisti, former CEO of Ferrovie dello Stato [railway].”

Novari stated that the organizing committee’s financial responsibilities include domestic sponsorships, ticketing, merchandising, but these have been seem as lagging so far.

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● “It is unacceptable that the bid benefits one party to the detriment of the other, it is unacceptable for a part of the Pyrenees to be left without the benefit of the Games.”

So much for the technical agreement on the organization of the Spanish bid for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games, reported last week from discussions brokered by the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE).

Javier Lamban, President of the Government of Aragon, blasted the plan on Tuesday, saying the distribution of events was “unbalanced” between Aragon and Catalonia. He plans to present a different plan, which is not yet ready to be divulged.

Lamban complained that the proposal from the COE assigned curling to Jaca and figure skating and speed skating to Zaragoza and did not place any events within the section of the Pyrenees Mountains in Aragon. Biathlon and cross-country skiing were also to be held in Aragon.

This stops the Pyrenees-Barcelona bid in its tracks, and referenda are still to be held to determine the public attitude towards the concept of chasing the Games. The bids for Salt Lake City and Sapporo continue on, along with a developing concept from Vancouver (CAN), which hosted in 2010.

● Biathlon ● The International Biathlon Union’s Executive Board suspended both Russian and Belarus, “with immediate effect.” The announcement included:

“Both federations have violated the humanitarian obligations for member federations under the IBU Constitution. These violations by RBU and BiFB bring the IBU and the sport of biathlon into disrepute, and their active membership would undermine the IBU’s and its members’ efforts to promote its constitutional principles and purposes with credibility.

“In addition, the EB agreed that given the Russian invasion of Ukraine has stopped the activities of the Ukrainian Biathlon Federation it would be unfair for the NFs of the attacking countries to continue to enjoy the full rights of IBU membership when their nations have disrupted the conduct of sport in Ukraine.”

Both countries are biathlon powers. Belarus scored an Olympic silver in Beijing and 12 World Cup medals this past season and Russia won four Olympic medals (0-1-3) and had 15 World Cup medals, including four wins. But the season won’t start up again until the end of November.

The Russian Biathlon Union has filed an appeal to the decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

● Gymnastics ● “We are coming forward with our experiences of abuse, neglect, and discrimination in hopes of forcing change.

“We ask Sport Canada to take action to ensure the next generation of Canadian gymnasts is not subject to the physical and psychological trauma that we have had to endure.”

This from a letter signed by 70 current and former Canadian gymnasts, alleging emotional, physical, and sexual abuse from Canadian coaches, reported on Monday.

The letter explains that “The current Board and CEO of GymCan have failed to address these issues and have failed to earn the trust and confidence of athletes. Their inability to adequately respond to ongoing systemic abuse, mistreatment, and discrimination is troubling.”

Canadian bobsledders and skeleton racers sent a similar request for governmental oversight three weeks ago.

Sport Canada is a governmental agency responsible for “access to sport as part of a healthy and active lifestyle, and help high performance athletes participate and succeed in competitions.” It is not the Canadian Olympic Committee, which is the recognized National Olympic Committee in the country.

The gymnasts, like the bobsled & skeleton athletes, are looking for a public investigation and report on the situation in their sport.

USA Gymnastics is changing the staff leadership of its women’s high-performance program to include three people instead of one.

Tom Forster retired as the federation’s women’s elite performance director after the Tokyo Games, but will be replaced with three people instead of one. The Associated Press reported that the federation explained to members that having a single manager

“created either the perception or reality of one person having total control over the program and National Team athletes. Such control – whether real or perceived – is not healthy or balanced for athletes or for the sport. Those perceptions also put untenable pressure on a single person.”

So, individuals to manage (1) athlete development (2) technical training and performance and (3) overall direction and strategy of the program are being sought. This newest step in response to the tight scrutiny the federation is under following the massive Nassar scandal will succeed or fail, of course, on the people selected.

The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique announced a “Special Aid for Ukraine” fund, coordinated through the federation’s Foundation for Solidarity, to support the Ukrainian federation and their FIG-licensed athletes.

USA Gymnastics announced its 2022 Hall of Fame class, including Olympic medal winners Annia Hatch and Jonathan Horton.

Hatch came to the U.S. from Cuba, where she was the 1996 Worlds bronze medalist on Vault. After becoming an American citizen in 2001, she was a National Team member from 2002-04 and won a Team silver and Vault silver at the 2004 Athens Games. She has continued her support of the sport as a coach.

Horton was an 18-time All-American at Oklahoma and was the U.S. men’s All-Around champ in 2009 and 2010. He won an Olympic Team bronze and Horizontal Bar silver at the 2008 Beijing Games and claimed World Championships medals in 2010 (All-Around bronze) and 2011 (Team bronze).

Also named with Lifetime Achievement Awards were Artistic coaches Tammy Biggs and the late Tim Rand; London 2012 Olympic and University of Michigan coach Kurt Golder; 2008 Olympic Trampoline performer Erin Blanchard and Acrobatic Mixed Pair World Championships medalists Kiley Boynton and Ryan Ward.

● Swimming ● USA Swimming and the Indiana Sports Corporation formally announced that the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials will be at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The project will include:

● “Three temporary pools, two 50-meter and one 25-meter, will be installed over the field”;

● “The Indiana Convention Center, connected to the stadium, will feature USA Swimming’s Toyota Aqua Zone”;

● “USA Swimming and the Indiana Sports Corp expect to create a city-wide festival throughout the course of the event to celebrate the sport of swimming.”

The Trials were a huge hit in Omaha, Nebraska in 2008-12-16-21, with a 14,500 spectator capacity at the CHI Health Center. The 2024 Trials are expected to double that capacity or more, with a proposed layout shown as:

Projected layout of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium (Image: USA Swimming)

Beyond the pool, “USA Swimming and the Indiana Sports Corp. will commit a total of $400,000 to Legacy Projects to ensure increased access to water for children in underserved areas of the Indianapolis region. The entities will work with programs and facilities in need of financial and programmatic assistance, with the ultimate goals of promoting the sport of swimming and the life-saving skills of water safety.”

● Wrestling ● A modest test of the expanding cooperation between the NCAA and the U.S. Olympic community – specially USA Wrestling – is coming in mid-April in the form of a proposed rule change at the NCAA Division I Council.

At issue is the use of wrestling Regional Training Centers, established in 2009 to help stem the loss of college wrestling programs – 55 had closed over the prior 28 years – by allowing high school and college athletes to train in the Olympic classes of Freestyle and Greco-Roman, vs. the Folkstyle rules used by the NCAA.

There are 44 schools using RTC program and the emerging women’s wrestling movement has 30 athletes currently involved, including 13 active U.S. national team members. Proposal 2019-50 was submitted by the Mid-American and Southern Conferences, concerned that Regional Training Centers have also become recruiting mills for the top collegiate programs.

USA Wrestling and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee have urged the proposal to be tabled in view of operating changes which have narrowed the use of the RTC programs to high school wrestlers and an infractions oversight program to avoid abuse. The outcome will provide a noteworthy signal on the progress of cooperation between the pressure on recruiting prep stars and maintaining and expanding the wrestling pipeline to the elite level.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Football ● Europe dominated the 2018 World Cup in Russia, producing six of the eight quarterfinalists and all four semifinalists. On Tuesday, UEFA nearly completed its qualifying competitions for 2022, with Portugal and Poland advancing to the Qatar World Cup in November.

Portugal defeated North Macedonia, 2-0, in Porto, with Bruno Fernandes scoring in the 32nd and 65th minutes in “Path C”; Robert Lewandowski scored on a penalty kick in the 50th minute to key Poland’s 2-0 win in Chorzow in “Path B”. Still to be determined is “Path A,” with Wales waiting to meet the winner of Scotland and Ukraine, right now expected to be played in June.

UEFA’s 10 qualifying group winners, already set for Qatar, include Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

The U.S. men’s National Team will finish its CONCACAF World Cup qualifying schedule with a final match at San Jose, Costa Rica on Wednesday at 9:05 p.m. Eastern time, shown on the CBS Sports Network and Universo.

According to U.S. Soccer, “the USA would punch its ticket to Qatar 2022 with a win, draw, or loss by less than six goals against Los Ticos.”

Costa Rica stands fourth in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings with 22 points to 28 for Canada (clinched), and 25 for the U.S. and Mexico. However, the U.S. has a goal-differential advantage of +13 compared to +7 for Mexico and +3 for Costa Rica.

The U.S. beat Costa Rica by 2-1 last October in Columbus, but is 0-10-2 against them on the road and 0-9-1 in road World Cup qualifying games. Los Ticos are 5-0-1 in their last six qualifying matches and if fourth, will face an Oceanian team in a playoff for Qatar 2022.

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LANE ONE: USOPC, Salt Lake City to rev up 2030 bid; U.S. teams from Tokyo and Beijing to be saluted at White House in May

By
Rich Perelman
-

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● Plus: Russia: Poll shows not much outrage about athlete bans = World Games 2022: Birmingham organizers to help fund Ukraine participation = Olympic Winter Games 2030: Spanish coordinating regional cooperation on bid = Athletics: ‘84 200 m silver winner Baptiste passes at 59 = Swimming: NCAA head Emmert sees no change on transgenders = SCOREBOARD: Swimming: France’s Marchand, Americans Curry
& Finke star at NCAA men’s champs ●

Finally getting some time to breathe after fielding teams for the Olympic Games in Tokyo and the Beijing Winter Games, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s board of directors met last week, with future programs already needing attention.

During a Monday briefing with reporters, USOPC Chair Susanne Lyons explained that the 2030 Winter Games candidature of Salt Lake City had been stalled by the back-to-back Games in 2021 and 2022, in addition to the Covid issues still dogging major events around the world.

But, the process is starting up again:

● A technical team from the International Olympic Committee is expected in Salt Lake City in April, to see the proposed facilities – all existing and in use – for the 2030 Winter Games, and to better understand the concepts for financing and organization.

● A USOPC and the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games plan to visit the IOC in Lausanne in June for more discussions, a session that had been hoped for last November or December, but is only now possible.

Salt Lake City is a front-runner, along with Sapporo (JPN), the 1972 host city, with bids from Canada (Vancouver) and Spain (Pyrenees-Barcelona) still in the organizing phase.

Discussions between the USOPC, the Salt Lake City team and the Los Angeles 2028 organizers are continuing, especially in the context of how the domestic sponsorship program could be expanded to include opportunities for more continuity, with back-to-back Games in 2028 and 2030.

Lyons said that no selection is expected in 2022 and that a decision should be made by mid-2023.

Also coming in the future may be a change in the way that Paralympic sport is organized in the U.S., with the idea being to have Olympic-sport National Governing Bodies taking on responsibility for Paralympic programming as well. USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland noted that there is no definitive timeline for this effort: more of a concept than a plan, but which would relieve the USOPC of some of the direct governance responsibilities it currently has for many of the Paralympic sports.

This is a project which is being seen worldwide as well, for example, with the International Paralympic Committee discussing a transfer of international governance of elite-level para-skiing with the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS). In the U.S., this could be a powerful boost for individual Paralympic sports, but the question of added NGB funding is sure to come up.

Looking back at Tokyo and Beijing, Hirshland noted the excellent results of the U.S. teams in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. She made a special point of the outstanding work of the USOPC medical team, with just two Tokyo positives and nine in Beijing, and of the 11 total, only three were athletes.

That’s pretty impressive.

There has been no further word on the resolution of the Figure Skating Team event from Beijing, where the U.S. skaters placed second, while the winning Russian team may be disqualified if the initial doping positive for Kamila Valieva is confirmed. The matter is being reviewed by both the Russian Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency and the U.S. can only wait for a resolution.

A major celebration of the Tokyo and Beijing Olympic and Paralympic teams – possibly over 800 athletes in total – is being planned for May at the White House in Washington. D.C. The first in-person USOPC Assembly in a while is also being planned for 22-24 June.

The Board also had extensive discussions about sport integrity, including doping and the expanding questions around transgender athletes, but regarding the latter, the rule-making authority is in the hands of the International Federations.

Lyons underscored that while it’s almost back to business-as-usual, there is a lot of business to be done.

Rich Perelman
Editor

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Russia ● According to a new poll reported by the Russian news agency TASS, the Russian public may not be all that worked up about its athletes being barred from international competitions.

While 91% of the 1,600 respondents in the 21 March survey said they were aware of the widespread athlete bans in response to the “special military operation” in Ukraine, only 32% thought the invasion was the sole reason and 62% thought Russians would have been banned in any case, based on prior scandals.

Moreover, just 15% said Russia should fight for restoring athlete’s competitive opportunities and 24% thought Russia should hold its own competitions and invite other countries. Less than half – 48% – suggested Russia should do both.

● XI World Games: Birmingham 2022 ● The International World Games Association has agreed with the Birmingham organizers of July’s World Games to share a portion of the ticket and merchandising revenue to support the Ukrainian delegation.

Some 103 Ukrainian athletes have qualified for the World Games, but getting to Alabama is not going to be easy. IWGA President Jose Perurena (ESP) said Monday, “I am happy to have received great support for this idea. This is also about using the money to rebuild the bombed sports venues after the war, which hopefully will end soon.”

If possible, funding could allow some Ukrainian athletes to come to the U.S. early for training prior to the Games; the IWGA will also ask for assistance from the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity fund.

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● The Spanish candidature for 2030 was reported by local media to have become better formalized, in an agreement between the regions of Aragon and Catalonia.

Friday’s “technical agreement” placed biathlon, cross-country skiing, figure skating, and speed skating in Aragon, with the remaining events in Catalonia, mainly in Barcelona (ice events) and the Pyrenees Mountains (skiing).

The Spanish Olympic Committee coordinated the discussions and is liaising with the Spanish government. A referendum on the bid is expected to be held in both regions this summer.

● Athletics ● Sad news with the confirmation of the 24 March passing of 1984 Olympic 200 m silver medalist Kirk Baptiste, at 59.

He was the NCAA 200 m champion in 1984 and 1985 for the University of Houston and was runner-up to Carl Lewis at the 1984 Olympic Trials and at the Los Angeles Games, posting a best of 19.96.

Baptiste was twice the U.S. national champion, winning the 100-200 m double in 1985; he had a 100 m best of 10.11.

● Swimming ● SwimmingWorld.com reported on a letter sent by NCAA President Mark Emmert in reply to a women’s swimming activist concerned about having transgender women – such as NCAA 500-yard champion Lia Thomas of Penn – swimming against biological females.

Emmert wrote that the association plans no changes to the approach it used with Thomas, including:

“As the top governing board of the NCAA, the Board of Governors firmly and unequivocally supports the opportunity for transgender student-athletes to compete in college sports.

“We understand there are differing views on transgender student-athlete participation in sport. The NCAA’s current policy is anchored in the evolving science on this issue and in the sport-specific policies of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s national governing bodies, of international federations and of the International Olympic Committee when relevant. Further, the policy provides the Board of Governors and the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports the opportunity to review and approve each policy to ensure it aligns with the core values of the NCAA. The resulting sport-by-sport approach preserves opportunities for transgender student-athletes while balancing fairness, inclusion and safety for all who compete.”

In Thomas’s situation, USA Swimming introduced fairly stringent transgender regulations on 1 February – which would not have allowed Thomas to compete – but the NCAA ignored them, and maintained its prior eligibility standards that did allow Thomas to swim.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Swimming ● The men’s NCAA Championships concluded last Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia with Cal winning the national title, 487.5-436.5 over Texas, with Florida (374) third.

The individual standout was Arizona State freshman Leon Marchand, a Tokyo Olympian for France, who won the 200-yard Breaststroke and the 200-yard Medley, plus a second in the 400-yard Medley.

The other double winner was sprinter Brooks Curry (USA-LSU), who took the 50-yard Free and 100-yard Free. Double Olympic distance gold medalist Bobby Finke of Florida, won the 1,650-yard Free for the second straight year.

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: Int’l Swimming League to skip 2022, return in 2023; not much NIL money outside of football & basketball; ‘24 swim trials to Indianapolis

By
Rich Perelman
-

(★ THANK YOU to our 45 donors, who have covered 77% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

(For our Highlights of the weekend’s major competitions, click here. For coverage of the U.S.’s 5-1 win over Panama in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, click here.)

● Plus: Russia: New U.S. sanctions include three Olympic champs who are Duma members = NCAA: Most NIL money goes to football & basketball, little to others; adidas announces massive NIL program for its 109 Div. I schools and more = Amsterdam 1928: “Fascist salute” statute removed from outside Olympic stadium = Badminton: Four Chinese players get suspended sentences for 2018 honest-effort violations = Cycling: Italian star Colbrelli recovering from “unstable cardiac arrhythmia” at Volta a Catalunya = Figure Skating: Russian Valieva re-appears, places second in all-Russian team event = Gymnastics: German gymnast Sarah Voss saluted for new, modest option to the leotard = Modern Pentathlon: PentUnited athletes group criticizes season-opening World Cup in Cairo = Swimming: Indianapolis reported to get 2024 U.S. Trials = Weightlifting: USA Weightlifting offers Atlanta venue for 2022 Worlds = AT THE BUZZER: Big memorabilia auction Saturday in Paris includes 13 Olympic torches! ●

News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

“The war in Ukraine is a tragedy, having destroyed lives, families and homes. Many of our ISL colleagues remain trapped in Kyiv, and the conflict seems poised to continue for the foreseeable future.

“In light of this force majeure situation, we cannot, in good faith to our swimmers and our fans, commit to hosting any commercial matches in 2022. As such, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Season 4 to 2023.

“Importantly, the ISL is not going away. The League still has plans to expand our Junior League, to collaborate with the Master’s swimming community, and to ensure continuity with our Clubs through non-match events.”

Founded by Russian-born, Ukrainian billionaire Konstantin Grigorishin, the International Swimming League promised to revolutionize swimming with an expansive series of meets focused on soccer-style, region or nation-based clubs with an international mix of swimmers.

Now it’s on hiatus. Sunday’s announcement follows messaging from Grigorshin that access to funding from his usual banks has been strained (if not cut off) by the war.

The short-course league started in 2019, with eight teams and seven events from October to December, expanding to 10 teams with 13 events for 2020 and 17 matches in 2021, from August into December. A further schedule expansion from June through December was announced for 2022, but is now canceled.

More than 300 swimmers were contracted for the 10 teams, which paid salaries and performances bonuses, although some payments for prior seasons have not been made. The prize pool for the third season was reported at $13 million, and a message sent to ISL swimmers included:

“This decision has been made because we recognise that we cannot ask you to travel, train and compete on a promise alone. Rather, we must settle all of the ISL’s outstanding payments to each of you before we can push forward to another Season.”

This is a major development in elite swimming, which will create significant winners and losers, including in the courtroom, where the ISL and some of its swimmers have a continuing action against the international federation FINA in U.S. District Court.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Russia ● The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced last Thursday an expansive set of sanctions against Russian companies and 328 members of the Duma:

“OFAC is designating The State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (the Duma) and 328 of its members for their complicity in [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war. The Duma, which is the Russian Parliament’s lower chamber, passed a resolution asking Putin to recognize [Donetsk People’s Republic] and [Luhansk People’s Republic] as independent states, though they are part of Ukraine.”

This includes three Olympic champions: Sergey Chepikov, the 1994 Lillehammer winner of the 10 km Sprint in Biathlon; Vyacheslav Fetisov, a defenseman on the 1984 and 1988 Olympic ice hockey winners, and Irina Rodnina, a triple gold medalist in Pairs skating in 1972-76-80.

● NCAA ● Football, women’s basketball and men’s basketball are by far the most popular sports for athletes to get Name-Image-Likeness compensation according to a survey of clients of Opendorse, a highly popular NIL service provider.

Through the end of February, football players received 50.0% of all NIL compensation tracked by Opendorse, with women’s basketballers at 18.5% and men’s basketball players at 15.0%.

Then it drops way down to 2.4% for women’s swimming & diving and volleyball, 1.8% for men’s swimming & diving, 1.6% for softball, 1.4% for baseball and 1.0% for men’s track & field and 0.9% for women’s track & field.

In terms of the number of deals getting done:

1. 31.6% for Football
2. 8.8% for Baseball
3. 6.7% for men’s Basketball
4. 5.6% for women’s Volleyball
5. 5.4% for women’s Track & Field
6. 4.9% for women’s Soccer
7. 4.6% for men’s Track & Field
8. 4.4% for Softball
9. 4.3% for women’s Basketball
10. 2.6% for women’s Swimming & Diving

Football completely skews the distribution of funding between men and women athletes: 71.7% of funds go to men in Division I, 66.7% in Division II and 69.8% in Division III. But we’re not talking about all that much in most cases; average compensation per athlete was $561 per deal for Division I and just $57 for Division II and $35 for Division III.

What do athletes get paid for?

1. 33.9% for posting content to their social accounts
2. 18.3% for signing something
3. 13.8% for licensing rights
4. 11.4% for creating content
5. 3.3% for appearing somewhere

The category of “other activities” constituted 16.2%. Translation: this entire concept is in its infancy.

The worldwide apparel brand adidas announced a remarkable Name-Image-Likeness program last week that it says will create a more “equitable future in sport.” According to the announcement:

“With the ability to reach over 50,000 student-athletes across 23 sports and 109 Division 1 NCAA schools, the new NIL program will give eligible student-athletes of all genders the opportunity, directly with adidas, to become paid affiliate brand ambassadors. Launching in four phases over the next 12 months, the network will begin with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Power-5 conference partners in Fall 2022, scaling across all schools by April 2023.”

Exactly what this means in dollars and sense was not detailed, but will be promoted by, among other things, “More is Possible” shirts provided the team members of adidas-affiliated schools.

● Games of the IX Olympiad: Amsterdam 1928 ● /Updated/A statue on the grounds of the Olympic Stadium which shows an athlete giving what appears to be a Fascist salute has been removed by the stadium authorities.

Known as the Van Tuyll monument, the figure was installed in 1928 – the same year as the Games were held in Amsterdam – and even though it pre-dates the rise of Nazi Germany by five years, it is known that the Fascist salute was originated in Italy in 1922 by Benito Mussolini’s National Fascist Party.

The statue has been criticized for several years and was scheduled to be moved to a less obvious location, but the decision was challenged and is yet to be resolved in court.

(Thanks to reader Brian Russell for noting this is a statue and not a statute!)

● Badminton ● “The four players were found to have violated Article 3.1.2 of the 2017 BWF Code of Conduct in Relation to Betting, Wagering and Irregular Match Results for failing to use best efforts to win a match at the Fuzhou China Open 2018.”

The Badminton World Federation issued three-month bans against four Chinese players: the now-retired Junhui Li, Jiting Li, Qiang Tan and Yuchen Liu, but suspended the sentences in favor of a two-year probationary period beginning 25 January 2022.

Junhui Li and Liu won the Tokyo Olympic silver medal in men’s Doubles and were the 2018 World Champions. Jiting Li and Tan were the 2021 World Championships silver medalists.

● Cycling ● Italian star Sonny Colbrelli – the Paris-Roubaix winner in 2021 – who was second at the line in last Monday’s opening stage at the just-completed Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, collapsed after the finish and had to be taken to a local hospital. His team, Bahrain Victorious, stated:

“Following the end of Stage 1 of Volta a Catalunya, our medical team can confirm that Sonny Colbrelli suffered from an unstable cardiac arrhythmia that required defibrillation.

“The cause is still to be determined, and the Italian rider will undergo further tests tomorrow at the Hospital Universitari de Girona.”

Colbrelli quickly stabilized; he told La Gazzetta dello Sport, “I’m here in the hospital, resting, I don’t remember anything. Only that I crossed the line, I stopped, I took the water and I collapsed. Then the emptiness, and I woke up in the hospital.”

● Figure Skating ● Russian star – and 2022 European Champion – Kamila Valieva re-appeared in competitive skating at the all-Russian Channel One Cup in Saransk, a team event held parallel to the ISU World Championships in France, from 25-27 March.

The “Red Machine” team defeated the “Team of Firsts” by 145-141, with Russian stars Mikhail Kolyada (men/Red), Anastasia Mishina and Aleksander Galliamov (Pairs/Time) and Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov (Ice Dance/Red) winning their events.

In the women’s event, Beijing gold medalist Anna Shcherbakova (Red) was the winner, scoring 259.02 to 257.51 for Valieva (Time) and 2015 World Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (Time/247.86). Valieva, still just 15, won the Short Program – she was the leader at the Beijing Games after the Short Program – but Shcherbakova edged her in the Free Skate to earn the win.

● Gymnastics ● This is worth watching. The German Olympic Committee (DOSB) awarded its annual “Fair Play” prize to:

“Peter Fischer, President of Eintracht Frankfurt, who has been involved in socio-political matters for many years and has positioned himself very clearly against racism, and on gymnast Sarah Voss. At the European Championships in Basel, the gymnast made a strong statement against sexualization in sport with her performance in a body suit instead of the usual skimpy gymnastics outfit.”

Prof. Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper, the jury representative of the DOSB and the German Olympic Association, explained:

“Unfortunately, we have to realize that the sexualization of women and girls is still a hot topic in sport. With the choice of her competition outfit, Sarah Voss gave this important topic a platform and showed all those affected a simple and effective way to defend themselves. In this way, it unfolds a radiance that goes beyond sport.”

Observed: Simple, effective and not costly: the easiest path to compliance and expansion of an idea which needs to expand from gymnastics to all other sports. Brilliant and important.

● Modern Pentathlon ● While the first use of the Paris 2024 format for the sport – which still includes riding – was being used at the season-opening World Cup in Cairo (EGY), the athlete group PentUnited was busy on Twitter. A sample:

● “The @WorldPentathlon are not more important than athletes. Why are they allocated luxury treatment like VIP areas when none are given to the competing athletes. In fact, athletes were actively removed from this area as if they are an inconvenience. This is not ok.”

● “Who is responsible for the sport being where it is? The buck stops at the top. This team lost our Olympic place …. Why would anyone trust them to get it back? “Enough is enough. We deserve better.”

● “The problem is not riding. The problem is the UIPM. The UIPM has mismanaged riding, and they have mismanaged the entire sport for decades.”

The athlete group has been pushing to retain riding in the sport, as designed by modern Olympics founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin (FRA), but the International Olympic Committee is waiting for the UIPM to present a new fifth discipline and will weigh whether to invite the sport back onto the Olympic program for 2028 in Los Angeles.

● Swimming ● The Indianapolis Star reported on Sunday that the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in swimming will be awarded to Indianapolis.

Reporter David Woods said a news conference will be held Tuesday, specifying the event to be held with temporary pools placed inside the Lucas Oil Stadium, the 67,000-seat home of the NFL Colts.

A custom configuration, including warm-up pools, would create a capacity of 30,000 or more, perhaps the largest-ever indoor swimming arena. The Trials were held before enthusiastic crowds in the CHI Health Center arena in Omaha, Nebraska in 2008-12-16-21, but the plan for the Indianapolis facility would allow for more than double the crowd (and the resultant revenue).

Omaha wanted the event back again, of course, and Minneapolis and St. Louis were also bidders.

● Weightlifting ● The ever-active USA Weightlifting is at the ready to help the floundering International Weightlifting Federation.

Already having offered Las Vegas as a possible site for the crucial IWF Electoral Congress in June, at which American Ursula Papandrea will be a candidate for President, USA Weightlifting chief executive Phil Andrews sent a letter to the IWF last Thursday, offering Atlanta as the site for the 2022 World Championships.

The letter notes that the U.S. has been a quality host of recent Worlds in Houston in 2015 and Anaheim in 2017, and that the Georgia International Conference Center, close by the city’s massive Hartsfield International Airport, is offered as the venue.

The 2022 Worlds were returned to the IWF by China in view of continuing Covid outbreaks; USA Weightlifting envisions maintaining the early November dates for the event.

It’s a good idea and once again provides new opportunities to raise the profile of a troubled sport when it needs it the most.

≡ AT THE BUZZER ≡

Another major auction of Olympic and sports memorabilia is coming from Paris-based Vermot & Associes, with 389 lots and 13 Olympic torches on offer.

More than half the lots deal with cycling, a great passion in France, but there are lots of Olympic-related items, from a set of matchboxes with pictograms from Mexico City ‘68 to a silver medal from the 1924 Paris Games to participant’s medals from London 1908, Paris 1924, the 1956 equestrian competition in Stockholm, Winter 1960 in Squaw Valley, California, Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 and the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo.

The Olympic torch line-up is impressive (1 Euro = $1.10):

● 1936: Berlin, expected to bring €4,500-5,500
● 1948: London, expected at €5,500-6,500
● 1948: London, expected at €6,000-8,000
● 1960: Rome, expected at €6,000-7,500
● 1964: Tokyo, expected at €6,000-6,800
● 1972: Munich, expected at €3,000-4,000
● 1980: Moscow, expected at €2,500-3,500
● 1992: Barcelona, expected at €2,000-2,500
● 2004: Athens, expected at €2,500-3,000
● 2008: Beijing, expected at €3,000-4,000
● 2012: London, expected at €4,000-5,000
● 2014: Sochi Winter, expected at €1,800-2,300
● 2020: Tokyo, expected at €8,500-9,500

The headline item of the show is a “golden bowl” – Le Bol d’or – created for an 1894 cycling race of the same name as a promotion for a new magazine, Paris-Pedale. Created by the noted French sculptor Francois-Raoul Larche in bronze, it weighs 33 pounds and stands 15 inches high. It is expected to sell for between €18,000-20,000!

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For our 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

FOOTBALL: U.S. men stomp Panama, 5-1, to close in on World Cup 2022 berth, but not clinched yet; Canada is in

By
Rich Perelman
-
American star Christian Pulisic was the difference in the U.S.'s 1-0 win over Iran in the World Cup (Photo: U.S. Soccer Federation)

(★ THANK YOU to our 45 donors, who have covered 77% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

There was no doubt that the U.S. men’s National Team needed a win against Panama in front of a full house at Exploria Stadium in Orlando on Sunday to get close to a Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup berth. But more than just a win, the U.S. provided a highlight reel in a dominant, 5-1 victory.

The game started indifferently, but the U.S. gained control after 10 minutes, pressuring the Panamanian goal. In the 13th minute, a U.S. corner saw Panamanian midfielder Anibal Godoy throw down U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman in the box; nothing was called immediately, but when play stopped, a video-review was called and the U.S. was awarded a penalty.

Although U.S. striker Jesus Ferreira held the ball as if he was going to take the penalty, it was Christian Pulisic who stepped up and smashed the ball to his left as keeper Luis Mejia went to the right for a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute.

Panama rallied in the 20th minute, as the U.S. failed to clear a free kick in its zone and then Michael Murillo whacked at the ball and American keeper Zack Steffen barely got a hand on it to change its trajectory and keep it out of the net. The U.S. had a hard time clearing before Pulisic was fouled outside the box.

But the Americans got back to work immediately, with Pulisic chasing down a long pass to get control to the left of the Panamanian goal, then feeding Antonee Robinson, who sent a laser into the box that Paul Arriola headed into the goal – beating defender Eric Davis to the ball – at the far post and a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute.

And the U.S. wasn’t done, using another long pass that ended with Arriola spinning to deliver a left-footed pass into the front of the box from the right side of goal. Ferreira was right there and used his right foot to slam it into the net for a startling 3-0 lead after 27 minutes.

The pace increased with Panama desperate to score, as it had to win this game to have a chance to qualify. Steffen, a little gimpy after some rough play in front of the U.S. goal, dropped a long shot at the left goalpost in the 28th minute, but recovered and did not allow a Panamanian tip-in for a gift goal.

The U.S. continued to pressure, and got a long lead pass into the Panamanian zone in stoppage time that ended up in a free kick. The ball went into the box, with Godoy pushing Miles Robinson to the ground and a penalty was immediately called, no review needed. Pulisic stepped up again and while Mejia guessed right, the ball rocketed over his head and into the net for a 4-0 lead in the 49th minute.

Panamanian frustration boiled over as Pulisic was pushed hard at the sideline a minute later by Murillo, and the U.S. captain pushed right back and the sideline officials stepped in between a lot of players. A ball was then kicked toward Pulisic from the Panama bench, but a melee was eventually averted.

At the half, Panama had 60% of the possession, but the U.S. had a 10-5 lead on shots in a game that had 18 fouls in the first 45 minutes.

The U.S. did not let up much to start the second half.

Ferreira missed a great chance on a cross from Reyna in the 61st minute and then Pulisic got his first U.S. hat trick in the 65th, taking a pass from the left side from Antonee Robinson in the box, splitting two defenders and punching a right-footed shot past Mejia for a 5-0 lead.

But Panama kept coming as the U.S. was mostly defending and in the 86th minute, a free kick by Davis sailed into the box and was headed in by Godoy to cut the lead to 5-1. That’s the way it ended, with Panama holding 61% of the possession, but the U.S. taking 15 shots to 10 for Panama.

The U.S. did not clinch a World Cup berth, but is awfully close; Panama is eliminated with the loss. Canada swamped Jamaica, 4-0, to clinch its first World Cup berth since 1986, and Costa Rica defeated El Salvador, 2-1, to assure itself a place in the top four in the CONCACAF qualifying standings.

Mexico finally got the lead on Honduras in the 70th minute on an Edson Alvarez goal and held on for a 1-0 win. So, with three automatic qualifiers and a fourth CONCACAF team heading to a playoff match with an Oceanian team, the “final four” are set:

1. 28 points, Canada (8-1-4; +17 goal differential)
2. 25 points, United States (7-2-4; +13)
3. 25 points, Mexico (7-2-4; +7)
4. 22 points, Costa Rica (6-3-4; +3)

The final match window is on Wednesday, with the U.S. playing Costa Rica in San Jose, where it has an 0-9-2 record all time. Canada will play at Panama (5-5-3), Jamaica (1-7-5) will host Honduras (0-9-4) and El Salvador (2-7-4) will be at Mexico.

Canada is set, Costa Rica would have to win against the U.S. to get to 25 points, but even so, is far down in the goal differential. If all three teams – Costa Rica, Mexico and the U.S. – finished with 25 points, Costa Rica would have to make up a four-goal deficit against Mexico or -10 vs. the Americans. It all gets settled Wednesday, but only a catastrophe would keep the U.S. out of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

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For our 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

HIGHLIGHTS: Ghana’s Azamati zooms 9.90 at Texas Relays; Uno wins Worlds men’s skating gold as U.S. medals five!

By
Rich Perelman
-
He's the World Champion: Japan's Shoma Uno (Photo: International Skating Union)

(★ So grateful to our 45 donors, who have covered 77% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world/Updated/:

● Alpine Skiing ● The U.S. Alpine Championships – held in conjunction with the NorAm finals – began during the week at Sugarloaf, Maine, with wins for Jared Goldberg in the men’s Downhill and Bella Wright in the women’s Downhill.

Goldberg finished 1:10.34, ahead of Canada’s Jeffrey Read (1:10.64) and Broderick Thompson (1:10.65), with American Sam Morse fourth (1:11.15). Wright led a U.S. sweep, timing 1:12.83, trailed by Jackie Wiles (1:13.59) and Keely Cashman (1:13.62).

The NorAm racing and the U.S. champs continue through 1 April.

● Athletics ● The 94th Texas Relays in Austin was once again a magnet for great performances, including the mark of the weekend as Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati (of West Texas A&M) won his 100 m semi in a world-leading 9.90 (wind: +2.0 m/s), the best ever by an NCAA Division II athlete and equal-fourth on the all-time collegiate list.

He didn’t run the final, which was won by Britain’s Toby Makoyawo (Boston University) in 9.90, but heavily wind-aided (+4.6!)

There were plenty of other individual outdoor world leaders in Austin:

● Men/400 m hurdles: 49.14, Nathaniel Ezekiel (NGR-Baylor)
● Men/High Jump: 2.30 m (7-6 1/2), Vernon Turner (USA-Oklahoma)
● Men/Pole Vault: 5.75 m (18-10 1/2), Sondre Guttormsen (NOR-Princeton)
● Men/Decathlon: 8,131, Leo Neugebauer (GER-Texas)

● Women/100 m: 11.07, Celera Barnes (USA-USC)
● Women/100 m hurdles: 12.87, Kaylah Robinson (USA-Texas A&M)
● Women/400 m hurdles: 54.37, Britton Wilson (USA-Arkansas)
● Women/High Jump: 1.96 m (6-5), Lamara Distin (JAM-Texas A&M)
● Women/Pole Vault: 4.70 m (15-5), Emily Grove (USA) & Bridget Williams (USA)
● Women/Long Jump: 6.80 m (22-3 3/4), Monae Nichols (USA-Texas Tech)
● Women/Heptathlon: 6,412, Anna Hall (USA-Florida)

Barnes won the collegiate 100 m final in a windy 10.82 (+2.8), with Jada Baylark (Arkansas) at 10.83w.

Also of note was Tokyo Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas, who won the women’s 100 m in 10.92w (+2.9), with Tamara Clark at 10.94. They went 1-2 again in the 200 m in 21.69w (+3.1) and 21.72w.

World record holder Keni Harrison in the women’s 100 m hurdles (12.32w [+3.9]). American Alia Armstrong of LSU won the women’s collegiate 100 m hurdles in 12.33 (!), but with a +2.5 m/s wind.

Further east, Olympic 100 m silver medalist Fred Kerley won the Hurricane Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida in Orlando in 9.99 and Britain’s Joshua Zeller (running for Michigan) won the men’s 110 m hurdles in 13.42, the world leader in 2022.

● Badminton ● The Yonex Swiss Open in Basel featured two wins for Indonesia, as fourth-seeded Jonatan Christie (INA) zipped past H.S. Prannoy (IND) by 21-12, 21-18 and the men’s Doubles team of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto defeated Sze Fei Goh and Nur Izzuddin (MAS), 21-18, 21-19.

In the women’s Singles final, Indian star V. Sindhu Pursarla was too much for Busanan Ongbamrungphan (THA), 21-16, 21-8. The women’s Doubles title went to Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva (BUL) over Linda Efler and Isabel Lohau (GER), 2-14, 21-12 and the Mixed Doubles final saw Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss and Louhau get past Soon Huat Goh and Shevon Jemie Lai (MAS), 12-21, 21-18, 21-17.

● Beach Volleyball ● /Updated/The first elite-level event in the newly-formatted Volleyball World Pro Beach Tour was held in Rosarito, Mexico, with the finals to be played later today.

In the men’s tournament, Tokyo Olympic bronze winners Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan (QAT) disposed of the Rio bronze medalists, Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen (NED) in straight sets, 21-17, 21-15.

Norwegian stars Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, the Tokyo Olympic champs, won the bronze with a 12-21, 21-17, 15-12 comeback win over Poland’s Michal Bryl and Bartosz Losiak.

The women’s final had Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon (NED) – runners-up in the season opener – down Anastasija Kravcenoka and Tina Graudina (LAT), 21-14, 21-13.

Brazil’s Talita Antunes and Rebecca Cavalcanti shut down the American pair of Betsi Flint and Kelly Claes in the tightly-played third-place match, 22-20, 21-19.

● Cross Country Skiing ● The U.S. nationals, combined with the Canadian nationals, were held at Whistler Olympic Park in British Columbia, Canada, intertwined with a series of races held all week.

The men’s 1.4 km Sprint Classical had Norway’s Andreas Kirkeng – skiing for the University of Denver – as the winner in 3:09.82, trailed by Luke Jager (USA: 3:10.23) and Logan Hanneman (USA: 3:10.70). Julia Kern won the women’s 1.2 km Sprint Classical in 3:11.14 over Canada’s Dahria Beatty (3:17.72) and American Alayna Sonnesyn (3:18.68).

The 45 km Mass Start Freestyle saw American Graham Ritchie cross first in 1:40:32.6, followed by Jager (USA: 1:40:39.3) and Canada’s Antoine Cyr (1:40:40.4). The women’s race, also 45 km, had Kern winning again, in 1:58:55.6, with fellow American Caitlin Patterson second (1:59:29.6) and Sophia Laukli (USA: 1:59:56.5) in third.

● Curling ● /Updated/The Women’s World Championship in Prince George (CAN) saw Switzerland bring an undefeated tournament run into the final against Korea, with the match decided on the final shot.

Through the end of the round-robin, the two-time defending champion Swiss, skipped by Silvana Tirinzoni, were undefeated at 12-0. Korea (EunJung Kim), Canada (Kerri Einarson) and Sweden (Anna Hasselborg) were all 9-3, with the U.S. (Cory Christensen) fifth at 8-4.

In the playoffs, Sweden came from 6-4 down in the final end to score four times and defeat the U.S., 8-6, and Canada scored three times in the eighth end and out-lasted Denmark, 9-8.

That brought on the semifinals, with the Swiss continuing their mastery with a 7-5 win over Hasselborg’s Swedish rink. Korea’s Kim led an impressive 9-6 win over Canada and Einarson, scoring in six of the 10 ends.

In the final, it was Tirinzoni’s rink that took the lead, scoring three times in the second end, but the Koreans closed to 4-3 after five ends, then got two in the seventh and one in the ninth to get even at 6-6.

A tense final end saw a cat-and-mouse game, coming down to the last shot. Two Korean stones were in the house – close together – and one Swiss stone, with Alina Paetz taking the final throw and blasting the two opposing stones away from the scoring area, leaving the Swiss with a 7-6 win.

The Swiss squad, with Paetz – a former World Champion skip in her own right – Esther Neuenschwander, Melanie Barbezat and alternate Carole Howald, won all 14 games they played and finished with a 120-63 scoring margin.

The third straight win for the Swiss moves them into elite company as only the third three-peat or more in the 43 editions of the women’s Worlds. The Swiss were the last to do it, in 2014-15-16 and Canada won four in a row from 1984-87. That’s the list.

Korea got its second-ever Worlds medal, after a bronze in 2018.

In the bronze-medal game, Einarson’s Canadian squad scored twice in the eighth end to win by 7-5. It’s Canada’s first women’s Worlds medal since 2018.

● Cycling ● The 101st Volta Ciclista a Catalunya in Spain finished on Sunday, with Colombia’s Sergio Higuita holding on to the lead he took after Saturday’s sixth stage to win the seven-stage race by 16 seconds over Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz and 52 seconds over Portugal’s Joao Almeida.

The seven stages had seven different winners, with Higuita winning none. He was usually close to the top, however, finishing 5-26-4-3-49-2-9, with that second-place finish on the hilly sixth stage giving him a lead he would not relinquish. He finished in the lead pack on the 138.6 km stage in and around Barcelona on Sunday to secure his first World Tour stage-race victory.

Italy’s Andrea Baglioli won Sunday’s final stage in 3:19:09, ahead of Attila Valter (HUN) and Fernando Barcelo (ESP).

Sunday saw the 84th running of Belgium’s famed Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields, with a sensational final sprint finish in the men’s race.

The men’s race was 248.8 km from Ypres to Wevelgem and was only finally decided when four riders staged a late breakaway, with 24 km left. Belgian stars Jasper Stuyven and Dries van Gestel joined France’s Christophe Laporte and Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay in a battle to the finish, with Girmay’s long sprint from 250 m out proving to be decisive.

He won in 5:37:57, with Laporte closest, followed by van Gestel and Stuyven; it’s the first-ever win in this famous race for an African rider!

The women’s covered 159 km and saw a mass sprint to the finish, won by Italy’s Elisa Balsamo, who got the third straight win in a week after taking the Trofeo Alfredo Binda and Brugge-De Panne!

She won in 3:19:15, ahead of Dutch star Marianne Vos, Italy’s Maria Giulia Confalonieri, Lotte Kopecky (BEL) and Emma Norsgaard (DEN).

● Figure Skating ● The ISU World Championships in Montpelier (FRA) concluded on Saturday with the competitions for men and Ice Dance, with historic results for the U.S.

Japan completed a sweep of the individual events with Shoma Uno winning his first world title in the men’s division, winning both the Short Program and the Free Skate to total 312.48 points. He was far ahead of teammate Yuma Kagiyama (297.60) with American Vincent Zhou scoring the bronze medal with 277.38 points.

For Uno, it was his best score ever, well past his 293.00 total for the Beijing Olympic Winter Games and he set a personal Free Skate best of 202.85. His total of 312.48 makes him no. 3 all-time behind Nathan Chen of the U.S. and Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu; only six scores – five by Chen – have ever been higher.

It’s Uno’s third career medal at the Worlds, after silvers in 2017 and 2018, to go along with his Olympic silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022.

Kagiyama got his second consecutive Worlds silver to go along with his Olympic silver in Beijing. Zhou leaped up from sixth after the Short Program to take the bronze, following up on his Worlds bronze in 2019. He missed out on the Beijing Games due to Covid, and said afterwards, “That medal definitely was very difficult for me to come by and one of the most meaningful and significant moments of my career.”

American Camden Pulkinen, 22, competing in his first Worlds with the withdrawal of Olympic champ Nathan Chen, finished fifth at 271.69, moving up from 12th thanks to the no. 3 Free Skate score of 182.19. Pulkinen added nearly 27 points to his lifetime best and got his best-ever championship placing; he was sixth at the 2018 World Junior Championships.

Ilia Malinin, 17, the third U.S. performer, was fourth after the Short Program, but fell to 11th in the Free Skate and finished ninth in his first Worlds.

The Ice Dance finished as expected, with France’s Olympic champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron pleasing the home fans with a dramatic Free Dance performance and the victory with 229.82 points, their best ever and the best on record. They now own the top seven scores in history.

Immediately behind were the American duos of Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue for silver and Madison Chock and Evan Bates for bronze.

Hubbell and Donohue were second in both the Rhythm Dance and the Free Dance, scoring 222.39, more than four points better than ever before. Chock and Bates were third in both segments and also got a lifetime best score of 216.83. Hubbell and Donohue added to their Olympic bronze by winning their fourth Worlds medal: silver in 2018, bronze in 2018 and silver in 2021.

Chock and Bates, fourth in Beijing, won their third Worlds medal, after a silver way back in 2015 and a bronze in 2016. The third American entry, Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker, finished eighth (191.61).

The U.S. team had a banner Worlds, in part due to the Russian ban, winning medals in all four events for the first time since 1967! Peggy Fleming won the women’s title, Gary Visconti took the men’s bronze, Cynthia and Ronald Kauffman won the Pairs bronze and Lorna Dyer and John Carrell took the Ice Dance silver.

● Freestyle Skiing ● The U.S. Freestyle Moguls nationals in Deer Valley was a showcase for 2018 Olympian and 2019 Worlds bronze medalist Tess Johnson.

She took the women’s Moguls final on Saturday, scoring 80.52, well ahead of August Davis (67.90) and Sami Worthington (66.37). Johnson, still just 21, came back on Sunday to win the Dual Moguls, taking down Lulu Shaffer in the final; Worthington took the bronze.

In the men’s Saturday Moguls final, Charlie Mickel scored 78.55 to edge Tristan Cayolle (76.12) and Tyler Damore (74.70). The Dual Moguls title went to Oliver Smith, who crossed first ahead of Ryan Tam in the final; Mickel won the bronze medal.

At the U.S. Freestyle Aerials Championships at Bristol Mountain, New York, Chris Lillis and Megan Nick took the wins. Lillis, a member of the Beijing gold-medalist Team Aerials, scored 100.46 to best Connor Curran (91.59) and Derek Krueger (90.52)

Nick, the Aerials bronze medalist in China, won at 86.62, ahead of Kalia Kuhn (84.10) and Beijing team Aerials gold winner Ashley Caldwell (82.21).

● Modern Pentathlon ● The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne unveiled a new format for this troubled sport, moving from a qualifying round to cut the field to 36, then a semi-final round to cut to 18, followed by a 90-minute final to decide the medal winners.

The program continues to include riding, since it will be part of the sport for Paris in 2024. The first World Cup, in Cairo (EGY), was the testing ground.

In the men’s final, just 40 seconds separated the top 12 as Matteo Cicinelli (ITA) had a 19-second lead on the field to start the Laser Run. But he was passed by France’s Christopher Patte before the final shooting stage and after hitting five targets cleaning, was able to win cleanly. Patte totaled 1,487 points to 1,481 for Hungary’s Csaba Bohm and teammate Balazs Szep (1,477), who passed Cicinelli (1,475) in the final meters.

Italy’s Elena Micheli and Hungary’s Michelle Gulyas were the class of the field in the women’s final and Micheli started with only a seven-second lead in the Laser Run. They were essentially together after four laps, but Micheli pulled away on the final circuit and won by five seconds. She totaled 1,417 to 1,412 for Gulyas. British newcomer Emma Whitaker was an impressive third with 1,384 points, ahead of 2021 Worlds silver winner Elodie Clouvel (FRA: 1.,371).

Host Egypt won the Mixed Relay, with Mohanad Shaban and Salma Abdelmaksoud scoring 1,359 points to finish ahead of Jessica Varley and Ross Charlton (GBR: 1,341).

● Snowboard ● The Slopestyle World Cup concluded in Silvaplana (SUI), with two-time Olympic Big Air gold medalist Anna Gasser getting the final victory of the season.

Gasser won with a sensational ride scored at 95.40 points to edge Canada’s Laurie Blouin (90.20) and Japan’s Kokomo Murase (87.20). In the seasonal standings, Murase – with two wins and four medals in the six events – got the title with 320 points to 240 for Boulin.

The men’s event saw the sixth different winner in the six events as Norway’s 2021 World Champion Marcus Kleveland scored his sixth career World Cup win (four in Slopestyle), scoring 91.60 to out-score countryman Mons Roisland (90.20) and Australia’s Valentino Guseli (89.40).The seasonal crystal globe went to Tiarn Collins (NZL), who had 236 points, ahead of Leon Vockensperger (181) and Roisland (173).

● Ski Jumping ● The giant 240 m hill in Planica (SLO) was the final stop on the 2021-22 World Cup circuit, with two World Cups and a team event.

The first individual competition saw a home sweep, with Ziga Jelar (468.2), Peter Prevc (464.8), Anze Lanisek (458.5) going 1-2-3, with Timi Zajc fourth (454.8) for good measure. Seasonal leader Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN) was fifth, picking up important points in the race for the World Cup.

Saturday’s team competition was – of course – won by Slovenia, with the same four scoring 1,601.1 to 1,576.9 for Norway and 1,544.2 for Austria.

The World Cup title was decided on Sunday, with Marius Lindvik (NOR) scoring his fifth win of the season, scoring 455.1 to defeat Yukiya Sato (JPN: 446.8) and Slovenian star Prevc (438.6). Kobayashi was eighth and that was enough to give him a second career World Cup seasonal championship with 1,621 points to 1,515 for Karl Geiger (GER) and 1,231 for Lindvik.

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PANORAMA: Sakamoto wins women’s figure skating Worlds; Vancouver pols fight over 2030 OWG vote; IIHF to review pro-Russian acts of its ex-President!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Dominant: Japan's 2022 World Champion Kaori Sakamoto (Photo courtesy International Skating Union)

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● Plus: Athletics: Want to host the 2024 World Athletics Relays? = Figure Skating: Cain-Gribble better; announcers excused after vulgar comments = Football: U.S. men’s team depleted, but can just about clinch World Cup berth Sunday = Skiing: More retirements, including two from U.S., in cross-country skiing = SCOREBOARD: Cycling: van Aert and Balsamo win Belgian weekday classics ●

Key status updates on the urgent stories in Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

No event at the 2022 ISU World Championships was more shaken by the exclusion of Russia than the women’s competition. Russian women had been 1-2 at the Beijing Winter Games and had swept the 2021 Worlds podium. But in 2022, what mattered was who was on the ice in Montpellier, France.

In the final group, American Alysa Liu stood fifth after the Short Program (71.91), but starred in the Free Skate, scoring 139.28 to total 211.19 and take the lead with four skaters left. She remained in front after Korea’s Young You scored 132.83 and ended up at 204.91.

Fellow American Mariah Bell, 10th at Beijing, was next, in third after the Short Program (72.55). Her Free Skate was considered just behind Liu – 136.11 – and she fell behind her U.S. teammate with a final total of 208.66, standing second.

Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx was fifth at the 2021 Worlds and eighth at Beijing (206.79)and was ready for her moment in the spotlight, scoring 142.70 to leap to the top of the standings and assure herself not less than the silver medal at 217.70.

That left Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, the Beijing bronze medalist, 21, and the clear leader after the Short Program, scoring 80.32 to 75.00 for Hendrickx. Sakamoto completed her routine with grace and style, incorporating six triple jumps, scoring a season’s best of 155.77 to clinch a runaway gold medal at 236.09, an impressive margin of 18.39 points.

It’s Sakamoto’s first Worlds medal, after a fifth in 2019 and sixth in 2021. It’s the first win for Japan since 2014 (Mao Asada). For Hendrickx, she won Belgium’s first-ever women’s Worlds medal.

Liu – still just 16 – was seventh in Beijing, scored her first Worlds medal in her first appearance and has a bright future ahead. She’s the first U.S. women’s Worlds medal winner since Ashley Wagner’s silver in 2016.

There were also historic performances in the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance, where Olympic champs Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France won at 92.73, the best score ever!

They were trailed by the Americans Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue and Madison Chock and Evan Bates, both scoring lifetime bests of 89.72 and 87.51 points, respectively.

The championships continue through Sunday.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● A political fight has started in Vancouver about its bid for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games, as City Council member Colleen Hardwick has asked for a referendum on the bid effort.

This may actually have little to do with the bid at all, as Hardwick is running for Mayor in October. Kennedy Stewart, the sitting Vancouver Mayor, tweeted back a four-part reply:

● “@CllrHardwick’s action violates the signed agreement between the governments of Vancouver and Whistler with the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Lílwat upon whose unceded lands our cities are built. 1/4″

● “City Council approved a formal Memorandum of Understanding to work in partnership with host First Nations to explore how the 2030 Winter Olympics might become the world’s first reconciliation games. 2/4″

● “The MOU is a critical component of our [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples] obligations – now formalized in provincial law – as it outlined a clear process for all to follow in good faith which, at it’s conclusion, includes council voting on a recommendation and may still involve community votes. 3/4″

● “I will not second this motion. I urge other councillors to consider what supporting
@CllrHardwick’s decision to essentially tear up our MOU says about their own commitments to reconciliation. 4/4″

Hardwick’s motion will be debated on the 29th.

A recent possible bid by another former Olympic Winter Games host city in Canada – Calgary – was ended by a referendum on a bid for the 2026 Games, losing 43.6-56.4% in November 2018.

● Athletics ● Interested in hosting the 2024 World Athletics Relays?

The event will be a direct Olympic qualifier for the Paris Games, but it isn’t free. There is no fee for hosting the event, but direct costs are projected at $3.5-4.0 million U.S. for the organization and staging of the races across three days. Local-organizer revenues are limited to ticket sales, domestic sponsorships in available categories and government and private donations.

Interested parties must submit a form to World Athletics by 1 June 2022.

● Figure Skating ● After three falls during her Pairs Short Program at the World Championships and being taken to a hospital for further oversight, U.S. Pairs star Ashley Cain-Gribble appears to be doing much better. U.S. Figure Skating tweeted:

“Update from #WorldFigure: @icegirlash was released from the hospital overnight and is resting at the official hotel.

“Sending our best wishes to Ashley for a quick and full recovery!”

Announcers are taught early on to never assume that their microphone is off. British commentator Simon Reed, working with fellow Briton Nicky Slater on the International Skating Union’s broadcast of the 2022 World Championships, forgot this rule at the end of Wednesday’s Pairs Short Program.

Surely assuming his mic was off, Reed referred to former two-time Worlds Pairs champ Megan Duhamel, “that bitch from Canada.”

Duhamel was among many who have criticized past comments by Reed and Slater; the ISU was instantly, overwhelmingly, embarrassed, and stated on Thursday:

“There is no place for harassing and abusive language or remarks and behaviour in sport and our society. The ISU took instant action with its service provider to suspend both commentators with immediate effect and neither will cover any future Figure Skating events for the ISU.”

Duhamel, who is also working as a television commentator at the World Championships in Montpelier, France, tweeted: “I have received personal apologies from Simon Reed and the ISU president and I don’t think a public apology is necessary at this point. I appreciate and respect their apologies.”

● Football ● The U.S. men have never won a FIFA World Cup qualifying match at Mexico’s Estadio Azteca, going 0-5-3 prior to last night’s 0-0 draw. On that basis, earning a point for the tie was a worthwhile result, but there is more to do.

The U.S. sits second to Canada – 25 points to 22 – and ahead of Mexico (also 22 points) on goal differential, with two matches left: Sunday in Orlando vs. Panama (18 points) and Wednesday in Costa Rica (19), the two teams trying to chase qualifying positions.

Panama has played inconsistently, beating Jamaica (3-2), but losing to Mexico and Costa Rica (both 1-0) and playing to 1-1 ties with Honduras and in a January friendly with Peru. A win on Sunday would give the U.S. 25 points, eliminating Panama and clinching World Cup qualification if Costa Rica ties or loses to sixth-place El Salvador.

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter will have to shuffle his line-up again, as defender DeAndre Yedlin and forward Tim Weah received yellow cards in the first half, meaning they are suspended for the Panama game. The American men were already short four starters because of injuries, and defender Reggie Cannon was out for Covid.

● Ice Hockey ● In what can only be considered an astonishing turn of events, the International Ice Hockey Federation announced on Thursday:

“The IIHF Council also decided to refer IIHF Life President Rene Fasel to the Ethics Board for review, following reports of his involvement with Russia and the [Kontinental Hockey League] as well as public statements made about the war.

“The IIHF has referred this matter to the independent Ethics Board in order to determine whether Fasel’s actions have violated the IIHF Integrity Book. The IIHF Ethics Code, which is an integral part of the IIHF Integrity Book, requires ‘[a Life President to] conduct themselves in accordance with the principles of dignity, integrity, loyalty and responsibility in all relations of a competitive, economic, social (including social media) and moral nature.’ The IIHF Integrity Book is applicable specifically when a Life President is acting within the scope of his duties for the IIHF or whenever his conduct reflects upon the IIHF or might otherwise undermine the objectives of the IIHF.”

Fasel (SUI), was IIHF President from 1994-2021, and has long been seen as favoring Russian interests. He denied a report from earlier this month that he had been hired as an advisor to Russia’s KHL, generally seen as the second-best league in the world.

The IIHF Council also referred the “Russian Ice Hockey Federation to the Ethics Board for review, due to reports that the RIHF allegedly sent instructions to Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) teams to take demonstrative actions in support of the Russia-Ukraine war.”

The Ethics Board will determine whether the cases will be forwarded to the IIHF Disciplinary Board for possible sanctions. Wow.

● Skiing ● The retirement announcements continue in cross-country skiing, already including Olympic stars Therese Johaug (NOR) and Dario Cologna (SUI).

Other saying goodbye to the World Cup circuit include Swede Charlotte Kalla, 34. Across 17 seasons, she won 59 World Cup medals, including 12 wins. She owns nine Olympic medals, including golds from 2010 (10 km Freestyle), 2014 (4×5 km) and 2018 (15 km Skiathlon). She won 13 World Championships medals, including victories in 2011 (Team Sprint), 2015 (10 km Freestyle) and 2019 (4×5 km).

Kalla said her decision to retire came only in the final weeks of the season, explaining “The curiosity about life outside of elite sports weighs heavier than what a continued investment would entail.”

Also moving on is American Caitlin Patterson, 32, who joined the World Cup circuit in 2012 and was a 2018 Olympian. She competed in 89 World Cup races, with a best of fourth in the 15 km Skiathlon at the 2017 test event in PyeongChang (KOR). She also had five top-10 finishes in relay and team events.

FIS lists fellow American Katharine Ogden as also retiring, at age 24. Her best World Cup finish was 18th in the 10 km Freestyle in Toblach (ITA) in January 2021.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Cycling ● The UCI World Tour is in full swing now, with the seven-stage Volta Ciclista a Catalunya continuing through Sunday and the one-day Classics races ongoing in Europe.

In Spain, there has been a new leader after each of the five stages so far, with Portugal’s Joao Almeida holding just a one-second lead on Colombia’s Nairo Quintana and seven seconds on teammate Sergio Higuita (COL).

Friday saw the 64th edition of the E3 Saxo Bank Classic in and around Harelbeke (BEL), with home favorite Wout van Aert thrilling the crowd with a win in a breakaway duel with France’s Christophe Laporte, both from the Jumbo-Visma team. They both covered the hilly, 203.9 km course in 4:38:04 and broke away with about 42 km left and were never headed.

Swiss Stefan Kung led a group of finishers in third, 1:35 behind the top two.

In the UCI Women’s World Tour race on Thursday, the Exterioo Classic Brugge-De Panne – from Brugge to De Panne in Belgium – Italy’s Elisa Balsamo won her second straight major trophy with her final sprint in 3:52:11 for the flat, 162.8 km course.

Balsamo edged a mass of riders right behind her, with the top 19 all within three seconds. Dutch star Lorena Wiebes was second and Marta Bastianelli (ITA) was third.

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THE TICKER: U.S. men draw Mexico, 0-0, get closer to Qatar ‘22; Worlds gold for Knierim & Frazier; FINA bans Russians from ‘22 Worlds, removes Short-Course Worlds

By
Rich Perelman
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World Champions: American Pairs stars Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier! (Photo: International Skating Union)

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● Plus: Russia: Griner visited by U.S. officials; EuroLeague basketball removes Russian teams; Russian sports minister wants to continue IF contacts = Paris 2024: Basketball prelim arena dropped = Los Angeles 2028: City Council asked to approve expanded adaptive sports program = Olympic Games 2030: Madrid drops out = Athletics: Los Angeles Marathon suffers death of charity runner = Football: Russia asks to host 2028 or 2032 European Championship! = Skiing: four-time Olympic cross country champ Cologna retires; U.S. Ski & Snowboard adds Patty as Chief of Sport and Rimi as Alpine Director = Tennis: What does Barty’s retirement at 25 say about Serena Williams? = Weightlifting: China hands back 2022 Worlds due to Covid = SCOREBOARD: Football: Shocker as Italy to miss FIFA World Cup again ●

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

The U.S. Men’s National Team did not win its fourth straight match against Mexico on Thursday evening, but it was more than happy to leave with a 0-0 draw and another points in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying play.

The conditions were favorable at the Estadio Azteca – even at 7,350 feet – with 67-degree (F) temperatures to start the game.

The U.S. has a sensational opportunity in the 35th minute, as Timothy Weah sent a cross from the right of goal across to the middle of the field for a charging Christian Pulisic, who sent a left-footed shot forward, but saved by Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa, flying to his right and sending the ball out of bounds for a corner. Pulisic pounded the ground in front of the goal in frustration.

But the half ended scoreless, with the U.S. controlled 57% of the possession, but both teams had four shots.

Pulisic got another chance in the 49th minute, sending a diagonal ball across the box, with Ochoa making a left-handed save as it headed for the top corner of the net.

After a disputed ball deep in the U.S. end almost created a penalty against defender Walker Zimmerman, the U.S. almost immediately got a great chance, as Kellyn Acosta found Gio Reyna at the right side of the Mexican goal; Reyna sent a cross to a running Jordan Pefok in front of goal, but his shot went wide.

Mexican striker Hirving Lozano got more active in the final 15 minutes, sending three shots at U.S. keeper Zack Steffen, who tipped one over the crossbar and the other two were saved.

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter used his substitutions in the final third of the game to compensate for the altitude effects and get fresher legs into the game, especially Reyna. The Americans played mostly on defense for the last 15 minutes of the game, including the five minutes of stoppage time. Mexico played in the U.S. end almost continuously and with desperation, with striker Alexis Vega earning a yellow card for a flop in the box in the 90th minute.

The U.S.’s defensive stance showed as Mexico ended the game with 63% of the possession, but the U.S. totaled 10 shots to nine for the home team.

In the other games, Panama and Honduras drew, 1-1, as did Jamaica and El Salvador. Costa Rica took a 1-0 lead on Canada in stoppage time at the end of the first half – after the Canadians had to play with 10 men after the 34th minute – and held on for the win. So, with two match days left, the CONCACAF contenders are (W-L-D):

1. 25, Canada (7-1-4: +13 goal differential)
2. 22, United States (6-2-4: +9)
3. 22, Mexico (6-2-4: +6)
4. 19, Costa Rica (5-3-4: +2)
5. 18, Panama (5-4-3: +1)

The top three teams qualify to the World Cup; the fourth-place team will go to a play-off against an Oceanian team. The U.S. plays Sunday against Panama in Orlando, Florida at 7 p.m. Eastern time, to be shown on FS1, Unimas and TUDN. A win would could clinch a World Cup berth, depending on the results of the other games.

Although missing multiple Beijing Winter Games stars and all of Russia’s skater, the International Skating Union’s World Championships in figure skating are ongoing in Montpellier, France with an astonishing result coming in Thursday’s Pairs final.

In Beijing, China’s Wenjing Sui and Cong Han won the Pairs gold, followed by three Russian teams and another Chinese team. Americans Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier were an impressive sixth after just more than a year of working together. The Russians were banned and China withdrew, perhaps due to Covid outbreaks, perhaps for other reasons.

That left Knierim and Frazier as the class of the field and they became the first American duo to win the world title since Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner back in 1979. Knierim and Frazier led the Short Program at 76.88, ahead of fellow Americans Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy LeDuc (75.85) and Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara (JPN: 71.58).

Knierim and Frazier won the Free Skate, scoring 144.21 for an overall total of 221.09, but Cain-Gribble suffered three falls and was taken to a hospital for further examinations. That allowed Miura and Kihara to take the silver (199.55 total) and Canada’s Vanessa James and Eric Radford won the bronze (197.32).

In the men’s Singles, Japan took the top three places in the Short Program with Beijing bronze winner Shoma Uno (109.63), Beijing silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama (105.69) and Kazuki Tomono (101.12). American Ilia Malinin, 18, scored 100.16 for a lifetime best by nearly 20 points to stand fourth.

Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, the bronze medalist in Beijing, led the women’s Short Program at 80.32, ahead of Belgium’s Lorena Hendrickx (75.00) and American Mariah Bell (72.55). Alysa Liu of the U.S. stands fifth (71.91).

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Russia ● The U.S. State Department reported that two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner was visited by U.S. consular officials for the first time since her detention began February on Tuesday (22nd).

Spokesman Ned Price told CNN: “We were able to check on her condition, we will continue to work very closely with her legal team, with her broader network, to see to it that she is treated fairly.

“Our official found Brittney Griner to be in good condition and we will continue to do everything we can to see to that it she is treated fairly throughout this ordeal.”

Griner has been consulting with her legal representation, as she is being held on a charge of carrying a prohibited substance into the country (a vape cartridge apparently containing hashish oil). A Moscow court ruled that she will be held until at least 19 May and she faces a potential trial.

CNN noted that Americans Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed are also being detained in Russia.

The worldwide governing body for aquatics, FINA, announced Wednesday:

“[T]he FINA Bureau met today and confirmed that athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus will not take part in the upcoming 19th FINA World Championships Budapest 2022.

“Following these decisions, FINA was informed by the Russian Swimming Federation of the withdrawal of all Russian aquatics athletes from all FINA events for the rest of this year.”

FINA has been under public and private pressure to ban Russian and Belarusian participants, with Switzerland, Poland and Germany reported as stating they would not participate if either Russia or Belarus did.

Further, FINA finally announced the removal of the World 25 m Swimming Championships from Kazan in December; it will be relocated. A new host for the World Junior Swimming Championships in August – previously removed from Kazan – is expected to be Lima (PER). And:

“Separately, the FINA Executive confirmed that the FINA Disciplinary Panel has opened a procedure against Russian swimmer Evgeny Rylov for a potential violation of the FINA rules following his alleged participation in a pro-war rally at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. The FINA Executive has requested that the Panel’s proceedings be expedited.”

Rylov was one of many Russian athletes at the event; he was one of the swimming stars of the Tokyo Games, winning the 100–200 m Backstroke events and a silver on the 4×200 m Freestyle Relay. He told the Russian news service TASS:

“To be honest, I am very surprised that a disciplinary action was opened in my regard; it’s an unpleasant situation and we must deal with it.

“Perhaps, I need now to come up to arguments with FINA, filing a written protest, explaining and proving something to them. The whole world and FINA decided that I had no right of attending a concert event in the capital of my country – this is insane!

“I believe that they have opened a very queer disciplinary case.”

Imagine the Oklahoma City Thunder being suspended – as a franchise – from the National Basketball Association.

That’s essentially what happened on Tuesday, as Executive Board of the Basketball European League (EuroLeague) decided:

“To withdraw the participation of Russian Federation teams in both the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (CSKA Moscow, UNICS Kazan, Zenit St Petersburg) and the 7DAYS EuroCup (Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar) for the 2021-22 season, as the situation in Ukraine has not evolved in a favorable way.”

Further, as regards the games already played against these four teams, “all regular season game results versus Russian teams will be removed from any calculation of EuroLeague and EuroCup team standings.”

Recalculated standings are now posted, removing the games played so far. Wow.

As Russian athletes, teams and officials have mostly been barred from international competitions, the country’s sports minister, Oleg Matytsin, told TASS:

“We believe it to be important not to severe contacts with international federations, to continue the dialogue and maintain diplomatic channels.

“We hope that this period will not be long, it is important to preserve bridges in order to reach the regular level on cooperation in line with the tournaments’ calendar. China has been and remains our main partner.”

It’s a good idea, but will be very difficult – at least publicly – in practice.

● Games of the XXXIII Olympiad: Paris 2024 ● The Paris organizers and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have agreed to look for an alternative to the Arena Paris Sud – hall six of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles convention center – for some of the preliminary-round games.

The facility meets all of FIBA’s technical specifications, but has been panned by players and commentators; French forward Evan Fournier, a Tokyo silver medalist who plays for the New York Knicks, complained:

“Is this a joke? … It doesn’t make any sense! The major sport of the Olympics is athletics. But as a team sport, basketball is number one. We are Olympic vice-champions, we are at home, and they do not guarantee a real room? Again, if so, they’re suckers and they’re kidding us.”

Basketball has apparently never been played at the proposed site and it has a ceiling height of 9 m (~29 feet) – pretty high, but far less than in an NBA arena. Other sites were considered, but ceiling heights of 11-12 m (~36-39 feet) are required for badminton or gymnastics; such are the tribulations of working with existing facilities. But:

“Following the most recent sporting and technical assessments, Paris 2024 and FIBA have agreed that this venue will no longer host basketball competitions due to its specificities.

“Paris 2024 and FIBA will continue working closely together to identify a new venue for the preliminary round, which will meet Olympic requirements whilst respecting Paris 2024’s guiding principles on environmental and budgetary responsibility.”

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Los Angeles 2028 ● The Los Angeles City Council will consider a motion from its Arts, Parks, Health, Education and Neighborhood committee to use a portion of the $160 million in funding from the LA28 organizing committee to:

“develop a citywide adaptive sports program, including recommendations for physical accessibility infrastructure improvements to its existing or emerging facilities, with a focus on the expansion of services to transitional age youth (18 – 24), adults, and older adults, including equipment, staffing, training or other particular needs.”

The City’s Recreation and Parks Department is already planning to offer 10 sports for youth with physical disabilities: sitting volleyball, para equestrian, adaptive swimming, para surfing, wheelchair basketball, adaptive skateboarding, goalball, adaptive athletics, wheelchair tennis and para canoe. Five sports are being considered for future inclusion including judo, archery, boccia, tee ball, and climbing.

This emphasis on adaptive sports is noteworthy as the Paralympic Games are coming to Los Angeles for the first time. The 1984 Los Angeles organizers did include two wheelchair races – 800 m for women and 1,500 m for men – in the track & field portion of the Games, the first such races held as part of any Olympic Games.

● Games of the XXXVI Olympiad: 2036 ● GamesBids.com reported:

“Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) president Alejandro Blanco confirmed Wednesday that plans for a Madrid 2036 Olympic Games bid have been abandoned on the advice of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who believe Spain will have a better shot at hosting the 2030 Winter Games instead.”

A regional bid for the Pyrenees and Barcelona has been in the works for some time, but has suffered from political infighting within the organizing effort.

The Spanish bid for 2030 appears to be behind the current level of detail achieved by Sapporo (JPN) and Salt Lake City in the U.S. Vancouver (CAN), host in 2010, is also in the development phase of a 2030 Winter Games bid.

● Athletics ● Sad news from Sunday’s Los Angeles Marathon, as 46-year-old Trisha Paddock of Rancho Palos Verdes collapsed at the finish line and died shortly afterwards.

She was running in the Charity Challenge Half Marathon, raising money for the Asian American Drug Abuse Program. She was treated immediately by the Los Angeles Fire Department and transferred to a local hospital, but passed away. It was the first death related to the race since 2007.

The race had 12,354 finishers, including 116 starters who had run all 36 prior L.A, Marathons; John Korir (KEN) won the men’s race in 2:09:08 (his second L.A. victory); fellow Kenyan Delvine Meringor won the women’s race in 2:25:04, and won the men vs. women’s challenge, crossing the line first after the women started with a 16-minute advantage.

● Football ● The Football Union of Russia declared its candidature to be the host of either the 2028 or 2032 UEFA European Championship, despite being banned from UEFA competitions! The deadline was set for 23 March for declarations of interest.

Bids for the 2028 European tournament have come from Turkey and a joint bid from Great Britain and Ireland, along with Russia. For 2032, Italy is a formidable bidder, along with Russia and Turkey once again.

The decisions on the hosts are expected in September 2023.

● Skiing ● Although announced last November, Swiss cross-country superstar Dario Cologna is now retired with the conclusion of the FIS World Cup season last weekend.

Now 36, he won the overall FIS World Cup title four times – in 2009-11-12-15 – with 26 World Cup wins and 73 (!) total medals. He won four Olympic golds in 2010 (15 km Free), 2014 (15 km Classical and 30 km Skiathlon) and 2018 (15 km freestyle), plus three World Championships medals, with one gold, in the 2013 30 km Skiathlon.

He competed at the Beijing Winter Games, finishing 44th in the 15 km Individual, 14th in the 30 km Free and seventh with the Swiss team in the 4×10 km relay. He said:

“The decision came within the last months and after the Olympics, it will be the perfect timing for me. I have achieved everything I ever dreamed of in the sport.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced important senior hires in Anouk Patty as Chief of Sport and Patrick Rimi as Alpine Director.

Patty was a former member of the U.S. Ski Team in the 1980s and comes to the federation after most recently serving as Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Dropbox. Her charge will be to “develop and implement the organization’s athletic strategic plan working with the elite programs and pipeline development in all disciplines across the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboard Team and U.S. Freeski Team.”

Austria’s Rimi returns to the federation, as he was a coach in 2001, served as the head coach of the women’s team in 2003-08 and was the Alpine Director from 2011-18. He is coming back to USSS after serving as the alpine director for Austria!

● Tennis ● Australia’s Ash Barty shocked the sports world on Tuesday with the announcement of her retirement from the sport at age 25.

She won the Australian Open in January, but cited injuries in withdrawing from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California and the Miami Open in Florida. She finishes as a three-time winner of tennis majors, including the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021.

“I’m so happy, and I’m so ready. I just know at the moment, in my heart, for me as a person, this is right,” she said during an interview posted on Instagram. “I don’t have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level any more. I am spent.”

Barty had taken leave of tennis before, for two years beginning in 2014 due to the stress of playing on the WTA Tour. She won 15 pro tournaments all told and had an outstanding career Singles record of 305-102. She was a Tokyo Olympian, but lost in the first round.

Observed: Barty has been widely saluted for her play, poise and sportsmanship. Her pro career lasted, with the sabbatical, from 2010-22, retiring at 25. It makes the astonishing career of Serena Williams, now 40, even more stunning and impressive, with 73 career tournament wins, 23 majors and four Olympic golds (one Singles, three Doubles).

● Weightlifting ● “After careful consideration due to the current COVID-19 situation in China, Chinese Weightlifting Association (CWA) have had to re-evaluate China’s ability to host the upcoming 2022 IWF World Championships.

“Given the much stricter COVID-19 prevention and control rules being implemented, which would mandate that all teams and officials would have to carry out a 21-day quarantine, CWA considered that it is no longer viable for the 2022 IWF World Championships to be delivered to the standard of the IWF requirements.

“Therefore, after careful evaluation, it is with regret that the CWA has had to withdraw from hosting this year.”

Olympics? Yes. Single-sport worlds? No. The International Weightlifting Federation is asking for a new host to come forward, with expressions of interest due in two weeks.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Football ● In a truly unbelievable turn of events, European Champion Italy failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the second time in a row, losing to North Macedonia, 1-0, on Thursday in Palermo, Sicily.

The game was scoreless beyond 90 minutes, but Aleksandar Trajkovski scored in stoppage time to win the match, despite Italy piling up 32 shots to four for the visitors and enjoying 65% of the possession.

Italy finished second in the European Qualifiers Group C (4-0-4) and then was placed in a group with North Macedonia, Portugal and Turkey. Portugal defeated Turkey, 3-1, in Porto and advances to play North Macedonia for a spot in Qatar 2022 on the 29th.

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: Coe sees fragility in women’s sport over transgenders; Griner a Russian bargaining chip?; U.S. men at Mexico Thursday in World Cup qualifier

By
Rich Perelman
-
Testosterone chemical structure formula

(★ So grateful to our 45 donors, who have covered 77% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

● Plus: World Games: Aid for Ukraine and Bach to attend opening = PanAm Sports: Ilic to meet directly with all 41 NOCs in Miami = Aquatics: FINA reports $6.6 million in development activities during pandemic year = Athletics: Okagbare does not appeal 10-year ban = Basketball: U.S. Senator thinks Griner may be bargaining chip for Russia = Boxing: Is IBA going to allow Belarus boxers in women’s Worlds? = Football: World Cup draw coming up on 1 April = Swimming: ISL’s Energy Standard team suspends Russian swimmers and staff = Weightlifting: Another doping positive, another 2012 gold medal lost = SCOREBOARD: Athletics: Kerley 20.04 and Allman 223-6 discus world leads = Football: Final CONCACAF World Cup qualifying window starts Thursday = Gymnastics: Italy and Israel star in first FIG Rhythmic World Cup ●

News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

Double Olympic gold medalist Sebastian Coe (GBR) is the head of World Athletics, which has been at the forefront of the debate about women in sport with naturally high levels of testosterone (hyperandrogenism). His federation has been deeply engaged in scientific research on the issue and created the current standard in regulations to apply testosterone limits to specific events – not all – in trying to ensure a level playing field between participants in a restricted sector.

Now, in swimming, the issue of transgender athletes has come to the fore as American Lia Thomas won the NCAA women’s 500-yard Freestyle title last week amid fierce controversy on whether she should be allowed to compete against biological females.

World Athletics has regulations on transgenders also, but the sport has not seen the furor – yet – but Coe knows it is coming. He told Britain’s Daily Mail:

“It is inevitable that as in any element of science you will go on understanding and learning, but there is no question to me that testosterone is the key determinant in performance.

“Look at the nature of 12 or 13-year-old girls. I remember my daughters would regularly outrun male counterparts in their class but as soon as puberty kicks in that gap opens and it remains. Gender cannot trump biology.

“I think that the integrity of women’s sport if we don’t get this right, and actually the future of women’s sport, is very fragile.”

USA Swimming’s new regulations on transgender participation are modeled on the World Athletics research and guidelines, but were deemed too strict by the NCAA, which is not a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code and does not adhere to it. If Thomas, who swam as a man at the University of Pennsylvania for three years, then transitioned during the pandemic – wishes to swim in international competitions, the USA Swimming rules will apply.

Coe added:

“Science is important. If I wasn’t satisfied with the science that we have and the experts that we have used and the in-house teams that have been working on this for a long time, if I wasn’t comfortable about that, this would be a very different landscape.”

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XI World Games: Birmingham 2022 ● Ukraine has become an important element of July’s World Games, to be held in Birmingham, Alabama.

There are 103 Ukrainian athletes listed as qualified in 63 of 223 disciplines for the Games in July, but getting to the U.S. will be difficult. The head of the Ukrainian Sports Committee, Illia Shevliak wrote to International World Games Association chief Jose Perurena (ESP):

“Let me also inform you, Mr. President, that a lot of Ukrainian sportsmen, including those who are qualified for The World Games 2022, are either taking up arms and defending their country or volunteering to help the Armed Forces and people in need. With grief and pain, we note that some of them have been murdered because of military operations or brutal bombing of the civil population.”

Perurena asked for donations from the international sports federations which make up the IWGA and added:

“We are urging our colleagues on the Birmingham Organising Committee to do everything in their power to persuade the US State Department to facilitate visa issue to UKR participants in TWG 2022. The IWGA will do everything possible to help Ukrainian athletes and officials to participate, despite all the difficulties they are facing.”

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) accepted Perurena’s invitation to attend the opening of the Birmingham Games on 7 July. Perurena is an IOC member and also the head of the International Canoe Federation.

The event is an important incubator for sports and events that want to be included in a future Olympic Games. About 3,600 athletes are expected in Birmingham from 100+ countries, contesting 34 sports, and the IOC will have observers at the event.

● PanAm Sports ● An engineer by trade, Chile’s Neven Ilic has been building support for international sport in the Western Hemisphere since his election – by a single vote – in 2017. He was quickly recruited into the International Olympic Committee in 2017, placed onto the Coordination Commission for the Los Angeles 2028 Games in 2019, and was unanimously re-elected as PanAm Sports President in 2020.

In a rare show of public diplomacy and support, Ilic announced Tuesday a series of meetings with 38 of the 41 member National Olympic Committees between 2 April and 20 May, to take place in Miami. Meetings with the U.S., Canada and Brazil will take place later. Said Ilic, 59:

“There is not always time to meet alone with the Presidents and Secretaries General of the NOCs and learn about their concerns and their real needs. All countries have different realities, and we, with our programs and our experience, are willing to help them. Panam Sports has always kept its doors open but this is an activity that is very necessary to begin this new Olympic cycle and the great number of challenges and competitions that lie ahead.”

Observed: The meetings are less interesting in and of themselves than for Ilic’s desire to meet with all of them in a short timeframe, and to confront their issues a year ahead of the 2023 Pan American Games coming to Santiago, Chile. The Pan American Games is facing dangerous issues of relevance, met so far by making the PAG a required qualifying competition for the next Olympic Games, but this has not yet raised its profile in a significant way.

And beyond the Pan American Games, his energy and insight has his name in the discussion about possible successors to Bach as IOC President in 2025. But he needs to solve the Pan American Games issues first.

● Aquatics ● FINA released its 2021 report on its development activities, including direct assistance to swimmers and federations. Among the highlights:

● Scholarship support of $1.8 million was provided to 75 swimmers and 12 divers across 61 countries, with 4 qualifying to compete at the Tokyo Games.

● Some 350 coaches received certification in swimming (three levels) and artistic swimming during the year, using online courses to replace in-person instruction due to the pandemic.

● Technical Officials training, an often-looked part of the sport, worked with 900 officials across 35 schools in all FINA disciplines and across all continents. There were 768 beginners in the program and 132 received certification as FINA officials.

● FINA provided $4.1 million to directly support 172 national federations, and it working with three federations to create new swimming facilities in smaller countries which do not have a regulation competition pool.

The total financial commitment was $6.6 million during a pandemic year.

● Athletics ● Nigerian sprint star Blessing Okagbare has not filed an appeal against the 10-year ban for doping violations by the 18 March deadline and will be ineligible through 30 July 2031.

Now 33, she was found to have used two prohibited substances – Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) – and was pulled from the Tokyo Olympic 100 m semis on 31 July 2021 and then was charged with a refusal to cooperate with the investigation.

● Basketball ● American star Brittney Griner continues to be held in Russia and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) said on the syndicated “Full Court Press” show Sunday:

“I think there’s no doubt that her detention, and then this continuation of the imprisonment, is all to try to make her a hostage and a part of this chess game.

“And so, I think Vladimir Putin and the Russians want to use her as a negotiating chip and what a horrific thing to do to someone.”

Griner was arrested on 17 February for possession of a vape cartridge that apparently contained hashish oil and has been imprisoned since then. A Moscow court extended her detention until at least 19 May.

● Boxing ● The FrancsJeux site reports that while Russian and Belarusian boxers were excluded from International Boxing Association competitions on 4 March, there is a move within its Board of Directors to allow Belarusian boxers to compete as neutrals in May’s Women’s World Championships in Istanbul.

This could be in contravention of the IOC’s recommendation to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions and will certainly be noted by the IOC, which is considering whether to allow the sport onto the 2028 Olympic program in Los Angeles.

At the same time, the IOC expressed significant unhappiness that it was not able to see the agreement between the IBA and the Russian energy giant Gazprom, which was used to wipe away millions in debt. Now, multiple national boxing federations are pushing for public disclosure of the agreement and a termination of the agreement in view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It’s worth remembering that the IBA President is Russian Umar Kremlev, formerly the Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation.

● Football ● The draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final will take place in Doha, Qatar on 1 April, with 29 of the 32 teams identified.

The ceremony will start at 7 p.m. local time, which is noon Eastern time and draw teams into eight groups. The only missing teams will be the winners of playoff matches in Europe, between CONCACAF and Oceania and between Asia and South America.

● Swimming ● France-based Energy Standard, one of the highest-profile teams in the International Swimming League, suspended its contractual agreements with its Russian swimmers and other Russian staff on Tuesday. Its statement included:

“In recent days we have seen high profile Russian athletes demonstrating very public support for the invasion of Ukraine. We acknowledge that, due to the propaganda War, these athletes may not understand the magnitude of the true atrocities being committed by the Russian military. However, their actions have caused considerable harm and this cannot go without consequence.

“In line with other major international sporting codes and with immediate effect the Energy Standard International swimming club has suspended all agreements with Russian athletes & support staff.”

Energy Standard had five Russian swimmers on its 2021-22 team.

● Weightlifting ● Another doping positive, another gold medal disqualification, this time of Kazakh lifter Nijat Rahimov, now 28, who won the Rio 2016 77 kg class at 379 kg, including a record Clean & Jerk lift of 214 kg.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s Anti-Doping Division released its decision Tuesday, including:

“The Sole Arbitrator found Nihat Rahimov to be responsible for four urine substitutions which constitute ADRVs of ‘Use of a Prohibited Method’ under Article 2.2 of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules and for which the Sole Arbitrator determined that the appropriate sanction would be an eight-year period of ineligibility and the disqualification of all competitive results from 15 March 2016 (date of the first disputed sample) to 18 January 2021 (start of the provisional suspension), including the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro (gold medal in Men’s 77kg).”

The suspension is to run from 18 January 2021, but can be appealed.

Rahimov’s disqualification will move China’s Xiaojun Lu into the gold medal spot, giving him three consecutive Olympic golds in 2012-16 (at 77 kg) and 2020 at 81 kg.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Athletics ● With the World Indoor Championships completed, there were some weekend outdoor marks of note, including a 20.04 200 m by American 100-200-400 star Fred Kerley (USA) in Tempe, Arizona and fellow American Cooper Teare running a world-leading 13:06.73 in the 5,000 m at the Stanford Invitational.

Women’s world leader includes a 22.27 for the 200 m by Tokyo 100 m hurdles winner Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR) in Carolina, P.R., and a 68.13 m (223-6) discus throw for U.S. gold medalist Valarie Allman, in San Antonio, Texas.

● Football ● The FIFA World Cup qualifying race on CONCACAF is at the final stage, with three matches remaining for all of the teams, with games on the 24th, 27th and 30th.

The top three teams advance to Qatar 2022 and a fourth will be in a play-off against an Oceanian team. At present:

1. 25 points: Canada (7-0-4)
2. 21 points: United States (6-3-2)
3. 21 points: Mexico (6-3-2)
4. 17 points: Panama (5-4-2)
5. 16 points: Costa Rica (4-3-4)

Canada has games remaining at Costa Rica, vs. Jamaica and at Panama, with two of the three teams in contention and needing wins badly. The U.S. will face Mexico at the legendary Estadio Azteca on Thursday, host Panama on the 27th and travel to Costa Rica on the 30th. Mexico’s final two games will be at Honduras and at home to El Salvador.

Thursday’s U.S.-Mexico match will kick off at 10 p.m. Eastern time and shown on the CBS Sports Network, Univision and TUDN.

● Gymnastics ● One more weekend result, from the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Athens (GRE). Italy’s Sofia Raffaeli won the All-Around at 122.650, ahead of Israelis Daria Atamanov (120.650) and Michelle Segal (116.650).

Atamanov won the individual Hoop final (32.700) and Ribbon (31.300), while Raffaeli took honors on Ball (33.150) and Clubs (32.450).

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For our 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

LANE ONE: Russia’s Paralympic chief explains IOC’s continuing obsession with “unity,” even including outlaw countries

By
Rich Perelman
-

(★ So grateful to our 45 donors, who have covered 77% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

(For our Highlights of the weekend’s major competitions, click here; for coverage of the World Athletics Indoor Championships, click for Saturday and Sunday.)

● Plus: Paris 2024: ticket sales program outlined = Athletics: Ithaca A-A not impressed with World Indoor tie settled by a blind draw; Ingebrigtsen gets Covid; Lashimova loses London 2012 walk gold due to doping; Lira pleads innocent on Okagbare drugs case = Biathlon: U.S.’s Egan helps create new farewell tradition at Oslo; Russia to appeal suspension = Bobsled & Skeleton: Canadian athletes pressuring federation = Football: Vanuatu withdraws from qualifiers due to Covid = Snowboard: Longtime coach Foley suspended by SafeSport, let go by USSS = Sport Climbing: Russia and Belarus federations suspended = Swimming: possible Worlds boycotts by Poland and Germany over Russia; conservative women’s group asks U.S. Title IX help on banning transgenders = SCOREBOARD: Curling: Japan, Korea and Swiss unbeaten at women’s Worlds ●

Last week’s short report from the Russian TASS news agency noted:

“The upcoming Paralympic Games ‘We Are Together. Sports’ in Russia may be organized in the future on a regular basis, Pavel Rozhkov, the acting president of the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC), said on Thursday.

“‘We are pondering the organization of the Games on a regular basis,’ Rozhkov told journalists. ‘A matter of their frequency would be decided later. We plan organizing such Games for the BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] and SCO [the Shanghai Cooperation Organization] member states. Participation invitations to other countries, including from Europe, are also possible.’

“‘We have grand opportunities for hosting such tournaments and they include the infrastructure, the refereeing staff, the organization and, most importantly, our desire to host them,’ the RPC high-ranking official stated.”

The competition in six sports took place from Thursday through Sunday in Khanty-Mansiysk, as “Athletes from Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Armenia and Kazakhstan competed in the games. The Russian national team won the medal count, winning 39 gold, 40 silver and 27 bronze medals.”

This was a small event, but rest assured it was noticed by the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne and the International Paralympic Committee in Bonn.

For them, the great strength of both the Olympic and Paralympic Movements is their worldwide appeal, their “universality.” Without this, the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games could be in danger. IOC President Thomas Bach said so explicitly while defending his organization’s stance on political neutrality vis-a-vis 2022 Winter Games host China in a December 2021 news conference:

“By not commenting on political issues, you are not taking a side, neither the one nor the other. This is the mission of the IOC, otherwise we could not manage to accomplish the mission of the Games to being, to unite the world. If we would start to take political sides on one way or the other, we would never get the 206 National Olympic Committees to the Olympic Games.

“This would be the politicalization of the Olympic Games, and this, if I would think it further, could be the end of the Olympic Games, as it was the end of the ancient Olympic Games, when politics got involved after 1,000 years of Olympic Games, and then the Roman Emperor intervened for political reasons that it was the end of the Games.”

In the context of Russia’s blatant, state-sponsored doping scandal from 2011-15, China’s oppressive actions against Tibet, Hong Kong and the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang and now Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it is not hard to imagine Rozhkov’s little Paralympic “make-up” event turning into something bigger on both the Olympic and Paralympic side.

He talked about “organizing such Games for the BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] and SCO [the Shanghai Cooperation Organization] member states.”

Brazil’s rightist government has been silent on the invasion on Ukraine, as has India. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization includes China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members, with Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia as “observers” and six more countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey – as “dialogue” partners.

These countries are primarily in Asia, but include a NATO member (Turkey) and a major South American power in Brazil. Would Cuba join? North Korea?

Those with longer memories of the Olympic Movement in the difficult days of the 1970s and 1980s – after boycotts in Montreal, Moscow and Los Angeles – remember the Ted Turner-driven Goodwill Games that started in Moscow in 1986 and generated significant interest until IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch (ESP) managed to get a record 159 countries – including the USSR and China – to compete in Seoul (KOR) in 1988. The Goodwill Games faded into obscurity after the fifth edition in Brisbane (AUS) in 2001.

Turner’s vision was driven by private television money; a state-run event could have longer legs and could be a symbol of an East vs. West political divide in which a new Games could be a symbol.

Neither the IOC or the IPC wants this, but the environment is present for a new event that could be designed by Russia and China to show off their sphere of influence, using the sporting world as a proxy. As the Russians are likely to be penalized for a long time due to their Ukraine adventure, this threat is not going to go away any time soon.

In his 11 March message asking for a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions, Bach emphasized the responsibility of the Russian government for the invasion and that “his war has not been started by the Russian people, Russian athletes or Russian sports organisations.”

With the fighting ongoing and no end in sight, Russian and Belarusian athletes are being largely (but not completely) shut out of worldwide events. But once the shooting stops, look for the IOC and IPC to recommend a path for the return of all athletes to the Games, to keep the Olympic and Paralympic Movements from shattering.

In this case, it’s not about money, because none of the aggressor countries or their acolytes are significant funders of the Olympic Movement, although China is moving up. But for the Games to retain its status as a worldwide beacon of hope, the IOC and IPC will insist that their athletes be allowed to compete, even if under a neutral flag and perhaps after a “time-out” of a single Games, as was the case for Germany and Japan after World War II.

But a break-away Games that could sprout from the tiny event held this past weekend could threaten the “universal” appeal of the Olympic and Paralympic worlds.

Rich Perelman
Editor

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Games of the XXXIII Olympiad: Paris 2024 ● The Paris organizers unveiled the outlines of their ticketing program for the 2024 Games, with 10.0 million tickets expected to be available for the 700 Olympic sessions and 3.4 million for 300 Paralympic competition sessions.

The lowest-priced tickets for the Olympic Games are expected to be €24 (~$26.50) with half of all tickets at €50 (~$53.00) or less.

Tickets will be sold through a lottery system, with the first in February 2023, the second in May 2023 and remaining tickets available at the end of 2023.

The Paralympic tickets will start at €15 (~$16.50), with half at €25 (~$27.50) or less.

The ticketing process will be 100% digital and accessed through a single Web site, eliminating separate selling programs in different countries, with registration required.

Paris 2024 is guaranteeing that 80% of all tickets will be sold to the public; the remaining 20% will be used by Games stakeholders and for hospitality sales. Host areas in France will be able to buy 500,000 tickets for each Games to be given to youth, sports clubs and other local audiences.

● Athletics ● Not everyone was impressed with the way the tie between Britain’s David King and Japan’s Shusei Nomoto in the World Athletics Indoor Championships semis of the men’s 60 m hurdles was settled. Opined Katelyn Hutchison, a 2021 Division III All-American in the 400 m for Ithaca College, on Twitter:

“Two guys in the hurdle semis tied so they pulled a name out a bag to determine who gets to finals. …

“This why nobody like track”

The obvious option would have been to stage a run-off, especially since the schedule had two hours between the semis and the final. One commenter wrote:

“Katelyn, USTAF should hire you for marketing and social media,” which she is fully in tune with:

“Thatd be the dream! Id have our already superstar athletes looking like gods and goddesses”

Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Olympic 1,500 m champ, announced that he tested positive for Covid-19 upon his return to Norway after the World Indoors, where he won silver in the men’s 1,500 m.

“Bad timing, but in some way unavoidable. Now it’s all about recovering and getting back to training,” he wrote on Instagram.

The Athletics Integrity Unit disclosed yet another Russian doping positive from the 2012 Olympic Games in London:

“Following AIU charges based on LIMS data and the McLaren evidence, Russian race walker Yelena Lashmanova has been banned for two years, starting 09 March 2021, for the use of prohibited substances, a violation of @worldathletics anti-doping rules. …

“Lashmanova has accepted the sanction proposed by the AIU, including DQ of her results b/we 18 Feb ’12 & 3 Jan’14. She is set to lose gold medals from the women’s 20K race walk event at the London 2012 Olympic Games and 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow.”

Lashmanova won the event in a world-record time of 1:25:02, originally followed by Olga Kaniskina (RUS: 1:25:09), then China’s Shenjie Qieyang (1:25:16), Hong Liu (CHN: 1:26:00), Anisya Kirdyapkina (RUS: 1:26:26), and Xiuzhi Lu (CHN: 1:27:10). All three of the Russian walker have now been disqualified and assuming the medals are re-allocated, the Chinese will sweep the event!

Nick Zaccardi of NBC Sports, noted that all nine Russian race walkers from 2012 have now been disqualified and the original Russian track & field medal total from 2012 of 18 is now down to seven and from eight golds to two!

Eric Lira, accused of aiding suspended Nigerian sprint star Blessing Okagbare and others with doping, pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act of 2019 on Friday in New York.

Lira was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury earlier this month of supplying prohibited substances to athletes looking to compete at the Tokyo Games last year, Okagbare tested positive and was yanked from the Tokyo’s women’s 100 m after the quarterfinal round; she was subsequently suspended for 10 years.

● Biathlon ● Maybe the start of a new tradition in the sport, as American Clare Egan – on the advice of her coach, Italian Armin Auchentaller – got the organizers of the final stop of the 2021-22 IBU World Cup in Oslo (NOR) to stage a farewell ceremony for the 21 athletes retiring at the end of the season.

All skied a relaxed lap of honor, including Egan and fellow Americans Susan Dunklee and Leif Nordgren, and got a champagne bath along with the cheers of an appreciative crowd in the famed Holmenkollen stadium.

“It’s an easy way that we can all be together and have some closure to this beautiful experience we have all had together. So, I hope it’s the start of a tradition that we can do every year to recognize the athletes for all the ups and downs of their careers, and it’s nice to share it.”

A member of the IBU Athletes Committee, Egan plans to stay in the sport, as an athlete advisor and mentor to those coming up.

Egan, 34, finishes with one World Cup medal, a 2019 bronze in Oslo and as a two-time Olympian. Dunklee, now 36, made headlines with a World Championships silver medals in 2017 (Mass Start) and in 2020 (Sprint), and won seven World Cup medals in her career.

Nordgren, 32, was a member of three U.S. Olympic teams and appeared in nine IBU World Championships.

The Russian Biathlon Union will appeal its forthcoming suspension by the International Biathlon Union at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“If a ruling is passed to deprive us of membership it will be a decision which lacks legal grounds,” said RBU President Viktor Maigurov.

● Bobsled & Skeleton ● A group of 87 current and former athletes, plus former Canadian star Kaillie Humphries and the U.S. Athletes’ Advisory Council of USA Bobsled/Skeleton, are continuing to pressure Bobsled Canada Skeleton for “governance and leadership failures.”

The group rejected mediation offers and sent a third letter to the federation on Monday, and asked for the resignation of chief executive Sarah Storey and High Performance Director Chris Le Bihan. The Canadian Press reported that the first letter, on 7 March, complained “about issues with culture, safety, transparency and governance, claiming staff makes arbitrary decisions on matters like team selection based on biases, and has little concern for athlete safety” and other items.

In Monday’s letter was, “The athletes believe that mediation will not result in a meaningful resolution until a comprehensive, independent and transparent investigation is conducted into the matters brought forward.”

● Football ● Covid isn’t over.

The Vanuatu Football Federation has withdrawn from its remaining qualifying matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to excessive cases of the disease in advance of its match vs. Tahiti, to be played in Qatar.

“In line with the applicable protocol and given the seven-day quarantine requirement, the Vanuatu Football Federation has confirmed to FIFA that it’s not in a position to play its upcoming FIFA World Cup qualification matches.”

● Shooting ● The International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) announced Saturday that it has agreed to cover the entry and room and board for the Ukrainian team competing in five major ISSF events this season, including the World Championship for Rifle and Pistol in Egypt.

● Snowboard ● The founding coach of the U.S. Snowboard Team, Peter Foley, has been released by U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

The federation stated that Foley has been on a leave of absence since 21 February and is no longer with the organization. He was suspended last Friday (18th) by the U.S. Center for SafeSport for “allegations of misconduct,” but without further details.

Foley denied allegations against him that swirled during the Beijing Winter Games; he has worked most recently with the Snowboarcross team.

● Sport Climbing ● The International Federation of Sport Climbing General Assembly met Saturday and concerning the federations from Russia and Belarus, agreed “to move to a suspension of their membership. The Executive Board was subsequently mandated to continually assess the situation and consider the removal of the suspension when the circumstances allow.”

The IFSC had previously noted that only the General Assembly had the authority to suspend member federations.

● Swimming ● The decision by FINA to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals – for now – at the 2022 FINA Aquatics World Championships is drawing announcements of withdrawals.

On Friday, the Polish Swimming Federation said it would not compete in Budapest this summer if the Russians were there. The Swiss federation had previously said it would not compete if Russia was allowed to participate.

Later that day, the President of the German Swimming Federation was reported to have told swimmers that if the Russians were allowed to compete in Budapest, Germany would likely skip the meet.

SwimSwam.com noted a report on the Russian pro-war rally in Moscow on Friday that stated many Russian star athletes were there, including Tokyo medalists Dina and Arina Averina (rhythmic gymnastics), gymnast Viktoriia Listunova and swimmer Evgeny Rylov, and Beijing Winter stars Alexander Bolshunov (cross-country skiing), Pairs skaters Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov, and ice dancers Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov.

The NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships are over, but The Hill reported:

“Concerned Women for America (CWA), a conservative, evangelical Christian organization, has filed a civil rights complaint against the University of Pennsylvania for allegedly failing to protect the rights of collegiate female athletes by allowing Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, to compete on the university’s women’s team.”

The letter was sent to U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon, complaining that “Thomas is anatomically/biologically a male who should not be eligible to compete in women’s sports, depriving anatomically/biologically female athletes of the opportunities afforded to them by law.”

It concludes with, “We plead for you to issue clear, decisive guidance to clarify the law and prevent colleges and university athletic programs from violating women’s rights by allowing biological male athletes to compete in the women’s category of sport.”

Errata: A correction was made to Sunday’s Highlights summary of the NCAA Championships, where Virginia’s Alex Walsh won three individual events, not four. Her sister Gretchen, won the 100-yard Freestyle. Congratulations to both swimmers!

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Curling ● The Women’s World Championship is continuing in Prince George (CAN), with Japan (Ikue Kitazawa, skip) at 4-0 and Korea (EunJung Kim) and Switzerland (Silvana Tirinzoni) undefeated as well at 3-0. The U.S., skipped by Cory Christensen, is 2-1 so far.

Scotland (Rebecca Morrison) had to withdraw due to Covid infections. The tournament continues through the 27th.

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For our 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

HIGHLIGHTS: Shiffrin finishes up fourth World Cup title; U.S. wins titles at German Cup gymnastics; Walsh wins three for Virginia in NCAA women’s swimming

By
Rich Perelman
-
Virginia (and Olympic) star Alex Walsh won four individual titles at the NCAA Women's Swimming Championships (Photo: University of Virginia)

(★ So grateful to our 45 donors, who have covered 77% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world/updated/:

● Alpine Skiing ● The FIS Alpine World Cup concluded in France with the technical events in Meribel for both men and women.

Austria’s Marco Odermatt celebrated his overall World Cup triumph with a win in the final Giant Slalom of the season, timing 2:10.40 to beat Lucas Braathen (NOR: 2:10.89) and Loic Meillard (SUI: 2:11.03). The seasonal title in the discipline went to Odermatt, with 720 points to 453 for Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway.

Sunday’s Slalom was the second win of the season for Norway’s Atle McGrath (1:34.52), who finished ahead of Kristoffersen (1:34.89) and Manuel Feller (AUT: 1:35.29). American Luke Winters was eighth (1:35.64). Kristoffersen won the Slalom seasonal title, 451-361, over Feller.

The final season totals for the men showed Odermatt at 1,639 with Aleksander Aamodt Kilde second (1,172) and Kristoffersen third (954).

The women’s Slalom on Saturday was a win for Slovenia’s Andreja Slokar in 1:36.54 for her second career World Cup victory – both this season – ahead of Lena Duerr (GER: 1:37.02) and seasonal winner Petra Vlhova (SVK: 1:37.35). Mikaela Shiffrin of the U.S. – already the seasonal World Cup champion – finished eighth in 1:38.02; she finished second to Vlhova in the seasonal Slalom standings, 770-501.

The Giant Slalom on Sunday was an Italian 1-2, with Federica Brignone winning her third World Cup race of the season, 2:14.68-2:14.99 over Marta Bassino, with Vlhova third (2:15.05). Shiffrin was seventh in 2:15.35. France’s Tessa Worley won the seasonal G-S title with 567 points to 540 for Sara Hector (SWE) and 507 for Shiffrin.

The American star finished with 1,492 points to 1,309 for Vlhova to win her fourth World Cup overall title in the last five years. Brignone was third with 1,055.

● Artistic Swimming ● A “virtual” FINA World Cup was “held” in the U.S. and Canada, in which pre-recorded videos are judged and scored.

Saturday’s line-up was dedicated to the technical events, and dominated by Russians, “competing” as “independent FINA athletes.” The women’s Solo Technical was won by Varvara Subbotina (91.5848), and Subbotina teamed with veteran Svetlana Kolesnichenko to win the Duet Technical at 93.1321.

The women’s Mixed Duet Technical was another Russian win, this time for Mayya Gurbanberdieva and Aleksandr Maltsev (90.5697), while the Women’s Team Technical was won by France (87.7137). The men’s Solo Technical was won by Maltsev (90.4231).

Sunday’s women’s Solo Free was won by France’s Eve Planeix (87.4667); Americans Megumi Field and Natalia Vega took top honors in the women’s Duet Free (84.9000) and Russians Olesia Platonova and Maltsev won the Mixed Duet Free (91.9000).

The men’s Solo Free was claimed by Javier Zayas of Puerto Rico (60.2000). The women’s Team Free went to Canada (84.7000).

The U.S. women won the Team Highlight event (84.6333).

● Athletics ● For coverage of a great World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, see our separate coverage for Saturday and Sunday.

● Badminton ● The $1,000,000 All-England Open in Birmingham turned out to be a triple winner for Japan!

Second-seeded Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) won the women’s Singles with a 21-15, 21-15 victory over no. 4 Seyoung An (KOR). Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida (JPN) won the women’s Doubles by 21-13, 21-9 against China’s Shu Xian Zhang and Yu Zheng, and Yuta Watanabe and Shida won the Mixed Doubles over Yi Lyu Wang and Dongping Huang (CHN), 21-19, 21-19.

Top-seeded Viktor Axelsen (DEN) won the men’s Singles in straight sets, 21-10, 21-15 against unseeded Lakshya Sen (IND). The all-Indonesia men’s Doubles final saw Muhammad Fikri and Bagas Maulana upset second-seeds Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan, 21-19, 21-13.

● Beach Volleyball ● /Updated/The revamped Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour got underway for 2022 with a Challenge tournament in Tlaxcala, Mexico, a second-level competition in the new, three-tier structure.

Brazil’s second-seeded Barbara de Freitas and Carol Salgado took the women’s trophy with a 21-19, 21-18 win over the Dutch duo of Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon in the final.

The men’s final saw Polish veterans Michal Bryl and Bartosz Losiak shut down Noe Aravena and Vicente Droguett (CHI), 21-17, 21-16.

● Biathlon ● The final weekend of the IBU World Cup was in Oslo (NOR), with six events: Sprint, Pursuit and Mass Start.

The men’s 10 km Sprint was the second win of the season for Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, who dusted the field, winning in 25:27.1, 22.4 seconds ahead of already-decided seasonal winner Quentin Fillon Maillet of France and 26.5 seconds up on Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson.

Fillon Maillet got closer, but had to settle for second again on Saturday in the 12.5 km Pursuit, this time by 9.4 seconds to Germany’s Erik Lesser (32:03.8), with Laegreid third this time (+22.7) and Samuelsson fourth (+1:04.9).

Sunday’s 15 km Mass Start was a win for unheralded Norwegian Sivert Guttorm Bakken in 38:31.2, barely ahead of Laegreid (+0.5), then Emilien Jaquelin (FRA) in third (+13.4).

For the season, Fillon Maillet finished with 984 points to 736 for Laegreid and 717 for Samuelsson.

The women’s seasonal title had already been decided for Norway’s Marte Olbsu Roeiseland, but triple Olympic medalist Tiril Eckhoff showed off with wins in the 7.5 km Sprint on Friday and the 10 km Pursuit on Saturday. She won the Sprint in 21:28.3 with a 7.0-second margin on Lisa Theresa Hauser (AUT), with Roeiseland third (+9.4).

Eckhoff skied with the Pursuit, finishing in 29:55.7, some 24.9 seconds ahead of Roeiseland, with Paulina Fialkova (SVK) third (+50.5).

The 12.5 km Mass Start was a clear win for Justine Braisaz-Bouchet of France, her second of the season, in 35:20.8, comfortably ahead of Franziska Preuss (GER: +7.8) and Roeiseland (+8.6).

Roeiseland piled up 957 points for the seasonal title, beating Elvira Oeberg (SWE: 823) and Hauser (AUT: 684).

● Curling ● The Women’s World Championship is on in Prince George (CAN) from 19-27 March, with 13 teams included. The U.S. is skipped by Cory Christensen, with all teams playing in a round-robin format to determine advancement to the playoffs.

● Cycling ● One of cycling’s most famous races is the venerable Milan-Sanremo, run for the 113th time on Saturday, this time over a 293 km course that featured a major climb in the middle, but otherwise a modestly hilly course to the finish.

Slovenia’s Matej Mohoric attacked on the descent of the final obstacle, the Poggio de Sanremo, with 4.3 km remaining and won by two seconds ahead of the chase pack in 6:27:49. Leading the group of eight behind him were Anthony Turgis (FRA) and Mathieu van der Poel (NED) followed by Australia’s Michael Mathews and Tadej Pogacar (SLO), fresh off his win at the Tirreno-Adriatico.

On Sunday, the UCI Women’s World Tour saw the 47th edition of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, one of the most important races on the calendar, finishing in Cittiglio after 141.8 km.

The hilly course saw several breakaways, but the peloton gathered together for a mass finish with about 5 km left, and it was a good day for the hosts as Italians Elisa Balsamo, Sofia Bertizzolo and Soraya Paladin were 1-2-3 at the line. The first 18 finishers all given 3:36:29 as their time. American Coryn Lebecki (nee Rivera) was sixth.

● Fencing ● Sabre competitions were on the FIE World Cup schedule this week, in Budapest (HUN) for the men and Istanbul (TUR) for the women.

In Hungary, the home favorite, top-ranked and triple Olympic champion Aron Szilagyi took home the victory, defeating Italy’s 2019 Worlds bronze medalist, Luca Curatoli, 15-7, in the final. Koreans Junghwan Kim and Sang-uk Oh won the bronze medals. It’s the eight career World Cup win for Szilagyi, 32, and his 20th career World Cup medal!

The Hungarians won the team event from France.

In Turkey, the women’s final was an all-French affair, with no. 1-ranked, Olympic bronze medalist Manon Apithy-Brunet winning over Anne Poupinet, 15-8. It was an impressive sixth World Cup win and 13th career World Cup medal for the 26-year-old winner, while Poupinet, 21, won her first World Cup medal.

The bronzes went to Spain’s Lucia Martin-Portugues and Poland’s Malgorzata Kozaczuk. Korea defeated Spain in the team final.

● Freestyle Skiing ● The FIS World Cups in Ski Cross and Moguls closed this week, with the big stars collecting more trophies.

In Veysonnaz (SUI), Sweden’s David Mobaerg won his third men’s Ski Cross race of the year, ahead of Simone Deromedia (FRA) and Brady Leman of Canada. Swiss Ryan Regez took the seasonal Crystal Globe with 559 points to 506 for Terence Tchiknavorian (FRA) and 465 for teammate Bastian Midol. Mobaerg was fourth with 430.

The women’s Ski Cross final completed an epic season for Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund. In addition to her Olympic title, she won 11 of the 12 races on the World Cup circuit, taking Saturday’s race ahead of Canada’s Marielle Thompson and Swiss Fanny Smith. The season standings were almost identical, with Naeslund at 1,150, followed by Smith (641) and Thompson (549).

In Megeve (FRA), Canadian superstar Mikael Kingsbury won his 10th World Cup event of the season, 86.27-86.23 over perennial rival Ikuma Horishima (JPN), with Sweden’s Beijing gold medalist Walter Wallberg third (85.13). Saturday’s Dual Moguls finale was once again a Kingsbury-Horishima 1-2, this time with Ludwig Fjallstrom (SWE) third. Kingsbury won the seasonal titles in both the Moguls and Dual Moguls – his 10th overall – with 672 points to 640 for Horishima in Moguls and 400-300 over Horishima in Dual Moguls.

The women’s Moguls was the third win of the season for PyeongChang gold medalist Perrine Laffont (FRA: 86.86), who also won the seasonal title by just 610-609 over Japanese star Anri Kawamura (82.54), who finished third. Beijing gold medalist Jakara Anthony was second in the race (86.43) and third in the seasonal standings; American Jaelin Kauf (81.59) was fourth in Friday’s race.

Saturday’s women’s Dual Moguls was nearly a repeat. Laffont won again, beating Anthony in the final, with Kauf winning the bronze-medal race against fellow American Kai Owens. Anthony won the seasonal Dual Moguls title, 340-296, over Laffont; Owens finished third (200) over Kauf (192).

● Gymnastics ● The FIG Artistic Apparatus World Cup in Cairo (EGY) drew a large field, and featured two wins for Ukraine’s stars.

Tjasa Kysselef (SLO) won the women’s Vault at 13.183, ahead of the ageless – actually now 46 – Oksana Chusovitina (UZB: 12.950) and Laurie Denommee of Canada (12.849). South Africa’s Caitlin Rooskrantz took the Uneven Bars, scoring 12.300 to edge Denommee (12.033) and Mari Kanter (NOR: 11.733).

Sunday’s finals had Ukraine’s Yulia Kasianenko winning on Beam, ahead of Zsofia Kovacs (HUN), 13.400-13.133; Hungary’s Dorina Boeczoego won the Floor Exercise with a score of 12.733.

Tokyo Olympic Floor Exercise gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat won the men’s Floor competition at 14.500, out-scoring Paul Juda of the U.S. (14.333) and Ireland’s Adam
Steele (13.933). Irish teammate Rhys McClenaghan took the Pommel Horse, scoring 14.966 to 14.533 for both Harutyan Merdinyan (ARM: 2nd) and Ahmad Abu Al Soud (JOR: 3rd).

Armenia’s Vahagn Davtyan won the Rings (14.800), with Ibrahim Colak (TUR: 14.700) and Salvatore Maresca (14.633) following; American Alex Diab finished sixth (14.366).

Davtyan won on Vault, scoring 14.983 to 14.849 for Ukraine’s Nazar Chepurnyi, with Juda fourth (14.416). Ukraine’s Ilia Kovtun won on Parallel Bars (14.833), with Juda sixth (14.066), and Italy’s Carlo Macchini won on Horizontal Bar (14.400), with Juda second (13.933) and Ian Lasic-Ellis (USA) fourth at 13.433.

At the German Cup Team Challenge in Stuttgart, the U.S. won the men’s Team Challenge, scoring 249.100 points, ahead of Italy (247.800) and Germany (241.800). Asher Hong and Yul Moldauer went 1-2 on Floor for the U.S., Khoi Young won on Pommel Horse, Hong and Brody Malone were 1-2 on Rings, Young won the Vault and was second on Parallel Bars and Malone won the Horizontal Bar.

In the individual apparatus finals, Canada’s Felix Dolci won on Floor, 14.300-14.166 over Hong; Young (15.000) won on Pommel Horse; Hong won on Rings (14.266); Young won the Vault (14.916); Spain’s Nicolau Mir took the Parallel Bars (14.600), and Carlo Hoerr (GER) won on Horizontal Bar, scoring 13.833.

The women’s team event was also won by the U.S., scoring 164.929 to 163.598 for Italy and 153.297 for Australia. Angela Andreoli (ITA) won the Vault (13.366) and teammate Giorgia Villa won the Uneven Bars (14.433). The U.S. went 1-2 on Beam with Konnor McClain (13.766) and Ashlee Sullivan (13.600) and they were also 1-2 on Floor, with McClain scoring 13.566) and Sullivan at 13.533).

Individual apparatus finals saw Denelle Pennick (CAN) win the Vault (13.283); Villa won the Uneven Bars (13.833), with American Nola Matthews third (13.700); McClain took the Beam title (14.033), and Andreoli won on Floor (13.666), ahead of McClain (13.300).

The U.S. won the Mixed Cup title with a 57.950-50.450 score in the gold-medal final.

● Shooting ● Continuing a non-stop ISSF international calendar for 2022 is the Shotgun World Cup in Nicosia, Cyprus, the fifth major event of the year, which concluded Saturday.

The U.S. led all countries with seven medals (0-4-3), with Italy with six and leading with three golds (3-2-1).

The men’s Skeet final saw Egypt’s Azmy Mehelba edge Italy’s Tammaro Cassandro, 36-35, in the final with Eric Delaunay (FRA) third at 23. Cassandro came back to win the team event, with Gabriele Rossetti and Elia Sdruccioli, 6-4, over the American trio of Phillip Jungman, Adam McBee and Hayden Stewart.

Turkey’s Oguzhan Tuzun won the men’s Trap title in a 31-29 final over Giovanni Cernogoraz (CRO), with Talal Alrashidi (KUW: 20) third. Aslrashidi got a gold in the team event, 6-2, over India in the final.

The women’s Skeet final saw Amber Hill (GBR) win with 34 points over International Olympic Committee member and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Danka Bartekova (SVK: 28) and Austen Smith of the U.S. (23). Italy defeated the U.S. trio of Smith, Dania Jo Vizzi and Caitlin Connor in the Team final.

Olympic trap gold medalist Zuzana Rehak-Stefecekova won the women’s Trap title with 31 points in the final to 28 for Italy’s Silvana Stanco and 19 for Rachel Tozier of the U.S. In the Team final, Australia out-pointed the U.S. trio of Tozier, Aeriel Skinner and Ida Brown by 6-4.

Connor and McBee finished second to Italy’s Cassandro and Diana Bacosi, 6-2, in the Mixed Team Skeet event, and Turkey won the Mixed Trap Team final with a 7-6 win in the shoot-off with Australia.

● Ski Jumping ● The World Cup is far from over and the men’s seasonal title is still on the line.

In Obertsdorf (GER), three-time World Champion Stefan Kraft continued his hot streak, winning fourth time this season, with 413.0 points to 411.3 for Slovenia’s Ziga Jelar – his second career World Cup medal – and 400.0 for Timi Zajc (SLO).

On Sunday, again jumping off the awe-inspiring 235 m hill, it was Zajc with his first win of the season, scoring 407.9 over Poland’s 2021 Normal Hill World Champion Piotr Zyla (401.1) and Kraft (399.8). Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi was sixth and maintains a 1,544-1,478 World Cup lead over Karl Geiger (GER) going into the final weekend at Planica (SLO).

● Snowboard ● The SnowCross season finally closed on Sunday in Veysonnaz (SUI), with Canada’s Eliot Grondin completing his medal set for the year.

The Olympic silver medalist had won a World Cup bronze and a silver earlier, and got his first win of the season – and second career – over Merlin Surget (FRA) and Leo Le Ble Jacques (FRA) in the final. Germany’s Martin Noerl won the seasonal title with 460 points to 386 for Austria’s Alessandro Hammerle.

Britain’s Charlotte Bankes finished the season in style, winning her fifth World Cup in the eight that were held, ahead of American Faye Guilini and France’s Manon Pete Lenoir. Bankes won the overall title easily with 669 points, beating Michela Moioli (ITA: 501) and France’s Chloe Trespeuch (464).

The Parallel Snowboarding events were completed in Berchtesgaden (GER), with Austrian Andreas Prommegger and Italy’s Edwin Coratti tying for the win in the Slalom final! Korea’s Sang-ho Lee took the bronze. On the season, Prommegger won the Parallel Slalom title with 266 points to 245 for Lee and 201 for Arvid Auner (AUT).

The women’s Slalom winner was Swiss Julie Zogg, taking her third race of the season, this time against Megan Farrell (CAN). Germany’s Ramona Theresia Hofmeister was third. Zogg ran away with a second straight seasonal title: 345 to 252 over Japan’s Tsubaki Miki and 250 for Hofmeister in third.

The next-to-last Slopestyle event of 2021-22 was in Spindleruv Mlyn (CZE), with New Zealand’s Tiarn Collins getting his second career World Cup gold. He scored 90.25 to edge William Mathisen (SWE: 86.75) and American Luke Winkelmann (85.50).

Japan’s Kokomo Murase won her second event of the year in the women’s competition, scoring 89.25 to win easily over Jasmine Baird (CAN: 76.25) and Ariane Burri (SUI: 72.25).

● Swimming ● The NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships concluded Saturday in Atlanta, with Virginia sophomore Alex Walsh making the biggest headlines, winning the 200-yard Fly and the 200-yard and 400-yard Medleys to spark the Cavaliers to the team title.

NCAA events are conducted at yards – not meters – and so the times aren’t part of the 2022 world list. But Walsh, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist in the 200 m Medley, set an NCAA record of 1:50.08 for the 200-yard Medley and set pool records for the 400 Medley. Walsh’s sister, Gretchen, won the 100-yard Free.

Their teammate, junior Kate Douglass – the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist in the 200 m Medley – won the 50-yard Free, the 200-yard Breaststroke (NCAA record) and the 100-yard Fly to help with Virginia’s team title run.

Penn senior Lia Thomas was one of two transgender swimmers in the meet. After winning the 500-yard Freestyle title on Friday, she appeared to go easier in the 200-yard Free on Saturday, finishing in a tie for fifth, and then was eighth in the 100-yard Free on Saturday. In the latter race, Yale’s Iszac Henig, a biological female who is transitioning to male – but has not taken any medications as yet – finished in a tie for fifth.

Virginia swamped the field, piling up 551.5 points to win, with Texas second (406.0) and Stanford third (399.5).

● Table Tennis ● The first of a new series of high-paying tournaments, the $2 million Singapore Smash, finished on Sunday, with China sweeping all five titles.

The men’s all-China final was a Tokyo Olympic rematch between gold medalist Long Ma and runner-up Zhendong Fan and it was a doozy, with Fan finally winning, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7.

The women’s final pitted Tokyo Olympic champion Meng Chen against 2021 World Champion Manyu Wang – both from China – and produced another classic. Chen went up 3-1, but had to win in the seventh set to claim victory: 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 9-11 and finally, 11-8.

In the men’s Doubles, China’s Fan and Chuqin Wang triumphed over Yukiya Uda and Shunsuke Togami, 12-10, 12-10, 12-14 and 11-7. China also took the women’s title over Japan, with Wang and Yingsha Sun defeating Hina Hayata and Mima Ito, 11-4, 11-6, 11-4.

The Mixed Doubles was a straight-set victory for Wang and Sun (CHN) over Tokyo bronze medalists Yun-Ju Lin and I-Ching Cheng from Chinese Taipei, 11-3, 12-10 and 11-4.

● Tennis ● /Updated/The biggest names were not the big winners at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, which concluded on Sunday.

In the men’s Singles, Russian Daniil Medvedev entered as the no. 1 player in the world, but was ousted in the third round and will drop from the top of the world rankings. Instead, it was Spain’s 21-time Grand Slam Singles winner Rafael Nadal who moved into the final as a favorite against 20th-seed Taylor Fritz of the U.S.

But it was Fritz who sprang the upset, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) over Nadal, winning his second career ATP event. He was the first American to win this event since Andre Agassi in 2001; Nadal had won this event three times previously.

The women’s Singles saw Poland’s third-seeded Iga Swiatek defeat no. 6 Maria Sakkari (GRE), 6–4, 6–1 for her second win of the year and fifth career WTA victory.

The men’s Doubles was won by Americans John Isner and Jack Sock over Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) and Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA), 7–6 (7–4), 6–3. The women’s Doubles was taken by China’s Yifan Xu and Zhaoxuan Yang in a straight-set win over Asia Muhammad (USA) and Ena Shibahara (JPN), 7–5, 7–6 (7–4).

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ATHLETICS: Holloway equals 60 m hurdles world record; Rojas sets absolute world TJ mark as does Duplantis in PV at World Indoors

By
Rich Perelman
-
A world indoor title and another world record (equaled) for Grant Holloway! (Photo: Getty Images for World Athletics)

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The final day of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade (SRB) exploded right at the start as American star Grant Holloway equaled his own world record in winning the second semi in 7.29.

And then it got better! Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas got the best women’s triple jump in history. Serbian star Ivana Vuleta brought down the house with her long jump win and Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis increased his absolute world pole vault mark by another centimeter.

There were four world-leading performances (and three world records!) on the day and 13 over the course of the championships:

● Men/60 m hurdles: 7.29 (=WR), Grant Holloway (USA)
● Men/Pole Vault: 6.20 m (20-4: WR), Mondo Duplantis (SWE)
● Women/Long Jump: 7.06 m (23-2), Ivana Vuleta (SRB)
● Women/Triple Jump: 15.74 m (51-7 3/4: WR), Yulimar Rojas (VEN)

Here’s what happened on Sunday at the Stark Arena:

● Men/1,500 m: The race figured to be between Olympic champ and indoor world-record setter Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) and prior record holder Samuel Tefera (ETH) and it was.

Even without pacesetters, the race was fast from the start, with Kenya’s Abel Kipsang and Ingebrigtsen running 1-2 on the first lap and Ingebrigtsen taking the lead on the second and pushing the pace. He led at 400 m in 55.81 and was part of a group of six that passed 800 m in 1:54.01 with Kipsang in front and Tefera second.

With two laps to go, Ingebrigtsen and Tefera had a small lead on the rest and the Norwegian passed 1,200 m in 2:51.16, with Tefera 0.11 back. By the bell, it was a two-man race and Tefera made his move on the far turn and moved into the lead and away from Ingebrigtsen to win going away in 3:32.77 to 3:33.02, the no. 12 and 16 indoor performances ever.

Behind them was Kipsang, who took the bronze in 3:33.36, ahead of Teddese Lemi (ETH: 3:33.59). Americans Sam Prakel (3:38.40) and Josh Thompson (3:44.48) were ninth and 12th.

● Men/3,000 m: The shock came in the heats on Friday, when world leader Berihu Aregawi (ETH) failed to qualify for the final, but his teammates suffered no letdown, as Tokyo 10,000 m winner Selemon Barega and Olympic Steeple runner-up Lamecha Girma ran 1-2 in 7:41.38 and 7:41.63.

They emerged from a tight pack on the final lap, with the top seven finishing within 2.22 seconds. Britain’s Marc Scott got through for third in 7:42.02; American Dillon Maggard finished ninth in 7:46.18.

● Men/60 m hurdles: Everyone knew American Olympic silver medalist Holloway was the favorite, but his 7.40 in the heats said he was more than ready. After fellow American Jarret Eaton won the first semi in 7.52, Holloway exploded out of the blocks and ran a near-perfect race to win semi two in 7.29, equaling his world mark from 2021! France’s Wilhem Belocian won the final semi in a more normal 7.53.

The final lane in the final had to be determined in a draw out of a bag, as Britain’s David King and Japan’s Shusei Nomoto both ran exactly 7.565! King won the draw and advanced; is this really the best way to do this? It was dramatic.

In the final, Holloway was out like a shot again and had a clear lead over the first hurdle, but was going so fast that he hit the third hurdle with his lead leg and lost a little bit of control. He won easily, but in a merely-human 7.39. France’s Pascal Martinot-Lagarde won his third World Indoor silver at 7.50, and Eaton got the bronze at 7.53, his second World Indoors career medal. King was sixth.

● Men/4×400 m: It’s always something. The U.S. was in good position to qualify in heat one, but anchorman Isaiah Harris suffered a bad pull in his right leg just a few strides into the final lap. He hobbled around the track for 180 m and bravely finished second in obvious pain, but the slowed time of 3:09.11 wasn’t one of the top three non-winning times and the Americans did not qualify for the final.

The medal race was mostly a duel between Spain and Belgium, with Alexander Doom giving the Belgians the lead going into the third leg with Jonathan Saccor. But Manuel Guijarro took over the lead and passed first to the anchor, Bernat Erta.

Belgium had the uber-experienced Kevin Borlee on anchor and he waited patiently, then shot by Erta on the final backstraight and raced away to a 3:06.52-3:06.82 victory. The Dutch, anchored by Tony van Diepen, closed hard for third in 3:06.90.

● Men/High Jump: This morning final included Tokyo co-gold medalist Gianmarco Tamberi (ITA), who was one of five who cleared 2.31 m (7-7). The bar went to 2.34 m (7-8) and the only one to clear was Korea’s Sang-hyeok Woo, who leaped from fifth to first!

The remaining medals had to be settled on the countback, with the other four all having cleared 2.31 m on their second tries. Swiss Loic Gasch was the only one who had not missed through 2.28 m (7-5 3/4), so he got the silver. Third was more complicated, as New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr and Tamberi both had one miss through 2.28 m, so they shared the bronze. Brazil’s Thiago Moura had three misses though 2.28 m, and ended up fifth.

● Men/Pole Vault: Only four men cleared 5.85 m (19-2 1/2), with world-record holder Duplantis and American Chris Nilsen – the gold and silver winners in Tokyo – with no misses and 2016 Olympic champ Thiago Braz (BRA) and Valentin Lavillenie (FRA) making it on their second tries (lifetime best for Lavillenie).

The bar went to 5.90 m (19-4 1/4), with Duplantis and Braz passing. Nilsen clear on his second try, with Lavillenie missing three times, leaving the medals to Duplantis, Braz and Nilsen.

At 5.95 m (19-6 1/4), Duplantis cleared cleanly, and then Braz cleared on this third attempt. Nilsen missed, leaving him with the bronze. At 6.05 m (19-10 1/4), Duplantis popped over on his first attempt, but Braz missed three times to settle for silver.

Duplantis raised the bar to a world record of 6.20 m (20-4) and while the first two attempts were poor, he got better speed on the third run and snaked over the bar for his second world record in Belgrade in two weeks! Amazing!

American K.C. Lightfoot cleared 5.60 m (18-4 1/2) to tie for 10th place.

● Women/800 m: After her disappointment of not making the Olympic final in Tokyo, American star Ajee Wilson was well positioned to win her first major international title. She looked the best in the heats, but was sitting fourth for the first two laps as Jamaica’s Natoya Goule led through 400 m in 59.30.

But coming into the straightaway to take the bell, Wilson exploded down the straight and zoomed to the lead. No one was ready for her burst and onto the backstraight, she was decisively in front and zoomed to a 1:59.09 runaway win.

Wilson had been the silver medalist at the 2016 and 2018 World Indoors and twice an outdoor Worlds bronze medalist in 2017 and 2019, but now she is a gold medalist, at age 27.

Behind her, Freweyni Hailu (ETH) and Halimah Nakaayi (UGA) kicked hard to pass Goule on the run-in, and went 2-3 in 2:0054 and 2:00.66, with Goule fourth at 2:01.18. A right quad injury forced Britain’s world leader, Kelly Hodgkinson, to withdraw prior to the meet.

● Women/4×400 m: The U.S. came in with three straight World Indoor titles in this event, and led the qualifying at 3:28.82.

But the U.S. was fourth at the first exchange, with Na’Asha Robinson trailing the Netherlands, Jamaica and Poland. Those four teams battled throughout, with Brittany Aveni bringing the U.S. into contention with a strong third leg, handing to anchor Lynna Irby in second place.

But the Jamaicans were strong throughout, with the experienced Stephenie Ann McPherson on the anchor and she gave away nothing, maintaining a small lead throughout and crossing first in 3:28.40.

Behind her on the final turn were Irby, Poland’s Justyna Swiety-Ersetic and Dutch star Femke Bol, racing up to challenge for a medal. In the final straight, Bol and Swiety-Ersetic both closed with a rush and passed a tiring Irby for the silver and bronze, 3:28.57-3:28.59-3:28.63.

● Women/Long Jump: The crowd was all in for home favorite Ivana Vuleta (nee Spanovic), the 2018 World Indoor Champion. She did not disappoint, taking the lead with a seasonal best of 6.89 m (22-7 1/4) in round two and letting the field chase her.

Nigeria’s Ese Brume got a strong jump in round three to get into second place at 6.85 m (22-5 3/4), and Britain’s Lorraine Ugen moved up to third at 6.82 m (22-4 1/2).

But then Vuleta fired up the crowd with a splendid lead in the fourth round, reaching a world-leading 7.06 m (23-2) to essentially assure her victory.

Americans Tiffany Flynn and Quanesha Burks got out to 6.78 m (22-3) and 6.77 (22-2 1/2) in the first two rounds, but could not improve and ended up 4-5. Brume and Ugen also did not improve and settled for silver and bronze.

For Vuleta, her winning mark is the no. 5 indoor performance this century; she has three of them and American star Brittney Reese has two.

● Women/Triple Jump: The world record was in sight as the record holder, Venezuela’s Rojas, had already come within a couple of centimeters earlier in the season. She ended the competition on her first jump of 15.19 m (49-10), but what more could she do?

She improved to 15.36 m (50-4 3/4), equaling the no. 3 jump in indoor history in round four and then got an startling step phase on her final try and flew out into untouched sand at a staggering 15.74 m (51-7 3/4), another world indoor record and the greatest jump in history, better than her 15.67 m (51-5) outdoor mark from the Tokyo Olympic Games!

Combining indoors and outdoors, Rojas now owns eight of the top nine jumps in history. Wow.

A full meter behind Rojas was Ukraine’s Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk, who got a lifetime best of 14.74 m (48-4 1/2) to score the silver medal , with Jamaica’s Kimberly Williams third at 14.62 m (47-11 3/4). American Keturah Orji was seventh at 14.42 m (47-3 3/4); Tori Franklin was 13th (13.89 m/45-7).

Even without medals in either of the 4×400 m relays, the U.S. dominated the event, winning an astonishing 19 medals (3-7-9), with Ethiopia second at nine (4-3-2) and the Netherlands at four (0-2-2). Jamaica, Sweden and Switzerland won three medals; 31 countries won medals in all.

The American performance was further underlined by the team scoring to eight places (8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1), where the U.S. rang up 177 points to 76 for Ethiopia, 40 for Jamaica, and 36 for Spain and the Netherlands.

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ATHLETICS: Jacobs edges Coleman in World Indoor 60 m; Crouser upset by Romani in men’s shot; Morris beats Nageotte for U.S. vault 1-2

By
Rich Perelman
-
Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine celebrates after winning the Women's High Jump on day two of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 2022 (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images for World Athletics)

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The second day of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade (SRB) produced more fireworks, more history and an inspirational win for Ukraine, with:

● Men/60 m: 6.41, Lamont Marcell Jacobs (ITA) and Christian Coleman (USA)
● Men/Shot Put: 22.53 m (73-11), Darlan Romani (BRA)
● Men/Heptathlon: 6,489, Damian Warner (CAN)
● Women/High Jump: 2.02 m (6-7 1/2), Yaroslava Manuchikh (UKR)

That’s a total of nine world-leading performances for 2022, with a full day remaining! Here’s what happened on Saturday:

● Men/60 m: The semifinal winners were American Marvin Bracy (6.51), Italy’s Olympic  100 m titlist Lamont Marcell Jacobs (6.45, equaled the world lead) and defending champ Christian Coleman of the U.S. (6.51). Bracy ran a personal best 6.46 in the heats.

Coleman got out best in the final and looked strong past 50 m, but Jacobs and Bracy were coming hard at the finish. It was too close to call at the line and it took what seemed like forever for the top two to be determined.

It was Jacobs, timed in 6.41, the same as Coleman, who was called the winner, with Bracy third in 6.44. The timer saw Jacobs at 6.407, with 6.410 for Coleman; Jacobs moves to equal-fourth-best all-time, both with the no. 8 performance in history.

● Men/400 m: Trinidad & Tobago’s Jareem Richards, better known as a 200 m Worlds bronze medalist from 2017, started on the outside in the final and ran hard from the start to take the lead at the break. But he was stalked by American Trevor Bassitt of Ashland University, who charged off the final turn, but could not catch Richards, 45.00-45.05, nos. 2-4 on the indoor year list. Sweden’s Carl Bengstrom got third at 45.33. American Marqueze Washington was sixth (46.85).

● Men/800 m: The final saw Canada’s Marco Arop take the lead and try to run away from everyone, crossing 400 m in 50.34 (!). But on the final lap, Sweden’s Andreas Kramer was the first to challenge, joined by world leader Mariano Garcia (ESP) and Kenyan Noah Kibet.

Garcia pushed hard around the turn and came into the straight with the lead, followed by Kibet with Arop dropping back. A tight chase pack broke up as Bryce Hoppel of the U.S. emerged on the straight to get third, 1:46.20-1:46.35-1:46.51. Fellow American Isaiah Harris faded to seventh (1:47.00) with Arop finishing eighth (1:47.58).

● Men/Shot: Expected to be a showdown between Olympic champ Ryan Crouser (USA) and New Zealand’s two-time indoor Worlds winner Tom Walsh and after Walsh opened in the lead at 22.29 m (73-1 3/4) in the first round, Crouser did better and took over at 22.44 m (73-7 1/2).

In the third round, Brazil’s Darlan Romani – the Olympic fourth-placer – exploded with an indoor best at 22.53 m (73-11) and took the lead with the best throw of 2022! Crouser responded with a fourth-round 22.32 m (73-2 3/4), but stayed in second.

In the final round, Walsh got out to 22.31 m (73-2 1/2), an improvement, but still in third place. Crouser finished with a 21.93 m (71-11 1/2) and had to settle for silver, after 26 straight wins. Romani claimed the upset and the world title after being fourth at the 2018 World Indoors, 2019 World Championships and in Tokyo last summer. Wow.

American Josh Owotunde stood fifth at 21.70 m (71-2 1/2) going into the final round and got a giant throw that was called foul.

● Men/Heptathlon: The event was dominated by Olympic decathlon champion Damien Warner of Canada, who took the lead in the 60 m and continued to the no. 5 performance of all time at 6,489, easily the best in 2022. Only American icon Ashton Eaton has scored more, four times. Simon Ehammer (SUI) got the silver at 6,363, now no. 14 all-time. The bronze went to Australia’s Ashley Moloney (6,344). Steven Bastien of the U.S. was sixth (6,074). American Garrett Scantling was fourth after the first day, but could not go on Saturday due to food poisoning.

● Women/400 m: Could anyone beat Olympic champ Shaunae Miller-Uibo in the women’s 400 m? No. Miller-Uibo, starting on the far outside, took the lead from the start and no one could mount a serious challenge. Only Dutch star Femke Bol – the 400 m hurdles bronze winner in Tokyo – got close, finishing a clear second, 50.31-50.57. Miller-Uibo winning time was the second-best on the season, 0.01 from Bol’s 50.30. The bronze went to Jamaican Stephenie Ann McPherson (50.79).

● Women/1,500 m: World leader Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia left no doubt about being the class of the field, running away from the start, passing 800 m in 2:06.17 and winning in 3:57.19 at the head of an Ethiopian sweep: the first ever in a World Indoors. She finished her last 400 m in 62.89.

She was followed by Axumawalt Embaye (4:02.29) and Hirut Meshesha (4:03.39); Uganda’s Winnie Nanyondo passed American Josette Norris for fourth with about 100 m left and they finished in 4:04.60 and 4:04.71. American Heather MacLean was seventh in 4:06.38.

● Women/60 m hurdles: Devynne Charlton (BAH) led the qualifying at 7.81, but the final was going to be close. Charlton and France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela were stride for stride for most of the race, but Samba-Mayela took the lead over the final hurdle and held on for the run-in, winning in 7.78, a national indoor record.

Charlton was second in 7.81, equaling her national mark, and American Gabbi Cunningham was steady over the final half of the race to get third in 7.87.

● Women/ High Jump: This was held in the morning session, with a heartwarming victory for Ukraine’s Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Yaroslava Manuchikh in a world-leading 2.02 m (6-7 1/2) on her first attempt. That was enough to shake former world leader Eleanor Patterson of Australia, who cleared a season-best (and national indoor record) 2.00 m (6-6 3/4) on her second try. Patterson missed once, then moved to 2.04 m (6-8 1/4) but missed twice. Nadezhda Dubovitskaya (KAZ) won the bronze at 1.98 m (6-6). American Rachel McCoy was 12th (1.84 m/6-0 1/2).

● Women/Pole Vault: The critical height was 4.70 m (15-5), cleared immediately by 2018 World Indoor Champion Sandi Morris of the U.S. and Tokyo gold medalist Katie Nageotte. It took former Arkansas star Tina Sutej (SLO) three times to make it, but she joined the Americans at 4.75 m (15-7), with the medals decided. All cleared 4.75 m on their first tries and the bar moved to 4.80 m (15-9).

All three missed twice, but then Morris cleared on her third try to take the lead. Sutej wasn’t close and had to settle for bronze. Nageotte had the height, but hit he bar on the way down, giving her the silver, and Morris a repeat world indoor championship. She tried 4.90 m (15-0 3/4), but missed all three times.

Through two of three days, the U.S. leads the medal table with an astonishing 15 (1-7-7) to five for Ethiopia (2-1-2); no other country has more than two. In the eight-places-score placing table, the U.S. leads Ethiopia, 133-39, with Switzerland third at 24. The meet concludes tomorrow.

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PANORAMA: Kambundji steals the show from Brisco in women’s Worlds 60 m as U.S. takes seven medals; transgender Thomas wins NCAA women’s 500-yard Free swim

By
Rich Perelman
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Who saw this coming? World 60 m champ Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland!?! (Photo: Erik van Leeuwen via Wikipedia)

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● Plus: Russia: Putin slams restrictions on athletes; Lithuanian gold medalist gives medal to support Ukraine = Berlin 1936: More on the “Olympic oaks” = Los Angeles 2028: UCLA expanding housing, will easily accommodate ‘28 Village = Mediterranean Games: Oran on track after earlier worries = Athletics: Diamond League bans Russians and Belarusians = Football: Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Russian stay request vs. FIFA = Ice Hockey: Russia and Belarus replaced for men’s 2022 Worlds ●

Key status updates on the urgent stories in Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

A tremendous World Athletics Indoor Championships opened Friday in Belgrade (SRB), with world-leading marks in five events:

● Men/Long Jump: 8.55 m (28-0 3/4), Miltiadis Tentoglu (GRE)
● Men/Triple Jump: 18.74 m (57-10 1/2), Lazaro Martinez (CUB)
● Women/60 m: 6.96, Mujinga Kambundji (SUI)
● Women/Shot: 20.43 m (67-0 1/2), Auriol Dongmo (POR)
● Women/Pent.: 4,929, Noor Vidts (BEL)

The first medal event was the men’s triple jump, immediately grabbed by Cuba’s Lazaro Martinez, who zoomed to a world-leading 17.64 m (57-10 1/2) in the first round and never looked back. Martinez jumped second in the order and survived only a modest challenge from former Cuban (now Portuguese) Pedro Pablo Pichardo, the Tokyo Olympic champ, who got out to 17.42 m (57-2) in the first round and 17.46 m (57-3 1/2), but could go no further. Americans Donald Scott (17.21 m/56-5 3/4) and Will Claye (17.19 m (56-4 3/4) went 3-4.

The men’s long jump was a showcase for Greece’s Olympic champ Miltiadis Tentoglu. He exploded to 8.55 m (28-0 3/4) in the second round, making him no. 6 on the all-time indoor list, with the equal-eighth-best jump ever! And he showed this wasn’t a fluke, jumping 8.51 m (27-11) – equal-12th all-time – to finish the event!

Behind him were Americans Marquis Dendy and Jarrion Lawson for most of the event. Dendy reached 8.27 m (27-1 3/4) in the third round and Lawson got out to 8.19 m (26-10 1/2), also in the third. But Sweden’s Thobias Montler got his best-ever jump – indoors or out – in the final round at 8.38 m (27-6) to give Dendy the bronze and leave Lawson fourth.

One of the most anticipated events was the women’s 60 m, with Poland’s Ewa Swoboda leading the world at 6.99, the first sub-7.00 since 2018. But the heats showed American Mikiah Brisco the fastest with a lifetime best of 7.03, matched by Swoboda in the first semifinal. Then Brisco won the second semi in 7.03 again, with Jamaican Briana Williams winning the third semi in 7.08.

In the final, however, it was Swiss star Mujinga Kambundji who had the best reaction time and the best race, stunning the field from lane eight in a world-leading 6.96, making her the equal-fourth-fastest in history, with the fastest time since 1999!

Brisco led for much of the race, but was passed in the final 5 m and ended second at 6.99, a lifetime best and the 11th woman (and third American) to run under seven seconds. Marybeth Sant-Price, who emerged as a force during this indoor season, got the bronze with a lifetime best of 7.04, just edging Swoboda by 0.002.

Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum came into the Worlds with the best mark in the world for 2022, winning in Lievin (FRA) in February in 8:23.23, ahead of teammate Ejgayehu Taye (8:26.77). The unheralded member of the team was 20-year-old Lemlem Hailu, who reached the Tokyo Olympic 1,500 m semis.

But Hailu stayed near the front and took command from Taye with 600 m left and stayed there. She won in a season’s best of 8:41.82, just ahead of hard-charging Ellie Purrier St. Pierre of the U.S. (8:42.04), who won her first international medal, moving up from fifth on the final lap. Taye got third (8:42.23), with Seyaum fifth and American Alicia Monson seventh (8:46.39).

The women’s shot was expected to be a coronation for Portugal’s world leader, Auriol Dongmo and it was, big-time. She exploded to a personal all-time best of 20.43 m (67-0 1/2) in the fifth round to win her first world title and with the biggest indoor throw since 2013!

American Chase Ealey was second with her fifth-round try of 20.21 m (66-3 3/4), tying the American Indoor Record of Rio Olympic winner Michelle Carter from 2016. Maggie Ewen of the U.S. finished fifth at 19.15 m (62-10).

The women’s pentathlon was won by Belgium’s Noor Vidts with a national record 4,929, ahead of Adrianna Sulek (POL: 4,851) and American Kendell Williams (4,680). It’s a world-leading performance for Vidts, who moves to no. 6 on the all-time list with a national record!

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Russia ● President Vladimir Putin opened the “replacement Paralympics” for 70 athletes from Russia and Belarus on Friday, slamming the restrictions on his country’s athletes during a video-link piped into the event in Khanty-Mansiisk:

“Unfortunately, the majority of international sports tournaments were marred recently by developments, which had nothing to do with the world of sports, its spirit and its will.

“We have witnessed more than once dubious and biased decisions of referees, and we [Russia] were subjected to slander, hostile actions and clear provocations. We witnessed how previously sacred initiatives of Pierre de Coubertin went blurred.

“What we are witnessing now is the equality taking a shape of a perverted tolerance and justice assuming double standards, while the fight for the clean sports turns into the politically-orchestrated dictatorship in the sphere of the anti-doping bureaucracy.”

On the opposite end, International Olympic Committee member Daina Gudzineviciute – the head of the National Olympic Committee of Lithuania – donated her gold medal from the 2000 Olympic Trap event to “StrongTogether,” a non-governmental organization helping Ukrainian people affected by the war.

● Games of the XI Olympiad: Berlin 1936 ● Lots of response to yesterday’s post on the 1936 “Olympic oak” saplings given to the gold medalists at the Berlin Games:

● Reader Bruce MacNeill shared a 2018 report on the tree given to New Zealand’s men’s 1,500 m champion Jack Lovelock. That tree stands at Timaru Boys’ High School, where Lovelock attended from 1924-28. The story noted:

“The tree became sickly during its boat trip to New Zealand and was planted at the Christchurch Botanical Gardens until 1941, when it was healthy enough to be transported to the school.”

Another story, from 2017, added that Lovelock was presented with the seedling “by Dr Theodor Lewald, the chairman of the Reich’s Olympic Committee (ironically, of Jewish descent).”

Lovelock was also given a crystal chalice, onto which was etched the Imperial Eagle and swastika symbol of the Third Reich:

“Lovelock left the trophy in the care of a 14-year-old boy working at the Olympic village, saying it was too cumbersome to carry on the long sea voyage to New Zealand. The boy kept the chalice throughout World War II, but after Lovelock died in 1949, it was sold in auction to a private collector. The crystal trophy came up for auction again in 2005 and was bought on New Zealand’s behalf by Coca Cola.”

● McNeill also found a lengthy report on the sapling given to U.S. 800 m gold medalist John Woodruff, who planted his tree at his high school in Connelsville, Pennsylvania.

● Dr. T.J. Rosandich, President of the U.S. Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama, wrote in to add:

“John Woodruff sprouted an acorn from his tree a couple of decades ago and donated it to the Academy. We planted it on the campus where it has thrived. Evidently, Black Forest Oaks like the southern climate.”

Amazing, truly amazing.

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Los Angeles 2028 ● The core of the Los Angeles bid for the 2024 and then 2028 Games was the use of existing facilities, with the LA28 organizers not needing to build even a single new venue.

This was underlined in a Los Angeles Times story this week that UCLA will become the first University of California campus to guarantee on-campus housing availability for four years for incoming freshman students and for two years for transfer students.

Two new housing complexes with a total of 3,446 new beds will open this fall:

“With the opening of UCLA’s two new residences, Gayley Heights and Southwest Campus Apartments — and two dorms, Olympic and Centennial, that opened last fall — the university expects to house 13,620 undergraduates on campus in fall 2022 in 17 residential buildings. Another 9,300 graduate and undergraduate students live in off-campus but university-owned apartments purchased or developed over the years.”

With some of the student amenities removed to allow for use as the Olympic Village in 2028, capacity will expand beyond 15,000, all already existing and fully integrated into the university’s operations well prior to the Games.

Another bonus for 2028 Olympians: UCLA’s on-campus dining service was named “Best College Food in America” for 2022 by niche.com, its fifth win in the eight years of the survey.

● XIX Mediterranean Games: Oran 2022 ● Good news from Algeria, where the organization of the event had been under severe criticism at the end of 2021, but with a positive report this week from the Executive Committee of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games.

ICMG President Davide Tizzano (ITA) said, “I am really happy with the progress of the preparations for the next Mediterranean Games. I am even more happy after the conclusions of the work meetings that we had with the local Organizing Committee. … [and] that we are on the right track to make a very good edition of the Mediterranean Games.”

The report added: “It was noted that the pace has decidedly accelerated, especially in the completion of work on the sports facilities and in the Mediterranean Village, which is ready to welcome its approximately 5,000 residents during the Games.”

The Games will be held from 25 June-6 July.

● Athletics ● A brief statement posted Friday noted:

“At the Diamond League General Assembly held in Belgrade today, the Wanda Diamond League meetings accepted the recommendation of the Board that Authorised Neutral Athletes (ANA) and Belarus athletes be excluded from all Diamond League meetings for the foreseeable future.”

The “ANA” athletes are from Russia and so the Diamond League – which is sponsored by China’s Wanda Group and includes two meets in China – has now banned Russian and Belarusian athletes, in line with the World Athletics position.

The first Diamond League meet is slated for 13 May in Doha (QAT).

● Football ● The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s appeals division rejected the request of the Football Union of Russia for a stay of the FIFA Council decision to suspend all Russian teams from competitions until further notice.

This means that the suspension will stay in place throughout the requested arbitration of the FIFA ban, which may be awhile:

“The CAS arbitration proceedings continue. A Panel of arbitrators is currently being constituted and the parties are exchanging written submissions. No hearing has been fixed yet.”

● Gymnastics ● A positive note from the USA Gymnastics case continuing at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana, where Judge James W. Carr, called back in to help mediate an undisclosed issue, reports that the issue has been settled.

A hearing on Monday indicated that the “effective date” of the settlement plan will soon be filed with the District Court, allowing the insurers’ payments to go forward.

● Ice Hockey ● The International Ice Hockey Federation Council decided to replace Russia and Belarus in the 2022 men’s World Championships with France and Austria, the next-highest-ranked teams.

The women’s Worlds will have Sweden replacing Russia. And:

“With respect to the Russian and Belarusian national teams, at the point when it is safe for the teams to return to the IIHF Competitions, Council will decide how the teams will reincorporated into the IIHF Championship Program.”

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Swimming ● Penn’s transgender swimmer Lia Thomas stormed to the women’s 500-yard Freestyle title at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta, amid protesters outside the McAuley Aquatic Center at Georgia Tech on both sides of the issue.

Thomas finished in 4:33.24, way ahead of Virginia’s Emma Weyant (4:34.99), Erica Sullivan of Texas (4:35.92) and Brooke Forde of Stanford (4:36.18). Weyant was the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist in the 400 m Medley, Sullivan was the Olympic silver medalist in the 1,500 m Free and Forde won a Tokyo silver on the U.S. 4×200 m Free relay team. Thomas dusted all of them, easily.

Swimming World wrote:

“Most times, a national championship should be celebrated, the athlete commended for her hard work, dedication, and discipline.

“Not this time.

“No, this title-winning effort in the 500-yard freestyle should be met with nothing less than a head shake, an eye roll or a shrug of the shoulders. Why? Because Lia Thomas’ victory is an insult to the biological women who raced against her. Against those who fought for Title IX and equal opportunities for female athletes. Against science, and the unmistakable physiological differences between the male and female sexes. …

“Because the NCAA only required one year of hormone-suppressant therapy for a transgender female to compete in women’s sports, Thomas was eligible to race for the Quakers. And, to be clear, Thomas has followed all rules. The problem is that the NCAA’s guidelines were based on outdated science and didn’t account for the advantages of Thomas undergoing male puberty and significant testosterone production. A 6-3 frame. Greater natural strength. Larger hands and feet. Enhanced lung capacity. None of these edges, for the record, can be fully mitigated.”

Thomas will also contest the 200-yard Free – and will be favored to win – and the 100-yard Free.

The USA Swimming guidelines for transgender participation are far more stringent than the NCAA regulations, so Thomas is not a candidate for the American team at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest this summer. But this weekend’s NCAA meet will be another touchpoint in the continuing debate over fairness in the transgender debate.

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THE TICKER: She did it! Shriffin clinches Alpine World Cup; Griner still detained in Russia; two Berlin 1936 Olympic oaks still alive in L.A.

By
Rich Perelman
-
Another Crystal Globe for American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin (Photo: FIS)

(★ THANK YOU to our 44 donors, who have covered 76% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. Enjoying the coverage? Please donate here. ★)

● Plus: Russia: Biathlon suspending Russian & Belarusian federations = Paris 2024: Mayor says Russia may not be welcome = Winter Games 2030: Good but not great support in Sapporo poll = Paralympics: NBC releases modest viewing stats = Athletics: Singapore for 2025 Worlds? Philippine federation suspended over Obiena = Figure Skating: Chen withdraws from ISU Worlds; Liu’s father targeted by China ●

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

In a season marked by an epic failure at the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, American star Mikaela Shiffrin clinched the seasonal FIS Alpine World Cup title with a second-place finish in the Super-G in Courchevel, France.

She came into the four-race World Cup Final this week just barely ahead of the 2021 World Cup champ, Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova,1,245-1,189. But Shiffrin surprised everyone, including herself, with a win in Wednesday’s Downhill and then won her fourth medal of the season (0-2-2) in Thursday’s Super-G.

Shiffrin started 11th in the order, with everyone chasing Norway’s Ragnhild Mowinckel, who 1:13.68 mark was holding up beautifully from the no. 3 spot.

Just as she did in the Downhill on Wednesday, Shiffrin skied well on the top of the course, but picked up speed on the bottom, especially near the finish and timed 1:13.73 to miss the lead by 0.06, but ending up ahead of everyone else. Swiss Michelle Gisin was third in 1:31.81.

The 80 points for second place, combined with Vlhova’s 17th-place finish that earned no points, gave Shiffrin an unassailable 1,425-1,189 lead with only the Slalom and Giant Slalom to go. From the low of the Olympics – where she finished only three of six races – to her fourth World Cup overall title inside of a month is amazing.

“It’s hard to compare them all,” she said afterwards of her fourth career World Cup crowns. “They’re all special, but this season has been one of the most confusing seasons I’ve ever had. I felt motivation, I felt triumph…but I also had some tough moments…this COVID time and different things that were difficult to deal with. That carried through the Olympics, and carried right until now.”

Italy’s Federica Brignone won the seasonal Super-G title with 506 points to 390 for teammate Elena Curtoni and 380 for Shiffrin.

The men’s Super-G saw Austria’s 2021 World Downhill and Super-G Champion Vincent Kriechmayr win for the second consecutive day. He won the Downhill on Wednesday and his 1:09.43 run was 0.53 ahead of Swiss Marco Odermatt (1:09.96) – second for the second consecutive day – and teammate Gino Caviezel (1:10.18).

American Ryan Cochran-Siegle was seventh (1:10.79).

In another repeat, Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who won the Downhill seasonal title on Wednesday, won the seasonal Super-G title on Thursday with 530 points to 402 for Odermatt. The Swiss star clinched the overall World Cup title on Wednesday, with Kilde to finish second.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Russia ● American basketball star Britney Griner will continue to be jailed in Russia over possession of a vape pen containing hashish oil, according to a BBC report of a Moscow court hearing:

“The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the US citizen Griner until May 19.”

She was detained at the airport in late February on her arrival in the country to play for her club team in Ekaterinburg. The BBC story also included:

“Ekaterina Kalugina, a member of Public Monitoring Commission, a semi-official body with access to Russian prisons, told Russian news agency TASS Ms Griner was sharing a cell with two other women with no previous convictions.

“She said Ms Griner’s ‘only issue’ was that the prison beds were too short for her tall frame.”

The International Biathlon Union is going a step further than many federations and announced Thursday that it has begun procedures to suspend the national federations of Russia and Belarus over the invasion of Ukraine:

“The IBU [Executive Board] agreed on additional steps on the basis that the Russian and Belarusian National Federations as representatives of their nations failed to uphold their humanitarian obligations in the spirit of the IBU Constitution. The suspension would be reviewed regularly by the EB, run through to the next Ordinary Congress in September 2022 and depend on the future development of the situation and behaviour of the suspended associations. Both National Federations were informed about the decision yesterday and have seven days to react. After this period, the EB will consider the answers and take a final decision on the suspension.”

In addition, the national federations in Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland will “host training camps for Ukrainian athletes and teams of all categories as soon as it is possible for them to travel outside of their country.” The IBU will contribute €250,000 (~$278,000) to the effort.

● Games of the XI Olympiad: Berlin 1936 ● The recent community concern over the possible loss of the “Olympic oak tree” planted by 1936 Olympic high jump gold medalist Cornelius Johnson in Los Angeles led to more questions about the other “Olympic oaks.”

The oak saplings were given to each of the gold-medal winners in the 129 events at the Berlin Games as a gift. There were 24 given to U.S. athletes who won golds, including four to Jesse Owens and one to Johnson.

Various sources report that three of the saplings did not make it back to the U.S. and the fate of most of the rest of the 21 is unknown. There are six still known to be standing, according to Fountainhead Associates founder and University of Southern California grad Jerry Papazian, a Board member of the Los Angeles Sports Council.

Owens planted a tree at his high school in Cleveland, Ohio, another at his mother’s home and one at Ohio State; the two school trees are still there. High hurdles winner Spec Towns planted his at the University of Georgia, where is stands today, and the oak given to 800 m winner John Woodruff is at his high school in Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

Three of the oaks came to Los Angeles. USC star Ken Carpenter received one for winning the discus in Berlin, along with one given by Owens to USC sprinter Foy Draper, in honor of him and teammate Frank Wykoff, who ran the third and anchor legs on the world-record-setting 4×100 m relay. Papazian notes:

“The two trees that came to USC were planted in Associates Park, between the Bovard Administration Building and the Physical Education Building on the university campus. They remained practically unknown to the campus for many years, until one of them died in 2004 from root rot. A mature replacement oak has been planted and a new plaque, with the names of the four members of the relay team, is now at its base.”

Of the Draper tree, Papazian added, “They did do everything they could at the time to save it, but it was gone. They replaced the tree with the exact same type of tree and we ‘re-dedicated’ it in 2005 with some former Olympians in attendance.”

Carpenter’s tree is still standing in good health today, celebrated by a plaque at its base.

Which leaves Johnson’s tree, planted at the family home at 1516 S. Hobart Avenue in Los Angeles. The Johnson family owned the home through 1994, but it was sold again in 2019 and the future of the Olympic oak is uncertain; the West Adams Heritage Association is working to ensure its preservation.

What makes Johnson’s tree especially significant is that he was athlete snubbed by German dictator Adolf Hitler, not Owens.

Johnson competed in the high jump on Sunday, 2 August 1936, the first day of athletics at the newly-completed Olympiastadion, with 100,000 – including Hitler – in attendance. Germany’s Hans Woelke won the shot put, Finland’s Ilmari Salminen won the 10,000 m and German Tilly Fleischer won the women’s javelin. Hitler greeted them all after their victories.

The men’s high jump was the last event to finish, with Johnson clearing 2.03 m (6-8) to win over fellow Americans Dave Albritton (2.00 m/6-6 3/4) and Delos Thurber (also 2.00 m). Per the Olympedia.com historical site:

“Johnson was snubbed by Adolf Hitler, who had congratulated all the other winners on that day, but refused to shake the hand of a black man. He was then told by the IOC to congratulate all the winners or none of them, and chose none. This led to the rumors that he refused to acknowledge the victories of Jesse Owens but in reality, Johnson was the black American he had insulted.”

Owens won the 100 m the next day, 3 August.

It was noted, however, by historian David Wallechinsky in his The Complete Book of the Olympics series that Hitler did meet privately with American teen sprinter Helen Stephens after her dominating win in the women’s 100 m on 5 August and no doubt with others in less public circumstances.

For more about the efforts to save the Johnson tree, please contact Rina Rubenstein of the West Adams Heritage Association. You can visit the Carpenter oak and the replacement for the Draper oak on the USC campus any time; it’s in the middle of the campus, appropriately close to the current USC track & field facility, Cromwell Field.

● Games of the XXXIII Olympiad: Paris 2024 ● While the International Olympic Committee has the final say on who can compete in the Olympic Games, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, also the Socialist candidate for President in April, told Reuters on Wednesday:

“For me the Olympic Games are also a part of this world of geopolitics. What is happening today does not effectively put Russia in this grouping of peaceful countries.

“I am very pragmatic and we will make a decision when the moment comes. That’s it.”

The IOC has stressed its political neutrality, with President Thomas Bach (GER) stating that Russian athletes are not to blame for the actions of their government, but that to be fair to Ukrainian athletes who cannot compete due to the Russian invasion, Russia’s athletes (and those of co-conspirator Belarus) must be banned from international competition. However, the Russian Olympic Committee has not been suspended and both of the Russian members of the IOC continue in their roles.

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games 2030 ● Sapporo officials released polling that shows good – but not great – support for the 2030 Winter Games to be held there.

A total of 13,875 people were surveyed across the Hokkaido Prefecture over two weeks using three methods:

● Mail: 52% were “in favor” or “somewhat in favor” with 39% “opposed” or “somewhat opposed” to holding the Games there; 9% were neutral or had no opinion.

● Online: 57% were positive, with 26% negative and 17% neither.

● Street: 65% were positive, with 26% negative and 9% neither.

More data is promised in April, but the sentiment in Sapporo is well behind that of its chief rival.

A 2019 poll in Salt Lake City – prior to the pandemic – showed a sensational 87% in favor of having another Winter Games there, vs. 11% opposed and two percent undecided. Both cities have detailed bids that could be tapped by the IOC for selection at any time.

● XIII Winter Paralympic Games: Beijing 2022 ● NBC released some viewership stats for its Beijing Paralympics coverage, with a total audience across the NBC and USA Network shows of 11.9 million.

NBC stated that’s up 107% over the total audience for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics. The 11.9 million figure compares to a total audience for the Olympic WinterGames of 160 million Americans. The television-only figures for the NBC and USA Network shows “averaged 165,000 TV-only viewers across NBC and USA Network, up 62% vs. PyeongChang 2018 (102,000 viewers on NBC/NBCSN).”

The six hours of NBC broadcasts – three in primetime – averaged 919,000 viewers, 22% more than the average of the two NBC afternoon broadcasts in 2018. The top U.S. markets for the NBC primetime shows were New Orleans, Louisiana; Ft. Myers, Florida and Memphis, Tennessee.

● Anti-Doping ● Had to happen, only a matter of time.

The Qatar anti-doping laboratory in Doha, working with the Swiss company RigiTech, completed four days of test flights using drones to carry doping samples over distances of up to 20 km by air.

“A primary aim of the study was to establish whether the integrity of the samples used during the four trial days is not impacted by drone flight transport. At the ADLQ laboratory, the samples were rigorously tested in accordance to the laboratory standards of the World Anti-Doping Code to assess whether any of the biological parameters of the samples were affected during the flight using the same analysis that is usually used for actual doping control samples.”

No report on the results yet.

● Athletics ● Sport Singapore announced a bid for the 2025 World Athletics Championships as a part of the celebration of its 60th year as an independent state.

Although tiny, with a population of just 5.4 million, Singapore is not a stranger to larger events, having hosted the first Youth Olympic Games in 2010. It became independent from Malaysia in 1965.

The 2022 World Athletics Championships will be in the U.S., followed by Budapest in 2023. Following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the 2025 Worlds have long been whispered to be going to Nairobi, Kenya, but there is also a strong – and sympathetic – bid from Tokyo, the site of the “2020″ Olympic Games and a great Worlds in 1991 in the former National Stadium.

The site selection may be made as early as this summer.

The shenanigans of the Philippine track & field federation (PATAFA), in particular its oppressive actions against star pole vaulter E.J. Obiena, has earned it a 90-day suspension from the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The POC President, Abraham Tolentino, noted “Our constitution states that POC may suspend for any reason. However, it’s transparent that PATAFA has deliberately and intentionally disregarded our basic principles of promoting sports and development.”

If the suspension is ratified on 30 March by the POC General Assembly, PATAFA will no longer control the national team and Obiena could be cleared to compete in the Southeast Asian Games, the World Athletics Championships and other events. He was prohibited from competing in this week’s World Athletics Indoor Championships in Serbia, to which the Philippines sent no competitors.

Tolentino said that if Obiena’s issues were ironed out, the suspension would be removed.

● Figure Skating ● Olympic men’s gold medalist Nathan Chen of the U.S. withdrew from the ISU World Championships later this month with injury issues:

“I am disappointed to have to withdraw from Worlds. I have been training for this competition since returning from Beijing. I have a nagging injury that I’ve been dealing with, and I don’t want to risk further injury by practicing and competing next week.”

Chen is a three-time World Champion from 2018-19-21. Camden Pulkinen will replace Chen in the U.S. line-up and make his Worlds debut.

Arthur Liu, the father of U.S. Olympian Alysa Liu, came to the U.S. as a political refugee from China after protesting the Chinese government’s 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, and saw his daughter Alysa become a two-time U.S. women’s champion. But the Chinese government did not forget about him.

The U.S. Justice Department filed charges on Wednesday against “five defendants with various crimes related to efforts by the secret police of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to stalk, harass and spy on Chinese nationals residing in Queens, New York, and elsewhere in the United States.”

Arthur Liu told the Associated Press that he had been approached for personal information, including passport numbers for he and his daughter. Alysa, 16, competed in Beijing, finishing seventh, while constantly escorted by security personnel. Said the father:

“They are probably just trying to intimidate us, to … in a way threaten us not to say anything, to cause trouble to them and say anything political or related to human rights violations in China. I had concerns about her safety. The U.S. government did a good job protecting her.”

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THE BIG PICTURE: Sensational Shiffrin wins World Cup Final Downhill; is one Alpine medal in Beijing a sign of disaster for U.S. Ski & Snowboard?

By
Rich Perelman
-
American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin (USA)

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● Plus: Athletics: What if the NCAA Indoor was scored by states and countries? = Fencing: Allegations of abuse at Penn State = Swimming: Russian anti-doping agency suspends Rutgers swimmer; NCAA women’s champs this week = Triathlon: World Tri board member suspended for safeguarding violations ●

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

Mention American skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin, and many people will only remember her horrific Beijing Winter Games experience, where she failed to win a medal and didn’t finish in three of her six events.

But she may yet be the best women’s skier of the 2021-22 season.

She entered the four-event World Cup Final in Meribel (FRA) leading the seasonal standings – barely – by 1,245 to 1,189 over Slovakian rival Petra Vlhova, the reigning World Cup winner.

Both are best in the Slalom and Giant Slalom, but Shiffrin has shown considerable range in the speed events as well. On Wednesday, she did it again.

Starting 21st out of 27, Shiffrin had not won a Downhill medal this season, but had two wins in the event, from 2017 and 2020. She started well, but gained a lot of speed on the bottom part of the course and came in at 1:27:00, a stunning victory over surprise co-leaders Christine Scheyer (AUT) and Swiss Joana Haehlen, who tied at 1:27.10.

For Scheyer, it was her first World Cup medal since 2017 (!) and only her second ever. Haehlen won only her third career World Cup medal and first in two years.

Vlhova finished 16th, meaning she scored no points in the event, while Shiffrin took 100 for the win and now has a 1,345-1,189 lead over Vlhova with the Super-G, Slalom and Giant Slalom remaining. Shiffrin is better at the Super-G than Vlhova, with three medals this season (0-1-2) to none and both are terrific in the technical events.

Imagine a rebound from Olympic disaster to World Cup champion; if Shiffrin is able to do it, it would be her fourth World Cup overall title and the first since her father died unexpectedly in February 2020. Said the winner:

“I feel like I’m supposed to not be winning downhills, so it worked out amazing today.”

The race completed the World Cup Downhill season, with Italy’s Sofia Goggia winning the seasonal title with 504 points to 407 for Swiss Corinne Suter. Czech Ester Ledecka was third (339).

In the men’s Downhill in Courchevel, Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr won his second World Cup race of the year, ahead of Swiss star Marco Odermatt, 1:50.43-1:50.77, with fellow Swiss Beat Feuz third (1:50.97). American Ryan Cochran-Siegle was eighth (1:52.06).

The win sewed up the seasonal World Cup title for Odermatt, his first, to go along with his Olympic Giant Slalom gold. He’s already the seasonal Giant Slalom champion as well.

Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was fourth and won the seasonal Downhill title with 620 points, to 607 for Feuz. The racing continues through Sunday.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Alpine Skiing ● Further to Shiffrin and the whole U.S. Ski Team, a fascinating discussion is taking place within the U.S. skiing community in the aftermath of the one-medal performance in Beijing, the worst U.S. showing since 1988.

It started with a post from SkiRacing.com Editor-in-Chief Geoff Mintz titled “Yes, we need to talk about medals” on 24 February. Highlights:

● “Anyone who says the Olympics are not important to Alpine ski racing has never sat through a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Partner Summit in Park City, where in the air-conditioned dog days of summer the Olympic drumbeat resonates throughout the $22 million Center of Excellence, years in advance.”

● “Should we determine the strength of a national program based solely on Olympic results? Definitely not, but they do help sound the alarm when things aren’t quite right.

“The time and money — blood, sweat and tears — that go into running the national organization as well as countless club and academy programs across the country on a year-round basis is staggering. U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s budget for programs and admin in 2020 was nearly $45 million. It’s even more staggering when you begin to consider the time and money — blood, sweat and tears — needed to support independent development programs, academies, camps, equipment, travel, and so on and so forth.”

● “[W]e, as a nation, came up short in these Games. This isn’t ‘athlete bashing.’ The athletes are least to blame. And it wasn’t the media’s fault either, as some would suggest. The pressure came from within and would cripple any one of us. The team needs to be deeper. The team needs to be stronger. We need less pressure (and less hype) on a select few.”

A few days later, U.S. star Breezy Johnson, who was a medal contender in the speed events but could not compete in Beijing due to injury, replied, including:

● “[L]ook at where we are at now. This season alone we spread podiums again across 4 athletes, but [Ryan Cochran-Siegle] was fourth once and got a medal at the Games too so I say 5 podiums. We had an athlete place top ten in every discipline. You look back over the last 2 years? We have had 7 different athletes on the podium at least once. We didn’t even have that many different people podium in 2009 and 2010, we only had 6, including Andrew [Weibrecht]’s Olympic podium. You want to talk about depth? We finally have depth!”

● “The reality is this team was a knife’s edge away from 8 realistic medals, Mikaela could have gotten four, I could have gotten one, River [Radamus] could have gotten one, the Team [Event] could have gotten one, [Cochran-Siegle] did get one. That’s the same haul as Vancouver, our best games. But welcome to ski racing. We all took Mikaela for granted all this time and the reality is that almost every American great in the last 25 years had a down Olympics, Lindsey [Vonn], 2006, Ted [Ligety], 2010, and Bode [Miller] 2006. It happens. All of those athletes became fiercer and better, if not because of it, then after it.”

● “So give it a rest. You want to complain? Write a damn check because what we are doing is working even if you can’t see it yet. And the great people on the U.S. Ski Team have a lot of brilliant uses for your money.”

But changes have come, as the U.S. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt, in place since 2018, is stepping down and will be replaced.

And in a 7 March post from Aldo Radamus, whose son River is one of the bright young stars of the U.S. team:

“A deeper look reveals that this Olympics wasn’t the disaster that some make it out to be and that there were unexpected positives and continuing signs of progress.

“But make no mistake: A team with numerous superstars is needed to win the Olympic medal tally. While some are on track rising through the pipeline, the U.S. has only one. …

“Usually, when elite performance is at a high level, there is less attention given to what is provided for the rising juniors. When there is a need for rebuilding, the best developing athletes are brought together in centralized camps and named teams. Without fail, efforts that start as part-time programs evolve to become full-time teams as the athletes and coaches involved realize the need for consistency and focus. …

“Let’s all take a deep breath. In sport, as in life, the best planning doesn’t always result in the expected outcome. Let’s not waste time laying blame but work together to help our athletes and teams achieve what should be all our goal: For the United States Alpine Ski Team to be the best team in the world of Alpine ski racing.”

The discussion continues. It’s a good one to have, but nothing will be settled for four years.

● Athletics ● Andrew Sweeney, the assistant coach for distances at Lamar University, broke down the scoring at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships by home state or country rather than by school:

The men’s leaders included Texas (70.5), Florida (36.5), Jamaica (32.5), Arizona (30.25), Pennsylvania (27.00), California (25.25) and Nigeria (22.5).

The women’s leaders were Texas (57.5), Ohio (47.5), California (40.0), New York (34.75),
Pennsylvania (32.0), Michigan (29.25) and Illinois (26.75).

Pretty interesting. Can’t wait for outdoors!

● Fencing ● Another step on the long path of changes in the way coaching is done may be underway at Penn State, according to the influential FencingParents.com site.

A late January post was headlined “Is There a Monster at Penn State University Fencing?” and went on to detail the difficult experience of former Nittany Lion fencer Zara Moss. Excerpts:

● “Zara Moss and her mother Julie, shared with me the overwhelming trauma that Zara’s fencing coach at PSU had inflicted on her during her four years on the NCAA fencing team there. Zara’s fear of retaliation, and especially her fear of losing her full ride scholarship, stopped Zara from speaking out against this abusive coach sooner. She finally did so in March 2020, her final semester at PSU, but as you know from Zara’s [posted] video, she received no response whatsoever from the PSU compliance department.”

● “Throughout her four years at PSU, Zara was subjected to a systematic pattern of deliberately misogynistic and offensive language that was highly abusive and deeply traumatizing …

“Here are just a few examples:

  • He denied her access to her trusted high school coaches and told her she needed to spend less time with her family.
  • He threatened her scholarship on a regular basis.
  • He told her what she needed was a boyfriend.

“He told her lies about what other people were saying about her and berated her in front of her teammates. One day, he called her into his office and told her she should be embarrassed because she was a disappointment to him . . . to the fencing team . . . to the entire university . . . to her friends and . . . to her family.”

The site called for Penn State coach Wes Glon, with the program as an assistant since 1985 and head coach beginning in 2013, “must be thoroughly investigated by PSU, SafeSport and FenceSafe, and removed from his position of power and authority over fencers of any age, if he is found guilty as charged. Pending the outcome of these investigations, Wes Glon needs to be suspended as a coach and from membership of US Fencing.”

This would not be new for Glon, who was cleared in a U.S. Center for SafeSport arbitration hearing in November 2021 after being suspended for three years by SafeSport for “failure to report sexual misconduct allegations against assistant coach George Abashidze, abuse of process and retaliation.”

The FencingParents.com report noted “PSU is now paying attention to Zara’s complaints,” but called for continuing pressure on school officials.

● Swimming ● Russia may be at war in Ukraine, but the Russian Anti-Doping Agency has not taken any time off.

SwimSwam.com reported that Russian swimmer Elizaveta Ryndych has been suspended for two years by RUSADA, in violation of a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), with the suspension period beginning on 11 June 2021.

No further details were provided; Ryndych could have been taking a medication with prohibited ingredients and failed to get a TUE.

The site noted she is one of three Russian swimmers on the Rutgers team, where she recently completed her freshman season. The suspension would impact the swimmer’s international eligibility, but not for domestic competitions or for NCAA events (the NCAA is not a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code).

The NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships begin today in Atlanta, with a lot of attention to be focused on Penn transgender senior Lia Thomas.

Formerly a Penn male swimmer for three years, she transitioned to female, including taking hormone therapy to reduce her testosterone level to under 10 nmol/l, the NCAA’s standard. She has qualified for the 500-yard Freestyle (ranked no. 1 in the nation at 4:34.06), 200-yard Free (1:41.93: no. 1) and 100-yard Free (47.63: no. 10).

Look for plenty of coverage and commentary, starting here.

● Triathlon ● World Triathlon posted a statement of major penalties against four senior figures in the Korean Triathlon Federation:

“World Triathlon Executive Board member and Asia Triathlon President, Justin Sukwon Park, has been suspended for two years by the World Triathlon Tribunal for alleged violations of the World Triathlon Safeguarding Policy and the World Triathlon Code of Ethics. Mr Jae-Keun Lee, Korea Triathlon Federation Secretary General, Mr Woo-Kyong Ki, Business Operations Manager of the KTF, and Mr Yonghu Jeon, Deputy Secretary General of the KTF, have also been suspended for 18 months for violations of the World Triathlon Code of Ethics.

“The Tribunal ruled that Mr Park committed violations of both Codes over the handling of allegations made by South Korean triathlete Choi Suk-Hyeon, who committed suicide on 26 June 2020, after years of alleged physical and verbal abuse by her coach and teammates.”

It’s not good to have a member of an International Federation Executive Board suspended, but Park has been suspended from his role as of 8 February 2022. In specific:

“According to the Tribunal, considering the seriousness of the alleged harassment and abuse of Ms Choi, the KTF’s failure to inform World Triathlon of the matter until after Ms Choi’s death, and its failure to inform Lead Welfare Officers of World Triathlon of the allegations at all, and given Mr Park’s close relationship and contacts with World Triathlon, and his failure to ensure that the KTF complied with its reporting obligation, either through its officers or personally.”

There is no allegation that Park had anything to do with the actual abuse of Choi, but that he had a duty to report it and kept quiet. Maybe this will educate others on their responsibilities.

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: Russian bans “will set precedents”; modest U.S. Paralympics viewership; Madison Hubbell on the Olympic difference

By
Rich Perelman
-

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● Plus: Russians and Belarusians banned by FISU, Deaflympics = Winter Paralympics: Russian-Belarusian replacement event coming = Winter Games 2030: Problems for Pyrenees-Barcelona? = Athletics: Fukuoka Marathon to return; Obiena out of Indoor Worlds; sprint star Charlie Greene passes = Boxing: Anniversary of the 1980 plane crash that killed 22 = Weightlifting: U.S. offers Las Vegas for IWF Electoral Congress! ●

News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

“There’s not a single sports federation out there that naturally wants to exclude teams or individuals. That’s not something that we came into the sport for. But I think we have to recognize that this is such a game changer. And, yes, it will set precedents.”

That’s World Athletics President Sebastian Coe (GBR), speaking during an online news conference about the continuing bans – or at least restrictions – on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Associated Press further reported Coe’s comments, including:

“We absolutely accept that this will set precedents and those precedents will have to be faced individually and sequentially and they will be with us for years. We haven’t made this easy on ourselves but it is still the right decision.

“You cannot have aggressor nations, where you have so altered the landscape for the integrity of competition being untouched, while the actions of their governments have so influenced the integrity of sport elsewhere.”

A Saturday meeting of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Steering Committee “confirmed that Russian and Belarusian athletes, together with national university sports federation officials, will not participate in FISU competitions and activities until at least the end of 2022.”

FISU had previously removed all of its events from Russia and Belarus, but not athlete participation in events held elsewhere.

The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf took some time to decide what to do about Russia, but the ICSD Executive Board did finally decide to eliminate Russia and Belarus from its forthcoming competitions:

“[T]he ICSD Executive Board has decided that no deaf athletes or officials belonging to the ICSD full members in Russia and Belarus shall be, with immediate effect, invited or allowed to participate in international competitions in the ICSD calendar until further notice.

“The announced exclusion of the teams from Russia and Belarus brings considerable economic impacts to the organisation of the 2021 Caxias Summer Deaflympics. The Organizing Committee decided to cancel of Bowling program, due to the established technical requirements, requires a very high investment and from which nothing will be left with a legacy. Additionally, economic team of the 2021 Summer Deaflympics Organising Committee is working on reducing other lines of expenses that do not interfere with the quality and delivery of other sports and infrastructure.”

The 2022 Deaflympics is scheduled for 1-15 May in Caixas do Sul, Brazil.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the request by the Football Union of Russia for an immediate stay of the UEFA order to suspend its teams, most notably from the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying process.

This is not a decision on the merits, but only a rejection of the request for an immediate stay while the proceedings continue. A hearing on the merits of the case has not yet been set; UEFA gave Poland a bye in its match scheduled against Russia for 24 March. A further decision on the request for a stay may be issued by the end of the week.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XIII Winter Paralympic Games ● The U.S. television numbers are mostly in for the Paralympics, with modest interest on NBC and much less on USA Network (all times Eastern):

● NBC:
= 05 Feb.: 1.273 million (8 p.m. Saturday)
= 06 Feb.: 0.659 million (12 p.m. Sunday)
= 11 Feb.: 1.344 million (8 p.m. Friday)
= 12 Feb.: 0.702 million (12 p.m. Saturday)
= 12 Feb.: 1.183 million (8 p.m. Saturday)
= 13 Feb.: 0.616 million (12 p.m. Sunday)

The primetime on-TV average was 1.27 million per show, while the overall TV-only average audience was 962,000 for the six shows on the network. NBC has not issued any total-audience viewing figures as yet. The Beijing Olympic Winter Games had a primetime average of 11.4 million viewers (total audience) on NBC in February.

● USA Network:
= 04 Feb.: 96,000 (6:30 a.m. Friday ~ Opening/live)
= 04 Feb.: 153,000 (9:00 p.m. Friday ~ Opening/tape)
= 05 Feb.: 139,000 (9:00 p.m. Saturday)
= 13 Feb.: 95,000 (3:00 p.m. Sunday)

None of the shows from 6-12 February made the top 150-rated programs on cable each day (and no ratings data was publicly available).

A Paralympic Winter Games replacement called “We Are Together. Sports” is to be held for Russian and Belarusian para-athletes – about 70 – in the Russian city of Khanty-Mansiisk from 18-21 March.

Competitions will be held in cross-country skiing, biathlon, curling, snowboarding, alpine skiing, and sledge ice hockey. Winners will be saluted with the raising of their national flags and playing of their national anthems.

Russian and Belarusian athletes were removed from the Beijing Winter Paralympics on the instructions of the International Paralympic Committee on the eve of the Opening Ceremony after multiple National Paralympic Committees threatened to boycott the event if they competed.

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● The appointment of two-time Olympic skier Monica Bosch to be the lead coordinator of the Pyrenees-Barcelona Winter Games bid technical study threatens to “destabilize” the area’s bid for the 2030 Winter Games.

The two regions have been fighting over control of the bid process and Bosch is backed by the Catalan region (Barcelona). GamesBids.com cited local reporting that Aragon region President Javier Lamban said, “With the conditions that the [Catalonia] Generalitat is proposing, there will be no Games.

“Aragon could present a candidacy as powerful or more than that of Catalonia, but we have always understood that this was a candidacy of Spain led by the COE [Spanish Olympic Committee] on equal terms, and we have never subordinated the general interest of Spain in the maintenance of outdated ideologies, of exclusive nationalisms that are so devastating in the EU as a whole.”

A referendum on the bid is slated to be held later this year. In the meantime, Sapporo (JPN) and Salt Lake City, Utah are ready with bids for the Games and a bid is forming in the Vancouver (CAN) area.

● Athletics ● Other World Athletics Council decisions from last week’s meeting were reported today and include a road mile as part of the first World Athletics Road Running Championships in Latvia in 2023. This is the third event to be held, along with the 10 km and Half Marathon.

The Mixed 4×400 m Relay will now be contested in a set order of male-female-male-female at all championship events.

Good news: the Japan Association of Athletics Federation, Fukuoka Athletics Association and Fukuoka Prefectural Government announced that the Fukuoka International Marathon, which was discontinued after the December 2021 race, will in fact return in 2022.

First held in 1947, the race became the de facto world championship for many years and was an elites-only competition, which made it difficult to finance. The new version will be held on 4 December on the same course as the 2021 race, with an elite field of about 100. A joint statement explained:

“As a result of exploring ways to preserve the history and value of the race, we have created a new race management organization and reached an agreement with the Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Co., Ltd to handle to brunt of broadcasting duties. Under this arrangement it will be possible to go ahead with the new version of the race.“

The silly battle between Philippine pole vault star Ernest John Obiena and the Philippine federation (PATAFA) continues without end.

Standing equal-fourth in the world in the indoor vault with a national record 5.91 m (19-4 3/4), Obiena will not be among the 680 competitors in Belgrade (SRB) this week and there will be no other Philippine competitors. Ben Kritz of the Manila Times noted in a column titled “Flabby-bottomed grifters are not a source of national pride”:

“Obiena is … the best in Asia, but that matters not one whit to the bloated plutocrats on Patafa’s board, who persist in maintaining that Obiena embezzled government money given to him to pay his Russian coach, Vitaly Petrov, even though those accusations were discredited — including by the allegedly shortchanged coach himself — very quickly after they were first raised. …

“In spite of being publicly made to look like petty fools, Patafa has insisted that Obiena undergo an arbitration proceeding by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which the pole vaulter has declined to do. This has resulted in his effectively being blacklisted not only from the upcoming Indoor World Championships, but possibly also from the Southeast Asian Games, the World Athletic Championships and the Asian Games later this year. In an effort to find a different way to make its vacuous accusations stick, Patafa has even taken the rather desperate step of petitioning the International Olympic Committee’s Court of Arbitration for Sport over the issue.”

Kritz suggests that the likely outcome of the matter is Obiena competing for another country that will support him. If so, he will have plenty to choose from.

Sad news of the passing of Charlie Greene, one of the great sprinters in history, on Monday, in Lincoln, Nebraska, at 76.

Greene was the 1968 Olympic bronze medalist in the 100 m (10.07) and led off the gold-medal-winning 4×100 m relay team that won in a world-record 38.2 (38.24). He was one of the world’s great sprinters from 1964-68, equaling world records in the 100 yards (9.1 in 1967) and the 100 m (10.0 and 9.9 hand-timed in 1968).

He won both the NCAA 60-yard indoor and 100-yard titles three times in a row at Nebraska (‘65-67) and was U.S. outdoor national champion in 1966 and 1968 and indoor champion twice.

Greene had style, wearing sunglasses when he ran, spoofing the superpower space race ongoing in the 1960s. He told reporters, “They’re for re-entry so I don’t burn up when I have to come back to earth.”

After retiring as a sprinter, Greene worked at the U.S. Military Academy coaching Army sprinters and later worked with Special Olympics and then returned to coach at Northeast High in Lincoln.

● Boxing ● USA Boxing marked Monday’s 42nd anniversary of the plane crash in Poland that took the lives of 14 athletes and eight staff members of the U.S. team that was to compete in dual competitions against Poland.

The crash of a Lot Airways jet killed 87 people in all, landing about a half-mile from the Okecie Airport in Warsaw. Among those who perished were legendary coach Thomas “Sarge” Johnson and Lem Steeples, a light welterweight considered a real medal prospect for the 1980 Moscow Games, which the U.S. eventually boycotted.

In 1984 a statue was dedicated to the USA Boxing Team members who died in Warsaw on the training grounds in Colorado Springs.

● Weightlifting ● In a very savvy move, USA Weightlifting has offered Las Vegas, Nevada as the site for the 2022 electoral congress of the International Weightlifting Federation.

The elections, to be held 25-26 June, may determine the future of the sport on the Olympic program, and former IWF Interim President Ursula Papandrea of the U.S. is one of the high-profile candidates to head the federation.

≡ AT THE BUZZER ≡

A terrific perspective about the difference between the Olympic Games and everything else, according to Ice Dance bronze medalist Madison Hubbell of the U.S. Interviewed by  the International Skating Union, she explained:

“The difference for me is not the skating, which is the same, it’s the same [judging] panels, the same group of people. It’s the magnitude of the event and the reach that it has to teach little kids and teach people around the world what it is to come together, to have fairness in sport, to have camaraderie between your own country mates but also respect other cultures.

“It’s kind of like this whole environment that teaches really great values that will help you through life. So I saw it a little bit different this time where it wasn’t so much the competitive dream of being an Olympic medalist, of having your best skate ever. It was more the realization that you’re in a position that you want to represent yourself the way you’d be proud of. So I think we carried that with us while we were there.”

Hubbell and Zachary Donohue announced their retirement at the end of the season, but there is still the World Championships coming up in France next week. Already three-time Worlds medal winners, Hubbell noted:

“Something that I do enjoy about our skating is that very often we are kind just of open heart experiencing as it is and I know that there will be a little bit of extra emotion going through, knowing that it really is the last time and knowing how much we loved the competitive side of our sport. What I’m looking forward to is having that moment.”

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LANE ONE: IOC (and IPC) pivot to Asia ends; will U.S. interest in the Games revive?

By
Rich Perelman
-
The Olympic Rings (and a friend) at Mt. Takao outside of Tokyo (Photo: Tokyo 2020)

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(For our Highlights of the weekend’s major competitions, click here.)

● Plus: Paralympics end in Beijing = IOC: $200,000 sent to help Ukraine = Aquatics: Swiss won’t swim at Worlds if Russians there = Football: FIFA to welcome Amnesty Int’l petition on Qatar = Gymnastics: Full house for Uchumura farewell = Judo: Russia and Belarus withdraw from IJF events = AT THE BUZZER: Effects of new shoe tech in distance races ●

With the close of the Winter Paralympics in Beijing, the Olympic Movement’s five-year “pivot to Asia” has concluded.

All three of the major Games in this period were troubled. The 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang (KOR) were threatened by possible attacks from North Korea, the 2020 Tokyo Games was delayed a year by the Covid pandemic and the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing was shadowed by the host country’s oppression of Hong Kong, the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, the continuing Covid pandemic and then the Russian invasion of Ukraine between the end of the Olympic and Paralympic winter events.

Time to go elsewhere.

The 2024 Olympic Games will be in Paris, the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the 2030 Winter Games likely in Sapporo or Salt Lake City and the 2032 Olympic Games in and around Brisbane in Australia.

Sad to say, the pandemic is still with us and the world is holding its breath that the Russian war on Ukraine is resolved and does not spread further.

The International Olympic Committee’s Asian adventure has been a difficult ride, and one of the losers has been viewing interest in the United States. NBCUniversal has owned the U.S. broadcast rights during this period:

● Olympic Games:
= 2012: 30.3 mil. avg. primetime viewers (London)
= 2016: 27.5 mil. avg. primetime viewers (Rio)
= 2021: 15.1 mil. avg. primetime viewers (Tokyo)

= 2012: 217 million total U.S. viewers (69%)
= 2016: 198 million total U.S. viewers (61%)
= 2021: 150 million total U.S. viewers (45%)

● Olympic Winter Games:
= 2014: 21.3 mil. avg. primetime viewers (Sochi)
= 2018: 19.8 mil. avg. primetime viewers (PyeongChang)
= 2022: 11.4 mil. avg. primetime viewers (Beijing)

= 2022: 160 million total U.S. viewers (48%)

The decline in viewership has not been due to a lack of U.S. performance, at least in the summer Games. After winning 104 medals in London, Americans won 121 medals in Rio in 2016 and 113 in Tokyo in 2021. At the Winter Games, the U.S. won 28 medals on Sochi, then 23 in PyeongChang and 25 in Beijing.

But the time zone has made a big difference. This was true in 2000 as well, when the Games was in Sydney (AUS), with 185 million Americans watching in all (65.5%) and a 21.5 million average primetime audience. At the 2004 Games in Athens (GRE) – in Europe – viewership rose significantly to 203 million total (69% of the country) and the primetime average shot back up to 24.6 million (+14%) and escalated from there in 2008 and 2012.

Can Paris repair Olympic interest in the U.S. and set up a massive expansion in American excitement for the Los Angeles Games in 2028? That’s a question and not an assumption.

Unlike the constant presence and programming of the major North American professional leagues and tours, the U.S. Olympic presence between Olympic years is spotty. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee puts on no national events of its own – and hasn’t since 1995 – and attention to most of the events of its national federations is modest (at best).

The one sport that does get a lot of attention is football (soccer), for both the men’s and women’s national teams, but if FIFA goes ahead and switches to a biennial World Cup, the likely result is that the sport will be dropped from the Olympic program. Add in the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to Canada, Mexico (and mostly) the U.S. and Olympic sports will rarely be heard from after the close of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games that year.

That means 2027 could be a pivotal year for momentum to build for Los Angeles; the LA28 organizers have been publicly quiet so far, but are expected to make more noise with the close of the Beijing Winter Games.

The USOPC has focused almost all of its attention to getting through the Tokyo and Beijing Games and did a quality job of supporting its teams and keeping Covid disruptions to an impressive minimum (although not zero). Now its national standing needs healing and it will be fascinating to see what new promotional concepts come from Colorado Springs.

Events? A television or video series? Maybe just direct mail to every U.S. household, as was done in more aggressive times?

The IOC now marches on, with time to breathe after the Tokyo and Beijing effort and looking forward to what may be an extravaganza in Paris in 2024. Given than Russia and China have hosted Winter Games in 2014 and 2022, neither is likely to be selected again any time soon and the new process by which hosts are selected and confirmed, rather than elected, will ensure a move away from authoritarian countries for a few years, at least.

Unless, of course, a decision is made to go to Africa at all costs in 2036.

Rich Perelman
Editor

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XIII Winter Paralympic Games ● “During the darkest of times, your performances shone brightly. Rather than rely on history, you created it.”

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons (BRA) closed the Beijing Winter Paralympics with appreciation to the athletes, as well as for the organizers:

“Beijing 2022 has marked a new dawn for the Paralympic Winter Games.

“You promised simple, safe and splendid. You delivered stunning, secure and spectacular. Awesome organisation, vibrant venues and sensational sport – the hallmarks of great Games here in Beijing. For sure, China has set a benchmark for all future winter Games.”

Competition ended Sunday (13th) with China – with the largest team by far – winning the most medals with 61 (18-20-23), far ahead of the amazing Ukrainian team (29: 11-10-8), then Canada (25: 8-6-11) and the U.S. (20: 6-11-3).

The American total was way down from 2018 (36), but more in line with the medals earned in 2010 (13) and 2014 (18).

The U.S. added two golds at the end of the Games, including the first edition of the Cross Country Mixed 4×2.5 km Relay. The team of Oksana Masters, Sydney Peterson, Dan Cnossen, and Jake Adicoff guided by Sam Wood, won in 25:59.3, ahead of China and Canada.

The win gave Masters an outstanding seven medals (3-4-0) in seven events in Beijing. She now owns 14 Winter Paralympic medals, the most in U.S. history. She also has three Paralympic Games medals for a grand total of 17.

The U.S. men’s sled hockey team won its fourth consecutive Winter Paralympic title and has won five times in the eight editions of the competition. The Americans defeated Canada, 5-0, in the final game, and ended with a goals-against total of 30-1. Team captain Josh Pauls won his fourth Paralympic hockey gold, the most ever.

The Beijing 2022 organizing committee’s Covid report showed just 23 positives through the final day of the Games. Of these 16 were caught at the airport and just seven in the closed-loop system.

Where the positivity rate was 0.9% at the airport, it was only 0.01% among the 523,930 tests inside the closed loop. That is impressive.

● International Olympic Committee ● The IOC announced that the first $200,000 of the Ukraine solidarity fund has been released, to focus on evacuations, shelter and services for athletes, coaches and families and help for the Ukrainian rhythmic gymnastics team at the FIG World Cup and upcoming European Championships.

● Aquatics ● The Swiss national aquatics federation posted a statement that it will not participate in the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest if Russian or Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete:

“After consultation with coaches and some top athletes in the sports of diving and swimming, and after extensive discussion in the Central Board, Swiss Aquatics has come to the conclusion that it is not appropriate at this time to send athletes from Russia or Belarus to the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest under their nationality or even under a neutral flag to receive a start permit from FINA and participate.

“Swiss Aquatics is unreservedly committed to a safe, fair and doping-free sport. Under the current circumstances, Swiss Aquatics believes that neither the safety nor the fairness for the participating athletes at the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest can be guaranteed if athletes from Russia or Belarus take part.”

FINA is currently allowing Russian and Belarusian entries, but announced last week that it could “potentially prevent athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus from attending any upcoming FINA event if their attendance threatens the safety and wellbeing of athletes or places the conduct of competition at risk.”

● Football ● FIFA disclosed that it will “welcome a delegation of Amnesty International (AI) on Monday, 14 March 2022 at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to discuss the situation of migrant workers in Qatar in connection with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”

An Amnesty International petition “calling on FIFA to address this matter” will be presented. FIFA Chief Social Responsibility & Education Officer Joyce Cook (GBR) interestingly said:

“We remain fully committed to ensuring the protection of workers engaged in the delivery of the World Cup, and we are confident that the tournament will also serve as a catalyst for broader positive and lasting change across the host country.

“As widely recognised by international expert organisations, the World Cup has already contributed significantly to improved labour conditions in the region and it is clear that Qatar is on the right track having introduced sweeping labour reforms and making substantial progress, in what has been a comparatively very short period of time.”

Look for FIFA to continue to promote its role in changes made during the build-up period to the 2022 World Cup to Qatar’s long-criticized labor system. It will be one of the most scrutinized legacy programs in the history of sport.

● Gymnastics ● A full house of 6,500 was packed into the Tokyo Gymnasium on Saturday to witness a farewell performance and salute to Japan’s Kohei Uchimura, the two-time Olympic All-Around champion and six-time World All-Around Champion.

Uchimura, 33, was joined by nine of his Japanese teammates and performed on all six apparatus, reportedly for the first time since August 2019. Shoulder injuries that year marked the beginning of the end of his career.

He said at the end, “It’s been 30 years since I started gymnastics, and there’s only been arduousness. But the joy of winning with my Japan teammates here, as well as individually, and that of learning new techniques eventually began to eclipse that.

“My entire body has been aching since I’ve finished. Half of me is saying it was a good call to retire, the other half says I can still carry on.”

He finishes as a four-time Olympian with seven Olympic medals (3-4-0) from 2012-16 and a sensational 21 Worlds medals (10-6-5).

● Judo ● On 2 March, the International Judo Federation announced that all of its events would be pulled from Russia, but stopped short of banning its competitors:

“[T]he global decision to sanction all Russian athletes, regardless of the different opinions many have expressed, is not considered to be justified.”

On Monday, the continuing question of Russian participation was answered as

“the Russian Judo Federation and the Belarussian Judo Federation have suspended their participation from all IJF and EJU international events. There will be no Russian or Belarussian athletes participating in IJF and EJU events, with immediate effect.”

≡ AT THE BUZZER ≡

A recent posting brought up a 2021 scientific research report that quantified the performance advantage of new shoe constructions, specifically changes in the thickness of light midsole foam and the use rigid carbon plates.

Led by Stephane Bermon (FRA) of World Athletics, with assistance from experts from France, Hungary and Italy, the study reviewed the impact of the Nike Vaporfly 4%, introduced in 2017, as measured by the changes in road-race times of the top 100 performers of the year from 2012-19.

The results showed that between 2016 and 2019:

● Men’s race times:
= 10 km: decreased by 1.1% on average
= Half Marathon: decreased by 0.7%
= Marathon: decreased by 1.2%

● Women’s race times:
= 10 km: decreased by 1.9% on average
= Half Marathon: decreased by 1.7%
= Marathon: decreased by 2.0%

That means for a women’s marathoner running 2:20, the shoe tech could turn her into a 2:17:12 finisher, among the fastest in history! The study further noted:

“For purposes of comparison only, Malm et al. (2016) reported an average 3% performance increase after blood doping.”

As for the impact being greater for women than for men, “women, when compared with men, show greater fatigue resistance, greater substrate efficiency, and lower energetic demands during endurance events … the female lower body mass and/or a smaller shoes sizes could represent a possible explanation for this gender difference.”

Now you know.

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For our 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

HIGHLIGHTS: U.S. women take CONCACAF U-20 crown; Shiffrin maintains overall World Cup lead; Jackson and Bowe take season skating titles!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Winners again: the U.S. women take the 2022 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship. (Photo: CONCACAF)

(★ Wow! A huge individual donation has raised the total to 76% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy TSX and would like to help,
please donate here. ★)

Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world/updated/:

● Alpine Skiing ● The seasonal World Cup titles will be decided next week in Meribel (FRA) with American Mikaela Shiffrin leading by 56 points with four races left.

After Shiffrin scored a bronze in Friday’s Giant Slalom in Are (SWE) to stay in front of winner Petra Vlhova (SVK), neither got a medal in Saturday’s Slalom. Instead, it was Austria’s Olympic silver winner Katharina Liensberger who got her first win of the season in 1:46.18, ahead of Mina Holtmann (NOR), who won her second career World Cup individual medal.

Swiss Olympic Combined gold medalist Michelle Gisin was third (1:46.41), just 0.02 ahead of Vlhova, with Shiffrin finishing ninth (1:46.98). The American star was fourth after the first run, but had trouble on the second, finishing only 24th-best and dropping to ninth overall. Vlhova also had a tough second run – in 19th – after being second following the first run.

That leaves Shiffrin at 1,245 points heading into the last week of the season, with Vlhova – the reigning champion – at 1,189 and Federica Brignone (ITA) third at 931. Look for all three to enter all four races this week to try and raise the seasonal crystal globe!

The men’s World Cup stop was in Kranjska Gora (SLO) for two Giant Slalom races before the World Cup final in Courchevel.

Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen got his fourth win of the season on Saturday, finishing in 2:18.28, just 0.33 ahead of both Marco Odermatt (SUI) and Lucas Braathen (NOR: 2:18.61). On Sunday, Kristoffersen did it again, winning in 2:18.13, with Stefan Brennsteiner (AUT: 2:18.36) following and Odermatt third (2:18.40).

The seasonal race has Odermatt well out in front with 1,379 points to 1,050 for Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) and 874 for Kristoffersen, with four races left.

● Athletics ● Reigning World Champion Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya ran the second-fastest women’s-only race in history to win the Nagoya Women’s Marathon on Sunday.

She was all alone by the halfway mark in 1:09:03, but had company by the 30 km mark from Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter. But Chepngetich sped up and ran away with the victory in 2:17:08, the equal-7th-fastest race ever. The Kenyan star ran the second half of the race faster than the first, in 1:08:05 and won the largest prize in marathon history at $250,000.

Salpeter was second in 2:18::45, her second-best race ever, with Japan’s Yuka Ando third in 2:22:22.

Strong performances at the NCAA Indoor Championships that finished Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama, with a world-leading performance for both men and women (all performers from the U.S. unless otherwise noted):

In the men’s events, Randolph Ross (North Carolina A&T) was already the world lead at 44.83, won the 400 m in an even a better time of 44.62, moving him to no. 3 in indoor history! And Shey Taiwo of Mississippi won the women’s hammer at 25.55 m (83-10), also improving on her world-best mark.

Among the other top men’s performances, USC’s Davonte Burnett took the 60 m in 6.50, a lifetime best and equal-6th in the world for 2022. Florida State’s Trey Cunningham won the 60 m hurdles as expected in 7.38, improving his no. 2 standing in the world from 7.40, and moving to equal-11th all-time indoors and equal-8th all-time U.S.

In the field, Oklahoma’s Vernon Turner took the high jump at 2.32 m (7-7 1/4), equaling former LSU star JuVaughn Harrison as the no. 2 performer indoors in 2022. Puerto Rico’s Ayden Owens (competing for Arkansas) won the heptathlon, scoring 6,211; he already has a better score, as does runner-up Kyle Garland of Georgia (6.200).

The women’s 60 m was hot, with Julien Alfred of St. Lucia (and Texas) the fastest at 7.04 in the heats to set a collegiate record and move to equal-2nd in the world for 2022. Oregon’s Jaydn Mays was second-fastest at 7.09, equal-7th in the world this season.

But neither won the title, as Melissa Jefferson of Coastal Carolina set a personal best of 7.09 to take the trophy, followed by Kentucky star Abby Steiner (7.10) and then Mays at 7.11 in third. Alfred ended up fifth in 7.15.

Steiner, already the world leader in the 200 m, won in 22.16, the equal-5th fastest race in history, and second this season only to her 22.09 in February. Florida frosh Talitha Diggs won the 400 m in 50.98, no. 5 in the world for 2022. Gator teammate Grace Stark won the 60 m hurdles in 7.78, moving to no. 2 in the world this season and best by an American this year.

The collegiate record in the women’s triple jump fell to Florida’s Jasmine Moore, who won at 14.57 m (47-9 3/4), improving on her own mark of 14.55 m (47-9) from January. She remains at no. 3 on the world list.

Arizona State’s Dutch discus star Jorinde van Klinken won the women’s shot at 19.08 m (62-7 1/4), making her no. 7 on the 2022 world list. Taiwo’s Ole Miss teammate Jasmine Mitchel was second in the weight at 24.94 m (81-10); that’s no. 2 on the seasonal world list.

Texas won its first indoor men’s title with 47 points over North Carolina A&T (36) and Florida scored 68 to secure the women’s championship, ahead of Texas (56).

● Badminton ● China and Thailand were the big winners at the BWF World Tour German Open in Muelheim.

Thailand claimed wins in the men’s Singles, with Kunlavut Vitidsarn defeating Lakshya Sen (IND), 21-18, 21-15 and in the Mixed Doubles, with top-seeded Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai sailing past Xuan Yi Ou and Ya Qiong Huang (CHN), 21-11, 21-9.

China dominated the women’s Singles with Bing Jiao He (CHN) defeating countrywoman Yu Fei Chen (CHN), 21-14, 27-25 and won a marathon women’s Doubles match, as Qing Chen Chen and Yi Fan Jia out-lasted Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva (BUL), 21-16, 29-30, 21-19.

Sze Fei Goh and Nur Izzuddin (MAS) won the men’s Doubles, holding off Yu Chen Liu and Xuan Yi Ou (CHN) by 23-21, 16-21, 21-14.

● Biathlon ● The next-to-last stop on the IBU World Cup tour was in Otepaa (EST), with France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet winning the 10 km Sprint and sewing up the seasonal title.

Fillon Maillet shot clean and finished in 22:27.4, trailed by Sturla Holm Laegreid (NOR: +7.2 seconds) and Benedikt Doll (GER: +11.1). It was the French star’s 10th win of the season, including his two gold-medal performances at the Beijing Winter Games.

Saturday’s 15 km Mass Start saw the second win of the season for Norway’s Vetle Christiansen, who shot clean and won in 34:29.6. He was followed by Fillon Maillet (5.9 seconds back) and Sivert Bakken of Norway (+15.5), winning his first medal of the season.

France’s Julia Simon won the women’s 7.5 km Sprint, with just one penalty, in 20:45.8, ahead of Vanessa Voigt (GER: +11.0) and Karoline Knotten (NOR: +12.8). Swedish star Elvira Oeberg won her third World Cup race of the season in the 12.5 km Mass Start, beating Denise Herrmann (GER: +4.5) and seasonal leader Marte Olsbu Roeiseland (NOR: +4.8).

With three races left in the season, Roeiseland leads with 807 with Oeberg at 725 and sister Hanna Oeberg trailing at 618.

Norway won the 4×7.5 km Mixed Relay – with Bakken, Christiansen, Tiril Eckhoff and Ingrid Tandrevold – over Sweden and France, and Laegreid and Roeiseland teamed up to win the Single Mixed Relay over Sweden and Germany.

● Cross Country Skiing ● The elimination of events in Russia made this weekend’s races in Falun (SWE) the last of the season in the FIS X-C World Cup, with another display of dominance by Norway’s Therese Johaug.

Coming off of her triple-gold-medal performance in Beijing, Johaug won the 10 km Freestyle in 22:34.4, some 35.9 seconds up on Sweden’s Jonna Sundling and 36.3 ahead of American star Jessie Diggins. Fellow American Rosie Brennan was eighth.

For the season, Johaug won five races from 10-30 km and was second in two others, winning the seasonal Distance title, 735-480 over Sweden’s Frida Karlsson.

The Classical Sprint was the second win of the season for Sundling, who won in 3:21.05, 8.41 seconds ahead of Anamarija Lampic and 9.54 seconds up on teammate Maja Dahlqvist. American Julia Kern, having her best season, was fourth in 3:31.58.

The overall women’s World Cup title had long been sewn up by Russian Natalia Nepryaeva, who piled up a huge lead in the middle of the season. But the amazing Diggins continued to make history, winning twice and scoring a seasonal total of five medals to finish second at 793.

That follows up her seasonal title in 2021, the first ever by an American. At age 30, will she continue?

The men’s 15 km Freestyle was a win for Norway’s Didrik Toenseth in 31:57,6, trailed by Calle Halfvarsson (SWE: 32:06.6) and Harald Amundsen (NOR: 32:18.0). American Scott Patterson was seventh (32:39.6). It was Toenseth’s fourth career World Cup win.

France’s Richard Jouve won the Classical Sprint for his second win of the season and within eight days! He finished in 3:03.62 to edge Finn Joni Maki (3:04.11) and French teammate Lucas Chanavat (3:04.14).

The seasonal title was long ago decided for Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, who won with 1,375 points to 878 for two-time defending champ Alexander Bolshunov of Russia. Jouve’s win gave him the seasonal Sprint title by 568-562 over Klaebo.

● Cycling ● The UCI Women’s World Tour was in Holland for the 15th Ronde van Drenthe from Assen to Hoogeveen, with the flat, 155.9 km course leading to a mass sprint at the finish.

Defending champion Lorena Wiebes suffered a tire puncture with 20 km left, but moved up and exploded to the front with 150 m to go and could not be caught, winning in 4:03:31. Italy’s Elisa Balsamo finished second, trailed by Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky, both one second back.

Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic took a strong grip on the 80th edition of Paris-Nice with a win in the challenging seventh stage, a 155.2 km race to the top of the Col de Turini on Saturday. Roglic won a five-man sprint to the line in 4:02:47, just ahead of Daniel Martinez of Colombia, with Simon Yates (GBR) two seconds behind. That gave Roglic a 47-second lead on Yates heading into Sunday’s closer in Nice.

Yates, Belgium’s Wout van Aert and Roglic raced to the finish of the final, 115.6 km stage, with Yates taking the victory and van Aert and Roglic finishing nine seconds behind. That gave Roglic the overall victory at 29:19:15, with Yates 29 seconds behind, followed by Martinez (+2:37) and then Adam Yates (GBR: +3:29).

Another Slovenian star, Tadej Pogacar, the two-time Tour de France champion, took charge of the 57th Tirreno-Adriatico with a brilliant victory on the difficult, twin-peaked sixth stage of 215 km, finishing in Carpegna.

Pogacar raced away from the field over the imposing double climb up and down the Monte Carpegna and won in 5:28:57, a full 1:03 ahead of Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) and Spain’s Mikel Landa. He entered Sunday’s final stage with a commanding lead over Vingegaard and Landa.

The final stage was a 159 km ride out and back to San Benedetto del Tronto, with a major climb early and then a flat finish, leading to an all-out sprint. German Phil Bauhaus won in 3:39:58, followed by Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA) and Australia’s Kaden Groves. The final tally showed Pogacar maintaining his 1:52 edge on Vingegaard and 2:33 on Landa for his second straight win in this race.

● Football ● The United States team won its seventh CONCACAF women’s U-20 Championship on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Mexico in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic before 110 fans (yes, 110) at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez.

The U.S. took the lead quickly with a third-minute goal from forward Michelle Cooper, who blocked a Mexican try at a clearance and banged the ball into the net. Striker Alyssa Thompson earned a penalty kick in the 41st minute; midfielder Talia DellaPeruta scored the goal for a 2-0 lead at the half.

Neither side scored in the second half; the U.S. ended with a 12-10 edge on shots. Cooper finished with eight goals in the tournament and was the top scorer. A total of 12 American players scored, with forward Andrea Kitahata getting seven, forward Simone Jackson and forward Avery Patterson, six each, and DellaPeruta a total of five.

Amazingly, the U.S. finished with a clean sheet for the entire tournament, scoring 49 goals and giving up none! Mia Justus was the keeper for the first and third group-stage games and the quarterfinal win; Neeku Purcell was in goal for one group game and the round of 16, semifinal and final wins.

Mexico ended with a 27-3 scoring line and also qualified – along with the U.S. – for the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup to be held on Costa Rica this summer. Canada finished third and also qualified for the Women’s U-20 World Cup by defeating Puerto Rico, 2-0. The Canadians scored 32 and gave up one goal in the tournament, losing 1-0 to Mexico in its semifinal.

This was the eighth win by the U.S. in the 11 editions of the event, the second in a row and six of the last seven. The U.S. (8), Canada (2) and Mexico (2) have been the only winners; there was no championship game in the first tournament in 2002, so the U.S. and Mexico shared the title as group winners.

● Freestyle Skiing ● The Slopestyle skiers were in Tignes (FRA) for their penultimate weekend of competition, but heavy winds blew away the finals for both men and women and even the women’s qualifying round on Friday.

That left Norway’s Birk Ruud – the Olympic champ in Big Air – as the winner of the men’s event, based on his qualifying run that earned 88.50 points, ahead of Canada’s Max Moffat (87.25) and Olympic bronze winner Jesper Tjader (SWE) third at 86.00. American Mac Forehand was fourth (84.50).

The Moguls skiers were in Chiesa in Valmalenco (ITA) for a Dual Moguls make-up event from January, with a familiar results: a win for Canadian star Mikael Kingsbury.

Kingsbury defeated long-time rival Ikuma Horishima (JPN) in the final, extending his all-time record of World Cup wins to 72. Sweden’s Olympic Moguls winner Walter Wallberg was third, beating countryman Ludvig Fjallstrom in the bronze-medal match.

Olympic Moguls gold medalist Jakara Anthony (AUS) got her third World Cup win of the season, finishing ahead of 2018 Olympic winner Perrine Laffont (FRA). The all-American bronze-medal race saw Jaelin Kauf edge Kai Owens for her first World Cup medal of the season.

In Reiteralm (AUT), Sunday’s Ski Cross finals, Canada’s Reece Howden got his second medal of the season and first win, beating Ryoi Sugai (JPN) and Alex Fiva (SUI) to the line. It’s Howden’s sixth career World Cup gold.

Swedish star and Olympic champ Sandra Naeslund won the women’s race, her 10th win of the season (in 11 races) and seventh in a row! She finished ahead of Canada’s Marielle Thompson – the only one to beat Naeslund this season – and fellow Canadian Brittany Phelan.

● Nordic Combined ● Norway’s Jarl Magnus Riiber has owned this sport for three seasons, but with injuries and Covid dogging him since mid-December, was in a fight to try for his fourth straight World Cup title.

Feeling better since the Beijing Games concluded, Riiber re-took the seasonal lead on Saturday in Schonach (GER), winning the 106 m jumping and 10 km race in 23:48.9, some 31.2 seconds clear of Austria’s Johannes Lamparter, who had been the World Cup leader. Norway’s Large Hill Olympic gold medalist Jorgen Graabak was third in 24:33.1.

On Sunday, Riiber completed his comeback, winning in 24:23.9, over Lamparter (+4.2) and Vinzenz Geiger (GER: 24:29.0) and winning his fourth straight World Cup. He finished with 1,383 points, just enough to move Lamparter to second (1,362), with Geiger (979) third.

All together, Riiber won 13 of the season’s 20 races: he won seven of the first eight and won the final five.

In the women’s competition, Japan’s Anju Nakamura won the first race since early January in 14:22.3 (5 km), ahead of teammate Haruka Kasai (14:33.4) and Annika Sieff (ITA: 15:01.5). It was the first time in the seven races held this season that Norway’s Gyda Westvold Hansen, 19, did not win; she did not finish, but has long wrapped up the seasonal title.

Westvold Hansen came back to win the season’s finale on Sunday in 14:58,9, trailed by Kasai (15:06.7) and Ema Volavsek (SLO: 15:15.5). Westvold Hansen finished with 700 points to outdistance teammate Ida Hagen (411) and Volavsek (387).

● Ski Jumping ● The men’s World Cup paused for a week for the Ski-Flying World Championships off the giant 240 m hill in Vikersund (NOR), with home favorite Marius Lindvik victorious by 854.2-844.3 over Slovenian Timi Zajc.

In fact, Slovenia dominated the event, finishing 2-4-5-6 with Peter Prevc, Anze Lanisek and Domen Prevc, but ended up with only one medal as Stefan Kraft (AUT) took the bronze with 837.5 points. It’s a perfect cap to Lindvik’s season, which also includes the Olympic Large Hill gold medal.

That Slovenian quartet teamed up to win the team title with 1,711.5 points to 1,573.5 for Germany and 1,559.6 for Norway.

The women’s World Cup season ended early this weekend in Oberhof (GER) due to the cancellation of the Blue Bird tour of Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine. But the late-season rush of the Slovenian stars continued as Olympic champ Ursa Bogataj got her second win of the season, but her ninth medal, scoring 266.8 to 261.1 for teammate Nika Kriznar and 254.8 for German Katharina Althaus.

The season finale on Sunday was a Slovenian sweep, with Bogataj winning again (277.4), followed by Kriznar (273.1) and Ema Klinec (262.4).

Austria’s Marita Kramer was fourth, but had won the seasonal title long before. She finished with 1,316 points, ahead of Kriznar (1,191) and Bogataj (1,151). The crystal globe is a modest recompense for Kramer, who missed the Beijing Winter Games due to a Covid positive.

● Snowboard ● The Snowcross season continued in Reiteralm (AUT) with a first-time winner this season in Lorenzo Sommariva of Italy, who won his third career World Cup individual title by beating Jakob Dusek (AUT) in the final. Swiss Kalle Koblet won his second career World Cup medal in third.

Britain’s Charlotte Bankes may have been eliminated in the quarterfinals in Beijing, but she scored a fourth World Cup win this season in seven races, defeating two-time winner (and 2018 Olympic champ) Michela Moioli (ITA) and Canada’s Audrey McManiman, a first-time World Cup medalist.

The Parallel racing tour continued in Piancavallo (ITA), with home fans cheering for a 1-2 finish for Italians Marc Hofer – his first career World Cup medal – and Edwin Coratti, with Korean Sang-ho Lee third.

The women’s race ended in a tie, with Japan’s Miki Tsubaki and Swiss veteran Julie Zogg, with Tsubaki taking her first World Cup win. German Ramona Theresia Hofmeister was third, her fourth medal of the season.

● Speed Skating ● The ISU Speed Skating World Cup Final closed the season before a big crowd at the famed Thialf ice arena in Heerenveen (NED), with double Olympic Champion Niels van der Poel (SWE) winning in his final competitive appearance.

Still just 25, van der Poel won the 5,000 m in convincing fashion, timing 6:08.815 to win by 6.31 seconds over Belgium’s Bart Swings, with Italians Davide Ghiotto and Michele Malfatti going 3-4. Van der Poel won the seasonal Long Distances World Cup with 360 points to 272 for Ghiotto.

Olympic 1,500 m champ Kjeld Nuis won the men’s 1,000 m, leading a Dutch sweep with Olympic 1,000 m winner Thomas Krol and Hein Otterspeer: 1:08.051-1:08.243-1:08.702. Krol took the seasonal World Cup title with 282 points to 270 for Nuis and 238 for Otterspeer in another Dutch sweep.

Nuis came back to win the 1,500 m as well as Sunday, timing 1:43.486 to Krol’s 1:43.797. American Emery Lehman was sixth and teammate Joey Mantia was 12th. But Mantia was the seasonal World Cup winner with 280 points to 256 for Connor Howe (CAN) and 224 for Nuis.

Japan’s Tatsuya Shinhama swept the 500 m sprints, winning over Canada’s Laurence Debreuil on Saturday (34.384-34.532) and over Poland’s Piotr Michalski, 34.487-34.618, on Sunday. However, Debreuil, who barely got to the meet in time after testing negative for Covid, won the seasonal title with 614 points to 586 for Shinhama.

Belgium’s Swings won the Mass Start in 7:43.910 and the seasonal title with 652 points, ahead of Italy’s Andrea Giovanni, second in the race (7:44.210) and in the final standings (550). American Ian Quinn finished eighth in the race and sixth in the seasonal standings.

The women’s 500 m underscored the dominance of American Erin Jackson, who won the first race in 37.329, ahead of Femke Kok (NED) and Japan’s Nao Kodaira, with fellow Americans Brittany Bowe fourth and Kimi Goetz ninth.

On Sunday, Jackson and Bowe went 1-2, in 37.324 and 37.558, with Goetz sixth. That gave Jackson the seasonal title with 660 points to 572 for Kodaira and 432 for Poland’s Kaja Ziomek. Bowe, who missed three races, finished 10th with 348 points.

Bowe was back in action in the 1,000 m and finished second to Beijing winner Miho Takagi, 1:13.285 to 1:14.075, with Goetz third (1:15.104). However, Bowe claimed the seasonal title with 330 points to 288 for Takagi with Kodaira at 268 and Goetz fourth (227).

The women’s 1,500 m was a triumph for Japan’s Olympic silver winner Takagi in 1:53.324, beating Antoinette de Jong (NED), Ragne Wiklund (NOR) and Olympic champ Ireen Wust (NED). Bowe was seventh. Takagi won the seasonal title from Bowe by 300-256, with Japan’s Ayano Sato third (252).

Olympic superstar Irene Schouten (NED) won the women’s 3,000 m in 3:56.829, ahead of Wiklund (3:57.152) and Czech icon Martina Sabilkova (3:57.165). Schouten needed the win to take the seasonal victory with 300 points, edging Raglund (290), with Francesca Lollobrigida (ITA) third at 266.

Schouten also won the Mass Start race in 8:53.670, beating teammate Marijke Groenewoud to the line by 0.23, with Lollobrigida third. But the Italian took the seasonal crown with 602 points to 578 for Canada’s Ivanie Blondin, with Schouten third (506).

● Water Polo ● /Updated/ The men’s and women’s Intercontinental Cup tournaments were held in Lima (PER), with qualifying opportunities for the 2022 FINA Worlds.

In the men’s tournament, the U.S., Australia and Canada were all 4-1 in the preliminary round, with Brazil fourth (2-3). Australia felled Brazil in one semifinal, 11-6, with the U.S. edging Canada, 10-9, after a 7-7 tie after three quarters.

The U.S. won the title with a 7-6 win, leading 4-1 at the half and 7-4 after three quarters. Brazil upset Canada, 11-8, for the bronze medal and both advance to the World Championships in Budapest.

The women’s tournament saw Australia, a quarterfinalist at the Tokyo Games, sail through the round robin at 6-0 to win the gold medal, with Canada at 5-1 and the U.S. – with mostly a junior squad – at 4-2, taking the bronze. Brazil (3-3) and Argentina (2-4) gained spots at the Budapest World Championships.

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THE TICKER: Bach says Russian athletes not responsible for war; Russian reinstatement in Athletics may fall apart; G.S. bronze for Shiffrin in Sweden

By
Rich Perelman
-

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● Plus: More details on Griner arrest in Russia = Winter Paralympics: China rockets ahead while U.S. scores two golds = Los Angeles 2028: Garcetti ambassadorship on hold = Athletics: Oregon22 to award team trophies; Tokyo failure driving Randolph Ross = Gymnastics: USA Gymnastics bankruptcy case legal fees rise = Wrestling: Dlagnev receives 2012 Olympic bronze = SCOREBOARD: Alpine Skiing: Vlhova and Shiffrin 1-3 in Are; = Cycling: Slovenians Roglic and Pogacar in charge in France and Italy = Football: U.S. and Mexico in CONCACAF women’s U-20 final = Weightlifting: 42 American Records set at American Open in Ohio ●

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

The International Olympic Committee has taken a leading role in international sport, not just condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but for the most part directing a shut-out of Russian participation.

Exactly how the IOC got there and where it goes from here was addressed in a lengthy post by its President, Thomas Bach (GER) on Friday, including this important excerpt:

“[W]e will continue to expose the people and organisations responsible for this war in breach of the Olympic Truce. Therefore, sports competitions or events should not take place in the territory of the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus. No national or state symbols of any kind of these countries should be displayed at any event organised by the Olympic Movement. We will not fall into the trap of the cheap argument that this would be a politicisation of sport, going against the Olympic Charter which requires political neutrality. Whoever so blatantly violates the Olympic Truce with political and even military means cannot denounce the consequences as being politically motivated.

“This clear exposure of the Russian government and its members as being responsible also recognises that this war has not been started by the Russian people, Russian athletes or Russian sports organisations. But we are facing an insoluble dilemma in this respect because we have at the same time the great responsibility to ensure the integrity, fairness and safety of our competitions. Under these unique circumstances we cannot fully uphold this responsibility, we cannot ensure the integrity of the competitions. With the recommendation of the IOC Executive Board, we have brought clarity to our stakeholders, avoided divisions and helped them to maintain unity. Without this, we would have to face the situation where Russian or Belarusian athletes would be competing for titles, while Ukrainian athletes could not, because of the war in their country. Without this, we would have had to experience the politicisation of sports competitions by athletes or teams, some of them being encouraged by third parties. We also had to consider the safety risks for Russian and Belarusian athletes taking part in international competitions, because of deep anti-Russian and anti-Belarusian feelings following the invasion.

“For all these reasons we urge every sports organisation in the world to protect the integrity, fairness and safety of their competitions by not allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part or in special circumstances to at least prohibit any identification of their nationality. This protective approach is also shared by International Sports Federations chaired by Russian nationals. In this context, we will continue to monitor the attitude of Russian or Belarusian athletes and their sports organisations concerning their commitment to peace as enshrined in the Olympic Charter. In doing so we will have to take the situation within Russia into account where, by law, an engagement for peace has been put under the sanction of imprisonment for up to 15 years.”

Titled “Give peace a chance,” Bach also made clear that he wants to welcome back athletes from Russia and Belarus at the first opportunity:

“Olympic sport needs the participation of all the athletes who accept the rules, even and in particular if their countries in the “real” world are in confrontation or at war. A competition between athletes from only like-minded nations is not a credible symbol of peace, it is just another sports event.”

The IOC has established a solidarity fund to assist Ukraine, especially its Olympic community.

Observed: Bach’s statement is welcome, as it clarifies the IOC’s approach to the Russian invasion. But his forward-looking concept of a reunified-as-soon-as-possible Olympic world will be validated or rejected only once the fighting has stopped and that may not be for a long time.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Russia ● More details about the arrest and detainment of U.S. basketball star Britney Griner came to light on Thursday via Congressman Colin Allred (D-Texas).

He said that Griner, 31, was arrested on 17 February for carrying a vape pen that contained hashish oil, and told ESPN:

“I know the administration is working hard to try and get access to her and try to be helpful here. But obviously, it’s also happening in the context of really strained relations. I do think that it’s really unusual that we’ve not been granted access to her from our embassy and our consular services.

“The Russian criminal justice system is very different than ours, very opaque. We don’t have a lot of insight into where she is in that process right now. But she’s been held for three weeks now, and that’s extremely concerning.”

He added: “I’m sure her lawyer in Russia is working through the process. But every day for anyone being held, particularly being held overseas, is a lifetime.”

The Russian Olympic Committee filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against its ban from the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Finland beginning on 20 March.

The defendant is the European Olympic Committees, which has followed the IOC’s lead with a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from its competitions.

● XIII Winter Paralympic Games ● With the Games to close on Sunday, China continues to enjoy a wide lead in the medal count. With 62 of 78 events completed, China has 47 medals (14-14-19), well ahead of the amazing Ukrainians (25: 9-10-6), Canada (21: 7-4-10) and the U.S. (17: 4-10-3).

American Oksana Masters won her second gold in Beijing in the women’s Sitting Individual Biathlon, giving her five medals overall – in five races – and a career total of 15 Paralympic podiums, now equal-fifth all-time in U.S. history.

The U.S. got a gold from Brenna Huckaby in the Snowboard women’s Banked Slalom (SB-LL2), she also won a bronze in Snowboard Cross. It’s her third career Paralympic gold and fourth medal in total.

The tight Covid controls in Beijing are continuing, with just 23 total cases reported during the Paralympic Games period. Of these, 16 have been flagged on entry and just seven within the closed loop from 23 February to 10 March.

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Los Angeles 2028 ● The nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to be the U.S. Ambassador to India hit a speed bump on Thursday with Sen. Chuck Grassley (D-Iowa), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee placing a hold on it.

Grassley is now objecting to the nomination:

“I will object because I have received numerous credible allegations from multiple whistleblowers alleging that Mr. Garcetti, while mayor of Los Angeles, had knowledge of sexual harassment and assaults allegedly committed against multiple city employees and their associates by his close advisor, and that he ignored the misconduct.”

An investigation had cleared Garcetti, but Grassley noted that “information provided by multiple whistleblowers strongly suggests that this investigation was incomplete at best.” Garcetti is termed out as Mayor; a new Mayor will be elected in November.

● Athletics ● The World Athletics Council added sanctions on Belarus for its continuing role with Russia in the invasion of Ukraine, including no hosting of events or accreditation. Belarusian athletes had already been excluded from World Athletics events, along with Russians, on 1 March. Also:

“Our one-day meetings and tours are discussing the exclusion of Russian Authorised Neutral Athletes (ANA) and Belarusian athletes from their meetings ahead of their events beginning in the next couple of months. World Athletics is confident that these meetings will adopt the same approach that the World Athletics Council has taken.”

The Council received a curious report from the Russian Task Force. Chair Rune Andersen (NOR) explained that “RusAF had made significant progress in many areas described in the roadmap, but that it was not yet fit for reinstatement.” Moreover, payment for expenses incurred by the Task Force had not yet been paid for the last six months of 2021, which means

“if payment was not made as a matter of urgency, this would be regarded as a breach of the reinstatement conditions and would lead to action against RusAF, which could include a suspension of the reinstatement process.”

As for the reinstatement process itself, Andersen noted the “shadow” cast by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but recommended that the work continue in view of the “very real risk” that Russia would revert to doping as in the past if the process was suspended now:

“Such a loss and backsliding would undermine that cultural change that RusAF has been cultivating and ultimately be detrimental to the interests of clean Russian athletes, the athletes in other countries with whom they compete, and therefore the integrity of future international competitions.”

Just in time for the 2022 World Championships, being held in the U.S. for the first time, the Oregon22 organizers announced the presentation of team trophies for the top three nations in the combined men’s and women’s point total.

This is an excellent idea and a way to further drive U.S. interest in the event, as the American team will be an overwhelming favorite to win the title. Scoring will be 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 in all 49 events; at the 2019 Worlds in Doha, the U.S. piled up 310 total points to 122 for Kenya and 115 for Jamaica.

Failure sometimes motivates more than success. Take North Carolina A&T’s Randolph Ross Jr. He was the NCAA Champion and world leader in 2021 at 43.85, but barely made the U.S. Olympic Team and didn’t qualify out of his heat in Tokyo. He did win a gold as a member of the U.S. team in the 4×400 m heats.

Said his father and North Carolina A&T coach, Duane Ross:

“He’s been on fire since we got back from Tokyo. He wants to go above and beyond. Not making the 400-meter final lit a fire under him. Sometimes as an athlete, that disappointment burns the fire a little hotter than the successes. He realized he missed an opportunity.”

Said Ross Jr., getting ready for the NCAA Indoor Championships this week:

“Last year going into nationals, my nerves were shaking. Every collegiate race used to make me a nervous wreck. Now going into it, everything seems a little calmer and relaxed. I’m more focused on what I need to do in the race and being technical than worrying about who’s racing beside me.”

● Gymnastics ● The operations report for January in the USA Gymnastics case – which is still ongoing – saw the total legal fees in the case reach $18.549 million, of which $10.917 million has been paid.

And it’s still not done.

● Wrestling ● Tervel Dlagnev received his 2012 Olympic bronze medal in a special ceremony in Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday, from Anita DeFrantz, the senior member of the International Olympic Committee in the United States, and herself an Olympic bronze medalist in rowing.

Dlagnev finished fifth on the mat in London in the 120 kg (heavyweight) category, but as the gold and silver medalists from Uzbekistan and Georgia were later disqualified for doping, Dlagnev moved up to the bronze position. It’s his third international medal after bronzes at the 2009 and 2014 World Championships.

The ceremony took place just prior to the final session of the Big 10 Championships at Nebraska, where Dlagnev is an assistant coach, after an All-American career at Division II Nebraska-Kearney.

Gladnev was suitably attired in his 2012 parade uniform and was saluted with the playing of the Olympic Hymm and a raucous cheer from the crowd.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Alpine Skiing ● American star Mikaela Shiffrin continues to lead in the FIS World Cup standings after a bronze medal in the Giant Slalom race in Are (SWE) on Friday.

Her chief rival, Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova, was the clear leader after the first of two runs, in 1:14.80, ahead of Marta Bassino (ITA: 1:14.83), with Shiffrin sixth.

Most of the field fell back on the second run, with Vlhova third to win easily at 2:32.59. Bassino was able to hold second despite being 18th on the second run (2:33.83 total) and Shiffrin moved from sixth to third even though she was only 14th-best on the final run (2:34.29).

That means Shiffrin still leads the World Cup overall standings with 1,216 points to 1,139 for Vlhova with a Slalom on Saturday and four races in Meribel (FRA) next week to close out the season.

● Cycling ● Both Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico saw major changes in the racing on Thursday, with Slovenian stars Primoz Roglic and Tadej Pogacar taking the leads, perhaps for good!

In France, Americans went 1-3 in the first climbing stage, a five-ascent ride over 188.8 km to Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut, with Brandon McNulty winning in a runaway with an attack over the last 39 km. He finished a sensational 1:58 ahead of Franck Bonnamour (FRA) and Matteo Jorgenson of the U.S. and rose 66 places in the overall standings to 23rd.

However, Roglic took the overall lead, now 39 seconds up on Simon Yates (GBR) and 41 seconds ahead of Pierre Latour (FRA). Prior leader Wout van Aert (BEL) had a rough day, finishing 98th and dropping back to 62nd.

The hilly, 213.6 km stage 6 on Friday belonged to France’s Mathieu Burgaudeau, who got his first pro win in a mass sprint to the line over Mads Pedersen (DEN) and van Aert in 5:33:06, with Roglic in the lead group, with no change at the top of the leaderboard.

In Italy, two-time defending Tour de France champ Pogacar took the overall lead by winning the hilly, 202 km third stage with a late surge in 4:48:39, just edging Jonas Vingegaard (DEN), Victor Lafay (FRA) and Belgian star Remco Evenepoel. From 14 seconds back starting the day, Pogacar carved out a nine-second lead over Evenepoel and Italy’s Filippo Ganna.

Friday’s 155 km ride from Sefro to Fermo was a breakaway win for French veteran Warren Barguil, who won by 10 seconds over Xandro Meurisse (BEL) and 14 seconds on Simone Velasco (ITA). Pogacar was sixth and remained nine seconds up on Evenepoel, but everyone else dropped. Now third is Thymen Arensman (NED), 43 seconds back.

Both races conclude on Sunday.

● Football ● At the CONCACAF women’s U-20 Championship in the Dominican Republic, the U.S. will face Mexico in Saturday final in Santo Domingo.

The American women continued to dominate play, defeating Puerto Rico by 7-0, with a 4-0 lead at the half, plus three (!) second-half goals from Simone Jackson. In its six games in the tournament, the U.S. had outscored its opponents by 47-0!

The Canada-Mexico semi had lots more drama. The Canadians entered after five wins and a 30-0 scoreline and Mexico almost as dominant at 27-1. But only one goals was scored, by Mexico’s Anette Vazquez in the 27th minute. The had 26 total fouls and shot were not easy to come by, with Mexico getting 10 to just four for Canada.

Both the final and the third-place game will be held Saturday, with the tournament winner automatically qualifying for the FIFA women’s U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica in August.

● Weightlifting ● USA Weightlifting reported a fairly amazing North American Series Open competition in Columbus, Ohio last weekend, including a world-record number of lifters with 1,866 participants!

That improves the old mark of 1,561 from the 2018 American Open Series 3 in Las Vegas.

The meet required six lifting platforms to be used simultaneously at the Celeste Center on the state fairgrounds and a seventh for the sessions at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

There were 42 American Records set or tied in the Youth (4), Junior (2), University (2), Open (1) and Masters (33) classes. The Open record came in the women’s +87 kg category as Mary Theisen-Lappen raised the Clean & Jerk standard from 162 kg to 163 kg. Theisen-Lappen recorded a rare win over 2017 World Champion – and twice Olympic medal winner – Sarah Robles in the combined total.

The other U.S. medal winner in Tokyo, women’s 76 kg silver medalist Katie Nye, won the 71 kg class with a combined total of 245 kg. Three-time World Championships silver medalist Mattie Rogers won the women’s 81 kg class at 250 kg.

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LANE ONE: Even after sanctions, the IOC still has a long to-do list; is more war on the horizon?

By
Rich Perelman
-
Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, home of the International Olympic Committee

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This has been a rough couple of years in international sport, dating back to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus in the spring of 2020 and the slow march to the Tokyo Olympic Games last July and the Beijing Olympic Winter Games in February.

Then came the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February – four days after the closing of the Winter Games – and the International Olympic Committee’s stern request to “not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions” on 28 February.

IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) said days later of the bans, “we are coming to our limits. We have no police force, we have no military. There we can only offer moral support and can help to shed the light on this situation, but there our influence ends.”

But that does not mean that the IOC can take any kind of respite. The Tokyo and Beijing Games presented a host of issues that are going to have to get solved, and fairly soon, with Paris 2024 coming quickly into focus.

It’s amazing to think that the Winter Games closed just less than three weeks ago, but left a host of unanswered questions:

● What happens with the Figure Skating Team Event medals? Russia won, but with 15-year-old Kamila Valieva competing while having a doping positive that is yet to be confirmed, ahead of the U.S. and Japan, with Canada fourth.

No medals were awarded, as the news of Valieva’s positive from last December broke just after the end of the competition. The nine members of the U.S. petitioned the Court of Arbitration for Sport to have the ceremony in Beijing, but the appeal was dismissed.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said a ceremony would be arranged, somewhere, sometime once the medalists were confirmed. So everyone waits for the testing results to be confirmed and then undoubtedly appealed by one side or the other. This is going to take awhile.

● The Valieva affair raised questions about the ages of athletes at the Games. At 15, Valieva was a “protected person” for the reporting of doping-control results, but not for the implementation of sanctions. Should the IOC require higher age limits for the Olympic Games so that the contestants are not minors?

But then what about the IOC’s drive for “youth engagement” and its Tokyo showcase, the “women’s” skateboarding events? The Park medals were won by skaters aged 19, 13 and 13, and the Street medalists were 14, 13 and 16.

Does the IOC want to knock them out? Or the teen women’s gymnasts?

Is the not-currently-too-important Youth Olympic Games reshaped into a “teen Olympics” starting in 2030, which would then be highly attractive?

● Bach complained bitterly during a Beijing news conference that the IOC did not have the right sanctions in hand to deal with coaches, trainers, doctors and other entourage members who might be corrupting youngsters like Valieva.

He found the harsh treatment of Valieva by celebrated Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze “chilling,” but said the IOC had no way to deal with this. What now?

After a loss at the Court of Arbitration for Sport during the Tokyo Games over the accreditation of a Russian weightlifting official who had been penalized for doping during his competitive career, the Olympic Charter was modified to allow the IOC to remove anyone’s accreditation at the Games, but only for a rule violation … not for being mean.

● The astonishing loss by the IOC and the World Anti-Doping Agency at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Beijing in the Valieva case raises a whole new series of issues.

WADA angrily noted that the CAS panel “decided to ignore the clear and unambiguous terms of the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code regarding the criteria for lifting a mandatory provisional suspension,” adding “This is not what the Code says, not what the Code drafters intended and was never proposed by any of WADA’s stakeholders during the three rounds of Code consultation.”

Is the CAS itself to be questioned? What is the correct response to a stunning ruling like this? Reforms coming? Rest assured, this will be discussed.

● The question of “universality” places came up several times in Beijing. In the Olympic Games, the qualification procedures require that continental representatives are present, even if the quality of the entrants is modest at best, as a development initiative.

But that is not required in the Winter Games and there were complaints about this in Beijing. Will the Winter Games start to push up against size restrictions as the Olympic Games has? The IOC has seen the Winter Games as ripe for continued expansion … up until now.

● Then there is Russia and China. The Winter Paralympic Games will end this Sunday (13th) and the Olympic Truce period will close on 20 March.

Will China move against Taiwan after that date, so that it can say it has observed the Olympic Truce? And what about the future of Russia and the Olympic Movement?

Russia has no friends at court at present, although the IOC has been clear that the Russian government is the aggressor in Ukraine and not Russian athletes or officials, such as IOC members Shamil Tarpischev (elected in 1994) or Yelena Isinbayeva, elected for 2016-24 as an IOC Athletes’ Commission members. Neither is an Executive Board member.

The late IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch (ESP) always insisted that everyone had to be a part of the Olympic Movement if at all possible. South Africa, finally with a racially-integrated team, was readmitted during his tenure and Samaranch worked tirelessly to end the string of major boycotts at the time of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul (KOR).

Bach has inherited and accepted that view, narrowing it – if necessary – to only include athletes as part of an Olympic Refugee Team, instituted in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro (BRA). But the antics of the Russians in Beijing and now with the invasion of Ukraine are bringing calls for having Russia skip at least Paris in 2024 and perhaps Milan Cortina in 2026.

Remember that the World Anti-Doping Agency called for banning Russian participation in the Games from 2019-23 – covering Tokyo and Beijing – but that was reduced to two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in December 2020. Yep, there’s that pesky Court again.

We haven’t even mentioned the situation regarding Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai’s continuing safety yet, among other challenges regarding China, including French government questions about data privacy and Alibaba’s provision – as an IOC sponsor – of broadcasting and data signals inside the European Union for Paris.

And there is the question of what events and added sports will be proposed by the Los Angeles organizers for the 2028 Games, whether to pick Sapporo or Salt Lake City for the 2030 Winter Games, and whether the reduction in interest in the Games in the U.S. – both broadcast and press – be reversed by a more time zone-friendly Games in Paris 2024 … or is a permanent decline?

Oh yes, what about the Olympic future of boxing, modern pentathlon and weightlifting, federations Bach has referred to as the IOC’s “problem children”? And what about FIFA and its World Cup-every-two-years concept?

Working through the Covid challenges in two Games in Asia within seven months was an exhausting, all-consuming effort for the IOC’s professional staff. But there is no rest for the weary in an unsettled and at-risk world, in sport and otherwise.

Rich Perelman
Editor

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THE BIG PICTURE: Oregon sees 2022 Worlds as a $31 million commercial; Commission reviewing USOPC waits for funds; Moses: sport “better off” sans Russia

By
Rich Perelman
-

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● Plus: Paralympics: Ukrainian biathlete withdraws as father captured = Russia: 37 governments ask Russian athlete ban = Athletics: WSU raising Rono statue! = Football: Mexico’s Liga LX forcing riot-club sale; NWSL names Berman commissioner = SCOREBOARD: Cycling: van Aert wins in Paris-Nice, Ewan in Tirreno-Adriatico = Football: U.S., Canada advance to CONCACAF Women’s U-20 semis ●

“We are so honored to cheer on these amazing athletes and welcome the world. This is truly a time for Oregon to shine. We can’t wait to show off our amazing food scene, our small businesses, our agricultural products and outdoor adventures that make Oregon renowned worldwide.”

In essence, that’s how second-term Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D) sees the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Eugene this summer. The state has spent $31 million of its own money, and applied and won another $9.15 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help fund the event, estimated to cost $75 million.

Brown and other officials held a 40-minute online news conference with local media on Wednesday, and while peppered with questions about inflation and the war in Ukraine, found time to explain their objectives for the 2022 Worlds.

Niels De Vos (GBR), the head of the Oregon22 organizing committee, who also led the highly-successful 2017 Worlds organizers in London, explained further:

● “This event is a 10-day TV and social-media promotion for the state of Oregon that will position Oregon as a place to visit, a place to live and a place to do business.”

● “Over July 15 to 24, there will be an estimated 6,500 hours of live television coverage around the world . The event will be seen by somewhere close to a billion people globally, and that’s comparable to the FIFA World Cup Final and nearly 10 times the numbers that watch your Super Bowl.

● “This event is traditionally hosted in major global cities: London, Paris, Beijing and Tokyo. So why Eugene, Oregon? Well, just as Formula One travels the global circuit of mega-cities, it still views Monaco as its spiritual home. And for the world of track & field globally, Eugene is the equivalent of Monaco: it’s the spiritual home. It’s small, intimate, legendary, it’s unique.”

And Travel Oregon chief executive Todd Davidson left no doubt of his expectations on the event for the future:

“The exposure of Oregon on the world stage through Oregon22 is an unprecedented opportunity for the state. This event is not only going to showcase Oregon in a way that has never been done before over the course of these 10 days, but this stage is also going to give visitors that are here – and the viewers on television – a glimpse of all that Oregon has to offer as a destination. …

“The ability to also put Oregon center-stage throughout the global broadcast of the event will inspire demand for future leisure travel to Oregon well beyond the championships. … people who watch the events from home will be inspired by what they see on-screen, and ultimately, we expect the championships to inspire future visits to Oregon for years to come.”

However, Davidson also included some (subtle) advice for visitors:

“We also want to ensure that our guests visiting Oregon, and for Oregonians themselves, that they have an amazing experience, that they feel welcome, that they have accessible transportation and lodging and are connected to those things that we cherish as Oregonians. …

“[M]uch like we did during the 2017 solar eclipse, we’ll be encouraging folks to plan ahead. Arrive early, stay longer, explore other parts of the state, leave plenty of time to get to and from events, take advantage of public transportation when possible. Have a ‘plan B.’ And be kind to our hospitality workers: a smile and a little extra gratuity can go a long ways.”

Asked directly about accommodations availability, where the Eugene-Springfield area is well short of rooms for Worlds visitors:

“There will also be rooms reserved up and down the I-5 corridor, as far south as Roseburg and beyond and as far north as Portland.

“And, really, lest anybody think that that’s a detriment, it’s important to keep in mind that when you heard that list of international communities that have hosted this event, or hosted the World Athletics Championships previously – and as one who was able to be in London in 2017 for that particular event – our daily commute to the field from our hotel was easily an hour, and so keeping in mind that those kinds of travel times are not at all unusual when you consider how the event itself is going to be pulled off.”

Reality check: Roseburg is 70 miles south of the University of Oregon campus and Portland is 112 miles to the north. Transportation will be an issue for the Worlds, with the main daily sessions from 5-8 p.m., meaning people are going to get back late. But the morning schedule for the track events is limited and only six of the 10 days, three of which are dedicated almost exclusively to the combined events. So little pressure for the casual spectator to face an early morning and a very late night.

One of the sure winners at Oregon22 will be Airbnb.

There is also civic programming being planned … maybe. Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis said:

“Eugene’s vision is to celebrate our unique community, create a sense of belonging for all visitors and build civic pride. Bringing this vision to reality requires a significant investment by the City of Eugene, as we work with event organizers to be sure we’re providing inclusive access to all Oregonians to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event.

“We are still seeking financial support to deliver a free Riverfront Festival that will run separately and concurrently for the duration of the Oregon 22 event.”

A question about the economic impact of the event was answered with a 2015 study submitted with the bid for the event to World Athletics (then the IAAF) predicting $52 million in direct visitor spending and a total impact of about $138 million. The one-day Super Bowl LVI in the new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood last month was expected to create more than $234 million in area-wide economic impact and more than $12 million in local tax revenue.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XIII Winter Paralympic Games ● Almost too tragic to report is the withdrawal of Ukrainian para-biathlete Anastasiia Laletina, 19, from the 10 km Sitting event on Tuesday due to her father – a Ukrainian soldier – being captured by the Russians invaders.

The race was won by American Kendell Gretsch for the second U.S. gold of the Games, with 6 km Sitting gold medalist Oksana Masters second. Gretsch now owns four Paralympic golds and a silver in her career and Masters won her 13th career Paralympic medal and added a 14th on Wednesday with a silver in the Cross Country Sitting Sprint.

After with four days remaining, China leads with 31 total medals (10-9-12), with Ukraine an amazing second with 19 (6-8-5) and Canada third with 16 (7-2-7). The U.S. has 13 (2-8-3), tied with Germany for fourth.

● Russia ● In an initiative led by British Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nadine Dorries, representatives of 37 governments in Asia (2), Europe (31), North America (2) and Oceania (2) signed an open letter on Tuesday declaring:

“We, as a collective of like-minded nations, affirm our support for international sport organisations’ position that:

“● Russia and Belarus should not be permitted to host, bid for or be awarded any international sporting events.

“● Individual athletes selected by Russia and Belarus, administrators and teams representing the Russian or Belarusian state should be banned from competing in other countries, including those representing bodies, cities or brands that are effectively representing Russia or Belarus, such as major football clubs.

“● Wherever possible, appropriate actions should be taken to limit sponsorship and other financial support from entities with links to the Russian or Belarusian states.”

Signing for the U.S. was Jennifer Hall Godfrey, Senior Official for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the State Department.

The statement added:

“We encourage all international sport organisations and all relevant legal bodies not to sanction athletes, coaches or officials who decide unilaterally to terminate their contracts with Russian, Belarusian or Ukrainian clubs, as well as not to pursue or to sanction sport organisers which decide to ban athletes or teams selected by Russia or Belarus.”

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Edwin Moses has been saying it for years: stop coddling Russia. And he went further in a recent interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph.

Now 66, Moses was the long-time chair of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and served on the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, Medical Commission and Ethics Commission, among many other activities. He’s the Chair of the Laureus World Sports Academy, which seeks to use positive influence of sport as a tool for social change. And that means Russia should be out:

“Right now, sport is better off without them. The sad fact is, what they are doing to Ukraine’s people is what they have done to sport for years: not playing by the rules, doing precisely what they want, being a first-class bully, basically.”

Moses was critical at the time and remains so about the sanctions on Russia and its athletes in the aftermath of the state-sponsored doping regime from 2011-15:

“Those penalties were never properly meted out. They never had to pay the consequences for corrupting the Olympic Games. I knew in my heart that nothing was going to change. The last few years, so many incidents show Russia is not just willing to play by the rules and ethics of sport. They don’t operate in good faith. They have slapped the IOC and the athletes in the face time and time again … They couldn’t care less. They carried because of collusion from top to bottom …

“At some point, somebody has to pay the price, even if athletes have nothing to do with it. It is top down, everyone is culpable, they have to be stopped in their tracks. That is what it has come to now.”

Moses won the 400 m hurdles gold in 1976 and 1984 and was prevented from winning a third gold in Moscow in 1980 due to the U.S. boycott. As far as today’s Russian teams, he would certainly like to see them excluded from the Paris 2024 Games and perhaps even the Milan Cortina Winter Games in 2026.

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● Will the Commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics ever meet?

The 16-member group was created by the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020, but has not been funded. University of Baltimore law professor Dionne Koller, a co-chair with former USOPC Athletes Advisory Council Chair Han Xiao explained in an e-mail:

“Without funding, the Commission has not legally been permitted to meet. My co-chair, Han Xiao, and I have worked diligently since we were appointed to advocate for the necessary funding. It is our hope that Congress will appropriate funding soon and once that process is complete, the Commission will be able to meet and proceed with discharging its duties under the Act.”

The U.S. Congress is working on keeping the government from another shutdown this week and there is hope that the Commission’s request for a little over $2 million in funding and a time extension will be included, but it is competing with war, inflation, an election year and a lot more.

● Athletics ● Way back in 2016, the Pacific-12 Conference named its All-Century performers in its many sports, including iconic figures such as USC football coach John McKay and defender Ronnie Lott, Stanford quarterback John Elway, UCLA’s coach John Wooden and center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) in men’s basketball and USC’s Cheryl Miller in women’s basketball.

Washington State grabbed honors for athletes of the century in baseball – pitcher and hitting star John Olerud (later of the Toronto Blue Jays) in baseball and four-time world-record setter and six-time NCAA champ Henry Rono in men’s track & field.

For fans who remember 1978, Rono was almost beyond comprehension. In less than three months, he set world records in the 3,000 m, 3,000 m Steeple, 5,000 and 10,000 m, but never competed in the Olympic Games as Kenya joined the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games. He lowered his own 5,000 m record in 1980.

Almost equally unforgettable is Rono’s WSU coach, John Chaplin – now 84 – who decided in late 2020 that both Olerud and Rono deserved statutes on the campus as Pac-12 centennial greats.

Chaplin handed off the Olerud project to another former Cougar baseballer and now businessman Phil Hinrichs, who played in the minors for five years; he’s working with the WSU baseball team to raise those funds. The Rono effort is something Chaplin is handling himself.

He has engaged former WSU tennis player Ott Jones, a highly-respected wildlife and Western life sculptor, to do the Rono statute and is collecting donations for the “Rono Fund.”

Chaplin estimates that the total cost of the statute, including a complicated installation, will be about $117,000 and he’s 57% of the way there. “I called 40 guys on the [1978] team and afterwards and asked for $1,000 and no one said no,” he noted. “And some of the women who followed in the program contributed, too, as well as some of our long-term supporters.”

In typical Chaplin style, there is nothing simple about the statue. It will picture Rono coming out of a steeplechase water jump – yes, with the barrier and water – set on a berm inside the Mooberry Track on campus. The target date for the unveiling is the spring of 2023.

And Rono? Now 70, he splits his time between teaching in New Mexico and in his native Kenya. But he will always be remembered as the world’s greatest distance runner never to run in the Olympic Games, and as a WSU legend.

● Football ● As a result of Saturday’s riot at the Queretaro home match against Atlas, Mexico’s Liga MX is requiring that the club be put up for sale by the end of the year and banned the owners from Mexican soccer for five years.

The Queretero supporter’s group was banned for three years and the club and all of its affiliated teams will play the remainder of the season without spectators, home and away. In addition, a security perimeter of 1.8 miles around the stadium must be installed for all home matches, even without spectators.

The club was fined $70,000 and forfeited Saturday’s match to Atlas, which led, 1-0, in the 62nd minute when the riot broke out in the stands. The Atlas supporter’s group was also banned for six months.

Officials said 10 arrests have been made and 26 other suspects identified.

The troubled National Women’s Soccer League announced that former National Lacrosse League deputy commissioner Jessica Berman will become its new Commissioner on 20 April. She will take over from interim head Marla Messing, who will continue as interim chief executive through the end of May.

In just five months at the helm, Messing made some progress, overseeing the sale of the troubled Washington Spirit franchise and helped get the league’s first-ever collective bargaining agreement completed.

Berman was with the National Hockey League for 13 years, rising to Deputy General Council before moving to the National Lacrosse League as its Executive Vice President of Business Affairs.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Cycling ● Belgium’s Wout van Aert took the lead in Paris-Nice with a win in the stage 4 Time Trial. He finished the flat, 13.4 km route in 16:20, two seconds better than Slovenian star Primoz Roglic and now has a 10-second race lead over Roglic and 28 seconds over France’s Christophe Laporte.

The tougher stages are now coming up.

At the Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy, Australian star Caleb Ewan won a mass sprint at the end of the third stage, a hilly, 170 km route ending in Terni. He got by France’s Arnaud Demare and Dutch rider Olav Kooij in 4:07:24 as the first 53 riders received the same time. Italian star Filippo Ganna is the overall leader by 11 seconds over Remco Evenpoel (BEL) and 14 seconds over favored Tadej Pogacar (SLO).

● Football ● On to the semifinals of the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship in the Dominican Republic, where the real playing will finally begin.

The U.S. won its two playoff matches so far by 14-0 and 6-0. Canada won its games by 13-0 and then a surprising 1-0 win against Panama, and Mexico won its games by 9-0 and 5-1.

The American women will play Puerto Rico – a 7-0 winner over St. Kitts & Nevis and 3-0 over Guatemala – in its semi. Canada will play Mexico, with both games on 10 March. The final is on Saturday (12th).

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LANE ONE: Do all these sanctions against Russia actually mean anything?

By
Rich Perelman
-
The new "Tennis Plays for Peace" initiative, including Ukrainian support ribbons for players at the BNP Paribas Open.

(★ So grateful to our 40 donors, who have covered 66% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

● Plus: Winter Paralympic Games: Good U.S. ratings on NBC, not on USA = Aquatics: FINA does not ban Russians, Belarusians now, but might later = Football: Russian Football asks for stay of ban; FIFA advances Poland over Russia in World Cup qualifier = Gymnastics: Russian Kuliak would wear “Z” again = Tennis: $700,000 for Ukranian relief and Ukranian ribbons for BNP Paribas players = SCOREBOARD: Cycling: Mads Pedersen and Tim Merlier win at Paris-Nice and Tirreno Adriatico ●

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has overtaken the world of sport as it has so many other sectors of life outside of Eastern Europe. Since the incursion started four days after the close of the already-controversial Beijing Olympic Winter Games, most of the headlines in sport have been announcements by governing bodies of various sizes and types of sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams.

Does this make a difference? Is it a waste of time?

Yes, it does. Sanctions are not a waste, and more are needed.

In the simplest terms, the Russian government has invaded a neighbor country with the goal of taking over and making it a puppet state. Although certainly not a European democracy in the style of Britain, France or Germany, Vladimir Putin’s government still depends on the willingness of its 144 million people not to revolt against it. The Romanov dynasty ruled the country from 1613-1917, when it was overthrown by a popular revolt led by the Bolsheviks. Putin knows this history, as well as the 1989-91 implosion of the USSR, all too well.

The worldwide reaction to Russian aggression against Ukraine has been far different than the ineffective calls for peace during the Soviet military repression of reform movements in Hungary in 1956 or Czechoslovakia in 1968, or the limited response to Putin’s invasion of Georgia in 2008 or the occupation of the Crimea region from Ukraine in 2014.

In a world now tied together by instantaneous communications, Russia’s war against Ukraine is being shown, in real time, continuously around the globe. That means that the furor against it is also felt worldwide, even in Russia, where communications are tightly controlled.

So, in a country that hosted the Olympic Winter Games as recently as 2014, Russian athletes were not able to compete under their national flag in Beijing, wear national uniforms or hear its national anthem after its five uncontroverted gold-medal performances because of continuing sanctions following the state-sponsored doping scandal of 2011-15.

In a country that hosted the last FIFA World Cup – in 2018 – Russia will not play in 2022 because the country has been banned from international competitions. Same for its women’s team at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

And on down the line. In most autocratic states, sports champions are used as proof of the validity of the controlled political and social system. So it is in Russia as well. And when their athletes are absent from competitions, or notably restricted, people take notice.

Would Americans be aware of such a situation if similar sanctions were placed on U.S. athletes? You bet we would. But our sports landscape is primarily domestic and not international. But it will be instructive to see how the audience in Indian Wells, California responds to Russia’s world men’s tennis no. 1 Daniil Medvedev – competing as a neutral – at the gaudy BNP Paribas Open that began yesterday.

Medvedev removed the Russian flag from his Instagram page and made a plea for peace on Twitter last week.

It is true that sport only goes so far, but in a world dealing with a continuing pandemic and war, emotions matter and influence our behavior. The observation – apparently from an official of the Mormon Church – of “They may forget what you said – but they will never forget how you made them feel” applies.

And sport deals in feelings. It matters when the world says: “we don’t want you.”

And in international sports, it is the International Olympic Committee that said it loudest.

Its 28 February request to “not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions” has been picked up by many (but not all) of the International Federations. The request carries so much weight that all three Olympic-program International Federations whose presidents are Russian eliminated them from their events:

● International Boxing Association (Umar Kremlev): banned Russian or Belarusian participation on 4 March.

● Federation Internationale de Escrime (Alisher Usmanov): banned Russian and Belarusian participation on 2 March. Usmanov stepped away from the federation presidency on 1 March.

● International Sport Shooting Federation (Vladimir Lisin): banned Russian and Belarusian participation on 7 March.

Beyond the Olympic federations, even the International Sambo Federation – whose sport is a style of wrestling promoted by Russia – responded, by allowing Russians and Belarusians to compete without national symbols, flags or anthems at its events. This is certainly not a ban, but is remarkable considering that Russian Vasily Shestakov is not just the ISF President, but is a member of the Russian Parliament, the Duma!

Governments are getting into the sports sector as well. The British Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries, organized a 3 March teleconference attended by government officials from 26 countries and International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons (BRA) with the aim that all of them would (eventually) ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in their countries.

Small things matter and in the face of war, sport is a small thing. But sport is relevant and it tells the aggressors (and their populations) that they are unwelcome on the field of play in many sports where Russians or Belarusians have been winners, and – at a minimum – not as Russians or Belarusians in others.

Rich Perelman
Editor

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XIII Winter Paralympic Games ● Modest interest has been shown in the Winter Paralympics by U.S. audiences on NBC and USA Network.

The two NBC broadcasts did well, with 1.273 million watching last Saturday in primetime and 659,000 watching on Sunday at noon Eastern.

On USA Network, the viewership was a lot less (all times Eastern):

● 4 Feb.: 6:30 a.m.: 96,000 (Opening live)
● 4 Feb.: 9:00 p.m.: 153,000 (Opening tape)
● 5 Feb.: 9:00 p.m.: 139,000

The USA Network coverage on Sunday (6th) was not in the top 150 shows viewed on cable that day.

● World Anti-Doping Agency ● WADA issued new guidance for testing in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, starting with “As it relates to testing, WADA understands that testing in Ukraine is simply not possible,” but that testing of Ukrainian athletes who live elsewhere should continue.

As for Russia:

● “WADA has been in contact with the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and confirms that its anti-doping program continues to operate.

● “Regarding testing of Russian athletes, despite the ban on Russia imposed by a number of [anti-doping organizations], WADA encourages all ADOs to continue to conduct testing on Russian athletes, whether in Russia or abroad, based on their risk assessment and test distribution plans.”

Testing in Belarus has apparently not been impacted so far.

● Aquatics ● On Tuesday, FINA announced that it will continue to permit Russian and Belarusian competitors to participate in FINA events, but as neutrals. But there was more:

“[T]he FINA Athletes’ Committee which confirmed its opposition to a blanket ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The FINA Bureau recognised, however, that concerns about the safety of athletes and the viability of events might warrant the exclusion of athletes and or teams in some circumstances.

“Further to their commitment to monitor the grave situation and make further decisions as appropriate, the FINA Bureau added to the measures at FINA’s disposal and passed a new bylaw that now provides FINA with the power to review the participation of athletes and officials at FINA events on a case-by-case basis in emergency situations, such as the current war in Ukraine.

“With this legal basis now in place, FINA could potentially prevent athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus from attending any upcoming FINA event if their attendance threatens the safety and wellbeing of athletes or places the conduct of competition at risk.”

● Football ● The Court of Arbitration for Sport noted the filing of an appeal by the Russian Football Union against FIFA and UEFA to remove all Russian teams and clubs from participation in their events.

The RFU is asking for both bans to be overturned, but in the meantime, a stay of execution of both bans in order to allow its teams to compete until the appeal is fully heard.

In the meantime, FIFA gave Poland – scheduled to play Russia on 24 March – a bye into the European Path B final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament. Poland will meet the winner of Sweden vs. Czech Republic on 29 March.

The Ukraine vs. Scotland match in Path A is being postponed to June.

● Gymnastics ● Ivan Kuliak, the 20-year-old Russian gymnast who placed third on the Parallel Bars at the FIG Apparatus World Cup in Doha (QAT) last week, defended his placement of a “Z” on his uniform, a symbol which has pro-invasion meanings. He was referred for disciplinary action by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique, but defended his action to Russia Today television:

“If there was a second chance and I had a choice whether to go out with the letter ‘Z’ on my chest or not, I would do the same.

“I saw it on our military and looked at what this symbol means. It turned out to be ‘for victory’ and ‘for peace’. I just wanted to show my position.

“As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and play for peace.”

The FIG has banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from participation in international events from 7 March.

● Tennis ● The International Tennis Federation announced a joint donation of $700,000 for Ukrainian relief, in concert with the men’s tour (ATP), women’s tour (WTA) and the Grand Slam tournaments:

“Today each of the seven entities has donated $100,000 USD to the humanitarian relief efforts, with donations supporting Global Giving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund which will provide immediate help on the ground across the region, as well as the Ukraine Tennis Federation.

“The seven bodies will also signal support via their social and digital platforms by prominently featuring the Ukraine ribbon icon, with everyone in the tennis ecosystem encouraged to use the hashtag #TennisPlaysforPeace. In addition, physical ribbons will be distributed for ATP & WTA players to wear at the upcoming BNP Paribas Open tournament in Indian Wells.”

It will be fascinating to see which, if any, of the Russian players at Indian Wells wear the blue-and-yellow ribbons.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Cycling ● Another mass finish in stage 3 of the 80th Paris-Nice race, with Danish star Mads Pedersen getting to the line first in 4:23:29 for the 190.8 km course from Vierzon to dun-le-Palestel.

Pedersen got the best of Bryan Coquard (FRA) and Wout van Aert (BEL), who has finished 3-2-3 in the stages so far and sits second overall, trailing France’s Christophe Laporte by one second. The race continues through Sunday.

At the second stage o the 57th Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy, Belgium’s Tim Merlier won another mass sprint at the end of a hilly, 219.0 km route from Camaiore to Sovicille. Olav Kooij (NED), Kaden Groves (AUS) and Slovakian icon Peter Sagan were 2-3-4 among 156 riders given the same time.

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: WNBA star Griner arrested in Russia; Oregon22 to get $10 million from USATF?; Duplantis 20-3 3/4 world record; Fisher sets U.S. record 10,000 m!

By
Rich Perelman
-

(★ So grateful to our 38 donors, who have covered 65% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

(For our Highlights of the weekend’s top competitions, click here.)

● Plus: Paralympics: China strong in opening days, Covid under control = Russia looks to lawyers vs. federations = Athletics: Kamaka, Lindeman passings = Football: Cone wins USSF Presidency, horrific riot in Liga MX = Gymnastics: Russia’s Kuliak investigated for supporting invasion = Handball: IHF bans Russia & Belarus = Shooting: ISSF bans Russia & Belarus = SCOREBOARD: Cycling: Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico underway = Shooting: ISSF World Cup closes in Cairo ●

News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

More details on the financing of the Oregon22 world track & field championships came from Jeff Manning of The Oregonian on Sunday, explaining that the organizers expect to run the event on about $75 million.

Some $40 million came from the state of Oregon, including $20 million from the state’s tourism authority, another $10 million from the Oregon Lottery, $1 million from the state’s “strategic reserve” and then a $9.15 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. In addition:

“The state contribution is by far the largest to the Eugene event. Organizers are counting on total revenue of $75 million. Besides the state’s contribution, [Oregon22 chief Niels] de Vos (GBR) said they will get $10 million from USA Track & Field, the sport’s national governing body, $10 million from individual donations and $15 million from ticket sales.”

The $10 million coming from USA Track & Field is interesting as the organization showed reserves of $9.3 million as of 31 December 2020. Cash and investments totaled $18.4 million and the organization has borrowed $5.7 million on its line of credit and still owes $14.1 million in commissions on its long-term sponsorship deal with Nike.

The $75 million in revenue for the 2022 Worlds described by de Vols is quite a bit lower than the only detailed budget seen to date of $85.59 million from 2017.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XIII Winter Paralympic Games: Beijing 2022 ● Amidst the tumult, the Winter Paralympics are continuing, with China enjoying a sensational performance so far.

China has a delegation of 96 athletes, fully 17% of all athletes at the Games, and leads the medal table after 34 of 78 events with 25 total medals (7-8-10) compared to 12 for Canada (4-2-6) and eight for several countries, including the U.S. (1-5-2).

The lone American gold came from Oksana Masters in the Sitting 6 km Biathlon, winning in 20:51.2, with American Kendell Gretsch third.

Masters, 32, is an amazing story. She was born in Ukraine when it was part of the USSR in 1989, suffered birth defects – apparently from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster – then was orphaned by her birth parents, and adopted by an American woman in 1997.

She competed in her first Paralympics in London in 2012 and has won two Para-Cycling golds at the Tokyo Paralympics last year and three golds in the Winter Paralympics; two in Para Cross Country Skiing and the one in Beijing in Biathlon. She also took a silver in the Beijing 15 km Sitting Cross Country race to run her overall Paralympic medal total to 12 (so far).

The Chinese authorities are continuing their rigorous anti-Covid measures, with 20 total positives through the 11 days of the Paralympic Games period.

Most of these – 15 – have come at the airport, with the other five in the closed-loop system (three among athletes). The positivity rate at the airport was just 0.67% and within the closed loop less than 0.01%.

The Paralympics continue through Sunday.

A study published just prior to the Winter Paralympics in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance indicated, according to lead author Tomas T. Freitas (POR) that for elite sprinters in track & field:

“We observed that the main diff btwn able-bodied and Paralympic [athletes] seemed to be related to their ability to apply force at low movmnt velocities.”

● Russia ● The Russian Sports Minister, Oleg Matytsin said Sunday:

“By today, we have received no formal resolutions explaining the reasons for the bans from many international federations. Our defense challenging these resolutions will rest on these reasons. I don’t think it will be quick procedure – it will take quite a lot of time. It cannot be ruled out that the process will be politicized and we must bear it in mind.

“Now, jointly with experienced lawyers and experts we are looking at challenging the IPC decision. Of course, it is the prerogative of the Russian Paralympic Committee, but I think such decisions will be made soon. Then, our positions will be clearer, as will be our positions on the decisions by other international federations.

“It is difficult to say when as this is an unprecedented case in history.”

From the Russian Paralympic world: “Special competitions will be organized for Russian and Belarusian Palaympians in Sochi, a source in the Russian sports ministry told TASS on Friday.”

The International Paralympic Committee banned Russian and Belarusian Paralympic athletes in a reversal of their original position just prior to the opening of the Games last Friday.

● Athletics ● Sadness in the Southern California track & field community as Mt. San Antonio College head cross-country and track & field coach Ron Kamaka passed away on Sunday (6th) at just 59 years old.

A 2.22 m (7-3 1/4) high jumper at Arizona State, he came to Mt. SAC in 2008 and became head coach in 2013; wheelchair-bound due to a surfing accident, his men’s teams won the California CC state track & field titles in 2015-16-18. He was lost due to complications from Covid-19.

Also on Sunday, the U.S. Air Force Academy announced that 33-year head track & field coach Ralph Lindeman passed away. Also an Arizona State graduate, Lindeman’s teams won eight Mountain West Conference men’s championships and his athletes won 42 Western Athletic Conference titles and 170 in the Mountain West Conference.

He was a U.S. Olympic assistant coach in 2004 and head coach for the U.S. World Indoor Championships team in 2018, among many international assignments.

● Basketball ● American WNBA star Britney Griner was arrested in Russia in the last few days of February, stopped at an airport in Moscow, reportedly for carrying a vape pen with hashish oil. The Russian customs service statement included:

“As a US citizen was passing through the green channel at Sheremetyevo Airport upon arriving from New York, a working dog from the Sheremetyevo customs canine department detected the possible presence of narcotic substances in the accompanying luggage.

“The customs inspection of the hand luggage being carried by the US citizen confirmed the presence of vapes with specifically smelling liquid, and an expert determined that the liquid was cannabis oil (hash oil), which is a narcotic substance.”

A two-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S., Griner, 31, has played in Russia for several years and reportedly earns much more there for playing then in the U.S. Many WNBA players have participated in Russian basketball over the last decade or more.

Penalties for carrying prohibited substances include prison sentences of up to 10 years; the U.S. State Department pledged assistance where possible.

● Football ● Former U.S. National Team star Cindy Parlow Cone was elected for a full term as President of the U.S. Soccer Federation on Saturday, receiving 52.9% of the contested, weighted vote:

● Cindy Parlow Cone: 785.12 votes
● Carlos Cordeiro: 698.26 votes

Cone succeeded Cordeiro, who was elected in 2018 and resigned in 2020 after a court filing in the U.S. women’s team’s equal-pay class-action suit that included sexist language and arguments. Cordeiro ran on a platform of more support for grass-roots programs, saying Parlow Cone was too focused on the national-team level. However, the apparent settling of the women’s equal-pay suit and a new television agreement for the USSF were significant factors in Parlow Cone’s election to a full term of her own.

She acknowledged the closeness of the vote in her remarks afterwards:

“Now is the time for all of us to work together. No more divisions. We don’t have time for all of that. Our moment is now and I promise you that each and every one of you have a friend and a partner and as president of U.S. Soccer.”

The USSF’s Annual General Meeting also agreed on a preliminary resolution banning “discriminatory chants” at matches, similar to the ban now in place in Mexico. FIFA has penalized Mexico repeatedly over anti-gay chants during matches there, despite the ban; there was no such rule in place in the U.S.

A three-part resolution on gender equity was tabled so that it could be studied further; it would have required more women to be interviewed for senior positions, require women coaches on all U.S. national teams and to increase the number of licensed women coaches.

A major riot broke out on Saturday during the Liga MX match between visiting Atlas and Queretaro at the Estadio Corregidora after the 60th minute of the match.

There was confused reporting from the site, with some reports of deaths, but Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro said on Saturday night that there had been no deaths, but two people were seriously injured. Police said that 26 people were injured, with 23 still hospitalized on Sunday.

The fighting first broke out in the stands between “fans” of the two teams and became so severe that officials allowed spectators onto the field to escape the violence … which then spilled out onto the field. The Atlas players quickly returned to their locker room, while some Queretaro players tried to calm people down.

Sunday’s three league matches were canceled and five officials were dismissed on Monday, as well as the security contractor for the stadium.

FIFA issued a statement on Sunday, including:

“FIFA is shocked at the tragic incident that took place at La Corregidora stadium in the city of Queretaro during the fixture between Queretaro and Atlas. The violence was unacceptable and intolerable.

“FIFA joins the Mexican Football Association and Concacaf in condemning this barbaric incident and encouraging the local authorities to bring swift justice to those responsible.”

● Gymnastics ● “The International Gymnastics Federation confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against male artistic gymnast Ivan Kuliak (RUS) following his shocking behaviour at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar.”

Kuliak, 20, won a bronze medal on Parallel Bars at the Doha World Cup, and the Associated Press reported:

“Kuliak taped the ‘Z’ symbol to his vest at a World Cup event in Qatar. The symbol has been seen on Russian tanks and military vehicles in Ukraine and embraced by supporters of the war.”

CNN reported that “the organization that oversees Russian gymnasts acknowledged in a statement that Kuliak’s display violated FIG rules, but expressed the organization’s support for his actions.”

Russia competitors were banned by FIG as of today (7th), but were allowed to compete at events where they were already present through the weekend.

● Handball ● Not much had been heard from the International Handball Federation, but on Monday, the IHF announced:

“With immediate effect and until further notice, the IHF bans all teams, officials, referees, lecturers and experts from Russia and Belarus from taking part in IHF events and activities.”

This will eliminate teams from the 2022 IHF Women’s Junior (U-20) and Youth (U-18) World Championships and the 2022 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship this summer.

● Shooting ● On Monday, the International Sport Shooting Federation posted:

“The ISSF Executive Committee supports the IOC recommendation published on February 28th, 2022 with the aim to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and to ensure the safety of all participants. The ISSF fully supports any policy against wars as well as the IOC recommendations to not allow athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus to take part in the ISSF Championship until further notice.”

This is especially noteworthy since both the ISSF President (billionaire Vladimir Lisin) and General Secretary (Alexander Ratner) are Russian. Competitors from Russia did take part in the now-concluded ISSF Grand Prix for Rifle and Pistol in Cairo (EGY), which concluded on Monday.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was formally condemned and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine will be provided as well.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Athletics ● In better times, sensational performances in San Juan Capistrano and Serbia would be today’s highlights, but unfortunately, only a sideshow:

● Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis finally got another world indoor vault record with a clearance in Belgrade (SRB) of 6.19 m (20-3 3/4) on his third try in a World Indoor Tour Silver meet.

He was the winner with his first-try clearance of 5.61 m (18-4 3/4), then cleared 5.85 m (19-2 1/4) and 6.00 m (19-8 1/4) on his first attempts.

Said Duplantis: “I think I’ve tried 6.19 m 50 times. It’s been a long time coming. I’ve never had a height that has given me that much trouble, so it’s a very good feeling. It was really hard fought over these past two years. I’m really happy.”

It’s his third world record in the event: 6.17 m (20-2 3/4) and 6.18 m (20-3 1/4) in 2020 and now 6.19 m in 2022: the three highest vaults in history. And he will compete in the same arena in a couple of weeks at the World Indoor Championships!

● At a special distance meet called “The Ten” in San Juan Capistrano on Sunday evening, Olympic finalist Grant Fisher of the U.S. mauled the American Record with a sensational 10,000 win in 26:33.84, destroying Galen Rupp’s 26:44.36 mark from 2014 in near-perfect conditions.

Fisher needed all of his speed to pass Canada’s Moh Ahmed in the final meters, with Ahmed claiming a national record in 26:34.14; Fisher’s last lap was 57.99 to Ahmed’s 58.08!

Jack Rayner of Australia got a national record as well in third (27:15.35) and American Sean McGorty was fourth in 27:18.15 in his debut at the distance. An astonishing 18 men broke 28 minutes.

The win moves Fisher into the no. 7 slot all-time, with the 12th-fastest mark in history. Ahmed is now no. 9 on the all-time world list.

In the women’s 10,000 m, American Elise Cranny won in 30:14.66, less than a second off the American Record, the no. 2 performance in U.S. history. She ran alone for the last quarter of the race, with Dominique Scott of South Africa second in 31:00.10.

At Saturday’s USATF 15 km National Championships in Jacksonville, Florida, Emily Sisson defended her title with a 47:28 victory, well ahead of Emily Durgin (49:27) in second. Nico Montanez charged over the final 1,500 m to win the men’s race – and his first national title – in 43:10, beating Leonard Korir (43:14) and Hillary Bor (43:14). Early leader Galen Rupp finished seventh (43:31).

● Cycling ● Two of the sport’s famed races are going on concurrently in France and Italy:

The 80th edition of Paris-Nice started on Saturday with the first of eight stages at Mantes-la-Ville, with home favorite Christophe Laporte (FRA) edging Primoz Roglic (SRB) and Wout van Aert (BEL) at the line to win the first stage.

Dutch sprinter Fabio Jakobsen won a mass finish on Monday, over van Aert and Laporte, but Laporte has a five-second lead on the field through a quarter of the event. The first four stages are flat, but the last four hilly and mountain stages will decide the overall winner.

The 57th Tirreno-Adriatico cuts across Italy and started with a time trial on Monday, won by 2020 and 2021 World Time Trial Champion Filippo Ganna of Italy, ahead of Remco Evenpoel (BEL) by 11 seconds. The seven-stage ride will conclude on Sunday, with the difficult sixth stage likely decisive.

● Shooting ● On the final day of the ISSF World Cup for Rifle and Pistol in Cairo (EGY), Germany defeated India, 17-7 in the final of the men’s 25 m Pistol Team event. The Czech Republic shut out Indonesia, 16-0 in the bronze-medal match.

India thrashed Thailand in the Mixed Team 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol final, 17-7, with Singapore taking the bronze.

The final medal tally showed India on top with seven (4-2-1), followed by Norway (3-1-2) and Germany (2-3-1), each with six. The U.S. ended up with two (0-1-1).

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HIGHLIGHTS: Shiffrin on the podium again; Kipchoge (2:02:40) and Kosgei (2:16:02) sensational in Tokyo Marathon wins; Nilsen clears record 19-10 1/4!

By
Rich Perelman
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Back on the podium again: American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin (Photo: Andreaze via Wikipedia)

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Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world:

It hardly seems important to report on sporting events while Ukraine is under attack, but competitions continued around the world, mostly (but not totally) without Russian, Belarusian or Ukranian entries:

● Alpine Skiing ● The 2021-22 FIS World Cup season is heading toward the close, with three races in Kvitfjell (NOR) and two crazy Downhills on Friday and Saturday.

In the first race, Canadian Cameron Alexander got his first-ever World Cup medal with a gold, but in a tie with Swiss Niels Hintermann, who got his second career World Cup gold and first in Downhill, both at 1:44.42. Austrian star Matthias Mayer (1:44.54) was third.

On Friday, Italian star Dominik Paris won his 17th career World Cup Downhill in 1:43.92, followed by Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) in second (1:44.47) and then Hintermann and Swiss Olympic gold medalist Beat Feuz in a tie for third!

Finishing fifth was American Ryan Cochran-Siegle and fellow American Travis Ganong tied for eighth.

Finishing in 52nd was Norwegian star Kjetil Jansrud, who said he was retiring at age 36. The winner of the Sochi Olympic Super-G and four other Olympic medals and the 2019 Worlds Downhill, he won 23 World Cup races and collected a total of 55 World Cup medals across 18 seasons.

Sunday’s Super-G was the seventh win of the season for Kilde, timing 1:25.91 to edge Canada’s Beijing Combined bronze medalist James Crawford (1:25.98) and Mayer, who won another bronze in 1:26.03. Cochran-Siegle tied for 11th (1:26.91).

The women’s tour continued in Lenzerheide (SUI) with a Super-G and a Giant Slalom … and Mikaela Shiffrin’s first World Cup medal since 11 January.

Saturday’s Super-G was won by France’s Romane Miradoli, 27, who won her first individual World Cup medal – a gold – in 1:19.87. She was trailed by Shiffrin (1:20.25) with Beijing Super-G winner Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI: 1:20.75) third. It’s Shiffrin’s third medal of the season in the Super-G.

Sunday’s Giant Slalom saw the second win of the season for France’s two-time World Champion Tessa Worley (2:02.35), ahead of Beijing silver medalist Federica Brignone (ITA: 2:02.64) and Olympic gold medalist Sara Hector (SWE: 2:02.66).

Finishing fourth was Shiffrin (2:03.12), who had a good weekend and extended her lead in the overall World Cup to 1,156-1,039 over Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova with two weeks to go.

● Athletics ● He is still the greatest.

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, twice Olympic gold medalist, added another title in a triumphant return to Tokyo, winning the Tokyo Marathon in an outstanding 2:02:40, the no. 4 performance in history.

Fellow Kenyan Amos Kipruto, the 2019 Worlds bronze medalist, was with Kipruto through 36 km and finished second in a lifetime best of 2:03:13, with Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola third in 2:04:14. Japan’s Kengo Suzuki was fourth in 2:05:28.

Kipchoge now owns three of the top four performances ever and has now run 16 career marathons, winning 14. Kipruto moves to equal-9th on the all-time list with his runner-up mark. A sensational 27 runners finished under 2:10.

The women’s title went to Kenyan world-record holder Brigid Kosgei in 2:16:02, the third-fastest performance on record. She ran away from Ethiopians Gotytom Gebreslase and Ashete Bekere after 35 km and won easily, with Bekere second in 2:17:58 and Gebreslase at 2:18:42.

Bekere scored a lifetime best and is now equal-11th on the all-time list. American Sara Hall was eighth at 2:22:56, her fourth-best marathon ever.

Kipchoge has said he wants to win all six of the World Marathon Majors races, so he still has Boston and New York to go. Wow.

South African distance star Stephen Mokoka won the Nedbank #Runified 50 km (31.1 miles) road race in 2:40:13 for a world record on home turf at Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) on Sunday. He improved the initial record of 2:42:07 by Ketema Negasa (ETH) set in 2021.

Mokoka has run 2:07:40 for the marathon (42.2 km) and won by almost four minutes. His reaction? “I’m tired. It’s a long way and I don’t know how I’m going to feel later, but I enjoyed it.”

Ethiopia’s Amelework Fikadu Bosho won the women’s 50 km in 3:04:58, not far off the women’s world mark of 3:04:24.

At the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Muscat (OMA), the racers survived hot conditions to produce several surprises, including two team titles for Ecuador.

Japan’s Toshikazu Yamanishi, the 2019 20 km World Champion, triumphed in Saturday’s race, finishing in 1:22:52, ahead of teammate (and Olympic silver medalist) Koki Ikeda (1:23:29) and Kenyan Samuel Gathimba (1:23:52), who claimed the first medal for his country at this event. Ecuador’s Brian Pintado (1:24:35) was fourth and led his squad to the team title, 25-26, over Japan, with China third at 45.

The men’s 35 km race was an impressive win for Sweden’s 2019 Worlds 20 km bronze medalist Perseus Karlstrom, who won by 40 seconds in 2:36:14 over Spain’s Alvaro Martin and 1:13 ahead of Miguel Lopez (ESP). Karlstrom put on his trademark faux-Viking hat with 1,000 m to go and then embraced his mother, Siv Gustavsson at the finish; she was the winner of the 5 km Walk at the 1981 World Race Walking Cup! Spain won the team title, scoring 16 points, to 29 for China and 48 for Germany.

Friday’s women’s 20 km was a 1-2 for China, with Zhenxia Ma winning in 1:30:22, well ahead of world-record holder Jiayu Yang (1:31:54) and Peru’s Kimberly Garcia Leon (1:32:27). The top U.S. finisher was Robyn Stevens in 37th (1:49:14). China won the team title with 10 points, ahead of Greece (30) and India (61).

The women’s 35 km was dominated by Ecuador, a surprise winner of the race and the team title. Tokyo Olympian Glenda Morejon won in her debut at the distance in 2:48:33, well ahead of China’s Maocuo Li (2:50:26) and Katarzyna Zdzieblo (2:51:48). Ecuador finished 1-5-6-7-9 and won the team race with just 12 points, with Spain at 28 and China at 29.

Sensational vaulting at the Perche Elite Tour in Rouen (FRA) on Saturday, with Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Chris Nilsen of the U.S. getting a lifetime best 6.05 m (19-10 1/4) to not only win, but join Mondo Duplantis (SWE) at the top of the world list for 2022.

Nilsen’s lifetime best moves him to equal-sixth on the all-time world list – indoors and out – and to no. 2 on the all-time combined U.S. list with an American Indoor Record. Nilsen had shared the indoor mark at 6.02 m (19-9) from earlier this year with Jeff Hartwig from 2002.

Philippine star Ernest John Obiena was second at 5.91 m (19-4 3/4), setting a national indoor record, with Rio 2016 gold medalist Thiago Braz third at the same height.

Slovenia’s Tina Sutej, fifth at the Tokyo Games, won the women’s competition with a national indoor record of 4.80 m (15-9).

Poland’s Ewa Swoboda, already the world leader in the women’s 60 m at 7.00, won the Polish Indoor Championships in 6.99 in Torun. It makes her the 10th woman to break 7.00 all-time, the first since 2018 and the fifth this century!

It’s only an early-season meet in Grenada, but Twitter was full of replays of a season-opening, world-leading 44.47 (!) 400 m win by Tokyo 100 m silver medalist Fred Kerley of the U.S. His reaction: “Great day at the office 44.47.”

● Biathlon ● The IBU World Cup circuit resumed in Kontiolahti (FIN), with France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet back to his winning ways. He took the 10 km Sprint in 23:21.0 (no penalties), ahead of Filip Andersen (NOR: +18.3) and German Johannes Kuehn (+29.7). It’s Fillon Maillet’s eighth win of the season, including his two Olympic golds.

He got no. 9 on Sunday in the 12.5 km Pursuit, winning in 32:55.0, ahead of Erik Lesser (GER: +8.2) and Lukas Hofer (ITA: +8.8).

The women’s 7.5 km Sprint was won by Olympic 15 km Individual gold medalist Denise Hermann (GER: 20:08.6; one penalty) for her seventh career World Cup victory (and second at Kontiolahti!). She was 5.0 seconds ahead of Norwegian star Tiril Eckhoff and 5.6 up on Sweden’s Stina Nilsson.

Eckhoff got her 27th career World Cup win on Sunday in the 10.0 km Pursuit, winning in 31:40.8, some 15.9 seconds up on Italy’s Dorothea Wierer and 19.5 seconds ahead of Hermann. Seasonal leader Marte Olsbu Roeiseland of Norway – who won this event in Beijing – was fourth.

● Cross Country Skiing ● The season-ending World Cup finals were canceled as they were scheduled for Tyumen (RUS), so the tour will end next week in Falun (SWE). This week, the skiers were in Norway for sprint and super-distance racing.

On Thursday (3rd), the sprint in Drammen produced the first win of the men’s season for France, with Richard Jouve winning in 2:32.84, just ahead of Qiang Wang (CHN: 2:34.43) and Lucas Chanavat (FRA: 2:35.16). It’s Jouve’s 13th individual World Cup sprint medal, but his first win! Wang won his first career World Cup medal.

On Sunday was the famed 50 km Freestyle at Oslo’s Holmenkollen course, with the home fans in a lather over a Norwegian sweep! The winner was unheralded Martin Nyenget, 29, who won only his third career World Cup medal and his first gold!

Nyenget won in 2:03:27.3, with countryman Sjur Roethe (2:03:27.9) just 0.6 behind – after 31.1 miles – and Didrik Toenseth third (2:03:30.8), the latter’s first World Cup medal in three years.

The women’s Classical Sprint in Drammen was a minor upset for Norwegian star Maiken Caspersen Falla – the 2014 Olympic champ – who won for the first time this season, in 2:52.31, ahead of Swede Jonna Sundling (2:52.84) and Slovenia’s Anamarija Lampic (2:54.28). Swedes had won five of the seven Sprints this season, but Falla’s 22nd career World Cup win and first of the season.

The Oslo 30 km Free was another brilliant triumph for Norway’s triple Beijing Olympic gold medalist Therese Johaug (1:19:22.8), who won decisively against Finn Krista Parmakoski (1:19:42.2) and Sundling (1:19:55.1). American Rosie Brennan was an impressive seventh (1:20:35.1).

Johaug, 33, announced her retirement in Oslo, and finishes as one of the greatest skiers in history. She won six Olympic medals – four gold – and took 14 World Championships victories and five other medals. Over 14 seasons, she won a staggering 81 races and collected 148 total medals.

● Cycling ● The 16th Strade Bianche in and around Siena (ITA) continued to underline the brilliance of Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar. Still just 23 and already a two-time Tour de France winner, he broke away from an excellent field – and in very windy conditions – with about 49 km remaining on the hilly, 184 km course and won in 4:47:49, fully 37 seconds up on Spain’s Alejandro Valverde and 46 seconds ahead of Kasper Asgreen (DEN).

American Quinn Simmons finished seventh, 1:21 behind.

The 136 km women’s Strade Bianche had 12 contenders heading into the last 1,000 m and ended with a sprint to the line between Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky and Dutch two-time winner Annemiek van Vleuten, won by Kopecky in 3:39:14, with van Vleuten given the same time. South Africa’s Ashleigh Moolman was third, ahead of Kasia Niewiadoma (POL), +0:10 to +0:19.

● Fencing ● The Westend Grand Prix in Epee in Budapest (HUN) was a showcase for London 2012 Olympic champ Ruben Limardo Gascon (VEN), who won his first Grand Prix gold by defeating Hungary’s David Nagy, 13-5 in the final.

It’s the first-ever international medal for Nagy, 22, who defeated equally-unknown Niko Vuorinen (FIN) in his semifinal, 12-11. Limardo Gascon sailed past Italian Gabriele Cimini, 13-9, in his semi.

The women’s title went to Italy’s Alberta Santuccio by 15-7 in the final against Hungarian Anna Kun, as both won their first Grand Prix medals. Santuccio, 27, had won two World Cup bronzes – in 2014 and 2018 – but took home the grand prize in Budapest. Kun, 26, won her first major international medal!

Estonia’s Tokyo bronze winner Katrina Lehis, and Injeong Choi (KOR) shared the bronze.

The women’s Sabre World Cup in Athens (GRE) saw Anna Bashta (AZE) get her second career World Cup victory – both in the last six weeks – with a 15-12 win over Spain’s Lucia Martin-Portugues. It was Martin-Portugues’s first ever World Cup medal.

Sara Balzer (FRA) and Sylwia Matuszak (POL) shared the bronze medal.

In the team event, Italy won over Japan, 45-43 in the final, while the U.S. – Chloe Fox-Gitomer, Elizabeth Tartakovsky and Honor Johnson – defeated Poland, 45-44, for the bronze.

● Football ● The CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship is continuing in the Dominican Republic, with the U.S., Mexico, and Canada all undefeated in their group matches (3-0) and Guatemala (2-0-1) winning the final group.

The Round of 16 is now underway, with the U.S. trouncing Surinam, 14-0 and Canada stomping the Cayman Islands by 13-0. The quarterfinals will be held on 8 March, with the U.S. facing Haiti and Puerto Rico vs. Guatemala in the upper bracket, and Canada vs. Panama and El Salvador vs. Mexico in the lower half.

The semis are on 10 March and the championship on 12 March.

● Freestyle Skiing ● The Slopestylers were in a dangerous part of the world in Bakuriani (GEO), with the Swiss sweeping the men’s event and Canada’s Megan Oldham taking the women’s title.

Qualifying was canceled and 2021 World Champion Andri Ragettli, brothers Colin Wili and Thierry Wili went 2-3: 73.75-64.11-64.06 in the final in a small field of 10 riders.

Oldham, the 2021 Worlds bronze medalist, won her second career World Cup, scoring 75.41 to best 2018 Olympic champ Sarah Hoefflin (SUI: 72.38) and Germany’s Alia Delia Eichinger (67.00) in a field of only four competitors.

● Gymnastics ● The FIG Apparatus World Cup was in Doha this week, for men’s and women’s competitions.

On the men’s side, Tokyo Olympic Floor Exercise champ Artem Dolgopyat took the Floor title at 14.733, ahead of Illia Kovtun of Ukraine (14.333) and Aurel Benovic (CRO: 14.166). Kovtun won the Parallel Bars (15.166), well in front of Milad Karimi (KAZ: 14.566) and Russian Ivan Kuliak (14.533). Russian competitors were barred by FIG beginning on Monday (7th).

Kovtun won his third medal with a bronze in the Horizontal Bars (13.933), with Israel’s Alexander Myakinin winning (14.333) and Robert Tvorogal (LTU: 13.933) second.

Nariman Kurbanov (KAZ: 15.200) won on Pommel Horse, ahead of Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan (14.933), and Armenia won on Rings with Vahagn Davtyan (14.700) and on Vault, with Artur Davtyan (15.033), with Ukraine’s Nazar Chepurnyi (14.833) second.

The women’s events starred 46-year-old Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan – who once competed for the USSR and won a 1992 Olympic gold for the Unified Team – who won the Vault at 13.433. The other three events were won by Russians: Viktoriia Listunova on Uneven Bars (14.566), Vladislava Urazova on Beam (13.200) and Marila Minaeva on Floor (12.666).

● Nordic Combined ● The penultimate weekend of the World Cup season started with Norway’s Jarl Magnus Riiber showing he is recovered from injury and making a late charge at a fourth straight seasonal title.

Riiber won in Oslo, leading in the jumping, then finishing first in the 10 km racing in 23:00.2, ahead of Austria’s Johannes Lamparter (+53.9) and Beijing Large Hill silver medalist Jens Oftebro (NOR: +1:05.4). It was Riiber’s 11th win of the season in 17 events.

On Sunday, again on the 134 m hill and 10 km race, Riiber won again in 24:00.9, ahead of Austrian Mario Seidl (24:18.7) and Oftebro (24:32.2). With two races left in the season, Lamparter is holding on to a 1,202-1,183 lead over Riiber with everything to be settled in Schonach (GER) next week.

● Shooting ● The ISSF World Cup in Rifle and Pistol in Cairo (EGY) concludes on Monday, with Norway surprising at the top of the medal table so far.

In the men’s 10 m Air Pistol, Indian star Chaudhary Saurabh defeated Michael Schwald (GER), 16-6, in the final; Russian Artem Chernousov was third. The Team 10 m Air Pistol was won by Germany, 16-0, over Turkey.

Olympic champ Jean Quiquampoix (FRA) took the 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol final on Sunday, 17-14 in the final against Ruslan Lunev (AZE), with Czech Martin Strnad third.

The 10 m Air Rifle was a 16-14 win for Danilo Dennis Sollazzo (ITA) over Patrik Jany (SVK), with Czech Jiri Privratsky third. Jany came back to win the 50 m Rifle/3 Positions, 16-10, over Zalan Pekler (HUN), with Croatia’s Peter Gorsa third.

The men’s Team 10 m Air Rifle was a win for Croatia over Italy, 16-10, and Austria won the Team 50 m Rifle/3 Positions event, 16-6 against the Czech Republic.

The women’s 10 m Air Pistol was won by Greece’s 2018 World Champion Anna Korikaki, who routed India’s Esha Singh in the final by 16-4. The 25 m Pistol was a 16-15 cliff-hanger for Mathilde Lamolle (FRA) over Veronika Major (HUN), with Korakaki third.

In the 10 m Air Rifle, French star Oceanne Muller won the tournament, 16-14, in the final against Russian Anastasiia Galashina, competing as a neutral. American Alison Weisz won the bronze. Norway’s Jeanette Duestad took a 17-13 win in the 50 m Rifle/3 Positions final over Sofia Ceccarello (ITA), with fellow Norwegian Jenny Stine taking third.

The women’s 10 m Air Pistol team event was a gold for India, 16-6 over Germany. India won the women’s Team 25 m Pistol final by 17-13 over Singapore, with Chinese Taipei third.

Hungary defeated Norway, 17-13 in the women’s Team 10 m Air Rifle, and Slovenia overcame the U.S. trio of Mary Tucker, Katie Zaun and Sagen Maddalena in the Team 50 m Rifle/3 Positions final, 17-15.

In the Mixed Team events, Serbia defeated Turkey, 17-9 in the 10 m Air Pistol final; Norway won over Italy in the 10 m Air Rifle final, 17-15, and the Norwegians won the 50 m Rifle/3 Positions on Sunday over Germany, 16-8.

Monday has the finals of the Men’s Team 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol and the Mixed 25 m Air Pistol.

● Ski Jumping ● The six-stage Raw Air Tournament is on in Norway, with midweek jumping in Lillehammer and then two World Cups in Oslo on the weekend.

Although the Raw Air tournament counts the qualifying marks toward the overall standings, the first World Cup competition in Lillehammer was won by three-time World Champion Stefan Kraft (AUT), ahead of seasonal leader and Beijing Normal Hill gold winner Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN), 294.1-289.0. German Karl Geiger was third (286.2).

On Saturday in Oslo, home favorite Marius Lindvik won for the fourth time this season, scoring 270.4, just ahead of Markus Eisenbichler (GER: 268.8) and Robert Johansson (NOR: 268.7).

On Sunday, Norwegian veteran Daniel Andre Tande – an Olympic Team gold medalist from 2018 – got his first win of the season, scoring 271.2, followed by Anze Lanisek (SLO: 267.1) and Kraft (266.9). And Kraft won the overall Raw Air title, ahead of Geiger and Kobayashi.

The women were also in Lillehammer and Oslo, with Japan’s Sara Takanashi winning the first of two events in Lillehammer, for her 62nd World Cup win, extending her own record. She scored 295.1 points to edge Slovenians Nika Kriznar (285.1) and Ursa Bogataj (282.3).

Seasonal leader Marita Kramer (AUT) won the second Lillehammer event at 299.9, just a point ahead of Kriznar (298.9) and Bogataj (291.1), who were 2-3 again, with Takanashi fourth (279.0).

Norway got a win in Oslo for its home fans, with Silje Opseth getting her first World Cup win in his 94th World Cup start! She scored 249.7 off the 134 m hill, to 271.1 for Kriznar and 237.7 for Takanashi.

Takanashi came back to win on Sunday, scoring 263.9 to edge Bogataj (259.3) and Japan’s Yuki Ito (254.6), with Kriznar fourth.

Kriznar won the Raw Air title, besting Takanashi and Bogataj. In eight competitions in 2022, Kriznar has won twice and been second four times. She trails Kramer, 1,226-1,031, with two events next week remaining in the season.

● Snowboard ● Sunday’s Slopestyle event in Bakuriani (GEO) had 13 starts for men and six for women, not surprising given the geography of the event and the war in Ukraine.

With many stars absent, the men’s winner was Leon Vockensperger (GER: 84.75), over Valentino Guseli (AUS: 81.00) and Leon Guetl (GER: 77.00). Canada’s 2017 World Champion Laurie Blouin won the women’s event at 76.25, beating teammate Jasmine Baird (70.00) and Bianca Gisler (67.25).

These were the first World Cup medals of the season for everyone except Blouin.

● Speed Skating ● The ISU World Speed Skating Championships were on in Hamar (NOR), with the Sprint Championship on Thursday and Friday and the Allround program on Saturday and Sunday.

In the Sprint events, the two 500 m races went to Canada’s Olympic 1,000 m silver medalist Laurence Debreuil (34.58) and Beijing 500 m bronze medalist Wataru Morishige (34.77). Japan’s Tatsuya Shinhama was second both times and American Jordan Stolz (17) was an encouraging sixth in the first race and fifth in the second.

In the two 1,000 m races, Beijing Olympic champ Thomas Krol (NED) won the first (1:08.16), ahead of Olympic bronze winner Havard Lortentzen (NOR) and Dubreuil, with Stolz fifth. Then Krol (1:08.51), Lorentzen and Stolz (!) finished 1-2-3 in the second race.

Norway won the men’s Team Sprint over Poland, 1:20.01-1:20.80.

The total times showed Krol as the overall Sprint World Champion at 138.705, with Lorentzen second (139.375) and Stolz third (139.485) for his first career Worlds medal! American Austin Kleba was 12th (141.805).

The women’s Sprints had Femke Kok (NED: 37.78) winning the first 500 m race over Vanessa Herzog (AUT), and then Kok won again (37.93) ahead of Andzelika Wojcik (POL: 38.00) in round two. The 1,000 m winners were Olympic silver medalist Jutta Leerdam (NED: 1:14.88) over Kok and American Kimi Goetz in the first race and then Leerdam (1:14.96) ahead of Kok, Herzog and Goetz in the second.

The combined standings crowned Leerdam (151.140) as champ, with Kok (151.215) a very close second, Herzog third (152.225) and Goetz fifth (153.515).

The Netherlands took the women’s Team Sprint, 1:27.42-1:20.09 over Poland.

In the men’s Allround events, Dmitry Morozov (KAZ) won the 500 m in 36.12, and Sweden’s double Olympic gold medalist Nils van der Poel won the 5,000 m in 6:13.45 on the first day. American Ethan Cepuran finished fourth (6:22.47) in the 5,000 m.

Sunday’s 1,500 m was won by Olympic Mass Start champ Bart Swings in 1:46.03, with Dutch star Patrick Roest second and American Emery Lehman third (1:46.72). Casey Dawson of the U.S. was ninth. In the men’s 10,000 m, van der Poel set a track record, winning in 12:41.56, more than 27 seconds ahead of Swings (13:09.21), with Davide Ghiotto (ITA) third.

That gave van der Poel the Allround title with 148.969, ahead of Roest (149.836) and Swings (150.218). Cepuran, Lehman and Dawson finished 8-9-11.

Japanese star (and Olympic silver winner) Miho Takagi won the women’s 500 m (38.31) and triple Olympic winner Irene Schouten (NED) took the 3,000 m (3:58.00) on Saturday.

Takagi came back on Sunday to win the 1,500 m in 1:55.03 over Ragne Wiklund (NOR) and Antoinette de Jong (NED) and then Czech star Marina Sabilkova – a five-time Allround champion – won the 5,000 m in 6:51.75, beating Schouten, Wiklund and Takagi.

The scoring showed Schouten with a narrow win overall, 158.974 to 159.305 over Takagi, with de Jong third (159.798). American Mia Kilburg-Manganello was 12th. It’s Schouten’s first World Allround title, to go along with her three Olympic golds.

● Swimming ● The Tyr Pro Swim Series meet in Westmont finished on Saturday with Katie Ledecky taking her third win and world leads in four marks over the last two days of the meet.

Ledecky won the 800 m Free in 8:21.31 – she is already the world leader – to go with her earlier victories in the 1,500 m and 400 m Frees. Worlds 2017 bronze medalist Leah Smith of the U.S. was second and moved to second on the 2022 world list at 8:26.28.

Tokyo Medley Relay silver medalist Claire Curzan, 17, had a big day on Friday, moving to no. 2 in the world for 2022 with a 2:07.31 win over Olivia Smoliga (2:09.35) in the 200 m Back finals, then took the world lead in the 100 m Fly final, winning in 56.89 over Kelsi Dahlia (57.53).

Curzan came back on Saturday to win the 100 m Back in 58.94, no. 2 in the world this year, with Smoliga second (59.53) and Hali Flickinger third (59.78). Then she won the 50 m Free in a world-leading 24.59, ahead of Abbey Weitzeil (24.73), who had the world lead from her 24.84 in the prelims!

Tokyo double bronze medalist Flickinger got her second win of the meet in a star-studded 400 m Medley, winning in 4:36.46, 0.01 off the world lead for 2022. She finished ahead of Smith (4:39.78: no. 5 in 2022) and Ledecky (4:40.28).

Annie Lazor scored a solid, world-leading win over fellow U.S. stars Lilly King and Lydia Jacoby in the 200 m Breast final, 2:22.59-2:24.65-2:28.22. Leah Hayes posted the no. 2 time in the world for 2022 in the 200 m Medley prelims (2:11.22) and then won the final in 2:11.27.

Michael Andrew took a solid win in the men’s 100 m Fly final, swimming the no. 2 mark in the world this year – 51.74 – ahead of Shaine Casas (51.77: no. 3) and Tokyo superstar Caeleb Dressel (51.79). Andrew also won the men’s 50 m Free to end the meet in 21.73, tops in the world for 2022, beating Ian Ho (HKG: 22.22), Ryan Held (22.29) and Dressel (22.37).

Double Rio backstroke gold medalist Ryan Murphy won the men’s 200 m Back with an impressive 1:56.78-1:58.09 swim over Casas on Friday and doubled up with a 53.03-53.28 win over Casas in the 100 m Back. Both marks moved Murphy to no. 2 in the world for 2022.

Will Licon won the 200 m Breast over Nic Fink, 2:11.75-2:12.20 and Sam Stewart took the 200 m Medley in 2:00.71.

Egypt’s Marwan Elkamash got his third win in Westmont with a tight, 1:48.59-1:48.63 win over Jake Mitchell in the 200 m Free and then a fourth in the 800 m Free, winning in 7:58.65.

In Australia, the New South Wales State Open produced several world-leading marks, including sprinter Shayna Jack on a tear, returning from her doping suspension.

Jack went to the top of the world list for 2022 in the women’s 50 m Free (24.42) and 100 m Free 53.13), the latter a lifetime best. Still only 23, she once again appears to be a serious contender for medals in multiple future events.

Double Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus took the world 400 m Free lead from Ledecky, winning in 4:00.03 and equaled Ledecky’s world-leader in the 200 m Free at 1:54.66. Triple Tokyo gold medalist Kaylee McKeown won the 200 m Medley in 2:10.64, also the best in 2022.

Among the men, Elijah Winnington won the 400 m Free in 3:47.05 to top the year list.

In Marseille (FRA), Swedish sprint star Sarah Sjostrom took the world lead from Jack, winning the women’s 50 m Free at the FFN Golden Tour in 24.33. British breaststroke star Adam Peaty won the 50 m Breast in a world-leading 27.16.

At the Canadian Trials Prep Selection Invite in Toronto, 15-year-old Summer McIntosh took the world lead in the 400 m Medley at 4:29.12, moving to no. 3 on the all-time list. She followed up with a world-leading 2:05.81 to win the 200 m Fly on Saturday. Wow!

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THE LATEST: Paralympics open in Beijing without Russia; more sanctions from FIG, World Skate, Int’l Surfing and IWF; Sun’s four-year doping ban upheld

By
Rich Perelman
-
The Ukrainian team entering the Winter Paralympic Games opening in Beijing

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● Plus: IPC President’s speech reported censored on Chinese TV = No appeal against IPC ban possible = THE 5-RING CIRCUS: Special Olympics 2023 Winter Games in Russia cancelled = Deaf Sports Federation inactive on Russia ban = Athletics: Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence upheld = Football: Russia to file appeal vs, FIFA & UEFA = U.S. women to play Uzbeks = Gymnastics: Russian and Belarusian athletes banned = Weightlifting: IWF imposes sanctions = SCOREBOARD: Big names win at Tyr Pro Swim Westmont = Shayna Jack returns to winning in Australia ●

What you need to know now, from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

“Tonight, I want – I must – begin with a message of peace. As the leader of an organization with inclusion at its core, with diversity celebrated and differences embraced, I am horrified at what is taking place in the world right now.

“The 21st Century is a time for dialogue and diplomacy, not war and hate.

“The Olympic Truce for peace during the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a U.N. Resolution adopted by consensus by 193 member states at the 76th U.N. General Assembly. It must be respected and observed, not violated.

“At the IPC, we inspire for a better and more inclusive world, free from discrimination, free from hate, free from ignorance and free from conflict.

“Here in Beijing, Paralympic athletes from 46 different nations will compete with each other, not against each other. Through sport, they will showcase the best of humanity and highlight the values that should underpin a peaceful and inclusive world.

“Paralympians know that an opponent does not have to be an enemy and that united, we can achieve more, much more. Tonight, the Paralympic Movement calls on world authorities to come together, as athletes do, promote peace, understanding and inclusion. The world must be a place for sharing, not dividing.”

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons (BRA) began his address at the Opening Ceremony at the XIII Winter Paralympic Games with a passionate call against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

His short speech also, of course, addressed the athletes present and their role in the Paralympic drive for change:

“You define the meaning of determination, you personify perseverance. Celebrate your achievements here and be proud that your abilities can, and will, change the world for many, many millions of people. Above all, have fun and play fair.”

His final word was a shout: “PEACE!”

The Games opened in Beijing with a 98-minute ceremony with many more people in the stands than at the Olympic Winter Games, which applauded Parsons’ comments many times, especially in his calls for peace. A total of 46 countries have sent 564 athletes to compete, the same as in 2018. China has the largest delegation at 96, with the U.S. second at 65.

An eight-part relay of the Olympic Flame ended with blind athlete Duan Li – four-time Paralympic medalist in track & field – walking with his guide to a rising platform to place the torch inside another giant snowflake on the field, continuing the “candle” theme used at the Olympic Winter Games.

The competition will continue through the 13th.

Journalist Mark Dreyer, who covers China closely, tweeted shortly after the ceremony:

“IPC President Andrew Parsons appeared to Chinese viewers and listeners to have a mic issue at the Paralympic Opening Ceremony this evening. But in fact his speech about how he was ‘horrified at what is taking place in the world right now’ was censored in China.”

Dreyer noted: “The strategy appears to be ‘don’t mention the war’, but that doesn’t actually mean the war isn’t happening.”

The Russian Paralympic Committee did not file its promised appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to be allowed into the Games:

“After receiving the IPC’s decision on non-admission of the team to the Games, the RPC involved leading Russian and foreign law firms to carry out a legal examination of the possibility to apply to the CAS and obtain a positive decision.

“Unfortunately, Article 2.9 of the Paralympic Games section of the IPC Rules does not allow this, the IPC can, at its sole discretion, ban any athlete from participation without giving reasons. Also, the IPC constitution lacks an arbitration clause allowing the RPC to apply to the CAS to resolve differences. …

“This decision is politically-motivated, it contradicts all the Paralympic movement’s postulates and clearly indicates that double standards, unfortunately, have become the norm for modern sports.”

The Russian team is still in Beijing, and will leave on a charter flight on Sunday (6th).

≡ THE FIVE-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Special Olympics ● The 2023 Special Olympics World Winter Games, scheduled for Kazan (RUS) has been cancelled.

The Washington, D.C.-based Special Olympics statement included:

“We can no longer ensure the effectiveness of the World Winter Games in Kazan or the safety of our athletes and community. The horrific violence in Ukraine, the extensive sanctions implemented by the international community, and the uncertainty and fear being experienced around the world make it impossible to proceed. We are devastated by the fear and destruction being experienced by our athletes and community in Ukraine. Persons with an intellectual disability are suffering disproportionately, unfairly, and tragically in this war, as they have during the pandemic. We join our voices to millions around the world demanding peace and an end to violence immediately.”

The event was to be held from 21-27 January 2023.

● Deaflympics ● While the International Olympic Committee, IPC, Special Olympics and many other organizations have banned or suspended their Russian affiliates, the International Committee for Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) has done nothing.

The British-based Two Big Ears blog reports continuing calls for sanctions have been made by national deaf-sport federations in Britain, Poland, Taiwan, Ukraine and the seven-member Nordic-Baltic Federation. But no response from the ICSD.

Coincidentally, the World Federation of the Deaf has appealed for funds for Ukrainian relief on Twitter, but has no statement about the Russian invasion on its Web site.

The stance of the ICSD could come under more scrutiny soon as the worldwide Deaflympics will be held in Caxias do Sul in Brazil from 1-15 May. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has refrained from criticizing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, although Brazil voted in favor of a draft U.N. resolution condemning it in February.

The ICSD President, Gustavo Perazzolo, elected in 2021, is also Brazilian.

● European Championships ● The second edition of the nine-sport event, to include Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Canoe Sprint, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing, Sport Climbing, Table Tennis, and Triathlon, in August in Munich (GER) has also banned Russian and Belarusian athletes, in line with the IOC’s recommendations. The announcement included:

“We are aware that this recommendation affects and effectively punishes athletes who cannot be held accountable for the decisions of their governments. However, many athletes from Ukraine are prevented from taking part in sports events because of the attack on their country. As it is our concern to ensure safe conditions and a fair competition, we hereby take a clear stance on the current political situation.”

● Athletics ● The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in a 6-3 decision announced Friday.

Four people died from the blast; Tsarnaev’s brother, Tamerlan, died in an ensuing shoot-out and Dzhokhar was convicted in 2015 and is in prison in Colorado awaiting his appeal of the death penalty. It is not clear whether the sentence will be carried out, as the Biden Administration has a moratorium on all executions.

● Football ● The Russian Football Union, suspended by both FIFA and UEFA, said it will file an appeal against being banned with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and if unsuccessful, will file suit to force FIFA and UEFA to suspend their qualification programs.

The next qualifying match that Russia was supposed to play – prior to its ban – was to be on 24 March against Poland. All three of the teams which could play Russia – Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic – have said they will not play against Russia.

The U.S. Women’s National Team will play two friendlies against 45th-ranked Uzbekistan – their first meetings – on 9 April in Columbus, Ohio and 12 April in Chester, Pennsylvania.

● Gymnastics ● The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique added further sanctions today:

“Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, including judges, are not allowed to take part in FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions from 7 March 2022 until further notice.”

This includes, notably, the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in Baku (AZE) from 10-13 March 2022. The new measures extend the sanctions of 26 February, which removed competitions from the two countries, but allowed its athletes to compete sans flags and anthems.

The new sanctions “constitute preventive measures aiming at preserving the integrity of Gymnastics, the safety and integrity of members and all athletes and participants, and at fighting against all forms of violence and of sports injustice.”

● Skateboarding ● World Skate announced Thursday that it would only allow Russian or Belarusian athletes as neutrals, but imposed no ban on participation.

● Surfing ● World Surfing announced on 28 February that “no athletes and officials from Russia will be invited to participate or attend ISA events until further notice.”

● Swimming ● The Swiss Federal Tribunal dismissed the appeal of Chinese star swimmer Yang Sun from a 51-month ban from the Court of Arbitration for Sport:

“The contested decision, which imposed a ban of four years and three months on Sun Yang from February 2020, does not violate fundamental principles of public order; nor was Sun Yang’s right to be heard infringed.”

The announcement of the decision further explained:

“The Court’s review of the merits is limited by law to the question of whether the contested CAS decision violates fundamental and widely recognised principles of public order (‘ordre public’). The contested decision does not violate public policy. The Federal Supreme Court also rejected Sun Yang’s claims that the CAS had violated his right to be heard.

“The Federal Supreme Court did not consider Sun Yang’s objections regarding the timeliness of the appeal filed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) with the CAS in 2019. However, the athlete’s objections in this regard would be unfounded in any case. Furthermore, the Federal Supreme Court did not consider the complaint that the Court’s limited power of review in appeals against CAS decisions violated the right to an effective remedy within the meaning of Article 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights.”

Sun, now 30, would be eligible in time for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

● Weightlifting ● The International Weightlifting Federation finally issued sanctions on Thursday:

“[T]he IWF Executive Board met to discuss the evolving situation and has taken the decision to suspend the participation of all athletes, team officials and technical officials from Russia and Belarus from any international or continental weightlifting event until further notice. In addition, and also until further notice, no IWF sanctioned events will be organized in these countries.”

The IWF also made a funding commitment:

“The IWF Executive Board has further approved funding to support Ukrainian athletes during this trying time. The IWF Secretary General Mr. Mohammed Jaloud is currently in contact with the Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation to ensure that financial and training support will be provided to athletes preparing for the Youth, Junior and World Championships. In addition, the IWF will work with the UWF to rebuild any facilities that may have been impacted.”

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Swimming ● The Tyr Pro Swim Series meet in Westmont, Illinois continued on Thursday with eight finals, including another win for U.S. distance superstar Katie Ledecky.

She won the 400 m Free by more than three seconds in 4:01.30, the no. 2 time in the world this year (behind her own 4:00.95 in February). Rio 2016 bronze medalist Leah Smith was second in 4:04.73 and moved to no. 2 in the world this year.

A lot of other big names were in the pool. Erika Brown of the U.S. won the 100 m Free in 54.13, best in the world in 2022, over Abbey Weitzeil (54.53). Rio Olympic champ Lilly King won the 100 m Breaststroke in 1:06.24 – no. 2 in 2022 so far – ahead of Tokyo 200 m Breast bronze winner Annie Lazor (1:06.48) and Tokyo gold medalist Lydia Jacoby (1:06.87). Hali Flickinger, the Tokyo 200 m Fly bronze medalist, swam a world-leading 2:06.67 in the prelims and came back to win the final in 2:06.87.

Shaine Casas won the men’s 100 m Free in 49.29, with Tokyo winner Caeleb Dressel fourth at 49.54. Michael Andrew defeated Nic Fink in the 100 m Breast final, 59.05-59.55

Italy’s Federico Burdisso, the Tokyo bronze medalist, won the 200 m Fly in 1:57.83, no. 4 on the world list for 2022. Marwan ElKamash (EGY) won his second event of the meet, the 400 m Free, in 3:50.59, no. 5 in the world this season.

The meet continues through Saturday.

Interesting results from the New South Wales State Open Championships in Australia, as Shayna Jack – back from a doping suspension – set a lifetime best of 53.13 in winning the women’s 100 m Free. Among the other placers was Tokyo star Ariarne Titmus, who finished fourth in a rare race at the shorter distance.

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For our 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

PANORAMA: IPC U-turns, bans Russia and Belarus in view of potential boycott; Russia to file for reinstatement; more 2012 Russian dopers

By
Rich Perelman
-

(★ Thank you to our 37 donors, who have covered 65% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

● Plus: Beijing 2022: China asked Russia to delay invasion to after OWG = Los Angeles 2028: Big table needed for City’s Games Cabinet meetings = IOC: Bach asks Bubka to head solidarity fund = Archery: IF bans Russia & Belarus = Basketball: Women’s World Cup draw = Bobsled: IBSF suspends Russian federation = Taekwondo: Russia and Belarus banned = Wrestling: three Russian positives from 2012 = SCOREBOARD: Athletics: Rojas jumps second-best indoor TJ ever at Madrid Indoor Tour Gold = Swimming: Ledecky wins Tyr Pro Swim 1,500 m free in no. 15 time ever ●

Key status updates on the urgent stories in Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

“In the last 12 hours an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am grateful. They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Multiple NPCs, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete.

“Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us and the situation in the athlete villages is escalating and has now become untenable. First and foremost, we have a duty as part of the Paralympic mission, enshrined in the constitution, to guarantee and supervise the organisation of successful Paralympic Games, to ensure that in sport practiced within the Paralympic Movement the spirit of fair play prevails, violence is banned, the health risk of the athletes is managed and fundamental ethical principles are upheld.

“With this in mind, and in order to preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to refuse the athlete entries from [Russian Paralympic Committee] and NPC Belarus.

“To the Para athletes from the impacted countries, we are very sorry that you are affected by the decisions your governments took last week in breaching the Olympic Truce. You are victims of your governments’ actions.

“Athlete welfare is and always will be a key concern for us. As a result of today’s decision 83 Para athletes are directly impacted by this decision. However, if RPC and NPC Belarus remain here in Beijing then nations will likely withdraw. We will likely not have a viable Games. If this were to happen, the impact would be far wider reaching.”

That stunning announcement by International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons (BRA) came after multiple countries threatened to withdraw from the Games in protest.

The situation in Beijing has been exacerbated by the actions of the Russian delegation. Two-time Paralympic track & field gold medalist Richard Whitehead (GBR) told ITV’s “Good Morning Britain”:

“I’ve heard lots of messages of indoctrination within the Russian community and messages that the Russian athletes are sending Ukraine athletes about bombing their homes. And I feel that to take the Russians and Belarus athletes straight out of the village and send them home is the right decision.”

IPC spokesman Craig Spence (GBR) explained during a news conference in Beijing:

“We’re an apolitical organization. We want to be completely impartial. But when you have governments behind the scenes, speaking to their National Paralympic Committees and threatening to withdraw them from these Games, we’ve got to be really careful. Because the moment one nation potentially withdraws because they’re unhappy with the decision, then it snowballs, and before long, the Games aren’t viable, and the Opening Ceremony is in 24 hours time. …

“The feedback we were getting was, ‘Look, we might have athletes, we might have teams, and we’ve already seen it today in wheelchair curling and para-ice hockey; we saw teams refusing to play.

“That’s not a good advert for the Paralympic Movement. That’s not what we want to do and our mission to inspire the world and show how amazing persons with disabilities are, and how we can change attitudes towards disabilities through sport.

“So the Board today went back to the drawing board, and the other thing also is safety. That’s new. I mean, last night the NPC Ukraine delegation arrived, and what was the NPA [Russian] delegation arrived, and the atmosphere in the Villages is not pleasant.”

He added:

“What we’ve seen in the 14 hours since is a move from letters of ‘We think you should ban’ to ‘Now we’re thinking of going home. We’re not playing.’ That threatens the viability of this event. So that’s a huge change. If we don’t act on that, then we’re crazy. So we have and we’ve acted and we’ve made again a decision based on the fact that the position of our NPCs has gone from one of, a recommendation or suggestion to one of a threat, almost. We’ve acted on that.

“The tensions are building in the Village. It’s better to act now than wait until something happens. … If we didn’t develop today’s decision, we’d probably be talking to you in two days’ time about the fact that there’s not enough athletes here to do the Games. Simple.”

Parsons is an International Olympic Committee member and is also representing the IOC at the Paralympic Games.

From the Russian side:

● Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday, “This situation is definitely monstrous. This is of course a disgrace for the International Paralympic Committee as I cannot find other words of describing it.”

● Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said an appeal against the IPC ruling would be quickly filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport:

“Today’s decision of the International Paralympic Committee to bar our team is a blatant violation of athletes’ rights and a manipulation of the Olympic Charter and human lives’ values in pursue of political goals. It is extremely inadmissible to put in action any type of sanctions in regard to Paralympians, who have already arrived for the tournament.”

● The Russian state-sponsored sports network, Match TV, declared it would not be showing the Paralympics at all.

The Beijing 2022 Web site carried no news of the entire issue.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, which had called for Russia to be banned from all of international sport, posted a letter from chief executive Sarah Hirshland after Wednesday’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals, including:

“[W]hile we can empathize with the difficulty of this decision and the IPC’s desire to protect the athletes’ rights to compete, we are disappointed in this outcome as it excuses Russia’s disregard for not only the Olympic truce, but also for the victims of a senseless war.”

The message also reminded the U.S. team that it is in China:

“We understand these events have captured hearts and minds across the world with many showing support for the innocent athletes and people of Ukraine – and that support is taking many forms.

“To those of you in Beijing, as with every Games, it is important to remember that the IPC rules govern all Games participants, including U.S. delegation members, and that as guests of the host country, we are subject to its laws, which sometimes differ from those in the U.S. As always, our athlete services team is available to answer questions or offer guidance.”

The IPC’s turnaround is not without precedent in the Olympic world, notes super-historian Bill Mallon, one of the founders of the Olympedia statistical site. Mallon explained on Twitter:

“At the 1971 IOC Session, the IOC ruled that Rhodesian athletes could compete, but only using British uniforms, the Union Jack as the flag, and with the British anthem. …

“Rhodesia, later Zimbabwe, practiced apartheid, however, including in sport. Shortly before the 1972 München Olympics, all the African nations threatened a mass boycott if Rhodesia was allowed to compete. …

“Two days before the Opening Ceremony, the IOC voted (36-31 with three abstentions) to withdraw the invitation to Rhodesia for the 1972 Olympic Games. Virtually the same situation just occurred at the Beijing 2022 Paralympics.”

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XXIV Olympic Winter Games: Beijing 2022 ● Reuters reported that China asked Russia not to invade Ukraine until after the end of the Beijing Winter Games:

“Senior Chinese officials made the request in early February after Washington informed Beijing of the Russian troop buildup in the hopes that Communist leaders would pressure their ally to stand down.”

● International Olympic Committee ● IOC President Thomas Bach sent a letter to the Olympic Movement, asking for support for a solidarity fund for Ukraine’s sports community, to be coordinated by Ukrainian National Olympic Committee President Sergey Bubka, the famed pole vault star and Olympic gold medalist, who is also an IOC member.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that even if a cease-fire or peace agreement is reached, the IOC may not lift its sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Bach explained,

“We have left this open… it was very difficult either to set a deadline or to define an event, what could either lead to heavier sanctions or what could lead to a lifting of some of the sanctions,” but also added:

“You can only hold those responsible who are responsible for a breach of the Olympic Charter. And not the Russian people, nor the athletes, nor the Russian Olympic Committee is responsible for this.”

Bach said he had not been on “speaking terms” with Russian President Vladimir Putin for several years and underlined once again:

“[W]e are coming to our limits. We have no police force, we have no military. There we can only offer moral support and can help to shed the light on this situation, but there our influence ends.

“We can argue as we did in other humanitarian cases affecting athletes, by trying to intervene and to again, to shed light, to ask for exceptions or to call for mildness, but this is all we can do, we can only appeal.”

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Los Angeles 2028 ● Meetings of the newly-formed City of Los Angeles “Games Cabinet” will require a big room as the Executive Directive identifies:

“The General Managers and Directors of the City’s Departments of Civil + Human Rights and Equity (LA Civil Rights), Community Investment for Families (CIFD), Cultural Affairs (DCA), Disability, Emergency Management (EMD), Economic and Workforce Development (EWDD), General Services (GSD), Housing, L.A. Public Library, Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE), Planning, Personnel, the Board and Bureaus of the Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks (RAP), City Tourism, Transportation (DOT), Youth Development (YDD), with the Chief of Police and Fire Chief, and, by request, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), shall comprise the 2028 Games Cabinet.”

That’s 21 departments in all, not to mention the coordination required with:

“Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Mayor’s Office, currently represented by my Deputy Mayor for International Affairs. This Cabinet will closely coordinate with LA28, the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA), City Attorney, City Council, Heads of Departments/Offices and Commissions …”

Whether the next L.A. Mayor wants to do any of this is unknown; the race is wide open according to a recent Loyola Marymount University poll, with 42% undecided on any candidate. The primary is in June.

● Archery ● World Archery announced further sanctions on Russian and Belarusian athletes on Wednesday: “no athlete, team official or technical official from Russia or Belarus will be permitted to participate in any international archery event until further notice.”

● Basketball ● The draw for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia was completed, with two groups to include:

● Group A: Belgium, China, Bosnia & Herzegovina, South Korea, United States and a team to replace Russia.

● Group B: France, Serbia, Japan, Nigeria, Canada, Australia.

The tournament will run from 22 September-1 October. The American women have won three World Cups in a row and five of the last six.

● Bobsled & Skeleton ● The International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation suspended the Bobsleigh Federation of Russia “until the next Congress to be held in July 2022. It is crucial to emphasize that this is a stand against the breach of the Olympic Truce and IBSF fully supports the recommendations of the IOC regarding no participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials.”

● Speed Skating ● The World Short Track Championships, due to be held in Montreal from 18-20 March, but in danger in view of the very stiff regulations on entry into the country, have been postponed to 8-10 April.

● Taekwondo ● Following the lead of the IOC, the World Taekwondo Council “decided that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials will not be permitted to compete at World Taekwondo events until further notice.”

● Wrestling ● The International Testing Agency filed doping violation notices against three Russian wrestlers, based on 2012 sample re-testing and evidence from the McLaren reports.

Dariya Leksina, Aleksey Shchekov and Elena Vostrikova were named; none won medals at London 2012 and all are apparently retired.

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Athletics ● An error in our report yesterday on the World Indoor Tour Gold meet in Madrid:

Venezuela’s Olympic triple jump champion Yulimar Rojas did indeed win the event with a world-leading mark, but her best mark was 15.41 m (50-6 3/4) in the fifth round, just 2 cm short of her world indoor record and the no. 2 performance in history.

Her earlier jump of 15.35 m (50-4 1/2) in round two is now the no. 4 performance in history.

Also, the men’s 60 m win by Elijah Hall-Thompson of the U.S. gave him the seasonal win in that event, allowing him to participate in the upcoming World Indoor Championships, even though he did not contest the event at the USATF Indoor Championships last week.

● Swimming ● USA Swimming’s Tyr Pro Swim Series resumed in Westmont, Illinois on Wednesday, with Katie Ledecky and Egypt’s Marwan Elkamash winning the 1,500 m Freestyles.

Ledecky finished in 15:39.45, best in the world for 2022, ahead of 16-year-old Piper Wood Prince (17:26.73). Ledecky’s time is the no. 15 performance in history; she has 14 of the 15.

Elkamash won in 15:18.45, just ahead of American Alec Enyeart (15:19.77). The meet continues through Saturday.

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For our 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

THE TICKER: Paralympics to allow Russians as neutrals; bans from IBU, UCI, FIE, FIL, UWW; U.S. Soccer gets $200 million, eight-year broadcast deal

By
Rich Perelman
-
A supportive salute to Ukraine from the Federation Internationale de Luge

(★ One more! Thank you to our 37 donors, who have covered 65% of our service costs for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

● Plus: Los Angeles 2028: Mayor Garcetti sets up “Games Cabinet” = Aquatics: FINA shuffles Worlds competition calendar = Athletics: Mary Cain now a triathlete = Weightlifting: six Russian positives from 2012 = SCOREBOARD: World leader for Rojas at Indoor Tour Gold meet in Madrid ●

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

The International Paralympic Committee announced today:

“The [Russian Paralympic Committee] and [National Paralympic Committee] Belarus will participate as neutrals at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.”

“They will compete under the Paralympic flag and not be included in the medal table.

“IPC to host extraordinary General Assembly in 2022 to vote on whether to make compliance with the Olympic Truce a membership requirement and whether to suspend or terminate the membership of the Russian Paralympic Committee and Belarus Paralympic Committee. IPC will not hold any events in Russia or Belarus until further notice.”

As the IPC has implemented stiffer sanctions than the International Olympic Committee on Russia regarding doping in the past, this is something of a surprise. Asked at a news conference about the decision, IPC President Andrew Parsons (BRA) said:

“This is absolutely not fair, disgusting, it’s against humanity. But again, the decision that we took was based on our constitution.”

Athletes from both Russia and Belarus are already in Beijing for the Winter Paralympic Games that begin on Friday. The Russian news agency TASS reported Russian Paralympic Committee Acting President Pavel Rozhkov’s comments:

“Our athletes will take part in the opening ceremony, there will be 26 of them. We will pick flag bearers tomorrow. I would like to refrain from making detailed comments on the IPC’s decision in order not to harm our athletes with my remarks. Our guys are prepared well.”

The Russian team, still under sanctions by the World Anti-Doping Agency, was going to compete under the RPC flag, but now as neutral athletes.

More bans from International Federations were announced today:

● The International Biathlon Union Executive Board decided “not to allow the participation of any Russian or Belarusian athletes or officials at its international events until further notice including non-sports events organised by the IBU for its members. The EB will further discuss a potential suspension of the two national federations from their IBU membership, latest at the regular EB meeting on 17 March.”

● The Union Cycliste Internationale Management Committee approved further sanctions against Russia and Belarus, including (1) “withdrawal” of team status for all Russian or Belarusian-identified teams in road or track cycling (there are six); (2) removes all events in either country from the UCI calendar (five); (3) “forbids organisers of events on the UCI International Calendar from inviting Russian and Belarusian club, regional or mixed teams” and several other measures.

Russian or Belarusian athletes who are part of non-Russian teams – for example, in road cycling – are not affected, but must not wear any national insignia. Also:

“As part of its decisions, the UCI Management Committee has also taken stance on sponsoring by Russian or Belarusian brands and companies. As it considers that this would damage the image of the UCI and cycling in general, such sponsoring will not be authorised. Teams and event organisers have therefore been requested not to grant any visibility to Russian or Belarusian sponsors at events on the UCI International Calendar.”

● The Federation Internationale de Escrime (FIE) Executive Committee “decided not to invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in FIE competitions, until further notice.”

The long-time FIE President, Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, stepped away from his position on Tuesday to work against sanctions placed on him by the European Union.

● The International Judo Federation canceled all licensed competitions in Russia, but will allow Russian athletes to compete in IJF competitions as neutrals, stating:

“Any radical decision to obstruct the participation of athletes in sporting competitions would only continue the escalation of violence and nurture the feeling of injustice for those athletes who did not participate in any decision regarding the conflict. We cannot condemn the athletes for what is happening.”

● The International Luge Federation, whose season is over, issued a notice that condemned the Russian invasion, declares Russia ineligible to host any FIL events (there were two World Cup races in Sochi last season) and bans all Russian athletes, coaches and officials from FIL events. And:

“The FIL will initiate an investigation into certain derogatory and disturbing social media posts by Russian athletes directed at Ukraine.”

● United World Wresting announced that “no wrestlers or officials belonging to the UWW affiliated and associated federations in Russia and Belarus shall be, with immediate effect, invited or allowed to participate in international competitions in the UWW calendar.”

It also canceled any events in either country this year.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Los Angeles 2028 ● While waiting to be confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to India, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued an Executive Directive on Monday, forming a “Games Cabinet” to “facilitate the coordination of City departments and key stakeholders, and ensure that all Angelenos enjoy the benefits of hosting the Games.”

The announcement included: “The Mayor’s 2028 Games Cabinet will be led by the Chief Administrative Officer and the Deputy Mayor of International Affairs, in close collaboration with LA28, the City Council, and the General Managers of the relevant departments.”

● World Anti-Doping Agency ● Three anti-doping organizations were removed from the WADA “compliance watchlist” as they are now in conformity with the World Anti-Doping Code.

These include Romania, Montenegro and the German Community of Belgium. There are no others now on the “watchlist,” but Russia and North Korea are still suspended.

● Aquatics ● FINA announced a significant revision in its approach to its “extraordinary” World Aquatics Championships this summer in Budapest, with the swimming competition to come in the first week rather than the second.

The reason was cited as “special consideration for the training and recovery challenges of a busy 2022 aquatics calendar.”

Swimming will run from 18-25 June, diving from 26 June-3 July, open water competitions from 26-30 June and artistic swimming from 17-25 June. Water polo will be held in four cities from 20 June to 3 July.

The early scheduling sets up a potentially big weekend of Olympic sports for American fans, with the USA Track & Field National Championships in Eugene from 23-26 June. The swimming finals will run from 6-8 p.m. in Budapest – or noon-2 p.m. Eastern time, possibly leading to an 11 a.m. or noon start in Eugene (2 or 3 p.m. Eastern) on the weekend.

● Athletics ● Mary Cain was one of the greatest high school runners in history, but her professional career did not pan out as hoped for. She has filed a $20 million lawsuit against former coach Alberto Salazar and Nike for abuse.

So, is she retired? Nope. Now 25, she’s on her way to being a triathlete and will compete this weekend in Clermont, Florida.

She always enjoyed swimming and is now on the path toward professional status in a new sport.

“I’m so excited to see where this takes me and to try to compete at the highest level possible for me. But honestly, I have no idea what that is going to be.”

● Boxing ● The International Boxing Association, which has a Russian President in Umar Kremlev, announced:

“IBA will provide financial and logistical support for Ukrainian boxers and other team members seeking to continue their participation in competition. Where possible, IBA will also provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian team members arriving in neighbouring countries.”

● Football ● U.S. Soccer has obtained a new, English-language broadcast agreement for its national team games, with a reported $200 million being paid for eight years (2023-30) by WarnerMedia, with games to be shown on the HBO Max subscription service and perhaps half the games on television on TBS or TNT.

The new deal is for USSF national team games only, but does not include the FIFA World Cup or CONCACAF national team matches, which are contracted to Fox.

The existing deal that will finish at the end of 2022 was a combination package of USSF and MLS rights that paid an average of $75 million per year for eight years (2015-22) for English-language rights by ESPN and Fox. It was reported that neither network was a bidder for the rights this time around.

The deal is a nice raise in pay for the USSF, another reason for it to agree to settle the Women’s National Team equal-pay lawsuit IF a collective-bargaining agreement is reached.

The USSF Annual General Meeting is this weekend, with the election for federation president between incumbent Cindy Parlow Cone and previous president Carlos Cordeiro on the agenda. But there are other issues.

ESPN reported that a series of gender equity and anti-discrimination rules are up for discussion in Friday’s Board meeting. This would include new regulations requiring the list of candidates for senior positions to include “women and candidates from underserved communities” and that all national teams – men and women – include at least one female coach by 2027. The number of female licensed coaches is also to be increased significantly by 2028.

● Weightlifting ● The blasts from the past just keep on coming for Russia, as the International Testing Agency filed notices of doping positives against six Russian lifters, based on data from the Moscow Laboratory Information System (LIMS) and the McLaren reports into Russian doping from 2011-15.

The lifters named include Aleksandr Ivanov, Dmitry Klokov, Svetlana Tzarukaeva, Natalya Zabolotnaya, Olga Zubova and Apti Aukhadov, from samples given in 2012 and 2013. All were previously found to be doping during re-testing by the International Olympic Committee or the International Weightlifting Federation, but these are new penalties from the IWF’s contracted anti-doping authority.

Ivanov was the London 2012 silver medalist in the men’s 94 kg class, but has since been stripped of the medal in 2016. Klokov won the 2008 Olympic silver at 105 kg, but withdrew prior to the 2012 Games (wonder why?), and was the 2005 World Champion at 105 kg and won four other Worlds medals between 2006-11. Aukhadov won the 2012 Olympic silver at 85 kg, but was later disqualified for doping.

Tzarukaeva won the London 2012 silver in the women’s 63 kg class, but was disqualified for doping in 2016. Zaboltnaya won the 2008 silver at 75 kg, and won silver again in 2012, but was disqualified for doping by the IOC. Zubova won gold at the 2013 Worlds in the women’s 75 kg class, but was disqualified for doping, and then won a bronze at the 2015 Worlds, but was again disqualified.

Additionally, weightlifter Feliks Khalibekov was suspended for two years (2020-22) for a doping positive in 2012 and his results from 2012-16 were “annulled.”

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Athletics ● The final World Indoor Tour Gold meet of the season, in Madrid (ESP) showcased Olympic triple jump champion Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela.

She not only claimed the world lead in the event at 15.41 m (50-6 3/4), it’s the no. 2 performance in history, and she also jumped 15.35 m (50-4 1/2), the no. 4 jump ever!

The women’s star on the track was Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, already the world leader at 3:54.77, winning the 1,500 m in 3:57.58. It’s the no. 6 performance of all time. Poland’s European champ Justyna Swiety-Ersetic got a season’s best to win the 400 m in 51.21.

World leader Eleanor Patterson (AUS) won the high jump at 1.96 m (6-5); Great Britain’s Lorraine Ugen took the women’s long jump with a meet record of 6.67 m (21-10 3/4).

Americans Elijah Hall-Thompson and Michael Rodgers won the men’s 60 m heats in 6.61 and 6.65, and Hall-Thompson took the final in 6.57-6.60 from Rodgers with France’s Jimmy Vicaut third (6.62). Britain’s Elliot Giles won the 800 m in 1:45.43, just 0.01 from his season’s best, beating world leader Mariano Garcia (ESP: 1:45.82).

Tokyo Olympic 10,000 m gold medalist Selemon Barega (ETH) continued a strong indoor season with a 7:34.03-7:34.09 win over countryman (and Tokyo Steeple silver winner) Lamecha Girma.

Lazaro Martinez of Cuba, already no. 2 in the world this season, won the men’s triple jump at 17.12 m (56-2). Poland’s Konrad Bukowiecki rose to no. 2 on the 2022 world list with a 21.91 m (71-10 3/4) win in the shot put.

The World Indoor Championships in Belgrade (SRB) start on 18 March.

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For our 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

HEARD AT HALFTIME: Federations banning Russians en masse; Russian oligarch Usmanov steps down at FIE; Federal funds now supporting Oregon22

By
Rich Perelman
-
The U.S. government will contribute $9.15 million to the staging of the Oregon22 World Championships

(★ So grateful to our 36 donors, who have covered 64% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

● Plus: USOPC: Calls for Russian athlete ban = Recruiting Int’l Relations V.P. = Will work with NCAA on gymnastics pilot program = Athletics: Shot star Adams retires = Speed Skating: ISU dealing with Canadian entry regs = Weightlifting: IWF asks for Electoral Congress host! = Wrestling: Dlagnev to get London bronze this Sunday ●

News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡

The hammer continued to come down on Russian sport on Tuesday, as the country’s invasion of Ukraine continued:

● World Athletics announced:

“All athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia and Belarus will be excluded from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future, with immediate effect.

“Upcoming events include the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22, and the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22, which begin on Friday in Oman (4 March).

“The Council also agreed to consider further measures, including the suspension of the Belarus Federation, at its scheduled Council meeting next week (9-10 March).”

Russians competing as “Authorized Neutral Athletes” are excluded from the championship events, but not from the Wanda Diamond League or other events not directly controlled by World Athletics.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe (GBR) noted:

“Anyone who knows me will understand that imposing sanctions on athletes because of the actions of their government goes against the grain. I have railed against the practice of politicians targeting athletes and sport to make political points when other sectors continue about their business. This is different as governments, business and other international organisations have imposed sanctions and measures against Russia across all sectors. Sport has to step up and join these efforts to end this war and restore peace. We cannot and should not sit this one out.”

● The largest winter-sport federation, the Federation Internationale de Ski, also banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials. It had previously canceled all remaining FIS events in the two countries.

● The International Skating Union (ISU) announced that “no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating Competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus.”

This significantly applies, of course, to the 2022 World Figure Skating Championships, scheduled for later this month in France.

● The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced:

“In line with the International Olympic Committee Executive Board resolution and its reasons, FIBA has announced today that Russian teams and officials will not be allowed to participate in FIBA Basketball and 3×3 Basketball competitions until further notice.”

● The International Boxing Association called a Board meeting for later this week to discuss the IOC’s request for a ban. The federation President, Umar Kremlev, is Russian and has created close ties between boxing and the Russian energy giant, Gazprom.

● The International Canoe Federation’s statement:

“Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be suspended from competing at any International Canoe Federation events until further notice because of hostilities in Ukraine, it was announced today.

“In addition to athletes, the executive committee of the ICF also voted unanimously to suspend all officials from Russia and Belarus from officiating at any event sanctioned by the governing body, and from attending or taking part in any ICF meetings, committees and forums, until further notice.”

● The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI):

“[T]he FEI Executive Board called on the FEI Secretary General to remove all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus in the 2022 FEI Calendar in accordance with Articles 112.3 of the FEI General Regulations and 28.2 vi of the FEI Statutes.

“In addition to removing all the Events from Russia and Belarus, the FEI Executive Board also unanimously agreed to freeze all FEI Solidarity and development activities and to cancel or relocate, where possible, FEI Courses for Officials scheduled to be held in Russia and Belarus in 2022.”

● At the Federation Internationale de Escrime (FIE), the FIE Executive Committee confirmed that the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, to remove competitors from Russia and Belarus, “were implemented with immediate effect in FIE competitions.”

The FIE President is Russian Alisher Usmanov, a billionaire reported to be allied with the Putin regime. He posted a personal notice on the FIE site:

“On 28 February 2022 I became the target of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union. I believe that such decision is unfair, and the reasons employed to justify the sanctions are a set of false and defamatory allegations damaging my honor, dignity and business reputation. I will use all legal means to protect my honor and reputation.

“I hereby suspend the exercise of my duties as President of the International Fencing Federation effective immediately until justice is restored.”

● The International Hockey Federation (FIH) excluded Russia and Belarus from the Women’s Junior World Cup in April in South Africa.

● The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) issued a statement, falling in line with the IOC recommendations, “to not allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in UIPM-sanctioned international competitions.”

● World Sailing also joined with the IOC’s recommendations.

● The International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF), whose President is Russian Vladimir Lisin, stated today “Following the respective decision of the IOC Executive Board and a meeting with the IOC President, the ISSF decided that athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus will not be allowed to take part in ISSF Championships.”

● FINA, the worldwide aquatics federation, withdrew the “FINA Order awarded to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014.” The federation has banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and canceled the World Junior Swimming Championships slated for Kazan in the summer.

Also, “Until further notice, no athlete or Aquatics official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus. Russian or Belarusian nationals, be it as individuals or teams, should be accepted only as neutral athletes or neutral teams.”

British Swimming announced it would not compete in either the 2022 World 25 m Championships or the 2024 European Championships, both slated to be held in Kazan.

● The International Tennis Federation (ITF) “announced the immediate suspension of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) and Belarus Tennis Federation (BTF) from ITF membership and from participation in ITF international team competition until further notice.”

Individual players from Russia and Belarus “are not banned from competing as individuals on the Tours.”

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) noted that “players from Russia and Belarus will continue to be allowed to compete in international tennis events on Tour and at the Grand Slams. However, they will not compete under the name or flag of Russia or Belarus until further notice.”

On Monday, Russian Daniil Medvedev was confirmed as the top-ranked player in the world, the third Russian to achieve the no. 1 ranking.

● World Triathlon banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials. It does not hold any events in either country.

● In volleyball, “The FIVB Board of Administration has come to the conclusion that it would be impossible to prepare and stage the World Championships in Russia due to the war in Ukraine. It has accordingly decided to remove from Russia the organisation of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship scheduled to be held in August and September 2022.”

An alternate site will be sought. In addition, the FIVB banned all Russian athletes, teams, coaches and officials from FIVB continental and international competitions.

The worldwide sporting goods brand adidas announced it was suspending its sponsorship of the Russian Football Union with immediate effect.

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● A Tuesday statement on Twitter called for “a complete ban on international sport participation, effective immediately and inclusive of the Paralympic Winter Games 2022, for Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials … this is the only acceptable action to be taken until peace is restored.”

Want to “Lead the creation, implementation, and measurement of a comprehensive International Relations strategy to support the USOPC’s international interests and to establish/maintain global leadership within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement”?

The USOPC opened recruitment for a Vice President, International Relations on Monday, and even with the world in turmoil, the federation will have no trouble with candidates: more than 100 applied within the first 12 hours!

The salary is listed at $147,437 to $182,245 per year, with a bonus of up to 25% available through the Annual Incentive Award Program.

Interestingly, this is a “home-based role,” so no need to be in Colorado Springs, but the announcement does ask for “10 years of experience in Olympic/Paralympic-related organizations” and “experience in international relations, government relations, and diplomacy.”

It’s an interesting role in view of the USOPC’s situation as the most successful National Olympic Committee in the summer Games and with Los Angeles 2028 coming up fast and Salt Lake City ready to go for the 2030 Winter Games if selected.

Nonetheless, the world’s politics are shifting rapidly, with China ascendant, Russia at war with Ukraine and many countries not sure how they see the U.S. in this time of turmoil. Played well, the USOPC could be an invaluable partner for other NOCs and for the U.S.’s profile around the world. Finding the right person to do that will be a challenge, but the potential rewards are great.

The USOPC announced an agreement with the NCAA for new, pilot programs for increased cooperation between the organizations.

The most important initiative is a “sport management pilot” program to increase sport efficiencies, test championship-related partnerships and elevate the student-athlete experience. The pilot will launch by engaging the gymnastics community, including NCAA committee members, school leaders sponsoring the sport, coaches, athletes and national governing body staff.”

The sports targeted for this program start with gymnastics, but also field hockey, men’s volleyball and track & field. The goal:

“[T]he cooperation agreement is intended to keep Olympic and Paralympic sport programs strong at the college level, with the understanding that collaboration should be explored and tested before reductions are considered or implemented. Partnerships and alignment across the collegiate and Olympic and Paralympic landscapes are vital to creating operational efficiencies, leveraging untapped revenues and building a unified sport pathway.”

Joint promotional efforts to underscore collegiate sport as an Olympic pathway and introducing para-sport programs are also part of the agreement.

● Athletics ● A U.S. Economic Development Administration grant of $9.15 million is now scheduled to go to the Oregon22 organizing committee to help fund the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene.

Jaime Eder, a communications specialist for Travel Oregon, the state’s tourism authority, told KEZI 9 Television:

“Travel Oregon has entered into funding agreements with Oregon22, LLC totaling $20 million. Additionally, Governor [Kate] Brown designated Travel Oregon to lead the application for the EDA State Tourism grant. At the direction of the governor’s office, Travel Oregon applied to the EDA on Sept. 23 to allocate Oregon’s State Tourism Grant fund of $9.15 million toward promotional efforts and broadcast opportunities leading up to and during the World Athletics Championships Oregon22.”

The application grounded the request in the cost of the pandemic to the state’s hospitality sector:

“By leveraging Oregon22, Travel Oregon’s marketing and promotion programming will
increase visitor demand and travel to mitigate Oregon’s loss in revenue and jobs due to
COVID-19.”

Eder further explained that Travel Oregon proposed to use the grant “to provide high-quality Oregon video footage and still imagery (with accompanying narrative) to more than 180 broadcast partners worldwide, and to provide funding for broadcast services for the event.”

The funding narrative justified the ask, noting the estimated reach of the Worlds:

“The Championships will be broadcast live in all of Travel Oregon’s key international markets, including Japan, China, Europe and Australia. It will also be the centerpiece of NBC sport coverage here in the United States, with two hours live, prime time coverage every evening for ten days.”

The money comes from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed in 2021, which allocated roughly $3 billion to the U.S. Economic Development Administration, which is spending about a quarter of that amount on tourism and recreation program promotions.

The Oregonian reported that this grant – not yet issued – will complete the nearly $40 million funding promised by Brown: a direct grant of $20 million from Travel Oregon, this $9.15 million grant (once paid) and another $10 million from the Oregon Lottery.

The budget for the event as estimated in 2017 – when it was scheduled to be held in 2021, prior to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games – was $85.59 million, with television production estimated at $14.2 million.

“I took some time to really process this thought and to see if this was something I actually wanted to do again. My heart, mind and body simply answered the question for me, so it is time for me to call it a day.”

New Zealand’s Valerie Adams, one of the greats of the women’s shot, announced her retirement on Tuesday. Now 37, she won Olympic golds in 2008 and 2012, a silver in 2016 and a bronze in Tokyo in 2021. She won World Championships golds in 2007-09-11-13 and four World Indoor titles.

She retired with a best of 21.24 m (69-8 1/4) from 2011; that’s “only” no. 22 all-time, but is the no. 2 performance of this century (in fact, since 1988), behind only the 21.46 m (70-5) by Larisa Peleshenko (RUS) from 2000.

Is Adams actually the best women’s non-doper putter ever?

In an unrelated event, Bulgaria’s Ivanka Hristova, the 1976 Olympic shot champion and 1972 bronze medalist, passed away on 24 February at age 81. She set two world shot records in 1976 at on consecutive days at 21.87 m (71-9) and 21.89 m (71-10) and still ranks fifth on the all-time list.

● Figure Skating ● Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan, 27, will skip the World Championships in France this month due to recurring issues from the right ankle sprain he suffered during the Beijing Winter Games in February.

He said he is unsure about his future in the sport.

● Speed Skating ● In addition to the issues with Russia, the International Skating Union has been monitoring the entry restrictions into Canada for the World Short Track Championships in Montreal from 18-20 March and the World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton from 7-9 April:

“Since the beginning of 2022, the Canadian Government has imposed a requirement that only foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated with a World Health Organization approved vaccine are permitted to enter Canada without a 14-day quarantine.”

The ISU notes the “unsatisfactory situation” and “the ISU Council was prepared to consider re-allocation of the above-mentioned Championships to other ISU Members. However, due to the Ukrainian situation and related serious uncertainties, such relocation on short notice has become extremely complex and difficult.”

So, the ISU decided to apply “exceptional solutions” and will allow the events to go forward and will financially support teams “who do not fulfil the Canadian entry/vaccination requirements and who are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine and “ISU Members for additional expenses arising from either the pandemic and/or additional security requirements.”

The World Junior Figure Skating Championships cannot be held in Sofia (BUL) and might be relocated.

Nothing is easy.

● Weightlifting ● The tone-deaf International Weightlifting Federation has said nothing about the IOC recommendations concerning Russian and Belarusian athletes, but did post a notice that it is seeking a host for June’s IWF Electoral Congress, the results of which may very well decide the sport’s Olympic future.

Given the strong candidature of American Ursula Papandrea for the federation presidency, perhaps the USOPC and USA Weightlifting could step forward as host as a sign of support for Papandrea?

It might be the first assignment for the USOPC’s new Vice President of International Relations!

● Wrestling ● U.S. Freestyle heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev lost his bronze-medal match at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and finished fifth.

But thanks to the IOC’s extensive re-testing program, both the gold and silver-medal winners were disqualified, elevating the two bronze medals to co-gold medalists and Dlagnev and Daulet Shabanbay (KAZ) to bronze medalists.

Dlagnev will receive his bronze medal almost 10 years afterwards in a ceremony on Sunday, 6 March in Lincoln, Nebraska, prior to the final session of the Big 10 Conference Championships. Dlagnev is an assistant coach for the Cornhuskers.

He was a 2012 and 2016 Olympian at 120 kg, finishing fifth in Rio, and won two World Championships bronze medals during his career.

USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender said, “We are very excited that Tervel Dlagnev will be listed in the history books as an Olympic medalist, a recognition long overdue. It helps restore our faith in the system of keeping wrestling clean. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the IOC, USOPC and UWW to bring justice in situations where doping rules are violated.”

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 832-event International Sports Calendar for 2022 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

LANE ONE: IOC, FIFA, others throw Russia out of int’l competitions; Beijing Freestyle Ski medals revised; mile great John Landy passes at 91

By
Rich Perelman
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Henri Vidal's Caïn venant de tuer son frère Abel (Cain, after having murdered his brother Abel), in the Tuileries Garden, Paris (Photo: Wikipedia)

(★ So grateful to our 35 donors, who have covered 63% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

● Plus: Beijing 2022: Sweden’s van der Poel gives gold medal to jailed Chinese dissident = Los Angeles 2028: City of L.A. to start spending LA28’s $160 million gift = Football: Eriksen’s amazing return = Swimming: ISL swimmers unpaid = Scoreboard: Six different winners in men’s USAG Winter Cup finals ●

The Russian incursion into Ukraine is sending the invaders out of international sport. On Monday:

● The International Olympic Committee asked all International Federations to disallow the participation of athletes from Russia or Belarus, including:

“The current war in Ukraine, however, puts the Olympic Movement in a dilemma. While athletes from Russia and Belarus would be able to continue to participate in sports events, many athletes from Ukraine are prevented from doing so because of the attack on their country.

“This is a dilemma which cannot be solved. The IOC [Executive Board] has therefore today carefully considered the situation and, with a heavy heart, issued the following resolution:

“1. In order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants, the IOC EB recommends that International Sports Federations and sports event organisers not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.

“2. Wherever this is not possible on short notice for organisational or legal reasons, the IOC EB strongly urges International Sports Federations and organisers of sports events worldwide to do everything in their power to ensure that no athlete or sports official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus. Russian or Belarusian nationals, be it as individuals or teams, should be accepted only as neutral athletes or neutral teams. No national symbols, colours, flags or anthems should be displayed.”

The IOC also announced the withdrawal of Olympic Order honors for Russia’s Vladimir Putin (from 2001) and Sochi 2014 organizers Dmitry Chernyshenko and Dmitry Kozak, and established a solidarity fund to assist the Olympic Family in Ukraine.

● Football’s FIFA and the European confederation (UEFA) jointly announced:

“[A]ll Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.”

This removes Russia from the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying process, with a match upcoming against Poland on 24 March, and eliminates Spartak Moscow from the UEFA Europa League tournament.

On Monday, World Curling’s Board adopted an emergency ruling to allow:

“The Board of the WCF may remove a team or Member Association from any WCF event if in the sole opinion of the Board their presence at the event would damage the event or put the safety of the participants or the good order of the event at risk.”

Member federations have three days to object and if less than 10% object in total, the new rule will be adopted, with the intention to remove Russian entries from the upcoming World Championships.

The International Ice Hockey Federation announced “Suspension of all Russian and Belarusian National Teams and Clubs from participation in every age category and in all IIHF competitions or events until further notice …”

The 2023 men’s World Junior Championships will be removed from Russia and relocated.

World Taekwondo promised not to organize any events in Russia or Belarus, and also “has decided to withdraw the honorary 9th dan black belt conferred to Mr. Vladimir Putin in November 2013.”

The International Federation of Sport Climbing suspended the 1-3 April Boulder and Speed World Cup scheduled for Moscow, and expects to relocate it.

The Winter Paralympics are proceeding as planned in Beijing, with the opening on Friday (4th); no exclusion of Russian or Belarus athletes has been announced. The closed-loop regiment continues; Covid testing reports show eight total positives among athletes and team officials from 24 February forward and one among other stakeholders, all at the airport.

The British Paralympic Association asked the International Paralympic Committee in a statement:

“Given the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine we cannot see how the participation of Russia or Belarus in the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is compatible with the objectives of the Paralympic movement. The safety and wellbeing of our athletes and team is our primary concern. We await the decision of the IPC on Wednesday [2nd] before commenting further.”

The IPC Governing Board is meeting on 2 March to discuss the situation.

The 2022 World Games organizing committee in Birmingham, Alabama voted to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from this summer’s competition. The International World Games Association will meet on 4 March in Madrid to consider actions to be taken, but has been jumped by the organizers of this summer’s event.

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) removed two 2022 University World Cup events from Russia and one from Belarus, but made no announcement about the 2023 World University Games scheduled for Ekaterinburg.

The 2023 Special Olympics Winter World Games is slated for Kazan from 21-28 January; no announcement from the Washington, D.C.-based Special Olympics headquarters about the status of that event.

Outside the Olympic federations, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) announced Friday that its 44th Chess Olympiad will not take place in Moscow this summer. The FIDE Congress will also be moved; the first term of President Arkady Dvorkovich (RUS) will end and elections will take place. And on Sunday, the FIDE announced that no FIDE competitions may take place in Russia or Belarus and:

● “FIDE terminates all existing sponsorship agreements with any Belarusian and Russian sanctioned and/or state-controlled companies and will not enter into new sponsorship agreements with any such companies.

● “FIDE Council condemns any public statement from any member of the chess community which supports unjustified military action and brings the case of chess grandmasters Sergey Karjakin and Sergey Shipov to the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission.”

The sanctions against Russia are now extending to Russian companies. In a Monday evening statement:

“UEFA has today decided to end its partnership with Gazprom across all competitions.

“The decision is effective immediately and covers all existing agreements including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions and UEFA EURO 2024.”

The 15-years-long Gazprom sponsorship of the Bundesliga second-division football club Schalke 04 was also canceled. Gazprom is Russia’s state-controlled energy giant and bailed out the International Boxing Association (formerly AIBA), whose president is former Russian Boxing Federation general secretary Umar Kremlev. The exact relationship between the federation and Gazprom is the subject of a continuing inquiry by the IOC in advance of deciding whether the federation should be reinstated.

The International Swimming League, funded by Russian-born Konstantin Grigorishin – now a Ukrainian national – told its contracted swimmers that salary payments will be delayed due to the crisis.

American Aly Tetzloff posted a critical note on Instagam, complaining that ISL has not paid her team – the Tokyo Frog Kings – which finished swimming in October: “How is it that other swimmers on some of the winningest teams have been while those on the lower ranked teams are still waiting …”

SwimSwam.com noted “Athletes were told that solidarity payments were supposed to be made in 5 monthly installments beginning October 31, 2021, but that so far, none have been made.”

Tetzloff also wrote, “There is quite literally a swimmer’s alliance to help stand up to federations when payments aren’t being received. So far, what have they done for the league’s late payments? The alliance is failing under the sole reason when it was started – to help athletes get paid …”

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● XXIV Olympic Winter Games: Beijing 2022 ● The Federation Internationale de Ski awarded Swiss Freestyle Skiing star Fanny Smith the bronze medal in the Beijing Ski Cross event, reinstating her after she was disqualified for interference.

Smith, the 2013 Ski Cross World Champion, was yellow-carded after finishing third, allowing Germany’s Daniela Maier to receive the bronze medal. But Smith appealed the decision:

“The Appeals Commission met four times and reviewed both video and written documentation for several hours and ultimately found that the contact was the result of a sequence of actions which happened in unison. The Appeals Commission found that the close proximity of the racers at that moment resulted in action that was neither intentional or avoidable.

“Therefore, the Appeals Commission found that the Jury decision should have been rendered as an Official Warning, which as written in the Guidelines on Intentional Contact, would lead to no sanction.”

It gives Smith a second career Olympic medal, as she also won the bronze in the same event in 2018.

In a touching, post-Games protest against the host Chinese at the Winter Games, Sweden’s double-gold-medal-winning speed skater, Nils van der Poel, gave one of his medals to jailed Chinese-Swedish dissident bookseller Minhai Gui.

Amnesty International reported that van der Poel gave his 10,000 m gold to Gui’s daughter, Angela, in Sweden. Said van der Poel:

“I am not the voice of all Olympians, but me and my friends dedicated our lives to strive for excellence within sports, and the Chinese government chose to use our dreams as a political weapon to legitimize their regime. To me that was personal, and I felt exploited.”

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Los Angeles 2028 ● The City of Los Angeles’s Recreation and Parks Department is receiving $160 million in payments from the LA28 organizers as part of an IOC advance on television rights and sponsorship payments for the 2028 Games. On 22 February, the Council’s Arts, Parks, Health, Education and Neighborhoods Committee approved a plan to spend (but not required to spend) up to $72 million for “as-needed” services to support “youth adaptive sports and fitness programs” for:

● Outreach and Marketing Services: up to $3 million per year for three years each to Maroon Sports, Inc. and the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes;

● Physical Asset Design and Planning Services: up to $3 million per year for three years each to the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes;

● Adaptive Sports and Fitness Leagues, Classes, Clinics, Camps and Related Programs: up to $3 million per year for three years each to Ride On LA, Sender One Climbing, LLC and the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes;

● Event Planning: up to $3 million per year for three years each to the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes.

● Transportation: up to $3 million per year for three years each to the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes.

There is no guaranteed spend on any of these agreements, but all can be extended by up to three years, for a total length of six years. The plan must now be approved by the full City Council.

The LA28 funding extends into 2028, but not beyond and the organizing committee is not involved in the spending program, only the funding.

● Athletics ● One of the greatest milers in the chase to break four minutes in the mile, Australian John Landy, passed away at 91 on 24 February.

Landy was the second man to break 4:00, running 3:57.9 (3:58.0 under the rounding rules at the time) in Finland in June of 1954 and also setting the world mark for 1,500 m (3:41.8) en route.

He famously raced England’s Roger Bannister at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver in what was known as the “Miracle Mile.” Landy led for most of the race, but Bannister closed hard with 220 yards to go and passed Landy on his right as Landy looked back over his left shoulder. That moment was immortalized in a photograph (and later in a statue) and Bannister won by 3:58.8-3:59.4, the first time two men had run sub-4 in the same race.

Landy went on to a long career in business, was an in-demand public speaker and served on the Victorian Land Conservation Council from 1971-78. He was appointed Governor of Victoria and served from 2001-06.

(Thanks to sharp-eyed reader Tony Eltringham for spotting “1956” in error on the 1954 – now corrected – British Empire and Commonwealth Games!)

● Football ● One of the worst moments of the UEFA football championship in June 2021 was the shocking collapse of Danish (and Inter Milan) midfielder Christian Eriksen, who suffered cardiac arrest during the opening match with Finland in the 42nd minute and had to be carried off the field.

He had surgery to implant a cardioverter-defibrillator device and amazingly returned to play, at 30, on Saturday for his new club, Brentford of the English Premier League, as a substitute in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle.

All best wishes for his continued good health!

≡ SCOREBOARD ≡

● Fencing ● At the FIE men’s Foil World Cup in Cairo (EGY) on Sunday, the third-seeded Russian team was scheduled to meet the 14th-seeded Ukrainian team in the second round … but the Ukrainians refused to compete and withdrew.

The Ukrainian fencers showed banners stating “Stop the war, save Ukraine” when exiting the stadium to applause. Russia went on to lose to the U.S. in the final, 45-34.

● Gymnastics ● The final night of the USA Gymnastics Winter Cup in Frisco, Texas saw six different men win titles at the apparatus finals.

Ian Lasic-Ellis took Floor, scoring 27.700; Khoi Young won the Pommel Horse at 29.631; Alex Diab won Rings (29.950), Asher Hong took the Vault (32.860), Curran Phillips won Parallel Bars (32.986) and Jack Freeman was best on the Horizontal Bar (27.850).

Hong also finished top-3 on Floor (2nd), Rings (2nd) and Parallel Bars (3rd). Tokyo Olympian Yul Moldauer was second on Pommel Horse and Parallel Bars and third on Rings.

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HIGHLIGHTS: Federations support Ukrainian athletes; FINA bans World Champs in Russia; 10 km road WR (29:14) for Yehualaw!

By
Rich Perelman
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(★ So grateful to our 35 donors, who have covered 63% of our site costs for services for the first six months of 2022. If you enjoy this coverage, please donate here. ★)

Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world/updated/:

The Russian invasion of Ukraine cast a shadow over the entire sports world this weekend:

● The Federation Internationale de Ski announced Saturday:

“We have today informed the Ski Federation of Ukraine that FIS will provide immediate financial, logistical, and technical support to our Ukrainian athletes and their teams until such time as they are able to safely return home.”

It had already canceled events to be held in Russia.

● In Biathlon, the IBU will allow Russian athletes to compete as neutrals in two of the three World Cups remaining this season, but the Estonian organizers will not allow entries from Russia or Belarus. If the other World Cup organizers also wish to exclude such entries, the IBU agrees in advance.

● The World Curling Federation removed the European Championships from Perm in Russia and will hold it elsewhere.

● The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique announced “All FIG-sanctioned events planned to take place in Russia and Belarus are removed from the FIG calendar and will no longer be recognised by the FIG. No other events taking place in Russia and Belarus will be sanctioned by the FIG until further notice.”

It also banned the display of Russian or Belarusian flags or playing of their anthems. Also, the FIG Foundation for Solidarity is being asked to provide “special aid to support Ukrainian athletes and other members of the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation hit by the war.”

● The International Boxing Association, whose President, Umar Kremlev, is Russian, announced that the Global Boxing Cup, scheduled for June 22 in Russia, is considering “rescheduling” the event.

● The International Canoe Federation posted Friday that it “will hold talks with all stakeholders with a view to relocating canoe events planned for Russia this year, and to follow the IOC recommendations in terms of using flags and anthem.”

● The UCI noted that none of its events are scheduled for Russia or Belarus in 2022, and “calls for an immediate halt to hostilities and considers that the only way forward is through diplomatic channels.”

● On Sunday, FINA announced that the World Junior Championships in Swimming, scheduled for Kazan in August, have been canceled, and “FINA will not be holding any future events in Russia if this grave crisis continues.” The World 25 m Championships in December is also scheduled for Kazan, but the Ukrainian federation asked for this event to be moved, as did nine Nordic national federations – Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden – who further asked FINA “to immediately suspend Russia and Belarus from all involvement in international aquatics until a peaceful resolution of this conflict.”

● The International Judo Federation posted:

“In light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin’s status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation.” Putin is a devoted judoka and highly visible supporter of the sport.

The Grand Slam tournament to be held in Kazan in May was canceled.

● FIFA issued a statement of “initial measures”, including:

“No international competition shall be played on the territory of Russia, with “home” matches being played on neutral territory and without spectators

“The member association representing Russia shall participate in any competition under the name ‘Football Union of Russia (RFU)’ and not ‘Russia’

“No flag or anthem of Russia will be used in matches where teams from the Football Union of Russia participate

“FIFA will continue its ongoing dialogue with the IOC, UEFA and other sport organisations to determine any additional measures or sanctions, including a potential exclusion from competitions, that shall be applied in the near future should the situation not be improving rapidly.”

The national football federations in the Czech Republic, Sweden and Poland declared they would not play Russia in any FIFA World Cup qualifying games; Poland is slated to face Russia on 24 March and both Sweden and the Czechs are possible future “RFU” opponents.

● The International Skating Union declared “The ISU is witnessing with great disbelief the events unfolding in Ukraine and is deeply concerned about the safety of the skating family in Ukraine. Our hearts go out to all those affected and our thoughts are with the entire Ukrainian people and country.”

However, it confirmed that the remaining scheduled ISU events for March are to be held as scheduled (none in Russia or Belarus). No mention of excluding any Russian or Belarus entries was made.

● The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced the Nations League rounds scheduled to be held in Russia in June and July will be relocated. Also, the FIVB “will review other events due to be held in Russia, including the Men’s World Championship scheduled for the second semester of 2022.”

The International Table Tennis Federation and International Tennis Federation both posted statements agreeing with the International Olympic Committee’s position in banning future events in Russia.

There were sports on the weekend’s program:

● Alpine Skiing ● The FIS men’s World Cup resumed in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER) for men’s Slalom races, with Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen – fourth in Beijing – claiming his second win of the season on Saturday.

Kristoffersen stood second at the end of the first run and although only ninth-fastest on the second run, the other leaders collapsed. Swiss Loic Meillard was third after the first run and 14th on the second run but held on to the silver. Austria’s Manuel Feller, fifth after the first run, moved up to third overall by finishing 13th on the second run! First-run leader Tanguy Nef (SUI), did not finish the second run.

On Sunday, Kristoffersen doubled his pleasure by winning again, 1:52.66-1:53.01, over Britain’s Dave Ryding, who won his second medal of the season. Germany’s Linus Strasser won the bronze, his second medal of the season as well.

The women were in Crans-Montana (SUI) for two Downhills, starting with a surprise win for Czech Ester Ledecka on Saturday.

The Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom repeat gold medalist in Beijing, Ledecka won her third career Alpine World Cup race and her second Downhill in 1:30.17, beating Ragnhild Mowinckel (NOR: 1:30.38) and Austria’s Cornelia Huetter (1:30.59).

Ledecka almost did it again on Sunday, finishing second to Swiss Priska Nufer, 30, who scored her first career World Cup medal (and win), timing 1:29:93 to Ledecka’s 1:30.04. PyeongChang Olympic Downhill champ Sofia Goggia finished third in 1:30.16. American Isabella Wright was 10th.

● Athletics ● Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw smashed the women’s 10 km road world record at the Castellon 10 km in Spain, finishing in 29:14.

That crushed the 29:38 mark of Bahrain’s Kalkidan Gezahegne from 2021, and Yehualaw looked like she might have gone faster, after a scintillating 14:28 first 5k! She won by a minute over Vicoty Chepngeno (KEN: 30:14).

Only Letesenbet Gidey (ETH: 29:01.03 in 2021, on the track) and Sifan Hassan (NED: 29:06.82 in 2021, on the track) have ever run faster, anywhere.

Kenya’s Ronald Kwemboi won the fast men’s race in 27:16 from countryman Samwei Chebolei (27:18).

The U.S. collegiate conference meets were hot with two world-leading performances in standard events and a world best at 600 yards!

At the SEC Championships in College Station, Abby Steiner of Kentucky won the women’s 200 m in a sensational 22.09, not only the world leader for 2022, but the no. 2 performance of all-time! Only Merlene Ottey (JAM) has run faster: 21.87 in 1993! It’s the American Record as well, lowering the 22.33 standard by superstar sprinter Gwen Torrence way back in 1996!

Also at the SEC was a world-leading 4,618 pentathlon by Anna Hall of Georgia, moving her to no. 7 on the all-time U.S. indoor list.

Brandon Miller of host Texas A&M ran the no. 2 800 m of the season, winning the SEC title in 1:45.24.

At the ACC Championships in Blacksburg, Virginia, Florida State’s Trey Cunningham raced to a 7.40 win in his semifinal, no. 2 in the world this season to fellow American Grant Holloway. He won the final in 7.42.

At the Big 12 Indoors in Ames, Iowa, Jonathan Jones (BAR) of Texas won the conference 600 yards title in 1:06.68, a world best, breaking the old mark of 1:06.93 by Kenyan Moitalel Mpoke of South Plains College from 2020. The distance used to be quite popular on the U.S. indoor circuit, but is rarely run any more.

/Updated/The USA Track & Field Indoor Championships are this weekend in Spokane, Washington in a new facility called The Podium, with the top two finishers to qualify for the World Indoor Championships in Serbia in March. The world-leading performances:

● Men/60 m: 6.45 (=), Christian Coleman
● Men/Shot Put: 22.51 m (73-10 1/4), Ryan Crouser
● Men/Heptathlon: 6,382, Garrett Scantling

The men’s 60 m was all about the return of Christian Coleman, the world-record holder and the 2018 and 2020 U.S. champ. He won his heat at 6.55 and in the final, he got out in front and managed to stay there, winning in 6.45. But Marvin Bracy, the qualifying leader and a three-time national champ in this event, was stride for stride at the close and was just behind at 6.48, equal-third on the 2022 world list. Brandon Carnes came through in third at 6.54.

Trevor Bassitt, the Ashland University 400 m hurdles star, won his first national title in the men’s 400 m at 45.75, well ahead of 800 m World Champion Donavan Brazier, who was disqualified in the heats, but reinstated for the final. Brazier finished in 46.14, just ahead of Marqueze Washington (46.15).

The 800 m saw Olympian Bryce Hoppel storm to a big lead down the final straight, with Isaiah Harris emerging from the pack to get second, 1:45.30-1:46.30, with Shane Streich third (1:46.86). The time puts Hoppel at no. 3 in the world for 2020.

The much-anticipated men’s 3,000 m on Saturday began with favored Olympic 1,500 m finalist Cole Hocker leading the field with Drew Hunter, but Olympic Trials 5,000 m fifth-placer Emmanuel Bor was in front for most of the race. Hocker finally struck hard just before the bell, sprinting past Bor and taking off with the lead. He was never headed and won in 7:47.50, with a 26.69 last lap. Bor finished a clear second in 7:48.64.

(Thanks to eagle-eyed reader Johanna Garton for the correction: Emmanuel Bor, not his younger brother Hillary!)

Hocker came back in Sunday’s 1,500 m and waited until the final straight, but blew by defending champion Josh Thompson to set a meet record of 3:39.09, with Thompson at 3:39.24 and Henry Wynne third at 3:39.60. The last 1,500/3,000 m doubler was Paul Chelimo in 2018.

Grant Holloway won the 60 m hurdles, breaking on top from the start and winning in 7.37, ahead of Jarret Eaton (7.47) and defending champ Aaron Mallett (7.54). As dominant as Holloway is, it’s (only) his first U.S. indoor national title!

Former LSU star JuVaughn Harrison won the men’s high jump at 2.28 m (7-5 3/4), over Darryl Sullivan Jr. and Darius Corbin, both at 2.25 m (7-4 1/2). The men’s vault was a win for Olympic silver medalist Chris Nilsen, the only one to clear 5.91 m (19-4 3/4), ahead of K.C. Lightfoot (5.86 m/19-2 3/4).

Jarrion Lawson, the Rio 2016 Olympic fourth-place in the long jump, came from fourth to first on his sixth-round jump to win at 8.19 m (26-10 1/2), passing Marquis Dendy (8.14 m/26-8 1/2) and Harrison (8.05 m/26-5). It’s Lawson’s second indoor title, also in 2018. Donald Scott won his third consecutive U.S. indoor triple jump crown with his fourth-round jump of 16.88 m (55-4 3/4), ahead of two-time U.S. indoor champ Chris Carter (16.67 m/54-8 3/4) and Will Claye (16.63 m/54-6 3/4). Scott’s jump places him no. 4 on the 2022 world list.

Olympic champ Ryan Crouser dominated the men’s shot, taking the world lead with his first throw of 22.03 (72-3 1.2) and then improving to 22.24 m (72-11 3/4) in round three and his winning throw of 22.51 m (73-10 1/4) in the fourth round. He also reached out to 22.39 m (73-5 1/2) in round five and now has the four best throws in the world this season. Josh Awotunde set a lifetime best in second with 21.74 m (71-4) to also make the team for Belgrade and move to no. 4 in 2022.

Alex Young took the men’s weight at 24.84 m (81-6), no. 2 in the world this season to fellow American Daniel Haugh, who got second at 24.79 m (81-4). Garrett Scantling won the heptathlon with a world-leading 6,382, winning the 60 m, shot, 60 m hurdles, vault and 1,000 m. He moved to no. 3 on the all-time U.S. list, with the no. 7 performance.

The women’s 60 m figured to be tight, with defending champion Mikiah Brisco just holding off new star Marybeth Sant Price, 7.07-7.08, with Kayla White just 0.02 back in third.

Veterans Lynna Irby and Jessica Beard took charge over the last quarter of the race to run 1-2 in the 400 m, in 51.88 and 52.05; they will have to be faster to contend at the Indoor Worlds. Ajee Wilson won her seventh U.S. indoor title with a run-from-the-front 2:01.72 win, ahead of Olivia Baker, who made the American team in second (2:02.14).

The women’s 1,500 m turned out to be a last-lap sprint among leader Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Josette Norris and Heather MacLean. Purrier St. Pierre seemed to be a sure winner, but Norris – who had trailed her throughout the race – stormed to the lead on the final straightaway, but was herself passed by MacLean on the outside while Purrier St. Pierre failed to outlast Norris to the tape. MacLean won in a seasonal best of 4:06.09, with Norris 0.04 behind and Purrier St. Pierre off the team by 0.01 at 4:06.14.

Alicia Monson, the U.S. Cross Country champ, paced Sunday’s 3,000 m, with Purrier St. Pierre right behind and close-in field for most of the race. But Monson pushed the pace enough to pull away, with Purrier St. Pierre then taking charge on the final straight to win the title, 8:41.53-8:43.86. Weini Kelati was third in 8:47.77.

No doubt about the women’s 60 m hurdles winner, as Gabi Cunningham got to the lead by mid-race and ran away in 7.82, a lifetime best and equal-fourth in the world. Alaysha Johnson got up for second in 7.91, ahead of Christina Clemons (7.92).

Vashti Cunningham won her sixth straight U.S. indoor title, clearing 1.91 m (6-3 1/4) on her first try. Nicole Greene cleared the same height, but Cunningham won on fewer misses. Sandi Morris, the 2018 World Indoor gold medalist, won a tension-filled pole vault, clearing 4.80 m (15-9) on her second jump – equal-3rd on the world list – to outlast Olympic winner Katie Nageotte (4.75 m/15-7) and Bridget Williams (4.70 m/15-5).

The women’s long jump was a win for Olympian Quanesha Burks, the 2020 national champion, at 6.85 m (21-6). Keturah Orji got her second U.S. indoor title at 14.28 m (46-10 1/4), moving her to No. 6 on the world list for 2020. Tori Franklin was second at 13.78 m (45-2 1/2).

In the women’s shot, Maggie Ewen won her second national title with a 10-inch lifetime best of 19.79 m (64-11 1/4) on her second toss, extending her all-time PR from 19.54 mi (64-1 1/4i in 2021). That’s no. 2 on the world list for 2022. Chase Ealey was second at 19.10 m (62-8).

Janee Kassanavoid won the women’s weight at 24.28 m (79-8), a lifetime best and no. 2 on the world list for 2022. Erin Reese was second at 23.72 m (77-10).

In the women’s pentathlon, 2019 World Championships finalist Chari Hawkins managed the win with 4,492 points – a lifetime best – and no. 6 on the world list for 2022. She won the 60 m hurdles and high jump and was second in the shot and long jump to outscore Olympian Kendell Williams (4,399) and Maddie Nickal (4,120).

The women’s world lead in the shot was set by Portugal’s Auriol Dongmo, who won her national title at 19.90 m (65-3 1/2) in Pombol. That’s her best ever, indoors or out.

German women’s shot put star Christina Schwanitz, 36, announced her retirement on Saturday after placing third at the German indoor nationals in Leipzig. She was the 2015 World Champion, won a silver in 2013 and a bronze in 2019. She was a three-time Olympian with a best of sixth in Rio in 2016. She finishes with a lifetime best of 20.77 m (68-1 3/4) from 2015.

● Basketball ● The FIBA men’s World Cup qualifying games continued, with the U.S. in action in Group D during the week in Washington, D.C.

On Thursday, the U.S. smashed Puerto Rico, 93-76, overcoming a 44-42 halftime deficit with a 32-14 outburst in the third quarter. Forward Joe Johnson had 18 points to lead the U.S., supported by 15 from forward Matthew Ryan, 13 from guard Justin Wright-Foreman and 12 from forward Juwan Morgan. The American team, made up of G League players and free agents, shot 50% from the field and held the Puerto Ricans to 43.5%.

On Sunday, the U.S. (2-1) faced Mexico (3-0), which won their November match-up by 97-88. But the outcome was a lot different this time, as the Americans crushed Mexico by 89-67, taking a 24-14 first-quarter lead and 48-21 at halftime.

Point guard Langston Galloway scored 16, followed by guard David Stockton with 15, Johnson had 14 and Ryan had 12 for the U.S.; the U.S. held Mexico to just 35.1% from the field. The win brings the U.S. and Mexico to 3-1 records atop Group D, with two more games to play … in July!

● Cross Country Skiing ● Both Sprint and distance races were on in Lahti (FIN), with Olympic champ Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) extending his seasonal lead with his seventh race win of the season.

Klaebo won the Sprint by just 0.04, in 2:58.34, ahead of France’s Lucas Chanavat (2:58.38) with Norwegian teammate Sindre Skar just 0.23 behind (2:58.57).

The 15 km Classical on Sunday was a popular win by Olympic champ Iivo Niskanen on home turf, finishing in 33:06.5 to beat Klaebo (33:24.1) and Swede William Poromaa (33:24.5).

The women’s Freestyle Sprint was a Swedish sweep, led by Olympic gold medalist Jonna Sundling (3:12.86), followed by Emma Ribom (3:16.14) and Beijing silver medalist Maja Dahlqvist (3:16.53). American Jessie Diggins, the bronze medalist in Beijing, finished fourth in 3:16.79.

The women’s 10 km Classical was another victory for Olympic superstar Therese Johaug (NOR), who barely won in 24:28, ahead of Russia’s Natalia Nepryaeva (24:29.6), with Finn Krista Parmakoski well back in third (24:44.9). American Rosie Brennan was eighth (25:31.2) and Diggins finished 20th.

● Cycling ● Amid many Covid difficulties, the UCI World Tour finally got going, with the seven-stage UAE Tour and another win for Slovenian star (and defending champion) Tadej Pogacar.

After sprint wins for Jasper Philipsen (BEL), Mark Cavendish (GBR) and Swiss Stefan Bissegger in the first three stages, Pogacar won the critical fourth stage – with its uphill finish – in a sprint to take the overall lead. He maintained it to the end, winning the final stage, also with an uphill finish and ended with a 22-second win over Britain’s Adam Yates and 48 seconds over Pedro Bilbao (ESP).

Belgium’s Philipsen also won a second stage and American Neilson Powless finished 11th overall.

The European Classics season opened with a win for home favorite Wout van Aert in the 77th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in Belgium, covering 204.2 km from Ghent to Ninove.

Van Aert broke away over the final 13 km, and win by 22 seconds in 4:50:46 over Sonny Colbrelli (ITA), Rio 2016 Olympic winner Greg van Avermaet (BEL), Oliver Naesen (BEL), countryman Victor Campenaerts and five more racers. Now 27, van Aert has 16 career wins on the World Tour.

● Fencing ● In the women’s Foil World Cup in Guadalajara (MEX), 2018 World Champion Alice Volpi (ITA) out-pointed Tokyo gold medalist Lee Kiefer of the U.S., 15-14, in the final. Eleanor Harvey (CAN) and Olga Calissi (ITA) shared the bronze.

In the men’s Foil World Cup in Cairo, Russia went 1-2, with Anton Borodachev winning over Vladislav Mylnikov, with Davide Filippi (ITA) and Takahiro Shikine (JPN) taking the bronzes.

The U.S. quartet of Nick Itkin, Chase Emmer, Adam Methieu and Gerek Meinhardt won the team title, defeating Russia, 45-34. in the final. Italy won the bronze over Korea.

● Freestyle Skiing ● The Freestyle Ski Cross and Aerials competitions in Russia were canceled by FIS, and the Moguls event in Takawazo (JPN) was canceled due to Covid restrictions.

● Gymnastics ● The FIG Apparatus World Cup in Cottbus (GER) drew a strong field, including Tokyo All-Around gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat of Israel.

But one of the biggest stars of the show turned out to be American Brody Malone. The 11th-place finisher in the Tokyo All-Around, he won the Horizontal Bar at 14.700 and took bronzes in the Parallel Bars (14.466) and Pommel Horse (14.133). He also finished sixth in Rings (13.200).

Ukraine’s Ilia Kovton won the Parallel Bars at 14.966 and was runner-up on the Pommel Horse (14.166), fourth on Floor (13.500) and fifth on the Horizontal Bar (13.400). Dolgopyat had a tough meet, with a best of sixth on Floor, but teammate Alexander Myakinin took bronze on the Horizontal Bar at 14.100.

Yahor Sharankou (BLR) won the Floor at 13.933; Philip Ude (CRO) took the Pommel Horse (14.366), Ibrahim Colak (TUR) won the Rings (14.733) and Arthur Davtyan (ARM) won the Vault at 14.983.

In the women’s events, Tjasa Kysselef (SLO) won the Vault at 13.183, ahead of Israel’s Ofir Netzer (12.983), and the Dutch went 1-2 on the Uneven Bars with Tisha Volleman (13.333) and Sanna Veerman (13.166).

Ukraine’s Daniela Batrona won the Beam at 13.200 and Alba Petisco (ESP) was tops on Floor, scoring (12.900).

At the USA Gymnastics Winter Cup in Frisco, Texas, Konnor McClain won the senior women’s All-Around, scoring 54.300, and winning on Beam (14.600). Skye Blakely score 53.700 for second and was runner-up on Floor (13.250) and eMjae Frazier won on Floor (13.500) and ended up third overall at 53.150.

Joscelyn Roberson won on Vault (13.125) and Nola Mathews took the Uneven Bars title (13.950), with Paityn Walker second in both.

Oklahoma senior Vitaliy Guimaraes won the men’s All-Around, scoring 83.950, just better than Khoi Young (83.536) and Asher Hong (83.029). Tokyo Olympian Yul Moldauer was fourth (81.648); this was the first national competition scored under the new “bonus-point” system that rewards higher-difficulty maneuvers.

The men’s individual event finals were on for Sunday afternoon.

● Nordic Combined ● The FIS World Cup resumed in Lahti (FIN), with jumping off the 130 m hill and a 10 km cross-country race, and a Team Sprint.

The Team Sprint was won by Norway’s Jens Oftebro and Jorgen Graabak in 29:41.4, ahead of Austria (+1.1 seconds) and the second Norwegian team (+4.8).

Sunday’s Gundersen-style race was a comeback for Norway’s Jarl Magnus Riiber, who won of the first eight races this season, then suffered injuries. He won his ninth event of the season, storming to a 27.1-second win over Vinzenz Geiger (GER), 23:45.9 to 24:13.0, with seasonal leader Johannes Lamparter third (+27.4).

With four events remaining, Riiber is back to within 107 points of the World Cup lead in his quest for fourth straight title.

● Ski Jumping ● Austrian star Stefan Kraft – a Team gold medalist in Beijing – won the first post-Winter Games jumping event, also held on the 130 m hill in Lahti, scoring 283.1 points to out-distance Halvor Egner Granerud (NOR: 268.2) and Poland’s Pyotr Zyla (POL: 268.0).

Kraft got a second win as part of Austria’s win in the Team event, with Jan Hoerl, Clemens Aigner and Ulrich Wohlgenannt (1,087.9 points), over Slovenia (1,082.4) and Germany (1,058.0).

On Sunday, seasonal leader Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN) and Granerud tied for the win at 278.0 each, with Kraft third (271.3) taking third.

The women’s World Cup tour resumed for the first time since 30 January, in Hinzenbach (AUT), with Slovenia’s Olympic champ Ursa Bogataj getting her first win of the season, on a 90 m hill, beating teammate (and Olympic silver winner) Nika Kriznar and Austria’s Lisa Eder, 249.7-227.7-212.8.

The Team event was won by Austria, which included World Cup leader Marita Kramer, who could not compete in Beijing due to Covid. Her team scored 819.0 to Russia’s 783.9, with Slovenia third (783.4).

Kriznar got the win on Sunday, her third of the season, scoring 235.3 over Kramer’s 215.1 and 212.9 for Josephine Pagnier (FRA), 19, who won her first-ever World Cup medal.

● Snowboard ● The weekend schedule was wiped out. The SnowCross competition at Mont St. Anne in Canada was canceled due to Covid restrictions and the Parallel Slalom event in Moscow was shut down due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

● Wrestling ● It’s not a championship, but the Yasar Dogu International in Istanbul is the first United World Wrestling Ranking Event of the year and drew a huge, talented field. For USA Wrestling, it was an early measuring stick against some of the best in the world.

The amazing Jordan Burroughs – a five-time World Champion – is now 33, but showed no signs of age in winning the 79kg division, defeating fellow American Chance Marstellar, 26, in the final, 8-0. It was Marstellar’s first international medal.

The U.S. also got a silver medal from James Green at 70 kg, and bronze medals from Nico Megaludis (61 kg), Joey McKenna (65 kg) and Kollin Moore at 97 kg.

Turkey had three popular winners: Soner Demirtas (74 kg), Osman Gocen (86 kg) and Taha Akgul (125 kg), and Iran scored three wins with Amir Yazdan (70 kg), Ahmad Bazrighaleh (92 kg), and Mohammad Mohaamadian (97 kg).

In the Greco-Roman division, home favorites Turkey dominated, with five wins: Adem Burak (55 kg), Selcuk Can (72 kg), Yunus Emre Basar (77 kg), Burhan Akbudak (82 kg) and Osman Yildirim (130 kg). Uzbekistan field three champions, with Islomjon Bakhramov (63 kg), Mahmud Bakhshilloev (67 kg) and Rustam Assakalov (97 kg).

The U.S. claimed six medals in the women’s Freestyle and scored a win in the 55 kg class with Jacarra Winchester and at 65 kg in the all-U.S. final, with Forrest Molinari defeating Mallory Velte, 7-4.

The American contingent took the bronze at 53 kg (Dom Parrish), a bronze at 65 kg with Emma Bruntil and a silver by Macey Kilty at 62 kg.

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