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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● Olympic Games 2028: Los Angeles ● Having already been approved at the Executive Management Committee of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Metro Board approved on a consent vote, the Memorandum of Understanding with the LA28 organizing committee concerning transportation services for the 2028 Games.
The key element of the memorandum of a reliance on outside funding to support any enhanced service program during the 2028 Games:
“Metro Enhanced Services will be funded, if at all, from supplemental grants and awards and/or any cost savings derived from regulatory relief that Metro receives, and/or other new value to Metro pursuant to this Metro MOU (collectively, ‘New Consideration’).
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this Metro MOU to the contrary, whether expressly or by implication, Metro shall not be obligated for any Metro Enhanced Services, in full or in part, unless and until sufficient New Consideration is designated, dedicated or committed to Metro.
“Without limiting the foregoing, to whatever extent that there is insufficient New Consideration to fully support Metro Enhanced Services, the Parties shall collaborate in good faith to mutually agree upon potential service adjustments to preserve performance of Metro Enhanced Services and to the maximum extent commercially reasonable Metro shall perform a pro rata portion of the Metro Enhanced Services commensurate with the actual New Consideration.”
● Canada ● The Future of Sport in Canada Commission delivered its 952-page final report, “Transforming Sport in Canada: Time for Action,” on Tuesday, covering a broad spectrum of topics, including elite sport in the country. The bottom line:
“Sport in Canada stands at a defining moment. The current sport system – fragmented, inconsistent, and too often unsafe – does not meet the expectations of Canadians. The proliferation of organizations and overlapping mandates led to inefficiencies, duplications, a lack of alignment, and confusion, while conflicts of interest, a lack of transparency, and limited oversight of sport organizations has further undermined trust in the sport system.”
In chapter 15, it was noted:
● “According to a Deloitte study commissioned by the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, 90% of National Sport Organizations depend on federal government funding as their primary source of revenue. On average, government funding represents between 47% and 50% of the revenue of National Sport Organizations receiving government funds.”
● “The chronic lack of funding in the Canadian sport system has contributed to the safe sport crisis and undermined National Sport Organizations’ ability to fulfill their basic functions. Inadequate resources negatively impact both the accessibility and quality of their programs.
“In the face of this funding crisis, many organizations have reduced programs and activities, and some may even be forced to cease operating if the funding gaps persist.”
● “It is clear to the Commission that there is an urgent need for an injection of funds to ensure that National Sport Organizations can continue operating. We believe that core funding for sport organizations should be adequate to support core operational requirements and address long-term priorities.
“Importantly, all future funding allocations for national-level sport organizations must be determined in accordance with a new funding strategy that balances support for high-performance and broader sport participation.”
The Commission report recommends the “Government of Canada urgently increase the core funding allocated to National Sport Organizations to account for inflation since 2005. Thereafter, it must regularly review and adjust the funding” regularly based on need and inflation.”
The next step is up to the Canadian government at multiple levels; the report stated that “the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee Budget 2024 Request, a five-year forecast shows that National Sport Organizations will accumulate a collective deficit of roughly $134 million [~$96.7 million U.S.] attempting to meet their core mandates.”
● Badminton ● Spain’s Carolina Marin, 32, the 2016 Olympic women’s Singles champion and a three-time World Champion, announced her retirement due to continuing right knee issues.
The won Worlds golds in 2014, 2015 and 2018 and a Worlds silver in 2023. She won 10 times on the BWF World Tour and was a finalist 22 times, between 2018-24. She suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during the semifinals and had to withdraw (including forfeiting the bronze-medal match).
● Cycling ● The 143.7 km women’s Ronde van Brugge was held Thursday, with a mass sprint finish won by Britain’s 19-year-old Carys Lloyd, getting to the line ahead of two-time winner Elisa Balsamo (ITA) and Nienke Veenhoven (NED). It’s the fifth straight medal in this event for Balsamo.
It’s the first big career win for Lloyd, in 3:31:23.
● Football ● FIFA continues to release hotel rooms it has booked for the 2026 World Cup period, with 70-80% of its reserved rooms in Vancouver, British Columbia returned. Paul Hawes, president of the British Columbia Hotel Association, noted while this is a normal occurrence prior to a convention or other large event:
“In this case, however, the volume released is higher than typically expected. It appears consistent with what is being seen in other host cities across North America.”
In Toronto, Greater Toronto Hotel Association head Sara Anghel said a significant number of rooms had been released and commented:
“No one is happy with the decision to drop the blocks, and as we see, it’s becoming a pattern across North American cities. So, you know, let that be a lesson … for future host countries or cities.”
FIFA has been confirmed to release large blocks of rooms in Mexico City and Philadelphia so far as well.
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