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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● Olympic Winter Games 2030: French Alps ● With the new mayor of Nice, Eric Ciotti, saying that the venues and athlete village sites for the 2030 Winter Games should be changed, the mayor of Lyon – where the organizing committee has its headquarters – is ready to help.
Grégory Doucet, in office since 2020, is reported to be ready to offer facilities in Lyon for curling, figure skating and other ice sports, as well as the ceremonies. It’s only an offer at this stage, but offers the organizing committee options if the relations with Ciotti get frostier.
● Olympic Winter Games 2034: Utah ● The first-of-its kind “Podium34″ project called on philanthropy from the Utah community to support the organizing committee of the 2034 Winter Games with funding to start operations and to create new community and Games programs.
Formally announced in September 2025, but information earlier, the goal had been to raise $200 million. By the time of the launch last year, the published goal was $300 million. On Monday, Utah 2034 confirmed that the current level of commitment has reached $250 million and that the $300 million plateau will likely reached by the end of the year.
And the new goal will be?
● International Olympic Committee ● The IOC announced that long-time member Craig Reedie (GBR) passed away at age 84; no date was given.
A badminton player in his competitive days, he later became the President of the International Badminton Federation, later the Chair of the British Olympic Association. He was elected to the IOC in 1994 and from 2014-19 was the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, steering through the minefield of the Russian state-sponsored doping program. He became an Honorary Member of the IOC in 2021.
● Athletics ● The annual Stawell Gift race, begun in 1878, is a throwback to the earliest days of track & field, a 120 m straightaway race on grass with ropes between the lanes, in Stawell (AUS). In 2026, American sprint stars Christian Coleman (2019 100 m World Champion) and Sha’Carri Richardson (2023 World 100 m Champion) were in the event and Richardson claimed a historic win.
The race is run with handicap starts and Richardson, who advanced to the final by just 0.007, started 10 m back of Emma Carr, but moved up smartly during the race and got to the front late, winning in a race-record 13.08 over Charlotte Nielsen (13.13 with a 9 m handicap). Richardson is only the third woman to win from a scratch start and collected the winner’s share of A$40,000 (~$27,627 U.S.); the women’s race started in 1989.
Australian Olufemi Komolafe won the men’s race in 11.93 with a 5 m handicap; Coleman was eliminated in the semifinals.
● Cycling ● A group of riders who sailed through a train-stop red light during the Ronde van Vlaanderen on Sunday – including winner Tadej Pogacar (SLO) – are the subject of an inquiry by Belgian officials.
Those who crossed early had to slow down to allow the peloton to catch up after the tracks were clear. Sanctions could include a fine and suspension.
● Fencing ● If you haven’t heard this name already, get used to it: Jaelyn Liu.
The Dallas-based American teen once again collected FIE World Championships golds in the women’s Foil in both the Cadet and Junior classes in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) on Saturday and Sunday, repeating her double golds from 2025 and becoming the first fencer to win a Cadet-Junior double-double!
This was her last year of eligibility in the Cadet class (under 17 as of 1 January) and juniors are eligible to age 20. She now has three Cadet Foil World titles (2024-25-26)and the 2025 and 2026 Junior Worlds golds, plus a team title in 2025. She already won her first FIE World Cup individual gold, in Hong Kong on 10 January of this year.
● Gymnastics ● Algerian star Kaylia Nemour was a double winner at the FIG Artistic World Cup in Cairo (EGY), taking the Uneven Bars – where she is Olympic champion – at 14.033 and then winning on the Beam – where she is the 2025 Worlds silver winner – scoring 14.266.
Spain’s Laia Font won the women’s Vault at 13.533 and China’s Qinqin Ke took the Floot at 12.966.
China also scored twice with men’s wins, with two-time Olympic Rings winner Yang Liu winning on Parallel Bars at 14.366 and teammate Hongyan Li winning on the Horizontal Bar (14.400).
Armenia claimed wins on Pommel Horse for 2025 European champ Hamlet Manukyan (14.800) and for 2022 World Champion Artur Davtyan on Vault at 14.666. Greek star Eleftherios Petrounias, the 2016 Olympic Rings winner, won his specialty at 14.366. Russian “neutral” David Marinov won on Floor, scoring 14.233.
● Skating ● The International Skating Union Council meeting announcement noted that it “received an update from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on reintegration of athletes under the age of 17 from both Russia and Belarus into the international community. No timeline is currently available for a further update in this regard.”
The ISU 60th Ordinary Congress will be held from 10-12 June 2026, with elections due for President, Vice Presidents and other members.
● Volleyball ● Four-time Olympic medalist Jordan Larson, now 39, retired after her Saturday match with LOVB Omaha of League One Volleyball. One of the standout outside hitters in U.S. history, Larson starred as an All-American at Nebraska and went on to a sensational career with the American national team.
“The Governor” helped the U.S. win the 2014 FIVB Women’s World Championship and four Olympic medals: silver in 2012, bronze in 2016, gold at Tokyo 2020 and a silver at Paris 2024. She also played on club teams in Puerto Rico, Russia, Turkey, China and Italy in addition to the U.S. She said in an interview:
“Looking back, beyond the wins, the losses, and the medals, what I am most proud of are the relationships and experiences I have gained along the way.
“I have learned so much from so many people, from coaches and teammates to the fans who supported me throughout the journey. I was just a girl from a small town who was given the chance to live out her dream, and I am deeply grateful for how this game has shaped me both on and off the court.”
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