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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● Anti-Doping ● The World Anti-Doping Agency published its 2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, which now notes “[t]he non-diagnostic use of carbon monoxide (CO) has been added to the Prohibited Methods.”
This has been an issue in cycling – used to optimize altitude training – and has been banned by the Union Cycliste Internationale since February 2025.
● Fencing ● The Federation Internationale de Escrime posted results of the Athletes Commission elections during the 2025 World Championships, with U.S. men’s Foil star Alexander Massialas one of the electees.
American Laura Decker was recognized as one of the “best referees” of the 2024-25 season, in the Sabre division.
● Figure Skating ● Women’s World Champion Alysia Liu of the U.S. wrote on Instagram on Wednesday:
“As many of you know, I recently debuted a new short program for the ‘25-‘26 season. However, in light of recent news, my team & I are confidently pursuing a different direction that aligns with my values & just my overall ethos. I’m eager to start brainstorming new ideas, & I want to ensure my creative process isn’t rushed. So, in the meantime, you may see some familiar programs. Thank you for your ongoing support!”
She had included “This is How it Feels” by singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) and Icelandic artist Laufey in her short program, but is removing the music in view of an investigation into the death of then-14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez – who had gone missing in 2024 – found in the trunk of a Tesla sedan registered to D4vd, in an impound lot in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles.
● Football ● A U.S. Department of State official told BBC Sport: “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup.”
The Associated Press reported that UEFA’s executive committee “is moving toward a vote to suspend” Israel, possibly next week, which if passed, would knock Israel’s national team out of World Cup qualifying.
Some European nations have been promoting a ban on Israel for its response to the 7 October 2023 massacre of civilians by Hamas, governing body of the Gaza Strip. Israel is in Group I in UEFA World Cup qualifying with nine points (3-2, three games left), with Norway at 15 and Italy also with nine. Only the group winner advances directly; others move into a series of play-offs.
Protests have regularly accompanied Israel’s qualifying games, with “home games” played in Hungary in view of the continuing conflict in Israel, with the next matches on 11 October in Oslo vs. Norway and 14 October in Udine vs. Italy.
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FIFA introduced its mascots (pictured above) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – “Maple the Moose” for Canada, “Zayu the Jaguar” for Mexico, and “Clutch the Bald Eagle” for the U.S. – designed to appeal to children.
● Rowing ● The first finals at the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai (CHN) included two Lightweight Double Sculls wins for the home team, but also four wins by four countries in the Olympic events.
In the men’s Quadruple Sculls, Italy’s 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalists moved up the gold in 5:48.08 over Great Britain (5:50.06) and Poland (5:51.34). The U.S. was fourth (5:55.61).
New Zealand’s Oliver Welch and Benjamin Taylor won in Paris in 6:37.87, their first Worlds wins, over Romania (6:42.85) and Switzerland (6:43.84).
Paris Olympic runner-ups Netherlands, with three new crew, took the women’s Quad Sculls in 6:32.92, over Olympic winner Great Britain (two of four back, 6:34.52), with Germany third (6:36.00).
In the women’s Pairs, Romania’s Maria Rusu and Tokyo Olympic Double Sculls winner Simona Radis won easily in 7:08.52, ahead of France (7:13.31) and the U.S. pair of Jessica Thoennes and Holly Drapp (7:13.93 for bronze).
The regatta continues through Sunday.
● Shooting ● Interesting pilot program from the International Shooting Sports Federation, offering media training for athletes via (1) an online course on 29 October and (2) an invitational, in-person program at the ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Championships in Cairo (EGY).
The online program will offer an introduction to media relations and “crafting your message,” while the Cairo event will focus on social media and branding.
This is an area where more education can be extremely helpful, especially for younger athletes emerging into public view as their careers progress. How many federations are doing this?
● Skiing ● With injury headlines in all disciplines continuing to pile up, the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) Council “emphasized the importance of establishing clear and consistent safety guidelines for all National Ski Associations” during its meeting on Wednesday in Switzerland.
Better safety equipment standards and safety protocol regulations are needed in all countries, the homologation of all training slopes (not just competition slopes) and increased safety awareness and education.
The 16 September death of 25-year-old Italian alpine skier Matteo Franzoso during a training session in La Parva (CHI) has been the latest shock, with three Italian skiers alone perishing in accidents over the last 12 months.
The Vermont-based Kelly Brush Foundation, which has worked since 2006 for better safety in skiing, has lobbied FIS for better safety standards, training hundreds of coaches and volunteers on best practices and supporting the use of more than 100 miles of safety netting, for more than 200 ski clubs across the United States. In a letter to the FIS, the Foundation wrote:
“We suggest that FIS thoroughly evaluate and audit the current training practices, procedures, and safety standards by establishing an audit committee before the upcoming ski season. This committee would examine current practices and prioritize educational initiatives, such as workshops and resources for coaches, athletes, and officials, to promote a culture of safety awareness.
“Importantly, protections and homologation procedures should extend beyond race courses to training venues, where athletes spend the majority of their time, ensuring comprehensive safety across all environments.”
FIS appears to be taking the first steps in that direction.
● Sport Climbing ● China’s Jianguo Long moved up from silver at the 2023 IFSC World Championships Speed final to gold in 2025, reaching the top of the 15 m wall in 4.80 seconds to defeat Leander Carmanns (GER: 4.99) in Seoul (KOR).
Zach Hammer of the U.S. won his first career Worlds medal, at 4.93 in the bronze final, just ahead of Iran’s 2018 World Champion Reza Alipour (4.94).
● Swimming ● The German Swimming Federation (DSV) posted a three-paragraph comment aimed at the Enhanced Games, not naming recent signee Marius Kusch (GER), but in obvious response. As translated on SwimSwam.com:
“The Enhanced Games are diametrically opposed to everything the sport stands for. They mock fairness, health, and the very raison d’être (reason or purpose for existence) of sport by not only tolerating doping but by presenting it as a supposedly autonomous option for self-optimization. The German Swimming Association condemns this in the strongest possible terms.
“For us, fairness, equal opportunities, and the clear rejection of any form of doping are unshakable fundamental values. Athletes – whether active or retired – have a special role model function.
“Anyone who consciously turns away from these values is saying goodbye to our sport of swimming. And: They are exposing themselves to serious health risks that can never be fully foreseen.”
● Volleyball ● Bulgaria came back from a two-set deficit and plowed past the U.S. at the FIVB men’s World Championship in the Philippines and will meet the Czech Republic in the semifinals.
In Pasay, the U.S. men won their first two sets by 25-21, 25-19, but then lost three straight sets by 17-25, 22-25 and 13-15. The Americans now have missed the medal round in seven of the last eight men’s Worlds, from 1998 on; Bulgaria moved into the semis for the first time since 2006, when it won bronze.
The Czechs defeated Iran, 3-1, in the other quarterfinal and will meet Bulgaria on Saturday. It’s the first time in the medal round for the Czechs since Czechoslovakia won gold in 1966!
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The Sports Business Journal reported that USA Volleyball has partnered with Canada as a bidder for the 2027 FIVB Women’s World Championship, competing with Italy and Turkey.
The U.S. has never hosted before, with Italy hosting as recently as 2014; Turkey has not hosted this tournament. The North American bid offered 10 Canadian cities as possible sites with the U.S. offering 2028 Olympic site Anaheim, California, as well as Austin and Houston in Texas, Charlotte, North Carolina, Omaha, Nebraska, Orlando, Florida and Sacramento, California.
The decision is to be made in the coming days.
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