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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● Olympic Games: India ● A sports transformation on the scale of China is being implemented in India, now the world’s most populous nation, explained Indian Olympic Association President P.T. Usha in an interview with the French-language FrancsJeux.com (computer translation from the original French):
● “India is currently undergoing a complete transformation of its sporting landscape, guided by the vision and leadership of the national government. This transformation aims to position India as a leading sporting nation, both in terms of large-scale participation and elite performance.
“Our goals are clearly defined: to be among the top ten nations in the Olympic medal standings by 2036 and enter the top five by our centenary in 2047. This ambition is underpinned by a sustained and systematic effort encompassing governance reform, infrastructure development, athlete support systems, and grassroots engagement across the country.”
● “India’s Olympic ambition is part of a structured, long-term plan, with clearly defined targets and the creation of state-of-the-art performance centers across the country. While our goals are ambitious, they reflect the spirit of a nation that is ambitious to its very core. India is the fastest-growing democracy and is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy.
“With over 600 million young people and a comprehensive national sports strategy, we believe we can achieve transformational progress similar to that achieved by China between the mid-1990s and 2008. 2036 is not a moment too soon; it is an opportunity to showcase India’s emerging capabilities on the world stage while accelerating the performance of our athletes to a world-class level.”
The next step for India is to be awarded the 2030 Commonwealth Games, at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Scotland on 26 November 2025.
● Alpine Skiing ● Appearing at the USOPC Media Summit in New York, U.S. skiing star Lindsey Vonn, now 41, has all her focus on making the 2026 U.S. Olympic Team for Milan Cortina:
“I don’t think I would have tried this comeback if the Olympics weren’t in Cortina. If it had been anywhere else, I would probably say it’s not worth it. But, for me, there’s something special about Cortina that always pulls me back and it’s pulled me back one last time.
“I think I’m in potentially the best shape of my life, which is saying something at my age. Because of my knee replacement, I literally can do anything I want to do. I’m not restricted.”
Vonn won and Olympic gold and bronze in Vancouver in 2010 and a 2018 bronze in Korea across four Olympic appearances (so far).
● Athletics ● After injuries plagued him in 2025, Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen has big plans for 2026′ he told Norway’s Verdens Gang:
“I hope to take the world record in 1,500 m, mile and 5,000 m. If I can do that, I have to be satisfied. I have to look out for some events and dates where I can have the best chance of making some good attempts at it. [Wife] Elisabeth and I have started looking at the dates.
“Most of the tracks are good to run on, but all tracks can also have bad conditions. There will be a bit of bingo, but it is generally a bit safer further south in Europe. Monaco has been a very good race for many years, Paris is good. Silesia is very good. These are races I have looked forward to. And most likely Bislett. It’s always something I look forward to.”
Wow!
● Football ● Denmark passed an extensive gambling promotional ban last Friday – “Gaming Package 1” – described by the Ministry of Taxation as:
“a comprehensive agreement that will slow down and reverse the development of gambling addiction in Denmark. The goal is to create a more responsible and safe gaming market – especially for children and young people, who are increasingly exposed to gambling and gambling-related advertising.”
The measures include “regulation of influencers and significant restrictions on the marketing of gambling, including a ban on gambling advertisements during sporting events, a ban on the use of famous people in advertisements and on marketing that may affect children and young people. At the same time, the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction is being strengthened with targeted offers for children and young people, together with a new research fund that will create better knowledge about gambling behavior and addiction.”
Broadcast ads for gaming are banned from 10 minutes before kickoff to 10 minutes after, live odds are not to be shown in stadiums, and gaming advertising is banned within 200 m of schools or on buses. “Free money” introductory games are also outlawed.
Said Tax Minister Ane Halsboe-Jorgensen:
“This is the beginning of a showdown with a gaming industry that has been allowed to take up too much space for far too long, so that entertainment does not turn into addiction. This requires both responsible providers, stronger rules and a sustained political effort.”
¶
At the FIFA women’s U-17 World Cup in Morocco, the U.S. and the Netherlands played to a 1-1 tie in their round-of-16 match, with the Dutch advancing on a 7-6 win on penalty kicks. Both sides made their first six penalties, but after Tess van der Vliet scored the seventh for the Netherlands, Chloe Sadler’s attempt for the U.S. was saved.
In the other early round-of-16 matches, Brazil eliminated China, 3-0; defending champ North Korea swamped Morocco, 6-1 and Italy sailed by Nigeria, 4-0. The rest of the bracket will play on Wednesday with the quarters on 1-2 November.
● Swimming ● Happy returns for newly-retired U.S. breaststroke star Lilly King and James Wells, who were married on Saturday (25th), after he proposed to her – on television – at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Indianapolis in 2024.
They both swam at Indiana, with Wells ending his competitive career in 2021 and King finishing at this summer’s Worlds in Singapore after two Olympic and 12 World Championships gold medals.
● Taekwondo ● At the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi (CHN), the men’s 68 kg class went to Thailand’s Banlung Tubtimdang, moving up from silver at 63 kg in 2023. He won by 10-5, 7-1 over Korean Yu-hyeon Seong, with American Maikol Rodriguez picking up one of the bronzes, his first Worlds medal.
The women’s 67 kg division was the second Worlds win for Luana Marton (HUN), who won at 57 kg in 2023! She defeated Milena Titoneli (BRA) by 8-1, 2-1 in the final. The tournament ends on the 30th.
● Wrestling ● Impressive showing for the U.S. men’s Freestyle team at the 2025 United World Wrestling U-23 World Championships in Novi Sad (SRB), with four golds and the team title.
The American winners included Luke Lilledahl (57 kg), Jax Forrest (61 kg), Mitchell Mesenbrink (74 kg) and Levi Haines at 79 kg. The U.S. scored 137 points to beat Iran (127).
The U.S. women’s Freestylers finished third with 106, behind India and Japan. Kylie Welker was the lone American winner, at 76 kg. Audrey Jimenez won silver at 50 kg and Jasmine Robinson was second at 72 kg.
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