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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● International Olympic Committee ● The Danish Parliament sent a letter to the IOC on 18 June, asking for recognition of the Faroe Islands and Greenland as separate, new National Olympic Committees:
“For many years, both the Faroe Islands and Greenland have sought broader international recognition of their distinct democratic institutions, societies, cultures and sporting identities within the Kingdom of Denmark. The Presidium considers that their aspirations should be assessed on equal terms, including in relation to the possibility of independent representation within the Olympic movement.”
The message noted that this is outside the current procedure, but that there can be exceptions:
“The Presidium fully recognizes that, since 1996, the International Olympic Committee has applied a practice under which admission has generally been limited to territories recognized by the international community, including the United Nations, as independent states.
“At the same time, it remains relevant that exceptions to this practice continue to exist, in that a number of territories – including Aruba, Bermuda and Puerto Rico – participate under their own flags on the basis of recognition granted before the policy was adopted in 1996. The Presidium notices that the Faroe Islands applied for admission in 1983, before the rules were amended in 1996.”
There are currently 206 National Olympic Committees, vs. 193 member states of the United Nations.
● Biathlon ● US Biathlon is asking its donors and friends for more support now that the 2025-26 Olympic season has passed:
“As we reach the final day of our June Fundraising Drive, our athletes, programs, and community need your support now more than ever. We just received a 22% cut in funding from the USOPC, leaving us with a significant gap in our budget going forward.
“Your support is critical to help us continue our momentum at every level, from grassroots to elite. Midway through our 2030 Plan, we are seeing real progress across our organization, from our high performance program to laser biathlon and development to coaching growth and biathlon education, and your support is critical as we head into this next quadrennial.”
● Canoe-Kayak ● The International Canoe Federation Board agreed by 26-1 “in principle, that the future Olympic Canoe Sprint programme should be centered on 500-metre racing, complemented by long-distance racing” for the Brisbane 2032 Games.
The concept was adopted, in part, but the International Olympic Committee’s emphasis on reducing the number of custom venues needed for a specific sport or discipline. Canadian Sprint Olympian John Edwards explained:
“Too often we have found ourselves linked to two-kilometre [rowing] venues that are located well away from where people live.
“There is a real opportunity to bring Canoe Sprint closer to the public by racing on waterways that sit at the heart of our cities. Montreal is a great example of how successful that can be when the venue becomes part of the community and for potential daily users rather than being separated from it.
“I also like the inclusion of long-distance racing because it brings back important characteristics of Canoe Sprint, including wash riding and turning. These are skills that have always been part of our sport and deserve to be showcased.”
The ICF announcement noted that this does not change the current Olympic event program, which includes 200 m and 1,000 m races, which has to be agreed in consultation with the IOC. At its World Cup events, 5,000 m races are routinely included
● Cycling ● The Union Cycliste Internationale posted its annual report on Tuesday (30th), citing some significant cumulative worldwide television audiences for its world championship programs:
● 299 million: World Road Championships
● 123 million: World Track Championships
● 57 million: World Mountain Bike Championships
● 37 million: World Cyclo-Cross Championships
● 30 million: World BMX Freestyle Championships
● 28 million: World Gravel Championships
● 23 million: World BMX Racing Championships
The financial report, which showed an operating loss of CHF 4.2 million (CHF 1 = $1.24 U.S.), was described as good:
“The year 2025 was characterised by very solid financial results for the UCI’s operational activities. In line with the financial model for the current cycle, an operating loss had been anticipated; however, the results achieved were significantly better than expected. Furthermore, the UCI also benefited from the favourable performance of its investment portfolio, which contributed to a significant improvement in the net profit for the year.”
The UCI plans its four-year financial plan around its Olympic television rights dividend, which for Paris 2024 was about $25.7 million. Part goes to reserves and a portion assigned to be spent for development in the following three years. For 2025:
● CHF 42.569 million revenue
● CHF 46.900 million expenses
● CHF –4.241 million operating loss
There was investment income which ended the year with a smaller loss of CHF – 1.506 million.
The overall financial health included CHF 135.875 million in assets and CHF 74.579 million in reserves, about 18 months of expenses in a non-Olympic year.
● Tennis ● Superstar Serena Williams returned to women’s Singles play at Wimbledon for the first time since 2022, but lost in her first-round match against Australian Maya Joint, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3, in a match that lasted 2:22.
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