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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● International Olympic Committee ● In view of the Middle East conflict especially, the IOC posted a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing its political neutrality, including:
“As a global organisation, the IOC has to navigate a complex reality. At every edition of the Olympic Games, the IOC has to deal with the consequences of the current political context and the latest developments in the world. At the same time, it must live up to its mission to preserve a values-based, truly global sporting platform that can give hope to the world. This objective depends on the ability of the IOC to bring athletes together to take part in peaceful competition, no matter where they come from.”
and
“The Olympic Truce Resolution is an aspirational and non-binding resolution which the UN Member States agree on for each edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is tabled by the host nation of the Games and is adopted by the UN Member States themselves. The IOC, with its Permanent Observer Status at the UN, has no means of enforcing the implementation of the resolution. We recognise that this is entirely in the remit of the UN system and outside the remit of the IOC.”
It closed with an appeal “to all UN Member States to support athletes who have qualified for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, and who may be affected by the most recent conflicts, in their journey to these Games.”
There was no mention of sanctions, or other actions related to the Iran conflict or that between Pakistan and Afghanistan or Russia and Ukraine.
● Athletics ● It costs money to be bankrupt. That’s the message from the monthly statement filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware for the ongoing Grand Slam Track proceedings, showing $617,935 spent in the month of January 2026.
Most of the money – $440,000 – went to lawyers Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Golubchik, L.L.P. in escrow, with another $25,000 to Freeman Advisors and almost $90,000 for payroll and medical insurance.
Grand Slam Track received $1 million of the $2.305 million loan available from Winners Alliance for bankruptcy support to pay for all of this, and now has a total indebtedness of $41.68 million.
The next step is consideration of a proposed reorganization plan that would pay athletes about 85% of what they are owed and almost nothing to the unsecured vendors and suppliers at a hearing on 12 March 2026.
● Fencing ● Another first for USA Fencing: the first-ever, formal sports sponsorship in the United States for the 208-year-old Champagne Billecart-Salmon of Mareuil-sur-Ay, France.
It’s now the “Official Champagne of USA Fencing,” and will be featured at the U.S. Fencing Foundation Gala on May 28 in New York and the Hall of Fame Dinner on June 30 in Portland, Oregon.
This is a cash-and-product deal, with Champagne Billecart-Salmon to have visibility at all U.S. Fencing Foundation events and receptions, with other federation sponsor-led events, and some branding presence at events with adult (21+) tournaments, starting with the April North American Cup in Richmond, Virginia.
Family-owned for seven generations, Champagne Billecart-Salmon is widely respected as a medium-sized Champagne house, producing about two million bottles annually. USA Fencing chief executive Phil Andrews (GBR) explained:
“Billecart-Salmon represents exactly the kind of partner we want associated with our sport. They’re a family-built institution defined by precision, heritage and an unwavering commitment to craft.
“And, just as importantly, I can personally attest that they make some of the finest Champagne on the planet.”
● Football ● FIFA unveiled the Official Tournament Poster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, created by artists from the three host countries: Carson Ting (CAN), Minerva GM (MEX) and Hank Willis Thomas of the U.S.
It’s 24 by 36 inches in size and retails for $20 each, with poster to begin shipping by 23 March. No dynamic pricing is involved. The tournament poster adds to the gallery of 16 host city posters already announced.
¶
U.S. Soccer announced a series of World Cup-related events, including a U.S. Soccer House at Venice Beach in Los Angeles that will open with the start of the tournament on 11 June. The programming is to feature “watch parties, appearances by U.S Soccer legends, exclusive fan moments, a dedicated stage for speaker sessions and celebrity appearances, and live podcast recordings. The Bank of America Vault will offer premium match viewing, hospitality amenities, and curated programing.”
Access to the facility “will be open to registered members of the U.S. Soccer Insiders program (complimentary registration available), with ADA accessible floors.”
A World Cup roster announcement event will be held in New York on 26 May, followed by four warm-up matches, against Belgium on 28 March and Portugal on 31 March, both in Atlanta, then on 31 May against Senegal in Charlotte, North Carolina and finally vs. Germany on 6 June in Chicago.
● Table Tennis ● World Table Tennis announced the postponement of two future youth events in light of the continuing actions against and by Iran, including a WTT Youth Contender tournament in Riyadh (KSA) from 31 March to 3 April and another in Sulaymaniyah (IRQ) from 22-25 April.
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