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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The International Testing Agency disclosed a sixth doping violation from Paris 2024 and disqualified Belgian equestrian Domien Michiels for the use of Dorzolamide, a Class S5 diuretics or masking agent. However:
“[T]he athlete was able to establish that dorzolamide entered his body inadvertently when he administered eye drops containing dorzolamide to his dog to treat the dog’s illness. Considering that dorzolamide did not enter the athlete’s system through topical ophthalmic route exclusively and in light of the principle of ‘strict liability,’ the presence of dorzolamide in his sample constitutes an ADRV [doping violation].
“The athlete was however able to establish that he bore ‘No Fault or Negligence’ for the ADRV.
“The only consequence of his ADRV under the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is the disqualification of the athlete’s individual competitive results at the Dressage Team Grand Prix event on 3 August 2024 at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The results of the Belgium Team in the Dressage Team Grand Prix on 3 August 2024 are not to be disqualified.”
Belgium finished fifth in the Team Dressage Grand Prix Special. The ITA’s determination can be appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency if desired.
● U.S. Center for SafeSport ● The Associated Press reported that SafeSport chief executive Ju’Riese Colon told an online stakeholder meeting on Tuesday that she will begin participating in staffing interviews, and is exploring other background-check processes to further improve hiring.
The Center has been under scrutiny since former investigator Jason Krasley was arrested on 10 January on allegations of theft, rape and sex trafficking when he was a police officer in Pennsylvania. Said Colon during the meeting:
“This was certainly unprecedented and certainly something we’ll strive to never have happen again, because it was a dark week for the Center. It certainly impacts the trust we’re striving to build.”
An outside audit is being conducted of Krasley’s work at SafeSport to see if any actions are needed in cases he was involved with.
● Anti-Doping ● Here’s a new one, from Russian Anti-Doping Agency results processing department head Valeria German, speaking at an educational seminar:
“There was a case when an athlete ate cookies baked by her friend. It turned out that a capsule of mildronate [meldonium] was added to the powdered sugar on the cookie.
“We were told that this was done so that the athlete would end her career and spend more time with her friend.”
After testing, the unidentified athlete received a reduced sanction for having no fault in the ingestion of the prohibited drug.
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RUSADA chief Veronika Loginova cited difficulties with some parents of athletes who are uninterested in following the anti-doping regulations:
“We encounter a strange approach from the parents of some children in sports. Videos are published on social networks where mothers say that RUSADA forces them to do something and violates the rights of all children, that the education is difficult. And then we see violations by underage athletes.”
● Athletics ● Organizers of the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships unveiled a motto and artwork for the event, based on the idea of “Every second, SUGOI,” using a Japanese word for “amazing” or “extraordinary” to emphasize the dramatic nature of the championships:
“‘Every second, SUGOI’ signifies that every moment of this year’s Championships, from start to finish, will be extraordinary, creating an event where the spirit of ‘SUGOI’ resonates with everyone.”
The artwork features dramatic brushstrokes to convey a sense of speed and power, developed by the organizing committee and sponsor TBS Television. Calligrapher Bisen Aoyagi was engaged to create the principal artwork, which will be integrated into the TBS broadcast of the event as well as at the National Stadium, where her work has already been displayed.
● Basketball ● FIBA featured comments from U.S. superstar Kevin Durant, who won his fourth Olympic gold in Paris as the U.S. went undefeated at 6-0, coming from behind to beat Serbia, 95-91, in the semi and then France by 98-87 in the final.
Asked on the Out The Mud podcast if the world is catching up to the U.S. men, Durant fired back, “Hell no, of course not.” Some more highlights:
● “We beat Serbia three times this summer. You know what I’m saying? So what, like one game, yeah. They’re going to get a game where they look solid.”
● “No, I don’t believe it’s close. For people to give them credit for just being in a close game with us shows that they ain’t even, can’t compete. We [USA] created basketball. They’re influenced by us.
“Luka [Doncic is] influenced by Americans. So is [Nikola] Jokic. So was [Croatia’s] Toni Kukoc. So was [Argentina’s] Manu Ginobili, [France’s] Tony Parker. All these dudes was influenced by Americans. We set the blueprint.”
● “It’s cute for sure for people that want to experience history. That’s what they want. ‘I was there to see the changing of the guards between the Americans and the Europeans.’
“People want to try and switch the narrative up or try to hype [something] up when in reality, we’ve been dominating these dudes for this whole time. And they finally get closer than 20 points and now you’re saying they catching up. Nah.”
Others, including 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold medalist Shaquille O’Neal, feel differently. O’Neal said after the Paris Games, “I am sure that the USA will not win gold at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”
For the record, Durant will be 39 by the time LA28 rolls around.
● Football ● The U.S. concluded its January men’s training camp with a friendly in Orlando, Florida against familiar foe Costa Rica. The game started with 40-degree temperatures and rain, but the American squad had a firm hold on the match and scored a 3-0 victory.
The American starting eleven had eight changes from the 3-1 win over Venezuela on the 18th, with six of the 11 having just one or two appearances with the national team. Striker Brian White, in his third appearance, gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute – his first international goal – on a left-footed rocket from the center of the box to the far right side, off a long lead pass from midfielder Diego Luna.
That was the halftime score, as the U.S. had 59% of possession and a 7-3 edge on shots. White had an excellent chance for a second goal in the 54th, but his shot from the right side went wide to the left. U.S. keeper Zach Steffen got a right-hand save on a direct shot from substitute midfielder Allan Cruz in the 56th to maintain the lead.
The U.S. got a second goal in the 77th, as midfielder Emeka Eneli sent a pass from the left side to the top of the box for a left-footed smash from midfielder Caden Clark that flew into the net. A late score came from sub striker Patrick Agyemang, who ran on to a pass down the right side, dribbled in and blasted a hard shot from left to right that made the final 3-0 in the 90th.
The U.S. finished with 58% possession and a 11-8 shots edge. The U.S. improved to 5-1-0 under coach Mauricio Ponchettino (ARG). Next up is the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Panama on 20 March in Inglewood, California.
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An auxiliary event at the World Economic Forum in Davis (SUI) focused on “Connection vs Connectivity: Tackling the Loneliness Epidemic” and included UEFA Social & Environmental Sustainability Director Michele Uva (ITA), who noted:
“Physical activity can also improve mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety, boosting mood, and enhancing cognitive function. More practically, while playing football, using phones or electronic devices is almost impossible, which naturally limits screen time and encourages more direct, face-to-face interactions.”
True for almost any sport, and good advice.
● Swimming ● Five-time Olympic medalist Klete Keller was one of the 1,500+ individuals involved in the 6 January 2021 riot in Washington, D.C. pardoned by President Donald Trump on Monday.
Keller, 42, who won medals at the 2000-04-08 Games in the 400 m Free and 4×200 m Free relay, pled guilty to obstructing an official proceeding, and was sentenced to six months of home detention, three years of probation and community service.
He told The Washington Post, “It didn’t feel real. And waking up this morning, I was like: ‘My gosh. Wow, this is over. I don’t have to check in with my probation officer anymore.’ It’s just such an amazing feeling of relief.”
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