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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum ● Just weeks following the conclusion of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy, the USOPM in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is opening “It’s Your Vibe: Team USA at Milano Cortina 2026.”
The exhibition, named after the Games motto, offers some unique items, including:
● “The U.S. flag carried on the ice by Olympic gold medalist Hilary Knight following Team USA’s victory in women’s ice hockey.”
● “A competition skinsuit worn by Olympic speedskater Conor McDermott-Mostowy.”
● “A complete set of official Olympic and Paralympic pins from Milano Cortina 2026.”
● A collection of official Olympic and Paralympic mascot plush figures Tina and Milo – the most popular souvenirs of the Games – including a podium plushie!
There is a lot more, including an Olympic Torch Relay uniform; an Olympic torch and Games medals are expected to be added in the future. The exhibit was made possible through the funding of Judi and Jack Johnson and the David and Eula Wintermann Foundation. It will be open for a limited – but not yet specified – time.
● Alpine Skiing ● The 2026 U.S. Ski & Snowboard nationals in Vail, Colorado concluded on Tuesday with the Slalom events, with Cooper Puckett, 23, winning the men’s title in 1:33.89 ahead of Jett Seymour (1:34.51) and Jevin Palmquist (1:34.57).
Veteran women’s stars went 1-2, with A.J. Hurt winning in 1:34.05, over Nina O’Brien (1:34.23) and Kjersti Moritz third (1:34.85). It’s the fifth national title for Hurt and second straight in the Slalom.
● Cycling ● The 80th Dwars Door Vlaanderen in Belgium ended with a sprint victory for two-time World Time Trial Champion Filippo Ganna (ITA), who passed Belgian Wout van Aert in the final meters to win in 3:48:27 over the 184.6 km course from Roeselare to Waregem.
Van Aert, second last year, attacked on the hilly course with 30 km to go and was clear of the field, but Ganna tirelessly worked his way closer and finally sailed by just before the finish. Norway’s Soren Waerenskjold finished third, as the top 47 riders received the same time.
The women’s race – the 14th – came down to a three-way sprint with Swiss Marlen Reusser, the 2025 Worlds Time Trial gold medalist – winning at the line in 3:09:12 over the 128.8 km course. She finished just ahead of 2023 champ Demi Vollering (NED) and countrywoman Lieke Nooijen, who gapped the field by seven seconds.
Coming Sunday is the famed Ronde van Vlaanderen – the 110th Tour of Flanders – for men and women.
● Football ● The 19 March meeting of the FIFA Council announced that the approvals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup hosting awards for 2031 and 2035 will be delayed to the end of the year at an Extraordinary Congress.
The 2031 bid, led by the U.S. and including Costa Rica, Jamaica and Mexico, was reported last week to be due in part to worries by American host cities over the economic performance (or lack thereof) of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, versus the millions spent to ready the stadia and regions for the event.
Moreover, The Athletic reported that “FIFA has not received crucial government guarantees from the White House,” which it requires on access, duty-free imports and other fee waivers, along with security support.
What is true is that the enthusiasm for the 2031 bid will be judged with reference to what happens in the 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 World Cup.
● Gymnastics ● In what appears to be a new chapter in the Russia vs. Ukraine struggle, World Gymnastics “acknowledges the incident involving AIN athlete Sofiia Ilteriakova during the Hoop Final award ceremony at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Sofia (BUL) on 30 March 2026.”
The event was won by Ukrainian star Taisiia Onofriichuk with the 15-year-old Ilteriakova second, and on the awards stand, the Russian did not face the Ukrainian flag, standing upright and looking straight ahead, without turning during the Ukrainian anthem.
The World Gymnastics statement added:
“The matter is currently under review and all relevant information is being carefully assessed. Any next steps will be considered in accordance with the applicable regulations and established procedures.”
The Russian national coach, Tatyana Sergaeva, told the Russian news agency TASS that Ilteriakova was confused and “flustered” in her first international senior-level competition.
● Shooting ● Peru’s Alessandro De Souza Ferreira equaled the world record of 27 in the men’s Trap final of the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Tangier (MAR), winning the gold over Driss Haffari (MAR: 25).
Italy went 1-2 in the women’s Trap final, with 2018 World Junior Champion Erica Sessa also equaling the world record in the final, scoring 24 hits to edge London 2012 Olympic champion Jessica Rossi (22).
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