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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● Olympic Games 2032: Brisbane ● Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, an relentless promoter of his city, is now proposing to have the 2032 Olympic swimming competition – a key sport for the host country – held in Gold Coast instead of Brisbane.
Tate suggests the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, which held 10,000 spectators for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, as the venue for Brisbane 2032, instead of a temporary pool in the to-be-built, 17-18,000-seat Brisbane Live arena.
Speaking at the Aquatic Centre this week, he told reporters, “We estimated the roof for here, and 10,000 seating, you’re looking at about $150 million. A temporary pool arena [in Brisbane], you’re looking at $2.5 billion. Do the sums.” (A$1 = $0.62 U.S.)
Tate ignores, of course, that the proposed arena is designed as a legacy facility for the downtown Brisbane area, of which the 2032 Olympic Games would simply be one event. Also, from the organizing committee’s point of view, it would get substantially more ticket revenue from a 17-18,000-seat arena than from a 10,000-seater. The arena is to be built with government funds.
The Queensland government is awaiting a review of Olympic facilities, due in March, principally to decide what to do about a track & field stadium and ceremonies site.
● World Games ● Voting for the World Games Athlete of the Year for 2024 opens on 9 January, with the top-10 vote getters on 22 January advanced to the final round, with continued voting until 31 January.
This is for sports and events on the World Games program, comprised of competitions which are not part of the Olympic Games. Among the 22 nominees are two American entries: Allison Hoeft and Sydney Martin for Cheerleading and Vanita Krouch for Flag Football, where she quarterbacked the U.S. women’s squad to the 2024 Worlds gold, her third title.
One of the favorites will be Canada’s Phil Wizard (Philip Kim), the Paris 2024 gold medalist in men’s Breaking.
● Anti-Doping ● Fascinating story at triathlete.com noting that the World Anti-Doping Agency continues to review the high-profile anti-obesity and anti-diabetes drug semaglutide, known best by its market names Ozempic (for diabetes) and Wegovy (for weight loss).
Dr. Olivier Rabin (FRA), the WADA Senior Director for Science and Medicine observed that the impact of the drug on food intake and glucose uptake in cells could create advantages for triathletes:
“If you can improve your weight-to-power ratio, you’re going to have a benefit in cycling, running, and possibly in swimming as well.”
WADA is in an evaluation phase with the drug, begun in 2024. Rabin explained, “We are collecting information and looking at this. We’re going to analyze urine and blood samples and we’ll see, as we have for other substances, whether we observe a pattern of abuse.”
The story, by Elaine K. Howley, is thorough and offers a clear profile of what semaglutide does and does not do, as it known today. But the research is continuing.
● Alpine Skiing ● A mid-week Slalom in the men’s FIS World Cup, in Madonna di Campiglio (ITA), with Bulgaria’s Albert Popov, 27, claiming his first career World Cup gold and second career medal.
He was only eighth after the first run, but had the fastest second run in the field by 0.21 and passed everyone to win in 1:45.22. He was well clear of Swiss star Loic Meillard, second after the first run, but 10th-fastest on the second (1:45.66). Benjamin Ritchie was the fastest American, in eighth – coming from 22nd after run no. one – in 1:46.14.
● Athletics ● Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service has filed a charge of manslaughter against the UK Athletics governing body and 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships executive Keith Davies for the death of UAE thrower Abdullah Hayayei in 2017.
Hayayei had the metal protective discus cage fall on him during a training session at the Newham Leisure Centre in July 2017, in advance of the Paralympics Worlds in London. He died at the scene.
UK Athletics was charged with “corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence” and Davies, now 77, with “gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety offence.” Both are to appear in court on 31 January.
● Gymnastics ● As if the tale of the Paris Olympic women’s Floor Exercise bronze medal isn’t strange enough, here’s a new twist.
Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, 18, handed the Olympic Floor bronze by the Court of Arbitration for Sport over American Jordan Chiles, is headed to compete in the U.S. NBC Sports reported that Barbosu announced a commitment to Stanford and could compete for the Cardinal next season (2025-26).
Chiles, 23, is continuing her collegiate career at UCLA and is a junior this season, and so could also be competing next season as well. Although both would be at California schools, UCLA is now in the Big Ten Conference and Stanford is in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
While Chiles was awarded the Floor bronze after the competition and Barbosu was declared the bronze winner by the Court of Arbitration, the matter has been appealed by multiple parties to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
● Ice Hockey ● Ice Hockey Australia returned the hosting of the IIHF men’s World Championship in Division II, scheduled to be held in Australia and New Zealand from 27 April to 3 May due to the participation of the Israeli team.
Ice Hockey Australia did not mention Israel in a statement about its decision:
“The decision was primarily made to ensure the safety and security of athletes, volunteers, spectators, and other participants.
“IHA does not shy away from making this decision with safety at the forefront. IHA is not in a position to comment on global issues outside the sport of ice hockey and did not intend for an internal email to be shared broadly.”
Israel qualified in Group A, with Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Serbia and the UAE.
IHA President Ryan O’Handley wrote in an internal message to his board:
“Anti-Israel protests and activities (in Melbourne) have escalated significantly since we were awarded the championship and there are now significant concerns regarding safety and security of the event.
“Victoria Police advised us that there was a high chance of an incident occurring during the championship due to the escalating anti-Israel sentiment in Melbourne.
“Our decision is based entirely on the fact that the safety and security of participants, the venue and precinct staff, and the general public cannot be assured to a reasonable level due to the current environment in Melbourne.”
However, a spokeswoman for the Victoria Police said, “We understand that people are concerned following this incident. However, there are currently no known or specific threats to any Victorian organisation, infrastructure or event and police encourage people to go about their daily business.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about the situation and replied during a television interview:
“This is a decision made by Ice Hockey Australia. They’re not a body, I’ve got to say, I’m familiar with and it’s not a sport I’m familiar with, like most Australians. But we should be opposed, and are, as a country to any form of racism, but particularly to antisemitism.”
The IIHF will look to find a new host for the same dates; Group B is being played in New Zealand.
● Swimming ● Hungarian star Katinka Hosszu, now 35, announced her retirement from competitive swimming on her Instagram page, leaving as one of the star swimmers of the 21st Century:
“Now, as I look back on my career, I feel a sense of immense fulfillment. Medals and records are precious, but what remains most deeply is my undying love for swimming.”
A four-time Olympian, she won three Olympic golds in Rio, in the 100 m Backstroke and the 200 and 400 m Medleys, won nine World Championships golds from 2009-19 and 17 World short-course titles from 2012-18. Nicknamed “The Iron Lady” for her ability to swim seemingly endless events at a world-class pace, she won an astonishing seven individual events at the 2016 World 25 m Champs!
She set long-course world records in the 200 and 400 m Medleys, and her 200 m mark still stands. Hosszu also fought with the Hungarian federation, over its treatment of her and other athletes and was a fierce advocate of athlete rights.
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