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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
1. Paris Preview IV: how many golds for U.S. basketball, Noah Lyles?
2. France, Salt Lake City get Winter Games as IOC gets tough
3. USADA’s Tygart: shocked that IOC is “stooping to threats”
4. USOPC selects Coco Gauff as female flagbearer
5. Paris 2024: French whip U.S., 3-0, in football opener
● Our final Paris preview, of the final four days of the Games, with U.S. teams in basketball, beach volleyball, water polo and other sports pursuing team titles, and individual stars like Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Grant Holloway and more running for records … and history.
● The French Alps was conditionally awarded the 2030 Olympic Winter Games by the International Olympic Committee, subject to providing the still-missing government guarantees by 1 October. Salt Lake City was awarded the 2034 Winter Games, based on a universally-admired bid, but not before having to agree to a clause in the Host City Contract that would allow the IOC to remove the Games if the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the U.S. government does not “fully respect the supreme authority of WADA and that the application of the World Anti-Doping Code is not hindered or not undermined.”
● The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency posted a furious reply to the IOC’s actions against him and the U.S. government, saying “It is shocking to see the IOC itself stooping to threats in an apparent effort to silence those seeking answers to what are now known as facts.”
● The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced that 20-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff – in her first Olympic Games – will be the female flagbearer at Friday’s Opening Ceremony on the Seine River.
● Sports are actually being played in Paris now, with France’s men’s football team defeating the U.S., 3-0, in Marseille, while a wild Argentina-Morocco game was suspended after fans ran on the field to protest a stoppage-time, tying goal by Argentina … which was overturned on video review!
● Panorama: Paris 2024 (ITA says 95% of Paris athletes tested; strike threat by dancers for opening avoided) = Int’l Olympic Committee (Sykes elected from U.S., Berraf extended) = Oceania National Olympic Committees (87 athletes used the pre-Games training center) = Athletics (2: new doping charge against suspended Kenyan marathoner; 60 new grants from USATF Foundation) = Boxing (IBA says Bach should resign) = Tennis (Sinner out of Paris with tonsilitis) ●
1.
Paris Preview IV: how many golds for U.S. basketball, Noah Lyles?
(For our Paris Preview part I, covering 27-28-29-30 July, click here; for 31 July-01-02-03 August, click here; for 04-05-06-07 August, click here.)
The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad will wrap up on Sunday, 11 August in Paris, with lots of memories, some spectacular performances, some head-scratchers and commercials you will have seen so many times you can recite the words!
Here’s our fourth look at what to look out for as the competition winds up, especially in track & field and the team sports.
● Thursday, 8 August ● A big schedule of 25 finals on day 14 of the Games with three of the highest-profile American athletes in action.
Noah Lyles will have finished the 100 m four days earlier and will be the favorite for his specialty, the men’s 200 m on the 8th. He’s won the last two Worlds golds in this event, owns the American Record at 19.31 and is the world leader at 19.53. He was embarrassed with his Tokyo bronze in the event, but is going to get an argument from fellow Americans Kenny Bednarek – who won the Tokyo silver – and Erriyon Knighton, the 2023 Worlds runner-up.
Bednarek thinks he can win in Paris as does Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo. But no one can match Lyles’ finishing speed.
In the men’s 110 m hurdles, three-time World Champion Grant Holloway, no. 2 all-time at 12.81 and the world leader at 12.86 in 2024, wants the Olympic gold that eluded him in Tokyo, when he was passed late by Hansle Parchment (JAM). So far, Holloway’s biggest threats are from teammates Freddie Crittenden (12.93) and Daniel Roberts (12.96) and Italy’s European champ Lorenzo Simonelli (13.05).
Holloway is one of the best starters in the world; it’s how he finishes – sometimes – that lets others back into the race.
Then there is the much-anticipated clash of titans in the women’s 400 m hurdles, with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the U.S., the defending Olympic champ and world-record holder at 50.65 the clear favorite. But Dutch star Femke Bol is only a half-step back at 50.95 and is also the 2024 European champion. Who has the strength over hurdle 10 and the run-in?
Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton and Americans Anna Cockrell and Jasmine Jones are the expected contenders for the bronze.
The most popular track & field athlete in the world is probably India’s javelin ace and defending Olympic champ, Neeraj Chopra, the 2023 World Champion, with millions of social-media followers. The whole country will be cheering him on against Tokyo runner-up Jakub Vadlejch (CZE), Pakistan’s Worlds silver winner Arshad Nadeem and Grenada’s 2022 Worlds winner Anderson Peters.
German Malaika Mihambo is the defending Olympic champion and the world leader in the women’s long jump at 7.22 m (23-8 1.4). But she will have to deal with the effervescent and ever-present Tara Davis-Woodhall, who has reached 7.14 m (23-5 1/4) and was the 2023 Worlds runner-up. This should be quite a battle, with Italy’s Larissa Iapichino, American Jasmine Moore and Jamaica’s Ackelia Smith ready to pounce if either falters.
In the men’s Speed event in Sport Climbing, 2023 Worlds gold and silver winners Matteo Zurloni (ITA) and Jinbao Long (CHN) will be challenged by Indonesia’s World Cup winner Veddriq Leonardo. Former World Cup winner Bassa Mawem (FRA) and American Samuel Watson are also contenders.
In the women’s 10 km open-water event, scheduled to be held in the Seine River if the bacteria count is OK, look for Rio 2016 winner Sharon van Rouwendaal (NED), Tokyo 2020 winner Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) and 2023 Worlds winner Leonie Beck (GER) as the favorites. The U.S. has 2023 Worlds bronze winner Katie Grimes, and Worlds silver medalist Chelsea Gubecka (AUS) is also a contender. These are some of the fittest people on the planet.
● Friday, 9 August ● A massive program of 34 finals is scheduled, with many of the team events moving into the medal round. But the Stade de France will still be busy with athletics and one of the showcase events of the Games.
That’s the men’s 400 m hurdles, with Olympic champ and world-record holder Karsten Warholm (NOR), facing Tokyo runner-up and 2024 world leader Rai Benjamin of the U.S., with Brazil’s 2022 World Champion Alison dos Santos a threat to both.
Benjamin finally beat Warholm at the Diamond League Final in 2023 and won this year at the Monaco Diamond League, and had the world-leading mark of 46.46 from the U.S. Trials. Is this his year? Sure looks like it, but in any case, these three should be on the medal stand.
The women’s 400 m has been assumed to belong to 2023 World Champion Marileidy Paulino (DOM), but Jamaica’s NCAA champ Nickiska Pryce has the world-leading time at 48.57 from the London Diamond League, with Natalia Kaczmarek (POL: 48.90) second. Throw in Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke and Americans Kendall Ellis and Kaylyn Brown and things look suddenly tighter.
Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay led an Ethiopian sweep at the 2023 Worlds, but a world-record attempt set up for her at the Pre Classic was stolen by Kenyan Beatrice Chebet, who grabbed the record at 28:54.14 to 29:05.92 for Tsegay. Will anyone challenge? Will the pace be slow enough to give others a shot? Is Tokyo Olympic champ Sifan Hassan (NED) in shape?
The women’s shot is expected to feature two-time World Champion Chase Jackson of the U.S., but World Indoor champ Sarah Mitton (CAN) is the world leader, Jessica Schilder (NED) won the European title and what about Tokyo Olympic winner Lijiao Gong of China? Americans Raven Saunders (Tokyo silver) and Jaida Ross are also sure they can medal in Paris.
The women’s heptathlon will finish and is expected to be a battle between defending Olympic champ Nafi Thiam of Belgium, two-time World Champion Katharina Johnson-Thompson (GBR) and Tokyo Olympic silver winner Anouk Vetter (NED) and American Anna Hall. Thiam, when healthy, has been tough to deal with, but Hall is on the ascent and is no. 5 all-time at 6,988 from 2023.
Then there are the relays, with the U.S. men and women both favored. The American men will likely start with 2019 World Champion Christian Coleman, have 2022 World Champion Fred Kerley run the backstraight, hand to Bednarek or Knighton on the turn and then Lyles to finish. Jamaica, Italy, Canada, Japan are all contenders; the question isn’t who has the fastest runners, but who can get the stick around.
The U.S. women have Sha’Carri Richardson to anchor, and can call on Gabby Thomas on the turn, Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry and more. But Jamaica, with Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will be formidable, as will Great Britain with Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita, and France. Again, the stickwork is what counts.
In men’s Freestyle wrestling, David Taylor of the U.S. won the 2023 Worlds 86 kg class over Iranian star Hassan Yazdani, a three-time World Champion. But Taylor was defeated at the U.S. Trials by Aaron Brooks, now in Taylor’s shoes.
Helen Maroulis famously won the Rio 2016 women’s 53 kg class and won a Tokyo bronze at 57 kg. She’s back at 57 kg, dealing with three-time World Champion Tsugumi Sakurai (JPN) and Moldova’s Anastasia Nichita, the 2023 runner-up. Sakurai defeated Maroulis at the 2022 Worlds gold-medal match.
American teams have won medals in women’s beach volleyball in five straight Games and have good possibilities in 2024 with World Champions Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng and Beach Pro Tour Finals winners Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth. Both will have to deal with Brazilian stars (and former World Champions) Duda Lisboa and Ana Patricia Ramos, and Carol Salgado and Barbara Seixas. Canada’s former Worlds winners Melissa Human-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson and Tokyo runners-up Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar (AUS) must be monitored.
Breaking will have its Olympic debut in Paris, and is not in the 2028 Olympic program, so this may be it. The 2023 World Champs medalists were Dominika Banevic (LTU: Nicka), Ayumi Fukushima (JPN: Ayumi) and Sya Dembele (FRA: Syssy). Also look for Japan’s Ami Yuasa (Ami) and Americans Sunny Choi (Sunny) and Logan Elanna Edra (Logistx).
The men’s 10 km open-water swim in the Seine (hopefully) could be a rematch of the last three World Championships: 2022 winner Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA), 2023 champ Florian Wellbrock (GER) and 2024 gold medalist Kristof Rasovszky (HUN), who went Wellbrock-Rasovszky-Paltrinieri in Tokyo in 2021. They are the favorites, but watch for France’s Marc-Antoine Olivier, the 2024 runner-up.
In Sport Climbing, the men’s Combined event – Boulder and Lead – will be contested for the first time at the Olympic level, with 2023 Worlds medalists Jakob Schubert (AUT), American Colin Duffy and Japan’s Tomoa Narasaki all contenders. German Alexander Megos, three-time Boulder World Champion Adam Ondra (CZE) and Japanese star Sorato Anraku are also in the mix, especially strong on Boulder.
● Saturday, 10 August ● A staggering program of 39 finals on the penultimate day of the Games, with nine athletics events, opening with the men’s marathon.
Back-to-back Olympic champ Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) has not been dominant, finishing 10th at the Tokyo Marathon in his only race of the year, in March. Tokyo winner Benson Kipruto, the world leader at 2:02:16 and Alexander Mutiso, the London winner (2:04:01) are the other Kenyans.
Ethiopia counters with London runner-up and three-time Olympic track gold medalist Kenenisa Bekele, Seville Marathon winner Deresa Geleta (2:03:27) and Sisay Lemma, the 2024 Boston winner. Tokyo silver winner Abdi Nageeye (NED) is back as is bronze winner Bashir Abdi (BEL), and what about France’s Morhad Amdouni (2:03:47)?
On the track, the greatest year in history in the men’s 800 m will be decided among Djamel Sedjati (ALG), the 2022 Worlds runner-up, Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi, France’s Gabriel Tual and Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui, all of whom have run 1:42.04 or faster. American Bryce Hoppel is an excellent tactician and won the World Indoor title, and 2023 Worlds winner Marco Arop (CAN) are also contenders.
The men’s 5,000 m will be shaped by the 1,500 m held on 6 August. Will Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen be coming off a victory, with momentum, or looking for redemption after a loss, as he did at the 2023 Worlds, where he won in a tight finish. Opposing him are Ethiopian stars Hagos Gebrhiwet and Yomif Kejelcha, who were 1-2 in the race of the year in Oslo in 12:36.73 and 12:38.95, with Jacob Kiplimo (UGA: 12:40.96) third. World-record holder Joshua Cheptegei, the defending Olympic champ will also be in the mix; if you’re looking for a story, how about European champ Dominic Lobalu, who does not have Swiss citizenship yet, so he’s running on the Refugee Olympic Team!
The women’s 1,500 m should be a showcase for Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the two-time defending champion and world-record setter at 3:49.04. Ethiopia’s Tsegay, entered in the 15-5-10, ran 3:50.30 in China in April and Australian Jessica Hull got the world 2,000 m record and has run 3:50.83 this year. Ethiopians Birke Haylom, Diribe Welteji, Tokyo runner-up Laura Muir (GBR) and others are all in the hunt for medals.
No one knows how the women’s 100 m hurdles will finish. Defending champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR), 2022 Worlds winner Tobi Amusan (NGR), Americans Masai Russell (world leader: 12.25), Grace Stark (12.31) and Alaysha Johnson (12.31) are all contenders, as is Ackera Nugent of Jamaica (12.28). The crowd will be with France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela (12.31).
Tokyo Olympic co-champ Gianmarco Tamberi (ITA) won the Euro men’s high jump title at a world-leading 2.37 m (7-9 1/4) and appears to be the favorite. But his Olympic co-champ Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT) could be ready to challenge. New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr, the World Indoor champ and Americans JuVaughn Harrison and Shelby McEwen are clearly medal possibilities.
The women’s javelin should be a fight between 2023 Worlds winner Haruka Kitaguchi (JPN), 2023 bronze winner Mackenzie Little (AUS), little-known Flor Dennis Ruiz of Colombia, the world leader at 66.70 m (218-10) and European champ Victoria Hudson (AUT). American Maggie Malone Harden is also a medal possibility.
If the U.S. can keep the stick off the ground, both the men’s and women’s 4×400 m teams will be favored. The men have Trials stars Quincy Hall, Michael Norman, Chris Bailey, Vernon Norwood, teen sensation Quincy Wilson (44.20), and Benjamin to anchor, as he did in Tokyo. No one should be close. Lyles is agitating for a spot on this team, but it’s a hard sell.
The women can call on McLaughlin-Levrone on anchor, as in Tokyo, and have solid legs in front from Ellis, Brown, Aliyah Butler and Alexis Holmes, among others. But the Dutch – with Bol on anchor – will be in contention, as will Ireland and perhaps Poland.
The U.S. has high hopes in the men’s Freestyle wrestling 74 kg class, with 2022 World Champion Kyle Dake, the Tokyo bronze medalist. He will be challenged by Belarus “neutral” Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedau, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, and two-time World Champion Frank Chamizo of Italy.
In the super-heavy 125 kg class, Turkey’s 2022 Worlds winner Taha Akgul, Georgia’s three-time World Champion Geno Petriashvili and 2023 Worlds gold medalist Amir Hossein Zare are favorites, along with American Mason Parris, a 2023 Worlds bronzer.
The men’s basketball final is scheduled, with the U.S. favored to win its fifth title in a row, led by LeBron James (two-time gold-medalist) and Kevin Durant, a three-time gold medalist in 2012-16-20. Durant almost single-handedly pushed the U.S. over the top in Tokyo, after a loss to France in the group stage and then a 87-72 win in the final. In its four straight wins, the American men beat Spain twice, then Serbia in Rio, 96-66, before the tussle with France in 2021.
Norway’s Anders Mol and Christian Sorum are defending Olympic men’s bgeach volleyball champions, but the hottest team right now is Sweden’s David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig, winners of four Elite 16 tournaments this season. Americans Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, Brazil’s George Wanderley and Andre Stein, Czech World Champions Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner and Germans Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler might be the best chances to stop an all-Scandinavian final.
In the men’s Breaking, Victor Montalvo of the U.S. (Victor) enters as reigning World Champion, ahead of Philip Kim (CAN: Phil Wizard) and Shigeyuki Nakarai (JPN: Shigekix). They will battle Olympic Qualifier Series stars Lee-Lou Demierre (NED: Lee) and Korea’s Hong-yul Kim (Hongten).
One of the most closely-watched tournaments will be in women’s football, with Spain the 2023 Women’s World Cup winners over England, and Sweden defeating Australia for the bronze. In Tokyo, Canada defeated Sweden in the final and the U.S. got by Australia for bronze. The once-dominant U.S. won Olympic golds in 2004-08-12, but Germany won in 2016 over Sweden, loser in two straight Olympic finals.
The women’s golf tournament concludes today, with the U.S. coming in with the top two in the rankings, in Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu. Korda won the Chevron Championship this year, but the other majors went to Yuka Saso (JPN: U.S. Open), Amy Yang (KOR: Women’s PGA) and Ayaka Furue (JPN: Evian; not entered). Korda has been on fire, winning six tournaments this year, but none since May.
The women’s Sport Climbing Combined event has a prohibitive favorite in Slovenian Janja Garnbret. She was the Tokyo 2020 gold medalist and owns three Worlds golds in Boulder and two more in Lead. Austria’s Jessica Pilz, Japan’s Ai Mori and Miho Nonaka and Americans Brooke Raboutou and Natalia Grossman should all be in the fight for medals. But Garnbret stands alone.
Volleyball is a relatively recent addition to the Olympics, starting in 1964. Of late, Brazil defeated Italy in 2016 and France defeated Russia to win in Tokyo in 2021. At the World Championships, Poland won in 2014-18 and Italy defeated Poland to win in 2022. Those are the expected contenders again (no Russia this time), and France won the 2024 Nations League over Japan. The last U.S. medal was a bronze in 2016.
The U.S. women have been dominant in water polo, winning three straight Olympic golds over Spain, Italy and Spain in 2012-16-20. Same in the World Championships, taking five of the last six, with the Netherlands winning in 2023. Spain, Hungary and Italy all expect to challenge, but the Americans are favored once again.
● Sunday, 11 August ● Even on the final day, there are 13 medal events to be held, starting with the women’s marathon in the morning.
Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir is the defending champion and won in London over world-record holder Tigist Assefa (ETH), 2:16:16 to 2:16:23. Two-time Olympic 5,000 m silver winner Hellen Obiri (KEN) won Boston this year and is a definite threat, with teammate Sharon Lokedi second.
Dutch star Hassan was fourth in a fast Tokyo race this year, but what’s left after running the 1,500 m, 5,000 m and 10,000 m? Ethiopia’s Amane Beriso comes in as the 2023 World Champion and was third in the Tokyo Marathon in March.
Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter was fourth in the 2023 Worlds marathon and has to be accounted for, as does American Trials winner Fiona O’Keeffe (2:22:10) and runner-up Emily Siisson (2:18:29 in 2022).
American Zain Retherford won the 2023 men’s Worlds Freestyle wrestling 70 kg title, and has moved down in weight to 65 kg to challenge Iszmail Muszukajev (HUN) and Sebastian Rivera (PUR), the gold and silver winners at the 2023 Worlds.
At 97 kg, Rio 2016 gold medalist Kyle Snyder was runner-up in Tokyo and owns seven Worlds medals in this class. He won a bronze in 2023, and is aiming at World Champion Akhmed Tazhudinov (BRN) and Magomedkhan Magomedov (AZE), the gold and silver winners.
Six-time World Champion Adeline Gray was expected to contend at 76 kg, but was defeated at the U.S. Trials by Kennedy Blades. The 2023 World winner, Japan’s Yuka Kagami, and runner-up Alperi Medet Kyzy (KGZ) are her targets in Paris.
The women’s basketball final is scheduled, with the U.S. trying for a seventh consecutive gold medal and carrying a 55-game win streak into Paris. Guard Diana Taurasi has been on five of those teams and is looking for a sixth gold. The American women defeated Brazil to win gold in 1996 in Atlanta, then Australia in 2000-04-08, France in 2012, Spain in 2016 and Japan in Tokyo in 2021. The U.S. beat China in the FIBA World Cup final in 2022 with A’ja Wilson the most Valuable Player.
In the track cycling finale, the women’s Omnium will have American Jennifer Valente back to defend her Tokyo 2020 victory. She’s still on top, winning the 2023 Worlds Omnium from Amalie Dideriksen (DEN) and Belgian star Lotte Kopecky.
The U.S. is the defending women’s Olympic champion from Tokyo, but Serbia has won the Worlds gold in 2018 and 2022, over Italy and Brazil, respectively. Italy won the 2024 women’s Nations League, thrashing the U.S. in the quarterfinals and defeating Japan, 3-1, in the final. The Italians have never won a medal in women’s volleyball; they look primed to do so this time.
Serbia has won the last two men’s Olympic water polo golds, defeating Croatia and Greece, but Spain, Hungary and Croatia are the World Champions from 2022-23-24, with Italy taking 2022 and 2024 silvers. They’re the main contenders for 2024 in Paris, while the U.S. men will try to win a medal for the first time since a silver in 2008.
That’s a look at all 16 days of medal events, which you’ll see on television or online on various NBC channels. Look for our coverage of all 329 events as the Games progress.
2.
France, Salt Lake City get Winter Games as IOC gets tough
With so many prior announcements, there wasn’t a lot of drama expected on the second day of the 142nd Session of the International Olympic Committee, with the votes for the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 Olympic Winter Games.
But, in the end, there was plenty.
The French Alps bid for 2030 had issues with the government guarantees required by the IOC and could not be confirmed. French President Emmanuel Macron appeared at the Session and noted that an agreement between the national government and the two regions in which the Games will be held had been reached, and
“I want to confirm my full commitment and the full commitment of the French nation, and I assure you that I will ask the next Prime Minister to include not only these guarantees, but also an Olympic law in the priorities of the new government.”
As the recent French legislative elections did not give any party or coalition a governing majority, there is no new government in place at this time. So the IOC voted to conditionally award the 2030 Winter Games to the French Alps by a vote of 84-4 with seven abstentions. The IOC explained:
“While French Alps 2030 submitted a signed copy of the Olympic Host Contract prior to the IOC Session, the IOC will not counter sign it until the Games Delivery Guarantee is received, at the latest by 1 October 2024, and ratified by the French Parliament no later than 1 March 2025.”
¶
There were no open questions about the Salt Lake City bid for 2034, which has been continuously praised by the IOC’s Future Host Commission. But there was another issue on the minds of the IOC members, having nothing to do with the Olympic Winter Games.
Instead, the reaction of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the U.S. Congress to the January 2021 Chinese doping incident – in which 23 swimmers tested positive, but none were sanctioned – came front and center, in a 45-minute, mostly scripted tirade, led off by IOC member Ingmar de Vos (BEL), the head of the Federation Equestre Internationale and the incoming head of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) , who launched into a prepared, eight-minute address, which included:
● “I don’t want to go too much in detail about the case itself … but it was clearly not a case of doping. And according to all the available evidence, scientific and otherwise, it was a case of no-fault environmental contamination and the low levels of TMZ [trimetazidine] present could have given no performance enhancement to the athletes concerned.
“Such cases of environmental contamination happen regularly in all parts of the world, and in different sports, including in the United States of America, and where anti-doping organizations have closed cases of no-fault food contamination and where WADA decided not to appeal such no-fault contamination scenarios.”
● “[S]everal United States initiatives based upon this case on China – consequently, foreign soil – are extremely worrying and, basically for us, unacceptable.
“They are the result of the famous Rodchenkov Act that we have questioned already many times in the past. A United States Congress hearing, letters from the United States Senate, a U.S. Federal criminal investigation regarding an anti-doping case on a foreign territory, the issuing of a subpoena to our colleague, the Executive Director of World Aquatics, to testify as a witness in the U.S. investigation regarding this Chinese case, are clearly intended to undermine the role of WADA and the trust in the global anti-doping system.”
● “Regretfully, this is another example of the politicalization of sport, the abuse of sport for political reasons. What will be the impact on our events, on the events our international federations have already allocated to the United States and what should we think when we are considering the allocation of future events to the United States? And what is the risk that they are going to be impacted by another geopolitical crisis.”
● “But we really to understand what is going to happen in the future and where is this going to end.”
This was followed by comments from a couple of other members, before IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) said the solution was a change to the Host City Contract for the organization of the Games. He handed the floor to Australian member John Coates:
● “The IOC has reinforced the current language of the current Host Contract in order to protect the integrity of the international anti-doping system, and to allow the IOC to terminate – to terminate – the Olympic Host Contract if – and here I quote – ‘in cases where the supreme authority of the World Anti-Doping Agency in the fight against doping is not fully respected, or if the application of the World Anti-Doping Code is hindered or undermined.’
● “Now, we are pleased to inform you that both the state of Utah and the USOPC have fully supported this addition and have already signed the Olympic Host Contract.”
● Coates singled out U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee President Gene Sykes and SLC-Utah chief executive Fraser Bullock, that they “are committed to partnering with the IOC in the discussions that must – I say that word again – must be had with the various U.S. authorities to insure that they fully respect the supreme authority of WADA and that the application of the World Anti-Doping Code is not hindered or not undermined.
“We appreciated that and we have very much looking forward as soon as possible after these Paris Games, working with you to achieve those statements.”
After some minor comments from six other members, Sykes addressed the IOC:
“On the broad issue of the respect for WADA, I want to offer some comments and then make a commitment to all of you. On behalf of all of the organizations that you’ve seen the past couple of days – L.A., Salt Lake City, the USOPC – we are committed to fostering WADA’s authority, as WADA’s authority is crucial for the opportunity to provide clean sport for athletes and give them confidence that they can be protected.
“So our view is this is of paramount importance and we take your concerns very seriously. There were a few comments about the recommendations that will come in the final report from the investigator, Mr. Cottier, as well as the recommendations in the report of World Aquatics. Those recommendations offer us some opportunity to begin a dialogue and begin the process of solving this issue, and we are committed to solving this issue.
“We will do that, we respect the treatment that we’ve had, the very open conversations and dialogue. We certainly accept the obligations and responsibility inherent in the amendment to the Olympic Host Contract.
“So, from our perspective, we take very seriously to heart all of your comments and we pledge to you that we will be good partners, and we will support with you this very, very important institution.”
Bullock had perhaps the clearest perspective of all:
“We’ve been at this 22 years and something like this happens. Has nothing to do with us. But it has to do with our country and it has to do with the Olympic Movement, and the Paralympic Movement. And so we’ve got to get this right.
“And when I look at the situation right now, we need to bridge the gap and bring everybody together. … We can be a catalyst.”
Bach called the entire affair a “healthy discussion among friends” and added:
“It is very unfortunate, and I am sorry for you, and for us, that this issue arose now, at the time when it comes to your election. You have nothing not only to do with this, I think you were also extremely clear in your commitment to the integrity of the international fight against doping and the supreme authority of WADA.”
In the end, the award to Salt Lake City passed by 83-6 with six abstentions, joyously celebrated by the Salt Lake City delegation in the room and hundreds more camped out in the early morning in Washington Square.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games were, of course, thrilled.
Sykes said in a statement, “This is a great day for winter sport in the United States and around the world.
“The Games vision brought forth by the Salt Lake team – inclusive of state and city leaders, the remarkable bid team and the community that showed support for this effort throughout – has been collaborative and forward-looking from the very start.”
Bullock added:
“Today’s decision by the International Olympic Committee is as much about the Olympic and Paralympic Movement as it is about Salt Lake City-Utah.
“We are proud to show the world how our living legacy brings value to our communities, enriches the lives of youth, and helps contribute to the world of sport.”
This will be the fifth Olympic Winter Games held in the U.S., with two in Lake Placid in 1932 and 1980, Squaw Valley, California (now Palisades Tahoe) in 1960 and the highly-successful Salt Lake City Games in 2002.
The drive to return the Winter Games to Salt Lake City began in February 2012 with the formation of a committee to explore a new bid, led by then-Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Utah Sports Commission President Jeff Robbins. The USOPC recognized Salt Lake City as its preferred Winter Games bidder in December 2018 and the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games was created in February 2020.
3.
USADA’s Tygart: shocked that IOC is “stooping to threats”
The central figure in the IOC’s fury over the China doping incident from 2021 is U.S. Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart, who was not impressed with the discussions and actions at the IOC Session on Wednesday:
“We are thrilled the U.S. will host the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake and we will do everything in our authority to ensure those Games are fair and clean, as what country wants to invest in fraudulent Games that are not played by the rules?
“Of course, we do have full respect for the World Anti-Doping Code, which is why we are so shocked by WADA leadership’s decision to turn their back on the rules in the case of the 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive and to allow China to cover them up.
“It is shocking to see the IOC itself stooping to threats in an apparent effort to silence those seeking answers to what are now known as facts. It seems more apparent than ever that WADA violated the rules and needs accountability and reform to truly be the global watchdog that clean athletes need.
“Today’s demonstration further showed that as it stands today, WADA is just a sport lapdog, and clean athletes have little chance. If WADA has nothing to hide, they would welcome the chance to answer questions, not run and hide.
“The IOC should be leading the charge to protect clean sport, and it will be devastating to clean athletes around the globe to see a blind eye turned toward these positive tests. We will continue to call for a strong, independent WADA and for transparency over threats. There are basic unanswered questions of how WADA allowed China to sweep 23 tests under the rug, and athletes and the public still deserve answers.”
Tygart was a driving force behind the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act of 2019 and will be involved in any future discussions about any amendments and how USADA’s attitude toward will be approached in the future.
Observed: There is a lot more to unpack about the IOC’s actions in bullying – and that’s what it was – the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee during the election for the 2034 Winter Games. And the IOC acknowledged that nothing is going to get done until after Paris, and in terms of any changes to the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act of 2019, it may have to wait until after the U.S. elections in November.
In the meantime, two things are true: the brilliant efforts of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games has brought the Winter Games back for a second time, and that the IOC has picked a fight with a tireless opponent in Tygart, who famously pursued Lance Armstrong.
This isn’t over; the whole issue has just gotten a lot more complicated.
4.
USOPC selects Coco Gauff as female flagbearer
Tennis star Coco Gauff, 20, was chosen as the U.S. female flagbearer and will share the honor with basketball icon LeBron James at Friday’s opening ceremony in Paris.
It’s the first Olympic Games for Gauff, who said:
“I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the Opening Ceremony.
“I could not be more proud to lead my teammates with LeBron as we showcase our dedication and passion on the biggest stage there is, at a moment where we can bring athletes and fans together from around the world.”
According to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, “Gauff and James were chosen by a vote of fellow Team USA athletes through a process led by the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, which serves as the representative group and voice of Team USA Athletes.”
She was nominated by Olympic teammate Chris Eubanks, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist in 2023, who revealed the selection to Gauff and other U.S. Olympians in a touching video now posted.
Gauff won the 2023 U.S. Open women’s Singles title and was the French Open women’s Doubles winner in 2024 with Katerina Siniakova (CZE). Gauff will play in both the Singles and Doubles in Paris.
This is the second time that the Olympic opening has had both male and female flagbearers; Gauff will be the first tennis player to serve as a flagbearer for the U.S.
5.
Paris 2024: French whip U.S., 3-0, in football opener
Competition started in Paris and elsewhere, with France opening with a football win over the U.S., 3-0, in a Group A match in Marseille.
Olympic men’s football is a U-23 tournament, with three over-age players allowed per team, and the first half was scoreless, with both sides having some chances, but most of the match played in the midfield.
The second half started the same way, then everything changed beginning in the 60th minute. American midfielder Djordje Mihailovic hit the crossbar with a shot, then France took the lead as striker Alexandre Lacazette found space to dribble at the top of the box and sent a hard shot from right to left and finding the far corner of the American goal and past keeper Patrick Schulte in the 61st.
The U.S. responded with immediate pressure, and Paxten Aaronson’s header was saved by French keeper Guillaume Restes in the 63rd, and a header from defender John Tolkin hit the post in the 64th from right in front of goal.
But more lightning from the French as midfielder Michael Olise sent a seeing-eye liner from the right of goal near the top of the box just over the out-stretched hands of Schulte for the 2-0 lead in the 69th. The French added a third in the 85th as defender Loic Bade got clear and headed in a corner kick over the head of Schulte.
The U.S. scored at 90+3, but it was called back for offsides. The French ended with 53% possession and a 10-9 edge on shots, but Restes made three key saves to one for Schulte. The Americans will play New Zealand next on the 27th, in Marseille.
New Zealand defeated Guinea, 2-1, in Nice in the other Group A game, and Iraq opened with a Group B win over Ukraine, 2-1, in Decines-Charlpieu. The other Group B match was in Paris and got crazy with Argentina apparently tying Morocco at 2-2 in a very extended stoppage time at 90+16.
But irate Moroccan fans ran onto the field and debris was thrown as well. The match was suspended for almost two hours, with the 26,717 fans told to leave after an hour. The match was completed without spectators for the final three minutes of stoppage, after a video review that resulted in the Argentine goal being disallowed for offsides. And so, Morocco ended with a 2-1 win.
In Group C, Spain edged Uzbekistan, 2-1, in Paris and Egypt and the Dominican Republic played to a 0-0 tie in Nantes. Japan slugged Paraguay, 5-0, in Bordeaux in Group D and Mali and Israel played to a 1-1 tie in Paris.
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Rugby was the other sport opening on Wednesday, with New Zealand and Ireland going 2-0 in Group A, Argentina and Australia both 2-0 in Group B and Fiji posting a 2-0 mark in Group C.
France was 1-0-1 in group, tying the U.S. 12-12 and beating Uruguay, 19-12. The U.S. lost to Fiji, 38-12, in its second match and will play Uruguay Thursday to try and advance.
Competition in both sports continues on Thursday, plus the ranking round in archery and the first handball matches.
≡ PANORAMA ≡
● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The International Testing Agency reported to the IOC Session that 32,600 athlete tests were made since the beginning of the year. The ITA stated that “special focus was put on high-risk disciplines, of which 75% of participating athletes were tested three times or more and 95% at least once.”
Some 88% of the athletes in Paris were tested at least once, with 13% tested once and 75% tested multiple times. A chart showed that 94% of U.S. athletes were tested more than once and that 98% of all Chinese athletes were tested more than once. Among the other leading nations with athletes tested more than 90% were Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kenya, South Korea and Turkey.
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A threatened strike by about 220 dancers who were to be part of Friday’s opening on the Seine River was called off on Wednesday after an agreement was made with the Paris 2024 organizers, according to the proposal submitted.
● International Olympic Committee ● The IOC Session elected eight new members on Wednesday, including Gene Sykes from the U.S., with the IOC’s total membership expanded to 111 members.
Australian John Coates and Turkey’s Ugur Erdener, longtime head of World Archery, were elected as Honorary Members as they are both past 70 and their terms of office will end on 31 December 2024.
However, the term of Algerian member Moustapha Berraf, the head of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) was extended from 2025-28, although he will reach age 70 before the end of the year. The statement explained, “This is due to his position as President of ANOCA and his pioneering role in promoting the Olympic Movement and its values through the National Olympic Committees in Africa.” Berraf was the IOC member who asked Bach to extend his term as President beyond the 12-year limit during the IOC Session in India in 2023.
● Oceania National Olympic Committees ● Final count on the pre-Games training camps in Divonne-les-Bains in eastern France: 12 National Olympic Committees and 87 athletes in the five sports of 5 sports of athletics, swimming, judo, rugby, and weightlifting.
ONOC and Panam Sports both arranged pre-Games training facilities for their NOCs.
● Athletics ● Another Kenyan doping charge announced by the Athletics Integrity Unit: 2:20:10 marathoner Celestine Chepchirchir (from 2022). She is already banned for three years from 26 March 2024 and now is facing a new charge for testosterone use.
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The USA Track & Field Foundation announced 60 grants to athletes of $15,000 each ($900,000 total) “to cover essential expenses such as travel, coaching, physical therapy, recovery, equipment, and other costs related to preparing for major competitions.”
Of the 60, 17 were to athletes completing their NCAA eligibility and moving into the professional ranks.
● Boxing ● The head of the International Boxing Association, Umar Kremlev (RUS) and chief executive Chris Roberts (GBR) posted an open letter to the IOC which started:
“On behalf of the global boxing community, I demand Thomas Bach and his team to resign immediately. During Bach’s administration tenure, the IOC has deteriorated considerably, ceasing to be an organization that unites athletes and serves our sports communities. Instead, it has become wealthy beyond imagination through artificial conflicts, which in turn is an insult to athletes.”
The post reiterated the long-held gripes of the IBA and demanded once again that prize money be paid at the Olympic Games. It will, no doubt, be ignored.
● Tennis ● World no. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy said Wednesday he has withdrawn from the Paris 2024 Games due to tonsillitis. It’s a disappointment he finds hard to swallow.
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