★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★★ To get the daily Sports Examiner Recap by e-mail: sign up here! ★ ≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡ ● Olympic Winter Games 2026: Milan Cortina ● Where the Paris 2024 organizers eschewed test events for the most part, the Milan Cortina 2026 winter organizers are embracing them. They announced Friday a first set of events: ● 28-29 Dec.: Alpine Skiing in Bormio● 03-05 Jan.: Cross Country Skiing in Val di Fiemme● 18-19 Jan.: Alpine Skiing in Cortina d’Ampezzo● 23-26 Jan.: Biathlon in Anterselva● 29-31 Jan.: Para Biathlon in Val di Fiemme● 01-02 Feb.: Para Cross Country Skiing in Val di Fiemme● 14-16 Feb.: Short Track in Milan● 19-20 Feb.: Figure Skating in Milan● 22-23 Feb.: Ski Mountaineering in Bormio● 08-14 Mar.: Freestyle Aerials and Moguls in Livigno Importantly, most of these events are part of the World Cup series for the relevant International Federations, doubling as test events for facilities already well known to the winter-sport communities. ● Asian Games 2026: Aichi-Nagoya ● Kyodo News reported that the Olympic Council of Asia is highly displeased with the progress of work for the 2026 Asian Games, to be held in Nagoya and the surrounding Aichi Prefecture from 19 September to 4 October in 2026. Per the report: “Frustrated with the organizing committee’s handling of the situation, the OCA at one point indicated the hosting rights could be revoked and, in behind-the-scenes talks, mentioned potential replacement candidates for the Japanese hosts, the sources said.” There are issues with 10 areas, including athlete accommodations (an Asian Games village was canceled to do costs) and transportation; organizers are worried about the costs, which could double from the bid projection of ¥100 billion, to ¥200 billion (~ $1.32 billion U.S.). ● XX Bolivarian Games ● The 20th edition of the Bolivarian Games, a multi-sport competition begun in 1938 as a tribute to the Venezuelan hero Simon Bolivar, concluded on Sunday in Ayacucho, Peru. Ten countries competed in 25 sports and 159 events. The hosts led the medal table with 149 total (49-38-27), the first time since 1951 that neither Venezuela or Colombia won the most medals. Colombia had 95 total medals (44-35-16) and Venezuela had 76 (16-30-30). ● World University Games 2029: North Carolina ● Promotion is beginning for the 2029 WUG in North Carolina, expected to bring 7.500 athletes from 150 nations, competing in 18 sports, from 11-22 July 2029. Last Wednesday, two specially-wrapped buses promoting the Games were unveiled by the Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority – a.k.a. “GoTriangle” – as a reminder that the WUG is coming. ● Alpine Skiing ● Comebacking U.S. star Lindsey Vonn posted on X that she’s pleased with her first races in five years over the weekend at FIS Festival event at Copper Mountain, Colorado. After Saturday’s Downhill, she wrote: “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again! While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove. “This is only the beginning and the way I’m skiing is more important than the times at this point. Now I have the FIS points to race World Cup, so that’s a successful day! Thanks to everyone who helped put on the races! Let’s do it again tomorrow!” She added later, “I’ve really only been training since October so… I’m far ahead of where I thought I could be at this stage.” And after Sunday’s Super-G: “Well… after a solid weekend of races I am now qualified to race World Cup! now let’s see when I’m ready …” ● American Football ● France’s Pierre Trochet was elected unopposed to a second and final term as President of the International Federation of American Football for the period of 2025-28. He told the delegates at the IFAF Congress in Lausanne, “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past four years and look forward to an exciting new term. Flag football’s debut at LA28 will inspire millions worldwide, but this is just the beginning. We are committed to securing our sport’s long-term inclusion in the Olympic Games, expanding our presence in multi-sport events, and strengthening our role as an influential member of the broader Olympic movement. The future of American football is bright, and it’s up to all of us to make it extraordinary.” Among the electees to the Executive Board was Eric Mayes of the U.S. as federation General Secretary. ● Aquatics ● An interesting and potentially important sponsorship agreement was announced between World Aquatics and the Japanese electronics giant Sony, through 2028. Beyond the provision of Sony’s cutting-edge digital photography resources: “Hawk-Eye Innovations, a Sony group company with a proven track record of providing officiating services for global sports events, will help further contribute to fair competition management through video replay services.” ● Athletics ● Olympic men’s 5,000 m gold medalist Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway won his third European (senior) Cross Country championship on Saturday, winning by eight seconds in 22:16 over the 7.2 km course. Italy’s Olympic women’s 10,000 m bronze winner Nadia Batocletti won her first European Cross Country title by nine seconds in 25:43 (also 7.2 km). ¶ Norway’s Sander Skotheim was recognized as the International Fair Play Award winner at the World Athletics Awards for staying in the Paris 2024 competition and helping teammate Markus Rooth. Skotheim was in third place after the discus, but no-heighted in the vault, removing him from any chance at a medal. But he stayed in, and supported teammate Rooth to a gold-medal performance at 8,796, winning by 48 points. Skotheim, still just 22, finished 18th at 7,757, after winning the World Indoor silver in the heptathlon and the European decathlon silver in Rome in June. ¶ Jamaica’s Roje Stona, the upset winner of the men’s discus at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has been accepted as one of 14 foreign athletes to be part of the National Football League’s International Player Pathway for 2025. He will participate in a 10-week training program at the IMG Academy in Florida and will work out for scouts in March 2025. The 6-6, 235-pound Stona was the NCAA discus runner-up for Clemson in 2021 and for Arkansas in 2023, but did not play football at either. ● Boxing ● At its annual Congress, held in Dubai (UAE), the International Boxing Association weakened its stance on national federations that join World Boxing “to allow flexibility for National Federations with athletes seeking to compete in events such as the Olympic Games. This dual membership ruling would be decided on a case-by-case basis by the IBA Board of Directors.” IBA President Umar Kremlev (RUS) told delegates, “As for the International Olympic Committee, the election happens in March – so we shall see. The situation and the leadership will change.” The IBA also approved new federations in six countries to replace federations that have moved to World Boxing. ● Cycling ● The prized Velo d’Or Awards, given by the French magazine Velo, were awarded on Friday to men’s sensation Tadej Pogacar (SLO) and Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky. Pogacar tripled in 2024, winning the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the road World Championship race; it’s his second seasonal award. Kopecky won after being runner-up the two prior years, taking the Olympic road bronze in Paris, winning the World Road title, four multi-stage races and several other major races, including the Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix. ● Skiing ● The Swiss-based, German language newspaper Blick reported on the disinterest of the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) in a $400 million investment by Luxembourg-based CVC Capital Partners for a 20% share of its commercial rights. CVC Capital is the group which invested $100 million in volleyball, forming a separate Volleyball World marketing and events company with the FIVB, along with investments in F1 racing, soccer and elsewhere. CVC sent a 30 November letter to the FIS that included: “CVC is proposing to invest in a 20% stake in the commercial rights to snow sports. These funds can be used by FIS and all national ski federations to invest sustainably in the sport: In events, teams and future commercial growth.” FIS rejected the proposal outright, stating in a reply: “The FIS is very well capitalized and currently has no need for additional funds to implement its strategic plans.” FIS chief Johan Eliasch (GBR) – also a candidate for the IOC Presidency – has made a centralization of event rights and a sale for significantly more money a central initiative of his presidency of the federation and is only now coming together. Obviously, CVC sees value in the plan. ● Swimming ● The 2024 U.S. Open was held in Greensboro, North Carolina in an unusual short-course format in yards instead of meters, with many of the entries from the high school and college ranks. Nonetheless, 17-year-old prep Kennedi Dobson still impressed, winning four events – the 200-yard Free, 500-yard Free, 1,650-yard Free and the 200-yard Medley – with three lifetime bests. She’s committed to attending Georgia. Other big winners in Greensboro included ex-Georgia All-American Bradley Dunham, who said this was his last meet, and won the 500 m Free and the 100- and 200-yard Backstrokes. Purdue’s Brady Samuels also got three wins, in the 50 and 100-yard Freestyles and 200-yard Butterfly, and Yale’s Charlie Egeland won the men’s 100- and 200-yard Breaststrokes and the 200-yard Medley. SMU’s Maddy Parker won the women’s 50- and 100-yard Frees and Tokyo Olympic relay medalist Rhyan White took the 200-yard Back and 100-yard Fly, and a second in the 100-yard Back. ¶ USA Swimming announced that the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships – an important mid-cycle regional competition in between World Aquatics Championships – will be held in Irvine, California. It’s the first time the meet has been held in the U.S. since 2010. Although unconnected to the LA28 organizers, it’s another event which will be held in Southern California as athletes and teams familiarize themselves with the area in which the 2028 Olympic Games will be held. ● Table Tennis ● China defended its 2023 victory in the ITTF Mixed Team World Championship, in Chengdu (CHN), defeating South Korea by 8-1 in the final, and finishing with an 11-0 record. Hong Kong won the bronze over Romania, 8-2. ● Weightlifting ● The 2024 IWF World Championships are rolling on in Manama (BRN), dominated at the lower weights by North Korea. Through the first four (of 10) men’s weights, the Koreans have won three golds from Myong-jin Park (61 kg: lifted 305 kg combined), Won-ju Ri (67 kg: 336 kg total) and Ryong-hyon Ri (73 kg: 348 kg total). The North Korean women have also won three golds in four events so far, with Song-gum Ri at 49 kg (213 kg total), Hyon-gyong Kang at 55 kg (226 kg), and Il-gyong Kim at 59 kg, who set a world record for the combined Snatch and Clean & Jerk at 249 kg. Kim also lifted a world-record 141 kg in the Clean & Jerk. So far, the Koreans have eight medals (6-2-0), China has four and no one else has more than two. The event continues through 15 December. ¶ ★ Receive our exclusive, weekday TSX Recap by e-mail by clicking here.★ Sign up a friend to receive the TSX Recap by clicking here.★ Please consider a donation here to keep this site going. For our updated, 885-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024, 2025 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★ ★ To get the daily Sports Examiner Recap by e-mail: sign up here! ★ ≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡ ● Olympic Winter Games 2026: Milan Cortina ● Where the Paris 2024 organizers eschewed test events for […]

★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To get the daily Sports Examiner Recap by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Olympic Winter Games 2026: Milan Cortina ● Where the Paris 2024 organizers eschewed test events for the most part, the Milan Cortina 2026 winter organizers are embracing them.

They announced Friday a first set of events:

● 28-29 Dec.: Alpine Skiing in Bormio
● 03-05 Jan.: Cross Country Skiing in Val di Fiemme
● 18-19 Jan.: Alpine Skiing in Cortina d’Ampezzo
● 23-26 Jan.: Biathlon in Anterselva
● 29-31 Jan.: Para Biathlon in Val di Fiemme
● 01-02 Feb.: Para Cross Country Skiing in Val di Fiemme
● 14-16 Feb.: Short Track in Milan
● 19-20 Feb.: Figure Skating in Milan
● 22-23 Feb.: Ski Mountaineering in Bormio
● 08-14 Mar.: Freestyle Aerials and Moguls in Livigno

Importantly, most of these events are part of the World Cup series for the relevant International Federations, doubling as test events for facilities already well known to the winter-sport communities.

● Asian Games 2026: Aichi-Nagoya ● Kyodo News reported that the Olympic Council of Asia is highly displeased with the progress of work for the 2026 Asian Games, to be held in Nagoya and the surrounding Aichi Prefecture from 19 September to 4 October in 2026. Per the report:

“Frustrated with the organizing committee’s handling of the situation, the OCA at one point indicated the hosting rights could be revoked and, in behind-the-scenes talks, mentioned potential replacement candidates for the Japanese hosts, the sources said.”

There are issues with 10 areas, including athlete accommodations (an Asian Games village was canceled to do costs) and transportation; organizers are worried about the costs, which could double from the bid projection of ¥100 billion, to ¥200 billion (~ $1.32 billion U.S.).

● XX Bolivarian Games ● The 20th edition of the Bolivarian Games, a multi-sport competition begun in 1938 as a tribute to the Venezuelan hero Simon Bolivar, concluded on Sunday in Ayacucho, Peru. Ten countries competed in 25 sports and 159 events.

The hosts led the medal table with 149 total (49-38-27), the first time since 1951 that neither Venezuela or Colombia won the most medals. Colombia had 95 total medals (44-35-16) and Venezuela had 76 (16-30-30).

● World University Games 2029: North Carolina ● Promotion is beginning for the 2029 WUG in North Carolina, expected to bring 7.500 athletes from 150 nations, competing in 18 sports, from 11-22 July 2029.

Last Wednesday, two specially-wrapped buses promoting the Games were unveiled by the Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority – a.k.a. “GoTriangle” – as a reminder that the WUG is coming.

● Alpine Skiing ● Comebacking U.S. star Lindsey Vonn posted on X that she’s pleased with her first races in five years over the weekend at FIS Festival event at Copper Mountain, Colorado. After Saturday’s Downhill, she wrote:

“Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again! While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.

“This is only the beginning and the way I’m skiing is more important than the times at this point. Now I have the FIS points to race World Cup, so that’s a successful day! Thanks to everyone who helped put on the races! Let’s do it again tomorrow!”

She added later, “I’ve really only been training since October so… I’m far ahead of where I thought I could be at this stage.”

And after Sunday’s Super-G:

“Well… after a solid weekend of races I am now qualified to race World Cup! now let’s see when I’m ready …”

● American Football ● France’s Pierre Trochet was elected unopposed to a second and final term as President of the International Federation of American Football for the period of 2025-28.

He told the delegates at the IFAF Congress in Lausanne, “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past four years and look forward to an exciting new term. Flag football’s debut at LA28 will inspire millions worldwide, but this is just the beginning. We are committed to securing our sport’s long-term inclusion in the Olympic Games, expanding our presence in multi-sport events, and strengthening our role as an influential member of the broader Olympic movement. The future of American football is bright, and it’s up to all of us to make it extraordinary.”

Among the electees to the Executive Board was Eric Mayes of the U.S. as federation General Secretary.

● Aquatics ● An interesting and potentially important sponsorship agreement was announced between World Aquatics and the Japanese electronics giant Sony, through 2028.

Beyond the provision of Sony’s cutting-edge digital photography resources:

“Hawk-Eye Innovations, a Sony group company with a proven track record of providing officiating services for global sports events, will help further contribute to fair competition management through video replay services.”

● Athletics ● Olympic men’s 5,000 m gold medalist Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway won his third European (senior) Cross Country championship on Saturday, winning by eight seconds in 22:16 over the 7.2 km course.

Italy’s Olympic women’s 10,000 m bronze winner Nadia Batocletti won her first European Cross Country title by nine seconds in 25:43 (also 7.2 km).

Norway’s Sander Skotheim was recognized as the International Fair Play Award winner at the World Athletics Awards for staying in the Paris 2024 competition and helping teammate Markus Rooth.

Skotheim was in third place after the discus, but no-heighted in the vault, removing him from any chance at a medal. But he stayed in, and supported teammate Rooth to a gold-medal performance at 8,796, winning by 48 points.

Skotheim, still just 22, finished 18th at 7,757, after winning the World Indoor silver in the heptathlon and the European decathlon silver in Rome in June.

Jamaica’s Roje Stona, the upset winner of the men’s discus at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has been accepted as one of 14 foreign athletes to be part of the National Football League’s International Player Pathway for 2025.

He will participate in a 10-week training program at the IMG Academy in Florida and will work out for scouts in March 2025. The 6-6, 235-pound Stona was the NCAA discus runner-up for Clemson in 2021 and for Arkansas in 2023, but did not play football at either.

● Boxing ● At its annual Congress, held in Dubai (UAE), the International Boxing Association weakened its stance on national federations that join World Boxing “to allow flexibility for National Federations with athletes seeking to compete in events such as the Olympic Games. This dual membership ruling would be decided on a case-by-case basis by the IBA Board of Directors.”

IBA President Umar Kremlev (RUS) told delegates, “As for the International Olympic Committee, the election happens in March – so we shall see. The situation and the leadership will change.”

The IBA also approved new federations in six countries to replace federations that have moved to World Boxing.

● Cycling ● The prized Velo d’Or Awards, given by the French magazine Velo, were awarded on Friday to men’s sensation Tadej Pogacar (SLO) and Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky.

Pogacar tripled in 2024, winning the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the road World Championship race; it’s his second seasonal award. Kopecky won after being runner-up the two prior years, taking the Olympic road bronze in Paris, winning the World Road title, four multi-stage races and several other major races, including the Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

● Skiing ● The Swiss-based, German language newspaper Blick reported on the disinterest of the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) in a $400 million investment by Luxembourg-based CVC Capital Partners for a 20% share of its commercial rights.

CVC Capital is the group which invested $100 million in volleyball, forming a separate Volleyball World marketing and events company with the FIVB, along with investments in F1 racing, soccer and elsewhere.

CVC sent a 30 November letter to the FIS that included: “CVC is proposing to invest in a 20% stake in the commercial rights to snow sports. These funds can be used by FIS and all national ski federations to invest sustainably in the sport: In events, teams and future commercial growth.”

FIS rejected the proposal outright, stating in a reply: “The FIS is very well capitalized and currently has no need for additional funds to implement its strategic plans.”

FIS chief Johan Eliasch (GBR) – also a candidate for the IOC Presidency – has made a centralization of event rights and a sale for significantly more money a central initiative of his presidency of the federation and is only now coming together. Obviously, CVC sees value in the plan.

● Swimming ● The 2024 U.S. Open was held in Greensboro, North Carolina in an unusual short-course format in yards instead of meters, with many of the entries from the high school and college ranks. Nonetheless, 17-year-old prep Kennedi Dobson still impressed, winning four events – the 200-yard Free, 500-yard Free, 1,650-yard Free and the 200-yard Medley – with three lifetime bests. She’s committed to attending Georgia.

Other big winners in Greensboro included ex-Georgia All-American Bradley Dunham, who said this was his last meet, and won the 500 m Free and the 100- and 200-yard Backstrokes. Purdue’s Brady Samuels also got three wins, in the 50 and 100-yard Freestyles and 200-yard Butterfly, and Yale’s Charlie Egeland won the men’s 100- and 200-yard Breaststrokes and the 200-yard Medley.

SMU’s Maddy Parker won the women’s 50- and 100-yard Frees and Tokyo Olympic relay medalist Rhyan White took the 200-yard Back and 100-yard Fly, and a second in the 100-yard Back.

USA Swimming announced that the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships – an important mid-cycle regional competition in between World Aquatics Championships – will be held in Irvine, California. It’s the first time the meet has been held in the U.S. since 2010.

Although unconnected to the LA28 organizers, it’s another event which will be held in Southern California as athletes and teams familiarize themselves with the area in which the 2028 Olympic Games will be held.

● Table Tennis ● China defended its 2023 victory in the ITTF Mixed Team World Championship, in Chengdu (CHN), defeating South Korea by 8-1 in the final, and finishing with an 11-0 record.

Hong Kong won the bronze over Romania, 8-2.

● Weightlifting ● The 2024 IWF World Championships are rolling on in Manama (BRN), dominated at the lower weights by North Korea.

Through the first four (of 10) men’s weights, the Koreans have won three golds from Myong-jin Park (61 kg: lifted 305 kg combined), Won-ju Ri (67 kg: 336 kg total) and Ryong-hyon Ri (73 kg: 348 kg total).

The North Korean women have also won three golds in four events so far, with Song-gum Ri at 49 kg (213 kg total), Hyon-gyong Kang at 55 kg (226 kg), and Il-gyong Kim at 59 kg, who set a world record for the combined Snatch and Clean & Jerk at 249 kg. Kim also lifted a world-record 141 kg in the Clean & Jerk.

So far, the Koreans have eight medals (6-2-0), China has four and no one else has more than two. The event continues through 15 December.

★ Receive our exclusive, weekday TSX Recap by e-mail by clicking here.
★ Sign up a friend to receive the TSX Recap by clicking here.
★ Please consider a donation here to keep this site going.

For our updated, 885-event International Sports Calendar for the rest of 2024, 2025 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!