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LANE ONE: Oregon22 report shows 2:1 return in media exposure for Oregon’s $40 million cash investment

By
Rich Perelman
-

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The fascinating Nielsen Sports post-event report on the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, demonstrated a direct and induced economic impact of $153.4 million, but included a wealth of other information to answer the question: was it worth it?

Possibly yes, with plenty of surprises shown in the data. For example, that the event was most strongly viewed on television in Africa and the Middle East! Yes, really.

Nielsen cited a Publicis survey that stated some 1.117 billion hours of the Oregon22 meet were seen on television worldwide, but with a surprising distribution (figures do not add due to rounding):

● 39% or 429.8 million hours: Africa and Middle East
● 33% or 368.1 million hours: Asia Pacific region
● 20% or 219.3 million hours: Europe
● 9% or 95.5 million hours: Americas

Among individual countries, the U.S. was only fifth:

1. 254.1 million hours: Japan
2. 102.5 million hours: China
3. 47.3 million hours: Great Britain
4. 35.5 million hours: Nigeria
5. 35.4 million hours: United States

NBC reported last year that its total viewership comprised an estimated 18.7 million viewers across its network and cable broadcasts of Oregon22. Also in the top 10 countries by hours viewed were France (24.2 million hours), Poland (23.4 million hours), Sweden (21.3 million hours) and Finland (21.3 million hours).

This is good intermediate-term news for World Athletics, which is headed to Tokyo for the 2025 Worlds, but also makes the case for placing a future World Athletics Championships in Africa, which showed so much interest in the 2022 meet. Kenya bid Nairobi for 2025, but the facilities and supporting infrastructure were not in Tokyo’s class, given the new Olympic Stadium delivered for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

But now there is an even better reason to go there.

The report noted that the total television exposure across all broadcasters was 3,913.5 hours and, based on regional ad rates, generated $188.1 million in broad exposure (TV time) for “affiliated brands” such as World Athletics sponsors TDK, Qatar National Bank, Seiko and so on. The biggest winner in terms of exposure during the meet was the State of Oregon, which provided $40 million in cash and grants to the organizing committee, about 53% of its total budget of $75 million.

Oregon’s return on television exposure alone was $59.3 million, followed by TDK’s $43.8 million for being the primary name on athlete identification bibs.

The report also claimed a online media value of $50.1 million, with 79,100 mentions tracked. The State of Oregon received exposure value equivalent to $19.3 million in advertising. Print media (newspapers) generated another $5.5 million in value, with the State of Oregon getting another $3.45 million.

Social media tracking showed 37.2 million “engagements,” and a $7.24 million total value. “Sentiment” was found to be mostly neutral (61%), but 34% positive against only 5% negative.

So, for its $40 million investment, the State of Oregon received – according to the report – at least $82.05 million in equivalent ad exposure, or a 2:05 to 1 return. Look for those figures to be cited frequently in the future.

There was also the in-person exposure to the 150,000 attendees, of whom 84% were from the U.S. Of the 16% who came from outside the U.S., 35% were making their first visit to the United States. But the meet was highly localized: 49% of all spectators came from Oregon, with 32% from the Eugene area!

Of the visitors who needed accommodations, only 3% did not stay in the Eugene area and the largest group, 43%, used Airbnb and Vrbo to find housing. Only 32% stayed in hotels. Combining all 34.577 attendees, including athletes and accredited personnel, the 2022 Worlds generated an estimated 222,583 room nights and $45 million in direct, local spending. That’s where the money was.

The attitudes of spectators towards the event was generally positive:

● 97% liked the look and feel of the new Hayward Field.
● 88% liked the security situation in the stadium.
● 80% thought the WiFi and mobile phone coverage was good.
● 65% thought the food and beverage quality was good.
● 54% thought the variety of merchandise was good.

There were negatives, however:

● “The ticket prices were ridiculous”
● “The stadium needs to be covered; it was too hot”
● “Hard to hear in-stadium announcements”

Transportation was also interesting: 41% got to the meet in a personal car, but 26% walked! Only 14% took public transit.

The Oregon22 organizers made a big effort on sustainability, but barely made a dent in the estimated emissions caused by air travel of athletes and spectators to Eugene: 75,537 tons of carbon dioxide.

This was reduced somewhat by low-emission power generation on-site and 5,200 pounds of leftover food that was donated to a local foodbank system. But, in all, the event generated 97,095 tons of CO², with the environmental initiatives reducing the total by 2%. Using the cost-conversion formulas for carbon credits, the Oregon22 carbon footprint had a net cost of $7.4 million.

There’s no doubt that the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene was an enormous success on the track, with spectacular performances. Except for those folks who sat in the lower rows and were exposed to the sun, Hayward Field was well received, as were most services.

The 1,585 volunteers, who contributed 152,160 hours of service, were highly appreciated and respected.

Travel Oregon and the state government can point to more than $82 million in media exposure (ad equivalencies), more than double their $40 million investment and there was additional government tax revenue not calculated in the report from accommodations, food sales and merchandise.

That’s more than a 2:1 return in media exposure for the cash invested, which has traditionally been a winner for Oregon, drawing tourism attention to an area of the U.S. not that well known to foreign visitors. Whether future U.S. cities or state will be willing to put up that much cash to bring an event like the World Athletics Championships back – especially to a larger, already-well-visited metropolitan area – is an open question.

Rich Perelman
Editor

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TSX REPORT: Kenya’s Chebet and Obiri sweep Boston Marathon; ex-IBU chief indicted in Norway; IIHF says Russia returns when war ends

By
Rich Perelman
-
Kenya's Evans Chebet winning his second straight Boston Marathon on Monday (Photo courtesy BAA; by Errol Anderson)

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Chebet and Obiri win third straight Kenyan Boston Marathon sweep
2. Former biathlon president Besseberg indicted for corruption
3. Ukraine sanctions 80 more Russian athletes and officials
4. IIHF’s Tardif says Russia and Belarus come back when war is over
5. Argentina confirmed as FIFA men’s U-20 World Cup host

At the 127th Boston Marathon, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge was the center of attention, but it was defending champ Evans Chebet of Kenya who won again. The women’s race was won by Kenya’s track superstar Hellen Obiri, her first marathon win in her second try. Former International Biathlon Union President Anders Besseberg was indicted for corruption in his native Norway, related to favors he did for Russia over a 10-year period. The Ukrainian government imposed a new round of sanctions on 80 Russian athletes and officials, including at least 11 Olympic medal winners, past and present. The International Ice Hockey Federation President said he would welcome back Russian and Belarusian teams … as soon as the war was over, and praised the improving level of women’s hockey. Argentina was formally awarded the FIFA men’s U-20 World Cup, beginning in May, replacing Indonesia, which did not want to allow Israel to play.

● Panorama: Russia (3: European Games refuses Russian and Belarusian entries; Norway withdraws from fencing events; 2029 World Aquatics Champs in Kazan?) = Anti-Doping (testing reports from aquatics and volleyball) = Artistic Swimming (2: U.S. nationals; new U.S. gender equity policy) = Athletics (more world leaders in California and India) = Gymnastics (U.S. team members Chiles, McCallum, Carey and Wong medal at NCAA Champs) = Swimming (new world leaders in Sweden and Australia) ●

1.
Chebet and Obiri win third straight Kenyan Boston Marathon sweep

All of the hype surround the 127th Boston Marathon on Monday was focused on Kenya’s two-time Olympic champ Eliud Kipchoge, but it was 2022 victor Evans Chebet cross the line first once again, and track star Hellen Obiri winning her first marathon in the women’s race.

The conditions were part of the story, with an overcast, rainy and windy morning, with temperatures in the high 40s (F). A large group of 11 men formed the lead pack and moved through the halfway mark in 1:02:19, which closed to seven by 30 km.

Now the attacks started, including Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay, whose charge to the front dropped Kipchoge by 20 miles (32 km) and he was not a factor again. By the 35 km mark, it was 2021 champion Benson Kipruto (KEN), Chebet and Geay breaking away from all others and they would race for the medals.

They ran together through 35 km, but Kipruto could not keep up by the 38 km mark and dropped a few seconds back. Geay kept challenging Chebet, who stayed steady and smooth, unmoved by the damp conditions. But Kipruto charged to join them at 40 km and then it was Geay who dropped back a bit.

With a mile to go, Chebet had the lead and broke away with just more than a half-mile to go, running alone to the finish in 2:05:54, the sixth-fastest time in Boston Marathon history. He’s the first men’s repeater since Robert Cheruiyot won his second, third and fourth Boston wins in 2006-07-08. Although he placed high in his first eight marathons from 2013-17, Chebet, 34, has won six of his last seven from 2019-23, including Boston twice, Valencia in 2020 and New York in 2022.

Geay regained second place on the run-in in 2:06:04, with Kipruto at 2:06:06, and Kipchoge in seventh at 2:09:23. In his 18th career marathon, it’s his second-worst finish; he was eighth in London in 2018, also on a rainy, cold day.

Scott Fauble was the top American finisher, in seventh for the second year in a row and third time in his Boston career, in 2:09:44. Matthew Mcdonald was 10th (2:10:17) and Conner Mantz was 11th (2:10:25).

The women’s lead pack also had 11 runners together at the halfway point, in 1:11:29 and stayed together through 35 km! By 37 km, though, only six were with the lead group and the final five contenders – Obiri, Lonah Salpeter (ISR), Ethiopians Amane Beriso and Ababel Yeshaneh and American Emma Bates, the 2021 Chicago Marathon runner-up – were set by the 39 km mark.

Bates was dropped by 40 km and Salpeter fell back shortly after that. That left Obiri and the two Ethiopians, who took turns leading, with Yeshaneh falling back first and then Obiri – the 2017 and 2019 World Champion at 5,000 m – taking off for good with about 800 m remaining and ran to the line alone in 2:21:38, the no. 10 time in Boston Marathon history.

Beriso stayed second (2:21:50), Salpeter came on to pass Yeshaneh for third (2:21:57 to 2:22:00) and Bates was fifth in a lifetime best of 2:22:10 as the top American. Aliphine Tuliamuk, the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials winner, was the next American, in 11th (2:24:37), with Nell Rojas in 14th (2:24:51).

Chebet’s win was the fourth in a row for the Kenyan men and Obiri scored the third straight for the Kenyan women. Her victory was especially gratifying after her debut in New York last November ended with a sixth-place finish; she was simply stronger than everyone else in the final mile.

Said Kipchoge afterwards, “Today was a tough day for me. I pushed myself as hard as I could, but sometimes, we must accept that today wasn’t the day to push the barrier to a greater height.”

Obiri noted, “After New York, we learned some things we did not know. I learned to be patient.” Chebet revealed that he and Kipruto worked together: “It was a mutual agreement that we would keep pace together. And this is what worked out well.”

2.
Former biathlon president Besseberg indicted for corruption

Norwegian Anders Besseberg, 77, the President of the International Biathlon Union from 1993 to 2018, was indicted Monday for corruption related to favors he received during his lengthy term in office. The announcement included:

“The Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) has indicted a Norwegian man who was president of the IBU for trial on charges of aggravated corruption. The offences took place during the period 2009 to 2018.

“The charges include accepting bribes in the form of watches, hunting trips and trophies, prostitutes and a leased car which he enjoyed the use of from 2011 to 2018 in Norway.

“Økokrim believes there is sufficient evidence to prove that he accepted bribes continuously over a ten-year period. The seriousness of the matter is emphasised by the breach of trust his actions represent in light of his position as president of the IBU, says the prosecutor in charge of the case, Senior Public Prosecutor Marianne Djupesland.”

Okokrim has been involved with the Besseberg case since early in 2020, when it was asked to take over the corruption aspects of an investigation by Austrian authorities dealing with doping in sport and fraud.

Okokrim acknowledged additional assistance from authorities in Canada, the Czech Republic and Liechtenstein. Besseberg was forced out of office in 2018 based on reports of corruption and possible doping cover-up assistance for Russian athletes.

The International Biathlon Union’s statement noted that in 2018:

“Following an exhaustive investigation, the [IBU External Review Committee] concluded that Mr Besseberg had a case to answer for breach of the IBU’s rules, based on their apparent protection of Russian interests, particularly in the anti-doping context, without good justification.”

3.
Ukraine sanctions 80 more Russian athletes and officials

On Saturday, Ukraine issued another round of sanctions against more than 80 Russian athletes and officials, which a ban on the issuance of a Ukrainian visa and a ban on entry into Ukrainian territory for 50 years.

The sanctions list includes, among others, Olympic gymnastics medalists Svetlana Khorkina (1996-2004), Maria Paseka (2012-16), Victoria Listunova (2020) and Artur Dalaloyan (2020); swimmer Anton Chupkov (2016); wrestler Varteres Samurgashev (2000-04); biathlon medalists Dmitry Vasiliev (1984-88), Svetlana Ishmuratova (2002-06); figure skater Nikita Katsalapov (2022); hockey player Andrei Kovalenko (1992-98), and Nikolai Gulyaev, head of the Russian Skating Union and 1988 Olympic speed skating gold medalist.

Russian Gymnastics Federation coach Valentina Rodionenko told TASS:

“The decision of the leadership of Ukraine to impose sanctions on our gymnasts can be called complete insanity. People no longer know how else to hurt us.

“I was not going to go to Ukraine, and these sanctions cannot in any way prevent our participation in foreign competitions if the international federation decides in early May on the return of Russians and Belarusians.”

In December 2022, the Ukrainian government sanctioned 55 athletes and officials over their support for the Russian invasion, including teen figure skater Kamila Valieva, still at the center of a doping inquiry from the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

A BBC commentary last Saturday noted:

“[W]hy is the Russian state so keen to keep winning in the sporting arena?

“Popular newspaper Vedomosti argued that the Russian government wants to use athletic achievements to keep Russians happy and united when things are not going well elsewhere.

“‘We need victories as a way of doping patriotism,’ it said. ‘Victories are part of state policy.’ …

“According to Vyacheslav Fetisov, formerly a famous ice hockey player, two-time Olympic champion and now member of parliament for the ruling United Russia party: ‘We are the most disgraced country in the history of international sport.’”

4.
IIHF’s Tardif says Russia and Belarus come back when war is over

The International Ice Hockey Federation President, Frenchman Luc Tardif, was asked about Russian and Belarusian re-entry into competition at a news conference before the final match of the 2023 Women’s World Championship. He was clear:

“First, I hope Russia and Belarus return to the IIHF very soon because that would mean that the war is over.

“But we will make a final decision about those countries for Milano in March 2024 because soon after we will begin Olympic qualifications, and Belarus would need to be a part of that.”

Tardif also praised the organization of the tournament, held in Brampton, Ontario, Canada and the continuing improvement in women’s hockey:

“There has been great improvement in the women’s game, and there is a simple reason. The top 20 federations now have dedicated women’s programs. These are important for developing players and growing the game. You see here the number of close games. Maybe teams aren’t ready to beat Canada and the U.S. yet, but it’s getting there. It won’t happen over night. It takes some time. But it’s getting better and better.”

The tournament, won by the U.S., 6-3, in the final over Canada, was notable on multiple levels. The American women continued a remarkable streak of appearing in the final of all 22 women’s Worlds, and winning 10. The win broke a two-championships win streak for the Canadians and the amazing Ann-Renee Desbiens, the star Canadian keeper who suffered a loss for the first time in Worlds and Olympic play. She had been 16-0 in the World Championships (2015-21-22-23) and 6-0 in Olympic play (2018-22).

Canadian forward Sarah Fillier was named Most Valuable Player, with Fillier recognized as the best forward, American Caroline Harvey as the best defender and Desbiens as the top keeper.

Harvey led all scorers in the tournament with 14 points (4+10) in seven games, while American Hilary Knight led all goal-scorers with eight (Fillier had seven).

Knight won her ninth Worlds gold, tying the record held by Canadian forward Danielle Goyette, who won her nine between 1992-2007.

5.
Argentina confirmed as FIFA men’s U-20 World Cup host

“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has confirmed Argentina as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023.

“The decision follows the removal of the original tournament host, Indonesia, as well as a subsequent bid submitted by the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) and an on-site inspection by a FIFA delegation to the South American country last week.”

Monday’s announcement was hardly a surprise, after the Argentine federation made an immediate bid after FIFA took the event away from Indonesia following government requests to not allow Israel – with which Indonesia has no diplomatic relations – to play in the tournament.

The anti-Semitic rhetoric from Indonesia will likely result in sanctions, which have not yet been announced. One result of the transfer is that the Indonesian team, which would have played in the tournament as the host nation, will not compete and Argentina will play instead.

The draw will now be held on Friday (21st) and the tournament starts on 20 May.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Russia ● A spokesman for the organizers of the 2023 European Games in Krakow, Poland, said they would rather lose the hosting rights to the event – to begin on 21 June – than to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete there.

Dawid Glen told Germany’s Deutsche Welle that some sports could be removed from the event as Olympic qualifiers because of this stance:

“Yes, we are concerned that there is such a risk. We see what kind of decisions are made internationally. This does not change our position.

“We hope that this is not going to happen, but we would sooner resign from organizing competitions in a given discipline than allow Russians and Belarusians to stand on the starting line. …

“A year ago, Poland spearheaded the decision to expel the Russians from the sport. At present, we see no reason to change our position on this issue. The bloody war continues.”

Clearly at issue will be fencing, in which the International Federation (FIE), and taekwondo, where World Taekwondo has also allowed Russian and Belarusians to return as neutrals. The International Boxing Association, which has been suspended by the International Olympic Committee, has also pushed for removal of the boxing events, but the European Games was selected by the IOC as a qualifier for Paris 2024.

On Friday, the Norwegian Fencing Federation announced that it would not be competing in FIE events in which Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to take part:

“After the decision on the admission of Russians and Belarusians was made at the congress of the International Fencing Federation, the board of directors of the Norwegian Fencing Federation decided not to send their athletes to competitions with their participation. In addition, the World Cup stages will not be held in Norway. Instead of the World Cup, we must organize competitions in cooperation with Finland and Sweden, which have taken appropriate measures.”

The head of the Russian Swimming Federation, four-time Olympic gold medalist Vladimir Salnikov, told the Russian news agency TASS that the federation is preparing to host the World Aquatics Championships in 2029.

The event was awarded to Kazan for 2025, but removed by World Aquatics in view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But, say the Russians, the award was postponed, not canceled. Said Salnikov:

“I don’t see any reason why it won’t take place that year. I think that the tournament will take place within those terms.”

● Anti-Doping ● The World Aquatics Integrity Unit announced its testing figures for 2022, with 5,835 samples collected from 1,428 athletes across 101 national federations. This includes swimming (and open water), diving, artistic swimming and water polo. In terms of distribution:

● “Europe accounted for 56.6% of tests followed by America (21.6%), Asia (10.9%), Oceania (7.7%) and Africa (3.17%).”

● “With regard to testing across World Aquatics sport disciplines, swimming accounted for 66% of all tests, followed by water polo (14%), open water (9%), artistic swimming (5%) and diving and high diving (4%).”

The AQIU also noted that testing in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine was not significantly disrupted in 2021.

Overall, about 35% of the tests used blood samples, with the remainder using urine collection.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) released its 10-year testing statistics from 2013-22, with 4,269 samples collected for beach and indoor volleyball and less than 1% in positives. The federation has now delegated its anti-doping program to the International Testing Agency.

● Artistic Swimming ● The 2023 U.S. nationals concluded in Oro Valley, Arizona over the weekend, with Janneke Dirven winning the women’s Solo Technical final (183.4083) and Maya Schweikert taking the Solo Free title (235.1458).

The Duet winners were Kennah Burdette and Luz Portilla-Vollota (175.9500) in the Technical final, and Hannah Lin and Karen Wang (225.6250) in Duet Free. The Mixed Duet Free winners were Sarah Farmer and Chris Leahy (102.8250), and Leahy won the men’s Solo Free (116.1750, only entrant).

U.S. Artistic Swimming announced a new gender inclusion policy with no restrictions at all:

“Athletes of all gender identities have the choice to participate in all USAAS sanctioned and owned events in the category which they feel most closely aligns with their gender identity. Participants do not need to and will not be asked to provide evidence of hormone treatment or surgical intervention.

“Solo Categories: Girl/Woman Solo (athlete who identifies as a girl/woman), Boy/Man Solo (athlete who identifies as boy/man), Gender Inclusive Solo (open to athletes who do not identify as girl/woman or boy/man)

“Duet Categories: Girls/Women Duet (both athletes identify as a girl/woman), Boys/Men Duet (both athletes identify as a boy/man), Mixed Duet (one athlete identifies as boy/man, one girl/woman), Gender Inclusive Duet (one or more athlete(s) who do not identify as girl/woman or boy/man)

“All other categories (i.e. Team events) are open (no gender restriction).”

Implementation will begin this summer. The policy is in conflict with the strict World Aquatics gender policies, which will determine allowable entries into the World Aquatics Championships.

● Athletics ● A few more world leaders from the torrent of competitions over the weekend, including two more at the Brian Clay Invitational in Azusa, California. Cooper Teare won the men’s 1,500 m a 2023 world outdoor best of 3:34.96, while Brian Fay (IRL-Washington) won the 5,000 m in 13:21.99 for the world outdoor lead.

At the nearby Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Harrison Williams of the U.S. won the decathlon with a world-leading 8,492 points, a lifetime best.

At the Indian Grand Prix in Bengaluru (IND), Prakasha Manu grabbed the world lead in the men’s javelin at 84.33 m (276-7) and Shalili Singh won the women’s long jump with a world-leading 6.76 m (22-2 1/4).

● Gymnastics ● Members of the U.S. Olympic and World Championships team were familiar faces on the podium of the 2023 NCAA women’s championships held in Ft. Worth, Texas, that concluded on Saturday.

Jordan Chiles of UCLA, a Tokyo Olympic Team silver medalist, 2022 Worlds Team gold medalist, and Worlds Vault and Floor silver winner, won the NCAA title on the Uneven Bars (10.0000) and on Floor (9.9875). She finished second in the All-Around (39.7125) to Utah’s Maile O’Keefe (39.7625), who also won on Beam (10.0000).

Grace McCallum (Utah), a member of the Tokyo 2020 silver-medal team, was part of a five-way for second on the Uneven Bars; Tokyo 2020 Floor gold medalist Jade Carey (Oregon State) was in a second-place tie on Beam, and 2021 Worlds All-Around runner-up Leanne Wong (Florida) was in a two-way tie for second on Floor.

● Swimming ● Four more world-leading marks over the weekend, but this time at the Swedish Open in Stockholm. Twenty-one-year old Daniel Wiffen of Ireland won the men’s 800 m Free in a national record 7:44.45, and then the 1,500 m in another record effort of 14:34.91.

Swedish star Sarah Sjostrom won the women’s 50 m Free in a world-leading 23.92 and the 100 m Free in 52.99, also the best so far this season.

The Australian Championships began in Gold Coast on Monday, with two world leads on the first day. Sam Short won the men’s 400 m Free in a lifetime best of 3:42.46, tops on the seasonal list, and 2022 Worlds sprint star (and 100 m Free World Champion) Mollie O’Callaghan won the women’s 100 m Free in a tight finish with Shayna Jack, 52.63-52.64, the top two marks so far in 2023.

Tokyo Olympic triple gold medalist Kaylee McKeown won the women’s 200 m Medley in 2:08.16, moving to no. 2 in the world for 2023. The meet continues through Thursday.

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For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Oregon22 Worlds delivered $153.4 million impact; Australia cuts down Paris ‘24 swimmer partying; Kipchoge runs in Boston!

By
Rich Perelman
-

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Oregon22 Worlds created $153.4 million economic impact
2. Australia wants to tone down Paris ‘24 athlete partying!
3. Kipchoge headlines Monday’s Boston Marathon
4. How shot stars Crouser and Ealey make their annual schedules
5. Irvine will build new aquatics center, but not in time for LA28

A post-event report on the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon showed a $96.8 million direct impact and $153.4 total economic impact, but the attendees were overwhelmingly American and mostly from Oregon. The event cost $75 million to produce and generated $89.3 million in media exposure. The Australian Olympic Committee will require its athletes to leave the Paris 2024 Olympic Village two days after their competition ends in order to keep things quiet for the remaining athletes, an unpopular stance with many swimmers who spend the second week of the Games having a good time! Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathoner in history, runs at his first Boston Marathon on Monday, starting at 9:37 a.m. Eastern televised live on ESPN. Putting together a seasonal schedule isn’t easy in track & field; U.S. shot put stars Ryan Crouser and Chase Ealey – the 2022 World Champions – explained their approaches prior to their appearance in two competitions at the Drake Relays. The City of Irvine, California will build its promised aquatics center, to be used in part by USA Water Polo, but not until after the 2028 Olympic Games has come and gone.

● World Championship: Ice Hockey (Knight’s hat trick keys U.S. win at women’s Worlds) ●
● Panorama: Los Angeles 1984 (Photographer Paul Slaughter passes) = Archery (Mirich and Kaufhold win Arizona Cup) = Athletics (5: three world leads at Mt. SAC Relays; seven at Tom Jones Memorial; Abdi wins Rotterdam Marathon; McPherson gets drug suspension; Crumpacker passes at 67) = Curling (Koe and Wrana take Players Championship) = Cycling (Pogacar, Vollering win Amstel Gold Races) = Diving (China sweeps World Cup) = Figure Skating (U.S. wins ISU Team Trophy) = Football (men’s CONCACAF Gold Cup draw) = Gymnastics (Rafaelli sweeps Rhythmic World Cup) = Modern Pentathlon (Shaban leads Egypt 1-3 in men’s World Cup) = Sailing (World Sailing to study Russia readmission) = Ski Mountaineering (World Cup season finishes in Norway) = Swimming (Smith and Marchand win four each at Tyr Pro Swim) = Table Tennis (China sweeps WTT Champions) = Water Polo (U.S., Dutch win women’s World Cup qualifier) = Weightlifting (Azerbaijan flag burned at Euro Champs ceremony) ●

1.
Oregon22 Worlds created $153.4 million economic impact

A post-event analysis of the Oregon22 World Athletics Championships held at the University of Oregon in Eugene showed a total economic impact of $153.4 million and a total impact – including media exposure – of $237.4 million.

The study was received in January, prepared by Nielsen Sports for Travel Oregon, but had not been publicly released. It showed five drivers of direct spending impact on the Eugene-Springfield community:

● $45.0 million: Accommodations
● $29.8 million: Net organizing committee spend
● $10.0 million: Food & Beverage
● $7.4 million: Retail and Leisure spending
● $4.3 million: Local transportation

That’s $96.8 million, and with a multiplier of 1.59 for the counties impacted for induced economic impact, for an added $56.9 million, and a total of $153.4 million.

The report stated that the Oregon22 organizing committee budget was for $75.0 million on the event; the largest budgeted expenses were for:

● $14.0 million: Athlete experience
● $14.0 million: Broadcasting
● $9.9 million: Administration and staff
● $7.7 million: Event management
● $4.9 million: Event services
● $7.0 million: Contingency

Of the $75.0 million total, an estimated $47.6 million (73%) was spent in the local, Oregon economy. Nielsen removed $17.8 million in ticket sales, leaving a net local organizing spend of $29.8 million. Please remember that the State of Oregon subsidized or obtained $40 million in funds for the event.

Worldwide media exposure, a major reason for Oregon’s spend, came in with a total of $89.3 million in value:

● $59.3 million: television exposure
● $19.3 million: online exposure
● $7.2 million: social media exposure
● $3.5 million: print media exposure

Nielsen calculated that the state of Oregon received $19.3 million worth of direct exposure from its many commercials on broadcasts in various countries.

The report noted athlete and team officials approval of the event at 70%, lower than the 78% for the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade (SRB) earlier in 2022. Only 30% were able to visit local tourist attractions during the meet; they were busy at the track.

There were 150,000 ticketed spectators, of which 84% came from the U.S.; 49% of all spectators were from Oregon and 17% from the rest of the U.S. Of the 16% from outside the U.S., the majority were from Canada, but there were visitors from 37 nations.

The event had 1,585 volunteers, who provided an estimated 152,160 hours of services, worth about $2.1 million.

There’s a lot more to unpack from the report; stay tuned for more.

2.
Australia wants to tone down Paris ‘24 athlete partying!

“The learnings from Tokyo were absolutely positive that for the athletes who are competing in the second week, reducing the load on the village by athletes who have finished was positive for both their preparation and their health.

“We want all of the athletes to be able to perform at their best, whether they have a medal chance or not, so it doesn’t matter what sport you’re in. … This is about performance. It’s not for the wowsers, we’re actually doing it for the athletes who are still competing.”

That’s Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll, explaining new regulations for the Paris 2024 Games that Australian athletes must leave the Olympic Village after their events conclude, essentially the same rules in place due to Covid-19 restrictions in place in Japan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

There was plenty of criticism, for example from swimmer James Magnussen, the 2011 and 2013 World 100 m Freestyle Champion and the London 2012 100 m Free silver medalist:

“The moment we’re finished, rather than letting our hair down and relaxing and celebrating and feeling like we’re part of the greater Australian Olympic team, you get kicked out of the village and on your bike.

“What they’re really doing is making the Olympics feel like just another competition rather than the special once-in-a-lifetime experience that generations of Australian athletes have had before.

“That’s missing out on a big part of the mystique of the Olympics and being able to support your teammates and meet athletes from other countries.”

Ken Wallace, a three-time Olympic medalist in canoeing, is the deputy chair of the AOC Athletes’ Commission and said that “the athlete voice was heard,” but was in favor:

“I agree that being in the Olympic Village is a part of the whole Olympic Games experience but I don’t agree that it should outweigh performance. We all love a good larrikin, but we also want to be a respectful team.”

One group that won’t complain will be the track & field athletes, who will be competing in the final week of the Paris Games and won’t have to deal with the sounds of the swimmers.

3.
Kipchoge headlines Monday’s Boston Marathon

The greatest marathoner in history, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge will compete in his first Boston Marathon on Monday, which also marks the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist bombing which caused three deaths and 281 injuries, which included 14 amputations.

Memorial events were held on Saturday. Monday’s race, the 127th Boston Marathon, features outstanding elite fields, including a dozen men with lifetime bests under 2:06:

● 2:01:09 (2022), Kipchoge ~ 2016 and 2020 Olympic gold
● 2:03:00 (2020), Evans Chebet (KEN) ~ Boston winner 2022
● 2:03:00 (2022), Gabriel Geay (TAN)
● 2:03:40 (2019), Herpasa Negasa (ETH)
● 2:04:24 (2022), Benson Kipruto (KEN) ~ Boston winner 2021
● 2:04:45 (2013), Lelisa Desisa (ETH) ~ Boston winner 2013-15
● 2:04:49 (2018), Shura Tola Kitata (ETH)
● 2:05:01 (2022), John Korir (KEN)
● 2:05:13 (2017), Norbert Kigen (KEN)
● 2:05:34 (2022), Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (ETH) ~ 2015 World Champion
● 2:05:45 (2022), Andualem Belay (ETH)
● 2:05:49 (2015), Mark Korir (KEN)

The women’s field includes nine with bests under 2:20:

● 2:14:58 (2022), Amane Beriso (ETH)
● 2:17:29 (2022), Sheila Chepkirui Kiprotich (KEN)
● 2:17:43 (2021), Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN)
● 2:17:45 (2020), Lonah Chemtai Salpeter (ISR)
● 2:17:57 (2021), Angela Tanui (KEN)
● 2:18:11 (2022), Gotytom Gebreselassie (ETH) ~ 2022 World Champion
● 2:18:11 (2022), Fancy Chemutai (KEN)
● 2:19:10 (2022), Hiwot Gebrekidan Gebremaryam (ETH)
● 2:19:50 (2012), Edna Kiplagat (KEN) ~ Boston winner 2021

Kipchoge is continuing his tour of the six World Marathon Majors, having run Berlin and London five times each, Chicago once (2014) and Tokyo once (2022). After Boston, he still has New York to go.

He’s run 17 career marathons, winning 15, with one second and one eighth; he’s won four in a row, and owns two Olympic golds, but has never contested the World Championships.

The race record is the famed 2:03:02 “wind-aided” race from 2011, when Kenyans Geoffrey Mutai and Moses Mosop (2:03:06) went 1-2; the next best time from any other race is 2:05:52 by Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot (KEN) from 2010. Kipchoge’s top-10 marathon times – on flat courses, to be sure – average 2:03:08!

The race will be shown live in the U.S. on ESPN, with the men’s field designated to start at 9:37 a.m. Eastern time and the women at 9:47.

4.
How shot stars Crouser and Ealey make their annual schedules

“Track & field, being a relatively fragmented sport, we don’t have a league, so to say, like the NBA or NFL that sets our schedule, so if I do 10 meets throughout the year, that’s 10 essentially independent contract negotiations. And 10 independent decisions on figuring out whether I do those meets.”

That’s Olympic and World Champion shot putter Ryan Crouser of the U.S., explaining in an online interview at the end of March how he determines which meets to compete in. It’s pretty complex:

“[I]t comes down to a number of factors. The most important, for me, even above money, is the scheduling in terms of training. So pretty much, the way I approach it, I look at the major championship for the year, because that’s the thing that matters the most to me in terms of performing at my best at World Championships.

“And so, I backtrack from there and get an idea of which meet will have the least impact on (a) my base training, of laying that foundation in the weight room, really taking a lot of throws volume, because that all knocks the performances down. So I need to get in my base training and my volume and (b), what will impact my taper.

“So I need about 3-4 quality weeks to taper down, to start doing more dynamic movements in the weight room, really get in focus, adding a lot of double throwing sessions, and competing during that time really throws a wrench into the taper. And so, number one thing for me is performing really well at the major championship and limiting hindrances to that preparation.”

What about money?

“Money is a part of it for sure, but a lot of the time the highest-paying meets are the ones that know they are at an unfortunate time and so there’s always a temptation to kind of chase the money, and that is one thing that I’ve really tried to limit and I think that my performances at majors has really reflected that.

“So at the expense of not earning quite as much, I feel like I’ve performed well in the majors. And, yeah, traveling is also a big part of it. It’s unrealistic to do a high-paying meet in Tokyo and expect to compete in Europe the following week. And so if I can string together a number of meets in a European trip, that’s what I am trying to do right now. But once again, they are independent negotiations, so you like have three meets planned and – shoot, this just happened earlier in the week – I’m not going to name the meets, but had a three-meet tour planned out and one meet didn’t come through like we thought and we have to juggle and re-arrange, and see if that trip is even worth it now that instead of doing three, is it worth it to go over for two because, still, going overseas, you miss a couple days of training, you compete for two meets, it usually takes about a week, but that’s 10 days of training that, if I had just stayed home, that’s a lot of swing in terms of what I am giving up.

“So, there are really a lot of factors. The biggest thing is planning and sticking to that plan, but also remaining flexible in terms of working around the meets. I could also do a one-hour TED Talk, so to say, on how to put together a professional schedule because I feel like that’s a really, really important part of being a professional and performing well, but there’s a lot of factors that come into it at the end of the day.

“My agent gets a little bit frustrated with me at times because he comes through with some good deals that I just can’t sometimes work into my training schedule and my proper preparation for World Champs or Olympics.”

Women’s World Champion Chase Ealey was asked the same question, in advance of both she and Crouser competing in an indoor and an outdoor competition at the forthcoming Drake Relays from 26-29 April:

“That’s really funny that you asked this, I was talking to my coach and my agent today, because official schedules [are now] coming out, of what the meets are and what events are in each meet. And so I really hammered down on what I think my schedule is going to be. I think I’m scheduled right now for 13 meets, I think, including championships and USAs.

“It’s a bit more difficult, kind of gauging where I want to go, now that I am over here [she lives now in England for training purposes], because there are meets I want to do at home, but like you said, it’s a lot of travel, so I have to be careful. So I think my agent and my coach really helped me with that a lot. We try and do things and grab things that might keep me in the same place for a while, so like when I’m going to the U.S., for instance, I kind of want to see if there’s more meets than one within like a week’s span.

“And I try and do that, and it’s kind of about like balancing my energies. So, obviously, there’s going to be a tier system. So Diamond Leagues are going to be at the top of my attention, and then Gold-level meets, and Silver and so on. I think I’d try and go first to where I’m absolutely going to go, which is usually going to be Diamond Leagues, then I try and base it off of the levels, and the timing.”

Obviously, coming back to the U.S. was an attraction for her:

“Drake was one of the meets where there’s multiple meets going on, and one of the big, deciding factors is that my family is from Illinois as well and so they are about five hours away from Des Moines, and so when I talked to my agent – with me living over here – I don’t get to see my people a lot.

“So it was pretty easy to kind of lean more towards going to Drake to start the season so I can see my family. So there’s a lot of different factors that play into it as well now, so most of my U.S. campaign, you’re going to see me do multiple meets, but also kind of, stick around so I can see my family.

“So if I’m going to have to travel that far, when they said there was two meets, I kind of like, that’s even better, because if I can get like all that under my belt, because I like to throw and compete and really feel myself out throughout the season. So, to be able to get two and be in the U.S. for longer, that’s always going to be a plus for me.”

Like most things, it isn’t easy. Crouser was remarkably candid about the timing of training vs. traveling vs. competing, but when you’re obsessed with the major championship of each year, that’s what it takes.

5.
Irvine will build new aquatics center, but not in time for LA28

A new training facility for USA Water Polo has been on the drawing board for years for the Great Park in Irvine, California as part of a larger aquatics center, one of a host of projects that have been delayed for some years.

In March, it appeared that the aquatics center would be built first, but the Irvine City Council, in a 3-2 re-vote, decided to prioritize the “Heart of the Park” programs, which include a “Great Meadow,” an amphitheater, lakes, a botanical garden and other items. A special tax fund was set up for Great Park projects and while the aquatics center will be built, it is now expected to be completed between 2029-32.

The aquatics facility is priced at $80 million, with USA Water Polo contributing $12 million to cover the portion of the project that will used for its training programs.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship ended in Brampton (CAN) the same way as 20 of the 21 prior tournaments: with a Canada vs. U.S. gold-medal final.

Canada came in having won 12 of the 20 and was the two-time defending champions after the American women had reeled off five straight between 2013-19. In the semis, the U.S. clubbed the Czech Republic, 9-1, with Amanda Kessel getting two goals, Hilary Knight scoring twice within 1:35 of each other in the second period and Tessa Janecke scoring twice just 4:21 apart in the third.

Canada out-shot Switzerland by 14-2 in the first period of the second semi, but the game remained scoreless. Sarah Fillier finally put Canada up, 1-0, at 11:06 of the second, and then got a second goal almost six minutes later (37:06) for a 2-0 lead at the second intermission. After a Jamie Lee Rattray goal early in the third period, Fillier got a hat trick with 4:56 to play and a 4-0 lead and it ended at 5-1. The Canadians finished with 59 shots to nine for the Swiss.

Sunday’s championship match was hardly a repeat of the taut, endless shoot-out in the group stage after a 3-3 tie. Canada had a 3-2 lead after two periods, with Brianne Jenner scoring twice in the second period, at 5:03 and 9:39, around a Knight goal for the U.S. The Canadians had a 19-14 edge on shots through two periods.

But the U.S. dominated the third period, with Caroline Harvey tying the game at the 5:40 mark, and Canadian penalties created a 5-on-3 situation with 3:52 remaining in the game. Knight got her second goal at 3:10 to play and then, with a 5-on-4 edge, she scored her third goal of the game with 2:43 left.

That put the U.S. up by 5-3 and Canada removed star keeper Ann-Renee Desbiens for an extra attacker and the Americans took advantage with an empty-net goal by Cayla Barnes with 1:58 left for the 6-3 final. Both teams had eight shots in the period, but the U.S. scored four goals to none for the defending World Champions.

For Knight, the three goals were the 99th, 100th and 101st World Championship points in her career, and as the U.S. won its 10th Worlds gold; she has medals from nine of them!

In the third-place match, the Czech Republic had a 2-1 edge at the end of the first period, but the Swiss tied it in the second period, 2-2, before Denisa Krizova got her second goal of the game at 17:16 of the second period for the 3-2 win and the bronze medal. It’s the second straight year for a bronze for the Czechs.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 1984: Los Angeles ● Sad news that Paul Slaughter, who served as the staff photographer of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for the 1984 Games, has passed away at his home in New Mexico.

He passed away on 6 April after a long illness, according to a message from his wife, Inee, from Santa Fe. Slaughter joined the LAOOC in 1983 and was an accomplished photographer, known especially in the jazz world. His work was heavily included in the LAOOC’s Official Report of the Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad, published in 1985.

● Archery ● A huge field of more than 800 archers gathered for the AAE Arizona Cup, which also doubles as the first stage (of three) in the USA Archery selection process for the 2023 World Archery Championships.

The Worlds selection process concerned only the 72-arrow qualification round at 70 m, led by triple Olympic medalist and 2019 World Champion Brady Ellison at 690 points, followed by Jackson Mirich (668) and Tokyo Olympian Jack Williams (660).

Fellow Tokyo Olympian Casey Kaufhold, the 2021 Worlds silver medalist, led the women’s round at 657 points, with Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez (639) and Catalina GNoriega (639).

In the elimination rounds on Sunday, London 2012 Olympian Jacob Wukie of the U.S., now 36, upset Ellison in the semis, 6-5, but was defeated in the final by rising star Mirich, 22, 6-2. Ellison took the bronze, 6-0, over Gabe Anderson.

Kaufhold stormed through the elimination rounds, winning 6-0, 6-0, 6-0, 7-1, 6-0 in her semi and then 7-3 in the final over Gabrielle Sasai. Mucino-Fernandez won the bronze, 7-3, over Eunice Choi.

● Athletics ● At the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California, Tokyo Olympic runner-up Rai Benjamin of the U.S. grabbed the world lead in the 400 m hurdles, winning in 47.74, the fifth straight year in which he has run under 48 seconds.

Italy’s Emmanuel Ihemeje won the triple jump at 17.47 mw (57-3 3/4w: +2.8 m/s), but also grabbed the world lead at 17.29 m (56-8 3/4 legal).

American Will Williams won the men’s long jump at 8.23 m (27-0), moving to no. 2 on the world outdoor list for 2023, with Kemonie Briggs (USA) just behind at 8.22 m (26-11 3/4). Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna, the Worlds silver winner in 2022 and a soph at Cal, won the men’s discus at 68.35 m (224-3), second only to his world leader of 68.39 m (224-4) earlier this year.

American Vashti Cunningham, the 2016 World Indoor Champion, won the women’s high jump at 1.98 m (6-6) to equal the world outdoor lead, and Canada’s Camryn Rogers, the 2022 Worlds silver winner, improved her world-leading mark to 77.84 m (255-4).

In a widely-anticipated men’s 100 m, Cravont Charleston of the U.S. won in a wind-aided 9.87 m (+3.0 m/s), over Kyree King (9.98) and 400 m World Champion Michael Norman (10.02).

At the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida, Arkansas’ reigning NCAA champ Britton Wilson grabbed the world lead in the women’s 400 m hurdles in 53.23 on Friday, then won the women’s 400 m Saturday in a collegiate record of 49.51. That’s 0.06 faster than Olympic 800 m champ Athing Mu (USA) ran for Texas A&M in 2021. Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke (Texas) was second in a national record of 49.90. Wilson is no. 7 all-time U.S., but has already run 49.48 indoors in 2023!

In the men’s 110 m hurdles, World Champion Grant Holloway of the U.S. won in 13.03, the best in the world so far in 2023.

Texas star Julien Alfred (LCA) took the world lead in the women’s 200 m at 21.91, a national record (wind: +1.8 m/s), while men’s 100 m winner Terrence Jones (BAH-Texas Tech) took the men’s 100 m world lead. Alfred also won the women’s 100 m in a sensational 10.72, but with an aiding wind of +2.4 m/s, just over the allowable limit of 2.0.

World 200 m champ Noah Lyles of the U.S. won his race in 20.16 (-1.2), but Uganda’s Tarsis Orogot – competing for Alabama – won his section in 19.60, which was also wind-aided at +2.9 m/s. Lyles also won his section of the 100 m in 9.95 (+1.6), the earliest he has ever run that fast!

Claire Bryant of Florida was third in the women’s long jump, but took the outdoor world lead with a legal mark of 6.75 m (22-1 3/4), while Thea LaFond (DMA) won the women’s triple jump with an outdoor world leader of 14.13 m (46-4 1/4).

Belgium’s Bashir Abdi won Sunday’s Rotterdam Marathon in a swift 2:03:47 to take the world lead in the event for 2023. It was his second win in the event, and only slightly slower than his European Record of 2:03:36 from 2021. He had to run that fast to beat Timothy Kiplagat (KEN) by three seconds (2:03:50). Tokyo Olympic runner-up Abdi Nageeye (NED) was third in 2:05:32.

Eunice Chumba (BRN) won the women’s race in 2:20:51.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced a 16-month suspension of American high jump star Inika McPherson, after an arbitration hearing. Per the USADA:

“McPherson, 36, tested positive for furosemide as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample collection on June 3, 2022. Furosemide is a Specified Substance in the class of Diuretics and Other Masking Agents and is prohibited at all times …

“McPherson’s violation resulted from her use of another person’s [grandmother’s] prescription furosemide medication under the mistaken belief that it was a permitted anti-inflammatory medication. The independent arbitrator found that McPherson’s reduced degree of fault warranted a reduced sanction of 16 months from the default two-year period of ineligibility.”

Her suspension began on 22 July 2022; she will be eligible once again on 23 November 2023, meaning she could compete in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials for the Paris Games. McPherson was a 2016 Olympian (10th) and made four U.S. Worlds teams, in 2011-13-17-19; she has a best of 1.96 m (6-5) from 2014 and 2017. This is her second doping positive; she was previously suspended for 21 months from July 2014 to April 2016.

Another passing, this time of talented sportswriter John Crumpacker, who enthusiastically covered football and track & field, most memorably for the San Francisco Examiner. He died last week at his home in Bullhead City, Arizona, at age 67, according to a story by his long-time friend Jeff Faraudo on SI.com.

Originally from Southern California, Crumpacker was a Cal alum (‘77) and became a fixture for years at the U.S. nationals, Olympic Trials, the Olympic Games and many more meets. He founded – really – the Miruts Yifter Fan Club in the 1970s and proudly wore the T-shirts he produced for the club members.

He loved track and tried to get to as many meets as possible, sending back reports to the Examiner even when he was not on assignment. The sport needs more reporters like him today.

● Curling ● The Grand Slam of Curling Players Championship in Toronto (CAN) had plenty of drama and upsets in both the men’s and women’s finals.

The men’s tournament saw Swiss Yannick Schwaller’s rink, fresh off its Worlds bronze medal in Ottawa, advance to the final with a 4-1 win over Italian Joel Retornaz’s squad in a repeat of the Worlds bronze-medal match. Canadian Kevin Koe, a two-time World Champion, somehow found three points in the eighth end to pull out a 7-6 semifinal victory over 2023 Worlds silver winner Brad Gushue (CAN).

Schwaller had the best record in the Worlds round-robin, but was tripped up in his semi. In Toronto, he had a 3-1 lead after four ends, but Koe came back with one in the fifth to close to 3-2, then Schwaller scored in the sixth to lead by 4-2. But Koe’s last end magic came through again, with another three points in the eighth for a 6-5 win, his first Grand Slam victory since the 2018 Players Championship!

The superstar Swiss women’s team, skipped by Silvana Tirinzoni and four-time defending World Champions, got to the final by beating Korea’s Eun-ji Gim, 4-2, while Sweden’s Isabella Wrana’s squad took a 7-0 lead and cruised in with a 10-3 victory over Canada’s Kerri Einarson.

In the final, Wrana – skip on the 2017 World Junior Champions – scored three times in the fourth end for a 4-1 lead and twice more in the sixth to go up, 6-2. The Swiss closed to 6-4 in the seventh, and got a point in the eighth, but it ended with a 6-5 upset for the Swedes. It’s the first Grand Slam victory for Wrana’s rink, which had reached the semis twice prior in Grand Slam tournaments this season.

● Cycling ● Sunday saw the 57th Amstel Gold Race for men and another win – his third on the UCI World Tour already this season – for two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia.

The men’s route covered a hilly, 253.6 km from Maastricht to Berg en Terblijt. After a group of 11 riders broke away with 90 km remaining, then Pogacar attacked again and whittled the lead group down to five and finally broke away for good with 28 km to go. He won in 6:02:02, 38 seconds up on Ben Healy (IRL) and 2:14 ahead of Tom Pidcock (GBR), Andreas Kron (DEN) and Andrey Lutsenko (KAZ).

Pogacar won Paris-Nice, was fourth at Milan-Sanremo, third at the E3 Saxo Classic and now has won the Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold; he’ll next try two more Classics this week: La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. He’s amazing.

The ninth women’s edition was 155.8 km from Maastricht to Valkenburg, but was not decided until close to the end. The field was still bunched with home favorite Demi Vollering attacked and held on from about 1.8 km out, winning in 4:06:54. Another 14 riders were within 10 seconds, led by Lotte Kopecky (BEL), Shirin van Anrooij (NED) and Pole Kasia Niewiadoma, all eight seconds behind.

Vollering is also having a big year with two wins (also Dwars Door Vlaanderen) and a second (Tour of Flanders) in her four World Tour races this season.

● Diving ● China underscored its dominance of the sport at the opening World Aquatics World Cup for 2023, in Xi’an (CHN), winning all nine events, usually by wide margins.

Reigning World Champion Zongyuan Wong won the men’s 3 m Springboard final by more than 100 points, 553.15 to 442.95 for Britain’s two-time Olympic medalist, Jack Laugher, and 438.70 for Germany’s Moritz Wesemann. Two-time Worlds medal winner Hao Yang took the 10 m Platform by 574.40 to 518.30 for Ukraine’s Oleksii Sereda, with Japan’s Rikuto Tamai third (433.80).

In the Syncho events, Wang and Daoyi Long (CHN) won the men’s Springboard final with 484.74 points to 414.75 for Laugher and Anthony Harding (GBR); Wesemann and Lars Rudiger (GER) finished third at 389.34. The 2022 World Champions, China’s Junjie Lian and Yang, won the 10 m Platform final, scoring 457.23, with 2022 Worlds runner-ups Matthew Lee and Noah Williams (GBR) second at 418.98.

China went 1-2 in the women’s 3 m Springboard final, with World Champion Yiwen Chen (392.70) an easy winner, ahead of teammate (and Worlds bronze winner) Yani Chang (336.55), with Sayaka Mikami (JPN: 302.30) third. Olympic and World Champion Yuxi Chen won a tight battle with teammate Hongchan Quan in the 10 m Platform, 431.20 to 423.50, with Andrea Spendolini Sirieix (360.30) third.

World Champions Yiwen Chen and Chang overpowered the field in the Springboard Synchro gold at 329.52, with Scarlett Mew Jensen and Yasmin Harper (GBR) second at 281.43. In the Synchro Platform final, it was China’s World Champions, Yuxi Chen and Quan. scoring 373.70 to 310.44 for Britain’s Spendolini Sirieix and Lois Toulson.

China won the Mixed Team event, scoring 469.35 to 425.35 for Germany and 420.15 for Great Britain.

● Figure Skating ● The United States won its fifth ISU World Team Trophy title in Tokyo on Saturday, piling up 120 points to easily skate past Korea (95) and Japan (94).

The eighth edition, in 2023, saw the U.S. get overall wins in Pairs (Worlds runner-ups Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier: 230.12) and Ice Dance (World Champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates: 232.32). Ilia Milanin (279.54) and Jason Brown (279.04) went 2-4 in the men’s Singles and Isabeau Levito (213.87) and Amber Glenn (195.01) finished 3-6 in the women’s Singles.

Korea swept the Singles titles with World Championships runner-up Jun-hwan Cha taking the men’s gold at 289.15, and Worlds silver winner Hae-in Lee winning the women’s division at 215.47 over World Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN: 218.44).

Chock and Bates were on fire, receiving world-best scores on the Rhythm Dance of 92.91 (old best, 93.73, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron [FRA] in 2022) and then 138.41 in the Free Dance, eclipsing the 137.09 by Papadakis and Cizeron last year. The total of 232.32 was more than two points up on the 229.82 for Papadakis and Cizeron at the 2022 Worlds.

The U.S. (5-2-1) and Japan (2-1-5) are the only nations to win a medal in all eight editions of the event.

● Football ● The draw for the 16-team 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup was completed, with the defending champion U.S. to compete with Jamaica, Nicaragua and the winner of a qualifying competition in Group A beginning on 24 June (schedules to come later). The groups:

● A: Jamaica, Nicaragua, United States, qualifying winner 9
● B: Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Qatar
● C: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, qualifying winner 8
● D: Canada, Cuba, Guatemala, qualifying winner 7

Mexico has won the Gold Cup eight times, and the U.S. has won seven. Matches will be held at 13 U.S. venues and in Toronto.

● Gymnastics ● All-Around World Champion Sofia Raffaeli returned to the top of the podium in the All-Around at the Rhythmic World Cup in Tashkent (UZB).

Uzbekistan’s home favorite, Takhmina Ikromova was second, with Germany’s Margaret Kolosov getting her first medal of the season.

Raffaeli went on to sweep the apparatus finals in Hoop, Ball, Clubs and Ribbon, with Kolosov second in Hoop and Ball and third in Ribbon. German teammate Darja Varfolomeev won silvers with Clubs and Ribbon.

● Modern Pentathlon ● The second UIPM World Cup was in Ankara (TUR), with the 2019 World Junior Champion, Egypt’s Mohanad Shaban winning his second career World Cup with 1,527 points, defeating the Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist, Korea’s Woong-tae Jun (1,510), and Egyptian teammate Ahmed Elgendy (1,500).

Shaban’s consistency got him through: he won the fencing, was sixth in swimming, third in riding and started with a 12-second lead over Jun in the Laser Run, Even with the no. 7 time, it was good enough to win. Jun was sturdy – third in fencing, fifth in swimming, fourth in riding, but was only 12th overall in the Laser Run, 4.7 seconds slower than Shaban.

Lithuania’s Ieva Serapinaite won a very narrow women’s contest, 1,386-1,384, over German Rebecca Langrehr. Serapinaite was seventh in fencing, seventh in swimming and won riding, meaning that her 10th-place finish in the Laser Run (12:04.0) was enough to win. Langrehr was fifth in the Laser Run (11:44.90) and won the silver ahead of Mexico’s Mariana Arceo (1,380), who was third in the Laser Run (11:39.50).

● Sailing ● World Sailing made a statement on Friday that following the new IOC recommendations, it is taking up the issue of Russian and Belarusian re-entry:

“Given the broad diversity of sailing and given the strong views held by World Sailing’s Member National Authorities, the Board’s position is that the wider decision on the return to international sailing events will be made in consultation with the World Sailing Council at the Mid-Year Meeting, to be held on 18 May 2023. Following the Council meeting, the Board intend to make a decision, subject to World Sailing’s policies and regulations.”

● Ski Mountaineering ● The final race of the season-ending ISMF World Cup in Tromso (NOR) was the Sprint, with Swiss Arno Lietha winning the men’s division in 2:05.40, ahead of Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain (2:05.67) and Swiss Matteo Favre (2:10.76). It was Lietha’s fifth Sprint win of the season!

The women’s gold went to fellow Swiss and 2023 Worlds silver medalist Marianne Fatton in 2:35.03, beating Emily Harrop (FRA: 2:38.66) and Deborah Chiarello-Marti (SUI: 2:40.21). It was Fatton’s first win of the season and seventh in her career. Harrop’s silver followed her wins in the Vertical and Individual races in Tromso

● Swimming ● American Regan Smith and French star Leon Marchand won four events each to highlight the Tyr Pro Swim Series in Westmont, Illinois that concluded on Saturday.

In fact, the meet had 11 swimmers who were responsible for winning 27 of the 34 events (all from the U.S. unless noted):

Men (6):
● Hunter Armstrong: 100 m Free, 50-100 m Back
● Shaine Casas: 50-100 m Fly
● Nic Fink: 50-100 m Breast
● Bobby Finke: 800-1,500 m Free
● Leon Marchand (FRA): 200 m Breast, 200 m Fly, 200-400 m Medley
● Kieran Smith: 200-400 m Free

Women (5):
● Leah Hayes: 200-400 m Medley
● Lydia Jacoby: 50-100 m Breast
● Leah Smith: 400-800 m Free
● Regan Smith: 100-200 m Back, 100-200 m Fly
● Abbey Weitzeil: 50-100 m Free

Marchand, who trains at Arizona State with legendary coach Bob Bowman, won the NCAA 200-yard Breast and the 200-400 yard Medleys in March and won the 200 m Breaststroke, both medleys and the 200 m Butterfly in Westmont. He claimed world-leading marks in the 200 m Medley at 1:55.68 and at 4:07.90 in the 400 m Medley.

The other men’s world leaders were Armstrong of the U.S. in the 100 m Back (52.59), beating training partner (and Rio 2016 Olympic champ) Ryan Murphy. Hungarian Hubert Kos, who also swims at Arizona State, took the world lead in the 200 m Back at 1:55.95.

No world leaders for the women, but Smith was sensational in the backstrokes, taking the 100 in 57.90, no. 2 in the world for 2023 and the equal-12th performance all-time. She won the 200 m in 2:04.76, the equal-10th fastest performance ever and also no. 2 on the 2023 world list.

U.S. sprint star Weitzeil’s 100 m Free win in 53.36 brought to no. 3 on the 2023 list.

● Table Tennis ● China swept to both the men’s and women’s titles at the WTT Champions tournament in Xinxiang (CHN), with Zhendong Fan and Yingsha Sun coming out in top.

The Tokyo silver medalist, Fan is ranked no. 1 and defeated Korea’s Jong-hoon Lim in a 4-3 thriller in the semis and then steamed past Chinese teammate Jingkun Liang in the final, 4-1. Sun, also ranked no. 1, defended her WTT Champions win from 2022 with a 4-1 win over Chinese teammate Yidi Wang. American entry Lily (Beiwen) Zhang was eliminated in the first round.

● Water Polo ● The U.S. and the Netherlands won their groups in the World Aquatics Women’s World Cup Division I in Rotterdam (NED) and advanced to the World Cup Super Final to be held in June.

The American women, the Tokyo Olympic and 2022 World Champions, suffered a rare loss in their opener against Spain, losing 17-15 in a penalty shoot-out, after a 12-12 tie in regulation. However, Spain then lost to Italy, 13-9, while the U.S. beat China, 12-5, and then got by the Italians, 14-13 in their final match to end at 3-1 and seven points. Italy ended 2-1, with six points, and the Spanish placed their at 2-1, but with a penalty win, for five total points.

The Dutch women had less trouble, winning all three of their games, including the group decider against Hungary (2-1), 12-11. Greece (1-2) finished third.

● Weightlifting ● Another clash between politics and sport came on Saturday at the European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan (ARM), as the Azerbaijani delegation withdrew following an incident during the opening ceremony. Per The Associated Press:

“[A] man ran onto the stage at the competition’s opening ceremony, seized an Azerbaijan flag and set it on fire.

“Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports said the incident Friday night in Yerevan showed that ‘when such an atmosphere of hatred reigns in Armenia, security is not ensured, the normal participation of Azerbaijani athletes in competitions is impossible due to psychological pressure.’”

The flag-stealer was apparently an Armenian public television staff member; he was released by police after questioning. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been arguing over “ethnically Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh within Azerbaijan” and the main access road to it, increasing tensions between the two countries.

The European Weightlifting Federation posted a statement that included:

“The European Weightlifting Federation strongly condemns the incident that happened during the Opening Ceremony of the European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan on April 14, 2023, in which a person set fire to the flag of Azerbaijan …

“We regret the fact that the delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan had to leave the competition, but at the same time respects it. We were directly involved in ensuring all security conditions for the delegation until it left Armenia.”

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TSX REPORT: Civil wars have started or continue in boxing, pentathlon and tennis; WTA caves to China on Peng Shuai

By
Rich Perelman
-

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Civil War I: New World Boxing federation breaks away from IBA
2. Civil War II: Modern pentathletes and UIPM continue tug-of-words
3. Civil War III: Ukrainian tennis players slam WTA’s Simon
4. WTA folds, will hold tournaments in China again
5. French Olympics minister says Paris 2024 budget steady

Internal dissension struck boxing on Thursday as a new International Federation – World Boxing – was formed to challenge the International Boxing Association for control of the sport within the Olympic Movement. The IBA announced a sanctions process to expel the breakaway federations, which includes USA Boxing. In modern pentathlon, UIPM President Klaus Schormann (GER) cited improved harmony within the federation, but a Pentathlon United poll continues to show wide dissatisfaction. And the re-admission of boxing, pentathlon and weightlifting to the LA28 program may also depend on what added sports the Los Angeles organizers are interested in. The Ukrainian players in the Women’s Tennis Association sent an angry message to the WTA leadership, demanding that any Russian or Belarusian athletes playing on the tour renounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the WTA announced it would resume staging tournaments in China as its protests of the treatment of former Chinese doubles star Peng Shuai got nowhere. In Paris, the French Sports and Olympics minister said in a radio interview that the Paris 2024 organizing committee and public construction budgets are on track.

● World Championship: Ice hockey (Canada and U.S. win in women’s quarters) ●
● Panorama: Russia (3: Triathlon OKs Russian re-entry; Int’l Paralympic Committee will make up its own mind; elected FIE chief Usmanov sanctioned by U.S. and Britain) = Ski Mountaineering (Bonnet and Harrop win in World Cup finale) = Swimming (Armstrong and Marchand get world leads at Tyr Pro Swim) ●

1.
Civil War I: New World Boxing federation breaks away from IBA

It’s on now. As described by GB Boxing, the national federation for the sport in Great Britain:

“GB Boxing has welcomed the creation of a new international federation, World Boxing, which aims to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.

“It has been created in response to the persistent issues surrounding Olympic-style boxing’s existing international governing body, whose failure to address the IOC’s longstanding concerns over sporting integrity, governance, transparency and financial management has placed boxing’s future as an Olympic sport in doubt.

“World Boxing will seek recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and plans to work constructively and collaboratively to develop a pathway that will preserve boxing’s ongoing place on the Olympic competition programme.”

The new federation includes representatives from the same countries which have been at odds with the International Boxing Association and its Russian President, Umar Kremlev. The next steps:

“World Boxing will hold its inaugural Congress in November 2023. In the period between the launch of World Boxing and the inaugural Congress it will be led by an interim Executive Board made-up of representatives from boxing organisations in Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sweden and the USA. It will be overseen on a day-to-day basis by Interim Secretary General, Simon Toulson [GBR], who has extensive experience in international sport having previously led the International Canoe Federation (ICF) and the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).”

The new federation is based in Switzerland and unveiled a Web site heavy with governance documents and procedures and is inviting member federations to apply, with the first members to be announced in May.

This success or failure of this effort to displace the International Boxing Association as the international governing body of boxing with regard to the Olympic Games will, inevitably be up to the International Olympic Committee.

Withdrawal of recognition of an existing International Federation can only be done by the IOC Session, which will meet in October in Mumbai (IND).

The IBA, of course, issued a furious statement later in the day, which included the expected sanctions procedures:

“As there is no other reason of establishing a rogue organization, other than to attempt to destroy the integrity of the International Boxing Association[, the] IBA strongly condemns the efforts of individuals to damage the significant strides taken by the IBA over last years to secure boxers’ the best future possible. Ambitions of individuals will never serve as a solid foundation for a successful organisation nor the destructive motives that have led to the creation of this rogue organization.

“Consequences for the following breaches of the IBA Constitution, IBA Membership Policy, IBA Disciplinary and Ethics Code, and Technical and Competition Rules can be found below:

● “Participation in another international boxing association will lead to the exclusion of the National Federation concerned from the IBA membership.

● “Officials of the National Federation joining another international boxing association will be declared non-eligible by the IBA.

● “Officials, Confederations, or National Federations who join another international boxing association will be sanctioned by the [Boxing Independent Integrity Unit] Tribunal.

● “National Federations, their teams, individual Boxers or the Competition Officials participating in the competitions of another international boxing association will be sanctioned by the BIIU Tribunal.”

Just a few hours earlier, the IBA slapped the IOC in the face, posting a statement which demanded that the IOC revoke Paris 2024 qualifying status from the upcoming European Games in Poland in view of the refusal to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate.

The IOC chose this competition as the first European qualifier, while the IBA has adopted rules that allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete without any restrictions at all, far apart from the IOC’s new recommendations requiring neutrality.

The IOC may also announce at its Executive Board meeting in June whether boxing will be part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic program, along with weightlifting and modern pentathlon.

2.
Civil War II: Modern pentathletes and UIPM continue tug-of-words

In an interview with Reuters, Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne President Klaus Schormann (GER) proclaimed that the removal of riding and replacement with obstacle-course racing will assure the sport’s future on the Olympic program for 2028:

“Thanks to the global popularity of shows like SASUKE and Ninja Warrior, we’re giving this consumer group a new reason to engage with the Games while providing networks with a broadcast-friendly format that works well for commercial partners.”

He also said that the divisions within the sport were healing nicely:

“We’re constantly in touch with the athlete community, with the UIPM Athletes Committee involved in all meetings and we talk to athletes on the ground in every competition.

“I can’t summarise the view of every athlete but I feel strongly there’s more harmony now … and that’s because our union has done so much in the past year to answer the concerns of anybody who had doubts about the path we must take.”

Maybe not.

In response, the athlete activist group Pentathlon United conducted a poll from 5-12 April, asking whether they thought the sport would be included at LA28 and whether the current UIPM leadership “are the right people to safeguard the sport for the future.”

There were 198 replies from 18 nations, self-identified as athletes (58.1%), coaches or officials (14.1%) and parents or fans (27.8%). Of the athlete and coach respondents, 70.3% felt it was unlikely that the sport would be re-admitted for 2028 (74.2% overall), and 87.4% had little or no confidence in the current UIPM leadership (89.4% overall).

That’s not a big sample size, but it’s worth remembering that the 115 or so athletes who replied is more than the total quota for an Olympic competition of 72!

Former British pentathlete Olympic Kate Allenby, the Sydney 2000 bronze medalist, explained in an online interview that the Pentathlon United group was formed to give those athletes who were not being listened to a voice:

“Pentathlon United was born out of a lack of representation of the athletes by official athlete bodies. But we don’t have a seat at the table, and we are a vehicle to give a voice to the athletes that feel they can’t speak. …

“The athletes within pentathlon, we know, have been shut down, and so they are not allowed to use their voice. They’re sanctioned, or there’s the threat of sanction, so Pentathlon United is a really important voice because we can speak on their behalf. We have athletes contacting us all the time [about this].”

She further explained that the athlete resistance to removing riding wasn’t simply a reaction to the infamous horse-punching incident at the Tokyo Games, where the horse Saint Boy refused to jump with German pentathlete Annika Schleu aboard and was hit by Schleu’s coach. It had a much longer build-up:

“I think, if you listened to what the athletes wanted, they felt that there was – over the last 20 years – the riding event has been dumbed down and dumbed down and dumbed down, until you have the disaster that was in Tokyo. They feel that the riding hasn’t been addressed, there hasn’t been an attempt at addressing the issues that come through the riding phase – the horse welfare, the athlete safety – and they wanted an effort put in on that side.

“And the reforms that Pentathlon United pushed out are the reforms that the athletes want.”

And as for the UIPM’s insistence that horses cannot be found for the sport, she observed, “They’re not embedded in the [equestrian] community, so they can’t find the horses. … The equine welfare standards in our sport, compared to the FEI, are two different galaxies apart.”

The IOC Executive Board will likely announce in June its recommendation for whether the sport will be included in Los Angeles in 2028. Allenby considered the impact of both options:

“If pentathlon gets in, what does ‘getting in’ mean? Is it secure for LA28, is it secure for Brisbane? What is the security the IOC gives it in the first instance? So that’s a question I’m going to bat straight back.

“If it’s in, then it needs to have ticked all the IOC criteria, to show reduction in cost and complexity, to show accessibility, universality, and those numbers need to be demonstrated by UIPM, and if they’ve done that, then brilliant. … It will be a different sport, it will be different athletes coming into the sport.”

And if modern pentathlon is out of the 2028 Games?

“If the sport’s out, then the big question is – you throw the question back out there – why did you get rid of riding? And what’s happening to the sport now, what’s happening to the leadership, because that will be unsustainable to stay in that position and to have led the sport down this pathway, to a disaster.

“So the question has to be asked, what is modern pentathlon now? And who’s going to run it?”

Observed: The questions surrounding modern pentathlon and the 2028 Los Angeles Games have dimensions outside of whatever reforms the UIPM has made. The forthcoming IOC Executive Board decisions on 2028 will be made in concert with the LA28 organizers, not only on boxing, modern pentathlon and weightlifting, but also on whatever additional sports that LA28 would like to include.

Recognizing the 10,500 athlete limit now in force, by not including modern pentathlon, LA28 would get 72 places back to use – perhaps – for baseball and softball or other sports. Not re-admitting boxing would provide 248 more places. Weightlifting for Paris in 2024 was allocated 120; the three together total 440 athlete quota slots.

IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell (NZL) has been clear that the Pentathlon United voice has been heard and that the lack of unity in modern pentathlon community will be taken into account in the IOC Executive Board’s deliberation on a recommendation for the remainder of the 2028 program. Lamented Allenby:

“We tried and tried to meet with Schormann last year and it just was a sham. And it was so disappointing, because the IOC came out and said, you’ve got to involve these athletes, and they didn’t.”

A third way might be to look to the future beyond 2028. The IOC could fund the UIPM as if it were held in Los Angeles – the amount was $12.98 million for Tokyo, a rounding error for the IOC – and insist that the federation come together and unify for a 2032 slot in Brisbane with new leadership (Schormann has said he will not run for another term, having been the head of the UIPM since 1993). That’s essentially what wrestling did when it was thrown off the program, and weightlifting is undergoing a similar transformation now. It might work for pentathlon, too.

3.
Civil War III: Ukrainian tennis players slam WTA’s Simon

The promised call between the Women’s Tennis Association leadership and Ukrainian players over Russian and Belarusian participation took place last week, with considerable consternation on the part of the players on comments made by chief executive Steve Simon (USA).

The men’s and women’s tennis tours have had the position since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022 that Russian and Belarusian players would be allowed to compete, but as neutral athletes. This has caused well-publicized issues on the women’s tour and the Ukrainian players posted a two-slide statement about last week’s meeting on Twitter on Wednesday, which included:

● “You [WTA] must clearly and unequivocally determine whether his words – ‘players from Russia and Belarus have a right to support the war. It’s their own opinion and they shouldn’t be punished for it” is it WTA policy or is it his personal view and not in line with company policy.”

● “We need a clear and understandable public position of each player from Russia and Belarus regarding the invasion of Ukraine by the armies of Russia and Belarus, regarding the genocide of the Ukrainian people by Russia and Belarus.”

● “Every player from Russia and Belarus who supports the invasion of our country or shares the views of the leadership of his country regarding Ukraine should be suspended from all tournaments in which Ukrainians participate.”

● “Every player from Russia and Belarus who condemns the invasion of Ukraine, the actions of the Russian and Belarusian armies on the territory of Ukraine, and the policy of the state leadership in relation to Ukraine, can continue to compete in all tournaments without exception.”

● “Every player from Russia and Belarus, who for some reason cannot publicly express his attitude to the events in Ukraine or the policies of the leadership of his country, receives a protected ranking and returns to the tour only after the war is completely over.”

● “Your option.”

The statement asks for a reply in five days, which would be next Monday. A later tweet noted a report of a meeting between former Russian tennis star Shamil Tarpischev – an IOC member – and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Tarpischev said:

“Regarding the ATP and WTA tournaments, we do not see any problems.”

4.
WTA folds, will hold tournaments in China again

On Thursday, the WTA issued a statement, capitulating to China on its demands for a direct meeting with China’s former doubles star Peng Shuai and an investigation of her allegations of sexual harassment by a former Vice Premier:

“In 2021, when Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai bravely came forward, the WTA took a stance and suspended its operation of events in China out of concern for her safety and the safety of our players and staff. When we moved forward with this decision, we were not sure if others would join us. We received much praise for our principled stand and believe we sent a powerful message to the world. But praise alone is insufficient to bring about change.

“After 16 months of suspended tennis competition in China and sustained efforts at achieving our original requests, the situation has shown no sign of changing. We have concluded we will never fully secure those goals, and it will be our players and tournaments who ultimately will be paying an extraordinary price for their sacrifices.

“For these reasons, the WTA is lifting its suspension of the operation of tournaments in the People’s Republic of China (‘PRC’) and will resume tournaments in China this September.”

The statement further explained:

“We have not been able to achieve everything we set out for, but we have been in touch with people close to Peng and are assured she is living safely with her family in Beijing. We also have received assurances that WTA players and staff operating in China will be safe and protected while in the country. The WTA takes this commitment seriously and will hold all parties responsible.”

Simon told The Associated Press:

“We’ve got players from over 80 countries, so there’s no shortage of different views of the world and positions on issues and topics we have.

“Through reach-out to us, as well as our reaching out to athletes to find out their positions, the great majority of the athletes were supportive and wanted to see a return back to the region and felt it was time to go back. … There’s certainly some that didn’t agree but the great majority did.”

Simon’s last sentence says a lot.

5.
French Olympics minister says Paris 2024 budget steady

Amelie Oudea-Castera, France’s Minister of Sports and the Olympic Games, appeared on FranceInfo radio on Wednesday and explained that the cost of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is on track.

“There is no slippage,” she said, noting the “Organizing Committee’s budget is 4.4 billion euros, 96% financed exclusively by private funds” and “the budget of [Olympic construction authority] Solideo is 3.8 billion euros.” That’s $4.87 billion and $4.20 billion U.S., or $9.07 billion together.

She added that the original forecasts were changed by a “cost increase of 10% on the budget of the Organizing Committee, including 5% for inflation.”

As for the question of Russian and Belarusian athletes, she re-stated her position, that “Russian athletes who have directly or indirectly supported the war, who are more or less affiliated with the Russian army, will not have their place in the 2024 Games.” She also repeated that while the International Olympic Committee has the last word in the matter, but that French President Emmanuel Macron will inject his own view “in good time, in the last part of the year.”

She explained that in the continuing planning for the Opening Ceremonies on the Seine River, the question of the total number of spectators is not yet set:

“Work is continuing with the police headquarters, the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin, and the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, to properly fix what we are going to do on the part of the high quays, but there will in any case be several hundred thousand people who will be able to benefit from this parade of athletes along the six kilometers of the Seine.”

Oudea-Castera also touched on the complaints about the pricing of Olympic tickets, noting “The Olympic Games are every four years and ours are the standard prices. We don’t ask ourselves these questions when we pay to go see a Madonna show.”

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The favorites advanced through Thursday’s quarterfinals of the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship, being played in Brampton (CAN).

Top-seed Canada had a tough time with Sweden, only winning a 3-2 decision in overtime, with forward Sarah Nurse getting her second goal of the game after 4:26 of extra play, despite out-shooting the Swedes by 54-14!

The U.S. shut out Germany, 3-0, on goals by Amanda Kessel (first period), Hannah Bilka (second) and Abbey Murphy (third). Aerin Frankel got the shutout for the Americans, who piled up a 52-18 edge on shots.

The Czech Republic skated past previously undefeated Finland, 2-1, with Katerina Mrazova getting the game-winner in the second period. The Czechs scored twice in 49 seconds and won despite being out-shot, 42-22. The Swiss hammered Japan, 5-1, in the last quarterfinal, with Rahel Enzler getting two goals.

On Saturday, the U.S. will meet the Czechs in one semifinal, with Canada and Switzerland in the other. The medal matches will be on Sunday.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Russia ● No end to the news on Russian and Belarusian eligibility, with World Triathlon announcing Thursday that its Executive Board “approved its support, in principle, for the IOC’s recommendation” on a return for neutral individual athletes from those countries.

As with most of the other federations, it has no procedures in place for this, so:

“World Triathlon will in consultation with the IOC and ASOIF work towards developing the necessary independent review processes to allow and plan for the return of these individuals to our competitions and events.”

Andrew Parsons (BRA), the President of the International Paralympic Committee told Japan’s Kyodo News:

“Our position on Russia and Belarus hasn’t changed. The IOC issued a recommendation to the international sports organizations, but it doesn’t apply to the Paralympic movement.

“We always like to be aligned and have strong unity in the world of sports, but this is not something that will be more important. More important is that every single sports organization makes the right decision according to its governance structure and engaging in dialogue with its membership.”

The IPC suspended both the Russian and Belarusian national Paralympic committees and any change will require a vote of the IPC General Assembly, later this year.

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, the long-time elected head of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) “stepped away” from that office to try to clear himself from sanctions imposed by the European Union. On Thursday, additional sanctions were added by both Great Britain and the United States.

The British Foreign Office announced sanctions on two Cypriot executives who had been helping Usmanov and others hide assets in complex corporations and trusts, and some holding companies in which Usmanov is believed to have interests.

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions against 25 individuals and 29 companies across 20 countries for their roles in financial networks that support Usmanov and his interests. The nations involved include Armenia, China, Malta, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

● Ski Mountaineering ● The final ISMF World Cup of the season is ongoing in Tromso (NOR), with Swiss star Remi Bonnet and France’s Emily Harrop winning the Vertical races.

Bonnet, the 2023 World Champion in both the Vertical and Individual races, won in Tromso in 21:24.4 over Belgium’s 2023 Worlds silver medalist Maximilien Drion du Chapois (22:31.6) and Paul Verbnjak (AUT: 22:52.4).

Harrop, a two-time Worlds relay gold medalist, won the women’s division in 27:20.3 from Sarah Dreier (AUT: 27:42.9) and Italian Giulia Murada (27:55.6). It was Harrop’s fifth World Cup win this season; Dreier was second just as at the World Championships in this race.

The Individual and Sprint races are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

● Swimming ● Two world-leading marks highlighted the second day of the Tyr Pro Swim Series in Westmont, Illinois.

World-record holder Hunter Armstrong of the U.S. was the convincing winner in the men’s 50 m Backstroke in 24.30, best in the world for 2023. France’s Leon Marchand, who dominated the NCAA Championships, won the men’s 400 m Medley in 4:07.80, also fastest in the world this year.

Tokyo Olympic 100 m Breast gold medalist Lydia Jacoby won a tight race with Rio 2016 Olympic champ Lilly King, 1:06.09 to 1:06.39, with Jacoby moving to no. four on the 2023 world list. Four-time Worlds Backstroke gold medalist Regan Smith took the women’s 100 m Back in 56.92, and Leah Hayes won the women’s 400 m Medley in 4:39.58.

Nic Fink, the 2022 Worlds 50 m Breast winner, took the men’s 100 m Breast (59.95) and Shaine Casas, the reigning U.S. champion, won the men’s 100 m Fly in 51.05.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Russian anger, confusion and reprisals boil over; Asian Games costs now out-of-control in Japan; U.S.’s Ealey chasing records at Drake

By
Rich Perelman
-
The 2022 and 2023 World Athletics women's shot put champion, Chase Ealey of the U.S. (Photo: Diamond League AG)

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Confusion, anger, insults and reprisals from Russia
2. Ukraine’s Gutzeit: “We have not lost yet”
3. Cost causes cancellation of Asian Games Village in Nagoya
4. U.S. women defeat Ireland, 1-0, on Cook’s first international goal
5. Ealey chasing American Indoor Record at Drake Relays

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations to allow – under strict conditions – “neutral” individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete internationally again is creating mounting confusion and anger in Russia. No specifics have been issued and Russian fencers may miss the Sabre Grand Prix in Korea at the end of the month. There’s continuing anger at the IOC, at German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser over possible visa refusals and a ban on 42 retired Canadian Olympians who are demanding the IOC’s February 2022 ban be reinstated. Ukrainian Youth and Sports Minister Vadym Gutzeit says his country will continue to pressure the IOC on keeping Russian and Belarusian athletes out of competitions. In Japan, the cost of hosting the 2026 Asian Games in the Aichi prefecture and Nagoya has skyrocketed by 65%, causing the planned construction of a temporary athlete village to be canceled. The U.S. women footballers defeated Ireland, 1-0, on Tuesday to sweep the two-friendly series, but it was a much more tightly contested match than last Saturday’s 2-0 win for the Americans. The 2022 World Champion in the women’s shot, American Chase Ealey is looking forward to a possible American Record at the end of the month in the mixed-gender competition to be held indoors as part of the Drake Relays. And she’s thinking perhaps about the longest throw in the 21st Century!

● World Championship: Ice Hockey (Canada and U.S. on to playoffs) ●
● Panorama: Anti-Doping (Gabon suspended) = Athletics (3,900 hotel room nights for NVAA Indoor in Albuquerque) = Figure Skating (657,000 watch two-week-old rerun of Worlds!) = Football (Britain & Ireland, Turkey and Italy vie for Euro 24/28) = Swimming (Open water 25 km event out of Worlds for good) ●

1.
Confusion, anger, insults and reprisals from Russia

The International Olympic Committee recommendations to allow individual Russian and Belarusian competitors to re-enter international competition as neutrals under strict conditions has been poorly received in Russia.

Despite a partial lifting of the IOC’s requested ban on Russian and Belarusian participation, the mechanics and impact of the new policies are complex and time-consuming.

It appeared that the first Russian and Belarusian entries under the FIE decision to allow them to compete as neutrals might be the Sabre Grand Prix in Seoul (KOR) from 27-29 April. But maybe not, according to Russian Fencing Federation President Ilgar Mammadov:

“The lists have been sent, they are now being forwarded by the FIE [eligibility] commission to lawyers and cybersecurity specialists, but we have fewer and fewer chances to get to the Grand Prix stage in Seoul, there are practically no more of them, since the competitions start on April 27.

“Apart from that, we don’t even know what conditions will be put forward to us. So in words we were allowed to compete, but according to the documents we are not going anywhere yet. And I talked about this two months ago: not a single specific document, everything is just in words.”

In the meantime, angry statements are being made about everyone who is denying Russia’s free entry, without conditions, back into international sport.

Following German Interior Minister Nancy Faesar’s statement on Monday that “host nations are now powerless” in the question of Russian and Belarusian participation – especially in relation to granting entry visas into their countries – Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marina Zakharova fired back on Wednesday:

“This is yet another encroachment on the independence of sports, on the inadmissibility of political involvement in this sphere, against the backdrop of already total sanctions imposed on the Russian sports sector solely for political reasons. Such statements and actions of Western functionaries contradict the fundamental principles of the Olympic Movement.”

Russian Wrestling Federation head Mikhail Mamiashvili told TASS on Wednesday:

“I am inclined to believe that the IOC is trying to take steps to get Russia and Belarus back to international events, but how that all works out is a different issue. We have repeatedly stated our position on this issue: we cannot give in to demands that force our athletes to sacrifice their dignity.

“However, now we must stop and take a look at where we stand and what we stand for, to outline our priorities.”

And the head of the Russian Cross Country Ski Federation, two-time Olympic relay gold medalist (nine-time World Championships winner) Elena Vyalbe, unloaded on Wednesday. Asked if she is concerned that she may not be accredited by the International Ski & Snowboard Federation to attend competitions, even if Russians are allowed, she snapped back:

“I’m not going to adapt to the international federation and even to the International Olympic Committee.”

As for the IOC and President Thomas Bach (GER):

“Bach has already done so much bad for world sports that it is unlikely that any of the subsequent leaders will be able to surpass him. This sports official is completely dependent on sponsors, and therefore on the United States, which was evident from his very first steps as head of the IOC. I have doubts that he has ever even cracked open the Olympic Charter to read what it says, never mind being guided by this document in his work.”

And of the IOC’s demand for a neutral status for Russian and Belarusian athletes?

“And the guys who are now sitting in the trenches and fighting for us, will not be offended by the fact that we give up and go to the competition with a white rag? It really infuriates me when the same questions are constantly exaggerated. I think I’ve said enough about this. I am against a neutral status and I will convince my athletes that we should not be traitors to the motherland. In this difficult situation, they should not be people who split our country into those who will continue to love it and who will hate it. …

“At the moment, we all need to be patriots of our country more than ever. Like never before. During this competitive season, we very often hear the Russian anthem, which is played at our competitions in honor of the winner. For some reason, I had never listened to it with such enthusiasm before. A year ago, when the anthem was played at the national championship, tears did not well up in my eyes. And now they are. I am sure that all my athletes are well aware of the complexity of the situation. They are also not small children and were not born yesterday.”

In the reprisals department, the Russian Foreign Ministry banned 42 mostly-retired Canadian athletes who signed a petition supporting a ban of Russian athletes from the 2024 Olympic Games. TASS reported that among them are three-time Olympic Ice Dance gold medalist Tessa Virtue, two-time World Pairs Champion Megan Duhamel, four-time Olympic women’s ice hockey gold medalists Haley Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford, Canadian (and American) triple Olympic bobsled gold medalist Kaillie Humphries and numerous other medal winners. According to TASS:

“On March 9, Canadian Olympic athletes signed a joint letter urging the national Olympic organization (the Canadian Olympic Committee) to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes barred from all international tournaments, despite recent recommendations on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).”

The Canadian athlete letter included:

“Refusing their participation in international sport is not simply a matter of denying athletes a choice to compete because of their passport, it is a rejection of an unlawful and inhumane war and a recognition of the role international sports plays in geopolitics.”

World Skate announced that it will follow the IOC’s recommendations on the re-entry of Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals. Of course, it has no procedure in place to do this, and also noted:

“Understanding the need to find a consistent approach across all World Skate disciplines, World Skate is now working to develop the necessary independent review processes to allow and plan a return of these athletes, in consultation with the IOC and [Association of Summer Olympic International Federations] ASOIF.”

2.
Ukraine’s Gutzeit: “We have not lost yet”

“We will have to bring together our federations and our athletes to decide which position to adopt. The decision will be difficult. The [Olympic] Games are the most important moment for every athlete. But the most important thing for us today is our victory in the war. Even if we don’t participate [in 2024], it’s just a competition.”

Vadym Gutzeit, a 1992 Olympic Team fencing gold-medal winner in Sabre, is now the Ukrainian Youth and Sports Minister, who continues to press the International Olympic Committee and the International Federations to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes out of international competitions, now and as long as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues.

He told Agence France Presse on Tuesday:

“It is necessary to continue to put pressure. And maybe the IOC will understand that, while there is a war in Ukraine, it is not the time for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return.

“We hope that the big and strong federations will show solidarity with the Ukrainians, and that they will not allow Russians and Belarusians to participate in international competitions. We have to defend our cause.

“[IOC] President Thomas Bach was in Ukraine, and assured President Volodymyr Zelensky that he will be helping in the future. What has changed?

“Nothing has changed, it has only gotten worse. So many cities have been destroyed, so many people – women, children – have been killed.”

He noted, however, that no decision on specific future actions have been taken: “We are not talking about a boycott now.”

The IOC has recommended that individual Russian and Belarusian athletes – no teams– could return to international competitions with a neutral status, and federations are considering their options. Ukraine and many other European countries have remained strongly against this; the IOC has stated that it has made no decision as yet on whether Russian or Belarusian athletes can participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, saying only that it will decide later.

3.
Cost causes cancellation of Asian Games Village in Nagoya

The heavy cost of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games continues to bedevil major international events in Japan, as the projected expense for the 2026 Asian Games has jumped by 65.3% and caused the cancellation of a proposed Games Village in Nagoya.

The Aichi Prefecture was awarded the Games, to be held primarily in the regional capital of Nagoya, in 2016. The Asahi Shimbun reported in February that the original cost estimate for the event of ¥85 billion (about $638.6 million U.S. today) had ballooned to ¥140.5 billion or about $1.06 billion U.S. now. In the original financial plan, the Aichi and Nagoya governments were to shoulder a cost of ¥60 billion (~$450.4 million), but now it could be much more.

In response, the Japanese organizers are asking the Olympic Council of Asia to reduce the number of sports from the planned 41 down to 32, the same number to be held at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but has met resistance.

The planned to-be-constructed, temporary Athlete’s Village in Nagoya was reported to be downsized from a capacity of 10,000 athletes and officials to 2,000, with most of the entrants to be moved to hotels. Nikkei.com noted last week:

“The athletes’ village was to have been built on the former site of the Nagoya race track to accommodate about 10,000 people, or two-thirds of the athletic delegations. The athletes’ housing facilities would have been temporary, and were set to be disassembled after the games. At a meeting of the Organizing Committee’s directors on Monday, Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura, who chairs the committee, said that construction would be canceled.”

The Olympic Council of Asia will have a say in all of this, of course, but the cost increase is another headache not only for the Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, but also for the Sapporo 2030 Olympic Winter Games project, already increasingly disfavored by the local population. Polls concerning the event have repeatedly noted public disbelief that the event can be staged for the projected cost.

4.
U.S. women defeat Ireland, 1-0, on Cook’s first international goal

In a much tighter contest than last Saturday’s 2-0 victory, the U.S. got a surprise goal in the 43rd minute from defender Alana Cook and held on to beat Ireland for the second straight friendly, 1-0, on Tuesday evening in St. Louis.

The American women started well, with defender Becky Sauerbrunn hitting the crossbar with a header off of a corner, but could not get the ball into the back of the net. Finally, in the 43rd, and off a corner kick, Cook was just inside the midfield line and lofted a seeing-eye cross from 40 yards that sailed over the head of Irish keeper Courtney Brosnan and into the goal for a 1-0 lead. Brosnan got a hand on it, but was unable to swat it away.

Ireland played much more forcefully and kept pressure on the U.S., ending with 48% of possession and had nine shots against American keeper Casey Murphy, vs. 10 for the U.S. Murphy got her 10th career shutout for the U.S., but was busy during six minutes of stoppage time after 90 minutes as the Irish swarmed the U.S. goal.

The U.S. did get good news with the return from injuries of two experienced defenders: Kelley O’Hara, who had not played since mid-2022, and Tierna Davidson, who last appeared for the national team in February 2022. Midfielder Julie Ertz returned in the first Irish friendly and played the entire second half on Tuesday.

U.S. striker Mallory Swanson, 24, had surgery on her left leg on Tuesday to repair her patella tendon injured in the first Ireland friendly last Saturday. She has been the U.S.’s top scorer with seven goals in 2023, but had to be carried off the field near the end of the first half on Saturday.

The first U.S.-Ireland game last Saturday (8th) drew an average audience of 346,000 on TNT at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time.

5.
Ealey chasing American Indoor Record at Drake Relays

The mixed-gender, indoor shot put competition coming up on 26 April at the Drake Fieldhouse will feature both the men’s and women’s 2022 World Champions, Americans Ryan Crouser and Chase Ealey.

Crouser already owns the world shot records – indoor and outdoor – but his massive 23.38 m (76-8 1/2) toss in February in Pocatello, Idaho is not going to be ratified by World Athletics. So he has his motivation to surpass his existing (ratified) indoor mark of 22.82 m (74-10 1/2) indoors from 2021.

Ealey told reporters in an online news conference in late March that she’s looking forward to coming back to the U.S., as she now trains in England. But she also has records on her mind.

Asked about the American Indoor Record she shares with Rio 2016 Olympic champ Michelle Carter at 20.21 m (66-3 3/4) from 2016 (Carter) and 2021 (Ealey), she said she’s after it:

“I think it’s possible. I just threw, like I said, for the first time yesterday since outdoors and it felt really good. So I feel like I am in really good shape. I’m really healthy, the body’s feeling right and I really think I have some long throws in me and I’ve always kind of been an indoor kind of shot putter as well. …

“I think it’s definitely something that could happen. It wasn’t in the plan but it’s definitely a possibility . I said I was going to do it [at February’s World Indoor Tour Gold meet] in Madrid, and I didn’t, so it’s almost like I get that second chance as well.

“So that’s kind of lit a fire under me for sure.”

The Drake Relays program has the mixed-gender indoor event on the 26th and then Ealey will go outdoors to Drake Stadium for the women’s shot competition on the weekend. She’s not just thinking about Carter’s American Record of 20.63 m (67-8 1/4) from 2016, she got her sights set on the 21.24 m best (69-8 1/4) of New Zealand’s two-time Olympic gold medalist Valerie Adams:

“I have said that before: that is one of the stepping stones I would like to achieve is get the ‘clean world record’ first. So, like this season, I think it’s not out of my range. I’ve seen some things in training and stuff that show me I have some far throws in there. But, yeah, that’s definitely one of the stepping stones that I want. And Val knows that I’m coming for her as well.”

Ealey reached 20.51 m (67-3 1/2) in 2022, the no. 2 throw in U.S. history, and she has nine of the top 11 throws all-time by an American. Of course, that’s only no. 49 on the all-time outdoor list, with Russian, East German and other Eastern Europeans ahead of her from 1976-90, who were not subject to today’s drug-testing protocols.

Asked about passing Adams and perhaps claiming the 21st Century best, now 21.46 m (70-5) by Russian Larisa Peleshenko in 2000, she was hardly scared:

“Yeah, that’s really interesting. I like that. I hadn’t even thought about that being a number, but I do like that. …

“I just started rotating in 2019 and I’ve got a lot of technical changes that need to be made and can be made, and I’ve got a lot of upside to make and I’m pretty excited about it. So, I reckon there’s some far throws in my future.”

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The playoff round in the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship will start on Thursday, with Canada and the U.S. looking forward to a possible re-match in the gold-medal final.

The two teams dominated round-robin play in Group A, with the Canadians out-scoring their opponents – except the U.S.– by 14-1 and the U.S. scoring 22 goals to four against Japan, Switzerland and Czechia.

The undefeateds met in their final group game on Monday (10th), with Canada up 2-1 going into the third period. Canada went up 3-1 on an Laura Stacey score at 17:33 of the period, but the Americans stormed back with two extra-attacker goals in the final minute from Hilary Knight (49 seconds left) and Amanda Kessel with four seconds remaining!

The game finally went to a shoot-out that ran on and on for nine rounds, with Briane Jenner and Knight scoring on the first two shots and then 15 straight misses against Canada’s Anne-Renee Desbiens and American keeper Aerin Frankel. Forward Jamie-Lee Rattray scored on the 18th penalty try for the 4-3 Canadian win. Wow.

In the quarterfinals, Canada (4-0) will face Sweden (Group B: 2-2); the U.S. (3-1) will face Germany (B: 3-1); Czechia (1-2 + 1 overtime win) will play Finland (B: 4-0) and Japan (0-3 + 1 overtime loss) and Switzerland (1-3) will face off. The winners will be re-seeded for the semis on Saturday, with the medal matches on Sunday.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Anti-Doping ● The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that the national anti-doping organization in Gabon has been declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code:

“The non-compliance is the result of its failure to implement the 2021 version of the Code fully within its legal system.”

The consequences include:

(1) “Gabon will not be awarded the right to host regional, continental and World Championships, as well as other events organized by Major Event Organizations; until reinstatement.”

(2) “The country’s flag will not be flown at regional, continental and World Championships, and other events organized by Major Event Organizations (including the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) until reinstatement.”

● Athletics ● A report by the Visit Albuquerque tourism bureau stated that the 2023 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships took up 3,900 hotel room nights and created direct spending of $2.3 million.

That’s quite a big higher than the expected 2,700 room nights and $1.6 million in direct spending; no information was offered on the impact of the Mountain West Indoor meet or the USATF Indoor Championships.

● Figure Skating ● Two weeks after the ISU World Figure Skating Championships concluded in Japan, NBC showed a re-run of its highlights program on Sunday (9th) at 3 p.m. Eastern – directly against the final round of The Masters golf tournament – and drew a respectable 657,000 audience.

NBC’s Saturday, 25 March telecast at 8 p.m. Eastern drew an average audience of 1.317 million, meaning the re-run had just about 50% as many viewers. Not bad for two weeks later!

● Football ● The 2028 and 2032 editions of the enormously popular UEFA men’s championship – Euro 2028 and Euro 2032 – have drawn two bidders each.

UEFA announced that a combined bid by Great Britain and Ireland has been submitted for 2024, as well as a bid by Turkey. For 2028, Turkey bid again (it is will to stage either edition), as did Italy.

The next steps are for a staff evaluation of the bid concepts, a report and then a vote by the UEFA Executive Committee in October 2023. England hosted in 1966 and Italy has hosted in 1968 and 1980; Germany will host in 2024.

● Swimming ● SwimSwam.com reported that World Aquatics has permanently dropped the men’s and women’s 25 km event in open-water swimming from its World Aquatics Championship program.

The event, by far the longest on the program, was originally held at the 1991 Worlds and had always been relatively lightly contested, with 13-22 women entered between 2005-22 and from 20-35 men. By comparison, the women’s 10 km open-water – an Olympic event – drew 61 entries in 2022 and the men’s 10 km had 62.

This leaves the 5 km and 10 km distances, but ends the Worlds win streak of Brazil’s amazing Ana Marcela Cunha at four (and five total).

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For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

LANE ONE: New biography of coach John Chaplin shows him a stickler for rules, a coaching savant, and a one-man personal-support army

By
Rich Perelman
-

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

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“One of the coaches that read an early version of this book said you need to explain how you handled us at a meet when we came screaming to you with a protest or a question on procedure, etc.

“So here goes.

“When a coach, the athlete’s manager, or anyone else the athlete has sent, came in to protest, I would first give them my speech: ‘Coach let’s understand the ground rules. I am a cynical, sarcastic, S.O.B. Now that we both know what I am, you don’t have to waste my mine and your time by you telling me that. Then I would say, what is your problem and let’s see if we can fix it.

“Then if things were got to the place where the coach is feeling sorry for him or herself and start talking about fairness, etc., I’d say, Coach ‘if you want love, get a puppy. The puppy will love you when you wife or husband or whoever may not.’ Then I would say, ‘I am here to make sure that the rules are followed, and my decision will be based on the facts, not on emotions.’ If this individual does get or does not like the answer or ruling, I’d suggest the coach or agent or whoever ‘go out and tell your wife or husband or your assistant coaches that I am a S.O.B., but do it quietly so as to not get on YouTube.’”

That’s former Washington State cross country and track & field coach John Chaplin, now 85, exactly as so many people know him. Direct, opinionated and relentlessly expert. In Man of the Oval, a new, 296-page hardcover biography, also available as an e-Book, author Bruce Blizard – himself a former track coach and teacher in eastern Washington – offers a dramatic look at Chaplin’s brilliant career as a coach, educator and track & field administrator.

All the controversies, all the abruptness and the heartwarming stories of how Chaplin supported his – and other – athletes are included. And best of all, mostly in Chaplin’s own words:

“‘If you don’t understand me, the rest is irrelevant,’ Chaplin said. ‘I am not complicated. If I say I will do something, I will do it. If I say I won’t, I won’t. But I’m not closed to reevaluating anything. If you say you can’t do something, I will listen, but if you say I won’t do something, it’s game over. I am a lot of things, but insecure is not one of them.’”

Chaplin’s story is hardly a straight line to success. Stocky, with a powerful, clipped cadence and known for coaching distance runners like Kenyan Henry Rono to greatness, Chaplin was a sprinter. He grew up in Los Angeles and attended Wilson High School, then Pasadena City College and graduated from Washington State with bests of 9.5 for 100 yards, 10.2 for 100 meters, 20.8 for 220 yards and 46.8 for 440 yards. Pretty good for 1963!

He had worked for a time at the now-defunct Los Angeles Examiner newspaper, but eventually ended up back in eastern Washington as the track coach and World Problems teacher at Wapato High School. After three successful years there – 50-4-1 in dual meets – he was thinking seriously of going to law school, but was hired instead as an assistant coach at Oregon State. For those who know him, can you imagine Chaplin as a career litigator in a courtroom? Generations of judges are grateful he stayed with sports.

His old Washington State coach, John Mooberry, hired Chaplin to be the head cross country coach in 1968 and Chaplin took over after Mooberry’s retirement, coaching the Cougars’ track & field team from 1974-94. He had a dual-meet record of 202-15, won the 1977 NCAA men’s Indoor team title and finished second four times at the NCAA Championships, in 1984-85-86-91. His WSU cross country teams were NCAA runner-ups in 1971 and 1975.

Chaplin reached star status thanks to the exploits of his athletes, most notably Rono, who set four world records in 81 days in the spring and summer of 1978, in the 5,000 m, Steeplechase, 10,000 m and 3,000 m. But his Kenyan connection didn’t start there:

“‘In the summer of 1971, I am sitting in my office playing with my paper airplanes with nothing to do,’ Chaplin explained, ‘when two Black gentlemen come into the office. One is a graduate student, and the other is a professor in political science at a small university in the Seattle area. Both gentlemen were from Kenya, and one was Dr. Jonathon Ngeno, who later became the Speaker of the House in Kenya and an advisor to the Kenyan president, Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.’

“Dr. Ngeno told Chaplin he had a younger brother, also named John Ngeno, and his younger brother had a friend, also named John Ngeno. At first, Chaplin was confused, but he became intrigued when Dr. Ngeno told him a little more about the two young Kenyans. John Ngeno no. 1 [later known as Kip] was a 14.2 high hurdler, and John Ngeno no. 2 was a 13:45 5,000-meter runner. And both John Ngenos were looking for a place to go to school in the US. …

“Chaplin discovered later that Dr. Ngeno had also contacted coaches at the University of Illinois, Cal, Washington, ‘and several others,’ he said, ‘but none of them followed up, so I get to look good for a great recruiting job when in truth I did not do much.’”

The distance-running John Ngeno became a star, winning 13 individual NCAA cross country and track titles from 1972-76. That established WSU as a destination for Kenyans; 1968 and 1972 Olympic icon Kip Keino suggested future two-time NCAA 5,000 m champ Joshua Kimeto. Munich ‘72 Olympic Steeple silver medalist Ben Jipcho introduced future 10,000 m world-record holder Samson Kimombwa. Kimeto and Ngeno called Chaplin from the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and turned Chaplin on to Rono, a steepler, who didn’t get to run due to the African boycott of the Games.

When Chaplin saw what Rono could do in workouts against stars Kimeto and Kimombwa:

“I brought Henry into my office and said, ‘Henry, I think that you could be the first man in history to hold the world record in all three Olympic distance races.’”

Rono wasn’t sure, but agreed to try. Chaplin continued, “But I told him first, we would have to look at the schedule … and then work out a program where he’d run a race in preparation, and in the next race, we correct any problems. And then, ‘You run for the record.'”

And that’s what happened. But there were controversies along the way, such as in mid-April of 1978:

“The story goes that Chaplin had Rono back off in the final 600 meters of the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a dual meet against the University of Oregon at venerable Hayward Field in Eugene. Chaplin has since been accused of wanting to deny the knowledgeable and enthusiastic fans in Eugene the satisfaction of seeing the world record set in their stadium. But the truth is either more complicated or more interesting, depending on your point of view. With a lap and a half left in the race, Rono was running close to the steeplechase world record of 8:08.02, held at the time by Anders Garderud of Sweden, but Chaplin believed the water jump pit at Hayward Field was too shallow.

“‘I didn’t want Rono to set the record there and then have it disallowed later,’ he explained, ‘so, I yelled at Henry to slow down.’ Rono did as he was instructed. He still finished in 8:14.75, a new collegiate record, and the fastest time ever on American soil at the time.”

But then Rono was unleashed, setting world marks of 13:08.4 for 5,000 m in a dual meet at California on 8 April, then 8:05.4 for the Steeple at the Northwest Relays in Seattle on 13 May, 27:22.5 for 10,000 m in Vienna, Austria, on 11 June and 7:32.1 for 3,000 m at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway, on 27 June.

Chaplin also noted the cultural differences in dealing with athletes from other countries, including this oft-retold classic:

“’An example comes to mind with John Ngeno,’ he said. ‘It was the second time that Ngeno competed in Modesto at three miles. John wins, and they give him another TV set. That night at the motel, I keep getting calls from the front desk. So finally, at 4:00 a.m., I go down to the office, and I pass a calf tied to a palm tree. The manager says, ‘One of your athletes brought this calf over to the motel and tied it to the palm tree. What are you going to do about it?’ So, a little later, as we are getting ready to go to the airport, I ask, ‘Do any of you know about that calf tied to the tree?’ John says, ‘Yes, Coach, I traded my second TV – one only needs one TV – to a farmer for the calf, and I want to take it back to Pullman.’

“I explain that United Airlines does not have the ability to carry the calf back to Pullman, nor did we have any other method to so do. So, I call Tom Moore, the meet director, and say, ‘Can you pick up this calf that Ngeno traded to a farmer for the TV you gave him for winning the three mile and send it to WSU?’ Tom laughs and says, ‘Yes.’ After talking to Ngeno, I realize that he figured if he could get the calf to Pullman and find a farmer to buy it, he can then take the money back to Kenya and buy himself a few cows with the cash. Rational behavior in a society in which cows are wealth. And just another day in the life of Cougar Track & Field.”

Chaplin finally left coaching in 1994, taking a position with the WSU Provost’s Office. “I stayed with the Provost’s Office and taught classes off and on from the summer of 1994 to the spring of 2002, when I turned 65 and retired from WSU. …

“‘If I had one regret about how the program was treated during my tenure of twenty-seven years at WSU,’ Chaplin said, ‘it was that in all that time, not one athletic director ever came into the track office and asked, ‘How can WSU and I help your program?’ In fact, I don’t remember more than a few times that a WSU AD was ever at a dual meet at Mooberry [Track & Field Complex].’”

But Chaplin did not leave the sport by a long shot. He was deeply involved in the U.S. National Governing Body for track & field, today known as USA Track & Field. He was the head referee for the 1996 Olympic track & field competition in Atlanta and the U.S. head men’s coach for the 2000 Sydney Games. He was the Chair of the USATF International Competition Committee for 24 years and the head of the Men’s Track & Field Committee. He is still sought out for his advice on technical issues and is a fixture at the U.S. nationals.

All of this masks the significant effort Chaplin made to ensure his athletes graduated as well as competed. Many less-famous athletes whose track & field careers were immeasurably helped by Chaplin, also testified in the book on his emphasis on academics, getting a degree and getting a good job.

Long jumper Gerald Edwards’s comments were typical: “He said, ‘Gerald, If I wasn’t on your ass all the time, that means I don’t give a damn. I’m on your ass because I do give a damn.'”

High hurdler Dominique Arnold, the 1996 NCAA champion, came from Compton, California and later set the American Record at 12.90. He said of Chaplin:

“’I came from gang-infested territory,’ Arnold said. ‘And seeing this white guy caring for me was different. We didn’t grow up with white figures caring for you. But he showed me something different. I’d do anything for Chappy. He was everything I wanted in a father that I didn’t have growing up.’”

There’s a lot more in the book, including excellent detail on Chaplin’s coaching and racing methods, his use of surges to break opponents, changing an athlete’s belief system in himself and the balance between aerobic and anaerobic workouts. And all the statistics you could want on the WSU program in a lengthy appendix.

Blizard includes heartwarming testimonials to Chaplin’s support for women’s track & field and the advancement of women in coaching and administration in the sport.

For anyone who saw Chaplin’s amazing teams – who earned 218 NCAA All-American certificates in cross country, indoor and outdoor track – and molding cohesive squads out of Americans, Kenyans, Australians, Chinese, Ivory Coasters, New Zealanders and others, Man of the Oval combines Chaplin’s play-by-play, a coaching classroom and a love letter from his athletes, who helped create an unforgettable character who has, and continues, to shape American track & field.

Rich Perelman
Editor

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Sapporo may opt for 2034 Winter Games; Germany may refuse visas to Russians; Crouser says 24 m (79-2) shot put is possible!

By
Rich Perelman
-
Twice Olympic Shot Champion and World Champion: Ryan Crouser of the U.S. (Photo: Adam Eberhardt for Tracktown USA)

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Sapporo Winter Games bid may be pushed to 2034
2. Salnikov rips IOC restrictions again; Russian divers to try Asia
3. Germany’s Faeser: host nations “are not powerless”
4. Swimming: new world leads in 11 events this past week
5. Crouser thinks a 24 m (78-9) shot put is possible!

Although the pro-2030 Winter Games Mayor of Sapporo wad re-elected on Sunday, the Japanese Olympic Committee will discuss moving its bid focus to 2034 in view of continuing low support in polls about a 2030 Games bid. Russian Swimming Federation head Vladimir Salnikov again slammed the International Olympic Committee’s restrictions on Russian participation, calling it a “crisis of tje Olympic Movement” and predicting his swimmers will not compete internationally this year. Other Russian sports leaders were also dubious on the prospects for 2022. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said it would look at refusing visas to Russian and Belarusian athletes re-admitted under the IOC’s new regulations, to events being held in Germany. A statement against the IOC’s scheme was posted by European fencers, which said that allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes back into competition “makes the previously noble sport of fencing morally inferior.” In swimming, a torrent of national championships over the past week has created world-leading performances in 11 events, four by Japanese swimmers and three by British athletes. Several star U.S. swimmers are slated to compete this week in the Tyr Pro Swim Series meet in Westmont, Illinois that starts on Wednesday. American shot put superstar Ryan Crouser will compete twice in Des Moines, Iowa at the end of the month, including in a specially-staged, mixed-gender indoor event aimed at another world record at the 113th Drake Relays. Asked how far the shot record might go, he thought that 24 m (79-2) was possible!

● Panorama: USOPC (Team USA Community Champions announced) ●
● Errata ● Some readers saw an errant headline in yesterday’s post on FIFA’s suspension of financial support to the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). The headline indicated that FIFA had stopped financial support to itself! Nope. Thanks to reader Paul Roberts for the sharp eyes! ●

1.
Sapporo Winter Games bid may be pushed to 2034

The International Olympic Committee’s hosting options for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games are getting more complicated by the day. On Sunday, voters in Sapporo, Japan, re-elected Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto for a third term.

Akimoto, 67, has been in favor of the Winter Games returning to Sapporo, which hosted in 1972. He received 56% of the vote and told the Asahi Shimbun:

“We will once again present citizens our plan to host a clean Games in Sapporo and will continue the discussion. Eventually, we would like to proceed [with our plan] after confirming the opinions of citizens.”

That sounds like a referendum on the Games might be coming, but the city’s assembly rejected a vote in June of 2022. Since then, interest in the Games has fallen, thanks to continuing revelations of sponsorship and bid-rigging scandals related to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and in December, Akimoto said:

“In the future we will conduct a survey of the pros and cons, not only in Hokkaido but also nationwide. We will respect the will of the people.”

An election exit poll in Sapporo by the Jiji Press showed 53% opposed the Winter Games bid, with just 27% in favor and 20% unsure or refused to answer. Even among those who voted for Akimoto, only 41% were in favor, with 31% opposed.

Also re-elected was Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki, also in favor of a second Sapporo Winter Games.

On Monday, however Japan Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita – the heavyweight judo gold medalist at Los Angeles in 1984 – said that a delay might be best, with a bid for 2034 perhaps a better target. Kyodo News reported that Yamashita was concerned about the election, which “made it clear that many local residents are concerned and anxious. It’s hard to go ahead with the original bid plan without gaining people’s understanding.

“We have to do things carefully. Otherwise, we can’t move forward.”

Yamashita said that discussions with Sapporo will begin soon.

If Sapporo punts on 2030, it leaves the IOC with no committed candidates for 2030, with Salt Lake City preferring 2034, Sapporo not sure, Vancouver without provincial support and possible candidatures from Sweden and Switzerland, both in the study stage. The decision on the 2030 host is now expected in 2024.

2.
Salnikov rips IOC restrictions again; Russian divers to try Asia

The drumbeat of anger against any restrictions on Russia – regardless of what is happening in Ukraine – continues, once again from Russian Swimming Federation (and four-time Olympic gold medalist) Vladimir Salnikov. He said on Monday:

“We are witnessing a crisis of the Olympic Movement, we can’t go any further. Everything is written in the Olympic Charter, it speaks about uniting everyone in the name of peace, about the unacceptability of any discrimination. What we see now is a perversion of all the fundamental principles: everyone is equal, but we are ‘more equal.’

“Political decisions are at the forefront, now there is blackmail by the leaders of countries and governments. It makes sense to gather the international sports community and ask whether sport remains a factor of unification, or it will just disappear and everyone will do something in their own corners.”

As for Russian swimmers, he added:

“The decision rests with the World Aquatics Bureau, in July. It will be based either on the decision of the International Olympic Committee – which postponed the very fact of the possibility of participation in the Olympics for a longer period – or on the report of the [World Aquatics] commission. So until the end of the year, I think, through World Aquatics, we won’t participate anywhere.”

Also concerned was Russian wrestling chief Mikhail Mamiashvili, waiting for details from the review committee set up by United World Wrestling:

“The commission, represented by the members of the governing body of UWW, is determined to simplify the issue of admission of our athletes as much as possible. However, in its decisions, I think it will be guided by the main position of the IOC. But if this is a position in which athletes will have to sacrifice their civic honor, it will be unacceptable for us.”

“If we talk about our youth under 15 and 17 years old, who were allowed to participate in tournaments, then we are still in coordination of their performances with the UWW; we need to understand the details in order to build the preparation of the team.”

The situation is also grim for 2023 in diving, according to Russian Diving Federation President Stanislav Druzhinin:

“[W]e understood that it was unlikely that we would get to the World Championships in Japan, because even if we were allowed, we would have faced problems getting visas.

“This year, we have one more qualifying competition, the European Games in Poland, and we’re going to miss that as well. But we have a chance to qualify for the Olympics next year if we make it to the World Championships in Qatar in February. We really expect to compete in that tournament.”

Of course, there is also the possibility of competing in the Asian Games in China in September:

“We are negotiating with the Asian side, in particular with China, we will look for an opportunity to participate in their competitions. I personally plan to go to China in May, I will talk about the participation of their athletes in our competitions and our athletes in their competitions.”

3.
Germany’s Faeser: host nations “are not powerless”

The German Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, said Monday that Russian and Belarusian athletes may be prevented from competing in events in Germany, regardless of what the International Olympic Committee says.

She told the Funke media group:

“Countries in which major sporting events take place are not powerless. We can influence through the visa departments whether Russians actually participate.

“If we organize international competitions in Germany, then we can act accordingly. We will always act with a clear stance here.

“Offering the warmonger Putin a propaganda stage would betray all values of the sport. It is completely unacceptable for Ukrainian athletes to face athletes competing for a country that is killing so many civilians in Ukraine.”

She also noted that she was not in favor of a boycott at Paris 2024, explaining, “[W]e will harm our own athletes, who have been preparing for this goal for a long time.”

Also protesting the IOC’s new policy to allow individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals were athletes of the European Fencing Confederation, which posted a statement on the Eurofencing.info site that included:

“We, as elite fencers, part of the European Fencing Confederation would like to share our disappointment by the recent decision of the International Olympic Committee to recommend the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals to international fencing competitions.

“Ideally, sports should be free from politics and conflict. However, given the well known function of elite sports as a tool of domestic propaganda in Russia, it makes absolutely no difference whether a Russian or Belarusian fencer participates under the term ‘neutral athlete’. Especially in fencing, as everyone knows, it is impossible to separate a fencer from their country of representation on the international level. …

“[A]s an indirect consequence of IOC’s decision several nationalities will not be able to participate in the World Cup competitions due to their state-mandated boycotts. Especially at the beginning of the Olympic qualifier year, this could very well mean the end of a fencer’s career. Allowing such makes the previously noble sport of fencing morally inferior, with long-lasting negative impact to the image of our dear sport.”

This follows a 28 March petition signed by 323 fencers, asking the IOC and the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to continue barring Russian and Belarusian fencers, insisting that the new policies “would be a catastrophic error.”

4.
Swimming: new world leads in 11 events this past week

A heavy schedule of national championships and selection meets has rewritten the world lists in swimming, with new world leaders in 11 events across the past week. At the top now:

Men (8):
● 50 m Free: 21.71, Ben Proud (GBR)
● 100 m Free: 47.61, David Popovici (ROU)
● 200 m Free: 1:44.83, Matthew Richards (GBR) ~ no. 18 all-time
● 800 m Free: 7:47,81, Daniel Jervis (GBR)
● 100 m Breast: 58.41, Ilya Shymanovich (BLR)
● 200 m Fly: 1:53.34, Tomoru Honda (JPN)
● 200 m Medley: 1:56.62, Daiya Seto (JPN)
● 400 m Medley: 4:07.91, Seto

Women (3):
● 100 m Free: 53.10, Marrit Steenbergen (NED)
● 100 m Breast: 1:05.89, Reona Aoki (JPN)
● 200 m Breast: 2:22.21, Tes Schouten (NED)

This does not include the sensational Canadian National Championships at the end of March, highlighted by Summer McIntosh’s world records in the 400 m Free (3:56.08) and 400 m Medley (4:25.87).

Some of the top U.S. swimmers will be back in the pool this week for the Tyr Pro Swim Series stop in Westmont, Illinois. Olympic stars Bobby Finke, Lilly King, Katie Ledecky and Ryan Murphy are all entered, with Wednesday’s finals streamed on the USA Swimming site, Thursday and Friday on Peacock and Saturday’s finals shown delayed on CNBC.

5.
Crouser thinks a 24 m (78-9) shot put is possible!

U.S. shot put superstar Ryan Crouser already owns the world record at 23.37 m (76-8 1/4) outdoors and 22.82 m (74-10 1/2) indoors, both from 2021. But he will be trying to extend those marks at a special, free competition on 26 April in Des Monies, Iowa, attached to the 113th Drake Relays.

Crouser will be part of a mixed-team, best-combined-distances event at the Drake Fieldhouse in advance of looking for his fifth straight Drake Relays title on the weekend. NBC Sports reported Monday that his 23.38 m (76-8 1/2) record mark in Pocatello, Idaho on 18 February of this year will not be ratified because the facility was not certified to be rules-compliant and a survey done afterwards showed unspecified issues. But Crouser thinks there are even further throws to come.

During an online news conference to promote the events, Crouser explained the development of his new technique, which he calls the “step-across,” but has been dubbed the “Crouser Slide”:

“I’m still working on it. I saw a really, really good spread the past two weeks in training, so it has me excited for it because I think to throw a truly huge throw, I can throw farther with the step-across – or the Slide – than I can from the static. So that has me really, really excited that if I can find that 60-75 cm spread that I’ve been seeing in training – from a static to the Slide – then if I can add 75 cm onto 23.38 that would be absolutely mind-blowing.”

That would be 24.13 m or 79-2! Asked whether a 25 m throw (82-0) is possible, he said:

“It’s really hard to put a cap on it. I think that 25 is just an absolutely insane number. Even 24 is an absolutely insane number. It’s tough to really say, simply because I have an idea of where I’m at, and the thing that makes it so difficult is, unlike the vertical jumps – the pole vault, high jump – where you kind of choose where you’re at, you’re constantly seeking that one, massive outlier.

“And I kind of look at the distances that I can hopefully be consistent at, and then every once in a while, you’ll throw a throw that’s 50-60 cm farther, kind of you’ll have a big outlier. So, you’re always chasing that one monster throw, that one massive outlier. So it’s hard to really put a top on it because if I can bump that consistency up and be consistent at my PR, then hope to chase that giant monster throw that’s kind of always lurking in the shadows, is that kind of keeps you going down the rabbit hole. …

“I do believe 24 meters is possible. I don’t know if 25 is. When you start adding a meter on to at that distance, it just becomes kind of an astronomical, the odds of it happening just get so much slimmer and slimmer. But down the road, you’re going to have somebody who’s bigger, faster, stronger, more athletic than I am. That’s just how the numbers go. I don’t know if it’s meant for me to do it, but I don’t want to say it’s impossible because, shoot, the athletes nowadays there are so many people that eventually somebody is going to come along that’s bigger, faster, stronger, better technically than I am, than the world has ever seen.

“If anybody throws 25 meters, I’d love to be there to see it.”

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● The USOPC announced four winners of its Team USA Community Champions for 2022, with each to receive $12,500 grants, with another $12,500 to go to a charity of their choice. Presented in association with Comcast, the winners were chosen from among 22 finalists, chosen from nearly 100 applicants:

● Mary Cain, one of the greatest high school distance runners ever and now moving into triathlon. She founded Atalanta NYC, “a New York City-based nonprofit that employs and supports professional female runners so they can achieve their highest athletic goals while building their career skills.”

● Kelsey Dickinson of the Women Ski Coaches Association, working to advance women in ski coaching. Dickinson is a biathlete and is a Gender Equity Ambassador for the International Biathlon Union.

● Tyler Merren of the U.S. Goalball National Team, volunteers with the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, with more than 20 years of service.

● Billy Mills is one of America’s most memorable Olympians, winning the men’s 10,000 m at the 1964 Tokyo Games in a huge upset that is well remembered to this day. He “co-founded Running Strong for American Indian Youth to meet the critical needs of Native communities, foster cultural identity development and support Native youth in pursuit of their dreams.”

This is the second edition of the awards, originated in 2021 as the Team USA Service & Hope Award. Applications for the 2023 Awards are being accepted through 17 April.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: IOC says it will support Ukrainian athletes vs. Russians; new Olympic walk event; $200,000 torch highlights new auction

By
Rich Perelman
-
Amazing 1896 bust of Nike presented to non-American winners at the first modern Olympic Games. Now on auction, this one was won by American Ellery Clark (Photo: Ingrid O'Neil Auctions)

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. IOC pledges aid for Ukrainian athletes kept from competing
2. World Athletics announced new Olympic walk event
3. Indonesia loses FIFA Forward funding as U-20 World Cup removed
4. UCI’s 2022 economic impact: $43 million for road and track
5. Massive, 516-lot memorabilia auction includes $200,000 torch!

With the Ukrainian government forbidding its athletes to compete against Russians and Belarusians, the International Olympic Committee announced that it would support Ukrainian athletes who do want to compete, setting up a potential showdown that could have long-term implications. World Athletics revealed its format for the promised mixed-team walking event in Paris, a 42.2 km “marathon” relay with one man and one woman contesting two, non-consecutive legs each. After trying to remove Israel from the FIFA U-20 men’s World Cup, Indonesia saw the event removed by FIFA and now has lost its FIFA Forward development funding, for an undetermined period. The Union Cycliste Internationale published an independent report that showed an economic impact of about $43 million for its World road and track-cycling championships in 2022. This is an important marker ahead of the first UCI World Championships in Glasgow this year, with 13 disciplines and an expected $83.2 million economic impact. A new Olympic memorabilia auction includes one of only 33 Olympic torches used for the 1968 Grenoble Winter Games, with an opening bid of $200,000!

● World Championships: Curling (Scotland wins men’s Worlds) = Ice Hockey (Canada & U.S. unbeaten in women’s Worlds) ●
● Panorama: Athletics (4: Richardson 10.57w!; Hobbs 10.87 world leader; Jeruto suspended for doping; switching bibs gets six-month ban) = Badminton (USA’s Zhang reached Orleans Masters final) = Cycling (2: van der Poel, Julian win Paris-Roubaix; Vingegaard wins in Spain) = Equestrian (Bredow-Werndl, von Eckermann take World Cup Finals) = Football (U.S. women shut down Ireland, 2-0) = Golf (Rahm wins Masters) = Rugby (Kiwis win again in men’s Sevens) = Sailing (familiar winners at Trofeo Princesa Sofia) ●

1.
IOC pledges aid for Ukrainian athletes kept from competing

The Ukrainian government’s stated position that its athletes should not compete against Russians or Belarusians in view of the new International Olympic Committee recommendations in favor of “neutral” athletes could lead to the IOC funding Ukrainian competitors.

The IOC dealt with this issue in its latest update to its “Q&A regarding the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in international competitions,” which was revised last week to include:

● “If implemented, such a decision would … hurt only the Ukrainian athlete community and the National Sports Federations, and in no way impact the war that the world wants to stop, and that the IOC has so vehemently condemned. The IOC has always maintained that it is not up to governments to decide which athletes can participate in which international competitions.”

● “Therefore, if this was implemented, the athletes who want to compete and would lose the support of their National Sports Federation and their National Olympic Committee because of government interference, could count on the direct support of the Olympic Movement’s Solidarity Fund for the Olympic community of Ukraine and the athletes’ support programmes of the IOC.”

Observed: This places the IOC in the astonishing position of potentially paying Ukrainian athletes to compete against Russians and Belarusians in international competitions where international federations allow them to enter as neutrals, against the wishes of the Ukrainian government.

As has now been set in stone by President Thomas Bach (GER):

“The IOC has always maintained that it is not up to governments to decide which athletes can participate in which international competitions.”

Although there is no immediate threat of changes, this position will inevitably come to the attention of governments who fund athletes, coaches, national federations and National Olympic Committees that since they have no say in what their athletes do – according to the IOC – perhaps the IOC should fund them.

There is only one National Olympic Committee in the world – the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee – which does not receive direct government support, if not for its own operations, for the funding of elite athlete development, competitions, coaching, travel and so on. If the Russian invasion of Ukraine becomes a catalyst for governments to dedicate funding only to grass-roots and community sport and leave elite competition to the IOC, it could radically change the nature of international sport just as much as the IOC fears over government interference in who competes where and when.

It’s not happening yet. Yet.

In the meantime, the head of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, Irina Viner, told Russian Channel One that their participation at Paris in 2024 is unlikely:

“The fact is that I don’t believe that [our athletes] will compete in these sports at the Olympic Games in Paris. I know that fencing was given permission, but immediately Germany canceled [their World Cup] competition. There was a complete rift in boxing, too.

“I think that the IOC strives to ensure that there are no restrictions, that gymnasts and other athletes speak for themselves. But I think such conditions will be set that they will not be able to perform.”

She is, however, in favor of having Russians compete as neutrals:

“We have already performed under a neutral flag. I think we need to perform anyway. The theory is dry, my friend, and the tree of life is luxuriantly green. Athletes should perform in any case, we will still work, everything is fine with us.”

2.
World Athletics announced new Olympic walk event

The race walking community has been in turmoil with massive changes to the discipline’s events, with the 50 km walk reduced to 35 km for both men and women and the men’s 50 km walk removed from the Olympic program after being first contested in 1932 (but not held in 1976).

The International Olympic Committee and World Athletics agreed to remove the 35/50 km walks altogether from the Paris 2024 program in favor of a new, mixed-team event that the IOC favors. The details were announced on Saturday:

“The Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay will feature 25 teams, each comprising one male and one female athlete, who will complete the marathon distance (42.195km) in four legs of approximately equal distance.

“Each athlete will complete two legs of just over 10km each, alternating male, female, male, female.

“The marathon distance was selected because of its existing popularity in athletics and link to the traditions of the Olympic Games.”

This is an unusual format for track & field – with athletes coming back into a relay after already competing on once leg – but is well known in winter sports. The Single Mixed Relay in biathlon uses the same format, alternating one man and one woman across four legs.

The Paris 2024 schedule has the men’s and women’s 20 km walks on 1 August and the mixed relay on 7 August in order to allow adequate rest.

3.
Indonesia loses FIFA Forward funding as U-20 World Cup removed

The demand by Indonesia regional political leaders that Israel not compete in the FIFA U-20 World Cup cost the country the hosting rights to the event last week, and was a direct breach of the agreement with the federation to place the event in Indonesia.

FIFA announced late last week that the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) was also “provisionally recommended a restriction on the use of FIFA Forward funds until further notice.”

Indonesia was already recovering from the 1 October 2022 riot and resulting crowd crush at Kanjuruhan Stadium following a club match that ended up with 135 dead and 583 injured, the worst fan disaster in the history of Asian football.

PSSI President Erick Thohir presented FIFA with a strategic plan for Indonesian football, and a commitment of the government to further fund more football fields in the country. The plan will be reviewed before the development-funding sanctions are lifted.

The Argentine Football Federation has proposed to host the FIFA men’s U-20 World Cup instead, and on the same dates, beginning in May.

4.
UCI’s 2022 economic impact: $43 million for road and track

While the Union Cycliste Internationale staged 93 events in 22 countries last year, it chose to have Ernst & Young compile economic impact studies on only the two largest: its Road championships in Australia and its Track Worlds in France. The UCI Events Economic Impact Report for 2022 demonstrated the popularity of both.

The week-long UCI Road Worlds in Wollongong attracted unique 96,000 spectators, but most importantly, an estimated 40,500 from outside the area, who stayed an average of five nights and spent an average of €140, or €28.350 million (about $31.170 million U.S.).

The event had a total attendance of 236,000 — from those 96,000 uniques – with 58% of the attendance coming from the local community, 37% from elsewhere in Australia and 5% from visitors from other countries. That’s 95% from the host nation. Visitor spending was mostly concentrated on accommodations, food and drink and transportation

The event, in total, created a Gross Value Added of €35.60 million, or about $39.14 million U.S. Some 82% of this was directly due to visitor spending.

The UCI Track Cycling Worlds, at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome was a much smaller event, over five days, with 10,600 unique spectators and 17,000 total. Of these, 4,000 or 39% were from outside the local area and spent €3.7 million (about $4.1 million U.S.) About 9% of spectators were from outside France.

The Gross Value Added was €3.5 million (about $3.9 million U.S.).

The total is then €39.1 million (about $43.0 million U.S.) for these two events alone. It will be fascinating to compare this impact with the massive, new UCI World Championships in Glasgow (SCO), an 11-day event from 3-13 August. It will include road, track, BMX, freestyle, mountain biking, trials, gran fondo and para-cycling across 13 specific World Championships!

Some 8,000 cyclists are expected to enter, with an economic impact estimated at £67 million, or about $83.2 million U.S. If successful, it’s expected to be repeated in 2027.

5.
Massive, 516-lot memorabilia auction includes $200,000 torch!

A rare Olympic Torch from the 1968 Grenoble Winter Games, one of just 33 produced, highlights the Ingrid O’Neil auction no. 94, open now through 22 April.

Some 5,000 torchbearers were part of the Grenoble 1968 torch relay, sharing the 33 torches, and now one is available, with an opening bid of $200,000! Yowsah!

The auction includes plenty of medals (43) and torches (35), but also a remarkable victory statue from the 1896 Athens Games. That’s right: a victory statue!

It’s a 9 1/2-inch bust of the Greek goddess of victory – Nike – of which 21 were made by sculptor Georgios Vroutos to be given to non-Greek winners. Only one other is known to exist and is in the National Museum in Athens. The statue up for auction was given to American Ellery Clark, who won both the high jump and long jump and was inscribed to “E.H. Clarc.” The opening bid is set at $95,000.

There are 22 more items with starting bids of $10,000 or more:

● $65,000: 1992 Albertville Winter torch
● $50,000: 1956 Melbourne IOC President’s badge
● $35,000: 1994 Lillehammer torch
● $28,000: 1964 Tokyo torch
● $20,000: 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter gold medal
● $20,000: 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter torch
● $20,000: 2016 Rio gold medal
● $19,000: 2016 Rio silver medal
● $18,000: 1932 Lake Placid Winter bronze medal
● $18,000: 2002 Salt Lake City Winter bronze medal
● $18,000: 2016 Rio bronze medal
● $15,000: 1928 St. Moritz Winter silver medal
● $15,000: 1964 Tokyo torch
● $15,000: 1968 Grenoble Winter gold medal
● $15,000: 1994 Lillehammer Winter silver medal
● $14,000: 1976 Innsbruck Winter gold medal
● $14,000: 1988 Calgary Winter silver medal
● $12,000: 1924 Chamonix Winter bronze medal
● $12,000: 1952 Oslo Winter bronze medal
● $12,000: 1960 Squaw Valley Winter bronze medal
● $12,000: 1964 Innsbruck Winter gold medal
● $12,000: 1984 Los Angeles gold medal

The 1956 Melbourne Games badge for the International Olympic Committee President – American Avery Brundage at the time – is noted as “Of utmost rarity, the only IOC badge from Melbourne available to collectors.”

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Curling ● The WCF men’s World Championship in Ottawa (CAN) was historic, with Scotland winning its first men’s gold since 2009 and skip Bruce Mouat his first in four tries.

Switzerland, with Yannick Schwaller as skip, was tops in round-robin play, compiling an 11-1 record, followed by Beijing 2022 Olympic runner-up Scotland and Norway (Magnus Ramsfjell) at 10-2. The U.S., with 2018 Olympic gold medalist John Shuster as skip, finished 5-7 and did not advance to the playoffs.

In the qualification matches to the semifinals, 2006 Olympic winner Brad Gushue and Canada ushered Sweden and six-time World Champion Niklas Edin out of the tournament with a 9-1 victory. Italy, with 2022 Worlds bronze medalist Joel Retornaz as skip, defeated Norway, 8-4.

On Sunday, Gushue’s rink broke a 3-3 tie with two points in the seventh end and then had to score in the 10th to eliminate the Swiss, 7-5. Mouat and Scotland overcame an early 4-2 deficit, scoring two points in the fifth, seventh and ninth ends to lead 8-6, only to be tied by Retornaz and Italy in the 10th. It took a point in the 11th for the Scots to advance to the championship match, 9-8.

The final was no contest, as Mouat’s Scots took leads of 4-0 and 6-1 in the way to a 9-3 win and Scotland’s fifth title and first since 2009. Mouat skipped his team to a Worlds bronze in 2018, a silver in 2021, the Olympic silver in 2022 and now the 2023 Worlds gold. Grant Hardie (third), Bobby Lammie (second) and Hammy McMillan Jr. (lead) were with Mouat for all four of these medal performances.

Gushue was in his fourth Worlds championship final and now 1-3, winning in 2017, but losing to Sweden’s Edin twice and now Mouat.

The Swiss scored in four straight ends to roll up a 8-0 lead on Italy and won the bronze medal, 11-3. It’s the fifth bronze for Switzerland since 2014.

● Ice Hockey ● The 25th IIHF women’s World Championship continues in Brampton (CAN) with pool play that will conclude on Tuesday and Canada and the U.S. rolling toward a showdown on Monday.

Two-time defending champion Canada sailed to its third win by defeating Japan on Saturday, 5-0, as forward Sarah Fillier got two goals. The Canadians have outscored their first three foes by 14-1.

The American women fell behind the Czech Republic, 2-1, in the first period, then got a goal from Hayley Scamurra to tie it with 3:49 left in the period. Then came more goals, with Lacey Eden and Tessa Janecke scoring for a 4-2 lead at the end of the second period, and Hilary Knight and Abby Roque both scoring in the first eight minutes of the third for a 6-2 lead and that’s how it ended. The U.S. has outscored its three foes, 22-4, and will play Canada for the top spot in the group on Monday.

Playoffs will begin on the 13th with quarterfinals, followed by semis on the 15th and the finals on the 16th.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Athletics ● It was windy, but it was really fast, as Sha’Carri Richardson won the women’s 100 m at the Miramar Invitational in Florida on Saturday in 10.57 (!!!) with an aiding wind of 4.1 m/s.

Adjusting for wind, the 10.57w is worth +0.21 over a 0.0 reading (so, 10.78 at 0.0) or +0.10 over a 2.0 m/s reading, so 10.67! It’s the third-fastest time (all-conditions)  in history, behind the wind-legal marks by Florence Griffith-Joyner (10.49 ‘88) and Elaine Thompson-Herah (10.54 ‘21).

Richardson ran away from TeeTee Terry (10.83w), and Natasha Morrison (11.05w) in race two; Cambrea Sturgis won race one in 10.98w (+3.2).

Richardson won heat three in 10.75w (+2.8), with Terry winning heat one in 10.89w (+4.5). Wow.

U.S. women’s 200 m champ Abby Steiner claimed the world lead in 2023, winning in 22.23 (+1.8), beating Tamari Davis (22.31), a lifetime best. Shamier Little impressed in the 400 m, with the no. 2 mark in 2023 so far, winning in 50.73. Ajee Wilson won the 800 m in 2:02.95 and Tonea Marshall took the 100 m hurdles in a windy 12.62 (+2.2).

Jamaica’s Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake went 1-2 in the men’s 100 m in 9.91w and 9.93w (+2.2) in race two. Seville had a legal (+1.8) win in heat one in 9.95. American sprint star Christian Coleman won the 200 m at the line from Letsile Tebogo (BOT), with both in 20.00 (+1.9) and now sharing the world lead.

American Will Williams won the men’s long jump with a wind-aided 8.25 m (27-0 3/4).

More hot times, including a world-leading 10.87 in the women’s 100 m from American star Aleia Hobbs, with a legal 2.0 m/s wind at the Lloyd Wills Invitational on her home track at LSU.

In Los Angeles, at the Allice Trojan Invitational at USC, Tokyo 400 m hurdles silver medalist Rai Benjamin got a lifetime best in the flat 400 m, winning in 44.21, moving to no. 2 in the world for 2023. Former Trojan 800 m star Isaiah Jewett was second in 45.90, also a lifetime best.

For Benjamin, it was his first 400 m best since 2019 (44.31). In comparison to his prime hurdles rivals, Norway’s Karsten Warholm has a 400 m best of 44.87 from 2017 and Alison Dos Santos (BRA) has run 44.54 from 2022.

At the always-wind-friendly Triton Invitational in La Jolla, California, Tokyo Olympic champ Valarie Allman jumped her world lead from 67.80 m (222-5) at the Texas Relays to 70.25 m (230-5), her third-best throw ever. She owns all six throws ever made by an American over 70 m.

In Berkeley, California, two world throws leaders at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational, as World Champs silver medalist (and Cal soph) Mykolas Alekna (LTU) got the men’s discus out to 68.39 m (224-4) and former Golden Bear and Worlds runner-up Camryn Rogers (CAN) reached 77.30 m (253-7) with the hammer.

Norah Jeruto, the former Kenyan and now Kazakhstan distance star who won the 2022 World Athletics Championship in the women’s Steeple, was charged by the Athletics Integrity Unit on 5 April for “Use of a Prohibited Substance/Method” based on a review of her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). No more details were posted.

Jeruto won the Worlds Steeple last July, but then only competed in the Kazakhstan 10 km national road championship in September (second) and in the Asian Indoor Championships 3,000 m in February (seventh).

The AIU imposed a six-month sanction on marathoners Camilo Santiago of Spain and Ivan Zarco Alvarez of Honduras for swapping race bibs at the Itelligence Citylauf Invitational Marathon in Dresden, Germany on 21 March 2021. The AIU noted:

“Mr Zarco’s and Mr Santiago’s accounts of events were directly inconsistent with other evidence and did not demonstrate an honest attempt to correct the Marathon results, particularly in circumstances where Mr Zarco must have known that the result in question would have been a Honduran national record …The fact that Mr Zarco and Mr Santiago swapped bibs at all and were caught out in a public forum demonstrates that their conduct was unreasonable and it brought the sport into disrepute …The bib swap was an intentional arrangement for the purpose of altering Mr Zarco’s Marathon results.”

Both admitted the swap and are suspended through 8 August 2023.

● Badminton ● At the Orleans Masters in France, there was a rare appearance by an American star in a BWF World Tour final: Beiwen Zhang.

Now 32, Zhang had appeared in three prior finals, all in 2018, and she was matched against Rio 2016 winner and top seed Carolina Marin of Spain. The first set was a marathon, with Marin winning, 25-23, only to have Zhang came back with a dominant, 21-9, win in the second set. But Marin had more left in the tank and took the third set, 21-10.

A three-time World Champion, Marin now has a career record of 6-2 against Zhang.

Priyanshu Rajawat (IND) took the men’s Singles final, 21-15, 19-21, 21-16 over Magnus Johannesen (DEN). Bo Yang Chen and Yi Liu (CHN) won the men’s Doubles over Muhammad Fikri and Bagas Maulana (INA), 21-19, 21-17 and Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakamoto (JPN) edged Sheng Shu Liu and Ning Tan (CHN), 21-19, 16-21, 21-12 in the women’s Doubles final.

In the Mixed Doubles, Tang Jie Chen and Ee Wei Toh (MAS) swept, Hong Wei Yi and Chia Hsin Lee (TPE), 21-19, 21-17.

● Cycling ● The iconic Paris-Roubaix race – the 120th – was the third “Monument” race of 2023, over 256.6 km with 29 cobblestone sections that make this race so unpredictable.

It was no surprise that rivals Mathieu van der Poel (NED) and Wout van Aert (BEL) looked to be dueling for the victory, with van der Poel throwing in attack after attack in the final 60 km. The break finally came only in the final 15 km, as another cobbled section ended up causing Germany’s Jon Degenkolb to crash as Belgian Jasper Philipsen came though with van der Poel and van Aert going clear.

But a flat tire hampered van Aert and van der Poel’s breakaway saw him win in 5:28:41, with Philipsen and van Aert second and third, 46 seconds back and Mads Pedersen (DEN), Stefan Kung (SUI) and Filippo Ganna (ITA) following, all 50 seconds behind the winner.

Van der Poel won his second Monument in 2023 – also Milan-Sanremo – and owns four career Monument wins, having won Flanders in 2020 and 2022 (and second in 2023).

The third Paris-Roubaix for women was held on Saturday, over a flat, 145.4 km course – with lots of cobbled sections – that saw nine riders sprint for the line in the final kilometer. The winner was a shock: Canadian Alison Jackson, 34, in 3:42:56 for her first overall race victory on the UCI Women’s World Tour! She led a group of six at the line, just ahead of Katie Ragusa (ITA), Marthe Truyen (BEL) and Eugenie Duval (FRA).

A major crash with 37 km left eliminated many of the big names from contention, including defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA), Tour of Flanders winner Lotte Kopecky (BEL) and Ronde van Drenthe winner Lorena Wibes (NED).

The 62nd Itzulia Basque Country race in Spain finished on Saturday, with Danish star Jonas Vingegaard – the reigning Tour de France champion – winning three of the six stages on the way to the overall title.

Vingegaard won the third stage and took the overall lead and held it to the end. He won the hilly stage four and then the one true climbing stage on Saturday, in and around Eibar. His winning time overall was 24:45:24, some 1:12 ahead of Spain’s Mikel Landa and 1:29 up on 2019 winner, Ion Izagirre (ESP). American Brandon McNulty was seventh overall, 1:38 behind the winner.

Vingegaard moved up from second in 2021. Izagirre won his sixth medal in this race over the past eight editions (1-1-4).

● Equestrian ● The FEI World Cup Finals were in Omaha, Nebraska this year, with Germany dominating the medal standings.

In the Dressage Freestyle Final, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl defended her 2022 championship, scoring 90.482% (on TSF Dalera BB) to edge Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN: 87.164%, on Blue Hors Zepter) and the amazing Isabell Werth (GER: 85.671%, on Qyuantaz). American Steffen Peters, 58, the 2009 champion, finished fourth (83.921% on Suppenkasper). Anna Buffini of the U.S. was sixth (77.843% on Davinla La Douce), and Alice Tarjan was ninth (75.207% on Serenade).

Bredow-Werndl won her fifth career medal since 2015, with two wins and three bronzes. Werth, 53, won her 14th World Cup medal, including five titles, five silvers and now four bronzes; he’s won medals now in five straight World Cup Finals.

In the Jumping, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann (with King Edward), 41, got his first FEI World Cup victory to go along with his 2022 World Championships gold, totaling only five penalties across three rounds and none in the final competition. He had previously won two World Cup bronzes.

Harrie Smolders (NED, with Monaco N.O.P.) found himself in a familiar place – second – after compiling nine penalties for his third World Cup Final silver and second in a row. American Hunter Holloway (on Pepita Con Spita), 25, took the bronze with 11 penalties, her first World Cup medal.

Including the Dressage, Jumping and (non-Olympic) Vaulting competitions, Germany topped the standings with nine medals (5-2-2), followed by Austria, the Netherlands and the Swiss with two each.

● Football ● The U.S. Women’s National Team returned to play with a friendly against Ireland in Austin, Texas, with both teams getting ready to play in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The U.S. dominated play, with the Irish having a tough time getting the ball out of their own end for any meaningful possession time. But even with 8-9 players back, defender Emily Fox found room just beyond the top of the box, running to the right and then sending a right-footed laser toward the left corner and past Irish keeper Courtney Brosnan for 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. It was Fox’s first international goal in her 28th appearance, and that’s the way the half ended.

There was considerable concern with U.S. scoring star Mallory Swanson carried off the field after a left knee injury in the 41st minute; she did not return. She was diagnosed with a torn patella tendon and will receive further tests.

The Americans kept pressing, but could not score in the second half, despite multiple chances. Midfielder Julie Ertz returned to the field for the first time since August 2021 in the 67th and she sent a ball into the box in the 79th minute toward midfielder Lindsey Horan, who was dragged down by Irish defender Diane Caldwell for a penalty.

Horan pounded a right-footed shot from right to left and although Brosnan hit it, the ball popped behind her for U.S. and a 2-0 lead. Ireland got a couple of late chances in stoppage time, but U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher was solid and the game ended at 2-0. The U.S. finished with 70% of possession despite 13 Irish fouls; The Americans ended with 25 shots to six for Ireland.

The U.S. improved to 14-0-0 all-time against Ireland, in their first meeting since 2019. The two sides will play again on Tuesday (11th).

● Golf ● Bad weather imploded The Masters on Saturday, with American Brooks Koepka leading Spanish star Jon Rahm by four strokes when play was called off. Better weather on Sunday allowed round three to finish with Koepka two up on Rahm, and Norway’s Viktor Hovland one shot further back.

The final round saw Rahm take the lead by two at the turn with birdies at three and eight and a bogey on nine, while Koepka suffered bogies on 4-6-9. The big charge was made by 52-year-old Phil Mickelson (USA), who birdied five of the last seven holes to card a 65 for the day and finish the tournament at -8 (280).

Rahm stayed strong and birdied two more holes on the final nine and finished with a four-stroke win at -12 (276). It’s his fifth finish in the top 10; had been fourth in 2018.

Koepka had three bogeys and three birdies on the last nine and ended up at -8, tied with Mickelson for second; he was also tied for second in 2019. Rahm and Hovland (tie-7th) were the only non-American players in the top nine; Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Russell Henley tied for fourth (-7). Cameron Young tied Hovland for seventh (-6) and Sahith Theegala was ninth (-5).

● Rugby Sevens ● The Rugby Sevens Series for men was in Singapore, with seasonal leader New Zealand whipping through pool play with a 3-0 record, as did Samoa and Argentina; France won Pool C at 2-0-1.

The playoff rounds were tightly contested, but New Zealand sailed past Great Britain (22-10) and Fiji (19-10) to reach the final. Samoa and Argentina met in the semis, with the Argentines managing a 24-19 win to advance. A taut final saw the Kiwis pull out a 19-17 victory and take their fourth win in the last five tournaments. Fiji won the bronze-medal match, 24-19, against Samoa.

After nine of 11 stops, the seasonal standings show New Zealand still in front with 164 points, to 140 for Argentina, 130 for Fiji and 122 for France. The U.S. sits eighth at 94.

● Sailing ● The 52nd Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta drew 1,300 sailors from 67 nations for Olympic Class competitions off Palma de Majorca, with some familiar stars atop the podium once again.

Brazil’s Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze, Olympic winners in Rio and Tokyo, won the 49erFX class with 61 net points (three wins), over two-time World Champion Odile van Aanholt and three-time World Champion Annette Duetz (both NED: 76); Americans Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea finished fifth (89).

Dutch star Marit Bouwmeester – four-time World Champion – won the Laser Radial class with 60 points and two wins, well ahead of Zoe Thomson (AUS: 87) and Maxime Jonker (NED: 90).

In the new mixed 470 class, Japan’s 2018 women’s Worlds winner Miho Yoshioka (JPN) teamed with Keiju Okada to win a tight battle, 56-63-66 against Luise Wanser and Philipp Autenreith (GER) and Spain’s Tokyo Olympic men’s bronze medalist Jordi Xammar and Nora Brugman Cabot. Americans Stuart McNay and Lara Dallman-Weiss finished eighth (100).

Two-time World Champions John Gimson and Anna Burnet won the mixed Nacra 17 class, with three wins and 43 points, just ahead of Italy’s Vittorio Bissaro and Maelle Frascari Diotallevi (47) and Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei (ITA: 61). The third Italian entry, Tokyo Olympic champs Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti, finished fourth (76).

Britain’s Michael Bennett scored an impressive win in the Laser Class, with seven top-three finishes and just 44 net points, over George Gautrey (NZL: 72) and Croatia’s two-time Olympic silver medalist Tonci Stipanovic (73). Two-time World Champion Pavlo Kontides (CYP) also finished with 73 points, but was placed fourth due to being behind Stipanovic in the medal race.

New Zealand went 1-3 in the men’s 49er class, with Logan Dunning Beck and Oscar Gunn winning with 67 points, beating out 2016 Rio gold medalist Tom Burton, now sailing with Max Paul (AUS: 76), and Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie (NZL: 79).

Singapore’s 16-year-old Maximilian Maeder was the winner of the men’s Formula Kite event with just 19 points, over Connor Bainbridge (GBR: 33) and Axel Mazella (FRA: 38); France’s former World Champion, Max Nocher, also scored 38, but was placed fourth. Lauriane Nolot (FRA) won the women’s Kite (24), with Ellie Aldridge (GBR: 33) second; American Daniela Moroz, the 2018 World Champion, was fourth (37).

Sam Sills (GBR) won the men’s IQ Foil races with 32 points, beating Sebastian Koerdel (GER: 37) and Israel’s Tom Reuveny (70). Britain’s Emma Wilson took the women’s IQ Foil (54), well ahead of Lucie Belbeoch (FRA: 91).

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TSX REPORT: New poll shows only 38% favor Sapporo Winter bid; Salnikov doubts Russian entry in swimming Worlds; 29 Paris 2024 “test” events

By
Rich Perelman
-

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. New Sapporo poll shows 38% in favor of Winter Games
2. Salnikov says Russians will not compete at aquatics Worlds
3. Fencing federation has asked for Russian club affiliations
4. UEFA continues to allow Belarus to compete
5. Paris test-event program revealed for 24 of 32 sports

The Asahi Shimbun’s poll of Sapporo residents from 1-2 April showed only 38% in favor of a bid for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games and 47% opposed. Sunday’s mayoral election could decide whether the bids moves forward at all. Russian Swimming Federation chief Vladimir Salnikov said that even if World Aquatics re-admits its swimmers as neutrals in July, it will be too late for them to compete at the World Championships beginning on 14 July in Fukuoka, Japan. The head of the Russian Fencing Federation said the International Fencing Federation has asked for the club affiliations of its athletes in advance of determining whether they are “neutral” with regard to their military and national-security agency status. A key advisor to Russian President Putin said no Russian athlete will compete if a “receipt” must be signed. UEFA said it would review again later its current stance, allowing the Belarusian men’s team to compete in the qualifiers for the 2024 European Championship; Russia is banned, but Belarus is now 0-2 in Group I, losing to the Swiss and Romania so far. The Paris 2024 organizers announced a complex, tri-level “testing” program of 12 months and 29 events, some of which will be staged by the organizing committee, some done by others with some Paris 2024 elements included and others which will be limited, closed-door programs to evaluate specific operational concepts.

● World Championship: Ice Hockey ●
● Panorama: Paris 2024 (national government buying 400,000 tickets) = Transgender (U.S. Education Dept. proposing Title IX modification to prevent blanket ban) = Boxing (104 nations enter IBA men’s Worlds) = Gymnastics (FIG head Watanabe visits Ukraine, wants Russian re-entry) = Swimming (Court of Arbitration upholds World Aquatics power on Stabilization Committee for Mexico). ●

1.
New Sapporo poll shows 38% in favor of Winter Games

A new poll by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper in Sapporo showed that only 38% of respondents are in favor of having the 2030 Olympic Winter Games there, with 47% opposed and 15% in neither camp.

The poll comes just days before a municipal election with incumbent mayor – and heavy bid supporter – Katsuhiro Akimoto – trying for a third term, and facing two candidates – Kauro Takano and Hideo Kibata – who would like to see the Sapporo Winter Games bid ended.

The survey, made during 1-2 April, included 784 respondents selected by computer who answered a landline call. Some 56% of the respondents said that the Winter Olympics bid issue would factor into their decision on the mayoral campaign; 33% said it would not.

Perhaps most impressive was that 79% were in favor of a referendum on the issue of whether Sapporo should pursue a second Olympic Winter Games. It hosted in 1972.

The 2030 Winter Games situation has become exceedingly fluid in recent months. Sapporo appeared to be the front-runner, but continuing reports of scandals on sponsorship selection and the rigging of bids for test events and venue management contracts for the Tokyo Olympic Games have soured public opinion.

Salt Lake City’s bid has been uniformly praised and is highly popular in Utah, but the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee would prefer 2034 to give it more breathing space following the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Vancouver’s bid has been stilled by the lack of support from the Province of British Columbia, which also means that federation support will not be available.

Into this mess have come inquiries to the International Olympic Committee from Sweden (apparently for Stockholm) and Switzerland. The outcome of Sunday’s election could end Sapporo’s bid altogether, or give it new life.

2.
Salnikov says Russians will not compete at aquatics Worlds

The head of the Russian Swimming Federation, four-time Olympic gold medalist and former world-record holder Vladimir Salnikov, said that even if World Aquatics were to decide to re-admit Russians as “neutral athletes,” they will not compete at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Japan in July.

In the first place, he objects to the recommended conditions set out by the International Olympic Committee:

“I consider the conditions set unacceptable. There are certain expectations that the situation may change, so we will monitor the situation. Our plans include organizing our own competitions, so that athletes will not be left without starts. We will do our best to ensure that they are bright and interesting.”

As for the World Championships:

“The International Federation has extended the restrictions imposed last year on the participation of our athletes in its events.

“The issue of the possibility of returning our athletes to the international arena will be considered by a special commission, which will provide its proposals closer to July, which makes it unrealistic for us to participate in the upcoming World Championships even if a positive decision is made on the issue of admission.”

Russia competed in the 2019 Worlds in South Korea, and won 30 medals – third overall – with 16 in swimming (3-7-6), four in diving (0-3-1), nine in artistic swimming (9-0-0) and one in open water (0-1-0). It was barred from the 2022 Worlds due to the invasion of Ukraine.

3.
Fencing federation has asked for Russian club affiliations

On 10 March, the Federation Internationale de Escrime (FIE) voted to re-admit Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals, in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations. One of those was:

“Athletes who are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies cannot compete. Support personnel who are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies cannot be entered.”

This has raised questions within Russian sport about athletes competing for the famed CSKA or Dynamo sports clubs, which have long associations with military or law enforcement. On Thursday, Russian Fencing Federation President Ilgar Mammadov told the TASS news agency:

“We received a response from the International Fencing Federation to a letter dated April 3. The FIE committee advised that we must send an updated list of 110-120 of our athletes, coaches and referees with club and agency affiliations in order to comply with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee.

“We will write as it is – CSKA, Dynamo – then the [review] committee of the International Fencing Federation will pass the information on to the executive committee of the organization. We hope that everything will go quickly, since the Grand Prix in saber fencing in Seoul is ahead of us, in two weeks.”

A first test of how the CSKA and Dynamo affiliations will be judged, although each of the International Federations can decide how they want to handle this issue on their own.

There are some Russian officials who are projecting that the IOC’s recommendations as written will keep its team out of competitions. Igor Levitin, the former President of the European Table Tennis Union and a long-time advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS:

“We definitely won’t go if they demand receipts from our athletes. This is a violation of human rights and is not written in any document. They did not take the signatures of the athletes of those countries that bombed Iran, Iraq.”

“Which international federations are the most problematic for us? I think it’s athletics. Because, in fact, it’s, let’s say, half a team. On the other hand, there are no team competitions in athletics. We hope that individual athletes will be selected.”

Asked when Russian athletes might be re-admitted to competitions, World Athletics Sebastian Coe (GBR) said when they “get out of Ukraine.”

4.
UEFA continues to allow Belarus to compete

The European Football Union (UEFA) has an unusual policy in that it has banned Russian participation, but allows Belarus to compete, but with no home games – all held at neutral sites – and without spectators.

On Wednesday, newly re-elected UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (SLO) was asked about the status of Belarus in view of calls to treat it the same way that Russia is:

“I said the matter would be discussed and I also said that only the executive committee could make a decision and nobody else.

“We had a discussion, we have taken away the organisation of the Women’s Under-19 European Championship [in 2025].

“For the rest we will study the situation and we will see what we decide at the next executive committee meeting on June 28.”

Belarus is competing, so far, in the qualifying process for the 2024 European Championships. Assigned to Group I, it lost to Switzerland (5-0) on 25 March (in Serbia), and at Romania (2-1) on 28 March. Its next matches are scheduled for 16 June vs. Israel at a neutral site, and 19 June vs. Kosovo, also at a neutral site.

5.
Paris test-event program revealed for 24 of 32 sports

The Paris 2024 organizers unveiled a complex, three-tier “testing program” of events in 2023 and 2024. The announced purposes:

“While not intended to be an exact replica of the Games competitions, the tests are designed to ensure that Paris 2024 and all stakeholders involved in organising the Games are ready by summer 2024, when the eyes of the world will be fixed on France. They will enable the organisers to identify and carry out any modifications that may be necessary to make sure the Games run as smoothly as possible.”

Instead of organizing new events for each sport as a full-on rehearsal, three different types of events will be used:

● Competitions developed and staged by the Paris 2024 organizing committee.

● Events staged by others, such as local promoters, national federations or the International Federations, at which Paris 2024 can execute specific functions.

● Operational tests, without spectators and a small number of participants, to test specific elements of a venue or a system to be used.

The preliminary listing shows events planned in 24 of the 32 sports on the program:

In 2023:

● By Paris 2024 (3 sports): cycling (mountain bike), sailing, triathlon

● By others (6): aquatics (open water), archery, canoeing (slalom and sprint), golf, rowing, surfing

● Operating tests (10+): basketball, boxing, equestrian, fencing, handball, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling and the Place de la Concorde (site for basketball/3×3, breaking, cycling/BMX and skateboarding)

In 2024:

● By Paris 2024 (1): hockey.

● By others (2): aquatics (artistic swimming, diving, water polo).

● Operating tests (6): aquatics (swimming, water polo), athletics, cycling (BMX), gymnastics (rhythmic), modern pentathlon.

This is 29 events in all, across a roughly 12-month period. It does not include – yet – test events for badminton, football, rugby, shooing, volleyball or weightlifting, and none for artistic or trampoline gymnastics. It’s not clear whether the 2023 Place de la Concorde “venue test” will do for breaking and skateboarding, either.

There’s no doubt that having the organizing committee actually stage only four events will be a substantial money-saver, a key consideration for Paris 2024 and the IOC given the continuing pressure on European economies. But it simply transfers the burden of preparation to the Paris 2024 training program and the sport and functional-department managers who will have to get their projects ready without a full dress rehearsal.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Ice Hockey ● The 2023 IIHF women’s World Championship is underway in Brampton, Canada, with two-time defending champion Canada opening with a 4-0 shutout of Switzerland and the U.S. spanking Japan, 7-1, in Group A.

Round-robin play will continue through the 11th, moving to playoffs on the 13th and the championship match on the 16th.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The French newspaper Le Monde reported that the French government is finalizing a plan to distribute up to 100,000 Olympic and 300,000 Paralympic tickets to young people (60,000 Olympic, 200,000 Paralympic) and sports volunteers in the country (100,000).

The national government expects to spend €11 million on the tickets (about $12.01 million U.S. today).

Most of the sports volunteer tickets will be distributed through national sports federations. Another 17,400 tickets will be provided to individuals with disabilities and their attendants; about 24,000 will go to nurses, police and administrators, “to reward all those who contribute to the organization and success of this event.”

Another 600,000 tickets for both the Olympics and Paralympic combined are expected to be purchased or received by local governments. The story noted figures for the City of Paris (50,000 tickets), the Sainte-Saint-Denis region (40,000: cost €1 million), the Ile-de-France region (50,000): cost €3.5 million and the Plaine Commune region (55,000).

● Transgender ● The U.S. Department of Education announced that it is proposing modifications to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that would allow regulation, but not prohibition of transgender participation on sports teams:

“The proposed rule would establish that policies violate Title IX when they categorically ban transgender students from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity just because of who they are. The proposed rule also recognizes that in some instances, particularly in competitive high school and college athletic environments, some schools may adopt policies that limit transgender students’ participation. The proposed rule would provide schools with a framework for developing eligibility criteria that protects students from being denied equal athletic opportunity, while giving schools the flexibility to develop their own participation policies.”

The commentary also noted:

“[T]he Department expects that, under its proposed regulation, elementary school students would generally be able to participate on school sports teams consistent with their gender identity where considerations may be different for competitive high school and college teams.”

Multiple U.S. states have passed legislation banning transgender athletes from participation in divisions other than of their sex as birth. If adopted, this new rule is sure to be tested in courts at multiple levels.

● Boxing ● The International Boxing Association announced that 640 boxers from 104 countries have entered its men’s World Championships in Tashkent (UZB) from 30 April-14 May.

Multiple federations, including the U.S., are not competing in protest against the IBA’s policies and practices concerning Russian and Belarusian participation, finance and governance. The IBA lists 204 member federations; 65 federations entered the just-completed women’s Worlds in India.

● Gymnastics ● Federation International de Gymnastique (FIG) President Morinari Watanabe (JPN) left no doubt of his position on Russian and Belarusian re-entry – to be considered by the federation on 12-13 May – during a trip to Ukraine for the funeral of friend and rhythmic gymnastics coach Albina Deriugina. He also met with Ukrainian political and sports officials and stated:

“I understand and support Ukraine’s position on the political side. But sport is independent of politics. Sport must seek peace even when governments and soldiers are at war. That is the mission given to sports.

“President Zelensky protects the Ukrainian people like family. I am protecting all gymnasts in the world like family. That’s why I support Ukrainian gymnasts and why I defend the right of Russian and Belarusian gymnasts who are not involved in the war to participate in competitions.”

● Swimming ● World Aquatics posted a statement saying that the Court of Arbitration for Sport had upheld its authority to create a Stabilization Committee to try to cure governance issues at the Mexican Swimming Federation. World Aquatics Executive Director Brent Nowicki said:

“This is an extremely important judgement by CAS, as it clearly confirms the ability of the World Aquatics Bureau to install a Stabilization Committee when such action is required. In the case of the Mexican Swimming Federation, the CAS rightly confirmed that the action taken by the World Aquatics Bureau to protect Mexican athletes, clubs, and officials was justified given the repeated and blatant failures of the federation and its leadership.”

In view of the decision, World Aquatics suspended the former Mexican federation president, Kiril Todorov and the Aquatics Integrity Unit has opened a “disciplinary procedure.”

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TSX REPORT: Third fencing World Cup canceled over Russian re-entry; aquatics to study Russia question; a Kenyan criminal doping ring?

By
Rich Perelman
-
A criminal doping ring at work in Kenya?

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

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Third fencing World Cup canceled, as Poland exits
2. World Aquatics to study Russian & Belarusian re-entry
3. IOC’s Bach says “sport has the power to foster peace”
4. AIU concerned over criminal doping ring in Kenya
5. Paris 2024 “Team USA House” to be available to fans

The Polish Fencing Federation became the third national federation to cancel an International Fencing Federation World Cup over the re-entry of Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals, criticizing the “poorly controlled manner” in which such athletes will be able to enter. World Aquatics announced that a review committee will be formed to study possible Russian and Belarusian re-entry, with a decision not before July, when the World Aquatics Championships will be held in Japan. It is possible that some Russian and Belarusian swimmers could take part in the 2023 Worlds. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach released a short video in advance of Thursday’s International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, saying that sport is a low-cost, effective way to promote understanding apart from politics. The Athletics Integrity Unit sounded the alarm that a controlled, criminal program of doping is in play in Kenya and that a task force will be formed to root it out. A panel which imposed an eight-year sanctions on distance runner Eglay Nafuna Nalyanya noticed the similarities of method, people and place to another sanctions case from January. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced that the “Team USA House” in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games will be at the ornate, neoclassical Palais Brongniat in the city center area and will be able to be accessed by fans – for the first time – who are part of official hospitality and travel packages.

● World Championship: Curling ●
● Panorama: Olympic Games 2024 (NBC says ‘24 ad sales going well) = Olympic Games 2036 (some Berlin politicians want 2036 Games) = Athletics (3: Lima cannot host 2024 World Juniors; Crouser irritated by measurement controversy; Bol’s lawyer wants doping inquiry dropped) = Equestrian (Russian and Belarusian ban maintained) = Football (2: Cerefin wins UEFA re-election; Ukraine still in Portugal-Spain-Morocco bid for 2030 World Cup) = Swimming (Swim England “Open” division may be confusing) ●

1.
Third fencing World Cup canceled, as Poland exits

The Federation Internationale d’Escrime (FIE) decided on 10 March via an online Congress to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition as neutral athletes beginning on 16 April, in line with whatever the International Olympic Committee came up with at its Executive Board meeting at the end of March.

Amazingly, no public announcement of the Congress, or the votes taken there has been made. But everybody knows.

The response so far has been three canceled World Cup events. The first was by the German Fencing Federation, which “returned” the 5-7 May women’s Foil event to be held in Tauberbischofsheim.

Next, the French Fencing Federation canceled the 19-21 May men’s Epee World Cup in St. Maur.

On Wednesday, the Polish Fencing Federation (“PZS”) joined in:

“The Polish Federation informs that due to the change by the Board of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) of the rules of qualifying for the [21-23 April] Women’s Foil World Cup in Poznan, for competitors and support staff holding Russian and Belarusian passports, the Board of PZS is forced to cancel this competition. …

“Introduced by the FIE on 4 April 2023, the procedure means that Ukrainian fencers will not participate in the competitions qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and on the other hand, there is a risk that a large number of competitors with Russian and Belarusian passports will be admitted in a poorly controlled manner.

“The Polish Fencing Association supports the Ukrainian Fencing Federation in its efforts to remove from the competitions and the world fencing environment people who support the brutal war in Ukraine and support the regime of Vladimir Putin, which is why, as the organizer of the World Cup in Poznan, we could not accept such a situation.”

The 2022-23 FIE World Cup season is heading toward the close, with post-15 April tournaments that could include Russian and Belarusian entries scheduled for Korea, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Georgia, China and UAE.

2.
World Aquatics to study Russian & Belarusian re-entry

“The World Aquatics Bureau supports the statement made by the IOC Executive Board on 28 March 2023 and has approved a task force to explore a potential pathway for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be invited to compete at future international aquatics events.”

Wednesday’s announcement also included:

“The task force, made up of athletes and representatives from across the aquatics community and chaired by Maureen Croes, the President of PanAm Aquatics, will begin work immediately on developing a recommendation to the World Aquatics Bureau.

“The World Aquatics Bureau notes that the task force will need to take time to come to its conclusions, and will report back at the next Bureau meeting in July 2023.”

The timing is crucial, since the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in swimming, open water, diving, artistic swimming, water polo and high diving, will be held in Fukuoka (JPN) from 14-30 July. With the swimming racing not starting until 22 July, a World Aquatics decision to allow Russian and Belarusian entries prior to the start of the Fukuoka meet could allow these countries to send swimmers to compete there.

Or the decision could be to allow Russian and Belarusian entries after the Worlds, when less attention will be paid to them. The three-meet Swimming World Cup will be held in October, in Germany, Greece and Hungary.

Observed: The politics of this decision will be fascinating, especially since World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam of Kuwait is also the Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia.

The OCA is the group which first offered to admit Russian and Belarusian participation, during last December’s Olympic Summit in Lausanne. That action has been a catalyst for the IOC to get to its current position of allowing Russian and Belarusian participation as neutrals, and Al-Musallam has been noted as a proponent of Russian and Belarusian re-entry under a neutral status.

3.
IOC’s Bach says “sport has the power to foster peace”

In a short video marking Thursday as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach doubled down on his message of the importance of sport:

“Sport brings people together in peaceful competition. Like few other things, sport has the power to foster peace and understanding with our fellow human beings.

“At the Olympic Games, the athletes set aside all the differences that divide the world. They compete fiercely against each other, while living peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. This makes the Olympic Games such a powerful symbol of peace. …

“This is where sport can make a positive impact. Sport is the low-cost, high-impact tool to support all countries – big or small, rich or poor – to build together a more peaceful, healthier, more equal and more sustainable world for everyone – 365 days a year. …

“This is the contribution to peace that sport can offer: opening a pathway to foster understanding between people and nations. Sport can open the door to peace in ways that exclusion and division do not.”

Interestingly, Bach’s comments on video and on the accompanying transcript included:

“With wars, division, confrontation and human suffering on the rise around the world, we need the unifying power of sport as a force for good more urgently than ever.”

But in the IOC news release, a different quote – not in the video – was used that doubled down on the IOC’s position that Ukrainians should not mind that Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete against them at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:

“Due to the fact that there are unfortunately far too many wars, armed conflicts and crises in this world, we have seen in almost all editions of the Games athletes compete with each other – as a symbol of peace – despite the fact that their nations are at war or in conflict.”

Whose idea was that?

4.
AIU concerned over criminal doping ring in Kenya

“It seems that elite Kenyan athletes are being assisted by a person or persons, including someone with considerable medical knowledge, to commit what amounts to criminal conduct involving frauds on the AIU, and that this is not limited to a single case but evidences a pattern of behaviour. We regard this conduct as a matter of the greatest possible concern and urge the AIU to take all possible steps to establish how this is occurring.”

Announced in a 4 April 2023 news release, the Athletics Integrity Unit is sounding the alarm after a disciplinary tribunal saw parallels in two recent doping cases. A new, eight-year sanction was handed down against distance runner Eglay Nafuna Nalyanya (4:05.68 at 1,500 m) for steroid use in 2022 and tampering with the doping-control system and runner Betty Lempus, who was sanctioned for doping in January:

“Nalyanya and Lempus told the AIU they received intramuscular injections while being treated at the same Kenyan hospital and produced falsified medical documents to support their respective claims. In both instances, AIU investigations – in collaboration with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) – discovered the documents were false; that the doctors listed were fictitious; and that neither athlete had received the respective injection though both women had attended the hospital on the respective days in question. In Nalyanya’s case, a hospital official testified the hospital has never stocked the medication (sustanon) which Nalyanya said she received.

“The Disciplinary Tribunal pointed out that comparisons of the falsified documents in the two cases showed distinctive likenesses.”

AIU Chair David Howman (NZL) said immediate steps are being taken:

“It is clear doping in Kenya is increasingly well organised and these cases underline the reality that medically-experienced personnel are involved. This is a serious threat to our sport. The AIU has been asked to work with the Kenyan Government, Athletics Kenya and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya to attack this crisis. We have set up a Steering Committee to lead this special project and determine how best to use this funding, and the AIU’s expert advice will be utilised across various strategic areas, including testing, investigations and intelligence, and education outreach.”

Organized doping efforts are hardly new, but Kenya’s situation is especially grave, with 67 people listed on the AIU’s 1 April “Global List of Ineligible Persons.”

5.
Paris 2024 “Team USA House” to be available to fans

Introduced at Olympic Games in the later part of the 20th Century, most of the larger National Olympic Committee have a “team house,” which has been a gathering place for athletes, officials, sponsors, news media and guests. Mostly wiped out by the Covid pandemic, the concept is returning in a big way for Paris in 2024, with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee announces its location for 2024 on Wednesday.

The ornate, neoclassical Palais Brongniat, in the middle of Paris, originally completed in 1826 and then expanded in 1905 was, for many years, the Paris Bourse, or main stock exchange building. Today it’s a convention and meetings space and will house the “Team USA House” for Paris.

Up until now, the “USA House” – like most NOC facilities – was only accessible by invitation, but the USOPC is opening it to the public for 2024 … for a price. It’s included in a variety of travel packages offered by the official hospitality provider, On Location:

● 3-night Short Stays, from €4,140 to €7,145 per person, depending on the dates and events selected (about $4,515 to $7,791 U.S. today).

● 4-night Long Stays, from €11,660 to €15,230 per person, depending on dates and events (about $12,715 to $16,608 U.S.).

● 5- or 6-night Long Stays, from €15,650 to €19,445 per person, depending on dates and events (about $17,066 to $21,204 today).

Single-day packages are also available, tied in with tickets to specific events.

Typical programs include current and Olympic alumni athlete appearances, sponsor programs, food and drink and spaces to watch the Games on multiple, large screens.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ≡

● Curling ● The WCF men’s World Championship is ongoing in Ottawa (CAN) with about two-thirds of the round-robin completed among the 13 teams. The top six will advance to the playoffs, to begin on Saturday.

So far, the top teams have been Switzerland (7-1; skipped by Yannick Schwaller), Norway (7-1; Magnus Ramsfjell) and Sweden (6-1), with six-time World Champion Niklas Edin back to try to win a fifth straight Worlds.

Canada (2017 World Champion Brad Gushue) and Scotland (Beijing 2022 silver winner Bruce Mouat) are at 5-2, with Italy (2022 Worlds bronze medalist Joel Retornaz) and Japan (Riku Yanagisawa) both at 5-3. The U.S., with 2018 Olympic champ John Shuster’s rink, is 3-5 so far, sitting eighth.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● NBC reported that its advertising sales for the 2024 Paris Games are going well and ahead of the pace of sales for the 2020 Tokyo Games.

It also noted Brand Asset Valuator research that showed advertisers for the Games received a 117% increase in fan association of attributes such as “authentic,” “daring,” “distinct,” “fun,” “high-performing,” “prestigious” and “social.”

Brands, on average, also saw substantial “equity” increases among viewers, such as purchase consideration (+6%), preference (+7%), pricing power (+40%) and loyalty (+40%).

● Olympic Games 2036 ● The unthinkable idea of a 2036 Olympic Games in Berlin on the centennial of the Nazi-themed Games of 1936 is being discussed by the Senate of the Federal State of Berlin in Germany.

The German Bild newspaper reported interest from some Berlin politicians; a statement from one party noted, “We consider this a great opportunity for Berlin, we want to take advantage of it. After the Games, renovated and modernized sports facilities would be available for different sports in Berlin.”

The German National Olympic Committee (DOSB) is studying the possibilities for Olympic or Winter Games in Germany, but has committed to nothing yet.

● Athletics ● Two days after Peru was removed as host of the 2023 FIFA men’s U-17 World Cup, World Athletics announced that Lima (PER) would not be hosting the 2024 World U-20 Championships, slated for 26-31 August 2024:

“The Peruvian Athletics Federation has informed World Athletics that recent political instability and social unrest, as well as natural disasters in Peru, have left the federation and the local organising committee unable to stage the event next year.”

World Athletics noted that it is “in discussion” with another host for 2024.

Shot put world-record holder Ryan Crouser of the U.S. indicated some frustration with reports that his 23.38 m (76-8 1/2) world-record throw in Pocatello, Idaho on 18 February may not be ratified.

French coach P.J. Vazel tweeted last Saturday: “No @WorldAthletics for @RCrouserThrows as his 23.38 in Pocatello won’t be ratified, from the videos it appears that the ring was probably above the sector exceeding the rule allowance.”

Crouser wrote on his Instagram page:

● “I’m confused by this ruling. The ring was a 3/4″ plywood on turf with rubber matting around but not under it. The rule is 1:1000 for a level field, meaning 1m drop at 1,000 m or less is legal. 3/4 inch = 1.9 cm = 0.019m elevation of the ring following the 1:1000 rule gives 19m. So a throw under 19m would not count but 23m > 19m so there is less than 1:1000 elevation change, so legal under the [World Athletics] rules.”

● “This isn’t a new issue, it’s the reason we have to put mats down to throw off a double plywood ring because then it is a 1.5 [inch] elevated ring and breaks the 1:1000 rule. So I really don’t understand were this ruling is coming from.”

Officially, World Athletics has said nothing.

Commonwealth Games runner-up Peter Bol of Australia (1:44.00 best in 2022) tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) in January, but the test of his second sample came up negative. His attorney, Paul Greene, had samples tested at two independent labs, both with negative results, and has slammed Sport Integrity Australia in a television interview:

“They had no idea what they were doing. And the worst part of it now is, one, it was announced first of all which never should have been, I begged them not to announce it.

‘Two, now they just … obviously are wrong, they are refusing to drop this sham investigation. … They just need to say ‘we have no evidence, we have no evidence, we messed this up, this was a mistake’.”

Bol’s January suspension was lifted with the clean result of the second test, but the inquiry has not been concluded.

● Equestrian ● The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) confirmed a continued ban on Russian and Belarusian participation in a 4 April teleconference of the FEI Board.

Per FEI President Ingmar De Vos (BEL):

“While the IOC has not taken any decision regarding the participation of Russian and Belarussian [sic] Athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it is the view of the FEI Board that at this stage neutrality cannot be defined and evaluated in a sufficiently satisfactory way.

“The Board agreed that the FEI does not have the necessary tools to evaluate in a fair and objective manner the conditions of participation for individual neutral athletes and support personnel as stipulated in the recommendations put forward by the IOC.”

It will be instructive to see which, if any, other federations agree with this viewpoint.

● Football ● Aleksander Ceferin (SLO) ran unopposed and was re-elected as President of the European football association UEFA, telling the delegates to the UEFA Congress in Lisbon (POR) to watch out for further encroachments on national club leagues, from FIFA and others:

“We’re faced with galloping globalisation and everything that implies. Benefits and risks as well. We shouldn’t forget that. There have been temptations, and even attempts, to create new models, but they conflict with the European model that we cherish so dearly.

“Our model is based on sporting merit. Where we come from, merit has no price. Merit can’t be claimed, and merit can’t be acquired. It can only be earned. Season by season. On and off the pitch. There’s no room for cartels on this continent.

“Domestic leagues must remain the foundation of football. They are the bedrock of our model.”

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa told the UEFA Congress that the joint bid for the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Morocco continues to include Ukraine: “We have ambitions, together with Spain, Morocco and Ukraine, to organize the 2030 World Cup in a unique bid that will link the two shores of the Mediterranean.”

● Swimming ● Further to our Tuesday note that Swim England has adopted an “Open” category for all competitors except those born as females, Olympic super-statistician Dr. Bill Mallon notes that this could lead to some confusion among other sports.

He explained that the authoritative Olympedia.org site – he’s a co-founder – and the IOC both recognize four competition categories now: men, women, mixed and open:

“Mixed is where men and women compete together – by mandate – pairs figure skating, mixed relays, mixed shooting team events, etc. Open is where men and women may compete together but it is not mandated. The only events at the Olympics that have this anymore are the equestrian events, although shooting and sailing used to be Open Class.

“So Swim England calling it an Open Class could cause some problems with semantics – perhaps they’ll need to change it.”

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LANE ONE: Bach and the IOC will not budge on Russia now, but that does not mean they will be in Paris in 2024

By
Rich Perelman
-

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

The International Olympic Committee and its President, former German gold-medal-winning fencer Thomas Bach, have decided – after some debate – to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete once again in international competitions, as “neutral athletes.”

Actually, the IOC can only recommend a policy stance to the International Federations, who it acknowledges have the “sole authority” to decide who competes and who does not. On Tuesday, United World Wrestling announced that it “unanimously favored the return of wrestlers to competition from Russia and Belarus under the conditions of participation set forth by the IOC.” Russian and Belarusian wrestlers in U-15 and U-17 competitions can return (as neutrals) immediately; in the senior division, an “independent panel” will be formed to figure out if the proposed wrestlers are sufficiently separated from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to be allowed to compete.

World Taekwondo adopted the same terms on Monday, joining the FIE, which voted to allow fencers to return after 15 April. The federations for cycling, judo and tennis already allowed Russians and Belarusians as neutrals. More will follow, as most Olympic-sport federations depend on the IOC for financial survival, so its recommendation is more like an instruction.

The IOC has been roundly criticized for its revised stance, not least by the athletes, federations, National Olympic Committee and government of Ukraine, continuing to fight against a Russian conquest of their country. But do not expect any change – whatsoever – in the position of the IOC, or Bach. Yet.

As he told reporters during a news conference on 4 March of 2020, after being asked repeatedly about the possible cancellation or postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games due to the spread of Covid-19, he said neither had been discussed, and

“I can assure you I will not get tired and to repeat the statement I made: the IOC is fully committed and we are not participating in any kind of speculation.”

Of course, the Tokyo Games was postponed, 20 days later.

That’s instructive when considering the ultimate decision on whether Russian or Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete at the Paris 2024 Games. Bach specifically said that no decision on Paris has been made and will not be made until closer to the time of the Games, likely in 2024 itself.

To validate its stance, the IOC – and Bach – have relied heavily on references to exceedingly weak “authorities”: two volunteer Special Rapporteurs selected by the undistinguished United Nations Human Rights Council and now on a declaration that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has to be seen in context:

“The 70 other ongoing armed conflicts and wars around the world (source: Crisis Group, CrisisWatch Database) were also considered, including the situations in the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and the southern Caucasus. It was noted that NOCs in the regions impacted by these armed conflicts and wars are following the principles of the Olympic Charter. They are not requesting the exclusion of athletes from the other party in the armed conflict or war, and they are allowing their athletes to compete in international sporting competitions without restrictions.”

Both underscore the IOC’s position as not just weak, but depressingly empty.

The position of the Special Rapporteurs was disassembled by German law professor Patricia Wiater, Chair for Public Law, Public International Law and Human Rights at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Engaged by the German National Olympic Committee to evaluate the Rapporteur reports, she filed a 24-page response, summarized in English in a blog post for the European Journal of International Law.

She noted, in direct contravention to the U.N. Special Rapporteur letter on which the IOC places all its weight:

● “[T]he right not to be treated differently on the basis of nationality is not absolute. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is the competent UN body to decide on matters of racial discrimination, stated in General recommendation XXX as well as in General recommendation No. 32 that there can be an ‘objective and reasonable justification’ for a differential treatment based on nationality.”

● “[D]uring an ongoing war of aggression, an important legitimate aim is to protect the human rights of the most vulnerable group of athletes, that is, the human rights of Ukrainian athletes. This concerns their human right to mental health, the protection of their dignity, as well as their own right to undisturbed participation in sports as an expression of cultural life, and their right to work in international competitions with Russian and Belarussian participation.

“The president of the Russian National Olympic Committee, Stanislav Posdnyakov, was quoted saying that it would be an honour for every Russian athlete if he or she could contribute to the success of the war. This shows a close connection between sports and war propaganda. To uphold the Olympic postulate of peace that guides international sports (Fundamental Principle 2 of Olympism), the second legitimate aim is to prevent international sporting events from being (ab-)used for the purpose of Russian war propaganda.”

● “The IOC’s approach does not address the problematic issue of war propaganda. How can the IOC and IFs prevent that the victories of neutral athletes of Russian nationality are abused for propaganda and contribute to the escalation of the war? How do Ukrainian athletes feel about the proposed concept of neutrality? How did they feel in sports events in which Russian athletes have already participated? Does the confrontation with Russian athletes have a “chilling effect” on the exercise of their own human rights?

“There are many more open questions about the practicability of the IOC’s concept of neutrality. As long as the IOC and IFs cannot provide satisfactory answers to these pressing questions, everything argues for upholding the exclusion.”

As to the CrisisWatch listing of “ongoing armed conflicts and wars,” an actual review of the February 2023 Global Review cited by the IOC shows nothing of the sort. Not even close.

The February CrisisWatch post has 72 entries; here’s a complete list by continent with condensed versions of what it actually reports:

● Africa (24 entries re 24 countries):
Benin (jihadist insurgency), Burkina Faso (jihadist insurgency), Burundi (rights report published), Cameroon (jihadist and separatist insurgencies), Central African Republic (insurgent attacks), Chad (rebel trials began), Cote d’Ivoire (jihadist insurgency), Dem. Rep. of the Congo (jihadist and rebel insurgencies), Eritrea (no interference in Ethiopia), Ethiopia (Tigray peace talks continue), Guinea (opposition protests), Kenya (terrorist threats along borders), Mali (U.N. mission chief expelled; insurgent attacks), Mozambique (insurgent attacks), Niger (coup plotters sentenced; jihadist attacks), Nigeria (vigilante and insurgent attacks), Rwanda (border incident with Congo), Somalia (jihadist insurgency), Somaliland (insurgent attacks), South Sudan (insurgent attacks), Sudan (insurgent peace negotiations stalled), Togo (jihadist attacks), Uganda (corruption allegations), Zimbabwe (political violence).

● Americas (7 entries re 7 nations):
Colombia (peace talks with insurgents), El Salvador (gang violence, human rights issues), Haiti (gang violence, insurgencies), Honduras (Supreme Court judges elected), Mexico (criminal violence high), Nicaragua (political prisoners expelled), Venezuela (elections scheduled).

● Asia (15 entries re 13 countries):
Afghanistan (Taliban vs. Islamic State violence), Bangladesh (political clashes, refugee camp violence), China (Japan meetings), India 1 (China talks on borders, insurgent attacks), India 2 (Kashmir attacks “at low ebb”), Indonesia (rebels captured New Zealand pilot), North Korea (fires warning missiles), Myanmar (martial law, insurgent violence), Nepal (coalition government collapsed), Pakistan (Taliban and Baloch insurgent attacks), Philippines 1 (insurgent attacks), Philippines 2 (U.S. and Japan assistance, tension with China), Sri Lanka (political protests), Taiwan (China military presence), Thailand (separatist violence).

● Europe & Central Asia (14 entries re 13 countries):
Armenia (peace talks with Azerbaijan), Azerbaijan (peace talks with Armenia), Belarus (warns Ukraine, dissent repression), Cyprus (new president elected), Georgia (talks postponed on pro-Russian breakaway regions), Kosovo (improving talks with Serbia), Kyrgyzstan (activists detained), Moldova (new government formed, Russian threats on Transnistria), Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (Azerbaijan and Armenia debating blocked corridor), Russia (more sanctions from West), Tajikistan (Islamic State recruiter sentenced), Turkey (insurgent ceasefire, fighting in Iraq and Syria), Ukraine (continuing Russian invasion), Uzbekistan (trials of insurgents).

● Middle East and North Africa (12 entries re 13 countries):
Algeria (insurgency activist now in France), Egypt (fragile economy, jihadist activity in Sinai low), Iran (nuclear standoff continued), Iraq (Turks striking Kurds in north; also anti-jihadist operations), Israel and Palestine (West Bank raids by Israel), Lebanon (economic crisis), Libya (political deadlock), Saudi Arabia (regional cooperation meetings held), Syria (continued insurgent and jihadist violence amid earthquake damage), Tunisia (riots, violence vs. migrants), Western Sahara (Algeria and Morocco still in dispute over area), Yemen (Houthi-Saudi negotiations continue, with sporadic government-Houthi clashes).

Among these 72 entries are only 36 situations of actual violence (50%), of which all but six are insurgent or jihadist attacks over internal control (30 of 36 or 83%). The other six include a modest cross-border incident between Rwanda and Congo and four Middle East conflicts noted in specific areas: (1) Turkish fighting with the Kurds in northern Iraq, (2) the continuing Israel-Palestine violence, (3) fighting over internal control of Syria with government, rebel, Iranian, Israeli and U.S. involvement, and (4) the civil war in Yemen. No wonder there have been no National Olympic Committee complaints. 

There is only one conflict in which a sovereign nation has invaded another with the intention of destroying it: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This war is totally unlike any of the other conflicts listed – one out of 72 – and its unique nature is confirmed by the formalistic “annexation” by Russia of the Crimea in 2014 and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine in 2022.

That’s why the IOC is just wrong with its reference to the CrisisWatch list, and this is confirmed by reference to the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations Global Conflict Tracker, which shows one “war”: in Ukraine.

Bach said in an October 2020 news conference, “The unifying power of the Games can only unfold if everyone shows respect for and solidarity to one another.”

That’s not what Russia (aided by Belarus) is doing in Ukraine and with its threats to other neighboring countries. In the “Fundamental Principles of Olympism” listed in the Olympic Charter, let us again note that the second entry reads:

“The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.”

Russia and Belarus have, are now and continue to violate this principle in their illegal territorial aggression against Ukraine, the only conflict of its kind in the world today. And on that basis, their National Olympic Committees are in violation of Rule 27.1 of the Charter:

“The mission of the NOCs is to develop, promote and protect the Olympic Movement in their respective countries, in accordance with the Olympic Charter.” (Emphasis added)

And that means that the National Olympic Committees of Russia and Belarus are open to suspension (under Rule 59) by the IOC Executive Board and, potentially, expulsion, by the IOC Session.

Bach knows this all too well. And the IOC has been here before. Canadian IOC member Dick Pound – now an Honorary Member – wrote in his 1994 book, Five Rings Over Korea, about the impact of the IOC’s expulsion of South Africa in 1970:

“It brought home, to every South African, in a direct way that could not be explained away by politicians, the total disapproval of the world of the fact of apartheid as a political system.”

A refusal to allow Russian or Belarus to compete in Paris in 2024 can make the same point.

And even as the IOC has opened the door for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete now in those federations that want to please the IOC, Bach has expressly reserved the IOC’s right to slam it shut next year.

Rich Perelman
Editor

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TSX REPORT: Swiss tiptoe into Winter Games talks; Taekwondo readmits Russians; Swim England creates “Open” class for all but women

By
Rich Perelman
-
The FIFA men's U-17 World Cup trophy

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Swiss cautiously enter Winter Games discussion with IOC
2. World Taekwondo readmits Russians; IOC’s proposal called “provocation”
3. Swim England creates Open category, UK Athletics bans trans
4. AIU lauds Kenya’s $25 million commitment vs. doping
5. Now FIFA removes men’s U-17 World Cup from Peru

The Swiss Olympic Committee announced its entry – maybe – into the Olympic Winter Games hosting derby, but has not even identified a specific Games yet. World Taekwondo voted to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals for its World Championships in May. The head of the Russian fencing federation said the whole IOC concept for Russian re-entry is a “provocation.” Swim England issued a new transgender policy, maintaining the female category for those declared female at birth and everyone else into an “open” category, including men and transgenders. A Canadian Powerlifting Union regulation allowing anyone to register as female was used by a man – with a full beard and a men’s uniform – to set an Alberta provincial record. Brett Clothier, the chief executive of the Athletics Integrity Unit, welcomed the Kenyan government’s commitment of $25 million over five years to combat doping, and asked athletes, coaches and officials for their help. FIFA removed another tournament from its host on Monday, taking the 2023 FIFA men’s U-17 World Cup from Peru; a new host will be named as the tournament is scheduled for November.

● Panorama: Paralympic Games (ABC Australia reports classification scandal) = Athletics (Tyra Gittens disqualified for six months for doping) = Cycling (Women’s Tour in Britain canceled) = Diving (Louganis medals from 1976-84-88 still on sale) = Gymnastics (Suni Lee’s kidney ailment ends Auburn career) = Modern Pentathlon (LA28 fate to be voted on in October) = Taekwondo (China wins four golds at Grand Slam Champions Series) ●

1.
Swiss cautiously enter Winter Games discussion with IOC

Last week’s announcement could not have been more tentative:

“Swiss Olympic is examining the general conditions for the Winter Games in Switzerland”

With the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee reiterating its preference for the 2034 Winter Games in order to allow some breathing room after the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the International Olympic Committee is looking for bidders for 2030. Sweden is doing a feasibility study, likely with Stockholm as the key site, and now the Swiss might be in. Maybe:

“[T]he Executive Council of Swiss Olympic decided to apply to the IOC as part of the ‘Future Host Process’ to move from ‘informal dialogue’ to ‘continuous dialogue.’ This makes Swiss Olympic the sole and sole point of contact for the IOC regarding a Swiss candidature and can thus bundle different projects and the forces behind them. This ongoing dialogue does not relate to a specific year. …

“For Swiss Olympic it is clear that a new Swiss application can only be considered after careful examination. An application concept only has a chance if it is sustainable and the staging of the Olympic and Paralympic Games leaves a legacy that goes beyond sport – to society, the economy and Switzerland as a location for innovation.”

There is good reason to go slow, as Switzerland has failed to land another Olympic Winter Games after hosting in St. Moritz in 1948. Swiss bids failed for the 1960, 1976, 2002 and 2006 Winter Games and possible bids for 2010 (Berne) and 2026 (Sion) were derailed by regional referenda. The Olympic capital of Lausanne did host a fiscally responsible 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games, with a budget of about $40 million U.S.

The situation for Salt Lake City appears very positive for 2034, but the IOC’s Future Hosts Commission for the Winter Games needs to report back to the IOC Executive Board on questions of a possible rotation of permanent host cities for the Winter Games. It is possible that the 2034 Games could be the first in a rotation plan, with a third Salt Lake City Winter Games coming again, perhaps, in 2046?

2.
World Taekwondo readmits Russians; IOC’s proposal called “provocation”

World Taekwondo announced Monday it would allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals, at least at the World Taekwondo Championships:

“[T]he Council decided to allow the participation of Individual Neutral Athletes and Support Personnel with Russian and Belarusian passport holders at the World Taekwondo-promoted Championships, starting from the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships at the end of May.

“A decision on the participation of Individual Neutral Athletes and Support Personnel with Russian and Belarusian passports in other events not promoted by World Taekwondo will be made after the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships.

“The Council also approved the establishment of a Review Committee and verification process to ensure strict neutrality of the participating Individual Neutral Athletes and Support Personnel.”

No problem for the Russians, with the national coach Vadim Ivanov telling the TASS news agency that his athletes meet the IOC’s criteria for not being associated with the military:

“I don’t know how this will be interpreted and by whom, but we are talking about the fact that we do not have contract soldiers. Our athletes have an agreement that they are athletes – instructors of CSKA.

“That is, among the Olympians who won medals, no one has a contract with the armed forces. Yes, we have several athletes – European champions and [European medalists] who have such contracts.”

Maybe, maybe not. The CSKA Sports Club has long been affiliated with the Russian military. World Taekwondo said its “review” would include a declaration by the national federation – already offered above – then a review by the European continental association and finally by a World Taekwondo committee.

Russia won four Olympic medals in the sport in Tokyo: two golds, a silver and a bronze.

Poland announced last week, in something of a surprise, that it would allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the women’s Foil World Cup in Poznan from 21-23 April if they sign a declaration that they “do not support military actions and stand against war crimes.”

Russian Fencing Federation head Ilgar Mammadov was not impressed:

“In Europe, they are trumpeting about human rights and freedom of speech, but where is it here? Speaking against your country is freedom of speech? All this is pure provocation, because they don’t want to see us, that’s why they come up with such provocative conditions.

“Five days ago we sent a letter about our admission to the International Fencing Federation [FIE], the decision is up to it. Articles and comments from the International Olympic Committee – all this is clear – but it is FIE that gives admission to the events.”

Russian State Duma member Vladimir Drachev, a four-time World Champion in biathlon between 1996-2000, ripped the IOC’s recommendations for Russian participation and told TASS:

“I think this is a provocation. They play on the athlete’s ambitions – they seem to give him the opportunity to perform and show results, but only in exchange for betraying the country, the people, and the parents.

“Definitely, in the current situation it will be a vile betrayal, then he no longer needs to return to the country. You can go to perform, but you will only have a one-way ticket.

“By offering such criteria, Western experts either show their stupidity, or simply disguise themselves. We have almost all athletes connected with law enforcement agencies, how will they isolate them from this list? It’s not serious. It is clear that all this is a game in which they pose as providing an opportunity to perform at international competitions. But a normal, sane person in response to such conditions will laugh and spit in the face of these comrades. Apparently, they believe there that they can just [have athletes] betray the country.”

3.
Swim England creates Open category, UK Athletics bans trans

“All of Swim England’s disciplines – swimming, artistic swimming, diving and water polo – will see a new ‘open’ category introduced, which will be for athletes with a birth sex of male, trans or non-binary competitors.

“Only athletes who have declared a birth sex of female will compete in the ‘female’ category.

“This will apply for all licensed events, where times are submitted to official rankings or talent pathway competitions.”

Monday’s announcement by Swim England is the federation’s first update to its gender classification policy since 2015 and eliminates male-to-female trans athletes from competing in the women’s division.

The new rules will begin on 1 September. Mike Hawkes, the Swim England diversity and inclusion officer noted, “fair competition is considered the backbone of our aquatic sports and therefore must be prioritised.”

World Aquatics has introduced strict transgender regulations that prohibit males who have gone through puberty to compete in the female division and has begun examining the creation of an “open” category. The Swim England approach is simply to quality the women’s classification and have everyone else in the “open division.”

On Friday, UK Athletics published its statement on transgender eligibility, lining up behind the World Athletics position, which does not allow males who have gone through puberty to compete in the women’s division. It does allow transgenders competing under the 2021 UK Athletics policy to “remain eligible to compete in that event but may not accept any prize and their results will not count towards any record, qualifying time or mark, or team scoring.”

The new guidelines specifically noted that this change should not expose UK Athletics to legal liability, as “it has also received the required assurances from relevant bodies that the sporting exemption in the Equality Act 2010 applies to the Gender Recognition Act 2004.”

The federation also endorsed the World Athletics position on female athletes with Differences in Sex Development, setting a serum testosterone limit of 2.5 nmol/L for 24 months, across all events.

In situations where no regulations have been introduced, someone was eventually going to make a mockery of the transgender opportunity, and it happened in a powerlifting competition in Canada.

The New York Post (and many others) reported a 25 March incident at the Heroes Classic tournament in Lethbridge, Alberta, where bearded Avi Silverberg – the head coach of the Canadian Powerlifting team, and in a men’s competition singlet – registered to compete in the women’s division and

“He then casually bench-pressed nearly 370 pounds – beating the current Alberta women’s record by almost 100 pounds.”

The lift was recorded by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), which stated:

“[W]hat Avi so obviously points out is that policies allowing men access to women’s sports completely remove any integrity in women’s competitions.

“It doesn’t matter how Avi expresses himself or perceives himself. He clearly does not belong in women’s sport, and neither does any other male regardless of their motivation for wanting to participate.”

The Canadian Powerlifting Union regulations require only that an athlete “should be able to participate in the gender with which they identify.”

4.
AIU lauds Kenya’s $25 million commitment vs. doping

Kenya’s Anti-Doping Steering Committee, tasked with cleaning up the torrent of doping positives among track & field athletes, gave its first report to the national government in Nairobi, joined by Athletics Integrity Unit chief executive Brett Clothier (AUS). In short:

“[T]he Committee has indicated it will draw upon the extensive expertise of a multiagency team to investigate and prosecute doping matters. It will also increase testing among Kenyan athletes as well as enhance educational and integrity programmes for athletes and athlete personnel.”

Clothier noted that if the process is successful, it will likely create a short-term increase in doping positives as the cheaters are rooted out.

Noting the Kenyan government’s commitment of $5 million per year for five years dedicated to anti-doping effort, he told groups in Kapsabet and Iten – that totaled more than 300 athletes, coaches and officials – that they must be involved:

“It’s good to uncover the doping cases but we also need to educate athletes on the do’s and don’ts as one way of making sure the sport is clean.

“If you see something suspicious, you just need to talk to law enforcement or the federation [Athletics Kenya] as one way of protecting the sport. We are asking for your help.

“As a regulatory body, we are advocating for clean sports and Kenya has shown support by bringing in the ministry of sports, the poisons and pharmacy board, law enforcement, the anti-doping agency, among other stakeholders and we are glad that this will help in reducing the numbers [of doping cases] witnessed in the past. It’s a long road. It’s not going to be easy, but we have got the right platform.”

5.
Now FIFA removes men’s U-17 World Cup from Peru

Just days after the 2023 FIFA men’s U-20 World Cup was removed from Indonesia due to its unwillingness to host the already-qualified Israeli team, now FIFA has removed its 2023 men’s U-17 World Cup from Peru.

The tournament is scheduled for 10 November to 2 December 2023, but:

“The move was made given the inability of the host country to fulfil its commitments to completing the infrastructure required to stage the tournament. Despite a very positive working relationship between FIFA and the [Peru Football Federation], it has been determined that there is now not sufficient time to secure the required investment and complete the necessary work with the Peruvian government ahead of the tournament start date.”

FIFA awarded the tournament to Peru in 2019, with 24 teams from the six confederations scheduled to compete. Six stadia were expected to be used.

A new host for the tournament is expected to be announced in time for the event to take place as scheduled.

Anybody else?

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Paralympic Games ● The ABC Australia “Four Corners” news program called the Paralympic Games “in crisis,” reporting:

“Paralympic athletes are deliberately exaggerating their impairments in a bid to win medals, a Four Corners investigation has found.

“Speaking publicly for the first time about the scandal, the former head of the world governing body for Paralympic sport said it threatened the credibility of the Games.

“‘I cannot say that this doesn’t exist. It exists,’ said Xavier Gonzalez [ESP], who [was the chief executive of] the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) from 2004 to 2019.”

The classification of competitors into specific groups according to their disability is a complex, sometimes difficult-to-decipher program which is currently undergoing review by the International Paralympic Committee. Cheating on classification is an issue being discussed, with changes to the current not expected until after the Paris 2024 Games. But:

“Paralympians and senior classifiers from around the globe have told a current International Paralympic Committee (IPC) review how easy it is to exploit flaws in the current system and expressed their despair at the movement’s apparent impotence in the face of the cheating.”

As the Paralympic Games rises in popularity – and it is rising – there is grave concern that this problem will worsen, with calls now for an independent organization to be created to monitor classification in the same way that external groups for doping (World Anti-Doping Agency) and testing (International Testing Agency) have been formed.

● Athletics ● The Athletics Integrity Unit announced a six-month suspension of Tyra Gittens (TTO) – the 2021 NCAA heptathlon champ for Texas A&M – for the stimulant Methylphenidate, in a prescribed medication.

Gittens had a Therapeutic Use Exemption for the drug, but it had not been renewed when she failed a test on 26 June 2022. She admitted the fault and was assessed a six-month penalty from 26 September 2022 to 25 March 2023. Her results were nullified going back to 26 June 2022, including her results in the World Championships (19th in qualifying) and Commonwealth Games (11th). She returned to competition at the Texas Relays on 1 April, finishing fifth at 6.38 m (20-11 1/4).

● Cycling ● The ninth edition of the five-stage Women’s Tour, scheduled for 7-11 June and finishing in Birmingham (GBR) has been cancelled. The UCI Women’s World Tour event had been having financial difficulties and was short by £500,000 (~$620,373).

The organizer, England-based Sweetspot Group, noted:

“The Women’s Tour, the award-winning and trailblazing cycle race, will take a one-year hiatus in 2023. Owing to a combination of increased running costs (approximately 20% higher in comparison to the 2022 race), a reduced level of commercial support, and challenges in finding a vehicle partner to replace ŠKODA to help create a safe racing environment for riders and spectators alike, it has proved impossible to deliver the event that was proposed for June.”

● Diving ● Diving legend Greg Louganis ended up not selling the three medals he had up for auction and now has them for sale on his site, Still in the auction section, his 1976 Montreal 10 m Platform silver is available for bid at $750,000; his 1984 Los Angeles 3 m Springboard gold is offered at $1.5 million, as is his 1988 Seoul 10 m Platform gold.

● Gymnastics ● Tokyo Olympic All-Around gold medalist Suni Lee announced that she is ending her collegiate gymnastics career at Auburn early. She wrote on Twitter:

“I have been dealing with a non-gymnastics health related issue involving my kidneys. For my safety, the medical team did not clear me to train or compete over the last few weeks. … My focus at this time is my health and recovery.

“It’s been challenging to end my Auburn career early, but I am thankful for all the love & support. I will not stop pursuing my dreams for a bid to Paris in 2024. In fact, this experience has sharpened my vision for the future.”

Lee won the Tokyo All-Around, a team silver and a bronze on the Uneven Bars. At Auburn, she won the 2022 NCAA title on Beam and a silver in the All-Around.

● Modern Pentathlon ● In a commentary on the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne Web site, Secretary General Shiny Fang (CHN) wrote in pertinent part:

“Looking to the next stage of evolution that will determine our future, the International Olympic Committee finally announced the precise timeline of its decision-making around the Los Angeles 2028 sports programme.

“The decision will be made by the IOC session in October 2023 in Mumbai (IND). This means we have six more months to solidly and continuously demonstrate our improvement at multiple dimensions.”

Given that the Session will vote on items proposed by the IOC Executive Board, it has been expected that a recommendation on the Los Angeles 2028 program, including the future of boxing, modern pentathlon, weightlifting and any sports that the LA28 organizing committee wishes to add, will be made during the 20-22 June 2023 Executive Board meeting.

The UIPM probably has that long to influence its place in 2028.

● Taekwondo ● China dominated the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series in Wuxi (CHN) that concluded on Monday, winning eight medals (4-2-2), including all four golds in the women’s division.

World Championships runner-up Zuo Ju (CHN) won by 2-0 over Adriana Cerezo Iglesias (ESP) in the women’s 49 kg class; 2022 World Champion Zongshi Luo defeated Lijun Zhou, 2-0, in the all-China final at 57 kg; Jie Song won at 67 kg against Cecilia Castro Burgos (ESP), 2-0; and in another all-China final at +67 kg, Shunan Zhao scored a 2-0 win over Wenzhe Mu.

Uzbekistan won two of the four men’s classes, with Tokyo Olympic champ Ulugbek Rashitov taking a 2-1 decision against Iran’s Danial Bozorgishoob at 68 kg, and Jasurbek Jaysunov won at 80 kg over Mehran Barkhordari (IRI), 2-0.

Tokyo Olympic 80 kg winner Woo-hyeok Jung (KOR) defeated Tunisia’s Mohamed Jendoubi, 2-0, and Iran’s Arian Salimi defeated Turkey’s Emre Atesli, at +80 kg, 2-0.

You can receive our exclusive TSX Report by e-mail by clicking here. You can also refer a friend by clicking here, and can donate here to keep this site going.

For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Ukraine to boycott Paris qualifiers if Russians there; Covid hurts LA28-funded youth programs; McIntosh gets 400 Medley world record!

By
Rich Perelman
-
A supportive salute to Ukraine from the Federation Internationale de Luge

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Ukraine to boycott Paris qualifiers with Russians entered
2. Russia slams all restrictions, challenges IOC leadership
3. Argentina submits bid for FIFA U-20 World Cup
4. Covid hurts participation in LA28-funded L.A. City youth programs
5. Crouser’s 76-8 1/2 world record may not be ratified

In the aftermath of the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations that Russian and Belarusian athletes could return to international competition as neutrals, the Ukrainian government said that its athletes would not compete in events which include Russian or Belarusian athletes. The IOC was upset by this, but the French Sports Minister said that while the IOC has the authority to decide who participates in the Paris 2024 Games, the French government will be heard on the issue … loudly. In Russia, reaction to the IOC’s recommendations continued with condemnations of the recommendations and the IOC, as any restrictions are deemed inappropriate or worse. With FIFA removing its men’s U-20 World Cup from Indonesia in view of its desire not to have Israel compete in the country, Argentina has stepped up with a detailed bid for the event, still scheduled to open on 20 May. A report submitted to the Los Angeles City Council’s committee on the 2028 Olympic Games showed that participation in the PlayLA sports programs for the 2021-22 fiscal year, partially subsidized by the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic organizers, fell short of their 2018-19 levels by more than 23,500 enrollees, in part due to Covid-19 restrictions in Los Angeles County and vaccination requirements for staff. Happily, the amount spent was also down by 45% against the budgeted amount. Ratification by World Athletics of the sensational 23.38 m (76-8 1/2) shot put by Ryan Crouser in February may not happen. The federation has appended a notice of “irregular measurement” to the mark, possibly due to a technical issue with the way the shot put ring was installed at the fieldhouse in Pocatello, Idaho, where the performance took place.

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (140-170 boats for opening ceremony) = Athletics (3: World outdoor leads in 13 events at Texas Relays; Van Niekerk 44.17 at South African champs; Bor and Hill win USATF 10M) = Badminton (China wins two at Madrid Masters) = Basketball (six Olympians and a team among 2023 inductees) = Cycling (Roglic and Kopecky tops at Tour of Flanders) = Gymnastics (Nikolova dominates Sofia Rhythmic World Cup) = Judo (France wins four at Antalya Grand Slam) = Rugby (New Zealand sweeps Sevens Series in Hong Kong) = Shooting (U.S. earns silver in Mixed Trap) = Ski Jumping (Granerud wins seasonal World Cup) = Swimming (McIntosh sets 400 m Medley record) = Weightlifting (U.S. tops PanAm Champs with 15 medals) ●

1.
Ukraine to boycott Paris qualifiers with Russians entered

“Today at the government meeting a protocol decision was made based on the proposal of my colleague [Ukrainian Sports Minister and National Olympic Committee President Vadym] Gutzeit, that we participate only in the qualifying competitions where there are no Russians.”

That was Oleh Nemchinov, Ukraine’s Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, in a television interview last Thursday, adding:

“Yesterday, I attended another funeral of a good acquaintance of mine, who gave more than 20 years to athletics and died in the Kharkiv area. He left behind three children. He volunteered for his second war. And he wasn’t a canteen cook, let’s put it that way. That is, he was serving in combat units.

“So, I want to tell our fellow athletes who are worried that because of the IOC’s decisions and the admission of Russians or Belarusians to the competitions, respectively, that Ukrainians will not be able to participate, that their careers will be ruined or something to that effect. But actually, you and your children’s lives will be saved.”

The International Olympic Committee, which announced on Tuesday that it recommends allowing individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete internationally as neutrals, but with considerable additional work to be done on the details, issued a very unhappy reply on Friday:

“If implemented, such a decision would only hurt the Ukrainian athlete community, and in no way impact the war that the world wants to stop, and that the IOC has so vehemently condemned. The IOC has always maintained that it is not up to governments to decide which athletes can participate in which international competitions.”

It also noted that Ukrainian tennis players are competing against “neutral” Russians and Belarusians on the ATP and WTA tours, although this has created a tense situation in at least the women’s tour.

The French Sports Minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, said, “It’s the IOC that has the final say, it’s the IOC that determines the conditions under which athletes participate.

“On the other hand, it’s clear that the head of state of the host nation [French President Emmanuel Macron] will have a voice that will be heard in the IOC’s deliberations.”

There were further reactions to the IOC’s announcement last Tuesday, with the French Fencing Federation canceling an FIE men’s Epee World Cup set to be held from 19-21 May in St. Maur. The FIE had already voted to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return after the middle of April, subject to the IOC’s guidelines. This is the second FIE World Cup to be canceled over the Russian and Belarusian issue; the women’s Foil World Cup scheduled for 5-7 May in Tauberbischofsheim (GER) was also “returned” to the FIE.

Other international federations began posting announcements or giving statements on their intentions. The UCI (cycling) and ITTF (table tennis) said they would discuss what to do later and the FIG (gymnastics) and FIVB (volleyball) also said more study is needed. The ITF (tennis) reiterated their stand, allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals in tour events, but not in ITF national-entry events, for which those federations are suspended (which apparently includes the Olympic Games in Paris). .

Federations which will apparently not be impacted are those in team sports, which the IOC suggested retain the ban: basketball, football, handball, hockey and rugby sevens.

Dependable IOC allies in the five continental associations of National Olympic Committees posted a statement of support for the IOC’s position on Friday. The Association of National Olympic Committees did the same.

The International Paralympic Committee, which suspended the Russian and Belarusian national committees last November, does not plan to review their status until their 2023 General Assembly in the third quarter of 2023.

The All-England Club announced Friday that it would allow Russian and Belarusian entries at Wimbledon in 2023:

“Our current intention is to accept entries from Russian and Belarusian players subject to them competing as ‘neutral’ athletes and complying with appropriate conditions. These will prohibit expressions of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in various forms and prohibit entry by players receiving funding from the Russian and/or Belarusian states (including sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by the states) in relation to their participation in The Championships.”

Said Ian Hewitt, the All-England Club Chair:

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, not taken lightly or without a great deal of consideration for those who will be impacted.”

Wimbledon did not have Russian or Belarusian players in 2022 due to a government ban on their entry; the 2023 position was coordinated with the British government.

2.
Russia slams all restrictions, challenges IOC leadership

The reaction in Russia to the IOC’s recommendations was to continue its all-out rejection of any and all restrictions.

Despite being able to return, apparently, after 15 April to individual competitions according to the vote of the FIE online Congress last month, Russian Fencing Federation chief Ilgar Mammadov was livid:

“With such conditions, there is no chance. You have to sell your soul to the devil to go to Paris or remain a normal person. …

“In this matter, the IOC has shown that international federations are simply nobody and nothing. What is an international federation? There is a charter, there is a supreme governing body: this is the congress. Congress decides on admission. The IOC again gives some recommendations of its own. Why is it possible to perform in tennis, but fencers are not allowed when [the FIE] Congress has voted? The IOC simply restricts our rights as athletes, as people.”

He noted especially the restriction on athletes affiliated with the military:

“We have all the leading athletes from CSKA or Dynamo [sports clubs]; we have such a system, like the Italians, Hungarians, Germans, Chinese, Poles, Ukrainians, that is, we are all in this system to participate in the Military World Games. So it’s very simple, [the IOC] knew it perfectly well and knew where to hit. They made such a false attack, as if they want to return us.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday:

“We are convinced that the recommendations on the admission of Russian athletes to competitions in a neutral status without a flag and an anthem are dictated primarily by the desire to once again implement the strange, wild logic imposed by the West, to exclude us from world sports, attempts to exert pressure, as they say, ‘implement a policy of containment’ against our country.

“They are unacceptable when they disguise themselves as an imaginary protection of human rights, and at the same time the principles of Olympism are distorted beyond recognition.”

A Telegram post by the head of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, Viktor Bondarev included:

“The IOC has imposed a categorical taboo on the participation in competitions of Russian and Belarusian athletes who took part in rallies and concerts in support of the [invasion of Ukraine] and demonstrated the ‘Z’ symbol, as well as those who are on contract service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and law enforcement agencies, knowing full well that many of our athletes serve under contract in the Army, National Guard and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“This means the automatic non-admission of entire clubs like CSKA and Dynamo to participate in international competitions. They want to force our athletes to make a choice between their homeland and a career in big-time sports, but from all this it is possible to benefit: in the development and formation of new, international sports competitions independent of the West.”

Dmitry Vasiliev, a two-time relay gold medalist in biathlon in 1984 and 1988, was outraged and told the Russian news agency TASS:

“We see calls, in particular, from Norwegian biathletes, not to allow our athletes, even those who have nothing to do with the [Ukraine invasion]. For this, thanks should be said to [IOC President] Thomas Bach, who destroyed everything. Athletes should compete, not speak out on political issues. It was he who involved them in this process, which destroyed the fundamental Olympic thesis that sport should be outside of politics.

“Tennis and overseas [NHL] hockey are exclusively commercial sports, the main thing there is money. They exist outside the framework of the Olympic Movement, which no longer exists: Mr. Thomas Bach destroyed it.”

3.
Argentina submits bid for FIFA U-20 World Cup

Just a day after Indonesia was removed as host for the FIFA men’s U-20 World Cup that will begin on 20 May, Argentina submitted a detailed bid.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said during a news conference during a visit to Paraguay:

“There have been other countries that have expressed an interest, but in terms of a formal proposal and all the government assurances that come with that, Argentina is in pole position.

“The decision will be made, I think, over the next two or three days – and as soon as possible because the [U-20] World Cup kicks off on 20 May, which is right around the corner. We all know about football in Argentina, it’s a country that I’m sure would be able to host a tournament of this magnitude.

“AFA’s proposal will be sent over to the FIFA Bureau [of the Council], which will ultimately make the decision as to who will host the U-20 World Cup. I would like to give my thanks, of course, to [AFA] President [Claudio] Tapia and to all of Argentina, as well as the government, for organising their proposal in such a quick fashion. It really makes our life a little bit easier.”

Indonesia was removed as host due to the Governor of Bali’s declaration that Israel – which qualified for the event for the first time – would not be welcome to play there, where it had been assigned. This is an obvious breach not only of FIFA’s rules, but of the covenants undertaken by Indonesia when it was awarded the tournament; Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

4.
Covid hurts participation in LA28-funded L.A. City youth programs

Los Angeles County maintained some of the strictest masking rules in the nation well into March of 2022, a significant factor in the lowered level of participation in the City of Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department’s Youth Sports Program funded by the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee.

LA28 pledged funding of $160 million into 2028 for allow participation costs to be reduced to $10 per person and get more young people playing sports. But the PlayLA annual report for the 2021-22 fiscal year show that the overall program has not reached the pre-pandemic levels from 2018-19 (ages 1-17):

● 65,708 enrolled in Rec Center programs: 126% of plan
● 24,424 enrolled in Signature programs: 40% of plan
● 90,132 enrolled total: 79% of plan (113,634)

The Signature programs include individual-sport programs in aquatics, golf, judo, tennis, track & field and adaptive sports.

Happily, spending on these program also was short of projections, leaving more money for the future:

● $5.281 million planned for Rec Center programs: 73% spent
● $3.104 million planned for Signature programs: 26% spent
● $1.250 million for SafeSport and marketing: 52% spent
● $9.635 million planned total: 55% spent ($5.317 million)

The Recreation & Parks Department report noted significant problems with hiring as one reason for the enrollment shortfall in Signature programs:

“There was difficulty securing specialized instructors in all Signature programs to cover classes at the recreation centers. Eight hiring fairs were conducted by PlayLA staff to address the issue. The vaccination requirement hindered potential instructors from applying for positions.”

Funding for these program was not solely provided by LA28 and included donations from Nike, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, the LA84 Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, L.A. Council District 14 (Kevin de Leon), Dick’s Sporting Goods, Angel City FC and Lids.

5.
Crouser’s 76-8 1/2 world record may not be ratified

American Olympic and World Champion Ryan Crouser extended his own world record in the men’s shot put on 18 February at the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho, sending the 16-pound ball out fo 23.38 or 76-8 1/2.

That was one centimeter better than his 2021 mark of 23.37 (76-8 1/4) at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. That mark was ratified by World Athletics, but doubt has crept in on the Pocatello mark.

Track & Field News surmised that Crouser’s 23.38 might not get approved because he used an indoor shot – with a rubber exterior coating – instead of the solid-metal shots used for outdoor competitions.

Now, French coach P.J. Vazel noticed a new issue and tweeted:

“No @WorldAthletics for @RCrouserThrows as his 23.38 in Pocatello won’t be ratified, from the videos it appears that the ring [height] was probably above the sector exceeding the rule allowance”

On the World Athletics Web site, Crouser’s 2023 results list the 23.38 m win in Pocatello, but also has the notation “IRM” for “irregular measurement.”

There has been no World Athletics announcement about Crouser’s mark, but Vazel’s observation that there are issues with it do not bode well for its ratification. Crouser met with reporters on Friday in advance of his appearance at the Drake Relays at the end of April, where he will compete indoors in a mixed-team event, as well as outdoors during the main meet.

And Crouser has no doubts that he can throw further. How much further? He wouldn’t say exactly, but he sounded confident when talking about a potential “outlier” at 24 meters (78-9)!

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● A detail of the unique Opening Ceremony on the Seine River was noted during a meeting of the Ile-de-France regional council. It was explained that 140-170 boats will be needed to transport the athletes on the Seine during the ceremony.

● Athletics ● Sensational marks at the Texas Relays, with world outdoor leaders in 13 events (including a tie):

● Men/200 m: 20.05, Terrence Jones (BAH/Texas Tech)
● Men/800 m: 1:45.31, Oussama El Bouchayby (MAR/Angelo State)
● Men/4×100 m: 38.08, United States
● Men/4×400 m: 2:58.82, USA/Georgia
● Men/High Jump: 2.33 m (7-7 3/4), JuVaughn Harrison (=)
● Men/Pole Vault: 5.86 m (19-2 1/4), Branson Ellis (USA/S.F. Austin) and Zach Bradford (USA/Texas Tech)
● Men/Javelin: 84.27 m (276-5), Keyshawn Strachan (BAH/Auburn)
● Men/Decathlon: 8,478, Leo Neugebauer (Germany/Texas)

● Women/200 m: 22.46, Gabby Thomas (USA)
● Women/100 m hurdles: 12.36, Masai Russell (USA/Kentucky)
● Women/4×100 m: 41.75, United States
● Women/4×400 m: 3:24.82, United States
● Women/Discus: 67.90 m (222-9), Valarie Allman (USA)

The speedy USA Red men’s 4×100 m team featured Christian Coleman, Kenny Bednarek, Kyree King and Marvin Bracy. The deepest men’s collegiate 4×400 m  ever saw the Georgia quartet of Matthew Boling, Caleb Cavanaugh, Will Sumner and Elija Godwin run the second-fastest 4×400 in collegiate history (2:58.82), followed by the no. 6 time by Alabama (2:59.15 by Chris Robinson, Demetrius Jackson, Tarsis Orogot/UGA and Khaleb McRae) and no. 8 by UCLA in 2:59.25 (Antonie Nortje/RSA, Myles Misener-Daley/CAN, Willington Wright [44.31] and Ismail Turner [44.49]). Wow!

In the men’s 800 m, El Bouchayby beat Bryce Hoppel of the U.S., 1:45.31-1:45.59, the top two outdoor marks in the world this year.

The women’s marks were highlighted by a collegiate record of 12.36 by American Masai Russell of Kentucky, slicing 0.03 off of Brianna McNeal’s 12.39 run for Clemson in 2013. Russell is no. 8 in U.S. history. Alia Armstrong, the 2022 Worlds fourth-placer, was second to Russell in 12.57.

Thomas, the 200 m Tokyo bronze medalist, won both of the women’s sprints in 11.09 (+1.5 m/s) and her outdoor world leader of 22.46 (+1.2).

The USA Gold 4×100 m winners (41.75) included Melissa Jefferson, Abby Steiner, Jenna Prandini and Aleia Hobbs, just ahead of the USA Stars team (42.10) of Javianne Oliver, TeeTee Terry, Teahna Daniels and Sha’Carri Richardson.

The winning 4×400 m in 3:24.82 was “Hurdle Mechanics”: Dalilah Muhammad, Alexis Holmes, Brittany Brown and Anna Cockrell, ahead of the USA Red team (3:25.65): Kyra Jefferson, Abby Steiner, Jenna Prandini and Raevyn Rogers.

The best team, however, had to be the Texas women, led by Julian Alfred (LCA), which ran wild:

● 4×100 m: 42.00 (collegiate record; old, 42.05, LSU, 2018), Alfred, Ezinne Abba, Lanae Thomas, Kevona Davis (JAM).

● 4×200 m: 1:28.05 (collegiate record; old, 1:28.78, Oregon 2017), Rhasidat Adeleke (IRL), Alfred, Davis, Thomas.

● Sprint Medley: 3:36.10 (collegiate record; old, 3:38.93, Texas A&M, 2022), Alfred, Davis, Kennedy Simon, Adeleke.

And Texas, with Adeleke, Simon, Alfred and Rachel Helbling, ran a world-leading 3:23.27 in the 4×400 m, but with a mixed team, so the U.S. “Hurdle Mechanics” team will get credit.

At the South African national championships in Potchefstroom, men’s 400 m world-record holder Wayde van Niekerk won in a world-leading 44.17, his fastest since 2017. Akani Simbine won the men’s 100 m in 10.14, but ran a world-leading 9.92 in his semifinal (wind: +0.6).

And Zeney Van Der Walt, 22, won the women’s 400 m hurdles in a world-leading 54.82.

Hillary Bor and Sara Hall won the U.S. 10 Mile Championships, held in cold conditions, in conjunction with the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile in Washington, D.C.

Defending champion Bor was in or near the lead the entire way and separated himself from Abbabiya Simbassa by the 6-mile mark and cruised home in an American Record of 46:11, two seconds faster than Greg Meyer’s venerable 46:13 mark from 1983!

Simbassa was second in 47:09, trailed by Jacob Thomson third in 47:30.

The women’s race saw seven in the lead pack at six miles, with Hall, Nell Rojas, Emma Hurley and Molly Grabill together with two miles left. Rojas attacked with a mile left, but dropped no one and the race came down to a final sprint of about 200 yards. Hall’s dash beat Rojas to the line, 52:37 to 52:38, for her fourth national 10-mile title. Hurley was third in 52:41 and Grabill had to settle for fourth at 52:42.

● Badminton ● Two wins for China highlighted the Madrid Spain Masters that concluded on Sunday. Both came in Doubles, as Ji Ting He and Hao Dong Zhou (CHN) defeated Fang Chih Lee and Fang-Jen Lee (TPE), 21-5, 21-12, and in the all-China women’s Doubles, it was Sheng Shu Liu and Ning Tan over Fang Hui Chan and Yue Du, 21-8, 16-21, 21-18.

Japan’s top-seeded Kenta Nishimoto won the all-Japan men’s Singles final over Kanta Tsuneyama, 15-21, 21-18, 21-19, while Gregoria Tunjung (INA) pulled a mild upset over India’s V. Sindhu Pusarla, 21-8, 21-8.

In the Mixed Doubles, Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Boje (DEN) were winners against Praveen Jordan and Melati Oktavianti (INA), 22-20, 21-18.

● Basketball ● The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its 2023 inductees, including six Olympians and an Olympic team among the 12 members-to-be.

The Olympians include Americans Gregg Popovich (assistant coach, 2004 U.S. Olympic team; coach, 2020 U.S. Olympic team), Dwayne Wade (2004 Olympic bronze, 2008 Olympic gold) and Becky Hammon (controversially played for Russia in 2008, winning a bronze).

Also named were Spain’s Pau Gasol (2008-12 Olympic silvers, 2016 Olympic bronze), Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki (2008 Olympic tournament) and France’s Tony Parker (2012-16 Olympic tournaments).

The U.S. women’s Olympic team from 1976 was also named. The silver medalists were coached by Billie Moore and included Pat Summit, Nancy Lieberman and Ann Meyers in the first Olympic basketball tournament for women.

Induction ceremonies will be in August.

● Cycling ● The second of the five annual “Monument” races, Ronde van Vlaanderen – first held in 1913 – was another testimonial to Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar.

The winner of the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021, he won his third Monument – previously Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Il Lombardia – with a breakaway over the Oude Kwaremont on the hilly, 273.4 km route from Brugge to Oudenaarde. A big crash slowed down the peloton after 100 km, but a six-minute lead for the leaders was whittled down to a minute with 40 km left.

Pogacar’s attack with 17 km left was never matched and he finished in 6:12:07, followed by Mathieu van der Poel (NED: +0:16) and then a group of six led by Mads Pedersen (DEN: +1:12). Americans Neilson Powless (fifth) and Matteo Jorgenson (ninth: +1:19) both finished in the top 10.

The third Monument comes on 9 April with the running of Paris-Roubaix.

The women’s Tour of Flanders – the 20th – was a win for the home team as Lotte Kopecky defended her 2022 title over the 156.6 km route that began and ended in Oudenaarde. Lopecky attacked with 18 km left and dropped everyone, winning by 36 seconds over a six-member chase pack.

Dutch star Demi Vollering finished second, ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini and Silvia Persico from Italy. Megan Jastrab was the top American, in 46th (+5:00).

● Gymnastics ● A dominant performance for home favorite Stiliana Nikolova at the Rhythmic World Cup in Sofia (BUL)!

Nikolova, 17, won the All-Around, scoring 131.300, ahead of Italy’s 2022 World Champion, Sofia Raffaeli (128.750) and Uzbek Takhmina Ikromova (124.550). The top American finishers were Jaelyn Chin (112.000) and Alexandria Kautzman (109.150), in 24th and 25th.

Nikolova, the 2022 Worlds All-Around bronze medal winner, then won the individual finals in Hoop (33.800) over Adi Katz (ISR: 33.600) and Rafaelli (32.600); in Ball (35.000), ahead of Rafaelli (33.150) and Ikromova (31.750); and in Clubs (34.000), beating teammate Evy Brezalieva (32.700) and Rafaelli (32.150).

Ikromova won on Ribbon (30.900) on a tie-breaker with Elzhana Taniyeva (KAZ: 30.900), with Barbara Domingos (BRA) third at 30.650.

● Judo ● An outstanding showing by France, with five wins at the Antalya Grand Slam in Turkey.

French fighters won four classes on Saturday, with Luka Mkheidze in the men’s 60 kg class, Maxime Gobert in the men’s 66 kg, Blandine Pont in the women’s 48 kg division and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Amandine Buchard in the women’s 52 kg class.

On Sunday, Rio 2016 silver medalist Audrey Tcheumeo won a t 78 kg, beating Tokyo Olympic champ Shori Hamada of Japan, for her ninth career win in a Grand Slam tournament.

Brazil won two women’s classes, with Tokyo Olympic champ Rafaela Silva taking the 57 kg class and Ketleyn Quadros at 63 kg. The Netherlands also collected two golds, first from 2019 World Champion Noel Van’t End in the men’s 90 class and then Jelle Snippe in the all-Dutch +100 kg final against 2021 Worlds bronze medalist Roy Meyer.

Manuel Lombardo (ITA), the 66 kg 2021 Worlds runner-up, won at 73 kg, and Belgium’s 2021 World Champion Matthais Casse won at 81 kg. Japan’s Saki Niizoe, the 2022 Worlds bronze medalist, defeated 2022 World Champion Barbara Matic (CRO) in the women’s 70 kg final.

The home team got a win in the women’s +78 kg class, with two-time Worlds bronze medalist Kayra Sayit defeating Milica Zabic (SRB).

● Rugby ● New Zealand swept the HSBC Rugby Sevens Series tournaments in Hong Kong and has the lead in both the men’s and women’s seasonal standings.

The New Zealand women – the Black Ferns – were 3-0 in their group, as were Australia and France. In the playoffs, the Ferns swamped Canada, 45-14, stomped Fiji, 31-5 and then outfought Australia, 26-17 to win their fifth straight tournament of the season.

After six of seven stages, New Zealand leads the standings with 118 points to 102 for Australia, 90 for the U.S. and 78 for France. All four of those teams are now qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic tournament.

In the eighth men’s tournament out of 11, New Zealand – the All Blacks – won for the third time in the last four. New Zealand, Fiji and France were all 3-0 in pool play, with the U.S. at 2-1 and winners of their group. In the quarters, the Kiwis, Fiji and France advanced, while the U.S. was beaten by Great Britain. The All Blacks beat France, 12-7, in one semis while Fiji overcame Great Britain, 19-14. It was a tight final, but New Zealand beat Fiji, 24-17, while France edged the British, 19-17.

With three legs remaining, New Zealand has a 142-121 lead on Argentina, with Fiji at 113 and France at 112. The U.S. is ninth at 91.

● Shooting ● The Trap events in the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Larnaca (CYP) saw Croatian Anton Glasnovic, 42, the 2013 Worlds silver medalist, win his third career individual World Cup title with a shoot-off win against Andreas Makri (CYP) after a 32-32 tie.

Britain’s Lucy Hall, 19, got her first World Cup win with a 29-27 victory over China’s Cuicui Wu.

In the Mixed Team final, Portugal’s Joao Azevedo and Maria Coelho de Barros scored a 7-3 gold-medal victory over the American duo of Walton Eller and Alicia Gough, the only U.S. medal of the tournament.

● Ski Jumping ● The FIS men’s World Cup for 2022-23 concluded with the annual ski-flying events – off a 240 m hill! – in Planica (SLO), with Norway’s Halvor Egner Granerud winning the seasonal title.

On Saturday, Austria’s three-time World Champion, Stefan Kraft, got his 26th career World Cup victory with 240.5 points in the one-round event, ahead of home favorite Anze Lanisek (234.7) and Poland’s Piotr Zyla (233.3). Granerud was fourth (228.4); American Decker Dean was 39th (162.3).

Sunday was a celebration for the home team, as Timi Zajc – who won the 2023 World Large Hill title in Planica earlier this year – used a huge second jump to move from fifth to first and score his third career World Cup win over Lanisek, 455.1 to 455.0, with Kraft third at 445.1.

Granerud finished with 2,128 points, ahead of Kraft (1,790) and Lanisek (1,679). It’s the second seasonal title for Granerud, who also won in 2021.

● Swimming ● Teen sensation Summer McIntosh continued her record-breaking Canadian Trials performances in Toronto, setting a world record in the 400 m Medley of 4:25.87 on Saturday, breaking Hungarian Katinka Hosszu’s 2016 mark of 4:26.36.

McIntosh, 16, had earlier set the world 400 m Free record at 3:56.08 – breaking Australian Ariarne Titmus’ mark of 3:56.40, and set world junior marks – and 2023 world leads – in the 200 m Medley (2:06.89) and 200 m Butterfly (2:04.70, no. 8 all-time).

She now owns three of the fastest six times in history in the 400 m Medley.

McIntosh finished up on Sunday with another Canadian national record, World Junior Record and world-leading time in the 200 m Freestyle, in 1:53.91, moving her to no. 5 all-time.

Tokyo Olympic champ Maggie MacNeil was overshadowed, but grabbed the world lead in the women’s 100 m Fly at 56.54, and came back to win the 50 m Free in 24.79, and the 100 m Free in 54.58.

If not for McIntosh, Josh Liendo would have been the story of the meet, with world-leading marks in the 100 m Fly (50.36, no. 5 all-time), then 21.80 in the 50 m Free and 47.86 in the 100m Free! He also set a Canadian Record in the 50 m Fly in 23.27.

● Weightlifting ● The U.S. performed impressively at the Pan American Championships in Bariloche (ARG), leading the medal table with 15 total and eight golds.

The U.S. got wins from Hampton Morris in the men’s 61 kg class (281 kg), Nathan Damron at 96 kg (340 kg), Ryan Sester at 102 kg (372 kg), Wesley Kitts at 109 kg (365 kg) and a gold-silver combo at +109 kg from Alejandro Medina (385 kg) and Caine Wilkes (384 kg).

Three American women won their classes: Jourdan Delacruz at 49 kg (lifting a total of 198 kg, with Hayley Reichardt second at 197 kg); Meredith Alwine at 76 kg (238 kg) and Mary Thiesen-Lappen at +87 kg (272 kg, with former World Champion Sarah Robles second at 271 kg).

Other U.S. silver medalists included Ryan Grimsland in the men’s 73 kg class (323 kg); Danielle Gunnin in the women’s 59 kg division (220 kg), and Katie Nye at 71 kg (248 kg, with Olivia Reeves third at 247 kg).

Venezuela won four classes, with Julio Mayora in the men’s 73 kg event (332 kg), Darvin Castro at 81 kg (324 kg), Kaydomar Vallenilla at 89 kg (379 kg), and Rosielis Quintana in the women’s 45 kg class (160 kg).

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For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: IOC now looking to solve abuse issues in sport; Bach rips government critics of IOC’s Russian position, but holds a weak hand

By
Rich Perelman
-
IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) at Thursday's news conference (Photo: IOC video screen shot)

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. IOC convenes conference to look for local safeguarding ideas
2. Bach calls government critics of IOC’s Russia stance “deplorable”
3. Observed: IOC anger trying to mask its 2024 vulnerabilities
4. Ukraine, Czech, German and Polish officials lambast IOC position
5. Russian star Dalaloyan says no one will leave their clubs

The International Olympic Committee helped create the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Testing Agency and now wants to find a system to help alleviate athlete abuse on the local and national level. An online conference will be held Friday to kick off the effort, to which the IOC has pledged $10 million as a start. IOC President Thomas Bach called government criticisms of the announced recommendations on Russian and Belarusian re-entry to international sport “deplorable” and accused the critics of double standards. Opinion: Bach’s protestations do not mask what is actually a very weak position for the IOC, which could get much worse. But nothing is going to be settled for many months yet. Those government criticisms came from multiple nations: Ukraine of course, but also the Czech Republic, Poland and especially from German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. Russian gymnastics star Artur Dalaloyan told Russian television that he will not change his club affiliation – closely tied in with law enforcement – in order to compete internationally.

● Panorama: Olympic Winter Games 2026 (Milan Cortina budget confirmed at €1.5 billion) = Athletics (IOC recognizes Demus and Qieyang Shijie as 2012 gold medalists) = Fencing (Polish sports minister will allow Russian who sign morality oath) = Shooting (Bartekova and Pittini win Skeet World Cup finals) = Swimming (McIntosh and Liendo win again) ●

1.
IOC convenes conference to look for local safeguarding ideas

The horrific Larry Nassar tragedy within American gymnastics that exploded in 2016 has led to the exposure of many other abuse issues in multiple sports and multiple countries. Now the International Olympic Committee is getting into the fight.

The IOC was the instigator of the creation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 1984, the World Anti-Doping Agency in 1999 and the International Testing Agency in 1999. On Thursday, IOC President Thomas Bach explained a new effort to explore solutions to abuse issues:

“A number of International Federations and National Olympic Committees to coordinate the approach with regard to safeguarding, given the successful work of the IOC has already done in these two areas and given the growing number of requests coming to the International Federations and the National Olympic Committees.

“For this reason, we have organized tomorrow [31 March] a conference with the Olympic International Federations, who all have responded to this invitation. This conference will have the task, how to identify the best approach to establish independent systems to strengthen safeguarding at the local and national level, in collaboration with all Olympic Movement stakeholders.

“And I would like to emphasize here, the local, and the national level, because these incidents , these tragedies, they’re all happening on a local level, in most cases, in a pretty close circle.

“And in order to get to the root of this danger, for sport and for society, we have to address these issues on this local level, on the roots, and directly. We cannot wait and trust that the concerned athletes or other people – the victims – that they have to go way up through different levels, then up to an international level or to the IOC, to present their case and to have justice being done.

“And in order to establish this independent system on the local and national level, the IOC is dedicating a budget of 10 million U.S. dollars for the next Olympiad.

“To coordinate this work, we have today established a working group, which will be chaired by IOC Executive Board member Prince Feisal [Al Hussein JOR], who has been working on safeguarding issues with great success for many, many years and tomorrow, we will invite the International Federations and then also the National Olympic Committees to take part in such a working group.”

It’s a start, and while the issue would appear to be one well beyond the IOC’s reach as a worldwide organization, no one thought much of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, WADA or ITA initiatives either. A potentially important initiative.

2.
Bach calls government critics of IOC’s Russia stance “deplorable”

IOC President Bach has called today’s fragmented geopolitics “aggressively divisive” and now he has enthusiastically joined in.

Eschewing his usual diplomatic tone, Bach ripped into critics – sampled below – of the IOC Executive Board’s recommendations for Russian and Belarusian re-entry into international competition during Thursday’s news conference from Lausanne:

“We have taken note of some negative reactions, by some European governments in particular. I can only reaffirm what the Olympic Movement and all the stakeholders have already made very clear before: that it is deplorable to see that some governments do not want to respect the majority within the Olympic Movement, and of all stakeholders, nor the autonomy of sport, which they are praising and requesting from other countries, in countless speeches, U.N. resolutions, European Union declarations and at every other opportunity.

“It is deplorable that these governments do not address the question of double standards, with which we have been confronted in our consultations. We have not seen a single comment from them about their attitude towards the participation of athletes whose countries are involved in the other 70 wars and armed conflicts in the world.

“It is even more deplorable that they grossly neglect the very clear statement of the two Special Rapporteurs from the U.N. Human Rights Council, while in other issues, they are always highlighting their firm requests for the respect of human rights.

“Discussions and reactions from the Olympic Movement are making it very clear that these government interventions have even strengthened the unity of the Olympic Movement. All stakeholders make it very clear again: it cannot be up to the governments to decide which athlete can participate in which competition. This would be the end of world sport as we know it today.

“And the Olympic Movement stakeholders are very concerned about this politicalization of sport. They are very concerned about the attitudes of these governments wanting to take over the participation, and the decision of participation in sports events in their country or even in other countries.”

Bach then noted messages of support from the continental associations of National Olympic Committees and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), and the furious reaction from Russian officials, who complained bitterly about all of the restrictions. So:

“That both sides in this confrontation are not satisfied – to say it diplomatically – might indicate on the other hand, that we found some middle ground, on which we all can move forward to make a contribution to understanding and peace through sport.”

Asked why the IOC is treating the Russian invasion of Ukraine differently than the 70 other conflicts he mentioned, he replied: “Because this was a blatant violation of the Olympic Truce” and said that “solidarity efforts” were also being made in view of conflicts in Yemen, Ethiopia, Syria and elsewhere, and said that governments “were not dealing with the issues in the same way [as with the Russian invasion].”

He further defended the IOC’s approach, referring to the CrisisWatch list of 70 current armed conflicts:

“If you would say a country at war would not participate, we would not be alone in Paris, but there would be very few. … If you would exclude all of them, then what would be the meaning of such Games? And it would not be a universal, international competition any more.”

Bach later also noted, however, that “we will not interfere into the sovereignty of a government or a state.” He emphasized that the International Federations will have “sole authority” to decide their eligibility standards, although he has called on the summer-sport and winter-sport federations to come up “harmonized” standards.

With the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials involved in the military, the IOC Executive Board referred to the IOC Ethics Commission the question of what to do about the IOC members in Russia: Shamil Tarpischev and Yelena Isinbayeva.

3.
Observed: IOC anger trying to mask its 2024 vulnerabilities

IOC chief Bach’s well-prepared statement of outrage read at Thursday’s news conference was a time-honored response from someone in the IOC’s position, holding a weak hand.

In fact, if the French government enforces the position held by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (Socialist Party), there will be no Russian or Belarusian athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games because the French government would simply not allow them to enter the country.

That’s real power, backed up by law enforcement and an army.

It would also be in complete contravention of the covenants made by the French in the Host City Agreement signed in 2017 and put the French in the position of breaking its promises, but leaving the IOC in an impossible position.

Bach indicated that the IOC’s decision on whether to have Russian and/or Belarusian athletes at Paris 2024 will be made at a later date, and based on his comments on Thursday, probably not until sometime in 2024 itself. At that stage, there is no way to find any kind of “emergency” host for 2024 or even 2025; even permanently-ready Los Angeles would not be an option as venues would have already arranged for events for the coming year. This is why Olympic Games are attributed so far ahead of time.

The experience of the International Paralympic Committee in Beijing in 2022 is instructive. By the time that event was ready to open, Russia had invaded Ukraine, but the IPC agreed on 2 March 2022 – two days prior to the Opening Ceremony – to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals. A day later, IPC President Andrew Parsons (BRA) announced:

“In the last 12 hours an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am grateful. They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Multiple NPCs, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete. …

“With this in mind, and in order to preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to refuse the athlete entries from RPC and NPC Belarus.”

Russia had a team of 26 athletes in Beijing already. Said IPC spokesman Craig Spence (GBR), also on 3 March 2022:

“What we’ve seen in the 14 hours since is a move from letters of ‘We think you should ban’ to ‘Now we’re thinking of going home. We’re not playing.’ That threatens the viability of this event. So that’s a huge change. If we don’t act on that, then we’re crazy. So we have and we’ve acted and we’ve made again a decision based on the fact that the position of our NPCs has gone from one of, a recommendation or suggestion to one of a threat, almost. We’ve acted on that.

“The tensions are building in the Village. It’s better to act now than wait until something happens.”

Unlike the IOC, the IPC suspended the Russian and Belarusian national committees and is yet to determine what to do about them for Paris in 2024.

The IOC has plenty of time to change its approach. Olympic super-historian Bill Mallon, one of the founders of the Olympedia statistical site, explained on Twitter last year:

“At the 1971 IOC Session, the IOC ruled that Rhodesian athletes could compete, but only using British uniforms, the Union Jack as the flag, and with the British anthem. …

“Rhodesia, later Zimbabwe, practiced apartheid, however, including in sport. Shortly before the 1972 München Olympics, all the African nations threatened a mass boycott if Rhodesia was allowed to compete. …

“Two days before the Opening Ceremony, the IOC voted (36-31 with three abstentions) to withdraw the invitation to Rhodesia for the 1972 Olympic Games. Virtually the same situation just occurred at the Beijing 2022 Paralympics.”

One more note on Bach and the IOC’s unfailing allegiance to the United Nations. Russia will assume the Presidency of the U.N. Security Council this Saturday, 1 April 2023, for 30 days as per the rotation protocol. Not a joke. Really. The head of the country that will preside over the U.N. Security Council next month is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, but will head the group that is responsible for international security. And to which the IOC has pledged its adherence.

4.
Ukraine, Czech, German and Polish officials lambast IOC position

There was no shortage of governmental reactions to the IOC’s Tuesday announcement of recommendations to allow individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted, over a video of Russian athletes in military parades and events:

“Sports, state propaganda, and the army are indivisible in Russia. And now Putin has already introduced not only politics, but also war crimes into sports. There is no way for Russian or Belarusian athletes to compete in the Paris Olympics or any other major sporting event.”

The head of the Czech national sports agency, Ondrej Sebek, said in an interview:

“I was very surprised by the IOC decision. Our position on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes has been the same since the beginning of the war: as long as the war lasts, no athletes from the countries that provoked it should be allowed to participate in international sporting events, let alone the Olympic Games.

“Major international sports associations in football, hockey, basketball, athletics and biathlon continue to exclude Russian athletes because of the war. The IOC is going in the exact opposite direction and is actually encouraging sports federations to allow Russian athletes to compete. We find this unacceptable and will seek to change the IOC’s position.”

Poland’s Bureau of International Policy head Marcin Pszydach told Polish Television:

“I think that what the IOC is proposing at the moment is very disappointing for many of us, diplomatically speaking, we all understand that Russian aggression is connected with it. …

“Such a decision [on a boycott of Paris 2024] should be worked out in a broader coalition of states, and only then, if such a broad front could be taken, one can talk about hard decisions and hard recommendations.”

The most stinging rebuke came from Nancy Faeser, the head of the German Interior Ministry, in a multi-part Twitter thread:

“The IOC’s decision is a slap in the face for Ukrainian athletes. They deserve the solidarity of international sport. The least that Ukraine can expect is a clear stance. International sport must unequivocally condemn the brutal Russian war of aggression.

“This is only possible with a complete exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The fact that the IOC does not want to allow members of the Russian military or teams is only the absolute minimum and is not enough.

“There is no reason whatsoever for Russia to return to world sport. Putin is continuing his criminal war with appalling brutality against Ukrainian civilians.

“The Russian military kills countless Ukrainians every day, including numerous athletes. Olympic Games do not take place in a vacuum.

“Anyone who lets the warmonger Russia use international competitions for its propaganda harms the Olympic ideal of peace and international understanding.”

Bach was asked about the criticisms and noted, “We will not punish the athletes or an NOC for the behavior of their government. What counts for us is the decision of the National Olympic Committees.”

Marcin Nowak, the head of the organizing committee for June’s European Games in Poland, told RFM Radio, “Under no pretext and in any way, the athletes representing Russia and Belarus will not take part in our events.” In case an International Federation removes Olympic qualifying status from an event to this stance – the European Games is set to as as a qualifier in 18 sports – those events “simply will not take place.”

5.
Russian star Dalaloyan says no one will leave their clubs

With the IOC’s ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes who are “contracted” to the military or national security services of their countries, a lot of questions remain unanswered. Near the top will be whether “national security” also means local police units and affiliated organizations such as Russia’s famed Dynamo Sports Club.

If so, the cynical assumption, of course, is that athletes will simply switch clubs.

Russia’s Match TV asked gymnastics star Artur Dalaloyan, a Tokyo 2020 Team gold medalist and a World Champion in All-Around and Floor, if he would change clubs in order to be able to compete again:

“In fact, I believe that no one will succumb to these recommendations. We all have values. Yes, my club Dynamo represents the [governmental] power structure. The whole team around me is something valuable and important to me. It’s been built over the years. I appreciate the fact that I represent Dynamo and the power structure. I’m grateful that they helped me to train further. And because of some recommendations I will not go to leave the club I love, which I have represented all my life.

“I hope that most athletes will not be like these recommendations. I am sure that our Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports will challenge these recommendations and will do some work to change this framework somehow. …

“Every man in our country is obliged to serve in the army, one way or another everyone is connected to the law enforcement agencies! However, athletes also have contracts with the government. There are sports teams within these law enforcement agencies that help athletes at the most responsible and important time in their lives. This allows athletes to continue to do their thing while serving in the military. So that athletes are comfortable to reach the heights, the goals they set. That’s important. So these recommendations are nothing more than attempts to disrupt, to crack our system that has been developed over the years. I don’t know how to put it mildly.”

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Winter Games 2026: Milan Cortina ● The Milan Cortina organizing committee confirmed its “lifetime budget” of “around” 1.5 billion Euro (about $1.636 billion U.S.) – as stated in its bid – will remain in place.

Four new domestic sponsorship partners have been announced, with more coming, and the demolition of the Eugenio Monti bob and luge track from the 1956 Winter Games has begun, opening the way for construction of the new facility as dictated by the area’s development plan.

● Athletics ● The IOC Executive Board approved changes in results due to years-after doping disqualifications from the London 2012 Games, re-awarding medals in the women’s 400 m hurdles and 20 km walk.

In the hurdles, Russian Natalya Antyukh won in 52.70, but was disqualified. American Lashinda Demus is the new gold medalist (52.77), followed by Zuzana Hejnova (CZE: 53.38) and Jamaican Kaliese Spencer (53.66).

In the walk, Russian Elena Lashmanova won in 1:25:02 and Olga Kaniskina was second (1:25:09), but both have been disqualified for doping. That means China’s Qieyang Shijie becomes the winner (1:25:16), followed by teammates Hong Liu (1:26:00) and Xiuzhi Lu (1:27:10).

● Fencing ● An FIE women’s Foil World Cup is scheduled for 21-23 April in Poznan (POL), with the country’s sports minister, Kamil Bortniczuk saying the country will allow Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals – as the FIE will require as of 16 April – if they sign a declaration that they “do not support military actions and stand against war crimes.

“If a Russian athlete signs this declaration, it will serve as a certificate of morality, and then he or she will be able to participate in competitions. We will be demanding that this declaration be signed at all sports tournaments held on Polish territory.”

● Shooting ● At the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Larnaca (CYP), London 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Danka Bartekova (SVK) showed she is still going strong at 38.

She won the women’s Skeet final, 35-30, over China’s Jinmei Gao, hitting 22 of her final 24 targets, for her sixth career World Cup victory.

Italy’s Erik Pittini won the men’s Skeet, 38-35, against Finland’s Tokyo fourth-placer Eetu Kallioinen, for his first career individual World Cup gold. Germany defeated Cyprus, 6-4, in the Mixed Team Skeet final.

● Swimming ● New women’s 400 m Free world-record holder Summer McIntosh, 16, was back in the water at the Canadian Trials meet in Toronto on Thursday, winning the 200 m Medley in 2:06.89, fastest in the world in 2023 and a World Junior Record. She moves to no. 4 all-time, with the sixth-fastest time in history. She has more events to come.

Canadian sprint star Josh Liendo set the Canadian record twice in the men’s 100 m Fly, winning the final in 50.36, moving him to no. 5 all-time. He won the men’s 50 m Free final on Thursday in 21.80, fastest in the world in 2023.

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TSX REPORT: IOC still discussing strategy for future Winter Games; McIntosh sets 400 Free world record; Indonesia loses FIFA U-20 World Cup over Israel

By
Rich Perelman
-

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

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. IOC reports “new interest” in 2030 Winter Games
2. IOC to prepare report on IBA activities for further action
3. Teen McIntosh shatters Titmus’ 400 m Free world record
4. FIFA removes Indonesia as men’s U-20 World Cup over Israel
5. HELEN | BELIEVE documentary on Rio star Maroulis in theaters

At the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board meeting on Wednesday, no decision was reached on a timetable to elect the host of the 2030 Winter Games, as the IOC’s Future Hosts Commission works on the organization’s future strategy. But the number of parties showing new interest in 2030 has expanded and is increasing. The Executive Board also rejected criticisms by the International Boxing Association about “poaching its officials” for Olympic qualifying events and commission a thorough staff review of the IBA in advance of future actions with or to the federation. In Toronto, Canadian teen phenom Summer McIntosh smashed the world record in the women’s 400 m Freestyle at the Canadian World Championships trials, removing Australia’s Ariane Titmus from the list. Because of the stated unwillingness of the pro-Palestinian Governor of Bali to have Israel play in the FIFA World U-20 World Cup in Indonesia, FIFA took back the tournament and will play it elsewhere. Sanctions against the Indonesian federation were not announced, but will be coming later. On Thursday (30th), some 700 theaters nationwide will screen “HELEN | BELIEVE,” a documentary about the return of U.S. wrestling star and 2016 Olympic winner Helen Maroulis to the mat after suffering through a concussion and other injuries that looked like they would end her career before the Tokyo Games in 2021.

● Panorama: Paris 2024 (“Olympic law” passed by National Assembly) = American Football (IFAF recommended for IOC recognition) = Athletics (Mboma to take hormones to reduce testosterone levels) = Cycling (Laporte and Vollering win Dwars door Vlaanderen) = Fencing (323 fencers from 28 countries protest Russia-Belarus re-entry) = Figure Skating (ISU Worlds draw solid audience on NBC) = Football (big audience for Mexico-Suriname!) ●

● Errata: Apologies for an error in early versions in Wednesday’s post, mis-spelling the name of International Olympic Committee member and Paris 2024 Coordination Commission head Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant of Belgium. This has been corrected on the TSX site. ●

1.
IOC reports “new interest” in 2030 Winter Games

Wednesday’s meeting of the International Olympic Committee Executive Board featured a report from the Future Hosts Commission for the Olympic Winter Games, asked last December to provide recommendations on the future of the Winter Games with regard to climate and winter sports, on the advisability of a rotation among hosts and whether a double award should be made for 2030 and 2034.

The IOC’s Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi (SUI) told reporters that while the studies are ongoing, there is new enthusiasm among potential hosts for 2030 or later:

“These decisions from the [Executive Board] have created a true momentum and we have new interest – which are confidential at this stage – but we have a number of parties which have come to the table since those decisions, which is excellent news.”

Dubi did not disclose exactly who or how many inquiries have come in, but did acknowledge the ready-made bid from 2002 host Salt Lake City:

“We have to respect the willingness of Salt Lake City. I think they have clearly indicated that 2034 is their preference. They also said, time and again, that they stand ready – in case – for 2030.

“However, with the decision from the Executive Board, we have – as I said before – a true renewed interest and it is incredibly reassuring. We have a number of parties and I am sorry if I cannot reveal who at this stage, but we have to respect this confidentiality.”

So what now? Said Dubi:

“The question on the timing is interesting. First and foremost, the Future Host Commission has to respond to these three strategic questions that were posed to the Future Host. EB wants to know if rotation is a good idea, whether 2030 and 2034 makes sense, but also to look – and that’s slightly more complicated – the development of winter sports.

“This work is ongoing. I would anticipate that, first, a report would be made to the Executive Board, then to the Session in Mumbai [in October] … which leads us to a calendar after Mumbai for the election.

“Now if you look at to those parties that come to the table at this point in time, these are very mature, winter markets. So, I’m definitely not worried with the timing, knowing that we’re going to go to – as we have with Milano and Cortina – a region or a country that have the infrastructure and are used to organizing high-level events, being World Cups or World Championships. So, we’re not pressed by time for the election.”

Pressed for details, Dubi said that the number of “interested parties” has increased beyond Salt Lake City, Sapporo, Vancouver and Sweden and continues to expand to six and more. Asked why interest has picked up, Dubi cited (1) the new, heavy emphasis on the use of existing facilities which can be located in another region or even another country, and (2) the informal nature and low cost of the “continuous dialogue” process:

● “With Milano and Cortina, we demonstrate that we walk the talk. When we said we would use existing venues and existing capabilities, it truly works. … All those parties that come at the table, they do offer similar capacities. They are generally hosts of many World Cups and World Championships across the winter sports.”

● Explaining that in the confidential, continuous dialogue, with the IOC doing a significant amount of work, “in the end, if it doesn’t work, we don’t move to targeted dialogue, no damage done. This is OK. We have all invested in a project: it flies, it doesn’t fly. At least the parties can look across the table, in the eyes, and still remain good friends. So, no more losers as we painfully had at the time.”

But Dubi also noted, “I think that the notion of rotation is, indeed, very appealing. … With the climatic conditions, the way they are evolving, there will be a limit to who can host in the future. If you project yourself in 2050, you probably see a picture that is different than today.”

He confirmed that Vancouver remains in the discussions and that the Canadian Olympic Committee is readying another push for funding support from the Province of British Columbia and from the Canadian national government.

For Salt Lake City, more waiting, but still firmly positioned as the best bid currently on the table.

2.
IOC to prepare report on IBA activities for further action

The continuing war of words between the International Boxing Association and the IOC took an interesting off-ramp on Wednesday, with the IOC Executive Board taking no direct action, but setting the stage for the future.

No decisions were made, and the Executive Board sent a letter to the IBA leadership that “generally refuted” the accusations made by the IBA on 27 March over contacting referees and judges regarding working at Olympic qualifying events later this year.

Further, the IOC Director General, Christophe de Kepper (BEL) and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Paquerette Girard Zappelli (FRA) were asked:

“1. [T]o analyse all the elements available, in particular the Expert Reports, and determine whether there are still major concerns regarding IBA’s practice and activities;

“2. [I]n the event that there are still major concerns regarding IBA’s practice and activities, pursuant to the Olympic Charter, to take the following actions:

“a. notify IBA of the points of potential non-compliance and IBA’s right to be heard in writing;

“b. prepare a comprehensive report regarding IBA’s practice and activities on the basis of all available elements (including without limitation the Expert Reports and IBA’s response) to be presented at a next IOC Executive Board meeting.”

IOC spokesman Mark Adams (GBR) told reporters at Wednesday’s news conference:

“To make it absolutely clear, the IOC does not have any problem with the sport of boxing itself, nor with the boxers – clearly not with the boxers – but there are problems with this suspended federation. …

“It’s very clear to us that if the IBA pushes ahead with these proposals [for an investigation of the contact with officials], it will have quite some consequences.”

The IBA specifically asked that Zappelli not be involved further, but lost out on that. They did ask for de Kepper, who will now be involved. Adams indicated that there had been a good response to the IOC’s inquiries about officials’ interest in participating in the qualifiers.

Observed: The IOC Executive Board decided to take a light touch with the IBA for now, but it clearly setting up – as it has before – a process by which the IBA can be sanctioned, or even excluded in favor of a different group.

The process and timing are important. The request for a report, including IBA replies, will take several months, but could be completed by the time of the next IOC Executive Board meeting from 20-22 June, allowing a vote to be taken, if needed, on actions against the IBA at the IOC Session in Mumbai (IND) in October. There is also an Executive Board meeting right before the Session as well.

Only a vote of the Session could remove boxing from the Paris 2024 program.

National boxing federations which are in opposition to the IBA and its leadership were waiting for a signal from the IOC at this meeting about the projected future for Olympic boxing, but got little firm direction as the Executive Board essentially kicked the can down the road. Adams, however, did say that the IOC has no issues with boxing as a sport, a good sign for its future on the Olympic program.

A peaceful protest was held outside of Olympic House and then in front of the Olympic Museum on Wednesday by several hundred supporters of the IBA, but it is not clear that it had any impact.

3.
Teen McIntosh shatters Titmus’ 400 m Free world record

Everybody in the sport knew this was coming. But maybe not this quickly. Canada’s 16-year-old phenom Summer McIntosh is now a world-record holder.

Competing at the Canadian World Championships Trials in Toronto, McIntosh won the women’s 400 m Freestyle in a sensational 3:56.08, slashing 0.32 off of Ariarne Titmus’ 3:56.40 from the 2022 Australian national championships.

She won by more than 12 seconds over Ella Jansen (4:08.81).

This is no coming-out party, as McIntosh won Worlds golds in 2022 in Budapest in the women’s 200 m Butterfly and 400 m Medley, and was second to American star Katie Ledecky in the 400 Free (3:59.39). She was fourth in Tokyo in the 400 Free at age 14 in 4:02.42.

McIntosh flew through the first 200 m in 1:55.91 – no. 7 on the 2023 world list for that distance! – then slowed to 2:00.17 on the way home, enough to get the record. Ledecky now sits third on the all-time list at 3:56.46 from 2016.

Now training in Sarasota, Florida, McIntosh has entered the 200 m Medley (where she ranks equal-18th all-time), 200 m Fly (12th), 400 m Medley (3rd), and 200 m Free (8th) in the meet which concludes on Sunday.

4.
FIFA removes Indonesia as men’s U-20 World Cup over Israel

Indonesia’s implacable stance against Israel has caused it to be removed as the host of the FIFA men’s U-20 World Cup, set to start in May. Wednesday’s brief announcement gave few details, but included:

“Following today’s meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir, FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023. A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged. Potential sanctions against the PSSI may also be decided at a later stage.”

Thohir explained in a PSSI Web site post:

“Indonesia is a member of FIFA, so for international football matters, we must follow the rules that have been set. Even though I have conveyed everything to Gianni earlier, what was entrusted by the President, football lovers, the children of the U-20 national team, and also loyal football fans, but because we are members and FIFA considers that the current situation cannot be continued, we must submit.”

Indonesia had guaranteed to FIFA that it would host all qualified teams when it was awarded the tournament. Sanctions against the Indonesian federation are sure to follow.

Israel qualified for its first appearance in the U-20 World Cup by finishing second in the 2022 UEFA U-19 Championship Group B, eventually finishing second overall. But Wayan Koster, the Governor of Bali, wrote to the national sports ministry, stating “We, the Bali Province administration, reject Israel’s participation in Bali.” He told reporters last Friday, “We refuse because Israel is disrupting or occupying Palestine.”

Israel had been specifically placed in Bali as it is a Hindu-majority province, as opposed to the other five venues, all in Muslim-majority provinces. The head of the Bali Legislative Council commission overseeing tourism, Kresna Budi, said Tuesday he was in favor of hosting Israel:

“In our opinion, as representatives of the people, as hosts, we will respect any guests who come to Bali. It’s not a matter of agreeing or disagreeing. Moreover, as hosts, we will respect any guests who come. That is the character of Balinese culture.

“After all, Bali belongs to everyone. We cannot be on one side.”

The tournament is set to open on 20 May, with whispers of possible hosting by Argentina, Qatar or others.

5.
HELEN | BELIEVE documentary on Rio star Maroulis in theaters

The remarkable story of American Freestyle wrestler Helen Maroulis debuts on the big screen on Thursday only (30 March) in HELEN | BELIEVE, the story of her comeback from a concussion to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.

Maroulis was one of the American sensations of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, becoming the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling, defeating heavy favorite Saori Yoshida of Japan, the three-time Olympic champ and 13-time World Champion, at 53 kg

Maroulis won the 57 kg Worlds gold in 2017, outscoring her five opponents, 52-0. But she suffered a bad concussion in a match in India in January 2018, which limited her training and led to a stunning defeat at the 2018 Worlds, losing by pinfall to Azerbaijan’s Alyona Kolesnik in her opening bout, in which she also sustained a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery.

She was really out of the sport until 2021 and made it back not just to competition, but to the Tokyo Games, where she won a bronze medal at 57 kg.

The story is documented by producer Chris Pratt, a wrestler himself in younger days, and written and directed by Dylan Mulick. The film runs 1:38 and the site to find a theater on Thursday is here.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Olympic Games 2024: Paris ● The French National Assembly passed the “Olympic law” by 400-93, allowing specific kinds of monitoring and surveillance measures to be used on a temporary basis through the end of 2024.

The language has to be coordinated with a similar bill that passed the Senate for the measure to become law. The text includes anti-doping measures, administrative investigations, emergency measures and a polyclinic in the Athlete Village.

● American Football ● Flag Football took an important step forward in its effort to eventually become part of the Olympic program with the IOC’s announcement that the Executive Board recommended it for full status as a recognized International Federation:

“IFAF, which was granted provisional recognition by the IOC EB in 2013, has demonstrated that it has fulfilled all the necessary criteria in order to obtain full IOC recognition. …

“At present, IFAF can count on 74 affiliated National Federations on five continents, with an estimated number of almost 4.8 million registered athletes.” The sport was a popular feature of the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama last summer.

Full recognition requires a vote by the IOC Session in India in October.

● Athletics ● The coach of Namibian sprint star Christine Mboma indicated that the Tokyo Olympic 200 m silver medalist would begin hormone therapy to lower her serum testosterone level while the Namibian federation lobbies for a change in the new World Athletics rules for women with Differences in Sex Development (DSD). Mboma coach Henk Botha (NAM) said in a radio interview:

“I’m very optimistic that Christine will be 100% competitive on the track. Christine feels the same way. We know her situation, and we know that Christine has a tremendous amount of speed and that is not from testosterone levels.

“We’ve had disappointments and some obstacles in the past. There’s not a lot that we can do as Namibians, we’ll have to take this one on the chin and do our best to get Christine back on the track.”

Mboma ran 49.22 for 400 m as a 17-year-old in 2021 and moved to the 200 m when the World Athletics DSD rules did not allow women with high testosterone levels to run in events from 400 m to the mile. The new regulations, requiring levels of 2.5 nmol/L, come into effect this weekend and apply to all events. She owns the African women’s record at 200 m of 21.78 from 2021.

● Cycling ● France’s Christophe Laporte won his second straight on the busy UCI World Tour Classics circuit in Belgium on Wednesday, becoming the first Frenchman to win the Dwars door Vlaanderen in 15 years.

Laporte won the 77th Gent-Wevelgem race on Sunday right at the line from Jumbo-Visma teammate Wout van Aert (BEL), but was all alone after the hilly, 183.7 km route from Roeselare to Waregem. His final attack with 4 km to go broke away from the peloton and gave him a 15-second victory in 4:06:20 over the chase pack, led by runner-up Oier Lazkano (ESP) and American Neilson Powless, his second-best finish ever in a World Tour race.

Dutch riders had won the prior three editions of this race, but Laporte’s win was the first by a Frenchman since Sylvain Chavanel in 2008.

The women’s Dwars door Vlaanderen, a Women’s Elite Pro race (a level below the World Tour), was won by Dutch star Demi Vollering, who raced away with 10 km left and scored a 38-second win over Chiara Consonni (ITA) and Marianne Vos (NED), among others, in 2:53:08 over 114.9 km.

● Fencing ● The International Fencing Federation has still not published an official notice of its online Congress from 10 March at which it authorized Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete once again, in accordance with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee.

However, some 323 fencers – 315 of whom signed their name – protested the outcome in an open letter posted on Monday. Addressed to IOC President Thomas Bach and Interim FIE chief Emmanuel Katsiadakis, it included:

● “In your roles as presidents of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Fencing Federation (FIE), we turn to you regarding your efforts to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete again in international sporting competitions. With complete disregard for athletes’ voices, you have permitted both Russia and Belarus back into FIE competitions, as well as a suspected tournament hosted on Russian soil.”

● “As long as Russia’s war of aggression, aided by Belarus, wages on, both states’ athletes and officials must remain excluded from world sport. Given the recent escalation of attacks against Ukrainian civilians, there should be no reason at this time to allow Russia and Belarus to be reintegrated into world sport. Integration would lay a precedent in which a nation can violate the values and rules of sport and international peace without fear of consequences.”

● “The international community is acutely aware that for Russian and Belarusian athletes, there is no distinction between the athlete and the state. Not only have these athletes been encouraged to fight in the war by the Russian Olympic Committee, with a large majority of them holding military and law enforcement positions, but they are also beneficiaries of state funding – drawing their pay from Putin’s war chest and thus making any separation between the state and the athlete implausible. Athletes were and will be instrumentalized for Putin’s propaganda. Competing under a neutral flag has not proven to be a suitable sanctioning instrument in the past and is not suitable now.”

● “Any suspension must reject the notion of neutrality and include the banning of all Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sport, including hosting events, qualifying for, and competing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games until Russia withdraws completely from Ukrainian territory. We also expect an unequivocal commitment to support and protect peaceful anti-war protests and expressions of solidarity with Ukraine by athletes at international competitions.”

● “The FIE is not fulfilling its duty of care for athletes, especially for Ukrainians. Your insufficient leadership in completely banning Russia and Belarus is being called out by athletes and civil society across the globe. You have chosen Russian and Belarusian interests over the rights of athletes, notably Ukrainian athletes, and by doing so, you are failing to support the very people your organizations are meant to support. This egregious, unprovoked war and its breach of the Olympic Truce cannot be ignored or rewarded. Returning to business as usual would be a catastrophic error and thus we again urge you to uphold the suspensions of Russia and Belarus.”

The signees include U.S. Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Lee Keifer (women’s Foil) and U.S. men’s Foil Team bronze medal winners Alexander Massialas and Gerek Meinhardt. Fencers from 28 countries signed, including Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States.

● Figure Skating ● The ISU World Championships got a mixed reception on U.S. television last week.

The NBC highlights show on NBC last Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern time drew a nice audience of 1.317 million viewers, well ahead of the usual 1.0 million audience for prior events this season.

On cable on USA Network – all starting at 6 or 6:30 a.m. Eastern – the men’s Short Program drew 133,000; the men’s Free Skate had 160,000 viewers; the women’s Short Program had 157,000 viewers and the women’s Free Skate had 110,000.

● Football ● Some interest in the U.S. men’s National Team match with Grenada in the CONCACAF Nations League last Friday, drawing 260,000 viewers on TNT.

On the other hand, the Nations League match with Mexico beating Suriname, 2-0, last Thursday drew 1.133 million on Univision! Wow!

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For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: IOC says Russians, Belarusian can return as neutrals; Russia fumes at restrictions, Bach leadership

By
Rich Perelman
-
IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) at Tuesday's news conference (Photo: IOC video screen shot)

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

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. IOC recommends individual Russian, Belarusian entries
2. Reaction: Russia fumes at restrictions, continued team ban
3. Observed: Slicing the sausage as thinly as possible
4. Ex-Huntington coach Johnson indicted for sexual battery
5. IBA Coaching Chair calls for demonstration at Olympic House

The International Olympic Committee Executive Board announced a lengthy set of recommendations to allow individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international sport, but reserved any decision on Russian or Belarusian participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games or 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games until later. The Russian reaction was furious, as was expected in case of any restrictions; the IOC specifically recommended a continuing ban on all teams from either country. Opinion: the IOC’s efforts are a classic Thomas Bach production: diligent, thorough and sometimes contradictory, but taking a very carefully thought-out, narrow option that he believes will be best in the long term. Nick Johnson, the former Huntington University (Indiana) track and cross country coach who was fired after sexual abuse allegations and a civil lawsuit, was indicted by a grand jury and will face felony and misdemeanor charger. An ally of International Boxing Association President Umar Kremlev called for a peaceful rally in front of the IOC headquarters for Wednesday to support boxing’s inclusion in the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games and for the IBA to once again run the sport. The federation faces possible expulsion by the IOC for a variety of issues related to finance, governance and refereeing and judging.

● Panorama: Swimming (2023 World Cup schedule) ●

1.
IOC recommends individual Russian, Belarusian entries

Following its carefully-prepared, carefully-staged pathway from December’s Olympic Summit, the International Olympic Committee Executive Board announced recommendations to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to be able to complete on an individual, neutral basis, in international sports competitions.

IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) began an hour-long news conference by reading the 1,748-word news release in its entirety, which began with a declaration:

“The [Executive Board] reiterates that the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was not considered either in the consultations or in its deliberations today. The IOC expressly reserves the right to decide about their participation at the appropriate time, even if they would be considered to have qualified according to the qualification criteria set by their respective International Federations (IFs).”

This was followed by comments about how the IOC “feels deeply for the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian Olympic community, whose pain and suffering are beyond imagination” and yet another statement of the IOC’s limits:

“It was also emphasised that the Olympic Games cannot prevent wars and conflicts. Nor can they address all the political and social challenges in our world. This is the realm of politics. But the Olympic Games can set an example for a world where everyone respects the same rules and one another.”

The statement then noted that the views of the “Ukrainian sports community” were considered and then dismissed them, explaining:

“The 70 other ongoing armed conflicts and wars around the world (source: Crisis Group, CrisisWatch Database) were also considered, including the situations in the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and the southern Caucasus. It was noted that NOCs in the regions impacted by these armed conflicts and wars are following the principles of the Olympic Charter. They are not requesting the exclusion of athletes from the other party in the armed conflict or war, and they are allowing their athletes to compete in international sporting competitions without restrictions.”

The IOC then, again, pledged allegiance to the United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteurs – on whom “the IOC has to rely” – who have urged the IOC to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to be able to compete, even to the point of soldiers who have not been directly implicated in war crimes.

The business end of the statement started with the IOC painting itself as simply responding to the requests of the sports federations and others:

“During the consultations with the Olympic Movement stakeholders, the vast majority of the stakeholders were clear that they want a pathway to be opened for the competitions under their sole authority. They requested from the IOC recommendations in order to harmonise their approach, in the event that they decide to admit athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport to their competitions. The IOC strongly recommends taking such a decision only with the provision that it can be revoked at the discretion of the IF concerned.”

The recommendations listed by the IOC primarily are:

“1. Athletes with a Russian or a Belarusian passport must compete only as Individual Neutral Athletes.

“2. Teams of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport cannot be considered.

“3. Athletes who actively support the war cannot compete. Support personnel who actively support the war cannot be entered.

“4. Athletes who are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies cannot compete. Support personnel who are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies cannot be entered.

“5. Any such Individual Neutral Athlete, like all the other participating athletes, must meet all anti-doping requirements applicable to them and particularly those set out in the anti-doping rules of the IFs.”

An accompanying, five-page document with additional detail was also issued, including:

● “The definition of team sports or team events shall follow the IF regulations.”

● “With regard to other active supporting measures, all relevant circumstances, in particular public statements, including those made on social media; participation in pro-war demonstrations or events; and the displaying of any symbol supporting the war in Ukraine, for example, the ‘Z’ symbol, have to be taken into consideration.”

● “In order to ensure a harmonised interpretation of these criteria, the IFs should consider creating a single independent panel under the umbrella of the IF associations (ASOIF, AIOWF, ARISF) to take the decisions.”

● “Athletes must participate in competitions as ‘Individual Neutral Athletes’ in English and ‘Athletes Individuels Neutres’ in French, and use ‘AIN’ as the acronym.”

● “IFs and international sports event organisers must ensure that spectators are prohibited from bringing flags of, and other items that nay be associated with, the Russian Federation or Republic of Belarus (current and historical) into the venue.”

Russian and Belarusian athletes are supposed to register themselves and not be registered by their national federations, and their uniforms and associated clothing “must be completely white or unicolor,” unless a sport’s rules require otherwise.

The regulations also apply to technical officials from Russia or Belarus, who are also now eligible to be part of competitions again as well.

Tuesday’s meetings were solely devoted to the Russian and Belarusian re-entry issue; the Executive Board will meet on Wednesday and Thursday to review other matters, including what to do about boxing and other sports issues dealing with Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028.

2.
Reaction: Russia fumes at restrictions, continued team ban

“The parameters announced are absolutely unacceptable. The neutral status is a violation of human rights, which a U.N. expert has pointed out. We consider the proposed conditions unreasonable, legally unsound and excessive. We strongly disagree with additional anti-doping procedures for the Russian athletes.”

That’s Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov reacting to the IOC’s announcement on Tuesday, further noting:

“As for team sports, we are dealing with a clear passport-based discrimination. This prohibits almost 30% of athletes from competing. Such approach contradicts the Olympic Charter, to any norms.

“The current parameters will not facilitate the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to the competition. The decision is a farce, the basic principles of the Olympic Charter are violated.

“The position announced today on the non-admission to international competitions of Russian athletes who are registered in the military and law enforcement agencies or have contractual relations with them is no longer just another chapter in the list of gross discriminatory sanctions. We believe that this criterion lays the foundation for the internal conflict in the Russian sports, has the direct goal of splitting the community of Russian athletes, dividing them into acceptable and the rest.”

Reactions from Russian sports officials were uniformly negative, as expected in the case of any restrictions:

● Dmitry Svishchev, Chair of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports:

“Completely illegal recommendations. The IOC decided that it had made a mistake by announcing the possibility of admitting our athletes, and now it is going to correct it in this way. Bach declared that athletes are not to blame and it is necessary to defend their interests, but he does something completely different. It is a normal practice all over the world when leading athletes belong to clubs, that they are related to the [national federation]. Then apply this to all countries.”

● Vyacheslav Fetisov, a two-time ice hockey gold medalist in Sarajevo and Calgary who played in the National Hockey League from 1989-98, and now a State Duma Deputy (DeepL.com translation):

“It is clear that the lawlessness continues. The military can travel around the world, but they can’t perform, so what is this? In Germany, there are athletes who belong to the Ministry of the Interior, and sports there are under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior, and Thomas Bach knows about it like no one else.

“Such recommendations trample on sports principles, some pretexts that have nothing to do with sports were sucked out of their fingers. People’s dream was taken away from them, it’s a travesty of rights and of all human principles. The laws of the countries where athletes train should be respected.”

● Maxim Agapitov, President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation:

“It was impossible to expect anything else from the IOC today. This is all part of the strategy that the West organized against us. Bach is an absolutely dependent figure who perfectly understands that the best way out of the situation is a categorical acceptance of the position of one side or the other, but is not capable of taking this decisive step. And if you are guided by common sense in choosing, then the head of the IOC should have made completely different decisions, and not those that sounded today.

“Bach is forced to make some promises to both, and then refuse them and rush from one side to the other. Today we saw another act of the performance, the ending of which has long been clear to everyone. The sane have long drawn conclusions and do not expect anything. at least from the next Olympics.”

● Valentina Rodionenko, the national gymnastics coach:

“The conditions under which our athletes are offered to compete are absolutely unacceptable. I agree with the statement of the President of the Russian Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, who said that the IOC recommendations violate human rights. Bach again spoke a lot, but what is he leading to? Everyone has known for a long time.”

Dmitry Vasiliev, a biathlon relay gold medalist in 1984 and 1988, was even more negative:

“It is not necessary to agree to such conditions, because they discriminate against our athletes. Moreover, on political grounds, although the IOC should be a sports organization and not be related to politics. But now the law enforcement officers themselves are violating it.

“But even if these conditions weren’t there, then you still don’t need to go to this Olympics, because no one can ensure security at it. Paris is now on fire, what will be there in a year, no one knows, maybe even more so; they will not miss the opportunity to arrange a provocation. Yes, and in subjective sports, the same story can turn out as in Tokyo with the Averina sisters in rhythmic gymnastics. … Why go there then?”

On Monday, a joint statement from the Foreign Ministers of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia called for the continued full ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes, which included a specific answer to the U.N. Special Rapporteurs:

“We wish to stress that it is not athletes’ nationality that determines their role, but the fact that they are sponsored/supported by their governments or businesses backing up the Kremlin regime, which continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, or even they are affiliated with the Russian military directly.

“We deem it necessary to remind that, day by day, the Russian military keeps attacking Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure including sports facilities and killing Ukrainians including Ukrainian athletes. Millions of Ukrainian citizens including athletes and their families were forced to leave their homes in the face of Russia’s occupation.

“Many athletes from Ukraine are still prevented from participating in sport events because of Russia’s attack on their country. There exists not a single reason to move away from the exclusion regime for Russian and Belarusian athletes set by the IOC more than a year ago, immediately after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion into Ukraine. …

“We remind that Russia and Belarus have at their disposal a way forward for their athletes to return to the international sports community, namely ending the war of aggression launched by Russia with complicity of Belarus and restoring respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders.”

The IOC news conference announcing the Executive Board recommendations began at 4 p.m. Swiss time and there was very little reaction from the International Federations. No instant announcements, no “welcome back” messages for Russian and Belarusian athletes.

As Bach noted, Russian and Belarusian athletes are already engaged, on a neutral basis that will be updated by Monday’s regulations, in cycling, ice hockey and tennis. The International Fencing Federation (FIE) approved allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete after 15 April 2023, but no doubt will allow only individuals now.

Individual federations with individual events are now obliged to take a position one way or the other, in the coming days.

3.
Observed: Slicing the sausage as thinly as possible

“We will not be able to come up with a solution which pleases everyone. With this we may have to live.”

That’s IOC chief Bach from a Reuters story on the opening of Tuesday’s Executive Board meeting, projecting the impact of the IOC Executive Board’s recommendations on Russian and Belarusian re-entry into international competitions, but without any promises about the Paris 2024 Olympic or Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

Bach said at his news conference that the Executive Board was “unanimous” in its agreement to the recommendations and regulations released on Tuesday. Of course it was.

The entire Russia-return program is the latest in a long series of Bach productions. He has completely reformed and re-formatted the IOC and the Olympic Movement in his 10 years as its chief, U-turning the way bidding, building and running an Olympic Games – and the rest of the Olympic Movement – is done.

For this, he has received considerable praise, often grudgingly, from long-time IOC critics.

He is diligent, precise, unflappable, conciliatory but also immovable once he finds the answer he is looking for. He is never off-message and always fully alert. There are no missteps.

And while there are contradictions in plain sight, he is willing to live with them once the pathway is determined. The new Russian-Belarusian “re-entry” recommendations showcase this:

● Remember the discussion before Tokyo 2020 about Olympic Charter Rule 50 and the freedom of athletes to demonstrate on the victory stand, or in ceremonies? There was a lengthy consultation period through the IOC Athletes’ Commission, polling which showed support for no demonstrations during awards or ceremonies, but no problem with opinions expressed in interviews or social media.

Tuesday’s recommendations tossed “support” for Russia’s war on Ukraine by Russians or Belarusians during interviews or on social media out the window.

● Bach has hammered the point that sports organizations need to be autonomous from governments. But then he slavishly insists that the IOC must follow the instructions of the U.N. Human Rights Council’s volunteer “Special Rapporteurs,” who praised the IOC’s re-entry idea for Russian and Belarusian athletes.

So, Bach then gives up autonomy to these “experts” – whose conclusions are NOT universally shared, and except for the IOC’s insistence on them would not even be recognized – except that when one Rapporteur said that any Russian solider not actually implicated in a war crime should be able to compete, the IOC ignored her.

● Bach said at the start of the Executive Board meeting on Tuesday that the inclusion of individual Russian and Belarusian athletes in sports such as road cycling, ice hockey – especially in the NHL – and tennis “works.”

Maybe he has missed the tumult in women’s tennis, where Ukrainian players are asking for more meetings with the Women’s Tennis Association board concerning Russian and Belarusian participation. Top-ranked Iga Swiatek (POL) said during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California earlier this month:

“I feel more should be done to help Ukrainian players because everything we discuss in tennis is about Belarusian and Russian players, if they should be allowed, what’s going on with them.

“I don’t think that’s right, because we should focus more on helping Ukrainian players and providing them everything they need because they basically have to take care of all their families, and there’s a lot of baggage on their shoulders.”

The IOC’s very thorough preparation for Tuesday’s meetings and announcement shows a very sophisticated navigational effort through a cafeteria-style, confusing and conflicted stance, slicing the sausage as thinly as possible, completely confident that most – but not all – of the International Federations will do as they are told, since half or more are dependent on the IOC’s Olympic television rights shares for their continued existence.

What Tuesday’s announcement and the ultimate decision on Russian and Belarusian participation in 2024 and 2026 will also do is reset the dynamics of the IOC’s elections in 2025 for Bach’s successor.

Close observers have little doubt that Bach would like to see a female IOC member succeed him, perhaps Zimbabwe youth, arts and sports minister Kirsty Coventry (a seven-time Olympic medal winner in swimming) or Aruban lawyer Nicole Hoevertsz, head of the IOC’s Coordination Commission for Los Angeles 2028. But the Russian war on Ukraine and its tightening attachment with China will create new fissures in the IOC, possibly opening the door for experienced hands in sport and politics like World Athletics President (and double Olympic champ) Sebastian Coe, or someone with a heavier background in billion-dollar businesses such as Belgian Pierre-Olivier Beckers, former head of the Delhaize Group.

There are plenty of others who imagine themselves as the IOC President. But the IOC they strive to lead in 2025 may be very different than today, thanks to Bach’s intuition that his view of “Olympic values” is the right one against the backdrop of Russia’s continuing aggression.

4.
Ex-Huntington coach Johnson indicted for sexual battery

The Huntington University track & field coach accused of sexual assault and instituting a doping program, Nick Johnson, was inducted by a Huntington County (Indiana) grand jury on Monday.

He was charged with felony sexual battery and misdemeanor battery. If convicted, he could be imprisoned from six to 30 months and fined up to $10,000.

David Woods, who broke the original story for the Indianapolis Star, wrote for DyeStat.com that Johnson has already faced legal issues with an unrelated incident:

“Johnson was charged in December 2020 with felony accounts of child seduction, kidnapping and identity deception. He pleaded guilty to a felony charge of identity deception. In exchange, the prosecutor dropped other charges. He served 30 days in jail, followed by 150 days of electronic monitoring.”

There is a civil suit also underway, filed last September in Federal court by former Huntington University runners Hannah Stoffel, Emma Wilson and Erin Manchess. Johnson was fired in December 2020, with his wife, Lauren Johnson, named as his replacement. She was placed on leave in October 2022 and has left the program.

5.
IBA Coaching Chair calls for demonstration at Olympic House

Gabriele Martelli, an ally of International Boxing Association President Umar Kremlev (RUS), Chair of the IBA Coaches Committee and Secretary General of the Malta Boxing Federation, circulated a call for a “Peaceful demonstration by boxing community” outside of the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The announcement included:

“Join us on March 29 to raise the voice of the boxing community and demonstrate our strength and unity in what can surely be described as the biggest and most decisive fight – the fight to protect boxing and make sure it stays at the Olympics.

“Respect is what we have been taught by boxing, respect is what we call for when it comes to fair and transparent evaluation and monitoring of the boxing activities within the International Boxing Association (IBA).

“We are all witnesses of the profound transformation undergone by the IBA during the past 2 years on the road to compliance with the best international practices. It is high time this progress is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is high time that the decisions on the future of boxing are made based on close
cooperation and open discussions with the IBA and boxing community.”

The IOC has made its displeasure with the IBA and Kremlev’s management of the federation clear and will discuss on Wednesday what to do about the IBA and boxing status at the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

This is not the first time for such a demonstration, as Roy Jones, Jr. – a dual Russian and American citizen – led a protest at Olympic House on the same issue on 5 December 2022. The protesters were welcomed in by the IOC, but the federation was again slapped down and faces possible expulsion.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Swimming ● World Aquatics announced a three-stage, long-course Swimming World Cup program over three weeks in October 2023:

● 1. Berlin (GER): 6-8 October
● 2. Athens (GRE): 13-15 October
● 3. Budapest (HUN): 20-22 October

Prize money has not been announced; the three-meet series in 2022 had $1.2 million in prizes. The series is placed more-or-less midway between the 2022 World Championships (14-30 July in Japan) and the 2023 Worlds (2-18 February) in Qatar.

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For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

MILLER TIME: On the Knife’s Edge

By
David Miller
-

/It’s a pleasure to present this guest column by one of the most knowledgeable observers of the Olympic Movement, Britain’s David Miller. For more than 50 years, the former English footballer has covered the Olympic Games and the sports within it, including 15 years as the Chief Sports Correspondent of The Times of London, with stints at the Daily Express and the Daily Telegraph. Author of books on athletics, football and the Olympics, he was Official Historian of the International Olympic Committee from 1997-2018. His opinions are, of course, his own alone./

Yesterday’s stalling by the IOC Executive Board on eligibility of Russia/Belarus for participation at Paris ’24 leaves everyone on the precipice of emotional and administrative uncertainty: the host organisers, spectators, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, hostile Ukrainian and Russian rivals incensed either way. A constitutional answer is needed. Pronto.

On its own admission, the social IOC cannot legislate on war and peace, whatever its moral principle, any more than it can determine whether a husband and wife love each other; it can only administer Pierre de Coubertin‘s foundation within its Olympic Charter. This needs rapid adjustment, and eminently possible at the annual Session in Mumbai, India this autumn. Still searching for a ‘loop-hole’ for acceptable Russia/Belarus competitor qualification, wars are not an office-hours chess board for ad-hoc off-the-cuff ruling, but require statutory Charter implementation, shielding the executive.

Namely: that any nation invading another sovereign territory a) for longer than (say) three months forfeits Olympic participation for so long as that invasion might continue; b) its citizens should retain the right and freedom, upon attaining qualification, to be an individual entry, independent of NOC, but only on signature of a formal declaration that they have no personal involvement in the said invasion; c) in mutual war aggression beyond three months, both nations to forfeit participation.

Thus, individual athletes would not have been required to express opposition to governmental political action. Revelation of any subsequent such approval would cause instant retroactive deletion from Olympic competition records and/or medals – moral sense to any truthful non-Orthodox Church or Putin fanatic.

Competitor apparel would be an IOC-design uniform bearing the insignia Independent Olympian. Team sports would be excluded; the Olympic ensign flown for medal-winners; the Olympic anthem for champions.

Not only would this procedure protect the passport-free entry of individuals, but – perhaps prophetically valuable – reduce the ever-increasing nationalistic character of the medals table. Constitutionally, an Independent Olympian could still have been funded, long term, by his/her NOC, thereby granting indirect credit.

A Charter adjustment at Mumbai could be the ‘loop-hole’ resort by which the athletes, the host city and the IOC’s own future could be protected, with warring nations temporarily excluded from peaceful integration by a majority. As a would-be Olympian amateur eons ago, we must yearn for preservation of global sincerity and integration.

Comments are welcome here and or direct to David Miller here.

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BULLETIN: IOC recommends allowing individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete internationally

By
Rich Perelman
-

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

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Following its well-prepared path that began last December, the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board issued a detailed set of recommendations to the International Federations to allow certain Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition.

After a lengthy recitation of how deeply it supports Ukrainian athletes, the IOC statement included:

“1. Athletes with a Russian or a Belarusian passport must compete only as Individual Neutral Athletes.

“2. Teams of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport cannot be considered.

“3. Athletes who actively support the war cannot compete. Support personnel who actively support the war cannot be entered.

“4. Athletes who are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies cannot compete. Support personnel who are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies cannot be entered.

“5. Any such Individual Neutral Athlete, like all the other participating athletes, must meet all anti-doping requirements applicable to them and particularly those set out in the anti-doping rules of the IFs.”

The IOC emphasized that nothing decided today applies to the Paris 2024 or Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, for which a decision will be made at a later date.

In the news conference that followed, IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) was asked why the situation was different now than in February 2022, when it issued a recommendation for a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes. He responded that the two main drivers were that Russian and Belarusian athletes were already competing – successfully, in the IOC’s view – in sports such as cycling, ice hockey and tennis, and that the volunteer U.N. Special Rapporteurs told the IOC that Russian and Belarusian athletes should be able to compete.

The IOC issued a long statement and accompanying regulations; more to come on this developing story.

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TSX REPORT: IBA attacks IOC “integrity” prior to Exec Board meeting; Australia’s Carroll asks $2 billion government sport funding increase

By
Rich Perelman
-

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

★ To get The Sports Examiner by e-mail: sign up here! ★

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. IBA launches attack on IOC ahead of Executive Board meeting
2. Australia’s Carroll warns of A$2 billion sport funding shortfall
3. Panam Sports asks specific Russian/Belarusian inclusion details
4. Indonesia refusal to host Israel causes FIFA U20 World Cup draw delay
5. WTA agrees to Ukrainian players meeting over war strife

The International Boxing Association posted a letter ripping the International Olympic Committee for contacting IBA referees and judges without permission, asking for volunteers for the Olympic boxing qualifiers later this year. The fate of the IBA and boxing at Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 will be discussed by the IOC Executive Board this week. Australian Olympic Committee chief Matt Carroll said Australian sport needs another A$2 billion in funding to 2032 to realize the potential for health benefits, tourism and national pride from the performances of elite athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games (Victoria) and 2032 Olympic Games (Brisbane). A short statement – in Spanish only – by Panam Sports supported the IOC’s exploration of possible avenues to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international sports, but asked for specifics. A refusal by the governor of Bali, Indonesia to accept Israel as a team in the FIFA U20 World Cup has led to the postponement of the draw for the event and could cost Indonesia the tournament; reports say Argentina could be a possible replacement host for the event, slated to begin 20 May. Ukrainian players are asking for a meeting with the board of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) over the presence of Russian and Belarusian players as “neutrals.” A WTA spokesperson said a meeting would be arranged, as tensions on the tour are increasing over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

● Panorama: Athletics (Robertson explains doping that cost him eight years) = Baseball (World Baseball Classic profitable in 2023) = Biathlon (2: Reed sweeps U.S. women’s Nationals; Gierhart named US Biathlon chief) = Cycling (Reusser wins women’s Gent-Wevelgem over new U.S. star Jastrab) = Football (2: U.S. men; Belgium, Germany and Netherlands in for 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid) ●

1.
IBA launches attack on IOC ahead of Executive Board meeting

The International Boxing Association accused the International Olympic Committee of a “lack of transparency and cooperation” in an open letter published on Monday.

The notice accuses the IOC of using contact information for IBA referees and judges to ask for volunteers for the upcoming Paris 2024 boxing qualifiers without the IBA’s permission, alleging a breach of a November 2019 agreement for use of data only with regard to the Tokyo 2020 boxing tournament. The notice includes:

● “[T]he IBA Head Office received numerous complaints from our Competition Officials about this unsolicited communication from the IOC.

“Above all, the IBA is truly concerned about the source from which the IOC has obtained these contact details and regarding this, namely integrity, transparency, lack of continuous professional development, skill fade, and [European General Data Protection Regulation laws] as the starting point.”

● “The IBA who remains active in its governance reforms has asked that the relevant bodies of IOC, such as the IOC Ethics Commission, take the relevant measures to initiate an internal investigation against those individuals who breached the Agreement and leaked the contact details of our Competition Officials.”

The letter also complains of action or inaction of IOC officials such as Sports Director Kit McConnell (NZL), Ethics and Compliance Officer Paquerette Girard Zappelli (FRA), the boxing monitoring team from the PwC professional services firm and others.

Observed: The IBA is doing everything it can to slap the IOC in the face prior to the IOC Executive Board discussions concerning the IBA and boxing’s place on the program for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

There is a belief among some commentators that boxing is too popular to be kept off the program for 2024 or 2028, but this is hardly the case. Boxing has its own fan base, but the attraction of the Olympic Games is that it’s the Olympic Games.

Certainly, the IOC will not miss the IBA and could choose a variety of actions, including calling for a new international federation to be formed that it would recognize in place of the IBA. The obvious starting point would be the members of the Common Cause Alliance, with perhaps 18 federations already aligned.

The IBA’s just-completed Women’s World Championships in New Delhi (IND) raise multiple questions, such as why only 65 member federations competed, where the IBA reports having 204 national federations. Further, there were astonishing incidents at the Women’s Worlds, where IBA President Umar Kremlev (RUS) told the Russian news agency TASS:

“According to the results of DNA tests, we identified a number of athletes who tried to deceive their colleagues and pretended to be women. According to the results of the tests, it was proved that they have XY chromosomes. Such athletes were excluded from the competition.”

No further details were provided. Russian coach Albert Mutalibov told TASS:

“The procedure that the IBA has established is great, it allows you to catch unscrupulous athletes. But I want such tests to be carried out at the beginning of the tournament, and not during the competition. The representative of Algeria [welterweight Imane Khelif] has knocked out several athletes from the tournament before reaching the semi-finals. I’m watching the final now, our Azalea is stronger than both participants.”

Reuters reported that two-time World Champion Yu-ting Lin (TPE) was disqualified and lost a bronze medal at Featherweight “after she also failed to meet the IBA eligibility criteria.”

How can gender confirmation – or testosterone monitoring – not be done prior to the tournament? Mutalibov complained:

“I’m watching the final now, our Azalea [Amineva] is stronger than both participants.

“The Algerian had difficulties with our athlete, Azalea even scored a heavy knockdown. The Algerian had both physical strength and other speed qualities. In fact, she was an athlete with the qualities of a young man.”

Khelif defeated Amineva, 4:1, in the round of 16. Khelif won the 2022 IBA Women’s Worlds silver medal at Light Welterweight and was the 2022 African and Mediterranean Games gold medalist last year in that class.

A check of the IBA medical and eligibility rules found no regulations on the testosterone levels required for boxing in the women’s division, only a check to ensure that a female fighter was not pregnant. So on what basis were Khelif, Lin and others disqualified?

2.
Australia’s Carroll warns of A$2 billion sport funding shortfall

“Our analysis, undertaken in conjunction with our Member Sports, shows that based on the Federal Government’s forward estimates, there is a $2 billion shortfall in direct investment in Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports in the ten years leading to Brisbane 2032.” (A$2 billion = $1.330 billion U.S. today)

That warning bell was sounded by Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll, in a Monday speed to the Australian National Press Club, explaining:

“Without investment, what governments in Australia want sport to achieve for the community is not going to happen and, in all honesty, and openness, unless this situation is rectified, Australia will be staring failure in the face at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games because our home Teams will have been undermined by inaction.”

Australia, like every National Olympic Committee in the world except for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, has its activities partially supported by its national government; many are completely subsidized. Carroll noted that his call for investment is not so much for the AOC, but for athlete development, athlete training and sport’s role in the country:

● “As an industry sector, we are fiscal contributors to the nation’s wellbeing through the critical role Sport plays in our collective health, addressing the nation’s obesity crisis, chronic diseases, mental health, and personal development. All issues called out almost daily by government, media and industry as critical to the productivity of Australia’s economy. Sport can deliver.

“In addition, sport delivers economy building major events, tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, research, and something that is most important, sporting excellence, building national pride and international status.”

● “Investment in Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games Sports provides government with a highly structured national network of experienced and committed people, largely staffed by volunteers, that reaches all corners of the country. We have more than 13 million participants, more than 50% of the nation’s population.

“Such an investment will be far more productive and provide a bigger bang for the government buck than any bespoke specialised program or anti-obesity advertising campaign.”

He emphasized the need for a sports curriculum in schools, promotion of sport-for-life programs to increase health and “the ability of sport to harness a sense of national pride can unify the country.” As for money:

“This shortfall consists of half a billion dollars for participation and $1.5B for pathways and performance.

“Therefore, the investment required from the Federal Government, based on the work and analysis we have undertaken with our Member Sports, through to FY2032 is $2.7B in partnership with the $3.2B investment the Sports will be making directly from their own means.

“On an annualised basis, this is $200M per year, over 10 years to 2032.”

He also called for the various elements of the sports industry in Australia to be formed into a single government agency:

“For an industry that brings a return of positive economic contributions to the country, with a total economic value to the national economy of approximately $83 billion annually and a return to Australian communities of at least $7 for every $1 invested in sport, it is difficult to fathom why we don’t have a Department of Sport already. It is clearly an opportunity gone missing – thus far.”

The 7-to-1 claim was taken from a 2018 KPMG study on the value of community sport infrastructure in the country. A federal spokesperson noted that the next budget is due in May:

“It is premature to be making claims about a funding shortfall when this comprehensive process to model future investment is proceeding.

“National sport outcomes will be measured beyond medals while ambitious performance goals will be balanced with a culture that prioritises physical, mental, emotional, and cultural wellbeing.”

3.
Panam Sports asks specific Russian/Belarusian inclusion details

In advance of the IOC Executive Board meeting discussing possible Russian and Belarusian participation in international sport, Panam Sports issued a two-paragraph statement only in Spanish on Sunday (DeepL.com translation):

“The Executive Committee of Panam Sports expresses its full support to the athletes of Ukraine, who have been affected by the tragic invasion of their country. We believe in the principles of Olympism, in which sport is at the service of promoting a peaceful and harmonious society and we recognize the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter which establish the inclusiveness, non-discrimination and political neutrality of sport.

“Guided by these principles, the Executive Committee of Panam Sports expects that there will be clear and specific criteria on the possible inclusion of neutral athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports in international sport.”

Observed: That’s about as neutral a position as can be constructed, giving support to the IOC’s current position while not slapping Ukrainian athletes with direct support – yet – for Russian and Belarusian re-inclusion.

Even so, it rings hollow to believe that the re-admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes, many of whom are “employed” by their governments in various capacities can, in any way, be taken as “promoting a peaceful and harmonious society.”

But that’s up to the IOC Executive Board on Tuesday.

4.
Indonesia refusal to host Israel causes
FIFA U20 World Cup draw delay

“The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is calculating the negative impact that could occur on Indonesian football after the cancellation of the FIFA U20 World Cup Drawing in Denpasar, Bali. Initially, the drawing or division of the group of countries participating in the FIFA U20 World Cup will be held on March 31, 2023.”

This Sunday announcement by the PSSI concerns the first-time presence of Israel in the tournament, as noted in the statement:

“Previously, the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster refused the presence of the Israeli National Team at the FIFA U20 World Cup event. For PSSI, this can be a reason for FIFA to cancel the FIFA U20 World Cup Drawing. Because, for FIFA, the Governor’s refusal is the same as canceling the implementation guarantee that has been issued by the Provincial Government of Bali. …

“PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) member Arya Sinulingga revealed that PSSI would anticipate the worst possible outcome of FIFA’s decision. ‘We from PSSI are thinking about saving Indonesian football. Because FIFA sanctions can isolate Indonesian football from the world,’ he said.”

Beyond the draw, the event is scheduled for 20 May to 11 June in six different cities. Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel, and the country’s politicians have consistently supported Palestinian positions.

There are reports that Argentina could be willing to step in to host the tournament on short notice, and would have its team included in place of Indonesia, which would lose its place as host. FIFA has made no announcement as of Monday evening.

The event is only modestly popular and therefore not impossible to stage on short notice. Average attendance at the 2019 U20 World Cup was 7,257 per match in Poland, and 7,900 in South Korea in 2017.

5.
WTA agrees to Ukrainian players meeting over war strife

The men’s Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) have allowed Russian and Belarusian players to compete as neutrals in their tournaments, to the despair of Ukrainian players and their supporters.

The tension within the women’s tour has risen this year, with Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka winning the Australian Open in January and multiple reports of bitterness between players over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, ranked 38th and an Australian Open Doubles semifinalist in 2023, told reporters after a loss to Russian Anastasia Potapova at the Miami Open last Thursday:

“We wanted to have the meeting with the [WTA] board and we didn’t get one. No reply, nothing, just silence.”

A WTA spokesperson said that a meeting would be held and that prior meetings had been held. In the meantime, top-ranked Iga Swiatek (POL) said during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California earlier this month:

“I feel more should be done to help Ukrainian players because everything we discuss in tennis is about Belarusian and Russian players, if they should be allowed, what’s going on with them.

“I don’t think that’s right, because we should focus more on helping Ukrainian players and providing them everything they need because they basically have to take care of all their families, and there’s a lot of baggage on their shoulders.”

Russia’s Potapova wore a Spartak Moscow football club shirt prior to her third-round BNP Paribas match – interpreted as support for the war – and received a warning.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Athletics ● Fascinating interview with New Zealand distance star Zane Robertson, the 2014 Commonwealth Games 5,000 bronze medalist, now serving an eight-year doping suspension. He explained on the “Runner’s Only” podcast:

“It’s been a pretty depressing and devastating day for me.

“There’s many reasons and it’s just not one particular reason. I hate it so much that it’s just a one-off hit and I got caught. It’s been building on me for a few years. Frustration and anger at the sport itself and any elite sports, I just believe it’s not a level playing field like they say.

“I started to ask myself this question: why do people like myself always have to be the ones to lose or suffer. In the end, lose our contracts, lose our income, lose our race winnings, and eventually give up not having the ability to have a family … that was one reason.”

Robertson, 33, said he also faced financial difficulties during the pandemic and was going through a difficult divorce.

“Some things led to another and a lot of stress was placed on me. I made some bad decisions in a really dark time.”

● Baseball ● More on the success of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, with the JohnWallStreet site reporting that revenue for this year’s edition was between $90-100 million, making the event profitable.

Contributing to that was the first-ever rights fee for U.S. television, from FOX Sports, which had excellent ratings, especially for the semifinals and finals in Miami. Prior editions had been seen primarily on the MLB Network and used as a way to help grow that channel.

● Biathlon ● The 2023 US Biathlon National Championships were held in Casper, Wyoming over the weekend, with Joanne Reid sweeping the women’s Sprint and Pursuit.

Reid, who had two top-30 finishes in the IBU World Cup, dominated both events, winning the 7.5 km Sprint by 22:36.1 (1 penalty) to 25:11.8 (3) for Anna French and then taking the 10 km Pursuit by 33:24.6 (6 penalties) to 35:26.3 (4) for Arana Woods.

Vincent Bonacci moved up from second in the national junior race in 2022 to the top of the 10 km Sprint podium in 2023, winning in 29:10.0 (0), ahead of Scott Lacy (30:21.1/1). They were reversed in the 12.5 km Pursuit, with Lacy winning in 39:10.0 (6) to 39:35.1 (8) for Bonacci.

With long-time US Biathlon chief Max Cobb now the Secretary General of the International Biathlon Union, the federation named Jack Gierhart as its new chief executive. He had been the interim head of the federation since September 2022.

He’s no stranger to the U.S. Olympic Movement, having served as the head of U.S. Sailing from 2010-20 and also a one-year term as interim chief executive of USA Fencing in 2021-22.

● Cycling ● Tokyo Olympic Time Trial silver medalist Marlen Reusser became the first Swiss rider to take the famed Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields for women, breaking away with 40 km to go on the mostly-flat 162.5 km course from Ypres to Wevelgem.

She won in 4:16:47, with 21-year-old American Megan Jastrab leading the pack for second, 2:42 back, in her best performance on the UCI Women’s World Tour so far.

● Football ● The U.S. men’s National Team faced El Salvador in Orlando with a spot in the CONCACAF Nations League final four at stake, and came away with a hard-earned, 1-0 win that moved them on to the semifinals in Las Vegas in June.

The U.S. men had the better of play in the first half, with good chances from Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna near the 30-minute mark, and a Weston McKennie header that missed in stoppage time at 45+4. But it ended 0-0, with the Americans holding 57% possession and a 6-1 edge in shots.

The home team came out on fire in the second half, with Reyna hitting the post in the first minute of play and then continuing to harass Salvadorian keeper Mario Gonzalez. Then the U.S. broke through on a brilliant lead pass from the American end by McKennie that found substitute striker Ricardo Pepi sprinting through the box and right-footing the ball into the net in the 62nd minute for a 1-0 lead.

Pepi had another chance in the 85th that was saved by Gonzalez as the U.S. kept the pressure on, and just would not let El Salvador get enough time with the ball to make a serious threat. The Americans ended with 58% of possession and a 17-4 advantage on shots.

The U.S. finished with a 3-0-1 record in the three-team Group A4 (10 points), ahead of El Salvador (1-2-1: 5) and Grenada (0-3-1: 1). On to the Nations League semis to defend their 2022 title; the U.S. now has a 20-1-7 record all-time vs. El Salvador and has a 22-match unbeaten streak since 1993.

The first public announcement of a bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 has come from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands as a joint venture. FIFA opened the bidding last week and parties have until 21 April to express their interest.

Germany hosted in 2011, followed by Canada in 2015, France in 2019 and Australia and New Zealand this year.

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For our updated, 651-event International Sports Calendar (no. 2) for 2023 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TSX REPORT: Uno, Sakamoto, Chock & Bates take figure-skating golds; Russia’s Tutberidze wants a Bach apology; Mexico wants 2036 or 2040 Games

By
Rich Perelman
-
Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates on their way to an Ice Dance gold at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in 2023 (Photo: ISU)

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

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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

1. Uno and Sakamoto repeat; Chock & Bates win at Figure Skating Worlds
2. Medvedev: Russian exclusion is “politically motivated”
3. Mexico enters discussions on 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games
4. L.A. City asked to approve $18.5 million in LA28 youth funding
5. No need to worry about Paris 2024; the French can handle it!

Japan dominated the World Figure Skating Championships in front of a home crowd in Saitama, with Shoma Uno and Kaori Sakamoto repeating their wins from 2022 and Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara winning in Pairs. Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates finally won a gold in Ice Dance, in their 10th appearance, their fourth career Worlds medal. Ahead of Tuesday’s International Olympic Committee Executive Board meeting, former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Russia’s exclusion from international competitions was “politically motivated” and said moving to Asian competitions for Olympic qualifying was fine with him. Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard presented a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach last Friday, declaring Mexico’s interest in hosting the 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games. In Los Angeles, the City Council will be asked to approve $18.5 million in spending for the 2023-24 fiscal for the City’s Recreation and Parks Youth Sports Program, funded by the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic organizers, with funds advanced by the IOC. A wild video from Paris shows diners at an outdoor café essentially ignoring an explosion and expanding street fire right next to them; is this proof that no doubts should remain that the Paris 2024 organizers will be cool under fire?

● World Championships: Boxing (India and China dominate women’s Worlds) = Curling (Swiss win fourth straight women’s World title) ●
● Panorama: Athletics (women’s 35 km walk record) = Badminton (Japan wins two at Swiss Open) = Beach Volleyball (Hughes & Cheng win again on Beach Pro Tour) = Cross Country Skiing (Klaebo and Weng win season World Cup titles) = Cycling (2: Roglic wins Volta in Spain; Classics wins for Philipsen, van Aert and Laporte in Belgium) = Fencing (3: Bardenet, Kun and Szilagyi World Cup winners) = Football (U.S. men pound Grenada, 7-1) = Freestyle Skiing (Ruud and Killi sweep Slopestyle seasonal titles) = Judo (Georgia tops Tbilisi Grand Slam with three golds) = Nordic Combined (more Riiber wins, but Lampartner seasonal champ) = Shooting (China win eight at Bhopal World Cup) = Ski Jumping (Pinkelnig wins seasonal title) = Snowboard (2: wins for Banks and Noerl in SnowCross, U.S.’s Marino & Henricksen in Slopestyle) = Volleyball (eight to go to USA Volleyball Hall of Fame) ●

1.
Uno and Sakamoto repeat; Chock & Bates win
at Figure Skating Worlds

The home crowd in Saitama (JPN) was ecstatic with wins at the 2023 ISU World Figure Skating Championships for men’s and women’s favorites Shoma Uno and Kaori Sakamoto, both of whom made history with repeat victories.

Uno came into the Free Skate with a 104.63-100.38 lead over American teen Ilia Malinin and did not let up, posting the top score of 196.51, just ahead of Korea’s Jun-hwan Cha (196.39), with Malinin third at 188.06. Uno’s program included five quad jumps and although not perfect, gave him a strong score that held up for a 301.14 to 296.03 victory over Cha, who became the first Korean man to win a Worlds medal!

Malinin had six quads in his program, but under-rotated on three and ended up with the bronze medal, his first at the senior Worlds, at age 18. He said afterwards, “I’m just very grateful for the performance I was able to put out. I put so much effort and work into the last couple of weeks and I’m glad I was able to pull it off.”

It’s the fifth Worlds in a row for a U.S. men’s medal, and Uno became the first Japanese skater to win back-to-back titles. Yuzuru Hanyu also won two Worlds golds, but not consecutively. Jason Brown of the U.S. finished fifth (280.04) and Andrew Torgashev was 21st (210.59). In Brown’s four Worlds appearance, he has been seventh (2017), ninth (2019), seventh (2021) and now fifth, at age 28.

Sakamoto successfully defended her women’s title, the first Japanese skater to win back-to-back women’s golds. After leading the Short Program by more than 5 1/2 points, she finished second in the Free Skate to Hae-in Lee, 147.32-145.37, but finished on top with 224.61 points to 220.94 for Lee.

American Isabeau Levito stood third after the Short Program, but suffered a fall and finished fifth in the Free Skate and ended up fourth overall – in her first Worlds – at 207.65. She was passed by Belgium’s 2022 runner-up, Leona Hendrickx, who also fell, but was fourth in the Free Skate and won the bronze at 207.65.

American Amber Glenn finished 12th (188.33) and Bradie Tennell was 15th (184.14).

In Ice Dance, Madison Chock and Evan Bates were poised to win, after medals in 2015-16-22, and took control in the Rhythm Dance, leading with 91.94 points, comfortably ahead of Italy’s Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri (88.21). Even with a fall in the Free Dance, Chock and Bates won again at 134.07, with Guignard and Fabbri second again (131.64).

That gave the Americans their fourth career Worlds medal, but first gold, scoring 226.01 to 219.85 for the Italians, with Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (CAN) third with their second career Worlds bronze at 217.88. Said Chock:

“This has been the goal of us for such a long time, and it was such an experience here in Saitama with the crowd supporting us, cheering for us. It was incredible. This season has certainly unfolded in many unexpected ways, but all paths have led to this moment. We learned lot about ourselves and what we want to achieve.

“We had to dig very, very deep many times, but I know we would not be sitting here without all this experience.”

The U.S. pair of Caroline Green and Michael Parsons finished sixth (201.44) and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko were 10th (190.10). Chock and Bates extended the streak of U.S. Worlds medals in this event to eight straight.

Japan’s three wins in four events was last done in 2021 by the Russians.

2.
Medvedev: Russian exclusion is “politically motivated”

“Obviously, the fact that [Russian athletes] do not participate in competitions is the result of politically motivated decisions of sports organizations. It’s a shame for them. For everyone, including, of course, the [International] Olympic Committee and its leadership.

“It’s a colossal test for athletes. It’s very difficult, because you get ready, get ready, and then for political reasons they cut you off. Therefore, I don’t judge anyone here strictly.”

That’s former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, speaking to reporters on Friday, in advance of the IOC Executive Board meeting that will discuss possible re-entry conditions for Russian and Belarusian athletes on Tuesday.

Asked about Russian teams competing in Asian competitions, where they could be welcomed – on specific conditions – he was positive:

“Regarding the transition to Asian federations. If it is beneficial for athletes, why not? Somewhere it gives pluses, somewhere it gives minuses. But where the level of the Asian federation is high, we must move. If anything, we will return later or stay there.

“[Even China alone is] a worthy opponent in general in all sports. They still play hockey so-so, but I’m sure they will soon play very, very well.”

One Russian official who has not warmed to comments about re-inclusion from IOC President Thomas Bach is legendary figure skating coach Eteri Tutberidze. Bach commented on the treatment of teen skater Kamila Valieva after her free skate program at a Beijing 2022 news conference on 18 February 2022:

“When I afterwards saw how she was received by her closest entourage, with such, what appeared to be a tremendous coldness, it was chilling to see this. Rather than giving her comfort, rather than to try to help her, you could feel this chilling atmosphere, this distance.”

Tutberidze told the French all-sports newspaper L’Equipe:

“At that time, Kamila kept a short distance. You can’t hug someone who doesn’t want to, and the problem is not that she failed. On the other hand, we have no right to give up. I just asked her why she stopped competing after second element. She simply refused to fight to the end.

“In addition, the Olympic Games are a celebration, many athletes dream of being in her place. I can’t stand the tantrums of athletes. After that, we sat together in the locker room for a long time. This accusation of Thomas Bach is unfair, I expect an apology from him.”

As for Valieva’s failed doping test in December 2021, Tutberidze told L’Equipe: “My skaters have always been clean athletes, these accusations are offensive.”

Valieva’s case is now in front of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

3.
Mexico enters discussions on 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games

“I had the honor of presenting Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, with Mexico’s Letter of Intent to organize the Olympic Games in 2036-40. Mary José Alcalá, President of the Mexican Olympic Committee and 4-time athlete in the Olympic Games, was present.

“First visit by a Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations to the International Olympic Committee in the last 55 years.”

Mexico Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard tweeted Friday about his visit, with Mexican Olympic Committee chief (and four-time Olympic diver) Alcala and others, to Olympic House in Lausanne and the presentation of a letter from the Mexican government that included:

“The purpose of this visit is to formally express to you and the IOC, Mexico’s interest in hosting the next Olympic Games in 2036-40.

“This initiative is motivated by the historical moment that Mexico is living, in which the best values and traditions of our people have been revalued and our society has become the most participatory since many decades ago, thanks to a process of regeneration of public life, known as the Fourth Transformation.”

The letter further notes Mexico’s excellent sports, economic and tourism infrastructure, to put on a Games “that are successful, austere and universal, and that promote the values of peace and fairness.”

It’s already a crowded field for 2036 and beyond, with possible bids already signaled from Egypt, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Qatar, South Korea and others. Mexico hosted the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

4.
L.A. City asked to approve $18.5 million in LA28 youth funding

The Los Angeles City Council is being asked to approve an $18.465 million youth sports program for the 2023-24 fiscal year for the Department of Recreation and Parks, funded by the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee.

This is a continuing program begun in 2020 and funded by funds advanced by the International Olympic Committee to the LA28 organizers, who in turn executed an agreement to fund Rec and Parks programs through the middle of 2028. In specific:

“The YSP supports youth participation in sport by providing financial subsidies to limit the cost of participation to not more than $10 per participant in YSP activities for all youth at prequalified City recreation centers and for all eligible youth at non-prequalified City recreation centers.”

For 2023-24, funding was increased by $0.9 million; the specifics:

“Compared to the 2022-23 Project Plan, the proposed 2023-24 Project Plan:

“● Increases funding for Recreational Leagues and Classes ($152,430);

“● Provides $561,194 in funding for new pilot sports including Archery, Karate, Climbing, Triathlon, and Fencing, for a net increase in 2023-24 ($189,794);

“● Increases funding for Signature Sports including Adaptive Sports, USA Swim Team, and Kayaking offset by a decrease in Aquatics and deletion of Tae Kwon Do ($887,529);

“o Within the Signature Sports program, increases funding for Adaptive Sports and adds two new sports including Adaptive Archery and Wheelchair Tennis($363,775); and

“● Decreases funding for Other Costs including marketing, branding, outreach, and professional services from the United States Center for Safe Sports [sic] ($297,392).”

Swimming is by far the largest sport in terms of spending with $1.83 million earmarked for aquatics programs and another $1.08 million for “USA Swim Team” programs Adaptive Sport programs in archery, athletics, aquatics, basketball, equestrian, skateboarding, soccer, surfing, tennis and volleyball are slated for $841,012 in spending. Judo and surfing programs are marked for increases to $432,600 and $428,792, respectively.

The recommendations will first go to the City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games for review and once approved, to the City Council.

5.
No need to worry about Paris 2024; the French can handle it!

OK, this isn’t a prediction about the 2024 Olympic Games, really, but after seeing the nonchalant reaction to a street trash fire going on a few feet away from a café in Paris, is there any doubt the French can handle it?

Check on this 45-second video re-posted by AD.nl columnist Ben Coates on Twitter. Wow.

≡ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ≡

● Boxing ● Host India and China dominated the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi (IND), winning four and three weight classes, respectively.

Nitu Ghanghas, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, won the Minimumweight class, 2022 Flyweight world champ Nikhat Zareen won the Light Fly gold, Lovlina Borgohain took the Middleweight title and 2022 Asian champ Saweety Boora won at Light Heavyweight.

That equals India’s all-time best at the women’s Worlds, with four wins in the 2006 Championships, also held in New Delhi!

The Chinese won three classes, and seven medals in all, the most of any country. Yu Wu won the Flyweight class, Chengyu Yang took the Light Welterweight gold and Liu Yang won at Welterweight, moving to the top of the podium after a 2019 Worlds silver.

Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao-wen Huang won her second World title at Bantamweight, also in 2019, as did Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil at Lightweight (also 2019). Two fighters moved up from silver in 2022 to gold in 2023: Irma Testa (ITA) in the Featherweight division and Morocco’s Khadija El-Mardi at Heavyweight.

Russian and Belarusian fighters competed in New Delhi, but did less than expected. Belarus won one bronze and the Russians, who won six medals (3-1-2) when last entered in 2019, won just three (1-1-1) with Anastasiia Demurchian taking the Light Middleweight class.

Winners received $100,000 each, with $50,000 for the silver medalists and $25,000 for both bronze winners for a total purse of $2.4 million. Some 19 national federations boycotted the event – including the U.S. and Ireland, which together won three of the 12 classes in 2022 – and Kosovo withdrew after the Indian government required that its fighter, 2022 Lightweight bronze winner Donjeta Sadiku, compete without national colors since India does not have diplomatic relations with Kosovo.

There was a minor incident during the awards ceremony for Demurchian, as the first few notes of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s First Concerto were played, then stopped and the Russian anthem played. The Tchaikovsky piece had been used at the Tokyo Olympic and Beijing Winter Games in place of the prohibited Russian anthem, but somehow snuck into the Boxing Worlds.

The organizing committee apologized; said Russian coach Albert Mutalibov:

“The incident spoiled the mood, because I wanted the awards ceremony to go like everyone else, so that there would be no such mistakes. I don’t know how it happened, I think that they got it out of habit. just a misunderstanding. Now they played [the anthem] and awarded the athlete again. We got our bearings, and it’s good.”

IBA President Umar Kemlev (RUS) told the Russian news agency TASS:

“According to the results of DNA tests, we identified a number of athletes who tried to deceive their colleagues and pretended to be women. According to the results of the tests, it was proved that they have XY chromosomes. Such athletes were excluded from the competition.”

No further details were provided. Russian coach Mutalibov noted:

“The procedure that the IBA has established is great, it allows you to catch unscrupulous athletes. But I want such tests to be carried out at the beginning of the tournament, and not during the competition. The representative of Algeria [welterweight Imane Khelif] has knocked out several athletes from the tournament before reaching the semi-finals.”

Reuters reported that two-time World Champion Yu-ting Lin (TPE) was disqualified and lost a bronze medal at Featherweight “after she also failed to meet the IBA eligibility criteria.”

● Curling ● Switzerland was looking for a fourth win in a row at the WCF Women’s World Championship in Sandviken (SWE), and not only got it, but completed a perfect Worlds with a 14-0 record.

Skipped by Silvana Tirinzoni, the Swiss showed exquisite precision in the final, scoring single points in the second, fourth, seventh and ninth ends to take a 4-2 lead into the 10th, then scored twice to cap off a 6-3 victory.

Throughout the four-year win streak, Tirinzoni and Alina Paetz – a former Worlds-winning skip for the Swiss in 2015 – have been the key performers. Second Carole Howald won her sixth Worlds gold (!), including 2021-22-23 with Tirinzoni, the 2015 Worlds win with Paetz as skip and 2014-16 with Binia Feltscher as skip.

The Norwegians, skipped by Kristin Skaslien, won their first women’s Worlds medal since a bronze in 2005! They finished 10-4.

The Swiss ripped through round-robin play with a perfect 12-0 record – including a 6-1 win over Norway – and finished four games up on the second-place Norwegians (8-4), trailed by Canada, Italy, Sweden and Japan, all at 7-5. The U.S., skipped by Tabitha Peterson, finished 6-6 and did not advance to the playoffs.

Sweden had to beat Italy, 4-3, to advance to the semis, but were stopped by the Swiss, 8-4. Canada got past Japan, 6-4, to meet Norway in the semis, but the Norwegians advanced with an 8-5 victory, with three points in the ninth end to break a 5-5 tie.

In the bronze-medal game, Canada – skipped by Kerri Einarson – got out to a 3-0 lead after two ends and scored in three more ends to get an 8-5 win over Sweden and 2018 Olympic gold-medal skip Anna Hasselborg. It’s the second straight Worlds bronze for Einarson.

≡ PANORAMA ≡

● Athletics ● Peru’s Kimberley Garcia Leon, the 20 km and 35 km World Champion from 2022, won the Dudinska 50 race on Saturday in Dudince (SVK), setting a world record of 2:37:44.

That was two seconds better than the 2022 mark of 2:37:46 by Russian Margarita Nikiforova and more than a minute-and-a-half quicker than her 2:39:16 winning in Eugene last year. Garcia Leon now owns two of the top six performances of all time.

She broke away early and won by more than two minutes over four-time World 20 km Champion Hong Liu (CHN: 2:40:06), now no. 7 on the all-time list. Ecuador’s Magaly Bonilla was third in 2:46:32.

Mexico’s Jose Doctor won the men’s 35 km in 2:26:37, moving to fourth on the 2023 world list. Brazilian Caio Bonfim was second in 2:27:30, no. in 2023.

● Badminton ● All Asian winners at the Yonex Swiss Open in Basel, with Japan getting two.

Unseeded Koki Watanabe (JPN) scored an upset in the men’s Singles final over third-seed Tien Chen Chou (KOR), 22-20, 18-21, 21-12, and Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto got a walkover in their all-Japan women’s Doubles match vs. Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Horita.

Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) defeated Mia Blichfeldt (DEN) in the women’s Singles final, 21-16, 21-18. Second-seeded Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (IND) defeated Xiang Yu Ren and Qiang Tan (CHN) in the men’s Doubles final, 21-19, 24-22.

China did get a win in the Mixed Doubles, as Zhen Bang Jiang and Ya Xin Wei won a tense battle with Soon Huat Goh and Shevon Jemie Lai (MAS), 21-17, 19-21, 21-17.

● Beach Volleyball ● The second Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 tournament of 2023 was in Tepic (MEX), with the reunited American pair of Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng teaming for their fourth win in the last five months!

The women’s final was a re-run of the Beach Pro Tour Finals from January, with Hughes and Cheng facing 2022 World Champions Ana Patricia Ramos and Duda Lisboa (BRA). Hughes and Cheng, who teamed up for two NCAA beach titles when at USC, won in straight sets in January, but this time took the first set by 21-14, then lost the second, 21-15. They rallied for a 15-10 win in the third and another Beach Pro Tour title.

In the bronze-medal match, Tokyo silver medalists Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy (AUS) edged Valentina Gottardi and Marta Menegatti (ITA), 16-21, 21-17, 19-17.

The men’s final was yet another appearance by Norway’s 2020 Olympic and 2022 World Champions Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, this time against Sweden’s three-time Beach Pro Tour tournament winners David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig. 

But the Swedes were better, with an upset win in straight sets, 21-16 and 21-15.

Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler (GER) won the bronze-medal match, 24-22, 21-16 over Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot (NED).

● Cross Country Skiing ● Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo and Tiril Udnes Weng finished the FIS Cross Country World Cup as the seasonal champions after the final stop in Lahti (FIN) over the weekend.

Klaebo finished with a bang, winning the Classical Sprint on Saturday for his fifth win in a row in 2:48.58, ahead of Calle Halfvarsson (SWE: 2:49.33) and Norway’s Erik Valnes (2:49.51); Norway had five of six places in the final. Klaebo won the Sprint seasonal title with 1,261 points to 907 for Lucas Chanavat (FRA).

Klaebo then finished with another win – his 19th of the season – in the Sunday’s 20 km Classical Mass Start, in 44:13.0, trailed by Paal Golberg (NOR: 44:18.4) and Swede William Poromaa (44:19.0). Klaebo finished with 2,715 points to 2,243 for Golberg and 1,635 for Federico Pellegrino (ITA). American Ben Ogden was eight at 1,118.

The women’s Classical Sprint was the fourth win in a row for the sudden new star in tour, Norway’s 24-year-old Kristine Skistad (3:08.63), who edged Swede Jonna Sundling (3:08.76), with Weng third (3:15.18). Swede Maya Dahlqvist was fourth and wrapped up the seasonal Sprint title with 944 points.

Norway’s Anne Kalva got her fourth medal of the season – and first career win – in Sunday’s 20 km Mass Start in 51:04.3, ahead of Sundling (51:05.2) and Katharina Hennig (GER: 51:05.4). Americans Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan finished 22nd and 23rd in 52:19.5 and 52:30.2.

Weng won the seasonal title with 2,027 points, ahead of Diggins (1,867), Kerttu Niskanen (FIN: 1,840) and Brennan (1,546).

● Cycling ● The spring Classics season is fully underway in Belgium, with three races this week, won by home favorites Jasper Philipsen and Wout van Aert, and van Aert’s French teammate, Christophe Laporte.

Philipsen took the 47th Classic Brugge-De Panne on Wednesday, a flat 211 km route that came down to a three-way sprint with the Belgian getting to the line ahead of Olav Kooij (NED) and countryman Yves Lampaert, all in 4:38:52. Belgium’s Fredrik Frison was one second back for a 1-3-4 finish for the home team.

Friday’s 65th E3 Saxo Classic in and around Harelbeke (BEL) over a hilly, 204 km course, came down to another sprint between three stars: defending champion van Aert (BEL), 17-time World Tour winner Mathieu van der Poel (NED) and Slovenia’s two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar. It was van Aert getting the win and defending his 2022 victory in 4:44:59, with van der Poel second and Pogacar third. American Matteo Jorgenson was fourth, 33 seconds back.

On Sunday, the famed 85th Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields was a 261 km ride from Ypres to Wevelgem, with van Aert looking for a second career win. He and Jumbo-Visma teammate Laporte broke from the field for good with 53 kg to go and forged an enormous lead, with Laporte getting the win in 5:49:39 and van Aert in the same time. Fellow Belgian Sep Vanmarcke was third, leading a pack of four in a final sprint to cross 1:56 behind.

The 102nd edition of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya had Slovenian star Primoz Roglic – three-time winner of the Vuelta a Espana – in charge from the first stage.

Roglic won the hilly first stage, then finished second on the hilly stages 2-3 and won again on the uphill-finishing stage 5 to maintain a 10-second lead going into Sunday’s final ride in Barcelona. Only Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel – who won stage 3 in the Alps – was close at 10 seconds behind, with the rest of the field more than a minute in arrears.

Italian Guilio Ciccone won the uphill-finishing second stage from Roglic and Evenepoel, and Australia’s Kaden Groves won the sprint finishes in stages four and six.

Evenepoel tried to win it on Sunday, but Roglic stuck close and they finished 1-2 – both in 2:59:24 – giving Roglic a six-second win overall in 28:19:10. Portugal’s Joao Almeida was next best, some 2:11 back of Roglic (who is also a Jumbo-Visma rider!).

Roglic has now won three Vuelta a Espanas, two editions of the Itzulia Basque Country race and now the Volta, completing a Spanish multi-stage trifecta.

● Fencing ● A busy weekend of FIE World Cup action, with American Stephan Ewart winning a bronze in the men’s Epee World Cup in Buenos Aires (ARG), the first U.S. World Cup medal in men’s Epee since 2019.

Ewart made it to the semis, losing to China’s Minghao Lan (15-7), who then lost by 15-13 in the final to France’s Alexandre Bardenet, who beat countryman Romain Cannone, 15-12, in his semi. Bardenet won his first World Cup gold since 2019, and second of his career.

Hungary beat Venezuela, 32-26, in the team final.

The women’s Epee World Cup in Nanjing (CHN) was a win for Hungary’s Anna Kun, defeating Alexandra Louis Marie (FRA) in the final, 15-10. Kun, 27, earned her first career World Cup gold and third career World Cup medal.

Louis Marie did get a win, however, in the team event as the French defeated Korea, 45-35, in the final.

Hungary got a second win on the weekend with three-time Olympic champ Aron Szilagyi winning the men’s Sabre World Cup in Budapest (HUN), winning over 2022 European Champion Sandro Bazadze (GEO), 15-14, in the final.

Korea edged Germany, 45-44, in the men’s team final.

● Football ● The U.S. men, playing their first match since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, had no trouble with Grenada in CONCACAF Nations League play, taking a 7-1 victory on Friday in St. George’s.

The Americans had 68% of possession and a 19-7 edge in shots, taking the lead in the fourth minute on a Ricardo Pepi goal, followed up by scores from Brendan Aaronsen (20th) and Weston McKennie in the 31st.

Grenada got a goal in the 32nd minute on a Myles Hippolyte shot to cut the deficit to 3-1, but McKennie scored again two minutes later for a 4-1 halftime lead. The U.S. got three more goals in the second half, from Christian Pulisic (49th), Pepi again in the 53rd and Alejandro Zendejas in the 72nd for the 7-1 final.

The U.S. ended a nine-game winless streak in road games and set a U.S. record for most goals in an away match with seven.

The U.S. men will next face El Salvador on Monday in Orlando, Florida (7:30 p.m. Eastern) on TNT, Universo and Peacock, with a place in the CONCACAF Nations League Finals on the line. The U.S. had a 7-5 lead on points and needs a win or a draw to advance to the June finals in Las Vegas (USA)

● Freestyle Skiing ● The Slopestyle competition in Silvaplana (SUI) wrapped up the FIS Freestyle World Cup for 2022-23, with Norway’s Birk Ruud and Johanne Killi taking the seasonal titles.

Ruud, the Beijing 2022 Big Air winner and 2023 World Champion in Slopestyle, finished third in the season finale, scoring 92.50 behind Sweden’s 2022 Olympic bronze winner Jesper Tjader (94.25) and Canada’s Evan McEachran (93.00). American Alex Hall (91.75) and Konnor Ralph (91.50) finished fifth and sixth.

Ruud finished with 360 points to 300 for Swiss Andri Ragettli and ended the season with Crystal Globes for Slopestyle and Big Air.

Beijing Olympic Big Air silver medalist Tess Ledeux (FRA) won the women’s Slopestyle at 93.25, beating Sarah Hoefflin (SUI: 90.25) and Killi (89.25); Grace Henderson was the top American in eighth (72.75).

Killi medaled in all five World Cups (3-1-1) and won the seasonal title at 380 points, to 250 for Hoefflin and 205 for Ledeux.

● Judo ● A big field of 419 judoka from 61 nations contested the Tbilisi Grand Slam in Georgia, with the hosts getting three impressive second-day wins to lead the medal table.

Tokyo Olympic champ Lasha Bekauri defeated fellow Georgian, Luka Laisuradze, in the men’s 90 kg final, followed by a win for 2021 World Junior Champion Ilia Sulamanidze in the 100 kg class and Gela Zaalishvili, who won for the third straight time in the Tbilisi Grand Slam +100 kg final!

Serbia scored wins in the women’s 48 kg class with Milica Nikolic beating Andrea Stojadinov in an all-Serb final, and at 57 kg with Milica Perisic. Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Anna-Maria Wagner (GER) won the women’s 78 kg class. Tokyo 48 kg gold medalist Distria Krasniqi (KOS) got to the final of the women’s 52 kg division, but lost to Uzbek Diyora Keldiyorova.

● Nordic Combined ● The final FIS World Cup stop in Lahti (FIN) started with another win for the unstoppable Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR), who won his third straight World Cup race after taking both individual events at the 2023 World Championships!

Riiber finished the 130 m jumping and 10 km race in 23:58.0, trailed by Kristjian Ilves (EST: 23:59.7) and Jens Oftebro (NOR: 24:53.0).

Sunday’s events saw the same podium, but in a slightly different order. Riiber won again – six in a row including the World Champs – in 24:16.8, with Oftebro second (24:18.6) and Ilves in third this time (24:22.0).

Austrian Johannes Lamparter won his first seasonal title with 1,367 points, ahead of Oftebro (1,313), German Julian Schmid (1,217) and Riiber (1,123), whose injuries prevented a fifth straight seasonal title.

● Shooting ● China dominated the ISSF World Cup in Rifle and Pistol in Bhopal (IND), winning eight of the 10 events and scoring 12 medals overall (8-2-2).

Xue Li, 23, the 2022 Worlds fourth-placer won the 10 m Air Pistol final over German Doreen Vennekamp, 17-5, and Yuting Huang, 16, won her first World Cup gold with a 16-4 win over American Mary Tucker in the final of the 10 m Air Rifle.

China also won the 10 m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, 17-11, over India, and Huang got a second gold – with Lihao Sheng – in the 10 m Air Rifle Mixed Team final, 16-2, over Hungary.

Sheng, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, also won a second gold in the individual 10 m Air Rifle final for men, 17-13, in an all-China final against Linshu Du. But Du, 19, also got a gold in the men’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions, defeating Hungary’s Istvan Peni, a three-time World Cup winner, 16-10.

China swept the 50 m Rifle/3 Positions events with a win by Qiongyue Zhang, 16-8 in the final over Aneta Brabcova (CZE).

Vennekamp, a two-time Worlds bronze medalist, got a gold as well, winning the women’s 25 m Pistol final, 30-29, over 15-year-old Ziyue Du (CHN), who won her first World Cup medal.

The men’s 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol final was another win for China, as Jueming Zhang won his first World Cup event, 35-34, over France’s 2022 World Champs runner-up, Clement Bessaguet. Rio 2016 Olympic winner Christian Reitz (GER) was third (21).

India finished second on the medal table with seven (1-1-5).

● Ski Jumping ● The women’s 2022-23 FIS World Cup concluded in Lahti (FIN) with the second win of the season for Japan’s Yuki Ito, but with Austrian Eva Pinkelnig taking the seasonal title.

Ito scored 238.8 points for the win, with Anna Stroem (NOR) second at 237.6 and Germany’s 2023 World Champion Katharina Althaus third (236.9). It was Ito’s seventh career World Cup win, in her best season since 2017.

Overall, Pinkelnig finished with 1,662 points to 1,497 for Althaus, 1,281 for Ema Klinec (SLO) with Stroem fourth at 1,278.

The men will finish in Planica (SLO) next week, but on Sunday, Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi got his third win of the season, scoring 145.9, ahead of Stefan Kraft (AUT: 141.8) and German Karl Geiger (137.0). The competition had to be shortened to one round, but Kobayashi was able to get his 30th career win, moving to no. 7 all-time!

● Snowboard ● The SnowCross finale at Mont-Sainte-Anne in Quebec (CAN) started with another showcase win for Great Britain’s 2021 World Champion, Charlotte Bankes, her sixth World Cup gold in a row!

She beat Beijing silver medalist Chloe Trespeuch (FRA) and Beijing Olympic champ Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) to the line on Saturday, but had her streak stopped on Sunday. There, the win belonged to Australia’s Worlds silver medalist Josie Baff – who also won the season opener – crossing the line ahead of Pia Zerkhold (AUT) and Trespeuch.

Bankes took the seasonal title, however, 723-650-493 over Trespeuch and Baff.

Canada’s Eliot Grondin, the Beijing 2022 runner-up, took his first World Cup medal of the season in the men’s Saturday race, beating 2023 World Champion Jacob Dusek (AUT) and Spain’s 2021 World Champion, Lucas Eguibar. On Sunday, Germany’s Worlds silver winner Martin Noerl posted his third win of the season, ahead of American Jake Vedder (his second medal of the season) and Grondin.

That gave Noerl the seasonal Crystal Globe with 510 points, ahead of Eguibar (436) and Grondin (399).

In the Slopestyle finale in Silvaplana (SUI), American Julia Marino – the Beijing 2022 silver medalist – took her third straight World Cup gold to win the seasonal title by 313 to 153 over Japan’s Miyabi Onitsuka, the 2015 World Champion.

Marino scored 87.25 on Saturday to edge Beijing bronze medalist Tess Coady (AUS: 85.00) and Olympic Big Air champ Anna Gasser (AUT: 82.25)

On Sunday, Japan’s Taiga Hasegawa, 17, got his second career World Cup medal … and second World Cup win, but first in Slopestyle, scoring 92.00 to edge Canada’s Liam Brearly (89.00, his first World Cup medal in two years) and Swede Sven Thorgren (85.00).

American Dusty Henricksen, who won a gold and two silvers in the first three events of the season, won the seasonal title at 296, followed by Hasegawa (186).

● Volleyball ● USA Volleyball announced eight new members of the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame, who will be inducted on 24 May in Dallas, Texas, just prior to the 2023 USA Volleyball Open National Championship. The class includes:

● Men/Indoor: Ryan Millar and Clay Stanley
● Women/Indoor: Liane Sato and Logan Tom

● Men/Beach: Todd Rogers
● Women/Beach: Elaine Youngs

● Men/Sitting: Edgar Laforest
● Women/Sitting: Kari Ortiz

Millar and Stanley were both three-time Olympians, and were members of the gold-medal-winning 2008 team. Sato was a setter on the 1992 Barcelona bronze-medal team while Tom was a four-time Olympian as an outside hitter and won silver medals in 2008-12.

Rogers won an Olympic Beach gold with Phil Dalhausser in 2008, the FIVB World Beach title in 2007 and also competed in the 2012 Olympic Games in London; he played well into his 40s. Youngs won a Worlds bronze with Liz Masakayan in 1999 and an Olympic bronze in Athens in 2004 with Holly McPeak.

The late Laforest was an outside hitter on the U.S. team at the 2016 Paralympic Games and a three-time Parapan American Games medal winner. Ortiz was a three-time Paralympian as a libero, winning silvers in 2008-12 and the 2016 Paralympic gold.

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