Global non-governmental sports body running the modern Olympic Games
A set of Olympic champions and rising stars are pursuing renewed elite competition ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Meyers Taylor plans a comeback after a concussion scare; Ohashi sharpens a return to elite gymnastics; Carey trains for a second Olympic bid; Gut-Behrami eyes continued competition after a knee injury.
Russia’s athletics federation has filed a new appeal at CAS to overturn World Athletics sanctions that ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from global events. The IOC has allowed Russian competitors in some Olympic qualifiers, sparking debate among federations that have eased restrictions in other sports. The case tests the balance between sport and politics as World Athletics defends its integrity.
Rachael Gunn has opened up about the run-up to the 2024 Games as Netflix releases Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly. The documentary revisits her panic in the Olympic Village, her viral routine, and the subsequent scrutiny that led to retirement. It also highlights support from figures like Jimmy Fallon and public commentary at the time.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has faced renewed scrutiny as FairSquare’s complaints persist, with European bodies pressing for transparency and a fresh external review of the FFE plan. UEFA and others are seeking documents, while Infantino remains intent on a fourth term, with candidacies due next month.
Edgar Grospiron has stepped down as president of the Alpes 2030 organising committee amid ongoing governance turmoil. The IOC says it will continue to work with the committee to build on foundations. Lyon remains the host for the 2030 Winter Games after Nice was dropped from hosting plans.
The flame for the Youth Olympic Games has left Athens and begun a 3,600-kilometre tour of Senegal. Dignitaries and a crowd in Dakar welcomed the flame, carried by women known as lingeer, as the IOC leader calls the ceremony a proud moment for Africa.
World Athletics has reaffirmed its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition as CAS reviews sanctions tied to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The IOC and other sports bodies have varied in their treatment of Russian athletes, with CAS hearings ongoing and the Los Angeles 2028 Games in view.
Rep. Robert Garcia has launched an oversight inquiry after ProPublica reported that Russian boxing official Umar Kremlev paid hundreds of thousands of dollars toward Donald Trump Jr.'s May wedding weekend in the Bahamas. Garcia has requested documents from the White House and Trump Jr., seeking communications, financial records and guest lists tied to Kremlev's payments.
The Fitzroy River course has passed an independent technical assessment for Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoe sprint, with World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide endorsing the verdict. The Queensland government welcomes the outcome as Rockhampton prepares for 2032 events, while questions linger about crocodile presence and regional logistics.
Conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg has met Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office and discussed concerns about Vance's ties to Tucker Carlson and U.S. support for Israel. Rosenberg has said he pressed Vance to distance himself from Carlson to secure right-leaning Jewish donor support for a likely 2028 campaign and met Trump afterward.
Germany has announced Munich as the Olympic candidate city, with Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne out of the race. The DOSB will engage in continuous dialogue with the IOC ahead of a 2027 shortlisting, aiming for a bid decision by mid-2029. Munich’s bid centers on the Olympic Park and follows a 2025 referendum showing broad local support.
Japan hosts a delayed, chaotic Asian Games with logistical issues shadowing standout performances. China leads in diving and tennis through young stars like Yu Zidi and Wang Xiyu; Japan and other nations show flashes of talent while organisers face criticism over accommodation and transport.
Wu Yize has won the Shenzhen Open final, defeating Yuan Sijun to become world No. 2 and extend China’s hold on the top rankings. He overcame Yuan after building a lead in the evening session, with breaks including 74 and 62 as he secured the title and £177,000. Yuan climbs to around 16-26 in the rankings.
The Olympic emblem has been officially launched: a pink cockatoo crest symbolising both the Olympics and Paralympics, with First Nations elements and a Queensland-inspired design. Officials say the emblems celebrate Brisbane’s lifestyle as the games approach, with the mascot to be revealed later.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed seven nations have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics: Qatar, India (Ahmedabad), South Africa, Germany (Munich), Hungary, Turkiye (Istanbul) and South Korea. The IOC has set an Oct. 31 deadline for other entries, will assess feasibility by March 2027 and expects a final host vote in 2029.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended after the Portuguese Football Federation has opened disciplinary proceedings for leaving the national team camp. Ronaldo has apologised, accepted responsibility and said he will accept any punishment; he has returned to Al‑Nassr and scored in their recent 3‑0 win.
Russian gymnasts Angelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova and Anna Kalmykova have reportedly been refused Dutch visas to compete at the Rotterdam World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, opening team qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The move draws protests from the Russian federation and reflections on the IOC/World Gymnastics stance, as the event proceeds 17–25 October.
The Youth Olympic Games have opened in Dakar, with about 2,700 athletes aged 14-17 competing across 25 sports in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. The event marks Africa’s first Olympic-scale gathering and features a first refugee team; locals confront rising living costs as the games unfold.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation to reinstate Russian teams for the 2026–27 season. Several national federations — including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Czech Republic — have said they will refuse to play Russia; hosts and sponsors are reassessing security, logistics and funding ahead of events that start with the World Junior Championship on Dec. 26.
The Refugee Olympic Team will compete at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, marking the first refugee team at the Youth Games. Led by a former refugee and track star, Biel, the team aims to inspire others while highlighting Africa's hosting milestone. The story follows athletes who fled conflict, trained in Kenya and Uganda, and now compete in judo, showing resilience and hope.
A Swiss complaints authority has upheld four complaints against RTS for a broadcaster's commentary during the Milan Cortina Games, citing discrimination against an Israeli athlete amid Gaza war coverage. RTS has removed the clip; the panel will publish full reasoning later. The ruling comes as international reaction calls for accountability intensify.
Imane Khelif has announced a December 15 professional bout in Paris, seeking to reclaim momentum after Olympic gold amid a gender-eligibility dispute that briefly sidelined her. She will face undefeated Dutch boxer Clarida Sarabia in a six-round super-welterweight clash.