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The Enhanced Games, a controversial event allowing performance-enhancing drugs, has signed high-profile athletes like Fred Kerley and Ben Proud. Kerley's participation follows his suspension for doping-related issues, raising ethical and legal questions about the event's legitimacy and impact on sport integrity. The event is scheduled for May 2026 in Las Vegas.
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The IOC confirmed it will allow Russian athletes to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, following the same policy used at Paris 2024. The decision excludes Russian teams and athletes with military ties or support for Ukraine's invasion. No discussion of banning Israeli athletes occurred. Security concerns remain high.
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Recent developments in Olympic and Paralympic policies include IOC discussions on sports inclusion, health issues affecting key figures, and geopolitical tensions impacting athlete participation. These updates reflect ongoing efforts to adapt the Games to new challenges and political realities, with decisions affecting future events like 2028 and 2032.
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Italy's Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are 100 days away, with key venues still under construction and testing. Organizers emphasize readiness, using existing infrastructure and cost-saving measures, while promoting the event's cultural and unifying significance amid logistical challenges.
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The IOC has mutually ended its partnership with Saudi Arabia on the Olympic Esports Games, citing a need to align better with the Olympic movement's long-term goals. The decision follows delays and challenges in integrating esports into the Olympics, with both parties pursuing separate esports ambitions.
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American figure skater Jason Brown, 30, is competing at Skate America in Lake Placid, aiming for an Olympic spot. His career has been marked by highs and lows, including Olympic medals and setbacks. Brown returns with a modified 'Riverdance' program, supported by passionate fans, as he seeks to demonstrate his enduring skill and dedication.
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Italy is advancing its preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina and Milan, with a major test event at the reconstructed Cortina track and a historic torch relay. The event includes the first major test of the new venue, which is still under construction, and highlights Italy’s commitment despite IOC concerns.
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The Olympic torch relay in Greece has begun ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, with a ceremony amid ancient ruins. Meanwhile, Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak faces a two-year doping-related suspension for whereabouts failures, not drug use, affecting her Olympic prospects.
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As of December 2025, Russian athletes have been reinstated to compete under their national flag in judo starting with the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, reversing previous neutral status imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian and Belarusian athletes meeting IOC criteria will compete as neutrals at the 2026 Winter Olympics following a court ruling overturning FIS's ban. Ukrainian diver Lyskun's switch to Russian citizenship has sparked controversy and disciplinary threats.
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The torch relay for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics started in Rome, covering 12,000 km across Italy with 10,001 torch bearers. The event included protests and low ticket sales, with some venues still under construction. The Games are set for February 2026 amid ongoing logistical challenges.
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The International Olympic Committee announced that youth athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports can compete under their national flags at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics, relaxing restrictions amid ongoing tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The move does not affect the upcoming 2026 Winter Games.