Sports News

This July, the Esports World Cup (EWC) will make a comeback in Saudi Arabia, bringing together surprise new additions like CrossFire and classic games such as League of Legends, Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, and Dota 2. The event is set to attract over 2,000 players, 200 clubs, and 24 games, with a staggering prize pool of €61.5 million, marking a new historical high.

In a tranquil corner at the edge of the world lies a picturesque destination – the Azores, Portugal. Comprising nine volcanic islands, it floats in the middle of the azure Atlantic Ocean, exuding an air of mystery and purity. And on this land embraced by nature, the sport of golf has found its ideal stage.

The US Olympic & Paralympic Committee is expanding its portfolio with the addition of flag football. On Thursday, USA Football was officially designated as the national governing body, joining the ranks of those for track and field, swimming, and gymnastics. This marks a significant milestone for flag football as it readies for its Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles.

In October 2023, the International Olympic Committee voted to include flag football, baseball/softball, cricket, lacrosse, and squash in the competition events of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This decision has brought new development opportunities to these sports.

The Olympic Games bring together athletes and spectators from across the globe, showcasing human potential, resilience, and a sense of unity unparalleled by other sporting events. To ensure the Games are held in the most efficient and responsible manner, the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s Olympic Agenda mandates that hosts create a lasting positive impact on the host location while minimizing environmental harm. Central to this goal is the reduction of the carbon footprint associated with the Olympics.

Despite being retained on the programme of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the modern pentathlon will see its athlete quota reduced from 72 to 64. Among the 31 sports set to continue in the 2028 Games, only surfing (with 48 athletes) has a smaller entry, yet modern pentathlon has been an Olympic sport since 1912.

Local prosecutors have requested the Constitutional Court to review a decree that classifies the Milano-Cortina 2026 Foundation as a private entity. They believe this decree has hindered the investigation into alleged corruption in digital service tenders related to the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The operating budget for the 2026 Milan - Cortina Winter Olympics excludes the construction costs of several key facilities. This includes the 118 - million - euro sliding center in Cortina d'Ampezzo and the new San Giuliano ice hockey arena, which is expected to cost around 300 million euros. Additionally, it does not cover expenses for road and railway infrastructure projects. These projects, mainly funded by the Italian government, aim to enhance transportation access to venues scattered across northern Italy.

The Russian Gymnastics Federation has recently announced that its gymnasts will not participate in the upcoming competitions under the name of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). In a statement, the federation said, "All Russian athletes who have obtained neutral status... have decided not to take part in the upcoming competitions held under the auspices of the FIG." The statement mentioned that numerous baseless and biased rejections have been made to other athletes' applications for neutral status, adding that the federation "supports the stance of the athletes."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the selection of seven research projects for the 11th edition of the Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme, which is managed by the IOC’s Olympic Studies Centre (OSC). The chosen projects were selected for their academic quality and relevance to the IOC’s defined priority research areas for the Olympic Movement.

With one year until the 2026 Winter Olympics, the organizing foundation has disclosed a significant equity gap of €15,030,808. However, the organization led by CEO Andrea Varnier maintains confidence in achieving break-even status.

The Scalo Romana Olympic Village is set to welcome athletes for this winter’s games, having been completed in 900 days—one month ahead of schedule, according to Designboom. The milestone marks a key step in preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Following U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s remarks on Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), citing their state-law-based policy allowing transgender girls to compete in high school girls’ sports.

French Olympic fencer Ysaora Thibus had her doping charges dismissed on Monday, after arbitrators accepted her defense that a positive drug test resulted from exposure to a banned substance via kissing her partner. The ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) echoes the 2009 verdict in tennis player Richard Gasquet’s famous "cocaine kiss case."

Russian Sports Minister and President of the Russian Olympic Committee, Mikhail Degtyarev, has revealed that Russia, currently under IOC sanctions, is preparing to submit bids for both the Summer and Winter Olympics, aiming to host the world - renowned sporting event for the third time.

Italian prosecutors are investigating alleged corruption in construction tenders linked to the country’s upcoming Winter Olympics. The Olympic Village is a key focus, with raids, arrests, and cash seizures sparking public concern—less than seven months before the Games open.