2026 Milan - Cortina Winter Olympics: Budget Update and Organisational Milestone
The 2026 Milan - Cortina Winter Olympics organising committee has adjusted its budget figures, with the operating budget increasing by 7% to around 1.7 billion euros, excluding infrastructure and venue construction costs. This comes against the backdrop of a decline in Italy's inflation rate, which fell to 1% in 2024 from 5.7% in 2023, mainly due to the 10.1% drop in energy prices after a 1.2% increase in 2023.
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Business Forum Calls for Madrid to Bid for Olympics
The GroupForoEmpresarial, a business organization in Madrid, is advocating for the Spanish capital to bid for the Olympic Games. The group believes that bold ideas and long - term ambitions are necessary to transform Madrid into a more competitive, innovative, and socially cohesive city.
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Italian Prosecutors Probe Alleged Corruption in Winter Olympics Construction Tenders
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.
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International Testing Agency Welcomes New Board Member, Reviews Strategic Plan Progress
At its semi-annual meeting last month, the Board of the International Testing Agency (ITA) welcomed Ms. Dagmawit Girmay Berhane and reviewed progress on its 2023-2026 strategic plan. As of June, 91% of 152 projects had either been completed or were underway.
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Russian Gymnasts' Stance and the Changing Landscape of International Sports
The president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Morinari Watanabe, who ran for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this year but lost to Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe, visited Ukraine and Russia in March, apparently to ease tensions. In last year's Paris Summer Olympics, only 15 Russian athletes participated, and all had to follow strict neutrality guidelines, being required to prove that they had no connection with the Russian military or security services. A similar arrangement seems likely for the Milan - Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics
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Edwin Moses Urges India to Reflect on True Intent of Bidding for Major Sporting Events
Two - time Olympic champion Edwin Moses has urged India to reflect on its true intentions behind bidding for events like the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. In an interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI) in Madrid during the 2025 Laureus Awards ceremony, Moses criticized India's approach to sports development.
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French Fencer Ysaora Thibus Cleared of Doping Charges, CAS Accepts "Kiss Transmission" Defense
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."
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USA Swimming Remains Financially Strong Amid Leadership Shifts
Over the past year, USA Swimming has achieved milestones: hosting groundbreaking Olympic trials at an NFL stadium and winning 28 medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Yet, it has also seen leadership changes—with its long-serving CEO, a potential new CEO, and COO all stepping down.
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Daegu and Cairo Chosen to Host ISSF’s 2027 World Shooting Championships
The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has announced Daegu, South Korea, and Cairo, Egypt, as hosts for its 2027 global championships. Daegu will stage the Rifle/Pistol World Championships, marking the event’s return to South Korea for the first time since Changwon hosted in 2018.
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World Aquatics Imposes Restrictions on Russian and Belarusian Athletes
World Aquatics has informed TASS that Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under a neutral status are prohibited from linking their participation in events to their respective countries. This ban extends to social media, where posting flag emojis is not allowed, the organization announced this week.
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Milan - Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Bormio and Livigno Face Tourism Challenges
As Italy readies itself for the 2026 Milan - Cortina Winter Olympics, the mountain resorts of Bormio and Livigno are gearing up for a hoped - for tourism boom. With less than a year to go until the Games, many homeowners and short - term rental platforms have jacked up prices, anticipating high demand. Some properties are being listed for as much as €11,000 per night. Online platforms like Booking and Airbnb are showing exorbitant prices, such as €7,870 per night for an apartment and €35,000 for a two - week stay in a chalet.
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IOC's Efforts to Minimize Olympics' Carbon Footprint
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.
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Athletics Integrity Unit Steps Up Efforts in 2024, Despite Financial Deficit
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) released its annual report on Monday, showing an escalation in its work. The body handled 100 international-level cases in 2024, with a key focus on the Olympic Games—97% of finalists underwent pre-competition testing.
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French Alps 2030 Winter Olympics: A New Vision Unfolds
Edgar Grospiron, after participating in the founding ceremony of the Organizing Committee for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps in February this year, introduced his strategic vision for the event. He emphasized the significance of hosting an environmentally - respectful competition, with a focus on valuing athletes and actively involving the host regions.
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