MMA action from AMMA Championship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from July 11-13, 2024 (AMMA Photo) Backed by the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA), a new international mixed martial arts (MMA) federation is set to be formed with the goal of staging the popular combat sport at the Olympic Games. Reaching global popularity with professional UFC bouts, the sport has also gained momentum at the amateur level. AMMA President Gordon Tang said Thursday that calls from national federations and athletes around the world inspired his organization to create a new unifying international body that can continue to grow the sport, safeguard athletes and build a path towards inclusion at a future Olympics. The journey will begin with the first meeting of the Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts (FIMMA) that will be held in Athens, Greece on December 1. “We have seen [MMA] athletes excel and opportunities open up at major multi-sports events such as the Asian Games,” Tang said. “But this has just been at a continental level. It is not enough for a global sport.” Inclusion for the first time at the 2026 Asian Games scheduled in Nagoya, Japan is seen as a major stepping stone for the sport as the huge continental event that exceeds the Olympics in scale falls under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) umbrella. AMMA also secured MMA’s place in the 2025 Asian Youth Games, 2026 Asian Games, and 2026 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. Work still needs to be done to gain IOC recognition – essential to becoming involved in the Games – and that will be achieved in part by unifying fragmented global leadership of the sport. International federations already exist including the Global Associations of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) that successfully earned a spot for MMA at the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana and has Olympic aspirations of its own, and the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). FIMMA sees itself as a unifying force and says it will collaborate with all stakeholders to achieve the ultimate Olympic goal. AMMA Director General Galastein Tan said athletes can have non-exclusive memberships with other international federations. “As a unifying force in MMA, we are ready to collaborate with all organizations, including the UFC, ONE Championship, and those that share our commitment to protecting and promoting the interests of MMA and its athletes,” Tan said. “Together, we will take amateur MMA from continental success to a global stage and prepare it for the Olympic spotlight.” Tan said discussions with stakeholders are already underway but would not further elaborate. FIMMA says it will build on AMMA Asian experience and implement rules and safeguards that will make MMA events more entertaining and within Olympic competition standards. These include bans on dangerous moves, no cages, optimizing tournament structures and implementing medical and technical review committees. These and other adjustments will help gain IOC acceptance. The Olympic Games have already been awarded to hosts through to 2032 in Brisbane with the next Games scheduled for Los Angeles in 2028. The core program has already been set for both events and Brisbane organizers can still suggest locally relevant additional sports to the program as late as next year. The earliest MMA can expect to feature at the Games would be at the 2036 Games that have yet to be allocated but several cities including frontrunners Ahmedabad in India and Doha in Qatar have entered the race. There are currently no set timelines to site future Games as the IOC has put the bid process under review. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Indian delegation including IOA president PT Usha (right) sign agreement after Ahmadabad chosen to host 2030 Commonwealth Games – November 26, 2025 in Glasgow Scotland (CGF Photo) Ahmedabad in India has been elected to host the centenary 2030 Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Sport (CGF) announced Wednesday from the organization’s General Assembly in Glasgow, Scotland. India had the only remaining candidate after Abuja, Nigeria was dropped from the race last month by the Executive Committee. The Games will be known as Amdavad 2030 using the locally used Gujarat language for the city name. It will be India’s second Games in two decades following the 2010 edition held in Delhi that was marred by delays, cost over runs and alleged corruption. The CGF described the awarding of the centenary Games as a defining point for the organization. India’s delegation was represented by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha and Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi. “This is the start of a new golden era for Commonwealth Sport,” President of Commonwealth Sport Donald Rukare said. “After a ‘Games reset’ we head to Glasgow 2026 in fantastic shape to welcome the 74 teams of the Commonwealth before setting our sights on Amdavad 2030 for a special Centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games.” Glasgow will host the 2026 edition next summer as a lighter version of the event while only having two years to prepare. The state of Victoria in Australia had signed on to host the Games but later withdrew after costs were predicted to skyrocket. Organizers paid a penalty to the CGF, some of which was offered to Scottish officials as the replacement. Desperation to site the 2026 Games prompted fears that the quadrennial Games might not survive to see 100 years, but India has promised to stage a full, successful Games in 2030 and hope that they will ignite the growth and success of the event in coming years. Commonwealth Sport confirmed that 15 to 18 sports will be contested in 2030 with a process to finalize the program starting next month and the final list revealed next year. Currently be considered are Archery, Badminton, 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket T20, Cycling, Diving, Hockey, Judo, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Rugby Sevens, Shooting, Squash, Triathlon and Para Triathlon and Wrestling. Indian organizers may add up to two additional sports that have a local or cultural interest. Officials of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have long described hosting the Commonwealth Games as a critical stepping stone to staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036 and realizing a promise by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “leave no stone unturned” to achieve his nation’s sports objectives. Despite recent reprimands by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the IOA for poor governance, lackluster athlete performance and doping violations, Ahmedabad remains a leading candidate alongside Doha, Qatar to host the 2036 event. The Executive Board evaluated the project with what it described as a “detailed process” and an assessment based on “a wide range of criteria” including “technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance, and alignment with Commonwealth Sport values.” India recently approved new sports legislation designed to support and promote success for athletes in major events. The first-ever Commonwealth Games were held as the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada in 1930. The city was given an opportunity to reprise those Games 100 years later but the local bid committee dropped out of contention after the Canadian Province of Ontario denied funding. Last month’s narrowing of the field marked the second time Abuja was defeated in its Commonwealth Games bid after the Capital lost to Glasgow for the 2014 edition. It eliminates the possibility of Africa hosting its first-ever Games but CGF officials say Abuja will be given special treatment moving forward and could be ready for a future Games. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Team Fuego look on during the Cycling on day two of the Olympic Esports Week on June 23, 2023 in Singapore. (Photo: IOC/ Lionel Ng) Plans to create and stage an Olympic Esports Games to be initially hosted in Saudi Arabia in 2027 are now off the table after a 12-year deal between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Saudi Olympic Committee was abandoned, the IOC announced Thursday. The Games were to be held every two years following launch, but the inaugural event was already postponed from this year. An IOC statement said the two parties “mutually agreed that they will end their cooperation on the Olympic Esports Games. At the same time, both parties are committed to pursuing their own esports ambitions on separate paths.” The decision comes just months after former IOC President Thomas Bach – a key proponent of the deal – was replaced by Kirsty Coventry after his term term limit was reached. One of Coventry’s first actions as president was to initiate a “pause and reflect” period when commissions are asked to evaluate the current status and suggest new ways to move forward. The highly controversial deal that was inked last year just ahead of the Paris Olympics gave The Kingdom massive control of Olympic Esports in exchange for bankrolling the launch of the specialized Games. > IOC to launch Olympic Esports Games as an autonomous, standalone event Saudi Arabia already hosts the popular Esports World Cup known for such violent first person shooter Games such as Call of Duty, Valorant and Overwatch and offers tens of millions of dollars prize money. The IOC’s vision of Olympic Esports is to stage non-violent (and less popular) titles that simulate sports that have been teased to include eBaseball, Gran Turismo and Chess.com – but also modified versions of the popular Fortnite games. The titles are to be endorsed and overseen by the relevant International Sport Federations as an electronic version of their sports. “The IOC, for its part, will develop a new approach to the Olympic Esports Games, taking the feedback from the ‘Pause and Reflect’ process into account, and pursue a new partnership model,” the IOC statement read, adding that they have “the objective of having the inaugural Games as soon as possible.” Ahead of the deal, the IOC had been studying Esports for a few years, experimenting with their Olympic Esports Series and forming an Esports Commission led by French IOC member David Lappartient who last year mounted an unsuccessful bid for the IOC presidency. The most recent event was held in Singapore in 2023 where the initiative received solid support, and that city state could be a top candidate to replace Saudi Arabia. Singapore’s IOC member Ser Miang Ng helped orchestrate the initial deal with the Saudi’s. The IOC stopped short of integrating Esports with the traditional Olympic Games and have created a separate structure intended to protect the financial benefits that are distributed to the member sports federations – up to USD $4.2 million daily according to the IOC. “The structure will be within the IOC there will be no outsourcing of this structure. It is also clear that the IOC is the exclusive owner of these Games but for organizational and logistical reasons we have to separate this from the model of the Olympic Games because not all of the International Federations are governing their Esports,” Bach said last year when the deal was signed. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Munich Olympic bid logo With almost two-thirds of the ballots counted, 65 percent in Munich say they support a bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044. Counting remains underway but the results already indicate a clear majority for the ‘yes’ side. According to local media, over one-third of eligible voters cast ballots by postal mail with only about 4 percent making their way to the polls, together setting a record for the best referendum voter turnout in the city with over 39 percent. The vote is deemed legally binding as the numbers surpass the 10 percent turnout required to validate the results. Around 1.1 million voters were eligible to vote including all European Union citizens who have had Munich as their primary residence for at least two months and are at least 18 years old. On the ballot the voters were asked (translated from Germany): “Are you in favor of the state capital Munich bidding for the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, to be held either in 2036, 2040, or 2044?” Along with Munich, last year Germany narrowed its field of host potential candidates to Berlin, Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region which moving forward could be rebranded as Cologne. The DOSB hopes to bring the Games to Germany in 2036, 2040, or 2044, and plans to finalize the preferred bid city and year in fall of 2026 at the organization’s General Assembly. Hamburg has planned a referendum May 31 and Rhine-Ruhr residents could head to the ballot boxes on April 19. No vote is required in Berlin. A recent _YouGov_ survey commissioned by _DPA_ across Germany revealed 21 percent favored Munich as the national candidate, followed by Rhine-Ruhr at 19 percent, Berlin at 13 percent and Hamburg with 12 percent of the support. Such referendums in the past have prevented Germany from welcoming back the Games since the event was last staged in Munich in 1972. Most recently, Hamburg residents narrowly voted against a 2024 bid and Munich voters scuppered their city’s 2022 Winter Games application before it even left the gate. Previously a successful referendum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen allowed a Munich 2018 Winter Games bid to move forward but was defeated by eventual host PyeongChang. In September officials launched what they described as a “critical phase” leading up to the late October referendum. By blanketing the region with posters, billboards, newspaper and social media messaging supporters hoped to evoke positive memories of the 1972 Games under the banner “Games with Heart & Soul.” Many remember those previous Games were marred by the horrific attack by Palestinian militants who murdered several Israeli Olympic team members, so bid supporter hope voters will focus on the successful European championships held in the city in 2022. Many local pro athletes, including from Munich Bayern football club, have spent time promoting the bid. Several meetings to bolster public engagement were also held. Ballots were mailed to residents mid-September for postal voting or in person deposits on the referendum date. Olympics opponents have demonstrated to elevate the ‘no’ side – led by the NOlympia group who helped take down the previous Munich and Hamburg Olympic bids. They believe the Games will cause increased traffic congestion and will incur unpredictable high costs. A city-commissioned survey revealed that the total capital costs would rise to about 21 billion euros (USD $24.5 billion), but those number include large transportation projects that would have lasting benefits for the city. Internationally Ahmedabad, India and Doha, Qatar have already emerged as top contenders focusing on the 2036 edition while several other regions are looking at 2036 or beyond including Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Santiago in Chile, Egypt and North Jeolla, South Korea. European contenders could include Istanbul, Budapest and Spain. A bid by future Indonesian capital Nusantara was rejected by the IOC last week after government officials denied visas to Israeli athletes who were planning to compete at the World Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. The IOC’s Executive Board ruled that the move was politically motivated and contrary to the Olympic Charter, prompting a ban of future events in Indonesia until the government could guarantee universal attendance. The IOC has not yet set a timetable for a 2036 election, and the process for future bids remains in hiatus until a special review commission reports back to President Kirsty Coventry on recommended reforms. The next Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028 followed by Brisbane, Australia in 2032. _Updates to come as story is developing…_ ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Narendra Modi Stadium for cricket in Ahmedabad, India holds 132,000 and was engineered by Populous for opening in 2020 (Populous photo) Ahmedabad in India will be recommended to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the Executive Committee of Commonwealth Sport (CGF) announced Wednesday. Selected over its only rival Abuja, Nigeria – the decision assures that India will be the only candidate when the General Assembly votes for the host on November 26 and names the site of its centenary Games. It will be India’s second Games in two decades following the 2010 edition held in Delhi that was marred by delays, cost over runs and alleged corruption. Officials of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have long described hosting the Commonwealth Games as a critical stepping stone to staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036 and realizing a promise by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “leave no stone unturned” to achieve his nation’s sports objectives. Despite recent reprimands by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the IOA for poor governance, lackluster athlete performance and doping violations, Ahmedabad remains a leading candidate alongside Doha, Qatar to host the 2036 event. India recently approved new sports legislation designed to support and promote success for athletes in major events. The Executive Board’s decision was based on what it describes as a “detailed process” and an assessment based on “a wide range of criteria” including “technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance, and alignment with Commonwealth Sport values.” The decision marks the second time Abuja has been defeated in its Commonwealth Games bid after the Capital lost to Glasgow for the 2014 edition. It eliminates the possibility of Africa hosting its first-ever Games but CGF officials say Abuja will be given special treatment moving forward and could be ready for a future Games. “The Executive Board has carefully considered the Evaluation Committee’s findings and is recommending Amdavad [Ahmedabad] to our membership,” Interim President of Commonwealth Sport Donald Rukare said. “This is a significant milestone for the Movement as we look to our Centenary Games, and we now look ahead to the General Assembly in Glasgow where our members will make the final decision. “The Board were impressed with the vision and ambition of Nigeria’s proposal and were united in our commitment to continue working with their team to explore future hosting opportunities. This decision reflects our determination to take the Commonwealth Games to the African continent.” The first-ever Commonwealth Games were held as the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada in 1930. The city was given an opportunity to reprise those Games 100 years later but the local bid committee dropped out of contention after the Canadian Province of Ontario denied funding. Glasgow will host the 2026 edition next summer as a lighter version of the event while only having two years to prepare. The state of Victoria in Australia had signed on to host the Games but later withdrew after costs were predicted to skyrocket. Organizers paid a penalty to the CGF, some of which was offered to Scottish officials as the replacement. Desperation to site the 2026 Games prompted fears that the quadrennial Games might not survive to see 100 years, but India has promised to stage a full, successful Games in 2030 and hope that they will ignite the growth and success of the event in coming years. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Delegates from Paraguay celebrate announcement (PASO screen capture) Asunción, Paraguay has been elected to host the 2031 Pan American Games at an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) held in Santiago, Chile Friday. A joint bid from Brazil by Rio-Niterói was defeated in the secret ballot. Both candidates, starting with randomly selected Brazil, were allotted 40 minutes of presentation time followed by 20 minutes for member Q&A. The Evaluation Commission, having visited Paraguay and Brazil earlier this month, then presented its report to the voting members. A total of 41 member nations were eligible to vote with 12 countries having previously hosted the Games given an additional ballot – resulting in a total of 52 possible votes (delegate from Dominica was absent). Former hosts include United States, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. Paraguay’s bid was inspired by the capital’s successful hosting of the Junior Pan Am Games in August where more than 4,000 young athletes representing 41 countries competed in 28 sports and 42 disciplines. Several venues are already in place to stage the Games however plans are in place to build a new athletics stadium and arena to expand capabilities. Transportation improvements are also proposed, including increased airport capacity. Paraguay is also preparing to host a FIFA World Cup match in 2030. Brazil was vying to host the Games for a third time following São Paulo in 1963 and Rio in 2007. Rio hoped to leverage venues left as a legacy of the 2016 Olympics held across the city with the only new major construction required being the Pan American Athletes Village. Rio’s 2016 Olympics were marred by construction delays and cost overruns, and a subway line extension that had its opening delayed and was not available to the general public during the Games. Both projects met an application deadline last May and were the only two in the running to host the important quadrennial continental Games that stage many Olympic qualification events. The 2027 Panam Games will be held in Lima, Peru. _More as this story develops…_ ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Panam Sports officials meet with the Rio-Niterói 2031 team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from October 1-3, 2025 (PASO photo) With the host city for the 2031 Pan American Games due to be elected only a week from now, Panam Sports (PASO) officials concluded evaluation visits to candidate cities Friday. The team led by PASO president Neven Ilic arrived in Brazil Wednesday to meet with organizers behind the joint Rio de Janeiro and Niterói bid. That followed a Monday (September 29) to Wednesday visit to rival bidders Asunción, Paraguay. The PASO team also included Secretary General Jimena Saldaña, and presidents of National Olympic Committees Mario Moccia of Argentina, Dennis Knight of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Sara Rosario of Puerto Rico. The delegation toured the main sports venues proposed for the Games and met mayors from both Rio and Niterói, Eduardo Paes and Rodrigo Neves. The Brazilian team showcased existing venues that were left as a legacy from the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and unveiled plans for the construction on a Pan American Village in downtown Rio. Tours were conducted of Brazil’s Olympic Training Center and the Barra Olympic Park and its venues including the Rio Olympic Velodrome, Carioca 1 Arena, and the Olympic Arena. Other visits included Maracanã Stadium, Deodoro Olympic Park, the Olympic BMX Center, the Olympic Hockey Center, the Arena of the Future, Deodoro Stadium, the Olympic Shooting Center and the Olympic Equestrian Center. Copacabana Beach, Rio’s tourism jewel, could be the site of the medal ceremonies. If the bid is successful, Brazil will host the Games for a third time following São Paulo in 1963 and Rio in 2007. “We have the facilities ready, and we want to offer a legacy for all of the Americas. A legacy of technical cooperation, exchange of coaches, camps, and competitions,” Marco La Porta, President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) said according to a statement. “We are ready to host the Games because we don’t have to build practically anything.” The most significant required construction will be for the new Pan American Village. Rio’s 2016 Olympics were marred by construction delays and cost overruns, and a subway line extension that had its opening delayed and was not available to the general public during the Games. The election will take place with 42 voting member nations on Friday, October 10 at 10:00am local time in Santiago, Chile where an Extraordinary General Assembly will be held and broadcast live on the Panam Sports channel. The 2027 Panam Games will be held in Lima, Peru. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani addressing the United Nations General Assembly September 23, 2025 (UN video capture) Last week the Emir of Qatar addressed the United Nations General Assembly on issues occurring in the Middle East, and he took the opportunity elevate capital Doha’s Olympic bid and its relevance in the nation’s overall vision. “Doha has long stood as a global capital hosting major political, economic, and sporting events, and acting as a hub that brings together leaders and decision-makers from around the world to deliberate and devise realistic solutions to common global challenges,” Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani told diplomats. “The confidence placed on us by the international community rests on a track record of successful organizational achievements the state of Qatar has realized over the years.” Doha’s bids to host the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games were both rejected due to climate concerns after organizers planned to stage the event in the fall – outside the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) preferred window – to avoid the extreme summertime heat. But in an unprecedented decision, the 2022 FIFA World Cup staged in the capital was moved from the summer to December to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators. Qatar is scheduled to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027 and the 2030 Asian Games, and has previously staged several international sport meets. “Building on this solid legacy, we have submitted our bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, out of conviction that sport is not a mere competition but a bridge for connecting peoples and a platform for promoting peace and understanding,” he said. The IOC has since softened its stance on staging the Games in July and August, where it best fits the global sports calendar and high-paying broadcast partner schedules. Former IOC president Thomas Bach last year said his organization must consider other dates for the Games to address climate change and to be able to continue to include all nations on the various continents. New IOC president Kirsty Coventry has called for a review of the Olympic bid process to further address these issues and the site selection process in general, and as a result bidding has been put on hold with no timeline in place for the 2036 Games. Despite that, Qatar formally launched its bid in July. Doha joins Ahmedabad in India as those nations that have formalized campaigns. Other potential 2036 bids include Nusantara in Indonesia, North Jeolla in South Korea and Santiago in Chile. Interest has also been expressed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Germany, Istanbul in Türkiye, Budapest in Hungary and Spain. Los Angeles is scheduled to host the 2028 Olympic Games followed by Brisbane in 2032. The Winter Games are to be staged in Milano-Cortina, Italy in February 2026 followed by French Alps in 2030 and Salt Lake City, USA in 2034. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Panam Sports bid evaluation team meets with Asuncion, Paraguay officials September 30, 2025 (PASO) An evaluation commission from the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) visited Asunción, Paraguay this week as part of a candidate city tour in the race to host the 2031 Pan American Games. From September 29 to October 1 several high level PASO members met with sports and government officials in Paraguay for a final inspection before the October 10 election during the Extraordinary General Assembly set for October 10 in Santiago Chile. The PASO delegation included President Neven Ilic, Secretary General Jimena Saldaña, and presidents of National Olympic Committees Mario Moccia of Argentina, Dennis Knight of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Sara Rosario of Puerto Rico. The Asunción team was led by president of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and IOC Member Camilo Pérez López Moreira. Paraguay’s bid is inspired by the capital’s successful hosting of the Junior Pan Am Games in August where more than 4,000 young athletes representing 41 countries competed in 28 sports and 42 disciplines. Several venues are already in place to stage the Games however plans are in place to build a new athletics stadium and arena to expand capabilities. Transportation improvements are also proposed, including increased airport capacity. Paraguay is also preparing to host a FIFA World Cup match in 2030. “It is very important for us to talk to the authorities and the team from the candidate city of Asuncion,” Rosario of the evaluation team said. “We have learned about all the changes they propose to make in relation to the past 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion and the reality they intend to present for the 2031 Games.” Paraguayan NOC president Lopez said “Paraguay has shown that it can host world-class events that inspire athletes and ignite the passion of fans across the continent.” “It was an honour to welcome President Neven Ilic, Secretary General Jimena Saldaña and the members of the Panam Sports Evaluation Commission, and to share with them the path Paraguay is taking to fulfil its aspiration of hosting the 2031 Pan American Games.” On Wednesday Panam evaluators headed to Brazil to conduct a similar inspection of the rival bid from Rio de Janeiro-Niterói. The Brazilian project aims to leverage existing venues prepared for the 2016 Olympic Games to minimize any new construction. Both projects met an application deadline last May and are the only two in the running to host the important quadrennial continental Games that stage many Olympic qualification events. The final vote will be among the 41 member nations of Panam Sports. The 2027 Panam Games are scheduled to be held in Lima, Peru. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Munich Olympic bid logo Germany’s bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044 still has “a long way to go” DOSB chair Otto Fricke said at his German sports authority meeting this week according to news outlet _DPA._ “We have to show the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in particular that we can be trusted if we go through with this process,” he said. With the Games already awarded to Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane, Australia in 2032, the IOC has opened up dialogues with several regions hoping to stage following editions. But progress came to halt in July after newly installed IOC President Kirsty Coventry called for a review of the bid process amid calls for greater member involvement and transparency. However Germany continues to move forward after last year narrowing its field of host candidates to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region. “Everyone did a great job, it’s a fair competition,” Fricke said as the DOSB works through the selection criteria before finalizing the rules of the domestic process at a meeting in December. The final decision regarding host region and preferred year – if any – is expected at the DOSB General Assembly near the end of 2026. Fricke assured that no referendum would be required to bring the bid to the IOC but some interested regions have already decided to move forward with public votes. Munich officials have launched a campaign to support its vote scheduled for October 26. Both Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region will follow with plans to collect ballots next year. Such votes in the past have prevented Germany from welcoming back the Games since the event was last staged in Munich in 1972. Most recently, Hamburg residents narrowly voted against a 2024 bid and Munich voters scuppered their city’s 2022 Winter Games application before it even left the gate. Previously a successful referendum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen allowed a Munich 2018 Winter Games bid to move forward but was defeated by eventual host PyeongChang. Last week Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter, Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder and Minister of Sport Joachim Herrmann launched what they describe as a “critical phase” leading up to the late October referendum. By blanketing the region with posters, billboards, newspaper and social media messaging supporters hope to evoke positive memories of the 1972 Games under the banner “Games with Heart & Soul.” Many remember those previous Games were marred by the horrific attack by Palestinian militants who murdered several Israeli Olympic team members, so bid supporter hope voters will focus on the successful European championships held in the city in 2022. Several meetings to promote public engagement have also been planned. Ballots will be mailed to residents mid-September for postal voting or in person deposits on the referendum date. Internationally Ahmedabad, India and Doha, Qatar have already emerged as top contenders focusing on the 2036 edition while several other regions are looking at 2036 or beyond including Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Nusantara in Indonesia, Santiago in Chile, Egypt and North Jeolla, South Korea. European contenders could include Istanbul, Budapest and Spain. The IOC has not yet set a timetable for a 2036 election. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

P.T. Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association (Photo: X/PT Usha) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has restored crucial solidarity payments to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in a step to rebuild a working relationship that was severed last year when the IOA was reprimanded for poor governance. According to Indian press outlet _PTI_ , the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity Director James Macleod confirmed the development in a letter to IOA President PT Usha. The resumption of the payments – a form of revenue sharing from the IOC’s sponsorship and broadcast contracts that are distributed to National Olympic Committees (NOC) and International Sport Federations (IF) – is critical not only to support athletes in India, but also as an indication of renewed confidence in the IOA as it pursues its bid to host the 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad. The IOA’s Executive Council broke down last year after its 12 members refused to recognize Usha’s appointment of Raghuram Iyer as CEO. The NOC’s governance and finances fell into disarray prompting the IOC impose the disciplinary measure to address the violation to the Olympic Charter. As India filed an expression of interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, this year the IOC warned the IOA that the governance issue had to be resolved, and a poor history on doping and athletic performance had to be addressed before the nation could be considered to stage the Games. In July India’s sport minister intervened to push through the appointment of the CEO, and later ushered in new national sports legislation to help enforce compliance with the Olympic Charter and support grass roots athlete development. “We took note of the various steps and corrective measures that have been taken over the past few weeks to resolve the internal disputes and governance issues within your NOC,” the letter from Macleod stated. “…all outstanding internal issues and misunderstandings were discussed in a constructive and transparent manner within your NOC Executive Committee and it was collectively agreed to move forward and work together in a spirit of unity and harmony. “As a result, we are pleased to confirm that the IOC and Olympic Solidarity are now in a position to progressively resume all payments to your NOC and normalize the working relationship with your NOC.” Macleod also addressed the National Sports Governance Act, alluding that it has resolved the concerns regarding India’s bid. He wrote “we trust that this new act will, simultaneously, contribute to the implementation of the basic principles of good governance within the Indian sports organizations and ensure full observance of the Olympic Charter and the statutes of the International Sports Federations, including in particular the fundamental principle of responsible autonomy of the Olympic Movement.” Much work remains for the IOA if it hopes to win the rights to host in 2036. Shortly after new IOC president Kirsty Coventry was installed in June, the Zimbabwean called for a review of the Olympic bid process which has effectively brought the race to a halt until new findings are delivered by an appointed working group. Doha has emerged as India’s main rival after the Qatar capital failed in two bids for 2016 and 2020. India had been seen as the favorite in the race due to its early start. Other places known to be interested in hosting in 2036 include Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Nusantara in Indonesia, Santiago in Chile, Egypt and North Jeolla, South Korea. European contenders could include Germany, Istanbul, Budapest and Spain. The next Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028 followed by Brisbane, Australia in 2032. Ahmedabad is also considered the favorite to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games as it vies with Abuja, Nigeria in a race that will conclude with an election in Glasgow at the end of November this year. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony (Photo: Birmingham 2022) As had been expected, Abuja in Nigeria and Ahmadabad in India were the only two bidders to meet Commonwealth Sport’s August 31 document deadline to remain in contention to host the centennial edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030. The applicant list was confirmed Monday in a statement from the London-based organization. “This positive response from two sporting powerhouse nations of the Commonwealth demonstrates the continued significance and legacy potential of the Commonwealth Games and the strength and appeal of our reimagined, sustainable Games model,” Commonwealth Sports President Donald Rukare said in a press statement. “This follows unprecedented, diverse and wide-ranging Expressions of Interest in hosting the Games in 2030 and beyond,” Commonwealth Sport explained. A multi-province bid from Canada unraveled over the summer after Ontario backed out over financial concerns. Hamilton in the province had long been interest in hosting the 2030 Games to commemorate its hosting of the inaugural edition, then named the British Empire Games, 100 years earlier. New Zealand had expressed interest earlier in the year but indicated the target year could be 2034 or beyond. Indian officials hand-delivered the required documents to Commonwealth Sport last Thursday while the Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) met over the weekend to obtain final approvals before the submission. The proposals will now be reviewed by an Evaluation Commission and bid teams are scheduled to present to the group in London at the end of the month. The Commission is expected to report to Commonwealth Sport’s Executive Board who will recommend an option to the General Assembly and 74 member nations for election late November in Glasgow, Scotland. > Nigeria, India ramp up 2030 Commonwealth Games bids ahead of Sunday deadline India and Nigeria were among the seven interested regions in April that were looking to host a future Games, according to Commonwealth Sport, and five that were targeting 2030. India sent high level delegations to London to pitch the bid in June and August while Nigeria sent a team last month. The Evaluation Commission will be chaired by the organization’s vice president Sandra Osborne. The team will include executive board member Helen Phillips, Athletes’ Advisory Commission Chair Brendan Williams, Glasgow 2026 Organizing Company vice chair Ian Reid and others. Glasgow is schedule to host a scaled down edition next year after replacing Victoria, Australia when that state backed out of its contract in 2023. The Scottish city, after hosting in 2014, was offered a portion of Victoria’s penalty payments to step in with only two-years notice. With the lack of interest it was feared that the continuation of the Games was in jeopardy. Indian officials say they will organize a full slate of events to bring the Games back to its former glory, a task that will need to be carried out in less than five years instead of the normal seven years. The world’s most populous nation hopes the Commonwealth Games will serve as a stepping stone to a successful bid for the 2036 Olympic Games in the same city. India last hosted the Games in Delhi in 2010, an event that was marred by construction delays and allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Nigeria last bid for the 2014 edition but the Games have never been held in Africa. The last Commonwealth Games were staged in Birmingham in 2022. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Abuja Stadium in Nigeria (Wikipedia Photo) With an August 31 deadline – this Sunday – quickly approaching, it seems only Abuja in Nigeria and Ahmedabad in India are ready to vie for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Commonwealth Sport (CGF) has hinted that other regions have expressed interest but only the two nations have made their intentions public and have reported official meetings and organized bid teams. Both expressed interest earlier this year but are now required to file bid documents and government guarantees before the CGF votes for a winner at its General Assembly in November. Interest from Canada subsided in the spring when anchor province Ontario dropped plans to bid due to financial uncertainties. Australia already reneged on the scheduled 2026 edition, forcing contracted host region Victoria to pay a steep penalty and allowing Glasgow, Scotland to step forward with a lightened version of the Games on short notice. Two weeks ago Nigerian officials reported on their visit to the CGF’s London headquarters where they discussed the nation’s goals for hosting in Abuja, rules for candidate cities and communications, the timeline for the process and further CGF expectations. Attending the meeting were National Sports Commission (NSC) chair Shehu Dikko along with NSC director general Bukola Olapade, National Olympic Committee president and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Habu Gumel along with others. This is Abuja’s second bid to host the Games after losing to Glasgow on a 47-24 vote while pursuing the 2014 edition. Plans still require formal approval from Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has already expressed his support for the project in July. Meanwhile on Wednesday India’s federal government approved the Ahmedabad bid and agreed to all necessary guarantees required by the CGF ahead of the deadline. The bid committee formed last month and traveled to London to discuss the project with officials. The government has also passed new sports legislation aimed at providing new support to athletes and improving sports integrity and administration. The Commonwealth Games are considered a stepping stone for India in its pursuit to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. India last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi with an event marred by construction delays and alleged corruption and mismanagement. Last year the IOC reprimanded Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials for poor governance and later warned that without correction, chances of hosting the Games would be diminished. Important revenue sharing payments have been withheld by the IOC until the matter is resolved. There has been even further criticism against India and its attempt to draw major sports events to its shores. Earlier this month the well-connected _Zeus Files_ reported that voting IOC members have been warned about the challenges India would face should it be awarded the Olympic Games in 2036. A 34-page anonymous report alleged the sub continent would have to deal with the India-Pakistan conflict, female sexual violence, violence on tourists, traffic congestion, air pollution, food safety and other significant issues. The IOC’s bid process is currently under review and there is no set timetable for the 2036 election or details about how the vote will be carried out. Qatar has emerged as the biggest rival to host in 2036 but several other regions could be in the running including Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Nusantara in Indonesia, Santiago in Chile, Egypt, North Jeolla in South Korea, Germany, Istanbul, Budapest and Spain. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (Photo: CGF) India has quickly emerged as likely host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games after a series developments swing favor to the South Asian nation’s chances. On Wednesday the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) unanimously approved the bid, clearing a path for the submission of a formal proposal ahead of Commonwealth Sport’s August 31 deadline. The IOA endorsement at its Special General Meeting in New Delhi comes only a day after Indian Parliament approved a new National Sports Bill to promote transparency, accountability, and gender parity boosting grassroots sports development; and a National Anti-Doping Bill that will help align policies with those of the Word Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Last month the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reprimanded Indian sport officials for deficiencies in their sports governance and anti-doping efforts, saying these would be detrimental to the nation’s 2036 Olympic bid. Last October the IOC withheld Olympic Solidarity payments from the IOA – a form of revenue sharing designed to support athletes – due to poor governance. But with greater cooperation exhibited at the Special General Meeting Wednesday IOA President PT Usha expects the payments to resume soon. She told _PTI_ “the IOC will be happy that we are working together. We have done a lot of things now, and we will meet again.” Both bills now await presidential assent. These developments followed a visit by Commonwealth Sport to proposed 2030 host Ahmedabad where a team led by Director of Games Darren Hall toured venues and met with government officials. A visit by a larger delegation is expected later this month according to IOC reporting. Other Indian regions are also being considered as possible hosts. “We can’t just tell whether Ahmedabad is the host city. We have good facilities in Bhubaneswar and even in Delhi also,” Usha said. The IOA is currently involved in the Continuous Dialogue phase of the Olympic bid process and hopes to use the Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone to the higher profile event. In July newly elected IOC president Kirsty Coventry put the entire race on hold while a committee reviews the process. There is currently no set timeline for the 2036 host election. India delivered an expression of interest to host the Commonwealth Games in March when as many as seven countries were said to be vying to stage upcoming Games. Of those, only Canada and Nigeria publicly expressed interest in the 2030 edition. In June the “United Canada” bid disintegrated when Ontario – the anchor Province of the multi-province project – abandoned plans due to cost uncertainties. Hamilton in Ontario had been campaigning for several years to host the event on the 100th anniversary of the launch of the then-named British Empire Games in the city. Nigeria failed in its attempt to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games that were later awarded to Glasgow where the 2026 edition will also be staged. Latest reporting suggests proposed host city capital Abuja still needs government approval before moving forward. India hosted its only other Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi when the event was marred by construction delays, cost overruns and corruption. Commonwealth Sport has recently struggled to find hosts for the event that seems to be searching for an identity. Victoria in Australia was chosen to host in 2026 but later canceled plans due to cost fears and paid a penalty to Commonwealth Sport. Hosts in 2014 Glasgow, Scotland stepped forward on short notice to host a trimmed-down program next year using existing venues. India plans to return the Games to its former glory and include all previous sports should the nation be awarded the event. The final decision will be made in November at a meeting in in Glasgow. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

A high level delegation from the Indian Olympic Association and Gujarat government met with the IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland July 2, 2025 (Photo: X/@WeAreTeamIndia) Just days following harsh criticism from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), this week the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) made key moves in an attempt to put the Ahmedabad 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid back on track. Most notably the IOA Executive Council resolved a monthslong conflict with its president P.T. Usha over the appointment last year of CEO Raghuram Iyer. According to a report from _Press Trust of India_ , Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya intervened resulting in the Executive Council finally ratifying the CEO’s appointment that it had contested due to what was considered an overly generous compensation package. Last October the IOC reprimanded the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on the dispute and cited poor governance for the suspension of solidarity payments, a revenue sharing package designed to support athletes and sport programs. Earlier this month the IOC’s Future Host Commission reiterated the concerns during a high level meeting between Indian and Olympic officials in Lausanne, Switzerland and warned the bid would be at risk. Iyer’s confirmation should help appease the IOC and may help restart payments. During the meeting the IOC also highlighted the nation’s poor anti-doping record and the lackluster performance at past Olympic Games. Immediately following Iyer’s ratification he announced the formation of a seven-member anti-doping panel that will investigate and improve testing methods and roll out an education program targeting all athletes from grassroots to elite, as well as coaches and the entire support staff. The IOA also reversed its position on the recently tabled national sports bill that it had originally opposed. Intended to create a National Sports Board to manage the recognition and funding of federations, the IOC was concerned that the bill would threaten the autonomy of sports in India with the new government intermediary according to Usha. “The new National Sports Bill should not be seen as intervention from the Sports ministry but as cooperation and coordination with stakeholders including IOA and NSFs (National Sports Federations),” IOA joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey said according to _PTI_. The new legislation is aimed to improve sports education, infrastructure and other support to help young athletes achieve success. A program will launch on India’s National Sports Day, August 29, to encourage 10 million youth to participate in sports. Newly elected IOC president Kirsty Coventry recently paused the bid process for review, a move that will likely give interested candidates more time to prepare for a 2036 run. This week Doha in Qatar officially launched its 2036 bid sending a clear signal that it intends to fight hard to win after two failed attempts for 2016 and 2020. India has been seen as the favorite in the race due to its early start. Other places known to be interested in hosting in 2036 include Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Nusantara in Indonesia, Santiago in Chile, Egypt and North Jeolla, South Korea. European contenders include Germany, Istanbul, Budapest, Barcelona and Madrid. Before 2019 bid reforms, cities were elected seven years in advance, but now there is no fixed timetable for choosing hosts. The LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 host contracts were signed 11 years ahead of the Games. The new working group formed by Coventry is set to re-evaluate the timing in the bid process. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Doha Stadium (Image: Doha 2030 Asian Games bid) It hadn’t been much of a secret, but on Tuesday the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) officially announced its participation in the Olympic and Paralympic bid process proposing Doha host the 2036 editions. In a statement the QOC said it has been involved in “ongoing discussions” with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a phase of the bid process where interested parties can formulate and discuss plans with Olympic officials but without any commitment. “Our participation in the ongoing dialogue around hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036 reflects a national vision that sees sport as a driver of development and a platform for promoting mutual understanding and peace among nations,” QOC president and bid committee chair Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani said. This isn’t the first time the small nation of about 3 million people has pursued its massive Olympic dreams. Qatar offered Doha as host in 2016 and in 2020, both times being snubbed by the IOC because October Games dates were proposed to avoid the intense summertime heat. The IOC had mandated a July and August window to accommodate calendars of sports and high-paying broadcast partners. IOC officials have now suggested that they are willing to be flexible on the dates to accommodate regions in various climate zones, and to address climate change. Qatar already set an example after that State was awarded hosting rights to the FIFA 2022 World Cup with plans to stage matches in air conditioned stadiums during summer months. Organizers later convinced FIFA to make an unprecedented change and hold the high-profile tournament in November and December instead. **DOWNLOAD DOHA 2036 PRESS KIT** The legacy of Qatar’s World Cup will help bolster its Olympic bid as officials claim 95 percent of the sports infrastructure is already in place and that “a long-term vision aimed at building a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable legacy” will help ensure 100 percent readiness. Along with World Cup experience, Doha hosted the massive Asian Games in 2006 and is preparing to welcome the event again in 2030. As many as 18 world championships in several sports have or will be staged in the capital including swimming, gymnastics and basketball. If successful, a Doha Games would be the first staged in the Middle East and North Africa and among Arab nations. Other confirmed 2036 bids include Ahmedabad in India, Nusantara in Indonesia, North Jeolla in South Korea and Santiago in Chile. Interest has also been expressed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Germany, Istanbul in Türkiye, Budapest in Hungary and Spain. Ahmedabad had emerged as Qatar’s fiercest rival but earlier this month IOC officials reportedly reprimanded Indian officials on several issues including sports governance, doping violations and lackluster success at past Olympics. The IOC may have concerns with Qatar as well as the 2022 World Cup was burdened with controversies including criticism over the State’s human rights record and the availability of alcohol for fans. But Olympic officials tend to overlook these non-sport issues as was evident in the awarding of both the Summer and Winter Games to Beijing amid protests over China’s treatment of ethnic minorities. It remains too early to know where Doha or any other bid stands in the fledgling 2036 race that was put on hold last month by new IOC President Kirsty Coventry after she ordered a review of the bid process. Key concerns to be addressed are the timing of the elections and the involvement of IOC members in the process. Before 2019 the bid process was conducted following a rigid calendar where hosts were elected seven years ahead of the Games, and all members could vote on the field of eligible candidates. Then new reforms increased flexibility and reduced transparency, handing most of the control to the IOC Executive Board to work at their discretion. There is currently no set timetable for the 2036 bid process. Los Angeles is scheduled to host the 2028 Olympic Games followed by Brisbane in 2032. The Winter Games are to be staged in Milano Cortina, Italy in February 2026 followed by French Alps in 2030 and Salt Lake City, USA in 2034. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Medals for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games unveiled July 15, 2025 in Venice (Photo: Milano Cortina 2026) Olympians at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be competing for medals with a minimalist design that depict two halves joined in unity, it was revealed in Venice Tuesday. The organizing committee unveiled the medals at a ceremony attended by politicians, Olympians and sport officials – an important milestone less than seven months before the Winter Games are set to open in Milan on February 6, 2026. “The Milano Cortina 2026 medals are much more than just awards: they are the beating of the Italian heart, the essence of exciting design, the reflection of a dream taking shape. They encapsulate the identity of a country, its creativity, its passion for sport and beauty,” Milano Cortina 2026 president Giovanni Malagò said in a statement following the event. Created and produced by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS) – the Italian mint – the medals “combine elegance, visual impact, and sustainability” and are “made by IPZS with an eco-friendly, non-toxic, and recyclable protective coating” using energy from 100 percent renewable sources, according to the organizing committee. Each side of a medal has a split, opposite tilting surface with either the Olympic rings or Paralympic agitos in the center joining the two halves. It is said to symbolize the union of the two host cities – Milan and Cortina – that are named in the edition for the first time since Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1936 in Germany. It also represents the shared Olympic and Paralympic values as well as the two dimensions of a winning athlete’s journey that includes those who supported the success. Officials say the medal is a metaphor that shows that competition doesn’t divide, but unites. Medals first proposed for the Paris 2024 Games during bid-time under the banner “made for sharing” were to be awarded with two separable plates where one half could be given to someone deemed instrumental in the athlete’s success, but those plans were later scrapped. The opposite side of the medal includes the Milano Cortina 2026 logo on one half and the event name on the other side. The edge is engraved with the named edition of the Olympic or Paralympic Games. For the Paralympics, the event name is accompanied with braille and the edge includes ridges that indicate the medal color. The 80mm diameter of the medals is a bit smaller that those of recent Games, but the 10mm thickness puts them among the top in that category. At 506 grams for the gold medal, the weight is a bit smaller than recent Winter Games. Below are technical specification of the medals provide by Milano Cortina 2026: **NUMBERS** 195 events in which the following will be awarded: 245 gold, 245 silver and 245 bronze medals for the Olympic Games. 137 gold medals, 137 silver and 137 bronze for the Paralympic Games. For a total of 1146 medals. **CHARACTERISTICS OF ALL MEDALS** Diameter: 80 mm. Thickness: 10 mm. **COMPOSITION** Gold medal Metal: 999 Silver + 999.9 Gold. Weight: 500 grams + 6 g of gold. Silver medal Metal: 999 Silver. Weight: 500 grams. Bronze medal Metal: Copper. Weight: 420 grams. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *

Lugers test new Eugenio Monti sliding track in Cortina d’Ampezzo, March, 2025 (FIL Luge photo) _**Reporting from Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy**_ – Call it the Italian ‘Miracle on Ice,’ an Olympic legacy project that has overcome all odds, adversity, and doubters, one whose fate seemed doomed to fail. The reconstruction of the historic Eugenio Monti Olympic sliding track in Cortina d’Ampezzo – which was used for the 1956 Cortina Olympic Games and was originally built more than 100-years ago – was mired in delays, uncertainty, rising costs, protests, and ultimately fell on extremely thin ice without a capable Italian contractor willing to accept the high-risk project. With rapidly approaching deadlines and significant IOC concerns, Milan-Cortina 2026 president Giovanni Malagò announced at the 144th IOC Session in Mumbai in October 2023 that the Olympic sliding events would be moved to an existing venue abroad. Still, some Italians did not give up hope. Finally, at the last possible moment, in early 2024, local construction company Pizzarotti stepped in as the only bidder for a second tender launched by Simico (Società Infrastrutture Milano Cortina), the Milan Cortina 2026 Games’ construction delivery company. Construction finally broke ground in February 2024, on a project with a price tag of roughly 120 million euros (USD $124.4 million). With the Olympic bobsled track in Lake Placid announced as a back-up plan, engineers and construction crews worked relentlessly, and the job was completed at lightning-fast speed, meeting the late March deadline. Italians will tell you that a great work of art takes time. In fairness, it took Michelangelo four years to paint the Sistine Chapel. International bobsleigh, skeleton and luge athletes tested the ice and curves at the reconstructed track, March 24-28. The inaugural World Cup and Olympic test event is now scheduled for November 17-22, launching the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) winter season. The initial testing was deemed a success. Athletes are ecstatic about the once again operational Italian Dolomites sporting venue, tucked away on the mountainside just above Cortina’s 1956 Olympic Ice Stadium. “I was fifth in the world this winter, so I hope that training at this new track will take me to the top next season,” said Italian bobsleigh pilot Patrick Baumgartner. “The track is not just for the athletes, but for the entire community to enjoy.” Sixty athletes from twelve nations across bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge were involved in the “pre-homologation” period of testing the track. The revised track runs 1,730 meters in length with 16 curves, retaining famed curves such as Antelao, Crystallo and Bandion. USA luge doubles competitor Chevonne Forgan said it was an overall positive experience for the mix of international athletes across three disciplines. “The track has been amazing – I wasn’t really sure what to expect coming here because the schedule has been up in the air and the construction is so new, but from the first day of sliding it was in such incredible condition,” Forgan said. “The ice was so smooth, the curves and flow was working out great. “Each day, the crew made many improvements based on the recommendations that the athletes were making, so it was such a cool experience.” International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) president and IOC Executive Board member Ivo Ferriani shared his excitement and gratitude for the work that has been completed. “I wear different jackets, but this is a proud moment for all of us – as an Italian, I am absolutely proud,” Ferriani said. “It was normal to have some doubt – to build this track, with such quality in such a short time, is a world record.” Asked about the future of the venue, Ferriani replied with a chuckle: “It will be here for the third Olympics in Cortina someday. The legacy is about the people.” While the legacy, sustainability and daily operations of maintaining a costly venue remains a big question, the answer is off to a fast start considering that the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games will be contested in northern Italy. The sliding venue will assuredly be used by the young athletes. One of the Eugenio Monti Olympic sliding track’s signatures curves with the Olympic Ice Stadium in the distance (Photo: Brian Pinelli) Back to the business at hand and according to Simico, the completion of the roof and all adjacent structures is scheduled for November 5, followed by the official homologation and handover to the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation. Veneto president Luca Zaia has been a staunch supporter of the controversial project ever since Milan-Cortina 2026 won the bid in June 2019. “For me, this is a big dream – this sliding center will not only be a monument for sports, but also for engineering and art, because it is such a unique and strong structure here in the mountains,” Zaia said. In its original bid to the IOC, Milan-Cortina 2026 stated they would provide “A Smooth Venue Delivery Process” and “The Most Sustainable, Inspirational, Memorable Winter Games Ever.” The first might not have happened, but at least the track is now functional. The second question will be answered in eight months time. The storied tradition of the venerable Italian bobsled track will enter a new chapter over the years ahead. At Cortina 1956 Games, the Italian duo of driver Lamberto Dalla Costa and brakeman Giacomo Conti won Italy’s only gold medal in the two-man event. Their teammates Eugenio Monti and Renzo Alverà claimed silver, while also finishing runner-up in the four-man event. The legendary Monti – who represented the Bob Club Cortina throughout his illustrious career and remains a local legend – amassed six Olympic medals, including two golds at Grenoble 1968. For his great sportsmanship at the Innsbruck 1964 Games – a magnanimous gesture of lending bolts from his sled to the eventual British Olympic champions Tony Nash and Robin Dixon – Monti was honored by the IOC as the first recipient of the Pierre de Coubertin International Fair Play Award in 1965. Twelve Olympic gold medals will be awarded for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton at the Eugenio Monti Olympic Sliding Center in February 2026. The highly-anticipated Olympic test event in November will mark the first IBSF (formerly FIBT) World Cup contested in Italy since 2011, when the 2006 Torino Olympic venue Cesana Pariol hosted an event. ### Share: * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram * Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print *