IBA Bare Knuckle is set to make its US debut on 18 July in Miami, launching a new premium fight night format that blends elite bare-knuckle boxing with broader sports entertainment. Held at the James L. Knight Center, the event will feature MMA legend Jon Jones as official ambassador and host, as the International Boxing Association expands its combat sports platform into the American market. 📷: IBA insidethegames.biz/articles/…

IOC President Kirsty Coventry has attended the women’s UIPM World Cup final in Budapest, marking her first direct experience of modern pentathlon’s revamped format since taking office. Speaking with athletes and officials on site, Coventry observed the sport’s new structure as it continues its post-Paris 2024 transformation, alongside European Olympic Committees President Spyros Capralos and a wider delegation gathered in the Hungarian capital for the EOC General Assembly. 📷: UIPM insidethegames.biz/articles/…

Los Angeles 2028 organisers have confirmed that both the Olympic road race and time trial cycling events will start at Venice Beach Boardwalk and finish at Griffith Observatory following a demanding climb up Mount Hollywood. The course design introduces a decisive uphill finale aimed at increasing difficulty and shaping a more selective race, with reigning Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel expected to defend his titles on a route showcasing both the city’s coastline and iconic hilltop landmarks. 📷: Getty Images insidethegames.biz/articles/…

IOC President Kirsty Coventry has welcomed the resolution of a prolonged leadership dispute within the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, congratulating Vesela Lecheva during the European Olympic Committees General Assembly in Budapest. The breakthrough ends months of administrative uncertainty following Lecheva’s election in 2025, with Coventry expressing support for the new leadership team and wishing them success in guiding Bulgaria’s Olympic movement forward. 📷: Getty Images insidethegames.biz/articles/…

The Phygital Basketball qualifying stage has concluded, with four teams booking their places at the Games of the Future 2026 in Astana. Croatia’s ZM Nitui led the way after an impressive final-day performance, highlighted by a dominant 38-27 victory over Minsk. The team’s standout display secured qualification as the competition delivered dramatic results and showcased the growing appeal of phygital basketball. 📷: PHYGITAL INTERNATIONAL insidethegames.biz/articles/…

Jae Youl Kim has been re-elected by acclamation as President of the International Skating Union for a second four-year term at the ISU Congress in Tenerife. The South Korean official will continue leading the federation’s Vision 2030 strategy, focusing on athlete support, commercial development, global growth of ice skating and major initiatives including BEIJING28, which will bring all four ISU World Championships to one city for the first time. insidethegames.biz/articles/…

Belarus and Russia’s Primorye Territory have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding sporting cooperation following talks between Belarusian Olympic Committee President Viktor Lukashenko and Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako in Minsk. The discussions focused on athlete preparation, youth sport development and the use of training facilities, with both sides expressing a desire to strengthen sporting exchanges and deepen collaboration in the years ahead. insidethegames.biz/articles/…

IOC President Kirsty Coventry used her first address to the European Olympic Committees General Assembly in Budapest to reaffirm an athlete-centred vision for the Olympic Movement. Praising Europe’s leadership in athlete representation, safeguarding, gender equality, sustainability and good governance, Coventry highlighted the continent’s role in shaping global sporting standards and called for greater collaboration to showcase best practices across the Olympic family. insidethegames.biz/articles/…

Bupa has strengthened its support for inclusive sport by becoming the Official Healthcare Principal Partner of Commonwealth Sport’s Gather-Adjust-Prepare-Sustain programme ahead of Glasgow 2026. The partnership will help deliver a pre-Games camp in Ayr for para athletes and coaches from across the Commonwealth, supporting athlete development, reducing barriers to participation and promoting greater inclusion ahead of the Games. 📷: Commonwealth Sport insidethegames.biz/articles/…

International Boxing Association President Umar Kremlev has called for urgent reform of the Olympic model, warning that the Movement risks long-term decline unless athletes receive a greater share of Olympic revenues. Responding to recent remarks by IOC President Kirsty Coventry on prize money, Kremlev argued that athletes are the driving force behind the Olympic Games and should be directly rewarded for their role in generating the event’s global commercial value. 📷: IBA insidethegames.biz/articles/…

FIFA has intensified its counter-drone measures during the World Cup, introducing temporary flight restrictions, enhanced aerial monitoring and specialised surveillance systems to protect stadiums, teams and supporters. With drones becoming cheaper, faster and more accessible, tournament organisers view unauthorised aircraft as a growing security challenge, prompting a coordinated effort to safeguard venues, fan zones, training sites and transport routes throughout the competition. 📷: Getty Images insidethegames.biz/articles/…

IOC President Kirsty Coventry has reaffirmed her opposition to Olympic prize money, arguing that the focus should remain on supporting all athletes rather than paying competitors for participation or medals. Speaking after the IOC Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, Coventry acknowledged the ongoing debate but said the Olympic Movement’s broader responsibility is to expand initiatives such as scholarships and athlete support programmes, ensuring benefits reach every Olympian. 📷: IOC Media insidethegames.biz/articles/…

The dance competition line-up for the Games of the Future 2026 is now complete following the conclusion of the qualifying event in Astana. Colombia’s Andrés Guardo secured his place in the final stage alongside Sagdi, Susan Huertas and Sergio Mayta, with the quartet earning qualification for the Games of the Future, which will take place in Kazakhstan from 29 July to 9 August. 📷: PHYGITAL INTERNATIONAL insidethegames.biz/articles/…

European Olympic leaders are gathering in Budapest for the 55th European Olympic Committees General Assembly, with preparations for the Istanbul 2027 European Games high on the agenda. The event will also feature IOC President Kirsty Coventry’s first official address to the European Olympic family since her election, as delegates discuss key priorities and the future direction of sport across the continent. 📷: EOC insidethegames.biz/articles/…

Alexander Ospelt has been elected President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), narrowly defeating incumbent Johan Eliasch by 65 votes to 64 at the federation’s Congress in Belgrade. The razor-thin result ends Eliasch’s five-year tenure and signals a new chapter for FIS, with Ospelt emerging as the candidate of change amid growing debate over governance, commercial strategy and the future direction of international skiing and snowboarding. 📷: Getty Images insidethegames.biz/articles/…

The IOC Executive Board has proposed major reforms to both the Olympic programme and future host selection process as part of President Kirsty Coventry’s “Fit for the Future” agenda. Among the key changes is a shift from evaluating entire sports to assessing individual disciplines, potentially creating greater flexibility in shaping future Olympic programmes. The proposals will be considered at the IOC Session in Lausanne later this month. 📷: Getty Images insidethegames.biz/articles/…

Einars Fogelis has been re-elected by acclamation as President of the International Luge Federation (FIL) during the organisation’s 74th Congress in Berchtesgaden. The congress also confirmed continuity in several senior leadership roles, with key officials from the United States, Germany and Italy unanimously endorsed as the federation outlined its direction for the next four-year cycle. 📷: Getty Images insidethegames.biz/articles/…

World Sailing has approved the return of under-23 Russian and Belarusian sailors to international competition under their national flags and anthems, according to statements from the Russian Sailing Federation. The decision marks a significant step in the gradual reintegration of young athletes from both countries into global sport, with Russian officials describing it as an important opportunity for the next generation to compete without restrictions. insidethegames.biz/articles/…

IOC President Kirsty Coventry says she is confident Los Angeles 2028 will successfully navigate the challenges highlighted by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa processing, security and human rights concerns. Speaking after the IOC Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, Coventry stressed the importance of continued cooperation with United States authorities as preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games move deeper into the operational phase. insidethegames.biz/articles/…

A US federal court has granted a partial preliminary injunction in favour of the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee in a trademark dispute involving the OlyLife brand. The ruling orders a halt to the use of certain Olympic-related symbols and references while the case proceeds, after the IOC and USOPC argued that the company’s marketing could create the impression of an official connection to the Olympic Movement. 📷: Getty Images insidethegames.biz/articles/…