The latest on France's bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics

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Laura Kenny retires from cycling as Britain's most successful female Olympic athlete with 5 golds

Laura Kenny retires from cycling as Britain's most successful female Olympic athlete with 5 golds

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 18 - 6:31 a.m.  |  Save Story

Multiple Olympic champion Laura Kenny has announced her retirement from cycling because she wants to spend more time at home with her family. The 31-year-old Kenny is Britain's most successful female Olympic athlete after winning five gold medals. She had been expected to compete at the Paris Games in July. She gave birth to her second child last year and said being at home was proving more and more alluring to her. Her husband Jason Kenny is also a cyclist and is Britain's most decorated Olympian.
Brisbane Olympics organizers scrap plans for their 2032 centerpiece and reject new stadium idea

Brisbane Olympics organizers scrap plans for their 2032 centerpiece and reject new stadium idea

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 18 - 2:15 a.m.  |  Save Story

Brisbane Olympics organizers have scrapped plans to demolish and rebuild an iconic cricket ground as the centerpiece of the 2032 Games while also rejecting a review panel's recommendation for a new stadium in city parklands. Queensland state's Premier Steven Miles has instead announced he's decided to upgrade an existing rugby stadium close to downtown Brisbane to host the opening and closing ceremonies. Miles called for an independent review of Olympic planning in December as backlash intensified against the tripling of the cost to redevelop the so-called Gabba stadium as the main venue.
'Better together': How friendship, faith helped guide 2 Utah marathon runners to Paris 2024

'Better together': How friendship, faith helped guide 2 Utah marathon runners to Paris 2024

Ben Church, CNN  |  Posted March 16 - 12:17 p.m.  |  Save Story

Conner Mantz and Clayton Young are typical friends who met at school at BYU. But they are two of the best marathon runners in the U.S. and race against one another.
4-time Olympic cyclist positive for doping in retests of samples from 2016 Rio Olympics

4-time Olympic cyclist positive for doping in retests of samples from 2016 Rio Olympics

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 15 - 1:11 p.m.  |  Save Story

Four-time Olympic cyclist Christos Volikákis has tested positive for doping in retests of samples from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. The International Cycling Union confirmed his case on Friday. Volikákis won medals for Greece in track cycling at world and European championships but not the Olympics. He was selected at each Olympics from Beijing in 2008 through the Tokyo Games held in 2021. The UCI says Volikákis tested positive for the anabolic agent known as ligandrol. In Rio he placed 12th in the keirin. He faces being disqualified and later banned by the UCI.
Here's why you might see a lot of records on the track and in the pools at the Paris Olympics

Here's why you might see a lot of records on the track and in the pools at the Paris Olympics

Luca Bruno And Andrew Dampf, Associated Press  |  Updated March 14 - 7:39 a.m.  |  Save Story

The purple pieces of vulcanized rubber track being produced at a factory in northern Italy will soon be run on by the world's fastest athletes at the Paris Olympics. They have been made with one clear goal. Records. Three world records were set on the track in Tokyo three years ago and track-maker Mondo hopes its new design will enable more marks to fall in France. A three-hour drive across the country is the headquarters of another Italian company and supplier for big-time Olympic sports. Myrtha Pools is making 24 pools for swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming in Paris.
Russian skater's doping case leaves WADA uneasy and targeting new rules before next Winter Olympics

Russian skater's doping case leaves WADA uneasy and targeting new rules before next Winter Olympics

Graham Dunbar, Associated Press  |  Posted March 12 - 10:23 a.m.  |  Save Story

The doping case of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva left a "very unpleasant" taste with the World Anti-Doping Agency because the teenager was the only one punished with a ban while her coaches and entourage have not been sanctioned. WADA now wants anti-doping rules to be updated before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy to give more powers to investigate athlete entourages, officials said at the anti-doping body's annual conference Tuesday. Valieva was 15 when her positive test for a banned heart medication was revealed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. She's the only person who has been punished and was given a four-year ban in January.
International Olympic Committee coming to Utah to tour 2034 Winter Games venues

International Olympic Committee coming to Utah to tour 2034 Winter Games venues

Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News  |  Posted March 12 - 8:05 a.m.  |  Save Story

A pair of International Olympic Committee officials heaped praise on Salt Lake City's bid for the 2034 Winter Games during a briefing Monday about their scheduled visit to Utah.
She's leaving the 'Louvre of skiing' in good hands

She's leaving the 'Louvre of skiing' in good hands

Lee Benson, Deseret News  |  Posted March 10 - 7:02 p.m.  |  Save Story

In the beginning, Connie Nelson was just looking for a way to fund her habit. She was hooked on skiing, which lured her to the Utah mountains and she is bound to preserve its history.
What do you get when you cross rodeo with skiing? The wild and wacky skijoring

What do you get when you cross rodeo with skiing? The wild and wacky skijoring

Thomas Peipert, Associated Press  |  Updated March 8 - 9:15 p.m.  |  Save Story

winter sport called skijoring. It's a heart-pumping competition in which horses at full gallop tow skiers by rope over jumps and around obstacles as they try to lance suspended hoops with a baton. Every winter, thousands of people converge on the old Colorado mining town of Leadville to witness one of the most popular skijoring races in the country. Riders and skiers say they are drawn to the sport by the adrenaline rush, the speed, the raucous crowd and the camaraderie.
Paris Olympics opening ceremony to be held during sunset on July 26

Paris Olympics opening ceremony to be held during sunset on July 26

The Associated Press  |  Posted March 8 - 7:25 a.m.  |  Save Story

Organizers say the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics along the river Seine will be held during sunset. It's the first time an Olympic opening ceremony will be held outside a stadium setting, in line with the Paris organizers' motto: "Games Wide Open." About 10,500 athletes will parade through the heart of the French capital on boats on the Seine along a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route. Organizers said the open-air event will start on July 26 at 7:30 p.m. Paris time. They said the ceremony will offer "an unprecedented experience, using the natural light of the setting sun with all its nuances to illuminate the river promenade of all the world's best athletes along the Seine, in the heart of the capital."
Olympic long jumper Davis-Woodhall sees new commitment lead to new color of medals -- gold

Olympic long jumper Davis-Woodhall sees new commitment lead to new color of medals -- gold

Eddie Pells, Associated Press  |  Posted March 7 - 9:17 a.m.  |  Save Story

even deeper back among her vast collection of awards. When Davis-Woodhall won that silver last year, it opened doors to sponsors, recognition and motivation. It also left a bit of a sting because first place was out there to be won. But with the Olympics a mere four months away, the 24-year-old has set herself up as the woman to beat in Paris. Over the weekend, she added the world indoor championship to her American indoor title.
Brazil gains Winter Olympics medal prospect after skier Lucas Braathen switches from Norway

Brazil gains Winter Olympics medal prospect after skier Lucas Braathen switches from Norway

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 7 - 5:56 a.m.  |  Save Story

Brazil has a top Winter Olympics medal prospect. Alpine skier Lucas Braathen has announced he will compete for his mother's home nation instead of Norway. Braathen's father is Norwegian and he split from Norway's ski team last October. They had a dispute over his freedom to work with his own sponsors. At age 23, Braathen has skipped the entire season and defending his World Cup slalom title. Braathen announced his switch of team on social media by posting an image of himself with a Brazil flag and its signature yellow, green and blue colors. Brazil has never won a Winter Olympics medal.
Olympic champion Katie Ledecky's memoir, 'Just Add Water,' to be published June 11

Olympic champion Katie Ledecky's memoir, 'Just Add Water,' to be published June 11

The Associated Press  |  Posted March 7 - 5:30 a.m.  |  Save Story

Few swimmers have made a splash as big as Katie Ledecky, the Olympic gold medalist and two-time winner of The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award. Now, she has written her life story. Simon & Schuster announced Thursday that Ledecky's "Just Add Water" will be published June 11. Ledecky turns 27 next week. She is a seven-time gold medal winner who has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history. Her memoir will cover everything from childhood games of sharks and minnows while growing up in Bethesda, Maryland, to her reign as one of the world's greatest athletes.
Utah Olympic silver medalist charged with assault, domestic violence

Utah Olympic silver medalist charged with assault, domestic violence

Collin Leonard, KSL.com  |  Posted March 6 - 12:32 p.m.  |  Save Story

A former U.S. Olympic Nordic combined skier is facing felony charges after police they were called to a domestic violence incident at his Park City home.
Israel's Olympic status not in question says IOC president Bach amid frustration with Russia

Israel's Olympic status not in question says IOC president Bach amid frustration with Russia

Graham Dunbar, Associated Press  |  Posted March 6 - 11:38 a.m.  |  Save Story

IOC president Thomas Bach confirms Israel faces no threat to its Olympic status ahead of the Paris Games despite the conflict in Gaza. Some of the scattered calls Israel has faced for sporting sanction since October came from Russia which is isolated in world sports because of its invasion of Ukraine. Bach's frustration with Russian officials was clear in a one-hour online call with invited media ahead of the Paris Olympics that open July 26. Bach was asked about Israel teams and athletes not taking part in Paris. The International Olympic Committee president says: "No, there is no question about this."
Paralympics organizers bar Russians and Belarusians from opening and closing ceremonies in Paris

Paralympics organizers bar Russians and Belarusians from opening and closing ceremonies in Paris

The Associated Press  |  Posted March 6 - 7:03 a.m.  |  Save Story

that they have not actively supported the war, and are not tied to the military and national security agencies in Russia and Belarus.
Paris won't allow tourists free access to the Olympics opening ceremony along the Seine River

Paris won't allow tourists free access to the Olympics opening ceremony along the Seine River

Angela Charlton, Associated Press  |  Updated March 5 - 3:02 p.m.  |  Save Story

The French government says tourists won't be allowed to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics for free. Authorities are struggling with security concerns about the unprecedented open-air event along the Seine River. Organizers had planned a grandiose opening ceremony July 26 for up to 600,000 people. But security and logistical concerns have led the government to progressively scale back ambitions. Interior Ministry officials said 222,000 spectators can watch for free from the upper embankments. But access will be allocated via quotas, primarily to select residents or employees of towns hosting Olympic events.
Only anti-doping lab in Africa suspended for testing faults 5 months before Paris Olympics

Only anti-doping lab in Africa suspended for testing faults 5 months before Paris Olympics

The Associated Press  |  Posted March 5 - 3:44 a.m.  |  Save Story

The World Anti-Doping Agency has suspended work at the only approved testing laboratory in Africa less than five months before the Paris Olympics. WADA says it took accreditation from the lab in Bloemfontein, South Africa, for up to six months because of faults with a method to detect use of steroids. Samples from Bloemfontein now must be securely transported to another WADA lab. The nearest ones are thousands of kilometers away in Qatar, India and Turkey. Collecting samples from remote athlete training centers and transporting them to distant labs increases the risk they will degrade and be unusable.
Like Banksy, France's mystery 'Invader' marks cities with art. He could surprise the Paris Olympics

Like Banksy, France's mystery 'Invader' marks cities with art. He could surprise the Paris Olympics

John Leicester, Associated Press  |  Posted March 4 - 10:10 p.m.  |  Save Story

The millions of visitors who'll flock to Paris for the Olympic Games will be crowding onto the turf of a mystery artist who calls himself "Invader." He is France's most international and intriguing contemporary street artist. Like Britain's Banksy, Invader is elusive and operates on the margins of illegality. He comes, glues, and disappears into the night, leaving behind pixelated mosaics made mostly with small ceramic and glass tiles. Most resemble the aliens from the Space Invaders arcade game. Since 1998, Invader has colonized the world with more than 4,000 mosaics on all continents except Antartica. His addictive "Flash Invaders" mobile-phone game awards points to users who find and photograph them.