sports diplomacy

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Asian Games open in Japan amid Taiwan standoff and logistical woes

The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday with a ceremony that followed a turbulent buildup marked by a diplomatic incident involving Taiwan and a string of logistical problems that tested organizers of the largest multi-sport event…

Ukraine slams IOC’s ‘cynical’ lifting of Russia ban

The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and advised Olympic sports bodies to end a three-year program requiring Russian athletes to be vetted for neutral status, moving Russia closer to fielding a…

Russia appeals World Athletics ban at CAS, citing discrimination

The Russian Athletics Federation announced on Thursday that it has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging World Athletics' decision to keep Russian track and field athletes barred from international competition, calling the ban discriminatory.

IOC provisionally lifts suspension of Russian Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, opening a path for Russia's return to the Olympic fold ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games and marking the most consequential shift in international…

US visa restrictions shut out African fans from World Cup

As DR Congo prepares to face Uzbekistan in a decisive Group K match in Atlanta on Saturday evening, the broader story of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for African nations has been defined as much by what happens off the…

Visa denials mount as World Cup opens across US, Canada, Mexico

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has pushed back against mounting criticism over visa controversies affecting the 2026 World Cup, telling reporters to "chill and relax" while insisting the organization cannot override sovereign immigration decisions. The remarks came during a press conference…

2026 World Cup kicks off next week amid diplomatic strain among co-hosts

The United States, Canada, and Mexico are days away from jointly hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a historic tournament spanning 16 cities across three countries — even as diplomatic relations among the co-hosts remain frayed by trade disputes, immigration…

2026 Winter Paralympics open amid boycotts, Iran withdrawal

The 2026 Winter Paralympic Games officially open Friday evening with a ceremony at the historic Verona Arena, ushering in a record-setting edition of the event even as boycotts over Russia's return and the fallout from conflict in the Middle East…

Ukraine to boycott Winter Paralympics over Russian flag decision

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky harshly criticized the International Paralympic Committee's decision to permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags at the upcoming Winter Paralympics, calling it "dirty" and "unjust" during a live interview with Piers Morgan…

Sports bodies ease Russia sanctions as Milan Olympics open

As the 2026 Winter Olympics opened with a ceremony at Milan's San Siro Stadium on February 6, international sports organizations are increasingly signaling their readiness to bring Russian and Belarusian athletes back into the fold—despite the ongoing war in Ukraine…