Australian field hockey player Tom Craig has been suspended for 12 months by Hockey Australia for attempting to purchase cocaine during the Paris Olympics. He was arrested but released without charge after a night in custody. The suspension comes after an investigation by Hockey Australia’s Integrity Unit.
Algeria and Japan have joined World Boxing, a new global boxing body formed after the International Boxing Association (IBA) was stripped of its Olympic recognition. This move strengthens World Boxing’s global presence and emphasizes the desire for change within the sport.
World Aquatics president Husain Al Musallam addresses concerns about doping in swimming, emphasizing the need for collaboration among anti-doping agencies to address the issue and maintain the sport’s integrity. He expresses confidence in the current anti-doping efforts and calls for a more positive approach to the sport.
Incumbent FIH President Tayyab Ikram is set to be re-elected unopposed at the 49th FIH Congress in Muscat, Oman. While the president’s position is uncontested, there are competitive races for the two female and two male positions on the FIH Ordinary Executive Board.
Ugandan Olympic marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed in the Paris Olympics, has died after being set on fire by her former boyfriend. The suspect, Dickson Ndiema, also died from his own burn injuries while hospitalized in Kenya. The attack is believed to have stemmed from a land dispute.
Australia is embarking on its largest-ever talent search, aiming to identify the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes who will compete on home soil at the 2032 Brisbane Games. The ‘Future Green and Gold’ program will offer aspiring athletes, regardless of prior experience, a chance to train under elite coaches and compete on the world stage.
Vinesh Phogat’s recent entry into politics has led to her uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat, shifting his focus to training his younger daughter, Sangeeta Phogat, for the 2028 Olympics. Mahavir expresses disappointment over Vinesh’s decision, highlighting her potential for Olympic gold, while alleging political manipulation by the Hoodas in bringing Vinesh into politics.
Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, has challenged his provisional suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in the Delhi High Court. He argues that the suspension prevents him from competing in the upcoming World Wrestling Championships and seeks an independent investigation into the testing process. The controversy stems from NADA’s use of a single/expired kit for testing, leading to allegations of a cover-up by the anti-doping agency.
India’s top swimmers, including Olympian Srihari Nataraj and freestyle specialist Aneesh Gowda, will compete for national glory and a chance to qualify for the 2028 Olympics at the 77th Senior National Aquatic Championships in Mangaluru. The event, featuring over 500 swimmers from 31 states, will run from September 5th to 15th.
With time running out, World Boxing is urging national boxing federations to join its ranks to ensure boxing’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has threatened to remove boxing from the Games if a new global body is not established, and World Boxing aims to fill that void.
