PANORAMA: Robinson wins the Alpine World Cup after four years; Montreal 76 star Newhouse passes at 76; 10-year TV deal for Aussie swimming!

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THE 5-RING CIRCUS

2026 Winter Olympics: Milan Cortina As the winter World Cup seasons sweep across Italy in multiple sports, the events also act as pre-Olympic tests for the Winter Games coming next year.

Last weekend another location passed with flying colors: the famous Olympia delle Tofane Downhill course, where the women's Downhill and Super-G races were held. Two-time World Cup season champion Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) spoke for many:

Cortina guarantees quality; the track is always groomed in excellent condition. It is the only place on the World Cup circuit where, even if it snows a meter, they can clear it of snow.

So apart from the beautiful backdrop of the Dolomites, it also helps you mentally to know that if you get here on Tuesday you can look forward to a week of perfect conditions.

Alpine skiing The Women's World Cup had arrived Kronplatz (ITA) for a one-day giant slalom, with New Zealand star Alice Robinson achieves her first World Cup gold since March 2021!

She was fifth after the first run, but had the fastest second run of the field and took the lead in 1:55.28, passing the American. Paula Moltzan (1:56.22), who had roared from 10th to be the leader.

The Olympic champion of Sweden Sarah Hectorthird after the first run, crashed and Gut-Behrami, second after the first run, skied well, but only reached second place in 1:55.84. Leader after the first run Federica Brignone (ITA) crashed, Robinson achieved her fourth career World Cup victory and Moltzan achieved her first World Cup medal since February 2024 and her fourth career podium.

Nina O'Brien of the US finished 10th (1:57.22).

Athletics Sad news of the passing of the American Olympic gold and silver medalist in the 400 meters Fred Nieuwhuiswho died on Monday at the age of 76.

Newhouse was known for his fast starts, always challenging competitors to follow him and see if they could hold on to the finish. He was a silver medalist at the 1971 Pan American Games and preferred to be part of the 1972 Olympic team, but finished seventh in the Trials final. In 1976 he came second at the Trials and ran the race of his life in the Olympic final, but was passed in the last 60 meters by the gold medalist. Alberto Juantorena of Cuba, 44.26 to 44.40. Newhouse then won gold in the men's 4×400 meter relay.

He graduated from Prairie View A&M, went on to a successful career as an engineer for Exxon Corporation and remained heavily involved in athletics as an official and team leader. Last year he suffered from brain cancer.

World Athletics Correspondent Karen Rosen wrote a beautiful tribute to the long-lasting friendship that developed between Newhouse and Juantorena in 2022, available here.

Judo Called USA Judo Corinne Shigemotoa 21-year veteran of the organization, replaces the new CEO Keith Bryantwhere he has led since 2016. A four-time national champion, Shigemoto served the federation from 2001 to 2022 as Chief Operating Officer, Director of Membership Services, Director of Event Services and Director of Manager/Coach Development and Training.

Swimming Swimming Australia and Nine Network announced a massive, 10-year media partnership from 2025 to 2034:

Nines' coverage will come to life on streaming, broadcast and publishing platforms including the 9Network and 9Now for the Swimming Australia calendar including Australian Swimming Trials, Australian Short Course Championships, Australian Age-Sensual Championships and Australian Open Championships.

Importantly, the deal covers the period including the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the 2032 Games in Brisbane, when national interest in Australia's best sport will be at a fever pitch. International events such as the Pan Pacific Championships are included, but not the World Aquatics Championships or the Olympic Games.

Table tennis With the 2028 Olympics coming to Los Angeles, the US is suddenly in the spotlight for several major table tennis events.

The first World Table Tennis Smash in the US will take place in 2025, from July 3 to 13 at the Orleans Center in Las Vegas, and the world's top players are expected to attend. Furthermore, USA Table Tennis was confirmed as a candidate for the ITTF World Championships in 2027 and 2029.

The U.S. federation will compete with Brazil, China, France and Kazakhstan for the 2027 event, and Australia, Brazil, China, Germany and Iraq for 2029, the most bidders ever for the World Cup. The US has already hosted once before, in 2021 in Houston.

The decision will be made at ITTF's annual general meeting on May 27, 2025.

(In case you were wondering, table tennis will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2028.)

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