Chinese soccer appears to be getting worse despite President Xi's pledge to make it better (from The Associated Press) apnews.com/article/a81574…

The 2024 Olympics were a success for Paris but a calamity for some of its businesses (from The Associated Press) apnews.com/article/0ee9bd…

This happens at many Olympics. Tourists stay away with higher prices, chaos caused by security, etc. Don’t count on giant legacy. Most research says economic boost is short-term. Separate sports grandeur from mythical economic impact. Paris did not need Olympics to be put on map.

Any infrastructure improvements can be done without Olympics. Also, tight Olympic deadlines drive up building costs. Not a thoughtful or economic way to make public policy that depends on taxpayer money.

apnews.com/article/ioc-pr…

IOC move — meaning move by President Thomas Bach who does not want Seb Coe to succeed him — seems to block Coe.

apnews.com/article/olympi…

More questions around WADA, its rules and how it operates.

Lawyer says Chinese doping case handled 'reasonably' but calls WADA's lack of action "curious" (from The Associated Press) apnews.com/article/7d9319…

An investigator gave the World Anti-Doping Agency a pass on its handling of the case involving Chinese swimmers, but not without hammering away at the nature of… Source: AP News search.app/?link=https%3A…

Bottom line. China got away with doping. WADA let it happen by not following its own rules. Chinese swimmers went on to win three Olympic gold medals, cheating others and tarnishing the reputations of all Chinese swimmers. All on WADA, which many athletes now distrust.

Olympics LA28 Legal Chief Resigns After Casey Wasserman Says He Won't Step Down Amid Scandal | Exclusive thewrap.com/la28-legal-chi…

China got away with doping. WADA let it happen. Cottier wrote: “While admitting that CHINADA’s modus operandi did not comply with the rules of procedure, to the best of the Investigator’s knowledge, WADA has never formally and publicly challenged it.” WADA LET IT HAPPEN.

Moreover, Cottier writes: “WADA’s apparent silence is hardly compatible with its role as worldwide guardian of compliance with procedures.” Who suffers? Athletes who follow the rules, which WADA can’t seem to do.

In WADA report on China TMZ case, Cottier says: “In short, the Chinese Anti-Doping Organization, by refraining from notifying the positive athletes, completely ignored [International Article 5.1.2.1… a fundamental violation of anti-doping rules.”

Zero evidence this will generate new economic wealth. Simply public money to private hands. Olympics work same way. Public money to finance a private enterprise.

Sebastian Coe among 7 IOC members to enter race to succeed Thomas Bach as president (from The Associated Press) apnews.com/article/9e28d0…

Sebastian Coe among 7 IOC members to enter race to succeed Thomas Bach as president (from The Associated Press) apnews.com/article/9e28d0…

Gov. Koike should take much of the blame, most linked to favoring interests of real estate developers.

Western nations were desperate for Korean babies. Now many adoptees believe they were stolen (from The Associated Press)h apnews.com/article/67d6bb…