The event, held at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL), was organized with the support of the Peruvian Olympic Committee and the university itself, in collaboration with the Peruvian Sports Institute, the National Anti-Doping Organization of Peru and the National Paralympic Association of Peru. The program was structured around WADA’s 2027 Code Implementation Support Program (CISP), with particular emphasis on compliance readiness and the specific circumstances of a broad and diverse region, where anti-doping systems have different levels of development and capacity.

An anti-doping system that needs regional coordination

During the opening session, Francisco León Cannock, Director of WADA’s Latin America and Caribbean Office, and Susan Egoávil, former member of Peru’s national volleyball team and a member of the Agency’s Athlete Council, opened the event. Subsequently, WADA Director General Olivier Niggli made a direct call for Code signatories across the Americas to work together during the months remaining before January 1, 2027, when the new provisions will come into force. For the Agency, the challenge is not simply to adapt regulations, but to ensure that different national structures can effectively implement the changes while maintaining common standards.

The regional dimension is particularly important in a system that depends on the trust of athletes and the public. Niggli noted that this trust is linked to the ability to compete under fair conditions and to the perception that the integrity of sport is being protected. In Lima, this responsibility was approached as a shared effort among different stakeholders. Cecilia Moncada Tasayco, President of Peru’s National Anti-Doping Organization, emphasized the need to harmonize efforts and linked the event to preparations for the Lima 2027 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For Peru, the symposium also represents a direct preparation opportunity for a major multisport event that will require a coordinated and effective anti-doping system.

Athletes as protagonists in anti-doping decisions

One of the central sessions of the day focused on strengthening athletes’ voices within anti-doping governance. Susan Egoávil’s participation brought a perspective directly connected to the sporting experience and the needs of those who must navigate the testing, education and protection systems established by authorities. The discussion emphasized the progress made over the past two years in terms of athlete representation in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the need for that participation to play an effective role in shaping policies that affect the sporting community.

The focus on athletes also opened the discussion on what an anti-doping system capable of responding to the realities of the region should look like. Egoávil highlighted the importance of moving toward more human, accessible and effective structures, where athletes’ experiences are taken into account in decision-making processes. Alongside this dimension, the symposium program addressed the main changes to the 2027 Code, government leadership in clean sport, privacy protection and the improvements planned for the International Standards for Laboratories and Education. Members of WADA’s Advisory Committee also participated, including its President Ryan Pini, Vice President Dora Hegyi and member Iñaki Gómez.

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Held on July 23 at AsiaWorld-Expo, the conference brought together participants from 39 countries and regions across all five continents, with 26 speakers and presenters addressing some of the main medical challenges facing modern fencing. The event was aligned with the FIE Strategic Plan 2025-2028 and the objectives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical and Scientific Commission, placing issues far beyond injury prevention on the agenda, including training load, recovery, mental health, well-being and the need for scientific tools to support athletes throughout the different stages of their careers.

The fencer’s health as part of athletic performance

The conference opened with fencing leaders and international sports medicine specialists, including Abdelmoneim ElHusseiny, FIE Interim President; Gulnora Saidova, Secretary General; Dr. Antonio Fiore, Chair of the FIE Medical Commission; Alexander NW Yeung, President of the Hong Kong, China Fencing Association; and Dr. Margo Mountjoy, Chair of the ASOIF Medical and Scientific Commission. The discussions highlighted an idea that is increasingly central to high-performance sport: protecting athletes does not simply mean treating an injury when it occurs, but understanding the conditions that can affect their health before a problem becomes a barrier to competition.

Saidova described the conference as a milestone for the fencing community and emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing among professionals. Dr. Mountjoy, meanwhile, highlighted that the mission of developing fencing worldwide depends directly on the health, safety and well-being of those who practice the sport. That perspective was also present in the keynote presentations by Dr. Hosam El-Sherbiny and Dr. Anna Tomori. The former presented the FIE Medical Commission’s strategic planning for 2025-2028, structured around seven pillars aimed at making sports medicine a strategic component of the discipline, while Tomori focused on the need to integrate medical examinations and athlete protection into development pathways.

Dr. Tomori’s presentation offered a particularly clear view of the challenges that can remain hidden behind traditional performance indicators. Her research on young fencers in Japan showed that, despite training for an average of more than 14 hours per week and apparently getting sufficient rest, nearly 60% had a history of sports injuries. More than 10% reported training with active pain without receiving medical attention, while almost one-third experienced symptoms of autonomic stress, including severe morning fatigue and orthostatic dizziness. The data highlight an important tension: an athlete can continue training and competing while their body sends signals that are not necessarily reflected in a performance, result or sporting statistic.

Science, prevention and new tools for fencing

Based on these concerns, the conference organized its content around three main areas: injury prevention, biomechanics and load management; performance optimization, recovery and well-being; and athlete safety alongside multidisciplinary collaboration. The goal was to examine fencing from different scientific perspectives, taking into account both the physical demands of bouts and the factors that can influence recovery and athletic continuity. Digital posters also provided additional space for sharing research, clinical observations and sports medicine initiatives related to the discipline.

One of the projects presented by Dr. El-Sherbiny was the launch of the FIE Injury Surveillance System (FISS), together with the development of a digital medical platform looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Other initiatives include expanding medical training and certification worldwide, strengthening research collaborations and establishing new working groups focused on areas such as women’s physical and mental health. The aim is to build a structure capable of collecting information, identifying needs and providing tools that allow medical and sporting decisions to be made on a stronger scientific basis.

The academic dimension also had a clear presence during the event. The FIE signed a Letter of Intent with the University of Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom, to promote joint research related to sports medicine applied to fencing, athlete health and performance science. Led strategically by Dr. El-Sherbiny on behalf of the FIE Medical Commission, the collaboration seeks to strengthen scientific oversight, governance and connections between academic and clinical networks. At the same time, the conference brought together professionals from 39 countries and regions, creating a space where experiences from different sporting environments could come together around common challenges in a discipline that demands speed, precision, power and a high capacity for recovery.

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Every season, some cyclists — and, more exceptionally, some tennis players — prioritise one competition over another. The leading tennis players generally contest the Grand Slams unless an injury or specific circumstance prevents them from doing so. In cycling, the choice depends more on each rider’s characteristics and prospects, their team’s objectives and what they can realistically win. This time, however, it is more than just a decision. The proximity of the events will carry greater influence than ever, forcing athletes to choose, leave a competition early or accept that they will not reach the next one in their best condition. The lack of recovery time also creates the impression that the athletes have not been sufficiently considered and that each competition has primarily protected its own interests. A more moderate and reasonable separation would benefit the athletes, the public and all the events involved.

Three days to change surface and continent

Wimbledon will take place from 3 to 16 July. The women’s final is scheduled for 15 July, the men’s final for 16 July and the Olympic tournament will begin on 19 July. Players will have to travel from London to California, overcome an eight-hour time difference and switch from grass to hard courts. Those eliminated during the first week will have considerably more time to prepare for the Games than those reaching the closing rounds. Reaching the final of one of the world’s most important tournaments could therefore become a disadvantage ahead of the next competition. At Paris 2024, there were 13 days between the two events, yet the rapid switch from grass to clay already led Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka to withdraw from the Games, while Rafael Nadal skipped Wimbledon to continue preparing on clay.

The current criticism shows that the problem is not merely theoretical. Sabalenka described the prospect of the Games beginning three days after the men’s final as “ridiculous” and called for at least a week between the events because “it’s too much of a stress on the body”. Iga Swiatek has also renewed her criticism of a calendar that, in her view, does not sufficiently prioritise player welfare: “This situation is going to be really difficult for the person that plays the final and then needs to get on hard courts and play on the other side of the world.” Daniil Medvedev has called for the gap to be extended to six or seven days, while Elena Rybakina hopes that changes can still be made.

The Tour ends and the time trial awaits

The Tour will be brought forward, beginning on 24 June and finishing on 16 July. The adjustment prevents a direct overlap with the main Olympic road cycling events, but it does not resolve the recovery problem. The LA28 time trial will take place on 19 July, with the road races following on 22 and 23 July. Riders who complete the full three weeks will then have to recover, fly from France to California, adjust to a nine-hour time difference and familiarise themselves with a new course before competing again. Some may ride part of the Tour — perhaps a week or ten days — and then withdraw to rest and prepare specifically for the Games. Others will finish the French race and accept the physical consequences, while some will have to choose between the two objectives altogether.

The mountain bike events will be held on 17 and 18 July, immediately after the Tour, although this clash affects fewer athletes. Most mountain bike specialists do not contest the French race or regularly combine the discipline with professional road cycling. Mathieu van der Poel is one of the most significant exceptions and has already acknowledged that “a summer without the Tour is clearly on the table”, with Olympic mountain bike gold his main objective for LA28. The situation could be different in women’s cycling. The Tour de France Femmes will take place from 30 July to 7 August in 2027, while its dates for 2028 have not yet been announced. If it retains a similar position, the riders would contest the LA28 time trial and road race first, followed by the French stage race. That order would probably create a smaller problem because the accumulated physical demands of the Olympic events are much lower than those of a nine-day tour. However, it would still require riders to move quickly from specific preparation for a time trial or one-day race to the demands of a stage race.

Pogačar and a choice that could also hurt the Tour

Tadej Pogačar also appears prepared to give priority to the Games. “The Olympics are of course another race I would like to win. They only come around once every four years, so I would have to tailor my programme to be in the right shape at that time,” he explained. The Slovenian also acknowledged that the objective is “not exactly in the interests” of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, although he expects the team to take his wishes into account. He has not yet confirmed that he will miss the Tour, but there is a significant precedent: after winning the Giro d’Italia and the French race in 2024, he withdrew from the Paris Games citing fatigue.

If Pogačar decides not to enter the 2028 Tour or leaves it early, the race will lose its biggest star of recent years. If he completes it, he may reach Los Angeles without enough time to recover for the time trial and road race in his best condition. The same applies to the Wimbledon finalists: if they play through to the end of the Grand Slam, they will have minimal time to adapt to LA28; if they prioritise the Games, the British tournament could lose major names. There is still time to reconsider the dates. The organisers of The Open have already moved its 2028 edition to avoid a clash with the Olympic golf tournament. Rescheduling a shorter championship is easier than moving Wimbledon or a three-week race, but the decision shows that greater coordination remains possible.

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Italy finished second with two golds, two silvers and four bronzes, followed by Moldova with two golds, two silvers and one bronze. Germany placed fourth with two titles and one third-place finish. Overall, 24 countries from four continents won at least one medal. The diversity of the podium accompanied the start of the qualification race for Los Angeles 2028, as the points available at each Grand Prix become increasingly important.

Brazil turn strength in depth into 11 medals

Brazil’s five gold medals came through Rafaela Rodrigues at -52 kg, Michel Augusto at -60 kg, David Lima at -81 kg, Rafael Macedo at -90 kg and Beatriz Souza at +78 kg. Nauana Silva added a silver at -70 kg, while Jessica Lima, Guilherme de Oliveira, Guilherme Schimidt, Leonardo Goncalves and Thauana Silva completed the total with five bronzes. Macedo successfully defended the title he won in Lima in 2025, while Augusto, Rodrigues and David Lima claimed their first gold medals at this level.

Souza’s victory marked the Olympic champion’s return to an international podium following a season without a World Judo Tour medal. The Brazilian had devoted part of the previous year to resting mentally and recovering from injuries. In Lima, she defeated Asya Tavano in the final to secure her first medal of the new Olympic cycle. “I’m very happy with this result; it proves the daily hard work is paying off as we build toward this new Olympic goal. After taking time off last year to rest mentally and recover from injuries, this comeback is all about progress,” she explained.

Eleven champions claim a first gold

Eleven of the 14 weight categories ended with a judoka winning a first Grand Prix or World Judo Tour gold. On the opening day, Assunta Scutto won at -48 kg on her return following surgery; Augusto prevailed at -60 kg; Rodrigues triumphed in her first senior World Judo Tour event; Radu Izvoreanu collected his first World Judo Tour title at -66 kg; and Pihla Salonen returned Finland to the top of the circuit three years after the country’s previous gold. “This was my first competition back after surgery, so I’m so happy to win this gold medal,” Scutto said.

All four champions on the second day also reached the top step of the World Judo Tour podium for the first time: Seiko Watanabe, Vlad Mitru, Dena Pohl and David Lima. Mitru arrived in Lima without an International Judo Federation -IJF- medal and left as the -73 kg champion. On the final day, Mathilda Niemeyer collected her first Grand Prix title and Giannis Antoniou delivered Cyprus’ first World Judo Tour gold. “I think this is the best result of my career and I feel really proud of all the hard work I’ve done to reach this point. Most importantly for me, this is a big step closer to Olympic qualification and this is my main dream,” Antoniou said after defeating Croatia’s Mikita Sviryd at +100 kg.

Peru record their best World Judo Tour result

The host team entered 19 judoka and achieved its best performance to date at a World Judo Tour event. Driulys Rivas won bronze at -52 kg, while Brillith Gamarra and Franco Baltazar finished fifth. All three reached the final block on the opening day, placing Peru alongside Brazil, USA and Italy as the only countries with at least three athletes competing for medals that day. Baltazar also produced one of the tournament’s most notable results by throwing Brazilian Olympic silver medallist Willian Lima for ippon.

The Peruvian Judo Federation and the IJF complemented the competition with meetings between athletes and spectators. Rivas, Gamarra and Baltazar took part in a session with children and supporters, while Jack Yonezuka, Brenda Olaya and Leonardo Goncalves did the same on the final day. The IJF highlighted the warm-up areas, movement routes within the venue, services for delegations and the work of volunteers. The institutional presence included Peruvian Olympic Committee President Renzo Manyari, national federation President María Martínez, International Olympic Committee -IOC- member Paula Pareto and Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee President Diane Henderson, who attended to learn more about the requirements for organising an international event. The calendar will continue with the Cadet World Championships in Guayaquil and the inaugural Lausanne Grand Slam.

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The results came from three different levels of the international competition structure. The FIBA 3×3 World Tour brings together the leading men’s teams, Challengers provide one of the qualification routes into its events and the Women’s Series follows its own calendar towards the Shanghai Final. The simultaneous competitions underlined the international scale of the circuit as the World Tour moved into its second half and the Women’s Series approached its conclusion.

Baskets Bonn confirm their rise in Lausanne

Lausanne hosted the World Tour for the 13th time at Place de la Navigation, on the shores of Lake Geneva. The city, home to the International Olympic Committee -IOC- since 1915 and officially recognised as the Olympic Capital since 1994, welcomed the circuit back after a five-week break. Baskets Bonn completed an unbeaten tournament and defeated Raudondvaris Hoptrans 21-9 in the final to secure their second title of 2026 after their earlier success in Amsterdam.

Fabian Giessmann was named MVP after scoring 51 points in five games, recording a player value of 59.2 and leading the tournament with 15 dunks. The 21-year-old German had also received the award in Amsterdam. Six different teams have now won at least one of the opening nine stops: Liman, Ub, Baskets Bonn, Miami, Hangzhou Jingwei and Amsterdam RABOBANK. Liman, Ub and Baskets Bonn have each collected two titles. Eight regular events remain before the Rio de Janeiro Final on 12-13 December.

Singapore opens the door to the World Tour

Toulouse secured their first stop title of the season across both the Challenger and World Tour circuits in Singapore. The French team defeated Hangzhou Jingwei 21-12 in the final after also overcoming them during the pool stage. Hugo Suhard hit the title-winning two-pointer and was named MVP after registering 27 points, 20 rebounds, 16 key assists and a player value of 43.6.

The event was the 18th Challenger of the year and awarded three places at the Malaga World Tour stop. Toulouse and Hangzhou Jingwei qualified as the two finalists, while Amsterdam RABOBANK earned the third ticket after completing the podium. The Bordeaux Challenger on 21-22 August and the Beijing Challenger on 22-23 August will offer further qualification opportunities before the World Tour resumes in Debrecen on 29-30 August.

Two Dutch teams extend their presence

The Netherlands U25 team claimed their first Women’s Series title of the season in Singapore after recovering against Slovenia in the final. The Dutch trailed 12-7 with fewer than three minutes remaining but levelled the score and eventually won 16-14 in overtime through a two-pointer from Quinta van Schijndel. Hennie van Schaik was named MVP after scoring 27 points and leading the tournament with 32 rebounds.

The senior Dutch team then extended its own winning run at the Sea Breeze stop in Baku. The Netherlands defeated Madrid 13-8, secured their fifth title of 2026 and recorded a fourth consecutive stop victory. Ilse Kuijt finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 25 points and received the MVP award. Madrid reached their first final since winning in Vienna after eliminating hosts Neftchi SOCAR in overtime. The Women’s Series will continue in Bordeaux on 19-20 August, with four stops remaining before the Shanghai Final, for which only eight teams will qualify.

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The second edition already reflects the growth of the initiative. With registration open until August 31, the championship has received 110 entries from 34 nations, representing more than 170 competitors. Several fleets have already reached the minimum number of participants required to award world championship titles, while new disciplines continue to generate interest. Hansa 303, RS Venture Connect, 2.4mR and Vision Impairment Fleet Racing will return alongside emerging classes such as Para Inclusive WingFoil and Challenger Trimaran, in an event that also incorporates development programs and new opportunities to expand international participation.

A championship bringing together different ways of experiencing sailing

World Sailing’s approach seeks to ensure that inclusion is not limited to having different categories of athletes competing at the same event. The championship was designed as a platform where sailors with different disabilities can share the same sporting environment, regardless of the boat they use or the stage of development they have reached. This coexistence allows the competition to become a meeting point for learning from different experiences and demonstrating that para sailing can be built around a much broader diversity of disciplines, abilities and sporting journeys.

That diversity is also reflected in the growth of the classes. The Challenger Trimaran is one of the clearest examples: the fleet has already surpassed the minimum number of participants required to be recognized as a championship and is attracting interest from countries such as South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago. Alongside it, Para Inclusive WingFoil, a more recent initiative, continues to attract international attention, while seated WingFoiling will be presented as a demonstration event. The discipline will offer an opportunity to see how a relatively new format can create space for sailors with disabilities and how innovation can expand the possibilities within the sport.

International development to open new opportunities

The championship will also provide a platform for the Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) of World Sailing, which will once again welcome sailors, coaches and officials from emerging nations. Through training, classification education and knowledge sharing, the program seeks to ensure that international participation does not depend solely on a nation’s immediate ability to send athletes to a competition. The goal is to build the tools and expertise needed to develop local structures and create sustainable pathways toward high-level competition in para sailing.

Along the same lines, the partnership with the America’s Cup continues to provide funding for eligible emerging nations. The support aims to reduce some of the barriers that can prevent new participants from reaching the international stage and gradually expand the competitive community. For Hannah Stodel, Para World Sailing Director, the growth of the second edition — with new nations, classes and opportunities — reflects the idea behind the championship from the beginning: not simply to create another regatta, but a space where athletes, coaches, officials, classifiers and volunteers can come together and help shape the future of inclusive sailing.

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The project is not limited to adapting stadiums to comply with US regulations. Accessibility is being incorporated into venue selection, accommodation, transport, ticketing, technical assistance and legacy programmes. Some of these measures have already been defined, while venue maps, parts of the transport operation and other services still need to be finalised.

Accessibility from the first decision

One of the people responsible for that strategy is Ileana Rodriguez, a former Paralympic swimmer, architect and accessibility consultant who now serves as LA28 Vice President of Paralympic Strategy and Relations. Rodriguez competed at London 2012 before establishing her own consultancy. “For me, my job at LA28 is almost an extension of what I was doing as a consultant. It kind of is the perfect combination of my career as an architect but also as an athlete,” she explained in an interview with Forbes.

That dual perspective has led Rodriguez to argue that Paralympic requirements should be considered from the outset, rather than after venues have already been selected. She explained that the organising committee assessed Olympic venues while also considering which Paralympic sports they would host, “with an accessibility lens added to it”. Nor is her objective simply to create functional spaces: “I always saw all these places accessible, but looking like hospitals, honestly.” Her aim is therefore to develop venues that do more than comply with regulations and genuinely work for the people who will use them.

Planning intended to reach the whole city

The city has signed a Host City Accessibility Commitment, is developing a Games Accessibility Plan and has created an accessibility leadership position within its Office of Major Events for the first time. The intention is to incorporate these requirements into programmes, services, facilities, information and transport connected with LA28. Mayor Karen Bass has presented the process as an opportunity to guarantee equal access and leave improvements that benefit residents beyond the competitions. “We are working across City departments and alongside private partners to develop and implement a Games Accessibility Plan so that L.A. hosts the most accessible Games possible,” she said.

The venue plan has also been designed with that objective in mind. Every competition venue will be located within an approximately 35-mile radius, with Downtown Los Angeles, Exposition Park, Long Beach and Carson serving as the main areas of activity. The Memorial Coliseum will stage Para athletics; the Downtown Convention Center will host boccia, Para judo, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo and wheelchair fencing; while Long Beach will stage sports including Para climbing and Para swimming. This concentration reduces the number of isolated venues and is intended to shorten journeys from the UCLA Athletes’ Village. Competitors from every sport will also be able to stay together, something that has not happened at a Paralympic Games since Rio 2016.

Tickets, accessible routes and technical assistance

LA28 has defined wheelchair spaces, semi-ambulatory seating for people with limited mobility and adjacent companion seats. Each person with a disability will be able to purchase up to three companion tickets per order without having to provide supporting documentation during the purchase. Paralympic tickets will become available in 2027. Accessible routes and transport options have also been announced for each venue, although detailed maps and instructions will be published as planning progresses.

The athlete experience also includes support when technical problems could affect participation. Ottobock will be the official provider of prosthetic, orthotic and wheelchair repair services, which will be offered free of charge during the Games. LA28 also established its Athletes’ Commission with nine Olympians and nine Paralympians to incorporate their experience into organisational decisions. Rodriguez served on the commission before taking up her current executive role.

More competition and a legacy still being built

Para climbing will make its debut with 80 athletes and eight events after LA28 became the first organising committee to propose the addition of a sport to the Paralympic programme. The schedule will feature more than 1,100 hours of competition and begin before the Opening Ceremony on 15 August: wheelchair rugby will start two days earlier and boccia one day earlier, without any athlete being eliminated before the ceremony. Women will receive 45% of the athlete quota places, the most gender-balanced allocation in Paralympic Games history. International Paralympic Committee -IPC- President Andrew Parsons has linked the growth in full-time athletes, the use of sports science and greater competitive depth to the evolution of the spectacle. “I have never been more excited about the level of sport performance within the Paralympic Movement than I am with two years to go until LA28. Without doubt, LA28 will be the best Paralympic Games yet for sport by some margin with many new superstar athletes emerging and winning medals.” Rodriguez summarised the same priority: “They’re athletes with a disability, but the athlete piece comes first.”

Part of the legacy is already operating through PlayLA, a youth and adaptive sports programme supported by a $160 million investment from LA28 and the International Olympic Committee -IOC-. It provides free or heavily discounted activities at municipal facilities and has exceeded one million enrolments. Between now and 2028, the Accessibility Plan, venue maps and numerous transport and service details must still be completed. Rodriguez summarised the ambition to integrate the Olympic and Paralympic experiences: “It’s one Game, it is the LA28 Games.”

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The competition will also feature several major storylines. In the women’s tournament, the Netherlands will defend their home title, having won the World Cup nine times, and will once again face Argentina, a team that has spent years pursuing the same goal. In the men’s tournament, Germany arrive as reigning world champions, while the Netherlands and Belgium are among the leading contenders for the title. Argentina will look to regain prominence after finishing ninth at the last World Cup, while Spain will seek to build on its recent progress and challenge for the medals, both with the ‘RedSticks’ and its women’s team.

A new format changes the path to the semifinals

The first phase of the World Cup will take place from August 15 to 20, with four groups of four teams in each category. From August 21, a second group stage will bring together the best-placed teams from the opening round. The top two teams from each of those groups will advance directly to the semifinals, a change that eliminates the quarterfinals and makes every match in the first and second phases particularly important in the standings. The system also introduces a specific rule for teams that meet again after having shared a group: if two teams come from the same initial group, they will carry over the result of their head-to-head match.

The schedule will take the competition toward its decisive weekend at the end of August. The women’s semifinals will be played on Thursday, August 27, while the men’s semifinals will take place on Friday, August 28, alongside classification matches. Saturday, August 29, will feature the women’s bronze-medal match and final, while the men’s medals will be decided on Sunday, August 30. At the same time, matches for ninth through 16th place will be played from August 21 to 24, meaning both venues will remain active as the leading contenders begin to shape their paths toward the titles.

The stars and teams chasing the world title

In the men’s competition, Belgium arrive as the world’s No. 1 team after winning the 2025-2026 FIH Pro League. One of their key players is Tom Boon: at 36, the forward was named FIH Player of the Year in 2025 and scored 19 goals in 13 matches during the latest Pro League season. Alongside him will be Alexander Hendrickx, one of international hockey’s most renowned drag-flick specialists. The Netherlands, reigning Olympic champions and second in the world rankings, will seek to reclaim a World Cup title they have not won since 1998, while England, ranked third in the world, also appear capable of challenging the leading favorites. Argentina will have Tomás Domene, the top scorer in the latest FIH Pro League with 21 goals, among their main weapons. Spain, meanwhile, arrive after winning bronze at the 2025 European Championship and will look to improve on their sixth-place finish at the last World Cup.

The women’s competition presents a scenario dominated by the Netherlands. Five-time Olympic champions, they lead the world rankings by a wide margin and arrive after winning the FIH Pro League for the fourth consecutive time. Xan de Waard, named FIH Player of the Year in 2025, and Yibbi Jansen, the top scorer in the latest Pro League, headline a generation accustomed to competing in finals. Argentina will once again be one of their biggest rivals: ‘Las Leonas’ are ranked second in the world and feature Majo Granatto, a two-time Olympic medalist and Player of the Match at the last World Cup, as well as Agustina Gorzelany, the second-highest scorer of the Pro League season. Belgium and the People’s Republic of China, who pushed the Netherlands to a shoot-out in the Paris 2024 final, complete the group of leading contenders, while Spain, bronze medalists at the 2025 European Championship, will aim to return to the World Cup podium eight years after their last appearance, and Scotland will compete at a World Cup for the first time in 24 years.

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The initiatives represent two different forms of growth. In Georgia, official recognition provides a national structure linked to the International Federation of Muaythai Associations -IFMA-. In Australia, cooperation between Rebellion Muaythai and the Rajadamnern World Series -RWS- connects grassroots development and domestic competition with opportunities to enter the professional circuit in Thailand.

Institutional recognition for muaythai in Georgia

The Georgian federation began its IFMA membership process on 20 October 2025 and submitted the required documentation in December. After completing the administrative requirements, it was approved as a provisional member of the international federation on 29 June 2026. IFMA sent a letter of support to the Georgian ministry on 14 July, confirming that status and its recognition by the International Olympic Committee -IOC- as the international federation for the sport. The ministerial order completed the process less than one month later.

The recognition strengthens the organisation’s capacity to develop grassroots programmes, stage national competitions and establish pathways towards international participation. The federation is led by President Levan Ketsbaya and Secretary General Davit Kiria. It will also be able to expand the education of coaches, referees, technical officials and administrators in accordance with IFMA standards. IFMA President Sakchye Tapsuwan said: “This recognition reflects their commitment, perseverance and dedicated work. IFMA is proud to have supported the federation throughout this journey, and we look forward to continuing our close cooperation as Muaythai enters an important new chapter in Georgia.”

From Melbourne to Rajadamnern Stadium

The Melbourne Pavilion will stage Muay Thai to the World × Rebellion with the support of the Royal Thai Government and the Sports Authority of Thailand. Admission was available free of charge through advance booking, although Rebellion has announced that all places have now been taken. The organisations have previously worked together through Road to Rajadamnern × Rebellion, a series of events that has enabled Australian athletes to compete at Rajadamnern Stadium and leading Thai fighters to take part in events in Australia.

The programme will begin at 15:00 with Roots 33, Rebellion’s development platform for emerging Australian professionals. An international card will follow from 19:00, headlined by multiple-time world champion Petchdam Petchyindee Academy, known as ‘Baby Shark’, and former MX Muay Thai champion Mardsinga Khaolakmuaythai. Brazil’s Luis Cajaiba will face Thailand’s Boonlert Sor Boonmeerit, while Australia’s Daniel Matthews will meet Madagascar’s Steph Lebreton. Rebellion promoter and Muaythai Victoria President Sy Nadji is helping to develop this pathway from grassroots participation to professional competition.

Education beyond the competition

The programme will continue on 16 and 17 August with the RWS Superstar Masterclasses at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Australian athletes and coaches will be able to attend sessions led by Rittewada, Petchthongchai and Kaensak. The classes add an educational dimension to the cooperation by sharing technical knowledge, competitive experience and content related to muaythai traditions.

Rebellion operates within the structure of Muaythai Australia and the international pathways of IFMA and the World Muaythai Council -WMC-. IFMA places this cooperation within its wider relationship with the WMC, Rajadamnern Stadium and RWS. The recognition secured in Georgia develops the country’s national federation structure, while the Australian programme connects education, domestic competition and access to the international professional circuit.

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The statement was published in a special edition of the British Journal of Sports Medicine and is the result of an international process led by the IOC, following a consensus meeting held in Lausanne in June 2025. It involved 31 international experts who examined 27 priority areas related to athletes’ mental health and well-being. The document updates the guidelines published in 2019 and proposes moving beyond an approach focused exclusively on diagnosis and treatment toward a model that also prioritizes prevention, well-being, early detection and support for athletes throughout the different stages of their careers.

Mental health as a shared responsibility across elite sport

One of the main points of the new statement is that responsibility for preventing, recognizing and managing mental health problems cannot fall solely on the athlete. The environment in which a sporting career develops plays a significant role: organizations, leaders, coaches, support staff, healthcare professionals and teammates can all help create spaces where talking about mental health is not seen as a sign of weakness or a threat to an athlete’s career. For the IOC, creating such an environment means promoting well-being while also making it easier for those who need help to access it without fear of being judged.

This perspective is particularly relevant given that elite athletes may experience symptoms and mental health disorders at rates similar to or even higher than those observed in the general population, while also facing factors specific to high-level competition. An injury that interrupts years of preparation, constant pressure to achieve results, a major transition in personal or sporting life, exposure to social media and organizational culture can all become additional sources of stress. For this reason, the statement calls for sporting cultures that promote psychological safety, reduce stigma and concerns about confidentiality, and ensure that seeking help is not perceived as a threat to an athlete’s career.

Monitoring, prevention and support throughout an athlete’s career

The recommendations also emphasize the need to introduce regular mental health monitoring, where appropriate and always based on evidence, to identify difficulties before they develop into more serious problems. The proposal is not limited to identifying diagnoses, but seeks to create more continuous support that can recognize changes in athletes’ well-being and allow for timely responses. To achieve this, sports organizations are encouraged to have clear action plans for mental health emergencies and provide individualized care that takes into account cultural differences and each athlete’s particular circumstances.

Support should also not end when an athlete reaches a new stage in their career. The document highlights needs that can arise during key transitions, such as entering elite sport or retirement, and calls for particular attention to adolescent athletes and Paralympic athletes. It also recognizes the close relationship between mental health, injuries and performance, making it necessary for coaches, support staff and healthcare professionals to receive training appropriate to their roles. In this way, mental health becomes part of a support structure that accompanies athletes not only when a crisis occurs, but also throughout periods of preparation, competition, recovery and transition in their sporting careers.

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