Andorra's Ordino Arcalís resort is set to host the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships from February 1 to 6, 2026, with the main competition day confirmed for February 3. This landmark event brings together 66 elite athletes from 17 nations, marking a significant step for freeride under the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.
The International Olympic Committee has cleared 13 Russian athletes, alongside others from Russia and Belarus, to compete as 'Individual Neutral Athletes' at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. This decision, announced on September 19, 2025, comes with stringent conditions, including background checks for war support and a ban on national symbols.
Mexico City's highly anticipated Zona Maco 2026, Latin America's largest art fair, has commenced. Running from February 4 to 8 at Centro Citibanamex, the 22nd edition features 200 galleries from 27 countries and integrates diverse sections including contemporary art, design, antiques, and photography.
Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, 44, an alleged drug kingpin, has surrendered in Mexico City and is now in U.S. custody. He faces federal charges including running a transnational drug trafficking organization, murder, and witness tampering, after being on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
The Olympic Flame for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games is traversing Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia region on January 23rd and 24th, making significant stops in cities like Trieste and Udine. The relay, a symbol of unity and peace, highlights the region's cultural and historical landmarks, engaging communities across several towns.
Víctor 'Ito' Bisonó, the newly appointed Minister of Housing, Habitat and Buildings, has inspected the progress of sports infrastructure for the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, confirming that construction is proceeding on schedule. The Dominican Republic is investing over RD$5 billion in venues, with nearly 90% completion targeted by December 2025.
Italian skier Nicol Delago claimed her first career World Cup downhill victory in Tarvisio, Italy, on Saturday, January 17, 2026. She finished with a time of 1:46.28, 0.20 seconds ahead of Germany's Kira Weidle-Winkelmann, with American Lindsey Vonn taking third. The win comes less than three weeks before the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Belgium's Kim Meylemans has clinched her first career overall World Cup women's skeleton title, making history as the first Belgian to do so. She secured the title in Altenberg, Germany, on January 16, 2026, finishing third in the final race of the season.
Liechtenstein and its surrounding regions are gearing up for Fasnacht 2026, with a packed schedule of carnival parades, masked balls, and 'Monsterkonzerte' from January through mid-February. The festive period culminates in the main Fasnacht week, promising traditional revelry and vibrant cultural events across various municipalities.
Italy is in the final stages of preparing for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, set to run from February 6 to 22, 2026. These Games will mark a historic first as the event is officially co-hosted by multiple cities, with venues spread across Lombardy and Northeast Italy, emphasizing sustainability and the use of existing infrastructure.
Seven winter sports centers in Belgium's East Cantons, located in the east of Liège province, have officially opened their doors as of January 4, 2026. Recent snowfall has provided 10 to 15 cm of powder snow, enabling various trails for cross-country skiing and sledging for enthusiasts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India's determined efforts to host the 2036 Olympic Games, highlighting the nation's growing experience in staging major international events and ongoing infrastructure development, with Ahmedabad proposed as the host city.
Milan's city council has approved new tourist tax rates, effective January 1, 2026, with increases up to €10 per night for luxury accommodations. The temporary hike, enabled by legislation for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, aims to fund Olympic infrastructure and services, though it faces opposition from the hospitality sector.
Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken, a 27-year-old Olympic hopeful and European champion, was found dead in his hotel room in Lavaze, Italy, during a training camp. The cause of death is currently unknown, with Italian authorities investigating. Bakken had previously battled myocarditis, a heart condition, and had recently made a successful return to elite competition.
President Donald Trump has announced the 'Patriot Games,' a four-day athletic event for high school athletes, to be hosted by the White House in Fall 2026. This competition, featuring one male and one female athlete from each state and U.S. territory, is part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, organized by Freedom 250.
A Confederação Brasileira de Triathlon (CBTri) tem implementado diversas políticas e regulamentos para o paratriathlon, abrangendo critérios de apoio, auxílio financeiro, remuneração da área técnica, registro de atletas, gestão de riscos e anticorrupção. A modalidade tem demonstrado crescimento significativo no Brasil, com um aumento de 20% no número de participantes no Campeonato Brasileiro de Paratriathlon de 2025.
Italy's fencing prowess was on full display as its women's foil team clinched gold in Busan and the men's foil team triumphed in Fukuoka. These victories solidify Italy's position at the top of the world rankings for both disciplines as the 2025 season concludes.
The International Sambo Federation (FIAS) has announced the full reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their national flags and anthems in all international competitions starting January 1, 2026. This decision, made by the FIAS Executive Committee, reverses the neutral status imposed since 2022, citing principles of equal treatment and sport's neutrality.
Defending champions Argentina have learned their opponents for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and first-time participant Jordan. The draw, held in Washington, D.C., marks the beginning of the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Olympic flame for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games was lit in a preliminary cauldron at Italy's Quirinale Presidential Palace on December 5, 2025, following its arrival from Greece. This event marks the start of a 63-day torch relay across Italy, leading up to the Games' opening on February 6, 2026.
