The IOC has survived the 2026 Winter Games but faces enormous challenges: Trump, LA 2028, the search for TOP sponsors, the hospitality disasters, the toxic climate in the administration, program reform, and the abolition of the Olympic Channel. Doubts about president Kirsty Coventry are growing.
The example of Yu Zidi, who is competing in the 200-metre medley final at the World Championships in Singapore today, has reignited the debate: how young can a professional athlete be, and how old must they be to compete in major competitions? What constitutes child labour? What should be banned?
Kamila Valieva' doping case raised questions about a minimum age for Olympic athletes. The Games thrive on high-performing children – some of them so young that they are not even allowed to compete in the Youth Olympic Games. Children are vulnerable to authoritarian states chasing medals and glory.
