International Olympic Committee

In this May 17, 2021, demonstrators protest against the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The IOC and Tokyo Olympic organizers run into some of the strongest medical-community opposition so far with the games set to open in just over eight weeks. 

As demand grows to cancel Tokyo Olympics, who has the power to call it off?

Tokyo Olympics

According to the latest polls, 83% of people in Japan think the Games should be postponed or scrapped entirely. But there’s been a lack of clarity about who gets to make that decision.

Japan National Stadium is shown in the distance from the vantage of a glass observatory where three women are standing.

Amid cancellation talk, Tokyo Olympics ‘focused on hosting’

Sports
Workers move a sign at the Olympic Village for the 2022 Winter Olympics in the Chongli district of Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, China, Oct. 29, 2020.

Human rights groups weigh boycott of 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing

Global Politics
A man is shown wearing a face mask and walking in front of a countdown clock for the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo.

IOC to start discussions on possible Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games postponement

COVID-19
A man is shown in shadow in front of large sculpture of the Olympic rings.

Russia banned from Olympics, World Cup and other big events for cheating over doping

Sports
dope

Ban on Russia’s anti-doping agency is lifted, but criticism remains

Sports

Although the change will have no immediate effect on current bans on the Russian federations for athletics, weightlifting and paralympics, it opens the door for their return, following the reinstatement of the Russian Olympic Committee after the country was banned from this year’s Winter Games in South Korea.

People dressed in white carry the Olympic flag instead of the Russian flag.

Russia appeals to IOC for permission to fly flag at Games

Global Politics

The country asked to fly its flag at Sunday’s winter games closing ceremony but could be left waiting for a decision.

olympics

Two Koreas will march together at the Olympics

Global Politics

They also agreed to form a unified women’s ice hockey team and the South said it will send its skiers to the Masikryong ski resort in the North for joint training with North Korean skiers ahead of the Games.

Guor Marial, 28, smiles in his apartment under a South Sudan flag in Flagstaff, Arizona July 21, 2012. The marathon runner born in what is now South Sudan ran under the Olympic flag in London.

A former Olympian hails the decision to allow refugees into the Olympics

Sports

The International Olympic Committee will allow refugee athletes to compete under the Olympic flag at the games in Brazil. A former Olympian who competed under similar circumstances says he’ll cheer for the refugees, even if they beat his countrymen.

Patrick van der Valk (l) playing at Wildwood Tournament - The World's Largest Beach Ultimate Tournament

Could we see Ultimate Frisbee in the Summer Olympics?

Sports

Ultimate Frisbee has moved one step closer to being in the 2020 Summer Olympic games. The International Olympic Committee recognized the organization that oversees the sport. We’re not talking about the frisbee golf games played on college campuses. This is the big leagues.