The Paris Olympics programme will be spiced up by the addition of head-to-head races in the kayak cross event, an all-action, exhilarating discipline that will be making its Olympic Games debut this summer. The fast-paced, whitewater sport combines elements of traditional kayak racing with the strategic and physical challenges of a head-to-head competition with four athletes racing down a whitewater course while navigating through a series of obstacles and complete a 360-degree boat roll to top it all off. 

Italy showcased their sailing skills by retaining the Nations Trophy at the Youth Sailing World Championships 2024. The event, held from 15 to 19 July on Lake Garda, concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony celebrating the achievements of the world's top young sailing talents.

Alongside the annual Betis-Seville Regatta (the two renowned football clubs), the Region of Andalusia and the city of Seville, Spain, will host the next three editions of the annual World Rowing Awards, Insidethegames revealed last March.

Ireland has announced the final names of the country's largest ever Olympic delegation. The last to learn of their privilege were professional cyclists Healy, who is currently competing in the Tour de France, and Mullen, who will be competing in both the road race and the time trial. Armitage will also be the first Irish woman to compete in the Olympic road race.

Kevin Durant’s return is imminent. After missing the initial friendlies with the United States national team ahead of the Olympic Games due to a right calf injury, the Phoenix Suns forward has resumed training and is expected to play in the upcoming matches.

Quincy Wilson, the 16-year-old sensation who is heading to the Olympics as part of the US 4X400m relay pool made his case to compete in Paris with a sizzling 44.20sec at a meet in Gainesville, Florida, on Friday. Wilson broke the under-18 world record, taking control before the final straight and holding off reigning Olympic 4x400m relay gold medallist Bryce Deadmon, who finished second in 44.23.

The UG Arena in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital, will host the third World Boxing Cup 2024, organised by World Boxing and the Mongolian Boxing Federation. The championship will take place from 23-26 September and feature seven weight classes. Points will be awarded towards the finals in Sheffield, England.

Olympics and Paralympics host country France has banned its female athletes from wearing the hijab while competing in the upcoming Games in Paris, sparking outrage from human rights groups, athletes and sports fans who say it is a form of "racist gender discrimination". While the decision was announced in September the debate has reignited online with the opening ceremony to what is being touted as the "first gender-equal Olympics" just days away.

Model Bella Hadid, known for her pro-Palestinian advocacy, has reportedly been removed from an Adidas campaign. This decision has sparked controversy, with supporters claiming it stifles free speech while critics argue that brands must remain neutral on political issues.

Ryan Crouser says he can see the light at the end of the tunnel as he readies his bid for a third successive Olympic shot put title off the back of three injury setbacks. The American won the world indoor title in Glasgow in March, but since then has suffered two debilitating elbow injuries on either side of tearing a pectoral muscle.

Significant blow to japan's women's artistic gymnastics team ahead of the Olympics. Nineteen year old captain Shoko Miyata has been expelled from the delegation for smoking and drinking, actions that violate the team's code of conduct and are prohibited for Japanese individuals under twenty.

The 40-year-old fighter tested positive for a banned substance called clomifene after his fight against Anthony Joshua at the O2 Arena in London in August 2023. Helenius denied using drugs, but the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) did not accept his explanations. His ban ends on 17 September 2025.

Following the success of the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic years of the Stipendium Hungaricum Sport Scholarship Programme, World Aquatics and the Hungarian Government are pleased to announce the class of 2024/2025 scholars.

The global computer glitch that hit airlines, banks and major companies on Friday could not have come at a worse time for the organisation of a Games: the days when athletes are arriving in the Olympic Village ahead of next week's opening ceremony.

The world football governing organisation has delayed its verdict on the Palestinian proposal to sideline Israel from international football due to the war with Hamas. As a result, the Israeli team will be at the Paris Games, though without their captain, Daniel Peretz, out due to injury.