In a complicated ramp-up to the Olympic Games due to political tensions, overspending, security risks, health concerns and the never-ending fight against doping in sports, the IOC-funded International Testing Agency will again be leading the efforts towards guaranteeing a level playing field.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe travelled to Ukraine this weekend to meet with the head of the Ukrainian government, Volodymyr Zelenski, to whom he confirmed "unwavering" financial support for local athletes ahead of Paris 2024, which runs from 26 July to 11 August.

The World Friendship Games, originally scheduled for September 2024, have been postponed to 2025. Inside The Games was told that the Organising Committee will soon announce new dates for the event, which has received applications from nearly 2,500 athletes from 127 countries to compete in 36 sports at 21 venues, 17 in Moscow and four in Yekaterinburg.

After impressing at the recent U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, 16-year-old Quincy Wilson will have the chance to do it again in Paris this summer after being selected for the relay team of the world's leading sporting power.

In recent weeks, both well-known athletes and new faces have made their mark, with only a month remaining before the track and field events commence at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

He is 20 years old. On 28 July, he will become the first Palestinian boxer to compete in the Olympic Games. Abu Sal did not pass the qualifying rounds, but will enter the ring thanks to an invitation from the IOC. His coach in Gaza is training him from afar.

In an interview with AFP, Anti-doping expert April Henning calls out WADA for mishandling the 23 positive tests that led to the New York Times report and subsequent accusations of a cover-up by the international policing body from American officials and politicians.

After the Taliban took power three years ago, the Afghanistan women's cricket team effectively disbanded. Former players have since been urging officials to help them form a refugee cricket team based in Australia.

The main risk to the Paris Games due to France's current political instability is the potential for public disturbances, which could strain the already stretched security services, a former International Olympic Committee executive told AFP on Monday.

Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2016, has qualified for the Paris Olympics. Van de Velde served one year of a four-year sentence and has since resumed his career, competing in international tournaments since 2018.

Paris 2024 has announced the grand opening of its flagship megastore for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. The store is located at Place Clemenceau, 75008 Paris, on the iconic Champs-Elysees.

Dina Asher-Smith believes she is peaking at the perfect moment as she aims to "create history" at this summer’s Olympics. The British record-holder confirmed her spot in Paris by clinching victory in the women’s 200 metres at the UK Athletics Championships in Manchester on Sunday.

Air France-KLM has reported that the Olympic Games have reduced summer traffic to Paris, resulting in a loss of revenue of 180 million euros.

Fencer Olga Kharlan is aiming to bring "hope" to her nation amidst the ongoing war in her country, with the Ukrainian relishing the chance to participate at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is undergoing a modern transformation as it prepares to reopen on 8 December after being ravaged by fire in 2019. Construction will continue during the upcoming Olympics in the French capital, with the Games taking place from 26 July until 11 August.