Category: 6. Sports

As part of its anti-doping mandate delegated by the UCI, the ITA is responsible for the year-round implementation of the cycling anti-doping program. Within this framework, the ITA will independently manage the clean sport strategy for the 2025 Tour de France. This program features a targeted, intelligence-led testing plan grounded in the latest scientific developments and risk-based analysis.

Key features of the ITA anti-doping strategy for the 2025 Tour de France include:

• Deployment of over 40 ITA and sample collection personnel at the Grand Départ in Lille
• Around 350 out-of-competition tests in the month prior to the race
• Around 600 in-competition samples to be collected during the event
• Strengthened data analysis capacity to refine the testing and Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) strategy both out-of-competition and in-competition, with a particular focus on Grands Tours
• Strong cooperation with French national authorities
• Long-term storage and potential re-analysis of selected samples over a 10-year horizon in anticipation of future new detection methods or scientific developments
• Increased focus on the endogenous steroid markers measured in blood serum as part of the steroidal module of the ABP, and on the endocrine module of the ABP to better detect markers of human Growth Hormone (hGH) abuse

The strategy is based on an adaptive risk assessment approach that integrates various dynamic factors, such as rider performance trends, to ensure strategic testing throughout the event. Insights from the ABP, including the endocrine module, as well as information gathered by the ITA’s dedicated cycling team within its Intelligence & Investigations (I&I) department, inform these efforts.

Testing during the Tour de France will be targeted and may occur at any point during the three-week race, not just at stage finishes. Like every year, the yellow jersey wearer and each stage winner will be tested. In addition, all participating riders will undergo pre-race testing as part of their medical monitoring protocols. For the 2025 edition, the Paris-based WADA-accredited laboratory will serve as the primary facility for sample analysis.

Approximately 600 urine and blood samples will be collected during the Tour itself. The ITA is also placing a strong emphasis on the period leading up to the race by planning around 350 out-of-competition tests to secure a level playing field from the outset. Following the conclusion of the race, a targeted selection of samples will be retained for long-term storage and future re-analysis based on intelligence gathered throughout the season and during the event. The ITA will continue its monitoring efforts post-Tour using all collected data.

Throughout the race, sample collection will be executed primarily by the ITA’s own experienced personnel, including 13 expert doping control and blood collection officers. The ITA is also coordinating closely with the French National Anti-Doping Organisation (AFLD), whose sample collection staff will contribute to the testing operations. Additional cooperation with local, national, and international authorities will support operational execution and intelligence exchange.

The 2025 Tour de France also benefits from the sustained increase in resources allocated to clean sport efforts in men’s professional cycling. As part of a multi-year initiative culminating in 2024, the UCI, UCI WorldTeams, UCI ProTeams, WorldTour organisers, and riders committed to a 35% funding increase to the ITA for implementing the UCI anti-doping program. This enhanced budget continues to support critical areas such as I & I, scientific development, data analysis, testing, long-term sample storage, and re-analysis.

In 2024, the ITA strengthened its investigative capacity by doubling the human resources dedicated to cycling and, together with the UCI, developed a policy and operational framework to implement and apply for the first time enhanced investigative powers, a pivotal measure to support evidence gathering in anti-doping investigations. The ITA also doubled the overall number of samples retained in long-term storage by selecting 1,690 samples after careful assessment of various risk-factors, 76 of them from the 2024 Tour de France. 490 samples collected in 2015 were also re-analysed, with all of them returning negative.

“The Tour de France is not only one of the most iconic events in sport, but it is also a key moment for protecting the integrity of cycling. Our approach in 2025 reflects a continued commitment to intelligent, data-driven anti-doping strategies grounded in science, collaboration and continuous improvement. By combining targeted testing with advanced analytical tools such as the endocrine module, long-term sample storage and performance monitoring initiatives, we aim to ensure that this prestigious race is contested on a level playing field. We are proud to lead these efforts on behalf of the UCI and in close coordination with all our trusted partners,” said ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen.

As part of its broader anti-doping strategy, the ITA is also developing a new longitudinal performance monitoring tool based on power data from professional men road riders, designed to act as an additional source of intelligence to guide targeted testing and advanced laboratory analysis, prioritise investigative, or refine its long-term sample storage

Following consultation with the Funding Committee of the UCI anti-doping program, the ITA received approval in 2025 to develop this concept based on historical power data from male riders, aiming to create an additional tool in the fight against doping. In collaboration with the University of Kent (UK), the ITA has launched a one-year feasibility study to analyse this data and map how rider performance evolves over time. These insights will support the development of performance models across teams and rider profiles, taking into account various influencing factors. Several UCI WorldTeams and professional male riders have agreed to voluntarily participate in the feasibility study and share their data to support the project.

Findings from the first year will be used to develop a model of “normal” and “expected” career trajectory performance over time, allowing for the identification of “abnormal” or “unexpected” performances. This will help identify “abnormal” or “unexpected” patterns that may indicate possible performance enhancement. While the model is not intended to serve as direct evidence of an anti-doping rule violation, it will act as an important additional intelligence tool to support the ITA’s broader anti-doping strategy—such as guiding targeted testing, advanced laboratory analysis, investigative prioritisation, or long-term sample storage.

The results from this feasibility study phase will be presented to the Cycling Families, to determine whether to proceed with the Year 2 pilot project. This next phase would shift from the retrospective analysis of historical data to the implementation of power monitoring and other related metrics, using data collected during a cycling season. If successful, the initiative could be expanded to cover the entire men’s professional road cycling peloton.

The ITA remains fully committed and is confident that these key features will contribute to delivering a top-tier anti-doping program for the 2025 Tour de France, reinforcing its mission to protect the integrity of the race and promote a level playing field for all riders involved.

Athletes to watch in the 2025 Prefontaine Classic

Kishane Thompson, men’s 100m

When the fastest man of the year is competing, there will always be a high amount of hype. But when that athlete just became the fastest 100m runner in a decade, the levels of excitement can reach near stratospheric levels.

Such is the anticipation surrounding Kishane Thompson at this year’s Eugene Diamond League, after the Jamaican set the quickest 100m time (9.75 seconds) since the Usain Bolt era at the 2025 Jamaican athletics trials.

Thompson was inches away from winning the Paris 2024 100m final, having led for most of the race before being pipped to the line by the USA’s Noah Lyles.

Even though it was his debut Olympic Games, the Jamaican was bitterly disappointed with his inability to claim gold, and will be motivated to show he is the dominant 100m runner on the planet.

However, after recent performances, perhaps Thompson has an even loftier objective in sight this year.

“I am very confident; even if I break the world record,” he said after his historic trials victory on 27 June. “It wouldn’t surprise me because I am that confident, and I’m working to achieve all my goals and the accolades.”

Sha’Carri Richardson, women’s 100m

In the same manner as Thompson, the USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson is looking to return to winning ways in 2025, after finishing second in the 100m final at Paris 2024.

Richardson began this outdoor season with a modest showing in May’s Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo, finishing fourth in 11.47 seconds.

And while early-season jitters are commonplace in athletics, that first outing of the year places her a lowly 362nd on the list of fastest 2025 100m sprinters. For context, 400m hurdles specialist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is 96th after her run of 11.21 at Grand Slam Track in Philadelphia in June, in her first-ever professional race over the 100m distance.

Of course, much more is expected of Richardson in a year in which she will hope to defend her world title from 2023. She stormed to a commanding victory in the 2024 Eugene Diamond League and will, as always, be one of the favourites heading into this race.

But don’t expect it to be a walk in the park for Richardson. The women’s 100m has all the bearings of a classic with the likes of Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred, fastest woman of the year Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Jamaican trials winner Tina Clayton all in blistering form this season.

Letsile Tebogo, men’s 200m

Paris 2024 was a life-changing experience for Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, after a stunning performance in the men’s 200m final saw him take home his nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.

Now the 22-year-old will be hoping to build upon that historic triumph in a year that culminates with the World Athletics Championships in Japan.

In Oregon, Tebogo will likely be tested to his limits as he faces an in-form Kenny Bednarek, who is coming off a stellar set of performances in the Grand Slam Track league.

Like Richardson, Tebogo’s 2025 is yet to ignite, with his season’s best of 20.10 far from his fastest-ever time of 19.46 set in the Stade de France during last year’s Olympics.

As we head towards the more important stages of the year, expect stronger showings from the under-20 100m world record holder, who will be hoping to add a first world championships gold to his medal collection in September.

PA Media

PA Media

What happened in the Conor McGregor appeal?

McGregor co-accused appealing costs

PA Media

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) new regulations for ODI cricket came into effect for the first time on Wednesday (July 2) during the first ODI of a three-match series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

After the 34th over of Sri Lanka’s innings, the umpire was seen asking Bangladesh’s captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz to choose between two balls. This indicated the first instance of the new provision being used as the world cricket governing body brought a change to the rule book.

As per the new rules introduced by the ICC in the latest playing conditions, which are applicable in white-ball cricket from July 2, only one ball will be used in ODI cricket after the 34th over of the innings. This decision has come on the back of the ICC being criticised for the two-ball rule in ODI cricket, which several people like Gautam Gambhir and Ravichandran Ashwin have pointed out has taken finger spinners as well as reverse swing out of the equation while making the format more batting-friendly.

As per the new regulations, the match will start in a similar fashion with two new balls with one from each end. However, there will only be one ball used after the 34th over of the match. At this point, the bowling team’s captain will be given a choice and be allowed to use either of the two balls in action.

This was the most significant change in the latest playing conditions, which have also seen major changes in Test cricket that have come into action from the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. After being brought into action in ODI and T20Is, a stop clock has been introduced in the longest format to act against time wasting.

Meanwhile, the ICC have also introduced a chance to the short-run rule, as in addition to the five-run penalty, now teams can choose which batter takes a strike on the next ball.

The lawmakers have also amended the provision for catches on the boundary line as any airborne player must make contact with the ball only inside the boundary line.

Only the group winner after single-headed round robin football matches in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers will make the cut for the 12-team main event.

Wednesday’s result also ended Mongolia and Timor-Leste’s chances of qualifying for the Women’s AFC Asian Cup 2026.

India last qualified directly for the main draw of the Women’s AFC Asian Cup in 2003. They automatically received a spot at the last edition in 2022 as the tournament hosts but were forced to withdraw due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad.

Basfore converted from close range to give India, 70th in the FIFA world rankings, the early lead. The goal materialised after the Iraqi goalkeeper mishandled a corner from Indian captain Sanju.

The world No. 173 Iraq football team fell 2-0 behind just before half-time as Manisha Kalyan’s weak strike slipped through the hands of the Iraqi goalkeeper before rippling the net.

With a two-goal cushion handy, the Crispin Chettri-coached Indian team played freely in the second half and added three more to the tally.

WIMBLEDON — Four Top 10 seeds had exited Wimbledon at the first hurdle, and Madison Keys had only just avoided joining the exodus. Two days after pulling through a 2-hour, 41-minute rollercoaster against Elena-Gabriela Ruse, the No. 6 seed was far more efficient in dismissing Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2 in 75 minutes.

Wimbledon: Scores | Order of play | Draws

In contrast to the baking conditions of the first two days, second-round action began in a more familiar scenario: clouds, cooler temperatures and a two-hour rain delay owing to persistent drizzle. This suited Keys down to the ground.

“I definitely felt a little more comfortable today,” she said in her on-court interview. “It’s the cloudy, rainy England we know and love, so that helps a lot. It felt a little bit more normal out here today.”

Danilovic has been one of the most improved players of the past 12 months, raising her ranking from No. 150 last July to No. 37 this week. But the Serb’s surge has mostly been down to her results on clay and hard courts — her first-round defeat of qualifier Zhang Shuai was her first tour-level win on the surface.

By contrast, Keys is a three-time grass-court titlist and a two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist (2015 and 2023), and used her wealth of expertise on the surface to pull away after a tight first set.

More to come…

Wimbledon 2025 – Victoria Mboko, from lucky loser to first-round winner

Such a late change of plans could easily disrupt the preparations of any athlete, not least an 18-year-old. But you just have to watch Mboko in action to understand that she plays far beyond her years, demonstrating tactical prowess and clean shot-making that fully justify her place at the Grand Slam table.

She explained of the situation, “I would understand why I would be such a disadvantage, but I think for this instance, it helped me a lot, because I was so relaxed and I had no thought in my mind that I was going to play a match.

“Because it was just such a relaxing morning and so slow and chilled, I didn’t really feel any nerves going into it. It helped me be a lot looser on court because I technically wasn’t supposed to be there.”

With the music of fellow Canadian Drake to get her into game mode and the pressure afar from her shoulders, Mboko dispatched Fręch in 73 minutes to advance to round two.

Tuesday’s victory was special for many reasons: not only was it her debut on the grounds of Wimbledon, yet it also fell on Canada Day. Her best major performance came at Roland-Garros this year, a run to the third round on the clay courts of Paris.

Next up for the 18-year-old starlet is USA’s Hailey Baptiste, who is also playing in her maiden Wimbledon main draw.