The Rings Roundup

We discuss the decision by the IOC to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, clearing the way for the full return of Russian athletes at the LA28 Olympic Games.

Steve joins Ed from Lausanne, Switzerland, to break down the biggest stories from the latest IOC Session. At the top of the agenda is the IOC's landmark decision to establish a $140 million athlete support fund, providing grants of up to $10,000 per Olympic athlete.

Security analyst Rich Kolko, a former U.S. Navy Commander and FBI Special Agent, joins the show to discuss the security challenges and threats facing the World Cup and LA2028 Olympic Games. Rich traces the evolution of security operations at major sports events over recent decades and cites the latest threats posed by drones and cyber attacks.

Steve Wilson and Ed Hula welcome Olympic bid expert, author and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker George Hirthler to The Rings Roundup. In this episode, we examine the unprecedented venue shake-up for the French Alps 2030 Winter Olympic Games, with all ice sports set to move from Nice to Lyon. We also discuss the controversy surrounding IOC President Kirsty Coventry's comments on (no) prize money f...

Joined by Donna de Varona, we discuss the IOC decision to allow Belarus fully back into the Olympic fold while maintaining the suspension of Russia. The IOC also rules out the inclusion of any summer or cross-over sports in the Winter Games for 2030 and puts the future of the Youth Olympics in doubt.

We hear from U.S. Olympic champion and women's advocate Donna de Varona regarding the IOC's new policy on the "protection of the female category" in Olympic sports, including a ban on transgender and DSD athletes. Donna also shares her views on the crisis in college sports in the U.S.

A review of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with guest Brian Pinelli in Cortina.

Longtime IOC member Anita DeFrantz of the U.S. tells Steve Wilson about her emotional and symbolic moment carrying the Olympic Torch in Milan and her excitement at the Games coming back to her hometown of Los Angeles in 2028.

Former IOC marketing chief Michael Payne discusses his new book "Fast Tracks and Dark Deals" and gives insight into some of the biggest Olympic stories and scandals of the past three decades.