Italy
Organizers capped ticket sales for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, citing concerns that heightened transport congestion as a new cable car.
Officials have not released an exact number of tickets available, but provincial transport councillor Massimo Bortoluzzi said spectator estimates — originally projected at 200,000 — need to be reduced by about 15%.
The main source of concern is the delayed construction of the Apollonio-Socrepes gondola, designed to carry spectators from downtown Cortina d’Ampezzo to the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center. The gondola ropeway, intended to ease pressure on the area’s narrow roads, has fallen behind schedule with the games less than three months away.
“We need to draw a line, we’ve come too close to the deadline and now risk problems finding drivers and shuttles,” Bortoluzzi said.
The ropeway is expected to include 50 cabins, each seating 10 people, supported by 10 pylons and three different stations along the mountain.
“Right now, there’s only one road to reach the Tofane slopes, and without this link, traffic would be heavy. It will also help ease congestion after the Games,” Bortoluzzi added.
Because Cortina lacks a rail station and relies heavily on car traffic through its small streets, officials pushed the ropeway as a congestion fix, but legal challenges from residents significantly delayed construction. Landslides have slowed the process further.
The Olympics are set to be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from Feb. 6 to Feb. 22.
United Kingdom
During a women’s soccer match between England and Ghana on Tuesday, British sports presenter Laura Woods collapsed on live television.
Woods was leading the broadcast when she suddenly fell forward in the early minutes of the program. Co-hosts Ian Wright and Anita Asante rushed to assist her as the feed quickly shifted to gameplay footage, and then to a five-minute commercial break. When the broadcast returned, Woods had been replaced with another presenter.
“As you have probably noticed, we don’t have the wonderful Laura Woods because she’s just been taken ill, but she’s in very good hands, so I’m stepping in at late notice,” presenter Katie Shanahan said on air.
Paramedics treated Woods at St. Mary’s Stadium, and she was reported to be in stable condition. Woods posted an update on Instagram Tuesday evening to reassure her viewers.
“Gosh, that was a bit weird,” Woods said. “Sorry to worry everyone, I’m ok, the wonderful paramedics at [St. Mary’s] have said it’s probably a virus, just need a bit of rest and hydration.”
Washington, D.C.
Congress pulled the SCORE Act from the floor on Wednesday, delaying the final vote needed to pass long-disputed legislation that would expand the NCAA’s power.
“There were a few members that had some questions and wanted to know more about the bill,” Majority Leader Steve Scalise said. “So we’re just going to take our time with it to make sure we can get the coalition finalized.”
The SCORE Act, introduced in July, would have given the NCAA legal protection to create one national rulebook on issues like NIL deals, revenue sharing and the transfer portal — standardizing issues typically decided by states.
The proposal drew support from the White House, the U.S. Olympic organization and prominent college athletics groups such as the Big Ten and the SEC.
“The Big Ten remains steadfast in its support of this landmark legislation,” the Big Ten organization said. “The SCORE Act enshrines important student-athlete protections into federal law, fortifies the educational mission of college sports, makes it possible for everyone to play by the same rules, and protects the ongoing funding structure for women’s and Olympic sports, a Big Ten priority.”
But unions, athletes and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle raised concerns. Critics said the bill would give the NCAA too much authority and shield it from accountability, also complicating ongoing debates over whether athletes should be considered employees or receive direct compensation.
“We’re in the infancy of what college athletics is because of the changes in NIL,” Republican Rep. Byron Donalds said. “We shouldn’t just come in and cut that off because the NCAA wants to be able to have your cake and eat it too.”
With the vote now on hold, it remains unclear whether the bill will return to the House floor.
Contact Emily Barbire at [email protected].
