The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reiterated that Russian athletes will not be allowed to use their national anthem at the upcoming Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, even if the war in Ukraine ends. Coventry, an IOC member, stated in an interview that Russian athletes will compete as 'neutral athletes' (AIN). This decision follows sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The IOC maintains open communication channels with both the Russian and Israeli NOCs, but rules out barring Israel's participation due to its lack of territorial annexation. Coventry also discussed the innovative distributed format of the upcoming Games and the IOC's vision for future Olympics, emphasizing a more inclusive and transparent bidding process.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) conference, setting international standards for anti-doping regulations, opened in Busan. The event, held at BEXCO, brings together over 2,000 attendees from 191 countries. The conference will determine the World Anti-Doping Code and related standards for 2027-2032. Discussions include strengthening youth athlete protection and respecting the operational independence of national anti-doping organizations. The conference also addresses the "Enhanced Games," a controversial event that allows banned substances and advanced equipment. The Busan Declaration, emphasizing fair play and international cooperation, will be announced at the closing ceremony.

The 2025 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Conference will be held in Busan, South Korea from December 1st to 5th. This marks the first time the conference has been held in Asia, with approximately 2,000 delegates from 191 countries, including the heads of the International Olympic Committee, international federations, and national anti-doping organizations, attending. The conference will focus on establishing new standards for fair play in sports and the revision of the World Anti-Doping Code, which will be implemented from 2027. The 'Busan Declaration' will be announced on December 5th, emphasizing athlete protection and international cooperation.

Jeonbuk Province, selected as the domestic candidate city for the 2036 Summer Olympics, is preparing for the bid. After being chosen over Seoul on February 28, 2025 by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, Jeonbuk is preparing to submit a proposal to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and has commissioned a feasibility study from the Korea Institute of Sport Science. Seung Min RYU and Governor Kim Kwang-young visited the IOC headquarters in Lausanne in April to discuss the bid with Thomas BACH and Kirsty COVENTRY. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has held two video conferences with the IOC Future Host Commission. The final decision is pending domestic procedures and international competition from countries including India, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

With the new South Korean government prioritizing inter-Korean reconciliation, there are expectations for a joint entry of South and North Korean athletes at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Following the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, inter-Korean joint marches in international multi-sport events were discontinued. However, President Lee Jae-myung's focus on easing tensions and restoring inter-Korean relations has raised hopes for sports to play a role in fostering reconciliation. Table tennis may lead the way for sports exchanges, with discussions of forming unified teams. Kim Il-guk met with Thomas BACH and Kirsty COVENTRY in Lausanne, raising the possibility of North Korea participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics with wildcards. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee is monitoring the situation, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to align with the government's policies on inter-Korean collaboration.