Italy tempted by Rome bid for Summer Olympics after winter success — and more

Rome has a 70,000-seat stadium with an athletics track

Fallet på platten satte sig i huvudet. Det är Ebba Anderssons teori om varför hon vurpade i damernas stafett. – Den lilla, lilla händelsen fick lite större konsekvenser, säger hon i Morgonstudion.

Italian organisers are now contemplating a bid for the 2040 Summer Games, following the recent Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, which IOC President Kirsty Coventry hailed for setting "a new, very high standard."

Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), expressed his belief over the weekend that "our country deserves another Summer Olympics." He stressed, however, that "a candidacy has to be agreed on and shared with the government."

This potential future endeavour follows a series of past disappointments for Rome. Its 2024 Olympic bid was rejected by then-Mayor Virginia Raggi a decade ago, while then-Premier Mario Monti scrapped the city’s 2020 candidacy due to financial concerns. Rome also narrowly lost the 2004 Games to Athens in the final round of voting.

“Scars help you remember” the defeats, said Giovanni Malagò, the head of the Milan Cortina organizing committee and former CONI president.

But Malagò, who is also an IOC member, suggested that Rome has a couple of key advantages in Olympic circles: its “unique” history of failed bids and the centerpiece venue for any Summer candidacy.

“Rome has a 70,000-seat stadium with an athletics track — which is huge in terms of sustainability,” Malagò said.

The existing Stadio Olimpico and surrounding Foro Italico complex would be a natural setting for athletics and swimming — the two biggest sports at the Summer Games.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said during the Milan Cortina Games that he believes his city has “the conditions” for another bid — especially after welcoming more than 33 million people to the capital and Vatican for the 2025 Holy Year.

“If it’s considered a realistic goal, I’m open to collaborating with the IOC, government and CONI in order to create the most competitive bid possible,” Gualtieri said. “A capital like Rome should not be afraid of big challenges. The Jubilee showed off our organizational capacity for big events.”

With the 2028 Games coming up in Los Angeles and 2032 in Brisbane, Australia; and India and Qatar bidding for 2036; the 2040 Summer Games seem destined to return to Europe.

“Now is not the time to discuss this. It’s premature, wrong and even counterproductive,” Malagò said. “We need to understand the geopolitical landscape for post-2032.”

Malagò wouldn't elaborate on speculation that he will run for Rome mayor after he finishes off his Milan Cortina duties, saying he would discuss “ideas that I have in mind” after next month's Paralympics.

Andrea Abodi, Italy’s Minister for Sport and Youth, added: "It doesn’t necessarily require an announcement to build a winning bid.”

A first Eastern Derby experience proved a memorable one for Brendan Rodgers.

And for all the right reasons.

His Al Qadsiah side, unbeaten in their 14 Roshn Saudi League matches since his appointment, pushed aside Al Ettifaq 4-0 in Dammam on Monday night to take home local bragging rights.

It was a tale of two blitzes, the hosts two up within seven minutes at Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium and then rounding off the result with another brace in injury-time.

Nahitan Nandez grabbed the opener to continue his fine form. Ghana starlet Christopher Bonsu Baah got the second. Julian Quinones struck late on for a 22nd goal of the RSL season to move to within one of Ivan Toney in the race for the golden boot.

Moments later, namesake Julian Weigl produced the goal of the night.

Derby delight secured, Al Qadsiah’s title charge sustained. Even with Al Hilal and Al Nassr still to play in this rescheduled Matchweek 10, the East Coast club sit fourth, three points of the summit.

Rodgers, used to some of football’s most fierce cross-city rivalries - see Glasgow Celtic versus Glasgow Rangers, Liverpool versus Everton - now has another under his belt.

And, understandably, it felt pretty nice.

“I thought we were so good in the game,” Rodgers said. “We were playing our second game in four days, but our intensity, especially in the first 30 minutes, our technical level, and also against a very good team who score a lot of goals and can give you problems.

“But, defensively, we were pressing. Our aggression was really good. We gave away only two shots on target and one of those was from near the halfway line. And then we created so many opportunities. The football was really good.

“And, of course, it's a derby game. This always makes it special. So fantastic performance and really pleased with the team.”

To echo Rodgers, the team were excellent. As they have been since he was installed in December as Michel's replacement with a remit to deliver a more attacking brand of football. Safe to say he's done that.

“I always say that the team I'm trying to build here is a team that starts very fast and finishes very strong,” Rodgers said. “To be able to do that, you need to have a strong physicality. And our mantra is that we keep going from the first whistle to the final whistle.

“And we see so many games now where we can score early and we score late on in games. So this is the mentality that we want to create.

“But, of course, you need the players to be convinced, and you see the effort they are putting into the games. What we’re creating is a football team that is really difficult to play against.

“I also say to our players: teams can analyse us, teams can watch the videos of us, but it's not until they step onto the field against us that they feel the real intensity of our team.

“And this is what we are seeing at the moment - a team that is fast, aggressive and hungry to score goals and not concede goals. But as always, there will be areas to improve. But overall, I'm so happy with the performance.”

Rodgers must be rather content, too, with Al Qadsiah’s position in the table. A third of the way through the 23rd round of the 2025-26 season, and three points separate Al Ahli in first place to the Al Khobar club in fourth. For sure, Al Qadsiah are right in the mix.

Not that Rodgers will be drawn into any title talk.

“Win the next game,” he replied with a smile when asked about targets for the remainder of the campaign. “In modern football, you can only look to the next game.

“I am only thinking of performance and looking to perform in our next game and then we go on to the next game. There's so many games left to play, but I can only concentrate on our team and continue in our development as a team.

“Win the next one. That is my only ambition.”

The 2026 NFL Combine is here. The annual event begins this week in Indianapolis, with weigh-ins, interviews, medical evaluations, and more scheduled before on-field drills begin later this week. All 32 NFL teams are represented, with many represented by their general manager and head coach. The Washington Commanders will have a full contingent in Indianapolis, with GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn set to speak to the media this week.

In all, 319 college players will attend this week's NFL Combine. Most will work out. Some of the top prospects may choose not to work out and only participate in the interview process with teams. Here is the full list of every player attending the 2026 Combine, sorted by position.

Quarterbacks

• Joey Aguilar, Tennessee
• Drew Allar, Penn State
• Luke Altmyer, Illinois
• Carson Beck, Miami
• Jalon Daniels, Kansas
• Joe Fagnano, UConn
• Taylen Green, Arkansas
• Haynes King, Georgia Tech
• Cade Klubnik, Clemson
• Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
• Behren Morton, Texas Tech
• Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
• Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
• Cole Payton, North Dakota State
• Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
• Ty Simpson, Alabama

Running backs

• Kaytron Allen, Penn State
• Max Bredeson, Michigan
• Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
• Jonah Coleman, Washington
• CJ Donaldson, Ohio State
• Rahsul Faison, South Carolina
• Eli Heidenreich, Navy
• Roman Hemby, Indiana
• Robert Henry Jr., UTSA
• Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
• Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
• Seth McGowan, Kentucky
• Jam Miller, Alabama
• Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M
• Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
• Adam Randall, Clemson
• Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
• Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
• J'Mari Taylor, Virginia
• Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
• Noah Whittington, Oregon

Wide receivers

• Aaron Anderson, LSU
• Vinny Anthony II, Wisconsin
• Chris Bell, Louisville
• Dillon Bell, Georgia
• Skyler Bell, UConn
• Malik Benson, Oregon
• Germie Bernard, Alabama
• Denzel Boston, Washington
• Zachariah Branch, Georgia
• Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
• Barion Brown, LSU
• Deion Burks, Oklahoma
• Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati
• Josh Cameron, Baylor
• Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
• KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
• Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
• CJ Daniels, Miami
• Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech
• Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
• Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Kansas
• Chris Hilton Jr., LSU
• Jordan Hudson, SMU
• Ted Hurst, Georgia State
• Caullin Lacy, Louisville
• Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
• Ja'Kobi Lane, USC
• Kendrick Law, Kentucky
• Makai Lemon, USC
• Eric McAlister, TCU
• Donaven McCulley, Michigan
• Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech
• Chase Roberts, BYU
• Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
• De'Zhaun Stribling, Mississippi
• J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida
• Carnell Tate, Ohio State
• Zavion Thomas, LSU
• Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
• Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
• Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech
• Harrison Wallace III, Mississippi
• Jalen Walthall, Incarnate Word
• Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
• Antonio Williams, Clemson
• Colbie Young, Georgia

Tight ends

• Dallen Bentley, Utah
• Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M
• Josh Cuevas, Alabama
• Oscar Delp, Georgia
• Khalil Dinkins, Penn State
• Jack Endries, Texas
• John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
• Matthew Hibner, SMU
• Justin Joly, N.C. State
• Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
• Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma
• Miles Kitselman, Tennessee
• Max Klare, Ohio State
• Marlin Klein, Michigan
• Tanner Koziol, Houston
• RJ Maryland, SMU
• Lake McRee, USC
• Riley Nowakowski, Indiana
• Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
• DJ Rogers, TCU
• Sam Roush, Stanford
• Joe Royer, Cincinnati
• Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
• Bauer Sharp, LSU
• Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
• Michael Trigg, Baylor
• Dae'Quan Wright, Mississippi

Offensive linemen

• Chris Adams, Memphis
• Austin Barber, Florida
• Evan Beerntsen, Northwestern
• Markel Bell, Miami
• Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
• Jude Bowry, Boston College
• Parker Brailsford, Alabama
• Joshua Braun, Kentucky
• Travis Burke, Memphis
• Jager Burton, Kentucky
• DJ Campbell, Texas
• Fernando Carmona, Arkansas
• Kage Casey, Boise State
• Pat Coogan, Indiana
• Anez Cooper, Miami
• Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M
• Enrique Cruz Jr., Kansas
• J.C. Davis, Illinois
• Garrett DiGiorgio, UCLA
• Gennings Dunker, Iowa
• Fa'alili Fa'amoe, Wake Forest
• Spencer Fano, Utah
• Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
• Monroe Freeling, Georgia
• Matt Gulbin, Michigan State
• Alex Harkey, Oregon
• Sam Hecht, Kansas State
• Alan Herron, Maryland
• Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
• Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
• Logan Jones, Iowa
• Connor Lew, Auburn
• Caleb Lomu, Utah
• Francis Mauigoa, Miami
• Blake Miller, Clemson
• Micah Morris, Georgia
• Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma
• Brian Parker II, Duke
• Diego Pounds, Mississippi
• Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
• Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
• Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
• Jaeden Roberts, Alabama
• Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
• Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
• Drew Shelton, Penn State
• Jake Slaughter, Florida
• Beau Stephens, Iowa
• Logan Taylor, Boston College
• Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
• Keagen Trost, Missouri
• Dillon Wade, Auburn
• Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
• Carver Willis, Washington
• Jeremiah Wright, Auburn
• Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M

Defensive linemen

• Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke
• David Bailey, Texas Tech
• Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
• Cameron Ball, Arkansas
• Caleb Banks, Florida
• Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
• Nick Barrett, South Carolina
• Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
• DeMonte Capehart, Clemson
• Brandon Cleveland, N.C. State
• Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
• Keyron Crawford, Auburn
• Caden Curry, Ohio State
• Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
• Zane Durant, Penn State
• Bryson Eason, Tennessee
• Deven Eastern, Minnesota
• Logan Fano, Utah
• Keldric Faulk, Auburn
• Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech
• George Gumbs Jr., Florida
• David Gusta, Kentucky
• Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
• Zxavian Harris, Mississippi
• Romello Height, Texas Tech
• Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
• Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern
• Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
• Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College
• Gabe Jacas, Illinois
• Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
• Bobby Jamison-Travis, Auburn
• Marvin Jones Jr., Oklahoma
• Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
• Tim Keenan III, Alabama
• Nyjalik Kelly, UCF
• Malachi Lawrence, UCF
• Max Llewellyn, Iowa
• Anthony Lucas, USC
• Jackie Marshall, Baylor
• Chris McClellan, Missouri
• Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
• Akheem Mesidor, Miami
• Christen Miller, Georgia
• Derrick Moore, Michigan
• Trey Moore, Texas
• Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
• Domonique Orange, Iowa State
• LT Overton, Alabama
• T.J. Parker, Clemson
• Patrick Payton, LSU
• Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
• Jack Pyburn, LSU
• Albert Regis, Texas A&M
• Mason Reiger, Wisconsin
• Tyreak Sapp, Florida
• Gary Smith III, UCLA
• R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
• Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
• Damonic Williams, Oklahoma
• Wesley Williams, Duke
• Peter Woods, Clemson
• Zion Young, Missouri

Linebackers

• CJ Allen, Georgia
• Lander Barton, Utah
• Wesley Bissainthe, Miami
• Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
• Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma
• Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU
• Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
• Aiden Fisher, Indiana
• Eric Gentry, USC
• Jake Golday, Cincinnati
• Owen Heinecke, Oklahoma
• Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
• Justin Jefferson, Alabama
• Jack Kelly, BYU
• Deontae Lawson, Alabama
• Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
• Red Murdock, Buffalo
• Namdi Obiazor, TCU
• Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
• Arvell Reese, Ohio State
• Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
• Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
• Karson Sharar, Iowa
• Xavian Sorey Jr., Arkansas
• Sonny Styles, Ohio State
• Josiah Trotter, Missouri
• Scooby Williams, Texas A&M
• Wade Woodaz, Clemson
• Taurean York, Texas A&M

Defensive backs

• Keith Abney II, Arizona State
• Marcus Allen, North Carolina
• Jadon Canady, Oregon
• Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
• Bud Clark, TCU
• Tacario Davis, Washington
• Mansoor Delane, LSU
• Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
• Thaddeus Dixon, North Carolina
• Caleb Downs, Ohio State
• Daylen Everette, Georgia
• Bishop Fitzgerald, USC
• Andre Fuller, Toledo
• Jaylon Guilbeau, Texas
• TJ Hall, Iowa
• Ahmari Harvey, Georgia Tech
• A.J. Haulcy, LSU
• Colton Hood, Tennessee
• Jalen Huskey, Maryland
• Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
• Domani Jackson, Alabama
• Chris Johnson, San Diego State
• Dalton Johnson, Arizona
• Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
• Will Lee III, Texas A&M
• Hezekiah Masses, Cal
• Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
• Latrell McCutchin Sr., Houston
• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
• Devin Moore, Florida
• Louis Moore, Indiana
• Ahmaad Moses, SMU
• Malik Muhammad, Texas
• Julian Neal, Arkansas
• Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa
• VJ Payne, Kansas State
• D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
• Toriano Pride Jr., Missouri
• Ephesians Prysock, Washington
• Kamari Ramsey, USC
• Chandler Rivers, Duke
• Keionte Scott, Miami
• DeShon Singleton, Nebraska
• Avery Smith, Toledo
• Genesis Smith, Arizona
• Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma
• Treydan Stukes, Arizona
• Lorenzo Styles Jr., Ohio State
• Michael Taaffe, Texas
• Avieon Terrell, Clemson
• Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
• Jakobe Thomas, Miami
• Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
• Collin Wright, Stanford

Specialists

• Tommy Doman Jr., Florida
• Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
• Trey Smack, Florida
• Drew Stevens, Iowa
• Jack Stonehouse, Syracuse
• Brett Thorson, Georgia
• Dominic Zvada, Michigan

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2026 NFL Combine: List of every player attending