A late-in-the-day order by outgoing President Barack Obama, banning lead fishing tackle and ammunition, has the fishing and hunting communities up in arms. Even with a memorandum from the new administration aimed at squelching the effectiveness of the rule, sports planners are wondering how events will fare.

Days before Super Bowl LI kicked off, and amid declining player participation and increasing safety concerns, USA Football announced radical changes to the game as part of a pilot program in a small number of leagues this year. These changes involve everything from field size to player position rotations.

When an event isn't held because of problems with the venue, weather or other factors, it's disappointing, but not the fault of the event owner. However, cancellations for financial reasons are scary and reflect badly on the sport. The recent cancellation of several world-class events proves it's not rare.

Following concerns about Rio's open-water venues, candidate cities for 2024 are working to clean up their waterways. Some of the bait being dangled in front of the IOC includes promises of swimming in the Seine (Paris), harnessing the Danube (Budapest) or having the most eco-friendly Games ever (Los Angeles).

If everything old is new again, then Calgary is brand-spankin'-new. Canadian politicians remain "really interested" in a bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics. That's right: The Olympic city that brought you Eddie the Eagle, the Jamaican bobsledders and the Carmen showdown between Debi Thomas and Katarina Witt, is back.

Sports festivals used to be an adjunct to competitions. Now, they seem to be the main attraction. No matter which sport, these events draw families, tourists and more, promoting the event and encouraging visits. Learn which fests are on the grow and why.