the solar polar orbit telescope (sport) project for space weather mission has been under intensive scientific and engineering background studies since it was incorporated into the chinese space science strategic pioneer project in 2011. sport is designed to carry a suite of remote-sensing and in-situ instruments to observe coronal mass ejections (cmes), energetic particles, solar high-latitude magnetism, and the fast solar wind from a polar orbit around the sun. the first extended view of the polar regions of the sun and the ecliptic enabled by sport will provide a unique opportunity to study cme propagation through the inner heliosphere, and the solar high-latitude magnetism giving rise to eruptions and the fast solar wind. coordinated observations between sport and other spaceborne/ground-based facilities within the international living with a star (ilws) framework can significantly enhance scientific output. sport is now competing for official selection and implementation during china's 13th five-year plan period of 2016—2020.