9 d. ago ‘It’s a privilege’: Boris van der Vorst, the man who saved Olympic boxing

By forming a new governing body, World Boxing, the Dutchman prevented the sport being banished by the IOC“It feels like such a sweet week and of course I’m very happy and proud,” Boris van der Vorst says as, in his role as the founder and president of World Boxing, he takes a rare break to reflect on a mighty achievement. Just over two years ago, boxing had been struck off the initial programme for the Los Angeles Games in 2028 and it was about to be banished entirely from the Olympic movement. It was then that Van der Vorst set about establishing a new regulatory body to replace the discredited International Boxing Association.His work, despite intense pressure, was vindicated when Thomas Bach, the outgoing International Olympic Committee president, announced on Monday that his executive board had recommended boxing’s inclusion in the LA Olympics. The key stipulation was in place, because the IOC recognised World Boxing as the sport’s new regulatory body, and on Thursday Bach’s rec...

Sport

1 week ago New Olympics chief claims Russia's exile is double standards and opens door for their return for Los Angeles Games in 2028

Incoming IOC president Kirsty Coventry has revealed that she will open talks to have Russia reinstated to the Olympics in time for the 2028 Games in LA. Russia was banned from Paris 2024. 

Sport

1 week ago Sent to Coventry: how Bach’s power helped Zimbabwean’s shock IOC win

Poll result defied candidates’ calculations and illustrated outgoing president’s influence but change may yet comeIt might sound beyond ridiculous, given the scale of Kirsty Coventry’s seismic victory in the International Olympic Committee presidential election. But as the various royals, sporting dignitaries, politicians and billionaires left the Costa Navarino resort on Friday, some really believed the result could have turned out very differently.Yes, the 41-year-old Zimbabwean ex-swimmer had won in the first round with 49 votes to become the first woman to lead the IOC. And yes, Juan Antonio Samaranch and Sebastian Coe, the other members of the “Big Three”, had come away with just 28 and eight votes respectively. But in the postmortem there were several stories about how the IOC machine had powered Thomas Bach’s chosen successor over the line. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Thomas Bach ‘relieved’ as IOC members vote in Kirsty Coventry as his successor

Coventry has been seen by many observers as the continuity candidate.

Politics

1 week ago Sebastian Coe secures only eight votes as Kirsty Coventry elected IOC president

Coventry secured the absolute majority necessary for victory in the very first round.

Politics

1 week ago Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of IOC as Coe denied in vote

Zimbabwean former swimmer won majority in first roundSebastian Coe and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr lose outThe former Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry has become the first woman to lead the International Olympic Committee in its 131-year history, after winning a shock first round win over a seven-strong field that included Britain’s Sebastian Coe.The 41-year-old Coventry won 49 of the 97 votes of the IOC membership, giving her an immediate majority and also making her the first African to become IOC president and the most powerful woman in global sport. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of IOC as Coe routed in vote

Zimbabwean former swimmer won majority in first roundSebastian Coe is third; Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr secondThe former Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry has become the first woman to lead the International Olympic Committee in its 131-year history, after a shock first-round win over a seven-strong field that included Britain’s Sebastian Coe.The 41-year-old Coventry won 49 of the 97 votes of the IOC membership, giving her an immediate majority and also making her the first African to become IOC president and the most powerful woman in global sport. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago BREAKING: Seb Coe falls short as IOC votes for Kirsty Coventry to become next president

In a minor shock just one round of voting was required to elect Kirsty Coventry as the IOC's 10th president and first female and African to be handed the biggest job in world sport

Politics

1 week ago Boxing to feature at 2028 Olympics in LA after IOC votes to keep sport

The move ends years of doubt over the future of the sport at the Games

Sport

1 week ago World Boxing to decide new gender eligibility rules in ‘two or three weeks’

Governing body wants rules ready for Brazil tournamentInvestigation sparked by row at Paris OlympicsWorld Boxing has reached “an advanced stage” of its investigation into the gender eligibility row that blighted the sport at the Olympic Games last year, and expects to announce its findings in a matter of “weeks rather than months”.Boris van der Vorst, the president of boxing’s governing body that was given a green light on Monday to run the Olympic competition at Los Angeles 2028, said: “There’s no specific timeline, but I expect it within two or three weeks. We want to have it before our next competition in Brazil.” Van der Vorst said all recommendations would need approval by him and the WB board. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago What time is the IOC presidential election, who are the candidates and how does the vote work?

Seb Coe battles Juan Antonio Samaranch – son of the seventh IOC president – and decorated Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry for the prestigious role running the Olympic movement

Politics

1 week ago Coe feels ‘momentum’ but IOC presidential race remains on knife

Vote on next IOC president to take place on ThursdaySamaranch Jr, Coventry and Coe the leading contendersSebastian Coe feels he has momentum as the race to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee reaches its final hours. Most experts believe the seven-strong contest to be the next leader of global sport is on a knife-edge, with Coe one of the “big three” alongside the Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, who is the favourite, and Kirsty Coventry, whowould be the first female president of the IOC.However, Lord Coe struck an upbeat message after meeting many of the 98 voters who will decide his fate before the vote on Thursday afternoon. “I feel there is momentum,” he said. “I have enjoyed the campaign and the discussions I have had. I have listened a lot and I’ve heard about what members are concerned about and what they would like to change. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Imane Khelif tells Donald Trump she is ‘not intimidated’ as she bids to defend gold at LA ‘28

The Algerian boxer won gold in Paris amid a gender eligibility controversy

Politics

2 w. ago Inside the secret battle for the highest office in sport: ‘No one tells you the truth’

Lord Coe faces a seven-way fight to becomes president of the IOC in Thursday’s election in Greece. Lawrence Ostlere delves behind the scenes in the race for power

Society

2 w. ago Inside the IOC’s secret presidential election and Seb Coe’s battle for power

Lord Coe faces a seven-way fight to lead the Olympic movement in Thursday’s presidential election in Greece. Lawrence Ostlere delves behind the scenes in the race for the most powerful job in sport

Politics

2 w. ago Olympic chiefs want boxing back in Games for Los Angeles 2028

Boxing is currently not part of the official programme for LA but that could soon change

Sport

2 w. ago Olympic athletes call on incoming IOC president to prioritise climate change

The call to action follows the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which will host the 2028 Olympic Games.

Politics

2 w. ago Channel 5 and streaming service My5 to combine and relaunch as 5

The new free platform will feature content from Paramount+ and boxsets such as Dexter, The Good Wife and The Following.

Politics