Ukraine invasion anniversary prompts fresh Russia Paralympics ban calls February 24, 2026 Calls for the ban on Russian Paralympians to be reinstated have heightened as the invasion of Ukraine marks its fourth anniversary. The Winter Paralympics is set to begin next week, days after today’s conflict anniversary, with the International Paralympic Committee admitting 10 Russian and Belarusian athletes despite Western outcry. Officials representing host country Italy have [...]
Britain must launch no-brainer 2038 Winter Olympics bid February 22, 2026 What strikes you when attending the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics is not just the spectacle, but the structure. Multiple cities. Regional clusters. Existing venues reused. An iconic cultural backdrop. These were Games shaped as much by pragmatism and fiscal discipline as prestige. The spread-out model may have muted the traditional host-city buzz, but Milano Cortina [...]
I went to the Winter Olympics but I found Milan shrugging its shoulders February 19, 2026 Milan is parading its beauty at the Winter Olympics. The sun is out, the centuries-old streets are majestic and pristine. Prada, Gucci and Ralph Lauren logos plaster every corner, and there is no shortage of Michelin Guide restaurants. It’s no surprise that London has been haemorrhaging non-doms and wealthy investors to this glorious metropolis. But [...]
IOC looks tin-eared at best, cruel at worst over Ukraine helmet saga February 19, 2026 The reputations of the IOC and its president Kirsty Coventry have suffered badly from its handling of the Ukraine helmet row at the Winter Olympics, says Ed Warner. Are you not entertained? The Winter Olympics have delivered stories ranging from the titillating (penile injections, condom shortages and a narcissistic declaration of infidelity) to the enraging [...]
Russians at Paralympics opens door for LA28 Olympics return, expert warns February 18, 2026 Allowing Russian athletes to compete in the Paralympics under their national flag opens up the same opportunities at the next Olympic Games, according to geopolitical experts. Six Russian and four Belarusian athletes will be able to compete under their native flags at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Milan after the International Paralympic Committee lifted its [...]
How the business of photographing the Winter Olympics has changed February 18, 2026 Getty Images’ Ken Mainardis takes us through how the business of snapping the Winter Olympics has changed over time. Picture this – you hoist a 20kg bag of camera equipment onto your back and ski down an Olympic course to lie down in the snow and wait for hours for competition to start, all so [...]
LA mayor calls for Wasserman resignation over Epstein files mention February 17, 2026 The mayor of Los Angeles has called on Casey Wasserman to resign as chairman of the 2028 Olympic Games after his name was found in a recent dump of the Epstein files. Karen Bass told US Network CNN that she “cannot fire him” but said that Wasserman, whose namesake talent and sports marketing agency is [...]
Milano Cortina Winter Olympics: How much is a gold medal worth? February 17, 2026 Top City insurers have revealed the value of a Milano Cortina Winter Olympics gold medal as Britain enjoys a flurry of top gongs so far in Italy. Matt Weston has picked up two gold medals in the skeleton, one of which was in the mixed team sliding event with compatriot Tabitha Stoecker. And duo Charlotte [...]
Winter Olympics 2026: How insurance keeps Milano Cortina on track February 17, 2026 Every four years, the world’s greatest athletes fight to take gold, but it’s the unseen safety nets, drafted by insurers, that keep the Winter Olympics running smoothly. German-based Allianz became the exclusive insurance partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2021, with coverage until the 2032 summer games in Brisbane, under the oversight of [...]
Matt Weston: Team GB skeleton star hit in the pocket by Winter Olympics gold February 16, 2026 The road to Olympic gold is paved with sacrifice but for Team GB skeleton star Matt Weston there is another, less common, ingredient: beer. Weston teamed up with Tabby Stoecker to claim the mixed team title on Sunday, his second gold in 48 hours at the Milan Cortina Games after he won the individual crown. [...]