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Fact of the day
Frank Kugler won four Olympics medals in freestyle wrestling, weightlifting and tug of war at St Louis in 1904, making him the only competitor to win a medal in three different sports at the same Games. He claimed a silver medal in the heavyweight category in wrestling, bronze in the two hand lift and all-around dumbbell events in weightlifting and another bronze in the tug of war competition as a member of Southwest Turnverein of Saint Louis No. 2 team. He is recognised as an American by the International Olympic Committee although he was a German national at the time of the Games.
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The World Class Swimming Programme, one of the five aquatic disciplines, within British Swimming is seeking a successful leader to strategically manage the Sports Science and Sports Medicine (SSSM) programme.
The Big Read
Boston Marathon bombings prove some events cannot ever be 100 per cent secure
By David Owen
The Boston bombings, which killed three people and injured over 260 near the finish-line of the world's oldest annual marathon on April 15, provided a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of big sports events to terror attacks.
One of the most unsettling aspects as details of the atrocity emerged was its apparent lack of sophistication, with the carnage understood to have been caused by two improvised explosive devices or pressure-cooker bombs.
A month on from the attack, what can be said about the likely repercussions for organisers of similar mass participation and sporting events? And, with sluggish economic growth putting public finances under severe strain in many countries, can anything be done to mitigate the cost and uncertainties associated with trying to maintain security at high-profile sporting occasions?
The Boston bombings, which killed three people and injured over 260 near the finish-line of the world's oldest annual marathon on April 15, provided a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of big sports events to terror attacks.One of the most unsettling aspects as details of the atrocity emerged was its apparent lack of sophistication, with the carnage understood to have been caused by two improvised explosive devices or pressure-cooker bombs.
A month on from the attack, what can be said about the likely repercussions for organisers of similar mass participation and sporting events? And, with sluggish economic growth putting public finances under severe strain in many countries, can anything be done to mitigate the cost and uncertainties associated with trying to maintain security at high-profile sporting occasions?
Tale of two continents as Poul-Erik Høyer unveils his vision for badminton
By James Crook
Badminton is a sport which uniquely has its roots in two continents. Its beginnings can be traced to mid-18th century in India, where it was created by British military officers stationed there.
The sport owes its name to Badminton House in Gloucestershire, owned by the Duke of Beaufort - although it is unclear why - and for most of its early existence it was a sport with its centre firmly in Europe.
When the International Badminton Federation - the forerunner to the current World Badminton Federation (BWF) - was formed in 1934 seven of the founding nations were from Europe. But the introduction of the sport onto the Olympic programme at Barcelona in 1992 has seen the sport's popularity in Asia explode.
Badminton is a sport which uniquely has its roots in two continents. Its beginnings can be traced to mid-18th century in India, where it was created by British military officers stationed there.The sport owes its name to Badminton House in Gloucestershire, owned by the Duke of Beaufort - although it is unclear why - and for most of its early existence it was a sport with its centre firmly in Europe.
When the International Badminton Federation - the forerunner to the current World Badminton Federation (BWF) - was formed in 1934 seven of the founding nations were from Europe. But the introduction of the sport onto the Olympic programme at Barcelona in 1992 has seen the sport's popularity in Asia explode.
Obstacle racing is all about doing things no sane person would want to do
Among the stalls in the booming main hall of the ExCeL Centre during Virgin London Marathon week was one espousing a rapidly growing variant of the increasingly popular sport of Making Life Brutally Difficult For Yourself – that is, obstacle racing.You could imagine the banner over the Reebok Spartan Race stall reading: "Introduce yourself to a world of pain." Or perhaps: "Be bad to yourself. It will be worth it."
Obstacle racing is all about doing things no sane person would want to do – it is effectively a commando assault course, with all the accompanying mud, sweat and tears, with sadistic add-ons.
Would a new sport at the Olympics match the success of snowboarding and curling or suffer the fate of cricket and croquet?
By Mike Rowbottom
As wrestling, singled out for potential exclusion in 2020 by the International Olympic Committee, seeks to retain its grip on the Games of which it has been a part since the ancient days, speculation is now rising within Olympic circles – or should we say rings? – over which newcomer might manage to capitalise on the chance of joining the biggest sporting show on earth when it is hosted by Istanbul, Tokyo or Madrid.
Will karate get the gig? Tokyo would certainly be delighted at that turn of events if it was successful in its Games bid. Or will squash, now ticking more boxes than a market researcher, manage to court success at the third time of asking?
As wrestling, singled out for potential exclusion in 2020 by the International Olympic Committee, seeks to retain its grip on the Games of which it has been a part since the ancient days, speculation is now rising within Olympic circles – or should we say rings? – over which newcomer might manage to capitalise on the chance of joining the biggest sporting show on earth when it is hosted by Istanbul, Tokyo or Madrid.Will karate get the gig? Tokyo would certainly be delighted at that turn of events if it was successful in its Games bid. Or will squash, now ticking more boxes than a market researcher, manage to court success at the third time of asking?
Pickering hoping to fulfil Olympic dream at Sochi 2014 after London 2012 hopes put on ice
By Mike Rowbottom
There is a familiar sense of routine to the year for Craig Pickering right now as he prepares for another summer as a top class sprinter. Beyond it, however, there now lies a sense of rising excitement as this 26-year-old looks forward to resuming his other sporting life - as a member of the British Bobsleigh squad aspiring to Olympic medals at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.
Pickering, from Crawley in Sussex but now based with the Marshall Milton Keynes Athletics Club, has already achieved more than most athletes would hope for in their career.
There is a familiar sense of routine to the year for Craig Pickering right now as he prepares for another summer as a top class sprinter. Beyond it, however, there now lies a sense of rising excitement as this 26-year-old looks forward to resuming his other sporting life - as a member of the British Bobsleigh squad aspiring to Olympic medals at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.Pickering, from Crawley in Sussex but now based with the Marshall Milton Keynes Athletics Club, has already achieved more than most athletes would hope for in their career.
"First priority is always to make the judo more spectacular" says Vizer after London 2012 success
By Duncan Mackay
If Marius Vizer was looking to pick the brains of a couple of political heavyweights to get some tips for his campaign to become the new President of SportAccord then he had the perfect opportunity during London 2012.
In what was a stunning picture opportunity for the head of the International Judo Federation (IJF), Russian President Vladimir Putin showed up at ExCeL to spend his only day at the Olympics in London watching judo, and was accompanied by British Prime Minister David Cameron.
If Marius Vizer was looking to pick the brains of a couple of political heavyweights to get some tips for his campaign to become the new President of SportAccord then he had the perfect opportunity during London 2012.In what was a stunning picture opportunity for the head of the International Judo Federation (IJF), Russian President Vladimir Putin showed up at ExCeL to spend his only day at the Olympics in London watching judo, and was accompanied by British Prime Minister David Cameron.
"Olympism is born together with wrestling" says new FILA President as fight to save sport starts
By Duncan Mackay
Certain days will always reverberate through history and for Nenad Lalovic he will forever remember where he was when he received news of the day that wrestling was dropped from the core programme of Olympic sports, a decision which, in the short-term at least, has dramatically changed the direction of his life.
"I can remember all of it," the Serbian recounts to insidethegames. "The 12th of February. I was in my office in Belgrade. I was working my affairs and was not looking at the internet or anything. Then one friend from Switzerland sent me an SMS, 'Did you see what happened?' Then the whole world went down for me."
Certain days will always reverberate through history and for Nenad Lalovic he will forever remember where he was when he received news of the day that wrestling was dropped from the core programme of Olympic sports, a decision which, in the short-term at least, has dramatically changed the direction of his life."I can remember all of it," the Serbian recounts to insidethegames. "The 12th of February. I was in my office in Belgrade. I was working my affairs and was not looking at the internet or anything. Then one friend from Switzerland sent me an SMS, 'Did you see what happened?' Then the whole world went down for me."
Making Hay while the sun doesn't shine - BOA winter sports guru aiming high at Sochi 2014
By Mike Rowbottom
Mike Hay knows what it takes to perform supremely well at Olympic level. After a competitive curling career in which he helped Scotland win five European titles and two world silver medals, he turned to a coaching career in which, most gloriously, he guided Rhona Martin and her team of Scotswomen to their never-to-be-forgotten performance at 2002 Salt Lake City, where they came from the brink of an early exit to win the first British Winter Games since Torvill and Dean's 1984 ice dancing triumph, making the front and well as the back pages in the UK and attracting a home television audience of more than five million.
Mike Hay knows what it takes to perform supremely well at Olympic level. After a competitive curling career in which he helped Scotland win five European titles and two world silver medals, he turned to a coaching career in which, most gloriously, he guided Rhona Martin and her team of Scotswomen to their never-to-be-forgotten performance at 2002 Salt Lake City, where they came from the brink of an early exit to win the first British Winter Games since Torvill and Dean's 1984 ice dancing triumph, making the front and well as the back pages in the UK and attracting a home television audience of more than five million."Never run on an empty tum" says Michel Roux Jr. But – Dave Bedford – that doesn't mean beer and a curry.
By Mike Rowbottom
If it is indeed true that you are what you eat, then all those who gathered for the Virgin London Marathon's media lunch at La Gavroche last week would have stepped back out into the late afternoon chill of Upper Brook Street better and more cultivated individuals. Who knows, for a few minutes it might even have been the case.
The annual conjunction of running and food at the establishment of Michel Roux Jr, who is preparing to run London for an 18th time this year, always brings into consideration the important question of how marathons are best fuelled.
If it is indeed true that you are what you eat, then all those who gathered for the Virgin London Marathon's media lunch at La Gavroche last week would have stepped back out into the late afternoon chill of Upper Brook Street better and more cultivated individuals. Who knows, for a few minutes it might even have been the case.The annual conjunction of running and food at the establishment of Michel Roux Jr, who is preparing to run London for an 18th time this year, always brings into consideration the important question of how marathons are best fuelled.
More stories
- We are creative, we are innovative and we protect the legacy of Baron Pierre de Coubertin says modern pentathlon President
- With three very different Candidates bidding for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics it is an exciting time for the Olympic Movement
- Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Baron Pierre de Coubertin
- The devil is in the detail for England's success at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
- Future of taekwondo in good hands as appointment of IOC member Aïcha Garad Ali targets gender equality
- London 2012 film stands alongside Olympic greats
- Not even the sky is the limit for Sochi 2014
- POW Games memorabilia is a true reflection of the Olympic spirit
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Last month's Boston Marathon bombings showed just how vulnerable some events can be to terrorist attacks but Helmut Spahn, executive director of the International Centre for Sport Security, claims that sharing information and early planning can help reduce the risk of such incidents in the future
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