All sporting tournaments - and while we're at it, perhaps the whole universe, but that might take a little more discussion time - start with some kind of friction.

Let's hope that January 14 to 20, 2019 is not a busy week for the Brexit negotiations.

As a long-time boxing fan I am now seriously concerned about the sport's future in the Olympic Games. If, indeed, it has one.

Tomorrow will be my last day at insidethegames, which, after five years and having never left anything more than a summer job washing up in a café before, feels very strange.

I am afraid athletics, I can diagnose you with a midlife crisis.

Throughout his tenure as International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach has largely got what he has wanted.

Women’s Hockey World Cup organisers have been praised for a tournament in which London’s hockey centre became "’a hot cauldron every day, providing an unforgettable atmosphere for players to shine".

On the face of it, you wouldn’t think there was much in common between Britain’s new European 100 metres champion Dina Asher-Smith and Muhammad Ali - but both float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

History repeats: when we address this issue in classrooms or ordinary life, we are often struck by humanity's obstinacy, our tragic inability to adapt.

Boxing has rumbled in the jungle, thrilled us in Manila and only last week knocked 'em cold in Kissimmee.

Russian doping is a subject now considered increasingly boring by many people.

I remember laughing when two years ago I came up to Glasgow for the official launch of the European Sport Championships brand, when the event was simply branded the "European Championships".

I've been off the grid over the last two weeks, so to speak, summoning the last vestiges of youth to spend two weeks backpacking around Europe.

Whenever there is a major football summer, there always seems to be talk of a "Golden Generation’" but 70 years ago, the term might just as easily have been applied to cricket as all the stars were also in alignment for a mighty Australian team.