In the last few months, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been courting potential 2026 Winter Games host cities like never before, but there was a time when no less a figure than the IOC President would cheerfully have abolished the event altogether.
The visit to Morgedal this weekend is a significant staging post in the journey of Lillehammer’s Flame for the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG). It was here in the early 19th century that Sondre Norheim, considered the father of modern skiing, grew up in a tiny cottage at Overbo overlooking the valley.
At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Iranian judoka Arash Miresmaeili was disqualified for weighing in at nearly four pounds above the limit for his weight class of his under-66 kilograms match against an Israeli opponent Ehud Vaks in the first round. It was claimed Miresmaeili had gone on an eating binge to protest the International Olympic Committee's recognition of the state of Israel. Iran does not recognise the state of Israel, and Miresmaeili's actions won praise from high-ranking Iranian officials. Mohammad Khatami, the country's President at the time, was quoted as saying Miresmaili's actions would be "recorded in the history of Iranian glories". He was later awarded $125,000 by the Government - the same amount given to Olympic gold medallists.
Super League - Head of Communication - Manchester, UK
Rugby League is an intense, attritional, collision-based sport. Our players are athletic, skillful, brave, mentally and physically tough and positive human role-models. Super League is seeking an energetic, dynamic and ambitious Head of Communications to join the team at this exciting and pivotal moment in the sport’s history and take responsibility for all aspects of communication within the rugby league and sporting communities.
Vitaly Mutko is set to sever his last link with sport this week when he's replaced as President of the Russian Football Union. Mike Rowbottom looks back on a controversial career where Mutko has never been far from the headlines
Were WADA correct not to re-issue RUSADA's suspension?
Vote on this poll
