Olympics





Türkmenistan target Asian Games as hopes to shed "best kept secret" tag

By Duncan Mackay at the Türkmenistan National Institute for Sport and Tourism in Ashgabat

National Olympic Committee of Türkmenistan secretary general Azat Murdov has outlined the country's plans to bid for major events ©TISMFNovember 29 - Türkmenistan is set to be the latest petro-gas rich country hoping to use sport to put itself on the world map with an ambitious plan to stage a number of major events, including the 2023 Asian Games, which they hope will be a stepping-stone to hosting the Olympics and Paralympics.

Putin cancels New Year holidays for Sochi 2014 workers

By Duncan Mackay

Russian President Vladimir Putin today visited the Sochi 2014 Fisht Olympic Stadium ©Getty Images NewsNovember 29 - Russian President Vladimir Putin today visited the Fisht Olympic Stadium, the venue due to host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of Sochi 2014, during which he warned workers that they will have to work around the clock to ensure everything is ready - even if that means them having to sacrifice the New Year holiday.