Alex Bell Desk Editor

Alex Bell was the editor-in-chief of the 2018 Commonwealth Games News Service in the Gold Coast. Before that, he was an award-winning magazine and newspaper chief sub-editor for News International, Bauer, NZME and others. He was also a sports writer for newshub.co.nz, specialising in football, cricket, boxing, rugby, tennis, golf and athletics. Alex has also worked as a television producer.

Kraft and Geiger continue FIS Ski Jumping World Cup battle in Sapporo

The International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup moves to Sapporo, Japan, this weekend, with Stefan Kraft looking to repeat his outstanding performance from last season.

New Zealand eye three in a row at Sydney World Rugby Sevens Series

New Zealand will be seeking a hat-trick of titles at the fourth tournament of the men's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Sydney this weekend.

Japan fire, while Aussie Spirt are broken at softball's Asia Pacific Cup

Japan are continuing to dominate softball's Asia Pacific Cup in Blacktown, Sydney, registering two more wins on the second day of competition.

Creative ideas wanted for Chengdu 2021 World University Games Ceremonies

Organisers of the Chengdu 2021 Summer World University Games are seeking creative copywriting concepts for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

IPC and Nippon Foundation unite to fight leprosy discrimination

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), in collaboration with with the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, has joined the Nippon Foundation to launch a global appeal for the elimination of leprosy discrimination.

New online platform for British Olympic and Paralympic sport

An initiative to develop an over-the-top (OTT) broadcast platform for British Olympic and Paralympic sports has been announced by UK Sport, the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association.

Birmingham 2022 drive for BAME businesses introduced

A new initiative to support Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority-owned (BAME) businesses in bidding for and securing contracts for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham has been launched.

Tokyo National Museum considers change to Olympic Games opening hours

Tokyo National Museum is thinking about extending its opening hours during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to take advantage of additional tourism.

Argentina continue to impress at CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament

Argentina have cruised through Group A of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) Pre-Olympic Tournament unbeaten, defeating Venezuela 4-1.

EUSA sign Memorandum of Understanding with ParaVolley Europe

The European University Sports Association (EUSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ParaVolley Europe, with an objective of inclusion for all participants.

South Africa spun out of ICC Under-19 World Cup Super League by Bangladesh

Hosts South Africa were left in a spin in their International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup Super League quarter-final, soundly beaten by Bangladesh.

Friedrich on verge of four-man bob title at IBSF World Cup in St Moritz

The overall winner of the four-man bob is set to be decided at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) in St Moritz, which starts tomorrow.

Paris Mayor seeks cycle-friendly city in time for 2024 Olympics

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo is pledging to make every street "cycle-friendly by 2024" if she is re-elected in March.

Olympic snowboarder Kokubo gets suspended jail term for cannabis smuggling

Former Japanese Olympic snowboarder Kazuhiro Kokubo has been sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for four years, for smuggling cannabis from the United States.

World Rugby committed to exploring global competition model

World Rugby is focusing on delivering a meaningful competition model for unions outside of the Six Nations and Rugby Championship.

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Shapovalov beats Zverev in Australian Open fourth round in Melbourne

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Fact of the day

Denver were awarded the 1976 Winter Olympic Games ahead of Sion in Switzerland, Tempere in Finland and Vancouver in Canada at the International Olympic Committee Session in 1970. But in a Colorado referendum in November 1972, voters rejected funding for the event. It is the only time a city has been awarded the Olympics but pulled out. The IOC then offered the Games to Whistler in Canada, but they too declined owing to a change of Government following elections. Salt Lake City offered to host the Games, but the IOC, still reeling from the Denver rejection, declined and selected Innsbruck, the 1964 host city, as a replacement.

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Featured Job

IPC - Head of World Para Athletics - Bonn, Germany

The IPC’s vision is for an inclusive world through Para sport. We believe that Change Starts With Sport, and that the work of the Paralympic Movement is a catalyst for driving social inclusion and advancing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Head of World Para Athletics reports to the Managing Director of World Para Sports, and will be responsible for managing the operations of World Para Athletics and be accountable for all Para athletics related matters.

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The Big Read

It is 50 years since Karl Schranz was disqualified from the Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics. A seminal moment in the history of the Games, a star being expelled from a major sporting event has been given fresh relevance by the Novak Djokovic visa saga at the Australian Open. Philip Barker reports.

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