Ex-UK minister Robertson rubbishes Ukrainian claims he aided Russia’s Olympic return Sport Business Former Sports Minister Sir Hugh Robertson has shut down claims he was central to Russia’s readmission into the Olympic Games, telling City AM that claims he is a “Russian stooge” are “rubbish”. The former Conservative cabinet minister and the International Olympic Committee’s chair of the Working Group on the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, has described [...]
Cristiano Ronaldo on Mars: Where will sport take us in the next five years? Sport Business Tech disruption, athlete power and new formats: sport has changed dramatically since Ed Warner started writing weekly about the industry in 2021. This column – based on my weekly newsletter, Sport Inc. – has just reached its fifth anniversary. The book of the same name is three years older. In this short span of time, [...]
Infantino facing IOC probe after complaint lodged over Trump’s Balogun intervention Sport Business Fifa boss Gianni Infantino is facing an International Olympic Committee investigation after an official complaint was filed following US President Donald Trump’s intervention to block Folarin Balogun’s ban. The decision to suspend Balogun’s ban – enabling the USA’s best player to continue playing in the World Cup after he was sent off against Bosnia and [...]
Enhanced Games, Lance Armstrong and the truth about why we hate doping April 19, 2026 There is an irony in the fact that sponsors and broadcasters won’t touch the Enhanced Games, explains Matt Readman. Last month it was announced that the 2026 Winter Olympic Games was the first Olympiad in 28 years to have zero failed drugs tests. The “cleanest Games for a generation” is a big moment for an [...]
Olympics should lead way in AI and lighten impossible load on its judges February 26, 2026 If any sporting body has the means to fund investment in AI judging it’s the International Olympic Committee, writes Ed Warner. I’ve no idea whether Zoe Atkin’s “amplitude” deserved to bag silver rather than bronze in the freeski halfpipe on Sunday. All I know is she didn’t wipe out on all three of her three [...]
IOC looks tin-eared at best, cruel at worst over Ukraine helmet saga February 19, 2026 The reputations of the IOC and its president Kirsty Coventry have suffered badly from its handling of the Ukraine helmet row at the Winter Olympics, says Ed Warner. Are you not entertained? The Winter Olympics have delivered stories ranging from the titillating (penile injections, condom shortages and a narcissistic declaration of infidelity) to the enraging [...]
Forget medal targets, Winter Olympics success will be decided on sofas not ski slopes February 5, 2026 Sports fans have a feast of action, from the Winter Olympics to the Six Nations and the T20 World Cup, to gorge on over the coming days, writes Ed Warner. Have you planned your viewing schedule for the next few days? Pushed the football to the margins of your calendar for once? Six Nations opener [...]
MMA in the Olympics? New global body targets Games inclusion November 27, 2025 Mixed-martial arts could be added to the Olympic Games under plans announced today by Asian MMA chiefs. The Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) says it wants to unify the sport under a new world governing body called FIMMA, which will meet for the first time next week. They believe that will boost their chances [...]
Union threatens LA Olympics strike and issues $5bn demand August 26, 2025 The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been threatened with strike action by a union demanding a $5bn investment in local housing. The Unite Here Local 11 union has issued a list of demands ahead of the next Olympiad, insisting their 32,000 members could strike over the Olympics if they’re not listened to. They have asked [...]
Paris 2024 Olympics was watched by 5bn, claims IOC June 20, 2025 The Paris 2024 Olympic Games were the most-watched in history, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC said 5bn people – 84 per cent of the world’s population – watched action from France last summer on TV or digital devices. In Britain, 36.1m people – 59 per cent of the population – watched [...]