Olympics

Paulo Coelho attacks Rio 2016 role for Tony Blair

By Duncan Mackay

February 3 - Tony Blair's new appointment as a paid advisor to the organisers of the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics has been attacked by Paulo Coelho (pictured with Pele), Brazil's best-selling author, who has claimed the former British Prime Minister is a "war criminal" and has "blood-stained hands".

Warning Russian changes could affect international influence

By Duncan Mackay

February 2 - All eyes will be turning East at the end of his month's Olympics as the Mayor of Sochi receives the Olympic Flag from his Vancouver counterpart  during the Games closing ceremony on February 28 but fears are growing that the build-up to first Winter Games to be held in Russia could be affected by changes at the top of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).

Rio 2016 team to quiz Blair

By Mike Rowbottom in London

January 29 - Less than 24 hours after facing the Chilcot Committee over  the legality of the Iraq war, former Prime Minister Tony Blair will face questions in a less hostile environment as he is quizzed by key advisers of the Rio 2016 team.

Armitt gives green light to West Ham Olympic Stadium bid

By Steven Downes

January 28 - John Armitt (pictured left), the chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), tonight gave a green light to the possibility of Premiership football club West Ham United moving in to London’s Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games, while fulfilling the venue’s brief to deliver a lasting legacy as a national athletics stadium.