Olympics

Exclusive: Iran replaced by Thailand over Olympic hijab row

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

April 5 - FIFA have refused to back down in the row over Iran women's football team being banned from wearing the hijab at the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore later this year and have announced that Thailand will replace them in the tournament.

Annecy launch Club 2018 to back Olympic bid

April 2 - More than 1,200 chief executives from local companies attended the launch of Club 2018, a new initiative for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in France to back Annecy's bid to host the Olympics and Paralympics at an event attended by Roselyne Bachelot, France's Minister of Health and Sports.

Sarkozy adds support to Annecy 2018 Olympic bid

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

March 31 - Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured) has written to Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to assure him of the French Government's backing for Annecy's bid to host the 2018 Games.

London 2012 budget "worringly tight" warns Parliamentary Committee

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

March 31 - A Parliamentary Committee report published today has warned the £9.325 billion ($14.069 billion) budget for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics is "tight" with only £194 million ($293 million) available to cover any new risks in the build-up to the Games and has cast doubt over whether £400 million ($603 million) can be raised in ticket sales.