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).