Nick Butler Senior Reporter

Follow @nickjmbutler

Since joining insidethegames.biz in 2013, Butler has travelled to a variety of major global sporting events, including the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as well as the most recent editions of the Asian, European and Pan American Games in Incheon, Baku and Toronto. He has also attended the last four International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sessions and has particularly enjoyed tackling the politics and diplomacy of the Olympic Movement.

Volunteer recruitment underway for Sochi 2014 Opening and Closing Ceremonies

By Nick Butler

October 9 - A process to recruit 2000 volunteers for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games is underway with the establishment of training centres in four Russian cities.

London 2012 have boosted Paralympic sport, claims Princess Astrid

By Nick Butler

October 8 - Princess Astrid, sister of the Belgum's King Philippe, has claimed the London 2012 Paralympic Games have improved sporting opportunities for all of "our fellow citizens with a physical disability".

Sport England threaten suspension of funding as English boxing crisis deepens

By Nick Butler

October 8 - Sport England have threatened the suspension of the £5 million ($8 million/€5.9 million) of funding currently distributed to the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) if the ongoing disagreements over the formation of the new Board are not resolved imminently.

Sochi is first challenge and huge opportunity, claims new BOA chief executive

By Nick Butler

October 8 - Bill Sweeney, the new chief executive of the British Olympic Association (BOA), has described the next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi as his first priority and the provider of considerable opportunities in both a competitive and a commercial sense.

Champions, celebrities and President Putin highlight Russia’s Torch Relay beginnings in Moscow

By Nick Butler

October 7 - The Russian leg of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay has opened in a whirl of colour, enthusiasm, and famous participants in Moscow, as well as the occasional unintentional extinguishing of the Flame.

Star Alliance Airlines latest partner announced for 2014 SportAccord International Convention

By Nick Butler

October 10 - Star Alliance Member Airlines have been appointed as Official Airline Network for the 2014 SportAccord International Convention, to be held in the Turkish city of Belek, it was announced today.

Sochi 2014 Flame lands in Moscow after Athens handover

By Nick Butler in Athens

October 6 - The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Torch Relay will kick off its four month journey on Russian soil alongside the "White Stick" international charity music festival in Moscow tomorrow when it tours around many of the city's most famous landmarks.

Olympic Flame passed from Greece to Sochi 2014 in celebration of communal values

By Nick Butler at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens

October 5 - The Sochi 2014 Olympic Flame has this evening made the transition from Greek to Russian hands in a rousing Handover Ceremony here in front of large crowd, which included Karolos Papoulias, President of the Hellenic Republic.

Olympic Flame reaches Acropolis on eve of handover to Sochi 2014

By Nick Butler at the Acropolis in Athens

October 4 - After six days of meandering around Greece the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay has reached the Acropolis, the nation's most famous landmark, on the eve of the Handover Ceremony, when the Flame will be handed over to Russian officials.

British National Championships return to Monmouthshire in 2014 to whet appetite for Tour de France

By Nick Butler

October 4 - The British Cycling National Championships will be held in the Monmouthshire town of Abergavenny in Wales after a five year absence in 2014 in an event which should provide a final test ahead of the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in Yorkshire.

Powerlifting to finally tackle doping crisis after another positive test

By Nick Butler

October 4 - Powerlifting has unveiled a new programme of educational and practical support in order to reduce the widespread doping problems in the sport which have been revealed by a surfeit of recent scandals.

Carrie Fell announced as official artist for 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships

By Nick Butler

October 4 - Internationally renowned painter and gallery owner Carrie Fell has agreed to become the official artist for the 2015 International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine World Ski Championships in the Americans resort of Vail and Beaver Creek in Colorado.

Sports Minister opens Brazilian Paralympic shooting event in Rio

By Nick Butler

October 3 - Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo was among those present today to mark the opening of the Brazilian Shooting Open Championships in Rio de Janeiro, a major event in the build-up to the 2016 Paralympics in the city.

Howden sole nomination to replace Cookson as British Cycling President

By Nick Butler

October 3 - Bob Howden is poised to replace Brian Cookson as the President of British Cycling after the current vice-chairman was the only nomination put forward ahead of the National Council in November.

Gambia's participation at Glasgow 2014 in doubt after President announces withdrawal from Commonwealth

By Nick Butler

October 3 - A statement by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh announcing his country's immediate withdrawal from the Commonwealth has resulted in confusion including in relation to its participation at Glasgow 2014.

inside the blogs

More blogs

Read The insidethegames.biz Magazine here

inside the photos

Para Panam Games Santiago 2023 Photos

More picture galleries

Fact of the day

When British skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the Olympic gold medal in ice dance at Sarajevo 1984 with 12 perfect 6.0s from every judge, for their interpretation of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, an important member of their team was singer-actor Michael Crawford. Crawford, who had played Frank Spencer in British sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and the title role in the musical The Phantom of the Opera, had become a mentor to the pair in 1981 and went on to help them create their Olympic routine. Crawford said he “taught them how to act". He was present with their trainer Betty Callaway at the ringside at Sarajevo as they created one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history.

More facts

Featured Job

Digital Marketing Manager

The purpose of this role is to create an engaged digital community, increasing the profile and visibility of the Commonwealth Sport brand. The role is responsible for the implementation of the Commonwealth Sport digital content strategy, planning the delivery, measurement and reporting of campaigns and all activationacross digital and social media channels, web and CRM to build loyal and engaging communities across the Commonwealth.

More jobs

The Big Read

Pierre de Coubertin once said cricket has "practically no appeal for those who are not British". While he expressed doubts about the Olympic viability of cricket, lacrosse and baseball, Philip Barker wonders how the man who helped revive the modern Games would have reacted to new sports at Los Angeles 2028.

Big Read Archive

Poll

Should cricket be an Olympic sport?

Vote on this poll

Read our printed publications online here