Duncan Mackay Editor

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Duncan Mackay is the founding editor of insidethegames.biz, the world’s leading and most influential independent Olympic news website. He was voted the British Sports Writer of the Year in 2004, British News Story of the Year in 2004 and British Sports Internet Reporter of the Year in 2009. Mackay is one of Britain's best-connected journalists and during the 16 years he worked at The Guardian and The Observer he regularly broke several major exclusive stories. He was also the only newspaper journalist in Britain to correctly predict that London would win its bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Messi does support Madrid 2020, even though he endorses sponsor of rival and plays for Barcelona

By Duncan Mackay in Buenos Aires

September 3 - Lionel Messi today performed a volte-face when he publicly backed Madrid's bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics following a plea from Alejandro Blanco, head of the campaign, to show his support.

Campaign to get team judo onto Olympic programme for Rio 2016 receives boost

By Duncan Mackay at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro

September 1 - Judo's campaign to get its team event included on the programme for Rio 2016 received a boost when some of the most influential members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) watched Japan's women and Georgia's men clinch titles at the World Championships here today.

Riner appointed head of IJF Athletes' Commission

By Duncan Mackay at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro

September 1 - A day after winning a record sixth world title here, France's Teddy Riner was elected as the new President of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Athletes' Commission.

Brilliant Riner powers way to record sixth judo world title

By Duncan Mackay at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro

August 31 - The legend that is Teddy Riner wrote another glorious chapter into the history books when he again won the gold medal in the over 100 kilograms category at the judo World Championships here today.

Exclusive: Cookson wants "coronation and not an election" claims McQuaid in letter to UCI federations

By Duncan Mackay

August 31 - Pat McQuaid has written to the heads of all 175 member federations of the International Cycling Union (UCI) to "clarify" his position and assure them that he will definitely be standing for a third term as President, even though he claims rival Brian Cookson is trying to engineer "a coronation and not an election".

Cookson unveils 10 point plan to transfer British Cycling success to UCI

By Duncan Mackay

August 30 - Brian Cookson has promised to bring the financial success he has enjoyed at British Cycling to the International Cycling Union (UCI) if he is elected to replace Pat McQuaid next month.

North Korean pulls off shock victory at World Championships as French legend retires

By Duncan Mackay at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro

August 30 - North Korea's Kyong Sol produced one of the biggest surprises of the judo World Championships here as she claimed the gold medal in the under 78 kilogram class as the curtain came down on the glorious career of France's Lucie Decosse.

Frenchman Pietri ends Japanese domination with victory in Rio

By Duncan Mackay at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro

August 29 - Japan's domination of the men's events at the judo World Championships was ended here today as France's Loic Pietri won the under 81 kilogram category while Yarden Gerbi made history by winning Israel's first ever gold medal in this event in the under 63kg section.

Defar and Sum add drama as Bolt produces standard victory at Zurich Diamond League

By Mike Rowbottom

August 29 - On a night when Usain Bolt won at a canter from his 100 metres rivals in the relatively conservative time of 9.90sec, two women's events generated the greatest competitive intensity at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond League meeting in Zurich - which, with the forthcoming event in Brussels on September 7, forms the two-part final of the season-long competition.

Briton to stand against Todt for FIA Presidency

By Duncan Mackay

August 29 - Britain's David Ward has resigned as the director general of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Foundation after 12 years so he can stand against Jean Todt for the Presidency of the world governing body.

French Olympic gold medallist leads candidates seeking to replace Oswald as FISA President

By Duncan Mackay

August 29 - France's Olympic gold medallist Jean-Christophe Rolland leads the three candidates seeking to replace Denis Oswald as President of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) at the election in Chungju on Monday (September 2) but will face opposition from Australia's John Boultbee and Canada's Tricia Smith, it was announced today.

Brands Hatch to hold special events to celebrate anniversary of London 2012

By Duncan Mackay

August 28 - Brands Hatch is to stage two special events to celebrate the fact that it staged the road cycling competition during the Paralympic Games last year.

Silva is all gold as she makes Brazilian history at judo World Championships

By Duncan Mackay at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro

August 28 - Brazil today celebrated a slice of history as Rafaela Silva became the first woman from that country to win a gold medal at the judo World Championships here, producing a stunning performance to beat American Marti Malloy in the under 57 kilogram category.

History made as Kosovo claim first major world title

By Duncan Mackay at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro

August 27 - Majlinda Kelmendi gave Kosovo their first ever major senior title in an Olympic sport when she won the gold medal in the under 52 kilograms category at the judo World Championships here today.

World Anti-Doping Agency revoke accreditation of Rio de Janeiro doping laboratory

By Duncan Mackay in Rio de Janeiro

August 27 - Brazil today suffered the embarrassment of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) withdrawing the accreditation from the testing laboratory that is due to play a major role in next year's FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics for "repeated failures".

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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.

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