The Independent - Olympics RSS Feed

65,000 towels... 8 trampolines... Olympic organisers go shopping

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

It is the world's most demanding shopping list, containing requests for 1,100 shuttlecocks and 5,000 tons of sand, as well as three metal detectors. It is not an eccentric billionaire's attempt to lay on the world's biggest beach party – it is the list of things Britain needs to buy for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Coach with 1,000 days to drive British athletes to London golds

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The clock on the wall of the Lee Valley Athletics Centre is ticking towards 2.12pm. For Charles van Commenee, it is the countdown to 2012 that is on his mind. Pretty much 24/7. Precisely 1,000 days from today the Dutchman will be expected to deliver eight British track and field medal winners at the London Olympic arena in Stratford.

Rogge praises 'master plan' in keeping 2012 preparations on track

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

On the eve of the 1,000-day countdown to the London Olympics, the organisers have been given a glowing appraisal by Jacques Rogge, president of the IOC. Rogge applauded their "master plan" and said that he is "absolutely happy" with the development of the £9.3bn project, but added, with a Rumsfeldian slant, that they must also beware the unexpected.

De Vos urges 2012 Olympic athletes to aim high

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

British athletes have been set the target of winning 10 medals at the London Olympics in 2012. UK Athletics' chief executive, Niels de Vos, says it is an "optimistic target" but that it was important to aim to do better than Britain has ever done.

The ten worst Olympians: loveable losers from the Games

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:19:49 GMT

Billed as the "Snow Leopard", Ghana's first professional skier is heading to the Winter Olympics.

South Africa may bid to host 2020 Olympics

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:42:54 GMT

The 2010 World Cup organising committee chief thinks a successful tournament could lead to the Olympics being hosted in Africa for the first time in 2020.

Forget Eric the Eel... meet the Snow Leopard

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

He bills himself as the "Snow Leopard" – even though he saw snow for the first time just five years ago. Meet Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, Ghana's first professional skier who has defied extraordinary odds to qualify for the Vancouver Games in February.

Olympic security questioned after Rio violence

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:47:26 GMT

Fears over Olympic security came under the spotlight today after gang violence in Rio de Janeiro - hosts of the 2016 Games - left at least 12 people dead.

Judo: Howell is at pains to throw down challenge

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Having to pick yourself up off the floor is an occupational hazard in judo, which the Japanese, who invented the art of throwing someone else's weight around, like to call "the gentle way", though in essence it is anything but.

Golf and rugby turn back clock in re-entering the Olympics

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

In the end, when it came to the crunch of a vote by the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen yesterday, it was a walkover for Rugby Sevens.

Rugby and golf get Olympic vote

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:58:53 GMT

Rugby sevens and golf were today confirmed as new Olympic sports for the 2016 Games.

Rogge re-elected IOC president

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:40:11 GMT

Jacques Rogge was re-elected unopposed as president of the International Olympic Committee today.

Six charged over '£5m online fraud' involving Olympics ticket sales

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Six people have been charged over an alleged £5m online ticket scam involving ticket sales for the Beijing Olympics and other sporting and music events.

Golf and rugby teed up to make 2016 Games

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

A three-ball featuring Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and Michelle Wie would be sure to attract a few headlines, although all the golf authorities are praying for is that they attract at least 54 votes from the International Olympic Committee meeting in Copenhagen this lunchtime. A simple majority is all the sport requires to gain inclusion to the Olympics, starting from 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

The Last Word: Rejoice as Brazil beat Barack

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Wouldn't it be ironic if the International Olympic Committee, that most political of sporting bodies, turns out to be the one credited with first raising the two fingers which sent the politicians scurrying back to their dark little corners? Fancy it, the IOC in the role of the truth-seeker, bashing through the bull, tearing down the transparent, vetoing the vote-seekers... we can all dream.

IOC swayed by Rio's samba style as Windy City is blown away

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

The passion and drama of Rio de Janeiro triumphed over the rhetorical power of Barack Obama last night as the city secured the right to host the 2016 Olympic Games ahead of Chicago.

Rio erupts in celebration

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:11:28 GMT

Nearly 50,000 people erupted in celebration when Rio de Janeiro was announced host of the 2016 Olympics, jumping and cheering in a Carnival-like party on Copacabana beach.

Olympics decision stuns Chicago crowd

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:03:54 GMT

Thousands of people stood in bewildered silence in downtown Chicago today after the International Olympic Committee surprised everyone by dumping the city from the race for 2016 Summer Olympics in the first round of voting.

Rio wins Olympic vote

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:30:45 GMT

Finally, South America gets an Olympics. The 2016 Games are going to Rio de Janeiro.

Chicago misses out in Olympic bid

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:38:35 GMT

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sensationally rebuffed US President Barack Obama today, eliminating Chicago from the contest for the 2016 Olympics and narrowing the field to Rio de Janeiro and Madrid.

Chicago miss out in Olympic bid

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:38:35 GMT

Live: Olympics 2016 decision with France 24

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:31:14 GMT

Live: Olympics 2016 decision

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:31:14 GMT

2016 Olympics: Will Rio crash the Obamas' party?

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

There will be no exit polls giving Barack Obama the wink in Copenhagen this evening, no aides running up to whisper in his ear "we've just taken New Jersey". There will not even be any concession speech from his rival, paving the way for him to make his own victory call.

2016 Olympics: Windy city holds its breath

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Lots of Chicagoans have their hearts in their throats about Copenhagen. Like Gwen Sylvain, who already has killer vistas of downtown and Lake Michigan from her lofty shore-side apartment and is dying to have them filled by sailing regattas, rowing races and all the other razzmatazz that the Olympic Games would surely bring. "I'd be right, smack-dab in the middle of it," she gushes with easy glee.