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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Italy's 4-1 Nations League win over Turkey hasn't calmed the storm at the Italian FA. President Giovanni Malagò is facing severe management clashes, intense scrutiny over reappointing Roberto Mancini as coach, and a legal election challenge from CONI duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/p/how-giovan...

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The tragic case of #KamilaValieva, whose neutral status the International Skating Union has revoked, reveals the devastating impact of being trapped between international isolation and a fierce nationalistic embrace at home. More in this *Free Friday* edition of the Zeus Files surl.li/owhzjm

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

South Africa’s 2036 dream of being the first African nation to host the #OlympicGames is collapsing. A wave of fraud charges and suspensions has wiped out top sports leaders across football, swimming, and athletics, and now the NOC. Read the full story in the Zeus Files at shorturl.at/wLTYq

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

EXCLUSIVE: A significant change to the Olympic Charter proposed by the IOC will fast-track the reinstatement of Russia to the #Olympics and is set to cause huge controversy, the #ZeusFiles can reveal duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/p/exclusive-...

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

When @sebcoe.bsky.social became @worldathletics.org President, among the things he promised to sort out was "nation hopping", claiming that athletes needed to have a strong connection to the country they are representing, rather than looking around for nations to run for. ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

The ticket launch for every Olympics is accompanied by controversy over prices, availability and computer glitches - @la28games.bsky.social has been no different. But they've sold more tickets in first week than any Games before so no wonder CEO Reynold Hoover admits they're "thrilled". ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Britain's Sir Craig Reedie and North Korea's Chang Ung, who have died at the ages of 84 and 87, respectively, were major figures within the IOC at the centre of some of the biggest decisions the organisation took in recent years.

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

The decision by Luc Tardif not to seek a second term as @iihfhockey.bsky.social President gives Russia the opportunity to try to regain the influence they had under his pro-Putin predecessor, Rene Fasel. ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

This is a big week for @la28games.bsky.social with the first tickets for the #Olympics going on sale, with chair Casey Wasserman desperately hoping it will avert attention from him after the controversy about his links to Jeffrey Epstein.

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Chinese Tapei's Lin Yu-ting, one of boxers involved in gender row at Paris 2024, will compete for the first time since winning Olympic gold when Asian Boxing Champs start in Mongolia tomorrow. She's due to face Thailand’s World silver medallist Thananya Somnuek in the 1st round of 60kg category. .

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Of course, it is Donald Trump who's taking credit for IOC decision to reintroduce gender testing for Olympics at @la28games.bsky.social. But it was Jane Thornton replacing Richard Budgett as the IOC's medical and scientific director following boxing gender row at Paris2024 that's led to change.

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Queensland's determination to spread the benefits of the #Olympics beyond Brisbane means 2032 will be another "dispersed” Games, just like #MilanCortina2026. But the choice of Rockhampton, 600km from Brisbane, to host rowing and canoe sprint in the crocodile-infested Fitzroy River is controversial.

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Russia has been allowed to join World Boxing, despite evidence that IBA President Umar Kremlev continues to exert control over the Russian Boxing Federation through Alexey Rubezhnoy, chairman of the organisation's Supervisory Board and the man in charge of Vladimir Putin's personal security.

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Iran's FA terrorises its players and threatens their families, its NOC follows anti-discriminatory policies against women and regularly flouts #Olympic Charter. Both are under control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps but the IOC and FIFA seem terrified of taking any action to stop them. ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

The @paralympics.org President Andrew Parsons claimed he was “super empathetic” about situation Ukraine faced at #MilanCortina2026 after the return of Russia, but the authoritarian tone struck and the lecturing it faced did not sound like it to a country bombed throughout the Games. More details ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Situation with the Iranian women's football seeking asylum in Australia brings back memories of similar incident when more than 40 Hungarian athletes defected after 1956 #Olympics in Melbourne to avoid having to return to country occupied by Soviet forces who had crushed the Hungarian Revolution ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

There's lots of pressure on #CaseyWasserman to step down as chair of the #Olympics Organising Committee at @la28games.bsky.social due to links with #JeffreyEpstein and #GhislaineMaxwell but his position is secure while retains support of the top executives, #ZeusFiles can reveal ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Russia's return under their own flag and the war in Middle East meant it was another politically charged Winter @paralympics.org Opening Ceremony at #MilanCortina2026. Philip Barker reports for the #ZeusFiles at (no paywall) duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/p/spectacula...

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

The build-up to the #MilanCortina2026 #Paralympics has been dominated by Russia, but IPC President Andrew Parsons wants to concentrate on the 50th anniversary of the 1st Winter Games, looking forward to the possibilities offered by @la28games.bsky.social and working more closely with the Olympics ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

It’s #WorldBookDay2026 today so why not celebrate by snapping up my latest book, They Came From A Land Down Under, the story of how the @socceroos.bsky.social qualified for their first #WorldCup at West Germany 1974. There’s a great deal available at amzn.eu/d/0iufNcU7

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Don't mention the war! There is something Pythonesque about how the IOC is trying to deal with the United States’ attack on Iran and how the @paralympics.org has risked ruining its own Games at #MilanCortina2026 with the readmission of Russia and Belarus while they are still attacking Ukraine. ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

While IOC has kept silent following US attack on Iran, @paralympics.org again organise a Games under shadow of war. But it's war in Ukraine that remains set to have main impact on #MilanCortina2026 with latest row over uniforms designed by the President's favourite designer. More in Zeus Files ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

The 12-year term of @sebcoe.bsky.social as the President of @worldathletics.org is not due to end until September 2027 but candidates to replace him can start campaigning from tomorrow. The #ZeusFiles looks at the potential contenders to replace him duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/p/on-your-ma...

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

I travelled to Stoke Mandeville to attend the #Paralympics lighting ceremony for #MilanCortina2026 and to try to investigate what Ludwig Guttmann, founder of the Paralympics, would think about Russia being allowed to compete at the Games. The answer might surprise you. Read more in #ZeusFiles ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Little time, little money, still searching for its first sponsor. No hope? It's not looking good for French Alps 2030 at the moment, but don't write them off yet. After all, few people expected #MilanCortina2026 to be the massive success it was. Read more in latest issue of the #ZeusFiles ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

The Winter #Olympics in #MilanCortina2026 are over. Controversy continued right until the end with the White House posting a politically charged social media message after @usahockey.bsky.social beat neighbours @hockeycanada.bsky.social to claim the final gold medal of the Games. All the details ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

There's growing acceptance that #MilanCortina2026 will be the last Winter #Olympics where sports have to be held exclusively on snow or ice, but plans to change the sports programme by the IOC are far more radical than revealed so far, with summer sports like volleyball moving to the Winter Games ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

New chair of the IOC Athletes Commission is @paugasol.bsky.social, a genuine basketball legend having won three #Olympics medals and two @nba.com championships with the Lakers. His election means that he will sit on the IOC Executive Board until @la28games.bsky.social. More in latest #ZeusFiles ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

There are 2 new IOC members after South Korean bobsledder Won Yun-jong & Estonian biathleteJohanna Talihärm were elected to join the IOC Athletes Commission during the #Olympics at #MilanCortina2026. More in this Free Friday edition of the #ZeusFiles duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/p/the-cappuc...

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The #Paralympics is facing a global backlash after announcing it was allowing Russian and Belarus athletes to compete at #MilanoCortina2026. But Russia is growing increasingly confident that the IOC will lift its ban in time for the Olympics at @la28games.bsky.social . Read more in the #ZeusFiles ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

The Epstein Files has left @la28games.bsky.social chair #CaseyWasserman battling to save his position. But with LA Mayor Karen Bass calling for him to step down that could ensure Donald Trump rallies behind him, leaving the #Olympics in the middle of a row between two enemies. Latest #ZeusFiles ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Great news that the Zeus Files has cracked the top 10 of "Rising in Sports" on Substack. Thanks to everyone who has subscribed during the #Olympics at #MilanCortina2026. If you have not signed up yet, you can join at tinyurl.com/334ehh8v

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

There's been controversy around the IOC selling a tee-shirt commemorating the Nazi #Olympics at Berlin 1936. But the tee-shirt for the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is even more controversial, appearing to show an athlete giving a Nazi salute. More in the #ZeusFiles (no pay wall) ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Thomas Bach and Kirsty Coventry, both future Presidents, first became involved with the IOC after joining the Athletes Commission. So, the election to choose 2 IOC members taking place during the #Olympics at #MilanCortina2026 could be an important moment. Find out who's standing in the #ZeusFiles ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Now that Casey Wasserman has agreed to sell his music and sports talent agency after being named in the #Epsteinfiles, will his position as chair of @la28games.bsky.social and role in the olympics come under more intense scrutiny, I ask in the latest edition of the #ZeusFiles (no paywall) ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

They are 2 of Ukraine's greatest athletes, but Sergey Bubka and Valeriy Borzov, both IOC members, have offered little or no support to #VladyslavHeraskevych after he was DQ'd from #Olympics at #MilanCortina2026 in a row over his helmet, as I report in free to read edition of the #ZeusFiles ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

There's a developing story in the Winter #Olympics at #MilanCortina 2026 where the IOC has stripped #VladyslavHeraskevych of his accreditation in row over helmet he planned to wear in the skeleton commemorating Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia. Full details in *free to read* edition #ZeusFiles ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

The IOC has refused to condemn Donald Trump after he criticised a USA athlete competing at @milancortina2026.bsky.social who said “just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.” That's no surprise with @la28games.bsky.social hosting next Olympics ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Since the #ZeusFiles revealed exclusively that revenue generated by Olympic worldwide sponsorship programme in 2025 had fallen to $560m, several insiders have told us situation is “far more critical”. Is Kirsty Coventry facing the first major test of her IOC Presidency, @dodo938.bsky.social asks? ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

US Vice-President #JDVance has been booed at the #Olympics in #MilanCortina2026 and the ICE team in Italy protecting him the target of demonstrations. But the IOC President Kirsty Coventry has shared “very good chemistry” with him, Olympic officials have revealed. Latest in the #ZeusFiles ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

The Italians overcame the logistical challenges of having four live sites for the Opening Ceremony of the #Olympics at #MilanCortina2026 with a show that captured the imagination, despite the empty seats and boos for some of those taking part. The thoughts of Philip Barker in the Zeus Files ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Tickets for the Opening Ceremony of the #Olympics are normally the thing everyone wants, but for @milancortina2026.bsky.social there are reports that 10,000 remain unsold for tonight's event in the San Siro. Philip Barker reports from Milan in this *free Friday* edition of the #ZeusFiles. Link ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

A campaigner has condemned the appointment of an Iranian as an IOC member. “At a time athletes have been arrested, threatened, or punished for expressing dissent or participating in protests, decisions that elevate representatives of Iranian institutions contribute to a false sense of normalcy." ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

The IOC consolidated statement of activities in the new financial report reveals the amount generated by the Olympics TOP programme marketing has dropped in the space of a year by $311.5 million, @dodo938.bsky.social reports for the #ZeusFiles duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/p/iocs-top-p...

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

The appearance of Casey Wasserman in the Epstein files and publication of a series of historic salacious emails he exchanged with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell is deeply embarrassing for him but is unlikely to jeopardise position as chair of @la28games.bsky.social. Latest Zeus Files ⬇️

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Olympic Hospitality Houses have grown from a tent at Barcelona 1992 to a massive business with several countries have already found locations for @la28games.bsky.social. Find out which countries have signed deals in this edition of the #ZeusFiles at duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/p/la-confide...

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, along with Poland, nations who border Russia and fear being attacked next the most are fighting an increasingly lonely battle to ensure they are kept out of #Olympics sport. My latest #ZeusFiles at duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/p/a-kick-in-...

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

The election of Sheikh Joaan as President of the Olympic Council of Asia ends the long soap opera surrounding Sheikh Ahmad, but more significantly gives Qatar important platform to promote bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Latest edition of #ZeusFiles at duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/p/as-one-mid...

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

To mark the 50th anniversary next month of John Curry winning the Olympics gold medal for in the men’s figure skating at Innsbruck 1976, I have written a piece for the @theobserveruk.bsky.social on how he revolutionised his sport observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

observer.co.uk

Turning skating into art, John Curry defied the rules of ...

Fifty years on from Olympic gold, this is the story of how the British figure skater became a master of movement and music

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Duncan Mackay @duncanmackay.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

New IOC President Kirsty Coventry has struck a noticeably different tone to her predecessor Thomas Bach, who thought of himself as the pseudo-leader of the 194th member of the UN. Coventry has stripped back the IOC to what it is - a sports body that organises events. My latest for the Zeus Files ⬇️

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