https://www.scmp.com/rss/519914/feed The latest news, analysis and opinion on Olympics. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Olympic gold medallists Sun Yang and Wang Meng are quickly learning that sporting heroics do not necessarily mean being a fan favourite in later life. The pair have both appeared on reality shows on Chinese television in recent weeks, and the reaction has not always been kind, certainly where Sun is concerned. Branded “immature” for his behaviour on travel show Viva La Romance, one incident in particular riled viewers. In it, Sun, acting as his group’s guide, goes in the wrong direction, refuses... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3353597/back-reality-chinese-athletes-they-make-painful-transition-life-after-sport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3353597/back-reality-chinese-athletes-they-make-painful-transition-life-after-sport?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 14:00:04 +0000 Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Snooker’s bid to enter the Olympic Games will be boosted by having back-to-back world champions from China, the sport’s top official said on Tuesday. Wu Yize beat Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a dramatic world championship final on Monday to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Zhao Xintong, who became Asia’s first world champion 12 months ago. Britain has long been snooker’s traditional stronghold but China, where there are around 300,000 recognised snooker clubs, is the growing force in the game,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3352530/snookers-push-get-olympics-gets-jolt-chinas-back-back-world-champions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3352530/snookers-push-get-olympics-gets-jolt-chinas-back-back-world-champions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2026 15:00:17 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters India has been elevated to a list of nations including Russia where there is an “extremely high” risk of doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Monday. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) joins the likes of Russia, Belarus, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Ukraine in the AIU’s highest rating of Category A after being moved up from Category B. Category A means India’s athletes must now comply with more stringent anti-doping requirements, including minimum testing thresholds for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3350758/indian-athletes-face-tougher-dope-testing-federation-banished-highest-risk-bracket?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3350758/indian-athletes-face-tougher-dope-testing-federation-banished-highest-risk-bracket?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:00:11 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Olympic gold medallists and short-track speed skaters Shaolin Sándor Liu and Liu Shaoang are in the spotlight again. The brothers walked the runway at the 10th anniversary show of the Chinese-born designer Feng Chen Wang’s eponymous label at Shanghai Fashion Week at the end of March, much to their fans’ delight. It marked their fashion runway debut. Born to a Hungarian mother and Chinese father, the Lius competed for Hungary at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics, making history for Hungary with... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3350461/meet-liu-shaoang-and-shaolin-sandor-liu-olympic-gold-skaters-who-made-their-runway-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3350461/meet-liu-shaoang-and-shaolin-sandor-liu-olympic-gold-skaters-who-made-their-runway-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:00:11 +0000 Joyce Yip Joyce Yip Summer Wong Man-ting, 31, was ready to sprint into her final race at the 2025 World Obstacle – UIPM OCR World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, last September. Coming off a race in Barbados less than a month before, however, she was still recovering from both jet lag and injuries, and the relentless rain and 12-degree Celsius temperature had aggravated her cold. The horn blared, and the chorus of Banners’ “Someone to You” ripped through the tense air. Wong had one shot against Melia Ochsner,... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3345559/meet-summer-wong-face-hong-kongs-growing-ocr-scene?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3345559/meet-summer-wong-face-hong-kongs-growing-ocr-scene?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 05:00:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Staying true to Gabrielle Chanel’s love of sport and her belief that physical freedom and self-expression are essential in a woman’s life, the CC League is a two-year mentorship programme that treats beauty as a source of power. It goes beyond the more customary Chanel aesthetic, and offers one-on-one guidance and group coaching focused on self-confidence, self-expression and femininity to help each athlete define her own rituals and presence, on and off the field. “To me, being feminine means... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3345346/style-edit-chanels-cc-league-empowers-women-athletes-and-field?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3345346/style-edit-chanels-cc-league-empowers-women-athletes-and-field?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:00:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters French badminton is targeting future Olympic success with Christo Popov’s World Tour Finals victory and a ⁠landmark European team crown marking what officials believe could be a potential turning point for the ⁠sport in the country. Popov won the biggest title of his career in December while the French men’s team stunned traditional powerhouses Denmark at last week’s continental championships – breakthroughs the French Badminton Federation’s technical director Cyrille Gombrowicz said were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3344771/france-eyes-badminton-success-olympics-long-rebuild-starts-pay-titles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3344771/france-eyes-badminton-success-olympics-long-rebuild-starts-pay-titles?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:30:08 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa US hockey player Jack Hughes quite literally fought tooth and nail at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The 24-year-old centre for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils scored the winning goal against Team Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday after taking a stick to the face and losing two of his teeth. This is the third time the US has won the Olympics men’s ice hockey gold, and the first since 1980. Hughes’ missing front teeth barely seem to have dampened his mood. “I looked on the ice and saw my... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3344317/meet-us-hockey-player-jack-hughes-who-scored-golden-goal-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3344317/meet-us-hockey-player-jack-hughes-who-scored-golden-goal-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:12 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was nothing short of a fashion show, given Milan’s history as one of the world’s fashion capitals – it’s also, of course, home to iconic brands like Prada, Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and more. Running from February 6 to 22, the Olympics featured quite a few fashion highlights, including stunning team kits like Team USA’s Ralph Lauren knits to Team Mongolia’s viral uniforms by Goyol Cashmere. We also saw quite a few designer brands sported by... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3344295/13-dazzling-looks-winter-olympics-2026-mariah-carey-roberto-cavalli-charlize-theron-versace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3344295/13-dazzling-looks-winter-olympics-2026-mariah-carey-roberto-cavalli-charlize-theron-versace?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:31:01 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar US Olympian Alysa Liu just won a gold medal in women’s figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the first to win that honour for the States in 24 years. Her triumphant long programme, performed to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park Suite”, earned a standing ovation and a total of 226.79 points. “When I was skating, hearing the cheers, I felt so connected with this audience. I want to be out there again,” the 20-year-old said, per The Guardian. This isn’t Liu’s first gold at Milano... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3344109/meet-eccentric-us-figure-skater-alysa-liu-who-just-won-gold-2026-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3344109/meet-eccentric-us-figure-skater-alysa-liu-who-just-won-gold-2026-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The 2026 Winter Olympics keep going viral for the wrong reasons. American athletes Breezy Johnson and Alysa Liu, who won gold in women’s downhill and figure skating respectively, broke their medals soon after clinching their big wins. Elsewhere, Czech ice dancers Kateřina Mrázková and Daniel Mrázek have been facing criticism for using an AI-generated track in their Olympic rhythm dance routine, per People magazine. There are also reports of a norovirus outbreak in the Olympic Village, notes CNN.... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3343292/meet-sturla-holm-laegreid-olympian-who-admitted-cheating-his-girlfriend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3343292/meet-sturla-holm-laegreid-olympian-who-admitted-cheating-his-girlfriend?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:15:07 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang China’s beloved “Diving Queen” Quan Hongchan has once again amazed her fans by being named Sports Person of the Year and making her magazine debut on the cover alongside other Chinese stars. On February 9, the country’s People magazine officially announced its 2025 cover line-up. It features eight phenomenal figures who made a significant impact in their respective fields in 2025. The line-up includes Quan Hongchan, Xin Zhilei, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Shu Qi, Shan Yichun, Liu Jiakun, Zhi Huijun and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3343158/china-buzzes-diving-queen-quan-hongchan-named-sports-person-year-makes-magazine-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3343158/china-buzzes-diving-queen-quan-hongchan-named-sports-person-year-makes-magazine-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Team USA freestyle skier Alex Hall – who took home the gold in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing for men’s freestyle skiing (slopestyle) – is not too bothered about defending his title at this year’s Milano Cortina Games. “It’s cool I got a medal four years ago, but I’m just here to ride. I’m not really thinking, ‘I’ve got to defend it.’ There’s nothing really to defend. I’m just going out to ski and have some fun,” Hall said at a press conference ahead of the competition. Here’s what to know... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3343182/meet-alex-hall-freestyle-skiings-2022-olympic-champion-competing-milano-cortina-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3343182/meet-alex-hall-freestyle-skiings-2022-olympic-champion-competing-milano-cortina-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The United States won its first gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics when ski racer Breezy Johnson claimed the honour at the women’s downhill, though she later broke her medal while jumping for joy. “People are jealous of people with Olympic gold medals. They’re not necessarily jealous of the journey it took to get those medals,” the 30-year-old athlete said, per AP. “I don’t think my journey is something that many people are envious of, and it’s been a tough road, but sometimes you just have... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3343062/meet-breezy-johnson-lgbtq-athlete-who-won-us-first-gold-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3343062/meet-breezy-johnson-lgbtq-athlete-who-won-us-first-gold-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:00:30 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Kira Kimura and Ryoma Kimata led a Japanese gold and silver medal grab in men’s big air on Saturday, underlining the growing dominance of their country in snowboarding at the Winter Olympics. The 21-year-old Kimura edged his fellow countryman with a blistering last run, scoring a final’s best 90.50 to surge to the top of the table. He finished with 179.50 points from his best two jumps. Defending champion Su Yiming of China took bronze, pushing 17-year-old American Oliver Martin off the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3342791/japans-kimura-wins-olympic-snowboard-big-air-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3342791/japans-kimura-wins-olympic-snowboard-big-air-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 20:10:28 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Every corner of Italy has its own culinary traditions, from carbonara in Rome to tortellini in Bologna. Winter Olympics 2026 co-host Cortina d’Ampezzo’s signature dish is the colourful, stuffed pasta known as casunziei. The ravioli-type dish, also known as casunziei all’Ampezzana, consists of home-made half-moon shaped pasta filled with puréed beetroot, topped with a sauce of melted butter, Parmesan cheese and poppy seeds. It is a simple dish that harks back to the Alpine region’s poorer past –... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3342656/how-make-ravioli-filled-beetroot-dish-winter-olympics-co-host-cortina?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3342656/how-make-ravioli-filled-beetroot-dish-winter-olympics-co-host-cortina?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Minions are taking over the ice at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which kick-started on February 6, and it’s all thanks to Spanish skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté. The 26-year-old skater has quickly become a popular figure in the sport for his unique routines, especially his Minions one, where he skates to songs from the animated movie’s soundtrack while dressed like one of the adorable yellow henchmen. He was almost barred from bringing his beloved routine to the Olympics, but... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342642/who-spanish-minions-figure-skater-tomas-llorenc-guarino-sabate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342642/who-spanish-minions-figure-skater-tomas-llorenc-guarino-sabate?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 10:00:13 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu With the Winter Olympics now under way in Milan and Cortina, Chinese brands involved in the Games are mounting an ambitious marketing push across Italy and Europe, with sportswear and sports equipment naturally taking centre stage. At the forefront is Li Ning, the company supplying the national team with clothing and gear for the competition after returning as the official partner of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) – a role that had previously ended in 2004. The partnership coincides with Li... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342687/chinese-sports-brands-set-sights-european-expansion-2026-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342687/chinese-sports-brands-set-sights-european-expansion-2026-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:00:15 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre When Remo Ruffini acquired Moncler in 2003, down jackets were utilitarian basics relegated to the back of the closet. Ruffini – back then an under-the-radar entrepreneur from a family in Como’s textile and clothing trade – has been single-handedly responsible for transforming a functional wardrobe staple into a de facto status symbol that is the clothing equivalent of a high-end handbag. The current chairman and outgoing CEO of Moncler, Ruffini didn’t set out to build an empire when he took over... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/luxury-ceos/article/3342585/how-remo-ruffini-made-moncler-luxury-powerhouse-grenoble-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/luxury-ceos/article/3342585/how-remo-ruffini-made-moncler-luxury-powerhouse-grenoble-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:00:16 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The 2026 Winter Olympics have just begun. Among other talented athletes named to Team USA, such as Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev, one young star is drawing the world’s attention: Maxim Naumov. Naumov, 24, who lost his parents – Olympian figure skaters Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova – in the tragic 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision a year ago, honoured his parents after earning his Team USA jacket. According to the US Figure Skating website, Naumov shared that the Olympics are “part... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342517/meet-us-figure-skating-star-maxim-naumov-whose-parents-died-plane-crash-last-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342517/meet-us-figure-skating-star-maxim-naumov-whose-parents-died-plane-crash-last-year?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters Italian President Sergio Mattarella officially opened the Milano Cortina ‌Winter Olympics on Friday during a colourful ceremony that celebrated his country’s history, arts and fashion but where political tensions surfaced. Mattarella, 84, spoke at the main event in Milan’s San ‍Siro stadium as part of an unprecedented show that also linked to celebrations in cohost Cortina d’Ampezzo, more than 400km (250 miles) away in the Dolomites. US Vice-President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3342735/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-kicks-unique-opening-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3342735/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-kicks-unique-opening-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:20:16 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa The Olympics may not be the first place people turn to for fashion inspiration, but with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina taking place in fashion month, from February 6 to February 22, followed by the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in March, why shouldn’t the world’s best athletes make their claim for the gold à la mode? Here are some of the best kits we’ll be seeing in Milano Cortina, with designs from brands like Ralph Lauren and EA7 Emporio Armani. Canada – Lululemon Lululemon turns... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3342187/6-stylish-winter-olympics-and-paralympic-games-fashion-collaborations-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3342187/6-stylish-winter-olympics-and-paralympic-games-fashion-collaborations-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:00:37 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Cortina d’Ampezzo may not be as well known as St Moritz, Courchevel, Gstaad, Vail or Aspen, but things are set to change soon as the ski resort in northern Italy is co-hosting the Winter Olympics, along with the Italian fashion capital Milan, this year. Part of the Dolomites, a mountain range in the northeast of the country, Cortina first held the Winter Olympics in 1956 and has since become a favourite destination among in-the-know Italians who flock there every year for their annual settimana... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3341485/cortina-dampezzo-celebrated-new-book-assouline-ahead-2026-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3341485/cortina-dampezzo-celebrated-new-book-assouline-ahead-2026-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:00:08 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Snowboarder Shaun White stopped competing after the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, but the three-time Olympic gold medallist is still very much involved in the sport that made him famous. He is the founder of The Snow League, a snowboarding and free-skiing circuit that also mentors young athletes, and of Whitespace, a performance brand that specialises in boards and ski gear. He is also a brand ambassador for Moncler Grenoble, the performance-wear line of the luxury outerwear company, and has... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342035/shaun-white-returning-olympics-commentator-and-mentoring-young-snowboarders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342035/shaun-white-returning-olympics-commentator-and-mentoring-young-snowboarders?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 03:00:49 +0000 Aidyn Fitzpatrick Aidyn Fitzpatrick In a city where the day can move from boardroom to backstreet in a few blocks, footwear needs to be as considered as the suit above it. Tramezza, Ferragamo’s latest line, responds with Italian-crafted shoes built on the distinctive leather layer from which the collection takes its name. Together with a patented steel shank, the tramezza marries a solid, supportive structure with supple comfort. Ferragamo, which draws on nearly a century of Florentine craftsmanship, has also announced a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3340926/style-edit-ferragamos-tramezza-artistry-meets-alberto-tombas-alpine-flair?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3340926/style-edit-ferragamos-tramezza-artistry-meets-alberto-tombas-alpine-flair?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 02:00:12 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Nine-time Olympic gold medallist Katie Ledecky clocked the second-fastest women’s 1500m freestyle time in history on Wednesday to launch the US Pro Swim Series event in Austin, Texas, with a dominant victory. Ledecky was untouchable as she cruised to victory in 15 minutes and 23.21 seconds, more than a minute in front of 16-year-old runner-up Brinkleigh Hansen, who touched in 16:31.31. Becca Mann was third in 16:35.09. Ledecky did not threaten her world record of 15:20.48, set in 2018, but she... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3339984/katie-ledecky-continues-ownership-1500m-freestyle-second-fastest-swim-ever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3339984/katie-ledecky-continues-ownership-1500m-freestyle-second-fastest-swim-ever?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Andrew Wright is set to issue a warning to his Hong Kong triathletes: ‘Do not squander your potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to qualify for an Olympics’. Head coach Wright will address the city squad on Friday to map out their route to the 2028 Games and underline that “there has never been a better time to be a Hong Kong triathlete aiming to qualify for the Olympics”. His message will be delivered with the heavy caveat that any athlete trying to juggle qualifying with university... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339903/hong-kong-triathlon-coach-lay-down-key-olympic-games-message-signpost-los-angeles-route?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339903/hong-kong-triathlon-coach-lay-down-key-olympic-games-message-signpost-los-angeles-route?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 01:00:11 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press If winning gold medals were the only standard, almost all Olympic athletes would be considered failures. The job of Emily Clark, a clinical psychologist with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), when the Winter Games open in Italy on February 6, is to help athletes interpret what it means to be successful. Should gold medals be the only measure? Part of a 15-member staff providing psychological services, Clark nurtures athletes accustomed to triumph but who invariably risk... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3339578/how-olympians-think-about-success-and-failure-and-what-we-can-learn-them?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3339578/how-olympians-think-about-success-and-failure-and-what-we-can-learn-them?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:00:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) president Johan Eliasch warned that the Winter Olympics should not be ‌diluted with novelty events, saying the Games must remain rooted in snow and ice – even ‍joking that water skiing would make more sense than some recent proposals. “I saw some videos of bicycles doing slalom in a slalom course,” Eliasch said. “Sure, you can invent anything, but quite frankly, water skiing would have more to do with ⁠the Olympic Winter Games than this. “At least... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3338963/water-skiing-would-make-more-sense-winter-games-novelty-events-snowboarding-boss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3338963/water-skiing-would-make-more-sense-winter-games-novelty-events-snowboarding-boss?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:24:04 +0000 Paul McNamara,Wynna Wong,Stephy Zhang Paul McNamara,Wynna Wong,Stephy Zhang Wheels were turning in more ways than one at a packed Hong Kong Velodrome last month when cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing rode to her third gold medal of the 15th National Games. Roared on by home spectators, it symbolised the successful realisation of the decision for the city to co-host the Games alongside Guangdong and Macau, its partners under the Greater Bay Area development plan. It created a scene officials hope to see replicated on an even bigger scale: historic achievements in front of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3336896/greater-ambition-how-hong-kong-and-bay-area-neighbours-could-host-asian-games-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3336896/greater-ambition-how-hong-kong-and-bay-area-neighbours-could-host-asian-games-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:30:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters The International Swimming League (ISL) has announced plans to relaunch as soon as 2026 ‌after a three-year hiatus, betting that a reshaped commercial model, stable backing and momentum from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could sustain a global, team-based competition in one of the Games’ marquee sports. ISL was first launched in 2019 with the goal of keeping swimming fans engaged beyond the Olympics by creating a season-long league with regular meets. It previously featured some of the sport’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3337386/international-swimming-league-targets-2026-relaunch-after-covid-19-war-disruptions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3337386/international-swimming-league-targets-2026-relaunch-after-covid-19-war-disruptions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:56:13 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara The mastermind of China’s first Olympic cycling gold has said the country needs to make a choice: allow its provinces to keep prioritising National Games success alone, or unite to conquer the world. Benoit Vetu returned as boss of mainland Chinese track cycling in March, nearly nine years after he oversaw women’s team sprint glory at the Rio Olympics for Gong Jinjie and Zhong Tianshi. The Frenchman said that he was “starting from zero” and had to “rebuild everything”. “There’s a lot of talent,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3335360/china-cant-rule-olympic-cycling-until-provinces-put-own-agendas-aside-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3335360/china-cant-rule-olympic-cycling-until-provinces-put-own-agendas-aside-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:39:22 +0000 Reuters Reuters Fencing might be one of the Olympics’ oldest events, but three-time Olympian Miles Chamley-Watson has said it urgently needs a reboot and hopes his new World Fencing League (WFL) will drag the sport into the modern entertainment age. The British-born American will unveil the league in Los Angeles in April 2026, complete with cinematic broadcasts and cutting-edge blade-tracking technology that turns lightning-fast sword work into real-time visuals. “Why is fencing not on TV? It’s simple: people... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3335038/new-fencing-competition-aims-drag-ancient-olympic-sport-modern-entertainment-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3335038/new-fencing-competition-aims-drag-ancient-olympic-sport-modern-entertainment-era?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:30:15 +0000 Mike Rowse Mike Rowse The recent flurry of sporting events has thrown up a number of aspects which I found particularly inspiring. With much of the media focus on China’s 15th National Games naturally on the sporting contests, less attention was paid to the fact that the event could only have been successfully organised with the support of local volunteers. The Agency for Volunteer Service appealed for help in marshalling competitors and spectators, and tens of thousands of ordinary Hongkongers applied. The target... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3334397/sporting-passion-hongkongers-inspiration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3334397/sporting-passion-hongkongers-inspiration?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Nov 2025 21:30:09 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan China’s top woman shot put athlete has ignited an online debate about female stereotypes after saying that she plans to lose weight, become beautiful and get married after she retires. Gong Lijiao, 36, shared her life goals with the state media CCTV on November 23, shortly after announcing her retirement from sport. She won the National Games championship, the country’s highest level comprehensive sports event, in mid-November, topping off a career which began 25 years ago. Gong, from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3334077/china-olympic-champion-plans-shed-25kg-upon-retirement-pursuing-marriage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3334077/china-olympic-champion-plans-shed-25kg-upon-retirement-pursuing-marriage?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Nov 2025 08:00:10 +0000 dpa dpa The majority of residents in Berlin do not want the city to bid to host an Olympic Games, according to a survey published on Monday. In a Civey survey commissioned by the Tagesspiegel newspaper, 67 per cent of the respondents are against a bid for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Games, while 27 per cent support the plan. Some 6 per cent are undecided. These results are likely to intensify the debate around the bid, especially after the “NOlympia” alliance announced a referendum, which is set to begin on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3333991/majority-berlin-residents-against-bid-host-olympic-games-survey-finds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3333991/majority-berlin-residents-against-bid-host-olympic-games-survey-finds?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Nov 2025 23:00:10 +0000 Geoffrey Chan,Rachael Kininmonth Geoffrey Chan,Rachael Kininmonth The dream of hosting the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games is within reach for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area development zone. But dreams alone do not win the games. They are realised through bold vision, strategic planning and timely action. We now stand at a pivotal moment. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a temporary halt to the Olympic host bidding process to allow its new president, Kirsty Coventry, time to review and refine the selection framework. This... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3331578/hong-kong-and-greater-bay-area-must-seize-chance-bid-2036-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3331578/hong-kong-and-greater-bay-area-must-seize-chance-bid-2036-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2025 01:30:07 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Multicoloured fireworks, arranged in a meandering line that resembled a dragon crawling along a pastoral mountain ridge, exploded at the foot of the Himalayas in September. Cai Guo-qiang, the 67-year-old Chinese artist behind the spectacle, has long been a global heavyweight in the contemporary arts. For decades, the arsonist-artist best known for setting his work alight was deemed to have perfected the delicate art of maintaining official approval in both the West and mainland China. This... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3330755/who-cai-guoqiang-and-will-artists-reputation-survive-recent-controversies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3330755/who-cai-guoqiang-and-will-artists-reputation-survive-recent-controversies?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Oct 2025 23:15:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters Australia’s Fitzroy River is a step closer to hosting rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics after passing technical testing, domestic media said on Tuesday. Known for crocodiles and strong tides, the waterway some 600 km (370 miles) north of Brisbane drew a mixed reception when it was proposed as an Olympic venue in March, because of concerns about its currents. However, Queensland state lawmaker Matt Canavan told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the river had passed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3329797/crocodiles-strong-tides-no-worries-australian-river-approved-2032-olympic-rowing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3329797/crocodiles-strong-tides-no-worries-australian-river-approved-2032-olympic-rowing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:00:08 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Pole vaulting is rarely high on anyone’s list of must-watch sports. But Armand Duplantis, a Swedish-American vaulter known almost universally as Mondo, is changing all that. At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo back in September, he broke his own world record by clearing 6.30 metres (20 feet 8 inches). This was the athlete’s 14th world record since February 2020 when he first surpassed previous record holder Renaud Lavillenie. The highest jump by another vaulter so far this year is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3328787/who-mondo-duplantis-who-just-set-another-pole-vault-world-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3328787/who-mondo-duplantis-who-just-set-another-pole-vault-world-record?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 22:00:16 +0000 Danielle Popov Danielle Popov Alibaba Group Holding’s artificial intelligence and cloud computing unit on Thursday inked a multi-year collaboration with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in China, a partnership that is expected to strengthen fan engagement on the mainland for the world’s premier men’s professional basketball league. Alibaba Cloud will develop innovative applications to enhance live game viewing and other fan engagement experiences, including with the annual NBA All-Star Game, the NBA Playoffs and the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3328352/alibaba-cloud-inks-multi-year-deal-nba-china-latest-sports-related-collaboration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3328352/alibaba-cloud-inks-multi-year-deal-nba-china-latest-sports-related-collaboration?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 09:00:09 +0000 Rachael Kininmonth,Beatrice Tsang Rachael Kininmonth,Beatrice Tsang As the world awaits the selection of the host for the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Greater Bay Area development zone stands at a crossroads. More than a celebration of elite athleticism, bidding for and hosting the games offers transformational benefits that could elevate the region socially, culturally and economically for generations. From fostering community integration and inspiring youth to championing health initiatives and instilling regional pride, the Olympics present a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3328188/greater-bay-area-must-seize-chance-ignite-olympic-flame?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3328188/greater-bay-area-must-seize-chance-ignite-olympic-flame?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Salomé Grouard Salomé Grouard The air at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai thrummed with the rhythmic slap of ropes against the ground. Hip-hop blasted from speakers and the crowd roared as 400 of the top rope-skipping athletes from Hong Kong, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Macau and mainland China converged for a friendly showdown in July, before the World Championships in Kawasaki, Japan. It was the Hong Kong team’s last chance to perfect techniques and choreography under the watchful eyes of officials such... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3326065/can-hong-kong-make-rope-skipping-olympic-sport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3326065/can-hong-kong-make-rope-skipping-olympic-sport?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Sep 2025 04:45:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara After winning the first of his three Olympic medals in Rio in 2016, fencer Enzo Lefort hung around in the Brazilian city for nine more days. “I partied for eight of them,” said Lefort, who won a silver in the team foil event in Brazil. “The day we got the medal, I went to the French house and partied until 6am; I got back to the village at 7.” Last year, in a Paris Olympics competition staged a few kilometres from his apartment, Lefort lost the closing three points in a 15-14 quarter-final... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3325324/how-enzo-lefort-got-over-losing-hong-kong-fencer-cheung-ka-long-his-home-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3325324/how-enzo-lefort-got-over-losing-hong-kong-fencer-cheung-ka-long-his-home-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:28:19 +0000 Geoffrey Chan,Brad Kininmonth Geoffrey Chan,Brad Kininmonth For cities around the world, hosting the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games is often seen as both a prestigious honour and a daunting economic burden. The need to construct sports complexes, modernise transport networks and expand accommodation capacity can saddle hosts with debt and infrastructure that often falls into disuse post-Games. But what if the host has the DNA for hosting a successful Olympics and can surmount this financial strain? What comes to mind is the Greater Bay Area – a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324566/why-greater-bay-area-should-host-2036-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324566/why-greater-bay-area-should-host-2036-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Roy Jones Jnr was awarded the gold medal from the 1988 Olympics – as a gift from the South Korean fighter who beat him in their controversial boxing match. Park Si-hun travelled to Jones’ ranch in Pensacola, Florida, two years ago and gave the Hall of Famer the medal that Jones seemed to have earned in a bout most observers aside from the judges believed he dominated. The news was revealed on Wednesday in a short video directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Johnny Sweet and posted on Jones’ YouTube... https://www.scmp.com/sport/boxing/article/3324317/it-belongs-you-south-korean-boxer-returns-1988-olympic-gold-medal-roy-jones-jnr?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/boxing/article/3324317/it-belongs-you-south-korean-boxer-returns-1988-olympic-gold-medal-roy-jones-jnr?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:00:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The Olympics are, for many athletes, the pinnacle of their careers. Winning a gold medal is the height of success. But the achievement is inaccessible to elite competitors in sports not selected for the showpiece event. That is why the World Games, featuring non-Olympic disciplines, are important and deserving of support. The 12th World Games have opened in Chengdu with a ceremony featuring a spectacular fireworks display, marking the first time they have been held in mainland China. The games... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3321089/world-games-chance-lesser-known-sports-shine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3321089/world-games-chance-lesser-known-sports-shine?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Aug 2025 22:45:07 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball With the HSBC SVNS Series undergoing another change in format and some unions cutting their rugby sevens programmes entirely, the sport has been facing an uncertain future. Tom Burwell, a former executive director of the Emirates Dubai 7s with 20 years’ involvement in the sport, is the driving force behind a new professional sevens tournament based on seven franchises playing over the summer that will launch in 2026. With early seasons expected to be based in Europe before going global, Burwell,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3320542/could-franchise-model-be-way-forward-rugby-7s-new-club-based-event-hopes-find-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3320542/could-franchise-model-be-way-forward-rugby-7s-new-club-based-event-hopes-find-out?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:00:20 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Doha is bidding to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, authorities said on Tuesday, as the wealthy Gulf state sets its sights on yet another major sport event to diversify its energy-reliant economy. One of the smallest and wealthiest states in the Gulf, Qatar had already hosted the 2022 Fifa World Cup. Should it be chosen, Qatar would become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to host the Olympic Games, said Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3319181/new-milestone-2022-world-cup-hosts-qatar-bids-stage-2036-olympic-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3319181/new-milestone-2022-world-cup-hosts-qatar-bids-stage-2036-olympic-games?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:00:16 +0000 Mike Rowse Mike Rowse I hope I’m not upsetting anyone’s plans for a relaxing summer, but I think the Hong Kong government should start urgently on a bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. We can do it, cities within the Greater Bay Area need it and competitors are already lining up. The Summer Olympics have been held 20 times since resuming after the Second World War. The locations of the next two games, in 2028 and 2032, have already been determined. Hosting the Olympics is a fair reflection of a city’s financial... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3317725/hong-kong-should-seek-olympic-gold-bid-2036-summer-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3317725/hong-kong-should-seek-olympic-gold-bid-2036-summer-games?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jul 2025 05:15:07 +0000