Japan won't allow its reputation to be dented by calling off the Games at this late stage, argues Raj Kishore Mishra, former joint secretary at the sports ministry.
The Sochi Winter Olympics had it's exciting times. The events and the controversies grabbed a lot of attention. But what was said added spice to the event. Here are some of the words that have impacted the Games and will stay long after the Games close.
The Winter Olympics will end on Sunday with Russia on top of the medals table in a surprise sporting success for the host nation, but news that a fifth Sochi athlete tested positive for a banned substance dimmed the golden glow.
Kim Yuna did not have the fairytale ending but her reign has finally come to an end and the South Korean could not be happier.
Marina Zoueva faced the ultimate test of her loyalties at the Winter Olympics on Monday as, in a bitter-sweet twist for ice dancing's supreme coach, she found her allegiances torn three ways.
A transgender former member of Italy's parliament was detained by Russian police for the second time in 24 hours on Monday for trying to stage a gay rights protest at the Winter Olympics.
The United States edged out host nation Russia in a thrilling men's ice hockey game at the Winter Olympics on Saturday, but a last-minute switch of high-tech suits failed to propel American speed skaters to their first medal of the Sochi Games.
Asia leaders join Sochi as Barack Obama, and others give it a skip.
The opening of the Winter Olympics was supposed to be a triumph for Vladimir Putin that ended months of criticism of the Russian president over gay rights and talk of corruption surrounding the Games.
A Democrat senator has reportedly suggested that countries should wave rainbow flags during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia to show support for gay rights, instead of boycotting them.
Russia's Sports Minister assures anti-gay law won't violate athletes' rights at Sochi Olympics.
The flame that will burn at next year's Sochi Winter Olympics was handed over to Russia on Saturday in the marble stadium that hosted the first modern Games in 1896.
Swiss court rejects Russia's appeal against Olympic doping ban. The Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said the sanctions, which also bar Russia from hosting or bidding for major sporting events during a two-year period, would come into force on Thursday and end on December 16, 2022.
The WADA decision is likely to determine whether Russian athletes, who can prove they are clean, will compete as neutrals or whether some will be invited by the IOC to compete in Tokyo.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag feels cricket needs to played in more countries if the game has to make its way into the Olympics.
Russian medallist at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is suspected of having tested positive for a banned substance
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Athletes at the Winter Olympics in Sochi may be punished for making statements on the podium against Russia's anti-gay laws or human rights record but can do so at news conferences without fear of sanction, the IOC said.
Allegations by a former head of Russia's drug testing laboratory that dozens of Russian athletes used doping when they competed at the 2014 Sochi Olympics are "slander by a turncoat" and are absolutely groundless, the Kremlin said on Friday.
Russia fell to Finland in the big men's hockey clash at the Winter Olympics on Wednesday, robbing the hosts of a shot at the gold they covet most, while athletes and officials reacted with shock to the deaths of protesters in neighbouring Ukraine.
The Sports Ministry cleared the three Indian athletes qualified for next month's Winter Olympics at government cost despite the trio taking part in the Sochi Games as independent athletes.
Las Vegas will host the 2015 World wrestling Championship in the first qualifier for what could be wrestling's final appearance as an Olympic sport in the 2016 Rio Games.
President Vladimir Putin dismissed a senior Russian Olympic Committee official on Thursday because of delays in construction work for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The Olympic flame will visit most parts of Britain during its 70-day tour starting on May 19 before returning to the capital for the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in east London on July 27.
Russia's exclusion from next month's Paralympic Games in Rio is a different situation from the IOC's decision to allow some Russian competitors to take part at the Olympics, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said on Monday.
The ruling by the CAS, sport's highest tribunal, will be taken into consideration by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as it ponders whether to impose a blanket ban on Russia from all sports.
The United States on Friday issued a fresh travel alert for Americans attending the Sochi Winter Olympics, citing cybersecurity threats and warning them to have "no expectation of privacy" using Russian communications networks.
Former Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yuna will play the role of honorary ambassador for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea's Pyeongchang.
How did US President Barack Obama manage to trump Mitt Romney despite his dismal record in the last four years? Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra, who at the heart of all the action in Washington, DC, listens to what the experts have to say
The circuit agreed last year an extension to cover this year's race, which was held in August and without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after fears it would drop off the calendar.
Munich will not bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics after failing to win the support of the local population in a referendum on whether to bid for the Games.
Nine-times Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis on Sunday called for the 2020 athletics season to be scrapped and July's Tokyo Games to be postponed until 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed thousands. With the uncertainty now of whether there will be a Games in 2020 and the tightening of people's movement by governments to try to control the virus, "we are in the twilight zone," Lewis said.
US skier Lindsey Vonn is reportedly shattered and hurt after her recent break-up with golf ace Tiger Woods.
Russian police arrested four gay rights protesters who unfurled a banner in St Petersburg on Friday declaring "Discrimination is incompatible with the Olympic Movement", gay rights group All Out said.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winning goal to help Real Madrid become European champions, while Marin Cilic made an impressive comeback after a ban to claim the US Open crown in September. Also, Germany defeated Argentina to become football world champions. Rediff.com brings you the last instalment of the Best Sports Photos of the Year!
Brazil's national Olympic committee (COB) and its head Carlos Nuzman were provisionally suspended by the International Olympic Committee on Friday, a day after the 75-year-old was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in connection with a corruption investigation.
The list of international sporting events affected by a new virus outbreak in China grew on Wednesday with skiing World Cup races in Yanqing cancelled and Olympic women's football in Australia in doubt over concerns about athletes' safety. Badminton, tennis and basketball were among other sports whose governing bodies were rearranging events, weighing possible changes or monitoring the implications of the outbreak.
The decks were cleared for India's return to the Olympic fold after a 14-month suspension with Indian Olympic Association conducting its polls with N Ramachandran being elected as the president.
Osaka became the first Japanese tennis player to win the Australian Open and the first Asian player to claim the world number one ranking.
'I just want to say that we too are fighting, working hard, day in and day out for India'
The two Koreas have agreed to pursue a bid to co-host the 2032 Olympic Games, they said in a joint statement on Wednesday following a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
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