Mark Staniforth

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games concluded with a closing ceremony featuring Simple Minds after the city stepped in to host an 11-day event when Victoria, Australia, withdrew. Glasgow’s chief executive Phil Batty said the £160 million Games demonstrated a more flexible and sustainable model, supported by £100 million in Australian compensation. Commonwealth Sport plans to reduce future hosting costs by about 60%, with government funding varying by country, and says several nations are discussing a bid for 2034. Officials are also considering using the Games as qualification events to encourage leading athletes to compete.

England missed out on a Commonwealth Games netball medal after losing 68–50 to Australia in the bronze-medal match. Australia recovered from a semi-final defeat by Jamaica to dominate the second half, while New Zealand defeated Jamaica to retain the title and complete an unbeaten tournament.

Northern Ireland boxer Jon McConnell won the Commonwealth Games men’s 60kg gold medal in Glasgow after turning down an opportunity to pursue Love Island, saying he instead wants to target the 2028 Olympics. His teammate Kaci Rock lost to England’s Sacha Hickey in the women’s 65kg division. England secured several further boxing golds through Patris Mughalzai, Isaac Okoh, Dimeji Shittu and Damar Thomas, while athletes from India, Northern Ireland and England also collected silver medals.

Northern Ireland boxer Jon McConnell won the Commonwealth Games men’s 60kg gold medal in Glasgow after declining an opportunity to appear on ITV’s Love Island. He defeated Wales’ Orlando Holley-Sotomi and said he would continue focusing on boxing and qualifying for the 2028 Olympics. England secured four boxing golds, including victories for Sacha Hickey, Patris Mughalzai, Isaac Okoh, Dimeji Shittu and Damar Thomas, while several other competitors from Northern Ireland, England and India took silver.

Twenty-year-old Tuvaluan boxer Tarona Taafaki won the nation’s first Commonwealth Games medal after receiving a bye into the women’s 75kg semifinal, where she lost to India’s Lovlina Borgohain. Because both semifinal losers received bronze medals, Taafaki secured third place without winning a bout. Her father and coach, Badi Taafaki, said the achievement would raise Tuvalu’s profile and draw attention to the climate crisis threatening its islands, including coastal erosion and potential flooding in Funafuti. The Taafaki family hopes improved international exposure and training opportunities will help develop boxing in Tuvalu and eventually lead athletes to the Olympics.

Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul, grandson of former dictator Idi Amin, was disqualified from his Commonwealth Games super-heavyweight bout against England’s Damar Thomas after a headbutt in the third round. Abdul alleged that the decision reflected discrimination against him as a Black African, but Commonwealth Sport chief Donald Rukare rejected the accusation and said athletes were treated fairly. World Boxing declined to comment. The incident drew additional attention because of Abdul’s family lineage and references to Amin during the competition.

Commonwealth Sport chief Donald Rukare rejected Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul’s claim that racism contributed to his disqualification against England’s Damar Thomas at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Abdul was disqualified in the third round after a headbutt, following a standing count and an earlier penalty, while Rukare described the decision as a fair field-of-play ruling made in the heat of competition. Abdul had attracted attention as the grandson of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, whose legacy was also referenced in the build-up to the bout.

Aziz Abdul, Idi Amin’s grandson, was disqualified during the third round of his Commonwealth Games super-heavyweight bout against England’s Damar Thomas after receiving three foul penalties, including a headbutt. Thomas had dominated the scorecards after dropping Abdul for a standing count and winning the opening round 10–8. Abdul disputed the referee’s decision, alleged bias toward the English boxer and vowed to seek revenge in a future fight. The report also recalls Amin’s rule in Uganda, his self-proclaimed title as King of Scotland and the film inspired by that claim.

Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul, grandson of former Ugandan dictator and boxer Idi Amin, was disqualified from his Commonwealth Games super-heavyweight bout against England’s Damar Thomas in Glasgow after receiving three foul penalties, including one for headbutting. Abdul was already behind on the scorecards and accused officials of bias and racial discrimination after being removed in the final round. His ambition to become the “new king of Scotland” echoed his grandfather’s infamous claim and the film The Last King of Scotland.

Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul, the grandson of former president Idi Amin, was disqualified from his Commonwealth Games super-heavyweight bout against England’s Damar Thomas after receiving three foul penalties, including a third-round headbutt. Abdul accused the officials of bias and suggested racial motivations, while the report also notes his earlier comments about following his grandfather’s knockout philosophy.

New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs won the women’s 100m gold in 10.93 seconds, narrowly defeating England’s Amy Hunt, whose silver extended England’s 40-year wait for a Commonwealth Games champion in the event. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme won the men’s 100m in a Games-record 9.83 seconds, ahead of Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy and Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi. Isle of Man athlete David Mullarkey also claimed bronze in the men’s 10,000 metres.

Amy Hunt won silver in the women’s 100m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, running 10.98 seconds, but New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs took gold in 10.93. England’s wait for a women’s 100m champion therefore continued after Heather Oakes’s 1986 victory. Australia’s Torrie Lewis finished third and England’s Imani Lansiquot fourth. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme won the men’s 100m in a Games-record 9.83, while Jeremiah Azu finished fifth. Isle of Man athlete David Mullarkey also secured bronze in the men’s 10,000 metres.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty won bronze in the 50m breaststroke at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after also taking bronze in the 100m event, acknowledging that age and lost power have affected his performance. Having moved to a new training base and coach Lisa Bates in London, he plans to focus on the European Championships in Paris while suggesting this may have been his final individual Commonwealth Games appearance. The article also highlights 16-year-old Amalie Smith’s silver medal in the 400m individual medley as evidence of her growing potential.

Reuben Ward won the men’s all-around gymnastics gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming Scotland’s first champion in the event. His score of 79.650 narrowly held off Canada’s Felix Dolci, who recovered from two pommel-horse falls to take silver, while Australia’s Jesse Moore won bronze. Ward’s victory followed Scotland’s fourth-place finish in the team event, and he hoped to add further medals in the floor and pommel finals.

Aziz Abdul, the grandson of former Ugandan dictator and boxer Idi Amin, is competing for Uganda in the Commonwealth Games super-heavyweight boxing competition in Glasgow. He faces England’s Damar Thomas, a European youth champion, and says he plans to rely on his powerful “Ringo Punch” to secure a knockout. Abdul embraces his family connection and cites Amin, Mike Tyson, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury as influences, while the article recalls Amin’s boxing career and brutal rule of Uganda.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty qualified fifth fastest for the men’s 50-metre breaststroke semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games with a time of 27.27 seconds. Australia’s Sam Williamson was the fastest qualifier in 26.75, while Michael Houlie, Chris Smith and Ronan Wantenaar also finished ahead of Ramsay-Peaty. The result came shortly after Ramsay-Peaty won bronze in the 100-metre breaststroke.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty qualified fifth fastest for the men’s 50-metre breaststroke semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games, recording 27.27 seconds. The result followed his emotional bronze-medal finish in the 100-metre event and came ahead of Jersey swimmer Filip Nowacki, but Australia’s Sam Williamson posted the fastest qualifying time, while swimmers from South Africa and Namibia also finished ahead of Ramsay-Peaty.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty broke down after finishing third in the 100-metre breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games, an event he had dominated for years. Australia’s Sam Williamson won, while 18-year-old Filip Nowacki took silver and claimed Jersey’s first Commonwealth Games medal in 36 years. Ramsay-Peaty attributed his reaction to the sacrifices of elite training, a two-year absence from championship racing, injury and mental-health struggles, and pressure from media scrutiny. After previously considering quitting following his Olympic disappointment, he said he remained determined to compete at the European Championships and defend his 50-metre breaststroke title. He also praised Nowacki as the next generation of British breaststroke.

Gabriel Langton was released from hospital after scans found no serious complications following his head-and-neck landing during England’s men’s team gymnastics final. The 18-year-old had received extensive treatment and was taken from the arena on a stretcher, but was later reported to be in good spirits and looking forward to rejoining teammates to celebrate England’s silver medal. His fall affected the team’s performance, while Luke Whitehouse said the gymnasts had to reset mentally and remain focused.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty was unexpectedly beaten in the men's 100m breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, finishing third in 59.65 seconds. Australia's Sam Williamson won gold in 59.17 seconds, while Jersey teenager Filip Nowacki took silver in 59.34 seconds, earning Jersey its first Commonwealth medal since 1990. The result marked a major upset for the three-time Olympic champion and world-record holder, who had been the clear favourite and was attempting a career revival in the pool where he first won Commonwealth medals.

Sean McCann, Madeleine McCann’s 21-year-old brother, finished eighth in the men’s 400-metre freestyle final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, recording a time of 3:53.47. His parents Gerry and Kate and twin sister Amelie attended the event. McCann said reaching the final exceeded his expectations and hopes the experience will help him compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Sean McCann reached the men’s 400m freestyle final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, qualifying eighth overall with a time of 3:52.64. His parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, and twin sister Amelie watched from the stands. Sean, who represents Scotland and studies chemical engineering at Loughborough University, described the result as unexpected and hopes the Games will help him pursue selection for Great Britain at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He is also expected to compete in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty advanced to the Commonwealth Games men’s 100-metre breaststroke semi-finals after recording the fastest heat time of 59.46 seconds, despite a delay caused by a broken lane divider. The result marked a strong return to the event for the Olympic champion, who has sought to rebuild his career following mental-health difficulties and a disappointing fourth-place finish at the previous Commonwealth Games.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla opened the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by emerging from a TARDIS operated by cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh. The indoor ceremony drew on Scottish landmarks and Doctor Who imagery, while the TARDIS referenced Glasgow’s historic police telephone boxes. The Games were revived after Victoria, Australia, withdrew as host over spiraling costs; Glasgow’s redesigned event features 10 sports across four existing venues and costs about a quarter as much as the 2014 Games.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson has withdrawn from the England team for the Commonwealth Games because an earlier injury has prevented her from returning to competitive form. The defending heptathlon champion said she was disappointed to miss the event on home soil but would instead focus on preparing for the European Championships in Birmingham. Eight other England athletes, including Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita, Matthew Hudson-Smith and Amber Anning, also withdrew, adding to a growing list of international stars absent from the Games.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Dina Asher-Smith were among nine England athletics team members to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on the day of the opening ceremony. Olympic medallists Matthew Hudson-Smith and Daryll Neita also pulled out, while Johnson-Thompson was widely expected to seek a third Commonwealth title. Her reason was not immediately given, though she was presumed to be prioritising the European Championships in Birmingham. The withdrawals reflect the scheduling dilemma facing leading athletes, alongside earlier absences including Keely Hodgkinson, Kaylee McKeown, Summer McIntosh, Mary Moraa and injured gymnast Max Whitlock.

Sean McCann, a 21-year-old swimmer and student at Loughborough University, has been selected to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He is expected to compete in longer-distance freestyle events after placing fifth in the 400m freestyle at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Tobago. McCann trains more than 20 hours a week and hopes a strong performance will help him secure selection for Great Britain at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Sean McCann, brother of Madeleine McCann, has been selected to represent Scotland in long‑distance freestyle swimming events at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Now a Loughborough University student and former competitor at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, he aims to use the competition as a stepping stone toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. McCann describes a demanding training regimen that has supported his rise through county, regional and national levels, while his twin sister Amelia is also active in competitive swimming and triathlon.

Wigan defeated Warrington 30-18 in the Betfred Super League despite an injury-hit squad, with four young players scoring their first senior tries. Head coach Matt Peet praised the academy graduates, especially Josh Cartwright, who was drafted into the starting lineup on the morning of the match. Warrington led by six points at half-time, but a yellow card for James Bentley disrupted their momentum and Wigan took advantage. Sam Burgess accepted that his team’s effort was strong but said poor discipline and injuries had affected their performance. The victory left Wigan second behind Leeds, while Warrington face pressure to recover before a demanding run of fixtures.

Wigan Warriors condemned racist abuse directed at Junior Nsemba on social media after the club’s narrow Magic Weekend victory over St Helens in Liverpool. The club reported the comments to the Rugby Football League and police, while head coach Matt Peet urged authorities and the sport to ensure the incident was investigated rather than ignored. Wigan’s win left them second in the Super League, four points behind Leeds Rhinos.

Kevin Sinfield has been knighted in the King’s birthday honours for his distinguished rugby league career and fundraising for motor neurone disease research and affected families, raising more than £11 million since supporting his friend Rob Burrow. Luke Donald and Shaun Murphy received OBEs, while Emily Scarratt, Gary Street and David Dein were also recognised at that level. Several England football and rugby figures received MBEs, including Lee Carsley and six Lionesses players. Former rugby league star Neil Fox was made a CBE, while Lou Macari and Cliff Jones received MBEs. The honours recognise sporting achievements alongside charity work, community service and efforts to combat homelessness and reoffending.

Wigan defeated Hull KR 40-10 in the Betfred Challenge Cup final after Jack Farrimond scored two first-half tries and won the Lance Todd Trophy. Although Bevan French returned from a hamstring injury six weeks earlier than expected and scored shortly after coming on, head coach Matt Peet said Farrimond remains the starting half-back and that both players will be needed. Hull KR coach Willie Peters admitted his team lacked hunger and failed to handle pressure, while injuries to Dean Hadley and Mikey Lewis added to their difficulties.

Wigan Warriors defeated Hull Kingston Rovers 40-10 at Wembley to win the Challenge Cup and avenge their previous season's Grand Final loss. Jack Farrimond scored twice and set the tone while substitute Bevan French marked his return from hamstring surgery with a try shortly after entering. Adam Keighran added two tries, six conversions and a final record-equalling 20-point haul. Hull KR were disrupted by Dean Hadley's early head injury, Mikey Lewis's injury and a late red card for Sam Walters, while Peta Hiku scored both of their tries.

Hull KR and Wigan Warriors are preparing to meet in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, renewing a rivalry shaped by their appearances in the last two Super League Grand Finals. Wigan could welcome back playmaker Bevan French after hamstring surgery, while Hull KR hope to give departing coach Willie Peters a winning send-off before he joins the PNG Chiefs. Tyrone May says Peters’s departure has motivated the defending treble-winners, who are seeking a second consecutive Challenge Cup title. Wigan are also relying on young players Noah Hodkinson and Jack Farrimond, while Hull KR face a fitness and availability concern over Jai Whitbread.

Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty described the club’s forthcoming Betfred Super League fixture against Leigh in Las Vegas as a major statement of intent and evidence of Bradford’s return to the sport’s top level. The match, scheduled for February 27 at Allegiant Stadium, will be Bradford’s home fixture and carries financial risks, but Haggerty believes the global exposure outweighs them. Bradford’s appearance comes 25 years after its first World Club Challenge title and follows the club’s relegation, liquidation and subsequent rebuilding. Leigh, which returned to Super League in 2023 and won that year’s Challenge Cup, will join Bradford after Hull FC and St Helens withdrew from consideration.

Ronnie O’Sullivan says he will prioritise tournaments that offer sufficient financial rewards next season, warning that he may stop playing if organisers no longer pay appearance or participation fees. His comments follow the cancellation of the lucrative Saudi Masters, though he hopes other Saudi events will continue. O’Sullivan, who has played a selective schedule, plans to return for the World Seniors Championship after losing 13–12 to John Higgins at the World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan revealed he had booked a flight home to Ireland before completing his second-round World Championship match against John Higgins, believing defeat was likely. O’Sullivan led 9-4 but Higgins recovered, produced three centuries in the final session and won 13-12 in a deciding frame, ending O’Sullivan’s bid for an eighth Crucible title. Higgins described the victory as one of the most memorable of his career, while O’Sullivan said he was surprised to have made the match so competitive after two years without a major high-pressure contest.

Mark Selby criticised the inconsistent and “horrific” Crucible table after losing 13–11 to China’s Wu Yize in the World Snooker Championship quarter-final stage. Selby said the conditions affected both players but were not the reason for his defeat, while describing his own performance as “pathetic.” The World Snooker Tour defended its table-fitters and said it continuously monitors conditions and collects player feedback. Selby praised Wu’s attacking style and predicted that the 22-year-old could become world champion, potentially as soon as the current tournament.

John Higgins defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 13-12 in a dramatic World Snooker Championship match in Sheffield, ending O’Sullivan’s bid for a record eighth Crucible title. O’Sullivan twice led by five frames but lost six consecutive frames across the final two sessions. Higgins recovered from deficits of 8-3 and 9-4, produced three centuries in the concluding session and won the deciding frame. O’Sullivan said he had been realistic about his chances after limited competition in major matches over the previous two years, while Higgins described the victory as one of the most memorable of his career.

John Higgins defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 13–12 in a dramatic World Snooker Championship match in Sheffield, reaching the quarter-finals after recovering from two five-frame deficits. Higgins won six consecutive frames across the final two sessions and made three centuries to take the lead, while O’Sullivan forced a deciding frame with an 81 break. Higgins then held his nerve to secure the victory and end O’Sullivan’s bid for a record eighth Crucible title.

John Higgins defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 13–12 in a dramatic World Snooker Championship match in Sheffield, ending O’Sullivan’s bid for a record eighth Crucible title. O’Sullivan twice held a five-frame lead, but Higgins won six consecutive frames across the final sessions, making three centuries on Monday and taking the deciding frame to reach the quarter-finals.

John Higgins fought back from 8-3 down to reduce Ronnie O’Sullivan’s lead to 9-7 in their World Snooker Championship second-round match, which will conclude on Monday. Defending champion Zhao Xintong reached the quarter-finals by defeating Ding Junhui 13-9. Wu Yize leads Mark Selby 9-7, Judd Trump leads Hossein Vafaei by the same score, and Neil Robertson holds a 10-6 advantage over Chris Wakelin. The remaining quarter-final places are due to be decided on Monday.

Ronnie O’Sullivan leads John Higgins 9-7 after Higgins recovered from two five-frame deficits in a tense second-round World Championship session. Wu Yize also holds a 9-7 advantage over Mark Selby, while defending champion Zhao Xintong defeated Ding Junhui 13-9 to reach the quarter-finals. Judd Trump leads Hossein Vafaei 9-7, and Neil Robertson is ahead of Chris Wakelin 10-6 after a disputed foul decision helped swing the 14th frame.

Ronnie O’Sullivan dominated John Higgins 6–2 in the opening session of their World Snooker Championship second-round match, making several substantial breaks and moving closer to a potential record eighth Crucible title. Elsewhere, Barry Hawkins defeated Mark Williams 13–9, while Mark Allen advanced past Kyren Wilson and criticised BBC pundit Stephen Hendry’s analysis. Hossein Vafaei and Judd Trump were level at 4–4, Neil Robertson and Chris Wakelin also shared eight frames, and defending champion Zhao Xintong held a 9–7 lead over Ding Junhui.

Shaun Murphy defeated Xiao Guodong 13-3 to reach the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals with a session to spare, recording four centuries and securing a weekend at home before his next match. He will face either defending champion Zhao Xintong or Ding Junhui, whose all-Chinese second-round match was level at 4-4 after its opening session. Mark Allen led Kyren Wilson 9-7 after recovering from an early collapse, while Barry Hawkins and Mark Williams were also tied 4-4.

Ronnie O’Sullivan says snooker players cannot avoid difficult opponents in the way some boxers can secure carefully selected matchups. He is preparing to face longtime rival John Higgins in the second round of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield while pursuing a record eighth title and trying to surpass Stephen Hendry’s record. O’Sullivan and Higgins have met 79 times professionally, with O’Sullivan leading 41–38, but he says he is motivated by the game itself rather than by any particular opponent.

Ronnie O’Sullivan completed a 10-2 victory over He Guoqiang at the Crucible to reach the last 16 of the World Snooker Championship. After struggling with his usual cue, O’Sullivan used an older cue retrieved from under his bed in Ireland and produced century breaks of 113 and 100. He will face fellow Class of ’92 veteran John Higgins next, while praising emerging talents Stan Moody and Liam Pullen. O’Sullivan remains in contention to surpass Stephen Hendry’s record with an eighth Crucible title but says limited tournament play has left him rusty and uncertain about his prospects.

Chris Wakelin defeated Liam Pullen 10–6 in the opening round of the World Snooker Championship and used the occasion to criticize Stephen Hendry's repeated predictions against him. Wakelin said Hendry clearly does not rate him, while stressing that he still admires the seven-time world champion. He also joked that he would support Ronnie O'Sullivan winning an eighth Crucible title partly to see Hendry's reaction. Mark Selby was meanwhile leading Jak Jones 7–2 in another first-round match.

Ronnie O’Sullivan established a commanding 7-2 lead over debutant He Guoqiang in the opening session of their World Championship first-round match in Sheffield. O’Sullivan produced breaks of 72, 97, 52 and 86 despite an early walk-on mix-up, while He recovered from a nervous start with a 77 break but missed further opportunities. O’Sullivan needs three more frames to reach the second round, where he could face fellow Class of 1992 player John Higgins.

Shaun Murphy criticised a front-row spectator who muttered “s*** shot” during his first-round World Snooker Championship match against Fan Zhengyi, saying the remark disrupted his concentration. Murphy nevertheless edged the opening session 5-4 before the match’s conclusion. Elsewhere, Judd Trump recovered from a 3-1 deficit to lead Gary Wilson 5-4, while debutant Liam Pullen remained within one frame of 13th seed Chris Wakelin after producing four half-centuries.

Nineteen-year-old qualifier Stan Moody squandered a 7-3 lead against 2024 champion Kyren Wilson, losing 10-7 after Wilson won seven consecutive frames. Moody had produced an outstanding Crucible debut but missed a crucial red in the 12th frame, while Wilson later revealed that problems with his cue are affecting his game. Wilson will meet Mark Allen in the second round. Shaun Murphy ended his opening session against Fan Zhengyi with a narrow 5-4 lead after a 140 clearance.

Hull FC head coach John Cartwright suggested he may leave the club before the end of the season after being told his contract will not be renewed. Following Hull's 24-14 home defeat by St Helens, Cartwright said he felt betrayed and disrespected but would meet the club's hierarchy to discuss his immediate future. Supporters vocally backed him during the match and post-match interview. Hull led 12-6 at half-time through Logan Moy's try, but St Helens mounted a strong second-half comeback, with late tries from Kyle Feldt and Harry Robertson taking them to the top of Super League. St Helens coach Paul Rowley praised his players while expressing sympathy for Cartwright and Hull.

Former Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington says Super League’s creation in 1996 rescued rugby league financially and enabled leading clubs to become full-time, but administrators and owners repeatedly failed to capitalize on expansion opportunities. He cites the collapse of Paris Saint-Germain, Toronto Wolfpack and various London initiatives as evidence of poor strategic planning, while pointing to Catalans Dragons as a successful French model. Hetherington believes London and southeast England are essential to the sport’s future and is working to return the London Broncos to Super League in 2027.

Snooker is set to remain at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre until at least 2045 following a deal linked to a planned £45 million renovation. Matchroom Sport president Barry Hearn believes the stability and investment will help snooker increase its prize funds, with a £1 million World Championship winner becoming a realistic prospect after the current £500,000 champion’s prize. Hearn expects a gradual rise toward a minimum total prize pool of £5 million rather than an immediate jump.

Barry Hearn said he allowed sentiment to influence the decision to keep the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre until at least 2045, with an option to extend to 2050. The venue will temporarily close to the tournament in 2029 and possibly 2030 for a £45 million redevelopment that will add around 500 seats and improve backstage and public areas. The agreement was supported by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Sheffield City Council after years of negotiations and competing commercial possibilities in China and Saudi Arabia. Manchester and London’s Alexandra Palace are potential UK venues during the renovation period, while the future of the Saudi Arabia Masters remains uncertain because of regional hostilities.

Ronnie O’Sullivan made a record-breaking 153 break at the World Open in Yushan after receiving a free ball against Ryan Day, surpassing Jamie Burnett’s previous professional-match record of 148. He added two centuries and a 95 break to complete a 5–0 win and reach the semi-finals against Wu Yize. Despite the historic performance, O’Sullivan said he remains well below his best and is currently projected to fall to 13th in the rankings ahead of the World Championship.

The Milan and Cortina Winter Olympics are praised for restoring the Games’ snow-bound identity through dispersed alpine venues while maintaining elite competition and global appeal. Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won a historic gold, and Great Britain enjoyed a breakthrough with three golds, including two for Matt Weston and mixed snowboard-cross gold for Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale. The event also generated celebrity appearances and unusual controversies, but the central conclusion is that the Winter Olympics should preserve its distinctive focus on snow and ice sports rather than add summer disciplines.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry declared the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics closed during an opera-themed ceremony at Verona’s ancient Roman amphitheatre, praising the Games as a new model for the future. The event’s wide geographical spread and use of alpine locations were highlighted as a possible blueprint for the Winter Olympics, while the 2030 French Alps Games face scrutiny over costs and scheduling. The ceremony also featured final medal presentations, including Johannes Høsflot Klæbo’s record sixth gold, and the formal handover to the next host. Coventry’s first Games as president was marked by criticism over the ban on Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych and confusion surrounding other controversies.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry declared the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics closed at an opera-themed ceremony in Verona, praising the organisers for creating a geographically dispersed Games and setting a new standard. The event celebrated new champions, including Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, and handed over responsibility for the 2030 Games to the French Alps, where cost and scheduling concerns are growing. Coventry’s first Games as president was also marked by criticism over the banning of Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych and controversy surrounding FIFA president Gianni Infantino. King Charles praised the achievements and sportsmanship of Team GB and other Commonwealth athletes.

An interactive Press Association quiz challenges readers to recall the key moments from the 19 days of competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina.

British freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy said he stands by social media comments opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite receiving online abuse, homophobic abuse and death threats. The 34-year-old, who switched from representing the United States to Great Britain after the 2018 Olympics, made a self-funded comeback at the Games in Livigno after investing nearly $200,000 in qualifying. He finished outside the medal positions after falls in the halfpipe final and discussed the abuse with fellow American skier Hunter Hess, who was also criticised by Donald Trump for expressing mixed emotions about representing the United States.

Team GB chef de mission Eve Muirhead believes a strong final Saturday could deliver Britain’s best-ever Winter Olympics. Bruce Mouat’s men’s curling team and freestyle skier Zoe Atkin are targeting gold in Cortina and Livigno, which would allow Britain to match its record haul of five medals in golds alone. Britain has already secured gold through skeleton athletes Matt Weston and Tabby Stoecker, as well as snowboarders Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale.

Emily Harrop, born in France to English parents and previously eligible to compete for Great Britain, is the overwhelming favourite to win the women’s inaugural Olympic ski-mountaineering event for France. A four-time reigning overall world champion, she switched to ski mountaineering after an injury ended her earlier alpine-skiing path. The event debuts at the Winter Olympics in Bormio and combines uphill skiing, a climb in ski boots and a downhill slalom.

Eighteen-year-old Russian figure skater Adeliia Petrosian made her Olympic debut in Milan with a career-best short-program score of 72.89, leaving her on the edge of medal contention. Her participation was approved only after she was deemed not to have supported Russia’s war in Ukraine or to have links to its military or security services. Petrosian’s training at Moscow’s Sambo 70 under Eteri Tutberidze has drawn scrutiny because of the club’s association with Kamila Valieva’s 2022 doping scandal and Tutberidze’s controversial treatment of Valieva. Despite Russia’s long dominance in the women’s singles event, Petrosian is unlikely to continue that title-winning streak because she omitted the technically demanding quadruple jumps associated with Tutberidze’s skaters.

Great Britain’s Kirsty Muir finished fourth in the women’s Big Air final at Livigno Snow Park, missing out on a medal for the second time at the Winter Olympics after crashing while attempting a new trick. Canada’s Megan Oldham won gold, Italy’s Flora Tabanelli took bronze, and China’s Eileen Gu finished on the podium. Despite her disappointment, Muir expressed pride in her performance and her recovery from a serious ACL injury that kept her out for much of the 2024 season.

Kirsty Muir finished fourth in the women's freestyle Big Air final at Livigno Snow Park, missing out on a second Winter Olympic medal by a narrow margin. A 93.0 score from her second jump briefly moved her into medal position, but Eileen Gu and Flora Tabanelli surpassed her before Muir crashed while attempting a higher-risk final jump. Canada's Megan Oldham won gold, Gu took silver and Italy's Tabanelli claimed bronze. Strong winds delayed the final, while Mathilde Gremaud withdrew after a training crash.

Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale won Great Britain's first Olympic gold medal on snow in the mixed snowboard cross team event in Livigno. Head coach Jerome Choupin believes the thrilling victory could inspire a new generation of athletes, while Bankes views the result as redemption after disappointing individual Olympic performances and plans to pursue an individual medal at the next Winter Olympics.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won Brazil’s first Winter Olympic medal and the first by any South American nation, taking men’s giant slalom gold in Bormio ahead of Swiss favourite Marco Odermatt by 0.58 seconds. Born in Oslo to a Brazilian mother and Norwegian father, Braathen switched from representing Norway to Brazil after disputes with Norway’s ski federation. He said he hoped his achievement would inspire Brazilian children, while the result elevated Brazil above Iceland on the all-time Winter Olympic medals table.

Alain Baxter, who controversially lost his 2002 Olympic bronze medal after testing positive for a banned substance in an over-the-counter nasal inhaler, says he is proud to have inspired and helped develop Britain’s next generation of alpine skiers. As Dave Ryding prepares for his fifth and final Olympic appearance, he credits Baxter’s medal with inspiring his own career, including his historic 2022 World Cup victory at Kitzbühel. Baxter, now Britain’s head alpine coach, believes the current training group can produce another World Cup winner despite funding cuts that have reduced the squad’s resources.

Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won Olympic gold in the men’s figure skating singles after starting the free skate in fifth place and more than 15 points behind leader Ilia Malinin. Malinin, the reigning dominant skater and a planned seven-quad record holder, fell twice and completed only three quads, dropping to eighth. Yuma Kagiyama took silver despite two falls, while Shun Sato climbed from ninth to claim bronze; Adam Siao Him Fa also fell twice and slipped down the standings.

Team GB had yet to win a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics after near-miss fourth-place finishes by Kirsty Muir and Mia Brookes. The article identifies luge, biathlon, ski jumping, Nordic combined and speed skating as sports in which Britain has historically struggled, highlighting poor results and limited participation while using a satirical tone to suggest that even substantial funding is unlikely to produce Olympic podium finishes.

Super League will expand to 14 teams for the 2026 season with Bradford, Toulouse and York joining, a change expected to eliminate many loop fixtures but also expose concerns about limited player depth and widening financial disparities. Hull KR enter the campaign as reigning treble winners, led by Mikey Lewis and strengthened by Tom Amone, making them the team others must catch. St Helens and Hull FC are identified as the strongest potential challengers, while Wigan, Leeds, Leigh and Wakefield face varying prospects. The new clubs are expected to focus primarily on adapting to top-flight rugby, with York appearing best equipped to compete. The quality of weekly matches, rather than marquee events such as Las Vegas and Magic Weekend, will determine whether expansion improves the sport.

Mia Brookes finished fourth in the Olympic women’s snowboard slopestyle final after attempting a backside 1620 she had never landed on snow before. The 19-year-old completed the rotations but was penalised for an awkward landing, while Japan’s Kokomo Murase won gold ahead of Zoe Sadowski Synnott, with South Korea’s Seungeun Yu taking bronze. Brookes said she had no regrets and plans to take further risks in the slopestyle competition, where she is a leading contender after winning the 2023 world title and a recent X Games gold.

Great Britain will send 53 athletes to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, three more than at Beijing 2022 but below the 58 athletes sent to Pyeongchang in 2018. The squad includes competitors in curling, skeleton, bobsleigh, skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, speed skating and biathlon. Team GB enters the Games with strong medal prospects, particularly in sliding sports, freestyle disciplines and curling, and hopes to surpass its record of five medals. Biathletes Jacques Jeffries and Shawna Pendry were late additions and will be Britain’s first Winter Olympic biathletes since 2018.

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opened with a four-hour ceremony featuring performances by Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli, athlete parades across four venues, and an unprecedented double cauldron lighting by Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni in Milan and Sofia Goggia in Cortina. US Vice-President JD Vance was booed when shown on stadium screens. The Games span 14,000 square miles, with Britain entering a 53-strong team and high hopes based on strong recent performances, while Italy looks for a new generation of stars.

Marco Odermatt enters the Olympic men’s downhill as the clear favourite after a dominant career, but Italy hopes home advantage on the Stelvio course can produce a surprise. Dominik Paris, a seven-time World Cup winner at Bormio, is targeting a fairytale final chapter, while 24-year-old Giovanni Franzoni offers another Italian threat after defeating Odermatt in Kitzbühel. The race is framed against the legacy of past downhill icons including Franz Klammer, Bill Johnson and Aksel Lund Svindal.

Great Britain’s skeleton team is appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against an International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation ruling that its new helmets, featuring aerodynamic ridges, violate existing regulations. A hearing is scheduled shortly before the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, although the team is prepared to use its World Cup equipment if the appeal fails. The dispute echoes earlier challenges to British equipment, including Amy Williams’s 2010 Olympic helmet and the specialized suits worn by 2018 medalists. Britain enters the Games with strong medal prospects after Matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt won all seven men’s World Cup gold medals this season, while Tabby Stoecker and Amelia Coltman also secured women’s medals.