INSIDE SPORT: Sky Sports looking to bring back classic show, while Russia could return for Winter Olympics
There is mounting evidence that the Russians are on their way back into the world of international sport.
Sources have told Inside Sport that the International Olympic Committee appears to be accelerating plans for a reintegration of the country’s athletes ahead of an expected Donald Trump-led peace deal with Ukraine.
Pressure has been placed on international winter sports federations to allow Russians to compete as neutrals in the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina in 2026 – despite strong opposition from most of the European-dominated sports.
Meanwhile, senior IOC members attending the Olympic Summit this weekend were requested not to air their views and possible criticism on Russian reintegration.
Do not be surprised to see consultants and agencies gravitating back to the country, which will be in dire need of reputational management.
Sources have told Inside Sport that the International Olympic Committee appears to be accelerating plans for a reintegration of Russia’s athletes
Pressure has been placed on international winter sports federations to allow Russians to compete as neutrals in the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina in 2026
Russia won the gold medal at the Women’s Team Artistic Gymnastics event at Tokyo 2020
The ROC won 71 medals in Tokyo, including Dina Averina’s silver in the Individual All-Around Artistic Gymnastics
Sweary stadium summit
Eyebrows were raised twice at Old Trafford cricket ground last week, when the world’s leading experts in stadium design and development gathered for a summit.
Dan Meis, the American architect who designed Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore, commissioned a plane to fly over the venue carrying a banner promoting his company – although sadly all the curtains inside the venue were closed at the time thanks to sunlight pouring in and reflecting against screens so not many saw it.
When Meis gave his own presentation, delegates were taken aback to see the word ‘****’ (without asterisks) appear at the top of the page in a post on X that he had used from an Everton supporter.
Much of the talk at the event was of the other Old Trafford, half a mile down the road, which could be the site of one of the most lucrative contract many of those present will ever bid for.
Eyebrows were raised at stadium design and development summit at Old Trafford cricket ground
Dan Meis, the American architect who designed Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore, commissioned a plane to fly over the venue
Classic paper show to return
It will not be the return of Sunday Supplement, but Sky Sports are looking at bringing back a Sunday media review show.
The popular show was axed after a 20-year run in 2020, with officials at the time blaming a fixture pile-up. However, Inside Sport understands that a similar programme is being considered from next season.
While it would not be a straight return for Supplement, the proposed new addition would follow a similar format, including an informal look at the weekend’s action and major stories from industry insiders.
Sky Sports are looking at bringing back a Sunday media review show four years after ending Sunday Supplement
New Zealand tour a walk in the park
England have strolled to success – literally – in New Zealand.
Ben Stokes’ tourists took an unassailable 2-0 lead with another thumping victory, completed within three days in the second Test.
A relaxed approach has seen Stokes and Co walk to the grounds in both Wellington and Christchurch from their hotels, happily mingling with supporters over the 2.5 miles through the city and the Botanic Gardens.
There was no evidence of the blood and thunder Bazball approach in a popular Wellington coffee shop, however, when the England contingent were happy to patiently queue behind locals and Barmy Army for their morning brew.
Ben Stokes’ tourists took an unassailable 2-0 lead with another victory over New Zealand
A relaxed approach has seen Stokes and Co walk to the grounds in both Wellington and Christchurch from their hotels
Mystic McMahon
Steve McMahon joked that 30,000 copies of Everton’s Merseyside Derby programme would ‘end up in the bins’ after agreeing to do the ‘played for both sides feature’ ahead of Saturday’s match.
McMahon is not the most popular among Evertonians after he defected to Liverpool – via Aston Villa – in the mid-1980s at a time when the two clubs went toe to toe at the summit of English football.
Even now, 41 years on, the move still rankles among some of the blue persuasion.
As things turned out McMahon – a boyhood Everton fan who became the club’s youngest ever captain – was not far wrong about the destiny of those programmes, with the game a late victim of Storm Darragh.
Steve McMahon is not the most popular among Evertonians after he defected to Liverpool
As things turned out McMahon was not far wrong about programmes ending up in bins, with the game a late victim of Storm Darragh
A numbers game
Lies, damn lies and statistics. Last week, America’s MLS boldly claimed that it was the ‘second highest-attended league in the world’, following the conclusion of its season which saw LA Galaxy crowned champions.
Its website posted a table which showed it second only to the Premier League, with a total attendance of 12.1m which it said put it ahead of Germany’s Bundesliga (12m), Italy’s Serie A (11.6m) and Spain’s La Liga (10.7m).
What the report failed to mention, was that the MLS plays close to 200 games more per season than the Bundesliga and around 100 more than the Premier League and La Liga.
The game in the US is growing rapidly and there is little to be gained from attempting to mislead.
America’s MLS boldly claimed that it was the ‘second highest-attended league in the world’
Luke Littler features alongside darts royalty including Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in a limited edition collection of trading cards
Tungsten trading
Panini have launched a range of official Trading Cards featuring darts players.
The football sticker giant has got in on the act ahead of the PDS World Championship, which starts later this month.
Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries feature alongside darts royalty including Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in a limited edition collection.
