Duncan Mackay

Exclusive: Details of World Boxing finances revealed as Golovkin settles into the hot seat Newly published accounts show how dependent the fledging international governing body for boxing is reliant on the support o the IOC, as David Owen exclusively reports

The full story is available by clicking open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

First priority for World Boxing President Gennadiy Golovkin will be to put the new international federation responsible for Olympic boxing at @la28games.bsky.social onto a firm financial footing. As @dodo938.bsky.social reveals for the #ZeusFiles, they're heavily reliant on funding from the IOC.

#VictorConte, architect of one of the biggest doping stories in sport, has died at 75. The self-taught pharmacist ended up a millionaire thanks to the range of nutritional supplements he continued to sell even after being sent to prison. Latest #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Thank you to everyone who sent me messages for my 60th birthday. I spent it in the middle of the Pacific Ocean aboard the Anthem of the Seas on a cruise from Honolulu to Sydney with the lovely Sarah Bowron. Arrived in Australia today for a short visit before heading home.

Has Kenya realised just in time how serious its doping problem is? WADA drops threat to declare them non-compliant as Kenyan President William Ruto promises to “do whatever it takes” to restore trust with new figures showing country are athletics biggest dopers

#Kenya has avoided being declared non-compliant by #WADA - for now. A turning point in the fight against doping in the country? Or just delaying the inevitable. I discuss the controversial topic in the latest edition of the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Exclusive: Klitschko drops bid to run for World Boxing President Withdrawal of Ukrainian opens way for Kazakhstan’s Gennady Golovkin but he will have to counter threat of the Russian-controlled IBA who are set to offer record prize money at its World Championships

A bid by #WladimirKlitschko to become President of #WorldBoxing has ended only days after it begun leaving another #boxing legend, #GennadyGolovkin, as overwhelming favourite to win the election with full backing of #IOC. Full details of #ZeusFiles *exclusive* at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Paralympics offer Putin golden propaganda opportunity Ukraine claims Kremlin targeted Asian and African countries to vote for Russia’s suspension from the IPC to be lifted and warn that it will overshadow Andrew Parsons third term as President

The decision by the International Paralympic Committee to lift the ban on Russia and Belarus has handed Vladimir Putin an unprecedented propaganda opportunity at Milan Cortina 2026 and @la28games.bsky.social. Analysis in this *free to read* edition of the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Fight to become World Boxing President shaping up as battle between two ring legends Ukraine's heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko wants to run Olympic boxing, while India and Nigeria present their bids to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games

Round-up of latest Olympic news, including a legend standing for President of World Boxing, India & Nigeria making pitches to host 2030 Commonwealth Games and Austria agreeing to sign-up to the FIS centralised marketing and media scheme. All in the #ZeusFiles at
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Whatever action Israel's taking in Gaza, the International Olympic Committee won't ban them from the Olympics at Milan Cortina 2026 or @la28games.bsky.social as they haven't broken the Olympic Charter. More in this *free* to read edition of the Zeus Files at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Boxing legend #GennadyGolovkin is favourite to succeed
Boris van der Vorst as #WorldBoxing President after he decided not to seek a second term. The IOC have lost confidence in him and there are questions over a marketing deal. *Exclusive* story in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

British firm to lead masterplan for controversial Brisbane 2032 Victoria Park precinct Global experts who have worked on several other Olympics, including Sydney 2000, have been appointed by the Queensland Government as principal contractor for a project which still faces uncertainty be

Announcement of the appointment of a company
to create the masterplan for the main precinct to be built for the #Olympics at @brisbane2032.bsky.social comes week after expressions of interest opened for principal architects for Brisbane Stadium. Latest in #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe is funding his own drugs testing programme with the Athletics Integrity Unit before the @berlinmarathon.bsky.social to prove he's clean. Last time anyone tried that was Lance Armstrong before his 2009 comeback. The latest #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Memories of the 1991 World Athletics Champs, last time they were held in Tokyo. I was 25 and they were first championships I covered. Memories of "Carl Lewis and Sergey Bubka in the red vest of the Soviet Union for last time *Free to read* in the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

The #WorldAthleticsChamps start tomorrow and female competitors must have taken a SRY test. It's been a contentious subject in athletics for decades and this is latest attempt by @worldathletics.org to find a solution. Special big read in the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

The departure of Thomas Bach as International Olympic Committee President has led to a less confrontational style of dealing with #Olympics partners under Kirsty Coventry, which is a welcome change for the World Olympians Association. Latest news in #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma....

Door to Winter Olympics could be opened to sports not played on snow or ice Cross country running and cyclo-cross could be the first to benefit if new Olympic Programme Working Group recommends a change to the sports allowed in the Winter Games

The Olympic Programme Working Group set up by IOC President Kirsty Coventry "will consider the suggestion that traditional summer or winter sports could cross over". That could be good news for the UCI and @worldathletics.org who both have Winter Olympic ambitions.
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Another day, another gender row in #boxing. But this time, it's Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing, who is being blamed for causing it with even the French Government condemning him. Full story in the #ZeusFiles at
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Build up to the start of the World #Boxing Championships has been ruined by more gender rows involving #ImaneKhelif and #LinYuting that should have been dealt with by the IOC during the #Olympics at Paris2024 following warnings from the IBA
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Back from the brink: Commonwealth Games’ future looking much brighter with two countries bidding for 2030 India and Nigeria are both set to be confirmed as having officially put themselves forward to host the centenary edition of an event that, not so long ago, did not appear to have a future

The fact there are two candidates to host a #CommonwealthGames which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first edition in Hamilton in 1930 marks a major turnaround for Commonwealth Sport after they seemed to be staring into the abyss. Latest in #ZeusFiles at
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

L.A. Confidential #3: Wasserman claims he needs to focus on delivering “America’s Games” The LA28 chairman has promised to concentrate on making the Olympics as good as they can be even in the face of a local campaign calling for the Californian city to withdraw from hosting the Games

A poll from @nolympicsla.bsky.social has claimed 54pc of all respondents in the city indicated wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts are more important for public resources and spending over the next 3 years than the @la28games.bsky.social . Latest #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Just ordered a hardcover edition. Looking forward to reading it.

Swiss-Ski President accepts offer from ex-rival Johan Eliasch to become the first chief executive of FIS, FIFA President Gianni Infantino continues to dance to tune of @donaldjtrump-maga.bsky.social, another sports sex scandal and Saudi's winter desert dream melts open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Exclusive: New evidence proves International Weightlifting Federation election was rigged by group led by President A vote at the IWF Congress was manipulated by a cabal of officials led by President Mohamed Jalood and Europe was punished after defying orders to elect an “approved” candidate as their leader

New evidence, including audio files, photographs & documents, have emerged which show the IWF President was involved in helping manipulate the election in May. Worrying for sport in Olympics at @la28games.bsky.social having been threatened with expulsion by the IOC
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Sliding Doors: How Coe’s election helped athletics finally get serious about tackling doping Ten years ago today Sebastian Coe was elected to lead athletics at a time the sport faced the Russian doping crisis. It could have been quite different response if rival Sergey Bubka had won the vote

Today is the 10th anniversary of @sebcoe.bsky.social
being elected President of @worldathletics.org. His greatest achievement has been the creation of the AIU which is catching more drugs cheats than ever. *Free* edition of the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

A decision to allow naming rights for venues at @la28games.bsky.social is a significant historical shift for the IOC, who have previously fiercely protected a “clean policy” when it comes to advertising in arenas at the Olympics. Full analysis in the Zeus Files open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

#Netball would boost gender equity and provide a cash bonus at @brisbane2032.bsky.social, it's claimed. Doubts continue over some venues for the Olympics and news of changes at the Australian Olympic Committee. Special #Brisbane2032 edition of the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

A document designed to ruin India's 2036 Olympics bid is being circulated within the IOC, just as the country is set to take a major step forward with its major events strategy and be awarded the 2030 #CommonwealthGames. Full *exclusive* story in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

The @la28games.bsky.social chairman Casey Wasserman faced criticism following his performance in the White House when US President @donaldjtrump-maga.bsky.social set up an Olympics task force. Analysis in the latest Zeus Files at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Cricket needs to look at bigger picture when it makes Olympic return Finding a qualification system for LA28 that kept all the major countries happy was never going to be possible but the sport must hope its first appearance in the Games for 128 years is a success

With only 6 teams able to compete at first #Olympics cricket tournament for 128-years, there was always going to be controversy over the qualifying system for @la28games.bsky.social. But it needs to see this as an opportunity for future Games. Latest Zeus Files at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...

Exclusive: Coe backs London to host Olympics for fourth time as he turns to helping Manchester United build new stadium Brtiain's two-time Olympic gold medallist quickly got over the disappointment of failing to win his bid for IOC President and is already turning his attention to new projects

A #ZeusFiles exclusive: Sebastian Coe wants London to bid again to stage the Olympics. "It’s an Olympic city, it’s delivered one of the best Games ever, and it’s a population that loves sport. So, yes, absolutely it should bid again.” Read more at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...