Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam will face no disciplinary action from the International Olympic Committee regarding a potential breach of marketing rules following her 1000m gold medal victory.
The 26-year-old unzipped her racing suit immediately after crossing the finish line at the Milano-Cortina Games.
This action exposed a branded sports bra, prompting speculation that the move was a calculated marketing stunt for her sponsors.
IOC dismisses marketing concerns
Strict Olympic guidelines usually prohibit athletes from promoting personal sponsors during the Games’ exclusivity period to protect official partners.
However, governing body officials have confirmed that the gesture was viewed as a practical necessity rather than a commercial violation.
Anne-Sophie Voumard, managing director of IOC Television and Marketing Services, clarified the committee’s stance regarding the incident.
“I’m not an expert in speed skating. But I understand this is normal practice for speed skaters when they finish their race because the suit is very tight.”
Anne-Sophie Voumard, IOC Managing Director
Voumard added that the incident was categorised as standard athlete behaviour and “not a case of ambush marketing”.
Speculation over sponsorship windfall
The newly crowned Olympic champion commands a significant online following, further amplified by her relationship with American boxer Jake Paul.
Marketing experts had suggested the exposure provided to the sportswear giant could trigger a bonus clause worth approximately £730,000.
Despite these commercial valuations, the focus remains on the Dutch star’s dominant performance on the ice in Italy.
Leerdam’s social media activity has also been praised by Olympic organisers for bringing a fresh perspective to the Games.
The IOC recently revised regulations for Paris 2024 and beyond, encouraging athletes to share behind-the-scenes content to drive digital engagement.
Ryan Garcia faces Mario Barrios in Las Vegas
Ryan Garcia aims to capture his first major world title when he challenges WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The challenger returns to the ring at the T-Mobile Arena seeking to put a turbulent 12 months behind him.
Garcia saw his victory over Devin Haney last April overturned to a no-contest after testing positive for a banned substance.
Garcia seeks redemption
Despite possessing supreme hand speed, the 26-year-old has not secured an official victory since stopping Oscar Duarte in December 2023.
His record stands at 24-2 following a unanimous decision defeat by Rolando Romero in May.
The Californian’s explosive left hook produced three knockdowns against Haney and remains his most potent weapon at 147 pounds.
Garcia has also publicly addressed his mental health struggles leading up to this weekend’s contest.
“I hear what people are saying,” Garcia told ESPN. “They say I don’t have the skills or the ability, but I’ve won my whole life. I am not a loser.”
He added on social media: “Here we go again. 4 days for the world championship. Let’s go, this is for everything!”
Barrios defends the belt
Barrios is making the fourth defence of his WBC crown.
The champion enters the bout with a record of 29-2-2, having recently fought to draws against Abel Ramos and Manny Pacquiao.
Armed with a sharp jab, the Texan intends to neutralise his opponent’s rhythm and drag the fight into deep waters.
“I give Ryan credit — he’s fast, he’s dangerous and he’s hungry,” Barrios said. “But I’ve been in deep waters before, and I know how to stay composed and break my opponents down.”
Barrios insists the fight is about proving he is one of the best welterweights in the world.
Pundits predict tactical battle
The bout is widely viewed as a clash between Garcia’s explosive power and the champion’s technical composure.
Former four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr believes the challenger’s signature punch will dictate the outcome.
“The hook from Garcia is key,” Jones said. “If Barrios can take Garcia’s hook, he’s got a good chance to win the fight. And if Garcia can hurt him, then Garcia has a better chance to win.”
Matt Weston has become the first British athlete to win two gold medals at a single Winter Games after triumphing in both individual and team skeleton events.
The 28-year-old from Kent secured his place in Olympic folklore with a dominant performance in Cortina.
Following his individual success, Weston combined with Tabby Stoecker to secure victory in the mixed team event.
A historic achievement
Weston’s double triumph marks a significant milestone for Team GB, surpassing previous records set at the Winter Games.
The slider has enjoyed a period of sustained dominance in the sport, having already claimed World Championship titles in 2023 and 2025.
He also secured the overall World Cup title last season, establishing himself as the man to beat ahead of the Games.
The canine connection
Away from the ice, the double Olympic champion credits a specific source of support for his mental resilience.
Weston has highlighted the role of Logan, his 10-year-old cocker spaniel, in helping him manage the pressures of elite competition.
“Logan is my number one teammate. He’s my support in my corner who loves me unconditionally.”
The athlete notes that the stability provided by his pet is crucial amidst a frantic travel schedule.
“To have that type of support, especially when I’m travelling a lot of the time, is amazing. He’s always there when I get back, and no matter what happens on the track, I can count on Logan to greet me with tail wagging.”
Sustained success
Weston’s rise to the top of the skeleton world has been rapid since becoming Britain’s first male world champion for 15 years in 2023.
His partnership with Stoecker in the mixed team format further demonstrates the depth of British talent in the discipline.
Reflecting on his career longevity alongside his pet, Weston noted the dog’s presence throughout his development.
“Logan has played a massive role in my skeleton career. He’s almost as old as my career, so he was there when I started out, and then to see me being world champion, and everything in between.”
Jack Crowley has been handed the starting fly-half jersey for Ireland’s Six Nations clash against England, with Sam Prendergast omitted entirely from the matchday squad.
The Munster playmaker steps into the primary pivot role following Prendergast’s struggles to assert authority during the opening two rounds of the championship.
Head coach Andy Farrell has opted for the versatile Ciaran Frawley to provide cover from the bench as the reigning champions travel to Twickenham.
Experience returns for title charge
Farrell has recalled a wealth of experience to his starting XV as Ireland look to maintain their push for the title.
British and Irish Lions prop Tadhg Furlong returns to the front row, addressing scrummaging issues identified in the previous victory over Italy.
There are also returns for 2022 World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, adding significant tempo and breakdown work rate to the side.
Garry Ringrose has shaken off an injury scare to resume his midfield partnership with Stuart McCloskey, providing defensive solidity in the outside centre channel.
Farrell expecting tight contest
Ireland secured a Grand Slam with a win over England in Dublin last year, but suffered a narrow defeat on their last visit to south-west London courtesy of a late Marcus Smith drop-goal.
Andy Farrell anticipates another close encounter at the renamed Allianz Stadium.
Games between the two sides have been nip and tuck over recent times and there’s great familiarity and respect across both camps.
Andy Farrell, Ireland head coach
Farrell emphasised the importance of the travelling support for what he described as a “special occasion”.
We know their strengths and our aim is to deliver the best version of ourselves to put us in a position to get the performance that we want.
Andy Farrell
Line-ups
Ireland XV
15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Nick Timoney, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Tommy O’Brien.
Heavy snowfall in Livigno has forced the postponement of men’s ski halfpipe qualifying and men’s aerials at the Winter Olympics.
More than half a foot of snow blanketed the Italian mountain town on Thursday morning, causing significant logistical challenges for organisers.
The men’s aerials competition has been rescheduled for Friday, though a new start time for the ski halfpipe is yet to be confirmed.
This delay impacts several medal hopefuls, including the American duo of Alex Ferreira and Nick Goepper.
Schedule disruptions continue
Despite the adverse conditions, women’s halfpipe qualifying remains scheduled for Thursday evening.
That event is set to feature defending champion Eileen Gu, provided the course can be cleared in time.
Forecasters expect weather conditions to improve for Friday and Saturday, which mark the final two days of action at the Games.
This latest interruption follows a week of volatile weather that previously forced officials to reshuffle the snowboard slopestyle contests.
Those finals eventually took place under sunny skies on Wednesday, seeing China’s Su Yiming and Japan’s Kokomo Murase claim titles.
Muir misses out on medal
Earlier in the week, the Big Air final involving Team GB’s Kirsty Muir faced similar delays due to a heavy flurry just before the start.
The final eventually went ahead, but ended in heartbreak for the British teenager as she narrowly missed the podium for the second time in a week.
Having finished fourth in slopestyle, the Scot appeared well-placed to secure a medal after sitting in second place following two runs.
However, she could not hold onto her position and ultimately finished fourth once again.
Reflecting on her performance, Muir admitted to mixed emotions regarding her Olympic campaign.
“I’m a bit up and down at the moment. I’m not really sure how to feel. I put it all out there so I’m really proud of that.”
“On the third run, I went for a trick I haven’t landed before so I gave it my all and I am taking that with me. It’s a little bit bittersweet but I came into this competition today feeling really grateful and I think I’m still at that point.”
Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields is set to reignite her rivalry with Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Saturday fresh from securing a historic contract worth more than £6m.
The pair share a competitive history dating back to the US Olympic trials ahead of the 2012 London Games.
A then 16-year-old Shields defeated the national champion on her path to winning the first of two Olympic gold medals.
They have met three times since that initial bout, including their professional debuts in 2016, with the younger American emerging victorious on every occasion.
Now, the undefeated star defends her undisputed heavyweight status against a familiar foe.
"Me and Franchon have always said that for some reason we are always intertwined in each other’s lives," Shields told BBC Sport.
"If you take it back to when I was 16, she was ranked number one in the country and I was ranked number seven."
"Now we meet again on the first fight of my major deal."
A financial landmark for women’s boxing
The headline contest follows a major commercial breakthrough for the self-proclaimed ‘Greatest Woman of All Time’.
Shields signed a multi-fight agreement with Wynn Records and Salita Promotions in November valued at $8m (£6.1m).
The package also includes a substantial signing-on bonus of $3m (£2.2m), a figure largely unprecedented in the women’s sport.
The five-weight world champion believes these financial terms rival the top contracts seen in men’s boxing.
"I have never heard of a man getting that kind of signing bonus. I’ve heard of men getting a $1m (£739,000) signing bonus but never $3m," Shields said.
"My contract now is big overall and I’m getting back paid."
"When I came out of the Olympics with two gold medals, I should have got a $1m signing bonus for whoever I went with but that didn’t happen."
Motivation for the ‘GWOAT’
Shields holds a flawless professional record of 17 wins and zero losses, having captured world titles in five different weight classes.
She became a unified super-middleweight champion in just her fourth professional bout.
Her only career defeat came in the amateur ranks against Briton Savannah Marshall in 2012, a loss she emphatically avenged ten years later.
Despite achieving three-weight undisputed status, the 30-year-old insists her motivation remains high.
"It’s seeing how great I can be as a fighter," she added.
"I want to get my skillset and body to the position where I can go the extra mile and get the knockout after I’ve dominated these girls for five or six rounds."
"That’s what pushes me."
England captain Jos Buttler is facing scrutiny over his batting form following an unconvincing start to the T20 World Cup campaign marked by a lack of big scores.
The defending champions’ passage through the group phase proved a mixed bag, offering flashes of quality amid generally underwhelming displays.
While Will Jacks and Sam Curran provided reasons for optimism, the faltering output of the team’s talismanic leader remains a significant worry.
We analyse the data behind the skipper’s lean patch and the wider themes emerging from their first four matches.
Buttler’s quiet start raises questions
Low scores of three against both Italy and Scotland resulted in a total return of just 53 runs across the entire group stage.
This represents a concerningly low yield for one of the most destructive batters in white-ball history.
The 35-year-old has endured a quiet winter, failing to register a half-century in 15 international innings across all formats.
However, an unbeaten 97 in the SA20 earlier in January suggests the wicketkeeper-batter still possesses the ability to dominate attacks.
The manner of his dismissals against Italy and Scotland bore striking similarities, with both resulting from miscued drives to mid-off.
“Maybe he is trying too hard to get a score on the board,” said former England team-mate Dawid Malan.
“Knowing him and playing with him, his gameplan is generally to look to the off side first and then pick up leg side, so maybe he’s just going back to his basics.”
Technical issues against pace and spin
All three of Buttler’s dismissals against seamers came from deliveries clocked between 75mph and 82mph.
Since the start of 2024, the opener has struggled against pace bowlers in that specific bracket more than any other type.
Perhaps more alarming is his record against slower bowling as the tournament shifts to the spin-friendly surfaces of Sri Lanka.
The skipper’s average against spin in T20 internationals has plummeted to 24.1 since the start of 2024, down from 61.8 in the preceding two years.
Batting unit lacking conversion
Despite posting a commanding 202-7 against Italy, the collective batting unit has rarely fired on all cylinders.
England wobbled chasing 153 against Scotland and were bowled out for just 166 during a defeat by West Indies.
The primary issue appears to be converting starts into match-winning contributions rather than getting established at the crease.
Englishmen have reached 25 runs on 14 occasions – the most of any side – yet only four of these innings have evolved into half-centuries.
Will Jacks rejected the suggestion that batters were failing to take responsibility.
“Responsibility in T20 can be misunderstood,” said Jacks.
“Sometimes the responsibility is to try and hit 30 off the over.”
South Korea have claimed gold in the women’s 3000m relay while Arianna Fontana became Italy’s most decorated Olympian by securing silver.
The Korean quartet crossed the line first in a dramatic conclusion to the event on day 12 of the 2026 Winter Games.
It marks a return to the top step of the podium for the Asian nation, reasserting their traditional dominance in the discipline.
Fontana stands alone
While South Korea celebrated victory, the spotlight shone equally on the Italian team in second place.
The result secured a historic 14th Olympic medal for short track legend Arianna Fontana.
This latest podium finish means the veteran skater has now surpassed all compatriots to become the most decorated Italian in Olympic history.
It extends a remarkable career for the ‘Blonde Angel’, who has remained a fixture at the pinnacle of the sport for nearly two decades.
Drama on the ice
The final was a tense affair that saw the major nations battling for position throughout the 27 laps.
Ultimately, the Koreans held their nerve in the closing stages to deny the host nation a home gold.
The victory adds another chapter to South Korea’s illustrious record in the women’s relay event.