Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Thomas Bach and Vladimir Putin, pictured together at the 2019 European Games in Minsk

Updated Bach warns of 'very aggressive comments' from Moscow

Russia's government is becoming increasingly aggressive towards the International Olympic Committee as the Paris Games draw near, according to IOC president Thomas Bach.

Olympics • 19 Mar 24

The IOC had sanctioned Russia and Belarus after the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine

IOC issues recommendations for Russian athletes' return

The International Olympic Committee have issued recommendations for the gradual return to international competitions for Russian and Belarusian athletes, with president Thomas Bach saying their participation "works" despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Olympics • 28 Mar 23

The World Aquatics Championships will be held in Singapore

2025 World Aquatics Championships move from Russia

Singapore will host the World Aquatics Championships in 2025 after the Russian city of Kazan was stripped of the event over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Olympics • 09 Feb 23

A heavy police presence in front of the Liverpool fans at the Stade de France on 28 May

IOC confidence in French police after CL final scenes

French security authorities have learned from this year's Champions League soccer final incidents and can be fully trusted to safeguard the Paris 2024 summer Olympics, the International Olympic Committee has said.

Olympics • 09 Sep 22

The status of Kamila Valieva and Russia looms large over the winter games

Beijing 2022: US skaters tell IOC they want medals

The US figure skating team told the president of the International Olympic Committee they would have liked to leave the Beijing Games with their figure skating medals won 10 days ago, the US Olympic committee said.

Olympics • 17 Feb 22

WTA says latest Peng interview does not ease concerns

A recent interview in which Peng Shuai denied accusing anyone of sexual assault has done little to address concerns about the Chinese player's safety, the Women's Tennis Association reaffirmed.

Tennis • 07 Feb 22

IOC members slam plans for biennial World Cup

Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have vented their frustration over plans for a biennial World Cup instead of the current four-year cycle, saying it would have a major negative impact on other sports.

Soccer • 03 Feb 22

Thomas Bach wants an early decision on boxing at the 2024 Olympics

IOC to make early decision on boxing at Paris Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will make a decision as early as possible on whether boxing and weightlifting will be at the Paris 2024 Games, president Thomas Bach said.

Boxing • 28 Oct 21

Thomas Bach believes that cancelling the Tokyo Games would have had far-reaching consequences

Cancelling Tokyo could have killed Olympics, says Bach

Thomas Bach says the Olympic Games could have "fallen to pieces" if the International Olympic Committee had not taken the unprecedented decision to reschedule as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.

Olympics • 20 Jul 21

Bach met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga

Bach confirms DIY medal ceremonies at Tokyo 2020

Olympic medallists at the Tokyo Games will have their medals presented on a tray when they take to the podium and will then have to put them around their own neck in front of the empty stands, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has confirmed.

Tokyo 2020 • 14 Jul 21

Bach was scheduled to visit in May but that was postponed

IOC president to visit Japan in July ahead of Games

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach will visit Japan from 12 July, ahead of the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, according to a letter released by IOC senior official John Coates.

Olympics • 20 May 21

Beijing will host the Winter Games in February 2022

Bach: Boycotting China Olympics only hurts athletes

An athlete boycott of next year's Beijing Winter Olympics over China's human rights abuses would not achieve anything, the president of the International Olympic Committee has said.

China • 12 Mar 21

The Summer Games are due to begin on 23 July

China Olympic Committee offers vaccines for Tokyo Games

Olympic and Paralympic athletes in some countries are set to receive Covid-19 vaccinations after an offer from the Chinese Olympic Committee.

Olympics • 11 Mar 21

Thomas Bach re-elected unopposed as IOC president

Thomas Bach has been re-elected unopposed as president of the International Olympic Committee.

Olympics • 10 Mar 21

Bach refused to be drawn on contingency plans or a prospective 'Plan B'

IOC 'working day and night to organise a safe Olympics'

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has dismissed renewed speculation surrounding the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games and insisted: "It's not about the 'whether' the Games takes place, it's about the 'how'."

Olympics • 27 Jan 21

No 'Plan B' for Olympics - Bach steadfast over Games

The virus-delayed Tokyo Olympics will go ahead this summer, and there is "no plan B" in place according to International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach.

Olympics • 21 Jan 21

The Olympic rings at the waterfront in Tokyo

Olympic rings return as Tokyo bids to build excitement

A giant set of Olympic rings returned to Tokyo's waterfront on Tuesday after maintenance, with officials hoping the symbol will help build enthusiasm for the coronavirus-postponed Games

Olympics • 01 Dec 20

Thomas Bach speaks during a joint press conference

IOC chief: Vaccine hopes allay Olympics concerns

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach says the prospect of a coronavirus vaccine has strengthened the chances of next year's delayed Tokyo Olympics proceeding with minimal additional disruption.

Coronavirus • 16 Nov 20

Thomas Bach has been at the helm since 2013

Bach 'ready to run for a second term' as IOC president

Thomas Bach has conformed his intention to run for a second term as International Olympic Committee president at next year's election.

Paris 2024 • 17 Jul 20

2022 Youth Olympic Games postponed

The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that the 2022 Youth Olympic Games due to be held in Senegal are to be postponed for four years.

Paris 2024 • 15 Jul 20

Thomas Bach called the Olympics themselves a "demonstration in support of the Olympic principles of non-discrimination."

Thomas Bach: Athletes can protest in a dignified way

Olympic chief Thomas Bach refused to be drawn on athletes taking a knee in protest against racism, insisting the body representing them must explore ways they can express themselves "in a dignified way".

Paris 2024 • 10 Jun 20

Thomas Bach (L) is talking with IOC members to get their views on how to handle the consequences of the pandemic.

Thomas Bach holds IOC talks over Covid-19 fallout

Olympic chief Thomas Bach held a series of talks with International Olympic Committee members today on the potential consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic that has seen the Tokyo Games pushed back a year to 2021, sources said.

Athletics • 27 May 20

Bach has agreed with Japan's stance on the delayed Games

2021 is 'last option' for Tokyo Games - IOC president

Olympics chief Thomas Bach says 2021 is the "last option" for holding the delayed Tokyo Games, stressing that postponement cannot go on forever.

Paris 2024 • 21 May 20

Thomas Bach: "We have already extended all Olympic grants to the NOCs to cover their preparations for the Games"

Tokyo 2020 delay costing IOC 'several hundred million'

The postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games means the International Olympic Committee will have to shoulder "several hundred million dollars" of costs, its president Thomas Bach has admitted.

Paris 2024 • 29 Apr 20

Thomas Bach believes Tokyo 2021 will be a true demonstration of the Olympic spirit

Bach hopes Olympics can be 'light at end of the tunnel'

IOC president Thomas Bach hopes the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games to next year can eventually help lead the world out of a "dark tunnel" following the coronavirus pandemic.

Paris 2024 • 25 Mar 20