Thomas Bach is counting on his track record and long experience in the Olympic world to carry him to the top job in the International Olympic Committee. Bach, a 59-year-old German lawyer, became the first declared candidate in the race for I.O.C. president, heralding the start of a four-month campaign to succeed Jacques Rogge at the helm of the multibillion-dollar...

Georgia confirmed it would take part in next year’s Sochi Olympics in Russia. Georgia’s participation in the Games had been in doubt because of lingering resentment about the brief war with Russia in 2008. Sochi is just north of the separatist Georgian territory of Abkhazia, from which the last Georgian forces were driven out in the war. Russia and a handful of...

Turkey’s sports minister accepted an apology from the governor of Tokyo for his criticism of Istanbul’s bid for the 2020 Olympics. Governor Naoki Inose had said that Istanbul was less developed and less equipped to host the Games than Tokyo. Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/sports/olympics/turkey-accepts-japanese-apology-for-criticism-of-

International Olympic Committee rules prohibit bidders from making disparaging remarks about rival candidates, and Inose’s remarks could lead to a reprimand. Officials from Istanbul have complained about Inose’s comments. In his apology, Inose said that the article focused on a few comments regarding other bidders and did not reflect his “wider...

The 2004 Olympic hammer throw champion, Olga Kuzenkova of Russia, was barred two years for doping and is set to lose her 2005 world title. Samples taken at that event tested positive for banned drugs when re-examined. Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/sports/olympics/hammer-thrower-barred-for-doping.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

The 165-pound Dake and Oliver, who competes at 149 pounds, kicked around the idea of wrestling at 157 pounds. After watching Jordan Burroughs win a gold medal, Dake and Oliver became so fired up that they nearly skipped the celebration for a late-night training session. “We were so amped up to be back on the mat,” Oliver said. The enthusiasm of...

The International Olympic Committee expressed confidence in Rio de Janeiro’s preparations for the 2016 Olympics despite the temporary closing of the stadium that will host track and field events. Rio authorities said they decided to shut the João Havelange Stadium because of structural problems with the roof. “We are absolutely confident that they will...

The biggest worry is the one the Russians cannot control: the weather. And they have plenty of reasons to worry. The last Winter Games, in Vancouver in 2010, were bedeviled by unseasonably mild temperatures in British Columbia. Alpine ski races were persistently postponed because of fog and slushy conditions. Hidden hay bales took the place of snow...