The International Olympic Committee has set up four working groups, including one for the protection of women’s sport, in its bid to reshape the Olympic Games under new president Kirsty Coventry.
Working groups to review the Olympic programme, the Youth Olympic Games and commercial partnerships and marketing have also been established.
Coventry, who became the first female IOC president in March, had promised to create a working group for women’s sports, saying the organisation must “play a leading role” in discussions on gender eligibility.
The IOC said the working group will “look at how we can best protect the female category”.
However, while naming the members of the other three groups, it declined to say who would be on the Protection of the Female Category Working Group.
“The names of the members of the working group will remain confidential for now to protect the integrity of the group and its work”.
The IOC has previously left gender regulations to the governing bodies of individual sports rather than applying a universal approach.
A growing number of sports federations have barred athletes who have undergone male puberty from competing in elite female competition.
In February, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prevents transgender women from competing in female categories.
He specified the order would include the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, adding he will deny visas for transgender athletes trying to visit America to compete at the LA Games.
Coventry said the groups “will allow us to meet deadlines, and bring important technical expertise to these complex and important discussions, while realigning where we feel that it is necessary to strengthen our movement”.
The Zimbabwean added: “These groups will receive constant feedback to make sure that everybody is fully aligned and that all recommendations are fully integrated”.
The IOC said the Olympic programme working group will explore the relevance of the disciplines at the Games as well as the scope of integrating new sports into it.
“It will also consider the suggestion that traditional summer or winter sports could cross over, the timing of the Games, and the sports calendar”, it said.
Nadiya Bychkova, the Mirror’s strict star, talks about being taken to a hospital by ambulance and worries that her career may be over.
Nadiya pictured moments after falling into rehaals with her horror.
Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova feared she was paralysed after a horror fall in rehearsals for the new series.
The 36-year-old has spoken for the first time about the accident, which resulted in her being rushed to hospital by ambulance last month.
She remarked, “It was a very frightening moment. I was sitting up on a chair and a table in heels while preparing for a group dance, and soon after that, I was in pain on my back and unsure of what was happening. Your thoughts can be so many different things. I was incredibly concerned because I couldn’t move and couldn’t feel my left leg.
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Nadiya Bychkova is a patient in a hospital trolley.
Nadiya was captured in a photo of her immediately following the accident, with her head restrained, and another image showed her immobilized in a hospital corridor.
She claimed that while we waited for a scan, I was clung to a trolley for hours and told to stay put. I couldn’t look up because my head was strapped in. You become concerned when you realize how awful it is. I was considering whether my series or even my dancing career would be over. There were many tears and I had time to reflect on everything.
Ukrainian Nadiya endured agonizing waits while a scan revealed the extent of her spine damage. She recalled that the hospital’s staff was outstanding, and that it was her biggest source of comfort when I learned there was no permanent damage.
Incredibly, Nadiya was able to get back to work ahead of the new BBC series. This week, she attended the premiere of the new Downton Abbey film, where she dazzled in a stunning white gown.
Stunning: Nadiya Bychkova was speaking at the Downton Abbey premiere(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireIma)
Speaking to the Mirror at the event, she added: “I was a bit battered and bruised but nothing a few trips to the physio couldn’t solve… within a week I was back on the dancefloor.”
Looking back on the incident, Nadiya has nothing but praise for her colleagues on the BBC show. She said: “The Strictly crew were absolutely amazing. The medical team looked after me and kept me stable and warm while we waited for the ambulance.”
Fellow dancer Carlos Gu got a special mention for trying to keep her spirits up with an unusual song choice as they waited for the ambulance to arrive. “Carlos has a song for every occasion but I’m not sure his decision to sing me Killing Me Softly was helping…it was hilarious,” Nadiya laughed. “I couldn’t laugh because of the pain so I cried but it was beautiful.
He changed to “I Will Survive,” which delivered a much more encouraging message and kept me going. Nadiya responded, “I’m OK. I’m asked how she was doing right now. Feeling better than it has ever been. Fighting ready for a fantastic series.
Strictly’s return comes amid controversy, including allegations of bullying and drug use. When asked about the various scandals, Nadiya responded, “Strictly is always in the headlines, and this year is no different.
“We are all focused on performing the job that is possible,” he said. This is my ninth year, so I’m always so grateful to be a part of the biggest television program. She continued, “I would love to make it a decade next year, but my main focus will be making the 2025 edition of the show, which will feature a host of incredible celebrities and be the best one yet.”
The Mirror last month broke the news of Nadiya’s fall after she was pictured leaving the rehearsal studios in an ambulance. An insider said at the time: “It looked pretty nasty and no one was taking any chances. The crew rushed into action and she was stretchered out.”
According to a source close to Strict, “Nadiya was taken to the hospital for checks and is receiving full support from medical and welfare teams as a precaution following a fall during rehearsals.” The Strictly team is in close communication with Nadiya as rehearsals continue. When the popular BBC show returns later this month, who will Nadiya be paired with this year?
Last year, she teamed up with swimmer Tom Dean, who was the first celebrity voted off the show. Her best place finish was with TV journalist Dan Walker, when they came fifth in 2021.
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Celebrities taking part this year include YouTube star George Clarke, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston and former Chelsea footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Two new professional dancers, US-born Alexis Warr and Australian Julian Caillon, are also joining the show. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return as hosts with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas on the judges’ panel.
Venue: Monza Dates: 5-7 September Race start: 14:00 BST on Sunday
An attempt by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to change Formula 1’s engine rules for 2029 has foundered on opposition from manufacturers.
Ben Sulayem had been pushing for a switch to 2.4-litre V8 naturally aspirated engines with a small amount of hybrid assistance.
This was despite an earlier push for V10s being rejected in April, and the fact that F1 is introducing all-new engine rules next year which are slated to run until the end of 2030.
A meeting had been scheduled for Thursday next week to discuss the plan.
But a number of senior sources within F1 have told BBC Sport Ben Sulayem cancelled the meeting on Friday because it had become clear it would be impossible to reach consensus with the engine manufacturers to introduce the change for 2029.
There was no major opposition to the idea of switching to 2.4-litre V8s, but there was disagreement about the proportion of power output to be provided by the hybrid part of the engine, whether there should be a turbocharger or not, and the timing.
It is the second time in six months that the president of motorsport’s governing body has been defeated in an attempt to change F1’s engine regulations.
His V10 plan was rejected at a meeting at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where it was agreed that hybrid and sustainable fuels were non-negotiable parts of F1’s engine future.
After that meeting, the FIA said it was “firmly committed to the 2026 regulations” but it was agreed that manufacturers would continue discussing the future direction of F1’s engine rules.
An FIA statement at the time said it had been agreed at the meeting that “electrification will always be a part of any future considerations” and that “the use of sustainable fuel will be an imperative”.
The 2026 rules stick with the current 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid architecture. But the hybrid element, although simplified, will increase to about 50% of the total power output of the engine from about 20% now. The rules also introduce fully sustainable fuels.
Despite the outcome of the Bahrain meeting, Ben Sulayem continued to push for naturally aspirated engines, with minimal hybrid capacity.
He had some support for a plan to change to a 2.4-litre V8 with a reduced percentage of hybrid power, but he did not have enough backing to change the rules for 2029, so chose to abandon the plan.
The FIA has been approached for comment but has so far not responded.
One source told BBC Sport Ben Sulayem was going “too fast, too soon to get everyone on side”.
Ford chief executive officer Jim Farley told BBC Sport in an exclusive interview: “Ford is very committed to partial electrification for performance.”
Honda, Mercedes and Audi made it clear at the time of the Bahrain meeting that they were fully committed to hybrid power.
Sources have said Ben Sulayem now intends to leave any attempt to change the rules until 2031.
F1’s governance agreements only run until 2030, so in theory the FIA can impose any rules it wants for 2031.
-12 J Lagergren (Swe), -11 A Saddier (Fra), -7 R McIlroy (NI), A Garcia-Heredia (Spa), D Hillier (NZ), T Olesen (Den)
Selected others: –6 T Hatton (Eng), -5 R Cabrera-Bello (Spa), T McKibbin (NI), -4 S Lowry (Ire), -2 A Maguire (Ire), E P Reed (US), + 2 S Power (Ire), + 4 L Donald (Eng), + 5 P Harrington (Ire), + 7 B Koepka (US)
At the halfway point of the Irish Open at the K Club, Rory McIlroy shot a six-under-par 66 to stay in contention.
The world number two finished five shots clear of Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren in a tie for third after claiming his first victory since winning his first career Grand Slam at the Masters in April.
In a superb 62, Lagergren led France’s Adrien Saddier by one shot, posting nine birdies, an eagle, and a bogey.
McIlroy, who won his first Irish Open title at County Kildare in 2016, said, “I’m really pleased with the day’s work,” which keeps me in touch with the winner heading into the weekend.
McIlroy started well on Friday, picking up two shots in his first four holes, having been irked by a slow play warning during an up-and-down 71 on Thursday.
However, his patience was tested when, during an eight-par run, he let birdie chances slip away.
However, England’s Tyrrell Hatton was a shot back after birdies the 13, 14, 17, and 18 while Thorbjorn Olesen, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, and Daniel Hillier were all seven under.
The 36-year-old made a stunning approach to the par-five 18th where he could have taken a 10-foot eagle putt that would have brought him closer to the lead.
McIlroy, who will compete in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next week before the Ryder Cup in New York at the end of the month, continued, “I got it going. I hit some good shots coming in.”
Lagergren moves clear thanks to the hot putter.
McIlroy’s enthusiastic followers were followed by a large crowd, but Lagergren had the honor.
The 33-year-old, who started on the 10th, completed his round with a hat-trick of birdies. He won his only DP World Tour title in 2018.
On his back nine, Lagergren recorded three more birdies after par five on the 16th and 18th and reeled in four more in six holes.
He finished his round with another birdie to take the 36-hole lead after his card was blemished by a bogey at the par-three eighth.
The world number 194 remarked, “I just played really well out there.”
I holed a lot of putts today because my putter was obviously extremely hot. I had a good time yesterday, but I wasn’t really having my A-game that day.
Getty Images
Shane Lowry struggled to stay in contention despite stunning holing out for an eagle two on the 13th after a promising three-under 69 on Thursday.
The 2019 Open champion, who also carded three birdies and four bogeys, finished eight shots clear of the lead, in particular.
Tom McKibbin, who won the Irish Open as a novice in 2009, is one shot ahead of Lowry, who made five birdies and a bogey in a 68 to move into the top 20.
After an awful round of 80, Brooks Koepka, a five-time major winner and his first competition entry, missed the cut.
The weekend was also a failure for Ireland’s three-time major champion Padraig Harrington (74) and Ryder Cup champion Luke Donald (71).
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The TV presenter has openly discussed their relationship several times over the years and has been married to screenwriter Jane Ross for 37 years.
Jonathan Ross shocked his daughter Honey with the wedding confession(Image: Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Jonathan Ross left his daughter Honey absolutely gobsmacked with a “nightmare” decision he made before walking down the aisle with wife Jane Goldman. The chat show legend first crossed paths with screenwriter Jane back in 1986 at a promotional bash for his programme The Last Resort.
In the hope that she would have the chance to meet him again, Jane later invited him to another gathering. The couple wed in Las Vegas two years later after a successful romance.
The couple now share daughters Honey and Betty, plus son Harvey, reports the Daily Star. During his Reel Talk podcast with Honey, Jonathan spilled about a catastrophic moment from his stag do.
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Jonathan and Jane married in 1988(Image: Dave Benett via Getty Images)
When asked about the situation, Jonathan responded, “Mine was really misguided, the whole thing, I don’t even want to talk about it, to be honest.
“I had a childhood friend that wasn’t really my friend anymore, but I decided to invite him. Jane had a childhood friend who was no longer a real friend with her.
We had my mother and dad who had just split up, and Jane’s mother and father who were both on the verge of divorce because we had to move out of the country.
Honey gasped, “Oh my God, you invited them despite their recent divorce.” That guest list is horrifying. I went on to say, “That night I went out with Jane’s dad, who I didn’t know very well at the time, my dad, who was fine, and this friend of mine, who I haven’t seen for years.”
I didn’t attend a party, but I don’t think I wanted to anyway because it was like, “Why are we four people who never normally hang out together? ” I had no desire to marry because I was too.
The couple have three children together(Image: Eric Charbonneau, Getty Images)
Honey was surprised by her dad’s confession(Image: @honeykinny/instagram)
Honey described her father’s stag-do as a “classy” affair, but Jonathan acknowledged it turned out to be an “uncomfortable evening.” When she first met Jonathan, her acting career included Kingsman: The Secret Service, X-Men: First Class, Kick Ass, and X-Men: The Secret Service.
Despite having a 10-year age difference, the duo’s shared interests were fueled by their shared passion for science fiction, horror movies, and American pop culture.
I met Jonathan at some sort of promotional event, Jane recalls during a conversation with the Times in 2012. He had only recently begun The Last Resort, his television program. I believe he only had been practicing it for two weeks.
“I can’t recall what we discussed,” she said. I’d like to. I believe I made an additional effort to see him again. I may have had fewer social awkward moments that day.
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Jonathan tackled their considerable age gap during a 2015 stint on Loose Women, explaining: “When we first got together, she was very young… I wasn’t that old but I was considerably older and she came straight from home with her parents.
He acknowledged, “And I think the relationship continued because I was a sort of parent figure as well as a husband.
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