Friday, September 19, 2025
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Friday, September 19, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

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https://nordictimes.com/sport/fia-opens-for-russias-formula-1-comeback/

Sport

FIA opens for Russia’s Formula 1 comeback

Published today 10:55
– By Editorial Staff
The image is an archive photo and therefore has no direct connection to the text.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The international motorsport governing body FIA is opening the door for Russia’s return as a host in Formula 1. However, the decision lies entirely outside FIA’s actual power and is commercially driven, according to president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA’s president, signals that Russia could return to the Formula 1 circuit. Despite the sport previously canceling and terminating the contract for the Grand Prix in Sochi following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a return is possible according to Ben Sulayem.

Ben Sulayem points out that it was not FIA that excluded Russia but Formula 1’s own management. He does not want to speculate on when or if this might happen but emphasizes that FIA tries to keep sport and politics separate.

– We don’t mix religion and politics into our choices, he says, adding that he hopes the ongoing conflict will not last forever.

“Problems exist in most countries”

Russia’s Grand Prix in Sochi has been absent from the World Championship calendar since 2022. Although FIA is the international governing body for motorsport, it is Formula 1’s commercial arm that makes decisions about the calendar and its host countries.

The Russian motorsport federation remains a member of FIA and Russian drivers compete under a neutral flag. Ben Sulayem emphasizes that he lacks the mandate to exclude the country.

– I will not break the rules for anyone. When it suits them, people love democracy, but it has two sides and when the other side comes forward, then it’s not as popular, he says.

Motorsport experts and political analysts point out that Russia’s potential return is complex and linked to political and commercial considerations. It remains to be seen if and when Russia could become part of the racing calendar again.

Ben Sulayem argues that problems of various kinds exist in most countries.

– If we’re going to pick at every country and say ‘I won’t go there because of this or that’. Then I think maybe we’ll have to go back to Sweden, so we can have everything, says Ben Sulayem.

The next Formula 1 race will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on September 21.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/sport/male-nfl-cheerleaders-spark-reactions/

Sport

Male NFL cheerleaders spark reactions

Published 19 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The Minnesota Vikings welcome Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn to their cheerleading squad.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The NFL team Minnesota Vikings has for the first time selected male cheerleaders for its regular squad. Their debut during the weekend’s game quickly led to both criticism and praise on social media.

It was during the game against Las Vegas Raiders that Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn performed on the field for the first time together with the team’s other cheerleaders.

The phenomenon of male cheerleaders is not entirely unique, however. Twelve of the league’s 32 teams currently have male members in their cheerleading squads, which represents just over a third of the teams.

Previously, men have been present in NFL cheerleading activities primarily as so-called “lifters” or stuntmen, a tradition that teams like the Baltimore Ravens introduced as early as 1998.

Starting in 2018, several teams have gone further to also include male dancers in their squads. This marked a departure from the previous arrangement where dance roles were reserved exclusively for women.

Minnesota Vikings is now one of the teams that allows men to be integrated directly into the traditional cheerleader group. The two new members, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, are part of the squad on the same terms as the other cheerleaders.

Reactions have been mixed. Critical posts have spread on social media, but the team emphasizes that the audition process is open to everyone and that male cheerleaders are not something new within the league.

The question of male cheerleaders has repeatedly sparked debate in the United States, where some highlight inclusion and diversity while others argue that traditional elements of the sport are being changed.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Facts: Male cheerleaders in the NFL

  • First in the league: Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints in 2018.
  • Number of teams in 2025: Twelve of 32 NFL teams have male cheerleaders.
  • Different roles:
    – Lifters/stuntmen – for example with the Baltimore Ravens since 1998.
    – Dancers – introduced in 2018 by the Rams and Saints.
    – Integrated cheerleaders – men in regular squads, for example with the Minnesota Vikings.

https://nordictimes.com/sport/ten-year-old-makes-chess-history/

Sport

Ten-year-old makes chess history

Published 18 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Indian player Bodhana Sivanandan defeated 60-year-old grandmaster Peter Wells.
1 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Ten-year-old Indian Bodhana Sivanandan has won the title “Woman International Master” in chess. She is the youngest person ever to win the title and to defeat a grandmaster.

Bodhana, who is a British citizen and lives in London, began playing chess during the coronavirus crisis when she was only five years old.

— When it was 2020, it was Covid, so one of my dad’s friends was going back to India, and he had a few toys and books, and he gave them to us, Bodhana tells BBC. In one of the bags, I saw a chessboard, and I was interested in the pieces.

She began playing with the pieces, but her father explained that you could also play games with them. From the beginning, the girl showed talent for the game, something her father was amazed by since no one else in the family was particularly good at chess.

Defeated grandmaster

During the British championships, she defeated 60-year-old grandmaster Peter Wells, making her the youngest chess player ever to defeat a grandmaster. The previous record was held by American Carissa Yip, who achieved it in 2019.

With her victory against Wells, she also earned the title “Woman International Master” (WIM), which is the second-highest title for female chess players after Woman Grandmaster, which is the highest.

Bodhana says that chess makes her feel good and helps her with “many other things, like math and counting”. The ten-year-old’s goal is to become a grandmaster.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/sport/duplantis-breaks-world-record-yet-again/

Sport

Duplantis breaks world record yet again

Published 13 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
It has now been over two years since Duplantis last lost a competition.
1 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis has set a new world record in pole vault. It is the athletics star’s 13th world record.

During this week’s Continental Tour in Budapest, Hungary, the 25-year-old first jumped 6.11 meters and thereby secured victory ahead of Emmanouil Karalis, who cleared 6.02 meters. This marks Duplantis’ 32nd consecutive competition victory – it has now been over two years since he last lost.

On his second attempt, he raised the bar to 6.29 meters and cleared the height, which became his new world record.

— I knew I had a good chance when I went over. But I hit it pretty hard too. Just tried to stay cool. I’m glad it stayed up, Duplantis tells Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

Earlier this year, he broke not just one, but two world records. In March, he jumped 6.27 meters at the All Star Perche in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and then broke that new record on home soil in June with 6.28 meters.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/sport/sweden-launches-leisure-card-subsidy-for-childrens-activities/

Sport

Sweden launches leisure card subsidy for children’s activities

Published 11 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
All children between eight and 16 years old receive 500 kronor (approximately €45) per year to spend on a regular leisure activity.
1 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Starting in September, the Leisure Card (Fritidskortet) can be used to partially fund children’s activities outside of school. The Swedish government hopes the initiative will encourage a more active lifestyle.

The Leisure Card is part of the Swedish government’s reform to promote children’s and young people’s participation in sports, culture, outdoor activities and community organizations. The card is used digitally by guardians, and all children between eight and 16 years old receive SEK 500 (€45) per year to spend on regular leisure activities. Families who received housing allowance last year instead get SEK 2,000 (€180) per child on the card.

— As Minister for Social Affairs, I want to make life a little easier for people by creating good conditions for health and community. The Leisure Card is a reform that enables children and young people to have an active leisure time together with others. The family’s finances should not determine whether a child can participate in a leisure activity or not, said Swedish Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed last year.

The association or cultural school must be connected to the Leisure Card system for the subsidy to be valid. The money can also be used to rent equipment. By “regular” it means that the activity needs to take place at least six times during a six-month period.

Applications for the subsidy open on September 1.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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