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Wednesday, November 5, 2025

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https://nordictimes.com/sport/sweden-wins-eleven-medals-at-paris-2024-olympics/

Sport

Sweden wins eleven medals at Paris 2024 Olympics

Published August 13, 2024 – By Editorial staff
Sjöström and Mondo delivered.
4 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

With a total of eleven medals, including four gold, four silver and three bronze, Sweden is making a strong and solid impression at this year's Summer Olympics in Paris. The Swedish athletes have not only lived up to expectations, but in many cases have exceeded them with unexpected and somewhat historic performances.

The Summer Olympics in Paris were a success for the host country, France. In terms of both performance and attendance, this year's games have been a huge success, despite some initial gnashing of teeth and skepticism from the local population.

For Sweden, many were convinced that Armand Duplantis and Sarah Sjöström would be the focus of this year's Olympics, but behind the scenes the table tennis masters wanted something different.

One of the most remarkable performances came from Truls Möregårdh, who won a sensational silver medal in the table tennis singles tournament. Möregårdh, who was considered a long shot before the tournament, defeated some of the world's best players on his way to the final.

He also helped his teammates Kristian Karlsson and Anton Källberg to a silver medal in the team competition. This success marks Sweden's first Olympic medals in table tennis since 2000, making their efforts particularly memorable.

King Duplantis

In the world of athletics, Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis continued to make history by not only defending his Olympic gold medal in the pole vault - something that had only happened once before (Bob Richards; 1952/1956) - but also setting a new world record with an incredible 6.25.

Already one of the most celebrated Swedish athletes of modern times, Duplantis added to his status with this incredible feat.

Sarah Sjöström was once again at the top of her game when it mattered most. With gold medals in both the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, she once again proved why she is one of the world's best swimmers.

Sjöström also made history by becoming the first Swedish swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals at the same championships, further cementing her legendary status.

Not to be outdone, beach volleyball players David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig saved the best for last. After a shaky start to the tournament, they stepped up their game in the playoffs.

The duo dominated the final and delivered a performance that no Swedish volleyball player had ever achieved before. Their triumph on the sand is a milestone that puts Swedish beach volleyball on the international map.

Sweden's best Olympics since 2000

Sweden has won a total of eleven medals at the Olympic Games in Paris - the best result at a Summer Olympics since Sydney 2000.

The eleven medals reflect excellent performances by outstanding athletes such as Victor Lindgren, shooting (silver), Rebecca Netzler/Vilma Bobeck, sailing, 49er FX (silver), Jenny Rissved, mountain biking (bronze) and Tara Babulfath's bronze in judo.

Together with the above-mentioned gold medals, it is fair to say that Sweden is one of the most successful nations at this year's Olympics. Sweden finishes in a fine sixteenth place, which is the best result since Los Angeles in 1984.

This puts Sweden ahead of all our Nordic neighbors such as Norway (18th), Denmark (29th) and Finland, who did not win any medals.

USA and China lead the way

The three countries that have won the most gold medals at the 2024 Olympics are the United States (40 gold medals), China (40) and Japan (20).

The USA (126 in total) has continued its dominance with particular success in athletics and swimming, while China (91) has excelled in events such as table tennis, gymnastics and weightlifting. Japan (45), which has had a strong medal presence since the Tokyo Olympics, has continued to lead the way in judo and wrestling to secure its place among the most successful nations.

Host nation France has put in a strong effort with several impressive performances, especially in its traditionally strong sports such as judo and fencing. French athletes have shown a high level of competitiveness at home, resulting in a significant medal haul of 64, including 16 golds.

In addition, the organizers managed to deliver a well-organized and memorable Games, despite the high expectations and challenges of being the host nation. At the same time, the Paris Olympics were not without controversy, from the much-criticized Opening Ceremony to women's boxing, where sometimes heated debates about hormone levels and gender identity enraged many.

Ethan Hunt wraps it up

The icing on the cake was provided by none other than Ethan Hunt (aka Tom Cruise), who, in true Mission: Impossible spirit, took the Olympic flag from Paris to the 2028 venue of Los Angeles.

Cruise is a renowned sports enthusiast and the combination of M:I and the Olympics is a stroke of genius, just as when James Bond 007, accompanied by Queen Elizabeth, opened the London 2012 Summer Games, Cruise brought the 2024 Summer Olympics to a magnificent and action-packed close.

Unlike the much-criticized opening ceremony, the closing ceremony was a dignified affair, generally free of any political messages. Not least, the tribute to the thousands of volunteers who made the complicated arrangements possible was a fine and appreciated gesture.

The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in four years. Hopefully with new Swedish successes in the trophy cabinet.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/sport/russian-skiers-banned-from-olympics-a-price-im-ready-to-pay/

Sport

Russian skiers banned from Olympics: “A price I’m ready to pay”

The new cold war

Published October 22, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Russian President Vladimir Putin presents awards to Veronika Stepanova (third from right) and other medalists from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The International Ski Federation (FIS) decided on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian skiers will not be allowed to participate in the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics.

Veronika Stepanova, who won Olympic gold in the relay in 2022, condemns the decision, defends her country and accuses the federation of hypocrisy.

The decision from FIS means that Russian and Belarusian cross-country skiers remain banned from international competitions. The suspension has been in place since the war in Ukraine escalated in 2022.

Shortly after the decision was announced, Veronika Stepanova, who was part of the women's relay team that won Olympic gold in Beijing 2022, commented on the event in a message to Swedish public broadcaster SVT Sport.

"It's very simple: Vladimir Putin is my president, and my country is always right. If that's the reason why some questionable, nameless characters won't allow me to compete internationally... Well, then that's a price I'm ready to pay", she writes.

Stepanova simultaneously accuses FIS officials of political discrimination:

"You're stopping me and my teammates solely based on political beliefs. Next you should start suspending Israelis and Americans who support Trump. Because that's what your system is built on: Stopping people who think differently".

Intense lobbying behind the decision

Karin Mattsson, Swedish board member of FIS, rejects the comparison with other conflicts and believes the situation is unique.

— Both Putin and Lukashenko have for so many years used sports, and she herself is a very good example of that when she expresses herself as she does – and that's the reason why this war has been treated in this way, she says.

FIS president Johan Eliasch, who is Swedish-British, has previously been a driving force for reinstating Russian skiers with the argument that "athletes are not responsible for where they are born". Several southern European federations have supported this position.

But the Nordic countries have had a different view on the matter. According to Russian national team coach Yuri Borodavko, their opposition was decisive.

— Norway conducted intense lobbying and threatened a boycott. Sweden, Finland and France joined in. That's why FIS made such a tough decision against Russia, he tells the Russian website Championat.

"Completely in line with our position"

Pernilla Bonde, secretary general of the Swedish Ski Association, is very positive about FIS's stance.

— We have been clear all along: as long as the war in Ukraine continues, Russian and Belarusian skiers should not participate in international FIS competitions. FIS's decision is completely in line with our position, she says in a statement.

— Sports has a strong voice and a responsibility. By standing up for our values, we show what sports is really about – community, democracy and fair play, she further claims.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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

Sport

FIA opens for Russia’s Formula 1 comeback

Published September 19, 2025 – 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

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

Sport

Male NFL cheerleaders spark reactions

Published August 19, 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 August 18, 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

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