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Olympic officials investigate medal durability issues

The organisers of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics are examining the matter of damaged Olympic medals, following reports that a number of athletes have experienced problems with their awards.

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A surprising incident occurred when Johnson's triumphant moment was overshadowed by a medal malfunction, prompting an astonished reaction of "That didn't just happen!"

The Milan-Cortina 2026 organising committee has acknowledged the issue of broken Olympic medals and is allocating considerable resources to investigate the cause, following reports from several affected athletes.

American gold medallists Breezy Johnson and Alysa Liu have reported that the ribbon on their medals detached shortly after they were awarded, with both athletes experiencing the issue.

During a post-competition press conference, Johnson, the women's downhill alpine skiing gold medallist, displayed her damaged medal, highlighting the problem that has arisen with some of the Olympic prizes.

When speaking to the press, she pointed out the components of her award, noting that a small part meant to secure the medal to the ribbon had come loose.

Liu shared a similar experience on social media after claiming gold in the figure skating team event as a member of the United States team.

In the video, Liu is seen holding the medal and ribbon separately, accompanied by the caption: "My medal don't need the ribbon."

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She expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved, stating, "I'm sure somebody will fix it."

Aerial footage from the Olympics has sparked attention, with some finding it captivating and others considering it a distraction.

A daily schedule is available for those looking to follow the Winter Olympics, providing a breakdown of events as they unfold.

The current medal standings for the Winter Olympics in 2026 are being tracked and updated.

A similar incident occurred with the German team, which took home the bronze medal in the biathlon event. A video posted on Instagram, external, captures the moment when the medal slipped off the ribbon as an athlete jumped up and down in excitement at the team's hotel.

According to Andrea Francisi, the chief Games operations officer for Milan-Cortina 2026, an investigation is underway to address the issue at hand.

According to Francisi, the situation is being closely monitored, with an investigation underway to determine the root cause of the problem.

Francisi emphasized that the medals will receive meticulous attention, as the moment of presentation is a pivotal one for athletes, and accuracy is paramount.

A spokesperson for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee informed BBC Sport that they are awaiting a resolution from the organizers regarding the matter.

The possibility of athletes receiving new medals has not been officially confirmed at this time.

The Olympic Games have previously faced concerns regarding the quality of medals awarded to athletes, making this incident not an isolated one.

By February 2025, the number of requests to replace medals awarded at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games had reached 220, primarily due to damage from wear and tear.

Yasmin Harper, the diver who secured Team GB's inaugural medal at the 2024 Olympics, reported that her medal was exhibiting signs of deterioration, including tarnishing.

According to the organisers of the Paris 2024 Games, athletes whose medals have been damaged can have them replaced.

Breezy Johnson, the gold medal winner in the women's downhill event, publicly displayed her broken medal after her victory.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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Uefa Referees’ Chief Warns Against Overreliance on VAR Technology

According to Roberto Rosetti, the head of Uefa referees, the video assistant review (VAR) system is becoming overly meticulous, and the rules regarding handball need to be re-examined.

Since 2018, Roberto Rosetti has held the position of chief refereeing officer at Uefa.

According to Uefa's refereeing chief, Roberto Rosetti, the video assistant review (VAR) system is becoming overly focused on minor details.

At the recent Uefa Congress, Rosetti emphasized the need for a unified interpretation of handball rules, citing the current inconsistencies as a major challenge.

Rosetti noted that while technology is effective in making factual decisions, such as offside calls, it often struggles with subjective situations, leading to an excessive number of interventions.

This season, the Premier League has seen the lowest rate of VAR interventions in Europe's top leagues, with an average of 0.27 per game, yet this has not necessarily resulted in fewer controversies surrounding refereeing decisions.

The Bundesliga and La Liga follow closely, with 0.38 interventions per game, while Serie A and Ligue 1 have rates of 0.44 and 0.47, respectively.

In the Champions League, the VAR intervention rate is also relatively high, at 0.45 per game.

Rosetti expressed concerns about the current trend, stating, "We need to discuss this at the end of the season, as we cannot continue down the path of overly meticulous VAR interventions, which may alter the essence of the game."

Rosetti attributed part of the problem to the increasing demand from fans and media for VAR to be used in subjective decisions, which can create unrealistic expectations.

He reiterated the primary purpose of VAR, saying, "Its purpose is to ensure justice and fairness in the game, particularly in clear-cut situations."

Rosetti emphasized the importance of VAR in providing fans with confidence in the accuracy of refereeing decisions, especially in critical situations.

To address the inconsistencies in handball interpretations, Rosetti advocated for a unified technical language across European football.

The current disparities in handball rules, with the Premier League being one of the more lenient, highlight the need for a standardized approach.

Rosetti stressed the importance of a single, consistent interpretation, saying, "We cannot have different technical languages in Europe, especially considering the participation of teams in European competitions."

He indicated that further discussions would be necessary to achieve a unified approach, aiming for a resolution before the start of the next season.

Rosetti's goal is to establish a single, consistent interpretation of handball rules, ensuring uniformity across European football.

Rosetti seemed skeptical about expanding the scope of VAR, ahead of the International Football Association Board's meeting on 28 February, where new review protocols for corners and second yellow cards are expected to be approved.

He emphasized the importance of avoiding delays in the game, stating, "The key concept is to avoid delaying the restart of play; if a system causes delays, it's not beneficial for the game."

Rosetti expressed support for any changes that could help speed up the game, as "football is about intensity and emotions, not delays."

He highlighted the need to maintain a balance between accuracy and game flow, ensuring that the sport remains exciting and engaging for fans.

At a recent meeting of top European referees, the focus was on addressing the issue of players easily going to ground after minimal contact.

Referees have also been instructed to monitor and prevent blocking actions by players on goalkeepers during corners, which can prevent them from playing the ball.

Rosetti expressed reservations about a proposed change to offside rules, suggested by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, which would require a noticeable gap between the attacker and defender.

He argued that this change could create a significant advantage for the attacker and have unintended tactical consequences.

The proposed offside rule change is set to be trialled in the Canadian Premier League from April, subject to approval by the International Football Association Board.

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