News
Olympic Nordic Combined Remains Solely Male-Dominated Discipline
At the Milan-Cortina Olympics, Nordic combined stands out as the sole sport without a women’s competition, prompting an examination by BBC Sport into the reasons behind this exception.
The push for women's Nordic combined to be included in the Winter Olympics continues, with athletes advocating for their right to compete.
Annika Malacinski, a US Nordic combined skier, has long aspired to become an Olympic competitor, but her dream remains elusive.
Meanwhile, her younger brother Niklas will participate in the 2026 Winter Games, a bittersweet moment for Malacinski as she watches from the sidelines.
Nordic combined, which combines cross-country skiing and ski jumping, is the sole Olympic discipline that excludes women from competition.
Since the inaugural Winter Olympics in Chamonix in 1924, Nordic combined has been a part of the Games, but only men have been allowed to participate, despite the existence of women's World Cup and World Championship events.
Malacinski, 24, has been a vocal advocate for the inclusion of women's Nordic combined in the Olympics for several years, and in 2022, a formal proposal was submitted to include the event in the 2026 Games.
A similar proposal was made prior to the 2018 Beijing Olympics, but both were rejected.
In a November Instagram post, Malacinski expressed her frustration, stating that her Olympic aspirations had been thwarted "not due to my abilities, but because of my gender".
Malacinski and her teammates have been actively campaigning for equal access to the Olympic start line, speaking out and protesting against the exclusion of women from the event.
Despite the setbacks, Malacinski remains resolute, affirming that she and her teammates will continue to push for change.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed concerns about the sport's overall viability, citing low participation and limited viewership, rather than focusing on the issue of women's exclusion.
This year's men's Nordic combined event in Italy features 36 athletes, a decline from the 55 participants in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The IOC notes that the Milan-Cortina Games have achieved a high level of gender parity, with 47% of athletes being women and 50 out of 116 events being female-only.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated that the organization is "essentially gender-balanced" and will reassess the Nordic combined event, considering its global reach and participation, with a view to potentially including women's events in future Games.
Another IOC spokesperson added that the organization will gather data to evaluate the sport's inclusion in the 2030 French Alps Games, with the possibility of adding women's events if Nordic combined remains part of the Olympic program.
Annika Malacinski is currently ranked among the top 15 women's Nordic combined skiers globally.
However, Malacinski argues that the sport's participation numbers are comparable to those of other niche sports, and she is concerned that the IOC's decision on Nordic combined's inclusion in future Olympics may be based solely on the men's event's performance.
In an interview with The Guardian, Malacinski highlighted that over 40 women are competing at a high level and eagerly awaiting an opportunity to participate in the Olympics.
Malacinski believes that the IOC is attempting to eliminate Nordic combined altogether, rather than addressing the issue of women's exclusion, in an effort to achieve gender equality.
Malacinski emphasizes that her advocacy is not only for women's rights but also for the preservation of the sport as a whole.
Malacinski plans to attend the Olympics to support her brother and use the opportunity to raise awareness about the exclusion of women from Nordic combined, encouraging spectators to show their support.
In 2023, female Nordic combined athletes protested against their exclusion from the Olympics by drawing beards and mustaches on their faces during a World Cup event.
The athletes also formed an "X" shape with their ski poles, promoting their #noeXception social media campaign.
Billy Demong, a five-time Olympian in Nordic combined, described the decision to exclude women's events from the Italian Games as a "travesty" and a significant setback for gender equity in the Olympic movement.
A day-by-day guide to the Winter Olympics is available, providing information on upcoming events.
The full schedule, including medal events and timings, can be accessed.
The Winter Olympics 2026 medal table will be updated regularly.
News
Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event
The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.
A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.
A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.
The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.
The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.
Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.
Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.
According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.
The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.
Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.
The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.
However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.
Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.
Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.
During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.
The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.
A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.
Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.
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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.
News
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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