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winter olympicslatest news & developments
‘Black Panther’: Scrapping the continental quota means Akwasi Frimpong did not return to the Olympics this year. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty)

Akwasi Frimpong: Ordeal of an African winter athlete

Akwasi Frimpong, Ghana’s skeleton star, on the reasons he’s not at the Winter Olympics

Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong  clears a gate during the Men’s Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Slalom event at Whistler Creek side Alpine skiing venue.              (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Africa’s history at the Olympic Winter Games

Since 1984, at least one African nation has competed at each subsequent winter Olympics

“In the US, China has become a bipartisan punching bag, with politicians on both sides of the aisle making evidence-free claims that would make McCarthy blush. This feeds oversimple narratives that juxtapose a freedom-loving USA against a diabolical Chinese state. In turn, this sanctimonious outlook stokes the U.S. war machine. “(Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Hypocrisy of the ‘diplomatic boycott’ of the 2022 Beijing Olympics

Which human rights matter enough to put politics above sports? For decades, the United States and its European allies have decided the answer at their convenience.

Jamaica have qualified for three Olympic bobsleigh events for the first time ever. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

‘Fire on ice’: Jamaica make history with 3 bobsleigh teams to Olympics

For the first time in 24 years, Team Jamaica will send a four-man sled

People who will work at the Winter Olympics in China get fit and snow-ready. (Jun Yasukawa/The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Farmers swap sheep for skis

They’re having to learn new skills to provide support at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing

Gold medallist Chloe Kim of the U.S. celebrates while flanked by silver medallist Liu Jiayu of China and bronze medallist Arielle Gold of the U.S. during the flowers ceremony.

American teen Kim melts hearts with tearful snowboarding gold

The 17-year-old, who has melted the hearts of home fans in Pyeongchang, justified her status as the hot favourite with an eye-popping top score

Kim Yo Jong claps next to Kim Yong Nam at the women’s preliminary ice-hockey match at the 2018 Winter Olympics

Sister act: Kim Yo Jong visit dominates South Korea headlines

Educated in Switzerland like her brother, Kim Yo Jong has risen rapidly up the ranks since he inherited power from their father Kim Jong Il.

Angry snowboarders hit out at ‘dangerous’ Olympic final

None of the snowboarders suffered major injury, but the IOC and International Ski Federation faced questions as to why the final was not shelved.

Shaky foundations: The cracks in Cosatu could lead to a realignment of the political landscape in South Africa.

Winter Games marred by doping cloud

With its lengthy history of drug cheats, the Winter Olympics is working hard to clean up its act

Ready for some roller derby on ice? Short track speedskating starts on Monday at the Sochi Olympics

Sochi Olympics: What to look out for as speedskating starts

From medal threat Charles Hamelin to Russia’s Viktor Ahn enjoying home-ice advantage, here are five things to watch for during speedskating.

Sochi Olympics kick off with a glitch before fairy tale show

Sochi Olympics kick off with a glitch before fairy tale show

One Olympic ring failed to unfurl but President Vladmir Putin nonetheless declared Russia’s Winter Games open under a burst of fireworks.

Sochi Games: Putin’s project of personal importance

As the Winter Olympics begin, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin hopes that a successful event will enhance the country’s international reputation.

The opening of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Sochi Olympic flame lit after world’s longest relay

The Olympic flame has reached Sochi, following a 65 000km route, the longest in the history of the Games.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was the winner of the meeting in Alaska with US President Donald Trump. Photo: File

Russia expels US journalist critical of Putin

Russia has barred a US journalist who is critical of President Vladimir Putin for five years, saying he violated his visa regulations.

Police block the way to a Volgograd train station after a female suicide bomber blew up the entrance hall

Suicide bomber kills at least 13 at Russian train station

President Vladimir Putin has ordered tighter security from law enforcement agencies after a second bomb exploded in the country in just three days.

The Olympics are an international gathering – politics and protest can’t be divided from that

SA should pull out of Winter Olympics in Russia

The world should not let Russia get away with its brazenly abusive stance on homosexual people, writes Andrew Verrijdt.

Athletes blame hosts for death of luge contestant

Canadians are accused of limiting practice runs and turning luge racers into "crash-test dummies" at Whistler.