Duncan Mackay
@duncanmackay.bsky.social
Editor of the Zeus Files. Founder insidethegames and insideworldfootball. Winner UK Sports Journalist of the Year and UK Internet Sports Journalist of the Year Published author. Subscribe to Zeus Files at https://duncanmackayveritas.substack.com/
#VictorConte, architect of one of the biggest doping stories in sport, has died at 75. The self-taught pharmacist ended up a millionaire thanks to the range of nutritional supplements he continued to sell even after being sent to prison. Latest #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
November 4, 2025 at 8:21 AM
#VictorConte, architect of one of the biggest doping stories in sport, has died at 75. The self-taught pharmacist ended up a millionaire thanks to the range of nutritional supplements he continued to sell even after being sent to prison. Latest #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Thank you to everyone who sent me messages for my 60th birthday. I spent it in the middle of the Pacific Ocean aboard the Anthem of the Seas on a cruise from Honolulu to Sydney with the lovely Sarah Bowron. Arrived in Australia today for a short visit before heading home.
October 30, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Thank you to everyone who sent me messages for my 60th birthday. I spent it in the middle of the Pacific Ocean aboard the Anthem of the Seas on a cruise from Honolulu to Sydney with the lovely Sarah Bowron. Arrived in Australia today for a short visit before heading home.
#Kenya has avoided being declared non-compliant by #WADA - for now. A turning point in the fight against doping in the country? Or just delaying the inevitable. I discuss the controversial topic in the latest edition of the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Has Kenya realised just in time how serious its doping problem is?
WADA drops threat to declare them non-compliant as Kenyan President William Ruto promises to “do whatever it takes” to restore trust with new figures showing country are athletics biggest dopers
open.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:03 PM
#Kenya has avoided being declared non-compliant by #WADA - for now. A turning point in the fight against doping in the country? Or just delaying the inevitable. I discuss the controversial topic in the latest edition of the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
A bid by #WladimirKlitschko to become President of #WorldBoxing has ended only days after it begun leaving another #boxing legend, #GennadyGolovkin, as overwhelming favourite to win the election with full backing of #IOC. Full details of #ZeusFiles *exclusive* at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Exclusive: Klitschko drops bid to run for World Boxing President
Withdrawal of Ukrainian opens way for Kazakhstan’s Gennady Golovkin but he will have to counter threat of the Russian-controlled IBA who are set to offer record prize money at its World Championships
open.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:51 PM
A bid by #WladimirKlitschko to become President of #WorldBoxing has ended only days after it begun leaving another #boxing legend, #GennadyGolovkin, as overwhelming favourite to win the election with full backing of #IOC. Full details of #ZeusFiles *exclusive* at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
The decision by the International Paralympic Committee to lift the ban on Russia and Belarus has handed Vladimir Putin an unprecedented propaganda opportunity at Milan Cortina 2026 and @la28games.bsky.social. Analysis in this *free to read* edition of the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Paralympics offer Putin golden propaganda opportunity
Ukraine claims Kremlin targeted Asian and African countries to vote for Russia’s suspension from the IPC to be lifted and warn that it will overshadow Andrew Parsons third term as President
open.substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The decision by the International Paralympic Committee to lift the ban on Russia and Belarus has handed Vladimir Putin an unprecedented propaganda opportunity at Milan Cortina 2026 and @la28games.bsky.social. Analysis in this *free to read* edition of the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Round-up of latest Olympic news, including a legend standing for President of World Boxing, India & Nigeria making pitches to host 2030 Commonwealth Games and Austria agreeing to sign-up to the FIS centralised marketing and media scheme. All in the #ZeusFiles at
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Fight to become World Boxing President shaping up as battle between two ring legends
Ukraine's heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko wants to run Olympic boxing, while India and Nigeria present their bids to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games
open.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Round-up of latest Olympic news, including a legend standing for President of World Boxing, India & Nigeria making pitches to host 2030 Commonwealth Games and Austria agreeing to sign-up to the FIS centralised marketing and media scheme. All in the #ZeusFiles at
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Whatever action Israel's taking in Gaza, the International Olympic Committee won't ban them from the Olympics at Milan Cortina 2026 or @la28games.bsky.social as they haven't broken the Olympic Charter. More in this *free* to read edition of the Zeus Files at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
September 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Whatever action Israel's taking in Gaza, the International Olympic Committee won't ban them from the Olympics at Milan Cortina 2026 or @la28games.bsky.social as they haven't broken the Olympic Charter. More in this *free* to read edition of the Zeus Files at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Boxing legend #GennadyGolovkin is favourite to succeed
Boris van der Vorst as #WorldBoxing President after he decided not to seek a second term. The IOC have lost confidence in him and there are questions over a marketing deal. *Exclusive* story in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Boris van der Vorst as #WorldBoxing President after he decided not to seek a second term. The IOC have lost confidence in him and there are questions over a marketing deal. *Exclusive* story in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
September 19, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Boxing legend #GennadyGolovkin is favourite to succeed
Boris van der Vorst as #WorldBoxing President after he decided not to seek a second term. The IOC have lost confidence in him and there are questions over a marketing deal. *Exclusive* story in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Boris van der Vorst as #WorldBoxing President after he decided not to seek a second term. The IOC have lost confidence in him and there are questions over a marketing deal. *Exclusive* story in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Announcement of the appointment of a company
to create the masterplan for the main precinct to be built for the #Olympics at @brisbane2032.bsky.social comes week after expressions of interest opened for principal architects for Brisbane Stadium. Latest in #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
to create the masterplan for the main precinct to be built for the #Olympics at @brisbane2032.bsky.social comes week after expressions of interest opened for principal architects for Brisbane Stadium. Latest in #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
British firm to lead masterplan for controversial Brisbane 2032 Victoria Park precinct
Global experts who have worked on several other Olympics, including Sydney 2000, have been appointed by the Queensland Government as principal contractor for a project which still faces uncertainty be
open.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Announcement of the appointment of a company
to create the masterplan for the main precinct to be built for the #Olympics at @brisbane2032.bsky.social comes week after expressions of interest opened for principal architects for Brisbane Stadium. Latest in #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
to create the masterplan for the main precinct to be built for the #Olympics at @brisbane2032.bsky.social comes week after expressions of interest opened for principal architects for Brisbane Stadium. Latest in #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe is funding his own drugs testing programme with the Athletics Integrity Unit before the @berlinmarathon.bsky.social to prove he's clean. Last time anyone tried that was Lance Armstrong before his 2009 comeback. The latest #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
September 15, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe is funding his own drugs testing programme with the Athletics Integrity Unit before the @berlinmarathon.bsky.social to prove he's clean. Last time anyone tried that was Lance Armstrong before his 2009 comeback. The latest #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Memories of the 1991 World Athletics Champs, last time they were held in Tokyo. I was 25 and they were first championships I covered. Memories of "Carl Lewis and Sergey Bubka in the red vest of the Soviet Union for last time *Free to read* in the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
September 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Memories of the 1991 World Athletics Champs, last time they were held in Tokyo. I was 25 and they were first championships I covered. Memories of "Carl Lewis and Sergey Bubka in the red vest of the Soviet Union for last time *Free to read* in the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
The #WorldAthleticsChamps start tomorrow and female competitors must have taken a SRY test. It's been a contentious subject in athletics for decades and this is latest attempt by @worldathletics.org to find a solution. Special big read in the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
September 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The #WorldAthleticsChamps start tomorrow and female competitors must have taken a SRY test. It's been a contentious subject in athletics for decades and this is latest attempt by @worldathletics.org to find a solution. Special big read in the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
The departure of Thomas Bach as International Olympic Committee President has led to a less confrontational style of dealing with #Olympics partners under Kirsty Coventry, which is a welcome change for the World Olympians Association. Latest news in #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma....
September 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The departure of Thomas Bach as International Olympic Committee President has led to a less confrontational style of dealing with #Olympics partners under Kirsty Coventry, which is a welcome change for the World Olympians Association. Latest news in #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma....
The Olympic Programme Working Group set up by IOC President Kirsty Coventry "will consider the suggestion that traditional summer or winter sports could cross over". That could be good news for the UCI and @worldathletics.org who both have Winter Olympic ambitions.
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Door to Winter Olympics could be opened to sports not played on snow or ice
Cross country running and cyclo-cross could be the first to benefit if new Olympic Programme Working Group recommends a change to the sports allowed in the Winter Games
open.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The Olympic Programme Working Group set up by IOC President Kirsty Coventry "will consider the suggestion that traditional summer or winter sports could cross over". That could be good news for the UCI and @worldathletics.org who both have Winter Olympic ambitions.
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Another day, another gender row in #boxing. But this time, it's Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing, who is being blamed for causing it with even the French Government condemning him. Full story in the #ZeusFiles at
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
September 5, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Another day, another gender row in #boxing. But this time, it's Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing, who is being blamed for causing it with even the French Government condemning him. Full story in the #ZeusFiles at
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Build up to the start of the World #Boxing Championships has been ruined by more gender rows involving #ImaneKhelif and #LinYuting that should have been dealt with by the IOC during the #Olympics at Paris2024 following warnings from the IBA
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
September 4, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Build up to the start of the World #Boxing Championships has been ruined by more gender rows involving #ImaneKhelif and #LinYuting that should have been dealt with by the IOC during the #Olympics at Paris2024 following warnings from the IBA
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
The fact there are two candidates to host a #CommonwealthGames which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first edition in Hamilton in 1930 marks a major turnaround for Commonwealth Sport after they seemed to be staring into the abyss. Latest in #ZeusFiles at
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Back from the brink: Commonwealth Games’ future looking much brighter with two countries bidding for 2030
India and Nigeria are both set to be confirmed as having officially put themselves forward to host the centenary edition of an event that, not so long ago, did not appear to have a future
open.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The fact there are two candidates to host a #CommonwealthGames which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first edition in Hamilton in 1930 marks a major turnaround for Commonwealth Sport after they seemed to be staring into the abyss. Latest in #ZeusFiles at
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
A poll from @nolympicsla.bsky.social has claimed 54pc of all respondents in the city indicated wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts are more important for public resources and spending over the next 3 years than the @la28games.bsky.social . Latest #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
L.A. Confidential #3: Wasserman claims he needs to focus on delivering “America’s Games”
The LA28 chairman has promised to concentrate on making the Olympics as good as they can be even in the face of a local campaign calling for the Californian city to withdraw from hosting the Games
open.substack.com
August 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
A poll from @nolympicsla.bsky.social has claimed 54pc of all respondents in the city indicated wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts are more important for public resources and spending over the next 3 years than the @la28games.bsky.social . Latest #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Swiss-Ski President accepts offer from ex-rival Johan Eliasch to become the first chief executive of FIS, FIFA President Gianni Infantino continues to dance to tune of @donaldjtrump-maga.bsky.social, another sports sex scandal and Saudi's winter desert dream melts open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
August 25, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Swiss-Ski President accepts offer from ex-rival Johan Eliasch to become the first chief executive of FIS, FIFA President Gianni Infantino continues to dance to tune of @donaldjtrump-maga.bsky.social, another sports sex scandal and Saudi's winter desert dream melts open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
New evidence, including audio files, photographs & documents, have emerged which show the IWF President was involved in helping manipulate the election in May. Worrying for sport in Olympics at @la28games.bsky.social having been threatened with expulsion by the IOC
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Exclusive: New evidence proves International Weightlifting Federation election was rigged by group led by President
A vote at the IWF Congress was manipulated by a cabal of officials led by President Mohamed Jalood and Europe was punished after defying orders to elect an “approved” candidate as their leader
open.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
New evidence, including audio files, photographs & documents, have emerged which show the IWF President was involved in helping manipulate the election in May. Worrying for sport in Olympics at @la28games.bsky.social having been threatened with expulsion by the IOC
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Today is the 10th anniversary of @sebcoe.bsky.social
being elected President of @worldathletics.org. His greatest achievement has been the creation of the AIU which is catching more drugs cheats than ever. *Free* edition of the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
being elected President of @worldathletics.org. His greatest achievement has been the creation of the AIU which is catching more drugs cheats than ever. *Free* edition of the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Sliding Doors: How Coe’s election helped athletics finally get serious about tackling doping
Ten years ago today Sebastian Coe was elected to lead athletics at a time the sport faced the Russian doping crisis. It could have been quite different response if rival Sergey Bubka had won the vote
open.substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Today is the 10th anniversary of @sebcoe.bsky.social
being elected President of @worldathletics.org. His greatest achievement has been the creation of the AIU which is catching more drugs cheats than ever. *Free* edition of the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
being elected President of @worldathletics.org. His greatest achievement has been the creation of the AIU which is catching more drugs cheats than ever. *Free* edition of the #ZeusFiles at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
A decision to allow naming rights for venues at @la28games.bsky.social is a significant historical shift for the IOC, who have previously fiercely protected a “clean policy” when it comes to advertising in arenas at the Olympics. Full analysis in the Zeus Files open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
August 18, 2025 at 11:21 AM
A decision to allow naming rights for venues at @la28games.bsky.social is a significant historical shift for the IOC, who have previously fiercely protected a “clean policy” when it comes to advertising in arenas at the Olympics. Full analysis in the Zeus Files open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
#Netball would boost gender equity and provide a cash bonus at @brisbane2032.bsky.social, it's claimed. Doubts continue over some venues for the Olympics and news of changes at the Australian Olympic Committee. Special #Brisbane2032 edition of the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
August 15, 2025 at 8:12 AM
#Netball would boost gender equity and provide a cash bonus at @brisbane2032.bsky.social, it's claimed. Doubts continue over some venues for the Olympics and news of changes at the Australian Olympic Committee. Special #Brisbane2032 edition of the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
A document designed to ruin India's 2036 Olympics bid is being circulated within the IOC, just as the country is set to take a major step forward with its major events strategy and be awarded the 2030 #CommonwealthGames. Full *exclusive* story in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
August 13, 2025 at 5:37 PM
A document designed to ruin India's 2036 Olympics bid is being circulated within the IOC, just as the country is set to take a major step forward with its major events strategy and be awarded the 2030 #CommonwealthGames. Full *exclusive* story in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
The @la28games.bsky.social chairman Casey Wasserman faced criticism following his performance in the White House when US President @donaldjtrump-maga.bsky.social set up an Olympics task force. Analysis in the latest Zeus Files at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
August 8, 2025 at 8:46 AM
The @la28games.bsky.social chairman Casey Wasserman faced criticism following his performance in the White House when US President @donaldjtrump-maga.bsky.social set up an Olympics task force. Analysis in the latest Zeus Files at open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...