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/
After the controversy of the #Olympics Opening Ceremony at #Paris2024, @milancortina2026.bsky.social is promising that their event will be a “platform to convey good messages and not messages that divide”. Philip Barker reports for the #ZeusFiles in link ⬇️
January 21, 2026 at 12:54 PM
After the controversy of the #Olympics Opening Ceremony at #Paris2024, @milancortina2026.bsky.social is promising that their event will be a “platform to convey good messages and not messages that divide”. Philip Barker reports for the #ZeusFiles in link ⬇️
A record-breaking first day for @la28games.bsky.social as they opened registrations to enter the Olympics ticket draw, but did FIFA really receive 500 million requests for World Cup tickets? We discuss all of this in the latest issue of the #ZeusFiles in link⬇️
January 19, 2026 at 8:39 AM
A record-breaking first day for @la28games.bsky.social as they opened registrations to enter the Olympics ticket draw, but did FIFA really receive 500 million requests for World Cup tickets? We discuss all of this in the latest issue of the #ZeusFiles in link⬇️
Appeal by a Queensland Indigenous group has failed to stop work on the Olympics stadium for Brisbane 2032 and why couples getting married are angry about it. Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris has added another role to his portfolio. Plus, learn to talk like an Aussie. In the #ZeusFiles link ⬇️
January 16, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Appeal by a Queensland Indigenous group has failed to stop work on the Olympics stadium for Brisbane 2032 and why couples getting married are angry about it. Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris has added another role to his portfolio. Plus, learn to talk like an Aussie. In the #ZeusFiles link ⬇️
Your chance to register online for the chance to buy Olympics
tickets for @la28games.bsky.social for as little as $28 is now open! When LA last hosted the #Olympics in 1984 the ticketing system was via mail-order with brochures available from 3,700 outlets nationwide. Full story in the #ZeusFiles⬇️
tickets for @la28games.bsky.social for as little as $28 is now open! When LA last hosted the #Olympics in 1984 the ticketing system was via mail-order with brochures available from 3,700 outlets nationwide. Full story in the #ZeusFiles⬇️
January 14, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Your chance to register online for the chance to buy Olympics
tickets for @la28games.bsky.social for as little as $28 is now open! When LA last hosted the #Olympics in 1984 the ticketing system was via mail-order with brochures available from 3,700 outlets nationwide. Full story in the #ZeusFiles⬇️
tickets for @la28games.bsky.social for as little as $28 is now open! When LA last hosted the #Olympics in 1984 the ticketing system was via mail-order with brochures available from 3,700 outlets nationwide. Full story in the #ZeusFiles⬇️
FREE FRIDAY The World Cross Country Championships started in 1903 but is dying. Is the only hope of saving it, getting it in the Winter Olympics?https://open.substack.com/pub/duncanmackayveritas/p/cross-country-needs-olympic-inclusion?r=7mwrw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Cross country running needs Olympic inclusion to put it back where it used to be
The World Cross Country Championships was once the most competitive distance race on the calendar but interest has declined as East African dominance has increased. Only the Olympics can save it
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:35 PM
FREE FRIDAY The World Cross Country Championships started in 1903 but is dying. Is the only hope of saving it, getting it in the Winter Olympics?https://open.substack.com/pub/duncanmackayveritas/p/cross-country-needs-olympic-inclusion?r=7mwrw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Former IOA President Suresh Kalmadi, whose died at 81, will leave a mixed legacy. He modernised Indian sport but was in charge of the 2010 #CommonwealthGames, an event so badly organised the country's still trying to shake off the reputation as it bids for 2036 Olympics. Full story in #ZeusFiles ⬇️
January 7, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Former IOA President Suresh Kalmadi, whose died at 81, will leave a mixed legacy. He modernised Indian sport but was in charge of the 2010 #CommonwealthGames, an event so badly organised the country's still trying to shake off the reputation as it bids for 2036 Olympics. Full story in #ZeusFiles ⬇️
The stadium being built for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics will take inspiration from the “Queenslander,” a style of detached timber house in the state, as a team of architects are appointed to oversee the design process. Full details in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
January 6, 2026 at 5:31 PM
The stadium being built for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics will take inspiration from the “Queenslander,” a style of detached timber house in the state, as a team of architects are appointed to oversee the design process. Full details in the #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Could the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, centrepiece of the first Olympics of the modern era in 1896, start hosting major athletics events again? That's the dream after Greek billionaire and #NFFC owner Evangelos Marinakis agreed to fund a renovation project. Full story in the Zeus Files⬇️
January 2, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Could the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, centrepiece of the first Olympics of the modern era in 1896, start hosting major athletics events again? That's the dream after Greek billionaire and #NFFC owner Evangelos Marinakis agreed to fund a renovation project. Full story in the Zeus Files⬇️
Sergey Bubka hasn’t visited Ukraine since July 2022 and has failed to make any substantive statement condemning Russia since shortly after invasion started. Story of how Ukrainian icon became such a divisive figure in his own country in latest edition of #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
Bubka stripped of Ukrainian state pension by President Zelenskyy after not visiting country for more than three years
Olympic gold medallist and IOC member continues to face criticism that he has not done enough to defend Ukraine and has collaborated with Russia
open.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Sergey Bubka hasn’t visited Ukraine since July 2022 and has failed to make any substantive statement condemning Russia since shortly after invasion started. Story of how Ukrainian icon became such a divisive figure in his own country in latest edition of #ZeusFiles open.substack.com/pub/duncanma...
The @la28games.bsky.social chairman #CaseyWasserman has promised Israeli athletes they will be welcome at the Olympics and their safety will be guaranteed. During his first visit to Israel he praised Benjamin Netanyahu for his leadership that "makes him proud to be a Jew." Link to #ZeusFiles story ⬇️
December 13, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The @la28games.bsky.social chairman #CaseyWasserman has promised Israeli athletes they will be welcome at the Olympics and their safety will be guaranteed. During his first visit to Israel he praised Benjamin Netanyahu for his leadership that "makes him proud to be a Jew." Link to #ZeusFiles story ⬇️
First priority for World Boxing President Gennadiy Golovkin will be to put the new international federation responsible for Olympic boxing at @la28games.bsky.social onto a firm financial footing. As @dodo938.bsky.social reveals for the #ZeusFiles, they're heavily reliant on funding from the IOC.
December 4, 2025 at 5:09 PM
First priority for World Boxing President Gennadiy Golovkin will be to put the new international federation responsible for Olympic boxing at @la28games.bsky.social onto a firm financial footing. As @dodo938.bsky.social reveals for the #ZeusFiles, they're heavily reliant on funding from the IOC.
#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...