Sweden might have a well-deserved reputation in both men’s and women’s football for a resolutely defensive style of play. On the men’s side the strictly organised, reactive system which became a hallmark of Lars Lagerbäck’s tenure barely shifted under his successor Erik Hamrén, and was certainly in full force as they struggled to qualify for Euro 2016 before departing in…
Some call it an equestrian sport with ancient roots in the writings of Xenophon, others call it horsey prancing. Either way dressage – from a French term which vaguely means ‘training’ – certainly proves a novelty when it comes around every four years during the Olympics. The aim of dressage is to enhance the natural athleticism of a horse, by…
What is the meaning of the colour green? It is the colour of springtime, of fresh grasses and unripe fruits. Did you know that in nature, green pigments indicate chlorophyll, the chemical of photosynthesis, by which plants turn sunlight into fuel? Fittingly green is the colour of environmental activists worldwide. It stands for ‘go’ when you’re stuck at traffic lights or other…
After hours of intense and occasionally preposterous speculation, in the end it was neither Pelé nor Bebeto, Gustavo Kuerten, Marta, or hoops star Hortência who got to light the Olympic cauldron. The latter three all took part in the Rio 2016 opening ceremony, but the final task instead fell to Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima. As the average Brazilian struggles in the face…
Brazil has enjoyed success both on and in the water at past Olympics. With six gold, three silver, and eight bronze, sailing has been their most successful Olympic event, while with one gold, four silver, and eight bronze, swimming is not far behind in terms of the haul of medals. But Rio 2016 is a home Olympics, and quite naturally Brazil…
When Brazilian football legend Pelé declined to light the Olympic cauldron at Friday’s opening ceremony in Rio, citing ill health after muscle pains and hip surgery earlier in the year, Brazilian officials found themselves in a tight spot. The lighting of the cauldron is a defining moment for any Olympics, with the task previously falling to such icons as Cathy…
For most people the 2012 London Olympics remains a fond memory of when Britain, in the immortal words of Sebastian Coe, ‘gone done it right’. That was the phrase which echoed throughout the Olympic Stadium and beyond on the night of the unforgettable opening ceremony orchestrated by Danny Boyle, when the whole world was offered a Pisgah sight of Britain as…
