Since Europeans first arrived in the Americas, native peoples have been decimated. In North America, where assimilation was rare and conquest or theft of land has been the norm, things were particularly harsh. Stereotypical depictions of natives as violent warriors helped legitimise this process, as did a series of derogatory names such as “redskins” and “savages”.

The German Thomas Bach takes over the presidency of the IOC from Belgian Jacques Rogge and must immediately embark on an internal power struggle in top sport.

In a few years, Asia will be the center of gravity for the Olympic world. IOC chose Tokyo as the safe solution rather than the more visionary but also more risky bids on the future of sport.

Buenos Aires: The German Thomas Bach is widely seen as the favorite — and a first-round victory for him certainly is the most likely outcome. However, he would be ill-advised to solely rely on the support of the notorious Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah. When remembering the likes of Alejandro Blanco and Marius Vizer — you’d better be on guard.

The Olympic protests over Russian anti-gay laws can soon be replaced by protests over Russian handling of the situation in Syria. The Syria-question has the potential to become the biggest political issue in the run-up to the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014 Syria in the UN Security Council

Calls for boycott of a mega-event because of the host country's national politics are never far away, and the image battle rages in the media. In this article from The Conversation, David Rowe examines the relationship between sport and politics.

Currently, the IOC faces great international pressure because of Russia's new, strict anti-gay laws. Andreas Selliaas comments on the situation and on whether the IOC ought to take a greater political responsibility.

More and more sports wish to be included in the Olympic Games – an event that has already grown too big. IOC faces the dilemma of accepting more sports making the Olympics even more gigantesque or facing the risk of rival competitions. A way out of the dilemma could be the creation of the Olympic Spring Games, argues Jean-Loup Chappelet one year after the London 2012 Games.

Six men want to climb the Olympic throne in September. In his second analysis of the IOC presidential election, German investigative reporter Jens Weinreich takes a look at two countries who may be the real power holders in international sport.

After many years in the shadow of taboos, sports corruption is now debated freely and at the highest level of sports policy making. All the right words are in place at three huge global meetings this week, but convincing action is still far away.