Investigative reporter Jens Weinreich has reviewed how more than 100 international sports organisations have responded to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Both the IOC and the majority of federations still provide cover for Russian sport officials and national federations.

Despite calls to limit financial support from companies with links to the Russian or Belarussian state, Russian betting companies continue to operate and sponsor football clubs in Europe, Africa, and South America. Steve Menary describes the Russian betting market, its sponsorship deals, and the problems of instituting a boycott.

The IOC and the Olympic federations are obliged to do much more to punish Russia and its warmonger, Vladimir Putin, argues investigative reporter Jens Weinreich and provides a long list of examples. He calls for a comprehensive independent criminal investigation of the longstanding deep connection of the Olympic institutions with the Kremlin within the framework of the EU.

What does the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and space politics have to do with each other? Quite a lot and it demonstrates China’s ability to mix sport and politics in their national self-promotion, writes senior analyst Stanis Elsborg.

In a statement, the IOC appears to finally put an end to 23 years of loyal co-operation with the dictator of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. However, with its provisional measures the IOC is keeping the door open for Lukashenko and his allies to return to the Olympic fold.

Belarusian President Lukashenko’s police has arrested several high-profile athletes for peaceful protests against the president’s re-election in August. The athletes turn to the IOC for help because Lukashenko is also president of the National Olympic Committee. But will the IOC break its long-lasting loyalty to ‘Europe’s last dictator’?

For the first time it can be revealed in detail how much cash the IOC paid to an Olympic host. Investigative journalist Jens Weinreich publishes the list of 117 payments to Rio 2016 in a worldwide exclusive in his magazine SPORT & POLITICS. The revelation helps to understand one of the most fundamental questions around the Olympic movement these days: What kind of contribution can Tokyo 2020 really expect from the IOC?

When Play the Game kicks off its 11th world communication conference on society and sport the main theme will be athlete activism and the rights of athletes.