Alexander Engelhardt

Dutchman Alexander Engelhardt is the President of the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA). In addition to his role as GAMMA President, Engelhardt is the President of Vechtsport Organisatie Nederland which represents three sports, kickboxing, muaythai and mixed martial arts.

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Alexander Engelhardt: How close is MMA to becoming Olympic sport

With the Paris 2024 Olympics around the corner, the quadrennial question is resurfacing: Does MMA have a future in the Olympics, and what would the sport look like in the Games? As President of the organisation working to make this dream a reality – the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) - I can partially answer this.

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Fact of the day

When British skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the Olympic gold medal in ice dance at Sarajevo 1984 with 12 perfect 6.0s from every judge, for their interpretation of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, an important member of their team was singer-actor Michael Crawford. Crawford, who had played Frank Spencer in British sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and the title role in the musical The Phantom of the Opera, had become a mentor to the pair in 1981 and went on to help them create their Olympic routine. Crawford said he “taught them how to act". He was present with their trainer Betty Callaway at the ringside at Sarajevo as they created one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history.

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Tournament Manager

Reporting to the Head of World Tour, the Tournament Manager will be responsible for the effective implementation of the BWF host agreements with each Member Association hosting a BWF World Tour event. In particular, the Tournament Manager will ensure the effective implementation of the BWF commercial and media rights agreements with the host, provide support to the Technical Officials (BWF Referee, Umpires and Line Judges) at the tournament and work alongside the BWF marketing & communications team when they are present at the tournament.

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The Big Read

Pierre de Coubertin once said cricket has "practically no appeal for those who are not British". While he expressed doubts about the Olympic viability of cricket, lacrosse and baseball, Philip Barker wonders how the man who helped revive the modern Games would have reacted to new sports at Los Angeles 2028.