The pitiful Olympic mascots sum up this sorry affair | Catherine Bennett

It seems all that counts in 2012 is getting gold medals. So forget any proper investment in sport
Weirdly, it was then thought, Tony Blair chose to launch his 2001 manifesto in a school: St Saviour’s and St Olave’s, Southwark. Perhaps forgetting the traditional affinity between deranged leaders and parties of dumbstruck children, Clare Short said [...]

Great Britain’s hopes of cycling gold at London 2012 Olympic Games hit by UCI changes

Great Britain’s 2012 medal hopes took a blow as cycling’s world governing body announced a radical overhaul of the Olympics’ qualification criteria.

Olympic qualifying change hits GB

Great Britain’s hopes of a large track cycling medal haul at London 2012 take a blow with the news that teams will be restricted to one rider per event.

Cycling tour set for Wales visit

The Tour of Britain will grace Wales for the first time since cycling’s top event was held in Newport on 2004.

Olympic sprint star Staff retires

Olympic champion Jamie Staff announces his retirement from competitive cycling at the age of 36 because of a chronic back injury.

Olympic sprint star Staff retires

Olympic champion Jamie Staff announces his retirement from competitive cycling at the age of 36 because of a chronic back injury.

GB end on high with Clancy gold

GB end the Track Cycling World Championships on a high note as Ed clancy wins omnium gold, while Victoria Pendleton takes keirin silver.

Pendleton powers to sprint crown

Britain’s Victoria Pendleton wins her fourth successive sprint title at the Track Cycling World Championships.

GB men win silver in team pursuit

Great Britain are edged into second by Australia in the men’s team pursuit at the Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen.

Hoy back to head GB bid at Worlds

Sir Chris Hoy leads a 19-strong team aiming to re-establish Britain’s global pre-eminence at the 2010 World Track Cycling Championships in Denmark.