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Olympic Nordic Combined Remains Solely Male-Dominated Discipline

At the Milan-Cortina Olympics, Nordic combined stands out as the sole sport without a women’s competition, prompting an examination by BBC Sport into the reasons behind this exception.

The push for women's Nordic combined to be included in the Winter Olympics continues, with athletes advocating for their right to compete.

Annika Malacinski, a US Nordic combined skier, has long aspired to become an Olympic competitor, but her dream remains elusive.

Meanwhile, her younger brother Niklas will participate in the 2026 Winter Games, a bittersweet moment for Malacinski as she watches from the sidelines.

Nordic combined, which combines cross-country skiing and ski jumping, is the sole Olympic discipline that excludes women from competition.

Since the inaugural Winter Olympics in Chamonix in 1924, Nordic combined has been a part of the Games, but only men have been allowed to participate, despite the existence of women's World Cup and World Championship events.

Malacinski, 24, has been a vocal advocate for the inclusion of women's Nordic combined in the Olympics for several years, and in 2022, a formal proposal was submitted to include the event in the 2026 Games.

A similar proposal was made prior to the 2018 Beijing Olympics, but both were rejected.

In a November Instagram post, Malacinski expressed her frustration, stating that her Olympic aspirations had been thwarted "not due to my abilities, but because of my gender".

Malacinski and her teammates have been actively campaigning for equal access to the Olympic start line, speaking out and protesting against the exclusion of women from the event.

Despite the setbacks, Malacinski remains resolute, affirming that she and her teammates will continue to push for change.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed concerns about the sport's overall viability, citing low participation and limited viewership, rather than focusing on the issue of women's exclusion.

This year's men's Nordic combined event in Italy features 36 athletes, a decline from the 55 participants in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

The IOC notes that the Milan-Cortina Games have achieved a high level of gender parity, with 47% of athletes being women and 50 out of 116 events being female-only.

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated that the organization is "essentially gender-balanced" and will reassess the Nordic combined event, considering its global reach and participation, with a view to potentially including women's events in future Games.

Another IOC spokesperson added that the organization will gather data to evaluate the sport's inclusion in the 2030 French Alps Games, with the possibility of adding women's events if Nordic combined remains part of the Olympic program.

Annika Malacinski is currently ranked among the top 15 women's Nordic combined skiers globally.

However, Malacinski argues that the sport's participation numbers are comparable to those of other niche sports, and she is concerned that the IOC's decision on Nordic combined's inclusion in future Olympics may be based solely on the men's event's performance.

In an interview with The Guardian, Malacinski highlighted that over 40 women are competing at a high level and eagerly awaiting an opportunity to participate in the Olympics.

Malacinski believes that the IOC is attempting to eliminate Nordic combined altogether, rather than addressing the issue of women's exclusion, in an effort to achieve gender equality.

Malacinski emphasizes that her advocacy is not only for women's rights but also for the preservation of the sport as a whole.

Malacinski plans to attend the Olympics to support her brother and use the opportunity to raise awareness about the exclusion of women from Nordic combined, encouraging spectators to show their support.

In 2023, female Nordic combined athletes protested against their exclusion from the Olympics by drawing beards and mustaches on their faces during a World Cup event.

The athletes also formed an "X" shape with their ski poles, promoting their #noeXception social media campaign.

Billy Demong, a five-time Olympian in Nordic combined, described the decision to exclude women's events from the Italian Games as a "travesty" and a significant setback for gender equity in the Olympic movement.

A day-by-day guide to the Winter Olympics is available, providing information on upcoming events.

The full schedule, including medal events and timings, can be accessed.

The Winter Olympics 2026 medal table will be updated regularly.

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GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.

Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.

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Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling

A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.

The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair -  smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible.
Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.

Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.

Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.

The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera.  He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night.
Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.

The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia".
Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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