http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 20 May 2013 03:36:35 +0200 Mon, 20 May 2013 03:36:35 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-born-canoeist-josefa-idem-becomes-italian-minister-a-897382.html#ref=rss German-born Olympic canoeist Josefa Idem has been named Italy's new minister for sports and equal opportunity. It's her first foray into national politics, and she's already sparring with the country's political heavyweights. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-born-canoeist-josefa-idem-becomes-italian-minister-a-897382.html German-born Olympic canoeist Josefa Idem has been named Italy's new minister for sports and equal opportunity. It's her first foray into national politics, and she's already sparring with the country's political heavyweights.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/praise-for-closing-ceremony-of-the-london-olympic-games-a-849720.html#ref=rss London bid farewell to the Olympics with a glamorous outdoor party that presented the country as a world leader in pop culture. Britain's mix of efficiency and easygoing charm made the Games a huge success. The event has revived the UK's sense of national pride -- and brought it global kudos. Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:39:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/praise-for-closing-ceremony-of-the-london-olympic-games-a-849720.html London bid farewell to the Olympics with a glamorous outdoor party that presented the country as a world leader in pop culture. Britain's mix of efficiency and easygoing charm made the Games a huge success. The event has revived the UK's sense of national pride -- and brought it global kudos. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/boyfriend-of-german-rower-nadja-drygalla-says-he-quit-nazi-scene-a-848702.html#ref=rss Michael Fischer, the boyfriend of German rower Nadja Drygalla, says he has quit the neo-Nazi scene. But media reports of a racist comment on Facebook during the Olympic Games cast doubt on how much he's changed. Drygalla left the team last Friday after her relationship with Fischer became public. Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:00:55 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/boyfriend-of-german-rower-nadja-drygalla-says-he-quit-nazi-scene-a-848702.html Michael Fischer, the boyfriend of German rower Nadja Drygalla, says he has quit the neo-Nazi scene. But media reports of a racist comment on Facebook during the Olympic Games cast doubt on how much he's changed. Drygalla left the team last Friday after her relationship with Fischer became public.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-rower-drygalla-leaves-olympics-due-to-suspected-neo-nazi-ties-a-848042.html#ref=rss The German Olympic team has been rocked by a scandal involving a member of the women's eight rowing team. According to media reports, Nadja Drygalla is suspected of having ties to the right-wing extremist scene in Rostock. She has voluntarily left the Olympic Village and an investigation may follow. Fri, 03 Aug 2012 12:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-rower-drygalla-leaves-olympics-due-to-suspected-neo-nazi-ties-a-848042.html The German Olympic team has been rocked by a scandal involving a member of the women's eight rowing team. According to media reports, Nadja Drygalla is suspected of having ties to the right-wing extremist scene in Rostock. She has voluntarily left the Olympic Village and an investigation may follow.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/london-mayor-boris-johnson-a-growing-threat-to-david-cameron-a-847878.html#ref=rss With his outlandish comments and slapstick antics, London Mayor Boris Johnson has used the Olympic Games to put himself in the public spotlight. But his skyrocketing popularity has left his Conservative rival, Prime Minister David Cameron, in no mood for celebration. Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/london-mayor-boris-johnson-a-growing-threat-to-david-cameron-a-847878.html With his outlandish comments and slapstick antics, London Mayor Boris Johnson has used the Olympic Games to put himself in the public spotlight. But his skyrocketing popularity has left his Conservative rival, Prime Minister David Cameron, in no mood for celebration. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/athletes-banned-for-doping-get-second-chance-at-the-olympics-a-847228.html#ref=rss Athletes with past doping suspensions are being allowed to compete in London thanks to recent rulings by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. While reformed athletes argue they deserve another chance, critics say their transgressions tarnish the Olympic spirit of sportsmanship. Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:07:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/athletes-banned-for-doping-get-second-chance-at-the-olympics-a-847228.html Athletes with past doping suspensions are being allowed to compete in London thanks to recent rulings by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. While reformed athletes argue they deserve another chance, critics say their transgressions tarnish the Olympic spirit of sportsmanship. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-mud-olympics-turns-attention-from-lack-of-real-medals-a-847160.html#ref=rss Germany's performance at the London 2012 games so far has been underwhelming, with the nation failing to win a single medal. The Mud Olympics on the North Sea coast, however, allows participants to vent their frustration. Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:22:25 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-mud-olympics-turns-attention-from-lack-of-real-medals-a-847160.html Germany's performance at the London 2012 games so far has been underwhelming, with the nation failing to win a single medal. The Mud Olympics on the North Sea coast, however, allows participants to vent their frustration.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-secrets-behind-the-success-of-jamaican-sprinter-usain-bolt-a-846389.html#ref=rss Few would deny that Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world -- but even fewer could say why. While his fans are happy to call him a miracle, the man himself is lost in a cloud of legends, hype and marketing. Fri, 27 Jul 2012 11:17:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-secrets-behind-the-success-of-jamaican-sprinter-usain-bolt-a-846389.html Few would deny that Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world -- but even fewer could say why. While his fans are happy to call him a miracle, the man himself is lost in a cloud of legends, hype and marketing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/london-olympics-puts-focus-on-gentrification-of-stratford-a-846158.html#ref=rss Stratford in east London, near the Olympic park, has undergone a massive investment drive to pretty it up in time for the Games, and now boasts Europe's largest shopping center. But the regeneration of one of Britain's poorest areas threatens to leave long-time residents out in the cold. Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:23:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/london-olympics-puts-focus-on-gentrification-of-stratford-a-846158.html Stratford in east London, near the Olympic park, has undergone a massive investment drive to pretty it up in time for the Games, and now boasts Europe's largest shopping center. But the regeneration of one of Britain's poorest areas threatens to leave long-time residents out in the cold. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/us-boxer-claressa-shields-and-the-long-road-to-the-olympics-a-844962.html#ref=rss She comes from a broken family in a broken part of America. For years, she has fought teasing and stereotypes in what is supposedly a man's sport. But now Claressa Shields is headed to London determined to make history by winning the first gold medal in women's Olympic boxing. Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:42:51 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/us-boxer-claressa-shields-and-the-long-road-to-the-olympics-a-844962.html She comes from a broken family in a broken part of America. For years, she has fought teasing and stereotypes in what is supposedly a man's sport. But now Claressa Shields is headed to London determined to make history by winning the first gold medal in women's Olympic boxing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/london-and-the-2012-olympic-games-a-match-made-in-hell-a-844599.html#ref=rss London and the Olympic Games are clearly not made for each other. Visitors will need determination and, most of all, patience to reach the venues at all. And, for the locals, it all can't end soon enough. Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:26:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/london-and-the-2012-olympic-games-a-match-made-in-hell-a-844599.html London and the Olympic Games are clearly not made for each other. Visitors will need determination and, most of all, patience to reach the venues at all. And, for the locals, it all can't end soon enough.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/not-so-cool-running-will-underwear-scam-kill-tongan-s-olympic-dreams-a-812975.html#ref=rss It was a story too good to be true -- and it wasn't. In reality, Tongan luger Bruno Banani, who supposedly shares a name with a German underwear company, was rechristened as part of a guerrilla-marketing plot. But will that now shatter his Olympic dreams? Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:12:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/not-so-cool-running-will-underwear-scam-kill-tongan-s-olympic-dreams-a-812975.html It was a story too good to be true -- and it wasn't. In reality, Tongan luger Bruno Banani, who supposedly shares a name with a German underwear company, was rechristened as part of a guerrilla-marketing plot. But will that now shatter his Olympic dreams?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hitler-s-battle-of-the-colors-doubt-cast-on-olympic-friendship-between-owens-and-long-a-811582.html#ref=rss It has been a tale of a friendship forged under the most unlikely of circumstances. African-American Jesse Owens and Aryan poster boy Luz Long went face to face when Nazi Germany hosted the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin -- and allegedly became fast friends. But is the story really true? Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:45:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hitler-s-battle-of-the-colors-doubt-cast-on-olympic-friendship-between-owens-and-long-a-811582.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bridges-and-benches-homeless-tour-guides-show-a-new-side-to-london-a-811363.html#ref=rss The Globe Theatre is part of the tour, complete with Shakespeare anecdotes. But so too are the benches retro-fitted to prevent the indigent from sleeping on them. Tours led by the homeless in London offer locals a whole new look at their city. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:46:26 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bridges-and-benches-homeless-tour-guides-show-a-new-side-to-london-a-811363.html The Globe Theatre is part of the tour, complete with Shakespeare anecdotes. But so too are the benches retro-fitted to prevent the indigent from sleeping on them. Tours led by the homeless in London offer locals a whole new look at their city.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/a-creative-enterprising-multicultural-city-olympics-organizer-races-toward-london-summer-games-a-808546.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Lord Sebastian Coe, the organizer of the 2012 Olympics, explains why his city is well prepared to deal with terror or security threats and how London plans to host an "exciting sports carnival and a festival in the most exciting and versatile city in the world." Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:32:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/a-creative-enterprising-multicultural-city-olympics-organizer-races-toward-london-summer-games-a-808546.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Lord Sebastian Coe, the organizer of the 2012 Olympics, explains why his city is well prepared to deal with terror or security threats and how London plans to host an "exciting sports carnival and a festival in the most exciting and versatile city in the world." ]]>