“Autonomy” is among the top words of today in sporting circles. This has chiefly concerned National Olympic Committees and ensuring they are free of Government interference. But in recent weeks we have also seen the emergence of conflict on several fronts between established sporting events and unsanctioned rivals.

Belarus' George Katulin has chaired an annual meeting of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Olympic Games Commission in Minsk as the countdown to Rio 2016 passes the 100 day marker.

Plans to restrict how Federations competing in the inaugural European Championships in 2018 participate in other continental multisports events have been criticised today by European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Patrick Hickey, who claims they "cannot be held ransom by private commercial organisations".

Recognising mixed martial arts (MMA) would help make the sport safer and avoid tragic incidents like Portugal's Joao Carvalho, who was beaten to death at an event in Dublin earlier this month, it was claimed here today.

A decision by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Europe to expel eight countries from EuroBasket 2017 has been supported by a senior Olympic official who claimed it needed to be done to help protect the integrity of sport.

A host for the 2019 European Games is still being sought after Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko claimed they had "never sent" an application to stage it.

Olympic boxing champion Katie Taylor has helped to launch the official sponsorship of the Irish team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by Kellogg’s. 

International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Europe has become the latest sports governing body to partner the European Olympic Committees European Union (EOC EU) Office in Brussels.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), has met with European Olympic Committees (EOC) head Patrick Hickey to discuss preparations for the Olympic year.

Men’s rings world champion Eleftherios Petrounias was one of several athletes honoured at the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) awards  ceremony, which recognised athletes’ achievements in 2015.

At least one refugee will be involved when the Torch Relay for Rio 2016 is launched in Greece later this year, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach promised in Athens today. 

Whisper it softly, but our sporting scandalometer was slightly steadier last week.

We had the odd moment here and there: a Russian European Games boost and more FIFA Presidential manifestos, and tennis stepped up to the breach, of course, with a new spin placed on old allegations about match fixing.

But the lack of major developments in the ever-escalating athletics and football dramas gave us more time to focus on other issues, including the still uncertain preparations for Rio 2016 after another chaotic week, which began with celebrations marking 200 days until the Opening Ceremony.

European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Patrick Hickey insists Rio 2016 will be a success once a "touch of carnival kicks in" despite another wave of problems threatening to overshadow the build-up.

European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Patrick Hickey has set a tentative target of May for Russia to be officially confirmed as host of the 2019 European Games.

Azerbaijan First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva has been awarded the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Order of Merit here this morning in recognition of her "contribution to sport and the Olympic Movement".