A ceremony has been held in Tehran to mark the 48th anniversary of legendary Iranian wrestler Gholamreza Takhti’s death.

Poland's Elzbieta Krzesińska, the 1956 Olympic long jump champion and former world record-holder, has died at the age of 81 following a long illness, the International Association of Athletics Federations has announced.

Disqualified for interfering with an opponent during his victory in the 3,000 metres steeplechase at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Britain's Chris Brasher appealed and a three-hour inquiry meant the medal ceremony was postponed until the next day. His appeal successful, Brasher went on a celebratory bender with the British press and later admitted he had received gold "blind drunk, totally blotto, with an asinine grin on my face, breathing gin fumes over the French member of the International Olympic Committee". Brasher later founded the London Marathon. 

A fortnight before the first European Games in Baku, a popular event which has become an institution in Europe will be held for the 60th time.

Back in 1955 at a meeting in Monaco, representatives of national television stations on the continent decided to start launch a Eurovision Song Contest. That year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held a contest of its own to find the definitive Olympic music and a man from Monaco, Prince Pierre, was its most enthusiastic supporter.

Despite the best efforts of some distinguished music makers, finding a universal Olympic hymn in the preceding quarter century had proved impossible.

France's Christian d'Oriola, one of the greatest fencers in history, has died at the age of 79.