Lawrence Ostlere
Lawrence is a sports writer covering football, cycling, the Olympic Games and more. Since joining the Independent from the Guardian in 2017, he has reported from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2022 Qatar World Cup, three Tours de France and the Ryder Cup in Rome.
The side of the Paris Olympics they don’t want you to see
Over the past 18 months, French authorities embarked on a mission to clear the streets of Paris, busting squats and breaking up homeless encampments in the shadow of Olympic venues, writes Lawrence Ostlere, displacing thousands in an effort to hide the crisis from the world’s eyes
Incredible stat behind McLaughlin-Levrone’s 400m hurdles world record
The American stormed clear of her rivals to claim gold and shave nearly three tenths of a second off the world record she set at the US trials in June
Teddy Riner, judo’s friendly giant, delivers a moment of the Games
The 6ft 8in Parisian won his third Olympic heavyweight gold medal to give his crowd a day to remember, and in doing so cemented his legacy as one of the greatest judokas of all time
Cavendish on his 35th win and final Tour de France: ‘I feel complete’
After winning a record 35th stage win at the Tour de France, Cavendish speaks to Lawrence Ostlere to reflect on the historic moment and his journey to get there
Cavendish on his 35th win and final Tour de France: ‘I feel complete’
After winning a record 35th stage win at the Tour de France, Cavendish speaks to Lawrence Ostlere to reflect on the historic moment and his journey to get there
How Cavendish became a Tour legend – according to rivals and teammates
Explosive on the bike and off it, the Manx Missile has made history as the most prolific stage winner the Tour de France has ever seen. Lawrence Ostlere speaks to allies and opponents about the fast and furious sprinter
Ten Hag powerless as Brentford deny United a win they never deserved
Brentford 1-1 Manchester United: Kristoffer Ajer’s equaliser gave the Bees some reward for a performance of utter dominance over Erik ten Hag’s side
England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane and who has work to do?
A closer look at which England players are heading to Germany for Euro 2024 and who might miss out on the final squad
England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane and who has work to do?
A closer look at which England players are heading to Germany for Euro 2024 and who might miss out on the final squad
Meet Henrik Rydstrom, the Malmo manager playing Brazilian football
Henrik Rydstrom’s credentials were doubted when he joined Swedish giants Malmo. But his obsession with Brazil-inspired tactics dubbed ‘relationism’ could now be spreading across Europe, writes Lawrence Ostlere
O’Sullivan on his new documentary: ‘It was harrowing watching it back’
The seven-time snooker world champion tells Lawrence Ostlere about letting filmmakers into his life, losing his father to prison and why he doesn’t think he’ll ever win number eight
Henderson plays the tool on road to inevitable Saudi Arabia World Cup
Everything is falling into place for Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 World Cup, and Henderson was among the Saudi Pro League stars cheering the news
Watkins and Dunk star on England’s audition night against Australia
England 1-0 Australia: Ollie Watkins scored the only goal on a mixed night for Gareth Southgate’s understudies with few chances left to shine before Euro 2024
Ryder Cup 2023
Europe win fiery Ryder Cup over USA after Fleetwood seals triumph
Tommy Fleetwood wrapped up Europe’s 16½ - 11½ victory as they won back the Ryder Cup in style – but with a few late nerves in Rome
Donald should stay – Europe can win the next Ryder Cup in New York
Europe’s captain at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club could return in two years at Bethpage Black, aiming to end a trend of home dominance
How Ludvig Aberg rose from obscurity to the Ryder Cup
Natural talent, military school regimes and a ‘unique’ mentality – as Ludvig Aberg prepares to play in the Ryder Cup only four months into his professional career, those who’ve guided his meteoric rise tell Lawrence Ostlere what makes him special
Out in 54.4 overs: Bazball comes at a cost for fast-scoring England
England’s commitment to joy handed control to Australia by the end of a wild day one of the fifth Ashes Test
Ashes begins with party at Edgbaston, England’s spiritual home
Drunk and sunbunt by the end, England fans revelled as they discovered how their team’s new-found attacking philosophy would play out in the heat of an Ashes
Why the Ashes’ first ball could be the most important of all
The first ball of the series between England and Australia has earned its own mythology down the years – so can it really set the tone for what’s to come?
World Cup 2022
Why Di Maria is an essential part of The Messi Story
As Argentina’s World Cup triumph saw Messi ascend to a place where only the footballing gods reside, he was carried on the wings of Angel
Messi takes flight to deliver a piece of World Cup history
Thousands of fans came to see Lionel Messi in full flow and they got exactly that when he dribbled and spun to create Argentina’s third goal of the World Cup semi-final
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Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
De Grasse keeps the faith to finally become an Olympic champion
Andre de Grasse turned his life around to go from medallist to champion after years of near misses as the fancied Americans Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles took silver and bronze
‘I feel dead inside’: Walkden devastated to miss out on Olympic gold
Bianca Walkden was winning her semi-final with one second to go but it was the tale of Team GB’s time in the taekwondo arena that an Olympic medal changed colour in her grasp
Duffy wins Bermuda’s first Olympic gold ahead of GB’s Taylor-Brown
Georgia Taylor-Brown suffered a puncture during the women’s triathlon but fought back to finish second as America’s Katie Zaferes won bronze, but no one could compete with the dominant Flora Duffy
Thompson-Herah beats Fraser-Pryce to win 100m gold with Olympic record
Fraser-Pryce failed to win back her Olympic crown from her old rival in what might be her last chance on the greatest stage, as Shericka Jackson claimed bronze for a Jamaican one-two-three
Thompson-Herah beats Fraser-Pryce to win 100m gold with Olympic record
Fraser-Pryce failed to win back her Olympic crown from her old rival in what might be her last chance on the greatest stage, as Shericka Jackson claimed bronze for a Jamaican one-two-three
US star Mu on 800m rival Hodgkinson, running 400 and leaving a legacy
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Landis interview: ‘I regret the $100m lawsuit against Lance Armstrong’
Interview: After years of lies, darkness and depression, Floyd Landis is an altogether better place building his own pro cycling team – and insists he harbours no grudge towards Armstrong anymore
Adam Peaty: ‘My obsession with winning is unhealthy, I needed a rest’
‘How aren’t we dead?’ What it’s really like to ride the Tour de France
Reigning champion Geraint Thomas, sprinting great Mark Cavendish and Swiss legend Fabian Cancellara are among several riders who tell The Independent the bare realities of the Tour
An evening with Bradley Wiggins and his deep dislike for everyone
Promoting his controversial new book Icons, Wiggins plays up to an audience at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham and shows that his own iconic status endures despite scandals and his claim to be irrelevant, writes Lawrence Ostlere
An evening with Bradley Wiggins and his deep dislike for everyone
Promoting his controversial new book Icons, Wiggins plays up to an audience at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham and shows that his own iconic status endures despite scandals and his claim to be irrelevant, writes Lawrence Ostlere
