Record-Setting Golden 25 -- Top Story Replay

(ATR) Around the Rings readers set a record for the 2018 edition of the Golden 25.

More than 50,000 readers clicked on the 25 entries published from December 21 to January 1. The tally of readers is still growing on an hourly basis, but is already 30 percent higher than 2017.

The Around the Rings Golden 25, published since 1997, is an annual review of people, events and issues expected to influence the Olympic Movement in the year ahead.

Solving the Russian Doping Crisis was number one in the 2018 ranking. Number two is the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics. Coming in at third is the #MeToo movement, which is now reaching the Olympics.

"The response from our readers is proof of how much interest has grown since we started this yearly look-ahead," says ATR Publisher Sheila S. Hula.

"The Golden 25 has evolved from a roster of individuals to recognizing that events and issues in the upcoming year are also real drivers for the Olympic Movement.

"Each of these rankings, whether the Russian doping situation, PyeongChang 2018 or #MeToo, is replete with the names of plenty of individuals who have a role in each of these hot button topics," she says.

Other notables on the ATR Golden 25 for 2018 include a record number of new entries. The 2018 Golden 25 features nine entries unranked for 2017. The #MeToo movement, IOC Ethics Commission chair Ki Moon Ban, and the USOC leadership are among those who were unranked in 2017 but who now are in the top tier.

By far and away the most reads go to ANOC secretary general Gunilla Lindberg, ranked number seven. The article has received more than 10,000 reads as of January 2.

The complete ATR Golden 25 for 2018 can be viewed here, along with past editions of the annual survey.

Reported by Ed Hula.