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      I’m a Team GB star gunning for gold at Paris 2024 Olympics… just months after giving birth to son-turned-mascot

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      ARTHUR MARCHANT might only be 14 months old but already he has established an important role at British Cycling for the Paris 2024 Olympics.His mum Katy, one of Britain’s leading riders and a medal contender next summer, joked: “He’s the unofficial team mascot. Everyone here absolutely loves him.
      Katy Marchant is dreaming of gold at Paris 2024Credit: Stella Pictures
      Son Archie is Team GB’s unofficial mascot at just 14 months oldCredit: Stella Pictures

      “Arthur came on our recent training camp and spent a lot of time at the track. When he saw the bikes go past, he started to clap.
      “I think he’s aware to some degree of what I do. Like every time he sees a bike, he now says: ‘Mama.’”
      As any parent would appreciate, Marchant faced a task to get Arthur to stay still for SunSport’s photoshoot launch to promote her inclusion in our SEINE-sational Seven Series for the next Olympics.
      She said: “It was quite hard to make a one-year-old cooperate. But I think he did alright. Everyone was jumping up and down, singing and dancing. It was entertaining.”
      READ MORE ON OLYMPICS
      Arthur was born on June 8, 2022 – less than a year after his mum, 30, had crashed out of the Covid-affected Tokyo Olympics in the Keirin quarter-finals and placed sixth in the women’s sprint.
      It was on the flight home that a regretful Marchant – an Olympic bronze medallist from the Rio 2016 Games – felt she had “real unfinished business” within the sport.
      It is why, thanks to the support of the National Lottery, she has decided to combine parenting with pedalling for one more shot at the Olympics.
      Marchant said: “I just didn’t feel ready to give up. But I also didn’t want to completely put my life hold.
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      “My husband Rob and I got married in September 2021, four weeks after the Games. Then we found out I was pregnant.
      “The timing was perfect. I just thought this is the challenge that I need.
      “It was a year of carnage. We have two puppies as well. We were renovating a house. It was all systems go. But it was so worth it.”
      This weekend she will wear GB colours at major level for the first time since giving birth 14 months ago.
      Leeds-born Marchant rides the Keirin at the UCI World Cycling Championships in Glasgow and is a reserve for the women’s team sprint.
      This is the last big event before the Paris programme begins and Marchant knows she has to deliver – selectors will not pick her on sentimental grounds.
      Marchant is ready to make amends for Tokyo 2020Credit: Stella Pictures
      Marchant failed to land a medal at the last OlympicsCredit: Stella Pictures
      Training-wise, her numbers in training have been as impressive as ever, particularly her first-ever 100kg power-clean lift achieved in May.
      Her old heptathlon training partner, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, has been around in recent months to give advice about motherhood and elite sport.
      Mum-of-two Ennis-Hill, 37, famously won the world heptathlon title in Beijing in 2015 – and then Olympic silver in 2016 – not long after the birth of son Reggie.
      Marchant said: “It was nice to have the guidance of those people who’ve done it before me.
      “I literally trained right before having Arthur. I was in the gym the week before. I was on the (static) bike the day before.
      “I’m used to being in pain. My body is used to being tired.
      Marchant wants to improve on her bronze from Rio 2016Credit: Stella Pictures
      Son Arthur will be inspiring his mum all the way to victoryCredit: Stella Pictures
      “Around this time, I was like: ‘Should I be tired? Am I doing damage? Am I doing too much? How much should I push it?’
      “But Jess said to me, just listen to your body. If it feels like you can do it, then you should be doing it. And I’ve ridden that wave pretty much all the way through.
      “Ten years ago, when I first started cycling, I never for a second thought I’d have a family and continue my career.
      “You shouldn’t have to put family on hold for your career and vice versa. I’m a big believer you can do both.
      “I do hope people see my story and think actually it is possible.
      “At times I feel guilty that I’m away racing. I feel I should be at home. I’m just riding around in circles on a bike after all.
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      “But I’m in a really lucky position to be able to get named in the team so soon after having Arthur.
      “I’m only here because I believe my performances can be better and good enough to get on that Paris team.”
      *National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport — from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk #MakeAmazingHappen #ThanksToYou More

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      World’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt shows off incredible six-pack as fans say she should be ‘arrested’

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      ALICA SCHMIDT delighted fans with her latest training pictures.The German runner has gathered an enormous following on social media.
      Alica Schmidt posted four pictures from her training sessionCredit: Instagram @alicasmd
      The German showed off her impressive absCredit: Instagram @alicasmd
      Schmidt, 24, stuck her tongue out for another snapCredit: Instagram @alicasmd
      She models her own line of Hugo Boss training gearCredit: Instagram @alicasmd
      In addition to competing for her country, she also models her own clothing range for Hugo Boss.
      Following a hard training session, Schmidt posted four snaps to social media.
      Wearing her Hugo Boss kit, the 24-year-old lay on the track smiling for the first picture.
      In the second she showed off her impressive abs while lying down.
      READ MORE IN ALICA SCHMIDT
      And in the third and fourth she stuck her tongue out as she posed for selfies.
      Schmidt captioned her post: “My happy place.”
      And her four million followers loved it, with her snaps receiving 150,000 likes overnight.
      She also received plenty of complimentary comments.
      Most read in Sport
      Schmidt has four million followers on Instagram
      One fan wrote: “the best way to define perfection is you.”
      While a second swooned: “Surely you would have been arrested if looking immensely beautiful was a crime.”
      A third gushed: “Crazy ab shot!!!”
      Another added: “Very, very Beautiful!!!”
      The runner has gathered an enormous fanbaseCredit: Getty
      She attended the Cannes Film Festival earlier this yearCredit: Getty More

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      Watch ‘world’s sexiest athlete’ Alica Schmidt go ‘from cutie to game face real quick’ as she ‘gets in zone’ before race

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      ALICA SCHMIDT left fans in awe as she proved her Jekyll and Hyde approach to her craft.Dubbed the world’s sexiest athlete, Schmidt shared a video on Instagram of her getting ready ahead of a race.
      Alica Schmidt blew kisses to the camera ahead of a raceCredit: Instagram @alicasmd
      She then waved to the crowd with a beaming smileCredit: Instagram @alicasmd
      Before her aura switched to her ‘game face’Credit: Instagram @alicasmd
      The 24-year-old could be seen blowing kisses to the camera and waving to the crowd with a big smile on her face at the start of the video.
      However, as soon as the camera went away, Schmidt’s aura switched up as she focused on the upcoming race.
      Schmidt later posted the reaction to her story too, captioning it: “Getting in the zone,” followed by a laughing face emoji.
      Fans flooded to the comments in reaction.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      One wrote: “That instant focus switch🔥.”
      A second typed: “Focus to win face 💪🏻😉🔥.”
      “Loooooooove this 😂,” declared a third.
      A fourth said: “Love it 😂❤️.”
      Most read in Athletics
      Schmidt is a 400m runnerCredit: Getty
      The German has 3.7million followers on InstagramCredit: Getty
      While a fifth added: “Wohou🔥🥵.”
      The German 400 metre runner, who has 3.7million followers on Instagram, recently shared a photo of herself and a friend attending a Beyonce concert.
      She is also frequently seen at glamorous red carpet events.
      She has been dubbed the world’s sexiest athlete
      She also has a budding career as a model on the side of her track and field exploitsCredit: Instagram / @alicasmd More

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      London ready to step in and save 2026 Commonwealth Games… but UK’s Euro 2028 bid could stand in the way

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      LONDON “stands ready” to step in and save the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Australia pulled the plug on hosting the tournament amid spiralling costs.Mayor Sadiq Khan said the “sporting capital of the world” would be the perfect host after the success of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
      Sadiq Khan has said London is ready to step in to host the gamesCredit: Getty
      Events could be hosted at WembleyCredit: PA:Press Association
      And at West Ham’s London StadiumCredit: Getty
      But ministers fear Britain hosting the event for the third time in just 12 years is a major risk to the future of the Games.
      The 93-year-old contest is in serious doubt after the Australian State of Victoria dramatically cancelled its plans on Tuesday less than three years before its start date due to budget blowouts.
      The multi-billion pound event had been scheduled to run in March 2026 in various regional centres, including Melbourne.
      Yesterday Mr Khan said London “stands ready”, believing the Capital has the capability and top-class venues to stage sports like athletics, swimming and cycling.
      READ MORE SPORT NEWS
      However Whitehall sources have played down the prospects of Britain stepping in. 
      One said: “Obviously we want athletes to have the opportunity to compete and fans to enjoy, but we want the Games to be a success all over the world, not just here.”
      No formal approach for help has yet been made to the UK Government or any decision made.
      What would hinder any possible rescue job inside the corridors of power is the substantial costs involved, the short timeframe and the target of getting Uefa’s Euro football championships in 2028.
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      Birmingham stepped in to stage a successful 2022 Games when the South African city of Durban was stripped of hosting rights due to financial issues and missing key deadlines.
      But the Brummie officials had the benefit of FIVE years to get everything ready.
      The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) were completely flummoxed when they were told this week that the 2026 Games were being axed by the hosts.
      Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that spending “6-7 billion Australian dollars” (£3.1-3.7billion) on the 12-day sporting event “did not represent value for money, that is all cost and no benefit”.
      He added: “It’s more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring our State.
      “When the Commonwealth Games needed a host city to step in at the last minute, we were willing to help – but not at price. And not without a big lasting benefit for regional Victoria.”
      The only time the Commonwealths have ever been cancelled was during the Second World War.
      The CGF said: “We’re disappointed that we were only given eight hours’ notice and that no consideration was given to discussing the situation to jointly find solutions prior to this decision being reached by the Government.
      “Up until this point, the Government had advised that sufficient funding was available to deliver the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.
      “We are taking advice on the options available to us and remain committed to finding a solution for the Games in 2026 that is in the best interest of our athletes and the wider Commonwealth Sport Movement.”
      Read More on The Sun
      The 2026 Commonwealths were due to be the first of the new era of King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last September at the age of 96.
      But there is a major concern the multi-sport tournament – formerly known as the British Empire Games – could soon become scrapped altogether unless they are postponed by several years. More

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      I’m the fastest man in the world and broke Usain Bolt’s record but the Olympics hate me, they’ll never let me compete

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      A MYSTERY man claims he has broken Usain Bolt’s 100m world record… but will NEVER be able to prove it at the Olympics.Jamaican sprint legend Bolt shocked the world with his incredible 9.58 second dash back in 2009.
      Usain Bolt set the world record at the World Championship in BerlinCredit: Getty
      An athlete at the Enhanced Games claims he can beat the recordCredit: twitter @enhanced_games
      But the eight-time Olympic gold medallist’s seemingly unbeatable time could be SMASHED next year.
      That’s if the organisers of the Enhanced Games are to be believed.
      The Olympics-style event has been proposed for December 2024 and will allow athletes to take performance enhancing drugs.
      The games have been born out of a group of scientists, doctors and athletes that are willing to take part.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      And, in a promotional video, it is claimed on competitor has already completed 100m in a staggering 9.49 seconds.
      The unnamed star, whose face is also hidden, says: “I’m the fastest man in the world but you have never heard of me.
      “I’ve broken Usain Bolt’s 100m record but I can’t show you my face.
      “I am a proud enhanced athlete. The Olympics help me.
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      “I need your help to come out. I need your help to stop hate. I need your help for the world to embrace science.
      “Come join me in 2024 at the first enhanced games and see me break the world record in public.”
      The Enhanced Games has been proposed by Australian entrepreneur Aron D’Souza.
      And it has already been slammed by Australia’s Olympic head Anna Meares.
      She said: “It’s a joke, to be honest. Unfair, unsafe — I just don’t think this is the right way to go about sport.”
      But D’Souza disagrees, saying: “Athletes are adults and they have a right to do with their body what they wish – my body, my choice; your body, your choice,
      “And no government, no paternalistic sports federation, should be making those decisions for athletes – particularly around products that are FDA regulated and approved.” More

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      When is the World Athletics Championships 2023? TV channel, stream free and big medal contenders for Budapest

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      ARE you on your marks? Great, because the World Athletics Championships is set to get going – and is the pinnacle of the track and field season.This is the biggest major worldwide athletics event before the Paris Olympics next summer, and athletes can put their names in the hat for medal contention next summer.
      Jake Wightman stunned Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the 1,500m at last year’s World Championships in Eugene, OregonCredit: Getty
      Sydney McLaughlin set a stunning new world record at the World Championships last summer in the 400 metres hurdlesCredit: Reuters
      The championships take place every two years – but last year’s event took place in Oregon a year late due to Covid-19.
      The likes of Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce, Keeley Hodgkinson, Zharnel Hughes, Wayde van Niekerk and Karsen Warholm should all be fighting for the big medals in Hungary.
      When are the World Athletics Championships?

      Starting on Saturday, August 19th, The World Athletic Championships will run until Sunday, August 27th.
      Each day will have various starting times; the opening day is set to start 7:50am UK time, 8:50am in Hungary.
      The championships will be hosted at the Nemzeti Atlétikai Központ (National Athletics Centre) in Budapest.
      Laying on the eastern bank of the Danube River south of central Budapest, the stadium holds 36,000 spectators and was completed just months ago.

      Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is set to race in BudapestCredit: PA
      GB’s Keely Hodgkinson has hit top form ahead of this year’s World ChampionshipsCredit: PA
      What TV channel is it on and can I live stream it for free?
      The championships will be available for FREE to license fee payers on BBC.
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      Also for FREE is the BBC iPlayer which will stream all of the live action in Budapest.
      Viewers in the UK can also watch on Eurosport, soon to become TNT Sports.
      Who are the names to look out for in Budapest?

      Diana Asher-Smith, Great Britain
      Noah Lyles, United States
      Sydney McLaughlin, United States
      Mondo Duplantis, Sweden
      Keely Hodgkinson, Great Britain
      Zharnel Hughes, Great Britain
      Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jamaica
      Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya
      Laura Muir, Great Britain
      Daryll Neita, Great Britain
      Ferdinand Omanyala, Kenya
      Wayde van Niekerk, South Africa
      Karsten Warholm, Norway
      Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Norway

      What events should I watch?
      The most anticipated events will be the 100m Men’s and Women’s finals.
      Most read in Athletics
      Other events to watch at this year’s championships will be the Women’s 800m and 1500m, Men’s Marathon and Men’s Pole Vault.
      What is the competition schedule?
      Day 1 – August 19

      7:50am (UK) 8:50am (HU) – 20 Kilometres Race Walk Final (M)
      7:35pm (UK) 8:35pm (HU) – Shotput Final (M)
      8:47pm (UK) 9:47pm (HU) – Mixed 4×400 Metres Relay Final

      Day 2 – August 20

      3:55pm (UK) 4:55pm (HU) – Long Jump Final (W)
      5:00pm (UK) 6:00pm (HU) – 800 Metres Heptathlon Final (W)
      5:25pm (UK) – 6:25pm (HU)- 10,000 Metres (M)
      6:10pm (UK) – 7:10pm (HU) 100 Metres Final (M)

      Day 3 – August 21

      6:40pm (UK) 7:40pm (HU)- Triple Jump Final (M)
      7:30pm (UK) 8:30pm (HU) – Discus Throw Final (M)
      8:40pm (UK) 9:40pm (HU) – 110 Metres Hurdles Final (M)
      8:50pm (UK) 9:50pm (HU) – 100 Metres Final (W)

      Day 4 – August 22

      6:55pm (UK) 7:55pm (HU) – High Jump Final (M)
      7:20pm (UK) 8:20pm (HU) – Discus Throw Final (W)
      8:30pm (UK) 9:30pm (HU) – 1500 Metres Final (W)
      8:42pm (UK) 9:42pm (HU) – 3000 Metres Steeplechase Final (M)

      Day 5 – August 23

      6:30pm (UK) 7:30pm (HU) – Pole Vault Final (W)
      8:15pm (UK) 9:15pm (HU) – 1500 Metres Final (M)
      8:35pm (UK) 9:35pm (HU) – 400 Metres Final (W)
      8:50pm (UK) 9:50pm (HU) – 400 Metres Hurdles Final (M)

      Day 6 – August 24

      6:00am (UK) 7:00am (HU)- 35 Kilometres Race Walk Final (M+W)
      6:30pm (UK) 7:30pm (HU)- Long Jump Final (M)
      7:15pm (UK) 8:15pm (HU)- Hammer Throw Final (W)
      8:25pm (UK) 9:25pm (HU)- 100 Metres Hurdles Final (W)
      8:35pm (UK) 9:35pm (HU)- 400 Metres Final (M)
      8:50pm (UK) 9:50pm (HU)-400 Metres Final (W)

      Day 7 – August 25

      6:35pm (UK) 7:35pm (HU)-Triple Jump Final (W)
      7:20pm (UK) 8:20pm (HU) -Javelin Throw Final (W)
      8:40pm (UK) 9:40pm (HU) – 200 Metres Final (W)
      8:50pm (UK) 9:50pm (Hu) – 200 Metres Final (M)

      Day 8 – August 26

      6:00am (UK) 7:00am (HU) – Marathon (W)
      6:25pm (UK) 7:25pm (HU) – Pole Vault Final (M)
      7:30pm (UK) 8:30pm (HU) – 800 Metres Final (M)
      8:25pm (UK) 9:25pm (HU) – 1500 Metres Decathlon Final (M)
      8:40pm (UK) 9:40pm (HU) 4×100 Metres Relay Final (M)
      8:50pm (UK) 9:50pm (HU) 4×100 Metres Relay Final (W)

      Read More On The Sun
      Day 9 – August 27

      6:00am (UK) 7:00am (HU) – Marathon (M)
      7:05pm (UK) 8:05pm (HU) – High Jump Final (M)
      7:20pm (UK) 8:20pm (HU) – Javelin Throw Final (M)
      7:45pm (UK) 8:45pm (HU)- 800 Metres Final (W)
      8:37pm (UK) 9:37pm (HU) – 4×100 Metres Relay Final (W)
      8:47pm (UK) 9:47pm (HU) – 4×100 Metres Relay Final (M) More

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      Olympics-style event WITHOUT drug-testing planned as ‘Enhanced Games’ slammed as ‘unsafe joke’

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      AN OLYMPICS-STYLE competition is in the works which would allow athletes to use performance enhancing drugs. The crazy idea comes from the mind of Australian entrepreneur Aron D’Souza who is the president of the newly proposed games.
      The new games are intended to rival the Olympics
      The yearly event has been named the ‘Enhanced Games’ and D’Souza is hoping to hold the first one in December of next year.
      It has been born out of a group of scientists, doctors and athletes who have already expressed interest in joining the games.
      The Enhanced Games will feature no drug testing and try to push the boundaries of what is capable within athletics.
      Ausralia’s Olympic head, Anna Meares, has already spoken out against the proposed games.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      The former Olympic gold medalist slammed the idea, she said: “It’s a joke, to be honest. Unfair, unsafe — I just don’t think this is the right way to go about sport.”
      But D’Souza is adamant that the Enhanced Games will work and that it is the right direction for the sport.
      He told the Australian Associated Press: “Athletes are adults and they have a right to do with their body what they wish – my body, my choice; your body, your choice,
      “And no government, no paternalistic sports federation, should be making those decisions for athletes – particularly around products that are FDA regulated and approved.”
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      The games are expected to cover five different sporting categories with track and field, gymnastics, swimming, weightlifting and combat sports all included.
      D’Souza is looking to smash world records and thinks that the new games would have further impact outside of sport too.
      He said: “It’s not just a question of can we break the nine-second 100 metre, I am sure we will,
      “I want to see a 40, 50, 60-year-old break world records because performance medicine is the rod to anti-ageing, it’s the route to the fountain of youth.
      “Nothing will improve the productivity of our society more than preventing ageing. It sounds like science fiction now but we live in the future, look at the rise of artificial intelligence and other technologies.” More

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      Fans stunned by world’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt’s insane abs as she shows off incredible figure

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      ALICA SCHMIDT showed off her abs in her latest Instagram post sending her fans crazy. The 400m runner shared snaps of her at a Beyonce concert with a pal.

      Alicia Schmidt is a 400m runner
      She has a sponsorship with BOSS
      Alica previously worked as a fitness coach at Borussia Dortmund during the 2020/21 season
      The 24-year-old was showered with love in the comments section after sharing her latest snaps to her Instagram.
      One fan wrote: “Amazing and majestic, as always!!”
      Whilst another added: “Looking beautiful.”
      One fan in particular was impressed with Alica’s physique, they wrote: “Those abs though.”
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      Alica has been interval training as she continues her hard work to achieve her dream of competing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
      She was part of Germany’s athletics team in Tokyo 2020, but didn’t end up featuring during the games.
      Alica has previously been dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest athlete’ and is known for both her social media presence and her athletics.
      She now works as a part-time model alongside her training and was recently named in the Forbes 30 under 30 list.
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      The German runner revealed that she cried when she found out she was on the list in an interview with Gala.
      She said: “The list was published on my birthday and when my manager called me to say I was in it brought tears to my eyes.
      “It was a special moment in my life.”
      Alicia regularly shares her snaps on instagram to het followers
      She is hoping to run in the 2024 Olympics in Paris
      Alica has increased her profile through her Instagram More