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      I knew I was quick when I ran for the bus… now they call me the ‘world’s fastest accountant’ and I run 100m for Team GB

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      THE ‘world’s fastest accountant’ first discovered he had raw speed when he used to run for PUBLIC TRANSPORT.Eugene Amo-Dadzie is not your average athlete — for starters, he has a full-time job  number crunching and volunteers as a school governor.
      Eugene Amo-Dadzie (centre) discovered his speed chasing public transportCredit: Getty
      The ‘world’s fastest accountant’ will be representing Team GB in BudapestCredit: The Sun
      He did not come through the junior ranks like his rivals, taking up athletics at the age of 26 after time at university and undergoing business training.
      His introduction to the elite end of sprinting only came TWO MONTHS ago with a blistering 100 metres mark of 9.93sec in Austria that shocked everyone.
      That stunning showing booked his World Athletics Championships spot in Budapest and has only been officially bettered by THREE MEN in British history.
      But he always had an inkling that he was speedy — especially when he always managed to catch the bus or train while running late for school or work.
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      Amo-Dadzie, 31, said: “Back in the day, I grew up in Walthamstow in East London and I lived between bus stops.
      “There was maybe a 100m distance between the two. So with my schoolbag on and hard shoes, I’d just take off running for this bus.
      “One of the kids on the bus saw me and was smiling and laughing, thinking: ‘He’s not going to make this’.
      “I don’t know how fast the bus was going but I remember getting on it.
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      “The kid just stood there open-mouthed, ‘Oh my God’. So, growing up, I’d recognise how quick I was.
      “Later, I lived in Highams Park for a bit. My house was an eight-minute walk from the station.
      “Sometimes I’d leave home with the train coming in two minutes. I’d think to myself: ‘Yeah, I’m going to make it’. I’d just sprint from my road to Highams Park station and I’d make it.
      “I’d be completely dying when I got the train. But I used to do little things like that. Almost testing that my speed was still there.”
      Amo-Dadzie, who is married and has a two-year-old daughter, now lives in Rainham, Essex, and trains twice  a week with a coach at Lee Valley outside of his day job (below).
      His company, St George (Berkeley Group) developments,  granted him annual leave to be in Budapest — but he is back at work on August 29.
      On Saturday, he will line up in the 100m heats against pros who have trained most of their lives.
      Amo-Dadzie, a man of faith, said: “It’s  surreal. I’m not the guy who said he grew up with aspirations and dreams of being an athlete and going to world championships.
      “This is never something I expected to do. It all just changed one fateful day, God flicked a switch in my head.
      “I was playing football next to an athletics track and saw a 100m race going on.
      “Friends knew I was quick and would grill me: ‘If we had your talent, Eugene, what we could have done with it. You’ve wasted your talent’.
      “One mate said to me: ‘You were fast at school, why did you never try athletics?’. And in that moment, I thought: ‘What do I have to lose?’.
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      “That was the winter of 2018 and, thank God, I sit here now, the world’s fastest accountant, about to be on the world stage. I hope my story shows it’s never too late to get into sport.
      “If me, a family man, a chartered accountant, a  primary school governor, can do it, by the grace of God, why can’t you?”
      Amo-Dadzie, 31, will compete for Team GB in the World Athletics Championship in BudapestCredit: Getty More

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      Team GB sprint star Daryll Neita out to make her mark at World Championships… and then break ‘all the records’

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      DARYLL NEITA is determined to be remembered as Britain’s fastest woman in history when she retires.Leading track-and-field stars descend upon Budapest this week for the 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships, which start on Saturday.
      Daryll Neita, left, wants to leave a legacy as Britain’s fastest womanCredit: Getty
      The World Athletics Championships get underway on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Globally, this is a golden era of female sprinting, with Jamaica in particular dominating the two main disciplines.
      Domestically, Dina Asher-Smith, 27, has led the way for a long time, establishing national records for the 100m (10.83sec) and 200m (21.88) back in 2019.
      Neita, 26, is not far behind — 10.90 and 22.23 are her PBs — but at some point over the next 12 months, she believes she can be No 1.
      Speaking to SunSport at a special National Lottery shoot, the Londoner said: “I’m going for all the records, I believe they’re there to be broken.
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      “I don’t believe I’m anywhere near my potential yet.
      “I want the records. I want to be in the history books. I just want to have my name there and be remembered forever.
      “I feel that’s what sport is all about. We need to push the records. They can’t stay the same for a million years. They’re there to be broken.
      “That’s so inspiring for all of us girls that don’t have that record. We want it. We want to be the best. That is how I want to be remembered.
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      Neita is focused on breaking the British recordsCredit: Stella Pictures
      She reached the final of the 100m at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Stella Pictures

      “But not just for running fast times and getting medals. Also for being an inspirational person.”
      Neita was based in Florida until late 2021 but left for a new training group in the Italian city of Padua to avoid the disruption of the Rana Reider sexual misconduct saga.
      Extensive periods of time are spent away from her mum, stepdad, brother and boyfriend — and her adorable Chihuahua, Melon.
      Reaching the Olympics final in 2021 was the catalyst for her inner belief and confidence.
      Though she missed out on the 100m world final in Eugene in 2022 by 0.01 SECONDS, she responded with bronze in the same event at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
      At the start of every season, she writes her goals in her private diary — and 2023 is the “year of golden sparkles”.
      The plan is to double up in the Hungarian capital as well as next year at the Paris 2024 Olympics but she would fancy having a go at the long jump one day.
      Neita, who grew up in Greenwich, admitted: “I want medals this year. So I’m not playing games. It’s all or nothing for me.
      “Nobody really wants to be away from home, family and friends.
      “There are opportunities that I may miss out on, not being at home, but I’m in Italy because this is the place that’s going to help me get the work done.
      “I’m just very locked-in. I know what I want.
      “I believe I’m achieving things that I am meant to.
      “I’m 26 now. I am not 19, 20, 21. I’m in my second cycle. It’s time to get it going.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I’ve improved but then so has the rest of the field. So I can’t take my foot off the gas.”
      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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      Who is strongman Geoff Capes and when did he become the world’s strongest man?

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      STRONGMEN are able to lift incredible weights and achieve feats we can only dream of.One of these strongmen is Geoff Capes who became famous in the seventies for his athletics achievements.
      Geoff Capes won the title of World’s Strongest Man in 1983 and 1985Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Who is strongman Geoff Capes?
      Geoffrey Lewis Capes was born on August 23, 1949, in Holbeach, Lincolnshire.
      He is the seventh of nine children, with six older half siblings and two younger full siblings.
      He grew up in Holbeach and joined the local athletic club where he was coached by Stuart Storey.
      He was a gifted sportsperson, representing Lincolnshire in basketball, football and cross-country, and was even a decent sprinter posting 23.7 seconds for the 200 metres.
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      Capes was also fascinated with the natural world during his childhood, caring for injured birds and animals.
      He worked as a coalman and an agricultural labourer after leaving school, and was able to load an impressive twenty tons of potatoes in twenty minutes.
      He signed up for the police force in 1970, where he stayed for ten years.
      When did Geoff Capes become the World’s Strongest Man?
      Geoff became the World’s Strongest Man in 1983, winning the competition in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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      He regained the title in 1985 in Cascais, Portugal, after a disappointing third place finish the previous year.
      Overall he has had SIX top three finishes in the World’s Strongest Man competitions:

      Third – 1980 Playboy Club, Vernon, New Jersey
      Second – 1981 Playboy Club, Vernon, New Jersey
      First – 1983 Christchurch, New Zealand
      Third – 1984 Mora, Sweden
      First – 1985 Cascais, Portugal
      Second – 1986 Nice, France

      Capes was known for his incredible hand and arm strength.
      He could easily tear London dictionaries in half and could bend rolled steel bars measuring over one inch in diameter and three feet in length.
      What event did Geoff Capes compete for Great Britain in at the Olympics?
      Geoff represented England and Great Britain in field athletics specialising in shot put.
      He represented his country for 11 years.
      He won two Commonwealth Games and two Indoor European Championship titles.
      His first major competition was the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, finishing fourth.
      At the next two games in 1974 and 1978 he took gold.
      He became the European Indoor Champion twice in 1974 and 1976, winning in silver in 1975, 1977 and 1979, and bronze in 1978.
      He picked up a bronze at the outdoor European Athletics Championships in 1974.
      Despite his glittering career, he was unable to bag himself a medal at the Olympics.
      His first Olympic experience was in 1972 when he competed in Munich but didn’t pass the qualifying round.
      However, four years later he was one of the favourites for the gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
      He was second in the qualifying group but only placed sixth in the final.
      The longest distance of his career came in 1980 when he threw 21.68 metres in Cwmbran, Wales.
      It was a new Commonwealth and British record.
      He went into the 1980 Moscow Olympics with the new records and was a favourite for gold.
      However, he placed fifth with Capes admitting his performance left him “numbed with disappointment.”
      Capes is the most capped British male athlete of all time.
      He has received 67 international caps and earned 35 wins, not including a further 35 caps for England.
      He has won 17 national times, including the AAA championship seven times.
      He’s also been the UK champion three times.
      He was voted Britain’s best-ever field athlete in 1983.
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      His 1980 British record still stands.
      In 2003, Carl Myerscough threw further but the distance wasn’t ratified. More

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      Up to 60 athletes get diarrhoea after Sunderland triathlon event as one rants: That’s what happens when you swim in s***

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      DOZENS of triathletes have fallen ill with diarrhoea and vomiting after a swimming event in Sunderland. Around 2,000 people were competing in the UK leg of the 2023 World Triathalon Championship in the city last weekend, which included a swim off Roker Beach.
      At least 57 athletes fell ill with bouts of vomiting and diarrhoeaCredit: PA
      It comes after a triathalon event off Roker Beach, SunderlandCredit: Getty
      However, British Triathalon confirmed it became aware of at least 57 of them falling ill in the days after the event took place.
      It comes after Environment Agency (EA) sampling at the beach on July 26 detected 39 times the normal amount of E. coli in the water.
      E. coli is a bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhoea and vomiting.
      Despite this, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) declared: “The risk to the wider public is very low.”
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      UKHSA also refused to speculate on whether filthy water was the cause and said it would be sending those with symptoms a questionnaire and asking for samples.
      The location of the swim has been the centre of a long-running dispute between government and campaigners over sewage discharges.
      Jake Birthwistle, an Australian triathlete at the event, shared the EA’s results on Instagram.
      He then fumed: “Have been feeling pretty rubbish since the race, but I guess that’s what you get when you swim in s***. The swim should have been cancelled.
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      “At least I know now what got me and a bunch of other athletes who raced sick and ill. Well done and I hope you get better soon too.”
      A second wrote: “That now explains why I spent Monday night with my head in the toilet after racing Sunday morning!”
      Amid the complaints, UKHSA chief executive Professor Dame Jenny told BBC Radio 4: “I think we need to be really careful in establishing the facts, in fact that’s why the UKHSA’s North East team are looking into this.”
      The EA also said the water off the beach last year was excellent based on previous samples in the last four summers.
      British Triathalon, the governing body for UK triathalons, said their own testing passed the required standards for the events.
      A statement on their website added: “We are aware there are concerns around water quality results for a test taken on 26 July by the Environment Agency as part of their regular testing in the local area.
      “These tests were taken outside of the Roker Pier arms and not in the body of water used for the swim and published on Monday 31 July following the event.”
      Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Northumbrian Water said there had been no discharges into the water since October 2021.
      They said: “Both bathing waters were designated as ‘excellent’ in the latest Defra classifications and sampling to date in the current season indicate this high quality is being maintained.”
      Up to 39 times the normal E. coli amount was detectedCredit: Getty More

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      Huge sporting event facing extinction after 93 years due to potential £1.57bn bill

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      THE COMMONWEALTH Games are close to extinction – unless they quickly find a new host with very deep pockets.A sporting institution that has been running for almost a century, one that is backed by the soft power of the British Royal Family, is in danger of fizzling out and disappearing from our calendars.
      England’s 4x100m relay team celebrate silver at Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games in 2022Credit: AFP
      Performers as a butterfly during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing CeremonyCredit: Getty
      There might be 72 associated nations and territories but NOBODY is prepared to stage the next two events this decade due to rising costs.
      Organises have been rocked by the news that Canadian province Alberta will not mount a bid for the 2030 Games given the billion-dollar price tag.
      It followed last month’s devastating decision by the Australian State of Victoria to cancel its plans to stage the Games in three years’ time due to budget blowouts.
      Though Birmingham did a fantastic job staging the multi-sport Commonwealths only 12 months ago, the quadrennial tournament is under serious threat of never happening again.
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      It was late on Thursday night that Joseph Schow, the Minister of Tourism and Sport for Alberta, announced the decision not to continue pursuing a bid for 2030.
      Initial plans had to be held the sports over 11 days in Calgary and Edmonton.
      That particular year marks the centenary year of the first British Empire Games, which were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
      Schow said: “Any proposal to host major games is considered with the interests of Alberta taxpayers at top of mind.
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      “We committed to remain transparent with Albertans about the costs of hosting international sporting events and clearly demonstrating a return on our investment for the people and communities in Alberta.
      “Based on current bid estimates, hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games could result in a cost of up to C$2.68 billion (£1.57billion).
      The Commonwealth Stadium in Alberta, where the Games were meant to be heldCredit: Getty
      Ozzy Osbourne performs during the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in 2022Credit: AFP
      “The corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues for the Commonwealth Games would have put 93% of those costs and risks on taxpayers.”
      The under-pressure Commonwealth Games Federation continue to say the right things, stressing that “dialogue with other potential hosts is on-going”.
      They talk about its “proud history”, its “iconic sporting moments” and representation for athletes being “the experience of a lifetime”.
      But money talks in professional sports and unless they locate a suitable location, the Commonwealth Games may follow the path of the Dodo.
      London Mayor Sadiq Khan has offered an olive branch, claiming the “sporting capital of the world” would be the perfect next hosts after the success of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
      But any final decision would need to be made by the UK government, which does have a General Election to consider.
      Elsewhere Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has said he is willing to “explore” proposals for Scotland to accommodate at least part of the 2026 Games.
      But until someone wealthy enough comes forward soon, then the next edition will have to be postponed by several years or even scrapped altogether.
      Whatever happens, a complete rethink is needed about what the Commonwealths look like and how big it should be logistically.
      Perhaps the size of the competition and number of individual sports – which was 20 in Birmingham – may have to be reduced dramatically.
      Inevitably it’s the athletes who suffer the most and Katy Marchant echoed the disappointment of many who have competed at Commonwealth level.
      The Leeds-born cyclist, who won Commonwealth Games team sprint bronze in 2018, said: “The cancellation of Victoria is a massive hit. It was a disappointing headline to read.
      “We are unsure yet of what will come of that and how that will be rectified.
      “The Commonwealth Games are huge. It’s a massive stepping stone for an athlete.
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      “If the Olympics don’t go to plan, the Commonwealths give you another chance to rectify or to perform on a big stage.
      “Medals, whatever the level, all mean something to an athlete and are all part of a journey.” More

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      Somalia SUSPENDS athletics boss after ‘sprinter’ goes viral for snail-paced 100m

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      SOMALIA has suspended an athletics boss after a sprinter went viral for her snail-paced 100 metre dash.Nasra Abukar Ali, 20, plodded to the finish in a time of 21.81 seconds a long way behind her rivals at the World University Games in China on Tuesday.
      Somalia has suspended a sports chief after an athlete finished way behind competitorsCredit: CCTV
      The runner took almost twice as long to complete a 100m sprint as the winnerCredit: CCTV
      Winner Gabriela Mourao, from Brazil, ran the same distance in nearly half that time.
      And an investigation by the Somali Ministry of Youth and Sport has since revealed Ali is “not a sports person, nor a runner.”
      A sports body known as the Somali University Sports Association has also been found to not exist.
      And the chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation, Khadijo Adan Dahir, has been suspended for “nepotism” – while also being accused of “abusing her power while defaming the name of Somalia.”
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      It did not address reports on social media that Dahir was Ali’s aunt.
      Ali’s incredibly slow sprint went viral around the world this week, with the athlete clearly out of her depth alongside competitors from other countries.
      As others charged over the finish line, Ali was still trotting along at a snail’s pace, with TV cameras struggling to pick her up.
      Some spectators branded it the “slowest-ever” 100m sprint.
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      One said: “Despite our sister’s efforts, apparently she is not skilled at this task. The people behind this shame must be held accountable.”
      Another declared: “Did they just pick a random person to go? Could have at least taken someone fit.”
      One noted: “There’s no effort here. She should’ve saved herself by saying no.”

      Another added: “This is the most nepotism I’ve seen in years.”
      The Somali Athletics Federation will now open an investigation into how Ali was selected.
      The connection between her and suspended chairwoman Dahir is still unknown.
      But Sports Minister Mohammed Barre Mohamud apologised to fellow Somalis for the embarrassing spectacle.
      He said: “What happened yesterday was not representation of the Somali people… we apologise to the Somali family.” More

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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.”
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      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.
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      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.
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      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