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      I’m a team GB runner and I live next to Old Trafford… I can hear the noise and see Man Utd lit up at night

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      TRACK QUEEN Keely Hodgkinson hopes to enjoy some Turkish delight this weekend – and bring more gold to Old Trafford.It is two years ago in the Polish city of Torun that Hodgkinson, 20, announced herself to the world by winning the European 800m indoor crown.
      Keely Hodgkinson is loving Manchester United’s good formCredit: Getty
      In February she beat her own British 800m recordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      That breakthrough run in her senior rookie year was no fluke and she went on to claim silver medals at Olympic, world and Commonwealth level and establish herself as a track-and-field superstar.
      Hodgkinson is attempting to defend her crown in Istanbul – the heats start today – but her intention is to bring a special gong along on the next trip to watch the Red Devils.
      Manchester United is her team and the Leigh athlete lives close to their ground in a nearby flat.
      She said: “I live on my own now. An independent woman. Well, as a United fan, I wouldn’t look over Manchester City would I?
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      “Do I hear the crowd noise? It’s not that bad. I can literally see it across from me and see the lights buzzing when it’s a match night. It’s busy round town.
      “Where I live is really nice. There is MediaCity. It’s near the airport, the train station and the track. It’s very convenient. I love it.
      “My mum has had a Manchester United season ticket since she was 19 and her name is on the seats at Old Trafford. She is more of a diehard fan than me.
      “I got the last glimpses (of the glory years) when I was about eight years old.
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      “Though I did see his matches, I don’t remember much about Cristiano Ronaldo being at Manchester United the first time round.
      “I was more a fan of Javier Hernandez or Chicharito as he’s known. I liked him when I was growing up.”
      Hodgkinson, who is also the reigning European champion outdoors, has been the fastest woman over four laps of an indoor track this winter.
      Only last weekend she set a British record time of 1:57.18 in Birmingham while falling short of the world record that has stood since 2002.
      Hodgkinson, who turns 21 tomorrow, said: “The 2021 Euros feel like a lifetime ago.
      “One of my favourite things to do, which you could argue is quite bad, is I like to prove people wrong.
      “I was fastest going into that event but because I was young, there were a lot of experienced girls.
      “For me I wanted to prove it doesn’t matter if you’re young, I can still go to a championship and win.
      “That year was a case of getting used to everything. It felt like my brain was catching up with everything.
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      “Mentally I was 19 but physically I felt about 25. It was catching up with me but I’m in a really good place now, two years on.
      “I’m looking forward to building on that and running as fast as possible. See what else we can do.” More

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      I was a Chelsea youth team star but gave it up for Olympics.. I nearly came back to football after shock transfer offer

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      TEAM GB star Adam Gemili nearly quit athletics to return to playing football having played on Chelsea’s books as a kid.Gemili has competed at the highest level as a sprinter, with one of his highs being making the 2012 Team GB Olympic team as an 18-year-old.
      Adam Gemili in team line at Chelsea’s academyCredit: Chelsea FC
      Gemili says he nearly quit athletics to return to playing footballCredit: Getty
      He has also since competed in the Rio Olympic games in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.
      Gemili also has a gold medal in relay from the 2017 world championships.
      However, the 29-year-old questioned quitting athletics after crashing out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which came six years after agonisingly missing out on a bronze medal in the 200ms at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
      The British sprinter, who is of Iranian and Moroccan descent, considered going back to his roots: playing football.
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      Gemili was on Chelsea’s books between 2001 and 2008, and also had a stint at Reading before moving onto Dagenham & Redbridge, where he stayed between 2010-12.
      He told The Times: “I was going back to football.
      “I reached out to a few clubs and they said, ‘Come and do some training with us.’
      “I can’t say the clubs but there was a Championship club and a League One club.
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      “No Premier League clubs — maybe one day — but Chelsea are great and they’ve always said I can go down and do some stuff with them whenever I want.
      “After the Commonwealth Games it was a big, ‘Do I quit and go back to football and try it, maybe go into the National League and make a bit of money and enjoy my last few years of sport — or do I commit to this?’
      “And I thought, ‘Do you know what, I’ve got unfinished business.’
      “I’ve come fourth at the Olympics and the world champs [in 2019].
      “I’ve always been just about close and I believe that if I can get myself in shape, I can run with the best.”
      But Gemili says he’s starting to fall back in love with running – despite not making any money out of the sport or being sponsored.
      Gemili came second place behind the rising star Charlie Dobson in the 60m at the World Indoor Tour Finals in Birmingham on Saturday.
      He said: “I basically quit the sport.
      “I didn’t have any interest. I didn’t enjoy getting up [and] training.
      “I hated it and that was because of all the stressful stuff that was going on.
      “There were a lot of times last year where I was only training once a week, if that.
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      “I’d wake up and just find little niggles, here-and-there injuries, and you can’t motivate yourself to get up and go.
      “I don’t make any money out of the sport and I’m not sponsored, but I’m finding the love again.”
      Gemili has now fallen back in love with athleticsCredit: Alamy More

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      Meet Clara Fernandez, the world’s sexiest pole vaulter who leaves fans stunned with sexy bikini pictures

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      CLARA FERNANDEZ has been enjoying plenty of success on and off the track.The pole vaulter has been impressing for Spain in major competitions around the world.
      Clara Fernandez is a successful pole vaulter representing SpainCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Clara Fernandez has also attracted a strong following on social mediaCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Clara Fernandez has close to half a million followers on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The 19-year-old athlete has also been turning heads on social media with her Instagram profile attracting over 426,000 followers.
      The Spaniard has won over fans around the world with her achievements in pole vaulting.
      But Fernandez has also created a strong fanbase thanks to her stunning glam pics on social media.
      However, her Instagram game mainly concentrates on her sports career.
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      Born in 2003, in Sant Cugat del Valles in Barcelona, the Spaniard’s pole vaulting career commenced at an early age.
      She also cut her teeth in various triathlon competitions as she trained for multiple races, such as swimming, running long distances, cycling, and of course pole vaulting.
      Fernandez has also enjoyed plenty of success in Under-20 European championships.
      Since 2018, the track star has won at least 21 titles throughout her young career.
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      That led to a sponsorship deal with Nike, for whom she works as an ambassador.
      As it stands, Fernandez has registered a personal best of 4.05 in outdoor pole vaulting and 4.15 indoors.
      Clara Fernandez has also competed in Triathlons while building a sports careerCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Clara Fernandez has also become a representative for NikeCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Clara Fernandez has won many titles throughout her young careerCredit: INSTAGRAM More

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      Natalie Curtis dead at 34: Tributes paid to Paralympic hero who was part of Australia’s wheelchair basketball squad

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      NINTCHDBPICT000795388100Credit: FacebookFORMER Paralympic star Natalie Curtis has died suddenly aged 34.
      The Australian was a member of her country’s wheelchair basketball squad ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.
      Paralympic star Natalie Curtis has died suddenly aged 34Credit: Facebook
      She was was a member of Australia’s wheelchair basketball squad ahead of the 2021 Tokyo ParalympicsCredit: Facebook
      Curtis, who was the mother of one young son, died on February 5 but her cause of death has not been made public knowledge.
      Her sister, Emma, announced the shocking news on Facebook.
      She wrote: “If you knew Natalie, you would know she was the most beautiful, kind and talented person.
      “She was a daughter, a sister, an auntie and a mother to a beautiful little boy.
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      “Everyone who knew her loved her instantly, she had such a kind soul and would do anything for the people she cared for most.”
      Curtis was born with spina bifida but was heavily involved in sport from an early age.
      After developing a love of swimming, she tragically gave it up after her younger sister drowned in the family pool.
      Aged 14, she then took up wheelchair basketball and went on to claim a silver medal at the 2013 Japan Oceania Championships.
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      Curtis was born with spina bifida but was heavily involved in sport from an early age.
      After developing a love of swimming, she tragically gave it up after her younger sister drowned in the family pool.
      Aged 14, she then took up wheelchair basketball and went on to claim a silver medal at the 2013 Japan Oceania Championships.
      Curtis would go on to represent Australia in wheelchair basketball as she became a huge name as an avid disability activist.
      She went viral online in October after revealing how she was forced to crawl off a plane when Jetstar staff couldn’t provide her with a wheelchair.
      The much-loved star, who suffered five spinal fractures following a car accident after returning from the Japan Oceania Championships in 2013, also trained and coached a wheelchair basketball team.
      Not-for-profit organisation Sporting Dreams paid tribute to Curtis in a statement.
      They wrote: “A young soul taken too soon. She was so much more than an athlete.
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      “A vibrant human being, wife, mother to a small boy, business founder and manager of her own company supporting people with disabilities.
      “Someone who leads by example. RIP Natalie.”
      A host of tributes have been made following the shock newsCredit: Facebook More

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      Who was Linford Christie’s coach Ron Roddan?

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      RON RODDAN is one of the most iconic coaches in British athletics history.He most famously coached Linford Christie to Olympic 100 metres gold in 1992 at the Barcelona Olympics.
      Ron Roddan and Linford Christie were inseparable as coach and athleteCredit: Rex
      Roddan coached many household names in the vibrant athletics scene of the 1980s and 1990s, when it was one of the most-watched sports on TV.
      He also oversaw the careers of Katherine Merry and Darren Campbell when they won medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
      Who was Ron Roddan?
      Ron Roddan was a Civil Service lab assistant until he started coaching in athletics in 1979.
      He made his name as a sprint coach at Thames Valley Harriers.
      Roddan met Christie at West London Stadium – a track that would later be named after the champ himself.
      He became part of the furniture in the London athletics scene and slowly coaxed the best of out Christie’s abilities.
      It was Christie who claimed silver in the 100m behind Carl Lewis at the most infamous race of all time – the 1988 Olympic final in Seoul.
      Christie thought he had claimed bronze, only for Canadian winner Ben Johnson to be disqualified after the final.
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      Four years later Christie went to Barcelona as a contender and was second fastest going into the final.
      But he won the Olympic gold in 9.96 seconds – a race Roddan infamously missed because he had hurt his ankle.
      He watched the race on a TV in the warm-up area instead.
      When did Ron Roddan die?
      Christie announced on his Instagram page that Roddan had passed away.
      He posted a picture of them together with the words: “Broken R I E P RON “Rocket” RODDAN.
      His agency Nuff Respect then confirmed the news, that he died in the early hours of February 10, 2023.
      A statement said: “It is with deep sadness that we heard the news that the amazing and irreplaceable Ron Roddan passed away in the early hours of this morning.

      “Ron was a valued coach at Thames Valley Harriers which came to be his second home, but his relationships reached far beyond West London.
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      “His coaching achievements are too many to mention but the most obvious is the Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European medals that Linford won with Ron by his side and the Olympic medals won by Katherine Merry and Darren Campbell at the Sydney Olympics.
      “Ron was devoted to his athletes, brutally honest, pushing them to their absolute best. This most modest of men was at his happiest with a stopwatch in his hand, standing trackside.” More

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      Meet Tanja Lamby, the stunning high jump athlete taking TikTok by storm who fans can’t get enough of

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      TANJA LAMBY is the stunning high jump athlete taking TikTok by storm.The Cypriot has already represented her country on the world stage, and is only just getting started.
      Tanja Lamby has been taking TikTok by stormCredit: https://www.instagram.com/despoina.charalambous/
      Tanja is also known as Despoina CharalambousCredit: https://www.instagram.com/despoina.charalambous/
      Tanja competed at last year’s Commonwealth GamesCredit: AFP
      Lamby, 22, was part of the Cyprus team that competed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year.
      And she was full of praise for the atmosphere provided by England’s second city.
      She said: “(There was an) Incredible atmosphere and [I made] memories I will never forget!”
      Born Despoina Charalambous, she is sometimes known as Tanja Lamby for short.
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      And videos of her competing have gone viral on TikTok, with fans on the platform instantly taking a shine to her.
      One wrote: “Wonderful.”
      A second added: “You shine.”
      Tanja has always shown plenty of ambition in her field.
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      While making her way through the high jumping ranks in 2021, she wrote on Instagram: “Ending the season with a memorable experience I will never forget.
      “I can always be better, go higher, achieve more, but I can’t be anything less than satisfied with myself and my performance.
      “I keep the 9th place u23 in Europe, the lessons I learnt and have to work on and the memories that will forever be with me.
      “I want to thank my coach @charalambousagni, my family and friends for the support. Thank you Tallinn. It was unreal!”
      Tanja’s coach, Agni Charalambous, 47, also represented Cyprus on the world stage.
      Agni is a former national champion, and also took part in the 2000 Sydney Olympics – just four months after Tanja was born.
      The 22-year-old has over 24,000 followers on social mediaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/despoina.charalambous/
      The Cypriot likes to relax by the sea in her spare timeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/despoina.charalambous/
      She placed ninth in the Mediterranean GamesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/despoina.charalambous/
      Tanja often updates her fans on social mediaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/despoina.charalambous/ More

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      World’s oldest surviving Olympian who competed at London Games in 1948 dies aged 107

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      THE world’s oldest surviving Olympian has died at the age of 107.Felix Sienra passed away in his sleep on Monday, his family confirmed.
      The world’s oldest living Olympian has died aged 107Credit: .
      Felix Sienra starred for Uruguay at the 1948 Olympic GamesCredit: .
      Sienra, also a doctor of law, was a legendary sailor for his native Uruguay.
      And he represented his country at the 1948 Olympic Games in London, coming second in Race 2 of the Firefly class and sixth overall.
      Daughter Magdalena said: “He took off the captain’s armband and got out of the boat.”
      Sienra only turned 107 on January 21st.
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      And at the start of the year he gave an interview declaring he still felt in good health.
      Sienra said: “I feel good, I feel fit. But I don’t get into a sailing boat anymore.
      “The last time I did that was when I turned 100. At that time we made a multi-day trip to a paradise island.”
      Tributes have now poured in, with one person saying: “A friend tells me that Dr. Felix Sienra, a Uruguayan sailor who finished 6th in the 1948 London Olympics, died at the age of 107. RIP.”
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      Another added: “RIP Felix, the oldest living Olympian.”
      Meanwhile, Euro Weekly adds Sienra was possibly the last “surviving contemporary witness” who saw Uruguay’s 4-2 win over Argentina in the first-ever World Cup final in 1930.
      Reflecting on the event, Sienra also said this month: “I then celebrated the win with friends. We grilled fish and drank a lot of wine. That night was the first and last time I got really drunk.”
      Sienra’s death now means that German Willy Busing is now the oldest living Olympian at 101.
      The eventing rider won silver and bronze at the 1952 Games in Helsinki, and turns 102 on March 2nd. More

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      ‘World’s sexiest athlete’ Alica Schmidt broke down in tears after being named in Forbes 30 under 30 list

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      ALICA SCHMIDT broke down in tears after she was named in the Forbes 30 under 30 list.The “World’s sexiest athlete” has grown her profile through her on-track activities and her presence as an influencer online.
      Alica Schmidt was named in the Forbes 30 under 30 listCredit: Instagram_@alicasmd
      She found out on her birthdayCredit: Instagram_@alicasmd
      The German runner – who is widely described at the World’s sexiest athlete – found out the news on her birthday.
      Schmidt revealed that she was told by her manager and that it was a “special moment” in her life.
      She told Gala: “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.”
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      People on the Forbes 30 under 30 list are judged to be changing the world in their respective area.
      In the same interview, the 24-year-old admitted that she is aiming to compete in the Paris Olympics in 2024.
      When asked if she would still be competing in ten years time, Schmidt added: “Then I’ll be 34 years old and I think it will be difficult to continue doing competitive sports.
      “As of now, I want to do sports until 2028.
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      “My goal is the Olympic Games in Paris next year – and then we’ll see.
      “The most important thing is of course that I stay healthy until then and don’t lose the fun in sport.
      “I leave everything else open and see where it takes me.” 
      She is a German track runnerCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Schmidt is often considered the ‘World’s sexiest athlete’Credit: Instagram / @alicasmd More