Athletics

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares129 Views

      in Athletics

      ‘World’s sexiest athlete’ Alica Schmidt has one last chance to feature at Tokyo Olympics after being benched in relay

      by

      ALICA SCHMIDT may well be many people’s favourite German athlete at Tokyo 2020.But unfortunately, she hasn’t actually seen any action yet.
      Fans are hoping to see Alica Schmidt compete at the GamesCredit: Instagram / @alicasmd / Puma
      The German is in Tokyo for the Games
      However she is yet to competeCredit: Instagram / @alicasmd
      The German could compete in the 4x400m women’s relayCredit: Rex
      The 22-year-old has 2.3million Instagram followersCredit: Refer to Caption
      The 22-year-old, dubbed by some as the ‘world’s sexiest athlete’, is in Japan after qualifying for her nation’s 400m relay squad.
      She has so far been limited to supporting from the sidelines, however, after being benched for Germany’s botched mixed 4x400m attempt last weekend.
      Without Schmidt, Germany qualified for the final – only to be disqualified for making contact with the Jamaican team.
      She could still feature at the Games, however, in the 4x400m women’s relay.
      Germany take on the likes of Australia and France among others in their heat later today.
      And if they go through, they will compete for medals in tomorrow’s final.
      Schmidt has still been making the most of her Games experience from the sidelines, keeping her hordes of social media followers updated.
      She has been a regular poster on TikTok.
      And she has also made sure not to neglect her 2.3million Instagram followers.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      In her most recent post, she wrote: “Day ✌🏼 in the Olympic village.
      “Preparation is going well and the food is delicioussss 😋.
      “So many new impressions here and I’m so grateful to be part of @teamdeutschland.”
      🥇 TOKYO OLYMPICS LIVE: All the latest from the Games with our live blog
      🥇 WHAT’S ON TODAY? Best bits to watch at the Olympics and UK times for your favourite stars
      Fans are eager to see Schmidt competeCredit: Rex
      She has been dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest athlete’Credit: Instagram / @alicasmd
      The world’s sexiest athlete: Germany’s Alica Schmidt More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Athletics

      Team GB high jump coach Caan is under investigation about conduct and is banned from travelling to Tokyo Olympics

      by

      A BRITISH high jump coach has been suspended pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation.It is understood Fuzz Caan was unable to travel to Tokyo due to the British Athletics probe following a complaint about his conduct.
      Brtish high jump coach Fuzz Caan has not travelled to Tokyo as an investigation into his conduct goes on
      In a statement, UK Athletics said: “We can confirm that an employed coach has been suspended pending an internal investigation.
      “As such, no further comment is available at this time.”
      Had he travelled, Caan would have been involved with Brits Morgan Lake and Emily Borthwick ahead of this morning’s high jump contest in Tokyo.
      The pair had mixed emotions following their appearance at the Olympic Stadium on Day 13 of the Games.
      Milton Keynes’ Lake, 24, was fifth in qualification group B after clearing a height of 1.95m.
      She finished tenth at the Rio 2016 Olympics and will be aiming to improve considerably on that performance in Saturday’s final.
      Borthwick, 23, from Loughborough, was eighth in the qualification group with a personal best of 1.93m but that was not enough to progress further.

      In a separate issue, Toni Minichiello – the man who guided Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill to Olympic heptathlon glory at London 2012 – remains provisionally suspended from coaching.
      According to UK Athletics, the 55-year-old is the subject of complaints from female athletes and his coaching licence has been revoked pending an investigation.
      Minichiello is not a member of the BBC athletics team, which has been covering the events from studios in Salford.
      Morgan Lake booked her place in Saturday’s high jump finalCredit: PA
      Emily Borthwick went over a new PB of 1.93m but could not progress in TokyoCredit: PA
      Tokyo 2020: Katarina Johnson-Thompson pulls up injured in 200m before limping over line at Olympics More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Athletics

      Tokyo 2020: Favourite Grant Holloway suffers shock loss after 24 wins in row as Hansle Parchment takes 110m hurdles gold

      by

      RED-HOT favourite Grant Holloway suffered one of the shocks of the Olympics with defeat in the men’s 110m hurdles final.The American, 23, was unbeaten in a staggering 24 races going into the showpiece race of the season.
      Hansle Parchment, front, stormed through to win Olympic gold in the 110m hurdlesCredit: AP
      There was plenty of respect between the top three Grant Holloway, Parchment and Ronald Levy afterwardsCredit: Reuters
      And he made a lightning start out of the blocks, seemingly pulling clear by the mid-way point.
      But a stumble late on saw Holloway lose his rhythm – opening the door for Jamaican Hansle Parchment to storm through for gold.
      Parchment crossed the line in 13.04 seconds with Holloway second in 13.09 and another Jamaican, Ronald Levy, claiming bronze in 13.10.
      Sprinting legend Usain Bolt congratulated his compatriot Parchment on the victory.
      He wrote on Instagram: “Simply Magnificent. Brilliant.”
      Bronze medallist at London 2012, the new champion Parchment said: “The greatest feeling, the greatest feeling.
      “I’ve worked so hard. It’s unbelievable that I caught this guy (Grant Holloway). I’m really grateful.
      “Certainly. There are so many here, Grant here for instance, and that’s a motivation for me. I even sat and watched (other athletes) to improve how I take my training times.
      “I don’t think a lot of people expected me to win.”
      HOLLOWAY HURT
      But there was obvious disappointment for nervous Holloway, who was expecting to add the Olympic gold to his world championship title from 2019.
      Despite this, the former long jumper, high jumper and 400m runner was gracious in coming second and laughed with Parchment and Levy on the track afterwards.
      He said: “Everybody knows I’m going to get out strong. Now it just comes to a point where I’ve got to finish strong.
      “I did it once when I was two shaves (0.02s) off the world record so I know I can do it.
      “I just think the nerves, the big atmosphere got the best of me a little bit.
      “But I’m young, I’ve got a lot of races under my belt so I’ll take this with a grain of salt and I keep moving forward.
      “This was not the outcome that I wanted but it enables me to say I’m an Olympic medallist.”
      Brit Andrew Pozzi was left disappointed by his seventh-placed finish.
      COMPETITION: SPOT THE BALL TO WIN A CAR AND CASH

      🥇 TOKYO OLYMPICS LIVE: All the latest from the Games with our live blog
      🥇 WHAT’S ON TODAY? Best bits to watch at the Olympics and UK times for your favourite stars
      He said: “I came here wanting to win a medal, I wasn’t moving quite how I wanted.
      “Sadly, in that race I tried to fight it a little bit. It’s a disappointment not to win a medal.
      “It’s been a big journey, I’m so grateful for everyone who’s contributed over the last decade. It’s frustrating, it’s not quite where I want to be.”
      Holloway made a flying start and looked on course for victory in TokyoCredit: Getty
      Parchment enjoyed a strong finish and went over the line in 13.04 secondsCredit: AP
      DREAM TEAM 2021/22PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

      £100,000 prize pot up for grabs
      £50million budget to build your best XI
      Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
      Click here to play for FREE
      Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store

      Tokyo 2020: Katarina Johnson-Thompson pulls up injured in 200m before limping over line at Olympics More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Athletics

      What are Nike sprint ‘super shoes’ worn by Dina Asher-Smith and why was original design axed for Toyko Olympics?

      by

      NIKE’S have released a new sprint ‘super shoe’ after the originals were axed by the company – because they would not have got approval from World Athletics.And the company have released an adapted version of the running spikes to be worn by Dina Asher-Smith at the Tokyo Olympics.
      Dina Asher-Smith is among dozens of athletes wearing Nike’s new sprint spikesCredit: Getty
      Nike’s new sprint spikes have been controversial but the original designs were never released before these versions were unveiled for the OlympicsCredit: Rex
      Nike’s new running spikes have been shelved ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
      The shoes are a different design to ones we have seen before on an athletics track
      The controversial shoes were being branded as a Usain Bolt-busting solution from Nike – but the American company have shelved the shoes with World Athletics approval all but impossible.
      Instead they have released an adapted version, which have been approved by boffins at World Athletics.
      And rival companies are also coming up with footwear that has similar technology – with Adidas among the chasing pack.
      They have been a big talking point at the Olympics.
      What are the Nike Zoom Air Viperfly spikes and will they be allowed at the Tokyo Olympics?
      Nike’s cutting-edge running spikes are designed specifically for 100m sprinters.
      All sprinters wear footwear with small metal spikes on the bottom for better grip.
      Over the last few decades, manufacturers have found ways to make the foot plate more rigid and lighter, which has been approved by athletics officials.
      But the Nike shoes have a carbon fibre mechanism under the ball of the foot that acts like a springboard, generating more power in the sprinter’s stride.
      Nike said: “This composition, developed alongside the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%, was designed to provide responsiveness and energy.
      “It follows deep study of the strategy and performance of the race, and focuses attention on what athletes need most in the last 20 meters of the sprint.”
      Currently, we will NOT be seeing these spikes at the Tokyo Olympics, if it goes ahead in the summer of 2021.
      Nike will not make these shoes available for athletes in Japan.
      The shoes have to be approved by World Atheltics, which approve certain lines of footwear ahead of each world championships, with specific limits on sole thickness.
      Nike told SunSport: “World Athletics changed the rules so the shoe will not be produced given Nike respects the rules.
      “We have been researching, developing, building, and testing performance footwear for half a century.
      “The athlete will always be our focus and we will continue to create new and better solutions for their needs.”
      The black and green spikes are being described as the fastest of all time
      What shoes did Usain Bolt run his 100m and 200m world records in?
      Retired Jamaican track icon Bolt ran 9.58sec in the 100m in 2009 at the World Championships in Berlin.

      He then went on and broke his own 200m world record, setting an all-time fastest of 19.19sec in the half lap sprint.
      Bolt wore Puma spikes his whole career and was endorsed by the German company since his earliest days as a promising young teenager.
      Usain Bolt broke the 100m and 200m world records in Berlin in 2009, which still stand todayCredit: AFP – Getty More

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Athletics

      Tokyo 2020: Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson through to 10m diving final as First Dates’ Fred pays tribute

      by

      ANDREA Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson both made the 10m platform diving final.But only after each making a mess of one of their five attempts.
      Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix booked her place into the 10m platform diving final this morningCredit: Reuters
      And she’ll be joined in the final by fellow Brit Lois ToulsonCredit: Getty
      Toulson stood joint fifth after her opener but then got her second dive, a reverse 2 ½ somersault which was the easiest of the five routines on her programme, badly wrong to plunge to 14th.
      With only the top 12 to qualify, it meant Toulson, girlfriend of three-time Olympic medallist Jack Laugher, could not afford another mistake.
      And the 21-year-old from Huddersfield pulled herself together to get back into the top 10 after round three and a terrific fourth effort, an inward three and a half somersault with tuck, earned 72.00pts, her best of the contest.
      That moved Toulson up to sixth and another solid dive on her final effort eased her into the final in ninth behind Hongchan Quan of China.
      Spendolini-Sirieix, daughter of “First Dates” maitre d’ Fred, served up a mess of a third dive but it did not spoil the entire dish.
      The mistake took her out of the top eight and put some pressure on but a terrific last dive secured her passage in eighth place
      It’s just great to be here and I’m so grateful to be able to compete.Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix
      She said: “I was much more relaxed than yesterday and I definitely had a lot more fun.
      “It’s just great to be here and I’m so grateful to be able to compete.”
      When pressed on being more relaxed, she added: “It definitely helps with that internal pressure. And it makes a lot easier.
      “You’re so much more relaxed and confident when you’re having fun.”
      “I always want to do better in every competition. I definitely improved on my prelim score yesterday and I want to improve on my score in the final.
      Spendolini-Sirieix’s dad couldn’t help but share his delight at his daughter’s progression to the Olympic final.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      He tweeted: “And onto the final! #tokyo2020 #olympics #diving #platform #10m #teamgb #goAndrea”
      A delighted Toulson said: “I’m really proud that me and Andrea have both got through to the final.”
      She added: “I’m really enjoying it. I’ve got five more dives, so hopefully I can improve.”
      DREAM TEAM 2021/22PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

      £100,000 prize pot up for grabs
      £50million budget to build your best XI
      Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
      Click here to play for FREE
      Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store

      Tokyo 2020: Katarina Johnson-Thompson pulls up injured in 200m before limping over line at Olympics More

    • 163 Shares199 Views

      in Athletics

      Who is Andrew Pozzi and how long has he been dating Katarina Johnson-Thompson?

      by

      ANDREW POZZI is Team GB’s big hope in the men’s 110 metres hurdles – and he is the male half of British Athletics’ power couple.The hurdler is looking to become Britain’s first medallist in decades when he goes up against the high barriers and the best in the world.
      Andrew Pozzi, left, qualified for the Olympic final after finishing fourth in his semi-finalCredit: Getty
      Andrew Pozzi and Katarina Johnson-Thompson have been together since 2018
      Even the great Colin Jackson, who held the world record, never won a medal at the Olympics.
      Who is Andrew Pozzi?
      Andrew Pozzi, 29, is a British track and field athlete from Stratford-upon-Avon.
      The began running with Stratford Athletics Club as a youngster and ran 13.29sec in the hurdles as a youngster, the fastest time ever run by a British junior.
      Pozzi made his senior breakthrough at the 2012 World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, where he finished fourth at the age of 19.
      He later won the British Universities, or BUCS, Championships at the London Olympic stadium where he achieved the Olympics ‘A’ qualifying standard and berth at the home Games.
      Unfortunately he suffered a hamstring injury and had to withdraw during his first heat.
      In 2018, Pozzi beat Jarret Eaton to win the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham over the shorter 60m hurdles event, with a time of 7.46sec.
      In this Olympics, Pozzi has improved through the rounds, running 13.50sec in his heat, where he qualified in fourth, then 13.32sec in his semi-final, where he was again fourth.
      He will be in lane two for the final, next to world No1 Grant Holloway, who is favourite to win gold.
      How long has Andrew Pozzi been dating Katarina Johnson-Thompson?
      The hurdler and multi-event world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson started going out in 2018.
      A year later, KJT became a heptathlon world champion and de facto favourite to win gold in the Tokyo Olympics.
      🥇 TOKYO OLYMPICS LIVE: All the latest from the Games with our live blog
      🥇 WHAT’S ON TODAY? Best bits to watch at the Olympics and UK times for your favourite stars

      But little did either of them know it would be put back by 12 months, leading to an injury nightmare for Johnson-Thompson, who has been battling an Achilles injury.
      Unfortunately for KJT, 29, she was forced out of the Olympic heptathlon after a pull in the opposite calf to the leg she injured earlier this year.
      The pair have shared adorable pictures together on Instagram and have juggled it all while getting through their gruelling training schedules. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Athletics

      Katarina Johnson-Thompson pulls up injured in 200m before limping over line in devastating blow for Team GB Olympic ace

      by

      THE injury curse struck the British Athletics squad again as Katarina Johnson-Thompson failed to complete day one of the heptathlon.Johnson-Thompson, 28, ruptured her Achilles at the end of 2020 and also underwent surgery on an unspecified issue.

      Heptathlete star Katarina Johnson-Thompson pulled up injured during the 200m eventCredit: Reuters
      Medics rushed over to Johnson-Thompson’s aid after she went down injuredCredit: Reuters
      The fact the Liverpudlian had managed to make the start line in Tokyo was an achievement in itself, something she called a personal “victory”.
      But after 80m of the 200m heat one, the fourth of seven rounds of competition, reigning world champion Johnson-Thompson pulled up and was then disqualified for stepping outside of her lane.
      She crashed to the floor in agony and remained there with her head in her hands.
      A wheelchair was brought to the track but she refused that and decided to carry on running to record a time – but officials deemed that she has stepped outside of her lane.
      Prior to that race, she had been lying in fifth place overall and knew that the track events were her strongest disciplines.
      This bad news follows the exits of sprinter Dina Asher-Smith from the 100m and 200m following a torn hamstring, and Adam Gemili could not complete the 200m for a similar injury woe.
      A statement from British Athletics stated that Johnson-Thompson picked up a calf injury.
      They said: “Unfortunately Katarina Johnson-Thompson sustained an injury to her right calf during the 200m and has had to withdraw from the heptathlon.
      SUN BINGO WIN A SHARE OF £250k (18+ T&Cs apply)
      Liverpool athlete Johnson-Thompson suffered a calf injury 80m into the raceCredit: Reuters
      Johnson-Thompson bravely limped over the finish line, but she was disqualified for stepping outside of her laneCredit: Reuters
      The 2019 world champion went into the 200m event lying in fifth place overallCredit: AP

      “To confirm, it is not a repeat of her recent Achilles injury which was on her left leg. There will be no further comment this evening.”
      Commenting on Johnson-Thompson’s injury, Denise Lewis, the 2000 heptathlon Olympic champion, said: “She hasn’t contested a 200m for a while. The turn puts a lot of stress on those Achilles tendons.
      “I am so gutted for her, so gutted for her. She has worked so hard to get to this stage. She increased the strapping for the 200m. This was the test event.
      “Someone’s heart has been trashed on the track It will be hard for her to come back from this emotionally – but she will.”
      Jessica Ennis-Hill, the 2012 heptathlon Olympic champion, had her British record broken by Johnson-Thompson at the 2019 Athletics World Championships in Doha.
      She said: “Kat has been such a victim of the past 18 months. She had the best year of her life in 2019 and was ready to go. She was in the best place – all she had to do was be ready to ride through the winter and maintain her form.

      “Instead, she had an 18-month layoff and it is hard to maintain that. The event is gruelling and it has ended up in injury.
      “It is utterly devastating for her. The years she has had in the sport, she has had so many lows, it’s so unfair she is in this position again.
      “There is a lot going on next year, it is a huge one, and you don’t want to put the body through more stress. She has to go away and rest now.”
      Hannah Mills talks about being Team GB’s most successful female Olympic sailor in history More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Athletics

      Sky Brown, 13, wins Team GB’s first skateboarding medal as she claims bronze at Tokyo 2020 Olympics despite two falls

      by

      SKY BROWNBrown made Team GB history early this morning by becoming Britain’s youngest Olympian at the age of 13 years and 28 days.
      Sky Brown became Britain’s youngest ever Olympian this morningCredit: Getty
      Sky Brown in action in the women’s skateboarding prelimsCredit: Getty
      The teenager posted an impressive score of 55.26 in her first run of the prelims.
      But her opening run in the finals didn’t go to plan as she fell off attempting a kickflip indy.
      Brown’s earlier handiwork, however, saved her as she scored a 47.53 to occupy bronze position.
      The kickflip indy proved to be Brown’s nemesis again in her second run as she failed to land the trick, although she did end turning in a score of 47.37.
      But she showed composure beyond her years to nail the trick at the third time of asking and successfully complete her run.
      That run earned her a score 56.47 and put her back into bronze position.
      Brown was made to sweat in the Tokyo heat as she awaited Misigu Okamoto’s final run.
      But the 15-year-old could only muster a 51.99, a score that prompted a heartwarming embrace between Brown and her father Stuart.
      Speaking after the prelims, a delighted Brown said: “That was insane.
      “It’s crazy to be here. It’s awesome to be here.
      “I didn’t really think about the scores but I’m really stoked with that score.
      “I have some other tricks but I just really want to enjoy the time of being in the Olympics and make good memories.”
      MORE TO FOLLOW More