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      Watch heartwarming moment Paralympic guide proposes to blind athlete on track after race at Tokyo 2020

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      PARALYMPIAN Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo narrowly missed out on the women’s 200m final in Tokyo.But the blind Cape Verdean’s despair turned to pure joy, after she was PROPOSED TO by her guide on the track.

      Manuel Antonio Vaz da Veiga got down on one kneeCredit: Reuters
      The happy couple embrace after getting hitchedCredit: Reuters
      Pereira Semedo, 32, had just completed her semi-final when running guide Manuel Antonio Vaz da Veiga came over to greet her.
      To her shock, Vaz da Veiga took her by the hand before brandishing a ring.
      He asked the runner to marry him while still surrounded by her fellow athletes.
      And to his relief, she said yes.
      Vaz da Veiga put the ring on her finger before the pair embraced, while being applauded by her colleagues.

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      Unfortunately, the Paralympics are taking place behind closed doors in Tokyo.
      But the smattering of officials, coaches and athletes in the stands gave the happy couple a standing ovation.

      Pereira Semedo’s Paralympic adventure may not have resulted in her bringing home a medal.
      But bringing home a fiance instead isn’t too bad a substitute.
      The happy couple were congratulated by her peersCredit: Reuters
      Pereira Semedo beams as she exits the trackCredit: Reuters
      Neil Fachie says it’s a moment they will never forget as both himself and wife Lora Fachie win gold at the Paralympics More

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      Who is Sally Brown? Jonnie Peacock’s girlfriend and Team GB Paralympian

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      SALLY Brown narrowly missed out on medals herself as part of Team GB during London 2012 as she watched boyfriend Jonnie race into the nation’s hearts.The Paralympian first took up athletics for enjoyment as a nine-year-old but her talent soon made her one of Britain’s brightest stars. Here’s everything you need to know about her…
      Sally Brown is a British ParalympianCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Who is Sally Brown?
      Sally Brown was born on June 26, 1995, in Derry, Northern Ireland, and grew up in the village of Ballykelly.
      The 23-year-old was born with dysmelia in her lower arms which resulted in her left arm not developing below the elbow.
      In 2010, she was fast-tracked into a GB training camp and by the age of 15, she had competed in the 2011 IPC World Championships in New Zealand and the 2012 Paralympics in London.
      At 18-years-old, she was ranked number one in the UK over both 100m and 200m distances while simultaneously completing AS Levels in photography and art.
      Sally didn’t compete in either the Rio or Tokyo Paralympic Games.
      She is currently in a long-term relationship with Jonnie PeacockCredit: PA:Press Association
      When did she start dating Jonnie Peacock?
      Sally first met Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock at the World Junior Championships in 2010.
      The two currently live in Loughborough together with their French bulldog Luna.
      In 2016, Jonnie gushed about his Northern Irish love, describing how she is the one for him.
      “I’m quite picky, there’s always one thing, isn’t there? Things just don’t click. But they do with her. She’s nice and fiery for me, which is fun and makes life interesting. No day is a bore.”
      Jonnie was back in action at the Tokyo Paralympics, finishing joint-third as he looked to defend his gold in the T44 100m.
      She narrowly missed out on a medal at London 2012Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Who is Paralympian Aled Davies and is he married?

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      PARALYMPIAN Aled Davies may have a gold medal under his belt but he is now set to face his toughest challenge yet.The athlete is taking on Celebrity SAS, which aims to push stars to their absolute limit.
      Aled Davies is a a Paralympic heroCredit: PA
      Who is Paralympian Aled Davies?
      Aled Siôn Davies MBE was born on May 24, 1991, and is a Welsh Paralympian athlete competing mainly in category F42 throwing events.
      In 2012 he became the world record holder of the F42 shot put – and extended his mark in the 2017 World Championships in London.
      Aled also competes in the F42 discus.
      F42 classification means he competes in field events – hence F – with the 42 denoting athletes competing without prosthesis who have lower limbs affected by limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement.
      Aled was born with hemimelia of the right leg.
      In 2021, Aled took on the challenge of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
      Aled is taking part in Celebrity SASCredit: Pete Dadds/Channel 4
      When did Aled win a gold medal in the Paralympics?
      Aled was the golden boy of the London Paralympics.
      In the 2012 games he took the bronze medal in shot put and gold in the discus.

      In the Rio Paralympics, Aled won a gold medal in the F42 shot put, beating his nearest rivals by over a metre with a new Paralympic record of 15.97m.
      At the London 2017 World Champs, he broke his own world record with a mark of 17.52 in the shot put, while in the discus he threw a new championship record of 51.54m.
      Aled is at Tokyo 2020 looking to get his fourth Paralympic medal.
      His amazing contribution to sport saw him get an MBE in the Queen’s 2013 Honours List.
      Is Aled married and does he have kids?
      Aled is very private about his personal life.
      It is not known if the athlete is married or has any children.
      Lauren Steadman and DJ Locksmith are crowned as co-winner of Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS- Who Dares Wins  More

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      Who is Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock?

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      SPRINT king Jonnie Peacock won Paralympic gold medals at both London 2012 and Rio 2016.The sprinter is gunning for a third at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
      Jonnie Peacock delighted the London crowds when he won Olympic gold at the 2012 GamesCredit: Getty Images
      Who is Jonnie Peacock?
      Jonnie Peacock was born in Cambridge on May 28, 1993.
      At the age of five he contracted meningitis, which led to him having his right leg amputated below the knee.
      He originally wanted to play football, but his athletics prowess was soon discovered during his time at school.
      He was appointed an MBE in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to athletics – and was strutting his stuff on the Strictly 2017 dancefloor until leaving the show in week nine.
      Jonnie was partnered with Oti Mabuse on the show and impressed the judges with his jive on a specially made blade.
      In August 2021, Jonnie made a guest appearance in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.
      He was brought in to give advice to character Sid, who had his leg amputated after a car crash in 2020.

      Peacock has become a hugely popular figure in the world of athletics, competing in the 100mCredit: Getty Images
      How has Jonnie Peacock’s athletics career worked out?
      Jonnie set a new 100 metres world record in amputee sprinting in  June 2010 in the US when he ran an exceptional 10.85 seconds.
      He won Olympic gold for the first time in front of a home audience at the London 2012 Games, when he ran 10.90 secs in the 100m T44 final.

      Incredibly, the Cambridge runner then defended his Olympic crown by winning the 100m at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, even bettering his London time with 10.81secs.
      The following year he won gold in the T44 100 metres at the World Championships in London.
      Following his success, he was chosen as a presenter for the 2018 Winter Paralympics on Channel 4.
      Jonnie is part of the squad heading to Tokyo, looking to make it a hat-trick of golds.
      Ahead of the Games he said: “I don’t need to go and win another gold medal for my happiness.
      “I would like to, it would probably help – it would probably help the bank more than anything else to be honest – but yeah I’m just happy competing , training full time for a living now and getting enough to live off.
      “I’ll do whatever makes me happy, but that’s probably less work
      Jonnie Peacock and Oti Mabuse dance the Quickstep on Strictly Come Dancing More

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      Wheelchair racer David Weir returns to Paralympics after track retirement in 2016

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      WINNING another Paralympics medal after track retirement would count among David Weir’s “greatest achievements”.The returning South Londoner wheelchair racer quit the GB set-up after crashing in the men’s marathon on the final day of a personally disastrous Rio 2016 Games.
      David Weir has won six Paralympic gold medals on the track and road during 13 yearsCredit: Getty
      The South Londoner finished empty-handed after the Rio 2016 Olympics and quit the GB set-up temporarilyCredit: PA
      Fuming Weir claimed a coach – who is in Tokyo this month – “stabbed” him in the back and unfairly accused him of throwing the 4x400m relay during a nightmare time in Brazil.
      Yet despite being left empty-handed five years ago, the six-time Paralympic champion is glad he has made a high profile U-turn.
      And any form of success in Japan this week would be the crowning glory of a magnificent career.
      Weir, who won four golds at London 2012, told SunSport: “I’ve come here on a positive note that if I don’t even win a medal, it’s a massive achievement for me.
      “Before Rio, a lot of pressure was put on me because of what I did in London. I don’t think people, even myself, I really appreciated what I did in London.
      “But the pressure of delivering four gold medals took its toll.
      Weir has become a household name thanks to eight London Marathon victoriesCredit: Getty
      “Obviously, I’m here to win medals and that’s my gameplan in Tokyo.
      “But I wouldn’t be absolutely distraught if I don’t win a medal because these are my sixth Paralympics – and that’s a massive achievement for any athlete.
      “A medal will be an absolutely bonus in my career, even if I win a bronze medal, as it would be one of my best ever won.”
      Weir, who competes in the 1500m, 5,000m and marathon, said: “It would just be nice this time to finish some races! What happened in the marathon was so unlucky and I was so devastated that it had to finish like that.
      “I don’t want to finish my career and look back it was all doom and gloom in Rio.
      “I’d like to get through the whole week and make myself proud.
      I’ve come here on a positive note that if I don’t even win a medal, it’s a massive achievement for me.David Weir on Tokyo Paralympics
      “This might be my last big international race I ever do. That’s the mindset.
      “I feel comfortable in my own skin and racing chair. I could retire tomorrow if I wanted to.
      “The individual from Rio will be here. But we will stay out of each other’s way I suppose.”
      The 16th summer Paralympics start tomorrow and even at the age of 42, Weir has been posting personal bests following a track event in Switzerland in May.
      The Weirwolf, who became a household name during the summer of 2012, believes it is time that Paralympians receive the same prize money and commercial deals as their Olympic counterparts.
      Amputee sprinter Jonnie Peacock claimed last week a Paralympian might get £500 compared to the £30,000 top deals for Olympic stars.
      Weir said: “We need more athletes to speak out about this.
      “Prize money at major events is not equal pay even though we do the same distances like the marathon.

      “I want to fight for the next generation. I want the next generation of wheelchair racers to be household names.
      “I want them to be like a Mo Farah where they earn enough money where they can retire and not carry on until they are 40-odd.” More

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      CJ Ujah breaks silence on doping ban as ‘shocked’ Team GB relay silver medal winner says ‘I am not a cheat’

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      TEAM GB star CJ Ujah has declared ‘I am not a cheat’ after being provisionally suspended for an alleged anti-doping breach.The 27-year-old won 4x100m sprint silver in Tokyo.
      CJ Ujah declared ‘I am not a cheat’Credit: PA
      CJ Ujah poses alongside his team-mates on the podium after winning 4x100m relay silver in TokyoCredit: Getty
      But Ujah, as well as team-mates Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, could be stripped of his medal if he is found guilty.
      Ujah, however, is adamant that he did nothing wrong.
      Breaking his silence, he told PA: “It’s taken me a few days to process the information I received on Thursday shortly before it was made public.
      “I am completely shocked and devastated by this news.
      “To be absolutely clear, I am not a cheat and I have never and would never knowingly take a banned substance.
      “I love my sport and I know my responsibilities both as an athlete and as a team-mate.

      “I am respecting the formal processes and will not be making any further comment until it is appropriate to do so.”
      The presence of banned substances ostarine and S-23 were found in Ujah’s sample.
      These help with building muscle.
      Italy’s shock double-gold winning sprinter Lamont Marcell Jacobs taunted that he ‘smiled’ when hearing the news of Ujah’s provisional suspension.
      He told Tuttosport: “Doping? The situation has not touched me so much.
      After seeing the Ujah investigation I would say that perhaps it is better to look into your own house first and then attack others. It makes me smileLamont Marcell Jacobs
      “I know the sacrifices and the blows I went through to get here and instead I want to enjoy it 100 per cent.
      ‘”After seeing the Ujah investigation I would say that perhaps it is better to look into your own house first and then attack others. It makes me smile.”
      If found guilty, in addition to losing his silver medal, Ujah could be booted out of athletics for four years.
      First, however, he can ask to have his B sample analysed.
      Lamont Marcell Jacobs poses with one of his goldsCredit: AFP
      Team GB Olympic star CJ Ujah suspended over doping violation after helping men’s 4x100m relay team take silver in Tokyo More

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      North Korea airs first Tokyo Olympics broadcast two days AFTER Closing Ceremony with Team GB vs Chile women’s football

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      NORTH KOREA aired its first Tokyo 2020 broadcast a whole TWO DAYS after the Olympic Games’ closing ceremony.The delayed Tokyo 2020 Games came to an end last Sunday with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Olympic Stadium.
      The Tokyo 2020 Olympics came to an end last weekCredit: AP
      But North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has so far only permitted a single three-week-old event from the tournament be broadcastCredit: AFP
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      But the government in Pyongyang have only just begun broadcasting events from the tournament.
      According to Yonhap, the socialist regime’s first broadcast of the Games was the women’s match between Team GB and Chile.
      That match, which Team GB comfortably won 2-0, originally took place THREE WEEKS ago.
      Korean Central Television (KCTV) aired 70 minutes of Team GB’s opening fixture of the tournament.
      Specialist North Korean website NK News claims the game was aired without any commentary and with a low resolution.
      Residents in North Korea would’ve had no knowledge of the Games as they aren’t permitted access to the internet or watch international TV channels.

      North Korea opted against sending a delegation to Tokyo this year due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, insisting they wanted to protect their athletes.
      The regime, however, has publicly claimed there are no cases of Covid in the country.
      A statement from the country’s ministry of sport read: “The committee decided not to join the 32nd Olympics Games to protect athletes from the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus.”
      The International Olympic Committee reached out to North Korea several times to assess the state of the pandemic within its borders.

      An IOC spokesperson said: “The IOC has not received any official application from the NOC of DPRK to be released from their obligation to take part in the Olympic Games according to the Olympic Charter.”
      The Tokyo 2020 games marked the first time North Korea has missed a summer games since 1988.
      The North Korean government opted to boycott the Seoul Games due to the ongoing Cold War, which ended three years later.

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      Kim Jong-un looks skinnier than EVER as dictator drops more than 40 pounds amid famine in North Korea More

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      Olympic marathon runner who knocked over row of water bottles denies he did it on purpose and says they were ‘slippery’

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      THE Olympic marathon runner who knocked over an entire row of water bottles claims it was an accident – and insisted they were ‘slippery’.Morhad Amdouni hit the headlines at the weekend when he reached the water station during the 26.2-mile race in 27-degree heat in Sapporo.
      Morhad Amdouni wiped out a whole row of water bottles at a drinking station during the Olympic marathonCredit: Instagram
      He collected the final bottle in the line but claimed the rest were ‘slippery’Credit: Instagram
      But rather than simply grabbing one bottle like his competitors in front, the Frenchman wiped out the whole line that had been set up.
      To top it off, he grabbed the final drink and went on his way as his rivals and viewers at home watched on baffled.
      But after being branded the ‘biggest d***head of the Tokyo Olympics’ by Piers Morgan, Amdouni has told his version of events – and denied doing the deed deliberately.
      As reported by RMC, the athlete said: “With fatigue and all that, I was gradually starting to lose lucidity and energy while hanging on.
      “I would like to apologise to the athletes. At one point, I tried to hold a bottle of water but I dropped some. It was not easy trying to hang on.
      “Out of principle, I tried to share the bottles of water during the race while respecting everyone and going high and proud, fighting for our colours of the jersey.”
      He later clarified on Facebook: “To put an end to all the sterile controversies generated by the video, I put this video [out to help you] really understand what happened.
      “To guarantee freshness to the bottles, they are soaked in the water which makes them slippery.
      “However, it is clear that I try to take one from the beginning of the row but these slip when I touch them.”
      Amdouni eventually finished in 17th place recording a time of two hours 14 minutes and 33 seconds.
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      The race was eventually won by Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge.
      Kipchoge finished in a time of two hours, eight minutes and 38 seconds to take gold.
      In winning the marathon he became one of three to successfully reclaim the title, after his victory in Rio 2016.
      Frenchman Amdouni also competed in the 10,000m at the Tokyo GamesCredit: Getty

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