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      Tokyo Olympics chaos with fans set to be banned from Opening Ceremony as coronavirus continues to sweep through country

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      TOKYO Olympic chiefs are ready to ban spectators from this month’s Opening Ceremony as more covid concerns sweep Japan.Games bosses had previously announced maximum capacities of 10,000 Japanese-only fans at venues throughout the Olympics, which start later this month.
      Tokyo Olympic chiefs are ready to ban spectators from the Opening CeremonyCredit: AP
      But now it is likely that only VIPs will be allowed to attend the gala Opening Ceremony and parade of nations in the Olympic Stadium on July 23.
      Japanese Government officials are also seeking to slash the number of dignitaries in the sparse crowd, but the International Olympic Committee is pushing hard for some sponsors, guests and diplomats to attend.
      It now seems certain that all events at large indoor venues and those taking place after 9pm local time will be entirely fan-free.
      Final decisions on attendances are due to be confirmed by multi-party talks on Thursday but the direction of travel is increasingly pointing to the entire Games taking place without spectators.
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      Overseas fans were banned from attending earlier this year amid safety fears from those in charge.
      And Japan’s President, Yoshihide Suga, made it clear last month that he’s ready to reverse the decision on fans if a state of emergency is declared.
      As reported by the Japan Times, Suga said: “We won’t hesitate to ban spectators to ensure safety and security.
      “If a state of emergency is declared, that is a possibility.”

      Japan was previously in a state of emergency that lasted from April 25 to May 11.
      This was implemented due to surging covid deaths among locals who have been protesting against the Olympics.
      SunSport reported this week however that several Team GB stars were pictured flying out to Japan ahead of the opening.
      Mo Farah fails to make 10,000m qualifying time for Tokyo Olympics More

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      Which events are in the decathlon?

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      THE decathlon is for those athletes who are just gluttons for punishment.It is the great all-around test in athletics – a 10-event contest covering the whole range of running, jumping, throwing and hurdling disciplines, spread over two days.
      Steven Bastian competes in the JavelinCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Markus Ballengee competes in the shot-putCredit: AP
      Joseph Delgado competing in the discusCredit: AP
      What does the decathlon consist of?
      Decathletes are usually masters of no discipline, but strong in all areas of track and field.
      The decathlon is just for male athletes – women compete in the heptathlon.
      A perfect score in the decathlon is 1,000 points in each event for a cumulative score of 10,000 points, over the ten events.
      The gruelling decathlon consists of:

      Pole vault
      High jump
      Long jump
      Javelin
      Shot put
      Discus
      110-metre hurdles
      100 metres
      400 metres
      1500 metres

      So gruelling that athletes only get a maximum of 30 minutes rest in between events.
      Factor in stretching, toilet breaks, water refuelling and coach input – well that’s less than a formula one pit-stop.
      The 110m hurdlesCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Solomon Simmons competing in the long jumpCredit: AP

      Who are the greatest decathletes of all time?
      United States’ Jim Thorpe became the first winner of the decathlon in 1912 although he broke amateur rules by playing professional baseball.
      Thorpe had all of his Olympic titles deleted, although after his death they were later reinstated.
      Fast forward some 110 odd years and Ashton Eaton’s victory at the 2016 Olympics was the 14th decathlon gold medal for the USA, who have been the most dominant nation in the event by a long way as no other country has won more than two gold medals.
      He also became the fastest 100-metre runner in a decathlon, crossing the line at 10.21 seconds.
      Ashton Eaton won gold for USA at Rio 2016Credit: EPA
      Bruce Jenner, now known as Caitlyn Jenner, won gold for USA at the Montreal Olympics in 1976Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Britain’s Daley Thompson won Olympic decathlon golds in Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984Credit: Rex
      Compare that to the world record of 9.58 seconds set by Usain Bolt at the 2009 World Championships – not bad for someone who also competes in nine other events!
      Team GB’s most famous decathlete is Daley Thompson, who was unbeaten in the decathlon for nine years, from 1978 to 1987, winning two Olympic gold medals, and at the age of 61 he still holds the British record.
      His 8,847 points, set in 1984, is a marker of Thompson’s brilliance and a measure of how far British men in the decathlon trail in his wake. More

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      Abdalelah Haroun dies aged 24: Qatar Olympic team announce tragic death of former world champ bronze medallist

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      SPRINTER Abdalelah Haroun has tragically passed aged 24, Qatar’s Olympic team confirmed. Haroun, who won the 400m bronze medal at the 2017 World Athletics Championships, died in a car crash, News18 reports.
      Abdalelah Haroun has tragically passed aged 24Credit: AFP
      Abdalelah Haroun won the 400m bronze medal at the 2017 World Athletics ChampionshipsCredit: AFP

      Qatar’s Olympic team posted on Twitter: “Team #Qatar sprinter and world 400m bronze medalist Abdalelah Haroun died today.”
      The track and field sprinter held the Asian indoor record after becoming champion in 2015.
      Haroun was recruited at a young age from Sudan by Qatar and gained eligibility to represent them in February 2015.
      His first recorded performance was a time of 45.74 seconds over 400m in Doha in April 2014, which placed him among the world’s most promising young sprinters for the event.
      He then announced himself on the world scene in his next performance at the XL Galan in February 2015 by running an Asian indoor record of 45.39 seconds.
      It was also the third fastest ever by a junior category athlete and the quickest indoor debut.
      Haroun followed it up in his next outing one month later as he set an outdoor best of 44.68 seconds.
      It left him a comfortable winner at the 2015 Arab Athletics Championships in April, beating Egypt’s Anas Beshr by nearly a second.

      He ran at the Doha Diamond League meeting and won the non-Diamond-race contest with another sub-45-second run.
      On his full IAAF Diamond League debut, he finished fifth at the Prefontaine Classic.
      He then established himself as one of Asia’s top senior athletes at the 2015 Asian Athletics Championships by beating two-time defending champion Yousef Masrahi.
      Haroun bettered the Saudi Arabia star in the 400m final with his third 44.68-second clocking of the season. More

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      Mo Farah OUT of Tokyo Olympics after legendary British athlete fails to make 10,000m qualifying time in Manchester

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      MO FARAH’s Olympic career is OVER after he failed to make the grade for Tokyo.Britain’s four-time Olympic champion had one final shot before Sunday’s midnight deadline to secure his spot on the Team GB plane heading to Japan next month.
      Mo Farah’s Olympic career is OVER after he failed to qualify for the Tokyo GamesCredit: Getty
      British legend Farah, 38, couldn’t conjure up his old magicCredit: PA
      Yet the 38-year-old failed to dip under the required 10,000m qualifying mark of 27 minutes 28 seconds in this last-ditch attempt at the Manchester Regional Arena.
      His time of 27minutes 47 seconds on a cold Friday night at the British Athletics trials was simply not good enough.
      And regardless of what he has done before at the highest level, Farah will not get any special favours or sympathy vote by selectors.
      Asked if this was his last track appearance, Farah said: “It’s a tough one. I have always said if I cannot compete with the best, I wont just go to be in a final. Tonight showed it is not good enough.
      “You go out there and give it all and that’s all you have. It’s quite windy. I tried to push and push and I ran my lungs out. That’s all you can do as a human being, give it your all. I’ve had a wonderful career. I’m very grateful. That’s all I had today.”
      His name is on the 5,000m entry list for Saturday but it is extremely unlikely he would run again at such notice.
      It is sad that a career that saw him excel at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics – with the 5,000m-10,000m double – should end in such low-key fashion in front of a few hundred fans and some cardboard cutouts.
      Farah had ditched plans to run the Olympic Marathon in favour of a return to the track but his failure to qualify suggests he is nearing the end.
      Farah is one of Britain’s greatest Olympians after winning FOUR gold medalsCredit: AFP or licensors
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      He had tried but failed for the required mark at the University of Birmingham earlier this month but blamed an ankle niggle for his slow display.
      Farah added: “I don’t know what to think or what’s next for me. I just have to have a chat with my team and see what’s next. If I can’t compete with the best, why bother?
      “There’s no excuse in terms of conditions, it is what it is. I genuinely thought I’d come out here, get the time and then go back to the training camp.
      “I’ve had some decent sessions since my little niggle (ankle and foot) but I thought I should be able to run that. I’ve always said if I can’t compete with the best I’m not just going to go there to make the team.
      “I’ve had an amazing career, thinking about it tonight it’s a bit shocking and I don’t really know what to say.”
      Farah (right) dressed as a robin during his stint on I’m A CelebrityCredit: Rex

      Farah surprised the athletics world by cashing in on his fame and appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last November in a cold Welsh castle, which saw him dress up as a robin and slip on smelly fish guts.
      It was rumoured his pay cheque was £300,000 but asked if that show was detrimental to his preparations, Farah said he had no regrets.
      He said: “No, not at all. Not at all. You know, since then I’ve had some good training camps and training went well.
      “Obviously I had some little niggles over three weeks ago. But I had a good 10, 12 days training camp.”
      Andy Murray will defend his gold medal in TokyoCredit: AP
      Sprinter Dina Asher-Smith will try to qualify for the 100m squad on Saturday, having qualified fastest from her heats in a time of 11.28sec.
      One veteran that WILL represent Team GB this summer is tennis star Andy Murray.
      The 34-year-old is languishing at No119 in the ATP Rankings.
      But with current British No2 Cameron Norrie instead choosing to focus on building up to the US Open, two-time defending champion Murray will join Dan Evans in the Men’s Singles draw in Tokyo.
      He will also play doubles alongside World No11 Joe Salisbury.
      Ant and Dec in hysterics as they make Mo Farah sit in an ice bath in prank for Saturday Night Takeaway’s finale More

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      Which events are in the heptathlon?

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      IF doing one track and field event was not enough – some athletes decide to do SEVEN.The heptathlon is a women’s only event and competitors earn points for their performance in each discipline.
      Katarina Johnson-ThompsonCredit: PA
      Belgium’s Naffi Thiam won gold last time out at Rio 2016Credit: EPA
      World champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson will be targeting more success as he will bid for gold at Tokyo 2020.
      And what British athletics fan could forget Super Saturday in 2012 when Jessica Ennis-Hill won a magnificent gold medal?
      What does the heptathlon consist of?
      All heptathletes are scheduled to take part in seven different events with the first four completed on day one and the remaining three on day two.
      The woman’s heptathlon consists of:

      Day one: 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 metres
      Day two: Long jump, javelin, 800m run

      The long jump combines speed, strength and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point.Credit: Sportsfile
      For the high jump, competitors must jump unaided over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without dislodging it.Credit: Sportsfile
      The heptathlon is a set of events that take course over two days measuring the key components of strength and versatility of these mega-athletes competing at the Olympics.
      The event’s unrivalled empress is American athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who set the world and Olympic record in 1988 with a score of 7,291 points.
      The 7,000-point barrier has only been breeched on 10 occasions, six of those coming from Joyner-Kersee herself.
      Since then, no other competitor has come within 250 points of breaking her mark.
      London 2012 – Jessica Ennis wins heptathlon goldCredit: The Sun
      How is it scored?
      This is where it gets a little bit complicated.
      The rule of thumb is that a high-level performance in each of the seven games should score a competitor approximately 1,000 points per event.
      There are three different equations to create the scores for each event in the heptathlon, those being:
      Running events (200 m, 800 m and 100 m hurdles)

      Jumping events (high jump and long jump)

      Throwing events (shot put and javelin)

      Yes, if it seems like you need an advanced degree to set this up, you’re right.
      The heptathlon’s scoring system was devised by Dr. Karl Ulbrich, an Austrian mathematician.
      P is the number of points scored, T is the competitor’s time, and a, b and c are Ulbrich’s specially derived coefficients. These coefficients can change for each event.
      Ulbrich’s formula is used to allow comparisons from past and future heptathlon’s, rather than just awarding points relative to placement.
      The scoring changes also make it more difficult for less-rounded athletes to win the event based on their dominance in one or two events.
      Losing by three-tenths of a second in the 200m run is the rough equivalent to losing by three feet in the javelin throw, and so on – so it is a competition of the best overall athlete over seven events.

      Who to watch out for
      Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson – or KJT as she is nicknamed.
      Johnson-Thompson recorded her best ever finish at a World Championships in 2017 – finishing fifth in London.
      The Liverpool born athlete then followed up that success by winning heptathlon gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia to claim her first global senior outdoor title.
      And in that same year she also claimed a heptathlon silver medal at the European Championships in Berlin behind Belgium’s Nafi Thiam.
      The 28-year-old’s best score of 6981 points is a British record and the ninth best heptathlon score in history. More

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      Usain Bolt reveals secret TWINS Thunder and Saint Leo with partner Kasi Bennett in adorable Father’s Day snap

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      USAIN BOLT has revealed he and partner Kasi Bennett have welcomed twins to the world. The world’s fastest man took to Instagram on Father’s Day to upload an adorable snap of his growing family.

      It shows the 34-year-old with girlfriend Bennett, their eldest daughter Olympia, 1, and newborn twins Saint Leo Bolt and Thunder Bolt.
      The eight-time Olympic gold medallist also entertained his 10million followers on his Instagram stories of the presents he received from his family.
      Bolt unwrapped a pair of trainers before revealing a lovable clip of himself with daughter Olympia.
      Bennett also uploaded a snap on social media of the happy family alongside the caption: “Happy Father’s Day to my forever love!
      “You are the rock of this family and the greatest daddy to our little ones. We love you world without end!”
      The loved-up pair have been dating for six years and had their first child in June 2020.
      Bolt retired from the track following the 2017 World Championships in London after suffering a hamstring injury in his final race.
      Usain Bolt shared an adorable clip of daughter Olympia onlineCredit: Instagram
      Olympia, one, is the couple’s eldest childCredit: Instagram

      Kasi Bennett and Usain Bolt have been dating for six years

      He is an 11-time world champion and remains the only man in history to win gold medals at three successive Olympics, in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
      The Jamaican also holds world records in the 100m and 200m events having clocked 9.58 seconds and 19.19 seconds respectively at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
      Kai is a model, avid social media user and fashionista, currently boasting 384k followers on Instagram.
      Usain Bolt has difficulty fitting together his baby daughter’s push chair More

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      Inside Tokyo’s COVID-19 secure Olympic and Paralympic village – where athletes are forced to eat alone

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      TOKYO is a city full of famous buildings and iconic architecture.And its Olympic and Paralympic Village comes across as a homely, if slightly sterile, home for athletes that will descend upon it next month.
      Olympians will sleep in eco-friendly single bedsCredit: Getty
      Chairs will bring some colour to athletes’ roomsCredit: Getty
      Stars will be instructed to eat alone in the dining areaCredit: Getty
      Athletes will sleep in single beds, with decoration kept to a minimum within the Covid-19 secure bubble.
      The Tokyo 2020 pads possess a clean feel, while tenants will be ordered to eat alone.
      Rio’s Olympics was a Tinder hotspot, with matches having rocketed up 129 per cent in the area during the games.
      Sex is set to be banned at this summer’s edition – but precautions have been taken anyway.
      Organisers are distributing a staggering 160,000 condoms for the event, to encourage romping athletes to be safe.
      The official line is that the mass distribution is to ‘raise awareness’.
      Rule breaking rompers will have to avoid threesomes, however, as the beds won’t be able to handle the weight.
      Tokyo organisers are committed to being as eco-friendly as possible, with each bed having been built from recycled cardboard.
      Athletes will take questions in a state of the art media centreCredit: Getty
      Athletes will walk these streets between July 23 and August 8Credit: Alamy
      Press were given a tour of the village this morningCredit: Getty
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      A spokesperson for Airweave, who made the beds, stated: “We’ve conducted experiments, like dropping weights on top of the beds.
      “As long as they stick to just two people in the bed, they should be strong enough to support the load.”
      In the main dining hall, where athletes will be instructed to eat alone, hand sanitising stations are a regular feature.
      Pink and orange signs add some colour to the otherwise dull features.
      And multi-coloured chairs aim for the same effect.
      Competitors will be tested by anti-doping officials hereCredit: Getty
      Beds will be fully recyclableCredit: EPA
      The world’s greatest athletes will descend upon TokyoCredit: Getty

      Snowboard king Shaun White talks about sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll in Olympic village More

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      Kohli and India stars pay tribute to Olympic great Milkha Singh with black armbands in World Test Championship final

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      TRIBUTES have poured in for Milkha Singh after the India sprint sensation passed away at the age of 91 on Friday.One of India’s greatest-ever athletes, Singh – known affectionately as ‘The Flying Sikh’ – won his nation’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal, as well as four Asian Games golds.
      India sprint legend Milkha Singh has died aged 91 after contracting coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Milkha Singh won India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in the 400m in Cardiff in 1958Credit: Time & Life Pictures – Getty
      India’s cricketers, including Virat Kohli, wore black armbands for their World Test Championship final against New Zealand on SaturdayCredit: AP
      On Friday, it was confirmed Singh had died following complications from coronavirus, having contracted the virus last week.
      Singh passed away just days after wife and former volleyball star Nirmal Kaur succumbed to the disease.
      They are survived by their four children, including golf star son Jeev Milkha Singh – who became the first Indian to join the European Tour in 1998 and has ranked as high as No28 in the world.
      And now, tributes have poured in for 200m and 400m star Singh – whose career was immortalised with a Bollywood movie entitled Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, which translates as Run Milkha Run, in 2013.
      Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes to the ‘colossal sportsman’, as India’s cricketers wore black armbands for their World Test Championship final against New Zealand at Lord’s.
      Modi said: “In the passing away of Shri Milkha Singh Ji, we have lost a colossal sportsperson, who captured the nation’s imagination and had a special place in the hearts of countless Indians.
      “His inspiring personality endeared himself to millions.
      “Anguished by his passing away.”
      In the passing away of Shri Milkha Singh Ji, we have lost a colossal sportsperson, who captured the nation’s imagination and had a special place in the hearts of countless Indians. His inspiring personality endeared himself to millions. Anguished by his passing away. pic.twitter.com/h99RNbXI28— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2021

      Rest in Peace our very own ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh ji. Your demise has left a deep void in every Indian’s heart today, but you shall keep inspiring several generations to come. pic.twitter.com/ImljefeUEN— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 19, 2021

      Milkha Singh was immortalised in a movie entitled Run Milkha Run in 2013

      India’s cricket team – led by Virat Kohli – donned black armbands for their World Test Championship clash with New Zealand at Lord’s.
      Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: “Rest in Peace our very own ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh ji.
      “Your demise has left a deep void in every Indian’s heart today, but you shall keep inspiring several generations to come.”
      Ex-India captain Sourav Ganguly wrote: “Extremely saddened by this news… RIP.
      “One of India’s greatest sportsmen… you have made young Indians dream of becoming an athlete.”
      Another ex-cricket icon, Ravi Shastri, added: “India’s greatest @Olympics runner.
      “Shook the world in 60s with his competitive spirit in spite of the most limited facilities.
      “He took the word determination and will to compete to another level.
      “Respect. God bless your soul. Condolences to @JeevMilkhaSingh & family.”
      Extremely saddened by this news ..RIP ,India’s one of the greatest sportsman..you have made young Indians dream of becoming an athlete..had the privilege of knowing you so closely .. pic.twitter.com/mbEk9WPDBd— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) June 19, 2021

      India’s greatest @Olympics runner. Shook the world in 60s with his competitive spirit inspite of the most limited facilities. He took the word determination and will to compete to another level. Respect. God bless your soul. Condolences to @JeevMilkhaSingh & family 🙏🏻 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/oiJlkdK6fh— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) June 19, 2021

      Milkha Singh came agonisingly close to clinching a medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, only to finish fourth in the 400mCredit: AP
      Singh won India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in Cardiff in 1958 after storming to the 400m crown after discovering his talent on the track during his days in the army in 1951.
      He also finished fourth in the final of the 400m at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome having won gold in the 200m and 400m events at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan.
      Singh also won gold in the 400m and 4x400m relay at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
      Arguably India’s greatest-ever Olympian, Singh once admitted he hadn’t even heard of the Games growing up.
      Singh once claimed: “I came from a remote village, I didn’t know what running was… or the Olympics.”
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