Athletics

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Athletics

      Who is Mo Farah’s wife Tania, how many children do they have and how long have couple been married?

      by

      OLYMPIC hero Mo Farah is set to join the I’m A Celebrity 2020 line-up.
      Farah said goodbye to the track in 2017 after four Olympic gold medals and six world championship wins, now focusing on the road races – with wife Tania forever by his side.

      Mo Farah with wife Tania and step-daughter RihannaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Who is Tania, and when did she marry Mo?

      The couple – who met while studying in London – married in 2010.
      Due to Farah’s training, they used to live in their adopted home of Portland, Oregon.
      Tania opened a’royal-themed’ luxury spa in Portland, named the British Manor Spa in May 2017.
      But they have since moved back to London – and Mo will go into this year’s I’m A Celeb following a period of isolation.

      An insider told The Sun: “Mo’s been a big fan of the show for years and was just waiting for the right time in his career to do it.
      “He obviously has an excellent level of fitness and mental focus so will be great at the Bushtucker Trials and will be a positive addition for keeping up team morale for campmates – especially as a lot of the celebs are worried how cold it will be.
      “It’s his first foray into reality TV so he’s a bit nervous about the challenges and will miss his family.”

      Britain’s Mo Farah celebrates with Tania at the Rio OlympicsCredit: Getty Images
      How many children do her and Mo have?
      The couple have a pair of twins – Aisha and Amani – born shortly after Farah’s twin triumph at London 2012, and a boy named Hussein in 2015.

      Mo traditionally celebrates his victories trackside with step-daughter Rihanna and Tania.
      Speaking at the time of the twins’ birth, Tania said: “It’s like a fairy tale. We couldn’t ask for anything more.”

      Mo with step-daughter Rihanna, wife Tania, and twin daughters Aisha and AmaniCredit: Getty Images

      Mo Farah celebrates with step-daughter Rihanna and wife TaniaCredit: Instagram More

    • 175 Shares189 Views

      in Athletics

      Jade Jones reveals Olympic village secrets from drunk shenanigans to late-night Usain Bolt parties

      by

      JADE JONES says the Olympic village is full of drunks and late-night shenanigans – and she once refused to join a wild Usain Bolt room party.
      In a revealing interview with SPORTbible, the two-time Olympic gold medal-winning taekwondo star gave an insight into what goes on behind-the-scenes at the biggest event in sport.

      Jade Jones has spilled the beans on what happens at the Olympic villageCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Jones turned down an invite to a late-night Usain Bolt partyCredit: EPA

      It seems everyone lets their hair down at some point, particularly Jamaican sprint superstar Bolt, who was in celebratory mood having scooped three gold medals.
      Though she did not specify whether it was the London 2012 or Rio 2016 Games, the Welshwoman said that everyone hits the booze as soon as their competitions are over.
      Of course, one thing usually leads to another when alcohol is consumed – and it is thought the IOC distributed 350,000 condoms, 100,000 female condoms and 175,000 packets of lube to more than 10,000 stars four years ago in Brazil.
      Jones, 27, said: “Everyone sees the Olympics all about performance and it is. But literally it’s a big party after and everyone gets drunk.

      “Everyone fights and competes on different days. I remember walking to the ring and walking to my event and literally there’s people coming in steaming, like falling over.
      “It’s so hard as you have to stay focused and not let that distract you.
      “Another time I remember I was coming back from dinner, and Usain Bolt was shouting people up to his room to come and have a party. I think it was his birthday. I didn’t go by the way.”
      Flint fighter Jones credits her ‘strict’ granddad for introducing her to Taekwondo at the age of eight to curb her wild ways.

      Legendary athlete Bolt is also famous for his party-loving anticsCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Jones said: “I was starting to be a bit naughty and cheeky and going off on the wrong path.
      “My granddad was very strict, very proper. He wanted me to go into a martial art and go in the right direction. Ever since then I have loved it.
      “I don’t think I’ve said this before but when I was ten I got caught smoking. I think I was the first ever person in primary school to get caught smoking.”
      Jones claims she would follow former Team GB boxer Nicola Adams on to reality TV in retirement but has ruled out an appearance on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
      She added: “It’s amazing what Nicola is doing. The first same-sex partnership. She has made so much history. Now she is continuing to make history.
      “Yeah, I’d love to do it, but I think I’d be better on Dancing On Ice. I prefer the more dangerous ones because I cannot dance at all.”

      Usain Bolt announces he is self isolating after taking coronavirus test but insists he has ‘no symptoms’ More

    • 188 Shares109 Views

      in Athletics

      Christian Coleman OUT of next year’s Tokyo Olympics as world’s fastest man receives two-year suspension

      by

      ATHLETICS superstar Christian Coleman will MISS next summer’s Tokyo Olympics after he was handed a two-year ban for missing drugs tests.
      In a damaging day for the sport, the world’s fastest man is ineligible to compete in track-and-field events until May 13, 2022, meaning he will not take part in the rescheduled Games in Japan.

      Christian Coleman will MISS the Tokyo Olympics after a two-year ban was upheldCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Coleman’s agent, Emanuel Hudson of HSInternational Sports Management, said: “The decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal established under the World Athletics rules is unfortunate and will be immediately appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
      “Mr Coleman has nothing further to say until such time as the matter can be heard in the Court of jurisdiction.”
      The Atlanta-born athlete has a history of missing tests, having escaped a ban on a technicality in 2019 before winning gold at the Doha Athletics World Championships.
      The AIU charged Coleman, 24, in June 2020 for three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period.

      One related to a missed test on January 16, 2019, which he did not contest. But Coleman did dispute the filing failure on April 26, 2019 and the missed test on December 9, 2019.
      For the first one, it was claimed the athlete only updated his whereabouts information – he was training in the State of Iowa – after a doping officer attended his home residence in Lexington, Kentucky, and then called his mobile.
      Last December, two drug-busters reportedly “rang the bell and knocked loudly” on Coleman’s apartment door for over an hour – while the runner was out Christmas shopping nearby.
      The AIU rejected Coleman’s “impossible” explanation of events that he had returned home briefly during the allocated one-hour time period, ate a purchased chipotle, watched the start of a Monday night NFL game, and then went out again.

      The AIU say receipts showing he had bought 16 items from Walmart disproved his claims he had popped home.
      At the time of his provisional suspension, Coleman had complained that the AIU’s doping control officers had not called him on that night weeks before Christmas.
      The AIU said in its judgement that doping control officers were not required to phone athletes.

      The AIU report said: “The consequences for athletes who are subject to three missed tests are draconian.
      “But rather than learn from his experience with USADA, the athlete’s attitude to his obligations can fairly be described as entirely careless, perhaps even reckless.
      “We understand that it is very difficult for a young man, blessed with the prodigious talent which the athlete obviously has, to find himself suddenly at the centre of the public gaze.
      “But success of this nature, and the financial rewards that follow, also give rise to responsibilities that must be taken seriously and observed.”
      Coleman, who maintains his innonence, has never failed a drugs test and the report added that there is no evidence that he has doped during his career.
      It added: “For the avoidance of doubt, there is no suggestion that the athlete has ever taken any prohibited substance and we wish to make that clear at the outset.”
      According to emails sent by his lawyer to USA Today, it is understood Coleman will appeal the ban imposed by the Athletics Integrity Unit through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
      But unless he wins that case he will sit out the Olympics next summer, opening the door for a potential British runner to win a medal.

      Christian Coleman wins mens 100m final at the World Athletics Championships with a time of 9.76 seconds More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Athletics

      Seb Coe will back any athlete that takes a knee at Tokyo Olympics in support of Black Lives Matter movement

      by

      SEB COE would support any athlete who takes a knee on the Tokyo Olympics podium.
      Pressure is mounting on the IOC to change its Rule 50 which prohibits any form of demonstration at the Games.

      2

      Seb Coe is the highest-profile sports figure to call on the IOC to change its no-protest ruleCredit: Rex Features

      It is thought many stars might use the global platform to promote the Black Lives Matter movement next summer.
      Global Athlete and the BOA’s Athletes’ Commission have also called on Olympics chiefs to allow human-rights activism next year.
      And now Coe, in his capacity as the World Athletics president, has backed anybody thinking of protesting.
      Speaking on a trip to the Japanese capital and inspection of the Olympic national stadium, Coe said:

      “I’ve been very clear, if an athlete wishes to take a knee on a podium, then I am supportive of that.
      “Athletes are a part of the world and they want to reflect the world they live in. For me, that is perfectly acceptable.”
      Coe, who only became an IOC member in July, is the highest-profile administrator to demand a change.
      His big pal, Daley Thompson, told SunSport in June that British athletes should be allowed to take a knee against racism in Tokyo.

      2

      Colin Kaepernick, formerly of San Francisco 49ers, took a knee in 2016 to protest against police brutality and racial inequalityCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Latest

      NOT APPY
      Fans can watch every Prem game on PPV Box Office apps – but it’ll cost £15 A MATCH

      Exclusive

      APPY DAYS
      Prem agree to show every single match – but only on Sky & BT apps and NOT on TV

      HOME IMPROVEMENT
      Ronaldo’s homes through the years, from humble Madeira home to Turin villa

      WHAT’S THE ISH?
      Aston Villa fans accuse Gareth Southgate of ‘agenda’ against Jack Grealish

      ON THE MENDY
      Chelsea’s Eduoard Mendy INJURED on Senegal duty with Kepa in line for recall

      RON RAID HORROR
      Cristiano Ronaldo hell as thief raided mansion ‘with mum & brother inside’

      Two-time Olympic heptathlon champ Thompson, 62, said: “Some athletes will clearly feel strongly enough to want to take a knee.
      “There should be, whether it’s on the podium or not, a forum for them to stand up and be counted if they want to.
      “At the same time, if people don’t want to, because they’re more interested in getting on with what they want to do, then there are entitled to do that, too.
      “It’s an important cause. All lives matter. Nobody, whether you’re white, black, any nationality, you don’t deserve to be killed for the colour of your skin or for simple prejudice.
      “I think the IOC will try and curry favour with sponsors and allow the athletes some degree of choice in the matter.”

      Former Olympic gold winning gymnast, 37, vanishes after rumours she has had twins with Vladimir Putin More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Athletics

      George Gandy dead at 80: Athletics legend who coached Seb Coe to three world records in 41 days suffers heart attack

      by

      SEB COE saluted his ex-coach George Gandy, who has died aged 80 after a heart attack following minor surgery.
      Newcastle-born Gandy was a prolific endurance running coach best known for his work with athletes at Loughborough University since 1971.

      1

      Seb Coe has hailed athletics legend George Gandy (right) after he passed away aged 80Credit: Rex Features

      He acted as national endurance coach from 1992-98 and 2009-13 and his experience spanned 10 Olympics and five Commonwealth Games.
      Coe, an economics and social history student, worked with him in the mid-1970s and developed world-class speed and strength thanks to Gandy’s circuit training sessions.
      Coe, 64, a two-time Olympic 1500m champion, said: “George was an exceptional person and a world-class coach – for both I owe him an inestimable gratitude.
      “He has enhanced, and in many cases changed, the lives of so many young people, including mine. We have all suffered a grievous loss.”

      Gandy was also linked to athletes Jon Brown, Jack Buckner, Lisa Dobriskey, Dave Moorcroft, Steve Backley and Paula Radcliffe.
      On working with Coe at Loughborough University, Gandy previously told Athletics Weekly: “Seb arrived on campus in 1975 to study economics and politics. 
      “He had class stamped all over him with PBs of 1:53 and 3:45 and by 1977 I knew we had a potential world beater on our hands.”
      On the start of his own athletics career at St Mary’s College in south London, Gandy added: “While there (St Mary’s) I became cross-country and athletics captain and I think that was the first time I got into telling other people what to do and how to do it. 

      SHOE KIDDING?
      Kipchoge wearing controversial ‘kit doping’ Nike shoes in London Marathon

      IN-SAIN
      Sprinter goes ‘faster than Bolt’ as he runs 100m in 9.55secs alongside buffaloes

      Exclusive

      COME ON, EILEEN
      Eileen Noble, 85, oldest woman to complete 2020 marathon despite downpour

      RUN FOR IT
      London Marathon route: Covid-19 forces chiefs to change course & scrap amateurs

      LANE EXCUSE
      Lyles destroys Bolt’s 200m record.. then realises he ran in wrong lane

      “I gained a variety of coaching awards and in my final year at St Mary’s I was a member of the British Milers’ Club as a runner. They knew I was going back to the North East to teach. 
      “Somebody got in touch with me and asked if I would make contact with two young lads in South Shields with a view to continue to coach them when I went back there, so I did that. 
      “That was probably the beginning of it for me.”

      Usain Bolt announces he is self isolating after taking coronavirus test but insists he has ‘no symptoms’ More

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Athletics

      UK may BOYCOTT Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022 over alleged human rights abuses, admits Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab

      by

      THE UK Government has not ruled out a potential Team GB boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
      China has been accused of human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region.

      2

      Dominic Raab has refused to rule out boycotting the 2022 Winter OlympicsCredit: Reuters

      Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has suggested Britain might not attend the Games in February 2022 if evidence of mass oppression of ethnic communities continues.
      Speaking to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Raab said: “Generally speaking my instinct is to separate sport from diplomacy and politics.
      “But there comes a point where that may not be possible.
      “I’d say let’s gather the evidence, let’s work with our international partners, let’s consider in the round what further action we need to take.”

      Amnesty International claim “up to one million Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other ethnic minority people” have been sent to internment camps in the Xinjiang area and subjected to intrusive surveillance, arbitrary detention and forced indoctrination.
      Raab added: “We have led the charge in the UN Human Rights Council.
      “Put it this way in the UK our concern can only be growing about the reports of what is happening in Xinjiang.

      Given the appalling human rights abuses against the #Uyghur people (a genocide), I very much welcome the Foreign Secretary’s recognition of importance of not ruling out a boycott of the Olympics in Beijing in 2022 in response to my question today at the Foreign Affairs Committee. https://t.co/as8Sf7mtm3
      — Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland and Melton (@aliciakearns) October 6, 2020

      “We want to work very closely with our international partners to give the most powerful message, whether it is in the UN or applying sanctions.

      “I have made it clear that there is evidence of serious and egregious human rights violations.
      “The more the international community addresses its mind to it, the more I think we do need to look very carefully to what action we take.
      “The concerns of what is happening to the Uyghurs — the detention, the mistreatment, the forced sterilisation — is something we cannot just turn away from. We want to gather the evidence carefully.”
      Alicia Keans, Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton, said: “Given the appalling human rights abuses against the Uyghur people (a genocide), I very much welcome the Foreign Secretary’s recognition of importance of not ruling out a boycott of the Olympics in Beijing in 2022 in response to my question today at the Foreign Affairs Committee.”
      The BOA would not respond to Raab’s comments but stressed they are completely independent from government interference.
      Britain has sent athletes to every summer and winter Olympics, including the 1980 Moscow Games which were boycotted by the United States.

      2

      Lizzy Yarnold was GB’s only gold medalist in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Exclusive

      HORNETS STING
      Danny Welbeck leaves Watford for free as club issue blunt 39-word statement

      Exclusive

      BENDRAMA
      Benrahma pricing himself out of Palace transfer with whopping £16m wage demands

      Pictured

      HELL OF ‘A’ GUY
      Chilwell, Grealish & Barkley do ‘A’ celebration in honour of Blues fan Wood

      Pictured

      COME FLY WITH ME
      Messi lends £12m private jet to Argentina pals for international duty

      Gossip

      BELE FUL
      Ousmane Dembele ‘agrees to join Man Utd as club thrashes out personal terms’

      Exclusive

      RULING PARTEY
      Thomas Partey’s just what Arteta needs at Arsenal, claims ex-Ghana boss Grant

      Great Britain sent 58 athletes to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
      They won five medals in total, ranking 19th in the overall table.
      Skeleton star Lizzy Yarnold successfully defended her gold in South Korea before retiring, having also reigned supreme in Sochi four years previously.

      Britain’s most successful Winter Olympian Lizzy Yarnold retires aged 29 More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Athletics

      Eileen Noble, 85, braves torrential rain to become oldest woman to complete 2020 London Marathon despite the pandemic

      by

      AN 85-year-old woman was one of thousands who braved torrential rain to take part in the 40th London marathon.
      Despite the pandemic, thousands of runners took part across the nation – tracking their time and distance with a specially designed app.

      4

      Eileen Noble completed the 2020 London Marathon at the age of 85Credit: Dan Jones images/THESUN

      4

      The 85-year-old clocked a time of eight hours and four minute in the virtual raceCredit: Dan Jones images/THESUN

      Elite runners ran 19.8 laps of St James Park in West London, in a “controlled secure biosphere”.
      Eileen Noble, 85, was the oldest female athlete taking part in Sunday’s virtual marathon.
      This was Eileen’s 20th time tackling the 26.2mile course and she finished it in a soggy eight hours and four minutes. 
      Speaking to The Sun at the halfway point at the Cutty Sark in South East London on Sunday morning, she said: “I’m absolutely freezing, I think I’ll be walking most of the way home.

      “I can’t wait to have a hot shower.”
      Her daughter Imelda, 47, was waiting for her at the Cutty Sark with water and Jelly Babies.
      A group of spectators nearby sang “Come on Eileen” as she ran past.
      It is thought a whopping 45,000 participants logged their progress on an app to make their time official and secure a medal.

      4

      The soggy 2020 race was Eileen’s 20th marathon finishCredit: Dan Jones images/THESUN

      SHOE KIDDING?
      Kipchoge wearing controversial ‘kit doping’ Nike shoes in London Marathon

      RUN FOR IT
      London Marathon route: Covid-19 forces chiefs to change course & scrap amateurs

      ‘no respect’
      Outcry as transgender cycling champ claims Sharron Davies looks like a man

      Pictured

      OUT & ABOUT SCHMIDT
      World’s Sexiest Athlete Alicia Schmidt now training after month indoors

      KEEP ON RUNNING
      What is the fastest London Marathon time and what’s the prize money?

      Ahead of the race, running fan Eileen told The Sun: “I started running in my early 50s in 1986.
      “I’d been sporty at school but running around a track never appealed.
      “I’d go with my friend Shirley and we’d chat. I liked the camaraderie and still do, I train with friends when I can.”
      She joked that she was worried about getting lost on the way, adding: “I did a half marathon in March and I kept getting lost.
      “The route wasn’t very obvious and there weren’t many people doing i.
      “I found myself on my own and I thought I hope I’m still going the right way.
      “At least once I get on the Thames Path I can’t get lost.”

      4

      Eileen joked she couldn’t wait to jump into ahot shower after finishing the race in the freezing coldCredit: Dan Jones images/THESUN
      Ken Jones, 87, is the oldest man taking part in the race from his home in Strabane, Northern Ireland. 
      He said the weather looked “the worst ever” as he prepared to set off on Sunday morning.
      Martin Yelling, the official coach of the Virgin Money London Marathon, told runners in a Facebook Live event: “It may not be what we had in mind but it’s a wonderful way to experience running a marathon.”
      Event director Hugh Brasher said: “It was about inclusivity, removing the pressure that people can feel on event day.”
      The Met Office said most runners in the UK, especially those in the south, would be facing “a bit of a wet one” this year.
      But the rain didn’t dampen spirits with runners still donning silly costumes as they ran the 26.2 miles.
      Russ Brookes in Gloucester dressed up as a T Rex as he ran to raise money for Winton’s Wish – a charity for bereaved children.
      At the elite track in St James’ Park Kenyan Kosgei defended her title and cruised to a victory in the women’s race, overcoming her rivals in relentless rain to triumph in two hours, 18 minutes and 58 seconds. 
      And Shura Kitata beat favourite Ethiopian favourite Eliud Kipchoge to claim victory in the mens race in two hours five minutes and 41 seconds.

      Torrential rain as floods hit large parts of UK as sodden virtual London marathon goes ahead More

    • 200 Shares199 Views

      in Athletics

      How Eliud Kipchoge’s controversial Nike shoes could win London Marathon for Kenyan after outrage over design

      by

      ELIUD KIPCHOGE is set to wear his controversial Nike shoes in an official race for the first time at Sunday’s London Marathon.
      The Kenyan’s Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% trainers have sparked a mass backlash from fellow racers.

      3

      Eliud Kipchoge will wear his controversial Nike trainers at this weekend’s London MarathonCredit: AFP or licensors

      3

      The Nike trainers are aid to help athletes run faster, with some likening them to dopingCredit: Nike

      The Nike shoes are designed to help the athlete out by providing a ‘four per cent boost in running economy’ compared to other trainers.
      And many have claimed the help from the trainers is essentially ‘doping’.
      Kipchoge, 35, wore the Nikes as he ran a sub-two-hour marathon in Vienna last October.
      That race was under artificial, unofficial circumstances, with the main aim to get Kipchoge across the line in under two hours.

      The Kenyan was given a group of 30 pace-setters and a car to follow – prohibited by World Athletics (formerly IAAF).
      Kipchoge clocked a time of 1:59.40 around the 26.2mile course, with Nike calling it “an extraordinary achievement years in the making.”
      After the race, when quizzed about the controversial trainers, Kipchoge replied: “We live in the 21st century and we need to accept change.
      “Secondly, development goes hand-in-hand with technology. The shoe is good.

      3

      RUN FOR IT
      London Marathon route: Covid-19 forces chiefs to change course & scrap amateurs

      “We should accept technology and marry technology.
      “It’s business. It’s good for Nike to be far higher than other companies as far as technology is concerned.”
      Kipchoge will now wear the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% trainers in Sunday’s London Marathon.
      Earlier this year, World Athletics deemed the shoes legal.
      The governing body banned shoes with soles thicker than 40mm and/or more than one plate to enhance spring.
      Kipchoge’s Alphafly trainers have a sole of 39.5mm thick – just 0.5mm within the ‘passable’ limit.
      Meanwhile, Kipchoge’s biggest rival, Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, has revealed he will NOT wear the shoe after he believed it caused him injuries.
      Bekele will revert back to a tried-and-tested, older pair for the London Marathon.
      Due to coronavirus, athletes will ditch the well-known route around the capital and instead run 19 laps of St James’ Park, finishing down the iconic Mall stretch.
      There will also be no amateur race in the 2020 edition.

      Eliud Kipchoge becomes first person to run a marathon in sub two hours More