More stories

  • in

    Seb Coe advises British Golden Girls to ring Jessica Ennis-Hill before Tokyo Olympics

    SEB COE has the perfect advice for Britain’s Golden Girls before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics: Go and talk to Jessica Ennis-Hill.
    Sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and all-rounder Katarina Johnson-Thompson will have the weight of the country on their shoulders when they get to Japan this July.

    Jessica Ennis-Hill coped with the pressure of the London 2012 Olympics to win heptathlon goldCredit: Reuters

    The pair are reigning world champions in the 200m and heptathlon respectively and will be expected to achieve glory in the Japanese capital.
    Only NINE women have won gold for Britain in track-and-field since the Tokyo 1964 Games.
    One of those is the now retired Ennis-Hill, 34, who delivered heptathlon gold eight years ago when she was the poster-girl of the London 2012 Olympics.
    And Coe, a two-time 1500m Olympic champion, reckons the Sheffield star knows better than anyone had to deal with pressure.

    Coe, 64, said: “The one person that I would advise them probably to go and talk to –and I’m sure she would be amenable to it because she’s that type of person – is Jessica Ennis-Hill.
    “She went through London 2012 as the poster child and in seasons in advance, the World Championships, she produced terrific performances.

    Ennis-Hill, pictured with Coe and then London mayor Boris Johnson, was a woman in demand in 2012Credit: Graham Hughes – The Times
    “She probably would give insights of a more topical nature than I’m able to give.
    “You know I’m probably throwing her a bit of a curveball here.

    “But anytime spent talking to her just about what it was like to have to withstand that expectation.
    “I honestly do not think there was anybody in the Games in London that probably had more expectation and pressure sitting on their shoulders.
    “What she really was very clear about is that she did not leave her coaching environment.
    “She didn’t play around with variables. She stuck to the same system, the same city, the same training venues, and she kept it about as normal as she possibly could.

    Ennis-Hill, now retired from athletics, is a mum of twoCredit: Reuters
    “That’s not always easy in an Olympic year but I think she wasn’t just perfect in her competitions.
    “I think her build-up, given the enormity of the pressure on her, was probably textbook.”
    Britain won four athletic gold medals at the London Games and then two at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
    Over the past four years the sport has lost some of its allure in the eyes of the British public.
    There were no big events in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the governing body in this country has seen big changes with a new head coach (Christian Malcolm) and CEO (Jo Coates).
    Even though he is the head of World Athletics, Coe plays an active role with the young British squad, often speaking on the telephone and Zoom with the emerging talents.
    Coe said: “There is a fantastic crop of young athletes coming through.
    “For many years I have often sat and chatted to the middle-distance athletes, male and female, that have come through.

    Dina Asher-Smith stunned the world of sprinting in 2019 when she won the 200m world titleCredit: PA:Press Association
    “I’ve had similar conversations with Laura Muir, Jake Wightman, who I speak to a lot.
    “I had a long conversation with Daniel Rowden the other day.
    “I’m actually comforted now that from the discussions I’m having with these athletes, that this current crop really do understand, probably more than earlier generations exactly what it takes in order to get to the highest level.
    “We’ve got a really powerful cohort of young athletes coming through.
    “And that’s got to be good commercially, that’s got to be good Box Office for us.”

    Katarina Johnson-Thompson was crowned world heptathlon champion in Doha in 2019Credit: PA:Press Association More

  • in

    Team GB Olympic hopefuls told they CAN have coronavirus vaccine over fears it could contribute to failed drug tests

    BRITISH Tokyo Olympic hopefuls have been reassured they CAN take the Covid-19 vaccine without danger of it contributing to failed doping tests.
    UK anti-doping chiefs admitted last week that they were unable to be certain if there was a risk of the vaccine bringing positive test results.

    Team GB Olympic hopefuls have been reassured they can take the Covid-19 vaccine before the the GamesCredit: EPA

    But world bosses have now confirmed the vaccine does not contain any prescribed substances.
    UKAD’s Head of Science and Medicine, Nick Wojek said: “We welcome the statement made by WADA regarding their position on COVID-19 vaccines. 
    “UK athletes should feel confident that they will not be in breach of the World Anti-Doping Code if they receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
    “The health and wellbeing of athletes is of primary importance to us and we understand the deployment of new vaccines will raise questions from athletes. 

    “We will continue to liaise with WADA so that athletes continue to receive the assurances they need about the anti-doping status of new vaccines as they are approved for use.”
    Meanwhile, chiefs are confident fans will be able to attend the Games in Tokyo under plans to vaccinate spectators and athletes upon their arrival in Japan.
    International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said recently: “In order to protect the Japanese people, and out of respect for the Japanese people, the IOC will undertake great effort so that Olympic participants and visitors will arrive here vaccinated if, by then, a vaccine is available.”
    The 2020 Summer Olympics were originally due to start last July.

    But they were postponed for a year due to the outbreak of the pandemic.
    It had been claimed the Olympics would not go ahead without a vaccine.
    Should that scenario unfold, it would be only the fourth time in modern history that the event would have been cancelled
    The other three times were called off due to the two World Wars, in 1916, 1940 and 1944.

    Paris 2024 Olympics to feature BREAKDANCING in bid to appeal to younger audience More

  • in

    Team GB athlete Eilish McColgan and partner in video hack hell as private footage posted online

    TEAM GB athlete Eilish McColgan and her partner have called in cops after hackers stole one of their private videos.
    The track star, 30, and boyfriend Michael Rimmer, 34, were left distraught after an iCloud account was raided and personal footage posted online.

    Brit track star Eilish McColgan and boyfriend Michael Rimmer have had a private video stolen

    Middle-distance runner Eilish, from Dundee, is also thought to have informed Scottish Athletics bosses of the theft.
    Crooks broke into the web library, which backs up Apple devices’ data, to view the pair’s films.
    A source said: “The couple are absolutely devastated by this. They feel completely violated that not only has someone accessed them but that one was made public.
    “Eilish called in the police when she found out.”

    And cyber security expert Professor Anthony Glees warned that using internet storage services made people more likely to become victims of hacking.

    Middle-distance runner Eilish McColgan has competed at the last two Olympic GamesCredit: PA:Press Association
    He said: “It is barmy to post pictures or video of yourself anywhere.
    “Anything written online or any uploaded images can be hacked. People are extremely skilled at doing it now.
    “If your password is memorable to you it’s probably memorable to anyone else. All our information is out there.”

    We told how Olympic 5000m hopeful Eilish and English 800m ace Michael were caught up in a horror taxi pile-up in Delhi, India last year.

    They were left “shivering with shock” after a speeding motor smashed into their cab and overturned.
    Eilish, whose mum Liz, 56, won the 10,000m world title in 1991, recalled how they were surrounded by a furious mob after the crash before being rescued by a local who drove them away.
    douglas.walker@the-sun.co.uk

    Frenchman runs marathon on his 23ft BALCONY during coronavirus lockdown More

  • in

    Paris 2024 Olympics to feature BREAKDANCING in bid to appeal to younger audience

    THE 2024 Paris Olympics will feature breakdancing in attempt to attract a younger audience. The move was confirmed on Monday by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. As well as breakdancing, fans will also be able to watch surfing, skateboarding and sports climbing. But those three will make their debuts at the Tokyo Games first. […] More

  • in

    Who is Mo Farah’s wife Tania and how many children do pair have?

    OLYMPIC hero Mo Farah is part of this year’s I’m A Celeb line-up – and is proving a popular member of the castle.
    Farah said goodbye to the track in 2017 after four Olympic gold medals and six world championship wins, with wife Tania by his side.

    Mo Farah with wife Tania and step-daughter RhiannaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Who is Mo Farah’s wife Tania?

    Tania met the future Olympian when they were students at a west London university.
    She keeps a low profile, but told The Telegraph she misses Mo when he’s training away from home.
    She said: “It’s hard but it’s something that we’ve had to cope with since we first got together really.
    “Mo was going away a lot from day one, so I had to get used to that pretty quickly.”

    Britain’s Mo Farah celebrates with Tania at the Rio OlympicsCredit: Getty Images
    When did they get married?
    The couple married in 2010, celebrating with a lavish wedding in Richmond.
    Paula Radcliffe, Steve Cram and Jo Pavey were just some of the big names in attendance.
    Due to Farah’s training, they used to live in their adopted home of Portland, Oregon.
    Tania opened a “royal-theme”‘ 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.

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

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

    How many children do they 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.
    Tania has another daughter named Rhianna.
    Mo traditionally celebrates his victories trackside with step-daughter Rhianna 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 Farah’s wife Tania Nell claims the Olympian does no cleaning at their home More

  • in

    Female British athletes hacked as nude pictures and videos are leaked on same evening as Man Utd cyber attack

    FOUR female British athletes have had explicit pictures and videos stolen from their phones and leaked online.
    The shocking incident occurred on the same night that Manchester United were hacked by ‘organised criminals’.

    The hackers have shared the explicit content to the dark web Credit: Getty Images – Getty

    The four unnamed female stars are considering their next move to get the intimate images and videos removed from the dark web.
    They are among hundreds of female sports stars and celebs who have been targeted by hackers.
    An agent of one of the victims told The Times: “It really is difficult to know what to do next.
    “The people who do this are sick.

    “We have seen some very unpleasant cases, even where people have been blackmailed over [stolen] material.
    “But it’s not easy to get a grip on the situation and go after them.
    “It can take years to pursue, just to get it taken down from the internet.
    “As a victim you have to decide if you want to go through it.”

    It has been described as an iCloud leak, but could have also occurred as a result of phishing.

    One of the British athletes had nearly 100 images stolen while another had more than 30 pictures and videos leaked.
    A spokesman for the National Cyber Security Centre described the attack as ‘utterly reprehensible’.
    They said: “Accessing and then leaked people’s personal data is utterly reprehensible, and we would urge everyone to take steps to secure their online accounts.
    “The NCSC recommends people turn on two-factor authentication where it’s available.
    “We also recommend a strong password made up of three random words to reduce the likelihood of being hacked, and important accounts should use a unique password.
    “The NCSC’s Cyber Aware website has actionable steps to stay secure.”
    Former golf professional Paige Spiranac has spoken out on the horrendous experience of having a nude photo leaked.
    Stunning sports journalist Diletta Leotta also blasted hackers who posted nude pictures of her online which they nicked from her iCloud.
    Manchester United have been hit by a cyber attack as hackers targeted the club’s IT systems.
    The Red Devils confirmed they were the victims of a “sophisticated operation by organised criminals”.

    Watch Paige Spiranac play shot in VERY daring low-cut top as she jokes ‘I found a shirt that even made me uncomfortable’ More

  • in

    Female British athletes hacked with nude pictures and videos leaked online on same evening as Man Utd cyber attack

    FOUR female British athletes have had explicit pictures and videos stolen from their phones and leaked online.
    The shocking incident happened on the same night that Manchester United were hacked by ‘organised criminals’.

    The hackers have shared the explicit content to the dark web Credit: Getty Images – Getty

    The four unnamed female stars are considering their next move to get the intimate images and videos removed from the dark web.
    They are among hundreds of female sports stars and celebs who have been targeted by hackers.
    An agent of one of the victims told The Times: “It really is difficult to know what to do next.
    “The people who do this are sick.

    “We have seen some very unpleasant cases, even where people have been blackmailed over [stolen] material.
    “But it’s not easy to get a grip on the situation and go after them.
    “It can take years to pursue, just to get it taken down from the internet.
    “As a victim you have to decide if you want to go through it.”

    It has been described as an iCloud leak, but could have also occurred as a result of phishing.

    One of the British athletes had nearly 100 images stolen while another had more than 30 pictures and videos leaked.
    A spokesman for the National Cyber Security Centre described the attack as ‘utterly reprehensible’.
    They said: “Accessing and then leaked people’s personal data is utterly reprehensible, and we would urge everyone to take steps to secure their online accounts.
    “The NCSC recommends people turn on two-factor authentication where it’s available.
    “We also recommend a strong password made up of three random words to reduce the likelihood of being hacked, and important accounts should use a unique password.
    “The NCSC’s Cyber Aware website has actionable steps to stay secure.”
    Former golf professional Paige Spiranac has spoken out on the horrendous experience of having a nude photo leaked.
    Stunning sports journalist Diletta Leotta also blasted hackers who posted nude pictures of her online which they nicked from her iCloud.
    Manchester United have been hit by a cyber attack as hackers targeted the club’s IT systems.
    The Red Devils confirmed they were the victims of a “sophisticated operation by organised criminals”.

    Watch Paige Spiranac play shot in VERY daring low-cut top as she jokes ‘I found a shirt that even made me uncomfortable’ More

  • in

    Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto charged with having sex with a minor and faces 20 years in jail

    OLYMPIC gold medallist Conseslus Kipruto has been charged with having sex with a minor in Kenya.
    Appearing in court on Monday, the 25-year-old pleaded not guilty to a charge of ‘defilement’.

    Conseslus Kipruto won steeplechase gold at the 2016 Rio OlympicsCredit: AP:Associated Press

    Kenyan sexual offence laws mean Kipruto is facing a jail sentence of up to 20 years.
    Local law defines a minor as anyone under the age of 18, with this potential term high because the girl involved in the allegations is 15.
    The charge sheet, as reported by Associated Press, states that Kipruto had sex with the girl on October 20 and 21.
    The steeplechase champion was arrested on November 11 and his case will reportedly be heard in May.

    A courthouse in the Great Rift Valley town of Kapsabet, a region of Kenya famous for its distance runners, heard Kipruto make his not guilty plea this week.
    He was granted a bail for a cash sum worth roughly £1,360.
    Police officers reportedly attempted to prevent photographers from taking pictures of Kipruto as he arrived in court, wearing a red sweatshirt with hood and coronavirus mask to cover his face.
    The Kenyan’s trial is expected to come just weeks before the Tokyo Olympics.

    Kipruto, who also works as a police officer, shot to fame with victory in the 2000-metre steeplechase in the 2011 World Youth Championships.
    In 2016, he won the 3000m steeplechase at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics before winning gold at both the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.
    He was forced to withdraw from a Diamond League meeting in Monaco earlier this year while suffering from coronavirus.

    Olympics postponed as Tokyo 2020 is latest sporting event crushed by coronavirus and pushed back until 2021 More