Athletics

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Athletics

      Team GB’s Jess Judd has to be helped off track after 10,000m final as she struggles in energy-sapping humidity

      by

      TEAM GB star Jess Judd had to be carried by medical staff after collapsing on the track following a sweltering run in the 10,000m finals.Judd collapsed to the ground after finishing 17th in the gruelling race at the Tokyo Stadium, which she completed in 32 minutes.
      Team GB’s Jess Judd collapsed to the track after completing the 10,000mCredit: GETTY
      The Rochford runner needed assistance after collapsing to the track
      Two medical officials help the striken Judd leave the trackCredit: REX
      Judd was placed in a wheelchair before she was taken off the track and given fluidsCredit: REZ
      The 26-year-old laid on the ground for several minutes and begged for water before team-mate Eilish McColgan, who came ninth, brought her a bottle.
      Judd was promptly checked over by medical officials, who briefly placed her into a wheelchair following the gruelling 32-degree run.
      And she was eventually taken away from the track and given fluids to help her rehydrate.
      After the race, the Rochford runner said: “That is the closest I’ve come to not finished.
      “When it gets to you, it gets to you.
      That is the closest I’ve come to not finishedJess Judd
      “I was desperate for water, I’ve never been this sweaty in my life.”
      Judd’s Team GB team-mate McColgan said of the arduous conditions: “It’s definitely one of the hardest races I’ve ever run in my life.
      “I couldn’t have done much more.
      ‘Those girls at the front, it’s absolutely incredible they can run those times in this weather.”
      Although the race kicked off at 7:45pm local time, the temperature was well over 32 degrees.
      BETTING SPECIAL – GET LEICESTER AT 60/1 OR MAN CITY AT 30/1

      And to make matters worse for the competitors, the humidity was over 80 per cent.
      Four athletes failed to complete the energy-snapping race, which was won by Holland’s Sifan Hassan.
      Hassan, however, also fell victim to the horrific conditions, crawling on her hands and knees after crossing the finish line as she begged the slow officials to provide the finishers with liquids.
      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

      Team GB win 20TH gold at Tokyo Olympics as Joe Choong seals incredible victory in modern pentathlon More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Athletics

      Team GB star puts Tokyo 2020 merchandise up for sale on eBay in bid to raise funds to continue career

      by

      TEAM GB hammer thrower Taylor Campbell has listed his Tokyo 2020 merchandise on eBay in a desperate bid to raise funds.Campbell, 25, finished 14th in his heat but said he will not receive any extra money for reaching the Games.
      Taylor Campbell revealed his UK Sport funding is not enough to live off
      Campbell showed off his goods in the eBay auction
      And he says the funding from UK Sport is not enough for him to train and live off – he even had to dip into his savings to go to the Tokyo Olympics.
      Every Olympic athlete received some Samsung goods from the Games’ sponsors.
      They include a Samsung Galaxy S21 bearing the design of the Olympic rings.
      As well as the phone, Campbell has put his wireless earbuds up for sale.
      The current bid stands at £3,230 but is constantly growing, with the public keen to get their hands on a piece of Olympic history.
      Campbell is currently looking for a job so hopes his memorabilia sells for a good price, with his earnings set to go towards his training for the Commonwealth Games, which take place in Birmingham next year.
      He told Sky News: “I get some funding from UK Sport but it’s not enough to live off.
      “It has blown up a bit and there has been an overwhelming amount of support.
      “Unfortunately making it to the Olympics doesn’t get you any more money, you do it for the pride.
      “I am an iPhone guy and the Samsung will have just sat in a box as memorabilia, so I put it on eBay.”
      SUN BINGO WIN A SHARE OF £250k (18+ T&Cs apply)

      Some fans on Twitter were disheartened at Campbell’s need to sell the goods, and suggested other ways to raise money.
      One wrote: “Just set up a go fund me man. The Athletics community will donate more than what you’re selling all that for.”
      Another added: “Set up a go fund me – I don’t play the lottery but really want to support athletes directly – would actually be really chuffed to know I’ve helped in a small way!”
      Since the outpour of support after auctioning the items Campbell tweeted: “Overwhelmed by the messages of support I have received since posting this. So many kind individuals out there. I will keep you all posted over the next day or so for those that have reached out offering support!”
      DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON WITH £100,000 PRIZE POT UP FOR GRABS
      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

      Richard Kilty praises his silver winning GB team after losing out on Olympic gold in 4x100m relay More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Athletics

      Meet the Australian Olympic runner with NO sponsors who had to work in Woolworths to fund her Tokyo Games dream

      by

      THE OLYMPICS brings together athletes from all over the world and many different walks of life – but few work a day job in a supermarket.That is, apart from Riley Day, the Australian sprinter who has funded her dream by running the aisles of her local Woolworths grocery store.
      Riley Day earned thousands of fans with a personal-best in the 200m semi-finalsCredit: AFP
      The Aussie works part-time in a Woolworths store, helping customers such as John (left)Credit: Linkedin
      The Aussie chain, which bears no relation to the defunct British retailer, wished one of their own well via social media as Day began her Tokyo 2020 quest.
      Having competed in the 200-metres at the 2017 World Championships and 2018 Commonwealth Games, the 21-year-old is no stranger to the big stage.
      Day qualified out of her heats in Tokyo but was reportedly physically sick afterwards, due to her huge exertion to clock in a time of 22.94.
      She admitted to nerves post-race, and said: “I was trying to just remember that it is just a race.
      “The Olympics isn’t going to change how fit I am, how fast I am and how well I run. If anything it can make me lift even more, so I feel a lot more relaxed now that the first run is over.”
      But it was in the semi-finals where she shot to fame.
      A personal-best time of 22.56 may not have been enough to earn a spot in the final, having come home fourth behind Jamaican star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, but it stunned the Aussie for her television interview.
      Day remarked on Australia’s Channel Seven: “Holy s**t! That was a much better race than this morning.
      “I’ve got my groove. Now I hope it’s the fastest heat so I can get in the final. Because that is a massive PB. That’s awesome.
      “I want to be the best and nothing is going to stop me from being the best.”
      INSTA FAMOUS
      Day is refusing to let her humble day job dampen her dreams and, without a sponsor to plug, she urged new fans to follow her online.
      She added: “I mean, if you do want to follow my journey, My Instagram is @_rileyday.
      “That’s where I post most of my stuff, so. If you wanna follow along, that’s where it is.”
      It certainly had the desired effect, as her following leapt by 25,000, up from 21,000, in just half an hour.
      At time of writing, three days after the semi-final, Day now has a hefty 89,000 fans on Instagram.
      Supporters have called for a sponsor to step in and provide Queensland native Day with better funding to hunt down a medal.
      But she has reportedly vowed to stay on at Woolworths while studying for a business degree in sports management at Griffith University.
      The shop wrote ahead of her race: “Our very own team member, Riley Day, is proudly representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. We’ll be cheering her on in the 200-meter sprint today.
      “Riley is an adored team member of our Beaudesert store in regional Queensland and is known for going the extra mile for our customers.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Day impressed as she qualified from her heats in the 200mCredit: AP
      The sprinter cheekily plugged her Instagram after the raceCredit: Reuters

      “For the past 18 months, she’s helped 90-year-old local John, who is visually impaired, with his weekly shop. She’s even memorised his grocery list and calls him on Sundays if he doesn’t turn up for his weekly shop.
      “When the ambitious 21-year-old, nicknamed the Beaudesert Bullet is not replenishing stock or helping our customers, she’s working tirelessly on the track, training for at least three hours a day, six days a week.
      “We’re proud to see one of our team members represent Australia on the world stage. Good luck Riley, we can’t wait to see you on the track!”
      🥇 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
      Tokyo 2020: Watch skateboarder Kieran Woolley take out cameraman before sharing fist bump in hilarious incident More

    • 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