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    Stadium with bigger capacity than Premier League teams ‘left to rot’ with weeds & graffiti as locals blast £70M ‘waste’

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    A STADIUM that can hold a larger capacity crowd than some Premier League sides has been left to rot as locals say it was a huge waste of money.Residents living in the shadow of Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games stadium say the area has been left “to rot and go to waste” amid the council’s bankruptcy woes.
    Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium used for the Commonwealth Games has now been left to rotCredit: SWNS
    The flats which were built for the athletes are now left emptyCredit: SWNS
    The stadium has been daubed with graffitiCredit: SWNS
    Locals in Perry Barr, in the north of the city, claim the costly bid to host last summer’s games has had little benefit to their community despite a staggering £184m investment.
    Alexander Stadium was revamped ahead of the multi-million pound sporting event – but the surrounding area has since been left in disrepair and “like a building site”.
    The stadium could hold a capacity crowd of 18,000, making it larger than Luton Town’s ground which can hold 11,500 while Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium can accommodate 11,379.
    Apart from seeing “no legacy whatsoever” following the games people say the area is now a complete mess with much of it still fenced off with graffiti-clad boards.
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    Parts of Perry Park have remained inaccessible since last summer with a Birmingham 2022 tarmac car park still in place.
    Families also say there is no equipment for children to use following the removal of the play area and little green space for them to enjoy.
    Angry residents have now called for the works on the park to be completed but fear they may never happen following the council effectively declaring itself bankrupt.
    They accused the local authority of making “empty promises” and say they should have known the cost of hosting the games would be the “final nail in the coffin.”
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    Birmingham City Council boasted it would regenerate the inner city area including new homes, a shipping container park and the revamped stadium.
    New flats were also built nearby for the athletes’ village but the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and spiralling costs meant they were not ready on time.
    A whopping £16m was spent moving the Perry Barr bus depot 300 metres to make way for the flat development.
    Residents say the benefits of hosting the event was difficult to see 13 months on from welcoming people from across the globe to the city.
    Mum-of-two Sandra Wilde, 45, of Perry Barr, said: “It’s no wonder the council has gone bankrupt – we should never have hosted the games. It was just a vanity project.
    “It was all unveiled to great fanfare when behind the scenes they were struggling to balance the books even back then.
    “The area has been left a real mess with people unable to use our local park. You’ve got fences and big boards up everywhere which are strewn with graffiti.
    “It’s attracting anti-social behaviour. If anything the area has got worse not better.
    “They have made empty promises the whole way through – from an athletes’ village which wasn’t even used to a train station design that changed from a state-of-the art place to what looks like a copper garden shed.
    “The council also spent stupid amounts of money on moving a bus depot a few yards down the road – it’s just baffling this has been allowed to happen.”
    Jon Pritchard, 31, an IT worker, from Perry Barr, added: “We’ve been constantly fobbed off with false promises and the place has been left to rot.
    “It’s been a complete waste of money and now the council has gone bust I fear the work will never get finished.
    “It’s still like a building site a more than a year on. The stadium lies derelict most of the time. The place is dead. Nobody lives in the athletes’ village flats yet either.
    “The atmosphere during the games was magical and it felt like Birmingham was finally on the map – now we’re just back to being a laughing stock again.
    “It’s scandalous what they have done. How can a big city likes this, the Second City, be allowed to go bankrupt. It’s sheer incompetence.”
    Amdadur Rahman moved to Perry Barr from Stratford, East London, a few weeks ago and said the Birmingham games legacy was nothing compared to the 2012 Olympics.
    He said: “They should have put on more activities and sorted the park for the children. You go to the Olympic Stadium and there’s lots of stuff for kids.
    “Compared to the London stadium which is open to people, this stadium is dead. So they should be doing something.
    “This place should be busy, but it’s not, they should be working with schools to advertise it for community use. It could be really nice.
    “Now the council going bankrupt makes me very concerned they won’t finish the work off in the park and surrounding area.”
    Full-time mum Khameela Bukhari, 35, added: “It’s just horrible, you can’t take the kids to do anything. It’s one of those places you don’t want to go anywhere near now.
    “We were promised the park would be finished for residents to go back there and there’s nothing. It’s heartbreaking. It’s not a nice place to be anymore.
    “It’s like a junk place, people would dump things. It was horrible. We were told it would go back to normal. We didn’t think we would be stuck like this.
    “It’s like one big hole. At the stadium nothing is happening, it’s all fenced off, what’s the point? It’s all false promises.
    “We were told everything would be better for residents and there would be this games legacy and there’s been nothing. Nothing has been done.
    “it’s not fair on us, we all pay our taxes. The facilities were there and they’ve not been given back. It’s dead money. They’ve invested but what’s happening after? Nothing.”
    Kath Sandra, 70, who lives near the stadium, said: “It was only yesterday we said it was looking a right mess. We don’t know what’s going on.
    “They took a play area away and haven’t given it back. There’s a lot of gripe there with parents. They built some flats but nobody uses them.
    “The Commonwealth Games was amazing and it must have bought money in. But now they are bankrupt through their own fault and it us that will have to pay for it.”
    The largest local authority in Europe this week issued a Section 114 notice preventing all but essential spending and still has a budget gap of £87m to plug.
    The total cost of the games was estimated at about £778m, with the city council and local partners contributing around £184m.
    Months before the games, the council reported a £25m hole in its funding for the event and said the shortfall would be made up from a contingency fund.
    A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “Since the Alexander Stadium was handed back by Games organisers to the council in November 2022, a programme of reinstatement works has started in parallel with the development of plans to deliver a wide range of further legacy enhancements to the surrounding park area.
    “This has resulted in various parts of the site being re-opened to the public as soon as possible since then.
    “Local residents, site users and community groups have been kept updated throughout – and we are preparing for a period of public engagement on the legacy proposals that will be starting soon.
    “We fully understand the desire for the park to be reinstated and appreciate the patience that has been shown in recent months.
    “We are determined to work with those who have an interest in the park to shape plans for a significantly enhanced site for everyone to enjoy.”
    Regarding the Games, the spokesperson added: “The Commonwealth Games was a fantastic achievement and a great showcase for the city on a global stage.
    “These immediate challenges will not diminish the council’s ambition in supporting the upward trajectory that the City of Birmingham is currently experiencing following the successful delivery of the Games.
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    “Record levels of investment continue to flow into the city, and the council will work with key strategic partners to ensure that this remains the case.
    “Birmingham is very much open for business.”
    Locals say the area has been left ‘to rot and go to waste’ as Birmingham City Council struggle with its financesCredit: SWNS
    Alexander Stadium, which remains incomplete and inaccessible to the public, has left a bad feeling among localsCredit: SWNS More

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      Glamorous British athlete Lauryn Davey told ‘it should be illegal to look this good’ as she stuns in bikini

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      GLAMOROUS British athlete Lauryn Louise Davey has left fans stunned with her latest online snaps.The heptathlete is currently gunning to qualify for a future Olympic Games.
      Lauryn Davey is aiming for a spot at the OlympicsCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Davey is a heptathlete from WalesCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      The 24-year-old has caused a stir with snaps on the social mediaCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Her exploits don’t stop there however, with Welsh national Davey also pursuing a medical degree at Swansea University.
      But in the meantime the 24-year-old has been causing a stir online thanks to a host of steamy pics on her social media pages.
      Davey has built up a following of 21,000 fans on her Instagram page.
      She can often be seen sharing snippets of her training routine and breaks.
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      Another post in late August saw her posing in a red bikini as she enjoyed some downtime in a swimming pool.
      Reacting to her post, one user commented: “It should be illegal to look this good, be this talented AND be so intelligent 😂❤️.”
      A second wrote: “The Welsh vegan queen is chilling. 🥰💚🌱.”
      “ARM DEFINITION 😱👏🏻,” remarked a third.
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      She is eyeballing the 2026 Commonwealth Games as her ticket to the OlympicsCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Davey has 21,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      A fourth said: “GOBSMACKED.”
      While another typed: “Insane 😍🔥.”
      Davey revealed she is eyeballing the 2026 Australia Commonwealth Games as her ticket to the Olympics – a dream of hers since the age of five.
      She told Further in 2022: “It’s not entirely impossible so why don’t I give it my all? If I give it my all and don’t make it, I’ll have no regrets.
      “Whereas if I tell myself now, ‘I’m not ever going to make it, there’s no point in trying,’ how will I ever know what I can do?”
      Davey, who has a vegan diet has won dozens of junior national titles.
      Davey leads a vegan lifestyleCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      She often shares pics of her workoutsCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey More

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      Huge sporting event facing extinction after 93 years due to potential £1.57bn bill

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      THE COMMONWEALTH Games are close to extinction – unless they quickly find a new host with very deep pockets.A sporting institution that has been running for almost a century, one that is backed by the soft power of the British Royal Family, is in danger of fizzling out and disappearing from our calendars.
      England’s 4x100m relay team celebrate silver at Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games in 2022Credit: AFP
      Performers as a butterfly during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing CeremonyCredit: Getty
      There might be 72 associated nations and territories but NOBODY is prepared to stage the next two events this decade due to rising costs.
      Organises have been rocked by the news that Canadian province Alberta will not mount a bid for the 2030 Games given the billion-dollar price tag.
      It followed last month’s devastating decision by the Australian State of Victoria to cancel its plans to stage the Games in three years’ time due to budget blowouts.
      Though Birmingham did a fantastic job staging the multi-sport Commonwealths only 12 months ago, the quadrennial tournament is under serious threat of never happening again.
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      It was late on Thursday night that Joseph Schow, the Minister of Tourism and Sport for Alberta, announced the decision not to continue pursuing a bid for 2030.
      Initial plans had to be held the sports over 11 days in Calgary and Edmonton.
      That particular year marks the centenary year of the first British Empire Games, which were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
      Schow said: “Any proposal to host major games is considered with the interests of Alberta taxpayers at top of mind.
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      “We committed to remain transparent with Albertans about the costs of hosting international sporting events and clearly demonstrating a return on our investment for the people and communities in Alberta.
      “Based on current bid estimates, hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games could result in a cost of up to C$2.68 billion (£1.57billion).
      The Commonwealth Stadium in Alberta, where the Games were meant to be heldCredit: Getty
      Ozzy Osbourne performs during the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in 2022Credit: AFP
      “The corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues for the Commonwealth Games would have put 93% of those costs and risks on taxpayers.”
      The under-pressure Commonwealth Games Federation continue to say the right things, stressing that “dialogue with other potential hosts is on-going”.
      They talk about its “proud history”, its “iconic sporting moments” and representation for athletes being “the experience of a lifetime”.
      But money talks in professional sports and unless they locate a suitable location, the Commonwealth Games may follow the path of the Dodo.
      London Mayor Sadiq Khan has offered an olive branch, claiming the “sporting capital of the world” would be the perfect next hosts after the success of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
      But any final decision would need to be made by the UK government, which does have a General Election to consider.
      Elsewhere Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has said he is willing to “explore” proposals for Scotland to accommodate at least part of the 2026 Games.
      But until someone wealthy enough comes forward soon, then the next edition will have to be postponed by several years or even scrapped altogether.
      Whatever happens, a complete rethink is needed about what the Commonwealths look like and how big it should be logistically.
      Perhaps the size of the competition and number of individual sports – which was 20 in Birmingham – may have to be reduced dramatically.
      Inevitably it’s the athletes who suffer the most and Katy Marchant echoed the disappointment of many who have competed at Commonwealth level.
      The Leeds-born cyclist, who won Commonwealth Games team sprint bronze in 2018, said: “The cancellation of Victoria is a massive hit. It was a disappointing headline to read.
      “We are unsure yet of what will come of that and how that will be rectified.
      “The Commonwealth Games are huge. It’s a massive stepping stone for an athlete.
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      “If the Olympics don’t go to plan, the Commonwealths give you another chance to rectify or to perform on a big stage.
      “Medals, whatever the level, all mean something to an athlete and are all part of a journey.” More

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      London ready to step in and save 2026 Commonwealth Games… but UK’s Euro 2028 bid could stand in the way

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      LONDON “stands ready” to step in and save the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Australia pulled the plug on hosting the tournament amid spiralling costs.Mayor Sadiq Khan said the “sporting capital of the world” would be the perfect host after the success of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
      Sadiq Khan has said London is ready to step in to host the gamesCredit: Getty
      Events could be hosted at WembleyCredit: PA:Press Association
      And at West Ham’s London StadiumCredit: Getty
      But ministers fear Britain hosting the event for the third time in just 12 years is a major risk to the future of the Games.
      The 93-year-old contest is in serious doubt after the Australian State of Victoria dramatically cancelled its plans on Tuesday less than three years before its start date due to budget blowouts.
      The multi-billion pound event had been scheduled to run in March 2026 in various regional centres, including Melbourne.
      Yesterday Mr Khan said London “stands ready”, believing the Capital has the capability and top-class venues to stage sports like athletics, swimming and cycling.
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      However Whitehall sources have played down the prospects of Britain stepping in. 
      One said: “Obviously we want athletes to have the opportunity to compete and fans to enjoy, but we want the Games to be a success all over the world, not just here.”
      No formal approach for help has yet been made to the UK Government or any decision made.
      What would hinder any possible rescue job inside the corridors of power is the substantial costs involved, the short timeframe and the target of getting Uefa’s Euro football championships in 2028.
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      Birmingham stepped in to stage a successful 2022 Games when the South African city of Durban was stripped of hosting rights due to financial issues and missing key deadlines.
      But the Brummie officials had the benefit of FIVE years to get everything ready.
      The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) were completely flummoxed when they were told this week that the 2026 Games were being axed by the hosts.
      Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that spending “6-7 billion Australian dollars” (£3.1-3.7billion) on the 12-day sporting event “did not represent value for money, that is all cost and no benefit”.
      He added: “It’s more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring our State.
      “When the Commonwealth Games needed a host city to step in at the last minute, we were willing to help – but not at price. And not without a big lasting benefit for regional Victoria.”
      The only time the Commonwealths have ever been cancelled was during the Second World War.
      The CGF said: “We’re disappointed that we were only given eight hours’ notice and that no consideration was given to discussing the situation to jointly find solutions prior to this decision being reached by the Government.
      “Up until this point, the Government had advised that sufficient funding was available to deliver the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.
      “We are taking advice on the options available to us and remain committed to finding a solution for the Games in 2026 that is in the best interest of our athletes and the wider Commonwealth Sport Movement.”
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      The 2026 Commonwealths were due to be the first of the new era of King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last September at the age of 96.
      But there is a major concern the multi-sport tournament – formerly known as the British Empire Games – could soon become scrapped altogether unless they are postponed by several years. More

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      Shaun Pickering dead at 61: Brit Olympian and son of BBC commentator dies as Greg Rutherford leads tributes

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      WELSH Olympian Shaun Pickering has died at the age of 61. Pickering was a shot put bronze medallist for Wales during the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
      Shaun Pickering has passed away aged 61Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Pickering won bronze at the 1998 Commonwealth GamesCredit: Allsport
      He was also an Olympian at the 1996 Atlanta games, where he finished 27th.
      Pickering’s best shot of 20.45 metres in 1997 still stands as a Welsh record and places him as sixth best in the across the UK.
      He also held the Welsh record for hammer throw, with a best distance of 68.84m
      Pickering later became UK Athletic’s national event coach for heavy throws.
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      He was the son of the late BBC commentator Ron Pickering and former British Olympian Jean.
      Team GB long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford led the tributes online.
      Taking to Instagram, Rutherford said: “Incredibly sad news to wake up to.
      “Shaun was a really good man and a pillar of the athletics community.
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      “He will be deeply missed.”
      In tribute, Welsh Athletics said: “Everyone at Welsh Athletics is sad to hear the news that ‘Hall of Fame’ inductee, multiple Welsh Champion and record holder Shaun Pickering has passed away.
      “Our thoughts are with Shaun’s friends and family at this sad time.”
      The Ron Pickering memorial fund, a charity aimed at helping aspiring British athletes which Pickering helped to build following his retirement, also paid a heartfelt tribute.
      They said: “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing today of our beloved Shaun Pickering.
      “Shaun did so much for athletics and to carry on the amazing legacy of his parents Ron and Jean.
      “All our hearts go out to Shaun’s family and friends at this dreadfully sad time 💔.”
      British Athletics also added: ” Everyone at @BritAthletics is so saddened to hear this news today.
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      “Shaun loved the sport passionately and cared deeply for athletes and his many friends across the sport.
      “His work to continue the success of @RunforRon Fund supported so many athletes. RIP Shaun 🖤.” More

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      Tragic tale of Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer who ‘went missing’ for 30 years.. before being found in a coma

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      THE name Frankie Lucas means nothing to today’s boxing fans.But he had such a tragic and bittersweet life it has been turned into a dramatic three-act play.
      Frankie Lucas’ incredible life has been turned into a playCredit: Getty
      Starring Emmerdale’s Jazz Lintott as Frankie, ‘Going for Gold’ opens at the Rotunda Theatre in Brighton on the 29th of this month before transferring to the Chelsea Theatre the week after.
      Frankie’s fascinating story began 60 years ago when, as a nine-year-old, he arrived from St Vincent to be with his mother in South London.
      A difficult child, he found his niche by joining Croydon’s prestigious Sir Philip Game ABC.
      He won two ABA middleweight titles and should have represented England at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand.
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      But inexplicably he was snubbed by the selectors, who instead chose Carl Speake — the man he had beaten in the 1973 ABA final.
      Frankie, angry at being left out without explanation, was about to turn pro when Ken Rimington, a policeman and a Sir Philip Game committee man, came to his rescue.
      Rimington got in touch with the authorities on St Vincent, who weren’t sending any athletes to New Zealand and persuaded them to let Frankie become their one-man team.
      I was in the Christchurch athletes’ village and got to know the abrasive, hard-hitting Frankie, who had no idea he was about to rub shoulders with royalty in the week leading up to the opening ceremony.
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      Because he was the only representative of the Caribbean island of his birth, Lucas was considered the head of delegation, team manager, flag bearer and athlete.
      He was given VIP status with a chauffeur-driven limousine at his disposal.
      I shall never forget walking into his room in the Games village and seeing half a dozen embossed invitations to various receptions to be attended by either the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles or Princess Anne.
      When I asked him if he had accepted any of them, with a cheeky grin he said he was going to go to all of them.
      Yet despite his unexpected hectic social life, Frankie reached the middleweight final where he KO’d highly rated Zambian Julius Luip in two rounds to bring home the gold medal.
      He then decided to turn pro and had an unforgettable brawl with Tony Sibson for the vacant British middleweight championship, before suffering a fifth-round KO at the Albert Hall 44 years ago.
      It was shortly after that that Frankie’s life took a disastrous turn.Deeply depressed because he couldn’t get meaningful boxing bouts, he went missing.
      Nothing was heard from him for more than 30 years and nearly everyone who knew him, including me, assumed he was dead.
      FRANKIE’S FIGHT
      Five years ago he was discovered suffering from brain cancer and in a coma.
      Frankie’s fighting spirit rose to the surface and, miraculously, he survived.
      That was when he was reunited with his family, although he was suffering from severe mental problems.
      Lintott, who is also producing ‘Going for Gold’, heard about the saga and the idea of a play was born.
      Despite his health problems, Frankie was also able to help Lintott with his research.
      But sadly, there is a dreadful irony to this tale. Frankie didn’t live long enough to see himself portrayed on stage, dying on April 8.
      His son, Michael, who was a useful amateur heavyweight and nearly made the 2000 British Olympic team, told me: “I was a year old when my father won his gold medal.
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      “He went out of my life when I was eight and didn’t come back into it until I was 46.
      “But I’m consoled that at least he got to meet his granddaughter and great-grandson.”
      Lucas, right, went to the 1974 Commonwealth Games for St VincentCredit: Alamy More

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      Coventry vs Rotherham Championship clash POSTPONED over pitch safety fears after Commonwealth Games rugby sevens matches

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      COVENTRY CITY’S clash with Rotherham on Sunday has been called off over concerns over the pitch.It comes after the Commonwealth Games rugby sevens matches were played at the Ricoh Arena.
      The Rugby Sevens tournament for the Commonwealth Games took place at the Ricoh ArenaCredit: Getty
      The pitch has been deemed unsafe for Coventry to play Rotherham tomorrowCredit: Twitter
      Now after a pitch inspection this afternoon, the match officials have deemed the surface unplayable for the Championship match to take place tomorrow.
      A Sky Blues statement read: “Coventry City are extremely disappointed to confirm that Sunday’s game against Rotherham United has been postponed.
      “Following an inspection by a senior match official on Saturday, the pitch at the Coventry Building Society Arena has been deemed unsafe and unplayable.
      “This follows an inspection that took place on Friday by the EFL and a local referee, which was also attended by Manager Mark Robins and Chief Executive Dave Boddy.
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      “We are very frustrated that the pitch at the Arena is not up to standard, and share the huge disappointment that fans, players and staff will feel that our opening home game has been postponed under these circumstances.
      “Promised investment by the Arena into a new pitch has unfortunately not materialised over the summer, which has been compounded by concerts on the pitch and then a huge amount of use at the Commonwealth Games last weekend.
      “We appreciate the efforts in difficult circumstances that have been made by the Grounds Staff who work for the Arena.”
      Dave Boddy, chief executive at Coventry City, added: “We are extremely disappointed at this postponement due to the condition of the pitch.
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      “It has been deemed unplayable and unsafe by the inspecting official and, having seen it myself, I can understand this decision.
      “Last season the condition of the pitch was highlighted as a concern and we expected that this would be addressed by Wasps and the Arena, who are responsible for the pitch, over the summer – sadly this has not been the case, and this is the result of that, plus the large amount of use at the Commonwealth Games last week.
      “I am seeking urgent talks with Stephen Vaughan, the Chief Executive at Wasps, and the Arena over the condition of the pitch, and expect immediate and significant improvements to be made to make the pitch playable as soon as possible.”
      Coventry confirmed that all tickets purchased for the game will be eligible for the re-arranged game against Rotherham United as they also vowed to keep fans updated with regards to Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Bristol City.
      All of the rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games was held at Coventry’s home ground.
      It took place between July 29 and July 31.
      South Africa claimed the gold medal in the men’s, with Australia triumphing in the women’s. More

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      Coventry clash with Rotherham in HUGE doubt over pitch safety fears after Commonwealth Games rugby sevens matches

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      COVENTRY’S Championship clash with Rotherham on Sunday is in HUGE doubt due to concerns over the safety of the pitch.It comes after the Commonwealth Games rugby sevens matches were played at the Ricoh Arena.
      The Ricoh has been hosting rugby sevens matches at the Commonwealth Games
      The Ricoh Arena pitch has been impacted by hosting the Commonwealth GamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      A pitch inspection is due to take place on Sunday to see if the match can go ahead.
      But Coventry manager Mark Robins has been left furious and insists there is no way they can play.
      He said: “We’ve been badly let down, professional players cannot play on that.
      “Hopefully we can do something to bring it up to standard.”
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      All of the rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games was held at Coventry’s home ground.
      It took place between July 29 and July 31.

      South Africa claimed the gold medal in the men’s, with Australia triumphing in the women’s.
      But this is not the first time an unrelated event has handed another some issues.
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      In 1970, the FA Cup final was played days after the Horse of the Year show at Wembley.
      Meanwhile, Coventry kicked off their Championship campaign last weekend away at Sunderland.
      And Viktor Gyokeres’ 84th-minute equaliser was enough to hand them a well-earned point as they held The Black Cats to a 1-1 draw.
      Meanwhile, Rotherham also began the season with a draw as they shared the spoils at home to Swansea.
      Chiedozie Ogbene’s opener was cancelled out by Harry Darling seven minutes before half-time. More

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      First Dates star Fred Sirieix fights back tears as daughter Andrea WINS diving gold at Commonwealth Games

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      FIRST DATES star Fred Sirieix beamed with pride as his daughter Andrea won a gold medal in diving at the Commonwealth Games.Andrea won the 10m Platform diving gold medal with a staggering 357.50 points.
      Andrea won the gold medal in front of her gushing dadCredit: Getty
      First Dates star Sirieix was seen cheering his daughter onCredit: PA
      Sirieix fought back the tears as his daughter was presented with the gold medalCredit: AFP
      Andrea competed at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      Andrea alongside fellow England diver Toulson (left), who picked up silver, and Canada’s McKayCredit: PA
      Dad Sirieix jumped for joy while his 17-year-old daughter was seen wiping tears from her eyes and hugging her coach.
      The First Dates star, who calls Andrea “mon caneton”, meaning “my duckling”, said on Instagram: “Gold! #commonwealthgames2022 #diving #10m #platform Well done mon [duck emoji] @andreassirieix04.”
      Sirieix also took to Twitter, saying: “That last dive! To pull it off like that! Wow!!!! What a performance!”
      Andrea was closely followed by England team-mate Lois Mae Toulson in second with 337.30 points.
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      Canadian Caeli Sierra McKay won the bronze medal.
      The family were flooded with messages of congratulations, which the 50-year-old has described as “very warming”.
      He said: “Thank you so much for all the messages congratulating Andrea. It’s really nice. Really warming. Thanks.
      “I just want to apologise as I can’t respond to all. It’s very kind.”
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      For Andrea, it’s another milestone in her career having competed at the Tokyo Olympics.
      Andrea with her coach after her final diveCredit: Getty
      Andrea performed a reverse two-and-a-half somersaults in tuckCredit: Getty
      Andrea has never competed at a international competition on home soil before the Commonwealth GamesCredit: AFP
      Andrea finished in seventh place in the women’s 10m platform diving final at the 2020 Tokyo GamesCredit: AFP
      Sirieix alongside his daughter on the red carpetCredit: Getty More