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    I’ve got 19 gold medals and I’m on Sports Personality of the Year shortlist – but lots of people don’t know who I am

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    DAME SARAH STOREY is in the running for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award – but she admits people still ask “Who is she?”.The Paralympic Games star has enjoyed a medal-laden career with 19 gold medals.Sarah Storey has been nominated for SPOTYCredit: GettyShe has won 19 gold medals during her careerCredit: PALuke Littler is one of the favourites for the awardCredit: PAJude Bellingham is also in the runningCredit: APStorey, 47, is up against popular stars including Luke Littler and Jude Bellingham in the race for SPOTY.Olympic 800m champ Keely Hodgkinson and triathlon king Alex Yee as well as record-breaking cricketer Joe Root are also in the running.The cyclist and swimmer has insisted that para-sports is not covered enough between Paralympic games.Storey has claimed that, as a result, it makes sports more challenging and affects people’s ability to recognise her compared to her counterparts.READ MORE ON SPORTShe said: “It’s really, really challenging.”You only have to look at comments when I was out of Dancing on Ice, people were like, ‘Well, who is she?’”People don’t see para-sport on TV enough to know who their most successful athlete is.”She won two more gold medals in the C4-C5 road race and the C5 time trials in the Paris Olympics earlier this year.Most read in AthleticsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSShe was expected to appear on Dancing on Ice but was forced to withdraw due to a fractured ankle, which occurred during practice.If Storey succeeds at SPOTY, she will have made history as the oldest winner of the award ever.Dancing On Ice chaos as Sarah Storey QUITS with nasty injury weeks before show startsKeely Hodgkinson has also been nominated for the awardCredit: Sunday TimesAlex Yee is also in with a chance after his Olympic heroicsCredit: GettySarah Storey’s Paralympic medalsHere is a look at Sarah Storey’s Paralympic medal haul…1992:2x Gold3x Silver1x Bronze1996:3x Gold1x Silver1x Bronze2000:2004:2x Silver1x Bronze2008:2012:2016:2020:2024:She had already picked up her fifth gold medal in swimming before four of her rivals were born.She first competed in the Games back in 1992 when she was just 14 years old.The mum of two added: “I’m quite happy at being the oldest.”The only person [on the SPOTY shortlist] who was born when I went to my first Games was Joe Root and the other four weren’t born until after I’d won my fifth gold in swimming.”There’s lots of talk around older athletes, especially older female athletes, and I’m involved in research into enabling more female athletes to continue into their late thirties, early forties and in my case late forties.”The example I’m hopefully leading is that you can come back after having children, if you’ve got the right support, if you know your body, and you can continue to enjoy competitive sports at any level.”Storey is aiming to make it ten appearances at the Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028.However, she is aware of the competition from younger athletes such as France star Heïdi Gaugain.Storey had the edge over Gaugain in Paris as she beat her in the road race after a thrilling sprint finish.She said: “It’s taking it one year at a time and hopefully come March or April, when I’m fully recovered [from her ankle injury], I’ll have got a plan together.”You’ve got to be strategic and if you’re not, you don’t know where you’re going to find those gains.”They’re marginal and they get even more marginal as you get older.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Heidi is getting older and stronger, and that’s exciting.”But I have to make sure I’ve got a plan to counteract her youthfulness.”Joe Root is the final nominee for the SPOTYCredit: APBBC Sports Personality of the Year Award nominationsHere is a look at the nominations for this year’s SPOTY…Luke Littler – Darts starJude Bellingham – FootballerKeely Hodgkinson – OlympianAlex Yee – OlympianSarah Storey – ParalympianJoe Root – Cricketer More

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      Who is Man Utd chief Dave Brailsford and how does he know Sir Jim Ratcliffe?

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      SIR DAVID BRAILSFORD is the right hand man of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and both men will be looking to decide the future of  Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag.The cycling expert has become something of a sports performance guru in recent years and is now Ratcliffe’s go-to lieutenant. Dave Brailsford became principal of Team Sky in 2010Credit: PA:Press Association Sir Dave Brailsford was in the stands for Manchester United’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Boxing Day 2023Erik Ten Hag’s Man Utd future – latest updatesHe has been head of cycling outfit Team Ineos and led Great Britain to an astounding 14 Olympic medals in Beijing back in 2008 and then Team Sky and then Team Ineos to seven Tour de France titles.But more recently, he was seen leaving a very important meeting with Ratcliffe in which the future of Ten Hag as United boss will have been discussed after the Red Devils’ poor start to the season.Who is Dave Brailsford?Dave Brailsford is originally from Derby and his parents moved to Snowdonia in North Wales when he was a child, because his father loved hiking and climbing in the mountains.He went to a Welsh-speaking school called Deinolen, where he grew up speaking first-language Welsh with his fellow pupils and friends.When he went home he spoke English with his family.He told Diary of a CEO: “That left me challenged, I wanted to be the same as all my mates, part of the tribe. I wasn’t fully immersed in it… I never got the full sense I belonged there, so I was on the outside, I guess.”His mother still lives in the village.He left Ysgol Brynrefail at 16 and after racing for an amateur cycling team for four years, he went to Chester University and studied Sports and Exercise Sciences and Psychology.Later, he went on to Sheffield Hallam University and studied business.Brailsford was initially introduced to British Cycling as an advisor in 1997.He swiftly moved his way up the ladder to become programme director and eventually performance director in 2003.Team GB won two gold medals in cycling at the 2004 Olympic games, and that success continued to grow in 2008 and 2012 under Brailsford.In 2010 he was scouted as Team Sky’s manager – eventually resigning from Team GB in 2014. Brailsford with Team Sky’s Chris Froome, who won the Tour de France four timesCredit: Getty – ContributorWhat is the Team Sky manager’s ‘marginal gains’ philosophy?The two-time Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award winner is famous for reinventing British cycling – focusing on technology and psychology.He also developed a ‘marginal gains’ philosophy for British Cycling.In 2012 he explained: “The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, and then improved it by 1%, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together.”He added: “If what you’re trying to achieve is a chore, then that’s a challenge, if I re-frame that into a positive, you’ll stick with it.”We’ll be more willing to make a change if we feel good about ourselves.”Marginal gains came from economics, marginal costing, I was reading about that and incremental gains.”Actually if you aggregate all these marginal gains, you get a big gain.”How does Sir Jim Ratcliffe know Dave Brailsford?The billionaire added Dave Brailsford to his team after his takeover at Old Trafford as he looks to build a world-class line-up behind the scenes.Brailsford has a remarkable record at improving sports teams over the years, with the most obvious improvements coming in British Cycling.The pair have already worked alongside each other in the past, back in 2019 they partnered up following Ineos’ takeover of the Sky cycling team. Sir Jim Ratcliffe (L), Chris Froome (C), Brailsford (R)Credit: GETTYWhat does Dave Brailsford know about football?Brailsford has been involved in elite sport for 25 years and after building a hugely successful Olympic cycling program and then a superb road cycling team, he has started to dip into other sports.He has been involved with the Sir Ben Ainslie’s sailing team under the Ineos brand, which has the goal of winning the Americas Cup.Ratlciffe has also got him involved in OCG Nice, which is also owned by Ineos. He was pictured during the signing of Wales and ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey in 2022.He has also revealed conversations he had with legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.Brailsford said: “What Alex Ferguson did ever so well, there’s always a challenge with teams and generations who grow together, they come together and they have two, three, four years of amazing success with a group who have bonded together.”And you start to get to the end of that and at what point do you bring young talent in?”And let some of the more established talent go, there’s a transition. He did that ever so well.”We met and chatted a couple of times about that. When I was younger, he’d pop over to the velodrome and we’d sit there and chat. That was always one of the big things I wanted to ask him.”What are you watching, what are you seeing, why are you doing this? What are you seeing that makes you think it’s the right time to change and bring that youngster in here?”And he’d say that people get a bigger voice, they get a bigger standing in the dressing room, they might start to say ‘I’m not sure about that gaffer’ and they have an influence, they’d be a celebrity in the media and other things going on.”Definitely sooner rather than later, off you go, you’ve got to change it.”He was a master at it.”What did Dave Brailsford said about the Bradley Wiggins controversy?Team Sky were recently cleared of an investigation into the contents of a jiffy bag carried by cyclist Bradley Wiggins.A suspect package was sent to Sky in 2011 to treat Wiggins, but UKAD recently confirmed no sufficient evidence of the contents of the bag was found.Brailsford backed his rider throughout the saga, in 2016 he told the Guardian: “There’s a rider, there’s a doctor. They agree to visit a consultant. The consultant’s report is pretty categorical in saying there is an issue here and I recommend the following medication.“That then goes to the anti-doping authorities. They say yes, we agree with this. Or they can say no. There are different steps to this process that should give us confidence. I believe in that process. I still do.” Brailsford and Sir Bradley Wiggins on the Team Sky bus together in Italy in 2011Credit: Getty – Contributormost read in sport Is Dave Brailsford married?He has a partner Lisa Buckle, are directors of his company Brailsford Ltd.Asked if he was good at relationships, he said: “Unfortunately, that’s something I’d say I’m not that good at.”They have one daughter, Milly, together.He said of his daughter: “I absolutely adore her, I love her to bits. Since she’s been born I’ve always been involved in sport.”At some point soon I’d like to stop and spend more time together, that would be nice.”When I think ‘why am I doing all of this?’ I think I’d like her to be happy. I’d like her to have whatever she can have really. It’s a tough balancing act, that one.”What happened with Dave Brailsford’s cancer scare?Brailsford was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, then he had a heart issue that required surgery.He said: “I’d like to have a period where I just switch off. I haven’t had a holiday in a long time, I’ve had health issues too, I’ve had a heart issue this year and I’ve had cancer.”I would like to have some time out and learn the colour of life.”That was a real shock, I wasn’t expecting that at all.”I train hard and ride my bike a lot and I’m very fit. I started to get these bouts of fatigue.”Like somebody had literally taken by battery out and I just couldn’t function. I did a test and my PSA had gone up, I thought ‘I should go for another check’ and I did.”I thought it was quite a big deal at the time and I moved on.”I like the mantra tough times don’t last, tough people do and that’s it. Done.”You realise you’re not here forever. Then you think ‘what’s important, is it likely to come back? How much time have I got left?'”What happened with his heart surgery?When the pandemic was coming to a close, Brailsford’s father was unwell in hospital in France and he went to visit him.He was given open-heart surgery and given a stent.Brailsford said: “My dad was very ill, I went to the Alps, to visit the hospital.”As I was riding my bike, I was getting a pain in my throat, when I started to push it hurt a lot.”I went out for a ride with a friend of mine. I said ‘blimey I think I’m going to have to stop’.”I went for a CT scan of my heart. The guy said ‘David you have a big problem’. My left artery was completely blocked, they wouldn’t let me leave.”They pretty much operated straight away. That was more of a shock than the cancer was. It was a different sensation, I have to admit.” More

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      Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s other project slowly going backwards as Man Utd shareholder shifts all focus on Old Trafford job

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      SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has seen one of his other sporting projects go backwards after switching his focus to Manchester United.The British billionaire is working to overhaul the Red Devils’ football structure with redeveloping Old Trafford amongst his priorities.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has seen another of his sporting projects go backwards since his arrival at Manchester UnitedCredit: APThe British billionaire is working to overhaul United after purchasing a minority stakeCredit: AlamyHe became co-owner of the club in February after purchasing a minority stake from the Glazers.However, another team in his Ineos Sport empire has seen their decline in performance accelerate in recent months.Ratcliffe, who has a net worth of £12.5billion, is hoping to return United to the top of English football after 11 years without a league title.Part of his overhaul has seen the arrival of Dan Ashworth as sporting director, Omar Berrada joining from rivals Manchester City as chief executive and the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director.READ MORE ON MAN UTDMeanwhile, he hopes to turn the club’s home stadium into the “Wembley of the North”, with plans to demolish and rebuild Old Trafford.Ratcliffe has even hired the architects behind the Lusail Stadium, which hosted the 2022 World Cup final, for the project.A first set of pictures of the potential new Old Trafford site were revealed this week.His cycling team, Ineos Grenadiers, are going in the opposite direction, though.Most read in CyclingFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRatcliffe purchased the outfit in 2019 after they had won the Tour de France six times in seven years as Team Sky.Those victories were followed by a seventh under Ineos’ ownership later that year to become the most successful team in Tour de France history.Man Utd player ratings: Joshua Zirkzee hooked again as Lisandro Martinez saves Erik ten Hag’s blushes (2)What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford has since become a key figure in Ineos’ sporting empire, which also includes the Mercedes F1 team, America’s Cup challengers Ineos Brittania and football clubs Nice and Lausanne-Sport.However, he has stepped away from the cycling team he originally founded to help rebuild United alongside chief executive of Ineos Sport Jean-Claude Blanc.As a result, the Grenadiers’ downfall has accelerated, having not competed for a yellow jersey in each of the five Le Tours since their last victory.Sir Dave Brailsford has followed Ratcliffe to Old Trafford as Ineos’ director of sportCredit: GettyThe Ineos Grenadiers cycling team have seen performances decline in 2024Credit: PAMeanwhile, their 30 riders have picked up just 14 race wins in 2024, less than this year’s Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar has on his own with 21.His team, UAE Emirates, have won 72 altogether, with The Times reporting the best riders no longer want to join Ineos Grenadiers.This is shown by Brailsford’s failure to lure Pogacar away from UAE Emirates before he left the cycling team to become Ineos’ director of sport.As Pogacar claimed his third yellow jersey in four years this summer, Ineos’ best performer Carlos Rodriguez was back in seventh.Egan Bernal won Ineos’ seventh yellow jersey in 2019 but they have not won it sinceCredit: ReutersBrailsford failed to lure 2024 Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar to the GrenadiersCredit: AP More

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      Triathlete slams ‘complete farce’ European Championship race in Hamburg as motorbike rider killed on ‘narrow’ circuit

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      A TRIATHLETE has labelled the European Championship a “complete farce” after a motorcyclist was killed following a collision with a competitor.The 70-year-old, who is yet to be named, was carrying an official race photographer on his motorbike in Hamburg.
      A motorcyclist passed away following a terrifying collisionCredit: https://twitter.com/marcuszek
      The motorbike is believed to have collided head-on with a cyclistCredit: https://twitter.com/marcuszek
      During the cycling portion of the race, the motorbike carrying the photographer was involved in a horrifying head-on collision with a competitor.
      The terrifying incident was picked up by television footage, with the athlete thrown off his bike and into the path of fellow competitors.
      Following the crash, organisers confirmed that the 70-year-old motorcyclist had been killed in the incident – but DIDN’T halt the race.
      The triathlete, 26, was rushed to hospital having been “seriously injured”.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      While the shocked photographer, 50, was also brought into hospital.
      In the immediate aftermath of the crash the race continued, albeit with triathletes being forced to take a diversion as cops entered the scene.
      Triathlete Jan Frodeno criticised race organisers after the event, telling Bild: “It was incredibly narrow, a complete farce. I was right next to it and saw the bike shatter into what felt like a thousand pieces.
      “I know that such things must always be covered by the media, but athletes’ safety should come first.”
      Most read in Athletics
      Fellow participant Timo Schaffer also slammed organisers, saying: “Unfortunately, the bike course was very full. It was therefore foreseeable that there could be accidents.
      “There were very, very many athletes on the second lap, with all the age groupers and the pros who had to overtake in the second row.
      “Sometimes there was no other way, even in the third row. Very, very many media bikes, few referee bikes.”
      The gruelling race consisted of a 26.2 mile run, 3.8km swim and 180km bike ride.
      It was covered by German TV, although coverage was interrupted as a mark of respect after the fatal crash.
      Following the incident, race organisers released a statement.
      It read: “It is with a heavy heart that we confirmed the passing of a motorcycle operator during the Ironman European Championship Hamburg.
      “At 36km of the Ironman Hamburg bike course, a credentialed motorcycle race vehicle collided with an age-group athlete who was riding on the racecourse in the opposite oncoming lane.
      “An event photographer on the motorcycle, who was also injured during the collision, has since been released from hospital. The race participant remains in hospital for further treatment.
      “We are devastated by this tragic accident.
      Read More on The Sun
      “On a day meant to be a celebration of the human spirit, we instead mourn the loss of a member of our triathlon community. Our sympathies are with all those affected.
      “Our priority always is ensuring the safety of our participants and those involved in the event. A police investigation is ongoing and we are co-operating with local authorities to understand the events that lead to the accident.” More

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      Who is Dave Brailsford, what’s Sky’s ‘marginal gains’ philosophy and how does he know Sir Jim Ratcliffe?

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      SIR DAVID BRAILSFORD could be brought in by Sir Jim Ratcliffe should his Manchester United takeover bid be successful, according to reports.The current manager of Team Sky led Great Britain to an astounding 14 Olympic medals in Beijing back in 2008.
      Dave Brailsford became manager of Team Sky in 2010Credit: PA:Press Association
      Who is Dave Brailsford?
      The 59-year-old began his long career in cycling competing in amateur racing in France for four years.
      Brailsford was initially introduced to British Cycling as an advisor in 1997.
      He swiftly moved his way up the ladder to become programme director and eventually performance director in 2003.
      Team GB won two gold medals in cycling at the 2004 Olympic games, and that success continued to grow in 2008 and 2012 under Brailsford.
      In 2010 he was scouted as Team Sky’s manager – eventually resigning from Team GB in 2014.
      Brailsford with Team Sky’s Chris FroomeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      What is the Team Sky manager’s ‘marginal gains’ philosophy?
      The two-time Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award winner is famous for reinventing British cycling – focusing on technology and psychology.
      He also developed a ‘marginal gains’ philosophy for British Cycling.
      In 2012 he explained: “The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, and then improved it by 1%, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together.”
      Team Sky boss Sir Dave Brailsford gives evidence at inquiry into doping in cycling
      latest in cycling
      How does Sir Jim Ratcliffe know Dave Brailsford?
      According to reports from The Times, Ratcliffe is confident that his bid to take over the Red Devils will be successful.
      The billionaire is keen to add Dave Brailsford to his team should he take over at Old Trafford as he looks to build a world-class line-up behind the scenes.
      Brailsford has a remarkable record at improving sports teams over the years, with the most obvious improvements coming in British Cycling.
      The pair have already worked alongside each other in the past, back in 2019 they partnered up following Ineos’ takeover of the Sky cycling team.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe (L), Chris Froome (C), David Brailsford (R)Credit: GETTY
       What did Dave Brailsford said about the Bradley Wiggins controversy?
      Team Sky were recently cleared of an investigation into the contents of a jiffy bag carried by cyclist Bradley Wiggins.
      A suspect package was sent to Sky in 2011 to treat Wiggins, but UKAD recently confirmed no sufficient evidence of the contents of the bag was found.
      Brailsford backed his rider throughout the saga, in 2016 he told the Guardian: “There’s a rider, there’s a doctor. They agree to visit a consultant. The consultant’s report is pretty categorical in saying there is an issue here and I recommend the following medication.
      “That then goes to the anti-doping authorities. They say yes, we agree with this. Or they can say no. There are different steps to this process that should give us confidence. I believe in that process. I still do.”
      The Sky duo together in Italy in 2011Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Dave Brailsford : Team Sky ‘100% clean’ amid Bradley Wiggins controversy
      most read in sport More

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      Watch Ederson pull off one of saves of season as he narrowly tips Mo Salah’s shot around post in Liverpool vs Man City

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      EDERSON foiled Mo Salah and fooled referee Anthony Taylor – with a contender for save of the season.The Manchester City keeper plunged full-length to divert Salah’s shot behind, only for a goal-kick to be awarded – before the Liverpool striker took revenge later with a brilliant winner.

      Manchester City keeper Ederson conjured a miracle save to thwart goalbound Mo Salah but only a goal-kick was awardedCredit: AFP
      And even though Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp was sent off for complaining about the officials, Ederson’s tip-round stirred up equal excitement on social media.
      So quick was his movement, so slight his touch, that Taylor failed to spot it – and neglected to give a corner.
      Salah had surged goalwards after first-time passing split City’s defence, but Ederson stood his ground and then flung himself to his right to fingertip the ball behind.
      Armchair observers were stunned by the save and furious Salah’s shot was NOT recorded as an effort on target due to the ref awarding a goal-kick.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      One fan posted: “Ederson makes an “incredible save” and then takes a goal kick.”
      Another hit out: “It is inexplicably given as a goal kick. What??!!”
      But some viewers noted that, no matter how outstanding Ederson’s diving save was, Salah could have rolled the ball across for Diogo Jota to slot home from 20 yards.
      One tweeted: “GNev (commentator Gary Neville) completely ignoring the fact that if he squared it, it’s a definite goal.”
      Most read in Cycling

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      And this fan agreed: “Selfish from Salah! Joys is right there !!”
      Typical views included: “Brilliant save but Mo should have put it away, Cracking game. What football is all about.” More

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      Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies returns to training two months after being diagnosed with inflammation of the heart

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      BAYERN MUNICH have received a huge boost with Alphonso Davies back in light training after a heart scare.The left-back hasn’t featured since December 17 after he tested positive for coronavirus.
      Alphonso Davies is back in light training to hand Bayern Munich a major boostCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Canada international Davies hasn’t featured for the Bundesliga side since December 19Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      And the Canada international was then diagnosed with inflammation of the heart in January.
      It was discovered as the youngster completed routine medical checks at the club’s HQ after recovering from the virus.
      And those highlighted signs of mild myocarditis.
      Myocarditis can be caused by an infection as a result of suffering from a virus like Covid-19.
      Left-back Davies was diagnosed with inflammation of the heart in JanuaryCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
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      The condition can lead to irregular heart rhythms, while it can also cause the heart to inadequately pump blood around the body.
      But in a boost for Davies and Bayern, he has been snapped back in training where he completed a light session alongside fitness coach Holger Broich and team doctor Jochen Hahne.
      According to Bild, he completed a 35 minute session which consisted of light running as well as passing and heading drills.
      They add that Davies will continue to do more sessions to build up his match fitness, though the Bavarian outfit remain cautious over his return.
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      He even had his heart rate checked throughout his training session by Hahne.
      Speaking following Saturday’s 1-1 away draw against Hoffenheim, Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann delivered an update on when Davies could be back in action.
      He declared that Davies, who has chipped in with six assists in 23 matches in all competitions this term, faces up to another month on the sidelines.
      The ex-RB Leipzig gaffer said: “The best case scenario for Phonzy is that his heart muscle inflammation is gone.
      “However, if everything goes very, very well, he will miss three, maybe four weeks, because he is only allowed to undertake very moderate efforts the first week.
      “Next week on Friday we have to do another MRI scan to check how he’s doing. The fluid from the pericardium is gone, everything looks good.
      “We’re pleased and very happy with how it’s turned out and hope he finds his feet again quickly.” More

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      Raducanu won a stunning US Open, Olympians triumphed in Tokyo and England had everyone on board before Euros turned ugly

      by

      IT was a weird and wonderful sporting year which served up a fairytale in New York, a robbery in Abu Dhabi, the Ghost Games of Tokyo and the familiar agony of penalty shootout defeat for England.The year began with fans being sorely missed, as the behind-closed-doors era dragged on.
      Emma Radacanu stunning the sporting world by claiming the US Open titleCredit: Reuters
      Adam Peaty played a part in Team GB’s gold rush in Tokyo in the summerCredit: PA
      Then football supporters were lauded for their leading role in smashing the hated breakaway European Super League.
      But as stadiums began to fill, England was shamed by a drink-and-drugs-fuelled mob which severely tarnished the national team’s first major tournament final in 55 years.
      The vandalism at Wembley before that Euros final defeat by Italy was as depressing as the breathtaking arrogance of 12 clubs — including the Premier League’s Big Six — threatening to shred the fabric of football with their roped-off Super League.
      The scheme met with revulsion and ridicule, as it was torpedoed in little more than 48 hours — even managing to overshadow Tottenham sacking Jose Mourinho six days before their Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
      That grubby Super League plot laughed in the face of the idea that anything can happen in sport.
      But in September, at Flushing Meadows, the very essence of the impossible dream arrived when an 18-year-old tennis player from Kent became the first qualifier to win a women’s Grand Slam singles event and the first British woman to claim a major title since Virginia Wade in 1977.
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      Emma Raducanu’s extraordinary campaign at the US Open stands alone as a British sporting story — in this, or any other year.
      Ten matches, ten straight-sets victories, culminating in a 6-4 6-3 final triumph against Leylah Fernandez — a nerveless exhibition from a youngster whose first Grand Slam, at Wimbledon, ended with a medical retirement and her mettle being doubted.
      How wrong could they have been?
      Ireland’s Rachael Blackmore became the first woman to win the Grand National at Aintree, aboard Minella Times, having already become the first female to be leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival.
      The only possible contender to Raducanu as Britain’s sportsperson of the year ought to have been Lewis Hamilton, who contested a Formula One title fight for the ages with the young Dutch upstart Max Verstappen, 24.
      Yet Hamilton’s bid for a record eighth world crown was scuppered by the anarchy and farce of a final-lap run-off with Verstappen in Abu Dhabi, as race director Michael Masi fancied himself as a Hollywood director rather than a guardian of the rulebook.
      Raducanu, made an MBE in the New Year Honours list, was not the only English teenager thrust into extreme pressure — Bukayo Saka’s decisive penalty, saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, meant England’s Euros ended with the cruellest shootout defeat.
      The then 19-year-old, along with fellow subs Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, suffered sickening online abuse after failing from the spot — although the Arsenal kid felt the warmth of the vast majority of fans and was even given a standing ovation by Spurs supporters in a pre-season friendly.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton missed out on a record eighth Formula One titleCredit: Splash
      Hamilton was controversially pipped to the F1 title by Max VerstappenCredit: GETTY
      England defeated Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ukraine and Denmark on their glorious march to the final.
      Gareth Southgate proved himself the most successful Three Lions boss since Sir Alf Ramsey, with Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane leading from the front, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice indomitable in midfield, while John Stones, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker formed a formidable all-Yorkshire defensive three.
      And Luke Shaw was the surprise feel-good hit of the summer, enjoying an outstanding tournament and opening the scoring inside two minutes of the final.
      The atmosphere had been joyous and raucous as Southgate’s men came from behind to defeat the Danes in the semi-final.
      But that was in contrast to the carnage of the final, which meant the Three Lions were punished by having to face Italy behind closed doors in the Nations League next year.
      Major sport was plunged back into silence at the Olympics in Tokyo — delayed by a year, yet still unable to provide a crowd’s authentic soundtrack.
      Team GB managed 22 golds, down on their tally from Rio and London but still a mighty achievement compared to a generation ago.
      Adam Peaty became the first Brit to retain an Olympic swimming title and, like his team-mate Tom Dean, clinched two golds.
      Jason and Laura Kenny entered the record books by claiming yet more medals in TokyoCredit: PA
      Cycling spouses Jason and Laura Kenny entered the record books. Fifteen Olympic medals now reside in their Cheshire home — a dozen of them gold.
      After 13 years of trying, diver Tom Daley finally topped the podium, alongside Matty Lee, in the ten-metre synchronised.
      The Olympics also brought mental health into sharp focus as its brightest global star, American gymnast Simone Biles, pulled out of the women’s team final, claiming she felt ‘the weight of the world’ on her shoulders.
      That same week, Ben Stokes — perhaps England’s most fiercely-competitive sportsman — took a four-month break from cricket to prioritise his mental health.
      Biles and Stokes were bold with their honesty, proving even the greatest are vulnerable, especially when living under stifling Covid restrictions.
      In football, Thomas Tuchel inherited a mid-table Chelsea side from Frank Lampard, smashed up Pep Guardiola’s hopes of a Quadruple and delivered a second European Cup to Stamford Bridge.
      Manchester City regained their Premier League crown with ease but Tuchel’s team beat Guardiola’s men in three different competitions, climaxing in a Champions League final victory in Porto.
      Bukayo Saka missed the all-important penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final with ItalyCredit: Getty
      The match was marred by trouble before and after the final whistleCredit: AP
      Leicester defeated Chelsea to win a first FA Cup, five years on from their title glory, but for the second successive year a late collapse saw them miss out on the Champions League.
      Manchester United, meanwhile, shambled on — despite pulling off the league’s most eye-catching signing of 2021 with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a caretaker who should never have been a permanent boss, was replaced by a caretaker in Michael Carrick, then an interim in Ralf Rangnick who wants to be the permanent manager.
      Outside of Old Trafford the year’s biggest letdown was the failure of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to get it on and settle the undisputed world heavyweight boxing crown.
      When American judges ordered Fury to complete his trilogy against Deontay Wilder, that much-anticipated all-British contest was toast.
      Joshua was outclassed by Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham — not the only comprehensive away win there during Nuno Espirito Santo’s reign — as he lost his three belts.
      After that, the prospects of Joshua-Fury ever happening were reduced further still.
      Anthony Joshua suffered a lopsided points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in SeptemberCredit: REUTERS
      At least Fury and Wilder served up a third epic, with the Gypsy King stopping the Alabama slugger in the 11th round in Vegas.
      The British and Irish Lions were defeated by world champs South Africa, Europe were thrashed by the United States in the Ryder Cup and England’s cricketers have already lost The Ashes.
      But the greatest disappointment of all were the dark clouds of Covid gathering as the year draws to a close — threatening our lives, our freedom, and that most important of unimportant things, our sport.
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