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      in Athletics

      Inside deserted Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics stadiums destroyed by the war and never rebuilt including gruesome podium

      by

      VENUES used for the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics have been left in ruin.The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted the games between February 8 and 19 in 1984.
      Sarajevo played host to the 1984 Winter OlympicsCredit: Getty
      The tournament happened eight years before the Bosnian WarCredit: Getty
      Many of the venues were left in ruin by the conflict
      This Sarajevo ski jump venue is wreckedCredit: Reuters
      The majority of the venues were built for the Games before they were awarded.
      In total, there were nine venues including the Bjelašnica mountain which was used for the Alpine skiing.
      The Igman mountain and Jahorina ski resort were also used.
      In terms of buildings, there was the Skenderija II Hall for ice hockey, which housed 8,500 people.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      There was the Trebević Bobsleigh and Luge Track which saw up to 11,500 people visit.
      The closing ceremonies, figure skating and ice hockey final took place in the Zetra Ice Hall which had a capacity of 15,000 spectators.
      The Winter Games were considered as a success.
      In 2019, Bosnian Nedzad Fazlija, 55, a five-time Olympian shooter said: “Sarajevo was a very successful host of the Winter Olympics.
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      Nedzad Fazlija considered the Winter Games in Sarajevo a successCredit: Getty
      “We are one of the few that can boast of being an Olympic city. We are very proud of that, we appreciate it, and we are grateful that we were entrusted. A huge number of volunteers were engaged in preparing everything. Everyone was proud.
      “This atmosphere, which ruled for the Games, created something that we call the Olympic spirit, which has remained to this day. We built facilities, but the most important profit is the Olympic spirit. It drives and motivates people to get involved in sport, to train, or just to be fans.
      “A lasting benefit is that the spirit is transmitted from generation to generation. Almost every child practised some sport. The Olympic spirit creates new athletes, new recreational players.”
      However, just eight years after the event the Bosnian War broke out and ran for three years between 1992 and 1995.
      The war was a part of the breakup of the state of Yugoslavia and led to the deaths of around 100,000.
      During the conflict, most of the venues from the Winter Games were destroyed and none of them were rebuilt.
      On average, the city was shelled 329 times a day including the track which once had the world’s best athletes on it.
      Sarajevo’s bobsleigh track became disused and was later spoiled with graffiti.
      The bobsleigh track is covered in graffitiCredit: AFP – Getty
      Plans to reconstruct the track were scrappedCredit: AFP
      One of the ski jumping venues is abandonedCredit: AFP – Getty
      The bobsled run on Mount Trebević is derelictCredit: Getty
      The track, used for both bobsleigh and luge, was called “safe, quick and technically interesting,” and required “extreme concentration and technical knowledge”.
      At the time, it was the fastest and steepest in the world at 1,300 meters and held 30,000 spectators.
      When the war broke out the Olympic track became a concrete trench and an artillery stronghold, as holes were drilled in to use in the war.
      The conflict continued to see the trench used in warfare as it was in a prime location, looking down on the city of Sarajevo from the mountain top.
      There have been plans to renovate the track in recent years following an extensive demining operation.
      But in 2019 it was cancelled due to the massive cost of fixing the critical infrastructure.
      There is still some hope as in 2022 the government of the Sarajevo Canton picked a team to develop a plan for reconstructing the facility as part of Barcelona’s potential 2030 bid.
      The Spanish city has been twinned with Sarajevo since 2000.
      The medal podium was used as a place for executions during the warCredit: Getty – Contributor
      A hotel was turned into a prison before being abandonedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The venues are unrecognisableCredit: AFP – Getty
      The Olympic accommodation for athletes and a hotel were also left in ruins.
      During the war, it became a prison for Bosnian Muslims.
      One of the more grizzly scars from the war is a podium from the Winter Olympics that later became a place of execution for the imprisoned.
      The ramps for the ski jumping events have also been ruined as a result of the war.
      Sarajevo took a lot of damage during the war and reminders of the conflict are all around the former sporting venues.
      Fazlija added: “Sarajevo was in the longest siege in the modern history of war.
      “The first objects destroyed in Sarajevo were Olympic facilities.
      “It was very difficult to live in the city, to cope without water, food, warmth.
      “For sport, of course, it was not a good time. But the Olympic spirit of the city gave people the strength to endure another day, another week, another month.
      “The people helped each other as they could.
      “It drove people to clear the ruins, repair buildings, roads and infrastructure. Sarajevo was progressing every day, and life returned to the city.”
      In 2014 the Sarajevo Olympic Museum opened inside the Juan Antonio Samaranch Olympic Hall.
      The exhibits showcase artefacts from the games while the Olympic rings can still be seen around the city.
      In 2019 the region played host to the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival.
      This included eight sports and had 1,200 volunteers and 900 athletes heading to the area.
      Read more on The Sun
      As a result, the Bjelašnica ski resort was revitalised and will continue to benefit the locals.
      The Zetra Olympic Hall has also been the recipient of a reconstruction. More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Meet Tottenham new boy Radu Dragusin who snubbed Chelsea, has sport star parents and whose Wag is a glam architect

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      FOR Spurs it promises to be a Rad signing.Tottenham have agreed a deal to bring the “Romanian Van Dijk” Radu Dragusin to the Premier League for £21.5million from Italian side Genoa.
      Radu Dragusin has agreed to join Tottenham in a £21.5m deal
      Standing at 6ft3in, Dragusin is a hulking presence at the backCredit: instagram @radudragusin5
      Dragusin is supported by his stunning Wag Iona StanCredit: instagram @radudragusin5
      Heading in the opposite direction is forgotten man Djed Spence, as Ange Postecoglou also closes in on a swoop for German forward Timo Werner.
      Dragusin could have been a star on our shores sooner – snubbing Chelsea as a teenager to sign for Juventus.
      He comes from sporting stock – with both his parents elite sports stars in their homeland.
      Meanwhile his glam girlfriend Iona Stan is an aspiring architect who is living the dream life of a Wag.
      Read more football news
      Start big
      Standing at 6ft3in with a striking top-knot and goatee beard, Dragusin cuts an imposing figure.
      It was in his blood to be an athlete, both his parents were involved in professional sport.
      Dad Dan played volleyball for Romania, while mum Svetlana also represented her country in basketball.
      But it was a cousin who introduced a young Radu to football.
      Most read in Football
      He joined local side Sportul Studentesc before moving on to Regal Sport Bucharest who have an affiliation with Atletico Madrid.
      But the LaLiga side missed the boat on the centre-half, who moved to Italy in 2018 to link up with Juventus and their academy.
      Chelsea and PSG were also interested, but the Serie A giants moved fast to secure the talent – paying around £215,000 to secure the services of the then Romania U16 captain.
      “My brother called me and told me there’s a good young player [in Romania] and I sent him to see with his own eyes,” Florin Manea, the agent who brokered the transfer, told TMW.
      “He confirmed that initial impression by telling me he is a star, so I quickly reported to Juventus.
      “After about an hour, Matteo Tognozzi, Juventus’ chief scout, called me to say that Radu impressed everyone. Other teams were interested too, but the Bianconeri really wanted him.
      “He asked me, ‘Where can I become a great central defender?’ Chelsea wanted him too, but that’s why he chose Juventus.”
      Dragusin worked his way up the ranks at JuventusCredit: AP
      Centre back Dragusin idolises Juve legends Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo BonucciCredit: Getty
      Following the legends
      In 2020, Dragusin told Juventus TV: “I am inspired by Van Dijk, as well as Bonucci and Chiellini.”
      It was the latter two that he would get the opportunity to learn from in Turin.
      After making his way through the youth ranks, he was called up to the first team for a game against Lazio.
      A month later he made his debut in a Champions League tie against Dynamo Kyiv, coming on as a second half substitute.
      But, despite signing a four-year contract and being highly thought of, he consistently found himself on the fringes of the first eleven.
      Loan spells at Sampdoria and Salernitana hindered his progress, which convinced the Old Lady to offer Dragusin to Serie B side Genoa with an obligation to buy at the end of another loan.
      It was that move at the start of the 2022-23 season that would be the making of him.
      Starring role
      Dragusin took all the plaudits as Genoa gained promotion from Serie B.
      Incredibly, he missed just 45 minutes of a tiring campaign – contributing to his club’s impressive defensive record of conceding the second least in the division.
      After leaving Juventus, Dragusin became a key player for GenoaCredit: Getty
      Dragusin celebrates winning Serie B with IonaCredit: instagram @ioanastan_
      And he managed to find the net four times, as his aerial prowess proved to be a threat from set-pieces.
      His impressive form alerted Romania boss Edward Iordănescu, who called him up to the international set-up for all of his nation’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.
      It would prove to be a successful period for Romania, who topped their group over favourites Switzerland.
      With Dragusin at the heart of the defence, the Romanians conceded just five times in their 10 games.
      Starring in Serie A
      The stopper has continued to progress with his side cementing their place in Italy’s top flight.
      His development has been aided by coach Alberto Gilardino, a once prolific marksman for Parma, AC Milan, and Fiorentina.
      Dragusin said: “Gilardino has given us a lot confidence in our abilities, he told us to play with heart and give everything on the pitch.”
      Stopper Dragusin has proven to be one of Serie A’s most impressive competitorsCredit: Getty
      Dragusin celebrates scoring against Inter in Genoa’s final game of 2023Credit: Reuters
      That was in evidence in Genoa’s final game of 2023, before the winter break.
      The underdogs secured a vital point against Inter Milan to move seven points clear of the relegation zone.
      It was Dragusin who displayed that fighting spirit, netting an equaliser.
      Beautiful missus
      Away from the pitch, Dragusin is ably supported by his stunning girlfriend, Iona.
      Not much is known about how the pair met.
      However, they both appear on each other’s Instagram pages from 2021.
      She is an inspiring architect, who is studying at The Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urban Planning in Bucharest.
      When she’s not, she is living the life of a football Wag.
      On game day, you will find her cheering on her beloved in the stands.
      Gorgeous Iona lives the life of a WagCredit: instagram @ioanastan_
      Iona is Dragusin’s biggest fanCredit: instagram @ioanastan_
      Brunette beauty Iona is studying to be an architectCredit: instagram @ioanastan_
      Iona will be a big fan of London’s architecture when she moves to our shoresCredit: instagram @ioanastan_
      The artsy brunette looks and plays the part, dressing in designer fur coats and taking luxury holidays.
      Read more on The Sun
      Their next port of call is London, where she will be able to indulge her love for shopping and iconic architecture.
      While Dragusin’s game under Postecoglou will, no doubt, continue to improve. More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Franz Beckenbauer was a German football machine whose off-field disgrace couldn’t overshadow his greatness on the pitch

      by

      HE WAS known as Der Kaiser.The ultimate German footballing machine.
      Beckenbauer pioneered the sweeper positionCredit: Rex
      Later in life he was banned from footballing activities – but that did not overshadow his greatness on the fieldCredit: AP
      A World Cup winner as player and manager.
      The heartbeat of the Bayern Munich side that dominated Europe in the mid-70s, who invented a new position on the pitch – and then tried to make “soccer” work in the USA.
      One of the first ex-players to move into the realm of the suits, the movers and shakers.
      But whose life ended in off-field disgrace.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Banned and shunned – and accused of being one of the worst double-dealers in Fifa’s cluttered field – even before ill-health and dementia claimed him as a victim through his later years.
      Yet for most who loved football, it is the image of Franz Beckenbauer the player, the graceful, insightful, elegant swan of a booted hero, not the grasping anti-hero, which will always remain.
      A symbol of Germany’s move from a pariah nation to Europe’s most powerful footballing force.
      The man whose friendship with Bobby Charlton, forged on the field of combat, lasted for years. Enduring and deep.
      Most read in Football
      And with his passing, just a few months after Charlton himself died, another of the links with English football’s greatest day has broken, leaving just half a dozen of the men who were on the Wembley turf on July 30 1966.
      In Germany, unsurprisingly, the response to the news of Beckenbauer’s death at the age of 78 was a deep mourning.
      Bild, the country’s top-selling paper, said: “Germany says goodbye to its greatest footballer.
      “World champion as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1990.
      “The creator of the summer fairy tale in 2006.”
      Lothar Matthaeus, Beckenbauer’s skipper in that 1990 triumph, added: “The shock is deep, even though I knew he wasn’t feeling well.
      “Franz’ death is a loss for football and for Germany as a whole. He was one of the greatest, as a player and a coach but also off the field.”
      That is true and while the image of Der Kaiser was tarnished by his flaws, the beauty of its initial incarnation will remain far longer.
      POSTAL WORKER DAD
      Born to a Munich postal worker and his wife, just four months after the collapse of the Nazi regime and the end of World War Two in Europe, the schoolboy Beckenbauer was a fan of 1860 Munich.
      But a tear-up with the 1860 centre-half – Beckenbauer was a centre-forward at the time – in a local youth tournament saw him decide to join Bayern at 14 instead.
      Four years later, he was banned from the West German youth set-up because his girlfriend was pregnant, only for the national team’s assistant manager Dettmar Cramer to intervene on his behalf.
      By 1965, he was part of the emerging new Bayern side, team-mates including Gerd Muller and Sepp Maier and soon a full international, making his debut in the decisive World Cup qualifying win in Sweden.
      It was enough for coach Helmut Schoen. From then on, Beckenbauer was a certainty, and ever-present – a captain in waiting.
      Despite playing as a deep-lying midfielder, Beckenbauer scored four goals, including the Goodison semi-final winner over the Soviet Union, to earn his side their Wembley date.
      But Schon and Ramsey, wily foxes both, recognised the same thing, sending Charlton and Beckenbauer out to nullify each other.
      It worked, for both. But England and Geoff Hurst danced away with the trophy.
      1966 REVENGE
      Four years later, Beckenbauer and Germany got revenge in Leon, the Bayern man beginning a comeback from two down as he drove an angled shot past Peter Bonetti.
      That World Cup win did not come, though, not yet, with Beckenbauer playing the latter stages of the 4-3 extra-time semi-final defeat by Italy with his arm in a sling, after Schon had used both his allowed substitutes.
      By then Beckenbauer had become “Der Kaiser” – The Emperor – although his claim that it came about because he posed in front of a bust of former Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I might not have been entirely true.
      No matter. He was Der Kaiser, unquestionably, the ball-playing libero – an attack-minded sweeper who came out from the back to make the play.
      Captain of Schoen’s side as they demolished the Russians to win the Euros in Brussels in 1972 and having led Bayern to the first of three straight European Cup triumphs when he lifted the World Cup in his home city a few weeks later.
      Even after he pulled up the drawbridge on his West Germany career after 103 caps to join New York Cosmos, there was a final hoorah as he played two seasons at Hamburg, adding a fifth Bundesliga crown.
      His ascent to the managerial role was no surprise. Nor was the success, beaten only by the Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina in 1986, it was the South Americans who were vanquished in the repeat match-up in Rome four years later.
      A return to Bayern as boss saw more silverware before Beckenbauer, the grand old statesman, became the German FA’s vice-president, asked to lead their bid for the 2006 World Cup.
      Which is where things became more murky.
      While the 2006 tournament was a huge success, it later emerged the “summer fairy tale” had been won on the back of an illicit deal which saw £1m enter his bank account from South Africa, while he also earned £3m from a covert sponsorship deal.
      And Beckenbauer was also a member of the Fifa executive committee which awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively in 2010.
      Read more on The Sun
      Documents later suggested he had received £3m-plus from Russia while he voted for Qatar despite being an ambassador for Australia’s bid.
      Yet what matters, far more, is the legacy on the pitch. Der Kaiser represented an ideal. Even if he could not always live up to it.
      He won the World Cup as Germany manager in 1990Credit: AFP
      His death has plunged Germany into national mourningCredit: Rex
      Beckenbauer helped popularise football in the US by moving to the New York CosmosCredit: Rex
      His later life was dominated by scandal owing to his dealings with FifaCredit: EPA More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Alisha Lehmann and Douglas Luiz’s romance, from sour break up to rekindling love on New Year’s Eve

      by

      BOTH are at top of their game and both are lucky in love AGAIN.Alisha Lehmann, 24, is one of the stars of the WSL – gaining traction as a social media influencer and international women’s footballer for Switzerland.
      Football’s sexiest couple Douglas Luiz and Alisha Lehmann are seemingly back together
      Stunning Alisha has become a sex symbol outside of football
      Douglas Luiz is one of Aston Villa’s starsCredit: Rex
      While Brazilian midfielder and Arsenal target Douglas Luiz, 25, has been one of Aston Villa’s standout performers in a campaign that has seen Unai Emery’s outfit become unlikely Premier League title contenders.
      They made a glam pair until a sour break up in 2022, reportedly because of her raunchy calendar, saw them part ways.
      However, they rang in 2024 TOGETHER – celebrating their reunion with a loved-up Instagram post.
      It appears that the beautiful game now has its beautiful couple once more.
      Read more Alisha Lehmann news
      How they met
      They play for the same club, and are blessed with good looks, so you could be forgiven to think Alisha and Douglas met on a photoshoot to launch Aston Villa merch.
      But that wasn’t the case here.
      They like to let their hair down when they’re not working hard on the pitch and embrace the Birmingham nightlife.
      One evening, in a Midlands hotspot, their paths crossed.
      Most read in Football
      She was recently single, following a split from fellow Switzerland star Ramona Bachmann and open to love.
      Instantly, Alisha and Douglas clicked.
      They bonded over football and soon became inseparable.
      And they were sure to let their audience know.
      Insta love
      Smitten Alisha took to Instagram to share her news with her then five million followers (she has 16 million today) in 2021.
      She uploaded a boomerang on her Instagram story that showed her and Douglas sharing an intimate moment.
      He reciprocated by reposting the short and sweet clip on his own story adding the caption: “Princess”.
      It was then they became football’s sexiest couple.
      There were reports that their relationship might provide a distraction on the pitch.
      That was nonsense, though. Both continued to thrive, happy with the support they gave one another.
      Alisha and Douglas went Instagram official in 2021
      Their romance played out in front of their followers’ eyesCredit: INSTAGRAM @alishalehmann7
      On the defensive
      Alisha and Douglas continued to serenade each other online over the coming year, as their love played it out in front of our eyes.
      Selfies together and loving messages to each other were regularly appearing on their social media feeds.
      She soon gave up her rented penthouse apartment to move into his £1.5million five-bed house in Sutton Coldfield.
      Then, Douglas played the role of protective boyfriend.
      One particular incident showed loyalty and respect to his stunning partner.
      In 2022, South American TV host Milton Neves, 72, felt the wrath of the Brazil international.
      He tweeted a clip of Alisha scoring and celebrating a goal by jumping and turning her back.
      The video appeared to zoom in on her bum during the goal celebration in a game against Man City, which her team won 4-3.
      Aston Villa ace Alisha celebrates scoring for her clubCredit: Getty
      A disrespectful video of Alisha was shared by a Brazilian TV journalist
      Douglas Luiz leapt to the defence of his girlfriend and called out the sexist clip onlineCredit: Rex
      The sexist post ends with the question: “Without rewinding the video what number was on her shirt?”
      Neves posted the video alongside a caption: “Watch and comment.”
      Furious Douglas launched an attack on the presenter – calling his fellow countryman “disrespectful”.
      “You’re old, years in soccer and you post a video that does not respect women’s soccer or the player herself, who is also my girlfriend,” Luiz said on Twitter, now known as X.
      “You have not learned what respect is, that’s bulls***.”
      Sex symbol
      Alisha slowly become a pin-up outside of her glittering career.
      Her good looks landed her modelling shoots and notoriety.
      She celebrated her beauty – showcasing her incredible and athletic body wearing sexy bikinis in glamorous locations -and captured her fabulous lifestyle on Instagram.
      Alisha also became a fashion icon, revered for her sense of style – taking that on to the pitch by donning false eyelashes and make-up.
      Soon Alisha became a fashion icon off the pitchCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      She shares her glam outfits on Instagram to her 16 million followersCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7
      Beautiful Alisha shows off her stunning bikini bodyCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      Femininity is important to Alisha on the football pitchCredit: Rex
      Quite rightly, she was unapologetic about her appearance.
      “The message I want to give to people [is] that you can literally be however you want and still play football,” she told The Times.
      “Use make-up or do the things you like, do your nails, do your eyelashes, and still play football. It’s not a side you have to pick.
      “It’s really important that no one changes because people tell you to. When I was younger a lot of people told me, ‘Oh, you can’t wear make-up. You can’t wear your lashes when you play’. At one point I thought, ‘Why not?’ It’s normal and it doesn’t hurt anyone if I do it.
      “I feel like we should see this as normal. Because I’m someone that likes it a lot. I want to look really feminine. It’s my passion.”
      Trouble in paradise
      However, by November 2022 cracks in the romance of Alisha and Douglas began to appear.
      As we exclusively revealed, they called off their relationship after several heated arguments about the release of her 2024 calendar.
      A source close to the pair said: “Douglas was completely smitten with Alisha. When she first arrived, he was like, ‘Who is this girl?’.
      “He quickly asked her out and they became a footballing power couple. They were so loved up.
      Alisha’s glam lifestyle began causing rifts between her and DouglasCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      As Alisha became more in-demand, she and Douglas parted waysCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7
      “But, sadly, as Alisha became more in demand off the pitch, the cracks started to appear in their relationship.
      “When asked to do a calendar, she jumped at the chance to show off her sexy side but he was not happy.
      “He didn’t think it was something she should be doing. They rowed a lot and in the end Alisha simply had enough.”
      Water under the bridge
      Simply put, you can’t keep these two apart.
      The festive period has a habit of bringing out the romantic side in us all.
      Alisha and Douglas are clearly suckers for it too.
      It appears that they have rekindled their love – if a set of snaps together celebrating New Year’s Eve is anything to go by.
      She gave fans a glimpse of how she celebrated the arrival of 2024, pictured alongside loved ones and a host of white balloons.
      And in a couple of the images was her former beau.
      One showed the pair gazing into each other’s eyes while smiling.
      Alisha and Douglas recently appeared to be back together in this posed snaps with loved onesCredit: Instagram
      Love is well and truly back in the air for football’s sexiest coupleCredit: INSTAGRAM @alishalehmann7
      Another saw Luiz placing a hand around Lehmann’s waist.
      Lehmann added the caption: “Happy 2024 🎉♥️.”
      Read more on The Sun
      And Luiz responded: “I love you ❤️.”
      Football’s sexiest couple are, thankfully, back. More

    • 288 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      I played with Gareth Bale and in Premier League and all EFL divisions but now want to lead Gillingham to FA Cup shock

      by

      JONNY WILLIAMS has gone to three major tournaments, deputised for Gareth Bale and played with and against some of the world’s greats.The midfield playmaker also can boast he has competed in all four of this country’s top divisions.
      Jonny Williams and Gareth Bale in training for Wales
      Williams is now plying his trade for League Two club Gillingham
      And today he hopes to add another chapter to his football story by helping League Two club Gillingham topple Premier League strugglers Sheffield United at Priestfield.
      Williams, 30, hung up his boots for Wales only last March.
      And when he returned home last summer to Kent, the county of his birth and upbringing, it dawned on him what an incredible adventure he has been on.
      From playing in the top-flight after winning promotion at Wembley with Crystal Palace to helping his country reach the Euro 2016 semi-final, he had a whirlwind start to his career.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Then he helped Charlton climb into the Championship in 2018, played at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament before being selected to go to last winter’s World Cup in Qatar despite being a League Two player at Swindon!
      He told SunSport: “I pinch myself at times. I’m moving into a new home back in Tunbridge Wells, sorting through boxes and seeing memorabilia of things I did.
      “Going to the Euros and a World Cup were things I could’ve only dreamed of.
      “My only goal as a kid was to play one senior game for Crystal Palace so to go to those tournaments and score twice for my country, as well as win two Wembley play-off finals, were incredible life experiences.” 
      Most read in Football
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      Williams made his international debut by coming on as a half-time sub for the injured Bale against Scotland in 2013 before deputising for the Wales legend four days later.
      And the Gills midfielder played during what was a golden age in Welsh football.
      He said: “Aaron Ramsey and Bale were not just world-class as players — but as people too. 
      “They set the tone for the rest of the group and what followed. There were no egos because that wasn’t the way we were going as a nation.
      Williams in action against England at Euro 2016 in France
      Our man Justin Allen caught up with Jonny Williams at Gillingham
      “The two let their feet do the talking because they’re natural-gifted footballers blessed with unbelievable talent with and without the ball.
      “And the desire to improve and work hard in training set the tempo for the rest of us. 
      “When I was very young, Craig Bellamy was the same — he led by example. 
      “It makes you understand and learn quickly what needs to be done if you want to play for Wales. I was fortunate enough to have those boys to look up to.
      Aaron Ramsey and Bale were not just world-class as players — but as people tooJonny Williams
      “They always spoke to everyone, players and staff, with respect. I know it should be a given in life but sometimes in football it’s not and I’ve had team mates who struggle with that.
      “I learned massively from Gareth and Aaron — from when I was playing in the Premier League to when I was in League Two, they still treated me the same as they did Wayne Hennessey.
      “And the squad had some great professionals in it. The other ones that stood out for me were Joe Allen, who got into the Euro 2016 team of the tournament, and Ben Davies.
      “It’s Ben’s 12th season playing for Wales and to stay at that level for that length of time you’ve got to be a top footballer.
      Williams played during a golden era for Welsh football
      The midfielder prepares to warm up at the Qatar World Cup last winter
      “I’m sure once Aaron comes to the end of his time, Ben will be the natural leader to step in because he’s great in the dressing room as well.”
      Bale announced his retirement from all football following the World Cup in Qatar and a glittering career that took in Southampton, Tottenham and Real Madrid.
      And Williams said: “I’m sure he’d have loved to have won the Premier League — but with five Champions League titles and all his Wales achievements I don’t think he’ll have any complaints.
      “I still keep in touch with those two. Aaron’s close to returning from injury with Cardiff. I’ve not spoken to Gareth for a couple of months but he’s probably busy playing golf with that spare time he’s now got!”
      Today’s opponents Sheffield United evoke some fond but also emotional memories for Williams.
      Former Blades player and manager Gary Speed was the man who first promoted him into the Wales squad — and nurtured the then rookie before tragically taking his own life in 2011.
      Williams said: “Gary was a phenomenal bloke in the short time I spent with him. 
      “He was a Premier League legend and I’d seen many of his games as a kid — and in the Wales team as well as I was making my way through the youth ages, watching him playing in the senior set up.
      Gary Speed gave Williams his first Wales senior squad call-up before losing his life in tragic circumstances
      “To this day, we don’t know why he took his life. We’ll be asking for years why? 
      “I remember walking out of church that Sunday morning learning he had passed away. It was tragic news. 
      “I’ll be forever grateful for him giving me that senior call up and showing that belief in me as a 17-year-old to work alongside the likes of him, Craig Bellamy, Danny Gabbidon and all the Wales superstars coming through at the time.
      “He took me out for a coffee or hot chocolate in St David’s in Cardiff — and told me straight away, ‘You’re good enough to be here, don’t just think this is a token call-up. You’re playing at a good level, you’ve been playing well and I want you in the senior team. Just enjoy the experience and playing with these players — and this is the start of your future.’
      “Not many managers would’ve done that. I was only a teen but he sat me down and took 15 to 20 minutes to get to know me as a person. I didn’t get much time with him in the end but those small moments I’ll remember forever.”
      Today he potentially faces his former Wales team-mate Rhys Norrington-Davies, who came on as a late sub at Man City for his first outing for FOURTEEN months after being sidelined with a career-threatening hamstring injury.
      And Williams said: “Rhys is so talented and deserves to be in the Premier League. I hope he can kick on.
      “I was gutted for him missing the World Cup because he’s so good around the dressing room too. 

      Williams with the Wales team after being knocked out of the 2022 World Cup
      “Football can be a cruel sport but I’m sure he would have had his friends and family around him to get him through that period and now he’s back fit and he’s got the opportunity to play in the top division.”
      And Williams himself still has plenty of ambitions going forward in his club career.
      Read more on The Sun
      First he hopes to cause an upset today and then his next goal is clear: “To win promotion.
      “I’ve gone to the Premier League and Championship — and now I want to complete the hat-trick set and get Gillingham back into League One where they belong.” More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside ‘hour by hour’ fight to save Michael Schumacher’s life 10 years ago as docs lowered body temp & operated on brain

      by

      MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread 10-years-ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.
      Michael Schumacher was left fighting for his life a decade ago today after a tragic skiing accident that caused major brain injuriesCredit: AFP
      The F1 icon was airlifted to a specialised hospital in Grenoble and taken straight to intensive care for life saving treatmentCredit: Reuters
      In the 10 years since the horror accident Michael’s family have kept as much as possible secret from the outside worldCredit: EPA
      The spot in the French Alps ski resort of Meribel where Schumacher took a fall and hit his head on a boulderCredit: AFP
      Yesterday in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.
      Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.
      He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.
      The racing legend’s health reportedly deteriorated fast as he was being carried away and is thought to have lost consciousness before being intubated to keep him breathing.
      READ MORE ON SCHUMACHER
      After he was wheeled into the intensive care unit, Professor Jean-Francois Payen said it was a case of working “hour by hour” as the team took three key measures to save the then 44-year-old’s life.
      The racing icon was put into a medically induced coma to reduce the inflammation around his brain and allow for him to be operated on.
      Doctors lowered his body temperature to 34-35C when he was in the coma, slowing his metabolism down.
      He then underwent two operations to remove blood clots and save his life by releasing pressure built up in his head.
      Most read in Motorsport
      At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.
      A senior German journalist was even reported as saying: “The family has been told that only a miracle can bring him back now.”
      At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.
      But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.
      After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.
      Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.
      Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.
      In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.
      Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.
      Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.
      The doctor made it clear that any and all details of Schumacher’s treatment would remain “secret” for medical confidentiality.
      It’s reported Schumacher has received medical care costing as much as £115,000-a-week as his family, friends and pals all hope he can continue to recover from his horror ski crash.
      He is also being looked after by an expert team of 15 doctors and a team of masseurs with his loving wife Corinna by his side.
      Schumacher hasn’t been seen since the accident or even heard from.
      However in April 2023, a German magazine ran a tasteless AI-generated “interview” with the stricken driver pretending to speak with him.
      Die Aktuelle’s front cover showed a photo of him smiling, with a headline promising: “Michael Schumacher, the first interview”.
      But in fact the chat was written with an artificial intelligence tool and the family threatened legal action leading to Die Aktuelle’s editor being sacked.
      Since the accident, German author and journalist Jens Gideon has been probing the horrific accident and gave two potential reasons as to why the crash happened and had such dire consequences.
      The first was the lack of snow on the ground, which meant it was extra dangerous to ski as the rocks were exposed.
      And the second was because Schumacher was conscious after the initial fall so first responders didn’t realise just how serious his condition was rapidly worsening.
      Read more on The Sun
      A local ski instructor who saw the crash said Schumacher seemed responsive after the accident so was taken to a hospital in Moutiers.
      When the helicopter eventually landed it was immediately decided that it should take off again and fly to the bigger, more specialised hospital in Grenoble as his was clearly in danger of losing his life.
      Michael’s wife Corinna is part of an inner circle of family and close friends who are the only people allowed to see MichaelCredit: Rex Features

      The Schumacher family were reportedly told that only a miracle would bring Michael back as his brain injuries were so severeCredit: Netflix More

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      in Boxing

      Inside boxing legend Manny Pacquiao’s amazing car collection including a £180k Ferrari and £130k Porsche Cayenne Turbo

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      MANNY PACQUIAO has amassed a staggering £200million fortune thanks to his incredible career.PacMan, now 45, is a boxing legend – and the only eight-division world champion in the history of the sport.
      Manny Pacquaio boasts an amazing car collectionCredit: Getty
      The most expensive motor in Pacquiao’s car collection is a £180k Ferrari 458 Italia
      The Ferrari 458 Italia can reach 0-62 mph in just three secondsCredit: Alamy
      Alongside a life in the ring, Pacquiao became a politician and was Senator of the Philippines until 2022.
      But, alongside his charity work, he has not been afraid to flaunt his wealth.
      And he has splashed the cash on an amazing array of motors that would make him the envy of many.
      Ferrari 458 Italia, £180k
      The quickest of Pacquiao’s motors, the Ferrari 458 Italia can reach 0-62 mph in just three seconds.
      Read more car collections
      Costing a whopping £180,000 – it’s a pricey supercar.
      But it’s definitely worth it in the style stakes because nothing looks as sleek as a Ferrari.
      It’s powered by a 4.5 litre V8 engine that produces 562 horse power.
      Footballers including Neymar, Mesut Ozil and Mario Balotelli have all been seen with a 458 Italia.
      Most read in Boxing
      Porsche Cayenne Turbo, £130k
      Driving around Los Angeles when he was on at training camp, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo was an ideal ride.
      First of all, it provides ample space for the 5ft5in southpaw to relax in after a gruelling session in the gym.
      Second, it’s one of most luxurious SUV’s on the market – capable of hitting 0-62 mph in a very zippy 3.7 seconds.
      It’s got plenty of punch, just like it’s owner.
      The Porsche Cayenne Turbo is one of the most luxury SUV’s on the marketCheck out these amazing collections

      Mercedes Benz SL550, £80k
      This classically designed Merc is a staple among the rich and famous.
      It debuted in 2006, with the latter models boasting a 4.7-litre twin-turbo V-8 engine.
      The SL550 is surprisingly quick – capable of 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds.
      Inside it’s plush, with Mercedes Benz always providing lavish interiors.
      The Mercedes-Benz SL550 boasts lavish interiorsCredit: Reuters
      read more sport features
      Lincoln Navigator, £90k
      A classic American SUV, the Lincoln was long-associated with Hollywood A-lister Matthew McConaughey, who was an ambassador for the brand.
      Called a ‘Palace on wheels’, the Navigator is their most impressive model.
      Many joke it has an apartment size interior, and it is capable of seating eight passengers.
      However, be warned – it’s not a sporty drive and handles like a barge.
      The Lincoln Navigator has been described as an apartment on wheelsCredit: Getty
      Cadillac Escalade, £150k
      For Pacquiao, big is clearly best.
      Not content with owning a massive Lincoln Navigator, he also rules the road with a beautiful Escalade.
      In Los Angeles, where Pacquiao spent a lot of his time training at the Wildcard gym, they are often seen as limos for Hollywood’s elite.
      Measuring 17ft long and weighing 2.6 tonnes, the engine is a massive 6.2-litre, naturally aspirated V8.
      The Cadillac Escalade is often seen ferrying A-list celebs around LACredit: Cadillac
      Hummer H2, from £50k
      There was a time when you couldn’t move for Hummers in the US, especially among the sporting elite.
      However, the car manufacturer GM stopped making the Army-inspired SUVs in 2010.
      That’s now made the Hummer a collector’s item, which Pacquiao will be well aware of.
      Although he bought his bulletproof vehicle for protection for himself and his family in the Philippines.
      Pacquiao owns a bulletproof Hummer in his homelandCredit: Handout – Getty
      M2 Cyclone 1200cc Motorcycle, £4k
      Not content with four wheels, Pacquiao enjoyed riding two with this custom-made motorcycle.
      It was made by Harley Davidson’s sister operation, Buell.
      Read more on The Sun
      Design-wise, it features imagery of Manny’s legendary bouts against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
      It boast a 1200cc size, V-twin, four stroke, 5 gears engine and reaches a top speed of 135 mph.
      Pacquiao also has a M2 Cyclone 1200cc Motorcycle custom-designedCredit: motorcyclephilippines.com/forums/ More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside Michael Schumacher’s secretive & ironclad inner circle from Todt to Badoer & those cut by Corinna ‘for his sake’

      by

      AS ONE of the greatest race car drivers of all time Michael Schumacher could’ve had his pick of friends – from fellow F1 legends to the rich and famous outside of Motorsports.But after his tragic ski accident that left him fighting for his life the iconic German’s friendship group has been trimmed down as his family continue to keep his health a secret and his inner circle small.
      Michael Schumacher’s wife Corinna has created an inner circle for the legendary F1 figure to help ensure their families privacyCredit: Alamy

      Luca Badoer (middle left) and Ruebens Barrichello (far right) were drivers for Ferrari with Michael (far left) but since the accident just Luca has been allowed to see himCredit: AP:Associated Press
      As an accomplished skier, the retired seven-times world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel, exactly a decade ago.
      Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.
      He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.
      Doctors later said the headgear is the only reason he’s still alive.
      read more in SCHUMACHER’S LIFE
      Michael was then placed in a medically induced coma to try to reduce the swelling and in the decade since the F1 superstar has never been seen in public and health updates have been very rare.
      This sparked a whole host of unanswered questions from friends, fans and fellow drivers that his family refused to comment on.
      Since 2013, his wife Corinna has been creating a private world around Michael as he continues his recovery – including forming a tight knit group of people allowed to see the great man and those who can’t.
      Corinna has cut out certain people for a plethora or reasons including keeping the families privacy a priority and for the sake of Schuey.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Michael’s wife – who he described as his “guardian angel” – has done her best to keep their life private including reportedly slimming down his £500m business empire and selling prized assets such as his private jet and Norwegian home.
      She has even converted part of their £50million home into a hospital where 15 doctors and a team of masseurs give him 24-hour care and the surrounding forest and security fences kept him away from anyone not welcome.
      Jean Todt
      The ex-F1 boss has been close to Michael for over 30 years and is one of the only people outside of his family who has publicly spoken about the Germans well being and what he gets up to these days.
      Todt, 77, spoke about the pairs relationship in an interview with German TV channel RTL.
      He revealed that he and Michael watch F1 races together when Jean visits the seven-time world champion at his Geneva home.
      The two have been meeting up around once a month since the accident with Jean even saying “his family are my family”.
      Schumacher’s former boss at Ferrari said: “I don’t miss Michael, I see him. Yes, it’s true, I watch races with Michael.
      “But sure, I guess what I miss is what we used to do together.”
      “Him, Corinna, the family, we’ve had so many experiences together. The beauty of what we have experienced is part of us and it goes on.
      “Sometimes success and money changes you. But Michael has never changed. He’s so strong.” 
      Jean first met Michael when he took the already two time champion under his wing at the “The Prancing Horse” and helped him win five consecutive world titles between 2000 to 2004.
      Since the accident Jean has always been adamant that the Schumacher family should be left alone and not made to discuss Michael.
      Sabine Kehm
      Sabine Kehm was a relatively unknown journalist before her first interview with the Michael when she was just a 29-year-old.
      Six years later, Sabine was invited into the inner circle of everything Schumacher when she accepted an offer to become his press officer.
      The 59-year-old has been in this coveted role for over 13 years now and later became his manager as in that time the pair struck up a brilliant relationship.
      Sabine became responsible for keeping Schumacher’s life in check and helping the very busy man stay organised.
      She was tasked with buying birthday presents for members of his team when he was at Ferrari and making sure he did enough media to keep sponsors and fans happy but not enough to annoy Michael.
      Kehm remembers a conversation she had with him when they first grew close and it’s something that’s stuck with her even after the accident.
      She said: “Once in a long discussion Michael said to me: ‘You don’t need to call me for the next year, I’m disappearing.’
      “I think it was his secret dream to be able to do that some day.
      “That’s why now I still want to protect his wishes in that I don’t let anything get out.”
      Sabine is seen as one of the most powerful members of the inner circle as she was with Michael more than most during his career.
      She kept on top of the press and tried her best to keep them in line with whatever Michael did and didn’t want to do.
      Even after his accident, when people were desperate to see him and know what condition he was in Kehm made sure anything the family wanted to keep private remained a secret.
      Luca Badoer
      Ex-Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer and Schumacher’s careers first crossed paths when the pair were at the Italian giants together.
      Michael was the best driver in the world for a long period of time during his time at Ferrari and the whole time Badoer played a pivotal role in helping the team achieve such great success by testing the car.
      But since then – back in the late 90s – the pair have stayed in contact.
      Badoer revealed a few years ago that he visits the great driver regularly and is welcomed in by the family.
      He also noted that the family want to keep some things a complete secret and he will “respect their will largely”.
      He continued: “I do not even want to talk about this, because I’ve never talked about it, just because the family does not want to.
      “The visits to him are really granted to a few people, at the behest of Corinna. We respect what they want, and there is no need to make controversy.”
      Schumacher’s previous health leaksThe Schumacher family has faced several other issues with keeping their father and husband’s life as secretive as possible.
      A legal battle in 2016 was waged after German magazine Bunte reported the racing legend “could walk”.
      The court case led to a few small pieces of information being revealed, with Schumacher’s lawyers confirming he still couldn’t walk.
      Corinna also reportedly led the effort to hide a ghoulish photo of the F1 legend that was reportedly snapped and then smuggled out by a “friend” and offered around to news outlets for a whopping £1million.
      German prosecutors called the disgusting act a “violation of his personal range of life” and breach of privacy.
      Corinna reportedly demanded the cops take action, but the media outlet refused to reveal its source – and also claimed it never saw any of the images of Schumacher.

      Michael with his former boss Jean Todt (left) – Jean is known to visit the Schumacher home regularly and watch F1 races with the recovering driverCredit: AFP
      Sabine Kehm has always made sure the superstar’s health isn’t out in the public and remained a secret for the family
      Luca Badoer (right) has been a friend of Michael’s for decades and is a part of the inner circle made up by his wife CorinnaCredit: EPA
      Rubens Barrichello
      Despite being teammates for the most successful period of Michael’s career between the glory years of 2000 to 2005 Barrichello has been banned from seeing the superstar.
      In an interview on Brazilian TV network Globo, Barrichello said: “I tried to find a way to visit him, but they said to me: ‘It will not do you or him any good’.”
      Barrichello has been critical of the way he felt he was treated during his time at Ferrari by the team and Michael and voiced his feelings to the media.
      He said the lead driver was “was never supportive” and “never there to offer help”.
      The Brazilian said he ended up feeling like the team was made for Schumacher only and not for himself at all.
      During his time at Williams Racing, Barrichello also screamed that Schumacher “tried to kill him” and nearly “sending him to heaven” in a 200 mph horror move during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
      Willi Weber
      One of the biggest exclusions from Corinna’s inner circle is the man who is often credited with discovering Schumacher and kick starting his near perfect career.
      Willi Weber, 81, was the long-term manager of the F1 champion, but after being barred from seeing Michael he now fears he’ll never see his former protégé ever again.
      Weber recently revealed that he had received “no positive news” after allegedly being shut out of the racing star’s life for the last 10 years.
      He told the Cologne Express: “When I think of Michael now, unfortunately I don’t have anymore hope that I will see him again.
      “No positive news after ten years.”
      He also recalled how gutted he felt about not being able to see the man he once said was like a son to him immediately after the accident.
      “Of course, I regret that very much and blame myself. I should have visited Michael in the hospital. I mourned like a dog after his accident.”
      Much like Barrichello – Weber has been critical in the press about the family extraordinarily accusing them of not being honest to the public about the Schumacher’s condition.
      He said: “I find it very unfortunate that Michael’s fans do not know about his health. Why are they not being told the truth?”
      And in July last year, Weber once again made headlines by demanding that the Schumacher family come out with the truth about his health.
      He said he was still “angry” that he had not been kept informed once since the F1 legend’s ski accident.
      He told Italian sports publication La Gazetta dello Sport: “I tried hundreds of times to contact Corinna and she didn’t answer.
      “They kept me out, telling me it’s too early, well now it’s too late. It’s been nine years. Maybe they should just say it the way it is.”
      Eddie Jordan
      The famed founder of Jordan Grand Prix was apparently blocked after putting in a request to visit Michael and see how he was.
      Jordan told the Irish Daily Mirror: “So, there was connection and I reached out and one stage asked was it appropriate and did I think we should go and visit him.
      “The answer was no. No visitations for anyone at that moment except the actual direct family.”
      Jordan has since stayed in contact with Michael’s famous son Mick who Jordan labelled as “extraordinary”, but still hasn’t met the slowly recovering Schumacher.
      The former F1 boss, gave Schumacher his big break in motor racing back in 1991, and considered himself a good friend of Michael’s.
      He continued: “I made an effort to go see Michael in the early days and Corinna refused, and rightfully so because too many people wanted to go see him.
      “Jean Todt was given the privilege to go see him because of how close they were from their time together at Ferrari which is completely understandable.
      Read more on The Sun
      “I was not able to go see Michael and they said ‘We love you Eddie and we’ve been involved with you for a very long time, but we do need privacy and safeguard of Michael’.”
      Rubens Barrichello (left) opened up about his relationship with Michael Schumacher and revealed he asked to visit his former teammate but was told no
      Eddie Jordan (left) with Schumacher in 1991 – the former F1 boss asked to see Michael after the skiing accident but his request was rejected
      Willi Weber (right) is known as the man who first discovered Schmuacher in 1989 but since his accident Weber hasn’t been allowed to see the man he saw as a son More