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      in Soccer

      Lionesses close to tears as Olympic dreams dashed by Holland on see-saw night despite thumping Scotland 6-0

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      LAUREN JAMES bagged a deadly double as England hammered Scotland 6-0.But it was not enough to seal the result they needed to top their Women’s Nations League group and keep hopes of Great Britain battling for Paris Olympics football medals alive. 
      Lauren James bagged twice for the LionessesCredit: Getty
      England’s big win wasn’t enough to qualify for the Olympics – with the players left close to tearsCredit: Reuters
      Lucy Bronze and Co were left gutted by the outcomeCredit: Reuters
      Just as the team thought it was mission accomplished as the Lionesses roared to a hefty win, Damaris Egurrola netted the goal that saw them leap back to pole position in group A1 and claim their place in the Women’s Nations League semis.
      It was see-saw night for the visitors. And one that ended with their Olympic hopes crushed.
      Coming into the game England no longer had their bid to top their group and reach the contest semis in their hands, despite beating Holland 3-2 last Friday. 
      At a bitterly cold Hampden Park, Sarina Wiegman’s side had two objectives. 
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      The first was to win their game and the second – to wipe out Holland’s three-goal advantage in the goal difference standings in group A1. 
      The match was a make or break moment in terms of whether they could move closer to clinching an Olympics spot for a Great Britain women’s football team. 
      That or seeing hopes of a British women’s football side battling for medals at the Paris games go up in smoke. 
      And in the dying seconds their hopes were dashed. 
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      The Lionesses and Scotland found themselves in the bizarre predicament of facing each other in a fixture that England needed to win in order to ensure players from both nations (as well Wales) are in with a chance of potentially playing at the Games next summer.
      Wiegman wanted her side to go wild in attack but not erratic. 
      They heeded her call taking a 12th-minute lead with Mead’s perfectly delivered corner-kick headed home by Alex Greenwood. 
      Moments later boos rang out from home fans with Lisa Evans looking to ref for a penalty after colliding with Lucy Bronze in the box but having no joy. 
      Lauren Hemp hit the woodwork at the half hour mark before Claire Emslie flashed the ball across goal in reply 
      And with Holland taking a lead against Belgium at that point the Lionesses now needed three more goals to top their group. 
      James answered their prayers with a 38th minute finish from the edge of the box before curling in a stylish for her second. 
      And Mead made it 4-0 close to half time following James’ cross into the box. 
      The second half saw Fran Kirby get in on the act pouncing on a drag back from Georgia Stanway. 
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      While Holland went 3-0 up through danger woman Lineth Beerensteyn and Egurrola, England came perilously close to conceding with Martha Thomas striking the post. An injury time Lucy Bronze header initially looked to have put the result beyond doubt 
      But then up stepped Egurrola whose finish in Holland saw Team GB’s football  qualifying hopes dashed. 
      Vivianne Miedema and her Dutch team-mates pipped the Lionesses to qualifyCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Fans hail Amir Khan’s amazing gesture after he reunites with the man who beat him for 2004 Olympic gold

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      AMIR KHAN amazingly gave his former Olympic rival Mario Kindelan $5,000 towards a new house. Kindelan is a legend of the amateur code, winning two gold medals at the Games and three World Championships.
      Amir Khan lost to Mario Kindelan in the 2004 Olympic finalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Khan and Kindelan reunited
      He famously beat a then-17-year-old Khan in the 2004 Athens Olympics but they rematched a year later.
      Despite still being an amateur contest, it was aired on ITV and drew an astonishing 6.3 million viewers.
      Khan would go onto become a legend of British boxing, reigning as unified light-welterweight champion.
      He faced some of boxing’s biggest stars in Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, retiring in 2022 following defeat to bitter enemy Kell Brook.
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      Kindelan meanwhile was unable to turn professional due to it being banned in his homeland of Cuba.
      The rule was introduced by Fidel Castro in 1962 and restricted Cubans to amateur boxing.
      Only last year was the ban lifted but it proved too late for Kindelan, now aged 52.
      The Olympic icon reunited with Khan at an event in Bahrain and offered to sell him his gold medal to held buy his mother a home.
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      Khan rejected it and instead donated the $5,000 (£3,900) sum to Kindelan.
      He said on talkSPORT: “It was sad to see in a three-time World Amateur Champion, one of the best amateurs ever to come out of Cuba and two-time Olympic gold medallist.
      “To see that, it hurts me. It hurt me when he was telling me that he had no money, so I gave him some cash.
      “He then said, ‘Do you wanna buy my gold medal?’ I thought he was joking at first.
      “But he said, ‘I really wanna sell you my gold medal so I can build my mother a house, the family’s really poor and I wanna build a house for her.’
      ‘CLASS ACT’
      “I asked him how much the house was gonna be and he said it was gonna be $5,000.
      “I said, ‘No problem, I’ll give you the $5,000, plus you have to promise me that you’ll keep the medal and never sell it to someone because you won the Olympic gold medal.’
      “I said, ‘I’d never take that from you because you earned that.’
      “I’m very happy that he told me the story because I would never let him sell that gold medal, and he’s promised me he won’t now.
      “I’ve sent him the money and hopefully he can build his mother’s house now.”
      Khan – who runs several charity foundations – was hailed by fans for his incredible gesture.
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      One said: “Class act Amir.”
      Another added: “Top man Amir. Absolute class.”
      Khan took silver in the 2004 OlympicsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

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      in Soccer

      England 3 Netherlands 2: Lionesses keep Olympic hopes alive with last gasp Ella Toone strike after heroic comeback

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      ELLA TOONE helped England mount a miraculous comeback after a first half disaster against Holland in the Women’s Nations LeagueThe Man Utd star’s dramatic Wembley winner in a 3-2 comeback victory saved her side’s bacon and helped keep Team GB’s Olympic qualifying dreams alive.
      Toone’s late goal has kept England’s hopes aliveCredit: Rex
      On her 50th appearance Toone’s pal Lauren Hemp gave Sarina Wiegman’s side a glimmer of hope of maintaining their chance of reaching the games in  Paris. 
      And it came after a first half that went pear-shaped for the World Cup finalists. 
      England started brightly with Lauren James heading over in the third minute. 
      Later the Chelsea ace drove through the middle and fed Hemp the ball with the in-form Lioness firing wide of Daphnne van Domselaar’s goals. 
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      The past few Women’s Nations League games have seen the Lionesses wobble with their results under Sarina Wiegman, following a ruthless winning run that saw a number of big-hitting rivals dispatched.
      And after a strong start it was backs against the wall time for her side when they went behind against the run of play. 
      Holland had just two shots on target in the first spell 
      And they used those to punish England’s defensive issues in the game. 
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      Toone ran back to put the ball on the spot in order for England to try and run up the scorelineCredit: Rex
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      A superbly weighted ball from Victoria Pelova was dropped neatly into the path of Holland striker Lineth Beerensteyn. 
      And she bamboozled Jess Carter with the defender colliding with  Lucy Bronze before Beerensteyn rifled in a 12th minute opener prompting jeers from the crowd.
      The visitors doubled their lead after a calamitous moment at the back for the hosts in the 35th minute.
      A ball bounced into the penalty box with the defence failing to clear 
      And Beerensteyn’s hit a tame shot that trickled past the glove of Mary Earps and into goal. 
      The second half saw the hosts ring the changes with Beth Mead making her first England appearance since last November replacing Chloe Kelly. 
      They pulled a goal back with Georgia Stanway’s header before Hemp sent the crowd into delirium with a curled effort at the post seconds later. 
      And Toone completed a dream comeback bagging an injury-time winner that gives England hope of sealing an Olympic spot for Team GB. More

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      in Athletics

      Glam British athlete Lauryn Davey shows off toned abs in red bikini as stunned fans say ‘woah’

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      LAURYN LOUISE DAVEY had fans in awe with her latest social media post.The British Olympic hopeful took a break from her training to share a stunning snap on Instagram.
      Lauryn Louise Davey shared a stunning snap in a red bikini to her Instagram pageCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Davey is a Team GB Olympic hopefulCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      She is a British Heptathlete champion at junior levelCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Heptathlete Davey is gunning to be part of Team GB’s Olympic squad.
      However, Paris 2024 comes too soon for the 24-year-old.
      Instead, the 2026 Commonwealth games are what the Welsh National hero is eyeing as her ticket to the 2028 Olympics.
      And it seems she will take a number of fans with her.
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      Davey currently has nearly 25,000 followers on Instagram.
      Reacting to her latest post, captioned: “Power of now 🙏🏼,” fans had nothing but well wishes and praise.
      She was seen wearing a red bikini in the post.
      One fan said: “Woah 🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
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      A second said: “Beaut & strong.”
      A third added: “Champ❤️.”
      As well as her Olympic dream which she has had since the age of five, she is also taking a medical degree at Swansea University.
      Davey, who also has a vegan diet, recently shared snaps of herself following a gym workout.
      Davey regularly shares shows off her figure on her social mediaCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Davey has nearly 25,000 fans on InstagramCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      She is aiming to use the 2026 Commonwealth Games as her tickets to the OlympicsCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      She is currently doing a medical degree at Swansea UniversityCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey More

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      in Athletics

      My mum is one of Great Britain’s greatest ever athletes – now I’m out to beat her last remaining record

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      EILISH McCOLGAN plans to run her first marathon next year – and finally take down one of her mum’s best times.The Dundee runner, 33, may not have won the same Olympic or world medals as mum and coach Liz, 59, did during a glittering career.
      Eilish McColgan is getting ready to run her first marathonCredit: Getty
      Her mum Liz has a decorated career as a 10,000 metre runningCredit: PA
      But she has run quicker in her household over multiple distances between 1500 metres and the half marathon.
      McColgan had planned to compete for the first time at the London Marathon in April but was ruled out with a knee complaint.
      Her plans for the Paris 2024 Olympics will depend on the coming months and whether her body can cope with 10,000 metres on the track or 26.2 miles on the road.
      If that is not possible, then she will look to partake in one of the Berlin, Chicago or New York marathons later in the year.
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      Currently recovering from spinal surgery in August, she told a new BBC Scotland documentary: “One by one, I started taking all of my mum’s records.
      “I’ve broken every Scottish record of hers from 1500 metres, 3,000 metres, 5k, 10k, all the ones on the road as well.
      “I only have one of my mum’s times now to beat. The marathon is the only outstanding one.
      “There’s no rivalry between us. She’s part of the reason I’m breaking them now.
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      Liz McColgan ran her personal best marathon in 1997 – a time of 2:26:52Credit: Getty
      She also won silver in the 1998 Olympics in the 10,000 metresCredit: Alamy
      “Jumping into the marathon will not be all rainbows or unicorns, it will be tougher than that but my team think I can do it. They have more belief in me than I do.
      “From a very young age, my mum told me I’d be better than her.
      “When I was growing up, people expected me to win everything purely because of my name.
      “It’s a remarkable story and journey that my mum has been on.
      “Somebody with her on a council estate in Dundee wouldn’t have thought my mum would be destined for any greatness. Yet she proved a lot of people wrong along the way.”
      Liz, the 1988 Olympic 10,000 metres silver medallist and a former world champion, ran a PB in the marathon of 2:26:52 in London in April 1997.
      But she added: “I saw her, as a little girl, what she is capable of doing.
      She is definitely her mother’s daughter.
      “Eilish has really, really struggled with confidence and dealing with the family name.”
      McColgan attended her stepfather John Nuttall’s funeral last Friday, which was held in Preston with the wake taking place at Deepdale.
      Qatar-based Nuttall – a former middle-distance athlete and coach – suffered a fatal heart attack on Thursday November 9. He was 56.
      McColgan said: “I didn’t see my mum and John a huge amount over the past five years because my boyfriend and I have travelled a lot.
      “But because I was injured, it was quite unusual that we spent two weeks in Portugal with them.
      “And then we all had six or seven weeks at their home in Qatar. It was nice we had that quality time all together.”
      Eilish McColgan: Running in the family, BBC Scotland, Thursday, 10pm
      Eilish McColgan is the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000 metre championCredit: PA
      Mum Liz was in the crowd to watch her win Gold in BirminghamCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Christmas cancelled for Kelyn Cassidy as Irish Elite light-heavyweight champion aims for Olympic place at Paris 2024

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      CHRISTMAS is cancelled for Kelyn Cassidy — whose bid to become an Olympian starts now.The Waterford ace cemented his spot as Ireland’s top light-heavyweight by securing a three in a row of Irish titles in Dublin on Saturday night.
      Kelyn Cassidy of Saviours Crystal Boxing Club, Waterford, celebrates victory over Gabriel Dossen of Olympic Boxing Club, Galway
      Gabriel Dossen and Kelyn Cassidy in action during their light heavyweight 80kg final bout at the IABA National Elite Boxing Championships 2024 Finals
      Cassidy, 26, had to do it the hard way, beating one of his best pals in Galway puncher Gabriel Dossen.
      Dossen, a two-time Elite middleweight champ with a European gold to his name, had entered the 80kg ranks after his 75kg class was left off the Olympic roster.
      The winner here was a cert to make the team for a world qualifying tournament in Italy at the end of February — and Cassidy claimed it with both hands.
      It was a left that dropped Dossen in the first, while his right hook looked dangerous for the duration of their ferocious three-round battle.
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      After the verdict, the pair embraced in the ring as the magnitude of the result sank in.
      Cassidy told SunSport: “Christmas is cancelled — the bigger picture is the Olympic Games.
      “If I want anything out of boxing, I just want to be an Olympian.
      “I want to put everything I can in place to be an Olympian.
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      “I’m really emotional. I’m boxing one of my best mates there, we’ve boxed on the Irish team together for years. All credit to Gabriel, a class operator.
      “But at the end of the day, you have to forget feelings in the ring. Look, he pushed me right to the wire.
      “I had to pull all my tricks out of the bag to beat him.”
      The knockdown gave Cassidy momentum and while Dossen came on strong, particularly in the third, the Déise warrior was able to land enough to stay ahead.
      He added: “My left hand is my strongest hand. It’s good to get the result. I knew I needed a good win here to definitely get the weight.
      “We’re like brothers, so that’s why it’s emotional. You see at the end we just stood there holding each other for a while because, look, we’re really good mates.
      “And I know it’s sport and you can’t be mates in there but I’ll catch up with Gabriel after this and I’ll meet him for a drink or whatever. Nothing but respect for him.”
      Their battle was arguably the most anticipated bout of the night, along with the featherweight decider that saw Jude Gallagher beat Adam Hession.
      Cassidy lapped it up, adding: “This is the fight that everybody wanted to see. I went on social media for an hour in the morning and it was the talk of social media — Gabriel Dossen and Kelyn Cassidy. People have been posting bits of our sparring and everything.
      “These are the big fights you want to be in.
      “You remember the fights like when Darren O’Neill fought Darren Sutherland and the buzz around it.”
      Cassidy has reached the quarter-finals of the World Championships and European Games, slipping to tight defeats when wins would have landed him on the podium.
      He added: “I just got some tough draws. I got a tough draw at the European Games, had two good wins, and in the fight to qualify I end up meeting Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine.
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      The Olympic silver medallist and should be gold medallist only he was knocked out when he was 2-0 up in the third round.
      “I only got beaten on a countback. But you can’t let these things set you back, you’ve got to enjoy them and move on.” More

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      in Athletics

      John Nuttall dead aged 56: Ex-Team GB Olympics star suffers heart attack as legend wife Liz McColgan reveals tragic news

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      TEAM GB Olympic hero John Nuttall has passed away aged 56.His wife, former 10,000-metre world champion Liz McColgan, announced Nuttall suffered a heart attack on Thursday morning.
      John Nuttall passed away after suffering a heart attackCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Nuttall in action during the 5000 metres in the European Athletics Championships in 1994Credit: Getty
      She paid tribute to her late husband in a social media post, revealing her heartbreak.
      Liz wrote: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart I write this.
      “My husband John Nuttall died yesterday morning with a sudden heart attack.
      “A much loved dad, son, brother and husband. For those that loved John our hearts are breaking”.
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      Nuttall competed for Team GB in the 5,000 metres at the 1996 Olympic Games.
      He also raced in the 1993 and 1995 World Championships and won bronze at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
      After hanging up his boots Nuttall became an elite coach and supported Team GB long-distance runners at London 2012.
      His daughter Hannah Nuttall is an Olympic athlete who competes in middle-distance and cross-country running events.
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      And his son Luke Nuttall is a British Paralympic athlete who competes in the 1500m in the T46 classification.
      Tributes have poured in for Nuttall, who was currently coaching Qatar, from across the sporting world following the news of his sudden passing.
      McColgan’s daughter Eilish wrote: “It’s hard to find the words right now… Our family suffered a huge loss yesterday with the sudden passing of my step-father John.
      “We’ve spent the last 6 weeks here in Doha, with my mum and John, and so his passing has been a huge shock. We are still trying to process it.
      “There is such a huge outpouring of love from both Doha & everyone back home. It just reinforces how many people thought so highly of him. He will be missed by us all 💔”
      Qatari athlete Abubaker Haydar Abdalla wrote: “My condolences to his family and all.
      “A mentor, coach and friend. RIP John Barry Nuttall.”
      Triathlete Islam Sallam added: “Very sad day for the sports community in Doha.
      “We lost, not just a friend, but a father figure that we always looked up to and went to for advice and support.
      “Rest in peace, John. We will miss you. Our hearts are with you Liz”.
      Glamour model Nell McAndrew said: “Oh my goodness Liz, this is heartbreaking. So sad. Thinking of you and your family. Lots of love”.
      Others who had worked with John over the years flocked to the comments of Liz’s post to share their condolences.
      One person posted: “We are so sorry to hear about John’s passing. Coach John will always be remembered for his kindness, his love for the job, and his understanding of how to motivate young athletes. What a loss”.
      Another commented: “Oh my. No. I am so saddened and heartbroken for you and your families.
      “John will always remain such a light and role model in my life. Sending hugs and thoughts Liz”.
      Read More on The Sun
      Someone else shared: “We are so sorry for your family’s loss. What an amazing human he was. The community will surely miss his kindness and care”.
      While a close one said: “I’m shocked! So very sorry to hear this Liz, he was an amazing man. Thoughts with you at this difficult time”. More

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      in Athletics

      Inside haunting abandoned £32BILLION Beijing Olympics stadiums with Games venues deserted, disused and dilapidated

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      THE WORLD looked on in awe in 2008 when Beijing hosted the Olympic Games.Back then, China was praised for staging an incredible show for the entire globe to watch thanks to a combination of incredible architectural feats and excellent organisation.
      The venues and stadiums from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing have been abandoned – including the white-water venueCredit: AFP or licensors
      Small reminders that this concrete eye-sore hosted the Olympics remain via the colourful floats left abandoned on the courseCredit: AFP or licensors
      The venue has been left to dry upCredit: AFP or licensors
      Some of the venues are starting to be swallowed up by greeneryCredit: AFP or licensors
      But the state of the Olympic stadiums and venues from 15 years ago, which China splashed £32BILLION on, has left the world in shock.
      The water-sport parks are now completely dried-up, including the once glittering white-water rafting run which is now in absolute ruin.
      It now appears to be little more than a concrete eyesore.
      The beach volleyball stands are now reduced to rust and rotting wood.
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      And the once show-stopping BMX track now looks more like a jungle with a rusty frame poking its ugly head through the greenery.
      Sprawled across Beijing are more haunting reminders of the memorable Games.
      Mascots including Nini, Yingjing and Beibei are lying in tatters across the grounds.
      Once sparkling signage is now covered in grime or warped through weathering.
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      But the impressive Bird’s Nest Stadium is still in use to this day and it would appear to be the only one still going strong.
      Beijing is not the only host city to fall foul of the post-Olympics hangover.
      Rio de Janeiro is suffering a similar fate after the 2016 Games and the same goes for Athens after they hosted the Olympics in 2004.
      In Brazil, a number of venues are in utter disrepair with their £9billion Games legacy in tatters.
      The same goes for Greece where their Olympic Stadium, which holds a larger capacity than all English grounds except Old Trafford and Wembley, had to shut down recently due to poor maintenance.
      Now we wait and see how Tokyo deals with its venues after the 2020 Olympics.
      Even the Olympics mascots – Nini, Yingjing and Beibei – have been left unattended lying on the groundCredit: AFP or licensors
      The Beijing 2008 venues weren’t maintained after the Games – with the BMX track now overgrownCredit: AFP or licensors
      The volleyball stadium has begun to rust and rotCredit: AFP or licensors
      The 2008 Olympics cost a staggering £32billion – but venues like this pool have dried upCredit: AFP
      Some stadiums have been completely neglected, with signage decaying and rustingCredit: AFP or licensors
      Eerie reminders of what once was – such as this frame at the BMX venue, remain visibleCredit: AFP or licensors
      China received immense praise when they staged the Olympics – but the big winner now is the greenery that is breaking throughCredit: AFP or licensors
      Signing for the Games is now covered in grimeCredit: AFP or licensors
      Sad reminders of what was once a gleaming beacon remainCredit: AFP or licensors
      The canoe signs have rusted through neglectCredit: AFP or licensors More