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    Team GB’s tumbling twins, 19, struggling to qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics after freak injuries following Tokyo bronzes

    GYMNASTIC twins Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova look set to miss the Paris Olympics as they struggle to qualify for Team GB.The sisters won Olympic bronze medals three years ago in Tokyo as the four-person British squad stood on the women’s team podium for the first time since 1928.Gymnastics twins Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova look set to miss Paris 2024Credit: StartraksJessica suffered an ACL injury and Jennifer is dealing with ankle problemsYet it appears increasingly unlikely the 19-year-old tumblers will be involved in the French capital in four months’ time as they are currently in rehab and not yet back to competition.Jessica, the 2022 world floor champion, suffered a freak “full tear to my ACL” that has sidelined her since last October and required knee surgery before Christmas.There is the slim prospect that if she is apparatus-fit come June or July she could be parachuted in as a late sub for the artistic gymnastics team.Jennifer, meanwhile, had a clear-out op this year on her ankle, which has caused her long-term discomfort, but she does not have the qualifying points against her name for selection.Read More on SportSpeaking to SunSport at last weekend’s British Championships in Liverpool, which the duo watched from the stands, Jessica said: “It happened during a warm-up. I just did a simple drill. Unfortunately it just happened.“From October to December, I did a lot of prehab around the knee to make it as strong as possible before going into surgery.“I’ve got a massive, long journey ahead of me. Now it’s all rehab. It’s looking good but obviously the journey is very long with an ACL. I’m not putting a goal or a date on the end.“There are going to be ups and downs along the journey.Most read in Athletics“We aren’t looking at this Olympics, we’re looking at more Olympics ahead. We’re still young, we’ll recover.“We have been supporting each other massively through the highs and the lows, especially as we’re at a low point at the moment.Team GB gymnastics bronze medallist Gadirova twins bag GCSE distinctions “But at least we’re both going through it together, so we can support one other the best that we can.“We know that we just have to recover our bodies and we’ll get there one day. It’s only a little bump in the road. It’s difficult but it also gives us the fire in our bellies.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe pair have spent time undergoing rehabilitation – which includes specialist physiotherapy and medical support – at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, a facility funded by £7million of National Lottery investment.Whatever happens, unless they make miracle recoveries, they plan to be the biggest cheerleaders imaginable for the Brits across the Channel this July and August.Jennifer, who like her sister was born in Dublin but relocated to the UK, said: “My rehab is taking a little bit longer than expected.“It’s a six-to-eight week recovery. I’m slowly building back. But I haven’t officially been signed off yet.“Yes, we’d love to go to the Olympics. We’ve already done one Olympics before so deep down, we don’t feel like we’re 100% missing out.It’s only a little bump in the road. It’s difficult but it also gives us the fire in our bellies.Jessica Gadirova“We’re already Olympians. We’re already Olympic bronze medallists. That’s a great achievement already.“Missing this one, yes it’s really gutting, but we’re still young and have a bright future ahead of us.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’re so close, it’s amazing to have a twin sister being in the same sport, going through the same issues. It’s just really helpful to push through.“Like Jess, I’m not putting a time frame or a limit to it. I’m focused on making my ankle as strong as it can possibly be, so the issue doesn’t happen again.”*National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport — from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk #MakeAmazingHappen #ThanksToYou More

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    Paris Olympics to lift sex ban with 300,000 condoms to be delivered to Olympic village

    OLYMPIC chiefs have lifted the ban on athletes having sex ahead of this summer’s Games.A sex suspension was implemented ahead of the 2020 Games Tokyo, which took place in the summer of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.The 2024 Olympic Games take place in Paris this summerCredit: ALAMYOlympic chiefs have lifted the sex ban they had in place for the 2024 GamesCredit: REUTERSThe ban was imposed in a bid to stop events from being scuppered by Covid outbreaks.But those preventative measures have been lifted ahead of this summer’s Games in Paris – meaning athletes can get up to as much rumpy-pumpy as they like.Olympic Village director Laurent Michaud said: “It is very important that the conviviality here is something big.”Working with the athletes commission, we wanted to create some places where the athletes would feel very enthusiastic and comfortable.”READ MORE ON PARIS 2024The Olympic Village , according to TMZ, will be stocked with a whopping 300,000 free condoms.So athletes will have no excuse for not practicing safe sex during the tournament.There won’t, however, be any free champers for them to drink during the competition.Although they will have a wide array of food from around the globe available to them every day.Most read in AthleticsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Olympic Village will be stocked with 300,000 free condomsCredit: GETTYFormer Center Parcs head-honcho Michaud said: “[There will be no champagne in the village, of course, but they can have all the champagne they want also in Paris.”We will have more than 350 metres of buffet with the world food.We’re twin sisters, 27, who both secretly battled same disease… now we’re plotting Olympic gold at Paris 2024 together”And I’m sure that the athletes will be very happy to have some French specialties made over here.”But the variety will first respond to the athletes’ needs for their nutrition and their performance.”The Paris Games – which get underway on July 26 and end on August 11 – are expected to attract the largest crowds since London 2012.Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi told Sky News: “It has to be a celebration and it is a celebration.”We’ve had many challenges in the past. “In Rio, we faced situations that were amazingly complex.”But what you see is that with a bit of goodwill from everyone – starting with the organisers.”But also as far as the Olympic community is concerned – meeting with the challenges and coming up with solutions… is in the greater interest that the Games represent.READ MORE SUN STORIES”What we all want is for unity, peace and a celebration of the best athletes. “This is how this creative family works together. Any challenge? We will win.” More

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    I’m an Olympic champion – now I’m earning a living selling pictures on OnlyFans ahead of Paris 2024

    MATTY LEE is an Olympic gold medal champion who made a splash with Tom Daley in Tokyo.But ahead of the 2024 Paris Games, he is now earning a living by selling pictures on adult website OnlyFans.Matty Lee is making a living on OnlyFans after striking gold at the OlympicsCredit: Instagram / @mattydiverThe diver won at Tokyo 2020 alongside Tom DaleyCredit: EPALee, 26, is one of Team GB’s top stars after breaking on to the scene at the 2015 European Games.After winning gold there, he took silver at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.And Lee clinched the top prize of all when he and Daley won gold in the synchro event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.The Leeds-born ace, coached by Jane Figueiredo, is now closing in on a spot at this summer’s Games in Paris.READ MORE IN OLYMPICSBut in the meantime, Lee is funding his dream by selling saucy snaps on OnlyFans.SunSport exclusively revealed in December that he is one of several male divers taking to the adult website to flog pictures to fans.Others who have joined OnlyFans include Daniel Goodfellow, Jack Laugher, Noah Williams, Robbie Lee and Matthew Dixon.Costing between £8 and £16 a month, Lee has been posting snaps online after joining the subscription-based service last year.Most read in AthleticsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRevealing his move onto the platform, he said: “I have not been hacked, I have not been scammed, see for yourself.”On his OnlyFans bio, it reportedly adds: “Where you wanna see more of me.”I’m A Celeb’s Matty Lee and Naughty Boy take on ‘Gross Vegas’ trialThe pair are hoping to make it to Paris 2024Credit: Instagram / @mattydiverLee joined OnlyFans last yearCredit: Instagram / @mattydiverHe previously appeared on I’m a CelebCredit: Instagram / @mattydiverLee’s profile insists his pictures are SFW (Safe For Work)Credit: GettyAccording to Instinct Magazine, Lee also clarifies: “Remember I’m a Team GB diver not a (porn star).“So everything will be SFW (safe for work) and a place where I can interact with you all.”Lee’s journey into OnlyFans came after he appeared on I’m a Celeb in 2021.He lasted 18 days in the jungle and finished a respectable fifth. More

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    I nearly lost my finger in a freak accident but now I’m an influencer hoping to win gold at Paris 2024 Olympics

    MOLLY CAUDERY will be jumping for joy at the Olympics if she can carry her red-hot pole vaulting form into Paris.And her dream of a medal this summer could come true less than three years after virtually losing her finger in a freak accident at home.Molly Caudery is the rising star of British athleticsCredit: GettyShe is on top of the world as the best pole vaulter in 2024Credit: PACaudery has overcome a series of injury battlesCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe loves to travel and soaked up the sun in South Africa in early 2024Credit: instagram @molly_cauderyBorn in Cornwall in March 2000, the new darling of British athletics is enjoying a simply astonishing rise – both on the field and online.Caudery, 23, hit the headlines with her silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games – four years on from her fifth-placed finish as an 18-year-old on the Gold Coast in Australia.Incredibly, though, just eight months earlier, a shocking injury in her home gym almost ended her pole vault career before it got off the ground. Caudery, who sports a scar on her index finger, said: “I was doing snatching and, as I brought the bar down, my finger caught between where you rack it and the bar.READ MORE ON ATHLETICS“It was 90 per cent off. It was holding on by the skin on the side. “Three surgeries later, it is all good. But since then, I had two Achilles surgeries, which put me out for almost nine months. “That was a pretty big setback that I managed to come back from.”That final sentence is an understatement. Most read in AthleticsSince that Commonwealth silver, Caudery has literally jumped to new heights, setting two PBs on the same day to claim the British Championships title in July 2023.That gained her automatic entry into the Worlds the following month, where she came fifth with her new record of 4.75m. World’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt turned down ‘high six figures’ sponsorship deal despite earning £611 a monthThe Loughborough University sports science graduate backed that up as she claimed the UK Indoor title with a 4.85m.And with her PB now at 4.86m, she heads into the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow as the leading pole vaulter this season.So with Paris 2024 just around the corner, it is little wonder she is dreaming of a medal – just like her Team GB team-mate and Loughborough pal Holly Bradshaw, who claimed bronze in Tokyo three years ago.After all, Bradshaw jumped 4.85m for her bronze, with 4.90m the gold-medal height.Caudery added ahead of the Glasgow meet: “It’s every athlete’s dream to get an Olympic medal. “If I can just get to the final in Paris then you never know what is going to happen.“Every athlete has their timeline and mine was always 2028.Caudery dreams of bringing home a gold medal from ParisCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe pole vaulter is dating British high jumper Joel Clarke KhanCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe has racked up more than 205,000 Instagram followersCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe Cornwall star has been to Greece, the Canary Islands, Florida and The BahamasCredit: instagram @molly_caudery“But I know that what I’ve jumped so far could be pushing towards those medal areas, so I do think I need to re-evaluate. It’s crazy to think that that could put me up there.“To go from my PB being 4.60 at the beginning of last year to 4.86 already this year, it’s all happened very quickly for me.“I took so much confidence from last year and I’ve improved physically and mentally and I think that’s just taken me to the next step.“Coming into the season, a world indoors medal was not a clear target. But now I can’t shy away from the fact that I’ve been consistently jumping 4.80. “If I can keep doing what I’m doing, a medal could be on the cards and that’s exciting.”It is little wonder adidas snapped talented Caudery up early in 2024 as she put pen to paper on her first kit contract.The sportswear giants undoubtedly spotted the huge potential of their new client, too, given her sudden explosion of popularity online.Her combination of athletics posts, worldwide holiday snaps, glamorous selfies, bikini pics and doting content with her fellow British athlete boyfriend, high jumper Joel Clarke Khan, proves to be a winning formula. Caudery is relishing her red-hot form in the fieldCredit: PAHer current PB stands at a whopping 4.86mCredit: PAHer jump of 4.85m secured gold at the 2024 British Indoor ChampionshipsCredit: GettyCaudery needed surgery to save her left index fingerCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe x-ray shows the horrific damage done in her home gym in December 2021Credit: instagram @molly_cauderyCaudery has ticked off South Africa, Indonesia, Greece, the Canary Islands, Florida and The Bahamas – with the incredible photos going down a storm with supporters. Like her jumps, the followers count is going through the roof and now stands at a new PB of more than 205,000.And it shows no signs of letting up, either.The aspiring baker, keen traveller and part-time surfer – who has had to put her thrill-seeking skydiving on pause during her athletics career – is riding the wave and taking the fame in her stride, though. And while she denied suggestions she is also a model, reflecting on the social media stardom, Caudery said: “I don’t know where it really came from. “More recently, I’ve been posting a lot of pole vault videos and I’m getting like 10,000 more followers just from that. READ MORE SUN STORIES“’I think having that following is super important. People have said that athletics is not quite as big as it used to be. “So if I can inspire one person from the next generation, let alone the 200,000 or so who follow me, to be a part of athletics and keep it going, then that would be great.”Caudery ticked Indonesia off the bucket listCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe signed her first kit deal with adidas this yearCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyCaudery works hard in the gym and is reaping the rewardsCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe star loves baking and surfing in her free timeCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe has had to put her passion for skydiving on pause during her athletics careerCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe rising star knows she can inspire others to get into athleticsCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyHer holiday snaps rack up thousands of likesCredit: instagram @molly_caudery More

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    We’re twin sisters, 27, who both secretly battled same disease… now we’re plotting Olympic gold at Paris 2024 together

    TWO TWIN sisters aiming to bring back Olympic gold for Team GB this summer have been battling the same disease since being 13.The 27-year-old Londoners Lina and Laviai Nielsen first started to dream of representing their country in the relay race together while chasing around the primary school field.
    Twin sisters Laviai and Lina Nielsen are hoping to bring back the gold this summerCredit: Rex
    The success of the siblings is even more remarkable after the pair were diagnosed with the same diseaseCredit: Reuters
    That looked set to become reality when they were selected for Britain’s 4x400m team at the 2017 European Indoor Championships.
    However, after a stress fracture in her foot ruled Lina out, it took another five years before the pair were chosen together again.
    But they were unable to compete alongside each other at the 2022 World Championships as Lina suffered a relapse of the multiple sclerosis that both sisters suffer from.
    Up until that point in their careers they had kept it secret after originally being diagnosed aged 13, but the flare-up prompted them to finally reveal their story.
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    Laviai is still yet to suffer major symptoms like her sister, and she told BBC Sport: “We’re still deciding not to take medicine because we’re not sure of the side effects.
    “We’ve always been pretty good with our diet and nutrition, but after Lina’s flare-up we’ve taken it even more seriously. So far it’s all gone well.”
    Despite those previous setbacks, the duo are hoping it will be third time lucky after being chosen together again for the World Indoor Championships this weekend in Britain’s 4x400m team.
    Laviai explained how they hope to not only make it to at least the final, but that she is desperate to compete over 400m hurdles and join her sister in a bid for Olympic gold at the Paris Games this summer.
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    And Laviai tried to put into words just exactly what it would mean if they were to stand together on the relay podium.
    She said: “We would definitely celebrate it greatly. It would be huge.”
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    Lina, who finally made her international debut in 2022, has now switched and made the 400m hurdles her primary individual event.
    She added: “There have been so many setbacks along the way.
    “It’s the nature of sport – it is cut-throat. Sometimes you need luck on your side.
    “Hopefully we’re all good this time round. It can’t get better than finally racing together in front of a home crowd.”
    The sisters are hoping it’ll be third time a charm at the World Indoor ChampionshipsCredit: Getty
    Laviai Nielsen pictured winning the 400m ahead of Lina in Birmingham this monthCredit: Rex More

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    Glam British athlete Lauryn Davey branded ‘sexiest woman alive’ as she stuns in barely-there bikini

    BRITISH athlete Lauryn Davey stunned fans with her latest Instagram upload.The heptathlete is a British Olympic hopeful and is hopeful of making Paris 2024.
    Lauryn Davey posted this snap from her time away from the trackCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She also shared behind the scenes pics of her trainingCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She is currently undergoing warm weather trainingCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    And enjoyed the sea on a pebbly beachCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She posted the photos alongside the caption: “Off track and on track bits from camp 🌿⚡️🌷🌞☁️ zero brownie points for guessing my favourite colour 🌱”
    Davey is currently in camp as she ramps up her preparation for the Olympics.
    The upload showcased what she’s been up to in terms of training and away from camp.
    The Welsh heptathlete is a vegan and preaches the benefits of the diet regularly.
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    That was referenced in the comments on her post with one fan calling her a “Green goddess”.
    Another wrote: “LAURYN 😭😭😭😭😭”
    A third commented: “Super cute!! You are glowing ✨”
    A fourth wrote: “You are Stunning 😍”
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    She also posed by the hurdlesCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Davey regularly gives fans a look at her life away from the trackCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She has 26.5k followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She regularly visits exotic locations
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    While a fifth said: “Sexiest woman alive”
    The heptathlete also studies veganism alongside her training at Swansea University.
    Five celebs that could have been professional athletes including mega movie star and a member of the royal family
    The Team GB hopeful regularly shares pictures of her budding medical profession alongside her studies.
    Lauryn is a fan of open water swimming
    She recently posed in a hot tubCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    The stunning blonde modelled several bikinisCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn also posed on a boatCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey More

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    Norin Betani dead at 24: Zambia women’s player dies days before Olympics 2024 qualifier

    A ZAMBIAN women’s football has died ahead of an Olympics 2024 qualifying match.Norin Betani, 24, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, as confirmed by the Zambian FA.
    Norin Betani has died at the age of 24
    Betani had been expected to travel with the team to Gahna for the qualifying match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday.
    A statement from the Zambian FA read: “We regret to announce the death of one of our female players.
    More to follow…
    THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
    The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
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    Olympics icon slams proposed rule change as an ‘April Fool’s joke’ as athletics bosses trial major new format

    ATHLETICS ICON Carl Lewis has slammed proposals to change the long jump event, saying: Is it April Fool’s Day already?SunSport revealed on Monday that World Athletics bosses are trialling a new format where long jumpers use a ‘take-off zone’ rather than a take-off board.
    Carl Lewis has criticised the new proposals to change the long jump formatCredit: AFP
    Lewis won four of his nine Olympic golds in long jumpCredit: Reuters
    The governing body says that data collected during the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest showed that a THIRD of all attempts were recorded as no-jumps.
    The rule experiment will take place throughout this year in lower-level competitions and jumps will be measured from the front of the take-off foot within that zone.
    It will not be part of the Paris 2024 Olympics programme – the competition will remain the same.
    Should it prove successful, if it has the full backing of the top stars, then it could be implemented from 2026 onwards.
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    Lewis – winner of four successive Olympic long jump titles between 1984 and 1996 – is not a fan of the concept.
    The American, 62, said: “You’re supposed to wait until April 1st for April Fool’s jokes.
    “Actually, it wouldn’t change the distances that much. You would just see more bad jumps measured.”
    Lewis’s displeasure is also matched by Britain’s leading female long jumper, Jazmin Sawyers, who reckons there are more cons than pros with the idea.
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    The reigning European indoor long champion believes the potential positives are that every jump would count, there could be bigger jumps and it may prevent slipping on the board.
    Yet from her perspective, the negatives are the difficulties to implement it at grassroots level – given the computer technology involved – and the chance it may encourage some to cheat.
    Sawyers also feels there will be less drama, no more super-imposed measurements on TV, the crowd won’t be able to tell if it is a big jump and hitting the take-off board remains “an essential element of the skill”.
    She said: “I think there are a lot of reasons not to do it.
    “I appreciate they’re trying to do something. But this how I view it. I don’t think this particular innovation is a good idea.
    “I’d also just like to say: Can we stop messing with the long jump? Can we just leave it alone?
    “Maybe just try it on some other event. Try something else. I don’t think this is what long jump needs. The idea of speeding up the measuring – that’s great.
    “At the British championship last weekend, it was taking over a minute sometimes to get each result and it was really slowing down the pace of the competition.

    “It made it a bit more boring. When it could have been a bit more exciting.
    “The idea of speeding up the measurement is great. I don’t think you will be able to do that if you bring in this take-off zone.”
    The Stoke leaper, whose personal best is seven metres, added: “We removing an essential element of the skill of long jumping. Part of the skill is that you have to hit the board.
    “If you remove that, it changes the event completely. I don’t think you can then compare the old records to the new records. It just becomes a different event when part of the skill isn’t hitting the board.
    “So much of the drama of the event is whether somebody will hit the board or not. It’s whether they were this close.
    “Was it a foul? Was it not a foul? That drama is removed and really we’re doing something different.
    “Yes, we’re still just jumping into sand. But the idea that we are trying to hit a certain mark is part of the skill.
    “If runners didn’t have to go at the gun and they could go whenever they felt like, and we just took the fastest time, it’d be just a time trial.
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    “It would be a different event. I think this will make it a different event.
    “I don’t think there is anything wrong with the long jump. I think having the board is part of the drama.”
    Carl Lewis ranked in the top five sportsmen of the 20th centuryCredit: EPA More