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    Team GB Olympics hero Keely Hodgkinson stuns in bikini during ‘week of paradise’ in Dubai

    KEELY HODGKINSON’S golden glow is as bright as ever – even though she showed off “paradise” in only black and white.Team GB’s 800m Olympic champion went “retro” for two-tone pics from Dubai in a bikini and dazzling mini-dress.Keely Hodgkinson looked relaxed and refreshed in DubaiCredit: InstagramFans loved the ‘retro’ snaps she shared from her week-long breakCredit: InstagramThe smile said it all as Keely took a well-deserved restCredit: InstagramBut the 22-year-old looked far from off-colour – unlike her Manchester United heroes when she visited Old Trafford to display her Paris gold medal before Sunday’s 3-0 defeat against Tottenham.Keely’s sultry Instagram pics of herself from United Arab Emirates were all in black and white.The Mancunian posted: “Thank you for a week of paradise!!” and shared a link to “an exclusive adults-only luxury retreat”.She certainly looked refreshed and relaxed – posing in the water for one shot and with an appreciative grin in another as she protected her eyes from the sun.READ MORE ON OLYMPICSFour of her seven photos were in colour – but all those shots were of local sites, plus one of a well-stocked dining table.And if you looked closely, you could just see Keely’s pink-topped reflection in the bottom of a shiny bowl!Team GB team-mate Daryll Neita, who won Olympic silver in the 100m relay this summer, responded: “Looks like heaven.”And Keely’s 521,000 Instagram followers agreed.Most read in AthleticsKeely got a hero’s welcome at Old Trafford on Sunday but Man Utd lostCredit: PA”You are a dream,” said one, while another responded: “Stunning, Queen of sports!”A third admirer told her: “Black and white filter gives you a retro beauty.”Olympics hero Keely Hodgkinson thanks her home town for their support at the Paris Olympics Keely also showed off Dubai’s subtle shadesCredit: InstagramAnd there was a sprint finish to add more simple compliments.These included: “Looking nice”… “Beautiful”… “Gorgeous”… and inevitably “Wow”.All of which must have seemed a million miles – rather than just 4,600m – from the gloomy offerings she’d endured at Old Trafford over the weekend.The middle-distance runner sparkled at a London eventCredit: GettyShe appeared at a Milan fashion show last monthCredit: Rex Features More

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    Team GB Olympics hero Keely Hodgkinson given hero’s welcome as Man Utd fan shows off gold medal at Old Trafford

    TEAM GB star and Manchester United superfan Keely Hodgkinson received a hero’s welcome at Old Trafford after her Paris 2024 heroics.Hodgkinson, 22, blitzed the competition to win gold in the 800m at the Olympics in the summer and showcased her medal before United’s Premier League clash with Tottenham.Team GB star and Man Utd fan Keely Hodgkinson got a hero’s welcome at Old TraffordCredit: PAHodgkinson won a gold medal in the 800m sprint at Paris 2024Credit: ReutersMan Utd fan Hodgkinson grew up only a stone’s throw away from Old TraffordCredit: GettyHodgkinson was raised a Man Utd fan in ManchesterHodgkinson received a warm ovation at Old TraffordThe Mancunian athlete saluted the fans before kick-off and received a warm ovation from the home crowd as she stood with a big smile on her face.But that was as good as it got for United fans on the day as they were battered by Spurs in a match which saw Bruno Fernandes shown a straight red – his first sending off for the club.The sprinter didn’t have to come a long way as she was raised only a stone’s throw away from Old Trafford.The Olympian grew up adoring the Red Devils and even managed to enjoy a glimpse of the glory years under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.Read More on Man UtdAnd the runner even admitted that she always had a soft spot for United cult hero Javier Hernandez.Hodgkinson previously said: “I live on my own now. An independent woman. Well, as a United fan, I wouldn’t look over Manchester City would I?“Do I hear the crowd noise? It’s not that bad. I can literally see it across from me and see the lights buzzing when it’s a match night. It’s busy round town.“Where I live is really nice. There is MediaCity. It’s near the airport, the train station and the track. It’s very convenient. I love it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“My mum has had a Manchester United season ticket since she was 19 and her name is on the seats at Old Trafford. She is more of a diehard fan than me.“I got the last glimpses [of the glory years] when I was about eight years old.Keely Hodgkinson challenged to rarely-seen race by Olympic gold medal-winning hurdler“Though I did see his matches, I don’t remember much about Cristiano Ronaldo being at Manchester United the first time round.“I was more a fan of Javier Hernandez or Chicharito as he’s known. I liked him when I was growing up.” More

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    Olympics superstar Keely Hodgkinson reveals shock number of body piercings but says ‘I don’t wear them all now’

    KEELY HODGKINSON has revealed the shock number of body piercings she has.However, the Olympics star admitted she does not wear them all these days.Keely Hodgkinson has revealed her shock number of body piercings in a fan Q&ACredit: GettyHodgkinson answered fan questions on Instagram during a flightCredit: instagram @keely.hodgkinsonHodgkinson was one of Team GB’s standout performers at the Paris Games earlier this summer.The 22-year-old claimed gold in the 800m at the Stade de France to add to her silver in Tokyo three years ago.She has since been ruled out for the rest of the year due to injury, but has maintained a busy lifestyle.Whilst killing time on a flight on Friday, Hodgkinson prompted fans for questions during an Instagram Q&A with her 521,000 followers.READ MORE IN SPORTAfter being asked if she has any piercings, the runner replied: “I don’t wear them all now but I have had over 15 piercings!!”The Q&A also saw Hodgkinson reveal she wanted to go into the army as a 16-year-old before her rise to the top of athletics.Meanwhile, she told fans her parents were her role models growing up and she plans to race the 1500m again one day.Away from athletics, Hodgkinson was also asked about her beloved Manchester United.Most read in AthleticsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSShe explained that David Beckham is her favourite United player of all-time as she showed off a snap from a recent Old Trafford visit.Hodgkinson’s gold in Paris added to a pair of World Championship silver medals from 2022 and 2023.Olympics hero Keely Hodgkinson thanks her home town for their support at the Paris Olympics The Olympics star explained ‘I don’t wear them all now’Credit: Instagram / @keely.hodgkinsonThe 22-year-old won gold in the 800m at the Paris Olympics this summerCredit: EPAHer golden celebrations later saw the Brit jet off to Marbella on holiday as she opted against attending the Closing Ceremony.Despite her injury lay-off, though, Hodgkinson has already been challenged to a race upon her return.Dutch hurdler Femke Bol has offered her the chance to face-off over 600m in the future.Bol won three medals in Paris, including gold in the 4x400m mixed relay.Hodgkinson has since been ruled out until 2025 with a ‘small injury’Credit: GettyShe has continued to live a glamorous lifestyle since her Olympic gloryCredit: instagram @keely.hodgkinson More

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    Team GB Olympics star Imani-Lara Lansiquot stuns in completely see-through dress at London Fashion Week after-party

    TEAM GB star Imani-Lara Lansiquot dazzled in a see-through dress at London Fashion Week.The 26-year-old won silver in the 4x100m relay at the Olympic Games in Paris.Imani-Lara Lansiquot stunned in a see-through dressCredit: BackGridThe Team GB dazzled at an event to celebrate the end of London Fashion WeekCredit: BackGridShe has been labelled a ‘queen’ by adoring fansCredit: BackGridThe dress was designed by Han ChongCredit: BackGridLansiquot posed with Keely Hodgkinson and Katarina Johnson ThompsonCredit: Instagram @imanilaraBut she has now swapped sprinting on the track for strutting her stuff in the fashion world.Lansiquot was invited to a luxury party hosted by Burberry to celebrate the end of London Fashion Week.She stunned in a revealing outfit that was designed by Han Chong.And Lansiquot loved the look, writing on her Instagram page: “The dress of dreams. READ MORE IN ATHLETICS”Thank you to the best squad for making me feel so beautiful at the Burberry event yesterday evening. Loving being in my fashion era.”The figure-hugging outfit flaunted her incredible physique, with fans commenting: “Mindblowingly beautiful.”Another added: “Star girl.”A third said: “Queen inside and outside the track.”Most read in AthleticsLansiquot was joined at the event held at the Kensington Roof Gardens by fellow Team GB stars Keely Hodgkinson and Katarina Johnson-Thompson.The trio posed for selfies, with the snap captioned: “Track girlies absolutely do it best.”Golden girl Hodgkinson won the 400m in Paris and Johnson-Thompson got silver in the heptathlon.Ten things from the Olympics closing ceremony you may have missedImani-Lara Lansiquot (second left) with Team GB’s 4x100m relay teamCredit: AFP More

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    Who was Rebecca Cheptegei? Olympic runner died after ‘petrol attack by ex-boyfriend’

    REBECCA Cheptegei tragically died when her boyfriend allegedly doused her in petrol and set her on fire. The Ugandan athlete, 33, had recently competed in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics.Rebecca Cheptegei tragically died after being set on fire, allegedly by her ex-boyfriendCredit: AlarmyRebecca had competed at the Paris 2024 OlympicsCredit: AFPWho was Rebecca Cheptegei? The Olympian competed in cross country, long distance and marathon events. Rebecca was born on February 22, 1991, in Uganda and began racing in 2010.According to her Olympics bio, she was a soldier and trained with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.The runner’s final competition was at in the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics.Read more in crimeShe sadly died months later after her ex-boyfriend allegedly attacked her at her home on September 1, 2024.What happened to Rebecca Cheptegei? Local police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom told local reporters that Rebecca and her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema were heard arguing outside their home in western Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. He said: “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her”.Rebecca suffered from burns on over 75 per cent of her body as a result of the attack.Most read in AthleticsShe was rushed to an intensive care unit at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, but sadly passed away from her injuries on September 5, 2024. According to Kenyan newspaper The Nation, a five-litre jerry can, a bag, and a burned phone were discovered at the scene of the incident.Rebecca’s ex-boyfriend also suffered from burn injuries as a result of the attack and was rushed to hospital. The attack had come after a report published in January 2023 found that 34% of women in Kenya (above the age of 15) had experienced physical violence. There have been several high-profile murders of women in Kenya in recent years, including the death of runner Agnes Tirop who was found stabbed to death in her home in October 2021. Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, is on trial for her murder but denies the charges.Who has paid tribute to Rebecca Cheptegei? The Ugandan Athletics Federation paid tribute to RebeccaCredit: AP: Associated PressThousands of fans and several sports bodies have paid tribute to the incredible runner. The Ugandan Athletics Federation said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. “May her soul rest In Peace.”Rebecca’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, told reporters that he prayed for “justice for my daughter”.He also said that his daughter and her ex-husband had been embroiled in a property dispute, before her death.What did Rebecca Cheptegei achieve during her career?Rebecca had just competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics before she died on September 1, 2024. She raced against her fellow athletes in the Olympic marathon, where she finished 44th. When Rebecca qualified for the Olympics, she set a new personal best of 2:22:47 at the Abu Dhabi Marathon in December 2022.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Ugandan athlete also previously finished fourth in the half marathon at the 2024 African Games, as well as finishing in 14th place in the 2023 World Championship Marathon. Before this, she finished in 14th place at the marathon at the 2023 World Championships More

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    British star upgraded to Paralympics bronze after gold medal winner disqualified and banned from second event

    BRIT sprinter Zac Shaw will leave Paris 2024 with a medal after a rival was DISQUALIFIED from the T12 100m.Shaw initially finished the race in fourth place, with Turkey’s Serkan Yildirim, USA’s Noah Malone and Brazil’s Joeferson Marinho de Oliveira taking home the gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.ParalympicsGB star Zac Shaw missed out on a bronze medal in the T12 100m finalCredit: GETTYBut the disqualification of race winner Serkan Yildirim has resulted in him medallingCredit: GETTYBut the retrospective disqualification of race winner Yildirim due to the discovery of his ineligibility to compete has seen ParalympicsGB star Shaw bumped up to the bronze medal position.A World Para Athletics statement read: “On the morning of 30 August, World Para Athletics (WPA) was notified of a without notice interim injunction issued by a single judge in the Bonn regional court, requiring the NPC Turkey athlete, Mr Serkan Yildirim, to be entered into the Para-athletics men’s 100m T12 and 400m T12 medal events at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.”WPA was not provided with notice of the proceedings, or any opportunity to participate in them.”Under both the WPA classification rules and the WPA qualification regulations for Paris 2024 an athlete with a Sport Class Status ‘Review’, such as Mr Yildirim, is not eligible to compete.READ MORE PARALYMPICS NEWS”Solely in order to comply with the court order, WPA permitted Mr Yildirim to compete in the men’s 100m T12 event, pending the outcome of WPA’s appeal against the injunction.”WPA has now successfully appealed the injunction and the injunction has been lifted by the court with immediate effect.”The results of Mr Yildirim in the men’s 100m T12 medal event have been disqualified, with all resulting consequences. “The medals from the men’s 100m T12 medal event will be reallocated.Most read in Athletics”WPA appreciates the patience”WPA appreciates the patience and professionalism shown by the other teams and athletes affected by these proceedings.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChannel 4’s Paralympics Line-UpChannel 4 have a star-studded line-up of hosts and pundits for their coverage of the 2024 Paralympics”WPA is unable to provide further substantive comment at this point in time.”Shaw, 28, has yet to react to the news, although ParalympicsGB fans were over the moon at his retrospective winning of bronze.Heartbreaking moment Brit certain for Paralympics 2024 gold suddenly crashes and collapses onto velodrome floorOne said: “So well deserved! I hope he gets his moment on the podium!”Another said: “What ! Wow! Amazing.”And another said: “Congratulations @shawzac on winning a bronze medal so happy for you.”One remarked: “Fantastic news Zac so happy for you.”Another chimed in: “Wooooo @shawzac bringing home a medal fully deserved.” More

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    Transgender parent-of-two Valentina Petrillo, 50, qualifies for Paralympics 2024 women’s 400m semi-final

    AN ITALIAN runner who was born male has become the second transgender athlete to compete in the 64-year history of the Paralympics.Valentina Petrillo, 50, has a visual impairment and competed in the heats of the women’s T12 400m class on day five of the Paris Games.Valentina Petrillo of Team Italy made history during the Women’s 400m T12 Round 1 Heats on day five of the ParalympicsCredit: GETTYThe 50-year-old became the second transgender athlete to compete in the Games in its 64-year historyCredit: GETTYPetrillo was born a male and underwent hormone therapy in 2019Credit: GETTYPetrillo, who does not require a guide, qualified for tonight’s semi-finals at the Stade de France with a time of 58.35 seconds as she finished behind Alejandra Paola Perez Lopez of Venezuela in heat four but ahead of China’s Shen Yaqin.Without requiring the use of a guide runner, parent-of-two Petrillo qualified sixth overall and will be in contention for the podium spots at the Paras.She said: Petrillo said: “The atmosphere in the stadium is great, it’s just a dream come true. We are here finally, it’s September 2, 2024, let’s sign this historical date (in our diary).“From today I don’t want to hear anything more about discrimination, prejudices against transgender people.READ MORE PARALYMPICS NEWS“There are lots of people dying only for being trans, people are killed because they are trans, people commit suicide because they are trans and lose their jobs, or (they are) are not included in sport.“But I made it. If I can make it, everyone can make it. I thought about Paris from the day I knew I was not making it to Tokyo. I am here now. Finally, I made it.”In 2017, the disabled star shocked her wife, the mother of their two children, when she revealed she wanted to become a transgender woman – and within two years, she was undergoing hormone therapy.Running as a male, Petrillo won 11 Italian para-athletics titles but has started to win medals on the international stage since switching to female-only events.Most read in AthleticsIn March 2023, World Athletics – the governing body of able-bodied track-and-field – took a firm stance on this controversial topic.Officials decided to exclude male-to-female transgender athletes who had gone through male puberty from competing in international events for women.Imane Khelif wins Olympic gold in women’s welterweight final after huge gender row that has grabbed worldwide attentionSeb Coe, the president of the governing body, said “decisive action” was taken “to protect the female category in our sport”.While some might feel that Petrillo has a considerable physical advantage, despite being in her sixth decade on the planet, the International Paralympic Committee refused to implement any ban, saying they do not have any “framework” of rules.Channel 4’s Paralympics Line-UpChannel 4 have a star-studded line-up of hosts and pundits for their coverage of the 2024 ParalympicsA IPC spokesperson said: “We have had one previous transgender athlete at the Paralympic Games. “This was a Rio 2016 Paralympian who represented the Netherlands.“Our framework is very clear. The IPC have no specific rules on transgender.“It’s the responsibility of the international federations, which is a very similar approach to the IOC (International Olympic Committee).”Not everybody is convinced and some want a suspension to come into force.Germany’s Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who competes in the women’s long jump, said: “Basically, everyone should live in everyday life the way they feel comfortable, but I find it difficult in competitive sports.“Petrillo has lived and trained as a man for a long time, so there is a possibility that the physical requirements are different to those of someone who was born as a woman.Valentina Petrillo wants to be a role model for other transgender peopleCredit: GETTY”This could give an advantage.”Petrillo said: “I’m happy as a woman and running as a woman is all I want. I couldn’t ask for more.“I dream of a future where no one has to hear stories like mine anymore.“For 44 years I had no tools, I thought I was the only one in the world experiencing this situation.”I was born in Naples in the Seventies, where the ‘femminielli’ were considered the ‘scum’ of society.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I had an older relative who declared that she was trans and she was kicked out of the house by her father. I was scared and hid.“I dream of a future in which there are no longer children, girls, teenagers, forced to hide, to be afraid, to not be able to express themselves for who they are: in the family, in society, in everyday activities.” More

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    Team GB boxer emotionally torn apart and battling depression after Olympics 2024 robbery

    DELICIOUS ORIE has been emotionally torn apart and is still battling     the depression that engulfed him after he was robbed by Olympic  boxing judges.Orie hasn’t yet recovered from that intense sense of injustice he felt in Paris last month.Great Britain’s Delicious Orie, right, was devastated after losing to Davit Chaloyan during the Men’s +92kg final in ParisCredit: PAHe said ‘I’ve never suffered depression in my life before’Credit: GettyDJ, as he likes to be called, won Commonwealth Games and European Championship golds.And Great Britain’s super-heavyweight was a favourite to become Olympic champion.The smell from sewage in the Seine may have been unpleasant but there was a far greater stench in the boxing arena.The XY chromosomes controversy over Algerian Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting — allowed to compete in the women’s event despite previously failing gender tests — and some disturbing judges’ scorecards saw to that.READ MORE IN BOXINGOrie wasn’t at his best fighting Davit Chaloyan yet was given the first round by all five judges.The second and third rounds were much closer but DJ and his team were dumbfounded as he was ruled a 3-2 loser.Orie was distraught and is struggling to come to terms with that dodgy defeat to the Armenian.When I tracked Orie down this week, on holiday with his parents in Thailand, he was pleased to unburden himself.Most read in BoxingThough he was 5,000 miles away, I could feel his pain when he said: “It’s going to be a very long time before I get what happened to me in Paris out of my system.“I just can’t stop thinking about it.Ten things from the Olympics closing ceremony you may have missed“Knowing my Olympic boxing history, I know it has happened to much better fighters than me — Roy Jones Jr in Seoul and Floyd Mayweather Jr in Atlanta being the most famous victims.“But I couldn’t believe it when my opponent’s hand was raised — I felt sick to my stomach as if I’d been hit by a low blow from Mike Tyson.“It took eight hard years preparing to win gold, then all my dreams were just shattered.“I’ve never suffered depression in my life before — I just can’t get it out of my mind and my whole world seemed to have collapsed.“I’ve taken a lot of punches, been dropped in sparring, been really wounded as an athlete.I couldn’t believe it when my opponent’s hand was raised — I felt sick to my stomach as if I’d been hit by a low blow from Mike Tyson.Delicious OrieSunSport“But this is by far the worst thing I’ve had to go through — nothing has hurt me as much as this.”Orie is 27 and won’t want to stay amateur for another four years to try to make it to the Los Angeles Games.Not least because it’s uncertain if boxing will be included for 2028.He could turn pro — or quit boxing altogether and rely on his first-class honours degree in economics from Aston University to earn a living.Having failed to get an Olympic medal, DJ can’t expect to be offered a lucrative promotional deal to start punching for pay.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe’s certainly not too old to leave the amateurs — 2016 Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce didn’t turn pro until he was 32 and was interim WBO world heavyweight champ.Orie is not a big puncher but with his brains   and colourful background — his mother is Russian and his father Nigerian — he would be a welcome addition to Britain’s talented and highly competitive heavyweight scene.You’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicideIt doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: More