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      in Athletics

      Who are Keely Hodgkinson’s coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows?

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      TREVOR Painter and Jenny Meadows are the coaching duo behind British middle-distance runner Keely Hodgkinson’s success.They’ll no doubt be beaming with pride as Keely is the bookies’ favourite to take home BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024.Keely Hodgkinson pictured training with her coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny MeadowsCredit: GettyJenny Meadows pictured with her 800m silver medal at the British Athletics Indoor Championships in 2015Credit: GettyWho is Trevor Painter?Trevor Painter is the founder and head coach of M11 Track Club, Manchester, which specialises in coaching middle-distance events.He has been coaching athletes for almost 25 years and has guided more than 30 athletes to international level.Trevor received the Coaching Achievement Award as part of the World Athletics Awards 2024, recognising his outstanding contributions to coaching at all levels in athletics.He holds an MSc in Elite Coaching Practice from the University of Central Lancashire and is known for his scientific approach to training.read more on keely hodgkinsonWho is Jenny Meadows?Jenny Meadows, a former world-class 800m runner, works alongside Trevor as a coach at M11 Track Club.She brings her vast experience as an international athlete to the coaching partnership, offering valuable insights and wisdom both on and off the track.Her role extends beyond just technical coaching — she acts as a mentor and life coach to the athletes.PhilosophyJenny and Trevor are known for their unique approach to coaching, which includes:Most read in AthleticsCreating the right environment: They focus on making training enjoyable and fostering a fun atmosphere to retain athletes.Flexibility: They adapt their coaching style to suit individual athletes, recognising the importance of not constraining “free spirits” like Keely Hodgkinson.Holistic development: They emphasise the importance of athletes having a life outside of training, encouraging them to seize opportunities wherever possible.Scientific approach: Trevor handles the technical aspects and science, while Jenny complements this with her practical experience.AchievementsUnder their guidance, the M11 Track Club has produced several world-class athletes, including:Olympic winner Keely Hodgkinson soaks up the atmosphere with Man Utd fans at Old Trafford Keely Hodgkinson: Olympic gold medalist and multiple world championship medalist in 800m.Georgia Bell: Bronze medalist in the 1500m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.Lewis Davey: Bronze medalist in the 4x400m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics.Sarah Healy: Irish international runner finished second in the 5th Avenue Mile.RelationshipTrevor and Jenny are a husband-and-wife team who run the M11 Track Club together.Keely Hodgkinson posing with coach Trevor Painter after receiving the 800m gold medal at the 2023 European Indoor Championships in in Istanbul, TurkeyCredit: GettyTheir relationship began as a coach-athlete partnership before evolving into a romantic one.Trevor was Jenny’s coach throughout her illustrious career, during which she earned multiple world and European 800m medals.Marriage & childrenThe couple tied the knot in 2006, but details of their big day have not been reportedIn July 2016, at the age of 35, Meadows announced her retirement from professional running.On January 11, 2024, Jenny took to X/Twitter to announce the birth of their first child.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe wrote: “Welcome to the world Arabella Connie Meadows-Painter who was born at 00:12 on Sunday 10th Jan weighing 7lb 2oz.”Myself & @Faster_feet promise to love and support you.” More

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      BBC SPOTY favourite Keely Hodgkinson reveals fashion legend touched her cheek and called her beautiful

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      KEELY HODGKINSON says being branded “beautiful” by fashion icon Giorgio Armani was the craziest thing to happen to her since becoming Olympic 800 metres champion.From the running track to the catwalk, Britain’s athletics superstar is hot property these days and was invited to Milan in September by a major fashion brand.Keely Hodgkinson says she was branded ‘beautiful’ by Giorgio ArmaniCredit: GettyThe Olympic champ is frontrunner to win SPOTY tonightCredit: Sunday TimesShe loved being praised by fashion legend ArmaniCredit: GettyAs someone comfortable in both spikes and stilettos, Hodgkinson was surprised to be noticed by the famous Italian designer who was enthralled with her epic display in Paris.Hodgkinson, 22, said: “The craziest thing that has happened to me? I’m going to say when I met Giorgio Armani . . . “He came over to me and put his hand on my cheek and called me ‘Bella’ (pretty in English). Which I thought was really nice.“He’s just a little man. I met him in Milan at Fashion Week briefly. He can’t speak English but he’s quite into his sport.  He’s a lot older now, he’s 90 years old, but he looks great.READ MORE IN SPORT“He’s still heavily involved in his work. That was a really cool moment.”It is one wonderful example that sums up the mad celebrity world that Hodgkinson now inhabits.But she has earned that as only NINE other women have won an Olympic gold medal in Team GB colours in track and field over 60 years.It is why she is the front-runner to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, which is being held close to her apartment in Salford, tonight.Most read in AthleticsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIf it happens, and darts star Luke Littler is a strong challenger, she will become the fourth woman in a row to receive the accolade — a record — but ten less than the men’s longest stretch.And her training mentor Trevor Painter, who masterminded three Olympic medallists this summer, is likely to be named Coach of the Year.Olympics hero Keely Hodgkinson thanks her home town for their support at the Paris Olympics Hodgkinson won the 800m gold in ParisCredit: GettyShe became a national treasure with victory over the summerCredit: GettyHodgkinson said: “If I go back to the beginning of the year when I started training, it didn’t go my way at all.“I spent a couple of months out with injury. But I just kept trusting the process and training got better.“About a month out, I realised I was in really good shape.“It’s the first time in a year where I’ve actually achieved everything I’ve set out to achieve on the outdoor track, which is quite special and doesn’t happen very often.”In 2025, Hodgkinson will attempt to win a hat-trick of gold medals at European and World Indoor level and then it is the World Outdoor Championships in September.And the controversial 800m world record of 1min 53.28sec — set in 1983  by Jarmila Kratochvilova of the Czech Republic — is within her sights. The question is whether she can do it in the next 12 months or closer to the LA 2028 Games.Hodgkinson, whose current PB is 1:54.61, said: “Medals can never be taken away from you, so that will always be a top priority. I don’t have a World Championship gold yet.“I do think 1.53 is possible — but obviously it takes a special race.READ MORE SUN STORIES“You’ve got to be in perfect shape, with perfect conditions, the right race for all that to come together.” BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be available to watch live tonight from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayerHodgkinson has also become a style iconCredit: GettyShe is up against some big names for SPOTYCredit: keely.hodgkinson/Instagram More

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

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

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      in Athletics

      ‘I can change the face of this sport’: Barry Hearn reveals failed investment that he regrets the most

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      BARRY HEARN revealed his failed bid to bring gymnastics to the mainstream was his most heartbreaking investment.Hearn, 76, has taken darts, snooker, boxing, pool and tenpin bowling to new heights.Barry Hearn revealed he tried to bring gymnastics to the mainstreamCredit: PA:Press AssociationHearn’s failed attempt to boost gymnastics is his most heartbreaking investmentCredit: GettyAnd the Matchroom Sport president tried to do the same with gymnastics in 2016 but only managed to promote one event.The famous promoter claims the project, which he was very passionate about, never succeeded because of outside interference. Hearn told The Mirror: “I wanted to take over gymnastics, because I think that sport is so brilliant.”I tried two events, but then I bumped into – which I bump into quite a lot – a load of blazers [people in suits].Read More on Gymnastics”When I went into gymnastics, I did a fantastic first event. Then I thought, ‘I can really change the face of this sport’. “And then I just got knocked back [by the governing bodies], because they wanted to keep it to themselves!”I’ve had that with various blazers in various amateur bodies, and it’s very frustrating. I don’t have the time to mess about. I know what I’m doing. I’ve got a reputation built over 50 years. “I can change sports, and I can change people’s lives, but I need everyone to pull together – and so often in sport, they don’t because they’re selfish with their own positions.Most read in Athletics”The people that love their sport but have no real interest in the athletes themselves. And we come from completely different directions. We try and change their lives through money. “I love watching the Olympics, and you should be very proud if you’ve won a medal at the Olympics – but you can’t eat a medal!Barry Hearn sends warning to top darts stars that ‘little Littler Army’ is coming to dominate the sport “We are one of only three countries in the world that don’t pay a bonus for a gold medal, and I find that atrocious. Great Britain – that ‘G’ is looking smaller and smaller. So we need to look after athletes.” More

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      in Soccer

      Incredible display shows Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick for England and Team GB Olympic hero winning gold

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM’S overhead kick at the Euros has been honoured on a shop display.One of three installations paying tribute to the nation’s most joyous moments of 2024, it depicts the Real Madrid star’s injury-time bicycle kick against Slovakia.Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick has been honoured in a displayCredit: SWNSThe goal was voted the third most joyous moment of the yearCredit: GettyOlympic hero Keely Hodgkinson has also been shown in a displayCredit: SWNSShe won gold at the Paris OlympicsCredit: The TimesAll three installations were crafted by prop maker Andy Billett using food from the chain’s seasonal menu, including items such as mince pies and gingerbread.Bellingham’s goal is not the only sporting moment of the year to be honoured.Keely Hodgkinson is part of the display as it shows her celebrating her gold for Team GB in the 800 metres at this summer’s Olympics.The displays are on show at the Pret A Manger in New Street, Birmingham.READ MORE ON SPORTThey are completely made out of food and are good enough to eat.Bellingham’s overhead kick was rated third for in the list of most joyous moments in the nation for 2024.Hodgkinson’s achievement came fifth in the rankings.The list was compiled through research of 2,000 adults, which was carried out by Pret.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEngland men’s football team reaching the final of Euro 2024 topped the poll, while second place went to Sir David Attenborough for his 70 years on TV.Katherine Bagshawe, Pret’s UK food and coffee director, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to depict some of the most joyous moments that helped define 2024, as chosen by the nation.Keeley Hodgkinson rings Olympic bell“With 25 per cent of respondents saying they associated joy with their favourite foods.”We felt paying tribute through food was a fitting way to celebrate joyous moments.”Other moments that sparked joy in the nation included Oasis reforming and Luke Littler reaching the final of the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship.Andy Murray’s emotional farewell retirement match at Wimbledon also made the top ten.Almost half (45 per cent) believe they’ll look back on this year fondly as a time which brought them happiness – with 22 per cent describing 2024 as their most joyful one to date.READ MORE SUN STORIESOn average, those polled have experienced 44 moments of joy so far this year – around four a month – and 30 per cent expect to see an increase next year.But it emerged 50 per cent believe they don’t prioritise their own joy enough, with 33 per cent unable to recall the last time they did something for themselves which gave them such a boost.TOP 10 – 2024 MOMENTS OF JOYHere are the top 10 most joyous moments for the Nation in 2024 according to Pret’s research…1. England men’s football team reaching the final of Euro 2024.2. David Attenborough celebrates 70 years of service as a conservationist and broadcaster3. Jude Bellingham’s overhead goal for England against Slovakia at Euro 20244. The announcement of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special5. Keely Hodgkinson’s 800 meters gold at the Olympics for Team GB6. Sixteen-year-old Luke Littler reaching the final of the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship7. Andy Murray’s emotional retirement match at Wimbledon8. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour9. The announcement Oasis are reforming10. The Coronation Street 65th anniversary special More

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      in Boxing

      I’m an unbeaten boxer and Olympic gold medallist – but I’d have more money & girls if I was 6ft 6in like Anthony Joshua

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      POCKET ROCKET Galal Yafai knows he’d have more money and girls if he was a giant star like fellow golden boy Anthony Joshua – but more problems too.AJ’s iconic 2012 London triumph made him a national treasure, an instant millionaire and a heartthrob fast-tracked to heavyweight world titles.Galal Yafai believes he would have more attention if he was more like Anthony JoshuaCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunYafai claimed he would have more money if he was as tall as AJCredit: GettyHe won gold at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: AFPHis next opponent is Sunny EdwardsCredit: GettyA decade later, 5ft 4in Birmingham ace Yafai landed the same medal in Tokyo but his flyweight status means the cash, clout and hunk-rating are on a much smaller scale.Ahead of his excellent Saturday bout with amateur rival and former sparring Sunny Edwards, the 31-year-old told SunSport: “Our weights don’t get much limelight, even though I am Olympic champion.“Back in the day little fighters got zero attention in the UK, it was always in Asia and Mexico.“There aren’t many people boxing at this weight in our country, it’s just the luck of the draw, we’re small people.READ MORE ON BOXING“If I was 6ft 6in and 17st like AJ I would be more marketable, have more money, I would have more girls chasing me – I would probably have a few more problems, come to think of it.“But these are the cards I have been dealt with, I am happy to achieve what I have, it could be a lot worse.”Yafai, like fellow fighting brothers Kal and Gamal and most other Brummie boxers, is perfectly modest.In a sport built on trash talk and empty threats, the Midlanders prefer to let their fists do the talking.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSShowtime Sunny, the 28-year-old former IBF champ, is a very different character who uses his vicious tongue and quick wit to make up for his lack of power.“I think Brummies are all just pretty down to earth,” he laughed.Inside Anthony Joshua’s amazing car collection Yafai’s brothers Gamal (left) and JKal (right) are also fightersCredit: Instagram / matchroomboxingEdwards vs Yafai full fight cardHere is a look at the full fight card for Edwards vs Yafai…Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai; for vacant WBC Interim world flyweight crownConah Walker vs. Lewis Ritson; WelterweightKieron Conway vs. Ryan Kelly; for vacant Commonwealth middleweight titleCameron Vuong vs. Gavin Gwynne, LightweightHamza Uddin vs. Benn Norman; FlyweightTroy Jones vs. Michael Stephenson, for Jones’s English light heavyweight titleAaron Bowen vs. James Todd; MiddleweightIbraheem Sulaimaan vs. Marvin Solano; Super featherweightTaylor Bevan vs. Greg O’Neil; Super middleweightCallum Smith Vs. TBD; Light heavyweight“Even when I won the gold, I just wanted to move on, without too much razzamataz. I probably didn’t really know how to act.“Some fighters do like to talk s***, but that’s not really my style. If they want to do it, I am game, bring it on but I would never start it off.”Classy Yafai is more worried about a big ring than a big mouth, as he hopes a tight squared circle will help him avenge his 2015 amateur loss to super-slick Edwards.“It’s a good question,” he said about the Resorts World ring dimensions. “Hopefully it’s a small one!“The promoters decide that and they won’t want a massive one because it will encourage running around and they will want an exciting fight.”I will want a smaller ring to suit my style but I’ll take anything.”Claiming the interim WBC world title will leave Yafai one step away from the bonafide green and gold 8st bout.But he’s unlikely to wrap it around his narrow waist and parade it, just like the necklace he keeps tucked away at home and only brakes out for private inspiration.The 8-0 ace explained: “I probably should walk around with the medal around my neck but it’s just stuck at home in a box.“It’s nice to have a heavy physical thing to have and hold and look at every once in a while.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Sometimes I do get it out of the box, to remind myself of what I achieved and how nice it is.“But that medal could get lost or stolen or melted down somehow, so knowing that my name is in history forever, that is more important.”How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch. More

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      in Athletics

      Moment Olympic triathlete Taylor Knibb tells camera ‘I just s*** myself… can you not get my ass’ live on TV mid-race

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      THIS is the moment Olympic triathlete Taylor Knibb tells a camera operator during a live TV race: “I just s**t myself… can you not get my ass?”American ace Knibb, 26, is a two-time Olympic silver medalist at Tokyo and Paris in the mixed relay event.Olympic triathlete Taylor Knibb told a camera ‘I just s**t myself’ during a live TV raceIt happened during a brutal race in DubaiCredit: XThe ace heroically pulled through to land a top triathlon titleCredit: XOutside the Games, she is one of the world’s top triathletes.And Knibb cemented her status as the globe’s best by winning the inaugural T100 world championship on Saturday.She stormed to victory in Dubai after previous wins in San Francisco, Ibiza and Las Vegas.A second-place finish would have been enough to take the title.READ MORE IN SPORTBut Knibb’s resilience saw her become champion while also winning the race.However, she was forced to overcome major adversity during the final 18km run.As temperatures hit 31 degrees, Knibb became the focus of the camera’s attention.Yet she was eager not to be filmed from behind after revealing she had suffered a bodily malfunction.Most read in AthleticsAs she ran on live TV, she turned to the camera before calmly saying: “I just s**t myself… can you not get my ass?”The camera operator duly obliged as the race continued, with Knibb heroically going on to cross the finish line in first.Shocking moment triathlete shunts OWN TEAM-MATE of her bike and into barriers… and fans aren’t buying her excuseKnibb has two Olympic silver medals to her nameCredit: APShe helped Team USA pip Team GB to second in the mixed relay in ParisCredit: PAAnd after swimming 2km at the start, while also cycling 80km, she later admitted it had been a rough experience from start to finish.Knibb said: “I woke up and messaged my coach that I feel rough. I was like, ‘Oh this is going to be a bad day’.“I was kind of shocked, it only came together in the last 3km but it was brutal out there.“I think it was more physical (than mental today). That was easier as you don’t have to deal with your body.” More

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      in Soccer

      Paris braces for France v Israel with SAS-style special forces & ‘1 cop per 3 fans’ as anti-Semitic chaos sweeps Europe

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      FRANCE are set to take on Israel in a huge Nations League clash this week with Paris bracing for dangerous anti-Semitic chaos. SAS-style special forces are being deployed across the city ahead of Thursday’s game with officials announcing there will be at least one cop per three football fans in the capital.SAS-style RAID special forces are being deployed across Paris ahead of the France vs Israel matchCredit: AFPOfficials have announced there will be at least one cop per three football fans in the capitalCredit: GettySecurity concerns ahead of the match are already mounting with Paris’ police chief labelling it as a “high-risk event”.The fears have drastically ramped up in recent days after disturbing footage showed Israeli football fans being chased through the streets of Amsterdam by an anti-Semitic mob.Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were ambushed by masked rioters in the Dutch city as they left the Johan Cruyff stadium last Thursday.This has prompted international concerns over the safety of Jewish fans particularly those watching Israeli-based teams.read more in football fearsWith the international break now underway, Israel’s national side are due to play France away in Paris before travelling to play against Belgium on Sunday.The match against Belgium has already faced intense scrutiny with it being moved to a neutral venue in Hungary due to safety fears.Despite France agreeing to host the 81st ranked international side in their capital a number of security measures have been put in place.SAS-style special forces and up to 6,000 other officers are all scheduled to be on duty for the high-risk game at the Stade de France.Most read in FootballOrganisers have told The Sun that they are struggling to sell tickets due to issues around Israel with the Middle Eastern conflict – with less than 15,000 seats reserved so far.France’s elite RAID tactical unit are believed to be the first line of defence at the game and have been deployed following the violence in Amsterdam.Inside Paris’ ‘patchwork of steel’ security op with AI surveillance, 45,000 cops & drones for most guarded Olympics everParis police chief Laurent Nuñez said security at the game was of extreme concern for the authorities. He said: “There’s a context, tensions that make that match a high-risk event for us.”There will be an anti-terrorist security perimeter around the stadium.”RAID – which stands for Search, Assistance, Intervenion, Deterrence – will be in the stadium, he confirmed.The RAID was one of the first special forces units rushed to the scene when ISIS suicide bombers attacked Paris in November 2015.Terrorist thugs killed 130 people on a single night with chilling eruptions even being heard from the Stade de France on the harrowing night.Israeli security forces, including agents from the Mossad intelligence agency, will also be inside the stadium.French President Emmanuel Macron and his prime minister, Michel Barnier, will also attend the match.Many people have called for the game to be moved to a neutral venue but Bruno Retailleau, France’s Interior Minister, said it was hugely important that the game went ahead in Paris.Rioters run through the streets amid disturbing clashes in Amsterdam between Israelis and an anti-Semitic mobCredit: RexRAID officers will join 6,000 cops to help protect Paris after the police chief labelled the game as a ‘high-risk event’Credit: AFPIsrael fans have been targeted at sporting events such as in the Paris OlympicsCredit: GettyHe said: “I think that for a symbolic reason we must not yield, we must not give up.”The RAID has been active since the Israeli team set foot on French soil, and they will be in the stadium.”The Israel team arrived in France on Wednesday but have been forced to train and stay at secret locations on the outskirts of Paris.Manager Ran Ben Shimon has told the press he and the team feel safe.France has already answered calls for tightened security around Israeli athletes after the 2024 Paris Olympics earlier this year.They deployed a widely successful “ring of steel” around the Games to ensure safety after several declarations of violence from terror group ISIS and anti-Israel parties.It became the most guarded Games ever with over 60,000 cops and soldiers, drones, helicopters and a huge increase in AI surveillance all deployed.Just this week, a Jewish football team was placed under police protection after it was “attacked” by a knife-wielding pro-Palestinian mob in Berlin.Teens from Makkabi Berlin’s youth team claim they were “hunted down” by a group of Arab youngsters after a game against local rivals.One player’s dad claimed that his son was “deeply shaken” when he came back home from the game.The boy was allegedly spat at and later harassed by a mob of kids and adults who followed the squad off the pitch with sticks and knives. There’s a context, tensions that make that match a high-risk event for usLaurent NuñezParis police chief Away from the football, another Israeli-linked security fear comes in the form of a pro-Palestinian march.Thousands are expected to take to the streets of Paris on Wednesday – a day before the football clash – to demonstrate against a controversial pro-Israel gala.The “Israel is Forever” gala was originally set to be attended by Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich but he has since pulled out.Several controversial figures linked to Israel’s far-Right are expected to show – making life difficult for cops.Police chief Nuñez spoke on the gala and said: “A gala in a closed place is not a demonstration on the public road, so it is more complicated for a prefect to ban it.”I considered that there was no risk of disturbing public order but we will be attentive to the comments made and I can potentially take legal action.”An open letter by seven civil rights groups to the French media reads: “Holding this gala in the French capital constitutes an insult to international law and contempt for the United Nations and for the orders issued by the highest international court.”A counter-demonstration has also been announced and is expected to attract up to 8,000 people.Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, antisemitic violence has surged globally.It has been fuelled by heightened geopolitical tensions and polarising public discourse around the war.This escalation is marked by an alarming rise in physical attacks, threats, and hate speech targeting Jewish communities.In Europe, reports of antisemitism have spiked, with attacks on synagogues, Jewish schools, and individuals intensifying.Countries like Germany and France have seen notable incidents of physical violence and vandalism.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn Germany, synagogues were firebombed, and Jewish youth sports teams have reported attacks, reflecting a growing climate of fear.Public spaces associated with Jewish identity, including schools and cemeteries, have also required heightened police protection.A match between Mali and Israel at the Parc des Princes in July 24 saw brawls up in the standsCredit: The Mega AgencySoldiers patrolling the River Seine at the OlympicsCredit: APMembers of the RAID deescalating a situation in FranceCredit: AFP More