Paris Olympics 2024

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      in Athletics

      Why is Denise Lewis stepping down as a BBC pundit?

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      DENISE LEWIS has been a key part of the BBC’s athletics coverage over the years, particularly at the Olympics. But the Paris 2024 games will be her last in the Beeb studio as she has decided to step down from her punditry role. Denise Lewis will no longer carry out her punditry role for the BBCCredit: GettyLewis became a legendary athlete for Team GB, winning heptathlon bronze at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. She followed that up by winning gold in Sydney four years later, quickly becoming a household name. Lewis also won two World Championship silvers, a European gold and two Commonwealth golds. Why is Denise Lewis stepping down as a BBC pundit?Lewis, 51, has been on our screens since 2009 but after a 15-year run she’s calling it quits.READ MORE ON DENISEThe Birmingham-born legend is set to return to her job as the President of UK Athletics.The news was announced on-air in the Stade de France studio with an emotional montage just one day before the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics.Legendary American sprinter Michael Johnson handed Lewis some flowers immediately after and Jessica Ennis-Hill wished her idol all the best for the future. Presenter Gabby Logan said: “I’m a super fan and I got to call her a colleague.Most read in Olympics”Denise, you’re generous, kind, fun and brilliant to work with. We are going to miss you so much – not just you’re athletics expertise but as a person.”We wish you all the very best. They have chosen the right person for the job.”Denise Lewis OBE on career challenges, inspirations and winning Olympic goldLewis said: “It’s a sad farewell, honestly, the best team. “Gabby at the helm, Jess, MJ and the whole production team, they are all here.”They make this programme what it is, all the runners over the years, they have been the most supportive, our fantastic editors, it has been a journey.”Denise also praised her former colleagues on Instagram posting a montage of pictures.She shared: For me it’s always about the people and over the last 15 years I’ve worked alongside some of the best. “Thank you @colinrayjackson for guiding me through those nerve wracking first few days when I joined the BBC sport team in 2009. “A massive thank you to the production teams, lighting & camera crews. Floor managers, runners and statisticians. Glam squad. We’ve had a hoot!”I’ll still be watching my favourite sport but from a different seat… hopefully the next seat will be cushioned.”Denise stepped down from the UK Athletics presidency in February 2024, after concerns over integrity were raised due to her decision to continue working as an athletics pundit for BBC Sport.At the time she said: “I’ve had to make the difficult decision to temporarily step away from my role as UKA president – with the upcoming Olympics and a hectic summer ahead.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I would only want to accept the role when it can have my full attention.”Denise has been a key part of the BBC athletics commentary team since 2009, after retiring from the sport in 2005. More

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      in Athletics

      New Zealand high jumper goes viral after going UNDER the bar.. but has perfect response by later winning the gold medal

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      OLYMPICS star Hamish Kerr has gone viral for his high jump disaster despite going on to win the gold medal.Fans watching the men’s final last night were left in hysterics after he bizarrely threw himself under the bar.Hamish Kerr bizarrely threw himself under the barThe New Zealander has become an internet sensation after diving straight on the matCredit: ReutersBut he recovered to win the gold medalCredit: APKerr picked up speed as he approached the jump but surprisingly decided to bail out of the attempt at the last minute.The New Zealander instead dived straight onto the mat to the confusion of viewers.Kerr’s unusual flop has been turned into a meme, with the clip being viewed millions of times on social media.Fans hilariously captioned it: “Me to the sofa when I get home from work.”READ MORE IN OLYMPICSAnother joked: “When someone tells me the bar has been raised and they believe in me.”A third laughed: “How I dive into bed.”More commented: “Me playing Mario and Sonic at the Olympics and I forget to press the jump button.”But Kerr brilliantly responded to his poor effort and went on to win gold amid a controversial end.Most read in AthleticsOLYMPICS FREE BETS – SIGN UP OFFERS AND DEAL FOR PARIS 2024The 27-year-old and Team USA’s Shelby McEwen were tied at the end of the event and turned down the chance to share gold in favour of a jump-off to decide a winner.Both Kerr and McEwen were joint-top after clearing 2.36m but chose not to share first place.Naughtiest Olympic BlundersThey instead agreed to golden goal-style finish, with the bar set at 2.34m.Kerr got over it as McEwen then failed and had to accept silver.BBC’s Olympics line-up in fullPresenters:Clare BaldingGabby LoganHazel IrvineIsa GuhaJeanette KwakyeJJ ChalmersMark ChapmanStudio guests:Beth TweddleChris HoyDenise LewisFred SirieixJessica Ennis-HillKate Richardson-WalshKatherine GraingerLaura KennyMark FosterMichael JohnsonNicola AdamsRebecca AdlingtonTonia CouchRadio:Adrian ChilesEleanor OldroydKelly CatesMark ChapmanNaga MunchettyTony Livesey More

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      in Athletics

      BBC pundit, 51, announces she’s quitting live on TV and reveals new job in emotional scenes

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      DENISE LEWIS said an emotional goodbye to the BBC as she quit her job as a pundit to start a new career. The 51-year-old has been on screens since 2009 and announced her shock departure live on TV. Denise Lewis said an emotional farewell to the BBCHer colleagues gave her a huge send-off, with Micheal Johnson handing her a bunch of flowersLewis brilliantly dropped her mic as she said goodbyeAs the Olympics athletics action came to a close in Paris, Lewis revealed she was taking up a new job as President of UK Athletics.Presenter Gabby Logan and colleagues Jessica Ennis-Hill and Michael Johnson gave the Sydney 2000 gold medallist an incredible send-off.After an stunning montage of her best moments, the American runner gave Lewis a huge bunch of flowers and said: “We love you and we are going to miss you. It’s been amazing working with you.”Ennis-Hill added: “I grew up watching you and was inspired by you. Now I’ve got to sit next to you. READ MORE IN OLYMPICS”It’s been such an honour and thank you for guiding me. Wish you all the best.”Logan said: “I’m a superfan and I got to call her a colleague. “Denise, you’re generous, kind, fun and brilliant to work with. We are going to miss you so much – not just you’re athletics expertise but as a person.”We wish you all the very best. They have chosen the right person for the job.Most read in AthleticsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLewis looked emotional as she said: “It’s a sad farewell, honestly, the best team. Gabby at the helm, Jess, MJ and the whole production team, they are all here.”They make this programme what it is, all the runners over the years, they have been the most supportive, our fantastic editors, it has been a journey.”BBC pundit, 51, announces she’s quitting live on TV and reveals new job in emotional scenesLewis then brilliantly signed off by dropping her microphone on the table to huge cheers from behind-the-scenes BBC employees.Opening up on her new role, the former heptathlon star explained: “It’s time to try to help develop the sport that has been so amazing to me.”I would not be in this position if I had not dared to dream, had a club, all the volunteers that make the clubs what they need to be.”I will be working with the membership, predominately grassroots as that is where the work needs to be done.”We need to make sure the pipeline to events like this [Olympics].”We need to encourage local communities to get involved with athletics.”BBC’s Olympics line-up in fullPresenters:Clare BaldingGabby LoganHazel IrvineIsa GuhaJeanette KwakyeJJ ChalmersMark ChapmanStudio guests:Beth TweddleChris HoyDenise LewisFred SirieixJessica Ennis-HillKate Richardson-WalshKatherine GraingerLaura KennyMark FosterMichael JohnsonNicola AdamsRebecca AdlingtonTonia CouchRadio:Adrian ChilesEleanor OldroydKelly CatesMark ChapmanNaga MunchettyTony Livesey More

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      in Athletics

      Michael Johnson blasts ‘laughable’ Team USA after 4x100m team disqualified while legend Carl Lewis says ‘blow it up’

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      ATHLETICS legends Michael Johnson and Carl Lewis slammed Team USA after they were disqualified from the men’s 4x100m relay.The Americans had a nightmare in Paris as their relay gold medal drought extended to 20 years.Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek messed up the baton exchangeCredit: APMichael Johnson called USA’s relay flop ‘laughable’Credit: BBCCarl Lewis fumed on social mediaCredit: AFPLast night, they were disqualified for an illegal pass they made in the first change over as Canada got gold, South Africa took home silver and Team GB bronze.USA got it all wrong as Christian Coleman crashed into team-mate Kenny Bednarek to mess up the first baton pass, forcing the exchange to happen outside the legal zone.BBC pundit Johnson raged: “It’s laughable at this point. “The last time we won it at the Olympics I was still competing.”READ MORE IN OLYMPICSMeanwhile, Lewis tweeted: “It’s time to blow up the system. “It is clear that EVERYONE at is more concerned with relationships than winning. No athlete should step on the track and run another relay until this program is changed from top to bottom.”USA last won gold in the men’s 4x100m relay at Sydney 2000.Since then it has been a disaster every four years, starting with a poor baton exchange costing them gold at Athens 2004.Most read in AthleticsOLYMPICS FREE BETS – SIGN UP OFFERS AND DEAL FOR PARIS 2024They then dropped it in Beijing 2008 and were disqualified for doping at London 2012.Another poor pass saw them punished in Rio 2016 and a similar incident led to them not even reaching the final at Tokyo 2020.Five Greatest Olympic Moments EverBut they were all set to make amends in Paris – even without 100m winner Noah Lyles after he tested positive for Covid.Post-race, Coleman said: “We practised a lot. Me and Kenny have been on the team a few times and we felt really confident going out there. “It’s part of the sport. We wanted to do it, we wanted to bring it home, we knew we had the speed to do it but this is a risk-reward type of thing.”All of us are world class, and I expect all of us will be back on the team in LA. “I think on home soil, we’ll be able to have the confidence to bring it on home.” More

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      in Athletics

      Alica Schmidt gives fans glimpse inside wild Olympics party as ‘world’s sexiest athlete’ gets over ‘relay team row’

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      ALICA SCHMIDT partied wildly as she let her hair down to celebrate the end of the Olympics.With the Games coming to an end tomorrow, the “world’s sexiest athlete” hit the dance floor on Friday night.Alica Schmidt partied long into the nightCredit: Instagram @alicasmdShe enjoyed a wild night with her fellow athletesCredit: Instagram @alicasmdThey celebrated the medal winners and danced to an Avicii hitCredit: Instagram @alicasmdSchmidt was involved in the 4x400m relayCredit: ReutersSchmidt came seventh in both eventsCredit: GettyShe has been dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest athlete’Credit: Instagram / @alicasmdSchmidt, 25, was invited to Team Germany’s end of Olympics celebration held at rugby ground Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris.The athlete took her 5.4 million Instagram followers behind-the-scenes at the luxury event as they spent the early evening watching all yesterday’s action on a big screen.Medal winners were then brought up to the stage before the champagne bottles were opened.The incredible venue transformed into a nightclub as Schmidt danced with her athletics pals.READ MORE ALICA SCHMIDTShe posted clips from the dance floor on social media as they had fun late into the night as she admitted it was her “first party in ages”.Olympians have enjoyed several wild nights after winning gold – from Snoop Dogg performing at Team USA’s basketball bash to pole vaulter Armando Duplantis looking worse for wear on Swedish TV the morning after.But it has not all been worth celebrating for Schmidt, who came seventh in both the women’s and mixed 4x400m relay heats, amid a team row.Things kicked-off inside the German’s camp as athlete Jean Paul Bredau criticised the decision to select Schmidt for the race ahead of his girlfriend Luna Bulmahn.Most read in AthleticsOLYMPICS FREE BETS – SIGN UP OFFERS AND DEAL FOR PARIS 2024Bulmahn then voiced her anger on social media and was removed from the team.On the row, Schmidt said: “I don’t want to say anything more about the topic now. It’s about the sporting performance.”Inside Olympics star Alica Schmidt’s glam lifestyleSchmidt has 5.4 million Instagram followersCredit: Instagram / @alicasmdShe lives the life of luxuryCredit: Instagram / @alicasmdModelling and being invited to red carpet eventsCredit: GettyParis 2024 was her Olympics debutCredit: PASchmidt did not let a team row stop her from loving the GamesCredit: Instagram @alicasmdParis Olympics with 300k condomsThe Olympic Games arrive at the “City of LoveNearly 15,000 residents – around 10,500 of which are athletes – will be cramming into the Olympic village between July 26 and August 11.To ensure the athletes feel at home, a number of provisions have been made by organisers.One of these is the stocking of some 300,000 condoms, in theory enough for around two every day during the run of the Games. A number of Olympic athletes have opened the door on their steamy lives behind-the-scenes when in camp, including huge sex orgies and parties.London 2012 had claimed the title of “the raunchiest Games ever”, but the 150,000 condoms ordered paled in comparison to the 450,000 ordered for the Rio Games four years later.Condoms have been laid on by organisers at every game since Seoul 1988, when it they were used to spread awareness of HIV and AIDS.Even with an intimacy ban at Tokyo 2020 due to Covid-19, some 150,000 johnnies were handed out.Read the full story here. More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul announces shock plans to enter 2028 Olympics in LA after becoming ‘SICK’ of Team USA’s gold medal drought

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      JAKE PAUL has announced plans to enter the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles to bid for a shock gold medal.The YouTuber-turned-boxer has been in Paris as an honoury coach for Team USA.Jake Paul wants to enter the 2028 OlympicsBut Paul has watched in frustration as the squad of eight returned home with just one medal.Omari Jones took welterweight bronze with Andre Ward now the last man to win gold for USA – 20 years ago in Athens in 2004.But 10-1 professional cruiserweight Paul believes he will be the man to end the two-decade long drought.He said on his podcast: “I am going to enter the 2028 Olympics for boxing in Los Angeles.READ MORE IN BOXING”I’m sick and tired of waiting around and waiting for another gold for Team USA.”I’m not retiring. I definitely just added a couple more years onto my boxing career because of that.”Los Angeles, United States, sick as f***.”Paul, 27, had revealed he contemplated this year’s Olympics but missed the qualification cut off.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd as of 2016, boxers with pro records were welcomed back into Olympic amateur boxing.Paul added: “Yeah I’m just dropping bombs. Like actually, I’m just going to do it. Why not?Jake Paul is going to Paris Olympics after bursting onto boxing scene with just one defeat on pro record”2028, Olympics, you’re already hearing it first – gold medal, you’re mine brother.”Paul has had no amateur bouts and instead turned pro in 2020 off the back of one exhibition fight.He has since racked up ten wins with just a sole loss, to Tommy Fury, 25, in February 2023.Paul returned with sixth-round victory in July after dropping ex-UFC star Mike Perry three times.Perry, 32, had filled in on a month’s notice after Mike Tyson, 58, was forced out amid a health precaution.Paul will instead fight Tyson on November 15 in a controversial clash scrutinised for the 30-year age gap.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe American celebrity has also insisted he will challenge for a cruiserweight world title within the next two years.And he said: “Being a world champion is first and foremost, but second is a gold medal.”Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will fight on November 15Credit: Alamy More

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      in Boxing

      Gender row boxer Lin Yu-ting set for bizarre Olympics gold medal final fight against opponent who jumps around in ring

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      LIN YU-TING fights for Olympic featherweight gold on Friday.But the Taiwanese titan will have to defeat one of the most unorthodox opponents of her career to win Olympic gold.Lin Yu-ting is in the final of the women’s featherweight boxingCredit: RexShe faces Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in the gold medal matchCredit: RexSzeremeta has lit up the tournament with her showboatingCredit: AFPAnd her mid-fight jumping has gone viralStanding between the 28-year-old – who has been at the centre of a gender row along with Algeria’s Imane Khelif – and glory at Paris 2024 is Poland’s Julia Szeremeta.The 20-year-old has booked her place in the final with wins over Venezuela’s Omailyn Alcala, Australia’s Tina Rahimi, Puerto Rico’s Ashelyann Lozada and the Philippines’s Nestthy Petecio.And she’s done so in a less-than-orthodox style, which includes plenty of showboating.Szeremeta has showboated her way to the gold medal match, putting her hands down and even jumping up in the air in fights.READ MORE OLYMPICS NEWSBut she’ll do well to pull off her antics against the ferocious Lin, who entered the tournament as the No1 seed.She battered Turkey’s Esra Yildiz Kahraman with a cool and composed display of crisp technique and footwork to bag her third successive unanimous points win.Lin’s performances have been overshadowed by the fierce debate over her participation in the Games.Both Lin and Khelif – who is in the women’s welterweight final – are competing at the Games 18 months after allegedly failing gender eligibility tests.Most read in SportOLYMPICS FREE BETS – SIGN UP OFFERS AND DEAL FOR PARIS 2024Olympics gender controversyTHE International Olympic Committee (IOC) stirred up a huge controversy by clearing two women to box who had previously failed a gender test.Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified at the Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India, in March 2023.Lin Yu-ting was stripped of a bronze medal after failing a gender eligibility test.Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test.Officials found tests showed they had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.The Russia-led International Boxing Association organised that event but is no longer recognised by the IOC.IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years, they haven’t just suddenly arrived – they competed in Tokyo.”The federation needs to make the rules to make sure that there is fairness but at the same time there is the ability for everyone to take part that wants to. That is a difficult balance.”In the end the experts for each sport are the people who work in that. If there is a big advantage that clearly is not acceptable, but that needs to be a decision made at that level.”Both Khelif and Lin competed at the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Lin is a two-time winner at the Asian Women Amateur Boxing Championships.The IOC said all boxers in Paris “comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations”.The controversy follows the famous case of Caster Semenya.South African middle-distance runner Semenya has a condition which means her body naturally produces higher levels of testosterone than normal for women.She won gold in the 800m at London 2012 and Rio in 2016 but was unable to compete at Tokyo in 2021 after World Athletics brought in new rules independently of the IOC at the time.Tests conducted by the Russian-backed IBA are said to have determined the duo tested positive for male XY chromosomes.The duo were disqualified from the Women’s World Championships as a result of those tests.Lin Yu-Ting’s defeated opponent makes ‘double X’ gesture after losing to gender row boxer at Olympics 2024But the women were permitted to compete by the International Olympic Committee, who cast doubt on the reliability of the tests.The IBA, however, revealed this week that they WON’T be divulging details of the tests.During a farcical press conference on Monday, IBA secretary general Chris Roberts said: “It’s never been our intention to bring any of this about.”We’re not allowed to give any information, but you can read between the lines what it means.”We’re not in a position to share any results, but the IOC have seen them.”He added: “Yesterday evening and this morning, we’ve received letters from China and Algeria informing us we can’t disclose any info on boxers.”You can see what that means – again read between the lines.”Lin Yu-ting’s participation at the Games has been overshadowed by a gender rowCredit: GettySzeremeta isn’t immersing herself in the gender row and is focused solely on bringing gold back to her homeland.She said: “There’s no point talking about the silver medal. “I’m going for the gold,’ she said right after the fight.’Szeremeta added: “I’m not afraid of anyone; I don’t feel respect.”I go out and do my thing. I can’t wait for the final.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Another win gives me confidence, and I don’t feel any stress. I approach this like a regular tournament.”I don’t think it’s the Games. I box in a relaxed way.” More

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      in Soccer

      Thomas Muller celebrates becoming unlikely ‘Olympic champion’ as he shows off Paris 2024 gold medal

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      THOMAS MULLER is celebrating after his horse became an Olympic champion.The Bayern Munich star is a co-owner of Checker, the horse ridden by German Christian Kukuk as the pair won gold.Thomas Muller celebrates after his horse won Olympic goldCredit: instagram @esmuellertGerman Christian Kukuk rode Checker to Olympic gloryCredit: GettyThe pair won gold in the invidual showjumpingCredit: GettyKukuk won Germany’s first gold in the event for 28 yearsCredit: GettyKukuk came out on top in a dramatic jump-off against two Olympic medallists Steve Guerdat and Maikel van der Vleuten, who finished second and third respectively.Checker cleared every hurdle in the final round, the only horse to do so, to win Germany’s first individual showjumping Olympic gold for 28 years.Muller was delighted by the achievement and he shared his congratulations to the rider after the event.He said in a social media video: “It’s golden – we are Olympic winners.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Hats off to what you have done with Checker in the last year and a half. I am so excited. Let yourself go and celebrate now.”Muller, 34, even thanked his manager Vincent Kompany for holding training in the afternoon, which allowed him to watch his horse deliver a historic event.Kukuk also revealed his delight at winning gold and he reflected on the length of time it has taken for Germany to reclaim top spot in the event.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe told Olympics.com: “I’m just feeling very emotional, proud, happy of winning this gold medal today. Most read in Football“It is something special. Not many people won a gold medal in show jumping. Only a few and I’m one of them now and this will stay forever and this is incredible, but I need a few more days to really realise it.SunSport’s Neil O’Riordan puts Ireland’s incredible Olympics in context from peaceful Parisian park-“We were struggling with this gold medal. It’s 28 years ago the last one and that’s a long time for such a horse country. I’m happy that I’m the next one and hopefully it doesn’t take 28 years again for the next one, so I’m looking forward for the future.”Muller loves horses and has a special bond with those he owns, partly thanks to his wife Lisa being a competitive dressage rider.During the Olympics German TV even cut away from a Germany Women’s match to show a clip of Muller playing with one of his horses. More