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      in Athletics

      I’m a Team GB star gunning for gold at Paris 2024 Olympics… just months after giving birth to son-turned-mascot

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      ARTHUR MARCHANT might only be 14 months old but already he has established an important role at British Cycling for the Paris 2024 Olympics.His mum Katy, one of Britain’s leading riders and a medal contender next summer, joked: “He’s the unofficial team mascot. Everyone here absolutely loves him.
      Katy Marchant is dreaming of gold at Paris 2024Credit: Stella Pictures
      Son Archie is Team GB’s unofficial mascot at just 14 months oldCredit: Stella Pictures

      “Arthur came on our recent training camp and spent a lot of time at the track. When he saw the bikes go past, he started to clap.
      “I think he’s aware to some degree of what I do. Like every time he sees a bike, he now says: ‘Mama.’”
      As any parent would appreciate, Marchant faced a task to get Arthur to stay still for SunSport’s photoshoot launch to promote her inclusion in our SEINE-sational Seven Series for the next Olympics.
      She said: “It was quite hard to make a one-year-old cooperate. But I think he did alright. Everyone was jumping up and down, singing and dancing. It was entertaining.”
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      Arthur was born on June 8, 2022 – less than a year after his mum, 30, had crashed out of the Covid-affected Tokyo Olympics in the Keirin quarter-finals and placed sixth in the women’s sprint.
      It was on the flight home that a regretful Marchant – an Olympic bronze medallist from the Rio 2016 Games – felt she had “real unfinished business” within the sport.
      It is why, thanks to the support of the National Lottery, she has decided to combine parenting with pedalling for one more shot at the Olympics.
      Marchant said: “I just didn’t feel ready to give up. But I also didn’t want to completely put my life hold.
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      “My husband Rob and I got married in September 2021, four weeks after the Games. Then we found out I was pregnant.
      “The timing was perfect. I just thought this is the challenge that I need.
      “It was a year of carnage. We have two puppies as well. We were renovating a house. It was all systems go. But it was so worth it.”
      This weekend she will wear GB colours at major level for the first time since giving birth 14 months ago.
      Leeds-born Marchant rides the Keirin at the UCI World Cycling Championships in Glasgow and is a reserve for the women’s team sprint.
      This is the last big event before the Paris programme begins and Marchant knows she has to deliver – selectors will not pick her on sentimental grounds.
      Marchant is ready to make amends for Tokyo 2020Credit: Stella Pictures
      Marchant failed to land a medal at the last OlympicsCredit: Stella Pictures
      Training-wise, her numbers in training have been as impressive as ever, particularly her first-ever 100kg power-clean lift achieved in May.
      Her old heptathlon training partner, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, has been around in recent months to give advice about motherhood and elite sport.
      Mum-of-two Ennis-Hill, 37, famously won the world heptathlon title in Beijing in 2015 – and then Olympic silver in 2016 – not long after the birth of son Reggie.
      Marchant said: “It was nice to have the guidance of those people who’ve done it before me.
      “I literally trained right before having Arthur. I was in the gym the week before. I was on the (static) bike the day before.
      “I’m used to being in pain. My body is used to being tired.
      Marchant wants to improve on her bronze from Rio 2016Credit: Stella Pictures
      Son Arthur will be inspiring his mum all the way to victoryCredit: Stella Pictures
      “Around this time, I was like: ‘Should I be tired? Am I doing damage? Am I doing too much? How much should I push it?’
      “But Jess said to me, just listen to your body. If it feels like you can do it, then you should be doing it. And I’ve ridden that wave pretty much all the way through.
      “Ten years ago, when I first started cycling, I never for a second thought I’d have a family and continue my career.
      “You shouldn’t have to put family on hold for your career and vice versa. I’m a big believer you can do both.
      “I do hope people see my story and think actually it is possible.
      “At times I feel guilty that I’m away racing. I feel I should be at home. I’m just riding around in circles on a bike after all.
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      “But I’m in a really lucky position to be able to get named in the team so soon after having Arthur.
      “I’m only here because I believe my performances can be better and good enough to get on that Paris team.”
      *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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      in Athletics

      Della Pascoe dead at 74: Two-time Olympian and former British record holder dies after battle with Parkinson’s Disease

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      FORMER British Olympic sprinter Della Pascoe has died aged 74.The star competed at the Games in 1968 and 1972 and held the 100m British record, making her one of the country’s finest athletes of her era.
      Della Pascoe, right, competed at the Olympics twice for Great BritainCredit: Getty
      Pascoe held the British 100m record and was one of the finest sprinters of her eraCredit: Getty
      According to Athletics Weekly, she passed away yesterday after suffering from Parkinson’s Disease for a few years.
      Born in Southsea in 1949, Pascoe – initially Della James – excelled at youth level winning various English schools titles.
      She went to Mexico 1968 aged just 19 and reached the 100m semi-finals.
      However, it was in the quarters that she made history by equalling Dorothy Hyman’s British record with a time of 11.3 seconds.
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      Pascoe also formed one leg of the 4x200m team that broke the world record in 1968.
      Four years later at the Munich 1972 Olympics, she was knocked out of the 200m in the quarter-finals and finished seventh in the 4x100m final.
      She won a further 12 medals at the Women’s AAA national championships.
      However, Pascoe was controversially snubbed for the 1974 Commonwealth Games – despite finishing on the podium in the 100m and 200m trials.
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      Some suggested it was due to her marrying outspoken fellow athlete Alan Pascoe, whom she met as a teenager.
      Pascoe said in 2017: “Alan and I met at the running track in Portsmouth.
      “I had to slow down for him to catch me.”
      Following the Commonwealth heartache, Pascoe subsequently retired and spent time as an art teacher and did lots of charity work, specifically raising money through popular garden parties.
      Della and Alan had two children together, daughter Lucy and son Daniel. More

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      in Boxing

      Sir Mo Farah teases shock career change as Team GB Olympic legend reveals he was inspired after watching KSI

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      SIR MO FARAH revealed he wants to lace up the boxing gloves having been inspired by watching KSI fight. The long-distance runner has achieved it all on the track, winning gold at the world championship and Olympics.
      Sir Mo Farah is open to fighting in a boxing matchCredit: @SauerlandBros
      KSI during his fight with Joe FournierCredit: Leigh Dawney/Misfits Boxing

      But the Team GB legend is open to trying his hand at boxing as the rise in celebrity bouts continue to grow.
      Asked by KSI’s Misfits promotion if he would step in the ring, Farah responded: “One hundred per cent.
      “Listen, it depends, I would need to do a bit of training and get confidence but I would love to challenge myself maybe one day.”
      Farah, 40, was at Wembley Arena to watch YouTube star KSI fight businessman-turned boxer Joe Fournier.

      But the bout ended in controversy when KSI, 29, knocked out Fournier, 40, in the second round.
      What looked to be a textbook KO was later revealed on replays to have been caused by an accidental but illegal elbow.
      It left four-time Olympic champion Farah calling for a rematch.
      He said: “For me, it was a good fight but then obviously stuff changed so quickly. I didn’t even know what happened, I looked over and that was it.
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      “It was amazing, again as I said overall, to see so many people I know, I’ve known Joe for many years, we went to the same school.
      “KSI, good friend. I could see a rematch coming up.”
      A fuming Fournier accused KSI of cheating after the result stood and threatened legal action.

      The Professional Boxing Association – who sanctioned the bout – have since confirmed an appeal has been lodged.
      And the result of Fournier’s appeal is set to be concluded by Friday.
      KSI knocked Joe Fournier out with an elbowCredit: Leigh Dawney/Misfits Boxing
      Joe Fournier has appealed the resultCredit: Leigh Dawney/Misfits Boxing More

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      in Athletics

      British coach and ex-Corrie star BANNED for three years after admitting to fat-shaming and mocking disabled people

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      A BRITISH Athletics coach has been banned for three years after admitting to misconduct charges including fat-shaming and mocking disabled people.Fuzz Caan, who has appeared in Coronation Street, was originally suspended by UK Athletics in June 2021.
      Fuzz Caan has received a three-year ban for misconduct
      The British coach has admitted to the charges against him
      It came after the organisation received a letter of complaint “signed by several individuals in the high jump community”.
      The decision meant he was unable to coach his athletes – including Morgan Lake and Emily Borthwick – at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
      An investigation was then carried out by UK Athletics and 12 charges were subsequently levelled at Caan.
      They included claims he “repeatedly swore and shouted” at an athlete “for a period of several minutes”.
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      He was also said to have labelled an athlete a “f***ing idiot”, a para-athlete “fat and slow”, and a doctor a “f***wit”.
      Another startling allegation was that he “made fun of disabled people by doing an impression where he walked with a limp, held his arm bent and made noises whilst sticking his tongue out”.
      Caan, who helped Robbie Grabarz win a silver medal at the 2012 London Games, was also accused of calling his athletes by highly inappropriate names.
      They included “bad foot Gay” and “limp foot Christie”.
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      Caan, who started working as a consultant at the Saudi Olympic Training Centre last year, was due to appear at a UK Athletics hearing into the charges this week.
      But a decision has now been reached without a hearing due to his admission of guilt.
      UK Athletics confirmed Caan’s coaching license will be suspended for three years – a period backdated from June 2021. More

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      in Soccer

      I’m Team GB’s first ever BMX medallist and I’m best mates with Reiss Nelson – I always knew Arsenal star would succeed

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      REISS NELSON and Kye Whyte always dreamed of racing to the top.Arsenal forward Nelson and the Olympic BMX medallist have been wheelie close pals since they were eight.
      British BMX hero Kye Whyte says he always knew Reiss Nelson would reach the topCredit: Getty
      Reiss Nelson (centre) used to ride with the Olympian as a youngsterCredit: Getty
      The pair, both now 23, spent hours riding their bikes around South London while growing up.
      Whyte — whose silver at Tokyo 2020 was Team GB’s first-ever BMX medal — said: “Reiss used to live on a Walworth estate, I lived in Peckham. We used to ride mountain bikes together. And Reiss is pretty decent on a bike, to be fair.
      “He never did the BMX as he was doing his football at that time.
      “We became good friends and have been friends ever since.
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      “We used to ride all over London. No destination. Just rode to silly places.
      “We used to ride to the South Bank and back a lot. Mainly round the streets.
      “Though back in the day, he had a couple of falls off his bike while doing a wheelie!
      “I always knew Reiss was one of the best in South London.
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      “Everyone knew him at a young age just being so good at football.
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      “In my heart, I always wanted him to be in the Premier League and doing the things he’s doing now.”
      Nelson has had to wait for his chance with Arsenal following injury setbacks and loan spells with German outfit Hoffenheim and Holland’s Feyenoord.
      But on Saturday, he wrote his name into Arsenal folklore with his 97TH-MINUTE winner for Mikel Arteta’s men as they came back from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth 3-2.
      Nelson is now set to start in tonight’s Europa League last-16 first-leg clash against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.
      Whyte, who appeared in last year’s Dancing on Ice series, is full of admiration for his mate.
      And the Olympian will use him as a role model and inspiration as he targets gold at the 2024 Paris Games. Gunners fan Whyte added: “When Reiss scored in the last minute, I called his cousin and his brother. They were at the Emirates Stadium, literally crying and shouting.
      “I couldn’t believe it. Reiss is enjoying his time right now.
      “That goal could be the moment in the Premier League — the difference from Manchester City catching us.
      “What he has done for himself, the club and his family is unreal.
      “When we are out together or walk down the streets, people stop him for pictures.
      Reiss Nelson scored a last-ditch winner for Arsenal against BournemouthCredit: Getty
      “He isn’t flashy, he looks after his family. He’s a great guy.
      “In BMX it is not the same amount of money.
      “But when I saw his house, I said to him that it has made me want to push more in my sport.
      “I want to buy my house like that and do the things he has done for his family for my own.”
      Whyte backed his pal to go even further and added: “One hundred per cent, Reiss can go to the top.
      “I feel like he needs to be a starter now. I feel like he needs to be given that chance to show what he can do and prove himself.
      “Reiss is very humble and level-headed, he makes sure he is at training on time.
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      “He’s very professional and keeps his other life away from the football life. He does what needs to be done.
      “As long as he is playing and scoring, then I am happy for him.” More

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      in Athletics

      I’m a team GB runner and I live next to Old Trafford… I can hear the noise and see Man Utd lit up at night

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      TRACK QUEEN Keely Hodgkinson hopes to enjoy some Turkish delight this weekend – and bring more gold to Old Trafford.It is two years ago in the Polish city of Torun that Hodgkinson, 20, announced herself to the world by winning the European 800m indoor crown.
      Keely Hodgkinson is loving Manchester United’s good formCredit: Getty
      In February she beat her own British 800m recordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      That breakthrough run in her senior rookie year was no fluke and she went on to claim silver medals at Olympic, world and Commonwealth level and establish herself as a track-and-field superstar.
      Hodgkinson is attempting to defend her crown in Istanbul – the heats start today – but her intention is to bring a special gong along on the next trip to watch the Red Devils.
      Manchester United is her team and the Leigh athlete lives close to their ground in a nearby flat.
      She said: “I live on my own now. An independent woman. Well, as a United fan, I wouldn’t look over Manchester City would I?
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      “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.
      “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.
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      “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.”
      Hodgkinson, who is also the reigning European champion outdoors, has been the fastest woman over four laps of an indoor track this winter.
      Only last weekend she set a British record time of 1:57.18 in Birmingham while falling short of the world record that has stood since 2002.
      Hodgkinson, who turns 21 tomorrow, said: “The 2021 Euros feel like a lifetime ago.
      “One of my favourite things to do, which you could argue is quite bad, is I like to prove people wrong.
      “I was fastest going into that event but because I was young, there were a lot of experienced girls.
      “For me I wanted to prove it doesn’t matter if you’re young, I can still go to a championship and win.
      “That year was a case of getting used to everything. It felt like my brain was catching up with everything.
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      “Mentally I was 19 but physically I felt about 25. It was catching up with me but I’m in a really good place now, two years on.
      “I’m looking forward to building on that and running as fast as possible. See what else we can do.” More

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      in Athletics

      I was a Chelsea youth team star but gave it up for Olympics.. I nearly came back to football after shock transfer offer

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      TEAM GB star Adam Gemili nearly quit athletics to return to playing football having played on Chelsea’s books as a kid.Gemili has competed at the highest level as a sprinter, with one of his highs being making the 2012 Team GB Olympic team as an 18-year-old.
      Adam Gemili in team line at Chelsea’s academyCredit: Chelsea FC
      Gemili says he nearly quit athletics to return to playing footballCredit: Getty
      He has also since competed in the Rio Olympic games in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.
      Gemili also has a gold medal in relay from the 2017 world championships.
      However, the 29-year-old questioned quitting athletics after crashing out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which came six years after agonisingly missing out on a bronze medal in the 200ms at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
      The British sprinter, who is of Iranian and Moroccan descent, considered going back to his roots: playing football.
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      Gemili was on Chelsea’s books between 2001 and 2008, and also had a stint at Reading before moving onto Dagenham & Redbridge, where he stayed between 2010-12.
      He told The Times: “I was going back to football.
      “I reached out to a few clubs and they said, ‘Come and do some training with us.’
      “I can’t say the clubs but there was a Championship club and a League One club.
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      “No Premier League clubs — maybe one day — but Chelsea are great and they’ve always said I can go down and do some stuff with them whenever I want.
      “After the Commonwealth Games it was a big, ‘Do I quit and go back to football and try it, maybe go into the National League and make a bit of money and enjoy my last few years of sport — or do I commit to this?’
      “And I thought, ‘Do you know what, I’ve got unfinished business.’
      “I’ve come fourth at the Olympics and the world champs [in 2019].
      “I’ve always been just about close and I believe that if I can get myself in shape, I can run with the best.”
      But Gemili says he’s starting to fall back in love with running – despite not making any money out of the sport or being sponsored.
      Gemili came second place behind the rising star Charlie Dobson in the 60m at the World Indoor Tour Finals in Birmingham on Saturday.
      He said: “I basically quit the sport.
      “I didn’t have any interest. I didn’t enjoy getting up [and] training.
      “I hated it and that was because of all the stressful stuff that was going on.
      “There were a lot of times last year where I was only training once a week, if that.
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      “I’d wake up and just find little niggles, here-and-there injuries, and you can’t motivate yourself to get up and go.
      “I don’t make any money out of the sport and I’m not sponsored, but I’m finding the love again.”
      Gemili has now fallen back in love with athleticsCredit: Alamy More

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      in Athletics

      Anthony Hughes dead aged 63: Welsh performance manager who brought through Team GB Paralympic icons dies unexpectedly

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      PARALYMPIC athlete and performance manager Anthony Hughes MBE has died unexpectedly aged 63.The Welshman competed at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona for the shot put and the javelin.
      Legendary Paralympic athlete and coach Anthony Hughes, right, passed away aged 63Credit: Getty
      He also won World Championships silver for the shot in 1994 held the world record.
      Hughes transitioned into performance management in 1999 after retiring and was a key figure in advancing Welsh inclusive and Para-sport with his role at Disability Sport Wales.
      The organisation confirmed he suddenly sadly passed away on December 30.
      Disability Sport Wales tweeted: “Ant was a loving father and brother, our Performance Manager, friend, colleague, athlete, coach, and an absolute advocate, champion and ambassador for disability sport in Wales and across the world.
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      “His reach and impact was unsurpassed.
      “His determination to ensure everyone achieved their potential through opportunity and equity was unparalleled, and made a difference to so many hundreds and thousands of lives.
      “There are no words to express the loss, sadness and disbelief this news brings. Ant will be missed always, but we will continue to fight for the legacy he so believed in – a Wales where sport has equity at its heart and everyone has the right to achieve their potential.
      “Ant taught us all so many lessons, inspired us, and gave us so much knowledge through his story telling, and we will honour him in the days and weeks to come with stories about his life, his impact and his legacy.
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      “Our thoughts are with his family at this hugely difficult time.”
      Disability Sport Wales CEO Fiona Read said Hughes “was ahead of his time” and “we won’t ever see the likes of Ant again in sport”.
      Hughes worked with the likes of Aled Sion Davies, Josie Pearson and Hollie Arnold who all won Paralympic gold medals.
      Under his guidance, the number of Welsh Paralympians rose from 17 in Sydney 2000 to 38 at London 2012 – with 21 in Tokyo 2020 and 14 medals won.
      Hughes was named Sport Wales Coach of the Year in 2011, inducted into the UK Coaching Hall of Fame in 2012 and received his MBE from the Queen for services to sport in 2013. More