Tokyo 2020 Olympics

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      Why is there no Team GB men’s football team but a women’s football team at the Tokyo Olympics?

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      THE TOKYO OLYMPICS will see Great Britain field a women’s football team this summer, but there WON’T be a men’s side.Hege Riise, the Team GB head coach, named an 18-person squad for the games set to be held in Japan between July 23 and August 8.
      Team GB will field a women’s side at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Team GB will take on Japan, Canada and Chile in the group stage.
      But for the second Olympic Games running, there will NOT be a men’s team playing for GB.
      Why is there no Great Britain men’s football team?
      When London won the rights to hold the Olympics in 2012, Great Britain immediately began plans to enter a men’s team for the games.
      The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FA, however, expressed doubts over taking part over fears they would lose their ‘Home Nations’ status which had been established by FIFA.

      FIFA president at the time Sepp Blatter assured all four nations that their individuality would not be lost, despite combining to create Team GB for the Olympics.
      A compromise was reached and only English and Welsh players took part for Team GB in London.
      Plans were put forward for a team to be created for the Rio Olympics in 2016, but they were once again rejected by the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish association again.
      And subsequently, no efforts were made for a men’s team to enter the Tokyo games.
      Ryan Giggs captained the men’s Team GB side at the 2012 OlympicsCredit: PA:Press Association
      But Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England says that potential success from the women’s team may spark up a revival for the men’s side.
      “I would absolutely love to take a men’s football team to the Olympic Games.
      “I think the experiences that the women have had through the home country FAs hopefully will be that positive step and impetus for an open dialogue on men’s teams in the future.
      “Obviously the strength now that we can see in women’s football (means) we’d be very disappointed if, in France in Paris in 2024 and on to Los Angeles in 2028, we weren’t fielding competitive teams across all sports but in particular competitive teams in football as well.” More

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      Tokyo Olympics: When are the games, will they go ahead and what is Covid like in Japan?

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      THE TOKYO OLYMPICS are finally set to go ahead this summer, but coronavirus cases are on the rise in Japan.Positivity remains within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the games will go ahead as planned.
      The Tokyo Olympics were due to take place last summer but were postponedCredit: AFP
      But Tokyo currently stands in a state of emergency, as the pandemic rages on with vaccines being rolled out at a slower than anticipated pace.
      The games were supposed to take place last year, but they were postponed, as were the Paralympics, in favour of putting them on this summer.
      When are the Tokyo Olympics?
      The games were originally supposed to take place between July 24 and August 9, 2020.
      But because of the coronavirus pandemic, which also shelved football’s European Championships, the Tokyo Olympics were postponed for the first time in history.

      The Olympics will now take place this summer, between July 23 and August 8.
      It’s ‘highly unlikely’, however, that international spectators will be allowed into Japan to watch the events.
      The British Olympic Association said: “This is very sad news, not only for British fans but particularly for the family and friends of athletes.”
      Will the Tokyo Olympics go ahead?
      Yes, the games could be postponed, but it could take clear civil unrest for the plug to be pulled.
      The IOC stand to make around 70% of its finances from broadcast rights and TV deals, with close to 20% coming from sponsorships.
      Cancelling or postponing the events again could completely rupture the IOC’s funding.
      Polls show majority of Japanese population DON’T want Olympics to go aheadCredit: Reuters
      The IOC are absolutely insistent that the games will go ahead this summer, state of emergency or not.
      “We’ve successfully seen five sports hold their test events during the state of emergency,” IOC vice-president John Coates said.
      “All of the plans that we have in place to protect the safety and security of athletes and the people of Japan are based around the worst possible circumstances, so the answer [to whether the Games could take place during a state of emergency] is absolutely yes.
      “The advice we have got from the World Health Organisation and all of the scientific advice, is that all the measures we have outlined in the playbook, all those measures are satisfactory to ensure a safe and secure Games in terms of health, and that’s whether there is a state of emergency or not.”
      Concern has been expressed about the games going ahead, however.
      Japan’s biggest sports star Naomi Osaka has called for debate over the issueCredit: PA
      The Olympics were postponed last summer for the first time everCredit: EPA
      The World Players Association, which represents close to 90,000 athletes in over 60 countries, want more rigorous testing and stricter social distancing guidelines.
      And polls in Japan have shown there to be a huge disparity between those who want the games to go ahead, and those who don’t.
      Around 70% of those voting in said polls DON’T want the Olympics to go ahead.
      What is the Covid situation like in Japan?
      Not good, as things stand.
      For a long time, Japan had a low Covid case-rate in the country.
      But in April, cases began to rise amid a huge second wave which has caused over 12,000 deaths.
      Tokyo, along with other parts of the country, are in a state of emergency until at least the end of May.
      Naoto Ueyama, Chairman of the Japan Doctors Union, wants the games haltedCredit: Alamy
      But restrictions could go on as late as June 20, a month before the games are due to start.
      Vaccines were rolled out for the first time in February, which is later than other, similarly-developed countries.
      Just 2.3% of the Japanese population, which is close to three million, are fully vaccinated. More

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      Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp among WSL aces included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad

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      HEGE RIISE has named 11 Manchester City players in her women’s football squad representing Britain at the Tokyo Olympics.Lauren Hemp – the side’s youngest member at 20– and Scotland’s Caroline Weir are among the City aces in the group featuring 15 England internationals.
      Scotland and Man City playmaker Caroline Weir has been named in Hege Riise’s Team GB squadCredit: The Sun
      Lauren Hemp is the youngest member of the women’s football squad representing Great Britain at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Rex
      The 18-strong squad includes 13 of the Lionesses who came third in the 2019 Women’s World Cup to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics
      Riise’s group also features 13 Olympic debutants. Among their number is WSL Player of the Year Fran Kirby.
      And her Chelsea team-mate Sophie Ingle is the only Wales international to have made the cut.
      Others making their Olympic debuts include Fifa’s Best Women’s Player Lucy Bronze, Chelsea vice-captain Millie Bright and Arsenal centre-back Leah Williamson.
      The group also features five WSL veterans who competed at London 2012 helping Britain reach the quarter-finals where they lost 1-0 to Canada.      
      England’s Ellen White, Jill Scott, Karen Bardsley and Steph Houghton and Scotland’s Kim Little were among the players who made history as the first women’s football side to represent Britain at the Games.
      And Ellie Roebuck and Hemp are the only two England players in the side who were not in the Lionesses squad that reached the 2019 World Cup semis.
      Head coach Riise, 51, is one of just three women in the world to have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Cup and a European Championship.
      And the head coach will draw on her success of winning gold with Norway at the 2000 Sydney Games in the hope of leading Britain to glory in Japan.
      Riise said: “I know first-hand as a former player just how proud my players will feel today at having been selected to represent Great Britain. 
      “There is no greater sporting occasion in the world, and I am honoured to lead this hugely talented team into the Games. 
      “We will go there aiming to win and we will give everything we have to achieve success.
      “I hope that Great Britain’s inclusion once more in the Olympic Football Tournament can inspire the next generation of young girls to play the sport we love.”
      Hege Riise has included 15 England internationals in her groupCredit: PA
      Chelsea’s Fran Kirby is among the England players included in Riise’s squadCredit: Getty

      Team GB chef de mission Mark England added: “Having an opportunity to field a women’s football team in Tokyo, for only the second time in our Olympic history, is incredibly exciting.
      “It is fantastic to see five returning Olympians named and I am sure they, along with the 13 debutants, will relish the opportunity to represent Team GB this summer.
      “Team GB is on the cusp of making history this summer as we are on track to qualify more female than male athletes for the Games for the very first time.
      “I am sure that as we saw at London 2012 the team selected today will help to inspire a new generation of girls and young women wanting to play the sport.”
      Keeper Sandy MacIver, defenders Lotte Wubben-Moy and Niamh Charles and striker Ella Toone will travel to Japan as squad reserves.
      And Man City’s Alex Greenwood, Arsenal’s Beth Mead and Chelsea’s Carly Telford are among the experienced England internationals who have been left out of Riise’s side.  
      Kim Little (right) is one of two Scotland internationals who will represent Team GBCredit: SNS
      Wales skipper Sophie Ingle is only the international player from her nation to be included in Riise’s teamCredit: Getty
      Other notable absentees include Jordan Nobbs and Chelsea ace Beth England who won the PFA Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2020.
      Great Britain are due to play Chile in their opening Olympic Group E game followed by clashes Japan and Canada in their Olympic group matches. 
      Matches are due to commence on July 21 with their first two fixtures due to take place at the Sapporo Dome.
      Ellen White, Kim Little, Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and Karen Bardsley are among the London 2012 Olympians who compete in TokyoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Steph Houghton will compete in the Olympics for the second time in her international careerCredit: Getty
      Team GB Football Squad
      Goalkeepers – Karen Bardsley (Man City – on loan at OL Reign/England), Ellie Roebuck (Man City/ England)
      Defenders – Millie Bright (Chelsea/England), Lucy Bronze (Man City/England)Rachel Daly (Houston Dash/England), Steph Houghton (Man City/ England), Demi Stokes (Man City/England), Leah Williamson (Arsenal/England)    
      Midfielders – Sophie (Chelsea/Wales), Kim Little (Arsenal/Scotland)Jill Scott (Manchester City/England), Keira Walsh (Manchester City/England), Caroline Weir (Manchester City/Scotland), 
      Forwards – Lauren Hemp (Manchester City/ England),  Fran Kirby (Chelsea/England),   Nikita Parris (Olympique Lyonnais/ England), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City/England), Ellen White (Manchester City/ England). 

      Tokyo Olympic president Seiko Hashimoto unveils stricter anti-covid measures including daily testing More

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      in Athletics

      Team GB stars who refuse coronavirus vaccine will NOT be banned from Tokyo Olympics with 870-plus to be offered jab

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      TEAM GB stars who refuse the Covid vaccine will not be barred from competing at the Tokyo Olympics.Last Saturday SunSport reported that more than 370 Olympians and about 500 support staff will be offered both jabs before flying.
      Team GB stars will not be banned from the Olympics if they refuse the vaccineCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
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      The option is being offered by the International Olympic Committee through their Pfizer inoculation scheme.
      The British Olympic Association are discussing the logistics of getting doses to competitors spread around the world at various training camps.
      Yet if any anti-vaxxers reject the offer, they will not be penalised and refused entry into Japan.
      BOA boss Mark England said: “Having a vaccination is not a pre-requisite for going to the Games.
      “It is not a pre-requisite from the IOC, the Tokyo government or ourselves.
      “We are suggesting it is an opportunity to protect not only our own delegation but a great opportunity to protect the Japanese public as well. We are certainly encouraging that to happen.”
      It is not a pre-requisite from the IOC, the Tokyo government or ourselvesMark England
      More than 60 million vaccines doses have been administered in the UK according to Government data.
      Asked if he anticipated that 100% of Team GB athletes would be vaccinated before travelling, England said: “I’m very hopeful that that is the case.
      “We spent all weekend and will be continuing this week to work through the mechanics of that.
      “We will prioritising the athletes in that. But this is not taking away vaccinations from the vulnerable or those in the age-related categories.
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      “This is 100% taking the opportunity to take advantage of the IOC/Pfizer agreement.
      “We have always said and we are steadfast that we would never queue jump. But the news that we will be vaccinated is great.
      “So we will see how that rollout goes and I am very hopeful that everybody that will have the opportunity will take that up.”
      Tokyo 2020 Olympics BAN fans from overseas this summer because of Covid fears and travel restrictions More

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      Bardsley and Weir set to make Team GB squad for Tokyo Olympics according to reports

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      KAREN BARDSLEY is reportedly due to be included in Great Britain’s women’s football squad for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.  Scotland aces Kim Little and Caroline Weir are also thought to be among the players who have made the group of 18 according to The Athletic. 
      Karen Bardsley is among the players reported to have made Hege Riise’s 18-strong Team GB squadCredit: Reuters
      Caroline Weir is also thought to be included the Team GB women’s football squad for the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: The Sun
      The squad who will be led by head coach Hege Riise is due to be confirmed this week.
      Man City star Bardsley, 36, who moved to the WSL giants from Lincoln in 2014 is currently on loan at OL Reign. 
      The Lionesses keeper, who has made 52 appearances across all competitions, for City endured an injury-plagued 2019-20 season. 
      A torn hamstring during England’s quarter-final win against Norway in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, would see the Lionesses keeper spend nine months in rehab before returning to training in March 2020.
      And Bardsley’s battle with injuries saw her lose her place as City’s No1 stopper to rising star Ellie Roebuck, who is also thought to have made Hege Riise’s Team GB squad.
      However, a loan switch in February to OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League has given the Santa Monica-born stopper’s selection chances a lift. 
      Bardsley, who has 82 caps for the Lionesses, represented Great Britain in London 2012 making five appearances for the side who lost to Canada in the Games’ quarter-finals. 
      And should the veteran stopper be included in Riise’s squad she will be one of a small group of players to have represented Team GB at London 2012 and in Tokyo. 
      Other players expected to be included in the squad who will have competed in both Olympic games include Man City captain Steph Houghton and Jill Scott who spent five months on loan at Everton from City. 
      Bardsley’s Citizen’s team-mate Lucy Bronze is also reported to have made the team along with club colleagues Demi Stokes, Georgia Stanway and Kiera Walsh
      And The Athletic claims Arsenal’s Leah Williamson is due to be part of the squad along with Chelsea’s Sophie Ingle who is rumoured to be the only Wales player included. 
      Everton stopper Sandy MacIver, Blues playmaker Erin Cuthbert and Man United duo Ella Toone and Millie Turner are rumoured to be among the WSL stars on Riise’s standby list. 
      Reports claim Sophie Ingle has made the list of players will represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics in JapanCredit: Getty

      Team GB’s women’s football team are due to play Chile, Japan and Canada in their Olympic group matches. 
      Games are due to commence on July 21 with their first fixture – against Chile – expected to take place at the Sapporo Dome. 
      And the squad will be hoping to go beyond the quarter-final stage which Team GB reached at the London 2012 games where they were defeated 2-0 by Canada.
      Man City Steph Houghton is also expected to be named in Team GB’s women’s football squadCredit: PA:Press Association
      Tokyo Olympic president Seiko Hashimoto unveils stricter anti-covid measures including daily testing More

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      in Athletics

      What are Nike sprint ‘super shoes’ worn by Dina Asher-Smith and why was the original design axed for Toyko Olympics?

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      NIKE’S have released a new sprint ‘super shoe’ after the originals were axed by the company – because they would not have got approval from World Athletics.And the company have released an adapted version of the running spikes to be worn by Dina Asher-Smith at the Toyko Olympics.
      Dina Asher-Smith wore the new Nike spikes which are a scaled-down version of the Viperfly at the Diamond League Gateshead meetingCredit: PA
      Nike’s new running spikes have been shelved ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
      The shoes are a different design to ones we have seen before on an athletics track
      The controversial shoes were being branded as a Usain Bolt-busting solution from Nike – but the American company have shelved the shoes with World Athletics approval all but impossible.
      Instead they have released an adapted version, which have been approved by boffins at World Athletics.
      And rival companies are also coming up with footwear that has similar technology – with Adidas among the chasing pack.
      Expect this to be a big talking point at the Olympics this summer.
      What are the Nike Zoom Air Viperfly spikes and will they be allowed at the Tokyo Olympics?
      Nike’s cutting-edge running spikes are designed specifically for 100m sprinters.
      All sprinters wear footwear with small metal spikes on the bottom for better grip.
      Over the last few decades, manufacturers have found ways to make the foot plate more rigid and lighter, which has been approved by athletics officials.
      But the Nike shoes have a carbon fibre mechanism under the ball of the foot that acts like a springboard, generating more power in the sprinter’s stride.
      Nike said: “This composition, developed alongside the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%, was designed to provide responsiveness and energy.
      “It follows deep study of the strategy and performance of the race, and focuses attention on what athletes need most in the last 20 meters of the sprint.”
      Currently, we will NOT be seeing these spikes at the Tokyo Olympics, if it goes ahead in the summer of 2021.
      Nike will not make these shoes available for athletes in Japan.
      The shoes have to be approved by World Atheltics, which approve certain lines of footwear ahead of each world championships, with specific limits on sole thickness.
      Nike told SunSport: “World Athletics changed the rules so the shoe will not be produced given Nike respects the rules.
      “We have been researching, developing, building, and testing performance footwear for half a century.
      “The athlete will always be our focus and we will continue to create new and better solutions for their needs.”
      The black and green spikes are being described as the fastest of all time
      What shoes did Usain Bolt run his 100m and 200m world records in?
      Retired Jamaican track icon Bolt ran 9.58sec in the 100m in 2009 at the World Championships in Berlin.

      He then went on and broke his own 200m world record, setting an all-time fastest of 19.19sec in the half lap sprint.
      Bolt wore Puma spikes his whole career and was endorsed by the German company since his earliest days as a promising young teenager.
      Usain Bolt broke the 100m and 200m world records in Berlin in 2009, which still stand todayCredit: AFP – Getty
      Usain Bolt is rightly regarded as the greatest sprinter of all timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Tokyo 2020 Olympics should be CANCELLED, says 2004 Team GB silver medallist Gail Emms

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      GAIL EMMS reckons the Tokyo Olympics should have been cancelled two months ago.Britain’s 2004 badminton silver medallist, 43, is angry athletes are being forced to travel to Japan for the Games during a global pandemic.
      Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms believes the Tokyo Games should be CANCELLEDCredit: Getty
      There is currently a state of emergency in the Japanese capitalCredit: EPA
      Olympic chiefs are pressing ahead with their £10billion plans despite the uncertainty over the Covid crisis.
      A state of emergency has been extended on the Japanese capital, vaccinations numbers there are slow and there has been a surge in localised cases.
      With just ten weeks until the Games begin, Emms said: “It shouldn’t happen. And that decision should have been made months ago.
      “There is another wave in Japan. And 60 per cent of the Japanese population don’t want the Games.
      “What is the whole purpose of why this event is going on? That is the real question.
      “Japanese people are dealing with the virus but don’t worry, it’s OK, we have archery at 2pm and basketball at 7pm! It just seems odd.
      “More than 11,000 will be in the Olympic Village. Will they have to eat on their own?
      “What happens if one of their team-mates is pulled out? Are they out as well?”
      Emms won silver in mixed badminton in 2004Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Tokyo residents have taken to the streets to protestCredit: Splash

      Emms, who volunteered as a swab tester for three months during lockdown, believes the onus should be on the IOC to make the final call.
      She added: “It pains me as a former athlete to say this. But they will miss out on those special moments, seeing the flags, celebrating in front of their mums and dads.
      “It will be sterile. Footballers who have played in empty stadiums all say it is rubbish.
      “These won’t be the same Olympics. So do it properly or not at all. The Olympics are more than sport.
      “It’s about the host nation, a legacy programme, inspiring people, its history — it should be more than about money.”

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      Tokyo to be placed under state of emergency due to surge of coronavirus cases just three months before Olympics

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      TOKYO will be plunged into a state of emergency just three months before the Olympics after another surge of coronavirus cases.The Japanese capital will be subject to strict measures from Sunday with the Games hanging in the balance.
      Tokyo will be put into a state of emergency from SundayCredit: PA
      The Games are already under threat with Covid still out of control in the Asian nationCredit: AP
      The 2020 Olympic Games were pushed back a year as a result of the global pandemic. They are due to open in just over three months on July 23 and the Paralympics open on August 24.
      Organisers have introduced a series of precautionary measures to ensure it is as safe as possible this year.
      They include no international spectators being permitted, sex being banned and ensuring 30,000 athletes are vaccinated.
      But the Japanese government has taken extra city-wide measures to try and curb the country’s infection rate, according to publication Nikkei.
      Three other areas – Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo – will also be put into a state of emergency.
      The report states: “The government deems it necessary to restrict the movement of people ahead of the Golden Week holiday that begins at the end of April.
      “It is the third emergency declaration in Japan since the onset of the pandemic.
      “The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is coordinating with the central government to request restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages close.”

      There is still a real chance of the Games being cancelled, according to a Japanese MP.
      Covid cases have been surging across the nation as the IOC still found time to ban athletes from taking the knee.
      Last Wednesday, Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area of Osaka recorded over 1,100 new infections, its highest total since January.
      Taro Kono, the government minister in charge of Japan’s vaccine rollout, said even if the Olympics go on, there may be no fans of any kind in the venues.
      Earlier this month, North Korea were said to be the first country to withdraw from the Games.
      As reported by Sky Sports, at a meeting on March 25 led by North Korean Sports Minister Kim Il Guk, the Asian nation decided to pull out.
      A website run by the North Korea’s Sports Ministry said its national Olympic Committee confirmed the move in order to protect their athletes.
      However, Japan’s Olympic Committee said they were yet to be told of the North Korean boycott.
      A senior Japanese Government official says cancelling this year’s Olympic Games remains an option More