Tokyo 2020 Olympics

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      Britain’s Olympic women’s team will go to scene of David Beckham’s World cup resurrection to launch bid for Tokyo glory

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      BRITAIN’S Olympic women’s team will go back to the scene of David Beckham’s World Cup resurrection to launch their bid for Tokyo glory.Team GB, coached by Norwegian Hege Riise, were drawn with hosts Japan, Canada and Chile in Group E when the 12-team tournament kicks off on Wednesday, July 21, two days BEFORE the official opening of the Games.
      Team GB have been drawn against Japan, Canada and Chile in Group ECredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Norwegian Hege Riise’s troops will face hosts Japan in their second Group E match
      They will play their opener against Chile, as well as their second match with Japan three days later, at the indoor Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, 500 miles north of Tokyo on the island of Hokkaido.
      That was the scene of England’s grudge group match with Argentina at the 2002 World Cup.
      Sven Goran Eriksson’s side won 1-0, courtesy of a Beckham penalty, after Michael Owen had induced a “foul” by future Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
      Skipper Beckham, who had been cast in the role of national villain after his red card against Argentina in St Etienne at the 1998 World Cup, slammed home from the spot and celebrated with wild frenzy as he cast aside that cloud from four years earlier.
      Team GB’s clash with Japan takes place at the Sapporo Dome, the site where David Beckham redeemed himself to England fans in the 2002 World CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Riise’s side avoided favourites USA but the scale of their task was underlined only last week when England lost 2-0 to Canada – coached by ex-Lionesses’ boss Phil Neville’s No 2 Bev Priestman – in a friendly.
      The final group match with the Canadians will be played in Kashima on July 27.
      But by beating Chile in their opener, GB would take a huge step towards the knock-out stage with two of the three third-placed sides going on to the last eight.
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      Scotland star Cuthbert hopes Chelsea performances will help her land a Team GB spot

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      ERIN CUTHBERT hopes helping Chelsea bag a quadruple will nab her a place in Hege Riise’s squad for the Tokyo Olympics. And the Blues ace told the BBC it would be a dream to play for Team GB’s women’s team at the games this year. 
      Erin Cuthbert says it would be ‘a dream’ to be in the Team GB football squad competing at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      The Scotland star is contention for spot in Team GB coach Hege Riise’s squadCredit: The Sun
      Cuthbert, 22, whose club will play London City Lionesses in the Women’s FA Cup, was reflecting on watching North Korea defeat Colombia in the first match played at the London 2012 games. 
      And the midfielder, who has 36 senior Scotland caps, says winning a Team GB spot, the Champions League, FA Cup and WSL title would be the perfect round-off to this term.
      Cuthbert told BBC Scotland: “I never thought I would have the opportunity to be selected. 
      “I know it would be an amazing journey and experience, but at the same time, I am focused on Chelsea. 
      “I want to win the league, I want to win the FA Cup and I want to win the Champions League.
      “I am living the dream without a doubt. It is a little bit of a fairytale.”
      Cuthbert, who moved to Chelsea in 2017 after spending 2015 to 2016 at Glasgow City, has made 16 WSL appearances this term, netting once and providing six assists. 
      Her club side have already bagged one piece of silverware winning the Conti Cup trophy this term.
      And the midfield star, whose father hails from Northern Ireland, says the Euros qualifying success of Kenny Shiels’ side made her reflect on the heartbreak of Scotland missing out on a place in the 2022 tournament. 
       The Women’s European Championship hopes of Cuthbert and her national team-mates were ended following a 1-0 loss to Finland. 
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      Cuthbert told BBC Scotland she was delighted to see Northern Ireland reach the 2022 Women’s European ChampionshipsCredit: Getty

      Their opponents, who went on to qualify for the contest, scored a stoppage-time goal at Scotland’s turf at Easter Round in December 2020. 
      Cuthbert added: “My dad is Northern Irish, so he is a little bit happy. 
      “I’m delighted for them, it’s an incredible achievement, but it is gut-wrenching that we had such a good team and we are not going to be at the tournament. I’m jealous.
      “We have not had a debrief. I can’t put my finger on it, but there were a catalogue of things – we dominated games against Portugal and Finland but just couldn’t score and we have to put that right.”
      Putting things right on the pitch against Europe’s top clubs is something Cuthbert and Emma Hayes’ other players aim to do in the Champions League campaign this term.
      The Chelsea star was part of the Blues team beaten by Lyon in the semis two years ago and is determined to see her side progress beyond that stage this season. 
      It’s an ambition shared by Kingsmeadow boss Hayes, 44, with her WSL title holders looking to become the first English side to reach a Women’s Champions League final since Arsenal in 2007. 
      Cuthbert added: “I’ve experienced the heartache of being so close and not reaching the final, so I know what it feels like. 
      “I’ll remember that and I don’t want to experience that again.”
      The final 18-strong squad set to represent Great Britain in the women’s football tournament at the Olympics is due to be announced in May.
      Cuthbert and Chelsea will play London City Lionesses in the fourth round of the Women’s FA CupCredit: PA
      Cuthbert wants to help Chelsea win three more trophies this term following their Conti Cup triumphCredit: Getty
      Four extra players will be invited to travel to Tokyo as reserves.
      Players, who can be chosen from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will be coached by Hege Riise at the games. 
      The Norway-born coach, 51, was part of a Norwegian side who won gold at the Sydney 2000 games by dispatching tournament favourites the USA with an extra time golden goal.
      Riise’s Team GB players will compete in a 12-team tournament in Tokyo taking place from 21 July to August 6.
       Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Hege Riise will select an 18-strong Team squad to compete in the women’s football tournament at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: PA
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      Riise urges England aces to be clinical against Canada as Team GB selection battle heats up

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      HEGE RIISE says England’s clash with Canada will not be the last chance saloon for players fighting for a Team GB squad spot. And the Norway-born coach wants her side to be more clinical in attack as they look to bounce back from a 3-1 loss to France. 
      Hege Riise hopes England will be ruthless in front of goal against CanadaCredit: Getty
      The Lionesses are looking to recover from a 3-1 defeat to FranceCredit: Getty
      The defeat was the fourth for the Lionesses in their last seven international fixtures and their first since Riise, 51, took over as interim boss in March following Phil Neville’s departure. 
      Riise said: “We had chances (to score) and we need to get more goals as that builds confidence. 
      “I hope that’s something we can see against Canada.
      “When we see how clinical France are in finishing them, that’s the thing that we need to be better at. 
      “It was good to see the players up against the speed of a team like them to see how fast the game is and what we need to do physically and mentally to go further at the Olympics.” 
      The Lionesses’ duel with Canada, managed by former England assistant Bev Priestman, will be their last friendly fixture before the announcement of a final Team GB women’s squad. 
      Details on the aces who have made the 18-strong group to compete at the Tokyo Olympics are due to be revealed next month
      Players from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also available for selection. 
      Riise has no qualms as to whether Canada will have an advantage against England given Priestman’s knowledge of the Lionesses. 
      Ellen White and her team-mates will take on a Canada side managed by former England assistant Bev PriestmanCredit: Getty

      Riise added: “Bev knows all of our players, but also Rhian [Wilkinson] is with me, she knows all the Canadian players, so between those two they know quite a bit about our squad and Canada as well. 
      “But for the England players, [I want them] to just go out, have fun.  We’re still keeping an open mind (on selection for the Olympics. 
      “There will be other players out there who have three or four more games in the league to perform, so we will continue to watch all the matches.” 
      The Lionesses will face Canada at Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium on Tuesday with the match kicking off at 7:15 pm and broadcast on BBC Four.
      Arsenal ace Leah Williamson, 24, hopes to see more defending from the Lionesses as a whole and on the transition. 
      And the Gunners centre-back, who has 16 England caps, believes her defensive partnership with Millie Bright, 27, could be a fruitful one despite the 3-1 loss to France. 
      Leah Williamson has high hopes for her defensive partnership with Millie BrightCredit: Getty
      Williamson said: “Millie and me are probably polar opposites in some aspects, which I think has always sort of worked in our favour. 
      “We’ve had successful games before, where we have not conceded too many goals so it’s a shame that there was three the other day, 
      “But I do think with the way Hege is setting up her team and the work that we’re doing in training, there’s a lot that we can get on the same page about which is good.
      “It gives you a good foundation to work off and then whoever’s playing there can slot straight in.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      England’s players will be vying for a place in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad for the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      Lionesses in training More

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      Liverpool set for showdown talks with forward Mo Salah after receiving ‘official written request’

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      MOHAMED SALAH is set for showdown talks with Liverpool, according to reports.The Reds want to discuss his plans to play for Egypt in the upcoming Olympic Games, which end just a week before the new Premier League season begins.
      Salah, 28, is said to be keen on playing for Egypt at the OlympicsCredit: Getty
      Egyptian FA boss Ahmed Megahed wants Salah to represent his nation at this summer’s tournament and it is believed the 28-year-old wants to play.
      Speaking to Egyptian television, Megahed said: “Liverpool management replied to our message saying that they [will] discuss the situation with the player.
      “I am sure that Salah is eager to wear the Pharaohs’ jersey while participating in the Olympics if he could but it’s not his own decision to make as he needs to discuss it with the club’s management.
      “I hope Liverpool accept our request.”
      The men’s Olympic tournament is for those aged 23 or under but each nation are allowed to have three older players.
      The Great Britain squad at the 2012 Olympics, for example, contained Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy – and Neymar led Brazil to victory in 2016.
      If Salah is selected, he could miss up to SIX weeks of pre-season.
      The tournament begins on July 22 and ends 16 days later on August 7.
      Olympic athletes aren’t expected to complete a two-week quarantine stint on arrival – like Australian Open tennis players did – but Salah would still need to arrive around a week before the tournament starts.
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      The forward would then need travel back to the UK and may be forced to spend two weeks in quarantine.
      And even if he doesn’t have to quarantine for that long, it would still be a rush to get him fit and ready for the Premier League opener on August 14.
      It is likely several top flight players will miss the start of the season as 16 nations, including Germany, France and Brazil, have qualified for the Olympics.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Team GB sprinter Reece Prescod hopes move to Florida will bring Tokyo Olympics glory and break Linford Christie’s record

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      REECE PRESCOD believes relocating to Florida will revolutionise his career — and fulfil two targets in his athletics career.Britain’s fourth fastest male sprinter flew to the US this month to begin training on the road to the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
      Reece Prescod, 25, hopes training in Florida will help him bring success to Team GB at the OlympicsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The ambitious 25-year-old — whose 100 metres personal best is 9.94sec — has made no secret about wanting to win a medal and potentially break Linford Christie’s 1993 national record of 9.87.
      Prescod, one of SunSport’s Samurai Seven to watch on the Road to Tokyo, revealed he has parted ways with coach Jonas Dodoo after eight years to link up with veteran Mike Holloway, 62, in the Sunshine State.
      He said: “Mike has been around for years and comes with a lot of expertise.
      “He has coached guys to run sub-44, sub-20 and sub-ten for the 400m, 200m and 100m.
      “I’ve always said I wanted to do the 100m, 200m and 400m. So he ticks all the boxes.
      “In lockdown, I got to a stage where I had time to sit and reflect on everything.
      “When I compete against the world’s best, the guys winning the medals and running the times were from the US and Jamaica.
      “They tend to be in better condition to  survive the rounds.
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      Prescod is Britain’s fourth fastest male sprinterCredit: Getty – Contributor

      “The Americans and Jamaicans always win the majority of the Olympics and World Championships. It’s because of the type of training they’re doing.
      “I want a coach to teach me to do that. Even if it takes me a bit longer that’s ultimately what I want to do. I want to win medals.
      “I don’t want to get a high world ranking or place high on the Diamond League circuit.
      “Fortunately for me, a lot of coaches rated my talent, not just the UK-based ones. I looked at going to Jamaica, maybe Usain Bolt’s old coach, but Jamaican culturally, even though I have family heritage from there, is very different.
      “I liked Mike’s principles, which are about making someone a better athlete and a better man at the same time. I’ve been in England for a long time and I know what I want from myself.
      “The training group there seems really, really friendly, a lot more upbeat.
      “It has come at a good time for me, I’m training good, eating well, sleeping well.
      “I’ve learned now that I cannot base all my happiness and everything on athletics performance.
      “Before that, if I was running well, I am up here. And if I’m running bad, I’m down there. In times like this, that’s not a healthy way to live.
      “In an ideal world I’d live in England, settle down, get a nice house, have a girlfriend, have a nice coach in England, have a nice life.
      Prescod is also eager to break Linford Christie’s record for the 100 metre dashCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Prescod is confident his American dream can make his Tokyo gold dream a realityCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “But for what I want, for my performance, I need to go there. That’s what I have to try to get out of America.”
      Londoner Prescod, who started following Holloway’s training sessions last year via Zoom, claims he would have been fit for the Tokyo Olympics had they not been postponed by the  pandemic for 12 months.
      Nonetheless, injuries have played a huge part in his  journey.
      Notably the right hamstring  he tore in Oslo in June 2019, which forced him out of the Doha World Championships later that year.
      Prescod spent fortnightly sessions in Germany with Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who worked on Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt before the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
      The 2018 European 100m silver medallist has skipped the indoor season and will concentrate fully on the Team GB trials in Manchester this summer.
      Prescod, who benefits from National Lottery funds, admitted: “The mental barriers play in my head because I haven’t run in a long time. I probably don’t know what 100m feels like now!
      “I’d really like to break the British record and to get some medals at a championship. That’s my aim for the rest of my track career.
      “That’s the level I will aim for. You see how Bolt did it — you’d see him on the Diamond League here and there but, ultimately, he got ready for the Jamaican national trials.
      “Then he went to the Games and gave his best running. That’s what I have got to do now.”
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      Mohamed Salah could MISS start of next season for Liverpool as Egypt make it clear they want star to play at Olympics

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      MOHAMED SALAH could miss the start of next season for Liverpool with Egypt determined to have their star man at the Olympics. The Summer Games will be staged in Tokyo from July 23 to August 8.
      Mo Salah could miss the start of next season for Liverpool if he is away on Olympic duty with EgyptCredit: AFP or licensors
      Each nation can name three over-23 players in their squad and the Pharaohs have reiterated their intent to take Salah.
      The 28-year-old was included in Under-23 boss Shawky Gharib’s provisional team for the tournament – along with nine other over-age players.
      And he has confirmed again his plans – with Salah seemingly open to the idea.
      As reported by L’Equipe, Gharib said: “I have made it known publicly that I would like to have him with us during our Olympic campaign and he did not refuse, which means he also wants to play with us.
      “Salah’s participation in the Olympics is supported by the state, represented by the Ministry of Sports and the Egyptian Football Federation, in our joint effort to bring home an Olympic football medal for the first time.”
      However, Gharib has previously admitted an agreement will need to be in place between Egypt and Liverpool to take Salah to Japan.
      Jurgen Klopp has already said he would want to examine Egypt’s full preparations before giving his verdict.
      There will be a serious concern over burnout for one of his star men from a lack of rest as they look to reclaim the league title.
      The Premier League confirmed this week the 2021-22 season will commence on the weekend of August 14.
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      And should Egypt go deep in the tournament, Salah would almost certainly be unavailable for the Reds’ first game of the campaign.
      Salah is currently with the senior national team for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
      That is expected to see him missing for the Anfield side next January during the continental tournament.
      The ex-Roma forward has 43 goals in 69 international appearances and 119 in 192 for Liverpool, including 25 this season.
      Jurgen Klopp will want his star man fresh for next season as Liverpool hope to reclaim the Premier League crownCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League

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      What is the Olympic torch and where is the torch relay taking place?

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      THE Olympic torch relay got underway on Thursday morning as all eyes shift toward the Tokyo games this summer. The ceremony took place a year later than expected thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Olympics WILL take place this year in Japan.
      The Olympic torch ceremony got underway in Fukushima, JapanCredit: AFP
      10,000 runners will carry the torch across Japan before it reaches TokyoCredit: AFP
      What is the Olympic torch?
      The Olympic torch is ceremonially relayed from Olympia in Greece, where the games first began, all the way to the host city of the current Olympics.
      The torch is transported by plane from Olympia before being lit with the Olympic flame in the host country – in this year’s case – Japan.
      The flaming torch is then carried by thousands of runners across various cities before finally reaching the city which will hold the games.
      The Olympic torch relay first began at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin and the tradition has carried on since.
      There are multiple replicas of the Olympic torch but they aim to keep the flame alive between now and the start of the GamesCredit: Alamy
      A woman dressed as a priestess lit the Olympic flame in Olympia, GreeceCredit: AFP

      Where is the Olympic torch relay taking place this year?
      The torch landed in Fukushima, Japan earlier this week, and will be carried by 10,000 runners across Japan before the torch reaches Tokyo on July 23.
      The torch will then be used to light the Olympic cauldron at the start of the opening ceremony.
      No spectators were allowed at the torch ceremony, which got underway earlier today, because of coronavirus restrictions.
      The Tokyo Games are taking place a year later than expected because of the coronavirusCredit: Reuters
      Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto spoke glowingly about the torch relay at the ceremony, noting that it served as a ‘ray of light at the end of the darkness.
      “This little flame never lost hope and it waited for this day like a cherry blossom bud just about to bloom,” she said.
      The Olympic flame will be extinguished at the closing ceremony in August.
      What happens if the Olympic torch flame goes out?
      An Olympic official follows the torch around with a lamp containing the flam which was lit in Greece.
      They then re-light the flame from the lamp on the spot.
      The Olympic flame can be re-lit from a lamp which is carried by a Games official following the procession of the torchCredit: EPA More

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      Tokyo 2020 Olympics BAN fans from overseas this summer because of Covid fears and travel restrictions

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      THIS summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be closed off from overseas fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.Ticket holders unable to attend the Games must apply for refunds after being told they will have to watch from home.
      No fans from overseas will be allowed to attend the 2020 Olympic GamesCredit: EPA
      Organisers have confirmed SunSport’s reports from earlier this month.
      Team GB bosses told athletes at the start of the year not to expect to compete in front of their friends and families.
      Some 600,000 Olympic tickets held by fans from outside of Japan will be eligible for refunds with 300,000 to be handed out for the Paralympics.
      Talks were held between local organisers, the Japanese government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) before the decision was confirmed on Saturday.
      Upon the announcement, Tokyo 2020 organising committee Toshiro Muto refused to say how much the refunds would cost the Games.
      Hotel cancellation costs will not be covered as Muto stated the decision will ‘ensure a safe and secure Games for all participants and the Japanese public’.
      The Olympics, delayed by a year due to the pandemic, commence on July 23 with the Paralympics beginning on August 24.
      Japan has recently experienced a rise in coronavirus rates but the month-long state of emergency imposed on Tokyo ends next week.
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      There are hopes that local fans will still be allowed to attend the Games despite IOC bosses accepting earlier this year that events could take place behind closed doors.
      Tokyo organisers have faced a plethora of issues in finalising their plans for the disrupted games, including the resignations of a creative director for planning to dress a woman up as a pig for the opening ceremony.
      And organiser Yoshiro Miro was forced to quit weeks following a separate sexism row.
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