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      in Athletics

      Christian Coleman OUT of next year’s Tokyo Olympics as world’s fastest man receives two-year suspension

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      ATHLETICS superstar Christian Coleman will MISS next summer’s Tokyo Olympics after he was handed a two-year ban for missing drugs tests.
      In a damaging day for the sport, the world’s fastest man is ineligible to compete in track-and-field events until May 13, 2022, meaning he will not take part in the rescheduled Games in Japan.

      Christian Coleman will MISS the Tokyo Olympics after a two-year ban was upheldCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Coleman’s agent, Emanuel Hudson of HSInternational Sports Management, said: “The decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal established under the World Athletics rules is unfortunate and will be immediately appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
      “Mr Coleman has nothing further to say until such time as the matter can be heard in the Court of jurisdiction.”
      The Atlanta-born athlete has a history of missing tests, having escaped a ban on a technicality in 2019 before winning gold at the Doha Athletics World Championships.
      The AIU charged Coleman, 24, in June 2020 for three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period.

      One related to a missed test on January 16, 2019, which he did not contest. But Coleman did dispute the filing failure on April 26, 2019 and the missed test on December 9, 2019.
      For the first one, it was claimed the athlete only updated his whereabouts information – he was training in the State of Iowa – after a doping officer attended his home residence in Lexington, Kentucky, and then called his mobile.
      Last December, two drug-busters reportedly “rang the bell and knocked loudly” on Coleman’s apartment door for over an hour – while the runner was out Christmas shopping nearby.
      The AIU rejected Coleman’s “impossible” explanation of events that he had returned home briefly during the allocated one-hour time period, ate a purchased chipotle, watched the start of a Monday night NFL game, and then went out again.

      The AIU say receipts showing he had bought 16 items from Walmart disproved his claims he had popped home.
      At the time of his provisional suspension, Coleman had complained that the AIU’s doping control officers had not called him on that night weeks before Christmas.
      The AIU said in its judgement that doping control officers were not required to phone athletes.

      The AIU report said: “The consequences for athletes who are subject to three missed tests are draconian.
      “But rather than learn from his experience with USADA, the athlete’s attitude to his obligations can fairly be described as entirely careless, perhaps even reckless.
      “We understand that it is very difficult for a young man, blessed with the prodigious talent which the athlete obviously has, to find himself suddenly at the centre of the public gaze.
      “But success of this nature, and the financial rewards that follow, also give rise to responsibilities that must be taken seriously and observed.”
      Coleman, who maintains his innonence, has never failed a drugs test and the report added that there is no evidence that he has doped during his career.
      It added: “For the avoidance of doubt, there is no suggestion that the athlete has ever taken any prohibited substance and we wish to make that clear at the outset.”
      According to emails sent by his lawyer to USA Today, it is understood Coleman will appeal the ban imposed by the Athletics Integrity Unit through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
      But unless he wins that case he will sit out the Olympics next summer, opening the door for a potential British runner to win a medal.

      Christian Coleman wins mens 100m final at the World Athletics Championships with a time of 9.76 seconds More

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      in Athletics

      Seb Coe will back any athlete that takes a knee at Tokyo Olympics in support of Black Lives Matter movement

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      SEB COE would support any athlete who takes a knee on the Tokyo Olympics podium.
      Pressure is mounting on the IOC to change its Rule 50 which prohibits any form of demonstration at the Games.

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      Seb Coe is the highest-profile sports figure to call on the IOC to change its no-protest ruleCredit: Rex Features

      It is thought many stars might use the global platform to promote the Black Lives Matter movement next summer.
      Global Athlete and the BOA’s Athletes’ Commission have also called on Olympics chiefs to allow human-rights activism next year.
      And now Coe, in his capacity as the World Athletics president, has backed anybody thinking of protesting.
      Speaking on a trip to the Japanese capital and inspection of the Olympic national stadium, Coe said:

      “I’ve been very clear, if an athlete wishes to take a knee on a podium, then I am supportive of that.
      “Athletes are a part of the world and they want to reflect the world they live in. For me, that is perfectly acceptable.”
      Coe, who only became an IOC member in July, is the highest-profile administrator to demand a change.
      His big pal, Daley Thompson, told SunSport in June that British athletes should be allowed to take a knee against racism in Tokyo.

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      Colin Kaepernick, formerly of San Francisco 49ers, took a knee in 2016 to protest against police brutality and racial inequalityCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Two-time Olympic heptathlon champ Thompson, 62, said: “Some athletes will clearly feel strongly enough to want to take a knee.
      “There should be, whether it’s on the podium or not, a forum for them to stand up and be counted if they want to.
      “At the same time, if people don’t want to, because they’re more interested in getting on with what they want to do, then there are entitled to do that, too.
      “It’s an important cause. All lives matter. Nobody, whether you’re white, black, any nationality, you don’t deserve to be killed for the colour of your skin or for simple prejudice.
      “I think the IOC will try and curry favour with sponsors and allow the athletes some degree of choice in the matter.”

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      in Athletics

      Kriss Akabusi reveals Sky News TV chat saved his life with doctors finding Olympic hero had bowel cancer

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      AS Kriss Akabusi prepared for his regular TV slot, little did he know the appearance would end up saving his life.
      Two years ago, Britain’s three-time Olympic medallist had a decent early-morning gig on Sky News reviewing the newspapers.

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      Kriss Akabusi is one of Britain’s most loved athletics heroesCredit: Blakeway Productions

      But his review companion Tania Bryer and presenter Sarah-Jane Mee encouraged him live on air to see a doctor pronto when he mentioned an awkward health complaint.
      Akabusi told SunSport: “I’ve bled quite a lot in my life, since I have piles and hemorrhoids in my early 20s. I’ve often bled from my backside.
      “I was a solider before being an athlete. Once, I refused to go to the toilet for three weeks outside.
      “When I came back to camp, I ripped my insides out! From there I’ve had a weakness in that area.

      “The problem has come and gone, and I hadn’t taken much notice.
      “But as I got older it’s happened quite a lot. Two years ago there was an article in the papers about men being slow to see their doctors.

      “We were on TV discussing it. Sarah-Jane and Tania said: ‘Let’s change that. That’s nothing to be proud of – go and see your doctor.’
      “They added: ‘Next time you come on, we’ll ask if you did it.’ So I had no choice.’”

      Prompted by that discussion in the autumn of 2018, the 61-year-old seeked out immediate medical advice.
      A colonoscopy brought potentially grave news. A worrying growth had been discovered.
      A specialist even said: ‘Hello Mr Akabusi, it appears you’ve got bowel cancer.’
      Within a few days he was in the operating theatre. A third of his colon was removed along with polyps in his groin.

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      Derek Redmond, Roger Black, John Regis, and Kriss Akabusi celebrate winning gold in the 4x400m relay final at the 1991 World Championships in TokyoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      An agonising three weeks ensured before he received good news.
      The stage-one growth taken out was not cancerous – but importantly the check-up had discovered it six months before it could possibly develop.
      He said: “It’s a sobering moment. But Tania and Sarah-Jane saved my life.
      “You do start thinking – how many more summers have I got? How many times can I play with my four grandkids? Hopefully now I can see them go to university.
      “I’m very aware of my mortality. I think about death every day. Life is no rehearsal.
      “My body is in a process of decay. But rather than maybe die at 65, 70, the wonderful medical profession may give me more years. Let’s get to 80, 85, have a good gig.”

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      Akabusi gained fame in the 1980s and 1990s as he won Olympic silver and bronze medals in the 4x400m relay. He was also third in the 400m hurdles at the Barcelona Games.
      Memorably he was a member of the world championship-winning 4x400m relay squad from Tokyo in 1991.
      When this story drops this morning, he expects his phone to be buzzing from international teammates and rivals.
      Yes, it might make comfortable reading – and Akabusi is unapologetically open and honest – but his cancer scare is important.
      Maybe someone reading this can relate to his plight. Maybe they will be compelled to speak to their doctor. Maybe it will save their life, too.
      It is why today he is revealing the details for the first time publicly.

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      Akabusi celebrates his running success with his two daughters in 1991Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      It is why he is launching the Stay on Track campaign to raise awareness of bowel cancer and the importance of testing and early diagnosis.
      As a passionate West Ham fan, Akabusi knows all about the sad plight of Bobby Moore, who died aged 51 in 1993 from bowel cancer.
      He said: “Bobby Moore was someone who didn’t talk about it – until it was too late.
      “You can be an England football captain, win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much bigger than that, and still die of cancer.
      “Bowel cancer is the second largest cancer killer in the UK. Bobby didn’t do anything about his bleeding.
      “My demographic – 50, 60, 70-year-old men – when we were brought up, we shut up about health matters. We took it on the chin. Big men don’t cry.
      “No, listen. Real men catch it as soon as they can as they want to be there for their grandkids.
      “Go and see your doctor. They have seen many bottoms before.”
      Stay on Track, a new campaign led by Kriss Akabusi in partnership with Norgine and Bowel Cancer UK, aims to raise awareness of bowel cancer and the importance of testing and early diagnosis. www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk More

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      in Athletics

      Caster Semenya must have surgery or take testosterone-lowering drugs to defend Olympic 800m crown after losing appeal

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      GUTTED Caster Semenya must have surgery or take testosterone-lowering drugs to defend her Olympic 800m crown.
      Ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the South African star lost her appeal against World Athletics at the Swiss Supreme Court following a CAS decision.

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      Caster Semenya has lost her appeal against World Athletics
      Two-time Olympic champion Semenya, 29, said: “I’m very disappointed by this ruling, but refuse to let World Athletics drug me or stop me from being who I am.
      “Excluding female athletes or endangering our health solely because of our natural abilities puts World Athletics on the wrong side of history.”
      Jake Wightman, runner-up at the British Champs on Saturday, has run the fastest 800m time by a Brit for eight years.
      The middle-distance runner, 26, smashed his personal best with a blistering victorious time of 1:44.18 in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

      This puts him 10th in the UK all-time rankings – one spot behind 1980 Olympic champion Steve Ovett.

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      in Soccer

      Egypt expect Mo Salah to play at Tokyo Olympics next summer will fly to Liverpool for showdown talks with Jurgen Klopp

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      EGYPT Olympic bosses expect Mo Salah to be part of the Tokyo Olympics – and will meet Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp for showdown talks.
      SunSport understands Salah, 28, will be the first name on the teamsheet for the rescheduled Games in Japan.

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      Liverpool star Mo Salah is expected to lead the way for Egypt in the delayed Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Rex Features

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      Egypt’s Olympic coach Shawky Gharib is determined to have Salah in his teamCredit: AFP – Getty
      And the Pharaohs are prepared to fly to Anfield to explain why the star striker should put country before club in 2021.
      It would mean he will play throughout next summer and miss the start of the 2021-22 Premier League season.
      Shawky Gharib, coach of the Egyptian Olympic National team, said: “The only and first name I put in the squad is Mohamed Salah.
      “All Egyptian players would like to have the honour to play in the Olympics but all of us wanted Salah so he will be with us.

      “I’m ready to put all the pressure on Liverpool to accept his participation, and I could travel to England for that.
      “I remember when I was the assistant coach of the Egyptian National Team.
      “I travelled to Germany to meet Jurgen Klopp and convince him to let Mohamed Zidan join the team and he accepted.
      “We will use Salah of course and the Egyptian Football Federation will play a role.”

      Another complicating factor for Liverpool is that Salah would be called up for the Africa Cup of Nations if Egypt qualify.
      The event in Cameroon has been moved back 12 months to January 2022.
      Gharib added that they are also planning to speak with Aston Villa midfielder Trezeguet about the prospects of going to the Olympics.

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      in Boxing

      Josh Buatsi and boxing pal Cheavon Clarke have wheely intense rivalry on bikes – and might turn to WRESTLING if it rains

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      JOSH BUATSI has warned pal Cheavon Clarke he will take their wheely intense rivalry to the wrestling mat if rain ruins their bike rides. The British boxing pair have spent two months of lockdown zooming around Kent and south London to keep their fitness and competitive edges razor sharp. Long-distance bike rides are keeping boxing pals Josh Buatsi […] More