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      Manchester City star Weir targets Team GB Olympic glory like ‘mentor’ Andy Murray

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      CAROLINE WEIR recalls being left ‘devastated’ when a late Finland goal ended Scotland’s dreams of reaching the 2022 Women’s Euros.But the Man City winger reckons competing in the Olympics and emulating Andy Murray has helped ease the ‘disappointment’ of that December night. 
      Caroline Weir says Team GB are hoping for a gold medal win at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      Weir says London 2012 gold medallist Andy Murray has been a ‘great mentor’ to herCredit: EPA
      Weir is one of two Scotland stars included in an 18-strong Team GB squad chosen by Hege Riise with the other being Arsenal skipper Kim Little.
      And the in-form playmaker, with a knack for netting wonder goals, is also targeting World Cup qualification with Scotland for the second time in her nation’s history.
      Weir, 25, said: “The fact that I’m going to the Tokyo Olympics this summer probably makes next summer and the fact I’m not going to the Euros, a little bit easier.
      “The disappointment with Scotland was a tough one to take. And it did take a little bit of time to get over it.
      “But at the same time, we have the qualifying campaign for the 2023 World Cup. 
      “It feels like a long way away, but it’s in a few months and we’ll have a Scotland camp in June and our focus will turn to that. 
      “Yes it (not qualifying for the Euros) was disappointing at the time, but I think you’ve got to move on quickly and I think we’ve all done that now.”
      Weir, who moved City in 2018 after a two-year Liverpool spell, has enjoyed a standout season with the Manchester giants including a 2020 FA Cup win. 
      The Dunfermline-born player netted eight times in 20 top-flight games last term as City took Chelsea to the wire before finishing second in the WSL title race. 
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      Weir wowed WSL fans with her performances for Man City this termCredit: Getty

      Goals include an audacious 18-yard chip in a memorable Manchester derby that went viral on social media.
      Weir, admits to being a fan of the Olympics as a spectator and taking pleasure from watching the Games’ ‘random sports’.
      The forward who began her career at the age of ten at Hibernian, is an admirer of the exploits of past Team GB Olympians.
      These include the dramatic gold-winning performances of Sir Chris Hoy and tennis ace Murray at the London 2012 Games. 
      And the Man City star, who became the first female football player to join Murray’s 77 Sports Management in March 2020, says the three-time grand slam winner has been a reliable source for advice. 
      [embedded content]
      Weir added: “Andy has been a great mentor to me over the last 12 months.
      “Any kind of questions or advice I need from him, whether that’s performance, psychological – whatever it might be – he’s at the end of the phone and he’s been really helpful.
      “And I’m sure I’ll be asking him a little bit about his Olympic experiences going forward, but he’s been great and really positive.”
      Great Britain will take on Canada, Chile and Japan in Group E of the Tokyo Olympics’ women’s football tournament in Japan in July. 
      In addition to Weir and Little, the group includes Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle who made history by becoming the first Wales player in a GB women’s football squad. 
      And Weir who is a ‘proud Scot’ is hoping the Scottish public will get behind the team as they bid to make history by winning gold. 
      Weir and her Scotland team-mates are aiming to qualify for the 2023 World CupCredit: The Sun
      Weir said: “It’s kind of sinking in a little bit now as the day goes on, but to put on a Team GB kit is something I never thought would happen or kind of dreamed of.
      “I’ve wanted to play in World Cups and things like that, but you just don’t necessarily think of playing at the Olympics.
      “I remember watching 2012 and I remember watching Kim and the team do so well in London.
      “To be here alongside Kim (Little) is a huge honour. I think that’s what’s great about Team GB and the fact that there are Scots here and Sophie Ingle is in the squad.
      “You also look around and you see those experienced players like Jill Scott, Steph Houghton, Kim, Karen Bardsley and Ellen White who’ve seen it all and went to London 2012.
      Arsenal star Kim Little will represent Team GB for the second time in her career after competing at the London 2012 GamesCredit: Getty
      “But we have such good young players in the squad too that will bring that youth, and excitement.
      “Hopefully that will unite the home nations, and everyone can get behind us because it’s a strong squad.
      “We really want to do a good job and hopefully bring something back.
      “We’ve got to go for gold and of course it’s going to be a tough tournament but the team is talented.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Team GB hope to go beyond the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics football tournament after reaching that stage at London 2012Credit: Alan Walter – The Times
      Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp among WSL aces included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad More

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      Team GB eye men’s football team at Paris 2024 Olympics having not featured since London 2012

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      TEAM GB are keen on sending a men’s football team to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.Mark England, Chef de Mission of Team GB, has said he would “absolutely love” to take a men’s football team to the Paris Olympics, ending a 12-year absence.
      Daniel Sturridge, 22 at the time, featured for Team GBCredit: GETTY IMAGES
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      The men’s team has not featured since the London 2012 Olympics, which saw them reach the quarter-finals on home soil.
      Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs captained the team, which included Premier League stars such as Daniel Sturridge, Aaron Ramsey, Ryan Bertrand and Craig Bellamy.
      But the team filled with Premier League stars lost to South Korea in the quarter-finals on penalties.
      Great Britain’s women’s team, however, will compete in this summer’s Tokyo Olympics.
      And England is hopeful that the success of the Women’s team will be a “positive step” for an open discussion on a men’s team in the future.
      He said: “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.”
      England went on to praise the strength of women’s football.
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      And has admitted that Team GB would be disappointed if they were not able to field a competitive team in the Paris 2024 Olympics, as well as the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
      He said: “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.
      “We’ve only concentrated on this particular cycle, and then as soon as this one is over, we’ll be getting across the negotiating table to ensure that all of the good work that’s been done for this particular cycle, we can replicate in 2024 and 2028 as well.”
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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). 

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      Who is Blake Leeper and why is he being denied chance to run in Tokyo Olympics? Can he still race at Paralympics?

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      BLAKE LEEPER is has been denied the chance to run at the Tokyo Olympics after his carbon fibre blades were deemed to give him a “competitive advantage.”Leeper, 31, has made a series of bids to become Nike’s latest athletes to make Team USA’s squad for the Tokyo Games.
      Blake Leeper celebrates his Paralympic silver medal in the 400m at London 2012Credit: Getty
      Leeper had been hoping to compete in the Tokyo Olympics in the 400m or 4x400m relayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Who is Blake Leeper?
      Blake Leeper is an American sprinter from Kingsport, Tennessee.
      Leeper was born without lower leg limbs from the knee downward and learned to walk on prosthetics since the age of nine months.
      He represented Team USA at the 2012 Paralympics in London where he clinched a silver medal in the T43 400 metres and bronze in the T43 200m.
      He did not compete at the 2016 Rio Paralympics because he was serving a year-long ban for a positive cocaine test.
      Leeper moved into full competition against Olympic athletes at the 2017 US Track & Field Championships in 2017, becoming the first double leg amputee to do so.
      It was at this event he broke Oscar Pistorious’ 400m world record of 45.25 seconds, knocking 0.14sec off the South African’s mark.
      Why has Blake Leeper been denied the chance to run at the Olympics?
      In 2020, Leeper’s legal team lost a Court of Arbitration for Sport bid to get him into the Tokyo Olympics.
      The CAS ruling said that his carbon fibre blades allowed him to run at a height “several inches taller” than if he were an able-bodied athlete.
      Leeper’s legal team said at the time that the verdict was “racially discriminatory.”
      In April 2021, World Athletics denied another final appeal for Leeper to compete in the one-lap event in Japan – should he have qualified at the US Olympic trials.
      World Athletics heard the arguments for Leeper’s inclusion in another hearing with their Mechanical Aids Review Panel.
      Chairman David Grace QC said: “World Athletics has satisfied its burden of proof on the balance of probabilities that the use of the mechanical aids by Blake Leeper in the form of passive-elastic carbon-fibre running specific prostheses (RSPs) that give him a leg length of 104 centimetres and a standing height of 184 centimetres provides Blake Leeper with an overall competitive advantage over an athlete not using such aids, with the result that the use by Blake Leeper of such RPSs in any World Athletics sanctioned events is not allowed pursuant to Rule 6.3.4 of the Technical Rules of World Athletics.”
      The statement continued: “The decision means Mr Leeper cannot compete wearing these new RSPs at World Athletics’ major international events (WAS Events) or the Olympic Games but can in other International Competitions although his results will be listed separately and not recognised.”
      Blake Leeper won a silver medal behind Oscar Pistorious at the London 2012 ParalympicsCredit: Getty
      Why is their verdict controversial?
      World Athletics uses a measurement called Maximum Allowable Standing Height (MASH) to determine whether an para-athlete’s prosthetic blades are of a fair length.
      That ‘fair length’ is based on a series of studies conducted across the world, saying it is “based on the best available evidence of body dimensions.”
      Leeper’s lawyer Jeffrey Kessler claimed that these measures are racially discriminatory.

      He said: “Data from black athletes were not even considered in these studies, as if these athletes did not exist.
      “It is ironic that Blake Leeper, who has been fighting for the rights of disabled athletes of every race, now finds himself the victim of discrimination against black disabled athletes.
      “We do not believe the courts will tolerate such discriminatory treatment and we will support Blake as he continues his fight to compete in the Olympics.” More

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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

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      Chelsea face being without Christian Pulisic for start of NEXT season as winger wants to represent US at Tokyo Olympics

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      CHELSEA could be without Christian Pulisic for the start of next season, after the American admitted it would be a ‘massive honour’ to play at the Olympics.The Tokyo football tournament gets underway on July 21, with the final taking place on August 7.
      Christian Pulisic has made 28 appearances for Chelsea this termCredit: Getty
      Pulisic has earned 34 senior caps for the US to dateCredit: Getty
      If selected, Pulisic would miss a crucial chunk of pre-season, with the Premier League set to get underway on August 14.
      The Olympic football tournament is predominantly limited to players under 23.
      But at 22, Pulisic would still qualify.
      The winger told NBC: “The Olympics is of course a massive honour to play in and to represent your country in an Olympics would be amazing.
      “I am fully supporting the guys in qualifying now. It is something I’ve thought about and that I’ve wanted to play in.
      “Obviously I can’t control exactly what goes on and what is best for me at the time and the team at the time, I can’t say.
      “But it is something that I would like to play in.”
      Pulisic’s potential team-mates still have work to do to even qualify, however, and will face a Concacaf semi-final on Sunday in their quest to make it to Tokyo.
      Pulisic, 22, has started three of Thomas Tuchel’s 14 games in chargeCredit: AFP
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      The Blues ace already has 34 caps for Gregg Berhalter’s senior side – who are also set to compete in the Gold Cup in July.
      Pulisic has not hit the ground running under former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel.
      Chelsea’s No10 has started only three of the German’s 14 games at the helm, with no goals and just one assist against Burnley to show for his efforts.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Phil Neville ‘to coach Team GB women’s side’ after quitting England role

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      PHIL NEVILLE is set to be appointed as coach of the Team GB women’s football team at the Olympics, according to reports. 
      The ex-Manchester United star has been open about his ambition to coach an Olympic side at Tokyo 2020 after his leaving his England post. 

      Phil Neville is due to become coach of Team GB’s women’s football teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Times has revealed that Neville, who led the Lionesses to the Women’s World Cup semis in 2019, will coach the Team GB Women’s side at the rescheduled games in 2021.
      And the paper claims the former Everton ace will be announced as the team’s new boss next month following a lengthy hold-up caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 
      Neville had initially attempted to pour cold water on his chances of managing a Team GB side and claimed he did not know if he would be given an opportunity. 
      At England’s November training camp, Neville said: “I don’t know if it is going to be me. 

      “I said in the last camp that I expected the decision to be imminent and I still think that. 
      “Hopefully it’ll happen soon and the players can concentrate on who is the boss of Team GB and there can be total clarity.”
      Neville’s job as Britain’s women’s Olympic football coach is expected to be his final post within the women’s game. 

      The Lionesses boss is set to be replaced by Netherlands manager Sarina Wiegman when he steps down from this current role in July 2021.

      And Wiegman, regarded as the most successful managers of a Netherlands national team, will also be coaching the Dutch women’s side at the Tokyo Olympics.
      The Times says the FA had hoped to publicly reveal Neville’s job move as early as October. 
      However, logistical challenges, changes to publicity activity and travel rule changes are thought to have complicated Neville’s switch.
      Britain’s Olympic women’s football team was first assembled ahead of the London 2012 games.

      Team GB reached the quarter-finals of the women’s football tournament at London 2012 Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The side reached the quarter-finals of the event before suffering a 2-0 loss to Canada.
      It was thought the team’s participation in the games that year would be a one-off.
      However, an agreement between the home nations in October 2018 led to the decision that the team would compete in Tokyo 2020.

      Lionesses in training More

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      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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