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      Helen Glover has emotional message for kids as mum-of-three suffers Tokyo 2020 medal heartbreak on inspirational return

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      HELEN GLOVER had a special message for her kids after her Olympic comeback ended in an agonising fourth place.The inspirational rower failed to make a medal-winning comeback on her return from becoming a mum.
      Helen Glover and Polly Swann finished fourth in the women’s coxless pair final at Tokyo 2020Credit: Getty
      Glover delivered a passionate speech to kids after she and Swann came up short
      The 2012 and 2016 pairs champ and new partner Polly Swann have always had their backs against the wall at the Sea Forest Waterway.
      New Zealanders Grace Prenderghast and Kerri Gowler, who have looked the class act from the start of the regatta, set a world and Olympic record in the semis yesterday.
      And as the Kiwi pair rowed away from the field again, Glover and Swann saw their bronze hopes fade and die as they could not haul back the fast-starting Canadian boat as Russia took silver.
      It was a dose of hard reality for Glover, 35, who took time out of the sport after her Rio gold with Heather Stanning, having three kids with TV presenter hunny Steve Backshall while her boat partner returned to her role in the Army.
      Addressing her children Logan, Kit and Willow, Glover added: “They’re sometimes up at this time in the morning so they might be watching now.
      “I love them so much, they’ve been my inspiration. I never saw myself getting back in a rowing boat until they came along. You can do anything you want to do.
      “Trying and failing is not a problem, as long as you try. All the parents who have supported me on the way, thank you for your messages.”
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      The three-time world champion only announced she was coming back to the water in January, making the task of landing a third successive Olympic crown unlikely.
      And so it proved although it was the Canadian boat, in lane one, who flew off the start.
      The Canadians led at 500m with GB third behind New Zealand and were still ahead of the same pairings at the half-way mark.
      But New Zealand, with both rowers also part of the eight, came through to take the lead in the third quarter of the race as Glover and Swann lost third place to the Russian boat.
      As Russia tried to hunt down the leaders, Glover and Swann were hoping that the Canadians would fade to allow them into the top three.
      It was not to be, with GB finishing a length and a half off the Canadians.
      Glover told BBC: “I’m pleased that we put everything on the line. We knew it was going to be a really big final to be in.
      “Getting here was a tough route. We knew that if we crossed the line having spent everything. Looking back on the way we got here, we’re pleased with that result. It shows a lot of our hard work.”
      And emotional Swann then remarked: “I think we always knew in the Olympic final people were going to go out hard.
      “We thought we might have a bit more of a buffer but it wasn’t to be.

      “The way we have attacked this project has been really exceptional and I couldn’t be prouder of her and what we’ve done together, it’s been a special ride.”
      But while Glover and Swann could have no complaints, there was pure heartbreak for the lightweight double scull of Emily Craig and Imogen Grant as they missed out on a medal by just ONE HUNDREDTH of a second.
      The pair led through the first 500m but looked to be rowed out by a Dutch attack and closing sprints from Italy and France.
      But as Italy pushed through in the final 50m, the Dutch, defending champions from Rio, literally stopped rowing two strokes from the line.
      It appeared that Grant and Craig had taken third, with the Dutch in despair, but a photo-finish went against the Brits by maybe three inches.
      And Vicky Thornley produced an excellent row to reach the final of the single sculls, although Emma Twigg of New Zealand of New Zealand looks unstoppable.
      Thornley, who won silver with Katherine Grainger in Rio, kept her form and composure to finish second behind the Kiwi in the semi and looks set to contest the silver and bronze medals with Russia’s Hanna Prakatsen and Austria’s Magdalena Lobnig.
      Emily Craig and Imogen Grant missed out on a bronze medal by by just one HUNDREDTH of a secondCredit: PA
      Team GB duo Craig and Grant were just pipped to the finish line by Holland
      Team GB swimmer James Guy break down in tears for second day in a row after latest gold at Tokyo 2020 More

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      in Athletics

      Tokyo 2020: Dina Asher-Smith carrying British track & field hopes on her shoulders – but she is NOT feeling the heat

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      SHE WILL single-handedly carry the hopes of a British track-and-field gold at these Olympics.But as Dina Asher-Smith prepares to start her Tokyo campaign, there is little sign of the 25-year-old Londoner feeling the heat.
      Dina Asher-Smith isn’t feeling the pressure to deliver a medal at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: AFP
      Asher-Smith won a gold medal at the 2019 World championships in Doha in the 200mCredit: Getty
      Crowned Britain’s first female world sprint champion in Doha in 2019, Asher-Smith’s smile belies an ice-cold temperament.
      She is a heavy sleeper who loves a lie-in and is a self-styled ‘championship performer’, who rises to the big occasions.
      Stages do not come any grander than an Olympics and as the Tokyo Games heads into its centre-piece athletics meeting, all British eyes will be on Asher-Smith.
      With Britain’s only other current world athletics champion, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, still suffering the after-effects of a ruptured Achilles, Asher-Smith stands alone as a serious gold medal contender.
      During the London Olympics, the ‘Inspire a Generation’ motto often sounded overblown.
      But Asher-Smith, a schoolgirl kit-carrier on the night Britain won three athletics golds on Super Saturday, is proof of the effectiveness of that slogan.
      There is no chance of a similar British track-and-field gold rush this time around, with Mo Farah the last of the class of 2012 to bow out of contention and British athletics at a low ebb.
      But nine years after that Olympic work experience stint in her hometown, Asher-Smith kicks off her 100 metres campaign in the heats in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
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      She said: “I volunteered to do kit carrying in London and I was fortunate to be given that Saturday, which obviously I didn’t know was going to end up being Super Saturday.
      “I remember being kind of disappointed that I wasn’t going to see Usain Bolt in the men’s 100m final, but when I got there and witnessed probably one of the greatest nights in British athletics history I felt incredibly lucky.
      “To describe the atmosphere that night to somebody who wasn’t there is incredibly difficult. The closest word is probably ‘euphoric’.”
      While she must compete in silence at these behind-closed-doors games, Asher-Smith has a burning ambition to repeat, or even better, her Doha campaign, which brought a 200m gold as well as silvers in the 100m and the sprint relay.
      If she lands gold, it will be a truly historic achievement.
      No female British sprinter has ever won an Olympic title and none have landed an individual medal since Dorothy Hyman way back in 1960. 
      Neither has any British man won individual sprint gold since Linford Christie in 1992, nor any medal since Darren Campbell in Sydney 21 years ago.
      Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is favourite to win the 100m but Asher-Smith is first among equals in an open 200m.

      American Gabby Thomas ran the second-fastest time ever earlier this year to send shockwaves through the field.
      But as Asher-Smith said: “To me it’s immaterial what people run because a championship is a completely different ball game.
      “The reason why we all love championships is because you honestly don’t know what’s going to happen.”
      The sense of calm about Asher-Smith is helped by the fact that she has only ever had one coach since she started running aged eight — John Blackie of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers.
      And he admitted he would have quit years ago had it not been for his star pupil.
      Blackie said: “I would have given it up some while ago if not for her but she is an inspiration, not just for athletes but also for us coaches.

      “It was around the age of 14 that things started to look very positive for Dina.
      “You still didn’t know she would end up as 200m world champion but you knew she was capable of some really spectacular achievements.
      “There is definitely more to come from her.”
      Four-time European champion Asher-Smith is looking to become Britain’s first female 100m or 200m winner at the OlympicsCredit: Instagram / @dinaashersmith
      Team GB swimmer James Guy break down in tears for second day in a row after latest gold at Tokyo 2020 More

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      in Soccer

      Spain vs Argentina LIVE SCORE: Stream free, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Olympic Football group game

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      SPAIN and Argentina clash in an Olympic showdown with qualification from Group C still in the balance. Neither side have been in top form so far in the tournament, with the Spanish topping the group despite being held 0-0 by Egypt in their first match. Argentina meanwhile were stunned by the Australians in their first […] More

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      in Soccer

      Germany vs Ivory Coast LIVE REACTION: Germans OUT of Olympic football competition after 1-1 draw with Ivorians

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      GERMANY are OUT of the Olympic football competition after a 1-1 draw against Ivory Coast. The Ivorians have made it through to the knockout stages along with Brazil. Benjamin Henrichs’ own goal had given the Ivorians the lead before Eduard Lowen bagged an equaliser, but it was not enough for Germany to make it through […] More

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      Spain vs Argentina: Live stream free, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Olympic Football group game

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      SPAIN and Argentina clash in an Olympic showdown with qualification from Group C still in the balance.Neither side have been in top form so far in the tournament, with the Spanish topping the group despite being held 0-0 by Egypt in their first match.
      Pedri will be hoping to inspire Spain to Olympic gold after a slow start to the tournamentCredit: AP
      Argentina meanwhile were stunned by the Australians in their first match, but hit back with a 1-0 win over the Egyptians to keep their gold medal dream alive.
      When is Spain vs Argentina?

      This final group game will be held on Wednesday, July 28.
      Kick-off is at midday BST.
      Follow all the action with SunSport’s live blog right here from 10.30pm.

      Which TV channel is it on and can I live stream it free?
      You can catch all the action live on Eurosport 5 here in the UK.
      Streaming is also available on Discovery+ and the Eurosport Player.
      You can get a three-day FREE trial of Discovery+, which will automatically convert into a regular £29.99/year subscription if not cancelled before expiry.

      What is the team news?
      Spain have a fully hit squad to choose from as they face Argentina knowing victory will see them top the group.
      Ariel Ortega is back available for the Argentinians after missing their last game through suspension.
      Claudio Bravo played well in his place last time out however and could keep his place in the starting XI.
      Match odds

      Spain to win – 17/20
      Draw – 12/5
      Argentina victory – 14/5

      *All odds from Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      Tokyo 2020: Team GB women’s football team will face Australia in quarter-final after topping group with draw vs Canada

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      TEAM GB will face Australia in the quarter-finals of the women’s Olympic football tournament after topping their group.A 1-1 draw against Canada was enough to finish above their opponents – and Hege Riise’s side could now face world champions USA in the final.
      Manchester City star Caroline Weir, 26, scored Team GB’s equaliserCredit: Getty
      Canadian winger Adriana Leon threatened to snatch top spot off the Brits when she opened the scoring in the second half.
      But a late equaliser from Scottish midfielder Caroline Weir saved Team GB against the 2012 and 2016 bronze medallists.
      Having already progressed, manager Riise made five changes – resting three-goal Ellen White and adding Fran Kirby to the bench after injury.
      Team GB gained the upper hand in the first half, with Georgia Stanway going close before Rachel Daly was denied by an excellent block from Ashley Lawrence.
      The Brits became sloppy after the break and were made to pay when Leon converted a neat ball from Lawrence in the 56th minute.
      Team GB pushed for an equaliser and got their reward five minutes from time when Weir’s 25-year effort deflected on it’s way in.
      On our day I definitely think we put out better performances the better the opposition. Our job is getting ready for the next game, one game at a time, but we absolutely believe we can get on that podium.Beverly Priestman, Canada Manager
      Speaking after the match, Riise said: “I believe strongly in this team, a great team always finds a way to come back and we did.
      “Closer to the finish we started to get some momentum, luckily we were good enough to get the goal.
      “It was an important goal. We top the group, we’re staying here and have a little bit more rest so we are happy.
      “There are always things you want to improve on, we have played three games against three good opponents and have performed better and better.
      “We haven’t been together that long so we’ll improve every game.
      “Overall we looked strong and confident and that will be important going forward.”
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      Previous Olympic winners in the Women’s Football

      Team GB’s draw with Canada means they will face Australia, who finished third in their group, in the quarter-finals.
      The winner of that tie will take on either hosts Japan or Sweden in the next round, with the latter recording a 3-0 victory against the US.
      The Americans are in the other side of the draw and must defeat European champions Holland if they are to face Canada or Brazil in the semi-finals.
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      Tokyo 2020: Alex Yee says he’s indebted to so many people after his sensational Olympic silver medal More

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      Team GB heavyweight boxer and former delivery driver Cheavon Clarke OUT of Tokyo 2020 after split decision loss

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      HEAVYWEIGHT Cheavon Clarke became Britain’s second casualty of the Games as he slumped to a majority defeat to Brazilian Abner Teixeira.Kent thumper Clarke returned to the sport after taking time out to work as a delivery driver.
      Cheavon Clarke, right, was dumped out of the heavyweight Olympic boxing in the last 16Credit: Reuters
      But he lost his way after taking the opening round with three of the judges.
      Teixeira frustrated the Brit with his spoiling tactics.
      And he was narrowly in front at the end of the second.
      Although Clarke tried to take the contest to his opponent, too many of his shots missed their target, allowing the Brazilian to claim a 4-1 victory.
      It was a sad end to what had been another promising GB day in the boxing ring.
      Top-seed Pat McCormack in the welterweights and flyweight Caroline Dubois won their opening bouts with comprehensive unanimous verdicts.
      McCormack, 26, whose twin brother Luke has already made a winning lightweight start, was simply far too good for Aliaksandr Radzionau of Belarus.
      His next opponent is Bobo-Usman Baturov of Uzbekistan.
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      Dubois, sister of heavyweight pro Daniel, was always in control against Kosovan Donjeta Sadiku.
      The Londoner had more problems with a slipping headguard than her Balkan opponent, taking every round with each judge.
      She now faces Rashida Ellis of the USA in the last 16. 
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      Clarke made a good start but eventually lost 4-1 against Brazilian Abner TeixeiraCredit: Getty
      The range of emotions in the ring were clear to see when the result was confirmedCredit: AP
      Team GB hero Tom Daley hopes Tokyo 2020 gold medal will inspire LGBT community to achieve their dreams More

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      Egypt 0 Argentina 1 LIVE REACTION: Medina goal sees Argentines bounce back with win at Tokyo Olympics – latest updates

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      ARGENTINA bounce back from their defeat against Australia by narrowly beating Egypt 1-0 at the Tokyo Olympics.
      RESULT: Egypt 0-1 Argentina
      Egypt XI: Elshenaway, Hamdy, Galal, Hegazy, Mohsen, Sobhi, Tawfik, Eraky, Rayan, El Wench, Fotouh
      Argentina XI: Ledesma, Perez, Bravo, De La Fuente, Vera, Gaich, Mac Allister, Barco, Medina, De La Vega, Payero

      Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
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      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      After an enthralling first half, the second half lacked quality as both teams struggled to create chances.
      Argentina’s goal came from their only meaningful opportunity of the half.
      Medina reacted quickest to his header that cannoned off the post.
      And while Egypt impressed, they couldn’t find the killer pass behind Argentina’s backline.
      They have to beat Australia in their final group game to stand any chance of qualifying for the next round.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      FULL-TIME
      It’s over and Argentina have won 1-0!
      They now go second in Group C.
      Egypt go bottom of the group having picked up just one point from their first two games.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      92: Not one ball has been sent into the box yet.
      What are Egypt doing? They keep trying to play the ball on the ground.
      Get it up there!
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      90: There will be FIVE minutes of injury time.
      Egypt have to lump the ball forward into the danger zone.
      It’s now or never!
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      88: This time Sobhi goes for goal instead of crossing.
      But his low effort doesn’t have that much power and it fails to trouble the goalkeeper.
      Waste.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      86: SO CLOSE!
      The whipped in ball is nipped behind for a corner with two players waiting to head the ball home.
      The ball is cleared, but again Egypt win a corner on the edge of the box.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      85: PENALTY APPEAL!
      Egypt want a penalty after Sobhi is hauled down by Perez.
      But the referee gives a free-kick just outside the box.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      79: Argentina make a change.
      Tomas Belmonte replaces Martin Payero, meanwhile Nasser Maher has come on for Egypt in place of Osama Galal.
      Argentina are already looking to run the clock down.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      74: Egypt are piling on the pressure but they just can’t find that killer pass.
      Sobhi has been a nuisance all game.
      He rides the challenges from three players and finds a team-mate on the edge of the box.
      But he can’t get his shot away, and another chance goes begging.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      70: Egypt are keeping up their pressure in search of a vital equaliser.
      A draw would leave them second in the group following their stalemate with Spain.
      But despite their efforts, they are yet to trouble Ledesma this half.
      Time is slowly running out.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      65: It;s all Egypt now as Mohamed rifles an effort over the bar.
      Argentina are adopting Egypt’s approach from the first half.
      Keep their shape and wait for them to lose possession.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      59: A great response by Egypt.
      They have not only composed themselves, but are threatening to equalise.
      And they have made two substitutions.
      Ibrahim Adel replaces Ammar Hamdi, while Taher Mohamed has come on for Salah Mohsen.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      55: That goal has knocked the wind out of Egypt.
      They look shell shocked and Argentina sense blood.
      Egypt have to keep their shape as they being hounded for every ball.
      A great ten minute spell from the South Americans.
      EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
      52: Argentina have the lead!
      And it’s been coming!
      Centre-back Facundo Medina has swept the ball home from close range after the ball dropped to his feet after his header from a corner hit the post.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      49: Close from Mac Allister!From an acute angle, the Brighton man’s free-kick just goes over the bar.
      As expected, Argentina are looking to pile on the pressure.
      But as we’ve seen in the first half, they will leave themselves exposed.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      46: We are back underway at the Sapporo Dome!
      Will Egypt take their chances or will Argentina come out the block quick?
      We will quickly find out.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      HALF-TIME
      An exciting flowing first half of football has come to an end.
      And on the balance of play, Egypt deserve to go into the break ahead.
      They have had just 38 per cent of the possession, but they have created plenty of chances one they got on the ball.
      With Argentina losing against Australia in their Group C opener, they have to come out firing in the second half.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      42: A break in play here as Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy goas down injured.
      He’s back up and Argentina yet another waste a corner.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      37: What a tackle from Ahmed Hegazi!
      Argentina managed to break the backline with a fortuitous header across goal.
      And that left Adolfo Gaich with a shot at goal.
      But Hegazi stuck a leg out and his shot was put behind for a corner.
      Once against Argentina’s set piece was easily cleared away.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      32: Now it’s Egypt’s turn to have a spell of possession.
      But they are happy to just pass it around the back as they look for the gaps to open up in Argentina’s defence.
      But that’s only happening when Argentina attack.
      Egypt are perfectly happy to soak up the danger and hit their opponents on the break.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGETINA
      28: Much better from Argentina who are finally get a foothold on the game again.
      But they are yet to test the Egyptian goalkeeper.
      However Egypt are letting them have a lot of their ball.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      22: How aren’t Egypt ahead?
      Again it’s that man Sobhi that causes chaos as he bamboozles his way into box before finding out the unmarked Ahmed Rayan.
      The striker looks to pick out the far corner, hut effort went wind of the right post.
      He simply has to hit the target from there.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      17: What a game this is turning out to be!
      It’s end to end stuff and Egypt are on top you;d have to say.
      They are exploiting Argentina’s right side and Sobhi looks dangerous whenever he gets the ball.
      And Karim El Ariki has just flashed a shot wide from just outside the box.
      Argentina are all over the place at the back!
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      14: And now Argentina have went close!
      De La Fuente has his head in his hands after his drive went narrowly wide of post.
      He is constantly bombing forward from right-back and is leaving so much space in behind.
      That is how Egypt almost broke the deadlock in the first place.
      EGYPT 0-0 ARGENTINA
      13: HUGE chance for Egypt and it should be 1-0!
      The Argentina defence is split and Sobhi runs clear on goal after being picked out by Salah Mohsen.
      He checks back in on his favoured right foot and looks to fire his effort into the bottom left corner.
      But Ledesma brilliantly got down low to keep out his attempt.
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