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    Who is Jeanette Kwayke? BBC’s Olympic host is former international sprinter

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    FORMER Olympian Jeanette Kwayke has been gracing our screens for the BBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics – and has made history in her blossoming career as a presenter.The ex-Team GB sprinter became the first black boxing presenter in UK history when she lead Channel 5’s coverage of Sam Egginton’s sixth round beatdown on Ashley Theophane in 2020.
    Jeanette Kwakye was one of Britain’s top sprinters in the 2000sCredit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow
    Jeanette Kwakye has been behind the mic for BBC Sport during the 2022 Winter Olympics coverage
    Who is Jeanette Kwayke?
    The 38-year-old was born in Woodford Green in London on March 20, 1983 and has a younger brother Louis, who was also a keen athlete.
    She quickly realised her sporting talent during her teenage years running for Woodford Green with Essex Ladies when she progressed through the junior ranks and turned pro in 2005.
    Kwayke graduated from the University of Loughborough, with a degree in Politics and Economics
    Jeanette tied knots with Nigerian husband Tokunbo back in 2016.
    The couple have two children, one son and a daughter.

    What has she achieved?
    Jeanette achieved British championship medals over 100 metres and 200m in 2007.
    Her highest achievement came in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games when the athlete became the first British woman in 24 years to make it to the 100m final, where she finished sixth.
    Unfotunately, the ex-Olympian was forced to withdraw from competitions in 2010 having suffered from Achilles tendon and knee injuries.
    However, Kwayke reached the semi-finals in the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, and became the 100m women’s British champion that same year.
    Unfortunately, 2012 was not such a good year.
    Jeanette failed to qualify for the London Olympic Games due to another injury but she won the British 60m indoor title to make up for it.
    Personal bests:

    60m – 7.08sec (March 2008)
    100m – 11.14 (August 2008)
    200m 23.11 (July 2007)

    Jeanette Kwayke came sixth in the 2008 Beijing Olympic GamesCredit: PA:Press Association
    But she appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 birthday honours list.
    What does she do now?
    Since Jeanette declared retirement from the sport, she has presented for Sky Sports, Channel 5 and the BBC which includes an hourly long show on BBC Radio London every Saturday called The Women’s Sports Show.
    The former British champion has also covered Olympic sport, European Games and the Commonwealth Games.
    Jeanette has worked for Channel 4 and has most recently featured on the One Show.
    In 2017, the sprinter published the Children’s book, Femi The Fox which featured on BBC Africa.
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      Japan curling skip Satsuki Fujisawa has inspirational message on her hand that’s helped her reach final against Team GB

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      JAPAN curling skipper Satsuki Fujisawa has revealed the inspirational message on her hand that’s helped to set up a Winter Olympics final against Team GB.Fujisawa led her side to an 8-6 win over Switzerland in the semis.
      Japan curling captain Satsuki Fujisawa has found a novel way for inspiration at the Winter OlympicsCredit: Rex
      Fujisawa has a heart-warming message written in ink on her hand
      And Japan will now face off against Team GB for gold in Beijing this weekend.
      It is sure to be an epic showdown versus Eve Muirhead’s Scottish stone sisterhood.
      And it has now been revealed that Fujisawa had an uplifting message inked on her hand during the tournament.
      It read: “I’m a good curler. I have confidence. Let’s have fun!”
      Japan will come up against a Team GB side riding high on a tense 12-11 win against reigning champions Sweden.
      Skip Muirhead said: “It is third time lucky. I’ve lost two semi-finals before and I was desperate for it. 
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      “These moments and opportunities don’t come around very often.
      “I’m so proud of these girls. It is such a team game and all week we have dug so deep. 
      “I’m pretty speechless right now but what a moment. It sounds amazing to say we’re in an Olympic final.”
      Team GB’s men will also contest a curling final tomorrow against Sweden.
      And British sports fans will have their fingers crossed for double curling delight. More

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      in Athletics

      ‘Why did you stop fighting?’ – Valieva’s team’s ‘chilling’ reaction to 15-yr-old’s horror falls has IOC boss ‘disturbed

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      OLYMPICS boss Thomas Bach was left “disturbed” by the “chilling” reaction to Kamila Valieva’s Great Fall of China.Controversial figure skater Valieva – who is subject to a doping probe – fell twice and left the ice in tears as her individual medal chances disappeared in Beijing.
      Olympics boss Bach was disturbed by the lack of empathy shown to Russian teen Valieva by her bosses after her horror fallCredit: Reuters
      The figure skater Valieva fell twice – ending her hopes of winning an Olympic gold medalCredit: The Mega Agency
      The doping scandal-hit 15-year-old was visibly emotional after her fallsCredit: The Mega Agency
      But her coach Tuberidze was only concerned about why the tearful teen didn’t carry on ‘fighting’Credit: Getty
      TV viewers around the world were shocked to see the cold post-display reaction the 15-year-old got from the Russian camp.
      There was no hug or comfort after the error-ridden free skate routine and uncaring coach Eteri Tutberidze asked the teen: Why did you stop fighting?
      IOC president Bach was left shocked by the coldness of the entourage, saying: “I was very, very disturbed when I watched the competition on TV.
      “This pressure is beyond my imagination. In particular for a girl of 15-years-old to see her there struggling on the ice.
      “You could feel that immense mental stress and maybe she would have preferred just to leave the ice, and leave this story behind.
      “When I saw how she was received by her closest entourage with what appeared to be such tremendous coldness, it was chilling to see this rather than giving her comfort.
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      “You could feel this chilling atmosphere, this distance. It was even worse because this was even some kind of dismissive gestures I saw there on TV.
      “All of this does not give me much confidence in this closest entourage of Kamila, neither with regard to what happened in the past nor as far as it concerns the future.
      “We can only hope, for her, to see that this is addressed in the right way and that it isn’t a traumatic experience for such a young woman from this situation.”
      Moscow-trained Valieva was given the green light to compete this week despite the emergence of a positive drugs test from Christmas Day.
      She will face drugs busters after the Olympics and there is the chance her team title could be stripped retrospectively.
      German Bach, a former international fencer, says there will be discussions in the corridors of power about minors – those under the age of 16 – competing at senior Olympic level.
      These Games, which have been criticised heavily by human rights campaigners, will draw to a close on Sunday.
      Bach, 68, expressed his satisfaction with the event, arguing that the closed-loop system had prevented any outbreaks of Covid within the media, athletes and officials.
      He said: “The closed loop situation was a great success with an infection rate of 0.01%.
      “I guess it was one of the safest places on this planet, if not the safest place. And this is a great achievement.” More

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      in Athletics

      Kamila Valieva, 15, in tears after falling TWICE to blow Olympic skating gold medal hopes following failed drugs test

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      RUSSIAN figure skater Kamila Valieva burst into tears as she failed to win a second Olympic gold medal – after crashing twice to the ice during her error-ridden routine.The 15-year-old, subject to a doping inquiry, was favourite to win the women’s single skating competition on Thursday night, having led after the first day of competition.
      Kamila Valieva is consoled after breaking down into tearsCredit: Getty
      Valieva looked unsteady throughout her routineCredit: Getty
      Valieva was favourite for gold – but flopped badly on her final routineCredit: AP
      It was a tough watch as the Russian missed the podiumCredit: Reuters
      However she was left in an emotional, disbelieving state after two big touchdowns and a failure to stay upright after a triple axel at the Capital Indoor Stadium.
      Valieva, who had a snake on the back of her red-and-black costume, failed to live up to her pre-event hype as she danced to Bolero.
      Her display, which was clearly affected by the controversial build-up and pre-Games drugs test, saw her finish in fourth place with an overall score of 224.09 from two days.
      Gold and silver went to her Russian teammates Anna Shcherbakova (255.95) and Alexandra Trusova (251.73) respectively. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto took the bronze (233.13)
      Valieva had to be consoled by teammates and coaches as she missed out on individual medal.
      To the delight of the IOC, there will be a medals ceremony as Valieva surprisingly missed out on the podium.
      The Russian teenager was inconsolable after missing out on a medalCredit: Reuters
      The Russian teen was odds-on to win the event when she skated outCredit: Getty
      Valieva hit the deck twice during her routineCredit: Reuters
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      Speaking after the performance, Polina Edmunds, the retired American figure skater, said: “Very traumatising Olympic experience for Kamila Valieva.
      “She should not have been allowed to compete, it’s devastating that she was put in this situation, on all levels.”
      Ashley Wagner, a former US skater, who won bronze in the team competition in 2014, said: “This is a moment where you genuinely have to say: that poor kid. 
      “She should not have ever been put in this position. She shouldn’t have been out on that ice, she shouldn’t have been put in a position where she became the face of a problem bigger than her.
      “I can’t watch this. They all look devastated. This just shows that these a children that are put in a position that is so wildly unhealthy and harmful to them. I’m sick to my stomach.”

      The 15-year-old failed a December drugs testCredit: AFP
      After helping Russia win the team gold last week, it was announced by a Wada lab in Stockholm that one of her samples taken on Christmas Day during the Russian Figure Skating Championships in Saint Petersburg contained a banned heart medication.
      She was cleared to carry on skating by a Court of Arbitration for Sport panel – it was felt that kicking her out of the competition would cause her “irreparable harm” given the exceptional circumstances of her case.
      But there is the chance that she could be retrospectively banned from the sport, meaning that the team result could be declared invalid.
      Long after these Olympics have finished, the merits of her case will be determined and she could have her gold medal taken away and her name scrubbed from the record books.
      It is one of the most controversial drugs stories in Olympic history and the IOC have said that there is “an asterisk against the results because they will be preliminary – under further investigation”.
      Valieva holds her face in her hands after the disappointmentCredit: Getty
      There was despair on the ice for Russian skater ValievaCredit: Getty
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      Russian figure-skater Kamila Valieva, 15, ‘had three different substances in her system when she failed drugs test’

      by

      TEENAGE Russian skater Kamila Valieva reportedly had THREE different heart drugs in her system when she failed a December drugs test.The 15-year-old has been cleared to continue competing at the Winter Olympics despite testing positive for trimetazidine.
      Kamila Valieva had to wipe away tears from her eyes as her failed test row rumbles onCredit: Getty
      This has been banned for athletes since 2014 and is medication used to treat chest pains and angina.
      According to the New York Times, another two substances were discovered that are used to treat the heart.
      Both, however, are NOT on the banned list.
      Hypoxen and L-Carnitine showed up on the test, with Valieva said to have listed taking these on her doping control form.
      US Anti-Doping Agency Chief Executive Officer Travis Tygart said in the report: “It’s a trifecta of substances – two of which are allowed, and one that is not allowed.”
      He added that when the three are used together, they ‘seem to be aimed at increasing endurance, reducing fatigue and promoting greater efficiency in using oxygen’.
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      Valieva leads the way in the women’s single skating following her untouchable score of 82.16 in the short programme on Tuesday.
      If Valieva finishes in the top three of the individual contest there will be no medal ceremony for the podium placers.
      She has already won gold in the team event for Russia, becoming the first female figure skater to land a quadruple jump at a Games.
      After completing her first performance in the Chinese capital, which saw an obvious mistake on her triple axel, the purple-clad teen had to wipe away the tears from her eyes.
      I thought I was alone but my closest friends and family will never abandon meKamila ValievaOn the support she has received following her failed drugs test
      The Moscow-born star says she was ‘happy’ but ’emotionally fatigued’ after being allowed to carry on skating by an independent Court of Arbitration for Sport panel.
      She said: “Of course, I’m happy to take part in the Olympic Games.
      “I will do my utmost to represent our country. I hear so many good wishes.
      “I’ve seen that in Moscow there are even billboards which say ‘Kamila, we’re with you’. It is very nice.
      “It is very pleasing, this support is very important for me in this difficult time.
      “I thought I was alone but my closest friends and family will never abandon me.”
      GRANDAD’S MEDICINE
      In the CAS panel hearing, it was argued by the Russians that traces in her system of the banned heart drug trimetazidine on Christmas Day was due to accidental contamination with her grandad’s medicine.
      It has been claimed he has an artificial heart and Valieva may have drunk from the wrong glass over the Festive period.
      The World Anti-Doping Agency are planning to investigate Valieva’s entourage, which includes coaches, doctors and other adults surrounding her.
      Meanwhile, American coach Adam Rippon a 2018 Olympic bronze medal-winning team skater, has described the decision to allow her to continue as ‘shocking and disappointing’.
      He has gone further, describing the team around her as ‘child abusers’, ‘dirty cheaters’ and ‘clowns’.
      Valieva is currently leading the singles skating eventCredit: Getty More

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      Team GB legend Greg Rutherford reveals bedtime routine ahead of Beijing Winter Olympics

      by

      BRITISH legend Greg Rutherford has explained how adults can replicate a child’s bedtime routine and why sleep matters ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.The 35-year-old’s routine includes at least 45 minutes of ‘no screen time’, a warm bath, listening to relaxing music, reading a book, using lavender pillow spray and getting the bedroom set up two hours before bed.
      Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford has spoken of his bedtime routine ahead of the Winter OlympicsCredit: SWNS
      Rutherford has declared he has at least 45 minutes of ‘no screen time’ before sleepingCredit: SWNS
      His insight comes after research revealed 27 per cent of UK adults have no night-time routine at all – and the average person gets just five hours of quality shut-eye a night.
      The study was commissioned by Dreams, the Official Sleep Partner to Team GB and ParalympicsGB.
      Greg Rutherford said: “As an athlete, sleep is up there with being one of the most important elements in influencing our performance, whether in training or just before a competition.
      “But as we can see from the research, many adults are struggling with a good routine and they aren’t quite nailing a good night’s sleep – which isn’t good.
      “Sleep is our superpower! Having a bedtime routine is an essential part of my evening – I call it my ‘reverse warm up’ and it follows a similar structure to my kids’ routines.”
      The research found Brits spend a total of just 12 minutes on their sleep routine a night – with preparation consisting of brushing their teeth, getting into their pyjamas, and washing their face.
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      Just over a third sit reading a book as part of their evening ritual, and one in 10 are winding down with some stretches or breathing exercises.
      However, some adults go the extra mile to get a good night’s sleep – including counting sheep, clicking their body joints, doing 100 press-ups and checking the bed for spiders.
      More than a quarter follow the exact same routine every evening, in comparison to 38 per cent of parents who said their children, age newborn to six, do the same.
      And more than a fifth agree their youngsters never have problems when it comes to drifting off to dreamland.
      It also emerges that 63 per cent agree bedtime rituals can have a positive impact on their sleep.
      In fact, eight in 10 said a good night’s sleep can improve their productivity the following day, estimating to feel 50 per cent more focused the morning after a quality kip.
      Rutherford will not feature in Beijing after his bobsleigh team missed out on selectionCredit: ReutersGREG RUTHERFORD’S TOP TIPS TO A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP

      1. 45 minutes no screen time: “I do this as it’s easy to get distracted by checking emails or texts and then your brain starts whirring before sleep.”
      2. A warm bath: “This helps me relax my body, especially if I’ve been working out and need to soothe my muscles.”
      3. Listening to relaxing music: “If I know I might not be able to switch off easily, I try to listen to some relaxing music until I drift off.”
      4. Reading a book: “This helps me unwind but I’ve got a stack next to my bed which I’m yet to finish!”
      5. Using lavender pillow spray: “I use this on my kid’s pillows too because they like it and we can take it with us on trips – it reminds them of home.”
      6. Organising my bedroom: “I like to get everything sorted a couple of hours before bed – so I’m not trying to find things and accidentally perking myself up in the process.”

      And as many as three in four adults say poor sleeping habits can negatively affect both their mental and physical health.
      With people reporting that poor sleep can affect their ability to concentrate, can make them more forgetful and even impact their appetite – resulting in cravings for sugary snacks.
      Yet, nearly a quarter of adults reckon it’s been over a week since they last woke up feeling well-rested. And more than half (55 per cent) admit they don’t get enough good quality sleep.
      The research also reveals that in the lead up to their bedtime routine, adults have 23 minutes of screen time before hitting the hay, according to the OnePoll data.
      In response to the findings, Rutherford shares why sleep is his superpower, explaining his ‘reverse warm up’ including all the things he does to ‘warm down’ for bedtime, to have the best quality sleep possible and to help the nation sleep better.
      Greg also chats with fellow winter sport athletes and Dreams ambassadors, including Katie Ormerod, Greg’s bobsleigh team-mate Lamin Deen and Paralympic GB medallist Millie Knight to help the nation sleep better and find out why sleep is their hidden secret to success.
      Rutherford turned to the bobsleigh after retiring from the long jump in 2018Credit: ReutersTOP 15 THINGS BRITS DO AS PART OF THEIR SLEEPING ROUTINE

      1. Brush teeth
      2. Change into pyjamas
      3. Wash face
      4. Take off glasses
      5. Set an alarm
      6. Read a book
      7. Start routine at the same time every night
      8. Take makeup off
      9. Prep bedroom
      10. Floss
      11. Have a bath or shower
      12. Listen to music or a podcast
      13. Watch videos on phone
      14. Write a list for the next day
      15. Do stretches

      Meric Pekcan-Butcher, marketing communications manager at Dreams, added: “It’s clear to see that our busy lifestyles have an adverse impact on our sleeping routine, even more so for parents with children.
      “We want to inspire the nation and help everyone to get a good night’s sleep.
      “That’s why we’re delighted to partner with Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford and the amazing Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes to share their exclusive insights and tips on their ‘warm down’ routines.” More