Colors: Yellow Color

Indoor gyms, swimming pools and other indoor sports facilities have seen a cautious return of customers as they reopen their doors for the first time since March. However, it's thought at least a third of public facilities have stayed shut.

The leisure sector has warned it will still struggle because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Gyms that reopen must follow strict hygiene and social distancing measures, such as limiting the number of people using the facility and spacing out equipment.

Facilities should also reduce class sizes and ensure adequate ventilation, according to government guidance issued earlier this month. Outdoor gyms and pools have been open in England since 4 July because there is less risk of catching coronavirus outdoors.

Indoor gyms in Northern Ireland opened earlier this month, but they remain closed in Scotland and Wales. Swim England has published its own guidance for operators on how to reopen indoor pools, including implementing a one-way entry and exit system.

Its chief executive Jane Nickerson said financial problems meant less than 20% of pools will reopen this weekend. The cost of heating the pools and implementing the new guidelines, as well as the reduced footfall and fewer swimming lessons, mean many cannot afford to open, she said.

She also called on the government to give more financial support to struggling pools, saying the money would also help with its plan to tackle obesity. Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed gyms and sports facilities will not reopen in Luton or Blackburn with Darwen due to an increase in coronavirus cases in those areas.

Despite the relaxed rules, industries bodies have warned many facilities could be forced to close amid the pandemic.

Community Leisure UK, the members' association that specialises in representing charitable leisure and culture trusts across England, Scotland and Wales, estimates that 48% of all public leisure facilities face closure, meaning as many as 1,300 could disappear by the end of the year, along with more than 58,000 jobs.

Over 200 athletes have confirmed their entry for the Müller British Athletics Championships with six weeks to go including World Championship silver medallist Shara Proctor and para world champions Stef Reid and Sabrina Fortune.

Following official invites being sent last week, the number of athletes confirmed to compete in Manchester from September 4-5 has surpassed 200 with Proctor and Reid’s appearance setting up a world class women’s long jump with Abigail Irozuru and Jazmin Sawyers having made the decision to star two weeks ago.

Fortune, who added the world F20 shot put title to her European crown last year, will compete once again in an integrated field in the women’s shot put as will five-time Paralympic medallist Dan Greaves in the men’s discus and world record holder in the F41 shot put Kyron Duke in the men’s shot put.

Zak Seddon, Britain’s first finalist in the men’s 3000m steeplechase at a World Championships since 1983, is the latest in a long list of British champions from 2019 confirmed to defend his title with Spencer Thomas, who won a dramatic men’s 800m final last year, among the next wave back to defend his title in Manchester.

Sprint hurdler David King, holder of both the 60m indoor and 110m outdoor titles for the first time in his career, joins Seddon and Thomas aiming to regain their British champion status as does Allan Smith in the men’s high jump after ending a five-year wait for gold last year.

Amelia Strickler will be bidding to add the outdoor crown in the women’s shot put to the indoor success she achieved in Glasgow in February as does Adam Hague in the men’s pole vault.

European champion in 2018 as part of the British men’s 4x100m relay team Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will travel to Manchester while Marc Scott and Chris Baker will look to top the Müller British Athletics Championships podium once again after wins in the 5000m and high jump back in 2018.

Cherry Alexander, Major Events Director at British Athletics, said: “The Müller British Athletics Championships are really starting to take shape with over 200 athletes confirming that they will compete in Manchester in September. We have announced a host of star names over the past two weeks and the latest list is no different and shows that the level of competition will be extremely high.

“It is fantastic to see our best para athletes choosing to compete as part of integrated fields once again and we look forward to more of the same as we countdown over the next six weeks.”

 

A four-dimensional strategy has been unveiled at a major ministerial forum, to help governments sustain the sport sector ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Commonwealth Secretariat’s ‘Data, Digital, Diversify and anti-Discrimination’ strategy will help the sector adapt to the new normal and continue contributing to health and wellbeing, community spirit and economic growth.

The sport industry is expected to experience a recession several times worse than the average sector of any economy, according to a new Commonwealth supported study. Thousands of jobs, livelihoods and social benefits could be at risk.

The ‘data’ pillar provides critical research on COVID-19’s impact on the sport sector to help countries monitor and better target responses.

The ‘digital’ pillar offers a repository of COVID-19-adapted virtual solutions, including training courses and knowledge products, which are reproducible and accessible to all member countries.

The ‘diversify’ pillar contains policy guidelines to modify modes of delivery to get more people active safely and spread investment and resources to grow domestic sport markets. The final pillar includes a call to action to intensify the fight against racism and discrimination in and through sport in the Commonwealth. Supported by the four pillars, the strategy will help governments design, modify and implement resilient sport policies and programmes to tackle the pandemic’s impact on the sector.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “It is clear the sport and physical activity sector demands consideration in the ongoing response to the current pandemic and the preparation for any future outbreaks. It is important then for member countries to take advantage of our suite of new resources, cleverly designed to help them respond to the new COVID reality and create pandemic-resilient sectors and populations.”

The Commonwealth Ministerial Forum on Sport and COVID-19 takes place virtually on 23 July, which will be attended by ministers, senior officials and representatives of sport bodies and regional organisations.

The virtual forum will hear from member countries on how they are responding to and planning to recover from the COVID-19 shocks in the sport sector and ensure the Secretariat’s work is finely tuned to their existing and emerging needs.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage, Amina Mohamed, will chair the virtual forum. She said: “Today, we find ourselves in an unprecedented global health crisis, which has touched almost every corner of the world and our lives, including our mobility. I am hoping that through this forum, we can leverage the Commonwealth cooperation and partnership to collectively overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic in the sport sector and beyond.

“Responding to new challenges requires coming up with fresh solutions on the back to existing approaches so this gathering is an important opportunity for Commonwealth countries to share their experiences on what has and what has not worked in tackling COVID-19 disruptions.”

British Athletics can confirm the cancellation of the Müller Grand Prix Gateshead, which was originally rescheduled for 12 September.

A joint statement from Gateshead Council and British Athletics said: "It is with sad news that we announce that the proposed Müller Grand Prix Gateshead due to take place this September, has now been officially cancelled.

“The government measures brought in earlier this year due to COVID-19 have ultimately prevented the progress of the much-needed upgrade of the facilities at the Gateshead International Stadium.

Time has ultimately defeated us to ensure that International athletes can not only compete in a safe manner but can also compete to their full potential using world class facilities.

“We will continue to work together to achieve our ambition of returning International Athletics back to Gateshead next year.” 

Leading British Basketball League team the London Lions have confirmed the addition of five-year NBA veteran DeAndre Liggins to their 2020-21 squad.

The 6’7” forward/guard last played in the NBA during the 2018 Play-Offs as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, but also played 64 games for Cleveland Cavaliers and had his longest stay with the Miami Heat and their G-League affiliate, Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Achievements include being the G-League Champion in 2016 also an All-Star and two-time G-League Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and 2016.

Liggins appeared in 34 games (33 starts) for Sioux Falls during its 2016 championship season and averaged 13.0 points, 7.0 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 2.06 steals per game.

2018-19 saw the Kentucky Wildcats graduate play in 25 G-League games – including 21 starts – Liggins averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

“I am very excited to join such a winning and upcoming organisation,” said Liggins. “My competitive edge and winning mentality will certainly be effective immediately in the London Lions’ organisation. I’m excited and can’t wait.”

Lions Head Coach, Vince Macaulay added, “This is a great opportunity for us all in British Basketball. Deandre is an unbelievable hard worker, we wanted someone that would nullify the highest of European talent and we think we have him.

“His experience, his team ethos will no doubt spread into our team and I’m delighted we could sign him and I’m sure all our fans will take him to their hearts.”

Fans will get to see the team for the first time on 15 September, with Lions taking on Neptunas Klaipeda in a Basketball Champions League qualifier.

 

The world of sport has been severely disrupted by Covid-19, with headlines highlighting everything from cancelled events and empty stadiums, to athlete health and spectator safety. But the pandemic has also had a huge knock-on effect on businesses that support the sport industry - and nowhere is that more apparent than around the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The Games, originally due to start today, Friday, have been delayed until summer 2021, affecting UK firms who had been fortunate enough to win work.

British companies were set to provide parts for water sport courses, ambulances for horses, power generators, and Olympic venue construction - not to mention softer services such as sponsorship expertise. Two of the bigger affected firms are ES Global and Aggreko Events Services.

Glasgow-based Aggreko is the only British firm among the 66 official Tokyo Olympic partners and sponsors, and has been part of the Games since Seoul 1988, providing generators. Its initial Tokyo contract value was around $200m (£158m) and Aggreko said earlier this year it expected that to increase to around $250m. It has received more than $100m in payments so far, as the Japanese hosts continue to deliver scheduled instalments.

Robert Wells is the managing director of Aggreko Events Services.
"A postponement is much better than a cancellation," he says. "At the moment we are in detailed conversations with the Games' organising committee. There is a huge logistics operation to reschedule things." He said Aggreko was now removing generating equipment it had already installed in some Olympic venues.

They will go back to Aggreko's facility in Tokyo, stored, and tested to make sure they are ready for next year.

"Clearly there will be a cost of delay," Mr Wells adds. "But we can't quantify that at the moment. We are talking continuously with the organising committee about what it may be."

As well as generators Aggreko is also supplying the likes of electrical distribution, power cabling, as well as battery storage units to support electricity from existing Japanese power grids. The firm will be employing a multi-national team of some 500-plus staff and contractors in the run up to the Games, and more than 300 during the event. Meanwhile, London-based ESG will build and dismantle temporary venues for six events: triathlon, shooting, golf, tennis, rowing and hockey.

"Although organisers have made statements that the Games are only postponed, there are contradictory statements coming out at a lower political level - there is a certain level of uncertainty," says Olly Watts, joint chief executive of ESG. "It has been made clear there are circumstances under which the Games could be cancelled, depending on how the virus continues in Japan and worldwide.

"Our existing contract has cover for any Games cancellation."

He says the firm is waiting to see if the Tokyo organisers are going to come up with new contracts, now the event is taking place in 2021.

"Any changes will be slow to filter down," he says. "With regard to our existing contracts, my feeling is they will be honoured."

ESG had started installing venues, for example, 99% of the shooting venue was in place when the Games were called off in March. The others all had equipment on site and were ready to erect.

Shooting is largely being left up. With the others, all equipment is being stored on site.
Olympic Games organisers say they are renegotiating existing contracts "for example, with regards to fulfilment periods and delivery dates" and are also "newly procuring other items that will be required".

It is not just big-name firms who have been affected by the postponement.
Smaller UK firms are hoping to showcase their expertise to the Japanese and wider sporting world.

Newmarket-based Equisave designs and manufactures horse ambulances. For founder Bill Fellowes, who started the business in 2000, this will be his third Olympics after London 2012 and Rio 2016.

His ambulances are manufactured in the UK and the firm provides them to 17 British racecourses and the Middle East.

"For Tokyo these will be our first trailers to have air-conditioning because of the temperatures there," he says.

Equisave is providing six vehicles, with two non-air conditioned vehicles already shipped for test events in Japan last year, and the four high-tech ambulances set to follow.

"My contract originally said to ship the remaining items in April but the Games were cancelled before then. In my line of work it is financially feast or famine, and we couldn't afford to sit on the ambulances for a year.

"So we came to an arrangement. As long as the Games organisers would pay for the cost of the ambulances in full - which they have done - we will store them here in the UK free for them."

The remaining ambulances will now be shipped next year. Despite the uncertainty, one small UK firm is well ahead of the game on Olympic installations.

Cumbria-based RapidBlocs makes large blocks to be used in the canoe slalom event. Its equipment has been installed into the concrete course in central Tokyo's Kasai Rinkai Park.

Company founder Andy Laird says large blocks - made from polyethylene and steel - are put onto the concrete base of a canoe course. The blocks then "sculpt" the direction and flow of water. Mr Laird says work was finished a year ago.

"We are all paid for. We made it, shipped it, and then installed. The trial event has been held and the course was great."

As well as Tokyo 2020, he has also already installed the canoe slalom course for the 2024 Games in Paris.

"We completed that in May 2019," he says. "We are done and dusted for the next two Olympics. That is four Olympics we have supplied now."

Away from infrastructure, Len Olender is from True Gold Communications, an agency that helps sponsors and sports bodies with their Olympic marketing programmes. He has previously worked with the likes of Samsung, Coca-Cola, Fujitsu and NTT.

Now on his 14th winter and summer games, he has been helping the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC).

"We had secured a wonderful plaza at Tokyo harbour for our showcase Oceania Village in partnership with the city of Tokyo," he says. But the postponement means it is not known if the site will be available next year.

It is hoped that the project will pick up again early next year, but Mr Olender does not know if there will be funding to restart it. However, he says there is a potential silver lining to the Olympics' delay.

Games partners will have the opportunity to activate their sponsor programmes in a different way, taking account of things like social distancing and AI technology - which could create opportunities.

Also, Tokyo 2021 organisers might want to sell the Games as part of the global "rebirth" of the sporting world after coronavirus.

"This could mean heightened interest to be on the Olympic bandwagon, and hence more opportunities for marketing agencies, and sponsorship experts."

India will not travel to England for the proposed women's tri-series because of coronavirus restrictions.

They were originally due to tour in June and July but those matches were postponed. And with South Africa due to arrive later in the summer, it had been hoped the three sides would play a tri-series, but the rising number of cases in India mean they will not be able to travel. It is understood England will try to extend the series against the Proteas and will no longer be hosting India later this summer, after the visitors pulled out of a proposed tri-series due to coronavirus.

The T20 World Cup runners-up had initially been scheduled to tour in June, but lockdown restrictions saw the matches postponed. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had hoped that it could instead arrange for India to take part in a tri-series along with South Africa later this summer, but the country's Covid-19 crisis has meant they will be unable to commit. India has reported 1.1 million cases of the infection, and scheduled flights to the UK are currently suspended.

England's squad returned to training, following three months out of action after their World Cup semi-final exit and it is understands that the ECB is pushing to potentially extend England's run of fixtures against South Africa, originally scheduled as two T20s and four one-day internationals, in order to get as much play as possible. Dates for the series have not been confirmed but are expected to be announced for late August at the earliest.

Coronavirus has ravaged what was expected to be an exciting summer for women's cricket this year. The Hundred competition, which would have seen women's domestic cricket aired on terrestrial television and players receive salaries, was a major casualty to the crisis after it was cancelled since March. The ECB, however, reiterated its commitment to the women's domestic game and 25 players were awarded retainers, in a step towards offering professional status to those outside the England squad.

Full-time contracts, which will be a step up from the retainers, are expected to be allocated later this year. Also, details about the new elite domestic competition for later this summer - comprising the new regional teams made up from county groupings - are likely to soon be announced.

 

The men's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia later this year, has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The tournament was due to take place between 18 October and 15 November. An edition will be held in October and November 2021 and another in 2022.

ICC (International Cricket Council) chief executive Manu Sawhney "The decision gives us the best possible opportunity of delivering two safe and successful T20 World Cups.

"Our members now have the clarity they need around event windows to enable them to reschedule lost bilateral and domestic cricket."

It has not been announced whether the 2021 tournament will be held in India as planned, and the 2022 competition in Australia, or the Australia edition will be moved to 2021 and India to 2022.

The ICC also announced that the 2023 50-over men's World Cup in India will move from February and March to October and November. It says it will "continue to evaluate" the situation before deciding on the 2021 Women's World Cup in New Zealand in February, with planning continuing as scheduled.

The men's 2021 T20 tournament will finish on 14 November and England are set to start their Ashes tour of Australia later that month. Melbourne, which was scheduled to host seven games including the final, went back into a six-week lockdown on 9 July after a spike in coronavirus infections.

All travellers entering Australia currently need to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

Test cricket returned in England on 8 July with all the players and people involved in the game in a bio-secure bubble but the ICC deemed that unworkable with 12 different nations involved. England are playing a three-Test series against West Indies - who arrived in England four weeks prior to the first Test in Southampton to meet isolation restrictions - before playing series against Ireland and Pakistan in late July and August.

They are also hoping to play a limited-overs series in September against Australia, who named a preliminary 26-player squad last week in a "positive albeit not definitive step".

The postponement means the Indian Premier League, which was due to start on 29 March, may take place in the vacant window later this year, while England's tour of Sri Lanka that was called off in March may also be rearranged.

The next Women's T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in South Africa in 2022.
Australia won the 2020 edition in one of the last major sporting events before lockdown.
Top of Form

It has been declared that four matches will be played each day during the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA has announced.

The group games will be played over a 12-day period, with matches not being assigned to particular venues until after the finals draw in March 2022. Kick-off times for the first two rounds of games will be 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm local time with the eight stadiums all within a 40-mile radius of each other.

It means that supporters there could go to two games on the same day, which, in turn, means:

For all but three games there will be a three-day rest period in between
There will also be no need for teams, supporters or media to spend time flying or taking long rail or road journeys between matches
Kick-off times in the final round of group games and knockout round matches will be at 6pm and 10pm local time

Local time will be three hours ahead of UK time during the tournament, which will take place in November and December 2022.

The tournament's opening match will be played at the 60,000-seater Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor on Monday, 21 November in a game which will feature hosts Qatar. The final venue is the 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium in Doha on Sunday, 18 December at 15:00 GMT.

A start date is yet to be announced for the European section of World Cup qualification. The qualifying draw is scheduled for 1 December, but it is not yet known whether that will go ahead as planned.

The FIFA World Cup matches will be broadcast, Qatar 2022 on television, radio and online.
Top of Form

Birmingham 2022 has launched a competition to find a child to design the official mascot for the 2020 Commonwealth Games.

Open between the ages of five and 15 from across the country, children have to create a mascot for the Games, with the winner to be given tickets for the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony.

Participate in the ‘Mascot Maker’ competition will be tasked to design a mascot which "reflects the identity, heritage, and culture of the West Midlands, and embodies everything the region stands for: youthfulness, diversity, dynamism and creativity" with entries to be judged by a panel that includes English athletes such as squash player Sarah-Jane Perry, Para track and field competitor Katrina Hart and weightlifter Sarah Davies with the designs submitted as part of the competition to be drawn, painted or a collage.

The mascot is due to be revealed later this year.
The launch of the competition follows the staging of the ‘Virtual Mascot Summit’, which saw children from across Birmingham and the West Midlands take part in various tasks to help develop what the mascot looks like, as well as what its characteristics, values and movements should be.

Commonwealth Games England President and Olympic heptathlon gold medallist Denise Lewis, champion at Sydney 2000, Commonwealth Games gymnastics gold medallist Dominick Cummingham and television presenter Radzi Chinyanganya are among the decision making team.

Birmingham 2022 chief executive Ian Reid said: "Birmingham 2022 will embrace and champion youth, diversity, humanity and pride in the region and the Commonwealth, and we’re thrilled to invite children across the UK to create our mascot. The Games will be a true celebration of world-class sport and culture and aims to leave a lasting positive impact. 

"Our mascot will become an international icon for the Games, and this is a great opportunity for children, parents and teachers nationwide to take part to help us welcome the world to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games."

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive David Grevemberg said the start of the mascot design competition was an "exciting moment" for organisers.

He added: "There have been some truly iconic Commonwealth Games mascots including at our most recent events with Glasgow 2014 featuring Clyde, the patriotic and adventurous thistle, and Gold Coast 2018 showcasing Borobi the koala, who is now working hard in Australia as an indigenous language champion.

"I have no doubt that children across the UK will create a fantastic Commonwealth sport ambassador for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games."

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are due to be held from July 27 to August 7.

Aston Villa Women have confirmed the signing of Diana Silva from Sporting CP. The 25-year-old becomes Gemma Davies' third summer signing following the arrivals of Chloe Arthur and Anita Asante earlier in the window. The length of the contract hasn't been disclosed, nor has a fee been mentioned.

Silva has long been regarded as one of the brightest talents in her native Portugal. Silva began her career at Atlético Ouriense as a child. Initially part of their boy's team she was promoted straight to the women's first team as a 13-year-old as the club didn't have any women's youth teams. She impressed with her hometown club, scoring 89 league goals across her spell there.

She spent six years at Ouriense before moving to Clube de Albergaria for the 2015-16 season. An impressive season, scoring 19 goals in 24 games, attracted the attention of Sporting CP.

Following the reformation of their women's team after two decades without one, they were keen to make Silva their marquee signing.

She spent four years in the Portuguese capital, firing the Lionesses to consecutive league titles in her first two seasons. These took her total medal count to four after collecting two league titles with Ouriense in 2012-13 and 2013-14 as well as having an equally glittering career in the Portuguese Women's Cup. She has won a remarkable three doubles, twice with Sporting and once with Ouriense in 2013-14.

With experience in the UEFA Women's Champions League as well as with the Portuguese national team - already winning 58 caps after making her international bow aged just 16 - she also formed part of the Portugal squad at Euro 2017.

On the Aston Villa's website, Silva said her main motivation for moving to England was the new challenge: "I wanted to take a new step in my career and do something different.

"I've never been out of Portugal, so it's a big step for me. I achieved a couple of championships with Sporting and I hope to conquer more here."

The signings of Silva, Arthur and Asante are major statements of intent by Villa who are looking to make waves in their debut season in the Women's Super League.

The Washington Redskins American football team has said it will retire its name, long criticised as racist.

In a statement, the team said it would "be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of a review" demanded by its sponsors. Its major sponsors recently threatened to pull funding from the NFL team unless it considered renaming itself.

The Washington DC-based team has faced years of pressure over a name seen as offensive to Native Americans. Team owner Dan Snyder had been a boyhood fan of the 87-year-old team - which was named the Redskins in 1933 when it was still based in Boston - and had vowed to never change its moniker.

But amid protests over police brutality and racism, major sponsors FedEx, Nike, Pepsi and Bank of America all called on Mr Snyder to consider finally changing the name

Amazon, Walmart and Target, Nike and other retail stores removed team merchandise from their websites. ESPN also said it would stop using the team logo, which depicts a Native American man.

The announcement does not immediately change the name of the team, and a new one must be chosen before the 2020 season begins in September. The team's official website maintains the current team name, as does the team's official Twitter handle. Some names that have been suggested as replacements include the Washington Senators, the Washington Warriors and the Washington Red Tails.

The NFL team is not the first Washington DC sports franchise to change it name amid shifting cultural attitudes.

In 1995, the NBA's Washington Bullets were renamed the Wizards after the team owner said he had become uncomfortable with the name's violent overtones. The Redskins moved to Washington DC in 1937 and was founded by businessman George Preston Marshall, who believed in racial segregation.

They were the last team to allow black players onto the team, and only did so after the government threatened to revoke the lease on their stadium in 1962.

A statue of Marshall was removed from the stadium's grounds after it was vandalised. The stadium has also said they will remove his name from the Ring of Fame, a level of the stadium that highlights contributions made by certain individuals to the team's history.

Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and founder of the Change the Mascot campaign, which advocated for the name change, praised Monday's announcement.

"This is a good decision for the country - not just Native peoples - since it closes a painful chapter of denigration and disrespect toward Native Americans and other people of colour," he said in a statement. Future generations of Native youth will no longer be subjected to this offensive and harmful slur every Sunday during football season."

"About time," tweeted New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland, one of the only Native

American women in Congress. "It shouldn't take a huge social movement & pressure from corporate sponsors to do the right thing, but I'm glad this is happening," she continued. "Huge thanks to everyone who made their voices heard."

Activists say the Washington team name has long been the most offensive, amid other names that also invoke Native American stereotypes. The Atlanta Braves, Chicago Blackhawks and Kansas City Chiefs are also team names that some activists hope will change as the US undertakes a racial reckoning after the death of George Floyd in police custody.

The Cleveland Indians announced a review of their team name only hours after the Redskins did so earlier this month.

"Today is a day for all Native people to celebrate," said the National Congress of the American Indian, the largest and oldest Native American rights organisation. We thank the generations of tribal nations, leaders, and activists who worked for decades to make this day possible," the group's statement continued, adding: "We are not mascots."

 

Lewis Hamilton cruised to a comfortable victory in the Styrian Grand Prix after the World Champion led the majority of drivers in taking the knee ahead of the race - and then raised his fist in a Black Power salute twice after the race, as he stood on the front of his car with his helmet still on, and again on the podium.

The Mercedes driver led from pole as team-mate Valtteri Bottas overtook Red Bull's Max Verstappen late on for second. The Ferraris retired early after colliding with each other on lap one.

His first victory of the year was founded on a stupendous performance in wet qualifying, in which he took pole by more than 1.2 seconds.

A handful of drivers were not present for the moment ahead of the playing of the Styrian regional anthem, but all who were wore ‘end racism’ T-shirts other than Hamilton's, whose said ‘Black Lives Matter’.

Of those who were there, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Kimi Raikkonen and Daniil Kvyat chose not to kneel.

With his statesman-like presence coming to the fore throughout the Styrian GP, Hamilton, who has pledged to continue the fight against racism this year in parallel with his quest for a record-equalling seventh world title, was in total control of the race from the start.

The likes of McLaren and Renault said before the race that they were concerned about the pace of Racing Point, and their worries were well founded, with Renault launching a protest at the end of the race.

The six-time world champion converted his pole position into a lead at the first corner, survived an early safety car period following a collision between the two Ferrari drivers, and never looked back.

The fight was all behind him, as Mercedes sought to get Bottas ahead of Verstappen.
The Finn had qualified fourth in the rain, 1.4secs slower than Hamilton, passed McLaren's Carlos Sainz by lap six, but was not able to make much progress towards the Red Bull.
When Red Bull made Verstappen's pit stop for fresh tyres on lap 24, Hamilton was brought in three laps later, while Bottas was left out 10 laps longer than the Dutchman.
The aim was to give him a tyre off-set and greater pace at the end of the race.
And it worked. Bottas crept up on Verstappen and was with him with five laps to go.
Bottas looked to have the move down on the straight towards Turn Four on lap 66, but Verstappen fought back around the outside of the corner and held on to the place.
But his valiant defence lasted only another lap before Bottas was able to storm past to complete a Mercedes one-two.
He retains the championship lead over Hamilton, but it is now down to eight points.

Ferrari had worked flat out to bring upgrades to their car ahead of this race, after showing a dismal pace the week before.
But they did not have the effect they had hoped and the cars could qualify only 10th and 11th. Leclerc started a further three places back after a three-place grid penalty for blocking in qualifying.
But things got much worse in the race. Leclerc made an over-ambitious move up the inside of Turn Three on the first lap as Vettel was hemmed in on the outside and the two cars collided.
Vettel's rear wing was torn off and Leclerc suffered floor damage and both had to retire.
Sergio Perez in particular and Racing Point in general did not have a good day in the wet in qualifying, with the Mexican down in 17th on the grid, but the so-called 'Pink Mercedes' was soon making up ground.
Perez picked off driver after driver in a car that has drawn criticisms because of its likeness to last year's Mercedes - which Racing Point admit they have copied - until he was up into the top six after the pit stops.
He passed Daniel Ricciardo's Renault on lap 48, with just over 20 to go, and set off after Alexander Albon.
Perez was soon with Albon, but while the Anglo-Thai had been having an unremarkable race in the second Red Bull, he picked up his pace and was able to hold Perez back.
The Mexican finally made a bid for the position with two laps to go but came to grief as he tried to pass at Turn Four in a mirror of the collision between Hamilton and Albon at the same point last week.
Perez was alongside Albon, on the inside, but the Red Bull driver tried to hang on around the outside of the turn and tagged Perez's front wing on the exit.
Perez limped around the remaining two laps, but was passed by McLaren's Lando Norris for fifth at the final two corners of the last lap.
Their scrap was part of a hectic midfield battle in the closing laps, as Norris took advantage of Perez's team-mate Lance Stroll racing with Renault's Daniel Ricciardo for seventh and McLaren's Carlos Sainz, who qualified a brilliant third, faded in the race to finish ninth.

Lewis Hamilton's statesman-like presence comes to the fore after Styrian GP

 

 

Several Great Britain and Northern Ireland stars have confirmed their participation at the Müller British Athletics Championships which will take place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th September.

Among those athletes who have committed to the Championships to date are eight finalists from the 2019 World Athletics Championships and six reigning British outdoor champions.

European indoor silver medallist and seven-time British outdoor champion Holly Bradshaw will make a return to action in the women’s pole vault. World finalist and reigning British champion Abigail Irozuru will take on 2016 European silver medallist Jazmin Sawyers in the women’s long jump.

Jodie Williams claimed the 200m title in 2019 and is among the entries for the Championships, while Laviai Nielsen claimed her first British title over 400m last August and will be seeking a defence of her title in September. In the endurance events, after a seventh-place finish in the 20km race walk at the world championship last year, Tom Bosworth will take on the 5000m race walk.

World 5000m finalists Eilish McColgan and Laura Weightman will also be in action. The Scottish athlete is a three-time British gold medallist outdoors, while the Morpeth athlete is a four-time national champion over 1500m, and she also sealed bronze over the 5000m distance last year.

Jake Wightman - fifth in the men’s 1500m at the 2019 World Athletics Championships - is ready for a tilt at his first outdoor British title following two silvers and a bronze medal since 2016. Other athletes confirmed are Trafford’s Naomi Ogbeta who will make the short journey to the Manchester Regional Arena for the women’s triple jump, while European indoor pentathlon silver medallist Niamh Emerson and last year’s 400m hurdles bronze medallist Chris McAlister also join the entry list.

Cherry Alexander, Major Events Director at British Athletics, added: “At last, I am delighted to commence the announcements of athletes who will be competing at the Müller British Athletics Championships in September at the Manchester Regional Arena. There has been a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes to make the organisation and delivery of this event possible. We are delighted to be welcoming our world class athletes back to competition in Manchester.

“These are unprecedented times so the Championships will have a different feel to them this year, but we will do everything possible to make this a special event for the athletes and coaches, and the fans watching on the BBC.”

With the championships being broadcast live on Friday night on BBC2, and Saturday, afternoon on BBC1, Britain’s best athletes will be lining up to provide athletics fans with their fix of the country’s favourite Olympic and Paralympic sport.

The format and shape of the competition and guidelines that will be adhered to for competitors and those helping to stage the championship will be subject to the government guidelines in place and will be communicated in due course.

 

England World Cup winner and ex-Republic of Ireland boss Jack Charlton dies

Jack Charlton, a World Cup winner with England and former Republic of Ireland boss, has died.

The former Leeds defender had been diagnosed with lymphoma in the last year and also had dementia.

One of English football's most popular characters, he was in the team that won the World Cup at Wembley in 1966, alongside his brother Bobby.

He made a record number of appearances for Leeds and achieved unprecedented success with the Republic of Ireland.

A family statement read: "Jack died peacefully on Friday, July 10 at the age of 85. He was at home in Northumberland, with his family by his side.

"As well as a friend to many, he was a much-adored husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

"We cannot express how proud we are of the extraordinary life he led and the pleasure he brought to so many people in different countries and from all walks of life.

"He was a thoroughly honest, kind, funny and genuine man who always had time for people.

"His loss will leave a huge hole in all our lives but we are thankful for a lifetime of happy memories."

Charlton had spells in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

He led the Republic of Ireland to their first major finals at Euro 88 and the World Cup quarter-finals at Italia 90.

Leeds United, where he spent his entire 21-year playing career and made a joint club record 773 appearances before retiring as a player in 1973, said the club was "deeply saddened".

Charlton, part of the Leeds side that won the 1969 League title and the 1972 FA Cup, is the third club legend and former England international to die this year after Norman Hunter and Trevor Cherry.

He was 85.

After three successful seasons, Leicester Riders have confirmed this morning that they will be without the services of Rema Lascelles next season as he ends his professional basketball career to take up a new challenge.

“I’d like to thank both Rob and Russell for giving me an opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level this country has to offer,” said Rema.

“I loved my time at the Riders. From competing with some amazingly talented players day in day out to travelling the country and Europe showcasing our own skills, including playing in front of 15k people at the O2. I have made some lifelong memories and friends.

“I felt like it was the right time to end my pro career and to take steps into the next chapter in my life. My girlfriend and I are starting a family together and I am embarking on a career which I am hopeful can provide the same amount of enjoyment and fulfilment from that I got from basketball.”

Rema clocked up 87 appearances for the Riders including two treble winning seasons and the FIBA Europe adventure.

“We are all happy for Rema and wish him well for the future,” reflected Head Coach Rob Paternostro. “He was a winning player with the club and was an important part of some very good teams.

“He was a very unique player, he had great size at the point guard position and did a great job passing the ball and running the offence and was always a guy that teammates enjoyed playing with.”

Managing Director Russell Levenston added, “We wish Rema all the best with his career. He has been a tremendous asset for our club over the past three seasons and really contributed to the success of our team.

“We are really proud of him, and although we’ll miss him at the Arena, he goes with our blessing and good wishes.”