Feeling all at sea about New Year's resolutions? No fear! Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. That's the advice of Gold Coast super fish turned health coach Karla Gilbert. Unrivalled in the surf, Australia's most decorated Ironwoman – holding two world titles, three national championships and seven series crowns, alongside four stand-up paddle (SUP) Australian titles – has always found health, fitness and happiness in her own back yard.

Born and raised on the Gold Coast – a destination famed for 57km of coastline, set to shine this April as the most iconic beach backdrop in Commonwealth Games history – Karla is a believer in the power of the ocean and nature as the ultimate leveler. Swimming in it, she says, might just change your life. Read Karla Gilbert's tips on why ocean swimming is the perfect exercise for body and mind.

New Year. New You? Yo! Kickin' it!

To celebrate summer, join a community of the world's happiest people (yes, studies prove it) by diving into one of the fastest growing recreational sports on the planet: ocean swimming. An activity that can reportedly help you live longer, look younger, burn more calories than running and football and even boost your IQ!

The 2022 Commonwealth Games have been confirmed as being held in Birmingham.

The Second City was the only bid submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation by the deadline set, and although the bidding process was problematic, with South African city Durban being awarded the games back in 2015 before having it taken away for not meeting criteria, and no further bids were made, the city will now be hosting the most expensive sports event in Britain since the Olympics in London in 2012.

There are plans to build the largest permanent athletics stadium in the UK, as well as purchase land in Perry Barr for the athletes' village.

CGF President Louise Martin CBE said: “We warmly congratulate Birmingham and England on today’s announcement – it is a defining moment for this truly Commonwealth city. With its rich history, cultural diversity, youthful dynamism and ambitious spirit, Birmingham embodies all that we cherish about the Commonwealth, and so the Commonwealth Sports Movement looks forward to collaborating with all the Games partners to showcase the city’s humanity and pride to a global audience over the coming months and years.

“The vast majority of the Games venues are in place, and with extensive experience in the UK of hosting successful major events – including Manchester 2002, London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 – the CGF looks forward to a truly spectacular Games that delivers not only for the 2.4 billion citizens across the Commonwealth but the wider world, too. Today is a fantastic day for Birmingham, global Britain and our resurgent Commonwealth Sports Movement.”

Congratulations to everyone involved in the bid, and congratulations Birmingham! As a proud newspaper of both Birmingham and the Commonwealth, we have been connecting communities and championing the Commonwealth for the last 7 years. We are more than proud that finally the message is loud and clear that we are ONE community under the banner of The Commonwealth, celebrating

British sprint star Sophie Kamlish will compete for the first time since winning world T44 100m gold when the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow heads to the Emirates Arena on Sunday 25 February 2018.

Ranked as the number one indoor athletics meeting in the world, the Müller Indoor Grand Prix returns to Scotland having been held in Glasgow for the first time in 2016 as the city alternates hosting with Birmingham up to 2020.

Coming off the best year to date following another world record break and a first global title at the World Para Athletics Championships in London, Kamlish will join a host of British stars in competing in Scotland for the very first time when she races over 60m on February 25.

Speaking on competing in Glasgow on Feb 25, Kamlish said:

“It’s hugely exciting to be a part of the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow – racing indoors brings a different dynamic with the crowd so close, and I can’t wait to get out there and compete come February 25.

On her expectation of the event and the race itself, the 21-year-old added:

“The likes of Sammi (Kinghorn) and Maria (Lyle) talk so passionately about Scotland and the athletics fans up there, so to be able to compete at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow is a great opportunity. Hopefully I can put in a great performance for the crowd at the Emirates Arena.

“I know the field I’ll be up against will be a tough one – domestically Laura Sugar is always a threat and I’ll expect nothing less if she is there, while there are some seriously quick girls from across the world, so it’s sure to be both a fast and entertaining race.

British Athletics’ Major Event Director, Cherry Alexander said:

“To be able to showcase Para athletics stars within our events is hugely important – stretching back to 2012 we know that interest levels from the public are through the roof, and I’m sure the two Para races taking place in Glasgow will contribute to a continuous growth in interest too.

“Sophie was one of several stars on the British team at the World Para Athletics Championships in London. In London she used the home crowd to her advantage, and I imagine we may well see something special when she takes to the start line on February 25.”

The Müller Grand Prix Glasgow is the final of the prestigious IAAF World Indoor Tour, with wildcards for the IAAF World Indoor Championships available to athletes who have not already qualified to compete for their nation.

British long jumper Greg Rutherford returned to his childhood town of Milton Keynes to judge year four pupils at Summerfield Primary School who took part in a jumping-themed relay competition in their finest winter-woollies in aid of Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 15^th December.

Ahead of the ‘Jumping in Jumpers’ relay, the Olympic gold-winner took part in the school’s first-ever sports assembly where he awarded eight pupils special sporting awards for their performance during the year. Greg gave an inspiring talk about his journey to becoming an athlete and his experiences along the way before answering questions from the group of young aspiring sportsmen and women.

The MBE-titled British athlete gave his top tips to the eight and nine year olds on how to jump the highest and the longest distances before the whistle blew to commence the ‘Jumping in Jumpers’ competition. The relay saw five teams compete in a special Christmas themed jumping relay which included a sack race, bauble and spoon race, long jump and obstacle course.

Just as the Olympian had swapped his kit for a knit, all the children wore their most festive and best Christmas jumpers to participate in the competition. Greg awarded 3 prizes to the ‘winning team’, ‘best sports personality’ and ‘best jumper’ for the pupil wearing the wackiest woolly.

Greg Rutherford Olympic long jumper said: “I’ve always admired the work Save the Children does around the world so leapt at the chance to support the charity’s Christmas Jumper Day. It’s been an honour to return to my old hometown to talk to aspiring young athletes and judge Summerfield School’s ‘Jumping in Jumpers’ competition. There were some amazing jumpers – both knits and performers – so selecting winners was tough!”

“Like these students, I urge you all to jump into action and take part in Christmas Jumper Day tomorrow. All you have to do is donate £2 to help the world’s most vulnerable children.”

Laura Reynolds, Sports Coordinator at Summerfield Primary School said: “We were absolutely thrilled when we found out that Greg Rutherford, Olympic gold medallist was coming to Summerfield. We are proud of our sporting achievements and to have an Olympian at our first ever sports assembly, presenting our sporting awards and judging the ‘Jumping in Jumpers’ ‘relay, has made it an experience the children will never forget.”

This year, Save the Children’s annual Christmas Jumper Day is taking place tomorrow, Friday 15th December. Flashing, festive knits will be sweeping the nation once again as schools, homes and offices across the country will be ditching their day-to-day dress and donning their daftest, most wonderful woollies for the annual fundraiser.

From knits festooned in jingling bells to jumpers covered in lights, shiny neon tinsel and technicoloured baubles, Save the Children is expecting over 5 million people across the UK to take part in the biggest, silliest Christmas Jumper Day ever and it’s not too late to sign up! Whether it’s with Christmassy colleagues, sparkly school friends or just you and your merry mates, by sticking on a fabulously festive knit, signing up and donating £2 to Save the Children (£1 if you’re at school) at christmasjumperday.org, you will be helping the charity do whatever it takes to make sure the world’s forgotten children get the chance to have a brighter future.

Helena Wiltshire, Head of PR at Save the Children said: “All money raised through wacky woolly-wearing could help give a child living in a refugee camp clothes to keep them warm through winter, help us buy nutritious food for their entire family, or set up a safe space to give children the chance to be children again. Together, we’re can make the world better in our Christmas sweaters.”

As well as Greg Rutherford, this year, a range of celebrities have co-knitted to Christmas Jumper Day, including Nick Grimshaw, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Kate Thornton, Michelle Heaton, Peter Andre, Linda Robson, Keith Lemon, Fearne Cotton, Amanda Holden, Myleene Klass, Holly Willoughby, James Blunt, Julie Walters, Jon Snow, Alan Cumming, Ruth & Eamonn and Kate Garraway, who have all popped on a festive pullover to mark their support for the campaign.

To get involved simply pop your sweater on, get everyone together on December 15th head to christmasjumperday.org to sign up for your free fundraising pack.

Olympic and world finalist Andrew Butchart (coach: Terrance Mahon, club: Central AC) has identified the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow as his first major outing of 2018 and is relishing the chance to compete at the Emirates Arena on Sunday 25 February.

Ranked as the number one indoor athletics meeting in the world, the Müller Indoor Grand Prix returns to Scotland having been held in Glasgow for the first time in 2016 as the city alternates hosting with Birmingham up to 2020.

Joining a stellar line-up which includes fellow Scot Eilidh Doyle and three of Britain’s 4x100m world champions, Butchart will race over 3000m at Glasgow’s indoor arena.

Stiff competition to the Olympian will be led by reigning Olympic and world steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto and the USA’s two-time 5000m global medallist Paul Chelimo.

Looking ahead to the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow, Andrew Butchart said:

“2018 will be yet another huge year for me, and to kick it off at the world’s biggest and best grand prix on February 25 will be incredible, especially with it being on home soil and with the crowd in my corner.”

On memories of competing in Glasgow, Butchart added:

“Having competed at the 2016 Grand Prix in Glasgow I know that the noise made by the fans inside the Arena is incredible. With the field I will be up against they play such an important role for me, and I’m determined to kick off my 2018 with a bang on home soil.”

British Athletics’ Major Event Director, Cherry Alexander said:

“Be it on the track or the mud, the way Andrew attacks races and leads from the front makes him exciting to watch. I’ve no doubts that the home support in the Emirates will galvanise him to fight right to the line in what is sure to be a great race against some of the world’s best athletes.

“There is quite rightly a lot of praise being heaped on Scotland’s emerging talents, and Andrew has been at the forefront of that charge in the past two years. Those who buy tickets to come and watch him compete in Glasgow will not be disappointed.”

The Müller Grand Prix Glasgow is the final of the prestigious IAAF World Indoor Tour, with wildcards for the IAAF World Indoor Championships available to athletes who have not already qualified to compete for their nation.

Commonwealth Games England has today revealed its bespoke kit, designed by Kukri Sports, for the next Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast in April 2018.

Kukri will be kitting out England’s largest team to ever represent the nation in an overseas sporting event with over 400 athletes and around 200 officials attending the Games.

Team England’s kit design has been given a modern and fresh re-brand since the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014 with new tones of charcoal grey and neon red added to the traditional red and white of England.

The unique designs were created with the athletes in mind and at the very centre of the process. A number of kit panels were held with representatives and athletes from the 18 different sports that Team England will compete in, sharing their opinions on what they felt would heighten their performance and experience at the Games.

Paul Brown, Team England ambassador and para lawn bowls player, was part of the athlete panel. He said:

“I was sent the colours and designs through and was looking at them picking out the good bits and there were a lot of them. It was a really good process from the start. It’s hard to judge it on paper but when you actually see it in real life it really does look absolutely fantastic as a finished article.

“It’s a lovely kit, I like the colours and it’s really comfortable to wear. If you look good and you feel good then you’re going to be in a good state of mind to head into the Games.”

Over 36,000 items of kit will be produced by the international sportswear brand across 10 manufacturers. An extensive product creation process, has resulted in 259 bespoke product designs, incorporating the unique needs of 18 sports.

Triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic champion in gymnastics, Max Whitlock, said:

“Putting on a kit to represent your country is a huge honour. What I love most about the kit is that you’ve got the big lion representing England in the best way possible.

“When you put on a kit that is so strong and really patriotic and you know that you’re going to go out there feeling like one team, it’s very important. Everyone is going to feel united and part of the team and we will all go out and perform together.”

After extensive planning over a two year period, Kukri has ensured that over 400 elite athletes will be wearing their bespoke sportswear with pride across delegation, competition and ceremonial wear. Team England’s partnership with Kukri clearly underlines their desire to be known as the number one multisport brand.

Sarah Winckless, Chef de Mission at Commonwealth Games England, said:

“The kit creates an identity for the team to draw on - something magical happens when you have over 600 individuals dressed in the same theme, though appropriate for their roles, it joins us and makes us stronger. This is a hugely important and complex project, and I’m very proud to see the hard work that the team has put in coming together in this launch.

“The athletes are always at the heart of what we do at Commonwealth Games England so it has been great to have them as part of the design process through the kit panels. It has been fantastic to be able to take on their feedback so we can produce kit that aligns with what they need in order to perform at their best.”

Andrew Ronnie, Group Executive Chairman of Kukri Sports said:

“Being able to supply bespoke sportswear across multiple sports is an unmissable opportunity for Kukri. Our experience over the last few years in supplying Team England with performance kit and meeting the demands of national athletes has ensured we have a great relationship with them. It’s great to have a shared passion for improving the athlete experience.”

“We pride ourselves on ensuring the Team England athletes look and feel their very best. We feel this will enable them to concentrate on performing to the best of their ability and we can’t wait to see them achieving more gold medals on the podium at the Gold Coast in 2018.”

Specialist swimwear brand Arena Water Instinct designed and produced the aquatics wear for the swimming and diving teams. Representatives from Arena flew over from Italy to be part of the kit panels and to ensure the design was consistent across the whole team.

Arena’s Team England product range blends high quality materials with state-of-the-art technology to maximize performance in both competition and training. Its cutting edge design blends tradition and innovation in a new vision, with a creative fusion of bold colors and touch of gold that catches the eye against the charcoal base.

Team England swimmer and Glasgow 2014 bronze medallist, Ellie Faulkner, said:

“I was lucky enough to see the last Team England kit at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and this is a completely different take on it. It’s so nice and I’m really looking forward to wearing it. We will wear it proud and will be happy to be there and looking to do our best. Wearing the kit is an honour.

“It’s the athletes who are wearing the kit so it’s really important that we’re happy with it. When we’re feeling good we’re going to swim fast and feel the best we can be to do the best we can do.”