Sports News

Shaqir O’Neal, the youngest son of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, has announced that he will be attending Texas Southern University (TSU) – an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in Houston, Texas. By doing so, he joins Master P’s son, Hercy Miller, and the sons of Deion Sanders who have also committed to supporting HBCUs instead of other colleges and universities.

During a recent interview, he commented: “I just wanted to change the narrative of culture and do something new.

“A lot of people are going to follow me. You can expect a lot of buckets. I’m trying to get to the NBA.” Shaqir also says that he is following the lead of his brother, Shareef, who also plays basketball for Louisiana State University, an HBCU located in Baton Rouge.

Texas Southern University possesses an impressive array of more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations, a diverse faculty, 80-plus student organizations, and an extensive alumni network comprised of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage.

The university say they are extremely happy to welcome Shaqir to the basketball team and to the campus.

Five athletes will represent the British team at the 2021 European Race Walking Team Championships in Podebrady, Czech Republic on May 16.

Tom Bosworth (coach: Andi Drake), who was selected for his second Olympic Games earlier this month, will compete in the men’s 20km race walk. The Tonbridge athlete finished fourth at the event back in 2019 as he led Great Britain and Northern Ireland to team silver for the first time.

Enfield and Haringey’s Callum Wilkinson (Rob Heffernan) has been in strong form so far this year and will be seeking to attain the Olympic Games qualifying standard of 1:21.00. The 24-year-old’s personal best stands narrowly outside the standard at 1:21.21, which he set in Lithuania last year.

Cameron Corbishley (Andi Drake) is the third male athlete on the team to race over 20km. The Maidstone and Medway athlete competed over 50km earlier this season, posting a time of 3:54:15.

Heather Lewis (Martin Bell; Pembrokeshire) and Bethan Davies (Andi Drake; Cardiff) – the one-two from the Müller British Athletics 20km Walk Trials at Kew Gardens last month – have been selected for the women’s 20km race.

Lewis sits at the top of the 2021 UK rankings in the event, while Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Davies, is the second fastest Briton ever over the distance.

Team Leader, Andi Drake, said: “It will be great to see these five athletes competing out in Podebrady at the European Race Walking Team Championships. With limited opportunities to compete against the best in Europe over the last year or so, this will be hugely beneficial for these athletes as they prepare for the busy summer ahead.”

The British team for the European Race Walking Team Championships, in Podebrady, Czech Republic are:

Men’s 20km Race Walk: Tom Bosworth, Cameron Corbishley and Callum Wilkinson.

Women’s 20km Race Walk: Bethan Davies, Heather Lewis.

Belgium international and Real Madrid C.F. football player and proud Nissan LEAF owner, Eden Hazard shares his electric experience to inspire more drivers to join him and switch to a 100% electric vehicle.

Father of four, Eden acknowledges his children were a huge driving factor behind his own decision to join the EV revolution. Choosing to drive a LEAF was fuelled by the ambition to secure a cleaner future for his family.

"As a father, I have a duty to my kids to lead by example. There are many positive actions we can make, like choosing an electric vehicle, that will only have a positive impact for the planet, and the people," said Eden Hazard, Nissan global ambassador.

“The biggest benefit of my LEAF is its 100% electric powertrain, it makes me proud to be an EV driver and partner with Nissan to electrify the world together. We all need to make changes today to secure the future of our planet Earth.”

Since experiencing first-hand the positive impact EVs can have on the environment, Eden wants to share his experience in the hope of encouraging more drivers to switch to electric mobility.  

First time experiencing a Nissan LEAF with Formula E racing driver Oliver Rowland for an unforgettable track day last year, Eden was impressed with its acceleration and power. Witnessing the thrilling limits of an EV solidified his own decision to choose an electric vehicle

"There are many things I enjoy about my LEAF. It looks super cool inside and out – the exterior look is sophisticated, the inside feels futuristic and the driving experience is impressive to say the least," continued Eden.  

Eden shares his electric journey in continuation of Nissan's My Life with a Nissan LEAF series, a collaborative collection of user experience stories to raise awareness and enhance motorists' understanding of electric vehicles.

"With Eden's help, it is our goal to inspire people to take positive action for the planet and in 2021, we're continuing to educate drivers on the longer-term impact they can have. Eden is one of over 500,000 LEAF owners who has joined the revolution to #ElectrifyTheWorld and we want that number to continue to rise," said Coralie Musy, Regional Vice President, Brand & Customer Experience, Nissan AMIEO.

“As we enter a second decade of electrification, we are determined to create a more sustainable future for all. We're expanding our electric vehicle offering and have set the goal to achieve carbon neutrality across our company operations and life cycle of our products by 2050 however the support of global role-models is invaluable.”

"The future of mobility is electric and through a concerted effort, we can encourage drivers to make the switch and accelerate the global effort against climate change," continued Coralie.

Eden's video story is the most recent instalment of My Life with a Nissan LEAF series, which showcases real-life testimonials to highlight electric mobility as an enjoyable way of life. To discover his full story visit Nissan Stories.

To discover the benefits electric vehicles provide, visit the online fuel saving calculator and to learn more about Nissan LEAF, visit the Nissan LEAF website.

On the eve of the World Athletics Relays, Rabah Yousif Bhkeit has been named as captain of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team.

The Newham and Essex Beagles athlete is a vastly experienced 4x400m relay medallist, winning two world championship bronze medals during his career, the latest coming on home soil at the World Athletics Championships London 2017. The 34-year-old has been an ever-present member of the relay set-up over the last few years having also been part of two European medal winning teams, claiming silver in 2018 and bronze in 2016.

On his appointment as captain, Yousif Bhkeit said: “It was a mixed emotion. I feel like with the number of teams I have been on and the experience I have had, I might be asked.”

“I bring fighting spirit, leadership, desire, competitiveness and most importantly, I bring experience to the role. I have been doing this sport for a very long time. When I stand with the team, I feel like most of them feel confident and comfortable because I have always been consistent and doing what I do best. I hope I can bring that to the wider team as the captain.”

Tim Benjamin, Head of Long Sprints and Relays added: “Rabah brings a wealth of experience to the team, so I’m delighted to be naming him as captain of the British squad for the 2021 World Athletics Relays.

“He is a great role model who adds real value to the squad. He is an athlete who has experienced the highs and lows of the sport, so he is well-placed to pass on the knowledge that he has learned during his career. He’s been a key figure in the 4x400m relay team in recent years, so he will thrive in this position for the World Relays.”

The qualifying rounds gets underway at 18:00 (BST) today (Saturday 1) with the women’s 4x400m relay, followed by the men’s 4x400m relay at 18:35 and mixed 4x400m relay at 20:20.

The British team for the 2021 World Athletics Relays in Silesia, Poland:

Women: Zoey Clark, Emily Diamond, Yasmin Liverpool, Jessie Knight, Laviai Nielsen, Ama Pipi, Jessica Turner.

Men: Joe Brier, Dwayne Cowan, Charlie Dobson, Kevin Metzger, Efe Okoro, Lee Thompson, James Williams and captain, Rabah Yousif Bkheit.

This year's Twenty20 World Cup could be moved to the United Arab Emirates if India continues to suffer with a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

The tournament is due to begin in October, but the Covid death toll in India has passed 200,000, with at least 300,000 new infections every day in the past week. Last week, India joined the UK's travel red list - effectively banning travel to and from the country. Other countries - including Australia - have also closed their borders to India.

Dhiraj Malhotra, general manager for game development with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said he is hopeful India could still host the T20 World Cup. "I've just been named one of the tournament directors, so I'm doing everything we can to make sure it happens.

"We will be doing normal scenario, and worst-case scenario, so with all that we're talking to the ICC at the moment." Australia will host a T20 World Cup in 2022, postponed from last year due to the pandemic.

When asked whether there is a country earmarked as the contingency, Malhotra said: "It would be the UAE. We're hoping again that it would be done by the BCCI. So, we'll take the tournament there, but it'll still be done by the BCCI." Meanwhile, Malhotra says India's cricket governing body will go with "common sentiment" on whether the Indian Premier League continues.

The IPL - the world's richest Twenty20 league - is currently taking place in India with the final set for 30 May. Australia cricketers Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have withdrawn from the IPL and the tournament has faced calls for a suspension.

Malhotra added: "There's not been any clear implication of any clear directive that it is bad to host the IPL, or good to host the IPL."

Football clubs, players, athletes and a number of sporting bodies have begun a four-day boycott of social media in an attempt to tackle abuse and discrimination on their platforms. It began at 15:00 BST yesterday and will end on Monday at 23:59 BST.

The show of solidarity against online abuse hopes to encourage companies to take a stronger stance against racist and sexist abuse by users. Rugby union, cricket and rugby league have also joined the protest.

The Premier League released a statement prior to the four-day silence, saying it would not stop challenging companies until discriminatory online abuse is removed from our game and wider society.

It said: "We know that a boycott alone will not eradicate this, which is why we will continue to take proactive steps to call for change." A number of players posted a statement shortly before the protest began, while football clubs changed their Twitter feed icons to a blacked-out version of their logo.

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips wrote: "Disappointed that we even have to be doing this. Social media should be a safe space for everyone.

"I really hope main platforms make it a priority to eradicate online abuse from their system. It's already a problem in society, let's do more to stop it online as well." Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out says the boycott "signifies our collective anger", with football being joined by other sports.

Among the organisations boycotting Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are:

·         Football: Clubs from the Premier League, English Football League, Women's Super League, Scottish Professional Football League and Scottish women's football; governing bodies including the Football Association, Scottish FA, Football Association of Wales and Irish Football Association; European governing body Uefa; a number of other football organisations

·         Cricket: The England and Wales Cricket Board, first-class counties, women's regional teams and the Professional Cricketers' Association

·         Netball: The Superleague, England Netball, Netball Players Association

·         Rugby union: England Rugby, Scottish Rugby, Welsh Rugby, France Rugby, Premiership Rugby, clubs and the Rugby Players' Association

·         Rugby league: The Rugby Football League, Super League Europe, Rugby League World Cup 2021 and the Rugby League Players' Association

·         Corporate bodies: Premier League and Women's Super League sponsor Barclays, England sponsor Nationwide, Adidas; broadcasters Sky Sports, BT Sport and Talksport

British Cycling, British Horseracing, Great Britain and England Hockey, and the Lawn Tennis Association are also involved. The Duke of Cambridge, who is president of the FA, has also joined, alongside seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and Williams driver George Russell.

"I am fully supportive of the initiative and if me doing it helps put pressure on those platforms in order to help fight against it then, for sure, I am happy to do so," said Hamilton. "I am really proud to hear there are so many organisations getting involved. I am not sure why Formula 1 is not a part of that."

Formula 1 said it was committed to combatting any form of discrimination, online or otherwise and supports the sporting bodies and athletes involved in the boycott. It is understood Formula 1 is not joining the boycott as it does not experience the same abuse issues on its social media.

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend said players were starting to fight back", adding the boycott would send a warning to these companies that if you don't start regulating your platforms, it's going to be an indefinite blackout. Watford captain Troy Deeney said the social media boycott was a huge step.

He said: "For a long time now we've all been talking about the impact of social media on the younger generation, as well as mental health. I think the huge part about this is it's only four days, it could give people a perspective of what life could be like without a huge amount of sporting stars on social media."

Deeney added: “I receive abuse on a daily basis, which is also aimed at partner and children. That's very difficult for me to read but also not to react," he said. "We have to not react, we're in a privileged position but if we react on a human level, we're the ones who will get held accountable for our reactions."

Former West Ham, Sunderland and QPR defender Anton Ferdinand said it was sad that the fight against online abuse had got to this point, but that football was taking no more of it.

"There should be life bans, because we're talking about people's lives," he said.

"Some people don't get out of the slump they're in after being abused on social media, and that can lead to people harming themselves. We've got to take this very, very seriously."

He also called on the UK government to do more, saying: "Has the energy from the government been the same as what it was when the European Super League was being spoken about? No it hasn't, and that's the disappointing thing.

"When we're talking about pound notes and money involved, that's when people seem to act properly, and seem to act in the right way.

"The government haven't done that when it comes to discrimination on social media platforms, the energy isn't the same and that is one of the reasons why the social media companies aren't really taking heed of what is being said by the footballing bodies."

Burnley captain Ben Mee said he hoped social media companies will take notice. “There's plenty of technology out there that can help stop this abuse online, not just in football, sport, or in everyday general life.

"We need to protect young kids, young adults as well. And growing up with all this social media going on, it needs to be things put in place for these trolls and keyboard warriors to take responsibility for their actions."

Two years ago, a number of footballers took part in the #Enough campaign - a 24-hour social media boycott in protest at online abuse. But players across all sports continue to be subjected to racist abuse, with some clubs contacting police over the level of aggression.

An investigation by the Professional Footballers' Association, the players' union, found 56 abusive posts on Twitter in November 2020. The PFA reported them to the platform but 31 of them are still visible, which the organisation described as absolutely unacceptable.

Manchester United recently revealed their own analysis had found a 350% increase in abuse directed towards the club's players, with 3,300 posts targeting players during the period September 2019 to February 2021. It found 86% of those posts were racist, while 8% were homophobic or transphobic.

Also, Swansea City were joined by Birmingham City and Rangers in turning off their social media accounts for a week to make a stand against abuse. Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry removed himself from social media in March because of racism and bullying across platforms.

A survey of elite British sportswomen found that one third of participants had suffered abuse on social media. Some of football's governing bodies laid out the changes they would like to see in a letter to Facebook and Twitter in February.

The UK government has previously threatened social media companies with large fines, which could amount to billions of pounds if they fail to tackle abuse on their individual platforms. Individuals and football clubs have condemned the abuse, and it has been decided that collective action is the best way to bring about change.

Facebook, which owns Instagram, has said it is committed to tackling abuse on its platforms.

Instagram last week announced a tool to enable users to automatically filter out abusive messages from those they do not follow on the platform.

Twitter released a statement, stating it was resolute in their commitment to ensure the football conversation on our service is safe for fans, players and everyone involved in the game. The company added it had removed more than 7,000 football-related tweets in the UK that violated its rules.

A team of 25 amateur cyclists will begin riding the full 21 stages of the 2021 Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professionals in exactly 50 days. The Tour 21, which takes place from Saturday June 19 – Sunday 11 July, aims to raise in excess of £1,000,000 for national blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia and the team are over halfway to their fundraising total after recently surpassing £600,000.

Cure Leukaemia, which was announced as the first ever official Charity Partner of the Tour de France in the UK for the next three years, recorded a £1,700,000 fundraising shortfall in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and The Tour 21 team, which was increased from 20 to 25 riders after this event’s postponement last summer, aim to help the charity address this shortfall in funding by completing all 3,384km of the world’s most famous and prestigious professional cycling event.

All funds raised by The Tour 21 team will be invested in the national Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP) which has been solely funded by Cure Leukaemia since January 2020. TAP is a network of specialist research nurses at 12 blood cancer centres located in the UK’s biggest cities and a facilitatory hub based at the Centre for Clinical Haematology in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This network enables accelerated setup and delivery of potentially life-saving blood cancer clinical trials to run giving patients from a UK catchment area of over 20 million people access to treatments not currently available through standard care.

With the team progressing towards their £1,000,000 target, two inclusive fundraising opportunities linked to The Tour 21 have been announced today which will enable anyone to get involved, help the team reach their goal and have the chance to win some fantastic prizes:

From Sunday June 6 – users of Strava, globally, will be able to sign up to The Tour 21 Strava Challenge. The Challenge will be to ride the distance of the longest stage of this year’s Tour de France route between June 19 – July 11, a staggering 238km! Strava users can complete it over 3 weeks or do it in a day, giving cyclists of all abilities the chance to get involved across the world.

All who take part will be encouraged to raise £100 for Cure Leukaemia towards the team’s total and all those who fundraise or complete the challenge will be in with the chance of winning some incredible prizes which will be announced on June 6. Tickets are now available to purchase for The Ultimate Cycling Prize Draw with all proceeds going towards The Tour 21 team’s fundraising for Cure Leukaemia.

The raffle win run from 50 days out, up until Friday June 18, the day before the start of The Tour 21 with a prize draw then held daily from June 19-July 11. It costs £21 to enter the raffle and, once entered, people will be automatically included in each of the 21 prize draws.

The top prize is a Pinarello Dogma F12 worth £12,000 and other prizes include: a signed Tour de France 2021 winner’s jersey, a signed Pink Jersey from Tao Geoghegan Hart, 6x signed rider/team jerseys, Wahoo Kickr, 2x carbon wheelsets, Rapha voucher, Panda sunglasses and much more!

Leading the team on his final Tour de France challenge is ex-England footballer, blood cancer survivor and Cure Leukaemia Patron Geoff Thomas, 56, who said: “We were meant to take on this challenge in 2020 before COVID-19 meant we had to postpone.

“But in that time, we have added to the team and become the official charity partner of the Tour de France in the UK. There is real momentum behind what we are doing as a team and with Cure Leukaemia recording a £1,700,000 fundraising shortfall last year it is imperative that we surpass £1,000,000 to ensure patients across the UK have access to potentially lifesaving clinical trials.

“I would urge the public to get involved in these fantastic fundraising opportunities announced today because they have the potential to take our fundraising way beyond our target, you can all play your part in The Tour 21.”

Premier League football club Crystal Palace, Geoff’s former club, has also given its support to Geoff and the team as the off-bike kit partner and stag sponsor. Chief Executive Phil Alexander said: “Geoff was an inspirational captain for our football club, and he has continued to be an inspiration with his tireless fundraising efforts since his battle with blood cancer. Crystal Palace are proud to have supported him in his fundraising ventures over the last 18 years and we are proud to do so again for his final Tour de France challenge this summer.

“Cure Leukaemia is a charity making a direct impact on the treatment of blood cancer both nationally and internationally and we are delighted to help Geoff and the team towards surpassing their £1,000,000 target. I also hope that the Palace fans will play their part too in the coming months through these additional fundraising opportunities announced today and I wish Geoff and the team the very best of luck for their epic challenge.”

Cure Leukaemia Chief Executive James McLaughlin continued: “Geoff and all of the team are training phenomenally hard at the moment to be ready ahead of June 19th and to have raised over £600,000 in such challenging times is already a fantastic achievement.

“However, we are keen for as many people as possible to support The Tour21 team and we hope by supporting these two new fundraising opportunities, the £1,000,000 target will be reached by the time Geoff leads the 25 strong team into Paris on Sunday July 11.”

World champion Dina Asher-Smith will start her competitive countdown to this summer’s Olympic Games by taking on a world-class field in the 100 metres on home soil at the Müller Grand Prix Gateshead on Sunday 23rd May.

The event is the first meeting in the 2021 Wanda Diamond League series and Asher-Smith could hardly have picked a tougher race to begin her season as she faces Jamaican duo Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah, plus in-form American Sha’Carri Richardson.

Fraser-Pryce won Olympic 100m gold in 2008 and 2012, whereas in 2019 she beat Asher-Smith in Doha to claim her fourth world 100m title. Thompson-Herah is the reigning Olympic 100m and 200m champion. Richardson, meanwhile, clocked a sizzling 10.72 earlier this month to go sixth on the world all-time rankings.

Asher-Smith won the world 200m title in Doha two years ago and her only competitions so far in 2021 have been two indoor 60m races in Germany. The British record-holder said: “I’m so excited to be running at the Müller Grand Prix Gateshead. It’s going to be my first Diamond League of 2021 and my first Diamond League since 2019 and I can’t wait. It’s been a long time coming!

“I’m so excited to get back out there, running the 100m. It’s going to be so much fun. So 23^rd of May, here we come!”

The first Wanda Diamond League event of 2021 was due to take place in Rabat but has been moved to Gateshead due to the coronavirus pandemic. It means Gateshead International Stadium will be staging its first international grand prix meeting since 2010 and it will offer welcome competitive opportunities to British athletes ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

These include athletes on the Futures Academy Programme supported by Nike such as Amy Hunt. The world under-18 record-holder for 200m is part of the 100m field in Gateshead with Asher-Smith – a line-up that is so busy it will require heats at the start of the programme before a final later in the evening.

Over the years there have been many historic performances at Gateshead International Stadium. In 2006 Asafa Powell equalled the 100m world record of 9.77 seconds, while Brendan Foster smashed the 3000m world record there with 7:35.2 in 1974. In the field, world pole vault records have been broken at Gateshead by Daniela Bartova in 1995 and Yelena Isinbayeva in 2003 and 2004.

A man has denied sending a racist message to West Bromwich Albion midfielder Romaine Sawyers. Simon Silwood, from Randall Close in Kingswinford, Dudley, was charged with sending a grossly offensive message to the player on January 26. The message is alleged to have been sent on the day West Bromwich hosted a match against Manchester City.

Silwood, 49, pleaded not guilty to an offence under the Communications Act at Dudley Magistrates' Court. He was granted unconditional bail until his trial at Walsall Magistrates' Court on September 9.

He is charged with sending a message to the midfield star that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene and menacing character. It follows an investigation by PC Stuart Ward, the UK's first dedicated hate crime officer within a football unit.

Earlier, the organisations that run English football agreed to stay off social media for three and a half days to highlight the abuse that players and many others connected to football, receive online. Swansea City, Birmingham City and Rangers have already taken part in a week-long social media boycott from April 8, in protest at the treatment many of their players have experienced.

The government has said it plans to introduce new laws on online abuse this year and the Premier League has launched its own online abuse reporting system.

German athlete Sarah Voss says she wants to be a ‘role model for young gymnasts who don't feel very safe in every situation’ after recently competing in a full-body suit at the European Championships.

Her outfit defied convention as previously women and girls had only covered their legs in international competition for religious reasons. Voss hopes others will follow her lead.

She said: "It does not say that everyone should do it, it just says that everyone can do whatever they want." Voss said the project had been a year in the making.

The 21-year-old added: "If they feel safe they can wear a normal leotard if they like it. If there is a certain point they think they would feel better in a long leotard, then they should do it.

"For me, it doesn't say I have to wear a long leotard in the future every time. It depends on how I am feeling and how I'd like to perform." Two of the German's team-mates, Kim Bui and Elisabeth Seitz, also wore the full-body suit - which cover the athletes' legs to the ankles - during the women's all-around final.

The German federation said its gymnasts were taking a stand against sexualisation in gymnastics. The International Gymnastics Federation rules allow competitors to wear a one-piece leotard with full-length legs, provided it is of elegant design.

"To do splits and jumps, sometimes the leotards are not covering everything, sometimes they slip and that's why we invented a new form of leotard so that everyone feels safe around competitions and training," Voss explained.

"Every time you don't feel safe it's distracting you from what you want to perform. I think that feeling safe and not thinking about what other people can or cannot see is quite relieving when you can compete like that.

"Some girls quit this beautiful sport because of having to wear leotards so that is why this is a great option for everyone to stay in the sport they love and don't think about anything else about their body - just about their performance."

British-Jamaican gymnast Danusia Francis said: “The suits gives the power of choice back to the athletes and could open the door for more women in the sport.”

Ten reigning European champions are among the 47 athletes selected to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the World Para Athletics European Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland between June 1-5. 

Aled Davies, Sophie Hahn, Maria Lyle and Richard Whitehead are among those set to compete at the Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Stadium. Six-time European champion Aled Davies will be seeking his fourth consecutive F63 shot-put title as the 2016 Paralympic gold medallist prepares for his title defence in Tokyo this summer.

Double world champion Maria Lyle will compete in the T35 100m and 200m in Poland. The 21-year-old has won six European titles during her career to date and will be seeking to add further silverware to her collection at the 2021 edition. Grand-slam champion in the T38 100m Sophie Hahn will defend her title in Bydgoszcz, while Thomas Young will look to match that achievement in the men’s equivalent.

Reigning individual European champions Dan Greaves [F64 discus], Harri Jenkins [T33 100m], Vanessa Wallace [F34 shot put] and Richard Whitehead [T61 200m] are selected, whilst 2018 universal 4x100m relay gold medallists Nathan Maguire and Zac Shaw have also been called up. Four-time European champion Georgie Hermitage returns to the British team having retired from the sport in early 2020.

However, following the birth of her second child last year, the Paralympic and world champion returned to training, running her first race since 2018 last weekend and has been selected for the T37 400m in Poland. Three British athletes will compete 100m RaceRunning events including world champion Kayleigh Haggo, who broke the RR2 400m world record at the weekend.

World silver medallist Ellie Simpson has also been selected for the women’s RR3 100m. In the men’s equivalent, Dubai 2019 world silver medallist Rafi Solaiman leads the entries.

Eight athletes on the British Athletics Paralympic Futures Academy and two Paralympic Development Academy athletes have been selected including T54 athletes Daniel Sidbury and Mel Woods. 

The British Athletics Paralympic Performance Pathway aims to identify, develop, prepare and support potential Paralympians towards World Class level. These ten athletes on the 2021 cohort join a number of graduates of the programme on the team for Bydgoszcz, including European medallists Thomas Young and Ali Smith.

Paula Dunn MBE, the Para Athletics Head Coach said: “The World Para Athletics European Championships provide a great opportunity for our athletes to compete at a high level in a very important year.

“It is a fantastic competition opportunity for those athletes who are building up to Tokyo, as well as providing a platform for our Paralympic Futures Academy and Development Academy athletes who are on the pathway for Paris and Los Angeles. Due to challenging circumstances at this current time, and consistent with British Athletics’ approach this season, all athletes were given the option to opt-in or opt-out of the Championships.

“The Paralympic Games is ultimately the main focus this year, so while many athletes have targeted Bydgoszcz as a key event in their plan for the year, others have decided to focus on other competitions as part of their preparation for Tokyo. We are supporting all athletes and coaches to achieve what they feel is the best preparation possible for the Paralympic Games later this summer.”

The British team for the World Para Athletics European Championships, Bydgoszcz, Poland on 1-5 June:

Women: Fabienne André, Olivia Breen, Lydia Church, Libby Clegg [Guide runner – Chris Clarke] – T11 200m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Kayleigh Haggo (John Owens; Ayr Seaforth) – RR3 100m, Sophie Hahn – T38 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Georgie Hermitage – T37 400m, Sophie Kamlish – T64 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Maria Lyle – T35 100m and 200m, Polly Maton – T47 Long Jump and 100m, Anna Nicholson – F35 Shot Put, Ellie Simpson – RR3 100m, Ali Smith – T38 100m, 400m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Stef Reid – T64 Long Jump, Emily Stewart – F38 Discus, Hannah Taunton – T20 1500m, Vanessa Wallace – F34 Shot Put and Mel Woods – T54 100m, 400m, 800m and 1500m.

Men: Ola Abidogun – T47 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Jonathan Adams – F35 Shot Put, Columba Blango - T20 400m, John Bridge – T47 400m, Jonathan Broom-Edwards – T64 High Jump, Shaun Burrows – T38 400m, Richard Chiassaro – T54 400m and 800m, Barney Corrall – T38 Long Jump, Aled Davies - F63 Shot Put, Kyron Duke – F41 Shot Put

James Freeman – T33 100m, Dan Greaves – F64 Discus, Harri Jenkins – T33 100m, Rhys Jones - T37 100m and 200m, Nathan Maguire – T54 100m, 400m, 800m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Stephen Miller – F32 Club Throw, Luke Nuttall – T46 1500m, Javaughn Parkes – T36 100m, Ross Paterson – T38 100m and 400m, Dan Pembroke – F13, Javelin Zac Shaw – T12 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Daniel Sidbury – T54 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m, Luke Sinnott – T63 Long Jump, Zak Skinner - T13 Long Jump and 100m, Rafi Solaiman – RR3 100m, Alexander Thomson – T38 100m and 400m, Harrison Walsh – F64 Discus Throw, Richard Whitehead – T61 200m and Thomas Young – T38 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay.

The organisers of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have announced the search is on for 25 Game Changers.

These new recruits have the opportunity to change their lives by embarking on a new career in sport where their first task is to help deliver the biggest sports programme in the history of the Games. 19 of the 25 roles are for Assistant Sport Competition Managers.

No relevant experience or qualifications are needed but a passion for sport is an essential requirement, as the successful applicants will be working behind the scenes of the Games and supporting the sports competition managers that Birmingham 2022 has recently recruited. The new recruits will help to plan and deliver each competition in accordance with the rules and regulations of the international federations for the sports, as well as helping to ensure that the athletes, team officials and technical officials have the facilities and services they need at both the official venues and official training venues for each sport and Para sport.

There are six further vacancies in the sports team and they include coordinators, who will support the technical officials and sport volunteers, a sport publications coordinator, to help ensure all the athletes and technical officials have all the information they require, and a sport entries coordinator, who will keep track of how many athletes are due to take part in the Games.

Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022, Matt Kidson, said: “These roles could be a real game changer for 25 young people, as this is a truly unique opportunity to start a career in sport by working on the largest multi-sport event to be staged in the UK for a decade. “We’re looking for candidates that can demonstrate an absolute passion for sport and that are keen to learn the ropes from our experienced and dedicated team.

“We have a fantastic and varied programme of sport to deliver and so this is an amazing opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at how a major sport event is organised and to kickstart your career in sport in spectacular style.” The 25 new recruits will be joining a team that is tasked with delivering a sports programme that includes 19 sports and eight Para sports – the biggest para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history.

The sports team was recently expanded when three of Birmingham 2022’s 27 apprentices joined as sports team assistants. One of those apprentices, Para athlete Nicole Swingler, spoke about her experience so far: “It has been an incredible few months since joining Birmingham 2022 and I have already learnt so much in such a short space of time. The team at Birmingham 2022 is really supportive and has given me such a warm welcome.

“I still can’t believe that I am now helping to organise the Commonwealth Games and this role has given my confidence and career a huge boost. It’s also fascinating to see behind the scenes of such a major event and to begin to understand how events like the Commonwealth Games are organised.

“If you love sport and you are currently looking for a job, I would urge you to take a look at these roles because it really is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something special.”

The new recruits will join more than 300 people already employed by Birmingham 2022 to deliver the 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games which will be staged next summer from 28 July to 8 August.

Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have joined fellow Australian Andrew Tye in ending their Indian Premier League (IPL) season early to return home.

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, 34, also said he is taking a break from the IPL to support his family. The news comes as India struggles with a surge in coronavirus cases.

Tye, who was with Rajasthan Royals, flew to Sydney on Sunday, citing the "stress of bubble life" and concerns about borders closing in Australia.

"I just thought I should try and get on the front foot and get home before I got locked out of the country," the seamer said. 34-year-old Tye, who flew home via Mumbai and Doha, added: "There's definitely concerns. A lot of guys have been in touch once they've realised I was leaving. Some of the guys are very interested in what route I took home and how I approached it."

The England and Wales Cricket Board is not currently aware of any England players planning to leave the IPL, with individuals set to make their own decisions, rather than the governing body. England limited overs captain Eoin Morgan, who is skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, says the tournament should continue as long as it does not hamper the efforts to combat Covid-19.

"Certainly when we came out of our first lockdown period, I remember the first sport being on TV was probably in New Zealand and Australia. It was rugby union and rugby league. Then slowly, the Bundesliga started, then the Premier League started," he said.

"That displayed that you can play sport while the country is almost in full lockdown. If there's a template to make that happen, it has happened, but also as long as it doesn't disturb what's happening in the public eye." Morgan added that the players are aware of the rising cases in India.

"We're constantly talking about the situation that is unfolding outside of our bubble," he added. "It's not nice watching from afar, considering how lucky we are to be in a bubble and not be affected by it very much."

India has been reporting more than 300,000 daily cases for several days, setting new daily global records. On Monday, it had the highest number of daily coronavirus cases for a fifth straight day, reporting 352,991 new infections and another 2,812 deaths in the previous 24-hour period.

Royal Challengers Bangalore said on Monday that leg-spinner Zampa, 29, and fast bowler Richardson, 30, will be unavailable for the rest of the IPL season and were returning to Australia for "personal reasons". A statement added: "Royal Challengers Bangalore management respects their decision and offers them complete support."

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders paceman Pat Cummins has asked his fellow players to join him in contributing to help India's hospitals deal with the pandemic. Cummins, 27, who is among a number of Australia's top players to remain in India, has pledged 50,000 Australian dollars (£28,006) to the PM Cares Fund, specifically to purchase oxygen supplies.

"India is a country I've come to love dearly over the years and the people here are some of the warmest and kindest I've ever met," the Australia vice-captain wrote on Twitter. "To know so many are suffering so much at this time saddens me greatly.

"There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue with Covid-19 infection rates remain high. I'm advised that the Indian Government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country."

Cummins added: "At times like this it is easy to feel helpless. I've certainly felt that of late.   

“But I hope by making this public appeal we can all channel our emotions into action that will bring light into people's lives. I know my donation isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope it will make a difference to someone."

Australia has avoided the worst of Covid-19 by closing its borders and installing snap lockdowns - such as a three-day lockdown in Perth, announced before the weekend - when cases of community transmission occur.

Haringey Council assisted Tottenham Hotspur in helping to provide additional testing for supporters who are attending the Carabao Cup Final today against Manchester City.

The event at Wembley Stadium is a pilot of new arrangements following the Government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown, assessing how major events can reopen safely to the public as restrictions ease and fans must take a lateral flow COVID-19 test at a designated site – not a home test – in the 24 hours before the game. The match will be attended by 8,000 fans, of which 2,000 tickets have been allocated to Spurs supporters. To facilitate this LFD testing requirement, Haringey Council laid on extra testing capacity and you do not need to book a test.

This took place at the Tottenham Community Sports Centre - opposite the Tottenham Stadium - yesterday and will also take place today (Sunday). The Tottenham Community Sports Centre will be open from 8am - 3pm today to facilitate fans accessing LFD testing.

The lateral flow test centre at Alexandra Palace will be open as usual from 10am to 6pm on both days. Following taking their test, fans will be required to bring proof of a negative result, either a text or an email from the NHS, with their ticket, to be permitted into Wembley for the game.

In addition, fans have been asked to take a take two PCR tests, which are designed to show if someone showing coronavirus symptoms currently has the virus. Both tests should be taken at home, the first before the match, and the second five days afterwards. Fans who get tickets for the final will be told how to apply for the PCR tests, which will be free.

Dr Will Maimaris, Haringey’s Director of Public Health said: “It’s great to see major events such as the Carabao Final being piloted, enabling fans to return to the terraces after a prolonged period of absence.  We all want to return to doing the things we enjoy and have missed over the past year.

“Although we appreciate that the required PCR and LFD testing arrangements puts extra effort on fans, I am sure we can all agree that it’s a price worth paying to ensure that these events can be attended by the public safely.  We are very happy to facilitate easy access to testing for ticket holders and hope that many will avail of it when picking up their tickets at Tottenham Hotspurs.”

Olympic and Commonwealth sprint relay champion Mark Lewis-Francis says the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is going to deliver a lasting legacy for the region, and that he wishes he could have competed in his home city next summer. The Black Country-raised sprinter is the latest guest on the Birmingham 2022 podcast series 22 Voices, featuring sporting legends and cultural trailblazers in the run up to the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking to presenter Vital Powers, MLF (Mark Lewis-Francis) says the Games will have a huge impact on Birmingham and the West Midlands:

“Birmingham is definitely going to put on a good show. We always deliver. I’m a proud Brummie, born and bred, and some of the changes that have been made already, are going to create so many jobs, so much opportunity.

“I want the people of Birmingham to embrace it. We deserve this. It’s all about leaving a legacy for our future. Birmingham has got so much mad talent, and what these Games are going to do is open up a door for so many youngsters.”

The sprinter, who won gold and silver medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, says athletics turned his life around after a difficult time at school, and he discovered the sport by chance after driving past the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr with his father:

“I got expelled from high school, and spent six months at home. I remember driving past Alexander Stadium and asking him [his father] what that was. I’d never seen it before. So, we came back and I got introduced to my coach Steve Platt. Within a couple of months, I learned the ropes and things started to happen straight away. My schooling got better. The athlete was born in that very time.”

Lewis-Francis says his Jamaican upbringing on the Ge Lane estate in Smethwick helped him learn the discipline to succeed in athletics:

“My Mom was a strict Jamaican woman. Every black child that lived in Smethwick back then had rules and regulations you had to abide by. It made me the person I am today. My discipline really did start from home, watching my Mom work the amount of jobs she worked, and provide and put food on the table for us.

“That gave me my drive in sport to never give up and always try and aim high. My Mom came over here [from Jamaica] with nothing and she ended up getting an education and a good job. That was my first interpretation of what hard work is.”

In the podcast, the retired sprinter also reflects on his journey to an incredible Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, when he led the Great Britain 4x100m sprint relay team to victory, holding off the challenge of the American legend Maurice Green on the final leg.

He says that despite the odds, he always believed the team could win: “I always knew something special was going to happen at that Games. I remember feeling the Olympic buzz. We really tuned in as a team. We went out there as the underdogs; no one expected us to win an Olympic gold medal. I remember saying to the guys just before we went out there, ‘If you give me the baton in first place, I will not allow anybody to pass me’. And they gave me the baton in first place.

“I remember running down that track and everything just going blank, then crossing the line and there was no one there. It was one of the best feelings I have ever had.” He reflects on the injury problems that cut his career short, the impact of the death of his childhood coach

Steve Platt, how Linford Christie helped resurrect his career, and the quieter life he now enjoys in South Wales with his partner and four children. He also speaks about the Black Lives Matter movement sparked by the death of George Floyd, and his own experiences of racism in the West Midlands.

22 Voices is available to listen and subscribe from www.birmingham2022.com/22voices, and from all major podcast providers.

Previous episodes include world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, and a special International Women’s Day episode featuring Team England rugby sevens player Heather Fisher and Team England weightlifter Sarah Davies discussing gender stereotypes in sport. 

Sports fans around the world can be part of next month’s Laureus World Sports Awards by voting in a global online poll to pick the Laureus Sporting Moment of the Year. Voting opens today!

The Laureus Sporting Moment Award celebrates fair play, sportsmanship, dedication or overcoming adversity. It recognises a unique, emotional moment or story that touches the hearts of millions and inspires people worldwide.

Recent winners have included the FC Barcelona Under 12 team (2017), who consoled their losing Japanese opponents after the final of the World Challenge Cup, the Brazilian Chapecoense side (2018), who returned to football after the disastrous air crash which wiped out almost all the team, and Chinese double amputee Xia Boyu (2019) who reached the summit of Mt Everest.

Each of this year’s shortlisted moments, below, symbolises the true value of sport and brings to life the message that sport has the power to change the world and can unite us all.

AN INCREDIBLE DREAM BECOMES REAL

It took 16 hours, 46 minutes and 9 seconds for Chris Nikic, a 21-year-old from Florida, to make history, becoming the first person with Down’s Syndrome to complete a full Ironman - 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile marathon run.

DELIVERING INSPIRATION FOR CHINA

Zhang Fangyong has never given up his dream of becoming a boxer, no matter what the obstacles. Now he works as a delivery man to support his family and to allow him to afford to train. In China delivery men have made a great contribution to normal life during Covid-19, and his determination has made him a national sporting hero.

GERMANY KICKS CORONA TOGETHER

Bayern Munich players Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka set up the ‘We Kick Corona’ initiative to support charities, groups and organisations, who have struggled during the coronavirus pandemic.  So far it has raised more than €5 million.

MATCH POINT AGAINST COVID

An improbable tennis match between two young girls staged on the rooftops of Finale Ligure in Italy showed that not even Covid-19 lockdown rules could stop their spirit of friendship and love of sport. Their reward was an unexpected visit by Roger Federer.

RACE AGAINST THE ELEMENTS

When Storm Filomena brought the heaviest snowfall in decades to Spain, everything stopped. But Dr Álvaro Sanchez was typical of the resolute spirit of health care workers, walking 17km (10.5 miles) to reach his Covid-19 patients in hospital.

SPORT UNITES ACROSS LOCKDOWNS

When sport was cancelled in Japan because of Covid-19, many high school boys and girls lost the chance to showcase their performances for applications to universities and sports teams. #NeverStopPlayingSports, founded by two rugby internationals, has filled the gap.

Sean Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: “In the last five years this Award has given us a new impetus. Firstly it has involved the sports fans of the world who can now have their own voice and pick their own Award winner. But also, it has moved away from the scoreboard or the winner’s rostrum and celebrates something very special in sport, something very special in life.”

Founded in 2000 as the Laureus World Sports Awards, Laureus has now also become one of the most influential and active sports-driven social enterprises through its charitable arm, Laureus Sport for Good.

Since its inception Laureus has helped to improve the lives of more than six million children and young adults, and now supports more than 250 sports-based community programmes around the world, fulfilling the visionary words of its First Patron Nelson Mandela - ‘Sport has the power to change the world’.

Laureus also provides a platform for sportsmen and women to use their collective voice to highlight and promote the value of sport in society and use their positions of influence to make a powerful impact on issues and conflicts which go beyond sport