Sports News

Manchester United star Odion Ighalo has added to a list of celebrities who have voice their support for protests against police brutality in Nigeria.

In a video on Twitter, the Nigerian striker called his country's government "a shame to the world". It comes amid reports that several people have been shot dead or wounded during demonstrations in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos.

Officials initially denied anyone died and have promised an investigation. Ighalo, who has won 35 caps for Nigeria's national football team, said in his statement that he could not "stay silent anymore".

"I am ashamed of this government, we are tired of you guys and we can't take this anymore," he added. Among those who've also expressed their support for the protests are actor John Boyega, and musicians including Estelle, Trey Songz and Chance the Rapper.

Pop singer Beyoncé Knowles said in a statement that she was "working on partnerships with youth organisations to support those protests for change".

Musician Rihanna shared a picture of a bloodied Nigerian flag on Twitter and said:

"My heart is broken for Nigeria."

British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua said he was exploring donations to support local hospitals and provide food packages.

"This was never a trend for me! It's real life and I want to learn how to make lasting change," he added.

The protests have also gained support from several high profile figures with no ties to Nigeria, including Twitter's chief executive Jack Dorsey, and German-Turkish Arsenal player Mesut Özil.

In response by Beyoncé's pledge to "provide emergency healthcare, food and shelter," some Nigerians said it was change they wanted, not food.

"Keep your help and aid to yourself, I don't need it and the dead definitely don't," said one Twitter user. "All we needed was your platform to create awareness for the whole issue but you prefer to send us aid like the "poor" set of people we are." Some defended Beyoncé saying she was offering support.

"That's stupid, and after what? She gon talk without doing anything? She's offering her money and health support and you ask for a voice?? I don't understand people!" Queen Domi tweeted.

Protests began nearly two weeks ago amid calls for the disbandment of a controversial police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars).

The unit has been accused of illegal detentions, assaults and shootings, and was disbanded by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, but the demonstrations have continued around the country, with calls for more reforms to Nigeria's security services, and the government more widely.

Over the last two weeks, an outpouring of support for Nigerian protesters has played out on Twitter, with various hashtags, but predominantly #EndSARS.

Protests have sometimes turned violent.

Human right group Amnesty International said a group of armed people attacked protesters in the capital, Abuja. In turn, police have accused people "posing" as protesters of looting weapons, and torching police buildings in southern Edo state.

In a video address, President Buhari said every police officer responsible for wrongdoing would be brought to justice, and that the disbandment of Sars was "only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reform".

Birmingham Phoenix have announced that Moeen Ali and Sophie Devine will be retained as captains for the first season of The Hundred.

The duo were originally confirmed as captains in February this year with both stating their delight at being asked to lead Birmingham Phoenix in the inaugural edition of the competition. However, originally scheduled to begin on 17 July and end on 15 August, The Hundred - involving eight teams in men's and women's competitions running alongside each other - was postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The pair have plenty of experience of playing at Edgbaston and in the Midlands. World Cup-winning Moeen grew up just a short distance from the stadium and remains a much-loved member of the local community, whilst New Zealand International Devine played county cricket with Warwickshire.

Moeen Ali said: “Birmingham is my city and captaining my home team in The Hundred is right up there in terms of my career. I was born, raised and my life is still based in Birmingham, so to be the first-ever men’s captain of Birmingham Phoenix is very special for me.

“Sports fans across the country and in Birmingham especially will be eager to watch some live cricket. Leading Birmingham Phoenix out on to the field at Edgbaston, with the whole community behind you will be an amazing feeling.”

Sophie Devine said: “It’s a huge honour to captain Birmingham Phoenix and I’m really excited to be leading this side.

“We are putting together an exciting line-up and the international players we are looking to bring in are of the highest quality. I’m really looking forward to playing alongside them. With the opportunities that are here at the moment I sometimes have to pinch myself that I do this for a job.

“Exposing more players to the highest quality cricket is only going to benefit the women’s game globally and The Hundred is going to be a huge moment in women’s sport.”

Moeen has an excellent record as a captain having led Worcestershire Rapids to the past two Vitality Blast finals at Edgbaston, including their victory in 2018. He became the first Muslim to lead the national T20 side when he deputised for England captain Eoin Morgan earlier this year.

Devine also brings strong international captaincy experience to Birmingham Phoenix having been named the permanent New Zealand captain in July this year. She stepped up to lead the White Ferns when her predecessor Amy Satterthwaite took leave last year to have her first child and skippered the team at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

Moeen added: “I had a chat with Head Coach Andrew McDonald a couple of days ago about what we’re trying to do moving forward and how we start to put some plans in place. There’s a lot of work to do before the season starts and we keep in touch regularly.

“When I see him at grounds when we’re playing in the IPL, we try to have a quick chat about things and we’re both really excited for The Hundred next year.”

Sophie Devine added: “Everyone is different, but for me being a captain is about leading with actions and leading from the front. If I can inspire my teammates to play a certain way or follow my lead, that will be more powerful than words spoken from the sidelines.

“I’ll try to lead from the front with bat and ball and encourage others to play to their potential and believe in themselves because I’ll be backing them 100%. It’s only a hundred balls so you’ve got nothing to lose. That’s what makes it such an exciting competition.” The news follows the announcement that Moeen and Devine will be joined at Birmingham Phoenix by Chris Woakes, Amy Jones and Dom Sibley.

England Men’s all-rounder Woakes and England Women’s wicketkeeper-batter Jones – both local to the region - have been retained from the initial men’s and women’s squads respectively. Sibley has been signed as a Test-contracted player after the 25-year-old batsman was awarded his first ECB Central Contract last month.

Personalities including Peter Crouch, Sir Mo Farah and Russell Tovey are among the famous faces appearing in a series of portraits for the Movember 2020.

The annual campaign aimed at raising awareness of male mental health issues and suicide prevention, as well as testicular and prostate cancer sees model Abbey Clancy (who’s married to Crouch), singer Liam Payne and George The Poet also being photographed. Other celebrities involved include musicians Miles Kane and Jesse Wood, rugby player Chris Robshaw and actor Sam Claflin.

Speaking about taking part in the campaign, former England striker Crouch said: “I've long supported Movember and the important work they do for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and male mental health.

“It's been an honour to join the campaign this year and get behind the cause by growing a mo.

“This year more than ever, I urge everyone to get involved in the month-long movement and show your support in any way you can.”

Movember CEO, Michelle Terry, said: “It's great to see so many well-known faces put on a united front in support of men's health, inspiring men and women to get involved and support our fundraising drive this Movember.

“This year has not been an easy one on many levels and the challenges are most likely to continue, impacting all areas of our life, including our health.”

She added: “We've seen men embrace facial hair during lockdown and are now asking that they put that practice to good use and grow what could be the most important mo they ever grow.”

More than a fifth of men (22 per cent) reported their mental health had worsened compared with before the outbreak of COVID-19 and a third (29 per cent) admitted they felt lonely more often.
 
Dr Zac Seidler, Director of Mental Health Training, at Movember said: “These findings indicate that guys are hungry for connection and in need of support in these trying times.

“While we know these conversations can often feel uncomfortable or awkward, checking in on your mates and loved ones can make the world of difference”.

Movember Conversations can found at: conversations.movember.com

The daily schedule for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has been released today, with the organisers confirming which sports will be held on each of the 11 days of competition and urging fans to sign-up for ticket updates, as planning for the Games accelerates. The first day of competition is packed with action and is set to feature an impressive 14 different sports. This includes Basketball 3x3 at the recently announced venue at Smithfield in the centre of Birmingham, Artistic Gymnastics at Arena Birmingham, and hockey and squash, which will take place at the University of Birmingham, unveiled last month as a major partner for the Games.

Women’s cricket T20, added to the programme in August last year, will be also begin at Edgbaston Stadium on Friday 29 July and the aquatics programme will start on the same day with the swimmers getting the action underway at the brand new Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which is currently under construction in Smethwick. Netball, which will see Team England defending the gold medal they won in dramatic fashion at Gold Coast 2018, also begins at the NEC Arena on the first day of competition, with the final being held on Sunday 7 August.

The Games, the largest sports event to be held in UK since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will feature 19 sports, with eight para sports integrated into the programme, creating the biggest para sports offering in Commonwealth Games history. The unveiling of the new schedule confirms that there will now be two full weekends of competition, a move which is hoped will allow more than one million spectators to attend the biggest sporting event ever to be held in the West Midlands.

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage said:

"The unveiling of the daily schedule marks another important milestone as we look towards the Games in 2022. It's great to see that for the first time ever at a Commonwealth Games, there will be two full weekends of sport offering more opportunities for everyone to experience Birmingham 2022."  

Birmingham 2022’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Reid, said: “We’re extremely excited to be unveiling the daily schedule as we know that this will make the Games much more real for everyone, now that they can see exactly which sports will be taking place on each day.

“I’d like to thank all of the international and national governing bodies who have been working closely with us to ensure that we created an exciting schedule which also provides all competitors with the maximum period of recovery possible during what will be an action packed summer of sport in 2022.”

The main athletics programme at the redeveloped Alexander Stadium in the Perry Barr area of the city, won’t begin until day five of the competition on 2 August, therefore allowing additional recovery time for athletes who are also planning to compete at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, which takes place earlier in the summer. The track and field action will take place across six days with the number of sessions yet to be finalised. The marathon will be held earlier in the programme on 30 July, with the location of the start and finish and the route expected to be confirmed in 2021.

The Commonwealth Games Federation’s CEO, David Grevemberg, said: “My message to Commonwealth Sport fans around the globe is simple: Get Excited!

“Now is moment to visit the Birmingham 2022 website and sign-up for updates around tickets, volunteering and general opportunities to get involved in what will be one of the greatest sporting spectacles the country has ever seen. This innovative and exciting sports schedule highlights exceptional partnership working from so many stakeholders to ensure the UK stages a fantastic, celebratory summer of sport in 2022.

“The level of collaboration with the likes of World Athletics and UEFA has been unprecedented to ensure Birmingham 2022 retains a premium spot in an exciting period that will include the UEFA Women’s EURO in England and World Athletics Championships in Oregon. For athletes and spectators, Birmingham 2022 will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of something truly special for the city, the region, the country and the entire Commonwealth. I hope all of you out there embrace this opportunity to be part of a Games for everyone.”

The latest venues to be unveiled for the Games, West Park in Wolverhampton and St Nicholas Park in Warwick, will host the road cycling events on Thursday 4 August and Sunday 7 August, where as another stunning park in the region, Sutton Park in Birmingham, will host the triathlon competition on day one (29 July 2022) and day three (31 July 2022).

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “With less than two years to go until the eyes of the sporting world will be on the city and wider West Midlands, the announcement of the daily schedule represents the passing of another significant milestone on the road to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“A huge amount of planning and preparation has got us to this point – having this information on what will be happening and when, will help build interest and excitement amongst our residents and spectators – and start to focus the minds of the athletes and officials that we will be a proud Host City for in the summer of 2022.”

Coventry Stadium, which is set to host three sports, rugby sevens, judo and wrestling has a packed agenda, as it will see sports action on eight out of 11 days of competition and the NEC will be even busier, with badminton and table tennis, two of the four sports occupying halls at the exhibition centre, featuring on every single day of the Games.

Team England, will have high hopes of a flurry of medals on the final day of competition on Monday 8 August, with badminton, diving, hockey, squash and table tennis all featuring, sports which saw the host nation for Birmingham 2022 bag 26 medals at the Gold Coast edition of the Commonwealth Games in April 2018.

The closing ceremony for the Games will also be held on Monday 8 August 2022.

A more detailed version of the schedule, to include a session by session breakdown, will be unveiled in the coming months.

A new body has been launched by Black coaches, along with former and current players, to tackle racism in football.

Football's Black Coalition (FBC) aims to get governing bodies to do more to challenge racism while tackling issues of under representation in the game.

It is understood that the group was partly inspired by the MLS Black Players For Change group (BPCMLS) which was founded in June, in the wake of George Floyd's death in the USA in May.

Floyd, an unarmed Black man, died in Minneapolis after a white police officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes. Spokesperson for BPCMLS, USA international Justin Morrow, said he hoped that Black players in England would create their own group.

He said: "I think it's something, as they know themselves, that's very needed.”

It is understood that FBC and BPCMLS have been in contact via conference calls.

The group's formation comes just after Queens Park Rangers director of football Les Ferdinand said the impact of taking a knee "has been diluted".

Players and staff have been taking a knee before games in the Premier League and English Football League since the 2019-20 season restarted in June, in order to show support for racial equality.

QPR did not carry out the gesture in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before their Championship match against Coventry City on 18 September.

"Taking the knee will not bring about change in the game - actions will," Ferdinand said.

Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir has broken her own world record for a women-only half marathon.

The 27-year-old ran one hour five minutes 16 seconds at the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland.

Germany's Melat Yisak Kejeta was second in 1:05:18 with Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw in third with 1:05:19.

In the men's race, Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo claimed victory in a championship record time of 58:49.

In the women's race, the top three all ran under Jepchirchir's previous would record of 1:05:34.

The leading group went through 10km in 30:47, while the chances of Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh and Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei suffered when they fell on the third lap as they went on to finish fifth and sixth respectively.

Uganda’s 19-year-old Jacob Kiplimo won the men’s race with a championship record time of 58 minutes and 49 seconds to upset Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie who took silver. Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn finished third.

Kandie was the fastest man over the distance this year having run 58:38 in Prague last month.

Kiplimo’s compatriot Joshua Cheptegei, who holds both the 5,000m and 10,000m world records, finished in a time of 59:21 on his half marathon debut to earn fourth place.

The event was originally scheduled for March but was postponed to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Warwickshire County Cricket Club has graduated pace bowler Manraj Johal from its Academy to the professional ranks. Having recently studied at Sandwell College and Oldbury Academy, Johal, who turned 19 yesterday, currently takes the new ball in the Birmingham & District Premier League for West Bromwich Dartmouth and been a Bear since the under 11s age group.

He graduates after a year in the Warwickshire Academy and two years in the Emerging Player Programme (EPP). Warwickshire’s High Performance Manager Paul Greetham, said: “During his time in the pathway, Manraj has shown how determined he is to reach it to the top and he has also proved that he could overcome notable setbacks along the way.

“During lockdown he got stronger and fitter than ever by getting out running along the canals and by working on his skills by bowling to his Dad in his garden. Four years ago he was deselected from the EPP but reacted by winning his place back the following year by having an excellent season in the county age groups and in the additional skill set groups.

“He has demonstrated the character, skill sets and resilience that we want to see in a Warwickshire cricketer and whilst we have high hopes for him with the ball, Manraj offers a lot with the bat and is strong in the field. Manraj has worked very hard to get to earn this rookie contract and it’s for him now to grasp this opportunity and to prove that he can make it in the professional game.”

Johal moved to West Bromwich Dartmouth CC in 2018 from Olton & West Warwickshire CC, which also the first Club of Henry and Ethan Brookes. He was given the new ball later that season and has taken 60 First XI wickets at an average of 20.7 to date. As part of the Club’s partnership with Staffordshire Cricket, Johal played two games in the National County Championship in 2019 in addition to games for Warwickshire Second XI.

“I’ve always played cricket ever since I could remember and it’s always been my goal to play for Warwickshire,” said Johal. “Having worked hard to earn this initial contract and I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported me in the pathway. I fully appreciate that there’s a lot more tough yards ahead to make it as a Bear, but I’m going to give it everything and can’t wait to get started when we return to training next month.”

Ian Westwood, men’s Second Team Coach at Warwickshire CCC, said: “Manraj has a nice repeatable action with a good heavy ball and he has impressed us at every opportunity when he has been around the professional ranks.

“He bowled a lot of overs last year and showed real promise in his performances in the Second XI and for Staffordshire. We invited him on this year’s pre-season tour at La Manga Club and then into the July training programme where he also performed well. Throughout last winter and ahead of this recent season, he has put himself forward for extra sessions, but he has also shown an understanding of how a fast bowler should prepare by dedicating a lot of time to his strength and conditioning.

“We’re delighted to see him come through into the senior men’s squad and are very excited about his potential.”

Rafael Nadal produced one of his finest French Open displays to stun Novak Djokovic and equal Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam men's titles. The second seed Spaniard outclassed world number one Djokovic in a 6-0 6-2 7-5 win, which clinched a record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros.

Questions had been asked about 34-year-old Nadal's level, but he responded with an almost flawless performance. Top seed Djokovic, 33, lost a completed match for the first time in 2020. The Serb was overwhelmed by Nadal's rapid start and produced a despondent display as a result.

Defeat also meant Djokovic, who was bidding for an 18th Grand Slam title, lost ground on Nadal and Federer in their ongoing battle to finish with the most major wins.

Nadal sealed victory after two hours 41 minutes with a kicking ace out wide on his first match point, leaving the Spaniard laughing as he fell to his knees on the court where he has enjoyed unparalleled success.

"A win here means everything for me," said Nadal, who also became the first player to win 100 singles matches at Roland Garros. "Honestly, I don't think about the 20th and equalling Roger, for me it is just a Roland Garros victory.

"I have spent most of the most important moments in my career here. Just to play here is a true inspiration and the love story I have with this city and this court is unforgettable." Few things in the sporting world over the past 15 years have been almost as certain as Nadal winning the French Open men's singles title.

This year, like with so many things across the world because of the coronavirus pandemic, there was more uncertainty. Nadal himself put some doubt on his chances going into a tournament which looked and felt like no other French Open.

Played in cooler weather than usual - with the tournament in October rather than June - and without his usual preparation on the clay courts, Nadal said it represented the toughest test he had ever faced at Roland Garros. But he came through these new challenges to win in arguably the finest fashion yet.

Not only did Nadal win the tournament without dropping a set for a fourth time, it was the manner of his one-sided victory against Djokovic which made it so impressive.

Nadal raised his game to a scarcely believable level from the start, defending ferociously and attacking with equally great effect. Everything he hit at Djokovic landed with pace and precision, leading to just six unforced errors in the opening two sets.

Djokovic looked up to the sky in amazement when Nadal eventually started making a few more mistakes in a more competitive third set - but by then it was too late for even him to turn the match around.

"You showed why you are King of the Clay, I experienced it with my own skin," Djokovic said.

While Nadal had the superior history at Roland Garros, Djokovic had the superior form over the course of a fragmented year. Djokovic had won 37 of his 38 previous matches this year, with his only defeat coming as a result of being defaulted in the infamous US Open fourth-round match against Pablo Carreno Busta last month.

Unlike Nadal, Djokovic had dropped sets in his previous six matches - albeit only three - but looked to be operating at a higher level as he swatted aside tougher opponents than Nadal.

Therefore, many would have considered Djokovic as the slight favourite going into the final.

Djokovic had played with clarity of thought and perfect execution through much of the tournament but looked befuddled and subdued as he was unable to cope with Nadal's ferocious start.

While Djokovic had come back from two sets down to win on four previous occasions, none of those were against Nadal. Even more crucially, none of them were against Nadal at Roland Garros. Better serving and more aggressive returning by the Serb, who was playing fewer of the drop shots that Nadal had read with speed of mind and fleet of foot earlier, made the third set more like the contest the world had expected.

Frailties were still loitering, however, and appeared again when he produced a double fault to hand over the crucial break in the 11th game which enabled Nadal to serve out victory.

"I am not so pleased with the way I played but I was definitely outplayed by a better player on the court," Djokovic said.

Lewis Hamilton equalled the all-time record for career Formula 1 victories by winning the Eifel Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver's win was the 91st of his career and he will surely break Michael Schumacher's record soon.

Hamilton extended his championship lead over team-mate Valtteri Bottas to 69 points after the Finn retired.

Behind Max Verstappen's Red Bull in second, Daniel Ricciardo scored Renault's first podium since returning to F1 as a constructor in 2016. The race had been poised for a close fight between Hamilton and Bottas before the second Mercedes hit trouble at the Nurburgring in Germany.

Hamilton, second on the grid, made a better start than Bottas and dived for the inside at the first corner, pushing him wide, but Bottas held his ground and recovered the lead on the inside of the second corner. That gave Bottas control of the race, but Hamilton pressured him hard and in the end the leader buckled.

Bottas handed the advantage back to Hamilton on lap 13, locking a wheel into Turn One and running wide, allowing Hamilton to close in and pass for the lead around the outside of Turn Two.

Three laps later, the race fell further into Hamilton's lap when a virtual safety car allowed him and Verstappen to pit for fresh tyres and retain their positions ahead of Bottas, and two laps after that Bottas retired with a suspected failure of the MGU-H, part of the hybrid system.

Although Verstappen stole the point for fastest lap from Hamilton on the last lap of the race,

Hamilton's lead is close to three clear race victories with only six races remaining. A seventh world title - which would equal another Schumacher record - is beckoning. Schumacher's son Mick presented Hamilton with one of his father's old helmets, from his last F1 season with Mercedes in 2012, to recognise the achievement.

"I don't know what to say," Hamilton said. "When you grow up watching someone and you idolise them, really, for the quality of the driver they are and what they are continually able to do as a driver and with his team week on week. Seeing his dominance for so long and I don't think anyone - especially me - thought he would get close to this record.

"It's an incredible honour but I could not have done it without this incredible team. A big thank you and huge respect to Michael."

Ricciardo's podium was made possible by Bottas' retirement, as the top two had almost lapped the field before a late safety car was called to recover Lando Norris' McLaren, which had stopped with an engine failure. But the Australian's result was well deserved. Renault have been making steady progress and Ricciardo, who has been outstanding this season, held off Racing Point's Sergio Perez in a battle over the closing laps.

A bet with team principal Cyril Abiteboul means the Frenchman has to have a tattoo in a design of Ricciardo's choosing. Abiteboul can choose size and placement. Ricciardo said he did not know what the design would be, but probably "something with a German flavour".

Norris had been fighting with Perez for fourth on divergent strategies for a while, but the early development of his ultimately terminal engine problem cost him time and he was running fifth before he stopped. Norris' McLaren team-mate Carlos Sainz took fifth instead, ahead of Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly, who was able to pass Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for sixth place as a result of Ferrari's decision not to stop for fresh tyres at the late safety car.

Nico Hulkenberg took an impressive eighth for Racing Point after starting last, following his late substitution for the ill Lance Stroll on Saturday morning. And there were the first points of the season for Haas' Romain Grosjean and Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi in ninth and 10th places.

Six races to go and they start with a new track for F1, Portimao on Portugal's Algarve on 25 October. It is a well-regarded track and the drivers are all looking forward to the challenge. And the weather should be a good deal warmer than the wintry conditions at the Nurburgring this weekend.

The British Basketball League (BBL) has confirmed they are able to get their 2020-21 season underway following assurances from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that appropriate support will be made available to those spectator sports affected by the Government's announcement that fans would not be allowed back into sports venues from 1 October.

BBL and DCMS have been in urgent dialogue since the announcement by the Prime Minister that the planned return of fans to sports venues on 1 October would not be happening. The BBL season had been due to start on 2^nd October with the announcement making a significant impact on the financial viability of the clubs who rely on ticket income throughout the season. 

Full details of the support expected from the Government is to be confirmed but the assurance has meant that plans for the 2020-21 can now resume, with games now scheduled to start on Friday 30 October.

Sir Rodney Walker said, “We extend our thanks to Oliver Dowden, Nigel Huddleston, and DCMS for their swift response in the wake of the decision to not allow fans back into sports venues. This support comes in recognition of the immense work our clubs have done in preparation for the 2020-21 season, not only for competition but also in terms of the extensive work they do in their communities.”

The 2020 London Marathon will involve only elite athletes, with 45,000 'mass-event' runners unable to take part because of coronavirus concerns.

The much-anticipated contest between Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele was due to take place on a bio-secure closed course.

Reduced fields of 30-40 athletes will also compete for the elite women's and wheelchair titles.

The 2021 race, meanwhile, will be on October 3 rather than a date in April.

That calendar shift from the traditional date is designed to maximise the chances of all runners being able to take part in next year's race.

A plan to include the mass-participation event in the 2020 race, deploying high-tech tracking technology to monitor runners' proximity to each other, had been considered.

However, event director Hugh Brasher said that plan had been made impossible by the logistical challenges of managing spectators and emergency service access across London, especially given the recent cancellation of spectator trials at other sporting events.

Instead, it will only be the elite athletes that tackle a spectator-free course - following a different route to the usual one used for the London Marathon.

That route will consist of laps of roughly 1.5 miles, taking in The Mall, Horse Guards Parade, Birdcage Walk and the spur road running adjacent to front of Buckingham Palace.

The showdown between four-time winner Kipchoge and Bekele, whose personal best is two seconds slower than Kipchoge's world record of two hours one minute 39 seconds, has now been put on the back burner after the Ethiopian had to pull out through injury.

British Paralympic great David Weir will be aiming for a record ninth win in the wheelchair race.

Kenya's defending champion Brigid Kosgei, who beat Briton Paula Radcliffe's long-standing world record in Chicago in October, will headline the women's field, with course record holder Manuela Schar attempting to follow up her 2019 win in the women's wheelchair race.

Athletes' times in the race will be eligible for Olympic qualification for the postponed Tokyo Games in 2021.

While this year's Tokyo marathon took place in a similar form in March, with only elite runners taking part and spectators restricted in number, other major marathons have been cancelled.

The Berlin and New York races, which were scheduled to be held on September 27 and November 1 respectively, are among those that will not take place in 2020.

Runners with a place in the 2020 race, but not in the elite fields, will be able to compete virtually from any location around the world.

They are invited to run or walk 26.2 miles, taking breaks if required, over the course of 24 hours, logging their progress on the event app.

Last year, the London Marathon raised £66.4m for charities and good causes.

Brasher said: "We believe that tomorrow will see a London Marathon like no other, taking the spirit of the world's greatest marathon to every corner of the globe, with runners raising vital funds for the charities that have been so severely affected by the economic effects of the pandemic."

Kenya’s four-time winner and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge says this year’s unique edition of the London Marathon “can bring hope to the world”.

The race will be run over 19 laps of a closed course, screened from public view, as part of Covid-19 measures. The mass participation element of the race will be run ‘virtually’ with only the elite fields gathering in London.

He said: “We can bring hope to the world that we can train behind the scenes and come back in a strong way.”

Asked about his chances of retaining his title, Kipchoge replied: “Kipchoge admitted that the absence of a crowd, which usually numbers tens of thousands, would make a “huge, huge difference” to the event.

The 35-year-old will be taking on Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, who was just two seconds off his rival’s world record in Berlin last year, in a keenly anticipated duel. The pair have been backed by event director Hugh Brasher to bring the best out of each other despite the forecast wet weather.

“Whatever the conditions, we believe there will be some incredible racing that will live long in people’s memories,” said Brasher. “It could be incredibly quick.”

Four-time Olympic champion, Sir Mo Farah, will be one the pacemakers in the race, although focused on helping a mainly British group achieve the Olympic qualifying time of two hours 11 minutes 30 seconds.

Kipchoge’s world record stands at 2:01:39. His landmark sub-two hour marathon in Austria last year is not classified as a record because of the nature of the pace-making help and other assistance he received in the time-trial event.

Dakota Schuetz, the 24-year-old American scooter champion known globally as ‘Kota’, has joined the Electric Skootr Championship (eSC) as the series' very first ambassador and development rider.

Kota is regarded internationally as one of the freestyle scooter scene’s most successful riders and innovators. He was the International Scooter Association’s first-ever world champion in 2012 and dominated the scooter scene for seven years – winning a further three world titles and over 60 professional competitions.

As a central figure within the international freestyle community, Kota has built a young and dynamic global audience and developed lasting relationships with some of the scooter world’s most influential figures.

In his official capacity as eSC’s first-announced Rider Ambassador, he will help to converge a diverse community of riders, micromobility advocates and sports fans – building a unique audience for the new eSC series.

His international profile will also play a role in attracting and building up a squad of multi-talented riders to eSC ahead of the series’ roll-out in 2021.

Kota joins eSC’s Sustainability Ambassador, 2014 Formula E Champion Lucas di Grassi, and Safety Ambassador Alex Wurz, a two-time Le Mans winner. Kota is the first rider to be announced as a member of a small team working within eSC to develop and refine its prototype electric race eSkootr, ahead of its competitive debut next year.

The eSkootr, which is being developed in partnership with British engineering firm Williams Advanced Engineering, has already undergone its first real-world tests – with Kota providing detailed feedback on fit, feel, ergonomics, handling and power delivery.

The eSkootr begins a more extensive test programme this month, with Kota being joined by a series of additional riders from different sporting backgrounds in order to grow the engineering footprint of the project.

Dakota Schuetz, eSkootr Championship Rider Ambassador said: “Riding scooters is a big part of my life. Over the past 15 years, I’ve helped to develop and shape the freestyle scooter community, its competitions and its riders. I’m very proud about where it’s come from, where it’s going and the potential for the future.

Now, I’m just as excited to embark on this new project, working with the Electric Skootr Championship to grow the world’s first-ever micromobility sport. With eSC, I see all the signs that were present in the freestyle community all those years ago; with eSC’s team and its mission, I feel confident that the journey ahead will be amazing. I’m really looking forward to help to develop and mould a new sport, and to help build a community of riders all over the world.

After testing the first eSkootr, I’m already hugely encouraged by our progress. Everything feels right about the prototype and I believe we’ve already taken a huge step forward in terms of eScooter tech. I can’t wait to share what’s coming next.”

eSkootr Championship CEO and co-founder Hrag Sarkissian, said:“You can’t talk about the freestyle scooter world without mentioning the name Kota, so we’re absolutely thrilled to have him join us at the beginning of the eSkootr Championship.

As a figurehead for the sport, he will undoubtedly play a central role in attracting new riders and fans to us. And his appointment marks the next stage in our ambition to form strong relationships with outstanding partners as we continue to develop and grow the eSC.”

Khalil Beschir, eSkootr Championship COO and co-founder, added: “At our first track test, Kota’s skill and experience proved hugely beneficial in providing our engineers with additional insight and direction into the development of our prototype eSkootr chassis.

Even at this early stage, we’ve been massively impressed by his analysis and feedback, and we’re extremely pleased at how he’s already playing a significant role in shaping our development programme. He’s a fantastic addition to the eSC team.”

Launched in July 2020, the Electric Scooter Championship is the world’s first micromobility motorsport series.

Using high-performance race eScooters, designed and built in partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering, eSC has been designed to champion progressive micromobility policies and as an advocacy platform promoting smarter, cleaner and safer mobility in our cities.

The series is developing an international sporting calendar and infrastructure that will encourage diversity and inclusivity from a new generation of motorsport competitors worldwide.

Formula E champion Lucas Di Grassi and ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz are founding stakeholders in the organisation.

Lewis Hamilton has vowed to increase the number of Black people in motor racing, naming a group to analyse the causes of a lack of diversity. The six-time Formula 1 world champion said members of his Hamilton Commission "together will make a change" and he will lead the group alongside Dr Hayaatun Sillem, the chief executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The 14 members include former sports minister Tracey Crouch and ex-McLaren Formula 1 boss Martin Whitmarsh.

Mercedes driver Hamilton, 35, has set the commission the target of identifying the "key barriers to the recruitment and progression of Black people in UK motorsport" and providing "actionable recommendations to overcome them".

A statement said the composition of the commission had been chosen to "represent a wide range of expertise spanning critical areas of influence, including motorsport, engineering, schools, colleges and universities, community/youth groups, as well as major UK political parties". Other members include Professor Alice Gast, the president of Imperial College London and Chi Onwurah, the Labour MP for Newcastle-upon-Tyne and shadow minister for digital, science and technology.

Hamilton is F1's first and only Black driver. The sport's only other non-white competitor is Red Bull's Alexander Albon, a Britain-born Thai. Hamilton said: "What is more concerning is that there are still very few people of colour across the sport as a whole.

"In F1, our teams are much bigger than the athletes that front them, but representation is insufficient across every skill set - from the garage to the engineers in the factories and design departments. Change isn't coming quickly enough and we need to know why.

"This is why I wanted to set up the commission and I'm proud to be working with the Royal Academy of Engineering and our incredible board of commissioners to identify the barriers facing young Black people to take up STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers in motorsport.

"We are dedicated to this cause and, together, we will make a change."

Sillem said: "This is a truly unique opportunity to drive transformational change on this crucial issue and, in the process, to learn more about how we can enrich diversity in other parts of engineering and society." Gast said the commission would "not only strengthen Formula 1 and motorsport, but will help bring needed talent into engineering".

"Inclusion and excellence go hand in hand. Lewis is a role model for future stars of engineering and innovation as much as he is a sporting icon and I'm very pleased to be working with him," she added.

Hamilton has been at the forefront of F1's attempts this year to promote an anti-racist and pro-diversity agenda, which includes demonstrations before every grand prix. His Mercedes team have painted their cars black for this season, instead of their trademark silver, as a signal of their commitment to greater diversity and inclusion. Hamilton called the move "an important statement we are willing to change and improve as a business".

The team admitted that "just 3% of our workforce identify as belonging to minority ethnic groups and only 12% of our employees are women".

Mercedes have pledged to increase those numbers and Hamilton has called on all other teams to match that commitment.

F1 as a sport has launched an equality and diversity taskforce to increase opportunity for minority groups and has pledged to work with the Hamilton Commission. Hamilton will publish the findings and recommendations of his commission and take it "directly to key stakeholders who can help implement change".

A statement added: "Commissioners will also support this effort by applying their personal influence to champion the insights and recommendations from the project."

Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s Official Charity the Edgbaston Foundation has made a fitting tribute to the late Edgbaston tour guide and friend of the Club Rick Coleman by naming him as the Community Hero for 2020.

The Edgbaston Foundation is also making a lasting tribute to Rick by awarding him a stone in the Bear & Ragged Staff Wall and through renaming its Community Award, which is presented annually to the Warwickshire player which it believes has made the biggest community impact over the course of a year, as the Rick Coleman Community Award. 

Rick, who passed away aged 77 in June, spent 20 years giving schools, cricket clubs and community groups tours of Edgbaston, whilst he also played a key role in development of the Edgbaston Foundation’s cricket-inspired education programme, the Edgbaston Classroom.

Ravi Masih, Head of Community Engagement at Warwickshire CCC and Lead of the Edgbaston Foundation, said: “Rick gave so much time to Warwickshire CCC and in the development of the Edgbaston Foundation and it’s right that his fantastic efforts are never forgotten, through this initial Community Hero accolade and through the newly named Rick Coleman Community Award.

“Even whilst his health affected how often he could get to Edgbaston in the 12 months prior to his passing, Rick still wanted to play his part and earlier this year he supported the Edgbaston Foundation in a joint project with the National Literacy Trust called ‘Young Birmingham Poets’. Here he provided inspiration for the children to create poetry about cricket and Edgbaston Stadium

“He is sorely missed by the many of us who were lucky enough to work with him over the last 20 years and we are very grateful that we can continue working closely with the Coleman family to honour Rick’s great community legacy.”

The Edgbaston Foundation launched its Community Hero accolade in 2019 and presented its first award during the Ashes Test match to Joel Hales-Waller for his support in establishing the Cricket Full Circle programme, which he also volunteered as a delivery coach.

The cricket world is still in mourning after the passing of former Australia batsman Dean Jones whilst he was in Mumbai, where he was working as a commentator covering the Indian Premier League.

Born in Coburg,in Victoria, the stylish middle-order batsman played 52 Tests from 1984 to 1992, averaging 46.55 and winning the Ashes on two occasions. He was also part of the Australia team that won the World Cup in 1987, beating England in a thrilling final.

Best remembered for his innings of 210 in the tied match between Australia and India in 1986, in his 164 one-day internationals, he averaged 44.61.

He also had spells in county cricket with Derbyshire and Durham, and, after retiring from playing, had further careers as a coach and broadcaster.

Following the news of his death Cricket Australia chair Earl Eddings said: "Dean Jones was a hero to a generation of cricketers and will forever be remembered as a legend of this great game.

"Anyone who watched cricket in the 1980s and 1990s will fondly recall his cavalier approach at the crease and the incredible energy and passion he brought to every game he played."

On his Twitter Australia batsman Steve Smith wrote: "Awful to hear the news of Dean Jones passing away in Mumbai. He was a wonderful player for Australia and he will be missed. My thoughts are with his family" Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he was "heartbroken" by the news of Jones' passing.

Former England captain Michael Atherton said Jones was a pioneer in cricket and "played the game as it would become in the years after he would retire", whilst another former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: "This is so sad ... A hero of mine has gone far too soon ... always offered so much advice to us younger players when he played at Derby."

Aaron Finch, Australia limited-overs captain, wrote: "Still in shock hearing the news of Deano's passing. Thoughts are with Jane and the family at this incredibly tough time. A great man with an amazing passion for the game."

He was 59.