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Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson safely negotiated the heats of the 800m in Birmingham on Tuesday as she seeks a third consecutive European title.Home favourite Hodgkinson, who previously won continental crowns in Munich in 2022 and Rome two years ago, timed 1min 57.28sec to win her heat.”The championship is a fresh start. It felt good. The standard has gone up. That was one minute 57 in the heats!” said Hodgkinson.”We are dragging the best out of each other and the standard keeps getting higher and higher, but it brings out the best in me.”Hodgkinson added: “I felt really good. I’m so glad the race was a bit quicker. I felt it was at a similar rhythm to when I train. I’m glad because sometimes a slower race can feel awful.”I just got back from Portugal so I feel great. I got a nice tan there and had some relaxation time, which is always needed. That has prepared me to be here today.”World championships finalist Eloisa Coiro of Italy set a national record of 1:57.56 in finishing second behind the Briton, while three-time European silver medallist Renelle Lamote of France could only finish fifth but qualified as one of the fastest finishers outside the automatic spots.Also qualifying with ease for Thursday’s semi-finals, with the final a day later, was Switzerland’s Audrey Werro, who won her heat in 1:57.83.Werro this season clocked the third fastest time ever in the two-lap race and the rivalry between her and Hodgkinson has set the 800m as one of the must-see races at the Birmingham Euros.The pair last met at the Stockholm Diamond League in June, when Werro outpaced Hodgkinson, timing 1:53.98 for the victory to become the first woman to dip under 1:54 since 1983.The Swiss runner then bettered that with a blistering 1:53.80 to win at the Paris Diamond League.Hodgkinson improved her own British record to 1:54.33 behind Werro in Stockholm. She then went on to win the London Diamond League. Don’t care about noiseHodgkinson had broken the 24-year-old world indoor record in Lievin in February before claiming a first world indoor title in March.”I don’t really care about the noise about me,” said Hodgkinson. “I haven’t got time for that. I just focus on myself and do what I can do.”Never to be ruled out is Dutchwoman Femke Broeders-Bol, the former two-time world 400m hurdles champion who has transitioned into a 800m specialist.She, too, won her heat with ease in 1:59.96.”Those were my very first 800m heats at a major championships so it’s nice to get through to the semis,” said Broeders-Bol.”I feel very strong and have posted very good times earlier this season, but I do have to admit it was quite exciting and nerve wracking going into this race this morning.”Given it will be championship racing, which tends to be more tactical and not a pacesetter-led time-based event, it would be a brave pundit to overlook Broeders-Bol, known in her hurdling days for her devastating turn of pace with the finish line in sight.”It’s nice to just surprise myself, to be the underdog instead of the favourite,” said Broders-Bol.”It’s also a bit about finding out how things work and getting used to doing these type of races. I am not too experienced with the tactical part of the 800m. Not being a clear favourite, it means I’m not the one controlling the race this time around.”In the 400m hurdles, I had my own lane, my own hurdles and I knew what I was capable of. In the 800m, everything is very new but that’s also very exciting.”Both Hodgkinson and Werro have been quick to play down any chance the oldest world record in athletics history could be broken: the 1:53.28 set in 1983 by Jarmila Kratochvilova of then-Czechoslovakia.”I don’t have the world record now in my head. My goal for the European championships is to do a podium,” said Werro. Related Story Source link
Iga Swiatek of Poland serves to Diana Shnaider during the Toronto Masters quarter-finals. (AFP) Former world number one Iga Swiatek cruised into the Toronto Masters semi-finals on Monday to set up a clash with Elina Svitolina who fought back from a set down to reach the last four.Poland’s Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, took just 64 minutes to sweep past Russia’s Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-1.Ukraine’s Svitolina, the ninth seed, beat Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.Swiatek reached just her second WTA semi-final this year after Rome and is seeking her first final appearance since winning the Korea Open almost a year ago in Seoul.”From the beginning I went for it. I felt like I could dominate,” Swiatek said after dropping just three points on her first serve.”I was quite happy with the way I played. It was a tricky match with the wind.”I thought I needed to adjust to that. I just wanted to be more solid,” added the 25-year-old world number eight.Svitolina won eight consecutive games after losing the first set on the way to dispatching Alexandrova in 93 minutes.Swiatek leads Svitolina 4-3 in their WTA career rivalry, but lost both their meetings this year.”I’m gonna talk with my team to adjust a little bit for Iga’s game,” said Svitolina.”Of course she’s a great champion. She plays really well this tournament. I have to bring my best.”Swiatek established a 5-2 lead in the first set when she broke Shnaider a second time, courtesy of the Russian netting a backhand, and served out to take it in 31 minutes.The Pole broke for a 2-1 lead in the second when Shnaider netted. A forehand winner gave Swiatek a 4-1 lead and a third break sealed victory.Svitolina had more of a battle after sending a backhand long on serve to drop an evenly matched first set.It fired up the Ukrainian who reeled off four breaks to blank Alexandrova in the second set and take a 2-0 lead in the third.Svitolina served for the match in the eighth game of the final set only for a double fault to allow Alexandrova a lifeline.But a pumped-up Svitolina roared back, broke to love and finished the match with a searing return winner.”Very pleased with my performance. With the fighting spirit,” said Svitolina.”She was playing really well in the first set. I had to really step into like a fighting mode.” Related Story Source link
Gold medallist Britain’s Amy Hunt celebrates after winning the women’s 100m final during the European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on August 10, 2026.…
Gold medallist Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen celebrates after winning in the men’s 5000m final during the European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on August 10,…
beIN SPORTS x New Football Season Barely three weeks after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, European club football roars back to life this week – and fans across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) will not miss a moment, with beIN SPORTS (“beIN”) broadcasting the new season live and exclusive across 24 MENA markets. From the season’s first trophy to its last, the region’s leading sports broadcaster will once again be the exclusive home of Europe’s biggest leagues and competitions. Mohammed Al Bader, Managing Director of beIN Channels – MENA, said: “We are excited for the start of the new European season. beIN has been the home of football in the Middle East and North Africa for more than two decades, and we look forward to continuing to raise the standards, pushing our potential, and providing the region with the live, exclusive, award-winning coverage fans have come to expect from us.” The action begins almost immediately. The UEFA Super Cup – the traditional curtain-raiser of the European season – sees Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Europa League champions Aston Villa in Salzburg on 12 August, live and exclusive on beIN. Aston Villa, contesting the fixture for the first time since 1982, will be aiming to deny holders PSG back-to-back Super Cups – a fitting appetiser for a season that promises drama at every turn. The Turkish Süper Lig and LALIGA kick off their campaigns on 15 August, before Ligue 1 and the Premier League follow from 21 August, when champions Arsenal raise the curtain at home to newly promoted Coventry City. In Spain, LALIGA is sure to provide fireworks as Jose Mourinho returns to the Real Madrid helm after a 13-year absence, while in France, European champions Paris Saint-Germain begin the defence of their Ligue 1 crown. Every match from the Premier League, LALIGA, and Ligue 1, alongside top fixtures from the Turkish Super Lig, will be broadcast live and exclusive on beIN, all season long. There is a distinctly regional flavour to the new season, too. Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah begins a new chapter with Trabzonspor following his move from Liverpool, bringing one of the Arab world’s greatest ever players to Türkiye’s top flight. Fresh from captaining Egypt to a historic Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Salah’s key Super Lig matches will be broadcast live and exclusive on beIN, and its leading OTT platform, TOD by beIN. beIN’s coverage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League also returns this month, with the decisive two-legged play-off ties broadcast live before the league phase gets underway in September – including the Champions League’s opening night on 8 September. As the home of Europe’s premier club competitions in MENA, beIN will bring fans every step of the way. The road to the final at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium starts here. Surrounding every match will be the coverage that has made beIN the region’s undisputed home of football with dedicated studio programming, expert analysis from world-class regional and international talent, and multilingual commentary in Arabic, English and French. From the first whistle of the Super Cup to the last day of the season, fans across MENA can experience it all – live, exclusive, and in unmatched depth – on beIN SPORTS and TOD by beIN. Related Story Source link
With just 100 days to go until the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, excitement is building for the prestigious youth tournament taking place in Qatar from 19 November to 13 December 2026. This year marks the second of five consecutive editions that Qatar will host annually through 2029, reaffirming its commitment to delivering world-class sporting events while strengthening the country’s long-term football legacy. Building on the success of the landmark 2025 tournament, which saw Qatar host the first-ever FIFA competition featuring 48 teams, this year’s edition will once again welcome 48 nations competing across 104 matches. Fans can look forward to up to eight matches per day during an action-packed group stage. The FIFA U-17 World Cup has long served as a launching pad for many of football’s biggest stars, most notably, Egyptian forward and FC Barcelona player Hamza Abdelkarim, who made his debut at the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a breakout performance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. The tournament will once again provide the world’s most promising young players with the opportunity to showcase their talent on football’s biggest stage. The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 will be held at the Aspire Zone Competition Complex, with the final taking place at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium, where Portugal lifted the trophy last year in front of a crowd of 38,901 spectators. With all matches being held in a centralised venue, fans will be treated to an exciting festival-like atmosphere under the theme of TMRW’s GOAT, celebrating young stars as well as exploring a number of cultural and entertainment activities taking place at the Fan Zone. This year’s tournament coincides with a significant milestone for Khalifa International Stadium, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its inauguration in 1976. One of Qatar’s most iconic sporting venues, the stadium has previously hosted a number of major sporting events, including matches during the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.Tickets will be made available at www.roadtoqatar.qa at a later date. Source link
The Qatar Stars League (QSL) has announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, making the EAA the league’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partner for two seasons (2026-27 and 2027-28). The partnership comes under the QSL’s CSR programmes and stems from a shared belief in the importance of education as the cornerstone of building societies, empowering children and youth, and enhancing their opportunities for a better future. The EAA believes that education is the most important means to combat poverty, build more just and peaceful societies, unlock the full potential of children and youth, and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations. “We are pleased to sign this agreement, which comes under the QSL’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives,” said QSL executive director (Sales, Marketing and Communication) Hassan Rabiah al-Kuwari.“The Education Above All Foundation plays a pivotal role in this field through its programmes and initiatives that extend across the globe, contributing to supporting the most vulnerable children and providing them with educational opportunities,” the official explained. “We believe that education is a fundamental pillar for achieving human, social and economic development,” al-Kuwari added. “At the QSL, we’re committed to supporting all initiatives that promote the values of development and excellence, and we look forward to this partnership contributing to achieving the shared goals of both entities.” “We are pleased to sign this partnership with Qatar Stars League, reflecting our shared belief in the role of sport in supporting education and empowering youth,” said EAA chief operations officer Ali Turki al-Sobai. “Through this collaboration, we look forward to leveraging the immense popularity of football as a platform to inspire children and young people, raise awareness of the importance of access to education, and help build their skills, confidence and ability to contribute positively to their communities,” he said. “Education and sport both play a vital role in preparing a more ambitious generation capable of leading a more inclusive andsustainable future.” The Qatar Stars League’s announcement of the partnership agreement with the EAA Foundation coincides with its announcement of a sponsorship agreement with Zoom Live, a leading creative production and live event management company. Zoom Live will be the Doha Bank Stars League’s business partner and the official partner of the Qatar Cup for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.The QSL also announced the renewal of its partnership with The Look Company, which will continue to serve as the foundation’s visual identity partner for three seasons (2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29). – QNA Source link
Britain won both the men’s and women’s 4x200m freestyle relays on the opening day of the European swimming championships on Monday as French swim star Leon Marchand took silver with his team as he returns from injury.The four-woman British team of Freya Colbert, Abbie Wood, Leah Schlosshan and Freya Anderson crushed their rivals and narrowly missed out on the continental record with their time of 7min 45.93sec.Behind them, the battle for the podium was tight between Hungary, Germany and Russia.Ultimately the Hungarian women took silver in 7:49.09, ahead of Russia, competing under a neutral flag (7:49.13). The German women missed the podium by a hundredth of a second.Moments later, the British men emulated their compatriots winning gold in 7:01.52, thanks to Matthew Richards, Jack McMillan, James Guy and Duncan Scott.France were spurred on by the home crowd and four-time Olympic champion Marchand, but finished second in 7:02.23. The bronze medal went to Germany (7:02.28).”It’s my first European medal and a team one as well, so it’s cool, I’m happy,” said Marchand.”I was a bit nervous about going first, as it was a first for me. Plus I wasn’t quite sure where I stood in terms of form, so this was reassuring.”Earlier Russia’s Ilia Borodin took the men’s 4x200m freestyle gold as Olympic and world champion Marchand skipped that event.Borodin clocked 4:08.17 with Italy’s Alberto Razzetti taking silver in 4:10.40. Britain’s Max Litchfield won bronze in 4:11.58.The 23-year-old Borodin, competing as a neutral athlete as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, had won bronze at the world championships in Singapore last year.A major rival of Marchand during their junior careers, Borodin would undoubtedly have welcomed the chance to face the world record holder (4:02.50) in the event.However, the Frenchman has been forced to cut back on his events this week because of a lingering thigh injury that severely hinders his ability to swim the breaststroke.Marchand is entered, however, in the 200m butterfly and 400m freestyle, and the relays with the French team. Related Story Source link
Greek long jumper Miltiadis Tentoglou kept his bid for a fourth European title on track at the opening day of the 2026 athletics championships in Birmingham on Monday.Double Olympic champion Tentoglou sailed into the final of the men’s long jump with an effort of 8.26m at the Alexander Stadium that secured automatic qualification.”Tomorrow I want to jump 8.50m, 8.60m and win,” said the 28-year-old Greek.”I’m good, so I should be able to. I have defended so many titles, so I don’t feel the pressure, I feel excited.”Italian Francesco Ettore Inzoli, with a wind-assisted 8.34m, and Serbian Luka Boskovic (8.33) led the way into Tuesday’s final.The world outdoor and indoor champion from 2025, Italy’s Mattia Furlani, missed out on qualification with one effort of 7.73m on his comeback from injury.Like Tentoglou, Poland’s Wojciech Nowicki is also a serial European gold medallist, having won the last three men’s hammer throw titles, in Berlin in 2018, Munich in 2022 and Rome two years ago.But Nowicki, Olympic champion in Tokyo in 2021 and who also has five world medals to his name (two silver, three bronze), missed out on qualification for Tuesday’s final.He managed a best of 74.49m, which saw him finish 13th, 73cm off the 12th and final qualifier spot.Nowicki’s teammate Pawel Fajdek, the five-time world gold medallist who also won an European title in 2016, will ensure Polish interest in an event the country has dominated in recent times.Czech Volodymyr Myslyvcuk (79.61m) and Hungary’s Bence Halasz (79.58) led the qualifiers, the only two athletes comfortably beyond the automatic qualification standard of 78.00m.The Netherlands’ Jessica Schilder looked comfortable in qualifying for the women’s shot put, the final of which will be held later Monday.The two-time defending champion comes to Birmingham in fine form, having made history at the Shanghai Diamond League when she threw 21.09m to not only break the Diamond League record, but also became just the third woman in the world to break 21 metres since the turn of the millennium.Schilder, seeking to become just the second woman to win the event three or more times, will face stiff competition from Germany’s Yemisi Mabry, formerly Ogunleye.Olympic champion Mabry topped qualifying with a best of 19.25m, while Schilder progressed with a first-round effort of 19.00m.”I’m really not a huge fan of qualifying sessions in the morning if I’m completely honest. I really don’t like it,” said Schilder.”The first step was to get through qualifying and that’s done, so now it’s about focusing on tonight.”Max Burgin and Ben Pattison delighted the British crowd by qualifying for the semi-finals of the men’s 800m.France’s Yanis Meziane ran the fastest heat, in 1min 45.10sec, but teammate and defending champion Gabriel Tual only just snuck in.Tual, the sixth?fastest man and the second?fastest European in the two-lap race, was the 13th and final qualifier in 1:46.33.The evening session at the 18,000-capacity Alexander Stadium features five finals.Golds will be up for grabs for both men and women in the shot put, while Amy Hunt will be vying for a British victory in the women’s 100m.Jakob Ingebrigtsen is gunning for a seventh European title in the men’s 5,000m, while there are also bragging rights to claim in the mixed 4x400m relay. Related Story Source link
Jon Rahm captured his third consecutive LIV Golf season crown on Sunday while Chile's Joaquin Niemann took a wire-to-wire victory at LIV Golf New York for a record ninth series title. Niemann fired a two-under par 69 to finish 72 holes on 16-under 268 and defeat American Harold Varner III by three strokes at Trump National Bedminster in New Jersey. ‘The more they push me the better golfer I became from every experience,’ Niemann said. ‘I was just hoping to be able to hit the shots I did and make the putts that I did coming down the stretch. I put the credit on myself.’ England's Lee Westwood and Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe shared third, both seven off the pace. Rahm finished tied for 41st after firing a closing 76 Sunday, but clinched the season trophy with an unassailable 219-point lead over Bryson DeChambeau going into the finale in two weeks at Indianapolis. Rahm, whose 2025 season crown came despite no victories, won this year at Hong Kong in March and Mexico City in April. He also had runner-up efforts in Riyadh, Adelaide, South Africa and Andalucia. ‘It has been a great year,’ Rahm said. ‘A little sour taste in my mouth because of how badly I played this week but it has been something to be proud of. ‘And after last year not getting a win and possibly having a question mark over the season-long race to win twice effectively and win it again, definitely feels good.’ Rahm was proud of his early season performances, with two wins, three seconds and a fifth in the first six tournaments of 2026. ‘Proud of earlier in the season. I think to start off as well as I did with a few second-places and not getting in the way,’ Rahm said.’Then going to Hong Kong and getting it done when I needed to, having a lead and then losing it and then birdieing four in a row in the last few holes was probably the most proud moment.’ Niemann, who opened with a bogey at the first hole but birdied the par-three seventh, sank a 56-foot birdie putt at the 13th hole and a long eagle putt at the 15th to seize a four-stroke edge on Varner. A bogey at 17 only trimmed his victory margin. Crushers, with DeChambeau as captain, won the LIV Golf New York team title on six-over par, defeating Legion XIII and Torque by two strokes. Source link