Becky Adlington joined more than three hundred swimming enthusiasts at London Fields Lido to take part in SwimBritain 2014.

British Gas SwimBritain is now in its second year and the event encourages more people to swim regularly. Thousands of members of the public signed up to take to the water with decorated stars of British Swimming including Becky Adlington and Ellie Simmonds, plus celebrities including David Walliams, at 11 locations nationwide between 30th August and 4th October.

28 September 2014 - South Africa’s national Under-17 coach Molefi Ntseki said he was now gunning for a place in the World Cup Youth tournament scheduled for Chile next year having achieved his initial goal of making it to Niger 2015.

Amajimbos drew 2-2 with Egypt on Saturday evening in Cairo’s Contractors Stadium, winning 4-3 on aggregate to book a berth in the finals in Niger next year.

“Yes, this is a good achievement and great for my CV but I am now looking beyond Niger; I want to take these boys to Chile for the World Cup. The reality of qualifying for Niger has now sunk in and I am gunning for more success,” said Ntseki at the exclusive five-star team hotel, the Tiba Rose Plaza.

We, members of the Executive Committee of the African Football Confederation and African members of the FIFA Executive Committee, meeting at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

Please click here for the full press release.

• THE RACING SCHOOL is Europe’s longest-established performance driving school. It offers the most diverse range of experiences of any provider. It maintains a racing fleet of more than 80 vehicles. Circuit passenger rides start from as little as £40, and driving experiences from £125.
• THE RACING SCHOOL’s other driving experiences include: Formula 1; Off-road; Single-seater; Supercar; Multiple Supercar; Race training; and Junior. In addition to Donington Park, it operates at the Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Three Sisters race circuits.

MONEY TALKS, they say. But when it comes to getting close to our sporting heroes, there’s normally a deafening silence. However deep your wallet, you won’t get a kickabout with Wayne Rooney or a net session with Andy Murray. Which is why THE RACING SCHOOL’s sneak preview of its forthcoming Touring Car Experience really captures the imagination.

From fuelling the finest athletes from across the Commonwealth, to serving Games-time lunches to royalty, Sodexo Prestige, Sodexo’s sport, leisure and travel business, is reflecting on the successful delivery of culinary services during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Sodexo supplied Glasgow 2014 with catering and hospitality services during the Games. This involved serving in excess of 800,000 meals to athletes, officials and staff based in the Athletes’ Village, as well as catering for the public, staff and hospitality clients at Scotland’s national stadium Hampden Park, the Athletics venue for the Games.

The Sodexo team, based at the Athletes’ Village comprised 600 staff each day who in total served in excess of 400,000 meals. The focus for the Village operation was the main dining hall which could serve up to 6,000 people in a single sitting and served food 24 hours a day. The team also had the honour of serving lunch for the Queen and 120 representatives from the Commonwealth Games Associations in the Athletes’ Village.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) officially inaugurated the 8th edition of the NMMU/FIFA/CIES Programme in South Africa and awarded diplomas to the class of 2013-2014 last week in Port Elizabeth.

Port Elizabeth was all abuzz with activity to welcome the new participants in the NMMU/FIFA/CIES Programme who started their classes on 8 September and to celebrate the 25 students who received their diplomas the following day.

The ‘Happiness Report’, commissioned by British Gas, found that taking a regular dip at your local pool can make you feel happier as well as healthier.Walliams couldn’t agree more as he turned out to take part in British Gas SwimBritain today at the London Aquatics Centre at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park..

Walliams, who was in high spirits as he joined more than 800 swimmers, said. “Swimming definitely makes me more energetic.  I really enjoy the feeling I get after a swim, whether it’s a gentle swim at my local pool or a challenge like British Gas SwimBritain. I wasn’t very sporty at school but the only sport I was good at was swimming so it has always been a sport that makes me happy.”

The Happiness Report showed that after four weeks of swimming, participants reported an increase of 35% in positivity and 40% reported better sleep quality.

In the Photo:  From Far Right. Kogelo Marathon Secretariat Technical Manager Mr. Samuel Koech shakes hands with Siaya County Governor H.E. Cornel Rasanga. Siaya County Government Communications Director Mr. Boni Odinga and South East Alego Ward MCA Hon. Joshua Osuri on the far left looks during on the partnership meeting between Mama Sarah Obama Kogelo Marathon organizers and Siaya County Governor at the Governor's office on 15th September 2014 in Siaya

The Siaya County Government has partnered with Kogelo Marathon in preparation of the upcoming charity road race event for Mama Sarah Obama's “Orphans and Widows Campaign” in aid of Orphans, vulnerable children, Widows and the Girl Child through an NGO Safeguard Orphans and Widows Organization (SOWO). The road race event is the brainchild of Mama

The 12th episode of IAAF Inside Athletics is available to watch online now.

This show features an exclusive and in-depth interview with IAAF Hall of Fame member Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who is still the heptathlon world record holder.

IAAF Inside Athletics is hosted by Trinidad and Tobago’s 1997 world 200m champion Ato Boldon, who is now an internationally respected broadcaster.

It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has learned of the death of Alpha Ibrahim Diallo at the age of 82.

A graduate in journalism and civil administration, Mr Diallo joined the IOC in 1994. He was a member of the Executive Board from 2003 to 2006 and also served on the following commissions: Sport for All (1995), Radio and Television since 1996, IOC 2000 (1999), Olympic Solidarity (2002-2006) and International Relations since 2002. He became an Honorary Member in 2012.

Mr Diallo enjoyed playing football and basketball, and it was his passion for sport that led to his long career serving the Olympic Movement at home and abroad. During his 15 years at the head of the NOC of Guinea, he played a key role in supporting athletes and in promoting the values of physical activity in his country. On a continental level, Diallo was a Member of the ANOCA Executive Committee from 1986 to 1990, before becoming President from 2001 to 2005. He also served as a member of the ANOC Executive Committee before becoming its Vice-President in 2001.

The Sierra Leone ministry of Sports has lodged a complaint against the Vice President of the Democratic Republic of Congo FA Theobald Binamingu over US14, 000 given to him in Lubumbashi to purchase air tickets and pay other travelling costs for players before the Leone Stars versus DR Congo Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last Wednesday.

According to the letter sent to the Minister of Sports of Katanga province in DR Congo signed by the SLFA Finance officer Francis Kaikai, the money was meant for the purchasing of one way air tickets for seven Leone Stars players, visa fees and other taxes and to facilitate their return travelling expenses to their respective destinations back in Europe and USA.

Sunday 14th September - Today marks the final day of Prince Harry's Invictus Games. Final medals will be decided in the sitting volleyball, powerlifting and swimming.

The Jaguar Land Rover Invictus Games Closing Concert takes place at the South lawn of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This star-studded event will mark the conclusion of the Invictus Games presented by Jaguar Land Rover.

With a special headlining performance by Foo Fighters, the concert will also feature sets from Kaiser Chiefs, Ellie Goulding, Ryan Adams, The Vamps, Rizzle Kicks, James Blunt, Diversity and Military Wives Choirs.

FIFA and the United Nations have decided today to join forces in the effort to stop the spread of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

The football field at Monrovia’s Antoinette Tubman Stadium, donated by FIFA to the Liberia Football Association, will serve as the site for two urgently needed large-scale Ebola treatment units.

After the World Health Organization (WHO) identified the FIFA football pitch as the most suitable location in terms of effectiveness and safety, FIFA – one of whose missions is “to build a better future” – immediately expressed its support for the proposed action to convert the pitch into treatment units.

FIFA President Blatter said that, “thanks to the continuous fruitful and fundamental collaboration between FIFA and the United Nations, today we can use the power of football to combat the Ebola epidemic. To allay any concerns regarding the impact of the treatment units on the recently installed pitch, FIFA has also proposed to cover the costs of any damage.”

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014:  Biking enthusiast David Beckham joins world-renowned photographer Peter Lindbergh for the global launch of “Off Road”, held at British luxury lifestyle brand Belstaff’s New York City flagship store on Madison Avenue.

 

“Off Road” is a coffee table book housing photography of a leather-clad David Beckham from photographer, Peter Lindberg. The images capture Beckham’s spirit of adventure, which correlates with the brand’s heritage and style. 

The launch was marked with a motorcycle parade down Madison Avenue where the Brooklyn Bikers were greeted by Beckham before the VIP cocktail event and book signing commenced. 

Monaco/Tokyo, Japan - The IAAF and Dentsu Inc. are proud to announce the extension and enhancement of their long standing commercial partnership until the end of 2029. This agreement constitutes a new milestone in the ongoing partnership between the IAAF and Dentsu.  It brings continued financial stability to the IAAF allowing it to move ahead with its development and promotion of Athletics globally while at the same time providing a long term platform for Dentsu to continue its successful commercialisation of the IAAF’s leading events.  

Dentsu will continue as the worldwide Commercial Partner of the IAAF for the IAAF World Athletics Series* which includes the third-largest sporting event in the world, the biennial IAAF World Championships.  The rights include all marketing and licensing rights worldwide and all media rights worldwide outside of Europe and Africa.

“The extension of the present agreement with Dentsu, which already ran until 2019, for a further ten years to 2029 provides an extraordinary guarantee of financial security for the IAAF and its member federations,” commented IAAF President Lamine Diack.”

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble met today at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne to advance collaboration on the protection of sport from corruption, particularly the manipulation of competition through betting.

Today’s discussion focused on the parameters of collaboration to be implemented in the coming years. The main areas of focus are awareness-raising among members of the Olympic Movement of the risks related to the manipulation of competitions, intelligence gathering, the conducting of investigations and prosecution procedures. Law enforcement authorities will be trained in parallel with the sports movement as the manipulation of sports competitions is often linked to criminal activities. INTERPOL’s expertise in overseeing and conducting investigations and in the exchange of intelligence is therefore critical.

The approach is based on the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding the IOC and INTERPOL signed in January. The MOU widened the scope of previous activities between the two organisations and paves the way for future collaboration on the security and protection of the integrity of competitions at the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games. It includes measures to improve governance through sport regulations and state legislation; ensuring regulatory enforcement through intelligence and investigations; and enhancing awareness among, and providing training to, Olympic Movement stakeholders and law enforcement agencies.

4 September 2018 - HRH Prince Imran, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, has welcomed Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma’s announcement of ‘A Young Commonwealth’ as the annual theme for Commonwealth Day 2015, and activities over the ensuing year.

HRH Prince Imran said: “I’m delighted that following on from the great success of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2015 will see the entire Commonwealth focus on the needs and contributions of its younger citizens. This is particularly appropriate for the CGF because one year from today we will be celebrating the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa.

The 11th episode of IAAF Inside Athletics is available to watch online now.

This show features an exclusive and in-depth interview with Jamaica’s world 200m silver medallist Warren Weir.

IAAF Inside Athletics is hosted by Trinidad and Tobago’s 1997 world 200m champion Ato Boldon, who is now an internationally respected broadcaster.

Fans can interact and ask questions, either on the IAAF World Athletics Club Facebook page or by email to insideathletics@iaaf.org

Cyclist on Ironage Colner team, from Sorocaba, takes the lead in the last few meters and excites crowd in Três Rios this Thursday, the 28th

It was under rain, fog and mountain climbing that the third stage of Tour do Rio’s fifth edition took place this Thursday, the 28th. During the 173.7 km (107.9 m) stretch between Volta Redonda and Três Rios, cyclists faced tight curves while maintaining an average speed of 42 km per hour. The fastest of the stage was Argentinean Cristian Clavero (Ironage Colner), who took off in a strong sprint during the final two kilometers and passed his adversaries, finishing at 4h03min40s. In second place was Brazilian Rafael Andriato (Neri Sottoli / Yellow Fluo Pro), followed by his teammate Monsalve Yonathan.

Fifth place in the third stage and champion of the Tour do Rio last year, the Spaniard (Oscar Sevilla EPM UNE) remains the leader of the competition’s individual category (yellow jersey), at 12h02min51s. In second place is his countryman Gustavo Veloso (OFM Quinta da Lixa), just five seconds behind overall. Rafael Andriato is still in third place overall, at 1min14s behind.

The fourth of six stages will start this Friday, the 29th, at Ave. Prefeito Alberto da Silva Lavinas, S/Nº, downtown Três Rios, at noon. The final stage will wrap up this Sunday, the 31st, at Quinta da Boa Vista, in Rio de Janeiro, and is estimated to arrive at 11 am.

Monaco - The Local Organising Committee of the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 have published the 1st Official Bulletin concerning next year’s Championships.

The IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 will be hosted in the National Stadium of the Chinese capital from the 22 to 30 August 2015.

“The IAAF World Championships will be the biggest sporting event on the planet in 2015,” commented IAAF President Lamine Diack. “2000 athletes from over 200 nations will assemble in Beijing in a year’s time for nine days of competition which will be broadcast to an accumulated audience of 6 billion worldwide.”

AUGUST 27, 2014 - On behalf of the Houston Marathon Foundation (HMF), the Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) announced today that Executive Director Wade Morehead will also assume the duties of Executive Director for the Foundation. In addition to this announcement, the HMF is getting a new look by changing its logo to include the iconic star footprint associated with the Houston Marathon Committee since its inception.

 

"Both the HMC and HMF Board of Directors have been extremely pleased and impressed with Wade's leadership and the direction of the Houston Marathon Committee since his arrival in 2010," stated Houston Marathon Foundation President Maddie Bunch.  "We are extremely pleased that Wade will take on this additional role because the collaboration between both organizations can be mutually beneficial and the new logo was created to make it visibly clear that the HMF is the philanthropic arm of the Committee."

 

The mission of the Houston Marathon Foundation is to support the advancement of running as an element of a balanced and healthy lifestyle in the Houston community and nationally. In 2013, the HMF educated and helped train more than 500+ Houston area middle and high school students, teaching running and exercise fundamentals while also providing mentorship. The Foundation was also one of the top funding partners for the Memorial Park stretching area rebuild.

The second Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) came to a spectacular close today in Nanjing, China, with a dramatic Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. It marked the end of 12 days of high-level sporting competition and cultural and educational activities enjoyed by thousands of spectators and the 3,800 participating athletes.

After the hugely successful debut of 3x3 basketball at the first edition of the Summer YOG in Singapore in 2010, other new formats have made a popular introduction at Nanjing, including hockey 5s, the 8x100m relay in an urban venue in athletics, and a basketball skills contest. In addition, rugby and golf made their first Olympic appearance ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and more International Federations rolled out mixed-country and mixed-team competitions.

Talking at his closing press conference earlier in the day, IOC President Thomas Bach said, “These have been the Youth Olympic Games of innovation.”

For the second edition of the Summer YOG, the IOC introduced the Nanjing 2014 Sports Lab, where 3,000 visitors came daily to watch and try the showcased sports of roller sports, skateboarding, sport climbing and wushu; and this concept is already being considered for future Youth Olympic Games.

A day of firsts on the Tour do Rio this Wednesday, 27th. In addition to the new 163.3 km-long route between Angra dos Reis and Volta Redonda, it rained for the first time in five editions of Latin America's largest cycling competition. Brazilian Rafael Andriato, from Italian team Neri Sottoli / Yellow Fluo Pro, was the one that best handled the adversities. The cyclist raced to a good position in the last 8km and sprinted to take the lead. He celebrated a lot at the finish line as he won after 3h54min01s. The second place on the victory podium, just one second behind, was secured by his Venezuelan teammate Monsalve Yonathan, followed by Brazilian Kleber Ramos (Funvic Brasilinvest).

Finishing tenth in the second stage and last year's Tour do Rio champion, Spanish Oscar Sevilla (EPM UNE) remains the competition's general individual leader (yellow jersey), at 7h59min14s. Fellow countryman Gustavo Veloso (OFM Quinta da Lixa) is second, 4 seconds behind. Andriato's victory this Wednesday now places his third overall, at 1min17sec.

The third of the six stages starts this Thursday, 28th, in the parking lot of the Volta Redonda City Office of Sports and Leisure, at 11 am. The last stage finishes this Sunday, 31st, in Quinta da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro.

Before the second stage started, it already looked like rain was bound to keep the cyclists company throughout the race. On the very first uphill stretch, fog and the damp road were some of the hurdles found that forced the athletes to test their resilience.

“I did not start well. I lagged way behind on the first mountain, but my teammates helped me neutralize all of the attacks, allowing me to finish first. I am very happy about this win. I have won three Tour do Rio stages, but this was the hardest victory of all. We were not familiar with the route. It was quite undulating as well. I dedicate this win to my teammates and family. I had reached my limit, at times I thought I was not going to make it, but they helped me a great deal,” Rafael Andriato explained, who was also presented with the green jersey, given to the race's fastest sprinter.

Austria’s Hannes Arch is holding onto a narrow lead in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship over Paul Bonhomme and Nigel Lamb after their one-two British sweep at the last stop in Ascot, England. Americans Kirby Chambliss and Michael Goulian are looking forward to their homecoming race in the heart of Texas.

DALLAS-FORT WORTH, Texas (USA) – The Red Bull Air Race World Championship moves to the United States with a riveting stop set for the Texas Motor Speedway in Dallas-Fort Worth on September 6-7. Austria’s Hannes Arch will try to hold onto his crumbling lead ahead of hard-charging Paul Bonhomme and Nigel Lamb after the two Brits flew brilliantly at home in the last race to take first and second places there. The sixth round of the eight-stop world championship will be held at the famous motor circuit in Dallas/Fort Worth, one of the largest sports stadiums in the United States.

This Tuesday morning, 26, was the first stage of the 5thedition of Tour do Rio, the biggest cycling event in Latin America, with the start in Barra da Tijuca, in the western district of Rio de Janeiro, and finishing in Angra dos Reis. The stage of the event, which saw 78 cyclists from 17 nationalities forming 13 teams, including the current champions of Volta da Colômbia (EPM/UNE) and Volta de Portugal (OFM / Quinta da Lixa), was won by Spaniard Oscar Sevilla, the overall individual champion of Tour do Rio last year. Very close to the finishing line at Praia do Anil, Spaniard Gustavo Veloso took second place, with Brazilian Kleber Ramos coming in third.

 The start of the second of the six stages is set for this Wednesday, 27, at Praia do Anil, in front of the TurisAngra building, at 11 am. The stage finishes in the parking lot of the Volta Redonda City Department of Sports and Leisure. The final stage is scheduled for Sunday, 31, in Quinta da Boa Vista, in Rio de Janeiro.

The first 162.8 km of the competition were intense. With strong headwinds and two mountain climbs along the course, the cyclists also had to face the intense heat  and rode together along practically the entire stage. This time, however, resilience and experience were what counted most. Over the final few meters, Oscar Sevilla (EPM/UNE) and Gustavo Veloso (OFM/Qunita da Lixa) presented an exciting dispute. In the duel between the Spaniards, the current champion from Volta da Colômbia came out best, taking the green jersey, for highest speed, and the yellow jersey, for overall leader of the Tour.

"It was a very difficult stage. Everyone was on the attack and the heat was almost unbearable. But we worked well as a team and managed a little extra at the end to pass (Gustavo) Veloso. He is a really strong athlete and is really well prepared. So, I am exceptionally happy to be back in the lead of the tour", said Oscar Sevilla, who was welcomed at the finishing line by children from the Adeus Rodinhas project and youths from local city schools.