Gray sets 5k PB at Flotrack Husky Classic

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Monday 14th February 2011

NATALIE Gray recorded the fastest 5k time of the year for 2011 by a British athlete finishing fifth with a time of 15:54.29 at the Flotrack Husky Classic held at the Dempsey Indoor Facility, University of Washington, Seattle, improving her previous best by 20 seconds.

Gray, the 22-year-old former Loughborough student coached by Bill Foster representing the University of New Mexico finished fifth in the race won by Tennessee athlete Jackie Areson who claimed victory also in a PB of 15:39.81.

Compatriots Ruth Senior and Felicity Milton finished 7th and 15th respectively with times of 16:02.38 and 16:24.87.

Sotherton shines in Sheffield

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Sunday 13th February 2011

KELLY Sotherton revived her athletics career with victory in the 400 metres at the Aviva Indoor Trials and UK Championships in Sheffield.

Sotherton's winning time of 53.46secs was outside the qualifying time of 53.00secs for next month's European Indoor Championships in Paris, but she will now attempt to gain qualification at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham next weekend.

The former Olympic heptathlon bronze medallist feared she would be forced to retire last year after suffering a prolapsed disc in her back. Kelly Massey finished second in 53.58 with Laura Wake third in 53.97. World 800m bronze medallist Jenny Meadows finished a distant seventh in 54.47.

Jessica Ennis pulled out of the long jump and 60 metres hurdles as an injury precaution. Ennis easily won the high jump on Saturday, one of four events she was scheduled to compete in this weekend, but passed on her final attempt at 1.91 metres after feeling some tightness in her ankle.

In the men’s 800m Joe Thomas and Andrew Osagie clocked 1:47.87 and 1:47:96 to finish first and second respectively, inside the 1:48.00 Paris qualifying time.

Andy Baddeley narrowly missed the European Indoor Championships qualifying mark by just second when taking the 3,000m title in 7:54.60.

In the men's high jump Tom Parsons set a lifetime best of 2.31m to win the competition and qualify for the European Indoors in style. Robbie Grabarz finished second with an indoor best of 2.25m.

European and Commonwealth champion Andy Turner was denied the 60m hurdles and 200m double, finishing second to Danny Talbot in the 200m by just 0.05secs. Joice Maduaka won the women’s 200m in a season’s best time of 23.63.

World Junior Championships bronze medallist Holly Bleasdale won the women’s pole vault competition with a height of 4.36m.

Nick McCormick with two previous UK indoor victories over 3000m, won his third title taking gold in the 1500m clocking a time of 3:45.30 with Lewis Moses second in a lifetime best of 3:45.57 as defending champion Colin McCourt finished third in 3:45.63.

Steel wins Hannut Lotto CrossCup

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Sunday 13th February 2011

GEMMA Steel sprinted clear of Kenyan Antonina Rutto to win the Lotto CrossCup meeting in Hannut, Belgium.

However, the race was marred by a serious injury to England compatriot Steph Twell, the three-time European junior cross country champion had to be hospitalised with a suspected broken ankle following a heavy fall when leading the race.

Classy Chambers wins fourth British title

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Saturday 12th February 2011

WORLD 60m champion Dwain Chambers produced an impressive performance ahead of next month's European Indoor Championships by storming to his fourth consecutive title at the Aviva UK Championships in Sheffield.

The 32-year-old, who will be looking to defend his indoor European crown in Paris in March, crossed the line in a season's best time of 6.57secs to secure gold.

Chambers came home ahead of Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Craig Pickering, who finished second and third respectively, while European and Commonwealth Games 100m silver medallist Mark Lewis-Francis could only finish fourth.

In the women's 60m event, 17-year-old Jodie Williams, the world junior 100m gold medallist continued to demonstrate her potential, clocking a personal best of 7.24secs to secure victory ahead of Bernice Wilson.

In the men's 60m hurdles, European and Commonwealth Games champion Andy Turner sealed victory in 7.61 to claim his third national indoor title.

World and European heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis, in her first event of four over the course of the weekend, took victory in the women's high jump with a best height of 1.88m. Ennis was pushed all the way by junior Isobel Pooley, who improved her indoor best twice with a mark of 1.85m.

Ennis went on to finish seventh in the shot put (13.86m), an event won by current UK number one and Aviva UK outdoor champion Eden Francis with 15.85m.

Former heptathlete Kelly Sotherton made her debut in the 400m, winning her semi-final in a time of 54.28 seconds. Sotherton will face Jenny Meadows in the final on Sunday.

Helen Clitheroe gave a strong display in the 3,000m, winning in 8:55:26.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Max Eaves exceeded his personal best to take victory in the men’s pole vault and his first UK title with 5.61m.

Luke Cutts claimed silver with 5.51m on count back from Commonwealth Games silver medallist and defending champion Steve Lewis.

Ezekiel Ewulo won his first national title in the men’s long jump with a 7.60m effort in the final round to push JJ Jegede into second.

World Junior Championships silver medallist Laura Samuel, the UK junior record holder with a mark of 13.75m exceeded 13m for the first time indoors to take victory in the women’s triple jump with a final round effort of 13.24m.

West Ham chosen as preferred Olympic Stadium tenant

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Friday 11th February 2011

WEST Ham United has been selected as the preferred club to move into the Olympic Stadium in east London after the 2012 Games.

Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) executives chose the club's bid over a rival proposal from Tottenham Hotspur.

The decision must now be ratified by two government departments and the mayor of London, possibly next week. The vote in favour of West Ham's bid for the £537m venue was unanimous. It was judged to provide the best legacy.

Spurs' plan was widely criticised because it would involve knocking down the stadium and building a new one. The club intended to pay for an expansion of the athletics facility in Crystal Palace, rather than keeping a legacy for the sport in Stratford.

West Ham, currently bottom of the Premier League, will keep athletics in east London and leave the running track untouched. Denise Lewis wants the stadium in Stratford to become a "beacon" for athletics

Baroness Ford, head of the OPLC, said: "We have made a unanimous recommendation to back West Ham and the borough of Newham as the long term tenant. "This represents the very best legacy for the stadium it is cracking for the communities of east London and a really good outcome for sport."

Baroness Ford claimed that, contrary to reports the recommendation was a foregone conclusion, it was a tough decision.

She said: "I pay tribute to both bids. They have each put the most enormous amount of effort into bringing the bids forward, we were thrilled to have two robust competitors."

A Spurs spokesman said: "We provided a first class proposal to support the sustainability of the whole project.

"It was never an option, however, that we would retain the running track as we believe this unacceptable for our supporters.

The club added the deal was not yet concluded and it would "monitor the situation".

A joint statement from Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles read: ''Today's recommendation by the OPLC board marks an important milestone for the future of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the whole Olympic project.

"We will look through their recommendation in detail before coming to our own decision, we aim to make a formal announcement to Parliament shortly."

It is considered highly unlikely that the government and Mayor of London Boris Johnson will not now rubber stamp the recommendation.

Ken Livingstone, Mr Johnson's rival in the 2012 mayoral election, said: "This is the right decision for Londoners, the right decision for sports fans and athletes and the right decision for those who are working to deliver a long-term Olympic legacy for the capital.

"Today's decision will ensure we fulfil promises that the capital will retain a world class athletics stadium at the Olympic Park which will inspire future generations."

UK Athletics boss Ed Warner also welcomed the decision. He said: "The pledges have been met and there will be a long-term athletics legacy in the Olympic Park, we now have a fantastic opportunity to ensure it continues to inspire for generations to come."

It is expected to cost about £95m to convert the venue from an 80,000 seat stadium to a 60,000-seat venue for football, athletics and cricket.

The Olympic Delivery Authority is to give £35m of that to West Ham, while most of the remaining funds have been provided by a £40m loan arranged by Newham Council.

But Lord Sugar, former chairman of Spurs, has previously said the West Ham plan is "totally flawed" and predicted the stadium would become "a white elephant".

There was a vocal campaign in Tottenham against the move
"It will be a disaster for the taxpayer and we'll end up having a mothballed Olympic village," he said ahead of the announcement.

The entertainment company AEG, who were partners in the Spurs bid, predict the stadium will go bust within a decade if it retains an athletics track. But there was jubilation in north London among Spurs supporters who had campaigned against the club leaving its historic area.

Haringey Council also praised the decision. It stressed that Spurs have planning permission for a new stadium at the White Hart Lane site and said building could "start almost immediately".

Shot putter Mark Edwards suspended by UK Anti-Doping

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Friday 11th February 2011

UK Anti-Doping announced shot putter Mark Edwards has been provisionally suspended from all competition.

Edwards has been charged with committing anti-doping rule violations under the UK Athletics anti-doping rules (presence and use of prohibited substances).

The 36-year-old from Newham & Essex Beagles has the opportunity to respond to the charges against him and to have those charges determined at a full hearing before the National Anti-Doping Panel.

A statement on the UK Athletics website, www.uka.org, added: "He is presumed innocent unless and until the charges brought against him have been upheld.

"UK Anti-Doping is the national anti-doping organisation for the UK and has responsibility for the management of results and prosecution of disciplinary proceedings brought under the anti-doping rules of UK Athletics."

Charlotte Best recognised with ‘On Camp with Kelly’ Achievement Award

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Tuesday 21st December 2010

CHARLOTTE Best who lives in Loughborough has been recognised by ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and Aviva with an Excellent Achievement Award after making her senior debut for the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland Team in the 1500m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships this year. The awards were presented at the recent Aviva Athletics Awards dinner.

Charlotte made her senior debut for the Aviva GB & NI Team in the 1500m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships after moving to ninth on UK indoor all-time list for the mile with a time of 4:32.24. After a late start to the outdoor season due to injury she ran a season’s best of 2:01.88 in the OCWK 800m race at the Aviva London Grand Prix. Charlotte has been a member of ‘On Camp with Kelly’ since it began in 2004.

Dame Kelly said: “I am delighted to be recognising Charlotte for her excellent achievements this year. When I set up ‘On Camp with Kelly’ with the support of Aviva in 2004, one of my aims was to assist young athletes to develop into successful seniors and it’s brilliant to see this come to fruition. The mentoring and education the athletes have received through ‘On Camp with Kelly’ has helped them to achieve this together with the hard work they put in on a day-to-day basis with their coaches.”

Heather Smith, Head of Sponsorship and CR at Aviva, said: “‘On Camp with Kelly’ is a scheme that we are proud to have supported from the beginning, and the Achievement Awards are a great way of recognising the successes of some of the athletes involved. It is our hope that with our support and Dame Kelly’s mentoring and advice, these athletes will continue to develop into world class performers.”

‘On Camp with Kelly’ is double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes’ mentoring and education initiative for talented young middle distance athletes which has been supported by Aviva since it began in 2004.

‘On Camp with Kelly’ (OCWK) was started by double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes in January 2004 and with support and sponsorship from Aviva has grown from strength to strength. Over 60 athletes have been involved in the initiative to date.

Dame Kelly set up OCWK because she wanted to help talented young female middle distance athletes to achieve their dreams and to retain them in the sport. Her vision of OCWK was that it should be an educational development programme so that the athletes who are part of it gain life experiences as well as learn what it takes to become a world class athlete. Since 2008 15 talented young male athletes have also been involved in the initiative.

Eight girls were given the opportunity to participate in the first OCWK camp in South Africa in October 2004, funded by Aviva, and since then there have been regular Get-Togethers, a training camp in Spain and camps in Melbourne during the 2006 Commonwealth Games and at the GB Team Preparation Camp in Portugal and the IAAF World Championships in Berlin in 2009. OCWK athletes also have the opportunity to race in international meetings across the UK and Europe and benefit from mentoring from Dame Kelly as well as medical and financial support funded by Aviva.

For more information about ‘On Camp with Kelly’ visit www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk

Maxinutrition Sign High Jumper Steph Pywell

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Tuesday 21st December 2010

GREAT Britain's Steph Pywell, has signed a new sponsorship deal with Maxinutrition thanks to Macesport.

The UK’s highest ranked female high jumper and Miss England finalist has signed a two year deal with the UK’s leading sports nutrition supplier to be an ambassador for their Maxifuel and Maxitone brands.

Steph recently competed for England at the Commonwealth games in Delhi and has her sights set on the final of London 2012.

The Hemel Hempstead-based company, will provide Pywell with individually-tailored nutritional support to complement her lifestyle, training and competition cycles in the build-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Pywell said; “The build up to 2012 has already started and I have my sights set on reaching the final of our home Olympics.

“Maxinutrition are the leading suppliers of sports nutritional products and there was only one choice when looking for nutritional support.”

Sponsorship manager for Maxinutrition, Mark Morgan, said: "Steph is one of the rising stars of UK Athletics and we are excited about being able to help her achieve her goals through our bespoke nutritional support system.”

Steph will join fellow Loughborough based athlete, pole vaulter, Kate Dennison in the Maxifuel stable.

Macesport Managing Director, Paul Mace, said; “Steph’s profile has been raised dramatically by the reaching the final of the Commonwealth games in Delhi and by finishing 4th in the Miss England competition.

“These new sponsorship agreements reflect her growing status and will have a huge impact on her ability to perform in the coming seasons.”

Maxinutrition products are now the choice of over 1,000 elite athletes and professional sports teams including the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Welsh Rugby Union, Fulham Football Club, London Wasps and Northampton Saints, as well as individuals such as Lee Byrne, Ugo Monye, Stuart Broad, Jermaine Jenas and European gymnastics champion, Daniel Keatings.

For further information on Macesport, please visit www.macesport.co.uk

Dame Kelly backs our teenagers

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Wednesday 20th October 2010

OLYMPIC legend Dame Kelly Holmes drew on her own teenage experience on Tuesday to help inspire Britain’s athletes of the future.

Speaking at the official launch of Loughborough College’s proposed £1m Elite Athlete Performance Centre for 16 to 18-year-olds, Dame Kelly, who struck double gold in the 800m and 1,500m in Athens in 2004, reflected on the days in which she could have forsaken her dream.

“I’d won England schools medals from the age of 13, but 16 was my toughest year. It wasn’t a good time for my athletics, I was going through a lot of life changes and could have given up many times.

“There was a huge drop out rate of athletes at that time who were as good or better than me. They could not cope with the distractions, they did not have the ultimate hunger to succeed.”

Dame Kelly said the distractions for today’s teenagers were even greater and that was one reason why she supported the Centre.

Britain had lost too much young talent in the past, she argued, and the guidance, support and structure the Centre would offer would complement the access to world class coaching.

Teenagers face ‘psychological, emotional, social and environmental’ challenges, she went on.

“Having talent is one thing, having opportunities is another. This will enable young people to fulfil their ambitions at a very difficult time,” she said.

She also emphasised the value of combining sport with education. “If your sport fails – as it inevitably will with some – education is something you can take with you,” she said.

The project’s instigator Chris McGeorge, a former Loughborough College student and international athlete and now the College’s elite sport education officer, said the Centre would enable to youngsters to gain access ‘to two more years of world class coaching at an earlier age.’

The College has launched an appeal to backers to help raise £1m to convert current student accommodation at The Gables into a fit-for-purpose elite centre.

Principal Jim Mutton admitted: “It may not be the perfect financial climate in which to launch this. But everyone would be disappointed if we don’t succeed.”

The Centre is scheduled to open in 2012 prior to the Olympic Games in London.

Dame Kelly Holmes to give future athletics stars the inside track in Delhi

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Wednesday 13th October 2010

SEVEN talented British middle distance athletes, who are part of the Aviva-sponsored ‘On Camp with Kelly’ (OCWK) mentoring and education initiative, have been selected to take part in an exclusive educational camp at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The initiative, which has been supported by Aviva since 2004, is giving the young athletes the unique opportunity to experience this Commonwealth Games as part of their preparations for London 2012, Glasgow 2014 and future championships.

As well as benefiting from a ‘behind the scenes’ view of the Games with a visit to the Athletes’ Village, the OCWK stars will experience the athletics action in the stadium and have the opportunity to see other OCWK athletes in action. Aviva’s sponsorship has also made it possible for these talented young athletes to team up with their mentor to provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for some of India’s young athletes to take part in a training master class and inspire the next generation of Indian middle distance runners.

Dame Kelly has always championed the importance of experiencing global sporting events first hand as part of an athlete’s education. Rising 1500m star and OCWK athlete Hannah England, who has been selected to represent England in Delhi, was selected for a similar camp at the 2006 Games in Melbourne which has helped take her career to the next level.

The Commonwealth Games has certainly been an important event in Dame Kelly’s remarkable career as she recorded her first major international title in the 1500m at the 1994 Games and added another gold in Manchester in 2002, before her legendary double gold performance at the Athens Olympics in 2004. She is now President of Commonwealth Games England.

With a group of top quality staff at their disposal, including 1998 Commonwealth Games medallist Anthony Whiteman, the ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes will be provided with the highest level of support while in Delhi. All the staff have been athletes or team managers at Olympics or Commonwealths, and will offer a real insight into the sacrifices and requirements needed to become an international athlete.

Dame Kelly said: “The Aviva-sponsored ‘On Camp with Kelly’ camp in Delhi will be a unique opportunity for the athletes to get behind the scenes experience at a major multi-sport event which will stand them in good stead for competing in major events in the future. They all have their eyes on the Olympics in London in 2012 and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. I am looking forward to passing on my experiences of the Commonwealths to the group as well as supporting the OCWK athletes competing in the stadium.”

After her experience in Melbourne, Hannah England is in no doubt that the young athletes will benefit from the trip and explained: “The ‘On Camp with Kelly’ educational camp in Melbourne was a fantastic opportunity for me to see what it takes to compete at a major multi-sport event. It was a real eye-opener taking in the atmosphere, seeing the stadium, visiting the Athletes' Village and rubbing shoulders with the some of the best athletes in the world. The camp definitely gave me the extra drive and hunger to compete at that level and there’s no doubt I’m now better prepared to deal with the pressures that come with it.”

For more information about ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and latest news and updates go to www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk

To follow the athletes’ progress, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/avivaathletics

Let the games begin, Delhi welcomes the Commonwealths

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Sunday 3rd October 2010

THE XIX Commonwealth Games finally following an uncertain build-up surrounding the condition of the athletes village and security issues began with a spectacular opening ceremony in the Indian city of Delhi as the Prince of Wales in front of a 65,000-strong audience declared the games open.

His message to the crowd arrived as the Queen's baton completed a 112,000-mile relay that began almost a year ago at Buckingham Palace saying: "It is particularly fitting that the 2010 Commonwealth Games are being held in India.

"Recently we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the London Declaration, when Indian independence brought into being the modern Commonwealth of nations.

"I send my very best wishes for what I hope will be the experience of a lifetime."

The four-hour spectacle included a vibrant and colourful showcase featuring over 7,000 dancers, drummers and acrobats inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The centrepiece of the evening was a £5.5 million helium balloon that rose into the sky to ecstatic cheers after a countdown beaten out on giant drums.

The athletics programme will begin on Wednesday afternoon (6th October).

NCAA champ Charlotte Browning kicks off season with victory

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Saturday 2nd October 2010

CHARLOTTE Browning the reigning NCAA indoor mile and outdoor 1500m champion began her cross-country season in fine style with a classy victory at the 2010 Wisconsin adidas Invitational in Madison, representing the University of Florida Gators.

The 22-year-old former Loughborough student from the Aldershot, Farnham & District Club, and under-23 team gold medallist for GB at the European Championships last year in Dublin and part of Dame Kelly Holmes ‘On Camp with Kelly’ mentoring programme, claimed victory over the 6km course clocking a time of 20mins 14secs as the Gators women’s team finished in seventh place overall.

Fraser and Gray impress for New Mexico

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Friday 1st October 2010

THE University of New Mexico men's and women's cross-country teams competed in the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Indiana on Friday as the squads finished second in the men's 8km and fourth in the women's 5km respectively.

Kenyan Nicholas Kipruto led the team with a second-place time of 23:45 finishing runner-up to Luke Peskedra from Oregon by only six seconds.

Rory Fraser claimed a top five position, placing fourth at 23:53. This was also an improvement for the Leicestershire county champion, having clocked 24:19 at the Roy Griak meeting the previous week.

On the women's side, Lobo Junior, former Loughborough student Natalie Gray, claimed a top-ten position with a time of 16:47. The Notre Dame Invite was Gray's second meeting of the season after running at the Roy Griak Invitational.

The Lobos men's team scored an overall 78 points earning them the runner-up spot, while the women's team fourth-place position was gained with 143 points.

David Moorcroft completes University relay team challenge to raise over £5,000 for Anthony Nolan Trust

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Saturday 2nd October 2010

FORMER 5000m world record-holder David Moorcroft, OBE, headed up a Loughborough University team that competed in the 2010 Round Leicestershire Relay event on Sunday 26th September, raising over £5,200 for Anthony Nolan, the bone marrow register charity.

Thirteen members of staff and alumni took part in the 92 mile challenge in support of the University’s Dean of Engineering, Steve Rothberg who is undergoing treatment for leukaemia. Against fierce competition from 39 teams, the Loughborough team, aka ‘Sweat for Steve’ finished in an impressive 5th place in the mixed team category.

The challenge was supported by local running club, Barrow Runners, which recently benefited from the University’s Community Donations Fund. Relay team captain Adrian Spencer, of the Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering Department commented: “The relay seemed the idea way to show our support for Steve and also to thank the University for supporting our running club.” He continued: “It was a great occasion, a fantastic team effort and there’s already talk of next year’s event.”

Team manager Anna Seddon of the Enterprise Office, added: “Everyone put in a great effort to race and we’re also delighted to have raised so much money for the UK’s most successful bone marrow register charity. This will pay for 40 donor applications to be processed and added to the register, which could help save 40 lives.” She concluded: “It was wonderful to see such support from across the University and our alumni network. We all wish Steve a full recovery and hope to see him racing with us in the relay next year!”
The Loughborough relay team were:
Leg A: Beaumont Leys to Ratcliffe on Soar - Anna Seddon  Leg B: Ratcliffe on Soar to Ashby Folville - Rachel Duckham Leg C: Ashby Folville to Somerby - Adrian Spencer  Leg D: Somerby to Loddington - Ruth Goodridge Leg E: Loddington to Slawston - Mike Caine Leg F: Slawston to Foxton - Richard Ferguson Leg G: Foxton to Bruntingthorpe - Ashley Gray Leg H: Bruntingthorpe to Frolesworth - Malcolm Cook Leg I: Frolesworth to Burbage Common - Rachel Thomson Leg J: Burbage Common to Market Bowsorth - Nick Samuels Leg K: Market Bosworth to Markfield - Angela Newport Leg L: Markfield to Beacon Hill - Toby Miles Leg M: Beacon Hill to Beaumont Leys - David Moorcroft

Full results are available on the following link: www.round-leicester-relay.info/

To make a donation : www.justgiving.com/sweatforsteve

Channel 4 to broadcast the next two IAAF World Athletics Championships

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Thursday 30th September 2010

CHANNEL 4 has secured the broadcast rights for the 2011 and 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championships therefore ending the BBC’s long association with the event dating back to the inaugural championships held in Helsinki 1983.

This is the second major global event that Channel 4 has wrestled away from the BBC having won the right to broadcast the 2012 London Paralympics Games.

The 2011 World Athletics Championships take place next summer in the South Korean city of Daegu, whilst, the 2013 event will take place in Moscow, Russia.

“This is excellent news,” said IAAF President Lamine Diack, “And underlines the important work that IEC is doing to secure free to air coverage in major television markets, with deals that also reflect the inherent value of our sport. We would like to express our gratitude to IEC for this breakthrough deal. The IAAF family will find Channel 4, to be a dynamic and vibrant terrestrial channel. Not only does it deliver strong ratings but it is particularly popular amongst the younger 16-34 year old age group, which fits in perfectly with the IAAF’s current and future development strategy.”

London is currently bidding against Beijing to stage the event in 2015 at the newly built Olympic Stadium and has received positive vibes from the IAAF Evaluation Commission headed by Senior Vice President Sergey Bubka who visited the capital earlier this month to consider the merits of the British bid.

The decision on the venue will be taken at the IAAF Council meeting taking place in Monte Carlo on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th November.

Baby boy for Paula Radcliffe

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Thursday 30th September 2010

PAULA Radcliffe, the fastest women’s marathoner in history who shared the same due date as top American marathoner Kara Goucher, gave birth to a baby boy–Raphael–on Wednesday.

“So happy to announce that Raphael arrived at 19.28. Our gorgeous little boy now sleeping peacefully,” Radcliffe announced on her Twitter page.

Goucher and her husband Adam became parents for the first time on Saturday, giving birth to Colton Mirko Goucher, who weighed in at 7.1 pounds.

Tamgho named Men's European Rising Star of the Year

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Wednesday 29th September 2010

FRENCH triple jumper Teddy Tamgho has been named the 2010 men's Rising Star of the Year award winner by the European Athletics Association presented by MONDO.

The 21-year-old started the year by setting a new world indoor record when he produced an effort of 17.90metres at the World Indoor Championships in Doha in March.

He followed that up with 17.98m at the New York Diamond League meeting in June, with only world record holder Jonathan Edwards and former Olympic and world champion Kenny Harrison having jumped further.

Tamgho finished third behind world champion Phillips Idowu and Marian Oprea at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.

Perković named Women's European Rising Star of the Year

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Wednesday 29th September 2010

SANDRA Perković of Croatia is the 2010 winner of the women's European Athletics Rising Star of the Year Award presented by MONDO.

The 20-year-old became the youngest ever women’s European discus champion when she claimed gold at the 2010 European Athletics Championships in Barcelona, Spain, in her first year of senior competition.

The Zagreb-born athlete also won gold in the under-23 category at the European Cup Winter Throwing in Arles, France, and produced a national record throw of 66.93m at the Memorial van Damme IAAF Diamond League meeting in Brussels.

Great Britain's world junior champions Jodie Williams and Sophie Hitchon finished third and ninth respectively in the poll.

Brits shine for New Mexico at Roy Griak Invitational

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Tuesday 28th September 2010

BRITISH athletes were at the forefront for the University of New Mexico Lobos men’s and women’s teams on Saturday (25th September) at the Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota.

Former Loughborough student Ruth Senior finished eighth on the day as the women’s squad came second out of 29 teams, whilst, the men finished third out of 22 after three Lobos; Kenyan Nicholas Kipruto and the British duo of Rory Fraser and Keith Gerrard all finished in the top six.

In the women’s race two Loughborough Alumni coached by Bill Foster made their debut on the NCAA circuit representing the Lobos securing top-twenty finishes for Kirsty Milner (19th in 21:34) and Natalie Gray (25th in 21:44) as compatriot Sarah Waldron claimed 17th in 21:30.

Discus Dan heads to IPC Athletics World Championships

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Monday 27th September 2010

DAN Greaves, the defending F44 Discus champion, is one of a 40-strong Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team selected for the IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, from 21st-30th January 2011.

The event, which is the last major Paralympic event at senior level prior to the Paralympic Games in London, offers a significant competition opportunity in the countdown to 2012.

UKA Head Coach (Paralympic) and Team Leader Peter Eriksson said: “We’re travelling to New Zealand with a group of athletes we expect to challenge for medals, which is our main priority. In addition, looking ahead to future Paralympic Games, the World Championships provides another vital opportunity for our senior athletes to compete at the highest level against the best athletes in the world, while for our juniors it’s an important stepping stone towards London, but ultimately to Rio in 2016.”
Full Aviva Great Britain & NI Teams:
Hollie Arnold (Anthony Hughes): F46 Javelin
Graeme Ballard (Steve Thomas): T36 100m/200m
Paul Blake (Rob Ellchuk): T36 400m/800m/1500m
Sally Brown (Philip Tweedy): T46 100m/200m
Mickey Bushell (Fred Periac): T53100m/200m/400m
Kenny Churchill (Esa Utriainen): F37 Javelin
Libby Clegg (Tom Crick): T12 100m/200m
Hannah Cockroft (Peter Eriksson): T34 100m/200m
Aled Davies (Anthony Hughes): F44 Shot Putt/Discus
David Devine (Brian Scobie): T12 800m
Kyron Duke (Anthony Hughes): F40 Javelin
Dan Greaves (Jim Edwards): F44 Discus
Thomas Green (Ken Green): F32 Club Throw
Sophie Hancock (Shelley Holroyd): F40 Shot Putt
Katrina Hart (Rob Ellchuk): T37 100m/200m
Tracey Hinton (Darrell Maynard): T11 100m/200m/400m
Bev Jones (John Parkin): F37 Discus/Shot Putt
Ian Jones (John Dunne): T44 200m/400m
Jade Jones (Ian Thompson/Tanni Grey-Thompson): T54 200m/400m/800m
Chris Martin (Phil Peat): F33 Discus
Jenny McLoughlin (Darrell Maynard): T37 100m/200m
Stephen Miller (Ros Miller): F32 Club Throw
Scott Moorhouse (Shelley Holroyd): F42 Javelin
Danny Nobbs (Mike Woods): F54 Shot Putt
Jonnie Peacock (Hayley Ginn): T44 100m
Josie Pearson (Peter Eriksson): T52 100m/200m
Gemma Prescott (Mike Wood): F32 Club Throw/Shot Putt
Stefanie Reid (Dan Pfaff): T44 100m/200m
Hazel Robson (Janice Coffman): T36 100m/200m
Ben Rushgrove (Rob Ellchuk): T36 100m/200m
Nathan Stephens (Anthony Hughes): F57 Javelin
Kieran Tscherniawsky (James Edwards): F33 Discus
Sophia Warner (Alan Denyer): T35 100m/200m
David Weir (Jenny Archer): T/54 800m/1500m/5000m/Marathon
Dan West (Jim Edwards): F34 Shot Putt/Discus
Richard Whitehead (Liz Yelling): T44 200m
Claire Williams (Jim Edwards): F12 Discus
Rob Womack (Mike Wood): F55 Shot Putt
Shelly Woods (Pete Wyman): T54 800m/1500m/5000m
Bethany Woodward (Todd Bennett): T37 100m/200m

Gray sets 5k PB at Flotrack Husky Classic

Monday 14th February 2011

Sotherton shines in Sheffield

Sunday 13th February 2011

Steel wins Hannut Lotto CrossCup

Sunday 13th February 2011

Classy Chambers wins fourth British title

Saturday 12th February 2011

West Ham chosen as preferred Olympic Stadium tenant

Friday 11th February 2011

Shot putter Mark Edwards suspended by UK Anti-Doping

Friday 11th February 2011

Charlotte Best recognised with ‘On Camp with Kelly’ Achievement Award

Tuesday 21st December 2010

For more information about ‘On Camp with Kelly’ visit www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk

Maxinutrition Sign High Jumper Steph Pywell

Tuesday 21st December 2010

For further information on Macesport, please visit www.macesport.co.uk

Dame Kelly backs our teenagers

Wednesday 20th October 2010

Dame Kelly Holmes to give future athletics stars the inside track in Delhi

Wednesday 13th October 2010

For more information about ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and latest news and updates go to www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk To follow the athletes’ progress, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/avivaathletics

Let the games begin, Delhi welcomes the Commonwealths

Sunday 3rd October 2010

NCAA champ Charlotte Browning kicks off season with victory

Saturday 2nd October 2010

Fraser and Gray impress for New Mexico

Friday 1st October 2010

David Moorcroft completes University relay team challenge to raise over £5,000 for Anthony Nolan Trust

Saturday 2nd October 2010

Full results are available on the following link: www.round-leicester-relay.info/

To make a donation : www.justgiving.com/sweatforsteve

Channel 4 to broadcast the next two IAAF World Athletics Championships

Thursday 30th September 2010

Baby boy for Paula Radcliffe

Thursday 30th September 2010

Tamgho named Men's European Rising Star of the Year

Wednesday 29th September 2010

Perković named Women's European Rising Star of the Year

Wednesday 29th September 2010

Brits shine for New Mexico at Roy Griak Invitational

Tuesday 28th September 2010

Discus Dan heads to IPC Athletics World Championships

Monday 27th September 2010

Above photo by Nigel Farrow.

For more information about ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and latest news and updates go to www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk

To follow the athletes’ progress, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/avivaathletics