The first elections in Syria since Bashar al-Assad’s assassination are over. Analysts are defending the process as an interim step after years of chaos because the public did not directly vote for the new parliament members, and President Ahmed al-Sharaa is choosing several dozens.
Published On 6 Oct 2025
At the BBC Green Sport Awards 2025, former Arsenal player Hector Bellerin and former world champion Formula E were also honored.
Who presented the awards to those who demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the sustainability of sport?
Former sprinter Jeanette Kwakye presented the BBC Green Sport Awards ceremony at BBC Broadcasting House in London in its fourth year.
“It’s fantastic to applaud the game-changers who are moving sport forward,” said BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski.
The Year athlete
Hector Pardoe is the winner.
He won, but why?
The 24-year-old open-water swimmer has spoken out about the UK’s poor water quality, which has caused the Olympian and his team-mates’ illnesses and threatens the future of his sport because of the closure of open-water venues, saying that “my goal is bigger than just winning a medal.”
In August, Pardoe, who describes himself as a plant-based athlete, set the record for the fastest lake in England, Scotland, and Wales in just 24 hours, raising money for the environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.
Global Champion
Hector Bellerin is the winner.
He won, but why?
Bellerin is a shining example of how athletes can use their significant platform for good thanks to their long-term commitment to sustainability.
Bellerin has become the second-largest shareholder in Forest Green Rovers, the first football team in the world, and has launched a sustainable fashion line that produces made-to-order clothing made of deadstock waste. During his time at Arsenal, he fundraised to plant about 60, 000 trees.
Pioneer
Formula E winner
What made it triumph?
Formula E has been carbon neutral since its creation in 2014 and uses its performance to promote electric vehicles’ use.
Hector Bellerin, a former Arsenal defender before being named a global champion at the BBC Green Sport Awards, discusses his efforts to lead a more sustainable life.
Taylor Swift has revealed that she could “barely” lift her arms or walk during her downtime on the Eras Tour. The 35-year-old pop sensation, who performed for over three hours a night during her 149 shows worldwide between March 2023 and December 2024, confessed that physical exhaustion left her with little energy to do anything but write her new album The Life of a Showgirl.
She admitted to Scott Mills on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show that she enjoys baking, cooking, and any other hobbies involving food. And because I couldn’t move my arms or walk, I didn’t really have many hobbies when I was on The Eras Tour.
I’ve only ever written songs. You don’t really need to be able to walk or lift your arms, you know. There is a lot of agony.
READ MORE: Bad Bunny has perfect response to MAGA critics ahead of Super Bowl performanceREAD MORE: Charli XCX fans convinced she’s plotting clever revenge against Taylor Swift
The Swedish producer Fate of Ophelia found solace in working on the album during her breaks, which gave her the creative satisfaction she needed to get through the tour.
She continued, “I think the energy that I experienced on that tour was so great and infectious, and I wrote the majority of this while I was on that tour. So, I would travel to Sweden three times in a stadium, take a tour back, and then take a different country.
Although it sounds like an impossible feat or ridiculous challenge, I felt like I had to step back in that creative space because I was physically exhausted at the time of the tour, which gave me the courage to do so.
Taylor acknowledged that she felt like she had to “survive” during times when the “really complex” concerts seemed so overwhelming.
She continued, “Really, every time I would just collapse into bed at night after the show, I would just be like, I take the longest, deepest sigh of just like, we managed to do it again.”
You must enjoy it, they say. We occasionally say, “We survived it again.” “
Taylor recently revealed her wedding plans to the host during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show where she stated she wants to have a lavish wedding with as many guests as possible.
When questioned about the beginning stages of the planning, she responded, “No, I am doing the album thing now, which is important, and then I think the wedding is what happens after that in the scheme of the planning.”
She continued, “I’m so excited about it. Because I believe that the only stressful weddings are those where there are only a few guests, I am aware that it will be fun to plan. You must assess your relationship with them to determine whether they should be present. That’s not what I’m going to do. I shouldn’t have said that.
Follow Mirror Celebs on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.
READ MORE: Coffee lovers ‘can’t imagine life without’ Nespresso machine with 45% offREAD MORE: Older women swap old ‘snagging’ straighteners for ones that ‘glide through hair’
When you imagine a top footballer pulling up to their club’s training ground, the mode of transport that springs to mind is a luxury car. You would not anticipate them arriving on a bicycle.
But Real Betis defender Hector Bellerin is not the archetypal player. He prefers to arrive at the team’s base in Seville using more sustainable means than most – riding a bike or taking public transport.
“It would be easier to take a cab. I know I’m privileged, but it’s more of a revindication. We need greener cities, with fewer cars,” Bellerin says.
The 30-year-old is passionate about trying to live a more sustainable life, something he shares with his 3.7 million followers on social media.
Sitting down with Bellerin, the first thing you notice is his accent. Although he is a native Spaniard, his English is so fluent it sounds like he has not spent a day away from north London, where he moved aged 16 to join Arsenal’s academy.
It was during his 10 years with the Gunners – and particularly when he was playing under manager Arsene Wenger – that Bellerin first became interested in environmental issues. He gives Wenger plenty of credit.
“I learned a lot from him – not focused on sustainability itself because I feel like that word nowadays has very clear connotations, but more about a holistic way of living, and I think sustainability comes into that,” Bellerin says.
“With sustainability comes empathy and compassion. These are all traits that you get when you decide to take care of the place that gives you life.
Bellerin’s influence stretches far beyond the pitch. He has consistently used his large social media following and public appearances to advocate for climate action, encourage more ethical consumption and drive community change.
“I feel with power comes responsibility. Every time someone puts a microphone next to you, there’s a chance to talk about issues, to generate conversation,” he says.
Growing up surrounded by nature, Bellerin credits his upbringing for sparking a lifelong connection with the environment – one that continues to shape his daily decisions, from transportation, to becoming a vegan, to his fashion choices.
“I’ve been consuming second-hand clothes and shoes for a really long time. I remember once it took me six months to decide to buy a pair of shoes I saw in a shop next to where I parked,” he says.
“I wear those shoes almost all the time. It’s about giving what you consume a good life and, when you’re done, giving it another life.
“We’re constantly bombarded by advertising that creates a false sense of need.”
Bellerin acknowledges that some essentials like clothing, food and travel are necessary and enrich our lives. But the key, he says, is to question whether we truly need something before buying it.
For Bellerin, the most powerful tool for change is the ballot box.
“It’s not something we do every day, but voting is essential,” he says. “It’s the most effective way to support governments that are committed to environmental action and a greener future.”
Bellerin is candid about often being the “outsider” in football – a sport not typically associated with environmental activism. However, he says his Betis team-mates have been supportive and open to conversations, even when they disagree.
“I’m someone who brings something different to the table. We have debates, sometimes I get angry,” he laughs.
Although Bellerin joined Betis because of family ties – his father and grandmother are lifelong fans – he quickly found the club’s values on sustainability aligned with his own.
“I’d heard of the Forever Green Foundation, but I wasn’t fully aware of the work they were doing,” he says. “Once I arrived, it felt like everything just clicked.”
This initiative, which was launched in 2018, is about changing the way the club operate to help them become more sustainable and eco-friendly. An example of this is installing stadium seats made from discarded fishing nets.
Bellerin was also involved in the launch of a new Betis shirt made from algae, wood pulp and recycled plastic.
“Betis isn’t just a football club,” Bellerin says. “It’s a space where people can grow, get support, and feel part of something bigger. Being part of that is incredibly fulfilling.”
Football and sustainability do not always go in hand in hand.
A recent report from Fifpro, the international players’ union, looked at how much players travelled in 2024-25.
It found former Brighton keeper Mathew Ryan travelled more than any other player in the world – more than 100,000 miles – with 217 hours spent travelling (the equivalent of nine days).
Bellerin does not shy away from addressing the contradiction of promoting sustainability in a sport increasingly defined by global travel and commercial expansion, referencing the upcoming 2026 World Cup which will be hosted across three countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“It’s hard. I don’t make the decisions and I’m very aware of how the industry works. But I’m not going to stop doing what I love because of decisions made at the top,” he says.
“We players often feel like we’re treated like numbers or marketable goods. There’s more games, more travel, more difficult conditions. And we’re just told to hydrate.
“I’m just a football player, but I can raise my voice about the injustices and the things that I think could be done better.”
Bellerin says meaningful change will only happen when players come together and take collective action.
“Unless footballers around the world unite – whether that means stopping or taking bold decisions – the wheel’s just going to keep turning,” he says.
Bellerin points to women’s football as a powerful example of what unity can achieve.
“They’ve shown real strength,” he says. “Every time there’s been an issue, whether it’s about safety, salaries or working conditions, they’ve stood together and they’ve come out on top. That’s what happens when people unite.
“It’s something men’s football still lacks. But if we want to keep doing this and enjoy it, that kind of solidarity is going to be essential.
Bellerin was unaware that at the end of this interview he would be told he had won the BBC award.
Team-mate and close friend Aitor Ruibal surprised him with an envelope which contained the news.
“I feel very grateful. It is totally unexpected. I’ve been doing this stuff for a very long time, talking about sustainability not just in sport but in our everyday life,” Bellerin says.
When you imagine a top footballer pulling up to their club’s training ground, the mode of transport that springs to mind is a luxury car. You would not anticipate them arriving on a bicycle.
But Real Betis defender Hector Bellerin is not the archetypal player. He prefers to arrive at the team’s base in Seville using more sustainable means than most – riding a bike or taking public transport.
“It would be easier to take a cab. I know I’m privileged, but it’s more of a revindication. We need greener cities, with fewer cars,” Bellerin says.
The 30-year-old is passionate about trying to live a more sustainable life, something he shares with his 3.7 million followers on social media.
Sitting down with Bellerin, the first thing you notice is his accent. Although he is a native Spaniard, his English is so fluent it sounds like he has not spent a day away from north London, where he moved aged 16 to join Arsenal’s academy.
It was during his 10 years with the Gunners – and particularly when he was playing under manager Arsene Wenger – that Bellerin first became interested in environmental issues. He gives Wenger plenty of credit.
“I learned a lot from him – not focused on sustainability itself because I feel like that word nowadays has very clear connotations, but more about a holistic way of living, and I think sustainability comes into that,” Bellerin says.
“With sustainability comes empathy and compassion. These are all traits that you get when you decide to take care of the place that gives you life.
Bellerin’s influence stretches far beyond the pitch. He has consistently used his large social media following and public appearances to advocate for climate action, encourage more ethical consumption and drive community change.
“I feel with power comes responsibility. Every time someone puts a microphone next to you, there’s a chance to talk about issues, to generate conversation,” he says.
Growing up surrounded by nature, Bellerin credits his upbringing for sparking a lifelong connection with the environment – one that continues to shape his daily decisions, from transportation, to becoming a vegan, to his fashion choices.
“I’ve been consuming second-hand clothes and shoes for a really long time. I remember once it took me six months to decide to buy a pair of shoes I saw in a shop next to where I parked,” he says.
“I wear those shoes almost all the time. It’s about giving what you consume a good life and, when you’re done, giving it another life.
“We’re constantly bombarded by advertising that creates a false sense of need.”
Bellerin acknowledges that some essentials like clothing, food and travel are necessary and enrich our lives. But the key, he says, is to question whether we truly need something before buying it.
For Bellerin, the most powerful tool for change is the ballot box.
“It’s not something we do every day, but voting is essential,” he says. “It’s the most effective way to support governments that are committed to environmental action and a greener future.”
Bellerin is candid about often being the “outsider” in football – a sport not typically associated with environmental activism. However, he says his Betis team-mates have been supportive and open to conversations, even when they disagree.
“I’m someone who brings something different to the table. We have debates, sometimes I get angry,” he laughs.
Although Bellerin joined Betis because of family ties – his father and grandmother are lifelong fans – he quickly found the club’s values on sustainability aligned with his own.
“I’d heard of the Forever Green Foundation, but I wasn’t fully aware of the work they were doing,” he says. “Once I arrived, it felt like everything just clicked.”
This initiative, which was launched in 2018, is about changing the way the club operate to help them become more sustainable and eco-friendly. An example of this is installing stadium seats made from discarded fishing nets.
Bellerin was also involved in the launch of a new Betis shirt made from algae, wood pulp and recycled plastic.
“Betis isn’t just a football club,” Bellerin says. “It’s a space where people can grow, get support, and feel part of something bigger. Being part of that is incredibly fulfilling.”
Football and sustainability do not always go in hand in hand.
A recent report from Fifpro, the international players’ union, looked at how much players travelled in 2024-25.
It found former Brighton keeper Mathew Ryan travelled more than any other player in the world – more than 100,000 miles – with 217 hours spent travelling (the equivalent of nine days).
Bellerin does not shy away from addressing the contradiction of promoting sustainability in a sport increasingly defined by global travel and commercial expansion, referencing the upcoming 2026 World Cup which will be hosted across three countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“It’s hard. I don’t make the decisions and I’m very aware of how the industry works. But I’m not going to stop doing what I love because of decisions made at the top,” he says.
“We players often feel like we’re treated like numbers or marketable goods. There’s more games, more travel, more difficult conditions. And we’re just told to hydrate.
“I’m just a football player, but I can raise my voice about the injustices and the things that I think could be done better.”
Bellerin says meaningful change will only happen when players come together and take collective action.
“Unless footballers around the world unite – whether that means stopping or taking bold decisions – the wheel’s just going to keep turning,” he says.
Bellerin points to women’s football as a powerful example of what unity can achieve.
“They’ve shown real strength,” he says. “Every time there’s been an issue, whether it’s about safety, salaries or working conditions, they’ve stood together and they’ve come out on top. That’s what happens when people unite.
“It’s something men’s football still lacks. But if we want to keep doing this and enjoy it, that kind of solidarity is going to be essential.
Bellerin was unaware that at the end of this interview he would be told he had won the BBC award.
Team-mate and close friend Aitor Ruibal surprised him with an envelope which contained the news.
“I feel very grateful. It is totally unexpected. I’ve been doing this stuff for a very long time, talking about sustainability not just in sport but in our everyday life,” Bellerin says.
