Category Sports News

British Sport chair Dame Katherine Grainger, who will leave after ten years, calls it “frustrating” that there won’t be more significant events in the country over the next ten years.

The funding agency’s head told BBC Sport, “We risk public investment, we risk opportunities for athletes,” she said.

After eight years in charge, the former Olympic and Paralympic rowing champion will step down as the most senior athlete.

UK Sport tries to ensure the nation bids for and organizes the biggest events in the world in addition to funding elite athletes.

She said, “We have a great reputation for it.” However, I believe there will be difficulties going forward.

We have scheduled events, they say. However, after 2028, we have nothing secure when it comes to “mega-events.”

Since the start of the decade, there have been fewer significant events being held in the UK.

This year, along with the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, Britain will host the women’s rugby union World Cup in England.

The men’s and women’s Tour de France competitions will both take place in Britain in 2027, according to a rumored announcement last week. The 2028 men’s European Championship will be held in the UK and Ireland in football.

However, Grainger claims more needs to be done, despite the home countries’ intentions to submit a joint bid for the 2035 women’s football World Cup.

She said, “We don’t want fallow years.” We don’t really have anything named after 2028. That is a significant gap.

There are still many things happening that are for the taking. Although it is quite obvious why these megaevents are significant to the nation, we may not have made the case clear.

There is something we still could do to ensure that we have consistent eyeballs on this country and what we’re doing in sport, despite the fact that it’s a very difficult time, especially for the government to support financially.

No one can accept their place in world sport without sacrificing theirs, and it will require collaboration. We should still have big goals for what we can do next.

UK Sport is hoping for more financial support to compete in major events despite receiving a record £330 million government funding package for its sports over the next four years to win medals at the LA 2028 Games.

Grainger cited as potential targets the 2029 World Athletics Championships, the 2030 Solheim Cup, and the 2031 Ryder Cup as examples of winning bids that required a lot of campaign time.

She added that there should be “really good conversations” between people with intellectual disabilities and the Special Olympics. The event has never been held in the UK, and it currently falls outside of UK Sport’s funding scope.

In the midst of a wave of athlete welfare disputes, Grainger’s arrival at UK Sport in 2017 brought the British high performance system, which links funding to medal potential, under intense scrutiny. She asserts that the organization has “huge amounts in place to make sure, as much as we can, it is a place that is safe, nurturing, and supportive” since then.

She continued, “When I came in, the system was a big challenge because, historically, there was such great success in Olympic and Paralympic sport. Was the human price being paid, sometimes too much,” she continued. And I believe there was a genuine investigation into it.

We’ve ensured that athletes are heard and have a voice. We made sure that athletes were valued for who they are and what they contribute to the performance system, in my opinion. I’m very proud of the outstanding performances we’ve seen at the summer and winter Olympics over the past two years.

Under Grainger’s leadership, UK Sport asserted that it would “win the right way” and focused its funding on potential medal winners over a longer 12-year period, with an emphasis on success across a wider range of sports.

Additionally, it mandated funding for the British Elite Athletes Association, “culture health checks,” and insisted that funded sports appointed a director to take the board’s lead on welfare and safety work.

She said, “I believe we’ve invested in a way that’s healthier.”

It will always be challenging and difficult, they say. And while high performance by nature has its flaws, it doesn’t need to be uncomfortable or undoubtedly unsafe for anyone.

The British Olympic Association will now have Grainger as its first female chair. She calls Kirsty Coventry’s historic election as the first woman to lead the International Olympic Committee (IOC) “huge.”

There is “a lot of ground broken,” which is fantastic because it always raises the question whether or not they are willing to change in the future. And I believe that this was a powerful response,” she said.

She will introduce something unique that is likely unheard of before. What she might do is generating a lot of excitement, in my opinion.

Lord Coe’s election victory, according to Grainger, surprised her.

She said, “We’re used to seeing Seb as a winner in this country.”

British Sport chair Dame Katherine Grainger, who will leave after ten years, calls it “frustrating” that there won’t be more significant events in the country over the next ten years.

The funding agency’s head told BBC Sport, “We risk public investment, we risk opportunities for athletes,” she said.

After eight years in charge, the former Olympic and Paralympic rowing champion will step down as the most senior athlete.

UK Sport tries to ensure the nation bids for and organizes the biggest events in the world in addition to funding elite athletes.

She said, “We have a great reputation for it.” However, I believe there will be difficulties going forward.

We have scheduled events, they say. However, after 2028, we have nothing secure when it comes to “mega-events.”

Since the start of the decade, there have been fewer significant events being held in the UK.

This year, along with the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, Britain will host the women’s rugby union World Cup in England.

The men’s and women’s Tour de France competitions will both take place in Britain in 2027, according to a rumored announcement last week. The 2028 men’s European Championship will be held in the UK and Ireland in football.

However, Grainger claims more needs to be done, despite the home countries’ intentions to submit a joint bid for the 2035 women’s football World Cup.

She said, “We don’t want fallow years.” We don’t really have anything named after 2028. That is a significant gap.

There are still many things happening that are for the taking. Although it is quite obvious why these megaevents are significant to the nation, we may not have made the case clear.

There is something we still could do to ensure that we have consistent eyeballs on this country and what we’re doing in sport, despite the fact that it’s a very difficult time, especially for the government to support financially.

No one can accept their place in world sport without sacrificing theirs, and it will require collaboration. We should still have big goals for what we can do next.

UK Sport is hoping for more financial support to compete in major events despite receiving a record £330 million government funding package for its sports over the next four years to win medals at the LA 2028 Games.

Grainger cited as potential targets the 2029 World Athletics Championships, the 2030 Solheim Cup, and the 2031 Ryder Cup as examples of winning bids that required a lot of campaign time.

She added that there should be “really good conversations” between people with intellectual disabilities and the Special Olympics. The event has never been held in the UK, and it currently falls outside of UK Sport’s funding scope.

In the midst of a wave of athlete welfare disputes, Grainger’s arrival at UK Sport in 2017 brought the British high performance system, which links funding to medal potential, under intense scrutiny. She asserts that the organization has “huge amounts in place to make sure, as much as we can, it is a place that is safe, nurturing, and supportive” since then.

She continued, “When I came in, the system was a big challenge because, historically, there was such great success in Olympic and Paralympic sport. Was the human price being paid, sometimes too much,” she continued. And I believe there was a genuine investigation into it.

We’ve ensured that athletes are heard and have a voice. We made sure that athletes were valued for who they are and what they contribute to the performance system, in my opinion. I’m very proud of the outstanding performances we’ve seen at the summer and winter Olympics over the past two years.

Under Grainger’s leadership, UK Sport asserted that it would “win the right way” and focused its funding on potential medal winners over a longer 12-year period, with an emphasis on success across a wider range of sports.

Additionally, it mandated funding for the British Elite Athletes Association, “culture health checks,” and insisted that funded sports appointed a director to take the board’s lead on welfare and safety work.

She said, “I believe we’ve invested in a way that’s healthier.”

It will always be challenging and difficult, they say. And while high performance by nature has its flaws, it doesn’t need to be uncomfortable or undoubtedly unsafe for anyone.

The British Olympic Association will now have Grainger as its first female chair. She calls Kirsty Coventry’s historic election as the first woman to lead the International Olympic Committee (IOC) “huge.”

There is “a lot of ground broken,” which is fantastic because it always raises the question whether or not they are willing to change in the future. And I believe that this was a powerful response,” she said.

She will introduce something unique that is likely unheard of before. What she might do is generating a lot of excitement, in my opinion.

Lord Coe’s election victory, according to Grainger, surprised her.

She said, “We’re used to seeing Seb as a winner in this country.”

How did Arsenal manage to win the Women’s Champions League semi-finals and what they needed to do special.

Perhaps the most significant outcome under manager Renee Slegers so far was the 3-0 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday, which gave them a 3-2 aggregate lead.

Arsenal’s season looked set to be a huge disappointment six months ago when she took over as interim manager under Jonas Eidevall.

They are now among the elite, and they are gearing up to face legendary eight-time European champions Lyon, who are being led by former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro, in a quest for a place in the final.

Slegers emphasized that it is crucial for both the club and the players. They join Arsenal because they want to advance in competitions, triumph, and compete on the biggest stage.

It’s therefore crucial to us. We are entering the semi-finals, and I’m very pleased with the outcome.

Alessia Russo scored twice and had two more goals for offside when the ball was in the sky at Emirates Stadium.

In a brutal second-half display that saw the Gunners score three goals in 13 minutes, England team-mate Chloe Kelly added two assists and Spain forward Mariona Caldentey added one more.

In the quarter-finals of the competition, Arsenal had previously overturned a two-goal deficit against Torres in 2004, where they had lost 2-0 away before winning 4-1 at home. This is only the second time a team has done so.

On BBC Radio 5 Live, Steph Houghton, a former England captain, stated, “It’s without a doubt that Arsenal team ran all over Real Madrid.”

As the players walked around the pitch receiving their deserved plaudits, the fans were dancing and waving scarves at full-time.

The Gunners’ entire performance had been a complete turnaround from their ebullient performance in Spain a week prior, when they lost with a 2-0 lead.

With Kelly’s teasing balls, Real Madrid’s defense was tested, and they could rely on Russo’s sharpness in front of goal.

Karen Bardsley, an ex-England goalkeeper, described the game plan on 5 Live as “electrifying; a masterful gameplan from Renee Slegers and well executed by the Arsenal players.” They had to make a decision.

They had a lot of opportunities in the first half, and they were able to capitalize on them in the second, they said. There was nothing left in Real Madrid.

At Emirates Stadium, there have been plenty of success stories for Arsenal. However, this was a fantastic high in a rollercoaster campaign, and it will be remembered as they advance to their eighth semi-final appearance.

Slegers’ first success as interim manager came in this competition when Arsenal defeated Valerenga 4-1. Eidevall left the day after taking over.

Then, after claiming their spot in the last four, Slegers acknowledged this was “probably the clearest” example of their character to fight back, which at the time seemed tiresome.

She continued, “We have done really good things before, coming back from bad losses and putting up strong performances against top teams.”

Russo could have been forgiven for feeling frustrated at full-time because he had just scored his first Arsenal hat-trick.

She had two goals scored for offside as a result of two video assistant referee (VAR) interventions, either side of a missed opportunity to play one-on-one with visiting goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez.

The England forward, however, expressed surprise at the breakup and claimed that the idea of joining the quartet had “not yet sunk in”.

Russo told BBC Sport, “It just doesn’t get old; the result, the fans, the Emirates.”

“We were disappointed when we arrived in Madrid, but we knew what we needed to do and the belief we shared. It quickly turned into fire as a result of the disappointment.

Her contribution, along with that of team-mate Kelly, was crucial to Arsenal’s brave comeback, according to Houghton, who attributed it to Russo’s “maturity.”

She now has her best goalscoring season to date, with six goals and 17 in all competitions. She is now the top scorer in the Champions League.

She received a lot of criticism at the start of the season, according to Houghton, who thought she was doing too much work for the team because she wasn’t selfish enough as a striker.

She displayed real maturity in her performance [at Real Madrid]]. Nearly everything she touched was hidden on the internet.

How did Arsenal manage to win the Women’s Champions League semi-finals and what they needed to do special.

Perhaps the most significant outcome under manager Renee Slegers so far was the 3-0 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday, which gave them a 3-2 aggregate lead.

Arsenal’s season looked set to be a huge disappointment six months ago when she took over as interim manager under Jonas Eidevall.

They are now among the elite, and they are gearing up to face legendary eight-time European champions Lyon, who are being led by former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro, in a quest for a place in the final.

Slegers emphasized that it is crucial for both the club and the players. They join Arsenal because they want to advance in competitions, triumph, and compete on the biggest stage.

It’s therefore crucial to us. We are entering the semi-finals, and I’m very pleased with the outcome.

Alessia Russo scored twice and had two more goals for offside when the ball was in the sky at Emirates Stadium.

In a brutal second-half display that saw the Gunners score three goals in 13 minutes, England team-mate Chloe Kelly added two assists and Spain forward Mariona Caldentey added one more.

In the quarter-finals of the competition, Arsenal had previously overturned a two-goal deficit against Torres in 2004, where they had lost 2-0 away before winning 4-1 at home. This is only the second time a team has done so.

On BBC Radio 5 Live, Steph Houghton, a former England captain, stated, “It’s without a doubt that Arsenal team ran all over Real Madrid.”

As the players walked around the pitch receiving their deserved plaudits, the fans were dancing and waving scarves at full-time.

The Gunners’ entire performance had been a complete turnaround from their ebullient performance in Spain a week prior, when they lost with a 2-0 lead.

With Kelly’s teasing balls, Real Madrid’s defense was tested, and they could rely on Russo’s sharpness in front of goal.

Karen Bardsley, an ex-England goalkeeper, described the game plan on 5 Live as “electrifying; a masterful gameplan from Renee Slegers and well executed by the Arsenal players.” They had to make a decision.

They had a lot of opportunities in the first half, and they were able to capitalize on them in the second, they said. There was nothing left in Real Madrid.

At Emirates Stadium, there have been plenty of success stories for Arsenal. However, this was a fantastic high in a rollercoaster campaign, and it will be remembered as they advance to their eighth semi-final appearance.

Slegers’ first success as interim manager came in this competition when Arsenal defeated Valerenga 4-1. Eidevall left the day after taking over.

Then, after claiming their spot in the last four, Slegers acknowledged this was “probably the clearest” example of their character to fight back, which at the time seemed tiresome.

She continued, “We have done really good things before, coming back from bad losses and putting up strong performances against top teams.”

Russo could have been forgiven for feeling frustrated at full-time because he had just scored his first Arsenal hat-trick.

She had two goals scored for offside as a result of two video assistant referee (VAR) interventions, either side of a missed opportunity to play one-on-one with visiting goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez.

The England forward, however, expressed surprise at the breakup and claimed that the idea of joining the quartet had “not yet sunk in”.

Russo told BBC Sport, “It just doesn’t get old; the result, the fans, the Emirates.”

“We were disappointed when we arrived in Madrid, but we knew what we needed to do and the belief we shared. It quickly turned into fire as a result of the disappointment.

Her contribution, along with that of team-mate Kelly, was crucial to Arsenal’s brave comeback, according to Houghton, who attributed it to Russo’s “maturity.”

She now has her best goalscoring season to date, with six goals and 17 in all competitions. She is now the top scorer in the Champions League.

She received a lot of criticism at the start of the season, according to Houghton, who thought she was doing too much work for the team because she wasn’t selfish enough as a striker.

She displayed real maturity in her performance [at Real Madrid]]. Nearly everything she touched was hidden on the internet.

Tyler Dibling, a highly sought-after winger at Southampton, Jadon Sancho, a target for a return to Germany, and Alexander Isak declines a Newcastle contract offer, all for £100 million.

With the Englishman wanted by Tottenham and Manchester City, Southampton will demand more than £100 million for the 19-year-old winger. (Telegraph)

This summer, Newcastle hope to lure Liverpool and England’s Jarell Quansah, 22, to St James’ Park, with a £30 million bid. (Times: A subscription required)

Newcastle have halted contract negotiations with Liverpool and Arsenal‘s Alexander Isak in the wake of their initial offer, which the 25-year-old striker rejected. (Caught Offside)

In response to Liverpool‘s interest, Bournemouth will hold a meeting this week to discuss the futures of Hungary’s Milos Kerkez, 21, and Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo, 25. (Teamtalk)

Jadon Sancho, a winger for Manchester United and Chelsea, wants to return to the Bundesliga. His “dream” is to re-join Borussia Dortmund, but Bayer Leverkusen is also interested in the 25-year-old Englishman. (German) (Bild)

Sancho is a subject of discussion at Chelsea, who must purchase him from Manchester United. Chelsea may decide to permanently sign the England international before selling him. Football Insider

Nottingham Forest are considering extending Nottingham Forest’s current contract, which expires in June 2026, for Wales full back Neco Williams, 23. (Romano-Fabrizio)

In the race to bring 19-year-old Dutch-born Spain defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth this summer, Chelsea has joined Real Madrid. (Sports) in Spanish

If Real Madrid want to have Trent Alexander-Arnold available for the Fifa Club World Cup, which begins on June 14th, Liverpool can still pay a fee for the 26-year-old right-back. (Mail+-subscription required)

Before the summer transfer window, a number of clubs are keeping an eye on 17-year-old Chris Rigg, who plays for Sunderland and England Under-19s, closely. (Sky Sports)

Iga Swiatek, a five-time major champion, endured a massive shock as Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala continued her long-awaited dream to reach the Miami Open semi-finals.

After being verbally abused by an “aggressive and taunting” fan, second seed Swiatek completely out of sorts as she lost 6-2 7-5 to the world number 140 in Miami.

The 23-year-old’s serve was broken eight times as she worked to hold serve, and her baseline game was shaky and caused numerous forehand errors.

Eala, 19, managed to maintain her concentration and self-control as she won her most competitive job.

Swiatek, a Polish woman who has received a one-month ban for a doping offence and who doesn’t want to “step on the court,” recently spoke about the emotional strain she has endured.

She hasn’t made a final since winning the French Open in June because of this defeat.

In the semi-finals, Eala will face American fourth seed Jessica Pegula or British tennis player Emma Raducanu who was given a wildcard to play at the WTA 1000 tournament.

She will be among the top 100 in the world next week.

Eala later told Sky Sports on court that “my mind is really blank because I don’t believe I’ve thought through what I just did.”

Even though she is only a teenager, Eala is already accustomed to leading the country and has a low tennis pedigree.

With the 2022 US Open title, she became the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour match and the first to claim a junior Grand Slam.

The teenager gracing the cover of Vogue back home as a result of their success in New York.

After defeating some of the biggest names on the WTA Tour to reach the last four, Eala has now made an announcement to a wider international audience.

She was a Rafael Nadal Academy graduate before making a stunning run in Miami. She had only won two major-drawn matches.

Grand Slam winners have faced off against Grand Slam champions in three of her four victories at the WTA 1000 event, which is the lower category of tournaments.

When Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa withdrew injured in the fourth round, Eala was given a walkover, but she showed once more why she is regarded as an emerging star in Wednesday’s quarter-final.

In her first professional game against Swiatek, Eala put on a strong performance by being fearless, ferocious, and hitting a flurry of winners.

However, they had previously spoken when Swiatek and 22-time major winner Nadal presented Eala with her diploma two years ago.

Eala, who had Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni in her coaching role against Swiatek, exclaimed, “It’s so surreal.” “I’m so happy and blessed to be able to compete with such a player at this point.