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Saturday, 24 MayLondon Mavericks 57-48 Nottingham ForestCardiff Dragons 54-71 Loughborough LightningSunday, 25 MayLeeds Rhinos v Manchester Thunder (16:00 BST - watch on BBC iPlayer)London Pulse v Birmingham Panthers (18:00 BST)
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Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Russia hopes swimming return paves way for end to sporting neutrality
LONDON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - One of the key figures behind diplomatic efforts that secured Russian swimmers' return to elite competition at this week's world championships is now hoping to end Russia's sporting neutrality as officials push for wider Olympic participation. The Russian Olympic Committee was banned for violating the Olympic Charter in relation to Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but some of its athletes competed as neutrals at last year's Paris Olympics and sports such as swimming are gradually welcoming more Russians back into the fold. Dmitry Mazepin, President of the Russian Aquatic Sports Federation and Vice President of the ROC, told Reuters he would do his best to ensure that Russian athletes compete under their national flag in time for the Los Angeles 2028 summer Olympics and urged the sporting community to end double standards. "If you are in the wrong sport, you will be punished," Mazepin said in a telephone interview, pointing to sports like tennis and ice hockey, where individuals have been allowed to continue competing, while many swimmers have been left out in the cold. "I'm happy for the moment that my athletes and swimmers can compete everywhere," he said. "Unfortunately with the neutral flag, but they can compete." Mazepin ceded majority control of Russian fertiliser giant Uralchem in March 2022 and was sanctioned by Britain, the EU and Canada after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He said negotiations on swimming participation included personal meetings with World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam and countering what he called "political" opposition from certain countries, particularly Nordic states. The doping scandals that plagued Russian sport for years no longer form a part of opposition to Russians' participation, Mazepin said. "It's always about political cases," Mazepin said. "We do not discuss any doping issues." Mazepin said sanctions have caused him problems, such as his being unable to attend the short course world championships in Budapest in December, or take meetings at IOC headquarters in Lausanne. He was, however, able to attend this week's World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. In October 2023, the IOC suspended the ROC for admitting regional sports organisations under the authority of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine as members. The four Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia were annexed after referendums that Western nations have dismissed as shams. Mazepin said the ROC had made changes, now structured by federation rather than geography, and was pushing the IOC to remove restrictions based on its new structure. A final decision will ultimately come down to new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, but previous IOC statements suggest any significant relief for Russia is unlikely while it continues to wage war in Ukraine. The IOC has condemned Russia's "senseless war", describing it as a violation of the Olympic Charter for which it holds the Russian and Belarusian states and governments solely responsible. Mazepin criticised what he views as another double standard - that nations involved in other conflicts around the world have not also been punished in sporting terms. "We, as the Russian sports community, are asking why we were punished and others were not touched," Mazepin said. Mazepin is also dreaming of a Russian return to Formula One. His son Nikita raced for the U.S.-owned Haas team before Russia invaded Ukraine and the deal was ended. Haas terminated a sponsorship contract with Russian potash producer Uralkali, then controlled by Mazepin, in 2022 and repaid the balance last year after legal action and a visit by bailiffs at the Dutch Grand Prix. Mazepin said politics was still keeping Russia away from the sport for now. "But we are dreaming of a comeback," he said.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
England given Chris Woakes fitness boost ahead of nail-biting finish to India series
Chris Woakes stands ready to bat with a dislocated shoulder and 'put his body on the line' for England, with Joe Root confident the hosts will apply the finishing touches to a nail-biting series decider against India. For the fifth Test in a row, the game is going all the way to the final day after a nerve-wracking fourth evening left all results possible. Brilliant centuries from Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) had England cruising towards a remarkable chase, set fair on 301 for three hunting 374, but they lost three late wickets to leave things in the balance. Bad light and rain halted a thrilling conclusion in its tracks, with England needing 35 runs and India seeking four more wickets. One of those belongs to Woakes, who has not featured since badly damaging his left shoulder while fielding on Friday. He was ruled out of the game the next morning but has remained with the team and is willing to bat at number 11 with his arm in a sling if required. 'You probably saw him in his whites in the dressing room. He's all in, like the rest of us,' said Root. 'Clearly, he's in a huge amount of pain. But it means a huge amount to him and it just shows the character and the person that he is, that he's willing to put his body on the line like that for England. 'If it does come to that, hopefully he can get us across the line and win an incredible series.' Root was not surprised to see a dramatic end unfold after almost seven weeks of full-blooded battle but, having done a huge amount of the heavy lifting alongside Brook, still fancies England to triumph. 'It was always going to happen like this wasn't it? Just look at the first four games,' he said. 'It's been amazing to play in and quite fitting that we're going to get that kind of finish. It's been one hell of a series, one hell of a journey, and there's clearly confidence in our dressing room. I'd like to think we've got what we need to get across the line.' Root had earlier marked his 39th Test hundred, and third this summer, with a touching tribute to the late Graham Thorpe. The former Test batter, who took his own life last year, enjoyed a close relationship with Root during his time as England's assistant coach. When he reached three figures, Root produced one of the Thorpe-inspired white headbands Surrey have been selling to raise funds for the MIND mental health charity and wore it as he looked to the skies. 'That was on behalf of our team. It was just a thank you for everything that he's given the game of cricket, and given English cricket, on and off the field,' he said. 'It's been amazing to recognise everything that he's done as a player, as a coach, as a mentor, as a friend to the dressing room and to the game. 'It was really great to see the amount of love that there is for him and for his family.' India's quicks had found wonderful rhythm before the weather intervened and would probably have liked to try and finish the job while the mood was with them. A night's break and an extra use of the heavy roller could play into England's hands but a saturated outfield meant the tourists were not complaining about the umpires' decision. 'We can see it's pretty wet out there,' said bowling coach Morne Morkel. 'In a way that's out of our control so all we can focus on is doing a good warm-up in the morning, get the boys ready to get the ball in the right area and create a little bit of excitement again.'
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘She's got a few pounds up her sleeve' – Templegate's Monday NAP
TEMPLEGATE'S Monday picks are below. Back a horse by clicking their odds. HILLTOP (4.53 Lingfield, nap) Was just edged out on her return and a repeat would be good enough to take this. She's only been nudged up a couple of pounds and should have enough up her sleeve to progress out of this lowly grade. MUY MUY LOCO (8.28 Windsor, nb) Can send the bookies crazy. Simon Dow's three-year-old has been knocking at the door all season but this looks his best opening yet. MISTER SKETCH (3.40 Ripon, treble) Looks picture perfect for Wathnan Racing. He's been off for a while but fresh might be the best time to get him. He showed enough last season to suggest he can be competitive in races like this. DANDANA (2.40 Ripon, Lucky 15) Should be too good for this field for the red-hot Crisford team. Templegate's tips RIPON 2.10 Goyard 2.40 Dandana 3.10 Marajito 3.40 Mister Sketch (treble) 4.10 Poet's Dawn 4.40 Groundhog WINDSOR 5.10 Calibos 5.45 Astrazar 6.20 Westend Music 6.50 Woody Y Fernandez 7.20 Aoife's Thunder 7.53 First Principle 8.28 Muy Muy Loco (nb) CARLISLE 6.05 Takteek 6.35 Dunkeld Dreamer 7.05 Daydreama 7.35 Portsoken 8.10 Jaminoz 8.45 Shahnaz LINGFIELD 1.53 Niyla Breeze 2.23 Fravanco 2.53 Vitalline 3.23 Semser 3.53 Zabeel Flower 4.23 Rumba Bay Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
