World Indoor Athletics Championships: Christian Coleman Set Championship Record

Birmingham on Saturday night witnessed twenty One-year-old American, Christian Coleman set a championship record as he claimed gold over 60m at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham.Coleman, who set a world record of 6.34 seconds in February, led from the start in the final, clocking 6.37.

He saw off China's Su Bingtian (6.42), with USA's Ronnie Baker third (6.44), but Britain's CJ Ujah was disqualified for a false start in the semi-finals.

"I've been working so hard. I'm truly blessed," Coleman told BBC Sport.

"I felt good out of the blocks. I knew I had to just stand up, finish through and get it."

Expectations of Coleman grew markedly when he took a world record which had stood for almost 20 years from USA's former Olympic 100m champion Maurice Greene just two weeks before the championships.

Team Nigeria lists 90 Athletes For Commonwealth Games

According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ninety athletes will represent Nigeria at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games scheduled to run from April 4 to 15 as the country will take part in 10 events, including Athletics, Basketball, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Boxing, Table Tennis, Gymnastics, Para table tennis, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting.

Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung revealed in a meeting the ministry held yesterday with presidents of the 10 federations, whose athletes will be taking part in the Games. Speaking at the meeting, said it was convened to scrutinize and defend the athletes’ participation at the Games, evaluate their prospects and finalize arrangements for the last phase of training before the games. 

A breakdown of the contingent shows that wrestling will be represented by six male and six female athletes, who will depart for Australia tomorrow to continue preparations for the games.

Weightlifting will feature four athletes, two men and two women, but athletics has the largest contingent with 37 stars, including 17 men and 20 women. Three medals prospects, including Divine Oduduru and gymnast, Uche Eke will not be at the championship due to academic commitments. The development means that Gymnastics will be represented by just one gymnast. “Athletics will hold its final training for 10 days while its top 10 athletes will attend the World indoors in Birmingham before arriving on March 1,” the ministry said.

It added that table tennis, which has five male players, would begin camping three weeks before the games, while Para Powerlifting, which will spend one month in the Gold Coast training for the competition, will present two players and two Para Athletes. The Commonwealth Games Athletes Village will open on March 25.

IAAF World Championships Confirms Nine Nigerian Athletes For The Games

According to the provisional entry list released by the IAAF on Sunday, nine athletes are expected to represent Nigeria at the IAAF World Indoor Championships billed to hold from March 1st to 4th in Birmingham.

Seven of the athletes to fly the Nigerian flag being female and two male athletes. US-based Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will compete in the men’s Shot put event, and comes with a Season’s Best (SB) of 20.89m, which puts him on 12th position on the world rankings.

Another US-based athlete Chidi Okezie, who is an African Championships Bronze medallist in the men’s 400m, will compete in his specialist event where he has clocked an SB of 46.58s. Okezie who competed in Portland two years ago, will be thrilled at his return to the national team.

Topping the list of female athletes is Oluwatobiloba Amusan who will be in action in the 60m Hurdles, having set a Personal Best (PB) and SB of 7.89s set earlier this season. 

British sprinter provisionally suspended for failing drugs test

It was reported in December that 28-year-old British Olympic sprinter Nigel Levine had allegedly tested positive for the banned asthma drug clenbuterol.

Levine will be offered a UK Anti-Doping hearing to defend himself.The European indoor gold medalist has not competed since he broke his pelvis in a motorbike crash in Spain in January 2017, an accident which also involved compatriot James Ellington

Clenbuterol is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list because it is deemed a performance-enhancing drug and can induce weight-loss.

Russian Pair Disqualified From London 2012 Olympics

Two more Russian athletes have failed drugs tests from the London 2012 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced.Anna Nazarova, who finished fifth in the women's long jump, and the 400 metres runner Yulia Gushchina have both been disqualified from their respective competitions.

Gushchina finished 15th in the individual event and won silver in the 4x400m relay. That is a medal which has already been stripped from Russia after a previous doping case involving Gushchina's team-mate Antonina Krivoshapka.

The results were part of a re-test of samples from almost 600 athletes at the Games, in line with the findings of the McLaren Report in December 2016.The latest results mean that of 226 samples taken specifically from Russian athletes, 21 have been deemed worthy of sanction by the IOC's disciplinary commission.

Both Nazarova and Gushchina tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid turinabol, while Gushchina also tested positive for stanozolol.

Mo Farah Part ways With Controversial Coach Alberto Salazar

Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah has parted ways with his controversial coach Alberto Salazar but denied the split was because of a US anti-doping investigation into the Nike Oregon Project leader.

Salazar is being investigated by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) after BBC's Panorama made allegations about drugs use at his US training base.

He will now work with Gary Lough, who previously coached - and is married to - women's marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe.

Salazar said he has offered to continue working with Farah in an advisory role.

“I’m leaving simply because my family and I are moving back to London,” said Farah. “We want the kids to grow up in the UK. My decision to move back has nothing to do with UK Athletics. I’ve let them know of my change in coach but they don’t have a role in deciding who that is.

IAAF Open Public Tenders for World Athletics Series Media Rights

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has opened public tenders for Europe and Africa media rights concerning the IAAF World Athletics Series and for the establishment of a Joint Venture for Broadcasting and Media Production.

EUROPE AND AFRICA MEDIA RIGHTS

A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued in order to select one or more media rights partners for the IAAF World Athletics Series in the territories of Europe and Africa. The agreement will cover all IAAF World Athletics Series competitions and the period will be determined following negotiations. The IAAF is open to proposals for wider regions or individual countries, favouring those best positioned to exploit or act as agents for those rights in their desired territory.

New digital technologies have created opportunities for the IAAF and its media partners to deliver more flexible coverage of athletics which is increasingly demanded by the modern-day fan, whether they be a traditional supporter, potential new fan or the general sports-viewing public. Correspondingly, in offering its media rights in Europe and Africa, the IAAF will be receptive and flexible to creative proposals that show an understanding of the aspirations of athletics and the way that fans and casual viewers want to consume sports content.

The schedule of the RFP outlines a two-month bidding process leading to presentations by the end of June and the announcement of a preferred partner(s) in early July.

Those interested in tendering should email  mediarightsRFP@iaaf.org.

IOC Says Jamaican Sprinters' 2008 Samples Not Suspicious Enough to Investigate

The International Olympic Committee has denied that any cover up took place of possible doping violations after claims that positive tests by Jamaican sprinters in 2008 were not investigated.

A German documentary at the weekend alleged that a number of Jamaican athletes had traces of clenbuterol, a banned muscle-building substance, in recent re-tests of urine samples from 2008.

While no athletes were named, there were fears that sprint king Usain Bolt, who won three gold medals in world-record times at the Beijing Olympics that year, could be one.

However, the IOC said in a statement on Monday it had concluded there was no pattern of organized cheating, after consulting the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“During the re-analysis of the stored urine samples from the Olympic Games Beijing 2008, the laboratory found in a number of cases of athletes from a number of countries and from a number of different sports, very low levels of clenbuterol,” the IOC said.

“The IOC carefully deliberated whether or not to proceed with these cases.

“In particular, the IOC consulted with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) who was fully involved in the decision-making process.

“All of the values were below 1ng/ml and therefore in the range of potential meat contamination cases.”

WADA Chief Spokesperson to Leave Role

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s Chief Spokesperson Ben Nichols is to leave his role in May, after four years at the organisation’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

Nichols oversaw Media Relations for WADA during the most turbulent time in the organisation’s 17-year history; a period which spanned the tenures of previous President John Fahey, current President Sir Craig Reedie, and the Pound and McLaren investigations into widespread doping in sport.

Nichols’ international career has taken him from the United Kingdom to the United States, and the United Arab Emirates to Canada, during which time he has held roles as Chief Press Officer of the Dubai Tennis Championships, Senior Press Officer for F1 team Lotus Renault GP, and Head of Sports PR for Influence Associates.

Nichols finishes his role as WADA’s Senior Media Relations and Communications Manager in May, at which time he will be returning to the UK

WADA Criticises Isinbayeva Appointment

The decision to appoint Yelena Isinbayeva to a key role in Russia's anti-doping organisation has been strongly criticised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Isinbayeva, a two-time Olympic Champion pole vaulter who also holds the world record in the event, previously described Russian disqualification from the 2016 Olympics as 'a blatant political order'.

Wada said Isinbayeva's appointment was "not consistent" with plans it had agreed over necessary reforms.

A statement read: "Whilst it is the decision of the Russian authorities to elect its board members, the agency shall be passing this information on to its independent Compliance Review Committee for their review."

IAAF Official Quits Over Corruption Claims

Four-time Olympic silver medallist Frankie Fredericks has stepped down from his prominent role with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), after charges of corruption.

Fredericks, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee, has stepped down from a taskforce guiding Russia in its bid for reacceptance to international competition.

The IOC is currently investigating allegations that Fredericks accepted a payment prior to voting for the Olympic and Paralympic Games of 2016; a process won by Rio de Janeiro.

Despite denying the claims, Fredericks has stepped down from his taskforce role, to be replaced by Rozle Prezelj.

"I have decided to step aside from the taskforce so that the integrity of its work is not questioned due to the allegations made against me in Le Monde," said 49-year-old Fredericks.

"It is important that the taskforce's mission is seen as free and fair with no outside influence."

Lord Coe Recognises Russia Progression

Lord Coe, President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), has acknowledged that Russian authorities have made substantial progress into improving anti-doping measures in the country.

The World Anti-Doping Agency says it has been "encouraged" by Russian President Vladimir Putin's admission his country's own system "didn't work".

While denying allegations of a state-sponsored programme of systematic cheating, Putin said his country should acknowledge its anti-doping failures. WADA President Sir Craig Reedle said, "This public admission is an important step in the right direction."

The McLaren Report, published in 2015, alleged of a systematic state-sponsored doping program within Russian athletics. Russian athletes are currently banned from competing in athletics events, but may be reinstated later this year.

Durban Bid Chief Remains Confident of Commonwealth Games

Tubby Reddy, the chairman of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), has insisted that the city of Durban has “done enough” to retain hosting rights to the 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games multi-sport event.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) awarded the Games to Durban after a unanimous vote in September 2015. The city had been the sole bidder since February of the same year, following the decision by Canadian city Edmonton to drop out of the race amid doubts over their financial position.

South Africa’s Sports Minister, Fikile Mbalula, said this week that the city may have to forfeit its hosting rights due to the high cost of staging the event. The CGF is due to make a final decision at a meeting on March 10.

Liverpool have offered to host the Games in the event of a Durban withdrawal, while Birmingham are also said to be considering the opportunity should it arise.

Three Russian Athletes Can Compete as Neutrals

The doping review board of The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has cleared three Russian athletes to compete to return to competition in a neutral capacity.

Pole vaulter Anzhelika Sidorova, sprinter Kristina Sivkova and hammer thrower Aleksei Sokirskii all met the "exceptional eligibility criteria".

Russian athletes remain banned from athletics competition, after allegations of a state-sponsored doping program were revealed last year.

The participation of the trio in competitions is still subject to approval by the organisers of individual events.

The three could compete in the European Indoor Championships in Belgrade and European Throwing Cup next month

London 2012 Gold Medallist Stripped of Medal and Banned

Russian middle-distance runner Mariya Savinova has been stripped of her Olympic gold medal and banned from athletics until 2019.

Savinova, who won the 800m title at London 2012, has had all her results from July 2010 to August 2013 annulled after being found guilty of doping.

The Russian will also lose her 2010 European gold, 2011 World Championship gold and 2013 World Championship silver. Savinova has been banned for four years, backdated to 2015.

Savinova was one of five athletes implicated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in a recent report.

Former Olympic Champion Banned for Three Months

 

American hurdler Dawn Harper-Nelson has been banned for three months after testing positive for a banned diuretic.

Harper-Nelson won the 110m hurdles gold medal in Beijing 2008, and took home the silver at London 2012.

Diuretics are not performance-enhancing, but can be used to mask other illegal substances and promote weight loss

IAAF Freezes Nationality Switches

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has frozen all nationality switches with immediate effect. With numbers of athletes changing allegiance rising significantly, the decision has been made to stop the practice until new regulations can be created.

IAAF President Lord Coe said a working group, led by council member Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, would be set up to agree new regulations by the end of this year.

Coe also declared that Russian athletes should not expect full reinstatement to IAAF events before November, ruling them out of competing in the World Championships this summer.

In other news, the council approved Coe’s proposal to end bidding processes for major IAAF events, including the world championships. The IAAF will consider “strategic goals” for expanding the sport by “targeting cities from countries and regions which will best assist the delivery of those aims". The new process will begin after 2021

Bolt Loses 2008 Relay Gold Medal After Carter Disqualification

Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt has seen his unprecedented 'triple triple' of Olympic Gold Medals ended, after 2008 relay teammate Nesta Carter was retrospectively disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance.

Carter was one of 454 athletes tested by the International Olympic Committee last year, and tested positive for a banned stimulant.

Bolt, who holds World Record times in 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay, completed a 'triple triple' of Gold Medals in Rio 2016, after performing similar feats in Beijing and London.

The Jamaican team, who won the 2008 event in question in a World Record time, will see their Gold Medal pass to Trinidad and Tobago

Usain Bolt named XM brand ambassador

Forex and CFD brokers, XM, have announced that they are partnering with Olympic Champion runner Usain Bolt to be their official brand ambassador on a three-year deal.

The Jamaican sprinter is lending his image to the XM website and says he is “happy” to enter into the partnership. 

“XM and I have similar brand values and aim to be the best at what we do. Their reputation has helped them to become an industry leader. Similar to XM, my focus has always been to be the fastest,” said Bolt.

“From the day of our foundation we have been repeating and arguing that what matters in trading is execution speed. We have put endless resources to build our trading infrastructure to offer the trading speed we have today,” said Chris Anthony, Zacharia, Marketing Director of XM Group. 

“I cannot describe what it means to have Usain as our brand ambassador. What I can say is that we at XM feel privileged. We are aligned and focused on the same principles - simply in different arenas. In the same way Usain’s speed and passion have made him the man he is today, speed and passion have made XM the brand it is today.

Tyson Gay Daughter Shot Dead

Tyson Gay's 15-year-old daughter has been killed in a shooting in the US state of Kentucky, police say.

The Former world champion sprinter confirmed the death of his daughter to local TV station Lex 18, Police in Lexington said Trinity Gay was hit in the neck during an exchange of fire between two vehicles in a restaurant car park.

"She didn't make it. I'm so confused. She was just here last week for fall break. It's so crazy. I have no idea what happened," Lex18 quoted him as saying"