Olympians Rowden and Fontes join Belfast entries
Britain's Daniel Rowden and Spanish athlete Ignacio Fontes are the latest Olympians to join the entries for the Belfast Irish Milers Meet on 10 May.Rowden, 27, will compete over an 800m distance where he set his personal best of 1 minute 43.95 seconds in 2023.The Woodford Green athlete won the UK 800m title in 2020 and 2023 and was an Olympic semi-finalist in Tokyo in 2021 in addition to representing Great Britain at two World Championships and two European Championships.Rowden will be joined in the 800m field by two-time Olympian Fontes, who finished 13th in the 1500m final at the Tokyo Games in 2021.The men's 800m field already includes Rowden's fellow British internationals Callum Dodds and Tom Randolph.Dodds broke one minute and 45 seconds for the first time to clinch victory at last year's meeting in a track record of 1:44.79 which propelled him towards selection for the European Championships, as second-placed Randolph who also went under 1:45."The men's 800m is looking to be an absolutely fantastic race and it's great to have athletes of such high calibre on the start line," said meet director Eamonn Christie.
Gill to headline Belfast meeting
The Belfast meeting will be headlined by St Albans athlete Phoebe Gill who returns to the Mary Peters Track event after smashing the 45-year-old European Under-18 800m record when clocking 1:57.86 which cut almost four seconds off her personal best as she clinched a remarkable victory. Gill, who went on to reach the Olympic 800m semi-finals in Paris after winning the UK title, will be competing over 1500m in Belfast.Other big names at the Belfast meeting will include Ireland's 400m star Sharlene Mawdsley and Great Britain's double Paris Olympics relay medallist Sam Reardon.Tipperary woman Mawdsley anchored her country to a dramatic mixed 4x400m relay gold at last year's European Championships and also won silver in the women's 4x400m at the Rome championships.Reardon, 21, was part of Great Britain's quartet that clinched third place in the mixed 4x400m relay final in Paris and also helped his country secure bronze in the men's 4x400m relay at the Games.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Sir Andy Murray not ruling out return to coaching despite Novak Djokovic split
Murray was speaking at Queen's Club in London, whose centre court was officially inaugurated as the Andy Murray Arena on Monday ahead of the venue's new WTA 500 event, the first time the west London site has hosted women's tennis in 52 years. Murray, who retired from playing after the 2024 Olympics, linked up with Djokovic in November and despite the pair terminating their relationship in May, the 38-year-old says he may accept a similar role in the future. Murray told BBC Sport: 'I would do it again at some stage. I don't think that will happen immediately. 'I wasn't planning on going into coaching as soon as I finished playing but it was a pretty unique opportunity. It was a chance to learn from one of the best athletes of all time. 'It was a brilliant opportunity for me. We got to spend some really nice moments away from the court. Results weren't as we wanted but we gave it a go.' He's here and he's perfect 🤗@andy_murray unveils the Andy Murray Arena at The Queen's Club #HSBCChampionships — HSBC Championships (@QueensTennis) June 9, 2025 Murray, a three-time grand slam winner and five-time winner of the men's title at Queen's, joked his tennis was now 'diabolical' before rallying with a 10-year-old doubles partner on the court. 'My tennis is diabolical, apologies for what you are about to witness,' he said before pairing up with Gloria, 10, for the ceremonial two-round rally against Laura Robson, who won an Olympic silver medal alongside Murray in 2012, and Jay, 7. 'I've obviously missed being out here,' he added. 'It's the first time, obviously, not being involved in a grass court season for a while, but I've got a new life now and I'm enjoying being away from the sport a little bit.' The Scotsman also revealed he has a special connection to this event – he was coached as a 12 and 13-year-old by Russian Olga Morozova, the last women's singles winner here in 1973. 'I think it's brilliant,' said Murray, when asked about the return of women's tennis to Queen's. 'This court has had many great matches on it. I think it's a great chance for women to showcase themselves out there.' The former world number one first competed in the main draw at Queen's as an 18-year-old and for the last time last season before retiring in Paris. He also claimed the doubles trophy in 2019 alongside Feliciano Lopez. Some things just look right…😍☀️ Honouring our greatest ever champion, Sir @andy_murray #HSBCChampionships | @QueensTennis — LTA (@the_LTA) June 8, 2025 Murray added: 'This tournament has so many special moments for me. It's the place where I won my first match on the ATP Tour, it's my most successful event. 'Coming back here at the start of the British summer and I'm very proud of the results I have here. 'I'm very grateful and thankful for whoever it was who decided to name the stadium this way. I hope there's lots of great matches and you all enjoy the tennis.'
Rhyl Journal
8 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Sir Andy Murray not ruling out return to coaching despite Novak Djokovic split
Murray was speaking at Queen's Club in London, whose centre court was officially inaugurated as the Andy Murray Arena on Monday ahead of the venue's new WTA 500 event, the first time the west London site has hosted women's tennis in 52 years. Murray, who retired from playing after the 2024 Olympics, linked up with Djokovic in November and despite the pair terminating their relationship in May, the 38-year-old says he may accept a similar role in the future. Murray told BBC Sport: 'I would do it again at some stage. I don't think that will happen immediately. 'I wasn't planning on going into coaching as soon as I finished playing but it was a pretty unique opportunity. It was a chance to learn from one of the best athletes of all time. 'It was a brilliant opportunity for me. We got to spend some really nice moments away from the court. Results weren't as we wanted but we gave it a go.' He's here and he's perfect 🤗@andy_murray unveils the Andy Murray Arena at The Queen's Club #HSBCChampionships — HSBC Championships (@QueensTennis) June 9, 2025 Murray, a three-time grand slam winner and five-time winner of the men's title at Queen's, joked his tennis was now 'diabolical' before rallying with a 10-year-old doubles partner on the court. 'My tennis is diabolical, apologies for what you are about to witness,' he said before pairing up with Gloria, 10, for the ceremonial two-round rally against Laura Robson, who won an Olympic silver medal alongside Murray in 2012, and Jay, 7. 'I've obviously missed being out here,' he added. 'It's the first time, obviously, not being involved in a grass court season for a while, but I've got a new life now and I'm enjoying being away from the sport a little bit.' The Scotsman also revealed he has a special connection to this event – he was coached as a 12 and 13-year-old by Russian Olga Morozova, the last women's singles winner here in 1973. 'I think it's brilliant,' said Murray, when asked about the return of women's tennis to Queen's. 'This court has had many great matches on it. I think it's a great chance for women to showcase themselves out there.' The former world number one first competed in the main draw at Queen's as an 18-year-old and for the last time last season before retiring in Paris. He also claimed the doubles trophy in 2019 alongside Feliciano Lopez. Some things just look right…😍☀️ Honouring our greatest ever champion, Sir @andy_murray #HSBCChampionships | @QueensTennis — LTA (@the_LTA) June 8, 2025 Murray added: 'This tournament has so many special moments for me. It's the place where I won my first match on the ATP Tour, it's my most successful event. 'Coming back here at the start of the British summer and I'm very proud of the results I have here. 'I'm very grateful and thankful for whoever it was who decided to name the stadium this way. I hope there's lots of great matches and you all enjoy the tennis.'
Powys County Times
9 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Sir Andy Murray not ruling out return to coaching despite Novak Djokovic split
Sir Andy Murray has not ruled out a return to coaching despite his short-lived link-up with former world number one Novak Djokovic coming to an end after just four tournaments last month. Murray was speaking at Queen's Club in London, whose centre court was officially inaugurated as the Andy Murray Arena on Monday ahead of the venue's new WTA 500 event, the first time the west London site has hosted women's tennis in 52 years. Murray, who retired from playing after the 2024 Olympics, linked up with Djokovic in November and despite the pair terminating their relationship in May, the 38-year-old says he may accept a similar role in the future. Murray told BBC Sport: 'I would do it again at some stage. I don't think that will happen immediately. 'I wasn't planning on going into coaching as soon as I finished playing but it was a pretty unique opportunity. It was a chance to learn from one of the best athletes of all time. 'It was a brilliant opportunity for me. We got to spend some really nice moments away from the court. Results weren't as we wanted but we gave it a go.' He's here and he's perfect 🤗 @andy_murray unveils the Andy Murray Arena at The Queen's Club #HSBCChampionships — HSBC Championships (@QueensTennis) June 9, 2025 Murray, a three-time grand slam winner and five-time winner of the men's title at Queen's, joked his tennis was now 'diabolical' before rallying with a 10-year-old doubles partner on the court. 'My tennis is diabolical, apologies for what you are about to witness,' he said before pairing up with Gloria, 10, for the ceremonial two-round rally against Laura Robson, who won an Olympic silver medal alongside Murray in 2012, and Jay, 7. 'I've obviously missed being out here,' he added. 'It's the first time, obviously, not being involved in a grass court season for a while, but I've got a new life now and I'm enjoying being away from the sport a little bit.' The Scotsman also revealed he has a special connection to this event – he was coached as a 12 and 13-year-old by Russian Olga Morozova, the last women's singles winner here in 1973. 'I think it's brilliant,' said Murray, when asked about the return of women's tennis to Queen's. 'This court has had many great matches on it. I think it's a great chance for women to showcase themselves out there.' The former world number one first competed in the main draw at Queen's as an 18-year-old and for the last time last season before retiring in Paris. He also claimed the doubles trophy in 2019 alongside Feliciano Lopez. Some things just look right…😍☀️ Honouring our greatest ever champion, Sir @andy_murray #HSBCChampionships | @QueensTennis — LTA (@the_LTA) June 8, 2025 Murray added: 'This tournament has so many special moments for me. It's the place where I won my first match on the ATP Tour, it's my most successful event. 'Coming back here at the start of the British summer and I'm very proud of the results I have here. 'I'm very grateful and thankful for whoever it was who decided to name the stadium this way. I hope there's lots of great matches and you all enjoy the tennis.'
