Latest news with #KatarinaJohnson-Thompson
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Katarina Johnson-Thompson urging government to back London 2029 World Championships bid
Katarina Johnson-Thompson has called on the Prime Minister to back a bid to bring one of the world's biggest sporting events back to the United Kingdom. The Liverpool star, who won Olympic heptathlon silver in Paris last summer, is among the signatories in a powerful open letter calling on ministers to bring the World Athletics Championships to London in 2029. Advertisement Also joining the list of more than 100 supporters are fellow Liverpool athletes Anyika Onuora and Michael Rimmer, plus the likes of Sir Mo Farah, Keely Hodgkinson, Dame Kelly Holmes, Jonathan Edwards, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Paula Radcliffe, Dina Asher-Smith and Daley Thompson — a cross-generational group of sporting legends united in their belief that this is a rare opportunity to inspire the nation, foster unity and create a lasting legacy. The involvement of the athletes lends additional support to the London 2029 campaign, spearheaded by Athletic Ventures — a collaboration between UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company. READ MORE: Florian Wirtz to Liverpool transfer twist as Bayer Leverkusen rival says 'we are looking into it' READ MORE: Darwin Nunez Liverpool transfer door opens for huge move after Victor Osimhen response -Credit:PA The bid outlines plans for a world-class Championships at the London Stadium, calling for just one year of public funding in 2028, estimated at £45m, and projecting a national economic boost of over £400 million. Advertisement 'I'm delighted that these athletes have put their support behind this letter," said Jack Buckner, UK Athletics chief executive and co-founder of Athletic Ventures. "It shows that athletes know more than anyone else the value of a major sporting event on home soil and what it means. 'We know what home support can achieve and when our greatest athletes from past and present are unified with one message, their call should not be ignored. This is a bid rooted in credibility and ambition. 'Bringing the World Athletics Championships to the UK will have a huge impact on an entire sport. Everything from the massive boost in participation for local athletics clubs, to the opportunity for Liverpool to host teams from across the world as they finalise their preparations in training camps. Advertisement 'We have the chance to deliver a World Championships that lifts the nation, inspires the next generation, and showcases Britain at its very best. We're ready. Now we need the government to stand with us." The 2029 bid process is due to commence this summer, with organisers urging ministers to commit in the coming weeks to secure the Championships for the UK. Great Britain won 10 athletics medals at last year's Paris Olympics, their best return in four decades. London's Diamond League meeting is established as the biggest in the world, selling out in record time last week, while Birmingham will host next year's European Championships. And to underline the sport's grassroots appeal, a record-breaking 1.1 million people have applied to run in next year's London Marathon. Advertisement 'This is the moment to deliver something extraordinary,' said Hugh Brasher, event director of the London Marathon and co-founder of Athletic Ventures. 'London 2029 is not a risk; it's about return on investment for the UK. Generations of athletes know the inspirational power of a home Championships but this is about more than medals. It's a vision for what this country can achieve. 'With government support in 2028, we will deliver the greatest World Championships yet: commercially robust, community powered, and globally resonant. It is set to deliver more than £400 million in economic and community impact across the UK. The time to act is now.'
Sky News
01-04-2025
- Health
- Sky News
King honours Alan Titchmarsh and Olympic star in first public engagement since short hospital stay
The King has made his first public engagement since a brief stay in hospital last week, honouring TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh and British athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, during an investiture at Windsor Castle. Buckingham Palace said that following "scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer" on Thursday morning, His Majesty "experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital". Palace sources have described it as a "most minor bump in the road". The King then cancelled an away-day to Birmingham on Friday - when he was also seen smiling and waving as he left Clarence House in central London. Following Tuesday's investiture, the 76-year-old is due to carry out a mix of public engagements, state duties and private meetings in the coming days. However, a small number of appointments have been rescheduled ahead of a state visit the King and Queen are making to Italy next week. Titchmarsh, 75, was made a CBE for services to horticulture and charity, while Johnson-Thompson, the reigning world heptathlon champion and Paris 2024 Olympics silver medallist, was made an MBE for services to athletics. The King will hold his weekly audience with the prime minister at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, while on Thursday he will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the humanitarian air operator, Mission Aviation Fellowship, during an event at RAF Northolt in west London. Friday will be spent making final preparations for the trip to Italy.
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
King Charles in ‘good spirits' as he returns to public duties after hospital stay
The King was in 'good spirits' as he returned to public duties for the first time since his short hospital stay, after he experienced side effects from ongoing cancer treatment. Charles presided over investitures at Windsor Castle on Tuesday after cancelling a string of engagements at the end of last week, when he experienced temporary side effects on Thursday. During the ceremony, he presented double world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson with an MBE, to recognise the athlete for an outstanding track and field career. 'He seemed in good spirits. You know it's long, all day, because so many people are getting honoured today,' Johnson-Thompson said afterward. 'So he seems in really good spirits and I'm happy to see that he's fit and well.' Popular gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh also praised the King for his 'boundless energy' despite his cancer diagnosis, as he was made a CBE for services to horticulture and charity. The King welcomed dozens of recipients to Windsor Castle after spending a restful weekend and working on state business on Monday. He was pictured smiling and shaking hands with recipients while also wielding the sword while knighting Royal Ballet choreographer Professor Sir Wayne McGregor. Other recipients on Tuesday included Matthew Magee, the King's deputy private secretary, who was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order. Charles experienced some temporary side effects following treatment at the London Clinic on Thursday morning, which required a short period of observation in the hospital. It was described as a "minor bump" in his cancer treatment journey. It is understood the side effects, of which specifics have not been disclosed, were not uncommon with many medical treatments. Charles cancelled a busy away-day in Birmingham on Friday to prioritise his recovery. He spent the weekend at his Gloucestershire estate Highgrove and is expected to carry out a number of regular duties in the coming days. A small number of appointments have been rescheduled to ensure an appropriate balance ahead of a busy state visit the King and Queen will make to Italy next week. On Wednesday, the King will fulfil official duties and meetings at Buckingham Palace and hold his weekly audience with the Prime Minister, and the following day will attend a public engagement in Windsor and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the humanitarian air operator Mission Aviation Fellowship during an event at RAF Northolt in west London. Friday will be spent making final preparations for the state visit to the Republic of Italy but the separate state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church located in the Vatican – the world's smallest independent state – has been postponed as the Pope is recovering from a bout of pneumonia.
The Guardian
22-02-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
British Indoor Athletics Championships delayed after fire at Utilita Arena
A fire has delayed the start of the British Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham. The Utilita Arena had to be evacuated after the incident on Saturday morning, around 90 minutes before the first event was due to start. British Athletics said in a statement: 'The start of the 2025 Microplus UK Athletics Indoor Championships has been delayed by one hour, following an incident that required the evacuation of the Utilita Arena in Birmingham this morning, Saturday 22 February. 'A one-hour delay to the timetable has been agreed in order to give athletes, officials and spectators adequate time to prepare for the day's events.' Former Olympian Katharine Merry wrote on X: 'Not made it into the Utilita Arena yet. It's been fully evacuated due to a fire. Fire brigade here and smoke coming from the top floor.' She added a few minutes later: 'The British Indoor Champs will be going ahead today after a fire in a kitchen. Just now need to clear the water.' Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Laura Muir are among the star names competing this weekend. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion The event is also being used as the British trials for the European Athletics Indoor Championships, which take place in the Netherlands next month.
The Independent
22-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Fire delays start of British Indoor Athletics Championships as venue evacuated
A fire has delayed the start of the British Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham. The Utilita Arena had to be evacuated after the incident on Saturday morning, around 90 minutes before the first event was due to start. British Athletics said in a statement: 'The start of the 2025 Microplus UK Athletics Indoor Championships has been delayed by one hour, following an incident that required the evacuation of the Utilita Arena in Birmingham this morning, Saturday 22 February. 'A one-hour delay to the timetable has been agreed in order to give athletes, officials and spectators adequate time to prepare for the day's events.' Former Olympian Katharine Merry wrote on X: 'Not made it into the Utilita Arena yet. It's been fully evacuated due to a fire. Fire brigade here and smoke coming from the top floor.' She added a few minutes later: 'The British Indoor Champs will be going ahead today after a fire in a kitchen. Just now need to clear the water.' Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Laura Muir are among the star names competing this weekend. The event is also being used as the British trials for the European Athletics Indoor Championships, which take place in the Netherlands next month.
