Latest news with #sportsstars
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Johnny Manziel leads pack of sports stars taking part in season four of Special Forces
Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel headlines the pack of sports stars taking part in season four of Fox reality competition Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, which premiers next month. The quasi-military training reality show will put the 18 contestants through intense conditions and tests to see which can brave the elements similar to what members of the United States Special Forces go through. Half the cast has connections to the sports world, with former NFL players Andrew East, Randall Cobb, and Eric Decker also on the cast. Decker and East will also be joined by their respective wives - Jessie James Decker and Shawn Johnson East. Johnson East is a former Olympic gold-medal gymnast for the United States, who wore the Stars and Stripes at the 2008 games in Beijing. A unique connection to the sports world exists with Brianna 'Chickenfry' LaPaglia, a poplar face within Barstool. Rounding out those with a sports connection on the cast are former NBA star Nick Young and longtime United States soccer defender Christie Rampone. Outside the sports world, fans of the show were mostly aghast at the inclusion of 'hate crime hoaxer' Jussie Smollett, who wisecracked to his 4.5M Instagram followers on Wednesday: 'It was at this moment I said… "I should've just done The Masked Singer."' The disgraced 43-year-old swore he was attacked in 2019 by two Trump supporters, who turned out to be his former personal trainers the Osundairo Brothers, and they claimed he hired them to pour bleach on him and put a noose around his neck in order to boost his celebrity profile. Jussie only served six days of his 150-day sentence for five counts of felony disorderly conduct before the Illinois Supreme Court reversed his conviction on November 21 citing his sweetheart plea deal with Cook County State's Attorney Kim Fox. Someone with a sports connection has been part of the winning team each of the previous three seasons with Carli Lloyd, Erin Jackson, and Kayla Nicole all passing the set of tests.
The National
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Sheikh Hamdan says Dubai will host World Sports Summit in December
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, on Sunday said the World Sports Summit will be held in Dubai from December 29-30. It is expected to feature participation from leading sports stars, experts and decision-makers from around the world. 'This summit will bring together top officials, coaches, specialists and current and former sports stars from around the world in Dubai to shape the future of the sports sector globally,' he said. 'Through this unique gathering in Dubai, we aim to harness new opportunities in the sector, while addressing current and future challenges, so that sport continues to play a vital role in bringing people together, inspiring generations, supporting the economy, developing talent, and becoming more enjoyable and beneficial for its fans and followers.' The World Sports Summit will be organised by the Dubai Sports Council and be held at the Madinat Jumeirah. Participants representing various sporting bodies, teams and federations will discuss the future of the industry in the context of economic, legislative, regulatory and social frameworks. 'This summit will discuss the future of both team and individual sports and will explore ways to support national teams and sports clubs to enhance their performance,' Sheikh Hamdan added. 'We also place emphasis on the important role of educational institutions and sports academies in preparing talents of all ages and across various sporting disciplines.' Central topics of discussion at the summit will include avenues to enhance audience engagement. A personal passion Sheikh Hamdan is a passionate sport enthusiast and advocate for physical activity. He often shares his experiences in events such as free diving and Spartan races on social media. In 2017, he launched the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), a month-long campaign that encourages residents to commit to 30 minutes of daily exercise for 30 consecutive days. The initiative has since become an annual event.
Khaleej Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Sheikh Hamdan says Dubai to host World Sports Summit in December 2025
Dubai to host the World Sports Summit from December 29 to 30, 2025. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum making the announcement on X said that the sports summit is set to become the world's largest gathering of sports stars, industry experts, and decision makers. As a sports enthusiast himself, the Dubai Crown Prince said the event would position Dubai at the forefront of shaping the future of global sport. The summit will be hosted by the Dubai Sports Council and is expected to draw influential voices from across the international sports landscape. From athletes and coaches to investors and policymakers, attendees will explore how sport can drive unity, inspiration, talent development, and economic growth on a global scale.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Love Island has a type! From Tommy Fury to Ovie Soko - the sporting hopefuls who have appeared on hit TV show as 'The Surrey Zidane' prepares for the villa
Throughout the years, Love Island's producers have often scoured the country for sport stars who might be looking for a brief career change. From the football pitches to the basketball courts - and even to the dressage centres - there have been a wide array of talented sports stars who have gone on the show. The most notable, no doubt, is boxer Tommy Fury - but there could soon be new names that look to rival his title with the latest cast for the new season just announced. Among the new faces is a football star being dubbed 'The Surrey Zidane' - a reference to legendary France and Real Madrid star Zinedine. Meanwhile there's also a star who plays football semi-professionally alongside his job as a personal trainer that's looking to make a big impact on the TV screen. Ahead of the new season beginning, Mail Sport takes a look at the sport stars who have taken the plunge on Love Island. Tommy Fury It only seems right to start with the biggest name, in regards to sporting ventures, that has stepped foot onto the reality TV show. Tommy Fury - who is now synonymous with partner Molly-Mae Hague - is also the half-brother of legendary boxer Tyson Fury and has carved his own path in the ring since rising to fame on the show. The 26-year-old boasts an 11-0 record inside the squared circle and has wins over the likes of internet personalities Jake Paul and KSI on his resume. The Mancunian boxer entered the dating show back in 2019, where he and Molly-Mae fell for each other in front of the nation. They welcomed daughter Bambi in January 2023, before getting engaged just a few months later. But fans were shocked when Molly announced on Instagram last August that she and Tommy had split up after five years, with many suspecting he had been unfaithful. However, after months of rumours they'd rekindled their romance, the pair finally went Instagram official last month with a loved-up family snap. Fury boasts an 11-0 boxing record and is the half-brother of British legend Tyson Fury Podcast All episodes Play on Apple Spotify Ovie Soko Up next is the only basketball star to make the list and it's none other than London Lions star Ovie Soko. The reality star first appeared on the hit ITV show in 2019 where he finished third place with India Reynolds before splitting just a few months later. Prior to the dating show, Ovie was a professional basketball player for the Lions but took a break from his ventures on the court in order to delve into the life of an influencer. He recently made a return to action for the Lions during the 2024-25 season but was unable to secure the league title - with the Leicester Riders instead claiming the silverware. Gemma Owen Gemma Owen, 19-year-old daughter of football icon Michael Owen, lit up Love Island 2022 as the youngest contestant on the series. The Cheshire dressage star, who competed for Britain in 2021, kept her famous surname quiet at first. Coupling up with Liam Llewellyn, then Davide Sanclimenti and ex Jacques O'Neill, she found love with Luca Bish, finishing as runners-up. Their romance ended by November 2022, with Gemma calling it 'mutual' despite Luca's 'blindsided' claims. Critics questioned her older pairings and Luca's behaviour, but Gemma's poise won fans. Despite Michael's initial Love Island doubts, he's backed her equestrian and OG Beachwear ventures, with the tight-knit Owen family cheering her on as she shines as a PrettyLittleThing ambassador. Harry Cooksley Earlier this week, Love Island confirmed the full line-up of contestants joining the upcoming series as the new villa-mates were announced ahead of the 12th series. Among them is Harry Cooksley, 29, a midfielder for Southern League Premier South side Farnham Town who has been dubbed the 'The Surrey Zidane'. As well as his talent on the field, Cooksley also works as a gold trader and model. But more interestingly, his pastimes include being a body double for Declan Rice. 'So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me,' said Cooksley. 'You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.' Aaron Simpson Season seven islander Aaron Simpson became a free agent in 2024 after helping Salisbury gain promotion in that season. The 27-year-old's footballing journey began in 2017, with the footballer, who hails from Kent, joining the Wolves academy. He'd go on to enjoy spells with some established clubs, including Portsmouth, Kilmarnock and Sutton United - while also making 35 appearances in Premier League 2. Sadly, Simpson's time in the Villa lasted for only a matter of days, with Simpson being dumped out after just 10 days. Tyrique Hyde Having began his footballing career back in 2016 with Dagenham and Redbridge U18, Hyde would go on to play for several clubs around the National League, including Colchester, Dartford and Dulwich Hamlet. He would join Lewes in 2022, but became the first of two Lewes players to put a pause on their playing career to join up with the television show. He'd couple up with Ella Thomas, with the pair coming third in Series 10. After the series, he'd get straight back to where he left off, joining up with Faversham Town and was also spotted earlier in May battling against Danny Dyer in the Sellebrity Soccer match at West Ham United. Toby Aromolaran One of the show's most recognisable figures, Aromolaran made headlines for his relationship with Chloe Burrows. Sadly they are no longer together after the pair were crowned runners-up in Season Seven. He would later return for Love Island: All Stars earlier in 2024, where he would couple up with fellow former contestant Georgia Steel. They left the villa as a couple but are sadly no longer together, with Aromolaran calling it a day. Meanwhile, Aromolaran has returned to playing football, having previously enjoyed a successful career playing in the non-league. Before first taking part in Love Island in 2021, he played in the Isthmian League. He began his career back in 2016 while playing for Tilbury, making a goalscoring debut against his former side Thurrock. The forward would go on to score 15 times across 82 appearances before leaving in 2018 to join Loughborough University. He'd subsequently play for Basildon United, Cheshunt, Witham Town, Tilbury again and Coalville Town. On July 31 2020, he'd join up with YouTube side Hashtag United prior to going into the villa, and has continued to play for the side since returning to the UK and has scored 18 goals in 74 appearances for the club. Ronnie Vint Vint entered the villa last year and appeared to catch the eyes of more than one lady inside the villa. The defender, 27, began his career playing for Dartford, and has since gone on to enjoy several loan spells with Dulwich Hamlet. In 2023, he joined Sussex side Lewes, but had to put a pause on playing for the club to appear on the reality show. He is also the second player to leave Lewes to go on the show after Hyde. Gallery from @DulwichHamletFC v St Albans City. A second half Ronnie Vint goal gives Dulwich the win. #DHFC #Dulwich #Hamlet #Tuscany #dulwichhamlet #football #NonLeague #footballphotography #sportsphotography — Keith Gillard (@KGtopsnapper) March 4, 2023 Michael Boateng Mike, a former semi-pro footballer, enjoyed two spells on Love Island, featuring in Series Six in 2020 as well as also featuring on the Love Island Games in 2023. In Series Six, he'd couple up with Priscilla Anyabu but would be dumped from the island on day 41 of the show. The footballer, who hails from London, Joined Sheffield United 's Academy in 2013, signing from non-league side Handsworth FC. Here he was team-mates with Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He would sign a scholarship at the Blades before being loaned out to Emley AFC. He was later released by the club. 'I have a few footballer friends from my football days,' he explained to the i Paper. 'Dominic Calvert-Lewin played with me at Sheffield United.' Finley Tapp The 2020 winter Love Island champion Tapp has enjoyed an excellent playing career, notably playing for both Football League side MK Dons and Oxford City in the National League South. Tapp began his playing career with the Dons before enjoying a brief spell on loan with Staines Town. He'd later join up with Oxford City, before taking a break from football to appear on Love Island. He'd go on to couple up with Paige Turley and the pair would go on to win the series. Following his success on the screen, he jumped back into football, joining up with National League North side Banbury United. Luke Trotman Trotman is one of few players to have played at international level on this list. He is also another player to have seemingly put a pause on their playing career to appear in the television show. The 26-year-old finished as a runner-up in Love Island Series Six alongside Siannise Fudge. Prior to that, the former right-back had previously played for Darlington in National League North. He had also enjoyed spells with Nuneaton, St Neots Town and had also been contracted to Luton Town, after rising through the club's academy. During the 2018-19 season, Trotman would be called up to play for England C, where he would feature in international games against Wales and Estonia. Despite having had a promising football career, playing 71 times in National League North, it appears he is yet to return to playing semi-pro football. He now appears to be dating Chelsea Menna (left) having been crowned Series six runner up in 2020 Scott van-der-Sluis The addition of Van der Sluis means we now have a goalkeeper, and could perhaps form a pretty good 11-a-side team out of the players included on this list. The shot stopper appeared in the most recent series of Love Island back in 2023. He'd also go on to appear in Series Five of Love Island USA but was dumped out of the villa on both occasions. Born in Wales, Van der Sluis is a boyhood Liverpool fan but signed for Manchester United when he was young and spent a year playing in the club's academy before also moving to Liverpool and Swansea. He'd graduate from the Swansea academy before going on to play for Merthyr Town, Runcorn, Bangor and the City of Liverpool. Dennon Lewis Having graduate from the Watford academy, Lewis would go on to play for Woking, Crawley, Falkirk and Boreham Wood. In fact, the right winger even has a rating of 63 on Fifa 18! Lewis has played across the National League, Scottish Championship and in League Two. Lewis appeared on Season Five, entering the villa mid-way through the series but was dumped only four days later. Tom Clare Macclesfield announced in March that their striker Tom Clare had returned to the club until the end of the season following his spell in the Love Island Villa. The 24-year-old started his playing career in Barnsley's youth academy before joining Bradford on a free transfer in 2019. He has gone on to play for Boston United, Buxton, Pontefract and Macclesfield. In fact, he was permitted by the club in 2023 to join up with the television show for Love Island Series Nine in 2023 mid-way through the season. He'd return again to take part in Love Island: All Stars in 2024 reaching the final with Molly Smith. The pair left the Villa a couple and are apparently still together, having posted several snaps of themselves on Instagram enjoying a trip to Dubai earlier this year. Mike Thalassitis Thalassitis, who appeared in Love Island Series Three tragically passed away in March 2019, aged 26. The series took place back in 2017, with Thalassitis entereing the villa on day 12. He'd couple up with Olivia Attwood before being dumped from the show. He would later return to couple up with Tyla Carr. Thalassitis was one of the most experienced footballers to have taken part in the show and boasted the most impressive cv of any baller to enter the villa. Thalassitis played for a wealth of clubs during his career, most notably making five appearances for Stevenage in League One. He'd also played for Hayes and Yeading and Cambridge United. He had been playing for Margate at the time he made his appearance in Love Island, and was given the backing to go back into the villa by the club's chairman, Alistair Bayliss.
CBC
31-05-2025
- General
- CBC
CBC Sports: 2025 World Athletics Wanda Diamond League
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium welcomes the world's best track and field stars for the latest stop of the 2025 World Athletics Wanda Diamond League.
