Wednesday 28th July 2010

WORLD record-holder Usain Bolt is set to compete against Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay for the first time this season in the 100 metres at the DN Galan Samsung Diamond League meeting in Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium on Friday 6th August.

Bolt's decision to join the field in Stockholm means the meeting will mark the trio's first head-to-head since last year's 100m final at the World Championships in Berlin, where the Jamaican added the world title to his Olympic gold as he broke the world record in style.

Gay was second on that occasion, breaking the US record in the process, with Powell in third. The race will be the first of just two meetings between the 'Big Three' this year, with the second clash set for the Diamond League final in Brussels on August 27th.

The Stockholm showdown between the world’s best sprinters will be shown live on BBC Three from 7.00pm.

Tuesday 27th July 2010

TODAY marks the two-year countdown to the greatest show on earth with the London Olympics that begin on Friday 27th July 2012.

London's Trafalgar Square, with the aid high technology, will feature from today feature a series of activities set up by Panasonic, an Olympic Games sponsor for more than 20 years, promise an insight in to how new technology may be useful for spectators.

London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said: "Panasonic's Full HD 3D technology shows us great opportunity for both sport and technology by capturing the passion of sport like never before and delivering an outstanding viewing experience for fans across the world."

Panasonic expect that more than 4,000 people an hour will attend the day-long event which will seek to drum home the message that the 2012 Games will reflect a modern London that is cutting edge.

A 60 square metre LED screen at the foot of Nelson's Column will show coverage of the days countdown events. During the Games it will play live action and replays as the big screen inside the Olympic Stadium. Tourists at the central London landmark will see interviews and special activities being held at the Olympic Stadium throughout the day.

Video diaries from London 2012 hopefuls talking about how their training is going, their hopes and the sacrifices they are making to try and be the best in 2012 will also be beamed on screen. Would-be film makers who have entered the London 2012 short film competition - Film Nation Shorts - for 14-25 year olds will also see their work on screen.

The footage has to be based around the Olympic values of respect, courage, excellence, friendship, equality, determination and inspiration.

There will be a 3D Future Zone, a Have a Go Zone with interactive games and a variety of celebrity guest appearances and performances.

The 3D Future Zone comes complete with six special pods allowing people to watch Olympic footage in true-to-life full HD.

Sunday 25th July 2010

GREAT Britain's Jo Pavey has been ruled out of the forthcoming European Championships in Barcelona through injury.

Pavey has a toe injury which had improved during the team's pre-championship training camp in Portugal.

However, it has not improved sufficiently to give the Devon athlete enough quality training in order to compete in the 10,000 metres in Spain.

Pavey's absence is the latest series of injury problems for the British team, with the likes of Greg Rutherford, Goldie Sayers and Kelly Sotherton already absent from the championships.

Thursday 22nd July 2010

TIM Doran has gained selection for the Team England squad to compete at the IAU 50km Trophy Final that takes place in Galway, Ireland, on Sunday 29th August 2010.

The 31-year-old Leicestershire athlete from the Aldershot, Farnham & District Club will make his international debut having finished runner-up at the Boddington 50km English Ultra Championships in Gloucestershire clocking a time of three hours 10 minutes in the race won by Julian Rendall.

This achievement follows his performance at the Virgin London Marathon back in April when his lowered his personal best over the distance with 2:33.42 guiding Aldershot to team silver in the England Athletics Championships.
Full England Teams:
Men
Julian Rendall (Thames Hare & Hounds)
Tim Doran (Aldershot Farnham & District)
Paul Fernandez (Abingdon Amblers)
Women
Sue Harrison (Leamington A.C.)
Helen Taranowski (Spa Striders/West 4 Harriers)
Adela Salt (Trentham Running Club)

www.iau.org.tw/

Wednesday 21st July 2010

GBSport are running a Governing Body approved CPD BUSINESS course for coaches and club administrators in the Midlands Area including one at Loughborough University on Monday 26th July.

The course is a four hour guide on the key business and taxation issues that affect those coaching and administering a sports coaching programme/business, with particular emphasis on the following areas:
SELF-EMPLOYMENT STATUS

There are strict rules and regulations that must be met for a sports coach to be accepted as self-employed (as opposed to employed) by the taxman and there are serious financial consequences for both the coach and the organisation/person engaging the services of the coach should the taxman later declare them to be employed. The course details the key areas that the coach and client/club must address - substitution, control of the programme and financial risk - to ensure the coaches in a programme qualify as self-employed in the eyes of the taxman.
CONTRACTS

The course details the key clauses needed to protect both coach and client and provide sample contracts for use with both self-employed and employed staff in a coaching programme.
LEGAL STATUS

The course details the options available for the legal status of the coaching business (Sole Trader, Limited Company, etc) if run by a coach or coaching team and the implications for the client/club.
INSURANCE

The course details the insurance cover that both coach and client must and should have in place to meet health and safety requirements.
CHILD PROTECTION

The course details the requirements for both coach and client for Processing CRB and VBS checks correctly.
MARKETING

The course details how to market the programme on a budget.
BOOKKEEPING

The course details how to manage the accounting and costing requirements of a coaching programme.
ALLOWABLE EXPENSES

The course details the types of expenses and what can (and can't) be claimed for.
VAT

The course details the rules and regulations for a sports coaching programme – turnover, legal status of the coach and type of sport.
COMPUTERISING YOUR BUSINESS

The course details the options available for computerising the administration of the programme.
The courses take places at the following venues:

Monday 26th July 10am-2pm
LOUGHBOROUGH – Loughborough University, Netball Seminar Room, Epinal Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TU.

Tuesday 27th July 10am-2pm
BIRMINGHAM – Perry Barr Goals Centre, Tameside Park, Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2UB.

Wednesday 28th July 10am-2pm
NORTHAMPTON – Moulton Park Sports Complex, Pound Lane, Moulton, Northampton, NN3 7SD.

ALL DELEGATES ATTENDING THE COURSE RECEIVE A FREE HARD COPY OF OUR COACH HANDBOOK 2010, a one stop reference guide to running a coaching programme, which also includes a FREE CDRom containing essential forms, guides and free software.

They believe that this course is currently the only training of its type available for coaches and administrators and that it will provide them with vital information to ensure that they are operating legally and safely and thereby play an important part in professionalising the services they provide.

The course costs just £30 per person.
GBSport is an independent sports consultancy that works with sporting organisations and coaches/administrators in Britain to provide expert business and IT support services and training.

You can find out more about the services they provide by visiting their web site at: www.gbsport.org.uk

Wednesday 21st July 2010

UNITED Kingdom long jump record-holder Greg Rutherford has been ruled out of the European Championships in Barcelona next week due to injury.

Rutherford, who finished fifth in the World Championships in Berlin last year after his record leap of 8.30 metres, has received treatment on a foot injury and is now undergoing rehabilitation.

The 23-year-old hopes to recover in time to compete in the Samsung Diamond League Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace next month, as well as October's Commonwealth Games.

In the sprint events former Olympic champions Mark Lewis-Francis and Marlon Devonish have been handed the additional places available in the GB team for the 100m and 200m respectively.

Tuesday 20th July 2010

EUROPEAN Athletics have announce that world indoor triple jump champion Teddy Tamgho of France and hammer world champion Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland have been voted as the European Athletes of the Month for June.

Tamgho leapt to a French national record of 17.98m at the Diamond League meeting in New York and in the process became the third best performer ever, behind world record-holder Jonathan Edwards (18.29m) of Great Britain and Kenny Harrison (18.09m) of the USA.

The 21-year-old also had two jumps of 17.60m and 17.63m at Montreuil-sous-Bois and finished third at the SPAR European Team Championships in Bergen.

Wlodarczyk set a hammer world record of 78.30m at the ENEA Cup European Athletics Outdoor Premium Meeting in Bydgoszcz, Poland, improving on her own previous record of 77.96m registered at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin last year.

Two days later, with another massive throw of 75.77m in Warsaw, she underscored her status as the most dominant hammer thrower in recent years.

The European Athlete of the Month initiative was launched in January 2007 and is designed to recognise outstanding performers at all levels of the sport in Europe.

Selections are based on votes by the public, media and a panel of European Athletics experts – each counting for 33.3% of the final vote. No athlete who has previously served a two-year doping ban can be nominated for or win the European Athlete of the Month award.

Tuesday 20th July 2010

THE second edition of the Challenge Invitational Leicester Magic Miles takes place on Thursday 29th July at Victoria Park.

The event supported by the Leicester Athletics Network also incorporates the Leicester Fun Run over a 5km parkland course.

Last year the Magic Mile was won by Paul Richardson in 4:23 ahead of OWLS team mate Geraint Davies (4.24).

The event also stages the Award Winning Running idol Competition for children.
Race Timetable:
7.30pm - Invitational MAGIC MILE

7.40pm - Leicester Fun Run 5km
(Under 11 and Under = 2.5k)
Winner’s prizes, certificates to all finishers, spot prizes and Goody Bag for the top 30 under 17s 5k.

For further details e-mail: leicesterfunrun@hotmail.co.uk

Highlights from the 2009 Leicester Fun Run event.

Monday 19th July 2010

SHOT putters Jamie Stevenson and Kieren Kelly have been banned for two years for violating anti-doping rules, UK Athletics have confirmed.

The athletes were charged by UK Anti-Doping following their refusal to undertake an out-of-competition test at Loughborough University on 9th January 2010. The duo admitted the charge and accepted the consequences. Their suspension runs from 8th February 2010 and ends at midnight on 7th February 2012.

UKA chief executive Niels de Vos said: "This must serve as a warning to all athletes, both funded and non-funded, of the importance of co-operating with UK Anti-Doping at all times without exception."

He added: "We will continue to work with UK Anti-Doping to ensure absolute compliance with our anti-doping commitment that athletics must be and must be seen to be a drug free sport in the UK."

UK Anti-Doping chief executive Andy Parkinson added: "The case involving these two athletes is a stark reminder that all elite sportsmen and women must seriously consider the implications of not providing a sample on request.

"Others need to learn from the mistake made by these two athletes and realise that one wrong decision in the heat of the moment can have significant consequences on both their career and their reputation."

Loughborough graduate and former BUCS champion Kelly, 24, and Stevenson, 20, were third and fifth respectively in the British rankings last season and had been considered decent prospects for the London 2012 Olympics.

Thursday 15th July 2010

UK Athletics have called for changes to Britain's tax laws after superstar sprinter Usain Bolt pulled out of next month’s Samsung Diamond League London Grand Prix meeting at Crystal Palace for financial reasons.

Triple Olympic champion Bolt, 23, pulled out of the showdown with rivals Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay because he would have to pay a 50% tax rate on his appearance fee, as well as a proportion of his worldwide earnings, this despite not living in the United Kingdom.

"It is regrettable that British fans are denied the chance to see this amazing talent," said a UKA statement.

"We are, with other sports, continuing to work towards a resolution to secure his presence at our events in future."

The existing tax law led to Wembley missing out on hosting football's 2010 UEFA Champions League final, although changes have now been implemented which have enabled the stadium to host the 2011 final and they also cover the 2012 London Olympics.

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said he was happy to look at the situation and see if I can help, if there was a particular issue preventing Bolt's appearance, but he thought it was unlikely the rules could be changed in time for this year's Diamond League meeting on 13th-14th August.

Wednesday 14th July 2010

SUPERSTAR Haile Gebrselassie has agreed to compete at the Bupa Great North Run on Sunday 19th September, a decade after injury forced him to put off his debut at the event.

The 37-year-old Ethiopian marathon world record-holder was due to run in 2000 but tore his Achilles tendon when winning 10,000m gold at the Sydney Olympics.

However, Gebrselassie who has broken 27 world records during an illustrious career, and collected two Olympic gold medals and four world titles is set to be on the start-line for the race's 30th anniversary edition.

The Great North Run is the world's most popular half-marathon road-running event, with more than 47,000 competitors of all abilities.

Gebrselassie commented: "This is a race I have always wanted to compete in and I'm really looking forward to running as it has a worldwide reputation for not only the quality but also the fantastic size of the field."

Wednesday 14th July 2010

INTRODUCING TalentNation, sport’s newest social network a place where you can post videos and pictures of your sporting talents and achievements then share them with friends, family or the world!

Many top-class class athletes are already part of TalentNation, World and Olympic Champions from across the world of sport, including:
• Athletics stars Ryan Brathwaite, Tyson Gay, Steve Lewis and Jenny Meadows
• Commonwealth Junior 100m and 200m junior champion Shaunna Thompson
• Former Olympic medallist and now senior athletics coach Mike McFarlane
• World Cup stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Thomas Sorensen, Aaron Mokoena & Michael Dawson
• The World’s number one men’s squash player Nick Matthew & England’s number one women’s squash player Alison Waters
• 9-time Karate World Champion Wayne Otto
• Street Sports Stars Jenna Downing & Rich Parker

TalentNation aims to provide a home to all sports fans, whatever the sport, whatever the level of sporting talent. It’s a place to create your own Locker (like a profile), to upload videos and photos of sporting achievements, to safely interact with other users and stars, and to share comments and tips on your sports. Unlike other social networking sites, TalentNation has employed specialist security software that ensures no inappropriate language, behaviour or contact is allowed on site.

Club can create groups – it’s a great way to communicate with your members, signpost events and achievements and for your members to connect and promote themselves as athletes. Your members can also connect with other athletes from around the world who share their passion for athletics.

Every sport has its own dedicated channel, from archery to karate, swimming to rugby, all video enabled for the first time in one place.

Click on to www.talentnation.com to see for yourself.

Tuesday 13th July 2010

THE 2010 Charnwood Sports Awards aim to celebrate the sporting success of individuals and teams throughout the Borough. But they are not just about recognising those people who actively compete in a variety of sports.

The Awards also look to honour the dedicated volunteers who give up their spare time to coach teams or individuals and those who work behind the scenes to help a club run smoothly.

Great Britain’s leading pole-vaulter Kate Dennison is backing this year’s awards and has trained at Loughborough University since 2005 and believes the awards provide local sportspeople with inspiration to achieve, no matter what their level.

Dennison is heading for the SPAR European Championships in Barcelona and the Commonwealth games in Delhi this year and has her sights fixed on the 2010 London Olympics. However, her life in competition began as a gymnast and she can recall being motivated by the chance to win local awards.

Kate reflecting on her beginnings in the sport commented: “Everyone was aspiring to great things even then and when we got nominated in the local newspaper wards it was an inspiration to go on to greater things.”

Dennison is the current British pole vault record-holder for both indoors and outdoors and is now focusing on the SPAR European Championships.

“It will be tough but if I can get into that final and improve on where I finished in the world championships last year I’ll be happy with that, she adds.

“Then there are the Commonwealth’s in October. If I’m still in good shape I’ll be there and that’s one that I want to go and win.”

With the thrilling news that Team GB will be using Loughborough University as it’s pre-games headquarters in 2012, Dennison hopes it will provide the local community with even more inspiration for their own sporting endeavours.

“The University has got such a phenomenal set up, the facilities are amazing, probably the best in the world, and it’s great being surrounded by so many other elite athletes.

Loughborough’s quite a small place but full of so many elite athletes and that’s great for kids to aspire to. I hope the community can get involved and follow us right to the London games.”
The 2010 categories are:
JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR


Aged under 18 on August 31st, 2010, this award is for an individual who has: Made significant progress in the field of the sport; Exceeded expectations in their sporting performance or made a big difference to a team.
JUNIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR


Aged under 18 on August 31st, 2010, this award is for an individual who has: Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to a sport or club; Made a strong impact on a club or organisation through volunteering.
JUNIOR DISABLED SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR


Aged under 18 on August 31st, 2010, this award is for a performer who has: Had a significant impact on disability sport; Overcome barriers and exclusion to excel in sport; Acts as a role model for other disabled people.
JUNIOR TEAM OF THE YEAR


A team of two or more people aged under 18 on August 31st, 2010, this award is for a club team that has: Achieved success or competed at a consistently high level throughout the year; Demonstrated fair play and a good sporting attitude throughout the year.
SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR (ELITE)


This award is for an individual who has: Competes at a national or international level; Made significant progress in the field of the sport; Exceeded expectations in their sporting performance or made a big difference to a team.
SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR (COMMUNITY)


This award is for an individual who has: Competes at a local to regional level; Made significant progress in the field of the sport; Exceeded expectations in their sporting performance or made a big difference to a team.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR


This award is for a coach, official, administrator or general helper who has: Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to a sport or club; Made a strong impact on a club or organisation through volunteering; Shown a commitment to personal development, team working and supporting the development of other volunteers.
DISABLED SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR


This award is for a performer who has: Had a significant impact on disability sport; Overcome barriers and exclusion to excel in sport; Acts as a role model for other disabled people.
SENIOR TEAM OF THE YEAR


A team of two or more people who have: Achieved success or competed at a consistently high level throughout the year; Demonstrated fair play and a good sporting attitude throughout the year.
COACH OF THE YEAR

This award is for a qualified coach (paid or voluntary) who has: Made an impact in their sport by increasing participation or improving individuals’ or a team’s skill level or performance Committed to providing the highest standard of coaching to their performers; A positive, encouraging attitude that has inspired, guided and influenced progression in their sport.
CLUB OF THE YEAR


This award is for a club that has achieved some, or all, of the following: Gained or attained an National Governing Body (NGB) accreditations; Demonstrated successful partnerships with local schools and community organisations; Evidenced commitment to volunteer recruitment, recognition and training including increased membership and participation levels.
CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL SPORT


For individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution within a Charnwood school environment and, in some cases, exceeding expectations of their paid/volunteer roles. This can include adults other than teachers.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY


This award is for an individuals or groups who have gone that extra mile to promote the benefits of physical activity and who have worked tirelessly being the scenes encouraging others and supporting others, exceeding their expectations of their paid/voluntary role and has increased membership or participation levels at a local level.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SPORT


This award is for an individual who has gone that extra mile to compete in sport or enabled others to compete or take part. An individual who works tirelessly behind the scenes encouraging and supporting others, exceeding their expectations of their paid/voluntary role and has increased membership or participation levels at a local level.

To vote for any of the above categories click on the following link: http://exhibeo.charnwood.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=fjpf6KWPFz9

Tuesday 13th July 2010

THERE is a Master Training Camp taking place between Friday 6th-Sunday 8th August 2010 hosted by Olympian Steve Cram at Kielder Water, home to ‘Britain’s Most Beautiful Marathon.’

We are climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of COCO a very worthwhile children’s charity working closely monitoring education and healthcare initiatives that make a BIG difference to the lives of children living in poverty throughout the developing world, and we have set ourselves the target of raising £8,000 for them. We have decided to host the camp in aid of this and all the proceeds from the weekend will go towards our target.

This will be a great way to end the track season open to all club athletes. There will be four planned sessions over the 3 days and the chance to explore the 27 miles of perfect running terrain around the reservoir.

The sessions will be aimed at middle and long distance runners, ranging from long runs to fartlek and hills. We hope to provide a fun and relaxed weekend for a perfect wind down after a hard summer of training and racing.
Camp Details:

Arriving on Friday evening we will provide dinner, the chance to mingle with the other athletes at the bar in Leaplish, and a preliminary chat to set out the itinerary for the weekend. Saturday will bring our first session in the morning followed by 2 others throughout the day.

Steve Cram will be on hand to lead the sessions, and to give you the opportunity to gain advice and exclusive access access to training tips from a former Olympic athlete, now commentator.

We will also be hosting a question and answer session on the Saturday evening with all of our former athletes, along with a question of sport themed night with games and prizes. This will also give us the chance to tell you a bit more about the reason for the training camp, raising money for COCO and the Kilimanjaro climb.

Sunday morning will be our last session followed by lunch and the end of the weekend. We will also have sports masseurs on hand for any niggles picked up along the way!

We will be staying in Rowan Lodge at Hawkhirst Activity Centre for 2 nights. There are 40 places available at £50 p/person for the weekend which includes all accommodation and food costs. The camp is open to all athletes although any under 18s must be accompanied by an adult ie: Coach or parent.

If you would like any further information about the Master Training Camp please don’t hesitate to get in contact.

You can send any queries or request an application form by emailing us at josie.cram@hotmail.co.uk We look forward to hearing from you and hope you can make it!

Tuesday 13th July 2010

THERE are now available on the athletics-leics.com web-site online Sports Shopping pages, your one-stop-shop for the very best values the internet has to offer. Please visit the selected pages to search the great values featuring all of the top brands advertised.

We hope you enjoy your shopping online at athletics-leics.com. We are always updating this site with new and exciting products from the internet’s best online shopping site, so please bookmark this page and visit us often.
The products are displayed in three separate sections:
Sportswear/Running Shoes
Health & Nutrition Products
Nintendo Wii-Fit/Sports Books & DVDs/e-readers

Click on the following link or follow the navigation link on the home page to visit the online Sports Shopping pages: www.athletics-leics.com/online-sports-shopping.html

Monday 12th July 2010

USAIN Bolt will not compete at next month's Crystal Palace Samsung Diamond League meeting because of the British tax rules.

Speaking in Paris at the news conference ahead of Friday's Areva meeting scheduled at the Stade de France, the Olympic and world champion in the 100 and 200 metres said he decided to skip the event after his agent informed him he would lose money by competing in London.

Bolt's agent Ricky Simms said that the British law stipulates that foreign sports stars have to pay taxes on their worldwide endorsements, a situation that "in recent sports has kept a lot of the big stars in other stars away from Britain."

Simms didn't say how much Bolt would have been paid by competing in London. The Jamaican will earn $250,000 for running the 100m in Paris.

Thursday 8th July 2010

WORLD and Olympic 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica has tested positive for a prohibited substance, according to her club president.

MVP Track and Field Club president Bruce James claimed on Twitter that the 23-year-old was due to run in Thursday night's Samsung Diamond League meeting in Lausanne but withdrew before the start of the event.

James said: "She took pain medication after a dental procedure which is not a performance enhancement drug.

"We are withdrawing her from all competitions until we are able to have a hearing to determine what sanction will apply, or if she will be exonerated.

"Coach (Stephen) Francis is not upset with Shelly-Ann at all. He is actually proud of her for being brave enough to race in Shanghai.

"The IAAF have advised us that the offending substance is oxycodone. Google it. It is not a performance-enhancing drug."

Six Jamaican athletes have tested positive for banned substances over the last year, with all but one resulting in light bans.

Tuesday 6th July 2010

UK Athletics have announced the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team to compete at the 2010 SPAR European Championships that take place in Barcelona from 27th July-1st August.

Loughborough athletes feature prominently in the team that will be captained by double world champion Jessica Ennis.

James Dasaolu (100m & 4x100m relay), Martyn Rooney (400m & 4x400m relay), Chris Thompson (5,000m & 10,000m), William Sharman and Andy Turner (110m hurdles), Rhys Williams and Nathan Woodward (400m hurdles), Leon Baptiste (4x100m relay), Richard Buck (4x400m relay) and Nathan Douglas (triple jump) line-up in the men’s team.

In the women’s team Lee McConnell (400m & 4x400m relay), Lisa Dobriskey (1500m), Barbara Parker (3,000m steeplechase), Kate Dennison (pole vault), Hayley Jones and Elaine O’Neill (4x100m relay) Vicki Barr, Nicola Sanders and Kim Wall (4x400m relay) will all compete at the 1992 Olympic Stadium in Barcelona.
Full Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland Team:
Men 

100m: Dwain Chambers (Belgrave), James Dasaolu (Croydon)
200m: Christian Malcolm (Cardiff), Jeffrey Lawal Balogun (Kent)
400m: Michael Bingham (unatt), Martyn Rooney (Croydon), Conrad Williams (Kent)
800m: Michael Rimmer (Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton)
1500m: Andy Baddeley (Harrow), Colin McCourt (Dundee Hawkhill), Tom Lancashire (Bolton)
5000m: Mo Farah (Newham & Essex Beagles), Chris Thompson (AFD)
10,000m: Mo Farah (Newham & Essex Beagles), Chris Thompson (AFD)
Marathon: Andi Jones (Salford), Lee Merrien (Newham & Essex Beagles), Ben Moreau (AFD), Dan Robinson (Stroud), Dave Webb (Leeds City), Martin Williams (Tipton)
110mH: William Sharman (Belgrave), Andy Turner (Sale)
400mH: David Greene (Swansea), Rhys Williams (Cardiff), Nathan Woodward (Tamworth)
4x100m: James Dasaolu (Croydon), Marlon Devonish (Coventry Godiva), Leon Baptiste (Enfield & Haringey), Jeffery Lawal Balogun (Kent), Mark Lewis- Francis (Birchfield Harriers), Christian Malcolm (Cardiff), Craig Pickering (Marshall Milton Keynes)
4x400m: Michael Bingham (unatt), Richard Buck (City of York), Graham Hedman (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies), Martyn Rooney (Croydon), Andrew Steele (Trafford), Rob Tobin (Basingstoke & Mid Hants), Conrad Williams (Kent)
High Jump: Martyn Bernard (Wakefield), Tom Parsons (Birchfield Harriers)
Long Jump: Greg Rutherford (Marshall Milton Keynes), Chris Tomlinson (Newham & Essex Beagles)
Triple Jump: Nathan Douglas (Oxford), Phillips Idowu (Belgrave)
Shot: Carl Myerscough (Blackpool, Wyre &Fylde)
Women
100m: Laura Turner (Harrow)
200m: Emily Freeman (Wakefield)
400m: Lee McConnell (Shaftesbury Barnet)
800m: Jenny Meadows (Wigan), Marilyn Okoro (Shaftesbury), Jemma Simpson (Newquay & Par)
1500m: Hannah England (Bud Baldaro), Lisa Dobriskey (Ashford), Stephanie Twell (AFD)
5000m: Jo Pavey (Exeter)
10,000m: Jo Pavey (Exeter)
3000mSC: Hatti Dean (Hallamshire), Barbara Parker (City of Norwich)
Marathon: Helen Decker (Ipswich), Susan Partridge (Leeds City), Michelle Ross- Cope (City of Stoke), Rebecca Robinson (Kendal), Holly Rush (Team Bath), Jo Wilkinson (Bedford & County)
20k Race Walk: Joanna Jackson (Redcar)
400mH: Eilidh Child (Pitreavie), Perri Shakes- Drayton (Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets)
Pole Vault: Kate Dennison (Sale)
4x100m: Montell Douglas (Blackheath & Bromley), Katherine Endacott (City of Plymouth), Emily Freeman (Wakefield), Hayley Jones (Wigan & District), Joice Maduaka (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies), Elaine O’Neill (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies), Laura Turner (Harrow AC)
4x400m: Victoria Barr (Rugby & Northampton), Lee McConnell (Shaftesbury Barnet), Marilyn Okoro (Shaftesbury Barnet), Nadine Okyere (Birchfield), Nicola Sanders (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow), Perri Shakes- Drayton (Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets), Kim Wall (Basildon)
Heptathlon: Jessica Ennis (City of Sheffield)

www.bcn2010.org/

Tuesday 6th July 2010

CASTER Semenya, the reigning world 800 metres champion from South Africa, has been given the all clear to run against women, ending her 11-month exile from competitive racing since she was ordered to undergo a gender verification test by the (IAAF) International Association of Athletics Federations.

Semenya has not competed since winning the global title in Berlin last August, shortly after it was leaked that the IAAF had ordered gender tests on the South African record-holder.

The IAAF have announced that Semenya is now free to return to the track, ending one of the biggest controversies ever to engulf the sport.

Semenya could be competing again as early as the IAAF World Junior Championships that take place in Moncton, Canada, from July 19th-25th.

Her coach, Michael Seme, has admitted that she has not been training at 100 percent due to the uncertainty over her future.

Wednesday 7th July 2010

THE Leicestershire Vision 20-20 Athletics Network have announced the appointment of John Skevington to the post of full time coaching co-ordinator. Skevington a well known personality and instigator within the Leicestershire and East Midlands athletics scene brings a wealth of experience to the role not only as a Level 3 endurance coach but as a much in demand race referee as recently demonstrated by his appointment to officiate at the recent Edinburgh Marathon.

Commenting on his appointment Sevington said "I am extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to carry on and fulfill the work that I have helped start through the formation of the club Network,

"It is a marvellous opportunity for athletics clubs, road running clubs and athletics in general throughout the county of Leicesterhsire to be ready for the interest generated by the 2012 olympics. Our vision though is that we will have help provided a basis for success for the 2020 olympics and beyond using 2012 as a springboard. Although a proportion of our time will be spent working with young athletes we will also be working in the community to increase adult participation through the Run in England scheme,

"All the clubs within the Network have fantastic ideas and a wealth of experiance and one of my main tasks will be to bring that together to ensure that we are offering the best platform to build champions of the future."

The member clubs of the Leicestershire Vision 20-20 Athletics Network are Barrow Running Club, Charnwood AC, Desford Striders, Fleckney & Kibworth Running Club, Hinckley AC, Ivanhoe Robins, Stilton Striders and Wreake Runners