Asher-Smith QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune wins as QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Diamond League storms into action at Gateshead TUESday, MAY 25, 2021 page 14 50 & Glowing: Mickelson wins US PGA C’ship to become oldest major champion

Phil Mickelson celebrates with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the final round of the 2021 PGA Championship at the Ocean Course of Ki- awah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) Woods congratulates history-making Phil Tiger Woods congratulated “truly inspirational” Phil Mickelson after the American made history at the US PGA Championship on Sunday. Mickelson defied form and age to capture the PGA Championship in history-making fashion following his two-shot triumph over Louis Oosthuizen and Brooks Koepka. Not since February 2019 had Mickelson won on the PGA Tour, while the 50-year-old’s last major triumph came at the Open Championship in 2013. But Mickelson became the oldest major champion in golf history in South Carolina, where he secured a sixth major title and 45th Tour trophy. Watching from the sidelines as he continues to recover from a car crash in February, 15-time major winner and famous foe Woods used social media to hail Mickelson. Woods wrote via Twitter: “Truly inspirational to see @PhilM- KIAWAH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA: Phil Mickelson of the United States is followed up the 18th fairway by a gallery of fans after hitting his approach shot during the final round of ickelson do it again at 50 years of age. Congrats !!!!!!!.” After the 2021 PGA Championship held at the Ocean Course of Kiawah Island Golf Resort on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) reigning supreme, Mickelson - who has enjoyed a great rivalry with Woods - said: “This is just an incredible feeling because ine days after accept- the US Open - which he needs damage to a single shot. I just believed that it was possible but yet everything was saying ing a special exemp- to win to complete the career I hope that this inspires some to just put in The gap was down to three it wasn’t. I hope that others find that inspiration. It might take a Ntion for next month’s grand slam - gets under way at that little extra work, because there’s no reason when Mickelson also dropped little extra work, a little bit harder effort, but gosh, is it worth it US Open, Phil Mickelson ren- Torrey Pines. a shot on the 14th and con- in the end.” (DPA) dered it unnecessary in amaz- Julius Boros had been the why you can’t accomplish your goals at an older tracted even further as Oost- ing fashion by becoming the previous oldest major champi- age. It just takes a little more work. huizen birdied the 16th, ago- oldest winner in major cham- on, claiming the US PGA title nisingly missing from 15 feet Leaderboard pionship history. in 1968 at the age of 48. Phil Mickelson for eagle. Mickelson held his nerve Mickelson took a slender Koepka had also kept his PGA Championship (Top 4) during a pulsating final round lead over Koepka into the final prisingly missed from two feet. Mickelson’s birdie on the hopes alive with a birdie on POS PLAYER TO PAR Score R1 R2 R3 R4 TOT at Kiawah Island on Sunday to round but there was immedi- Mickelson rubbed salt into 10th and a bogey from Koepka the 15th and hit a thunderous 1 Phil Mickelson 6 70 69 70 73 282 win his sixth major title in the ately a two-shot swing, Mick- the wound on the par-three was the fifth multiple-shot drive of 361 yards (330 me- 103rd US PGA Championship, elson three-putting the first fifth, holing out from a bunker swing between the final pair tres) on the par-five 16th, only T2 Louis Oosthuizen 4 71 68 72 73 284 16 years on from lifting the from long range and Koepka for birdie after Koepka had hit and gave Mickelson a four-shot to see Mickelson amazingly hit T2 Brooks Koepka 4 69 71 70 74 284 Wanamaker Trophy for the holing from 12 feet (3.6 me- a superb tee shot to 25 feet, lead with eight holes to play. his five yards further. T4 Padraig Harrington 2 71 73 73 69 286 first time. tres) for birdie. but Koepka responded with With Koepka’s challenge Both men made birdie and The 50-year-old carded But that was eclipsed min- a tap-in birdie on the next as crumbling rapidly after an- Mickelson was happy to play left clear for Mickelson to two- National last month. a closing 73 amid euphoric utes later as Mickelson got up Mickelson failed to save par other dropped shot on the par- conservatively for a bogey on putt for par and complete an “But that’s a great feeling scenes around the 18th green, and down from over the third from right of the green. five 11th, Oosthuizen took up the 17th after his tee shot ran extraordinary victory. to have, feeling like I was close finishing six under par and green for a birdie and Koepka The tie for the lead did not the chase thanks to a timely through the green into thick Open champion Lowry to having a great chance this two shots ahead of Brooks missed the green with his ap- last long however, yet another birdie on the 12th, only to rye grass. and Ryder Cup captain Har- week. Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen, proach, duffed his fourth shot two-shot swing coming on the promptly dump his third shot Mickelson was almost rington had set the early club- “When Paddy chipped in with Shane Lowry, Padraig from a sandy waste area and par-five seventh thanks to a to the next into the water and mobbed by spectators after house target, the good friends on 14, I was like, ‘Ooh, Paddy Harrington, Paul Casey and eventually two-putted for a Mickelson birdie and clumsy run up a double bogey. hitting a superb approach to playing together and carding has got a chance here.’ I was Harry Higgs two strokes fur- double-bogey seven. Koepka bogey. If Mickelson was aware of the 18th and needed assis- matching rounds of 69. kind of trying to cheer him on ther back. Another two-shot swing Pars from both players on the situation he certainly did tance from security guards to “I went away from the and play my own game, but A 280-1 outsider at the looked certain on the third the eighth and ninth came as not act like it, taking on the flag force his way on to the green. Masters like this, and just a honestly playing with Paddy start of the week, Mickelson after Mickelson made bogey something of a welcome chance on the same hole and also find- Koepka could not finda little bit more so this week, today was one of the best will celebrate his 51st birth- with Koepka in close, but the to pause for breath, but the lull ing the water, but a favourable birdie to at least increase the feeling ‘What if?’” said Lowry, rounds of golf I’ve ever had. It day on June 16, the day before former world number one sur- in action was short-lived. drop allowed him to limit the pressure and the stage was who finished 21st at Augusta was so much fun.” (DPA) Mickelson, Brady, Hopkins and others prove age is merely a number hil Mickelson’s astonishing we remember some of the then in April 2014 - at the age to Essam El Hadary, who was her become the oldest female PPGA Championship triumph greatest sporting achievements of 49 - defeated Beibut Shu- 45 when he played in Egypt’s slam winner of all time. at the weekend could inspire by those of advancing years. menov to add the WBA’s belt to final group-stage match against In the men’s game, the hon- many athletes to keep going his collection. Saudi Arabia in 2018. our does not belong the three even when thoughts of winding BRADY BUCS THE TREND But the Italy legend does hold aforementioned modern-day down begin to form. AT SUPER BOWL LV FANGIO FINDS THE FORMULA the record as the oldest player greats (though who would bet The old adage suggests life be- When Tom Brady ended his TO SUCCESS to win the World Cup when he against one of them doing it gins at 40, and in sports there lengthy association with the Revered by many as the great- lifted the trophy aged 40 years, one day?). That benchmark lies have been several instances New England Patriots, some est Formula One driver of all four months and 13 days in a with Ken Rosewall, who was 37 of stars celebrating glorious doubted whether he could emu- time, Juan Manuel Fangio 3-1 victory over West Germany years, two months and one day triumphs in the twilight of their late his unrivalled success at certainly has a record to stack in 1982 in front of a bumper old when he won in Melbourne career. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. up against the best. crowd of 90,000 in . in 1972. Phil Mickelson became the Those people were wrong. The Argentinian had seven full latest history maker on Sunday Already the oldest quarterback seasons in F1 and was world ROSEWALL AND SERENA PHIL TOPPLES BOROS with a memorable US PGA to have won a Super Bowl ring champion five times with four ARE ACE In the context of Mickelson’s Championship victory at the with the Patriots two years different teams and runner-up Serena Williams and her sister triumph, it seems only fair to age of 50, making him the older prior, Brady’s memorable twice, while there were 24 wins Venus have made a mockery of mention the man who previous- male major winner of all time. triumph with the Bucs over the Fans sit in front of a leaderboard that reads, “Congratulations Phil from 51 Grands Prix. The last Father Time in women’s tennis ly held golf’s major benchmark. A two-shot victory over Brooks Kansas City Chiefs at Super Mickelson” as seen after his win on the 18th green during the final of his F1 title-winning seasons over the past two decades, Julius Boros was 48 when he Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen Bowl LV back in February saw round of the 2021 PGA Championship at the Ocean Course of Kiawah occurred in 1957 at the age of while Roger Federer, Rafael won the 1968 PGA Champion- made Mickelson a six-time him become the oldest play- Island Golf Resort in South Carolina on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) 46, making him the series’ old- Nadal and Novak Djokovic have ship. Indeed, golf is a game major winner, and marked his er to win a ring, aged 43. est champion of all time. dominated the men’s game in where players can excel much first since he topped the lead- times they prove ill-advised defeated Jean Pascal in May their 30s. But still, greatness later in their careers. Tom erboard at The Open in 2013, HOPKINS PUNCHES TICKET decisions. But Bernard Hopkins 2011 to win the WBC and IBO NOTHING IS ZOFF LIMITS should still be recognised and Morris and Jack Nicklaus were aged 43. INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS certainly does not fall into that light-heavyweight titles aged 46. FOR VETERAN DINO the last of Serena’s grand slam both 46 when they won the last But Mickelson is by no means Boxing has a long history of category. The all-time great Two years later, he broke his Dino Zoff is not the oldest titles at the 2017 Australian majors of their glittering careers the first sportsperson to prove fighters continuing well into first became boxing’s oldest own record by toppling Tavoris player to ever feature in a World Open (when she was eight at The Open and the Masters that age is just a number. Here their later years, and often ever world champion when he Cloud to win the IBF strap, and Cup fixture, that honour belongs weeks pregnant no less) saw respectively. (DPA) Sports Tuesday, May 25, 2021 13 ‘QFA’s vision characterised by leadership, creativity & victory’ General Assembly Meeting of Qatar Football Association held

Tribune News Network held for the vacant seat on the Doha QSL Executive Committee, with Mohamed Ali Al Marri, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa CEO of Al Sailiya football club, bin Ahmed Al Thani, Presi- and Faisal Ali Al Shuaibi, CEO dent of the Qatar Football As- of Qatar SC, contesting for it. sociation (QFA), chaired the The voting process resulted in Ordinary General Assembly the victory of Al Shuaibi as a Faisal Ali Al Shuaibi, CEO of of the federation held virtually representative of the clubs on Qatar SC, who has been elected on Monday. the Executive Committee. as a representative of the clubs The meeting was attended Sheikh Hamad in his on the QFA Executive Committee. by QFA’s Executive Commit- opening address emphasised tee members Saud Abdul Al- that the vision of the QFA the FIFA rankings. Our play- Aziz Al Mohannadi, Ahmed during the past decade was to ers too won many individual Abdulaziz Al Buainain, Hani become a football association awards,” he added. Talib Ballan, Ibrahim Khalil characterised by leadership, Sheikh Hamad also re- Al Muhannadi, Sheikh Ahmed creativity and victory. ferred to the national team’s bin Hamad Al Thani and Ab- “And this vision has in- participation in major events dulrahman Al Qahtani, in ad- spired us to work hard, perse- such as the Copa America, the dition to members of the Gen- vere and strive to achieve our Qatar Football Association’s Ordinary General Assembly meeting held virtually on Monday was attended by QFA’s Executive Committee European qualifiers andthe eral Assembly from the clubs, goals. Our aim was to encour- members Saud Abdul Al-Aziz Al Mohannadi, Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Buainain, Hani Talib Ballan, Ibrahim Khalil Al Muhannadi, Sheikh Ahmed bin next appearance in the Golden directors of departments and age and expand the football Hamad Al Thani and Abdulrahman Al Qahtani, in addition to members of the General Assembly from the clubs, directors of departments and Cup, calling it as in idea prep- heads of the various commit- fan base through communi- heads of the various committees of the federation. aration for the 2022 World tees of the federation. cation and participation with Cup at home. The General Assembly’s the local community, improv- Sheikh Hamad said the teams at all levels; Provide an term; Active communication success. “The youth team On the QNB Stars League, agenda included a number of ing the football infrastructure QFA has set six strategic effective system of governance with the football community won the Asian Cup in 2014 he said, “We will make a plan important matters, such as ap- and creating a professional goals on which the annual for the game of football; Tech- at the international level and and qualified for the World to develop the league and this proval of financial statements football culture through a pro- plans and interim goals are nical development for leagues, building strong and fruitful Cup twice, while the Olympic will be in coordination with and review of the budget ap- fessional league (Qatar Stars based so that “we can meas- competitions, clubs and refer- relationships,” he added. team won the third in Asia, al- the clubs through the pres- proved by the Executive Com- League) and more important- ure the progress made objec- ees; Increase the rate of par- The QFA president ad- though the ambition is to play ence of experts. We seek to mittee besides presentation of ly discovering, developing and tively and scientifically. ticipation in football activities dressed several key aspects in the Olympic Games. The expand the circle of profes- the report on various activities preparing young talents for “Our goals for future are in the community; Increase of the federation’s previous first team won the AFC Asian sionalism by joining the sec- of Qatar Stars League. the national teams,” the QFA as follows: Building and de- revenue ratio to create sus- work plan, especially with re- Cup title for the first time in ond-class clubs of the Qatar In addition, election was chief said. veloping successful national tainable growth over the long gards to the national teams’ 2019 and took a giant leap in Stars League foundation.”

EURO 2020 Ramos axe ‘difficult and tough’ but best for Spain: Enrique DPA chester City centre back’s Berlin The squad availability and Ramos being Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbo), cast aside were not related. believes the de- (Manchester United), Robert Sanchez “The de- cision to omit Sergio Ramos (Brighton and Hove Albion); Jose Gaya cision is nothing to do with the from Spain’s Euro 2020 squad (Valencia), (Barcelona), Pau Torres Ramos situation,” he said. is in the best interest of the na- (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester “Please don’t mix Ramos City), Eric Garcia (Manchester City), Diego tional team. Llorente (Leeds United), Cesar Azpilicueta not being in the squad with Real Madrid captain Ra- (Chelsea); Marcos Llorente (Atletico call ups for others. I’d have mos, the all-time record in- Madrid), Sergio Busquest (Barcelona), Rodri liked him to be here, to have ternational appearance holder (Manchester City), (Barcelona), Thiago recovered.” Like his call not with 180, was the standout Alcantara (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico to pick Ramos, Luis Enrique absentee when Luis Enrique Madrid), Fabian Ruiz (Napoli); neglecting to select 26 players named a 24-man party for (RB Leipzig), (Real was also one he attributed to Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates as Sociedad), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Gerard he receives for the third time the best scorer of the season award at the tournament, which begins Moreno (Villarreal), nurturing squad unity. next month. (Manchester City), Adama Traore (Wolves), “We are taking 24 players. the end of the French L1 match vs Brest at the Stade Francis-Le Ble The 35-year-old struggled (Paris Saint-Germain). Most have picked 26, but we stadium in France on Sunday. (AFP) with injury problems through- just added another striker [to out 2020-21 and was restrict- “My conversation with the original limit of 23] as we ed to 21 appearances for Ma- Sergio yesterday remains pri- value a lot the feeling that each Mbappe suggests PSG drid across all competitions. vate, I won’t tell anyone. It was player can participate in any However, Luis Enrique’s not easy to tell him something moment,” he explained. decision not to select Ramos which was not positive for him, The former Barcelona boss overcome shortcomings caused surprise on Monday but I have to make decisions failing to pick a single Madrid – especially as he did not fill which I and my staff consider representative in his party will DPA the 26 places allowed in ex- is best for the team.” Ramos Real Madrid’s Spanish defender Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid’s undoubtedly raise eyebrows, Berlin panded Euro 2020 squads, said he was a disappointed but Brazilian defender Marcelo look on from the stand during the Spanish with fitness woes having also nor find a spot for any Real accepted the decision. League match vs Villarreal CF at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in compromised Dani Carvajal’s Kylian Mbappe suggested Everyone knows how Madrid players. “I have fought and worked Valdebebas, on the outskirts of Madrid, on Saturday. (AFP) prospects. he wants to see Paris Saint- profoundly attached I am “I’d like to send message every day, in body and soul, to Atletico Madrid Germain’s board take action in to the club. I have always to Sergio Ramos, our captain, be able to reach 100 per cent to do is rest, fully recover and home.” Aymeric Laporte is Marcos Llorente is likely to the transfer market after Lille been very thankful towards who is not on the list as he has for Real Madrid and the na- come back next year like we’ve now expected to play a key role be an option at right back in pipped them to the Ligue 1 title. not been able to compete since tional team but things don’t always done. It hurts not to in the heart of Spain’s defence, Carvajal’s absence. Mbappe scored his 27th the president, my different January in the right condition, always work out the way we’d represent your country, but I even though he only changed Spain have been drawn top-flight of the campaign coaches. What I want, is or even train with the group,” like,” he said on Twitter. have to be honest and sincere. international affiliation from alongside Sweden, Poland and in a 2-0 win at Brest on Sun- to win, feel like I am Luis Enrique told reporters. “It pains me not to have “I wish all my team-mates France earlier this month. Slovakia in Group E and are day, but Lille saw off Angers somewhere where I can “I told him by phone last been able to help my team the very best of luck and I hope Luis Enrique was reported aiming to improve upon last- 2-1 to claim glory by a point. win, where there is a solid night, it was difficult and tough, more and not to play for Spain we have a great Euros. I’ll be to have lobbied for Laporte’s 16 exits at Euro 2016 and the PSG lifted the Coupe de but it’s best for the team. but, in this case, the best thing another fan cheering on from inclusion and insists the Man- 2018 World Cup. France last week but had their project around me. Champions League ambitions The footballing project ended by Manchester City in is essential. the semi-finals at the start of this month. Kylian Mbappe Mbappe is out of contract Juventus seal CL qualification, Napoli out at the end of next season and “I want to feel like I am told Canal Plus he would like part of a team that is going to DPA on the top four. then holding off a defender be- to see some changes to Mauri- do something (in the Champi- Berlin Juve looked like a team on fore squeezing a powerful shot cio Pochettino’s squad. ons League). Then, it is up to a mission and were in front under the hands of Skorupski. “I cannot say what needs to us to show what we can do ... Juventus have qualified for within six minutes as Chiesa Morata nearly got his hat- be done, I am just a player, but We are talking with the club, the Champions League on the converted somewhat scrappily trick just before the hour when I think that people have seen, we will see what happens. final day of the Serie A sea- after Dejan Kulusevski had hitting into the side-netting everyone has seen,” he said. “In any case, I have always son thanks to beating Bolo- caused havoc down the right from a Juan Cuadrado cross, “When everyone sees, it been happy here and I have had gna 4-1 and rivals Napoli only flank. though former Juve talent is easier to draw conclusions, four exceptional years here. managing a draw at home to It took them a little while Orsolini did score at the other but there is no problem. We “We are very clear with the Hellas Verona. to double their advantage but end with a well-taken finish lost the title, but now we have club. The club knows my rela- Andrea Pirlo’s men went the second goal did arrive with late on. to concentrate on the future.” tionship with it, this city, this into the weekend in danger of half an hour played, Paulo Dy- Not that it had any major This followed Mbappe’s country. We are going to do missing out on the Champions bala doing brilliantly as he left impact on Juve, who never pre-match comments where he things in the way they should be League for the first time since the Bologna defence in knots looked like dropping points challenged PSG to prove they done, in one way or another.” finishing seventh in 2010-11, before a chipped cross found and that did the job as they en- can make a decisive step to- Even if there are issues to but Verona did them a favour Morata to nod home. sured they will be at Europe’s wards Champions League suc- address with the PSG collec- as they held on to a 1-1 draw Rabiot then made it 3-0 top table next term. cess, having lost last season’s tive, Mbappe retained his sta- in Naples, meaning Juve take on the stroke of half-time, It would have been nothing final 1-0 to Bayern Munich. tus as Ligue 1’s top scorer for a fourth a point ahead of Napoli. the Frenchman slotting past short of an embarrassment if “Everyone knows how pro- third consecutive season. Juve certainly held up Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) celebrates after Lukasz Skorupski from Kulu- Juve had missed out on the top foundly attached I am to the “Finishing top scorer three their end of the bargain, dis- Juventus secured its qualification for the Champions League at the sevski’s lay-off at the end of a four, and that looked the most club. I have always been very seasons in a row is an immense mantling Bologna with con- end of the Italian Serie A match vs Bologna at the Renato-Dall’Ara lovely flowing move. likely outcome ahead of Sunday. thankful towards the president, source of pride,” he added “I summate ease despite the stadium in Bologna on Sunday. (AFP) Juve quickly picked up Napoli were big favour- my different coaches,” he said. am very happy. Now, I think absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, where they left off in the sec- ites against mid-table Verona “What I want, is to win, feel like is not the time to show my joy. with Adrien Rabiot and Fed- Riccardo Orsolini’s late where with Milan also in the ond period, Morata producing but failed to get the job done I am somewhere where I can We have to remain calm. We erico Chiesa adding to Alvaro consolation had little bear- hunt with Juve and Napoli, an exquisite first touchon the - Juve just needed to remain win, where there is a solid pro- are going to calmly go home Morata’s brace to have them ing - the Bianconeri just had the latter of whom eventually spin to bring Wojciech Szcz- professional in the event an ject around me. The footballing and prepare well for the nation- 4-0 up by the 47th minute. to see what happened else- became the team to miss out esny’s long ball under his spell, opportunity arose. project is essential. al team (at Euro 2020) now.” 14 Tuesday, May 25, 2021 Sports

WANDA DIAMOND LEAGUE (MAY 28th) Amir Cup Handball: Al Arabi set up final Doha return for worlds medallists clash with Al Rayyan Chepkoech, Coburn and Krause

Al Rayyan and Al Arabi advanced to the final of the 2021 Amir Cup Handball Championship after winning their respective semi-finals at the Al Duhail Indoor Stadium on Monday. Al Arabi defeated Al Wakrah 36-20 while earlier Al Rayyan booked their place in the final with a 29-22 win over Al Gharafa. The final will take place on May 29 with the kick-off set at 7pm.

Gesa Felicitas Krause of Germa- ny clocked 9:18.87 winning the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 Meeting International Mohammed VI D’Athlétisme in Rabat, Morocco. Emma Coburn, Olympic bronze Setting a world record of 8:44.32, Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya won the women’s 3000m Steeplechase at medallist in Rio and 2017 world Tribune News Network the 2018 Herculis meeting in Monaco. champion, has a 3000m SC best Doha of 9:02.35 from the 2019 World tably when achieving a 5k (road) 5000m in February – her fast- She will compete in her first Championships. Beatrice Chepkoech world record in Monaco (14:43) est time ever over the distance. 3000m SC of the year in Doha (Kenya), the reigning world and an indoor personal best for More recently, she clocked as she prepares for her third and started with Gateshead 3000m steeplechase cham- 3000m (8:31.72), both in Feb- 4:04.28, just outside her PB, to Olympic Games this summer. (which replaced Rabat as the pion and world record holder, ruary. Her 3000m SC world finish fourth at theT rack Meet Chepkoech, who finished first host city on this year’s will return to the Qatari capi- record, also achieved in Monaco in California. third over 3000m in the 2020 circuit) on Sunday 23 May. A tal alongside Emma Coburn (2018), is an incredible 8:44.32. Krause is the German na- Wanda Doha Diamond League, single finalwill be held across (USA) and Gesa Felicitas Coburn, Olympic bronze tional record holder in the said: “I’m looking forward to two days in Zurich at the end Krause (Germany) - second medallist in Rio and 2017 3000m SC courtesy of her competing in Doha. It’s the of the season (8/9 Septem- and third respectively in the world champion, has a 3000m World Championships bronze place where I became World ber). Each meeting will be 2019 World Championships - SC best of 9:02.35 from the medal-winning performance in Champion. 2021 is a special broadcast globally in a live Anger in Japan over for a thrilling rematch at the 2019 World Championships. 2019 (9:03.30). She raced ex- year with the Olympics coming two-hour programme. Wanda Doha Diamond League She recorded an indoor per- tensively throughout the 2021 up and I would like to start my The 2021 calendar remains on Friday (May 28). sonal best over 3000m this indoor season and opened her outdoor season in a nice way.” subject to change depending ‘sacrifices’ needed to Chepkoech has already en- year clocking 8:39.19 in New outdoor season with a 2:05.76 The 2021 Wanda Diamond on the global health situation joyed success this year, most no- York, and ran 15:24.76 for 800m in Germany on 21 May. League comprises 14 meetings in the coming months. host Tokyo Games

DPA The IOC on Monday said Tokyo Bach was not referring to sacrifices from the Japanese Asher-Smith defies elements as Diamond International Olympic population but rather “every- Committee president Thomas one in the Olympic commu- Bach and vice president John nity.” This was needed to keep League storms into action in Gateshead Coates were the target of so- the sporting aspect of a toned cial media anger in Japan on down Games alive so “the ath- Monday over their insistence letes can fulfil their Olympic Worldathletics heat in 11.52 (-4.2 m/s), was the rearranged Tokyo Games dreams,” Bach was quoted by Gateshead (UK) far from despondent after her should take place amid the the IOC. first Diamond League experi- coronavirus pandemic. Local organizers insist the There are 5,766 miles be- ence in Europe. “I’m happy Coates on Friday had said Games can go ahead safely de- tween Gateshead and Tokyo, with my race,” she said. “I “absolutely yes” that the Games spite Japan fighting a fourth and while the Japanese capi- need to go back and work on should go on from July 23 even wave of the pandemic and To- tal might have seemed like a what I need to get better at. if host city Tokyo remained in a kyo being continually placed million miles away at times “This won’t be the last state of emergency. in states of emergency – the in the biting cold, the wicked time that I’m going to line up And Bach’s comments re- latest extending to the end of wind and the driving rain in against these ladies and I want portedly made to a meeting of this month. the inclement north-east of the world to know and the la- the International Hockey Fed- Foreign fans will not England, the Wanda Diamond dies to know that I’m here to eration that “some sacrifices” be permitted to attend the League season-opener pro- compete just as well as they’ve were needed were also not Games, which were delayed duced no shortage of thrills, done for many years. I’m here readily accepted many in Ja- from last year, while the spills and surprises to whet to show them what I’m good at. pan, who population is firmly numbers attending from fed- the appetite for those delayed “I’m definitely looking for- against the Games taking erations, sponsors and media 2020 Olympics. Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith ward to some sunshine next place according to recent polls. have been cut. On an evening when Mon- celebrates after winning the Swede Armand Duplantis (R) holds an umbrella to shelter US pole week in Doha.” do Duplantis sampled the women’s 100m final at the vaulter Sam Kendricks at the Gateshead Diamond League on Sunday. Leg two of the Wanda rare taste of pole vault defeat, Diamond League athletics meet- Diamond League season in Mariya Lasitskene finished ing at Gateshead in Gateshead, more pertinently, the trackside still to go before the women’s Qatar next Friday (28) is un- out of the top three in the England, on Sunday. (AFP) wind gauge reading -3.1m/s. 100m final in Tokyo. likely to produce the kind of Former FIA president women’s high jump, and the The gap, 0.09, was more “I think, all in all, today snapshots that warmed the innovate field event last-round for the 2,000 home crowd to telling, with Richardson the was more of an experience,” cockles of those watching the Mosley dies aged 81 top three shoot-outs produced see as the 25-year-old Briton runner up in 11.44, Ivorian said the history graduate, who men’s pole vault. some truly gripping drama, powered out of the blocks in world bronze medallist Marie- took world 100m silver behind While falling to defeat for DPA standing down in 2009. no-one devoured the oppor- the loaded 100m final and Josee Ta Lou third in 11.48 Fraser-Pryce in 2019. “The the first time since the 2019 London Ex-Formula One chief tunity to lay down a marker surged clear of the hitherto- and Jamaica’s three-time only thing that can indicate world final in Doha, Duplantis executive Bernie Ecclestone with greater relish than Dina burgeoning US speed queen world champion Shelly-Ann Tokyo is the final itself. found the time and the good- Max Mosley, the former pres- confirmed the news to the PA Asher-Smith. Sha’Carri Richardson. Fraser-Pryce fourth in 11.51. “I feel really good. Condi- ness of heart to stand on the ident of motorsports’ world news agency. “Max was like At the pre-meeting press Richardson arrived in It was Richardson’s first tions were far from ideal for runway holding an umbrella governing body the FIA, has family to me,” Ecclestone told conference on Saturday, the Gateshead on the back of a 100m defeat since the US sprinting but the most im- to shelter Sam Kendricks from died aged 81. the PA. “We were like broth- world 200m champion told trio of early-season sub-10.80 Championships in 2019. Not portant thing is to come away the elements. In return, the Mosley became FIA presi- ers. I am pleased in a way be- the world she was “much, clockings back home but the that Asher-Smith, who won with a good result and I’m very US vaulter who beat the future dent in 1993 after serving in cause he suffered for too long.” much stronger,” having taken 21-year-old could do nothing to her heat in 11.45 into an even happy to do that. I want to stay world record-breaker to the previous administrative roles Mosley, who was born in advantage of lockdown to put stop Asher-Smith. The winning stronger headwind (-4.4m/s), focused, do well and get better global title two years ago, end- in motor sport, including with- London on April 13, 1940, was in some serious graft. That time, 11.35, was irrelevant, with was talking up the significance from here.” ed the Swede’s winning streak in Formula One. He served the son of 1930s British fascist new-found strength was clear the rain hammering down and, of her victory, with 79 days Richardson, who won her of 23 competitions. three terms as president before leader Sir Oswald Mosley. Mercedes relish chasing role but Hamilton slams Monaco show

DPA promised by failure to find the stappen had never previously quick on the normal tracks. Monte Carlo right car set up for Saturday’s Red Bull produced slick reached the podium on Mo- “We are leading the cham- qualifying. weekend in Monte Carlo naco and was delighted, even pionship and I hope of course Mercedes produced a pitiful And Valtteri Bottas retir- to take control of the if coronavirus restrictions to be there at the end of the weekend when Formula One ing after a pitstop error meant Formula One season as meant the most stylish race on season because that’s the most returned to glamorous Monte Mercedes saw their construc- Mercedes made error after the calendar was lacking some important thing so we cannot Carlo for the Formula One Mo- tors’ lead turn into a single of its usual iconic shine. get carried away.” Verstappen’s naco Grand Prix team chief Toto point deficit as well. error to concede the lead “It’s such a tricky track and victory was his second of the Wolff is making the best of it. “Days like today are the in both championships. you need a smooth weekend so season to Hamilton’s three in “It is tremendous fun. We ones we learn the most but I’m very pleased with what we what looks like a straight duel are the hunter again,” Wolff that doesn’t stop the experi- not be the best venue to do so. have achieved as a team and of for the title between the pair. said Max Verstappen’s victory ence from feeling awful,” said Hamilton labelled the week- course with (engine supplier) Lando Norris of McLaren, for Red Bull saw the lead in Wolff. “You have to take a Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the qualifying end “really, really poor” and also Honda,” said Verstappen, who despite completing the po- both drivers’ and constructors’ weekend like this on the chin session at the Monaco street circuit in Monaco, on Saturday. (AFP) complained at the team strategy cruised to the win after origi- dium in third, is already 49 championships change hands. - today we lost a few points of pitting him early. “Three plac- nal pole-sitter Charles Leclerc points off Verstappen. Former leader Lewis Ham- but this is a long champion- “We will regroup and look since 2014 and bounced back es it cost us,” he said. failed to start due to a gearbox “We’ve still got more work ilton now trails the Dutchman ship, it is going to swing back back, as much as it hurts, to from poor weekends before. “We underperformed as problem with his Ferrari. to do - it’s not like we can let-up by four points in the individual and forth and in the end we learn the lessons and come But with the next race anoth- a team all weekend from the “Looking ahead to Baku, now - but another trophy and standings after finishing sev- will see in Abu Dhabi who has back stronger.” Mercedes er street circuit in Baku, the get-go so we’ll just put our fo- Mercedes I think are still the a lot of points for us, which is enth in a miserable race com- their nose ahead. have dominated the hybrid era Azerbaijan GP on June 6 may cus onto the next race.” Ver- ones to beat, they are very pretty awesome,” he said.