World champion diver Rebecca Gallantree announces her retirement

World champion diver Rebecca Gallantree has announced her retirement from the sport.

Gallantree won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the Women's 3m synchronised springboard partnering Alicia Blagg.

Rebecca Gallantree and Lois Toulson (City of Leeds Diving) competing in the 2014 British Gas Diving Championships, Ponds Forge, Sheffield

"Representing Team GB at three Olympic Games, winning a Commonwealth gold medal with Alicia, and a World Championship gold medal with Tom were all things that I would never have imagined 10 years ago.  Competing in front of a home crowd at London 2012, in particular, will always be one of my fondest memories.  I hope that my diving career has helped show what can be achieved with passion, determination, and hard work."

It’s 500 days to go until the 2016 Rio Olympic Games

This week marks 500 days to go until Rio de Janeiro hosts the 31st Olympiad on Friday 5th August 2016.

London 2012 exceeded everyone's expectations - the crowds, the atmosphere and the performances - 29 golds, 17 silver and 19 bronze which took us to third behind only the US and China.

Boxer Joe Joyce who won the Super-Heavyweight crown at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has set his sights on adding the Olympic title as well.

Seb Coe and his team built on the roller-coaster of the winning bid to lead a world-class games experience.  Three years down the line we are still enjoying the effects of sports participation and British athletes doing well.  The Olympic park is being transformed into a lasting legacy and I look forward to be at the stadium again this year for the Anniversary Games.

Sheffield Stars of the Commonwealth Games treated to a Civic Reception

Some of the many sporting stars from or who train in Sheffield and who were at this year's Commonwealth Games were invited to a Civic Reception today.

Held in the grand setting of the Mayor's Parlour, the Lord Mayor, Peter Rippon congratulated them on being part of the most successful England team ever.
 

Pictured: Nick Matthew (squash); Freddie Woodward (diving) and coach Tom Owens; swimmers
Nick Grainger, Lewis Coleman, Ellie Faulkner, Max Litchfield and Becky Turner and coach Russ Barber.

A special mention to Nick Matthew who signed photographs of himself from this year's event in aid of the Lord Mayor's auction which will take place in the spring of 2015.

Athletics at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

A selection of images from the evening athletics session at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Monday 28th July 2014.

 Ashley Bryant (England) on his way to clearing 1.99m in the Men's Decathlon where he went on to win silver behind Damien Warner of Canada.

 Libby Clegg (Scotland) and Mikail Huggins (guide) on a celebration lap having won the Women's Para-Sport 100m - T12 in a time of 12.20 seconds ahead of Maria elisa Muchavo (Mozambique) and Anelton Tinga (guide) and Lahja Ishitile (Namibia) and David Ndeilenga (guide).

 Margaret Adeoye (England) on her way to a season's best time of 52.48 in the 3rd semi-final of the Women's 400m

 The second semi-final of the Men's 100m, won by Adam Gemili (England) in 10.07 seconds, and followed by Jason Livermore (Jamaica) 10.11; Mark Jelks (Nigeria)10.13 and Ramon Gittens (Barbados) 10.15

O'Dayne Richards (Jamaica) lit up the stadium with his smile on his celebration lap having won the Men's shot put in a Games record distance of 21.61m

Men's Marathon, XX Commonwealth Games, Glasgow

Well, I've finally got round to processing some photos from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and these are some from the Men's Marathon, won by Michael Shelley of Australia:

Andrew Davies (Wales)

Ben Moreau (England)

Derek Hawkins (Scotland)

Francis Khanje (Malawi)

Martin Dent (Australia)

Michael Shelley (Australia) leading from the front

Ross Houston (Scotland)

Tsepo Ramonene (Lesotho)

The full results were:

1	Michael Shelley	Aus	02:11:15
2	Stephen Chemlany	Ken	02:11:58	+0:43
3	Abraham Kiplimo	Uga	02:12:23	+1:08
4	Munyo Solomon Mutai	Uga	02:12:26	+1:11
5	John Ekiru Kelai	Ken	02:12:41	+1:26
6	Erick Ndiema	Ken	02:13:44	+2:29
7	Liam Adams	Aus	02:13:49	+2:34
8	Philip Kiplimo	Uga	02:14:09	+2:54
9	Derek Hawkins	Sco	02:14:15	+3:00
10	Steven Way	Eng	02:15:16	+4:01
11	Fabiano Joseph Naasi	Tan	02:15:21	+4:06
12	Tsepo Ramonene	Les	02:16:21	+5:06
13	Nicholas Torry	Eng	02:16:34	+5:19
14	Ben Moreau	Eng	02:16:50	+5:35
15	Ramolefi Motsieloa	Les	02:17:12	+5:57
16	Ross Houston	Sco	02:18:42	+7:27
17	Andrew Davies	Wal	02:18:59	+7:44
18	Dieudonne Disi	Rwa	02:19:04	+7:49
19	Martin Dent	Aus	02:19:22	+8:07
20	Jean Vilbrim	Mri	02:25:39	+14:24
21	Jean Pierre Mvuyekure	Rwa	02:26:40	+15:25
22	Francis Khanje	Maw	02:31:19	+20:04
23	Mohammed Kassim	Gha	02:33:37	+22:22
24	Tongia Vakaafi	Tga	02:58:57	+47:42
DNF	John Leonard Karori	Tan
DNF	Namupala Reonard	Nam
DNS	Ying Ren Mok	Sin

Usain Bolt questioned at Commonwealth Games press conference

In old news (well, Saturday 26th July but I have been busy...), while at the Commonwealth Games I attended a press conference with Usain Bolt.  Getting there early for when the doors opened, I was able to get a seat on the second row, just behind Darren Campbell (woo-hoo).  There was an air of expectation as we waited for the great man to appear.

When he did, he didn't disappoint - going straight into a posed photo with Clyde and some children.

It all started off fairly normal - questions about Scotland, the weather, his form that year....

But then the questions turned to his opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the upcoming Scottish referendum, whether he would wear a kilt and pose for selfies with adoring reporters.....

No wonder the Jamaican six-time Olympic champion threw his hands in the air.  But thankfully, one of the few truly global superstars of the Commonwealth Games, he managed to charm everyone with his trademark humour.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson out of Commonwealth Games with foot injury

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Liverpool, coach:Mike Holmes) has withdrawn from England’s Commonwealth Games team for Glasgow under medical advice with a foot injury.  The 21 year old who has been on world-beating form this year was set to take part in the heptathlon at the Games starting next week, but has been advised against participation by the medical support team.

The world number one said:  “I’m absolutely devastated that I’m not going to be able to compete at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I was so looking forward to competing in another home games and this time as one of the favourites.

“The Commonwealths was a key target for me this year and I was feeling so good in my preparation up until this week so this is a real blow. My season so far with a World Indoor medal in the long jump, winning at Gotzis and becoming World number one in heptathlon had really given me the confidence going in to the Games that I could post a big score and hopefully come away with that Gold medal – but sadly it’s just not meant to be.

“All the advice is telling me that I risk long term damage if I compete in a heptathlon in just over a week’s time and I have to take that advice for the sake of my career. I really hope to be able to compete in the long jump at the European Championships next month but it doesn’t take away how gutted I am that I won’t be at the Commonwealths – particularly after all the amazing support I have already received and I know the crowds would have been fantastic after the reception I got in Glasgow at the Diamond League last week. Thanks again to everyone for their ongoing support.”

Visiting the Main Press Centre at the Commonwealth Games

Had a day out to Glasgow yesterday to get the photo accreditation done and dusted for the Commonwealth Games.  After an early start and a long train ride to wet and windy Glasgow (they are keeping the good weather for 23.07-03.08) it was off to the Main Press Centre (MPC) at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) which was eerily quiet.  The photo repair firm Fixation were there and kindly stuck down a little edge of rubber-coated body on my D700 which had worked loose after many years of good service.  Check them out if you ever need gear replacing.

Then a short train ride out to Scotstoun which is hosting the table tennis and squash competitions.    Will be back next weekend to photograph the main matches in the Team competitions.

I've been given bib #844 for the duration, along with a natty rucksack, a water bottle, a Longines pen and a wee dram of whiskey.  The photo accreditation looks good, and gives free transport on buses and trains til the end of the games.  All in, very impressive.

Wiggins returns to track for Team England

Team England in conjunction with British Cycling has today confirmed that Sir Bradley Wiggins will join the track squad for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

 

Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson MBE said: " We are delighted that Sir Bradley will be returning to the track for Team England in Glasgow. It's hugely exciting for the Team, the sport and spectators that they'll be able to see one of our finest athletes back in the Velodrome for the first time in a number of years."

Victoria Vincent added to Team England Diving squad

Victoria Vincent has been included in the Team England Diving squad following confirmation from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) that she is eligible to compete.

The 13-year old diver was not included in the original team announcement due to a lack of clarity in the  international rules on the age at which divers can compete at the Commonwealth Games.

Vincent, who won gold in the 10m Platform at the qualification event, has now been added to the 16-strong squad and will take part in her first senior international competition as the youngest member of Team England.

Victoria Vincent (Plymouth Diving) on her way to winning the Women's 10m National Final at Ponds Forge, Sheffield on 7th June 2014.  (See more at: www.peverilphoto.com)

The Plymouth-based diver will be competing alongside world class divers like England’s Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow and Canada’s Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito.

Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson said: "I am delighted that Victoria has been included in our diving squad and I'd like to thank the CGF for their support in this matter. Victoria will be our youngest member of Team England and a welcome addition to our diving team."

Team England reveal Boxing squad for Commonwealth Games

Nicola Adams looks to make history for a second time as female boxing makes its debut in the Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games England have today announced the boxing team that will compete for England at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (23 July – 3 August 2014).

The team is made-up of eight men and three women who will make history by competing in the first ever Commonwealth Games to feature female boxing.

The three female selections are 2012 Olympic flyweight (51kg) champion, Nicola Adams, 2014 European championship silver medallist, Natasha Jonas, who will box at lightweight (60kg), and the 2012 world champion, Savannah Marshall, at middleweight (75kg).

The male picks include the 2013 world championship bronze medallist, Antony Fowler, at middleweight and two European championship bronze medallists in Charlie Edwards at flyweight (52kg) and Joe Joyce at super-heavyweight (91kg).

The team is completed by bantamweight (56kg), Qais Ashfaq, lightweight (60kg), Pat McCormack, light-welterweight (64kg), Sam Maxwell, welterweight (69kg), Scott Fitzgerald and heavyweight (91kg), Warren Baister.

 Antony Fowler, Liverpool, 75kg

 Charlie Edwards, Croydon, 52kg

 Joe Joyce, London, 91+kg

Natasha Jonas, Liverpool, 60kg

 Nicola Adams, Leeds, 51kg

 Pat McCormack, Washington, 60kg

 Qais Ashfaq, Leeds, 56kg

 Sam Maxwell, Liverpool, 64kg

 Savannah Marshall, Hartlepool, 75kg

 Scott Fitzgerald, Preston, 69kg

 Warren Baister, Sunderland, 91kg

Team England confirm table tennis players for XX Commonwealth Games

Team England’s table tennis players for the Commonwealth Games have been revealed today.

Among the team of ten is double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Andrew Baggaley, world number 56 Liam Pitchford, plus London 2012 Olympians Paul and Joanna Drinkhall and Kelly Sibley. Delhi 2010 competitors Hannah Hicks, Karina Le Fevre and Daniel Reed return whilst Tin-Tin Ho and Sam Walker both make their Commonwealth debuts.

Joanna Drinkhall, the women’s national champion who won bronze in the mixed doubles event in Delhi, makes her third appearance at the Commonwealth Games.

Kelly Sibley said: “I am really happy and excited to be selected to represent Team England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the fact that the Games are on home soil makes it even more exciting as family and friends will be coming to watch and support us."

Men’s national champion Liam Pitchford has two medals from Delhi 2010, silver and bronze, and last month in Tokyo helped England win the Challenge Division at the World Team Table Tennis Championships. 

Paul Drinkhall said: “I am very happy to be part of Team England for the Commonwealth Games again!  “I think the team is in a great place to be fighting for medals in every event, and for me personally I am really looking forward to the whole experience and hopefully coming away with lots of medals"!

Tin-Tin Ho said: “I am so excited and overjoyed that I have been selected and have received the opportunity to represent my country in the Commonwealth Games.

“As it is my first Games, I am really looking forward to the experience, learning from all the athletes and hopefully winning a medal with the team!"