Jessica Ennis-Hill announces her retirement from athletics

Sheffield athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill, who won Heptathlon gold at the London 2012 Olympics and the World Championship in 2015, has announced her retirement from athletics.

Jessica Ennis-Hill, London Anniversary Games 2016

She had already hinted at retirement after winning a silver medal at the Rio Olympics in August and says it was "one of the toughest decisions I've had to make.  I've always said I wanted to leave on a high and have no regrets,"

British Athletics Championships this weekend in Birmingham

The best of Britain will descend on Alexander Stadium, Birmingham from 24-26 June as they compete for the prestigious honour of being crowned British champion as well as a place on the British Athletics team for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The Alexander Stadium has played host to some memorable British Championships moments over the years and 2015 was no different as ‘finals day’ on the Sunday saw thrilling victories for Dina Asher-Smith, who set a new championship record in the women’s 100m, sub-10 man Chijindu Ujah in the men’s 100m and Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford.

Over 600 athletes from across the country will compete over the three days and more than 20 finals will be settled in a scintillating three hour programme on the Sunday.

Find out more at: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/the-british-championships/

Things that take a long time to do....

In 1969, Apollo 11 blasted off on 16th July, spent 21 hours on the moon and splashed down 8 days later.

The Snooker World Championships at the Crucible in Sheffield run over 17 days each year.

The 2012 Olympics in London ran from 27th July to 12th August - 17 days in total.

The 2014 Football World Cup ran from 12th June to 13th July - a total of 32 days......which only just beats the 29 days that it took EE to unlock my Samsung phone.

So, the moral of the story is: we can put a man on the moon, but if you ask EE to do a simple thing, expect it to take a little longer - much longer.

Tessa Jowell to replace Boris Johnson as London Mayor?

Labour's former culture secretary Dame Tessa Jowell, who stood down at this year's general election, has announced she will run for the next Mayor of London.

As a key figure behind the bid for London to host the 2012 Olympics, she is seen here in Sheffield as the Olympic torch journeyed through the city.

Natasha Jonas announces her retirement

Natasha Jonas, the first woman to box for Great Britain at the Olympic Games, has decided to hang up her gloves.  With Rio 2016 less than 500 days away she has decided to retire and look to move into coaching.

The Liverpudlian won bronze at the 2012 World Championships and reached the 2012 Olympic quarter finals.  She only took up the sport in 2005 to lose weight and rose through the amateur ranks to compete for Britain alongside Nicola Adams and Savannah Marshall.

 

On her retirement, she said "London 2012 will never be matched, it was surreal.  I remember saying to my mum when I was 4 and watching the Olympics on TV: 'Mum, mum, I'm gonna be there.  It took me 24 years but I still achieved it."

All the best Natasha - hope the coaching goes well.