Greg Rutherford back in for BBC Sports Personality 2015

Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford has confirmed that he will be at this year's BBC Sports Personality event in Belfast on 20th December.

He recently said that he was pulling out because of comments made by fellow nominee Tyson Fury on women, homosexuality and abortion.

Greg Rutherford, Birmingham Grand Prix, February 2014

Many people will be glad that he has now reconsidered "to make my family proud and to thank them for the support in my career. I have opinions, of which I was privately clear. I DID pull out of SPOTY [Sports Personality of the Year], on Sunday I wrote to the BBC requesting removal," he said onTwitter.

"Throughout the next two days the SPOTY team asked me to stay on. Also, I realised my nomination meant so much to my family.  I then asked myself, do I really want to disappoint my own family just because of a bigot's views? The answer was no."

He is one of the nice guys of sport - always happy to chat to fans at events and sign autographs - he may not win it this year but he'll still get plenty of votes.

The 'Finish Line Open' starts the 2016 indoor athletics season

Following the success of the outdoor meeting at Woodbourn Road in may, "The Finish Line Indoor Open" at the EIS Sheffield on Saturday 2nd January 2016 opens next year's indoor athletics season.

John Lane, City of Sheffield, at the outdoor competiton, May 2015

Find out more at: http://www.finishlineeventsuk.com/

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015 shortlist

The BBC have confirmed the 12 contenders for this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year award which will be held on 20th December in Belfast.

Three gold-medal athletes from London 2012 feature: Mo Farah, Greg Rutherford and Jessica Ennis-Hill, along with gymnast Max Whitlock and Kevin Sinfield from rugby league.

 Mo Farah, Birmingham Grand Prix 2013

Jessica Ennis-Hill and coach Toni Minichiello, Great City Games Manchester 2015

Greg Rutherford, Great City Games Manchester 2015

Footballer Lucy Bronze, David Cup winning Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton from Formula 1 and Adam Peaty from swimming also feature.

Adam Peaty, British Gas Swimming Championships, Sheffield 2013

Boxer Tyson Fury and cyclists Chris Froome and Lizzie Armistead complete the pack.

Chris Froome, Tour de France, Sheffield 2014

Snooker prints at Chesworth Cues in Sheffield

Based in the home of the Snooker World Championships, Chesworth Cues is a well-stocked shop for the snooker aficionado.

I met Martin Chesworth the owner recently and he wanted some snooker prints to display in the shop.  I produced one of Ronnie O'Sullivan playing with a rest off the table (shown below); Mark Selby entering the Crucible this year as defending champion; Shaun Murphy playing in this year's final and Dominic Dale from 2014.

They are now on view/for sale at Chesworth Cues, 702 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield.

See more at:  http://www.chesworthcues.com/

Sheffield Sharks' up-and-down season continues....

Having ended Leicester Riders unbeaten start to the campaign 79-85 at Loughborough last weekend, they took on the visiting Glasgow Rocks team with high hopes of another win over them.

Despite Sharks enjoying a 13 point lead in the 3rd, Rocks clawed their way back into the game to force overtime at 75-75 and then romped away to win 86-92.

 Coaches Atiba Lyons and Ariel Parrucci

 TJ Robinson wins an un-opposed tip-off

 TJ Robinson up for an early basket

Jerrold Brooks runs through for some early points

 Jerrold Brooks makes an athletic run at the basket

 Jerrold Brooks through again and about to lift off

 Mike Tuck, MVP on the night wth 24 points, attempts a reverse lay-up

 TJ Robinson through again

 Jerrold Brooks fouled from behind on a lay-up

 Mike Cook makes a free-throw

 Jerrold Brooks going for the ball near the end of normal time

 Mike Cook (out of shot on the left) hits a three

TJ Robinson makes a free-throw

Seb Coe - handling a conflict of interest between Adidas and Nike

As the debate rages about Lord Seb Coe and his possible role in Eugene being awarded the 2021 World Athletics Championships, we have to cast our minds back to 2012 and the London Olympics.

These had Adidas as a major sponsor and Lord Coe has long been sponsored by Nike.

When running the Olympic Torch relay in Sheffield, Lord Coe wore his Nike trainers......

So, no conflict of interest there and hopefully none over Eugene - I think he is by far and away the best person for the IAAF leadership.  And now, he's wound-up his 38 year association with Nike, so no more conflicts there.

Good turnout for the Cavendish Cancer Care 10k despite the wind and rain

The fields and woodland trails of Ecclesall Woods were very slippery and muddy yesterday, but the runners, walkers and dogs who managed to find their way round the 10k course enjoyed themselves and raised funds for Cavendish Cancer Care.  See more at: http://cavcare.org.uk/