When cleaning crews dug deep into New Orleans’ clogged drains in 2018, they pulled up leaves, mud — and 46 tons of Mardi Gras beads. The sheer magnitude of waste accumulated over decades of Carnivals — and its impact on the flood-prone city’s drainage system — shocked many residents and...
Counties face points deductions for financial losses under strict new ECB rules
Proposed rules similar to those used by Premier League ECB responding after Sussex’s operating loss of £1.33m Cricket counties will face automatic points deductions for making repeated losses under strict new financial rules that will be introduced next season. The Guardian has learned that the England and Wales Cricket Board...
Iga Swiatek finds her flawless best to dismantle Naomi Osaka at Italian Open
World No 3 through to last eight after 6-2, 6-1 win Sinner trounces Popyrin to set up Pellegrino meeting Iga Swiatek produced a statement victory in a battle between two of the game’s best, mercilessly dismantling Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-1 to return to the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. This...
Gaborone gold rush: how Botswana rose to the top of men’s sprinting
Country with a population of just 2.5m credits investment in young athletes for its rise but this progress is under threat It was a fairytale ending to the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone. In the final strait, Collen Kebinatshipi surged past South Africa’s Zakithi Nene to win the men’s 4x400m...
‘As good as any feeling I had in football’: Nigel Martyn on swapping goalkeeping for a red England cricket cap
The former England keeper has the chance to represent his country once again after flourishing as a senior cricketer ‘I once hit a six in very murky conditions to win a game which got us promoted.” Nigel Martyn is lost in a reverie. The former England, Leeds, Everton and Crystal...
Multiple Olympic and world champion cyclist Katie Archibald retires to become nurse
Endurance specialist won Olympic gold in Rio and Tokyo ‘I don’t know where I’ll get these feelings again’ Katie Archibald, the Scottish track cyclist who won gold medals at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, has announced her retirement with immediate effect. The decision means the 32-year-old, who also won multiple...
Too many of us were traumatised by sport at school – but it’s never too late to change | Cath Bishop
A recent study showed millions are put off by early experiences of physical education. But sport can bring camaraderie and joy There is a disconnect between the proliferation of reports recommending we should be more active and actual levels of activity, that are scarcely budging. Sports councils, health bodies, charities...
Fifa’s failure to agree World Cup TV deals in China and India a headache for Infantino
With the tournament a month away, there are still no agreements done with the two Asian giants to ensure fans there can watch all 104 games When Fifa expanded the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, it was in the hope that countries such as India and China, with...
Millwall’s curse continues as Mohamed Belloumi sends Hull into Championship playoff final
Millwall’s Championship playoff curse continues. It is now three times they have come within touching distance of reaching the promised land of the Premier League only to fall at the semi-final stage. After defeats in 1994 and 2002, this one will be especially hard to take given that Alex Neil’s...
Premier League set to reject extended powers for VAR next season
VAR will rule on corners and second yellows at World Cup PGMO fears change will put more pressure on officials The Premier League is to reject widening the scope of VAR next season after talks with the refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). Under a regulation change approved by...