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One of the best Dark Knights

Now that is the Batman I keep in mind.

There’s been no scarcity of Batmen over the previous three a long time, from Michael Keaton to Christian Bale to Ben Affleck (“Batfleck”) to Robert Pattinson, and from big-budget film franchises to TV exhibits set in and round Gotham Metropolis, spinoffs, villains, sidekicks and the whole lot in between. Within the age of Hollywood remakes and mental property grabs, Batman is king.

So maybe it was solely a matter of time till we received one thing like Amazon’s “Batman: Caped Crusader” (now streaming, ★★★ out of 4), an animated, noir tackle the enduring superhero within the vein of the beloved “Batman: The Animated Collection” and produced by J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves (director of Pattinson’s bat-outing). This Batman lives in a Gotham Metropolis that resembles Thirties Los Angeles, has a gender-swapped Penguin inflicting hassle for him (voiced by Minnie Driver) and places the “darkish” squarely again in Darkish Knight. However we’re not speaking Zack Snyder darkish, with lighting so dangerous you’ll be able to’t see something, however as a substitute a moody, melancholy and even emotional tone. Sure, this cartoon Batman is perhaps essentially the most delicate, nuanced model of the hero you are prone to see.

The setup of the collection (initially developed for HBO however offloaded to its streaming competitor in an obvious cost-saving transfer) is fairly easy. There’s crime and Gotham and there is a man dressed as a large bat making an attempt to cease it, this time carrying a extra basic, model of the costume, yellow utility belt and all. As voiced by Hamish Linklater (“Midnight Mass”), this Batman is gravelly and gruff, like so lots of his predecessors, and the unmasked Bruce Wayne is slick and smooth-talking. He is a easy man of means and a powerful need to combat crime.

Helped by his butler Alfred Pennyworth (Jason Watkins) and lawyer Barbara Gordon (Krystal Pleasure Brown), Batman goes after villains huge and small, with a number of season-long storylines and villains to maintain you coming again for extra. Driver’s Penguin sings and dances, an absolute delight; a pre-villainous Harley Quinn, voiced by Jamie Chung, presents psychological recommendation; and a smarmy Harvey Dent (Diedrich Bader) oozes with corruption. The ambiance of outdated Hollywood permeates the entire collection, and never simply within the episode a few lacking film star. The combat between good and evil has an interesting simplicity, even in a city as crammed with grey areas as Gotham.

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Linklater has a strong, predictable efficiency because the voice of Batman, however the actual abilities within the collection are the weekly visitor stars. Because the credit roll on every installment you get to take pleasure in a sport of “which very well-known particular person simply did the voice of a Batman villain?” My private favourite was Christina Ricci as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, a big-screen casting I might relish if the position weren’t presently taken by Zoe Kravitz.

Essentially the most pleasant factor about “Caped” is simply how pleasing and straightforward it’s to look at. It embraces its noir tone with out turning into so miserable as to be painful to take a seat by. The little vigilantisms-of-the-week are tightly edited and fascinating, with Bruce and typically his counterparts on the Gotham PD working circumstances to a satisfying finish. Easter eggs abound for tremendous followers, in addition to loads of explication for the extra informal DC Comics viewer.

Do we want one other Batman? In fact, not. Loads of variations of the comedian e-book character have saved and can save Gotham (howdy, “The Batman Half II” arriving in 2026). Colin Farrell has a present concerning the Penguin coming to HBO. We’re very doubtlessly all Batman-ed out as a tradition. However “Caped” is not so showy or loud that it may well’t slot in amongst all these big-budget, big-screen Batman tales. It discovered a distinct segment in its setting and runs with it in essentially the most entertaining means attainable. If you’d like a low-key model of the character that feels rather less overblown, that is the Batman for you.

If you’d like one thing bombastic, your await a big-screen model is not very lengthy.

Novak Djokovic reaches Olympic semis, but fears for his knee | ATP Tour

Paris Olympics

Djokovic reaches Olympic semis, however fears for his knee

Serbian has knee issues in chase for first gold medal

August 01, 2024

Matthew Stockman/Getty Photographs

Novak Djokovic in motion Thursday on the Paris Olympics.
By ATP Workers

Serbian Novak Djokovic downed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(3) on Thursday to achieve the Paris Olympics semi-finals, however the 37-year-old has issues whether or not he can be match to proceed his quest for an elusive gold medal.

The highest seed trailed 2-5 in a dramatic second set, throughout which Djokovic saved three set factors and twice known as the physio for his proper knee, the identical knee which he injured in June on the identical courtroom, Court docket Philippe-Chatrier. Djokovic withdrew from Roland Garros after a five-set fourth-round win in opposition to Francisco Cerundolo and underwent proper knee surgical procedure.



The 98-time tour-level titlist fears he could have broken the identical knee within the Olympic quarter-finals.

“I dug deep and located a method,” Djokovic stated. “Actually glad that I managed to win the match. I had a scare early within the second set with the knee, sort of a deja vu from what occurred a couple of months in the past at Roland Garros, the place I injured myself in a match, managed to complete the match victorious, however solely to search out out the following day that I tore my meniscus.

“So I’m hoping that’s not the case this time. I don’t know. I’m truthfully involved, however I’m going to let the medical group consider the knee, do examination. Tomorrow night time I believe I’m enjoying an evening match at seven, so I’ve a while to recuperate and prepare. Hopefully I’ll be capable of be bodily match for the semis.”


Djokovic visits with the physio Thursday on the Paris Olympics. Credit score: Carl De Souza/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

The highest seed moved gingerly and grimaced in ache all through the early levels of the second set. After calling the physio at 0-3 and once more at 1-4, Djokovic appeared to regain confidence in his motion. He crushed a forehand winner whereas sliding in the direction of the best, placing a great deal of strain on his proper leg, on a pivotal deuce level. Djokovic saved three set factors on return at 4-5, 0/40.

Djokovic, who now leads the Greek Tsitsipas 12-2 of their Lexus ATP Head2Head collection, can be evaluated earlier than his semi-final conflict in opposition to eleventh seed Lorenzo Musetti.

“I believe even when [the medical staff] says that it’s not okay, I’ll in all probability get on the courtroom and provides it a attempt,” stated Djokovic, a singles bronze medalist on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “These are very uncommon possibilities to combat for a medal for my nation. So I’m going to do every little thing potential within the subsequent — lower than 24 hours to place myself ready to combat for Serbia.”

Musetti upset defending Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev 7-5, 7-5 within the quarter-finals. Djokovic has gained six of his seven conferences in opposition to Musetti, together with three matches this season. The Belgrade native defeated Musetti within the Wimbledon semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic will take on Carlos Alcaraz in blockbuster Olympic final

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Novak Djokovic will meet Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster gold medal match after lastly breaking his Olympic semi-final hoodoo.

Remarkably, this was the fourth time Djokovic had made it this far on the Video games and the primary time he has come out on prime, with a bronze in 2008 his solely earlier medal.

Now he’s assured to raised it after defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-2, organising a rematch of the Wimbledon ultimate, the place he was properly overwhelmed by Alcaraz.

Djokovic left Roland Garros on Thursday night very involved that he had sustained extra harm to his proper knee, which has been strapped up since he underwent surgical procedure following a meniscus tear on the French Open.

He moved properly right here however the match was not with out drama, Djokovic given two time violations and a warning for an audible obscenity early within the second set.

The Serbian, who had been taken to 5 units each occasions he had beforehand performed Musetti on the Parisian clay, screamed at his field when he twice went a break down however he recovered impressively, ending with a run of 5 video games in a row.

When Musetti netted a ultimate backhand, Djokovic lay on his again on the clay in delight and reduction at having lastly cleared the hurdle.

Alcaraz couldn’t have had a extra easy outing earlier, brushing apart Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The 21-year-old is seeking to cap an unbelievable summer season by including gold to his French Open and Wimbledon titles, and he wanted simply 75 minutes to ease to a 6-1 6-1 victory in opposition to the Canadian.

“It means quite a bit to me being in a ultimate on the Olympic Video games and giving myself the prospect to combat for a gold medal for my nation,” stated Alcaraz. “It’s a particular second for me in my profession and my life.

“I’m going to attempt to take pleasure in this second however I’m actually targeted on enjoying within the ultimate on Sunday. I’m actually glad to convey a medal to my nation and, hopefully, it’s going to be the gold one.”

Within the ladies’s singles, Iga Swiatek picked herself up following the frustration of lacking out on gold to say the bronze medal.

Iga Swiatek claimed the bronze medal (Andy Wong/AP) (AP)

The world primary suffered her first defeat in 26 matches at Roland Garros on Thursday to China’s Zheng Qinwen and broke down in tears afterwards throughout a TV interview.

However she ensured she is going to go dwelling with one thing after easing to a 6-2 6-1 victory over Slovakia’s Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova.

Swiatek, whose father was an Olympic rower, stated: “I feel, had I not performed immediately, I might be crying for per week. I cried for about six hours yesterday, so it was actually robust.

“It’s sport, it’s tennis, often I’m good to know it’s only one a part of my life, however this time it was like somebody actually broke my coronary heart. It’s loopy.

“Perhaps as a result of I’m world primary for such a very long time and received so many tournaments, I felt like I can deal with every little thing. However this match confirmed me it isn’t the case.”

There may be assured to be a medal for 2 younger Russian athletes within the ladies’s doubles after Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider received their semi-final. They are going to tackle Italian duo Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini for the gold medal.

Former Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward announces retirement

John Karalis on a particular Celtics locker room and the staff’s stability all through its title run


John Karalis on a particular Celtics locker room and the staff’s stability all through its title run

04:57

BOSTON – Gordon Hayward, who spent three seasons with the Celtics after signing a big contract in free company, introduced his retirement on Thursday.

Hayward averaged simply over 15 factors per sport for his profession after being drafted by Utah out of Butler in 2010.

In 2017, Hayward signed a 4-year, $128 million deal to play in Boston. The Celtics deliberate to jumpstart their rebuild by pairing Hayward with Kyrie Irving, who they traded for in the identical offseason.

As an alternative, Hayward suffered a ugly ankle damage simply minutes into his first common season sport with the Celtics and was compelled to overlook the complete season.

Hayward performed two extra years with the Celtics earlier than going to the Charlotte Hornets in a sign-and-trade deal.

The 34-year-old launched a press release saying his resolution.

“At this time, I’m formally retiring from the sport of Basketball. It has been an unbelievable trip and I am so grateful to everybody who helped me obtain greater than I ever imagined,” he mentioned.

“As I transfer to spend extra time with my household as a father and husband, I sit up for new adventures and challenges, taking with me the teachings I’ve discovered on the court docket that may information me throughout my subsequent chapters, each in enterprise and in life,” Hayward added.

Whereas taking part in at Butler College, Hayward almost led the Bulldogs to a miraculous upset over Duke within the 2010 nationwide championship sport. Hayward’s heave from halfcourt bounced off the rim, and the Blue Devils held on to win.

Teddy Riner brings France to its feet with historic fourth Olympic judo gold | Paris Olympic Games 2024

He’s France’s hottest sports activities star, a smiling powerhouse often called the nation’s teddy bear, who for years aced judo contests to crowds’ shouts of “Teddy Bam Bam!” in honour of his capacity to swiftly throw and pin his opponents to the bottom.

All hopes had been fulfilled when Teddy Riner displayed his ice-cold tactical calm and spectacular bodily may in his house metropolis of Paris on Friday – making historical past by taking his third Olympic particular person gold medal within the +100kg class.

In a powerful night for French judo – one of many nation’s hottest sports activities – Riner overpowered his South Korean opponent, Kim Min-jong. “I’m so blissful, I’m going to savour it. Nothing is straightforward, you must surpass your self,” Riner mentioned.

The 35-year-old is now thought of probably the most profitable judo star of all time – with 4 Olympic golds – three particular person and one workforce – and two Olympic bronze medals.

The hundreds of screaming followers included his pal, the movie star Omar Sy, who opened the afternoon’s occasions by getting the spectators right into a raucous Mexican wave, in addition to the French president, Emmanuel Macron.

Riner typically quotes a coach who known as judo “a type of dance for sturdy folks” – and that was how he carried out in Paris, quick-footed in dodging his 24-year-old opponent’s makes an attempt to grapple him. Regardless of his imposing peak and weight, Riner is understood for being supple and lightweight on his toes, capable of break right into a quick-fire dash in coaching, extra akin to a monitor athlete.

However judo is a martial artwork additionally performed within the thoughts, with quick-thinking techniques and contemplation. Riner has mentioned that regardless of your physicality, it’s what’s in your head “that will get you the place you wish to be”.

His victory is extremely symbolic. Judo historically brings house the nation’s biggest quantity of medals on the Olympics. Riner’s win is France’s first judo gold of the Paris Video games. For many years, French athletes have excelled at this so-called mild however tactical martial artwork the place rivals should stay respectful whereas grappling, throwing and pinning their opponents. France is second globally solely to Japan, who invented the game.

President Macron wipes tears away from the face of France’s Romane Dicko after successful bronze. {Photograph}: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Within the girls’s +78kg class, the French star Romane Dicko, 24 – a college maths pupil who has spoken of making use of her mathematical problem-solving ability to quick-thinking contests on the tatami mat – took bronze. In a qualifying match early within the day, she was capable of flooring one opponent in beneath 34 seconds. The Brazilian Beatriz Souza took gold within the weight class.

Riner had a dramatic day of contests to achieve the ultimate. Within the elimination spherical, the Georgian Gurum Tushishvili had appeared as if he would come to blows with the Frenchman after dropping, pushing him and jeering at him, incomes himself a disqualification.

Riner, who carried the flame to gentle the Olympic cauldron through the opening ceremony per week in the past, has been among the many hottest public figures in France for greater than a decade. One survey final yr discovered he was the nation’s favorite athlete – extra standard than even Kylian Mbappé and rugby’s Antoine Dupont. One other ballot final yr discovered French folks felt Riner embodied the Olympic spirit in France above another athlete.

Born on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, he grew up in Paris, the place he began judo and went to high school. He has mentioned successful an Olympic gold on house turf was extra vital than the rest.

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Teddy Riner gestures to an ecstatic crowd as they have fun his victory. {Photograph}: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Riner was solely 18 when he turned the youngest ever judo world champion, capturing France’s creativeness as a prodigy – a type of Mbappé of martial arts. He has gone from gifted teenager to unbeatable veteran by means of an astonishing profession: 11 instances world champion and now six Olympic medals.

He as soon as went unbeaten in world competitors for greater than 9 years. He’s nonetheless successful matches at an age when, usually in judo, the medals have dried up and has spent latest years adapting his strategies to defeat his youthful opponents.

Riner has been well-known for therefore lengthy that France has watched him develop up on TV and in documentaries together with when he turned a father at 25, altering nappies in between competitions. His mother and father – his father is a put up workplace employee and his mom works with younger youngsters for Paris metropolis corridor – had been within the viewers on Friday final night time, as had been his youngsters, aged six and 10. Riner’s companion, Luthna Plocus, has mentioned their youngsters had been so used to crowds cheering Rinerhim that even after they went to the tennis, the children heard cheering and instantly shouted: “Go Teddy! Go Daddy”.

Riner’s mom has mentioned that since childhood, he at all times noticed issues by means of to the tip, ending no matter he began; even when it was a puzzle, he would proceed till the final piece with out wavering.

He is aware of greater than anybody how judo is a fast sport the place luck can flip in a fraction of a second. However as he as soon as advised Le Monde, he hates dropping – “even at boardgames”.

How judo’s friendly giant Teddy Riner delivered one of the moments of the Paris 2024 Olympics

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Within the minutes earlier than Teddy Riner entered the world, Paris 2024 volunteers crammed the aisles with telephones set to document and safety guards peered in from the gangways, making an attempt to grab a glimpse. A mob of photographers jostled for place on the fringe of the tatami, and round them each seat contained in the Grand Palais Ephemere was crammed.

Then he arrived, all 6ft 8in and 23 stone of him, marching in the direction of the stage as music blared and the followers screeched. Riner is a legend of judo and an icon of France. Right here, in his hometown, he’s adored like a benevolent king.

They’ve adopted him for almost 20 years, ever since he burst onto the scene as a young person. Riner was a world champion at 18, and in 2010 he launched into one of the extraordinary unbeaten streaks of any athlete in any sport, profitable 152 straight bouts throughout nearly 10 years of impenetrable dominance. In a sport the place the purpose is to flip your opponent on to their again, the most effective on the planet couldn’t determine learn how to throw him down.

Teddy Riner, proper, battles Korea’s Kim Min-jong (Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

He received Olympic golds at London 2012 and Rio 2016 and his recognition grew and grew. He extolled the values of judo – humility, respect, braveness – and but he had a passionate edge. It may boil into frustration when issues went towards him, however extra usually it manifested in contagious pleasure.

Riner, and France, have been shocked when he was crushed by Tamerlan Bashaev within the semi-finals at Tokyo 2020. He nonetheless received bronze, nevertheless it meant that his house Olympics could be about greater than placing on a present in Paris, however about righting that mistaken.

His quarter-final right here was a feisty contest through which Georgian judoka Guram Tushishvili was disqualified for kicking Riner within the groin. He shortly received his semi-final, however the closing pitted him towards a clumsy opponent, Korea’s Kim Min-jong, who received the 2024 world title when Riner skipped the competitors to organize for the Video games. At 5ft 11in, he’s a small heavyweight who can interact beneath Riner’s sphere of affect.

They climbed as much as the stage greeted by an ear-splitting roar. They bowed, bowed once more, and with a fast hop Riner stepped into battle. Kim took a low skittish stance which gave the competition an odd look, like a grizzly bear combating an agitated kangaroo. Riner struggled to get a clear grip and the combat descended into an unsightly scrap which introduced warnings for each judokas from the referee.

Teddy Riner flips Kim Min-jong on to his again (AP)

However then got here the second all 9,000 followers had come to see. Riner grabbed maintain of Kim’s jacket by the sleeve and the neckline, and because the Korean tried to free himself, Riner unleashed his trademark journey, turning and tipping his sufferer off steadiness earlier than kicking his legs away. In the identical transfer, Riner used the energy in his arms to rotate Kim’s physique in order that he landed on his again, securing the ippon that received the combat immediately.

After a customary bow, Riner fell to his knees, closed his eyes and threw two large fists into the air. He went to the stands and hugged his younger daughter. Eight years on from Rio, he had received his third Olympic heavyweight gold medal, his fourth in all. He’s an 11-time world champion and, aged 35, his legacy is full.

“This expertise is simply unbelievable,” he stated. “At house, proper right here with my household in my nation, it’s simply the right day. I’m undecided if it’s a dream, however when I’ve a gold medal every thing is OK. This was my likelihood and I’m very joyful.

“There was numerous stress on my title. As we speak I took my likelihood. I’m very proud, for my title and for my nation.”

Teddy Riner celebrates victory over South Korea’s Kim Min-jong (Mike Egerton/PA)

It was a second that can be etched within the stones of those Olympics. If Leon Marchand is the face of the Video games, then Riner is the soul. He’s the Parisian boy who conquered his sport, who reinvented it. The Messi of judo doesn’t fairly lower it; Usain Bolt could be the most effective comparability – near unbeatable, inevitable, with a charisma that everybody desires to the touch.

An hour later, Riner was nonetheless within the enviornment, waving to followers and taking selfies. An assortment of arms reached out of the group at hand him a telephone, and he took an image of himself earlier than tossing them again within the basic route they got here. Then he jumped on to the stage one final time and lay down flat on the tatami, kissing his gold medal. For the primary time all day, Riner had his again on the ground.

Gordon Hayward ends NBA career after 14 seasons

Gordon Hayward has retired from the NBA after 14 seasons, he introduced on social media Thursday.

“At this time, I’m formally retiring from the sport of basketball,” Hayward wrote. “It has been an unbelievable trip and I am so grateful to everybody who helped me obtain greater than I ever imagined.”

A flexible ahead, Hayward — the ninth total choose within the 2010 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz — was an All-Star in 2017 with Utah earlier than signing with the Boston Celtics as a free agent that summer season. Hayward suffered a grotesque leg damage in his first recreation for Boston, an damage that value him that season and noticed him want one other one to spherical again into kind.

Final season, Hayward averaged 9.8 factors, 3.5 rebounds and three.1 assists in 51 video games with the Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. He was traded to Oklahoma Metropolis midseason as a part of a deal the Thunder hoped would assist them within the playoffs. Hayward, nevertheless, did not rating some extent in seven playoff video games.

Hayward, 34, finishes his NBA profession having averaged 15.2 factors, 4.4 rebounds and three.5 assists per recreation.

Hayward entered the NBA after a prolific school profession at Butler through which he led the Bulldogs to the 2010 championship recreation in opposition to Duke. He tried a half-court, buzzer-beating shot that may have given Butler the title however as an alternative rimmed out.

Saying “there are too many individuals” to thank, Hayward thanked his dad and mom and household, his agent Mark Bartelstein, coaches, teammates, trainers, docs and pals for supporting him “by numerous years and cities, serving to me exceed my very own expectations.”

“To all my followers: thanks for supporting me by the ups and downs,” he wrote. “I will all the time cherish the letters of encouragement and the moments we have shared around the globe. You impressed me to all the time dream huge and enhance on a regular basis — and for the younger gamers up subsequent, I problem you to do the identical!

“As I transfer to spend extra time with my household as a father and husband, I look ahead to new adventures and challenges, taking with me the teachings I’ve realized on the court docket that may information me throughout my subsequent chapters, each in enterprise and in life.

“I am unable to look forward to what’s subsequent!”

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and The Related Press contributed to this report.

Paris 2024: Team GB star Keely Hodgkinson qualifies for women’s 800m semis, Joshua Cheptegei wins men’s 10,000m gold

Keely Hodgkinson might be joined within the girls’s 800m semi-finals by Group GB team-mates Jemma Reekie and teenager Phoebe Gill at Paris 2024.

Two-time European champion Hodgkinson is on a quest to win a maiden Olympic gold, and he or she moved a step nearer by successful warmth 4 in a time of 1:59.31 to qualify for Sunday’s semi-final.

It was a snug race for the 22-year-old British sensation as she crossed the road first forward of the USA’s Nia Akins and Benin’s Noelie Yarigo.

Reekie had set the tone by successful the opening warmth in a blistering time of two minutes, having led from the beginning.

Seventeen-year-old Gill – Group GB’s youngest observe athlete to compete within the Olympics in additional than 4 a long time – got here via a tricky warmth to complete third in 1:58.83.

‘It is hers for the taking’ – GB legend Holmes on Hodgkinson probabilities of glory

Uganda’s Cheptegei wins 10,000m gold

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei set a brand new Olympic file to win the boys’s 10,000m gold.

Regardless of threatening to interrupt his world file, Cheptegei needed to accept a blistering time of 26:43.14, with Ethopia’s Berihu Aregawi taking silver in 26:43.44 and American Grant Fisher’s time of 26:43.46 sufficient for bronze.

‘What a race’ – Cheptegei edges out rivals in thrilling finale to 10,000m remaining

“My assortment for the observe is actually full as a result of I’m the three-time world champion on the observe,” Cheptegui informed Eurosport.

“I am so excited and I actually thank God as a result of it took me lots of braveness and I thank God as a result of he has made it doable.”

‘Doing it underneath stress a unique story’ – Thomas reacts to Cheptegei successful 10,000m

Information smashed in 4x400m combined relay

Earlier, the Group GB quartet of Sam Reardon, Laviai Nielsen, Alex Haydock-Wilson and Nicole Yeargin set a British file within the combined 4x400m relay heats after ending in a time of three:10.61.

They completed first, forward of the Netherlands and Italy, to qualify for Saturday’s remaining.

In the meantime, america ran 3:07.41 to interrupt a brand new world file and take their warmth in fashionable style.

discovery+ is the streaming dwelling of the Olympic Video games, and the one place you may watch each second of Paris 2024 this summer season.

Leigh Harriers coach says Keely Hodgkinson was destined for greatness

When a younger Keely Hodgkinson joined Leigh Harriers on the age of 9, Margaret Galvin knew she was one thing particular.

Proper from the get-go, Keely was successful county championships in 800m, 1200m, 1500m, and cross-country races, and her former coach knew that if she stayed on the correct path, nobody might cease her.

With Margaret and her late husband Joe serving to to nurture Keely’s pure expertise, the 22-year-old has lived as much as her potential after attaining a silver medal within the Tokyo Olympics, successful 4 European Championships, and breaking a 26-year-old nationwide document within the girls’s 800m.

And as the 800m qualifiers begin tonight (Friday, August 2), this marks the beginning of a journey the place Keely can go one step additional and grow to be an Olympic champion. However as her former coach explains, this is one thing she was at all times destined for.

READ > Emergency companies rush to crash at busy junction

Keely with Manchester United footballer Ella Toone at Leigh Harriers (Picture: Leigh Harriers)
Margaret stated: “It was apparent proper from the very begin that she was at all times particular.

“She was county champion all by means of the age teams rising up, and a number of the time we have been extra nervous than she was!

“She was at all times nice at understanding the place she was within the race, and the place she wanted to be, and as soon as she goes round that closing bend, nobody goes to cease her”.

Keely began at Leigh Harriers on the age of 9 (Picture: Leigh Harriers)
With younger athletes as proficient as Keely, Margaret stated that one of the crucial tough issues is maintaining them heading in the right direction in order that they’ll fulfil their potential.

It may be a positive line, Margaret stated, between creating expertise and not pushing too laborious, and hoping they retain their ardour for the game when there are competing pursuits current.

Whereas this could be a robust balancing act for a coach, Margaret stated this was by no means a problem with Keely, as her dedication by no means wavered.

Margaret and Joe with their Imagine Star that’s exterior Leigh City Corridor (Picture: Wigan Council)
“She was at all times an incredible coach, and he or she sacrificed so much as a result of there are at all times competing issues occurring in a teen’s life”, Margaret added.

“However Keely at all times put racing first; I keep in mind her coming again from household journeys to Centre Parks to compete, earlier than heading again once more.

”She has had some hiccups alongside the best way however she had ‘Paris 2024’ as a objective in her diary, so that is one thing she has at all times needed to do.”

Keely devoted her 2022 European Championship win to Joe Galvin (Picture: PA)

And whereas Keely has grow to be a family title on the planet of Athletics, and is favorite to win gold on the Paris Olympics, Margaret stated that she has at all times remained grounded and has by no means forgotten the place she got here from.

An instance of that is when Keely devoted her Istanbul European Indoor Championship win to Margaret’s late husband Joe, and celebrated with a Nice Britain flag that learn “Joe Galvin – Legend”.

“That was a really emotional second for me, as a result of I used to be watching on my own at house and I did not realise she was going to do this”, Margaret added.

“She received the youth European Championships when she was nonetheless being coached by me and Joe, and we have been at all times so pleased with her.

“I nonetheless maintain in touch along with her and her mum at all times retains me up to date along with her races.

”She will at all times be a Leigh Harrier, it’s simply that now she is the quickest lady on the planet.”

Keely’s Olympic journey begins on Friday, August 2 (Picture: PA)

Lollapalooza 2024: Lolla kicks off in Grant Park with full schedule, including Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier as headliners

CHICAGO (WLS) — Lollapalooza is again!

The four-day music pageant kicked off in Grant Park Thursday.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click on right here to look at

Headliners embody SZA, Megan Thee Stallion, Blink 182, and the Killers.

RELATED: Lollapalooza 2024: Lineup, tickets, aftershows and every part else it’s essential know

“In 2022, I began coming right here due to J-hope and TXT, and from there I simply saved coming,” Lollapalooza-goer Nadeja Knox stated. “So I am very excited for this yr to see Stray Children.”

The pageant is predicted to attract greater than an estimated 100,000 followers to Grant Park every day.

Lollapalooza-goers have been seen sprinting for the phases Thursday, because the gates opened on the primary day.

Ok-pop artists are among the many greater than 170 different acts booked on the occasion’s eight phases.

RELATED: Full record of avenue closures for Lollapalooza 2024

“I really like music,” Lollapalooza fan Max Cantu stated. “Music is my ardour. It is my life, and I am right here to see Chappell Roan. I wish to be right here as she’s blowing up. I wish to be there to say, ‘I used to be there.’ I need the expertise.”

Chappell Roan drew large crowds Thursday night, decked out in a whole lot of pink.

Kesha was additionally on the schedule.

Thursday was Ashton Sullivan’s first time on the music pageant.

“I am excited, but additionally actually nervous. However my principal purpose for coming is for Ok-pop Stray Children; they’re my favourite group,” Sullivan stated.

Excited pageant goers like Leila Shaffey arrived earlier than daybreak to verify she and her pals have been first in line to get a great place in entrance of heart stage.

“Trigger actually for a Ok-pop stand, all people will get right here like one million years early. So, we’re like, we do not know the way it’ll be, however we would as properly get right here early,” Shaffey stated.

The present runs by way of Sunday evening.

For greater than 30 years, Lollapalooza has referred to as Chicago residence.

Since then, the distinctive lakefront music expertise has not solely grow to be the nation’s longest operating music pageant, but additionally considered one of its largest and most iconic.

“I am excited to see what it is all about and what individuals like a lot about it,” Ella Haas stated.

Malcolm Fletcher stated he got here all the best way from Fayetteville, North Carolina, after his sister attended final yr.

“I am right here for all of it: rain, shine, no matter,” he stated.

And, when you’re heading downtown for Lollapalooza, metropolis officers are urging individuals to make use of public transportation.

Metra is including trains to accommodate live performance goers.

The CTA stated prospects can depend on the Pink and Blue Strains. Yellow Line service will even be prolonged till 1 a.m. every evening.

Numerous bus routes will join Metra trains at Union Station and Ogilvie with Grant Park.

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