Olympic champion Sifan Hassan has withdrawn from April’s London Marathon after sustaining an Achilles injury during a treadmill training session.
The Dutch athlete, who claimed gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics in a Games record time, suffered the setback six weeks ago.
Despite hoping to recover in time for the prestigious race, she has now accepted defeat in her fitness battle.
“To compete at that level, you need to be in perfect condition,” said Hassan, who won the women’s race at the 2023 London Marathon.
Focus turns to full recovery
The 33-year-old explained that her preparations simply could not meet the elite standards she expects of herself.
“After the incident, I hoped the injury would settle, but as training progressed it became clear that I wasn’t able to prepare at the level I expect from myself.”
“I have to listen to my body and focus on recovering properly.”
A decorated Olympic legacy
The Ethiopia-born runner remains one of the most celebrated long-distance competitors in the history of the sport.
She secured spectacular gold medals in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Following her marathon triumph in Paris, the formidable track star became the first woman ever to win Olympic titles across all three long-distance disciplines.
The next edition of the London Marathon will take place on Sunday, 26 April.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed deep concern following the execution of 19-year-old Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi by the nation’s regime.
Mohammadi was executed in the northern province of Qom alongside two other men, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi.
State media reported the trio were accused of killing police officers during nationwide anti-government protests earlier this year.
However, human rights groups state the men confessed under torture and were subsequently denied a fair trial before the Supreme Court upheld their death sentences.
IOC highlights jurisdictional limitations
In a detailed statement addressing the tragedy, the Olympic governing body emphasised its inability to directly intervene in the political systems of sovereign nations.
The organisation noted it remains deeply troubled by the mistreatment of competitors globally but struggles to verify conflicting information during periods of severe civil unrest.
“The IOC, as a civil, non-governmental organisation, has neither the remit nor the ability to change the laws or political system of a sovereign country.”
The statement clarified that such interventions remain the legitimate role of respective governments and intergovernmental bodies.
“The IOC is a sports organisation whose remit and success is based on bringing the world together in peaceful competition.”
Despite these acknowledged limitations, the committee confirmed it will continue utilising quiet sports diplomacy to assist where possible.
A lost Olympic dream amid widespread protests
The teenage grappling prodigy had previously spoken publicly about his ultimate ambition to become an Olympic champion.
He showcased his significant potential on the international stage recently, securing a freestyle bronze medal at the Sayitiyev International Cup in Russia.
Tragically, his promising career has been cut short amid violent oppression by Iranian authorities responding to widespread civilian demonstrations.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, thousands of citizens, including hundreds of children, have lost their lives since the protests escalated.
The IOC has confirmed it remains in active contact with the domestic Olympic community as the volatile situation continues to unfold.
Alice Kinsella has become the first British artistic gymnast to return to elite competition after giving birth, finishing fourth on the beam at the British Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
The 25-year-old welcomed her son, Parker, last September and took just four weeks away from training.
Her remarkable comeback culminated in an unexpected appearance in Sunday’s apparatus final.
“I kind of expected just to do Saturday, but making the final was nice,” she admitted.
I am doing it for my little boy, so being able to finish and look up to him in the crowd is an amazing feeling.
A rare physiological challenge
Resuming top-level gymnastics after pregnancy is incredibly uncommon due to the severe demands placed on the body.
Pelvic floor and core strength are severely compromised during gestation, making the high-impact nature of the discipline physically daunting.
The athlete’s journey is so unique that it is currently the focus of a university research paper.
“It’s nice to be back out on the floor,” added the Tokyo 2020 team bronze medallist.
Building towards full fitness
The highly decorated competitor admitted feeling anxious before her initial qualification routine.
“I thought I was going to bomb it but Sunday wasn’t so bad,” she explained.
“I was excited, I wasn’t nervous at all, I just wanted to get on and off.”
She has been restricting her training load to three days a week to protect her recovering physique.
“It’s not enough to feel super confident but I’m starting somewhere,” she noted.
“After this, I’m upping it to four so we’ll just see how it goes.”
Medical guidance for postnatal return
Current National Health Service advice recommends that new mothers who experienced a straightforward delivery can begin gentle exercise immediately.
However, medical professionals generally advise waiting for a six-week postnatal check before resuming high-impact activities.
Elite competitors who maintained rigorous routines before giving birth are sometimes granted clearance to start earlier under expert supervision.
Hyo Joo Kim secured a wire-to-wire victory at the LPGA Founders Cup on Sunday, holding off a fierce challenge from Nelly Korda at Sharon Heights to win by a single stroke.
The 30-year-old carded a closing one-over-par 73 to finish the tournament in California at 16 under par.
Despite seeing her initial five-stroke advantage wiped out after just 10 holes, the South Korean showed remarkable resilience to regain the lead.
“I don’t think I was necessarily shaken up or my emotions were all over the place,” Kim said through an interpreter.
“I was just trying to keep my focus on my shots and what I was doing.”
Korda falls short after late miss
American star Korda mounted a phenomenal comeback on the front nine, carding six birdies in an eight-hole stretch to tie the lead.
However, the momentum shifted decisively on the par-three 17th hole.
While Kim executed a brilliant flop shot from deep rough to save par, her playing partner missed a crucial three-foot putt to card a costly bogey.
“Obviously, something like 17 stings, so it is what it is,” Korda reflected.
“It’s golf. It’s a quick turnaround. There is next week. So, just going to take all the positives.”
A second Founders crown for Kim
The dramatic finale handed the eight-time LPGA Tour winner a two-shot cushion heading down the 18th hole.
That buffer allowed her the luxury of a closing bogey to safely seal the title.
This triumph marks her first victory since claiming the Ford Championship exactly a year ago.
It is also her second Founders Cup crown, having previously won the event when it was staged in Phoenix in 2015.
World number one finishes outside top 10
Elsewhere on the leaderboard, Sei Young Kim and Jin Hee Im shared third place at 11 under par.
Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul finished further back in a tie for 14th after a closing 73.
The Founders Cup tournament began in Arizona in 2011 as a tribute to the 13 original founders of the LPGA.
Nineteen-year-old junior flyweight Isis Sio has been placed in a medically induced coma after suffering a severe first-round knockout during a bout in California on Saturday night.
The teenage fighter was knocked unconscious following a series of heavy head shots in her fight against Jocelyn Camarillo in San Bernardino.
Medical personnel attended to the stricken boxer immediately after the bout ended at the National Orange Show Event Center.
She was seen convulsing while being stretchered from the arena and was rushed to the Loma Linda University Health medical center.
ProBoxTV offer prayers for speedy recovery
The weekend bout served as the opening event on a card organised by streaming platform ProBoxTV.
“On behalf of CEO Garry Jonas and the entire ProBox family we are praying for a speedy recovery for Isis Sio,” a statement from the promoter read.
“Ms. Sio is currently in a medically induced coma. Our thoughts are with her and her family at this very difficult time.”
Second consecutive stoppage defeat
Saturday’s distressing incident marks the young competitor’s second consecutive knockout loss.
She had previously been stopped by body punches in January before stepping into the ring against the unbeaten Camarillo.
Her opponent held a flawless six-fight winning streak but had never previously scored a stoppage victory.
The referee waved off the contest just over a minute into the first round.
The junior flyweight recently turned professional and holds a record of one victory alongside three defeats in her brief career.
Two-time major champion Jon Rahm has effectively ended his hopes of competing in the Ryder Cup by withdrawing his appeal against DP World Tour fines linked to his move to LIV Golf.
The Spaniard had been fined an estimated £2.25m for competing in breakaway events without prior permission from the European-based circuit.
He was presented with a pathway to return, provided he paid his financial penalties and agreed to participate in a minimum number of regular tour events.
Stalemate over tournament requirements
Negotiations between the 2023 Masters champion and the tour broke down over the specific number of mandatory appearances required.
The former world number one insisted he was only willing to commit to four European tournaments, while tour officials demanded further participation.
By formally dropping his appeal against the sanctions, the major winner will now remain ineligible for the prestigious biennial transatlantic contest.
Refusal to compromise
Speaking about the ongoing negotiations, the reigning Masters champion expressed his deep frustration with the proposed terms.
“They offered us a deal that I don’t think was right,” Rahm stated.
“I don’t think it’s right that they’re requiring people to play more golf than is already required for the agreement they have with them.”
The lucrative Saudi-backed league already demands a rigorous 14-event global schedule from its contracted athletes.
“Apparently me playing those two extra events is where they’re drawing the line, and I told them I’m not willing to play,” he added.
Impact on European team
The loss of the talismanic European will be a significant blow for captain Luke Donald ahead of next year’s clash against the United States at Bethpage Black.
The ruling also explicitly rules the golfer out of the 2027 edition, which is scheduled to be held at Adare Manor in Ireland.
Despite the bitter impasse, the defiant star confirmed he still intends to play his home national open in Spain.
“If they just reduce it to four events, a lot of this gets cleared up,” he concluded.
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson has filed lawsuits against the LPGA and USGA after a recent rule change banned her from competing in elite women’s events.
The 33-year-old was previously eligible to play on the professional tour after undergoing gender-affirming surgery in 2021.
However, updated regulations now require all competitors to have been born female or to have fully transitioned before undergoing male puberty.
This strict policy shift officially prevented the athlete from entering qualifiers for the Women’s US Open.
The prestigious major championship was ultimately captured by Swedish star Maja Stark.
Legal challenge launched
Davidson, who previously competed in men’s tournaments until 2015, won the Women’s Classic at Mission Inn Resort and Club earlier this year.
The tournament winner is now seeking unspecified damages while demanding a complete reversal of the current entry criteria.
She argues the updated framework effectively eradicates transgender participation, noting that many regions legally restrict medical interventions for minors.
In a statement addressing the ongoing litigation, the LPGA strongly defended their revised framework.
“The LPGA’s gender policy was developed through a thoughtful, expert-informed process and is grounded in protecting the competitive integrity of elite women’s golf.”
Mental health concerns
Following the initial confirmation of her suspension, the 33-year-old heavily criticised both governing bodies on social media.
She highlighted the severe mental health consequences that exclusionary policies can inflict upon the wider transgender community.
“This happened because of all your silence. And somehow people are surprised the suicide rate for transgender people is around 50%. Situations just like this are part of the reason.”
Tour officials have maintained that the regulatory adjustments were implemented following comprehensive scientific studies and sustained pressure from fellow female competitors.
Despite being the primary individual impacted by the updated guidelines, the former Mission Inn Resort champion claims she was completely excluded from that research process.
“For the record, I was not involved nor asked to be involved in any of the ‘studies’ that any golf organization has just used to ban me, the only active golfer who is actually affected by these policy changes.”
Bryson DeChambeau defeated Jon Rahm on the first play-off hole to secure the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa title in Johannesburg after a challenging week off the course.
The American and the Spanish star both finished on 26 under par following 72 holes of regulation play.
However, the former major champion sealed his second consecutive victory on the breakaway tour with a decisive birdie on the first extra hole.
The triumph marks a fifth career LIV individual title for the tournament winner.
Emotional victory in Johannesburg
A visibly tearful DeChambeau later revealed he had been dealing with unspecified personal difficulties leading up to the event.
“A lot had happened in my life in the last week, I am so grateful for my team and everybody supporting me.”
The victorious captain added that the win had helped put his professional life into perspective.
“Golf is a fickle game, you work so hard at it your whole life and then you realise golf is just golf.”
Team success and future plans
Individual success was mirrored in the team competition as the Crushers secured a narrow one-shot victory.
A combined score of 76 under par saw the quartet of DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahiri edge out the Southern Guards.
More than 100,000 spectators were expected to attend the four-day event in the host city.
Following this successful debut, officials have already confirmed the tournament will return to the calendar between 22-25 April in 2027.
“South Africa was unbelievable, it has to be the best LIV Golf event we have ever had.”
The champion concluded by praising the phenomenal atmosphere during the tour’s first visit to the African continent.