The Guardian

With the Games about to get under way, here are 10 of the most intriguing subplots to the event Twelve years after winning his first major international title in the 100m breaststroke at Glasgow 2014, Adam Peaty, now 31, heads back to Scotland hoping to remind everyone why he is one of Britain’s greatest swimmers . Peaty has won three Olympic gold medals and dominated the event for much of the pa…

From the wrong headset in an F2 garage to Fifa overturning a red card, we are in a landscape where fairness is the enemy A funny and very small thing happened at the Formula Two race at Spa on Sunday. Noel León, of Campos Racing, carved his way through the field to finish seventh, earning himself six points in the drivers’ championship, and promptly left the circuit to go and do whatever it is No…

The joy, love, hope and fun provided by fans outweighed the commercialism, extortionate prices and ugly politics This summer has been so vibrant and full of life. I had my doubts but, as the World Cup approached and Boston got ready to host its first game, I started feeling the excitement and enthusiasm in the air. That mainly had to do with the huge numbers of Scottish fans who arrived for their…

Ukrainian club were in fourth tier in 2021 but, despite war with Russia, will contest European qualifiers for first time It is time for set-piece training at LNZ Cherkasy’s smart, shiny training facility. “Arsenal!” one player says with a laugh as the grappling at a corner begins, the joke spreading among others clustered in the six-yard box. That is a level everyone here must aspire to but they …

Reds lock returns after being named in Super Rugby Pacific team of year Isaac Henry earns first Australia call-up for two-Test series against Japan Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has earned an immediate Wallabies recall in Les Kiss’s first big statement as newly-installed coach. The crash-and-bash lock was named in the Super Rugby Pacific team of the year after providing supreme service for Kiss at the Que…

Centre-back forced off in World Cup semi-final Arsenal say problem does not require surgery Arsenal, the Premier League champions, have been dealt a significant injury blow after the centre-back William Saliba was ruled out for “an extended period” with a back injury. Saliba played with a back problem during France’s run to the World Cup semi-final and, although he will not require an operation, …

Many Black Americans were not cheering Spain’s complicated history. They were rooting against the racism, politics and silence associated with Argentina There are moments in sports when you realize people aren’t just watching the score any more. They’re watching values. They’re watching who speaks. They’re watching who stays silent. And they’re watching what those silences say. I found myself thi…

Fenway Sports Group looks to be locked in talks with a consortium led by the son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal while the Amazon founder has now been linked Continue reading...

Too engrossed with the World Cup drama to keep up with goings-on in the transfer market? We’ve got you covered Announced just before England’s soul-sucking semi-final defeat against Argentina , it would have been easy to miss Trossard’s £15.3m move to Istanbul. While, after three and a half seasons and at the age of 31, it feels like his time at Arsenal has come to a natural conclusion, he will b…

Richard Boardman was criticised by the managing judge Players say process of appointing new solicitors is under way Hundreds of former rugby league and rugby union players taking legal action against the game’s governing bodies are now “staring into the precipice”, according to the barrister representing the claimants, Susan Rodway KC. The solicitor who has been the organising force behind the li…

With just over 1,400 days to go until 2030 kicks off, the co-hosts are facing a series of challenges familiar to their South African predecessors Morocco’s World Cup adventure came to a halt with their quarter-final defeat by France . But taking a break, even for a brief post-season summer, is no option for officials of the FRMF, the country’s football federation. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nation…

Home rider Seixas yet to be tested at night, unlike some rivals Authorities deny French doping agency plays role in who is tested Anti-doping authorities at the Tour de France have rejected accusations of preferential treatment towards Paul Seixas, the teenage French rider and home favourite who is placed fourth overall. Seixas and his Decathlon CMA CGM team were tested, with the rest of the pelo…

Most valuable franchise in the competition begin their season with ‘renewed energy and perhaps a bit of pizzazz’ When Jamie Overton reported to Lord’s last Friday for the start of the new Hundred season, he experienced something that, even in the often head-spinning world of franchise cricket, was extraordinary, potentially unique. Returning to a team he played for in 2025, he would have looked a…

Billionaire keen to be part of Amit ­Bhatia’s £1.35bn bid Bezos has previously explored buying NFL franchises The Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has held talks about joining the consortium that is seeking to buy around 30% of Liverpool. The group led by the former Queens Park Rangers co‑owner Amit ­Bhatia has made a provisional offer of £1.35bn to buy a stake from Fenway Sports Group (FSG) , and is ta…

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! After the eye-watering excess of the Geopolitics World Cup, we can return to the modest, measured land of the domestic game. While our attention has been elsewhere, Manchester City have splashed £116m on Elliot Anderson. Chelsea, not to be outshone, have splurged £117m on Morgan Rogers. Even Tottenham have parted with £230m to revamp their mildl…