England submits a bid to host the women’s hockey world cup in 2018, a Brit wins a world triathlon championship and more, from sports editor Adele Norris
Women’s hockey
England Hockey has submitted a bid to host the Women’s World Cup in London in 2018.
The bid is part of a long-term goal to host regular international hockey in England and further boost the profile of the sport.
The Women’s World Cup bid is part of a portfolio of bids for major events in the forthcoming years which England Hockey is submitting to the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
The portfolio also includes the Men’s Champions Event and the Men’s and Women’s World League Semi-Finals.
It’s anticipated that the purpose built Lee Valley Hockey Centre, the 2012 Olympic Games legacy facility, will host the events.
Sally Munday, England Hockey’s Chief Executive, said: ‘We have a clear goal to increase the visibility of hockey in England, which in turn will help drive participation and ultimately elite performance, and events such as the World Cup will be central to achieving these objectives.’
Munday said recent international hockey events have shown the large and passionate following for our National teams.
The women’s team won a silver medal at last month’s EuroHockey Championships.
The Women’s World Cup will form part of UK Sport’s Gold Event Series, which is investing £27million of National Lottery funding to support the bidding and staging costs of major events, on home soil, as well as providing specialist support to organisers.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: ‘Since the spectacular success of last summer’s 2012 Games, London has continued to make its mark as a world class international sporting city. I wholeheartedly support England Hockey’s bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2018 which, as part of wider portfolio of fixtures, will ensure we make the most of our fantastic Olympic and Paralympic venues and continue to deliver a lasting legacy for many years to come.’
The decision on which country will host the Women’s World Cup in 2018 will be announced by the FIH in Lausanne, Switzerland on 7th November.
PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London
Great Brit Triathlete Non Stanford claimed the 2013 Elite Women’s ITU World Championship title ahead of second place Aileen Reid from Ireland and third place Australian Emma Moffatt.
Stanford completed the Grand Final London race in two hours, one minute and 32 seconds, just 25 seconds ahead of Reid.
‘Being the World Champion, It’s crazy, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Stanford said. “I’m just trying to take it my stride, but when I get 5 minutes to reflect on it I will probably get quite emotional. I just can’t believe it to be honest, I can’t quite put it into words. All the hard work over the last year, I’ve just managed to hold it together and it’s paid off.’
The Brit had a tough race after she given a 15-second penalty for not correctly placing her wetsuit in her box after the swim.
‘The 15second penalty wasn’t ideal at all,’ She said. ‘Jodie [Stimpson] came up to me on the second lap of the bike and said ‘Non, you’ve got a penalty’ which was a disappointment but also great that she told me. So I just had to think of how best to deal with that. It is all really about the psychological thing over everybody and that was really hard work.’
The World Championship crown was decided for both the men’s and women’s Triathlon World Series.
In a dramatic twist in the final leg of the Elite Men’s Triathlon Alistair Brownlee reduced to a limping run due to injury leaving him only able to encourage his brother Jonathan Brownlee to take the title.
But in the last meters of the race the battle between Jonathan and Javier Gomez ended with Spanish securing his third Championship title.
The event took place in Hyde Park, the same venue athletes competed at for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
It was also the first World Series Championship to be hosted as part of UK Sport’s Gold Event Series – is scheme investing over £27m of National Lottery funding into the Gold Event Series to help support the bidding and staging of major international sporting events in the UK up to 2019.
Olympic Champion and PruHealth Vitality Ambassador Jessica Ennis-Hill unveiled a giant floating sculpture on the Serpentine at the beginning of the five-day event.
She said the Triathlon was one of the first major Olympic Legacy Events and she hoped the public would turn out in force to support the Triathletes.
She said: ‘Being here brings back amazing memories of London 2012 and that sight of thousands of people in Hyde Park watching the triathlon event. Hopefully some of them might be inspired afterwards to take up regular running, swimming or cycling or better still take up the challenge of a triathlon.’
An expected 300,000 people turned out to show support, of which over 8,000 triathletes endured the Olympic circuit.
Pedal on UK
Pedal On UK has finally crossed the finish line after three weeks of touring the UK to celebrate the extension of more than 80 new walking and cycling networks across the UK.
Organised by charity Sustrans and backed by the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Keeping the Spirit of 2012 Alive’ campaign, Pedal On UK has covere 1,000 miles, 35 communities, 4 countries, countless volunteers and celebrity supporters.
Starting at the Olympic Park in London on August 16, Pedal On UK visited 19 events in cities including Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Belfast, Newcastle and finally in Glasgow with the support and company of celebrity cyclists.
One of whom, Dame Kelly Holmes, said: ‘Over the past few years cycling has become my main form of fitness training for me. I live in the country and there is nothing better than riding around exploring the area and soaking up the atmosphere.”
Malcolm Shepherd from Sustrans said he was proud to have brought Pedal On UK into the heart of communities across the UK this summer and he hopes more people will make the most of living within a mile of the walking and cycle networks in their communities.
Women’s Super league
Women’s Super League title decider against Liverpool was set up yesterday (Sunday).
Bristol Academy were three goals behind until in a dramatic turn around they beat Doncaster Belles 4-3.
Academy were already second placed on the tables but their weekend win has put them just two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Liverpool and Bristol are set to meet on September 29th to fight for the title.
It leaves third-placed Arsenal unable to retain their title. They spent beat Birmingham City 2-0 at the weekend.
The Gunners will play Everton without left-back Emma Mitchell who was sent off after a foul.
Bristol Academy boss Mark Sampson told the FA: ‘It was an absolutely incredible second half. Whatever happens next, we’re champions already in my eyes. I’m glad the players have got a chance to go to Liverpool and give it their best shot.’
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