SportReutersAthletics-Relief, excitement at U.S. Olympic trials after long wait
Olympic veterans and hopefuls alike collide in Eugene, Oregon, this week as America's top athletes vie for a spot on Team USA, after a nerve-fraying year of coronavirus delay that posed challenges on and off the track. "Learning how to cope and learning how to get the best out of yourself over the most extreme pressure is part of our selection process," said three-times Olympian Jenny Simpson, who picked up bronze in the 1500m in Rio five years ago. Six-times Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix, expected to compete in both the 400m and 200m, is among the marquee names who must fend off new talent as the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials kick off Friday.
SportReutersSoccer-Denmark players to return to Parken ahead of Belgium game
The Denmark players will not train at the Parken Stadium ahead of their Euro 2020 clash with Belgium, but some of them will visit the arena in an attempt to put the traumatic events of Christian Eriksen's collapse behind them. Danish playmaker Eriksen suffered a heart attack on the pitch against Finland on Saturday, and the Danes have been working to recover from that shock ahead of their Group B clash with Belgium on Thursday. Teams usually train at the match arena the day before a game, but the Danes chose to remain at their base in the coastal town of Helsingor, about 45 kilometres from Parken.
SportReutersSoccer-De Ligt to return to Dutch defence against Austria
The Netherlands will have defender Matthijs de Ligt back in the starting line-up for Thursday’s European Championship Group C clash with Austria after he missed the team's first game at the tournament, coach Frank de Boer said on Wednesday. De Boer told a news conference that the 21-year-old De Ligt, who picked up a groin injury on the last day of his country’s training camp in Portugal about 10 days ago, would start the game at the Johan Cruyff Arena but refused to reveal who in the five-man defence would be dropped. "De Ligt is in very good shape, has trained well and has shown that he is completely ready," De Boer said.
Headlines
- Antonio Rudiger denies biting Paul Pogba during France-Germany clash
- Marko Arnautovic suspended for Austria’s match with Holland for insulting player
- Handling of Benjamin Pavard’s head injury ‘sickening to watch’ – Headway chief
- England clash a ‘free hit’ for underdogs Scotland – Charlie Nicholas
- Players should have bigger role in disciplinary process – Exeter’s Rob Baxter