Mo Farah, who broke the British marathon record in April at the London Marathon, will line out in the England team this Sunday (June 10) at Old Trafford in Manchester for the Soccer Aid for Unicef football match and face eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt and his World XI team.

“When I got the call from Robbie to play for the England side at the Soccer Aid for Unicef match, I immediately said yes,” said 10-time major track gold medalist Farah. “Everyone knows that I’m absolutely mad about football and to top it off, this event is for such a good cause and helping children around the world makes it something I definitely want to support.

“My instant ‘yes’ was even easier in the knowledge that I would finally be going head-to-head with my friend Usain Bolt. People have long suggested we should compete against each other, so on Sunday at Old Trafford, you will see us trade our spikes for boots.

“Usain has the speed but I have the stamina so we’ll see who comes out on top at the end of 90 mins.”

Soccer Aid for Unicef is the original England V Soccer Aid World XI charity match. It was launched and co-founded in 2006 by Unicef UK Ambassador Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes.

100% of all public donations to Soccer Aid for Unicef will go towards supporting the vital work protecting children in the UK and globally.

The money raised through profits from ticket sales and viewer donations during the match will add to the incredible £24 million that has already been raised through Soccer Aid over the last 12 years.

The charity football match kicks off at 8pm and tickets are still on sale. Live coverage will also be broadcast on ITV starting at 6.30pm.

The post Mo Farah and Usain Bolt ready for showdown appeared first on Fast Running.

Farah, who is set to compete in the London Marathon next month, will line out in the England team on 10th June at Old Trafford ready to take on the eight-time Olympic gold medallist Bolt and his Soccer Aid World XI.

“When I got the call from Robbie to play for the England side at the Soccer Aid for Unicef match, I immediately said yes,” said 10-time major track gold medalist Farah. “Everyone knows that I’m absolutely mad about football and to top it off, this event is for such a good cause and helping children around the world makes it something I definitely want to support.

“My instant ‘yes’ was even easier in the knowledge that I would finally be going head-to-head with my friend Usain Bolt. People have long suggested we should compete against each other, so on Sunday 10th June at Old Trafford, you will see us trade our spikes for boots.

“Usain has the speed but I have the stamina so we’ll see who comes out on top at the end of 90 mins.”

Bolt’s participation was announced last month, and now with the two retired track start confirmed, this year’s Soccer Aid for Unicef match is going to be a game like no other.

Soccer Aid for Unicef is the original England V Soccer Aid World XI charity match. It was launched and co-founded in 2006 by Unicef UK Ambassador Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes.

100% of all public donations to Soccer Aid for Unicef will go towards supporting the vital work protecting children in the UK and globally. The money raised through profits from ticket sales and viewer donations during the match will add to the incredible £24 million that has already been raised through Soccer Aid over the last 12 years.

The post Mo Farah to go head-to-head with Usain Bolt appeared first on Fast Running.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist, who retired from the track this year, will captain a Soccer Aid World XI against Robbie Williams England team.

“It is my dream to make it as a professional footballer, so to be able to step out onto the pitch at Old Trafford in June, and play against some of football’s biggest legends is going to be remarkable,” said the sprint legend. “I enjoy the thrill of competition in front of a crowd, so Robbie and his England team better watch out as I won’t be going easy on them!

“I’ve got a pretty special celebration planned for when I score, by the way. My team is going to be unbeatable – and Soccer Aid for Unicef is counting on your support to make a difference to thousands of children around the world. Come and join in the fun!”

If you missed Bolt’s swansong with athletics at the Wolrd Championships in London last year, you now have another chance to see him in sporting action this summer.

The international friendly match will take place at Old Trafford on Sunday 10th June and tickets are on sale today.

100% of all public donations to Soccer Aid for Unicef will go towards supporting the vital work protecting children in the UK and globally. The money raised through profits from ticket sales and viewer donations during the match will add to the incredible £24 million that has already been raised through Soccer Aid over the last 12 years.

Tickets for the Soccer Aid for Unicef football match are priced between £10 and £50. Visit www.unicef.org.uk/socceraid to find out more.

The post Usain Bolt to compete in a football match at Old Trafford appeared first on Fast Running.

With the British and American teams flying down the straight, the Jamaican team were sitting in third place when the eight-time Olympic champion took the baton.

Maybe too desperate to end his near-perfect track career on a high, Bolt appeared to overstretch as he opened his stride to accelerate attempting to chase down Britain’s Mitchell-Blake and USA’s Coleman, before collapsing to the track with a pain beyond physical.

A wheelchair was brought over to Bolt but he waved it away, hauling himself up to hobble across the line before applauding the adoring crowd.

It was a tragic end to the 30-year-old’s glorious track career as he retires at the World Championships in London with a sole bronze medal from the individual 100m.

The sensational, one of a kind, Usain Bolt bows out of athletics with eleven world gold medals, two silver, one bronze and eight Olympic gold medals.

The post Not how Usain Bolt wanted to bow out, as the greatest sprinter of all time pulls up injured appeared first on Fast Running.

Bolt, running the anchor leg for the strong Jamaican quartet, pulled away down the home straight to steer his team to victory in the second relay heat at the London Stadium, clocking 37.95.

The eight-time Olympic champion will now appear for the last time at a major championships on Saturday night in the final at 9:50pm (UK time).

Competing in the first heat, the British team of Chijindu Ujah, Adam Gemili, Daniel Talbot and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake ran GB’s second fastest ever time, clocking 37.76, as they finished behind an impressive USA quartet that featured individual 100m gold and silver medalists, Justin Gatlin and Christian Coleman.

Britain’s women also safely negotiated  the heats, finishing behind a formidable USA team who recorded a world leading time in 41.84.

The USA’s team of Allyson Felix, Aaliyah Brown, Morolake Akinosun and Ariana Washington are the reigning Olympic champions.

The British quartet of Asha Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita flew over the line in a season’s best 41.93, the fastest time by a GB team at the world championships.

Bolt, who missed out on individual100m gold last weekend said: “It’s not a time to be sad, because the energy from this crowd is great.

“There are no words to describe how I am feeling. I get so much support from the crowd.

I appreciate that a lot. All the energy I am getting from the crowd is brilliant.”

In the 4x400m relay heats, both British men’s and women’s teams qualified for Sunday’s final.

The men’s team of Rabah Yousif, Dwayne Cowan, Jack Green and Martyn Rooney finished fourth in 3:00.10, qualifying as a fastest loser.

While, the women’s quartet of Zoey Clark, Laviai Nielsen, Perri Shakes-Drayton and Emily Diamond clocked 3:24.74 to finish second behind the USA.

The post Bolt lines up perfect farewell, as four GB team advance to finals appeared first on Fast Running.

35-year-old Gatlin came from behind to cross the line in 9.92, finishing ahead of compatriot Christian Coleman, with eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt finishing third.

Coleman shot out of the blocks, and looked the most likely to disrupt Bolt’s final individual race, but it was Gatlin who stormed up in lane seven to take the win in 9.92, a season’s best performance.

Coleman took the silver medal in 9.94, ahead of Bolt in 9.95.

It was the first time Bolt has failed to win gold in a 100m final at the World Championships or Olympic Games.

Bolt’s focus now turns to next weekend’s 4x100m relay race as he aims to bow out of athletics on a high with one final gold medal.

Gatlin said: “I tuned it out (booing from crowd) through the rounds and stayed the course. I did what I had to do. The people who love me are here cheering for me and cheering at home.

“It is Bolt’s last race. It is an amazing occasion. We are rivals on the track but in the warm-down area, we joke and have a good time. The first thing he did was congratulate me and say that I didn’t deserve the boos. He is an inspiration.”

Justin Gatlin knows #London2017 pic.twitter.com/hk0zzRkio7

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) August 5, 2017

Speaking afterwards, Bolt said: “I didn’t execute when it mattered. I am not fully comfortable in those blocks but you have to work with what you have. I can’t complain about that.

“He’s a great competitor. You have to be at your best against him. I really appreciate competing against him and he is a good person.”

Rounding up the 100m, Jamaica’s Yohan Blake finished fourth, followed by South Africa’s Akani Simbine, Jimmy Vicaut of France, Great Britain’s Reece Prescod and Bingtian Su of China.

Also tonight in the London Stadium, world record holder Almaz Ayana ran away with the 10,000m gold. The Ethiopian Olympic champion finished an amazing 46 seconds ahead of compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba in 30:16.32. Kenya’s Agnes Tirop finished in third to take the bronze.

GB’s Beth Potter finished twenty-first in 32:15.88, Charlotte Taylor twenty-seventh in 32:51.33.

Laura Muir and Laura Weightman made it through to Sunday’s 1500m final after qualifying from their respective semi-finals. Muir looked in great form, finishing second behind Faith Kipyegon. Caster Semenya finished third, while Genzebe Dibaba finished sixth.

In a tough semi-final field, Weightman impressively finished fourth, behind first place Sifan Hassan, Meraf Bahta and USA’s Jenny Simpson.

South Africa’s Luvo Manyonga second-round leap of 8.48m secured the long jump gold. Compatriot Ruswahl Samaaiahead finished third, with USA’s Jarrion Lawson taking silver.

Discus gold went to Andrius Gudzius of Lithuania with a final round throw of 67.89m.

The post Justin Gatlin takes 100m gold at World Championships appeared first on Fast Running.

The 22-year-old was due to race against 11-time world champion Usain Bolt in the 100 metres, and his absence will come as a huge blow to fans set for the London Stadium.

The Canadian suffered the injury on Monday during a training session and is expected to be out for six weeks.

De Grasse said: “Earlier this week in practice, I suffered a hamstring tear that has forced me to withdraw from the World Championships.

“Injuries are a part of the sport, and the timing of this one is especially unfortunate. While I’m in the best shape of my life and extremely disappointed that I will not have the chance to compete for my country in London, I can’t forget or be ungrateful for the successes that I’ve been blessed with up to this point in my career.

“I’ll be back stronger and faster than ever.”

De Grasse, who is strongly tipped to take the 100m throne after Usain Bolt’s retirement, has been in impressive form this season on the Diamond League circuit.

The three time Olympic medalist won bronze in the 100m, silver in the 200m and bronze in the 4x100m relay at last summer’s Rio Olympics. He also won two medals at the 2015 World Championships.

His agent, Paul Doyle said: “On Monday evening, at Mile End Stadium in London, Andre had his final starting blocks session in preparation for Friday’s 100m heats.”

“On his final run of the day, Andre pulled up with what he described as ‘a grab’ in his right hamstring.

“He was immediately diagnosed and treated by his medical team, and returned to the hotel, where treatment continued. The next day, Andre received an ultrasound scan at the Stratford Stadium, which was diagnosed as a grade I hamstring strain of the long head of the biceps femoris.

“The next day he flew to Munich to meet with Dr Muller Wolfhart for further advice, and potential treatment. Dr Muller Wolfhart diagnosed a grade II hamstring strain, and ruled out the possibility of Andre competing in London.”

The post Usain Bolt rival Andre De Grasse ruled out of World Championships after injury appeared first on Fast Running.

Although his rivals will have seen him in better shape, the eight-time Olympic Champion looks like he will be the one to beat going into a major championships.

Bolt started sluggishly before recovering to take the victory without overexerting too much energy, suggesting he still has more in the tank ahead of next month’s World Championships in London.

The Jamaican star looked a new athlete, compared to the one seen in Ostrava crossing the line in 10.06, last month.

After the race Bolt said: “It was good, I’m going into right direction, still a lot of work to do.

“I’m always here for the fans, and of course I will miss the vibe around the track. Mixed emotions always – happy for my career, sad that it is ending. Sub-10 is always good. It was an exciting race, lots of energy.”

USA’s Isiah Young finished second in 9.98, with Akani Simbine of South Africa in third place in 10.02. Britain’s CJ Ujah finished fourth in 10.02 as well, missing out on third place by hundredths of a second.

The post VIDEO: Usain Bolt runs his 50th sub-10 second race in Monaco appeared first on Fast Running.

His 50th sub-10 second race is no mean feat, but Bolt appeared race rusty only week’s away from the World Championships. USA’s Isiah Young pushed him all the way, who to finish second in 9.98.

South Africa’s Akani Simbine finished third in 10.02, just hundredths of a second ahead of GB’s Cj Ujah, also in 10.02.

The headline race of the night gained wide interest earlier this week, with Canada’s De Grasse claiming Bolt has blocked his participation in the event. De Grasse instead raced in Monaco as part of the Canadian 4x100m relay team in an unofficial Diamond League race.

In the women’s 3000m Hellen Obiri’s goal was clear from the start – she wasn’t going to be beat. The Kenyan dominated a strong field that included Britian’s Laura Muir to win in 8:23.14, a world lead time.

Obiri’s early fast pace encouraged a string of PB’s from her challengers, including personal best times for Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech in 8:28.26, followed by Britian’s Laura Muir and Eilish McColgan, in 8:30.64 and 8:31.39 respectively. McColgan has now surpassed her mother Liz’s personal best of 8:38.23.

Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk was challenged throughout the men’s 400m, but his strength told over the last 50m as he pulled away to claim the win in 43.73, a meet record. Botswana’s Isaac Makwala finished closely behind in 43.84.

In the women’s 400m, USA’s Kori Carter took the victory  in 53.36, with Britian’s Eilidh Doyle finishing fourth in 54.75.

In the men’s 1500m, Kenya’s Elijah Manangoi took the win in 3:28.80, followed by compatriots Timothy Cheruiyot in 3:29.10 and Ronald Kwemoi in 3:32.34.

Chris O’Hare finished 7th in 3:33.61, a new personal best for the British athlete. Rio Olympic champion, Matthew Centrowitz of the USA finished 9th in 3:34.43

In a strong women’s 800m field, numerous records were broken, beginning with Olympic champion Caster Semenya setting a new South African record, winning in 1:55.27. National records were also broken by second placed Francine Nyonsaba of Burundi, and third placed Ajee Wilson of the USA in 1:55.61.

GB’s Lynsey Sharp finished 6th in 1:58.01, a season best time.

In the women’s 200m Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou won in 22.25. Britian’s Dina Asher-Smith continued her return from injury to finish strongly in 22.89, to take third place.

Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir won the men’s 800m in 1:43.10, with Britian’s Ellliot Giles in 9th in 1:46.10.

In the women’s 110m hurdles, Kendra Harrison pipped her fellow American Sharika Nelvis, to win in 12.51. Jamaica’s Danielle Williams completed the top three.

Poland’s Piotr Lisek won the pole vault, with a winning vault of 5.82m.

In the final event of the night, USA’s Evan Jager dominated the 3000m steeplechase field to win in 8:01.31.

The post Bolt wins in Monaco… but only just! appeared first on Fast Running.

Bolt will headline the 100m, in what should be the final Diamond League meet of his amazing career. The race will not feature medal favourites for next month’s World Championships; USA’s Justin Gatlin and Canadian Andre De Grasse.

Britain’s CJ Utah, who has won three Diamond League races this year, will challenge Bolt, as will Jamaica’s 110m hurdles champion, Omar McLeod.

Earlier this week, Canada’s De Grasse suggested he had been removed from the 100m race at the request of Bolt. De Grasse will instead now race as part of the Canadian 4x100m relay team.

In the women’s 3000m race Laura Muir, will face Kenya’s Olympic 5000m silver medalist Hellen Obiri for the second time in two weeks, following their race over one mile, in London.

Other British athletes in the 3000m include Eilish McColgan and Steph Twell.

South African Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk will race in the men’s 400m. Fellow South African and Olympic champion Caster Semenya will return to her signature 800m event, after racing over 400m in last week’s Diamond League in Rabat.

The winner of the women’s 400m at last week’s Diamond League, Olympic 400m champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo will drops down to the 200m in Monaco.

The women’s 110m hurdles features a strong field, that includes Australia’s Sally Pearson, USA’s Keni Harrison, Nia Ali and Jasmin Stowers.

GB’s Eilidh Doyle will race in the 400m hurdles.

USA’s Olympic 1500m champion Matt Centrowitz, will be tested by two of Kenya’s top young talents Timothy Cheruiyot and Ronald Kwemoi. Three three-time world champion Asbel Kiprop will also feature.

In the men’s 3000m USA’s Olympic silver medallist Evan Jager will face Kenya’s Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto.

In the men’s javelin Germany’s Olympic champion Thomas Röhler, and World Championship favourite Johannes Vetter and will face one another once again.

The post Usain Bolt leads star Diamond League field in Monaco appeared first on Fast Running.