Rowing for gold: Rio glory sees Phelan Hill go from Treasury to national treasure October 13, 2016 Even Olympic gold medallists are brought back down to earth sooner or later. Twenty-four hours after sipping one final Mojito on Ipanema beach, Great Britain’s premier coxswain – and former Treasury high-flyer – Phelan Hill was back in Putney changing his son’s dirty nappy. Most of the time that gold medal, the reward for excruciating [...]
Shopping and Fucking review: An explosively sensory play whose simple message is marred by the grotesque October 13, 2016 Sex and love are reduced to transactional commodities in the colourfully named Shopping and Fucking. In Mark Ravenhill’s controversial 90s play, some young folk have wilfully inducted themselves into a kind of sexual servitude. Rent boys leap out of cardboard packaging, and the stage is made to resemble the set of a gaudy shopping channel, [...]
Inferno review: Tom Hanks and his frantic legs investigate every tomb in the world in Dan Brown’s latest October 13, 2016 The latest in Dan Brown’s “what if your dad was Jason Bourne” series (following The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons) sees Tom Hanks being chased into roughly four thousand museums and churches by shady government cabals, each time escaping through secret catacombs and ancient tunnels that only he knows about. The twist in [...]
Mauricio Pochettino confirms when he expects Harry Kane to return to full training as key midfielder suffers injury setback October 13, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that prolific marksman Harry Kane is set to return to full training next week as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Kane damaged ankle ligaments during his side’s Premier League victory over Sunderland last month and it was initially feared the England forward would be sidelined for up to [...]
One Night in Miami at the Donmar Warehouse is a powerful account of the night Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali, with the help of Malcolm X October 13, 2016 “Why am I so pretty?” asked Cassius Clay – as he was called back in 1964 – on the night he defeated Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion of the world. Rather than hit the clubs, the 22-year-old spent the night eating vanilla ice cream in a hotel room with three superstars of the civil [...]
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger urges Football Association to overlook big names and give England job to Gareth Southgate October 13, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged the Football Association to overlook more glamorous names from the world of football management and give the England job to Gareth Southgate. Southgate is halfway through a four-game audition for the role, having been placed in temporary charge following the sudden departure of Sam Allardyce after just one match. [...]
Kent call for arbitration in ECB non-promotion saga October 13, 2016 Kent are seeking arbitration with the England and Wales Cricket Board over their decision to keep the Canterbury-based side in Division Two and reinstate Hampshire to the top flight following Durham’s financial plight. The ECB resolved that Hampshire should retain their Division One status, despite being relegated last season, after Durham were demoted as punishment [...]
Chelsea sign new kit deal with Nike thought to be worth close to £1bn October 13, 2016 Chelsea have confirmed a lucrative kit contract with Nike that stands to see the American sportswear manufacturer pay the Premier League club close to £1bn. The 15-year, £900m deal is due to start next season, when Nike will replace Adidas as the provider of kit for all of the Blues’ squads, from the academy through [...]
In pictures: The highs and lows of Jess Ennis-Hill’s glorious career October 13, 2016 Jess Ennis-Hill enjoyed a decade at the highest level in which she became one of Britain’s most successful track and field athletes of all time. Here is how a stellar track and field career unfolded. Read more: Jess Ennis-Hill retires and says: "I know the time is right" 2006-2008: Showing promise Ennis won her first [...]
“I know the time is right”: Jess Ennis-Hill calls time on one of British athletics’s greatest careers October 13, 2016 London 2012 golden girl Jess Ennis-Hill insists she is bowing out on a high after bringing down the curtain on one of Britain’s finest track and field careers. Ennis-Hill, who won two World Championship titles as well as her defining triumph at her home Olympic Games, confirmed her retirement on Thursday after a decade of [...]