Athletes go for gold

This month brings us the World Athletics Champion-ships (WAC) from Tokyo. More than 2,000 of the world’s finest athletes from around 200 countries will head to Japan, hoping to fulfil their dream of becoming a world champion. During a packed nine-day schedule from 13-21 September, 147 medals will be awarded – and the best action will be available to view on the BBC.

Launched in 1976, the WAC is nowadays held every two years. The last one was in Budapest in 2023. Unlike the Olympics, the WAC are purely a track-and-field competition, with 49 traditional events scheduled – running, jumping and throwing. There is an equal number of disciplines for men and women, with the inclusion once again of the fascinating mixed 4×400m relay. Introduced in Doha, Qatar, in 2019, the running order has now been standardised to man – woman – man – woman.

Team GB – ones to watch

Zharnel Hughes – Fresh from securing the 100m (9.94 sec) and 200m (19.90 sec) British titles in August at the UK Championships in Birming-ham, the 30-year-old has a chance of reaching the podium in both. He broke Linford Christie’s 100m British record in Budapest in 2023. 100m final: 14 Sept, 2.20pm. 200m final: 19 Sept, 2.06pm

Molly Caudery – The 25-year-old pole vaulter from Cornwall won gold at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow in 2024, clearing 4.80m. Can she reach those heights again? Final: 17 Sept, 12.10pm

Josh Kerr & Jake Wightman – The Scottish duo both have high hopes in the 1500 metres. Kerr, 27, is the defending champion, having taken gold in Budapest and Olympic silver last year. Wightman, 31, took gold in the rescheduled WAC in Oregon, USA, in 2022. Final: 17 Sept, 2.20pm

Dina Asher-Smith – The 200m champion from WAC 2019 in Doha is again our main hope in the women’s sprints. Aged 29, she set a championship record (22.14 sec) at the UK Championships last month. Final: 19 Sept, 2.22pm

Keeley Hodgkinson – The 23-year-old golden girl of British athletics will be attempting to upgrade her 800m silver medal from Budapest in 2023. The Olympic gold medallist from Paris last year is Team GB’s best hope of gold. Final: 21 Sept, 11.35am

Relays – Traditionally, Team GB are always in contention for medals in these events. In 2023, they picked up bronze in the men’s 4x400m (final: 21 Sept, 12.25pm) and women’s 4×400m (final: 21 Sept, 12.40pm), and silver in the mixed 4x400m (final: 13 Sept, 2.20pm).

Premier League new boys

With the new Premier League season now underway, the gap in quality continues to widen. In 2024/25, the three newly-promoted teams – Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and South-ampton – went straight back down to the Championship. The same thing occurred the previous season to Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United. It was the first time it has happened two seasons in a row. Will the coming season again be a case of ‘What comes up must go down’? Here’s how the new boys are staking their claim for survival.

Leeds United – Back in top tier of English football after being relegated in the 2022/23 season. Last season Daniel Farke’s free-scoring squad looked the strongest in the Championship from the outset, and took the title with 100 points, scoring 95 goals. They have moved fast in the transfer window, spending £75 million already on seven new signings, and supporters will also take confidence from a solid 1–1 pre-season friendly against La Liga fifth-placed Villarreal.

Burnley – Back again for another crack at the Premier League, the club was one of the 12 founder members of the English league in 1888. Since 2009 the Turf Moor faithful have endured a rollercoaster ride of five promotions and four relegations. Manager Scott Parker’s style of play is a complete contrast to Leeds’, building from the back with a tight defence that conceded just 16 goals in 46 games, losing only two. The defence has been strengthened by adding experienced Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker (£5 million).

Sunderland – Return to the familiar surroundings of the Premier League after two previous spells (1996–2003 and 2007–2017). The Black Cats, who finished fourth on 76 points, pounced on their promotion chance by beating Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley. Their inexperienced former Lorient manager, Régis Le Bris, will need to adapt quickly. Jobe Bellingham has followed brother Jude’s path and moved to Borussia Dortmund for £32 million, replaced by former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for £17.3 million.

The Great Debate: Should women’s football refs be women-only?

The recent Women’s European Championship (won, of course, again by our unstoppable Lionesses!) was officiated entirely by women, following FIFA’s female-only rule introduced in 1995. In comparison, the Football Association has no gender restrictions on women officiating in men’s football. Should gender matter?

YES, KEEP IT ALL-FEMALE

Having women officiate top-level women’s matches can inspire more girls and women to pursue refereeing and provide role models.

A women-only pathway could offer a more supportive environment and potentially reduce pressure, creating a greater sense of belonging.

It used to be argued that the experience of male referees was needed to help develop the women’s game, but the level and number of female officials has dramatically increased.

NO, GIVE MALE REFS A CHANCE

The selection of referees should not be based solely on gender. Selecting on this basis could be seen as discriminatory.

The primary aim should be to have the most skilled and competent individuals officiating matches, ensuring fair play and accurate decision-making.

On 23 December 2023, Rebecca Welch became the first woman to referee in the men’s Premier League, in a fixture between Fulham and Burnley, and was inducted into English football’s Hall of Fame. 

Sports Bites

Golf 

The 45th Ryder Cup, contested by Europe and the USA, takes place from 26–28 September at Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, New York. Luke Donald returns to captain Europe after victory in 2023, while the USA turn to Keegan Bradley, their youngest-ever captain at 39. Since the European team was formed in 1979, they lead 12–9.

Rowing 

The 53rd World Rowing Championships will be held from 21–28 September in Shanghai, China. Open to both men and women, the competition will feature lightweight single and quadruple sculls and the coxless pairs. In 2024, Romania topped the medal table with seven golds, followed by Great Britain with six.