Coming in a fallow year between World Championships and Olympics the Europeans are the major target for most eligible athletes over the outdoor season and the competition is set to be fierce as ever.
Here are the major athletes and races to watch ahead of the week’s action.
Race of the season: the women’s 800m
The women’s 800m is the headline event, even in a stacked programme. Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson has had a stop-start outdoor season, suffering surprise back-to-back defeats and withdrawing in tears from British national championships earlier this summer after tweaking her hamstring. But she returned to winning ways on home soil at the London Diamond League last month, and starts as one of the favourites in a glittering field.
Advertisement
Switzerland’s Audrey Werro has been the surprise package of the season and is the outright favourite after running the fastest in the world this year, but Femke Broeders-Bol – having converted her brilliance in her normal discipline of 400m hurdles to the 800m – is also a potent force. Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium could yet see one of track and field’s oldest world records fall: the controversial 1:53.28 set by Czechoslovakian athlete Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983.
Hodgkinson had initially targeted the London Diamond League to attempt to break the record, having smashed the world indoor record in March last year. But it now looks as though Werro, who became the first woman since Kratochvilova to run under 1:54 – twice – in Paris and Stockholm this year, is the best placed to finally topple that mark.
The stage is set for a hugely entertaining race – the only drawback is that newly crowned Commonwealth 800m champion Georgia Hunter Bell is opting not to compete over the distance in Birmingham, focusing on the 1500m instead and avoiding a mouthwatering four-way clash.
Hodgkinson returned to winning ways at the London Diamond League last month (Getty)
Jakob Ingebrigtsen makes long-awaited return
Norwegian great Jakob Ingebrigsten has not raced at all in 2026 after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon in January, with his grand comeback taking place this week as he runs in the 5,000m. The injury also heavily impacted his 2025; he obviously struggled with it at the World Championships in September, when he failed to make it out of the 1,500m heats and finished a distant 10th in the 5,000m.
Advertisement
He is the reigning European champion in both the 5,000m and 1,500m but has opted to focus on the longer distance only as he returns to competition, writing on social media: “Anyone who has watched me race over the years will know that competition is what drives me. I am healthy, training has been going well and after discussing with my team, we reached the conclusion that there is no reason not to race.
“What better way than to return to the European Championships, where I have so many golden memories. I’ll be lining up for the 5000m August 10th.”
Ingebrigtsen has never been defeated at a European Championships, winning both the 1,500m and 5,000m titles at each of the last three editions, going back to when he was just 17 in Berlin in 2018, and made history in Rome two years ago as the first man to win six gold medals.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen will make his comeback in Birmingham (Getty)
Mondo Duplantis bids to shake off rare defeat
One constant of athletics in recent years has been Mondo Duplantis’ crushing supremacy in the pole vault. But the world record holder suffered a shock defeat – his first in three years – at this summer’s Diamond League event in Stockholm, with Australian Kurtis Marschall beating him on Duplantis’ home soil.
Advertisement
The Swede never really looked himself and failed at 6m and 6.05m, only finishing second as he cleared 5.80m with two-time world bronze medallist Marschall clearing 5.90m.
Duplantis set a new world record of 6.28m at the same arena last year but his aura of invincibility took a huge dent this time around, while he then withdrew from the London Diamond League with a thigh strain, after a long conversation with his father and manager on the sidelines.
With the European Championships looming the decision was made to withdraw as a precaution, but the events of the last few weeks mean that – for once – the men’s pole vault title isn’t sewn up before the athletes even step onto the runway. Duplantis arrives in Birmingham looking to win a fourth successive European title and re-establish his supremacy after that blip, setting up a fascinating battle with the likes of major rival Emmanouil Karalis of Greece.
Duplantis’ aura of invincibility was dented by defeat in Stockholm before he pulled out with a minor strain in London (Reuters)
Brits renew rivalry in stacked 100m
While Hodgkinson and Hunter Bell headline the longer distance races for the home nation, there is a raft of British interest in the sprint events, most notably in a stacked women’s 100m field.
Advertisement
Defending champion Dina Asher-Smith has won six European golds and could become the most successful athlete in the history of the event if she wins one more, doubling up after glory in Rome two years ago. She pulled out of the Commonwealth Games with a focus on defending her title but will face opposition from rival Daryll Neita, who is second behind Asher-Smith in the all-time list of fastest Brits over the distance and is a two-time European individual medallist herself.
World 200m silver medallist Amy Hunt is competing in both events in Birmingham; her slow start may rule her out of contention over the shorter distance but her immense closing speed makes her a major favourite in a fascinating 200m race, where she will also come up against former world champion Asher-Smith. British national champion Success Eduan will also be in action, giving the home crowd in Birmingham multiple athletes to cheer on.
Commonwealth 100m silver medallist Amy Hunt is among several British contenders (Getty)
Josh Kerr holds off on more records
One major absence from Birmingham is new mile world record holder Josh Kerr. The Scot won the 3,000m world indoor title in March, but his season was entirely built around a tilt at Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year-old mile record, which he shattered in stunning fashion at the London Diamond League, running it in 3:42.66.
The 28-year-old is always one to talk a big game and his tilt at the record was rarely out of the spotlight as he shared his training for the catchily named ‘Project 222’ – the number of seconds he would have to run to break it – in the build-up. He wrote “I ran 3.42 at the London Diamond League. July 18th, 2026” in his notebook every day; he would plunge in an ice bath for 222 seconds, living and breathing the project.
Advertisement
His superb form carried him into the Commonwealth Games, another important target for him, especially as they were held on home soil in Glasgow. The mile there was a very different race – he won in 3:54.12 and had time to gee up the crowd as he surged clear down the home straight – but the gold was what he came for.
New mile record holder Josh Kerr will not compete in Birmingham (PA Wire)
There had been talk that having completed those two goals he would turn his attention to the 1,500m world record, also held by El Guerrouj, of 3:26 flat. But that is unlikely to happen this year, despite his blistering form, and nor is an appearance in Birmingham at all. He told The Guardian: “I will hold the 1500m world record in my career. But I’m not in a rush to do that. I think we are flying a little close to the sun at the moment.” His absence opens the door to compatriot Jake Wightman, who was sixth in the mile in Glasgow.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines acknowledges the crowd after losing to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during day eight of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 09, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines–There’s no rest for the weary. That old adage has never rung truer for Alex Eala at the moment.
After a grueling stretch playing highly competitive tennis for nearly two weeks straight that ended in the Canadian Open round of 16 on Monday, Eala heads to the next stop of her hard court swing in Ohio for the Cincinnati Open.
Still, the Filipino sensation will try to squeeze in some me time before returning to action. Luckily for her, being the World No. 20 means she will be seeded in Cincinnati and will get a first-round bye.
“I definitely will take maybe two days off, a day or two. I do have to travel to Cincinnati. I need to get a haircut. I haven’t gotten a haircut in a while. My nails are grown out,” she said with a laugh following a 4-6, 0-6 loss to an in-form Belinda Bencic at Sobeys Stadium – Center court.
“I’ll do a couple things, just to get my mind off tennis. Yeah, reunite maybe with some friends in Cincinnati, and just try to have fun. I’ll be back on court like that, so I got to enjoy what I have. I got to enjoy the time that I have that I’m not on court,” added Eala, who snapped her fingers mid-sentence to emphasize how little time she has before she gets back on the court.
Eala had reeled off a career-best seven consecutive wins, including a gutsy win over American Caty McNally in the round of 32 on Saturday despite rolling her right ankle in the second set, before her run came to a screeching halt against Bencic.
“It’s always tough, of course, after a loss. But like I said, I’m looking back at these past two weeks as a really big positive. I think I’ve played really well. I’ve gotten through so many obstacles,” she said. “Of course, right now there’s that initial, just kind of a little tired and down from the match.”
Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement
“But I mean, I’m healthy, which is something I’m super grateful for. It’s something that’s obviously on the top of my priority all the time. So, yeah, I’m counting my blessings. I’m taking the lessons that I’ve had from these two weeks and hopefully implementing them even more in a better way in Cincinnati and New York.”
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Brooks Koepka was quite hard on himself after his first year back on the PGA Tour finished on Sunday after finishing his Wyndham Championship final round.
After shooting 70, Koepka was 3-under for the tournament, which gave him a T67 finish and put him 19 strokes behind the winner, Michael Brennan.
As a result, Koepka, who left LIV Golf to rejoin the PGA Tour this year, finished 94th on the FedExCup Playoffs standings list. The top 70 in the FedEx Cup Standings move on to the St. Jude Championship in Memphis next week, which begins the first of three playoff tournaments.
Brooks Koepka of the United States plays his shot on the fourth tee during the Pro Am before the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., on Aug. 5, 2026.(Getty Images)
Koepka was candid about this year’s performance after his final round.
“I think it’s pretty pathetic that I can’t get through,” Koepka explained, per Yahoo Sports. “[I’ve had] zero top 10s basically in two years. To be in the prime of your career and be as good as I think I am, I think that’s very pathetic, disappointing.”
The five-time major tournament winner defected from the rival LIV Golf tour at the beginning of the year, and the PGA Tour made him pay for his return.
Koepka missed out on what the PGA Tour estimated to be $85 million in potential earnings, while he was also limited to which events he participated in. Additionally, Koepka isn’t eligible for the $100 million FedExCup bonus program for the 2026 season.
But it wasn’t a total waste of a season despite how Koepka feels about it.
Brooks Koepka of the United States looks on from the 15th green during the first round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club on Aug. 6, 2026, in Greensboro, N.C.(Getty Images)
In his 16 starts, Koepka made 11 cuts, including a T12 at The Masters in April. His best finish came at the Cognizant Classic in March, where he placed T9 to showcase what many believed to be a resurgence in his first year back on Tour.
Advertisement
Koepka slowed down, though. But while he is disappointed in his performances, he enjoyed very moment of being back on the PGA Tour.
“It’s been great,” he said. “Honestly, I’ve loved it. I feel fantastic. The reception’s been great. Overall, happiness is 10 out of 10 and just excited.”
While Koepka will continue to play — he mentioned going overseas to participate in DP World Tour events in Europe – he is also hoping to get back on the PGA Tour grind this fall.
Brooks Koepka of the United States looks on from the fourth green during the Pro Am prior to the Wyndham Championship 2026 at Sedgefield Country Club on Aug. 5, 2026, in Greensboro, N.C.(Getty Images)
United have failed to return to the top of the English game since Ferguson stepped down, with successor David Moyes sacked after only 10 months in charge.
Jose Mourinho (left) could have succeeded Alex Ferguson (AFP)
“I go to Chelsea in 2013 but in that period there is something nobody knows,” the Portuguese said in ‘Mourinho’.
“I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth, and I think the objective of this work that we are doing is to tell the truth.
Advertisement
“When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.”
Mourinho continued: “I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible appeal.
“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close.
Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson were long-time managerial rivals (PA)
“But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club.
“I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.”
Advertisement
Ferguson was one of the footballing figures interviewed for the new documentary and admits he was under the illusion Mourinho was accepting the offer, only for the situation to change in a matter of hours.
“Early evening he phoned me and he was crying,” the United great said. “And he says, ‘Alex, I can’t take it – I’ve given my word to Chelsea, and I’m not going to break my word’.
“The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed.”
Mourinho had a strong bond with Chelsea after leading them to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups during an unforgettable first spell.
Advertisement
The Portuguese parked differences with owner Roman Abramovich to return to Stamford Bridge after leaving Real Madrid, winning another league crown and League Cup before being sacked in December 2015.
Jose Mourinho ended up returning to Chelsea for a second stint (PA)
“For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don’t regret because it was a decision that I made with my heart,” Mourinho, now back in charge of Real Madrid, said.
“And I think it is nature that says something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I think it’s nature. I did it for love.
“I went back with the feeling of, yes, I go home, but with big responsibility because what I did before is history, and you don’t want to destroy your legacy.”
Manchester United are looking to bring in a new left-back this summer
Manchester United have been linked with a £30m move for Club Brugge defender Joaquin Seys following on from Newcastle United’s hardline stance to keep Lewis Hall this summer. The Reds reportedly had an initial enquiry for Hall knocked back by the Magpies, who have reiterated the left-back is not for sale.
Newcastle have already sold Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali and can’t afford to lose any more key players as they prepare for life under new boss Matthias Jaissle. As a result, Man United will reportedly turn their attention to Seys as an alternative to the England international.
Advertisement
That’s according to the Sun, who say United, along with Arsenal and the Magpies, are keen on signing the Belgian international this summer.
The report claims United will have competition from Aston Villa and Portuguese giants Benfica and Porto, should they move to sign the left-back, who caught the eye for his country at this summer’s World Cup.
It adds that Michael Carrick’s side, Arsenal and Villa have all enquired about the Club Brugge star following extensive scouting missions.
Advertisement
The defender has three years remaining on his current contract, with Brugge in no rush to sell the rising star.
However, the £30m asking price reportedly won’t put Manchester United off, with the club looking to address their long-standing issues at full-back this summer.
The club are looking for a successor to Luke Shaw, though United are also looking to strengthen other areas of the pitch ahead of a return to the Champions League.
Advertisement
Arsenal have reportedly scouted Seys, with Mikel Arteta given a detailed report on the player.
Aston Villa are looking for a replacement for Lucas Digne, who has returned to PSG, leaving Emery with somewhat of a void at left-back.
Like United, Villa will be playing in the Champions League next season and want to add more quality to their ranks for that competition.
A world-class field is headlined by the likes of Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who has endured a stop-start season and faces fierce competition in what should be an electrifying 800m event, with Switzerland’s Audrey Werro, the fastest woman in the world this year, and Femke Broeders-Bol – stepping up from her usual 400m hurdles – also on the startlist.
Hodgkinson’s training partner and new Commonwealth Games 800m champion Georgia Hunter Bell is in action but only in the 1,500m, while reigning European 100m champion Dina Asher-Smith is back to defend her title alongside another British hope in world 200m silver medallist Amy Hunt.
Sporting platforms do not just produce gruelling contests; they also generate off-the-field stories that are revered for decades. One such story was shared by Indian boxer Narender Berwal, who returned from the Commonwealth Games with a silver medal. During a felicitation ceremony at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, Berwal shared an anecdote from 2015, when he fought a boxer from Pakistan in the World Military Games. After Berwal won the match, he engaged in a hilarious conversation with his Pakistani opponent. As he recounted the exchange, even PM Modi was left in splits.
Political relations between India and Pakistan have been tense for decades. Narrating the story, Berwal revealed how he was cautioned by the Indian military not to lose against his opponent, given the ongoing border conflicts between the two nations.
“Since we were talking about Pakistan, a story came to my mind, sir. It was the 2015 World Military Games, and my first fight was scheduled against a boxer from Pakistan. Because it was the Military Games, I received calls from officials telling me, ‘You must not lose to Pakistan,’” he revealed.
Advertisement
Berwal went on to win the bout, but both fighters suffered facial cuts, which led to them visiting a hospital together.
“I won the first round 4-1 and the second round 3-2, but both of us got cuts. I won the fight, and afterwards, we both went to the hospital to get stitches.”
Berwal continued: “In 2014, you [referring to PM Modi] became the Prime Minister for the first time. The army coach who was with us was named Narendra Rana. The Pakistani boxer thought about it for a while and then said to me, ‘Brother, can I say something?’ I said, ‘Yes, go ahead.’”
#WATCH | “Pakistani boxer said to me ‘Aapka naam Narender hai, aapke coach ka naam Narender hai, aapke Pradhan Mantri ka naam Narendra hai. Mujhe Narendra naam se nafrat ho gayi hai’…” says Heavyweight boxer and silver medallist Narender Berwal narrating his conversation with a… pic.twitter.com/qvmwO5D2sz
The Pakistani boxer then remarked: “Aapka naam Narender hai, aapke coach ka naam Narender hai, aapke Pradhan Mantri ka naam Narendra hai. Mujhe Narendra naam se nafrat ho gayi hai” (“Your name is Narender, your coach’s name is Narender, and your Prime Minister’s name is Narendra. I have started to hate the name Narendra”). As Berwal shared the story, PM Modi could not hold back his laughter.
At his residence, PM Modi held one-on-one conversations with several athletes, lauding their contributions to taking India’s sporting journey to new heights.
Featured Video Of The Day
Yamal Laughs At Paredes vs Gavi ‘Fight Of The Year’ Poster During Parade
Demi Vollering won the final stage of the Women’s Tour de France and retained her yellow jersey. This is her second Tour victory, following her win in 2023.
In football, Monaco pulled off an upset against Liverpool in a pre-season friendly, whilst Marseille beat Bilbao. Manchester City beat Atlético Madrid, whilst Arsenal lost to Dortmund. In tennis, Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati tournament.
CM Punk is one of the most popular stars in WWE. While the fans love him, some members of the roster are not so fond of the Second City Saint. One such star is former Intercontinental Champion, ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio.
During a recent Meet & Greet ahead of the SummerSlam Premium Live Event, the self-proclaimed King of the Luchadors was seen demanding a kid stop wearing any Punk merchandise. Mysterio said that if the kid wants to come and get an autograph from him, then the young fan should not be wearing any Punk merchandise.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
“Hey man! I know you got me to sign this ‘Dirty Dom’ card, but you got to get into a different shirt. No more. You can’t come up to me with those CM Punk merch on. Alright? Anything… I’ll take Penta, anything else, but CM Punk. You promise me on that.” Dominik Mysterio said.
Dominik Mysterio still gave the kid an autograph, but he made the young fan to promise that next time he would not be wearing any Punk merchandise during the next Meet & Greet.
Advertisement
When Will CM Punk Defend His WWE Undisputed Title?
A couple of weeks ago, on Night 1 of the SummerSlam Premium Live Event, the Second City Saint managed to retain his championship against the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
The following night, a new number one contender for Punk’s title was determined. It was none other than a returning Kevin Owens. On the following episode of SmackDown, Owens confronted the Second City Saint and promised that he would be the one to dethrone Punk.
Following the war of words, Kevin Owens ran into SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis backstage and named the date and place when he wanted to challenge CM Punk for the Undisputed title. Owens demanded that he wanted to wrestle the self-proclaimed Best in the World in his home country, Canada.
WWE is prepping for its Canada tour, and as part of that tour, an episode of SmackDown is set to take place in Toronto, Canada. It will take place on the 21st of August. Thus, Owens will be challenging Punk on that episode of SmackDown.
Advertisement
Do you think Kevin Owens can dethrone Punk?
Why did you not like this content?
Advertisement
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
Get all the hottest wrestling news FIRST by clicking here
Having put the Nusa option on hold due to its excessive costs, Tony D’Amico has confidently focused on other options.
For example, according to a report in Corriere dello Sport, he’s reopened the possibility of signing Gabriel Martinelli, 25, a Brazilian national team and Arsenal winger, whom Roma could approach because his contract with the Gunners expires in a year.
Advertisement
The biggest obstacle? His salary. Martinelli earns €11 million gross, and the Giallorossi wouldn’t want to go above €9 million, given the Friedkins’ self-imposed salary cap.
Advertisement
The agency representing him, Roc Nation, also has Lyon’s Malick Fofana and Real Madrid’s Endrick in its stable, players for whom Roma has made enquiries, making a more determined bid in the case of the Belgian.
Arsenal remain convinced that an agreement isn’t so impossible to reach: Tzolis has already arrived in that role, and Martinelli, as mentioned, has a contract that expires in less than twelve months, which could persuade the seller to offer a discount, reaching €40-45 million.
Shaun Murphy broke Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 12-year record for the most unanswered points in a professional match as he thrashed Matthew Selt 6-0 at the China Open in Taiyuan.
Murphy, who also equalled the record of four consecutive centuries, opened the first-round tie with breaks of 18, 61, 132, 103, 139, 113 and 41 for a new record of 607 points without reply.
“It’s like a cricket score isn’t it?” Murphy told WST. “I can’t believe it, I’m over the moon.
“I knew I was close at the interval, but I didn’t want to go looking for it on any sites or anything, As a sportsperson, when you do find yourself in that bubble, in that flow, you just want to stay in it.
“Ideally I wouldn’t have had the interval, I would have just carried on. But it was a delight to play for a great crowd out there. Thrilled.
Advertisement
“I haven’t set many records throughout my career and I’m sure someone at some stage will come along and beat that one, but to be part of snooker history in that way is a great thrill.”
O’Sullivan set the previous record of 556 unanswered points in a 6-0 win against Ricky Walden at the 2014 Masters.
Murphy compiled successive century breaks in frames two to five and joins Mark Allen and Neil Robertson as the only players to have achieved the feat twice.
Meanwhile, O’Sullivan won six straight frames after falling 2-0 behind to beat Jackson Page 6-2, but world number one Judd Trump’s unbeaten start to the season was halted in a 6-3 defeat to Noppon Saengkham.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login