Connect with us

Sports

Zharnel Hughes beaten to 200m gold by athlete under anti-doping investigation

Published

on

Zharnel Hughes was all smiles after sprinting to European 200m silver because perhaps there’s a chance a gold might one day be in the post.

Hughes was beaten to the 200m title by German sprinter Owen Ansah, who is racing at the Alexander Stadium despite facing a possible four-year ban.

Last month, shortly before competing at the Diamond League in Monaco, Ansah allegedly failed to submit to a doping test at home. Germany’s anti-doping agency has alleged an anti-doping rule violation and is seeking a four-year suspension, which he contests.

Owen Ansah won gold ahead of Zharnel Hughes
Owen Ansah won gold ahead of Zharnel Hughes (PA)

Sports law is all about process, though sometimes that process can produce deeply unsatisfactory situations. The capacity crowd at the Alexander Stadium may well have to wait weeks, months or even years to know whether the result they witnessed will ultimately stand.

“I hope everyone will know my name now,” said Ansah. “This race was just more for me. At a championship you never know what can happen.”

Hughes came in ranked first in Europe and was seeking to complete a first-ever sweep of the men’s and women’s 100m and 200m European titles for Great Britain.

Advertisement

After winning 100m bronze, Ansah said he was “not afraid” of potentially losing the medal later. However, German officials have decided not to select him for Saturday’s men’s 4x100m relay amid concerns that any subsequent sanction could affect his team-mates.

Ansah, the first German sprinter ever to run under 20 seconds for 200m and under 10 seconds for 100m, remains free to compete while the German agency carries out what it called a “results management process”.

The case concerns a rule barring athletes from evading, refusing or failing to submit to doping tests. Ansah denies the allegation, claiming testers turned up at his home as he was leaving for the airport. He said he could not provide a urine sample as he had recently used the bathroom and said he was not informed of the consequences of not providing one. In a separate case, former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was recently given a four-year ban for refusing a test.

Hughes, the European champion over the distance four years ago, was beaten square. Whether the result ultimately stands is another matter and he gave a diplomatic “no comment” to enquiries about whether Ansah should have been on the start line.

Advertisement
Ansah said he will ‘not accept’ the proposed sanction and his lawyer said he has never refused a doping test
Ansah said he will ‘not accept’ the proposed sanction and his lawyer said he has never refused a doping test (Getty)

“A medal is a medal and I’m on the podium, that’s all that matters to me,” he said. “I’ve had an up-and-down season where my body just hasn’t been feeling right, to be very honest with you.

“I’m a little healthier now. Credit to my team, who have helped me massively and done their very best to give me the best chance possible to be here.

“It’s just been feeling a little nervy. There are times when I’ve felt like, ‘OK, my body’s feeling well,’ and then shortly after that my body might feel off again and not be firing the way it’s supposed to.”

At 31, Hughes admits his best days may not be ahead of him. It’s three years since – in the space of less than a fortnight – he became the first European to break 9.85 for 100m and 19.85 for 200m.

And while silver here was an improvement on his showing at the recent Commonwealth Games, where he came home a distant sixth in his semi-final, he still thinks there is more to give.

Advertisement

“You can’t live in the past,” he added. “Unfortunately, this year, it’s just sport. You have to work through it and move on.

Hughes accepted his silver
Hughes accepted his silver (PA)

“In this sport you can’t dwell on anything. You have 24 hours to feel your emotions and go through everything you have to go through, then it’s history.

“I really gave it my best and I want to make these last few years count. I’m 31 now and people say I’m getting old, but I don’t feel old. I still feel like I’ve got plenty of youth left in me.”

Ansah’s future is also unclear, though he insists he “will not accept” any sanction levelled against him.

“Our client has at no point refused to undergo a doping test,” said his lawyer, Rainer Tarek Cherkeh, who also represented Hamburg defender Mario Vuskovic during his unsuccessful challenge to a doping ban following a positive test for EPO.

Advertisement

“He has at no point refused to provide a sample. And he has at no point said, or given the impression, that he did not wish to undergo a doping test.”

:: Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. From everyday goals to world-class dreams, Novuna backs the ambition of millions across the UK — from supporting British businesses and individuals’ plans, to powering British Athletics on the global stage. Find out more at www.novuna.co.uk

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Teenage British cyclist Finlay Tarling dies after tragic incident

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Teenage British cyclist Finlay Tarling died Friday following a tragic incident in the Volta a Portugal race, NSN Cycling Team announced to social media.

Tarling, 19, was run over by a car that entered the road, according to local reports. The driver reportedly missed the signs from stewards and entered the road going in the opposite direction of the race.

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal today,” NSN Cycling Team said on X. “Fin was a much loved member of our team but most importantly, he was a son, a brother, and a friend to so many. He will be deeply missed.”

Advertisement

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Finlay Tarling climbs the Tumble Mountain during stage 5 of the Tour of Great Britain in Wales.

Finlay Tarling of Israel-Premier Tech climbs the Tumble Mountain during stage 5 of the Tour of Great Britain from Pontypool to the Tumble on Sept. 6, 2025, in Wales, United Kingdom. (Huw Fairclough/Getty Images)

The incident occurred during the eighth stage of the race, between Melgaço and Fafe in northern Portugal. Tarling was immediately attended to by doctors. It wasn’t clear if other riders were involved.

“At this moment of profound dismay, the organization of the Volta a Portugal and the Portuguese Cycling Federation express their most heartfelt condolences to the family of Finlay Tarling, to his teammates, to the NSN Development Team, and to all his friends and loved ones,” organizers said on X.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Advertisement
Finlay Tarling presents flowers to his mother before stage 5 of the Tour of Great Britain.

Finlay Tarling of Israel-Premier Tech presents his mother with a bunch of flowers ahead of stage 5 of the Tour of Great Britain on Sept. 6, 2025, in Pontypool, Wales, United Kingdom. (Huw Fairclough/Getty Images)

The eighth stage of the race was stopped following the incident “as a sign of respect and mourning,” organizers added.

Portuguese President António José Seguro and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro both sent messages of condolence to the rider’s family.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Finlay Tarling competes during the 8th stage of the Volta a Portugal 2026 cycling race.

Finlay Tarling of Great Britain and NSN Cycling Team competes during the 8th stage from Melgaco to Fafe of the Volta a Portugal 2026 in Fafe, Portugal, on Aug. 14, 2026. (Miguel Lemos/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Tarling was the younger brother of Ineos Grenadiers cyclist Joshua Tarling. Tarling represented Great Britain on the road and track. He placed second in Stage 6 of the Tour du Rwanda earlier this year.

Advertisement

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Chelsea Green’s Future as WWE Women’s Champion Decided; She Sends a Message

Published

on

Chelsea Green had the best moment of her career earlier this month. Leaving four other women behind on the ladder, she rose to the top, grabbing the WWE Women’s Championship. However, a week later, she injured her eye socket, and this week came very close to relinquishing the title. In fact, for a moment, she had it given back only for the tide to turn.

Green has now broken the silence after the iconic opening segment on recent SmackDown, where she was called out as still the Women’s Champion. Although that is one condition too, as she’s been given 30 days to recover and likely some leeway not to defend the title, after that it’s up to the authority to decide. Chelsea, in celebration of this, posted two pictures of herself from that very segment on Instagram, along with a caption stating there is no hindrance now.

Advertisement

“There’s no stopping us now♥️” wrote Green.

Chelsea Green still wore the PERMANENT over INTERIM crossed-out top. Her bruised right eye socket was quite visible, emphasizing the seriousness of her injury. It is fortunate that it was limited to near the eye and not on the eye itself. Still, she managed to convince Nick Aldis, the real person behind the authoritative General Manager role, not to strip her of the championship, to which he agreed. It will be exciting to see how Green will be booked, whether amidst this injury or after she recovers.

Advertisement

Chelsea Green was confronted by Gunther, and later Matt Cardona came to the rescue

Frustrated by his constant exclusion, Gunther came out on SmackDown to confront Nick Aldis and also took a shot at Chelsea Green. After Aldis added Kevin Owens to the No. 1 Contender’s Match at SummerSlam Night 2, which Owens won, The Ring General took out his anger on Green and her husband, Matt Cardona, whom he disrespected.

What started as a heated verbal back-and-forth turned physical when Gunther mocked Cardona. Enraged by this, Matt charged at the former World Heavyweight Champion, making it an impromptu match. Despite Cardona beginning with a low blow, Gunther quickly dominated the contest and locked in a brutal Boston Crab, forcing Cardona to tap out.

Even after the bell rang, Gunther refused to release his hold, driving Green to tearfully beg for mercy. Gunther finally let go, walking away laughing as Cardona lay beaten and Green wept in the ring.