Sport
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Iran’s #BlueGirl and the shaming of football
Does world football have any purpose beyond profit? This is the question raised by the abject failure of the highest-governing body of the sport, FIFA, after the death of Sahar Khodayari.
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Battle of the titans launches Rugby World Cup
Whisper it quietly, but is rugby a better game than football? The World Cup kicks off in Tokyo this morning and all the world’s a stage as the giants of the game prepare for an epic battle.
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Cancer survivor swims Channel FOUR times
Could you have done it? Sarah Thomas swam 134 miles without stopping for 54 hours, fighting strong currents, hurting from salt water in her throat, and stung in the face by jelly fish.
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England basks in glorious Ashes comeback
Is Ben Stokes England’s greatest sportsperson? Stokes led the England cricket team to a thrilling, improbable victory against Australia on Sunday. It is his second spectacular feat in six weeks.
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Esports industry set to break $1bn barrier
An addictive waste of time or a serious competitive sport? After a US teenager won $3m in the first-ever Fortnite World Cup on Sunday, the debate over the future of esports has exploded.
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Mental strength triumphs in nail-biting finals
Are mental powers in sport more exciting than physical skills? Cricketer Ben Stokes and Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic performed under crushing pressure to seize victories on Sunday.
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‘Winning is the only thing that matters’
Is Phil Neville right? The coach of the England women’s team said his team did not deserve a heroes’ welcome because they had failed. But they have been part of a triumph for women’s sport…
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England lose but women’s football triumphs
Will the success of the Women’s World Cup help in the wider battle for women’s rights and equality? Many hope that millions of new fans will become a powerful movement for social justice.
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Cameroon ‘disgraces’ football in day of drama
Was it great entertainment or just terrible football? England’s 3-0 win over the West African side was overshadowed by chaos, as Cameroon’s players twice threatened to walk off the pitch.
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Nike mannequin wars: ‘Obese’. ‘Inspirational’.
Should all shops display plus-sized mannequins? Nike has led the way. But it has started a bitter row with some saying it is glorifying obesity and others praising the move as inspirational.
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Women’s World Cup: nearly 1m tickets sold
Could women’s football be as good as men’s? Launching tonight, this year’s Women’s World Cup is the biggest ever — with fans claiming women are more resilient and more exciting to watch.
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Ecstasy for Liverpool in Champions League glory
Liverpool held on to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on Saturday, in a night of triumph, tears and relief. It was the culmination of a tournament that has seen English clubs dominate Europe.
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RIP the Formula 1 legend who refused to die
Again and again, he cheated the grim reaper. But today, at 70, Niki Lauda has died. His life of indomitable willpower has been celebrated in films and books. What can we learn from his story?
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Caster Semenya refuses to submit to new ban
Yesterday, new rules for female athletes kicked in to cap testosterone levels, igniting an explosive mix of issues. For many, this is discrimination. For others, it is fairness in sport.
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Liverpool in ‘greatest comeback since Lazarus’
What happens when sport achieves greatness? Last night, Jurgen Klopp’s men overturned a 3-0 deficit to beat the best team in the world. Today, it is being hailed as the miracle of Anfield.