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Special Olympics 2017 – Day 2

On the morning after the opening ceremony for Special Olympics 2017 there were bronze, silver and gold medals glinting in the sun as serious competition got underway at venues across Sheffield. With 2600 athletes competing across twenty sports in thirteen Sheffield venues, the medals tally has begun to roll. Among the first winners were those in swimming events at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed introduces day two of our Special Olympics 2017 highlights.

Special Olympics 2017 – Day 1

Rain could do nothing to dampen the spirits for the opening ceremony at Bramall Lane of the Special Olympics 2017 GB National Games. Delegations from the nations and regions poured into the stadium for the lighting of the flame, accompanied by dancers, gymnasts, music and celebrity guests. “We’ll stop at nothing” the official song of the Games, sung by James Toseland, was a fitting statement of intent as the games got underway in venues across the city. With over 10,000 visitors to Sheffield, including 2,600 athletes plus their families, supporters, trainers and event volunteers, the Special Olympics 2017 GB National Games in Sheffield are off to a flying start. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed introduces the first of our daily Special Olympics 2017 highlights.

Rotherham teenager qualifies for world CrossFit Games

Sheffield College engineering student Murtaza Nadeem, 17, has qualified to compete in this year’s Reebok CrossFit Games to be held in Madison, Wisconsin from 3 to 6 August. Nadeem, from Rotherham, is the first British competitor in the 16 to 17 category to compete in the games. CrossFit incorporates elements of gymnastics, cycling, running and swimming to test stamina, strength, endurance, coordination and balance. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Homecoming for City of Sheffield lifeboat

The City of Sheffield RNLI lifeboat has been welcomed home in an unveiling at the National Emergency Services Museum, West Bar, where it is to remain following decommissioning. Named on 28 July 1989 at Whitby Lifeboat Station by the Duchess of Kent, the City of Sheffield lifeboat later served for fifteen years in Poole where she launched 557 times and saved 650 lives. The 26 ton vessel was funded mainly by Sheffield residents who contributed £435,000 towards the £560,000 costs as part of the Sheffield Lifeboat Appeal. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Channel 4 relocation could deliver £1bn to the local economy

Sheffield Council have released details of their bid to bring Channel 4 to Sheffield including visualisations of a TV production headquarters next to Sheffield Station. Sheffield is one of several cities that have thrown their hat into the ring in respond to a government consultation on moving the public service channel out of London. It is estimated a Sheffield headquarters could bring over 4,000 highly skilled jobs to the city by 2027. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

Cat cafe to open on Cemetery Road

Cat lovers will soon be able to walk into a coffee shop and enjoy a cuppa in the company of their furry friends. Tabby Teas cat cafe is set to open on Cemetery Road, Sharrow and aims to give a home to cats from animal rescue charities such as the Mill House Animal Sanctuary. The cat cafe concept originates from China and Japan where it has been popular with cat lovers who live in properties where animals are not allowed. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield celebrates ten years as City of Sanctuary

It is ten years since Sheffield was declared the UK’s first city of sanctuary for refugees and asylum seekers and celebrations are planned as part of Refugee Week 2017. A recent survey commisioned by the BBC indicated almost half of people in Sheffield (46 per cent) back the City of Sanctuary movement’s aim to welcome refugees and asylum seekers, but one third oppose the idea and 19 per cent expressed no view. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield legend Joe Cocker story told in new biopic

New documentary Joe Cocker: Mad Dog with Soul features never-before-seen footage of the Sheffield soul and blues legend including backstage at the celebrated 1969 Woodstock Festival. The recently released film, which was on show at Sheffield Doc/Fest tracks the star’s musical career and difficult journey to sobriety with archive footage and interviews with close associates. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to film director John Edginton.

Peace in the Park celebrates 15th year

The Peace in the Park festival returned to Sheffield for 2017 with the message of reclaiming peace in the world and the power of community action. The arts and music festival is celebrating its fifteenth year since it launched in 2003 and is still run entirely by volunteers. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!