Sports

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.

Special Olympics GB chiefs herald return to Sheffield

The return of Special Olympics GB to Sheffield is a great opportunity to raise the profile of the games, according to president Lawrie McMenemy and chair Murton Mann. McMenemy and Mann spoke to Sheffield Live! before the opening ceremony. The GB National Games are held once every four years and last took place in Sheffield in 1993. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

Torch arrives for Special Olympics 2017

The Special Olympics 2017 torch has arrived in Sheffield to accompany thousands of athletes and their supporters. The GB National Games are for athletes with learning disabilities and cover a wide range of sports including tennis, swimming and bowling. Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium will host 20,000 people for the opening ceremony, with ex-Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley headlining the event. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed caught up with torch carrier PC Leo Hawker in Meadowhall.

Sheffield gears up for Special Olympics 2017

Thousands of athletes from around the country have arrived in Sheffield for the start of this year’s Special Olympics GB National Games. The country’s largest multi-sports event for athletes with learning disabilities takes place over four days in venues across the city including English Institute of Sports, Ponds Forge and the Sheffield Hallam University City Athletics Stadium, The opening ceremony at Bramall Lane includes celebrity guests and local talent including Under the Stars, Team Power Stilts, Aim To Dance, Kansaze African Dancers, Chinese Lions Dance, Team Katalyst Dance & Gymnasts and the ParaCheer Cheerleaders. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

Olympic ice figure skaters comeback performance

Olympic figure skaters and former British national champions Nick Buckland and Penny Coomes made a successful comeback performance at Ice Sheffield. The professional skating pair were last in competition together at the World Championships in March 2016. Shortly after Coomes shattered her right knee cap in training and the injury has required intensive surgery and rehabilitation. Buckland and Coomes spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed at the English Institute for Sport.

Football referees need video technology – Clattenburg

Former premiership referee Mark Clattenburg has called for video technology to be introduced in football. Clattenburg spoke to Sheffield Live! after the under-14s final of the Youdan Trophy in which Sunderland beat Sheffield United 2-1. Clattenburg quit the premiership earlier this year to become head of referees in Saudi Arabia. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

Keith Hackett applauds Youdan Trophy success

Former top english referee Keith Hackett has called on businesses to take more notice of the Youdan Trophy football competition. The event, now into its third year, attracted 40 top flight academy teams with Seattle winning the under 16s title while Sunderland won the under 14s with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United. Hackett told Sheffield Live! the competition is gaining exposure at a fast rate and teams may have to be turned down in future years. Azz Mohammed reports.

Youdan Trophy showcases young football talent

The Youdan Trophy finals have taken place at Hallam Sports Park with Seattle winning the under-16s final and Sunderland the under-14s champions. Around nine hundred players from across the world came to Sheffield for the third year of the academy football tournament. Sunderland beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the under 14s final whilst reigning champions Seattle Sounders retained their title with a 4-2 victory over Everton in the under-16s. Former premier league referee Mark Clattenberg took charge of the under-16s final. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!