Team GB notched another Olympic medal at Paris 2024 on Monday night but even more excitingly for us Mancs, it was an outright gold for Wigan’s very own Keely Hodgkinson.
After having narrowly missed out on the top prize at Tokyo 2020, claiming the silver on debut, the 22-year-old has now brought her wait for an Olympic gold medal to an end with just her second attempt.
Born in Atherton, the homegrown hero and much-loved member of Leigh Harriers and Athletics Club had plenty of people all over Greater Manchester right behind her.
You can see the reactions to Keely Hodgkinson and her incredible 800m win in the studio and from some very happy local faces down below:
With ex-gymnast turned pundit Gabby Logan and Team GB legend Jessica Ennis-Hill cheering her on every step of the way live inside the Stade de France, not to mention another native Wigan athlete Ella Toone cheering her on through the telly, she had support with every superb stride.
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As you can see, the BBC Sport cameras were also fixated on her friends watching from the stands, former heptathlete Denise Lewis and her fellow Harriers watching back home.
Moreover, Man United Women’s star Toone – who both went to Longworth High in Tyldesley and virtually all of the same after-school clubs during their younger days – had a very special message for her childhood friend and newly crowned Olympic champion.
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Safe to say that secondary has produced two pretty remarkable pros and inspirational figures for the next generation when it comes to women in sports.
Ella Toone sent a wholesome message to Keely Hodgkinson after she won her Olympic gold medal 🥇
Crossing the line in an impressive 1.56.72 and cruising a good chunk of the race before turning of the afterburners on the home stretch, Hodgkinson became just the 10th British woman to win athletics gold in Olympics history.
This was also the UK’s first Olympic track title since Mo Farah won that iconic 5,000m and 10,000m double at Rio 2016 when Keely was just 14.
Speaking to the media after the win, she said: “I’ve worked really hard for the last year and I think you can see how much it meant to me when I crossed the line. I can’t believe I have finally done it!” We’re so proud of you, Keely, and we can’t wait for you and hopefully more Mancs to get a hero’s welcome.
Man City fan jailed after causing £10k damage to a police vehicle following Champions League victory
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester City fan has been jailed for his part in large-scale disorder following the club’s Champions League victory.
The court heard how, following Manchester City’s Champions League Final win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in Turkey on Saturday 10 June 2023, jubilant fans flocked to the streets of Manchester city centre for late-night celebrations.
The large influx of fans in high spirits prompted a police response to ‘ensure public safety’ and ‘prevent any public disorder’, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
However, the disorder did begin to escalate despite police presence.
A number of fans, including 22-year-old Leon Blackett, scaled a police vehicle and proceeded to jump up and down on it, which subsequently caused more than £10,000 worth of damage, and resulted in the vehicle having to be written off.
#JAILED | Leon Blackett (14/01/2003) of Craigmore Avenue, has been been handed a three-month jail term for causing £10k worth of damage to a police vehicle following the club's Champions League win in 2023, along with 41 months for other offences.
Following the disorder, an investigation was launched by GMP’s City Centre policing, with officers obtaining social media and CCTV footage that helped them to identify those responsible.
Blackett admitted to the offence, after he was arrested on Thursday 19 October 2023.
Following admitting to the offence, Blackett was sentenced to 44 months in prison – a three-month jail term for this football-related offence, along with 41 months for possession of a bladed article and a domestic related communications offence.
He has also been given a seven-year Football Banning Order, commencing on the day Blackett received his sentence.
“The actions by Blackett in the wake of Manchester City’s historic Champions League Final victory were completely unacceptable,” commented PC Matt Ford, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit.
“This is a timely reminder to those who commit crimes while following the football in another country, we will seek prosecutions for unacceptable behaviour.”
Featured Image – GMP
Sport
Six Nations to stay free-to-air as broadcasters strike new TV deal
Danny Jones
Good news for rugby fans as the Guinness Six Nations is set to remain free-to-air for the foreseeable future following a new deal being struck between the competition and its current broadcasters.
With the 2025 tournament approaching its conclusion, the organisers are already looking ahead to the next year and how to contest will be marketed, with many predicting the rights to be snapped up by a major sporting channel.
Fortunately, however, the Six Nations‘ present coverage partners have managed to keep the games as part of the current TV license package after striking a new four-year deal.
The agreement between BBC and ITV, who air all of the annual fixtures between them at the moment, will see the pair host the matches until 2029 at the very least.
As mentioned, it was thought that broadcasters and streaming platforms like TNT Sports might secure the licensing for at least part of the tournament as they continue to expand their large and varied service but, for now, UK coverage is staying right where it is.
Under the new contract, ITV will show 10 games per season, including every England match, while the BBC will air the remaining five fixtures.
BBC will also host all Wales and Scotland home games bar when the two nations play England at Murrayfieldand the Principality Stadiums, respectively.
Better still, not only will the men’s competition be staying free-to-air but BBC will continue to show every game during the Women’s Six Nations as the interest in female rugby continues to grow.
In fact, it’s having quite a boom here in Greater Manchester on its own.
Greater Mancs making strides for the next generation.
This year’s tournament has been as blockbuster and nail-baiting as ever, with England still in with a chance of winning the whole thing if they beat Wales with a bonus point – provided France fail to beat Scotland in the final game.
England’s last game gets underway at 4:45pm and it’s all to play for.
You can find all the best places to watch the remainder of the action down below:
Danny Jones -
6th August 2024 
