The Stratford arena: Olympic birth, West Ham home, athletics host
The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, restoring Russian athletes' access to many international qualifiers ahead of Los Angeles 2028 while leaving decisions on flags, anthems and full national symbols unresolved. Several international federations, including World Athletics, are maintaining bans and legal challenges are being signalled.
Arsenal has agreed a permanent transfer of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas, paving the way for the Belgium winger to depart after three-and-a-half years. He has played 174 times for Arsenal, scoring 36 goals, including a late winner at West Ham that helped keep the title bid alive. His final appearance for Arsenal was the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, where he assisted Havertz before the shootout.
Josh Kerr has broken Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year mile world record in London and now aims to win Commonwealth gold in Glasgow 2026 with the Commonwealth Mile, while the event shifts to a non-Olympic cycle. He is driving a data‑driven, bespoke kit program to chase 3:42 per mile at the Diamond League before the Games.
British athlete Josh Kerr has broken Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year-old mile world record with a time of 3:42.66 at the London Diamond League. The performance caps Project 222, a program of training and gear innovations, and comes in front of a packed stadium as Kerr continues pursuing further middle‑distance targets.
UK music charts have seen Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In extend its lead as the longest-running No. 1 in UK history, spending 19 non-consecutive weeks at the top. Reports from The Guardian, Reuters, Independent and BBC Business confirm the track’s record and discuss cultural implications amid streaming-driven fragmentation.
London has submitted its bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. A deal with West Ham United and London Stadium LLP ensures the London Stadium will be used, while UK government and Mayor of London support the bid. The host city will be announced in September 2026.
Bruno Fernandes and co. see off Leeds United in a shootout after a 1-1 draw in the first Gaelic Games stadium game since 2009. The match ends amid fan invasions and a late crossbar hit as Mazraoui secures the win in the shootout.
West Ham has signed Israel international Solomon for about £5m with add-ons as they rebuild after relegation. He is set to improve the attack while the club targets immediate promotion back to the Premier League. Public reaction includes online backlash over his Israel advocacy, but fans hope his footballing impact will be decisive.