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Max Verstappen ordered by Red Bull to stop staying up late playing video games before

HENRY CLARK IN SPA: Max Verstappen, 26, was up until the early hours on race day in Budapest, competing in virtual races online before stuttering to a fifth-place finish on a disastrous afternoon. Whether Verstappen sticks to these new rules is an entirely different matter altogether. Helmut Marko inadvertently revealed Verstappen had gone skiing in the build-up to April's Japanese Grand Prix, raising the question of whether he had breached the 'no dangerous sports clause' in his contract.

BBC pundit Paula Radcliffe wishes Dutch volleyball player who was jailed for raping a

MIKE KEEGAN IN PARIS: BBC pundit and Olympian Paula Radcliffe has wished luck to a Dutch paedophile who raped a 12-year-old girl. The former World and European champion runner, in Paris for the broadcaster, made the staggering comment during a radio interview. Beach volleyball player Steven Van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19.

MIKE KEEGAN IN PARIS: A message from David Beckham, a coffee from the UK's top barista and a warning to put the lid down on the toilet await Team GB's athletes when they arrive at the Olympics.

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MIKE KEEGAN IN PARIS: The disgraced 39-year-old would have been a shoo-in to land the honour had she picked up the one medal she needed to become Britain's most successful female Olympian ever.

Max Verstappen has reportedly been warned by Red Bull that he can no longer stay up gaming until 3am the night before a race after previously crashing at the Hungary GP.

RIATH AL-SAMARRAI IN PARIS: As ever, his journey to contentment has been a battle of wills and a point contested fiercely by his survival instincts on one side of the net and painful truths on the other.

NEW DAN EVANS: We have a six-bedroom apartment for the male tennis players and there's an ongoing challenge to see who can collect the most pin badges from different nations.

Olympic football CHAOS as Argentina and Morocco are called back out to finish final three

Argentina and Morocco's players returned to the pitch to finish their opening match of the men's Olympic football tournament over an hour after the match was delayed, as the North Africans eventually earned a 2-1 win in remarkable circumstances. Both sets of teams were forced to leave the field after Moroccan fans invaded the pitch after Argentina had scored a equalising goal in the 106th minute of the match. Argentina had fought back from 2-0 down to appear to have snatched a point in the match.

EXCLUSIVE

DAVID COVERDALE IN PARIS: As it turns out, we only need the 19-year-old Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix to fall into the water off the side of the pool for the purpose of our pictures.

IAN HERBERT: Since Russia's invasion, 462 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed and Magazova's report details the stories of five, with devastating understatement

The queen of Team GB's dressage team was sensationally banned from the sport just days before the Paris Olympics after being accused of whipping a horse on its legs more than 24 times.

The most controversial man at the Olympics: Mail Sport tracks down convicted child rapist

EXCLUSIVE: The undercover heavies waiting on Platform Nine were the first sign a storm was coming. Eight burly men, one wearing an LA Lakers basketball vest, ready for the arrival of Steven van de Velde at Gare du Nord. Having boarded the Eurostar at Rotterdam Centraal, the beach volleyball player was scheduled to set foot in Paris at 14.43 from a carriage that had been reserved for the Dutch Olympic team. As his train approached, the police presence swelled. The gendarmerie arrived in squads of four, most carrying large guns, in anticipation of an angry reception for the most controversial competitor at these Games.

DAVID COVERDALE IN PARIS: While the Games have already begun, with rugby sevens and football both kicking off on Wednesday, the official opening is set to take place on the River Seine.

Antoine Dupont delivers individual brilliance as France unofficially open their Olympics in Paris with a rugby sevens triumph over Uruguay... after an opening draw with USA

NIK SIMON AT THE STADE DE FRANCE: With a victorious strike on the bell from the Notre-Dame Cathedral, these games were declared unofficially open. Paris's iconic building is under restoration from the devastating fire of 2019 and one of its bells has been given a temporary home behind the rugby posts at the Sevens. On Wednesday night, Antoine Dupont's team-mate, Jefferson-Lee Joseph, was given the honour of ringing it, as France beat Uruguay to kick-start their Olympic campaign. This was the sporting curtain-raiser before Friday's opening ceremony and as an occasion it was a resounding success. Locals belted out chants of 'Allez les Bleus', arriving with homemade banners, mostly featuring messages for their star scrum-half. In his short Sevens career, Dupont is more familiar with an impact role from the bench but here he was asked to bring his big-game experience to the starting team.

EXCLUSIVE

NIK SIMON: In a country caught up in election riots and rows about E-coli pollution in the River Seine, Dupont offers a more reassuring picture. A natural-born winner.

Former world's fastest man says 99 PER CENT of Olympic sprinters are dirty - and opens up

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY DANIEL MATTHEWS: It is a Friday lunchtime and Tim Montgomery is back behind the wheel. Back on the 'road to redemption'. That's how he refers to this work trip - a short drive south to see a client in Orlando. Sometimes he will rack up 660 miles going to and from Miami. Occasionally he will travel cross country, all the way to Arizona. It's a real slog - particularly for a man whose work once took fewer than 10 seconds. A man who once moved faster than anyone else on earth. Fortunately Montgomery has grown used to long journeys. Now 49, and after a punishing fall, he's been climbing back up the mountain for more than a decade.

RICHARD GIBSON: It was a delivery that threatened to slice Mikyle Louis in two that drew the biggest gasp during the most exhilarating, breathtaking, sustained display of fast bowling in this country.

DAVID COVERDALE IN PARIS: Jones was provisionally suspended by the UK Anti-Doping Agency earlier this year after refusing to provide a urine sample to drug testers in December 2023.

Fulham are reportedly close to agreeing a record-breaking £35m transfer for Emile Smith Rowe with Arsenal as the midfielder targets a move away from the Gunners after growing frustrated.

Ugly scenes mar Argentina's 2-1 defeat by Morocco at Olympics as fans boo national anthem

Ugly scenes marred Argentina's match against Morocco in their opening fixture of the men's Olympic football tournament with riot police required to protect players after fans stormed onto the pitch. The match had been highly anticipated amid Argentina players signing a racist chant following their victory at the Copa America earlier this month, targeted at French players. Argentina's national anthem was booed pre-match, with the South Americans then going 2-0 down against a well-backed Moroccan team in Saint-Etienne.

Ben White 'considering a shock return to the England set-up' after Gareth Southgate's

Arsenal defender Ben White is reportedly considering a shock return to the England national team set-up following Gareth Southgate 's departure. The 26-year-old sensationally ruled himself out of international selection in March ahead of the Three Lions' friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. The former Brighton player's decision to withdraw from international football was almost two years in the making, but it reportedly originated from a pointed remark made by Southgate's assistant Steve Holland.

Italy star Riccardo Calafiori is reportedly set to undergo his medical ahead of completing a £33m move to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta closes in on his first outfield signing of the summer.

CHRIS WHEELER IN LA: United's 29-man squad left for a pre-season tour of the US on Wednesday without Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is the only senior full-back on the trip.

Israel's Olympic football opener with Mali greeted by heavy police presence as national

Israel's participation in the Paris Olympics got under way amid a ring of steel and a chorus of boos at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night. Over 1,000 French police, including masked counter-terrorist officers, created an additional security barrier prior to the nation's clash with Mali in their first game in the men's football competition. Israel's national anthem was booed by some sections in the approximately half-full stadium prior to kick-off, and a group of spectators stood in a line wearing t-shirts with initials that spelled 'Free Palestine' in protest over the war in Gaza.

Roy Keane hits out at excessive adoration of stars, while Gary Neville compares trend to

Keane has made a name for himself in punditry with his brutal assessment of players, including his criticism of England's porformances at Euro 2024 and Manchester United's worst-ever Premier League season. Players usually have to do a lot to earn the praise of Keane when he is on punditry duty, and the former United captain has now given an insight into why he is often delivering harsh criticism during his work on TV.

Moussa Diaby admitted he was 'thrilled' after completing his £50m transfer to Saudi Arabian side AL-Ittihad just 12 months after the 25-year-old winger initially joined Aston Villa.

Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett opens up on his mental health struggles in the build-up to UFC

Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett has opened up on his mental health struggles during his training camp for UFC 304. The Liverpudlian returns to the octagon on Saturday night as he takes on American counter-part King Green in a lightweight bout at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. However, he's now revealed that there was a possibility that he withdrew from the fight after enduring 'the worst camp of my life'. 

Haaland up and running, Bobb shows why he'll go far and Celtic look sharp: FIVE THINGS WE

JACK GAUGHAN IN CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA -Manchester City's preseason tour of the United States got off to a shaky start with a 4-3 loss to Celtic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Tuesday. Following a severe weather warning and brief evacuation, City went with young lineup outside of veteran starters Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips. JACK GAUGHAN was in Chapel Hill North Carolina, where he picked out five things he learned from the match.

The Greek heroes accused of staging a motorbike crash and the Algerian judoka handed a

The opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics is not until Friday night, but we have already had our fair share of controversy before the action has even got underway. On Tuesday afternoon, three-time Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin withdrew from competing at her fourth Games after a video emerged of her 'whipping' a horse up to 24 times during a coaching session. Dressage star Dujardin has apologised for her 'error of judgement' in the clip which she claims was filmed four years ago.

Rasmus Hojlund becomes Man United's new No 9 as the Dane takes over the special shirt

Rasmus Hojund (left) has been confirmed as Manchester United's new No 9 after taking over the central striker shirt number vacated by the club's former French star Anthony Martial (right). Hojlund took time to get settled at United following his £72m move from Italian side Atalanta last year as the club chose to cash-in on his potential as one of Europe's brightest young prospects.

Gary Neville admits watching pal Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struggle at Man United 'was tough'

Gary Neville has admitted he found it 'tough' to watch his friend and former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struggle during his final days as Manchester United manager. Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as United boss on an initial interim basis in December 2018 before being handed the job permanently four months later after making a positive start in the dugout at Old Trafford. He went on to guide United to second place in 2020-21, but the wheels fell off the following season and Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021 after a 4-1 defeat by Watford.

MAN UNITED CONFIDENTIAL: Red Devils lighten the load in La La Land, Erik ten Hag takes his

CHRIS WHEELER: Manchester United's stars will land in Los Angeles later today relieved that there will be no repeat of the heavy schedule that clogged up their tour to the US last summer. In particular, it was felt that the game against Real Madrid in Houston, which involved Erik ten Hag and his players making a whistle-stop round trip of more than 2,600 miles to return to their base in San Diego, was a tipping point. There were concerns that the arduous pre-season was a factor in United's chronic injury problems last season. Kobbie Mainoo injured his ankle in the 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid and did not return to the squad until November.

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'Don't drink Guinness!': Watch Molly McCann react to her own stunning body transformation, as Paddy Pimblett teases team-mate with old photo from her debut ahead of UFC 304 clash

McCann has been training with her good friend and fellow UFC star Paddy Pimblett ahead of the event on Sunday night in Manchester. She is set to return to the octagon for the first time since February when she beat Diana Belbita by submission, and is the heavy favourite to log her second victory in as many fights at the event. After signing for the UFC in 2018, she debuted against Gillian Robertson on five weeks notice, losing by technical submission before going on a run of three wins as she found her feet in the promotion.

David de Gea was reportedly ready to return to Manchester United on the provision that Erik ten Hag was no longer manager before the Dutchman was kept on for another season.

Hopeful Liverpool fans thought Trent Alexander-Arnold could be about to sign a new contract with the club after spotting seats had been covered up at the Anfield Road End of the stadium.

Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar has admitted that the Slovenian federation's decision not to select his girlfriend was a contributing factor behind his late withdrawal.

Kevin De Bruyne and Man City are set for SHOWDOWN talks over his future after Pep

JACK GAUGHAN IN NORTH CAROLINA: Manchester City will look to determine Kevin De Bruyne's future plans after Pep Guardiola confirmed the talisman is remaining at the club for the final year of his contract. De Bruyne has been the subject of intense interest from the Saudi Pro League, as Mail Sport revealed in January, with Al-Ittihad hopeful of luring him away from the Etihad Stadium. The 33-year-old talked up the prospect of a move to the Middle East during the European Championship before insisting he was happy at City.

Which football stars are competing at the Olympics? One Man City forward is looking to

The football is back. Consign the Euros and Copa America to memory. At 2pm on Wednesday, as Uzbekistan take on Spain and Argentina face Morocco, football kicks off the Olympics in Paris.  Its drama will only end a week before the Premier League season begins and we are offered a host of intriguing story lines. Major stars from across the men's and women's games will feature, with a few big-name coaches thrown in for good measure.  Among them we've got a Ballon d'Or winner, World Cup winners, Champions League victors, and many more.

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OLIVER HOLT: There was an eerie atmosphere at venues during the Tokyo Olympics. It felt sad because so much of the joy of the Olympics is about the athletes interacting with the crowd.

New Zealand's Olympic Committee says its women's soccer team had their training session disrupted by a drone flown by a staff member of the Canadian team they face in Group A on Thursday.

Man United fans rave over 'leaked' Old Trafford tunnel redesign after video shows

Manchester United supporters have heaped praise on the club's INEOS sporting team after leaked footage posted online showcased an overhaul of the existing Old Trafford tunnel. Discussions are ongoing over whether to knock Old Trafford down and build a new ground or upgrade the existing infrastructure that is in need of a serious upgrade. In the meantime United's board are already investing in modernising parts of the stadium and have already renovated part of the ground for players and staff to relax in before matches.

EXCLUSIVE

EXCLUSIVE: For the first time at the Olympics, the athletes' village will contain a creche. No nation will be putting it to better use than Great Britain, whose 327-strong squad includes a record number of mothers.

The countdown to the Olympic Games in Paris is upon us and dropping in Saturday's edition of the Daily Mail (July 27th), Mail Sport have provided an amazing A2 wallchart to get you ready for it.

Team GB star Keely Hodgkinson vows to make one MASSIVE purchase if she wins gold at the

EXCLUSIVE BY DAVID COVERDALE: An Olympic gold medal is not the only shiny thing Keely Hodgkinson has her eye on this summer. 'I saw a really nice car on Pinterest,' she tells Mail Sport. Should she win the 800 metres in Paris, Hodgkinson will have at least £38,000 to put towards her dream car - which retails from £55,000 - thanks to the prize money offered by World Athletics to gold medallists.

I followed Tiger Woods for a couple of holes on Friday and it's a peculiar kind of relationship he shares these days with the game he redefined. Love, he would call it a couple of hours later.

JONATHAN McEVOY: When will McLaren realise that at this moment, they have in Lando Norris their best chance of winning the drivers' championship since 2008?

   

more stars of sport

Mail Sport's racing expert Robin Goodfellow delivers his tips for Thursday's meetings at Doncaster, Sandown, Worcester, Newbury and Yarmouth.

DOMINIC KING: Haatem has become a flagbearer for the Emir Of Qatar's operation and paid back a chunk of the £3million that was spent on him when he won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

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