Schoolboy rower Liam Downes hopes to compete in the Olympics (photo: Chris Kay)

Britain’s Olympic hopes would weigh heavily on the shoulders of any athlete – especially a schoolboy. But at 6ft4in, rowing champion Liam Downes believes he’s built to take the strain.

While London prepares to host the 2012 Games, Downes, 17, is already looking ahead to the following tournament in Rio. “This is the last year I can qualify in junior competitions,” said Downes. “But hopefully I can go on to compete at the Olympics.”

Next month sees the second round of trials for the national junior rowing team at Eton, and Downes hopes that he can improve on his first stage performance in February.

“I wasn’t at my best in the first round as I had a bit of an injury, but I’ve been training hard and hopefully I can go flat out,” he said. Continue Reading

London's Olympic Stadium - Photo: Getty Images

West Ham United want to move into London’s Olympic Stadium, even if an athletic running track has to remain.

The club is believed to be involved in talks over how best to allow the track to remain in the future super-stadium.

Sources close to West Ham say the club believes a solution is possible to accommodate both football and athletics after the 2012 games, and that West Ham’s involvement could provide the best option. Continue Reading