Bianca Cook is determined to secure a “fairytale ending” to her taekwondo career by erasing her Olympic heartbreak in Paris next year.
The 31-year-old, who was forced to settle for gut-wrenching bronze medals in both Rio and Tokyo, has confirmed that next year’s Games in the French capital will be her last.
Cook, who married her long-term partner and fellow taekwondo champion Aaron Cook last year, fell on golden point to China’s Shuyin Lee in the 2016 semi-finals then lost to a last-second head-kick against Dabin Lee in Tokyo.
But she insists that, after shrugging off her most recent disappointment, she is more motivated than ever to complete her glittering career on a high.
“It’s definitely the last one I’m going for so I’m going to give it everything I’ve got,” Cook told the PA news agency.
“All I’ve got on my mind is getting to Paris and winning that gold. I know I’m still good enough and, if I can finish my career with a gold medal in Paris, it would be the fairytale ending.”
In the meantime Cook is hoping to make more history in her sport by becoming the first woman to win four world taekwondo titles in Baku, Azerbaijan later this month.
Cook won consecutive gold medals in Chelyabinsk, Muju and Manchester between 2015 and 2019 but failed to make it four in a row when she missed out on the 2022 tournament in Guadalajara due to injury.
“I never thought I’d be in the position to make history after missing the last one, so it is a great motivation to become the only female ever to have four gold medals,” Cook added.
“Making history is the sort of thing that motivates you through another cycle because for me it is all about that Olympic gold – I would give everything else away for that right now.
“But I don’t feel like I’m chasing anything. I could go to Paris having won four world titles and five Europeans so I have already achieved more than I ever dreamed of in this sport.
“Paris would be the happy ending but if I didn’t get it I wouldn’t be going to try again to get to the next one.”
Great Britain’s 11-strong team for the World Championship also includes double Olympic champion Jade Jones, and Cook’s fellow Tokyo medallists Lauren Williams and Bradly Sinden.
Olympic medal-winning sprinter Mike McFarlane dies aged 63
Mike McFarlane, a former sprinter who helped Great Britain to Olympic silver in the 4×100 metres relay at Seoul 1988, has died aged 63.
Alongside Elliot Bunney, John Regis and Linford Christie, McFarlane led Britain to the runners-up spot in South Korea, while he had individual success with Commonwealth gold in the 200m at Brisbane in 1982.
Once he had hung up his running spikes, McFarlane enjoyed a successful coaching career, including the 2012 women’s sprint relay team of England Athletics, which said he was still overseeing the careers of “a number of high ranking and upcoming athletes up to his untimely death”.
The governing body added: “England Athletics is saddened to hear of the death of Mike McFarlane.”
McFarlane, who also won gold in the 60m at the 1985 European Indoor Championships and relay bronze in the European Championships the following year, coached several female sprinters to success including Desiree Henry, Jodie Williams and Finette Agyapong.
Katharine Merry, who won 400m bronze at Sydney 2000, tweeted: “Sorry to hear about of the passing of Mike McFarlane. A wonderful coach and a super athlete. How sad. No age at 63. Always a smiling face. He will be missed. RIP Mac.”
Newham and Essex Beagles, McFarlane’s former athletics club, paid a touching tribute to the ex-track star.
A statement on the club’s Facebook page said: “All at Newham & Essex Beagles are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mike McFarlane (Mac) MBE, the renowned Olympic sprinter and coach.
“Mike’s extraordinary contributions to the world of athletics have left an indelible mark, and his loss will be felt deeply by the entire sporting community.”
Tori Bowie, the 2017 World 100m champion, has died at age 32
Tori Bowie, the American sprinter who won the 100m title at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London has died overnight, according to her management.
She was 32.
A source close to the development said it is believed she committed suicide.
Her management team released a statement saying, “We’re devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away,” read a post from Icon Management.
“We’ve lost a client, dear friend and sister. Tori was a champion, a beacon of light that shined so bright. We are truly heartbroken and our prayers are with her family and friends.”
A talented track and field athlete, Bowie excelled at the 100m, 200m and long jump. She won a silver medal in the 100m at the 2016 Rio Olympics behind Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah and took bronze in the 200m. However, she won gold in the 4x100m relay.
Bowie had personal best times of 10.78 in the 100m, 21.77 in the 200m and 6.91m in the long jump.
* In a previous representation of this story, we inadvertently misrepresented a quote from Miss Bowie in an interview in 2017. We apologize for the error and express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the athlete.
France confirm Herve Renard appointment following Diacre revolt
Herve Renard has been confirmed as the new head coach of France's women's team after a player revolt led to the dismissal of Corinne Diacre.
Renard resigned from his role as Saudi Arabia boss earlier this week, having overseen the team's memorable 2-1 victory over eventual winners Argentina at last year's World Cup in Qatar.
The French Football Federation (FFF) sacked Diacre earlier in March after several big-name Bleues players refused to play under her, criticising her management style and treatment of the squad.
Renard was immediately touted as a potential replacement for Diacre, and the 54-year-old's appointment was finalised on Thursday.
His contract with Les Bleues will run until August 2024, allowing him to lead the team at the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, as well as next year's home Olympic Games in Paris.
In addition to leading Zambia and Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2012 and 2015 respectively, Renard has also taken charge of Angola and Morocco during a long career in international football.
A statement from the FFF said Renard will be officially presented at a press conference on Friday, when he will also name his squad for next month's friendlies against Colombia and Canada.
France will begin their World Cup campaign against Jamaica in Sydney on July 23, before facing Brazil and Panama in their subsequent Group F matches.
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