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• Olympic champion Julien Alfred promotes St. Lucia as Tourism Ambassador during UK visit

  Julien Alfred, St. Lucia’s Olympic 100m champion, is currently on an influential tour of the United Kingdom in her new role as Tourism Ambassador for her island nation. The title was bestowed on her in September, following her historic victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she captured gold in the 100m and became the first St. Lucian to do so. Accompanied by a senior delegation led by Minister of Tourism Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Alfred is participating in a series of high-profile events aimed at promoting St. Lucia’s culture, beauty, and hospitality.

   

  Kicking off her week on Saturday, Alfred explored iconic London landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Joining her was fellow athlete Imani-Lara Lansiquot, a British Saint Lucian sprinter who won silver with Team GB in the women’s 4x100m relay in Paris. The two shared moments of camaraderie as they toured the city, embodying the rich connection between St. Lucian talent on the global stage.

  

   One of the highlights of Alfred’s trip was a celebratory event at The Great Hall in Leyton, organized by the Saint Lucia High Commission and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA). Alfred was the guest of honour at the vibrant gathering, which drew around 350 members of the St. Lucian diaspora and showcased the island’s arts and culture. Performers included Tysiah Edwards, the Lucianites Quadrille dancers, West End star Tanya Edwards, and celebrated musician Sherwinn Dupes Brice, among others. The event was officially hosted by Saint Lucia’s High Commissioner to the UK, H.E. Anthony Severin, with Alfred delivering a heartfelt speech about her journey to Olympic glory and the pride she felt in representing her island on the world stage.

  As part of her ambassadorial duties, Alfred participated in a series of media engagements, conducting interviews with major outlets across the BBC. During these interviews, she shared her Olympic story and expressed her excitement about promoting St. Lucia’s unique appeal to the British audience. Highlighting the natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and warmth of St. Lucia, Alfred’s appearances underscored her passion for her homeland and her eagerness to welcome new visitors to the island.

   Later, Alfred and the delegation, including SLTA board chair Thaddeus M. Antoine and CEO Louis Lewis, were given an exclusive tour of the UK Parliament. This was followed by a reception at the House of Commons, where she met key members of Parliament and prominent figures in the travel industry.

   Through this week of events, Alfred continues to embody the pride of St. Lucians everywhere, strengthening the bond between her homeland and the international community.

   

• Leipzig have 'everything you would want' – Celtic boss Rodgers

  Celtic may be four points clear of RB Leipzig in the Champions League, but Brendan Rodgers is not underestimating the challenge that his side face on Tuesday.

  The Hoops welcome Leipzig to Celtic Park on matchday four, for what will be the fifth meeting between the sides.

  Leipzig have won three of the previous four encounters, with Celtic winning 2-1 in a Europa League match in November 2018.

  While Leipzig, who are second in the Bundesliga, have lost all of their Champions League matches this term, Celtic bounced back from their heavy defeat to Borussia Dortmund by holding Atalanta to a 0-0 draw in their last European outing.

  Rodgers' team come into Tuesday's clash on the back of a resounding 6-0 defeat of Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, but Rodgers knows his side are in for a stern test.

  "Leipzig are no different to Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta," said Rodgers. "A top team. They have everything you would want - speed, power, technique.

  "It's a brilliant challenge for us."

  After conceding seven goals against Dortmund on MD2, Rodgers explained Celtic knew they had to step up.

  "You always have to learn and be better and we were against Atalanta, a really outstanding team," said Rodgers, who were perhaps fortunate not to concede against the Serie A side, given they conceded 2.4 expected goals (xG).

  "We'll look to bring our energy to the game but we also know we'll have to defend for good periods of the game, play with concentration and commitment like we did against Atalanta," he said.

  "There will be moments when we press with aggression and moments where we have to be controlled. Top teams will push you back and you have to have resilience."

  After a run of 12 home games without a win at Celtic Park in the Champions League between 2013 and 2023 (D3 L9), Celtic have won their last two home games. They last had three wins in a row back in November 2007 under manager Gordon Strachan.

  "Home games are very important at this level and when you want the result the supporters can bring you closer to that," said Rodgers.

  "What the noise generates here is absolutely incredible.

  "We will also need that bit of patience as well because we have to be educated in our pressure.

  "We've got ourselves into a really good position after three games and now we have another opportunity to show we can pick up a result against a top team."

• Neymar does not believe latest injury is serious

  Neymar does not feel his latest injury is anything to be overly worried about.

  The Brazilian star had to be substituted off late on in Al-Hilal's 3-0 win over Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.

  Aleksandar Mitrovic's hat-trick propelled Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal to a comfortable win, though it was soured when Neymar clutched his right thigh and left the field just 29 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.

  It was only the 32-year-old's second appearance since he returned from a year-long lay-off due to a serious knee injury.

  However, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona attacker allayed fears over a serious injury.

  "It felt like a cramp, only very strong!" Neymar posted on Instagram. "I'm going to have some tests and I hope it's nothing too serious.

  "It's normal for this to happen after a year, the doctors had already warned me, so I have to be careful and play more minutes."

  Neymar has played only seven games for Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal since joining from PSG in a blockbuster transfer last year.