DAY 4: London World Championships notebook

CARDIGANS BOUNCE BACK IN FASHION

*****
Cardigans (or sweaters) are usually associated with the elder, nonagenarian generation. But here, they are bouncing back as fashion statements, spurred on by supermodels like Cara Delevingne and Kim Kardashian who have been seen in the knitwear. Experts say their resurgence is partly associated with the long cold spells that have continued deep into the English summer.

PLEASE, NO JUICE FOR TODDLERS HERE

*****

Reports here indicate that fruit juice for toddlers will be banned as part of the fight against obesity. This follows a survey which reveals that about nine per cent of British children are obese by the time they start primary school education. Guidelines, based on a Children’s Food Trust-recommend menu, say that only water and milk are the appropriate fluids to be given to the toddlers.

DOPE-FREE MEDIA RACE UNDERWAY

*****

World Championships organisers have lined up the traditional 800 metres ‘Media Race’ at the Olympic Stadium for journalists covering the 10-day competition. The race is set for Thursday afternoon but some journalists have panicked after an announcement that a post-race anti-doping programme is in place, and that winners will provide urine samples to doping control officers.

VAN NIEKERK’S OTHER SIDE

*****

South African sprinter Wayde van Niekerk is the favourite to win the 400 metres final Tuesday night. But few know that the world record holder and Olympic champion was previously a rugby player where his speed caught the eye of his coach and mentor, his 75-year-old great-grandmother Anna Botha. Off the track, the staunch Christian is a huge fan of Premiership club Liverpool.