EUROPEAN sprint champion Asha Philip believes people must not live in fear as she prepares to race in Manchester.
The 26-year-old, who won gold over 60 metres at the European Indoor Championships in March, is due to compete in the 100m at the Great CityGames, held on Deansgate in the city centre tomorrow.
It comes after the terror attack at the Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert on Monday, which killed 22 people.
The CityGames, which is free to the public and shown live on BBC Two, has been given the go-ahead by Greater Manchester Police and the city council. A decision on Sunday’s Great Manchester Run, Europe’s biggest 10km race, was expected last night, organisers said.
Philip, who also won bronze in the 4x100m relay at last year’s Olympics, said: “It could be a tribute. It’s quite upsetting. I love kids, so to find out loads of kids got hurt is scary. I hope everything is going to be safe.
“What can you do? We can’t live our lives in fear. It’s always going to be in the back of my mind, but we know it can happen anywhere.
“You just have to be positive. If you’re not positive then you might as well stay in your house and never leave again.
“We hope the public still come out and watch us, but I don’t blame them if they don’t. I hope everyone is safe and my heart goes out to the families.”
Double Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock, 2012 Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford and Richard Kilty, who won the men’s European indoor 60m title, are all due to compete.
The world of sport has reacted to the terrorist attack with shock and sympathy, with the primary response from clubs, governing bodies and venues to promise increased security.
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure and his agent Dimitri Seluk have also pledged to donate £100,000 to help the victims.
Fans at football’s FA Cup final, Scottish Cup final and two English Football League play-off finals, as well as rugby union’s Aviva Premiership decider at Twickenham, can expect to see more armed police and face longer checks.
Premiership Rugby has said there will be a minute’s silence ahead of Saturday’s final between Exeter and Wasps at Twickenham and it is widely expected there will be similar acts of remembrance before the football finals.
South West Police said their plans for the Champions League final in Cardiff on June 3 have not changed significantly because they were already prepared for a terrorist threat.
The International Cricket Council said safety was its highest priority as it prepared for this summer’s Champions Trophy and Women’s World Cup.
Speaking ahead of his team’s first one-day international against England at Headingley yesterday, South Africa’s team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said his players had “genuine concerns” about their safety, particularly as they are scheduled to be in England until early August.
But England captain Eoin Morgan said: “I’m confident that we will crack on (with the Champions Trophy and ODI series against South Africa).”
Netball’s Superleague is scheduled to hold its Final Four competition at the Manchester Arena, the scene of Monday’s attack, on June 10-11, but England Netball has temporarily suspended ticket sales.
Wimbledon’s organisers issued a short statement to say they were working closely with the Met and other relevant organisations to ensure this summer’s tournament is as safe as possible.
Across the Atlantic, a moment of silence was held before Tuesday night’s play-off games in the NBA and NHL, while God Save the Queen was played at Yankee Stadium in New York before a baseball fixture.
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