Sports Ticker (12 April 2021) - British Cycling World Rugby and the Tokyo Olympics

Welcome to the latest edition of the RPC Sports Ticker ­ providing fortnightly bite­size
updates from around the sports industry.

Access the full Sports Ticker here

In a fortnight during which UEFA deferred its decision to approve a new Champions League format (see here), we consider WADA's scrutiny of British Cycling's data sharing, World Rugby's mouthguard study and Nike's successful trade mark infringement proceedings. We also look at the prospective legal challenge by Charlotte Purdue as Olympic selection issues continue to heat­up, and Formula 1's new partnership with Zoom.

As always, if there are any areas you’d like more information on (or if you have any questions or feedback), please let us know or get in touch with your usual RPC contact.

British Cycling request to share athlete biological passport data

It has been reported that Richard Freeman, former British Cycling and Team Sky chief doctor, previously requested that UK Anti­Doping (UKAD) share athlete biological passport (ABP) data ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

World Rugby (mouth)guarding against head injuries

As head injury and concussion issues continue to rise up the agenda in rugby and football amid concerns regarding links with dementia (see Ticker 27), World Rugby has now approved a trial concerning microchipped mouthguards with the aim of improving both prevention and detection of head injuries.

Nike's “Satan Shoes” success

Nike has succeeded in a trade mark infringement claim against Brooklyn art collective MSCHF concerning a pair of “Satan Shoes”, such shoes containing a drop of human blood in the soles of modified Nike Air Max 97s.

Purdue in marathon to overcome selection omission for Tokyo Olympics

Charlotte Purdue is widely acknowledged as the fastest British woman in the marathon but has missed out on selection for the Team GB team for the Tokyo Olympics.

Formula 1 Zooms into new partnership

Zoom and Formula 1 have entered into a multi-year partnership to start during the 2021 Formula One World Championship season.

Extra time...

… and finally, the British Olympic Association has confirmed the first seven members of Team GB's athletics squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic). Chris Thompson and Stephanie Davis were selected after finishing the marathon trials in Kew Gardens within the qualifying times. Ben Connor was also selected after coming second. These three athletes join Jess Piasecki and Steph Twell in the marathon races as well as Callum Hawkins who was pre-selected in December 2019. Last, but not least, Tom Bosworth has been selected to compete in the 20km race walk. An exciting milestone for each athlete! Read more here.