2018 proved to be a year of mixed emotions for Steph Houghton as just months after getting married to ex-footballer Stephen Darby she was met with devastating news.

Retiring Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford has backed a campaign to get children back on their feet after dusting off his running shoes for a parkrun event in Salford.

Holly Bradshaw had to dig deep to rediscover her love for pole vaulting but the fire is now burning bright inside the 26-year-old who is confident of getting back to her best.

A Salford war veteran insists a cycling masterclass from Sir Bradley Wiggins has boosted his confidence on the bike as he prepares to ride 100 miles in aid of the Invictus Foundation.

They might not have made the podium at this year’s World Rowing Championships but Jess Leyden believes it would be foolish to count out Britain’s women’s quad team in Rio 2016.

She may well now be a marked woman on the Taekwondo circuit, but world number one Jade Jones insists she is using her ranking to her advantage ahead of the final stages of qualifying for the Rio Olympics.

Former Stockport Metro ace Keri-Anne Payne is still confident of being at next year’s Olympics despite missing her first chance to book herself a plane ticket to Rio.

Eilidh Gibson described the afternoon Team GB won gold and silver in the canoe slalom at London 2012 as one of the most inspiring moments of her life and three years on the Manchester paddler is hoping the crowd at Lee Valley can once again cheer them on to glory.

This Friday at Manchester Handball Club twice Olympic swimming gold medallist Rebecca Adlington will offer her services for London 2012’s legacy charity Join In.

Stretford dance group Superkidz proved they had the moves last Saturday when they were crowned winners of The Printworks Street Dancer competition.

According to the Sport England’s national Active People Survey, Manchester has seen an increase of people participating in sporting activities by 4%