LAMBERT: DON’T LEAVE RAHEEM TO CARRY CAN

BRITISH Olympian Chris Lambert says the fight against racism in sport cannot be left to individual campaigners such as Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho.

The sprinter praised Sterling and Sancho, along with Dina AsherSmith (below) and others for bravely speaking out following the killing of black American George Floyd and the anti-racism protests that have swept the US and Britain.

But Lambert says ultimate responsibility for introducing real change rests with sports’ governing bodies.

The former European Under-23 200m champion (top) said: “For change to happen it’s got to come from the top down. It’s got to be governing bodies that say ‘enough is enough’ – it’s not just for you as individuals to bear this on your backs any more.” The Londoner points to NFL star Colin

Kaepernick still being without a team four years after being hailed for famously taking the knee in a protest at racial injustice. “It’s all well and good for (NFL boss) Roger Goodall to sit in front of a camera and say we should have done better, that now we will be supportive,” Lambert said. “That’s great. But what are you actually going to do? “When are we actually going to see that players can make this stand and it is something sports bodies and associations and clubs can really back.” Lambert, 39, echoed Manchester City star Sterling’s call for sport to urgently address the lack of black representation in leadership roles. “No one’s saying you’ve got to give black athletes and black sportsmen stuff they don’t deserve,” he said.

“What we’re saying is them being black is not a hindrance to them getting jobs that they could get otherwise.” Urging the public to keep up the campaign for change, he added: “Once the dreamy stadium lights go out, we’re all back into the harsh light of reality, and that is where the spotlight really needs to shine and the voices of the crowd need to be heard.”