Grand Prix to hold minute's silence

Formula One organisers today announced a minute’s silence will be held before Sunday’s British Grand Prix as a mark of respect to those who died and were injured in the terrorist attacks in London.

Silverstone Circuits Ltd, operator and promoter of the track which lies 75 miles north of the capital, today confirmed the 11th round of this year’s world championship remains unaffected and moved to calm fears over security.

A sell-out crowd of 100,000 is expected to attend the race and a statement from the sport’s world governing body, the FIA, read: “As a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in London yesterday, a minute’s silence will be held before the start of the 2005 British Grand Prix on Sunday, July 10.

“At this tragic and difficult time, the FIA, Formula One Management, Silverstone Circuits, the teams, drivers and everyone involved in Formula One send their condolences and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.”

British Racing Drivers’ Club president Sir Jackie Stewart has confirmed all proceeds raised from Sunday’s post-race concert within the circuit complex will be offered to any fund set up for the victims’ families.

“We feel it is only right we do something at this tragic time and we will be hoping the fans that attend the free concert give something to help out,” said Stewart.

In today’s GP2 practice session, all cars sported a black band across their nose cones while fans had their bags searched by marshals at the control gates.

In cricket, England’s forthcoming NatWest Challenge matches against Australia in London are likely to go ahead. The Ashes rivals meet at Lord’s o Sunday and The Oval next Tuesday.

England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman Andrew Walpole said: “At this stage the games are on but we will need to have further discussions.

“We will review the situation in the light of what happened yesterday and take advice from the police and other relevant authorities.”

England captain Michael Vaughan knws there will be a muted atmosphere at the games following the events which unfolded during his side’s victory over Australia at Headingley.

“Cricket is not that important when you see those things,” he said. “It all started early in the morning when I first arrived at the ground and saw the scenes and normally we wouldn’t have had the televisions on in the dressing room, but we had to keep them on because there were people that were in London that we all know.”

At the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, where some of the world’s top golfers are preparing for next week’s Open at St Andrews, black ribbons were being worn.

The Tour de France held a minute’s silence before the start of today’s seventh stage from Luneville to Karlsruhe, while the Rugby Football League announced there would be a similar mark of respect before all Super League games this weekend.

The London Broncos are in action against Leeds in Perpignan tomorrow. The match is a London ‘home’ game but had been moved to France due to ground maintenance work at Griffin Park.

London’s successful 2012 bid team returned home from Singapore this morning but all celebrations were cancelled. The terrorist attacks came less than 24 hours after the capital had dramatically won the right to host the 2012 Olympics.

British Olympic heroes Sir Steven Redgrave, Denise Lewis, Daley Thompson and Colin Jackson walked through the arrivals hall in sombre mood.

Redgrave said: “It was a very strange flight. It’s a feeling of devastation, my emotions over the last 24 hours have gone from one extreme to another.”

Back in Singapore, a minute’s silence was held at the start of the International Olympic Committee meeting.

Craig Reedie, a British IOC member and chairman of the British Olympic Association, vowed that the attacks would not stop London from staging an “excellent” Games.

He said: “I can assure you that when when we return to London these terrible acts will in no way reduce our resolve to run an excellent Olympic Games in 2012. The worst thing to do is to concede anything to these people.”

Young Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli has revealed how he was on his way to the Gunners’ training ground when the explosions took place.

The 18-year-old Italian, who has lived in London since joining Arsenal from Parma last summer, said: “As always, I take the tube at Woodside Park in order to get off at Cockfosters. But at the first stop they blocked the trains telling us to get off as quickly as possible.

“I really didn’t know what had happened and I initially thought there must have been a technical problem. It was only when I arrived to the sporting centre that I learnt of this absurd tragedy.

“The TV was on and all my team-mates where there with me with their mouths open.”

Real Madrid have written a letter of condolence to the city of London. The Spanish capital was hit by a similar terrorist attack last year.