Daily Archives: August 20, 2023

The 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup is over has been over for the USWNT for some time. While it technically came to an end in the round of 16, you can make the case that they entered the tournament too far behind the eight ball to ever stand a chance.

In a nail-biting penalty shootout with their familiar Swedish foes, the Americans hopes of a three-peat were dashed by just millimeters. The result was heartbreaking for the fans, and devastating for the players, but not entirely unexpected. A poor group stage performance brought a common complaint: This was not the USWNT everyone knew. The squad that fought for a historic equal pay agreement thats since become a blueprint for other club and national teams striving for change. The team that won back-to-back World Cup titles with flair, confidence, and an undeniable certainty that led to them deservedly being called the best womens soccer team in the world. The team that put football (the global version) on the map in the States had been replaced by a disjointed, out-of-synch mix of veterans and youngsters with enough natural talent and international experience that watching them squander it felt perplexing, almost maddeningly so.

Theres a nuance in losing that goes unnoticed when a team as dominant as the U.S. does it. Their early ousting wasnt simply the result of one poor performance or one coach. It certainly cant be assigned to the pre-match outfits the players wore or how they celebrated advancing out of the group stage despite disappointing themselves on the pitch. Instead, it was a series of choices some made on the field, some made on the sidelines, and some made by a system and federation thats struggled to bridge the gap between its old guard and its new, its professional leagues and college pipelines, its youth level and its national squad, and the way it courts both homegrown and overseas talent. Players like Tobin Heath and Christen Press have touched on this, as have NWSL breakouts like Midge Purce, whos given candid commentary on the USWNTs performance in this most recent tournament. The fix wont be quick or easy. It certainly wont end with the latest announcement of coach Vlatko Andonovskis resignation. But it does come with a deadline, one thats less than a year away and can be found in France, the country where the USWNT won the World Cup just four years ago.

Can the USWNT be ready in time to make a gold medal run for the 2024 Olympics? That question is now the question on everyones minds. And what will that roster look like especially with veterans like Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz calling it quits while veteran standouts like Alex Morgan, Kelley OHara, and Alyssa Naeher begin to age out of competition? The teams guard is changing and with that comes the chance for the next generation to redefine what the landscape of soccer in America looks like. For grandfathered-in fans whove been with these athletes for decades, thats both terrifying and exciting. Its also a reason to hope for something new, different, and maybe even better than whats come before.

Hope is what fans should feel when they see Naomi Girma the 23-year-old defender from the San Diego Wave navigate the back line with the kind of ease, precision, and confidence that no player with just 20 caps should have at her age. Hope is watching Emily Sonnett an underrated workhorse for the national team who can play anywhere on the pitch finally earn her due respect by shoring up a midfield that felt lost all tournament long and made fans believe in the teams ability to win once more. Hope is a fist-pumping Andi Sullivan setting the tone for the teams shootout performance, Kristie Mewis using her one touch to sink a left-footed strike from the penalty spot, and Naeher making history as the first keeper to score a penalty kick in both the men and womens tournaments. Their 2023 campaign may have ended cruelly, but theyre athletes, used to the fleeting joy of victory and the never-ending what ifs of loss and theyll bounce back.

Plenty of players from the USWNT have returned to their clubs in the NWSL and elsewhere, training for when the league restarts play this month and the Challenge Cup finals begin. Theyre readying too for the inaugural 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup in early 2024 before setting their sights on Paris in July. We might not be able to predict who will make the squad under interim coach Twila Kilgore for upcoming friendlies this fall, or what the roster looks like under whichever coach the federation picks next year, but there are plenty of players to pay attention to over the next few months.

Names like Lindsey Horan who served as the USWNTs co-captain at this years tournament Rose Lavelle, Crystal Dunn, Mewis, Sofia Huerta, and Lynn Williams should be familiar to U.S. fans by now. Theyve been with some iteration of the national squad for years, with some earning their first World Cup caps this summer while others have hoisted a trophy or two in the past. Horan heads back to France to play with her club team, Lyon, while Mewis and Williams return to Gotham FC, currently sitting in third place in the NWSL standings. Lavelle and Sonnett are both heading back to the OL Reign while Sullivan goes to the Washington Spirit.

The USWNT has a handful of recognizable stars on the injured list as well, like Press, Heath, Sam Mewis, and Mallory Swanson. Theyll likely be vital in leading the team in the next four years but as of now, theyre all working to get back to fitness and their availability for the Olympic roster is still in question.

The USWNT may have fumbled their introduction a bit, but the next generation of American soccer talent is already here and theyve gained valuable experience on the international stage this summer. Sophia Smith barely played as a true nine in the World Cup, but if fans are curious to see how threatening she is up top, they can watch her continue to break goal-scoring records with the Thorns this fall. Trinity Rodman, another striker with pace, is in the Washington Spirits starting lineup along with Ashley Sanchez, a versatile and scrappy midfielder who deserved more time in Australia and New Zealand.

Girma heads back to the San Diego Wave, a team currently fighting for a spot in the playoffs, while 18-year-old phenom Alyssa Thompson rejoins Angel City FC. Midfielder Savannah DeMelo was having an outstanding NWSL season before getting the surprise call up, so shell likely continue to perform well with her club, Racing Louisville, while Emily Fox who joined Girma as one of the most consistent and reliable players on the 2023 USWNT goes back to the NC Courage, along with the US backup goalkeeper, Casey Murphy.

The talent pool for the U.S. is deep, so deep that even after listing the veterans and newbies that managed to make the squad in 2023, fans still have a miles-long roster to pick from when it comes to potential crest-wearers next year. One of the most prominent examples is Chelsea FCs Catarina Macario, a player often heralded as the future of the U.S. womens game, who didnt play this summer while returning from injury. Then theres Mia Fishel, another goal-scoring wonder, whos also joined Chelseas side this season. Gotham FCs Midge Purce, Orlando Prides Messiah Bright, and Washington Spirits Ashley Hatch all deserve to be in the conversation for their attacking abilities, while lesser-known names like Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), and Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns) could help fill out the USWNTs midfield.

Despite the influx of younger players fighting for spots on the USWNTs roster, the squad has some proven veterans who can not only compete, but provide invaluable leadership to the next generation as they make their way through the ranks. Julie Ertz said following the Sweden game that she will retire, but currently, shes starting at Angel City FC and is in good form. Could she be convinced to come back for one last tournament in 2024? Dunn fast-tracked her return from maternity leave to help the USWNT at this years World Cup, too. She wasnt at her best, but her pace and skill on the ball might convince a new coach to put her in the midfield (where she plays for the Thorns) instead of the backline. OHara is still working on her fitness after coming back from injury, but she is an influential player among the squad and has always been dependable as an outside back. Alex Morgan, who struggled to find the back of the net this summer, is back with the San Diego Wave and ready to find her footing once more. And Naeher, whos also part of the older guard of the USWNT, is largely why the squad was able to make it through both the group and a tough 90+ minute battle with Sweden. She anchored the team during the World Cup and shell be needed again next year at the Olympics.

The main takeaway is that the USWNT will be fine. Theyll regroup and reshape themselves, pulling new talent and reconfiguring how and where they play their proven stars. Any talk of era-ending, dynasty-falling performances from this World Cup should be put on pause until new coaches and, more importantly, new strategies for fostering playmakers at the youth, college, and professional levels can be decided on. Until then, just enjoy watching these athletes compete with their clubs and make a case for why they could turn the tide for the team next year.

Here is the original post:

What Could The USWNT Look Like At The 2024 Summer Olympics? - UPROXX

At first glance, heaping helpings of beef, rutabagas, potatoes, and onions tucked inside a doughy crust and baked to perfection may not look like much to the untrained eye.

To Upper Peninsula residents Yoopers for short and Michiganders young and old, pasties are culinary gold, and eating one is a rite of passage in the Mitten State.

Dozens of locations in Michigan serve these delicacies, and they are just one of many reasons why Yoopers and visitors alike love spending time in the Upper Peninsula.

The UPs love for the pasty will be on full display this Saturday, during the first-ever Pasty Fest Olympics in Calumet. Right in the heart of Michigans Keweenaw Peninsula, competitors and visitors alike will delight in competing in and watching one-of-a-kind events that may serve as the foundation for future pasty festivals.

Whether youve never had a pasty or you have a favorite place (or several) for pasties in the Upper Peninsula, this is a first-of-its-kind festival youll want to see to believe.

All over the county, many cities are famous for their culinary specialties. New York, Chicago, and Detroit have pizza. Buffalo has chicken wings. Philadelphia has cheesesteaks.

Way up in Michigans UP, its all about the pasty, which traces its roots back to England and Cornish miners who coveted the pasty for its tastiness and easy portability in their lunch pails.

It came to the UP thanks to the many different groups who settled in Copper Country and worked in the copper mines, again taking the pasties down into the mines with them to eat.

At its core, the pasty is a filling of beef, rutabagas, potatoes, and onions wrapped up and baked to perfection in a flaky dough crust. Think of it as a UP version of the pot pie.

Across the Upper Peninsula, hungry residents and visitors can find this staple in dozens of shops, stretching from Munising to St. Ignace to Calumet to Ontanagon and everywhere in between.

Pasty purists can find the traditional pasty (beef, potatoes, onions, and rutabagas) at just about any pasty shop. But many UP pasty spots have upped the ante over the years, offering chicken pasties, gluten-free pasties, pizza-flavored pasties, dessert pasties, and so much more.

The Pasty Fest Olympics is a first-of-its-kind event designed to show love for the pasty and challenge competitors in feats of skill, strength, and speed.

This years inaugural event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 19th, 2023.

Competitors and spectators alike will enjoy a multitude of events, including the Pasty Pull, the Pasty Relay Race, and the Pasty Fest Art Prize.

Tests of strength such as weight lifting and truck pulling are awe-inspiring, but spectators will truly be in awe as they watch this weekends Pasty Pull.

The strongest individuals in Copper Country are being called upon to harness the mighty and awesome power of pasties to pull a truck down Oak Street in Calumet.

Contestants will be strapped to a truck (make and model TBD) with tow straps and have five minutes to complete the truck pull down a 100-foot track.

Another highlight of the Pasty Olympics will be the Pasty Relay in downtown Calumet, which will see teams vying for pasty glory by making giant pasties in stages.

The competition is equal parts race and pasty making. Its sure to be messy and fast-paced, but most of all, its going to be fun!

The race is a four-stage competition in which teams of four will compete to make the ultimate gigantic pasty. The first stage will see competitors get their hands dirty as they make a pasty crust. The second stage involves rolling out the dough flat with foam pool noodles and filling it with pasty ingredients.

From there, the next competitors will get their fingers moving fast as they work to perfect the pinch and crimp. The final stage involves egg-washing the creations with a mop and racing them to the top of Pasty Mountain for baking.

Prizes will be awarded during the relay to the team who completes all stages correctly in the shortest amount of time. There will also be prizes for the best team costumes and the most appetizing pasties.

Visit Keweenaw is also sponsoring the first Pasty Art Prize Competition where Upper Peninsula artists are encouraged to submit pasty-themed artwork for display.The pieces will be displayed in downtown Calumet businesses, allowing passersby to see them and get into the Olympic spirit. The entries can also be viewed through a virtual gallery.

UP Pasty Olympic attendees are strongly encouraged to walk through the historic streets of downtown Calumet and vote for their favorite pieces.

The top three winners will be announced on Saturday, and cash prizes will be awarded.

The three above-mentioned Olympic events are sure to be crowd-pleasers, but Calumets Pasty Fest has many more events in store this weekend.

Other events on the Pasty Fest schedule include:

No matter where you go in the Upper Peninsula, you dont have to go far to find a tasty pasty.

Cross the Mackinac Bridge (or head south if youre already in the UP) and head to St. Ignace. Here youll find Lehtos Pasties, considered by many to be one of the premier pasty spots in the entire UP.

In the central UP, Lawrys Pasty Shop promises delicious pasties, including the original and vegetarian options. All it takes is one bite for customers of all ages to be hooked.

Along Lake Superiors southern shores, Muldoons in downtown Munising is one spot hungry customers wont want to miss. Muldoons main location is on the way into town and has an awning and picnic tables that allow for a fun outdoor eating experience.

The pasty menu includes traditional, veggie, and chicken options, but those with room for dessert can also get an apple pie pasty.

There are even some great spots in the Lower Peninsula that offer pasties though pasty purists may say the Upper Peninsula is the only spot to get a true taste of their goodness.

Theres no debating that pasties are delicious. But what can make for serious debate among Michiganders is the proper filling for a pasty and the proper way to eat it.

Traditionalists swear by the old-fashioned typical pasty: Beef, onions, rutabagas, and potatoes. Others like having options, including chicken pasties, veggie pasties, venison pasties, and dessert pasties.

When you get your pasty, in many spots, its tradition to eat it with a hearty side of ketchup. Still, others prefer their pasties with a side of gravy.

And thats to say nothing of the eating of the pasty itself. Because it was designed to be portable, hungry customers on the go prefer to eat them as a handheld sort of sandwich. Those who prefer a sit-down meal eat their pasties with a knife and fork (and may even add a sprinkle of salt and pepper too).

No matter how you enjoy your pasty, its best to enjoy it however you like it best. Whether pasties are a staple of your diet or theyre a rare treat during visits to Michigan or to the UP, dont let ground rules take away from your enjoyment of this UP delicacy.

If youve never been to the Upper Peninsula, the first-ever Pasty Fest Olympics are the perfect time to go. There will be fun for attendees of all ages to enjoy, and youll see for yourself how the humble pasty has become such an important part of UP culture.

Read the original:

Don't Miss the UP Pasty Olympics in Calumet! - Awesome Mitten

ANOTHER PARIS OLYMPICS test run in the River Seine was cancelled on Saturday because of concerns about water quality, in a fresh blow to Games organisers and the citys ambitions to reopen the river to public swimming.

Paratriathlon swimmers were in the Seine in competition on Thursday and Friday, but results of water quality tests showed significant discrepancies in the hours leading up to Saturdays events, organisers said in a statement.

The competition was transformed into a duathlon of just running and cycling.

Water safety officials are trying to determine why two testing systems used for the river produced different results.

PA Aurelie Lemaire, a microbiology research intern, tests the river water quality PA

One indicated too-high levels of bacteria overnight, said Pierre-Antoine Molina, who oversees public policy for the Paris regional administration.

Rainfall in recent days may have been a factor.

A previous test event had to be cancelled this month because heavy rain caused overflows of untreated waste in the Seine, leaving water quality below safety standards.

Rain also hit Paris ahead of todays cancellation.

Paris is spending massively onwater-management projectsthat officials say will make pollution caused by storms less frequent.

Olympics organisers remain undeterred in their mission to hold open-air swimming events along the picturesque river, viewing this months cancellations as a learning experience.

PA The Alexandre III bridge will be the setting for the finish line of the individual cycling time trials, swimming marathon, triathlon and para triathlon PA

The head of the Paris 2024 organising committee, Tony Estanguet, said a contingency plan will be in place next year to allow swimming events to be postponed for a few days if water quality is not up to standard.

But there is no plan B for moving the competition.

We will remain in this extraordinary location, no matter what happens, said Mr Estanguet, a three-time Olympic gold medallist in canoe slalom. We want to preserve this ambition.

The plan for Olympic and Paralympic athletes to swim in the Seine dovetails with council efforts to clean up the long-murky waterway.

Paris has promised more transparency about its clean-up efforts than Rio de Janeiro, where concerns about sewage-contaminated water dogged the 2016 Olympics.

This weeks triathlon takes athletes and spectators to some of the French capitals most striking views.

The swim starts from the bottom of the 19th-century Alexandre III bridge and its golden statues. The cycling and running laps go along the Champs-Elysees and through some prestigious neighbourhoods.

New tests will be conducted and a decision will be made early Sunday on whether Sundays swimming events can be held as scheduled, organisers said.

Read more:

Water quality concerns halt Paris Olympics swimming test in the Seine - TheJournal.ie

Worries about water quality forced the cancellation of another Paris Olympics test event in the Seine River on Sunday, as organisers called off a triathlon mixed relay.

While triathlon swimmers took to the Seine in competition on Thursday and Friday, water quality tests showed higher than authorised levels of bacteria ahead of a paratriathlon test event Saturday, so it was cancelled. Further tests ahead of Sunday's mixed relay remained inconsistent, according to a joint statement from organisers and local officials.

As a precautionary measure and to protect the health of the athletes, the decision has once again been taken to cancel all the swimming races scheduled for today, it said. Authorities are investigating the reason for the problematic tests.

Rainfall in recent days may have been a factor. A previous test event had to be cancelled this month because heavy rain caused overflows of untreated waste into the Seine, leaving water quality below safety standards.

The cancellations this weekend pose a new challenge to the Paris Olympics organisers and the citys ambitions to reopen the iconic river to public swimming after the Games.

Paris is spending massively on water-management projects that officials say will make pollution caused by storms less frequent by the time the Games begin on July 26, 2024. Olympics organisers remain determined to hold open-air swimming events along the picturesque river, viewing this months cancellations as a learning experience.

Read more from the original source:

Paris Olympics swimming test event cancelled over water quality fears - Yahoo News UK

John Devitt, an Australian champion swimmer who was awarded a gold medal in the showcase race of the 1960 Rome Olympics even though he had a slower time than the runner-up, died on Thursday in Sydney. He was 86.

The Australian Olympic Committee announced the death, saying it came after a long illness.

Devitt was one of Australias greatest swimmers, thrilling the home crowds when he won gold and silver medals in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. He went on to win a bronze medal as well in the 1960 Games. Including relays, he broke 14 world records and won 13 Australian championships.

But beyond Australia he may be best remembered for his part in the finish of the 100-meter freestyle final in Rome, one of the more freakish moments in sports history. It led to an overhaul of the way the placings and times for swimming races were decided, with electronic timers and photos replacing judgment calls.

Devitt, at 23 and a lean 6-foot-1 in 1960, was captain of the Australian mens swimming team for the second consecutive Olympics and the race favorite. One opponent was Lance Larson of Monterey Park, Calif., a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Southern California.

In the eight-man final, Devitt was clearly ahead until the last 20 meters, when Larson, in an adjoining lane, caught up to him. They touched the finish wall almost together, with Larson seemingly slightly ahead. Each congratulated the other, and they then both waited for the official results. The wait was excruciating almost 10 minutes.

In that era, the rules called for three judges to choose first place, three other judges to choose second, and three others to choose third. Each lane had three timekeepers, but their timing, by hand, was almost incidental in determining who finished where. There was no starting beep or automatic touch pads or accepted electronic timing or replays, as there are in major swimming competitions today.

When the judges were polled after the race, the results were unusual. Two of the three first-place judges had picked Devitt as the winner, and one had picked Larson. Two of the second-place judges had picked Devitt for second, and one had picked Larson. The three timekeepers for Devitts lane had all timed him in 55.2 seconds. The three in Larsons lane had timed the American in 55.0, 55.1 and 55.1.

And a newly introduced automatic timing machine which was started electronically but stopped manually, and which was to be consulted only when judges were tied, as they were in Rome had Larson in 55.10 seconds and Devitt in 55.16.

It seemed obvious that Larson had won until the chief judge, Hans Runstromer of Germany, interceded and voted for Devitt.

American officials protested the decision to the jury of appeals, saying the rules did not give the chief judge a vote. Runstromer disagreed. Besides, he said, he had been standing on the finish line and had seen the whole thing. A Sports Illustrated photograph, however, showed that he was 25 yards away at the time and had viewed the finish at an angle.

The appeal failed. The Americans appealed three times more in the next four years and lost every time. As Larson said, It was a bad deal.

Devitt disagreed, saying that some of the judges and timers might have missed his touch because it came after a short stroke underwater.

In the end, as The New York Herald Tribune wrote after the race, This required a Solomon, and the International Swimming Federation was fresh out of Solomons.

In 2009, a paper in the journal Physical Culture and Sport: Studies and Research concluded that Runstromers decision undoubtedly sanctioned untruth.

In other words, the study said, Larson had won.

Since the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, all international swim races have been timed electronically.

John Thomas Devitt was born on Feb. 4, 1937, in Granville, a suburb of Sydney. He started swimming at age 4 and often trained by swimming against currents of discharged water from a power plant.

Devitts gold medal in Melbourne in 1956 came in the 4x200-meter relay; he won the silver there in the 100-meter freestyle. Besides the gold medal in Rome, he took the bronze there in the 4x200-meter freestyle.

He retired after the 1960 Olympics and was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1979. (Larson was elected in 1980.)

His survivors include his wife, Wendy, whom he married in 1961.

In later years, Devitt was the European manager for the Speedo swimwear company and opened his own swimming equipment company. He headed the Australian swimming federation, served as a high official of the Australian Olympic Committee and helped bring the 2000 Olympics to Sydney.

In the 1980s, Devitt and Larson met for the first time since their race, and all was pleasant. But Larson never forgot those Olympics. I think, he said, John has had to live with the feeling for many years that he probably didnt really win that gold medal.

Frank Litsky, a longtime sportswriter for The Times, died in 2018. William McDonald contributed reporting.

Link:

John Devitt, Champion Swimmer With a Tarnished Gold Medal, Dies at 86 - The New York Times

2023 FIBA World Cup - USA Senior Men's National Team v Greece

It's one thing that stood out about USA Basketball's World Cup roster not one of the players had been a game of high-level international experience.

That inexperienced team has looked good going 4-0 in tune-ups, with one more against Germany on Sunday, Grant Hill, the managing director of the USA Basketball Men's National Team, is impressed and said this will not be the last international tournament for many of these players expect to see a lot of them at the Paris Olympics next summer. Here is what Hill told Harris Stavrou from Sport24 (hat tip Basketnews).

I can say that we are in a transition stage in our program, well see a lot of these guys next summer as well, Hill said. They are not in their prime yet, but theyre very hungry and want to be here. And they are really good...

Many top players worldwide, ones that expect to make a deep playoff run (or just coming off one), felt the need to choose between playing in the World Cup this year or the Paris Olympics next year. Paris won big. Nikola Joki (Serbia) and Jamal Murray (Canada) were obvious examples of players sitting out this year after a playoff run, but potential American stars such as Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid (USA or France), among others could throw their hat in the ring next year.

That will leave Grant Hill with some tough decisions.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and his USA teammates voted him the most impressive player in training camp. Jalen Brunson has been a leader on the court at the point, Anthony Edwards has been a leading scorer and force on the wing, and Tyrese Haliburton has sparked the second unit. Brandon Ingram has fit well in a stretch four role (what Durant did for Team USA in Tokyo). Then there are guys who have just played well such as Austin Reaves, Cameron Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Paolo Banchero, and Bobby Portis. If this Team USA makes a run to gold in this World Cup, who gets cut for the bigger names (and talents, in some cases).

It's a good problem to have for Hill and USA. But it could lead to some stress.

Original post:

Expect a lot of players from this year's Team USA to be back for Paris Olympics - Yahoo Sports

There was understandable emotion both when Morgan Pearson crossed the line in sixth in the Paris Test Event to qualify for next years Olympics and then afterwards as he let the achievement sink in.

By making the top eight in a race he only got into at the very last minute, the American reached his countrys qualification criteria and it was all the more impressive given what hes been through in recent years.

Pearsons qualification for his first Olympics in Tokyo came just 10 weeks after his older brother Andrew passed away, saying at the time: I was just thinking about the sliver of happiness I could hopefully bring to my family by qualifying. It has been hard on all of us.

He would go on to win a silver medal in the Mixed Team Relay.

And this year he has faced numerous challenges, which help explain why his race positions up until this top 10 were DNS (WTCS Abu Dhabi), 44 (WTCS Yokohama), DNF (WTCS Cagliari) and 31 (WTCS Hamburg).

When Pearson is fit and in top form he has shown he can mix it with the very best as well as that silver in Tokyo, he was runner-up in the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi last November one of only two races he competed in during the whole of 2022.

And that was demonstrated again in Paris where he moved to the front early on the run and stayed with the second group after Alex Yee kicked clear to win in dominant style.

Speaking to TRI247s Tomos Land, Pearson said he felt now was the right time to open up about some testing times this season and last:

Last year was not a good year. I didnt race at all. I was dealing with an injury and then I raced in Chile in mid-November [World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mar] and after mechanical problems finished 50th.

Then two weeks later I went to the Grand Final and got second. So, yeah, I honestly think Im capable of always competing for the podium, but this year, I mean, I dont know if I want to share it but Ive had some pretty unfortunate setbacks.

At the start of the year I got sick ahead of Abu Dhabi, then I strained my hamstring right before Yokohama. Not a major injury, but just like, the timing of it was awful.

And then see the scar on my head? I got an infection. A massive infection on my head. And it took me out for, like, a month. Im going to post a picture on social media, I think to show this is why I wasnt racing well in Italy. It even hurt to wear my goggles.

So I then didnt race Montreal and then at Hamburg I was so out of shape as Id basically had a month off.

Im not a guy thats going to go out and make excuses after those races. Thats just not me.

But now I think I can share this story a little bit now that Ive shown I am [back] at that level.

And even this sixth-place in Paris was far from plain sailing as he added: That first lap on the run, I felt good and I was pushing the pace and my lower back and glutes then started tightening up which is something Ive been dealing with all season.

So I couldnt run at the speed I wanted, but I just backed off a little and tried to keep the pace honest and tried to get it down to like, seven guys with Alex up the way. And I did that and instead of kicking and trying to get on the podium, which I dont know if I could have done anyways, I just enjoyed the moment.

Next year, therell be none of that, Ill be fighting to the finish.

The story is even more remarkable given that Pearsons name was the very last one added to the start list as he was allotted #68 following a couple of late withdrawals.

He said: This past day has been a whirlwind. I mean, I wasnt on the start list until 14 hours before the race this morning. I dont think its sunk in yet that Ive qualified for the Olympics.

I want to call my family. My mom couldnt go to Tokyo. I think shell be really excited to come to Paris. And every time she says I cant wait to come, Im like, dont say that, dont jinx it. But now she can. Now she can come. So yeah, I mean, I think this means a lot to me, but maybe it means more to my family they can come to this one.

Read more from the original source:

Emotions run high as Morgan Pearson ends 'whirlwind day' with a place at Paris Olympics - TRI247

It was a summer of firsts for Rafael Nadal in 2008, beginning with winning his first Wimbledon title, where he defeated Roger Federer, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7, in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis matches of all time.

And he wasnt done with the breakthroughs there.

Six weeks later on August 17th, 2008exactly 15 years ago to this dayNadal won his first Olympic gold medal in Beijing, following up a grueling 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 semifinal victory over Novak Djokovic with a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3 triumph over Chile's Fernando Gonzalez in the gold medal match.

I know how difficult it is to win these things, and especially here, because you only have one chance every four years, he said afterwards. And to win here for me is, well, unbelievable no? I just can say thank you very much to all my team for supporting me all the time, and thank you very much all the athletes in the village, because I spent a fantastic time there.

I was two weeks here. I arrived very tired after flying directly from Cincinnati to here. And the reason, probably, that I wonthe reason I won this titleis because I had a fantastic time here, enjoying a lot in the village. Thank you very much to all the Spanish athletes for coming every day to support me.

"That was an amazing experience for me.

See the original post:

On This Day, 2008: Rafael Nadal captures gold medal at Beijing Olympics - Tennis Magazine

India ended its Olympics Pre-Qualifying campaign with a 66-79 loss to Bahrain. The Olympics Pre-Qualifying tournament was held in Damascus, Syria.

India, with an overall record of 2-3 finished third, while Bahrain (5-0) topped the standings and has progressed to the Final Qualifying Tournament next year.

Disappointingly for India, it lost three games straight after starting the tournament strong with two wins. India is now out of contention for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Quarter by Quarter Breakdown:

The game's momentum shifted through the quarters, with each team showcasing their strengths and strategies:

Q1: India started strong, securing a 24-17 lead over Bahrain in the first quarter.

Q2: However, Bahrain made a significant comeback in the second quarter, outscoring India 31-15 and taking the lead at halftime.

Q3: Bahrain continued their dominant performance in the third quarter, adding another 22 points to their tally while India managed to score 12 points.

Q4: The final quarter saw India attempting a comeback, but Bahrain's defensive efforts limited them to just 9 points, allowing Bahrain to secure the victory with a final score of 79-66.

Key Players' Performances:

Sahaij Pratap Singh Sekhon led the Indian team with 17 points, while Aravind Annadurai contributed 11 points. On the Bahraini side, Muzamil Ameer Hamooda shone brightly with an impressive 24-point performance. Despite India's efforts, Bahrain's consistent scoring and solid teamwork secured them the win.

Missed Opportunity for Indian Basketball:

The loss against Bahrain has a broader implication for Indian basketball. By falling short in this pre-qualifying tournament, India missed out on the opportunity to potentially compete with some of the top NBA stars from Europe, including renowned names like Luka Doni, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Joki. The potential experience of facing these basketball giants could have provided a significant boost to the morale of the Indian basketball players and opened up possibilities for growth and development on a global stage.

Over the decades, the Indian basketball team has shown immense dedication and promise, and such opportunities could have paved the way for a brighter future in international basketball. While this particular chance was not realized, the Indian players and fans remain hopeful for future opportunities to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.

Final Score: India (Sahaij Sekhon 17 pts, Aravind Annadurai 11 pts, Pranav Prince 10 reb, Amjyot Singh Gill 10 pts) lose to Bahrain (Muzamil Ameer Hamooda 24 pts, Mustafa Rashed 14pts, Devon Dwayne Chism 11 pts) 66-79 [24-17, 15-31, 12-22, 15-9]

Link:

India Ends Olympics Pre-Qualifying Campaign with loss to Bahrain - Ekalavyas

With less than a year to go until the Olympic Games, the Paris 2024 Triathlon Test Event is underway in the French capital, with competitions taking place from 17 to 20 August 2023.

The competition takes place on a course in the heart of the city, higlighting some of the most beautiful monuments in Paris: Pont Alexandre-III, Les Invalides, lAssemble Nationale and the Avenue des Champs-Elyses (with the Arc de Triomphe in sight).

We are in the heart of Paris so there are a lot of difficulties to organize such an event, so we did not want to take the risk of launching for the first time during the Olympic Games in Paris so we needed to carry out this test event, said Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024.

Here is a look back at the reaction of the athletes who took part in this triathlon test event, who shared their joy at competing surrounded by the beauty of Parisian architecture.

This triathlon test event course will remain long in the memory for those competing in the heart of Paris.

In addition to some of the most beautiful monuments of the City of Light, the organisation decided to carry out the swimming part of the triathlon in a 1,500 metre stretch of the river Seine.

For Kristian Blummenfelt, gold medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021, said swimming in the Seine was kind of the same feeling we have in Hamburg, we swim in a kind of tunnel because you can see everyone on the riverside. [Next year in Paris] will probably be a highlight of my career.

Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024 added: "We use the dynamics of the Games to make the Seine swimmable. We have seen the quality of the Seine improve month by month for a year now, it will be even better next year. What a legacy for this territory!

Besides the innovation of swimming in the Seine, the athletes were seduced by a really crazy course, according to Emma Lombardi, wonderkid of the French Womens Triathlon team. The technical part of the bike on the emblematic Parisian cobblestones, especially on the Avenue des Champs-lyses, conquered most of the participants. On the cobblestones, it shakes well! added the 21-year-old French athlete, who finished 4th on 17 August.

Frenchman Vincent Luis, double world champion in 2019 and 2020, agreed: The course is great, it goes very fast by bike, its technical, its really a course that I appreciated, he said, despite withdrawing before the finish due to not being fully recovered from a fatigue fracture contracted this spring.

Fans came in large numbers to support the best triathletes in the world. After an exceptional performance in running, Britain's Alex Yee was able to enjoy the warm atmosphere of this test event, using the last seconds of his race to appreciate the support and the Parisian decor while celebrating his victory in the men's race.

I was really lucky and fortunate to be in that position (1st), so I wanted to appreciate the fans that came out today. I mean, there were so many people who have come so early, as the race was so early, so to have so many people at this time cheering us was really special and hopefully we can have that next year.

Unexpectedly, the reception of the supporters was particularly pleasing to the French triathlon team, who responded with triathletes finishing in the top 5 in the womens and mens racing categories.

Cassandre Beaugrand, second in the womens event, will keep a great memory of this test event. Diminished by stomach pains, she finished in second place, with courage, carried by a crowd acquired to her cause.

It was just amazing, I had chills. I didnt want to look around too much, because you have to stay focussed. Frankly, this course is beautiful. I felt like I was being pushed along by fans. It would have been a lot harder if I hadnt had so much support.

Emma Lombardi also praised the fan support: The atmosphere was incredible, its really nice to be so encouraged all along, we feel really well.

The triathlon at Paris 2024 will be one of the few events where the spectators do not need to buy tickets to see the best triathletes in the world and participate in the great celebration of the Olympic Games. For Pierre Le Corre, fourth in the men's event, its incredible to be able to offer this to all the spectators.

A feeling of happiness shared by Lo Bergre who can barely imagine what it will be next year with the crowd that was already pushing us today.

Experienced triathletes at multiple races around the world, Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt and double world champion Vincent Luis, said that the organisation of this test event was of a very high level.

For the Norwegian, it was super well organised. Seems like everything is in control in terms of next year. In general, in France they are really good to organise events and also the atmosphere around events is always good. It tends to turn up with a big, big numbers of spectators. So its going to be fantastic next year.

Performing in his own country, Vincent Luis was delighted that his nation had lived up to the high standards expected.

I am flabbergasted by the quality of the race that has been produced here. I ran all over the world and frankly today it was without fail, there was no problem.

All the feedback I got from other athletes, they told me it was Overwhelming!. Theres too much to see, to look at, its amazing. Im glad its happening this way in France.

Here is the original post:

Olympic Triathlon Test Event: A huge success for athletes, a boost of ... - Olympics