Daily Archives: May 17, 2024

CHARLESTON, W.Va. Two cyclists competing in this weeks USA Cycling Pro Road Nationals have qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Over 100 athletes representing multiple countries completed the 33.7-kilometer course in downtown Charleston Wednesday. About 50 of those athletes were racing for a spot on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games team.

First up, at the top of the Womens Elite Time Trial race was Taylor Knibb of Boulder, Colorado and Trek Factory Racing. Her time of 41:54.69 was good enough to become National Champion and qualify for the Olympics.

Im in shock. Ill be perfectly honest, Im just in shock, she said after finding out she won.

Knibb qualified for the USA Triathlon team at the Paris test event last year. Now, shes officially heading to Paris to represent USA Cycling.

A new bike and new setup helped Knibb perform better this year. She said the Charleston route is a more flat course but very few hills thrown in and thats more her speed.

Last year there were so many turns but only four times did I have to get to race-pace, said Knibb, There are so many incredible riders out here, it was such an incredible day riding with them.

Kristen Faulkner (Homer, Alaska; EF Education-Cannondale) posted a 42:05.88 and Amber Neben (Lake Forest, Calif.) finished with a 42:44.53 to round out the podium.

Spurts of heavy rain wouldnt slow down the Elite Men where over 28 athletes made an attempt to make the USA team. Finishing with of a time of 37:42.08, Brandon McNulty (Phoenix, Ariz.; UAE Team Emirates) beat second place finisher Tyler Stites (Tucson, Ariz.; Project Echelon Racing) by just under a minute. Neilson Powless (Houston; EF Education Easypost) finished out the podium with a third place time of 38:44.17.

McNulty qualifies for his second Games appearance. He said this victory ranks towards the top for his career which has included many runs in Europe.

Its always special to win a National Title, but this one had a bit more importance to qualify for the Olympics. This is a big one for me, McNulty said in a drenched suit after the game.

The last few kilometers were the toughest but McNulty said he pushed through and it paid off in the end.

I knew there was a headwind in the final stretch, I knew that would be the last big push, and I was dying, he said. Then luckily, I had a couple guys to catch in front of me to keep me motivated and pushing.

Both cyclists said they enjoyed the cycling on Charlestons roads. McNulty called it a simple course. Knibb said shes looking forward to being in the city for the next four years.

Podium Results for the U23 Womens Time Trial:

Betty Hasse (Providence, R.I.; CCB p/b Levine Law Group): 45:38.85 Chloe Patrick (Carson, Calif.; Cynisca Cycling): 47:51.28 Ella Brenneman (Gibsonia, Pa.; CCB p/b Levine Law Group): 48:00.55

Podium Results for the U23 Mens Time Trial:

Artem Shmidt (Cumming, Ga.; Hagens Berman Axeon): 38:52.17 Troy Fields (Hendersonville, Tenn.; Team California P/B Verge): 39:52.27 Owen Cole (Chapel Hill, N.C.; UAE Team Emirates Gen Z): 39:52.29

Racing resumes Thursday starting at 6:30 p.m. for night one of the twilight criterium featuring Junior Women, Junior Men, and U23 Men who will take the course first.

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Two American cyclists conquer streets of Charleston and clinch Olympic team berth - West Virginia MetroNews

STILLWATER FROM ATHLETES WHO CAME FROM AROUND THE STATE FOR THEIR MOMENT TO SHINE. THE SPECIAL OLYMPIANS LEARNED THE EVENTS THEY HAD WORKED SO HARD FOR WERE CANCELED TODAY BECAUSE OF THE RAIN. K-O-C-OS KILEY THOMAS TALKED WITH THEM AND ORGANIZERS. SPECIAL OLYMPIC ATHLETES TRAIN FOR WEEKS, EVEN MONTHS FOR THE SUMMER GAMES. BUT BECAUSE OF FLOODED FIELDS LIKE THIS ONE, MANY WONT GET THE CHANCE TO COMPETE. IM SO DISAPPOINTED WE GOT UP REAL EARLY THIS MORNING AND LOOKED OUTSIDE AND WENT, WELL, THIS ISNT GOOD. ON THURSDAY, SPECIAL OLYMPICS OKLAHOMA CANCELED ALL OUTDOOR EVENTS. ORGANIZERS SAY HEAVY RAIN AND LIGHTNING CREATED HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR THEIR ATHLETES. ITS ONE OF THE WORST DECISIONS I HAVE TO MAKE, YOU KNOW, ITS BUT WERE ALSO LOOKING OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FOLKS. WE DONT WANT TO CANCEL. WE WISH WE HAD AREAS WE COULD MOVE INSIDE. WE JUST DONT. THE CANCELLATION MEANT HUNDREDS OF ATHLETES COULDNT COMPETE ON THE BIGGEST DAY OF SUMMER GAMES, INCLUDING TEAM POTEAU. IT TAKES ABOUT 3.5 HOURS TO GET HERE, SO ITS ITS A BIG DEAL FOR US. IM HOPING THE THIRD TIMES A CHARM. HASKELL COMPETES IN SOFTBALL AND TRACK. TOMORROW WILL BE HIS ONLY CHANCE AT COMPETING, BUT HE SAYS ITS ALL FUN AND GAMES. I HOPE I DO GOOD AND I HOPE TODAY MY BETTER DAYS ARE GOOD BECAUSE OUR TEAM IS THE BEST TEAM THERE IS, AND IM HOPING THE GOOD TEAMS STAY STRONG. WE TRIED TO SHOW THEM THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU JUST MAKE THE BEST OF THE SITUATION BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR KIDS, THIS IS THEIR VACATION. YOU KNOW, THEY DONT GO ANYWHERE UNLESS THEY COME HERE. AND THATS WHY WERE SO THANKFUL FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND WHAT THEY DO HERE. TEAM BONO, BON

Rain forces cancellation of Special Olympics events in Stillwater, disappointing athletes

The cancellation meant hundreds of athletes couldn't compete on the biggest day of the Summer Games

Updated: 7:30 PM CDT May 16, 2024

The overnight storms forced the cancellation of Special Olympics events in Stillwater on Thursday, leaving athletes from around the state disappointed."I'm so disappointed," said Griffin, a 13-year-old Special Olympics athlete who competes in bocce.The decision to cancel all outdoor events was made early Thursday morning. "We got up real early this morning and looked outside and went, 'Well this ain't good,'" said Jim Scott, the games director for Special Olympics Oklahoma. "It's one of the worst decisions that I have to make, but we're also looking out for the safety of our folks. We don't want to cancel. We wish had areas we could move inside. We just don't."The cancellation meant hundreds of athletes couldn't compete on the biggest day of the Summer Games. This included Team Poteau."It takes about three and a half hours to get here, so it's a big deal for us," said Barbara Leonard, assistant coach for Poteau.Despite the cancellation, Haskell, a Special Olympics athlete who competes in softball and track and field, remained hopeful."I'm hoping that third times a charm," Haskell said. "Tomorrow, I hope I do good and I hope today, my better days are good because our team is the best team there is. And I'm hoping the good team stays strong."Leonard echoed Haskell's positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of making the best of the situation."We just try to show them no matter what, you just make the best of the situation because for a lot of our kids," she said. "This is their vacation; they don't go anywhere unless they come here, and that's why we're so grateful for Special Olympics and what they do here."Top Headlines Court Documents: 22-year-old man confessed to killing parents, sister at Chickasha home Man arrested in connection with 2023 child abuse death of 5-week-old Oklahoma City baby Strong winds snap power poles and trees during severe storms in Edmond WATCH: Sky 5 shows storm damage in Oklahoma City metro Severe storms bring large hail, damaging winds to parts of Oklahoma

The overnight storms forced the cancellation of Special Olympics events in Stillwater on Thursday, leaving athletes from around the state disappointed.

"I'm so disappointed," said Griffin, a 13-year-old Special Olympics athlete who competes in bocce.

The decision to cancel all outdoor events was made early Thursday morning.

"We got up real early this morning and looked outside and went, 'Well this ain't good,'" said Jim Scott, the games director for Special Olympics Oklahoma. "It's one of the worst decisions that I have to make, but we're also looking out for the safety of our folks. We don't want to cancel. We wish had areas we could move inside. We just don't."

The cancellation meant hundreds of athletes couldn't compete on the biggest day of the Summer Games. This included Team Poteau.

"It takes about three and a half hours to get here, so it's a big deal for us," said Barbara Leonard, assistant coach for Poteau.

Despite the cancellation, Haskell, a Special Olympics athlete who competes in softball and track and field, remained hopeful.

"I'm hoping that third times a charm," Haskell said. "Tomorrow, I hope I do good and I hope today, my better days are good because our team is the best team there is. And I'm hoping the good team stays strong."

Leonard echoed Haskell's positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of making the best of the situation.

"We just try to show them no matter what, you just make the best of the situation because for a lot of our kids," she said. "This is their vacation; they don't go anywhere unless they come here, and that's why we're so grateful for Special Olympics and what they do here."

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Rain forces cancellation of Special Olympics events in Stillwater - KOCO Oklahoma City

Anti-sex beds have been installed at the Olympic Village in Paris ahead of the 2024 games to put a halt to the wild sexual liaisons reported at past competitions.

The beds are made with recyclable materials, which will make sexual relations tricky should athletes consider hop, skip and jumping into the sack together.

However, despite the beds having this unusual function, Inside the Games has claimed the primary reason for making them in this way is sustainability.

I hope that Paris 2024s efforts to reduce its impact will show that it is possible to do things differently, Georgina Grenon, director of environmental excellence for the organizing committee, said.

The beds, which are made from completely recyclable mattresses and cardboard frames, may be familiar to competitors who participated in the Tokyo Olympics having been rolled out in 2020.

There have been extensive reports of wild sex at previous Olympic Games.

Ex table tennis player Matthew Syed told The Times that he got laid more often in those two and a half weeks than in the rest of my life in reference to the 1992 games in Barcelona.

However, he did admit that it was only twice but described it as a miracle for this then-21-year-old self.

Meanwhile, at least one foursome is reported to have taken place at the London 2012 Olympics between two male and two female athletes, the Mirror reported of the sex-mad Olympic Village.

Ive seen people having sex right out in the open, one athlete is reported to have said. On the grass, between buildings, people are getting down and dirty.

Because of the importance of sex at the competition, former long jump athlete Susen Tiedtke believes that any attempts to curb it will be futile.

[The ban] is a big laughing stock for me, it doesnt work at all. Sex is always an issue in the village, she told Bild. The athletes are at their physical peak at the Olympics. When the competition is over, they want to release their energy.

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The 'anti-sex' beds to stop Paris Olympic athletes jumping into sack but will they work? - Yahoo Singapore News

Two months before the Olympics are scheduled to begin in Paris, the global agency tasked with policing doping in sports is facing a growing crisis as it fends off allegations it helped cover up the positive tests of elite Chinese swimmers who went on to compete and win medals at the last Summer Games.

The allegations are particularly vexing for the World Anti-Doping Agency, which has long billed itself as the gold standard in the worldwide movement for clean sports, because they raise the specter that the agency and by extension the entire system set up to try to keep the Olympics clean cannot be trusted.

Athletes are openly questioning whether WADA can be relied upon to do its core job of ensuring there will be a level playing field in Paris, where some of the same Chinese swimmers are favorites to win more medals.

And in recent days, pressure on WADA has increased significantly, particularly from the United States, which is one of the agencys chief funders, and as new questions have emerged about WADAs appointment of an independent prosecutor to investigate the allegations, and whether WADA has provided an accurate account to the public about the appointment, according to interviews and documents reviewed by The New York Times.

On Wednesday, the Biden administrations top drug official who is also a member of WADAs executive committee sent a stinging letter to the antidoping agency laying out how it needs to appoint a truly independent commission to investigate how the positive tests were handled and demanding that its executive board hold an emergency meeting within the next 10 days.

Let me underscore the extreme concern I have been hearing directly from American athletes and their representatives on this issue, the official, Dr. Rahul Gupta, wrote in the letter, which was sent on Biden administration letterhead. As I have shared with you, the athletes have expressed they are heading into the Olympic and Paralympic Games with serious concerns about whether the playing field is level and the competition fair.

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Ahead of Olympics, World Anti-Doping Agency Faces a Trust Crisis - The New York Times

The 15-year-old sustained a MCL tear in her knee, according to NBC, and will subsequently miss the series, which starts in Shanghai on Thursday.

She told NBC: Every injury Ive had, Ive come back stronger. So this is just my time to really think about what I want to do next. It really puts a fire in my heart, and yeah, it happens, it is part of life.

Brown claimed park skateboard bronze at just 13 years old in the sports debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

She is currently ranked number three in the Olympic World Skate rankings behind Japanese duo Cocona Hiraki and Hinano Kusaki, the former of whom earned silver in the park skateboard event in Tokyo.

Brown had hoped to represent Team GB at this years Paris Olympics in both surfing and skateboarding, but failed to qualify at the ISA World Surfing Games in March.

It is expected that she will return in time for the second Olympic Qualifier Series event, which takes place in Budapest next month, and she hopes to medal again in Paris.

Brown added: Since the [last] Olympics, Ive won every event and I dont want to lose that streak. So Im going to keep going to try to get gold in every event, especially the Olympics.

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Skateboarder Sky Brown to miss Olympic Qualifier Series event due to knee injury - Thetford & Brandon Times

Taylor Knibb is one of the most powerful racers in the world. Full stop. Shes proven that she can win at nearly every distance of triathlon. And on Wednesday, she showed that even full-time road cyclists struggle to keep up, winning the U.S. National womens time trial championship in Charleston, W. Va., by 11 seconds over second-place Kristen Faulkner, and 50 seconds over third-place Amber Neben.

With the win, Knibb qualified for a second Olympic spot, after qualifying for the U.S. triathlon team at the Olympic test event last August. This summer, shell have a chance to win three medals in the womens individual triathlon, the mixed relay triathlon, and the womens individual time trial.

Taylor Knibb about to launch off the start at U.S. Nationals. | Photo: Snowy Mountain Photography

Im in shock and Im incredibly grateful, Knibb said after the race. I made a coaching change last year and I wanted to work with someone who knew short course triathlon, long course triathlon, and cycling because I didnt want to close the door on cycling permanently just yet. I wasnt sure if or when I would give it another go, but there was just something in my gut that told me to keep the option open.

Knibb laid down some serious speed on a mostly flat 33.7-kilometer course that went out-and-back from downtown Charleston, clocking a time of 41 minutes and 54 seconds. She took fourth in 2023 on a hillier course in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

I came away from TT Nationals last year a bit disappointed and wanting to do better, Knibb said. My team was supportive of giving it a go and the goal was to go out there, give an all-out effort, and appreciate the opportunity and experience. There are so many strong female American cyclists, so I couldnt really have many more expectations than controlling my process and execution.

Elation after an incredible effort. | Photo: Snowy Mountain Photography

Knibb is heading back to the Olympics after making her first appearance in Tokyo, where she earned a silver medal in the mixed relay. She is also a two-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion. In 2021, she won two major individual races at the Olympic distance, World Triathlon Championship Series races in Yokohama and Edmonton, and earlier this month she lined up at Yokohama again and took second.

The Olympics have loomed as Knibbs biggest goal since the start of 2024. She has become famous for seemingly being able to take on any challenge, any time, anywhere, but this year Knibb challenged herself to focus on gold medal glory.

If you saw last years racing, or the previous years racing, I was kind of just looking at the shiny objects, Knibb told the Race Shop in March. I love racing, I love putting myself out there, but Im not always prepared. So actually being forced to write down my priorities, that was a big exercise for me in terms of shaping the year. And the only thing I had as a top tier was Paris.

Taylor laying down the watts in Charleston. | Photo: Snowy Mountain Photography

We cant wait to watch Knibb take not one, not two, but three shots at earning Olympic hardware. She will also join an illustrious group of athletes who can claim that theyve competed as Olympians in multiple sports. But despite now taking on another discipline, her preparation and focus will remain largely the same ahead of Paris.

When I told my new coach about doing cycling and triathlon in one of our first conversations ever, he said he was interested because apparently the TT and WTCS races use quite similar energy systems and can really complement each other, Knibb said. And I already like to alternate riding my road and time trial bikes, so I think the biggest change will be that I will be riding the UCI TT position still vs. my triathlon time trial position (yes, I have two different positions). But well see!

Taylor has her sights set on Paris. | Photo: Snowy Mountain Photography

Knibb has yet to find her ceiling, if it exists. You wont want to miss what she does next. But before she gets right back to work, shes spending time with family and celebrating an incredible feat as one of the most versatile endurance athletes in the world.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Trek and [Trek Race Shop triathlon support manager] Mark Andrews, specifically for being on the ground and making this whole project possible, Knibb said. Thank you for the belief and the support it wouldnt be possible without you.

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Taylor Knibb wins U.S. Time Trial Championship, earning *2nd* Olympic spot - Trek Race Shop

Olympic triathlete Taylor Knibb stunned even herself by winning the womens time trial at the U.S. road cycling championships.

Now, she will have the opportunity to compete in two different sports at this years Paris Games.

Knibb ripped over the flat, out-and-back course around Charleston, West Virginia, in 45 minutes, 54 seconds Wednesday, beating pre-race favorite Kristen Faulkner by 11 seconds. Three-time Olympian Amber Neben was 49 seconds back in third place.

That means that Knibb will contest the time trial and road race in Paris alongside Chloe Dygert, who will be heavily favored to win the gold medal in the race against the clock. Dygert is not competing at nationals because she already had qualified for the Olympics by winning the time trial at last years world championships.

Knibb also had previously qualified for Paris, albeit in the triathlon, when the 26-year-old from Washington, D.C., finished fifth at a test event held over the Olympic course at the historic Pont Alexandre III bridge last August.

Im in shock. Ill be perfectly honest, Knibb said at the finish line Wednesday. There are so many incredible riders out here it was such an incredible day riding with them. Im like, Wow, this is so cool. They ride on the World Tour. Thats amazing!'

In the mens time trial, defending champion Brandon McNulty finished the 20.9-mile (33.7-kilometer) course in 37:42, beating runner-up Tyler Stites by 58 seconds. Neilson Powless finished another four seconds adrift in third place.

The U.S. qualified two womens entries for Paris Knibb and Dygert now have secured them and three spots for its mens team. McNulty locked up one Wednesday while the other two will be announced at a later date and are dependent on several factors, including which American riders will be competing for their pro teams in the Tour de France.

Three years ago, Knibb became the youngest woman ever on the U.S. triathlon team for the Olympics. She finished 16th in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics but helped the Americans win the silver medal in the mixed team relay.

The two-time IRONMAN 70.3 world champion, who has been spending more time on the bike the past couple of years, covered the first half of the time trial course in 20:59, putting Knibb in a dead heat with Faulkner, who rode into West Virginia on a wave having already won Omloop van het Hageland and a stage at La Vuelta Feminina this year.

Knibb pulled away over the second half of the ride, though, securing her spot on the U.S. road cycling team for Paris.

There were four turns and thats it, Knibb said. Last year, there were so many turns and my coach said, Youre really good at holding race pace. Your weakness is getting to race pace. So, only four times I had to get to race pace. And that was a relief for me. If it did get a little bit more surgey, it would have probably favored some other women a lot better.

The Olympic schedule should work in Knibbs favor. The womens time trial has moved up to July 27, giving her a cushion before the womens triathlon on July 31. The road race is Aug. 4 and the triathlon mixed relay is the following day.

McNulty, who won a stage at the Giro dItalia last year and was third overall at Paris-Nice this season, was the final rider off in the mens time trial Wednesday. By the intermediate time check, the UAE Team Emirates rider already was more than 30 seconds ahead of Stites and Powless, who had started just ahead of him, and he never slowed down from there.

The U.S. road cycling championships continue through the weekend in Charleston, the new host city for the event. The mens and womens road races wrap up competition Sunday, though there are no automatic Olympic berths on the line.

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Olympic triathlete Taylor Knibb wins US cycling time trial to earn spot in Paris in a second sport - Iron Mountain Daily News

VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO) Its a big weekend for athletes from across South Dakota taking part in this years Special Olympics. More than 500 athletes are a part of the event this year. The three-day gathering is open to the public and is expected to bring more than a thousand spectators to Vermillion.

For nearly 10 years, Cole Pedersen has been competing in the South Dakota Special Olympics.

I love all of our athletes. Theyre all great competitors. Its more important just to see how everybody comes out, gives it their best no matter what. If they win or lose, its not about that. Its about coming out here and having fun, Pederson said.

In the past, hes done many of the athletic events offered. This year, hes trying something new.

It is my first year doing powerlifting. I just thought Id try something, you know, just fun to come out, have a good time, Pederson said.

While Pedersens day was just getting started, others like Orion Karsch were already in full competition swing.

I already competed in two swimming events. I got a gold medal in both of them, Karsch said.

Karsch said hes been competing since 2019, and hes also been able to conquer his fear of the pool.

I kind of just had to, you know, just stay calm and just say its going to be okay, Karsch said.

The Special Olympics includes more than 20 Olympic-type sports and is supported by more than 100 coaches.

Just the joy that the athletes have and just the joy that the sports brings them is something that cant be described in words, South Dakota Special Olympics Marketing Manager Jill Kvanli said.

And just about every athlete told us the same thing its not about winning.

Its about being a good sport, citizenship and sportsmanship and wishing the other athletes good luck and stuff, Special Olympics athlete Jordan Olson said.

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Over 500 athletes competing in SD Special Olympics - KELOLAND.com