Category: Sports

MILAN – In a stunning upset that shook the hockey world, Team USA claimed Olympic gold Sunday with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against heavily favored Canada in Milan.

The defeat delivered a crushing blow to Canada, a nation where hockey excellence defines national pride. With nine Olympic men’s hockey championships compared to just three for the United States, Canada entered the final as the expected victor in this storied rivalry.

“Losing hurts, doesn’t matter who it’s to,” Canadian head coach Jon Cooper stated following the match. “I look at this game, I’m so proud of what went on. I’m proud of our country. I’m proud of our players and proud of our team.”

Cooper added: “At the end, you’re going to read in a book that in 2026 USA won the gold in Olympic hockey and Canada won the silver. I think in the grand scheme, the big winner of this tournament was ice hockey.”

Across Canada, devoted fans had risen before dawn to watch their team, with establishments opening their doors at 5 a.m. on the Pacific coast. Instead of celebration, they witnessed American players rejoicing while their own squad absorbed a devastating loss on hockey’s most prestigious platform.

The absence of team captain Sidney Crosby loomed large over the championship game. The Pittsburgh Penguins star, who scored the game-winning goal when Canada defeated the US for Olympic gold in 2010, suffered an injury during the quarterfinal match against the Czech Republic.

“You want to be out here and you want to find any way possible, but not at the expense of what needs to be done,” Crosby explained regarding his decision to sit out. “And watching the way we played today, guys played incredible.”

When questioned about potentially missing his final opportunity for a third Olympic gold medal, the 38-year-old hockey legend, nicknamed “Sid the Kid,” acknowledged: “It might have crossed my mind a little bit. But ultimately it was about what’s best for our group.”

Canadian players expressed their disappointment at being unable to secure victory for their injured captain.

“He’s been everything for this country,” said 19-year-old San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini. “We wanted to get that for him and make him proud.”

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand shared similar feelings of regret.

“You feel bad letting a guy like that down,” Marchand commented. “One of the best ever to play. Wish we could have got it done for him.”

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid stepped into the leadership role, wearing the captain’s armband in Crosby’s absence – a moment many observers interpreted as a generational transition. However, Crosby downplayed such symbolism.

“I was just so grateful to be part of this group, the way we played, the way we got better with every game, that was so important. You could feel it,” Crosby reflected.

“I was thinking more about that, and just being grateful and thankful to be part of this group more than I was thinking about passing the torch or anything like that. (McDavid) was incredible. And as his teammate, it was fun to watch.”

The championship loss served as a stark reminder that past success provides no guarantee of future victories. Canada had previously triumphed in their last three decisive matchups against the Americans – in 2002, 2010, and during last year’s 4 Nations tournament.

The team had also demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the Milan tournament, mounting comeback victories in both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.

However, despite controlling significant portions of Sunday’s final, Canada’s tournament magic finally expired when they needed it most.

Jack Hughes delivered a storybook finish for Team USA, scoring the decisive goal in overtime to defeat Canada 2-1 and capture Olympic hockey gold in Milan. The victory provided a perfect conclusion to a men’s hockey tournament that exceeded all expectations.

The triumph marked the first time NHL players participated in Olympic competition since 2014, and the league couldn’t have asked for a better showcase. The championship game featured the dream matchup between hockey’s two powerhouse nations, battling for the final gold medal available in Milan.

In a remarkable coincidence, the American victory occurred precisely 46 years after their legendary “Miracle on Ice” triumph against the Soviet Union. Fans filled the newly constructed Santagiulia arena to witness what became another historic moment in American hockey history.

“We’re just so proud to be American and win,” Hughes commented after the game.

Tournament organizers faced early challenges completing the venue and addressing complaints about the ice surface dimensions. However, once competition began, those concerns faded as the arena’s distinctive blue lighting made it a prominent landmark for visitors and residents alike.

Hockey emerged as the most sought-after event in Milan, with NHL superstars rushing from airports to practice facilities with minimal preparation time, adjusting to different regulations and schedules.

Both Canada and the United States entered as tournament favorites and maintained flawless records during group play, though they encountered intense opposition in elimination rounds.

The knockout phase delivered exceptional drama, with three of the four quarterfinal matches requiring overtime as NHL teammates found themselves competing against each other for Olympic medals.

Canada, the defending champions from the last NHL-participated Olympics in 2014, mounted an impressive comeback from a two-goal deficit against Finland in semifinal action. Meanwhile, Slovakia surprised many by advancing to the final four, demonstrating the tournament’s competitive depth.

Finland secured the bronze medal with a commanding 6-1 victory over Slovakia on Saturday, but the Americans had the final celebration.

“I know I’m going to speak on behalf of a lot of guys,” said U.S. forward Brady Tkachuk. “This is the most fun two weeks that I’ve almost ever had in my life.”

An Austrian bobsled team pilot narrowly escaped severe injuries following a frightening crash during Olympic competition that left his sled completely overturned, according to Austria’s Olympic Committee announcement on Sunday.

Jakob Mandlbauer’s dramatic accident was among three separate crashes that repeatedly interrupted Saturday’s Four-Man bobsleigh competition, with his upside-down sled creating the most alarming scene. All three of his crew members were able to walk away unharmed from the incident.

Following the crash, the 27-year-old athlete received initial medical evaluation at Codivilla Hospital in Cortina before being moved to Treviso Hospital where doctors monitored a spinal disc condition.

“Jakob Mandlbauer was transferred by air ambulance from Treviso to Salzburg on Sunday afternoon and taken to the accident hospital there,” the Austrian Olympic Committee said in a statement.

“Prior to this, extensive pressure tests on his arms and legs were carried out, along with pain therapy.”

Although Mandlbauer has been wearing a protective neck brace since the accident occurred, he has successfully stood without assistance and maintains a positive outlook regarding his medical treatment.

“I was and still am receiving excellent care,” Mandlbauer said.

Medical professionals plan to have a spine specialist evaluate the bobsledder in Salzburg on Monday as they take a careful approach to his healing process.

“Then hopefully I’ll be able to go home soon,” he added.

MILAN – The United States men’s hockey team made history in Milan, capturing their first Olympic gold medal in 44 years thanks to an overtime goal by Jack Hughes and a spectacular goaltending performance by Connor Hellebuyck in their victory over Canada.

The 32-year-old Hellebuyck turned away 40 shots during regulation as Canada relentlessly attacked the American net seeking the tying goal. When the Canadians finally managed to score, Team USA managed to survive the remaining time and push the championship game into overtime.

During the medal presentation, the loudest applause was directed toward both Hellebuyck and Hughes, with supporters showing equal appreciation for their goaltender’s heroics and their overtime hero.

“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said. “He was our best player tonight, by a mile. Unbelievable game, Unreal game by our team. That’s just a ballsy, gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there.”

Forward Matthew Tkachuk also praised the netminder’s championship performance.

“We’re going to be talking about this performance for generations. It was an all-time performance from a superstar at his position,” Tkachuk said. “If we don’t have him, we don’t win.”

The Winnipeg Jets goaltender had faced knee surgery in November and frequently dealt with media scrutiny regarding his playoff performances, but the veteran put those concerns to rest at Milano Cortina.

“At the time, though, it was scary moments having a big injury, and there was some doubt whether it was going to affect my game, but that process played its way out,” Hellebuyck said. “Those critics, they can keep writing, but they don’t understand goaltending. They definitely don’t understand my game. I know what I’m putting forward, and I know what I’m building. You know these are the moments that prove it.”

Throughout the contest, Hellebuyck remained steadfast against Canada’s offensive pressure, including a remarkable save in the third period when he denied Devon Toews by reaching behind himself with his stick to stop a point-blank attempt.

“It’s not my first stick save in my career,” Hellebuyck said. “It’s probably the biggest moment to make a stick save. But when I’m rolling back and the puck’s not in the net, it’s just an overwhelming feeling of ‘I got this’.”

The 24-year-old Hughes, who lost teeth during the game before netting the decisive goal, had also battled through injuries leading up to the Olympics.

His brother and teammate Quinn Hughes reflected on Jack’s journey to this moment.

“I remember when he got injured last year in Vegas, and he was just crushed,” teammate and brother Quinn Hughes said. “For him to make that impact, I’m not surprised, because when I look around the room before overtime, there’s probably three or four guys that look at him like, ‘that guy’s not nervous’. He wants to be that guy. And I felt that way about Jack, just a special guy, happy it happened to him, and just my best friend, but also a special player.”

MILAN – Team USA’s men’s hockey squad has finally broken their decades-long Olympic gold medal drought, claiming victory over Canada in a heart-stopping 2-1 overtime battle that concluded Sunday’s championship match.

Jack Hughes netted the decisive goal to secure America’s third Olympic hockey title and their first golden triumph since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” achievement. The timing couldn’t have been more poetic – the victory came precisely 46 years after that historic Lake Placid moment.

During the intense three-on-three overtime period, Hughes received a feed from Zach Werenski and buried the puck into the net just one minute and 41 seconds into the extra frame. The hero’s celebration was marked by a bloodied, gap-toothed smile after taking a high stick to the face during the third period.

Equipment went flying across the ice as Hughes’ teammates rushed to celebrate with their champion after the goal.

“The best experiences I have are playing for my country, playing to break the golden drought with this group of guys and for us to win gold here at the Olympics,” Hughes stated.

Speaking to reporters afterward with a noticeable lisp from his injury and the scent of victory champagne in the air, Hughes added, “Just an unbelievable moment.”

The Americans struck first when Matt Boldy found the net six minutes into the game on their opening shot attempt. Canada answered back through Cale Makar’s equalizer, setting up a tension-filled final period.

American netminder Connor Hellebuyck delivered a stellar performance with 40 saves throughout regulation time, capping off an outstanding tournament run where he never allowed a power-play goal in Milan.

Canada played without their leader Sidney Crosby, the 38-year-old who famously scored the overtime winner against the U.S. for gold on Canadian soil in Vancouver 2010. Crosby departed the quarterfinals with an injury, leaving fans to wonder if they witnessed his final Olympic appearance.

“You want to be out there and you want to find every way possible but not at the expense of what needs to be done,” Crosby commented. “It’s just unfortunate we couldn’t find a way.”

This marks the first occasion where American teams have swept both the men’s and women’s hockey tournaments at a single Olympics, following the women’s overtime victory over Canada on Thursday.

The competition unfolded amid ongoing political friction between the United States and Canada, with President Donald Trump repeatedly suggesting he might make Canada America’s 51st state through “economic force.”

The White House’s social media account shared an image showing an American eagle dominating a Canadian goose, and U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan revealed that Trump phoned to congratulate the team following their triumph.

“This game in a lot of ways was an inspiration to our country,” Sullivan remarked.

The highly anticipated matchup between these North American powerhouses lived up to expectations after NHL stars returned to Olympic competition following a 12-year hiatus, delivering an aggressive battle for the final gold medal of the Milano Cortina Games.

Spectators at the Santagiulia arena created a raucous atmosphere with competing “USA!” and “Canada!” chants as both teams exchanged physical play.

America waited until the sixth minute to register their first shot, but Boldy made it memorable by maneuvering past two Canadian defenders and slipping a backhand shot past the goaltender.

The Americans had maintained a perfect penalty kill record throughout the tournament, but faced their biggest test when two players were penalized simultaneously. They successfully defended during the five-on-three disadvantage in the second period’s middle stages.

Canada finally solved Hellebuyck with under two minutes remaining in the second period when Devon Toews found Makar wide open, and the Canadian defenseman converted with a precise wrist shot.

Team USA missed a golden opportunity to avoid overtime when Sam Bennett, a late addition to Canada’s roster, received a four-minute penalty for striking Hughes in the mouth during the third period.

“I looked down at the ice and saw my teeth. I was like ‘Here we go again’,” Hughes recalled. “The last time that happened, it wasn’t very fun.”

Despite the crowd’s passionate pleas, neither team could break the deadlock as regulation time expired.

Following his older brother Quinn’s heroic quarterfinal performance four days earlier, Jack Hughes seized his moment to shine, proudly displaying his battle-scarred grin while draped in the Stars and Stripes.

The team honored the memory of late Johnny Gaudreau by holding up his jersey after the victory, paying tribute to the Columbus Blue Jackets forward who represented the United States. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew tragically died in a vehicle accident in 2024.

“Just a subtle reminder that him, his brother, that they’re kind of with us in spirit,” team captain Auston Matthews explained.

Following their historic overtime victory over Canada that secured America’s first Olympic hockey gold in over four decades, the U.S. men’s hockey team made sure to remember a fallen teammate who couldn’t be there to celebrate with them.

Johnny Gaudreau, a 31-year-old forward who had competed alongside many of these players, was tragically killed in August 2024 when a drunk driver struck him and his brother Matthew while they were riding bicycles. The fatal accident occurred just three months after Gaudreau had represented the United States at the World Championships.

During Sunday’s medal presentation ceremony in Milan, team members displayed Gaudreau’s number 13 jersey as they stood together celebrating their dramatic victory. The touching tribute continued when players Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin brought Gaudreau’s children from the spectator area down to the ice surface, where they participated in the championship team photograph alongside their father’s jersey.

“Just to get it done, to score that big goal that USA Hockey, the guys that have worn this jersey before us, have been missing, it’s just an incredible feeling,” Larkin said.

“This is for a lot of people. This is for the guys that wore this jersey before us, and Johnny Gaudreau especially. All those people, they should be here with us, Johnny, Matty his brother, and to get it done today is just an unbelievable feeling.”

American supporters in the Santagiulia arena could be heard shouting “Johnny Hockey” — Gaudreau’s well-known nickname — throughout the celebration that followed the championship victory.

Team captain Auston Matthews explained the deep connection many players shared with Gaudreau and how the team kept his memory present throughout their Olympic journey.

“I think he’s had a big impact on a lot of guys in our room, a lot of guys grew up with him, played with him, spent a lot of time with him,” captain Auston Matthews said.

“We had his jersey in our room last year at the Four Nations. We had his jersey in the room here at the Olympics.

“Just a subtle reminder that him and his brother, they’re kind of with us in spirit. And to be able to get it done like that, to win, to have his jersey out there and the team photo and have his kids come out and be with us.

“We’re obviously thinking of him and we just felt like the impact that he’s had on so many guys in our room was special and he was with us here in spirit the whole tournament.”

A decade ago, critics questioned whether NBC made a costly mistake when the network committed $7.75 billion in 2014 to broadcast the Olympics in America through 2032.

Those doubts are fading as NBC celebrates its highest Winter Olympics viewership in more than a decade.

Data from Nielsen and Adobe Analytics shows NBC drew an average of 24 million viewers during its afternoon block from 2-5 p.m. and evening coverage from 8-11 p.m. through Friday’s Milan Games coverage. This represents a dramatic 94% jump compared to the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

The Milan success continues a positive trend that began with the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, which saw an 82% increase over the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Final viewership statistics covering all 17 days of competition, including Team USA’s thrilling 2-1 overtime hockey victory against Canada on Sunday, will be announced Monday.

“I think that the Paris Games deserve a lot of the credit for rejuvenating that interest and enthusiasm, and some of that momentum continued through to Milan,” NBC Sports President Rick Cordella said from Milan.

NBC’s Olympics president and executive producer Molly Solomon and her production team earned recognition for overhauling the network’s broadcasting strategy following Beijing’s disappointing ratings.

Rather than saving marquee events for evening broadcasts, NBC began streaming competitions live across multiple platforms while transforming primetime programming into a highlight show featuring athlete interviews and expert commentary for audiences who watched events earlier.

“How do we best make sure that we are continuing to tell the story (of athletes) after they leave the venues? I do think that one of the improvements we made from our Paris coverage was to follow the athletes to their after-parties and reunions with their friends and families,” said Solomon, who is overseeing coverage from NBC Sports’ headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

“When Alex Ferreira won (the gold medal in men’s halfpipe), we went to the bar where he was celebrating. There was a Team USA celebration for Mikaela Shiffrin, where we were there for the toast, and she talked about not being able to help Breezy Johnson get on the platform.”

“These athletes trusted us to have our cameras there, and I do think it made for even richer storytelling and taking the audience there.”

NBC embraced broadcasting methods long used internationally while responding to American viewers calling for changes. Although the network had offered online streaming for all Olympic events since London 2012, the launch of Peacock in 2020 marked a significant expansion.

By Friday, Americans had streamed 14.8 billion minutes of Milan Olympics content, more than twice the combined total of all previous Winter Games at 6.9 billion minutes.

Increased viewership also reflects improved American athletic performance after disappointing showings in Tokyo and Beijing, both held in isolated, largely empty venues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thursday’s overtime victory by the U.S. women’s hockey team over Canada, combined with Alysa Liu’s figure skating gold medal, drew 26.7 million viewers across NBC, USA Network, Peacock and other NBCUniversal digital properties.

The women’s hockey championship game alone attracted 5.3 million viewers on USA Network and Peacock, setting a new record for women’s hockey television audience. Viewership peaked at 7.7 million during overtime when Megan Keller scored the winning goal.

“It was truly a golden hour. We popped between control rooms, and you just never know what’s going to happen,” Solomon said. “The energy in our control rooms on site, we couldn’t believe the confluence of drama and excitement, but that really is what the Olympics is about. It’s unpredictable, thrilling, and it just coincided in the golden 64 minutes.”

NBC expects to maintain this positive trajectory for upcoming Games. The 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics will feature comprehensive live coverage throughout each day, while the 2030 Winter Olympics in France’s Alps will use the successful formula developed for Paris and Milan.

The 2032 Brisbane Summer Games present scheduling challenges since most events will occur overnight for American audiences, but the 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics will again provide live coverage in favorable time zones.

NBC secured Olympic broadcasting rights through 2036 after agreeing to a $3 billion deal last year for the 2034 and 2036 Games.

“Paris begets Milan, and Milan will beget LA. I think the Olympics are just unique in many respects,” Cordella said. “The U.S.-Swiss curling match, there are hundreds of thousands of people online streaming. They’re seeking it out and watching these matchups of these athletes; they probably didn’t know about them before the Olympics began. It’s compelling TV, and that’s kind of what the Olympics does.”

Sweden’s women’s curling team has reached new heights after capturing their second Olympic gold medal on Sunday, with team captain Anna Hasselborg declaring the squad is at peak performance following their historic victory in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

The Swedish team edged Switzerland 6-5 in the final match, making Olympic history as the first women’s curling squad to secure three total Olympic medals. This latest gold joins their 2018 Pyeongchang victory and their 2022 Beijing bronze medal.

“Everything we’ve been working for the last four years – we’re going a little bit harder without the hammer, going aggressive, really putting rocks in play – everything just came together this weekend,” Hasselborg explained after the victory.

“Technically, we’re so strong, but I think the key one thing is our team spirit, and the trust we have for each other, and all the fun we’re having…”

“Eight years later (after Pyeongchang), I think this is the strongest we have ever been, mentally, technically, strategically and just that we have believed in each other for the whole way. It’s never been a doubt. It’s just unreal,” the team leader added.

The path to gold wasn’t expected to be easy for Sweden, as they entered the Games without favored status. The team faced significant personal challenges during the previous Olympic cycle, including roster changes and the fact that three players, including Hasselborg, welcomed babies in 2023.

The squad gradually regained their competitive edge leading up to the Games, securing their third European Curling Championships crown in November. Their Olympic performance was dominant, finishing with a strong preliminary round and becoming the first team to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, they defeated Canada, the world’s top-ranked women’s team and two-time world champions, before claiming the gold medal match.

Hasselborg, 36, had previously characterized her team as a “circus” due to their large traveling family group, and she emphasized how meaningful this victory was with her children watching from the stands.

“It’s everything I ever dreamt of. Becoming a mother, it’s not always easy to find that balance and motivation, because becoming a mom is so much more important than everything else,” she reflected.

“But we found that, we found that at the right time. We just found the balance that was perfect… I think they (children) have had a really fun weekend. They were also taken by the moment. They understood there was something big happening.”

“Especially my daughter, who is a little bit older. I’m so proud to be able to show them that anything is possible, with the support of the family. You can do anything,” Hasselborg concluded.

According to a report from The Athletic, the Cleveland Guardians have reached an agreement with veteran first baseman Rhys Hoskins on a minor league contract.

Sources indicate Hoskins would receive a base salary of $1.5 million if he successfully makes Cleveland’s major league roster. The deal remains contingent on the player passing a physical examination, though Hoskins was already present at the team’s spring training facility in Arizona on Sunday.

The veteran slugger will celebrate his 33rd birthday next month and brings significant experience from his time in the National League. Hoskins spent his first six professional seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies before joining the Milwaukee Brewers for the last two campaigns.

His 2023 season was completely wiped out after suffering a torn ACL during spring training preparations. Throughout his major league career, Hoskins has compiled a .238 batting average while launching 186 home runs and driving in 530 runs.

Injuries limited Hoskins to just 90 appearances for Milwaukee last season, as he dealt with both a left thumb UCL sprain and bone bruise. During that abbreviated campaign, he managed a .237 batting average with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs. The Brewers eventually acquired Andrew Vaughn from the Chicago White Sox to handle first base duties.

Golf superstar Tiger Woods has fans buzzing after hinting at a potential return to competitive play at this year’s Masters tournament during a Saturday television appearance.

The legendary golfer, who has claimed five Masters victories and 15 major championships throughout his career, created excitement during his guest commentary stint with Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman in the CBS broadcast booth. Woods was providing analysis during the third round of the Genesis Invitational, an event he hosts at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.

The 50-year-old athlete hasn’t played competitively since the 2024 Open Championship, after which he underwent disc replacement surgery in October. He also had surgical treatment for a torn Achilles tendon last March.

During the broadcast, Nantz mentioned that world-ranked golfer Rory McIlroy would be defending his Augusta National title and that top-ranked Scottie Scheffler would also be participating. Nantz then posed the question to Woods: “Anybody else you know who might be playing this year?”

“I know I’ll be there,” Woods responded with a grin. “We’re going to open up The Patch (a local municipal golf course), and Trev and I are going to be part of a great (champions) dinner.”

After Nantz clarified he wasn’t specifically referring to Woods, the golf champion continued his playful exchange.

Immelman then posed a straightforward question to Woods.

“Is there a possibility that you can get out there?” Immelman inquired.

“There is,” Woods confirmed.

When Nantz followed up by asking whether Woods planned to participate in any tournaments prior to the Masters, Woods replied with uncertainty.

“I don’t know,” Woods stated.

Throughout his illustrious career, Woods has secured 82 PGA Tour victories, including Masters wins in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2019.

The United States men’s hockey team made history Sunday at the Milan Cortina Olympics, claiming the gold medal with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the championship game.

Jack Hughes delivered the game-winning goal in the extra period, securing America’s third Olympic men’s hockey title and ending a 46-year championship drought that dated back to the legendary “Miracle on Ice” victory in 1980. Remarkably, Sunday’s triumph came exactly 46 years to the day after that iconic upset against the Soviet Union.

The gold medal match served as the final event of the Winter Olympics, providing a dramatic conclusion to the Games with Team USA’s long-awaited return to the top of the Olympic hockey podium.

Minnesota Twins All-Star pitcher Joe Ryan is dealing with lower back inflammation after missing his scheduled spring training appearance on Saturday, the team announced.

The 29-year-old right-hander received an MRI and shared the results with media on Sunday. The injury news comes just two days after the organization revealed that pitcher Pablo Lopez will need Tommy John surgery this week, sidelining him for the entire 2026 season.

“I didn’t do any deep dives and don’t have Twitter. … I’m sorry to scare everyone,” Ryan said when speaking with reporters on Sunday.

Ryan recently signed a $6.2 million deal to avoid going to arbitration this offseason.

During the 2024 campaign, the right-handed pitcher compiled a 13-10 win-loss record along with a personal-best 3.42 earned run average and 194 strikeouts across 31 games, including 30 starts. Last summer marked his debut appearance in the All-Star Game.

MILAN – Team USA’s men’s hockey squad secured Olympic gold Sunday evening, edging out Canada 2-1 in a nail-biting overtime showdown that captivated viewers worldwide.

The dramatic victory in Milan represents the third time American men have claimed hockey’s top Olympic prize, ending a 44-year drought that stretched back to the iconic 1980 Lake Placid games when the underdog U.S. team stunned the hockey world.

Sunday’s championship game required extra time to determine a winner, with the Americans ultimately prevailing in the sudden-death overtime period to deny Canada what would have been their latest addition to an already impressive Olympic hockey legacy.

VERONA, Italy – Several hundred demonstrators filled the streets of Verona on February 22nd, staging a protest just hours before the Winter Olympics closing ceremony was set to begin at the city’s historic Roman arena at 8:30 p.m.

University students and advocacy groups organized the demonstration under the banner “Olympics? No thanks,” expressing opposition to what they describe as an event that harms forests, covers sensitive land with concrete, and worsens social disparities.

“We are here to defend our territory from speculation… and from the impossible cost of attending events,” declared 76-year-old activist Giannina Dal Bosco, pointing out that closing ceremony tickets were priced around 400 euros.

Demonstrators carried signs with messages like “Fewer Games for the few, more homes for everyone.”

Francesca, a 34-year-old who made the 60-kilometer journey from Vicenza, criticized how new Olympic facilities have altered the natural environment. “They built concrete monstrosities like the bobsleigh track, which will serve no purpose,” she stated. “Public money has been wasted that could have been used for hydrogeological safety and housing plans.”

Among the crowd, some participants displayed Palestinian flags and wore keffiyeh scarves as they marched.

The demonstration route took protesters on a two-hour walk outside the security zone, starting at the historic 16th-century Porta Palio and ending at Arsenal Square from the 19th century.

This protest was smaller than an earlier demonstration in Milan that drew nearly 10,000 participants on the Games’ opening day and eventually became violent.

LIVIGNO, Italy – Eileen Gu made Olympic history in spectacular fashion, earning three medals that propelled China past the United States in freestyle skiing dominance at the Milano Cortina Games.

The 22-year-old athlete secured one gold and two silver medals through breathtaking aerial maneuvers in the Italian Alpine resort town, establishing herself as the most accomplished freestyle skier in Olympic history.

Gu, who was born in America but competes for China in honor of her mother’s heritage, entered these games with three previous Olympic medals. Her latest achievements brought China’s freestyle skiing medal total to nine, surpassing America’s count of eight.

The competition showcased unprecedented athleticism, with skiers executing more complex aerial tricks and achieving greater heights than ever witnessed before. Judges evaluate performances based on both technical execution and innovative creativity.

Norway’s Tormod Frostad exemplified this elevated standard in big air competition, earning an exceptional score of 195.5 out of a possible 200 points.

“Year after year we get to see the progression of a sport as the average of everybody rises,” Gu said.

“We all get better, and maybe the people at the top are contributing a little bit more, but everybody is contributing to that growth.”

China’s strength extended beyond Gu’s individual success, particularly in aerials competition. The married duo of Wang Xindi and Xu Mengtao claimed gold medals in their respective women’s and men’s aerial events.

Despite their dominance, China fell short of sweeping all aerial competitions when the United States successfully defended their mixed team aerials championship.

Canadian veteran Mikael Kingsbury provided another highlight, competing in his fourth and final Olympics at age 33. The moguls specialist earned silver in men’s competition and gold in the newly-added dual moguls event, cementing his status as freestyle skiing’s most decorated male athlete with his collection spanning multiple Winter Games.

American Alex Ferreira also completed his medal set, adding halfpipe gold to his previous bronze and silver medals from earlier Olympics.

LIVIGNO, Italy – What should have been purely a moment of triumph turned bittersweet for Olympic champion Eileen Gu on Sunday. The 22-year-old freestyle skier made history by becoming the most successful Olympic athlete in her sport, only to receive devastating news moments later about her grandmother’s passing.

During a press conference following her victory in Livigno, Gu became emotional while speaking about her grandmother, Feng Guozhen, who had been a major source of inspiration throughout her career.

“A lot of people just cruise through life, but she was a steamship,” Gu shared through tears. “This woman commanded life and she grabbed it by the reins and she made it into what she wanted it to be.”

Gu, who was born in America but chose to compete for China in honor of her mother’s and grandmother’s heritage, secured her sixth Olympic medal with Sunday’s women’s halfpipe victory.

The champion reflected on conversations with her grandmother about pursuing professional skiing, including discussions about competing in the Milano Cortina Games.

“I didn’t promise her that I was going to win, but I did promise her that I was going to be brave like she has been brave,” Gu explained.

“And that’s why I keep referring to this theme of betting on myself and being brave and taking risks. It actually goes back to that promise I made my grandma.”

“I’m really happy that I was able to uphold that and hopefully do her proud,” she continued, “but it’s also a really difficult time for me now.”

Winter Olympics organizers are revealing the staggering food consumption numbers from the recent games, showing just how much fuel elite athletes need to compete at the highest level.

According to Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Milano Cortina Games, competitors went through approximately two wheels of Grana Padano cheese daily throughout the competition. Over the entire 16-day event, athletes consumed roughly one ton of the renowned Italian cheese.

The daily food totals were equally impressive: athletes downed about 132 pounds of Grana Padano cheese, 805 pounds of pasta, 10,000 eggs, 8,000 cups of coffee, and 12,000 pizza slices each day. When laid end to end, those pizza slices would stretch nearly 1,800 meters.

Varnier put the scale into perspective with another comparison. “Just to give an idea of the scale, if we stacked all the trays used for each meal every day, they would form a 60-km tower – around 18 times the height of Mount Tofana in Cortina, which is 3,225 metres high,” he explained.

The enormous food requirements reflect the high energy demands of elite athletic competition, Varnier noted. Kitchen staff prepared up to 4,500 meals daily at the Milan Olympic village, with nearly 4,000 more in Cortina and 2,300 in Predazzo. Planning the extensive menus required about twelve months of preparation, according to organizers.

Games chairman Giovanni Malago praised the results of that planning effort. “Apart from the quantity, everyone praised the quality of the food provided,” he stated.

The games proved successful beyond just feeding athletes well. Varnier reported that organizers sold approximately 1.3 million tickets, representing 88% of total available capacity across all competition sessions.

International visitors made up the majority of spectators, with 63% coming from outside Italy while 37% were domestic attendees. German visitors represented the largest foreign contingent at 15%, followed by Americans at 14%, and British and Swiss fans each comprising about 6% of the audience.

Several sports drew particularly strong crowds. “Among the most popular disciplines with spectators was skimo, introduced for the first time at these Olympics in Bormio, which was sold out in both sessions. It was followed by speed skating and short track, both at 95% capacity, figure skating at 93% and ice hockey at 93%,” Varnier reported.

The Olympic cauldrons in Milan and Cortina became major attractions themselves, emerging as some of the most photographed symbols from the 2026 Winter Games. Since February 6, approximately 300,000 people have watched the 88 daily four-minute light and music presentations at Milan’s Arco della Pace.

“It was a great success that energised the city,” Varnier said of the cauldron displays.

The twin cauldrons will present their final performance on Sunday before being temporarily extinguished during closing ceremonies in Verona. After remaining dark for several days, organizers will relight them with updated colors and music for the Paralympic Games running from March 6 through 15.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – German bobsledders delivered a spectacular performance at the Winter Olympics, securing gold medals in three team competitions while falling just short of a complete sweep when they narrowly lost the women’s Monobob event.

The impressive showing marked Germany’s second consecutive Olympics where their men’s teams occupied all three medal positions in their respective races – a feat no nation had accomplished before the Beijing Games four years earlier.

While Germany’s dominance was undeniable, it came after disappointing results in luge and skeleton events, where the traditional sliding powerhouse managed only three of five possible golds in luge and zero medals in skeleton after previously winning every title in those sports.

The Monobob competition provided the most dramatic moment when Germany’s Laura Nolte held the lead through three runs but stumbled in her final attempt. That opening allowed 41-year-old American Elana Meyers Taylor to claim her first Olympic gold after collecting three silver and two bronze medals across five Olympic appearances. Meyers Taylor edged Nolte by just four hundredths of a second, while defending champion Kaillie Humphries earned bronze for the United States.

Nolte quickly bounced back, successfully defending her Two-Woman title alongside pusher Deborah Levi. Despite holding a commanding lead after three runs, she executed her final run flawlessly this time, winning by half a second over teammate Lisa Buckwitz. Humphries added another bronze medal, bringing her Olympic total to six medals – three earned for Canada and three for the United States.

Germany’s most dominant performance came in the Two-Man event, where they had claimed all podium spots in six of seven World Cup races during the season. Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischhauer controlled the competition from beginning to end, posting the fastest time in every run and finishing 1.34 seconds ahead of perennial champion Francesco Friedrich and Alexander Schuller. Adam Ammour and Alexander Schaller completed the German sweep with bronze.

The Four-Man competition nearly produced another complete German podium takeover, but Switzerland’s Michael Vogt disrupted those plans with a final-run surge to capture bronze – Switzerland’s first medal in the event in two decades. Lochner claimed his second gold of these Games while Friedrich settled for silver. Thorsten Margis, competing behind Lochner, made Olympic history by earning his fifth medal after previously winning four golds as Friedrich’s pusher.

Some observers argue that Germany’s technological superiority makes them nearly unbeatable in events where teams use their own equipment, unlike the Monobob where identical sleds level the playing field. Friedrich, now the most decorated Olympic bobsled pilot with four golds and two silvers, rejected those criticisms.

“If we look at the start times and we look at the lines that we drive on the ice and at the push, then the others don’t have to talk about our equipment,” Friedrich stated following the Two-Man sweep. “If they push fast, or faster than us, or they drive better than us, and they lose, then they can talk about the material. But until this point arrives, they have a lot of work to do.”

Norway’s Johannes Klaebo achieved unprecedented success on the slopes of Italy, claiming victory in every men’s cross-country skiing competition while a playful canine unexpectedly became an internet sensation during the Milano Cortina Olympics.

The 29-year-old Norwegian athlete made Winter Games history by capturing gold in all six men’s cross-country events, marking the first time any competitor has won six gold medals in a single Winter Olympics. His remarkable performance brings his Olympic career total to 11 gold medals, establishing a new Winter Olympics record and trailing only American swimmer Michael Phelps, who holds 23 golds overall.

French competitor Mathis Desloges, who earned three silver medals, praised the champion’s abilities: “He’s the best skier in the world. I will try to just do the same, maybe one day.”

The athlete known as “King Klaebo” dominated his competition with significant leads in nearly every competition, capturing social media attention when he powered up a challenging final ascent on his skis during one of his defining moments of the Games.

“It’s hard to find the words. It’s unbelievable,” Klaebo expressed following his final competition. “Even though I’ve been nervous at some of the competitions, it still feels really good to race, and I’m always looking forward to going out there, fighting for the medals.”

American men’s cross-country skiing also reached new heights, securing two medals for the first time in five decades and achieving their best-ever Olympic performance, suggesting a potential shift toward greater U.S. competitiveness in the discipline. Ben Ogden earned silver in the men’s classic sprint and added another medal with teammate Gus Schumacher in the team sprint event.

“This era started a while ago, but it’s cool to prove it at the Olympics,” Schumacher commented.

Sweden’s women nearly claimed every gold medal available, falling short only in the women’s relay due to multiple dramatic crashes by Ebba Andersson at the race’s start. Despite the setbacks, the Swedish team recovered to finish second behind Norway, overcoming a deficit of more than one minute and 20 seconds after Andersson lost equipment during a spectacular tumble.

These Olympics introduced the women’s 50km classic race for the first time, generating mixed reactions among competitors. Sweden’s Ebba Andersson dominated this inaugural event, winning by an impressive two minutes and 15 seconds, though silver medalist Heidi Weng criticized the distance as excessive.

American skier Jessie Diggins, competing in her fourth and final Olympics, celebrated the milestone: “I’m so proud to be part of the group doing the first-ever (women’s Olympic Winter Games) 50km. We should have had it all along, but now we finally get it and that’s amazing.”

Diggins placed fifth in the 50km race and earned bronze in the 10km freestyle, though her results fell below expectations after sustaining an injury earlier in the competition.

Beyond Klaebo’s impressive uphill charge, another moment captured global attention when Nazgul, a two-year-old wolfhound, unexpectedly joined the women’s team sprint qualifying round.

Video footage of the dog running alongside two competitors became one of the most cherished highlights of the entire Olympics.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Johannes Lochner of Germany captured his second bobsled gold medal at the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games on Sunday, taking the Four-Man competition in what he announced would be his final competitive race.

The German athlete’s victory marked another dominant performance for Germany’s sliding sports program during these Olympics. Fellow German Francesco Friedrich, the two-time defending champion in this event, finished second to claim silver.

Germany nearly achieved an unprecedented sweep of all three medal positions, but Switzerland’s Michael Vogt managed to edge out German pilot Adam Ammour for the bronze medal on the final run by just four hundredths of a second.

Throughout his career, Lochner has often been overshadowed by Friedrich’s success, earning two Olympic silver medals while competing against his compatriot. However, this season has belonged to Lochner, who maintained his excellent form to achieve this double gold performance.

Lochner’s Four-Man team included Thorsten Margis, who earned his fifth Olympic gold medal, along with Jorn Wenzel and Georg Fleischhauer. Fleischhauer had also served as Lochner’s brakeman during their Two-Man victory earlier in the Games.

“It’s unbelievable that my plan worked out so perfectly with my last run,” Lochner said. “I still can’t believe it, and it will take forever for it to sink in.”

“It’s simply a dream that’s been playing out in my head for two years. That it’s now true – indescribable. This is a moment for eternity,” the German athlete continued. “This is the most perfect ending ever.”

Entering the final day of competition, Lochner held a 0.43-second advantage over Friedrich. Racing first in the rotation, he extended that margin during his third run down the track.

With his competitors unable to mount any serious challenge or make significant mistakes that might have created opportunities, Lochner navigated his final trip down the Cortina course without incident, ultimately winning by a commanding 0.57 seconds.

The victory represented a historic fifth Olympic gold for Margis, making him the most decorated bobsledder in Olympic history after his decision to switch from Friedrich’s crew to join Lochner’s team.

“It’s a little bit difficult to put that in words,” Margis explained. “One and a half years ago, Hansi (Lochner) asked me to come in his sled and we made a plan. It’s quite cool if such a plan works out, and it’s pretty amazing to beat the most successful bobsleigh pilot in the world for our time (Friedrich).”

“I am a little bit overwhelmed with my feelings,” he added.

Friedrich’s silver medal performance was sufficient to secure second place comfortably. His collection of four golds and two silvers from Olympic competition now surpasses Andre Lange’s record, establishing him as the most successful pilot in Olympic bobsled history.

Ammour, the third German pilot, had climbed to third place on Saturday after a disappointing fifth-place finish in his opening run. However, he entered the final run with only a slim lead over his closest pursuers. Early errors during that crucial final descent cost him the medal, allowing Vogt to secure Switzerland’s first medal in this event since they also earned bronze in 2006.

The Winter Olympics welcomed its newest sport this week as ski mountaineering took center stage in Bormio, Italy, marking a historic moment for Milano Cortina’s only fresh addition to the Games program.

Despite challenging weather conditions with heavy snowfall, the competition proceeded without issues and attracted enthusiastic spectators, giving competitors confidence that this debut won’t be the sport’s final Olympic appearance.

European nations demonstrated their strength in the discipline during both Thursday’s individual sprint competitions and Saturday’s team relay event, confirming their continued leadership in ski mountaineering worldwide.

Spain achieved a remarkable milestone when Oriol Cardona Coll captured his nation’s first Winter Olympic gold medal since 1972 in the men’s sprint competition on Thursday.

In the women’s sprint event, Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton upset the favored competitor Emily Harrop from France to claim victory.

Saturday’s mixed relay format featured one male and one female athlete from each country working together. Harrop, perhaps motivated by her earlier defeat, took control early alongside teammate Thibault Anselmet. The French pair maintained their advantage throughout the entire race to secure a decisive win. Switzerland’s Fatton teamed with Jon Kistler for second place, while Spain’s Cardona Coll partnered with Ana Alonso Rodriguez to earn bronze.

Team USA delivered an impressive performance as Anna Gibson and Cam Smith climbed to an unexpected fourth-place finish in the relay competition.

The newly minted Olympic medalists expressed strong hopes that their sport will continue appearing in future Games rather than becoming a one-time showcase.

Gibson reported encountering significant enthusiasm for ski mountaineering throughout her Olympic journey. When questioned about her message to officials deciding the sport’s future inclusion, she responded: “I’d say go re-watch the race. That was awesome. And also turn up the volume so you can hear the crowd cheering. I think it speaks enough for itself.”

All ski mountaineering competitions at the Games achieved complete ticket sales, demonstrating strong public interest.

Given France’s success in earning medals across every ski mountaineering event at Milano Cortina, the nation appears unlikely to exclude the sport when hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics.

USA SkiMo’s Head of Sport Sarah Cookler announced in December her intention to advocate for the sport’s presence at the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. She particularly emphasized including longer individual competitions, which many consider the core of ski mountaineering. The decision to omit these events from Milano Cortina created controversy within the sport’s community.

Olympic champion Cardona Coll remains optimistic about expansion opportunities.

“I think it will grow, this time we are doing the sprint race and mixed relay, hopefully in the next Olympic Games, it’s also going to be the individual race, which is the queen race of ski mountaineering,” he stated.

Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson pulled away from the competition field to capture gold in Sunday’s historic 50-kilometer classic race, marking the first time women have competed at this distance in Olympic history.

The dominant performance in Tesero, Italy, served as sweet redemption for Andersson, who had experienced multiple tumbles during a relay competition that potentially prevented her team from earning gold.

Throughout these Milano-Cortina Games, Andersson has collected three runner-up finishes, including silver medals in both the skiathlon and 10-kilometer freestyle events, plus another second-place result following a strong relay comeback.

“That’s the point with sports. Sometimes you lose and sometimes you win, it’s both ups and downs. You just need to be patient in everything and trust the process, and that’s what I’ve been doing the past week,” she said.

Norway’s Heidi Weng captured the silver medal, crossing the finish line two minutes and 15 seconds after Andersson but maintaining a comfortable four-and-a-half-minute lead over bronze medalist Nadja Kaelin of Switzerland.

During the early stages, Andersson maintained the lead with Weng trailing closely, while other competitors battled for third place. Despite experiencing a minor tumble during an equipment change, Andersson managed to separate herself from Weng, and both athletes maintained secure positions for the race’s final half.

Kaelin made her decisive move during the concluding uphill section, pulling ahead of heavily favored American Jessie Diggins, who entered the competition as the top-ranked athlete.

“I tried until the end not to think about the medal, but then on the last uphill I was thinking, ‘OK, now let’s go for the medal’,” said Kaelin, who also earned silver in the team sprint competition.

Diggins, competing in her final Olympic event, finished fifth after recovering from her own fall during a ski change and collapsed upon reaching the finish line. Kaelin completed the course six minutes and 41 seconds behind Andersson.

Two Swedish medal contenders, Jonna Sundling and Frida Karlsson, withdrew from the competition due to illness, while Norway’s Astrid Oeyre Slind exited early.

“At first, I tried to fight for it, but then I realised that I didn’t have a chance today. I’ve been in this situation before and tried to finish the race, and it just doesn’t (work),” she said.

This competition marked the inaugural time women have raced this distance at Olympic Games. While some athletes embraced the challenge, others questioned whether the distance was excessive, especially with World Cup competition resuming soon.

“It’s too long. But it was good to have family here to support me,” said silver medallist Weng.

American figure skater Alysa Liu achieved an incredible comeback story by capturing Olympic gold in the women’s competition, while her teammate Ilia Malinin experienced a devastating fall from grace during a competition filled with unexpected twists in Milan.

Liu had walked away from competitive skating at age 16 following the 2022 Beijing Olympics, citing exhaustion and burnout. Two years later, the California skater returned to the ice with renewed strength and artistic vision.

The American athlete clinched her victory with a spectacular final performance that included seven flawless triple jumps. As the packed arena erupted in applause, Liu gestured toward the heavens in celebration.

Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto settled for silver in what will be her final Olympic appearance, though Japanese skating showed promise for the future. Seventeen-year-old Ami Nakai earned bronze while 20-year-old Mone Chiba placed fourth, both making impressive Olympic debuts.

The men’s competition told a dramatically different story as Malinin’s performance crumbled before a celebrity-filled audience.

The two-time world champion entered the final skate with a commanding lead, expected by many to claim Olympic gold. His revolutionary jumping ability has redefined the sport, but those skills abandoned him when it mattered most.

Malinin’s signature quadruple Axel – a jump no other competitor has successfully completed in competition – reduced to a simple single rotation. Two additional falls sent him tumbling to eighth place overall.

“I blew it,” Malinin stated directly after his performance.

Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov seized the opportunity to claim the men’s title, appearing shocked as the final results confirmed his unexpected victory.

The 21-year-old American acknowledged that mental exhaustion contributed to his struggles. He revealed receiving support from gymnastics superstar Simone Biles, who attended the men’s final.

Biles overcame her own mental challenges following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, eventually returning to dominate at the 2024 Paris Games. Malinin hopes to follow a similar path of redemption at the next Winter Olympics in France.

Despite his disappointment, Malinin has shown grace in defeat, supporting his teammates from the audience and delivering a powerful exhibition performance that addressed the pressures of modern athletic fame and social media scrutiny.

The ice dancing competition produced another surprise result, as France’s newly-formed team of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron upset American veterans Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who had won three world championships.

In pairs skating, Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara delivered their career-best performance to win their nation’s first Olympic pairs gold medal with a commanding Gladiator-themed routine.

The 10-day competition began with Liu and Malinin helping Team USA narrowly defeat Japan for their second consecutive Olympic team championship.

The games concluded with Malinin’s exhibition skate, where his signature backflip earned a standing ovation that seemed to acknowledge both his exceptional talent and the immense pressure he had endured.

“I feel like this gala has been so helpful to overcome the stress of everything that happened to me over the last week,” Malinin wrote afterward. “Glad I am able to express myself in such a poetic way.”

The genteel sport of curling is wrestling with a fundamental question about its future after a heated Olympic controversy exposed serious flaws in how the game polices itself.

For generations, curling has operated on an honor system where athletes are trusted to call their own rule violations. But that tradition came under intense scrutiny when Swedish and Canadian teams engaged in a bitter dispute over alleged cheating, complete with profanity and accusations flying on the ice.

Officials found themselves powerless to do much beyond issuing warnings after the heated exchange, highlighting the limitations of the current system. When World Curling attempted to give referees more authority, players immediately pushed back and criticized the training of officials, forcing leadership to quickly reverse course.

World Curling President Beau Welling acknowledged the sport’s governing body was already examining potential changes before the Olympic incident.

“We were in the process of looking at some rules, empowering our umpires. We have highly trained umpires, but their role, pursuant to our rules, is really to help players make decisions,” Welling explained to Reuters.

“The actual power about rules and infractions are with the players. We come from a call-your-own-foul sort of culture, but we increasingly see a need to have more umpires be able to make decisions.”

Welling emphasized that expanding referee authority would represent a fundamental shift that couldn’t happen quickly.

“It’s a change for athletes, who have to be willing to accept decisions,” he noted.

“Umpires have to be confident to make decisions, and we’ve got to make sure that those decisions are accurate. It’s a process for us. If anything, this might have accelerated that process.”

The Olympic controversy reached a boiling point when Canadian player Marc Kennedy, who cursed twice during the dispute, proclaimed that curling’s traditional spirit had died and predicted teams would resort to any tactics necessary for victory.

Despite the turmoil, Welling maintains the sport can evolve while preserving its core values.

“It is a game of honour, integrity, and values. We don’t ever want to lose that,” he stated.

“We still want that to be part of our DNA… We’ve got to hold on to the spirit of curling, but we have to adapt.

“No offence to the NBA, but we don’t want to become like that. Is the spirit of the sport going to be challenged? Yes. Do I think we’re going to have to evolve? Yes. But we all want to keep that.”

While the controversy raised questions about curling’s future, it also delivered an unexpected benefit: unprecedented attention for the typically low-profile sport.

The heated exchanges sparked countless internet memes, intense online discussions, and extensive media coverage worldwide.

“I tend to be in the camp that any publicity is good publicity, to be honest, and this has certainly put a lot more eyeballs on the sport,” Welling observed.

“I’ve got people calling me from the United States that are like, ‘holy smokes, I didn’t realise you guys did that in curling’.

“We’ve also had incredible curling, and the publicity that we’re getting really around the world is just amazing… It’s very exciting, so we’ve been super pleased with the Games.”

Looking toward the 2030 Winter Olympics, Welling expressed optimism about upcoming developments, particularly changes to the world championship structure.

Starting in the 2026-27 season, the annual world tournament will grow from 13 to 18 participating teams, a move Welling believes will boost revenue, increase global interest, and provide more countries with pathways to Olympic qualification.

“It’s really going to make curling even broader … you’re going to have more countries have a more realistic chance to qualify for 2030 than we would have had for 2026,” he concluded.

Following a disappointing performance at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Canada’s top Olympic official is pressing Prime Minister Mark Carney to significantly increase sports funding if the nation wants to maintain its status as a winter sports powerhouse.

David Shoemaker, head of the Canadian Olympic Committee, made his case during a Sunday press conference after Canada fell short of its medal expectations. The country had set a goal to exceed the 26 medals earned at the 2022 Beijing Olympics but will conclude these Games with a maximum of 21 medals.

“It was just a month ago that Prime Minister (Mark) Carney made international headlines with his inspiring speech at Davos (World Economic Forum),” Shoemaker stated. “In that speech, he talked in large part about ambition, about the strength of Canada at home and the values we can and should project to the world. We realise sport isn’t the answer to all of this government’s many urgent priorities.”

Shoemaker continued his appeal to the Prime Minister, saying: “But to Prime Minister Carney, who addressed Team Canada in a hockey jersey, who called Team Canada athletes as they topped the podium this week, who believes as much as anyone in the power of sport, I would say this: Sport is an integral part of that strength of character and country.”

“Sport represents a set of values that define us. Through sport, we have a real opportunity, if not a responsibility, to be ambitious about how we want to show up as a nation, both on the world stage and in communities across the country,” he added.

The funding crisis has been building for years. Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees, along with national sports organizations, had requested a $144 million funding increase in Carney’s November 4 budget to compensate for two decades of stagnant support.

However, the federal budget allocated no additional money for sports programs.

“Core funding for national sports organisations has not increased in 20 years,” Shoemaker emphasized. “It needs to. It’s the money these organisations count on to fund operations, athletes, coaches and support staff. They safeguard the pathway from playground to podium.”

The medal shortfall represents a significant decline from Canada’s peak winter Olympic performances. The nation captured a record 29 medals at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and led in gold medals with 14 during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, finishing third overall with 26 total medals.

Canada’s chef de mission Jennifer Heil warned about the broader implications of the funding freeze. “Flat operational funding to NSOs in an inflationary world is a cut,” she explained. “We’re creating a pay-to-play system in Canada, where wealth and luck are some of the major determining factors as to who gets to stand on a podium.”

Despite the overall disappointment, Canada’s hockey programs showed their traditional strength, with both men’s and women’s teams competing for gold medals. The women’s team fell to their longtime rivals, the United States, in the championship game.

“Those are two of the greatest rivalries in Olympic sport, certainly in the Winter Games,” Shoemaker noted. “We know that people have been trying their best to find jerseys here in Milan and they’re not available. And even back home, stores are sold out.”

Shoemaker believes the enthusiasm for these iconic sporting moments reflects deeper national aspirations beyond athletics. “It goes back to that core message, that this feeling of patriotism, pride in country, the aspiration to do great things on the world stage, to sing ‘O Canada,’” he said.

These Olympics also raised challenging questions about Canada’s international presence, according to Shoemaker. “These Games brought us together, as they always do,” he reflected. “In return, they provided an opportunity to ask ourselves, ‘How do we want to show up on the world stage? What kind of country do we want to represent? Who do we want to be?’”

“In some ways, I think waiting eight days for a gold medal emphasised this point,” he added.

The wait for Canada’s first gold medal became historically significant when Mikael Kingsbury finally broke through on Day 9, marking the nation’s longest drought for an Olympic title since the 1988 Calgary Games.

Looking ahead, Shoemaker expressed determination to continue advocating for increased support. “We see the countries ahead of us,” he concluded. “We aspire to do better. What you’re sensing from us is this collective seriousness that in order to do better we have to continue delivering this message.”

MILAN (AP) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman envisioned February 2025’s 4 Nations Face-Off as an appetizer for Olympic hockey when organizers first planned the tournament.

The event exceeded expectations, becoming both a spectacular showcase that spotlighted the sport and a strategic roadmap for Team USA and Canada’s Olympic roster construction. This marked the first international competition featuring the world’s elite players in almost ten years, providing crucial insights that shaped USA Hockey and Hockey Canada’s decisions throughout the past year.

The strategy proved successful as both nations secured spots in Sunday’s gold medal match — a repeat of the 4 Nations championship game. Canada claimed that overtime victory, setting up this highly anticipated rematch. While the Olympics feature multiple competitive teams with no guaranteed outcomes, the final will now put both countries’ roster decisions to the ultimate test.

“We didn’t build our team just to play Canada,” U.S. general manager Bill Guerin said. “We built the best team possible. We feel that we built the best team possible. We did that with us in mind. We’re worried about us, not anybody else.”

Guerin’s management team chose to retain forwards Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller for their penalty-killing abilities and defensive skills. Meanwhile, four of America’s top ten league scorers — Jason Robertson, Lane Hutson, Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat — didn’t make the Olympic cut.

Team USA prioritized players capable of handling specialized roles while maintaining flexibility across different line combinations, allowing coach Mike Sullivan to adjust throughout the tournament.

“One of the things that we’ve tried to do is cast these guys in roles where they know what the expectations are and the contribution that they can make to help us have success,” Sullivan said.

Canada introduced six fresh faces not present at 4 Nations, with injuries to Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli opening opportunities for Sam Bennett and Seth Jarvis. Among the notable additions is 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini, who has impressed since beginning his NHL rookie season in fall 2024.

“I didn’t even know I was on the radar or even in the conversation,” Celebrini said. “When (GM Doug Armstrong) brought that to my attention, it was a little bit of a push and excitement —- just a little bit more of something that I can look forward to and work to.”

Celebrini has emerged as one of Canada’s standout performers with 10 points, trailing only tournament leader and teammate Connor McDavid’s 13 points.

“He’s got a lot of skill and a lot of confidence,” winger Mitch Marner said. “He’s not afraid of the big moments.”

Another fresh addition, Nick Suzuki, netted the equalizing goal when Canada faced elimination with less than four minutes remaining in their quarterfinal match. Tom Wilson earned a starting position on the right wing alongside Celebrini and McDavid, contributing size, physical play, and even fighting to Canada’s Olympic campaign.

Canada replaced both goaltenders from 4 Nations, selecting Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper this time, though coach Jon Cooper had already designated Jordan Binnington as his starter. Cooper made this decision immediately following Binnington’s championship performance at 4 Nations, and the 32-year-old goalie’s stellar play through his first four Olympic starts confirmed that choice.

“You don’t have to be a scout to see what he did in the Stanley Cup (Final), what he did in the 4 Nations, and there’s a massive belief,” Armstrong said. “When players see that time and time again, that’s just a foundation that they know that, ‘OK, when push comes to shove, we have faith in this guy,’ and I think that’s where they are with Binner.”

Team USA has leaned heavily on Connor Hellebuyck, who excelled during 4 Nations and currently holds the NHL MVP award and Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender. Similar to how Binnington knows the American players who will attempt to score against him, Hellebuyck is familiar with Canada’s star-filled roster.

“He’s won a lot of trophies,” winger Jake Guentzel said. “We feel good with him back there.”

MILAN – While American Jordan Stolz arrived at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics as speed skating’s marquee star, it was Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida who stole the spotlight and ignited passionate celebrations at the home venue.

Lollobrigida, the great-niece of legendary actress Gina Lollobrigida, launched Italy’s medal campaign with a stunning triumph in the women’s 3,000-meter race on her 35th birthday, securing the host country’s opening gold medal of the Games.

A week later, she captured another victory in the 5,000-meter event, making her achievement even more remarkable considering her quick return to elite competition following the birth of her son Tommaso in May 2023.

The Italian success story continued with their men’s team pursuit squad, who shocked the heavily-favored American team in one of the competition’s most surprising outcomes.

Andrea Giovannini’s viral “night-night” celebration – inspired by basketball star Stephen Curry – perfectly embodied the jubilant atmosphere surrounding the Italian team.

However, the competition also delivered crushing disappointment. Joep Wennemars, who held the 2025 world championship title in the 1,000 meters, watched his medal dreams disappear following a crash with China’s Lian Ziwen.

China found their moment of glory when Ning Zhongyan, previously known for close calls, finally broke through with a masterful performance to defeat both Stolz and two-time defending champion Kjeld Nuis in the men’s 1,500-meter final.

The Netherlands showcased their traditional dominance throughout the competition. Jutta Leerdam secured their opening victory in the women’s 1,000 meters, followed by Femke Kok’s triumph in the 500 meters and Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong’s gold in the 1,500 meters.

The Dutch concluded their campaign in style on the final day, with 40-year-old Jorrit Bergsma and Marijke Groenewoud claiming both mass start events, demonstrating their nation’s remarkable depth across all distances.

Despite facing unexpected challenges, Stolz delivered an impressive individual performance, capturing gold medals in both the men’s 500 and 1,000 meters while earning silver in the 1,500 meters.

Other notable performances included Norway’s Sander Eitrem, who justified his world record credentials by winning the men’s 5,000 meters, and Czech teenager Matej Jilek, who enhanced his rising reputation with a victory in the 10,000 meters.

Canada provided another memorable moment by successfully retaining their women’s team pursuit championship.

These thrilling competitions took place on an innovative temporary track built inside a Milan exhibition center – an exceptionally fast surface that produced seven Olympic records before being taken down.

LIVIGNO, Italy – Chinese athlete Eileen Gu has made Olympic history by successfully defending her women’s halfpipe championship at the Winter Games, capturing her sixth Olympic medal to become the most accomplished freestyle skier in Olympic competition.

The 22-year-old athlete claimed gold on Sunday with a score of 94.75, overcoming a disappointing first run by delivering strong performances in her second and third attempts. Fellow Chinese competitor Li Fanghui earned the silver medal, while Britain’s Zoe Atkin took home bronze.

Gu’s latest victory adds to an impressive collection that includes silver medals in big air and slopestyle events at these same games in Livigno. Her medal count also features two gold medals and one silver from the Beijing Olympics held four years earlier on Chinese soil.

This achievement places Gu ahead of Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury at the pinnacle of Olympic freestyle skiing medal winners, breaking their previous tie for the record.

Li secured her silver medal position with a strong second run, then improved her performance to 93.00 points on her final attempt. World champion Atkin, who like Gu was born in America but competes for her parent’s home country, delivered her strongest performance of the competition but fell just short with a score of 92.50.

The competition faced a one-day delay due to heavy snowfall that forced organizers to postpone Saturday’s originally scheduled final at the Italian Alpine venue.

MILAN – Olympic officials are celebrating what they’re calling an extraordinary achievement at the Milano Cortina Winter Games, which wrapped up despite facing numerous construction setbacks and organizational challenges leading up to the international competition.

The winter sports spectacular, which kicked off February 6 with an elaborate opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro stadium, had been under intense scrutiny for years as organizers struggled with tight construction timelines and venue delays scattered throughout northern Italy.

As the final curtain prepares to drop at Sunday’s closing ceremony in Verona’s arena, both event organizers and International Olympic Committee leadership are expressing relief and satisfaction.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry praised the effort during her remarks to committee members, stating: “They have been fantastic. It could not happen without incredible teamwork… and we had it every step of the way.”

Coventry, who is overseeing her first Olympics since being elected last year, added: “Over the last two weeks we have seen and experienced incredible Games. I have no words really.”

The positive outcome represents a dramatic turnaround from just weeks before the Games began, when organizers were racing against time to finish the Santagiulia ice hockey facility and the controversial new sliding center in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

The sliding center project became a major point of contention during preparations due to its hefty price tag and compressed construction schedule. Italy made the decision in 2023 to proceed with building the new facility, rejecting IOC recommendations to relocate those events to an existing track in another nation.

Italian officials insisted on keeping all Olympic competitions within their borders, adding significant pressure to an already strained organizational effort.

Political tensions also surfaced on opening day, with demonstrators protesting the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement analysts, while Vice President JD Vance faced crowd disapproval when appearing on stadium screens during the ceremony.

The IOC’s pre-Games concerns were evident when Milano Cortina chief Giovanni Malago, himself an IOC member, suffered a stunning defeat in his bid for the Olympic committee’s executive board just before the opening ceremony. An overwhelming 48 members voted against him in an unusual rebuke of a host nation representative.

However, once competition began, most operations proceeded smoothly, catching organizers off guard with their success.

Unlike many Olympic Games that face operational hiccups or atmosphere problems, the Italian event avoided major crises while benefiting from cooperative winter weather that provided spectacular Alpine scenery.

Early worries about transportation between Milan and the mountain venues in the Dolomites quickly subsided, largely because most spectators chose to remain in either the city or mountain locations rather than make the lengthy six-to-seven-hour journey between sites.

The European timing also boosted television audiences across the continent and in North America compared to recent Asian-hosted winter Games. NBC Universal reported selling out all advertising slots a full month before competition started.

The Games received additional momentum from Italy’s strong medal performance, with the host nation capturing 30 medals including 10 golds by Sunday morning, placing them among the top five countries. Domestic interest surged during competition, with several hundred thousand additional tickets sold to bring the total to approximately 1.5 million, up from 1.2 million at the start.

Games chief Malago expressed gratitude to the IOC session, saying: “Thank you for never ceasing to believing in us. For supporting us in the most difficult moments and there were not a few.”

He concluded: “Together we were stronger than any challenge and any adversity.”

ANTERSELVA, Italy – The International Olympic Committee presented its highest honor, the Olympic Order, to International Biathlon Union President Olle Dahlin on Sunday, celebrating his transformative leadership of the winter sport over the past eight years.

The 71-year-old former athlete, who competed in both biathlon and cross-country skiing, received the recognition during the IOC’s closing session, just one day after biathlon concluded its spectacular Olympic run. Dahlin plans to retire from his presidential role before the year ends.

“It has been a fantastic journey, not least this international journey that is being crowned with the Olympic Order, which is perhaps the finest prize in sports in the world. It is a huge honour,” Dahlin shared during an interview at the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Centre.

The Swedish leader emphasized how far the sport has progressed under his guidance. “It’s been a tremendous journey in biathlon, it’s now at a top, top level and can be compared to many, if not all, of the world’s biggest sports in terms of the level it is at,” he explained.

“At the Olympics we have seen the development over recent decades on the world stage, the biggest stage that exists. We have top-class stadiums, and our World Cup competition is at a very high level,” Dahlin added.

The recent Olympic competition showcased the sport’s evolution, with massive crowds witnessing intense battles where traditional powerhouses Norway and France claimed multiple medals, though they faced strong challenges from emerging nations.

Nations like Bulgaria and the Czech Republic celebrated bronze medal victories, demonstrating the success of IBU initiatives under Dahlin’s leadership to level the competitive playing field and give smaller countries better opportunities to compete.

The women’s mass start finale exemplified biathlon at its peak, as France’s Oceane Michelon delivered a thrilling final lap performance to overtake Czech Republic’s Tereza Vobornikova for the gold medal, all unfolding before a roaring crowd of enthusiastic spectators.

Dahlin takes particular pride in the IBU’s investment in the Anterselva venue, located in Italy’s biathlon stronghold region, which created an electric atmosphere that captivated fans throughout the competition.

“It’s primarily the atmosphere that has been fantastic. We had the biggest arena at the Olympics with space for 19,000 fans, so we’ve had around 200,000 here in total,” Dahlin noted.

“When people who have never seen biathlon live before come here and experience this, it’s a huge surprise, so it’s been so positive to receive these visitors,” he continued.

Throughout his tenure, Dahlin has championed a data-focused and creative strategy for developing the sport at grassroots levels, with particular emphasis on expanding biathlon’s reach beyond its traditional European base.

“It’s probably easiest to focus on where we already have, but we also see two particular areas where we can focus – North America and Asia – so we’re working with developing the sport there, and also the communication,” he explained.

Attracting new audiences represents a cornerstone of the IBU’s future strategy, leading the organization to significantly expand its internal media and communications operations to connect with potential fans worldwide.

This growing popularity has generated increased revenue streams, providing the IBU with additional resources for further investment in sport development.

“I often say money isn’t everything, but it’s good to have,” Dahlin remarked with a laugh. “Last year we organised a tournament on roller skis in downtown Munich. It cost a lot of money but we had 50,000 fans.”

“We’ve also had more than 100,000 young people test biathlon with laser rifles, so that’s the kind of investment we’re going to make – these things are gaining us more fans, but they are also giving biathlon a future,” he concluded.

Italy will conclude two weeks of Olympic competition on Sunday evening with an elaborate farewell celebration at the historic Verona Arena, the ancient Roman amphitheater that has hosted countless performances over the centuries.

The finale, titled “Beauty in Action,” begins at 8:30 p.m. local time and will showcase renowned Italian ballet star Roberto Bolle while highlighting the nation’s artistic legacy alongside its sporting accomplishments.

Organizers expect a more festive and casual atmosphere compared to the opening ceremonies, now that all medals have been awarded. Italian performer Achille Lauro and DJ/producer Gabry Ponte are set to energize the crowd, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attending as a special guest.

The venue itself carries significant cultural weight – the open-air Roman structure is famous for opera performances and concerts in the northern Italian city that Shakespeare immortalized in “Romeo and Juliet.”

Attendees paid between 950 euros ($1,120) and 2,900 euros for tickets, with favorable weather conditions expected for the outdoor event.

The Winter Games, jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, have earned praise from new International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry, while Italy’s record-breaking medal performance has boosted national spirits. However, some protesters opposing the Games are anticipated to gather near the Arena on Sunday.

These Olympics followed an innovative format, spreading competitions across northern Italy’s mountainous region. Athletes have responded favorably to the arrangement.

“I would say … to Italy, I think that they did an absolutely fantastic job hosting the Olympics,” said U.S. freestyle skier Christopher Lillis, who commended the facilities, cuisine, and welcoming environment.

“So I want to give a huge shout-out to them, because hosting the Olympics is no easy feat,” added Lillis, who captured gold in the mixed team aerials competition in the mountain resort of Livigno.

Political tensions emerged during the opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro stadium, where U.S. Vice President JD Vance faced crowd disapproval and the Israeli delegation encountered some negative reactions.

Olympic flames have been burning in both host cities since the Games began on February 6. These will be put out Sunday but will be rekindled for the Paralympic Games running March 6-15.

Italy will officially transfer hosting responsibilities to the French Alps, which will stage the next Winter Olympics in 2030.

MILAN — The stage is set for the ultimate Olympic hockey showdown as Team USA and Canada prepare to battle for gold in Milan.

The North American hockey giants have proven their dominance throughout the tournament, with both nations advancing to what many consider the most anticipated final matchup possible. Team USA secured their spot by defeating Sweden, while Canada mounted a comeback victory over Finland after trailing by two goals in their semifinal clash.

The rivalry between these neighboring countries has been building momentum, particularly following their intense matchups during last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, which demonstrated their status as the world’s premier hockey nations.

“If you’re going to get through to your goal, you’re going to probably have to go through them at some point,” U.S. winger Matthew Tkachuk said. “They’ve had the success in pretty much all the Olympics that NHL players have been going to. Two great teams, and I can only speak for ourselves, we’re just so excited for this opportunity, honored to represent our country and honored to be in this position.”

Canada enters the final as the defending Olympic champion, having captured gold in both 2010 and 2014 when NHL players last competed in the Games. Meanwhile, Team USA is still chasing their first Olympic gold since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” victory.

The recent 4 Nations tournament showcased the intensity between these rivals, including one memorable game that began with three fights occurring within the first nine seconds. While Olympic rules prohibit fighting, the competitive fire remains evident, as demonstrated when Canada’s Tom Wilson accepted an automatic ejection for dropping his gloves against France.

“There’s no fighting (but) I expect a hard-fought game, the same as it was the last two times we played them,” U.S. forward J.T. Miller said.

Canada may face a significant challenge with captain Sidney Crosby’s status uncertain after he sustained what appeared to be a right knee injury during their quarterfinal victory over Czechia. Crosby was unable to participate in the semifinal against Finland.

Team USA appears to have better health heading into the championship game. Forward Tage Thompson, who shares the team lead with three goals, briefly left the semifinal after blocking a shot but is anticipated to be ready for the gold medal contest.

For many players, this represents a career-defining moment that will be remembered long after their playing days end.

“Everybody that’s playing is going to be 50 years old one day, not playing in the NHL anymore and playing thousands of games hopefully, and you’re going to remember start to finish a handful of games,” Tkachuk said. “This is probably one of them.”

Third-ranked Duke delivered a statement victory Saturday night, defeating the nation’s number one team Michigan 68-63 in a highly anticipated neutral-site battle in Washington D.C.

Cameron Boozer paced the Blue Devils’ attack with 18 points while controlling the glass with a game-leading 10 rebounds. Duke (25-2) received strong support from Isaiah Evans who contributed 14 points, followed by Caleb Foster with 12 and Patrick Ngongba II adding 11. Boozer also facilitated the offense effectively, dishing out a game-high seven assists as the Blue Devils dominated the rebounding battle 41-28.

For Michigan (25-2), Yaxel Lendeborg provided the offensive spark with 21 points, including 16 in the opening half. Morez Johnson Jr. chipped in 13 points while Aday Mara was perfect from the floor, converting all four field goal attempts for 10 points despite foul difficulties. However, the Wolverines struggled with their shooting touch, connecting on just 40% of their field goals and managing only 6-of-25 attempts from beyond the arc. The loss snapped Michigan’s 11-game winning streak.

The matchup drew significant attention, with the NCAA Tournament selection committee earlier that day identifying Michigan and Duke as the top two overall seeds in their bracket preview. A crowd of 20,537 witnessed the contest, marking the season’s largest attendance for a neutral-site game.

In other Top 25 action, fourth-ranked Arizona stunned second-ranked Houston 73-66 on the road, with reserve Anthony Dell’Orso matching his season-best 22 points. The victory gave Arizona (25-2, 12-2 Big 12) sole possession of the conference lead while handing Houston (23-4, 11-3) their first home defeat of the season.

Fifth-ranked UConn bounced back from a recent setback, defeating Villanova 73-63 in Philadelphia. Alex Karaban scored eight of his 12 points after halftime as the Huskies (25-3, 15-2 Big East) received balanced scoring from all five starters.

In a major upset, 23rd-ranked BYU knocked off sixth-ranked Iowa State 79-69 behind AJ Dybantsa’s outstanding performance of 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. The Cougars improved to 11-2 at home in Provo, Utah.

Unranked Cincinnati delivered the day’s biggest shock, routing eighth-ranked Kansas 84-68 in Lawrence. Moustapha Thiam led the Bearcats with 28 points and eight rebounds in what became the most lopsided loss to an unranked opponent during Bill Self’s 23-year tenure with the Jayhawks.

Ninth-ranked Nebraska got back on track with an 87-64 victory over Penn State, powered by Pryce Sandfort’s career-high 33 points. Sandfort connected on a personal-best eight three-pointers, extending his school record for threes in a season to 98.

UCLA provided the day’s most dramatic finish, with Donovan Dent driving the length of the court for a game-winning layup as time expired in overtime to defeat 10th-ranked Illinois 95-94. Dent finished with 14 points and a career-high 15 assists for the Bruins.

Other notable results included 11th-ranked Gonzaga holding off Pacific 71-62 behind Graham Ike’s 20 points, which extended his streak of 20-point games to nine consecutive contests, breaking a school record. Twelfth-ranked Florida continued their hot streak with a 94-75 victory over Ole Miss for their seventh straight win, while 13th-ranked Texas Tech bounced back from adversity to rout Kansas State 100-72.

Fourteenth-ranked Virginia extended their winning streak to eight games with an 86-83 victory over Miami, sealed by Chance Mallory’s three free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining. Sixteenth-ranked North Carolina got 19 points from Henri Veesaar in his return to defeat Syracuse 77-64.

Seventeenth-ranked St. John’s continued their impressive run, extending their winning streak to 13 games with an 81-52 domination of Creighton. The Red Storm now lead the Big East Conference and are riding their longest winning streak since 1985.

In upset victories by unranked teams, Tennessee knocked off 19th-ranked Vanderbilt 69-65 behind 17 points from Ja’Kobi Gillespie, while 20th-ranked Arkansas overcame an early deficit to defeat Missouri 94-86.

Twenty-first-ranked Louisville bounced back from a difficult loss earlier in the week, defeating Georgia Tech 87-70 in a dominant home performance. Finally, 25th-ranked Alabama completed the day’s action with a 90-83 victory over LSU, extending their winning streak to six games.

Despite struggling with his shot all night long, Jalen Green delivered when it mattered most, drilling a three-pointer as time expired to give the Phoenix Suns a thrilling 113-110 double-overtime victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.

Green’s heroics capped off a remarkable performance from Grayson Allen, who returned from a four-game injury absence to pour in 27 points for the home team. The Suns also dealt with the loss of Dillon Brooks during the contest but managed to pull through in dramatic fashion.

The clutch three-pointer marked Green’s first career game-winning shot, making up for what had been a difficult evening from the field where he connected on just 6 of 26 attempts. Green took control in the final moments, netting Phoenix’s last six points including a driving left-handed layup that put the Suns ahead 110-107 with 33.9 seconds remaining. When Orlando’s Jevon Carter answered with a three-pointer to tie the game, Green responded immediately with his buzzer-beating heroics.

Collin Gillespie contributed 19 points for Phoenix, which played without All-Star Devon Booker. The star guard will miss at least seven days due to a hip injury he suffered during Thursday’s defeat.

Orlando received strong performances from Desmond Bane, who tallied 34 points before fouling out during overtime, while Paolo Banchero added 26 points and Carter finished with 15.

In other NBA action, the New York Knicks staged a remarkable comeback at home, overcoming an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to edge Houston 108-106. Jalen Brunson provided the decisive basket with 29.5 seconds remaining.

Houston had seized control by outscoring New York 72-41 over a 24-minute stretch, building a 93-75 advantage on Dorian Finney-Smith’s layup with 10:53 left. However, the Knicks responded with a 33-13 run to close the game, holding the Rockets to 4-of-15 shooting while forcing nine turnovers down the stretch.

The drama continued until the final seconds, as Kevin Durant connected on a three-pointer with 2.4 seconds left to pull Houston within 107-106 after OG Anunoby had extended New York’s lead with two free throws. Durant’s desperation half-court attempt at the buzzer fell short after Landry Shamet split a pair of free throws.

New Orleans dominated Philadelphia 126-111 behind Jordan Poole’s 23 points, with seven Pelicans players reaching double figures. Zion Williamson contributed 21 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals, while Saddiq Bey added 20 points. DeAndre Jordan, the former 76er, grabbed 15 rebounds to go with six points and four blocks.

Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 27 points, seven assists and five steals but struggled with his shooting, connecting on just 9 of 23 field goal attempts. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 25 points for the 76ers, who have now dropped eight of their past nine games while playing without Joel Embiid due to knee and shin issues.

Miami rolled past Memphis 136-120 at home, with Andrew Wiggins leading the way with 28 points and Norman Powell adding 25. The victory improved the Heat to 17-11 in home games and handed the Grizzlies their 11th loss in 14 games. Tyler Herro contributed 14 points and six assists in just his second game back after missing over a month with three fractured ribs.

GG Jackson paced Memphis with a season-high 28 points and nine rebounds off the bench, while Jaylen Wells scored 25 points. The loss dropped the Grizzlies to 9-18 in road contests.

Detroit rolled past Chicago 126-110, with Jalen Duren recording 26 points and 13 rebounds while Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris each scored 18. The Pistons forced 23 turnovers and dominated inside with a 68-38 advantage in paint scoring. The defeat extended Chicago’s losing streak to eight games, a new season-worst that surpassed their previous seven-game skid from late November to early December.

Josh Giddey led the Bulls with 27 points and five three-pointers, while Matas Buzelis, Isaac Okoro and Jalen Smith each contributed 15 points.

Finally, San Antonio extended their season-best winning streak to eight games with a 139-122 victory over Sacramento in Austin, Texas. Victor Wembanyama posted 28 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and four blocks to lead the balanced attack. The loss extended Sacramento’s franchise-record losing streak to 16 consecutive games, with Keegan Murray and DeMar DeRozan each scoring 20 points in the defeat.

The 19th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers delivered a commanding performance Saturday, overwhelming Oklahoma State 72-40 in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Leading the charge for the Mountaineers was Gia Cooke, who tallied 21 points to pace all scorers. Kierra Wheeler contributed significantly with a double-double performance, recording 18 points and pulling down 10 rebounds in the decisive victory.

West Virginia (22-6, 12-4 Big 12) has been on a strong run lately, capturing five victories in their past six contests. The Mountaineers established control early, taking a 23-12 advantage after the opening period before expanding their lead to 49-23 by the intermission. Cooke was particularly effective in the first half, dropping 16 points while making 6 of 10 field goal attempts and connecting on 4 of 7 three-point shots.

Jordan Harrison provided additional offensive support with 12 points while distributing seven assists and recording five steals. The Mountaineers shot an impressive 50.9% from the field, vastly outperforming Oklahoma State’s 23.1% shooting percentage. The Cowgirls (21-8, 10-6) struggled particularly from long range, converting just 5 of 26 three-point attempts for 19.2%, and managed only five points during the third quarter.

For Oklahoma State, Stailee Heard was the only player to reach double figures, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds. Micah Gray, who entered the game averaging a team-leading 15.0 points per contest, was held to just three points on 1-of-14 shooting, including 1 of 9 from beyond the arc.

No. 15 Baylor 74, Arizona 60

The Bears mounted a comeback from a 10-point early deficit in Waco, Texas, using a dominant 23-8 second-quarter run to defeat the visiting Wildcats and extend Arizona’s losing streak to five games.

Taliah Scott paced Baylor (23-6, 12-4 Big 12) with 22 points after the Bears fell behind 22-12 following Molly Ladwig’s basket with 1:44 remaining in the opening quarter. Bella Fontleroy dominated the glass with 10 rebounds while Darianna Littlepage-Buggs nearly achieved a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. Jana Van Gytenbeek facilitated the offense with eight assists.

Arizona (11-16, 2-14) held a 22-15 lead after the first quarter but was also outscored 20-13 in the third period. Daniah Trammell and reserve Noelani Cornfield each contributed 11 points for the Wildcats. Ladwig added 10 points while Tanyuel Welch led the team with nine rebounds.

Colorado 75, No. 20 Texas Tech 68

The Buffaloes staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback in Boulder, Colorado, outscoring the Lady Raiders 22-9 in the final period to secure their fifth straight victory and eighth win in nine games.

Zyanna Walker led Colorado (20-8, 11-5 Big 12) with 18 points while Desiree Wooten provided 16 points off the bench. Logyn Greer chipped in 13 points and Anaelle Dutat recorded 11 points along with a game-high eight rebounds. The Buffaloes capitalized on Texas Tech’s mistakes, converting 18 turnovers into 27 points while holding a commanding 34-18 rebounding edge.

Jalynn Bristow delivered an outstanding performance for the Lady Raiders (24-5, 11-5) with 18 points, five blocks, and three steals in their second loss in three games. Bristow was highly efficient, shooting 5 of 6 from the field and 4 of 5 from three-point range while going perfect at the free-throw line. Snudda Collins contributed 13 points and Bailey Maupin added 12 for Texas Tech.

NEW ALBANY, Ind. — Professional football player Rondale Moore, whose promising NFL career was derailed by consecutive season-ending knee injuries, has died at age 25 in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana, according to local authorities.

Police Chief Todd Bailey confirmed that Moore was discovered deceased in a garage on Saturday, with investigators treating the death as a suspected suicide by gunshot. Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin announced that an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday as the investigation continues.

The wide receiver’s career was marked by devastating setbacks in recent years. Following his trade to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, Moore suffered a dislocated right knee during training camp and never took the field for the team. After signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, tragedy struck again when he tore his left knee while fielding a punt return in the team’s opening preseason contest. The injury was so severe that Moore’s anguished reaction — striking a medical cart with such force that the sound echoed through the stadium — demonstrated his immediate understanding of the career implications.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell released an emotional statement following news of Moore’s death. “I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death. While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply,” O’Connell said. “He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing adversity multiple times as injuries sidelined him throughout his career. We are all heartbroken by the fact he won’t continue to live out his NFL dream and we won’t all have a chance to watch him flourish.”

The Arizona Cardinals, Moore’s former team, expressed their grief in a public statement, saying they were “devastated and heartbroken.” The organization added, “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person.”

Moore’s football journey began in New Albany, located just over the Kentucky border from Louisville. He achieved remarkable success early in his college career, earning first-team All-American honors as a freshman at Purdue University in 2018.

Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore during his time at Purdue, shared heartfelt memories on social media. “Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor who wouldn’t back down from any challenge. Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale; we loved his smile and his competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact,” Brohm wrote.

Selected by Arizona in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Moore accumulated 1,201 receiving yards with three touchdowns and added 249 rushing yards with one score across three seasons. During his rookie year, he handled primary return duties for both kickoffs and punts before injuries forced him away from those responsibilities.

Former Cardinals teammate J.J. Watt expressed his shock and sorrow on social media, writing, “Can’t even begin to fathom or process this. There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in peace Rondale.”

The Minnesota Vikings confirmed they had reached out to Moore’s family to provide support and condolences during this difficult time.

Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks sustained a fractured left hand during Saturday’s home matchup against the Orlando Magic and faces an extended absence from the court, according to ESPN reports.

The injury occurred early in the contest, forcing Brooks to exit the game with 4:46 left in the opening quarter. Despite his departure, the Suns managed to secure a thrilling 113-110 victory in double overtime. Brooks had been absent from Thursday’s loss in San Antonio due to a one-game suspension.

During his brief time on the court against Orlando, the 30-year-old guard contributed five points and grabbed three rebounds across seven minutes of play.

This season has marked a career year for Brooks in his debut campaign with Phoenix. Through 49 games as a starter, he’s posted career-high averages of 21.2 points per game, along with 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals while logging 31.1 minutes nightly. His rebounding numbers match his previous best from his time with the Houston Rockets last season.

The Suns face additional injury concerns beyond Brooks’ setback. Prior to Saturday’s game, the organization revealed that All-Star guard Devin Booker would be sidelined for a minimum of one week with a right hip strain suffered during Thursday’s contest against San Antonio.

Medical staff will reassess Booker’s condition after the one-week period to determine his recovery progress, though no specific return date has been established.

Saturday marked Booker’s ninth absence in the team’s last 12 contests. The five-time All-Star previously missed seven consecutive games due to a sprained right ankle.

The team also provided an update on recently signed guard Haywood Highsmith, who will undergo re-evaluation in 2-3 weeks for a right knee issue.

The Floyd County Coroner’s Office in Indiana has confirmed the death of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore on Saturday. The 25-year-old athlete was discovered in a New Albany garage with what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Sunday as authorities continue their investigation into Moore’s death.

Moore made his mark in college football during his freshman year at Purdue University in 2018, accumulating an impressive 1,471 scrimmage yards along with 662 yards on kickoff returns. His debut collegiate performance against Northwestern set a new Purdue record for all-purpose yards in a single game, totaling 313 yards through receiving (109), rushing (79 on just two attempts), and kickoff returns (125). That breakout season earned him All-America recognition and 12 receiving touchdowns.

His exceptional versatility on the field was recognized when he received the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to college football’s most versatile player.

Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue and now serves as Louisville’s head coach, shared his memories of the young athlete on social media Saturday evening:

“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor who wouldn’t back down from any challenge. Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale, we loved his smile and his competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family. We love him very much.”

The Arizona Cardinals selected Moore as their second-round pick, 49th overall, in the 2021 NFL Draft. During his rookie campaign, he recorded 54 receptions for 435 yards and one touchdown while also returning 13 kickoffs for an average of 22.4 yards. Injuries plagued his professional career, limiting him to 39 appearances out of 51 possible games across three seasons in Arizona.

Arizona traded Moore to the Atlanta Falcons before the 2024 season began, but a knee injury sustained during training camp ended his season before it started. The Vikings later signed him as a free agent prior to last season, though another knee injury during preseason action once again cut his campaign short.

Moore was a native of New Albany, Indiana, where he attended New Albany High School before transferring to Trinity High School in Louisville to complete his prep career.

Third-ranked Duke delivered a stunning blow to top-seeded Michigan, defeating the Wolverines 68-63 in Washington as Cameron Boozer poured in 18 points. The victory ended Michigan’s 11-game winning streak and marked another neutral-site setback for the storied program. Michigan had just claimed the number one ranking this week after Arizona’s previous hold on the top spot. The loss came on the same day that fourth-ranked Arizona defeated second-ranked Houston, marking the first time since February 8, 2025, that both the top two teams in the AP poll fell on the same day. The matchup served as a potential preview of Final Four action in the nation’s capital.

At the Winter Olympics in Milan, Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo etched his name in the record books by completing an unprecedented clean sweep of men’s events. His victory in Saturday’s 50-kilometer mass start gave him his sixth gold medal of the games, surpassing Eric Heiden’s long-held Winter Olympics record of five golds in a single competition. Meanwhile, American speedskating sensation Jordan Stolz placed fourth in the men’s mass start event, finishing behind 40-year-old Dutch champion Jorrit Bergsma, who became the oldest male speedskater to claim Olympic gold. Team USA reached a Winter Games milestone with their 11th gold medal, achieved by Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis in the mixed aerials competition.

American women athletes are driving Team USA’s medal count to historic heights at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Through Saturday’s competition, female competitors have captured six gold medals and 17 total medals in women’s events alone, establishing new benchmarks for U.S. Winter Olympic performance. Including mixed competitions, the medal tally reaches 21. Over 40 American women will return home with Olympic hardware, with standout performances in women’s hockey against Canada, Alpine skiing, monobob, figure skating, and freestyle moguls. Team officials credit the success with inspiring future generations of female athletes.

The baseball world mourns the loss of Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski, who died Friday at age 89. The Pittsburgh Pirates legend earned eight Gold Glove awards for his exceptional defensive play and captured the hearts of fans with his legendary walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. Pirates owner Bob Nutting described Mazeroski, whose number 9 was retired by the team in 1987, as “one of a kind, a true Pirates legend.” The organization honored him with a statue on Bill Mazeroski Way in 2010.

New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge made an impressive spring training debut in Tampa, launching two home runs in his first appearance. The three-time MVP connected for a pair of two-run blasts, one each in the third and fourth innings, finishing 2-for-3 with four RBIs. The 33-year-old slugger, coming off a season where he batted .331 with 53 homers and 114 RBIs, is preparing for next month’s World Baseball Classic. Judge will join a star-studded Team USA roster featuring Bryce Harper, Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr., Cal Raleigh, and Kyle Schwarber.

The final day of Milan Cortina Olympics promises excitement with the men’s hockey gold medal showdown between the United States and Canada taking center stage. Eileen Gu will pursue her first gold of the 2026 Games in the rescheduled women’s Olympic freeski halfpipe final. Additional medals will be distributed in cross-country skiing, curling, and bobsled events before the closing ceremony concludes the competition.

Jacob Bridgeman has transformed the Genesis Invitational at Riviera into a commanding performance, building a six-stroke advantage over Rory McIlroy after Saturday’s third round. Starting the day tied for the lead, Bridgeman fired the day’s best score of 64, highlighted by three birdies in his opening four holes. His back nine surge included a spectacular birdie-eagle-birdie sequence that stretched his lead to six shots. McIlroy managed a 69 with seven consecutive pars to close his round, expressing satisfaction about playing in the final group to potentially pressure the leader.

The WNBA has presented a revised collective bargaining agreement proposal to the players’ union, maintaining housing payments for all players this season while offering limited changes to previous revenue-sharing terms. According to a source familiar with Friday’s negotiations, the league’s latest offer includes continued housing coverage for the current season, followed by housing payments for minimum salary players and first-year rookies in subsequent seasons. The source requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of ongoing discussions.

Michigan secured the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament selection committee’s preliminary rankings released Saturday. The Wolverines were joined by Duke, Arizona, and Iowa State as the four number one seeds in the early bracket preview shown on CBS. Iowa State claimed the final top seed ahead of UConn and Houston in the snapshot taken with less than a month remaining before Selection Sunday on March 15. The Final Four is scheduled for Indianapolis, with teams typically maintaining their seeding positions above the top-four regional seed cutline.

Moustapha Thiam exploded for a career-best 28 points to power Cincinnati’s shocking 84-68 victory over eighth-ranked Kansas in Lawrence. The 7-foot center dominated with 11-of-17 shooting and eight rebounds, leading Cincinnati to their second ranked opponent victory this season after defeating then-second-ranked Iowa State 79-70 on January 17. Baba Miller contributed 18 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds for the Bearcats. Kansas got 18 points and 12 rebounds from Flory Bidunga, while freshman standout Darryn Peterson added 17 points in 32 minutes after an early exit from their previous game against Oklahoma State.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge delivered a spectacular performance Saturday, launching two home runs and driving in four runs as his team demolished the Detroit Tigers 20-3 in spring training action in Tampa, Florida.

The reigning American League MVP, who blasted 53 homers with 114 RBIs last season, connected for a pair of two-run shots in consecutive innings. Judge found the seats in both the third and fourth frames, helping fuel a Yankees offensive onslaught that produced 18 hits total.

The Bronx Bombers erupted for three runs in the fourth inning and added nine more in the eighth. Roderick Arias capped the scoring barrage with a grand slam during the eighth-inning rally, finishing 2-for-3 on the day. Paul Goldschmidt contributed two hits and two RBIs, while Jackson Castillo added a three-run blast in the eighth.

Detroit’s lone bright spot came from Corey Julks, who connected for a solo homer in the third inning.

In other spring training action, the Toronto Blue Jays blanked the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 in Dunedin, Florida. Daulton Varsho went 2-for-2 with a solo home run to pace the defending AL champions, while Sean Keys added a two-run homer. The Blue Jays collected nine hits total, while Justin Crawford managed two hits in three at-bats for Philadelphia.

The Pittsburgh Pirates cruised past the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 in Sarasota, Florida, powered by a six-run fifth inning. Ryan O’Hearn’s three-run homer highlighted the big inning, with Endy Rodriguez contributing a two-run shot. Despite allowing just five hits, Baltimore committed two costly errors. Blaze Alexander and Leody Taveras each went 1-for-2 with a run scored for the Orioles.

Boston defeated Minnesota 7-2 in Fort Myers, Florida, with Mikey Romero leading the way with two hits and two RBIs. Andruw Monasterio connected for a solo homer and Allan Castro drove in two runs for the Red Sox. The Twins committed four errors but got two hits and two RBIs from Royce Lewis, including a solo home run.

The Atlanta Braves topped the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 in Port Charlotte, Florida, behind Ben Gamel’s outstanding performance. Gamel homered, doubled, walked, scored twice and drove in three runs. Atlanta scored all five runs in the first three innings, including three in the third. Logan Davidson homered for Tampa Bay, which outhit Atlanta 9-7.

Miami edged the New York Mets 2-1 in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in a low-scoring affair where each team managed just two hits. Jakob Marsee scored both runs for the Marlins, crossing the plate with the winning run in the sixth on Christopher Morel’s sacrifice fly. Kevin Villavicencio and Austin Barnes had the Mets’ only hits.

A Washington split squad defeated Houston 2-1 in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Jorgelys Mota’s sixth-inning solo homer. Nationals starter Jake Eder allowed one run and two hits over two innings, with seven relievers combining to shut out the Astros thereafter. Nick Allen drove in Houston’s lone run with a second-inning single.

Washington’s other split squad topped St. Louis 6-2 in Jupiter, Florida, behind Maxwell Romero Jr.’s three-run homer during a four-run fifth inning. Trey Lipscomb added two hits and an RBI for the Nationals, who went 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Nathan Church homered for the Cardinals.

Dallas has made their first major move of the offseason by securing the services of their top ground game performer.

The Cowboys announced Saturday that running back Javonte Williams has agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $24 million.

The 25-year-old Williams joined Dallas on a one-year, $3 million contract last offseason following four seasons with the Denver Broncos.

Williams justified the investment by posting career-high numbers with 1,201 rushing yards, ranking ninth across the NFL, along with 11 rushing touchdowns over 16 games. Those totals exceeded his combined production from the previous two seasons, when he accumulated 1,287 rushing yards and seven touchdowns across 33 contests.

Dallas ranked ninth in the league for ground attack efficiency, averaging 125.6 rushing yards per contest with a 4.6-yard average per attempt, largely due to Williams’ contributions.

Throughout his five-year professional career spanning 70 games with 45 starts, Williams has accumulated 3,595 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns, while also contributing 1,103 receiving yards and seven receiving scores through the air.

Having secured Williams’ services, Dallas can now turn their attention to negotiations with star receiver George Pickens, whose current contract is set to expire.

Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker faces at least another week on the sidelines after sustaining a right hip strain in Thursday’s matchup against San Antonio, occurring during the second quarter of play.

Team medical staff will conduct another evaluation of Booker’s condition after the one-week period to assess his recovery progress. Officials have not established a specific timeline for when the star player might return to the court.

The injury adds to Booker’s recent absence streak, as he was unable to play in Saturday’s home game against Orlando, marking his ninth missed game out of the last 12 contests. Earlier in this stretch, the five-time All-Star was sidelined for seven consecutive games due to a sprained right ankle.

The 29-year-old veteran is posting averages of 24.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 44 appearances this season. The 11-year NBA veteran is approaching a career milestone, needing just two more three-point shots to reach 1,500 for his career.

Additionally, the Suns announced that guard Haywood Highsmith, a recent team addition, will undergo re-evaluation in two to three weeks for a right knee issue.

Canada’s men’s curling squad transformed anger over cheating accusations into Olympic glory, according to team captain Brad Jacobs, who spoke defiantly after his crew claimed the gold medal in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy on Saturday.

The Canadian team defeated defending world champion Britain by a score of 9-6 in the championship match, securing the nation’s first men’s curling Olympic title since 2014. Their victory came amid significant controversy after Sweden leveled cheating allegations against them during preliminary competition.

Speaking forcefully at his post-victory news conference, Jacobs dismissed the accusations as completely unfounded.

“I’ll guarantee you that only motivated us further to go out and prove to everyone that we’re the best team, and now (we’re) at the top of the podium, I would say the best team in the world,” he stated.

“Canada and curling in Canada is special to us. It means a lot to us. Integrity means a lot to us. We wanted to go out there and prove everyone wrong and rise to the top of the podium.”

The scandal primarily involved teammate Marc Kennedy, who faced intense scrutiny after his heated reaction to the cheating claims. The 44-year-old athlete reported that his family endured online harassment and threatening messages throughout the ordeal.

Jacobs commended Kennedy’s resilience under pressure, stating: “Marc’s mind is sealed. Most athletes, if they had to go through what Marc Kennedy went through, what we went through as a team here, it would have crippled them and it would have crumbled most teams.

“But Marc’s done a lot of self-improvement and just surrounded himself with us and the support that we gave him, his family gave him this week, our coaches.

“He is one tough fella to be able to block out all the noise and just go out and curl and curl his absolute best. We’re just so proud of him for everything that he was able to do this week and how he handled the whole situation.”

Jacobs, who previously guided Canada to Olympic gold in Sochi eight years ago, delivered a sharp message to those who questioned his team’s integrity: “For anyone who called us cheaters … I hope that the image of us standing on top of the podium, embracing one another, smiling ear to ear with our gold medals is burned into your brain forever.”

Finland’s men’s Olympic hockey team transformed crushing disappointment into celebration, defeating Slovakia 6-1 on Saturday to capture the bronze medal just one day after a heartbreaking semi-final loss to Canada.

The defending Olympic champions from 2022 appeared headed for another gold medal showdown after building a two-goal advantage over Canada at Milan’s Santagiulia arena on Friday. However, Canada erased that lead, leaving Finland devastated and facing the prospect of going home without any hardware.

With less than 24 hours to recover emotionally, the Finnish squad returned to the same rink determined not to leave Italy empty-handed, facing a Slovak team that had exceeded expectations before falling to the United States in their semi-final.

Erik Haula, who netted two goals in Saturday’s victory, described the mental challenge of bouncing back from Friday’s crushing defeat.

“It was probably the biggest challenge of my life to get over that game. It was hard,” Haula explained. “Talking to the other guys, talking as a team about what a medal means and stuff like that, that powered us through I think.”

While bronze wasn’t the color Finland had envisioned, it provided a satisfying ending to what began as a difficult tournament for the title defenders.

Finland stumbled out of the gate, dropping their opening preliminary round match to Slovakia – the same team they dominated on Saturday. That early setback forced the squad to regroup before bouncing back with a crucial victory over Sweden in their second contest.

Joel Armia, who added an empty-net goal in the third period of Saturday’s decisive win, reflected on how the team learned from that initial stumble.

“First game, we kind of learned our lesson,” Armia said. “We didn’t just sit back and we had the courage to play with the puck and play confident.”

Slovakia’s Olympic hockey dreams came crashing down in Milan as the team suffered a devastating 6-1 loss to Finland in Saturday’s bronze medal game, leaving them without any hardware to show for their efforts.

The defeat was particularly crushing for star forward Juraj Slafkovsky, who helped Slovakia capture bronze at the previous Olympics four years ago in Beijing when he was just 17 years old and earned tournament MVP honors as the leading scorer.

Slovakia had appeared poised to duplicate their previous Olympic success after dominating Group B play with a convincing 4-1 victory over defending champion Finland. The team then advanced past Germany in quarterfinal action before falling to Team USA in the semifinals.

However, their rematch with Finland for the bronze medal turned into a nightmare, with Slovakia’s players leaving the ice well before the medal presentation ceremony concluded.

“I think being fourth and being last, it’s the same thing,” Slafkovsky said. “You don’t get the medal, so it sucks. The guys that are already home, they don’t have a medal as well, and we don’t have one either. So it’s still the same thing. In my opinion, right now, that’s how I feel, it sucks, losing sucks.”

The bronze medal contest started poorly for Slovakia as they trailed by two goals early, though they managed to cut the deficit to 2-1 entering the final period. That’s when everything unraveled, as Finland netted two goals within 60 seconds of each other in the third period, including one on the power play, effectively ending Slovakia’s comeback hopes.

“Going into the third, we’re right there, it’s a 2-1 game,” Slafkovsky said. “If we score the next one, then it’s 2-2. Who knows what would have happened, but yeah I can say whatever right now, it’s not going to change anything.”

The loss may have stung even more for defenseman Martin Fehervary, who missed the previous Olympics and was seeking his first Olympic medal.

“For myself, it’s definitely the worst loss in my hockey career, I’m really disappointed,” Fehervary said. “Everyone wants to win, right? And we don’t have any medal. I don’t have any medals, so it’s really disappointing.”

MILAN – American figure skater Ilia Malinin turned his closing gala performance at the Milano Cortina Games into a compelling statement about social media’s harmful impact and intense public scrutiny on Saturday.

The 21-year-old athlete used his exhibition skate to respond to criticism following his unexpected eighth-place result in men’s singles competition, an event many predicted he would win.

Performing to “Fear” by rapper NF – a song exploring mental health challenges and feelings of helplessness – Malinin wore casual attire including a grey sweatshirt and torn denim. His routine included movements that mimicked browsing on a smartphone.

During the performance, he reacted to pretend camera flashes and at one point crouched low while pulling his hood up for protection.

The double world champion joined American teammate Alysa Liu, who claimed the women’s title, as featured performers in the traditional celebration that honors the competition’s top athletes from the past two weeks.

Coming into Milan, Malinin was considered among the strongest gold medal contenders across all Olympic sports, having maintained an unbeaten streak spanning more than two seasons.

However, the pressure of Olympic competition proved overwhelming for the champion, whose free skate program collapsed dramatically with two major falls and successful completion of just three out of seven planned quadruple jumps.

Earlier this week, he acknowledged on Instagram that his high-pressure Olympic debut led to an “inevitable crash.”

During Saturday’s exhibition, he executed one quadruple jump before performing his signature backflip with a single-foot landing, earning thunderous applause that seemed to recognize both his athletic ability and the burden he had shouldered.

The routine concluded powerfully as he pretended to put on headphones, causing immediate silence throughout the arena.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Liu captivated spectators with her lighthearted performance set to “Stateside” by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson.

Liu’s Olympic experience contrasted sharply with Malinin’s, marked by renewed enthusiasm after taking a two-year break from competitive skating.

She described feeling at “peak happiness” while competing.

French ice dancing champions Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron presented an artistic routine to the piano piece “Mad Rush,” while Japanese pairs winners Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara skated to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”

Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov, the surprising men’s singles victor, entertained the audience dressed as Kung Fu Panda and received a post-performance visit from martial arts star Jackie Chan.

The NBA has handed down a one-game suspension without pay to Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert following his seventh flagrant foul violation of the current season, the league announced on Saturday.

Gobert received the flagrant foul penalty during Friday evening’s matchup against Dallas at home in Minneapolis, where he struck Mavericks forward Marvin Bagley III in the head and neck area during the second quarter. The Timberwolves went on to defeat Dallas 122-111.

The suspension means Gobert will be sidelined for Sunday evening’s home matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, unless Minnesota decides to challenge the league’s decision through an appeal process.

According to NBA policy, players face automatic one-game suspensions once they accumulate six flagrant fouls during a season, with additional games added for each subsequent violation. This marks Gobert’s second suspension this season for flagrant foul accumulation, with his previous ban occurring in January following his sixth flagrant during Minnesota’s victory over San Antonio on January 11th.

Despite the incident, Gobert had a strong performance against Dallas, contributing 22 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocked shots. For the season, he’s posting averages of 11.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest.

Finland dominated the ice on Saturday, overwhelming Slovakia 6-1 to secure the bronze medal in men’s Olympic ice hockey at Milan’s Santagiulia arena.

The decisive victory adds another bronze to Finland’s impressive Olympic hockey collection, bringing their total to five bronze medals. This latest achievement marks the eighth Olympic ice hockey medal overall for the Nordic nation, which captured gold at the Beijing Olympics four years earlier.

The lopsided score reflected Finland’s control throughout the bronze medal match, as they outplayed their Slovak opponents in what became a one-sided affair on the final day of Olympic hockey competition.

In a heart-stopping finish, the Hawks pulled off a thrilling 66-64 victory over Coppin State on the road, thanks to a clutch basket by Lynch with less than a second left on the game clock.

With tension mounting and the score tied, Lynch drove to the basket and converted the go-ahead layup with just 0.8 seconds remaining, securing the dramatic two-point win for the Hawks.

The nail-biting contest showcased both teams’ determination, but it was the Hawks who managed to execute when it mattered most, capitalizing on their final possession to steal the victory away from home.

The thrilling finish highlighted the competitive nature of the matchup, with both squads battling until the final buzzer in what proved to be an unforgettable game for Hawks fans.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – German bobsledder Laura Nolte delivered a flawless performance on Saturday to claim her second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the Two-Woman bobsled competition, bouncing back from a heartbreaking loss just seven days earlier.

Nolte had suffered disappointment the previous week when she lost the Monobob championship by a razor-thin margin of four hundredths of a second after making an error on her final run. However, she showed no signs of that setback affecting her performance in Saturday’s Two-Woman event.

The podium featured another German athlete, as Nolte’s teammate Lisa Buckwitz secured the silver medal. Taking bronze was Kaillie Humphries, the veteran slider who previously captured Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014 while competing for Canada but now races under the American flag.

Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo has etched his name in Winter Olympics history books after achieving an unprecedented clean sweep at the Milan Cortina Games. The athlete claimed his sixth gold medal on Saturday by winning the men’s 50-kilometer mass start event, surpassing Eric Heiden’s decades-old record of five gold medals at a single Winter Olympics.

Meanwhile, American speedskating sensation Jordan Stolz placed fourth in the men’s mass start competition, trailing behind Netherlands veteran Jorrit Bergsma, who at 40 years old became the oldest male athlete to claim speedskating gold. Team USA reached a milestone of their own, earning their 11th gold medal of these Games – a new Winter Olympics record for the nation. The historic achievement came courtesy of Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis in the mixed aerials event.

Female athletes are driving much of America’s medal success at the Milan Cortina Olympics, establishing new benchmarks in the process. As of Saturday, with one day remaining in competition, American women have secured six gold medals and 17 total medals in women’s competitions – both new records for US Winter Games participation. Including mixed-gender events, that tally rises to 21 medals, with more than 40 American women earning at least one medal in Italy. Notable victories include the women’s hockey team’s triumph over Canada, along with wins in Alpine skiing, monobob, figure skating, and freestyle moguls. Athletes credit this success with inspiring future generations of competitors.

Sunday’s final day of competition features several marquee events, including the men’s hockey gold medal showdown between the United States and Canada. Eileen Gu will compete for her first gold of the 2026 Games in the rescheduled women’s freeski halfpipe final. Additional medals will be determined in cross-country skiing, curling, and bobsled before the closing ceremony concludes the Games.

In baseball news, Pittsburgh Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski passed away at age 89, the team announced Saturday. The Hall of Fame second baseman, who died Friday, earned eight Gold Glove awards for his defensive excellence and became a Pittsburgh icon after hitting the game-winning home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. Pirates owner Bob Nutting called Mazeroski “one of a kind, a true Pirates legend.” The organization retired his number 9 in 1987 and installed a statue in his honor on Bill Mazeroski Way in 2010.

English Premier League action saw both Aston Villa and Chelsea stumble in their respective matches. Villa’s title hopes took a hit after managing only a 1-1 draw at home against relegation-threatened Leeds, with substitute Tammy Abraham scoring an 88th-minute equalizer to salvage a point for Unai Emery’s squad. The result could see Villa fall further behind leaders Arsenal and Manchester City, with City facing Newcastle later Saturday and Arsenal visiting Tottenham on Sunday. Chelsea also settled for a 1-1 draw against struggling Burnley.

College basketball’s NCAA Tournament picture became clearer as the selection committee revealed preliminary seedings. Michigan earned the top overall seed, joined by Duke, Arizona, and Iowa State as number one seeds in their respective regions. The Cyclones secured the final top seed ahead of UConn and Houston. This early ranking provides insight into tournament positioning with less than a month until Selection Sunday on March 15, leading to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

In upset fashion, Cincinnati stunned eighth-ranked Kansas 84-68 behind Moustapha Thiam’s career-best 28 points. The 7-foot center connected on 11 of 17 field goal attempts and grabbed eight rebounds, marking Cincinnati’s second victory over a ranked opponent this season after defeating then-number two Iowa State 79-70 on January 17. Baba Miller contributed 18 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds for the Bearcats. Kansas was led by Flory Bidunga’s 18 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman Darryn Peterson added 17 points.

Seventeenth-ranked St. John’s dominated Creighton 81-52 to extend their winning streak to 13 games – the program’s longest such run in 41 years. Bryce Hopkins recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Dylan Darling scored 17 points off the bench and Zuby Ejiofor added 15 for the Red Storm. The team controlled the game from start to finish and limited Creighton to 32% shooting before 19,328 fans at Madison Square Garden. St. John’s last won 13 consecutive games during a 19-game streak in 1984-85 under Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca.

Spring training is underway for the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with superstar Shohei Ohtani scheduled to appear in select Cactus League games before joining Japan’s World Baseball Classic roster. Ohtani was set to lead off as designated hitter in the team’s spring opener against the Angels, expecting two or three at-bats. Reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto was slated to start and pitch two innings.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami is preparing for another championship run just months after capturing their first MLS Cup title. The club has assembled what may be the strongest roster in Major League Soccer history as they begin a season that culminates with the World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Messi recently became the first player in MLS history to win back-to-back MVP awards, but he’s supported by an impressive supporting cast as Miami aims to repeat as champions.

TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge made quite the statement in his first spring training appearance, launching a pair of home runs as he gears up for the World Baseball Classic scheduled for next month.

The three-time MVP award winner connected for two separate two-run blasts against the Detroit Tigers, finding the seats once during the third inning and again in the fourth. Judge’s impressive debut resulted in a 2-for-3 performance at the plate with four runs batted in.

The 33-year-old baseball star has claimed MVP honors in three of the last four seasons, most recently in 2024 when he posted a .331 batting average alongside 53 home runs and 114 RBIs.

Following his strong showing, Judge expressed enthusiasm about the challenges ahead. “We’ve got the WBC coming up, which I’m excited about, and an exciting Yankees season,” Judge commented after his performance. “We’ve got a lot of unfinished business from last season, especially the way it ended for us. I’m just trying to put myself in the best position to help this team win a lot of ballgames.”

Judge is set to join what appears to be a star-studded Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic. The position player lineup will also feature notable names including Bryce Harper, Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr., Cal Raleigh and Kyle Schwarber.

The World Baseball Classic’s opening pool play rounds are scheduled to take place March 5-11 across four different locations: Tokyo, Houston, Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The tournament will conclude with the championship game on March 17 in Miami.

LIVIGNO, Italy — Team USA made Olympic history on Saturday by shattering its previous Winter Games gold medal record, claiming their 11th victory with the possibility of adding another when the men’s hockey squad faces Canada in Sunday’s championship match.

The record-setting achievement came courtesy of athletes Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis, who secured America’s second consecutive mixed aerials championship to push the country past its previous best performance.

Saturday’s triumph surpassed the previous benchmark of 10 gold medals established during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, which marked a pivotal moment for America’s winter sports program after years of underwhelming results.

Officials believe this Games could represent another watershed moment, not merely due to medal totals but because of the diverse range of disciplines contributing to success. American athletes earned medals across 12 of the 17 winter sports categories featured in these Olympics.

“Our focus and our strategy has always been about breadth,” said Sarah Hirshland, the CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. “We want to win in everything. We want to make every sport better. Some could argue there are countries that go a mile deep in certain sports and really dominate. Our goal has been to improve Winter sport across the board.”

Following the aerials victory and Mia Manganello’s bronze medal performance in speedskating later Saturday, the American delegation reached 31 total medals with competition still remaining.

Norway currently leads the overall standings with a record-breaking 18 golds among 40 total medals through Saturday evening. Nearly three-quarters of Norway’s gold medals originated from endurance disciplines including cross country skiing, biathlon, and Nordic combined events. America’s strongest gold medal performances came evenly distributed across Alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, figure skating, and speedskating, with two victories apiece representing 18% of the total haul.

The current Olympic program features 38 additional medal opportunities compared to the 2002 Games. Many new events center around snowpark competitions including halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air disciplines that previously favored American athletes but now see Japanese dominance, as evidenced by Japan’s nine snowboarding medals versus just two for the United States.

“We stated we wanted to be a podium nation,” Fin Kirwan, the USOPC’s chief of Olympic sport, said of the U.S. goal of being top-three on the medals table. “We said it will likely take 30 medals and we got after it. The athletes delivered on their potential and, by turn, we hit the record on gold-medal performance, which shows that our very best were able to execute.”

The American gold medal collection spans multiple inspiring stories: a halfpipe skier completing his Olympic medal set while maintaining his “Hotdog Hans” streaming persona, an athlete overcoming a knee injury on the same mountain where she claimed victory, a moguls specialist nicknamed “Lizard” continuing America’s tradition in the sport, a 20-year-old figure skater who rediscovered her passion after stepping away, a 41-year-old becoming the oldest Winter Olympic gold medalist at her sixth Games, skiing’s most decorated athlete finally capturing Olympic slalom gold, a speedskater joining Eric Heiden as only the second American man to win both 500 and 1,000-meter events, a figure skating team earning consecutive gold after navigating previous doping controversies, and a dramatic women’s hockey final featuring Hilary Knight’s late equalizer and Megan Keller’s overtime winner.

Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz dominated the Qatar Open final on Saturday, defeating France’s Arthur Fils in straight sets with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory that keeps his 2026 season unblemished.

The world’s top-ranked player controlled every aspect of the 50-minute championship match, winning an impressive 89% of his first-serve points while never allowing Fils a single break point opportunity. This marks Alcaraz’s second tournament victory of the year, coming just three weeks after his historic Australian Open triumph that completed his career Grand Slam.

“I came this year hungry for more,” the Spanish champion said after his victory, reflecting on his improvement from last year’s quarter-final exit in Doha. “I think after every tournament, we just have to set new goals. I’m just really happy and proud of everything I have done with my team on and off the court.”

The Qatar Open championship brings Alcaraz’s 2026 record to an unblemished 12-0 and adds his ninth ATP 500 title to his collection. This achievement ties him with former world number one Andy Murray for fourth place in ATP 500 victories since the category was established, according to ATP records.

Team Canada claimed the men’s curling championship at the Winter Olympics on Saturday, defeating Britain with a final score of 9-6 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

The Canadian squad’s victory secured the gold medal in what proved to be a competitive final match against the British team.

Earlier in the competition, Switzerland captured the bronze medal position following a commanding 9-1 triumph over Norway on Friday.

The curling competition concluded with Canada atop the podium, marking another successful Olympic campaign for the nation’s winter sports program.

MILAN – Veteran Dutch speed skater Jorrit Bergsma defied Father Time on Saturday, capturing Olympic gold in the men’s mass start at Milano Cortina 2026 at the remarkable age of 40. His victory marked his second Olympic championship and helped complete a dominant performance by the Netherlands in speed skating.

Bergsma’s teammate Marijke Groenewoud also claimed victory in the women’s mass start, giving the Dutch team a complete sweep of both final races as speed skating competition concluded at these Winter Games.

The Netherlands wrapped up the speed skating program with an impressive five gold medals, more than any other competing nation at Milano Cortina.

Denmark’s Viktor Hald Thorup earned silver in the men’s competition, delivering just the second Winter Olympic medal in his country’s history. Italy’s Andrea Giovannini thrilled the home crowd by capturing bronze.

In women’s competition, Canada’s Ivanie Blondin took silver – repeating her performance from Beijing 2022 – while American Mia Manganello rounded out the podium with bronze.

The men’s 16-lap race saw Bergsma and Thorup execute a bold breakaway on the third lap that caught competitors off guard. However, Bergsma saved his most decisive move for the closing laps, pulling away from Thorup with a powerful surge that sealed his victory.

As Bergsma entered the home stretch, television cameras captured him breaking into a smile and beginning his celebration before even crossing the finish line.

This latest triumph adds to Bergsma’s impressive Olympic collection, which includes 10,000-meter gold from Sochi 2014, silver from Pyeongchang 2018, and bronze medals in the 5,000m at Sochi and 10,000m at these current Games.

“That was crazy, mind-blowing,” Bergsma said. “I was expecting a really hard final, but nobody wanted to do the first attack. I did it. I had a gap together with Viktor and that was it.”

“We had a gap in no time, and then I knew, ‘okay, I have a big, big chance right now’. I just wanted to keep the gap with the peloton and keep the speed in it a bit. I had to keep my cool and finish it.”

The race proved disappointing for defending champion Bart Swings of Belgium. The 35-year-old, who made history by winning his nation’s first Winter Olympic gold in 74 years at Beijing 2022, could only manage a ninth-place finish.

American Jordan Stolz, fresh off winning Olympic titles in both the 500m and 1,000m events, placed fourth in the mass start.

Groenewoud’s victory came after the retirement of Dutch legend Irene Schouten, who had previously defended the women’s mass start title. The 27-year-old Groenewoud perfectly timed her final sprint to claim her first Olympic gold medal.

“Maybe it (Bergsma’s race) brought some more pressure on my shoulders, but there was also a lot of energy I got out of it. It’s nice to see your teammate win. Then you have to do it yourself, too,” Groenewoud said.

“I stood up and thought, ‘this mass start is my mass start and I did it’. It’s a dream come true. As a child I dreamed of Olympic gold and now I got it.”

Groenewoud’s perfect day became even more memorable when her boyfriend proposed to her moments after her victory celebration concluded.

“I got a gold medal and a silver ring,” Groenewoud said. “Really happy with it. I didn’t expect it. It’s a perfect day.”

At 40 years old, most athletes have long since hung up their competitive gear, but Dutch speed skater Jorrit Bergsma proved age is just a number when he captured Olympic gold in Milan on Saturday.

The veteran competitor shocked the field during the men’s mass start competition, executing a bold strategy alongside Denmark’s Viktor Hald Thorup with a surprise attack during the third lap of the 16-lap event.

“I do not know yet if I will be back in four years, but now I guess I have to defend my title, right?” Bergsma said after his stunning victory.

The pair quickly established a substantial advantage over their competitors – at times leading by more than half a lap – while the remaining skaters failed to mount an immediate response. With just a few laps remaining, Bergsma made his decisive move, pulling away from Thorup to secure the win.

“I do not think I realise just yet what I have done. I even had to pinch myself when I was standing on the podium,” the champion reflected.

Looking ahead to the 2030 Winter Olympics, when he would be 44, Bergsma acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic about his future in the sport.

“Four years is going to be really tough, especially with the young guys coming up on the single distances. I will see year by year, but I am not done yet,” he stated.

This latest achievement enhances Bergsma’s already impressive Olympic collection, which features his 10,000m championship from Sochi 2014, a silver medal from Pyeongchang 2018, and bronze medals in the 5,000m at Sochi and 10,000m at Milano Cortina.

“I had already won bronze, so my Olympic Games were already complete, but to be standing here with a gold medal as a 40-year-old guy is a privilege, even more so that I managed to do it in the mass start. I did not expect this at all,” Bergsma explained.

The number 13 played a special role in Bergsma’s success story. He competed wearing helmet number 13, having previously earned his 10,000m bronze medal on February 13.

“It has been my lucky number already. In the Netherlands, I am skating marathons with leg number 13. One week ago I won a bronze medal on Friday the 13th. And today I win with number 13. It is like magic for me,” he revealed.

In a remarkable coincidence, Bergsma’s February 1st birthday would align perfectly with the opening ceremony of the 2030 Winter Olympics, should he decide to extend his career for another Olympic cycle.

The St. Louis Cardinals have added veteran utility player Ramon Urias to their roster, announcing the signing of the free agent infielder to a one-year contract on Saturday.

While the team did not reveal specific contract details, The Athletic reported the agreement is worth $2 million for the 2026 season, with an additional $1.5 million guaranteed and a $500,000 buyout clause for a mutual option in 2027. The contract also features performance incentives that could reach up to $2 million based on plate appearances.

The 31-year-old Urias brings defensive versatility and experience to St. Louis after playing for both the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros during the 2025 campaign. Over 112 games last season, he posted a .241 batting average while contributing 11 home runs and 44 runs batted in.

Throughout his major league career spanning from 2020 to 2025, Urias has maintained a .257 batting average across 541 games, accumulating 50 home runs and 215 RBIs between his time with Baltimore and Houston. His defensive prowess earned him a Gold Glove Award at third base in 2022, and he has demonstrated flexibility by playing multiple infield positions including second base, shortstop, and first base.

To accommodate Urias on their 40-man roster, the Cardinals placed 27-year-old right-handed pitcher Zak Kent on waivers. Kent compiled a 1-0 record with a 4.58 earned run average during the 2025 season.

Minnesota Twins All-Star pitcher Joe Ryan was pulled from Saturday afternoon’s matchup against the Boston Red Sox moments before game time after experiencing lower back tightness.

The last-minute roster change adds to the team’s pitching concerns, coming just 24 hours after officials announced that pitcher Pablo Lopez will need Tommy John surgery next week, sidelining him for all of the 2026 season.

Right-handed pitcher Eston Stull stepped in to take Ryan’s place as the Twins kicked off their Grapefruit League season against Boston.

The 29-year-old Ryan had a solid 2025 campaign, finishing with 13 wins and 10 losses while achieving a personal-best 3.42 ERA across 31 games, including 30 starts. Last summer marked a career milestone for the reliable pitcher when he earned his first All-Star Game selection.

Swedish cross-country skiing champion Frida Karlsson has withdrawn from Sunday’s women’s 50km mass start classic event at the Milano Cortina Olympics after becoming sick, according to a Swedish team official speaking from Tesero, Italy on February 21.

The absence of Karlsson, who many experts believed had a strong chance of earning another medal, comes after her impressive Olympic performance that included gold medals in both the 20km skiathlon and 10km freestyle events. Her victories helped establish Sweden’s women’s cross-country team as the dominant force at these Winter Games.

Karlsson joins a growing list of elite athletes who have been sidelined by sickness during this Olympic week. Italy’s Federico Pellegrino and Team USA’s Ben Ogden were also unable to compete in Saturday’s men’s 50km classic event after falling ill.

TORONTO – Canadian hockey fans will be able to grab a cold beer with their morning coffee this Sunday as provinces across the country permit bars to serve alcohol hours ahead of schedule for the Olympic men’s hockey championship game against the United States.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford authorized licensed venues in Canada’s largest province to start pouring drinks at 6 AM Eastern Time on Sunday, more than two hours before the championship match begins at Milan’s Santagiulia arena. The game features rosters filled with National Hockey League stars from both countries.

“The entire country will be watching on Sunday morning as our men’s hockey team plays for Olympic gold,” Ford posted on social media when he announced the early alcohol sales decision. “Let’s all come together, support local businesses and cheer on Team Canada!”

British Columbia Premier David Eby has implemented similar measures on the west coast, allowing establishments there to serve drinks to eager hockey supporters before typical morning hours.

The championship contest will be the first Olympic men’s hockey final between these neighboring countries since the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

Canada claimed victory in that 2010 championship on Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal and went on to repeat as champions at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, which was the most recent Winter Games to include NHL talent.

Sunday’s final gives Canada an opportunity to solidify their dominance and capture their 10th Olympic men’s hockey gold medal in a nation where hockey holds cultural significance that transcends typical sports fandom and approaches spiritual devotion.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani will make limited appearances in spring training for the Los Angeles Dodgers before departing Arizona to represent Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

The superstar took his position as leadoff designated hitter in Saturday’s spring opener against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium, with plans for two to three plate appearances.

“Sometimes he takes two and he feels good or he wants that third at-bat,” manager Dave Roberts said.

Roberts remained coy about Ohtani’s exact departure timeline, smiling when pressed about travel arrangements and saying, “I promised I’d try.”

The 31-year-old dual-threat player is slated to take the mound against live batters on Sunday, with Roberts already expressing confidence that Ohtani deserves Cy Young Award consideration this season.

“I know that it’s going to be soon. He’s going to play in a couple Cactus League games, but I’m not exactly sure when his plane ticket is. He hasn’t said,” Roberts said. “So I don’t know what day he’s going to join Team Japan.”

Meanwhile, World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto made his spring debut as the starting pitcher, throwing approximately 35 pitches across two innings in his only Dodgers appearance before also departing for WBC duty.

“Obviously him going and pitching for Team Japan, he’s going to be kind of trying to ramp it up and get prepared so I think it’s just more of what he does strike one, use his secondaries and be efficient and get some outs,” Roberts said.

Upon Yamamoto’s return to the Dodgers’ facility, the right-hander will initially be limited to roughly four innings and 60 pitches, according to Roberts.

The 27-year-old hurler, who inked a massive $325 million, 12-year deal in December 2023, dominated in Los Angeles’ championship run with a perfect 3-0 record and 1.09 ERA across seven World Series contests against Toronto, making his workload management a priority following that exceptional postseason performance.

“I think it’s up to all of us to be mindful of workloads and short term, long term and all of that stuff, which we are,” Roberts said.

Yamamoto’s World Series excellence included 15 strikeouts against just two walks over 17 2/3 innings, surrendering only two runs on 10 hits. He joined Randy Johnson as the sole pitchers since 1969 to capture three victories in a single World Series.

“I think I’m confident because there’s no exact science on ramping up early and success,” Roberts said. “Or being methodical and not participating to result in success during the season. There’s just no exact science. I think for me and for all of us you’re just believing in the player, knowing that he knows what it takes to get ready for a season and he takes care of himself. So I think for me it’s an easy way to kind of think and wrap my head around just kind of believing in him, trusting him.”

Stormy conditions in the Atlanta area led to the scrapping of Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session at EchoPark Speedway.

Since time trials were called off, Daytona 500 champion Tyler Reddick will claim the top starting position for Sunday’s Autotrader 400 race.

Reddick, driving the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota, will share the front row with Joey Logano, who pilots the No. 22 Team Penske Ford.

Persistent rainfall during the late morning hours, combined with dangerous lightning activity, resulted in the track’s first Cup Series qualifying cancellation in 16 years, dating back to 2008.

Despite the weather disruption, both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at 1:30 p.m. ET and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at 5 p.m. ET remain on Saturday’s schedule.

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet went under the knife Friday to repair a torn ACL, more than a month after suffering the injury during playoff action.

The 25-year-old back damaged his left knee during Seattle’s January 17 NFC divisional playoff win against the San Francisco 49ers.

Although team officials haven’t provided a specific recovery timeline, Charbonnet will likely be sidelined for a significant chunk of the 2026 campaign.

During this past regular season, Charbonnet topped Seattle’s roster with 12 rushing touchdowns while finishing second on the team with 730 yards on the ground. This marked his third year with the Seahawks after being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Running mate Kenneth Walker III, who typically shares backfield duties with Charbonnet, stepped up during the playoffs in his teammate’s absence. Walker went on to earn Super Bowl LX MVP recognition, though he’s expected to hit free agency.

Walker paced the Seahawks with 1,027 rushing yards and contributed five touchdowns during the regular season.

The Chicago Bulls announced Saturday that power forward Zach Collins will need surgery on his right big toe, ending his season early.

Meanwhile, guard Jaden Ivey is experiencing soreness in his left knee and team doctors will reassess his condition in two weeks.

The 28-year-old Collins has been coming off the bench this season, putting up 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game across 10 appearances.

Throughout his professional career spanning 388 games with Portland, San Antonio, and Chicago, Collins has posted averages of 8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He started 83 of those contests.

Sacramento originally drafted the Gonzaga product as the 10th selection in 2017 before immediately dealing him to Portland on draft night.

Ivey, who celebrated his 24th birthday on February 13th, has put together averages of 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds across four appearances for Chicago since his recent trade from Detroit. He has started three of those games.

The Pistons selected Ivey fifth overall in the 2022 draft. His career has been hampered by injuries, including a fractured leg that cost him substantial playing time last season and a knee problem that sidelined him earlier this year.

Texas Rangers utility infielder Cody Freeman faces an extended absence after suffering a fractured lower back, with team manager Skip Schumaker revealing Saturday that the injury will keep him out of action for four to six weeks.

The recovery period creates significant uncertainty about Freeman’s availability for the season opener, as only five weeks remain before Texas takes on the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on March 26.

The 25-year-old Freeman had been competing for a versatile bench role heading into the 2025 campaign.

“Obviously, he wasn’t thrilled with the news,” Schumaker told reporters, according to the Dallas Morning News. “He’s going to be out a little bit. But he’s the type of kid that he will get something out of this rehab. I know it’s tough for him, but it’s not like he’s not part of the plan moving forward. He’s going to help us at some point during the season.”

During the 2024 season, Freeman appeared in 36 contests for Texas, posting a .228 batting average while contributing three home runs and 15 runs batted in.

The International Olympic Committee announced Saturday that FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s participation in President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace launch event did not breach Olympic political neutrality standards.

Infantino, who holds dual roles as head of world soccer’s governing organization and IOC member, joined Thursday’s inaugural Board of Peace session in Milan. The gathering brought together Trump and various world leaders to discuss Gaza reconstruction initiatives, with the goal of rebuilding the region following Hamas disarmament.

An IOC representative confirmed the organization had communicated with FIFA regarding the matter. “We understand that FIFA is supporting, through football, a comprehensive sport recovery investment programme in Gaza, Palestine, by providing sporting infrastructure, education and elite development proposals,” the spokesperson stated.

The spokesperson added: “This is entirely in keeping with the role of an International sport federation. The IOC, through Olympic Solidarity, which is our development vehicle, has been and continues to support sport development in the region.”

Olympic Charter regulations require members to operate free from commercial and political influences. The document also prohibits members from accepting “from governments, organisations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote.”

Trump’s Board of Peace initiative has drawn criticism for including Israeli representation while excluding Palestinian voices. Concerns have emerged that Trump’s plans to expand the Board’s scope beyond Gaza could potentially diminish the United Nations’ primary role in international diplomacy and conflict mediation.

During the event, Infantino shared the stage with multiple heads of state and wore a red cap featuring “USA” and the numbers 45-47, representing Trump’s two separate presidential terms.

The FIFA leader presented a collaboration agreement with the Board of Peace outlining ambitious Gaza sports development plans. The initiative includes constructing 50 smaller playing fields near educational facilities and neighborhoods, five regulation-size pitches throughout different districts, an advanced FIFA training academy, and a new 20,000-capacity national stadium.

Trump and Infantino have met on multiple occasions, particularly relevant as the United States prepares to co-host this summer’s World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.

In December, FIFA presented Trump with its first-ever peace award, recognizing his work promoting communication and tension reduction in global conflict zones.

Newly elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who took office in 2025, has not yet had a meeting with Trump. Los Angeles is scheduled to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.

A teenage soccer prodigy has achieved a historic milestone with Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, becoming the youngest athlete ever awarded a first-team contract by the organization.

Matthew Arana, just 15 years old, secured his professional deal on Saturday through the league’s Homegrown Player program. The midfielder, who hails from Houston, agreed to terms that will keep him with the club through the 2027-28 season, with additional options extending potentially through 2029-30.

Pat Onstad, the team’s president of soccer operations, expressed his enthusiasm about the landmark signing.

“I am very proud to announce the signing of Matthew Arana,” Onstad stated. “He made the most of his opportunities since joining the Dynamo Academy in 2021, advancing quickly through our pathway and making an impact at the first team level this preseason. He has a bright future ahead of him.”

Onstad also acknowledged the support system behind the young player’s success.

“We want to thank Matthew’s parents, Bibiana and Miguel, RISE SC and everyone who supported him on his journey to today, and we look forward to his continued development with his hometown club,” he added.

The teenager has already gained professional experience, appearing for Houston’s MLS NEXT Pro squad in 2025. During his time with Dynamo 2, Arana recorded one assist across five appearances, including one as a starter.

Houston will kick off their 2026 MLS campaign with a home match against Chicago Fire this Saturday evening.

Persistent snowfall has forced Olympic organizers to postpone the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe finals by 24 hours in Livigno, Italy, marking another weather-related disruption at the Milano Cortina Games.

The competition, originally scheduled for Saturday evening, has been rescheduled to Sunday as the final event taking place in the northern Italian Alpine community.

Heavy snow continued falling throughout Saturday’s men’s ski cross finals, creating poor visibility conditions and making the slopes more challenging for competitors. The mountain town sits in northern Italy close to the Swiss border.

When competition resumes, China’s Eileen Gu will attempt to retain her Olympic title in the halfpipe discipline. Britain’s Zoe Atkin, who topped the qualifying rounds, and China’s Li Fanghui are among the leading challengers expected to compete for medals.

Adverse weather conditions have disrupted the Olympic schedule multiple times throughout the Milano Cortina Games, which are scheduled to wrap up with Sunday evening’s Closing Ceremony.

The men’s halfpipe competition also faced scheduling changes earlier in the week, with organizers consolidating qualifying rounds and finals into a single day on Friday rather than spreading them across separate days as initially planned.

DUBAI – American tennis professional Jessica Pegula delivered a commanding performance Saturday, defeating Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 to claim the Dubai Tennis Championships title.

The world’s fifth-ranked player established early control, racing to a 3-0 advantage in the opening set by forcing Svitolina to play deep court positions. Pegula secured her initial service break with a precise backhand cross-court winner, then maintained her serve advantage with an expertly executed backhand slice.

When Svitolina attempted to mount a comeback, the former U.S. Open finalist successfully defended two break point opportunities to extend her lead to 5-1. Svitolina’s frustration showed as she sent a forehand into the net, allowing Pegula to close out the opening set.

The 31-year-old American, who celebrates her 32nd birthday this Tuesday, maintained her composure throughout the second set. She captured the crucial service break in the fifth game, which proved sufficient to secure her tenth professional tour championship while snapping a streak of three consecutive losses in WTA 1000 championship matches.

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton is declaring himself ready for redemption after acknowledging he lost his way during a challenging debut season with Ferrari.

The 41-year-old British racing legend took to Instagram with a determined message, revealing he’s found his motivation again following what proved to be a lackluster first year with the legendary Italian racing team.

“I love this job so much and I love working with my team and driving for the fans,” Hamilton stated. The driver, who made the high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari last year, expressed gratitude for his position in the sport.

“I’m incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do, and I’m excited for the season ahead,” he continued.

Hamilton didn’t hold back in his candid reflection on his recent struggles: “I’m re-set and refreshed. I’m not going anywhere, so stick with me. For a moment, I forgot who I was, but thanks to you and your support you’re not going to see that mindset again. I know what needs to be done. This is going to be one hell of a season.”

The racing icon, widely regarded as the most accomplished driver in Formula One’s history, endured his career’s most challenging season in 2024. He went without a single podium finish across 24 races and appeared increasingly frustrated as the year progressed.

Ferrari’s performance matched Hamilton’s struggles, as the team failed to secure a victory throughout the 2024 campaign. However, recent testing sessions in Bahrain have shown promising signs, with Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc posting the quickest time in this week’s final practice session before teams head to Australia for the season opener on March 8.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella shared his assessment of the competitive landscape on Friday, identifying Mercedes and Ferrari as the teams with the strongest early-season potential.

“McLaren and Red Bull probably very similar, Ferrari and Mercedes a step ahead,” Stella told reporters.

Team Canada faces significant injury challenges heading into Sunday’s Olympic gold medal hockey matchup against the United States at the Milan Cortina Olympics, with defenseman Josh Morrissey officially ruled out and captain Sidney Crosby’s participation still in question.

The 30-year-old Morrissey sustained an injury during the opening period of Canada’s initial group stage victory against Czechia and has been unable to compete in Olympic action since that incident.

Meanwhile, Crosby appeared to injure his right leg during Wednesday’s thrilling 4-3 overtime quarterfinal victory over the Czech Republic.

Following Saturday’s practice session, Canadian head coach Jon Cooper confirmed to media that Morrissey would be unavailable for the championship game. This marks the second major tournament Morrissey has missed due to health issues, having also sat out last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off title game in Boston because of illness.

“We want Josh in this game, he helps us with puck moving and everything he does, but in the end if you’re not physically able to do it,” Cooper explained. “The one selfless thing about this team, and the way I’ve watched these players … when it comes to the flag, no one is getting in the way of it. If they’re incapable of giving what they think is optimal effort, they don’t want to put the country in harm, they understand what we have here.”

The stakes are particularly high as Canada seeks its first Olympic gold medal since capturing the title at the 2014 Sochi Games, which was the most recent Olympics to include NHL talent. The Americans haven’t claimed Olympic hockey gold since their legendary “Miracle on Ice” triumph in Lake Placid, New York back in 1980.

The 38-year-old Crosby did participate in Saturday’s practice session, though his game-time decision remains pending.

“We’ll see. I watched him skate today,” Cooper said regarding Crosby’s condition. “I haven’t spoken to him yet. We’re going to meet tonight and have a determination of what’s going to happen tomorrow. He won’t put himself in harm’s way. He’s not going to put the team in harm’s way.”

“Obviously we’d love to have him, but that determination will be made tonight,” the coach added.

Throughout these Olympic Games, Crosby has contributed six points across four contests, recording two goals and four assists for the Canadian squad.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Team Canada’s women’s curling squad secured the Olympic bronze medal Saturday, defeating the United States 10-7 in a thrilling match at the Milano Cortina Games.

The victory sparked celebrations as Canadian team captain Rachel Homan raised her fist in triumph and hugged teammate Tracy Fleury following the decisive moment when American skip Tabitha Peterson surrendered the match with one stone left to play.

The bronze medal represents Canada’s return to the podium in women’s curling after a decade-long drought. The team’s last medal in this event came during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, where Jennifer Jones led her squad to gold.

The women’s curling competition will conclude Sunday with the championship match, featuring Sweden’s team led by Anna Hasselborg against Switzerland’s squad captained by Silvana Tirinzoni competing for the gold medal.

Hockey legend Jaromir Jagr has indicated his remarkable 38-season professional career could be drawing to a close, according to comments he made in a recent interview.

The Czech superstar, who celebrated his 54th birthday last Sunday, currently suits up for the Kladno Knights in his home country’s professional league.

During a Friday Instagram interview, Jagr cast doubt on whether supporters will witness him competing on ice in the future.

“Probably not,” Jagr responded when asked about continuing to play. “It would have to be a miracle. God would have to come, enter me and make me 15 years younger.”

This season with Kladno, Jagr has tallied just one assist across six contests, with his most recent appearance coming on December 21.

By continuing to compete actively, Jagr has postponed his Hockey Hall of Fame induction, which cannot occur until at least 2029 due to the mandatory three-year waiting period following retirement.

The Pittsburgh Penguins legend captured two Stanley Cup championships and holds the second-highest point total in NHL history with 1,921 points, while ranking fourth all-time in both goals scored (766) and games played (1,733).

Throughout his 24 NHL seasons spanning from 1990 to 2017, the eight-time All-Star and 1998-99 Hart Trophy recipient competed for nine different franchises, spending 11 of those years with Pittsburgh.

Following his final NHL appearance with the Calgary Flames on New Year’s Eve 2017, Jagr made his way back to Kladno to continue his playing career in the Czech Republic.