Sports
Simone Biles’ last photo at the Olympics was a symbol of joy and the direction the sport is heading
PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles threw a pointed look across the awards podium toward Jordan Chiles.
The longtime friends and teammates on the U.S. gymnastics team knew that they had to seek out a technique to honor Brazilian star Rebeca Andrade. They just weren’t sure how.
What they got here up with after Andrade won gold in the freestyle at the end of 10 days at the Bercy Arena symbolized the state of their sport at the 2024 Games.
Where is he. And I hope where he is going.
Biles, the undisputed Greatest of All Time, and Chiles, a three-time Olympic medalist whose return to the Games was a testament to his talent and determination, got down on one knee, a show of respect for Andrade, whose excellence is a symbol of a sport that is becoming more diverse, more inclusive and, perhaps, more positive.
“It was just the right thing to do,” Biles said of the moment that soon went viral, with even the Louvre itself suggesting it may be worthy enough to be placed somewhere near the Mona Lisa.
Fittingly, the Olympic Games offered masterpieces all over the place you looked.
Biles is blissful to share the stage
Biles and the Americans capped their “Redemption Tour” by reclaiming gold in the team final. Biles banished any inner doubts that lingered after the Tokyo Games — and silenced her haters in the process — by winning her second all-around title eight years after her first.
Andrade led Brazil to its first Olympic team medal (bronze) and then added three more in individual competition, ending second to Biles in the all-around and vault, and then becoming the first woman to defeat Biles in the freestyle final.
Italy’s women won their first team medal in nearly a century. Japan staged a thrilling final-round rally on the bars to overtake rival China for gold. The Americans and “Pommel Horse Guy” Stephen Nedoroscik returned to the Olympic podium for the first time in 16 years. Carlos Yulo of the Philippines tripled his country’s total Summer Olympic gold medal haul in only 24 hours.
The good vibes were all over the place, led by Biles, who appeared to be attempting to shine her vivid highlight on the other women on the dance floor as often as possible.
That was never more obvious than on what might have been the final day of her profession. The 27-year-old’s voice might be heard as she shouted encouragement to every of the remaining balance beam finalists in an eerily quiet arena. No matter their nationality. No matter their age. No matter the rating. No matter how well she knew them.
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Later, Biles raved about Italians Alice D’Amato and Manila Esposito, who won gold and bronze on the balance beam after half the competitors — including Biles — collapsed in the arena, so still that Biles joked she could hear cellphones buzzing.
“I am incredibly excited and proud of them because now they are building the foundation (of the program) for other Italian girls,” she said.
The US Women’s National Team is breaking stereotypes
Such rules have long been in place in the U.S., but Biles, Chiles, six-time Olympic medalist Sunisa Lee and three-time Olympic medalist Jade Carey in Paris once and for all shattered the “little girls in pretty boxes” stereotype that has haunted the sport for many years.
The 4 20-year-olds — and 16-year-old Hezly Rivera — arrived in France with a rating to settle. Biles to place those strange days in Japan three years ago aside. Lee to shake off the “imposter syndrome” that also plagued her after her gold medal in Tokyo and the health problems that repeatedly pushed her to the brink of giving up. Chiles and Carey to get the Americans back on top after that they had conceded the podium to Russia.
The group met all requirements, with the U.S. winning eight of a possible 18 medals, including 4 for Biles, which increased her Olympic tally to 11, tied for the second-most medals by a female gymnast in the history of the event.
But just as necessary as the results was the process they went through to get there. There was pressure, but there was also joy in abundance for the oldest team the U.S. has ever delivered to the Games, a team that has dubbed itself “The Golden Girls.”
“It was so much fun,” Carey said. “And I think so many people saw it, we just had fun. And I think that brings out the best in us as gymnasts.”
‘We did it’
Ten years ago, the 4 heads would have retired while the next wave of wunderkinds got here along. It says something about the rapidly changing demographics of the court and the growing interest in women’s gymnastics that none of them — including Biles — have made any firm decisions about their futures.
Biles opened the door to Los Angeles 2028 by saying over the weekend, “never say never.” Lee, who is just 21, needs time to weigh her options. Carey and Chiles will join Biles on her post-Olympic tour and still have college eligibility.
No one is in a hurry. Biles specifically. She scolded the media for pushing the future so soon after the most vital moment in an athlete’s life. For a very long time — too long, looking back — she focused on what would come next.
Not anymore. She was going to savor her third Olympics. Enjoy them. And she did, from that first pressure-packed rotation in qualifying to that moment with Chiles and Andrade, when the last weight she had carried for years lifted from her shoulders, perhaps for good.
“There’s nothing left,” Biles said. “We did our job, you know what I mean? So, yeah, it was tough, but we got through it.”
NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.
According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.
“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”
A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.
He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.
SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.
Sports
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience
The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.
However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.
“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.
The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.
“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.
“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.
The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.
Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.
“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.
Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.
“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”
As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.
The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.
Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.
“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.
After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.
“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…
“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”
After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.
Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.
Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.
The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.
Vinyl Basketball Club:
– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
Rose Basketball Club:
– Coach: Nola Henry
Mgła basketball club:
– Coach: Phil Handy
Lunar Owls Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: DJ Sackmann
Phantom Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: Adam Harrington
Laces Basketball Club:
– Coach: Andrew Wade
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