AP Sports

Paris Olympics off to rough start, with sabotaged trains and weather dampening mood before opening

PARIS (AP) — The Paris Olympics are getting off to a rough start. Suspected acts of sabotage targeted France’s flagship high-speed rail network and cloudy skies with light drizzle are hanging over the French capital ahead of its promised spectacular opening ceremony on Friday evening. It is a day of utmost importance for France and its capital. Dozens of heads of state and government are in town for the Olympic opening and a global audience is tuning in. But French authorities are scrambling to deal with widespread rail disruptions. They blamed coordinated overnight sabotage attacks targeting high-speed train lines. Overcast skies over Paris are further dampening the mood.

For Ukrainian athletes, joy mixes with sorrow at the Paris Olympics

PARIS (AP) — For Ukrainian competitors in Paris for the Olympics, joy goes hand in hand with sorrow. Athletes are striving to enjoy the dream of competing at one of the world’s most prestigious sports events while carrying the burden of the war back home. Ukrainian badminton player Polina Buhrova says she experiences a mix of emotions while trying to enjoy her first Olympics but getting upset reading the news from Ukraine. She says she’s ready to show “how strong we are.” Fencer Olga Kharlan says preparing for the Games was especially challenging because she had to train abroad due to Russia’s war and had not seen her family in a long time.

Georgia wide receiver Rara Thomas arrested on cruelty to children, battery charges

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia wide receiver Rodarius “Rara” Thomas was arrested on charges of cruelty to children and battery, adding to the team’s recent legal woes. Athens-Clarke County jail records show Thomas was booked at 3:20 a.m. on felony charges of cruelty to children and misdemeanor battery charges. Bail had not been set as of late Friday morning. It is the second arrest for Thomas in two years. Thomas, a transfer from Mississippi State, was arrested by University of Georgia police early in 2023 on a felony charge of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of family violence battery. The charges were dropped.

Former Chiefs lineman Isaiah Buggs sentenced to hard labor in Alabama on animal cruelty charges

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs has been convicted on two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Tuscaloosa County District Judge Joanne Jannik sentenced Buggs to a year of hard labor, ordering him to serve 60 days. The rest would be suspended for two years pending Buggs’ behavior. The 27-year-old Buggs also is not allowed to have or be around firearms or own dogs or cats. The Chiefs released the former Alabama player on June 24, eight days after he was arrested on a charge of domestic violence/burglary.

Dylan Cease throws second no-hitter in San Diego Padres history, 3-0 win over Washington Nationals

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dylan Cease pitched the second no-hitter in San Diego Padres history, a 3-0 win over the Washington Nationals that completed a three-game sweep. After falling one out short of a no-hitter two years ago when he gave up a single to current teammate Luis Arráez, Cease accomplished the feat when he retired CJ Abrams on a game-ending flyout to right. Cease struck out nine and walked three in his third complete game in 145 starts. He threw a career-high 114 pitches. Joe Musgrove pitched the Padres’ first no-hitter against Texas on April 9, 2021.

Naomi Osaka is in a better place as she returns to the Olympics and Roland Garros at Paris Games

PARIS (AP) — Naomi Osaka is back on the tennis tour, back at a Summer Olympics and back at Roland Garros. The sport’s Paris Games competition begins Saturday on the same clay courts that host the French Open. It’s a place that marked such a significant moment in Osaka’s life. It was during that tournament in 2021 that she revealed she dealt with anxiety and depression. Also significant to Osaka were the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, when she was supposed to be one of the big stars in her native Japan. She took pride in lighting the cauldron, but the results on the court were not what she wanted.

Verstappen in defensive mode against hard-charging McLaren, takes 10-place penalty at Belgian GP

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) — Max Verstappen dominated the Formula One season last year and it was no different at the Belgian Grand Prix where he collected an eighth straight victory. But one year later he is in what’s looking like a real fight to maintain his quest for a fourth world title. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are flying in their McLarens and have erased the speed advantage of Verstappen’s Red Bull. Mercedes and Ferrari are also threats. Verstappen also faces a 10-place grid penalty for an engine change. The Dutchman has gone three races without a win for the first time since 2021

Bears safety Jonathan Owens taking break from camp to support wife Simone Biles at the Olympics

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens has arranged to take leave from training camp and is heading to Paris Monday night to watch his wife Simone Biles compete for the U.S. gymnastics team. Owens, who signed with Chicago in free agency after a year in Green Bay, didn’t get the chance to see Biles compete at the last Olympics due to the pandemic. He has the support of Bears coaches, players and management. The Bears had a player’s relative win an Olympic medal in each of the previous two Summer Games. Owens and Biles married last year. She won three gold medals at the Rio Games in 2016.

Canada women’s soccer coach suspended over drone scandal, which may be part of ‘systemic’ issues

Canada women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman has been suspended and removed from the team for the Paris Olympics in the wake of a drone-spying scandal. And the head of Canada Soccer says he is investigating a potential “systemic ethical shortcoming.” Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue says players on the Canadian women’s team were not involved in any unethical behavior at the Paris Games. Blue says Priestman’s future with the team is “pending the outcome of our review of this matter entirely.”

Argentina coach slams chaotic ‘scandal’ at Olympic soccer match vs Morocco

The head of Argentina’s soccer federation says the chaotic ending to its Olympic soccer match against Morocco “makes no sense,” and Argentina’s coach called the scene “a scandal.” The opening match of the men’s soccer tournament was suspended for nearly two hours during added time after Morocco fans invaded the field and threw bottles in protest of a late goal by Argentina. The goal was later overturned by the video assistant referee, and Argentina lost 2-1. Paris organizers said they were trying to “understand the causes and identify appropriate actions” after the match in Saint-Etienne. Argentina’s soccer federation said it issued a formal protest to world governing body FIFA and would do “what is necessary” to guarantee the safety of players.