AP Sports

US and Spain top groups at the Olympics, Brazil’s Marta sent off in last major tournament

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert both scored and the United States remained undefeated at the Olympics with a 2-1 victory over Australia to conclude the group stage. The Americans who already qualified for the quarterfinals will play Japan on Saturday at Parc des Princes in Paris. Australia had to wait until the day’s matches were over to learn if it advanced. Germany advanced in second place behind the U.S. by routing Zambia 4-1 in Saint-Etienne. Spain beat Brazil 2-0 in a group finale that was spoiled for the Brazilians when captain Marta was sent off with red card late in the first half.

Katie Ledecky adds another swimming gold; Léon Marchand wins in start to audacious double

NANTERRE, France (AP) — On a night when Léon Marchand was attempting an audacious double, Katie Ledecky proved again she’s a sure bet in swimming’s longest event. Ledecky romped to the seventh Olympic gold medal of her brilliant career and 12th medal overall with a runaway victory in the 1,500-meter freestyle at the Paris Games. The 27-year-old Ledecky tied fellow tied fellow Americans Dara Torres, Natalie Coughlin and Jenny Thompson for the most medals ever by a female swimmer. Trailing most of his first race, Marchand surged past Kristóf Milák to capture his second gold medal with a victory in the 200 butterfly. Marchand was set to race again in the 200 breaststroke.

The careers of Olympians like Simone Biles mirror the rise of adult gymnastics. ‘I’m never leaving.’

Interest in adult gymnastics across the United States is rising in lockstep with the careers of Olympians like Simone Biles. There are now hundreds of meets a year that offer opportunities for adults to compete. Many of the adults are former gymnasts who stepped away from the sport because they felt opportunities had dried up. Those opportunities are returning, allowing the athletes to reconnect with the sport on their terms. The 27-year-old Biles is a touchstone for the movement. She will have the chance to become the oldest Olympic all-around champion in 72 years when she competes in the all-around finals at the Paris Games.

What’s next for Katie Ledecky: Another race and a relay as she goes for more records

NANTERRE, France (AP) — Katie Ledecky has tied one of swimming’s most impressive records. Chances are, she’ll have it all to herself by the time she finishes the Paris Olympics. The 27-year-old Ledecky bumped her career total to 12 medals with a dominating victory in the 1,500-meter freestyle. She equaled three fellow Americans for the most ever by a female swimmer. Here’s what’s next for Ledecky: She is expected to compete in the final of the 4×200 freestyle relay on Thursday. The U.S. took silver in that event at the Tokyo Games. She also has the 800 freestyle, where she’ll be going for her fourth straight gold medal.

Pivotal NFL season on tap for coaches with Saints, Giants, Jets, Bears, Cowboys and Eagles

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Saints general manager Mickey Loomis speaks well of coach Dennis Allen but says everyone in the organization should feel uncomfortable after several straight years without a postseason appearance. Allen is among several NFL coaches entering this season urgently looking to change the trajectory of their coaching careers. They include the Giants’ Brian Daboll, the Jets’ Robert Saleh, and Chicago’s Matt Eberflus. They all have losing career records. Daboll coached the Giants to the playoffs in 2022 but they regressed sharply last season. Dallas’ Mike McCarthy and Philadelphia’s Nick Sirianni are a pair of winning coaches who nonetheless could find themselves interviewing for new jobs if they can’t avoid the playoff disappointments that ended their recent campaigns.

Top-ranked prospect Jackson Holliday hits a grand slam in his first game back from the minors

BALTIMORE (AP) — Top-ranked prospect Jackson Holliday has hit a grand slam in his first game back from the minors. The Baltimore Orioles recalled Holliday from Triple-A Norfolk, giving the infielder his second shot at the major leagues. Holliday was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. After grounding out his first two times up against Toronto, Holliday hit a 439-foot drive to right field that was so obviously gone he paused a bit before starting his trot. Holliday then waved to the crowd from the dugout. It was his first career home run.

Judge hears NFL’s motion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, says jury did not follow instructions on damages

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The judge who presided in the class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers against the NFL said the jury did not follow his instructions in determining damages. U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez made the remark as he heard the NFL’s post-trial motion asking that Gutierrez rule for the league if he finds the plaintiffs did not prove their case. Gutierrez could also order a new trial because the eight-person jury came up with its own calculations for damages. The NFL has said it would appeal the verdict. That appeal would go to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and then possibly the Supreme Court.

NFL is moving closer to replacing the chain gang with new technology to measure line to gain

The NFL is moving closer to replacing the chain gang with new technology to measure line to gain. NFL executive Gary Brantley told The Associated Press the league will test Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology during some preseason games. The system most likely wouldn’t be ready for full implementation until next season, though it could happen sooner. Sony, which was named the NFL’s official technology partner on Wednesday, has expanded its sports technology through Hawk-Eye Innovations to support officiating and the development of on-field and sideline technologies, including a new coach’s sideline headset that will debut in 2025.

MLB trade deadline was busy as usual, but the biggest names and top prospects stayed put

BALTIMORE (AP) — Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell and Garrett Crochet all stayed put. So did baseball’s most highly regarded prospects. Whether it was stingy sellers or cautious buyers, the biggest potential trade targets weren’t dealt before Tuesday’s deadline. There were still plenty of moves, but they involved players with a bit less star power and prospects further down the food chain. The Tampa Bay Rays traded All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes to the Chicago Cubs for third baseman Christopher Morel and a couple minor leaguers. But Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays didn’t go anywhere.

Rafael Nadal’s Olympics end in doubles loss with Carlos Alcaraz to Americans Krajicek and Ram

PARIS (AP) — Rafael Nadal’s Paris Games are over. So, almost certainly, is his Olympic career. Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz were eliminated in the men’s doubles quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-4 loss to the fourth-seeded American duo of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram on Wednesday night at Court Philippe Chatrier. That is the same stadium where Nadal has won his record 14 French Open titles, part of his haul of 22 Grand Slam trophies. The 38-year-old Nadal has not announced anything about his plans but given his age and his recent history of injuries, an appearance at the 2028 Los Olympics seems far-fetched.