Sports

The Milan Cortina Olympics’ opening ceremony begins with Italian icons and Mariah Carey singing

MILAN (AP) — The unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron Milan Cortina Winter Games opening ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture has started. The Olympics are returning to Italy 20 years after the country last hosted them in Turin. This is the most spread-out Olympics in history, with competition venues dotting an area of about a space roughly the size of the state of New Jersey. The main hub Friday is in Milan at San Siro soccer stadium. There are three other places where athletes will be marching, some carrying their country’s flag: Cortina in the heart of the Dolomite mountains; Livigno in the Alps; Predazzo in the autonomous province of Trento.

Sonny Jurgensen, the strong-arm QB whose personality made him a beloved football figure, dies at 91

Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen has died. He was 91. A spokesperson said Friday the team was informed by Jurgensen’s family about his death. Jurgensen was one of the most beloved figures in Washington football history. That went from his time with the team in 1964 through a lengthy broadcasting career alongside Sam Huff that ended in 2019. Jurgensen threw for more than 3,000 yards in a season five times with Washington and the Philadelphia Eagles during his nearly two-decade NFL career from 1957-1974.

Jim Schwartz resigns as Browns’ defensive coordinator after being passed over for head coach

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jim Schwartz has resigned as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator after three seasons. The team announced Friday that he handed in his letter of resignation on Thursday. Schwartz led one of the league’s top defenses but was upset about being passed over for the head coach job. The Browns hired Todd Monken as head coach on January 29. Monken said Tuesday that he had spoken with Schwartz but didn’t have an update on his return. Schwartz was under contract for one more season. Cleveland led the league in total defense in 2023 and ranked fourth this season. Myles Garrett had 23 sacks, breaking the NFL single-season record.

Lindsey Vonn tests injured left knee in Olympic downhill training, pumps fist after successful run

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — A week after rupturing the ACL in her left knee, Lindsey Vonn opened her chase for Olympic gold at the age of 41 with an aggressive and successful training run down the Olympia delle Tofane downhill course. The American got tight with her line midway down and only narrowly cleared a gate but she led at the final checkpoints, then stood up out of her tuck before the finish. She traded fist pumps and a hug with teammate Breezy Johnson. Vonn tore the ACL a week ago but she plans to race with a large brace on her injured knee. The downhill is Sunday.

Chock and Bates rock as reigning champ US leads team figure skating event at Milan Cortina Olympics

MILAN (AP) — Madison Chock and Evan Bates set the tone for the U.S. Figure Skating team at the Milan Cortina Olympics with a high-energy rhythm dance to Lenny Kravitz music. They earned the best score in the world this season on Friday. Alysa Liu kept the momentum going for the Americans into Day 2 of the team event. Chock and Bates scored 91.06 points, opening the three-day competition. The U.S. leads with 25 points, followed by Japan with 23 and Italy with 22. The competition continues Saturday with the men’s short program, after which the top five teams advance. The free dance follows with the men’s, pairs and women’s short programs on Sunday.

They will have been to all 60 Super Bowls. This year is possibly their last

KENNEBUNK, Maine (AP) — Three fans who have attended every Super Bowl since 1967 are going again this year. But two of them say it might be their last time. Don Crisman of Maine, Gregory Eaton of Michigan and Tom Henschel of Florida are the last remaining members of the exclusive club of people who have never missed the big game. But this year’s Super Bowl is a little bittersweet: Crisman and Henschel say advancing age and mobility issues mean this is probably their final trip. Eaton, however, plans to keep going as long as he can.

Vance attends Olympic skating, then meets with Italian Prime Minister Meloni

MILAN (AP) — Vice President JD Vance met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Milan on Friday, part of his trip to the Olympics. Before their meeting, Vance visited the Milano Ice Skating Arena with his family and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They watched the opening session of the team figure skating competition. Later, Vance and Meloni held talks at the Prefettura di Milano, followed by a private lunch. Meloni at first spoke in Italian, prompting Vance to joke about having learned Italian since his last visit in May. Vance praised Italy’s hosting of the Olympics and expressed excitement about attending events in Milan.

Skiing’s regulatory body rejects ‘wild rumor’ ski jumpers are enhancing anatomy to gain distance

PREDAZZO, Italy (AP) — The regulatory body for skiing has dismissed as “wild rumor” reports that ski jumpers are enhancing their groin area to gain distance in Winter Olympics contests. A report last month in the German tabloid Bild said the manipulation would justify wearing a larger ski jump suit that could provide more lift and a longer flight. The report was given new life Thursday when the World Anti-Doping Agency said it was unaware of the reports but would investigate anything involving doping. The sport’s governing body on Friday dismissed the claims as a “wild rumor.” New equipment controls have been introduced after the Norwegian team was caught manipulating the crotch area of two skiers’ suits.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart is back at Daytona. This time, Smoke is bringing his family

Tony Stewart is making a return to NASCAR, 10 years after his last race. The 54-year-old will race in the Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway. Stewart, now a family man, will have his wife Leah Pruett and their 15-month-old son Dominic with him. He says he’s excited to show his son his racing career, even if the toddler won’t remember. Stewart’s return is part of Ram’s “free agent program,” which aims to spotlight proven drivers and rising stars. Despite past tensions with NASCAR, Stewart is eager to help reignite excitement for the sport.

Antetokounmpo remains with Bucks as an extremely hectic NBA trade deadline passes

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains with the Milwaukee Bucks as the NBA trade deadline passes. Despite rumors, the Bucks kept the two-time MVP. The deadline saw 28 trades in a week, a 20-year record, with 18 finalized on Thursday. Antetokounmpo, who hasn’t played since January due to injury, has expressed his commitment to Milwaukee but wants a competitive team. The Bucks are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference. Other notable trades included Indiana acquiring Ivica Zubac and Minnesota getting Ayo Dosunmu. James Harden and Anthony Davis were among big names traded earlier in the week.