Sports

Simone Biles took ‘step back’ from team competition, saying she wasn’t in the right headspace

By Will Graves, Associated Press

Since Biles and the U.S. put on a dazzling display in Rio de Janeiro, gymnastics has undergone a reckoning. The tectonic plates in a sport where obedience and silence were long considered as important as talent and artistry are moving.

Number of NFL players in vaccination process up to 80 percent

By Barry Wilner, Associated Press

Five teams are at less than 70% of players who have either received one vaccination shot or both.

‘This can be me.’ Black participation is rising in gymnastics amid Olympic representation

By Will Graves, Associated Press

Half of the U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo is women of color, and Black gymnasts account for nearly 10% of NCAA Division I women's gymnastics scholarships. Organizations like Brown Girls Do Gymnastics are attempting to make it easier for gymnasts…

WATCH: Cleveland baseball team moves away from racist mascot, announces new name

By Associated Press

The ballclub announced the name change Friday with a video on Twitter narrated by actor Tom Hanks, ending months of internal discussions triggered by a national reckoning by institutions and teams to permanently drop logos and names considered racist.

Cleveland baseball team changes name to Guardians

By Tom Withers, Associated Press

8 things to know about the new Olympic sports

By Kathleen Hobson

In an effort to attract younger viewers, four new "extreme sports" will make their first-ever Olympic appearance in Tokyo. Here is what you need to know about the additions.

Brisbane picked to host 2032 Olympics without a rival bid

By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press

Brisbane was picked Wednesday to host the 2032 Olympics, the inevitable winner of a one-city race steered by the IOC to avoid rival bids.

Milwaukee Bucks’ 50-year wait ends with NBA championship win

By Brian Mahoney, Associated Press

The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns 105-98 on Tuesday night to win the NBA Finals four games to two.

Police investigate racist abuse of three England players

By Frank Griffiths, Pan Pylas, Associated Press

British police opened investigations Monday into the racist abuse of three Black players who failed to score penalties in England’s shootout loss to Italy in the European Championship final.

Italy erupts as Europe’s soccer champions come home to Rome

By Karl Ritter, Associated Press

Europe’s soccer champions returned home to the ecstatic cheers of Italians who celebrated their team’s 3-2 penalty shootout win over host England at Wembley Stadium.