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Swimming sensation Summer McIntosh signs with Octagon athlete agency

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Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh has joined the Octagon agency.

The triple gold medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be represented by a firm that includes gymnast Simone Biles, basketball player Steph Curry, hockey player Leon Draisaitl and McIntosh’s hero Michael Phelps among its athletes.

McIntosh was previously represented by Michael Copeland.

The 19-year-old from Toronto trains in Austin, Texas, under Bob Bowman, who coached Phelps to his record 28 Olympic swimming medals, including 23 gold.

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McIntosh became the first Canadian to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games in Paris, where she won the 200-metre butterfly, 200 individual medley and 400 individual medley at age 18. She was also a silver medallist in the 400-metre freestyle.

McIntosh claimed four gold medals and a bronze medal in the 2025 world championships in Singapore, where she became the first swimmer since Phelps in 2008 to set three world records in a single meet.

“Summer has cemented herself as a generational talent with appeal that extends across Canada and well beyond,” said Peter Carlisle, Octagon’s Managing Director of Olympics, in a statement Tuesday. 

“She’s a bona fide star across a range of events that has not been seen before in women’s swimming and possesses an engaging and charismatic personality that resonates with consumers, media, and brands across the globe. 

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“Summer has a healthy portfolio of corporate partners, and we see a long runway for sustained competitive success and global commercial growth as she pursues her goals and dreams in and out of the pool.” 

McIntosh’s sponsorship deals include Arena, Lululemon, Red Bull, TAG Heuer, RBC, and Air Canada.

“I am excited to partner with Octagon as they have a proven track record working with many of the world’s leading Olympic athletes,” McIntosh said in the statement.

“They understand how to support my training and competition requirements while working with me to develop a long-term strategy that will help me maximize athletic success. I am fortunate to have a great team of people around me and supportive corporate partners, and adding Octagon to my team is going to help me continue to pursue my dreams while balancing all the demands leading into (the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics) and beyond.” 

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McIntosh made her Olympic debut at 14 in Tokyo, where she placed fourth in the 400-metre freestyle. She’s earned a career 13 world championship medals, including eight gold.

She was voted The Canadian Press female athlete of the year in both 2024 and 2025.

The next long-course world swimming championships will be in 2027 in Budapest, Hungary.

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French Open 2026: Sabalenka shines, Osaka dazzles as Medvedev melts down in Paris heat

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World number one Aryna Sabalenka sealed a stylish win to make the second round of the French Open, while ​Naomi Osaka brought runway flair to Roland Garros, but sixth seed Daniil Medvedev unravelled on a searing Tuesday in Paris.

Reigning Paris champion Coco Gauff recovered from a sluggish start to outclass Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-0 with several Americans also progressing despite a heatwave in the French capital making conditions challenging for players and fans.

Jannik Sinner will begin his quest for ​a maiden French Open title ‌to complete the career Grand Slam when the Italian takes on Frenchman Clement Tabur in the evening session on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Dressed ⁠in a black-and-red mesh outfit and wearing a diamond necklace, Sabalenka dismissed Spain‘s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4 6-2 win before brushing off concerns about the added flourish by saying she was completely at ease.

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Read moreNo Alcaraz, no party? Five reasons not to miss this year’s French Open

“I like to challenge myself,” the Belarusian told reporters. “But ‌at the same time, the dress is super light … I don’t feel the dress on me. I was thinking it’s going to be ⁠super hot wearing black, but it doesn’t feel like black colour on me, I feel really comfortable.

“And the diamonds, I don’t really feel the heaviness of it, but I can imagine how it looks from the outside … for me, it’s important to look good. If I feel good looks-wise, I perform better ​and I feel great.”

While Sabalenka set the tone, former world number one Osaka added a touch of Parisian flair as she walked ‌onto Court Suzanne Lenglen in a sequined blouse and a black mesh floor-length train before unveiling a layered yellow-brown and gold match dress.

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The tennis was equally sparkling as the 16th seed overcame tricky German Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-6 (3) before hinting at the inspiration behind her match outfit.

“I feel like … you know the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly? I think I look like that ‌a bit,” Osaka said.

‘No excuses’

Daniil Medvedev has never been comfortable in the Roland Garros spotlight and the Russian crashed 6-2 1-6 6-1 1-6 6-4 to Australian wildcard Adam Walton for his seventh opening-round defeat in 10 appearances at the Grand Slam.

Read moreOpening Day of Roland Garros: Brazilian prodigy Joao Fronseca to play

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“I don’t ​want to find excuses,” he said. “I know why I don’t really play my best at Roland Garros, but if I say it, it’s excuses. So I’ll keep it to myself.

“Maybe I should consider playing a tournament before (it), which I usually don’t do before Grand Slams, but when it doesn’t work, why not? That’s the only thing I’ll ​consider next year.”

Walton said hailing from Queensland and being comfortable in furnace-like conditions helped him prevail.

“I grew up in the heat. I’ve always preferred when the court gives my ​shots extra, which is what the heat does,” he added.

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“I seem to be able to last. I’m not saying I ​last better than him, but I last better than probably the field in the heat. Just given the way I play, that’s one aspect that is huge for me, because I’m not the most talented player out there.”

Walton was joined in the next round ​by compatriot Alex de Minaur, who advanced after rising Belgian Alexander Blockx was forced to withdraw with a right ankle sprain, while Alexandre Muller retired injured trailing Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 3-0.

Briton Cameron Norrie pulled out injured from a major for the first time as a rib issue meant he was unable to continue after going down 7-6 (7) 2-0. American Learner Tien dished out the bagels during his 6-0 2-6 6-0 6-2 win over Cristian Garin, while compatriots Zachary Svajda, Emma Navarro, Iva Jovic, Claire Liu, Ann Li all went through with little trouble.

A ⁠day after French favourite Gael Monfils went out of his home Grand Slam for the final time, Parisian fans were given a glimpse of the future as teenager Moise Kouame downed 2014 US. Open champion Marin Cilic ⁠7-6 (4) 6-2 6-1. Victory meant the 17-year-old ​wildcard became the youngest man to win a Grand Slam main draw match in 17 years.

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“It’s a lot of emotion, it’s exceptional,” Kouame said. “Coming into this tournament, I didn’t know what to expect. The team and I worked hard to be as ready as possible.”

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

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Liberty looking to halt home skid against Mercury

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May 24, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA;  New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) comes out for the start of the fourth quarter against the Dallas Wings at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesMay 24, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) comes out for the start of the fourth quarter against the Dallas Wings at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The New York Liberty have dropped three consecutive games at home for the first time since the 2022 season.

They will look to halt the skid Wednesday as they continue a seven-game homestand against the Phoenix Mercury.

“Nobody expected this,” Liberty star Breanna Stewart said. “But I’m glad (the slump) is happening early and not late.”

Stewart urged patience. After all, the Liberty have yet to play with their complete roster. On Monday, when it blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and lost 81-74 to the expansion Portland Fire, New York was missing four-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu (rest), Leonie Fiebich (rest) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (personal).

In addition, three-time All-Star Satou Sabally played just four minutes due to illness.

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Ionescu needed the rest after missing the season’s first five games with an injured foot, and the Liberty did not want to play her on consecutive nights. Fiebich needed the rest because she just came back from Europe, where she won a Spanish League title. All four of those players are day-to-day.

Meanwhile, Phoenix also has lost three straight games, most recently an 82-80 setback at Atlanta on Sunday.

The Mercury have talent, but they are an older team led by triple-double threat Alyssa Thomas, 34, who is averaging 18.0 points, 8.0 assists and 7.9 rebounds. Kahleah Copper, 31, is averaging a team-high 18.7 points, and DeWanna Bonner, 38, is averaging 9.7 points and 5.9 boards.

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Guard Jovana Nogic has been a Mercury bright spot. The 28-year-old undrafted rookie from Serbia is averaging 14.7 points while shooting 93.1% on free throws and 51.3% on 3-pointers.

Ironically, the missing piece for Phoenix is Sabally, who bolted to New York as a free agent following the 2025 season. Sabally helped Phoenix go 27-17 last year, but now the Mercury are just 2-5.

Still, Nate Tibbetts — who is in his third season as the Mercury coach — remains optimistic, especially following Sunday’s close loss to the Dream.

“Obviously, we’re not into moral victories,” Tibbetts said. “But I thought we took a step in the right direction. We battled.”

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–Field Level Media

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New York Knicks reach NBA Finals for First Time Since 1999

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The New York Knicks are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after completing a dominant 4-0 sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

New York crushed Cleveland 130-93 in Game 4 to officially book their place in the Finals and continue an incredible playoff run.

The Knicks have now won 11 straight postseason games and look like one of the most dangerous teams left in the playoffs.

  • NBA announces 2025-26 All-Defensive TeamsNBA announces 2025-26 All-Defensive Teams

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One of the NBA’s most historic franchises is finally back in the Finals after nearly three decades of frustration and disappointment.

Now, New York moves one step away from a championship that generations of Knicks fans have been waiting to see again.

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Stephen A. Smith’s nephew Josh goes scorched earth on Jaylen Brown amid petty beef

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Stephen A. Smith’s nephew, Josh Smith, took a big swing at Jaylen Brown following the Knicks’ qualification to the NBA Finals. New York punched their ticket to the Finals following a 130-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.

Shortly after the Knicks’ victory, Josh Smith shared a video on his Instagram account. In the video, Stephen A. Smith’s nephew showered the Celtics star with insults.

“Jaylen Brown, change your f****** name, there is only one Jalen in this Eastern Conference, you bum a**,” he said.

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“F*** Jaylen Brown, Jaylen Black, Jaylen Pink and f*** that s*** you’ve been putting in your head too.”

Jaylen Brown and Stephen A. Smith have been involved in a beef that started during the 2026 playoffs. On May. 6, Smith called out the Celtics star for naming the time without Jayson Tatum as his favorite this season. He told Brown to be quiet if he did not want to be traded.

The following day, the Celtics star fired back at the “First Take” host on his Twitch livestream. He told Smith to retire from sports journalism if he wanted him to be quiet. Later, the Celtics star accused Smith of not being a true journalist.

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Jaylen Brown challenges Stephen A. Smith to a live debate

On May. 18, Stephen A. Smith responded to Jaylen Brown calling him out on his professional responsibilities. He warned the Celtics star not to provoke him. On Monday, Brown reacted to Smith’s comment on his livestream.

He challenged the “First Take” host to a live debate at Harvard or MIT.

“Stephen A., here’s my proposal: Why don’t we have a live audience debate, traditional media versus us athletes?” he said. “And let’s do a live debate in front of a live-streamed audience at a mutual location like Harvard or MIT. And let’s talk about it. Let’s see who comes out on top. Should be easy. Should be a piece of cake.”

“Mainstream traditional media versus the athlete. Let’s set it up. Harvard, MIT, live and let’s see who comes out on top. You know where to find me.”

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Stephen A. Smith has not yet responded to the Celtics star’s proposal. Brown had one of the best runs of his career this season. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game on 47.7% shooting. He finished in sixth place in the MVP race.