Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Eldorado High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.
See where it ranks among other schools in the state here.
Sports
Osayi-Samuel Opens Up on Working With José Mourinho
Super Eagles star Bright Osayi-Samuel has shared his experience of working under Portuguese coach José Mourinho. The Nigerian defender described Mourinho as an interesting and demanding manager who sets very high standards.
Osayi-Samuel recalled his first day under the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss and how Mourinho made his expectations clear straight away.
“I remember my first day — I came late to training because I had a national team game. The first thing he said to me was, ‘You are a good player, but you need to run more.’ I was like, what? You know? That just shows what type of guy he is. He can be ruthless when things go wrong. There were times we had to stay on the training ground for 34 days because we didn’t play well. But if we played well, he’d give us four or five days off,” he said.
The Fenerbahçe star added that Mourinho demands consistency from his players and expects them to adapt quickly to his style. He also spoke about the personal side of the coach, saying Mourinho often shared stories from his long career in football.
“He had stories for days. We would stay in his room the day before a game and just speak for hours. He would tell us stories of players, and we’d all mention players we knew, because he had a story for every single player. He has a rich history of the game,” Osayi-Samuel added.
Despite describing Mourinho as tough, the Nigerian international said the coach also rewards good performances.
“He’s a great guy, and I’m honoured to work with him,” Osayi-Samuel concluded.
Mourinho was later dismissed as Fenerbahçe manager and moved on to Benfica, where his team is currently competing in the Portuguese league.
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As Arsenal prepare to take on Brentford tonight, the stakes in the Premier League title race couldn’t be higher. Mikel Arteta’s side, currently sitting at the top of the table with a three-point lead over Manchester City, will know that any slip-up tonight could see their advantage reduced to just one point.
With City’s recent surge in form which brought a 3-0 win against Fulham last night, the pressure is firmly on Arteta and his players to deliver a result and maintain their position in the race for the title.
The Importance of Tonight’s Game
With just a few months remaining in the season, every match is crucial, but tonight’s encounter against Brentford could be a defining moment for Arsenal. A win would put them six points clear of Manchester City, giving them some breathing room at the top and keeping them firmly in control of their destiny. However, a loss would hand City the momentum they need to close the gap, reducing Arsenal’s lead to a slim three points and raising questions about their ability to withstand the pressure in the home stretch of the season.
Manchester City’s recent performance has only added to the intensity of the title race. Pep Guardiola’s side produced a clinical 3-0 victory over Fulham, with goals from Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, and Nico O’Reilly putting them back in the hunt. City’s dominant display sliced Arsenal’s lead to just three points, making tonight’s game for the Gunners all the more important. If Arsenal can’t secure a win, they could be left in a precarious position, with City lurking just behind and the pressure mounting.
City pile the pressure on Arteta’s men
Mikel Arteta knows the pressure is mounting. After an impressive start to the season, Arsenal’s title challenge has been questioned in recent weeks, particularly with their inability to pull away from the chasing pack. The Gunners have suffered from inconsistent performances, and their lead at the top has been trimmed by City’s recent form. Arteta will be keen to maintain the momentum from their solid start and prevent City from closing in any further.
The pressure on Arteta has also been fueled by City’s recent resurgence. The Premier League champions are looking as dangerous as ever, with Haaland finding his form again and new signings making an immediate impact. Guardiola’s team is known for their ability to maintain high levels of performance in the final stages of the season, and Arsenal must keep their nerve if they are to fend off City’s challenge.
Arsenal’s road to victory
To keep their six-point advantage, Arsenal must capitalize on their home advantage against Brentford. The Bees have proven to be a tough opponent this season, but Arteta will be hoping his team can produce a performance worthy of a title contender. Key players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus will need to step up and lead by example. Arsenal’s defense, which has been solid for much of the season, will need to remain resolute against Brentford’s counter-attacking threat.
The Gunners’ attacking prowess will also be critical. While the pressure is on Arsenal to win, Arteta’s tactical approach has often been characterized by fluid attacking play and dominating possession. Against Brentford, the key will be to break down a disciplined defensive unit and make sure that any chances that come their way are converted.
PL Title Race far from over
While Arsenal’s lead may be under threat, it’s important to remember that the title race is far from over. With just a few months remaining, City and Arsenal will continue to push each other to the limit. A win tonight would not only boost Arsenal’s title hopes but also send a message to Manchester City that they are not willing to relinquish their top spot without a fight. On the other hand, a slip-up could open the door for City to pounce and reduce Arsenal’s lead to a bare minimum, setting up a dramatic conclusion to the season.
As Arsenal face Brentford tonight, the entire footballing world will be watching closely. With so much on the line, the Gunners have a chance to extend their lead, but they must deliver a performance that lives up to their title aspirations.
Over the course of World Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player’s legendary career, few places have held more importance than Augusta National. And few tournaments have been more special than the Masters.
But this week, Player, a three-time Masters champion and longtime honorary starter, offered a rare public criticism of the club. The criticism, leveled in an interview with Golf Monthly, arose from Augusta National’s alleged rejection of Player’s request to play a round with his grandsons at the historic course.
Here’s what you need to know.
Gary Player criticizes Augusta National over round with grandsons: ‘They won’t do it’
Player, 90, captured nine major titles in his career, including three Masters wins in 1961, 1974 and 1978. He, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus were known as the “Big Three” pro golfers of their era, all making their mark at Augusta.
Beginning in 2012, Player joined Palmer and Nicklaus as honorary starters at the Masters, a tournament he has played more than anyone else. He maintains that role to this day.
But unlike Palmer and Nicklaus, Player was never granted membership at Augusta National. While his past champion status allows him the privilege to play Augusta, because he is not a member he is not allowed to bring guests to play alongside him.
‘Worst event in world’: Gary Player rails against Ryder Cup players, fans
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And that’s the source of Player’s animosity toward the club, which he explained in his Golf Monthly interview.
“I have been an ambassador for Augusta for all these years, yet they won’t let me have one round of golf in my life with my three grandsons,” Player lamented. “My grandsons are dying to know about their grandfather’s episodes on that golf course.”
He continued by claiming any other major championship host course would have accepted Player’s request, but Augusta rejected him, blaming the decision on the club’s “current management.”
“All the golf courses that have hosted the Open [Championship], the U.S. Open and the PGA [Championship] would oblige, but they won’t do it at Augusta,” Player argued. “It is just this current management there, but these are the times we live in and I accept it, but I accept it with sadness.”
Player went on to sing the praises of Augusta National co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, as well as President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a notable member of the club, arguing they set the foundation for what the club became.
He continued by claiming that he, Palmer and Nicklaus then “made Augusta” with their inspired play at the Masters in the 60s and 70s.
“[Jones, Roberts and Eisenhower], they basically made Augusta. Then Arnold [Palmer], Jack [Nicklaus] and I came along and we fought it out every year, and then we made Augusta thanks to the coverage and publicity we generated around the Masters, whether the club likes to admit it or not. They won’t admit it, but we made Augusta.”
Gary Player’s history of controversy at Augusta National
This is not the first time Player has complained about his lack of privileges at Augusta National.
In 2023, he said he was “disillusioned” over how difficult it was for him to play there with a guest.
“A lot of people assume that I have those privileges, but they’re wrong. If I want to play a practice round with friends, I can’t just call the pro shop and make those arrangements,” Player said at the time.
‘Not even a question’: Gary Player names himself third-best golfer in history
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To play with a guest, he needs to find a full-fledged Augusta National member to host, a project he claimed was “not easy.”
When asked to rate the four men’s majors in order of importance earlier in 2023, Player said “never mind the Masters” and ranked it last.
“I rate the Open [Championship] at one, the U.S. Open two, PGA [Championship] three and Augusta four; Four marvelous tournaments,” Player told the UK Daily Mail.
At the 2021 Masters, Player’s son Wayne got in hot water for an impromptu golf ball advertisement during a ceremony honoring Lee Elder. Wayne was reportedly banned from Augusta National for life over the incident.
Then in 2022, Player filed a lawsuit against his son Marc and grandson Damian for selling some of his golf memorabilia. Among the memorabilia items were Player’s 1974 Masters trophy and the shoes he wore in his 52nd Masters appearance. Player claimed he did not authorize the items to be sold.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo insists the 10-kilometre race is the distance he struggles with most because it forces him to race the clock instead of another competitor.
Funny, it didn’t look like it at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Friday.
The 29-year-old Norwegian star made his trademark late surge to win the interval-start race. His time of 20 minutes, 36.2 seconds gave him his eighth career gold medal, tying fellow countrymen Marit Bjoergen, Bjoern Daehlie and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen for the most ever at the Winter Olympics.
The all-time mark could soon be Klaebo’s alone. He’s scheduled to compete three more times at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium.
On a warm day that left some skiers racing only in their bibs, Klaebo paced himself over the first half of the race before pouring it on late. The result was his third gold since arriving in Italy, and a small nod to the toll it’s taking. Klaebo fell into the snow shortly after crossing the finish line.
“It’s a special day,” Klaebo said. “This one means a lot for sure … I’m lost for words.”
Baff wins gold for Australia in snowboard cross
Snowboarder Josie Baff gave Australia its second gold medal of the Games when she stormed to victory in the women’s snowboard cross.
The 23-year-old Baff, who finished a distant 18th in Beijing four years ago, beat Eva Adamczykova of the Czech Republic and Italy’s Michela Moioli to the finish line. Baff, the 2020 World Junior Champion, is currently the second-ranked racer in the world.
Cooper Woods earned Australia’s first gold in Italy by triumphing in men’s moguls earlier this week.
Maria Sakkari delivered one of the biggest wins of her career by defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 2–6, 6–4, 7–5 to reach the semifinals of the Qatar Open.
The victory ended a difficult run for Sakkari, who had lost four straight matches and nine consecutive sets to Swiatek.
It was her first win over Swiatek since 2021, her first win over a world No. 2 since 2022, and her first WTA 1000 semifinal since Indian Wells 2024. She also became the first player ever to beat Swiatek at a WTA 1000 event after losing the opening set.
After dropping the first set, Sakkari found her rhythm in the second, closing it out 6–4 before holding her nerve in a tight deciding set to seal the upset.
Speaking after the match, Sakkari opened up about the mental struggle behind the result.
“I’m speechless because it’s been a while since I’ve had a big day like today. When you drop in the rankings and you’re not playing good tennis, you start doubting yourself. You’re thinking you’re never gonna beat those players again. It’s a huge process that you have to go through in your head that you can do it. Last year in the second round against her, I was not confident. I was not believing in myself. This year it’s different. I have to say I feel a lot better.”
The win marks the 30th top-10 victory of Sakkari’s career and a major boost in confidence as she moves into the Doha semifinals.
Welcome to I Tried It, a GOLF.com series about golf items — apparel, gear, accessories, etc. — that we’ve recently taken out for a spin. We’re here to give our honest, no-frills takes on the latest and greatest golf or golf-adjacent items. So, scroll down to read about what we love about golf’s newest (or new to us) products.
The new Ghost Golf Magnetic Golf Club and Shoe Brush has arrived, and they were kind enough to send me one in each new color (navy, black and grey).
There’s lots of competition in this space, and, quite frankly, I don’t typically get particularly excited by something like a club brush, but I have to say they clearly put some thought into their new offering.
;)
Jake Morrow / GOLF
First impressions
When I first unboxed the brushes, I was immediately questioning the decision to add two brush heads. Two brush heads means two things to keep track of, and creates a fault point with the threads of the brush itself. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is a very clear distinction between the two brush heads, and the way they’ve built the nice large threads is an easy way to keep them from stripping out or creating a fault point in the longevity of the brush.
The hard bristle brush worked very well on dirty clubs, and the soft bristle brush gave me no worry as I cleaned up a pair of my favorite Payntr Eighty Seven SC golf shoes. As far as having two things to keep track of … I can’t say that’s a non-issue, but I would argue that the club brush can probably stay in the garage at home to clean shoes every couple of rounds so the chances of losing the brush head are slim.
In collaboration with Jason Day our newest model has arrived, the Eighty Seven SC!
CLARINO Trivela™️ microfiber upper delivers lightweight support and flexibility CARBITEX GearFlex™️ propulsion plate allows golfers to more effectively harness ground reaction forces. Almost sold out! View the Match Day SC for a comparable model.
PAYNTR Jason Day Eighty Seven SC (Men’s)
Full WATERPROOF+ breathable membrane fused to lining and sealed with bottom gasket.
ARIAPRENE® tongue & bootie offers supreme foot lockdown to provide maximum stability and lightweight, breathable support.
TPU Outsole, with Fast Twist insert system, delivers traction in three dimension for the life of the shoe.
PMXNitro+ Footbed delivers lightweight responsive cushioning for the life of the shoe.
PMXNitro+ Midsole provides maximum energy return & ultimate under foot support.
View Product
My favorite features
There’s two standout features of the brush: the magnet and the retractable cable. These are your two options for security. Aka, how you make sure you don’t lose the brush. There’s another very popular club brush on the market and I can’t even count how many of them I have lost because the magnet style just doesn’t hold up over time or on a bumpy cart.
I haven’t tested the Ghost brush on a cart at full speed yet, but the magnet is strong enough for me to pick up a golf club with it, and the form factor of the brush is just about the size of the bar of the golf cart where you’re going to attach it, as demonstrated by the picture on the back of the packaging. I’ll talk more about that form factor in a minute.
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
The best retractable system in the game?
The secondary attachment option is their clip/retractable lanyard. The clip itself is a nice quality metal latch that doesn’t easily bend inward; a problem with other brushes and golf bag accessories on the market including the carabiner that holds my rangefinder case on my bag.
What’s inside the clip though is the real winner. Instead of using a flimsy string or elastic material they’re using a sheathed cable similar to what you would find on a bike lock, or another cable lock. Brilliant. What an easy move for them to make to ensure that the retractable feature isn’t broken after your third round with the new brush. Again, I can’t tell you how many brushes over the years I have thrown out or lost because that flimsy little retractable cable snaps.
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
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Jake Morrow / GOLF
Thought into every part
Well done here. This brush isn’t going anywhere. Even the small clip that goes into the actual brush is built up more than others I have seen. It’s impossible to accidentally engage the button too. It snaps into the back of the brush and I couldn’t do anything with my own hands to get it released. I had to grab a tee and use a bit of pressure just to get the brush off the lanyard. Awesome stuff.
;)
Jake Morrow / GOLF
Does it actually clean your clubs?
Actually using the brush itself is quite pleasant. The form factor of the brush feels like holding a large pencil, or you can grab the entire brush if you need to use a little bit more force. The water mechanism is easy and I don’t know how I would quantify the amount of water it shoots out, but about two pumps is really all you need. They say there’s about 400 pumps inside the reservoir so it’s going to be a while between refills.
Pro tip: put a drop of soap inside the brush, it’ll work wonders on your clubs and shoes. The replaceable brush heads come off really easy, but aren’t going to come undone unless you want them to, and the same goes for the cap on the water reservoir. Just make sure you put that cap back on after you fill it with water. Been there done that.
;)
Jake Morrow / GOLF
Ghost Golf Magnetic Golf and Shoe Brush
The only brush that stays exactly where you need it—magnetically. No fumbling, no searching, no bending down. The GHOSTGOLF® Magnetic Club & Shoe Brush attaches right to your cart, so it’s always within arm’s reach between shots.
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Sports
Cam Newton makes his feelings known after Randy Moss calls for Hall of Fame voting committee to be reset
Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s exclusion from the NFL Hall of Fame 2026 class has become a topic of discussion among former players and coaches.
Former Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss weighed in on Belichick and Kraft not making the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Moss said the voting process should only involve people from football.
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“If you didn’t play it, if you didn’t coach it, you shouldn’t have a vote,” Moss said.
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Former Patriots quarterback Cam Newton discussed the Pro Football Hall of Famer’s comments on his “4th&1 With Cam Newton” podcast.
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“That ain’t right,” Newton said (Timestamp 1:05:00 onwards). “Because flip side, when we suffer a defeat, we have to talk to you… Bring all selection committees. Don’t matter if it’s the college football, committee. Doesn’t matter if the Hall of Fame committee, doesn’t matter if the All-American committee bring them all to the forefront.
“We live in a world of content. Somebody buy that right to showcase how they do it with juries… It was an ultimate sign of disgrace to not have those specific guys. I don’t care what Deflategate was. I don’t care if you think they cheated.”
Cam Newton’s former Panthers teammate makes Hall of Fame case for ex-MVP
Cam Newton is one of the first-time eligibles on next year’s Hall of Fame ballot. Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, made a case for Newton.
“That’s what everybody needs to really think about (with) the Hall of Fame, Kuechly said. “And the dominance (with) which he played the game is what I think needs to be talked about the most. He was just so much better than everybody else on the field. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do.”
Edited by Chaitanya Prakash
Oba Femi made his official main roster debut in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match and put on an impressive performance. One of the major highlights of Femi’s outing and the bout was his interaction with Brock Lesnar.
If their interaction in Saudi Arabia was any indication, fans will lose their minds if the two behemoths collide again. A match of this caliber deserves a stage like WrestleMania.
Thanks for the submission!
In this listicle, we will look at three reasons why Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar must be booked for The Show of Shows this year.
#3. Unfinished business from the Royal Rumble
During the Men’s Royal Rumble Match, Femi and Lesnar came face-to-face for the first time, as the crowd in Riyadh erupted. The powerhouses traded blows, but in the end, The Beast Incarnate took advantage of The Ruler’s distraction and tossed him over the top rope.
The former NXT Champion has a clear motive to go after the man who took away his opportunity to main event WrestleMania 42. The Ruler could challenge Lesnar in a traditional one-on-one match to determine who is the better competitor.
#2. Oba Femi needs a major opponent for his first WrestleMania
Oba Femi is clearly looked at as a top star, and his presentation shows that well. The Ruler could be a major player in the company for years to come. The powerhouse will make his first WrestleMania appearance, and he needs to be booked in a high-profile match.
A showdown against Brock Lesnar on The Grandest Stage of Them All would be a fitting program for the former NXT Champion’s first ‘Mania.
#1. It could lead to a massive passing of the torch moment
Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi would be a collision of two different eras. Lesnar is a seasoned veteran, while Femi is rising through the ranks. It would be the ultimate clash of past vs. present.
The Ruler is presented as a ruthless monster, and there could be no bigger test for him than The Beast Incarnate, the dominant force that has wreaked havoc in WWE for years.
If Femi is able to defeat Lesnar at The Show of Shows, it would be the ultimate passing of the torch. After conquering The Conqueror, The Ruler would cement himself as one of the biggest threats in the promotion.
Edited by Parth Pujara
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U.S. Olympic medal gymnast MyKayla Skinner spoke out against the judges who denied Madison Chock and Evan Bates gold in ice dance at the Winter Games this week.
Chock and Bates finished second to French rivals Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron after a controversial score by a French judge on the final routine.
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Mykayla Skinner of Team United States poses with the silver medal following the Women’s Vault Final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on Aug. 1, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Skinner, a former athlete whose accolades were also determined by judges, said she is “sick” in the aftermath of the decision.
“I’m sick of athletes not getting what they worked so hard for and judges cheating,” Skinner told Fox News Digital.
Skinner is not alone.
Former U.S. champion gymnast Jennifer Sey also condemned the scoring that vaulted Beaudry and Cizeron over Chock and Bates, suggesting judges must be subject to more accountability.
“There has been corruption in Olympic level judged sports forever. In gymnastics, boxing and figure skating. There needs to be more careful selection of judges to vet for susceptibility to corruption, and more transparency in how scores are derived. Beyond that, corrupt judges need to be punished with hefty fines to discourage this cheating in the future,” Sey said.
Jennifer Sey founded XX-XY Athletics in March 2024. (Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, a Winter Olympian who missed out on qualifying for Milan Cortina due to controversial rules weighed in as well.
Five-time skeleton U.S. Olympian Katie Uhlaender, who lost the chance to earn qualification after Team Canada withdrew athletes at a qualifier to reduce the amount of points the contest could offer, expressed her fondness for her fellow Americans in Chock and Bates.
“I’m so proud of Evan and Madison. I know how hard they fought for Gold in 2022, a fight that took years beyond the podium. They represented the United States well and deserved a moment on the podium at the Games as the Olympic Champions they are,” Uhlaender said.
US FIGURE SKATING STAR ALYSA LIU OPENS UP ON BEING TARGETED BY CHINESE SPYING OPERATION
“I know nothing about judged sports. I know they deserved to be on top of the podium in 2022, and that they gave the world and the United States the best they had. Go USA and thank you to them both for representing us so well.”
Skinner said she knew the “sacrifice” the athletes make to get to compete in the Olympics in the first place.
MyKayla Skinner of Team United States poses with the silver medal following the Women’s Vault Final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on Aug. 01, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
“I have so much respect for every athlete who competed, because I know firsthand how much sacrifice goes into preparing for the Olympics,” Skinner added. “But I do think there were performances from Team USA that deserved higher scores. When you dedicate your life to perfecting every detail, you expect judging to reflect that level of excellence.
“From my perspective as an Olympian, I saw routines that were clean, technically strong, and emotionally powerful. It’s hard not to feel like they were underscored. Our athletes showed gold-medal caliber performances, and I stand by that.”
Skinner added that the controversy was a bit more personal for her.
“This also hits close to home for me. At the 2016 Olympic Trials in gymnastics, I finished fourth in the all-around, and historically fourth and fifth place had been named to the team,” she said. “That year, the selection process didn’t follow what many expected. I learned firsthand that sometimes things don’t always feel fair in judged sports. But that’s exactly why transparency and consistency matter so much! Athletes deserve clarity and confidence that their work will be evaluated evenly.
“I’m incredibly proud of Team USA. Regardless of the medal color, they represented our country with heart.”
Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete during the ice dancing free skate in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Chock and Bates were trailing the French couple by 0.46 of a point entering the free dance Wednesday night, and they were searching for their first ice dance Olympic medal with hopes that it would obviously be gold.
Their matador routine, dancing to a rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black,” drew cheers from the crowd, and they finished with tears in their eyes.
They finished with 224.39 after notching a 134.67 score in their free dance.
Chock and Bates are two-time team gold winners after Sunday’s Team USA victory, but they had to watch one more routine to see if they could capture gold when Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron took the ice.
But the judges decided the French duo did enough to defeat the Americans in the end.
Beaudry and Cizeron scored a 135.64 in the free dance for a total of 225.82.
The judging has become a globally-discussed topic in recent days, with some arguing that the French duo should have been graded more harshly.
Chock suggested that she and Bates will consider appealing the scoring, in an interview with Access Hollywood.
“I suppose we would consider it. I think skating is such a subjective sport, but I do think that for fairness it is good when the judges are reviewed for their work. Not just after this competition but every competition to just make sure there’s a fair and even playing field for all athletes,” Chock said.
Bates has praised their supporters who are speaking out during the controversy.
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“It means a lot that people are voicing their opinions on our behalf,” Bates said. “The way that we skated and the way that we’ve approached chasing these goals hopefully has resonated with people at home even in our response. I think, hopefully, that too can reflect the Olympic spirit.”
The International Skating Union (ISU) has since defended the scoring.
“It is normal for there to be a range of scores given by different judges in any panel and a number of mechanisms are used to mitigate these variations,” the ISU said, adding it has “full confidence in the scores given and remains completely committed to fairness.”
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Even before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) handed down its ruling on Friday, disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladislav Heraskevych appeared to concede defeat.
“It looks like this train has left,” the 27-year-old, draped in the Ukrainian flag, told reporters after emerging from a two-and-a-half-hour hearing in Milan.
“I cannot do another race so it is done.”
He said he had no plans to return to the sliding venue during these Winter Olympic Games but still felt he had done the right thing by trying to compete with a helmet adorned with portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia’s war on their country.
At the same time though, Heraskevych appeared upbeat.
‘I hope truth will prevail’
“I’m really thankful for the opportunity to speak and we were treated equally at the hearing room and arguments were heard.
“We are waiting for the decisions, but as you see I look pretty happy so I’m pretty positive about how it went. I hope truth will prevail and still I know that I was innocent.”
The appeal was heard on Friday morning by an ad hoc division of the Swiss-based court, which had been set up in a Milan hotel to deal with Olympic appeals quickly.
A statement issued by CAS prior to the hearing said that the skeleton racer was arguing that his disqualification was “disproportionate, unsupported by any technical or safety violation and causes irreparable sporting harm to him.”
Olympic Charter Rule 50
Heraskevych was prevented from competing in the men’s skeleton, which began on Thursday, due to a ruling by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the helmet he had intended to wear violated Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter. It states that: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
The medals in men’s skeleton were to be awarded later on Friday.
The helmet in question bears the portraits of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes who have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago.
He had worn the helmet in his five training runs – each time placing among the top six.
The IOC interpreted the depictions of the killed Ukrainian athletes as a political statement, something that the skeleton racer disputes.
“I am convinced that we are not breaking any rules. I also believe that we have had and continue to have this attention all these days because people understand that we are on the right side and have not broken any rules,” he said.
Solidarity from Ukrainian lugers, President Zelenskyy
The Ukrainian luge relay team expressed solidarity with Heraskevych during their competition on Thursday. In the finish area, the six athletes knelt together, held up their helmets, and shouted: “Vlad, we are with you, Ukraine, we stand with you.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he will award Heraskevych a medal of merit.
On the X platform, he sharply criticized the IOC, writing that “Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors.”
A group of around 40 members of the European Parliament have also sent an open letter to the IOC, calling on it to reconsider its decision.
IOC ‘open to everything’
Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry, who had personally delivered the news of Heraskevych’s ban to the athlete on Thursday, said there were no immediate plans to review the rules governing political expression.
“I have had a number of conversations with athletes over the last couple of days. They still feel strongly that we should be able to keep part of our Olympic movement, and their Olympic experience, safe,” Coventry told a Friday press conference.
“If our athletes would like us to look at it (the rules), we are open to everything. But the rules are the rules as of today, and I believe they are good rules.
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