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Mandatory genetic sex tests for female athletes branded a ‘backwards step’ in new report

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Mandatory testing introduced last year to verify the sex of track and field athletes has been branded a “backwards step” and a “harmful anachronism” by a group of academics.

World Athletics implemented testing for the SRY gene last September, a measure designed to ensure that only biologically female athletes can compete in the female category at the elite level.

The governing body’s president, Sebastian Coe, stated at the time that the decision was taken to “protect and promote the integrity of women’s sport”.

However, 34 academics have now sharply criticised the testing in a report submitted to the British Journal of Sports Medicine and shared with the Press Association.

Sebastian Coe spoke out on the testing last year (Martin Rickett/PA)

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Sebastian Coe spoke out on the testing last year (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

The group, which includes Professor Alun Williams from the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute for Performance Research, argues that the testing violates athletes’ human rights and risks creating significant stigma and psychological distress.

“These new regulations are an anachronism, and a harmful one,” the report authors wrote.

“They are a simplistic way of reducing a characteristic to a single gene, which does not reflect the complex nature of sex, and is couched in narratives of protecting the sanctity of fair competition in the women’s category that are not based in science and need to be challenged.”

The report further highlights an absence of robust data demonstrating that the presence of the SRY gene in individuals with a difference in sexual development (DSD) directly correlates with athletic performance advantages.

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Professor Williams added separately: “There are already stigma and shame to people both inside and outside of sport arising from these regulations, and these consequences cannot be considered proportionate to the objective pursued by World Athletics.

“The longevity of the new regulations will probably be determined in court, but not before subjecting women and girl athletes to foreseeable and unjustifiable harm.”

The report also challenges World Athletics’ implication that genetic tests are straightforward, easy to administer, preserve dignity and privacy, and maintain confidentiality.

“These ostensibly reassuring words ignore the practical challenges, legal constraints, and huge ethical problems of implementing such tests across 214 member federations,” the report concluded.

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In response, a spokesperson for World Athletics defended the policy, stating: “Biological men competing against biological women violates the human rights of thousands of female athletes who have the right to compete on a fair and level playing field. The expansive research on the performance advantage of biological men in sport is unequivocal.”

IOC president Kirsty Coventry is expected to explain how the female category at the Olympics can be best protected in the coming weeks

IOC president Kirsty Coventry is expected to explain how the female category at the Olympics can be best protected in the coming weeks (AP)

They added: “All athletes competing in the female category at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last year successfully took a once-in-a-lifetime low-invasive SRY test – an excellent example of global co-operation among our 214 member federations and World Athletics to ensure the protection of the female category.

“Our thanks go to them for having the passion and determination to make this happen.

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“Clear and comprehensive communication, counselling if requested, complete confidentiality, and robust follow-up processes if test results are inconclusive are a critical and core part of World Athletics’ implementation of this test designed to protect and promote the integrity of women’s sport.”

The International Olympic Committee is expected to issue a consensus statement on how it believes the female category could be best protected in the first quarter of this year, according to its president Kirsty Coventry.

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Keith Olbermann sparks outrage with social media attack on Lou Holtz

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Former ESPN broadcaster Keith Olbermann once again incited backlash on social media Wednesday after he called late legendary college football coach Lou Holtz a “legendary scumbag” in an X post on the day Holtz was announced dead. 

“Legendary scumbag, yes,” Olbermann wrote in response to a clip of Holtz criticizing former President Joe Biden in 2020 for supporting abortion rights. 

Olbermann received scathing criticism in response to his post on X.

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“You’re a scumbag that needs mental help,” one X user wrote to Olbermann. 

One user echoed that sentiment, writing to Olbermann, “You’re the real scumbag here. Lou Holtz had more class, integrity, and genuine decency in his pinky finger than you’ll ever show in your lifetime.”

Another user wrote, “You’re a grumpy, lonely, Godless man. All the things Lou Holtz was not.”

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Keith Olbermann looks on

Keith Olbermann speaks onstage during the Olbermann panel at the ESPN portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel July 24, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif.  (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Olbermann has made it a pattern of sharing politically charged far-left statements that are often combative and ridiculed on social media, typically resulting in immense backlash.

After the U.S. men’s hockey team’s gold medal win, Olbermann heavily criticized the team for accepting an invitation from President Trump to the State of the Union address. Olbermann wrote on X that any members of the men’s team who attended the event were “declaring their indelible stupidity and misogyny,” while praising the women’s team for declining the invitation.

In January, Olbermann attacked former University of Kentucky women’s swimmer Kaitlynn Wheeler for celebrating a women’s rights rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court during oral arguments for two cases focused on the legality of biological male trans athletes in women’s sports.

Lou Holtz medal of freedom

Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz listens before being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec, 3, 2020.  (Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“It’s still about you trying to find an excuse for a lifetime wasted trying to succeed in sports without talent,” Olbermann wrote in response to Wheeler’s post. 

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In 2025, Olbermann faced significant backlash after posting (and later deleting) a message on X aimed at CNN contributor Scott Jennings, that said, “You’re next motherf—–,” shortly after the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. 

Holtz was a stern supporter of President Donald Trump, even saying in February 2024 that Trump needed to “coach America back to greatness!”

Near the end of Trump’s first term, shortly after former President Joe Biden defeated him in the 2020 election, Trump awarded Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States. 

After Holtz’s death was announced Wednesday, several top GOP figures paid tribute to the coach on social media. 

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Those GOP lawmakers included senators Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; Todd Young, R-Ind.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; representatives Greg Murphy, R-N.C.; David Rouzer, R-N.C.; Erin Houchin, R-Ind.; and Steve Womack, R-Ark.; and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; Indiana Gov. Mike Braun; U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon; and Rudy Giuliani.

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Lou Holtz smiling at podium

Lou Holtz, former Notre Dame football coach, addresses the America First Policy Institute’s America First Agenda Summit at the Marriott Marquis July 26, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)

At the time of publication, prominent Democrat leaders have appeared silent on Holtz’s passing, including prominent Democrats with a football background. 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who worked as an assistant high school football coach; Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who was a recruiting target for Holtz in 1986 as a college prospect; Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, who played in the NFL; and Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Ill., who played football for the University of Illinois, have not posted acknowledging Holtz’s death. 

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SEC women’s basketball tournament 2026: Bracket, schedule and odds

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The depth of the SEC led to many intriguing upsets through the regular season and the excitement should only intensify in the conference tournament, which tipped off Wednesday. The SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament runs through Sunday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks, the No. 1 overall seed, the No. 3 team in the country and have been the team to beat in the past decade as they have won nine of the last 11 SEC Tournaments since 2015. Their competition might be stiffer than ever this year, however.

One of the biggest questions ahead of the 2026 NCAA Tournament will be answered in Greenville as Texas and Vanderbilt are still in competition for the final No. 1 seed in March Madness. South Carolina (29-1, 15-1 in SEC) has essentially already locked one of them in after winning the SEC’s regular-season title. Unbeaten UConn and Big Ten champ UCLA have firm grips on No. 1 seeds as well. As of Sunday, the Longhorns have a slight edge over the Commodores. Texas was No. 4 and Vanderbilt was No. 5 in the NCAA’s latest top 16 reveal. That being said, the Commodores could steal it if they can make a deeper run than Texas this week.

Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes could also use this tournament to make a stronger case for national Player of the Year. Her biggest competition at the moment is UConn’s Sarah Strong. The Huskies are the reigning national champions and still undefeated, but Blakes is leading the Commodores in one of the best seasons in program history. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s Aaliyah Chavez is the strongest Freshman of the Year candidate thanks to an explosive performance in a 94-82 overtime victory over South Carolina on Jan. 22, which was the Gamecocks’ only conference loss this season.

LSU was also close to upsetting South Carolina in February but fell short. The Tigers have been a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament every year under Kim Mulkey, but they are currently projected as a No. 2. They have not won the SEC Tournament since 2003, but they did win a national championship in 2023 with now-senior Flau’jae Johnson on the roster. 

The most recent NCAA top 16 reveal showed five SEC teams, and it could have been six had Ole Miss not slipped up late in the regular season. Regardless, keep an eye on the Rebels as one of the teams that could make noise in March. A winter storm displaced them for a few weeks but they still managed to beat Vanderbilt in January. Will we see more upsets in the coming week? We’ll just have to wait and find out.

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Women’s basketball SEC Tournament bracket

Women’s basketball SEC Tournament schedule

All times Eastern. All SEC Tournament games are available streaming on fubo (Try for free).

Wednesday, March 4 — First Round

  • Game 1: No. 9 Kentucky 94, No. 16 Arkansas 64
  • Game 2: No. 12 Florida 86, No. 13 Mississippi State 68
  • Game 3: No. 15 Auburn 50, No. 10 Texas A&M 49
  • Game 4: No. 11 Alabama 65, No. 14 Missouri 48 

Thursday, March 5 — Second Round

  • Game 5: Kentucky vs. No. 8 Georgia — 11 a.m. (SEC Network)
  • Game 6: Florida vs. No. 5 Oklahoma — 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
  • Game 7: Auburn vs. No. 7 Ole Miss — 6 p.m. (SEC Network)
  • Game 8: Alabama vs. No. 6 Tennessee — 8:30 p.m. (SEC Network)

Friday, March 6 — Quarterfinals

  • Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. No. 1 South Carolina — 12 p.m. (ESPN)
  • Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. No. 4 LSU — 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
  • Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. No. 2 Vanderbilt– 6 p.m. (SEC Network)
  • Game 12: Game 8 vs. No. 3 Texas — 8:30 p.m. (SEC Network)

Saturday, March 7 – Semifinals

  • Game 13: Game 10 winner vs. Game 9 winner — 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
  • Game 14: Game 12 winner vs. Game 11 winner — 7 p.m. (ESPN2)

Sunday, March 8 — Championship 

Title game: Game 14 winner vs. Game 13 winner — 3 p.m. (ESPN)

SEC Tournament odds

Odds as of March 2 via DraftKings

  • Texas: -105 
  • South Carolina: +130 
  • LSU: +380 
  • Vanderbilt: +25000 
  • Ole Miss: +9000 
  • Oklahoma: +10000 
  • Tennessee: +17000

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Sachin Tendulkar left stunned by Finn Allen blitz: ‘Finished it before we could settle in’ | Cricket News

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Sachin Tendulkar left stunned by Finn Allen blitz: ‘Finished it before we could settle in’
Sachin Tendulkar (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Batting great Sachin Tendulkar kept a close eye on the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 even as wedding festivities for his son Arjun Tendulkar unfolded in Mumbai. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Amid the celebrations ahead of Arjun’s marriage to Saaniya Chandhok, Tendulkar still found time to react to one of the most explosive knocks in World Cup history — Finn Allen’s breathtaking century that powered New Zealand into the final.

Stars shine at Arjun Tendulkar’s Sangeet | Mumbai witnesses grand celebration

Allen produced a sensational unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls in the semifinal against South Africa at Eden Gardens on Wednesday. His blitzkrieg came at a strike rate of over 300 and helped New Zealand chase down a target of 170 in only 12.5 overs. The innings left fans and experts stunned, and Tendulkar quickly took to social media to praise the opener’s extraordinary effort.“Semi-finals usually keep you on the edge of your seat. Today, Finn Allen finished it before we could settle in! What a game!” Tendulkar wrote on X, summing up the one-sided nature of the contest.Allen’s record-breaking ton is now the fastest century in the history of both T20 and ODI World Cups, surpassing the previous marks held by Chris Gayle, who scored a 47-ball hundred in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016, and Glenn Maxwell, whose 40-ball century came during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.The New Zealand opener smashed 10 fours and eight sixes during his breathtaking knock, registering the joint-highest boundary count in a T20 World Cup innings alongside Brendon McCullum’s famous 123 against Bangladesh in 2012.

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Tiger Woods just had 2 prizes named in his honor. Here’s why that’s meaningful

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Jarrell Miller says Wardley vs Dubois ends in a KO: “He’s been hurt many times”

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Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois are set to collide in two months’ time, with the WBO heavyweight title at stake. Now, American heavyweight Jarrell Miller has offered his thoughts ahead of the contest, having history with both men.

Miller met Dubois back in 2023, when he was halted in the final round with less than 10 seconds remains on the clock. ‘Triple D’ then trumped Filip Hrgovic and was elevated to IBF world champion, defending the title against Anthony Joshua before losing it to Oleksandr Usyk.

18 months after defeat to Dubois, ’Big Baby’ was set to travel across the pond for a first fight on British soil, scheduled to face Wardley at Portman Road – home of Ipswich Town Football Club.

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However, Miller pulled out of that contest due to injury, replaced by Justis Huni, who was dramatically knocked out by the Brit, and so too was Joseph Parker four months later.

That win over New Zealand’s Parker saw Wardley claim the WBO Interim title, and he was upgraded to WBO world champion soon after. Against Dubois, he takes on a difficult challenge for his first defence, one which Miller told New Betting Offers will go one of two ways.

“It’s a 50-50 in my book, and I’ll tell you the reason why. We’ve seen Wardley hurt many times in fights, but he’s durable. He’s mentally strong, he hangs in there, and he’s throwing hard punches to the last round.

“We know Dubois hits hard and has a really good chin, but mentally, he’s not durable. If his dad doesn’t stay in his ear for those 12 rounds, there are fights where he’s quit, mentally disengaged after getting caught with shots, and kind of given up.

“So, he’s probably going to start off pretty strong, but if Wardley can hang in there, I’m thinking a late stoppage for Wardley, or an early night win for Dubois.”

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Wardley-Dubois takes place on Saturday, May 9, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, for what looks set to be another scintillating all-British affair for the coveted heavyweight throne.

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Report: How much Liverpool would need to pay if they’re to beat Man Utd to signing of ‘young jewel’

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A fresh report has indicated how much Liverpool would need to pay if they’re to beat fellow suitors Manchester United to the signing of a higly coveted Bundesliga winger.

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The Reds have been heavily linked with a swoop for Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig, with a trusted source in David Lynch outlining that the Anfield hierarchy are ‘keeping an eye on‘ the 19-year-old, while German insider Christian Falk has gone as far as to claim that an offer is already being planned.

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Liverpool learn Yan Diomande asking price

According to Football Insider, the Red Bull-owned club are ready to be met with ‘big offers’ for the teenage forward, with the northwestern rivals preparing to accelerate their interest in him.

The Bundesliga side are reluctant to sell the Ivory Coast international but have accepted that they would cash in at the right price, with Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly needing to stump up a bid of around £80m if they’re to snap up Diomande in the summer.

Diomande has been outperforming Liverpool’s starting wingers

Hailed as a ‘young jewel’ by RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schafer (Sky Sports), the teenager hit double figures for goals this season when netting his team’s winner against Hamburg last weekend.

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The 19-year-old – who’s capable of playing on either flank – has a higher goal return than both Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah in the current campaign, despite playing fewer minutes than the two Liverpool wingers.

The aforementioned Lynch wrote this week that a move for Diomande would make ‘a lot of sense’ given how the Reds’ wide attackers have endured a significant drop-off in output from last term, and even Arne Slot admitted that his team struggled in those positions in their defeat to Wolves on Tuesday night (David Lynch on Substack).

RB Leipzig are in line to turn a massive profit on a player they signed from Leganes for just £17m last summer (Football Insider), and paying upwards of £80m for a youngster who’s still inexperienced at a high level would certainly represent a massive gamble.

However, the Ivorian’s G/A figures from the current campaign (10 goals, seven assists) would indicate that he has the end product to go with his eye-catching talent, and Liverpool mustn’t stand idly by and give their arch-rivals a free run at his signature.

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Detroit Pistons vs San Antonio Spurs Preview: Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction (Mar. 5)

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The Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs lock horns in a regular-season game at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday, with tipoff at 8 p.m. EST. It is the second matchup between the two teams this season, with the Spurs winning the first encounter 114-103.

The Pistons suffered a 113-109 loss in their previous game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. They no longer hold the best record in the league, but remain in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 45-15 record.

Meanwhile, the Spurs destroyed the Philadelphia 76ers 131-91 in their previous outing on Tuesday. San Antonio remains in second place in the Western Conference standings with a 44-17 record.

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview, Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Tips and Odds

Moneyline: Pistons (+132), Spurs (-156)

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Spread: Pistons +3.5 (-111), Spurs -3.5 (-111)

Total over/under o/u: Pistons o228.5 (-111), Spurs u228.5 (-111)

Editor’s note: Odds might change closer to tipoff.

Betting Tips

  • Victor Wembanyama is expected to record over 3.5 blocks.
  • Cade Cunningham is expected to record under 23.5 points.
  • Jalen Duren is expected to record over 11.5 rebounds.

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview

Cade Cunningham has been hot and cold of late, which has adversely affected the Pistons. Against the Cavaliers, Cunningham scored 10 points on 16 shots, while turning the ball over five times. Detroit needs its best player to raise his level and bounce back with an MVP-level performance against the Spurs.

Jalen Duren has been the Pistons’ best player recently, averaging 25.5 points and 13.7 rebounds on 64.4% shooting. He enters this matchup after winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award. The Pistons need him to win his matchup against Victor Wembanyama, just like he did when the two teams met last month.

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Meanwhile, the Spurs will face a much stronger challenge against the Pistons than they did against the Sixers on Tuesday. San Antonio made Philadelphia look like a G League team and shot over 55% from the field, including 40% from beyond the arc.

The starters delivered a rollicking performance as usual, and the bench contributed handsomely as well, with rookie Dylan Harper putting on a show off the bench. The young guard made eight of his 11 shots en route to 22 points. Keldon Johnson scored 12 off the bench, helping the Spurs record the most dominant win of their campaign.

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineups Tonight

Detroit Pistons starting lineup

PG: Cade Cunningham, SG: Duncan Robinson, SF: Tobias Harris, PF: Ausar Thompson, C: Jalen Duren.

San Antonio Spurs starting lineup

PG: De’Aaron Fox, SG: Stephon Castle, SF: Julian Champagnie, PF: Devin Vassell, C: Victor Wembanyama.

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Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Prediction

The Spurs are at home and already beaten the Pistons once this season. San Antonio would be confident of getting the job done once again and we expect Wembanyama to lead his team to yet another victory.

Final score prediction: Spurs win 111-105.