Russia has moved closer toward having a full team with its national flag and anthem at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday provisionally lifted a suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and advised Olympic sports bodies to end a three-year program where Russian athletes had to be vetted for permission to compete as neutrals.

The IOC said the timing was because qualifying events are starting for the L.A. Games, and “the need to offer equal access to these competitions to all athletes.” 
The move, which also signals a return for Russia in team sports, had been expected since the IOC advised two months ago that athletes from Belarus, which was Russia’s ally when its military invasion of Ukraine started in 2022, should be allowed again to compete with their full national identity.

“We don’t want to hold athletes accountable for the actions of their governments,” IOC president Kirsty Coventry said at an online news conference after she chaired an executive board meeting.

A two-time Olympic gold medalist swimming for Zimbabwe, Coventry said it was a fair decision and noted: “I wouldn’t be sitting here if I had to pay the price when my country was going through things and being sanctioned.” 
Ukraine’s sports minister Matvii Bidnyi questioned why the IOC altered its rules when in the war “nothing changed. The situation became even worse.” 
Russia unleashed waves of missiles and drones at Ukraine early Monday, killing at least 22 people.

“So we don’t understand it,” Bidnyi told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday. “In this day, when all of Ukraine (is) in a day of mourning, when our flags was a little bit lower because of so many people, our peaceful citizens was killed yesterday at night.” 
The IOC also reiterated its “solidarity with the Olympic community of Ukraine” and ongoing financial support.

Barriers remain 
The IOC’s guidance to reintegrate Russians in international events is not binding for the governing bodies of individual sports.

“Our country’s return to the Olympic family is a green light for international federations to restore the rights of our athletes,” Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov said Tuesday.

Track and field is not following suit.

Asked about the IOC’s decision, World Athletics referred the AP to its decision last week maintaining a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes in its international events.

In soccer, FIFA and European body UEFA have continued to exclude Russia in competitions such as the World Cup and Champions League, avoiding likely chaos because teams from other countries would refused to play those games.

Russian athletes and teams likely will face issues getting entry visas from some countries hosting sports events.

Russia’s return 
Among top-tier Olympic sports, swimming’s governing body World Aquatics lifted its restrictions on Russian athletes in April.

The ROC was suspended in 2023 when the Russian Olympic body incorporated regional sports councils from occupied regions of eastern Ukraine. But the IOC said “the ROC confirmed that it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories.” 
Ukrainian minister Bidnyi described this promise as “just fake and empty words.” 
Just 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics as approved neutrals.

The Russian team in Los Angeles could now be closer to the more than 300 athletes sent to the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021. That squad returned with 71 medals including 20 titles.

Athletes still monitored 
To be approved for neutral status, Russian athletes had to show no links to state military and security agencies. They also should not have publicly supported the war in Ukraine.

The IOC will continue to monitor social media posts by Russian athletes, Coventry confirmed, citing the “role models” requirement in the Olympic Charter.

“That is strong enough leverage that we would need at any time in order to decide who would be willing and deserving to come to any Olympic Games,” she said.

IOC official James Macleod said the Olympic body gets referrals from Ukraine about problematic social media posts by Russian athletes: “Those are always taken into consideration.” 
In a statement Wednesday, the Australian Olympic Committee said it wants the IOC to ensure “a level playing field in competition” given Russia’s doping history.

“Russia has had extremely serious anti-doping breaches in the past,” the AOC statement said. “We therefore support the most stringent possible anti-doping controls being in place to ensure all Russian athletes who are returning, some having been out of the system for many years, are fully compliant.” 
Flag, anthem to return in October? 
The IOC did not yet approve letting Russian athletes and teams compete with their flag and anthem. That decision will come “at an appropriate time,” it said.

The next Olympic competition is the 2026 Youth Summer Games in Dakar, Senegal, opening Oct. 31.

The IOC said to “address the lack of confidence in the global sporting community relating to the return of Russian athletes to international competition,” those athletes must give multiple doping controls and be part of a recognized testing program.

The IOC said it will continue to “not organize IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events.

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Trailing 2-0 with 15 minutes to go, Argentina came from behind to beat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16. Argentina will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

Entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the darling of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), the public has done a 180 on Christian Pulisic.

The 27-year-old AC Milan star has been the face of USA soccer since at least the turn of the decade, but the fact is that he was a major disappointment throughout the tournament.

Sure, it did not help that he re-aggravated a calf injury in the opener, which led to him missing the equivalent of roughly two full games, but even when he was on the pitch, he did not make much of a difference. Pulisic then rolled his ankle in the Round of 16 and was subbed out in the second half.

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Christian Pulisic of the United States reacts after Belgium’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Following the match, Pulisic said he could now “get some rest,” which did not go over well with Americans. That prompted USMNT legend Tim Howard to give him some obvious advice.

“I hope for his sake he isn’t on social media for the foreseeable future,” he said on his “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast with Landon Donovan, followed by a cryptic comment.

“He deserves a rest. Go on holiday…. What I would say about him is when someone shows you who they are, you believe them. I think he’s a nice footballer. I still think he’s the best player on the team. Outside of that, you’d have to ask me very direct questions to which I could give you very direct answers,” he said.

Carli Lloyd, a former United States Women’s National Team star, was also critical of Pulisic.

Christian Pulisic of the United States is consoled by Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States, after being substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)

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“You rest when your playing career is over. Period.”

Prior to the World Cup, Pulisic said the event was “just another big tournament,” which also prompted backlash.

After the loss, Pulisic said he was “disappointed” in himself but thought he and his team did “good things.”

“I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high,” Pulisic said. “Yeah, it’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team.”

Christian Pulisic of the United States shows dejection after Belgium’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Pulisic has just one goal in nine career World Cup games. He will be 31 by the time the next World Cup rolls around in 2030 in Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

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Jordan Henderson has broken his silence after suffering a freak broken arm during the post-match celebrations of England’s last-16 win over Mexico.

Henderson, an unused substitute in the 3-2 victory at Estadio Azteca, slipped when attempting to leap over an advertising board after the match and landed awkwardly, with medics urgently rushing over to his aid.

His concerned England team-mates gathered around him as he was treated, with Henderson given oxygen before being stretchered away.

The 36-year-old’s father confirmed that Henderson had “completely smashed” his forearm – not just breaking his wrist, as was previously reported – and the Brentford midfielder has now undergone successful surgery.

“Surgery done! Let’s get ready for the big one Saturday,” Henderson posted on Instagram.

“Thank you to all the staff that looked after me at Kansas City orthopaedic institute. Especially the three surgeons who carried out the operation.”

Henderson has now returned to the England camp in Kansas City where he will remain for the remainder of their World Cup campaign, despite being ruled out for the tournament with the injury.

Henderson was not expected to play a significant role on the pitch for England during this World Cup, with his experience instead making him more valuable as a dressing room figure.

He nevertheless did feature for the Three Lions off the bench against Panama to become the first ever England player to play at four World Cups.

England face Norway in their quarter-final clash on Saturday, who beat Brazil to reach the last-eight.

Thierry Henry said his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi reminded everyone that he is “not human” after the Argentina captain inspired a dramatic comeback against Egypt, saying the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has a unique ability to raise his game when his team needs him the most. Reacting to Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, Henry, while speaking on Fox Sports, reflected on his years as Messi’s teammate at Barcelona and said the Argentine’s competitive fire is unlike anything he has witnessed.

“First and foremost, look at him crying, and how much that means to him and to the team,” Henry said, as quoted by Fox Sports.

“It first reminded us that he’s human; he’s human because he missed some penalty kicks, four out of eight. Then it reminds us again that he’s not human!”

Henry and Messi played together at FC Barcelona for three seasons, from 2007 to 2010. During their time together, they helped the club win seven major trophies, including the historic 2009 treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League).

Henry then recalled a training-ground incident during their time together to explain what motivates Messi.

“I played with him as you just mentioned, and what happens with Leo–don’t wake the sleeping beast inside him! That’s exactly what’s happening, and I’ve seen it up close in training,” he said, according to Fox Sports.

He added, “You know how it can be in training sometimes; when one of the coaches doesn’t want to call a foul, or when the ball goes out, and play continues, and then a goal is scored from it, and Leo wanted that ball called out or as a foul. And when the coach said, ‘The ball didn’t go out, stop complaining, this could happen in a match.’ In the next moment, you look into his eyes and find that he’s completely transformed!”

“He goes and takes the ball, and I was there and witnessed it myself, then he scores three goals in a row; he takes the ball from you and scores straight away, then he snatches it again and scores, then he snatches it and scores again, then he turns around and says: ‘Next time, call the foul.’ And we were all saying: ‘Yeah, yeah, next time we’ll call the foul!’ Because you simply can’t stop him. When he gets into that mood, it’s very hard to contain him,” Henry further added.

Henry said Messi displayed the same mentality against Egypt, refusing to let an earlier penalty miss define his performance.

“And as you know, Zlatan, you’ve been in this situation; this guy, and let’s be honest, it doesn’t always work out–but when his team needs it, he completely elevates his game. We’re talking about a player who played 120 minutes in the last match, and yet he elevated his level, started taking the ball and dribbling past almost everyone to try to change the course of the game… wow,” he said, as per Fox Sports.

The French great admitted that even after sharing the pitch with some of football’s biggest names, Messi continued to leave him in awe.

“In truth, looking at him, I was just remembering the days of playing with him. I played with Zizou and with a lot of great players like Ronaldinho and others, and it’s no shame to say this, but sometimes when he scored some goals and I was on the field with him, I’d take a second or two to process and say to myself: ‘Wow!’ Then I’d remember: ‘Oh, you’re playing now, get back into the match!’ That doesn’t happen to me much, but he’s a unique version of it,” he added.

“Look, we’re here in the Los Angeles area, Culver City or whatever it is, and this scenario is like a Hollywood movie! There are things that feel almost scripted, like a film plot that couldn’t happen in real life, to the point where you’d say the director overdid this storyline! But this guy writes history with his feet,” he concluded.

Messi recovered from his first-half penalty miss to play a decisive role as Argentina overturned a 2-0 deficit. After Yasser Ibrahim’s opener and Mostafa Ziko’s second-half strike put Egypt in control, Cristian Romero sparked the comeback with a header before Messi equalised in the 83rd minute.

Enzo Fernandez then scored the stoppage-time winner to send the defending champions into the quarter-finals against Switzerland.

Messi’s equaliser also extended his remarkable World Cup legacy. The 39-year-old became the first player in history to score in nine consecutive FIFA World Cup matches and took his tally in the ongoing tournament to eight goals, matching Guillermo Stabile’s Argentina record for the most goals in a single World Cup edition, set in 1930.

According to Opta, he also became the first player to score in six successive knockout-stage matches and increased his all-time World Cup record to 21 goals. Despite those achievements, his earlier spot-kick miss made him the first player to miss two penalties in a single World Cup edition (excluding shootouts) and took his career tally of missed World Cup penalties to four, the most by any player.

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England’s Tammy Beaumont acknowledges the crowd before a break for tea during day three of the first Women’s Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England, Saturday June 24, 2023. (PTI)

England opener Tammy Beaumont has announced that she will retire from international cricket after the one-off Test against India at Lord’s, which begins on Friday.The 35-year-old will bring the curtain down on an international career that began in 2009. “Playing for England for nearly 17 years has been the greatest honour,” said Beaumont.“When I fell in love with playing cricket as a young girl, I barely knew that playing cricket for England was an option and it brings me so much joy to think how many girls and boys have been inspired, this summer especially, and how far the game has come in our country,” she said.“We’ve always wanted to take the cap forward for the next generation and the time has come for me to hand over that privilege to the next generation of England players.”“This Test match at Lord’s – our first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s – feels like the perfect occasion to sign off on a career that I could never have dreamt would be as special as it has been.”Beaumont made her England debut in 2009 and has played 260 international matches. She is England Women’s leading ODI century-maker, with 12 hundreds.She has represented England in 11 Tests, 140 One-Day Internationals and 109 T20 Internationals. Her 12 ODI centuries remain an England women’s record.One of the biggest moments of her career came in 2017, when she was named Player of the Tournament as England won the Women’s World Cup at home. Beaumont finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer with 410 runs.More recently, Beaumont was left out of England’s squad for the latest Women’s T20 World Cup, which ended with Australia beating the hosts by seven wickets in the final at Lord’s last Sunday.Her omission came despite returning to England’s T20I side after spending more than two years out of the format between January 2022 and March 2024.Although she did not play any T20Is during England’s Ashes tour of Australia at the start of last year, Beaumont featured in all five T20Is against India during their tour of England last summer before missing out on the latest World Cup squad.She was also part of England’s team that was knocked out in the semi-finals of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.In 2023, Beaumont became the first England woman to score a double century in Test cricket when she made 208 in the Women’s Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.She is one of only two England women, and one of five England players overall, to have scored an international century in all three formats of the game.

A 15-year-old women’s singles competitor at Wimbledon learned quite the lesson during play on Monday.

Tantrums will not be tolerated.

Ida Wobker, from Germany, was disqualified from the Wimbledon junior tournament after throwing her racket on the ground, which bounced into the stands. The decision was confirmed by the All England Club on Sunday.

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A general view on day six of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 4, 2026 in London, England. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

The incident occurred during the second set of the first round match between Wobker and her opponent on Saturday.

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Maria Valentina Pop, of Romania, had dominated the first set, 6-0, and with things deadlocked in the second set at 5-5, Wobker hit a backhanded shot out of bounds.

Showing clear frustration for the error, Wobker threw her racket, and though she might not have intended to do so, it flew into the stands. It’s unclear if it struck any spectators, but there were a bunch in the lower levels where the racket landed.

Wobker was quick to go over and apologize for her grave mistake, but officials paused the match and deliberated over the punishment.

A general view overlooking courts 14-17 on day seven of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London. Picture date: Sunday July 5, 2026. (Adam Davy/PA Images)

In the end, Wobker was given a code violation for her behavior on the grass, and Pop was rewarded the automatic bid into the next round of the women’s junior singles tournament. She would later lose to Daniella Britton in that second round match.

Wobker addressed the incident on her Instagram Stories on Saturday night, writing that, “S— happens, you learn from it!,” according to The Sun.

The International Tennis Federation rules have clear direction on what to do when a racket is thrown in Wobker’s manner, stating that a player “shall not violently or with anger hit, kick or throw a racquet” during a tournament.

Officials stepped in, and as Wobker said, she’s going to learn from the situation.

A general view of flowers, a Rolex clock and a sign on the outside of Centre Court on day nine of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2026 in London, England. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

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It wasn’t her best effort on the court before the moment of frustration, committing 11 double faults during services and 44 unforced errors.

But, at just 15 years old, Wobker is ranked 24th in the International Tennis Federation’s junior world rankings, meaning she has a lot of career left in her to channel her frustration on the court.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers held a comfortable 3-1 lead against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night before a chaotic eighth inning turned the game on its head.

Dodgers reliever Will Klein allowed two runners on base with one out in the top of the eighth inning. Rockies’ Tyler Freeman grounded Klein’s fastball to Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, deputising for Mookie Betts.

However, Rojas, who is signed to a $5.5 million contract, squandered the inning-ending double-play as the ball bounced off the heel of his mitt, allowing the Rockies to make it 3-2 with two runners on base. The veteran infielder was also at fault when he failed to cover third for Freeman.

Rojas failed to squeeze second baseman Alex Freeland’s low throw and the ball ended up in the Dodgers dugout. Freeman was allowed home plate to make it 3-3. Following the game, Rojas admitted his mistake that proved to the turning point of the game.

“Physical errors happen, and I’m okay with that, I’m not perfect,” Rojas said. “But mental errors are the ones that are kind of disappointing. Like, I should have been on third base … That’s the one that I kind of like kick myself for.”

The Rockies scored another unearned run in the eighth to take a 4-3 lead. The Dodgers failed to respond and Colorado sealed a thrilling comeback win.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reflects on “dependable” Miguel Rojas’ costly mistake

Although Miguel Rojas’ mistake led to a collapse in the eighth inning, the Dodgers had the chance to respond in the ninth when they had two runners on base with one out.

However, Rockies reliever Jordan Romano escaped the jam to earn a thrilling win for Colorado. Following the loss, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reflects on Rojas’ mistake.

“It doesn’t happen very often that he doesn’t make a play,” Roberts said. “So when it happens, you know, we don’t like it, doesn’t feel good, but you know that player, I give him a lot of grace, because he is very dependable.”

The Dodgers took an early lead after Shohei Ohtani’s 300th career home run, making him the first Japanese-born player to reach that mark.