When 39-year-old twins Lauren and Lisa Maiocco found out last May that only one of them was selected for the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, their mother, Janet Maiocco, worried it could create the sort of tiff that most siblings are all too familiar with.

“The thing that was hard is saying to her twin Lisa, you have to be happy for Lauren,” Janet Maiocco said. “Because they’re very, very close. You have to be happy for Lauren.”

Advertisement

Instead, Lisa Maiocco brushed aside any potential envy and became a mentor for her twin sister. When Lauren found out she’d be running the 200-meter race instead of her usual 100-meter event, Lisa, a distance runner, helped Lauren train in the year leading up to the USA Games, which were held in Minnesota from June 20-26.

“I started helping Lauren run the 200 in the backyard, and then we would also run the 200 on the street by our house and stuff, and it was a good opportunity,” Lisa Maiocco said. “Lauren wanted to give up, and I said, ‘Lauren, never give up. You never give up on something that you love to do.’”

With her twin sister’s help, Lauren brought home the gold medal in the 200 meters in 52.63 seconds. Maiocco was joined at the USA Games by fellow Collier County resident Gabriella De Leon. The 29-year-old powerlifter won silver medals in all four of her events — squat, bench press, deadlift and the combination of all three lifts.

Lee County had two competitors at the Games as Adam Johnson and Whitney Spielman teamed up in pickleball and won silver medals for Team Florida.

Advertisement

Lauren Maiocco said her gold-medal winning race was a tight finish, and she and her mother Janet weren’t sure what the result would be. Lisa Maiocco reminded her mother that, although her sister would go on to win gold, that winning wasn’t the point.

“Mom, regardless if she got second or whatever, she’s still a winner,” Lisa Maiocco recalled telling her mom on a phone call shortly after the race. “You can’t always get first place. You tried your best and you did your best. Then my sister calls me and is like ‘Guess what? I won first place.’ I was so excited for her. I couldn’t hold how I felt about it.”

While winning the gold was certainly rewarding, the Golden Gate resident most fondly remembered getting to spend time with the other Special Olympics athletes, trading pins and sharing a hug on the podium with the other participants.

“We’re in a different state, the one that got third and the one that got second. She gave me a hug and I gave the other one a hug, and so we grabbed each other’s hands and bowed like two times,” said Lauren Maiocco, who also competed in the 4×100-meter relay and placed fourth in the shot put. “I don’t want to leave any athlete out. I want to encourage them to be that strong person and get that medal.”

Advertisement

For De Leon, the Special Olympics has been a part of her life as far back as high school. Gabriella’s mom, Cynthia De Leon, said getting to participate in Special Olympics events has brought her daughter true friendships and helped her grow as a person.

“She’s just blossomed. She’s matured. She’s made some really good friends, she has good relationships with her coaches and she’s always willing to help and try something new,” Cynthia De Leon said. “This opportunity that she was given to go to USA Games, it just really helped her too, not only with you know with the sport, but also her self esteem. It’s been amazing.”

Gabriella De Leon has been participating in powerlifting events for the past four years, and was selected for the USA Games powerlifting team last May. The Naples resident said training for the USA Games required a lot of focus and working with her coaches.

“I’ve been working so hard, and I’ve been going to the gym and eating healthy, like the healthy habits and then training with my coaches,” De Leon said.

Advertisement

Like Maiocco, De Leon said her favorite part of participating in the games had less to do with the events and the medals, and more to do with the people she got to compete alongside.

“I meet new people and have fun,” De Leon said. “I want to be with my team … We went to go see other people from Team Florida competing and support other people about Team Florida.”

While spending time with teammates and fellow athletes was a major highlight, Maiocco and De Leon said they still have their sights set on competing at the 2030 USA Games in Cleveland.

“I guess I always thought, well, you know, she’s not going to be able to do it on her own, but the support she got, she was able to do everything independent and make choices that I didn’t think she was capable of,” Cynthia De Leon said. “It was just an amazing, amazing experience.”

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SW Florida Special Olympians win medals at 2026 USA Games in Minnesota

“A football game – and that is all.”

These words were calmly uttered by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni soon after the 3-1 win over Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals.

It set up a mouthwatering semi-final against England, who won through after defeating Norway 2-1 in their quarter-final.

But images of violent confrontations – such as the ones that took place in Miami between Argentine and English supporters, alongside other videos capturing similar fights and Argentine players chanting “for Malvinas (the Falkland Islands) for Diego (Maradona), for Leo (Messi)’s last one!” – are telling a different story.

Scaloni’s statement was likely said to reduce the possibility of what should be a fair game between two talented teams ending up in an explosive display of masculine toxicity, which is the reason why security and policing in Atlanta has been enhanced ahead of the match.

The modern-day rivalry

Few rivalries in world sport carry as much weight off the pitch as Argentina vs England.

The upcoming semi-final between these two teams is a reminder of an open wound: the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas War.

This history transforms every match into something more than a game, and nowhere is this clearer than in the chants that fill the stands.

Take “El que no salta es un inglés” – “he who doesn’t jump is an Englishman”.

This famous Argentine chant suggests those who don’t support the team passionately aren’t real fans – and even worse, they are labelled English.

That same impulse shows up in the slang term “Ingla-perra”, a jab that fuses “Inglaterra” (England) with “perra” (bitch).

Crude as it is, it is similar to the jumping chant in that both turn soccer language into a vessel for grievances that have little to do with the sport itself.

The chants surge especially around flashpoint matches – Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” in 1986 chief among them – when sporting drama and national memory collided.

Maradona, the legandary Argentina player who became an iconic figure of patriotic heroism, later justified the illegal goal, stating: “For me, it was like stealing from a thief.”

Ironically, five Argentine players – including goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who said “it’s nice to play amongst mates” referring to members of the English team – play in England’s Premier League.

Since the 1986 clash, the teams have been involved in several other controversies, most notably when Argentina won a penalty shootout in the 1998 World Cup after David Beckham was controversially sent off for kicking Argentina’s Diego Simeone.

The rivalry began long ago

Even more complexity emerges when we look at the history of how soccer emerged in Argentina.

The roots of one Argentina’s greatest passions are to be found in the same country that is now their greatest rival: England.

Clubs in Argentina were founded by the British in the 19th century when railway engineers, investors, landowners and merchants established themselves in the country as a ruling elite. These settlers had such political and economic influence that historians view the Anglo-Argentine case as one example of what they call an “informal empire”.

The British invasions of the Río de la Plata (1806–07) and the Falkland Islands/Malvinas (1833) represent two contrasting episodes of the Anglo-Argentine relationship.

The former ended in military defeat and fuelled local independence movements, while the latter secured permanent British rule over the islands.

In this way, Argentina-England matches function as ritual as much as competition. The chants aren’t really about tactics or skill – they’re a language fans use to keep a historical conflict alive, one jump and one insult at a time.

When history, politics and sport collide

Sport and politics are always intertwined, especially at major events such as the World Cup.

External circumstances such as the United States bombing Iran (a participant in the World Cup), while hosting the event might not take away the joy this worldwide sport brings to billions of spectators, but such events create opportunities to reflect on why what happens off pitch cannot be ignored.

In his journal of his famous voyage aboard HMS Beagle, Charles Darwin lamented the fact Spain, and not the British empire, had colonised Argentina: “How different would have been the aspect of this river if the English colonists had by good fortune first sailed up the Plata! What noble towns would now have occupied its shores!”

Looking at a 1981 photograph of Maradona with Queen’s Freddy Mercury wearing a t-shirt with the British and Argentine flags respectively, one cannot help to recreate Darwin’s regret, reverting the terms in the context of the territorial dispute that has caused so much friction: “How different would have been the upcoming World Cup semi-final if the English hadn’t occupied the Falklands/Malvinas in 1833?”

Stirling Osland is aiming to secure his first Listed race victory with So You Are before the four-year-old gelding departs his Armidale training base.

The gelding has been placed in his last two starts behind Bjorn Baker’s Thebudgiesmugla, and Osland has confirmed that So You Are will soon be joining that horse in Sydney.

“He’s heading to Bjorn’s after this start for us,” Osland said.

“He’ll be in Sydney on Friday, have a couple of weeks let up, and then starting with Bjorn as a five-year-old there.

“He’s got to the stage now where he’s a genuine competitor in Group and Listed races every start, so he’s done as much as he can for us and just the travel – he spends 30 hours a month on a float.

“Between driving to Sydney and Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast so coming into spring carnival time, there’ll be a lot of options for a horse like him, we’d spoken to Stewie (Ramsey, owner) that Grafton would be the end of it.”

A win in Thursday’s Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) would be the ideal send-off for So You Are. Timeform considers him the most talented horse Osland has trained, highlighted by his second placing in the recent Caloundra Cup.

“He’s good as gold,” Osland enthused.

“He’s done a lot of travelling but he travels well and he’s come through it nicely.

“He’s probably going as well as ever, he’s always very consistent, through some good races behind a lot of good horses so I think Grafton looks a nice race for us.”

While Osland is content to avoid Thebudgiesmugla in the field, he pointed to the even-money favourite King Pedro as the main danger.

“The favourite won well in that Winter Cup last start but I think our form is probably more solid than his,” Osland stated.

“Probably us and Moods’ horse (Pounding), we were probably on par that day but he scratched.

“He’s drawn well in barrier two, he should get a nice run just behind the speed and I think we’re probably coming out of the stronger form line, he’s been in group or listed his past four starts.

“I think he’s well placed, this is a good finish point for him, to get a Listed winner at Grafton, we spend a lot of time racing there, it’d be nice to top it off.”

So You Are is currently listed at $7.50 for the $200,000 feature race on Thursday, which concludes the two-day carnival, headlined by the Ramornie Handicap on Wednesday.

Betting sites in Australia offer competitive odds for the Grafton Cup.

Sixty years after lifting their only FIFA World Cup title in 1966, England are once again within touching distance of football’s biggest prize. Under Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions have navigated a challenging path to reach the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, overcoming difficult opponents, dramatic knockout encounters and moments of adversity.

Strong start in Group L

England entered the tournament in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama—a group considered one of the stronger sections due to the presence of Croatia.

The campaign began in emphatic fashion with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, giving Tuchel’s side early control of the group. However, a frustrating goalless draw against Ghana meant qualification remained in the balance heading into the final matchday.

England responded professionally, defeating Panama 2-0 to finish top of the group and secure a favourable route into the knockout rounds.

Group Stage Results

• 
  England 4-2 Croatia
• 
  England 0-0 Ghana
• 
  England 2-0 Panama

Harry Kane inspires comeback against Congo DR

England’s World Cup journey nearly came to an abrupt end in the Round of 32.

Congo DR stunned the Three Lions with an early opener through Brian Cipenga, while goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi produced a string of outstanding saves to frustrate England.

Azteca classic against Mexico

The Round of 16 produced one of the matches of the tournament as England faced co-host Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

Jude Bellingham gave England a commanding two-goal advantage before Julián Quiñones sparked hopes of a Mexican comeback. Defender Jarell Quansah was then sent off, leaving England to play with ten men.

Harry Kane restored the two-goal cushion from the penalty spot, but later conceded a penalty that Raúl Jiménez converted. Despite relentless pressure from the hosts, England held firm to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory and book a place in the quarterfinals.

Bellingham the hero against Norway

England’s toughest test yet came in Miami against a fearless Norway side led by Erling Haaland.

The Scandinavians took the lead through a stunning strike from Antonio Nusa before Jude Bellingham equalised just before half-time after weaving through the Norwegian defence. England pushed hard for a winner but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, while Norway also threatened through Haaland and Alexander Sørloth.

A controversial England penalty awarded in extra time was overturned after a VAR review, but Bellingham stepped up once again in the 103rd minute. Reacting quickest after Morgan Rogers’ effort was saved, the midfielder tucked home the rebound to complete his brace and seal a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time victory.

Semifinal showdown against Argentina

England’s reward is a blockbuster semifinal against reigning champions Argentina.

Lionel Scaloni’s side has been forced to dig deep throughout the knockout rounds. They edged Cape Verde in the Round of 32 before staging a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16.

The quarterfinal against Switzerland followed a similar pattern. Alexis Mac Allister’s early opener was cancelled out by Dan Ndoye before Breel Embolo’s red card shifted momentum. Even with a numerical advantage, Argentina needed extra time, where Julián Álvarez produced a sensational curling strike before Lautaro Martínez wrapped up a 3-1 victory.

With Lionel Messi leading the defending champions and England chasing their first World Cup final appearance since 1966, the semifinal in Atlanta promises to be one of the defining matches of the tournament.

One step away from the final

Should England overcome Argentina, they will face either France or Spain in the World Cup final.

Spain have impressed with their defensive solidity throughout the tournament, while France continue to rely on the brilliance of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Regardless of the opponent, England knows only two matches now separate them from ending a 60-year wait for football’s greatest prize.

Moses Itauma has been offered a beeline towards world honours, but first he must take care of business against top 10 heavyweight Filip Hrgovic.

The pair will collide at London’s O2 Arena on August 29, with many expecting this to be the youngster’s toughest assignment thus far.

Hrgovic is, after all, an Olympic bronze medallist and consensus world-level contender, whose only defeat came against Daniel Dubois in June 2024.

Back then, the Croatian gave a terrific account of himself but was ultimately stopped in round eight after sustaining severe cuts over both his eyes.

Itauma is therefore set to encounter a genuine acid test next month, determining whether he is truly capable of swimming with sharks.

If he emerges victorious, though, then the 21-year-old will more than likely secure a world title shot, possibly against IBF mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.

The pair have already been ordered to collide for Oleksandr Usyk’s old belt but, alternatively, Itauma could easily end up challenging WBA champion Murat Gassiev.

While he was supposed to face Tony Yoka last weekend, Gassiev instead defended his title against late replacement Peter Kadiru, who he handily defeated in six rounds.

Then, during the Russian’s post-fight interview, promoter Al Siesta began calling out several high-profile heavyweights, including Itauma, who was previously in early talks for a clash with the former unified cruiserweight champion.

“Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Agit Kabayel … [Gassiev] is the guy. We’re coming for you very soon!”

As the WBA’s No.1 contender, Itauma could either face Gassiev or pursue a vacant IBF title shot against Sanchez, depending on which direction his team is leaning towards.

James Dean Fury has become the latest member of his fighting family to put pen to paper, signing a long-term promotional deal with Ben Shalom’s Boxxer.

The 20-year-old is a three-time national amateur champion and 2025 Box Cup winner, now looking to make a seismic splash in the professional code.

Trained by uncle Peter Fury, the talented super-middleweight prospect makes his pro debut next month, featuring on the undercard of Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2.

This event, which takes place at Leeds’ First Direct Arena on August 8, will also mark Boxxer’s first show on DAZN.

In typical Fury fashion, James Dean comes with no shortage of confidence as he expects to not only become a world champion, but also take the 168lb division by storm.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I’d like to thank my uncle Peter, Boxxer, Ben Shalom and [manager] Mick Hennessy for making this possible.

“My goal is to go all the way. I want to win world titles and become the best fighter I can be. I train hard, I’m dedicated and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to reach the top.

“I’m excited to start this journey in Leeds on August 8 and put on a good performance for the fans. The super-middleweight division is full of great fighters, but I believe the best version of me is going to wipe everyone out.”

Advertisement

As the cousin of two-time heavyweight champion Tyson, there will surely be a measure of pressure as the young Fury makes his debut in August.

Thankfully, though, his promising career is being guided by esteemed coach Peter, who comes off a remarkable performance in the corner of Rico Verhoeven in May.

In fact, the former kickboxing champion came tantalisingly close to pulling off a major upset against Oleksandr Usyk, who ultimately scored an 11th-round stoppage victory.

At the end of the 3rd Round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings opted for Caleb Tiernan out of Northwestern. The towering offensive tackle boasts excellent feet and was projected to go higher, suggesting Minnesota did well getting him at No. 97.

The Vikings evidently have some work to do when it comes to nailing down his precise position.

The criticism against Tiernan was that he had short arms. Sounds a touch silly, but the detail matters for an offensive tackle. Winning in the trenches is often a battle involving hands and feet. Mr. Tiernan moves well but are his arms long enough to get his paws onto the long-and-strong edge rushers flying off the line of scrimmage? That uncertainty lingers into training camp.

Vikings Evidently Need More Time with Caleb Tiernan

Admittedly, there’s some silliness in putting too much emphasis on the team website’s position list. The coaching staff, not the employee who adjusts the website, gets the final call on a player’s position. Still, though, the general “OL” tag is notable enough for Mr. Tiernan.

Check out where the nine-person draft class gets listed:

• Caleb Banks (1st Round) — Defensive Line
• Jake Golday (2nd Round) — Linebacker
• Domonique Orange (3rd Round) — Defensive Line
• Caleb Tiernan (3rd Round) — Offensive Line
• Jakobe Thomas (3rd Round) — Safety
• Max Bredeson (5th Round) — Fullback
• Chuck Demmings (5th Round) — Corner
• Demond Claiborne (6th Round) — Running Back
• Gavin Gerhardt (7th Round) — Center

Basically every player gets a specific position. The lone exceptions exist in the trenches. All of Banks, Orange, and Tiernan get general descriptors; Gerhardt stands out as the lonely lineman to get shoved into a specific spot.

So, is this just an instance of the large lads mostly being general? Possibly, but that doesn’t seem overly persuasive.

When it comes to the defensive line, every player is listed with a general “DL” descriptor. That’s true of Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and everybody else who is getting work alongside Ryan Nielsen.

The offensive line, in contrast, sees things get much more specific. Three centers are listed: Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, and Gerhardt. Four offensive tackles get listed: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Ryan Van Demark, and Walter Rouse. And then there are a pile of guards.

Lingering alongside those players are the riddles that need to be solved. There are a trio of UDFA rookies with the “OL” tag: Tristan Leigh, Delby Lemieux, and Tomas Rimac. Standing alongside those unheralded rookies who are hustling to get onto the roster is Caleb Tiernan. He, too, is a young fella but arrives in the Twin Cities with much more optimism.

As of the middle of July, much is written in pencil. Players can still get shuffled around (think Golday being a LB who may get worked into OLB). Even the so-called certainty isn’t exactly that. Football is a dynamic, not static, sport.

What’s notable for Tiernan is that he entered the NFL with uncertainty and still has that uncertainty a couple of months into his career.

Even Banks and Orange have more clarity since public discussions from the coaching staff have involved comments on the expected plan. Banks, for instance, is being viewed as a jumbo defensive end, a 3T/5T who can use his unique blend of hulking size and smooth movement to generate matchup problems.

Caleb Tiernan is built like an offensive tackle as somebody who comes in at 6’7″ and 323 pounds (think Brian O’Neill but beefier). There aren’t too many guards who are so tall. Can he get low enough on the inside so as to not lose the leverage battle against the NFL’s powerful DTs? Or, perhaps, is the decision to stick at offensive tackle as he looks to prove capable of swatting away edge rushers?

Goodness, the answer could even be both as Tiernan looks to mimic Brandel’s tremendous versatility.

Vikings rookies get to training camp on Sunday, July 26th. Slowly, Caleb Tiernan will look to show where he can help the Vikings in 2026 and beyond.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

NFL players collectively believe that Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is the 72nd-best player in the business. Most take any consideration inside the Top 100 as a token of respect, but that’s just not the case in PackerLand.

Various forms of Packers-themed media and Love’s teammate, Micah Parsons, took issue with the “low” ranking this week.

Green Bay Believes No. 72 Undersells Love’s Ceiling

NFL Players: Love Ranks 72nd

It’s No. 72 for Love, as NFL.com counts down the league’s best players based on annual polling. Mike Spofford did the honors: “Packers quarterback Jordan Love has made the NFL’s “Top 100 Players” for a third straight year, coming in at No. 72. Love was ranked No. 68 a year ago and No. 34 in 2024 on the list that’s voted on by the players themselves.”

“Last season, Love set career highs in completion percentage (66.3) and passer rating (101.2) while throwing his fewest interceptions in a season (six) since taking over as Green Bay’s starting quarterback. He’s one of only three QBs in the league with 80-plus TD passes and fewer than 30 INTs since 2023, joining Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and the L.A. Rams’ Matthew Stafford.”

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers checked in one spot ahead of Love at No. 71.

Micah Parsons: Naw

Parsons, who posts on Twitter (X) a few times per month — usually a complaint about something — rushed to Love’s defense, tweeting, “71 players in the NFL aren’t better than Jordan Love!”

Love and Parsons have been teammates for just under a year, and Love has evidently earned his respect in that short period. Parsons is battling back from a torn ACL and isn’t expected to play right away in 2026 — he’ll be gone for the Vikings-Packers Week 1 showdown — but the tweet illustrated that Love is “his guy.”

The Packers passer ranked second in the NFL last year per EPA+CPOE, only bested by Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, and Packers fans absolutely insist that Love is the real deal, an argument that Parsons clearly supports.

Perhaps Love’s “problem” among onlookers and Madden in particular is that he isn’t quite as dominant as his two predecessors, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. The standard is high in Green Bay.

A Similar Response from Packers Media

The Love conundrum isn’t exclusive to Parsons’s beef.

DairyLandExpress‘s Dylan Carter wrote Friday, “One healthy season. That’s what it will take for Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love to prove he is who the entire state of Wisconsin thinks he is.”

“One season uninterrupted by injuries to him and his most vital weapons would make Love one of the most obvious risers in the entirety of the NFL at just 27 years old. Love was just announced as one of the players on the NFL Top 100 list for 2026, which marks the second year in a row he has made the cut.”

For now, Love is a victim of popular thinking: he hasn’t traveled deep into the playoffs and therefore isn’t all that great.

“However, Love’s ranking took a slight dip from 68th last year to 72nd in 2026 — a similar result to that of his star running back, Josh Jacobs, who plummeted from the 30s into the late-70s,” Carter continued.

“While there is a strong argument to be made that Jordan Love is slightly underrated by these rankings, there’s an even better case that 2026 is the year he breaks through the noise and finally shows who he really is by breaking into the MVP conversation with his play.”

Lamar Jackson Shaded, Too

If you think Love’s tumble from 68th to 72nd per the NFL Top 100 in a year was noteworthy, wait until you get a load of Lamar Jackson.

Jackson checked in as the league’s second-best overall player at this time last year. In July 2026, his peers ranked him No. 67 — an astounding 65-spot dip. NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack opined, “It was a trying season for the two-time AP NFL Most Valuable Player. He missed three games early due to a hamstring injury and another contest late with a back contusion, and in between didn’t move much like himself.”

“Jackson nonetheless finished the year fourth in passer rating (103.8), higher than seven Pro Bowl or Pro Bowl alternate quarterbacks. Now he hits the reset button under new head coach Jesse Minter with bouncing back in mind. The last time he fell this low in the Top 100 — No. 72 on the 2023 list — Jackson went on to earn two straight No. 2 spots.”

Jackson’s 65-spot plunge made Love’s look like child’s play.

Love and the Packers are favored to beat the Vikings by a point or two in Week 1.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker