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France slams return of Olympic gender testing as ‘a step backwards’

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France said on Friday the International Olympic Committee’s decision to introduce gender testing to determine eligibility for the female category was a “step backwards”.

“We oppose a generalisation of genetic testing, which raises numerous ethical, legal, and medical questions, particularly in light of French legislation” which does not allow such tests, Sports Minister Marina Ferrari said in a statement.

“These tests, introduced in 1967, were discontinued in 1999 due to strong ​reservations within the scientific community regarding their relevance. France regrets this step backwards,” Ferrari said.

The IOC announced on Thursday only “biological females” will be allowed to compete in women’s events, preventing transgender women from competing.

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It is re-introducing gender testing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics onwards in a move that will also rule out many athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD), previously known as intersex athletes.

Donald Trump takes credit for transgender ban at LA’s 2028 Olympics

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PRESS REVIEW
PRESS REVIEW © FRANCE 24

Ferrari said the new IOC policy “defines the female sex without taking into consideration the biological specificities of intersex people whose sexual characteristics present natural variations, which leads to a reductive and potentially stigmatising approach”.

She said France would establish a national observatory bringing ⁠together sports bodies, ​scientists, legal experts and athlete representatives to develop recommendations aimed at ensuring sport is “fair, inclusive and respectful of human rights“. 

IOC president Kirsty Coventry said on Thursday that athletes from countries where the gender test was banned would have to be tested in other countries.

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“If it is illegal in a country, athletes will have the possibility when they travel to other competitions to be tested there,” Coventry said.

“This is also why we’re saying the policy comes into effect now, but will be implemented in LA 28. So we have time to walk through this process with everyone.”

Coventry added: “I do feel that this policy is a policy that is supporting equality and fairness and the protection of the safety on the field of play.”

The IOC said there may be “rare exceptions” for DSD athletes who do not benefit from the performance-enhancing effects of testosterone.

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Eligibility for the female category will be decided by genetic testing, which will test athletes to see if they have the SRY gene that determines whether a person is biologically male.

The test will be carried out by a swab of the inside of an athlete’s cheek or blood samples and will only take place once in an athlete’s career.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)

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Sportscaster Jim Gray says Tiger Woods’ DUI arrest a ‘cry for help’

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Tiger Woods was taken into custody after a rollover crash on Jupiter Island, Florida, Friday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

At a press conference, Sheriff John Budensiek said the five-time Masters winner was traveling at “a high rate of speed” when his vehicle collided with another car, causing it to roll over onto the driver’s side. 

Budensiek added that Woods appeared to have exited the vehicle by “crawling” out of the passenger side.

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Fox News contributor Jim Gray said Woods’ crash and subsequent arrest mark the latest chapter in what he called an ongoing “sad story.”

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Tiger Woods at TGL

Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club before a match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center March 23, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.  (Adam Glanzman/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images)

“It is a sad story, and it continues to be a sad story. We’ve all been thrilled with him watching him playing golf. He’s a national treasure (and) an international icon, perhaps the greatest ever. Jack Nicklaus has more majors, but Tiger (is) widely acclaimed, is the greatest golfer ever,” Gray said Friday on “Special Report.”

TIGER WOODS STEPPING BACK INTO COMPETITIVE GOLF AS MASTERS LOOM

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“To see this happen, not only once but twice, now the third time … and to have been able to survive the last time and to now go through it again, it just leads you to wonder who is surrounding him. Why does he keep getting in these circumstances? And he’s been so great with his driver on the course, perhaps he should get a driver to drive him.”

Tiger Woods vehicle rollover crash Florida

Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026.  (Jason Oteri/AP)

Authorities said Woods “exemplified signs of impairment.” He blew “triple-zeroes” for alcohol but refused a urine test.

“DUI investigators came to the scene here, and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment. They did several tests on him. Of course, he did explain the injuries and the surgeries that he had. We did take that into account, but they did do some in-depth roadside tests,” Budensiek added.

“We really weren’t suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case, and that proved to be true at the jail. … But when it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused. And, so, he’s been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”

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Gray described the incident as a troubling pattern.

“It’s just another cry for help, it’s screaming out. At some point, somehow, some way, somebody has to get to him to get him this help. Get him a driver, get out from behind the wheel. When you’ve had this many surgeries, obviously we see this with professional sports all the time, numerous surgeries leads to just tremendous pain. 

“And with that pain you’ve got to somehow try to curtail it, and it leads people down this path. I can’t speak to whether or not he’s gone down that path. I haven’t spoken to his doctor, and I haven’t spoken to him about it. 

“But we do know from habits and from the patterns that we see from others and his own pattern, that something is drastically off here. Thankfully, he hasn’t hurt himself as bad as he did the last time, and he didn’t hurt anybody else.”

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The Masters begins April 9 at Augusta National, and Woods recently said he has not ruled out playing in the season’s first major.

In the 14 majors since he won the green jacket in 2019, Woods has failed to muster a top 20 finish. It’s his longest such streak since failing to finish in the top 20 in the first six majors of his career in 1995 and 1996. In his last 26 majors, he has only four top 20 finishes.

Since finishing tied for ninth at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open, his best finish in his 18 official events since then has been a tie for 37th at the 2020 PGA Championship.

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“He’s given us so many thrills and so much joy. I think it would be a joy for all of us for us to see him get himself back together. To get through the pain. He’s had surgeries on his back, his neck, his Achilles, his knee … so on and so forth. 

“They’ve all added up. Just to be able to see him smile and to be a part of the game and to be around his children and to be able to function normally would be a great joy for us going forward. He doesn’t have to live up to himself and what he’s done on the golf course in the past. That’s set in stone, and it’s set forever.”

Woods has not competed in a professional golf tournament since 2024, when he competed in just five events — the Genesis Invitational and the four majors. He withdrew from the Genesis, finished dead last in the Masters and missed the cut in the other majors.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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Gold Coast Titans vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 4 2026

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Cbus Super Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 4 NRL game between Gold Coast Titans and
St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 6:15 pm with Gold Coast Titans heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Gold Coast Titans vs.
St. George Illawarra Dragons
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday March 29, 2026 at 6:15 pm

Where: Cbus Super Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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Gold Coast Titans vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds

Gold Coast Titans vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview

Parramatta enters this clash aiming to build momentum after a fluctuating opening to the season. The Eels have shown attacking potential but are still working to tighten defensive lapses that have cost them in key moments. Their opponents have been similarly inconsistent, making this a pivotal contest for both sides. Recent meetings have been evenly matched, often producing high-scoring encounters. Parramatta’s ability to generate second-phase play will be important, while their rivals will look to control possession and limit errors. With both teams searching for stability, this shapes as a contest where execution and discipline will be critical.

First Try Scorer

First Try Scorer:

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Phillip Sami at $9.00.

Gold Coast Titans vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Teams

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Max Feagai 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Tukimihia Simpkins 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Lachlan Ilias 19. Josh Patston 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Oliver Pascoe 22. Jett Liu

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Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hame Sele 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Josh Kerr 19. Hayden Buchanan 20. Tyrell Sloan 21. Ryan Hutchinson 22. Lyhkan King-Togia

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Is Connecticut Sun Relocating to Houston & Rebranding as Comets? $300 Million Deal Resurrecting WNBA’s Iconic Team Explored

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Reports emerged Friday that the Connecticut Sun have been sold to the Fertitta family, who will move the franchise to Houston.

WNBA insider Alexa Philippou said sources told ESPN that the franchise was sold for $300 million. The Sun would reportedly play their final season in Connecticut in 2026 before moving to Houston for 2027.

“BREAKING: The Connecticut Sun is being sold to the Fertitta family to bring the WNBA back to Houston, sources confirmed to ESPN,” Philippou tweeted. “The team was sold for $300 million, sources said. Team will play final season in CT in ’26 before relocation. The Comets are back.”

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PaperCity Magazine’s Chris Baldwin, who first reported the news Friday, said the official announcement of the relocation is expected to be “sometime next week.” A sale is subject to the approval of the WNBA’s Board of Governors.

The Sun will be renamed the Houston Comets, adopting the name of the previous WNBA franchise in the city. The Comets played for 12 seasons from 1997 to 2008. They were one of the original eight teams.

Led by WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson, the Comets won the first four championships in league history.

In August, reports emerged that former Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca reached a deal to purchase the Sun for $325 million. However, the sale did not push through as part of the deal was relocation to Boston. The WNBA said in a statement that it will be prioritizing cities that previously applied for an expansion franchise.

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What are the other details of the Connecticut Sun’s relocation to Houston?

According to PaperCity Magazine’s Chris Baldwin on Friday, the upcoming Houston Comets will play at Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets. Tilman Fertitta purchased the Rockets in 2017 and since 2024 has expressed his desire to bring the WNBA back to Houston.

Baldwin added that the new WNBA franchise in Houston will have “access to the type of analytical data that the top organizations in sports rely on.”

The Connecticut Sun have played in Uncasville, Connecticut, since 2003 and have been one of the most successful teams. They reached the playoffs in 16 of 22 seasons and made the WNBA Finals four times.

In recent years, the Sun ownership, the Mohegan Tribe, has been criticized for lacking future plans to improve team facilities. The Sun held training sessions at a local community center.

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