Nineteen horses will contest the straight-track sprint, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, with Overpass accepted after his strong third in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Trainer Bjorn Baker confirmed Overpass has recovered well from his Tuesday run and believes the seven-year-old gelding will appreciate the 1200-metre distance of Saturday’s race.

Joliestar, the long-time favourite for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, has drawn barrier nine, and Overpass will start from gate seven.

The straight course has been favouring runners on the grandstand side, but with warm weather forecast, the track is expected to even out.

The middle draws for Joliestar (James McDonald) and Overpass (Josh Parr) give their riders options to find the best part of the track.

Joliestar remains the 9/4 ($3.25) favourite with English bookmakers, ahead of Japan’s Satono Reve at 5/1 and William Haggas’s Lake Forest at 10/1. Overpass is a 20/1 chance.

Satono Reve, a two-time Group 1 winner in Japan, was a very good, albeit unlucky, second to Lazzat in last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Both Joliestar and Satono Reve have competed against the world’s best sprinter, Hong Kong’s Ka Ying Rising.

Joliestar finished less than two lengths behind Ka Ying Rising when fifth in The Everest in Sydney last spring.

Satono Reve has finished second to Ka Ying Rising twice in the Hong Kong Chairman’s Sprint Prizes, in 2025 and again earlier this year.

Lake Forest is well-known to Australian racing fans after winning the Golden Eagle two years ago.

Haggas brought Lake Forest back to Sydney for The Everest last spring, but he didn’t perform, finishing last at Randwick and seventh in the Champions Mile at Flemington behind Ceolwulf.

Lake Forest looks back to his best after a dominant win by over five lengths at Haydock last month.

Cieron Fallon, who won the Golden Eagle on Lake Forest, rides him on Saturday, with stablemate Almeraq (25/1) to be ridden by Tom Marquand.

Find the best racing betting markets for the Jubilee Stakes.

Blue Jays and Dodgers trade rumor for Red Sox star is less than ideal for Yankees originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees aren’t expected to show interest in Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox, though it doesn’t sound like Chapman is too worried about that. Expecting an apology from Brian Cashman and the Yankees if he gets traded to New York.

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After that comment, and some from the Yankees after those remarks, it seems very unlikely that Chapman will be in New York after the deadline. However, he could still have an effect on the Yankees, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays being teams that could land him, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

“Relief pitchers often are some of the most impactful deadline acquisitions, and Boston’s closer is as effective as ever. Chapman doesn’t throw as hard as he once did, but he has four distinct pitches now. 

“And he’s still chucking his fastball in the high 90s, which is plenty of velocity when hitters need to gear up for his slider and splitter. Here’s the greatest truism of the deadline: Everyone needs a good reliever. Teams will climb over each other for Chapman,” Jeff Passan wrote.

Landing Chapman would be one thing for any of those teams, but stealing him away from the Yankees, because there’s existing tension between the two, would be something else.

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Unfortunately, the Yankees could be impacted by that, as both the Dodgers and the Blue Jays are always in the mix for elite pitchers, so there’s reason to believe that they could be interested in doing this type of deal.

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After nine months away from competition and months of rehabilitation, Neeraj Chopra is ready to throw again.

The Olympic and world champion will make his long-awaited return at the Doha Diamond League on Friday, marking his first competitive appearance since an injury-plagued outing at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. The 28-year-old has admitted that competing in Tokyo while carrying a back problem was a mistake, but believes the difficult experience has left him better prepared for the challenges ahead.

For one of India’s most celebrated athletes, the road back has been longer than expected. What initially appeared to be a lower back issue soon became part of a broader battle with multiple niggles that forced him to delay the start of his 2026 season.

“I had some injury last year before Tokyo World Championship. We worked a lot and also competed in Tokyo, but I don’t think that was a good decision because I already know that I have some problem. But that was the last competition (of 2025), so I decided to compete there,” Chopra said ahead of the season opener in Doha.

The decision did not pay off. Chopra finished eighth in Tokyo with a throw of 84.03 metres, one of the most disappointing results of his career. In the months that followed, he focused on recovery rather than competition.

“In an athlete’s life, if there is one injury we try to save that injury and then we feel another one. I had in my ankle, then somewhere in shoulder, then I sat together with my team and my physio and then we work on every part.”

Now, after months of treatment and training, Chopra believes he is ready to compete again.

“I feel really good and fit, let’s see tomorrow.”

Doha remains a special venue

The return takes place at a venue that holds special memories for Chopra.

It was in Doha in May 2025 that he finally crossed the much-anticipated 90-metre barrier, launching the javelin to 90.23m under the guidance of legendary Czech thrower Jan Zelezny.

Yet Chopra remains his own toughest critic.

Looking back at the throw that made headlines around the world, he feels it was far from perfect.

“Technically, that throw was not that good, it was really fast from the arm but if I had done better with my lower body, that may be (added) two to three metre more.”

Instead of revisiting his record throw, Chopra says he often studies a different aspect of his performances.

“I really like my qualification round throws in the Olympics or World Championships because I feel really relaxed and throw far. But whenever I compete in finals or in main competition, I always try really hard, very aggressive, then I forget my technique.

“I really like to see my qualification round throws as they are technically better.”

A new chapter after Zelezny

The upcoming season will also be Chopra’s first full campaign since ending his coaching partnership with Zelezny earlier this year.

The association helped Chopra achieve one of the biggest milestones of his career, but he felt it was time to move in a different direction.

“Zlezny was a great athlete and he was a really good coach also. We worked on a few specific things, I’m happy that I broke 90m under him.”

However, Chopra said practical considerations and a desire to trust his own instincts influenced the decision.

“I had to stay in one place to hold the season, that was not possible for me. So we decided after Tokyo World Championships maybe I need to work with my ideas, so work with an Indian coach.”

He has since reunited with Jaiveer Chaudhary, the coach who first guided him into the sport.

“He is my senior. I started javelin throw with him so he knows my story from last 15-16 years. He knows my training plans and everything, so now we work on my technique.”

Rather than making major technical changes, Chopra said the focus is on refining what already comes naturally.

“We are not working anything specific, very deep on anything. I’m working on my natural technique.”

Busy season awaits

Although 2026 does not feature an Olympics or World Championships, Chopra expects little respite.

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan remain major targets, and he expects fierce competition at both events.

The Commonwealth Games field is likely to feature Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who recently threw 92.62m, Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott and former world champion Anderson Peters.

“All of them have thrown 90m, so Commonwealth Games will not be less (competitive) than Olympics or World Championships, it will be a really tough competition,” Chopra said.

He also plans to compete at the Asian Games later in the year.

Learning to work with the wind

Doha’s conditions have often produced huge throws, with favourable winds helping athletes achieve some of the longest distances in the sport’s history.

Chopra believes understanding those conditions is as important as physical preparation.

“Sometime, I also throw against the wind here that was not good. We really need to understand how we can use the wind.”

“In javelin throw, we can use wind for runway speed, it really helps. Also, if we point up (the spear) a little bit high and the wind pushes a little bit from behind the javelin, then it helps.”

“But if you throw really flat, then I don’t think so it (wind) will help you. So, you need your mind to throw if you want to use wind.”

MUMBAI: Virat Kohli has made significant progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury and is on track to return to the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series in England, TOI has learnt. “Kohli has started his rehabilitation, and his injury is healing quickly. He is expected to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence for his fitness assessment and clearance soon. If his recovery goes as planned, Kohli is expected to make his comeback to the team in the upcoming England series,” a source said.

BCCI selectors to pick squad soon

The Indian ODI squad for the tour of England is set to be picked later this week.“The selection committee meeting to pick India’s ODI team for the England tour will be held in the next three to four days,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI on Thursday.The three-match ODI series between India and England will be played from July 14 to 19, with matches scheduled in Birmingham, Cardiff and Lord’s.The 37-year-old Kohli missed the ongoing home ODI series against Afghanistan due to the hamstring injury, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal replacing him.The superstar batter has been consulting renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwalla, who is based at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai and serves as the BCCI’s consultant orthopaedic surgeon.

Hamstring injury ruled Kohli out of Afghanistan series

Kohli had suffered the hamstring injury during his unbeaten 75 off 42 balls in the IPL final, which helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru chase down 156 against Gujarat Titans and clinch their second successive IPL title.On Tuesday, several pictures surfaced online showing Kohli spending time in London, where he currently lives, with English batter Jordon Cox, his Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate. The meeting came hours before the 25-year-old was named in England’s playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand, which began at The Oval on Wednesday.

Agarkar had hinted at England comeback

While announcing India’s squads for the series against Afghanistan in Mumbai on June 6, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had indicated that Kohli could be fit for the England series, but added that there was “no clear timeline” from the physio regarding his return.“With Virat, it’s just been less than a week since he injured himself in the IPL final. We don’t know the timelines yet. But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series. It’s not a definitive answer, so don’t hold me to it. I haven’t had a clear timeline from the physio yet,” Agarkar had said.Having retired from T20Is and Tests, Kohli now plays only ODIs for India. His previous appearance came in the home series against New Zealand in January, where he top-scored for India with 240 runs at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26.

The FIFA World Cup may be under way in the United States, but in New York on Thursday, all eyes were on basketball. Tens of thousands of fans packed the streets of Manhattan to celebrate the NBA champion Knicks as the team paraded through the city under tight security. FRANCE 24’s Juliette Montilly was there. 

Annalena Baerbock is a football fan and is often found cheering on Germany’s national teams at major tournaments. Last year, she was on the edge of her seat rooting for the country’s women’s team at the Euros in Switzerland. And now, her fingers are crossed for the men’s team at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

She’s right in the thick of it because since 2025, Baerbock has been president of the United Nations General Assembly, which is based in New York.

Baerbock attended an award ceremony at the recently opened German House of Soccer, where former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger were awarded prizes. Müller, the most successful German player ever, currently plys his trade for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS and received an honorary prize. The 36-year-old plays a key role in shaping the international image of German football beyond the field thanks to his easygoing, likable manner. Berger received the award in the player category because of the fighting spirit and determination the Gotham City keeper shows on the field.

Speaking at the event, Baerbock praised the Germany teams, calling them role models and the progress itthey havehas made in recent years.

“Today we have great diversity in the team, which symbolizes a new generation of German players,” Baerbock told DW. “That wasn’t always the case. When I had just graduated from high school, we had Gerald Asamoah, one of the first players born in Africa to play for the German national team.” The 45-year-old recalled the discussions surrounding Asamoah at the time.

What is a ‘real’ German?

In 2001, the striker made his debut under then-Germany head coach Rudi Völler. His selection was met with approval by large segments of society, though there were also racist slurs directed at him. In addition, a debate arose over what constitutes a “true” German, since Asamoah was born in Ghana and moved to Germany at the age of 12.

Though Erwin Kostedde was the first Black player to represent the German national team, Asamoah’s selection for the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, also paved the way for the modern era of players with African roots, such as Jerome Boateng, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rüdiger and Felix Nmecha.

In the current World Cup squad, led by national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, 11 of the 26 players have an immigrant background — but this time around there was no debate like the one that arose when Asamoah was selected.

Nevertheless, some Alternative for Germany (AfD) politicians and supporters of the party refer to the Germany team as the “rainbow squad,” criticizing the push for greater diversity and anti-discrimination. In the build-up to Euro 2024, a survey from German public broadcaster WDR revealed that 21% of the people polled voted “yes” when asked about wanting more white players on the team. The survey was criticized by Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann and team captain Joshua Kimmich.

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Team over superstars

“That shows how important anti-racism campaigns are,” Baerbock said. “A team is also always a reflection of society.”

She said the World Cup team underscores Germany’s diversity, sends an important message to young people in Germany and shows: “You can make it anywhere. Sports—and football in particular—bring people together. On the pitch, everyone is equal, no matter where you are from, what your parents earn, or what language you speak. What matters is that you score and are a team player.” 

For this reason, too, Germany’s former foreign minister hopes Germany will go far at this World Cup.

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“We may not be the team most people have put their bets on, but we have a wonderful team spirit,” Baerbock said. “Sometimes it’s more important to have the best team rather than the most famous superstar.”

This article was adapted from German.

AEW Men’s World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman recently shared his thoughts on an age-old debate in professional wrestling- whether it makes sense for promotions to build their product around a handful of top stars.

While appearing in an interview recently with the Shut Up and Wrestle podcast, MJF and interviewer Brian Solomon began a discussion at one point regarding certain wrestling legends who never became main event names or World Champions in major promotions like WWE, despite their undeniable in-ring prowess and popularity. Big Hebrew specifically brought up the case of WWE and AEW legend Jake Roberts, alluding to the sports entertainment juggernaut not pushing The Snake despite the reactions he had generated against Hulk Hogan.

This opened up a broader discussion on promotions like the Stamford-based company pushing and presenting only a select handful of their talent as upper-card, main-event calibre stars, a trend that is arguably followed to this day. Friedman suggested that a product built around one or two top names is less interesting than it could have been otherwise, stating:

“Jake Roberts attacks Hulk Hogan, gets a louder reaction than Hulk Hogan by a fair margin, they’re screaming ‘Jake’, they’re screaming ‘DDT’, nothing happened after. Because there was only time for one guy on top, according to sources, right? So I.. I talked about this in an interview recently with Ariel Helwani, I think the best product is not a product where there’s only one figurehead and person of importance.”

The Salt of The Earth continued:

“Now granted, don’t get me wrong, I am that guy, especially in this modern era, I move the needle for my company more than anybody else- however, if I’m watching a product where that ball can’t be passed, and I can’t have anyone else on top, and there’s no time for anybody else, it’s boring, what am I watching for? I’m only investing in one guy? I’m only investing in the story of one guy on this weekly episodic professional wrestling show? It’s boring! Again, that’s what made the territories so exciting. Yes, you had your 1A guys, but you also had 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, it was crazy,” said Friedman.

MJF will be involved in a huge cage match at AEW Forbidden Door

In less than two weeks at AEW Forbidden Door 2026, MJF will team with the Don Callis Family’s Kevin Knight, Kyle Fletcher, Kazuchika Okada, Jake Doyle and Andrade El Idolo to take on Mark Briscoe, his Conglomeration partners Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong and Orange Cassidy, International Champion Konosuke Takeshita, and former World Champion Darby Allin, in a multi-person steel cage match. If The Sussex County Chicken’s team wins the bout, he will earn a shot at Friedman’s AEW World Title.

The Wolf of Wrestling and his DCF allies will head into Forbidden Door with momentum on their side, having defeated the babyface team in a standard tag match this week on Wednesday Night AEW Dynamite.