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Human rights experts raise concerns over IOC gender eligibility ruling

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A collection of over 100 human rights groups have raised concerns over the ethics and “fairness” of the International Olympics Committee’s decision to use mandatory genetic sex testing to determine eligibility for future women’s events.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry announced on Thursday that eligibility for the women’s category at future Olympic events will be determined by a one-time gene-screening test, starting from the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The committee said any athletes found to posses the sex-determining SRY gene – a gene located on the Y chromosome – would be ineligible for the women’s category, ruling out transgender athletes and the majority of those with differences in sexual development (DSD).

The IOC said the one-time gene-screening test would be conducted via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample, and would be “unintrusive compared to other possible methods”.

But experts have warned that universal sex testing for the SRY gene could cause “considerable harm to affected athletes” and is an “inaccurate test of both sex and athletic advantage”.

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The IOC’s ruling followed an 18-month consultation, with the policy “based on science” and “led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart”. Coventry said: “The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advantages in sports that rely on strength, power or endurance.”

The ​French Olympic Committee said on Thursday that it had “major ethical and scientific concerns for all those affected” ‌and that the SRY tests would be illegal ⁠in France under the nation’s strict bioethics law on genetic testing.

“A sex testing and blanket ban policy would be a catastrophic erosion of women’s rights and safety,” said Andrea Florence, the executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance.

“Gender policing and exclusion harms all women and girls, and undermines the very dignity and fairness the IOC claims to uphold. Our concerns are compounded by the fact that the IOC also seems to be, at the same time, divesting from the safe sport infrastructure that actually provides protection for women and girls.”

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The Sport & Rights Alliance, along with over 100 other allied organisations, called on the IOC to abandon its plans to mandate genetic sex testing and warned the policy “would constitute an astounding rollback on gender equality and set women’s sport back 30 years”.

Payoshni Mitra, executive director of Humans of Sport, said: “Requiring women and girls to undergo mandatory genetic screening just to participate in sport would revive a practice that – even if it’s a ‘one-time test’ – violates women’s and girls’ privacy, exposes them to extreme public scrutiny, humiliation, and opens a pathway to medically unnecessary interventions.

“People often forget that child athletes compete at the Olympics and international competitions – this policy would cause massive safeguarding risks by requiring young women and children’s bodies to be investigated and their intimate health information disclosed, potentially leading to permanent harm to their dignity, mental health, and safety.”

The IOC ‌did not foresee a major problem ​with the legality issue. “Based on (International Federation) experience, genetic screening for ‌sex does not create significant problems in practice,” the ​policy document read. It is legal in most countries, and athletes from the countries where it is not permitted can lawfully be tested elsewhere.”

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The new rules have no retroactive power and have no impact on grassroots or amateur sports.

Includes reporting from Reuters

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NFL.com Calls Out Main Roster Need for Vikings

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Brian Flores watches from sideline during Vikings playoff game vs. Rams.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sideline during NFC wild card action, with the moment unfolding on Jan 13, 2025 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, as Flores studies coverages, personnel groupings, and situational tendencies while managing defensive calls in a high-pressure postseason road environment. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings did not add newcomers at the defensive tackle spot in free agency, and in fact, let two starters go at the position, thrusting the DT spot to the top of the team’s list of roster needs, according to NFL.com.

The Vikings still look light at defensive tackle.

Dan Parr from that site outlined all of Minnesota’s roster concerns this week, and defensive tackle took the cake.

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DT Stands Out on Minnesota’s To-Do List

The Vikings have more roster needs than usual because of former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s abnormally poor drafting habits.

Peter Woods plays defensive line during Clemson home game. Vikings DT
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) battles in the trenches during second-quarter action, with the moment unfolding on September 6, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, as Woods engages blockers and tracks the play while anchoring the defensive front in a physical early-season matchup at home. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images.

NFL.com: DT Foremost Roster Need for Vikings

The Vikings have nine picks next month to address roster holes, with four in the Top 100. Per Parr, a new defensive tackle should be a priority.

He wrote Tuesday, “Biggest needs: DL, OL, S, WR, CB. Minnesota heads into the draft looking to replace starting defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, who were both released after one year with the team. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores might be relying on a rookie at safety, with six-time Pro Bowler Harrison Smith potentially headed for retirement after 14 years with the franchise.”

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“Ryan Kelly already announced he’s retiring, so head coach Kevin O’Connell needs a new center. The Vikings’ receiver depth also took a hit when the Raiders signed Jalen Nailor, who tied for the team lead in touchdown catches with four last season.”

And that assessment pretty much nails it, though some consider cornerback a more urgent need.

The Current DT Corps

With Allen and Hargrave subtracted from 2026 festivities — Allen now works for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Hargrave decided the Green Bay Packers were the right choice — the Vikings have youth in the DT pipeline, although the talent is mainly late-round picks and undrafted dudes.

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Here’s the DT group without Allen and Hargrave:

  • Jalen Redmond
  • Levi Drake Rodriguez
  • Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
  • Elijah Williams
  • Taki Taimani
  • Jaylon Hutchings

The Vikings could also pound the free-agent pavement, as interior defensive linemen like Christian Wilkins and DJ Reader remain available on the open market. Wilkins, especially, makes sense because Flores selected him as his very first draft pick in Miami seven years ago, when Flores served as the Dolphins’ head coach.

Which Rookie DTs from the Draft

Now, to the fun part. Let’s pretend that the Vikings spend one of their four Top 100 draft picks on a defensive tackle, with the caveat that DTs often take longer to develop than EDGE rushers and cornerbacks.

The list would look like this on April 23rd and 24th:

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  • Peter Woods (Clemson)
  • Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
  • Caleb Banks (Florida)
  • Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
  • Christen Miller (Georgia)
  • Domonique Orange (Iowa State)
  • Gracen Halton (Oklahoma)
  • Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State)
  • Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati)
Caleb Banks pressures Carson Beck during Georgia vs. Florida game. Vikings DT
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) pressures Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) during third-quarter action, with the play occurring on Oct. 28, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, as Banks closes in from the interior and disrupts the pocket in a rivalry matchup won by Georgia. Mandatory Credit: Corey Perrine-Imagn Images.

Woods, McDonald, Banks, Hunter, and Miller will likely be picked before the end of Round 2. The rest are options from Round 3 to 4.

Pro Football Focus‘s Gordon McGuinness recently mock-drafted McDonald from Ohio State to Minnesota: “The Vikings released interior defenders Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, so they could do with some additional support on the inside. McDonald is a monster against the run, having earned a 91.2 PFF run-defense grade this past season to rank first among all interior defenders in college football.”

More Playing Time for Others?

Finally, pretend that Minnesota does not sign Wilkins from free agency and prefers a late-round DT solution. Well, it will mean the Vikings have big plans for their unsung contributors like Rodriguez or Ingram-Dawkins. Both have shown flashes of promise, but prolonged auditions have eluded them.

Our Adam New noted on the DT spot last week, “The rise of Jalen Redmond has given the Vikings a starter in the middle of their defensive line. He should be in line for a lengthy contract extension soon, but the situation outside of Redmond is unclear. Just a year removed from signing both to big-money contracts, Minnesota opted to release Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave after disappointing seasons.”

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“It leaves a young trio of Levi Drake-Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, and Elijah Williams making up the depth chart. Adding to that group with a rookie would require an exceptional draft prospect. I thought Caleb Banks was that guy, but yet another foot injury leaves the doubts lingering. The brain trust in Minnesota will have to weigh up the risk/reward of drafting Banks.”

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins participates in drills at NFL Combine. Vikings DT
Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DL19) runs through positional drills at the NFL Combine, with the scene taking place on Feb 27, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, as evaluators watch his movement, strength, and technique during on-field testing ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft process. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

It’s also worth noting that Minnesota’s defense ranks second in the NFL per all major efficiency metrics since Flores arrived in town three years ago. Whatever he lands on as a solution for replacing Allen and Hargrave will probably work.

The draft is 27 days away.


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Chargers Daily Links: Friday Open Thread

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Good morning, Chargers fans!

You know what to do!

And now for today’s links.

Here’s why Keaton Mitchell could be a “game-changer” for the Chargers offense (Chargers.com)

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Could the Chargers be a landing spot for longtime Saints edge rusher Cam Jordan? (Chargers Wire)

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PFF discussed the best and worst free agent signings by the Chargers (Bolt Beat)

Cornerback has become an underrated draft need for the Chargers (Charger Report)

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14 NFL draft prospects Mike Tannenbaum will pound the table for (ESPN)

Caleb Williams tried to file a trademark for “Iceman” nickname, irking former NBA great (ESPN)

Ranking the top running back tandems in the NFL entering the 2026 season (CBS Sports)

Check out Charles Davis’ Mock Draft 3.0 (NFL.com)

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Top prospect Sonny Styles would like to play multiple roles in the NFL, like Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (Pro Football Talk)

Why a Myles Garrett trade makes sense, along with 12 trade destinations (Sports Illustrated)

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The remarkable return of Roy Hodgson aged 78

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Roy Hodgson’s idea of celebrating 50 years in management is not to sit back reflecting on his career, but instead to return to the dug-out at Bristol City.

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Marlon reacts as IShowSpeed claims Twitch streamer “kissed” him

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Twitch streamer Marlon “mar3lg” Lundgren Garcia recently called famous YouTuber Darren “IShowSpeed” “weird” after the latter claimed that Marlon had kissed him during a livestream. The incident took place on March 26, 2026, during IShowSpeed’s YouTube broadcast titled “MANAGER SPEED + BALLER LEAGUE WEEK 2,” at around the 27:35 mark.

In the clip, both Marlon and IShowSpeed briefly stood up. Moments later, at approximately 27:58, IShowSpeed stated that Marlon had “really just kissed” him. Marlon, however, denied the claim and doubled down by calling Speed “weird,” prompting a chaotic exchange between the two.

The moment quickly went viral after X user @FearedBuck shared a clip of the interaction the same day, capturing the confusion and back-and-forth that followed:

“(“Yo, bro, don’t disrespect my club, bro. Real sick, G,” said IShowSpeed.) We’re just gonna do- (“Nah, bro. We can stand up. We can stand up, our face is not even in the camera right now,” said IShowSpeed.) Exactly, it don’t even matter right now. (“So we could kiss right now and chat won’t even know,” said IShowSpeed.) All right, let’s do it then. (“All right, bet,” said IShowSpeed.) [Timestamp – 27:35]

“Yo. (“Yo, he weird as f***. Oh my mama, he weird as f***. He really just kissed,” said IShowSpeed.) You are so dead. (“Oh my God,” said IShowSpeed.) Yo, who that was? Yo, tell who kissed who first.(“Ooh, s***. Yo, say what lie he,” said IShowSpeed.) Yo. (“Say what lie, bro,” said IShowSpeed.) You weird but I’m not gonna lie to you. (“Say what lie, he just kissed me like that,” said IShowSpeed.) He weird. Your dad just kissed me off camera.”

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“That was hot”: PlaqueBoyMax responds to IShowSpeed-Marlon viral clip

During his Twitch livestream on March 26, 2026, streamer Maxwell “PlaqueBoyMax” Elliot Dent reacted to the viral clip involving IShowSpeed and Marlon at the 29-minute mark. Responding to the incident, PlaqueBoyMax described the moment as “hot” and appeared supportive of the interaction.

On the same day, X user @scubaryan_ circulated a clip capturing his reaction, in which PlaqueBoyMax stated:

“That was hot. You feel me? Real shit. Like good job, guys. Y’all being y’all selves, bro, y’all being proud of who y’all are. Well, I’m proud of y’all, bro.” (Timestamp – 00:29:00)


In other news, a new report suggests that IShowSpeed could make a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 42, though there is no official confirmation yet.

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