Connect with us

Sports

IOC president hails ‘new kind of Winter Games’ at Milan-Cortina closing ceremony

Published

on

International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry paid tribute to “a new kind of Winter Games’ as she declared the Milan and Cortina edition closed.

A spectacular, opera-themed ceremony at Verona’s 2,000-year old Roman amphitheatre, once used for gladiatorial battles, hailed new heroes of skeleton and mixed team snowboard cross.

Coventry told the Italian organising committee: “You delivered a new kind of Winter Games and set a new standard for the future.”

Gold medallists Charlotte Bankes and Matt Weston carried the Union flag at the ceremony, which drew heavily on the region’s historic reputation for arts and beauty.

In keeping with recent tradition, the gold medals for the men’s and women’s 50km cross-country were also awarded during the ceremony, including the record sixth gold of the Games for Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo.

Advertisement

Coventry’s comment was pertinent given ongoing discussion about the future of the Winter Olympics, and the possibility of including a range of other sports not played on snow and ice.

The unprecedented geographical spread of the Milan and Cortina Games – which enabled many events to be staged amid true alpine settings – have been hailed by many as an alternative blueprint.

The ceremony concluded with the official handover to organisers of the next Winter Games in the French Alps in 2030, which are facing increasing scrutiny around time and money.

Coventry, the successor to previous president Thomas Bach, had a difficult first Games. She presided over the decision to ban Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, insisting his helmet, which honoured colleagues killed in the Russian invasion, broke rules on athlete expression.

Advertisement

Coventry also endured a bizarre interlude in which she publicly blamed her media team for not making her aware of a number of issues, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s appearance at a ‘Board of Peace’ meeting wearing a Donald Trump-style baseball cap.

The King issued a message to all the athletes, which read: “As the Winter Games come to a close, my wife and I send our most heartfelt congratulations to all the Olympic medal winners from Team GB, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, on your remarkable successes.

“Whether on the ice or amid Italy’s glorious snowscapes, you have demonstrated not only exceptional skill, but also the grace and camaraderie that embody the Olympic spirit at its finest.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Cloud9 sweeps Sentinels to reach LCS Lock-In grand final

Published

on

Syndication: Arizona RepublicA backlit keyboard is part of the gear online video game streamer Jordan Woodruff uses in his Gilbert home.

Jordan Woodruff

Cloud9 blanked Sentinels 3-0 to win the upper-bracket final and lock up the first spot in the grand final of the League Championship Series 2026 Lock-In on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Cloud9 prevailed in 32 minutes, 30 minutes and 24 minutes to sweep the best-of-five. Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen of Denmark led Cloud9 with a 16-3-24 kills-deaths-assists ratio, while American Eain “APA” Stearns was close behind his teammate with a 15-5-23 K-D-A.

Sentinels still have a chance for revenge in the grand final on March 1. They fell into the lower-bracket final and will face the winner between semifinalists LYON and Team Liquid to determine who meets Cloud9 for the grand prize.

Following the eight-team Swiss stage, there are six teams competing in the double-elimination playoffs, and all matches are best-of-five. The overall winner on March 1 qualifies for the 2026 First Stand Tournament.

Advertisement

Ibrahim “GaKGoS” Bulut of Turkey paced FlyQuest with an 8-13-4 K-D-A ratio.

2026 Lock-In at Los Angeles prize pool

1. TBD, qualifies for First Stand Tournament

Advertisement

2. TBD, qualifies for America’s Cup

3. TBD, qualifies for America’s Cup

4. TBD

5-6. FlyQuest, Disguised

Advertisement

7. Dignitas

8. Shopify Rebellion

–Field Level Media

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 27: Full Round-Up

Published

on

Matchday 27 of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League saw key results as teams battled for points at both ends of the table.

Abia Warriors 1-0 Kwara United

Casmir Azubuike’s 29th-minute speculative cross secured all three points for Abia Warriors, ending their five-game winless run. Kwara United dominated possession in the second half, but Abia Warriors’ defence, led by stand-in captain Emmanuel Ogbuagu, held firm. The Warriors will face El-Kanemi Warriors next Sunday.

Advertisement

Wikki Tourists 2-1 Remo Stars

Wikki Tourists claimed a narrow victory over Remo Stars to strengthen their league position.

Warri Wolves 0-0 Barau FC

Advertisement

Both sides shared the points after a goalless draw.

Kun Khalifat FC 2-0 Niger Tornadoes

Kun Khalifat secured a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes.

Katsina United 0-0 Rangers International

Advertisement

Rangers International and Katsina United played out a 0-0 draw.

Plateau United 4-1 Shooting Stars

Plateau United recorded the biggest win of the round, defeating Shooting Stars 4-1.

Nasarawa United 1-0 Bendel Insurance

Advertisement

Nasarawa United edged Bendel Insurance 1-0 to pick up three points.

Kano Pillars 3-0 El-Kanemi Warriors

Kano Pillars impressed with a 3-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors.

Ikorodu City FC 1-1 Bayelsa United

Advertisement

Ikorodu City and Bayelsa United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Rivers United 1-1 Enyimba FC

Enyimba FC, under new Head Coach Emmanuel Gustave Deutsch, drew 1-1 with Rivers United. Abiodun Joseph scored for Enyimba before Rivers United equalised.

With the season entering its decisive phase, Matchday 27 results have intensified the race at both the top and bottom of the NPFL table.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Nathan MacKinnon says Canada was ‘better team’ despite overtime gold loss to USA

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

As expected, Team Canada was not happy standing on the ice receiving their silver medals in Milan after Jack Hughes’ overtime game-winner to give Team USA gold. 

Canadian star Nathan MacKinnon made an interesting comment after the game that sparked debate on social media. 

“You be the judge of who was the better team today,” the Team Canada assistant captain and Colorado Avalanche star said, via the Canadian Press.

Advertisement

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Nathan MacKinnon looks on ice

Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada look dejected following the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

MacKinnon seemingly implied that Canada was the better team despite the result. Sure, they outshot the U.S., 42-28, and they were certainly in control of the puck more throughout the three periods in Milan. 

It even took some heroics from Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to keep the game tied at one goal apiece, including a miraculous stick save on Devon Toews point-blank chance in the second period. 

TEAM USA MEN’S HOCKEY WINS GOLD MEDAL IN OVERTIME AGAINST CANADA AT WINTER OLYMPICS

Advertisement

But there were also a few miscues from Canada, and MacKinnon had a major one with 10:50 left in the third period. Hellebuyck was completely beat when the puck was swung over to MacKinnon, who had a wide-open net to work with. All he had to do was put it between the pipes and Canada would’ve taken a 2-1 lead. 

Instead, his shot hit the short side of the net, and Team USA caught a break as one of the best goalscorers in the world was denied by his own error. It’s one of those moments where MacKinnon may be thinking, “What if?” considering how the game ended. 

Nathan MacKinnon misses net

Nathan MacKinnon, Connor Hellebuyck during Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Figure Ice Hockey final match Canada vs United States at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan on Feb. 22, 2026. (Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto)

With both sides stuck in a draw after three periods, the Olympic overtime rules are that of the NHL regular season – 3-on-3 sudden death hockey. For Team USA, this format benefitted them considering what was happening in the second and third periods, with Canada handling them on both ends of the ice. 

Read More About The 2026 Winter Olympics

Advertisement

But MacKinnon once again made a grave mistake in overtime, as it didn’t seem he was anticipating defenseman Zach Weresnki flying into him in the offensive zone after Hughes pushed the puck up into Canada’s zone. 

MacKinnon could’ve charged harder on the puck, but Werenski came away with it instead and slung it over for Hughes, who buried it past Jordan Binnington for the golden goal. 

Nathan MacKinnon looks on ice

Silver medalist Nathan MacKinnon of Team Canada shows dejection during the medal ceremony following the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

So, while stats and other metrics may say Team Canada was the better team on the ice, it only matters in key moments. And, of course, the scoreboard at the final whistle. 

Advertisement

As Team USA celebrates their first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 miracle-on-ice in Lake Placid, Team Canada can only head back to their respective cities thinking about what went wrong in the end. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Wrestler Attacks Female Fan Mid-Match; Former WWE Star Andrade Involved

Published

on

A video has emerged of a wrestler attacking a female fan in the middle of the match, with former WWE star Andrade involved in the chaos.

On February 20, House of Glory Wrestling held the No Turning Back event at a sold-out NYC Arena. The match card saw Andrade take on HOG Heavyweight Champion Charles Mason.

After leaving WWE and returning to All Elite Wrestling, the former NXT champion has undergone a character change. He’s been depicted as something of a Casanova, someone who casually steps away mid-match to snap photos with women sitting ringside.

Thus, he decided to do the same thing during his title match against Charles Mason. As the 36-year-old star was done clicking a selfie with a female fan, the HOG Champion took exception to his antics.

WWE Just Spoiled Masked Man’s Identity? Check Here!

Charles Mason charged in and hit the woman with a big boot right in the face, leaving fans shocked.

You can check the moment from 10 seconds onwards in the clip below:

Advertisement

This triggered the former WWE United States champion, and he retaliated with a big boot of his own to Mason. He then sent his opponent back into the ring before checking on the female fan.

It is likely that the fan was a plant, placed exactly for the spot from Mason. The contest ended in a count out win for Andrade, meaning Mason retained his Heavyweight Championship.


Andrade referenced The Usos after helping real-life Bloodline member

House of Glory Wrestling’s No Turning Back also saw other AEW talent in action, with MJF defending his AEW World Title against real-life Anoa’i Bloodline member Zilla Fatu.

After MJF retained the Championship, Andrade showed up and helped Zilla take him out. Following this, he took to X to greet Zilla and referenced The Usos.

Advertisement

He said he did it for Jimmy and YEET (Jey Uso), before reiterating that his eyes are set on MJF’s AEW World Championship.