Sports
Lance Armstrong accuses Tour de France anti-doping officials of ‘human rights issue’ after Jonas Vingegaard crash
Lance Armstrong has accused Tour de France anti-doping officials of a “human rights issue” after Jonas Vingegaard crashed out of the race following a late-night test.
Vingegaard crashed heavily on Stage 15 and withdrew from the Tour having claimed he was awoken at 2am by the International Testing Agency (ITA) before the stage. He sustained a broken collarbone in the incident after misjudging a corner on the route to Plateau de Solaison, abandoning the race for the first time.
Riders and experts speculated afterwards that the crash could have been caused by the early hours interruption. Tadej Pogacar, Vingegaard’s great rival and runaway race leader, was woken up at 5am for tests approved by a judge in Paris that fell outside the usual ITA testing hours.
The Tour de France race leader is tested after every stage and can be subjected to them at other times, while other riders can also be targeted for random tests during the race.
Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour titles in 2012 after an investigation into doping allegations, and has since admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during his career.
The 54-year-old believes, though, that Vingegaard and Pogacar were mistreated by officials after the late-night tests.
“I am told that Jonas had anti-doping control at 2am, and Tadej had it at 5am. If you are going to choose one, you take the 5am,” Armstrong argued on The Move, a podcast he co-hosts.
“They showed up to his room at 2am, knocked on the door and woke him up in the middle of the Tour de France.This is the hardest sporting event in the world. Sleep is essential.
“Now obviously nobody here is going to be proponent of not having controls. But this isn’t a sporting issue now; 2am is a human rights issue. I’m speechless. What are we doing? Why are we agreeing to that?
“Why would anybody agree to do that? That is ridiculous. We talked about what a great month of sport this has been globally. What would have happened if you went and knocked on [Lionel] Messi’s door at 2am? What would have happened if you went and knocked on [Jannik] Sinner’s door at 2am? What would Scottie Scheffler do if you knocked on his door at 2am? Serena Williams’ door at 2am? It just makes no sense.”
Riders are not usually tested between 11pm and 6am. Vingegaard estimated that the visit cost him 40 minutes of sleep, though sought not to blame it fully for his crash.
Fellow competitors including Remco Evenepoel have questioned the tests, though Cannondale-EF team boss Jonathan Vaughters believes late night testing could have exposed the sport’s blood-doping era sooner.
Vaughters is a former teammate of Armstrong’s and admitted using performance-enhancing drugs, including EPO, during his career.
“2 am testing is one of the very effective ways to prevent peptide (EPO, hGH) and testosterone micro dosing,” Vaughters wrote on social media.
“If UCI had tested us in 2001 at 2 am? We’d all have been suspended and saved the sport 25 years of drama.”
Pogacar, seeking a fifth yellow jersey, leads the Tour by five minutes from Evenepoel as the race resumes with a 26.1km individual time trial from Evian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains.
Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, have arrived in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship, which begins this weekend.
The defending champions landed in Abidjan on Monday before travelling by road to Yamoussoukro, where they are staying at the Trio Corridor Hotel.
The Flying Eagles will begin their title defence against Ghana’s Black Satellites on Monday at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium. Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in the final of the last edition in Lomé to lift the trophy.
Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side will then face Togo on Thursday before taking on Burkina Faso on Sunday, 2 August, in their final group match.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has invited 23 players for the tournament. They are:
Goalkeepers: Lawani Clinton (Sporting Lagos), Olayemi Ayinla (Warri Wolves).
Defenders: Wahab Musa (FC Malaga), Timilehin Agbonjimi (FC Ablaze), Odinaka Alfred (Aseami Academy), Somto Nnoli (Akwa United), Samson Joshua (Galadima FC), Ebrima Manneh (Sporting Supreme), Abdoulaye Agbeloye (Grassrunner FC), Habila Simeon (Golden Boot Soccer Academy).
Midfielders: Imrana Muhammad (Deportivo Alaves), Saifullahi Yusuf (Wikki Tourists), Israel Samuel (Abia Warriors), Sani Shuaibu (Wikki Tourists), Oraro Lucky (Warri Wolves), Rufai Abubakar (NK Istra 1961), Auwal Muhammad (Bichi First).
Forwards: Jamilu Yusuf (Junior Danburan), Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Abdullahi Ele (JMD FC), Gift Subi (P Sport Academy), Aminu Yusuf (Kano Pillars).
The WAFU B U20 Championship will also serve as the qualifying tournament for the next Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Minnesota Vikings fans were thrilled by the club’s decision to sign wide receiver Jauan Jennings in May, as the purple team formed its most formidable WR trio on paper since the days of Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed.
But a San Francisco 49ers-themed website offered a cautionary tale last week, insinuating that Jennings isn’t all he’s cracked up to be.
Vikings Are Betting on Fit More Than Raw Volume
The Warning from Niners Noise
NinerNoise.com‘s Michael Haney spilled the beans last week, explaining, “They’re about to find out what Kyle Shanahan and the Niners learned the hard way about Jennings in 2025. The 29-year-old receiver’s career is headed in the wrong direction, and he may not provide the boost Minnesota is looking for.”
Jennings’ production dropped dramatically in 2025. While he scored a few extra touchdowns, he put up just 643 receiving yards on 55 catches. The opportunities were certainly there with George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall missing significant time, but Jennings was unable to maintain the production he had enjoyed the year before.”
It’s the first notable buzzkill of the Jennings era in Minnesota.
“His yards per route run plummeted from 2.26 in 2024 to 1.35 in 2025. Things didn’t get any better in the playoffs, as he caught just three passes across two games,” Haney continued.
“If Jennings continues the form he showed in his final season with the 49ers, Vikings fans are only going to be disappointed. It’s looking like Lynch and the Niners moved on from the veteran receiver at the perfect time.”
Jennings’s 600+ Receiving Yards Will Work Just Fine
Jennings banked 975 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024. The following year, he totaled 643 yards and 9 touchdowns. Per production, he basically swapped touchdowns with yards — which is arguably just what the Vikings need from a WR3 in 2026.
Justin Jefferson isn’t a total touchdown magnet, at least compared to his vast receiving yard totals, so Jennings’s wherewithal to find the endzone will be welcomed in the Twin Cities with open arms.
Of course, Haney’s article fails to mention the spike in touchdowns from 2024 to 2025. It could’ve killed the argument in its tracks.
A WR1 or WR2 Might Be a Different Story
If the Vikings needed Jennings to enter the offense and become the undisputed WR1, there may be a problem. But that’s not the case. That’s Jefferson’s job. Minnesota also employs Jordan Addison at WR2, who is akin to Jennings in that he finds the endzone more than Jefferson while not quite putting up the yardage numbers.
The fact of the matter is that Minnesota needed a WR3 to replace Jalen Nailor, who vamoosed for the Las Vegas Raiders in March, and if one doesn’t think Jennings’s 600- to 1000-yard modus operandi is enough for the task, someone is mistaken.
Jennings is the Vikings’ WR3, not WR1 or WR2.
Trust the Process
The Vikings signed Jennings with a purpose. He won’t have visions of grandeur to oust Jefferson from the WR1 post.
And it’s unlikely that head coach Kevin O’Connell and then-interim general manager Rob Brzezinski signed Jennings flippantly. They already defined what his role would look like in Minnesota’s offense: Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy distributing the ball among Jefferson, Addison, and Jennings on Sundays.
While Jennings didn’t quite post yardage totals from 2024 in 2025, it cannot be put more bluntly than this: nobody cares.
Toronto Tempo star guard Marina Mabrey was selected to participate in the three-point contest as part of the 2026 WNBA all-star festivities.
Mabrey, who will be making her first career All-Star Game appearance, leads the league in three-pointers made with 82.
Joining Mabrey in the competition will be Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, Canadian Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire, No. 1 overall pick of this past WNBA draft Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings, Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman and Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün.
Earlier this season, Mabrey tied the WNBA single-game scoring record going for 53 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 25. In that contest she also tied the WNBA record for most three-pointers made in a game with nine.
Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla McBride all declined invitations to participate in the three-point contest, according to a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to the AP because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about it.
Last year Ionescu topped Allisha Gray to win the title.
The new CBA will give the 3-point contest winner $20,000 and each participant $10,000.
The 2026 WNBA all-star weekend is being held in Chicago. The three-point contest is part of the Skills Night taking place on Friday. The actual All-Star Game goes on Saturday with Mabrey suiting up for Team Cynthia Cooper as a reserve.
— with files from The Associated Press
Sports
Were Argentina under more pressure than usual in World Cup final? Lionel Messi’s tunnel pep talks fuel fan theories – WATCH | Football News
Fresh footage of Lionel Messi‘s pre-match and half-time team talks has reignited debate over whether Argentina entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup final carrying more baggage than just the weight of defending their title.The newly surfaced videos, recorded inside the dressing room and players’ tunnel before Sunday’s final against Spain, have prompted widespread fan speculation after Messi repeatedly urged his teammates to “forget everything” and focus solely on football. The footage has gone viral after Argentina produced one of their most subdued performances under Lionel Scaloni, eventually losing 0-1 after extra time to Spain at MetLife Stadium.While Spain dominated proceedings throughout, Argentina failed to register a meaningful attacking threat for long periods, with their first shot arriving only deep into extra time.
Messi’s repeated message raises questions
The first video, filmed moments before the players left the dressing room, shows Messi attempting to calm an unusually tense-looking squad.“Calm, let’s stay calm, lads. Let’s think about playing, nothing else. Stay calm. Let’s forget about everything, let’s forget about everything. Let’s focus on playing,” the Argentina captain told his teammates.Another clip from the tunnel captures Messi delivering a similar message moments before kick-off.“Come on, boys, let’s forget what happened, as if nothing had happened,” Messi was heard telling his teammates.The wording immediately caught the attention of supporters, particularly because several players — including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez — appeared visibly emotional and unusually subdued.Martinez was later forced off injured during the first half, while Fernandez was sent off late in normal time after receiving a second yellow card.
Half-time rally alongside Emiliano Martinez
Messi’s leadership continued during the interval as television cameras picked up another motivational speech before Argentina returned for the second half.“Come on, lads. Personality, people, personality. We’ve always had it, so why wouldn’t we have it now? We have the personality to play,” Messi urged.Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also attempted to inspire the squad with an equally passionate message, saying, “With heart, lads. Let’s move forward, not backward… Only cowards play backward.”Despite the rallying cries, Argentina struggled to impose themselves before Ferran Torres eventually scored the winner in the 106th minute.The unusual nature of Messi’s comments has triggered numerous theories on social media. Adding to the mystery, Scaloni remarked after the final that “things happened” before the match but declined to elaborate “out of respect for the tournament.”
Emotional aftermath
Messi later reflected on the defeat in an emotional Instagram message.“The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal,” he wrote. “But I also hold on to all the good… this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also dismissed accusations surrounding Argentina’s tournament run, criticising those who spread “baseless conspiracy theories” during the World Cup.For now, the viral footage has only deepened intrigue. Messi’s repeated plea to “forget everything” remains unexplained.
SEC Media Days serves as college football’s unofficial opening ceremony — a four-day traveling roadshow where coaches, star players, television personalities and reporters descend on one city to shape the sport’s biggest narratives before a single snap is played.
The 2026 version kicked off on Monday, with Tampa, Florida hosting the event for the first time. Dallas, Nashville and Atlanta have served as hosts for the previous three years.
No conference does theater quite like the SEC. Media Days has evolved from a routine preseason obligation into one of the sport’s premier annual events, where perception often matters almost as much as production. Before anyone wins a game this fall, the race for headlines begins in Florida.
Oklahoma’s Brent Venables began the festivities on Monday morning. Four coaches will speak in the main room each day. Steve Sarkisian and Texas finish out the week on Thursday afternoon. Several preseason Heisman candidates will also be in attendance, including Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, Ole Miss star Trinidad Chambliss and Oklahoma’s John Mateer.
Here’s a look at where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days, along with a breakdown of the full appearance schedule ahead of the anticipated event.
Where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days
Dates: July 20-23
Location: Tampa Marriott Water Street + JW Marriott | Tampa, Florida
TV: SEC Network | Live stream: ESPN+
2026 SEC Media Days schedule
All times Eastern
Wednesday, July 22
Alabama (9:05 a.m.) – Kalen DeBoer | Zabien Brown, DB; Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR; Bray Hubbard, DB
Florida (10:30 a.m.) – Jon Sumrall | Jadan Baugh, RB; Myles Graham, LB; Vernell Brown III, WR
Ole Miss (1:30 p.m.) – Pete Golding | Trinidad Chambliss, QB; Will Echoles, DT; Kewan Lacy, RB
Texas A&M (2:55 p.m.) – Mike Elko | Daymion Sanford, LB; Marcus Ratcliffe, S; Marcel Reed, QB
Thursday, July 23
LSU (9:05 a.m.) – Lane Kiffin | TJ Dottery, LB; Trey’Dez Green, TE; Whit Weeks, LB
Arkansas (10:30 a.m.) – Ryan Silverfield | Caden Kitler, OL; Quincy Rhodes Jr., DE; Sutton Smith, RB
Mississippi State (1:30 p.m.) – Jeff Lebby | Anthony Evans III, WR; Kelley Jones, CB; Kamario Taylor, QB
Texas (2:55 p.m.) – Steve Sarkisian | Trevor Goosby, OL; Arch Manning, QB; Colin Simmons, DE
More from SEC Media Days
Nov 18, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) warms up before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year, $54 million contract extension on Tuesday.
The deal carries an average annual value of $6.75 million and begins with the 2027-28 season.
Marino, 29, had a career-high 36 points (four goals, 32 assists) and finished tied for fifth in the NHL in plus/minus (plus-42) in 80 games with Utah last season.
“We value John’s long-term commitment to Utah and what he brings to our group every day,” president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said. “His professionalism and competitiveness as well as the stability and puck-moving ability that he provides on our blue line, makes him an invaluable cornerstone for our franchise.” Marino has 157 points (23 goals, 134 assists) in 443 career games with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2019-22), New Jersey Devils (2022-24) and Mammoth.
“We view John as a foundational piece of our future,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “His ability to control the game from the back end, his play in transition and our trust in him to make the right decisions in critical situations allows him to be a difference maker on most nights. Beyond his skill, John brings a level of calmness under pressure that our group feeds off of and that’s exactly what you need from your veteran players.”
The Edmonton Oilers drafted Marino in the sixth round in 2015 and he played at Harvard from 2016-19.
–Field Level Media
MI London bowler Richard Gleeson is on for his hat-trick after dismissing SunRisers Leeds’ Zak Crawley and Benny Howell in two balls, only for number 11 batter Abrar Ahmed to spoil his moment by hitting a six.
FOLLOW LIVE: MI London v Sunrisers Leeds
Available to UK users only.
Spain reunited with their supporters in Madrid less than 24 hours after winning the World Cup final against Argentina (1-0, after extra time). The players of La Roja, alongside head coach Luis de la Fuente, displayed the trophy upon their arrival at the airport before taking part in celebrations across the capital. More than 1 million people attended the parade, which ended with a major concert at Cibeles Square.
Lionel Messi has spoken after Argentina’s defeat in the final, describing his feelings as immense pain and admitting the loss would leave a deep mark.
In the FIFA rankings, Spain have returned to first place ahead of Argentina. France remain third despite their defeat against England in the third-place match (6-4).
Rudi Garcia will leave his position as Belgium manager despite guiding the team to the World Cup quarter-finals.
The football world has also paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, who has died at the age of 75.
In cycling, Jonas Vingegaard will undergo collarbone surgery after his crash on the Tour de France. Stage 16 features a 26.1-kilometre individual time trial this Tuesday.
In tennis, Océane Dodin claimed her first victory on the WTA Tour in two years at the Prague tournament, while Mayar Sherif won the Iași tournament after Paula Badosa retired in the final.
New Delhi:
Former chairman Lalit Modi was cleared in the principal proceedings arising from the 2009 Indian Premier League’s staging in South Africa after the Appellate Tribunal under SAFEMA set aside the penalties imposed on him, rejecting the Enforcement Directorate’s core case that the foreign remittances were capital account transactions.Announcing the verdict after more than 16 years of investigations, proceedings, and litigation, Modi said the tribunal found that the main remittances related to IPL 2009 were current account transactions. It also determined that he was not responsible for the BCCI’s statutory FEMA compliance or given the financial authority as alleged by the Enforcement Directorate.
Calling it the end of the largest legal dispute stemming from the 2009 South Africa edition of the IPL, Modi said, “This marks the end of what has been the single most significant legal matter arising from the 2009 South Africa IPL.”
He added, “For over sixteen years, I have consistently maintained one simple position: I acted in good faith, in the best interests of Indian cricket and the IPL, and committed no personal wrongdoing.”
Modi explained that the decision to move the tournament to South Africa came under extraordinary circumstances when India’s general elections made it impossible to host the event at home.
“The successful staging of that season ensured that the IPL survived and ultimately became one of the world’s most valuable sporting properties,” he said.
Emphasising his full cooperation with the legal process throughout the proceedings, Modi stated, “Throughout these proceedings, I have cooperated with the legal process and remained confident that the facts and the law would ultimately prevail.”
He expressed gratitude to “my legal team, my family, my friends and the many people who continued to believe in me during what has been an extraordinarily long journey.”
Describing the ruling as more than a personal win, Modi said, “This judgment is not simply personal vindication. It reaffirms the importance of due process, objective legal analysis, and the principle that allegations must ultimately be tested against evidence and law.” He added, “I have always believed that time is the greatest judge. Today, after more than sixteen years, that process has spoken.”
Looking ahead, Modi mentioned that his focus had shifted beyond the case. “My focus remains firmly on the future. I will continue pursuing opportunities in global sport, business, and philanthropy while leaving this chapter behind with dignity and gratitude.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
France vs Morocco Highlights | Mbappé Inspires France to FIFA World Cup Semifinal Victory
Topics mentioned in this article
BBC game show contestant exposes behind-the-scenes rule
Last Week’s Mini DeepSeek Moment Blows Over, but KOSPI Struggles Persist
Crypto Rallies as Reported Ethics Deal Revives Odds of CLARITY Act Senate Vote
-
NewsBeat5 days agoLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan handed a peerage by Keir Starmer alongside 15 other Labour figures… just days before the PM leaves No10
-
Fashion4 days agoWeekend Open Thread – Corporette.com
-
Politics3 days agoThe House | The City of London can help the new chancellor deliver growth in every postcode
-
Politics6 days agoYoung campaigners urge incoming PM to act on outdoor junk food ads
-
Crypto World4 days agoTwo July Windows Left: The CLARITY Act’s Senate Fight and What Failure Means
-
Crypto World6 days agoCFTC blocks Kalshi from unwinding Michigan trades after court order
-
Crypto World3 days agoRipple Payments Joins MiCA With 14 Firms, Does It Mean Anything For XRP?
-
Business6 days agoNvidia Stock Slips After Big Tuesday Rally as Huang Confirms Vera Rubin Chip Is Now in Production Today
-
Politics2 days agoDemocrats look to World Cup watch parties to register thousands of voters
-
Entertainment6 days agoDisney’s Most Ambitious Failed Star Wars Attraction Is Coming to SDCC
-
Crypto World4 days agoRipple wins EU-wide access as ESMA adds it to MiCA register
-
Crypto World13 hours agoGrayscale Files For Worldcoin ETF, WLD Registers Sharp Rise
-
Crypto World5 days agoInjective Submits SEC Transfer-Agent Registration to Onchain Ownership Records
-
Business6 days agoPalantir Shares Rise After Expanded Nvidia Partnership and Fresh Analyst Upgrades Ahead of Earnings Day
-
Tech21 hours agoSail Virtually Aboard The “Itanic” With IA-64 Emulator
-
Tech18 hours agoTurtle Beach Command Series KB7 review: a nifty screen-equipped gaming keyboard
-
NewsBeat4 days agoRegistration is now open for March for Men with Kev 2026
-
NewsBeat1 day agoUnregistered fitter used Gas Safe logo on business flyers
-
Sports6 days agoNew Cornerback Enters Vikings Trade Rumor Mill
-
News Videos5 days agoMoney | Class 12 Economics | CBSE Board Exam 2026-27
You must be logged in to post a comment Login