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Popular ESPN Analyst Rips Vikings after Latest Development

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Kevin O’Connell stands on the sideline during a Vikings playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches from the sideline at U.S. Bank Stadium during a Jan. 15, 2023 NFC wild card matchup, observing the action in the second quarter as Minnesota faced the New York Giants. The moment reflects the tension of postseason football with the season hanging in the balance. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

ESPN’s Stephen A Smith fell victim to a self-laid trap. Once a staunch critic of Sam Darnold — even a guy who recommended the Minnesota Vikings get rid of him — Smith has changed his tune, claiming Minnesota “threw away a football season” by letting Sam Darnold depart to the Seattle Seahawks last March.

Darnold’s exit looks worse after Seattle’s title run, says Smith, even after Smith, too, supported it.

Smith does this often, saying one thing and later walking it back as ammunition to criticize something or someone. This time, that tendency landed at the Vikings’ doorstep.

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Smith’s Darnold Flip-Flop Adds Fuel to Vikings Debate

Unimpressed by the Vikings’ decision-making, Smith even urged them to travel in the wrong direction.

Stephen A. Smith speaks courtside at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Stephen A Smith Vikings.
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith addresses the crowd inside T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 9, 2023, appearing courtside in Las Vegas ahead of the NBA In-Season Tournament championship between the Lakers and Pacers. The pregame moment highlighted Smith’s prominent media presence during a nationally televised event on a high-profile stage. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.

Smith on the Vikings’ Handling of Darnold

One year ago, Smith personally stated he would not extend Darnold’s contract if he were in charge of the Vikings. Now, he’s throwing flames at the organization for not extending Darnold’s contract.

Smith said Monday, “Two bad games and you threw him to the wolves. That’s why their GM is gone; he was fired. That’s why Kevin O’Connell no longer should be called the QB whisperer; that’s why he’s lucky to have his damn job with that kind of decision.”

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“He’s a damn good coach, and I know that, but I don’t want to hear no quarterback whisperer anymore. Don’t want to hear that. Bottom line is, the Vikings threw away a football season and jeopardized the career of Justin Jefferson by making the decision they made.”

It’s revisionist history at its peak.

Once Called Darnold a Virus

After Darnold looked the part of a QB1 last year with the Vikings, Smith teed off. Minnesota had won its Week 1 game at the New York Giants, and Smith wasn’t impressed.

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He said on ESPN airwaves, “If you’re around some people with a cold enough, you’re going to get one. If you’re around some people with a virus, you’re going to get it. Contamination. You ever heard of that word? It happens,”

“When you’re around certain situations, ultimately, you become a byproduct of that. That’s what I am saying of Sam Darnold. I’m telling you, you’re very hopeful, and I can appreciate that. But you’re sitting up there, talking to us like we’re supposed to expect the high level of production from this brother. I’m not doing that. I got to see it to believe it. That’s all I’m saying.”

That’s right: Smith went from calling Darnold a virus a year and a half ago to chiding the Vikings for removing the so-called virus.

“At some point, your resume has to matter. Now, we saw him complete 14 of his first 15 passes from a clean pocket last week. We get all of that. That was against the New York Giants. Let’s see how he’s going to look when Nick Bosa and the crew are coming his way,” Smith added in September 2024.

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“Don’t expect the same results because it ain’t going to happen. Let’s get that out of the way first. Secondly, I get your point about Justin Jefferson and having him as a weapon there. I get that part, but I gotta see it to believe it.”

Smith Advocated for Vikings Not to Pay Darnold

In January 2025, Smith also advocated for Minnesota not to pay Darnold a large contract extension.

Sam Darnold warms up on the field before Super Bowl LX.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold jogs through warmups at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026, loosening up before Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots in Santa Clara. The pregame routine captured Darnold preparing for the biggest start of his career under championship lights. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images.

“I’m saying you don’t give him Sam Darnold $40 million. You don’t give him $40 million. You go with J.J. McCarthy, because how much of a difference will it be?” he opined.

Here’s the footage:

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The Seahawks later paid Darnold $100.5 million over three years, which feels like a steal after the Super Bowl triumph.

The Process … Wasn’t Horrible?

Of course, NFL pundits will spend the next several weeks — perhaps months — dunking on the Vikings for their Darnold decision-making. But important caveats are in play.

Foremost, the team’s ownership group fired the general manager on Friday, January 30th, the man responsible for letting Darnold walk. The Seahawks had just won the NFC Championship, and questions about Minnesota’s 2025 offseason process buzzed. Through their actions, the Vikings acknowledged that the right man was not in charge of the roster.

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Sam Darnold holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Super Bowl.
Sam Darnold celebrates atop the podium at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026, lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Seattle’s Super Bowl LX victory over New England. The scene marked a defining championship moment for the Seahawks quarterback amid confetti and cheers in Santa Clara. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Too, Minnesota spent a 1st-Round pick on McCarthy, and more often than not, teams play 1st-Round quarterbacks. Darnold had just collapsed completely and unmistakably in the Vikings’ two most important games of 2024. They had McCarthy waiting to take over, and Darnold looked like a bum.

Minnesota, indeed, made the wrong decision, but the plan was righteous: stay committed to the plan with McCarthy while letting the guy who just choked when you needed him the most prove himself elsewhere.

The problem was that Darnold wasn’t eternally destined to be a choker. He improved.

Nowhere in Smith’s comments does he acknowledge that he recommended the Vikings part ways with Darnold. He’s having it both ways.


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JJ Gabriel speaks out on red card as Man United appeal decision expected

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Manchester United will reportedly appeal JJ Gabriel’s red card which threatens to rule the 15-year-old out of an important upcoming FA Youth Cup clash

Manchester United have reportedly decided to appeal JJ Gabriel’s red card, which the 15-year-old received during the Under-18s’ 4-3 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.

Gabriel contributed two assists as United took a four-goal lead into the half-time interval of their Premier League Under-18 Cup clash. West Brom managed to pull one back after 52 minutes, and upon the restart the youngster became involved in a tangle with an opponent off the ball, resulting in his sending off.

It did not take long for the academy forward – who has already trained with the senior squad under both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick – to react.

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Posting video footage of the incident on his Instagram stories, Gabriel fumed: “How can this be a yellow let alone a red, how?”

According to BBC Sport, Gabriel’s view reflects that of United and the club intend to appeal their youth player’s impending suspension.

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The red card is due to carry a three-match ban that would prevent the young talent from featuring in United’s FA Youth Cup fifth round clash with Oxford United next Wednesday, February 18.

Gabriel featured in the previous round, starting and playing 115 minutes as Darren Fletcher‘s side defeated Derby County after extra-time at Old Trafford.

Either side of the important meeting with Oxford, Gabriel would be in line to sit out an U18s Manchester derby against Manchester City and finally a meeting with Wolves U18s.

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United will wait for their appeal’s verdict with these fixtures fast approaching.

Gabriel has caused quite the buzz at academy level, with United extremely excited about the prospect of the 15-year-old breaking into the senior squad when the time is right.

For now, the club wish to temper expectations and as reported by MEN Sport, sources close to the youngster understand it is not much hassle in keeping the 15-year-old grounded. He has a strong family support and a circle of friends, who don’t let him get ahead of himself.

They have done all they possibly can to keep Gabriel out of the clutches of European rivals and the youngster has a bright future ahead.

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American Olympians should ‘pipe down,’ former NFL star says

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Ex-NFL star Boomer Esiason said Tuesday that American Olympians “should just pipe down” as several competitors garnered backlash for speaking out on hotly debated political topics in the U.S. while in Italy.

Esiason was on his daily WFAN Radio show with Greg Giannotti. The former Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets star said he was watching Team USA figure skating win gold in one event over the weekend. Giannotti asked whether they were “happy to represent America.”   

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Boomer Esiason at a NYPD event

Boomer Esiason speaks on stage during the 2019 New York City Police Foundation Gala at New York Hilton Midtown on April 30, 2019 in New York City. (Owen Hoffmann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

“They seem to be happy to represent America,” Esiason said. “Not everybody is, but everybody should just pipe down and just do their sport and play for our country and respect the flag and respect everything that’s going on.”

American skiers Hunter Hess and Chris Lillis stirred controversy over the weekend with their comments.

Hess said he had “mixed emotions” about competing for Team USA.

“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think. It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said.

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Hunter Hess comes down the slope

Hunter Hess of the United States reacts during the Men’s Ski Halfpipe Final at the Toyota US Grand Prix at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort on Jan. 9, 2026 in Aspen, Colorado. (Dustin Satloff/U.S. Ski and Snowboard/Getty Images)

US AIR FORCE OLYMPIAN JASMINE JONES EXPRESSES GRATITUDE WHILE REPRESENTING AMERICA AT WINTER GAMES

“I think, for me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.

“I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here.”

Hess backtracked in a social media post on Monday after President Donald Trump called him a “real loser.”

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Lillis said that while he “would never” want to represent another country in the Games, he’s “heartbroken” over the administration’s actions, regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota.

“I love the USA. I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics. With that being said, a lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things.

Christopher Lillis poses on the podium

Bronze medalist Christopher Lillis poses on the podium during the awards ceremony for the men’s aerials at the 2024-25 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup at Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin City, Jilin province, China. It happened on Feb. 23, 2025. (Yan Linyun/Xinhua via Getty Images)

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“I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States. I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that,” he continued. “I think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody, with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes compete in the Olympics, they realize that that’s the America we’re trying to represent.”

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Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

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Ukrainian skeleton racer vows to wear banned helmet honouring war victims at Olympics

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Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych on Tuesday said he would be wearing a “helmet of remembrance” in honour of those killed in the war with Russia in the skeleton competition at the Winter Games despite the International Olympic Committee’s ban.

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NFL Players from Westview H.S. (Portland, OR)

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NFL Players from Westview H.S. (Portland, OR) | SuperWest Sports





















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Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Westview High School in Portland, Oregon.

The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.

See where it ranks among other schools in the state here.

NFL Players from Westview HS
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Dana White and Zuffa Boxing announce first title fight

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Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing will crown its inaugural champion next month.

The newest boxing promotion on the block has promised big things for the sport, looking to break the mould set by the four major sanctioning bodies, the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF.

While White may have recently dialled back on a previous promise not to work with those organisations, he continues to push ahead with the introduction of a Zuffa championship, and the cruiserweight division will host the first title fight.

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Marquee signing Jai Opetaia, who announced his move to Zuffa by reiterating his desire to become undisputed via the traditional system, will face hard-hitting Brandon Glanton on March 8 for the belt. Glanton, who has 18 knockouts to his name, bounced back from a loss to Chris Billam Smith last year with a win over Marcus Browne. Opetaia – IBF Cruiserweight World Champion since 2022 with a brief pause in 2023 – is undefeated and considered the best in the division.

With signings still taking place, how Opetaia, or indeed Glanton, defend their belt following this clash remains to be seen. What will be interesting for fans, however, is how the IBF plays a part.

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With Opetaia still keen on facing either WBC champion Noel Mikaelian or WBA and WBO titleholder Gilberto Ramirez, the IBF must approve this defence – or unification of sorts – for him to keep his title. Glanton is currently ranked at number 15 with the sanctioning body. The fight tops a card at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas on March 8.

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Rai sports staff to strike over Olympic opening farce

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Journalists from Italy‘s RaiSport on Tuesday announced that they would stage a three-day strike after the Winter Olympics, and would no longer be putting their bylines on Olympics coverage, among other measures. 

They are protesting an opening ceremony broadcast by their boss last Friday that started with a wobble and soon fell off the rails entirely. 

Press conference to present the XXV Olympic Winter Games Milan-Cortina. Pictured is Paolo Petrecca, Director of RaiSport. Rome, January 30, 2026.
Paolo Petrecca will not commentate on the closing ceremony, Italian public broadcaster Rai has since saidImage: Maria Laura Antonelli/Avalon/Photoshot/picture alliance

What happened at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony?

RaiSport director Paolo Petrecca, formerly the head of RaiNews, began by casting doubt on whether he knew where he was standing, and then continued in roughly the same vein. 

He welcomed viewers to the “Stadio Olympico,” a reference to Rome’s renowned Olympic Stadium, while standing in Milan’s equally well known San Siro stadium, home to both the city’s football giants, AC and Inter Milan. 

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US singer Mariah Carey performs as 2026 Winter Olympic Games officially begins with performances at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, on February 6, 2026.
Mariah Carey was indeed a star on stage at the San Siro, albeit not quite when she was announced on public TV in the host nationImage: Cemal Yurttas/Anadolu/picture alliance

Before long, Petrecca told viewers, “The show continues with Mariah Carey,” as the cameras focused on Matilda de Angelis, a famous Italian actress more than 20 years younger than the US vocalist.

De Angelis has since posted a glamorous shot of herself with almost all her identifying features obscured on Instagram captioned, “PLEASE, CALL ME MARIAH.”

When International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry walked into the stadium with Italian President Sergio Matarella, Petrecca announced “Matarella … and his daughter.” 

Petrecca also risked upsetting foreign viewers with observations including how the Spanish athletes were “always very hot,” and how “naturally” many of the Chinese team members “have phones in their hands.”

OC President Kirsty Coventry gives a speech during the opening ceremony, San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy - February 06, 2026.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry is a former swimmer and Zimbabwean Cabinet minister, not the Italian president’s daughterImage: Yves Herman/REUTERS

How did the Rai jouranlists respond?

The channel’s editorial committee Comitato di Redazione, an internal union body representing journalists at the public broadcaster, issued a statement on Monday saying all journalists would withhold bylines during the Games and then strike for three days once the event is completed. 

“We have all been embarrassed, no one excluded, and through no fault of our own,” it said. “It is time to make our voices heard because we are facing the worst-ever figure of RaiSport in one of the most eagerly awaited events ever.” 

Concerns about shady deals ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics

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Opposition politicians in Italy picked up on the gaffes as a sign of the alleged politicization of appointments at Rai in recent years. Petrecca, formerly the head of RaiNews, had been accused of bias toward Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

“The Olympics are a time of utmost responsibility for public service broadcasting. Instead, RAI offered its worst version: the one we know all too well, TeleMeloni,” the opposition Democratic Party said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the parent company Rai told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Petrecca had been removed from the commentary team for the February 22 closing ceremony after a meeting including Rai’s CEO Giamapolo Rossi. 

Edited by: Wesley Dockery

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Inside Vokey SM11 wedge fitting with Aaron Dill

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Team USA women’s hockey dominates Canada: Schedule, scores at 2026 Winter Olympics

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After suffering a devastating loss to Canada in the gold medal game four years ago, the U.S. women’s hockey team is out for some revenge at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and it got a taste of that on Tuesday. In their final preliminary game, the Americans completely dismantled the Canadians, their heated rivals, 5-0.

Taking on a Canadian team that was without superstar Marie-Philip Poulin due to an injury, Team USA controlled the game from start to finish. The Americans’ speed simply overwhelmed the Canadians on the forecheck, and these matchups are rarely this lopsided.

Driving the bus en route to a statement win — once again — was defender Caroline Harvey. She registered her second consecutive three-point game with a goal and two assists, but Harvey wasn’t alone in her heroics. Linemates Abbey Murphy and Hannah Bilka gave Canada headaches for three periods, and they combined for two goals.

Their first tally was a beauty with Murphy showing off her blazing speed to reach a loose puck before sliding a no-look pass to Bilka in the slot. Bilka finished with two goals, and Murphy totaled three assists.

Team USA capped off a perfect 4-0-0-0 run in the preliminary round, and it’s now in the driver’s seat to win the gold medal. Even with Canada down Poulin, this was a thoroughly impressive victory for the Americans, who want to reclaim their spot atop women’s hockey.

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Canada and United States are the only two countries that have won gold in women’s ice hockey since the event was added to the Olympics in 1998. The Americans won that inaugural year in Nagano, then endured four straight Canadian victories until 2018, when Team USA struck back with a dramatic overtime win to capture gold in Pyeongchang.

U.S. women’s hockey schedule

All times Eastern

Preliminary round

  • Thursday, Feb. 5: USA 5, Czechia 1 
  • Saturday, Feb. 7: USA 5, Finland 0
  • Monday, Feb. 9: USA 5, Switzerland 0
  • Tuesday, Feb. 10: USA 5, Canada 0

Quarterfinal

  • TBD vs. TBD | Friday, Feb. 13 | 3:10 p.m. | TBD

Semifinal

  • TBD vs. TBD | Monday, Feb. 16 | 10:40 a.m. | TBD

Bronze medal game

  • TBD vs. TBD | Thursday, Feb. 19 | 8:40 a.m. | TBD

Gold medal game

  • TBD vs. TBD | Thursday, Feb. 19 | 1:10 p.m. | TBD

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The German Olympic ski jump winner with a fear of heights

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It’s the kind of story that only the Olympic Games seem to produce: A talented ski jumper, who had yet to win anything of significance, delivers the performance of his life to win Olympic gold.

“I don’t know how I did it. But I’m so, so proud that I managed to do it,” Philipp Raimund told German public television moments after his his gold medal triumph in Predazzo, Italy.

“Now I’m simply an Olympic champion. Not having won a single World Cup (race) and then to be standing on the top step of the biggest stage, it’s unbelievable.”

Even harder to grasp is that the 25-year-old, who regularly launches himself from the top of dizzying ski jumps, also happens to suffer from a fear of heights.

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Following his older brother

Raimund was born in 2000 in the southwestern town of Göppingen. He and his older brother Fabian started ski jumping as children.

Philipp Raimund
Philipp Raimund had to overcome a fear of heights to soar to Olympic victoryImage: Oryk Haist/IMAGO

“When I was almost five years old and watched my brother, there was no doubt in my mind: I’m going to be a ski jumper!” Philipp, nicknamed “Hille” Raimund, wrote on his website.

In 2005 and 2011, the family of six twice moved further south, eventually settling in the ski-jumping hotbed Oberstdorf. The two brothers needed larger jumps and more intensive training, and their father, Christian Raimund, got a job as a ski jumping coach at the Olympic training center.

His son Philipp initially tried his hand at Nordic combined, a sport that combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing.

“After a while, however, I threw my (cross-country ski) poles down into the snow and declared that I never wanted to torture myself like that again,” Raimund said of his decision to concentrate on ski jumping. If only it weren’t for his fear of heights.

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‘Something gets a tight grip on me’

To combat the problem, the ski jumper worked with a mental coach. He can usually handle his fear of heights, Raimund says, “but from time to time I do have a problem (mainly during ski flying). My body takes over and I can’t control it. For about a second and a half, it’s like I am just observing myself while something has a tight grip on me.”

So, at the end of the 2024-25 season, Raimund didn’t compete in the Ski Flying World Cup on the Planica hill in Slovenia, known for its exceptionally long jumps. Slovenian Domen Prevc would set a new world record of 254.5 meters there.

Normal hills, like the one in the Olympic town of Predazzo, feature jumps of only around 110 meters. This suits Raimund much better.

Only quiet when nervous

Outwardly, the ski jumper appears anything but anxious or withdrawn.

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“Hille is a really funny and lively guy, I’d even say an extrovert. He’s extremely unpretentious,” teammate Karl Geiger once said.

Philipp Raimund landing on his skis
Philipp Raimund finally delivered on his wealth of talent at Milano CortinaImage: Oryk Haist/IMAGO

“When I’m really nervous, I’m quiet. I might not speak for three hours,” Raimund himself has noted.

Coach Stefan Horngacher had to get used to Raimund’s manner at first.

“We’ve had some real arguments. Things got heated,” the Austrian recalled.

“But I get along really well with him now. He’s a really nice person and an incredible athlete.”

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‘Incredible technique’

But that alone isn’t enough to become an Olympic champion. Horngacher describes Raimund as “extremely athletic. He has incredible technique that very few people can execute.”

Nevertheless, in recent years Raimund has seldom managed to translate his immense talent into success. He rarely stood on the top step of the podium — and when he did, it was only in the team competition.

The fact that he celebrated his first major individual victory at the Olympics is a minor miracle.

“Unbelievable,” as Philipp Raimund himself puts it.

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This article was originally published in German.

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Canada drops lopsided women’s hockey preliminary round game to United States

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It’s been over a year and Canada is still searching for a women’s hockey win against Team USA.

Abbey Murphy had three assists and Hannah Bilka added two goals as the U.S. continued its display of women’s hockey dominance at Milano Cortina 2026 with a 5-0 victory over Team Canada.

Caroline Harvey opened the scoring less than four minutes in, and by the end of the game she had added another two assists.

The Americans have now won seven consecutive games against Canada at the senior national level, including two at the 2025 world championships, a sweep of all four 2025 Rivalry Series games, and this preliminary round matchup at the Winter Olympic Games.

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Aerin Frankel earned her second Olympic shutout.

Kirsten Simms also scored for the U.S. after a goaltender interference review and an unsuccessful coach’s challenge by Canada.

Laila Edwards scored the fifth goal and became the first Black woman to score a goal for Team USA at the Olympics.

Canada’s Ann-Renee Desbiens was pulled from the net after allowing five goals and replaced by Emerance Maschmeyer late in the third period.

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Captain Marie-Philip Poulin missed the game for Canada. She suffered a lower-body injury on Monday and has been listed as day-to-day.

It is only the second time Canada has lost a game in the preliminary round of the Olympics. The last loss came in 1998 and was also at the hands of the Americans. Prior to Tuesday’s contest both teams were undefeated at Milano Cortina.

Canada will play their final game of this round on Thursday against Finland.

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