Op-Ed: The Miami Marathon’s recognition of transgender athletes could not have come at a better time
In recent years, mainstream visibility for transgender athletes has skyrocketed, with a record number of transgender and non-binary individuals competing in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. The hypocrisy inherent to the anti-transgender athlete crowd is also made evident by how cisgender athletes, specifically cisgender male athletes, are treated by the public. However, he is treated as a biological miracle for winning the “genetic lottery”, while transgender athletes are shamed and endangered for their physical differences. This widespread obsession with female athletes’ testosterone levels has begun to affect cisgender female athletes who naturally have elevated testosterone and “masculine” muscle and bone structure. Given the difficulties that transgender athletes are currently facing, it is refreshing to see the Miami Marathon publicly indicate their support for this community.
themiamihurricane.comWinter Olympians champion climate, peace amid muted activism
Around the world, athletes are throwing their support behind political and social causes, part of a wave of sports activism that has flourished in the years since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began taking a knee during games to protest police brutality against Black people.
Welcome 2021: The year of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Ever since the Olympics were postponed nine months ago, local organizers and the IOC have been biding their time. Ever since the Olympics were postponed nine months ago, local organizers and the IOC have been biding their time. The International Olympic Committee and Tokyo organizers will have to start getting specific in the next few months. “The fact that you're going to put 10,000-plus athletes, plus all the volunteers, plus all the coaches, plus, plus, plus, plus plus. There is just too much unknown.”Q: Despite the uncertainties, what do we firmly know about staging the Tokyo Olympics?
Swimmer Ryan Lochte miffed at his times in return to racing
“This is probably going to go down as my worst meet that I’ve ever had,” he said by phone from Sarasota, Florida. Lochte figures he’s competed in just seven meets since 2016. Lochte said he’s still in touch with Phelps, who retired after Rio and has three boys of his own now. Lochte looks around the pool deck at his young competitors and admits not knowing their names and who is the fastest. It’s still fun.”Lochte still has his supporters, whether it’s his fans who know he’s always willing to accommodate their requests or those in the sport.
'Empire' star Taraji P. Henson hailed for mental health work
“Empire” star Taraji P. Henson has enjoyed wealth, celebrity, a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination. “It’s OK to not be OK," Henson, the latest recipient of the Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion, told The Associated Press via email. In 2018, the Washington, D.C., native started the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to stop those with mental illness from being stigmatized — especially Blacks, who she says are less likely to seek treatment. This year, with the coronavirus pandemic complicating people's mental health struggles, Henson's foundation has been helping African Americans — who've been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 — access free online therapy. “We need more people like Taraji to continue to eliminate the stigma around mental health across all our communities in America.”___Follow AP New England editor Bill Kole on Twitter at http://twitter.com/billkole.
Olympics return to antiquity at the 2004 Athens Games
FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2004, file photo, the Olympic Rings are shown in flames in a pool of water during the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)When the Olympics returned to Athens in 2004, they also returned to antiquity. They finished in central Athens at the Panathenian Stadium, the marble venue used for the opening and closing ceremonies of the inaugural 1896 Games. Irina Korzhanenko of Russia became the first woman to win a gold medal at the ancient site that birthed the Olympics. The gold medal instead went to Argentina, a team led by Manu Ginobili.
Under Armour delaying payments to some of its athletes as it deals with the fallout from coronavirus
After first-quarter sales plummeted 23%, the apparel maker said the company is negotiating sports marketing contracts to defer payment with some of its athletes. "It's obviously not a desirable situation for companies and their athletes, but these are unprecedented times and call for unprecedented tactics," he added. Dorfman said assuming Under Armour has strong relationships with its athletes and there's confidence that business will eventually turn around, he believes athletes would be willing to accept an extended payment option. Under Armour said Monday it plans to cut $325 million in operating costs to help weather the crisis. "All of our athletes have been phenomenal during this period with how they have helped their communities and how they have helped Under Armour," he said.
cnbc.comMost U.S. swimmers at Rio are first-time Olympians
Swimming is one of the first big sports to take the spotlight at the Summer Olympics. All eyes are on big names like Michael Phelps who has 22 Olympic medals to his name, but the team is packed with Olympic newbies. Any of them could become the next big American star of the pool. Jamie Yuccas reports.
cbsnews.comMichael Phelps returns to pool with 2016 Olympics in sight
Phelps is returning to competition this week with Olympic gold in mind. Phelps was charged with DUI in September and his 6-month suspension ended earlier this month. After a stint in rehab, Phelps says he's now the happiest he's ever been. Vinita Nair reports.
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