Breaking
sport now
Author

sportnow

Browsing
GYMNASTICS

“Hurts My Feelings”: Simone Biles’ Sister Shuts Down Haters That Followed Her 5,000 Miles Away From Home at Paris Olympics

By
Adria-Biles-and-Simone-Biles

Cheers erupted from a packed Bercy Arena as Simone Biles made a triumphant return to the Paris mats, scoring an impressive 59.566 in the qualifications. The crowd’s excitement was palpable, with her entire family, including her look-alike sister Adria Biles, in attendance. The City of Love had drawn not just her loved ones but also a constellation of elite stars like Snoop Dogg, Nina Dobrev, and Ariana Grande, all eager to witness Simone’s spectacular performance.

However, the joyous atmosphere was tainted by an undercurrent of negativity. Adria Biles, caught in the crossfire of online trolls, found her excitement dimmed by unwarranted criticism. Frustration boiling over, she took a stand, declaring, “I’m so tired of being nice and ignoring this stuff…” Her words echoed a sentiment of resilience, turning a moment of adversity into a powerful statement against bullying. This emotional twist added a layer of human drama to the already thrilling spectacle of the Paris Games.

Simone Biles’ sisters shuns a social media troll

Taking to her Instagram, Adria added a story, giving a fitting reply to a troll, who was trying to advise her not to shout during Simone’s performances. They said it was overwhelming for everyone present and ‘not supportive’ to Simone herself. Shockingly, the commenter had sneaked into her profile and added this unwanted message underneath one of Adria’s images. And the culmination of all this led Adria to fly off the handle. Enraged, she questioned in her story, “Please tell me how screaming for my sister goes hand-in-hand with ‘not being supportive’?”

Adria further added that this was the first time she was exposing the name and profile of her troll. While she usually gives people ‘the luxury’ by covering it up! “But people are just so ugly,” that she had to take this stern step.  Evidently upset, she adds how such comments hurt her feelings, and nearly astonish her. “The fact that you went out of your way to type in my profile, find not even the most recent photo, fix your fingers to type this out and hit send bc it bothered you SO bad is beyond me,” she replied.

And then, she penned a fiery warning. “I have nothing to lose and I do not care to hurt your feelings,” she advised people to imprint this in their minds before they crawl back with such comments. Plus, she reminded them every time such a comment is added, it does not go unnoticed. But she was not done yet. “get TF off my page then and go about your day without pissing me bc I have time today,” she continued to lash back at the hater. Thus, the air of tension continued online, a part of which was momentarily seen during Simone Biles’ performance too.

Simone advances past a possible injury in the presence of her family

A star-studded lineup showed up to witness Team USA’s spectacle in Bercy Arena. This includes her niece Ronni Biles, her mother Nellie, her sister Adria, and many notable celebrities. Baby Biles even put on an exclusive outfit, a matching leotard to cheer for Simone’s victory. Why not? Indeed, this is meant to be Biles’ Olympic comeback after her Tokyo stint had abruptly ended. But, on July 27, it looked like all this was in jeopardy for some time. What had happened? Well, it looked like Biles was the newest victim of the injury-plagued Team USA women’s gymnastics side.

During the warmup session of Day 2, Biles apparently slipped during her routine. After that, she exited the floor, accompanied by Dr.Marcia Faustin, the team doctor. During the qualification round, she stunned the world on the balance beam. However, immediately after, she taped her right ankle. Also, the camera audio recorded her speaking of a possible tweak in her calf. Nonetheless, she continued to pull off the Yurchenko Double Pike and a stellar uneven bars routine. And eventually landed on top of the all-around podium.

However, her mother recently assured, “She’s doing much better today. Spoke to her this morning, same thing, just trying to hydrate, get some food, and ready to go.” Do you think Simone Biles can lead to team to a golden end at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

‘Tough Road’: Bryson DeChambeau Delivers Tiger Woods’s Retirement Verdict With a Unique Twist

By
tiger-woods and bryson-dechambeau

Golf icon Colin Montgomerie relayed in an interview with The Times it may be time for the golf legend, Tiger Woods, to retire from the greens as his form declined. After his statements, Woods slapped back by stating he was a past champion and he got to choose about his retirement and Montgomerie didn’t have a say in it.

Weeks later, the 2-time US Open winner, Bryson DeChambeau shared his opinions on the 15-time major winner and his retirement and joined the bandwagon. At the LIV Golf United Kingdom’s pre-event press conference, the Crushers GC captain was asked about his thoughts on Woods. The 30-year-old strongly disagreed with Woods retiring at 48.

Bryson DeChambeau talks about his thoughts on Woods’s retirement

Bryson DeChambeau and Tiger Woods’s relationship had been torn after the 2-time US Open winner moved to LIV Golf. However, the two are back on talking terms and DeChambeau has once again supported his idol. Talking about how essential Woods has been in golf, he claimed, “He’s probably the most influential figure in the game of golf,”. DeChambeau believed Woods deserved to play in the majors, unlike Montgomerie.

DeChambeau also praised the 82-time PGA Tour winner for all he has accomplished and continues to do for growing the game of golf. Bryson added, “He continues to give back by playing in these tournaments and trying to win. He wants to win. He’s a competitor,” which by the 30-year-old statement was an admirable quality.

Although Woods barely prevailed since winning the 2019 Masters and has missed cuts in the last three major championships, DeChambeau expressed the 15x major winner could still win events, although it might be “a tough road” to beat the young talent. But still, appreciating his skills, DeChambeau relayed, “He’s got that grit and fire in him that he’s not going to stop until he gets it done. I wouldn’t put it [victory] past him.” 

Notably, DeChambeau is not alone in saying that Woods can still play at the highest level, continuing his excellence on the greens. Reigning Open Championship winner, Xander Schauffele had identical thoughts about Woods’s retirement.

Xander Schauffele still believes in ‘El Tiger’

Xander Schaueffele has always been a tremendous supporter of the 15-time major winner and despite his declining legacy, he still maintained that Woods has been the needle mover in golf. His appreciation for the pro stands high. During the pre-tournament presser, he said, “He’s still El Tigre to me.” 

Moreover, the 2-time major winner asserted that the game of golf needed him declining viewership for the events and people’s exhaustion with the division in golf.

Schauffele emphasized how Woods should play events and said, “Selfishly, I want him to play as long as possible. It just helps all of the guys out here, just with the amount of eyeballs that someone like Tiger Woods brings to golf.” Similar to DeChambeau, the 9-time PGA Tour winner also reckoned that Woods gives a lot to golf and has “a lot of bite and fight” indicating that he could still win.

With young pros supporting the 15-time major winner and saying that he still has the prowess to win the majors, the day Woods wins his next Major would be stunning to watch!

Keep Reading
By
GYMNASTICS

What Simone Biles Could Lose if The Gymnastics’ GOAT Chooses to Not Appear for All Events at Paris Olympics?

By
simone biles

I am getting old and I have more to lose,” Simone Biles had said to Lemonde back in February. At 27, Simone is the oldest female US gymnast in the last seven decades. She herself is not sure if she will be back four years later to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics. So she must be looking forward to grabbing it all this time in Paris. But is the thought of losing out on some accolades stronger than the well-being of herself? Probably not.

In a July 22 X post, Washington Post reporter Emily Giambalvo shared part of her conversation with Chellsie Memmel, the technical lead of the US high-performance staff. It indicates that Simone Biles might only appear in some events in the all-around title if she finds something inappropriate. According to Chellsie, the decision is up to Biles but the option is available to “put her mind at ease.” Understandably, the revelation raises the question, if Simone doesn’t show up, then what will be at stake?

Keeping the age factor in mind, if Simone can win the all-around title this time, that will be a befitting finish to her unfulfilled dreams from the Tokyo Olympics. Her present form has already displayed that she can bag almost 60 scores by combining the four apparatuses in a single day—away from anyone’s reach.

In the Olympic trials that concluded on June 30, Simone’s overall score touched the ceiling with a whopping 117.225, whereas on day 1, she earned 58.900. So, in the Paris Olympics, she has a major chance to accomplish the highest all-around score ever. By bowing out, that probability would fizzle out. Not only the title, but Simone might also lose out on grounds that have pained her significantly in the past.

Prioritizing her mental health in Tokyo brought Simone under the scanner of the Kangaroo Court. That brutally tagged her “Simone Biles: the quitter.” Those trolls are still out there and they have already started showing their antics.

Comments like, “Please don’t quit on your team again this Olympics,” have already started flying. Going all-out for the team will bring her comeback from last year to a full circle. Her bowing out in Paris will let the haters bring out their claws again. Then why is Simone keeping her options open?

The answer is simple. She is picking her battles wisely. “They’ll still just say, ‘Oh my gosh, are you going to quit again?’ And if I did, what are you going to do about it? Tweet me some more? I’ve already dealt with it for three years,” Simone was quoted by the New York Times a few days back. Sounds defiant? She had to be. After Tokyo, the battle was not just to be back on the mats. But to find her love for gymnastics once again. And that has been a slow and lengthy process with enormous support from her coaches Cecile and Laurent Landi.

Evidently, Simone does not want to lose that composure in the face of crushing competitive pressure. In the team final three gymnasts perform on each apparatus. Simone is expected to earn a spot in all the routines. That means Simone would compete in all four routines in the qualifying round, the team final, and the all-around final within just five days.

longside, she would probably also perform each routine once again in the individual finals. To safeguard Simone from this, Cecile reached out to Memmel to find out, “If she doesn’t feel like it’s going to be in her best interest to do all four events that day, is that an option for her?”

Memmel nodded to that for the best interest of Simone. But what implications will it have on the team? To tell the truth, the US side is already looking strong this year. four out of the five members are repeaters from the Tokyo Olympics. Youngster Hezly Rivera has also proven her mettle against seasoned Olympians in the trial.

This comes on top of the added advantage of Russia’s absence. So even with Simone not competing in all the events, the USA’s chances look bright. In the 2023 world championships, the USA won the all-around title with a margin of two points despite the last-minute shuffle because of Joscelyn Roberson’s injury.

Taking into consideration all these, Landi and Memmel both are not in favor of overburdening Simone with the expectation of the entire nation. This feels like a paradigm shift in the gymnastic scenario, looking at the pages of history, since Simone’s predecessors did not always have the cushion to opt out. Let us go back to the year 1996.

Simone Biles leading the makeover of the gymnastic scenario

18-year-old Kerri Strug was preparing to perform the vault of her lifetime in the Atlanta Olympics. Target? Destroying the Russian domination. Kerri’s already injured ankle seemed too little an excuse to step aside from this duty. And words of encouragement was also there. “You can do it,” coach Bella Karolyi had said to her. But that was not without the next sentence with might not sound much encouraging. “You better do it,” uttered Karolyi. So Strug did it. Or, better be said she had to do it. But at what cost?

Well, the team did not suffer. Strug stuck the landing propelling herself and the team to history. But her embattled left ankle bore the brunt with two torn ligaments. Unable to walk, she had to be carried to the medal ceremony by her coach, a moment that would later become an iconic one. But few people had raised the question if such pain to a mere teenager was really needed. However, their voices were crushed by the wave of patriotism.

“Well, that particular moment, there was not consideration about how serious the injury is. As long as she was standing on her feet,” Karolyi had said on Today after the so-called triumph. Only recently, this has been questioned by Strug’s teammate Dominique Dawes in the Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising”. And that very question of worthiness of taking such a toll on oneself is what made Simone Biles step aside 25 years later in Tokyo.

Simone was supposed to perform an Amanar vault that requires 2 1/2 rotations in the team competition. One month back, she had flawlessly landed that in the trials, scoring 15.466. But on that fateful day, she could only manage 1 1/2 twists and the world instantly knew that something was wrong. Simone knew it beforehand. She had been sensing the disorientation in practice. Once again it was a choice between national duties and personal well-being. This time the table turned.

Simone chose the latter. She recognized the danger of competing with twisties that meant in midair, she did not have any idea where she was going. “It’s not worth getting hurt over something so silly, even though it’s so big,” she said after withdrawing from team competition and eventually the individual all-around. “It’s the Olympic Games. But at the end of the day, it’s like, we want to walk out of here, not be dragged out of here on a stretcher. So I’ve got to do what’s best for me,” Simone had told later. Wait before you think anything about her.

This is the same Simone who competed in all four events in the 2023 worlds despite having the option to back out. The change here is, that she is the one to decide. No one else is driving her decisions, compete or not. That is what is making the sport better for Simone and many like her. As Memmel pointed out, “Seeing her now, I think she’s in a really good place. She’s more excited about gymnastics. She’s enjoying it, and I think this is a redemption for her. And I think she’s going to go out and do an amazing job and we’re going to support her.”

We are keeping our fingers crossed!

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

Alexis Ohanian Confesses to Seeing Serena Williams’ Reflection in Daughter Olympia in a Heartwarming Admission

By
serena williams family

Behind every successful child, is the hard work and sacrifices of its parents. Children learn crucial values from their parents, something which they carry for a lifetime. Ask Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, who makes sure to imbibe good values in their daughters. While his elder daughter, Olympia, is grown up now, Ohanian’s younger daughter was born last year. Sharing adorable moments with them, the Reddit co-founder is already seeing his and Williams’ reflection in his daughters, especially Olympia.

Earlier this week, a new episode of the famous podcast, Business Dad, dropped where Ohanian talked about his bonding with Olympia. He went on to narrate, “She’s indifferent to the actual building process, she really gets the enjoyment from like then playing with them and I can whatever, I’ll go to her, her cafe and I’ll order a croissant all in Lego world when I’m playing with, you know, playing with them as dolls, and doing the storytelling component because that really excites her.”

With tennis running deeply in their family, Williams and Ohanian have never pressured Olympia to pursue the racquet sport. Going by the looks of it, Olympia is more interested in arts than sports. As a result, she only opts to be on the court for fun. Ohanian further added, “I think that’s been probably the most joyful part of being a parent for me is learning who she is as a person. And, you know, obviously accepting there are certain things I see in myself. In her there’s certain things I see in my wife and her there things that just feel like, just her totally different.”

Further, Ohanian has always been grateful to his wife for making him the best dad for his daughters. During another interview, Ohanian made a heartfelt revelation about his family.

Serena Williams’ husband shares eye-opening experience about parenthood

Tying the knot with Ohanian in 2017, Williams gave birth to Olympia later that year. By that time, Ohanian was in his mid-30s and discipline was at the peak of his life. Ohanian imbibed the same values into his daughters and he expressed gratitude to Williams for helping him to become the best father.

Ohanian mentioned, “Becoming a father at 34-35, I knew I had to bring that (discipline and routine) into my life. It didn’t hurt that my wife has lived an incredibly regimented life since she was a little kid, so she’s been an amazing influence and you just find a way to make it work… With two daughters, I have my whole worldview turned upside down. And it was so eye-opening and I love it. They are such sweet, kind, wonderful creatures. I just love them.”

With such a busy life, it is heartening to see the quality time spent by Ohanian with his daughters. It goes to show how a deep-knit bond is shared by the members of his family!

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

‘Black Woman With a Figure’- Serena Williams’ Tight Slap to Haters in a Revenge-Filled Tale Embodies Her Key Trait

By
serena williams

When life gives you lemon, make lemonade! Similarly, when life gives you too many critics, serve aces on their faces like Serena Williams. Remember the 2007 season? Williams suffered a knee injury in 2006, which kept her out of action for almost six months. Although she came back and played three tournaments, she dropped to the 95th place in the women’s singles ranking. Critiques made their displeasure known from every corner, and this led her to conclude, “The general consensus was that I was a big fat cow.” She recently spoke about all those issues in her docuseries ‘In the Arena: Serena‘.

Williams entered the 2007 AO unseeded. The tennis world raised their eyebrows seeing her slow movement in the opening rounds and they claimed she was overweight. However, the ‘Queen‘ was always determined, regularly slapping her thighs and swearing at herself for motivation. No one predicted she would reach the final, but her incredible willpower saw her through in the finals against Maria Sharapova.

She dedicated that emphatic triumph to the memories of her beloved sister, Yetunde. “It was an awesome win because I had so many critics, so many people talking bad and saying negative things and saying I wasn’t fit,” said Serena Williams.

The journey was never a bed full of roses for this American tennis star, but she overcame every hurdle that came her way in her own style! Recalling all those negative comments during the 2007 season, Serena Williams said a few words in her docuseries. The 42-year-old stated, “They were used to seeing women that didn’t have a figure, and I was a Black woman with a figure. And that doesn’t make you bad or doesn’t make you well! It just makes you a girl with a butt and a small waist.“

It’s never easy to be on those big stages playing tournament after tournament with someone commenting about his/her body. She often has opened up about her body insecurities in growing up comparing herself to her sister Venus Williams. However, now she thinks she has learned to embrace the differences and tackle the negativities in her own way. Who helped her in the process though?

“I was really struggling” – Serena Williams reveals the name of that person who showed her the light in a dark tunnel

Even two years after 2007, Williams had to face a similar situation when her looks gained more focus than her actual game. Then there were times when she felt, “People would say I was born a guy, all because of my arms, or because I’m strong. I was different to Venus: she was thin and tall and beautiful, and I am strong and muscular.” Williams felt top tennis players, in general, didn’t look like her. Perhaps that might be one of the reasons why people showered her with question marks on whether she can also win matches with these looks.

However, her sister, Yetunde, who’s no longer with us gave her a lesson that she still remembers to date. Serena was really struggling a lot with these issues in that phase of her career. However, Yetunde told her, “You know, everyone is different. You’re not Venus, and you’re never going to be Venus. You’re never going to be as thin as her, and that’s okay.“

She told her she was never going to be as tall as her, and that was quite okay. Nothing is wrong with that. Her sister always wanted her to believe that she had a beautiful body and a beautiful face on her own. This is the exact point of time when Serena Williams started to feel more comfortable with whom she was rather than paying any heed to negative comments.

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

‘Kinda Sad’: Charlie Woods, Surrounded by Bodyguards Earn Fans’ Sympathy As Struggles Gets Brutal

By
charlie woods

To be forced to fill your father’s shoes is indeed a difficult task! Especially when you are expected to do so at the age of fifteen. This is pretty much what has been happening with the legendary golfer’s son, Charlie Woods. Be it his attempt to qualify for his first PGA Tour event in February or his ongoing first USGA event.

Charlie Woods was accompanied by his father as he made his debut at the USGA Championship, which unsurprisingly garnered a lot of attention. Throughout the championship, Tiger Woods followed Charlie during his games, attracting a massive crowd along the way. To manage the situation, several bodyguards were present to keep Tiger Woods separated and safe from the public. For a teenager, handling such pressure could certainly be a rather uncomfortable task.

Charlie Woods qualified for his first USGA Championship after carding a 1-under 71 last month at Coral Springs. As he attempted to be a part of the leading 64 competitors who would advance to the knockout competition held at match play, he faced significant challenges. On Monday, he shot a disappointing 12-over 82 with a T242 finish.

Tiger Woods was still by his side, following him and carefully observing his strategy. As the word of Mr. T’s attendance spread around, an entire crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the 15-time major winner and the 15-year-old’s game. As reported by TWLegion on their official X (formerly Twitter), “Galleries have assembled in Michigan to watch the great Charlie Woods. Charlie is having a tough go at T243 thus far with 9 holes to play.”

At the Oakland Hills Country Club on Tuesday, Charlie Woods failed to make the cut and did not advance to the penultimate round. Carding four bogeys and three double bogeys, he landed himself with a score of 10-over-80 with a T240 finish.

Although the crowd was not the only reason for his struggle, it was pretty evident that it became a bit overwhelming for him to handle that much pressure for such a massive event.

The golf community feels sorry for Charlie Woods

Earlier, Charlie Woods stated that the two enjoy living in a world of their own. However, their ‘little world’ has expanded, as every move of the teenager undergoes criticism, not just on the course but even on social media. Taking this into consideration, some of them showed their empathy towards Charlie.

They left comments like, “This is kinda sad I think” and “The amount of pressure this kid is always going to have on him is insurmountable”. 

Well, the US Junior Amateur was not the first time that Charlie Woods was overwhelmed by such a huge crowd. Back in June, at the US Open, when the father-son duo were spotted practicing in Florida, as Junior Woods offered his 48-year-old father some tips for his swing, they were interrupted by a crowd.

To add to the expectations of the crowd, Charlie Woods has the added pressure of being the son of the greatest golfer of all time. Taking to this, people left comments like, “The kids not built for this type of pressure, unimaginable to have to follow in tiger’s footsteps”, and “I agree. Give the lad a break. I’m certain he feels enough pressure just being Tiger’s kid let alone having all those people following him.”

Although Tiger Woods might be struggling at the moment, there is no denying the fact that he once reigned over the world of golf and is still the GOAT.

He spent the highest number of weeks on the No. 1 spot for 683 consecutive weeks (June 15, 1997, to May 27, 2014). He has also won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship three times (1991-93) and Charlie Woods is expected to be able to surpass his father.

Charlie Woods teed off with Chase Kyes and Baylor freshman Davis Ovard. For them to be followed by Tiger Woods was a fan moment, but to see so many people closely witnessing each move was intriguing enough for the 18-year-olds. They too had mentioned struggling through it initially but, later on, got the hang of it.

However, the massive crowds interrupted the entire gameplay by walking in the middle of the course. This was what left the people all the more infuriated. Taking to this, one of them wrote, “Isn’t there a group on the tee waiting to hit, but they can’t because of those spectators in the fairway?”

The US Junior Amateur is a free-entry event and, hence, can be attended by as many people as the Oakland Hills Country Club can accommodate. This made the crowd all the bigger. Thus, one of the people on the internet suggested, “These events should be closed to the public.”

Keep Reading
By
GYMNASTICS

Simone Biles Can Say No To Some Events At Paris Olympics 2024, Insider Confirms

By
simone biles

With the Olympics just three days away, there is a new twist to the tale to put Simone Biles‘s mind “at ease.” The last say on whether she would want to compete in all four events in the team final will be on the 4x Olympic gold medalist. But there’s more; hear it from The Washington Post’s Emily Giambalvo who interviewed Chellsie Memmel, the technical lead for the U.S. women, on Tuesday.

After her scintillating display in the US Olympic trials and seventh straight team title at the gymnastics world championships last year, Biles, who was deemed the frontrunner to win the all-around medal this year, buck now stops with Simone Biles to take a decision. At this point in time, according to The Washington Post, Biles is kept wrapped up in cotton wool as she likely won’t speak to the media until the events are over.

Coach Cecile Landi had a special conversation with Memmel about the best way to delegate the expectations set on Biles to perform all four events apart from the individual all-around and qualifying. Memmel responded, “Absolutely. If that’s what she needs to continue to be at her best for her team and for herself, then that’s what we’re going to do. Because there are still four other members on our team.”

With Russia still banned from participating in the Olympics, and considering how Biles’s team registered a team final win last year quite convincingly (a 2-point upper edge from their Brazilian runner-up), all hopes are not lost. If memory serves us right, it wasn’t all bells and whistles then either. Joscelyn Roberson had to call it quits prematurely due to a leg injury during warm-up. This meant that Suni Lee had to substitute for her in the vault as well as the floor. Biles opted out of performing Yurchenko double pike, leading to a lower score than what was expected. But again, here’s the catch.

Memmel revealed that the option for Simone Biles to opt out from any of the all-around final events was valid even last year. Only Simone didn’t back off. Regardless, it is unquestionably a rare yet overbearing pressure Biles has endured. Memmel, in her own words, said, “That’s where it’s like that double-edged sword for Simone, where she wants to be able to help but also wants to be able to be at her best.”

Biles, who had to withdraw from several events at Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to “twisties”, has had a miraculous comeback with the support of her family, teammates, her coach Cecili Landi, and her fans’ love. Heading into the Olympics as the oldest Team USA captain at 27, Biles had said that this was her “redemption tour.” However, while praising Simone for her strong presence on the mat after her hiatus, Memmel made it clear that the team is not solely relying on Simone at the big games.

“Simone has been doing great. She’s been solid in training since Katy, Texas and seems to be in a really great place, she’s a great leader for this team, and together they are really looking forward to the competition. It is kind of their redemption tour,” Memmel was quoted by Eurosport. “I want them to get through this and be happy, healthy, and proud of what they accomplish no matter what the outcome is. I want them to be proud and to look back and say I’m so glad I had this experience.”

Biles underwent a tough two years since quitting the Tokyo Olympics due to her mental health struggles. However, she is back now stronger than ever, and apart from her family there was one guiding force in her life through these tough times – that’s Cecile Landi.

Simone Biles’ guiding light in the dark

Biles went back to the basics and only did conditioning for the initial phase. Slowly, she worked her way up, working closely with Cecile and Laurent Landi. “An athlete like Simone would never have reached her full potential in France,” Cecile had said when asked about Biles’ place in the Paris Olympics, the Associated Press reported. “Because she would have been put aside because she didn’t fit that box.”

However, Cecile – who has coached Biles since 2017 along with her husband Laurant – has put in their all to make sure Biles is the greatest gymnast and continues to be so. “It’s not the athlete that needs to adjust to the coaches,” Laurent Landi said. “The coaches need to adjust to the athletes and the athlete’s abilities.”

 

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

As Tiger Woods’s Silent Treatment Towards Bryson DeChambeau Ends, LIV Golf – PGA Tour Future Lightens Up; Here’s How

By
tiger woods

The inception of LIV Golf altered relationships between several golfers. Tiger Woods was one of the PGA Tour Pros who had stopped talking to a lot of his friends who decided to jump ships. Be it Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, or Dustin Johnson. However, on top of the list was breaking ties with Bryson DeChambeau.

The two were each other’s boys! They would practice together and even represented the team US at the Ryder Cup. Mr. T being an amateur physics buff, found it cool that DeChambeau majored in the same subject. However, when the Scientist joined LIV Golf in June 2022, Woods chose to distance himself from the 30-year-old. But the recent scenario looks like they might be patching up the differences and mending the burnt bridges.

Tiger Woods congratulated Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau once revealed that Tiger Woods had been giving him silent treatment ever since he joined the breakaway league. He even stated that to be a good friend, he even wished Woods on his birthday, but the 15X Major Champion ignored his text. However, during the practice round at Royal Troon, DeChambeau was approached by his old friend.

Bryson DeChambeau defeated Rory McIlroy by one stroke and won the US Open this year. Woods came to congratulate him on the win! Despite having a terrible first round, scoring a 5-over, he seemed to be thrilled. An excited DeChambeau told Golf Digest, “It is the first communication, but I’ll say he’s a competitor and I have a lot of respect for him. I’m sure that winning two US Opens helped, I guess, for him coming up and saying congrats. I don’t know what his position is, but it was very thoughtful, and I was appreciative of it.”

Well, with Tiger Woods making amends with his old friends from LIV Golf, does it indicate progress in the negotiations between both leagues? In all probabilities, they are. Tiger Woods is one of the significant members of negotiations with PIF. At the pre-conference of the Royal Troon, he even stated that they are making progress, and he is happy with it. “We’ve got to keep everything at a high level and private, but things are moving and things are changing. It’s evolving every day. There’s e-mails and chains and texts and ideas that we bounce back and forth from both sides,” said Woods.

What is the status of the PIF merger?

On May 11, Jay Monahan, Rory McIlroy, and the PGA Tour’s transaction committee, along with Tiger Woods and John Henry, met the LIV Golf team in New York. With the meet, there were speculations of the establishment of many common grounds. Jay Monahan even stated that the two leagues had reached a consensus on several items during the meeting. “We remain committed to these negotiations, which require working through complex considerations to best position golf for global growth,” said Jay Monahan.

Despite all the ‘progress being made’, there is no official update on the deal. Additionally, it has also been revealed that the PGA Tour Enterprises Transaction Subcommittee and the PIF have met multiple times to get through the terms so that they can have a ‘shared vision of the future of professional golf.’ However, after a whole year of discussion, there has been no conclusion as of now. The $3 billion merger will once again be delayed, and there is no estimation as to how long it will take.
Keep Reading
By
GYMNASTICS

“I’m So Sorry”: Simone Biles Lets Up Personal Boundaries During Paris Olympics Village Trip

By

Simone Biles is on a redemption journey back to the Olympic stage, and she’s fiercely protecting her safe space at all costs! A TikTok video by Eurosport shared by an X account began doing the rounds of the gymternet. In the snippet, Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Cécile Landi soak up the vibes at the Paris Olympics athlete village. This was a refreshing change from the ghost town atmosphere of the Tokyo Olympics, due to the strict COVID-19 restrictions.

The ladies were all smiles, dressed in matching Team USA Nike hoodies, and trailed by a camera crew. While they were strolling through the village, the group bumped into Janelle McDonald, the head coach of the UCLA gymnastics team. Being a UCLA star, Jordan Chiles couldn’t contain her excitement and squealed with joy. The women were delighted to chat with Janelle, and Simone even offered to take a picture with Jordan’s former coach. So, Cécile, Jordan, and Janelle started posing. In the midst of all this, another person spotted Simone Biles.

Recognizing the gymnastics superstar, the man politely approached her to ask for a photograph. Simone, with her trademark grace and kindness, gently turned him down, saying, “No photographs, I’m so sorry.” This moment highlighted how Simone is setting boundaries to maintain her peace and privacy ahead of the big competition. Did you know this isn’t the first time the 7X Olympic medalist has talked about putting her guard up for the Paris Olympics?

Simone Biles ‘no pressure’ approach at the Paris Olympics

Ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Biles was feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders, with everyone not only calling her the Greatest of All Time but also pinning all their hopes for gold and USA glory on her shoulders. The constant scrutiny from the press and social media was intense, and when she withdrew from events, the backlash was brutal. Biles faced a wave of criticism, with people calling her a “quitter” and doubting her dedication. She felt overwhelmed by the negativity and admitted to fearing the worst from social media.

After winning the Olympic trials last month, Simone Biles even shared, “They’ll still say like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re going to quit again? Or are you going to quit again?’ And like, and ‘If I did, what are you going to do about it? Tweet me some more?’” As Biles headlines the French capital she is blocking out the noise and focusing on her performance at the Paris Olympics. She’s got a solid plan to keep distractions at bay, and revealed to Hoda Kotb on TODAY that she’s ditching X (formerly Twitter) for the duration of the games while sticking with Instagram and TikTok.

Insta is good. It’s a good way to connect. It’s a way to share what we’re going through. And TikTok. I’ve tried to make a little more TikToks, I’m not the greatest at that. I’m learning,” she said. The press coverage around her has also dialed down in Paris, and even US gymnastics technical lead Chellsie Memmel is making sure the pressure on Biles is manageable. Memmel assured that the team isn’t putting all their hopes on Biles alone and that she has the option to skip some events if needed.

Simone’s coach, Cecile Landi, approached the coaching staff and asked, “If she doesn’t feel like it’s going to be in her best interest to do all four events that day, is that an option for her?” “We said: absolutely,” Memmel noted, discussing the flexibility in expectations. “If that’s what she needs to continue to be at her best for her team and for herself, then that’s what we’re going to do because there are still four other members on our team.” Reflecting on this shift in pressure and Simone Biles’ decision to limit social media negativity, what do you think about the gymnastics queen’s approach to the Paris Olympics? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Keep Reading
By
TENNIS

Venus and Serena Williams Turn Inspiration for John McEnroe as He Argues Why Tennis Is the Only Sport With Equality

By
serena williams and venus williams

What are the “odds” of two kids from Crompton acting as trailblazers for women’s sports? Perhaps impossibly low. Yet Serena and Venus Williams have defied all expectations, rising to dominate in tennis, with their father, Richard, standing as a rock behind them. Although it is a story of the past now, we are still wonder-struck by it. The former American tennis pro, John McEnroe, is also not immune to it!

In the July 29 episode of Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios podcast, the 65-year-old player, McEnroe and the 29-year-old Kyrgios discussed the inspiring stories of the women tennis players. Inevitably, the first names that occupied McEnroe’s mind were the Williams sisters. Emphasizing how women’s tennis offers a blueprint for various athletes to follow, he began by saying,

“You have the most unusual and greatest story in the history of our sport with the Williams sisters, two kids from the equivalent of Harlem, Compton, California. That father never played, looked at videos, and how to play tennis. You get to that, which would turn out to be Serena Williams and Venus Williams. What are the odds of that?” 

Besides, female participation in sports was seen as something unusual too, with few clubs denying the entry of female players in the U.S.A. However, as the Williams sisters went on to achieve success, they also paved the way for other athletes to follow, opening various closed gates.

Despite never playing tennis himself, Richard took on the role of his daughters’ primary coach for most of their childhood. This decision came after struggling to find the perfect fit from external coaches. And it worked out for the best for Serena and Venus, as they later went on to achieve the World No. 1 ranking in tennis, earning a total of 30 Grand Slams (combined)!

Apart from that, when Venus first played at a Wimbledon match, the disparity of prize money was a common thing, similar to other sports like basketball, baseball, and soccer. However, unlike other sports, change soon followed in tennis, with their powerful voices pointing at the same.

Currently, many Grand Slam tournaments, like the Australian Open, the U.S. Open, and Wimbledon, offer equal prize money to both men and women, intriguing more interest and increasing female players’ participation in the sport. McEnroe, aptly puts it by saying, “So the playing field is more level in tennis, women’s tennis than any other sport. Equal prize money, they have more opportunities, guess what the best athletes are playing. That’s what we need.”

Serena and Venus are certainly the role models who have illuminated the path for many potential future athletes in the world. The job is not done yet and Serena is hopeful about continuing with her work to “change” the mindset of many people.

Serena’s fight for the “question of resilience”!

The 42-year-old former tennis player has remained absent from the sport since 2022. However, the queen of tennis still reigns in all our hearts! You’ll either find her appearing in a Met Gala event, setting new fashion trends, launching her own makeup line (Wyn Beauty), or debuting as a host on an award show (ESPYs 2024). Her relevance and dominating presence in the tennis world are, otherwise, something one can never take their eyes away from. But what is the secret to this?

In her own words, “Too often women are not supported enough or are discouraged from choosing their path. I hope together we can change that. For me, it was a question of resilience. What others marked as flaws or disadvantages about myself – my race, my gender – I embraced as fuel for my success. I never let anything or anyone define me or my potential. I controlled my future.”

Serena Williams and her sister have pushed the boundaries of athleticism and skills to an unimaginable level. What they have left in tennis is a legacy that will remain forever!

Keep Reading
By