Sports

Winter Olympics adds synchro skating and freeride for 2030 in French Alps. Nordic combined dropped

National Sports July 8, 2026

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Bonjour to the Winter Olympics synchronized figure skating and freeride skiing and snowboard. Au revoir Nordic combined. The 2030 French Alps Winter Games program agreed by the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday adds two new disciplines, reprieves snowboard parallel giant slalom. and removes Nordic combined which is currently for only men. The IOC executive board had a gender parity option by adding women's and team events, but instead cut completely a sport that has a 102-year Olympic history yet struggled to find a modern audience for its ...

Briscoe holds off Bell in NASCAR's return to Chicagoland Speedway

National Sports July 7, 2026

JOLIET, Ill. — Chase Briscoe was on an offseason bonding trip to the United Kingdom with crew chief James Small when the NASCAR driver discovered chocolate buttons, a popular British treat. He bought some online after he returned to the U.S., but he said it wasn't the same. Small purchased ...

Anaheim Ducks re-sign D Pavel Mintyukov to 5-year deal amid Carlsson offer sheet drama

National Sports July 7, 2026

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov has agreed to five-year contract extension worth $36 million with the Anaheim Ducks, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the Ducks didn't announce the ...

Erling Haaland scores twice to beat Brazil, send Norway into World Cup quarterfinals for 1st time

National Sports July 7, 2026

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Erling Haaland scored, and Andreas Schjelderup jumped on his teammate's back. Haaland scored again, and Schjelderup leapt up again. Heading in the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute and scoring again before the end of regulation time, Haaland put Norway on his back ...

Coco Gauff's buzzer-beater at Wimbledon reminds her of Kawhi Leonard's shot

National Sports July 7, 2026

LONDON — There's not usually a clock ticking down in tennis. Yet for Coco Gauff at Wimbledon on Sunday, the All England Club's 11 p.m. curfew made it seem like there was. And Gauff hit the winning shot at the buzzer. Two minutes before 11, Gauff converted her first match point with a service winner out wide to reach the quarterfinals at the grass-court Grand Slam for the first time. After beating Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, Gauff tapped her left wrist with the fingers on her right hand to acknowledge the timely ending. Gauff said it "kind of reminded me of" Kawhi Leonard's ...

Portage Lake Majors come back to defeat Penokee Range

Local Sports July 7, 2026

NEGAUNEE — Penokee Range turned an early 4-0 deficit into a 5-4 lead after just one inning, and then a 5-5 tie into a 10-5 lead the next inning. However, they could only manage one more run as the Portage Lake Little League Majors team was able to score nine more times to come away with a 17-11 victory Sunday in District 11 tournament play. With the win, Portage Lake advanced to face Ishpeming Monday. Portage Lake got off to a fast start with Simon Sturos reaching on an error. Chase Aho singled. Two batters later, Devin Lasanen singled. Brad Jupperi also singled. All four runners ...