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Rafael Nadal’s Paris Olympics and Likely Olympic Career Ends with Doubles Quarterfinal Loss

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Rafael Nadal’s Paris Olympics and Likely Olympic Career Ends with Doubles Quarterfinal Loss

Rafael Nadal’s Paris Olympics—and, almost certainly, his Olympic career—ended Wednesday night when he and Carlos Alcaraz were eliminated in the men’s doubles quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-4 loss to the fourth-seeded American duo of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.

The match was played at Court Philippe Chatrier, the same stadium where Nadal has won his record 14 French Open titles, part of his haul of 22 Grand Slam trophies. The full house roared and sang to support Nadal and Alcaraz—well, mainly Nadal—especially as they tried to stave off defeat in the final game.

The 38-year-old Nadal has not announced anything about his plans or possible retirement, but given his age and recent history of injuries, an appearance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics seems far-fetched. He might not even compete at all beyond the Paris Games, but that is far less clear.

Nadal won gold medals for Spain in singles at Beijing in 2008 and in doubles at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. This time around, he was defeated in singles on Monday by rival Novak Djokovic.

The doubles outcome seemed pretty much decided when Ram smacked a return winner off a serve by Alcaraz to break him at love and lead 4-3 in the second set. The Spaniards thought the ball landed out and bent down to get closer to the clay while arguing their case with French chair umpire Morgane Lara. But the call did not change.

Nadal has rarely been one to concede a thing, and so it was fitting that he and Alcaraz earned a break point, a chance to extend the evening, as Krajicek tried to serve out the victory. Didn’t happen for the Spaniards, though, and soon Alcaraz and Nadal were hugging on one side of the net—and Ram and Krajicek were celebrating on the other.

Nadal got a warm farewell from the sideline, as Alcaraz walked off the court. He turned to look around the place that has meant so much to him during his time in Paris, and to wave to spectators, who were bidding adieu with the latest in a long line of ovations for him during these Olympics.

Lionel Messi’s Potential Barcelona Return Tops Transfer Rumors

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Lionel Messi’s Potential Barcelona Return Tops Transfer Rumors

Barcelona are reportedly in talks with Inter Miami to orchestrate Lionel Messi’s return to the club for one final match at Camp Nou. This sensational development tops the list of swirling transfer rumors in the football world.

Pix:goal.com

According to El Nacional, Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta is keen to have the legendary forward feature in the club’s first game back at their newly renovated stadium. This move, if realized, would be a nostalgic homecoming for Messi, who left Barcelona in 2021 after a storied 21-year association with the Catalan giants.

The potential return of Messi to Barcelona, even for a single match, highlights the enduring connection between the player and the club. It also underscores Barcelona’s desire to mark their return to Camp Nou with a historic moment that would resonate with fans worldwide.

While Messi’s possible Barcelona appearance dominates headlines, other notable transfer rumors are circulating:

Liverpool are eyeing defensive reinforcements, with Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer on their radar. The Reds are reportedly considering a part-exchange deal to meet Juventus’ £50.5m asking price.

Manchester United have made late inquiries for PSG’s Xavi Simons, although the young midfielder appears set to rejoin RB Leipzig on loan for the 2024/25 season.

Chelsea and Tottenham are both showing interest in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, with Chelsea reportedly in talks over a potential swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku.

Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, although the Spanish player is said to prefer a move to Barcelona.

These rumors paint a picture of a bustling transfer market, with top clubs looking to strengthen their squads. However, it’s the potential return of Messi to Barcelona that captures the imagination, promising a magical moment for football fans if it comes to fruition.

As the summer transfer window approaches, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see which of these rumors materialize into actual transfers. For now, the football world waits with bated breath to see if Messi will indeed don the Barcelona colors one more time at the iconic Camp Nou.

90min.com

UPDATED: USA Edges Out Australia 2-1 in Women’s Soccer Thriller, Qualifies for Knockout

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UPDATED: USA Edges Out Australia 2-1 in Women’s Soccer Thriller, Qualifies for Knockout

In a gripping women’s soccer match, the United States secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Australia, maintaining their dominance in Group B. The game, filled with tension and drama, saw the USA team control much of the play, but Australia refused to go down without a fight.

The match began with the USA asserting their dominance, holding over 75% possession in the early stages. Despite this, scoring opportunities were limited for both sides. The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when Trinity Rodman, daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, poked home a goal following a deep corner and a headed assist from Clare.

As the second half progressed, the USA doubled their lead in the 77th minute through Korbin Albert. Her slightly shoveled shot found its way past Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, putting the USA in a commanding position.

Australia, knowing they needed at least a draw to secure their passage to the knockout stages, pushed hard in the closing minutes. Their efforts were rewarded in stoppage time when Sam Kennedy fired a shot under USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, bringing the score to 2-1.

The final moments of the match were tense, with Australia desperately seeking an equalizer. However, the USA defense held firm, and the final whistle blew with the score at 2-1 in favor of the Americans.

Notable moments in the match included a spectacular save by Arnold in the first half, tipping a Lindsey Horan shot onto the crossbar. The USA also had a goal checked by VAR for a potential offside, but it was ultimately allowed to stand.

This result leaves Australia in a precarious position in Group B. They now find themselves level on points with Brazil in the battle for third place, but with an inferior goal difference. Their fate may now depend on results in Group A, with Canada and New Zealand still to play.

The USA, meanwhile, continues to demonstrate why they are considered one of the favorites in the tournament. Their mix of experience and young talent, exemplified by goal-scorers Rodman and Albert, makes them a formidable opponent for any team in the knockout stages.

As the group stage nears its conclusion, all eyes will be on the final matches to see which teams progress to the quarter-finals. For now, the USA can celebrate a hard-earned victory, while Australia must wait anxiously to learn their fate.

Brazil Falls to Spain in Group C, Faces Uncertain Path to Quarterfinals

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Brazil Falls to Spain in Group C, Faces Uncertain Path to Quarterfinals

Marta was sent off in potentially her last game for her country as Brazil were beaten 2-0 by Spain in Group C, slipping to third behind Japan. The defeat means Brazil now hopes to finish as one of the two third-placed sides to progress at Paris 2024. Marta was shown a red card on the stroke of half-time, and Brazil’s woes deepened after goals by Athenea del Castillo and Alexia Putellas.

Goals from Athenea del Castillo and Alexia Putellas, the second of them a beauty, sent world champions Spain into the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as group winners.

Brazil, meanwhile, must wait and see what happens in the final round of Group A fixtures later on Wednesday: if New Zealand fail to beat France by five goals and Canada fail to beat Colombia, they are through; otherwise, they go out.

Both sides had their moments in an entertaining first half, but in the sixth minute of injury time, Marta launched into a head-high challenge as Olga Carmona looked to nod the ball away from her.

It left the referee with no choice: playing her final tournament, the Brazilian icon was sent off and left the pitch in tears – but the sad ending will not taint a wonderful and pioneering career.

Her team now has to play with 10 than Spain, who moved the ball about until, eventually, As Canarinhas folded. On 68 minutes, Del Castillo was in the right spot at the right time to tap home after Lorena showed a cross into her path.

Then, with Brazil worn thin – Antonia also departed the pitch crying, Spain’s lead grew – Putellas gave Spain’s victory some gloss, swinging a stunner into the top corner to finish things off.

Paris Olympics Women Soccer: Japan Knocks Out Nigeria 3-1, Qualifies for Quarterfinals

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Paris Olympics Women Soccer: Japan Knocks Out Nigeria 3-1, Qualifies for Quarterfinals

Japan advanced to the women’s soccer quarterfinals of the Paris Olympic Games after beating Nigeria 3-1 in their last group match on Wednesday.

Japan went 1-0 up in the 22nd minute when Maika Hamano scored on Riko Ueki’s assist. Ten minutes later, Japanese striker Mina Tanaka made it 2-0.

Jennifer Echegini pulled one back for Nigeria in the 42nd minute, before Japanese defender Hikaru Kitagawa sealed the win with a direct free kick in the stoppage time of the first half.

With the win, Japan finished second in Group C with six points. Spain, who beat Brazil 2-0, kept a perfect record of three wins to finish top of the group.

The women’s soccer teams were divided into three groups, with the top two group finishers alongside the two best third group finishers qualifying for the quarterfinals.

Canadian Triathlete Tyler Mislawchuk Vomits After Grueling Paris Olympics Race

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Canadian Triathlete Tyler Mislawchuk Vomits After Grueling Paris Olympics Race

Canadian triathlete Tyler Mislawchuk violently vomited after crossing the finish line at the Paris Olympics.

Mislawchuk, who came in ninth place, was seen vomiting just moments after finishing the grueling race, which included a 1.5-km swim, 40km bike ride, and 10km run. The unpleasant scene was captured by TV cameras, which also showed numerous other athletes lying on the mat, struggling to catch their breath.

Alex Yee clinched a thrilling victory in the men’s triathlon, earning Team GB’s fifth gold medal of the Olympics. He worked hard to close a 15-second gap on Hayden Wilde of New Zealand, improving on the silver medal he won in Tokyo three years ago.

In the women’s race, Beth Potter secured the bronze medal for Team GB, while Cassandre Beaugrand claimed victory from a leading group of four, winning the spoils for host nation France.

The lead-up to the triathlon events was overshadowed by the poor water quality of the River Seine due to heavy rainfall in Paris over the weekend. The men’s race was initially scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed until the river was deemed safe for swimming.

Up until June, E.coli levels in the river were 10 times higher than the level deemed acceptable by sports federations. Tests carried out on Wednesday morning revealed the water was deemed safe enough to go ahead.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo recently took a dip in the river to highlight the clean-up efforts. She said: “It’s wet and wonderful and the result of a lot of work.”

We began cleaning the river beginning in 2015 when we began our campaign for the Games,” the Paris Olympic organizing committee said. “Why not a triathlon in the city and swimming in the Seine? Today we can say they can.”

The historic event marked the first time athletes have competed in the Seine in over 100 years due to pollution concerns.

Rwanda and DRC Reach Agreement to Suspend Hostilities in North Kivu

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Rwanda and DRC Reach Agreement to Suspend Hostilities in North Kivu

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reached an agreement to suspend hostilities in the North Kivu province, following a meeting between the foreign ministers of both countries. The meeting was hosted by Angolan President Joao Lourenco at the presidential palace in Luanda.

Kinshasa has long accused Kigali of backing M23 rebels fighting the army in eastern North Kivu province, an accusation that Rwanda denies.

A report commissioned by the UN Security Council found that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers have been fighting alongside the M23 and that Kigali had “de facto control” of the group’s operations.

This latest suspension of hostilities is due to come into effect from midnight on August 4, as a partially respected humanitarian truce between the M23 and government forces expires.

However, it is not yet clear which parties have agreed to down their arms.

The DRC’s mineral-rich east has been plagued by conflict for some 30 years, with fighting between both local and foreign-based armed groups, including M23 rebels.

The United Nations reports that more than 1.7 million people have been displaced by the fighting in the province, driving up the number displaced by multiple conflicts in the country to over 7 million.

Central African Republic Announces Mpox Outbreak

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Central African Republic Announces Mpox Outbreak

The Central African Republic has officially declared an outbreak of the mpox virus, joining a growing list of countries in the region facing this health challenge. Health Minister Pierre Somse announced that infections have spread to the capital city, Bangui, after initially being confined to rural areas.

Somse expressed concern over families hiding infected relatives due to stigma, warning that this behavior increases the risk of transmission to others. He emphasized the high risk of transmission in Bangui due to its relatively dense population.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a highly infectious disease that spreads from animals to humans and between people through close contact, contaminated objects, and respiratory droplets. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and lesions across the body. If left untreated, mpox can be fatal.

The outbreak in the Central African Republic is part of a broader regional health crisis. Recent cases have been detected in neighboring countries, with Rwanda and Burundi confirming new cases. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a new strain of the virus.

According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the DRC has recorded over 12,300 suspected cases and 479 deaths in the first half of this year. Experts estimate the new strain in the DRC has a death rate of about 10%.

South Africa has also been affected, reporting 20 cases, including two deaths. Mpox is endemic in parts of west and central Africa, with cases on the rise across the continent for decades. In 2022, a worldwide epidemic of mpox affected Europe, Australia, the United States, and many other countries.

The current situation in the Central African Republic and its neighboring countries highlights the ongoing challenges in controlling the spread of mpox in the region. Health authorities are likely to intensify efforts to detect, treat, and prevent further transmission of the virus.

As the outbreak unfolds, regional cooperation and international support may play crucial roles in managing the spread of mpox and mitigating its impact on public health and local communities. The situation underscores the importance of early detection, prompt reporting, and effective public health measures in combating infectious diseases.

Israel Admits Killing Hezbollah Official in Beirut Airstrike

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Israel Admits Killing Hezbollah Official in Beirut Airstrike

Israel’s military has announced that it killed a Hezbollah official, Fuad Shukr, in an airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) blamed Shukr for a recent attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights that killed 12 young people.

The IDF stated that Shukr “was the commander responsible for the murder of the 12 children in Majdal Shams in northern Israel on Saturday evening, as well as the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years.”

An Israeli official told NBC News that the strike targeted Shukr, also known as Hajj Mohsen, in a suburb of southern Beirut. Mohsen was a senior adviser to Hezbollah’s supreme leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and a member of the group’s military council, according to a U.S. government profile.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, “Shukr has the blood of many Israelis on his hands. Tonight, we have shown that the blood of our people has a price, and that there is no place out of reach for our forces to this end.”

Hezbollah has denied responsibility for Saturday’s rocket attack on the Golan Heights, which struck a soccer field and killed at least 12 people, mostly children and teenagers from the minority Druze community.

The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the Israeli strike in Beirut killed a woman and injured up to 68 other people, with five in critical condition. Al Manar, a Hezbollah-run television station, reported that Israel “launched an aerial aggression that targeted the southern suburb of Beirut,” using a drone to fire three missiles in the Haret Hreik area, a Hezbollah stronghold.

This strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been exchanging fire since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. It is also the first time Israel has struck Beirut since January, when an airstrike killed Saleh Arouri, a top Hamas official.

The IDF claimed that Shukr joined Hezbollah in 1985 and was the head of the group’s Strategic Unit, responsible for weaponry including missiles, rockets, and drones.

A White House National Security Council spokesperson, when asked about the strike, stated that they defer to Israel “to speak to its own military operations” but support its right to defend itself. The spokesperson added, “Our commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad and unwavering against all Iran-backed threats, including Hezbollah, and we are working on a diplomatic solution that will allow citizens to safely return to their homes.”

The situation remains tense, with fears that the ongoing exchanges could escalate into a broader regional conflict.

Source: NBC News

USA Women’s Rugby Team Wins Historic Olympic Bronze

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USA Women’s Rugby Team Wins Historic Olympic Bronze

The U.S. women’s rugby sevens team has shocked the rugby world by winning a bronze medal at the Olympics, defeating 2016 gold medalists Australia in a dramatic 14-12 victory. This marks the first medal in the sport for U.S. women, achieved through a last-second play by Salt Lake City native Alex “Spiff” Sedrick.

Kristi Kirshe, a U.S. player, told NBC News on Wednesday, “Yeah it’s a little crazy, huh? It’s kind of still surreal. I don’t think it’s really fully sunk in yet. We’re all excited and kind of just feeling the gravity of it all.”

Unlike their competitors from rugby powerhouses like New Zealand and Australia, most of the U.S. team members came to the sport later in life. U.S. captain Naya Tapper, for instance, discovered rugby as a freshman at the University of North Carolina through a club team. Now, at 30, the former high school track standout wears an Olympic medal.

“Outrageous,” Tapper said, reflecting on the program’s rapid progress. “If I would have found it now, with how much the sport has grown, I wouldn’t have gotten on to the team. I’m very grateful for the way the timing worked out.”

The U.S. roster is filled with athletes who excelled in other sports before transitioning to rugby. Alev Kelter, 33, played hockey at Wisconsin. Stephanie Rovetti was an elite high school sprinter and played basketball for BYU. Kirshe, 29, was a Division III soccer standout and didn’t start rugby until she was 23.

Despite rugby not being a mainstream sport in the U.S. – it’s not played as an interscholastic championship sport in any state – Tapper believes the country can become a world player. She cited the combination of talent and intelligence in American athletes as key factors.

“With that combination, if we can teach somebody how to play a certain sport and give them a year or two to figure out the skills aspect, as you can see from our team of crossover athletes, you can get the success you want, at the same level with teams that can start when they’re very young,” Tapper said.

Kirshe hopes their success will inspire more young girls to consider rugby. “That’s something we talk about all the time,” she said. “It’s just like, bringing such an amazing sport to little girls around the country. Look at our team of all shapes and sizes and everyone has their role on the field. So I hope that little girls at home see all of us and say, ‘Hey, I want to be a powerful woman like that someday.'”

This unexpected Olympic success could mark a turning point for rugby in the United States, potentially attracting more athletes to the sport and raising its profile among American sports fans.

Source: NBC News

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