(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Toronto 116, Charlotte 101
Miami 121, Washington 100
Golden State 110, Oklahoma City 98
Phoenix 127, Chicago 124
Utah 113, New York 104
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Ottawa 4, New Jersey 1
Toronto 4, Carolina 3 (OT)
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Arizona 91, Arizona St. 79
Virginia 69, Duke 68
Texas 79, Kansas 76
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(BEIJING) — Team USA figure skater Vincent Zhou has withdrawn from Tuesday’s individual competition after testing positive for COVID-19 for a second time.
U.S. Figure Skating announced Sunday night that Zhou had tested positive for the virus amid a regular screening and that he would be able to compete in the men’s short program, which begins Tuesday.
The 21-year-old shared the news about the second positive result on Instagram Monday morning.
“This absolutely does not define me as an athlete, as a person,” Zhou said. “I am more than just another positive COVID test. I am more than just another face in the crowd.”
Zhou said he’s done everything in his power to stay free of the virus since the start of the pandemic and has isolated himself so much in recent months that the loneliness has been crushing at times.
He was absent from the podium Sunday after Team USA took home its first silver medal in the teams competition.
Despite withdrawing from the competition, Zhou said he was proud of his achievements.
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(BEIJING) — U.S. Olympic alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s quest to make Olympic history will have to wait for another day after she didn’t land a medal in the Giant Slalom competition Monday.
The 26-year-old fell during her first run, disqualifying her from the event.
“Could blame it on a lot of things…and we’ll analyze it till the cows come home, but not today,” Shiffrin said on Instagram. “Today I chalk it up to really awful timing of a really frustrating mistake. Moving focus to slalom now, AND cheering for my teammates in the second run of the GS and the DH!”
Sweden’s Sara Hector took the gold with a time of 1:55:68, followed by Italy’s Federica Brignone with a time of 1:55.97 and Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami with a time of 1:56:41.
Shiffrin is one medal away from tying the record for most Olympic medals by a female American Alpine skier, four. She is two gold medals away from holding the record for most golds ever by a female Alpine skier, also four.
Shiffrin aims to have many chances to attempt those feats during the games as she plans on competing in four other Alpine events over the next two weeks.
She is expected to compete in the Slalom on Wednesday, the Super-G on Thursday, the Downhill on Valentine’s Day and the Combined on Feb. 17.
Shiffrin, a Colorado native, has been competing since she was 16, and quickly became one of the sport’s all-time greatest skiers with her record-setting performances. She is the most decorated Alpine skier in the world circuit having won 11 World Championship medals, six gold.
At 18 years old she became the youngest Slalom champion when she won a gold medal in the 2014 Sochi games. Shiffrin won a gold medal in the Giant Slalom competition and a silver medal in the Combined competition during the 2018 Pyeongchang games.
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(LAS VEGAS) — New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was arrested in Las Vegas Sunday, police said.
The arrest happened shortly after the 26-year-old played in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.
The Las Vegas Police Department confirmed that at around 5:50 p.m. local time on Saturday, LVMPD was dispatched to a casino, where they found a victim who was beaten at a nightclub by Kamara.
Police said they located Kamara on Sunday and arrested him.
He has been booked into the Clark County Detention Center for battery resulting in substantial bodily harm.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Sunday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Denver 124, Brooklyn 104
Minnesota 118, Detroit 105
Philadelphia 119, Chicago 108
Boston 116, Orlando 83
Dallas 103, Atlanta 94
Cleveland 98, Indiana 85
New Orleans 120, Houston 107
Milwaukee 137, LA Clippers 113
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Houston 80, Cincinnati 58
Providence 71, Georgetown 52
Ohio St. 82, Maryland 67
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(NEW YORK) — Days after former Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores sued the NFL over allegations of discrimination, commissioner Roger Goodell told teams Saturday that the league’s efforts to promote diversity among head coaches “have been unacceptable,” ESPN reported.
Goodell sent a letter to NFL teams addressing Flores’ suit and the allegations that the league and team owners have been sidelining Black candidates for coaching positions, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who tweeted out the letter.
The commissioner reiterated the league’s earlier messages that it “adopted numerous policies and programs,” to promote diversity, but acknowledged that there is still more work to be done.
“With respect to head coaches, the results have been unacceptable,” Goodell wrote in the letter.
The commissioner hasn’t commented on the letter.
Douglas H. Wigdor and John Elefterakis, Flores’ attorneys, said in a statement that Goodell’s letter was “on the surface, a positive first step, but we suspect that this is more of a public relations ploy than real commitment to change.”
They added that Goodell hasn’t reached out to them or their client to discuss his concerns.
Flores, 40, who was fired from the Miami Dolphins last month after back-to-back winning seasons, filed his suit on Monday and cited a recent experience he said he had as one of the examples of the league’s discrimination against Black coaches.
Flores said he was offered an interview with the New York Giants for a head coaching position and texted with his mentor, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, about the upcoming meeting.
Belichick allegedly sent texts congratulating Flores on getting hired by the Giants before the interview took place, according to screenshots of the texts that were included in the lawsuit.
Belichick later allegedly texted back indicating that he’d made a mistake and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was actually getting the job — three days before Flores’ interview, according to the screenshots.
“There’s a humiliation that came over me,” Flores told ABC News’ “Nightline.” “Why wasn’t I afforded the opportunity to truly interview and show what I can do? Because I am a good coach and I do relate to players and I know how to lead.”
The NFL responded to the suit, which seeks unspecified damages and changes to ensure the hiring of more Black coaches, dismissing Flores’ claims.
“The NFL and our clubs are deeply committed to ensuring equitable employment practices and continue to make progress in providing equitable opportunities throughout our organizations,” the league said in a statement Monday.
Goodell told the team owners that the league “understands the concerns of Coach Flores” and others and will be making some changes to address them. Specifically, the commissioner said the league will “reevaluate and examine” all policies related to diversity and inclusion and bring in outside experts to assist with the review.
The commissioner said the league will “also solicit input from current and former players, coaches and other authorities.”
Flores’ attorneys expressed skepticism in Goodell’s promise.
“For too many years, the NFL has hid behind the cover of foundations that were supposed to protect the rights of Black players and coaches, all while letting systemic racial bias fester in its front offices. The NFL is now rolling out the same playbook yet again and that is precisely why this lawsuit was filed,” the attorneys said in a statement.
ABC News’ Stephanie Wash contributed to this report.
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(BEIJING) — The 2022 Winter Olympics kicked off in China’s capital this week with the opening ceremony on Friday, marking the official start of the Games.
While preliminary competitions have already begun in curling, ice hockey, luge and various skiing events, the opening ceremony is a chance for the host country to make a statement to the world with an unforgettable display and performance. The much-awaited spectacle is taking place at the National Stadium in Beijing starting at 8 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) and is being broadcast live on NBC.
The United States has imposed a diplomatic boycott of this year’s Beijing Olympics. While American athletes will still participate, President Joe Biden’s administration will not send an official delegation to the Games due to China’s “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity” in the northwestern Xinjiang region, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters last December. The move was swiftly followed by Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Here are key moments from the opening ceremony. All times Eastern:
Feb 04, 9:49 am
Olympic cauldron is lit
The torch was passed from speedskater Zhao Weichang to short-track athlete Li Yan, before being passed to short-track athlete Yang Yang, track-and-field Olympian Su Bingtian and short-track athlete Zhou Yang.
It was then passed to two final 2022 Olympians: cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang and Nordic Combined athlete Jiawen Zhao.
The two lit the Olympic cauldron together to represent gender equality.
Dinigeer is from Xinjiang and is of the Uyghur minority. Chinese President Xi Jinping and the nation’s government have been accused of genocide and human rights violations against this population, prompting international protests and a U.S. diplomatic boycott.
Feb 04, 9:27 am
Xi declares Games open as performances continue
Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing officially open, following remarks from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
The declaration was followed by a display of fireworks overhead and skaters gliding across the stadium floor, revealing colorful images behind them.
Next, there was a rendition of John Lennon’s iconic song “Imagine.” Then another poignant, snowflake-filled performance where dozens of children joyfully sang in unison.
Feb 04, 9:22 am
Messages of peace and solidarity drive speeches
Beijing Communist Party Secretary and President of the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee Cai Qi thanked and welcomed the athletes, offering words of peace and unity — a running theme throughout the opening ceremony.
“The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 is to show the world how people boldly rise to challenges and forge ahead into the future that is being worked together to add a new chapter to building a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in turn thanked the Chinese people “wholeheartedly” for being “gracious hosts” and “welcoming us all so warmly” in his official speech in the opening ceremony.
He also extended gratitude to those on the front lines, including doctors and scientists, for their “outstanding efforts and solidarity” amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
He made no direct mention of the alleged Uyghur genocide and crimes against humanity in the country but did emphasize the importance of peace and unity.
“You will live peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic village,” Bach told athletes. “There will be no discrimination for any reason whatsoever.”
“In our fragile world with division, conflict and mistrust on the rise, we show the world, yes, it is possible to be fierce rivals while at the same time living peacefully and respectfully together,” he added, saying this is the mission of the Olympic games.
He then said: “I appeal to all political authorities across the world: Observe your commitment to this Olympic truce. Give peace a chance.”
Feb 04, 8:54 am
Dazzling display represents unity
Snowflakes representing all of the countries converged on the floor of the National Stadium, symbolizing the world coming together.
The imagery was inspired by the uniqueness of each individual snowflake, as well as a Chinese poem that describes a snowy canopy at the center of a gathering.
A stunning 3D display of the Northern Lights took over the arena, as dancers filled the stadium in the next portion of the creative performance.
Feb 04, 8:40 am
A ‘Parade of Nations’ enters the ‘Bird’s Nest’
After a short but colorful opening performance, some of the athletes from the participating Olympic teams marched into the “Bird’s Nest” for the hourlong “Parade of Nations” segment of the ceremony.
The parade has been part of the opening ceremonies at the Games since the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. Traditionally, each team chooses just one flag-bearer for the parade. But starting last year at the pandemic-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, teams were encouraged to select both a male and female representative to carry their flag.
As with the opening ceremony of the pandemic-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, all athletes marching in this “Parade of Nations” wore face masks to protect against COVID-19.
Teams entered the “Bird’s Nest” in order by the number of strokes in the first character of their name in the Chinese writing system. However, the first team to enter is always Greece because that’s where the ancient Games originated in 776 B.C.
And as the host of the next Winter Olympics in 2026, Italy’s team was second-to-last to enter the stadium. The current host country, China, was last.
With Russia’s team name, flag and national anthem once again banned from the Games over allegations of a state-backed doping program, the country’s athletes marched into the stadium this year with the Olympic flag and under the name ROC, an acronym for Russian Olympic Committee.
It’s the third time that Russia has not been able to use its own name, flag or anthem at the Olympics. Last summer, Russian athletes competed as part of the ROC at the Tokyo Games. During the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Russia’s team was branded as OAR, an acronym for Olympic Athletes from Russia.
Team USA was 56th to enter the stadium, with the second-largest delegation in U.S. history.
Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor and curler John Shuster were named Team USA’s flag-bearers. However, Meyers Taylors was unable to attend the opening ceremony because she tested positive for COVID-19. Speed skater Brittany Bowe marched in her place during the “Parade of Nations.”
Feb 04, 7:04 am
Opening ceremony kicks off
The opening ceremony for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing has begun.
The event is taking place at the National Stadium in Beijing. The 80,000-seat stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, will also hold the closing ceremony on Feb. 20. It was the same venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics, which was the last time China hosted the Games.
Chinese authorities tightened travel restrictions for Beijing ahead of the Games, requiring all travelers to the city to take a nucleic acid test within 72 hours of entry as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Moreover, the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee announced that no public tickets to the Games will be sold due to the “grave and complicated situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators.” Instead, groups of spectators will be invited to the Games, and “the organizers expect that these spectators will strictly abide by the COVID-19 countermeasures before, during and after each event,” the committee said.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
(BEIJING) — The 2022 Winter Olympics kicked off in China’s capital this week with the opening ceremony on Friday, marking the official start of the Games.
While preliminary competitions have already begun in curling, ice hockey, luge and various skiing events, the opening ceremony is a chance for the host country to make a statement to the world with an unforgettable display and performance. The much-awaited spectacle is taking place at the National Stadium in Beijing starting at 8 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) and is being broadcast live on NBC.
The United States has imposed a diplomatic boycott of this year’s Beijing Olympics. While American athletes will still participate, President Joe Biden’s administration will not send an official delegation to the Games due to China’s “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity” in the northwestern Xinjiang region, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters last December. The move was swiftly followed by Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Here are key moments from the opening ceremony. All times Eastern:
Feb 04, 7:04 am
Opening ceremony kicks off
The opening ceremony for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing has begun.
The event is taking place at the National Stadium in Beijing. The 80,000-seat stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, will also hold the closing ceremony on Feb. 20. It was the same venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics, which was the last time China hosted the Games.
Chinese authorities tightened travel restrictions for Beijing ahead of the Games, requiring all travelers to the city to take a nucleic acid test within 72 hours of entry as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Moreover, the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee announced that no public tickets to the Games will be sold due to the “grave and complicated situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators.” Instead, groups of spectators will be invited to the Games, and “the organizers expect that these spectators will strictly abide by the COVID-19 countermeasures before, during and after each event,” the committee said.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Thursday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Miami 112, San Antonio 95
Minnesota 128, Detroit 117
Atlanta 124, Phoenix 115
Toronto 127, Chicago 120 (OT)
LA Clippers 111, LA Lakers 110
Golden State 126, Sacramento 114
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Gonzaga 92, San Diego 62
Arizona 76, UCLA 66
Southern Cal 58, Arizona St. 53
Iowa at Ohio St. (Postponed)
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(BEIJING) — The fear of testing positive for COVID is a constant stress hanging over athletes at the 2022 Winter Olympics, a fear realized for U.S. women’s bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor.
Meyers Taylor tested positive on day two after entering the country, which has forced her to isolate from her family and teammates while she quarantines.
The 37-year-old, who tested negative Wednesday, must test negative twice to return to the Olympic village.
“I was pretty shocked,” Meyers Taylor told ABC News Thursday. “We did everything we could to try and avoid it and still caught up to us anyways.”
The new mother is now isolated from her son, Nico, and her husband. The family traveled to China together for the Games.
Meyers Taylor said she can’t just focus on training while in isolation. She also needs to take care of her son, who was born in 2020 with Down syndrome and is still nursing.
“We FaceTime as much as we can and, you know, just trying to do everything we can to stay connected,” Meyers Taylor said.
Now that she has to isolate herself from her baby, she said she’s doing everything to make sure he’s OK. Team USA was able to find her a breast pump, and she said the hotel staff has been great at helping make milk deliveries.
Meyers Taylor said she’s thankful her husband is on the trip and can care for Nico while she isolates.
Being an Olympian and a mom takes a team, she said.
After arriving in the country with no problems, Meyers Taylor, her husband and son all tested positive. She said all are asymptomatic but have to quarantine separately in a Chinese isolation facility.
As Meyers Taylor waits out quarantine, she’s missing crucial training days ahead of her big competition; the first-ever running of the woman’s monobob. The three-time Olympian said she’s pumped for the new event.
“It feels like you’re flying. Like, it is just amazing and just the feeling of gravity, the feeling of pressure, the feeling of the wind rushing past you …” Meyers Taylor said. “It really does feel like you’re a superhero and the speed suits don’t hurt.”
As she trains in isolation, Meyers Taylor got an exercise bike dropped off at her hotel room to stay in shape. She said since her husband, who is also her physical trainer, is staying in an identical hotel room, he’s been able to devise a hotel workout plan for her to follow.
Meyers Taylor, who was selected as a flag bearer for Team USA at this year’s Winter Olympics, will not attend Friday’s Olympics Opening Ceremony because of COVID. Speed skater Brittany Bowe is set to replace Meyers Taylor at the ceremony.
“She was one of the first people to reach out to me after she learned I had COVID … that’s why sport is so important; you make relationships that last forever,” Meyers Taylor said.
Out of the 441 U.S. Olympic delegates in China, eight are in isolation, according to the International Olympic Committee.
Inside the Olympics closed loop, which separates athletes, team officials and members of the press from the rest of the Chinese population, athletes live under a daily regimen of temperature checks and COVID tests administered by workers dressed in full-body personal protective equipment.
First-time Olympians Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy LeDuc told ABC News they felt safe practicing on the rink and were trying to focus on what was “within their control” despite the lingering COVID worries.
The two figure skaters made their debut on the ice Wednesday for their first practice on Beijing’s main rink.
Three thousand people will perform in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders Friday at the Opening Ceremony. There will be no official American delegation after the U.S. announced a diplomatic boycott of the games.
Jackie Chan carried the Olympic torch on top of the Great Wall of China on Thursday, as Beijing counted down the final day before the Games kick off.
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