Tag: tokyo olympics

Lakers’ Dennis Schroder hoping to play for Germany in Tokyo Olympics

Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder reportedly hopes to join Germany in Tokyo after it qualified for the Olympics.

The 12-team competition for men’s basketball at the Tokyo Olympics was finalized Sunday as the qualifying games came to an end.

Among the teams that qualified is Germany, who won the FIBA qualifying tournament in Croatia led by Moritz Wagner’s 28 points.

But one of Germany’s best players, point guard Dennis Schroder, couldn’t play for his country due to insurance requirements. Schroder, who is entering free agency this summer, failed to get insurance coverage since his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers expired, making it difficult for him to join the squad.

After Schroder watched Germany celebrate after winning the qualifying tournament, he expressed his desire to join the team in Tokyo, according to German publication Zeit:

“If there is a possibility, then that would of course be great,” said Schröder after the 75:64 in the final of the qualifying tournament in Split against Brazil, which cleared the way to Japan.

Schröder would like to go to Tokyo

“I’m always available, but my situation is not that easy. But I hope we can sort that out by then. My agent has to do his job now. The German national team has done its job, let’s see,” said Schröder, who had supported the German team in all four games as a spectator in the hall, full of emotions.

But in order for Schroder to play in Tokyo, he’d still have to find a way to get covered through insurance. Also, the German team would need to remove a player from the 12-man roster to make room for Schroder.

Here’s what Germany head coach Henrik Rodl said after the final, via Zeit:

“That Dennis was here is a great sign,” said Rödl immediately after the game. And without knowing what Schröder said, he added. “It is clear that these twelve who were here in Split deserve it and are there in Tokyo.”

Schroder has a strong case as Germany’s best player, so their hopes of going deep in the tournament could depend on Schroder’s status. It’ll be interesting to monitor how Germany sorts everything out.

[pickup_prop id=”7430″]

[vertical-gallery id=40179]

[mm-video type=video id=01f9j18qk1sj8dp2n5vv playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f9j18qk1sj8dp2n5vv/01f9j18qk1sj8dp2n5vv-f3edca92f1529234f322b523e4bbe306.jpg]

Tokyo Olympics: Meet some of the world’s best athletes ahead of the Summer Games

We’re spotlighting 23 athletes in the 23 days leading up to the Tokyo Olympics.

For the Tokyo Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. Leading up to the Opening Ceremony, we’re highlighting 23 athletes in 23 days.

Five years after the Rio Games, the Olympics are finally returning, and the best athletes in the world are preparing to put on a show and, they hope, bring some hardware home.

In the weeks leading up to the Opening Ceremony, we here at For The Win are rolling out a ton of Olympics content to get you ready for the Games, including spotlighting some of the top athletes.

And we’ve got them all right here in one handy place.

[mm-video type=video id=01f9cfwx6c65a053d8c8 playlist_id=01f09p3bf720d8rg02 player_id=01evcfkb10bw5a3nky image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f9cfwx6c65a053d8c8/01f9cfwx6c65a053d8c8-92adeb997bc02b5add0a8ae071ec9271.jpg]

Skylar Diggins-Smith got so emotional when talking about making Olympic debut

Skylar Diggins-Smith is ready to go win a gold medal

Skylar Diggins-Smith has been through so many ups and downs throughout her WNBA career, but through it all, she’s remained one of the best players in the world.

Now, that’s being finally recognized in the way it should. At 31 years old, Diggins-Smith will make her very first Olympic team.

And it’s well deserved! She’s been incredible so far in her second season with the Phoenix Mercury, averaging 18.7 points and 5.2 assists per game. She absolutely deserves a spot on the USA Basketball team.

The wild part is she didn’t expect to make the team. She didn’t even think about it.

She was asked about finally making the team in a press conference and got so emotional.

“It didn’t even sink it. I got it out of my mind so I wouldn’t be disappointed. I knew that either way, I felt great with the product that I put on the floor. I used to overthink when I went to USA I just hated it because I just wanted to know, ‘OK, am I on the team already?’ And then it got stretched a year and I was like ‘Oh, perfect.’ But just training. I remember all the work that I put in with everybody. That was something I would manifest. I would say it out loud…I’m proud of myself. I’m proud of everything I’m representing.” 

She continued on to talk about the difficulties she’ll face being away from her son for so long. But she said she’s ready for the challenge and motivated to do whatever it takes to win.

“I want to be ready. I want to do whatever I’ve got to do for us to win. This s*** means a lot to me. I’m 31. I’m the youngest rookie, probably, ever, but I worked my ass off to get here. And I’m looking forward to getting gold.” 

Yeah, I’m ready to run through a brick wall.

Watch our new sneaker unboxing video, Special Delivery 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUq6ZIhSIeg

Get to know John John Florence: 5 facts about Team USA’s surfer making his Olympic debut

Meet the surfer competing for Team USA.

For the Tokyo Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. Leading up to the Opening Ceremony, we’re highlighting 23 athletes in 23 days. Up next up is John John Florence.

There were some concerns that the knee injury John John Florence suffered in May would keep him out of the Olympics.

But as the two-time world surfing champion showed in June, he was able to get back on the board and continue his run to Tokyo to compete in the sport that will be making its debut at the Games later this year.

So what should you know about the 28-year-old joining Kolohe Andino, Caroline Marks and Carissa Moore on Team USA? Here are five facts about the surfer who could end up with a medal by the end of the Games.

READ MORE FROM OUR TOKYO OLYMPICS 23 in 23 SERIES HERE.

A pair of South Koreans withdraw from British Open to focus on Tokyo Olympics

Two Koreans have signaled that they are placing the Tokyo Olympics ahead of the British Open by withdrawing from the year’s final major.

An abundance of opportunities is never a bad thing, but at some point, it all gets to be too much. Two South Korean golfers have signaled that they are placing the Tokyo Olympics ahead of the British Open by withdrawing from the final major of the year to focus on the Games.

Neither Si Woo Kim nor Sungjae Im will tee it up at Royal St. George’s this month for the 149th British Open, with their stated reason for withdrawal being time to focus on preparing for the Olympics.

They will be replaced in the field by by Emiliano Grillo and Keegan Bradley, who are next on the reserve list. Grillo will also head to Tokyo for the Olympics to represent Argentina.

Grillo also competed in the 2016 Olympics and finished T8. Neither Kim nor Im appeared in those games in Rio de Janiero, and both missed the cut at the 2019 British Open.

On the other side of the coin, major champions Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen and Dustin Johnson have already declined playing spots the Olympics.

[listicle id=778112022]

[lawrence-related id=778113883,778113571,778112027]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=none image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Patrick Mahomes, athletes react to Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension: ‘let her run!’

From NFL and NBA players to Olympians, athletes are sharing their support for Sha’Carri Richardson.

In a heartbreaking and shocking turn of events, American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has been suspended for one month after testing positive for marijuana.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced the 21-year-old’s suspension Friday morning. The positive test invalidates her 100-meter dash victory at Olympic Trials last month, preventing her from competing in the race this summer at the Tokyo Games, where she would have been a medal contender. However, there is still a chance she could compete in the 4×100-meter relay, but right now, it’s unclear if that will happen.

Friday morning, Richardson spoke openly on the TODAY show about what led to her positive test for marijuana, which is legal in Oregon, where the Olympic Trials were held, but still prohibited in competition, per World Anti-Doping Agency rules.

She explained that while preparing to compete, she also was coping and in “a state of emotional panic” during trials after doing an interview in which the reporter told her that her biological mother died.

“It definitely was a very heavy topic on me,” she said. “And people don’t really understand what it’s like to have to… put on a face and have to go out in front of the world and hide my pain.”

She received an abundance of support from fans, and several athletes —  including Patrick Mahomes, Dwyane Wade and Olympians Gwen Berry and Vashti Cunningham —spoke out against the consequences she’s facing during this traumatic time.

Sha’Carri Richardson explained her positive drug test and fans gave her so much support

This is so heartbreaking.

Sha’Carri Richardson absolutely captured the hearts of people everywhere with her performance in Olympic trials.

Not only did she run an excellent time with a 10.84, but she just showed so much personality. Her charisma was infectious. She seemed so relatable for so many people. You immediately loved her and loved her story. And, most of all, you couldn’t wait to see her in the Olympics.

But now, that’s out of the picture. At least part of it.

Richardson has been suspended for one month after a positive test for marijuana, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced on Friday. The test invalidates her performance at trials, where she won the 100-metre dash. Because of the test, she’ll miss the 100m race at the Tokyo Olympics in a few weeks.

Just an absolutely heartbreaking turn of events. Richardson did an interview with the TODAY show to explain the positive test.

She said she was trying to cope with learning about the loss of her biological mother at trials while also getting ready to compete. That’s…a lot to handle.

“I just, honestly, want to take responsibility for my actions. I know what I did, I know what I’m supposed to do…and I still made that decision. I’m not making an excuse and I’m not looking for any empathy in my case. But just…being in that position of my life and finding out something like that, something that I would say is one of the biggest things that has impacted me positively and negatively in my life — when it comes to dealing with the relationship I have with my mother. It definitely was a very heavy topic on me and people don’t really understand what it’s like to have to…put on a face and have to go out in front of the world and hide my pain.” 

That’s just so heartbreaking. And her suspension, on top of that, has to be weighing even more on her.

Fans everywhere felt so bad for her.

Get to know Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: 5 facts about the fastest woman in the world

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is back and as fast as ever.

For the Tokyo Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. Leading up to the Opening Ceremony, we’re highlighting 23 athletes in 23 days. Up next is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce may have won bronze in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, but she’s coming back with a vengeance this year in Tokyo and is looking to take home the gold.

The Jamaican track star is back in rare form and breaking records once again after her disappointing trip to Rio in 2016. Just weeks ago, she just became the second-fastest woman of all-time behind Florence Griffith-Joyner after running the 100 meters at a meet in Kingston.

So what should you expect from Fraser-Pryce in Tokyo? What should you look for?  The answer is greatness. Here are five facts about the fastest woman in the world.

Get to know Katie Ledecky: 5 facts about Team USA’s Olympic swimming superstar

What you should know about Katie Ledecky as she takes on the Tokyo Olympics.

For the Tokyo Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. Leading up to the Opening Ceremony, we’re highlighting 23 athletes in 23 days. First up is Katie Ledecky.

No matter what happens at the Tokyo Olympics, Katie Ledecky has already cemented herself as one of the greatest and most dominant swimmers of all time.

The soon-to-be three-time Olympian is looking to add to her already impressive haul of five gold medals and one silver this summer, and she qualified in June for the 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle, 800-meter freestyle and 1,500-meter freestyle (also referred to as the mile). She’ll also swim in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, giving her the chance to return from Tokyo with up to five more Olympic medals.

Like every other Olympic hopeful, training during 2020 was challenging and complicated thanks to the coronavirus pandemic (witch delayed the Games a year), and that included Ledecky practicing in a backyard pool with teammate Simone Manuel before returning to training at Stanford. And after a generally impressive performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials, the 24-year-old swimmer is going to be tough to beat.

Here are five things to know about Ledecky ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

READ MORE FROM OUR TOKYO OLYMPICS 23 in 23 SERIES HERE.

Simone Biles’ boyfriend, Texans’ Jonathan Owens, amazingly ‘didn’t know who she was’ when they met

But how?!

Gymnastics GOAT Simone Biles is dating Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens, and in August 2020, the pair went public with their relationship, announcing it on Instagram.

Leading up to the Tokyo Olympics — where the superstar gymnast has a chance to win up to five gold medals — Biles stars in a Facebook Watch docuseries called Simone vs Herself with weekly episodes dropping this summer.

Owens plays a big role in the third episode released Tuesday, and he and Biles are adorable together. In this latest episode, they compete in a rope climbing challenge, Biles teaches Owens some gymnastics moves and he teaches her how to throw a football poolside.

“We vibe on the same level,” Biles said in the episode. “We have the same kind of humor. We’re both athletic. We’re both elite athletes, so we definitely get each other. It was like it was meant to be.”

[lawrence-related id=1040537]

But at one point in an interview for the series, Owens makes a big confession: He had no idea who Biles was or the level of her fame when they first met. He explained:

“Her work ethic was really the first thing that caught my eye. I never really watched gymnastics before I first started talking to her. When I met her, I honestly didn’t know who she was. It was just kind of like, ‘Oh, she’s got a lot of followers. You know, she must be pretty good or something.’ …

“That’s how I would tell people, and they’re like, ‘Simone Biles?! You for real, the gymnast?!’ And I’m like, ‘Man, she’s good like that?!’ Like I didn’t [know].”

Biles described their relationship as “best friends that are dating,” adding, “So I feel like that just really helps.”

One of her coaches, Cecile Landi, noted that Biles’ obvious happiness in her personal life enables her gymnastics and said: “You can see it; she’s different.”

Continuing his praise of Biles, Owens added:

“The coolest thing for me is that I get to witness someone who’s literally in the pinnacle of their sport. It’s motivating just to see that and the impact that she has on people. We were walking past this group of girls, and they were shaking like, ‘Oh my god, it’s Simone!’ This is when I kind of knew, like, ‘OK, yeah, she’s the real deal.'”

In the latest episode of Simone vs Herself, Biles talked about her family (and their love for Owens) and the challenges she anticipates facing without them in the crowd at the Tokyo Games. It also includes several home videos of Biles as a child and stunning people with her talents at a very young age.

[vertical-gallery id=1044600]

[mm-video type=video id=01f9cfwx6c65a053d8c8 playlist_id=01f09p3bf720d8rg02 player_id=01evcfkb10bw5a3nky image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f9cfwx6c65a053d8c8/01f9cfwx6c65a053d8c8-92adeb997bc02b5add0a8ae071ec9271.jpg]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=64315075]