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☆ Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s teenage star is ‘touched by the wand of God’
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Now, after a record-breaking year, almost everyone in world soccer is aware of Lamine Yamal. In April, at 15 years and 290 days, he became the youngest player to appear in a competitive fixture for the Blaugrana. When his star started to shine, questions were asked about which national team he would choose to represent. Unhelpful comparisonsDealing with such praise and adulation could be tricky for Yamal as he navigates the world of professional soccer. Yamal joined the Barcelona youth ranks at the age of seven, according to FIFA.

Persons: It’s, Yamal, Felipe Mondino, Luis de la Fuente, “, De la Fuente, ”, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Barcelona’s, Fati, David Ramos, Pedri, Xavi, ” Xavi, Messi, Ballon Organizations: CNN, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa, Spanish national, Georgia, La Liga, Granada, Barcelona, Spanish, Premier League, Brighton, FIFA, ESPN Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Moroccan, Equatorial Guinea, Nou

☆ Simone Biles redefines image of a successful athlete with history-making comeback at world championships
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The most successful gymnast of her time had shown her fallibility on the biggest stage of all, and as she completed a history-making comeback at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships last week, she completed refashioning those expectations of success. Records as well as medals announced Biles’ return to the pinnacle of the sport in Antwerp, Belgium. Five months ago, Biles didn’t think she’d ever compete again, she said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Nevertheless, ghosts from Tokyo still lingered at the world championships, she said afterwards, memories bubbling to the surface and making her “nervous” for the team finals on Wednesday. Simone Biles became the first woman to land the Yurchenko double pike vault at an international competition.

Persons: Simone Biles, Biles ’, Vitaly Scherbo’s, Yves Herman, Biles, “, ”, Geert vanden Wijngaert Organizations: CNN, Tokyo, Olympics, Reuters, Twitter, NBC, BBC Sport Locations: Antwerp, Belgium, Tokyo, Paris

CNN —When it comes to Formula One, the sky is the limit for Max Verstappen. And Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes his driver, despite being only 26, is already among the very best in the history of the discipline. Mark Thompson/Getty ImagesVerstappen’s historic yearRed Bull has won 15 out of the 16 races this F1 season. Verstappen alone has won 13 of these races with teammate Pérez seeing the checkered flag first on two occasions. “That second position for Checo [Pérez] is something very, very valuable to us, something we have never achieved before, having drivers first and second in the Drivers’ World Championship.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez’s, Verstappen, Red Bull, Christian Horner, “, ” Horner, Amanda Davies, ”, Lewis, Hamilton, Michael, Schumacher, Ayrton, Senna, Horner, Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso, ” Alonso, Mark Thompson, Bull, Pérez, “ He’s, McLaren, John Thys Organizations: CNN, Qatar, Prix, Reuters, Getty, Drivers ’, Drivers Locations: Doha, AFP, Bahrain, Qatar

☆ Max Verstappen crowned Formula One world champion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Issy Ronald | Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Max Verstappen was crowned Formula One world champion for the third time, securing the title in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday. Super proud of the job of the team,” Max Verstappen told Sky Sports. A dominant seasonMax Verstappen celebrates his third world title. When such an impressive car is driven by one of the all-time greats, which Verstappen now is, it is sporting alchemy. Only five other drivers have won more world titles: Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez –, Verstappen, It’s, ” Max Verstappen, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, Mercedes ’ George Russell, Clive Rose, Bull, Sergio Pérez, Red Bull, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Christian Horner, “, I’ve, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel Organizations: CNN, Qatar, Prix, Sky Sports, Singapore Locations: Bahrain

The American superstar won the individual all-around title at the world championships for the sixth time on Friday to become the most decorated gymnast in history. Biles' only blip came right at the end, as she was about to wrap up her floor routine. Biles, Jones and Andrade competed in the same rotation, kicking off their contest at vault. Andrade bounced out of bounds seconds before she wrapped up her floor routine, a fluffed last step that marred an otherwise brilliant display. Biles’ competition continues this weekend with the women’s vault and uneven bars finals on Saturday and the balance beam and floor exercise finals on Sunday.

Persons: Simone Biles, Biles, Rebeca Andrade, Shilese Jones, Vitaly Scherbo, blip, ” Biles, Andrade, Jones, Cheng, ___ Organizations: Olympics, U.S Locations: ANTWERP, Belgium, American, U.S, Paris, Tokyo

☆ Why Red Bull’s RB19 is one of the most dominant F1 cars ever
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

However, Red Bull Racing’s 2023 competitor, the RB19, has absolutely fried the system and blown past the boundaries of what appeared possible in this sport. Mark Thompson/Getty ImagesNewey has been designing F1 cars since 1988 and has won 12 Constructors’ Championships, split between his time at Williams, McLaren and Red Bull. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has described Newey as “the only bloke that can see air” in an interview with Red Bull. And Mercedes eventually ceded its position at the summit of F1 to Red Bull in 2022 after being in control for much of the turbo-hybrid era. But it does raise the question: how far can Red Bull go?

Persons: Red Bull, Max Verstappen, we’ve, Lawrence Barretto, It’s, Edd Straw, Sergio Pérez, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Sebastian Vettel’s, Bull, Verstappen, Vettel, Michael Schumacher’s, Mercedes ’, Mark Thompson, Lewis Hamilton, ”, “, ” Verstappen, Hamilton, Adrian Newey, Newey, Red, McLaren, –, Christian Horner, Straw, Max, “ We’ve, Michael Schumacher, Mercedes, hasn’t, he’s, Clive Mason, Lewis, Michael, Seb, Roger Federer’s, Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Clive Rose, Bull won’t, George Russell, ” Horner Organizations: CNN, ”, CNN Sport, “, Suzuka, Singapore, Prix, Verstappen, Monza, Austrian, FIA, Sky Sports, Bulls, Constructors, Williams, Ferrari, Getty, BBC Radio Locations: Miami, Qatar, Austrian, ”, New England

The famous line etched Al Michaels, the commentator for the historic moment, into sporting folklore. Over an extensive broadcasting career, Michaels became of one of the premiere voices in US sports, covering 11 Super Bowls, eight World Series, three Stanley Cup Finals, two NBA Finals and nine Olympics. He spent 20 years fronting ABC’s Monday Night Football broadcast, becoming known for his partnership with Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden. Subsequently, Michaels has become the lead commentator for Amazon’s coverage of Thursday Night Football to remain the voice of many big-time NFL highlights. I feel very lucky.”Michaels is seen on the sidelines before a Thursday Night Football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers on December 15, 2022.

Persons: Soviet Union –, Al Michaels, “, ” Michaels, Michaels, CNN’s Chris Wallace, I’m, Steve Fenn, ’ ” Michael, Vin Scully, Hall, John Madden, “ John, Madden, John, Cris Collinsworth, he’s, Jerry Rice, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Wayne Gretzky – Michaels, there’s, I’ve, ”, “ Somebody, ’ I’ve, Marcio Jose Sanchez, He’s, ‘, –, Chris Wallace, Max Organizations: CNN, Soviet, NBA, Ebbets, Major League Baseball, Brooklyn Dodgers, Sweden, ABC, Getty, Ebbets Field, ”, Arizona State University, Los Angeles Lakers, Hawaii Islanders, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Football, Hall of Fame, Sunday, Cincinnati Bengals, NFL, NBC, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Fame Locations: Soviet Union, Brooklyn, Lake Placid, Los Angeles

☆ Marc Márquez: MotoGP maestro officially set to leave Honda
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Jonathan Hawkins | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Márquez will end his 11-year association with Honda, the factory team announced Wednesday, finally ending weeks of speculation around the rider’s future. “Honda Racing Corporation and Marc Márquez have mutually elected to terminate their four-year contract prematurely at the end of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship season,” HRC announced in a statement. In an emotional social media post following Honda’s announcement, Márquez shared what he said was a message to one of his team. “I don’t know where to begin. I don’t know if I’m doing right or wrong, I don’t know what will happen in the future, I don’t know if all this will turn out well, but what I do know is everything we have achieved together,” the post read.

Persons: Marc Márquez, “, Álex, Márquez, I’m, Santi Hernández, Clive Mason, Álex Márquez, ” Organizations: CNN, Honda, “ Honda Racing Corporation, ” HRC, Ducati, MotoGP, Great, Triple Locations: Great Britain

ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Led by Simone Biles, the U.S. women won a record seventh consecutive team title at the gymnastics world championships on Wednesday night. The American team of Biles, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely and Leanne Wong combined for a total of 167.729 points to edge Brazil and France. The U.S. women have won gold in the team event at every world championship that included a team competition since 2011. Biles now has 26 world championship medals, 20 of them gold, to go with her seven Olympic medals, including the 2016 Olympic title. Biles capped off a successful night for the U.S team with a spectacular floor routine rewarded by a 15.166.

Persons: Simone Biles, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, Leanne Wong, Biles, Larisa Latynina, Joscelyn Roberson, Wong, Jones, Cheng, Pike, ___ Organizations: American, The U.S, Soviet Union, China, U.S Locations: ANTWERP, Belgium, U.S, Brazil, France, The, Antwerp

☆ David Beckham on Netflix: What the new documentary reveals about the soccer icon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —One of the most recognizable people in the world, David Beckham has a well-trodden story: a former England soccer captain, married to a Spice Girl and now the owner of Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. But, as it turns out, Victoria Beckham is “not into football” and never will be, she says in the documentary, despite marrying one of the sport’s most recognizable figures. David and Victoria Beckham pictured in April 2004. Bruno Vincent/Getty Images“I don’t know how we got through it in all honesty,” Beckham said haltingly in the documentary. David Beckham enjoys beekeepingAfter retiring from football, Beckham has become a co-owner of Inter Miami and found some other ways to occupy his time too, including beekeeping and cooking.

Persons: David Beckham, “ Brand Beckham, David, Victoria Beckham, Fisher Stevens, “, ”, Victoria, Mel C, Beckham, Bruno Vincent, ” Beckham, haltingly, Diego Simeone, David Gardner, –, Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, …, “ You’ve, Anthony Harvey, Shutterstock, Lopez Organizations: CNN, England soccer, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Netflix, ”, Manchester United, British, “, Real, Getty, Argentina, England Locations: England, Beckham, Real Madrid, Victoria, ”, Beyoncé

☆ Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu Gaien redevelopment plan sparks protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Emiko Jozuka | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Last month the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), a UNESCO advisory body, issued a “heritage alert” for Jingu Gaien. Nishikawa believes that the commercial nature of the redevelopment “breaks the promise” of keeping the Jingu Gaien as a public space. Protesters gather for a demonstration at Meiji Jingu Gaien on September 15, 2023. Work commenced at the Meiji Jingu Gaien site in March. “They need to go back to the drawing board and use a much more democratic process to decide the future of Jingu Gaien.”

Persons: Hiroshi Ono, Meiji Jingu Gaien, ”, Emperor Meiji, Emperor Naruhito, Babe Ruth, Daniel Campisi, Jingu Gaien, Naoko Nishikawa, Nishikawa, Shinji Isoya, Gaien, CNN Shinji, Mitsui Fudosan, Hajime Funada, Meiji Jingu, Kiyotatsu Yamamoto, Rochelle Kopp, Jingu, Mikiko Ishikawa, Ishikawa, Kopp, ” Daniel Campisi, CNN Yamamoto, ” Kopp Organizations: Japan CNN, Tokyo, CNN, Chichibunomiya Rugby, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Council, UNESCO, CNN Tokyo, Mitsui Fudosan, Japan’s, Protesters, Meiji, Liberal Democratic Party, University of Tokyo, Japan National, Co, World Cities Culture Forum, Properties, “ Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Meiji, Tokyo’s, Shinjuku, Minato, ”, New, New York, London

☆ Caroline Marks: How surfer capitalized on a ‘special connection with the ocean’ to win her first surfing world title
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Marks celebrates winning the world title at Lower Trestles in California. Pat Nolan/World Surf League/Getty Images“I feel like I had a special connection with the ocean already that day, and my board felt amazing,” says Marks. But for Marks, winning the world title was the culmination of years of hard work, a goal that had formed in her mind even before she became the youngest surfer to qualify for the Championship Tour aged 15. But this year’s world title, Marks says, was even more satisfying after last season’s four-month absence from competitions. “The world title to me was my biggest goal ever,” says Marks, who won the Tahiti Pro event in August.

Persons: Caroline Marks, Marks, Carissa Moore, Tyler Wright –, ” Marks, idolize Moore, Moore, Pat Nolan, ”, “, Caitlin Simmers, Wright, Kelly Slater, Marks “, Ryan Pierse, –, I’ve, that’s, “ I’d, She’s, Mike Parsons, “ She’s, Marks hasn’t, there’s, Matt Dunbar, She’ll, gunning Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, women’s, SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, Tokyo, Kyodo, Tokyo Games, Tahiti Locations: Trestles, Southern California, Florida, California, Melbourne Beach, Tahiti –

☆ Liverpool VAR: The ‘monumental error’ that put English soccer in crisis mode
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesAt the heart of this is a failure in communication by match officials and a failure to put pragmatism before protocol. There is an acceptance that mistakes will happen, and there have been plenty already this season in the Premier League. The release of the audio of the conversations between the match officials would likely influence what Liverpool does next. In rugby union, fans can listen to discussions between match officials on crucial decisions, making the process clear and open for all. The immediate consequence has been that VAR officials England and Cook have not been selected to feature in this weekend’s Premier League games.

Persons: wasn’t, ”, Mohamed Salah’s, Luis Díaz, Salah, Darren England, Simon Hooper, Hooper, –, Dan Cook, PGMOL, Curtis Jones, Marc Atkins, VARs –, Jurgen Klopp, “, Alan Shearer, Visionhaus, Neil Atkinson, ’, CNN Sport’s Don Riddell, Klopp, Joel Matip, Justin Setterfield, Stephen Taylor Heath, they’ve, ” Taylor Heath, Taylor Heath, Henry Winter, Howard Webb, PGMOL’s, Díaz, Peter Cziborra, Webb, Cook Organizations: CNN, English Premier League, Liverpool, Tottenham, Premier League, Manchester, Spurs, England, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Sunday, Fulham, Chelsea, Daily Telegraph, BBC, Anfield, JWM Solicitors, CNN Sport, “, Times, Major League Soccer, PA Media, Sky Sports, International Football Association Board Locations: Liverpool, Colombian, England

☆ TPC Sawgrass: How one woman found her dream home on one of the world’s most famous golf courses
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“It was a really, really difficult decision,” Burchell told CNN. Rebecca BurchellBurchell’s focus had settled on Seven Mile Drive, a neighborhood that occupies the second-highest price bracket at Sawgrass Players Club. Michael Cohen / Getty ImagesThe view remains the star attraction of life in Sawgrass Players Club for Burchell, but it is far from the only draw. The clubhouse, pictured during the 2011 Players Championship, is the focal point of the community. Fans flock to the iconic 17th island green at TPC Sawgrass to watch Tiger Woods at the 2018 Players Championship.

Persons: Rebecca Burchell, Emma, Liam, Burchell, –, Rebecca’s, Mark, ” Burchell, ”, viewings, Rebecca Burchell Burchell’s, Pete Dye, Bobby Weed, Jerry Pate, that’s, “, I’ve, Michael Cohen, Scott Halleran, …, gridlock, Woods, Richard Heathcote, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, PGA Tour, Sawgrass Players, Burchell, TPC, Yards, Getty, University of Florida Locations: Beaconsfield, England, Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville , Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, Dye’s, Dye's

☆ Kanjuruhan stadium disaster: One year on, families are still seeking answers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Families have criticized their prison sentences – of between one and two years – as being too light. “The Kanjuruhan tragedy was a gross human rights violation,” said Imam Hidayat, a spokesperson for the Kanjuruhan Tragedy Advocacy Team, who called on the Attorney General’s Office to form an independent team to investigate the tragedy. Also among the demonstrators was a man named Daniel, whose daughter Elvi Duali died at the stadium. “Even after a year, we (the victims’ families) still have not received justice.”Located in East Java, the Kanjuruhan Stadium was used mostly for soccer matches, with a supposed capacity of 38,000 spectators. A clash between a number of Arema FC fans and police prompted security forces to fire tear gas into enclosed areas of the stadium.

Persons: –, ”, Hidayat, Daniel, Elvi Duali, ” Daniel, “, Willy Kurniawan, Joko Widodo, Usman Hamid Organizations: CNN, CNN Indonesia, National Police Headquarters, Investigations, Attorney, Arema FC, Reuters Survivor, Amnesty International Locations: Indonesia, Jakarta, Malang Regency, Komnas HAM, East Java, Amnesty International Indonesia

I really feel I’m taking care of this place,” Biagiotti Cigna said in a recent interview with The Associated Press inside the castle walls. “There was so much energy here in the Renaissance and I really feel that the Ryder Cup is a new renaissance for Marco Simone,” Biagiotti Cigna said. “We cannot handle having so many visitors — 300,000 people is a little too complicated to handle,” Biagiotti Cigna said. “But right after the Ryder Cup, visitors who come and play Marco Simone, by booking in advance, will be able to visit the fashion house as well. “(After) the Ryder Cup there will be an opportunity to embrace a new experience of golf, culture, fashion, food and archeology.”___

Persons: GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, —, Marco Simone, Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna, Biagiotti, ” Biagiotti Cigna, Simone dei Tebaldi, Galileo Galilei, Biagiotti Cigna, “, ” Biagiotti, Delia, ”, Delia Soldaini Biagiotti, Laura Biagiotti, It’s, Lara Arias, Henrik Stenson, Luke Donald, Stenson, LIV, Cigna Organizations: Associated Press, sport’s, Ryder Locations: Italy, Rome, Italian, China, Saudi

☆ Leah Williamson: Fallout like Spain’s was ‘inevitable’ in women’s soccer, says England and Arsenal star
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Matias Grez | Amanda Davies | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“It’s a moment that was inevitable based off of the environment that we’ve had in football,” Williamson told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies. “I’m glad that it’s getting the exposure that it is, but as a fellow footballer I really feel for the girls. Williamson captained England to victory at Euro 2021. Every cloud has a silver liningAfter injuring her knee during Arsenal’s Women’s Super League match against Manchester United in April, Williamson was later given the diagnosis that soccer players dread the most: a ruptured ACL. Williamson (center) suffered an ACL injury in May, causing her to miss the World Cup.

Persons: Leah Williamson, Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Williamson, we’ve, ” Williamson, Amanda Davies, “ I’m, “, Naomi Baker, ”, Lionesses, Millie Bright, she’s, ’, ’ ’, Clive Rose, – Williamson, they’re, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Arsenal, government’s, of Sport, United Nations ’, UN, FA, League, Manchester United, England, The Arsenal Foundation Locations: England, Spain, Spanish, New York, Jordan, Za’atari

☆ Coco Gauff: Even at the age of 10, tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou was convinced US star would be ‘great’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Patrick Snell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou came away from his first meeting with a 10-year-old Coco Gauff convinced that she was destined for greatness. Gauff and Mouratoglou have known each other for almost 10 years and worked together in an unofficial capacity ahead of this year's French Open. Gauff can now call herself a grand slam Champion. “She has learned to deal with [the pressure] at a young age, and that explains partly her ability to win her first grand slam final at only 19 years old,” said Mouratoglou. “I think the Williams sisters have inspired a lot of African Americans and Black people in general,” he said.

Persons: Serena Williams ’, Patrick Mouratoglou, Coco Gauff, “, CNN Sport’s Patrick Snell, ” Gauff, Christophe Saidi, “ Coco, ”, Roland Garros, Venus Williams, Gauff, Simona Halep, Elsa, Getty, Mouratoglou, Serena Williams, Williams, Serena, ” Williams, Scott Barbour, Tsitsipas, Holger Rune, “ She’s Organizations: CNN, Mouratoglou Academy, Wimbledon, Washington D.C, Mouratoglou, Getty Locations: United States, “, Cincinnati, New York

☆ Georgia looking to cause an upset at the Rugby World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Jack Hillcox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Today, Maisashvili is in France leading Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Having lost 35-15 against Australia in its Rugby World Cup opener, Georgia hopes to bounce back against Portugal this Saturday, then against Fiji and Wales in its final pool C game. David Mdzinarishvili/ReutersThe Georgian national rugby team was formed in 1964, but was initially subsumed by the Soviet Union rugby federation. Despite making up a tiny portion of the Soviet Union, Georgian players were one of the dominant forces in the larger nation’s rugby team. The nation’s rugby team suffered after gaining independence, leading to serious lack of resources.

Persons: CNN — “, ” Levan Maisashvili, Maisashvili, Levan Maisashvili, Georgia's, Levan Verdzeuli, Nika Abuladze –, David Mdzinarishvili, ” Tony Collins, Huw Richards ’, Collins, “, Bidzina Ivanishvili, Forbes, ” Maisashvili, ”, Warren Little Organizations: CNN, rugby, Italy, –, Georgian, CNN Sport, ” Rugby, Scotland, Australia, Rugby World, Portugal, Fiji, Humble, Georgian national rugby team, Soviet Union rugby, Soviet Union, Soviet national, Institute of Sports Humanities, Rugby, Reuters, Nations, Northern Hemisphere, Rugby Championship, Southern Hemisphere Locations: South Africa, Wales, France, Georgia, Shukhuti, Soviet, Georgian, “ Georgia, Fiji, Toulouse

Meanwhile, failed uprisings in Bahrain and eastern Saudi Arabia were followed by years-long crackdowns and a continuing civil war in Syria. “What we’re beginning to see in Saudi Arabia right now is the emergence of a new social contract. Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest exporter of crude oil, and nearly two-thirds of its income still comes from selling fossil fuels. If Saudi Arabia can become a hub for major sporting events, then that’s a way of attracting interest to the country,” said Maguire. In response to previous criticism about Saudi Arabia’s purported “sportswashing,” the kingdom’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said: “People that don’t know Saudi Arabia, have never been to Saudi Arabia, go out and talk about it as if they’ve lived there for 30 years, 40 years.

Persons: Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, Germain, Neymar Jr, Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Patricia de Melo Moreira, it’s, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman –, Leon Neal, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Al Hilal, spender, –, Carlo Nohra, Jordan Henderson, Henderson, “, ’ ” Simon Chadwick, “ We’ve, ” Chadwick, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Al Nassr, Stringer, you’re, Kieran Maguire, they’re, Everybody’s, ” Maguire, Chadwick, Ronaldo, Maguire, … Mohammed bin Salman, ” James Dorsey, ”, Chadwick –, Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al, Faisal, don’t, they’ve, LIV Golf, Jimmy Dunne, LIV, Dunne, Aleksander Ceferin, Erling, Haaland, Jurgen Klopp, Michael Emenalo, Steven Gerrard, Nohra, ” “ They’ve Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Al, Paris Saint, PSG, Saudi Pro League, Ligue, Liga, Serie, Bundesliga, English Premier League, Deloitte, Investment Fund, AFP, Getty, SPL, Saudi Crown, Spanish, Arsenal, CNN Sport, English, Newcastle United, Liverpool, The Athletic, SKEMA Business School, Argentina, Zamalek, King Fahd Sports City, Anadolu Agency, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Football, AFC Asian, FIFA, Greece, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish Super, ”, Amnesty International, Amnesty, Middle East Soccer, Saudi Ministry, Sport, PGA Tour, European, UEFA, Premier League, Ettifaq Media, Reuters New Saudi Pro League, Major League Soccer, La Liga, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Russian Direct Investment Fund, Investigations, PGA Locations: Saudi Arabian, Brazil, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Ahli, Real Madrid, England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Liverpool, China, Qatar, Taif, Egypt, Spanish, East, North Africa, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Bahrain, Syria, “, ”, Europe, ” Liverpool

☆ Rafael Nadal says Novak Djokovic is the best tennis player ‘in history’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Rafael Nadal believes long-time rival Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time and says “there is nothing to discuss” about the sport’s GOAT debate. Djokovic can also boast a record 39 Masters 1000 titles, three ahead of Nadal, and the most weeks spent at world No. If I feel competitive and enjoy what I do, why would I limit myself?” he said. Nadal says he is currently either training or undergoing rehab twice a day to prepare for next season but is still playing very little tennis. “This is my current dream, to go out on a tennis court and feel like I can play competitively.

Persons: CNN — Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Nadal, Djokovic, Roger Federer, “, ” Nadal, he’d, ” Novak Djokovic, Manu Fernandez, Nadal hasn’t, Mackenzie McDonald, ”, can’t, Nadal hasn't, MANAN VATSYAYANA, Clay ’, that’s, I’m Organizations: CNN, Serb, Diario AS, Getty Locations: Spanish, AFP

☆ Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid: Soccer’s never-ending transfer saga
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

This, of course, is Kylian Mbappé’s much discussed, potential move from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Real Madrid. The first time Real Madrid came calling for the boy from Bondy was when the forward was just 13 years old. Zinedine Zidane watches on as Mbappé plays against his Real Madrid team in 2019. I mean, that tells you the story through that.”Jude Bellingham (C) and Vinícius Júnior (R) are leading the next generation of Real Madrid stars. “The biggest failure for me would be that Real Madrid didn’t have a plan B if the Mbappé signing didn’t happen,” he adds.

Persons: Germain, Mbappé, Zinedine Zidane, ” Mbappé, ‘ Zidane, ’ ”, Anthony Dibon, Blancos, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, France’s, “, ”, ” France's, Francois Mori, Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff, it’s, Krasnoff, Bleus, –, de Cordée, Anne, Christine Poujoulat, ” Nabil Larbi, Billie Jean King’s, undesirables ’, PSG President Nasser Al, Kirill Kudryavtsev, David Beckham, Ronaldo Nazário, Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Florentino Pérez, Álvaro Romeo, Vinícius Jr, Jude Bellingham –, Dani Carvajal, I’m, ” Carvajal, ” Romeo, Romeo, he’s, ” Jude Bellingham, Vinícius, Jorge Guerrero, Merengues, Real, they’ve, Karim Benzema, Joselu Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, PSG, AS Monaco, Real Madrid, Real, Players ’ Tribune, French national, League, The New York Times, Getty, CNN Sport, peerless, Fifth, Stade de France, Stade France, French, PSG President, City, Spain Real Madrid, Madrid Locations: Paris, Real Madrid, Madrid, Bondy, Spain, France, Fifth Republic, Republic, AFP, Greater Paris, Mbappé, Cameroon, Algeria, Bondy’s, Japan, City of, Spanish, Real, Saudi Arabian, Ittihad

☆ Injuries in Brazilian Jujitsu Prompt Introspection in Growing Martial Art
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( John Wiegand | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Erik Milosevich attended his first Brazilian jujitsu class, he hoped it would spark a mutual interest to share with his teenage daughter. Brazilian jujitsu offers an enticing proposition: that a smaller, weaker person can defeat a larger, stronger opponent in a fight. The sport’s popularity has surged in recent years, spurred by its effectiveness in professional mixed martial arts and frequent promotion by the likes of Joe Rogan, the podcaster and Ultimate Fighting Championship analyst. Mark Zuckerberg, the Meta chief executive, started Brazilian jujitsu as a hobby during the coronavirus pandemic and recently competed in his first tournament. Brazilian jujitsu is often billed by those who practice it as accessible, effective for self-defense, technically challenging, physically rewarding and relatively safe compared with other combat sports.

Persons: Erik Milosevich, Jujitsu, Joe Rogan, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk Organizations: Brazilian jujitsu, Fighting

☆ Taika Waititi: La La Land meets lineouts – Hollywood A-lister forays into the world of rugby
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Amanda Davies | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Hollywood A-lister Taika Waititi is much more comfortable holding an Academy Award than lifting the Rugby World Cup trophy. “The only World Cup I’ve been to is the very first one in 1987 with my father and that was a very special moment,” he said. They’ve now suffered two losses in a row having lost to reigning champion South Africa in August before the World Cup kicked off. Waititi talks on the field during the Rugby World Cup 2021 New Zealand match against Australia. But the Rugby World Cup has provided some of the biggest upsets in the history of sport, notably when Japan stunned South Africa in 2015.

Persons: lister Taika, “, Amanda Davies, ”, Waititi, Webb Ellis, Alex Livesey, Marvel’s, Thor, Kiwi Waititi, Jerome Kaino, Andrew Mehrtens, Chabal, John Kirwan, They’ve, we’re, ” Waititi, Mike Hewitt, Rita Ora, Te, Matewa –, Phil Walter, “ Jojo Rabbit, I’d Organizations: CNN, Hollywood, Rugby, de Rugby, Zealand, NZR, Webb, Getty, Italy, New Zealand, Blacks, South Africa, rugby, FIFA, Australia, American Samoa soccer team Locations: France, Zealand, New Zealand, Namibia, Italy, Uruguay, Japan, South Africa, Australia, American Samoa

☆ Formula 1 Keeps Adding Races
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Phillip Horton | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

There are more Formula 1 races than ever, and next season there will be even more, with 24 races, the most in the sport’s history. This year’s Formula 1 schedule, at 23 events, should have set the record, but the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was canceled because of the extreme rainfall that devastated the region. Also returning to the calendar is the Chinese Grand Prix, which was last held at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2019. Formula 1 and the Chinese race’s promoter have a contract through 2025, and next year’s Grand Prix will be on April 21, the season’s fifth race. “Now there’s a lot of people really into racing and Formula 1 who can’t wait to go back there — also myself — for the Grand Prix,” said Zhou Guanyu of China, who drives for Alfa Romeo.

Persons: Emilia, —, ”, Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo Organizations: Grand Prix, Imola, Shanghai, Circuit, Alfa Locations: Grand, Italy, China

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