Indianapolis officially announces it will host U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in 2028
Indianapolis will host the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials for the second time in a row in June 2028, USA Swimming announced June 3.
The event will mark the eighth time the city has hosted the trials since the first time in 1924, Mayor Joe Hogsett said at a press conference Tuesday.
The 2024 trials broke attendance records for the event with 285,000 fans across the nine days and resulted in an estimated $100 million economic impact, according to OneAmerica Financial president Scott Davison.
The event was also the first time a swim meet had ever been held in an NFL stadium, USA Swimming CEO Bob Vincent said.
"We had high expectations for this event, but somehow this city, this stadium and these fans exceeded all of them," Vincent said.
To commemorate the event, USA Swimming and the Indiana Sports Corp will host a festival throughout the city. Indiana Sports Corp will look for ways to enhance the experience for fans, possibly tying the event to Los Angeles, where the Olympics are taking place, Sports Corp officials said.
Last year, the city and its partners installed a 66-foot replica Eiffel Tower for the week of the trials in honor of the Paris Olympics.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Win or lose, NiJaree Canady is the face of college softball — and her star is only rising
NiJaree Canady sliced a rise ball through the evening air, leaving it hovering over the plate just long enough to fool Ole Miss catcher Lexie Brady. Swing, miss, strikeout. Then came Canady's footstomp, a thunderous statement from the best player in the game, a celebration of joy, dominance and swagger that has catapulted her into the mainstream. The 'NiJa stomp' has echoed around Devon Park, home of the Women's College World Series, over the last week as Canady asserts herself in the circle, celebrating each strikeout — and doing it loudly. Advertisement 'I am definitely stomping with her,' said former James Madison pitcher Odicci Alexander, who played in the 2021 WCWS. 'There is so much shine on her. Some people are like, why is she stomping, why are you stomping with her? But I'm like, 'Girl, put a hole in the ground.'' By now you have probably heard of, and may have seen, Canady, the million-dollar pitcher who spurned a Stanford degree to enroll at Texas Tech last summer, curious to see if she could lift a program from doormat to dominant. A 6-foot ace with long black braids and a megawatt smile, Canady has become the face of the sport as her stomp vibrates beyond Oklahoma City. On Thursday, Canady and the Red Raiders will try to force a winner-take-all Game 3 vs. Texas after losing 2-1 in Game 1 on Wednesday. The defeat came after a rare mistake from Canady, who has been nearly flawless throughout the postseason. Advertisement Leading 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, with a runner on second and third base and two outs, Canady attempted to intentionally walk UT catcher Reese Atwood. But her pitch with a 3-0 count hung too close to the strike zone and Atwood smashed it for a two-run single to propel Texas to the win. Intentional walks are uncommon for Canady, but she wasn't making excuses afterward. 'I'm a college pitcher,' she said. 'I should be able to do that.' Both programs are seeking their first national title. It feels overdue for the Longhorns, runners-up two of the last three years. For Texas Tech, appearing in its first title series in its first WCWS, it is validation of a titanic investment in a previously mediocre program. And for Canady, it is a chance to lift an entire sport to another stratosphere. Advertisement Softball has had generational talent before — UCLA pitcher Lisa Fernandez, Texas ace Cat Osterman, Oklahoma slugger Jocelyn Alo — but none had quite the opportunity to go mainstream like Canady. It started because of her unprecedented payday. It's been heightened because of her ability in the circle. Canady is, in many ways, the perfect player at the perfect time: As the WCWS celebrates record viewership, a new pro softball league prepares to launch and the sport readies for a return to the Olympics, her potential to propel softball into the public consciousness is Caitlin Clark-esque — regardless of whether she walks away from this week with a national championship. 'She got paid $1 million, and we don't see that in women's sports,' said ESPN analyst Jessica Mendoza, a two-time Olympian who is on the call in Oklahoma City. 'That type of news definitely broke through outside of our sport. But then, to do exactly what they paid her to do — more times than not, people succumb to pressure.' Because of their ability to silence the other team's offense, no single player impacts a team sport more than a standout softball pitcher. Canady is proof of that, throwing every one of Tech's 388 pitches in Oklahoma City and totaling 32 strikeouts across four games. Her power from the circle is especially impressive because softball is built to be a hitters' game. And Canady is perhaps even more valuable to Tech because of her ability to hit, too; she's batting .288 going into Thursday. Advertisement But her hold on the sport is about more than her mesmerizing play. Retired Arizona coach Mike Candrea, who won eight WCWS titles and two medals as the Olympic coach in 2004 and 2008, has been impressed by Canady's poise, efficiency and the infectious joy she plays with. It's clear that people love her and love playing with her. 'But, man, when she gets in the circle,' he said, 'she is an assassin.' 'What we're witnessing is a renaissance' Canady reached the WCWS twice as the ace at Stanford, but became more well-known last summer when she commanded that $1 million in the transfer portal, an unheard-of number for an athlete outside of football and men's basketball. (Texas, traditionally the power in its state, couldn't compete financially with that figure, said Osterman, the former UT star.) She has more than proved her worth, pushing the program to its first Big 12 title and first Super Regional appearance behind a 0.94 ERA, the best in Division I this year. Advertisement 'She is leading a shift,' Osterman said. 'This is going to force other schools to up their game. Other athletes who have been in contention for player of the year awards, now they're saying, 'Hey, if that's what she got, I can't just say OK to $10,000 or $20,000.'' People are paying attention. ESPN has shattered viewership ratings, setting an all-time pre-finals record, up 25 percent year-over-year. Three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, a Tech alum, has been posting to social media in real time during Red Raiders games, seemingly living and dying with every Canady pitch. He gifted the players gear this week and was expected to try to attend the series in person. For softball stakeholders, the best news about Canady's meteoric rise is that she'll be back in Lubbock next year. Given that she's already entered the rarified air of being known only by one name — say 'NiJa' and softball fans know who you mean — it's enticing to imagine how popular she can become. Could she mimic Clark in capturing the public's attention so much that ESPN puts her on prime time during the regular season, as happened with Iowa women's basketball during Clark's senior year? Advertisement 'Please, please, please,' begged Mendoza, a four-time All-American at Stanford who calls both softball and baseball for ESPN. 'That is my dream.' 'You wait for these once-in-a-generation athletes to bring us right to the brink and we've had them, but for some reason it hasn't been player,' Mendoza said. 'You can have all kinds of theories about what it's going to take to bring people to our sport, what will get them excited, get their attention. Right now, I'm watching all these men's sports shows and they're talking about softball. This is exactly what we've wanted. I've been waiting for this.' She's not the only one. 'There is a Rubik's cube of criteria that's twisting and turning all these decades,' said retired UCLA coach Sue Enquist, who won 11 titles with the Bruins. 'So many pieces have to turn and twist to line up and get all the colors to match on one side. What we're witnessing is a renaissance.' Advertisement There's been an undeniable burst of energy around women's sports over the last few years, from skyrocketing valuations of pro franchises to the continued commitment to build facilities specifically for women's teams and events. A new professional softball league, with significant financial backing from MLB, starts Saturday, hopeful to capitalize on momentum from the WCWS. The spike in popularity — evidenced by a jump in attendance, viewership, sponsorships and merchandise sales — comes from a foundation laid by basketball and soccer, Enquist said. Now, behind Canady and her trademark stomp, it's softball's turn. 'Star power changes the ratings significantly,' said play-by-play announcer Beth Mowins, calling her 31st WCWS this week. 'Our research shows that fans follow their team, but there really is tremendous interest in star players. For years in women's sports, there was room for maybe one star — Mia Hamm in soccer, Serena (Williams) in tennis. 'But now, with social media, it's spread out more and you have a constant connection to every game. Because women play four years of college sports, NiJaree's star power, just like Caitlin's, will grow each season. And like we've seen with Caitlin, a rising tide lifts all boats.' An inspiration for the next generation Four years ago, Alexander — the former James Madison pitcher whose first name is pronounced 'Odyssey' — became the darling of the WCWS, leading the Dukes to the semifinals before being eliminated by Oklahoma. She was the rare softball superstar talented enough to lead a mid-major to the WCWS. She is also Black. Advertisement Other Black pitchers have excelled at previous WCWS, including Aleshia Ocasio from Florida and UCLA's Anjelica Sheldon. But they aren't common. In 2021, Alexander talked frankly about the fact that often, she looked around the field during youth travel softball tournaments and realized she was the only Black player. That Canady, a Black woman, has become a folk hero of sorts in a predominantly White sport isn't lost on people. 'It's important for any young girl to see themselves,' Mendoza said. 'For me, with Lisa Fernandez, seeing a Hispanic woman on a big stage, understanding my own culture, seeing that brown skin matters, that was huge.' That she is excelling loudly matters, too. Advertisement The origin of Canady's stomp is unknown. She's been doing it nearly as long as she's been in the circle. Her reactions, just like her rise ball, set her apart from others who have come before her. Dominant pitchers are nothing new, but demonstrative ones are. 'You might see a high five or a fist pump, but that's it, and it's usually hitters. You never really saw pitchers do it,' Mendoza said. 'Now, NiJa has allowed what's within her — she's fired up, she's passionate — to come out.' Alexander, watching from Chicago this week, loves that Canady plays with 'such a free, passionate spirit.' Tech pitching coach Tara Archibald described the stomp as 'a release.' 'When you see her in those moments — it's always getting out of a big inning — she'll have that reaction after that, but it's for her team, it's for her teammates,' Archibald said. 'It's 'we did this.' I think it's knowing how much she's put into it to be able to get to that point. It's just pouring out of her. It's so fun to watch.' Advertisement And it's probably about to become a lot more common. 'I guarantee you when we all watch the Softball Little League World Series in August, we're gonna see little girls throwing their foot down, fist pumping, igniting the crowd,' Mendoza said. 'The 'NiJa stomp' will be heard 'round the world.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Texas Tech Red Raiders, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Texas Tech Lady Raiders, Sports Business, Olympics, College Sports, Women's College Sports, women's sports 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Russian hockey teams remain banned from 2026 Olympics. What does it mean for NHL players?
The NHL is not expecting Russian participation in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Wednesday in a news conference before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. His statement came on the heels of the International Olympic Committee confirming last week its stance that both Russia and Belarus should be barred from fielding teams of athletes. Advertisement The IOC Executive Board recommended sanctions for Russia after the country invaded Ukraine in February 2022 with support from Belarus, its eastern neighbor. The recommendations to international sports federations were first announced in 2023, leading to Russia and Belarus missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympics. The IOC requested an Olympic hockey schedule and groupings from the International Ice Hockey Federation in early May, IIHF president Luc Tardif recently told reporters. The IOC then reaffirmed its recommendations in a statement at the end of the month. Neither the IOC nor the IIHF have released official decisions on Russia's involvement in the 2026 Olympics, which will be held next February. But the recommendations are not expected to change, as Daly's comment indicated. The chances of a Russian team taking the ice for the Olympic hockey tournament are slim, if not zero. Here's a look at the situation and its particular impact on the men's hockey tournament, which will see active NHL players competing in it for the first time since 2014. There has been a long history of countries not being allowed to compete at the Olympics. In the wake of World War II, Germany and Japan were not invited to the 1948 Olympics. The IOC barred South Africa from the Olympics from 1964 until the 1992 Games due to apartheid. Yugoslavia didn't have a team while under sanctions in 1992 for military aggression against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Olympics historian David Wallechinsky said that historically, the IOC has banned countries on a case-by-case basis that has not always been consistent. He mentioned that the U.S. did not get sanctioned when it went to war in Vietnam. The idea didn't even come up. 'If you look at South Africa and Russia, it took outside pressure to even get (the IOC) to act seriously,' Wallechinsky said. 'They do have this philosophy, long-standing: Don't punish athletes because of the actions of their government. They'll kind of bend over backwards to allow that. But if there's enough outside pressure, like South Africa and Ukraine, then they act.' Advertisement Russia is a traditional Olympic power in men's hockey. The Soviets won gold seven times, as did the 1992 Unified Team (a group of athletes from Russia and four other former Soviet states) and the 2018 Olympic Athletes of Russia. The NHL hasn't sent players to the Winter Olympics since 2014, when Canada defeated Sweden to win gold in Sochi, Russia. The Russian men's team did not medal on home ice, a source of national embarrassment so bitter that some players from that team did not attend the closing ceremonies. NHL stars Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Artemi Panarin, all of whom are at least 30 years old, have never competed in the Olympics. With the IOC's recommendations intact, it's possible they never will. The exclusion of Russian teams also means Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin might never play in the Olympics together and both of their decorated careers could end without an Olympic medal. Russia hasn't reached the podium with active NHL players since taking bronze in 2002, before either star was on the team. Before the sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine, Russia faced discipline for what the IOC referred to as 'systematic manipulation of the anti-doping system.' But while the IOC banned the Russian Olympic Committee, athletes from the country were allowed to participate at the 2018 Winter Games under the Olympic flag and a new name: 'Olympic Athletes of Russia.' That year, in Pyeongchang, South Korea, a team of Russian players won gold in men's hockey. At the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo (which were delayed until 2021 because of COVID-19) and the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, meanwhile, Russians competed as the Russian Olympic Committee — rather than as Russia — because of continued fallout from the doping scandal. At the latter Olympics, the Russian Olympic Committee men's hockey team took silver. Advertisement Multiple Russians who play in NHL and KHL, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Russian Federation did not approve their comments, said they would not want to compete in the Olympics under these altered titles in Milan Cortina. 'We are Russian,' one of those players said. 'If we play it's Russia flag, Russia name. Like other countries.' At the 2024 Paris Olympics, 32 individual Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to participate under the title 'Individual Neutral Athletes.' There are set to be neutral athletes again at the 2026 Games with the same recommendations as 2024 in place, including that athletes who actively support the war or who are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military cannot compete. But, as of now, there will not be a men's or women's hockey team with a neutral name. 'It is based on the fact that, by definition, a group of Individual Neutral Athletes cannot be considered a team,' the IOC said in a statement. 'We take note that the IIHF has confirmed that it will follow this recommendation.' According to the IIHF website, 'The decision whether Russia participates in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games will remain under the International Olympic Committee's jurisdiction.' The IIHF Council did, however, announce in February that Russia and Belarus would not be reincorporated into its championships in the 2025-26 season, which includes events like the World Championship and World Juniors. 'As the current security conditions do not allow the necessary requirements for the organization of tournaments guaranteeing the safety of all, the IIHF must maintain the current status quo until further notice,' it said in a statement. Tardif, speaking at world junior championships in January, said he wants Russia back in competitions as soon as possible. Advertisement 'It will mean the war will be over,' he said. '(Russia) is missed for any competition. But let them come too early, that's not going to be good.' The Russian Ice Hockey Federation said in a statement that it hopes the IOC's recommendations will be revised. A spokesperson said the federation cannot appeal recommendations but 'as soon as we receive a specific decision, we will be able to decide on our possible actions against it.' Based on recent precedent, a successful appeal seems close to impossible. In July 2022, the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed Russia's appeal of FIFA and UEFA's decisions to ban Russia from national and club competition. Beyond the Olympics, the Russian federation also disagreed with the IIHF's decision not to reincorporate Russia into its 2025-26 events, taking objection to the IIHF citing security concerns as its primary reason. 'The successes of Russian athletes in the NHL, AHL, NCAA and other leagues in various countries, the attention they receive and the friendly atmosphere around them prove that we do not pose a security threat, as many federations state, and that sport can still exist beyond politics, despite the position of individual sports officials,' the Russian federation said in its statement. If the recommendations remain in place, France will replace Russia in both the men's and women's hockey tournaments. Russia is currently second in the IIHF men's rankings and sixth on the women's side, while France is No. 14 and No. 15, respectively. At the most recent men's world championships, the French roster included St. Louis Blues forward Alexandre Texier, Washington Capitals goalie prospect Antoine Keller, and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, who played 700 NHL games before going to the Swiss league this season. It was the only team at the tournament that failed to win a game, though it picked up a point for an overtime loss. Advertisement The French were not at the 2025 women's world championships. The Russian NHL and KHL players who spoke to The Athletic said they are not surprised by the recommendations remaining in place but remained hopeful a resolution could be reached. One player, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Russian Ice Hockey Federation did not approve his comments, said that he's received 'hidden support' from non-Russian NHL players citing Russia's status as a historic rival to many Olympic countries — specifically Canada, the U.S. and Czechia. 'If you ask the athletes, we want to play the best,' one non-Russian NHL player said. 'I think that's in any sport. But they're not asking us what we want. I think these decisions have nothing to do with the hockey or other sports. It's not about the players, the athletes. It's above us.' That feeling is not universal. Hall of Fame goalie Dominik Hašek, who is from Czechia, has been adamantly opposed to Russia competing in the Olympics, recently tweeting approval for the IOC's stance. (Photo of Russian players celebrating their 2018 Olympic gold medal: Geoff Burke / USA TODAY)
Time Magazine
2 hours ago
- Time Magazine
World Boxing Apologizes to Imane Khelif After Announcing New Sex-Testing Policy
When Algerian boxer Imane Khelif competed in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, she wasn't just fighting her opponents in the ring, she was also fighting persistent accusations that she wasn't supposed to be there at all. Amid the controversy sparked by critics accusing her of being a man, Khelif ultimately took home the gold medal in the women's welterweight category. Khelif wasn't the only boxer to face accusations of competing in the wrong group: Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who ultimately won gold in the women's featherweight category, also had her gender questioned by figures including Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. The International Boxing Association, which had been suspended from overseeing the sport due to concerns about governance and integrity, only made matters more complicated by holding a 'chaotic' press conference mid-tournament that left onlookers with more questions than answers—and wondering if boxing would even be a part of future Olympics, which will be hosted by Los Angeles in 2028. Since then, however, World Boxing, a new governing body formed in response to the concerns surrounding the IBA, was provisionally approved to oversee the sport's inclusion in the Olympics. And among its first priorities, World Boxing cofounder and president Boris van der Vorst said earlier this year, would be to come up with a policy to settle the highly contentious matter of gender eligibility. Already, it's apologizing. After a May 30 announcement of mandatory sex testing for any boxer who wishes to compete officially in any of the matches it organizes, World Boxing issued a follow-up statement to apologize for naming Khelif, acknowledging that 'greater effort should have been made to avoid linking the policy to any individual.' The initial announcement, outlining a new 'Sex, Age and Weight' policy designed 'to ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women,' said that Khelif would be barred from competing in the female category of the Eindhoven Box Cup, which runs from June 5 to June 10, as well as any other World Boxing event until she undergoes mandatory sex testing. The wider policy is stated to begin July 1, but World Boxing said that it has the authority to make any athlete whose sex certification is 'challenged' by the athlete's federation or World Boxing 'ineligible to compete until the dispute is resolved.' The announcement said its decision to ban Khelif, who hasn't officially competed in the ring since Paris, from fighting until she undergoes testing 'reflects concerns over the safety and wellbeing of all boxers, including Imane Khelif, and aims to protect the mental and physical health of all participants in light of some of the reactions that have been expressed in relation to the boxer's potential participation.' It added that the decision 'is not deemed to in any way pre-judge the outcome of any testing.' Here's what to know. How World Boxing plans to test athletes' sex Under its new policy, all athletes over the age of 18 who wish to compete in a World Boxing event will need to undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic test to assess their eligibility. The test, according to World Boxing, can be conducted via nasal or mouth swab, saliva, or blood. A PCR test can be used to determine one's sex—specifically, the presence of Y chromosome genetic material. The Y chromosome is generally present in those assigned male at birth and generally absent in those assigned female, though intersex people can have a mixture of X and Y sex chromosomes that do not fall under the XY or XX binary, sometimes referred to as a difference of sexual development (DSD). An athlete will be deemed eligible for the male category based on the presence of Y chromosome genetic material or a DSD in which male androgenization— defined by the American Psychological Association as 'the masculinizing effect of androgens, especially testosterone, on body tissues and organs.' If only a pair of XX chromosomes are found, or a DSD in which androgenization does not occur, the athlete will be considered eligible to compete in the female category. National federations will be responsible for testing and confirming the sex of their athletes, and failure to provide certification of the PCR test or provision of a false certification will result in ineligibility and potential sanctions. 'Support will be offered to any boxers that provide an adverse test result,' the policy announcement adds, noting that it will also include an appeals process. For an athlete who wants to compete in the female category but is found to have Y chromosome genetic material or a disqualifying DSD, 'the initial screenings will be referred to independent clinical specialists for genetic screening, hormonal profiles, anatomical examination or other valuation of endocrine profiles by medical specialists.' While supporters of greater sex-eligibility testing in sports often cite safety as a concern, especially in contact sports like boxing—males tend to have greater muscle mass and arm length than females—some medical experts have argued that attempting to regulate sports based on biological tests for sex differences, which are the basis for most but not all people's identified gender, can be problematic and contribute to stigma and discrimination. What to know about Imane Khelif Van der Vorst contacted the Algerian Boxing Federation directly to apologize for naming Khelif in the policy announcement, which has only put further scrutiny on the Algerian boxer, who has identified and competed as a woman her whole life. 'I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived as a woman and I competed as a woman,' Khelif said in Paris. 'I am writing to you all personally to offer a formal and sincere apology for this and acknowledge that her privacy should have been protected,' Vorst wrote in a letter seen by the Associated Press, adding that by 'reaching out to you personally we show our true respect to you and your athletes.' As of June 5, Khelif has not yet publicly commented on World Boxing's new policy or apology—though the 26-year-old UNICEF ambassador is now facing a fresh wave of attacks, including calls to strip her of her Olympic gold medal. On June 1, 3 Wire Sports—an independent outlet by longtime Olympics reporter Alan Abrahamson— reported the purported results for Khelif of two chromosome tests from 2022 and 2023. U.K. newspaper the Telegraph summarized the report with the headline: 'Leaked medical report 'proves Imane Khelif is biological male''—which quickly circulated on social media among conservatives who had criticized Khelif's eligibility during the Olympics. According to the 3 Wire Sports report, Khelif's DNA showed XY markers with 'male' karyotype. TIME could not independently verify the test results. English broadcaster Piers Morgan posted on X: 'The biology-denying woke brigade abused and shamed me for saying it was outrageous and dangerous for Khelif to be beating up women at the Olympics. I'm ready for their apology, but won't hold my breath.' American activist Riley Gaines, who campaigns against transgender athletes' participation in women's sports, posted: 'To all the people that insisted Imane Khelif was a woman because his passport said so, You were wrong. We were right. Sincerely, People with functioning eyes and a shred of honesty.' During the Paris Olympics, the International Olympic Committee—which oversaw the sport in the absence of a boxing governing body—slammed suggestions of Khelif being male as disinformation. IOC representatives said that Khelif had met the committee's eligibility criteria and that tests the discredited IBA claimed to have that showed otherwise were 'flawed' and 'not legitimate' and part of a politically motivated 'cultural war.' In August, Khelif filed a criminal cyberbullying complaint in France against her detractors, while in February the IBA said it was taking legal action in Switzerland, France, and the U.S. against the IOC for allowing Khelif and Yu-ting to compete. Khelif responded at the time that the accusations of her ineligibility were 'false and offensive.' She said that her 'name and image have been used, unauthorized, to further personal and political agendas through the spreading and dissemination of baseless lies and misinformation,' adding: 'I am not going anywhere. I will fight in the ring, I will fight in the courts, and I will fight in the public eye until the truth is undeniable.'
