Latest news with #post-Olympic
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
The One Yard Line: Kayla Harrison's journey to the doorstep of UFC gold
The One Yard Line: Kayla Harrison's journey to the doorstep of UFC gold From a "post-Olympics depression" to a highly anticipated UFC title fight, Kayla Harrison is on the cusp of becoming arguably the most decorated combat sports athlete in history. COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Kayla Harrison is on the cusp of becoming arguably the most decorated combat sports athlete in history. That's not hyperbole. She's already got credentials few can match. Winning is essentially all Harrison has known when it comes to competition during her adult life. Most experience moments of failure, but hers have been few and far between en route to two Olympic gold medals in judo and two PFL championships in MMA. At UFC 316 on June 7 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) will attempt to add the UFC women's bantamweight title to that resume when she challenges reigning champion Julianna Peña (11-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC). Harrison admits she didn't know if she'd ever reach this moment. Her journey in judo was "love at first sight," but after conquering the highest mountain of achievement at the Olympics not just once, but twice, Harrison didn't know where the future would take her. "After the games I suffered a post-Olympic depression," Harrison told MMA Junkie. "I went from being super focused and never hitting the snooze button, to never setting an alarm. I didn't even have a Netflix account, and then all of a sudden I watched everything there was to watch on Netflix. "You want to talk about a couch potato? I'm pretty sure there was like an indent of me in my couch. … I just felt really sad and kind of empty." Harrison's life now is radically different from those dreaded post-Olympic days. After initially resisting MMA, she finally gave it a try and said it wasn't long before she was on the hook. The fundamentals from her countless hours in judo provided a nice foundation, but Harrison said entering MMA felt like she had to start from the beginning. For someone with a competitive fire that burns stronger than the average person can comprehend, that was both exhilarating and frightening. "I don't think I've had that moment yet where I'm like, 'Oh, I've made it,' which is kind of weird, I guess, because I've had a lot of fights," Harrison said. "… I definitely feel like I'm good at what I do in the gym. I'm like, 'I'm the baddest b*tch on this planet' every time I spar. But you don't fight as often as you compete in a judo tournament, so I think there's still sometimes a little bit of, like, 'But are you?' "Then you go out and win and you're like, 'Oh yeah – you are. You are.'" Harrison's purpose: Motherhood Finding a new purpose to channel her athletic experience and world-class work ethic was a clear positive point in Harrison's life. However, she said it's not the one that allowed her to make this climb into a UFC title fight with ultimate confidence and peace of mind. That moment came when Harrison's children entered her life. She took responsibility for her niece and nephew, Emery and Kyle, after her sister and mother could no longer effectively support them. She eventually adopted both kids in October 2021, raising them as a single mother and finding what is her guiding light. "I didn't know what I was doing," Harrison said. "Once I became a mom, that became the job. Once I realized that my kids love me and they don't care if I get a belt or I don't get a belt, if I have a lot of money or if I don't have a lot of money – they care that I come home, they care that I tuck them in at night, they care that I'm there to kiss a boo-boo; they don't give a sh*t about any of that other stuff – and once I realized that, it set me free. "I became a free fighter. I no longer had to fight because I had to earn something from someone. … I no longer operate from that place of fear because I have everything that I need. It's just made me fight from a place of joy and love, which has been awesome." 'I'm about to be UFC champion' Harrison, 34, struggles to even ponder the thought that all of these elements in her life are coming together at the right moment in time as she goes into her first UFC title fight. The significance of her title fight against Peña can only stack up to those matches she had for Olympic gold in 2012 and 2016. She rose to the occasion in those moments, and it's her expectation that's what will happen again. "On fight day, it feels like it's just a matter of time until I get what's mine," Harrison said. "I want to be UFC champion. I'm about to be UFC champion. We're almost there. We're on, like, the one-yard line. I can't wait."
RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
From Paris to polo, Erin Riordan keeping head above water
The 'post-Olympic blues' is a well-discussed topic. The anxiety, depression or other mental health issues that athletes can suffer from after the high-stakes competition wraps up is widely acknowledged. Team Ireland were no different to other countries in setting up support structures, with many athletes discussing their own strategies before jetting out to Paris. For former swimmer Erin Riordan, the months leading up to the Games were among the most draining of her life. The endorphins she anticipated never arrived, and she quietly slipped away from the sport afterwards. 2024 was a rollercoaster of emotions. Born in Japan to Irish parents, Riordan had spent time living in Switzerland, Hong Kong and the UK. Her first time experiencing daily life in Ireland came in 2017 when she started college here. After missing out on Tokyo, she gave it another shot to realise the Olympic dream as part of the 400m freestyle relay team that competed at the World Championships in Doha in February last year. Ireland finished 17th in the rankings, agonisingly one place outside of qualification for Paris. When the dream appeared to be over, she decided enough was enough, and retired at the age of 24. However, Japan's decision not to travel opened the door for Riordan, Victoria Catterson, Grace Davison and Danielle Hill to become the first Irish women's relay team to represent Ireland at an Olympic Games in more than half a century. For Riordan however, the memories are bittersweet. Playing catch-up in the pool, the team finished eighth in their heat. "Along the way you kind of forget why you're doing it and it becomes 'I want to make the Games, I want to do this', as opposed to 'I used to love the sport and I used to love getting up at 5am'," she tells RTÉ Sport. "It was difficult for sure. I think I kind of had a sour taste in my mouth from swimming even though I had this amazing experience and I'll never forget that. "I think I had already grieved that I wasn't going to the Olympics. And then two weeks later it was 'Get back to Dublin, you might be going'. It was a big toll on the mind, more so than the body. "You walk out and you're like 'This is it, this is the moment'. And then you're also like, 'Oh, this is it?' Two edges of a sword I guess." The second swimming retirement was a final one, though the sporting void has been filled in different ways. She works full time as a documentation specialist with a pharmaceutical company and has signed up to run her first marathon later this year. "I'm in the mind space of 'I want to enjoy sports'" Competitive sport, and indeed the water, drew her back in however. Triathlon was considered, but once water polo came across her radar, she soon found herself back in the pool. Having never played ball sports, or team sports, the curiosity and challenge proved too hard to resist and she threw her lot in with the St Vincent's club. "It was a bit humbling at the beginning, going from the Olympics to being the very worst on a team that has 14-year-old girls on it, but good fun all the same," said Riordan. "I'm in the mind space of 'I want to enjoy sports', first and foremost to be doing it because I want to be there. The Olympics was a heavy mental and emotional toll on me. I wanted to take a break from that." She was called into the senior cup team, a member of the side that recently got the better of Galway's Tribes in a cup final decided by penalties. "I was more of a minor role, but I got a bit of game time and in the next few seasons I'm going to keep going, see where we can go. "I didn't realise how physical the sport was. People are wrestling each other in the water but it's almost refreshing to see that in a women's sport because that's not how we're 'meant' to behave I guess. But it is very physical, very aggressive in the water." There is now a contentment she could only dream of 12 months ago, a balance she struggled to get right during her swimming career. Water polo and running are her hobbies now, but there is a willingness to try out others. "Something I always knew coming out of swimming is that I can't just stop activity altogether," she says. "I think I get quite down if I do. So I picked up all these sports, I'm just trying everything out. "Before, I used to work my life around my sport, whereas now I'm working sport around my life. It's a different dynamic for me."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Resonance Consultancy Reveals Europe's Best Cities for 2025
London Ranks #1 for a third year; Paris and Berlin round out the Top 3 as Europe's cities define the future amid today's massive global transformation. The UK is the country with the most cities in the Top 100 with 18, followed by Germany at 16 and France at 10. Resonance Consultancy Reveals Europe's Best Cities for 2025 London Ranks #1 for a third year; Paris and Berlin round out the Top 3 as Europe's cities define the future amid today's massive global transformation. The UK is the country with the most cities in the Top 100 with 18, followed by Germany at 16 and France at 10. Resonance Consultancy Reveals Europe's Best Cities for 2025 London Ranks #1 for a third year; Paris and Berlin round out the Top 3 as Europe's cities define the future amid today's massive global transformation. The UK is the country with the most cities in the Top 100 with 18, followed by Germany at 16 and France at 10. LONDON, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amid profound geopolitical shifts and a transformative era for global urbanization, Resonance Consultancy, a leading advisor in place branding, tourism, and economic development, today released its third annual Europe's Best Cities ranking for 2025, spotlighting the 100 cities shaping the continent's future. London, bolstered by its dynamic economy, cultural vibrancy, and unparalleled global connectivity, retained its #1 ranking for a third consecutive year. Paris secured the #2 spot with its ambitious sustainability investments and transformative post-Olympic legacy projects, while Berlin landed at #3, thriving as a creative capital and geopolitical nerve center in a rapidly evolving Europe. Resonance's 2025 Europe's Best Cities report combines global user-generated data, core statistical performance, and new proprietary research, including a landmark Ipsos survey of 7,500 Europeans across 10 countries, to create the continent's most comprehensive city ranking. 'As Europe redefines itself politically and economically, its cities are once again leading the way,' said Chris Fair, President & CEO of Resonance Consultancy. 'From sustainability breakthroughs to cultural reinvention, the cities topping our list are those not only navigating disruption, but seizing it to shape more livable, lovable, and prosperous futures.' The Top 10 Europe's Best Cities for 2025 are: 1. London, United Kingdom 2. Paris, France 3. Berlin, Germany 4. Barcelona, Spain 5. Rome, Italy 6. Madrid, Spain 7. Amsterdam, Netherlands 8. Vienna, Austria 9. Prague, Czechia 10. Stockholm, Sweden The 2025 Europe's Best Cities ranking arrives at a pivotal moment:
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN Analyst Faces Backlash Over Caitlin Clark-MVP Statement
WNBA fans blasted ESPN analyst Elle Duncan over her latest take on Caitlin Clark possibly winning the 2025 MVP award. The Indiana Fever guard is entering her second season surrounded by high expectations after a remarkable rookie season and an entertaining offseason for her team. During Monday's episode of her "Elle Duncan Show," the analyst discussed Clark's chances to win the 2025 MVP award with co-host Gary Striewski. Advertisement While Striewski said that her 2024 performances should boost Clark's chances, Duncan said voter fatigue would play a role in the guard's having a bigger chance to earn the award. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Duncan said Clark was never a serious threat to A'ja Wilson, but made the conversation interesting after the Fever's post-Olympic break turnaround. She mentioned Napheesa Collier as another possible candidate to win the award before bringing up voter fatigue as a key factor to see a new player win the coveted prize. "Do I expect A'ja Wilson to be A'ja Wilson again this year? Yes," Duncan said. "But I also know there is such a thing as voter fatigue. They don't like giving anybody MVP three times in a row. They barely like to do it two times in a row. I just don't see it simply because of voter fatigue." Fans didn't appreciate those words and went off on Duncan and questioned her for bad comments about the soon-to-be second-year player. Advertisement "We're all waiting for the hater fatigue to finally set in at some point," one fan said. "Why so much hate for CC from Elle? It can't just be the fans, right? I mean, she must have some deep seeded, hidden reasons for hating a player like CC," a second fan said. "Do these crazies ever listen to themselves?" another fan questioned. "You just had a unanimous MVP who was being handed the award in June, where's the fatigue part," a fourth fan said. "Her bitterness and resentment grows every day. At this point, she's just plain embarrassing herself," a fifth fan added. "Her takes are awful," a sixth fan said. Advertisement Entering the 2025 season, Clark's MVP odds are +240, only trailing Wilson (+200). After an entertaining offseason, the young guard and her team should make a lot of noise in the W. Related: Caitlin Clark's Hilarious Request During Pacers Game Turns Heads
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
2025 Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race Preview, Prediction & Odds
Oxford to win the men's race - 7/4 William Hill The 2025 Boat Race takes place on Sunday and once again all the talk in the build-up has been about the water quality rather than the quality of the teams. Following Oxford's defeat in the men's race 12 months ago, they complained about sewage levels, and organisers say that the water quality is an "ongoing concern' with levels of E. coli bacteria almost three times above the Environment Agency's threshold. Last year, three members of the Oxford team went down with illness before the race, which they blamed on the water quality, but everyone would much rather be talking about the race itself this time around. This year's men's race (2.21pm, BBC One) will be the 170th, after first being held in 1829 and becoming an annual fixture in 1856, while it's only been 10 years since the women's race was switched ton the same day and course as their male counterparts. Cambridge has won seven consecutive women's titles but their chances this year were dealt a blow last month when the selection rules changed, stopping PGCE students from competing, ruling out two of their original women's team, as well as one from the men's boat. Betting sites are still backing Cambridge in the women's race (1.21pm, BBC One), at odds of 2/9 over the 4.2 miles between Putney and Mortlake, while Oxford are a 3/1 chance. Stats Support Oxford Win Cambridge have also dominated the men's race in recent years, winning five of the last six encounters and this year they are going for the hat trick. But if you like statistics, you might want to back an Oxford win because the dark blues have the edge in post-Olympic races, having won the last five. Their last defeat after an Olympics was back in 2001, a year after Steve Redgrave won his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Sydney. Oxford's men are a 7/4 shout on some betting apps, and the value may lie with them to win what will be a hotly contested race, given the recent wranglings over selection. Please Gamble Responsibly Bettors should always follow responsible gambling practices. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. When using gambling sites, be aware that sports betting can be addictive so please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using slot sites, online casinos, casino apps, or any other gambling medium. It's particularly important not to get carried if you receive a casino bonus or any free bets, which are available in abundance on gambling sites, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having:
