The NBA on Friday revealed its 75th anniversary team, which includes many basketball greats such as Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, and 11 active players including LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

In 2021, the league listed the best 75 players of all time to celebrate its 75th anniversary season, which started on Tuesday.
This week NBA unveiled it in groups in a few days as the final 26 names were announced to complete the exclusive team.
The NBA has been announcing its best teams in certain time of periods, as they previously named the top 50 players of the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996.
Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, George Mikan, and Bob Pettit are the only four players who have been named to the all four NBA Anniversary Teams: the 25th, 35th, 50th, and recently announced 75th anniversary team.
The 75th anniversary team has 11 active players; Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, James Harden, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, and Russell Westbrook.
The distinguished team is not only made of US players but also has six international members: Antetokounmpo (Greece), Tim Duncan (US Virgin Islands), Patrick Ewing (Jamaica), Steve Nash (Canada), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), and Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria).

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ray Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carmelo Anthony, Nate Archibald, Paul Arizin, Charles Barkley, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Dave Bing, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Billy Cunningham, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Dave DeBusschere, Clyde Drexler, Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant, Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Kevin Garnett, George Gervin, Hal Greer, James Harden, John Havlicek, Elvin Hayes, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Sam Jones, Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Jerry Lucas, Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Pete Maravich, Bob McAdoo, Kevin McHale, George Mikan, Reggie Miller, Earl Monroe, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Parish, Chris Paul, Gary Payton, Bob Pettit, Paul Pierce, Scottie Pippen, Willis Reed, Oscar Robertson, David Robinson, Dennis Rodman, Bill Russell, Dolph Schayes, Bill Sharman, John Stockton, Isiah Thomas, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Dwyane Wade, Bill Walton, Jerry West, Russell Westbrook, Lenny Wilkens, Dominique Wilkins, and James Worthy.

Team includes 11 active players, legends such as Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant

In 2021, the league listed the best 75 players of all time to celebrate its 75th anniversary season, which started on Tuesday

NBA announces 75th anniversary team

Barcelona midfielder Pedro Gonzalez 'Pedri', who agreed on a contract extension until 2026, is hoping to be part of the Barcelona squad for a long time.

- I want to thank the president and all the club. I am so happy and I hope to stay many more years after 2026 - Pedri told a press conference after the signing ceremony in Barcelona.
- These are difficult times. But we are the best club in the world and we’ll go on to achieve great things … All of this has happened very fast and without my mother, father and sister I would never be sitting here today. They help me to keep my feet on the ground and give me advice," he added.
The 18-year-old has a €1 billion ($1.5 billion) release clause in the new contract, while his new deal will run until June 30, 2026.
The Spanish teenager has netted four goals and made six assists in 56 appearances for Barcelona so far.

18-year-old midfielder extended contract with Spanish team until June 30, 2026

Barcelona's teenage star Pedri hoping to stay with club beyond 2026

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) on Tuesday cancelled a planned meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in protest of his participation in an Israeli event held on the ruins of the Ma'man Allah cemetery in occupied East Jerusalem.

In a statement, PFA said it was surprised by Infantino's participation in a Judaization ceremony on Monday at the so-called Museum of Tolerance, which was built on the land of the Islamic historical cemetery.
The association described the FIFA president’s participation in the Israeli event as a "politicization of the sport and will neither serve peace nor tolerance."
Located west of Jerusalem, Ma'man Allah is the oldest, largest, and most famous of Jerusalem's cemeteries.
Israeli authorities have built tourist facilities and other buildings on parts of the cemetery, including the so-called Museum of Tolerance.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed the entire city in 1980 – a move that has never been recognized by the international community.

Gianni Infantino attended Judaization event at so-called Museum of Tolerance in East Jerusalem

The association described the FIFA president’s participation in the Israeli event as a "politicization of the sport and will neither serve peace nor tolerance"

Palestinians cancel meeting with FIFA chief over Israeli event

British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes received a 10-place grid penalty on Friday over an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) change for the upcoming Turkish Grand Prix.

- His Mercedes W12 has been fitted with a new internal combustion engine (ICE) and exhaust -- but the driver has only exceeded his allocation of new ICEs - the F1 said in a statement.
- Because he has exceeded his allocation of new engines, he's set to receive a 10-place penalty -- however, Hamilton came from sixth to win the 2020 Turkish GP - it added.
The season's 16th race will take place over 58 laps of the 5.4-kilometer (3.4 miles) Intercity Istanbul Park on Sunday, Oct. 10.
Hamilton currently holds the top spot in the driver standings with 246.5 points, while Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen ranks second with 244.5 points.​​​​​​​

Lewis Hamilton drops 10 places from his qualifying position at Istanbul Park after taking new ICE element

Hamilton hit with 10-place grid penalty for Sunday's Turkish GP

Formula 1 returned to Istanbul for the first time since 2011 last year, and on the weekend, the Turkish Grand Prix will host the F1 race for the second straight year.

The 16th race of this season will take place over 58 laps of the 5.4-kilometer (3.4 miles) Intercity Istanbul Park circuit on Sunday on Oct. 10.
The 2020 race saw Lewis Hamilton secured the last season's F1 title at Istanbul Park with a first-place finish on a wet track.
Having won the seventh title in Istanbul, Hamilton finished the 58-lap race at 1:42:19, equaling F1 legend Michael Schumacher's record by winning the seventh Formula 1 title.
Sergio Perez from Mexico was the runner-up -- 31.633 seconds behind the leader-- while German driver Sebastian Vettel came third with 31.960 seconds behind British driver.
Having kicked off the race in the pole position, Racing Point's Canadian driver Lance Stroll finished ninth.

Last year Lewis Hamilton secured F1 title in Turkish GP with drivers facing gigantic challenges due to weather conditions

The 16th race of this season will take place over 58 laps of the 5.4-kilometer (3.4 miles) Intercity Istanbul Park circuit on Sunday on Oct. 10

Formula 1 fever hits Istanbul streets for second straight year

Qatar will hold Formula One Grand Prix for the first time in November 2021, the motorsports organization has announced on Thursday.

Losail International Circuit will hold its first-ever Grand Prix, 20th event of the 2021 season, on November 19-21, according to the statement from the F1 official website.
F1 stated that Qatar signed for an additional ten years to host, said: "There was a strong will from Qatar to be helpful to F1, and in the course of this process, the vision for a longer partnership was discussed and agreed for 10 years."
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali praised the efforts of the Qatar Motor &amp; Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), said: "We are very pleased to welcome Qatar to the Formula 1 calendar this season and for the longer term from 2023."
There will be a three-part Middle Eastern ending to the 2021 season with the inclusion of the Qatar Grand Prix as the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be held on December 3-5, and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be held on December 10-12.

Losail International Circuit will hold its first Grand Prix on November 19-21

F1 stated that Qatar signed for an additional ten years to host

Formula 1 announces first ever Qatar Grand Prix to be held in November

The European football's governing body doubled its prize fund for the Women's EURO 2022 to €16 million (almost $19 million), UEFA announced on Thursday.

- The 16 qualified teams will share a total of €16 million, double the amount of the total prize money of €8 million distributed at UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 in the Netherlands. The financial distribution will include increased guaranteed amounts and performance-based bonuses for the group stage - UEFA said in a statement.
- In addition, the UEFA Executive Committee approved the introduction of a club benefits programme, for the first time, making available a significant total amount of €4.5 million to reward European clubs releasing players for the UEFA Women’s Euro final tournament for their contribution to the success of the event - it added.
UEFA also said that there would be increased shares for all federations outside the top five, including England, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy.
Europe’s elite women’s international football tournament, which was originally scheduled for this year but deferred by 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, is set to play on July 6-31, 2022.
England will host the games at 10 stadiums next year while the final will be held at London's Wembley Stadium on July 31.

16 European football teams qualified to take part in next year's competition will share total of almost $19M

UEFA also said that there would be increased shares for all federations outside the top five, including England, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy

UEFA doubles prize money for Women's EURO 2022

The NBA said Saturday it will require Covid-19 vaccinations for all referees working games in the 2021-22 season.

The league said in a statement that the requirement was agreed with the National Basketball Referees Association. It allows some exemptions for religious or medical reasons.
-The referees have also agreed to take any recommended boosters- the league said. -Any referee who does not get vaccinated and is not exempt will be ineligible to work games.-The announcement comes a day after several US media outlets reported the NBA had informed teams that all personnel who work in physical proximity to players or referees during games must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
ESPN, citing a memo sent by the NBA to teams on Friday, said the directive specifically includes coaches, front-office members and trainers but stops short of requiring all players to be vaccinated."
League-wide vaccination of players is subject to negotiations with the National Basketball Players Association.
According to ESPN, the league set an October 1 deadline for team personnel to be fully vaccinated.
Broadcasters, photographers and security personnel who operate near the court are included in the directive, along with locker-room attendants, medical staff, equipment managers, and food and beverage handlers and providers.
The regular season tips off on October 19, when the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks host the Brooklyn Nets and the Golden State Warriors will take on the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster opening-night double-header.

The league said in a statement that the requirement was agreed with the National Basketball Referees Association

League-wide vaccination of players is subject to negotiations with the National Basketball Players Association

NBA says Covid vaccine required for referees

Cristiano Ronaldo has decided he no longer wants to play for Juventus, coach Massimiliano Allegri revealed on Friday, as rumours of an imminent move to Manchester City gather pace.

-Yesterday Ronaldo told me that he no longer has any intention of playing for Juventus, for this reason he will not be picked tomorrow- Allegri told reporters ahead of Juve's Serie A match against Empoli on Saturday.
Premier League champions City have been widely linked with a move for five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo after missing out on England captain Harry Kane.
Earlier on Friday Juve had confirmed that Ronaldo would not train with his teammates, with Sky Sport Italia reporting that the superstar forward arrived at the club's Continassa training centre in the morning to say goodbye to his teammates before leaving at around 10:45 am local time (0845 GMT).
On Thursday Sky had claimed the Portugal captain had already cleaned out his locker in the dressing room despite Allegri and club director Pavel Nedved both insisting last weekend that he would remain in Turin.
Allegri even told reporters that Ronaldo has told him personally that he wanted to stay.
According to daily Gazzetta Dello Sport, a deal for superstar Ronaldo to go to City could be completed within the next 24 hours, with the summer transfer window set to close on Tuesday.
The fee, however, could be a problem with the Italians believed to be wanting in the region of 25 million euros ($29.4 million).
Ronaldo, who has one year remaining on his contract, has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and a return to Real Madrid.

Earlier on Friday Juve had confirmed that Ronaldo would not train with his teammates

Ronaldo does not want to play again for Juventus, says Allegri

Tennis great Serena Williams will not play in the 2021 US Open due to a hamstring injury, the world famous athlete said on Wednesday.

-After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring- Williams said on Instagram.
The US Open sent get well wishes to the 39-year-old US star.
-We’ll miss you, Serena! Get well soon- it said on Instagram.
The 2021 US Open, which is the final Grand Slam of the year, will begin on Aug. 30.
Williams, who ranked 22nd in the globe, won 23 Grand Slam titles, including six US Open, in women's singles.
In addition to Williams, many big players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem will miss this year's US Open due to injuries.​​​​​​​

‘I have decided to withdraw from US Open to allow my body to heal completely from torn hamstring,’ 39-year-old star says

Williams, who ranked 22nd in the globe, won 23 Grand Slam titles, including six US Open, in women's singles

Serena Williams withdraws from US Open due to hamstring injury

Japan's Momiji Nishiya became one of the youngest individual Olympic champions in history when she won the inaugural women's skateboarding gold at the age of 13 years and 330 days on Monday.

Nishiya finished ahead of Brazil's Rayssa Leal -- who at 13 years and 203 days could have become the youngest ever individual Olympic champion -- and Japan's Funa Nakayama, 16.
Nishiya starred in the tricks section to score 15.26 and give the hosts a clean-sweep of the street discipline as skateboarding makes its Olympic debut.
Her performance mirrored that of Japan teammate Yuto Horigome, who won the men's title with a stunning sequence of tricks on Sunday.
-I'm so glad to become the youngest (Japanese gold medallist) at my first Olympics... tears came to my eyes- Nishiya told reporters after receiving her medal.
Skaters each have two 45-second runs on the equipment and five shots at a one-off trick. Their best four scores out of the seven make up their final total.
-I was nervous on the first run but I was not nervous later- Nishiya said, adding that she wants to claim a second gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
But first, to celebrate her victory, she will "go and eat at a beef barbeque restaurant".
Skateboarding is one of four sports making their debut in Tokyo, along with surfing, sport climbing and karate as part of an attempt to bring the Olympics to younger audiences.
US diver Marjorie Gestring remains the youngest individual Olympic champion after winning the 3m springboard at the 1936 Berlin Games at 13 years and 268 days.
Philippine finalist Margielyn Didal, 22, missed out on a medal but said competing in Tokyo was a "really, really big achievement" for her.
Having started skateboarding a decade ago in the streets of Cebu city, Didal burst onto the scene in 2018 with an Asian Games gold.
Didal said she would call her parents, a carpenter and a street vendor, to hear their reaction.
"I know that they're proud of me," she told reporters.

Skaters each have two 45-second runs on the equipment and five shots at a one-off trick

Nishiya: I was nervous on the first run but I was not nervous later

Japan's Nishiya, 13, first women's Olympic skateboard champion

Two athletes tested positive for coronavirus in the Tokyo Olympic Village a day after the first case was confirmed in the village, the officials said on Sunday.

The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee announced that 10 people who arrived from abroad to attend the games, including two athletes, a contractor, a media person, and other game-concerned personnel, had tested positive.
They are under a 14-day quarantine period.
No details were provided about the nationality of the athletes and their health situation.
On Saturday, the first case was reported in the village after an individual who worked for the games tested positive for COVID-19.
With the new cases, overall infections related to the Tokyo 2020 since July 1 have risen to 55.
Japan had previously barred international spectators from attending the delayed Olympics, scheduled to be held from July 23 to Aug. 8.
Olympic host city Tokyo entered a state of emergency on Monday until Aug. 22 due to surging COVID-19 infections, which triggered rumors about the cancelation of the games.

3 cases confirmed in village so far as 2020 Olympics set to start on Friday

A view of Tokyo Olympic Stadium as 420 athletes attend test event ahead of Tokyo Olympics which will be held between July 23 to August 8 in Tokyo, Japan on May

2 athletes in Tokyo Olympic village test COVID-19 positive

The chief of the Tokyo Olympics tried to reassure "worried" athletes on Saturday as the Games Village was hit by its first coronavirus case, six days before the pandemic-delayed event opens.

As thousands of competitors pour into Japan for the Games, which will largely take place without spectators, the positive test for an unnamed person in the Village heightened worries over biosecurity.
About 11,000 athletes and tens of thousands of officials and media are flying in for the Games, which open on Friday in the face of widespread public concern over a possible surge in infections.
The capital remains under a coronavirus state of emergency and has in recent days recorded its highest case numbers since January.
No details were given about the positive test in the Village, one of 15 Games-related cases revealed on Saturday -- the highest figure this month. Japanese media said the infected person came from abroad.
-That was the very first case in the Village that was reported during the screening test- Masa Takaya, spokesman for the Tokyo organising committee, told a press conference.
-Right now this person is confined to a hotel- Takaya said.
Games chief Seiko Hashimoto said she understood the concerns of athletes, who have to contend with coronavirus fears and a strict schedule of testing as well as the pressure of competing.
-Athletes who are coming to Japan are probably very worried. I understand that- she said. -That is the reason why we need to make full disclosure.-

The Olympics were postponed for a year in March last year as Covid-19 spread around the world.

Several athletes have expressed concern over conditions at the rearranged Games, which are marked by ubiquitous temperature checks, hand sanitiser and daily testing.
Australian basketball player Liz Cambage withdrew, fearing for her mental health in the "terrifying" biosecure bubble, and British weightlifter Sarah Davies said: "Genuinely, feels like we're in prison."
Organisers pledged full transparency about cases in the Village, and urged people taking part in the Games to stick by the anti-coronavirus rules.
Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said competitors would be tested every day "so if someone tests positive, that person will be isolated immediately whether there are any close contacts or not".
Hashimoto added: -We are doing everything to prevent any Covid outbreaks. If we end up with an outbreak we will make sure we have a plan in place to respond.-The Japanese public has been consistently sceptical about the Games with opinion polls showing high levels of opposition. 
About 30 demonstrators chanting "Stop the Olympics" and "Protect lives before Olympics" were blocked by police as they tried to submit protest letters to International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach as he attended talks at a luxury hotel.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he hoped the Olympics would bring excitement "even without spectators", despite parts of Japan living under a state of emergency.
"Even without spectators, I think it is important to bring excitement... to people in Japan and the world," he said on Nippon TV.

About 11,000 athletes and tens of thousands of officials and media are flying in for the Games, which open on Friday

The capital remains under a coronavirus state of emergency and has in recent days recorded its highest case numbers since January

Coronavirus hits Olympic Village for first time

The White House on Tuesday said First Lady Jill Biden will lead the US delegation to the Tokyo Olympics, which President Joe Biden is skipping due to Japan's Covid lockdown.

-First Lady Jill Biden will travel to the Opening Ceremony of the 2021 Olympic Summer Games- the White House said. The ceremony takes place July 23.
The president is not going, in recognition of the extraordinary health precautions around the Tokyo Games, with fans banned from stadiums and athletes not allowed on public transport.

The president is not going, in recognition of the extraordinary health precautions

First Lady Jill Biden will travel to the Opening Ceremony of the 2021 Olympic Summer Games

Jill Biden to head US delegation to Tokyo Olympics

Bundesliga clubs and other German sports venues will be allowed to welcome up to 25,000 spectators from next month, the city of Berlin said Tuesday after a meeting of officials from Germany's 16 states.

Most matches in Germany's top football league were played behind closed doors last season because of the Covid-19 virus.
The new Bundesliga season starts on August 13 and with infection rates having fallen sharply, sports stadiums could be at 50 percent capacity, with the total number per match or event capped at 25,000.
The only exception is reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, where up to 20,000 fans will be allowed into home games at the 75,000-capacity Allianz Arena because officials in Bavaria are allowing only 35 percent of capacity.
The new rules apply until September 11 and amid concerns in Germany about the Delta variant of the coronavirus, incidence rates must not exceed 35 new infections per 100,000 people over the previous seven days.
If that happens, and "the infection cannot be clearly contained", a maximum of 5,000 spectators will be allowed into sports events, German officials warned.
Only fans who can prove they are vaccinated or present a negative test will be allowed into stadiums and hygiene rules must be followed.
An easing of the regulations meant crowds of around 14,000 were allowed to attend Euro 2020 matches at Munich's Allianz Arena over the last three weeks, but fans were largely kept out of German league games last season.

Venues will be allowed to welcome up to 25,000 spectators from next month

Union Berlin fans had to keep their distance when they returned to the stadium in May

German football gets green light for fan return next season

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich said on Monday they expect the Covid-19 pandemic to cost them 150 million euros ($178 million) in lost match-day revenue.

Just a few hundred fans were allowed in for their final game last season, the only Bayern match at the Allianz Arena where spectators have been admitted since the pandemic first hit Germany in March 2020.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer confirmed the forecasted loss after so many games behind closed doors, but insisted "our ambitions have not diminished".
The new Bundesliga season starts on August 13 and Bayern hope health regulations in Bavaria will allow a limited number of fans to watch their first home game against Cologne on August 21 at the 75,000-capacity stadium.
The club's new chairman and CEO Oliver Kahn said they want fans back in the stadium as soon as possible "but safety remains the priority".
Kahn also stated next season's target is to win a tenth straight Bundesliga title, "that's our big goal. It's never been done before in the top European leagues".
In-coming new coach Julian Nagelsmann is tasked with keeping Bayern top of the German league.
Kahn also revealed the club is in contract-extension talks with midfielders Leon Goretzka and Kingsley Coman.
Goretkza has a year left on his contract, Coman has two, but both are "very, very important players", Kahn said, who have been offered "generous" packages.
Kahn admitted Bayern are eager to avoid a repeat of last season when David Alaba refused to sign an extension and left to join Real Madrid for free after his contract expired.

Just a few hundred fans were allowed in for their final game last season

The club's new chairman and CEO Oliver Kahn said they want fans back in the stadium as soon as possible "but safety remains the priority"

NBA announces 75th anniversary team

Barcelona's teenage star Pedri hoping to stay with club beyond 2026

Palestinians cancel meeting with FIFA chief over Israeli event

Hamilton hit with 10-place grid penalty for Sunday's Turkish GP

Formula 1 fever hits Istanbul streets for second straight year

Formula 1 announces first ever Qatar Grand Prix to be held in November

UEFA doubles prize money for Women's EURO 2022

NBA says Covid vaccine required for referees

Ronaldo does not want to play again for Juventus, says Allegri

Serena Williams withdraws from US Open due to hamstring injury

Japan's Nishiya, 13, first women's Olympic skateboard champion

2 athletes in Tokyo Olympic village test COVID-19 positive

Coronavirus hits Olympic Village for first time

Jill Biden to head US delegation to Tokyo Olympics

German football gets green light for fan return next season

Bayern Munich expect losses of 150 million euros due to COVID

Sports

NBA announces 75th anniversary team

Barcelona's teenage star Pedri hoping to stay with club beyond 2026

Palestinians cancel meeting with FIFA chief over Israeli event

Hamilton hit with 10-place grid penalty for Sunday's Turkish GP

Formula 1 fever hits Istanbul streets for second straight year

Formula 1 announces first ever Qatar Grand Prix to be held in November

UEFA doubles prize money for Women's EURO 2022

NBA says Covid vaccine required for referees

Ronaldo does not want to play again for Juventus, says Allegri

Serena Williams withdraws from US Open due to hamstring injury

Japan's Nishiya, 13, first women's Olympic skateboard champion

2 athletes in Tokyo Olympic village test COVID-19 positive

Coronavirus hits Olympic Village for first time

Jill Biden to head US delegation to Tokyo Olympics

German football gets green light for fan return next season

Bayern Munich expect losses of 150 million euros due to COVID