Team USA takes a group photo during the Olympic opening ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Milan Cortina

Olympics open

MILAN (AP) — The unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron Milan Cortina Winter Games have officially been declared open at the conclusion of a ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture. This is the most spread-out Olympics in history, with competition venues dotting an area roughly the size of the state of New Jersey.

The main hub Friday was in Milan at San Siro soccer stadium. Allowing athletes to participate in the Parade of Nations at the mountain locales created what perhaps was an unintended consequence: Zero competitors from any of the first five countries actually showed up at the main stadium.

Jurgensen

dies at 91

(AP) — Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen has died. He was 91. A spokesperson said Friday the team was informed by Jurgensen’s family about his death. Jurgensen was one of the most beloved figures in Washington football history. That went from his time with the team in 1964 through a lengthy broadcasting career alongside Sam Huff that ended in 2019.

Jurgensen threw for more than 3,000 yards in a season five times with Washington and the Philadelphia Eagles during his nearly two-decade NFL career from 1957-1974.

Giannis to

play again

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers reiterated that the Bucks have no plans on shutting down Giannis Antetokounmpo for the rest of the season. Rivers said Friday the two-time MVP’s return date from a calf strain remains uncertain.

Rivers spoke on the issue one day after the trade deadline passed with Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo’s future had been the center of attention across the league in the weeks leading up to the deadline. Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since straining his right calf on Jan. 23. The Bucks potentially could help their draft status by continuing to rest Antetokounmpo.

Vonn tests

injured knee

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — A week after rupturing the ACL in her left knee, Lindsey Vonn opened her chase for Olympic gold at the age of 41 with an aggressive and successful training run down the Olympia delle Tofane downhill course.

The American got tight with her line midway down and only narrowly cleared a gate but she led at the final checkpoints, then stood up out of her tuck before the finish. She traded fist pumps and a hug with teammate Breezy Johnson. Vonn tore the ACL a week ago but she plans to race with a large brace on her injured knee. The downhill is Sunday.

Jim Schwartz

resigns

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jim Schwartz has resigned as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator after three seasons. The team announced Friday that he handed in his letter of resignation on Thursday. Schwartz led one of the league’s top defenses but was upset about being passed over for the head coach job.

The Browns hired Todd Monken as head coach on January 29. Monken said Tuesday that he had spoken with Schwartz but didn’t have an update on his return. Schwartz was under contract for one more season. Cleveland led the league in total defense in 2023 and ranked fourth this season. Myles Garrett had 23 sacks, breaking the NFL single-season record.