French duo

takes gold

MILAN (AP) — The new French ice dance team of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron has claimed Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina games. Beaudry and Cizeron upset the dominant team of the past four years, American stars Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

The French duo had to follow a season-best performance by the three-time reigning world champions, and they did it with near perfection. The Canadian team of Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier earned the bronze medal. Chock and Bates joined the crowd inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena in applauding the winners after their score was announced.

Seattle

celebrates

SEATTLE (AP) — Ernest Jones IV dropped a few choice words while praising his defensive teammates, his offensive line, his quarterback and the city of Seattle ahead of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory parade. Like the rest of the Seahawks, the leader of Seattle’s vaunted “Dark Side” defense had an excuse for using the occasional profanity during a morning trophy presentation at Lumen Field.

A keg of Bud Light sat on the stage to provide some refreshment for players, and Jones sipped from a cup of beer as he addressed the crowd. Jones says the Seahawks proved in the Super Bowl that they had “the best team in the world.”

Hamlin vows

to dig deep

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Denny Hamlin is leaning on NASCAR fans and his own routine as he grieves his father’s death and tries to chase a first Cup Series title. On Wednesday, Hamlin said his motivation feels lower than in past years, but he still feels too competitive to coast. He settled in at Daytona by joking with reporters, getting fitted in his Toyota and practicing.

Hamlin has won the Daytona 500 three times, and he nearly won again last year. He also comes off a major legal fight against NASCAR involving his team, 23XI Racing.

Clark and Reese

on roster

(AP) — Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will team up on the U.S. women’s basketball World Cup qualifying roster that will play next month in Puerto Rico. The two young stars headline the 12-player team that has a mix of veterans and youth. Clark and Reese have helped the rise of women’s basketball over the past few years, starting with their memorable meeting in the NCAA championship game in 2023 that LSU won.

The U.S. will face Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand and Spain in the tournament. The Americans have already qualified for the World Cup in Berlin from Sept. 4-13.