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CHICAGO -- The Oakland Athletics acquired left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin from the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, the teams announced.  In return, the Athletics sent minor leaguers Greg Deichmann and Daniel Palencia to Chicago. "Oakland is getting a really nice pitcher and a really nice human being who goes out and does his job. And a really good teammate," Cubs manager David Ross said.  Chafin, 31, is having a stellar season. In 43 appearances, he has given up nine runs, including just one home run. He is 0-2 overall with a 2.06 ERA and a 0.839 WHIP. Chafin, though, has struggled recently, failing to record an out while giving up three runs on two hits and two walks in his last outing, on Saturday, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It snapped a 24⅓-inning scoreless streak for the veteran. Deichmann, a 26-year-old outfielder, was hitting .300 with four home runs and 34 RBIs for Las Vegas this season, his first in Triple-A. He was a second-round...

TOKYO -- For the first time since 1992, the American men have lost a backstroke race at the Olympic pool. Russian swimmers swept the top two spots in the 100-meter back Tuesday in Tokyo, with Evgeny Rylov claiming the gold medal in 51.98 seconds and teammate Kliment Kolesnikov taking the silver in 52.00. Defending Olympic champion Ryan Murphy settled for the bronze in 52.19. "Winning an Olympic gold medal means you're the best in the world,'' Murphy said. "Being third in the world is no slouch.'' It was the first backstroke defeat for the U.S. men at the Olympics since the Barcelona Games. They won 12 straight golds at the past six Olympics, including Murphy's sweep of the 100 and 200 back at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But the streak finally ended at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. It was a good morning for Australia and Britain. World record-holder Kaylee McKeown gave the Australian women another gold medal with a victory in the women's 100 backstroke, setting...

CHICAGO -- The Oakland Athletics are finalizing a trade for Chicago Cubs left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin, sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan on Monday night. The trade is pending the review of medical records. Once finalized, the Cubs are expected to get two prospects from the Athletics in return. Chafin, 31, is having a stellar season. In 43 appearances, he has given up nine runs, including just one home run; and overall, he is 0-2 with a 2.06 ERA and a 0.839 WHIP. Chafin, though, has struggled recently, failing to record an out while giving up three runs on two hits and two walks in his last outing, on Saturday, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It snapped a 24⅓-inning scoreless streak for the veteran. MLB.com first reported that the trade was being finalized.

Lydia Jacoby became the first Alaskan swimmer to win Olympic gold, securing the medal in the 100-meter breaststroke in a major upset Tuesday at the Tokyo Olympics. Jacoby, 17, surprised everyone by finishing ahead of South Africa's Tatjana Schoenmaker and USA's defending gold medalist, Lilly King. Schoenmaker took the silver, and King captured bronze, her first defeat in a 100-meter breaststroke final since December 2016. "I was definitely racing for a medal. I knew I had it in me," Jacoby said. "I wasn't really expecting a gold medal, so when I looked up and saw the scoreboard it was insane." As she touched the wall and looked up, she looked stunned. King swam over, holding her hands and slapping the water in joy. Jacoby became one of the youngest American swimmers to win an Olympic gold, joining elite company. The only younger United States swimmers to win an individual gold in the past 20 years were Katie Ledecky and Missy Franklin. Jacoby, who is from...

TOKYO -- Flora Duffy won the women's triathlon on Tuesday, becoming the first Bermudian in Olympics history to take home a gold medal. The 33-year-old Duffy crossed the finish line with a time of 1 hour, 55:36 minutes, more than a minute ahead of second-place finisher Georgia Taylor-Brown of Great Britain. Katie Zaferes of the United States earned bronze. Duffy's gold marks just the second Olympic medal for Bermuda, an island territory with a population of 64,000. Clarence Hill won a bronze medal in boxing in 1976. "I think (the medal) is bigger than me. It's going to inspire the youth of Bermuda and everyone back home that competing on the world stage from a small island is really possible," Duffy said. It was the fourth Olympic appearance for Duffy. Her previous best result was an eighth-place finish in 2016. She won the ITU World Triathlon titles in 2016 and 2017, and she has been ranked as high as No. 1 in the world. "I tried to just keep my composure and not allow...

METAIRIE, La. -- After moonlighting as a lacrosse player this summer, veteran wide receiver Chris Hogan will return to the NFL and try to help the New Orleans Saints make up for the absence of injured star Michael Thomas. Hogan, 33, agreed to a deal with the Saints on Monday, a source told ESPN's Mike Reiss, confirming an NFL Network report. As expected, Thomas was officially placed on the physically unable to perform list Monday to start training camp. He is expected to miss time at the start of the regular season after having ankle surgery in June. Hogan (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) will compete for a roster spot along with Saints receivers Tre'Quan Smith, Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway and others in a position group that is thin on proven talent after New Orleans released veteran Emmanuel Sanders this offseason. Hogan won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots during a nine-year career that also saw him play...

Missouri and athletic director Jim Sterk announced on Monday that they have mutually agreed he will step down once the school is able to find his replacement. The announcement comes during a turbulent time in collegiate athletics, as Missouri's former Big 12 brethren Oklahoma and Texas are considering a move to the SEC. Missouri and Texas A&M departed the Big 12 for the SEC in 2011. In a statement, Sterk said he was leaving the Missouri athletic department "well positioned for future success." Sterk helped raise funds for the department and was of particular help with the football program, which opened a new facility in the south end zone in 2019 and is on pace to break ground on a $34 million indoor football practice facility in the fall of 2021. "We are grateful for the dedicated leadership Jim has provided over the last five years to position Mizzou for even greater success," Missouri President Mun Choi said in a statement. "We recognize his many contributions and appreciate...

To ensure the return of their reigning NFL MVP quarterback, the Packers now are offering concessions to try to persuade  Aaron Rodgers to return to Green Bay for at least one more season, per league sources. Over the past weekend, the two sides were able to reach mutually agreed-upon terms that are close to persuading Rodgers to abandon plans he had to skip training camp and instead return for it. Although it is not done yet and Rodgers still hasn't left California, both sides are hoping to finalize the agreement shortly, per sources. The agreement in principle would include an approximation of the following conditions that the two sides now are finalizing to alleviate and address some of Rodgers' issues before the opening of Tuesday's training camp: * The 2023 year in Rodgers' contract -- the last one in his current deal -- would be voided, with no tags allowed in the future. * The Packers would agree to review Rodgers' situation at the end of this season. * Rodgers'...

Oklahoma State president Kayse Shrum said Monday that Oklahoma's intentions to explore leaving the Big 12 are "the result of months of planning with the SEC" and a "clear breach" of the conference bylaws. Shrum made the comments in a statement and in a series of tweets. In the statement, she called Oklahoma's actions "strategic" and "deliberate." "It is difficult to understand how an Oklahoma institution of higher education would follow the University of Texas to the detriment of the State of Oklahoma," added Shrum, who took over as president on July 1. The breach claim is in reference to Section 3.2 of the Big 12's bylaws, which references third parties attempting to induce a member institution to leave. It requires schools to inform the conference no later than 12 hours afterward, and to "immediately and unconditionally reject that offer in a form and manner reasonably acceptable to the Commissioner." Earlier Monday, Oklahoma and Texas said in a joint statement released by both...

This race has previously only been available to men at the Olympics.

A rematch of one of the best title fights in UFC welterweight history is on deck. Kamaru Usman, ranked as ESPN's top pound-for-pound MMA fighter, will defend his UFC welterweight title in a second fight with Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 268 in November, UFC president Dana White told ESPN's Brett Okamoto on Monday. The date and location are not finalized yet, but the UFC is hoping for the fight to headline at New York's Madison Square Garden. Usman and Covington met for the first time at UFC 245 in December 2019, an all-action fight that Usman won by TKO in the fifth round. Covington disputed that result, saying it was an early stoppage. Covington has been Usman's toughest opponent yet as champion. ESPN has Usman ranked No. 1 and Covington ranked No. 3 in the world at welterweight. Usman (19-1) has won 14 straight fights in the UFC, the second-longest streak in promotion history behind all-time great Anderson Silva (16). The Nigeria native and Florida...

The country's ban over the doping cover up lasts until 2022.

The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a trade to send Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe and two future first-round picks -- including the 10th overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft -- to the  Memphis Grizzlies for center Jonas Valanciunas and the 17th overall pick, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Determined to create significant financial flexibility in free agency next week, the Pelicans are including the  Los Angeles Lakers' 2022 first-round pick -- protected to 10 -- in the trade, sources said. Memphis (51) and New Orleans (40) are also exchanging second-round picks in Thursday's draft, sources said. The deal moves the Grizzlies into the lottery at No. 10 of a deep 2021 draft and allows them to add another significant piece to an already playoff tested core of young players. Memphis could have three first-round picks in 2022, including protected picks via the  Utah Jazz and the Lakers. New Orleans has the salary-cap...

Ten women have now filed complaints with Houston police about Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, according to Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin. Hardin spoke with ESPN on Monday about the progress of the criminal and civil cases involving his client. "There are 10 women that have made complaints to the [Houston] police," Hardin said. Eight of the women, according to Hardin, are among the 22 women who have alleged in lawsuits that Watson sexually assaulted them or engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior during massage sessions. Two of the women who have filed complaints with Houston police, Hardin said, have not filed lawsuits against Watson. "There are a couple of women who we don't know anything about," Hardin said. Hardin acknowledged knowing the names of the 10 women who have filed criminal complaints, including the two who are not involved in civil litigation, but declined to provide those names to ESPN. Houston police would not comment when reached...

The Washington Football Team took a big step toward achieving continuity on its defensive line, signing tackle Jonathan Allen to a four-year extension. The contract, announced by Team IFA, his agency, on social media Monday, is worth $72 million with a $30 million signing bonus. Allen, a first-round draft pick in 2017, has anchored the interior of Washington's defensive line, a group that provides the franchise its most hope in a while to build a consistent winner. Allen now becomes the fourth-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. It also allows Washington to keep its starting defensive front intact for the next two seasons if it desires. Both Allen and the franchise had said they wanted to get a deal done all offseason. But, according to a source, talks had moved at a slow pace until Monday, as Allen's side had made it clear that an extension had to be at least $18 million per season. Allen, whom the organization considers a team leader, had recently...

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is fully cleared for football activities. However, don't expect the team to rush its franchise quarterback back into action as he continues recovering from a devastating knee injury. During the team's annual media luncheon Monday, Bengals owner and president Mike Brown said the team will likely withhold Burrow from the team's three preseason games. "We probably aren't going to put him out there until we get to the season because we don't want to risk anything with him," Brown said in his first news conference since 2019. "But his effort rehabbing was A-plus." Burrow was not listed on the team's physically unable to perform list as the Bengals prepared for the first official training camp practice on Wednesday. That exclusion, along with his participation in every organized team activity during the offseason, indicates he will be ready for the team's season opener against the  Minnesota Vikings on...

Jalen Suggs might be off to the NBA, but preseason top-five teams Gonzaga and UCLA are set to square off in November in a rematch of their Final Four game from early April that ended on Suggs' buzzer-beater from just inside half court. The Zags and Bruins will meet on Nov. 23 in Las Vegas as part of the Empire Classic. Gonzaga, ranked No. 1 in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25, and UCLA, ranked No. 3, will each play two games at T-Mobile Arena in late November. On Nov. 22, UCLA will face Bellarmine, while Gonzaga will battle Central Michigan, before the two powerhouses square off two nights before Thanksgiving. "We look forward to presenting the most anticipated game of the season," Gazelle Group president Rick Giles said. "The opportunity to have a rematch of a historic Final Four game with teams expected to be ranked No. 1 and No. 2 entering the season is unprecedented. Both teams are returning many players from that game and Gonzaga also welcomes Chet Holmgren, the...

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers haven't said whether they think Aaron Rodgers will show up Tuesday when veteran players are required to report for training camp, but they talked Monday like they believe there's a chance he will play for them this season. In his annual state-of-the-football-department address to Packers' shareholders at Lambeau Field, general manager Brian Gutekunst included Rodgers in the "strong returning nucleus" while acknowledging there may still be things to work out with the reigning NFL MVP. "We have been working tirelessly with Aaron and his representation to resolve the issues he has raised this offseason," Gutekunst said. "And we remain hopeful for a positive resolution." Following the meeting, Packers president Mark Murphy was asked by reporters whether he knew if Rodgers would report for training camp on time. "No, I don't know," Murphy said. The same man who led the Packers through the transition from Brett Favre to Rodgers...

Former NFL offensive lineman and assistant coach Eugene Chung called the NFL's statement on its review of his claims that he was told during a job interview he " wasn't the right minority" "a little misleading." Chung, who is Asian American, said that he has had only one short, "almost perfunctory" conversation with the NFL back in May and that "every single" coach and personnel executive he has reached out to regarding this matter has said they hadn't been contacted by the NFL during its review process. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has declined to meet with Chung to this point, despite a request from Chung's representation, Chung said. "I've had one conversation with them. I'd love to work with them hand in hand, but, when it's being written that I'm going to be working with them, and I had only one very brief conversation, I think that's a little misleading," Chung said. The NFL released a statement in early July saying it was "unable to confirm the precise...

'Now it’s time to have fun," said Team USA surfer Carissa Moore.

U.S. Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky’s medal-winning performance is just one of the key moments on day 3 of the Tokyo Olympic games.

Oklahoma and Texas officially notified the Big 12 on Monday that they will not be renewing their grants of media rights after their expiration in 2025, according to a joint statement released by both schools. "Providing notice to the Big 12 at this point is important in advance of the expiration of the conference's current media rights agreement," the statement said. "The universities intend to honor their existing grant of rights agreements. However, both universities will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape as they consider how best to position their athletics programs for the future." Big 12 sources told ESPN on Monday that the statement leaves some "wiggle room" and doesn't fully guarantee that the flagship schools would remain in the league through 2025. The possibility remains that they will pay the $75-80 million penalty for leaving early, while also giving the required 18 months' notice, per Big 12 bylaws. Some have speculated that this...

The NCAA has settled a defamation suit filed by former USC football assistant coach Todd McNair, whom it accused of violating ethical conduct rules during its investigation into whether former Trojans star Reggie Bush and his family received improper benefits while playing in college, the sides announced on Monday. The settlement was reached through mediation. The agreement comes more than a decade after McNair sued the NCAA in a California court, alleging NCAA officials "arbitrarily and capriciously decided to ruin [his] career to further their own agenda." He sought damages for libel, slander, breach of contract and negligence. "After ten years of litigation, both sides have come together to resolve this matter to the mutual satisfaction of all parties involved," attorneys for McNair and the NCAA said in a joint statement on Monday. Financial terms of the settlement weren't immediately available. McNair, 55, is now the running backs coach for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The...

The Norwegian women's beach handball team has a fan in international pop star Pink, who is focused on promoting equality in a sport that is under consideration to debut in the 2024 Olympics. Pink took to Twitter this past weekend to commend the Norwegian team for "protesting the very sexist rules about their 'uniform'" by wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms and offered to pay their fines. Last week, the team was fined €1,500 (about $1,768) for donning "improper clothing" during its bronze-medal match against Spain in the 2021 European Beach Handball Championships, according to a statement from the European Handball Association's disciplinary commission. While the Norwegian Handball Federation announced it was prepared to pay the fines, the team expressed gratitude for Pink's backing on its Instagram account, writing, "Wow! Thank you so much for the support." The women wore spandex shorts -- like their male counterparts -- rather than the regulation bikini-bottom design...

Former NFL offensive lineman and assistant coach Eugene Chung called the NFL's statement on its review of his claims that he was told during a job interview he "wasn't the right minority" "a little misleading." Chung, who is Asian American, said he has only had one short, "almost perfunctory" conversation with the NFL back in May and that "every single" coach and personnel executive he has reached out to regarding this matter has said they hadn't been contacted by the NFL during its review process. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has declined to meet with Chung, to this point, despite a request from Chung's representation, he said. "I've had one conversation with them. I'd love to work with them hand in hand but, when it's being written that I'm going to be working with them, and I had only one very brief conversation, I think that's a little misleading," Chung said. The NFL released a statement in early July saying it was "unable to confirm the precise statement that was made or...

The NCAA has settled a defamation suit filed by former USC football assistant coach Todd McNair, whom it accused of violating ethical conduct rules during its investigation into whether former Trojans star Reggie Bush and his family received improper benefits while playing in college, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. The settlement was reached through court-ordered mediation, which began two weeks ago. The agreement comes more than a decade after McNair sued the NCAA in a California court, alleging NCAA officials "arbitrarily and capriciously decided to ruin [his] career to further their own agenda." He sought damages for libel, slander, breach of contract and negligence. Financial terms of the settlement weren't immediately available. McNair, 55, is now the running backs coach for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The resolution of McNair's long-standing lawsuit against the NCAA -- which was filed on June 6, 2011 -- comes while Bush is lobbying for the return of the Heisman Trophy...

Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich has tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. "I'm fortunate to be fully vaccinated and I'm asymptomatic," Reich said in a statement. "I'm feeling well and I'm looking forward to returning as soon as I'm medically cleared." Next Monday is the earliest Reich can return to camp, Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Monday. "I think Frank testing positive and showing no symptoms shows [vaccination] works," Ballard said. "It's a shame in our country right now that we've politicized something good." Since NFL personnel returned to work last month, four players and 13 staffers have tested positive for COVID despite being vaccinated, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Those numbers include positive tests for one player and one staffer this past weekend, sources said. Reich tested positive Thursday or Friday, Ballard said. The GM added that a staffer is the only other member of the organization to test positive, but Ballard did not...

The Philippines' 97-year wait for a gold medal in the Olympics is over after Hidilyn Diaz triumphed in women's 55-kilogram weightlifting at the Tokyo Games. Diaz burst into tears as she recorded her gold-medal-winning effort with an overall lift of 224 kilograms. The total set an Olympic record, one kilogram ahead China's Liao Qiuyun, who owns the world record of 227kg set during the 2019 World Championships. The feat brings an end to the Philippines' 97-year Olympic gold-medal drought. The nation first entered the Olympics in 1924, when David Nepomuceno featured in the 100- and 200-meter sprints. It would go on to win its first bronze medal four years later in Amsterdam through Teofilo Yldefonso's third-place finish in the men's 200-meter breaststroke and then took its first silver medal at Tokyo in 1964, when Anthony Villanueva placed second in men's featherweight boxing. The Philippines won silver again at Atlanta in 1996 ( Mansueto Velasco in light flyweight...

The Philippines' 97-year wait for a gold medal in the Olympics is over after Hidilyn Diaz triumphed in women's 55-kilogram weightlifting at the Tokyo Games. Diaz burst into tears as she recorded her gold-medal-winning effort with an overall lift of 224 kilograms. The total set an Olympic record, one kilogram ahead China's Liao Qiuyun, who owns the world record of 227kg set during the 2019 World Championships. The feat brings an end to the Philippines' 97-year Olympic gold-medal drought. The nation first entered the Olympics in 1924, when David Nepomuceno featured in the 100- and 200-meter sprints. It would go on to win its first bronze medal four years later in Amsterdam through Teofilo Yldefonso's third-place finish in the men's 200-meter breaststroke and then took its first silver medal at Tokyo in 1964, when Anthony Villanueva placed second in men's featherweight boxing. The Philippines won silver again at Atlanta in 1996 ( Mansueto Velasco in light flyweight...

An American men's team has not medaled since 2008.

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans, after initially insisting they would not trade Deshaun Watson, shifted their stance on the quarterback's trade availability earlier this offseason and have been willing to field offers from interested teams, sources confirmed to ESPN. The Texans already have had preliminary discussions with other teams about Watson, who reported to training camp Sunday, but don't feel they have received a serious offer, according to sources. Although the talks have not reached a significant stage as of Monday morning, the Texans are willing to trade Watson before the start of the season if they find the right match, according to sources. The Texans' price for Watson has been a combination of five high draft picks and starting-caliber players, two league executives told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Although Watson reported to training camp Sunday morning, he made it clear to those in the building that his desire to be traded had not changed, a source...

Here's what you missed from Day 3 of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans, after initially insisting they would not trade Deshaun Watson, shifted their stance on the quarterback's trade availability earlier this offseason and have been willing to field offers from interested teams, sources confirm to ESPN. The Texans already have had preliminary discussions with other teams about Watson, who reported to training camp Sunday, but don't feel they have received a serious offer, according to sources. Although the talks have not reached a significant stage as of Monday morning, the Texans are willing to trade Watson before the start of the season if they find the right match, according to sources. According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the Texans' price for Watson has been a combination of five high draft picks and starting caliber players, according to two league executives. Although Watson reported to training camp on Sunday morning, he made it clear to those in the building that his desire to be traded had not...

The convicted sex offender was sentenced to jail in 2017.

Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado concluded her floor routine during Olympic qualifying on Sunday by incorporating a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement.  The 18-year-old ended her routine on one knee, her head back and her right fist thrust straight into the air. Alvarado said the closing of her routine was choreographed in homage to the Black Lives Matter movement that spread around the world after George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, in Minneapolis last summer. After she performed the same move at training on Friday, Alvarado said that she hoped to highlight the importance of equal rights on a global stage and champion treating all with respect and dignity. "My cousin and I, we both do it in our routines," Alvarado told the podcast GymCastic. "And I feel like if you do something that brings everyone together, you know, and you see that here, like 'Yes, you're one of mine, you understand things,' the importance of everyone...

TOKYO -- The Terminator knocked off Katie Ledecky at the Tokyo Olympics. Australia's Ariarne Titmus chased down Ledecky to win the women's 400-meter freestyle, one of the most anticipated races of the Summer Games, capturing the gold medal with the second-fastest time in history on Monday. Titmus, who trailed by nearly a full body length at the halfway mark of the eight-lap race, turned on the speed to touch in 3 minutes, 56.69 seconds. Ledecky was the defending Olympic champion and world-record holder. She settled for the silver this time in 3:57.36 -- the fourth-fastest time ever recorded. Easing a little of the sting for Team USA following Ledecky's loss was a victory in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay. The American men were led off by Caeleb Dressel, who began his quest for six gold medals in swimming by winning his first on Monday.  "I fought tooth and nail,'' Ledecky said of Titmus. "She definitely swam a really smart race. She was really controlled up front. I felt...

TOKYO -- The Terminator knocked off Katie Ledecky at the Tokyo Olympics. Australia's Ariarne Titmus chased down Ledecky to win one of the most anticipated races of the Summer Games, capturing the gold medal with the second-fastest time in history on Monday. Titmus, who trailed by nearly a full body length at the halfway mark of the eight-lap race, turned on the speed to touch in 3 minutes, 56.69 seconds. Ledecky was the defending Olympic champion and world-record holder. She settled for the silver this time in 3:57.36 -- the fourth-fastest time ever recorded. Easing a little of the sting for Team USA following Ledecky's loss was a victory in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay. The American men were led off by Caeleb Dressel, who began his quest for six gold medals in swimming by winning his first on Monday.  "I fought tooth and nail,'' Ledecky said of Titmus. "She definitely swam a really smart race. She was really controlled up front. I felt pretty smooth and strong going...

Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado concluded her floor routine during Olympic qualifying on Sunday by incorporating a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement.  The 18-year-old ended her routine on one knee, her head back and her right fist thrust straight into the air. Alvarado said the closing of her routine was choreographed in homage to the Black Lives Matter movement that spread around the world after George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, in Minneapolis last summer. After she performed the same move at training on Friday, Alvarado said that she hoped to highlight the importance of equal rights on a global stage and champion treating all with respect and dignity. "My cousin and I, we both do it in our routines," Alvarado told the podcast GymCastic. "And I feel like if you do something that brings everyone together, you know, and you see that here, like 'Yes, you're one of mine, you understand things,' the importance of everyone...

TOKYO -- The Terminator knocked off Katie Ledecky at the Tokyo Olympics. Australia's Ariarne Titmus chased down Ledecky to win one of the most anticipated races of the Summer Games, capturing the gold medal with the second-fastest time in history Monday. Titmus, who trailed by nearly a full body-length at the halfway mark of the eight-lap race, turned on the speed to touch in 3 minutes, 56.69 seconds. Ledecky was the defending Olympic champion and world-record holder. She settled for the silver this time in 3:57.36 -- the fourth-fastest time ever recorded. Easing a little of the sting for Team USA following Ledecky's loss was a victory in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay. The American men were led off by Caeleb Dressel, who began his quest for six gold medals in swimming by winning his first on Monday.  "I fought tooth and nail,'' Ledecky said. "She definitely swam a really smart race. She was really controlled up front. I felt pretty smooth and strong going out and...

The Big 12 executive committee met with the presidents of Texas and Oklahoma on Sunday amid speculation that the two schools intend to depart for the SEC. Texas' Jay Hartzell and Oklahoma's Joe Harroz met via videoconference with the committee, which includes Big 12 Chairman of the Board of Directors and Texas Tech president Lawrence Schovanec, Baylor president Linda Livingstone and league commissioner Bob Bowlsby. "The meeting was cordial, and the Executive Committee expressed a willingness to discuss proposals that would strengthen the Conference and be mutually beneficial to OU and UT, as well as the other member institutions of the Conference," Bowlsby said in a statement. "I expect that we will continue our conversations in the days ahead and we look forward to discussing thoughts, ideas and concepts that may be of shared interest and impact." Big 12 sources told ESPN's Heather Dinich they are still expecting Oklahoma and Texas to formally notify the league on Monday that...

BOSTON -- Domingo German was simply dominating the Boston Red Sox. Never more so than in the seventh inning, when the  New York Yankees right-hander struck out stars J.D. Martinez, Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts and rookie Jarren Duran. As German walked off the mound then with a no-hitter intact and a solid lead, there was no way to envision what was on deck. Held hitless into the eighth by German and looking feeble, Alex Verdugo and the Red Sox suddenly erupted for five runs to shake Fenway Park and storm past New York 5-4 on Sunday. The old ballpark was almost silent all afternoon, until Verdugo opened the eighth with a long double for Boston's first hit, and he raised his arms in celebration at second base. By the time Kike Hernandez slid home headfirst on Bogaerts' sacrifice fly with the go-ahead run to cap the rally, fans were fired up. "I felt like just getting that hit out of the way had...

The San Diego Padres are acquiring second baseman  Adam Frazier from the Pittsburgh Pirates, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Frazier, 29, who leads baseball in hits this year, is not a free agent until after the 2022 season. In exchange, the Pirates are acquiring right-hander Michell Miliano, shortstop Tucupita Marcano and outfielder Jack Suwinski, a source told ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. Pittsburgh is also sending approximately $1.4 million to the Padres in the deal, according to The Associated Press. Frazier entered Sunday hitting .327 -- the second-best average in Major League Baseball -- with four home runs and 32 RBIs. A 2020 Gold Glove finalist and an All-Star this season, Frazier was the Pirates' second-longest tenured player, behind right fielder Gregory Polanco. When asked about possibly being traded a week ago, Frazier said he wasn't letting it distract him. "It's pretty cool to be recognized like that and have teams want...

HOUSTON --  Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson reported to training camp Sunday in order to avoid a $50,000 daily fine, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder. Under the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement, teams can no longer forgive fines, and Watson would have been fined $50,000 for every day he was absent from camp. Watson still wants to be traded by the Texans -- a stance that has remained unchanged since the start of the offseason, sources told ESPN. Watson first asked to be traded in January after the Texans hired Nick Caserio as their general manager. Less than two months later, the first of 23 lawsuits was filed against Watson. The now 22 active lawsuits allege sexual assault and inappropriate behavior against the Texans quarterback. Since the lawsuits were filed, new head coach David Culley has largely avoided addressing the allegations against Watson, other than referencing a letter sent by Texans ownership to season-ticket holders in April that...

Extreme heat is the latest challenge for Tokyo Olympics athletes and may cause rescheduling of outdoor events.

All-Pro pass-rusher Chandler Jones requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, sources told ESPN. Jones has been unhappy with his contract and missed offseason work as a result. The Cardinals don't want to trade Jones and expect him to report to training camp, which begins Tuesday. Jones, 31, plans to have a big year coming off surgery on his right biceps, and the Cardinals believe he's excited to play alongside new acquisition J.J. Watt despite past unhappiness. A source said Jones is viewed as a "great guy" in the organization and is set to be a pivotal part of the Cardinals' defense this year. The team generally does not publicly discuss contract details regarding its players. It's possible Jones plays out the year in Arizona and hits free agency in 2022. But that might not quell the discord. Jones, due $15.5 million in the final year of his deal, emerged as one of the game's best pass-rushers while recording 49 sacks from 2017 to '19....

SAITAMA, Japan -- Team USA's invincibility in men's basketball is long gone, and the journey to a fourth consecutive gold medal is already fraught with adversity. France gut-punched the Americans with a brilliant finish for an 83-76 victory to open the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday. It snapped a 25-game Olympic winning streak dating back to 2004 for Team USA. The final blow came when Evan Fournier drilled a 3-pointer with a minute to play to give the French the lead for good, completing their comeback after the U.S. had an eight-point lead with four minutes to play. It was the biggest of his 28 points in one of the finest games he has played in his career. It was followed by an incredible possession in which the Americans managed to get five shots off and missed them all. The final three were wide-open 3-point attempts by Zach LaVine, Kevin Durant and Jrue Holiday. "I got to lead the team because I know these guys," Fournier said. "It's a hell of a...

TAMPA, Fla. -- In a tweet that was put out Thursday and later deleted, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette indicated he didn't want to get vaccinated for COVID-19. But on Sunday he said his decision wasn't set in stone and he is open to the idea. "I just don't know too much about it," Fournette said after the team's first training camp practice. Coach Bruce Arians said that rather than bringing in a specialist to address the team's concerns about the vaccine as a whole -- which Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera did -- the team would make doctors available to address individual players' concerns. Fournette plans to take him up on that. "I'm going to talk to them, and just see what's the best decision, for myself and for the team," Fournette said, adding that if he doesn't get the vaccine, he's prepared to undergo the far more restrictive COVID-19 unvaccinated player protocols that significantly impact team and social activities away from...

GATES MILLS, Ohio -- Heading into the start of training camp this week, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. says his team has a "special opportunity" at a Super Bowl this season. "It's just something that feels special about this team," Beckham said Sunday during his youth football camp in the Cleveland area. "I think there's something special going on and something special with this city. "Cleveland needs a championship. And I think that's the goal and mentality in that building. And that's what I want to be a part of." After suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 7 last year, Beckham could only watch as Cleveland surged into its first postseason appearance since 2002. The Browns then defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in their playoff opener before taking the Chiefs to the wire in Kansas City, ultimately losing 22-17 in the divisional round. "I watched them compete last year and it was like the one game that hurt me the most was...

Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive tackle  Jaylen Twyman, who was shot four times this summer in Washington, D.C., "has recovered enough from his gunshot wounds that he will be reporting to training camp Sunday with the other rookies," agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "He's really excited," Rosenhaus said. Twyman is expected to start camp on the non-football injury list, but he believes he will be able to play at some point early this season, Rosenhaus said. Two of Twyman's gunshot wounds are completely healed, but his pelvis wound still is causing some issues. Twyman was in a vehicle when he was shot four times -- in the arm, leg, buttocks and shoulder -- in June. He was one of several people wounded. Minnesota drafted Twyman with the 199th pick in May. Before opting out of the 2020 season, Twyman became the first interior defensive lineman to lead Pitt in sacks (10.5 in 2019) since Aaron Donald achieved the same feat six years prior.

HOUSTON --  Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson plans to report to training camp Sunday in order to avoid a $50,000 daily fine, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder. Under the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement, teams can no longer forgive fines, and Watson would have been fined $50,000 for every day he was absent from camp. Watson still wants to be traded by the Texans -- a stance that has remained unchanged since the start of the offseason, sources told ESPN. Watson first asked to be traded in January after the Texans hired Nick Caserio as their general manager. Less than two months later, the first of 23 lawsuits was filed against Watson. The now 22 active lawsuits allege sexual assault and inappropriate behavior against the Texans quarterback. Since the lawsuits were filed, new head coach David Culley has largely avoided addressing Watson's legal situation, other than referencing a letter sent by Texans ownership to season-ticket holders in April that...