The flame was welcomed at Dakar’s Place du Souvenir Africain in a ceremony attended by Senegalese officials, athletes and members of the public. A procession involving 100 Senegalese women, known as linguères, formed part of the ceremony celebrating the arrival.

The flame had been lit at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on September 10 before being transferred to the Senegalese delegation for its journey to Dakar.

Flame to travel across Senegal

Beginning September 14, the flame will travel through Senegal’s 14 regions before returning to Dakar ahead of the Games.

About 450 people are expected to take part as torchbearers during the national relay, which will run for more than a month and conclude on October 30, one day before the opening of the Youth Olympic Games.

The route is intended to bring the Games beyond the capital and involve communities across the country. Organizers say the torchbearers were selected to represent different generations, communities and areas of Senegal.

The flame will ultimately be used to light the cauldron during the opening ceremony, marking the formal start of Dakar 2026.

First Olympic sporting event in Africa

Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic sporting event hosted on the African continent.

The Youth Olympic Games are designed for young athletes and are smaller than the senior Olympic Games. About 2,700 athletes are expected to compete in Dakar and nearby locations, including Diamniadio and Saly.

The Games will run from October 31 through November 13 and feature competition across multiple sports.

The International Olympic Committee has described Dakar 2026 as a significant milestone for the Olympic movement and an opportunity to showcase African athletes and sporting development.

For Senegal, the event represents both a major sporting occasion and a national undertaking involving venues, transportation, volunteers and communities across the country.

The torch relay now begins the final stage of the countdown. After crossing Senegal, the flame will return to Dakar for the opening ceremony, when the continent’s first Olympic sporting event officially gets underway.

Reporting Credit: International Olympic Committee — Dakar 2026 Olympic flame, Youth Olympic Games program and official event information; Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee — transfer and national relay of the Olympic flame; Senegalese National News Agency (APS) — Senegal’s official reception and relay arrangements.

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His finish ended a campaign that began with uncertainty and concluded with the most important goal in Spanish football since Andrés Iniesta’s winner in the 2010 World Cup final.

Tournament Began with Setbacks

Torres started Spain’s opening group-stage match against Cabo Verde, but the team’s scoreless draw prompted head coach Luis de la Fuente to reshuffle his attack for the next fixture.

He dropped to the bench against Saudi Arabia, where Spain responded with an emphatic 4-0 victory that helped establish the momentum for its title run.

Torres thought he had marked his substitute appearance with a goal, only for VAR to rule it out for offside deep into stoppage time.

The disappointment reflected a difficult opening stretch of the tournament as competition for places intensified and Spain’s attacking options continued to impress.

Knockout Stage Brings Opportunity

Despite seeing fewer minutes, Torres remained an important part of Spain’s squad.

His biggest contribution before the final came in the knockout rounds against Portugal, where he provided the assist for Mikel Merino’s late winning goal that sent Spain into the quarterfinals without the need for extra time.

Rather than allowing frustration to affect him, Torres continued working for his opportunity, trusting that another decisive moment would arrive.

Defining Moment Comes in the Final

That opportunity came on football’s biggest stage.

With the World Cup final against Argentina locked in extra time, Torres found space inside the penalty area and calmly converted the winning goal in the 106th minute to secure Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title.

The strike completed Spain’s comeback and sparked celebrations among thousands of Spanish supporters inside the stadium as the final whistle confirmed another historic triumph.

‘The Trophy Means More Than the Goal’

Speaking after the match, Torres said the World Cup title mattered far more than the goal that decided it.

“The goal is the least of it. All I want right now is to grab that World Cup and squeeze it as hard as I can,” he said.

“It’s the dream of the 47 million of us who were on the pitch today. We deserved it and we gave it everything.”

Perseverance Rewarded

Torres admitted the tournament tested both his confidence and patience.

“In the end, it was a huge relief,” he said. “I’ve faced a lot of criticism throughout this World Cup, but I believe destiny is already written. God has always given me the strength to keep going.”

He described the tournament as a test of endurance rather than immediate success.

“This is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to keep working no matter what happens. In the end, things come to those who deserve them.”

The Barcelona forward also praised Argentina, saying Spain expected an extremely difficult final against a side led by Lionel Messi but remained committed to its style throughout the match.

Place in Spanish Football History

Torres’ extra-time winner ensured his name will be remembered alongside Andrés Iniesta, whose goal against the Netherlands delivered Spain’s first World Cup title in 2010.

From an uncertain start in the group stage to becoming the hero of the final, Torres completed a remarkable turnaround that mirrored Spain’s own journey through the tournament.

His decisive finish not only secured another World Cup trophy but also transformed months of criticism into one of the defining moments of FIFA World Cup 2026.

His tournament illustrated a dramatic shift from an uncertain group-stage campaign to becoming the player who delivered Spain’s defining moment on the sport’s biggest stage.

This report is based on reporting by FIFA.

Article Topics: FIFA World Cup | Spain | Ferran Torres | World Cup Final | Lionel Messi | Mikel Merino | Football

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For much of the second half, England appeared on course to reach its first World Cup final since 1966. The European side protected a narrow lead with disciplined defending before Argentina’s late surge transformed the match, as Enzo Fernández equalized in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez struck the winner deep into stoppage time.

The victory extends Argentina’s pursuit of consecutive World Cup titles, while England will face France in the tournament’s third-place playoff.

Cautious Opening Gives Way to England’s Breakthrough

Both teams approached the semifinal cautiously, with neither side willing to commit too many players forward during a tightly contested opening half.

Argentina controlled much of the possession but struggled to break through England’s organized defensive shape. England, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counterattack and gradually created more opportunities after halftime.

The breakthrough arrived in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon finished a well-worked attacking move to give England a 1-0 lead. The goal energized the English side and forced Argentina to chase the game for the first time in the tournament’s knockout stage.

England continued to defend with discipline while looking to exploit spaces on the counter, frustrating Argentina for much of the second half.

Argentina Responds Under Pressure

As time began to run out, Argentina increased the tempo and committed more players into attack.

The sustained pressure finally produced an equalizer in the 85th minute when Enzo Fernández struck to make it 1-1, shifting momentum firmly toward the defending champions and igniting the crowd inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Rather than settling for extra time, Argentina continued to press high and move the ball quickly through midfield. England struggled to regain possession as the South American side controlled the closing stages.

Deep into stoppage time, Lionel Messi created the decisive opening with a precise pass into the penalty area. Lautaro Martínez met the delivery with a composed finish, completing Argentina’s comeback and sending the defending champions into another World Cup final.

Experience Makes the Difference

Argentina’s composure under pressure once again proved decisive.

Even after falling behind, Lionel Scaloni’s side remained patient, maintained possession and continued to build attacks instead of forcing opportunities. That disciplined approach gradually stretched England’s defense before producing two decisive late goals.

Messi dictated much of Argentina’s attacking play throughout the semifinal. Although he did not score, he played a crucial role in the comeback by creating the winning goal. Fernández controlled the midfield during the closing stages, while Martínez once again delivered in a decisive knockout match.

England Left to Reflect

England’s campaign ended in disappointment after an otherwise impressive tournament.

Thomas Tuchel’s side defended effectively for long stretches and looked capable of protecting its one-goal advantage. However, sustained Argentine pressure in the final minutes proved too difficult to withstand.

Despite the defeat, England reached the semifinals after an impressive run through the knockout rounds and will have an opportunity to finish third when it meets France.

World Cup Final Set

Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final after both nations emerged from demanding knockout campaigns.

The matchup brings together two of the tournament’s most consistent teams and offers Argentina an opportunity to become back-to-back world champions. Spain, meanwhile, will attempt to cap its own impressive tournament by denying the defending champions another World Cup title.

Article Topics: Argentina | England | FIFA World Cup | World Cup Semifinal | Lionel Messi | Lautaro Martínez | Enzo Fernández | Spain

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The three-time defending world champions began their campaign with a convincing win as Messi found the net three times, moving his World Cup tally to 16 goals across six tournament appearances. The achievement placed him alongside Klose atop the competition’s all-time scoring list.

Following his opening goal, an emotional Messi was seen wiping tears from his eyes before continuing a dominant display that silenced any lingering concerns about a hamstring issue that had limited him in the lead-up to the tournament.

“My tears after the first goal? I’ve had some tough days. It wasn’t related to football,” Messi said after the match. “I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me.”

Messi Delivers in World Cup Opener

Messi opened the scoring in the early stages after connecting with a pass from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul. He added a second goal from a rebound shortly after halftime before completing his hat trick with a clinical finish before leaving the field to a standing ovation.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his captain’s influence following the victory.

“At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say? He’s incredible,” Scaloni said.

The match was played before a crowd of 69,045 spectators in Kansas City, where Argentina supporters heavily outnumbered their Algerian counterparts.

Historic Milestone Reached Two Decades After Debut

The performance came exactly 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro, a match in which he also scored.

According to the supplied match information, Messi became only the second player to score in five editions of the World Cup. The hat trick was the 61st of his professional career, his 11th for Argentina, and his first in World Cup competition.

The Argentina captain has now scored in five consecutive World Cup matches and appears well positioned to move beyond Klose’s mark as the tournament progresses.

“It makes me very happy to have lived through everything that came my way,” Messi said. “What I’m living through now is the cherry on top.”

Other Stars Shine on Busy World Cup Day

Messi’s performance came on a day that also featured strong displays from other international stars.

Kylian Mbappé scored twice in France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal, while Erling Haaland netted two goals in Norway’s 4-1 win against Iraq.

Haaland reacted to Messi’s display on social media, writing: “Messi is a madman.”

Argentina Relies on Veteran Leader

Messi entered the tournament after dealing with a minor hamstring injury while playing for Inter Miami. However, he showed no visible limitations during Argentina’s opening match.

The appearance also marked the 200th international match of Messi’s career since making his senior debut in 2005.

“Fortunately, I’m doing well, and today we managed to win a tough match,” Messi said. “It’s important to start the tournament with a victory in the first game.”

Argentina’s strong opening result gives the defending champions momentum as they continue their pursuit of another World Cup title, while Messi’s record-tying performance adds another milestone to one of football’s most decorated careers.

Tags: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Algeria, FIFA World Cup, Miroslav Klose, Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Scaloni, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Kansas City

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The result represented a landmark moment for the Atlantic archipelago of about 500,000 people, which became one of the smallest nations by population ever to qualify for the World Cup. Despite facing one of the tournament favorites and the reigning European champions, Cape Verde produced a disciplined defensive display to earn a point in its debut match.

In the capital city of Praia, supporters gathered at watch parties and along major roads to celebrate the achievement. Fans sang, danced, and embraced as the final whistle confirmed a result few had expected before kickoff.

“I didn’t expect us to be holding our own in such a highly contested and difficult match,” supporter William Gomes said. He praised veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, whose performance helped keep Spain off the scoresheet.

Veteran Goalkeeper Leads Defensive Effort

Cape Verde’s defensive organization proved crucial throughout the match, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha emerging as one of the standout performers.

Facing a Spanish side widely viewed as a contender for the World Cup title, Cape Verde resisted sustained pressure and maintained its defensive structure to secure a historic draw.

The performance quickly became a source of national pride and international attention, highlighting the country’s growing presence on football’s biggest stage.

National Pride on Display

The achievement sparked emotional scenes across Praia, where many supporters described the occasion as one of the most significant moments in the nation’s sporting history.

“Cape Verde is only a small country, but today it feels great and important,” resident Vladimir Garcia said. “I don’t even have enough words to express what we’re feeling. We Cape Verdeans are truly blessed.”

Ahead of the match, the Cape Verdean government declared a half-day holiday to allow citizens to follow the national team’s World Cup debut.

Historic Moment Beyond Football

The result also reignited discussion about the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams. Critics had argued that the larger tournament could reduce the overall quality of competition, but Cape Verde’s performance against Spain provided an example of how emerging football nations can compete on the global stage.

President José Maria Neves reflected on the broader significance of the occasion, linking the achievement to the country’s development since gaining independence from Portugal 50 years ago.

“If today, 50 years later, we are at the World Cup, we have already proven that we are a viable nation,” Neves said on social media.

He added that the milestone should inspire confidence in the country’s future and its ability to continue building opportunities for its citizens.

Cape Verde’s World Cup journey continues after a debut that delivered both a valuable result and a memorable moment in the nation’s sporting history.

Tags: Cape Verde, Spain, FIFA World Cup, Vozinha, Praia, José Maria Neves, World Cup Debut, International Football

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The ceremony reflected a rare moment of cross-party unity in a polarized political climate. Lawmakers stood and applauded as the team entered, chanting “USA” while the president praised their achievement. Trump also said the women’s national hockey team would be honored at the White House soon, after they declined to attend the address due to scheduling.

The men’s team secured gold with a 2–1 overtime victory over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, a result widely seen as one of the program’s most significant achievements in decades.

White House recognition and Medal of Freedom announcement

During the State of the Union address, Trump singled out the players seated in the chamber’s gallery. The ovation lasted roughly two minutes, with members of Congress from both parties standing and applauding.

Trump announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor. Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots in the gold medal game, acknowledged the applause with a hand over his heart.

The White House visit earlier in the day included a meeting in the Oval Office and photographs along the South Portico and West Wing colonnade. Administration aides shared images on social media showing players posing with their medals.

As the team approached the Oval Office, some players briefly stepped into the press office, displaying the gold medals earned in Milan. Trump greeted them individually, praising their performance and describing them as “special champions.”

A historic victory for U.S. men’s hockey

The win marked the first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey for the United States since the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. That 1980 victory over the Soviet Union remains one of the most iconic moments in U.S. sports history, and comparisons quickly followed after this year’s triumph.

The 2026 title came after a tightly contested tournament, culminating in the overtime defeat of Canada — a longstanding rival in international hockey. The result was celebrated by fans across the country and drew attention to the sport’s continued global appeal.

Forward Matthew Tkachuk, who has won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Florida Panthers, described the White House visit as a familiar experience. He had visited previously following NHL championship seasons. For several teammates, however, this marked their first trip to Washington as Olympic champions.

The team traveled from Italy to the United States earlier in the week, arriving first in Miami before heading to Washington. Players were welcomed by fans at the airport and later gathered for team celebrations.

“Our sport just got the biggest stage in the world of sport,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito, who served as an assistant general manager for the Olympic squad, said Tuesday. “That’s wonderful. And we need to celebrate it.”

Women’s team to be honored separately

Trump confirmed that the U.S. women’s hockey team — which also defeated Canada to win gold — would receive a White House invitation in the near future. The women’s team had declined to attend the State of the Union due to timing constraints.

The acknowledgment of both teams underscores the prominence of ice hockey within the Winter Olympics and the broader national sports landscape. Olympic victories traditionally prompt White House visits, regardless of administration, reflecting a longstanding custom of honoring championship teams.

In recent years, such ceremonies have occasionally drawn political attention, but Tuesday’s events focused primarily on athletic achievement. Lawmakers across party lines applauded the players, highlighting a rare moment of consensus during a nationally televised address.

For the athletes, the recognition capped a whirlwind week that included international competition, travel across time zones, and celebrations at home. The gold medal victory in Milan will now stand alongside historic milestones in U.S. hockey history.

Source: AP News – US men’s hockey team feted at State of the Union; Trump says women’s team will be honored ‘soon’

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Held over 17 days across mountain valleys, alpine towns and urban arenas, the Games combined historic venues with a decentralized model that Olympic officials say could influence future editions. The closing ceremony sought to reflect that blend of heritage and modernity, pairing operatic tributes with contemporary Italian pop and dance music.

Declaring the Games closed, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry praised the local organizing committee for delivering “a new kind of winter games” and setting a “very high standard for the future.” It was the first Winter Olympics overseen by Coventry in her role as IOC president.

A ceremony rooted in Italian culture

Staged inside the Roman-era Verona Arena, roughly midway between the various competition clusters, the 2½-hour ceremony leaned heavily into Italy’s artistic traditions. The production opened with a theatrical nod to lyric opera, long associated with the Arena’s summer festival, before transitioning into modern performances.

Characters from operas such as La Traviata, Aida and Rigoletto were theatrically “unpacked” from mirrored crates placed around the amphitheater. Seventeenth-century musicians performed “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici,” while costumed figures moved from the stage into the piazza outside, mingling with athletes carrying national flags.

Later segments featured ballet dancer Roberto Bolle in an aerial performance staged within a ring of light symbolizing the sun. He descended onto a set designed to resemble the Venetian lagoon, complete with gondolas, dancing to music by Italian singer Joan Thiele. The program culminated with DJ Gabry Ponte energizing athletes in the arena, followed by a final performance from Achille Lauro, who closed the night with the song “Incoscienti Giovani.”

Approximately 12,000 spectators attended the ceremony — a smaller gathering than the opening event in Milan’s San Siro stadium, which drew more than 60,000.

Record medal haul for Italy

A total of 116 medal events were contested across eight sports and 16 disciplines, including the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering. The final medals — in the 50-kilometer mass start cross-country skiing races — were awarded just hours before the closing event.

Host nation Italy achieved its strongest Winter Olympic performance, collecting 30 medals: 10 gold, six silver and 14 bronze. The tally surpassed its previous record of 20 medals set at the 1994 Lillehammer Games.

Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milan Cortina Foundation, credited Italian athletes with uniting the country and contributing significantly to the Games’ overall success. Many of the medalists were present in the arena, wearing white headbands emblazoned with “Italia.”

The Olympic flame, encased in a Venetian glass vessel, was carried into the Arena by Italian gold medalists from the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Games. Illuminated Olympic rings appeared on the stone steps behind the stage as the flame was raised in the center of the amphitheater.

A new geographic model

The Italy-hosted Games spanned approximately 22,000 square kilometers (8,500 square miles), stretching from ice events in Milan to alpine skiing and snowboarding in Valtellina near the Swiss border, biathlon in Anterselva near Austria, and cross-country skiing in Val di Fiemme north of Verona. Sliding sports, curling and women’s downhill competitions took place in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Organizers had argued that the decentralized format would reduce the need for new construction by relying largely on existing facilities. While that approach posed logistical challenges, IOC officials suggested it may serve as a template for future Winter Games in regions with established winter sports infrastructure.

Following tradition, the Olympic flag was handed to representatives of France, which will host the next Winter Games in 2030. French organizers plan to stage events across Alpine venues and the Mediterranean city of Nice, maintaining a similarly distributed structure. Speedskating is expected to be held either in Italy or the Netherlands, according to organizers.

Paralympics to follow in Verona

The Verona Arena will again serve as the ceremonial focal point when it hosts the opening of the Milan Cortina Paralympic Winter Games on March 6. The Paralympics will run through March 15, using many of the same competition sites.

The extinguishing of the Milan Cortina Olympic cauldrons — an unprecedented dual arrangement — was accompanied by a light show rather than fireworks, in line with local restrictions intended to avoid disturbing animals in and around Verona.

As the lights dimmed and athletes filed out, the ceremony underscored both the scale and the experimentation of Italy’s Winter Olympics. Whether the spread-out model becomes a long-term blueprint for the Olympic movement may depend on future hosts, but for now, the 2026 edition closes as a chapter that combined tradition, geography and adaptation in equal measure.

Source: AP News – Twin Milan and Cortina Olympic cauldrons are extinguished, signaling the end of Winter Games

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For vice-skip Marc Kennedy, the moment carried particular weight. The 44-year-old veteran had found himself at the center of allegations during the round-robin stage, when Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson accused him of a “double touch” — a breach of curling rules involving contact with the stone after release. Kennedy responded with an emotional outburst that drew global attention beyond the rink.

By the time Canada defeated Britain 9–6 in the final, the controversy had become part of the tournament’s narrative — and, for the Canadians, a source of motivation.

Canada’s triumph marks its first Olympic men’s curling gold since the 2014 Sochi Games and reinforces its status as the sport’s most decorated Olympic nation.

Canada edges Britain in final

The Canadian rink, skipped by Brad Jacobs, secured control in the later stages of the match inside Cortina’s historic ice arena. A decisive ninth end, in which Canada scored three, proved pivotal after Britain’s Bruce Mouat missed a freeze attempt that might have limited the damage.

Jacobs described the team’s focus as unwavering despite the distractions. He suggested that being labeled “cheaters” in public commentary had galvanized the squad rather than unsettled it.

Kennedy, who also won Olympic gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games, acknowledged that emotions had run high during the week. He said he stood up for his teammates and accepted responsibility for letting frustration spill into public view.

Canada’s lineup also included Brett Gallant and Ben Hebert, with Tyler Tardi serving as alternate. The gold medal represented Jacobs’ first Olympic appearance since 2014, having missed qualification for the 2018 and 2022 Games.

Britain’s men, meanwhile, remain without Olympic gold since curling’s debut at the inaugural Winter Games in 1924 in Chamonix. Mouat’s all-Scottish team had been consistent throughout the tournament but could not overturn Canada’s late surge.

Double-touch accusations unsettle tournament

The controversy erupted during round-robin play when Sweden’s Eriksson accused Kennedy of making impermissible secondary contact with a stone after delivery. Curling traditionally relies heavily on player self-policing, though umpires monitor specific technical elements.

The allegations prompted heated exchanges and a broader debate within the sport. In response, officials briefly stationed umpires at the hog line to watch for possible infractions before reverting to established procedures in which players largely oversee adherence to rules.

Jacobs later said that the rule in question had been introduced recently and suggested that governing body officials were not fully prepared for the scrutiny it would receive on the Olympic stage. He called for a review process involving players to clarify enforcement and prevent similar disputes in future competitions.

After the incident, Canada lost its next match to Switzerland but regained momentum during the knockout phase.

The episode has highlighted tension between curling’s tradition of sportsmanship and the increasing intensity of elite competition, particularly under Olympic scrutiny. While the sport has long prided itself on mutual respect among competitors, the Milan Cortina Games underscored how quickly disagreements can escalate when medals are at stake.

Canada’s broader Olympic curling record

With the men’s gold secured and the women earning bronze earlier in the day, Canada extended its record as the most successful nation in Olympic curling. The country now has seven gold medals and 14 overall in the sport.

Kennedy’s longevity has drawn admiration from teammates and rivals alike. At 44, he remains among the top players in a discipline that demands technical precision, stamina, and tactical awareness. Alternate Tyler Tardi described Kennedy as one of the world’s best over two decades and credited his experience for helping the team navigate a difficult week.

Switzerland defeated Norway to claim bronze in the men’s event.

Canadian women earn bronze

Earlier Saturday, Canada’s women’s team, skipped by Rachel Homan, defeated the United States 10–7 to take bronze. The victory denied the American women their first Olympic curling medal.

Homan’s rink had struggled early in round-robin play, starting 1–3 before regaining form. She said the team’s resilience defined its tournament, noting that players drew closer together during challenging moments.

Sweden and Switzerland were scheduled to meet in the women’s gold medal match on Sunday.

A victory shaped by pressure

Canada’s men leave Cortina with gold medals and a tournament that may be remembered as much for debate as for results. In the aftermath, Jacobs said he hoped that critics would remember the image of the team celebrating on the podium.

For Kennedy, the triumph capped a career already defined by Olympic success. It also brought closure to a week in which accusations of cheating overshadowed competition, if only briefly.

In a sport that values quiet precision, the Milan Cortina men’s final offered a reminder that even curling is not immune to controversy — or to redemption.

Source: AP News – Canada’s curling skip tells cheating accusers to get Olympic celebration ‘burned into your brain’

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Elite skating blends artistry with risk, offering lessons for everyday athletes

Behind the elegance of Olympic figure skating lies a constant negotiation with injury, recovery and mental strain. Physicians and performance experts working with Team USA say the lessons extend beyond elite competition — and speak to how bodies adapt, compensate and sometimes break under pressure.

When viewers watch Olympic figure skating, the first impression is often grace. Athletes glide across ice with balletic precision, landing jumps that appear effortless and lifting partners overhead while smiling. What is less visible is the physical toll of training for a sport that blends explosive power with high-impact landings on a surface that does not forgive mistakes.

Medical staff embedded with U.S. Figure Skating describe elite competition as a process of managing, rather than eliminating, injury. Gretchen Mohney, director of medical and performance services for U.S. Figure Skating, recently told the Associated Press that “no athlete at this level is 100% fully healthy.” The task, she said, is to identify what is beginning to break down and intervene before it worsens.

That framework — constant monitoring, early response, and adaptation — offers insight not only into Olympic preparation, but also into how the human body handles repeated stress.

Injury Is Managed, Not Avoided

Elite figure skating has evolved dramatically in the past two decades. The sport’s technical demands have escalated, with more skaters attempting quadruple jumps and complex lifts. Each landing generates significant force through the ankles, knees and hips. On hard ice, that force has nowhere to dissipate.

Dr. Fred Workman, a longtime team physician for U.S. Figure Skating, has noted a rise in concussions as performance difficulty increases. Falls at high velocity can lead to head impacts, and while protective measures exist, the risk cannot be eliminated entirely.

Other common injuries reflect the sport’s structure: lacerations from skate blades, overuse injuries in the lower extremities, and shoulder strain in pairs skating where men lift partners overhead while rotating. “The hard ice always wins,” Workman has observed — a blunt reminder that physics governs outcomes regardless of training level.

For elite skaters, prolonged rest is rarely an option in the lead-up to major competitions. Instead, medical teams aim to modify training loads, adjust equipment, or introduce targeted therapies to keep athletes functional while minimizing additional harm. This approach reflects a broader principle in sports medicine: optimal performance often depends on carefully calibrated compromise.

Early Warning Signs and Load Management

Mohney has outlined several red flags that medical staff monitor closely — and they mirror guidance commonly given to recreational athletes.

First, acute injuries require immediate attention. The traditional “play through it” mentality has largely been replaced in professional sports by a more preventive model. Research across athletic disciplines suggests that untreated acute injuries can cascade into chronic problems, especially when athletes alter movement patterns to avoid pain.

Second, chronic stress injuries demand modification rather than neglect. In skating, even small adjustments — such as adding padding inside boots to reduce friction — can prevent minor irritations from becoming performance-limiting injuries.

Third, loss of mobility can trigger compensation elsewhere in the body. When flexibility declines, joints and muscles adapt in ways that redistribute force. In skating, diminished hip mobility might affect jump rotation; in recreational runners, similar patterns can lead to knee or back pain. The principle is biomechanical rather than sport-specific.

Finally, overuse injuries remain pervasive. Figure skaters train year-round, repeating movements such as layback spins that involve sustained spinal extension. Without variation in intensity and volume, cumulative strain builds. Sports science research widely supports periodization — structured variation in workload — as a means of reducing injury risk while maintaining conditioning.

For weekend athletes, these concepts are not abstract. They suggest that recovery, flexibility work and training diversity are not optional extras but core components of sustainable fitness.

Concussions and the Expanding Conversation

The increase in concussion awareness across sports has shaped figure skating as well. While skating is not a contact sport, high-speed falls can produce similar neurological risks.

Recent years have seen broader adoption of concussion protocols in Olympic sports, reflecting consensus guidelines developed in international sports medicine. These emphasize immediate removal from activity, graduated return-to-play processes, and monitoring for cognitive symptoms.

The experience of skaters who have temporarily stepped away after head injuries underscores how recovery timelines vary. Age, history of prior concussions and overall health influence healing. The uncertainty inherent in brain injury management reinforces a key theme: performance gains in elite sport often carry parallel risk calculations.

Mental Resilience in a Judged Sport

Figure skating’s injury profile intersects with another defining feature: it is a judged sport. Performance evaluation depends not only on technical execution but also on interpretation and presentation. Scores may not always align with athletes’ expectations.

Workman has described part of his role as holistic, extending beyond physical diagnosis to stress management. Psychological resilience is not separate from physical recovery; it influences sleep, focus and risk-taking decisions during performance.

Athletes such as Ilia Malinin have spoken publicly about feeling overwhelmed under Olympic pressure. That acknowledgment reflects a broader cultural shift in elite sport, where mental health discussions have become more open since high-profile cases in gymnastics and tennis drew global attention.

Sports psychologists often emphasize reframing setbacks as part of development rather than as definitive failures. This perspective aligns with research suggesting that adaptive coping strategies correlate with sustained performance at elite levels.

Cross-Training the Athlete — and the Person

Both Mohney and Workman emphasize training variation. Cross-training distributes stress across muscle groups and movement patterns, potentially reducing repetitive strain. Off-ice conditioning — strength work, balance training, cardiovascular conditioning — supports stability and shock absorption during jumps.

But Workman also frames cross-training more broadly. Diversifying interests beyond sport, he argues, supports long-term well-being. Competitive careers are finite. The skills developed in sport — discipline, resilience, teamwork — have value beyond medals.

This wider lens reflects findings in athlete development research, which suggests that identity diversification can buffer against the psychological effects of injury or retirement. When sport is the sole source of self-definition, disruptions can be destabilizing.

What It Means for Everyday Athletes

The training environments of Olympians differ sharply from those of recreational athletes. They have immediate access to physicians, physical therapists and athletic trainers. Their recovery protocols are individualized and data-driven.

Yet the underlying principles are transferable:

• Prompt attention to acute injuries reduces long-term damage.

• Varying training intensity helps prevent overuse.

• Flexibility and mobility maintenance support proper biomechanics.

• Mental stress management influences physical outcomes.

These are not new ideas. They align with established guidance from sports medicine bodies and public health institutions. What Olympic skating illustrates is how visible performance often obscures invisible maintenance.

In high-performance sport, health and injury coexist in a dynamic balance. Athletes do not wait for perfect conditions; they manage imperfections strategically. That reality may challenge the romantic image of effortless grace, but it offers a more realistic understanding of human capability.

The elegance seen on Olympic ice is built not only on artistry but also on adaptation. And adaptation, as both physicians and athletes acknowledge, requires respect for the body’s limits — even when chasing extraordinary feats.

Source: AP News – Olympic figure skaters offer wellness tips for weekend athletes. The ‘hard ice always wins’

The post Why Olympic Figure Skaters Talk About Injury — And What It Reveals About Sport and the Human Body appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The Canadians, who had not trailed during group play, found themselves down by two goals early in the second period. Yet there was little sign of anxiety on the bench. Instead, Canada methodically increased pressure, outshooting Finland 31-8 over the final two periods and overturning the deficit in the closing stages.

The result moves Canada into Sunday’s gold-medal game and preserves the possibility of a North American final should the United States advance from the other semifinal.

MacKinnon delivers in final minute

With 35.2 seconds remaining in regulation, MacKinnon redirected a cross-ice pass from Connor McDavid on the power play, finding a narrow opening short side past Finnish goaltender Juuse Saros. The play survived a video review after Finland challenged for offside, confirming Canada’s late breakthrough.

“It was a five-man effort,” MacKinnon said, crediting McDavid’s pass and the traffic created in front of the net.

McDavid, wearing the captain’s “C” in the absence of the injured Sidney Crosby, assisted on two goals. His performance set a record for the most points by an NHL player at a single Olympic tournament, with 13.

Canada coach Jon Cooper said the team showed composure despite the early setback. “You could definitely feel the sense of calm,” McDavid added. “We understood we were in a tough spot, and we had to find a way to get out of it.”

Momentum turns after Finland’s early control

Finland opened the scoring and extended its lead when Erik Haula netted a shorthanded goal early in the second period. The Finnish side, known for its structured defensive system, slowed Canada’s transition game and limited space in the neutral zone during the opening stages.

But the momentum began to shift late in the second period when Sam Reinhart deflected a shot from Cale Makar past Saros with 4:40 remaining. The goal cut the deficit to 2-1 and injected urgency into Canada’s attack.

Shea Theodore tied the game midway through the third period with a long-range effort through traffic, following a net-front scramble involving Brad Marchand and Haula. From there, the pressure rarely relented.

Canada’s ability to sustain offensive zone time was evident in the shot totals. Finland managed only nine shots combined across the second and third periods, compared to Canada’s sustained barrage. While Saros kept Finland within reach, the weight of chances eventually proved decisive.

Leadership and depth on display

Canada’s comeback came without Crosby, who left Wednesday’s quarterfinal with an apparent right knee injury. Cooper said a decision on Crosby’s availability for the final would be made closer to game time.

Even without their long-time captain, Canada leaned on experience and depth. McDavid assumed leadership responsibilities, while younger players also played prominent roles.

Nineteen-year-old Macklin Celebrini, the youngest player on Canada’s roster, registered eight shots on goal, nearly matching Finland’s total over the final two periods combined. His willingness to shoot disrupted Finland’s defensive structure and created second-chance opportunities.

“We’re a deep team with leaders all up and down the lineup,” McDavid said. “It doesn’t matter who’s wearing the ‘C.’ Everybody can play a big role.”

The semifinal marked the second consecutive game in which Canada rallied from behind, having also faced adversity in the quarterfinals against Czechia. Players said those earlier tests may have contributed to the composed response against Finland.

Gold-medal matchup awaits

The victory sets up Canada’s appearance in Sunday’s gold-medal game, where it could face the United States if the Americans overcome Slovakia in the second semifinal.

An all-North American final would echo last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off championship meeting between Canada and the United States, renewing one of international hockey’s most closely watched rivalries. However, Canada’s focus remains on recovery and preparation after a physically demanding semifinal.

For Finland, the defeat ends a disciplined tournament run highlighted by structured team defense and strong goaltending. Saros, in particular, delivered a resilient performance despite the late outcome.

For Canada, the message after Friday’s rally was clear: patience and depth remain its defining strengths. Against an opponent built on structure and precision, Canada relied on composure and high-end execution at critical moments — enough to extend its pursuit of Olympic gold.

Source: AP News – Nathan MacKinnon scores late as Canada beats Finland to reach the Olympic gold-medal game

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