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After Water Quality Concerns Canceled Test Runs, Olympic Triathletes Plunge Into The Seine For Relay

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Seine | AP News Image

PARIS — Olympic triathletes dove into the Seine River for the mixed relay event on Monday, after organisers said bacteria levels in the heavily polluted Paris canal were acceptable.

The concept of holding the swimming element of the triathlons and marathon swimming competitions in the Seine River was ambitious. Due to its high toxicity, swimming in the river has been prohibited, with certain restrictions, since 1923.

Representatives from the World Triathlon and the International Olympic Committee, as well as Paris Games organizers and regional and weather authorities, met on Sunday night to evaluate water samples. According to a statement, the results showed that the water quality at the triathlon site had improved in the preceding hours and would be within World Triathlon’s limits by Monday morning.

In a nail-biting sprint finish, Germany earned the gold medal in the team relay on Monday, with the United States earning silver and Britain claiming bronze.

The decision to allow swims in the Seine came after Belgium’s Olympic committee stated on Sunday that it would withdraw its team from the mixed relay triathlon after one of its competitors became ill while swimming in the river last week. Another three triathletes, out of over 100 who competed in the men’s and women’s events last Wednesday, were ill in the days that followed, but it’s unclear whether the water was to blame.

At recent press appearances, Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan was visibly tired of inquiries about water quality and second-guessing the choice to have swimming events in the Seine.

“It is not a matter of determining whether or not to swim. There are rules. There are European regulations. We collect samples every day to determine whether the water quality is suitable for swimming. “It’s fairly accurate,” he told reporters on Monday.

Paris spent 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) on infrastructure works to clean up the river that runs through its center. This entailed building a massive basin to collect excess rainwater and prevent effluent from entering the river, rebuilding sewage infrastructure and updating wastewater treatment plants.

Heavy rains that have poured intermittently throughout the Games have caused issues for organizers since they result in elevated quantities of fecal germs, including E. coli and enterococci, spilling into the river. Drenching rains fell Thursday night, but the weather remained dry until Saturday evening when it rained lightly. The sun shone brightly as the marathon began Monday, and participants claimed organizers assured them there were no concerns about water quality.

seine

Seine | AP News Image

After Water Quality Concerns Canceled Test Runs, Olympic Triathletes Plunge Into The Seine For Relay

Organizers have expressed confidence that mild temperatures and the sun’s ultraviolet rays will kill enough germs before each event, which includes a swim in the Seine.

Athletes swam in the river for the men’s and women’s triathlons last Wednesday. However, the men’s competition was postponed by a day due to water quality. The swimming portion of the relay event’s training sessions was canceled due to elevated bacteria levels in the canal.

American triathlete Taylor Spivey described the uncertainty as tough.

“Everyone watching can see what an incredible venue this was for the triathlon,” she added, adding that organizers chose the course location for the backdrop of Paris monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysees. “But the constant question of the water quality … and the current was very stressful for the athletes, I would say, because the contingency plan was only to push the race back, not necessarily like a plan B location.”

Morgan Pearson, her teammate, felt the last-minute plan changes were unfair to the athletes and fans. He was also tired of discussing the Seine’s water quality: “I qualified a year ago, and I think, no pun intended, we’re all just a little bit sick of the question.”

Arnold Djenyfer, a Brazilian triathlete, said the water was great on Monday.

“There was really no difference about the quality of the water today compared to the first race,” he told me. “We already knew what we were going to face and it was all fine.”

Belgium’s team withdrew from the triathlon mixed relay after racer Claire Michel became ill and sought care at a clinic in the athletes’ village on Sunday.

Paris city officials warned citizens not to jump to conclusions.

“Many more athletes are sick in the village and haven’t swum in the Seine. The deputy mayor, Rabadan, observed, “We hear less of them.”

Vetle Bergsvik Thorn of Norway, who competed on Monday, also got sick recently. He stated he had a horrible stomach ache for approximately 12 hours, but “it’s hard to say if it’s the river or just some ordinary food poisoning.”

According to him, “It’s been quite a few stressful days not knowing if we can swim or not.”

Swedish triathlete Tilda Månsson became ill on Saturday, three days after racing in the women’s triathlon, according to Swedish Olympic Committee spokesman Lars Markusson. Though her illness was unknown, Markusson told Swedish network SVT that “since others have also become ill, perhaps you don’t need to be a doctor to draw the conclusion that it had to do with swimming in the Seine.”

Swiss officials confirmed Saturday that triathlete Adrien Briffod, who competed in the Seine on Wednesday, will not compete on Monday due to a stomach infection. On Sunday, they reported that Simon Westermann, who had been scheduled to replace Briffod, had also been forced to withdraw due to a stomach infection. Westermann has yet to gain experience swimming in the Seine.

Switzerland’s Julie Derron, who won silver in the women’s triathlon, stated that the squad had seen “a bit of turbulence” recently. However, she stated that the overall experience has been positive.

After Water Quality Concerns Canceled Test Runs, Olympic Triathletes Plunge Into The Seine For Relay

“I think it was challenging conditions obviously, to hold the race, but I think the pictures, the memories that we take away, they’re incredible,” she told me.

Daily water quality testing detects faecal bacteria, including E. coli. The water safety requirements for the World Triathlon and a 2006 European Union directive provide qualitative values for various E. coli levels.

According to World Triathlon rules, E. coli levels of up to 1,000 colony-forming units per 100 millilitres are considered “good” and contests can continue.

The triathlon mixed relay consists of four-person teams, two men and two women, with each participant swimming 300 meters (yards), cycling 6.8 kilometres (4.2 miles), and running 2 kilometres (1.2 miles).

SOURCE | AP

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Firestone Remains Indycar’s Tire Supplier Under Bridgestone And Penske Deal

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5 mins ago

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2024-09-13

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Firestone | AP News Image

Nashville, Tennessee – Firestone will remain the sole tyre supplier for all IndyCar racing under a long-term agreement between Bridgestone America and Penske Entertainment.

The term of the agreement announced Thursday was not specified. However, the agreement will preserve Firestone as the exclusive tyre supplier for all IndyCar races, the INDY NXT developmental series, and the Indianapolis 500. Firestone is in its 25th year as IndyCar’s tire provider, with the season finale on Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway.

firestone

Firestone Remains Indycar’s Tire Supplier Under Bridgestone And Penske Deal

Bridgestone America’s executive chairman and CEO, Paolo Ferrari, stated that Firestone has been a part of world-class racing since winning the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

“We believe motorsports are the ultimate challenge for premium performance and a proving ground for advancing in our goals towards sustainable innovation,” according to a statement from Ferrari. “Our relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has been a critical part of these efforts, and we are proud to keep driving forward together.”

Bridgestone has tested and developed new materials through its Firestone brand, the IndyCar Series, and other partnerships. The company employed components from hard-to-recycle plastics and palm oil waste leftover for tires used in the last two Indianapolis 500s. Natural rubber has been used in the sidewalls of alternate race tires for the past two seasons.

firestone

 Remains Indycar’s Tire Supplier Under Bridgestone And Penske Deal

Roger Penske, chairman of the Penske Corporation, stated that Firestone has been a basis for racing since its inception and that this agreement extends their “long-term partnership” into the future.

“Our relationship with the team at Bridgestone continues to set an industry standard for success and innovation,” Mr. Penske added.

SOURCE | AP

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Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Got a Concussion in the 31-10 Loss to the Bills.

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11 hours ago

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2024-09-13

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Tua Tagovailoa

(VOR News) – According to the Miami Dolphins, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was forced to leave the game against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday as a result of a concussion.

During a fourth-down scramble in the third quarter, Tua Tagovailoa collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin when he slid to the ground. At the moment that Tagovailoa was lying on the pitch, his teammates immediately requested the assistance of trainers.

However, Tua Tagovailoa eventually walked away on his own.

According to Kaylee Hartung of Amazon, Tagovailoa encountered his wife and two children in the Dolphins locker room.

“We have been informed that he is conscious, awake, and alert, just as he was leaving this field on his own initiative,” Hartung informed the audience on the broadcast following the Bills’ 31-10 victory. Furthermore, it is purported that he is capable of moving all of his extremities.

Upon observing Tua Tagovailoa in the locker room, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel declared that he was “in good spirits.” McDaniel declined to provide an update on the potential return of Tua Tagovailoa when questioned.

McDaniel declared following the game, “At present, the primary objective is to obtain a comprehensive procedural evaluation tomorrow and subsequently proceed with the matter on a day-to-day basis.” “The timeframe is the most distant from my mind.

The sole requirement is to evaluate. I, like the other males, am preoccupied with my teammate. We will proceed on a daily basis after receiving additional information tomorrow.

 

In the past season, Tua Tagovailoa played in every Dolphins game.

In 2022, he was limited to 13 games as a result of two concussions.

During a Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals that season, Tagovailoa sustained his first concussion, exhibiting the “fencing response” when his cranium collided with a sack.

After a controversy in which the NFL Players Association alleged that Tagovailoa was not properly tested for a concussion in a game against Buffalo four days prior, the player sustained a concussion against the Bengals.

The NFLPA was compelled to terminate the independent neurotrauma expert who was responsible for removing players from the field who appeared to have sustained head injuries as a result of Tagovailoa’s injury during that game, which prevented him from being evaluated for a concussion.

A new concussion protocol has been implemented by NFL players as a consequence of the scandal.

However, the diagnosis was not made until the day after the contest, when Tagovailoa sustained another concussion during a game against the Green Bay Packers later in the season.

Tua Tagovailo reported that his parents had encouraged him to consider retirement after his concussions in 2022, but he ultimately elected to continue playing after consulting with a physician. This information was disclosed prior to the season.

“We visited the physician…” According to Meadowlark Media’s Dan Le Batard, Tagovailoa stated, “I had to obtain all the necessary information to determine whether it was a good idea or not to continue playing.” He also mentioned that his parents encouraged him to continue performing.

With the fifth decision in the 2020 draft, the Dolphins selected Tua Tagovailoa, who is currently in his fifth season of playing. He achieved the highest number of passing yards in the NFL with 4,624 in the previous season. As of Thursday, he had a career record of 33-19, with 82 touchdowns and 37 interceptions.

In July, Tua Tagovailoa executed a four-year, $212.4 million contract with the Dolphins, which incorporated a $167 million guarantee.

On Thursday, Skylar Thompson assumed the role of quarterback in place of Tagovailoa, stating that seeing his teammate’s ordeal “made me sick.”

After the game, he said, “In my position, you never want your opportunity to come with something like that.” “My love for Tua is boundless.” We have a great rapport. I pray for Tua and believe everything will work out.

SOURCE: NBC

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Pac-12 Poaches Mountain West with 2026 Additions from Boise, Fresno, San Diego, and Colorado.

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1 day ago

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2024-09-12

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Pac-12

(VOR News) – The Pac-12 is pulling institutions from the Mountain West, where poaching nearly wiped them out.

On Thursday, the Pacific-12 Conference of Champions announced that Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Oregon State, and Washington State will join in 2026.

Four of the Mountain West’s top institutions and football programs—including Boise State—have left due to expansion. Because the Pac- is two institutions short of the eight it needs to have in two years to be approved by the NCAA, more adjustments are expected.

Mountain West exit costs and penalties totaling $110 million will likely fall on the Pac-12 and departing institutions.

This is an incredible comeback for a conference that was thought to be dead a year ago when ten of its members left for other leagues after failing to land a big media rights contract that would have allowed former Pac-12 schools like Stanford, Southern California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and others to compete.

“The Pac-12 Conference has been recognised as a leading brand in intercollegiate athletics for over a century,” stated Commissioner Teresa Gould. “We look for innovative and risk-taking developments that will help student-athletes and member schools.

The Pac-12 Conference enters a thrilling new chapter today.

The Pac-12 evaluates prospective new members based on academic and athletic performance, media and brand assessment, dedication to athletic excellence, geography and logistics, and student-athlete culture and welfare.

Pac-12

Oregon State and Washington State are the only teams left in the Pac-12 because of NCAA rules that give them two years to play. Washington State President Kirk Schulz and Oregon State President Jayathi Murthy said hello to their new conference partners in a statement.

Added, “We look forward to their incredibly perceptive contributions during this pivotal period for conference and collegiate athletics.”

Oregon State and Washington State will play six Mountain West teams this season per their schedules. The initial deal extension deadline of September 1st passed.

The Pac-12 agreed to pay millions if it took Mountain West universities.

Oregon and Washington should be able to afford the remaining fees. The institutions have $250 million in assets from the two remaining years of the College Football Playoff agreement, a Rose Bowl contract that expires after 2025, recent NCAA men’s basketball tournament revenue, and Pac-12 Network assets, despite their public denials.

For the current and future academic year, Oregon State and Washington State will be West Coast Conference affiliates for men’s and women’s basketball and other Olympic sports.

Leading the pack

Unless invited by a large conference, Oregon State and Washington State authorities have prioritised Pac-12 maintenance since the breakup.

While the Pac-12 is unlikely to ever again be considered a significant conference like the Big Ten, Southeastern, Atlantic Coast, and Big 12, it is trying to shine, especially in football.

The most notable addition is Boise State, which has had the greatest and most stable football program outside the majors for almost 20 years. Since joining the WAC in 2002, the Broncos have had 16 seasons with 10+ wins.

What a great day to be a Bronco! Boise State sports director Jeramiah Dickey said.

Boise State is finally advancing, but its Conference of Champions roots are barely visible in the Pac-12 it joins.

Three difficult years of conference realignment in collegiate athletics, which began this year and brought the super conference era, ended with the Pac-12’s dissolution.

There are 18 Big Ten coast-to-coast universities. Stanford and California, former Pac-12 teams, are among 17 ACC football teams. Both Big 12 and SEC have 16 schools.

Instead of joining the 12-member Mountain West, the Pac-12 may create a smaller conference.

Keep back

Air Force, UNLV, Nevada, Utah State, New Mexico, Wyoming, San Jose State, Hawaii as a football-only member, and an unclear future will be the Mountain West’s last members.

Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said the MWC board of directors met late Wednesday to discuss future steps.

If they quit, “all members will be held to conference bylaws and policies,” she said. If the Pac-12 admits Mountain West members, the scheduling agreement will apply.

SOURCE: AP

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The 49ers Expect Rookie Ricky Pearsall To Make A Full Recovery Following Shooting

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