Category: Sports

Churchill Downs announced on Sunday that he would immediately suspend Baffert, prohibiting him from bringing in horses to run on the track.

“Failure to follow medication rules and protocols jeopardizes the safety of horses and jockeys, the integrity of our sport and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby and all who participate in it,” the Churchill statement said. Downs.

The news comes just over a week after Medina Spirit, the 3-year-old brown colt, won the Derby, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Beating Mandaloun, second at half-length. It was a record-breaking seventh win for Baffert at the Derby, one of the sport’s most famous events.

On Sunday, Medina Spirit was not disqualified, Baffert said. A split sample of Medina Spirit will now be tested, and if the original results are confirmed, Baffert will have a chance to appeal.

“To be clear, if the results are confirmed, the Medina Spirit results in the Kentucky Derby will be nullified and Mandaloun will be declared the winner,” the Churchill Downs statement said on Sunday.

“We will await the conclusion of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission investigation before taking further action.”

The commission confirmed it was investigating the test results in a statement on Sunday. The test was carried out on May 1, race day, and the results were obtained on May 7.

“During the investigation, the trainer and the owner of the horse will have due process and will have the opportunity to appeal,” the commission said. “Therefore, the KHRC will not provide further comments at this time.”

Baffert alluded to previous controversies on Sunday – “I don’t feel safe to train,” he said – but presented the Medina Spirit allegation as an issue with the horse racing industry at large, saying the industry “needs to step up and we need to do a better job racing.”

“I’m not a conspiracy (theorist) – I know not everyone is there to look for me. But there is definitely something wrong. Why is this happening to me, you know , to me?” He asked. “There are problems in the race, but it’s not Bob Baffert.”

The organizers of the Preakness Stakes – the second crown jewel in the Triple Crown of horse racing – said they would review “relevant facts and information” related to the Medina Spirit test before making a decision on the horse’s entry into the race. racing in Baltimore next Saturday.

“We are consulting with the Maryland Racing Commission and any decision regarding Medina Spirit’s entry into the 146th Preakness Stakes will be made after reviewing the facts,” the statement said.

The team also had to deal with news that much-loved head coach Hans-Dieter Flick would be leaving at the end of the season – along with mainstays David Alaba and Javi Martinez – with Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann later announced to take on. its place. from the start of next season.

Praise on and off the pitch

“Being a great club isn’t just about having a global fan base, it’s about doing the right thing at the right time,” Sky Sports specialist Gary Neville said after the 12 teams initially involved were revealed. “Bayern Munich, I have to say I always thought they were a decent club when I played against them.”

Bayern’s decision to reject the Super League stems from the 50 + 1 ownership model, which states that the majority of voting rights in German clubs are controlled by members and fans, rather than business partners.

On the other hand, other big European clubs, like those of the English Premier League, are owned and controlled by private investors.

“In Germany, they are not. (The fans) have the right, they are voters, they can vote and they can make their voices heard.

“This, of course, also creates a different culture because the managers aren’t investors, because you can’t buy and sell a club, the club is still in the hands of the members.”

The UK government has announced that it will undertake a fan-led review of the sport, in which the amount of power wielded by wealthy Premier League club owners will likely be scrutinized.

“It is definitely a model that we are looking at,” UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston told CNN Sport of the German ownership structure.

“We’ll be looking at patterns around the world in terms of governance, structure and ownership, financial flows, because there are different interesting patterns happening around the world.

“It was really telling how absent Germany was from the Super League … it was so clear that this move would be so blatantly against the fan base, but in German clubs the fans have the biggest influence and so it would never. have taken off. “

Former Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who has played more than 50 times for Germany, is wondering if the German ownership model can be implemented in the Premier League.

“I think it would probably work but I think the bird flew, I think it went too far,” he told CNN Sport.

“Some of these (Premier League) clubs are valued at two, three or four billion pounds (between $ 2.8 billion and $ 5.5 billion) and I’m not sure if it is possible to reclaim the power of these clubs. “

Cambage, who is preparing for the start of the WNBA season with the Las Vegas Aces, commented on another promotional photo, writing: “Fake tan doesn’t equal diversity.”

This photo features Indigenous rugby player Maurice Longbottom, who wore a jersey showcasing Australia’s Indigenous heritage. Cambage later clarified that she “wasn’t saying he had a fake tan.”

“I know who Maurice Longbottom is,” she said in a video. “He was the one wearing the native uniform, clearly … I’m talking about the rest of the photo. A POC token [person of color] in a photo is not good enough. Longbottom did not take note of the comments on his Instagram page.

Cambage also posted images of Cathy Freeman winning gold in the 400 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, alongside the caption: “Also just to remind you Australia’s BIGGEST sporting moment was thank you also BLACK INDIGENOUS WOMAN. ”

“The athletes put at Jockey’s disposal could and should have better reflected the rich diversity of the athletes who represent Australia at the Olympic Games.

“The AOC, however, has a very proud history of celebrating and promoting diversity in all its forms. From Indigenous reconciliation, people of color, gender equality and all forms of diversity, the AOC is rightly proud of its record … We proudly stand up for our diversity track record and there is will have other photoshoots that reflect our great diversity of athletes. ”

In a statement sent to CNN, Jockey Australia said: “Jockey works with a wide range of brand ambassadors across Australia and New Zealand, but recognizes that we have failed to represent our diverse Australian community. in these images of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

“Jockey is committed to supporting and representing all Australians and is proud to support all of our Australian sporting heroes competing in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.”

The Olympics are scheduled to start on July 23 and end on August 8.

“For the future, my main hopes for the future would simply be to have helped or reached as many people as possible and hopefully be a better person.

Usually a glitzy red carpet event that has earned the nickname the ‘Oscars of Sport’, this year’s Laureus Awards were held digitally due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The awards told the “inspiring stories of people who have worked tirelessly to fight the pandemic, and highlighted the advocacy of sportsmen and women who have used their positions of influence to have a powerful impact on issues and conflicts. that go beyond sport, ”according to a statement by Laureus.

Use your platform

At the same time as he tied Michael Schumacher’s record of seven F1 world championships, Hamilton was a strong voice against police brutality and racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

The Mercedes driver wore a Black Lives Matter helmet with a black racing suit, while taking the knee before each grand prix and encouraging his colleagues to do the same. His car was painted black to demonstrate the team’s commitment to diversity.

As a result, Hamilton – who won last year’s Sportsman of the Year award with Lionel Messi – received the first Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year award for 2021 “for his involvement in the fight against racism”.

“This past year has been incredibly difficult for so many, but it has also been heartening to see the power of our collective voices spark new conversations and change,” said Hamilton.

“The impact of each of you who have stood up is so inspiring, so I want to thank you. Keep fighting, keep shining your light.

“The global rise to tackle the long-standing problem of systemic racism and inequalities in our society has been monumental, but we must continue to fight

“We all need to take responsibility for making positive changes in our world and hold ourselves accountable, so that last year’s promises turn into action. I truly believe that together we will make it happen, and I am so by your side. as we move forward. “

Crowning of history

Alongside Hamilton, Rafael Nadal also had a historic 2020.

In June, the Spaniard won his 13th Roland Garros title, tying Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 career Grand Slam victories.

In recognition, Nadal was named Laureus Sportman of the Year for 2020, his fourth Laureus award.

“I had some incredible competitors: the rest of the athletes probably deserve the trophy like me, but it was the year for me and I couldn’t be happier,” said the 34-year-old.

“Winning the French Open and equaling Roger Federer’s 20th Grand Slam was an unforgettable moment. It means a lot to match my great rival, but at the same time my great friend. It’s something very special afterwards. all the history we have had together on and off the pitch, ”Nadal added.

“The pandemic we are facing is unprecedented and I want to send a message of support to all the families who have suffered or lost someone.”

“For the future, my main hopes for the future would simply be to have helped or reached as many people as possible and hopefully be a better person.

Usually a glitzy red carpet event that has earned the nickname the ‘Oscars of Sport’, this year’s Laureus Awards were held digitally due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The awards told the “inspiring stories of people who have worked tirelessly to fight the pandemic, and highlighted the advocacy of sportsmen and women who have used their positions of influence to have a powerful impact on issues and conflicts. that go beyond sport, ”according to a statement by Laureus.

Use your platform

At the same time as he tied Michael Schumacher’s record of seven F1 world championships, Hamilton was a strong voice against police brutality and racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

The Mercedes driver wore a Black Lives Matter helmet with a black racing suit, while taking the knee before each grand prix and encouraging his colleagues to do the same. His car was painted black to demonstrate the team’s commitment to diversity.

As a result, Hamilton – who won last year’s Sportsman of the Year award with Lionel Messi – received the first Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year award for 2021 “for his involvement in the fight against racism”.

“This past year has been incredibly difficult for so many, but it has also been heartening to see the power of our collective voices spark new conversations and change,” said Hamilton.

“The impact of each of you who have stood up is so inspiring, so I want to thank you. Keep fighting, keep shining your light.

“The global rise to tackle the long-standing problem of systemic racism and inequalities in our society has been monumental, but we must continue to fight

“We all need to take responsibility for making positive changes in our world and hold ourselves accountable, so that last year’s promises turn into action. I truly believe that together we will make it happen, and I am so by your side. as we move forward. “

Crowning of history

Alongside Hamilton, Rafael Nadal also had a historic 2020.

In June, the Spaniard won his 13th Roland Garros title, tying Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 career Grand Slam victories.

In recognition, Nadal was named Laureus Sportman of the Year for 2020, his fourth Laureus award.

“I had some incredible competitors: the rest of the athletes probably deserve the trophy like me, but it was the year for me and I couldn’t be happier,” said the 34-year-old.

“Winning the French Open and equaling Roger Federer’s 20th Grand Slam was an unforgettable moment. It means a lot to match my great rival, but at the same time my great friend. It’s something very special afterwards. all the history we have had together on and off the pitch, ”Nadal added.

“The pandemic we are facing is unprecedented and I want to send a message of support to all the families who have suffered or lost someone.”