Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Golf-Masters champion Rahm joins LIV Golf
Masters champion Jon Rahm jumped from the PGA Tour to Saudi-backed LIV Golf on Thursday in a big-money move that has sent another shockwave through the sport. The 29-year-old becomes the biggest name to sign on with the rebel circuit funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) since Australian Cameron Smith joined after winning the 2022 British Open.
Golf-McIlroy calls for Ryder Cup rules change after Rahm's LIV move
The DP World Tour must "rewrite the rules" on eligibility for the Ryder Cup following Jon Rahm's stunning move to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, world number two Rory McIlroy said. Masters champion Rahm jumped from the PGA Tour to LIV on Thursday in a big-money move which sent another shockwave through the sport.
NHL roundup: Zach Hyman posts hat trick in Oilers' win
Zach Hyman posted his third career hat trick while Connor McDavid and Mattias Janmark both collected three assists as the host Edmonton Oilers rode a four-goal first period to a 6-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Warren Foegele produced one goal and one assist while Ryan McLeod and Mattias Ekholm added goals for the Oilers, who have won five straight games. Goaltender Stuart Skinner made 39 saves.
Factbox-No-fly zones, traffic bans and metro ticket hikes at Paris Olympics
French Transport Minister Clement Beaune confirmed on Thursday a no-fly zone over Paris on the evening of the Olympic Games opening ceremony next July, and tried to reassure people that the transport system could handle an expected surge in numbers. NO-FLY ZONE:
In Olympics race, Adidas pursues edge in new sports
As sportswear rivals jockey for position ahead of next year's Paris Olympics, Adidas is aiming to stamp its brand on smaller events such as breaking, climbing, skateboarding and BMX. After a high-profile fallout with Ye, the artist previously known as Kanye West, ended its highly profitable Yeezy shoe line, Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden is seeking to reboot its image.
Tennis-Injured Kyrgios absent from Australian Open draw
Nick Kyrgios was a notable absentee from the Australian Open's main draw released on Thursday in a blow for organizers. The Wimbledon finalist has had an injury-blighted 2023 and said last month "the stars would need to align" for him to be fit for next month's Grand Slam.
Olympics-USOPC says confident in Paris Games security measures
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is confident in the security measures planned for next year's Paris Games, the governing body's CEO Sarah Hirshland said. French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said on Monday there is no "plan B" for the Games' opening ceremony, days after a man armed with a knife and hammer killed a German tourist and left two people wounded near the Eiffel Tower.
Figure skating-American Malinin lands first ever quad Axel in a short program
American Ilia Malinin made more quad history on Thursday at the ISU Grand Prix Final as the first skater to land a quadruple Axel in a short program. The 19-year-old is the only skater to have landed a quad Axel in competition, but had never attempted it in a short program where it is riskier because there is less margin for error. The quad Axel is considered the sport's most difficult jump because it has four-and-a-half revolutions.
Factbox-Changing gear: how sponsors determine what Olympic athletes wear
When Olympic athletes strive to set sporting records, they are not only representing their country but also often advertising the brands that make the running shoes or swimsuits they compete in and the track suits they wear while not performing. The sportswear brands which pay Olympians to market their clothing and footwear, say that their high-tech products improve performance, while at the same time trading off the star power of some athletes to market fashion apparel and shoes.
Golf-Future for elite golf 'murky' with PGA Tour-Saudi alliance in limbo
One of the most significant moments in golf history has set the stage for an uncertain future as the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) scramble to finalize their partnership ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline. What lies ahead is anyone's guess but the longer the talks go on, the less time the sides will have to implement any plan in time for 2025, if that is even the ultimate goal.
