General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 10:52 AM ET
Paralympic Winter Games
Jake Adicoff made history by becoming the first out gay man to win an individual Paralympic gold medal in cross-country skiing, while Great Britain's Hester Poole vowed redemption after crashing out of her giant slalom debut. Guide dog Pickle stole the spotlight as Paralympics GB's unofficial 26th team member in Milan-Cortina, charming spectators and athletes alike. Sammi Kinghorn revealed she'll miss the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games due to pregnancy, describing herself as "super excited" about her growing family.
Rugby Union
France named debutant Matiu in their Six Nations finale against England, while Wales kept unchanged lineup for their Italy clash. Ulster handed McAllister debut in their rescheduled URC trip to Edinburgh, and Scarlets recalled Leggatt-Jones after his Wales U20s release. Bristol Bears' Will Capon denied rape charge and will stand trial, maintaining his innocence in court.
Horse Racing
Harry Redknapp eyes Cheltenham glory with Jukebox Man in the Gold Cup after his grandmother inspired his racing passion as a young betting tipster. Il Etait Temps powered to victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, giving trainer Willie Mullins his third win of Cheltenham's second day. Nico de Boinville categorically denied using racial slurs toward Declan Queally during a heated moment at the festival.
College Sports
Arizona State fired Hurley after 11 seasons following a historic 91-42 Big 12 tournament blowout loss to Iowa State. The Big Ten urged NCAA to pause tampering investigations, seeking modernized rules. Former Michigan assistant Chris Partridge sued the university, alleging scapegoating during the Wolverines' 2023 sign-stealing scandal.
Basketball
Caitlin Clark debuted with double-double for Team USA, posting 17 points and 12 assists in a 110-64 FIBA World Cup qualifier win. Six players, including Clark, made their national team debuts, with analysts noting her seamless transition to international play. Rhode Island's Colin Dorgan scored game-winner in double overtime, lifting his high school team just weeks after losing three family members in a rink shooting.
Formula One
Lewis Hamilton explored every option to attend the Oscars after the Chinese Grand Prix but ultimately determined it was impossible to arrive on time despite his "F1" nominations. The seven-time champion's scheduling conflict highlights the demanding nature of the F1 calendar.
Golf
Scottie Scheffler remains overwhelming favorite at The Players Championship, with betting odds reflecting his dominant form. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp envisioned ambitious changes, including potential relegation systems, revamped schedules, and match play in playoffs, signaling a possible transformation of professional golf's structure.
Cricket
The Hundred's IPL-backed coaches denied avoiding Pakistan players, stating they haven't received directives against signing Pakistani talent in Thursday's men's auction. Afghanistan's series against Sri Lanka in the UAE was postponed until year's end due to Middle East conflict, disrupting both teams' schedules.
NFL
The Ravens pivoted from Crosby to Hendrickson, answering questions about their defensive strategy by landing four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. Baltimore's decision to move on from Maxx Crosby while still securing elite pass-rushing talent demonstrates their aggressive approach to roster building.
Mixed Martial Arts
Harry Hardwick described MMA as 'stupid', counting himself among the lucky few who succeeded in pursuing what he calls a "dream" career where "most dreams fail." The fighter's candid assessment reflects the brutal reality of professional combat sports.
Miami Football
Mario Cristobal's Miami Hurricanes face their toughest offseason yet as they aim to climb college football's mountaintop again. The program's ambitious goals come amid increasing pressure to deliver championship-level results in the competitive ACC landscape.
Winter Sports
Sonay Kartal retired injured from her Indian Wells fourth-round match against Elena Rybakina, calling it "one match too many" after a back injury forced her withdrawal. Ireland's Jack Conan warned of Russell's threat, describing Scotland's fly-half as capable of "pulling a rabbit out of a hat" in their Six Nations encounter.