General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Olympics & Winter Sports
Team GB returned home from the Winter Olympics after their most successful Games ever, winning five medals including three golds to finish 15th in the medal table. The 2026 Winter Olympics concluded with a dazzling closing ceremony that wrapped up two unforgettable weeks in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, passing the torch to the French Alps for 2030. IOC president Kirsty Coventry praised athletes for showing that the Olympic Games are "a place for everyone" as the twin flames were extinguished at Verona Arena.
Tennis & Golf
Rory Mc Ilroy shot a four-under-par 67 but finished one shot behind Jacob Bridgeman at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles. World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul justified her top billing by winning the home LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time, beating Japan's Chizzy Iwai by one stroke. Meanwhile, Mexican Open organisers confirmed the tournament will proceed despite violence following the death of the country's most wanted drug baron.
Cricket
South Africa recovered from a slow start to beat hosts India by 76 runs in their opening Super 8s game at the T20 World Cup, underlining their credentials as serious challengers. The Proteas followed up with another statement win against India, while England and South Africa postponed a T20 international series originally planned for next winter.
Rugby Union
Ireland's potential is "huge" according to head coach Andy Farrell after their historic Six Nations win over England at Allianz Stadium. France eased to a bonus-point win over Italy in Lille, scoring five tries to take a four-point lead at the top of the Six Nations table. Antoine Dupont received praise for his "huge influence" in the victory, with pundits highlighting his vision and toughness. Scotland's winning try against Wales came under scrutiny, with analysts debating whether it should have stood.
Basketball & Motorsports
Kara Braxton, a two-time WNBA champion with the Detroit Shock and former SEC Freshman of the Year at Georgia, has died at age. Tyler Reddick rebounded from a crash to become the first driver in 17 years to sweep the first two races of a NASCAR Cup Series season, winning in double overtime at Echo Park Speedway.
Boxing & Snooker
Claressa Shields defended her undisputed heavyweight title Sunday night in Detroit by defeating longtime rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn by unanimous decision. Zhao Xintong claimed the final four frames to beat John Higgins 8-7 and win the Players Championship in Telford, with the Chinese player described as "genius" for his performance.
Athletics
Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson says she feels "closer than ever" to breaking the women's 800m outdoor record - the longest-standing world record in athletics. The British runner described it as the "closest I've felt" to achieving the milestone.
Football & Gaelic Games
Donegal remained clear at the top of Division One with victory over Armagh, while Cavan, Down and Antrim secured wins. Monaghan, Tyrone and Fermanagh suffered defeats in a big day of football action. Ireland wing James Lowe is a doubt for the Six Nations game against Wales after sustaining a groin injury in their 42-21 victory over England.
Darts
Luke Littler won the Poland Darts Open title despite a nine-dart finish in the final from Gian van Veen. The teenage sensation continues his impressive run on the professional circuit.
Other Sports
Ronnie O'Sullivan, is set to make his debut in the World Seniors Snooker Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in May. Jackson Page has questioned the location of the Welsh Open, which is again hosted by north Wales town Llandudno this week, saying it "should be in south Wales, 100%."
College Sports & NIL
Coaches and other observers see a growing need to protect athletes by regulating middlemen in NIL deals as cash grows in college sports. The debate around "street agents" and athlete protection continues to intensify across American collegiate athletics.