General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 2:52 PM ET

Cricket & Rugby

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad expressed surprise at Ollie Robinson's recall for the first Test against New Zealand beginning June 4, marking a significant selection decision by the England management. In domestic rugby, Ulster received a boost with fit-again winger Robert Baloucoune named to start Friday's European Challenge Cup final against Montpellier, while head coach Richie Murphy called on his players to "fight with everything they have got" in pursuit of silverware. Centre James Hume embraced the opportunity to make history in the final, though Ulster will be without Iain Henderson, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Herring and Jacob Stockdale, who still play supporting roles despite their absence from the lineup.

Boxing & Combat Sports

Belfast's Caoimhin Agyarko will challenge Josh Kelly for the IBF light-middleweight title this summer in a significant domestic clash for British boxing. Former Bellator and Strikeforce boss Scott Coker announced plans to launch a new fight league next year, aiming to establish a "global brand in MMA." Meanwhile, unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk shared insights about his "secret plan" for the future and reflected on how a defeat 16 years ago continues to fuel his path to greatness.

Cycling

Belgium's Alec Segaert claimed his first Grand Tour stage victory at the Giro d'Italia, keeping team-mate Afonso Eulalio in the overall lead. Spanish cyclist Jaume Guardeno was transferred to a neurological clinic specializing in serious injuries following a crash with a vehicle in March, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in professional cycling.

Motorsports

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch was hospitalized due to severe illness and will miss Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, dealing a blow to Joe Gibbs Racing's lineup. The Indianapolis area will host the Wienie 500 on Friday as a viral appetizer to Sunday's Indy, showcasing the quirky side of motorsports entertainment. Mercedes driver George Russell aims to put a "turbulent" start to the Formula One season behind him at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, while McLaren's rising stars Ella Häkkinen, Ella Lloyd and Ella Stevens discussed their progression through the F1 ranks. The all-female track meet Athlos will debut in London later this year as it expands to two events.

Tennis

The French Open will maintain its current prize money structure despite player complaints about revenue sharing, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo confirmed. Jannik Sinner opens his career Grand Slam bid against French wild card Clement Tabur, while Britain's Toby Samuel qualified for his first Grand Slam main draw with victory in the final round of French Open qualifying. Emma Raducanu faces a challenging start against Argentine clay-court specialist Solano Sierra in the first round. Alice Capsey hit an unbeaten 74 as England defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in their T20 opener, with Lauren Bell taking 2-23.

Gymnastics

British Gymnastics will replace its complaints process after criticism from abuse victims regarding the treatment of gymnasts, marking a significant organizational change in response to ongoing concerns about athlete welfare.

Football & Basketball

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 30 points as Oklahoma City Thunder tied their NBA playoff series against San Antonio Spurs at 1-1. Nneka Ogwumike returns to Los Angeles where she became a WNBA star, looking to lead the Sparks to the playoffs after helping deliver a new collective bargaining agreement. Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy began his rehabilitation just over a week after being shot in Mississippi, with the program releasing a video showing his gratitude for the support received.

College Sports

The University of Georgia men's basketball program received a $10 million donation from the founder of a major daily fantasy sports company. Kentucky and Gonzaga mutually agreed to discontinue their men's basketball series that had been scheduled for two more seasons, ending a notable non-conference rivalry. Ed Orgeron, who led LSU to the 2019 national championship, returns to LSU as a special assistant to recruiting and defense on Lane Kiffin's coaching staff.

Baseball

Georgia's "big-swinging Diamond Dogs" look to capitalize on their home-run-hitting prowess to run the table, win the SEC tournament and capture the MCWS title.

Miscellaneous Sports

The Afghanistan women's refugee team will tour England this summer in their continued bid for international recognition. Bristol Bears' Christiana Balogun reflected on her England debut this spring, four years after being diagnosed with cancer. Glamorgan captain Kiran Carlson signed a two-year extension keeping him with the club until at least the end of the 2028 season. Joey Chestnut will defend his hot dog eating title while on probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor. The T20 Blast returns with wall-to-wall sunshine forecast, according to Grace Ballinger's column.