LeBron James focused on family and Paris Olympics after Lakers playoff exit

LeBron James plans to spend time with his family and rest his body before turning his attention to the U.S. team and the Paris Olympics after the Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the NBA playoffs on Monday.

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'Emotional' Nadal knocked out of Madrid Open

Rafael Nadal bade an emotional farewell to the Madrid Open on Tuesday after crashing out in the last 16 to Jiri Lehecka in what was likely the Spanish star's last appearance at the tournament.

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Japan and Uzbekistan secure qualification for Olympic Games

Japan and Uzbekistan on Monday secured two of Asia's three berths at this year's Olympic Games soccer tournament with wins over Iraq and Indonesia respectively at the Under-23 Asian Cup in Qatar.

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Lions muzzled by poor performance at plate

The record will show the Seibu Lions lost to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on Sunday after a 2-2 slider from Jefry Yan got away from catcher Takeru Furuichi as Riku Ogata raced home to score the walk-off run in the 12th inning of a 3-2 Hawks win.

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Shohei Ohtani leaning on Dodgers teammates more after departure of Ippei Mizuhara

Shohei Ohtani pulled up a chair inside the visitors clubhouse at Nationals Park and gazed up at a television. For a moment he was alone, undisturbed by the rest of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a solitary figure watching the Arizona Diamondbacks play the St. Louis Cardinals.

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Caitlin Clark pleased after first WNBA practice with Fever

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the top pick in the WNBA draft after a record-shattering college career at Iowa, said she was pleased after her first WNBA training camp practice session on Sunday.

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Nadal shines in Madrid win but warns he 'needs time' to find full power

Rafael Nadal avenged his defeat to Alex de Minaur in Barcelona with a 7-6 (6), 6-3 victory over the Australian on Saturday to extend his stay in Madrid on what is likely his final appearance at his home tournament, but admitted he still "needs time" to return to his competitive peak.

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Masataka Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela help Red Sox to rout of Cubs

Ceddanne Rafaela went 4 for 4 with seven RBIs while Masataka Yoshida also had four hits and three runs scored as the host Boston Red Sox crushed the Chicago Cubs 17-0 on Saturday.

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Shota Imanaga improves to 4-0 as Cubs top Red Sox

Michael Busch went 3-for-4 while rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong recorded his second straight multi-RBI game to help the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 7-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Friday.

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WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine its handling of China case

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Thursday it has asked an independent prosecutor to review its handling of the case where 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a prescription heart drug.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto leads Dodgers to sweep with six scoreless innings

Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw six shutout innings and Teoscar Hernandez homered as the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals with a 2-1 win on Thursday.

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Japanese race walkers slow to embrace thick-soled shoes

Bouncy thick-soled shoes, which have helped long-distance runners run faster and achieve record-breaking performances, are making their way into the world of race walking.

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Rory McIlroy open to returning to PGA Tour board

Rory McIlroy said Wednesday he is ready to return to the PGA Tour's policy board if wanted, believing he can help reunite the golfing world following the acrimonious civil war with LIV Golf.

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Marinos edge Ulsan in thriller to reach first Asian Champions League final

Harry Kewell said his Yokohama F. Marinos players can "handle any pressure" after beating Ulsan Hyundai 5-4 on penalties on Wednesday to set up an Asian Champions League final against Al Ain.

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USADA calls for WADA overhaul and probe into China swimmers

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has called for an overhaul of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and an independent investigation into Chinese swimmers testing positive before the Tokyo Olympics.

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From Rice to Harrison, bloodlines run deep in 2024 NFL Draft

As payback for an elbow to the Adam's apple in a game that season, John Lynch nearly fought with Terrell Owens poolside in Hawaii before a Pro Bowl more than two decades ago.

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Independent regulator a big risk, warns Premier League chief

The introduction of an independent regulator for English soccer represents a big risk that could have unintended consequences, according to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.

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WADA rejects cover-up charge over investigation into Chinese swimmers

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Monday rejected accusations of a cover-up during its investigation into Chinese swimmers testing positive for a prescription heart drug and said it would take "whatever action necessary" in response to the allegations.

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Australian swim coach rejects claims of systemic Chinese doping

An Australian coach who works with the Chinese Swimming Association has rejected claims of systemic state-run doping, saying it is "so far from anything I have seen."

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Shohei Ohtani breaks Hideki Matsui's mark for MLB homers by Japanese-born player

Shohei Ohtani surpassed Hideki Matsui to take sole possession of the record for most MLB home runs by a Japan-born player with a two-run homer to right field during the third inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers' win over the New York Mets on Sunday.

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Beijing half-marathon runners stripped of medals after controversial finish

The top three finishers in the April 14 Beijing half-marathon have been stripped of their medals, organizers said, following an investigation into the finish that saw China's He Jie controversially win.

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Arsenal grinds out Wolves win to go top of Premier League

Arsenal shrugged off the disappointment of their Champions League exit to move back to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.

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Masataka Yoshida's bat helps Red Sox overcome Pirates

Masataka Yoshida collected three hits, including a two-run home run, to propel the visiting Boston Red Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

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Top Chinese swimmers tested positive for banned drug, then won Olympic gold

Twenty-three top Chinese swimmers tested positive for the same powerful banned substance seven months before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 but were allowed to escape public scrutiny and continue to compete after top Chinese officials secretly cleared them of doping and the global authority charged with policing drugs in sports chose not to intervene.

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'Mr. Incredible' and Japan’s improbable bid to compete with the NBA

In a Tokyo gym packed with basketball fans, the home team Sunrockers are down by 12 points at halftime. Victory prospects don’t look good: The visiting side’s point guard is too quick, and its big men are dominating the boards. But in the second half, there’s the unlikeliest of comebacks.

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Baseball Hall of Fame to highlight history of Japan-U.S. ties in new exhibit

Masanori Murakami was a 19-year-old pitcher for the Nankai Hawks when the club sent him to the San Francisco Giants’ Single-A team as part of an exchange program in 1964. The Giants liked what they saw and extended the left-hander’s stay. San Francisco called him up to the top team late in the season and Murakami, then 20, became Japan’s first MLB player on Sept. 1, 1964.

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Local hero Zhou Guanyu expects to feel 'mix of emotions' at Chinese GP

China's Zhou Guanyu said Thursday that he will experience a "mix of emotions" when he finally races competes in his first grand prix on his home track at the weekend.

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Tigst Assefa ready to chase women's record at London Marathon

Tigst Assefa, who holds the women's marathon world record, is aiming to break the women's-only course mark at the London Marathon when she makes her debut in the race on Sunday.

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Coyotes moving to Utah after NHL approves sale and relocation of franchise

The National Hockey League's Board of Governors has approved the sale and relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Utah starting with the 2024-25 season, the league said Thursday.

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French Open the moment to 'give everything': Nadal after Barcelona defeat

Rafael Nadal said the upcoming French Open will be the moment to "give everything and die" on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur on Wednesday.

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Jazz owner Ryan Smith appears to confirm Coyotes' move to Utah

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith all but confirmed the worst-kept secret in hockey on Wednesday: He is set to purchase the Arizona Coyotes and move them to Salt Lake City.

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Real Madrid exact revenge on Man City to reach Champions League semis

Real Madrid exacted revenge on Manchester City to reach the Champions League semifinals 4-3 on penalties after withstanding a barrage at the Etihad on Wednesday.

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LeBron, Curry, Durant head U.S. Olympic 'Dream Team'

LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant will spearhead a star-studded United States Olympic basketball squad chasing a fifth straight gold medal at this summer's Paris Games, officials announced Wednesday.

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Did three African runners let a Chinese runner win a race in Beijing?

After a grueling hour, there was little to separate the four runners as the finish line approached. But then, one extended his hand toward another and gestured, as if waving him forward. Seconds later, another runner did the same.

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Caitlin Clark helps WNBA obliterate previous draft viewership mark

The Caitlin Clark experience delivered another television milestone as ESPN's coverage of the WNBA draft on Monday night averaged a record 2.45 million viewers.

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James and Curry among U.S. NBA stars set for Paris Olympics: reports

LeBron James and Stephen Curry are among the NBA stars set for the Paris Olympics, with U.S. selectors settled on a 12-man roster rounded out on Tuesday with Kawhi Leonard, ESPN reported.

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Indiana Fever select Clark with first pick of WNBA Draft

Iowa sharpshooter Caitlin Clark ascended to the professional ranks on Monday, going first overall to the Indiana Fever in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft after a record-breaking collegiate career.

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Dominant Scottie Scheffler finishes strong to claim second Masters title

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler dominated a back-nine shootout to capture his second Masters title with a four-stroke victory at Augusta National on Sunday.

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Ohtani’s dizzying three weeks end in exoneration by authorities

In the clubhouse after the Los Angeles Dodgers won their season opener in Seoul, South Korea, last month, Shohei Ohtani’s longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, made a stunning admission to the team: He was a gambling addict, and Ohtani had paid his debts to a bookmaker.

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Osaka wants to play at Paris Olympics 'if they let me'

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka said Saturday that she "would love to play" at this year's Paris Olympics if she is granted a spot by tennis chiefs.

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Osaka not needed as Japan reaches BJK Cup finals for first time

Naomi Osaka didn't need to play after teammate Nao Hibino sent Japan to its first Billie Jean King Cup finals Saturday with an unassailable 3-0 qualifying lead over Kazakhstan.

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Ohtani ties Hideki Matsui as Dodgers lose to Padres

Jackson Merrill singled home the go-ahead run in the 11th inning as the San Diego Padres edged the host Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 on Friday, winning a slugfest that featured a history-making moment for the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani.

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Ohtani's ex-interpreter released on $25,000 bond after court appearance

The former interpreter for Japanese baseball great Shohei Ohtani was ordered released on $25,000 bond after his first court appearance to face a bank fraud charge accusing him of stealing $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star to cover illegal gambling expenses.

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Tiger Woods must pass grueling test to make cut at Masters

Tiger Woods had played just 24 holes this year coming into the opening round of the Masters.

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How Ippei Mizuhara allegedly wired millions from Shohei Ohtani’s account

Sometimes, truth is even stranger than fiction.

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Prosecutors say Ohtani’s interpreter stole $16 million from star

U.S. federal prosecutors said Thursday that Shohei Ohtani had been the victim of a "fraud on a massive scale,” releasing a detailed complaint that claimed Ippei Mizuhara, the baseball star’s former interpreter, exploited his access and the fact that Ohtani did not speak English to steal $16 million from him to feed his gambling addiction.

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World Athletics to become first federation to award prize money at Olympics

World Athletics will become the first international federation to award prize money at an Olympics, beginning at this year's Games in Paris, the organization announced Wednesday.

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Sumo legend Akebono, the first foreign-born yokozuna, dies at 54

Former sumo wrestler Akebono, the first foreign-born yokozuna, has died from heart failure, local media reports said. He was 54.

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Alyssa Naeher the hero as U.S. downs Canada to win SheBelieves

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was the hero once more as the United States defeated Canada on penalties to win a fifth straight SheBelieves Cup crown on Tuesday.

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Rugby's Club World Cup set to start in 2028

Negotiations between stakeholders have cleared a path for a 16-team Club World Cup to bring the best rugby sides from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres together starting in 2028, multiple media reports said on Tuesday.

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Djokovic 'feeling great' in Monte Carlo as Alcaraz withdraws injured

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic said his "feeling was great" as he flew past Roman Safiullin in straight sets at the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday, after third seed Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the event due to injury.

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'Caitlin Clark Effect' set to transform WNBA

After a dazzling college career that smashed records on and off the basketball court, Caitlin Clark's legacy as a trailblazing icon for women's sport is already secure.

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Matsuyama 'preparing hard' for another Masters crown

Hideki Matsuyama, who snapped a two-year win drought in February, is pushing himself to peak this week at Augusta National, where he already owns a historic Masters title.

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Leclerc delighted with Ferrari strategy in Japan

Charles Leclerc said he was pleased with Ferrari's execution of its one-stop strategy after finishing fourth at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday but conceded he had left himself with too much to do after struggling in qualifying.

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New Zealand send Paris Olympics warning with Hong Kong sevens win

New Zealand will now be a target at this summer's Paris Olympics, the team said, after beating France 10-7 to retain its Hong Kong sevens crown on Sunday.

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MLB commissioner says Ohtani and interpreter gambling probe to wrap up in 'short' time

Major League Baseball's top official has said that he expects the gambling probe into Shohei Ohtani and his former longtime interpreter to wrap up in a "relatively short" period of time, in the latest update on the probe.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers end Cubs' five-game winning streak

Yoshinobu Yamamoto racked up eight strikeouts and scattered three hits over five innings, and Max Muncy delivered a two-run single to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers past the host Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Saturday.

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Horan penalty gives USA comeback win over Japan

Lindsey Horan converted a second-half penalty to give the United States a 2-1 win over Japan on Saturday in the SheBelieves Cup.

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Tsunoda qualifies 10th as he eyes points at Japanese Grand Prix

RB’s Yuki Tsunoda put on a show for his fans on Saturday, qualifying 10th for the Japanese Grand Prix and giving himself a chance to earn points for the first time at his home race on Sunday.

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Ohtani homers in second straight came, but Dodgers fall to Cubs

Dansby Swanson and Michael Busch each homered while Seiya Suzuki supplied three RBIs as the Chicago Cubs outlasted the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers 9-7 on Friday.

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Japan favorite Tsunoda looks to shift career into higher gear at Suzuka

It may have been an early sign of the extra pressure that’s on him this season.

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Hong Kong holds Rugby Sevens as international visitors return

Hong Kong kicks off the Rugby Sevens tournament on Friday, one of the city's most popular sporting events, with international visitors returning after three years of COVID-19 restrictions and as authorities try to boost the financial hub's allure.

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Six teams apply to join proposed Canadian women's soccer league

Six clubs have submitted applications to join a planned Canadian professional women's soccer league which has now achieved the number of commitments required for launch in 2025, organizers said on Thursday.

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Japan to host MLB season opener next year, baseball commissioner says

The opening games of next year's U.S. Major League Baseball season will be held in Japan on March 19 and 20, the Japanese baseball commissioner has said.

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Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel hints at return to Formula One

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel told Sky Sports that he is mulling a return to Formula One in 2025.

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Cubs and Seiya Suzuki blow out Rockies

Seiya Suzuki began the Cubs' offensive onslaught in the bottom of the first inning, while Garrett Cooper went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs en route to a 12-2 win for Chicago over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

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Olympians call for Brisbane 2032 stadium rethink

A group of local Olympians, including London 2012 champion hurdler Sally Pearson, have called on the Queensland government to reverse a decision to stage the athletics competition at the 2032 Brisbane Games in a 49-year-old suburban stadium.

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Japanese swimming veteran ready to make waves at Paris Olympics

Daiya Seto has been called many things over his storied career.

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Cubs' Shota Imanaga dominates Rockies in his MLB debut

Shota Imanaga struck out nine and didn't walk a batter in his six-inning major league debut and the host Chicago Cubs shut out the Colorado Rockies 5-0 on Monday.

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Singapore's only Olympic champion Schooling retires

Joseph Schooling, who famously beat his idol Michael Phelps in Rio to become Singapore's first and only Olympic champion, said Tuesday he was retiring from competitive swimming.

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