When Cecile Landi made the somewhat surprising move two years ago to step away from coaching elite gymnastics the list of athletes she and husband Laurent guided at World Champions Centre included two-time Olympic champion Simone Biles and three-time Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles to the open position at Georgia, she wasn't sure what to expect.Neither did the young women she was hired to lead.Yes, there was a jolt of excitement. There was also a dash of anxiousness. One of the most decorated programs in the history of NCAA gymnastics had fallen off considerably since winning the last of its record 10 national titles in 2009.The worry that Landi might lean heavily into the transfer portal in search of a quick fix was real. It also turned out to be fleeting.Minutes into the first meeting that Landi and co-head coach Ryan Roberts had with the team, Landi made it clear she had no interest in blowing everything up and starting over.Gymnastics is not rocket science, Landi said. Its about consistency and being fair and working hard and working smart.A lifetime in the sport from competing for her native France at the 1996 Olympics to two-plus decades in coaching had taught her the value of dreams and the empty feeling that comes when they are taken away. Several college-bound athletes Landi mentored at WCC saw their opportunities altered or pulled outright when a new coach took over. Landi wanted no part of that.The talent to get the program back to being a factor on the national stage was in the room, she told them. We can do this, and we can do this together.I wanted to give everyone a chance and embrace the change and follow the culture we were building, she said. I was not going to bring in 10 kids. The kids who committed two years prior, they had that goal. I've had athletes at the club level who had that taken away. It was really, really hard.Less than two years after that initial sit-down, the Bulldogs will walk onto the floor at Dickie's Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday for the NCAA semifinals for the first time since 2019 with legitimate hopes of reaching Saturday's finals.A more level playing field?They will do it with a roster that has largely remained intact since Landi's arrival, led by senior floor specialist Eryn Williams and senior Ja'Free Scott. And they will do it with a sense of confidence they lacked a year ago, when a resurgent season ended early after a jittery performance in regionals.Those days appear over. Georgia advanced to nationals by having perhaps its best meet of the season at regionals, finishing second to a powerhouse Florida team loaded with former elites that will look to spoil Oklahoma's bid for its fourth NCAA championship in five years.While the Sooners have been dominant, the playing field in women's college gymnastics may be starting to level out. The eight-team field at nationals includes the Bulldogs, ninth-seeded Arkansas and 13th-seeded Minnesota, a close runner-up to star-laden UCLA at regionals.The programs that didn't make it to Fort Worth include longtime NCAA fixtures Utah, runner-up a year ago, as well as Alabama and California.It's not going to be the same eight every year like it used to be, Landi said. I like that it gives an opportunity to other teams. But it makes it harder because we always have to be better. It also makes it more exciting because you know you can have that chance, you can be there.Arkansas reboundsIt's a belief that Arkansas coach and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber instilled in her program after the Razorbacks didn't advance out of regionals a year ago, ending an eventful season that included Wieber publicly calling out the NCAA for not allowing Arkansas to schedule a late-season dual meet with Oregon State after it failed to qualify for the SEC championships.It was just about the unfairness to our athletes and wanting them to have another competitive opportunity and them to say no for maybe not the best reason, Wieber said. We're grateful were on the other side of that for sure.There were no such scheduling issues this time the SEC adjusted its parameters to allow all nine schools to compete for a league title and Arkansas advanced out of the competitive Lexington regional by holding off Missouri with a steady performance on beam in the final rotation, proof of just how far the Razorbacks have come.I just feel like were building to peak at the right time, Wieber said. And their performance at regionals was remarkable.Having Morgan Price helped. The senior, who spent the first three years of her career competing at Fisk University the first historically Black college and university to field a women's artistic gymnastics team joined Arkansas to compete alongside older sister Frankie.All she's done over the last four months is record the first perfect 10 in program history with a dazzling performance on vault in a meet against Kentucky in February.Shes a great competitor, shes got swagger and she knows how to put up great scores, Wieber said. What people dont see is who she is on a daily basis. Shes one of the most consistent workers and teammates and strives to be a great leader.Price's journey will end this weekend. Just as it will for Williams and Scott and the other seniors at Georgia, who have spent years competing underneath the banners at Stegeman Coliseum that beckon to the program's run of greatness, wondering when their time will come.Turns out, that time is now.We were this amazing team with this legacy so many years ago, Williams said. I think for a while, it got lost. People forgot about us. ... I think a lot of them need a reminder of who we are."___AP Sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports

The defending champion Las Vegas Aces completed the process Wednesday of bringing back their core group by re-signing four-time MVP A'ja Wilson.Terms were not released, per club policy, but ESPN reported it was a three-year, $5 million supermax contract that is the most lucrative in WNBA history.Aja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today, Aces president and general manager Nikki Fargas said in a statement. Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity and grace. We look forward to continuing to see her thrive in an Aces uniform.In addition to Wilson last season named WNBA MVP and The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year the Aces have re-signed stars Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd, among other key contributors to their third title in four seasons.Also Wednesday, the Aces signed guard Chennedy Carter to a training camp contract. She last played in the WNBA in 2024 with Chicago and averaged 17.4 points and 3.4 assists. She also had a high-profile takedown of Caitlin Clark and has been dogged by issues with teammates over her career.A veteran team led by Wilson, whose leadership last season took the Aces from potentially not making the playoffs to a 16-game winning streak and eventual championship, likely wouldn't tolerate unneeded distractions.Wilson is building a case as the WNBA's best-ever player, and coach Becky Hammon has said her superstar forward is alone on Mount Everest.No player can match Wilson's four MVP awards. She also took home the trophy in 2020, 2022 and 2024 and was the unanimous choice in 2024.Wilson also was named the league co-Defensive Player of the Year last season, sharing the honor with Minnesotas Alanna Smith. It was Wilson's third such award in four years.She led the WNBA last season in scoring with 23.4 points per game and in blocked shots with a 2.3 average.It was the second year in a row Wilson averaged at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. She is the only WNBA player to do that even once while playing at least 15 games.___AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Gian van Veen has signalled his readiness to put his dispute with Luke Littler behind them following their heated Premier League quarter-final encounter in Manchester a fortnight ago.The Dutch player is prepared to "bury the hatchet" with the world champion after tensions flared between the pair during their clash.Littler stated in an interview this week that the time had come to move past the incident, and Van Veen appears willing to do the same despite maintaining his position on what transpired.The flashpoint occurred when Littler appeared to celebrate after Van Veen missed a match dart, before gesturing for his opponent to return to the oche.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayTheir encounter concluded with an icy handshake, with further exchanges continuing on social media afterwards.Littler has denied celebrating the missed dart, but Van Veen remains firm in his assessment that the world champion's conduct was "childish".Nevertheless, the Dutchman harbours no hard feelings towards his rival and is content to draw a line under the affair.Asked whether they needed to clear the air, he replied: "Its a difficult one. Like for myself, not really. He said his piece the other day.He added: "I still have the same view as I had two weeks ago when it all happened and if he wants to bury the hatchet then fine."I dont have any hard feelings towards him and I dont know how it is the other way around but well see how it goes."Hes got his opinion and hes entitled to it. I still have mine, I still have the same opinion as I had two weeks ago, straight after the incident happened."Ive looked back at it, Ive seen the videos and I still stand by my opinion and you know, it is what it is and well just have to go forward with it."LATEST SPORT NEWSBritish tennis icon Jamie Murray announces retirement after 36 years in heartfelt statementCarlos Alcaraz returns home immediately after injury as tennis star forced to pull out of OpenEFL club announce week-long emergency loan deal ahead of title deciderThe rivalry could be renewed in the semi-final of Thursdays Premier League event in Rotterdam, where Van Veen would have home advantage.The 23-year-old sees the possibility of a future friendship with Littler and hopes the pair can face each other again soon.Asked whether they could be friends, he said: "For sure. Like I said, theres no hard feeling from my side."Its all happening in the heat of the moment and of course, you know, hes got his opinion, Ive got mine but yeah, thats how it goes."The spat has been a talking point for two weeks and in a time where the sports top stars have been accused of being too friendly with each other, Van Veen says a bit of needle can be good - as long as hes not involved in it."I enjoy it but only if Im not involved. I think thats the best for me. I think its good for the sport to have a bit of needle here and there but you never want to be involved.Van Veen must beat Luke Humphries in the quarter-final to set up a tie with Littler, who opens against Gerwyn Price.Home favourite Michael van Gerwen takes on Jonny Clayton and Josh Rock takes on Stephen Bunting.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Sergio Garcia says LIV Golf's players were told earlier this year the event would run for "many years" as rumours swirl the Saudi-backed venture is on the verge of collapse.

Air New Zealand is introducing what some regard as a game changer for economy passengers who want a good night's sleep, but travelers are strongly divided on the new feature.The airline said travelers will soon be able to book time in its new "Skynest" pods, a first-of-its-kind feature that offers beds for passengers who are not flying in first class.The pods will debut on flights between Auckland and New York, a route that can last up to 18 hours.PASSENGERS REFUSING TO WEAR HEADPHONES ON FLIGHTS COULD BE KICKED OFF AIRCRAFT: 'IT'S ABOUT TIME'Each Skynest includes six individual sleeping pods stacked in a bunk-style layout, allowing passengers to lie flat in a private space separate from their seats.In an updated media release, the airline said each pod will include a mattress, pillow, blanket, reading light, ventilation and a privacy curtain, along with charging outlets for devices.Passengers will also receive a complimentary kit, with items such as an eye mask and earplugs.Access to the pods will not be included in the base ticket price, the airline noted.FLIGHT PASSENGERS SLAM AIRLINES FOR PUSHING EARLY BAG CHECKS EVEN WITH EMPTY BINS ON BOARDInstead, travelers can book a single four-hour session per flight, with prices starting at a whopping $495.Fox News Digital reached out to Air New Zealand for comment.Travelers quickly flocked to Reddit to share opinions and gripes.The main complaint was price.CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES"I'm not sure it's a terrible idea. Seventeen hours in an economy seat is brutal! An opportunity to spend 4 hours stretched out would be heaven for some travelers," one commenter said.But many thought the price was exorbitant."One hundred dollars per hour to sleep. This better be some good sleep," another said, strongly disagreeing.TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZIt would "take me at least an hour to fall asleep thinking about how much money it was costing me," a Reddit user complained."Are people flying economy going to part with their money to lie down for four hours?" another person said.At the same time, some travelers said the option could make sense financially compared to more expensive upgrades, noting it may offer a middle-ground alternative between economy and business class.The feature builds on the airlines existing "Skycouch," which allows passengers to convert a row of seats into a flat surface.Other airlines are also exploring similar options.Fox Business previously reported that airlines are increasingly focusing on premium and comfort-based offerings as they look to boost revenue.Carriers like United Airlines have expanded higher-end seating and upgraded cabin features, betting that travelers will continue to pay more for added comfort, particularly on long-haul flights.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERBradford Betz of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Die Bundesliga-Basketballerinnen des BC Marburg gehen in der Halbfinal-Serie gegen den Mitteldeutschen BC wieder in Fhrung und drfen vom groen Finale trumen. Nach schwachem Start drehen die Mittelhessinnen richtig auf.[mehr]

The Calgary Stampeders have signed American defensive lineman Khairi Manns.Khairi MannsDefensive linemanCollege: James MadisonHeight: ... - CFL Calgary Stampeders

The Winston-Salem Dash are happy to report that former players Noah Schultz (LHP) and Sam Antonacci (INF/OF) have had their Triple-A contracts selecte... - SAL Winston-Salem Dash

NEW YORK - The New York Liberty re-signed 2024 WNBA Champion Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, the team announced today."Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is foundat... - WNBA New York Liberty

Publie vendredi dernier dans le Financial Times, une petite annonce a fait part de la mise en vente des trois clubs dont le Eagle Football Holdings Bidco est actionnaire majoritaire, savoir l'OL, Botafogo et Molenbeek.