Latest news with #womeninSports
National Post
15 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon falls short in her attempt to break 4-minute mile
Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon failed in her bid Thursday to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes. Article content Kipyegon, the Olympic 1,500-meter gold medalist from Kenya, ran in 4 minutes, 06.42 seconds — the fastest mile in history by a woman — at Stade Charlety in Paris. Article content Article content Her time was better than her world record of 4:07.64 but won't be recognized by the international federation because the Nike-sponsored event dubbed ' Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile ' was unofficial. She was supported by pacemakers and equipped with Nike's latest innovations, from her aerodynamic track suit to her spikes. Article content Article content 'I gave everything today to try, it was not about running a tactical race' Kipyegon said. 'It was the first trial. I have proven that it's possible and it's only a matter of time. I think it will come to our way. If it's not me, it will be somebody else. I know one day, one time a woman will run under 4:00. I will not lose hope. I will still go for it.' Article content The 31-year-old Kipyegon looked exhausted as she reached the finish and fell on her back as she was surrounded by photographers. Article content Her attempt took place on a balmy summer's evening with a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit) and limited wind, in front of an audience of a few thousand people. She used a team of 13 elite pace setters made of 11 men and two women who were positioned in front and behind her to reduce drag. Article content She stayed on the inside of the track throughout her punishing effort. She appeared to struggle midway through the race and failed in her attempt to shave at least 7.65 seconds off her world record. To achieve the feat, Kipyegon would have needed to run each of her four laps an average of about two seconds faster. Article content Article content 'I think next time we will catch up with the light,' Kipyegon added, joking about the Wavelight, a pace-setting system using a series of LED lights on the inside of the track making it easier to follow whether an athlete is ahead, or falling behind. Article content Kipyegon also had a message for her daughter and young girls watching. Article content 'I will tell them we are not limited,' she said. 'We can limit ourselves with thoughts, but it is possible to try everything and prove to the world that we are strong. Keep pushing.' Article content Among the guests in Paris were Carl Lewis and Kipyegon's fellow Kenyan runner, longtime friend and training partner Eliud Kipchoge. Article content It was more than 71 years ago when British runner Roger Bannister became the first man to eclipse four minutes in 3:59.4. Article content
Arab News
a day ago
- Sport
- Arab News
‘I'm ready for any opponent': Hattan Alsaif eyes another victory at PFL MENA 2 in Riyadh
RIYADH: In a male-dominated sport, Saudi Arabian star Hattan Alsaif is continuing to make her mark and also providing a blueprint for aspiring female mixed martial arts fighters looking for global recognition. Already a decorated combat sports athlete before transitioning to MMA, Alsaif made history last year by becoming the first Saudi Arabian woman to sign with a major promotion when she joined the PFL. Since then, she has been nothing short of impressive inside the PFL SmartCage, racking up three straight wins in the amateur ranks. Beyond these accomplishments, however, Alsaif is making an impact simply by walking to the cage. Being a Middle Eastern woman making a name for herself in MMA, Alsaif is seen by many as an inspiring role model. The success that Alsaif has achieved so far is thanks to her self-belief, and ability to block out the critics and doubters. 'I don't pay attention to those who say this sport isn't for women,' Alsaif said. 'I do what I love and pursue what I believe in, regardless of social expectations.' Armed with that confidence, Alsaif returns to action at PFL MENA 2 on July 4 in her hometown of Riyadh. She will be looking for a fourth straight win when she takes on Lebanese champion Nour Al-Fliti in a showcase amateur women's atomweight bout. Around eight months removed from her last fight back in November, Alsaif says that she is more than ready. 'I'm fully prepared for this fight,' she said. 'The key to victory is consistency and dedication.' Al-Fliti could be considered Alsaif's toughest test to date. The undefeated up-and-comer is a multiple Lebanese MMA champion and an IMMAF Asian Championships silver medalist. While the accolades may be impressive, Alsaif maintains that she is ready to take on all comers, regardless of background and accomplishments. 'I'm ready for any opponent. It doesn't matter who I face,' she said. 'Each one requires a different kind of preparation.' 'The real challenge in combat sports isn't a single moment — it's the entire fight. It demands constant mental focus and physical strength from start to finish.' Alsaif is not just fighting for another win at PFL MENA 2 but to solidify her place as a trailblazer for women in Middle Eastern MMA. 'This is a new beginning, not just another number in the record,' she said. PFL MENA 2 takes place on Friday, July 4, at the Green Halls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tickets can be purchased at
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
‘Making history': PWHL Vancouver drafts first South Asian player
UBC forward Chanreet Bassi will be playing professional hockey with her hometown team next year. The Professional Women's Hockey League has selected its first South Asian player, and it happens to be a rising B.C. athlete. Chanreet Bassi secured her spot Tuesday evening during the league's 2025 draft in Ottawa for its new, Vancouver team. 'It was a shock,' she said. 'Definitely blacked out. I think especially going into a draft, you're not really sure what's going to happen. But, (I'm) super ecstatic to be drafted by Vancouver.' Not only will Bassi be the first South Asian player in the PWHL, she's also the first UBC Thunderbird athlete to be drafted. Graham Thomas, the head coach of the UBC Women's Hockey Team, said it's a very exciting moment for the sport. 'Making history, so I mean it's an inspiration,' he said. 'So many accolades' Thomas said when Bassi joined the team, she made an impact right away – ending her six-year university career as a four-time Canada West All-Star. 'She's tied with Tatiana Rafter for all-time career points as a Thunderbird,' he said. 'She's had so many accolades. So many accomplishments.' At 23 years old, Bassi is making groundbreaking strides in her career. It's a moment she's been preparing for, applying the same hard work on and off the ice. During her teenage years, she grew on her family's farm in the Okanagan, planting hundreds of cherry trees on the five-acre property. 'That was just what we did day-to day, every day for our family and for each other,' she said. 'There's a pathway' Bassi started playing hockey when she was three years old, following in her older brother's footsteps. The path she's paving didn't exist when she was young. 'There wasn't really a route for us to go,' she said. 'We just played because it was fun.' Thomas echoed that sentiment, adding the league's expansion to Vancouver provides more opportunities to aspiring professional athletes. 'This is now showing that there's a pathway,' he said. 'It's not only a great place to go to school and get a great education and play your university hockey.' Bassi said she doesn't take the responsibility lightly. 'I think it's super cool for girls to have someone to look up to, which is something we never experienced,' she said. 'It kind of brings that community together, especially younger girls dreaming to play in the PWHL one day. That's what the sport's for.' Fans will be able to follow Bassi's journey when the season gets underway in November.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Legendary college basketball coach dies at 63... just three months after retiring
Just a few months after announcing her retirement from being head women's basketball coach at the University of Southern Mississippi, Joye Lee-McNelis has died at the age of 63. Lee-McNelis succumbed to a long battle with lung cancer. She had spent the past 21 years leading the Golden Eagles' women's basketball team and called it a career at the end of the 2024-25 season. MORE TO FOLLOW.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sky's Angel Reese courts Chicago with a game-changing gift
The post Sky's Angel Reese courts Chicago with a game-changing gift appeared first on ClutchPoints. Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky are no strangers to grabbing attention on the court, but this week, they made a splash off it. On Wednesday, the WNBA All-Star teamed up with Cash App to unveil a freshly renovated outdoor basketball court in Oakwood Beach, a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. Advertisement This initiative is part of a larger movement to empower women through sport, which is a great accomplishment for Sky's rising star. The court, which was built in partnership with the non-profit Project Backboard, is much more than new paint. It represents access, inclusion, and community pride. Organizers stated that this space has been reframed as a place for young women to do more than exercise—they can dream big—on and off the basketball court. Reese showed off her new court in a pair of posts on X, formerly Twitter. 'New court in Chicago! I am so blessed to be able to do this in a second city that I can now call HOME!' Reese expressed. 'Make sure you stop by and tag me in pics when you're in the CHI! Thank you @CashApp THIS LOOKS UNREALLLLLL🔥' Reese's Angel C. Reese Foundation also played a role in the launch, emphasizing its mission to promote education, sports, and financial literacy for young women. This project marks the second major collaboration between Reese and Cash App, following previous efforts to elevate engagement in women's sports. Advertisement Catherine Ferdon, Chief Marketing Officer at Cash App, noted that Reese 'transcends basketball' and embodies the kind of leadership the company is eager to support. The court's opening comes at a challenging time for the Sky. In her second WNBA season, Reese is averaging 11.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and a career-best 3.6 assists per game—solid stats, though slightly lower than her impressive rookie year. Currently, Chicago holds a 3–8 record and is eager to regain its momentum. This off-court achievement shines a light during a tough stretch for both the player and the team. Still, Reese's influence continues to grow. Beyond basketball, she's landed major endorsements with brands like McDonald's, Beats, and Reebok, appeared on the cover of Vogue, and earned BET's Sportswoman of the Year. The Oakwood Beach court is just another cool entry in her ever-expanding legacy, a legacy that connects directly to her impact on the community, and her exemplary performance on the court.
