Deadspin | Report: PGA Tour cutting 4% of workforce PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp addresses a the media, tournament sponsors and Tour employees during a news conference on March 11 at the PGA Tour Global Home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The PGA Tour laid off 56 full-time employees, or about 4% of its total workforce, Sports Business Journal reported Thursday. An additional 73 vacant roles would not be filled, but the tour plans to reinvest in 30 or more new full-time positions, the report said. The moves come as the PGA Tour continues to adjust to a for-profit business model, after private equity partner Strategic Sports Group (SSG) invested $1.5 billion into the top golf circuit in 2024. According to Sports Business Journal, new CEO Brian Rolapp described the job cuts as a “difficult — but important — step” in an email to employees. Rolapp joined the PGA Tour last June, in effect taking over from commissioner Jay Monahan, who is staying on as a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board and PGA Tour Enterprises Board through 2026. The tour is “right-sizing” not only its staff but its tournament schedule. In an effort to ensure the best players are participating in the same events more consistently, Rolapp has proposed a new structure with a top tier of 21-26 tournaments (which would include the four majors, The Players Championship and the FedEx Cup playoffs) and a second track for players to earn opportunities for promotion. Earlier this week, the PGA Tour confirmed it would not return to Hawaii in 2027. The tour traditionally opened its season with a two-week Hawaiian swing, with events on Maui and in Honolulu. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #PGA #Tour #cutting #workforce

Deadspin | Report: PGA Tour cutting 4% of workforce
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp addresses a the media, tournament sponsors and Tour employees during a news conference on March 11 at the PGA Tour Global Home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

The PGA Tour laid off 56 full-time employees, or about 4% of its total workforce, Sports Business Journal reported Thursday.

An additional 73 vacant roles would not be filled, but the tour plans to reinvest in 30 or more new full-time positions, the report said.

The moves come as the PGA Tour continues to adjust to a for-profit business model, after private equity partner Strategic Sports Group (SSG) invested $1.5 billion into the top golf circuit in 2024.

According to Sports Business Journal, new CEO Brian Rolapp described the job cuts as a “difficult — but important — step” in an email to employees. Rolapp joined the PGA Tour last June, in effect taking over from commissioner Jay Monahan, who is staying on as a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board and PGA Tour Enterprises Board through 2026.

The tour is “right-sizing” not only its staff but its tournament schedule. In an effort to ensure the best players are participating in the same events more consistently, Rolapp has proposed a new structure with a top tier of 21-26 tournaments (which would include the four majors, The Players Championship and the FedEx Cup playoffs) and a second track for players to earn opportunities for promotion.

Earlier this week, the PGA Tour confirmed it would not return to Hawaii in 2027. The tour traditionally opened its season with a two-week Hawaiian swing, with events on Maui and in Honolulu.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #PGA #Tour #cutting #workforce

Sports news April 23, 2026

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp addresses a the media, tournament sponsors and Tour employees during a news conference on March 11 at the PGA Tour Global Home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

The PGA Tour laid off 56 full-time employees, or about 4% of its total workforce, Sports Business Journal reported Thursday.

An additional 73 vacant roles would not be filled, but the tour plans to reinvest in 30 or more new full-time positions, the report said.

The moves come as the PGA Tour continues to adjust to a for-profit business model, after private equity partner Strategic Sports Group (SSG) invested $1.5 billion into the top golf circuit in 2024.

According to Sports Business Journal, new CEO Brian Rolapp described the job cuts as a “difficult — but important — step” in an email to employees. Rolapp joined the PGA Tour last June, in effect taking over from commissioner Jay Monahan, who is staying on as a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board and PGA Tour Enterprises Board through 2026.

The tour is “right-sizing” not only its staff but its tournament schedule. In an effort to ensure the best players are participating in the same events more consistently, Rolapp has proposed a new structure with a top tier of 21-26 tournaments (which would include the four majors, The Players Championship and the FedEx Cup playoffs) and a second track for players to earn opportunities for promotion.

Earlier this week, the PGA Tour confirmed it would not return to Hawaii in 2027. The tour traditionally opened its season with a two-week Hawaiian swing, with events on Maui and in Honolulu.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Report #PGA #Tour #cutting #workforce

India cements top spot as Prachi, Vanshika win gold at ISSF Junior World Cup <div id="content-body-70898423" itemprop="articleBody">Prachi Gaikwad struck gold on Thursday, winning the junior women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event at the ongoing ISSF shooting Junior World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Cairo, Egypt, firing 354.6 in the final to overcome Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Darya Chuprys who shot 354.4.Another AIN shooter Elena Kretinina, won bronze with a score of 343.3, exiting the 35-shot final after the 34th shot. Naraen Pranav also won bronze in the junior men’s 10m air rifle with a score of 229.5 in the final.India won a second gold on the day, its third of the campaign so far, when Vanshika Chaudhary and Sejal Kamble finished 1-2 in the junior women’s 10m air pistol final, delivering a third double podium finish for the squad.Vanshika shot 241.3, while Sejal ended with 239.6 after the 24-shot final, cementing India’s position at the top of the medal tally with a haul of three gold, four silver and three bronze medals as competition day three drew to a close. Liao Ke Rong of Chinese Taipei won bronze with a tally of 218.3 after 22 shots.Vanshika, who had won a silver in the Asian Championships at home earlier in the year, struck a first junior world cup gold. It was also Sejal’s second silver of competition, having finished second in the women’s 25m pistol a couple of days back.Prachi was the only Indian to qualify for the junior women’s 3P final at the Olympic International City Shooting range. She took sixth spot with a score of 578 and then began the final placing fifth after the first 10 shots in the Kneeling position. <div class="verticle article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/3zuy4y/article70898470.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/Naraen%20Pranav%20VS_JWC%20Cairo.jpeg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/3zuy4y/article70898470.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/Naraen%20Pranav%20VS_JWC%20Cairo.jpeg" alt="Naraen Pranav also won bronze in the junior men’s 10m air rifle with a score of 229.5 in the final." title="Naraen Pranav also won bronze in the junior men’s 10m air rifle with a score of 229.5 in the final." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"> Naraen Pranav also won bronze in the junior men’s 10m air rifle with a score of 229.5 in the final. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement <img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div> Naraen Pranav also won bronze in the junior men’s 10m air rifle with a score of 229.5 in the final. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement </div>Thereafter she surged to second after the Prone round and was just 0.6 behind Darya, who was leading at that stage. With a 50+ return on the first five shots of the final Standing position, she shot into the lead for the first time in the match.But Darya found a second wind and fired a 51.0 over the next five, as Prachi missed the 10-ring four times, going down to third momentarily with the last five shots remaining.The minor setback did not deter the Indian as she delivered when it mattered most, hitting the 10-ring four times, including two high 10s, to clinch it from Darya by a margin of 0.2.Published on Apr 23, 2026</div> #India #cements #top #spot #Prachi #Vanshika #win #gold #ISSF #Junior #World #Cup

Genius Sports pitches ISL roadmap to clubs; Mohun Bagan skips meeting <div id="content-body-70898652" itemprop="articleBody">Genius Sports gave a presentation to the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, elaborating what it would bring to the table if it were awarded the commercial rights for the men’s top flight, in a virtual meeting on Thursday.Goal-line technology, better fan experience and a prominent commercial presence were some of the highlights of the meeting, which was attended by all but one ISL club — defending champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant — as well as M. Satyanarayan, the Deputy Secretary General of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).Bagan is yet to respond to Sportstar’s query for a response.“Genius Sports have put forward their plans on how to take ISL to the next level and transform the league into a global product,” Satyanarayan said.READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/genius-sports-commercial-partner-bid-aiff-indian-super-league-isl-federation-cup-aiff-news/article70794116.ece" target="_blank">A 2129 Crore bid: What does Genius Sports’ ISL bid mean for Indian football?</a>“All present got a sneak preview of some of the technological and AI-driven aspects that can enhance the league experience for fans and also diversify monetisation opportunities for all stakeholders. It’s really exciting for the future of Indian football.”Genius, a sports data and technology company based in the United Kingdom, made headlines in Indian football when its mammoth bid of Rs. 2129 Cr. for a 20-year-deal was revealed last month. Founded in 2016, the firm provides technology for the National Football League (NFL), Premier League, FIBA and the Japan B. League.It is also the official data partner for NASCAR.“It was a good first meeting. At the end of the day, they are a big global player, and they are experienced in almost every vertical of sports and I think they gave a pretty good presentation,” Mandar Tamhane, the CEO of NorthEast United, told Sportstar.“From a fan’s perspective also, it could mean a good technology-driven, richer matchday sort of an experience our Indian football deserves and we can be ambitious with that.”One of Genius Sports’ main products have been the semi-automated off-side technology – a service that it delivers to the Premier League, Belgian Pro League and Brazil’s Serie A.“What Genius Sports brings to the table goes far beyond money. They’ve built the data and broadcast infrastructure for some of the most valuable sports leagues on the planet,” Mukul Chaudhari, Jamshedpur FC’s CEO, said.Genius also underlined a ‘sustainable’ model going forward, where there will be something for every stakeholder, including the sponsors and investors, using personalised advertisements across digital platforms.For fans, it offers FANHub, which Genius Sports claims is ‘world’s first sport-focused media activation platform’, and technologies like Dynamic creative optimisation (DCO).“(They are) a company that is listed in the New York Stock Exchange, so they know why they are in it (ISL). They have not given a sort of a projected P&L because at the end of the day, unless and until they have been awarded the thing, I think no company will share the numbers,” Tamhane added.“Once they are in it, then obviously they will share the numbers, which I feel is the right way forward. But it’s something positive in my opinion to look at things.”It is understood that Genius Sports has a meeting planned with the AIFF Executive Committee in the upcoming week(s).Published on Apr 23, 2026</div> #Genius #Sports #pitches #ISL #roadmap #clubs #Mohun #Bagan #skips #meeting

#IPL #Indian #talent #ready #hit #sixes #RCBs #Tim #David">

IPL 2026: Indian talent come in ready to hit sixes, says RCB’s Tim David Not many batters are synonymous with the way the art of willow-wielding has exploded this Indian Premier League (IPL) quite like Tim David.The broad-chested Aussie of gigantic frame (6’5”) has been one of the best exponents of power-hitting, scoring his 173 runs this campaign at a whopping strike-rate of 203.52. He also has more sixes than fours (14 to 12), in line with his overall IPL career (74 to 66).But the 30-year-old, who recently became the second fastest to score 1000 IPL runs (560 balls), also felt that the Indian domestic talent has stepped up dramatically to become bold and belligerent.READ | IPL 2026: GT’s top-heavy method to face full-throttle RCB test“The first part is that you have the Impact subs… you get an extra player,” said David in the lead-up to Friday’s match against Gujarat Titans here. “It is also that the depth of the domestic talent in India has improved so much and these guys come into the IPL ready to hit sixes.“Earlier, you would need specific overseas players to be power-hitters, like Chris Gayle. But you now look at all the Indian domestic players and the international Indian players, and they all hit sixes. That’s stepped up throughout the competition.”However, despite totals routinely going north of 200, David opined – without saying in as many words – that it was still a cat-and-mouse contest between batters and bowlers.“Bowlers have lots of weapons in their arsenal now and are definitely a lot smarter. You’ll see the summary on the TV, they talk about where the bowlers can target and they’ve obviously graphed out where batters score quickly and what they’re weak against.“If the bowler lands a perfect yorker, it’s going to be difficult to score off. But they know that if I’m standing down and they’re going to miss, I’m going to try and hit them for a six.”Published on Apr 23, 2026 #IPL #Indian #talent #ready #hit #sixes #RCBs #Tim #David

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Not many batters are synonymous with the way the art of willow-wielding has exploded this Indian Premier League (IPL) quite like Tim David.
The broad-chested Aussie of gigantic frame (6’5”) has been one of the best exponents of power-hitting, scoring his 173 runs this campaign at a whopping strike-rate of 203.52. He also has more sixes than fours (14 to 12), in line with his overall IPL career (74 to 66).
But the 30-year-old, who recently became the second fastest to score 1000 IPL runs (560 balls), also felt that the Indian domestic talent has stepped up dramatically to become bold and belligerent.
READ | IPL 2026: GT’s top-heavy method to face full-throttle RCB test
“The first part is that you have the Impact subs… you get an extra player,” said David in the lead-up to Friday’s match against Gujarat Titans here. “It is also that the depth of the domestic talent in India has improved so much and these guys come into the IPL ready to hit sixes.
“Earlier, you would need specific overseas players to be power-hitters, like Chris Gayle. But you now look at all the Indian domestic players and the international Indian players, and they all hit sixes. That’s stepped up throughout the competition.”
However, despite totals routinely going north of 200, David opined – without saying in as many words – that it was still a cat-and-mouse contest between batters and bowlers.
“Bowlers have lots of weapons in their arsenal now and are definitely a lot smarter. You’ll see the summary on the TV, they talk about where the bowlers can target and they’ve obviously graphed out where batters score quickly and what they’re weak against.
“If the bowler lands a perfect yorker, it’s going to be difficult to score off. But they know that if I’m standing down and they’re going to miss, I’m going to try and hit them for a six.”
Published on Apr 23, 2026

#IPL #Indian #talent #ready #hit #sixes #RCBs #Tim #David">IPL 2026: Indian talent come in ready to hit sixes, says RCB’s Tim David

Not many batters are synonymous with the way the art of willow-wielding has exploded this Indian Premier League (IPL) quite like Tim David.

The broad-chested Aussie of gigantic frame (6’5”) has been one of the best exponents of power-hitting, scoring his 173 runs this campaign at a whopping strike-rate of 203.52. He also has more sixes than fours (14 to 12), in line with his overall IPL career (74 to 66).

But the 30-year-old, who recently became the second fastest to score 1000 IPL runs (560 balls), also felt that the Indian domestic talent has stepped up dramatically to become bold and belligerent.

READ | IPL 2026: GT’s top-heavy method to face full-throttle RCB test

“The first part is that you have the Impact subs… you get an extra player,” said David in the lead-up to Friday’s match against Gujarat Titans here. “It is also that the depth of the domestic talent in India has improved so much and these guys come into the IPL ready to hit sixes.

“Earlier, you would need specific overseas players to be power-hitters, like Chris Gayle. But you now look at all the Indian domestic players and the international Indian players, and they all hit sixes. That’s stepped up throughout the competition.”

However, despite totals routinely going north of 200, David opined – without saying in as many words – that it was still a cat-and-mouse contest between batters and bowlers.

“Bowlers have lots of weapons in their arsenal now and are definitely a lot smarter. You’ll see the summary on the TV, they talk about where the bowlers can target and they’ve obviously graphed out where batters score quickly and what they’re weak against.

“If the bowler lands a perfect yorker, it’s going to be difficult to score off. But they know that if I’m standing down and they’re going to miss, I’m going to try and hit them for a six.”

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#IPL #Indian #talent #ready #hit #sixes #RCBs #Tim #David

Deadspin | Thunder’s Jalen Williams week-to-week with strained hamstring Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) screams after dunking against the Phoenix Suns in the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain injury and will be re-evaluated on a weekly basis, the team announced. Williams underwent an MRI on Thursday, one day after he left Oklahoma City’s 120-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter due to the injury. The Thunder hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series, with games scheduled for Saturday and Monday in Phoenix. Game 5, if necessary, is Wednesday in Oklahoma City. Williams is no stranger to hamstring injuries. He was hurt against the Miami Heat on Jan. 17 and missed the following 10 games. However, during his second game back against the Suns, he re-injured the hamstring. Williams, 25, also started the season late due to two separate surgeries on his right wrist. He played through the injury during the playoffs last season, averaging 21.4 points while helping the Thunder win the NBA title. This season, Williams is averaging 17.1 points, 5.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 33 games (all starts). He was an All-Star last season when he averaged a career-best 21.6 points per game. Overall, Williams is averaging 18.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 248 games (235 starts) in four NBA seasons. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Thunders #Jalen #Williams #weektoweek #strained #hamstring

#Deadspin #Thunders #Jalen #Williams #weektoweek #strained #hamstring">

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Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) screams after dunking against the Phoenix Suns in the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain injury and will be re-evaluated on a weekly basis, the team announced.

Williams underwent an MRI on Thursday, one day after he left Oklahoma City’s 120-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter due to the injury. The Thunder hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series, with games scheduled for Saturday and Monday in Phoenix. Game 5, if necessary, is Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

Williams is no stranger to hamstring injuries. He was hurt against the Miami Heat on Jan. 17 and missed the following 10 games. However, during his second game back against the Suns, he re-injured the hamstring.

Williams, 25, also started the season late due to two separate surgeries on his right wrist. He played through the injury during the playoffs last season, averaging 21.4 points while helping the Thunder win the NBA title.

This season, Williams is averaging 17.1 points, 5.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 33 games (all starts). He was an All-Star last season when he averaged a career-best 21.6 points per game.

Overall, Williams is averaging 18.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 248 games (235 starts) in four NBA seasons.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Thunders #Jalen #Williams #weektoweek #strained #hamstring">Deadspin | Thunder’s Jalen Williams week-to-week with strained hamstring

Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) screams after dunking against the Phoenix Suns in the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain injury and will be re-evaluated on a weekly basis, the team announced.

Williams underwent an MRI on Thursday, one day after he left Oklahoma City’s 120-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter due to the injury. The Thunder hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series, with games scheduled for Saturday and Monday in Phoenix. Game 5, if necessary, is Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

Williams is no stranger to hamstring injuries. He was hurt against the Miami Heat on Jan. 17 and missed the following 10 games. However, during his second game back against the Suns, he re-injured the hamstring.

Williams, 25, also started the season late due to two separate surgeries on his right wrist. He played through the injury during the playoffs last season, averaging 21.4 points while helping the Thunder win the NBA title.

This season, Williams is averaging 17.1 points, 5.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 33 games (all starts). He was an All-Star last season when he averaged a career-best 21.6 points per game.

Overall, Williams is averaging 18.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 248 games (235 starts) in four NBA seasons.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Thunders #Jalen #Williams #weektoweek #strained #hamstring

The International Olympic Committee’s new policy, which mandates that eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females, has sparked debate.

Eligibility for the female category for all disciplines of an IOC event, including the Olympic Games, will be determined by SRY gene screening.

Two-time high jump world championship gold medallist Blanka Vlasic sees the logic behind protecting women’s sport.

“In sport, there should be strict policies. Things should be clear. Everybody competing should compete under the same standards, and have the same conditions. Women’s sport should be protected in that way,” Blanka said here on Thursday.

A highly decorated athlete, Blanka is in the city as the international event ambassador of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026.

Apart from the world championships, the Croatian has two world indoor championship golds, three world athletics final titles and two Olympic medals (2008 Beijing silver and 2016 Rio bronze) to her name.

Her personal best of 2.08m, set at the 2009 Zagreb Grand Prix, is third best in women’s high jump history.

ALSO READ | London Marathon in talks to stage 2027 race over two days

The 42-year-old takes pride in having a clean record, bereft of doping stains.

“I’m proud to have been part of the generation that jumped really, really high, and under the motto – ‘We jump clean’,” Blanka, who towers over the room at 6’4”, said.

To take unethical shortcuts to attain a one-off success never appealed to Blanka.

“If you achieve success with shortcuts, then your success will probably be just one spark. But in sports, do you remember someone who won just one time? Or do you remember a champion who was present for 10 years, with his or her ups and downs? I was consistent for so many years in a highly competitive sport – that was the goal,” she said.

“In track and field, it is very important to maintain your level for a long period of time. That is what is valued. Even if you are not Olympic gold medallist or world champion, if you are consistently in the top 10 in the world for more than 10 years, you could say that you had a great career,” Blanka said.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Womens #sports #protected #twotime #high #jump #world #champion #Blanka #Vlasic #IOCs #gender #policy">

‘Women’s sports should be protected,’ two-time high jump world champion Blanka Vlasic on IOC’s gender policy The International Olympic Committee’s new policy, which mandates that eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females, has sparked debate.Eligibility for the female category for all disciplines of an IOC event, including the Olympic Games, will be determined by SRY gene screening.Two-time high jump world championship gold medallist Blanka Vlasic sees the logic behind protecting women’s sport.“In sport, there should be strict policies. Things should be clear. Everybody competing should compete under the same standards, and have the same conditions. Women’s sport should be protected in that way,” Blanka said here on Thursday.A highly decorated athlete, Blanka is in the city as the international event ambassador of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026.Apart from the world championships, the Croatian has two world indoor championship golds, three world athletics final titles and two Olympic medals (2008 Beijing silver and 2016 Rio bronze) to her name.Her personal best of 2.08m, set at the 2009 Zagreb Grand Prix, is third best in women’s high jump history.ALSO READ | London Marathon in talks to stage 2027 race over two daysThe 42-year-old takes pride in having a clean record, bereft of doping stains.“I’m proud to have been part of the generation that jumped really, really high, and under the motto – ‘We jump clean’,” Blanka, who towers over the room at 6’4”, said.To take unethical shortcuts to attain a one-off success never appealed to Blanka.“If you achieve success with shortcuts, then your success will probably be just one spark. But in sports, do you remember someone who won just one time? Or do you remember a champion who was present for 10 years, with his or her ups and downs? I was consistent for so many years in a highly competitive sport – that was the goal,” she said.“In track and field, it is very important to maintain your level for a long period of time. That is what is valued. Even if you are not Olympic gold medallist or world champion, if you are consistently in the top 10 in the world for more than 10 years, you could say that you had a great career,” Blanka said.Published on Apr 23, 2026 #Womens #sports #protected #twotime #high #jump #world #champion #Blanka #Vlasic #IOCs #gender #policy

mwasimuddin125 0

The International Olympic Committee’s new policy, which mandates that eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females, has sparked debate.
Eligibility for the female category for all disciplines of an IOC event, including the Olympic Games, will be determined by SRY gene screening.
Two-time high jump world championship gold medallist Blanka Vlasic sees the logic behind protecting women’s sport.
“In sport, there should be strict policies. Things should be clear. Everybody competing should compete under the same standards, and have the same conditions. Women’s sport should be protected in that way,” Blanka said here on Thursday.
A highly decorated athlete, Blanka is in the city as the international event ambassador of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026.
Apart from the world championships, the Croatian has two world indoor championship golds, three world athletics final titles and two Olympic medals (2008 Beijing silver and 2016 Rio bronze) to her name.
Her personal best of 2.08m, set at the 2009 Zagreb Grand Prix, is third best in women’s high jump history.
ALSO READ | London Marathon in talks to stage 2027 race over two days
The 42-year-old takes pride in having a clean record, bereft of doping stains.
“I’m proud to have been part of the generation that jumped really, really high, and under the motto – ‘We jump clean’,” Blanka, who towers over the room at 6’4”, said.
To take unethical shortcuts to attain a one-off success never appealed to Blanka.
“If you achieve success with shortcuts, then your success will probably be just one spark. But in sports, do you remember someone who won just one time? Or do you remember a champion who was present for 10 years, with his or her ups and downs? I was consistent for so many years in a highly competitive sport – that was the goal,” she said.
“In track and field, it is very important to maintain your level for a long period of time. That is what is valued. Even if you are not Olympic gold medallist or world champion, if you are consistently in the top 10 in the world for more than 10 years, you could say that you had a great career,” Blanka said.
Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Womens #sports #protected #twotime #high #jump #world #champion #Blanka #Vlasic #IOCs #gender #policy">‘Women’s sports should be protected,’ two-time high jump world champion Blanka Vlasic on IOC’s gender policy

The International Olympic Committee’s new policy, which mandates that eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females, has sparked debate.

Eligibility for the female category for all disciplines of an IOC event, including the Olympic Games, will be determined by SRY gene screening.

Two-time high jump world championship gold medallist Blanka Vlasic sees the logic behind protecting women’s sport.

A highly decorated athlete, Blanka is in the city as the international event ambassador of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026.

Her personal best of 2.08m, set at the 2009 Zagreb Grand Prix, is third best in women’s high jump history.

ALSO READ | London Marathon in talks to stage 2027 race over two days

The 42-year-old takes pride in having a clean record, bereft of doping stains.

“I’m proud to have been part of the generation that jumped really, really high, and under the motto – ‘We jump clean’,” Blanka, who towers over the room at 6’4”, said.

To take unethical shortcuts to attain a one-off success never appealed to Blanka.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Womens #sports #protected #twotime #high #jump #world #champion #Blanka #Vlasic #IOCs #gender #policy

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