• Slug: Sports–Gay Paris Olympics, 1,400 words. 
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By Abigail Scott
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – In the heart of Scottsdale, La Belle Vie Bakery is creating more than pastries; it’s creating a cultural connection as the world focuses on the Paris Olympics. At the Uptown Farmers Market, this vendor stands out, drawing in Arizona locals with the promise of authentic French cuisine.

The bakery’s commitment to French culinary tradition is evident in every product on the counter. From the flaky brioche croissants to traditionally crafted baguettes, each item is made to transport customers back to France. It is one of approximately a dozen French-influenced bakeries in the Phoenix area.

“Food is the living soul of a culture. It passes from generation to generation,” the La Belle Vie website says. Continue reading “5,000 miles away from Paris Olympics, Valley’s French bakeries find connection with community”

• Slug: Sports–WNBA International Appeal. 1490 words.
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By Aya Abdeen
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The basketball world converged on the Valley for this year’s historic WNBA All-Star Game, showcasing not only the sport’s elite talent but also its international reach. The weekend underscored how deeply interconnected the game remains between fans and players across the globe.

International interest, which involves fans and players from multiple countries, has significantly impacted the growth of the WNBA. From the league’s early years, international stars like Lauren Jackson, Michele Timms and Jennifer Azzi have attracted global attention. Over the years, many players have spent WNBA offseasons overseas, in countries like Turkey and Russia, to make more money and play at high levels.

For example, longtime Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi played overseas for 12 seasons in Russia and Turkey, where she won numerous titles worldwide. She retired from international play in 2017 (excluding the Olympics) but not before sitting out a WNBA season at the request of her Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, sparking discussions about the WNBA’s salary cap.

Throughout her career with the Mercury, Taurasi played with international teammates such as Australian Penny Taylor (her spouse of seven years), Russian Maria Stepanova, and under Australian coach Sandy Brondello.

“The international players have always been an integral part of this league, especially here in Phoenix,” Taurasi said last Friday. “We talked about our Australian contingency with Penny (Taylor), (Michele Timms), and then you have it on the coaching side, too, with Sandy (Brondello) and bringing that international experience.

“So it’s a huge part of our league. The game grows internationally every single year and after 20 years, it’s in a really good place.”

Continue reading “WNBA’s international appeal lures players and fans as the women’s game explodes in popularity”

• Slug: Sports–Rattlers coaches. 845 words.
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By Dylan Slager
Cronkite News

GLENDALE – As the Arizona Rattlers prepare for yet another postseason in the Indoor Football League, it’s impossible not to marvel at the organization’s steady success inside the padded dasher boards, along with its stability off the field.

When the Rattlers face the Vegas Knight Hawks Saturday night on the road in the IFL’s first round, they will be playing a team making its playoff debut, while Arizona has appeared in 27 indoor football playoffs (including the Arena Football League). And while the Knight Hawks beat the Rattlers twice this year – both teams finished the regular season 11-5 – Arizona coach Kevin Guy heads into his 25th playoff game with the team, hoping his 17-7 postseason record gives the Rattlers an advantage.

With that much success in the playoffs, Guy has to have built a sturdy foundation within his organization. And there is no better way to do that than by doing much of it yourself. While coaching the team, Guy is also the president of business operations and has held various front office positions within the organization for almost 16 years.

In 2021, Guy captured Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year and Franchise of the Year honors, marking the first time in the history of indoor football that one person has won all three of those awards in a single year.

By being involved with both sides of the team, the ability to succeed boils down to how Guy holds himself in both positions.

“Number one thing is you need to compartmentalize your day. If I’m dealing with football players and coaches, I’ve got my coaching hat on,” Guy said. “When I am dealing with the fanbase, corporate partners or the front office staff then I’ve got my president hat on. It all really depends on what meeting we are in.”

Continue reading “Double duty: Kevin Guy, Jeff Jarnigan manage coaching and front office duties while leading Arizona Rattlers into another postseason”

• Slug: Sports–Gay Paris Olympics, 1,400 words. 
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By Zach Bradshaw
Cronkite News

PARIS – The LGBTQIA+ community will be a focal point during the Paris Olympics, which officially kick off with Friday’s opening ceremony.

“This will be the gayest Olympics ever,” said Cyd Zeigler, a Los Angeles-based journalist who co-founded Outsports, a popular sports news destination.

His publication, which covers the intersection of sports and LGBTQIA+ issues in amateur and professional sports, reported in 2021 that at least 186 athletes in the Tokyo Olympics were publicly out, by far the most ever recorded. Continue reading “‘Gayest Olympics ever’: Paris Games will spotlight growing LGBTQIA+ athletic community”

• Slug: Sports–Léon Marchand, 1,360 words. 
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By Walker Smith
Cronkite News

PARIS – Nearly 400 miles south of Paris, in a city known for its foie gras but also its booming aerospace industry, several swimming coaches are quietly fine-tuning their not-so-secret weapon.

Former Arizona State swimmer Léon Marchand has returned home to Toulouse to prepare for the biggest stage in the world, the Paris Olympics

“We are trying to protect him from everything,” said Nicolas Castel, his coach at the Les Dauphins du TOEC swim club in Toulouse. “We want him to focus on what he has to do.” Continue reading “Former ASU swimmer Léon Marchand looks to follow in Michael Phelps’ footsteps, dominate Paris Olympics”

• Slug: Sports–Nate Bjorkgren Team Canada, 1,200 words. 
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By David Bernauer
Cronkite News

PARIS – Coaching basketball has consumed Nate Bjorkgren for more than half his life, all the way from the high school ranks to the NBA. Though he secured his first coaching jobs at high schools in his home state of Iowa, it was a move to Phoenix and a position as the head coach at Cactus Shadows High School where he was able to truly establish himself.

Now he finds himself on an international stage.

Bjorkgren will serve as Team Canada associate head coach for the Paris Olympics, where his group, widely considered one of the top teams in the tournament, will face Greece in opening round action Saturday.

Continue reading “Former Cactus Shadows, Suns coach Nate Bjorkgren takes Olympics stage with Team Canada”

• Slug: Sports–Women’s Flag Football. 773 words. 
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By Jorden Hampton
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Sierra Smith had a vision to create a women’s flag football league when she first stepped foot on the campus of Arizona State University, but the rising sophomore needed help.

She first reached out to former athletic director Ray Anderson, whose assistant led her to Jason Pappas, the program coordinator for student engagement through sports and special events at ASU. The next month involved meetings and Zoom calls to bring the sport across the goal line of becoming an official club activity. Those discussions involved sorting out details and, with help from her twin sister Sophia, securing local sponsors and vendors.

All of Smith’s hard work and dedication paid off – ASU will open its inaugural season in January 2025 against teams from Conference Carolinas. The Sun Devils will hold a three-day tryout at the ASU Recreation and Sports Fields at Dorsey Lane starting Sept. 3.

“The reason that I wanted to start the women’s college football team at ASU was because we kind of were cut short of our opportunity to play at a collegiate level and to gain collegiate exposure in high school,” Smith, a native of Tampa, Florida, said.

Continue reading “Flag and play: Sierra Smith’s vision for women’s flag football at ASU becomes reality”

• Slug: Sports–ASU Christopher MVP. 679 words.
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By Anne-Marie Iemmolo
Cronkite News

LAS VEGAS — The night before the Miami Heat’s second Summer League game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, former Arizona State University guard Josh Christopher was in the gym until 11 p.m. preparing for the contest. The following day, Christopher put up 20 points during the fourth quarter and posterized two OKC point guards, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Since being plucked from the NBA’s G League and named to the Heat’s 2024 Summer League roster, Christopher has made it his mission to show that he belongs on an NBA team. After helping Miami win the Summer League Championship Monday night and earning MVP of the game, Christopher left Vegas knowing he had done all he could to raise his stock.

“We’ve done a great job of just having camaraderie and understanding what the culture is,” Christopher, who averaged 19.3 points, three rebounds, and two steals for the tournament, said following Sunday’s semifinal win against the Golden State Warriors.

Continue reading “Breakout summer: Former ASU guard Josh Christopher named NBA Summer League MVP”

• Slug: Sports–Sustainability Paris Olympics, 2,304 words.
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By Doyal D’angelo
Special to Cronkite News

PARIS – Sustainability is at the forefront of the 2024 Paris Olympics, with organizers hoping to mitigate the negative environmental impact the Games will have and to limit the amount of wasted space after the closing ceremony. 

Many potential host cities have become reluctant to take on the Olympics because of the sheer amount of investment required, and because of the possibility of new facilities going idle. 

The International Olympic Committee and organizers limited new construction to just 5% of the facilities in use in 2024, while the rest of the Olympic venues have already been in existence or will be temporary.  Continue reading “Could 2024 Paris Olympics be blueprint of sustainability for cities across the globe?”

• Slug: Sports–Suns Summer League. 603 words.
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By Anne-Marie Iemmolo
Cronkite News

LAS VEGAS — With three seconds left against Oklahoma City, Phoenix Suns power forward David Roddy headed to the line after being fouled and sunk his three free throws, sealing the team’s first NBA Summer League win in Las Vegas on Wednesday night. He finished the victory with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists, but more important than his performance this offseason is his influence on his younger teammates.

Two years ago, Roddy was a rookie at Summer League after the Memphis Grizzlies drafted him 23rd overall. Then, the Colorado State product became the Suns’ youngest player on the roster last season after being traded to the team in February. During his third run in Las Vegas, he was the Summer League veteran that the Suns rookies relied on for his experience and advice.

Two-way Suns rookie Jalen Bridges is one teammate who is looking up to Roddy during his transition from Baylor to the NBA. He averaged 10.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and one assist, while shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.

Continue reading “Phoenix Suns showcase newest pieces during successful NBA 2K25 Summer League run in Las Vegas”