• Slug: Sports–Olympics Golf Valley Ties, 1,100 words.
• Photo  available.

By Scott Sandulli
Cronkite News

PARIS – When the summer sun beats down on the desert, saguaro shadows extend further and further in a way that transcends the backdrop of nature. Over 5,000 miles across the Atlantic, at the world’s most extraordinary gathering of competition, the Arizona aroma holds firm on the stage of Olympic golf. With the sports world focused on the Paris Games, the Arizona fairways serve as the approach to the greens of Le Golf National as several Valley stalwarts cross the pond in pursuit of gold.

“Everyone that competes in the Olympics talks about what a special experience it is,” Arizona State men’s golf coach Matt Thurmond said. “Playing for their country, being around the very best athletes in all these different sports in the same place. What an incredible experience.”

Returning to the slate of Olympic sports for the third time since a century-long hiatus ended in 2016, the golf event boasts some of the world’s top swingers in a star-studded field. Rather than a selection committee, players are awarded a tee time based on the International Golf Federation’s world rankings published on June 17. Continue reading “Known names on Valley golf scene, including Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, in mix at Paris Olympics”

• Slug: Sports–Olympics High Performance Center, 1,000 words.
• 4 photos available.

By Walker Smith
Cronkite News

PARIS – Twelve miles north of central Paris sits the small, quiet suburb of Eaubonne. Despite its close proximity to the chaos of the French capital, the area is only filled with the sound of wind blowing through the trees and homes fit for quiet living. It may not seem like the 2024 Summer Olympics have touched this place, but just a 10-minute walk from the train station sits one of the most advanced training facilities the Games have to offer: Team USA’s high performance center.

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee partnered with ATHLETICA to create a home base for Team USA in the small suburb. Disconnected but easily accessible to the Olympic Village, the Team USA HPC has state-of-the-art facilities that allow U.S. athletes feel more connected with each other. Continue reading “In quiet Paris suburb, Team USA elite athletes work out together at high performance training center”

• Slug: Sports–Olympics Mercury Big Three, 1,000 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Devon Henderson
Cronkite News

PARIS – The Phoenix Mercury have made a large donation of services to this year’s Summer Olympics. Despite sitting in the middle of the pack in the WNBA standings halfway through the season, the Mercury boast three players selected to the Team USA women’s basketball roster for Paris. They have the second largest contingent, only behind reigning back-to-back champions the Las Vegas Aces, who sent four.

The team has initiated its hunt for an eighth straight Olympics gold medal. It opened its campaign with a 102-76 win against Japan Monday and takes the court again Thursday against Belgium for its second group stage game.

Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, forward Kahleah Copper and center Brittney Griner will be aiding the country’s effort for gold. Although the team hasn’t exploded out of the gates in its 2024 campaign, it won five of its last seven before the Olympics break and is delivering three high profile and highly competitive players to Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve’s squad.

Continue reading “Taurasi, Griner, Copper: Mercury trio determined to help Team USA women’s basketball win gold”

• Slug: Sports–Social Media Olympics Woes, 1,000 words
• Photo available.

By David Bernauer
Cronkite News

PARIS – From fans attacking rugby standout Ilona Maher for her BMI to others questioning gymnast Simone Biles about her “just rolled out of bed” hair, social media has surfaced as a significant storyline at the Paris Games. It is the dark side of a tool that also serves as a powerful marketing agent for many Olympians.

Ilona Maher, the star of the USA Women’s Rugby Sevens team, just became the most followed rugby player in the world following the team’s breakout performance at the Olympics. This week the bronze medalist became the first women’s rugby player to surpass one million Instagram followers and now boasts two million followers. With this meteoric rise in following came the hateful messages athletes, especially women athletes, receive in regards to their bodies. Continue reading “‘A 30% BMI’: Olympians’ love-hate relationship with social media on full display at Paris Games”

• Slug: Sports–Brandon McNulty Olympics, 1,700 words
• Photo available.

By Devon Henderson
Cronkite News

PARIS – The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of athletic competition for spectators and hold a near spiritual meaning for its participants, especially those in individual sports. To earn the world’s most coveted gold neckwear, the games demand the athletes dig deep. They must abandon care for pain or fatigue and find a mind space filled exclusively with determination and fervor to reach their ultimate goal.

Few know this as well as Valley native Brandon McNulty, who is living the experience at the Paris Olympics. On Saturday, he just missed the podium in the men’s individual time trial for road cycling, finishing fifth – the best finish for a U.S. competitor – despite steady rain and 90% humidity. He has another opportunity to medal this Saturday in the 169.4-mile road race that will take him past memorable spots including the Eiffel Tower and Palace of Versailles.

As usual, he will give it everything. Continue reading “After 5th place finish in time trials, Phoenix’s Brandon McNulty has another shot for Olympic gold in cycling road race”

• Slug: Sports–Native American Basketball Scholarships. 691 words.
• Photos available.

By Jorden Hampton
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Amid the fierce competition and colorful pageantry of the largest all-Native American basketball tournament in North America, some numbers stood out.

There were 196 teams representing 180 tribal communities playing in the 21st annual Native American Basketball Invitational over five days last week, the tournament beginning on the 13 courts of Grand Canyon University and ending with Saturday’s girls and boys championships at the Footprint Center.

But the games were also the backdrop to some life-changing moments.

Keon Talgo, a 19-year-old Native American basketball player, always dreamed of going to college, but needed assistance to turn his dream into reality. Everything came together during an unforgettable and eye-popping moment at the NABI.

Talgo, dressed in a black dress shirt and gray slacks, received a $10,000 scholarship during halftime of the boys’ championship game in downtown Phoenix. Talgo belongs to the San Carlos Apache tribe and will attend Cornell College, a private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa, in the fall to study engineering.

“I’m feeling great right now,” said Talgo, who helped lead Gilbert Christian High School’s boy’s basketball team to the 3A State Championship in February. “It really helps my family a lot financially to have this scholarship and I’m really grateful for NABI for selecting me.”

Continue reading “Hoops and scholarships: Native American Basketball Invitational provides intense competition, life-altering moments”

• Slug: Sports–Kirsten Kasper, 930 words
• Photo available.

By Scott Sandulli
Cronkite News

PARIS – The Valley remains a prime destination for snowbirds in winter months, providing comfortable, extended holiday seasons for anyone who doesn’t feel like shoveling snow and seeing their breath in freezing conditions.

Kirsten Kasper, a native New Englander, could be classified as such, but her purpose for welcoming winter weather is different. Once the snow start falling in her hometown of North Andover, Massachusetts, Kasper hightails it for the saguaros of Scottsdale to take in the sunshine, but also to let it light the clear roads and flowing waters to pursue her life’s passion: competing in the Summer Olympics.

Her decision has paid off. Kasper, 32 competes Wednesday in the Paris Olympics’ Women’s Triathlon. She is ranked 11th in World Triathlon rankings and among those favored to win a medal. Continue reading “From Scottsdale to Paris: ‘Snowbird’ triathlete Kirsten Kasper takes roads and waters less traveled to Paris Olympics”

• Slug: Sports–River Seine Triathlon Postponed, 780 words
• Photo available.

By Scott Sandulli
Cronkite News

PARIS – As many expected in the lead up to the Olympic Games, the River Seine has been a major headache for the International Olympic Committee. Its most recent migraine regarding the iconic waterway’s cleanliness has been its biggest, with dangerous levels of contaminants in the water causing the postponement of Tuesday’s Men’s Triathlon Final.

“The conditions weren’t right to put the athletes in the Seine today,” IOC sports director Kit McConnell said. “Of course we try and run everything on schedule, but you’ve heard the reasons why.”

Continue reading “Men’s triathlon postponed as Seine River fails to meet safety requirements for Paris Olympics”

• Slug: Sports–Keaton Jones Swimming Olympics, 1,200 words.
• Photo available.

By Zach Bradshaw
Cronkite News

PARIS – Keaton Jones is making waves and breaking ground. He is believed to be the first swimmer in 16 years to come through Arizona age-group competition and reach the Olympic Games.

The Highley High School graduate, 19, will represent the United States in the men’s 200-meter backstroke Wednesday after finishing second to two-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy at the Olymic Trials in June.

He swims at the University of California, Berkeley, but his skills are rooted in Arizona. In addition to dominating the local scene, he’s broken Guinness World Records in ice swimming, helped raise over $24,000 for first responders and shattered numerous records at his high school. Continue reading “Former Higley High swimmer Keaton Jones ready to showcase backstroke skills in Paris Olympics”

• Slug: Sports–Khalia Lanier Olympics Volleyball. 650 words.
• Photo available.

By Abigail Scott
Cronkite News

PARIS – It can be hard growing up in the shadow of greatness. Even though that was the case for Khalia Lanier, she managed to forge her own path.

She recently was selected as an alternate for the Team USA women’s volleyball team and will come to the Paris Olympics if needed.

“If I can do it, anyone can,” the Scottsdale native said. “Always take a step back and get perspective, enjoy your journey, and be willing to make changes if needed.” Continue reading “Scottsdale volleyball standout and daughter of NBA great Bob Lanier forges own path as Paris Olympics alternate”

• Slug: Sports–Bec Allen Olympics. 1014 words.
• Photos available.

By Joshua Heron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – A young Rebecca Allen was the first to wake, wipe her eyes and rise out of bed in her Australian household on Christmas mornings. Her mission: wake up her parents and brother. The Phoenix Mercury guard cherishes the December holiday and, even more so, family, but her consistent Christmas morning routine reflects her commitment to applying herself to whatever she loves.

At roughly 12, she found a new love: basketball. This love has provided Allen with a resume that includes a 2018 FIBA World Cup silver medal and an eight-year WNBA career, but also difficult setbacks.

Allen withdrew from the Paris Olympics after she suffered a high-grade hamstring injury in the Opals’ final exhibition match against Canada last Tuesday. Without its star, the medal contenders, thanks to 26 turnovers, suffered an upsetting 75-62 defeat to Nigeria in its first group phase match Monday.

Allen responded to the news of her injury on X, formerly Twitter, saying that she was “Shattered.”

“I feel terrible for Bec,” Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said. “These are opportunities you dream of as a kid – an opportunity to represent your country against the best in the world – and it’s taken away from you right before the Olympics. It’s devastating.”

Continue reading “Mercury forward Rebecca Allen’s past trials offer hope after Olympics injury”

• Slug: Sports–Alliance Francaise Phoenix, 940 words.
• Photo available.

By Doyal D’angelo
Cronkite News

PARIS – As much as providing cultural workshops helps to encourage positive exchange and understanding between French and U.S. citizens, breaking the language barrier can be a challenge for both the teacher and the student.

It makes for a 360-degree learning experience for everyone involved. Enter the Alliance Francaise of Greater Phoenix, whose goal is to encourage the study of French language and to promote the appreciation of the country’s culture.

With the Paris Olympics underway, interest in French culture is greater than ever. Americans have long been fascinated by the country’s history, fashion and food. The late French general and politician Charles de Gaulle once said, “How can anyone govern a nation that has 246 different kinds of cheese?” Continue reading “Bonjour! With backdrop of Paris Olympics, Valley’s Alliance Francaise aims to improve understanding of French culture”

• Slug: Sports–Khjarun ASU Team Canada, 570 words.
• Photo available.

By Zach Bradshaw
Cronkite News

PARIS – Athleticism is clearly in the bloodlines.

Arizona State swimmer Ilya Kharun, who will compete for Team Canada Tuesday in the Paris Olympics, comes from a family who understands the demands of physicality. His parents, Valeriy and Oksama Kharoun, were longtime acrobats with Cirque du Soleil. His sister, Dasha, is also a Cirque performer.

All eyes will be on the son this week, however, as he competes in the 200-meter butterfly Tuesday and the 100-meter butterfly Friday in the Paris Olympics. Continue reading “Cirque du Hooray: ASU celebrates swimmer Ilya Khjarun’s participation with Team Canada in Paris”