Russian prison gangs

Getty Images The International Olympic Committee is considering allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions. Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych is not happy about it. Heraskevych, 24, said that allowing them to compete would send a message that the invasion of Ukraine is not as serious as it seems. "They (Russians) will turn on the TV and see competitions. And there in these competitions, Russian athletes are competing with, I don't know like USA athletes, with Chinese athletes, with Korean athletes and the Russian people think, 'yeah, everything is good. So, we are part of the world community...our country isn't doing anything wrong'," Hersakvych told Reuters this week . "And the Russian country is doing the wrong thing. It's not right to invade another country and kill people." This is far from the first time Heraskevych expressed his opinion on if Russian athletes should be banned from all sports until the war is over. … [Read more...] about Ukrainian Olympian unhappy with IOC’s push to include Russian athletes in international competitions

USATSI The Jets found their new offensive coordinator this week, hiring former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The move reunites Hackett with coach Robert Saleh, more than a half-decade after the two worked together with the Jaguars . But what does the staffing change mean for the Jets moving forward? Easy: a splashy quarterback change. A known proponent of the Bill Walsh West Coast Offense, Hackett isn't entirely dissimilar to his Jets predecessor, Mike LaFleur, in terms of schematic approach. Both men have leaned on some of the same staples -- namely quick, horizontal-based passing, and zone-based run blocking. And Hackett found noticeably less success in 2022 despite having a future Hall of Fame candidate under center. So why is he, and not LaFleur, in charge of New York's offense going into 2023? Again: QB. However promising his ground game may have become, the fact is LaFleur spearheaded an offensive staff that bought into Zach Wilson -- so much so that … [Read more...] about What Nathaniel Hackett’s hire means for the Jets: Aaron Rodgers trade is the next logical step

Queensberry Promotions As far as skilled boxers who possess an equal level of danger and knockout threat, there are very few on the planet as well-rounded and dynamic as Artur Beterbiev. Conversely, it would be difficult to find a champion this accomplished who flies so far under the radar in terms of crossover appeal. That reality is expected to change for Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), the unified light heavyweight champion, should he finish 2023 by conquering the type of challenges that could be in front of him -- namely unbeaten WBA champion Dmitry Bivol -- in an attempt to become not just the undisputed champion at 175 pounds but recognition as, quite possibly, the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. Beterbiev, who returns Saturday at London's Wembley Arena to defend his trio of titles against mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde (23-2, 22 KOs), is the only world champion in boxing with a 100% knockout rate. The native of Russia, who fights out of his adopted home of … [Read more...] about Why Artur Beterbiev could achieve much more than just undisputed champion status in 2023

USATSI Elena Rybakina looks to move a step closer to a second Grand Slam title in three tries when she takes on Victoria Azarenka in the women's semifinals of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Thursday. Rybakina, who won her first major tournament last year at Wimbledon, posted a 6-2, 6-4 victory over No. 17 seed Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Azarenka kept her dreams of a third Australian Open title alive when she upset third-seeded Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-1. Rybakina is a -200 favorite (risk $200 to win $100) in the latest Rybakina vs. Azarenka odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while Azarenka is a +160 underdog. The over/under for total games is set at 21.5, with Rybakina favored by 3.5 games. Before you make any Azarenka vs. Rybakina picks or 2023 Australian Open predictions, you need to see what SportsLine tennis expert Jose Onorato has to say . Onorato grew up playing competitive tennis in Caracas, Venezuela. After coming to the U.S., he trained … [Read more...] about 2023 Australian Open odds, props, women’s semifinal prediction: Azarenka vs. Rybakina picks from tennis expert

USATSI World No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas can move one step closer to the first grand slam title of his career when he squares off against Karen Khachanov in the semifinals of the 2023 Australian Open on Thursday at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. The 24-year-old Tsitsipas has reached only one grand slam final, losing in the French Open in 2021. Meanwhile the 26-year-old Khachanov has never reached a grand slam final and has made only one semifinal (2022 U.S. Open). The semifinal will begin after the mixed doubles final but not before 10:30 p.m. ET. Tsitsipas is a -260 favorite (risk $260 to win $100) in the latest Tsitsipas vs. Khachanov odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while Khachanov is a +200 underdog. The over/under for total games is 39.5. Before locking in any Khachanov vs. Tsitsipas picks or 2023 Australian Open predictions, you need to see what SportsLine tennis expert Jose Onorato has to say . Onorato grew up playing competitive tennis in Caracas, Venezuela. After coming to … [Read more...] about 2023 Australian Open odds, men’s semifinal predictions: Tsitsipas vs. Khachanov picks by proven tennis expert

Into Overdrive will miss his intended run in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on Saturday after scoping dirty and now looks set to be saved for the Cheltenham Festival. Trainer Mark Walford was primed to run in the valuable three-mile event after Into Overdrive defeated Sounds Russian in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Prior to that, the highly-progressive Court Cave gelding had chased home L'Homme Presse in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. Editeur Du Gite added to Clarence House Chase field Ellison hoping Windsor Avenue can bounce back in Sky Bet Chase Watch the Sky Bet Chase on Sky Sports Racing! Don't miss the lucrative Sky Bet Chase from Doncaster, live this Saturday on Sky Sports Racing! However, hopes of a third success of the season will have to wait a while after Wendy Hamilton's eight-year-old was found to be under the weather. "It is disappointing, but it is nothing serious," said Walford. "You've got to be at the … [Read more...] about Sky Bet Chase: Into Overdrive to miss Doncaster feature after scoping dirty; Ultima the Cheltenham Festival aim