Sports

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR veteran Aric Almirola will retire from competition at the end of the 2022 season to spend more time with his young family. Almirola revealed his plans to the employees at Stewart-Haas Racing at the same time Smithfield Foods announced its 11th season sponsoring

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Back-to-back winning seasons were not enough for Brian Flores to keep his job as coach of the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have fired Flores in a somewhat surprising move that came less than 24 hours after the team finished a 9-8 season. Flores went

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have fired general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Vikings had not yet made the announcement. The move

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — A 33-year-old aspiring Olympian has set a Walt Disney World marathon weekend record, sweeping all four races in Florida. Brittany Charboneau of Denver ran Sunday’s 26.2-mile marathon in 2 hours and 45 minutes. She also won the 5K, 10K and half-marathon as part of the “Dopey Challenge,” which is

LONDON (AP) — Groundbreaking investigative journalist Andrew Jennings has died. He was 78. Jennings exposed the darker corners of the Olympic movement and soccer body FIFA during his career. A post written on his official Twitter account says Jennings died Saturday “after a brief, sudden illness.” No more details were given. Jennings wrote books that

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Juventus winger Federico Chiesa will undergo surgery after damaging the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. It potentially rules him out of the World Cup playoffs for Italy in March. Chiesa was hurt in Juventus’ 4-3 win over Roma in the Italian league on Sunday. Juve says Chiesa felt a

By ROD McGUIRK and MARK D. BAKER Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic has returned to the tennis court for training, having won a legal battle to stay in Australia and play in the Australian Open after his exemption from strict coronavirus vaccine rules was questioned. But the government is still threatening to

LONDON (AP) — Eight men have lost a court case against Manchester City after claiming that abuse they suffered from a former youth soccer coach took place while he was employed by the club. The men claimed they were abused by Barry Bennell when they were playing youth soccer for teams he coached in northwest

By The Associated Press Mid-table Bologna has had virtually no training ahead of a Serie A game at relegation-threatened Cagliari after being placed in quarantine by local health authorities. The match was originally scheduled for Sunday then pushed back by two days due to give Bologna’s seven players who are positive with COVID-19 more time

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Tthe International Olympic Committee says its former longtime director general François Carrard has died. He was 83. The IOC said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of Carrard’s death. The cause was not specified. In 14 years leading the IOC’s administration Carrard helped oversee its reforms after the Salt Lake City

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) — Cameron Smith has a place in the PGA Tour record book for finishing 34-under par. That’s the lowest of anyone in history. Just as important as a number to the unassuming Australian is a name. He took down Jon Rahm in the Sentry Tournament of

By DANNY WEBSTER Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — Brandon Staley is disappointed he won’t get to see, in his mind, one of the best players in the NFL in the playoffs. Justin Herbert played like one of the NFL’s finest when the Los Angeles Chargers needed him most, yet it wasn’t enough. The second-year

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Nick Saban strolled off the plane in frigid Indianapolis with a look that got his players’ attention. Somehow, the 70-year-old coach keeps finding ways to relate to guys young enough to be his grandchildren. This time, it was a leather bomber jacket. Saban may come across

By ROD McGUIRK and MARK D. BAKER Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Tennis star Novak Djokovic has won a court battle to stay in Australia to contest the Australian Open despite being unvaccinated against COVID-19, but the government has threatened to cancel his visa a second time. A judge reinstated Djokovic’s visa, which was

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Genevieve Beacom has made history as the first female pitcher for an Australian professional baseball team. The 17-year-old Beacom appeared in the three-game Melbourne Challenge Series which was organized after the 2021-22 Australian Baseball League season was canceled because of COVID-19. Beacom signed for the Melbourne Aces earlier this month as

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer BALTIMORE (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger delayed his retirement a little longer, guiding Pittsburgh to a 16-13 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens that left the Steelers on the verge of an improbable playoff berth. Then they had to sweat out a dramatic night game between the Chargers and Raiders.