Olympics

Yianni Diakomihalis, 4x NCAA Freestyle Wrestling National Champion, tells TMZ Sports there's a distinct possibility he gets into MMA ... BUT, not before he makes a run at the United States Olympic team, where he's gunning for gold!

23-year-old Diakomihalis is without exaggeration one of the most decorated collegiate wrestlers of all time, becoming just the fifth competitor to win the title four times. The question now has become ... what's next?

"It's a super time, right, coming off a really big milestone in my life and now I have a lot of opportunities presented to me. Obviously, for me, that ultimate goal of being Olympic champ is right in front of me. That's the big thing on my mind right now," Yianni told us.

Diakomihalis continued, explaining the personal importance of the Olympics.

"It's been my dream since I was a little kid like that, and it's something that I don't think I could turn away from and go compete in something else."

FYI, Yianni won the NCAA title at 141 lbs. in 2018 and 2019. After a redshirt season, he won the title at 149 lbs. in 2022 and 2023.

The next Summer Games are in 2024 in France ... where Yianni hopes he'll represent the USA.

We asked him if he was considering transitioning to MMA after the 2024 Games.

"I got a ton of respect for a guy who makes a living getting in there and getting punched in the face. That's an incredibly difficult and tough thing to do. It's one of those things that sounds super cool, sounds like it would be fun to try. I can't imagine not pursuing [the Olympics]. Who knows what's gonna happen in the future, what might change, but right now that's what's really at the forefront of my mind."

Of course, we've seen uber-successful wrestlers like Henry Cejudo (Olympic gold medal winner), Bo Nickal (3x NCAA champ), and others who have successfully transitioned from wrestling to MMA. On the other hand, a wrestling star like Jordan Burroughs opted to never take a punch or kick to the face in a cage.

We also talked to the 4x champ, politics aside, about President Donald Trump attending the NCAA Finals ... and YD believes it's a big plus for the sport, as it's bringing new eyeballs to freestyle wrestling.

Warning, this isn't for the faint of heart! Olympian Lolo Jones showed off a nasty injury after an incident on the track ... which left her shin bone peaking out of her skin!

The 40-year-old hurdler and bobsledder shared videos and a photo with her IG followers on Thursday ... with the caption, "my bone sticking thru my shin."

"Trainers taking me to get X-ray see if I need surgery."

Jones didn't provide much more detail on what caused the gruesome injury except to say she was on the track when it happened, and it's GROSS!

"This hurt more than a bobsled crash," Jones said. "I would take a Bobsled crash at 90 mph over seeing my shin bone again."

There's good news, though, Jones later said she doesn't need surgery. Doctors wrapped the area and gave her a little scooter to ride around during recovery.

Of course, bone-through-skin incidents are not new to sports ... and are some of the most traumatic injuries.

Remember Louisville basketball player Kevin Ware's open fracture during the NCAA Tourney's Elite Eight in 2013?! Then there were Paul George and Gordon Hayward.

In those cases, the players were able to come back. Add to it that Lolo's seems to be far less serious, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see her kickin' ass on the track sometime very soon.

Speedy recovery, Lolo!

Snowboarding stars Shaun White and Toby Miller took a break from shredding the gnar to share their knowledge with a newbie this week -- Finneas -- and by looking at footage of the lessons, he didn't suck!!

The singer-songwriter/Billie Eilish's older bro and his actress girlfriend, Claudia Sulewski, hit the slopes with The Flying Tomato and his girlfriend, Nina Dobrev, while in Aspen this week to celebrate the one year anniversary of Shaun's snowboard company, Whitespace ... and it looked like a helluva time.

The "Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa" crooner only posted one clip from the training session, but he was able to keep his balance as he made his way down a gradual decline ... with Miller spotting him from behind.

"Very ridiculous that my first time snowboarding ever I got to learn from Shaun White and Toby Miller but I am not complaining!!!" Finneas said on Instagram.

No word on if it was Claudia's first time as well ... but she also appeared to be in great spirits throughout the trip.

Finneas has a ton of Grammys and other awards in his trophy case ... but is an X Games medal next??

Tyreek Hill's very fast ... for a football player, according to U.S. track star Christian Coleman who tells us Cheetah's 60-meter run was "impressive," but not world-class.

27-year-old Coleman -- the fastest man to ever run the 60m (6.34 seconds) -- joined Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) ... and was asked for a scouting report on 29-year-old Hill's performance at the USA Track Masters Indoor Championship event in Louisville, KY on Saturday.

"In my opinion it was impressive. Major respect for getting out there and actually running," Coleman said, adding ... "I would say for a season opener, 6.70, I don't know when's the last time he actually ran. So, it's pretty impressive to me."

As you can see, Hill easily won the race, though Tyreek wasn't running against elite racers, and that was clear. Ty DUSTED them.

"He knew what he was doing going to a masters event," Coleman said. "Not going up against real pros who might have a chance to beat him."

Tyreek's not exactly a fish out of water on the track. He was a real deal track star in high school, winning 2 state titles as a sprinter. He was even named an All-American. Hill also competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, finishing 6th in the 200-meter (20.14) at trials. But, that was 10+ years ago.

It's also worth noting, while only 5'10", Hill's very stocky. Obviously, muscle is heavy, and carrying around weight makes running fast difficult.

We asked Coleman, who set the 60m world record in 2018, what the Dolphin's wide receiver's ceiling would be if he were to concentrate solely on track.

"I think if he kept training and I think if he actually dedicated himself to lifting for track and set himself up to actually peak, I think he can go down to the 6.5 low range for sure."

A respectable time ... but Christian makes it clear, "I don't think he'd ever be able to beat me."

And, Coleman's willing to prove it on the track. The former 2x world champion and former 100-meter king says he's down to run against Cheetah, with proceeds going to charity.

"I would be up for the race. If I was him I wouldn't take the race. I would love to maybe set something up, if we could do something for charity. I would be down for the race," Christian said.

As for the distance ... CC, who once ran a 4.12 40-yard dash -- says Hill can pick.

Aaron Rodgers has announced his next move ... but it ain't related to his football career -- the NFL superstar is set to speak at a huge psychedelic science conference!!

The 39-year-old quarterback is one of several featured guests for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies' "Psychedelic Science 2023" event in June ... which is being dubbed "the largest psychedelic gathering in history."

The conference -- which is expecting 10,000 attendees -- will include speeches, workshops and panel discussions about all things hallucinogens.

Of course, Rodgers has been outspoken about his passion for the plant-based psychedelic, Ayahuasca ... which he credits with helping his mental health and MVP seasons in 2020 and 2021.

Rodgers has also previously talked about his use of mushrooms ... which led to him trying out the brewed drink during his trip to South America.

Rodgers isn't the only athlete slated to speak -- Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen is also listed as a special guest for the event in Denver.

Former U.S. swimming star Jamie Cail died suddenly at 42 years old in the Virgin Islands last week ... and now, authorities say they've launched an investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death.

According to the United States Virgin Islands Police Department -- Cail, who won a gold medal at the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships, was found unresponsive in St. John by her boyfriend on Feb. 21 just after midnight.

Police say the swimmer's significant other had been out at a local bar but left to check in on her at their home -- and discovered her on the floor.

Cops say the man and one of his friends were able to transport Cail to a local hospital -- where she was administered CPR.

Police, though, say the lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at 2:39 AM.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau is now investigating the death -- and officials are urging anyone with information on the case to call authorities.

Cail competed on the national stage throughout the late 1990s ... eventually joining the USC swimming team.

With the atmospheric river rolling right over Hollywood -- and leaving quite the frosty glow on the Western region -- these icy stars took it upon themselves to bust out their winter skills and shred some gnar!

From skiing to snowmobiling, there's no winter sport these stars haven't shied away from ...  Kim Kardashian and daughter North West prepped to hit the slopes with a chairlift photo-op, while Alicia Keys put her back into it, skiing for her first time and David Beckham took his athletic skills (and good looks) straight to the mountain!

Serena Williams is slamming the door on a potential return to tennis ... saying there's no chance she's going to un-retire to continue her career -- at least, for now.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner -- who last played in September 2022 -- discussed her future plans in an interview with Gayle King for "CBS Mornings" on Wednesday ... when she was asked if there was any hope for a comeback.

"It's hard to say," the 41-year-old replied to King. "I would say no. For now, no."

Williams explained, "I've literally given my whole life to tennis, and it's time for me to give my life to something else."

Fans aren't the only ones hoping to see her back on the tennis court ... Serena says her father, Richard Williams, has been trying to convince her to compete again as well -- but his attempts have been unsuccessful.

"He's like, 'Serena you should play two more Grand Slams,'" Williams said. "I'm like, 'Dad, stop.'"

Williams says her main focus now is spending time with her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and their daughter, Olympia, who wants to be a big sister.

"Now, she prays for a sibling," Williams laughed. "I'm working on it."

Ohanian, who also participated in the interview, says everything is great with their marriage ... saying, "I knew I had met someone that I was never going to outgrow."

"She's a ride or die! 1,000%"

She's also investing her time into Serena Ventures, an equity firm she launched in 2014 that helps fund founders with diverse backgrounds, and her South Florida farm ... where she and Ohanian grow fruits, vegetables and raise animals.

Lolo Jones says three different men have stalked her over the past year ... and their actions have been so terrifying, the Olympic hurdler and bobsledder said it's all "altered my life."

The 40-year-old explained her terrifying situation in a social media post on Monday night ... saying each man "crossed the line" and put her and her friends' safety in jeopardy.

Jones said one of her stalkers actually "broke into the Olympic training center and stayed overnight in hopes to find me."

She said another one "has continued to harass my friends in attempts to reach me." An additional one, she claimed, popped up at her home and told police she had "invited him to come live with me."

"I'm DONE," she said. "If there was any confusion here is me being very f***ing clear: I'm not interested. EVER. This is not the way to go."

Jones also shared a photo of what appeared to be surveillance cameras capturing one of the males outside of her home.

It's unclear if Jones has worked with authorities over the situations ... or taken things to court in an effort to get restraining orders.

Rulon Gardner won gold in wrestling in arguably the biggest upset in Olympics history ... and now the American hero, who's 51 years old, tells TMZ Sports he's making a comeback, and the goal is the Summer Games!

"I still wanna give more back to the sport, the sport that I love and that's wrestling. When you have a goal like wrestling it makes you get into shape so I've lost a substantial amount of weight, getting healthy again, getting back after it, and now it's getting on the mat," Gardner said.

"Every day it hurts like heck but it's so fun to be able to get out there and throw with these young kids. It's crazy 'cause I'm wrestling kids half my age."

If you don't know Rulon's story ... he won a gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling during the 2000 Games in Sydney. But, that doesn't even begin to tell the story ... 'cause Gardner beat the most dominant and feared wrestler of all time, 6'3", 286 lb. Aleksandr Karelin.

"The Russian Bear" was thought to be unbeatable. He'd won the previous 3 gold medals. He hadn't lost a match since entering the international competition in 1988. For crying out loud, he hadn't given up a single point in 6 years. To this day he's regarded by most as the greatest amateur wrestler ever.

But, somehow, someway ... David slayed Goliath. And now, Rulon wants to do something perhaps equally hard -- compete at a world-class level in his 50s.

The journey started as a way for Rulon to lose weight ... and he tells us he's down about 150 lbs. An incredible achievement, but not his goal.

"Our goal is to go out there and show we can still compete with the top-level wrestlers of the world. I know I can compete with the guys in the U.S., the question is do I have what it takes in my 50s to get back to the Olympic games?"

If he can complete the comeback, we asked Rulon where the achievement would rank in the history of Olympic competition.

"Dara Torres, she did it a few years ago as a swimmer in her 40s and nobody has ever thought about doing it in your 50s and especially a combat sport. It's not easy on the body. Your talking about getting hit in the head, you're talking about getting hit in the body, shoulder, and knees. There's just so many body parts."

"Last year, I started throwing people and I'm like oh my gosh, I was throwing guys and my body is saying, 'what are you doing?' It still says that but it's like getting back on the bike and it feels normal again."

Bode Miller's son suffered a seizure on Monday and was rushed to the hospital ... but, thankfully, the little boy is now home and resting comfortably.

The Olympic skier's wife, Morgan, detailed the horrifying experience in a social media post on Tuesday ... saying it painfully reminded her of when the couple's 19-month-old daughter, Emeline, tragically died following a pool accident in 2018.

"Life is constantly walking a knife edge and it's not something we are unfamiliar with," Morgan wrote alongside a photo of Bode and 3-year-old Asher in a hospital bed.

"Yesterday, Asher had a febrile seizure which scared us half to death. We took the same ambulance to the same hospital we took Emmy to."

She added, "But this time we got to leave with our child."

Morgan then shared a picture of Asher back at home on the couch with Miller ... looking comfortable and happy.

Any Formula One driver looking to send a message next season will have to get permission from the higher-ups first ... 'cause the org.'s governing body just instituted a ban on unapproved political statements at races.

The decision comes after a rise in activism throughout the sport in recent years ... with Mercedes superstar Lewis Hamilton leading the charge in spreading awareness by wearing slogans on shirts under his race suit.

The 7-time champion has worn "Black Lives Matter" and "Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor" on his shirts in the past ... and recently retired star Sebastian Vettel has also shown solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community with his wardrobe as well.

The FIA's new rule now forbids "the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA."

The only exceptions to the rule will include any statements that are given the OK prior to being displayed.

David Rudisha, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the best middle-distance runners in the world, survived a horrifying plane crash -- and is grateful to be alive.

Rudisha, a native of Kenya, told the Nation newspaper his plane took off after he attended the annual Maasai Olympics event at the wildlife sanctuary in Kajiado South-East Kenya when disaster struck.

DR told the outlet about seven or eight minutes into the flight the engine malfunctioned, resulting in the plane going down in the Imbirkiana area in Kajiado.

"It was a scary episode where you hold your heart in your hand as you pray to God," Rudisha said. "The pilot did an incredible job to keep the plane afloat and stable for long."

Rudisha was on board with five other people at the time of the crash. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, and they were all evacuated to Makindu Hospital for treatment.

"We thank God we all came out alive with some soft tissue injuries that were treated before all were discharged save for one," said Rudisha.

Unfortunately for Rudisha (or maybe fortunately), this isn't the first time the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics 800m champion almost lost his life in a serious accident.

In 2019, the two-time Olympic champ's SUV crashed into a bus in a Kenyan village. Luckily, David escaped the crash with minor injuries.

Ukrainian Olympic hero Yuriy Cheban, one of the country's greatest and most decorated sports heroes, is auctioning off his 2 gold and 1 bronze medals ... with the money going to the war effort in Ukraine.

Cheban contacted SCP Auctions ... who put his 2008 Bronze (Beijing), 2012 Gold (London), and 2016 Gold (Rio de Janeiro) medals on the auction block. The medals will be auctioned off separately.

The proceeds are going to Olympic Circle ... an organization "created by sportsmen to help fight Russian occupants in southern Ukraine by funding defense and recovery efforts." OC says they provide everything from equipment to fight, to toys for kids as well as food for Ukrainians in need.

Cheban is one of the greatest sprint canoeists ever ... and it's the event where he won his medals.

Awesome prices for what most would consider a worthy cause ... but if you're interested, you're running out of time! The auction closes on Saturday.

The 2012 and 2016 Gold both have bids of $16k ... meanwhile, the bronze medal has a bid of nearly $7K.

A one-time Olympic boxer has been arrested for threatening to go on a shooting rampage inside a Florida gym.

Azea Augustama was taken into custody in Miami and booked on three felony charges -- two counts of issuing written threats to commit a mass shooting and one count of threatening to kill or do bodily harm.

He was ordered held on $3 million bond at a court hearing.

According to an affidavit, obtained by TMZ, Azea's membership at Miami's Boxr gym got yanked earlier this month after he had a heated argument with someone.

Then, on Tuesday, Azea had the police escort him back into the gym to retrieve the possessions he had left behind, but they had disappeared.

Azea later took to social media to vent his anger over his missing belongings ... making "threats to kill or do bodily harm with a firearm," the affidavit states.

He went so far as to tag the gym in a few of his threatening Instagram posts, which also included a deposit receipt for an AK-47. He later deleted the receipt.

Police were notified about the threats and tracked Azea to the pawn shop where he had originally put down the $150 deposit for the weapon.

Jonathan Owens had full control of Simone Biles' flames on Halloween ... grabbing a handful of his future wife in some steamy fireman-costumed pics!!

The Olympic gold medalist shared the hot photos on Sunday ... showing the Houston Texans safety getting a little handsy for the October holiday.

Biles was rockin' a 2-piece 'fit with flames all over it ... while Owens -- wearing fireman overalls and an FD cap -- made sure the blaze didn't get too out of control.

Biles asked her 6 million IG followers to give the sexy post a caption ... and one fan obliged, writing, "I don't think he wants to put that fire out. He just wants to tame it. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

Another person said, "Costumes 🔥. Baby Im on fire, come water me down. 😍" while someone else called Owens the "luckiest firefighter ever."

This is the couple's first Halloween together as future husband and wife ... Owens just proposed to the gymnast with a 3-carat oval diamond ring in February after two years of dating.