Olympics

Wanna have the same Olympic gold medal as Michael Jordan?!

A player from the Team USA hoops squad in 1984 is parting ways with their memento ... and it can be yours if you have a huge chunk of change lying around!!

This medal is from the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, when Team USA -- coached by college legend Bob Knight -- dominated with Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Sam Perkins and Wayman Tisdale!!

FYI, Jordan -- who led Team USA with 17.1 points per game -- was drafted by the Chicago Bulls one month before the '84 Olympics started ... and had yet to play in an NBA game!!

The team whooped 8 teams before receiving their medals and now one of them will be up for sale ... and it's expected to go for over $70k!!

The medal will be on the market with RR Auction ... and it still has all the fine details --- "XXIII Olympiad, Los Angeles 1984" inscribed on the front and "Basketball, Men" on the side plus the image of the Coliseum.

And, there's more priceless Olympics memorabilia in this upcoming auction:

A silver and bronze medal from the 1896 Olympics in Athens -- the first international games held in modern history -- will also be up for grabs.

The silver is expected to fetch over $75k ... and $40k for the bronze.

There's also a 1994 Winter Olympics torch that favors a 'sheath knife' with a handle representing Norway, where the games were held --- estimated to sell for over $30k!!

Aly Raisman has something better than a gold medal to celebrate -- her beloved dog, Mylo, is safe and sound, a week after the terrified pup bolted during 4th of July fireworks.

The gold medal gymnast broke the good news Friday that 11-month-old Mylo, a rescue dog, had been found in the Boston area. She shared some smile-inducing pics of their reunion.

In her IG post, Aly thanked the "heroes" who helped get Mylo back to her safely.

She had revealed last Saturday that Mylo had gone missing, and asked her followers in the Boston area to be on the lookout.

She wrote, "Mylo was terrified of fireworks and ran off. He has a tag on and a leash. Please let me know if you see him. Thank you."

During the week, while still holding out hope Mylo was safe, Aly offered a reward for his return.

It's unclear if anyone's claimed the reward, or exactly where Mylo was found.

Nick Kyrgios -- one of the biggest stars in men's pro tennis -- is pulling out of the Olympics ... saying the big decision is, in part, due to Japan officials barring spectators from the event.

The 26-year-old Australian made the announcement Thursday evening ... just hours after Olympic officials said no fans would be allowed to watch the Games in-person this summer due to a spike in coronavirus cases in the area.

"It's a decision I didn't make lightly," Kyrgios said. "It's been my dream to represent Australia at the Olympics and I know I may never get that opportunity again."

"But I also know myself," Kyrgios added. "The thought of playing in front of empty stadiums just doesn't sit right with me. It never has."

Kyrgios -- who was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon earlier this month due to an abdominal injury -- also said his health played a role in his decision too.

"I also wouldn't want to take an opportunity away from a healthy Aussie athlete ready to represent the country," Kyrgios said.

"I will also take all the time I need to get my body right. Good luck to all the Aussies competing and I'll see you back on the court real soon."

Patrick Mahomes ain't pleased that USA Track & Field officials left Sha'Carri Richardson off the Olympic roster this week ... calling the snub "pretty ridiculous."

The NFL superstar explained his thoughts on the matter Thursday on "First Take" ... clearly believing USATF should've added Richardson to the team, despite her recent positive marijuana test.

"She put in the work," the Chiefs quarterback said. "Even though she made a mistake -- like we all make mistakes in whatever way that is -- but to give her an almost extra ban, to not let her be at the Olympics at all, it's pretty ridiculous to me."

As we previously reported, Richardson tested positive for pot after the Olympic Trials last month ... and was subsequently hit with a 1-month ban as punishment.

The penalty -- while wiping away her opportunity to race in the Tokyo Olympics' 100-meter sprint -- still was set to end in time for her to potentially run for USA in the 4x100-meter relay.

But, USATF officials announced Tuesday they were still leaving her off the team ... explaining, "All USATF athletes are equally aware of and must adhere to the current anti-doping code, and our credibility as the National Governing Body would be lost if rules were only enforced under certain circumstances."

Mahomes called B.S. on all on Thursday, though ... saying, "For her to be left off, after all the hard work and dedication that she's put into the sport, and for her to be one of those bright young stars for the USA, it's just disappointing."

There will be no fans allowed to watch Olympians perform in-person at the Games this summer ... spectators have now been banned from the Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19.

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga just declared a state of emergency in Tokyo ... after people in the heavily populated area have seen a spike in coronavirus cases.

Suga said Thursday the state of emergency -- and the heavy restrictions that come with it -- will be in place through Aug. 22.

The Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to Aug. 8.

"The number of infected cases in the area including Tokyo has been increasing since the end of last month," Suga said.

"The number of severe cases and bed occupancy rate continues to be on the low level, but considering the impact of variants, we need to enhance countermeasures so that the infection will not spread nationwide."

The Tokyo Olympics had already been postponed from 2020 to 2021.

Olympics officials apologized Thursday to those who had tickets to the event.

U.S. track star Sha'Carri Richardson is breaking her silence on being left off the Olympic team ... saying she's come to terms with the decision and is looking to move past the situation.

The 21-year-old -- who was a gold medal favorite to win the 100m race at the Tokyo Games before testing positive for marijuana -- had her Olympic dreams officially squashed Tuesday when U.S. Track and Field organizers elected to keep her off the 4x100 relay team ... despite her 30-day suspension set to end prior to the event.

TMZ Sports spoke with Richardson on Wednesday about getting snubbed ... and she explained she's not upset or pissed about how things transpired.

"Honestly, that news didn’t bother me because me and my team were realistic, so we kind of figured that they would say that in the first place," Richardson told us at LAX.

Richardson garnered support from celebs from Gabrielle Union, Patrick Mahomes and Cardi B over the past few days ... with others demanding an exception to be made to allow her to compete.

All things considered, Sha'Carri tells us she's doing "fine" and maintaining a positive outlook on the ordeal.

"I understand the situation that’s going on. So, I’m accepting of it, and I just know what I have to do moving forward in my career."

Richardson -- the fastest woman in America -- previously said she smoked weed to cope with the loss of her biological mother, which caused incredible amounts of stress as she prepared for the U.S. trials last month.

The USATF released a statement applauding Richardson's accountability ... but said it would be "detrimental to the integrity" of the team if the organization included her on the relay.

Kobe Bryant's legacy will live on at the Tokyo Olympics ... with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum honoring the late NBA Hall of Famer by wearing #10 for Team USA.

Of course, Kobe is one of the greatest players to suit up for the Red, White and Blue ... winning gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Games.

Tatum -- who Bryant mentored in the years prior to his tragic death -- is set to wear the same digits as his idol as the United States prepares to win its 4th-straight Olympics this month ... a tribute he holds close to his heart.

"With this being the first Olympics since we lost him, it holds that much more value," Tatum told the AP. "It’s not something I take lightly."

As it turns out, #10 is Tatum's favorite number ... and it all had to do with his obsession with being like the Black Mamba.

"I remember that first team when I was hoping, wishing, that I got #10," Tatum said. "Kobe, everyone knows that was my favorite player. I was 15 years old and got to wear the number of my favorite player. It just felt like I had some level of connection with him."

Sha'Carri Richardson's Olympic dreams are officially crushed following her failed drug test ... 'cause U.S. Track & Field officials left the fastest woman in America off the 4 x 100m squad.

... this despite the fact that her 30-day suspension will end BEFORE the relay race is scheduled to begin.

Of course, 21-year-old Richardson recently tested positive for marijuana after the Olympic Trials last month ... and accepted the 1-month ban.

Despite a ton of outrage (weed is still illegal?), USOC officials stood by the punishment.

But, not all hope was lost ... Sha'Carri was going to miss the 100-meter race, but still could've been included on the 4 x 100-meter relay team.

That is until today when track officials announced Richardson would be left off the team ... meaning she will NOT be running in a single race at the Tokyo games.

As for the test she flunked ... Richardson says she recently found out her biological mother died, and she used marijuana as a way to cope with the stress and pressure.

For what it's worth, use of recreational pot is legal in Oregon -- where the trials were run.

USATF released a statement on the decision Tuesday afternoon ... saying it's "incredibly sympathetic" towards Richardson's situation ... but it would be "detrimental to the integrity" of the organization to bend the rules a week before the Games.

"All USATF athletes are equally aware of and must adhere to the current anti-doping code, and our credibility as the National Governing Body would be lost if rules were only enforced under certain circumstances," the statement read.

USATF praised Richardson for owning up to her actions and agrees that the World Anti-Doping Agency's guidelines need a makeover ... but until then, athletes gotta play by the rules.

Sha'Carri Richardson has handled her disqualification from the Olympics with incredible grace, but she threw a little shade at people who came down on her.

Sha'Carri tweeted, "The support (heart emojis) my community I thank y’all, the negative forget y’all and enjoy the games because we all know it won’t be the same"

"I’m sorry, I can’t be y’all Olympic Champ this year but I promise I’ll be your World Champ next year" And now the shade -- "All these perfect people that know how to live life, I'm glad I'm not one of them!"

As you know, Sha'Carri came in first in the 100-meter race at the U.S. Track and Field Trials but was later disqualified after testing positive for weed. She was honest ... she indulged after learning her biological mother had died, and she didn't make excuses.

President Biden drew a hard line, saying, "rules are rules." But Seth Rogen, who founded the hugely popular House Plant weed brand, had harsher words, "The notion that weed is a problematic “drug” is rooted in racism. It’s insane that Team USA would disqualify one of this country’s most talented athletes over thinking that’s rooted in hatred. It’s something they should be ashamed of. Also if weed made you fast, I’d be FloJo."

Sha'Carri appeared on "Today" Friday, saying, "I want to take responsibility for my actions, I know what I did. I know what I'm supposed to do, [what] I'm allowed not to do and I still made that decision."

It's really a shame. Richardson was a favorite to snag gold in Tokyo, and it would have been the first such medal for the U.S. since 1996.

President Biden has weighed in on Sha'Carri Richardson's suspension from competing in the Olympics -- and he dished out a tough love response ... basically saying, she knew better.

JB was down in Michigan Saturday for an event ahead of 4th of July ... and he was asked by CBS WH reporter Bo Erickson if he thought Richardson facing a one-month ban from competition due to a positive THC test was fair ... and Biden essentially said, sadly yes.

You can watch the clip yourself to see how he put it in his own words -- but the Prez didn't make any bones about it ... telling the press that everyone knows the rules going in, so it kinda is what it is on the punishment end. He did leave room for debate, however.

Check it out ... Joe says whether the weed rule should stay intact or not is an entirely different discussion -- but under the current guidelines, he suggests the punishment fits the crime. With that said, he did give Richardson props ... saying he was proud at how she responded.

Sha'Carri did an interview shortly after the news broke that she'd been temporarily DQ'd ... telling Savannah Guthrie she ingested marijuana recently, this after learning her biological mother had died and learning about it at a presser. Sha'Carri owned up to the mistake with her chin high -- but also seemed to indicate that the so-called "rules" were draconian.

An Australian reporter made unfounded claims of doping/steroid use against U.S. sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson and the late Flo Jo ... all because they used acrylic nails.

Claire Lehmann -- founder of Quillette, and contributor to the Australian -- stirred the pot late Friday with a few controversial tweets ... the first of which was aimed at Richardson, whom she suggested was using PEDs because of what she perceived as "strong nails & hair."

She wrote, "Not sure whether the nails are real or fake, but in case you didn’t know very strong nails & hair can be a side effect of steroid use." Lehmann also attached a photo of Richardson -- who was just suspended from competing for a month after a positive THC test.

What people quickly pointed out was ... Richardson uses wigs, and her nails are fake -- so Lehmann's speculation was completely unfounded, and frankly ... downright ignorant.

She wasn't done yet, though -- the journo continued her meritless attacks, only this time ... she went after the late Olympic legend, Florence Griffith Joyner. Lehmann alleged that Flo Jo, too, was doping during her historic record-breaking run in the '80s -- again citing the acrylic nail factor (which was again steeped in error). However, CL went further ... roping in Flo Jo's death, falsely attributing it to drug use, despite the facts clearly disputing that.

Lehmann wrote, "Flo Jo, obvious drug user, had the nails. She died in her sleep at age 38 because that’s what a lifetime of drug use does to the body (and why it’s supposed to be banned from elite sports)."

Several people were quick to point out that -- based on Flo Jo's own autopsy from 1998 -- her cause of death was officially attributed to suffocation due to an epileptic seizure ... which ended up being tied to a congenital brain abnormality that made her prone to seizures.

Also, important to note ... Flo Jo never produced a positive drug test.

Despite the facts flying in her face ... Lehmann hasn't taken down the tweets, and is currently experiencing the wrath of Twitter, with multiple users accusing her of racism ... not to mention defamation on behalf of Flo Jo and Richardson. Even Cardi B has weighed in.

The Federation for International Competitions in Water Sports has turned thumbs down on a swim cap that swimmers with Afro or natural hair could use to compete in the games.

Soul Cap, a Black-owned company that manufacturers swimming caps, created the headgear but the Federation ruled, to its "best knowledge, the athletes competing at the International events never used, neither require to use caps of such size and configuration," adding the caps deviate from "the nature form of the head."

The Federations decisions are followed by the International Olympic Committee.

Soul Cap shot back, "We hoped to further our work for diversity in swimming by having our swim caps certified for competition, so swimmers at any level don't have to choose between the sport they love and their hair."

Track star Sha'Carri Richardson took responsibility for taking to weed which is a violation of Olympic rules, but goes on to say she did it after suffering emotional trauma.

Sha'Carri appeared on "Today" Friday and said squarely, "I want to take responsibility for my actions, I know what I did. I know what I'm supposed to do, [what] I'm allowed not to do and I still made that decision."

She then asked for a little understanding ..."Don't judge me because I am human."

Richardson came in first in the 100-meter race last month at the U.S. Track and Field Trials, but she later tested positive for marijuana and was stripped of her win and it's now unclear if she'll be barred from participating in the Tokyo Olympics.  She was a favorite to win, which would be the first U.S. gold medal for the event since 1996.

As for why she crossed the line and used weed, she explained the day she did a reporter came up just before the trials and told her her mom had died.

A reporter had told her her biological mother had died right before the trials.

WNBA superstar Angel McCoughtry is pleading with Olympic officials to ease their restrictions on political protests at this summer's event ... explaining to TMZ Sports she wants to see Gwen Berry's demonstrations continue.

We got the Las Vegas Aces wing -- who's a two-time Olympic gold medalist herself -- out at LAX this week ... and she made it clear she likes what Berry did during the national anthem last weekend.

The 34-year-old hooper said there's clearly still racism and social injustice in America ... and when Berry turned her back on the flag during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" to shed light on that, she had no problem with it.

In fact, McCoughtry tells us she's hoping to see more of it when Berry -- a hammer thrower -- arrives in Tokyo later this month ... despite Olympic officials forbidding protests from the field of play, during official ceremonies and at the podiums.

"I think that there shouldn't be penalties," McCoughtry says, adding, "there shouldn't be a penalty for standing up for what's right."

"If someone wants to protest for what's right in our country, there should be no penalties for that."

McCoughtry says as long as Berry doesn't lose a medal for protests ... she's urging her to continue the demonstrations going forward.

Caitlyn Jenner -- one of the greatest U.S. Olympians EVER -- is furious with Gwen Berry for her anthem protest ... calling the hammer thrower's actions straight-up "disgusting."

The reality TV star broke it all down to Eric Bolling on Newsmax TV on Wednesday ... explaining she could not believe Berry turned her back on "The Star Spangled Banner" after finishing in 3rd place at last weekend's 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials in Eugene, OR.

"Honestly," Jenner said, "it's disgusting."

Berry -- a very vocal athlete in the fight for social justice in America -- was so pissed when the anthem played at her podium ceremony ... she did everything she could to express her dismay with the song.

The 31-year-old turned away from the flag, held up a T-shirt that read "Activist Athlete" ... and said afterward she thought officials were setting her up just to see how she'd react.

Jenner -- who's now gunning to be California's next governor -- says the whole scene was B.S. ... explaining she believes Berry should've acted differently.

"I don't like political statements on the podium," Jenner said. "We shouldn't do that. This is the greatest gathering of people and countries in the world."

"Over 200 countries will be at the Olympic Games -- there's 150-something countries in the U.N. and it has such potential for good. Don't destroy it."

Jenner went on to say she doesn't believe Berry will have the opportunity to have similar protests at the Olympics later this summer ... saying she believes Berry just isn't that good of an athlete.

"To be honest with you, we don't have a worry in the world that she'll be on the podium there, because she got third there," Jenner said.

"The other two girls ahead of her are so much better, and there's other ones around the world in the hammer throw. So I think that was kind of her last hurrah."

Congressman Madison Cawthorn is LIVID over Gwen Berry's anthem protest ... calling it "disgusting" and telling TMZ Sports the hammer thrower should be booted from the country's Olympic team over it all.

The North Carolina rep didn't mince words when we got him out on Capitol Hill on Monday ... ripping Berry for her demonstration during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Saturday's 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials in Eugene, OR.

"It's laughable!" the 25-year-old politician said. "I mean, literally, it's just the easiest thing to do! Literally the bare minimum requirement that you have to do to be on the Olympic team besides be an incredible athlete is just respect and rep the country you are there for."

"And, so, when I see someone who is not respecting our national anthem, who's destroying our entire country -- the entire reason we fund the Olympic program is so that we can be represented on the world stage with how great our nation is -- so, I think it's disgusting."

If you missed it, Berry -- who's been incredibly vocal in the fight for social justice in America -- was furious when the anthem played during her podium appearance after placing in third place on Saturday.

She turned her back toward the flag ... and eventually held up a t-shirt that read "activist athlete."

Afterward, Berry said of the song, "The anthem doesn't speak for me. It never has.''

Cawthorn made it clear Monday he believes she shouldn't be allowed to rep the U.S. during the Tokyo Olympics with that opinion, saying, "I don't think she should be on the team."

"If you're not going to represent and respect our country, then I don't think you should be there."

Cawthorn added, "She is there to be our champion yet she's disgracing our entire country."