Olympics

Judo champion and Olympian Maricet Espinoa Gonzalez has tragically died after apparently suffering a heart attack ... just days after she reportedly went under the knife.

Gonzalez was a 2x Pan American Judo champion, winning gold in 2013 and 2014. She also competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

The Cuban Sports University broke the news, announcing "La Mole" passed away this week.

"With great pain, the university community of Cuban sport receives the news of the passing of the outstanding Cuban judoka Maricet Espinosa González," the university said on Facebook.

"On behalf of our teachers, workers, and students we extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues."

She reportedly had surgery on January 21 ... but it's unclear if the operation played a role in her death.

Maricet competed in some of the biggest tourneys in the world ... and proudly represented her country of Cuba in 2016. She won her first match in Brazil before losing to Phupu Lhamu Khatri.

She also competed against several famous judokas including Telma Monteiro, Gevrise Emane, and Ketleyn Quadros.

Her shocking death comes just a week after another Olympian tragically passed away ... Shawn Barber, a Canadian pole vaulter champ, died from medical complications at just 29.

La campeona de judo y deportista olímpica Maricet Espinosa González ha muerto trágicamente después de sufrir aparentemente un ataque al corazón. Esto, solo unos días después de que, al parecer, se sometiera al bisturí.

González fue 2 veces campeona panamericana de judo. Ganó el oro en 2013 y 2014 y también compitió en los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 2016 en Río.

La Universidad Deportiva de Cuba dio la noticia, anunciando que "La Mole" falleció esta semana.

"Con gran dolor, la comunidad universitaria del deporte cubano recibe la noticia del fallecimiento de la destacada judoca cubana Maricet Espinosa González", dijo la universidad en Facebook.

"En nombre de nuestros profesores, trabajadores y estudiantes llegue a sus familiares, amigos y compañeros nuestro más sentido pésame".

Según los informes, fue operada el 21 de enero, pero no está claro si la operación jugó un papel en su muerte.

Maricet compitió en algunos de los torneos más grandes del mundo y representó con orgullo a su país Cuba en 2016. Su primer combate lo ganó en Brasil antes de perder contra Phupu Lhamu Khatri.

También compitió contra varias judocas famosas como Telma Monteiro, Gevrise Emane y Ketleyn Quadros.

Su impactante muerte se produce apenas una semana después de que otro atleta olímpico falleciera trágicamente, Shawn Barber, campeón canadiense de salto con pértiga, quien murió de complicaciones médicas con tan solo 29 años.

Gymnastics superstar Sunisa Lee is clearly ready for the 2024 Olympics -- the Team USA hero just shared footage of her performing the insanely difficult full-twisting Jaeger during training ... a move that hasn't ever been done in competition!!

20-year-old Lee posted the jaw-dropping clips to her 1.6 million Instagram followers on Tuesday ... showing her executing the skill over the course of recent practices.

Lee -- who won the bronze medal in the uneven bars event at the 2020 Olympics -- had her fans going wild in the comment section ... with fellow gymnasts like Livvy Dunne, Nastia Liukin and Katelyn Ohashi giving high praise for making the challenging stunt look easy.

Olympic silver medalist MyKayla Skinner was also in awe ... saying, "Are u even real!!! Amazing!!!🙌🏼🙌🏼."

According to Olympics.com, the move has never been performed before ... and if Suni can complete the stunt at a major international competition, like the Paris Olympics, it will be known as "The Lee."

It's great to see Lee get back to her regular self ... as we previously reported, she opened up last year about her kidney issues, which led her to gain 45 pounds due to the condition.

La superestrella de la gimnasia Sunisa Lee está claramente preparada para los Juegos Olímpicos de 2024. La heroína del equipo de Estados Unidos acaba de compartir imágenes suyas realizando el increíblemente difícil giro Jaeger completo durante el entrenamiento, ¡¡un movimiento que nunca se ha hecho en una competencia!!

Lee, de 20 años, publicó los asombrosos clips con sus 1,6 millones de seguidores en Instagram el martes, mostrando su ejecución en sus prácticas recientes.

Lee, quien ganó la medalla de bronce en las barras asimétricas en los Juegos Olímpicos de 2020, tenía locos a sus fans en los comentarios. Algunas compañeras gimnastas como Livvy Dunne, Nastia Liukin y Katelyn Ohashi le escribieron grandes elogios por hacer que el osado movimiento parezca sencillo.

La medallista de plata olímpica MyKayla Skinner también compartió su asombro, diciendo: "¡¿Eres siquiera real?! ¡Increíble! 🙌🏼🙌🏼".

Según Olympics.com, el movimiento nunca se ha realizado antes y si Suni puede completar la ejecución en una competencia internacional importante, como los Juegos Olímpicos de París, será conocido como "The Lee".

Es genial ver a Lee volver a su regularidad, como informamos anteriormente, ella se abrió el año pasado acerca de sus problemas renales, lo que la llevó a ganar 45 libras debido a ello.

Michael Phelps and his wife, Nicole Johnson, are popping out babies like PEZ ... 'cause they just had number 4!

The Olympic swimming legend announced the exciting news with Johnson on Instagram Monday, while posting a photo of them cradling their little cutey swaddled in a blanket. They named their week-old son Nico Michael Phelps, who already has a full head of black hair just like his gold medalist dad!

In the caption, the happy couple wrote, "@mrs.nicolephelps and I wanna welcome Nico Michael Phelps to the world. Born on 1/16."

They continued, "We're so blessed to be given a 4th child. We're now a family of 6!"

Last October, the pair revealed their clan was going to grow by one in another Instagram post, but Nico waited until recently to make his big debut.

Phelps and Johnson have three other sons: Boomer, 7, Beckett, 5, and Maverick, 4. With Nico now in the mix, Michael certainly has his hands full teaching his boys how to become Olympic champions.

Tristan Thompson has a new job outside of the NBA -- the Cleveland Cavaliers player has been named the newest Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics!!!

The 2016 NBA champion and Special Olympics International announced the news on Tuesday ... with Thompson saying he's "excited and honored" to partner with the sports organization that provides competitions for five million athletes (kids and adults) with disabilities.

"This is a great opportunity to support an amazing organization, but also use my platform and voice to help support athletes with intellectual disabilities," Thompson said.

"As a Global Ambassador, I will help inspire others to be more inclusive and take action to help change the stereotypes that exist for people with disabilities."

Thompson -- who is in his second stint with Cleveland -- will help promote the organization ... as well as work with local and global entities through activations by the Special Olympics.

In fact, the Cavs are hosting 40 athletes from Special Olympics France for a basketball clinic while they're in Paris for their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

Thompson will join a list of several NBA/WNBA players who are also Global Ambassadors for the Special Olympics ... including Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker and Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics.

"Special Olympics is honored to name Tristan Thompson as our newest Global Ambassador," CEO Mary Davis said. "Tristan demonstrates passion and dedication to creating a more inclusive world where exclusion has no place, and everybody belongs and is respected."

"We join Tristan in his commitment to elevating inclusion in communities around the world and look forward to working with him to positively change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities."

Of course, Thompson working with the Special Olympics hits close to home ... his younger brother, Amari, was born with disabilities.

Tristan Thompson tiene un nuevo trabajo fuera de la NBA, ¡¡¡el jugador de los Cleveland Cavaliers ha sido nombrado como nuevo Embajador Global de las Olimpiadas Especiales!!!

El campeón de la NBA en 2016 y Special Olympics International anunciaron la noticia el martes. Thompson dijo que estaba "emocionado y honrado" de asociarse con la institución, que organiza competencias para 5 millones de atletas (niños y adultos) con discapacidades.

"Esta es una gran oportunidad para apoyar a una organización increíble, pero también para utilizar mi plataforma y mi voz para apoyar a los atletas con discapacidad intelectual", dijo Thompson.

"Como Embajador Mundial, ayudaré a inspirar a otros a ser más inclusivos y a tomar medidas para ayudar a cambiar los estereotipos que existen sobre las personas con discapacidad".

Thompson, que está en su segunda etapa con los Cleveland, ayudará a promover la organización y trabajará con entidades locales y globales a través de activaciones de las Olimpiadas Especiales.

De hecho, los Cavs están recibiendo 40 atletas de Special Olympics Francia para una clínica de baloncesto mientras están en París para su partido contra los Brooklyn Nets el jueves.

Thompson se unirá a una lista de varios jugadores de la NBA/ WNBA que también son Embajadores Globales de las Olimpiadas Especiales, incluyendo estrellas de los Phoenix Suns como Devin Booker y Elena Delle Donne de los Washington Mystics.

"Para Special Olympics es un honor nombrar a Tristan Thompson como nuestro nuevo Embajador Mundial", declaró Mary Davis, directora ejecutiva de la organización. "Tristan demuestra pasión y dedicación para crear un mundo más inclusivo, donde la exclusión no tenga cabida y todo el mundo pertenezca y sea respetado".

"Nos unimos a Tristan en su compromiso por elevar la inclusión en las comunidades de todo el mundo y esperamos trabajar con él para cambiar positivamente la vida de las personas con discapacidad intelectual".

Por supuesto, que Thompson trabaje en los Juegos Olímpicos Especiales le afecta de cerca, pues su hermano menor Amari nació con discapacidad.

Mary Lou Retton is doing her first interview since being released from the hospital last year amid a scary battle with pneumonia -- and now, we're learning it was nearly deadly.

The ex-Olympic champion is set to do a sit-down with Hoda Kotb of "Today" this week, and a teaser clip was released ... which features the images of her we've seen publicly for a long while, and it's somewhat startling to see that she has breathing tubes hooked up to her.

Hoda notes that MLR is still on oxygen, which Mary confirms ... only to then discuss how awkward and difficult it is for her to discuss her health scare in the public eye like this.

She then makes another revelation ... saying she's grateful to be here, 'cause for a while during her hospitalization -- Mary didn't think she'd make it. As she notes here, they were on the cusp of placing her on life support, confirming the seriousness of her condition.

Her family members had been telegraphing this to us at the time ... discussing setbacks during her recuperation, and how scared her loved ones were for her, asking for prayers. Remember, Mary Lou had contracted a rare form of pneumonia -- which took its toll.

Thankfully, Mary Lou was able to fight back to good enough health to be released -- and now, it looks like she continues to be on the mend as she gets to 100% again at home.

A swimmer who won gold during the 1972 Olympics shortly after suffering from a collapsed lung has his collection of medals going up for auction.

Steve Genter's set of gold, silver, and bronze medals from the '72 Summer Games in Munich are estimated to go for more than $50K during RR Auction's Olympic-themed auction.

The American athlete risked his life to compete in the games ... after undergoing minor surgery for a partly collapsed lung just one week before competing -- which was said to have been brought on by a persistent cough from bronchitis and altitude changes during the cramped plane ride to Munich.

Steve went on to win the gold medal in the 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, silver in the 200-meter freestyle, and bronze in the 400-meter freestyle.

Steven Genter told the auction house...  "For most of my life, the medals represented a defining moment in time. Each medal is uniquely intertwined with the Olympic experience, making those memories lifelong. I get goosebumps every time I recall those moments."

Steve gifted the medals to help someone whom he cares deeply about, who wished to remain anonymous. This person will pocket the proceeds. The winning bidder will also get a one-on-one call with Steve.

Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at the auction house, gushed of the extraordinary narrative behind the medals ... saying they didn't just symbolize winning ... but the character and heart that defines a true champion.

Un nadador que ganó el oro durante los Juegos Olímpicos de 1972 poco después de sufrir un colapso pulmonar puso su colección de medallas a subasta.

Se estima que el conjunto de medallas de oro, plata y bronce de Steve Genter correspondientes a los Juegos Olímpicos de 1972 en Múnich superará los 50.000 dólares en la subasta de RR Auction, con la temática olímpica.

El atleta estadounidense arriesgó su vida al competir en los juegos solo una semana después de someterse a una cirugía menor por un pulmón parcialmente colapsado. Se dijo que tenía una tos persistente por la bronquitis y los cambios de altitud durante el viaje en avión a Munich.

Steve ganó la medalla de oro en el relevo de 4 x 200 metros estilo libre, la de plata en 200 metros estilo libre y la de bronce en 400 metros estilo libre.

Steven Genter le dijo a la casa de subastas: "Durante la mayor parte de mi vida, las medallas representaron un momento decisivo en el tiempo. Cada medalla está entrelazada de forma única con la experiencia olímpica, haciendo que esos recuerdos sean para toda la vida. Se me pone la piel de gallina cada vez que recuerdo esos momentos".

Steve donó las medallas para ayudar a una persona que aprecia profundamente y que desea mantener en el anonimato. Esta se embolsará la recaudación. El ganador de la puja también tendrá una entrevista personal con Steve.

Bobby Livingston, vicepresidente ejecutivo de la casa de subastas, se deshizo en elogios hacia la extraordinaria narrativa que hay detrás de las medallas, afirmando que no solo simbolizan la victoria, sino que el carácter y el corazón que definen a un verdadero campeón.

Oscar Pistorius just caught a break, getting paroled from a South African lockup after serving more than half of his 13-year sentence for murdering his girlfriend.

The former Olympian -- who competed with his lower legs amputated -- returned home Friday after being whisked out of Atteridgeville Prison in the South African capital of Pretoria, according to a statement by the country's Department of Correctional Services.

Following his 9 years of incarceration, Pistorius will now be on parole for 5 years, staying most likely at his uncle's mansion with armed security and guard dogs. The conditions of his parole were not disclosed, except he is not allowed to speak with the media.

As you may recall, Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in his Pretoria home on February 14, 2013, pumping four bullets into her through a locked bathroom door.

Pistorius claimed self-defense, believing she was a burglar who broke into his house.

Prosecutors didn't buy it, accusing Pistorius of killing Steenkamp in anger during a Valentine's Day fight and charging him with murder and a firearms offense.

At his 2014 trial, a judge convicted Pistorius of the lesser charge of manslaughter, sentencing him to 5 years in prison.

But, prosecutors won their appeal to a higher court, which tossed Pistorius' original conviction, upgrading the charge to murder with a six-year prison term.

Even that was not enough for prosecutors, who appealed again, arguing the sentence was too lenient. South Africa's Court of Appeal agreed, handing Pistorius a 13-year sentence.

In March 2023, Pistorius became eligible for parole under a South African law that affords prisoners the opportunity to serve half their sentences if they have shown good behavior and fulfilled other requirements behind bars.

Oscar Pistorius acaba de salir en libertad condicional de una cárcel en Sudáfrica después de cumplir más de la mitad de su condena de 13 años por el asesinato de su novia.

El ex atleta olímpico, que compitió con parte de sus piernas amputadas, regresó a casa el viernes después de ser liberado de la prisión de Atteridgeville en la capital sudafricana de Pretoria, según un comunicado del Departamento de Servicios Correccionales del país.

Tras 9 años de encarcelamiento, Pistorius estará en libertad condicional durante 5 años, probablemente en la lujosa mansión de su tío, con seguridad armada y perros guardianes. No se han revelado las condiciones de su libertad condicional, excepto que no se le permite hablar con los medios de comunicación.

Como recordarán, Pistorius le disparó cuatro balas a su novia, Reeva Steenkamp, en su casa en Pretoria el 14 de febrero de 2013, a través de la puerta cerrada del baño.

Pistorius alegó defensa propia, tras creer que era una ladrona que había entrado a su casa.

La fiscalía no se lo creyó, acusó a Pistorius de matar a Steenkamp por ira durante una pelea el día de San Valentín y lo acusó de asesinato y de un delito con arma de fuego.

En su juicio de 2014, un juez condenó a Pistorius por el cargo menor de homicidio involuntario, sentenciándolo a 5 años de prisión.

Sin embargo, los fiscales ganaron su apelación ante un tribunal superior, que anuló la condena original de Pistorius, elevando el cargo a asesinato con una pena de seis años.

Ni siquiera eso fue suficiente para los fiscales, que apelaron de nuevo, argumentando que la sentencia era demasiado indulgente. El Tribunal de Apelación de Sudáfrica les dio la razón y condenó a Pistorius a 13 años de prisión.

En marzo de 2023, Pistorius podrá optar a la libertad condicional en virtud de una ley del país que ofrece a los presos la oportunidad de cumplir la mitad de sus condenas si han mostrado buena conducta y cumplido otros requisitos entre rejas.

Simone Biles' fans are going after her hubby, Jonathan Owens ... relentlessly trolling him on Instagram after the NFL player controversially said he was the "catch" in their relationship.

The Green Bay Packers safety made the remarks on "The Pivot" podcast last week -- saying he didn't know who Biles was when he first met her ... while going on to call himself the real prize in the couple.

The comments were met with outrage -- because, after all, Biles is one of the greatest female competitors to ever walk the Earth -- and her fans are still clearly pissed over them ... with many taking to his social media page recently to throw barbs.

"Merry Christmas to Mr. & Mrs. Simone Biles❤️," one commenter wrote on Owens' Christmas Day post.

"I don’t even know his name," another fan said. "I just know him as Simone Biles's husband."

Others took shots at Owens' bank account ... writing, "Girl have him sign a prenup."

The couple, however, seems unbothered by the backlash -- in fact, Biles actually rushed to his defense days ago, supporting Owens in an IG post.

Ryan Clark is weighing into all the discourse that's gone on since Jonathan Owens said he was a catch for Simone Biles -- not the other way around -- by saying ... ease up, folks.

The ex-Steelers safety recorded a video addressing the backlash Owens is facing in the wake of an interview he did on RC's pod last week ... in which he described how he first met Simone, how they got together, and who he thought was the lucky one in the relationship.

It came off a little ineloquent at the time, but essentially ... he said he thought he was a catch for Simone -- and that he didn't necessarily "pull" her, but rather ... she pulled him.

JO also confessed he didn't know who Simone was when they matched on an app -- apparently, he wasn't tuned in to her Olympic run -- and says she made the first move.

BTW, as Owens was saying this to Clark and his podcast cohosts -- SB herself was in the room, and she didn't even flinch. The Internet, on the other hand, was up in arms over his comments ... as they felt he was being disrespectful for suggesting he was the prize here.

Simone and Jonathan have each addressed the heat he's catching ... and they both seem to be over it, and not nearly as mad as Twitter was when they first caught wind of this.

Now, Ryan himself is speaking up ... and he's got words for the collectively outraged.

Jake Paul is using his massive social media presence to give exposure to some rising stars in boxing ... joining forces with Team USA to help promote fighters ahead of the Olympics.

The Problem Child -- who has millions of followers and subscribers on the internet -- will spend time at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado as well as the Paris Games in 2024 through the partnership ... documenting their journey on his accounts.

Jake has already been spending time with Olympian boxers like Joshua Edwards and Morelle McCane, who recently attended his first-round K.O. victory over Andre August this past weekend.

The 26-year-old spoke about the decision to work with Team USA ... telling TMZ Sports, "It has always been my goal to shine a spotlight not just on boxing as a sport, but on the people who work so hard to be the best within it."

"The mindset of pursuing greatness is one I both see and personally share with Mo McCane, Joshua Edwards, and the rest of Team USA's boxing talent. The Olympics are the greatest stage in the world, and I'm honored to help bring awareness to USA Boxing and mentor these young, inspiring athletes as they fight for gold. Anyone who works hard enough to receive the honor to represent Team USA at the Olympics deserves a platform, so I'm looking forward to getting down to business in Colorado Springs with Coach [Billy] Walsh and the rest of Team USA."

Of course, USA Boxing has been home to some massive names in the sport ... including Oscar De La Hoya, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Evander Holyfield.

It sounds like Naomi Osaka and Cordae have the whole parenthood thing figured out ... 'cause the tennis star says the two have made it easy by building "a really good foundation" for their baby girl.

Osaka and the "Gifted" rapper welcomed their daughter, Shai, in July ... and have been so private about raising their daughter, they don't even share photos of her on social media.

The 4-time Grand Slam singles champ briefly gave some inside info on her new role as a mother five months after giving birth ... and revealed Cordae -- who she started dating in 2019 -- is making parenting easy.

"We built a really good foundation," Osaka told InStyle this week. "I don't know if it's because he's just an easygoing guy, but I think we just respect each other's opinions. And if we disagree on something, we talk it out."

"At the end of the day, we both want what's best for Shai."

Osaka also said her pregnancy wasn't the smoothest journey -- the 26-year-old tested positive for a bacterial infection Group B streptococcus, which affects millions of expecting mothers every year.

The infection can lead to sepsis, meningitis, or stillbirth for babies ... and it made Osaka very anxious.

The death of Olympic track and field champ Tori Bowie, who was found dead as a result of childbirth complications about two months before Osaka's delivery date, had her scared as well.

"I was kind of starting to freak out a little bit," Osaka admitted. "There were so many things I wasn't aware of."

But, everything is going well now ... as Shai is a healthy baby girl, Cordae is being a great father, and Osaka -- who started back training in October -- is looking forward to the next Wimbledon and French Open.