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  • What did Denzel Aberdeen’s Florida teammates think of his transfer to Kentucy

    What did Denzel Aberdeen’s Florida teammates think of his transfer to Kentucy

    Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope talks about his roster during a press conference on May 13, 2025, in Lexington. By UK AthleticsAs he was contemplating his own basketball future — the decision of whether to stay in the NBA draft or return to Florida — Alex Condon was hit with some surprising news.

    Denzel Aberdeen, his Gators teammate for the past two seasons, was not only departing the program that had just won the national championship, but he was leaving it to go play for a league rival — the Kentucky Wildcats.

    “It was pretty surprising,” Condon told the Herald-Leader from the NBA Combine in Chicago. “I thought it was pretty much a lock for him to come back and be our starting point guard next year. But, you know, all things happen for a reason. But I wish Denzel the best. He’s one of my brothers. We won the national championship together, so it’s been pretty special. And I just wish him the best.”

    Former Kentucky player Koby Brea was also surprised by the acquisition.

    It didn’t catch Brea off guard that coach Mark Pope would want Aberdeen on his 2025-26 roster, but to actually be able to pick up such a valuable player from the defending national champions was quite the stunner.

    “I was a little shocked,” Brea said. “But I know that Coach liked him a lot as a player, because even when we played against Florida, he spoke very highly about everything he did. So we got to see that he was a really good player. And now to see him go to Kentucky, I think it’s pretty big.”

    Aberdeen, who played three years at Florida — all under head coach Todd Golden — averaged 7.7 points in 19.7 minutes per game this past season. He played at least 14 minutes in each of the Gators’ six NCAA Tournament games — scoring seven points in 18 minutes in the national title game victory against Houston — and filled in all around the perimeter as a junior, chipping in as a backup point guard at times.

    Like Condon said, he was expected to play an even bigger role during the 2025-26 season, likely stepping into a starting spot for a team with realistic hopes of returning to the Final Four.

    Instead, he decided to spend his final year of college basketball playing for an SEC rival.

    Not everyone was surprised by Aberdeen’s unorthodox move.

    While records related to name, image and likeness compensation are not publicly available, it’s known in college basketball circles that Aberdeen entered the transfer portal in search of better NIL possibilities than he was set to receive at Florida next season.

    Kentucky, obviously, was able to lock down his commitment.

    “I really wasn’t surprised. I mean, honestly, the way college basketball is going, everybody is their own CEO,” said Florida guard Alijah Martin, who is out of college eligibility. “And it’s a business. So you got to do what’s best for you sometimes. I’m not really surprised, but I respect his decision, for sure.”

    Walter Clayton Jr., the Gators’ Final Four MVP and another player who’s finished with college basketball, struck a similar tone.

    “I wouldn’t say surprised,” he said of Aberdeen’s decision. “Obviously, Zell is a great kid. That’s my brother. You know, we’ve been at war together. Zell is a great guy, and he made the best decision for himself.”

    Denzel Aberdeen won a national title with the Florida Gators last season, and he’ll finish his career with the Kentucky Wildcats.

    All three Gators raved about their time spent alongside Aberdeen, who is expected to play a major role in Kentucky’s backcourt, which projects to be among the nation’s best next season.

    “He’s an unbelievable teammate, man,” Martin said. “He’s a very selfless guy. He’s a worker. And he loves to be coached. So Denzel is going to be really good for Kentucky, for sure.”

    While Aberdeen was largely a bench player during his time in Gainesville, he did get the opportunity to start five consecutive SEC games late in the season. During that stretch, he averaged 14.4 points in 29.8 minutes per game, shooting 12-for-29 (41.4%) on 3-pointers.

    Florida went 5-0 with Aberdeen in the starting lineup, with an average winning margin of 15.2 points during that span, which included a 90-81 win at No. 1-ranked Auburn.

    “I think he’s gonna be a killer,” Condon said. “I mean, he works really hard. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as Denzel does. He had three years at Florida, and this season, he kind of put some stuff together — he started a few games — and started playing really well.

    “But there’s a lot of guys, and he’s gonna have to prove himself with Kentucky, too.”

    Clayton, who’s projected as a first-round pick in this year’s NBA draft, said he’s hoping the 2025-26 schedules align so he can catch his former teammate in person at his new school. Just don’t expect the Gator great to be wearing blue and white.

    “I expect a great season,” Clayton said. “I’m hoping to make it to one of the games. He says he’s got a ticket ready for me. I’ll be wearing a Gators Denzel jersey.”

    Would he be brave enough to wear that jersey in Rupp Arena?

    “Wherever,” Clayton declared with a smile. “Wherever it is.”

  • No, the World Hasn’t Caught Up to Jamaica — We’ve Simply Fallen Back

     

    There’s a narrative circulating in global athletics that “the world has caught up to Jamaica.” It’s the kind of lazy commentary that follows when medals dry up and dynasties look like they’re ending. But let’s be honest: the world hasn’t caught up. Jamaica has simply fallen back.

     

    For nearly two decades, Jamaica reigned as the sprint capital of the world, producing an assembly line of once-in-a-lifetime athletes who not only won but redefined what greatness looked like. That dominance wasn’t a fluke—it was forged in Melbourne in 2006, where the island won 10 gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. Asafa Powell, Omar Brown, Maurice Wignall, Sherone Simpson, Sherri-Ann Brooks, Brigette Foster, Trecia-Kay Smith—the names read like the cast of a blockbuster. Jamaica swept sprints and relays and laid the groundwork for a golden era.

     

    By 2008 in Beijing, that groundwork became a full-blown sprint revolution. Usain Bolt electrified the world with his jaw-dropping world records in the 100m and 200m, capped off with a 4x100m relay gold. Shelly-Ann Fraser—then a virtual unknown—claimed gold in the women’s 100m, leading a Jamaican 1-2-2 finish. Veronica Campbell-Brown defended her 200m title. Melaine Walker claimed the 400m hurdles. The sprints belonged to Jamaica.

     

     

    From there, it was a decade of unprecedented dominance. Bolt would go on to become the fastest man in history with his 9.58 over 100m and 19.19 in the 200m. And let’s not forget: Yohan Blake ran 9.69 and 19.26, making him the second-fastest man of all time in both events. Asafa Powell’s 9.72 once sat third on the all-time list. And the men’s 4x100m relay team set a world record of 36.84 seconds in London in 2012—a mark that 13 years later, still hasn’t been approached, let alone broken.

     

    But flash forward to 2025 and things look markedly different. Jamaica’s performance at the Paris Olympics in 2024 was sobering: one gold medal—earned not on the track, but in the men’s discus by Roje Stona. It was the first time in nearly two decades that Jamaica walked away from a global championship without a sprint title. For a country built on speed, that hurt.

     

     

    Then came the World Relays. Once a playground for Jamaican baton dominance, the team managed to qualify just one relay—the women’s 4x100m—for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year. One. That’s a far cry from the days when Jamaica could pencil in medals from the 4x100m and 4x400m relays before the gun went off.

     

    And yet, we’re told that “the world has caught up.”

     

    But has it? Are we seeing athletes running 9.6s or 9.5s like Bolt? 9.7s like Powell? Or 19.2s like Blake? Not even close. Outside of Sha’Carri Richardson, the women’s sprint scene isn’t teeming with 10.6s or 10.7s like Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah were producing routinely. If anything, the world hasn’t sped up—it’s that Jamaica isn’t sprinting away from the competition anymore.

     

    That’s the key distinction. It’s not that the global standard has surged forward. It’s that Jamaica has, for the time being, slipped back into the pack.

     

     

    Of course, there is talent—lots of it. Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville, Ackeem Blake. But while they flash brilliance, they have yet to convert it into consistent dominance. Injuries, inconsistency, or just inexperience have kept them from replicating the runaway success of the Bolt-Blake-Powell era. On the women’s side, Brianna Lyston’s potential has been blunted by recurring hamstring issues. The Clayton twins, Alana Reid, Krystal Sloley—promising, yes, but not yet producing global medals or world-leading times.

     

    The problem isn’t a lack of talent. The conveyor belt is still turning. What’s missing—for now—is the conversion of talent into medals and history-making moments. That takes time, resources, health, and a little bit of luck. Jamaica’s last generation had all of it converge at once. We’re now in a rebuilding phase, and rebuilding isn’t regression—it’s recalibration.

     

     

    And here’s the honest truth: we may never again see an era quite like that one. Bolt, Fraser-Pryce, Blake, Thompson-Herah—they set standards that may be generational, if not once-in-a-century. That dominance spoiled us. It created expectations so high that anything short of world records feels like failure. But more than spoiling us, it showed us what’s possible. It gave an entire nation—an entire world—a glimpse of what can happen when raw talent, fierce ambition, and national pride collide at just the right moment.

     

    So no, the world hasn’t caught up. The world has waited. Now it’s up to Jamaica to remind them why they ever had to chase in the first place.

  • We Can Scare the Rest of the World’: Lythe Pillay on SA’s Insane Depth in 400m

    We Can Scare the Rest of the World’: Lythe Pillay on SA’s Insane Depth in 400m

     

     

     

     

     

     

    South Africa has long held a formidable reputation in track and field, but few disciplines have illustrated the nation’s talent and resilience quite like the men’s 400 meters. In recent years, the emergence of a new generation of sprinters—combined with the legacy of legends like Wayde van Niekerk—has created what young sprinting sensation Lythe Pillay describes as “insane depth” in the event. With a confident assertion that “we can scare the rest of the world,” Pillay has sparked renewed national excitement and international attention.

     

    A Rising Star Among Titans

     

    At just 22 years old, Lythe Pillay has already made a name for himself as one of South Africa’s most promising track athletes. He burst onto the international scene with a strong showing at the World U20 Championships and has since continued to improve his personal bests. His confidence, however, doesn’t stem from individual talent alone—it’s rooted in the strength of the collective.

     

    In interviews and public appearances, Pillay often emphasizes the camaraderie, competition, and shared ambition among South African 400m runners. “Every race at home feels like an international final,” he says. “We push each other to go faster, to dig deeper, and it shows when we go up against the world.”

     

    The Legacy of Wayde van Niekerk

     

    No discussion of South African 400m dominance would be complete without mentioning Wayde van Niekerk, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the event. His historic 43.03-second run in Rio de Janeiro not only stunned the world but also redefined what was thought possible in the quarter-mile.

     

    For athletes like Pillay, Van Niekerk is more than an idol—he’s a benchmark. “We train with his times in our minds,” Pillay admits. “Even when he’s not racing, his presence is there. We’re chasing him. That pushes us.”

     

    Van Niekerk’s success opened doors and inspired a generation of young athletes who now see the podium as a realistic goal, not a distant dream. His legacy is not just in medals, but in mindsets.

     

    The New Generation

     

    Beyond Pillay, South Africa’s 400m depth chart reads like a who’s who of sprinting prodigies. Names like Zakithi Nene, Clarence Munyai (who also competes in 200m), and others have emerged as consistent performers, making finals and earning medals in regional and global meets.

     

    Training groups around the country have become incubators of elite talent. Whether it’s at high-performance centers in Pretoria, university setups in Stellenbosch, or private coaching environments, the ecosystem now supports excellence from the grassroots up.

     

    This surge in depth means that qualifying for a national team in the 400m is often tougher than making an international final. The domestic standard is so high that runners who don’t podium at nationals still hit times competitive enough for global semifinals.

     

    Unity and Competition

     

    One of the striking elements of South Africa’s 400m resurgence is the unique balance between competition and unity. While athletes are undoubtedly rivals on the track, there is a collective mission to restore and elevate South African sprinting on the world stage.

     

    Pillay explains, “There’s a hunger, for sure. But there’s also respect. We train together, we encourage each other, and we want to see each other win. Because if one of us wins, South Africa wins.”

     

    This internal culture creates an upward spiral of performance. When one athlete sets a personal best, the others are immediately inspired—and challenged—to do the same. This feedback loop has driven South Africa to produce one of the most competitive 400m lineups in the world today.

     

    The Global Stage Beckons

     

    With the World Championships and Olympics on the horizon, the pressure is mounting, but so is the excitement. South African athletes are not just looking to participate—they’re aiming to dominate. Pillay’s assertion that “we can scare the rest of the world” is not hyperbole; it’s a mission statement.

     

    Recent meets have demonstrated just how real this potential is. Several South Africans have clocked sub-45-second runs in the past two seasons, a mark that typically guarantees a place in the final at any major championship. With continued improvements and the right preparation, it’s entirely feasible that South Africa could field multiple finalists—and medal contenders—at the next major competition.

     

    The Role of Coaching and Infrastructure

     

    Much of this success can be attributed to improvements in coaching, sports science, and athlete support. National and regional federations have made concerted efforts to identify and nurture talent from a young age. Private clubs and university programs have supplemented these efforts with world-class facilities, conditioning programs, and international exposure.

     

    Furthermore, a growing collaboration between coaches—many of whom were former athletes themselves—has created a shared pool of knowledge and experience. Pillay and his peers benefit from this cross-pollination of ideas, drills, and race strategies.

     

    Challenges and Resilience

     

    Of course, the journey has not been without challenges. Injuries, lack of funding, and the broader socioeconomic pressures faced by many athletes remain obstacles. Yet, the resilience of these young runners is perhaps their most defining trait.

     

    Lythe Pillay, for example, has spoken openly about the sacrifices he’s made, the rigorous training schedules, and the pressure of expectations. But he also speaks of gratitude—for the support systems around him and the opportunity to represent his country on the world stage.

     

    “This is bigger than us,” he says. “We’re carrying dreams—our own and those of the kids watching us. We owe it to them to give everything.”

     

    Looking Ahead

     

    As South Africa builds toward the next Olympic cycle, expectations are sky-high. The world is beginning to take notice of the country’s sprinting firepower, particularly in the 400m. What once seemed like a one-man show with Van Niekerk is now a movement, a golden generation.

     

    And in Lythe Pillay, the movement has found not only a talented athlete but a passionate ambassador. His energy, belief, and leadership are helping to shape a culture of excellence that could yield historic results.

     

    If current trajectories hold, it’s not a matter of if South Africa will return to the top of the 400m podium—it’s when.

     

    Conclusion

     

    Lythe Pillay’s confident proclamation that South Africa “can scare the rest of the world” in the 400m is grounded in reality. The combination of talent, depth, coaching, and collective spirit is rare—and powerful. With a new generation of athletes pushing boundaries and rewriting records, the world would be wise to take notice.

     

    South Africa is not just coming—they’re coming fast, and they’re coming as one.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Usain Bolt Has Made His Feelings Clear on Sprinter Who ‘Broke’ His 100m Record with ‘Illegal’ Run

    Usain Bolt Has Made His Feelings Clear on Sprinter Who ‘Broke’ His 100m Record with ‘Illegal’ Run

     

     

     

     

    Usain Bolt, the fastest man in history and a legend in track and field, has finally broken his silence regarding a controversial 100m run that allegedly surpassed his world record. The Jamaican icon, known not just for his blistering speed but also his charisma and sportsmanship, didn’t mince words when addressing the circumstances under which a fellow sprinter was said to have broken his historic time of 9.58 seconds.

     

    The athlete in question recently clocked a time faster than Bolt’s 2009 world record, sparking instant headlines and debate in the athletics world. However, it was later revealed that the conditions under which the time was recorded were not legal by World Athletics standards. The wind reading was significantly above the legal limit of +2.0 meters per second, meaning the run, while impressive, could not be officially recognized as a world record.

     

    Speaking in a candid interview, Bolt acknowledged the sprinter’s raw talent but made it clear that rules and fairness are non-negotiable in track and field.

     

    “Records are not just about fast times,” Bolt said. “They’re about consistency, fairness, and the ability to perform under legal conditions. If the wind is too strong or the track conditions are not regulated, it’s not a real test of your ability.”

     

    Bolt emphasized that while he respects every athlete who pushes the boundaries of human speed, any performance that falls outside the legal framework of competition simply can’t count.

     

    “Running a 9.4 or 9.5 in heavy wind doesn’t mean you’ve broken my record. You need to do it legally, the same way I did in Berlin back in 2009,” Bolt asserted. “I trained hard, competed clean, and did it when everything was within regulation.”

     

    The Jamaican star’s response reflects his deep respect for the sport and the integrity that surrounds world records. Over the years, Bolt has seen many contenders try to challenge his times, but none have done so under the strict criteria set by governing bodies.

     

    Some fans and commentators have speculated that Bolt’s remarks might come across as dismissive, but others believe they are a necessary reminder of what true records represent. A world record, after all, is not merely about the clock. It’s about conditions, fairness, and ensuring that every athlete competes on a level playing field.

     

    Bolt also used the opportunity to encourage young athletes to chase records the right way. “There’s no shortcut to greatness,” he said. “I want to see the reco

    rd broken one day, but

     

  • Wisil targets more history in Tokyo after tasting global stage in Nanjing | News | Tokyo 25 | World Athletics Championship

    Wisil targets more history in Tokyo after tasting global stage in Nanjing | News | Tokyo 25 | World Athletics Championship

     

     

    For thousands of people watching the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25, Pais Wisil’s performance in the men’s 60m may have gone largely unnoticed. But for the Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea, it marked a major breakthrough.

     

    Not only did Wisil break the national indoor record, clocking 6.66 in the heats to chop 0.13 off the mark set 30 years ago by Pete Pulu, but he also became the first athlete from Papua New Guinea to advance to the semifinal stage at a senior global athletics championships.

     

    Gone are the days when athletes from Papua New Guinea would simply fill a lane in the ‘preliminary’ round at major championships; following his experience in Nanjing, Wisil now has his sights set on the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 where he aims to show that athletes from small island nations can compete alongside the world’s best.

     

     

     

    “I was very excited to qualify for the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing this year,” said Wisil, who followed up his national record in the heats with a 6.73 run in the semifinals. “It was my goal from the start of last year when I first started training in Australia.

     

    “To get the opportunity to compete with the best on a world stage is just the start of my goals. The stadium was amazing – it was my first ever time competing indoors and I loved it. Everyone was so kind: the organisers, the officials – it was as though they knew it was my first time, and they did their best to make me feel comfortable. The crowd was crazy; they cheered for every athlete and were so supportive. They motivated me to run faster.”

     

    Less than a week before competing in Nanjing, Wisil had broken another one of Pulu’s national records from 1995, clocking 10.24 over 100m at the Queensland Track and Field Championships in Brisbane. He’s hoping to revise it further as the season progresses.

     

    “My goals for this season are to continue learning with each race,” he said. “I haven’t put together a complete race yet, and I’m excited for when I do. Obviously, I want to continue to lower my national records, improve my 200m (21.49), and hopefully achieve selection for the World Championships.”

     

    In his quest to compete on the sport’s biggest stages, Wisil has the perfect role model in the form of his older sister Toea. She represented Papua New Guinea at three Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016) and two World Championships (2013 and 2017). She also holds the women’s national records at every sprint distance (11.29 for 100m, 23.13 for 200m and 53.19 for 400m).

     

    Toea Wisil (right) running alongside Allyson Felix at the London 2012 Olympic Games

    Toea Wisil (right) running alongside Allyson Felix at the London 2012 Olympic Games

     

    Meanwhile their older brother Kupun, also a sprinter, represented Papua New Guinea in the 100m at two Commonwealth Games.

     

    “It is an amazing blessing for my family that both my sister Toea and I now hold multiple national records between us,” said Wisil. “My brother Kupun was also a very talented athlete and seeing both he and Toea compete (when I was younger) and the opportunities it gave them in life got me very interested.

     

    “I’ve been so fortunate this year to be invited to compete in some of the Continental Tour meets and I really want to thank the meet organisers for giving me these opportunities. With the World Athletics rankings systems, it is important for me to try and increase my points and I will take all these opportunities to do it.”

     

    With continued racing opportunities on the international circuit, Wisil hopes to earn his place at the World Championships in Tokyo – and ensure that Papua New Guinea is once again represented beyond the first round.

     

     

  • Detroit Lions sign another one of their 2025 draft picks

    Detroit Lions sign another one of their 2025 draft picks

     

    All but two Detroit Lions 2025 draft picks are now under contract.

     

    When the Detroit Lions opened rookie minicamp a couple weeks back, they also announced the signing of four of their 2025 NFL Draft picks: fifth-round pick Myles Frazier, sixth-round pick Ahmed Hassanein, and both seventh-round picks Dan Jackson and Dominic Lovett. Now it appears you can add one more player to the list.

     

    On his Instagram page, Lions receiver Isaac TeSlaa—Detroit’s third-round pick—posted a picture of himself signing his rookie contract with the caption:

     

    “Officially a Lion. God is so good.”

     

     

    Additionally, it appears his contract details have already been filed. According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, TeSlaa’s rookie deal is a four-year, $6.654 million contract with a $1.5 million signing bonus. Here are the full details, per Wilson:

     

    While the Lions have yet to announce this signing as official, the photographic evidence tells it all.

     

    With this signing, only two Lions draft picks remain unsigned: defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and guard Tate Ratledge. Second-round picks almost always take the longest to sign due to some wiggle room in negotiations. And that may be true again this year, as the Texans gave Jayden Higgins—picked 34th overall—the very first fully guaranteed rookie contract for a second-round pick.

     

    Still, there is no real reason for concern about Williams or Ratledge signing. Last year, the Lions didn’t have second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw officially under contract until May 31, and Terrion Arnold signed his deal all the way on June 13. The only time for concern is if players have still not signed by training camp in July, and that very rarely happens.

  • GdS: How Milan plan to lock down Reijnders and Pulisic amid interest from top clubs

    GdS: How Milan plan to lock down Reijnders and Pulisic amid interest from top clubs

     

    Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders are two of a few players who did their bit for AC Milan this season, and now the club want to lock them down.

     

    First of all, it’s a question of numbers: Pulisic and Reijnders are the two top scorers for Milan in 2024-25, with 17 and 15 goals respectively in all competitions. Football isn’t just about numbers, but those of the two have not gone unnoticed around Europe.

     

    It’s no coincidence that Milan had worked to renew both in unsuspecting times, also to put themselves in a position of strength in the event of offers from other clubs, aiming to secure leverage above all.

     

    Now that the pitch has certified the Rossoneri’s failure to participate in European competitions in 2025-26 – and consequently keeping stars will be a little more complicated – the management continue to plan for the future starting from the American and the Dutchman.

     

    Leandro Trossard of Arsenal

    Protecting Pulisic

    Reijnders has already signed his new contract until 2030, while for Pulisic – who if he plays on Saturday will reach 100 appearances for the Rossoneri – we are still in the negotiation phase.

     

    Contacts with the American’s entourage are frequent: in recent months a draft agreement was prepared for the extension until 2029 (the current contract expires in 2027, with an option in favor of the club for a further year), but no signatures have arrived yet.

     

    This is despite the proposal to increase the salary from €4m to €5m net per year. However, there are no doubts about the ending of the story: the former Chelsea player is doing wonderfully in Milan and the management respect him for his behaviour on and off the pitch.

     

    This is why the intention of the directors is to relaunch in the coming weeks with a proposal for the extension until 2030, in line with what was done for Reijnders.

     

    Reijnders resistance

    The Dutchman, it’s no secret, is being courted by Manchester City and, in particular, by Pep Guardiola, who has put him among the first names on the list of possible reinforcements for the new season.

     

    At the Rossoneri headquarters, however, they have not received any official offer at the moment. Will it arrive soon? Maybe, but it is unlikely to be close to the €70m of the minimum request to sit at the negotiating table.

     

    As mentioned, Tijjani recently renewed until 2030, he loves Milan and the super season has at least tripled his valuation (he cost €20m to sign from AZ Alkmaar in 2023). This is why there is no talk of him being sold now.

     

    The sales record for a Milan player at the moment belongs to Ricky Kakà, who in the summer of 2009 took the road to Real Madrid for €67m. Two summers ago, however, Tonali moved to Newcastle for €59m plus bonuses.

     

    la gazzetta dello sport 20 may

    Mike, Theo and Rafa

    The thorniest cases – limiting ourselves to the big names in the squad – concern two Frenchmen, Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez, both of whom are expiring in 2026.

     

    The goalkeeper had reached an agreement for an extension with an increase in salary, but the ups and downs of recent months have convinced the management to slow down before ratifying everything.

     

    ‘Magic Mike’ – who has worn the armband for months now – did not particularly appreciate it and, despite glossing over the issue in public, is waiting for the end of the season to talk again. How will it end? It is difficult to say at present.

     

    Theo’s situation is also complex: the renewal would now only be possible at a lower rate than the €4.5m net of his current salary. And if Hernandez does not agree? There are two options: a sale in the summer – but at the moment there are no real offers – or to stay for his final year and leave for free.

     

    No real offers have arrived even for Rafa Leao, who however has a longer contract, until 2028. Speaking of deadlines, Milan has found an agreement to extend the contracts of the youngsters Lorenzo Torriani and Davide Bartesaghi until 2030.

  • Gout Gout called ‘soft’ by US athletics star as teen faces harsh accusation

    Gout Gout has been heavily criticised by American track star Noah Williams. The 26-year-old is less than impressed with the Australian, branding Gout as “soft” ahead of the teenager’s highly anticipated Diamond League debut in July.

    The 17-year-old has put his name down to take part in the Under-23 200m event in Monaco on July 11, but decided against competing in the open category alongside big track stars, as well as the 100m event.

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    This choice has left Williams annoyed with the up-and-coming athlete. While appearing on the Track World News podcast, Williams expressed his disapproval over Gout’s decision, even suggesting the Australian might be avoiding the more challenging competitions.

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    “The kid is super talented, but that’s beside the point,” the 400m runner said. “The narrative now is he’s ducking these professional races.

    “I see he’s entered in the Diamond League races to run U-23, and I think that’s really, really just soft. Being American and understanding our culture of how we choose to play up instead of playing down.”

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    Gout’s rise in Australian athletics has drawn comparisons to sprint legend Usain Bolt, with his wind-assisted times approaching the records set by the Jamaican icon.

    The teenager has recorded a time of 9.99 seconds in the 100m, which is not far off of Bolt’s stunning world record of 9.58 seconds. With an impressive wind-aided 19.84 seconds over 200m at the Australian Athletics Championships, Gout’s ambition is likely to surpass Bolt’s 19.19-second performance in the future.

    However, Gout’s team is reportedly keen to protect the rising star from serious injury by not pitting him against the world’s top sprinters too soon, which could put undue strain on his young body.

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    Consequently, Gout has yet to compete in the 100m sprint at the open level, choosing instead to run only in age-specific competitions, and was also held back from participating in the 4×100 relay at the recent World Athletics Relays event.

    Despite taking a measured approach, Gout is confident he can follow in the footsteps of his idol, Bolt, who secured eight Olympic gold medals during his illustrious career.

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    “I think the limit is just obviously winning the Olympics and winning world championships and honestly dominating like Bolt did,” Gout expressed to Fox Sports Australia’s The Back Page earlier this month. “I think that limit is reachable for me.”

    With the Brisbane Games in 2032 on the horizon, there will be considerable expectation for Gout to perform well on home soil, assuming he qualifies. However, Gout is first setting his sights on making an impact at the LA Olympics in 2028.

    “The times I’ve run so far could potentially make it into finals, make the top four, top five, top six,” he added. “Just getting better and aiming for LA obviously would be a great achievement.

    Article continues below

    “Trying to be on that podium running against [Olympic 200m gold medallist Letsile] Tebogo, Noah [Lyles], [Lachlan] Kennedy, all them athletes, that’s definitely a goal of mine – and to keep aiming for the top.”

     

  • Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reveals What Keeps Her Motivated to Keep Sprinting Despite Cementing GOAT Status

    Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reveals What Keeps Her Motivated to Keep Sprinting Despite Cementing GOAT Status

     

    Despite establishing herself as perhaps the greatest female sprinter of all time, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is not fully satisfied with her achievements in the sport.

    Even after more than a decade of global dominance, countless gold medals, and her name etched permanently in the sprinting history books, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce isn’t slowing down.

     

    Fraser-Pryce recently took part in the Doha Diamond League classic, where she finished fifth in what was her first Diamond League race since 2022, but with her, she is building up for the Tokyo World Championships, in what is expected to be the last year of her glamorous career.

     

    Speaking candidly in a recent press conference before the race, the Jamaican sprint legend explained that her motivation remains rooted in two simple but powerful desires: to win and to run fast.

     

    Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

     

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    Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on What Motivates Her

    “I want to win and I want to run fast,” said Fraser-Pryce. “And I believe those two things are possible.”

     

    It is a mantra that has driven the 37-year-old through triumphs, comebacks, and setbacks alike, fueling a career that shows no signs of fading—despite her GOAT status being well-secured.

     

    But while her own ambitions remain crystal clear, Fraser-Pryce is equally inspired by how the sport around her has evolved. She’s taken note of a powerful shift in athlete mentality—especially among the younger generation of track stars.

     

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    Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Reveals How Track Athletes Have Evolved

    Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reveals What Keeps Her Motivated to Keep Sprinting Despite Cementing GOAT Status

    “I would say the biggest change I’ve seen is that ownership,” she said. “Athletes, whether they’re young or older, really owning their space and really showing up—not scared of whoever is in that race.”

     

    “That’s good for athletics. When athletes show up and dominate—no matter who’s beside them—it brings out great competition. You get to see their personalities, know what they’re made of. That’s very important.”

     

    She added that during her early years in track and field, many athletes were shy and uncertain of their goals, herself included. But today’s rising stars have flipped that narrative.

     

    “This generation knows who they are, they know what they want, and they’re not afraid to say it. That’s inspiring.”

     

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    Former AFC Leopards Captain Lifts Lid on Career-Ending Plight at Ingwe

    Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: I Would Have Become a Hurdler

    Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reveals What Keeps Her Motivated to Keep Sprinting Despite Cementing GOAT Status

    Fraser-Pryce also shared a glimpse of what might have been had she not been “assigned” to sprinting. When asked what event she would have chosen if not for the 100m and 200m, she laughed:

     

    “I would do hurdles. I actually love the hurdles.”

     

    She then recalled a humorous story from her high school days at Wolmer’s Girls’ School.

     

    “Our coach lined us up and started assigning events—‘You’ll do hurdles, long jump, high jump.’ He picked everyone but me. I was the only one left standing, and I asked, ‘So what am I going to do?’ He just said, ‘Oh, you’re a sprinter.’ Like that was it! I never got to try anything else.”

     

    Despite being “pushed” into sprinting, it turned out to be the perfect fit for the “Pocket Rocket,” whose legacy is built on consistency, resilience, and a relentless hunger to keep soaring higher.

     

    And now, with nothing left to prove, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is still out on the track—chasing excellence simply because she believes she can.

  • Noah Lyles told exactly how he can join Usain Bolt in GOAT conversation

    Noah Lyles told exactly how he can join Usain Bolt in GOAT conversation

     

     

     

     

    Noah Lyles must show ‘sheer dominance’ to even be considered for the GOAT conversation, an ex-sprinter has claimed.

     

    The Olympic champion has been tipped to join Usain Bolt as one of the greatest-ever track athletes.

     

     

    Lyles has been told what he must do to enter the GOAT debate

    Lyles has been told what he must do to enter the GOAT debateCredit:

    Eight-time Olympic Bolt is considered the greatest sprinter of all-time

    Eight-time Olympic Bolt is considered the greatest sprinter of all-

    Lyles is currently the third fastest man in history across the 200m, with his personal best of 19.31secs only beaten by Bolt and Yohan Blake.

     

    Meanwhile, his 100m gold in Paris last summer followed a trio of wins at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

     

     

    The American will defend his 100m, 200m and 4x100m titles in Tokyo in September, having already won six World Championship gold medals.

     

    However, former Bahamian sprinter Rodney Green believes Lyles has some way to go to be considered alongside Bolt.

     

     

    Green discussed whether Lyles would enter the GOAT conversation by winning gold again in Tokyo with Justin Gatlin on the Ready Set Go podcast.

     

    The 39-year-old admitted: “I definitely don’t think it would move him into a GOAT situation.

     

     

    “This is no shade to Noah, I do think Noah is a clutch champion, but he hasn’t shown enough sheer dominance in the 100m yet.”

     

    As for what it would take for Lyles to be put into that debate, Green added: “He would have to defend both medals.

     

    “He would have to be the defending world champion, he would have to defend that gold and he would have to be the defending Olympic champion and win that gold again in 2028.

     

    “In between those years he would have to show sheer dominance.”

     

    Green believes Lyles must have an era of ‘sheer dominance’ to be considered a great

    Green believes Lyles must have an era of ‘sheer dominance’ to be considered a greatCredit: Ready Set Go Podcast

     

    The American will defend his 100m, 200m and 4x100m world titles this September

    The American will defend his 100m, 200m and 4x100m world titles this SeptemberCredit: AFP

    Lyles won his first Olympic gold medal in the French capital last year alongside a bronze in the 200m.

     

    He had previously won bronze in the same event at the previous Olympic Games in Tokyo.

     

    The 27-year-old also holds the national record in both the 200m and 4x100m already in his career.

     

     

    Green believes the required dominance is still lacking, though, explaining: “Most of the Olympic champions after the Olympic medal, they usually dominate going over the next few years. That would be the thing for me.

     

    “He has a lot of hardware, he has a lot of accomplishments but defending those medals back-to-back would be a thing for me.”

     

    As for what sets Bolt apart, he said: “It’s no secret he wants to be one of the greatest of all-time, one of the best to ever do it.

     

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    “If we’re going to hold him to those standards, the benchmark would be Usain Bolt. If you do that and take his championships, Worlds and Olympics, they’re mostly golds”

     

     

    Bolt won eight Olympic gold medals during his legendary career along with a further 11 titles at the World Championships.

     

    The Jamaican remains the world record holder in each of the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, with each of his times set over a decade ago.

     

    Gatlin believes Lyles could move into the GOAT conversation as early as September, though, with another dominant display in Japan.

     

    He revealed: “I think if he goes back and defends his World Championship titles from the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, he’s definitely in the GOAT category.”

     

     

    Lyles’ fellow American was a two-time world champion and won gold in the 100m at the 2004 Athens Olympics during his career.

     

    He also joined Bolt on the podium in the event at both the 2012 and 2016 Games after taking bronze and silver, respectively.

     

    Meanwhile, his personal best of 9.74seconds in the 100m makes him the fifth fastest man of all-time.