Actuality stars Pete Wicks and Tasha Ghouri are the most recent celebrities to be introduced for the upcoming sequence of Strictly Come Dancing.

Particulars of the 2024 contestants have been confirmed every day this week, with Go Evaluate singer Wynne Evans, singer and actress Toyah Willcox, TV physician Punam Krishan, comic Chris McCausland and JLS star JB Gill already confirmed.

The brand new bulletins come amid the scandal presently dealing with the hit BBC sequence, with an investigation into allegations of abusive behaviour behind the scenes going down.

Wicks, who rose to fame on The Solely Approach Is Essex, was congratulated by his pal and 2023 Strictly contestant Zara McDermott – one of many celebrities who has made allegations about her time on the present.

Nevertheless, she mentioned she had “by no means been so excited” as she shared his information on social media.

Wicks and Ghouri had been revealed on the Kiss FM breakfast present, with Wicks saying he was feeling “a mix of excited and completely petrified, genuinely petrified”.

Discussing his largest worry about collaborating, he mentioned: “The factor persons are most nervous about is falling flat in your face so it is most likely that.

“There’s a number of stairs, it is not even the dancing, individuals run up the steps to speak to Tess [Daly] and Claudia [Winkleman] and I’ll most likely simply slide again down.”

Learn extra:
Dancers communicate out about brutal coaching at prime faculties
Former Strictly star says she ‘100%’ noticed storm brewing
Strictly star says 50 hours of footage being ‘blocked‘

Ghouri, who was born deaf and makes use of a cochlear implant, discovered fame on Love Island in 2022, when she met boyfriend Andrew Le Web page.

In keeping with press stories, she additionally beforehand dated former Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice, one of many stars embroiled within the scandal. He left the present earlier this 12 months and has denied allegations of any “abusive or threatening behaviour”.

Following her time on Love Island, Ghouri has turn out to be a campaigner for the deaf group and labored with Downing Avenue and the Division for Schooling.

Requested on the radio present which skilled associate she wish to be paired with on Strictly, she mentioned: “I do have a dream of who I might like to be with, I’ve not even met them but. It will be Jojo (Johannes Radebe), I might like to work with him.”

Ghouri is a skilled dancer however mentioned Strictly can be a brand new expertise.

“I’ve not danced in fairly a couple of years now, since Love Island my profession has modified a lot,” she mentioned. “I may not be good at it, like ballet, I am not good at ballet, I am skilled in industrial, so I am excited to be taught these new kinds.”

Ghouri follows within the footsteps of the present’s first deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis, who gained Strictly’s coveted glitterball trophy when partnered with Pernice in 2021.

McCausland, who was the primary superstar introduced for this 12 months, is the present’s first blind contestant.

Who else is anticipated?

Extra celebrities are anticipated to be introduced within the coming days.

Different stars who will reportedly be a part of the line-up embody DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, former Arsenal footballer Paul Merson, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, X Issue winner Shayne Ward and Olympian Sam Quek.

Gladiators star Montell Douglas, higher referred to as Hearth, and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland have additionally signed up, in keeping with The Solar.

Unofficially, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean has additionally let slip that he might be taking to the dance ground.

Following the controversy over the alleged mistreatment of contestants on the present, the BBC has introduced new strategies to “strengthen welfare and assist” for the upcoming sequence, together with including chaperones to be current throughout coaching room rehearsals “always”.

The outcomes of its investigation launched within the wake of the allegations haven’t but been revealed.

Pete Wicks is the seventh movie star contestant confirmed for the model new collection of Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award-winning leisure present, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new collection this Autumn. As Strictly celebrates two spectacular a long time of dance, this collection guarantees to be further particular with much more glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.

Pete Wicks is a TV character, creator, radio and podcast host.

Pete Wicks is finest recognized for his tv appearances and presenting together with from the pink carpet on the BRIT Awards, Satisfaction of Britain Awards and Nationwide Tv Awards. Pete Wicks first appeared on our screens on the BAFTA award-winning ITV present TOWIE in 2015. Alongside this Pete Wicks co-hosts the award nominated podcast Staying Related which has had over 5million downloads thus far and has been primary within the comedy charts quite a few instances. Pete Wicks can be an animal rights advocate and helps many charities.

Pete Wicks says: “Dancing dwell in entrance of the nation each Saturday? Completely terrifying. However anybody who is aware of me is aware of I like a problem and attempting new issues, so I am genuinely wanting ahead to getting caught in.”

The information was revealed this morning on the Kiss FM Breakfast Present.

The remaining movie star contestants becoming a member of the brand new collection might be introduced in the end.

Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC Studios Leisure Manufacturing for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Leisure on the BBC. The Govt Producer for BBC Studios is Sarah James, the Sequence Editors are Nicola Fitzgerald and Jack Gledhill and the Sequence Producers are Ciara Murray and Joe Turner. The Senior Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Jo Wallace.

GC2

Chelsea accomplished the ultimate leg of their tour of america on Tuesday night in Charlotte, North Carolina.

However they fell to a 3rd defeat in 5 video games, dropping 2-1 towards European champions Actual Madrid in entrance of 62,000 individuals on the Financial institution of America Stadium. It means new coach Enzo Maresca has received solely certainly one of his 5 matches within the U.S., with the one victory coming towards Mexican aspect Membership America.

They misplaced towards Scottish champions Celtic and Premier League winners Manchester Metropolis and drew towards League One aspect Wrexham.

Targets from Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz put Madrid two targets forward earlier than Noni Madueke halved the deficit earlier than half-time.

Right here, Adam Crafton analyses the important thing Chelsea speaking factors…

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Chelsea’s excessive defence seems shaky

On Saturday night towards Metropolis, Chelsea went 2-0 down in 5 minutes once they self-destructed, gifting the ball repeatedly to Metropolis attackers when trying to play out from the again. On Tuesday, Chelsea went 2-0 down in 27 minutes and the trigger, as soon as once more, might be attributed to Chelsea’s decision-making.

There was no scarcity of tempo within the Chelsea again line, with Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto, however their excessive line was repeatedly uncovered within the opening half hour. Chelsea additionally failed to shut down their opponents shortly sufficient, which means Madrid’s proficient gamers had the time to select passes for runners stretching the Chelsea defence.

To compound the issue, Chelsea have been arising towards a number of the quickest forwards round. Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Brahim repeatedly sped past their defence. Indicators of Chelsea nervousness first emerged when captain Reece James misjudged a backwards header to his goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, and Vinicius Jr virtually discovered a gap to attain.

This was the route that led to Ceballos opening the scoring. Brahim then broke free for the second, latching onto a luxurious Vinicius Jr move and rounding the goalkeeper. Early within the second half, Vinicius Jr was in behind as soon as extra, tormenting James and teeing up Brahim, just for the ahead to put his shot vast. This, we must always bear in mind, was a Madrid aspect but to introduce Kylian Mbappe, and also you dread to assume how the Frenchman might have exploited Chelsea’s errant offside lure.

Maresca criticised his gamers after their 4-1 defeat towards Celtic, saying that they have been “complicated some issues on the ball and off the ball” and failing to drop their line of defense on the proper moments.

Final evening, he was requested by The Athletic whether or not the excessive line is a tactic imposed by him or a behavior from final season when Mauricio Pochettino coached the workforce.

He stated: “It’s a behavior. We’re not engaged on defensive traces so excessive. It’s a behavior from final yr, or years in the past; I don’t know. We are attempting to drop the line of defense a bit, often about 4 or 5 metres.

“Final yr, we already conceded many targets with this downside. Hopefully, we are able to clear up it very quickly.”

He added: “It’s an issue we are attempting to resolve from pre-season, since day one. Certainly one of my first conferences with the squad was in regards to the variety of targets we conceded final yr with the line of defense very excessive.

“Offensively, we’re there — the patterns are there. We created probabilities. The issue is defensively. Not simply the line of defense, however typically, all of the gamers.”

Goalkeeper Jorgensen stated he has his function to play. He stated: “I may be greater to make a bit much less house between me and the defenders. We are going to get to know one another.”

Talking earlier than the sport, former Chelsea coach Ancelotti had sought to reassure Chelsea followers, insisting any probability of system requires endurance and time. Maresca stated: “It’s not one thing magic which you can attain in two days.  That’s PlayStation, not soccer. Day-by-day, you must work and also you want time and I do know most head coaches ask for time and it seems like an excuse however it isn’t an excuse, it’s the actuality.”

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What have been the positives and negatives of Chelsea’s U.S. tour?

Chelsea’s tour of america has been arguably essentially the most geographically demanding of the European golf equipment who’ve crossed the Atlantic this summer season. Chelsea started on the west coast in California earlier than taking part in in Indiana, Georgia, Ohio and, lastly, North Carolina, however with a flight to their coaching base in Atlanta sandwiched between the sport towards Manchester Metropolis on the Ohio Stadium and this match towards Actual Madrid.

The tour is financially profitable for the membership and these journeys can herald £15million ($19m) for main Premier League golf equipment. That is essential for Chelsea when they’re consistently striving to stay throughout the boundaries of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability laws. The coaching services and resorts are additionally largely glorious.

But the tour additionally brings challenges, notably 5 video games inside 14 days for Maresca’s workforce, traversing coasts and time zones. The top coach stated he thought-about his “actual pre-season” to have been the fortnight he spent on the membership’s coaching floor at Cobham earlier than the tour and the brief interval they may have again in London earlier than the beginning of their Premier League season on August 17.

Earlier than this sport, Maresca stated: “It was a very good second (coming to the U.S.) for various causes, to see the followers from outdoors the UK. The best state of affairs can be to arrange for the video games however for a lot of the video games, we’ve been with out preparation. We didn’t put together the sport with the coaching session like we’re used to doing throughout a standard season. We simply ready with a video or the tactical board. It has been a blended feeling.”

Talking within the pre-match press convention for the Actual Madrid sport, Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo additionally referenced the pitches within the U.S. as a considerable problem for gamers throughout pre-season. Caicedo skilled the identical challenge whereas representing Ecuador throughout Copa America. Maresca and Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola cited challenges with the pitch in Columbus, the place Caicedo had been culpable for conceding possession within the lead-up to a Metropolis purpose.

Caicedo stated: “It’s not the identical as taking part in in Europe as a result of the pitches there are so good there to point out your high quality. Right here it’s tougher to play. The pitches usually are not so good. It’s so dry, the pitches. We all know we’re gamers with wonderful high quality however typically, it’s not all about you. It’s in regards to the pitches.”

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Will there be extra modifications at Chelsea?

The excellent news is that Chelsea’s fairly patterns on the ball might be augmented by the killer intuition of Cole Palmer, who will rejoin the squad once they return to Cobham this week. Nicolas Jackson, who Chelsea employees consider has the potential to turn out to be a 20-goal-per-season ahead, can be edging again from damage. Spain’s European Championship-winning defender Marc Cucurella may even return and seems a powerful match for a system that requires a left-back to tuck in as a 3rd left-sided centre-back.

The broad expectation has been that Conor Gallagher will head to Atletico Madrid, but when that transfer falls by way of, Gallagher would face renewed inside strain to signal a brand new contract or discover a completely different membership to affix. The membership have made clear they won’t countenance dropping him on a free switch subsequent summer season.

Additional exits are probably. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Trevoh Chalobah, Cesare Casadei, David Datro Fofana and Romelu Lukaku require new houses. Armando Broja is surplus to necessities and was not even named on the bench for the Madrid sport. Maresca stated it was “only a determination” to not embody him and stated there was no damage.

One other participant who seems to be in danger is Ben Chilwell, who did not get on the pitch towards Madrid as Maresca favoured Gusto, ordinarily a right-back, to fulfil his particular calls for within the left-back place. Chilwell doesn’t seem a stylistic match and Chelsea would probably contemplate giant provides. Chelsea have loads of choices within the vast areas however Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Madueke are but to point out consistency.

Chelsea proceed to pursue strikers who can assist the workforce to be extra medical when dealing with inflexible methods or a deep defence. This week, the Atletico Madrid ahead Samu Omorodion, who’s 6ft and 4in (193cm), has been thought-about however a deal for the 20-year-old has not been agreed.

Chelsea need three forwards of their squad — they’ve Jackson as a putting choice, however view Christopher Nkunku as working most successfully in a deeper function or from the vast positions. Lukaku’s potential exit to Napoli — the Italian membership’s new coach Antonio Conte needs to be reunited with the Belgian he beforehand managed at Inter Milan — may open the door to Victor Osimhen heading the alternative manner on mortgage, as beforehand reported by The Athletic.

The 18-year-old ahead Marc Guiu began towards Madrid and Chelsea are contemplating protecting him as a backup striker to realize expertise in cup competitions this season, however a ultimate determination remains to be to be made as Chelsea weigh up all their choices. Talking to reporters this week, Guiu stated: “We work very laborious every single day on and off the pitch, on the bodily side and the sensible. I’m able to be on the pitch and assist the workforce.”

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What subsequent for Chelsea?

Chelsea face Inter Milan of their ultimate pre-season pleasant on Sunday afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

They then start their Premier League season by internet hosting champions Manchester Metropolis at Stamford Bridge on 18 August.

(High picture: Grant Halverson/Getty Photographs)

Companies within the centre of Brighton are boarding up in the present day amid fears far-right race rioters are set to return to Brighton this night.

A agency of solicitors is one in every of a number of places throughout the nation recognized – often wrongly – as “immigration centres” on a far-right chat group on the non-public messaging app Telegram.

The record of supposed targets was accompanied by flame emojis, and stated: “They received’t cease coming till you inform them. No extra immigration.” The Occasions has reported that arson manuals are additionally being shared on the group.

One enterprise proprietor very near the regulation agency – which Brighton and Hove Information is just not naming – stated he had been visited by law enforcement officials who had suggested him to shut early in the present day – recommendation he might be following.

The enterprise proprietor, Graham, stated: “We’ve had the police in. They suggested us to pack up and go away early and work at home the place we are able to.

“I had already organized to shut down at 2pm. I’ll be maintaining a tally of the scenario after that.”

Staff at one other close by enterprise stated that they had additionally been instructed to shut early and go residence.

The Prince Albert pub has cancelled its gigs tonight and might be closing early, as will the Brighton Station walk-in clinic, which is often open till 8pm.

Apply Plus, which runs the clinic, stated: “Sadly our service will shut at 5pm immediate tonight to be able to assist guarantee the protection of each our sufferers and employees.”

Hope Not Hate, an anti-racist organisation which has been monitoring the riots throughout the nation, stated in the present day: “Any providers named ought to be on excessive alert.

“For those who’re planning to attend a counter demonstration please be optimistic, peaceable and secure. Don’t let the far proper bate you and your group into lashing out.

“The record was shared by an nameless fascist who additionally instigated anti-Muslim violence in Southport and Liverpool final week.

“This particular person additionally referred to as for the assassinations of public figures and is attempting to unfold chaos, violence and far-right thuggery so far as doable.

“The ‘hit record’ of targets publicise the names and places of workplaces regarding immigration and asylum providers across the nation.

“This record has been made and shared exactly to unfold misery and concern inside Muslim and immigrant communities, hoping to impress a response.”

In the meantime, Stand As much as Racism is planning a counter-protest within the metropolis centre which a whole bunch of individuals have stated they are going to attend.

Yesterday, Sussex Police’s assistant chief constable Paul Court docket stated: “We proceed to carefully monitor the scenario. To these contemplating participating, we are saying don’t do it as a result of we are going to make individuals remorse their actions

“If individuals partake in dysfunction we are going to use each energy we hav to ensure they’re held accountable.

“There are jail cells out there and we’re actively all the opposite powers we have now to carry them to account.”

This morning, council chief Bella Sankey stated: “We’re conscious of rising public concern following the latest legal dysfunction seen throughout the nation, the unverified stories circulating about potential exercise within the metropolis and unsolicited leaflets being shared in some areas.

“I want to reassure residents and guests that the council is working carefully with Sussex Police and different companions to establish any rising issues, and hold our residents, employees, group companions and companies secure.”

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Courtroom stated: “Our message to the residents of Sussex is obvious – we stand prepared and ready to maintain you protected and can sort out any felony dysfunction that threatens the unity of our communities.

“I’m equally clear that anybody planning to participate in felony dysfunction in Sussex will remorse their actions. Don’t do it.

“Our officers are mobilised and totally ready, and the ramifications for these concerned will stretch far past the conclusion of any incidents.”

Two hate crimes are being investigated by the drive after there was a menace to assault a mosque in St Leonards and eggs had been thrown at one other mosque in Peacehaven.

The drive stated specially-trained officers had been on the gathering in Queens Highway to assist facilitate the proper to free speech and to make sure public security.

Later, police tweeted, exterior: “We’ve got now stood down from Queens Highway, Brighton, the place round 2,000 individuals who gathered this night for a peaceable protest, have now dispersed. There have been no arrests.

“We want to thank the group for his or her assist and engagement to assist us hold individuals protected.”

The U.S. males’s basketball group is 2 wins away from one more gold medal.

Workforce USA took one other step towards an Olympic five-peat with a blowout quarterfinal victory over Brazil on Tuesday on the 2024 Paris Video games.

Devin Booker (18 factors), Anthony Edwards (17) and Joel Embiid (14) led six Individuals who scored in double figures as Workforce USA rolled to a 122-87 win at Bercy Area.

The Individuals, who improved to an ideal 4-0 in Paris, will subsequent need to undergo arguably the world’s finest basketball participant in an effort to attain the gold medal recreation.

Here is what to know for the semifinals of the Olympic males’s basketball event:

What groups are left within the Olympic males’s basketball event?

Becoming a member of Workforce USA within the semifinals are France, Germany and Serbia. Within the quarterfinals, France defeated Canada, Serbia beat Australia, and Germany defeated Greece.

Who does Workforce USA basketball play subsequent?

Workforce USA’s semifinal showdown can be a Paris rematch because the Individuals will as soon as once more face three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and Serbia.

The USA kicked off Olympic play with a 110-84 rout of Serbia on July 28. However Jokic and Co. have responded with three straight wins, most not too long ago overcoming a 24-point deficit within the quarterfinals to beat reigning bronze medalist Australia in time beyond regulation and advance to the semis.

The opposite semifinal matchup can be between reigning silver medalist France and Germany. Franz Wagner and Germany are in search of the nation’s first-ever Olympic males’s basketball medal, whereas Victor Wembanyama and Co. are gunning for France’s first Olympic males’s basketball gold.

When does Workforce USA basketball play subsequent?

Workforce USA and Serbia will sq. off within the semifinals on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. ET. It’s going to observe France-Germany, which can tip off at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Learn how to watch USA males’s basketball within the Olympic semifinals

USA-Serbia can be proven on USA Community and Peacock. Here is the place you possibly can stream each semifinal showdowns:

Dame Laura Kenny, probably the most profitable British feminine Olympian, is heading to The Shrewsbury Membership to talk at a networking occasion throughout October’s Lexus W100 Shrewsbury tennis event.

The previous biking star will seem at a sport and enterprise networking lunch on Thursday, October 17 (midday-3pm), with a restricted variety of tickets out there.

Dame Laura gained six Olympic medals – 5 golds and a silver – throughout an illustrious profession which additionally noticed her win seven World Championship, 14 European Championships and two Commonwealth Video games titles.

She will likely be joined at The Shrewsbury Membership by British entrepreneur Lara Morgan, who offered her first enterprise which she launched on the age of 23 for £20m, and in addition as soon as completed within the prime 10 of the World Triathlon Championships.

The occasion, sponsored by authorized agency Aaron & Companions and accountants, tax and enterprise advisory WR Companions, will likely be hosted by Abigail Johnson, who’s a part of the BBC Radio 5 Stay tennis commentary group at Grand Slams.

Dave Courteen, The Shrewsbury Membership’s managing director, stated: “We all the time run a variety of thrilling occasions in our hospitality marquee all through the week we host the W100 Shrewsbury event.

“The game and enterprise networking lunch is designed for all these in enterprise who wish to meet like-minded enterprise folks and revel in nice meals, nice firm and listen to from some inspirational audio system.

“We’re delighted to be welcoming Dame Laura Kenny, who’s at present providing her skilled views on biking as a part of the BBC protection on the Paris Olympics, and Lara Morgan to The Shrewsbury Membership.

“They’ve each achieved a lot and have nice tales to share, so this will likely be an occasion to not be missed.”

Helen Johnson, accomplice and head of promoting at Aaron & Companions, stated: “It’s a pleasure and privilege to be sponsoring the enterprise networking lunch, which is a part of one of the hotly anticipated weeks in Shropshire’s sporting calendar.

“We’re additionally trying ahead to listening to from a massively spectacular line-up of audio system, together with Dame Laura Kenny, our best ever feminine Olympian.

“Supporting Shropshire’s enterprise group is a key precedence for us and alongside The Shrewsbury Membership and WR Companions, we’ll be connecting with and celebrating the achievements of companies all through the area.”

Paul Littler, enterprise improvement director at WR Companions, added: “WR Companions are dedicated to supporting the local people and we’re excited to be teaming up with The Shrewsbury Membership and Aaron & Companions to host the enterprise networking lunch once more.

“We’ll be welcoming company and fellow enterprise professionals to get pleasure from a stunning lunch, pay attention to 2 inspirational audio system and watch world class tennis. It’s all the time an absolute pleasure to be concerned with this occasion.”

Tickets for the occasion can be found, priced £35 every or £350 for a desk of 10.

The Lexus W100 Shrewsbury event is the largest ladies’s tennis occasion to be performed within the UK this 12 months, exterior of the grass courtroom season, and can as soon as once more carry world-class tennis to Shropshire.

Many main British and worldwide tennis stars now ranked on the earth’s prime 100 have performed within the event on the indoor courts on the Sundorne Highway venue.

Back within the Nineties, I used to be in a well-known skateboard sport. The Paris 2024 Olympic Video games has been excellent at dishing up moments of color and intrigue. On a baking afternoon within the shadeless stands of the Place de la Concorde it delivered one thing new, a second within the solar for 51‑yr‑outdated males in cargo shorts all over the place. Welcome to the shock of the outdated. Welcome to the primary and ideally ultimate instalment of Dad Bloke Summer time.

Olympic skateboarding has already made its mark in Paris and Tokyo. This can be a thrilling, high-tariff sport. The ladies’s competitors on Tuesday afternoon was fascinating and infrequently brutal. A day later the boys’s heats supplied one thing else, not only a high-end medal competitors eliminator however a stage for the 51-year-old Andy Macdonald to take to the ramps within the colors of Nice Britain. Sure, actually.

Though Macdonald is a really particular form of cargo‑shorted 51-year-old. This isn’t Bob from Leicester who’s giving it a go, or somebody’s dad who received bored within the backyard. Macdonald is a pre-cooked skateboard legend. Winner of eight gold medals on the X Video games. Turned professional at 12. Longtime pal of Tony Hawk and face of the imaginatively titled 1999 laptop sport Skateboarding That includes Andy Macdonald, which is a skateboarding sport that includes Andy Macdonald.

And sure, it’s straightforward to see the issues on this association. The sensible response to this can be to snicker vaguely and reproduce the picture of Steve Buscemi holding a skateboard over his shoulder saying “how do you do, fellow youngsters?” which is frankly a millstone we have to get previous. The 51-year-old males in cargo shorts neighborhood rejects that picture. Sure, Steve Buscemi with a skateboard served a objective. However we want new heroes now.

And sure additionally, Macdonald’s father was born in Luton, therefore his qualification for Workforce GB, however seeing him within the flesh, feeling his star allure, the TV tan, the movie star tooth, the thought occurred that in case you had been requested to think about the least – with all due respect – Luton particular person doable, that is most likely who you’d provide you with.

And sure as soon as once more, to qualify for a GB Olympic spot he defeated a 12‑yr‑outdated boy, which, as one 51-year-old dad to a different, is form of in opposition to the code. Level made. However you would possibly simply need to form of let him do it. Possibly go and sit within the automobile and hearken to a podcast or one thing.

For all that this was a stunning event, and a very good degree of competitors. Primarily, it was an uplifting spectacle, and never only for 51-year-old males or 51-year-old ladies or older folks typically, however for anyone who needs to be impressed to do issues. However primarily it was inspiring for 51-year-old males in cargo shorts. Macdonald could not have been on the market embodying Luton skateboard tradition. However by the top, watching him work the group, beaming unstoppably, it was arduous to keep away from the sense he was representing one other nation right here. And that nation is the nation of 51-year-old males in cargo shorts.

Wanting round on the different ageing males of the press seats, additionally in cargo shorts, worn now like a tribute, like duplicate package, it was arduous to not really feel seen, represented. That is our flag. Now we have our Marchand, our Biles. Now we have … oh. Nothing. Simply speaking to myself. Nothing necessary.

In actuality this was only a nice sporting occasion. The Area at La Concorde is spectacular, a form of city canyon housing a sequence of slopes and ramps. The staging is full of life and enjoyable, the group younger and combined, the brilliance of the athletes apparent and immediately gettable. Skateboarding is without doubt one of the finest new Olympic sports activities, one which anybody can do, that doesn’t require possession of a horse or a functioning dock, only a piece of wooden with some wheels and a slope.

The preliminaries had been within the morning. From there solely eight of twenty-two skate boarders would undergo to the afternoon ultimate. Macdonald was listed to go final. As the warmth constructed to peak, that ultimate group appeared.

Macdonald received an enormous ovation as he was introduced and it was arduous in that second to not really feel a bit of nervous. He nonetheless appears nice, lean and match, simply, it have to be stated, dad-fit subsequent to those primarily weightless teenagers and twentysomethings. He did a fab hand gesture for the cameras (don’t do this) and excessive‑fived one other man with lengthy tangled surfer hair (additionally don’t do this). He’s a profession champion. He’s additionally a 51-year-old dad in cargo shorts. Is that this actually going to be OK?

First up was Luigi Cini, 22, from Curitiba in Brazil, who reeled off a spherical of insanely good tips and flips and took a severely spectacular rating of 89.10. Steven Piñeiro of Puerto Rico appeared chic, all straightforward grace and energy. Third was Keefer Wilson, 17 and stunningly good, like a falling leaf being blown across the slopes and ridges.

As Macdonald stood there watching this you puzzled if he might need a kind of, yeah, possibly simply go for a run as a substitute moments. Does anybody need a drink? I feel the parking is likely to be working out. As a substitute he stepped up, launched himself into the empty air, and it was all simply high quality, knowledgeable, managed. There have been flips and turns and one 360 twirl.

He didn’t actually do massive air, or a lot of intricate strikes. He did it the outdated method, and other people of their 40s and 50s would possibly recognise this. As you age, so do your expertise. You play old school soccer, with possibly a wall go or a by means of ball. In cricket you bat immediately like somebody from the Fifties, excessive elbow, no run there. Your tennis is Virginia Wade. Hmm, sure, a topspin forehand.

Macdonald was doing it MCC‑handbook model, stable and dad-ish, like a person expertly establishing a tent, and it was all high quality and good proper up till the second he fell on his bottom doing his ultimate leap, however leapt up smiling and saying no actually it’s high quality, I’m high quality, how are you.

The ovation was enormous. He waved and grinned. Second time round he hit 76.61. Third outing he was even higher, hauling himself into 18th place. Crucially he didn’t fall off once more, as just about everybody else did, which felt a bit like your dad really successful at ping-pong as a result of he stayed to place the desk away.

The cheers had been as soon as once more enormous as he twirled his board and grinned for the cameras, having the time of his life on the market. Later, he was late to speak to the press, drawing some not totally unserious discuss needing to take a seat in a chair for a bit or simply resting his eyes. However he appeared contemporary and pumped within the combined zone, thrilling the gathered hardcore of cargo-shorted fiftysomething males, who requested age-appropriate questions like how’s your spouse (frankly, it was a shock nobody requested for tips about a superb natural IPA, or what do they name the choose with no fingers, reply: Justice Thumbs).

However by then Macdonald had already charmed everybody current, and supplied within the course of the obvious cause for his presence right here, the truth that he’s a famous person and that it will simply be good for skateboarding. Plus, proper off the bat, he gave the right dad-level soundbite: “In the event that they’re freely giving gold medals for whoever has essentially the most enjoyable, I received it wrapped up, proper?” Sure king. Preach.

After dominating Germany in its final ladies’s Olympic basketball group stage recreation, Crew USA strikes on to face Nigeria in the present day.  Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu and all of the gifted athletes enjoying for Crew USA have dominated competitors within the group stage of the 2024 Summer time Olympic Video games. 

The competitors heats up as Crew USA faces Nigeria within the knockout stage of the Paris Summer time Video games. Hold studying to learn how and when to look at in the present day’s Nigeria vs. U.S. ladies’s Olympic basketball recreation, even when you do not have cable

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How and when to look at the Nigeria vs. U.S. ladies’s Olympic basketball recreation

The Nigeria vs. U.S. ladies’s Olympic basketball recreation will likely be performed on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT). The sport will air on USA Community, and stream on Peacock and the platforms featured beneath.

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The right way to watch the Nigeria vs. U.S. ladies’s Olympic basketball recreation with out cable

Whereas many cable packages embrace USA Community and the opposite channels broadcasting the 2024 Summer time Olympics, it is easy to look at the Olympic basketball if these channels aren’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you do not have cable in any respect. Your greatest choices for watching are beneath. (Streaming choices would require an web supplier.)

Watch each occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Peacock

Along with main sporting occasions just like the 2024 Paris Olympics, Peacock gives its subscribers live-streaming entry to NFL video games that air on NBC and sports activities airing on USA Community. The streaming service has lots extra stay sports activities to supply, together with Large Ten basketball, Premier League soccer and WWE wrestling (together with previously PPV-only occasions similar to WrestleMania). There are 80,000 hours price of recorded content material to look at as properly, together with hit motion pictures and TV collection similar to “The Workplace” and “Parks and Recreation.”

A Peacock subscription prices $8 per thirty days. An annual plan is accessible for $80 per yr (greatest worth). You’ll be able to cancel anytime.

Prime options of Peacock:

• Peacock’s Olympic protection will embrace “multi-view” choices through which followers can curate their viewing journey, selecting the Olympic occasions they’re most eager about watching.
• Peacock will air unique protection of PGA Tour occasions, Olympic trials and Paris Olympics 2024 occasions.
• Peacock options loads of present and traditional NBC and Bravo TV exhibits, plus unique programming such because the award-winning actuality present “The Traitors.”

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Watch the ladies’s Olympic basketball on Sling TV for half worth

If you do not have cable TV that features USA Community, one of the cost-effective methods to look at the Olympics, and all the most important sporting occasions taking place this summer season and fall, is thru a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer additionally gives entry to Olympic qualifiers, the 2024 Paris Video games, NFL soccer airing on NBC, Fox and ABC (the place obtainable) and NFL Community with its Orange + Blue plan.

That Orange + Blue plan usually prices $60 per thirty days, however the streamer at present gives a half-off promotion on your first month, so you will pay simply $30. For the least costly Olympic-watching choice, the Blue plan consists of the channels NBC, USA and E!, beginning at $45 per thirty days ($22.50 on your first month). A Sports activities Additional add-on is accessible ($15 per thirty days) with 19 sports-centric channels, together with Golf Channel, Large Ten Community, NFL RedZone, MLB Community and Tennis Channel.

The streamer has a brand new pay as you go providing for soccer season known as Sling TV Season Cross. You may get 4 months of the Orange + Blue tier, plus the Sports activities Additional add-on, for $219. That is a financial savings of $81 over the same old worth.

Prime options of Sling TV Orange + Blue plan:

• Sling TV is our best choice for streaming main sporting occasions like NASCAR.
• There are 46 channels to look at in whole, together with native NBC, Fox and ABC associates (the place obtainable).
• You get entry to most native NFL video games and nationally broadcast video games on the lowest worth.
• All subscription tiers embrace 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
• You’ll be able to add Golf Channel, NBA TV, NHL Community, NFL RedZone, MLB Community, Tennis Channel and extra sports-oriented channels (19 in whole) by way of Sling TV’s Sports activities Extras add-on.

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Watch the Nigeria vs. U.S. ladies’s Olympic basketball recreation free with Fubo

You can too catch Crew USA ladies’s basketball airing on community TV on Fubo. Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that provides entry to network-aired sports activities just like the Tour de France, and virtually each NFL recreation subsequent season. Packages embrace the stay feed of sports activities and programming airing on CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, NFL Community and extra, so you’ll watch extra than simply the Summer time Olympics- all with no cable subscription.

To observe the 2024 Summer time Olympic Video games with out cable, begin a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You’ll be able to start watching instantly in your TV, telephone, pill or pc. Along with Olympic occasions, you will have entry to NFL soccer, Fubo gives NCAA faculty sports activities, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and worldwide soccer video games. Fubo’s Professional Tier is priced at $80 per thirty days after your free seven-day trial.

Sports activities followers will need to take into account including on the $7.99 per thirty days Fubo Additional bundle, which incorporates MLB Community, NBA TV, NHL Community, Tennis Channel, SEC Community and extra channels. Or improve to the Fubo Elite tier and get all of the Fubo Additional channels, plus the power to stream in 4K, for an additional $10 per thirty days.

Prime options of Fubo Professional Tier:

• There are not any contracts with Fubo — you may cancel at any time.
• You’ll be able to watch sporting occasions as much as 72 hours after they air stay with Fubo’s lookback function.
• The Professional tier consists of over 180 channels, together with NFL Community and Golf Channel.
• Fubo consists of all of the channels you will want to look at faculty and professional sports activities, together with CBS (not obtainable via Sling TV).
• All tiers include 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
• Stream in your TV, telephone, and different units.

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Watch the Nigeria vs. U.S. ladies’s Olympic basketball recreation on Hulu + Dwell TV

You’ll be able to watch Crew USA ladies’s basketball and extra top-tier sports activities protection, together with NFL Community, with Hulu + Dwell TV. The bundle options entry to 90 channels, together with Golf Channel. Limitless DVR storage can also be included. Watch the 2024 Summer time Olympic Video games and each NFL recreation on each community subsequent season with Hulu + Dwell TV,  plus unique stay common season NFL video games, fashionable studio exhibits (together with NFL Whole Entry and the Emmy-nominated present Good Morning Soccer) and much extra.

Hulu + Dwell TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per thirty days after a three-day trial.

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Olympics 2024: When does Crew USA play?

Beneath is the schedule and outcomes for Crew USA ladies’s basketball on the 2024 Summer time Olympics in Paris. 

All occasions Jap

2024 Olympics Group Stage (Lille)

2024 Olympics Knockout Stage (Paris)

• Quarterfinals, Aug. 7: Nigeria vs. Crew USA,  3:30 p.m. (USA Community)
• Semifinals, Aug. 9: TBD vs. TBD, TBD — USA Community
• Gold medal recreation, Aug. 11: TBD vs. TBD, TBD — USA Community

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The right way to watch Crew USA ladies’s basketball on the 2024 Summer time Olympic Video games in Paris

Girls’s basketball on the Paris Summer time Olympics will broadcast on USA Community. NBC and Telemundo will broadcast not less than 9 hours of protection from 9 a.m. to six p.m. ET every day. Different occasions will air on the USA Community, Golf Channel, CNBC and E!. 

Peacock will livestream each occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympics, together with the opening and shutting ceremonies and each Olympic basketball recreation.

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Who’s on the Crew USA ladies’s basketball roster in 2024?

12 WNBA gamers make up the roster for Crew USA’s ladies’s basketball workforce. 

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When is the Crew USA ladies’s basketball gold medal recreation?

The gold medal recreation for girls’s basketball is scheduled to be performed on Sunday, August 11, 2024.

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Who gained the gold medal in ladies’s basketball on the final Olympics?

Crew USA took house the gold medal on the Tokyo Summer time Video games after defeating occasion hosts Japan within the remaining. It was Crew USA’s seventh consecutive ladies’s basketball gold medal.

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Macdonald simply had the afternoon’s most vocal help after French skater Vincent Matheron, who got here and went in an earlier warmth.

The plenty gathered across the park bowl to observe a slice of historical past being written even jeered the judges when his scores got here by way of. It solely broadened the veteran’s smile.

However there was one particular person particularly the digicam stored panning in direction of, one other skateboarding legend: Tony Hawk.

Hawk, who informed Olympics.com final week simply how proud he was of seeing his nice pal go well with up for the Video games, put that satisfaction to work. With every trick, Macdonald slammed down the U.S. star applauded together with his arms above his head in approval

**”**Proper over there, on the Grand Palais, Tony Hawk and I did a demo, and my son, who’s 18, was only a toddler. He fell asleep in the course of the demo,” Macdonald mentioned gesturing to the enduring constructing within the skyline of the park bowl he had simply skated round.

*”*We’re outdated associates. Outdated being the operative phrase,” the Briton continued.

“We have identified one another for a very long time. We skated towards one another for years. Within the X Video games, we skated collectively as teammates, as doubles companions. We went on tour for years collectively. And we’re neighbours at house in San Diego, so it is simply neat to be out right here with family and friends and simply having fun with this wild experience.

Macdonald continued: “For Tony and mine’s era, skateboarding was the antithesis of Olympic sport. And we grew to become skate boarders as a result of we did not need organised sport. We did not wish to play soccer or soccer. We are the outcasts. We’re over right here skateboarding, you understand? Like soccer gamers hate us. And now we’re simply being embraced, as you’ll be able to see by this neighborhood, this international sports activities neighborhood. And it is simply wonderful.”

Together with his achievement in the present day now identified in all corners of the world, Macdonald shared one closing inspiring message to these watching.

“This piece of ineffective picket toy proper right here is how I’ve made my residing,” he mentioned smiling down on the skateboard between his toes.

“It is how I met my spouse. It is given me all the things on this planet that I’ve. And I nonetheless get pleasure from driving it each single day, each time I get on a board, even when I’ve a nasty day., a nasty day on a skateboard is a lot better than a very good time without work one.”

The Briton concluded: “If I can encourage yet one more child to select up a board or yet one more grownup to not put one down, I really feel like that is why I am right here”.