Sports
Speed skating: Jorrit Bergsma, 40, takes mass start gold; Jordan Stolz fourth
Jorrit Bergsma of Netherlands celebrates with the national flag after winning gold in the Men’s Mass Start Final. MILAN — Jorrit Bergsma turned back the clock to claim men’s mass start gold at the Winter Games on Saturday, securing the second Olympic title of his career at the age of 40, while Marijke Groenewoud triumphed in the women’s race to seal a Dutch double.
As Bergsma approached the final straight, he allowed himself a smile and celebrated before crossing the line.
With the two mass start races bringing the speed skating program to a close, the Netherlands finished Milan Cortina with five gold medals in the sport, the most of any nation at these Games.
Dane Viktor Hald Thorup claimed silver in the men’s race for his country’s second ever Winter Olympics medal, while Italy’s Andrea Giovannini delighted home fans with bronze.
In the women’s event, Canada’s Ivanie Blondin secured silver, matching her Beijing 2022 result, and American Mia Manganello took bronze.
DARING ATTACK
Bergsma and Thorup stunned the field with a daring attack on the third lap of the 16-lap men’s race, but Bergsma launched another blistering move with a couple of laps to go, decisively shaking off Thorup.
Bergsma’s win added to an exceptional Olympic resume that includes 10,000m gold at Sochi 2014, silver at Pyeongchang 2018, bronzes in the 5,000m at Sochi and 10,000m at Milan Cortina.
“That was crazy, mind-blowing,” Bergsma said. “I was expecting a really hard final, but nobody wanted to do the first attack. I did it. I had a gap together with Viktor and that was it.
“We had a gap in no time, and then I knew, ‘OK, I have a big, big chance right now.’ I just wanted to keep the gap with the peloton and keep the speed in it a bit. I had to keep my cool and finish it.”
Bart Swings’ title defense ended in disappointment. The 35-year-old Belgian, who captured his country’s first Winter Olympic gold in 74 years at Beijing 2022, finished ninth.
American Jordan Stolz, the Olympic 500m and 1,000m champion, ended fourth. He also won silver in the 1,500m.
“I would say it was pretty successful,” Stolz said of his Olympics. “There’s things that could have gone better, but two golds and a silver, I’m pretty happy with that.”
‘DREAM COME TRUE’ FOR GROENEWOUD
With Dutch great Irene Schouten now retired, the women’s mass start began without its defending champion but Groenewoud timed her final-lap surge to perfection to claim her first Olympic gold.
“Maybe it (Bergsma’s race) brought some more pressure on my shoulders, but there was also a lot of energy I got out of it. It’s nice to see your teammate win. Then you have to do it yourself, too,” Groenewoud said.
“I stood up and thought, ‘this mass start is my mass start and I did it’. It’s a dream come true. As a child I dreamed of Olympic gold and now I got it.”
The 27-year-old left the arena with more than one piece of hardware after her boyfriend proposed moments after her victory.
“I got a gold medal and a silver ring,” Groenewoud said. “Really happy with it. I didn’t expect it. It’s a perfect day.”
–Reuters, special to Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Guardians signing 1B Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal
Jul 2, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (12) watches from the dugout prior to game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Cleveland Guardians are signing free-agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a minor league contract, The Athletic reported Sunday.
He will earn a $1.5 million base salary should he make the major league roster, per the report. He still must pass a physical but was in the Guardians clubhouse at spring training in Arizona on Sunday.
Hoskins, who turns 33 next month, spent the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers after six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He missed the 2023 season due to a torn ACL suffered in spring training.
He has a career batting average of .238 with 186 home runs and 530 RBIs.
He played just 90 games for the Brewers last season, sidelined because of a left thumb UCL sprain and bone bruise. He hit .237 with 12 homers and 43 runs driven in. Andrew Vaughn, acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, took over at first base.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: MLS reviewing Lionel Messi's post-match actions
Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) moves the ball against Los Angeles FC midfielder Mathieu Choinière (66) during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images Lionel Messi could face a suspension from MLS after the Inter Miami superstar was seen following referees through a door after Saturday night’s 3-0 loss at Los Angeles FC, per The Athletic.
FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazaga was investigated and suspended three matches for “misconduct” after entering the referees’ locker room in 2023 following a playoff match.
In the video, which was posted by Sintesis Deportes, Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez appears to attempt to prevent Messi from entering the room. Messi escapes Suarez’s grasp before reappearing eight seconds later, joining his teammates walking to their locker room. It’s unknown if the room Messi walked into was the referees’ locker room.
MLS has yet to issue a statement, and its disciplinary committee usually issues decisions — which include suspensions and fines — by the middle of the week following the previous weekend’s games.
Messi has never been suspended for any incident involving a referee, but he was suspended last summer for one match after being a no-show at the MLS All-Star Game. Also last season, he was fined “for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy” after a game.
Messi and Inter Miami are off until next Sunday, when the club takes on visiting Orlando City.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Conor McGregor teases 'no name' foe for UFC comeback
March 8, 2024; Austin TX; Conor McGregor speaks to press on the red carpet before the premiere of Roadhouse at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas on the first day of South by Southwest, Friday, March 8, 2024. McGregor plays the character “Knox” in the movie.. Mandatory Credit: Sara Diggins-USA TODAY NETWORK Former two-division champion Conor McGregor claims he’s ready to return to the UFC, and this time against a “no name” foe.
Sidelined since July 2021, McGregor has been rather vocal about returning to the Octagon.
McGregor (22-6) went so far as to take to social media on Saturday and note that he’s just waiting for a contract to sign.
“It’s a no name up next for me possibly, folks. … I ACCEPT. Send the contract, lads,” the 37-year-old Irishman wrote in a now-deleted post.
UFC CEO Dana White poured cold water on McGregor’s claim, however.
“If it was done and he accepted it, I would announce it,” White said.
McGregor has not competed in the Octagon since sustaining a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in Las Vegas in 2021. His planned bout with Michael Chandler for UFC 303 in 2024 was canceled after McGregor withdrew with an injury.
–Field Level Media
Report: Guardians signing 1B Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal
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