Megan Rapinoe rips IOC's new policy to protect women's sports, rejects notion rule is based in science

Former U.S. women's soccer starMegan Rapinoeripped the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for implementing a new policy to ensure fairness across women's competitions.

The IOC said "eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one‑timeSRY gene screening."

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The organization added that the policy was "evidence-based" and "expert-informed." The testing can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample.

A presentation at a World Athletics panel in Tokyo in September revealed that 50 to 60 athletes with male biological advantages have been finalists in the female category at global and continental championships since 2000.

The panel was led by the head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department, Dr. Stéphane Bermon, who said sex tests were necessary because of an "over-representation" of DSD (differences of sex development) athletes among finalists, per multiple reports.

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However, Rapinoe rejected the policy in the latest issue of her "A Touch More" podcast.

"Unfortunately, we have to say that all in the same breath as a really horrible rule came out from the International Olympic Committee," Rapinoe said as she praised the transgender community. "They announced a new policy that they're calling, I can't even believe that they're calling it this because it has nothing to do with protecting women, I feel like two people, who played at the very highest level for every competition that you possibly could, don't agree with this and never felt like this was an issue at all, 'The Protection of the Female [Women's] Category.'"

Rapinoe dismissed the notion that the policy was rooted in science and said the IOC was subjecting women to "invasive testing."

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Olympians React To The Ioc Policy Change To Protect Women's Sports

"We already know that biology, as much as we want it to be just nice and clean and tight and perfectly in one category and another, it's not," Rapinoe said. "We know that. So, now what we're doing is subjecting everybody, all women and all people who are identifying as women to this really invasive testing that only to me says like, 'Oh we're just trying to whittle it down to a certain type of woman.' Is that what we're doing? That's really the whole game here.

"They sort of lost the battle on gay marriage and lost the battle on all these things so it's just like, 'We're gonna have this whole campaign for all these years to just hate trans people,' which is such a small percentage of the population. It's actually on a single hand when we're talking about sports. And just like thread the absolute tightest needle thread that you possibly could."

Rapinoe added that the IOC only implemented the rule to appease PresidentDonald Trump'sadministration.

"This committee is framing it as based in science, which it's not," she said. "This will ultimately just prevent people from competing within the women's category that they feel like they have an unfair advantage. It's just really hateful. There's been so few athletes that are trans or competing as trans and it's so blatant on its face. It's a total acquiescence to the Trump administration and to really right-wing conservative politics that really is just bringing down so much hate against such a small percentage of people who are just trying to live their life. It's just horrible and I'm just sickened by it, really."

Conversely, several Olympians supported the IOC's decision.

Kaillie Humphries, a three-timeOlympic gold medalistfor the U.S. and Canada, was among them.

"Today is a great day for women's sports and a big win in the Olympic world," she told Fox News Digital last month. "By implementing the sex testing, it will allow for fair competition. It used to happen years ago, and by bringing it back it will protect the women's category. I think it's very fitting that LA28 will be the games to protect women's sports as it's something that our president has advocated for."

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Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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Original article source:Megan Rapinoe rips IOC's new policy to protect women's sports, rejects notion rule is based in science

byAlex Forten

in

April 05, 2026

Megan Rapinoe rips IOC's new policy to protect women's sports, rejects notion rule is based in science

Former U.S. women's soccer starMegan Rapinoeripped the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for implementing a new p...

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Hockey fan goes into labor, gives birth during Oilers game at Rogers Place

The Edmonton Oilers lost to the Vegas Golden Knights at home on Saturday,5-1. Jack Eichel tallied three points with three assists, and Brett Howden scored a goal with two assists. Evan Bouchard scored the lone goal for the Oilers.

However, that might not be the biggest story to come from Saturday's match at Rogers Place.

During the second period, a woman went into labor and eventually gave birth at the arena. Play-by-play broadcaster Jack Michaels revealed the news to viewers during the Oilers' telecast on SportsNet.

"Breaking news: We have word that someone has gone into labor here tonight," Michaels said on air. "There's a baby being born on the seventh floor at Rogers Place as we speak."

"So someone's going to have a great story to tell," he continued. "It would be nice to have the mother join us on 'After Hours' to describe what's happened but that could be asking a bit much."

Michaels was correct in that the new mother and child did not join the "Hockey Night in Canada" postgame show. But five games remain on Edmonton's regular-season schedule before the NHL playoffs, so there are still opportunities for the mother to join host Scott Oake for an interview.

At the end of the show, Oake announced that he is retiring after the season. What better way would there be for him to finish his television career than to talk to a woman who gave birth at an NHL hockey game?

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Sure, there will likely be big hockey games and results to talk about on the verge of the Stanley Cup playoffs. But this is a story that could grip a nation. (Two nations, if the interview is seen in the United States.) There are so many details to be revealed.

Was the baby an early arrival? Who helped with the delivery? Was the father on hand?

Did this happen in a suite? (Probably not, on the seventh floor.) In a row of seats? Somewhere in the concourse? Even with elevators and escalators, whose idea was it to make a pregnant woman go up seven floors? Or is that an indication of how serious a hockey fan she is? Is she even a hockey fan?

In an eventful night at Rogers Place, a fan was also hit by a puck in the stands,according to On3. (He was apparently all right, trying to fire up his fellow fans and pumping his arm as he left the seating area.) There was also a fight on the ice at the end of the game, but the scuffle was broken up quickly.

The Golden Knights are 3-0 sincefiring head coach Bruce Cassidyand replacing him with veteran coach John Tortorella. Vegas (seventh inthe Western Conference standings) could face the Oilers in the second round of the playoffs if both teams win their first-round series.

If a certain new mother is up for it, wouldn't she be a great candidate to drop the ceremonial puck before one of those games in Edmonton?

byAlex Forten

in

April 05, 2026

Hockey fan goes into labor, gives birth during Oilers game at Rogers Place

The Edmonton Oilers lost to the Vegas Golden Knights at home on Saturday,5-1. Jack Eichel tallied three points with three...

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Trump threatens to strike Iran's infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened

U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed more threats Sunday toward Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened in the coming days.

In an expletive-filled early morningposton his Truth Social platform, the president said, "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up into one, in Iran," unless the strait is reopened. President Trump also said in a phone call withFox Newsthat he is "considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil" if peace negotiations fail.

The renewed threats come as the war, now in its sixth week, has claimed the lives of thousands — including at least 13 Americans — and rocked global markets, with key shipping routes remaining cut off. The Strait of Hormuz typically sees about one-fifth of the world's oil supply pass through it and has effectively been shut down by Iran since the war broke out.

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Last week, foreign ministers and officials from more than 40 countries met in search of a peaceful resolution to Iran's ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The countries placed blame squarely on Iran for keeping the strait closed, allowing only a trickle of ships friendly to Iran through.

RELATED STORY |Dozens of nations are searching for a diplomatic solution to the Hormuz blockade

None of the participating countries are seeking direct confrontation with Iran, but they are considering how their militaries might facilitate the reopening of the strait once the conflict concludes — for example, by helping to demine the waterway. In the meantime, President Trump has said countries affected by the loss of oil would need to retrieve it themselves and has called for broader involvement in the war from U.S. allies.

byAlex Forten

in

April 05, 2026

Trump threatens to strike Iran's infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened

U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed more threats Sunday toward Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened in the comi...

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Secret Service investigates reports of gunfire near Lafayette Park across from the White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service said Sunday it was investigating reports of overnight gunfire near Lafayette Park, which is across the street from the White House.

No injuries were reported and no suspect was found after a search of the park and the surrounding area after midnight, the agency said in an online post.

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President Donald Trump was spending the weekend at the White House, which had no immediate comment on the incident. White House operations remained as normal but security in the area was increased, according to the Secret Service.

The park has been fenced off for weeks of renovations.

The Secret Service said it was working with District of Columbia police and U.S. Park Police.

byAlex Forten

in

April 05, 2026

Secret Service investigates reports of gunfire near Lafayette Park across from the White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service said Sunday it was investigating reports of overnight gunfire near Lafayette Pa...

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Final Four: Yaxel Lendeborg vows to play vs. UConn after finishing win over Arizona with MCL, ankle injuries — 'I'm gonna play unless I can't walk'

Michigan All-American Yaxel Lendeborg returned toSaturday's Final Four win over Arizonaafter suffering knee and ankle injuries and vowed after the game to play in Monday's NCAA title game against UConn.

Lendeborg confirmed postgame that he sprained his left MCL and injured his ankle on a fall in the first half. He missed most of the first half, but returned to play briefly in the second half of Michigan's runaway win.

He hit two 3s in the opening minutes of the second half to help Michigan extend its lead as theWolverines cruised to a 91-73 victory.

Lendeborg left the court with 13:32 remaining and Michigan holding a 66-45 lead. He briefly returned later in the half, but finished the game on the bench with a wrap around his knee as Michigan was comfortably in control.

Lendeborg finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in 14 minutes while shooting 3 of 4 from the floor. The attention now turns to his health and availability for Monday's championship game against UConn,which beat Illinois in Saturday's first Final Four game.

Lendeborg: 'I'm gonna play unless I can't walk'

Lendeborg told TNT after the game that he's confident he'll play Monday night.

"Coach said at worst, like MCL sprain," Lendeborg said. " And obviously, I rolled my ankle. I'm gonna push through. There's no way I'm missing the game on Monday night, no matter what goes on.

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"I'm gonna play unless I can't walk at all."

Lendeborg maintained a noticeable limp as he walked of the court following Michigan's win.

Lendeborg in pain after scary fall

Lendeborg left the game with his injuries as Michigan held a 28-14 lead with 8:41 remaining in the first half. He rolled his left ankle after stepping on the foot of Arizona's Motiejus Krivas on a drive to the basket.

He was in obvious pain as he stood up from his fall. He was fouled on the play and was able to shoot free throws before limping off the court to the Michigan locker room.

Lendeborg was able to briefly return to the Michigan bench before the end of the half, but again limped off the court before halftime. He didn't return until the second half.

Arizona reeled off seven straight points after he left the game to cut Michigan's lead to 28-21. But Michigan withstood the run and went into halftime with a 48-32 lead. The Wolverines dominated the second half despite the limitations of their best player.

Lendeborg is critical to Michigan's hopes of beating UConn in Monday's title game. A senior forward, Lendeborg has averaged 15.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals this season while shooting 52% from the field and 37.2% from 3.

He's a consensus first-team All-American and was named Big Ten Player of the Year while leading Michigan to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. He's been Michigan's most valuable player while leading the Wolverines in a dominant NCAA tournament run to the Final Four and, now, to the title game.

byAlex Forten

in

April 05, 2026

Final Four: Yaxel Lendeborg vows to play vs. UConn after finishing win over Arizona with MCL, ankle injuries — 'I'm gonna play unless I can't walk'

Michigan All-American Yaxel Lendeborg returned toSaturday's Final Four win over Arizonaafter suffering knee and ankle...

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Final Four 2026: Michigan opens as big favorite over UConn in men's college basketball title game

The Michigan Wolverines were dominant in animpressive 91-73 victory over the Arizona Wildcatson Saturday night in the Final Four in Indianapolis.

Michigan closed as a 1.5-point underdog atBetMGM(pick 'em or -1 at some other books) against Arizona — the first time the Wolverines had been an underdog since they were 2.5-point 'dogs on Nov. 26 against Gonzaga. Michigan won that game 101-61.

The Wolverines will take on Dan Hurley's UConn Huskies on Monday night, and Michigan opened as a 7.5-point favorite at BetMGM with a total of 145.5.

UConn (+1.5) led for most of the game against No. 3 Illinois in the first Final Four game on Saturday and ended up winning 71-62 — the 18th win (and cover) in the Huskies' last 19 NCAA tournament games.

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The Huskies have won all six national championship games they've appeared in (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024) and covered the spread in every game. This will be the third time UConn has been an underdog in the title game.

Sportsbooks would prefer a Michigan victory on Monday night in the futures pool, as many books shortened the Wolverines' odds significantly after their showing in Las Vegas in November so significant liability didn't build up.

There is certainly one bettor hoping for a Huskies victory, as a bettor at DraftKingswould win $1 millionif Hurley & Co. win their third championship in four seasons. That bettor wagered $77,000 on UConn at 13-1 odds to win the national championship, a wager that would win $1,001,000.

The national championship game is at 8:50 p.m. ET on Monday on HBO and TBS.

byAlex Forten

in

April 05, 2026

Final Four 2026: Michigan opens as big favorite over UConn in men's college basketball title game

The Michigan Wolverines were dominant in animpressive 91-73 victory over the Arizona Wildcatson Saturday night in the Fin...

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Tori Spelling and 4 of Her Kids Taken to Hospital After Car Crash

Tori Spelling, four of her kids and three others were taken to the hospital after they were involved in a car crash on Thursday, April 2

NEED TO KNOW

• TMZ reported that Spelling was driving four of her kids and three of their friends when they were hit by a driver who was allegedly speeding and ran through a red light

• The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum is mom to five children: Liam, 19, Stella, 17, Hattie, 14, Finn, 13, and Beau, 9

Tori Spelling, four of her children and three others were taken to the hospital after they were involved in a car crash earlier this week.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office confirmed to PEOPLE on Saturday, April 4, that deputies were dispatched to a crash in Temecula, Calif. — located 80 miles outside of Los Angeles — at around 5:45 p.m. local time on Thursday, April 2, where they found two cars with collision damage.

TMZwas the first to report the news.

Spelling, 52, was driving four of her children and three of their friends when they were hit by a driver who was allegedly speeding and ran through a red light, the outlet reported.

All of the car's occupants were evaluated at the site of the crash, and no arrests were made, the sheriff's office said. Spelling and the seven children were then transported to the hospital in three separate ambulances and were later treated for injuries including cuts, bruises, contusions and concussions, per TMZ.

A video obtained by the outlet showed Spelling speaking to an officer at the scene of the crash.

A rep for Spelling did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday.

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TheBeverly Hills, 90210alum ismom to five kids: Liam, 19, Stella, 17, Hattie, 14, Finn, 13, and Beau, 9, all of whom she shares with exDean McDermott.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Spelling was also previously involved in a car accident back in 2011, when she hit a wall while driving her two eldest children to school while being chased by paparazzi.

The actress, who was pregnant at the time, wrote in a social media statement at the time that she crashed while trying to get away from the photographer — who continued to take pictures even after the accident.

"Tori is really shaken up, but she and the kids are doing fine," her rep told PEOPLE at the time. "She's going to the doctor for a checkup."

"[The photographer] followed her into the driveway of the school," a friend of Spelling added to PEOPLE at the time. "She pulled into the driveway and tried to get away from him. She reversed to leave and then hit the wall."

Read the original article onPeople

byAlex Forten

in

April 05, 2026

Tori Spelling and 4 of Her Kids Taken to Hospital After Car Crash

Tori Spelling, four of her kids and three others were taken to the hospital after they were involved in a car crash on Th...

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