Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill into law that bans transgender women from playing on female sports teams in college, expanding the state's existing 2021 ban on transgender athletes on K-12 sports teams. The bill has been met with criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and the NCAA, who have argued that it is discriminatory and dangerous. It is the latest in a series of restrictions on transgender people in Alabama, including a bill that would make it a crime for doctors to provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors.
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Hundreds of spectators gathered in Gloucester, England on Monday to witness the annual Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling event, a centuries-old tradition of racers chasing a 7-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a near-vertical hill. Nineteen-year-old Delaney Irving, from Canada, was knocked out during the race but still managed to win the women's race. Despite her fall, Irving was seen smiling with her cheese and supporters, proud of her accomplishment.
Novak Djokovic, a tennis champion, has once again made headlines for his foray into geopolitics. On Tuesday, a NATO-led mission in Kosovo saw more than 30 peacekeepers injured in clashes with ethnic Serbs. Djokovic spoke to reporters about Kosovo after his Round 1 match at the French Open, sparking debate about his involvement in such a sensitive issue. His past comments on controversial topics, such as his father's videos during the Australian Open and his decision not to be vaccinated against COVID-19, have also caused controversy.
Josef Newgarden won the 2021 Indianapolis 500, ending a streak of 11 unsuccessful attempts. After a review of the running order at the time the yellow flag waved, race control moved Newgarden to second and he slingshot around reigning race winner Marcus Ericsson on the restart. Newgarden's first win in the Indianapolis 500 was a momentous occasion for him and Team Penske, who had not won since 2017.
Churchill Downs has experienced a tragic month with 12 horses suffering fatal injuries on the racetrack. The two most recent fatalities occurred on Saturday and Friday, with both horses euthanized due to “inoperable and unrecoverable” injuries. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is currently investigating the deaths and has implemented a number of safety measures, including the use of a synthetic track surface, to reduce the risk of injury. Churchill Downs has expressed their sorrow for the loss of the animals and their commitment to ensuring the safety of the horses and the sport.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against several celebrities, including Shaquille O'Neal, Tom Brady, and Gisele Bundchen, for their involvement with the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The complaint alleges that the celebrities defrauded investors by appearing in advertisements for the platform, and the lawsuit is seeking damages for investors who lost money in the collapse. O'Neal was served papers during the broadcast of a Miami Heat-Boston Celtics playoff game, and the other celebrities have yet to be served.
Seven people have been arrested in Spain for racially abusing Real Madrid player Vinícius Júnior, with four of the suspects arrested in Madrid for allegedly hanging an effigy of the player off a highway bridge in January and the other three detained in Valencia for alleged abuse during a Spanish league match on Sunday. Real Madrid and the Spanish government have expressed their support for Vinícius, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez tweeting, “We will not tolerate racism in any form.” The seven suspects are currently in police custody and are awaiting trial.
LeBron James, the 38-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star, hinted at retirement after his team was swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. During the post-game news conference, James said he had "a lot to think about" when asked if he would walk away from the game. He has not yet made a decision, but it is clear that he has a lot to consider, and it would be a major loss for the league if he decides to retire.