The NCAA Division I Board of Directors on Tuesday afternoon formally proposed that the association create a revenue distribution for schools and conferences based on teams’ performance in the women’s basketball tournament.

The move has been eagerly anticipated by women’s basketball coaches and administrators as the sport has exploded in popularity in the past few years and the NCAA has been seeking to address financial and resource inequalities between the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments that were brought to light during, and after, the 2021 events.

The proposal likely will have to be reviewed by the NCAA Board of Governors, which oversees association-wide matters, including finances. And it will need to be approved in a vote by all Division I members at January’s NCAA convention. If passed, schools could be begin earning credit for performance in the 2025 tournament, with payments beginning in 2026.

The NCAA’s new — and greatly enhanced — television contract with ESPN that covers the women’s basketball tournament and dozens of other NCAA championships is providing the money for the new payments. The deal is for eight years and $920 million, with $65 million of the average annual value of $115 million being attributed to the women’s basketball tournament by the NCAA.

Schools’ play in the Division I men’s basketball tournament has been rewarded for years through performance-based payments that the NCAA makes to conferences, which, in turn, share the money among their members.

On a dollar basis, the amount of money in the women’s tournament-performance pool, would be a fraction of the amount in the men’s tournament pool. Just over $171 million was to be distributed in April 2024 based on men’s basketball tournament performance, according to the association’s Division I distribution plan. Based on the value of the ESPN package being attributed to the women’s tournament, the percentage of that amount that would be allocated to the performance pool would be greater on the women’s side.

“It is absolutely a positive thing. We’ve really pushed hard for unit distribution so that everyone understands the value of our game,” Texas A&M women’s basketball coach Joni Taylor said Tuesday morning, in anticipation of the board’s action, while working in Paris as an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team.

“When you look at just the last few years, the numbers that we’ve drawn, the fans, the crowds, the dynamic players that we have, we absolutely need unit distribution. I think it lets our presidents, athletic directors and fans know the value.

“To be able to make money off those NCAA tournament games is definitely a step in the right direction. I don’t think we expect to get what the men get, that’s never been our goal. Our goal is to get a percentage that’s fair and right for where we are right now.”

The revenue pool for the men’s basketball tournament-peformance fund has been based on a percentage of the enormous sum the NCAA gets annually from CBS and now-Warner Bros. Discovery for a package that includes broadcast rights to the Division I men’s basketball tournament and broad marketing rights connected to other NCAA championships.

For the association’s 2024 fiscal year, the fee for those rights was set to be $873 million, according to its most recent audited financial statement. It’s scheduled to be $995 million for the 2025 fiscal year, according to the statement.

In April 2024, the NCAA was set to distribute nearly 20% of the TV/marketing rights payment based on men’s basketball tournament performance, according to the association’s Division I distribution plan. That money is awarded to conferences based on their teams’ combined performance over the previous six years.

Under Tuesday’s proposal and based on the average $65 million value attributed to the women’s tournament, about 23% initially would go the performance pool.

Schnell reported from Paris

LYON, France — The United States women’s national team defeated Germany, 1-0, in the semifinals on Tuesday to advance to the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sophia Smith scored a goal in overtime, assisted by Mallory Swanson, to keep the Americans’ chances of winning their first gold since 2012 alive. They will face Brazil, which beat Spain 4-2, on Saturday in Paris.

Here are highlights from the USA’s win over Germany.

USWNT’s win vs. Germany shows how far team has come in a year

Exactly one year ago, the U.S. women’s national team was at the lowest point in its illustrious history, knocked out of the World Cup in the quarterfinals in what was the team’s earliest exit ever at a major international tournament. Now, they are going to the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“It means everything,” said Sophia Smith, whose sublime goal in the 95th minute made the difference in the 1-0 win over Germany.

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

“We had a tough year last year. In every way possible,” Smith said. “But I feel like this is a new year and we’re really just showing the world that we didn’t ever drop off. We just needed a learning year and a growth year and we’re back. And, hopefully, on top after this next game.”

Sophia Smith goal in overtime gives USWNT win

Sophia Smith scored in the 95th minute, and nearly had another nine minutes later, to give the U.S. women a 1-0 win over Germany. Though the Americans have four gold medals, most of any country, they haven’t played in the final since 2012, when they beat Japan to win their third consecutive Olympic title. 

Mallory Swanson charged up the middle of the field and slotted it to Smith in the box. She beat Felicitas Rauch, and Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger came out to try and disrupt her. But Berger came out too early and Smith put the ball right past her.

Emma Hayes calls Naomi Girma the best defender she’s ever seen

Emma Hayes paid Naomi Girma the ultimate compliment. Girma, the reigning U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, is widely recognized as one of the best centerbacks in the world. But Hayes said there’s no need for the qualifier.

“She the best defender I’ve ever seen. Ever,” Hayes said after Girma’s stone-wall defense helped secure the USWNT’s 1-0 victory over Germany that sent the Americans into the gold medal match. “I’ve never seen a player as good as her in the back.’

Olympics soccer schedule: When is gold medal match?

The women’s soccer gold medal match is Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. ET.

Last time USWNT advanced to Olympic gold medal match

The USWNT is the most-decorated team in the women’s game, with four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals. But it’s been a minute since they’ve reached the Olympic final. 

In Tokyo, the Americans won the bronze medal after falling to eventual Olympic champions Canada in the semifinals. At the Rio Olympics in 2016, the USWNT was knocked out in the quarterfinals, at the time their earliest exit ever at a major international tournament. They ‘topped’ that dubious result last summer, losing in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 

The last time the USWNT made the Olympic final was in 2012, when they beat Japan to win their third consecutive gold medal. No players are left from that team.

How many gold medals has USWNT won?

The U.S has won four Olympic gold medals: 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

USWNT Olympic wins 

The USWNT is 32-7-4 all-time at the Olympics, including four gold medals, won in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Mallory Swanson subbed out for USWNT

Emma Hayes made her last sub in the 110th minute, bringing defender Casey Krueger on for Mallory Swanson. It’s a smart move, given Germany will likely try and throw everything but the kitchen sink at the USWNT over the last five minutes. But should Germany score, it’ll cost the Americans one of their best strikers for penalty kicks. 

Yellow card for Germany in overtime

Julie Brand was shown a yellow card in the 108th minute for a hard foul on Sophia Smith. It was the second yellow card of the game for Germany, after one on Marina Hegering in the first half. 

USWNT overtime subs

Emma Hayes made two substitutions to start overtime. Jenna Nighswonger came on for Crystal Dunn while Korbin Albert replaced Lindsey Horan. Germany, meanwhile, replaced Sydney Lohmann with Elisa Senss.

USWNT vs Germany goes to overtime

The Olympic semifinal between the USWNT and Germany remains scoreless after 90 minutes, which means it’s onto overtime. It’s not ideal for the USWNT, which needed overtime to get by Japan in the quarterfinals, too. Trinity Rodman gave the USWNT the win in that one, scoring in stoppage time in the second half of OT. 

The Americans had several chances to win this one, including Mal Swanson’s goal in the 86th minute. But it was, rightly, called offside. The Americans would seem to have an advantage in another 30 minutes. Several German players appeared to have issues with cramping late in the second half. 

Olympics soccer overtime rules

Knockout stage soccer games at the Paris Olympics go to 30 minutes of extra time (two 15-minute halves) if a match finishes tied. If things remain tied after the additional 30 minutes, the winner is determined by penalty kicks.

In recent years, the USWNT was eliminated in penalties in the 2023 World Cup and the quarterfinals of the 2016 Olympics, but won a shootout in the quarterfinal of the Tokyo Games. — Jesse Yomtov

Stoppage time in second half

There were five minutes of extra time in the second half.

Germany subs out Marina Hegering

Germany was forced to make another sub, this one in the 78th minute, after Marina Hegering appeared to cramp up. This a few minutes after Nicole Anyomi came off after grabbing her hamstring. Hegering was replaced by Bibiane Schulze Solano.

Germany makes first sub vs USWNT

Nicole Anyomi, who’s been Germany’s most dangerous player, was subbed off in the 69th minute. It looked as if she injured her hamstring — though it also could have been cramping, given the heat in Lyon today. She was replaced by Laura Freigang. 

Mallory Swanson shot just misses

Lynn Williams comes on for Rose Lavelle

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Emma Hayes has made another substitution. Lynn Williams came on for Rose Lavelle. It’ll be interesting to see how this affects the USWNT offense. Lavelle had been very active and facilitated a lot of the USWNT’s most dangerous runs. 

Trinity Rodman goes down briefly after a hard tackle

U.S. forward Trinity Rodman went down after a hard tackle in the 59th minute, but got to her feet after lying on the pitch for a few moments.

USWNT vs Germany second half underway

After a scoreless first half, the sides are back on the pitch for the second.

Tierna Davidson subbed out at half

Tierna Davidson was subbed at the half, replaced by Emily Sonnett. The move isn’t a surprise, given Davidson missed the last two games with a leg injury. 

USWNT vs Germany score: 0-0 at halftime

The USWNT better hope it doesn’t regret its missed chances in the early minutes of the first half.

The first half ended in a scoreless tie, despite the Americans taking three shots from close range in the first seven minutes. German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger either caught or deflected each of the shots out of danger. By not scoring, the USWNT gave the Germans time to get organized and settled. They had a couple of chances of their own, including one by Julie Brand in the 24th minute that Alyssa Naeher batted away. Crystal Dunn pounced on the ball and cleared it, not giving Germany an opportunity for a rebound goal. 

The Americans have a 5-0 advantage on shots on goal, and are dominating possession. But, so far, they don’t have anything to show for it. 

Yellow card for Germany’s Marina Hegering

Marina Hegering was given a yellow in the 44th minute after taking out Mallory Swanson. The Germans have been very physical, pushing, shoving and yanking at jerseys, tallying 11 fouls in the first half. The refs have, for the most part, let them play, but this foul was a little too egregrious. Hegering threw Swanson to the turf, earning the yellow. She wasn’t carrying one, so she won’t miss the next game. 

USWNT with three shots on goal early

The Americans had three shots on goal in the first seven minutes. Mallory Swanson fed a free kick into the box for a backpost header by Tierna Davidson; Trinity Rodman and Swanson left one for Rose Lavelle on a breakaway; and Sofia Smith had a look inside the box. All three shots were right at goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

USWNT lineup today

Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson, Naomi Girma, Emily Fox
Midfielders: Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Sam Coffey
Forwards: Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith 

The USWNT is back to full strength. Tierna Davidson, who missed the last two matches with a leg contusion, is in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s Olympic semifinal against Germany. So, too, midfielder Sam Coffey, who missed the quarterfinal win over Japan because of yellow-card accumulation. The rest of the lineup remains unchanged.

What Emma Hayes said before the match

“Well, our game plan so far is to take one game at a time. Having the opportunity to compete and play in a final is something we work very hard at. So we just think to the things that have served us well to this point,” head coach Emma Hayes said on the Eurosport broadcast before the match. “Everybody’s very excited.”

Germany lineup without Alexandra Popp, Lea Schueller

Germany is going to be very short-handed against the USWNT. 

Already missing star defender Lena Oberdorf, who tore her ACL earlier this summer, Germany will be without veterans Alexandra Popp and Lea Schueller for Tuesday night’s Olympic semifinal. Popp is sick, the German federation said, while Schueller has inflammation in a tendon in her left knee. 

It’s bad news for Germany, which has already lost to the USWNT once in the Olympic tournament. Sophia Smith scored twice and Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams each had a goal in the 4-1 win in the second match of the group stage. The Americans went on to win Group B while Germany advanced as the second-place team.

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USWNT Olympic roster 

Forward: Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Jaedyn Smith, Trinity Rodman and Crystal Dunn.
Goalkeepers: Casey Murphy and Alyssa Naeher.
Defenders: Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett.
Midfielders: Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Lynn Williams. 

U.S. Soccer Olympics schedule 2024

If the Americans beat Germany, they will play in the gold medal match on Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. ET.

July 25: USWNT 3, Zambia 0
July 28:USWNT 4, Germany 1
July 31:USWNT 2, Australia 0
Aug. 3:USWNT 1, Japan 0

Tierna Davidson returns to USA matchday roster

Defender Tierna Davidson missed the last two games with a leg contusion, but is active again for the USWNT match against Germany. It moves Emily Sams to the alternate list.

Trinity Rodman goals so far at Paris Olympics

USWNT’s last time out at Lyon Stadium

The U.S. women have fond memories of their last game at Lyon Stadium. As they should, given it’s where they won the 2019 World Cup. 

The USWNT actually played two games at this stadium during that tournament, outlasting England in the semifinals before beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final on goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle. Lavelle is one of seven players from that 2019 team on the squad for the Paris Olympics. The other six are: captain Lindsey Horan, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Alyssa Naeher, Emily Sonnett and Mallory Swanson. 

USA vs. Germany at Olympics

The USWNT didn’t have to spend much time scouting Germany. 

The two teams met last played nine days ago, in the second game of the group stage. It was a 4-1 win for the Americans, with Sophia Smith scoring twice and Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams each getting a goal. That game was the sixth time the USWNT has played Germany in either the World Cup or Olympics, including the semifinals of the 2015 World Cup. The Americans won that and went on to win the first of consecutive World Cups. 

And a potentially positive sign for the USWNT: In the previous five meetings between the U.S. and Germany in the knockout rounds of the World Cup or Olympics, the team that’s won has gone onto win the entire tournament.  

Today is the 37th overall international meeting between the teams.

How Naomi Girma became ‘one of the best defenders in the world’

But it’s the figurative sense that’s even more important. Girma is a first-generation American, the daughter of two Ethiopian immigrants. When she dons the jersey with the U.S. crest on the chest, it’s a reminder of the promise this country holds and proof of how much better we are when we welcome, and celebrate, the melting pot of races and cultures that is uniquely American.

“Diversity and embracing other cultures is what makes us so special, and I think that’s what has put us ahead for so many years,” Girma said. “I think that’s something that we should continue to do.”

The USA TODAY app brings you every Team USA medal — right when it happens. Download for full Olympics coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and much more.

Brazil entered the knockout stage of the 2024 Paris Olympics’ women’s soccer tournament as the lowest seed. Now, they will be going for gold against the U.S. women’s national team.

Despite missing Brazilian legend Marta in the lineup for today’s match, Brazil scored early and often to take a 4-2 win over the defending Women’s World Cup champions Spain.

The two teams met in group play with Spain winning 2-0. This time, things were much different.

An own goal by Irene Paredes made it 1-0 Brazil in the sixth minute. Gabi Portilho’s shot late in the first half made it 2-0 at the break. Spain finally found the net in the 85th minute but by then it was 3-1. The teams traded goals through extra time but Brazil held on for the victory.

They’ll take on the USWNT in a rematch of the 2004 and 2008 gold medal games. Spain will play Germany – who lost 1-0 to the USWNT – for bronze.

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

Here are the highlights from today’s game:

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Spain vs. Brazil highlights

Paredes’ own goal was a surprising way for previously undefeated Spain to start the match.

Brazil found the net themselves late on in the first half behind Gabi Portilho’s goal inside the box.

She’d later assist on a goal by Adriana to make it 3-0 Brazil midway through the second half.

Spain finally got on the board to make it 3-1 thanks to a header by Salma Paralluelo in her first score of the game.

Brazil’s Kerolin showed off her skills in a breakaway goal to extend the lead during extra time, making it 4-1 late.

Paralluelo scored once again for Spain off a corner kick but it was too little, too late. The final goal of the game made it 4-2.

What time is the Spain vs. Brazil match today?

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.

How to watch Spain vs. Brazil women’s soccer semifinal

NBC is airing and streaming the Paris Olympics from all angles: Peacock is streaming every sport and event live as it unfolds; NBC, USA Network, CNBC and E! are carrying various live events and replays throughout the day. Here are 6 tips and tricks for getting the most out of Peacock during the Olympics.

FINAL: Brazil 4-2 Spain

After a few more minutes of extra time, the game is over. Brazil heads to the gold medal match for the first time since 2008 with their victory.

90’+12′ Spain goal: Paralluelo finds the net again

Salma Paralluelo converted a great chance off a corner kick. He initial shot was blocked but she fired again right away to cut the deficit to 4-2.

90’+1′ Brazil goal: Kerolin scores breakaway goal to make it 4-1

Kerolin’s timely interception left her unguarded and sprinting towards goal. She fired the ball between Spanish keeper Cata Coll’s legs to make it 4-1 for Brazil.

85′ Spain goal: Paralluelo finally gets Spain on the board

Salma Paralluelo’s header just a few feet in front of the goal capitalizes on a corner kick opportunity for Spain. They cut the deficit to 3-1 with a place in the gold medal match still on the line.

71′ Brazil goal: Adriana’s header makes it 3-0

An attack by Brazil leads to mayhem in front of the goal but Adriana’s header off a headed pass from Gabi Portilho puts As Canarinhas up big over the defending Women’s World Cup champions.

45’+2′ Brazil goal: Portilho makes it 2-0

In the waning minutes of the first half, Brazil’s striker Gabi Portilho buried a shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Four minutes of extra time

Referees have decided on four minutes of extra time in the first half of the matchup.

Why isn’t Marta playing for Brazil?

One of Brazil’s most iconic players is out for this matchup because of a red card she received in Brazil’s group stage finale against Spain. She appealed the two-game ban but was denied and missed Brazil’s quarterfinal matchup against France.

6′ Brazil goal: Spain’s Irene Paredes gives up own goal

A surprise start for Brazil, controlling the attack and taking a lead after an own goal by Irene Parades.

USWNT v. Germany score, highlights

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The 2024 Paris Olympics women’s soccer semifinals showcased the resilience of the USWNT and Brazil, securing their spots in the gold medal game after two thrilling semifinal matches on Tuesday.

The semifinal games began with an exciting match between the USWNT and Germany that remained scoreless and extended into extra time. Ultimately, Sophia Smith scored the lone goal in the 95th minute, sending the USA into the finals.

In the second game of the day, Brazil, who finished third in the group stage, continued to surprise by defeating the tournament favorites, the reigning Women’s World Cup champions Spain, 4-2 in a thrilling match. Brazil’s victory secured them a spot in the finals.

Now, the USWNT will face Brazil for the gold medal on Saturday, August 10, at 11 a.m. ET.

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

Who is in the Olympic women’s gold medal game?

The USWNT is set to compete in their first gold medal match in 12 years against Brazil on Saturday, August 10 at 11 a.m. ET.

Olympics 2024: Women’s soccer knockout rounds schedule

All times ET.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Semifinal #1: USWNT 1-0 Germany, FINAL
Semifinal #2: Brazil 4-2 Spain, FINAL

Olympics 2024: Women’s soccer medal rounds schedule

All times ET.

Friday, Aug. 9

Bronze medal match: Germany vs. Spain, 9 a.m.; USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock, and NBCOlympics.com

Saturday, Aug. 10

Gold medal match: USWNT vs. Brazil, 11 a.m.; USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock, and NBCOlympics.com.

Spain not going easy

Spain continues to battle Brazil, and Paralluelo scores again for Spain in extra time to narrow Brazil’s lead to 4-2, but it may be a little too late for the Women’s World Cup champions.

Brazil responds and scores a fourth goal

Brazil did not ease off the pressure and responded to Spain’s goal by scoring their fourth goal of the semifinal matchup in the 90th minute. Kerolin Ferraz took advantage of Spain’s Cata Coll mistake which resulted in the ball finding the back of the net and extending Brazil’s lead 4-1.

Spain nets first goal in the 86 minute

Spain still has fight in them after Salma Paralleulo scored their first goal of the game, giving them a lifeline in the semifinal matchup against Brazil. However, Brazil is still leading 3-1 with only a few minutes left in the game.

Brazil makes it 3-0 against Spain

Brazil extended its lead to 3-0 after scoring another goal in the second half. Adriana Leal da Silva headed the ball into the back of the net from inside the box.

Brazil leads Spain 2-0 into halftime

In a stunning turn of events, Brazil came out fierce and struck first against the Spain, taking the lead in the first 10 minutes after Irene Paredes scored the opening goal. Brazil then extended the lead in extra time of the first half when Gabi Portilho netted a shot from the center to claim the second goal of the game.

15’Brazil goal: Spain’s Irene Parades scores own goal

Brazil got out to an early lead in this semifinal match behind a Paredes 15th-minute own goal.

Paris Olympics 2024: How to watch the Summer Games across TV and streaming

Date: July 24-Aug. 11

TV: Games broadcast across NBC, USA Network, E!, Telemundo, CNBC and Golf Channel

Streaming: Peacock, nbcolympics.com 

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There was a magnificent tell showing that the entire controversy involving boxer Imane Khelif was entirely phony, propelled by fake outrage, and it happened recently at a Donald Trump rally. There are lessons here for the future that all people who believe in decency and reside on fact-based Earth 1 should heed. Pay close attention.

By now you know the story. Khelif became a target of the right over a phony gender eligibility controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She’s been abused on social media despite the International Olympic Committee stating there’s no doubt she’s a woman.

Recently, at one of his rallies, Trump jumped into the controversy. He mentioned how Khelif beat Italian boxer Angela Carini.

‘Now all you have to do is look at the boxers,’ Trump said. ‘This young girl from Italy, a champion boxer, she got hit so hard she didn’t know what the hell hit her.’

‘It’s a person that transitioned,’ Trump said of Khelif. ‘He was a good male boxer. And (Carini) didn’t even go down. He hit her with two jabs and she said, ‘I’m out.”

Trump’s words about Khelif were so full of lies, former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban felt compelled to respond. ‘… She is from Algeria,’ Cuban posted on X, formerly Twitter. ‘In Algeria it is illegal to be gay. The idea they would send a gay or trans Olympian is insane.’

Why would Trump weigh in on a boxer he clearly knows nothing about at one of his rallies? The answer is he saw the hatred generated by this contrived situation and joined in for political reasons.

Yes, you’ve heard about the story of Imane Khelif, but there’s one part of it you may not fully understand. The extremist and angry reaction aimed at her was orchestrated. It was plotted. Brought to you by the same people and corporations that portrayed Colin Kaepernick as disloyal to America. The same media conglomerate that states, almost every year, that a migrant caravan is coming and will destroy the nation. The same people who say Taylor Swift was part of a weird conspiracy.

The same people who tried to destroy the Dixie Chicks and Bud Light. And Target. And something something about gas stoves. The same people who said there was a pedophile ring at a pizza parlor. That some nebulous force stole an election. That Barack Obama wasn’t a real American and Kamala Harris isn’t really Black. That there’s a war on Christmas.

Unhinged controversy around Olympic boxer Imane Khelif should never happen again.

These are the anti-DEI, CRT, and 1619 Project people. Harley Davidson is woke people. Disney is woke people.

Big Bird, Dr. Seuss, death panels and Mr. Potato Head people. Vaccines and masks. The Barbie movie people.

They are all fake issues that at one point caused massive hyperventilation among extremists. They are mushroom clouded by Fox News which is patient zero for disinformation. Emerging from Fox is a system of polluted tributaries, all looking to mine anger for profit.

That’s the main thing here: money. It’s a Grifting Industrial Complex. Please remember that.

This is what happened to Khelif. She was shoved into this rage rewarding algorithmic vortex by an opportunistic grifting meatgrinder. There, facts don’t matter. Truth doesn’t either. In fact, the more anyone tries to replace the lying with reality, it only hardens the grifting resolve.

The good news is that these controversies have become so numerous, and so fake, their shelf life is shrinking. The bad news is that to keep the attention of their marks they have to constantly shift from outrage to outrage. So the cycle doesn’t really end.

An even bigger problem is the personal toll these lies can take. They destroy lives and sometimes put people in actual physical harm. The falsities about Khelif led to her publicly pleading for decency.

‘I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects,’ Khelif said in an interview with SNTV, according to The Associated Press. ‘It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.’

The right will move on from Khelif and find something else to hate. Just remember this for the next outrage. Remember the goal. It’s to get you to hate someone, or something, who likely did nothing but exist.

That’s all Khelif is guilty of. Just living.

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — Kristen Faulkner’s parents had never seen her race in a velodrome before Tuesday. At France’s National Velodrome, they saw cycling’s newest sensation qualify for the chance to win another gold medal at the Olympics.

Faulkner and teammates Jennifer Valente, Lily Williams and Chloe Dygert posted the second-fastest time in qualifying for women’s team pursuit in 4:05.238.

New Zealand had the fastest qualifying time (4:04.679), and Great Britain (4:06.710) and Italy (4:07.579) rounded out the top four.

The U.S. and Great Britain, the world’s most-decorated programs in the event, will race in Friday’s first round. Of the eight fastest qualifiers, the teams that post the two best times in Round 1 will meet for the gold medal.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

Both the U.S. and Great Britain have medaled in the event every year since it became an Olympic sport in 2012, though the U.S. will be looking for its first gold.

None of the Team USA racers stopped to talk to reporters as they made their way through the mixed zone following Tuesday’s race, but Faulkner’s parents told USA Today before the race even they’ve been amazed at their daughter’s meteoric rise.

‘Her time in cycling’s been a whirlwind,’ Sara Faulkner said.

According to her website, Faulkner picked up cycling in 2017 after attending a free introductory clinic for women while working in venture capital in New York.

She moved to San Francisco a year later, quit her job in 2020 to pursue cycling full-time and on Sunday became the first American woman to win a gold medal in road race in 40 years.

Sara Faulkner said Kristen’s decision to leave her career for cycling ‘was a long conversation’ that happened ‘over a period of time, actually,’ and it was her father, Jon, and brother, William, who pushed her to go for it.

‘It was her brother who kind of just said, ‘Kristen, if cycling’s a passion, you need to go do it now. Don’t wait cause this is your chance,” Sara said. ‘He was really good.’

The Faulkners own a hotel and restaurant in the fishing village of Homer, Ala., and Sara said Jon’s entrepreneurial spirit gave rise to his daughter’s willingness to start anew at 27 years old.

‘I think I’ve been a risk-taker most of my life, so I was fully supportive of her making the jump and fully confident in her judgment,’ Jon Faulkner said. ‘And the fallback position was not – the downside to it wasn’t there. She’s got a lot on the ball and she’s got a great education and she’s got – so to me it was, she was born to do this and as her father, I wanted to see her fulfill that dream and her gift in life. And then there was only one trajectory from that point in her life forward and it didn’t involve private equity and venture capital.’

As new as Kristen is to competitive cycling, Jon said she harbored Olympic dreams in swimming as a little girl.

‘I think it started with her at probably 7 or 8, 9 years old,’ he said. ‘But she’s dreamed of this moment her whole life, so it makes it an amazing fulfillment for us to witness. It’s not, even beyond just the pride of a father or mother witnessing another individual’s dream come true. Doesn’t happen every day.’

Back home in Alaska, Kristen became an overnight sensation after the road race, when she pulled ahead of three other competitors with about 3 kilometers to go and won comfortably by 58 seconds.

The Faulkners said they had hundreds of congratulatory messages after Kristen’s win, with Jon calling it ‘the biggest news that’s hit Alaska probably in 10 years.’

‘Homer’s a small town, so it’s got a small town vibe and we’ve lived there – she’s lived there her entire life and most of our adult life,’ he said. ‘So everybody knows us and we know everybody, but they’ve had an impact on our life, so you can’t really live in a small town and not have direct impacts that are positive. And she’s recognized them and we honor that. So they’re reaching out to us, I think for a lot of reasons, just mostly to congratulate us and Kristen. But yeah, the town’s waiting for a big parade. We’re telling them it’ll have to be a winter parade because I don’t think it’s good to have a parade without Kristen there.

‘But what the heck? She’s the Arctic Fox, right? So we got to have a winter parade.’

Contact Dave Birkett atdbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

The 2024 Paris Olympics women’s soccer semifinal competition kicked off with a thrilling start, as the USWNT secured a spot in the gold medal match. Now, the tension is mounting as Brazil and Spain gear up for a high-stakes battle to claim the last spot in the quest for gold.

Against all odds, Brazil, who finished third in the group stage, has made a surprising leap to the semifinals. Their journey was marked by a remarkable 1-0 victory against France in the quarterfinals.

Spain, the reigning Women’s World Cup champions, are stepping into the game as the clear favorites. Their dominance is not just on offense but also on defense, as they have conceded only three goals in their last four games.

Here is the live bracket for the final semifinal game between Brazil and Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

Who is in the Olympic women’s gold medal game?

The USWNT is set to compete in their first gold medal match in 12 years after Sophia Smith scored the game-winning goal in the 95th minute against Germany in the semifinals.

Brazil responds and scores a fourth goal

Brazil did not ease off the pressure and responded to Spain’s goal by scoring their fourth goal of the semifinal matchup in the 90th minute. Kerolin Ferraz took advantage of Spain’s Cata Coll mistake which resulted in the ball finding the back of the net and extending Brazil’s lead 4-1.

Spain nets first goal in the 86 minute

Spain still has fight in them after Salma Paralleulo scored their first goal of the game, giving them a lifeline in the semifinal matchup against Brazil. However, Brazil is still leading 3-1 with only a few minutes left in the game.

Brazil makes it 3-0 against Spain

Brazil extended its lead to 3-0 after scoring another goal in the second half. Adriana Leal da Silva headed the ball into the back of the net from inside the box.

Brazil leads Spain 2-0 into halftime

In a stunning turn of events, Brazil came out fierce and struck first against the Spain, taking the lead in the first 10 minutes after Irene Paredes scored the opening goal. Brazil then extended the lead in extra time of the first half when Gabi Portilho netted a shot from the center to claim the second goal of the game.

15’Brazil goal: Spain’s Irene Parades scores own goal

Brazil got out to an early lead in this semifinal match behind a Paredes 15th-minute own goal.

Olympics 2024: Women’s soccer knockout rounds schedule

All times ET.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Semifinal #1: USWNT 1-0 Germany, FINAL
Semifinal #2: Brazil 4-1 Spain, 3 p.m.; E!, Universo, Peacock, and NBCOlympics.com.

Olympics 2024: Women’s soccer medal rounds schedule

All times ET.

Friday, Aug. 9

Bronze medal match: Germany vs. TBD, 9 a.m.; USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock, and NBCOlympics.com

Saturday, Aug. 10

Gold medal match: USWNT vs. TBD, 11 a.m.; USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock, and NBCOlympics.com.

Paris Olympics 2024: How to watch the Summer Games across TV and streaming

Date: July 24-Aug. 11

TV: Games broadcast across NBC, USA Network, E!, Telemundo, CNBC and Golf Channel

Streaming: Peacock, nbcolympics.com 

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Jonathan Owens seems to have gotten the full taste and experience of the 2024 Paris Olympics — including some inside pin trading.

Thanks to the Chicago Bears granting him some time away from training camp, Owens was able to watch his wife, decorated women’s gymnast Simone Biles, win several Olympic medals, including helping the USA women’s gymnastics team return to gold in the team-all-around event.

And while the first-year Bears safety was able to take in the excitement and history of Biles becoming of the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast (both men or women), Biles told TODAY’s Hoda Kotb Tuesday morning that he was just as excited to pin trade at the Paris Games.

‘He was so excited. He was more excited to pin trade,’ Biles said. ‘He was loving to pin trade. I didn’t think he would but I did warn him that pin trading was really huge. So he absolutely loved that.

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

‘Obviously he loved going to see me compete (and) he was still keeping score. For him, it meant the world to him because he has seen the amount of hours that I have put in. So to actually see in person he was like, ‘Wow this is amazing,’ and he was so excited to be there.’

Biles discusses pin trading in the below clip at the 4:20 mark.

To use the words of Ilona Maher of the United States women’s rugby team, pin trading at the Olympics is a ‘serious business’ and tradition at the Olympics. At the start of the Olympic Games, countries and delegations provide their athletes with customized pins — either designed to represent their country or specific team — that they can trade with athletes from other countries or fans or anyone else at the Olympics.

“One thing about the Olympic Village is, trading pins is serious business,” Maher said in a TikTok video prior to the opening ceremony where she is seen acquiring a clog pin from the Netherlands. “We don’t mess around trading pins, OK?”

Biles even has her own customized pin, which to no surprise is a hot ticket item for athletes — like Maher — to get while in Paris. The pin is a gold-shaped heart that has her signature engraved into it with a small drawn heart. Snoop Dogg, who has become quite the fan favorite on NBC’s coverage, has his own pin as well.

Maher’s teammate, Sammy Sullivan, traded one of her Olympic pins to a local tattoo artist in Paris for a free customized Paris Games tattoo that featured the Olympic bronze medal that the women’s rugby team won and the Eiffel Tower.

Owens has since returned to the United States to rejoin the Bears at training camp, where he is preparing for his first season with the NFC North team. He finished with 76 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown last season with the Green Bay Packers.

It appears another breakthrough in Silicon Valley may be imminent – if WR Brandon Aiyuk’s contractual standoff with the San Francisco 49ers is actually nearing a resolution.

Aiyuk, who’s been attending training camp but not practicing, might finally be getting the payday he coveted throughout the offseason. However, per longtime Niners beat writer Matt Maiocco, that could well mean a trade to the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots or possibly even Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco brass now allowing Aiyuk’s representation to speak with select outside teams – a group that doesn’t include the Commanders, that club the subject of intense speculation as an Aiyuk destination in recent months given his Arizona State ties and friendship with Washington rookie QB Jayden Daniels.

So what’s the best outcome for Aiyuk based on the latest developments? Let’s rank them from worst to best:

4. Cleveland Browns

Per Maiocco, the outside negotiations the 49ers have acceded to allow Aiyuk to accept or decline terms of an extension with another organization while San Francisco has already agreed to the framework of prospective deals – and, in this case, that means five-time Pro Bowl WR Amari Cooper would evidently be headed back to the Bay Area, which would be a pretty nice save for Niners GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan. As for Aiyuk? He gets his bag, sure. He also probably immediately steps into an offense where he becomes the primary option after being something akin to 2A – or was that TE George Kittle? or WR Deebo Samuel? – behind All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey. Maybe, coming off a career year (75 catches for 1,342 yards and 7 TDs), Aiyuk truly blossoms into a superstar worthy of his potential windfall. Or maybe he struggles to adapt to an unmistakable WR1 role for an offense increasingly desperate for QB Deshaun Watson to live up to the guaranteed terms of what continues to loom as a historic boondoggle of a contract.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

3. New England Patriots

Again, Aiyuk’s bank account would get fat. But he’d be leaving what’s perhaps the league’s best top-to-bottom roster for one of its worst – and would most certainly step into a circumstance where he’d become the focal point for defensive coordinators amid an attack that produced the NFL’s second-fewest points in 2023 before the Bill Belichick regime change. Yet long term, this might be a preferable scenario. Recently christened executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf has spent the majority of his two-decade career in NFL front offices around winning programs with the Green Bay Packers and Pats … to say nothing of what he absorbed from his father, Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf. New England has a promising young quarterback in Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick from this year’s draft, yet also doesn’t have to rush him onto the field with veteran QB2 Jacoby Brissett likely to carry the QB1 designation to start the season. Perhaps more important, Wolf is well equipped to adhere to the draft-and-develop mode he’s seen bear fruit for so much of his career, yet also has copious cap space in the near term – luxuries the highly leveraged Browns haven’t had nor will they likely in the foreseeable future as the clock continues to tick entering the third season of Watson’s five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

You won’t find many players who don’t want to work for HC Mike Tomlin, a college wide receiver at William & Mary who looks like he could be Aiyuk’s father given their resemblance. But happenstance aside, the Steelers are always in playoff contention and also happen to need another frontline wideout – and Aiyuk would definitely seem to be an upgrade from departed Diontae Johnson as a guy who could do more with a high volume of targets while deterring defenses from doubling explosive George Pickens on the other side. Per ESPN, Pittsburgh re-engaged the 49ers on Tuesday after appearing to be on the outside of the Aiyuk sweepstakes Monday. GM Omar Khan certainly has the salary cap cushion in future years to accommodate the kind of deal Aiyuk is seeking. However the ascending pass catcher would have to ask himself if he’ll chafe in an offense that’s about to re-emphasize the run game under new OC Arthur Smith and has one quarterback – John Rhys Plumlee – signed beyond this season … and he’s (understandably) unlikely to stick on a depth chart that includes veterans Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen.

1. San Francisco 49ers

It’s still pretty obviously the best situation for the reigning NFC champs and their best receiver. History shows Lynch tends to get deals done at the 11th hour but that he takes care of his best players. Aiyuk, owed $14.1 million in 2024 on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, is most definitely one of them – and even if he had to wait until 2025 for his lottery money, remaining a component of an offense in which he’s built substantial chemistry with QB Brock Purdy would almost certainly augment his bid for a contract approaching or exceeding the top of a wideout financial market that’s established its best performers deserve $30 million-plus annually. And if Aiyuk really wants a ring to gild his legacy – and maybe add another premium to his value – there’s almost no better place to be in 2024 than San Francisco.

***

Making his return Monday from a nearly two-week absence as he tended to the health of his son, Los Angeles Dodgers star first baseman Freddie Freeman became emotional after fans supported him with a standing ovation before his first at-bat.

Freeman had also walked into the clubhouse ahead of Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies and saw blue shirts that honored his son hanging from each locker. The shirts had Freeman’s name and number on the back and had ‘#MaxStrong’ printed on the front, in honor of Freeman’s 3-year-old son, Maximus, who has been battling a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome.

‘That’s the first time I cried today,’ Freeman told reporters of the moment he saw the shirts. ‘It means a lot.’

Freeman and his teammates wore the shirts in solidarity with Max during pregame workouts.

What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks nerves, according to the Mayo Clinic. The first symptoms are usually weakness and a tingling feeling in the hands and feet.

All things Dodgers: Latest Los Angeles Dodgers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

It can quickly progress to paralysis, which is what happened to Freeman’s son. There is no specific cure for the syndrome but treatments can help speed up recovery and reduce symptoms.

Freeman said that Max is expected to make a full recovery, but that he will need to undergo physical therapy and other treatments.

‘He didn’t deserve this,’ Freeman said. ‘No one deserves this, anybody who goes through this. It’s not just my family. We were going every night, and every room is filled in the (pediatric ICU). And that is heartbreaking. So many families are going through things like this. We’re one of the lucky ones that got Guillain-Barré that he might have a full recovery. There are kids out there who are fighting for their lives right now. It just puts everything in perspective.

‘I know Dodger fans don’t like this, but I would gladly strike out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the World Series 300 million times in a row than see that again. But he’s on his way. He’s on his way. It’s going to be a long road.’

Freeman also detailed how Max needed to be put on a ventilator during the bout of paralysis. Freeman had last appeared in a game for the Dodgers on July 25. As the team was making a road trip to Houston to face the Astros, Freeman got word that Max would need to go to the hospital, leading to Freeman making a rushed return to Los Angeles to be with his family as Max underwent treatments.

During his absence, Freeman said several members of the MLB community reached out to express sympathy and support. That included Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, whom Freeman embraced in a hug in the third inning after Freeman singled to right field and reached base.

The Dodgers won Monday’s game, 5-3.

‘I’m just very thankful for the baseball community, lifting up Max in prayer and love and support,’ Freeman said. ‘It’s going to be a long journey for him, but it’s a beautiful thing that he’s on the path to being recovered.’