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U.S. men win 4×400 relay for third consecutive Olympics

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U.S. men win 4×400 relay for third consecutive Olympics

SAINT-DENIS, France — Everything that makes Rai Benjamin such an effective anchor leg was on display. Required by the task.

Officially, he had a quarter-of-a-second lead when he got the baton from Bryce Deadmon. It took a monster 43.54-second run from Deadmon to drag the U.S. from third place to a small lead. The anchor just had to do what he does. Close.

Here is the major problem Benjamin had this time: Letsile Tebogo of Botswana. The same sprinter who ran the men’s 200-meter final in 19.4 seconds to win gold.

“I run the 400 hurdles,” Benjamin said, “so I’d like to think that my engine is bigger than his. But nineteen-four? We cannot sleep on that.

“And just the sheer talent that he has. … That’s generational right there. The kid’s freaking great.”

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So it was time for Benjamin’s experience to kick in. For his strategy. For his speed. For his patience and poise.

For his loyalty.

“Somebody cracked a joke in there … that had to do with Noah (Lyles),” Benjamin said. “Oh they cracking jokes? … You guys about to get punished right now.”

The men’s 4×400 relay has been contested now in 26 Olympiads. America has won 19 of them, including nine of the last 11.

This comes one night after the 4×100 relay team — featuring some of the fastest men in the world — squandered their chance at gold. After getting disqualified for the first exchange happening out of the zone, American sprint legend Carl Lewis demanded an overhaul of that relay program, which hasn’t won a medal since 2004 or a gold since 2000.

“They know my number if they want me,” said sprint legend Maurice Greene, part of the last gold medal 4×100 relay team. “It’s just terrible. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t have won.”

But those problems don’t extend to the other relay. (Of course, the hand-offs are far less intense when you have an entire lap to run.)

The 400-meter runners aren’t the most glorified of America’s sprinters. They’re gold medalists and record holders in their own right. But their names aren’t on the marquee of USA Track and Field. Yet they’ve consistently gotten the job done.

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The Paris Games proved to be no different. But it wasn’t easy.

The gamesmanship began early. In the call room before the runners took the track, Benjamin said Botswana organized as if Tebogo wasn’t running anchor. The ploy didn’t work, though. They all knew Tebogo would finish.

“And I knew it was gonna be a fight coming home,” Benjamin said, “so it was probably my most calculated anchor leg that I’ve run since I’ve been anchoring this relay for the past couple (of) years.”

Benjamin clarified the joke about Lyles was harmless and it wasn’t Botswana. He wouldn’t say anything more than it wasn’t anything offensive or derogatory. Just part of the mind games that go on behind the scenes, and that he didn’t like it. Because in the throes of competition, any banter is a salvo. It’s all motivation.

GO DEEPER

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Rai Benjamin claims his first Olympic gold in men’s 400m hurdles

It takes more than mind games to beat Benjamin, who couldn’t remember the last time he lost a relay in which he anchored.

“Maybe in high school,” he said. “Maybe.”

He now has two Olympic championships as the anchor, including the last Olympics in Tokyo. He also has two gold medals from the World Championships as anchor. And two NCAA championships, outdoor and indoor, as anchor.

Is he America’s greatest closer ever?

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“Michael Norman,” Benjamin said after a pregnant pause. “Yes. You’ve seen Michael Norman flat-out run forty-three-oh in Sacramento. Straight gas. Look it up.”

Indeed, Norman ran a 43.06 for USC in the NCAA West preliminary round at Sacramento State in 2018. Benjamin ran the first leg in that race.

“When Michael’s healthy and he’s firing on all cylinders,” Benjamin said. “A dangerous guy.”

On this night, the dangerous guy was Tebogo, and all the U.S. had was Benjamin. He played a perfect game of chess, knowing the 400 meters is uncomfortably long for the elite sprinter from Botswana. Benjamin went fast enough so Tebogo had to work hard and drain some energy. But Benjamin couldn’t go too fast so as not to burn himself out. He was going to need his closing speed.

For 200 meters, with Tebogo’s breath on his neck, Benjamin worked his strategy. He stayed patient, focused on himself and his race. He didn’t look up at the jumbotron to monitor Tebogo. Benjamin let his feel and instincts guide him. Then, at the right time, “just kick like hell coming home.”

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Tebogo’s speed was countered. Benjamin’s lead was preserved. And the gold medal was America’s.

“Because,” Vernon Norwood said of Benjamin, “he’s Captain America.”

Required reading

(Photo: Hannah Peters / Getty Images)

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Rams star Puka Nacua sued for alleged assault and battery amid accusations he bit woman

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Rams star Puka Nacua sued for alleged assault and battery amid accusations he bit woman

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Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua has been sued for alleged assault and battery by a woman who alleges he bit her on the shoulder on New Year’s Eve and made an antisemitic remark. 

The lawsuit was filed this week in Los Angeles, according to TMZ. The suit also cites gender violence and negligence.

Plaintiff Madison Atiabi and her attorney, Joseph Kar, claim Nacua made an antisemitic exclamation that emotionally distressed her when they were together in Century City. 

She says Nacua bit her and left teeth marks on her shoulder when they were in a van together later in the night, and she claims Nacua also bit her friend’s thumb.

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Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, has already strongly denied Nacua made any antisemitic statements. He described the bites as “horseplay.”

McCathern, said “the whole claim is nothing more than a shakedown attempt” and that the bite “left nothing more than a temporary mark,” according to TMZ.

Nacua previously apologized for performing an “antisemitic” act on a YouTube stream in December. Nacua discussed touchdown celebrations on YouTuber Adin Ross’ stream.

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RAMS STAR PUKA NACUA ACCUSED OF BITING WOMAN, MAKING ANTISEMITIC REMARKS: REPORT

NFL Network reporter Jamie Erdahl interviews Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua after a game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium Dec. 28, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

Many, however, believed the celebration perpetuated a harmful anti-Jewish stereotype.

In the video, Ross instructed Nacua to spike the ball, flex and then rub his hands together. Ross, who is Jewish, has referred to the movement as his own “dance” or “emote.”

Nacua received pushback and issued an apology.

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Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams runs downfield during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium Oct. 2, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

“When I appeared the other day on a social media livestream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration. At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people,” Nacua said in a “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” graphic

“I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Prep baseball roundup: Anthony Murphy vs. Striker Pence matchup produces excitement

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Prep baseball roundup: Anthony Murphy vs. Striker Pence matchup produces excitement

Two future high major-league draft picks, Anthony Murphy of Corona and Striker Pence of Corona Santiago, showed off their talents Wednesday. Corona rallied for a 9-7 victory.

Pence, who touched 99 mph, struck out Murphy for one of his six strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. He left the game with a 3-2 lead. Then Murphy hit a home run off Pence’s replacement, Thomas Padilla, to tie the score. Murphy was on the mound in the seventh to strike out Pence and get the save. Pence finished with two RBI singles.

“Those are two amazing baseball players and what a treat for them to get after it,” Corona coach Andy Wise said.

Striker Pence of Corona Santiago gets excited against Corona.

(Craig Weston)

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The two attended middle school together. Murphy, a senior center fielder, is shaping up as a potential first-round pick. Pence, a sophomore, might reclassify to be eligible for the 2027 draft.

Errors played a big part in the game. Corona committed three errors, making it 20 errors in its last three games. An error by Santiago opened the door for a six-run sixth by the Panthers. Danny De La Torre had the big hit, a two-run double. He had two doubles on the day.

Corona’s defense is expected to get a lot better come Friday when infielders Joseph Flores and Kobee Finnikin become eligible after the sit-out transfer period ends.

Southern California teams got their first chance to show how good Southern California baseball is during Wednesday’s opening games of the National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C. Three came away with dominant wins. Aquinas was the only local school to come up short, losing to Tennessee Baylor 9-6.

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Orange Lutheran received 16 strikeouts from Gary Morse, tying a tournament record, in a 3-0 win over Colorado Regis.

Unbeaten St. John Bosco (8-0) got two hits and two RBIs from Jack Champlin in a 14-1 win over Tennessee Nolensville.

Harvard-Westlake took care of North Carolina Wakefield 16-0 in five innings. Justin Kirchner struck out 10 and Ethan Price had three hits.

In the quarterfinals on Thursday, Harvard-Westlake will play Florida Venice, Orange Lutheran will face Florida Trinity Christian Academy and St. John Bosco will take on Arizona Casteel.

Servite 11, Santa Margarita 2: Eli Rubel had a triple, double and three RBIs for the Friars.

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Tesoro 2, Aliso Niguel 1: Corwin Allard threw a complete game with six strikeouts and one walk for Tesoro.

Newport Harbor 8, Edison 2: Keaton Anderson struck out four in six innings. Grant Horsley had two hits.

Huntington Beach 8, Edison 4: Dane Cunningham, Ely Mason and Jaxon Greer hit home runs for Huntington Beach. Cunningham had three hits.

Villa Park 13, Foothill 0: Aiden Young went four for four with five RBIs and Logan Hoppie threw the shutout.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 11, Crespi 1: AJ LaSota struck out five, walked none and gave up two hits in five scoreless innings. Troy Trejo and Benett Pace each had two hits and two RBIs. Freshman Anthony Daniel had three hits.

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Bishop Alemany 5, St. Francis 1: Matthew Serrano gave up two hits in six innings and Alex Noble contributed three hits for the Warriors.

Sierra Canyon 11, Chaminade 2: Brayden Goldstein went three for three with three RBIs.

Hart 3, Ventura 2: Jaiden Chan had the walk-off hit for Hart. Malachi Wobrock threw a complete game.

West Ranch 11, Canyon 1: Blake Johnson hit a three-run home run for West Ranch. Josh Price had two hits and four RBIs.

Saugus 11, Valencia 2: Joey Nuttall finished with three hits for Saugus. Logan Feldman added four RBIs.

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Simi Valley 11, Camarillo 1: Ryan Whitson and Kai Stones each had three RBIs for Simi Valley.

Rancho Christian 3, Valley View 2: Jake Brande struck out 10 in a complete game.

South Torrance 5, El Segundo 3: Leadoff hitter Owen Rhodes finished with three hits for South Torrance.

Monroe 2, Vaughn 0: The Vikings improved to 12-0 behind pitcher Miguel Gonzalez.

Ayala 9, Glendora 1: Caleb Trugman struck out 11 for Ayala.

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Saints sign former No 2 overall pick Zach Wilson as backup quarterback: reports

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Saints sign former No 2 overall pick Zach Wilson as backup quarterback: reports

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The New Orleans Saints have reportedly made an addition to their quarterback room.

The team signed Zach Wilson to a one-year contract, according to multiple reports.

Wilson, 26, spent last season with the Miami Dolphins and will serve as the backup quarterback to Tyler Shough.

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson looks to throw a pass against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Jan. 4, 2026. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)

The Saints will be Wilson’s fourth team in four seasons. He spent the first three years of his career with the New York Jets after being selected with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

After three disappointing seasons with the Jets, they traded him to the Denver Broncos in April 2024. The Broncos declined Wilson’s fifth-year option, and after the season he signed with the Dolphins.

Wilson has seen little game action over the last two seasons, not playing at all with the Broncos in 2024. With the Dolphins last season, he appeared in four games, completing 6 of 11 passes for 32 yards.

COWBOYS STAR DAK PRESCOTT’S EX POSTS ABOUT ‘GROWTH’ DAYS AFTER COUPLE SPLIT BEFORE WEDDING

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Miami Dolphins quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Tua Tagovailoa talk on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 15, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)

With the Jets, Wilson started 33 games, going 12-21 while completing 57% of his passes for 6,293 yards with 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

Wilson will join Shough and 2024 fourth-round pick Spencer Rattler in the quarterback room.

Shough impressed in his nine starts last season. The Saints went 5-4 in his starts while Shough completed 67.6% of his passes for 2,384 yards with 10 touchdowns with six interceptions, while rushing for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson looks to throw a pass against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Jan. 4, 2026. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)

However, Shough battled numerous injuries throughout his college career. He sustained a broken left collarbone in 2021, re-injured that same collarbone in 2022, and broke his fibula in 2023.

The Saints hope he remains healthy as they look to win the NFC South next season and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

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