Sports
4 US Paralympians barred from closing ceremonies after social media comments questioning teammate's disability
United States Paralympians were banned from attending the closing ceremonies for the Paralympics in Paris after comments on social media questioning a teammate’s disability.
Swimmers Gia Pergolini, Julia Ganney, Jessica Long and Anastasia Pagonis were all disciplined for comments about fellow swimmer Christie Raleigh Crossley, who has the neurological disorder S9.
Their comments are clear violations of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee rules, according to The Washington Post.
Christie Raleigh Crossley during the 50-meter women’s freestyle during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Summer Games at La Défense Arena. (Avery Bane/USA Today)
“We can confirm that sanctions have been imposed on several athletes due to unacceptable behavior,” a USOPC spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Washington Post. “It is important to uphold the standards expected of Team USA athletes, and we remain committed to addressing any actions that undermine our values.”
Other than being barred from closing ceremonies, the four swimmers are also subject to suspensions and loss of stipends, The Washington Post added.
US PARALYMPIC RECORD-BREAKER FIRES BACK AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF FAKING DISABILITY: ‘PRETTY DEVASTATING’
Raleigh Crossley set the world record in Paris in the 50-meter freestyle event Aug. 29, and Long, who has spoken her mind about cheating in the Paralympics, jumped into the comments of an Instagram post where her teammates were celebrating the feat.
“I stand with you,” Long commented after Spanish swimmer Sarai Gascon Moreno said, “S9? It’s a joke?”
Long continued to speak out after this comment, too, accusing the U.S. Paralympic committee of being too lenient.
Jessica Long of Team USA Swimming during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Summer Games at the Paris La Défense Arena. (Ryan Beatty/USA Today)
“I’ve seen the Paralympic movement for so long. I think we have intentional misrepresentation [rules] for a reason,” she said, via the New York Post. “And I think we are not using it. I think we really should, right? I want to see Paralympics with integrity. I want to see it better.
“And that’s what I will always stand for.”
Gaffney’s comment was in a separate post, which said, “Not a positive impact. Intentional misrepresentation is never cute.”
Pergolini responded to Gaffney with “well said” and replied “this” with a raising hands emoji next to it to confirm her approval of the comment.
Raleigh Crossley had to address those questioning her disability in Paris.
Jessica Long of Team USA Swimming during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Summer Games at the Paris La Défense Arena. (Ryan Beatty/USA Today)
“I went from enjoying a world record to being utterly devastated that the entire world seems to think I was a cheater and that I was somehow faking the hole in my brain and the cyst in my spinal cord,” Raleigh Crossley said, via the New York Post.
“To be told online by all of these bullies that I am not somehow disabled as I appear, just because I can swim faster than them, it’s pretty devastating.”
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If the Super Bowl marks the end of the NFL season, WrestleMania is when WWE’s year is over.
There is no offseason in WWE, and when waves of departures hit the company, it hits harder than a Gunther knife-edge chop.
Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross appear during SmackDown at First Horizon Center in Savannah, Ga., on May 23, 2025. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Fightful and BodySlam both reported several superstars who left WWE on Friday ahead of “Friday Night SmackDown.” Some wrestlers confirmed their departures on social media.
Those who left included: Alba Fyre, Aleister Black, Alex Shelley, Andre Chase, Apollo Crews, Bo Dallas, Chris Island, Chris Sabin, Dante Chen, Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Kairi Sane, Luca Crusifino, Malik Blade, Nikki Cross, Santos Escobar, Sirena Linton, Trill London, Tyra Mae Steele, Tyriek Igwe, Tyson Dupont, Zelina Vegas and Zoey Stark.
The WWE roster is loaded as it is with several NXT stars getting called up this week.
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Sol Ruca made her presence felt on Raw on Monday when she challenged women’s champion Liv Morgan. The Fatal Influence faction of Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley took aim at the women’s tag team division on SmackDown on Friday. Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe also had vignettes for their upcoming appearances.
Meanwhile, former NXT champion Oba Femi has been on main WWE programming for the last few weeks and beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.
Kairi Sane enters the ring during Monday Night RAW at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on April 13, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega make their way to the ring during SmackDown at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
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It’s not the end of the road for any of the recent departures. Several former WWE stars have made waves elsewhere. Some have even returned over the course of time.
Pitching coach Gus Rico was having dinner on Thursday when head coach Matt Mowry of Birmingham High complimented him on closer Aidan Martinez recording all seven of his outs on strikeouts.
“I had no idea,” Rico said. “Everything is a blur when I’m calling pitches.”
Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He touched 92 mph with his fastball and has been improving each week, getting better command and walking fewer batters. He has 28 strikeouts in 15 innings and three saves.
Birmingham is one game behind El Camino Real in the West Valley League standings going into showdown week, playing El Camino Real on Wednesday at on the road and Friday at home. The Patriots need a sweep to have a chance at their first league title under Mowry, who prefers winning City titles.
With Martinez throwing so well, it would be a good strategy for opposing teams to make sure they are leading going into the last two innings.
“He’s got a bright future,” Rico said.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program’s first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he would enter the NBA Draft.
Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season.
Johnson played for Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason.
Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. walks on the court against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated)
After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson “The Enforcer” and “Junkyard Dog,” a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
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But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvement as the season progressed.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the 2026 NCAA national championship game in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere.
Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after scoring in the second half against the UConn Huskies during the 2026 NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury.
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