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Women golfers rejoice after LPGA bars post-puberty males from female competition: 'No more!'

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Women golfers rejoice after LPGA bars post-puberty males from female competition: 'No more!'

Multiple women’s golfers came forward to praise and celebrate the LPGA’s rule change on Wednesday that bars post-pubescent males from competing against females in pro competition. 

The organization said in a news release that male players who have gone through male puberty are barred from competing in the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and all other elite LPGA competitions. The new rule will go into effect for the 2025 season. 

“Players assigned male at birth and who have gone through male puberty are not eligible to compete in the aforementioned events,” the organization said. “The policies governing the LPGA’s recreational programs and non-elite events utilize different criteria to provide opportunities for participation in the broader LPGA community.”

Charley Hull, of England, watches her tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the LPGA Annika golf tournament at Pelican Golf Club, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Belleair, Fla.  (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

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The International Women’s Forum (IWF) released a press release in which several women golfers spoke in favor of the ruling later on Wednesday. These golfers include Lauren Miller, Hannah Arnold, Dana Fall, and Amy Olson.

Miller said that she and female colleagues in pro golf have said “no more” to the issues of competing against biological males with the statement.

“This announcement from the LPGA and USGA gives me hope for the future of women’s golf,” Miller said. “The movement of female professional golfers was essential and has been heard — we’ve stood up and said, ‘No more’. By acknowledging the distinctions between men and women, golf leadership is uniting with us in their desire to champion women and girls by restoring a space that prioritizes fair competition. Today, women have won.”

Olson, meanwhile, insisted that the biological differences between men and women should be acknowledged in sports. 

“This is a positive step forward, recognizing that an individual’s chromosomes affect their physical development in ways that are irreversible,” Olson said. 

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Amy Olson swings club

Amy Olson of the United States hits a tee shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club on June 15, 2023 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Raj Mehta/Getty Images)

Fall said that Wednesday’s announcement indicates that “women do matter” in sports. 

“Today’s policy announcement is a huge win for women and girls in sports. The LPGA and USGA, the premiere bodies which dictate the rules of women’s golf, are standing up for fairness and the integrity of our sport. Today, the message sent to women is that we do matter, and they are working to return equal opportunity and protect fair sport for female athletes,” Fall said. 

Still, the announcement was not meant with unanimous praise. Liberals and trans rights activists have criticized the new rule. 

Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson spoke out against the new rule, as it will likely prevent Davidson from competing in the LPGA moving forward. 

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“Can’t say I didn’t see this coming. Banned from the Epson and LPGA,” Davidson wrote in an Instagram Stories post. “All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.

“And somehow people are surprised the suicide rate for transgender people is around 50%. Situations just like this are part of the reason.”

Hailey Davidson swings

Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson looks after shot at pre-qualifying stage of LPGA Q-Series. (Riley Gaines/X)

A female golfer who competed against Davidson, Olivia Schmidt, made a plea to the LPGA to ban trans athletes like Davidson during an appearance at the Independent Women’s Forum in November. 

“The bottom line is we can fight this all we want, but the true change comes from the LPGA. They are the only ones with the power to stop it. It’s up to them to protect us,” she said. 

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“I want my kids one day to chase their dreams and not have these distractions in their way. I’m just praying that [the policy] gets changed, and I’m praying that we can find a way to kind of find some common ground in that and hopefully for the next generation of golfers.”

Now, the LPGA has fulfilled that wish for all of its female competitors and fans. 

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Former Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin suspended from equestrian for a year over whipping scandal

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Former Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin suspended from equestrian for a year over whipping scandal

Charlotte Dujardin — Team GB’s joint-most decorated female Olympian — has been suspended from equestrian for one year after “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare.”

The sport’s governing body, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), confirmed on Thursday Dujardin would be suspended from competing until July 23, 2025, and fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,884; $11,300).

Dujardin’s sanction comes after a video emerged in July 2024 of the double Olympic dressage champion whipping a horse repeatedly four years previously, which saw her withdraw from the Paris Olympic Games. The time already served during her provisional suspension will count towards the FEI punishment.

During the suspension period, the 39-year-old is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or of a National Federation.

After the video emerged in the summer, Dujardin withdrew from the Paris Games and said she had made “an error of judgement” during a coaching session. The FEI, British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and British Dressage subsequently launched a disciplinary process, with the latter two bodies reciprocating the FEI’s ban.

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The FEI added that since the video emerged, it has not received any further complaints about Dujardin’s conduct.

Dujardin said at the time that the incident was “completely out of character” and “does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils”, adding that she was “deeply ashamed” of the footage.

FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibanez said on Thursday: “It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games. Yet, despite the challenges, the FEI acted decisively by immediately opening an investigation and imposing a provisional suspension.

“These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences. We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) said after the initial investigation was opened: “We welcome that this has already been referred to a relevant authority and that the FEI is investigating. We are ready to provide any support to their work, if required.”

Dujardin has won six Olympic medals across the three Games she has competed at. She won two golds in the individual and team dressage at London 2012, before defending her individual gold at Rio 2016 and winning silver in the team event. Dujardin then claimed two bronze medals at Tokyo.

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Her medal haul leaves her level with cyclist Laura Kenny, who won five golds and one silver across three Games. With Kenny retiring ahead of Paris, any medal for Dujardin earlier this year would have made her Britain’s most decorated female Olympian.

Dujardin had been due to compete in the team and individual dressage in Paris.

(Top image: Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)

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Packers head coach, Lions fan separated on field before rivalry game

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Packers head coach, Lions fan separated on field before rivalry game

Tempers flared early in Detroit ahead of an NFC North matchup with an unusual dispute.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and a Detroit Lions fan were separated on the field before Thursday night’s clash.

The ruckus appeared to occur right before the national anthem when Lions fans were on the field holding the flag for the game.

Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers reacts to a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field Nov. 27, 2022, in Philadelphia.  (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

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Apparently, though, a fan in a Brian Branch jersey took it a bit too far, to the point LaFleur told him to “shut the f— up.”

Several Packers players and referees intervened before the fan walked away, excited about what had just happened.

Fans holding the flag took their phones out to record the argument. 

And it wasn’t an ideal start for the Packers once the game actually started. 

A defensive penalty on a third and goal gave the Lions a fresh set of downs, and David Montgomery ran in for a score on the game’s first drive. After Detroit made it 10-0, the Packers cut into the lead with a Josh Jacobs touchdown in the second quarter.

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The Lions took a 17-7 lead into the locker room, but the Packers scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives and benefited from a costly Jared Goff interception to lead 21-17.

Matt LaFleur on field

Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers stands on the field before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif.  (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

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The Lions and Packers have combined to go 20-4 this season and are first and third in the division, respectively. Detroit is looking to set a franchise record with its 11th straight victory.

Both teams earned home victories on Thanksgiving.

Matt LaFleur looks down at play sheet

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during the first quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts Sept. 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. (Imagn)

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The Lions defeated the Packers last month, 24-14, at Lambeau Field.

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Ladd McConkey is hurting, but Chargers' offense would hurt more if he can't face Chiefs

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Ladd McConkey is hurting, but Chargers' offense would hurt more if he can't face Chiefs

Ladd McConkey has not made a decision whether he will be available Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs as he manages knee and shoulder injuries, but the Chargers’ leading receiver is “going to do whatever I need to do” to get on the field for the AFC West showdown.

“Shoot, if I can play, I’m gonna play,” McConkey said Thursday after practice, during which he was a limited participant.

The rookie leads the Chargers with 815 yards receiving on 58 catches with four touchdowns. He torched the Atlanta Falcons for 105 yards receiving in the first half last Sunday, but said he injured his knee on a third-quarter catch when he was sandwiched on a tackle by Dee Alford and Troy Andersen.

It was McConkey’s last catch of the game and he finished with 117 yards with 12 receptions while laboring through most of the fourth quarter.

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“Everybody has something going on,” said McConkey, who was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday. “Everybody’s playing through something this time of the year. So at the end of the day, it is what it is. I feel good enough.”

The former second-round pick has been a frequent mention on the Chargers injury report, battling through shoulder and hip injuries this season. Black tape on his right shoulder was poking out from under his jersey Thursday while black sweatpants covered the brace he wore on his right knee.

McConkey’s relatively slight, 6-foot, 185-pound frame, combined with his role that often puts him in position to absorb big tackles while crossing the middle of the field has made his long-term durability a concern.

Although he has worked with trainers to ensure he recovers and gets treatment during the week, McConkey acknowledged that making in-game decisions to preserve his health will be key for his career.

“I’m not really gonna run someone over, and is it really worth it to get the extra one or two yards?” McConkey said. “Obviously if I catch it, it’s third down, I’ll do whatever I gotta do to get the first down. But when there’s four people honing in on you, is it really worth it to take that extra hit?”

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McConkey has been the Chargers’ most reliable receiver this season by far. The team’s second-leading pass-catcher is tight end Will Dissly, who has 41 catches for 399 yards and one touchdown.

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