David Purdum

12 hours ago | espn.com | David Purdum

DENVER -- The gymnastics coach for a one-time Olympic alternate received a lifetime ban Thursday from the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Qi Han, whose case dates to at least 2016 and who had been under a temporary sanction for the past two years, was listed as permanently ineligible, subject to appeal, on the center's disciplinary database. It said he was found to have committed emotional misconduct, physical misconduct and violated USA Gymnastics policies and bylaws.

14 hours ago | espn.com | David Purdum

LOS ANGELES -- Planning and preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has made "significant progress" and organizers on Thursday expressed confidence that President Donald Trump's latest travel ban won't prevent games participants from entering the U.S. "It was very clear in the directive that the Olympics require special consideration and I actually want to thank the federal government for recognizing that," LA28 chairman and president Casey Wasserman said during a news conference at the...

21 hours ago | basketball.realgm.com | David Purdum

The Indiana Pacers are the biggest Finals underdogs in 20 years at 5-1, but they are receiving strong support from the betting public. ESPN BET reported Thursday that 78 percent of the bets on the series winner were on Indiana, while nearly 90 percent of the money that had been wagered was on the Oklahoma City Thunder. In order for a bettor to win $100, they would have to risk $700 on the Thunder.

23 hours ago | espn.com.au | David Purdum

St. John's coach Rick Pitino said he has zero interest in becoming head coach of the New York Knicks again. "Absolutely not," Pitino said during a broadcast of Wednesday's game between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians. Editor's PicksWhy now? Who's next?

23 hours ago | espn.com | David Purdum

Li Li Leung, who deftly guided USA Gymnastics back from the brink of collapse in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal, is stepping down at the end of the year. The decision, which USA Gymnastics announced Thursday, comes with the organization in a far different place than it was when Leung took over in the spring of 2019. Back then, it was fighting battles on multiple fronts, and the long-term survival of one of the U.S. Olympic movement's marquee programs was hardly assured.