Category: 6. Sports

The INEOS Grenadiers rode to fifth place on the fifth stage team time trial at the Vuelta a Espana.

The Grenadiers tackled the 24km course in Figueres at 56.4km per hour to clock a time of 25:42.73, 16 seconds behind winners UAE Team Emirates – XRG.

The team started strongly, clocking the fastest time at the first checkpoint led through by Italian time trial champion Filippo Ganna.

The Grenadiers continued to work well together, with Luxembourg time trial champion Bob Jungels, Brandon Rivera, Victor Langellotti and Magnus Sheffield pulling turns before dropping off.

With four riders left to cross the finish line, Ganna, Michał Kwiatkowski and Ben Turner worked well to protect GC hopeful Egan Bernal.

Bernal now sits 10th overall ahead of a tough day in the mountains tomorrow, with 170km and 3,475m of elevation from Olot to Pal.

RIGA (Latvia) – Back in 2017, there were more than 10,000 fans in the stands of the Fenerbahce Arena in Istanbul, but they went silent as Latvia pushed through to defeat the hosts Türkiye.

Fast forward to 2025, and the roles reversed. It was the Turkish enjoying the silence this time, as a sold out Arena Riga witnessed Cedi Osman, Alperen Sengun and others storm to a comfy 93-73 win over Latvia to kick start their Group A campaign.

Turning Point

Tip-off. We probably had the fastest dunk in EuroBasket history, as Ercan Osmani converted the tip into a dunk immediately. While a game-starting dunk is in no way a legit turning point, it was a sign that Türkiye were locked in from the start, while Latvia were not.

The hosts did hang around, but when Cedi Osman and Shane Larkin started making their shots from deep in the third quarter, the lead ballooned all the way to +22 with seven minutes to play.

TCL Player of the Game

Pick your poison. Cedi Osman was a key factor in the third quarter, and had a team-high 20 points, Kenan Sipahi set his EuroBasket career-highs with 19 points and five threes made, and Türkiye were a +37 team in his 28 minutes of work, while Shane Larkin had 15 on the day.

However, it felt like Alperen Sengun was that key factor, providing the anchor on offense to keep the Turkish ship in safe waters on the Baltic sea.

Sengun finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists on the day, getting an high efficiency rating of 23.

Stats Don’t Lie

When Türkiye are making shots, they aren’t thinking about winning a game, they are here to go all the way.

Against Latvia, they made 15-of-25 three-pointers, not a lot any team can do when they are that hot. They have broken their previous mark at EuroBasket, having previously made 14 against France in 2022.

Bottom Line

Türkiye’s message was loud and clear, and they get to enjoy a day off thinking about the early matchup with Czechia on Friday.

Latvia have plenty to improve to impress their loyal fans, and they probably can’t wait for the game with Estonia to tip-off, also on Friday. Rihards Lomazs led the scoring with 16 points off the bench, while Kristaps Porzingis was held to 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting with Ercan Osmani as his primary defender.

Of course, it was a collective team effort on defense for coach Ergin Ataman, but Osmani deserves praise for his performance, for sure.

They Said

For more quotes, tune in to the official post-game press conference!

FIBA

NEW YORK — She just can’t quit the US Open.

After losing in the revamped mixed doubles tournament with Reilly Opelka, and then dropping her first-round match against 11th-seeded Karolina Muchova — a three-setter that saw her even the match after dropping the first — Venus Williams will stick around in Queens for a bit longer to play doubles.

The 45-year-old icon has accepted a wild card into the doubles draw alongside former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. (Fernandez is still in the singles draw after defeating Rebecca Marino in the first round. She’ll play Elsa Jacquemot in the second round on Wednesday.)

Williams, a two-time US Open singles champion, has also won two doubles titles in Flushing Meadows — in 1999, alongside her sister, and then again ten years later (again with Serena).

The seven-time Slam singles champ was certainly feeling the love from the New York crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night, and after the match she said it was perhaps the most supportive crowd she’s ever played in front of. (And that’s saying something, considering she’s been on the Hologic WTA Tour since 1994 and has won 23 total majors.)

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a crowd that much on my side,” she said. “When I lost those first two games, they were just still right there with me every point. Didn’t matter if I was losing and it was starting to roll fast, they were just right there with me. It felt great.

“I knew going into this match that people in this stadium, people in the United States, people around the world were really rooting for me, and that felt great.”

Venus and Leylah Fernandez Come Full Circle

Fernandez is a fitting partner for Williams. In Cincinnati, when the reigning Washington D.C. champion was scheduled to potentially play Venus in the third round — that didn’t end up happening, as both players lost before that — Fernandez talked about her kinship with Williams.

“Venus, she’s a legend,” Fernandez said earlier this summer. “She’s an icon. Growing up, when I first started playing tennis, people asked me, ‘Who did you watch when you were growing up?’ I always said Justine Henin and the Williams sisters.

“I see a lot of similarities between their family and my family. They kind of built the path for us, and if I do have the opportunity to play against her, I’m just gonna be super happy, a little kid living her dream and playing one of her idols.”

She won’t play against her, but will instead play with her — which is probably even more thrilling.

The World No. 30 also recalled meeting Venus back in 2020, when she first turned pro and didn’t know many players. It was in August of that year, at the Top Seed Open outside of Lexington, Kentucky, and Fernandez remembers that Venus was one of the first players who wanted to practice with her, something she always appreciated and will never forget.

“I thought I was going to be very intimidated, but she was super nice and welcoming,” Fernandez said. “She encouraged me, so it was pretty cool.”

Williams and Fernandez will play sixth-seeded Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez in the first round.

 

Emma Raducanu returned to the third round of the US Open for the first time since winning the 2021 title with a 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Indonesia’s Janice Tjen.

US Open: Draws | Scores | Order of play

It was Raducanu’s second straight win over a potentially tricky qualifier. Having dropped just three games against former doubles No. 4 Ena Shibahara in the first round, she found herself taking on the surging Tjen, who had compiled a 101-13 record since graduating from Pepperdine University last May. That included a first-round upset of No. 24 seed Veronika Kudermetova in Tjen’s first career meeting with a Top 50 player.

Her second was a marked contrast. Raducanu needed just an hour to end No. 149-ranked Tjen’s run and advance to the third round of a major for the third time in 2025. There, she will face either No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina or another qualifier, 18-year-old Tereza Valentova, in a bid to reach the second week of a major for the fourth time overall.

“Super dangerous opponent,” Raducanu said in her on-court interview. “She was playing extremely well, and I thought any ball that I put mid-court that was not necessarily good enough, she just put away easy. So I was really pleased with how I performed today.”

More to come…

 

We are closer to finding out who will be triumphant at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship (22 August-7 September).

The global volleyball tournament has seen the initial 32 teams wittled down to 16, as the remaining nations enter a knockout stage final round in Bangkok, Thailand from Friday, 29 August onwards.

All three medallists from Paris 2024 – Olympic champions Italy, USA and Brazil – advanced with perfect 3-0 records, with Volleyball Nations League winners Italy aiming to be crowned world champions for the first time since 2002.

They are not the only countries to emerge from the pool stage with three wins out of three. Türkiye topped Pool E without dropping a single set, while the People’s Republic of China, Poland and Japan went unbeaten in their pools.

Hosts Thailand are keeping the party alive and will take on three-time champions Japan in the final round, and tournament debutants Slovenia have written more history by reaching the round of 16.

The knockout stage of the World Championship runs from 29 August to 7 September, with all matches taking place in the Thai capital’s 15,000-capacity Indoor Stadium Huamark.

Find the key details for the round of 16 matchups below.

A force’s new assistant chief constable has said she wants to “instil hope, confidence and trust”.

Rachel Shields has been appointed to the ACC position at Avon and Somerset Police, taking on the role after Will White retired earlier this year.

Ms Shields started her policing career with Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland in 1999 as a response constable. She came to Avon and Somerset Police in 2021.

In a statement, she said: “I applied to be ACC because I believe in the importance of policing, especially during times of instability and fear in our communities.”

After almost 22 years of service in Northern Ireland, Ms Shields moved to Avon and Somerset Police as a detective superintendent.

Within six months she was promoted to head of investigations, in February 2022.

Ms Shields said: “I want to instil hope, confidence and trust. I will specifically seek to guide our efforts in improving our overall performance, be productive and impactful with the resources we have, support our anti-racism strategy and role model service leadership.”

From her time policing in Ireland, Ms Shields has experiences of fractured communities.

She said she hopes the new role will help her to continue to build relationships between communities and the police officers who serve them.

Away from her job, Ms Shields is a mother to two children and said she spends her time cheering them on from the sidelines of a hockey pitch.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: “It’s rewarding to see someone who so naturally aligned with our vision and values bring her wealth of experience to Avon and Somerset and go on to develop a depth of knowledge of the organisation, its people and our communities.

“I have great hopes for the impact that she will have in this new role both within the constabulary and with our partners and communities.”

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, announced at the FIA American Congress 2025 in Asunción, Paraguay, funding for road safety projects in 13 countries across the Americas through the FIA President’s Development Fund and the FIA Foundation. 

The projects are the main outcome of the first edition of the FIA Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life, an FIA University capacity-building programme delivered by United Nations agency UNITAR with FIA Foundation support. The programme is a cornerstone of the FIA Mobility’s development strategy, reflecting the Federation’s long-term commitment to help FIA Member Clubs and government authorities build safer transport systems. 

The FIA, UNITAR and the FIA Foundation are committed to building a sustainable community of practice between FIA Member Clubs and government authorities working together to tackle road safety challenges. Launched in FIA Regions III (North America) and IV (Central America and South America), the programme is set to expand to other regions in 2025.

The 13 projects, spanning Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay address a wide range of road safety challenges. They include initiatives such as strengthening safety standards, enhancing driver training for young road users, using technology to monitor high-risk vehicles, and implementing interventions based on the Safe System approach. Each project is designed to deliver measurable results and provide models that can be scaled across the region.

Participants in the programme completed 120 hours of e-learning covering 56 topics, took part in three in-person seminars, and received tailored mentorship from international road safety experts to develop their projects. The first cohort of 38 road safety leaders from FIA Member Clubs and government authorities in FIA Regions III and IV graduated in July 2025, at the final session hosted with UNITAR at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. There, they presented their projects, exchanged lessons learned, and built momentum for implementation. 

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said, “Through the FIA President’s Development Fund, I want to ensure our Member Clubs have the means to learn, but more importantly, to take real action. These projects are designed by the people who know the challenges of their countries best, and we are proud to support them as they put their solutions on the ground to save lives.”

UNITAR Director of the Division for People and Social Development Alex Mejía said, “Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life stands as a testament to the power of multilateral cooperation in addressing one of the most urgent development challenges of our time — road safety. This programme is rooted in a pragmatic understanding of regional contexts and aligns with international frameworks to support countries in reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries.”

FIA Foundation Executive Director Saul Billingsley said, “Successfully delivering these projects will show the power of targeted training, international collaboration and local ownership. We are committed to empowering FIA Member Clubs as road safety leaders working in partnership to take real steps to reduce deaths and injuries in their communities”.

 

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Focus: Public Policy & Technical Guidelines for Safer Roads 

 

·       Argentina 

Automóvil Club Argentino 

Agencia Nacional de Seguridad Vial 

Infraestructura segura para motociclistas (Safe Infrastructure for Motorcyclists) 

The project aims to improve motorcycle safety in Argentina by mapping high-risk areas, developing best-practice infrastructure guidelines, and creating a replicable model for national and regional implementation.

 

·       Guatemala 

Automóvil Club de Guatemala 

Guatemala no se Detiene – APP, Ministerio de Comunicaciones, Infraestructura y Vivienda, FUNDESA 

Bases generales para la seguridad vial en la infraestructura de Guatemala (General Guidelines for Safer Road Infrastructure in Guatemala) 

The project will allow integration of road safety criteria throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure projects in Guatemala, combining technical development, audits, training, and monitoring under a Safe System approach, aligned with national laws and global road safety goals.

 

·       Perú  

Touring y Automóvil Club del Perú 

Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones 

Voces pequeñas, caminos seguros (Small Voices, Safe Roads) 

Focusing on children and adolescents, this project seeks to raise the profile of child road safety on the public agenda and create a comprehensive national policy.

 

Focus: Training and Education to Save Lives

 

·       Brazil 

Automóvel Clube Brasileiro 

CETRAN-GO

FOCOTRAN 

Agente Mirim (Junior Agent) 

Starting in Goiás with plans to expand nationally, the “Agente Mirim” project in Brazil aims to train 15-18-year-old students in public schools on road safety through a 20-hour online course and community activities, promoting safer daily commutes, youth leadership, and awareness in school communities.

 

·       Chile 

Automóvil Club de Chile 

Organizaciones aliadas gubernamentales: Consejo de Sociedad de la Subsecretaria del Ministerio de Transporte y Comisión Nacional de Seguridad y Transito 

Modernización de herramientas educativas para la formación de futuros jóvenes conductores (Modernizing Educational Tools for Future Young Drivers) 

This project aims to modernise the theoretical training for Class B driving licenses using digital educational tools tailored for young people. 

 

·       Costa Rica 

Automóvil Club de Costa Rica 

Consejo de Seguridad Vial (COSEVI) 

Movilidad segura y sustentable en dos ruedas (Safe and Sustainable Two-Wheel Mobility) 

The project aims to improve motorcycle safety in the Nicoya canton, Costa Rica, by enhancing practical training and assessment for driving license applicants. 

 

·       República Dominicana 

Automóvil Club Dominicano

INTRANT 

RD Seguro (Safe DR) 

The RD Seguro project aims to reduce road crashes in the Dominican Republic through a digital educational platform targeting young people obtaining their first driving license, using interactive modules, virtual classes, and assessments aligned with the Safe System approach.

 

Focus: Monitoring & Risk-Management Systems 

 

·       Bolivia 

Automóvil Club Boliviano 

Viceministro de Seguridad Ciudadana 

UNIVIDA 

Rutas Vigiladas, Vidas Protegidas (Monitored Roads, Protected Lives)

The project aims to reduce fatal crashes in long-distance passenger transport in Bolivia through an AI-assisted monitoring system that detects risky driver behaviours and conditions.

 

·       Colombia 

Automóvil Club de Colombia 

Federación Colombiana de Municipios 

INTELLIMOTO 

Intellimoto is helping protect Colombia’s motorcyclists by monitoring riding habits in real time, giving instant feedback to correct risky behaviours and prevent crashes. 

 

·       Ecuador 

Automóvil Club del Ecuador ANETA

Agencia Nacional de Transito (ANT) 

Salvar vidas de los pasajeros de transporte publica interprovincial de Ecuador (Saving Lives in Ecuador’s Interprovincial Public Transport) 

The project aims to reduce road crashes in Ecuador’s interprovincial public transport by promoting best business practices for drivers, vehicles, and infrastructure, while using technology to detect and address driver risks.

 

Focus: Comprehensive Interventions for Safe Infrastructure 

 

·       Honduras 

Asociación Hondureña de Automovilismo Deportivo 

Alcaldía Municipal del Distrito Central (Tegucigalpa) 

Caminando seguro por las calles de Tegucigalpa (Walking Safely Through the Streets of Tegucigalpa) 

The project aims to improves safety for vulnerable road users along BRT corridors through infrastructure upgrades, speed monitoring, education, and awareness campaigns using a Safe System approach.

 

·       México 

Asociación Nacional Automovilística ANA A.C.

Gobierno Municipal de Amozoc 

Camino a la escuela sin riesgo (Safe Route to School) 

The “Safe Route to School” project in Amozoc, Puebla, seeks to improve road safety for students aged 12–18 through infrastructure upgrades, signage, education, and community audits, creating safer school routes and reducing injuries and fatalities.

 

·       Uruguay 

Automóvil Club del Uruguay 

Unidad Nacional de Seguridad Vial 

Jóvenes en movimiento (Youth on the Move) 

Enhances adolescent road safety through a comprehensive intervention at an educational centre, combining infrastructure, education, technology, and community engagement, in line with Uruguay’s National Road Safety Plan 2025-2030.

 

For media enquiries please contact: 

·       Geri Sherwin, Director of Presidential & Mobility Communications: gsherwin@fia.com  

·       Laure Mercier Roussel, Head of Mobility Communications: lmercier@fia.com  

About the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile 

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility. 

Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including seven FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.

The event is expected to generate a significant economic impact for the region, support over 1,150 jobs, and deliver an estimated impact of $40 million to the local economy. Planned course upgrades include lengthening the course, refining bunkers, and enhancing spectator areas – improvements aimed at elevating the experience for fans and competitors alike for the professional golf event.

As part of the state’s commitment, Louisiana Economic Development has entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with LIV Golf to support performance-based funding for event operations and South Course renovations. The agreement ensures that state support is tied to economic impact, local business engagement, and delivery of a world-class sporting experience.

“This isn’t just a win for golf fans, it’s a win for all Louisianans,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “Bringing LIV Golf to New Orleans puts our state on the global map in a bold way, while creating jobs, sparking investment, and giving our people one more reason to be proud of the place we call home.”

“Louisiana is no stranger to the world spotlight, and welcoming LIV Golf is another opportunity to show what makes us an exceptional place to live, work, and do business,” said LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois. “We are proud of the state’s strategic investment to support an event that will create local business opportunities and share our story with the world.”

“We’re incredibly appreciative of the support and enthusiasm the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans have shown LIV Golf so far,” said Ross Hallett, LIV Golf Executive Vice President, Head of Events. “LIV Golf has always strived to put on events that blend elite golf competitions with world-class entertainment to create a lively, festival-like atmosphere. Louisiana has always had a deep understanding of how to balance music and culture with premier athletic events, so it feels like a perfect place to expand our global event schedule.”