Sports

German track and field star Alica Schmidt – often dubbed the “World’s Sexiest Athlete” – shared an emotional video announcing that she made the German Olympic team and will be participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Knewz.com has learned that the video, which she posted on TikTok, shows her in tears as she shared the exciting news.

The 25-year-old athlete has had a stellar career so far, making it to the Top 8 at European championships twice, and was also placed in the Top 8 at the World Championships.

She currently ranks 87th worldwide in the Women’s 400m category and holds the 1331st place in the Women’s Overall Ranking worldwide.

It was reported that her ascension to the Olympics came after she competed in the mixed 4×400-meter relays in the Bahamas in May 2024.

The “World’s Sexiest Athlete” shared the news with her followers on Instagram as well as TikTok, writing that her “biggest dream came true.”

Schmidt shared a picture of her with the Olympic rings behind her on Instagram, excitedly announcing: “I’m going to the Olympics!”

“In just one month, I will be in Paris, creating memories that will last a lifetime. This thought has been my motivation every single day for several years now, reminding me of why it is important to never give up on my goals and to put in the work,” she wrote on social media.

“No matter how big your dreams are, if you stay committed and believe in yourself, good things will come your way,” she added in her inspiring message.

“A big thank you to my family who always have my back and support me no matter what, to @marcello_h without him I wouldn‘t be where I‘m at right now. My coach Sven Buggel for being the mastermind in training, @noir.boutiquegym for pushing my limits in the weights room.”

“Big thank you to my team mates, for making this journey so much more fun!! My medical team who keep me healthy and of course a big thank you to all my sponsors for believing in me and supporting my journey as an athlete. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she added.

The notable athlete has previously won a silver medal at the U20 European Championships and a bronze medal at the European U23 Championships.

It is worth noting that Schmidt was set to make her Olympics debut in 2020 at the Tokyo Summer Games. However, she announced a hiatus from the sport after she failed to secure a spot on the German team.

The German track star had explained her exit from the Summer Games in an Instagram post at the time, where she wrote, “After an in practice race simulation I wasn’t able to secure my spot in the line up for the prelims.”

“Im so grateful for all of the love and support that I have been recieving on this journey. Now I can’t wait to cheer on my girls today and hope that we can make it into the olympic final!”

Now, her hard work seems to have paid off as she is on track to finally make her Olympics debut this year.

Her followers on Instagram and TikTok showed their support on her posts, along with other fellow Olympians. Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini commented on her post on Instagram, saying, “Proud of you!!”

American track and field athlete Chari Hawkins also showed her support for Schmidt as he wrote, “See you in Paris!!!”

Professional bodybuilding star Kevin Gebhardt was found dead in his apartment mere weeks after what he called a “serious” knee surgery.

Knewz.com has learned that a cause of death is yet to be established.

The incident leading up to the operation occurred in April 2024, when he had an “accident with a bulldog” and tore a muscle in his right leg.

He then received corrective surgery in Munich, a city 390 miles from his home in Bochum.

Gebhardt posted photos to Facebook on April 2023 of his right leg in a brace and another of the stitched-up incision with the caption: “Time heals all the breaks!”

“I can’t really believe it yet! Nevertheless, thanks to Dr. Julian Mehl for the quick help and perfect operation. Possibly the best in all of Germany when it comes to the knee/leg area,” he noted.

The tributes flowed in with those who knew him paying their respects on the same post.

“He died, does anyone know what happened…..oh poor poor man, he was a great man, so nice…I’m so sorry….my condolences to his family,” said one of his friends on Facebook.

“R.I.P. Didn’t know him personally, I followed him and am friends with a relative of his, found out today during the day, so sad,” wrote another.

Iconic bodybuilding coach, Milos Sarcev was a close friend of Gebhardt’s and posted a tribute of his own on social media saying:

“We have lost another brother of iron, way too early. Last night I was informed that my former athlete Kevin Gebhardt was found dead in his apartment in Germany.”

“I knew Kevin since 2018, his amateur days…Helped him win the Pro card (same year) and guided him ON and OFF for several pro shows.”

“He made the trip to Las Vegas to finally train with me – exactly a year ago…after training with @thedorianyates in Spain as well,” Milos wrote next to a picture of himself and the late Gebhardt on his Instagram account.

“He was planning to compete in Alicante and Portugal shows last year, but upon returning home he decided not to compete…”

“That was the last time I heard from him. Sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. He was a super sweet person, super passionate about bodybuilding, and very hard worker. I am devastated with the news and very sad for his girlfriend and his family. May he rest in peace.”

Gebhardt was an accomplished bodybuilder and appeared on stage for the first time at the age of 18.

He won the Junior Championships first in his home country, Germany, and then dominated on the global scene when he scooped a bronze medal at a competition in Warsaw.

Gebhardt then won the heavyweight contest at a fitness festival in Prague where he also received the International Fitness Body Building Pro Card.

Thereafter, he worked as a coach in the sphere, and started an online food and beverage brand.

According to the Bild, the last time Gebhardt competed professionally was three years before his death.

One day after we found out the men’s national semifinals, the Final Four for the women’s national college basketball championship is all set. This Friday, Caitlin Clark and the University of Iowa will take on a UConn program that has won 11 national titles since 1995.  At the same time, North Carolina State, appearing in both the men’s and women’s Final Four, is gearing up to take on undefeated South Carolina.

Clark, an absolute basketball legend, is the star player everyone’s talking about. In March, she broke the all-time scoring record for NCAA Division I basketball. She was on fire Monday night, scoring an incredible 41 out of Iowa’s 94 points in the win over LSU.

Thanks to her incredible performance, the Hawkeyes got their revenge against LSU, who beat them in last year’s national championship. This time, LSU scored 87 points but just couldn’t keep up with Iowa.

Road to the Final Four: Other Key Matchups and Broadcast Details

In addition to Iowa’s big win, UConn also secured its spot in the Final Four by defeating the University of Southern California 80-73. It wasn’t an easy game, but UConn managed to pull through in the end. Meanwhile, the South Carolina Gamecocks showed their strength by beating the Oregon State Beavers 70-58 on Sunday. Plus, the NC State Wolfpack didn’t lag behind, taking down the Texas Longhorns 76-66.

For all the basketball fans out there, make sure you’re free this Friday evening because the Final Four games are not to be missed. They’re kicking off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, and you’ll get to see all the action back-to-back. And then, the moment we’ve all been waiting for—the championship game will be live from Cleveland, happening Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.

This year’s tournament is really making history, with record TV ratings showing just how much everyone loves women’s basketball right now. The Iowa-LSU game on Monday night brought in 12.3 million viewers, an all-time record for a women’s college basketball game. Some of the players, like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, USC’s JuJu Watkins, LSU’s Angel Reese, and UConn’s Paige Bueckers, have become superstars, with their names known in households all over the country. NCAA Final Four Lines are going wild, with fans and analysts alike predicting who will come out on top.

Historic Double Final Four Appearances for UConn and NC State

The men’s and women’s basketball teams from both UConn and NC State are celebrating Final Four berths. While there have been 13 instances where a men’s and women’s school both made the Final Four in the same year, it’s the first time in history there have been multiple schools in the same year going to both Final Fours. UConn is the only college team in history to win national titles on both the men’s and women’s sides in the same year, doing it in 2004 and 2014. It makes you wonder if the 10-year pattern will continue.

This Saturday, the men’s teams are stepping into the spotlight. NC State try to keep their Cinderella story going first on Saturday night against Purdue. Later that night, UConn will go head-to-head with the high-flying offense of Alabama. UConn is seeking to become the first team since Florida in 2007 to win back-to-back national titles. The men’s championship game is slated for Monday, April 8.

Aaron Rodgers’s years in pro football might not be used against him in a political campaign. But controversial comments off the field could be.

Knewz.com has learned Rodgers’s words from the 2010s are becoming an issue, as he becomes a possible running mate in the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presidential campaign.

A CNN reporter says Rodgers approached her at a party after the 2013 Kentucky Derby and accused the news media of ignoring several major stories.

Pamela Brown says among other things, Rodgers claimed the Sandy Hook school massacre in Connecticut in December 2012 “was actually a government inside job.”

Rodgers reportedly offered “various theories that have been disproven numerous times,” Brown added. Some of them turned into a lawsuit by family members of the victims against Alex Jones, which cost Jones more than one billion dollars.

Rodgers reportedly also asked Brown if “there were men in black in the woods by the school” who might have been “government operatives.”

A second witness, whom CNN is keeping anonymous “to avoid harassment,” claims Rodgers later declared “Sandy Hook never happened.

“All those children never existed,” Rodgers reportedly said. The grieving parents were “all actors,” echoing claims that were made in YouTube videos after the deadly shootings.

Rodgers responded to the report on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday, March 14. He indicated it was a repeat of earlier comments: 

As I’m on the record saying in the past, what happened in Sandy Hook was an absolute tragedy. I am not and have never been of the opinion that the events did not take place.

Again, I hope that we learn from this and other tragedies to identify the signs that will allow us to prevent unnecessary loss of life. My thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the families affected along with the entire Sandy Hook community. 

– Aaron Rodgers at Twitter.com/@aaronrodgers12, 3/14/24

One comment on X reacting to Rodgers included a soundbite of him on a Milwaukee radio station a few days after the shootings.

“I hope we can learn from this and look for the signs more,” Rodgers said on WAUK-AM, then aired on WITI-TV. “These are things that affect all of us, directly or indirectly.”

Knewz.com has reported Rodgers is on a “short list” of possible running mates for Kennedy, who is running for President as an independent.

The New York Post reports Kennedy plans to reveal his vice presidential pick Tuesday, March 26 in Oakland. Rodgers played college football in nearby Berkeley at the University of California.

Rodgers reportedly has been in Costa Rica in recent days.

Rodgers has expressed counterculture views in other areas. OK! Magazine noted he challenged Dr. Anthony Fauci in October 2023 about COVID-19 vaccines.

He missed the last football season due to an injury. Could Aaron Rodgers miss next season because he’s running for Vice President?

Knewz.com has learned the latest surprising speculation about the Super Bowl-winning quarterback: he could become the running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Knewz.com has noted for months that Kennedy is serious about a third-party campaign for president. Campaign aide Stafanie Spear confirmed Tuesday, March 12 that he has a short list of potential running mates, and Rodgers is on it.

Spear told the Associated Press that Kennedy is considering at least one other famous name: former pro wrestler and Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

The Washington Post claims Kennedy already has made his choice and will announce it within two weeks. The newspaper quotes “someone familiar with the process.”

According to Newsweek, Kennedy says he’s talked with Rodgers “pretty continuously” over the past several weeks.

Rodgers, 40, seemed to endorse Kennedy’s campaign in April 2023 by retweeting a Kennedy post on X (formerly Twitter).

Both have been skeptical of COVID-19 vaccinations. OK Magazine noted in October 2023 that Rodgers has challenged vaccine backer and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce to a debate on the topic.

Rodgers has yet to comment on the political speculation. But he retweeted a Kennedy speech Friday, March 8 with the words, “This is presidential.” It was Rodgers’s first X post in five months.

Rodgers and Kennedy posted a picture together on X in mid-March 2023 in Santa Monica, California.

Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl win in early 2011. After 18 seasons, he was traded to the New York Jets in April 2023, but had a season-ending injury in the opening quarter of the opening game.

That game was played on Patriot Day, the anniversary of the September 11 attack. Rodgers carried an American flag onto the field in New Jersey.

Football writer John Breech now speculates Rodgers was “filming his first campaign ad” that day.

By comparison, Ventura, 72, has political experience. He was elected Minnesota Governor as an independent in 1998, after serving on a city commission in the Twin Cities.

“I support ALL third party and independent candidates running for U.S. President this year,” Ventura wrote on X in early February. Then he spoke at a Kennedy rally in Tucson, Arizona.

“We must end the duopoly of Republican and Democrat control in Washington,” Ventura added. But Ventura indicated he also was open to third-party campaigns by Jill Stein and Cornel West.

A statement from Ventura’s son Tyrel to the Minneapolis Star Tribune March 12 said the WWE Hall of Fame member “has not been officially asked” to be Kennedy’s running mate and “will not comment on speculations.”

Kennedy could name his running mate early because some states require that for independent candidates applying for the presidential ballot.

In “skijoring,” a horse and rider pull a skier at dangerously high speeds through a snowy obstacle course of gates, rings and jumps.

The 76th annual skijoring contest took place during the first weekend of March in Leadville, Colorado, Knewz.com has learned.

According to the Leadville Herald, skijoring was created in 1949. As the story goes, two friend were visiting the Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs Colorado, witnessed skijoring, and decided to bring it back home to the mountain mining town of Leadville, but amp up the speed factor.

That’s exactly what one of the event organizers, Duffy Counsell, told the Leadville Herald this year.

“It’s something that you can see pictures and videos of,” Counsell said, “but until you see it for yourself and feel it in your chest and feel the electricity of the crowd and see the horses’ nostrils flare and skiers crash and get up pumping their fist, you won’t get the full experience. It’s electric.”

The Associated Press reported that competitors can top 40 mph over jumps as high as 8 feet and around obstacles. Skijoring can also be done with dogs and snowmobiles.

Skijoring began in Norway in the 19th century as a means of transportation around the alps, and a way to speed the transmission of army dispatches, Slate reported.

Competitors say they love the adrenaline. One rider told local station KOAA, “You’re free. When that horse is going at Mach 1, you’re free.

Another said, “Look at me, racing down here being pulled by a thousand-pound animal, holding onto a rope, going over these jumps, collecting rings. It is so much fun.” But, he added, “It is very scary.”

Indeed, given the nature of the extreme sport and the speeds involved, accidents are common. A 26-year-old competitor from Meeker, Colorado by the name of “Burri,” told the AP he separated his shoulder two weeks before the contest in another skijoring race.

“Wrong turn, taking a jump wrong, go down wrong. You could end your season. Then hospital bills rack up, but it’s just for the thrill of it,” said Burri.

Jason Decker, a 43-year-old engineer from Pagosa Springs, Colorado told the AP he also had to pull out of the contest after breaking his collarbone at a prior contest.

“It’s not uncommon that my hands are shaking a little bit even after all this time, because that horse’s nostrils are flaring and I’m about ready to grab a rope that’s attached to that saddle. And if I’m not ready to go, then things can go bad real quickly,” Decker said.

However, the thrills and spills are what draw people to Leadville year after year – competitors and spectators alike.  

Loren Zhimanskova, chair of Skijor USA, told AP she hopes the sport can eventually be included in the Winter Olympics.

“I think it’s one of the most romantic and visually pleasing sports that you could see … everyone loves snow … and then you add horses to that. And then you add cowboys and cowgirls to that. And then you add skiing to that, and bonfires and fun music.”