USA Hockey has called on the International Ice Hockey Federation to reconsider its decision to cancel the U18 Women’s World Championship.

The event was scheduled to take place in Sweden in January before the IIHF canceled all events next month based on a recommendation from the organization’s medical committee regarding COVID-19. That decision received swift backlash, with many pointing out it was the second year in a row that the IIHF had canceled the tournament. Meanwhile, Men’s World Juniors is taking place and has only had games cancelled due to COVID-19 issues.

“I believe the IIHF is trying to do what they can to make sure that if they run events they are as safe as possible for every participant,” USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said Monday. “However, we have requested they look at the U-18s specifically and see what they can do to at least postpone it and explore options with the countries that are involved with that event.”

Kelleher went on to call it “a critical event for the future of women’s hockey” while also recognizing that the IIHF is currently facing what he calls “challenging situations all the way around.”

“We certainly hope there’s ways for people to continue to look for solutions to some of these issues down the road,” he said.

In a statement, IIHF president Luc Tardif said the cancellations are “not a gender issue.”

IIHF President Luc Tardif sat down with https://t.co/ldDBa42X8a to discuss the January tournament cancellations, including the questions over the cancellation of the U18 #WomensWorldshttps://t.co/aJH8X1R4zL pic.twitter.com/sLv6qsffuS

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 29, 2021

“I would ask in turn how is it fair to postpone all the time the top divisions and always to simply cancel the lower divisions? These cancellations have affected six tournaments, not just one, including two men’s U20 events that critics seem to conveniently forget,” Tardif said, adding that there is an economic incentive to hosting the men’s World Juniors tournament.

“People misunderstand that this is because we favour men’s hockey over women’s, which is completely false,” he continued. The revenue generated from Men’s World Championships and World Juniors, Tardif said, helps to support the other IIHF World Championship events.

He added that rescheduling the event is a possibility, but Sweden would have to give up its hosting rights and a new host would need to emerge.

“We look forward to having constructive discussions with them to see whether there might be such a possibility,” Tardif said. “But first we need a host that is willing to take this on, and dates that work for all teams.”

The Ontario Women’s Hockey Association has expressed interest in hosting the event. Hockey Canada president Tom Renney told The Toronto Star that the organization had also asked the IIHF to consider postponement rather than cancellation.

OWHA would be pleased to step up to host the U18 Women's World Championship to ensure the players are supported. We commit to working with @IIHFHockey @HockeyCanada and Federations on timing and safety. https://t.co/nn9J6EIrHO

— Ontario Womens Hockey (@OWHAhockey) December 25, 2021

The contested bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics women's gymnastics floor exercise is heading back to court for fresh examination. The same controversy produced an iconic photograph of Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles honoring gold medalist Rebeca Andrade.

Switzerland's supreme court announced Thursday that judges have returned the gymnastics case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to review new evidence in what they termed highly exceptional circumstances. The ruling offers Jordan Chiles renewed hope of reclaiming the bronze medal initially awarded to her in Paris.

The issue centers on whether Team USA submitted a scoring appeal within the required one-minute deadline. Afterwards, Biles and Chiles created a celebrated Olympic moment at the gymnastics medal ceremony when both kneeled to honor Brazil's Andrade as she stepped onto the podium's top position.

Days after, Romania successfully appealed to CAS. The bronze medal was subsequently reassigned to Ana Maria Barbosu and presented to her in Bucharest, with the decision hinging on the US team's challenge.

The Swiss Federal Tribunal now wants CAS to examine recordings from the August 5th event that demonstrate the appeal meeting the deadline. The court indicated this evidence could likely sway the ruling in favor of Chiles.

Chiles' lawyer Maurice M. Suh expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating the video evidence conclusively supports his client's claim to the gymnastics bronze medal. He confirmed Chiles will vigorously defend her position during the review process, which could take at least one year to complete.

The 24-year-old UCLA gymnast has moved forward despite facing online criticism, some racially motivated, following the initial controversy. Chiles returned to the mat for UCLA while embracing opportunities with Dancing with the Stars, Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, and NWSL side Angel City.

Alexandra Eala saw her dream of capturing a first WTA title on home soil end Thursday, as the Filipino tennis star fell to Camila Osorio 6-4, 6-4 in the inaugural Philippine Women's Open quarterfinals.

The matchup pitted the former US Open junior champions against each other in their first professional meeting. However, Alexandra Eala proved unable to overcome the Colombian, as the world No. 49 struggled to find her rhythm against the No. 84.

The opening set saw three double-faults from each competitor, as both had difficulty finding consistency in their serves. Osorio later broke through in the seventh game of the first set, then held serve to build a 5-3 advantage. Alexandra Eala could not recover, dropping the opening frame 6-4.

The second set remained competitive through the first eight games, with the score deadlocked at 4-4 after multiple service breaks by both players. However, Osorio elevated her performance at the crucial moment, breaking Alexandra Eala's serve in the ninth game before closing out the match in the 10th.

Statistical analysis revealed tight margins between the players. Both converted second-serve points at an identical 50% rate. The difference emerged on first serves, where Osorio's 59% conversion rate surpassed Alexandra Eala's 51% efficiency, proving decisive in the straight-sets victory.

"I think it was an overall good week," Eala said postmatch.

"Of course, I'm disappointed about today. I definitely think I've had better days, but it's just how it is. I have to accept it, and there’s always next week."

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What's next for Alexandra Eala

Alexandra Eala now shifts her focus to the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open, set to kick off January 31st. The tournament presents yet another opportunity for the rising Filipina talent to pursue her breakthrough WTA title.

How to watch the Philippine Women's Open semifinals

Meanwhile, fifth-seeded Osorio advances to Friday's semifinal against Solana Sierra as she continues her quest for the Philippine Women's Open championship.

All matches stream live on WTA Unlocked's 125Live.

The hit Apple TV show Ted Lasso is switching sides, with the streamer announcing details about the upcoming Season 4 release — including the series' new focus on women's football — on Wednesday.

"In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women's football team," reads Apple TV's Wednesday statement. "Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would."

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Currently in production, Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis, who previously picked up a pair of Emmys for his role as the titular character, with the longtime women's sports fan also serving as executive producer of the series.

Fan favorites Juno Temple, Brendan Hunt, and Jeremy Swift also return to reprise their roles alongside the Emmy-winning Hannah Waddingham and two-time Emmy winner Brett Goldstein, who also executive produces and writes for the show.

Debuting in August 2020, the smash-hit shattered records, earning the most Emmy nominations for a comedy show in its first season. It later took home the award for Outstanding Comedy Series in both 2021 and 2022.

Season 4 of Ted Lasso will premiere this summer.

When is Ted Lasso Season 4 streaming on Apple TV?

Fans can catch up on Ted Lasso before the summer's Season 4 release by streaming the first three seasons on Apple TV+.

The 15th WNBA team is starting to spark, with incoming expansion side Portland Fire dropping their inaugural 2026 jersey designs this week.

"Our 2026 jerseys are an embodiment this new era of the team: bold, innovative, and resilient," said Fire senior VP of marketing and communications Kimberly Veale in the team's Wednesday press release. "Every element was shaped with Portland in mind, honoring our legacy, while capturing the spirit and energy of this incredible city we represent."

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The two-jersey lineup includes the white WNBA Nike Heroine Edition with "Fire" written on the front "signifying the city's passion for the team," as well as a red WNBA Nike Explorer Edition "celebrating the Fire's legacy" in the league's return to Portland.

Both jerseys also feature a left shoulder patch for sponsor Chime, after the financial services company officially signed on to be the team's banking and credit partner on Tuesday.

Additionally, the franchise unveiled new secondary "PDX" logos on Wednesday, designed to reference local geographic icons like the Willamette River and Mt. Hood.

Notably, the team is still without a roster, as ongoing CBA negotiations have thrown the WNBA calendar in flux.

Barring a work stoppage, the first-ever Portland Fire game will tip off against the visiting Chicago Sky on Saturday, May 9th.

How to buy a Portland Fire WNBA jersey

While the white "Heroine Edition" is not yet available for purchase, fans can now buy an "Explorer" jersey, as well as apparel from the new PDX logo capsule collection, at the Portland Fire's online Team Shop.