All articles tagged with #athlete safety
HYROX Beijing 2026 sparked debate when Australian competitor Joanna Wietrzyk finished after experiencing fecal incontinence mid-race; after viral backlash, HYROX apologized and announced immediate rule and process updates to improve safety and medical response in endurance events, with input from her coach and HYROX leadership, emphasizing competitor safety and sanitation protocols for future races.
During a Hyrox race in Beijing, elite competitor Joanna Wietrzyk soils herself mid-race, prompting online backlash about safety in an indoor event with shared equipment. Hyrox apologized, refunded some entrants and updated its emergency-response protocols for biological-contamination incidents, though the number of refunds and recipients were not disclosed.
Five major professional leagues and players associations are calling on lawmakers to provide protections for players and their families from threats and harassment linked to sports betting, as wagering expands and fan behavior online and offline comes under closer scrutiny.
Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old ASU hockey sophomore from Ontario, collapsed during an outdoor workout in Tempe in 106-degree heat on Aug. 20 and remains hospitalized as his family’s lawyer says his recovery is highly unlikely; ASU is reviewing the incident and heat-illness guidelines are in place, with a physician warning about the dangers of training in extreme heat.
Arizona State University hockey player Matthew Mayich collapsed from heatstroke during an outdoor workout; his family’s attorney says his condition is irreversible and not a coma, as ASU reviews the incident and his family pushes for an independent investigation that could lead to a lawsuit.
Rob Carey, attorney for Matthew Mayich’s family, says ASU is mishandling the Aug. 20 collapse during a 60-minute outdoor workout and calls for administrative leave for coaching staff; Mayich, a 21-year-old ASU defenseman and Blues draft pick, remains in critical condition. The workout was led by Tim Ziesel, a nonuniversity instructor, and ASU describes the process as a safety review, not an investigation. Safety experts advocate an independent review amid questions about transparency and athlete safety, with hot conditions on the day noted as a factor.
Arizona State defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed during a roughly 60-minute outdoor, military-style workout led by an outside instructor (Tim Ziesel, a former service member). The session included sprints, planks, push-ups, bear crawls, and a final long run with a medicine ball, with athletes reportedly pressured to repeat instructions and not complain. ASU says it is reviewing the incident; experts warn that punitive, non-science-based conditioning in heat poses real risks and NCAA heat-acclimation guidelines emphasize avoiding high-intensity early-season workouts. The Tufts lacrosse incident is cited as a cautionary example of outside instructors lacking credentials. Mayich remains hospitalized in critical condition, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety in such training practices.
OutKick columnist Payton McNabb argues Sophie Cunningham’s outspoken stance shows the debate over protecting women’s sports has shifted, criticizing a culture that shields inclusion at the expense of girls’ safety. She cites her own brain injury caused by a transgender opponent to advocate for keeping women’s sports and spaces for biological females, while supporting Cunningham’s willingness to speak up and endorsing the view that trans-identifying athletes should compete on teams matching their sex, under Title IX protections.
Eight Olympians from the US, Jamaica, and Germany told Fox News Digital that the WNBA must protect players and enforce its rules after controversial incidents involving Caitlin Clark, including a throat punch and her confrontations with referees, arguing the league should focus on fair play and the sport rather than controversy.
UFC’s Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn will be sanctioned by the Association of Boxing Commissions instead of DC’s Combat Sports Commission, raising concerns about promoter-influenced referees and signaling a potential shift in how federal land events are regulated; DC and federal agencies will still assist, with UFC promising medicals and safety protocols.
Michael Phelps criticizes USA Swimming's leadership for organizational decline, poor athlete support, and unresolved safety issues, warning that these problems threaten the sport's performance and credibility ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, which could be a pivotal moment for American swimming.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers emphasized the importance of NFL players utilizing the league's security resources to protect themselves and their homes. He highlighted that the NFL offers security experts who can assess and improve home security, but many players neglect these services due to time constraints or other distractions. Rodgers, who employs full-time security, urged fellow athletes to prioritize their safety, especially given recent criminal activities targeting high-profile individuals.
The upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics face potential challenges due to the city's susceptibility to heat waves, exacerbated by climate change. Concerns arise over the lack of air conditioning in the athletes' village and the potential health risks for athletes and spectators. Experts warn that extreme heat could significantly impact athletes' performance and pose health risks, as seen in previous events like the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. While measures are being taken to mitigate heat effects, questions remain about the wisdom of holding the games in the midst of summer in a city prone to heat waves.
Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark was shaken but uninjured after a fan collided with her while storming the court, prompting concerns about athlete safety. The incident has sparked debate about the need for stricter policies on court-storming, with some conferences already imposing fines for such behavior. Coaches and officials are calling for better preparation and security measures to protect athletes from potential harm during court-storming incidents.
Damar Hamlin's near-fatal collapse during a Monday Night Football game last January has brought attention to commotio cordis, a rare but often lethal heart disruption that is among the most common causes of sudden cardiac death in competitive sports. While commotio cordis is seen most often in baseball, lacrosse, and hockey, it can also be triggered by the impact of an elbow, fist, or helmet in other sports. The debate now is whether commotio cordis protective gear should be more prevalent or even required in certain sports.