The GIST - London calling

It’s Friday!
Does it seem like everyone on your timeline is in Europe? Same. Luckily, the sports world is going global with the continuation of the Women’s Euro and the Tour de France this weekend.
- While you prep your tea and crumpets, enjoy today’s newsletter featuring more international and domestic sporting news. No passport required.
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Quote of the Day
Today she adds to her medal count — I don’t know if you’re gonna find room!
— President Joe Biden, forever the jokester, as he awarded gymnastics GOAT Simone Biles and USWNT star and activist Megan Rapinoe the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At just 25 years old, Biles is the youngest to ever earn the honor. We stan.

🎾 Wimbledon: Closing time

The GIST: After two weeks of fun, tennis’ third Grand Slam of the year will come to a close this weekend. But one big name won’t be in contention following a stunning resignation — no, not that one — in London yesterday.
Men’s singles: And then there were…three? After advancing to the semis with Wednesday’s marathon quarter-final win over No. 11 Taylor Fritz, No. 2 Rafael Nadal was forced to withdraw from the tourney yesterday due to an abdominal tear, ending his quest for a second straight major title and sending Nick Kyrgios straight through to Sunday’s 9 a.m. ET final. Heartbreaking.
- Kyrgios — who’s facing assault allegations in his home country of Australia — will face the winner of this morning’s 9:45 a.m. ET match between defending Wimbledon champ No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 9 Cameron Norrie, who’s making his first appearance in a major semifinal. No pressure.
Women’s singles: History will be made when No. 3 Ons Jabeur and No. 17 Elena Rybakina meet in tomorrow’s 9 a.m. ET final. Jabeur took down her bestie Tatjana Maria in yesterday’s semis and will become the first Arab and first African woman to appear in a Grand Slam final.
- As for the other semi, Rybakina routed No. 16 Simona Halep in straight sets, advancing to become the first player from Kazakhstan to contend for a major title. A tie never sounded so good.
⚖️ WNBA: The reasoning behind Brittney Griner’s guilty plea

The GIST: Brittney Griner’s wrongful detainment in Russia saw a major twist yesterday when the Phoenix Mercury star pled guilty to charges of carrying hashish oil. But the guilty plea isn’t what sensationalist headlines make it seem, and it could be the key to Griner’s release.
The context: Griner’s ongoing trial is likely part of Russia’s efforts to make her detainment seem credible — a tactic that could be an attempt to gain leverage in ongoing negotiations with the U.S. for her release.
- But it’s chess not checkers, and, as reported by ESPN’s T.J. Quinn, BG’s guilty plea was an expected next action.
- Why? As part of any prisoner swap, it’s likely the Russians would’ve wanted Griner to “admit” her guilt, so this early guilty plea is a way to meet that requirement and help negotiations move forward as quickly as possible. Whatever works at this point.
What’s next: Despite the guilty plea, it could still be a long road ahead. The trial — based on Griner’s legal statement — is expected to end around the beginning of August. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday that U.S. Embassy officials delivered Griner a return letter from President Biden.
- Blinken also reiterated the State Department’s commitment to bringing Brittney and other wrongfully detained Americans home. Can’t come soon enough.
🏒⚽🏈🚲 Quick hits

🏒 NHL Entry Draft: With the first overall pick for the first time since 1980, the Montréal Canadiens — in front of their hometown crowd — selected Slovakian national team winger and Olympic bronze medalist Juraj Slafkovský last night. C’est fantastique.
- With the second overall pick, the New Jersey Devils shockingly selected fellow Slovakian bronze medalist defenseman Šimon Nemec over expected first overall pick center Shane Wright. Never let ’em know your next move.
- Rounding out the top three, Pittsburgh-born Logan Cooley was selected by the Arizona Coyotes, who stepped up (?) their fashion game to deliver the news. Is it October yet?
⚽ USWNT: Thanks to a pair of goals from rising star Sophia Smith to start the match, the USWNT sealed a dominant 5–0 win over Jamaica yesterday to remain undefeated in CONCACAF W group play. Next up? Mexico on Monday at 10 p.m. ET.
🏈 NFL: The Cleveland Browns are doubling down on Deshaun Watson as their quarterback (QB) of choice. Despite Watson currently being under league investigation and facing a potential suspension for sexual misconduct allegations, Cleveland traded former No. 1 pick QB Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday. You can’t make this sh!t up.
🚲 Tour de France: The hills were alive with cyclists as Stage 6 of the men’s Tour brought the bikers on their first rolling terrain yesterday, where Slovenian cyclist and pre-tour favorite Tadej Pogačar claimed the overall tour lead with a four-second advantage over American Neilson Powless. Ride on.
The GIST's Picks
The latest episode of The GIST of It podcast, of course. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dissect the growing backlash against Wimbledon’s misogynistic all-white dress code as athletes speak out about period concerns. England’s national soccer team looks to be kicking out the white — here’s hoping tennis can swing it too.
The WNBA’s All-Star weekend. Watch Chicago Sky star Allie Quigley go for glory in Saturday’s three-point contest before Team A’ja Wilson (featuring record-breaker Sabrina Ionescu) faces off against Team Breanna Stewart in Sunday’s game. A perfect weekend.
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Older messages
Special Edition: Hot European summer
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Let's kick it
Over the all-white dress code
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
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