Olympics

Naomi Osaka just made one young fan's day at the U.S. Open on Monday ... by gifting her a collectible Olympics pin as a "thank you" for showing so much support during her first-round match!!

The 23-year-old superstar advanced to the second round after winning in straight sets just hours ago ... and the little girl was cheering for her the entire time!!

Osaka -- who had an early exit from the 2020 Olympic Games -- said she had a few trading pins left over from her time in Tokyo ... so she decided to give an extra to her biggest fan in the stands!!

FYI -- Olympic pin trading is a tradition that goes back more than a hundred years ... with athletes, reporters and fans all swapping the little items during the Summer and Winter Games.

Osaka was asked about the gesture in her post-match interview ... saying, "I just heard her when I was playing my match and she was so cute."

"So, thank you for cheering me on!"

The camera then showed the fan smiling from ear-to-ear -- at least, we're assuming, 'cause the whole mask situation -- and waving back at Osaka.

"I thought it would be a nice little memory," the #3-ranked player added.

Usain Bolt isn't mincing words, flat-out telling TMZ Sports that Tyreek Hill can NOT beat him in a race ... and he's fully willing to prove it on the track!!

And, he'll even risk one of his 8 Olympic gold medals.

We spoke to the 35-year-old track legend -- the fastest man EVER -- about his (good-natured) beef with the 27-year-old KC Chiefs superstar ... and straight-up asked Bolt how the race would go.

"For me I still think I would get him in 40 [yard dash]" ... adding, just to be safe, he'd like the race to be a bit longer -- something like 70 yards.

Somewhat surprisingly, Usain -- who retired in 2017 -- says he'd have to ramp up his training before racing Hill.

"I definitely gotta train. He's been working out. I work out too, but I would have to step up my training."

Bolt added ... "Remember, I retired for a while, so I still gotta get my legs going again, know what I mean? I still got speed, but I gotta get it going."

FYI, Hill -- aka Cheetah -- is considered by many to be the fastest player in the NFL.

In fact, Tyreek reportedly ran a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day ... and has allegedly clocked a super-impressive 10.19 in the 100m.

With that said ... Bolt holds the world record in the 100m -- having run a blazing fast 9.58 seconds in 2009.

As for having some skin in the game ... Usain says he doesn't believe Hill would have the you-know-whats to put his Super Bowl LIV ring on the line.

Olympics star Suni Lee showed she can win with her moves on the beams, uneven bars and gym mat ... but can she do the same on the dance floor???

Well, we're about to find out ... 'cause the Team USA gold medalist announced Monday she's going to compete in the upcoming season of "Dancing With The Stars!"

"I'm so excited," the 18-year-old gymnast said. "See you all on the dance floor!"

Unclear who will be in the rest of the field dancing against the Olympian -- the full lineup is expected to be announced next month -- but ya gotta figure the gymnast will be a big favorite to win The Mirrorball Trophy.

After all, she KILLED IT in Tokyo ... winning the gold medal in the all-around competition, silver in the women’s team competition and bronze in the uneven bars.

Not sure how well that all translates to the salsa or the waltz -- but, hey, it can't hurt!!

FYI, this won't be the first time a gymnast competes on "DWTS" --- in 2016, Laurie Hernandez won the competition ... and, in 2017, Simone Biles finished fourth.

This is amazing/inspiring/uplifting ... you pick the word.

Egyptian Paralympian Ibrahim Hamadtou lost both his arms after a terrible childhood accident, but the 48-year-old table tennis player didn't let the tragedy stop him from achieving incredible athletic feats competing in the Paralympics.

The way Hamadtou plays would be unbelievable if it weren't on video. He serves the ball by holding it with his right foot, flinging it in the air ... he then uses his mouth to hold the bat (paddle).

Spin, power ... Hamadtou's game has it all.

FYI, Ibrahim competes in Class 6 ... made up of athletes with severe impairments to arms and legs.

He played South Korean Park Hong Kyu on Wednesday in Tokyo ... and lost in straight sets. But, that doesn't begin to tell the story ... his will and determination inspired people across the world.

The Egyptian -- who also competed in Rio in 2016 -- lost both his arms in a train accident when he was 10 years old.

Last year, Hamadtou explained why he was initially motivated to start playing ping pong.

"I was in the club where I was officiating a match between two of my friends," Hamadtou told the International Table Tennis Federation.

"They disagreed on a point when I counted the point in favor of one of them the other player told me, do not interfere as you will never be able to play. It was that statement that fired me up to decide to play table tennis."

Team USA star Sydney McLaughlin is rockin' more than just an Olympic gold medal around her neck ... she's also wearing an engagement ring on her hand after her boyfriend proposed -- and she said "YES!!!"

The 22-year-old sprinter revealed the awesome news on Wednesday -- penning a beautiful love note to her future hubby, ex-NFL receiver Andre Levrone.

"I fall in love with you more and more each day off of the strength of your faith," McLaughlin said on Instagram.

"Andre, you are the most God-fearing, passionate, honest, loving, hard working, protective, and genuine man I’ve ever met."

Unsure how long the two have been dating but the couple went IG official when Levrone shared a photo of them together in December 2020.

"The calling God has on our lives goes far beyond our love for one another. This union will impact lives for His kingdom, and that’s what excites me most."

"You're the perfect man to lead me, and I cannot wait to follow."

Of course, McLaughlin just got back from the Tokyo Olympics, winning the gold and setting a record time of 51.46 seconds in the women's 400 meters hurdle.

Her fiancé is also an athlete -- the 26-year-old WR entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018 ... and played for the Ravens, Jaguars and Panthers before retiring in September 2020. He's currently a project engineer.

Sha'Carri Richardson seems to be bitter about the heat she's gotten after coming in dead last over the weekend -- at least according to her Twitter account ... which just "liked" an offensive tweet about Jamaicans.

The 21-year-old track star competed in the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon on Saturday ... losing to the 3 Jamaican runners who won gold, silver and bronze at the 2020 Olympics.

Richardson -- who finished with a time of 11.14 seconds -- brushed off the L and welcomed any haters to "talk all the s*** you want to" ... and some Jamaican fans have taken her up on that offer by talking a lot of smack on Twitter.

Of all the jokes and jabs, one user in particular came to Richardson's defense ... firing back with a pretty offensive comment.

"Not y’all Jamaicans still talking s*** when y’all gotta walk barefoot to your coconut stand everyday for a living," the post says.

Whoever is running Sha'Carri's verified account co-signed the distasteful response ... hitting the "like" button on the tweet.

Chinese Olympics gold medalist Zhu Xueying's new hardware is already losing some shine ... 'cause the trampoline gymnast says it's PEELING!!!

The 23-year-old athlete went to social media to show off the alleged damage this week ... asking fellow Olympians if they had experienced anything similar with their medals.

"#olympic-medal Was your medal ... peeling off like this?" she asked on Weibo.

Zhu says she initially thought the mark was just dirt, but the spot grew bigger and bigger.

FYI -- the medals aren't solid gold ... they're actually made from mostly silver and, for the 2020 Games, reused metals donated by the public ... and coated least 6 grams of pure gold.

The Olympic committee ended up sending a response to Zhu ... saying the peeling is actually a protective coating and claiming the medal is perfectly fine.

But, if something were to ever happen to a medal, the committee keeps a mold and can always crank out some new ones ... for a fee.

NBA star Jayson Tatum is fresh off winning gold in Tokyo, but the Boston Celtics guard is hungry for more -- telling TMZ Sports he's gunning to add an NBA championship to his collection!!!

The 2-time All-Star and All-NBAer was out in Beverly Hills fresh off helping Team USA win it all at the 2020 Games ... and we asked where his shiny, new medal lands on his growing list of accomplishments.

"It has to be at the top so far, but clearly gotta bring a championship to the Celtics," 23-year-old Tatum tells us. "That’s first on the list."

The Celtics have a new coach this season with Ime Udoka ... but it's clear Tatum thinks Boston will be able to make a better run in the playoffs after getting eliminated in the first round in 2021.

Tatum tells us he's still riding the high of winning gold ... calling it "the coolest thing I've done so far."

Sha'Carri Richardson's return to the race track wasn't quite as glorious as she'd hoped -- she came in last place against some of the same women she'd beat a couple months ago.

The U.S. sprinter -- who was disqualified from competing in this summer's Tokyo Olympics -- took her mark Saturday for the Prefontaine Classic at the University of Oregon ... where she was set to race in the women's 100-meter dash against 8 others, including three of the Jamaican Olympians who took gold, silver and bronze during the games in her absence.

When the gun went off, everyone was hurdling down the track ... but it quickly became clear that Sha'Carri was falling behind ... and not just the Jamaican runners, but everyone else too.

She ended up coming in 9th place with a time of 11.14 seconds ... which many people weren't expecting. BTW, the Jamaican athletes ran the table again here for 1st, 2nd and 3rd -- with Elaine Thompson-Herah finishing on top with a new record at 10.54 seconds.

No matter, though -- because Sha'Carri got ahead of the criticism.

In a post-race interview with NBC ... she made it quite clear, in spirited terms, that she wasn't "done" ... and that she couldn't care less what haters have to say. She also said this is one race, and that it doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things for her future competing.

Of course, cruel as ever ... the Internet was still quick to make jokes about her placement, which is very interesting. Sha'Carri almost became a hero when she was banned for smoking pot -- but now ... it seems people are all too happy to see her so-called "downfall." 🤔

Katie Nageotte better brush up on her French ... 'cause the Team USA pole vaulter tells TMZ Sports she's hoping to defend her gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris!!

30-year-old Nageotte shocked the world by edging out Russian Olympic Committee world champ Anzhelika Sidorova on her third attempt of the event earlier this month ... after failing on her first two tries.

She ended up crushing it at 4.90 meters ... with Sidorova taking silver at 4.85.

The Ohio native has received praise from Cleveland stars like Jake Paul and Bernie Kosar following the awesome success story ... as well as other celebs including Katie Couric.

Despite her rising popularity, Katie tells us it still hasn't really set in that she's the greatest in the world ... but she won't have much more time to dwell on it -- because she's already competing again at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday.

A few weeks later, she's got the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland ... and then it's FINALLY time for a well-deserved break!!

She tells us she made a deal with her trainer that if the Olympics went well -- which they definitely did! -- she'd be able to have a few weeks off to do whatever she wants!!

But, Nageotte ain't ready to hang up the vaulting pole just yet -- she says as long as she stays healthy, she'll be ready to go for gold again in Paris!!

Sha'Carri Richardson says watching the 2020 Olympics from home was bittersweet ... admitting she was initially pissed to miss out on competing, but it ultimately helped her move on from her marijuana suspension.

Richardson -- the fastest woman in America -- is set to return to the track in the Prefontaine Classic this weekend ... her first race since being punished.

Before making her big comeback, the 21-year-old explained what it was like having to experience the Tokyo Games from a TV instead of in person ... saying it was a bit of a mixed reaction.

"It was a moment of bitterness, but at the same time it was sweet," the U.S. track star told the "Today" show.

"Because, it just gives me more -- it gives me more time, it gives me more to show the world that I'm here to stay."

"Watching it made me want to push forward and grow from that."

Of course, Sha'Carri received a 1-month suspension in July after testing positive for marijuana --- leaving her out of the Tokyo Olympics.

SCR later explained that she used marijuana after her biological mother died a few days before the Olympic trials ... and she's owned up to the mistake.

"I know what I did," she added Friday. "I know I'm responsible and I'm here to take what it is from the choices I decided to make. Can't run from reality."

"At the end of the day, I did make a mistake but that doesn't take away from my talent."

"It doesn't take away from who I am."

Richardson will be able to get back on the right track against a powerful trio this weekend -- Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah, who won the gold in the women's 100-meters at the Tokyo Olympics.

Fraser-Pryce won the silver and Jackson took home the bronze in the same race.

But, SCR says she's ready for the competition and "excited" to get back on the track.

Gable Steveson could be one step closer to signing with the UFC ... 'cause Dana White tells TMZ Sports he's planning to meet with the Olympic wrestling superstar this weekend in Vegas.

21-year-old Steveson was one of the breakout stars at the 2020 Olympics ... and has expressed interest in everything from the NFL, to WWE, to the UFC.

So, we asked the UFC prez if he had interest in Steveson ... and that's when White revealed he planned to link up with the gold medalist.

"[Gable] will be in town this weekend, and I think we're gonna hook up and talk."

Steveson -- who recently got an offer to train from WWE superstar Seth Rollins -- is gonna be in Sin City for SummerSlam.

FYI, Gable is a BEAST on the mats. He won the NCAA title this year at the University of Minnesota, as well as the championship at the Pan American Games. Gable hasn't lost a single match in 2 years.

But, just 'cause Dana's meeting Gable, doesn't mean a signing is guaranteed.

"Obviously there's a lot of work for him to do before he could make it to the UFC, but we'll see what happens."

If Steveson does ultimately sign a deal with the UFC ... fellow Olympic gold medalist turned UFC double champ Henry Cejudo recently told us he believes Gable -- with 2 or 3 years training -- could beat top heavyweights like Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.

Either of those fights would be HUGE. But, first step is White and Steveson's Vegas meeting.

Caitlyn Jenner ain't the only one in the fam rockin' gold medals now ... 'cause Kendall Jenner is sporting her boo's new hardware during a lake vacation with Devin Booker!!

Of course, the 24-year-old just returned to America after Team USA dominated at the Tokyo Olympics earlier this month ... securing gold in men's basketball.

Book's back stateside ... and he didn't waste any time meeting up with his supermodel girlfriend for some lakeside R&R after weeks away hooping.

Devin -- who also brought along his pooch, Raven -- posted video of the superstar couple on a motorboat ... while Kendall soaked up the sun, gold medal around her neck.

Of course, Caitlyn won it all in the decathlon in the 1976 Montreal Olympics ... so the fam is used to seeing gold.

It's unclear where Devin and Kendall are ... but in the past, they've visited Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club with friends Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber in Idaho.

Booker and Jenner have been one of the hottest couples in sports and Hollywood since they began dating in early 2020.

We first saw them together at a gas station in Arizona ... where they made a quick pit stop in their chauffeured Maybach.

They finally went official during Valentine's Day in 2021 ... and it's been nothing but mushy, lovey content ever since.

Afghan athletes set to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics next week will NOT be able to represent their country ... this, after the Taliban's takeover over Afghanistan.

"Regrettably, NPC (National Paralympic Committee) Afghanistan will no longer participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games," International Paralympics Committee said on Monday.

“Due to the serious ongoing situation in the country, all airports are closed and there is no way for them to travel to Tokyo."

Of course, in the wake of the U.S. retreat, the Taliban has taken over much of the county ... including the capital city of Kabul. Travel out of the country by air is basically impossible.

Two athletes from Afghanistan were scheduled to compete ... Taekwondo player Zakia Khudadadi and track athlete Hossain Rasouli.

And, it would've been historic ... 23-year-old Khudadadi would've been the first female representing the country in the Paralympics.

"I just want to be there with the other athletes from the world and give my best. It is an opportunity to show my ability and I will be so proud to stand with all of those athletes," Khudadadi said last week before the Taliban takeover.

Rasouli and Khudadadi were supposed to arrive in Tokyo on Tuesday ... with the games scheduled to start on August 24.

NFL. UFC. WWE.

Those are three of the lucrative options U.S. Olympian Gable Steveson reportedly has on the table after winning a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Games.

TMZ Sports ran into Seth Rollins at LAX ... and we asked the WWE Superstar if pro wrestling would be a good career move for 21-year-old Steveson.

"I mean, we’d love to have him. He seems like an incredible athlete, and decent dude. And, you know, we've had some luck with Olympic gold medalists before, so why not?" Rollins said.

Seth is referring to Kurt Angle ... who won a gold medal in wrestling at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta before ultimately joining WWF (now WWE) in 1998 -- where he became a legend in the squared circle.

But, freestyle wrestling and pro wrestling are VERY different sports ... which is why Rollins is offering Gable some assistance.

"I do have a wrestling school, Black and Brave Wrestling Academy, so if he wants to move to Davenport, Iowa for three months, we'll get him ready."

Of course, since defeating the #1 seed in the gold medal match in Tokyo with fractions of a second remaining, 6'1", 260+ lb. Steveson says he's received interest from the NFL (Ravens, Bills), UFC, Bellator, and WWE ... to name a few.

Gable hasn't ruled out signing with any of the organizations ... making it clear if they write a big enough check, he's interested in football -or- wrestling -or- fighting.

Sha'Carri Richardson is getting a second shot at glory -- the U.S. track star will face-off against the Jamaican Olympics winners anew ... this after missing her shot at the games.

SCR is confirmed to be one of 9 competing in next weekend's Prefontaine Classic at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field -- where she'll run against Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson in the women's 100-meter sprint.

It's the first professional race Sha'Carri has participated in since being suspended for marijuana use before this year's Tokyo Olympics -- which resulted in her not racing at all.

The above-mentioned Jamaican sprinters all took home the top 3 medals in the titular event that Sha'Carri would've otherwise competed in ... placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd among themselves. Sha'Carri beat 'em all out during the trials ... and, now, has the opportunity to do it again.

Of the forthcoming moment to prove she woulda kicked butt in Tokyo, her rep says ... "Sha'Carri is focused on running a good race since she last competed at the US Olympic Trials," adding ... "She will be focused on executing her race to the best of her ability regardless of who is in the race."