Olympics

Jackson James Rice, an up-and-coming kite foil racing star, tragically passed away this weekend just weeks before his debut in the 2024 Olympics. He was only 18.

Rice's father, Darren, confirmed his son died on Saturday during a free diving accident in Faleloa, Tonga. It's believed JJ suffered a shallow water blackout.

JJ's father said other divers found his body around 12:15 PM on the seafloor ... under the boat. They tried to resuscitate him but he passed away.

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas had no chance to win a legal challenge that would have opened the door for a potential Olympics bid -- and she should instead compete against other trans swimmers ... so says a former Team USA gold medalist.

Decorated swimmer Donna De Varona, who won two golds at the 1964 Summer Olympics, joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday, and we asked her about Lia's failed bid to overturn rules preventing transgender women from competing against biological women at the Olympics.

Donna says Lia was never going to get the ban overturned because she didn't get a U.S. Aquatics membership card, which DDV says prevented Lia's challenge from having any standing from the get-go.

Michael Phelps' historic run at the 2008 Beijing Olympics is one of the most memorable athletic performances ever -- and now a one-of-a-kind set of 8 oil paintings, done by a famed artist, and signed by the immortal swimmer, is up for sale ... but it's gonna cost ya!

TMZ Sports has learned the "Golden Eight" collection, created by renowned artist Brian Fox -- known for his ability to capture celebs and athletes -- is being shopped for $2 MILLION!!!

Each of the eight exquisite pieces, commissioned by owner Todd Patkin in '08, was inspired by a moment from the Games ... and all have been signed by Phelps.

Team USA selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti is addressing the outrage over leaving Caitlin Clark off the Olympics roster ... saying it simply came down to putting together the best possible squad -- not the most popular.

Many considered the 2024 WNBA No. 1 overall pick's omission from competing in Paris a snub ... or at least called it a bad move, as Clark's presence in the sport has attracted a ton of new fans who could tune in to the Summer Games to watch the superstar in action.

Rizzotti defended the team on Tuesday ... and specifically spoke about Clark.

Usain Bolt -- the fastest man to ever walk the planet -- ruptured his Achilles during a charity soccer match on Sunday.

The injury happened at the 2024 Soccer Aid for UNICEF match at Stamford Bridge in London, a yearly charity game that raises money for children in need worldwide.

The retired Jamaican sprinter, a captain in the game, was playing center-back for the Soccer Aid World XI team ... and during their match against England, Usain went down after attempting to play defense.

Caitlin Clark's addressing the snub heard round the world ... getting candid about missing out on the Olympics after she was shockingly left off the roster.

The first-round pick addressed all the hubbub Sunday ... and, she says she's totally cool with the choice -- expressing her excitement for the players who did make the team.

Clark said, in part, "I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could’ve gone either way, me being on the team or me not being on the team. I’m excited for them, gonna be rooting them on to win gold."

Caitlin Clark will not be a part of the Team USA squad that goes for a record 8th-straight gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris, and basketball fans are puzzled by the move!

According to multiple reports, 22-year-old Clark, the most famous female hooper in the world, was not named to the 12-player squad ... which will represent America in France next month.

An official announcement has not yet been made, but the team is made up of a mix of veterans and first-time Olympians. But, no Clark.

WNBA star Cameron Brink couldn't contain her emotions when she found out she's representing the United States at the 2024 Olympics ... breaking down in tears during the big reveal.

USA 3x3 basketball announced the four women who would compete for a gold medal this summer in Paris ... with Brink, Cierra Burdick, Hailey Van Lith and Rhyne Howard getting the nod.

The organization shared a special video of the moment the Los Angeles Sparks hooper found out she made the team ... and grab a box of tissues, 'cause it'll have you in your feels.

The home of the Indianapolis Colts has transformed into a massive swimming facility ahead of next week's Olympic team trials ... but Caeleb Dressel or Katie Ledecky weren't the first to break in the new tank -- it was none other than the NFL team's mascot, Blue!!

The beloved horse documented the christening on social media ... showing him prancing around with enthusiasm before jumping right into the newly built pool on Wednesday.

It's an exciting time in Indy -- the place that usually hosts Anthony Richardson and Co. has been going through quite the makeover for the past month ... with the stadium turning into the world's biggest swimming arena to host the trials on June 15-23.

Flavor Flav's not letting Red Lobster get lost at sea without a fight ... 'cause he's spending his hard-earned bucks mukbangin' their entire menu -- all in an effort to save 'em.

The Public Enemy MC made good on his promise to help the drowning seafood chain after it recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy -- posting a pic inside one of the restaurants (that's still open) where he ordered every last nibble they had left.

Flav's team tells us he and his daughter had a grand time fine dining on RL and nearly finished the entire spread ... returning home with only two boxes, which angered his son. 😂

Gable Steveson's wrestling career has just been put on pause ... 'cause he's now an NFL player!!!

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills on Friday ... this after he apparently wowed team officials during a defensive lineman workout earlier this month.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gable's deal is a standard, three-year rookie one. Steveson is slated to wear No. 61 when he hits Buffalo's field later this summer.

If the U.S. Women's Water Polo team wins gold at the 2024 Olympics, the medal won't be the only bling they'll bring home ... 'cause Flavor Flav tells us he's ready to hook Team USA up with custom-made clock pendants!

If you missed it, Flav is sponsoring the Women's Water Polo squad ... so when TMZ Sports ran into the rap legend at LAX this week -- rockin' a "Team USA" clock -- we asked if he planned on gifting the women their very own.

"If that's their wish," Flavor Flav said. "If that's their wish, listen, I got 'em!"

The United States Women's National Team got a Prime Time surprise as they prep for the 2024 Summer Olympics ... a personal visit from NFL legend Deion Sanders!

The meet-up happened on Wednesday at the University of Colorado ... as America's best soccer players prep for the Games in Paris.

Sanders -- entering his 2nd year as head football coach of the Buffaloes -- wanted to show the ladies some love while they were on campus ... so he showed up to surprise them and they were stoked!

The comeback for three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas has come to an end for now -- the star gymnast suffered an injury that has forced her to back out of the U.S. championships -- making her ineligible for the 2024 Games in Paris.

The 28-year-old hurt her ankle during training for this weekend's event in Fort Worth, Texas ... and the ailment was severe enough to keep her sidelined.

The injury will cost her a spot on the five-person team for the Olympics this summer ... which would have been her first since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Simone Biles is tired of hearing the trolls chirp about her husband ... telling Jonathan Owens' critics this weekend to "f*** off."

The gymnastics star took to Instagram to send the message to the haters on Sunday night ... after they had crawled out yet again following the NFL player's appearance at her competition on Saturday in Hartford, Connecticut.

You'll recall, the NFL safety has received heat from fans ever since he referred to himself as "the catch" in the couple's relationship while doing an interview on the "The Pivot" back in December ... and when he was shown on TV as "Simone Biles' Husband" at the event over the weekend, the negative comments cropped up again all over social media.