Good evening!

The bad news? Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday’s emails had “It’s Monday evening” in the subject preview line. A terrific start to week one of TDA Sport.

The good news? The amount of feedback we’ve gotten about this ‘bug’ (what people in the media call mistakes/typos/misquotes when they don’t want to admit it was just human error) means that I know you’re reading the emails.

All feedback is good feedback, right?

Anyway, have a wonderful Monday evening, everyone.

I’ve got 10 seconds

Quote of the day

“A couple of days out from nationals, 80 days out from Paris, I've sustained an Achilles injury. It's extremely heartbreaking."
Australian gymnast Georgia Godwin, in a video posted to her Instagram page announcing her injury and withdrawal from the Australian Gymnastics Championships. Godwin said she’s feeling “a little lost but trying to keep it real and show all sides of sport (even the sad, vulnerable & uncomfortable side)”.

Stat of the day

5
The number of matches that AFL Gold Coast Suns player, Will Powell, will be suspended for after admitting to using a homophobic slur during last Sunday’s match against the Brisbane Lions. Today, the Suns posted a video apology on Instagram. Powell’s ban comes only a month after Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson received a three-match ban for a homophobic slur.

Random fact of the day

"Soccer" comes from the abbreviation for "association" or "assoc," as in Football Association.

I’ve got 1 minute

The Olympic flame has officially arrived in France, with 78 days to go until the beginning of the Paris 2024 Games. 

The flame, which embarked on a 12-day voyage from Greece, was welcomed into a port in the southern French city of Marseille.  

Over 200,000 people were in attendance to celebrate its arrival, surrounded by a heavy security presence.

The Torch Relay

Before any Olympics, a flame is lit at Olympia, the birthplace of the Ancient Greek Games. The flame then travels to the host city and is relayed between a number of people - typically on foot. 

This year, some 11,000 torchbearers will have the honour of carrying the Olympic flame.

The first torchbearers on French soil were French Olympian Florent Manaudou and Paralympian Nantenin Keïta. The flame was handed to local rapper, Jul, who officially lit the Olympic Relay cauldron.

Security concerns

Around 7,000 security and law enforcement officers, including snipers and dog units, were present for the celebrations, which French President Emmanuel Macron also attended. 

The French government previously announced its police force would be on high alert for threats along the Olympic torch relay route, citing potential “terrorist and protest” threats. 

The Olympic torch will be passed around over 400 towns in France before reaching its final destination at the Opening Ceremony along Paris’ famous river, the Seine, on 26 July. 

I’ve got 2 minutes

You might have seen some headlines about the AFL’s Western Bulldogs this week. Here’s what you need to know.

Why are the Bulldogs in the news?

The Bulldogs have had a rough start to their 2024 campaign. The team have lost four of their last five matches, falling to 11th spot (out of 18) on the men’s AFL ladder.

Following a disappointing season in 2023, the club decided to make significant changes to its coaching staff and management personnel. 

Despite the internal off-season upheaval, the Bulldogs are yet to deliver on the field in 2024. There is mounting pressure on the team to finish within the top eight teams by the end of the regular season in September.

Who is Luke Beveridge, and why is he under the pump?

Luke Beveridge is the current head coach of the Bulldogs. In 2016, he famously led the club to its first premiership win in 62 years. This year marks his tenth season leading the team.

Since he started as head coach in 2015, the Bulldogs have made finals on six occasions. Despite that, Beveridge is now facing increased pressure following a series of losses this year. 

Recently, Sam Draper, a player from another team, said if Beveridge were to retain his position at the club, there would be “some players requesting trades” (that means Bulldogs players would be looking to move to another team). 7AFL journalist Tom Browne also claimed that if the Bulldogs lose their next game, it would be Beveridge’s “last game as coach”. 

How has the club responded, and what happens next?

The club, including its football department and players, has strongly defended Beveridge’s position. 

The Bulldogs’ general football manager, Matthew Egan, said he was “blown away” by recent media commentary. He backed Beveridge as an “incredible coach” who has a “strong connection not only with players, but their families.”

Bulldogs player Adam Treloar said on Wednesday that the team “loves playing for him.”

The Bulldogs are set to face the Richmond Tigers at the MCG on Saturday, where all eyes will be on Beveridge and his side.

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Looking back…

Here are some scores we think you should know about from the last 24 hours. There’s always a lot of sport, so this is just a selection.

Looking forward…

Here are some things to watch in the next 24 hours. Again, there’s always a lot of sport - this is just a selection.

TDA asks