1. Luol Deng - I have nothing but admiration for Luol Deng. The guy gets a lot of criticism within the NBA fandom circles because of that mega-deal from the Lakers (that never worked out), but to learn that he's funded the entire South Sudan basketball program is beautiful. It's so hard not to root for that program and look forward to the African nation growing as a force in the international basketball landscape.
2. United States Olympic Teams - There have been soooooooooo many good stories coming out of the Olympics. I'm usually all for the emotional stories, but the United States has so many narratives of dominance and stardom this time around in Paris.
2a. Simone Biles - The GOAT. No other way to put it.
2b. Katie Ledecky - Likely one of the greatest athletes we've ever seen in a sport that hasn't received as much notoriety as deserved. Ledecky gets the world stage every four years, but I just don't think our national landscape has truly captured what she's done.
2c. Ilona Maher - Rugby is on the map for the United States, and Maher via social media, has become the newest sensation. And it's well deserved.
3. Social Media Legislation - Much like so many other things within our culture, Big Tech are well aware of the harms of social media on the youth. They could fix it if they wanted, ethically of course. But here is where the government has to extend, and now will. Very interesting to see how this plays out.
3 Down
1. Venezuela - A country in complete chaos due to political strife. Democracy is so, so, so fragile.
2. Kamala Harris Identity - Just when election season dips under 100 days, we now see the former President raising the identity of Vice President Kamala Harris. And of course, there are now some within political circles who are shocked an individual can be mixed, of dual heritage, or have multiple cultures. America is beautiful, but often wonder about the experiences of those who claim this "absurdity".
3. Gender Controversy in the Olympics - Everything about this story made me sad. The way the entire world quickly jumped on this occurrence and made this a hotly political topic (what else is new?!) Yet, there was also a refusal to change course as facts came out, and the vilifying of an athlete without due cause.
And yes, men have no business in women's sports. I've always believed that. And need to state that before some of you come at me.
My point is this - so many people became the villain in a story in which they thought they were speaking out as the hero.
Cover Photo
Women's 800m Freestyle Final - Katie Ledecky of United States in action.
REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina