#look this canadian women who is a world champion!!

[voormaligskischansspringer]

one of my favourite bits from the last weekend was when alex won and jernej asked if daniel maybe gave her some tips and ian was just: she doesn't need tips. SHE's already a world champion!

[scrollonso]

First Kiss (Birthday 1)

A strollonso AU where 18 year old rookie Lance Stroll falls helplessly in love with the notoriously mean world champion. (3.9k words, angst, alcohol, internalized homophobia, religious talk, teary eyed lance, unprotected sex, aftercare) [@v3lnys @biancathecool] {I love this chapter sm}

last part - masterlist - next part

Lance knew it was going to be weird, seeing Fernando the day after he stole his first kiss. It had been all that was on his mind for the past 24 hours.

Even while his mind was racing with the memories of the Spaniards lips on his he walked into the venue as if everything was normal. People were already filling the room, he wasn't expecting such a large party considering his birthday had already passed but when he considered the Spaniards success this season it made sense

People were distracted, everyone seemingly knowing everyone. Fernando excused himself from the conversation he was partaking in to welcome the Canadian.

"Lancito, I'm glad you came" He smiled at him, as if everything was normal, as if he hadn't had his hands on the others waist as their lips tangled together the day before.

"Hi- yeah, uh, I wouldn't miss it" Lance almost hit himself for being so obviously anxious, he felt the urge to talk about it, he needed to talk about it and Fernando was the only one he could speak to about it, he'd been too ashamed to even admit he had kissed the man to anyone.

"Let's get you a drink, eh? Loosen you up a bit" Fernando grabbed Lances hand, their fingers naturally locking together as if they were molded to fit perfectly together.

It wasn't the first time their hands had been together this way, considering how close they were the day before there was no reason for Lance to be so flustered by the small touch but he was. He almost tripped over his feet as he walked because he was so busy with his eyes glued at their hands, Fernandos skin seemed to glow in the lighting of the room, he wasn't dressed up, most people weren't, but he still looked gorgeous, the contrast of his light shirt and tanned skin was almost breathtaking, Lance would admire the Spaniards beauty forever if he could.

"What would you like, mi sol?" Fernando asked, turning to face Lance, the Canadians eyes quick to meet the older mans

"Uhm, I'm fine with anything" He pursed his lips slightly, eyes not leaving the Spaniards face as he continued admiring him, the way the waves of his hair fell perfectly, his brown eyes seeming to glow in the dim light of the room, the way the entire room seemed to fall silent as he was captivated by Fernando

He nodded, turning to the bartender to order for the younger man and himself.

Fernando was busy, of course he was, it was his party. Lance didn't feel welcome without Fernando by his side, sure, Nico was there, he liked Nico enough, but Nico didn't make him feel how Fernando did. Didn't make his heart flutter, didn't make him lick his lips any time he thought of him, didn't make him consider sinning in the ways Fernando did.

"You good?' Nico asked, a slightly watered down drink in his hand, too distracted speaking to anyone who passed to drink.

"Great" Lance flashed a smile and nod, downing the rest of his drink, trying to ignore the disgusting taste it left in his mouth.

Lance's eyes fell on Fernando, seeing how he laughed and how close he was to the women he was conversating with, he was annoyed, not sober enough to fight back the nasty look on his face.

Fernando turned his head, locking eyes with Lance and staying that way for a minute, the Canadian could've swore he saw the older man wink before going back to his conversation, his face changing from upset to confused, why would Fernando be winking at him when he's surrounded by beauitful women and has been all night?

Fernando was painfully obviously straight, he frequently had girls all over him but Lance never saw Fernando go to them first, never saw his eyes flicker from their eyes to their lips, never saw his hands grabbing their waist and pushing them against a wall, he felt insane for even thinking that maybe he was different to Fernando, it was a crazy thought, a sinful thought.

The night seemed to speed by for Fernando, as it got later and later people began to excuse themselves to return home.

Lance hadn't noticed as the new day began, having drank way too much to register how time works

"Lancito" A voice called, he looked up from his glass right away

"Nando!" He smiled, automatically wrapping his arms tightly around the spaniard

"Hello, mi sol" Fernando smiled, wrapping an arm around Lance while he used the other to pay for the youngers tab and push the glass away from his seat "Are you tired, Lancito?" He asked, earning a quiet no from the boy "Well, I think it's time to leave anyway"

Fernando hummed as he stood up, a familliar arm around Lances waist as he guided him outside, through the parking lot, and into the passenger side seat of his car. Nico had left earlier so this was the only way to get Lance home

"What's your room number, Lancito?" He spoke softly, brushing the hair from the boys face as he awaited a response

"I-" hiccup "I dunno"

Fernando smiled slightly, nodding and buckling the boy up before heading to their hotel, figuring having a drunk Lance in his bed again wouldn't be too hard.

Fernando opened his hotel door, a hand still resting on Lances waist as he guided the boy to a chair by his bed

"Sit, mi sol, let me get you some water"

Lance nodded, sitting down and rubbing his eyes, his brain slowly registering his surroundings and his body realizing how late it was

"Here, Lancito, drink" Fernando held out a glass, watching carefully as Lance took it and drank

Fernando sat on his bed as Lance began to sober up, he could feel the canadians eyes on him, watching every time he moved slightly. He eventually made eyecontact with the boy, he could tell there was something he wanted to say

"What is it?" Fernando asked, sitting up to take a good look at the Canadian

"I think i'm in love with you" He blurted out, eyes widening as he realized what he had just confessed "I don't- I didn't- uhm, I don't know why, I don't even know if I like boys, I don't know if I like you or I admire you- I-" He trailed off, Fernando's eyes on him as he waited for the boy to finish "I'm terrified"

"You are in love with me?" He echoed

"Fuck" Lance muttered, standing up, and running his fingers anxiously through his hair "I'm sorry- I shouldn't have said that." He breathed out, licking his lips as he avoided Fernandos gaze

"Lancito" He stood up as well, quick to go over to Lance and place his hand softly on the boys upper arm, encouraging the taller man to look at him "Is okay, what are you sorry for?"

"I can't love you, Nando- It's-" He furrowed his brows, not sure why the older man didn't just understand, Lance hardly understood, Fernando was older than him why did he have to explain this "It's wrong, It's a sin, If I continue to act on this, Nando, I-"

"Hey" He spoke softly, everything about the man was comforting to Lance "What makes you think that, Lancito? Is nothing wrong with this, you loving me is not a sin, is just life"

"It is, Nando, I know- I know you don't have faith, you don't believe, you don't have to but-" He stumbled over his words, tears threatening to escape with every blink "I do, Fernando. I believe, If God says that this is a sin, Fernando, I can't live with myself if I do this willingly."

"What exactly is this, to you?" Fernando asked, pleading for the boy to give him a straight answer "What are we, what am I to you? How do you feel about me, mi sol?"

"Nando, You know how I-"

"Tell me."

"Fuck, Fernando, I don't-" He looked away from the man, lip quivering as he broke down, hands rushing to cover his face as the tears began to fall

"Ay, mi sol" He breathed, quick to pull the boy into his arms, one hand trailing through his uncut hair, the other taking a familiar position on his waist

"I-" He felt like he couldn't breathe, hands grabbing onto Fernandos shirt as he cried into the mans chest, he felt weak.

"Te quiero mucho, Lancito" Fernando whispered into the boys ear, lips brushing against his skin as he continued "Please, mi sol, please let me. Let me love you. Let me worship you. I have no God, let me devote myself to you. Let me show you how deeply I adore you, por favor."

Lance couldn't speak, all he could do was melt into the Spaniards touch as he sat down on the corner of the bed with the boy, keeping him close as he patiently awaited a response, even if it was no, even if he was disgusted, he needed something.

"If I was a girl-" He started, breaking the silence of the silence to choke out the words, not wanting to believe them himself "If I was a girl, loving you wouldn't be a sin."

Fernando felt like he just got punched in the gut hearing that, his eyes meeting Lances who's were filled with tears broke his heart "Mi sol.." He breathed out, unsure what to say, he understood how Lance felt, he was well aware of Lance's religious family and what exactly that meant but hearing it from Lance hurt

"I want to, Nando, I really want to." His voice cracked, eyebrows practically knitted together as he tried to blink back tears

"You can, please, mi sol, is nothing wrong with this, with us, with loving eachother." The Spaniard tried to convince the boy, praying it'd be easy, he wasn't sure how much longer he could stand to see his Lancito so hurt because of him.

"But-" He started, unsure what he was going to say in protest

"No, I know i am right, is just me and you here, no?" Fernando asked, earning a nod from the younger man "Your God will forgive, anyone who truly loves you will be okay with this, am okay with this, is okay."

It made sense in Lance's head, Fernando always made sense in his head, he trusted him with everything. Both of them fell silent, doing nothing but looking at eachother, Lance couldn't shake the feeling that this was wrong but if they weren't meant to be this close then they wouldn't be.

"Can I kiss you?" The older man spoke again, seeming hesitant to even suggest it now, without even thinking Lance connected their lips, how his god felt about this meant nothing when Fernandos lips on his was all his heart desired.

The Spaniard was quick to move his hands to Lance's waist, pulling him closer as they kissed, the younger man sinking into his grip, following his lead.

Fernando opened his mouth slightly, teeth grabbing onto the Canadians lip as a way to pull them closer, they could never be close enough.

Lance gasped, Fernandos teeth digging in slightly deeper after he heard the response he got out of the boy, his light pants between each kiss like music to the Spaniards ears.

The older man moved Lance slightly, lowering the two of them onto his bed, having himself positioned perfectly on top of him before he pulled away

"Nando" Lance started, lust filled eyes staring up at his Fernando, the room was lit just enough that it looked like the boys eyes were sparkling, Fernando absolutely adored his eyes.

"Is this okay?" Fernando asked, moving his gaze away from Lance's face to grab the hem of the taller mans shirt. Lance followed his hands, he wanted to, he trusted Fernando, of course he did, but he couldn't help but be scared.

"I don't know how-" He practically whispered, breaking the eye contact between the two of them "I've never done this before"

"Let me take care of you." He spoke softly, making Lance's heart flutter, Lance knew he was safe, Fernando would never do anything bad to Lance and everyone had slowly came to realize that

"Okay" Lance nodded, looking back up to Fernando "Yeah, Yeah this is okay"

"Sit up, mi sol" He instructed, taking off Lance's shirt once he did, he could tell the boy was nervous, even after sobering up it made sense for him to be. "I'll be gentle with you" Fernando promised, planting soft kisses on the corner of Lance's mouth as he laid him back down, slowly moving his lips lower

Lance closed his eyes, moving his hands to cover his face as Fernando bit his neck softly, gasping at the pleasant feeling.

"So pretty" Fernando spoke against the younger mans skin, hand moving to his jaw to expose more of his skin, lips traveling up Lance's jawline and leaving kisses behind his ear

"Nando, please" Lance begged, voice shaking

"Please what, mi sol?" Fernando sat up, looking at Lance for direction

"Touch me, please, Nando, do something" He whined, reaching to grab Fernandos hand, he wasn't even sure how he wanted the older man to touch him he just knew he needed something, anything.

"Okay, Lancito, I will" He whispered, placing a light peck on the boys lips and interlocking their fingers before moving his other hand down to the Canadians belt, taking it off for him "You are sure? You want this?" Fernando asked again, not wanting to take advantage of the boy considering how much he drank and how he'd just opened up to him.

"Please, I need it, Nando please." As Lance spoke he got more and more desperate, Fernando feeling as the taller man brought up his hips in desperation, body begging to feel any type of friction

He nodded, finally going to give the boy want he wanted. He lifted Lance on his own this time, sliding his dress pants down and off, shoes already disgarded somewhere in the room.

After placing his pants at the foot of the bed he brought his attention back to Lance, squeezing his hand slightly as he brushed his thumb over the boys bulge, seeing his head arch back slightly, body still aching for more and who was Fernando to deny his sun of anything?

He moved his and Lance's hand closer to his mouth, kissing his knuckles softly before letting him go, using both hands to take off the younger mans briefs, not realizing he was leaving him fully exposed while Fernando still had every inch of his body covered

"Nando" Lance protested, reaching for the mans shirt, desperate to take something of his off as he laid down, his body on display for him.

"I know, is okay, Lancito" The Spaniard spoke, planting a kiss on the boys forehead before undressing himself, turning slightly in order to place his clothes on the floor, Lance sat up again, eyes examining his body since this was the first time he was seeing all of him, his gaze landed on the samurai tattoo decorating his neck and upper back, he wasn't sure why but the sight of Fernandos inked skin alone was enough to make his cock throb, a quiet whimper escaping his lips

He felt intimidated as the older man turned back to face him, finding himself leaning onto the bed before the shorter man even spoke

The Spaniard smiled, finding his way on top of Lance once again, a hand placed on Lance's thigh as he spoke "You're so good for me, Lancito"

The words didn't seem like much but to Lance they were life changing, he whined at the praise, moving his hips slightly in efforts to recieve any kind of friction, he needed Fernando to hurry up.

"So desperate, mi sol, I've barely even touched you" He cooed, finally moving his focus to the boys body, eyes landing on the tattoo placed on his upper ribs. He brought his hand up the boys waist, thumb brushing over the hebrew lettering before moving onto his core, littering soft kisses down the boys stomach until he reached the base of his cock, Lance already squirming under him "So pretty, you are so perfect, Lancito"

With each praise that came out of Fernandos lips it only left Lance more desperate, needing more, he was beginning to get impatient until he felt a hand brush over his member, applying light pressure that alone could've made Lance come undone on the spot

"Nando" He whined, moving his hand to grab onto the older mans wrist, bringing it back to where Lance needed it most

"Can not have you finish too soon, mi princesa" He explained, the use of a new nickname leaving Lance's skin even more flushed than it had already become, he loved every nickname the Spaniard gave him but something about being his always made him feel special.

"Please, I just need you to touch me, Nando" He begged, Fernandos lips curling slightly as he listened to the boy

"Okay, okay" He nodded, sitting down on the bed besides Lance as he instructed the boy to reposition himself, getting on his hands and knees with little hesitation.

He brought his hand up to the boys waist, squeezing his hips slightly as he leaned over to the bedside table, grabbing a bottle of lube he'd been given as a gag gift, now he was more than greatful for whoever decided to make the joke.

He opened the bottle and got some on his hand, thumb brushing the boys hip softly "Am going to start, okay?"

Lance nodded quickly, he needed him to start, he needed anything, anything Fernando gave him he'd take

Fernando inserted a finger, careful at first because he was well aware this is Lance's first time doing anything like this, the boy shuddered under him, eyes closing at the cold feeling of Fernando's single digit inside of him

"More, Nando, please" He spoke, gasping as Fernando did what he asked. He could feel his fingers opening him, getting him ready, it was a new feeling but Lance adored it, his brain foggy as the reality of the situation hit him. Fernando was good with his fingers, reaching places and getting reactions out of Lance that the younger boy didn't know was possible.

"Sound so pretty for me, Lancito" Fernando's voice made Lance feel different, he still spoke the same but the combination of the praise and the feeling of his fingers deep inside of him caused a pit to form in his stomach, cock twitching slightly every time he moved

"Fuck, Nando, Please, Please I need more" Fernando nodded at the boys words, leaning forward to plant a kiss on his neck before adding a third and final finger, stretching Lance just enough so the Spaniard could fit inside without causing the boy too much pain.

Fernando turned Lance around, taking off his own briefs before pulling the Canadian onto his lap, watching as he moved to hide is face in the crook of his neck.

The older man moved back, leaning against the headboard as he lifted Lance by his hips to line himself up with his hole, whispering praises as he finally put the tip in, Lance gasping as his body sunk onto Fernandos cock, eyes squeezing shut against Fernandos skin as he felt himself getting filled up

He didn't move at first, waiting for Lance to get used to the feeling of him. When the Canadian started grinding slightly, looking for friction once again, he knew it was time to start moving

"Let me do the work" Fernando whispered, kissing the back of Lance's ear as his hands settled back on his hips "I'll take care of you, princesa"

With that he began to move, Lance's arms draped over the mans shoulders, his hands finding their way to the mans back and digging into his tattoo slightly as he felt Fernandos length moving inside of him, whining into his skin with every thrust

Lance could barely bring himself to think about anything but Fernandos cock, if this was so wrong why was it making him feel so good?

Lance and Fernando were close, practically every inch of their skin that coud be touching was touching, Lance's cock trapped between both of their torsos, dripping with precum as Fernando found his prostate, adoring how Lance practically meweld every time the older man made contact with it.

"Nando, Nando I'm-" His voice was shaky, barely able to form words as his head spun, feeling euphoric because of how the Spaniard was using his cock

"Cum, Lancito, cum for me" He instructed, continuing at the same pace inside of him as he felt his orgasm building, the feeling of Lance beginning to clench around him pushing him closer and closer.

He leaned Lance back slightly, wanting to watch as he came for him, not regreting his choice as he saw the way the boy shook softly in his arms, his cum covering both of their torsos and finally pushing Fernando over the edge.

Lance's breathing was heavy, he was quick to melt into Fernandos touch as he rode out both of their highs, something so intimate about the position they were in

"You did so good, princesa, so, so good for me." Fernando raved, cupping the boys face with his hands to cover him in soft kisses

Lance hummed, a soft smile on his face as he felt Fernandos lips on his face, ending with a loving kiss on his lips, this was perfect.

"Let's clean up" Fernando spoke again, hand brushing through Lance's hair as he stood up, Lance whining at the empty feeling he was left with "We can sleep after" Lance liked the sound of them both sleeping, he liked the sound of both of them together, it felt almost unreal as he gazed up at Fernando, nothing but admiration in his eyes as he appreciated the man in front of him

"Come on" Fernando laughed, moving to help Lance up as they made their way to the bathroom, grabbing both of them a towel and running a bath for him and the boy.

As they got out Fernando wrapped a towel around hinself, moving to dry of Lance's hair before wrapping him up as well

"I can dry my own hair, Nando"

"I can dry your hair too" They both smiled, they hadn't been able to stop smiling since they'd gotten to the bathroom and when Fernando pulled Lance to lay on top of him after they got dressed they still had grins on their faces

"Thank you, Nando" He heard Lance whisper, laying his head on the Spaniards chest

"You're welcome, Lancito" He hummed, moving his hand to stroke Lance's hair once more, admiring the boy that was slowly falling asleep on him, his boy.

Nothing else mattered in this moment, he didn't care about anything else besides the person breathing quietly in his arms. Lance was right, Fernando didn't have faith in a religion, in a god, in a book. He had faith in Lance. The man he'd spend the rest of his life worshipping and devoting himself to as if he was a god if he'd only let him.

[theanticool]

One thing I've noticed about this whole Imane Khelif "controversy" is that the same people screaming about protecting women's sports from the "trans Boogeyman", they never ever ever mention women's sports at all. At no point have they tried to highlight other women boxers, or mentioned any other event in which a woman competes or does well in. It's very strange to scream about protecting something they clearly do not care about. This isn't even necessarily about the grifters and talking heads (I expect it out of them) but random people on my friends list that caught me off guard

That's the main thing that kills me about all this nonsense. Putting aside the fact that Khelif is a woman and this war between the IOC and the IBA, the people screaming about how a woman is going to die fighting her are so disrespectful. Because women do die in the sport fighting other women. And there are things we could do to stop that and nobody fucking cares enough about the sport except for like 30 people to even talk about it.

Last year, an 18 year old from Mexico was flown up to Canada to be a warm body for a former amateur standout Canadian boxer. Jeanette Zacarias Zapata died after getting knocked out. Had 0 business being in that ring with someone so much better than her, 15 years her senior.

But this is a normal practice. Go look at some of the women from Mexico and Colombia and their records. A lot of American, British, and Canadian talent go down there to go beat up on boxer-cize moms who are literally half their size to inflate their records. Imagine walking into a CKO Kickboxing gym and telling them they have to fight someone who was fighting for amateur world champions or are top professional contenders. And this isn't a problem for just women. It's super common practice in the US to have your recent amateur stars just spark gas station attendants or mechanics for years before they fight a proper pro.

But like you said, none of these people actually care about the sport. They don't care about the Jeanettes of the world. They don't care about how there's so little money and resources put into it, so massive corners get cut. They don't care that there's rampant grooming (by cis men gym owners) going on in a lot of these gyms. And it's not just boxing. It's not just combat sports. It's in basketball, gymnastics, soccer, etc.

Because it's all virtue signalling. They need boogeymen. They need to pretend they care about these sports. If they're so scared of opportunities being taken away from "real women", maybe they should raise the floor on support for the actual sport and all the women it in. But these people didn't know enough about the sport to talk about Kellie Harrington or Amy Broadhurst, women who had fought and beat Imane Khelif before. Yet they feel so confident saying nonsense with their chest.

[unopenablebox]

terrible news for you all i've been kind of stressed out lately and as a result im back to reading about horse crime. so here's a quick review of every dick francis book ive read in the last 2 weeks. [edit actually this is only part 1 because i got tired after typing up four reviews.]

the edge - an extraordinarily wealthy man who doesn't use his wealth instead works as a Racecourse Detective solving horse crime. he goes double undercover first as himself, but Wealthily, and then immediately afterward as an actor pretending to be a waiter, in order to sneak onto a canadian horseracing millionaire murder mystery train and catch a blackmailer who takes people's horses. an excellent read that really delivers on its utterly deranged promises. plot not actually that suspenseful but i was having so much fun i didn't care. 5/5

romantic subplot/misogyny subrating: classic dick francis woman type 1, "older woman with strong character", present as a couple of different people but not nearly as centrally or strongly drawn as usual. meanwhile type 2, "romantic interest", is much more believably career-oriented and on-page competent than usual, having possibly absorbed the older women archetypes' life force. flirtation not actually that interesting though. 3.5/5

straight - jockey's brother he barely knew dies and turns out to have been a genius jeweler with an unfathomable collection of whimsical gadgets. jockey inherits all of brother's worldly goods, which apparently include $1.5 million of secret diamonds no one's ever heard about previously and no one knows how to find. plot resolution vaguely disappointing if you think about it too much but very fun in the moment and i love the cast of the Jewelry World 4/5

romantic subplot/misogyny subrating: strong-minded older woman is the love interest here; she's interesting and fun and has a weapon and i really enjoy how much the book completely endorses all the adultery she's doing. also we get an unusual young non-love-interest here in the person of the puzzle-loving jewelry business secretary who the protagonist helps to self-actualize and learn a new career. loved her. 5/5

hot money - jockey son reconciles with estranged father after possible assassination attempt, forcing him to also come into contact with his estranged stepsiblings and his father's several ex-wives. in the course of investigating all of them for murder he becomes much more engaged with and empathetic about their lives, and also almost gets exploded. good fun. i mostly really enjoy a) protagonist's mean bridge champion mother b) the father's instant adoption of his son's love of horses the second the concept of a horse is presented to him 3.5/5

romantic subplot/misogyny subrating: lots of women, lots of them very interesting and with various sympathetic or unsympathetic things going on. i don't think this one had romance in it but if it did it was too boring to be remembered. various things about the ending make me waver on the rating but i'll settle on 4/5

the danger - professional kidnapping consultant realizes recent kidnappings are connected-- by a single thread. a horse thread. this one was kind of weirdly paced but i actually think it's some of the best suspense/action scenes from francis, partly because this guy has better reason than most dick francis protagonists to think it's a good idea for him to do any of the things he does. final plot contrivance leaving to climatic peril only slightly irritating. loses points for unconvincing Cop Shit which is not francis's strength. also for the romance, see below. 2/5

romantic subplot/misogyny subrating: oh my fucking god uhhh sexual harrassment cw??? kind of???? he rescues a woman from two weeks of captivity with kidnappers, has to dress her because the kidnappers tranquilized her and took her clothes, notes that she looks fragile and physically adolescent even though she's an adult and later thinks about how hot she looked while unconscious and naked. then he follows her around a bunch because she's clearly emotionally dependent on him due to his status as a trained professional in kidnapping recovery, explicitly in a role that is a substitute for a psychiatrist, and it is in this capacity that he starts just suddenly kissing her and shit. the rest of his advice to her and the people around her as she recovers is quite empathetic and thoughtful but it's all kind of undermined by the fact that he thinks pursuing her romantically in this context is fine somehow???? aaaaaaaahhhhhh 0/5 fuck this book

ive actually read many more than this but we can call this post part 1 because it's too long

[colonelcrusto]

Ring of Horror: Rosemary

Hailing from the Valley of Shadows (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) is Holly Letkeman. Better known today by the monstrous moniker of Rosemary. Okay, maybe it's not the most menacing or imposing of names, but Rosemary herself is both those things and more. Plus, Rosemary's Baby—A classic horror flick directed by convicted statutory rapist Roman Polanski so there's a spooky connection to the name. Getting her start in the business in 2008, Letkenman was trained by three Canadian greats, Johnny Divine, Tyson Dux, and Coach Scott D'Amore. She'd work her first match on January 30th, 2008, at a Prime Time Wrestling event in Belleville, Michigan, featuring heavy cross-promotion with the Insane Clown Pose's wrestling promotion, Juggalo Championship Wrestling.

In March, Letkeman took the ring name PJ Tyler, inspired by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and possibly Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, and began performing across the Canadian Indies, frequently appearing for Scott D'Amore's Border City Wrestling. By her second year, PJ Tyler could be regularly seen on Pro Wrestling Xtreme and Great Canadian Wrestling shows.—It was in the latter promotion that Tyler picked up her first championship, winning the GCW WILD Champion in a tournament. PJ Tyler's run lasted 117 days before dropping it to some random dude named Anthony Darko. Info on the title change and Darko's run with the belt is .—And not really all that important. Near the end of 2010, Tyler switched up her ring name, dropping the PJ and the Tyler in favor of a Courtney and a Rush.

Courtney Rush didn't slow down, working feverishly across various indies North of the border and somewhat dipping her toe into the United States indie scene, mainly for SHIMMER Women Athletes' taping in Chicago, Il. She'd end up signed to Impact Wrestling in 2016. But before that, Courtney Rush dominated Canadian wrestling, amassing quite a collection of championships, including an 833-day regin with the Acclaim Pro Wrestling Woman's championship, among other not-as-lengthy but still pretty lengthy title runs.

On her own, Courtney Rush was bound to make it. She had all the tools needed to succeed in the industry. It was just a matter of time before Courtney Rush was signed with someone. Unfortunately or fortunately—depending on your perspective—Courtney Rush went, and doggone got herself possessed. Possessed by a demon assassin. Rosemary.

Track 10 off Marilyn Manson's fourth studio album, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death), filled the Impact Zone on January 26th as Rosemary took the stage. Painted up like some kinda demonic, demented haunted house performer, smudges and smears specked her arms and legs, not a look wrestling fans were accustomed to. She delivered a terrible, nonsensical promo to the Wolves (Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards), who stood in the ring. Fellow Canadian Crazy Steve and fellow monster Abyss joined Rosemary on stage, officially coming together as Decay. The trio attacked the Wolves—Stealing their Tag Team titles in the process. Decay would legitimately hold the titles in March after defeating Beer Money Inc. (Bobby Roode and James Storm) at Sacrifice.—Early in the same show, Rosemary scored a shenanigans-filled win over wrestling legend Gail Gim. In October, Rosemary would get some gold of her own. Winning the vacant TNA Knockouts World Championship in a Six-Sides of Steel match against Jade.

A respectable 266 days with the strap ended with Rosemary dropping the belt in a title vs. title unification match with Global Force Wrestling Women's Champions Sienna (Allysin Kay) at Slammiversary XV. In the weeks leading up to the event, Rosemary turned Face, claiming The Hive had sent her to protect Allie, first saving her from a beatdown from Sienna and Laurel Van Ness. What The Hive exactly is is not entirely clear. It seems to be more of an idea. Or perhaps it's an ageless being from beyond the stars that is psychically and spiritually linked to the being known as Rosemary.

A feud with the debuting Taya Valkyrie would end before it started, thanks to personal issues on Valkyrie's part. Rosemary reentered the title hunt, failing to regain the yet-again vacant Knockouts title in a tournament. The feud with Taya Valkyrie picked right back up once Valkyrie returned. Their short-lived angle concluded in a fancily named hardcore match (A Demon's Dance Match.) No longer preoccupied with the title or Taya, Rosemary could again focus on protecting her pal Allie.

And help, Allie needed. Su Yung had her sights set on ending Allie. On the April 26th, 2018, edition of Impact, Yung, along with a legion of Undead Bridesmaids, attacked Allie, attempting to put her in a coffin.—An attempt stopped by Rosemary. If you're a fan of horror and wrestling, then this is the feud for you. The demonic Rosemary protecting the sweet, innocent Allie from the evil undead bride Su Yung—Chef's kiss. Big, sloppy, chef's kiss. An injury Rosemary sustained at an indie show facilitated her needing to be written off TV a week after the start of the angle. The May 3rd Impact featured a match between Rosemary and Su Yung. At least it was meant to. Before the bell, the women broke into a brawl on the ramp. Yung summed her Undead Bridesmaids, who with them brought a casket. Allie was there too, trying to assist her best friend, Rosemary. It didn't go so well. Allie was forced to watch as Su Yung dumped Rosemary into the casket, sealing her inside.

A lot happened while Rosemary healed up. Allie went, and doggone got herself possessed, turning Heel and aligning with former rival Su Yung. Allie (now going by Dark Allie) and Su Yung teamed up to defeat Jordynne Grace and Kiera Hogan (No relation to former singer/reality star Brooke Hogan) at the January 2019 Homecoming. Rosemary returned that night, saving Kira Hogan from a post-match beatdown and reigniting the storyline with Allie and Su Yung. Rosemary worked to free Allie from the demonic hold that had taken over her. Along with Kira Hogan, at March's Against All Odds event, Rosemary dragged Allie with her into the Undead Realm in hopes of retrieving her friend's soul. -- Rosemary failed to save the soul of Allie, losing her friend forever.

Rosemary's revenge came in May when she laid out Su Yung in a Demon Collar Match (Dog Collar Match) where the ladies worked smart rather than hard. It's not a terrible match. But it does lack the violence and aggression you'd want from such a heated blood feud between two unholy hell beings. Instead of using the chain to brutalize one another, they find creative ways to incorporate its use. Choking spots. Tripping and tangling each other up. Dragging and pulling each other around the ring. It all works. Just would've worked better in a different match with different wrestlers. These two should've been trying to kill each other. They should have bled and broke to finish off this feud. Though Rosemary did take Su Yung prisoner.

Rosemary kept her captive close, having Su Yung accompany her to the ring over the next few weeks until Father James Mitchell had Havok free Yung while attacking Rosemary during a non-title match with Taya Valkyrie. Rosemary continued her unsuccessful pursuit of the Knockouts Title while simultaneously battling James Mitchell, Havok, and Su Yung. The entire saga came to a head with James Mitchell banishing Havok and Yung to the Undead Wasteland and Rosemary rescuing them.

TNA/Impact Wrestling has always been a wee bit silly. But Wrestle House was the undisputed peak of Impact/TNA buffoonery. A goofy Big Brother/Real World-style reality show, except with a vaguely supernatural twist. They can't leave the house, possibly due to a curse from Rosemary. The whole thing was madness. Ridiculous fun to be enjoyed by all but a few wrestling fans with a penchant for brightly colored suits, Southern idioms, and tennis rackets. It might not have been "Real Wrestling," but it was stupid, creative, and different, which is always appreciated. Her time in Wrestle House led Rosemary to form a brief team with former enemy Taya Valkyrie.

The team of Rosemary and Valkyrie competed in a tournament for the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Titles. They lost and stopped teaming after. She wasn't single long. Disbanding her team with Valkyrie in December and getting back with one of her exes by January. Ex-partner, that is, and it was Crazy Steve whom she got back together, reforming Decay—Sans Aybss; in his sted, the group added Luchador Black Taurus and former Rosemary foe-turned-friend Havok. When it comes to the story of Rosemary, it is hard not to be reminded of the famous quote: "Do I not destroy my enemies by making them my friends?" Time after time, rivals become allies.

With Havoc, Rosemary would have her first run with the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship. The iconic team of The IInspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay) took the belts from Decay after 98 days. Rosemary floated around the Knockout Tag and Knockout Women's Championship scenes for a few months with no success. Havok abandoned Rosemary in June, leaving her without a partner to face the Knockouts Tag Team Champions—No longer The IInspiration but now The Influence (Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood). However, as fate would have it, an old frenemy was back to get Rosemary's back. Taya Valkyrie. Valkyrie partnered with Rosemary for a title match at Slammiversary. That night, Rosemary became a two-time Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion. In addition to aiding Rosemary in getting back the belts, Valkyrie joined Rosemary in her quest to find and bring back Havoc.

In the Undead Realm, Rosemary and Valkyrie found a different… Maybe unpossessed Havoc, going by the name Jessicka. Eventually, the trio took the name the Death Dollz, defending the belts under the Freebird Rule.—A rule allowing any two members of a larger team to defend the belts. Possibly made most famous by supergroup, the Spirit Squad, a quintet of male cheerleaders made up of five young men who at one time had dreams of being "serious" pro wrestlers but ultimately just got drenched in poo.

Between 2022 and 2023, the Death Dollz held the belts twice. Losing their titles first to VXT (Chelsea Green & Deonna Purrazzo) before getting them back 56 days later. The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde) ended reign two for the Dollz. -- In the wake of this loss, Rosemary returned to the Undead Realm to retrieve her former partner, leaving her current partner, Jessicka, to wait. Rosemary wouldn't return.

At the Under Siege pre-show from London, not that one, the Ontario, Canada one, The Coven faced the Death Dollz in a non-title match. Jessicka's partner was a surprise return. Not Rosemary, but rather, for the first time in some seven years, Courtney Rush—Free of Rosemary's demonic possession. Rush and Jessicka carried on as the Death Dollz until the demise of Impact Wrestling at the end of 2023.

A brief history of TNA/Impact Wrestling. Founded by J, E, double F, J, A, double R, E, double T, and his father, Jerry Jarrett, in the long, long ago of 2002. That same year, Panda Energy International purchased a controlling share of the promotion, appointing Dixie Carter (the daughter of the company's owner) president. Smashing Pumpkin's frontman and full-grown man-baby, Billy Corgan, thought he bought the company. He didn't. In 2017, Anthem Sports & Entertainment acquired TNA Wrestling, rebranding the promotion as Impact Wrestling. Anthem rebranded again in 2024, reverting to TNA Wrestling. Rebranverting? (That's a word, right?—If you use your imagination.)

The Rebranverting didn't stop with the promotion's name. The Death Dollz also got an all-new-old look. Rosemary was back with Havoc by her side as Decay, returning to become TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions at the rebrandverted TNA relaunch event, Hard To Kill. And for the most part, that's the road so far. There's so much more to the Rosemary story. Years of television, interwinding character arks, and continuity rarely seen in the weird, wacky, and wild world of wrestling make it something special and worth the time.

Holly Letkeman and everything she's created within TNA/Impact/TNA (Again) has continuously been a diamond in the rough. Horror or humor, she delivers. Rosemary and her host vessel, Courtney Rush, deserve to be known. Their story to be heard. You could say it's a shame Rosemary has had to spend so much time trapped in the endless purgatory of TNA/Impact.—On the other hand, WWE never would've leaned into the spooky absurdity of Rosemary's world. More people would've seen her and her story. But it wouldn't have been as good. It wouldn't have been nearly as good. No, Rosemary is right where she should be. And it's on us to find her. To join The Hive.

[thatsonemorbidcorvid]

“Though a growing body of data suggests women in sport are more likely to sustain a concussion, have more severe symptoms, and to take longer to recover, most sports-related concussions protocols are based on data from men.

In a review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers looked at 171 concussion studies written since 1967 which are used to inform the most influential consensus and position statements in treating sports-related concussions.

Clinicians rely on these documents to guide their medical practice when treating athletes -- but most of the studies are focused on men. Only 1% of them was looking exclusively at concussions in women and 40% of them didn't have any women in a sample of participants at all.”

Full text under cut

Kelly Catlin and Ellie Soutter never met, but they had a lot in common.

Both were commanding athletes: Catlin, a US track cyclist, was a three-times world champion and Olympic silver medalist, and Soutter, a snowboarder, was tipped to be one of Team Great Britain's strongest contenders for the 2022 Winter Olympics, having already won a bronze medal at the 2017 European Youth Olympic Festival.

Both were incredibly smart -- Catlin was studying for a master's degree in computational and mathematical engineering at Stanford University, while Soutter learned to speak French in about six months, according to her father.

At times they almost seemed superhuman. In 2013, after only three weeks of formal training and having broken her wrist, Soutter became British Champion with her arm in a cast. Meanwhile, Catlin, who had a tenderness for children, once rode 80 miles through sleet and snow to speak to a grade school about her Olympic experience.

Yet these two women's lives were tragically cut short after they sustained serious head injuries in their pursuit of sporting greatness and then took their own lives. Catlin was 23, while Soutter died by suicide on her 18th birthday.

Females may be more susceptible to concussion, and they also have worse and prolonged symptoms after their injury than men, according to a review of 25 studies of sport-related concussion published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine.

However, women remain significantly underrepresented within sport and exercise science research. This, leading experts warn, means they often do not get the treatment or aftercare they need following a head injury.

Women's sports have historically not received the same attention or funding as men's sports, Dr. Ann McKee, Director of the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center told CNN.

"It's been shown that women athletes are more likely to get a concussion, they tend to have longer recovery periods," McKee added.

"We do not have enough information about what happens in the female brain. We don't know if women are biologically more susceptible to these injuries," she said, adding that some research suggests the size and musculature of women's necks could play a part.

Before becoming a track cyclist, Catlin, a triplet, was a national champion road cyclist and time trial national champion, her father Mark, told CNN. After winning a Canadian international race at 17 she was invited to an Olympic training camp for a try out, where, impressed by her performance numbers, coaches immediately offered her a position on the track pursuit team.

Catlin's father, Mark, told CNN, that his daughter was "intense" and "ambitious," attributes she channeled into her sporting life.

Her life changed irrevocably in January 2019. Practicing fast downhill descents in the hills near Los Angeles, she crashed and went skidding down the road. Despite suffering road rash, Catlin got back on her bike, and finished the ride. It wasn't her first crash -- she had experienced 4 or 5 hard crashes before this, her father said, and after the latest, she didn't have any symptoms at the time.

But soon after, at a World Cup track event in Berlin, Catlin was gripped by a sudden and severe headache.

"She couldn't compete," her father said. "Kelly is kind of this stoical individual. And if she's rolling around on the ground, clutching her head, it has to be a severe thing."

On closer inspection, Catlin's helmet from LA had dents in it. Her father told CNN that this, coupled with her symptoms, caused her family to become aware she had suffered a concussion, which was later confirmed with a diagnosis from Stanford's Health Centre.

A concussion is a brain injury which happens after a hit to the head or body causes the brain to move back and forth inside the skull, according to the CDC.

When Catlin returned to the US, her father says she was examined by the track training center in Colorado, whose work-up didn't find anything.

"There wasn't any follow-up from Colorado after this. I believe they assumed she would seek care at Stanford," he told CNN.

Catlin's symptoms didn't improve, and in weekly phone calls with her parents, she admitted she was struggling with schoolwork and was unable to concentrate.

Stanford Health Center, having diagnosed Catlin with concussion with ongoing symptoms, recommended that she decrease her training for 2 weeks and then gradually build back up and start sessions with an athletic trainer, medical documents sent to CNN by her father show. She was referred to a concussion specialist, the document adds.

She tried to train, but "she would have to stop because she got a severe headache just from walking," according to her father. Her heart rate would also accelerate rapidly from even the smallest exertion, leaving her with "no exercise tolerance whatsoever," he added.

Wherever she turned she could not find help."

Mark Catlin

Her injury had other consequences.

"As far as we knew she was never a person that suffered from depression. She had an interesting sense of humor. She was always upbeat and bubbly about things," her father told CNN.

"She basically thought her life was over. She was no longer able to be the athlete that she was, she was failing her teammates. And she wasn't able to succeed in school now. And I think ultimately, that's why she took her life, because she thought her life was over," he added.

At the end of January, Catlin made a serious but unsuccessful suicide attempt, and was involuntarily admitted to the locked psychiatric ward at Stanford, her father told CNN.

A month after that attempt, she took her own life.

Soutter's father Tony said there were many dimensions to his young daughter -- not only was she an "adrenaline junkie," but she was "very conscientious" and excelled in school, even after moving from England to France.

Aged 12, Soutter took up snowboarding at school -- and just months later, she was spotted in her hometown resort of Les Gets and trialed by Team Great Britain in February 2013.

"It was quite obvious why she kept winning competitions because she just made it easy," her father said. "She just made it look graceful and beautiful."

But training took its toll -- Soutter told CNN that his daughter suffered seven major concussions in five years, between 2013 and 2018.

"I was being advised by doctors "Oh, don't worry, she's young enough she'll bounce back. As she progressed, becoming an elite athlete starting on the World Cup circuit, every time she had another concussion, they got worse, and they took longer to recover from," he told CNN.

"With every concussion, with the exception of a few minor knocks, Ellie saw a doctor in person," he added. "I was always told that she was young enough to bounce back to full health after each case and therefore never consulted with the doctors that I met, about any previous concussions."

But Soutter's final concussion was so "huge" that she spent two nights in the hospital.

"When I got there, she didn't even know who I was or where she was," her father said.

Soutter was then selected for the Junior Snowboard World Championships in New Zealand August 2018. But a month before the competition, she died by suicide.

I truly believe today that my daughter would be alive had I had...even the smallest bit of information."

Her father said a neurologist conducted a CT scan of her brain and reaction tests three months after her final concussion, but said she was "absolutely fine" and could continue competing.

Like Catlin, Soutter had issues with studying and concentrating, becoming more insular as she suffered from crippling headaches. She also started suffering from insomnia.

"She would literally sit with the tutor a good month after a concussion, and suddenly, she'd go blind. She'd not be able to see -- everything would go black and dark," her father said.

After missing a flight to snowboard training, Soutter died by suicide on her 18th birthday.

Team GB referred CNN to GB Snowsport when approached for comment, adding that Ellie only competed for Team GB at one event.

In order to represent Britain in international competitions, GB Snowsport says athletes or their coaches are required to demonstrate that the athlete has reached established performance criteria, is of the relevant technical ability to compete, and has appropriate medical clearance to compete. A large number of athletes can represent Britain at different levels of international competition but are not part of a programme delivered and overseen by GB Snowsport.

"As Ellie was not part of the GB Snowsport programme, we were unable to implement a personalised recovery and management programme for Ellie," a spokesperson for GB Snowsport told CNN in an email.

"She was, however, covered by national policies and protocols around fitness to compete, and would not have been cleared for any activity -- training or competition -- overseen by GB Snowsport without being able to demonstrate appropriate medical sign-off," they added.

The spokesperson for GB Snowsport told CNN: "We take concussions and head injuries incredibly seriously, and in reviewing contemporaneous records from the time that Ellie was involved in snowsport we are confident that GB Snowsport staff applied and followed every appropriate process."

Catlin and Soutter aren't the only young sporting women whose lives have been cut short in this way.

After 29-year-old Australian rules football player Jacinda Barclay took her life in 2020, post-mortem research by scientists found that she had degradation to her cerebral white matter unusual for someone her age.

"For someone her age, you would expect to see lovely pristine white matter, and hers looked like she was an old woman in that it was basically degraded," Michael Buckland, founder and Executive Director of the Australian Sports Brain Bank, who studied Barclay's brain, told CNN.

"We haven't gone back and done specific white matter studies on our donors," he told CNN, adding that the bank hasn't done peer reviewed research on this. "But what struck me, just as someone that sees a lot of brains -- this is not normal for someone of that age."

Damage to white matter has been associated with dementia, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Opportunities missed

Suicide after concussion is rare. However patients diagnosed with concussion or mild traumatic brain injury had double the risk of suicide and a higher risk of suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts than people without brain injuries, a 2018 study from researchers at the University of Harvard published in JAMA Neurology found.

Dr. Robert Cantu, clinical professor of neurology at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University School of Medicine told CNN that there are several theories as to why incidence of suicide is higher in people who have suffered concussion.

One theory, he explained, is that those suffering from persistent post-concussion symptoms may have structural or functional brain damage and could be experiencing "behavioral dysregulation: short fuse, irritability, [and] can't suppress impulses the way you normally could."

With these emotional problems, "they would be more prone to perhaps do something impulsive, like commit suicide," Cantu told CNN.

A second theory, Cantu noted, is that post-concussive symptoms prevent people from getting back into their sport and stop them "from being the person that they were before their injury."

Neither theory is proven to the exclusion of the other, Cantu said, adding he thinks increased suicidality was "a combined factor involving both in many, if not most cases."

There are also differences in the way brain injuries affect women.

A study of female soccer players across US high schools found they are nearly twice as likely to suffer concussion as their male counterparts, according to research that looked at over 80,000 adolescent athletes, published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Women remain significantly underrepresented within sport and exercise science research: a 2021 study examining papers from some of the most influential sports medical journals found that only 6% of the studies were solely focused on women, compared with 31% of studies that included just men.

Other researchers have pointed to female sex hormones, with risk of concussion changing with hormone levels during a menstrual cycle.

McKee said all athletes can also experience "non-concussive" injuries: "hits to the head that can be of the same magnitude as concussion, but they don't rise to the level of symptoms for whatever reason, so a player tends to play right through it."

Cumulative exposure to repetitive head impacts -- including concussion and non- concussive injuries -- increases the risk for the neurodegenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE, McKee said.

The disease, which can only be formally diagnosed with an autopsy, has mostly been seen in either veterans or people who played contact sports, particularly American football, say researchers. The disease occurs when the brain starts to degenerate likely due to repeated head traumas, according to the Mayo Clinic, which notes CTE is "associated with recurrent concussions."

But scientists aren't only concerned about concussions.

Previous studies have shown subconcussive head impacts -- repetitive hits to the head and body that do not cause symptoms -- can still result in long-term neurological disease.

According to The Concussion Legacy Foundation, "the best available evidence suggests that subconcussive impacts, not concussions, are the driving force behind CTE."

There have been cases of CTE discovered in athletes who have never been diagnosed with a concussion, according to the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

And other changes in the brain after repetitive head impacts aside from CTE are likely "equally important," McKee said.

"We also see damage to the white matter. And that appears to be mostly in the frontal lobe, but also in the temporal lobes," she said.

"We're trying to understand the relationship of those white matter changes to behavioral and mood symptoms, perhaps even suicidality," she said.

McKee stressed that concussion management is important, but physicians and athletes should also be aware of other injuries.

"The problem is the subclinical hits -- the non-concussive injuries that aren't detected, you don't pull the player off the field -- and they can be in the hundreds or even the 1000s in a single season," she explained.

Lack of research

Though a growing body of data suggests women in sport are more likely to sustain a concussion, have more severe symptoms, and to take longer to recover, most sports-related concussions protocols are based on data from men.

In a review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers looked at 171 concussion studies written since 1967 which are used to inform the most influential consensus and position statements in treating sports-related concussions.

Clinicians rely on these documents to guide their medical practice when treating athletes -- but most of the studies are focused on men. Only 1% of them was looking exclusively at concussions in women and 40% of them didn't have any women in a sample of participants at all.

There is another risk factor for women in sport when they sustain head injuries, Katherine Snedaker, founder and executive director of PINK Concussions, a non-profit dedicated to women's health and brain injury, told CNN.

There is a gulf of millions of dollars separating women and men when it comes to average annual salaries in most professional sports.

Outside of elite sport, Snedaker says, female athletes often don't have access to the same medical care as men, meaning head injuries aren't spotted as routinely.

"They tend to push really hard through the injury," she said.

And many women can't afford to take time out to recover: even professional athletes will supplement their sports income with other jobs, she added, and many are caregivers.

"When they really crater, it's a couple of days or weeks later."

Snedaker said female athletes often weren't aware they had suffered a head injury.

If they were, she said, there were no appropriate medical or sporting staff to inform.

Not enough support

The families of Catlin and Soutter feel the young women didn't get enough support after their injuries.

After Catlin's first suicide attempt, she was released from an involuntary admission to the psychiatric ward after threatening legal action, and a conference between psychiatrists, her coach and her parents.

She attended therapy sessions, which she agreed to attend during the conference, but found "they were geared toward suicidal freshman with a whole set of different issues than an elite Olympic athlete," her father told CNN.

She got a referral to a sports psychologist that worked with the Stanford athletic department, but the department forbade the psychologist from seeing Catlin because she was not a varsity athlete, her father added.

She contacted the office of a sports psychologist with whom she had developed a rapport while in the hospital -- but, his appointment secretary said he had no openings for six months, her father told CNN.

"Wherever she turned she could not find help," he said, adding that his daughter tried a suicide hotline several times: she was once put on hold and once received no answer.

Catlin described his daughter as a "stoic, female warrior type person that isn't going to admit that she's struggling."

"She needed a sports psychiatrist that really could understand what she was going through and understand the rigors of her life in terms of preparation for competitions and the athletic side of it and what it could potentially do to you."

Her father said a major factor in his daughter's death was "a lack of communication between the facilities that were involved in Kelly's care. No one was in charge and they assumed the other institutions were following up when they weren't," he added.

In a statement sent to CNN, Luisa Rapport, director of emergency communications and media relations at Stanford University did not address any of the specific allegations made by Catlin's family. She said while the university does not discuss in the media the details of individual students' experiences, "supporting the mental and emotional health of students is a critical priority for Stanford."

"Students in need of mental health crisis assistance -- including students having suicidal thoughts -- and those who are concerned about students in need of assistance, can contact the University's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week," she added.

Rapport said that in addition to this, "there are multiple places where psychological services may be provided for students depending on individualized need and treatment recommendations, including, for example, affiliated hospital services and clinics through Stanford's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and mental health programs and clinicians in the community."

In a statement sent to CNN, USA Cycling said it was "devastated" by Catlin's death, adding: "She brought focus and determination to everything she did, and served as an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

"As the National Governing Body for the sport of cycling, USA Cycling prioritizes the holistic wellbeing of the riders on the U.S. National Team and has a longstanding commitment to providing both physical and mental health resources to members of the team," a representative for USA Cycling added.

After his daughter Ellie's death, Soutter was contacted by the UNITE Brain Bank, who wanted to study her brain as part of their research into CTE.

But even in that facility -- the biggest of its kind in the world -- of some 12,190 brains, only 3% belonged to women, Ann McKee, Director of the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center told CNN.

"When I actually started looking into CTE -- all of the work that they've done with the footballers in America, she had every single symptom and more," Soutter told CNN.

"It was quite obvious to me that there was a definite link in her starting to get into dark places and feeling bad and anxious and not sleeping properly. All of those symptoms ... Every one that's involved in CTE was part of Ellie's life," he added.

"I truly believe today that my daughter would be alive had I had any inkling, you know, even the smallest bit of information."

Editor's Note: If you are in the US and you or a loved one have contemplated suicide, call The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to connect with a trained counselor.

For support outside of the US, a worldwide directory of resources and international hotlines is provided by the International Association for Suicide Prevention. You can also turn to Befrienders Worldwide.

[feetpiclovers]

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[rickygoldman34]

Well its Golden Blog time.

Men's Money In The Bank ladder match.

👍Good Points:

Carmello Hayes and Andrade had a good showing.

👎Bad Points:

It could have been a whole lot better.

Intercontinental Championship.

👍Good Points:

Bron Breakker had a good showing.

👎Bad Points:

I would have had Bron win.

Women's Money In The Bank ladder match.

👍Good Points:

This was much better than the men's, Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green had a star showing.

👎Bad Points:

Nothing.

World Heavyweight Championship.

👍Good Points:

Damien Priest continues to improve.

A very storytelling finish.

👍Bad Points:

Drew McIntyre looked stupid cashing in here.

6 Man tag team match.

👍Good Points:

The bloodline looked very dominant.

Jacob Fatu is certainly a beast.

👎Bad Points:

Nothing.

I give it a rating of silver.

Ian's notes. 

Mens Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Drew McIntyre vs LA Knight vs Chad Gable vs Carmello Hayes vs Jey Uso vs Andrade El Idolo.  There were some fun spots in this match, one spot in particular came from Andrade that was similar to when he did a powerbomb to Finn Balor back at Money In The Bank 2019, he attempted the same thing to Jey Uso only to be pushed by LA Knight.  LA Knight and Jey Uso worked well as a team on Drew Mc Intyre, few good spots from Hayes and Gable who I hope to see in more Ladder matches in the future, Drew at the end was the right call for what would happen later.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn (Champion) vs Bron Breakker.  2nd favourite match of the night, Bron as a heel feels like 2002 Brock Lesnar and nails the Frankensteiner to perfection.  It was the right call for Zayn to retain for him to still have a strong reign plus you need one Canadian hero to win.  It doesn’t hurt Bron Breakker as he will come back from this stronger and has a long career ahead.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match Damien Priest (Champion) vs Seth Rollins: The thing most people spoke about in this match was the botch pinfall that Priest forgot to kick out of, rumour was he got a stinger which takes a while to wake up from.  Drews failed cash in during the match was the right call to add more heat to his feud with Punk, with Rollins now out of the title scene for a while they can reopen his feud with CM Punk with a possible triple threat at SummerSlam.

Womens Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Naomi vs Io Sky vs Lyra Valkyria vs Tiffany Straton vs Chelsea Green vs Zoey Stark:  The women on this occasion out did the men as they used the addition of tables for the match along with ladders, Chelsea Green was the MVP of this match as she was able to over come a fear of heights, feud good spots from Naomi, Io and Tiff using the ladders in their aswell.  I was going with Chelsea to win the crowd was very high on Tiffany Straton, a confrontation with Trish Stratus after the match shows there is a feud in place for the two.

   Six Man Tag Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton/Kevin Owens/ vs The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa/Jacob Fatu/Tama Tonga). Jacob Fatu was the MVP of this whole match, he’s  so nimble and moves really quick, he will be a star in WWE in years to come, one of the talking points was the botched low blow by Tonga Loa which saw him hit KO in the genitals and the top of Tama Tongas head but it was nothing majorly bad just funny, KO fought with passion for his mother whose in the hospital.  Solo pinning Cody was the right call to build for a match with SummerSlam.

 

Overall thoughts

For people to call this the worst ple of the year is an overreaction, yes Drew failed to cash in but it added more to his Punk feud and now we got Rollins in it too, plus Priest held the mens MITB briefcase for 10 months so it looked Triple H didn’t want to do that again.  With Priest facing Gunther at SummerSlam and more likely Gunther winning it’s looking like a long reign for the ring general.  The Womens MITB and Zayn vs Breakker were the two match highlights.  It was the right call not to debut someone like Hikalau or have someone like Rhea Ripley return because more were talking about Cenas retirement announcement.  Priest and Loa made mistakes but it happens in professional wrestling. Overall score 8/10.

👇!! MY SOCIALS!!👇

[blowflyfag]

Pro Wrestling Illustrated: March 2024

On Heels

By Pollo Del Mar

TWICE IN A year?! Not too shabby. But a trifecta or more sounds even better! Naturally, I’m talking about my return to Busted Open Radio. While most never appear even once. I’ve now guested on the worlds #1 pro wrestling radio show and podcast twice in 2023!

Host Dave LaGreca first invited me on the SiriusXM gabfest early in the year. Our 30-minute conversation must have impressed the industry leading personality, who promised to have me back. True to his word, I joined Dave and former AEW Women’s World champion Thunder Rosa in the fall.

A scheduled one-hour co-hosting block soon turned into a three-house pro wrestling marathon. Thunder and I worked some of my earliest shows together for a small promotion called Wrestling for Charity. It was a wonderful reunion, and anyone who’s ever tuned in already knows how easy it is to chat with Dave.

As an avid listener, I love Busted Open’s diverse team of impeccable wrestling veterans and pundits. Having already thrown my hat in the ring to return, I won’t avoid this opportunity to campaign to become a regular. 

Dave, should Busted Open Nation need consistent doses of smarts, sass, and charm, I'm easy to find! 

TAG THEM IN!

Chelsea Green is perfection!

Since returning to WWE in early 2023, nobody’s been as consistently entratining as Green–not by a long shot. Each outing, the Canadian reinforces how significantly the company fumbled her first run … and the wise investment that was bargaining her back.

Whether with Sonya Deville (get well soon!) or Piper Niven, Greens redefined the Women’s tag title scene. She’s almost single-handedly reinvigorated interest, her gloriously grating personality offering reasons beyond the belts for challengers to line up. 

[Piper Niven & Chelsea Green]

From Nattie Neidhart and any partner she chooses to former NXT Women’s tag champs Katana Chance & Kayden Carter, Green and Co. have reignited the once-flailing division. For that alone, Adam Pearce, you should give Chelsea anything she demands!

In so many ways, Green reminds me of another irritating yet skilled in-ring competitor, capable of elevating any partner. Ella Envy’s been NWA World Women’s tag champ with three different members of Pretty Empowered.  While the group’s primary focus is recently crowned NWA World Women’s champion Kenzie Paige, Envy is the backbone–a comedic genius who makes any pairing fresh and fun.

In Green and Envy, two very capable grapplers anchor their respective divisions. The future of women’s tag wrestling feels secure–and I couldn’t be happier!

FEEL THE POWERRR

Speaking of the NWA, any who haven’t seen recent Powerrr broadcasts are missing out. In season 15, the National Wrestling Alliance flagship is again firing on all cylinders.

With a more polished look, revamped entrances, and a plethora of rising stars and long-time favorites. Powerrr serves great action and larger-than-life personalities–yours truly included. Airing Tuesdays at 6:05 pm ET on YouTube, NWA Powerrr is one of the fastest-paced wrestling offerings going today! 

[onlyhedges]

Top Shopping Places in Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa

Tunney's Pasture is a 49-hectare (121-acre) campus in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Ontario, that is exclusively developed for federal government buildings. It is bordered by Scott Street to the south, Parkdale Avenue to the east, the Kichi Zibi Mikan to the north, and the Champlain Park neighborhood to the west. While strictly speaking it is confined to this area, people living in the vicinity of it will often call the wider neighborhood Tunney's Pasture. Hedge trimming service.

Kindred Shop and Studio

Happy to announce Kindred's new partnership with Period Packs! You can now drop off your donations of menstrual products in store (outside packaging can be open as long as individual contents are still wrapped).

Period Packs exists to ensure that Ottawa community members are able to access menstrual products. They service over 400 women and girls a month and this number is constantly growing. The vision of Period Packs is a world where people who menstruate can manage their cycles safely and with dignity; where menstruation is accepted, celebrated and always on the agenda.

Victoire Boutique

Victoire is the leading boutique for curated Canadian-made fashion. Since 2006, Victoire has been a trailblazer in showcasing the talent of established and emerging designers, while also championing sustainable and ethical business practices. Victoire is the brainchild of high school BFFs Katie Frappier and Regine Paquette. Our shared love of fashion and politics made us perfect co-conspirators to launch a business that combined ethics with design.

Since June 2020, Victoire has committed to growing the representation of BIPOC-owned brands to 20% of the store, a target we’ve met and look forward to continually exceeding. We strive to reflect the full spectrum of the design community of Canada and are especially dedicated to increasing the representation of Indigenous designers.

OnlyHedges is a specialized service provider dedicated to meeting all your cedar hedge trimming needs. We take pride in our expertise and focus on ensuring your cedar hedges are impeccably maintained and shaped to perfection. With years of experience in the field, our skilled team at OnlyHedges is committed to enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space through precise and professional hedge trimming services.

OnlyHedges Ottawa, ON +1 613-324-7228 https://www.onlyhedges.ca/

[dailyrugbytoday]

2023 HSBC Canada Sevens set for historic weekend (March 3-5).

New Post has been published on https://thedailyrugby.com/2023-hsbc-canada-sevens-set-for-historic-weekend-march-3-5/

The Daily Rugby

https://thedailyrugby.com/2023-hsbc-canada-sevens-set-for-historic-weekend-march-3-5/

2023 HSBC Canada Sevens set for historic weekend (March 3-5).

In 2023, the HSBC Canada Sevens Rugby will return! 28 teams will compete in 79 matches over the course of the tournament weekend at this year’s event, with both the men’s and women’s teams competing together for the first time. On the first weekend of March, the event returns to Vancouver. Vancouver, BC Place Stadium, March 3-5, 2023.

The top men’s and women’s rugby seven players in the world will be back in action this weekend in Vancouver for a three-day competition from March 3–5. The competition for HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series gold and crucial Olympic qualification is heating up.

On the traditional land of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the 28 captains who will compete for the highly coveted HSBC Canada Sevens titles gathered on Wednesday to finalize their preparations before the action begins on Friday.

Canada’s men’s and women’s teams will try to put on a show for their supporters as they enter the field at the BC Place Stadium with the event returning to the city for the ninth straight year.

Breanne Nicholas, the co-captain of the Canadian women’s team, said: “We’re very happy to be playing on our home field with the men. We are prepared for the Vancouver buzz because we are familiar with Langford’s atmosphere. Competing alongside the men is beneficial for both the development of women’s sport and rugby in Canada.

The All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens of New Zealand, who have won the last three women’s events and two men’s events, respectively, are the current Series leaders and come in good spirits.

If New Zealand’s women’s team makes it to the cup finals this weekend in Vancouver, they will become the second country to formally qualify for Paris 2024 behind France, who already have a slot reserved as hosts.

The men’s pools for Vancouver have HSBC Los Angeles winners New Zealand in Pool A alongside Cape Town champions Samoa, Spain and the United States. Pool B includes silver medal winners Argentina with South Africa France and Japan. Bronze medal winners Fiji will meet Great Britain, Uruguay and Kenya in Pool C, while Australia lead Pool D alongside Ireland, Canada and Chile.

The women’s pools for Vancouver have New Zealand, Fiji, Great Britain and Colombia in Pool A. Reigning Series champions Australia will be looking to bounce back in Pool B against France, Japan and Spain. Pool C sees the USA together with Ireland, hosts Canada and Brazil.

[the-active-news]

Tess Ledeux Dad: Did She Excel In The First Game Of Big Air?

Tess is a young prodigy from the French ski scene who has seen continuous success. At 15, the French sensation became the youngest French athlete to ever compete in a Slopestyle competition at the X Games, where she took second place. After a strong start in the competitive arena, she won the World Championship in Sierra Nevada a year later, topping the amazing record with two X Games Gold Medals and the first-ever Big Air World Champion title. At her threshold of twenty years, Tess is already committed to the Beijing Olympics in 2022. Tess is already committed to the Beijing Olympics in 2022. Her Olympic gold in slopestyle and big air was her aim.

Tess Ledeux Dad

Tess Ledeux Dad On November 23, 2001, Tess Ledeux was born in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, France. She was Nelly Murgia’s child ( Mother ). Nowhere on the internet has her father’s name been updated yet. She grew up with Manon Ledeux and Charlie Ledeux, her sister. At the end of January 2021, her father, a teacher, passed away. The cause of her father’s passing is still unknown. She then posted on Instagram just before competing in the Olympics in March 2021. You also like it:- - Elian Gonzalez Net Worth 2023: Announces He Set To Become A Dad - Margaret Atwood Net Worth 2023: Immerse Yourself In 10 Unique Books By Her

Tess Ledoux and Birk Ruud Win First Big Air Freestyle Ski World Cup

The 2022–23 significant air season will be fantastic if the audience at Big Air Chur Festival is any indication. On Friday, October 21, the much-anticipated return of the big air freestyle skiing competition did not disappoint. After a jam-packed event filled with positive vibes, music, joy, and incredible action on the ramp, Birk Ruud and Tess Ledoux of France took top of the podiums. https://twitter.com/BenSteiner00/status/1583543812684533761 Skiers were given three chances to complete their best tricks, and the top two scores were counted. Olympic champion from Beijing 2022, Birk Ruud, set the tone for the evening with a 93.00 score on a flawless opening jump. He took the initiative and didn’t look back. Local hero and Swiss acrobatic monarch Andri Ragettli attempted to topple Ruud from his throne after scoring 91.75 on his first leap. Still, the Norwegian was in a league of his own. Ruud advanced further with a score of 95.75 after landing a switch left double 900 bring back on his second jump. He used a tactic to assist him in winning, that was breaking the laws of physics. After his victory, Ruud stated: “I’m incredibly excited to create a new kind of pretzel, if you could call it that. I’m overjoyed to have performed that maneuver first in the competition. It’s fascinating because this trick was performed in a novel method, and it worked.” Troy Podmilsak, an 18-year-old American athlete who we’re eager to watch in action this season, continued to demonstrate his promise on Friday night. As his third and final jump, he leaped into second place, but he ultimately had to settle for third after Canadian Noah Porter Maclennan outjumped him with a massive left double 1800 stalefish to take second place.

Is Tess Ledeux Excel In The First Game Of Big Air?

Ailing (Eileen) Gu, the Olympic champion, was not present for the women’s tournament, and Ledoux demonstrated she was the one to defeat. The 20-year-old received 93.00 for her initial leap, and she followed it up with a third jump that was crucial to her chances of placing on the podium. Ledoux, who was beaming, informed FIS of her triumph, “The tension was relatively high. I’m so relieved that my final trick worked. https://twitter.com/XGames/status/1613680342019493888 The sensation is fantastic with all these individuals at the bottom.” On the final women’s run of the evening, the French superstar delivered under duress with a proper double 1080 safety that netted her an 83.00 score and a winning total of 181.00. Swiss superstar Mathilde Gremaud came in hot with a left double 1260 safety trick to open her night, showcasing why she is the Beijing 2022 slopestyle champion and giant air bronze medalist. For more information, visit theactivenews.com Read the full article

[theanticool]

A Busy Week in Women's Boxing!

Was looking at the schedule for this week and there is so much happening in women's boxing so going to lay it all out in one convenient place.

Over on Boxxer and Peacock we have Collision Course. In the main event, the IBF and WBC welterweight championships will be on the line, as champions Natasha Jonas and Ivana Habazin face off. Jonas is a former standout GB amateur that has found huge success in the pros. She's a two weight world champion. She's recently got a win over fellow multi division champion Mikaela Mayer. At 40 years old, she's made a good career for herself. Habazin is a Croatian boxer that is probably known best for being the loser in high profile match ups - Shields, Harper, Braekhus, Lauren, etc. But she is a two time world champion, having recently won a world title after having a ten year title drought.

In the co-main, Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price gets a mandatory fight out the way. She is coming off the biggest win of her pro career, a dominant win over former undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill for the WBA title. She'll take on Colombian Bexcy Mateus. Card is on Saturday (Dec. 14) on Peacock for those in the US. On SkySports for those in the UK.

Over on DAZN, Golden Boy Promotions has a card going down on Saturday (Dec. 14) as well. On the undercard we will get to see the return of former Olympic bronze medalist and former united flyweight champion Marlen Esparza. Esparza is coming off a big loss, where she lost her title on the scale, and then proceeded to lose on the cards. She is now moving up to super flyweight (115lbs). She'll take on fellow former flyweight champion Arely Mucino. Mucino is a long time veteran of the pro scene as well as a 4x world champion. She turned pro back in 2008 and has been competing at the highest levels of the sport since 2010. It's a good crossroads fight between two 35 year old boxers that are looking for one last run at world championships.

Another former Olympian! Brazilian Beatriz Ferreira is back from her stint at the 2024 Olympic games. A silver medalist at the 2020 Olympics, she added a bronze medal to her cabinet this year. But she's also the IBW lightweight champion. It's a division that has suddenly filled up with interesting fighters - Caroline Dubois, Bo Mi Re Shin, Terri Harper, Imane Khelif, etc. So there are fights for someone like Beatriz to chase. But first, she'll have to get through Frenchwoman Licia Boudersa. Boudersa is one of those French fighters that has fought their whole career in France against meh opposition, so they have an impressive looking record just from staying active.

We have a rematch this week. The last time Esneidy Rodriguez and Sana Hazuki, there was some wonkiness with the scoring so they're running it again. Rodriguez is an undefeated Mexican fighter on the come up. Sana Hazuki is a Japanese journeywoman. She's fought for a couple of world titles and come up short. Her record looks bad (12-9) but that's part fighting in a division with a small pool of fighters and part constantly fighting world champions (Yokasta Valle, Nanae Suzuki, Mika Iwakawa, Eri Matsuda). A true youth vs experience style match up.

ANOTHER former Olympian! This time from Canada. 2020+2024 Olympian and former amateur world champion Tamm Thibeault will make her pro debut on Friday over on DAZN. Didn't even realize the Canadian had signed with MVP (Jake Paul's outfit) or was planning on going pro. Only 27 years old and in a division as shallow as middleweight, she's got the potential to go far. First she has to deal with journeywoman Natasha Spence.

Last we have a couple fights going down in Australia.

Kaye Scott is a 40 year old who is a pioneer of the sport in Australia. She was part of the first ever sanctioned women's fight in the country. She represented the country on the amateur scene for years, taking home silver medals up at light heavyweight in 2016 and 2023 at the world championships. She recently made her move pro in November 2023 and quickly rattled off 4 wins. Now she's getting a title shot. It's a rematch with Desley Robinson, a woman she beat earlier this year. Robinson is a known entity, having fought Lani Daniels for the LHW title as well.

Do you remember John Wayne Parr? Legend of Australian muay thai? Well his daughter, Jazzy Parr, is also a fighter. And a pretty good one at that. While she's done quite a bit of kickboxing and muay thai, she seems to have settled on boxing as her primary sport. At least for now. The 21 year old has run up a 6-0 record in the sport and looks poised to make a run at a world title at bantamweight. She is set to face her most experienced opponent to date, former world champion Shannon O'Connell.

There is more but I fear this might run long. But if you're even a tiny bit interested in any of these fights, I implore you to seek them out. It's a good week to start getting into women's boxing as there's a lot going on globally and a lot of it will be available on streaming or TV depending on where you live.

[virtchandmoir]

Scott Moir, Kaitlyn Weaver advocates of gender-expansive ice dance and pairs figure skating teams

January 11, 2023

Canadian ice dancer Kaitlyn Weaver says, as an LGBTQ2S+ person, her sport has never fully reflected her lived experience.

Skate Canada has rewritten its policy that specifies ice dance and pairs team must comprise a man and a woman, a rule change that has Weaver and two-time Olympic ice dance champion Scott Moir as its biggest advocates — and could revolutionize the stuffy figure skating world.

Canada, which is the first country in the world to make such a move, plans to push for an international rule change at the next ISU congress in 2024.

"There's so many different ways that it can impact young people," Weaver said. "But as an ice dancer, and especially as a queer person growing up that didn't know she was queer, seeing different stories represented and different partnering, different types of identities on the ice, would have been very liberating for me."

As of next season, pairs and ice dance skaters — up to the Canadian championships, but not beyond — need only be two skaters.

"This is meant to be gender inclusive, so it doesn't matter how you identify yourself, if you're a skater, you're welcome," said Skate Canada president Karen Butcher.

"We'd like to be leaders in the sport no matter what, and we believe that this change is the right thing for more skaters in Canada, and by extension around the world to be able to enjoy skating and have more opportunities," she added. "Why not examine it and see what changes can be made?

"If we're not constantly looking at how do we make our sport better, we're going to die."

Weaver, a two-time Olympian with partner Andrew Poje, said Canada's rule change has been the "talk of the figure skating world," and she was pleasantly surprised to see Russian Maxim Grinkov, who won Olympic pairs gold in 2014 with Tatiana Volosozhar, support the move.

"Max said, 'Why not? A skater is a skater, and if you can do the elements, then who's to say that it's any different?' and I think that, coming out of Russia, that's a big statement," Weaver said.

Moir and partner Tessa Virtue became the most decorated ice dancers in history when they won Olympic gold in 2018. The 35-year-old Moir now coaches the Ice Academy of Montreal's satellite program in London, Ont., and said, because there are far more female skaters than male, removing the gender stipulation could have a huge impact on keeping girls and women in the sport.

"Seeing so many women that want to ice dance, and not having the opportunity because that partner doesn't come along or what have you," Moir said.

He added that he and Virtue had a true 50/50 partnership on the ice, where the strength of their elements came from the two of them equally.

"We have a really unique opportunity in skating where you have the balance of grace and athleticism, where the body type or the body build, the pure science of what the traditionalists would call an advantage, I don't really see that," Moir said. "I see the fact that we have an opportunity to tell a new story and to have a new look.

"And what is the advantage? If traditionalists think that two women can't do lifts, I'm eager to prove them wrong. Or two men together can't be graceful in this era, I'm eager to prove them wrong. Because I don't believe that. I see an even playing field and a fantastic opportunity to get more people involved in figure skating. And that's always something I'm passionate about."

Moir believes that with the advancement in women's sport, and specifically skating, that the best skaters in the world right now are female. Women are reeling off triple axels. Kamila Valieva of Russia became the first woman to land a quadruple jump at the Olympics last year, at age 15.

"That female-female team is going to be hard to compete against," Moir said. "I just keep going back to: I'm happy I didn't have to compete against a Tessa Virtue and Tessa Virtue team."

Moir realizes there could be a backlash against the policy change, and hopes that skaters don't pay a price or face bullying.

News that artistic (formerly synchronized) swimming would now permit two male swimmers per team in the team event caused an uproar recently.

"I think it's ridiculous. It's small-minded, right?" he said. "In this next generation, hopefully we're starting to let people identify how they want to people. That's all it has to be. And whatever your background is, or however you identify, you should be able to participate in sport and that get the lessons that (sport) offers."

While the teams at this week's Canadian championships in Oshawa, Ont., will see only traditional male/female duos, both Moir and Weaver hope to see the rule change, which received a unanimous vote from Skate Canada's board of directors, reflected in next year's fields.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with the stories we're telling, (but) I think there's room for so much more," said Weaver, a three-time world senior medallist. "My queerness has a big part in why I felt especially motivated to help push this forward. We don't see young people in our sport that are not heteronormative … and I think that that's a problem.

"Canadians belong on the ice. And if there's a group of people that don't feel like that, it's our job to make sure that becomes a reality. And a visual reality. Kids can't be what they can't see. And if we can make space for everyone, I think that our sport and our country will be much richer for it."

Weaver has worked with American pair team Anna Kellar, a nonbinary trans athlete, and Erica Rand, who hoped to compete at the American national championships, but U.S. rules still stipulate a team must comprise a male and female.

Canada was also one of the world's first countries to drop the term "ladies" in figure skating, switching to "women's singles" over a decade ago. The ISU only recently dropped the relic. Women were called "women" at the Olympics for the first time in 2022.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2023.

—CTV News

[krakenbait]

olympic update: 3/7

Good morning everyone, and happy Monday! Let’s get into it, shall we?

15 year old Russian figure skating phenom Kamila Valiyeva strikes again, becoming the first woman to land a quad on Olympic ice, and doing it twice, during the women’s free skate during the team event last night. She was leaps and bounds above the other women in the competition, even after falling on her third attempted quad (look, she’s human!). Off of Valiyeva’s efforts, and another first place finish despite a fall from Russian pairs skaters Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov, the Russian Olympic Committee won the gold in the team figure skating event.

Team USA earned silver in that same team figure skating event. Karen Chen had a redeeming free skate after falling during her short program, while ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates had a masterful performance in the free dance, with their theatrical “love story in space” set to Daft Punk taking first over reigning world champions Nikita Katsalapov and Victoria Sinitsina. Vincent Zhou, who competed in the men’s free skate, was unable to join them in celebrating, however- he tested positive for COVID. As I was writing this, he officially withdrew from the men’s singles competition. Wishing him all the best.

Mikaela Shiffrin had her first event of these Olympics, the giant slalom, yesterday. But instead of ending in another medal, this run ended in heartbreak. Just seconds into her first run on the course, Shiffrin wobbled as she rounded a gate, fell to her side, and was unable to get up in time, causing her to be disqualified from the event. It was a hard event for the Americans, as Nina O’Brien crashed during her second run and had to be attended to by the medical team. Sara Hector of Sweden, Federica Brignone of Italy, and Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland took home gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.

Irene Wüst of the Netherlands won speedskating gold in the 1,500m, setting records in the process. Her time of 1:53.28 was a new Olympic record, and Wüst became the first person to win an individual gold at five Olympics, as well as the oldest speedskating gold medalist ever at age 35. As a note on the personal side, Wüst said she was retiring after this season and going back home to the Netherlands to marry her girlfriend.

Things got a little weird when the ROC and Canada faced off in women’s hockey. The game was delayed 65 minutes after the ROC had not reported their COVID tests and Canada was concerned. When both teams finally hit the ice, everyone was wearing masks, until the third period when the Russians’ negative tests came back and they took theirs off. Canada won the game 6-1 off a two point night for five different players and three points for Sarah Nurse.

Beat Feuz of Switzerland won the wind-delayed men’s downhill event by a tenth of a second, coming just ahead of French Johan Clarey and Austrian Matthias Mayer. Clarey, 41, is now the oldest alpine skiing Olympic medalist.

Max Parrott of Canada took home gold in men’s snowboard slopestyle. Each man tried to out-style the other, with bigger and flashier jumps on each run. Parrot’s winning trick was a Cab Triple Cork 1620, a trick with three off-axis corkscrews within four and half revolutions, a victory lap for a man who thought he might never snowboard again after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma only 10 months after winning silver at the 2018 Olympics (he was declared cancer free in 2019). 17 year old Su Yiming of China won silver, and Mark McMorris of Canada won bronze, as he has in all three Olympic slopestyle competitions. American Red Gerard, the defending Olympic champion, set the score to beat in the first run, but ended up landing in fourth place as the two Canadians and the Chinese overtook him.

Eileen Gu is headed to the women’s freestyle skiing big air finals tonight, her first attempt of three for a medal at these games. The 18 year old from California is competing for China and is a star in the host country.

Curling update: the US lost to Great Britain in mixed doubles and failed to move on to the semifinals. Italy and Norway will face off for the gold, while Sweden and Great Britain will fight for bronze.

In the women’s 15k individual biathlon, Germany’s Denise Hermann took gold.

Arianna Fontana of Italy won gold in women’s short track speedskating 500m.

Ziwei Ren of China won gold in men’s short track speedskating 1000m.

Slovenia won gold in the mixed team ski jumping event, where two men and two women each went and their scores were combined. ROC took silver and Canada bronze.

Here’s tonight’s watch list (times in EST):

Men’s figure skating short program (8:15 pm)

Women’s freestyle skiing big air finals (9 pm)

Women’s snowboarding parallel giant slalom qualifiers & elimination run (9:40 pm & 10:34 pm)

Men’s alpine skiing super G (10 pm)

Men’s snowboarding parallel giant slalom qualifiers & elimination run (10:07 pm & 11 pm)

Women’s hockey USA vs Canada (11:10 pm)

And here’s the medal count as of this morning:

Have a good day everyone!

tag list (let me know if you want to be added): @washyourdamnhands @sonnymilano @18minutemajor @ethan-bears

[ilikefandom]

The Science of Magic

Request: Hi hi. I was wondering if you could write Snape x reader fluff. But the reader is a muggle, not a muggle born witch. If you don’t want to, it’s alright since I saw a lot of requests on your blog u might be busy rn. Love u.

Requested by: Anon

Genre: Fluff

Synopsis: Two teachers, one magic and one science, A sneek peak into cuteness

Pairing: Severus Snape x Fem Reader

Warnings: Ignorence

“What do you mean you’ve never recorded your marks electronically?” (Y/n)’s voice was shrill and her tone was flabbergasted.

“We are very old fashioned at my school.” Severus said, as he copied down the marks of his third year students from their tests onto his gradebook.

“I know you have magic Sev, but honestly. Using google sheets or Excel is so much easier. It’s how I keep track of all my marks.”

“We don’t use computers or the internet at Hogwarts love.” Severus glanced up at (Y/n) from his place near the fire. 

“You don’t even use pens.” (Y/n)’s tone was on the verge of angry, but still amused. 

“Quills are harder for you to believe in than magic?” Severus chuckled as he placed his quill back in his ink pot. 

“Magic is just energy that you exert from your body, people who have magic just have more control over that energy.” (Y/n) said sitting down on the couch across from Severus. “For example the fire charm Incendio, or whatever latin you bother using, is a cue word for your energy to heat up and cause fire. Ergo, magic is science and has a reasonable explanation.” 

“I can never understand all of your terminology my dear.” Snape said, closing his mark book as he blew on the ink to dry it. 

“You and I basically teach the same subject! Chemistry and potions are the same thing, just in two different contexts.”

“If you want to collect all of my marks on your spreadsheet thing, I’ll send you them via owl every night.” Severus’ attempt at compromise left (Y/n) speechless.

“No, Professor Snape, you will text or phone your wife every night and you will send her all of the grades for your 1000 students.” (Y/n) looked at Severus incredulously. “I spent six years at University getting my degree and masters in Biochemistry, just to fill out a spreadsheet with my husband’s grades.”

“Darling, things are alright the way they are.”

“Husband of mine. Your textbooks in the wizarding world sound like fantasy novels. And your history class is taught by a ghost. Do your students even know basic math?” (Y/n) stretched her legs and looked at her husband. “I have so many questions about this.”

“Arthur Weasly would love you. Muggle obsessed as he is.”

(Y/n) stopped speaking and looked at Severus, head tilted and expression confused. “What’s a muggle?”

Severus sighed. “You’re a muggle, dear.” He cleared his throat. “A non-magic person. Other countries have different words, Americans call you no-maj and Canadians call you can’t-spells. The majority of the world are muggles, just like you.”

“It sounds rude.” (Y/n) grumbled as she crossed her arms across her chest. “Do you have any muggle teachers at your school?”

“We do not.”

“Well why not?”

“Because you can’t teach magic.”

“Well what about, what do you call it? Muggle studies, shouldn’t a muggle teach muggle studies?”

“Muggleborns usually teach muggle studies.” Severus got out of his chair and sat beside his wife on the couch.

“So people born with a magic gene, but of muggle descent. How often does that happen? Is magic a dominant or recessive trait? I doubt it’s a sex linked gene as as many men have it as women. I need to draw a punnett square.”

“No, you don’t love. And I assume it’s a dominant trait.”

“That would make sense.”

“I really must introduce you to Arthur Weasly. He’s in a club of sorts with me, and he is very interested in muggles. Pity you don’t have a background in Physics.” Severus chided placing his cheek on top of (Y/n)’s head. 

She smacked him in the chest. “You don’t even teach two subjects so who are you to judge?” Severus laughed and put his arms around her.

“You know I was joking right dove?” Severus asked

“You, dark, brooding, moody, Severus Snape joking. That in itself is a joke.”

“Well this was fun while it lasted. I’ll have to go back to Hogwarts in a few days.”

“Imagine if we swapped classes. My students would all hate you with your detention giveing self.” (Y/n) laughed and snuggled herself back into his chest. 

“My classes would love you. You’re like Minerva, strict, but understanding and kind.” 

Sevurus pulled her closer and they both sat for a few minutes enjoying the fire.

“When can I meet your co-workers? You met mine at the staff Christmas party, last year when Davie almost set you on fire.” Both Snapes laughed at the memory of (Y/n)’s iddiotic coworker.

“In a few days,” Severus answered, staring at his sweetheart, “We are going to start the Triwizard Tournament. I'll aperate to you, and bring you back for the choosing of the champions. I’ll introduce you to them then.”

“Alright.” Came the soft, sleepy reply from the bundle in Severus’ arms. “Can we sleep here tonight, I don’t want to walk up the stairs. 

It was moments like this where Severus was glad to have (Y/n). She was a light in his shade and a question in his mind. When he held her, in the living room on a cool August night he was content. As he should be, without the knowledge of all of the dark things to come.

Author’s Note: Thanks for reading. I am not a biochemist. I just thought it would provide a nice contrast. Please comment and request. Thank you!