Reuters Sports News Summary

Bid leaders will intensify talks with the IOC, fleshing out plans and state support, with the Olympic governing body to decide on the 2030 and 2034 hosts at its session in July, 2024. NFL-Jets QB Rodgers back at practice 11 weeks after Achilles surgery Four-times National Football League MVP Aaron Rodgers returned to practice on Wednesday, 11 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair an Achilles tear he suffered early in his team's season opener, the New York Jets said.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NBA roundup: Lakers drop Pistons to historic low

D'Angelo Russell racked up 35 points and nine assists for Los Angeles while the host Detroit Pistons established a franchise record for futility in the Lakers' 133-107 victory on Wednesday night. Anthony Davis powered for 28 points and 16 rebounds while LeBron James contributed 25 points as the Lakers bounced back from a 44-point loss to Philadelphia on Monday.

Golf-Lagergren takes first-round lead at South African Open

Swede Joakim Lagergren carded a faultless seven under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the South African Open Championship at the Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate in Johannesburg on Thursday. The 32-year-old is chasing a first win on the DP World Tour since 2018 at the Gary Player-designed 8,233-yard course, which holds the record for being the longest on the tour.

Olympics-Traffic to be heavily restricted during the Games, police warns

Car traffic during the Paris 2024 Olympics will be restricted with pre-registration necessary to enter several zones, although the maximum is being done to preserve the residents' daily lives, the French capital's chief of police said on Wednesday. "We want to guarantee the highest level of security while safeguarding the continuity of the economical and private lives," Paris police chief Laurent Nunez told a press conference before unveiling a map of restricted areas for the duration of the July 26-Aug. 11 Games.

NBA-Bronny James cleared for USC return after cardiac arrest

Bronny James, the teenage son of NBA great LeBron James, has been given the green light to rejoin his University of Southern California (USC) basketball team four months after he suffered a cardiac arrest during practice. "Bronny James is now cleared by his doctors for a full return to basketball," a spokesperson for the James Family said in a statement.

Olympics-Organisers of 2026 Winter Games should have foreign option for sliding centre-IOC

Organisers of Italy's Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics should be prepared to host the sliding competitions abroad to avoid any new construction, the International Olympic Committee said on Thursday. The sliding centre hosts the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions during the Games and Italy's initial plan to reconstruct a sliding centre where an old, defunct venue existed had hit obstacles from the very start of preparations.

Olympics-Hayes arrival perfect timing for Paris 2024, says US striker Rodman

United States forward Trinity Rodman said their early exit at the World Cup was a turning point for the squad and the arrival of Emma Hayes as their new manager comes at the perfect time with the Paris Olympics just around the corner. The U.S. had been going for a third straight World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand but were eliminated by Sweden in the Round of 16.

Olympics-Paris 2024 banks on further improvements to make River Seine suitable for swimming

The River Seine is already suitable for bathing two days out of three on average in the summer, but Paris is hoping to further improve the water quality as next year's Olympics loom. The primary goal is to make the Seine batheable by 2025, and the Games served as a huge boost, even though some sporting events were cancelled last summer because the health standards were not met following rare heavy rains and a sewer problem.

Sports-Former U.S. athlete Fleshman wins sports book of the year prize

Former U.S. distance runner Lauren Fleshman's "Good for a Girl: My Life Running in a Man’s World" was crowned winner of the 2023 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award on Thursday, earning her 30,000 pounds ($37,920) and a huge publicity boost. Fleshman, perennially successful in the U.S. where she was twice the national 5,000m champion, raced in three world championships but missed out on the Olympics. She went on to have a successful coaching and punditry career.

Olympics-France 2030, Salt Lake City 2034 are preferred Winter Games bids - IOC

France 2030 and Salt Lake City 2034 were picked as preferred hosts of the Winter Olympics and their respective bid teams will now go into a dialogue with the International Olympic Committee, the IOC said on Wednesday. Bid leaders will intensify talks with the IOC, fleshing out plans and state support, with the Olympic governing body to decide on the 2030 and 2034 hosts at its session in July, 2024.

NFL-Jets QB Rodgers back at practice 11 weeks after Achilles surgery

Four-times National Football League MVP Aaron Rodgers returned to practice on Wednesday, 11 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair an Achilles tear he suffered early in his team's season opener, the New York Jets said. Opening the 21-day practice window for Rodgers, who turns 40 on Saturday, does not necessarily mean he will return to game action this season as the team will now use the time to decide whether to activate the quarterback from injured reserve.