Judge: Porter can’t go play in Greece

Paul Skenes became the fifth rookie to start an All-Star Game, retiring Steven Kwan, Gunnar Henderson and Aaron Judge in a hitless first inning of the National League’s 5-3 loss on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Blum)

ARCHIVO - Foto del alero de los Raptors de Toronto Jontay Porter en el encuentro ante los Bulls de Chicago. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP, Archivo)

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo reacts after swimming in the Seine, in Paris on July 17, 2024, to demonstrate that the river is clean enough to host the outdoor swimming events at the Paris Olympics later this month. Despite an investment of 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to prevent sewage leaks into the waterway, the Seine has been causing suspense in the run-up to the opening of the Paris Games on July 26 after repeatedly failing water quality tests. But since the beginning of July, with heavy rains finally giving way to sunnier weather, samples have shown the river to be ready for the open-water swimming and triathlon -- and for 65-year-old Hidalgo. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP) (Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

Judge: Porter can’t go play in Greece

A federal judge has denied a request by former NBA player Jontay Porter to be allowed to resume his basketball career in Greece while he is awaiting sentencing for his role in a betting scandal that got him banned from the league. Porter, in a letter sent by attorney Jeff Jensen on Tuesday, had asked that some conditions of his bond be modified so that he can get his U.S. passport back, be allowed to travel in Europe and to reside in Patras, Greece. Jensen told the court that Porter would play for the Greek club Promitheas BC. But a court posting Wednesday shows the request was denied by Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall. In his letter to the judge, Jensen had noted that federal prosecutors in Brooklyn had no opposition to the request. Porter, 24, was banned for life from the NBA after admitting that he helped bettors by intentionally underperforming in games. He pleaded guilty last month to a federal conspiracy crime. He is free on $250,000 bond while awaiting sentencing set on Dec. 18, and prosecutors have estimated that he could be facing a range from 3 1/2 to about four years in prison.

All-Star Skenes feels ‘like one of them’

Paul Skenes walked onto the Globe Life Field mound, 66 days after his major league debut, 13 months after he was pitching in college. The public-address system played Smash Mouth’s “All Star,” and he really was one. “I don’t think I blacked out when I was out there, but I was pretty close,” he said. Skenes had became the fifth rookie to start an All-Star Game, retiring the Guardians’ Steven Kwan, Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson and Yankees’ Aaron Judge in a hitless first inning of the National League’s 5-3 loss Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. Baseball’s best watched as the 6-foot-6 wonder threw at up to 100.1 mph. “The coolest part about it is they’re so accepting and welcomed me with open arms into the clubhouse,” he beamed. Last year’s No. 1 pick in the amateur draft, Skenes made his big league debut on May 11 and is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA for the Pirates, striking out 89 and walking 13 in 66 1/3 innings. After Tuesday night’s festivities and game, the 22-year-old Skenes no longer perceives himself an outsider looking in at the greats. “I feel like I’m one of them,” he said.

Mayor of Paris takes a dip in the Seine

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swam in the Seine River on Wednesday, fulfilling a promise to show that the long-polluted waterway was clean enough to host swimming competitions during the 2024 Olympics as well as part of the opening ceremony, now only nine days away. Daily water quality tests in early June indicated unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria, followed by recent improvements. Clad in a wetsuit and goggles, the 65-year-old Hidalgo plunged into the river near the imposing-looking City Hall, her office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet and the top government official for the Paris region, Marc Guillaume, joined her, along with swimmers from local swimming clubs. They swam down the river for about 100 meters, switching between crawl and breaststroke. The swim was part of a broader effort to showcase the river’s improved cleanliness ahead of the Summer Games. The Seine will host several open water swimming events during the Games, including marathon swimming and the swimming legs of the triathlons. —Associated Press