Biles makes her return to Olympics

Simone Biles is eager for a chance to put the Tokyo Olympics firmly in her rearview mirror. Three years after she memorably pulled out of multiple finals to protect her mental health and safety — a decision that came with a backlash — Biles headlines a U.S. women’s gymnastics team filled with familiar faces eyeing a shot at redemption in Paris. Biles will be joined by reigning Olympic champion Sunisa Lee, 2020 floor exercise champion gold medalist Jade Carey, 2020 Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles and 16-year-old newcomer Hezly Rivera, who will find herself competing next to a couple of her idols as the Americans try to reclaim the spot atop the Olympic podium they ceded to Russia in Japan. The 27-year-old Biles has long been in a class of her own. She will arrive in Paris as the most decorated women’s gymnast ever with a combined 37 medals between the Olympics and world championships. She took two years off after Tokyo, a break in which she prioritized her mental health — she now meets with her therapist weekly — and moved on with her life.

HR Derby issues format change

The Home Run Derby is altering its format. This year’s event, which takes place on July 15 at Arlington, Texas, limits the number of pitches each hitter can face in each round and changes the setup of its opening round. In the first round and the semifinals, each hitter will get either three minutes or 40 pitches, depending on which of those benchmarks gets reached first. In the final round, a hitter will get two minutes or 27 pitches. That doesn’t include the bonus periods that hitters will get in each round. Under the previous format, hitters still faced a time limit but there wasn’t any restriction on the number of pitches they could face. Each hitter will get bonus pitches until they hit into three outs during that period. Although Major League Baseball hasn’t yet announced all the players competing in this year’s Home Run Derby, the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, pictured, said Sunday night on social media that he would be participating. Last year’s Home Run Derby was won by the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Mbappé, France into quarterfinals

Another frustrating match for Kylian Mbappé. Another underwhelming performance by France at the European Championship. Didier Deschamps isn’t concerned — his team is into the quarterfinals. “It’s beautiful,” the France coach said after Les Bleus relied on the ninth own-goal scored at Euro 2024 to squeeze past Belgium 1-0 in the round of 16 on Monday. A heavyweight match between neighbors and teams ranked No. 2 (France) and No. 3 (Belgium) failed to live up to its billing, and the nature of the only goal proved to be fitting. Randal Kolo Muani, on as a second-half substitute, turned in the area and sent in a shot in the 85th minute that deflected off Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen and looped over stranded goalkeeper Koen Casteels. “I was lucky enough to get my shot on target,” he said of his decisive intervention. “It was blocked but it went in. We’re very, very happy and very, very proud.” Mbappé will be playing in his first quarterfinal at the European Championship, with France having lost on a penalty shootout to Switzerland in the last 16 at the last tournament in 2021. —AP