National Sports

Athletes who have played in diversity-themed games that celebrate pride and inclusion use homophobic language less often than players who have not, according to new research from Australia's Monash University and Ryerson University in Toronto.

North American pro athletes tried to shift the spotlight from the sporting arena to social justice reform Thursday as several games were postponed in an attempt to provide time for reflection on recent developments and continue the fight against raci

CHARLOTTETOWN — Atletico Ottawa recorded its first win in franchise history as the Canadian Premier League club beat Calgary's Cavalry FC 2-0 on Thursday at The Island Games tournament. Ben Fisk and Malcolm Shaw scored for Ottawa (1-1-2).

Delayed due to the global pandemic but still taking place under the spectre of COVID-19, this year's Tour de France promises to be like no other. The 21-stage, 3, 484-kilometre race starts Saturday in Nice and is slated to end Sept. 20 in Paris.

TORONTO — General manager Ross Atkins has secured some much-needed help for the Toronto Blue Jays' injury-plagued starting rotation.

NEW YORK — Three of five Canadians are seeded and the two others won't face seeded players in the opening round of the U.S. Open next week. The U.S.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Two days after Raptors guard Fred VanVleet wondered aloud whether a historic NBA boycott might be the only way to get action, Toronto's playoff game against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night has been postponed.

TORONTO — The Toronto Arrows have re-signed Canadian international lock Mike Sheppard and fellow returnee John Sheridan.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — NBA players will continue the playoffs after postponements following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a source tells The Associated Press. More coming. The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Vice-President Mike Pence's chief of staff said Thursday that NBA protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, are “absurd and silly.