Live Coverage of Swimming Begins This Saturday, July 26, at 10 p.m. ET Exclusively on Peacock; Highlights on NBC on Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. ET and Aug. 9 at 1 p.m. ET

Ledecky Can Add to Her Record-Breaking Individual World Championship Gold Medal Count

Olympic Gold Medalists Leon Marchand, Summer McIntosh, Torri Huske, and Kaylee McKeown Also Expected to Compete

Spain vs. Hungary in Men’s Water Polo Gold Medal Match Tomorrow at 9:35 a.m. ET Exclusively on Peacock

Additional Coverage, including Preliminaries, Presented Live on Team USA TV

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 23, 2025 – Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky headlines NBC Sports’ continued live coverage of the 2025 World Aquatics Championships from Singapore, with the swimming portion of the event beginning this Saturday, July 26, at 10 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock. All finals in all disciplines across swimming, diving, water polo, open water swimming, and artistic swimming will continue to be presented live on Peacock.

Ledecky, who has a record 16 individual world championship gold medals, can make history once again when she lines up for the 800m freestyle, where she could become the first swimmer to win seven world titles in one event. Ledecky’s dominance in the event dates back to the 2012 London Olympics; since then, she’s won four consecutive Olympic gold medals and six world titles. Ledecky is expected to face elite competition from three-time Olympic gold medalist Summer McIntosh (Canada).

The U.S. is expected to field an elite team that’s coming off 28 medals at the Paris Olympics, the most of any country in the Games. Aside from Ledecky, eight-time Olympic medalist Regan Smith, four-time Olympic medalist Gretchen Walsh, and six-time Olympic medalist Torri Huske are all expected to represent Team USA.

Along with McIntosh, French star Leon Marchand, coming off a Paris Olympics that saw him win four gold medals in front of his home crowd, leads a strong international contingent expected to compete in Singapore that is also expected to include Australian Olympic gold medalists Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan.

Since July 11 and continuing through Aug. 3, Peacock will stream over 100 hours of live coverage featuring many of the top U.S. Olympic medalists from Paris competing against elite international fields in swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming. This will be the first time that Singapore has hosted this event.

Team USA TV will present preliminaries and select semi-finals action from the artistic swimming and diving competitions. Team USA TV is a free ad-supported TV channel, launched in partnership by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, NBCUniversal, and FAST Studios. Team USA TV brings fans the incredible stories of Team USA athletes and their journey to represent Team USA at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and is available now on Peacock, Roku TV, Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, and Tablo. For more information, click here.

NBC Sports’ Jason Knapp will call the event alongside three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines and reporter Nicole Auerbach. During his career, Gaines won eight World Championship medals, including five gold medals at the 1978 and 1982 World Championships.

NBC Sports’ Coverage Schedule, Thursday, July 24 – Saturday, Aug. 9 (all times ET)

*Encore presentation

–NBC SPORTS–

Anyone paying attention to the fight for women’s sports already knows that Riley Gaines isn’t backing down. And as the nation starts to wake up, she’s no longer alone.

The 12-time All-American swimmer and tireless women’s advocate has become a household name by doing something simple but radical: she’s speaking the truth. Now, Gaines is teaming up with XX-XY Athletics, the only athletic brand unapologetically championing biological women, to launch a collaboration that’s as bold and brave as she is. 

The retro-inspired Be Bold collection is infused with red, white, and blue to showcase unapologetic pride in this nation. But the brand and the styles aren’t just fashion — they represent a cultural pushback. And according to XX-XY founder Jennifer Sey, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

“The first drop launched on June 23rd, the anniversary of Title IX. So it’s a celebration of all that Title IX represents, the opportunity it presented for women and girls across the country,” Sey told The Daily Wire in an exclusive interview. “And it sort of highlights the fact that we need to continue to fight to uphold it. We’re not going backwards.”

Not long before the collection’s June release, the Department of Education ruled that the University of Pennsylvania violated Title IX by allowing a biological male to compete on the women’s swim team, therefore robbing female athletes of records, awards, and their dignity. 

The school was forced to apologize and restore honors to athletes like Gaines. Shortly after, the Supreme Court announced it would hear two landmark cases involving men competing in women’s sports. Sey said it’s all proof that the cultural tide is turning, and that this collection will help capture that truth.

“The world is shifting under our feet,” she said. “That’s in large part due to Riley’s work.”

Sey has a background in standing up for what’s right. A former elite gymnast and the first whistleblower in her sport to expose abuse, she spent decades at the helm of major brands like Levi’s before founding XX-XY Athletics in 2023 with a singular mission: to stand up for real women.

“I looked around at all the big brands pretending to champion female athletes, and none of them really did. They make money off of it, but behind the scenes, they treat women with astonishing disregard,” she said.

With Be Bold, Sey is hoping to turn that hypocrisy on its head.

The collection wasn’t just inspired by Gaines. It was built with her.

“She was totally involved,” Sey said of the line of fitness apparel. “The red, white, and blue color scheme? That’s all her. The name Be Bold? That’s how she signs her books. We leaned into her favorite pieces and her signature style.”

XX-XY Athletics

Gaines’s go-to item is the cropped performance tank, Sey says, stressing that all the pieces both make a statement and support real athletes who need their sportswear to work as hard as they do. These are high-quality items designed for female athletes who have both principles and high standards.

Another standout from the collection is the oversized concert tee, a nod to both Gen Z-approved oversized street style and old-school Americana. The back of the tee features the 37 words of Title IX, a fashionable protest.

XX-XY Athletics

And for the non-athletes, there are plenty of options for a more casual look, like a vintage-inspired velour tracksuit straight out of 1972.

“When I was on the national team in the very early 80s, velour tracksuits were our dress sweats that we wore to march out at major international competitions,” Sey recalled. “So we definitely allude to them with some of the styling…we definitely use 1972 as a grounding point.”

XX-XY Athletics

This collection isn’t just about Riley, nor is it just a fashion statement. It’s about offering a platform to female athletes who’ve been abandoned by major brands and sports teams too afraid to take a side.

“One of the things we pride ourselves on is we scoop up athletes that no one else will touch. We will platform and empower the female athletes,” Sey said. “So they don’t feel so alone. Oftentimes they’re the only ones on their team or in their community [speaking up]. But when they realize there’s this network of women across the country who are doing the same thing, it’s incredibly powerful to have that.”

XX-XY Athletics

Sey says Gaines will continue working closely with the brand to identify and support more athletes who have the courage to speak up.

“At the end of the day, we’re all about supporting female athletes. I mean, that’s what it comes down to,” she said.

XX-XY’s gear isn’t just for show. A runner recently completed the Boston Marathon in under three hours wearing one of their tanks. That same style shows up in the new Be Bold collection, but this time reimagined in patriotic hues.

The idea behind Be Bold is simple but subversive: give everyday Americans an easy way to express support for truth, fairness, and biological reality without having to say a word.

“The reason I started the brand, or at least part of it, was I felt like if we could create something really cool that was also world-class products, we could give people an easy way to sort of rep their advocacy,” Sey said. “The mainstream brands do this. Why can’t we do it?”

Sey, who’s been targeted by critics and called every name in the book. But she says the backlash isn’t stopping her. 

“Noisy doesn’t mean right,” she said. “You’ve got to screw up your courage and stand by women and girls.”

The Gaines collaboration is just the beginning. Sey teased more limited-edition drops on the horizon, plus a deeper partnership with Riley that goes beyond just appearing in ads.

XX-XY Athletics

When asked where she dreams of seeing pieces from the Be Bold collection show up, Sey didn’t hesitate.

“We would love to see someone wear any item atop a podium at an NCAA championship,” she said, “Or walking into the Supreme Court wearing a Title IX tee, that would be amazing, right?”

As the legal battles heat up, broader cultural beliefs continue to influence how this topic is perceived in the general public. Sey says the silent majority is finally starting to speak up. 

“You know, I think this movement for common sense is sort of billed as right-wing by the mainstream media. But the fact is, it’s not. It’s a really broad-based coalition. You can’t have 80% of Americans [agreeing] and have it only be the right. It’s just regular people.”

The Be Bold collection is available now at xxxyathletics.com.

MONROE, La. – ULM volleyball has revealed its schedule for the 2025 season, the first under new head coach Reid Gann. This season follows a 2024 campaign which saw a 4-24 overall record.
 
The Warhawks open the season with a doubleheader vs. Southeastern Louisiana and Jackson State on August 29 in Hammond, La. They round out the Southeastern Showdown with a match against rival Louisiana Tech on August 30.
 
The squad takes on another in state tournament the following weekend from September 4-6 with the Cowgirl Classic in Lake Charles. They will face UT Arlington, Alcorn State, and host school McNeese, all rematches from last season.
 
After a September 9 match at Northwestern State, the Warhawks will travel to Ruston for a doubleheader with Houston Christian and a second season matchup at Louisiana Tech.
 
For the first time since 2022, ULM will host a non-conference match with Jackson State coming to Monroe on September 13. It finishes its three-game home stand with two matches on September 16 against Alcorn State and Lamar. The Warhawks close the non-conference schedule at the Bearkat Classic in Huntsville, Tx. with a pair of matches against Houston Christian and host Sam Houston.
 
Sun Belt Conference play starts on Sept. 25 and 26 with a series vs. Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. ULM then begins a four-game home stand with two series vs. South Alabama from Oct. 3-4 and Arkansas State from Oct. 10-11.
 
Coach Gann’s team embarks on a four-game road trip starting the following weekend in Huntington, WV. facing Marshall from Oct. 16-17 before a two-match showdown with Texas State on Oct. 24 and 25.
 
The Warhawks return to Fant-Ewing Coliseum for a Halloween weekend series vs. Troy from Oct. 30-31. Their last road series features the Ragin’ Cajuns in Lafayette on Nov. 6 and 7.
Fant-Ewing Coliseum hosts the final series of the season for ULM with Georgia State coming to town from Nov. 13-14.
 
The full schedule is listed below:
 
August
Aug. 29:  at Southeastern Louisiana (12:30 p.m.)
Aug. 29:  Jackson State (4 p.m.)
Aug. 30:  Louisiana Tech (11 a.m.)
 
September
Sept. 4:  UT Arlington (1 p.m.)
Sept. 5:  Alcorn State (1 p.m.)
Sept. 6:  at McNeese (1 p.m.)
Sept. 9:  at Northwestern State (6:30 p.m.)
Sept. 12:  HCU (Ruston, La.) (1:00 p.m.)
Sept. 12:  at Louisiana Tech (7:00 p.m.)
Sept. 13:  Jackson State (12 p.m.)
Sept. 16:  Alcorn State (3 p.m.)
Sept. 16:  Lamar (6 p.m.)
Sept. 19:  HCU (1 p.m.)
Sept. 19:  at Sam Houston (6 p.m.)
Sept. 25:  at Southern Miss* (6 p.m.)
Sept. 26:  at Southern Miss* (6 p.m.)
 
October
Oct. 3:  South Alabama* (6 p.m.)
Oct. 4:  South Alabama* (1 p.m.)
Oct. 10:  Arkansas State* (6 p.m.)
Oct. 11:  Arkansas State* (1 p.m.)
Oct. 16:  at Marshall* (4 p.m.)
Oct. 17:  at Marshall* (6 p.m.)
Oct. 24:  at Texas State* (6 p.m.)
Oct. 25:  at Texas State* (2 p.m.)
Oct. 30:  Troy* (6 p.m.)
Oct. 31:  Troy* (6 p.m.)
 
November
Nov. 6:  at Ragin’ Cajuns* (6 p.m.)
Nov. 7:  at Ragin’ Cajuns* (6 p.m.)
Nov. 13:  Georgia State* (6 p.m.)
Nov. 14:  Georgia State* (12 p.m.)
 
*- Sun Belt Conference Match
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Both the men’s and women’s track and field programs along with 26 student-athletes from the two squads combined earned academic honors from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the 2025 collegiate track & field seasons.

The Irish women’s team posted a 3.57 cumulative grade point average while the men’s squad registered a 3.454 GPA to earn the 2025 All-Academic Teams recognition. A team must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and all student-athletes on the team’s indoor and/or outdoor track and field roster must be included in the calculation of the team GPA.

Sixteen members of the women’s team and ten members of the men’s team were named as All-Academic Athletes for 2025 by the USTFCCCA.

The members of the Irish track and field teams who earned All-Academic accolades for 2025 are:

• Isabel Allori
• Addison Berry
• Jordyn Borsch
• Alaina Brady
• Siona Chisholm
• Maya Collins
• Emily Covert
• Mary Bonner Dalton
• Gretchen Farley
• Sophie Novak
• Jadin O’Brien
• Arianne Olson
• Madison Schmidt
• Jillian Stafford
• Erin Strzelecki
• Ellis Weekley
• Tyler Berg
• Ethan Coleman
• Michael Danzi
• Drew Griffith
• Luke Himes
• Josh Methner
• Cole Nash
• Dimitri Nicholson
• CJ Singleton
• Cameron Todd

The honor is awarded to student-athletes who have at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA and have completed at least two semesters at their school. Additionally, a student-athlete must meet athletically-related qualifications or either finishing in the top 96 individually/top 48 in a relay in indoor track and/or participating in any round of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships or being ranked in the top 48 in the East Region.

The full listing of all programs and student-athletes recognized by the USTFCCCA for 2025 is available by clicking here.

When Authenticity Speaks Louder Than Titles

At the 2024 US Open, Raducanu made headlines not for a match, but for a moment. After spotting a young fan in the crowd, she made the effort to connect personally, exchanging a few heartfelt words. According to the US Open, the fan called it ‘the best day of my life’.

This wasn’t a PR stunt or staged moment, it was spontaneous and real. In that brief interaction, Raducanu showed that athletes don’t need to be flawless to be admired. They need to be human. And, that’s exactly what Gen Z wants.

Breaking the Mould in Women’s Sport

In an era where social media filters and curated personas dominate, Raducanu stands out by simply being herself. Her impact goes beyond tennis. According to the Lawn Tennis Association, women’s tennis has seen a 38% rise in female fan engagement since 2022.

Raducanu’s candid interviews, unfiltered social media presence and willingness to speak about challenges make her a key figure in this shift. ‘There are days I feel low, or not ready to play’, she said in 2024. ‘I don’t want to pretend otherwise’.

This kind of openness resonates deeply with a generation raised to prioritise mental health and emotional intelligence.

Gen Z Tennis Stars Are Redefining Cool

Raducanu is part of a growing group of Gen Z athletes reshaping tennis. As The Times reports, stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Raducanu are attracting new fans with their creativity, expressiveness and authenticity.

They’re not afraid to show emotion. They post their injuries, their setbacks and their small joys. Raducanu’s 2024 post about her comeback attempt, bruised, exhausted, but smiling garnered over 500,000 likes. Not because it was glamorous, but because it was real.

Grace in Mistakes Builds Loyalty

Earlier this year, Raducanu apologised after a tense practice session led her to snap at a fan. ‘I was frustrated and I let it affect someone else’s moment. That’s not who I want to be’, she said afterwards.

For Gen Z, apologies like this matter. They show accountability and self-awareness. Rather than protect a pristine image, Raducanu chose transparency, and it only deepened public respect.

This generation does not expect their heroes to be untouchable. They expect them to take ownership, to learn and to grow. In many ways, that’s a much higher standard.

Real Over Perfect: Why Raducanu Still Reigns

Raducanu’s popularity isn’t driven by results alone. Since her 2021 US Open victory, her career has included injuries, inconsistent form and intense scrutiny. Yet she remains a cultural touchstone. Why?

• She prioritises mental wellbeing over performance.
• She’s emotionally open and self-aware.
• She connects directly with fans, often without PR buffers.
• She aligns with Gen Z values like honesty, self-expression and inclusivity.

Her impact can’t be measured in ranking points alone. She reflects what sport can be when it’s honest, inclusive and human.

A New Measure of Success

Emma Raducanu is showing that success in 2025 isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. Gen Z doesn’t need a flawless champion. They want someone who feels like them: uncertain at times, but still standing. Someone who shows up, flaws and all.

In doing so, Raducanu isn’t just winning fans, she’s earning something far rarer: trust.