National Sports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Nashville Predators have signed forward Nino Niederreiter to a two-year, $8 million contract in their biggest free agency move since keeping forward Filip Forsberg off the market.

OTTAWA — Weightlifter Maude Charron and wheelchair racer Josh Cassidy have been named Canada's flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. Charron, of Rimouski, Que.

Canada's men will play Zimbabwe while the Canadian women face China in their opening matches at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in South Africa. The schedule was released Thursday, marking the 50-day lead-up to the Sept. 9-11 tournament in Cape Town.

TOKYO (AP) — The Tokyo Olympics survived the COVID-19 postponement, soaring expenses and some public opposition. A year later, the costs and benefits remain as difficult to untangle as the Games were to pull off.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Steeplechaser Norah Jeruto came up with a cool way to celebrate her victory at the end of a sizzling hot day at the world championships. A pool party. Everyone was invited, too.

EUGENE, Ore. — Marco Arop watched in shock as Canadian teammate Brandon McBride crashed in his rough-and-tumble heat of the 800 metres. Running minutes later, Arop's biggest concern was just to stay on his feet.

VANCOUVER — An attempt to host the 2030 Winter Olympic Games in British Columbia has reached a new milestone after a majority of Vancouver council members voted Wednesday to continue to support the Indigenous-led initiative.

VANCOUVER — A defence lawyer has argued that a sexual encounter between former Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen and the woman accusing him of sexual assault was consensual.

TORONTO — Midfielder Jonathan Osorio and goalkeeper Alex Bono, who have more than 450 Toronto FC appearances between them, are notables on the free agent list released Wednesday by the MLS Players Association.

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions know their next opponent has more to show than the CFL standings may suggest.