The hottest Athletics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Trans People and Sports: Everything You Need to Know

Switch Hitter • 1415 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Trans women athletes do not dominate women's sports. Studies show that after transitioning and hormone therapy, they often compete at levels similar to cis women, so claims of unfair advantage are not supported by evidence.
  2. Anti-trans sports bans are part of a broader strategy to restrict the rights of trans people. These bans are not just about sports but aim to undermine trans people's existence in various public spheres.
  3. The controversies around trans women in sports often stem from misunderstandings about gender and biology. Much of the debate is less about fairness in competition and more about protecting an outdated perception of gender purity.

Photographing an Exposé Cover Story on Varsity Cheerleading for The New York Times Magazine

In the Flash • 1638 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Athletics
  1. The article reveals that Varsity cheerleading, a major force in the cheer industry, has serious safety issues and has faced accusations of neglecting athletes' health.
  2. Access to photograph cheer events was very challenging, with many restrictions and a PR rep present at all times to control the situation.
  3. Despite frustrations during the photo shoots, creative solutions were found to achieve the desired shots, and everything eventually came together for the article.

Signals Gold Week 8 Q&A

Stealing Signals • 39 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. The livestream for Week 8 Q&A is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET, making it easier for more viewers to join.
  2. Part 2 of the content is still in progress but will be released as soon as possible.
  3. Subscribers can upgrade to the Signals Gold plan for exclusive content and insights.

Against The Omnipresent Advantage Argument For Trans Sports

Astral Codex Ten • 5919 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. The argument that transgender athletes always have an advantage is often overstated. In many cases, other factors play a bigger role in sports success.
  2. Transgender athletes can face unique challenges that may offset any physical advantages they might have. These challenges can impact their performance.
  3. Fairness in sports is complex and not just about physical traits. We need to consider a variety of aspects to truly understand what fairness means.

Tuesday Shakeout: Shutting Down

Running Probably • 119 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. The author has accepted that their racing season is over and they recognize the need to face this reality. It's tough to let go of something they love, but they understand it’s necessary.
  2. They acknowledge that preparing for a big race like the JFK 50 can't be done without proper training, highlighting that they need to think logically about their situation.
  3. While they are trying to accept this shutdown, they also mention struggling with their feelings and hope that time will help them process everything better.
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The vibes and the noise

benn.substack • 1227 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Recent gymnastics scoring disputes highlight how rules and judging can be complex and sometimes unfair. In a case, a gymnast lost her medal due to a timing issue with a protest about her score.
  2. There’s a growing trend away from data-driven decision making, and instead, more emphasis is placed on intuition and 'vibes.' Companies are shifting their focus to how things feel rather than just relying on numbers.
  3. AI is becoming more integrated in sports and decision-making processes, as it can better interpret performances and judge routines. This represents a potential shift in how we evaluate things like gymnastics, moving towards a more feels-based approach.

Tuesday Shakeout: Tick, Tick, Tick

Running Probably • 99 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. If you're dealing with an injury, it's important to take action to heal. Ignoring it can make your fitness decline.
  2. Training plans are crucial, especially for endurance athletes, to keep progress on track. Sticking to a schedule can help you bounce back stronger.
  3. Listening to your body is key in endurance sports. Being proactive with your health can prevent more serious issues later.

The NYT Recruiting Brochure for New College

Can We Still Govern? • 808 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
🚌 Education Athletics
  1. Major coverage presents the takeover as a manageable makeover but leaves out many critical facts and voices, mostly quoting people aligned with the new regime.
  2. The political takeover has sharply curtailed academic freedom: programs were closed, books removed, faculty were fired or denied tenure, and classroom speech is chilled by state pressure and surveillance.
  3. The overhaul is politically driven and financially unsustainable — per‑student costs have exploded, academic standards dropped with heavy athletic recruiting, and the campus now depends on ongoing government subsidies.

Ancient Wisdom: What Cancer Taught Chris Evert

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2638 implied HN points • 17 Aug 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Going through cancer treatment, Chris Evert felt that being called brave was not really a choice, as the only other option was to give up. She focused on staying strong because that was her only choice.
  2. After retiring from tennis, Evert embraced motherhood and found joy in it, choosing to prioritize time with her children over a possible comeback to sports.
  3. Evert started mentoring young tennis players after her career, sharing her experiences and wisdom from her time in the sport, which she found very fulfilling.

Taylor-Made

JoeBlogs • 5208 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. This content is behind a paywall.
  2. Subscribe to get a 7-day free trial and access the full archives.
  3. Existing paid subscribers can sign in to view the content.

Gamesmanship, Sportsmanship, and the Case of the Giant Boulder

The Leap • 559 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Gamesmanship involves using clever tactics to gain an advantage in a game, sometimes bending the rules. It's important to know when it's okay to be strategic and when it might cross the line.
  2. Sportsmanship is about respect and fairness in competition, focusing on integrity and camaraderie. Good sportsmanship means playing by the rules and being gracious, win or lose.
  3. Understanding the balance between gamesmanship and sportsmanship can enhance how we engage in competitive activities. Finding the right mix helps maintain the spirit of the game and keeps it enjoyable for everyone.

Let’s Use Prediction Markets for Olympic Athlete Selection!

Something to Consider • 139 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Using prediction markets could help select the best Olympic athletes. It lets people bet on who they think will win medals, creating a more informed decision.
  2. A single race can be too random to decide who goes to the Olympics. Markets can help show which athletes have the best chances over time.
  3. This approach could work alongside the current Olympic trials, giving athletes an extra chance to prove themselves. It encourages transparency and competition among the athletes.

"Be Ready for Anything"

Range Widely • 1611 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Flexible mindset is key to success in unpredictable situations.
  2. Expect the unexpected and be prepared for things to go wrong.
  3. Adopting adaptability helps in navigating high-pressure scenarios.

13% of British athletes admit to doping, new study finds

Honest Sport • 99 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. A study found that 13% of British athletes admitted to using banned substances. This suggests that doping may be more common in sports than people think.
  2. UKAD, the organization in charge of anti-doping in the UK, needs more responses from athletes to better understand the full scale of the problem.
  3. The study reveals a big gap between how many athletes might be doping and how few get caught. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of current anti-doping efforts.

We Compete With Bodies, Not Identities

ajkay • 1022 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Athletes compete with their bodies' physical limitations, which is a universal constraint in sports.
  2. Competitive sports rely on observable, measurable, and validated parameters for eligibility, like age, sex, and skill level.
  3. Maintaining eligibility requirements in sports is not about exclusion but about upholding the essential principles of physical competition.

Archive #1-51: Doping in Sport - Bi-Weekly Press round-up

Honest Sport • 19 implied HN points • 22 Aug 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. There is a bi-weekly press round-up that covers doping stories in sports. It keeps people updated on the latest news about doping.
  2. The round-up is published every Monday and Thursday, providing a regular source of information.
  3. Those interested can subscribe for more details and to support the effort in tracking doping in sports.

Town Square #3: World Athletics to stress test US sprinter's contaminated-oxtail defence

Honest Sport • 19 implied HN points • 16 Aug 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Erriyon Knighton, a US sprinter, tested positive for a banned steroid but argued it was from contaminated oxtail. He provided evidence that the meat had been purchased for someone else.
  2. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has appealed against Knighton's ruling. If they win, he could be disqualified from the Paris Olympics.
  3. The case is different from another sprinter, Alex Wilson, who had a more dubious defense. Knighton's situation highlighted how contamination can happen with meat raised with growth hormones.

Playoff Baseball is the Best Baseball

Points And Figures • 719 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Playoff baseball is exciting because of the high stakes. The games feel different and more intense than regular season games.
  2. Anyone can play baseball, no matter their size or background. It’s a sport that allows for dreams and opportunities.
  3. Baseball is deeply rooted in American culture, offering strategy and unpredictability without time limits, making it unique.

The Town Square: a resource to understand, and discuss doping in sports

Honest Sport • 79 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Doping in sports includes the use of drugs like steroids and EPO to enhance performance. Understanding how these substances work can help people grasp the extent of cheating in athletics.
  2. Not all doping cases are made public, even if athletes test positive. Many times, cases are dropped or kept secret, showing a gap in the enforcement of anti-doping rules.
  3. There are many resources available, like documentaries and articles, to learn more about doping. These can provide insights into athletes' experiences and the ongoing challenges in combating drug use in sports.

Business is BOOMING⏱

The Lap Count • 334 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Business is booming at thelapcount.substack.com
  2. VELOUS footwear brand launched new styles for active recovery
  3. Exciting highlights from World Cross Country Championships, Fred Kerley's ASICS signing, and USATF Championships

The sports boom will bust universities

The Recovering Academic • 316 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🚌 Education Athletics
  1. The financial pressures of college athletics can lead universities to prioritize branding over their core missions, potentially damaging academic programs and faculty support.
  2. Despite the belief that college athletics bring in profits, most universities actually lose money on athletic programs, leading to subsidies from operational budgets.
  3. The emphasis on branding, particularly through successful sports programs, can overshadow the real purpose of higher education, with financial investments in athletics often outweighing those in academics.

Nomen est Omen (repost)

Secretum Secretorum • 353 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Athletics
  1. An aptronym is when someone's name fits their job really well, like Usain Bolt being the fastest runner. There are also inaptronyms, where the name is ironically related to the profession.
  2. Nominative determinism is the idea that a person's name might influence their career choices and how others see them. A catchy name can give someone more confidence and help them succeed.
  3. Names have a cultural impact and can reflect community values. Different cultures use names flexibly and humorously, shaping how individuals relate to themselves and others.

Nearly zero blood tests in La Liga, Thirteen doping positives in Spanish football

Honest Sport • 99 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Spanish football has had a total of 13 doping positives since 2017, but only two players have faced bans. This suggests there might be issues in how doping cases are handled in the sport.
  2. La Liga players have been subjected to almost no blood testing for several years, which is concerning. Effective testing for substances like Human Growth Hormone only happens through blood tests, and the lack of these could mean many doping cases go undetected.
  3. The treatment of doping violations seems unequal, with Spanish footballers facing fewer sanctions compared to other athletes in Spain. This raises questions about fairness in how doping rules are enforced.

My First Ironman 70.3

Venture Prose • 219 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. The struggle in a challenge helps you grow and reach new levels of achievement.
  2. Facing constraints can actually push you to achieve more than you thought possible.
  3. It's important for entrepreneurs to spend wisely and maintain a high rhythm, even when they have a large budget.

Disparate Impacts in Two Sports

Heterodox STEM • 113 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Many top professional basketball and football players in the U.S. are Black, which shows a shift away from racial discrimination in these sports. This situation raises questions about claims that no group has inherent advantages without discrimination.
  2. There are noticeable performance differences in sports between Black athletes and Asian athletes, with statistical advantages for Black athletes. This suggests that athletic success can come from a mix of natural talent and environmental support.
  3. The significant gaps in performance statistics across different racial groups show that not all disparities are due to discrimination. These differences can impact educational and career opportunities, like in STEM fields, leading to discussions about unfair practices like limiting Asian admissions at some colleges.

Town Square #2: Kipchoge training partner caught blood doping

Honest Sport • 39 implied HN points • 18 May 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Rodgers Kwemoi received a six-year ban for blood doping, marking him as the first Kenyan athlete to be disqualified from the Olympics due to doping.
  2. He was coached by Patrick Sang, who has had multiple athletes caught doping, raising questions about coaches' awareness of their athletes' actions.
  3. Doping continues to be a serious issue in athletics, damaging the sport's credibility and the reputation of Kenyan athletes.

Six British cyclists were investigated for banned testosterone use

Honest Sport • 99 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Six British cyclists were investigated for using banned testosterone, which raised concerns about doping in the sport. Elevated testosterone levels were found in their tests but could not confirm illegal use at the time.
  2. A doctor for British Cycling ordered testosterone to the Manchester Velodrome, claiming it was for an unnamed rider, raising further questions about the integrity of anti-doping measures.
  3. Doping cases in British cycling are not widely shared anymore, making it hard to know how many cyclists have faced similar investigations in recent years. This change in transparency has made tracking doping issues more difficult.

Seek Sunlight

Investing 101 • 69 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Chasing professional success doesn't always bring true happiness. Achieving goals may feel good temporarily, but it often leads to more questions about purpose.
  2. Reflecting on what truly matters in life is important. Finding fulfillment often comes from personal values and relationships, not just accomplishments.
  3. Living authentically means prioritizing what matters long-term, like family and well-being, rather than just aiming for professional achievements.

If You Ran in a Race, You Might Be Getting Scammed

Good Reason • 56 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Be careful when signing up for race registrations online. You might unknowingly agree to memberships that cost money.
  2. Some companies use tricks to get people to join subscription services without clear permission, which can lead to unexpected charges.
  3. If you've registered for any races, check your accounts to make sure you're not being charged for memberships you didn't want.

Blame it on the Rain

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Running in the rain can be fun, but it's important to keep gear dry. Using dry-bags and garbage bags can help with that.
  2. Managing body temperature is key. A light base layer and gloves can keep you warm while running in wet weather.
  3. Connecting with friends and sharing meals is meaningful. It's great to bond over food, especially when others accommodate your dietary needs.

The Clenbuterol Cloud hanging over British triathlon

Honest Sport • 39 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. A British triathlete was found with clenbuterol, a drug often used for performance enhancement. This raises serious questions about doping in sports and how common it might be.
  2. In 2016, a British athlete tested positive for clenbuterol but was cleared due to claims of contaminated meat. This decision has been questioned since it's not as common as suggested.
  3. A recent case of another British triathlete using clenbuterol shows that the drug is accessible in the UK, which increases doubts about the integrity of doping regulations in the sport.

Town Square #1: Chinese swimmers 'seen' injecting themselves before Rio 2016

Honest Sport • 19 implied HN points • 01 May 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. There are serious questions about the integrity of Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned substances, especially since there are reports of them injecting themselves before past Olympics.
  2. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) insists these swimmers are innocent victims of contamination, but many people find this hard to believe given previous doping allegations against the Chinese swim team.
  3. Doping scandals in sports, like those involving the Chinese swimming team, show the ongoing struggle to maintain fair play and ethics in competition.

King Xi

Diane Francis • 439 implied HN points • 03 Feb 22
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. China is hosting the Olympics soon, showcasing amazing sports facilities and talented athletes. It's an exciting time for sports fans around the world.
  2. With one in five people living in China, the country has built a huge middle class. This growth is significant on a global scale.
  3. China's achievements go beyond sports; they have made remarkable changes that impact millions of lives, making them a key player in the world today.

Breath of God: Tripping on Xenon Gas

Tripsitter • 77 HN points • 13 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Athletics
  1. Xenon gas is unique as a psychedelic because it's a pure element that leaves the body unchanged after use.
  2. The high cost of xenon, around $10 per liter, makes it a luxury reserved for the elite due to its origins in ancient star mergers.
  3. Xenon has potential benefits in medicine, such as being a fast-acting and safe anesthetic, and in sports as a blood doping agent.

Unsportsmanlike China

Diane Francis • 399 implied HN points • 10 Feb 22
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. In Russia and China, sports often mix with politics and national pride. This makes fair play difficult in these countries.
  2. Russia has a history of doping in sports, and recent events show they haven't changed. A famous athlete tested positive for a banned substance, raising concerns about their return to international competition.
  3. The Kremlin is trying to influence the situation, pushing for leniency for the athlete involved. This kind of interference highlights the ongoing issue with sportsmanship in these nations.

Olympic Incompetence

Diane Francis • 379 implied HN points • 17 Feb 22
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. In 2014, Russian soldiers secretly took over Crimea using fake identities, which went against international laws.
  2. That same year, Russia hosted the Sochi Olympics, where many athletes cheated by using banned drugs.
  3. A whistleblower revealed this culture of cheating in Russia, leading to the country's ban from international sports in 2020.