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U.S. volleyball player goes head-first into barrier for save (video)

By Nick ZaccardiJun 15, 2017, 2:30 PM EDT
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Call it an impressive first impression for U.S. outside hitter T.J. DeFalco.

DeFalco, making his FIVB World League debut this year, rushed out of bounds, off the court and through a barrier — head-first, mind you — to save a ball in a match with Iran on Thursday.

Then Olympic libero Erik Shoji managed to get the ball over the net for a kill. The ball landed as Iran players stood dumbfounded.

The U.S. went on to win 25-17, 25-22, 30-28. The Americans next play Russia on Saturday at 11:15 a.m. ET on NBCSports.com/live.

(h/t @bryanagraham)

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IOC pledges €500,000 to help restore Notre Dame ahead of 2024 Olympics

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By OlympicTalkApr 18, 2019, 3:42 PM EDT
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The International Olympic Committee plans to donate €500,000 ($562,000) to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in the 2024 Olympic host city.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that he wants to see Notre Dame restored within five years.

“The aim of completing the reconstruction in time for Paris 2024 will be an extra motivation for all of us,” IOC president Thomas Bach wrote in a Wednesday letter to Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet, according to a translation by Agence France-Presse, which reported Notre Dame is on the planned marathon and road cycling routes. “All the Olympic Movement and in particular the IOC have been extremely touched by the instantaneous connection the French have made between Notre Dame cathedral and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

More than $500 million has been pledged overall from around the globe after a fire ravaged the 850-year-old cathedral on Monday.

NBC News has more on the Notre Dame fire here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Patrick Kane joined by NHL All-Stars on world championship roster

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By OlympicTalkApr 18, 2019, 11:57 AM EDT
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IOC pledges €500,000 to help restore Notre Dame ahead of 2024 Olympics Surfing world champion Gabriel Medina’s birthday bond with Neymar Breanna Stewart to miss entire WNBA season with Achilles injury

NHL All-Stars Jack Eichel, Ryan Suter and Cory Schneider join previously named captain Patrick Kane to lead the U.S. at next month’s world hockey championship in Slovakia, seeking the nation’s first title at a standalone worlds since 1933.

Sixteen players were added to the roster in Thursday’s announcement with more to come before worlds open May 10 and more teams get eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, making more players available. The IIHF allows up to 25 players per nation.

Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill will be the U.S. head coach for a third straight worlds. The Americans lost in the quarterfinals in 2017 and earned bronze in 2018, sandwiching an Olympic quarterfinal exit in PyeongChang without NHL players.

Sweden is trying to become the first nation to three-peat at worlds since the Czech Republic in 2001.

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Preliminary IIHF World Championship Roster
Forwards
Alex DeBrincat (Chicago Blackhawks)
Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres)
Luke Glendening (Detroit Red Wings)
Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks)
Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes)
Chris Kreider (New York Rangers)
Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings)
James van Riemsdyk (Philadelphia Flyers)
Frank Vatrano (Florida Panthers)
Colin White (Ottawa Senators)

Defensemen
Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks)
Alec Martinez (Los Angeles Kings)
Brady Skjei (New York Rangers)
Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild)

Goalies
Thatcher Demko (Vancouver Canucks)
Cayden Primeau (Laval (AHL))
Cory Schneider (New Jersey Devils)