World News Quick Take

Double Olympic Games women’s swimming gold medalist Tatjana Smith on Tuesday said that she is switching her international allegiance from South Africa to the Netherlands. The 29-year-old, who holds South African and Dutch citizenship, said financial challenges and more opportunities for high-performance support triggered the decision. Smith won the 200m breaststroke at the Tokyo Games and the 100m breaststroke at the Paris Olympics. She also won two silver medals in the pool, making the Johannesburg-born swimmer the most decorated South African Olympian.

Photo: AP

HORSE RACING

Young jockey dies

A young Australian jockey has died after falling heavily during a race last weekend, her family said. Izzy Neale, 22, was taking part in the Cotton Cup at Warren on Sunday last week when her horse fell, and she was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. In a statement shared by Racing NSW on Tuesday, her family said Neale had died. “It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Izzy,” the family said. “Izzy rode horses before she could walk. Her love of horses was a lifelong passion that, more recently, had grown into a love of racing.” Local media reported her horse, Marnoo, was euthanized after suffering an injury. The Australian Turf Club said it was “deeply saddened” by Neale’s passing. “A talented young rider with a bright future, Izzy’s passion for horses and racing will always be remembered,” it said.

CRICKET

Match moved due to smog

The second match in the two-test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka next week has been moved to Rawalpindi from Lahore due to worsening smog, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Tuesday. Rawalpindi is hosting the series opener, with the second match to be played from Nov. 17 to 21 as scheduled. Lahore has been grappling with poor air quality in the past few weeks as seasonal smog blankets large parts of Pakistan during the winter months. Swiss air-quality monitoring company IQAir said that Lahore is currently the most polluted major city in the world.

BASEBALL

Brown undergoes surgery

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown had neck surgery and is not likely to resume throwing until the midseason. Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said the 27-year-old right-hander was operated on Monday in New York because of a stress fracture in his neck. Hawkins said a screw was implanted to improve healing. “He’s walking around the streets of New York. He’ll start throwing the ball after the new year, most likely midseason,” Hawkins said on Tuesday. “We’ve got to figure out where he is weeks from now to really understand how much we’re going to be able to stick to that plan.” Brown did not pitch after June 19 because of what the team said was a neck strain. He was 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA in eight starts and 12 relief appearances, striking out 65 and walking 19 in 68 innings. Brown is 10-13 with a 4.15 ERA and two saves in 31 starts and 29 relief appearances over three major league seasons. Chicago said the same condition bothered Brown in 2024.