To combat the problems of cities that lack after-school programming for children (areas sometimes known as "childcare deserts"), administrators are looking to a new outlet: martial arts. Proponents say instruction helps kids stay busy, make friends and gives them self-confidence, focus, discipline and a way of staying fit. Not everyone agrees, though.

For those who want to host high-level triathlon action in a format that combines real-life and virtual action, this is an excellent opportunity. World Triathlon and supertri have announced that the application process for cities to host the supertri E World Triathlon Championship is now open. Bids are due in August so there's no time to waste.

When the beach hockey event, Sticks in the Sand, moves into The Wildwoods this week, it will be just one part of a burgeoning trend of sand-based sports that attract more players every summer. In addition to the ever-popular beach volleyball, plenty of sports are making headway on the beach, including soccer, kickball, handball, wrestling and more.

Reality bites. So do sharks. Summer brings surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, open water swims, triathlons and other more into the ocean - and potentially, bring athletes into the path of some of nature's most feared creatures. Yes, attacks are rare but they're still scary. New technological developments could help keep event owners one step ahead.

Times were, when you tried to drum up support for cricket, that's what you got: crickets. These days, though, the buzz is building. Team USA (yes, cricket has a Team USA) took down global power Pakistan in a group stage round of one of the sport's biggest global events, the T20 World Cup. Oh, and it happened in Texas. Who's ready for a paradigm shift?

Competitive climbing will be joining the podium sports being offered at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Para climbing, as the sport is known, checked all the boxes officials want: It is open to both genders, has a strong youth following and is fully inclusive. The response from athletes has been nothing short of wildly enthusiastic.