EXCLUSIVE: Former U.S. women’s Olympians MyKayla Skinner and Nancy Hogshead have signed with the activist sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics, aligning themselves with the mission to advocate for the protection of women’s sports from biological male transgender athletes. 

Skinner, who won silver in vault at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, spoke up about the issue earlier this year, and is now taking a harder stance. 

“I am excited to partner with [XX-XY Athletics founder] Jennifer Sey and her pro-woman XX-XY Athletics to tell my story as an athlete and a woman,” Skiner told Fox News Digital. 

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“Finding my voice has been hard — there’s no training for that. But every female athlete should find and use hers. No one trains you for moral courage or unwavering positivity — that’s a different kind of journey. I’m going to share that too. Why? To use my platform to be a positive role model for female athletes. But really, this is for my daughter.”

Skinner joins the brand after previously speaking out against her former teammate Simone Biles back in June. 

After Biles ignited a social media feud with fomer NCAA swimmer and OutKick host Riley Gaines for posting about a trans softball pitcher who won a Minnesota girls’ state title, Skinner was quick to side with Gaines publicly. Skinner now joins the same brand championed by Gaines, who was XX-XY Athletics’ first brand ambassador when it launched in 2024.

“As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I’ve always believed that true competition should elevate us — not diminish others. That’s why it’s deeply troubling to see Simone Biles publicly label a fellow female athlete a ‘sore loser’ — simply for expressing valid concerns about fairness in women’s sports,” Skinner said in a June statement. 

“I commend and appreciate Riley Gaines for having the courage to speak up. Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone… It’s one thing to disagree. It’s another to use your platform to bully and demean… We should be lifting each other up — not tearing one another down for speaking hard truths.”

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Meanwhile, Hogshead, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and silver medalist, is the founder of Champion Women and the Women’s Sports Policy Working Group. She has authored a petition to protect the women’s category with over 500 signatures.

Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Women’s Sports Foundation senior director of advocacy, attends the 40 For 40 Event, 40 Years of Title IX, 40 Women Who Have Made an Impact, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C., on June 21, 2012. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for WICT)

Now, Hogshead joins XX-XY Athletics as the brand’s first Olympic gold medal brand ambassador. 

“Only strict eligibility standards for girls’ and women’s sports can guarantee fair, safe and respectful competition for us,” Hogshead told Fox News Digital. “More than 500 Olympians & Paralympians are playing it forward by signed Champion Women’s petition; they understand the dedication required to succeed and firmly support future generations of athletes by advocating for a level playing field for all.” 

The two medalists headline the brand’s new campaign, “The Gold Medal Collection.” The campaign features other Team USA talent, including Taekwondo athlete Jaycee Bassett, triathlete Shannon Grady and swimmer Réka György.

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Former Olympic gymnast MyKayla Skinner with Simone Biles (left) and former Olympic swimmer Nancy Hogshead (right). (Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images, Tony Duffy/Allsport/Getty Images)

“As an athlete training to be the best in the world, I look up to women like Nancy and MyKayla, who’ve paved the way,” Bassett told Fox News Digital. 

“But I also know it’s on my generation to speak up and protect the path. Every hour I’ve spent training has been to test myself against the best female athletes in the world. If I’m ever asked to compete against a male, I’ll refuse. The integrity of competition relies on a level playing field for every female athlete that invests her time, dedication and sacrifice in her pursuit of excellence.” 

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Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly proposed holding a ceremony to present the Asia Cup 2025 trophy to India, which clinched the title last month.

The Indian team, acting on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, following their victory over Pakistan in the final on September 29.

The BCCI has since written a formal letter to the ACC chairman, requesting that the trophy be handed over to them.

In his response, the ACC chairman reportedly asked the BCCI to send an Indian player to attend a ceremony and collect the trophy from him.

The sources said that Naqvi remained firm on his stance that he would present the silverware during the ceremony.

The ACC has also proposed holding the ceremony on November 10 in Dubai, they added.

The development comes a month after the Indian team received backlash for consistently making political statements during last month’s Asia Cup.

Pundits slammed Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav for refusing the customary handshake with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha at the toss for their game on September 14.

In the following two games, including the final, the two sides skipped handshakes and also stayed in separate huddles during the post-match ceremonies.

Following the final, BCCI officials said that they refused to collect the trophy because Naqvi was a minister in the federal government of Pakistan.

However, the ACC chairman stood firm on his decision to present the trophy himself, leading to a delay of around 90 minutes in the post-match ceremony.

With both sides refusing to back down from their positions, the ceremony concluded without the trophy being presented to the winners.

Resultantly, the organisers then took the silverware away and returned it to the ACC office.

India had defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 final after restricting them to 146 runs in 19.1 overs despite Sahibzada Farhan’s valiant half-century.

The Men in Blue chased down the 147-run target in 19.4 overs, losing five wickets in the process to claim the continental title.

The agent of former NFL star Doug Martin provided clarity on the circumstances around his death on Monday as he released a statement on behalf of the late player’s family.

Athletes First CEO Brian Murphy said the retired running back was dealing with mental health issues in the days before authorities in California were requested to be involved by Martin’s family. Martin died on Saturday after an incident while in police custody.

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“Privately, Doug battled mental health challenges that profoundly impacted his personal and professional life,” the statement read. “Ultimately, mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run.

“Following recent media reports about Doug’s untimely passing, the family wishes to clarify the circumstances. Doug’s parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support. Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor’s residence two doors down, where he was taken into custody by police. An investigation into what transpired as he was detained is underway.”

Oakland police also released more information about Martin’s death.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)

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“Prior to his death, Martin was involved in a break-in at a residence in Oakland,” police said in a news release. “While responding officers were attempting to detain him, a brief struggle occurred. After being taken into custody, Martin became unresponsive.

“Paramedics responded to the scene, provided medical aid, and transported Martin to a local hospital, where he later died.”

Police said they have been in contact with Martin’s family since the incident on Saturday and the situation remained under investigation.

Martin’s death was announced on Sunday. He was 36.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on Dec. 17, 2017.  (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)

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He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders during his career.

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