Broadcast Olympic skateboarding with a fisheye lens, you cowards

How a fencer accused of sexual assault made it to the Olympics, COVID-19 vaccines and breast milk, and surfing and skateboarding at the Games

THE BIG STORY   How a fencer made it to the Tokyo Olympics despite sexual assault allegations   Six women fencers, including two Olympic athletes, wrote to the Olympic committee that fencer Alen Hadzic should not be allowed to represent the US because he was under investigation for at least three accusations of sexual misconduct reported to the US Center for SafeSport, the nonprofit agency responsible for protecting athletes from abuse.    Two months later, Hadzic became one of 24 Olympic fencers in Tokyo, an alternate on the men's épée team, attaining a rarefied spot at the pinnacle of his sport, to the dismay of his teammates.   USA Fencing created a "safety plan" for the Tokyo games to keep Hadzic away from his female counterparts and bar him from the Olympic Village, four Olympic fencers told BuzzFeed News. The precautions, which Hadzic is reportedly fighting, only highlight the lack of action by SafeSport, which Congress designated as the investigative agency for abuses in Olympic sports in 2018.   Meanwhile, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee provided the women with a list of available mental health services, including a subscription to the meditation app Headspace. Hadzic (left) fences Max Heinzer of Switzerland during the individual finals at the Peter Bakonyi Men's Épée World Cup on Feb. 8, 2020, at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, Canada. Devin Manky / Getty Images STAYING ON TOP OF THIS   Here's what the COVID-19 vaccines mean for donated breast milk    A key question from breast milk donors and recipients is whether protection against the coronavirus travels through a vaccinated person's breast milk to an infant. While long-term studies at a larger scale are needed, early research suggests that the answer is yes.   A recent joint study concluded that vaccinated parents do in fact pass their antibodies to infants via their breast milk. The researchers had two goals in mind: track if their vaccines worked against COVID-19 and, if so, whether the shot also provided protection to infants. "For all the lactating individuals in our study, we found that the maternal antibodies also crossed into the breast milk," Dr. Kathryn Gray, lead author of the study, told BuzzFeed News. "That suggests that there may be some benefit and protection conferred to infants from pregnant individuals and lactating individuals who are vaccinated." SNAPSHOTS   An FBI agent investigating the Michigan kidnapping case has been accused of assaulting his wife. The alleged assault happened after a swingers event they had attended.   A reporter kept her cool while enduring "disgusting" comments from two men on camera. The men's language was recorded by a camera operator.   As COVID keeps spreading, Alabama's governor said it's "time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks." "It's the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down," Gov. Kay Ivey said. But the Republican also signed legislation restricting schools from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations. Lil Nas X is using his Industry Baby video to raise money for a bail relief fund. A spokesperson for the Bail Project told BuzzFeed News the artist reached out to them to collaborate. NEEDS MORE FISHEYE LENS THOUGH    Some chill and extreme and cool photos of surfing and skateboarding at the Olympics   The two sports made their debut at the Olympics over the weekend. The sick photos are a great way to start your week.  The United States' Arianna Carmon. Charlie Neibergall / AP Chile's Manuel Selman. Olivier Morin / AP Hoping you stick your landings this week, Brandon 📝  This letter was edited and brought to you by Brandon Hardin and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.     👉 Your support of BuzzFeed's journalism does not constitute a charitable donation, and your contribution is not eligible for a tax-deduction. This is part of an effort to explore a deeper relationship with our most active supporters. 🔔  Want to be notified as soon as news breaks? Download the BuzzFeed News app for iOS and Android (available in Canadian, UK, Australian, and US app stores). 💌  Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to get BuzzFeed News in your inbox! Show privacy notice and cookie policy. BuzzFeed, Inc. 111 E. 18th St. New York, NY 10003 Unsubscribe