Venues spared by wildfires, but the city’s rebuild could impact the Games’ runup

LOS ANGELES >> The devastation wrought by the deadly wildfires that ravaged sections of Los Angeles have left an indelible imprint on the region’s landscape and psyche.

The runup to the city hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, in addition to World Cup matches in 2026 and a Super Bowl in 2027, will coincide with massive rebuilding of housing and infrastructure. That seems cruelly ironic after Los Angeles organizers sold the Games as a no-build event.

None of the Olympic venues have been damaged by the still-burning fires that tore through Pacific Palisades on the city’s westside and Altadena, an unincorporated community above Pasadena in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Father of former NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. dies at 66

Martin Truex Sr., the father of former NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. has died, Truex and his brother said in a statement. He was 66.

“We are devastated by the loss of our father,” Martin Jr. and Ryan Truex said. “Simply put, he was our hero and a great man. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy at this time.”

Truex Sr. was a former driver in in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series, where he made 15 starts from 1989 to 1998. His best finish was 12th at at Nazareth Speedway in 1994. He retired early to advance the career of his two sons. His second son, Ryan, is the reserve and development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Ritzenhein named Gatorade Colorado Girls Cross Country Player of the Year

Niwot runner and 5A state champion Addison Ritzenhein has been named Gatorade Colorado Girls Cross Country Player of the Year for the second straight year, Gatorade announced this week.

The junior put up a time of 16:54.7 to take home that individual state title — her third straight — and lead her team to a fifth-place finish. Her time was good enough to set a course record across all classes.

At Nike Cross Nationals in December, she ran a 17:15.3 and finished fifth to earn first-team All-America honors.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Breanna Stewart scores first basket in Unrivaled history in 3-on-3 debut

MIAMI>> Unrivaled shined brightly on its opening night.

The 3-on-3 women’s basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier debuted Friday night. The two squared off in the opening game and fittingly Stewart scored the first basket in league history — a baseline jumper. Collier’s team got the last laugh though, rallying to win the inaugural game.

“I think this was a great first game just showing what we can do and showing what the experience can be like,” Collier said after the 84-80 win.

Sun Belt fines Marshall $100,000 for opting out of Independence Bowl

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. >> The Sun Belt fined Marshall $100,000 on Friday for opting out of the Independence Bowl last month.

Marshall withdrew from the Dec. 28 game in Shreveport, La., after a coaching change resulted in much of its roster jumping into the transfer portal. Louisiana Tech replaced Marshall in the game against Army, which beat the Bulldogs 27-6.

— Post staff and wire reports