GENEVA (AP) — Emerging track star Audrey Werro is racing closer and closer to winning a duel with Olympic 800-meters champion Keely Hodgkinson to break the sport’s oldest world record.
On Sunday, for the second time this month, the 22-year-old Swiss ran the third-fastest time in history — 1 minute, 53:80 seconds in Paris that was the best since 1983.
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Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, right, leads Femke Broeders-Bol, of the Netherlands, and Anais Bourgoin, of France, in the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, right, leads Femke Broeders-Bol, of the Netherlands, and Anais Bourgoin, of France, across the finish line in the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, right, leads Femke Broeders-Bol, of the Netherlands, and Anais Bourgoin, of France, in the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, poses after winning the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, right, leads Femke Broeders-Bol, of the Netherlands, and Anais Bourgoin, of France, across the finish line in the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, poses after winning the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Werro celebrated with her trademark roar with hands raised like claws, a gesture she has said was inspired by her father urging her to be less shy in races and more like a lion.
Only Jarmila Kratochvílová’s record 1:53.28 for the then-Czechoslovakia, three years after the Soviet Union’s Nadezhda Olizarenko ran 1:53.43 to win the 1980 Moscow Olympics title, have gone faster.
Werro, who clocked 1:53.98 in Stockholm three weeks ago, has the record in her sights in a season with no distractions from an Olympics or world championships.
“It’s really very, very close,” Werro said Sunday trackside at the Diamond League meeting at Charléty in the Paris suburbs. “I’m really just happy to have my personal best which is already unbelievable.”
Taking down a record long thought out of reach from the doping-tainted 1980s in track and field shaped as a target this year.
Hodgkinson set the stage in February by shattering the 24-year world indoor mark with a 1:54.87 run in Liévin, France.
The 2024 Paris Olympics champion also set a personal best outdoor time of 1:54.33, though that earned just second place behind Werro in Stockholm and is now seventh on the all-time list.
The 24-year-old Hodgkinson has targeted the Diamond League meeting in London on July 18 as a record attempt, before a standout rematch with Werro at the European Championships. Also in the lineup could be Dutch star Femke Broeders-Bol, the two-time 400 hurdles world champion, who switched to the 800 and was second Sunday in 1:55.60.
The women’s 800 is the Friday finale on Aug. 14 at Birmingham, in Hodgkinson’s home country England.
Werro should then have home advantage Aug. 21 in Lausanne in the main event of the Athletissima meeting.
Werro did not even make the semifinals at the Paris Olympics. In the 2025 world championships final in Tokyo she placed sixth, as favorite Hodgkinson took just bronze in a race won by Lilian Odira of Kenya.
There is one good reason for the Swiss prospect’s rapid progress.
“I feel that the biggest change in my life is the fact that I have become a professional athlete,” Werro said Sunday. “I am no longer at school, and I must say it was tough to juggle both.”
“Now, there is no excuse as I have all the time in the world to just focus on the training, recovering and the sport itself.”
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Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, right, leads Femke Broeders-Bol, of the Netherlands, and Anais Bourgoin, of France, in the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, poses after winning the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, right, leads Femke Broeders-Bol, of the Netherlands, and Anais Bourgoin, of France, across the finish line in the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Audrey Werro, of Switzerland, poses after winning the women's 800 meters at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet in Paris, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Teyana Taylor fought back tears Sunday after an emotional surprise at the BET Awards:Janet Jackson walked onto the stage to present Taylor with the Icon of the Year Award.
Taylor, visibly stunned as Jackson received a standing ovation at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater, embraced the music legend before thanking one of her biggest inspirations.
“They did not tell me Janet was coming,” Taylor said through tears. “There will be no me without you.”
Presenting the award, Jackson praised Taylor’s relentless work ethic and artistic range, highlighting her Golden Globe win for best supporting actress in “One Battle After Another” and calling her gifts “God-given.”
The Icon of the Year Award recognizes a creative force whose influence is shaping culture. Taylor has evolved from a multiplatinum recording artist into an award-winning actor, director, producer and choreographer.
Accepting the honor, Taylor reflected on her two-decade career.
“I worked my (expletives) off 20 years,” she said. “So I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with arrogance. I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude.”
The BET Awards paused to honor influential figures from music and entertainment who died over the past year during an emotional in memoriam tribute.
Erica Campbell of Mary Mary introduced the segment by reflecting on the enduring legacies left behind by those who died, paying special tribute to the late gospel composer Richard Smallwood, whose music she said strengthened her faith. She also remembered the late music executive Clive Davis, who died earlier this week at 94, before performing Whitney Houston’s “I Love the Lord” with Le’Andria Johnson.
The tribute remembered Smallwood, Davis, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and others whose contributions left a lasting mark on music, television and culture.
The show also celebrated the late D’Angelo’s legacy with a star-studded tribute that opened with appearances by his three children.
Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton and RAYE were among the artists who honored the singer with performances of his music, celebrating the enduring influence of one of R&B’s most acclaimed voices.
Music executive Sylvia Rhone received the BET Ultimate Icon Award in recognition of her groundbreaking leadership and lasting impact on the music industry.
Presented by Kelly Rowland, the honor celebrated Rhone’s trailblazing career as the first Black woman to lead a major record company owned by a Fortune 500 corporation. A video tribute featured messages from artists including Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, highlighting her role in helping develop the careers of performers such as Tracy Chapman, Brandy, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Future, Travis Scott and Tyler, the Creator.
While accepting the award, Rhone dedicated the honor to the artists and creative teams she has worked alongside throughout her career.
“Tonight’s honor bears my name, but it really belongs to all of us who create culture,” she said.
Rhone also used the moment to urge the music industry to protect artists as artificial intelligence reshapes the business.
“We make the algorithm. The algorithm doesn’t make us,” she said. “We must honor the musician. We must compensate the creator.”
She concluded by calling on the industry to ensure the next generation of artists has the opportunity to create “the songs that will change the world.”
Druski made a grand entrance to kick off the BET Awards on Sunday, descending from the rafters in a harness as a choir filled the theater with a rendition of Kirk Franklin’s “Revolution,” setting the tone for a night celebrating music, comedy and culture.
The comedian and digital creator made history by becoming the youngest host of the ceremony.The show's opening performances featured Kehlani, who sang “Folded” with Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Anelise Estelle Foxx, on guitar. Don Toliver also performed his hits “E85” and “Body.”
Accepting the award for best female R&B/pop artist, Kehlani admitted she hadn’t prepared a speech, instead marveling that “Janet Jackson is here,” before telling the icon she was “really honored to be here” among the night’s talent.
Druski, 31, surpassed Kevin Hart, who previously held the distinction as the BET Award’s youngest host when he emceed in 2011.
Throughout the night, Druski leaned into his comedic persona with appearances alongside Martin Lawrence and Latto. Lawrence jokingly shut down Druski’s pitch to appear in the next “Bad Boys” film before teasing his upcoming Paramount+ series, while Latto playfully poked fun at the host during one of the show’s transitions. Druski also spoofed Jay-Z's Roots Picnic freestyle.
Druski became one of entertainment’s fastest-rising stars through his viral sketches before expanding into sold-out comedy tours and collaborations with artists including Drake and Snoop Dogg, as well as appearances alongside figures like Tom Brady and Timothée Chalamet.
Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte returned as the show’s announcer.
Hill will receive the Living Legend Icon Award, which recognizes pioneers whose work has remained culturally essential across generations. She first emerged as a member of the Fugees before releasing her landmark solo debut, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” a genre-defying album that became one of the most influential recordings in hip-hop and R&B history.
BET called Hill “the very definition of a living legend,” crediting her with reshaping music while inspiring generations of artists.
The awards will feature the Pulse Award for creator and content series and the Fashion Vanguard Award for cultural impact in fashion.
Common, left, and Queen Latifah perform during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Host Druski appears during the opening of the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Teyana Taylor accepts the Icon of the Year award during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Lauryn Hill accepts the living legend icon award during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Lauryn Hill accepts the living legend icon award during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Lauryn Hill perform during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Sylvia Rhone accepts the ultimate icon award during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Teyana Taylor accepts the Icon of the Year award during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Teyana Taylor appears onstage to accept the Icon of the Year award during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Teyana Taylor, left, accepts the Icon of the Year award from presenter Janet Jackson during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Teyana Taylor accepts the Icon of the Year award during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Anelise Bishop, left, and Jamie Foxx perform during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Kehlani performs during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Host Druski appears during the opening of the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Host Druski speaks during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)
FILE - Teyana Taylor arrives at Billboard's Women in Music event, April 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
FILE - Druski appears at the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, N.J., on Aug. 28, 2022. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Teyana Taylor appears at the CCA's 8th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television in Los Angeles on Dec. 9, 2025, left, and Lauryn Hill performs at the Essence Festival in New Orleans on June 30, 2023. (AP Photo)
FILE - Cardi B performs during the Global Citizen Festival in New York on Sept. 27, 2025. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
