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Messi to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden

Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
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Messi to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden

Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

Joe Biden on Saturday will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, bestowing the highest civilian honor in the United States to entertainers, sports stars, politicians and diplomats.

Among those to receive honors from the outgoing US president are basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and soccer superstar Lionel Messi, AFP reported.

The honorees "are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world," the White House said in a statement,

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Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
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Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)

Formula 1 has extended its contract with the Belgian Grand Prix, but one of the sport's most established races is set to be dropped from the schedule in 2028 and 2030.

The extension starting from next year includes races only in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031, F1 said Wednesday.

F1’s push in recent years to expand the schedule with more races in the United States and Asia has meant more competition for traditional venues in Europe seeking to keep their places on the calendar.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a favorite with many drivers for its flowing high-speed layout through forested hills, was on the F1 schedule for the first championship season in 1950 and has been on the calendar every year since 2007.

"The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension," F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

"Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1."

This year's Belgian Grand Prix race weekend is from July 25 through 27, including a sprint race.