Olympic sports include a diverse history that may surprise you
Women's boxing will make its Olympic debut in London this year. And mixed doubles will return for the first time in almost 90 years.Softball and baseball, however, are out. The Olympics regularly add...
View ArticleIn tough economy, London Olympics share common bond with 1948 games
One billion TV viewers from all over the globe are expected to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London. It takes place on Friday, rain or shine.The show is expected to feature 20,000...
View ArticleOlympic officials move to try and fill embarrassing empty seats
London's Olympic organizers have had an embarrassing problem coming out of these first days of Olympic competition: empty seats.It's not that the seats weren't sold, or passed out, they just weren't...
View ArticleU.S. dominance in Olympic swimming not reflected in American pools
The U.S. Olympic swimming team is likely to dominate the water at the London Games, where it’s already won 12 medals and counting. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, American men and women combined for more...
View ArticleWomen weightlifters among most popular Egyptian Olympians
Egypt has more than 100 athletes at the London Games — and 36 of them are women. On both counts, that's more than ever before.Despite having won a silver medal in fencing, weightlighting might have...
View ArticleLondon to shrink Olympic Stadium after games conclude
London's $760 million Olympic Park has played hosts to opening ceremonies and track stars.It's celebrated the country's National Health Service and the world's fastest men and women.But after the two...
View ArticleRio de Janeiro 'pacifies' criminals in advance of 2014 World Cup, 2016 Olympics
No other issue has commanded more attention in Rio de Janerio than public safety, as the city prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.The city wants badly to rehabilitate its image as a...
View ArticleYorkshire athletes boost British Olympic team to success
The host of the Olympic Games is celebrating a few days of great success.Athletes from team Great Britain went on something of a gold rush this week, with wins in track and field, on the water and on...
View ArticleLondon Olympics good example of sports' embrace of environmental stewardship
The London Olympic Games are selling themselves not only as a way to revitalize a run-down part of the city, but also as the greenest Olympics, with plenty of venues designed to be recycled.Allen...
View ArticleAccording to history, world politics always on display during Olympics
The ancient Greeks came up with the idea for the Olympics nearly 3,000 years ago, but some notable changes have occurred since.Like uniforms. The Greeks once played their games naked — no foreign-made...
View ArticleSports owners split among Democrats, Republicans; among players, less division
Sports loyalties often run just as deep as political loyalties, or deeper. Sometimes they even intersect. For owners of sports teams, typically with plenty of money, that can be especially true.Take...
View ArticleLondon Paralympic Games open to high expecations
London’s Paralympic Games are on track to be the biggest in history, with 11 days of nearly sold-out competition.Professor Stephen Hawking led the Opening Ceremony last night as the city welcomed 4,280...
View ArticleNorth Korea makes Paralympics debut with teenage swimmer
North Korea will participate in the Paralympics for the first time this year, but allegations of human rights abuses at home cast a shadow over the competition.Rim Ju-song, a 16-year-old double...
View ArticleNFL stands by Monday night football game result as politicians call for...
The National Football League says its referees made the wrong call in Monday night's football game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.But the league had a very short response to those...
View ArticleEx-Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky sentenced to 30-60 years
Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State football coach convicted of molesting multiple children over a period of years, has been sentenced to spend 30 to 60 years in prison.Because of his age, 68, it's...
View ArticleAnti-doping agency outlines 'undeniable' case against Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong is a cheat. Not just any cheat though, a kingpin of a ring of cheaters.At least, that's the picture painted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which on Wednesday released a...
View ArticleDaredevil set to attempt record-breaking free-fall from 23 miles up
Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner on Sunday will attempt a 23-mile free fall, with the hope of breaking the sound barrier.He'll be descending from a height some three times higher than cruising...
View ArticleLance Armstrong loses sponsors, cuts ties with charity in wake of steroid...
Lance Armstrong is "a toxic asset" now.That's the assessment crisis management specialist Ashley McCown gave to The Washington Post Wednesday, the same day Armstrong announced he was stepping down as...
View ArticleSmall California town churns out baseball prospects, with help from across...
In their Brawley, Calif., living room, Frank and Leticia Romo watch the San Francisco Giants play the St Louis Cardinals for the National League championship.The whole family is here.Their son, Sergio...
View ArticleWhere has Britain's 'stiff upper lip' gone?
A funny thing happened at Wimbledon this year: British star Andy Murray cried.“I’m going to try this and it’s not going to be easy,” Murray said through tears, addressing the Centre Court crowd after...
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