By Shawna Mizelle Former US President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner, the National Basketball Association announced on Tuesday. Obama “will help advance the league’s social responsibility efforts across the continent, including programs and partnerships that support greater gender equality
By Ben Church and Jill Martin Simone Biles has withdrawn from the individual all-around competition to focus on her mental health, USA Gymnastics announced on Wednesday. Her withdrawal comes after the 24-year-old — one of the greatest gymnasts of all time — stepped
By Jill Martin Naomi Osaka will leave the Tokyo 2020 Olympics without a medal, as the four-time major champion was upset in the third round Tuesday by Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic. Vondrousova, a 2019 French Open finalist, advances with the
By Leah Asmelash The Tokyo Olympics — after a long delay — are finally happening. The opening ceremony formally kicked off the Games Friday and sporting events are underway. There’s nothing but excitement in the air, according to IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair
By George Ramsay These are early days for the Tokyo Olympics, but Naomi Osaka is quickly emerging as the headline act. Two days after lighting the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony — a moment she called “the greatest athletic achievement and honor” of her life
Opinion by Richard Galant, The man who revived the Olympic Games after 1,500 years saw them as the “quadrennial celebration of the springtime of humanity.” To Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the four-year cadence of the Games was like the “rhythm of the
By Teele Rebane Covid-19 has thrown more than a few curve balls at Tokyo Olympic organizers — but this isn’t the first Games to battle a pandemic. A century ago, the 1920 Antwerp Olympics were held only a few months after the Spanish
By George Ramsay With no fans in attendance and a reduced number of athletes joining the parade, the Tokyo Olympics‘ Opening Ceremony officially kicked off the Summer Games on Friday as tennis star Naomi Osaka lit the cauldron. Earlier on Friday, a request from Tokyo 2020 organizers
By Seamus Fagan and Sara Spary Over 150 athletes, sports organizations, human rights and social justice experts have signed an open letter calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow athletes the “fundamental human right” to protest, including at the podium.
By Ella Donald When it comes to sports that attract fervent attention at the Olympics, gymnastics is always a top contender. Pulse-pounding and entertaining, the gravity-defying skills exhibited by athletes is unlike anything else seen at the Games. However, thanks to the
