Olympics category, Page 11
Increased transparency and golden retrievers: How USA Gymnastics came back from brink
MINNEAPOLIS — USA Gymnastics was a house afire five years ago, the massive fallout surrounding the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal rendering one of the U.S. Olympic movement’s marquee programs radioactive. Lawsuits. Bankruptcy. Potential decertification. A revolving door at the top as CEOs incapable or unwilling to find a path...
Gymnastics stars Lee, Jones and Blakely battle health issues as Olympic trials begin
MINNEAPOLIS — Reigning Olympic champion Sunisa Lee, six-time world championship medalist Shilese Jones and national runner-up Skye Blakely are facing health concerns ahead of the U.S. Olympic trials. Lee, who has spent the better part of two years fighting multiple kidney issues, felt ill while training Wednesday, though longtime coach...
Al Michaels returns to the Olympics — as the AI voice of Peacock
As legendary sportscaster Al Michaels would say, you can’t make this up. Or maybe you can. NBC Sports announced Wednesday that it will use the voice of Michaels, re-created using artificial intelligence, in a personalized daily recap of Summer Olympics events delivered to NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service subscribers. Peacock users...
Olympic track and field seeing dollar signs with splashy cash infusions into sport
EUGENE, Ore. — One aspiring Olympian is taking a break from his day job at the deli section while he makes his run for Paris. Another athlete worked as a nanny, but when she left to focus on running at the Games, the family understood. When these runners and hurdlers...
Analysis: Bryson DeChambeau had his chances to make Olympics
Bryson DeChambeau is a U.S. Open champion, and for now that will have to do. He is among the great entertainers in golf, with a YouTube channel approaching 800,000 subscribers. He certainly is among the best players over the last three months. Just look at his record in the majors...
Central Catholic graduate has rowing medal in his sights as he preps for 2nd Olympics
The first time was in Tokyo in 2021, and now this summer, Michael Grady will once again represent his country when he competes in the Paris Olympics as a rower. This is the Central Catholic graduate’s eighth appearance as a member of Team USA at any level of rowing. That...
Former NBA player Chase Budinger reaches Olympic dream — but in beach volleyball
After seven years in the NBA, Chase Budinger still had some goals left on his dream board. The former Rockets and Timberwolves forward has wanted to compete in the Olympics ever since he was a child, when his family would pore over the TV schedule to decide which events to...
Dearica Hamby replaces Cameron Brink on USA’s 3×3 Olympic basketball team
NEW YORK — Before the season started, Dearica Hamby wrote her goals down on a basketball. On the list was making the U.S. 3x3 Olympic team. She didn’t initially achieve that because she wasn’t one of the four members of the squad chosen earlier this month. Now she can check...
A look back at the U.S. swimming trials, which were a big hit in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS — The crowds were large and raucous. The biggest stars largely lived up to their billing. And plenty of promising young swimmers emerged over nine days in Indiana. The U.S. Olympic swimming trials wrapped up Sunday night with the final two events at Lucas Oil Stadium, rounding out the...
Simone Manuel earns individual race at Olympics
INDIANAPOLIS — Simone Manuel earned an individual race at the Olympics on the final night of the U.S. swimming trials, winning the 50-meter freestyle Sunday night. Coming back from overtraining syndrome, which hampered her preparations leading up to the Tokyo Games, Manuel won the frantic dash from one end of...
Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky win again at U.S. Olympic swimming trials
INDIANAPOLIS — Caeleb Dressel locked up his second individual race in Paris, giving him another chance to shine after his stellar performance at the last Olympics. Keep an eye on Kate Douglass, too. She could be one of the the biggest American stars at the pool. And, of course, Katie...
Caeleb Dressel and Simone Manuel settle for relay at U.S. swim trials
INDIANAPOLIS — Coming back from lengthy layoffs, American swimming stars Caeleb Dressel and Simone Manuel were eager to claim their first individual events of the Paris Olympics. Instead, they had to settle for supporting roles. Dressel finished third in the men’s 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic trials Wednesday night,...
Paris awaits for U.S. Olympic stars, but spots must be earned
EUGENE, Ore. — The endorsement deals have been signed, the commercials have been shot. In some cases, an airline ticket — maybe for friend or a family member — has been purchased. There is one more item to scratch off the list before everyone from Sha’Carri Richardson to Noah Lyles...
Coco Gauff to lead U.S. tennis team at Paris Olympics after missing Tokyo
Coco Gauff will lead the U.S. tennis team at the Paris Olympics three years after missing the Tokyo Games because she tested positive for covid-19. The 20-year-old Gauff, ranked No. 2, will be joined by No. 5 Jessica Pegula, Danielle Collins and Emma Navarro in women’s singles, along with Taylor...
Upper St. Clair grad Josh Matheny earns berth to Paris Olympics
Josh Matheny showed Pennsylvania swim fans what he could do in a pool during his years at Upper St. Clair. Now he will get a chance to showcase his talent for the world. The Indiana University standout finished second in the 200-meter breaststroke Wednesday night at the U.S. Olympic Trials...
Ralph Lauren goes with basic blue jeans for Team USA’s opening Olympic ceremony uniforms
NEW YORK — When Team USA walks with the world’s athletes at the Paris Olympics’opening ceremony, they’ll be doing so in snappy tailored navy blazers from Ralph Lauren — and blue jeans. Just regular, everyday denim blue jeans. Ralph Lauren, which unveiled Tuesday its ninth turn creating Olympic parade looks...
Fox Chapel graduate Zoe Skirboll sets big goals at Olympic swimming trials
Zoe Skirboll feels fortunate to have the weight of the University of Virginia swim program behind her as she prepared for the U.S. Olympic team trials this weekend in Indianapolis. The Fox Chapel graduate and Cavaliers swimmer feels she will be more prepared for the competition than when she competed...
Salt Lake City Olympic bid projects $4 billion in total costs to stage 2034 Winter Games
Organizers for the proposed 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City released their first budget estimate Monday, projecting total costs of just under $4 billion, with $2.84 billion of that slated for operational costs. The committee said even though there will be 40% more events than the last time Salt...
Clark left off USA Basketball national team roster, AP Source says; Taurasi makes sixth Olympic teamVideo
Caitlin Clark won’t be headed to the Paris Olympics, according to a person familiar with the decision. The person, who provided the full roster to the Associated Press, spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because no official announcement has been made. The decision was first reported by The Athletic. Clark...
‘SNL’ lampooned men in artistic swimming. Bill May could be the sport’s first male OlympianVideo
NEW YORK — Bill May chuckles at the mere mention of the words “Saturday Night Live,” knowing that the conversation is about to turn to the TV show’s 1984 skit starring Martin Short as one of two brothers attempting to make it to the Olympics in what then was called...
Gymnastics star Gabby Douglas pulls out of U.S. Championships, ending bid for 3rd Olympics
FORT WORTH, Texas — Gabby Douglas’ long shot bid to make the U.S. women’s gymnastics team for the Paris Olympics is over. The 2012 Olympic all-around champion withdrew from the USA Gymnastics Championships on Wednesday, citing an ankle injury. The 28-year-old Douglas, who also helped the U.S. win gold in...
Simone Biles shines in return while Gabby Douglas scratches after a shaky start at the U.S. Classic
HARTFORD, Conn. — Simone Biles certainly looks ready for Paris with more than two months to go before the Olympic games begin. The gymnastics superstar began her bid for a third Olympic team looking as dominant as ever at the U.S. Classic on Saturday, posting an all-around score of 59.500,...
Paul McCartney song starts Paralympics on 100-day countdown to opening ceremony in Paris
GENEVA — With an assist from Paul McCartney the Paralympic Games starts its 100-day race on Monday to the opening ceremony in Paris in August. The former Beatle has let “We All Stand Together” — the signature tune from an award-winning animated film he wrote and produced 40 years ago...
Olympic swimmer Florent Manaudou becomes first torch carrier in France as relay heads to Paris
MARSEILLE, France — French Olympic swimmer Florent Manaudou became the first Olympic torch carrier in France after the Olympic flame arrived in Marseille’s Old Port Wednesday on a majestic three-mast ship from Greece for the welcoming ceremony at sunset in the city’s Old Port. The ship sailed into Marseille’s old...
USA Track & Field expands its maternity policy to give athletes more time to work their way back
U.S. Olympic hurdler Christina Clemons sent numerous emails to those in the track community raising concerns over a gap in health care insurance coverage for new mothers who still wanted to compete. Those baby steps turned into big strides as USA Track & Field unveiled a program Thursday that expands...
