Sports

In Upstate New York, Lack Of Snow Creates A Paradise For Nordic Skaters

5:18pm March 07, 2016

by Brian Mann

The lack of snow in upstate New York has created a paradise for skaters — most specifically, Nordic skaters. It is a little-known sport in the U.S., involving long blades designed to speed over rough lakes and rivers. NPR meets some Nordic skaters who cover 30 to 40 miles of wilderness ice in a day.

Maria Sharapova talks to the media in Los Angeles on Monday regarding a failed drug test.

Maria Sharapova Failed A Drug Test At Australian Open

5:11pm March 07, 2016

by Laura Wagner

The five-time Grand Slam champion said she was notified by the International Tennis Federation several days ago that she tested positive for meldonium.

Peyton Manning Retires, Maria Sharapova Fails Drug Test

4:30pm March 07, 2016

by Tom Goldman

Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning announced he will retire after 18 seasons. Tennis star Maria Sharapova said Monday she failed a drug test.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning waves to spectators following the AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, in Denver.

Five-Time MVP Peyton Manning Will Announce His Retirement

12:24pm March 07, 2016

by Eyder Peralta

Manning, who is the NFL's all-time leading passer and its winningest starting quarterback, just won his second Super Bowl during his 18th season.

Queue Listen Now

A man's fast reaction helped keep a young fan from being struck in the face by a baseball bat at a spring training game this weekend.

Phew! Fan Saves Boy From Being Hit By A Flying Baseball Bat

11:33am March 07, 2016

by Bill Chappell

In an instant that's frozen in time, the barrel of the bat looms just inches away from the boy's nose and eyes, with a man's hand and forearm blocking its path.

Sports

What's Better Than A Buzzer-Beater? How About 3 ... In A Single Game?

5:03pm March 05, 2016

by Michel Martin

On Thursday, an epic high school basketball game — featuring three buzzer-beating buckets — ended with a last-second shot in quadruple overtime, sending one team to the Minnesota state tournament.

Fans of Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan celebrate after a goal against Chongqing Lifan on June 28, 2015.

Time, Money, Ambition: Inside China's Bid For Global Soccer Power

10:21am March 05, 2016

by Laura Wagner

China's Super League is signing international stars for huge sums. Given government interest, investor enthusiasm and an enormous potential fan base, could Chinese soccer be the sport's next force?

Los Angeles Dodgers star Yasiel Puig shakes hands with fans Dec. 16 at the Latin American Stadium in Havana during a Major League Baseball goodwill tour. Puig and fellow Cuban national Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox returned home Tuesday for the firs

MLB Hopes New Openness Will Ease Players' Path From Cuba To The Majors

9:50am March 05, 2016

by Brian Naylor

The league's plan, which needs approval from the players' union and both governments, would allow direct pickups of Cuban players — no defections — in exchange for cash support for the sport there.

Queue Listen Now

Sports

The Week In Sports

7:26am March 05, 2016

Five months from now, the Olympics open in Brazil. Are the stadiums ready? Are the athletes? NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, who lives in Rio de Janeiro, talks to sport's correspondent, Tom Goldman.

Around The World In One Canoe

7:26am March 05, 2016

by Stephanie Guyer-Stevens

The Hokule'a, a Hawaiian double-hulled sailing canoe, arrives back in American waters for the first time since 2014. The canoe relies only on sails for power and the wind and the stars for navigation.