2016 Olympics

Proof the sport used to be pretty weird: a game of water polo, circa 1880. Although the barrels and mallets of the sport's early versions look quite unlike what's played today, note that even then there was one thing missing: actual horses.

Sports

Dipping A Toe In Water Polo For The First Time? Here's A Handy Guide

8:12am August 14, 2016

by Colin Dwyer

Chances are, you only see this sport every leap year — but water polo is far more than an Olympic curiosity. With this layperson's guide, you may soon be dropping lingo like an expert.

Alexander Naddour, of the U.S. men's gymnastics team, bears the circular mark of cupping on his right arm as he prepares to compete on the pommel horse at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on August 6.

How The Placebo Effect Could Boost An Olympic Performance

6:00am August 14, 2016

by Katherine Hobson

One athlete's "psych-up" ritual may psych out an opponent. And even treatments that lack hard evidence of benefit, scientists say, might provide a competitive edge if the athletes believe they work.

Michael Phelps of the United States competes in the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on Thursday.

Sports

Phelps Helps U.S. Men Win Relay Gold In Rio; Manuel Helps Women Snare Gold

11:45pm August 13, 2016

by Bill Chappell

Michael Phelps wins his 23rd career gold. American Simone Manuel picked up a silver medal and a gold, as she swam an individual race and anchored the women's medley.

Elaine Thompson of Jamaica (right) celebrates as she wins the women's 100-meter final ahead of Tori Bowie of the United States, who took silver, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, who got bronze.

Sports

Rio Highlights: Phelps Ends With 23 Golds; Jamaicans Maintain Sprint Dominance

11:38pm August 13, 2016

by Greg Myre

Michael Phelps captured one last gold, his 23rd in his staggering career. On the track, Jamaica kept its stranglehold on the women's 100 meters as Elaine Thompson became the world's fastest woman.

Michelle Carter competes in the women's shot put final during the 2016 Summer Olympics at the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday.

Rio Round-Up: Michelle Carter Makes Shot Put History; USA Men's Basketball Vs. Serbia

10:50pm August 13, 2016

by Emma Bowman

Carter outthrew favorite Valerie Adams of New Zealand, joining her father as a decorated U.S. Olympian. Men's basketball clinched a narrow win against Serbia in a second game of sloppy defense.

Monica Puig of Puerto Rico reacts after defeating Angelique Kerber of Germany in the women's singles gold medal match at the Rio Summer Olympics.

Monica Puig Makes Olympic History, Winning Puerto Rico's First Gold Medal

7:57pm August 13, 2016

by Bill Chappell

Puerto Rico has been sending athletes to the Olympics since 1948; before today, it had amassed eight Olympic medals. Tennis star Monica Puig changed that on Saturday.

Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya wins the London Marathon last year. He's the favorite in the men's marathon in Rio.

In The Marathons, Look For Duels Between The Kenyans And The Ethiopians

11:56am August 13, 2016

by Alex Ashlock

The neighboring African nations have the world's best distance running teams. In both the men's and women's marathons, they are expected to be in the thick of it.

Emily Lopez-Diaz, 11, swims for the YMCA of South Florida Barracudas in the Miami area. Her father, Josue Lopez, estimates that about 30 percent of the team is Latino.

USA Swimming Wants More Diversity In The Pool

11:30am August 13, 2016

by Carolyn Beans

The U.S. swimming team competing in Rio is the most diverse yet. But there is still a long way to go before the ranks of swimmers reflect the diversity of the country.

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo fails to stop a shot during a penalty shootout in the quarter-final match with Sweden. The Swedes won the the shootout, knocking the Americans out of the tournament. Afterward, Solo called the Swedes

After U.S. Defeat, Goalie Hope Solo Calls The Swedes 'Cowards'

11:36pm August 12, 2016

by Greg Myre

Solo earned the wrath of Brazilians before she arrived for the Olympics. She didn't help her cause by calling Sweden's team 'cowards' after they knocked the Americans out of the tournament.

Marta Karolyi, the national team coordinator for USA Gymnastics, looks at the scoreboard along with (from right) Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas during the women's qualification on Sunday. Karolyi, 73, is widely credited with helping make the

Pushing U.S. Gymnasts To The Summit, Marta Karolyi Leaves On Top

7:55pm August 12, 2016

Marta Karolyi and her husband, Bela, have helped develop the top women gymnasts in the world since the '70s, first in Romania and now the U.S. At 73, she's now ready to join her husband in retirement.

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