2016 Olympics

Boxer Claressa Shields, shown here in November 2015, wants to follow in Muhammad Ali's footsteps.

For Olympic Boxer Claressa Shields, Round 2 Brings New Expectations

4:07pm July 27, 2016

by Sue Jaye Johnson

At 17, boxer Claressa Shields won gold in the 2012 London Olympics. But it didn't change her life as much as she thought it would. After she returned home to Flint, Michigan, she thought: Now what?

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The Christ the Redeemer statue stands above Maracana Stadium, the centerpiece of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro that begin on Aug. 5.

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The Olympic Storylines You Absolutely Need To Know

10:20am July 26, 2016

by Greg Myre

You can't follow everything in Rio, but you want to catch the highlights. Here's a guide to the American athletes and events likely to produce the most memorable performances.

Two members of the U.S. Army lead the pack in the 5,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials earlier this month in Eugene, Ore. Shadrack Kipchirchir (right), did not make the team in the 5,000, but did qualify in the 10,000. Paul Chelimo (second from right),

Fast-Track Program: Kenyan Runners Join U.S. Army — And Olympic Team

10:35am July 23, 2016

by Tom Banse

A U.S. Army program allows elite athletes to join the military and train in their sport. Four Kenyan distance runners in the U.S. military quickly became citizens and will represent America in Rio.

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Runners compete in the marathon at the 2012 Paralympics in London. The International Paralympic Committee said Friday it is investigating reports of widespread doping among Russia's disabled athletes and is considering banning the entire Russian team from

Now Russia's Paralympic Athletes May Be Banned Amid Signs Of Doping

6:12pm July 22, 2016

by Greg Myre

The Paralympic Committee said it's investigating 35 "disappearing positive samples" among disabled Russian athletes. The committee plans to announce by Aug. 1 whether it will ban Russia.

Russian cross-country skier Alexander Legkov, who won a gold and a silver at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, speaks at a news conference in May to deny allegations that dozens of Russian athletes were part of a state-run doping program. A detailed repo

Report: Russia Used 'Mouse Hole' To Swap Urine Samples Of Olympic Athletes

3:49pm July 19, 2016

by Greg Myre

At the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, the Russians traded dirty urine samples for clean ones by passing them through a hole drilled into the wall of the anti-doping lab, according to an official report.

Russian athletes compete at track and field championships in Cheboksary on June 20. The International Olympic Committee has banned Russia's track and field team from the Summer Games for pervasive doping violations. The IOC on Tuesday put off a final deci

Olympic Committee Puts Off Final Decision On Barring Entire Russian Team

12:11pm July 19, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The International Olympic Committee said it would weigh collective punishment versus "the right to individual justice." This comes a day after the World Anti-Doping Agency called for a blanket ban.

Justin Gatlin celebrates victory in the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field. Gatlin has been suspended twice for failing doping tests, once in 2001 and again in 2006.

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At The U.S. Olympic Trials, Mixed Opinions About Russian Doping Scandal

6:33pm July 07, 2016

by Tom Goldman

The Russian scandal is a hot topic at the U.S. track and field Olympic Trials. Some feel individual Russian athletes should be allowed to compete if they're clean, others support a blanket ban.

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Sharon Day-Monroe competes in the 100-meter hurdles portion of the heptathlon at the U.S. Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., in 2015. She competes in the U.S. Olympic Trials this weekend as she tries to make her third consecutive Olympic team.

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For Heptathlete Sharon Day-Monroe, It's 7 Events With Just One Goal

10:16am July 06, 2016

by Melissa Block

She's already been to the Olympics twice and been a U.S. champion several times over. But at 31, Day-Monroe knows this may be her last shot at an Olympic medal.

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Civil police officers in Rio de Janeiro threaten to go on strike during a June 27 demonstration against the government for arrears in their salary payments.

With 5 Weeks To Go Until The Olympics, How Prepared Is Rio?

2:09am July 02, 2016

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

Every week seems to bring unwelcome news in the run-up to the Olympics. This week, dismembered body parts washed up on a Rio beach. But how bad are things, really?

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A painting of Vashti's father and coach, former NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham, hangs in the family home.

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A Gifted High Jumper Gets Set To Leap Onto The World Stage

6:34pm June 30, 2016

by Melissa Block

Vashti Cunningham, 18, is on a roll. She set a world junior record and won the world indoor championship in March, while still in high school. She has now turned pro and has her eyes set on Rio.

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