Sports

Simone Biles Is The Heavy Favorite Heading Into Tokyo Olympics

5:14pm July 20, 2021

by Eric Schmid

U.S. gymnast Simone Biles is preparing to take the world stage yet again at the Tokyo Olympics. She dominated at the 2016 Games in Rio De Janeiro and looks to be even better this time around.

Swimmer Becca Meyers says she's skipping the Tokyo Paralympics because she was told she can't bring a personal care assistant with her. The 2016 gold medalist is seen here at an event in 2017.

Deaf-Blind Athlete Quits Team USA After She's Told She Can't Bring A Care Assistant

2:58pm July 20, 2021

by Bill Chappell

Becca Meyers is a star for the U.S. Paralympic swim team. But she won't be in Tokyo, after being told her mother, who acts as her personal care assistant, can't join her.

U.S. gymnast Simone Biles, shown here at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, is seeking a second all-around Olympic gold medal.

Sports

Tokyo Olympics: 10 Storylines That Make These Summer Games Unique

1:10pm July 20, 2021

by Merrit Kennedy

Against great odds, the world's top athletes are about to take the spotlight. Here are some key things to keep an eye out for during the first half of the Summer Olympic Games.

Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto says officials will evaluate the status of the Games depending on the rates of coronavirus infections.

Tokyo Olympics CEO Doesn't Dismiss The Idea That Games Could Still Be Called Off

12:07pm July 20, 2021

by Bill Chappell

The coronavirus infection rate will be discussed at upcoming talks, according to Toshiro Muto, CEO of the Tokyo Olympics' organizing committee.

United States pitcher Monica Abbott trains at the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan.

Olympic Softball Is Back, And It Starts Today. Will It Stick Around?

6:29am July 20, 2021

by Tom Goldman

Softball returns to the Olympics after a 13-year absence. But it won't be around for long. It's not on the schedule at the 2024 Games though athletes are hoping it'll make a return in 2028.

Sports

Olympic Athletes Want Gold, But For Now They Have To Settle For Cardboard

5:41am July 20, 2021

The bed frames in the Olympic Village are made of recyclable cardboard. People online speculated that they were designed to prevent activities other than sleeping.

A man wearing a face mask walks past the Olympic Rings ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Games are scheduled to begin this week in Japan despite a global rise in coronavirus cases.

Despite Positive COVID Cases, Team USA CEO Says Athletes Are Ready To Compete

6:59pm July 19, 2021

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Team USA CEO Sarah Hirshland about prepping for this year's Olympics in Tokyo and what the event will look like with COVID-19 precautions such as having no spectators.

The women representing Team USA, including six team members and four alternates, pose last month after the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic trials in St. Louis. Kara Eaker, an alternate, has tested positive for the coronavirus, her gym says.

An Alternate For U.S. Olympic Women's Gymnastics Tests Positive For Coronavirus

6:09pm July 19, 2021

by Merrit Kennedy

Kara Eaker is the athlete who tested positive, her mother and her gym in Missouri confirmed on Monday. The women's team is continuing to prepare for the Games, according to USA Gymnastics.

Luke Prokop, a prospect for the Nashville Predators, came out as gay on Monday. He is the first player under contract to an NHL team to do so.

Luke Prokop Comes Out As Gay And Makes NHL History

5:04pm July 19, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

The 19-year-old prospect for the Nashville Predators is the first NHL player, active or retired, to come out. "Living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink," Prokop said.

Broadcasters Melanie Newman and Suzie Cool, shown here on April 24, 2019 calling a minor league game.

Sports

For The First Time, An All-Female Crew Will Broadcast A Major League Baseball Game

3:51pm July 19, 2021

by Chad Campbell

Melanie Newman, broadcaster for the Baltimore Orioles, will handle play-by-play duties. "At some point soon, I think we're on our way to this just being a normal day in a broadcast," Newman says.