Sports

Why We Play Sports: Winning Motivates, But Can Backfire, Too

5:08pm July 17, 2015

by Patti Neighmond

How we view winning and losing may help shape whether we play sports as adults, some psychologists say. In NPR's recent poll, 56 percent of adults who play sports say winning is important to them.

Queue Listen Now

Pamela Moore/iStockphoto/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Webcast: Sports And Health In America

3:05pm July 17, 2015

What are the obstacles that keep adults off the field? How can sports help keep kids and adults in good health? What are the best ways to encourage more widespread and enduring participation?

2-4-6-8, A 401(k) Would Be Great: Calif. Law Makes Cheerleaders Employees

7:55am July 17, 2015

by Ben Adler

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill that bars professional teams there from treating their cheerleaders as independent contractors. The bill came after lawsuits alleged the cheerleaders were underpaid.

Queue Listen Now

Ultramarathoner Hikes Appalachian Trail In Record Time

12:40pm July 16, 2015

Scott Jurek recently hiked the Appalachian Trail in record time. His journey through 14 states took 46 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes.

Queue Listen Now

Caitlyn Jenner accepts the Arthur Ashe Courage Award onstage during the 2015 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Caitlyn Jenner At ESPYs: Transgender People 'Deserve Your Respect'

10:30am July 16, 2015

by Dana Farrington

Jenner, who made her transition to becoming a woman public earlier this year, accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the sports ceremony Wednesday night.

Eritrea's Daniel Teklehaimanot competes in a 13.8 km individual time trial, the first stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France cycling race, on July 4 in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

They're The First Black Africans To Ride In The Tour De France

8:23am July 16, 2015

by Roff Smith

The two men are from Eritrea. They're rising (and climbing) stars. And they're changing the image of the bike in Africa, where it's often looked down on as a poor person's transportation.

Head coach Jill Ellis of the United States celebrates with fans after the USA's 5-2 victory against Japan in the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Final in July.

Sports

For Women's Sports To Soar, Female Fans Must Show Support

8:52am July 15, 2015

by Frank Deford

Commentator Frank Deford says female supporters will play a key role in sustaining enthusiasm for women's sports after an exciting U.S. Women's World Cup win.

Queue Listen Now

American League All-Star Mike Trout slides home Tuesday night during the 86th MLB All-Star Game at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

American League Wins All-Star Game, World Series Home-Field Advantage

8:50am July 15, 2015

by Dana Farrington

The American League beat the National League 6-3 Tuesday night in a game that started with a homer right off the bat.

Sports

Spieth Looks To Win Year's Third Major, Where Golf Legends Have Fallen

8:25am July 15, 2015

The U.S. golfing phenom won the first two majors of the year, and this weekend he goes for a third at the British Open. It's an achievement that Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods.

Queue Listen Now

MLB All Stars Mark Changing Perception Of Performance Enhancing Drugs

7:18pm July 14, 2015

Baseball players caught using performance enhancing drugs have been permanently tainted with shame. NPR's Robert Siegel interviews Jonah Keri of Grantland about how that perception has changed.

Queue Listen Now