Sports

Russian Paralympic Team Faces Olympics Ban Amid Doping Allegations

3:39pm August 07, 2016

The Russian Paralympic team faces a ban from the Rio games next month, due to allegations of widespread doping. NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to journalist Rebecca Ruiz about the charges.

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Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee, announces Sunday that the entire Russian Paralympic team will be barred from next month's games in Rio de Janeiro. "The anti-doping system in Russia is broken," he said.

Russia's Entire Paralympic Team Is Banned In Doping Scandal

2:00pm August 07, 2016

by Greg Myre

Russia's para-athletes were caught up in the same scandal as the country's Olympic team. "The anti-doping system in Russia is broken," says the head of the International Paralympic Committee.

New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez at bat against the Boston Red Sox during a baseball game in July in New York.

Yankees Release Alex Rodriguez, Announcing His Last Game Is Friday

12:30pm August 07, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The Yankees have announced they are releasing the controversial slugger. The club says Rodriguez will serve as a "special adviser and instructor" for the team through 2017.

As 2020 Olympics Looks To Add New Sports, Which Events Would You Bring Back?

9:14am August 07, 2016

The International Olympic Committee is adding five sports to the Tokyo 2020 games. Olympic historian David Wallechinsky tells us which sports used to be in the Games and which he'd want to bring back.

Opening Ceremony Spectacle Resurfaces Debate: Who Was First In Flight?

9:14am August 07, 2016

The opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic games in Brazil revived a debate that was surprising to many Americans: that a Brazilian man was the first in flight, not the Wright Brothers.

Olympic Runner Brenda Martinez Bounces Back In Time For Rio

8:43am August 07, 2016

Olympic runner Brenda Martinez had an unlikely path to the 2016 games. She grew up running in basketball shoes and nearly missed qualifying. She tells NPR's Ailsa Chang how she persevered.

Ginny Thrasher (center) of the U.S. holds her gold medal for the women's 10-meter air rifle competition, the first gold awarded at the Rio Games. China's Du Li (left), won the silver and Yi Siling, also of China, won the bronze on Saturday.

U.S. Teenager Ginny Thrasher Wins The First Gold In Rio, In Air Rifle

8:16pm August 06, 2016

by Greg Myre

Thrasher, 19, topped a field of 50 in the 10-meter air rifle competition on Saturday, winning the first of more than 300 medals that will be awarded at the Summer Olympics.

U.S. women's soccer player Crystal Dunn (in white) contends with Amel Majri of France during their match at Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The U.S. earned a 1-0 victory in the the Group G first-round meeting in the Rio Summer Olympics tournam

U.S. Women Edge France, Passing A Tough Test In Olympic Soccer

6:28pm August 06, 2016

by Bill Chappell

A tense tone dominated with both offenses repeatedly getting the ball into the penalty area. All shots were turned away but one, by American Carli Lloyd.

Olympics Day 1: U.S. Takes First Gold

5:09pm August 06, 2016

The first day of the Olympics gave fans in Brazil a smorgasbord of sporting events to take in. American Ginny Thrasher won the first gold medal of this year's games, in women's air rifle competition.

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Pump Up The Jams: What's Team USA Listening To?

5:09pm August 06, 2016

by Ray Suarez

What kind of music gets Olympic athletes pumped up when they're working out? Taekwondo competitor Paige McPherson talks about what gets her going.