Sports

The Swedish soccer team celebrates after beating the U.S. in the quarterfinals match on Friday.

U.S. Women's Soccer Team Eliminated From Olympics After Losing To Sweden

3:37pm August 12, 2016

by Bill Chappell

It came down to penalty kicks — and two of the U.S. women's soccer team players missed theirs against Sweden Friday, ending their run in Rio's Summer Games.

Simone Manuel is one of the best swimmers in the world. But even in 2016, there are very few professional swimmers who look like her.

Simone Manuel Wins Olympic Gold. That's A Really Big Deal

3:21pm August 12, 2016

by Leah Donnella

When the 20-year-old won gold Thursday night, she wasn't just an athlete excelling at her sport. She was a symbol for what should have been self-evident all along: Swimming is for everyone.

Maoulida Daroueche of the Comoros will compete Monday in the 400-meter hurdles. Daroueche, 25, had a tough life as a kid in the Comoros, but now resides in France and is competing in his second Olympics.

From Comoros Islands, An Olympian Clears Hurdles On And Off The Track

1:55pm August 12, 2016

by Melissa Block

A competitor in Rio grew up poor in the islands, leaving home to live on the streets when he was 8. There's not even a running track there. Now he's competing in the 400-meter hurdles.

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Sports

It Was A Gold Day For The USA In Rio Summer Olympics

5:48am August 12, 2016

by Tom Goldman

Swimming sensation Michael Phelps added to his gold medal tally and, for the first time, an African-American female swimmer won gold. And, the U.S. women continued their dominance in gymnastics.

Simone Manuel of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the women's 100-meter freestyle at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.

Sports

Tied For Gold, And A Record: America's Simone Manuel Finishes First, With Company

11:35pm August 11, 2016

by Bill Chappell

In the women's 100-meter freestyle final, two swimmers touched the wall in the same instant. Simone Manuel also made U.S. history.

Michael Phelps competes in the Men's 200-meter Individual Medley Final on Day 6 of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Phelps won the event by more than a length over swimmers from Japan and China.

Phelps Wins Gold In The Men's 200 IM, Beating Lochte And A Talented Field

11:06pm August 11, 2016

by Bill Chappell

It's likely the last installment of a rivalry that has defined men's swimming for most of this century. The two swam this same event back in 2004.

Salete Martins, a tour guide in the Santa Marta favela, stands in front of the Michael Jackson statue. She says tourists aren't coming because consulates told their citizens to stay away from favelas.

In Rio's Favelas, Hoped-For Benefits From Olympics Have Yet To Materialize

7:50pm August 11, 2016

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

Expectations were high, but for Rio's poorest, the games are coming up short. "Who is enjoying the games?" asks one man. "Not the poor. It's only for the tourists." But even tourists are staying away.

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Simone Biles of the United States competes on the balance beam during the women's individual all-around gymnastics final on Thursday. Biles won the gold and teammate Aly Raisman took the silver.

Simone Biles Takes Gold And Aly Raisman Silver In Gymnastics All-Around In Rio

7:22pm August 11, 2016

by Bill Chappell

"The atmosphere in the arena was amazing and for everyone to cheer and chant along, it gets you more pumped," Simone Biles said after winning the Olympics' all-around finals.

USA's Katie Meili poses with her bronze medal on the podium of the women's 100-meter breaststroke at 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Sports
Arts

In Defense Of Bronze: The True Mettle Of The Metal Of The 3rd-Place Medal

6:00pm August 11, 2016

by Glen Weldon

In the Olympics, and in many other areas of life, from comic-book eras to health care plans, "bronze" has come to signify the least of three things. It shouldn't.

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Team USA athletes take part in the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics at Maracana Stadium on Aug. 5.

Team USA Lives Here: Where America's Rio Olympians Are From

3:50pm August 11, 2016

Is an Olympic athlete from your state? Use our search tool to find out. Nearly half of the U.S. team has ties to just five states — and 47 athletes were born in other countries.