Olympic medalists from the 1948 games in London remember their experiences in the post-war ‘austerity’ Olympics. Even with a …
Olympic Preview Issue
Behind the Covers: Martin Schoeller’s Portraits of the 2012 U.S. Olympians
In his portrait series of gold-medal hopefuls for TIME’s 2012 Olympics special issue, Martin Schoeller shows three U.S. team members whose passion for sport isn’t contained by training center walls
Three Cheers for London
The Olympics head to Britain for an unprecedented third time. Global economic gloom can’t dim the competition for gold
London Rings
From whiff waff to water polo, Olympic sports are heeding the call and heading home for a great Games
China’s Gold Standard
China’s athletes demolish the competition in weight lifting and diving. It’s not a passion; it’s a job
Fight Club
The wrestlers of Chechnya and Dagestan compete as Russians. But in the hills — and even the gym — Russia is still the enemy
Gabby Douglas: Team USA’s Flip Artist
Gabby Douglas swapped families and changed coaches to make herself an Olympic contender
The Swift Kicker Behind Japan’s Women’s Soccer Rise
Homare Sawa lifted Japan with a World Cup win — and put women’s football on the map
Lolo’s No Choke
The U.S. hurdler stumbled horribly in Beijing, losing gold. What we can learn from her nightmare
Rivalries
One legend. One phenom. Only one winner
