From whiff waff to water polo, Olympic sports are heeding the call and heading home for a great Games
27 Things You Didn’t Know About the Olympics
As you sit down to watch the opening ceremonies with friends, TIME gives you a crib sheet of little-known Olympics facts– from what’s a Fosbury Flop to who the youngest Olympian ever is– to score you the title of Smartest …
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
Rivalries to Watch
The big contests pit nation against nation, friend against friend and brother against brother
Who is the Fittest Olympic Athlete of Them All?
Want to compete in the Olympics? Science says your VO2 max better be up for it
