The big contests pit nation against nation, friend against friend and brother against brother
Olympic Preview Issue
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
The Challenger
Afghanistan’s first female boxer may take a pounding in the ring. Big deal. She’s been in much tougher scraps back home
Good Sports, Bad Sports
Every event has its winners and losers, but some are better known for how they played
All Dressed Up
From the pool to the gymnastics mat, Olympians compete in style
Video: Tom Jones On His Olympics Soundtrack and the Importance of the Games
The singer talks to TIME about his Olympics soundtrack, his famous friends and why a small woman wielding a big sword held no terrors for him.
Video: Britain’s Track & Field Golden Girl Jessica Ennis Gets Set for her Home Games
The Heptathlete takes some time out from a TIME magazine photo shoot to discuss what the London Olympics mean to her