Few Olympic sports have such a wide spectrum of countries competing and medaling as Judo. Even Japan, which used to maintain a death grip on the top ranks of judo, must battle with a United Nations’ rainbow of worthy competitors.
london olympics
Ugly Americans? Loud Beach Volleyball Shorts Give Loudmouth an Olympic Spike
Yes, there are ugly Americans in London. They’re playing beach volleyball, wearing shorts from Loudmouth – and helping the brand cash in
Not Done Yet: Michael Phelps Becomes the Most Decorated Olympian of All Time
The U.S. swimmer wins two medals — gold and silver — on Tuesday night, giving him 19 Olympic medals, the most in history
French Swimmers Stage Early, Unexpected Grab of Olympic Gold
Led by freestylers Camille Muffat and Yannick Agnel, French swimmers turn the (notorious) national character trait for individualism into a recipe for victory making all of France proud.
The Most Important Team at the Olympics? Why, It’s Icelandic Handball
In Beijing, Iceland enjoyed its greatest sporting moment. Then its economy crashed in spectacular fashion. How one team defined a comeback
Interactive Panorama: Inside the Opening Ceremony
Photographer David Bergman created a panoramic image the size of a basketball court during the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in London.
Great Britain’s First Olympic Gold Medal Goes to … Grass
Olympic organizers, and the tennis world, wondered whether Wimbledon could be ready for the Olympics. Game, set, match: the grass is looking good.
The Social-Media Olympics: Are Officials Restricting Free Speech?
Social-media gaffes are costing Olympians dearly. But should they have more leeway to express themselves?
Liang Chow’s Gymnastics Coaching Journey: From Beijing to West Des Moines
Olympic athletes aren’t the only ones with inspiring journeys: Liang Chow built a reputation as an elite gymnastics coach from scratch
No Country, No Problem: How to Make the Games Without a Nation
If Olympic marathoner Guor Marial wins a gold medal, the “Olympic Hymn” — yes, there actually is one, and yes, it has words — would be played in place of a national anthem.