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All Things Considered
Armless Archer Matt Stutzman Describes How He Shoots A Bow — And Wins Medals
An American wins a silver medal in archery, despite being born without arms.
Latest coverage
Pistorius Falls To Britain's Peacock In 100 Meters; American Browne Is Second
Great Britain's Jonnie Peacock took gold, while American Richard Browne, 21, won the silver medal.
Oscar Pistorius: Another Athletic Hero Falls From Grace
February 21, 2013
The double-amputee Olympian insists he shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp accidentally. But prosecutors have presented a very different version of events.
Interview
The Douglases: Two Olympic Trailblazers, 64 Years Apart
February 16, 2013
The oldest living African American to win an Olympic medal is Herb Douglas, and the youngest African American to win an Olympic medal is Gabby Douglas. The former is 90. The latter is 17. Both Herb and Gabby Douglas joined Bill Littlefield.
Interview
After Olympic Gold, Missy Franklin Swims Against High School Freshmen
January 19, 2013
Most Olympic gold medal swimmers turn pro and lose the opportunity to compete for their high schools. 17-year-old American Missy Franklin is the exception to that rule. Bill Littlefield spoke with The Wall Street Journal’s Stu Woo about Franklin’s latest endeavors.
Interview
Paralympic Games Take Over London’s Venues
September 01, 2012
When the Olympics end, the Paralympics begin. The Guardian’s Owen Gibson joins Bill Littlefield to talk about the growth of the Paralympic Games and their unprecedented popularity in the U.K.
Commentary
The Olympics, Revisited
August 15, 2012
Bill Littlefield says the good old city of London handled the challenge of the Games with ease and grace.
Boston Breakers’ O’Reilly Wins Gold With U.S. Women's Soccer Team, Coach Calls Her Everyday Energy ‘Electric’
August 14, 2012Hope Solo, Abby Wambach and Meghan Rapinoe have recently become household names in the women’s soccer world. Heather O’Reilly, a 27-year-old New Jersey native, three-time Olympic Gold medalist and Boston Breakers midfielder, can be added to that list.
Interview
U.S. Olympic Men’s Boxing Punched Out
August 11, 2012
For the first time in history, the U.S. men’s Olympic boxing team failed to medal at the Games. How did that happen? How can the program turn thingsaround? Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix explains the missteps and offers solutions.
In Depth
Bringing The Mile Back To Track
August 11, 2012
The mile used to be a hallowed distance in track and field, but changes in the sport have all but negated its value, even in the U.S., a metric system holdout. Todd Bookman reports on a group trying to bring the mile back to track.
Feature
Sounds Of The U.S. – Japan Gold Medal Soccer Match
August 11, 2012
The American women took the gold in Olympic soccer this week, beating Japan in a rematch of last summer’s World Cup final. Only A Game captured the sounds of the lively atmosphere around London’s Wembley Stadium.
In The News
2012 Olympics: Many Memorable Moments
August 11, 2012
The Olympics always generate iconic moments. Guest host Karen Given reviews some of the most memorable scenes from the London Games.
Drama Marks Historic Day At The Olympics
August 10, 2012
It’s been an incredible 14 days in London. We look at some of the top performances from the USA women’s soccer team to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and Kenyan runner David Rushida. Plus, a look at swimmer Michael Phelps and decathlete Aston Eaton.
Kenya’s Late Sammy Wanjiru Casts Shadow Over Men’s Marathon
August 10, 2012
The men’s marathon wraps up the Olympics on Sunday. Here & Now’s Alex Ashlock writes about the contenders, and how the late Kenyan runner Sammy Wanjiru’s 2008 record win is pushing athletes to new levels.
Needham Celebrating Gymnastics Gold Again
August 07, 2012
NEEDHAM, Mass. — Try as some residents might, Needham is having a hard time avoiding the latest from London. Their Olympic gymnast, Aly Raisman, won gold Tuesday for her floor routine and a bronze medal on the balance beam.
Duxbury Native Continues Father’s Legacy Of Olympic Rowing
August 07, 2012
After playing lacrosse in high school, 28-year-old Miller entered university not really expecting to join the crew team, but was recruited and accepted the challenge. The son of 1972 rowing Olympian William Miller, Miller and his teammates finished seconds shy of winning third place in the 2012 Summer Games in London.
What Happens To Olympic Stadiums After The Games?
August 07, 2012
After the 2012 Summer Games are over, officials say they want to reduce the size of the Olympic Stadium. What typically happens to Olympic Stadiums after they exit the world stage? See our slideshow of famous Olympic Stadiums.
Pistorius Falls To Britain's Peacock In 100 Meters; American Browne Is Second
(Jamie McDonald / Getty Images)
South African Oscar Pistorius failed in his attempt to win the 100-meter sprint and regain his title as the world's fastest amputee, losing to Great Britain's Jonnie Peacock. American Richard Browne, 21, of Jackson, Miss., won the silver medal.
All Things Considered
Oscar Pistorius Seeks Redemption In Race To Be The World's Fastest Amputee
(Emilio Morenatti / AP)
At the Paralympics, the South African double amputee faces his rivals in the 100-meter sprint.
Racer Alex Zanardi Wins Gold Medal At London Paralympics
(Leon Neal / AFP/Getty Images)
Alex Zanardi, who was a star racecar driver when he lost his legs in a 2001 crash, has won a gold medal in the London Paralympics. The Italian, 45, beat Germany's Nobert Mosandl by more than 27 seconds to win the men's handcycle time trial.
Navy Lieutenant Swims To Gold In London Paralympics, Months After Injury
(Ben Stansall / AFP/Getty Images)
Less than one year after being blinded by an explosion in Afghanistan, U.S. swimmer Bradley Snyder has won a gold medal in the men's 100m freestyle at the 2012 Paralympics. The medal came hours after Snyder set a Paralympic record in a preliminary heat at the London Aquatic Center.
Morning Edition
Doing It To Win: Veterans Raise Bar At Paralympics
(David Gilkey / NPR)
Among the athletes at the ongoing 2012 games in London are veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Organizers of the games say the vets raise the caliber of the competition. And injured veterans say Paralympic sports provide inspiration and the prospect of a normal, active life.
All Things Considered
U.S. Paralympian Makes Fifth Showing At The Games
Melissa Block speaks with U.S. Paralympian and flag bearer at the Paralympics opening ceremony, Scott Danberg. The competition, which opens tonight in London, will be Danberg's fifth Paralympic Games. Over the years he has participated in multiple events, from power-lifting to javelin.
Paralympics Begin In London, Near 'Spiritual Home' Of Games
(LOCOG / Getty Images)
More than 4,000 athletes from 147 countries will compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, where the opening ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. ET today. The U.S. contingent of 227 athletes includes 133 men and 94 women. Of the American Paralympians, 20 are U.S. military veterans.
All Things Considered
London's Paralympics Set To Be The Biggest Yet
A flame-lighting ceremony Tuesday evening in Stoke Mandeville, England, marks the beginning of the 2012 Paralympic Games. Melissa Block explores the history of the sports competition, which brings together disabled athletes from around the world, with Ian Brittain. Brittain is the author of The Paralympic Games Explained.
Talk of the Nation
A Sneak Preview Of The 2012 Paralympics
The Paralympic Games are the second largest sporting event in the world, after the Olympics, and begin August 29th. 4,000 elite disabled athletes will compete in 20 sports. Many of the sports are familiar, but others — like boccia and goalball — are unique to the Paralympics.
All Things Considered
Medalist Claressa Shields Gets A Hero's Welcome
(Joe Scarnici / Getty Images for USOC)
Hundreds gathered in Flint, Mich., Tuesday, to celebrate the return of Olympian Claressa Shields. Just 17, Shields won America's lone gold medal in boxing at the Summer Games. And her triumph was welcome news in Flint, a struggling town that gave her a motorcycle escort home.
All Things Considered
Doping Can Catch Up To Olympians Eight Years Later
On Monday, a woman from Belarus was stripped of her gold medal in the shot put because she failed a doping test. A hammer thrower, also from Belarus, was sent home before competing due to suspicions of doping in the 2004 games. Melissa Black talks with T.J. Quinn, an ESPN investigative reporter, about the state of drug testing in sports, and how long samples can be kept for later testing when technology improves.
The Torch Is Out: Olympic Moments Will Burn On
(Damien Meyer / AFP/Getty Images)
From the London Games' opening ceremony through 302 medal events, these Summer Olympics have fed fans a rich diet of history and spectacle. I can only wish that I'd been able to eat it all — but part of the allure of the Olympics is that there's no way to watch everything.
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