2020 Olympic champ Sunisa Lee to make a run at Paris 2024
November 15, 2022 GMTAUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Sunisa Lee is going to make another run at Olympic glory.
The 2020 women's all-around gymnastics champion announced Tuesday that she will return to training at the elite level following the end of her sophomore season at Auburn next spring.
US holds off Colombia in World Cup qualifying, France wins
November 15, 2022 GMTUSA Basketball’s magic number for clinching a World Cup berth is down to one.
Langston Galloway and David Stockton each scored 23 points, and moved the Americans to the brink of earning a spot in next year’s World Cup with an 88-81 win over Colombia on Monday night.
USA on brink of clinching spot in 2023 Basketball World Cup
November 11, 2022 GMTJim Boylen has not spent any time thinking about what the World Cup qualifying standings might look like after USA Basketball’s game against Brazil on Friday.
He just keeps thinking how the Americans have four qualifying games left.
Brazil’s Andrade makes history, wins world gymnastics title
November 3, 2022 GMTLIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Rebeca Andrade grew immune to pressure long ago. Enduring three reconstructive knee surgeries provides some perspective.
It's why the 23-year-old Brazilian gymnast wasn't thinking about making history or her own grueling personal journey during the women's all-around finals at the world championships on Thursday.
U.S. women earn record sixth straight world gymnastics title
November 1, 2022 GMTLIVERPOOL, England (AP) — A pair of falls on the balance beam in qualifying cost Jordan Chiles a shot at the world all-around gymnastics title.
No Bird, Griner, Taurasi: US still favorite to win World Cup
September 21, 2022 GMTSYDNEY (AP) — The U.S. women's basketball roster has undergone major changes since the Americans won gold at the Tokyo Olympics last year with Sue Bird retired and Brittney Griner in a Russian jail.
Thompson-Herah edges Richardson in the Prefontaine 100
May 28, 2022 GMTEUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica held off American Sha'Carri Richardson in the 100 meters at a rainy Prefontaine Classic on Saturday.
Thompson-Herah won in the 100 and 200 and the 400 relay at the Tokyo Olympics.
In leaked audio, Piqué asks for help to play at Olympics
April 20, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Gerard Piqué asked for help from the president of the Spanish soccer federation to play at the Tokyo Olympics, audio stolen from the federation revealed Wednesday.
The details, published by the El Confidencial newspaper, came after other audio had revealed that the Barcelona defender helped to negotiate a 24 million euro ($26 million) commission to take the federation's Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Puerto Rico Olympian’s mother killed at home by stray bullet
April 12, 2022 GMTThe mother of a Puerto Rican Olympian was killed by a stray bullet while sewing in her Connecticut home over the weekend, according to the athlete and police.
Police believe Mabel Martinez, 56, was an innocent bystander and the intended target was apparently a man walking outside her home in the town of Waterbury.
Lloyd among newcomers for U.S. women’s pro volleyball league
March 15, 2022 GMTDALLAS (AP) — Volleyball players Carli Lloyd and Alisha Glass Childress, who helped the U.S. women win bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics, are among the newcomers for the second year of a pro volleyball team in their home country.
Zverev put on 1-year probation for outburst in Acapulco
March 8, 2022 GMTTokyo Olympics gold medalist Alexander Zverev was put on probation for one year by the ATP on Monday for violently hitting the chair umpire’s stand repeatedly with his racket following a loss in doubles at the Mexico Open.
Recent Russian doping controversies at the Olympics
February 18, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — The doping case of 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has dominated the conversation at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Mexican skater is a rare Latin American at Winter Olympics
February 9, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — They said he should play soccer. They said figure skating was for girls. They said winter sports made no sense in temperate Guadalajara.
But none of those naysayers deterred Mexican figure skater Donovan Carrillo, the rare Latin American athlete at the Winter Games, who has now become an even more rare Beijing Olympics success story – however relative – from that part of the globe.
Brazilian skier out of Olympics after car crash in Italy
January 28, 2022 GMTRIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian cross-country skier Bruna Moura will miss the Beijing Olympics after sustaining multiple fractures in a car crash in Italy.
The Brazilian Olympic committee said Thursday that the 27-year-old Moura was hospitalized with fractures in her feet, arm, hips and shoulder.
Monday Sports in Brief
January 4, 2022 GMTNFL
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Antonio Brown’s latest messy departure from an NFL team, the Buccaneers, was not about an injury, coach Bruce Arians said Monday.
Yes, the Buccaneers are moving on from Brown, whose NFL career is on hold yet again after another in a series of incidents, including two women accusing him of sexual assault in 2019.
Thursday Sports in Brief
December 10, 2021 GMTOLYMPICS
BEIJING (AP) — China on Thursday dismissed the decision by Canada and the United Kingdom to join Washington’s diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games as a “farce.”
Sinclair, Putellas headline Best XI honorees
December 1, 2021 GMTPlayers Christine Sinclair, Alexia Putellas, Formiga and Quinn were among the winners Wednesday of the Women's International Champions Cup Best XI.
Chelsea coach Emma Hayes and Saudi Arabia national team coach Monika Staab were also honored, along with journalist Suzy Wrack, soccer executives Nadine Kessler, Tom Corbell and Meskerem Goshime.
USA Basketball picks team for initial 2 World Cup qualifiers
November 15, 2021 GMTCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — USA Basketball has picked its initial team for the opening games of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.
Jordan Bell, who won a title with Golden State in 2018, was among the 12 players announced Monday as the team that will represent the U.S.
UN climate conference urges sports bodies to hit green goals
November 3, 2021 GMTGLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — The United Nations climate conference on Wednesday urged sports organizations and teams worldwide to meet the environmental targets they signed up to.
FIFA, the International Olympic Committee, the NFL, the NBA and the New York Yankees are among nearly 300 signatories to the Sports for Climate Action Framework (S4CA) since the Paris climate agreement was reached in 2015.
Hu wins horizontal bar, Uchimura shines at gymnastics worlds
October 24, 2021 GMTKITAKYUSHU, Japan (AP) — China’s Hu Xuwei upstaged Tokyo Olympic champion Daiki Hashimoto of Japan to win the horizontal bar gold medal on the final day of the 50th artistic gymnastics world championships on Sunday.
Melnikova wins all-around final at gymnastics worlds
October 21, 2021 GMTKITAKYUSHU, Japan (AP) — Angelina Melnikova of Russia won the women’s all-around final on Thursday to claim the first gold medal of the gymnastics world championships.
Melnikova, the 2020 Olympic all-around bronze medalist, built up a solid lead with high scores on the vault and uneven bars and finished with 56.632 points.
Wednesday Sports in Brief
October 14, 2021 GMTMLB
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays minor league pitcher David Hess says he is starting chemotherapy to treat a cancerous tumor in his chest.
Hess tweeted Wednesday that he went to an emergency room about a week ago after experiencing chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Brazilian teen enjoying new life after skateboarding success
October 2, 2021 GMTLike most 13-year-olds, Rayssa Leal woke up and began preparing for school. It was an important day because English and literature tests awaited.
She also had to help out with house chores and look after her 7-year-old brother.
Wednesday Sports in Brief
September 30, 2021 GMTCOLLEGE ATHLETICS
College athletes who earn millions for their schools are employees, the National Labor Relations Board’s top lawyer said in guidance released Wednesday that would allow players at private universities to unionize and negotiate over their working conditions.
Ex-Kenya sports minister guilty of corruption pays $32K fine
September 16, 2021 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya's former sports minister paid a fine of just over $32,000 on Thursday to avoid a six-year jail sentence after being convicted of corruption and abuse of office for misappropriating money set aside for the country's 2016 Olympic team.
Tuesday Sports in Brief
September 15, 2021 GMTMLB
NEW YORK (AP) — The Seattle Mariners will host baseball’s 2023 All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park.
The team announced a news conference for Thursday at Seattle’s Space Needle with baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred.
The Latest: Djokovic takes Grand Slam bid into US Open semis
September 9, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament (all times local):
Beach volleyball to send off 4-time Olympian Gibb in Chicago
August 31, 2021 GMTThe Chicago stop of the AVP beach volleyball tour is turning into a farewell for four-time Olympian Jake Gibb.
Gibb said the Chicago Open on Lake Michigan’s Oak Street Beach this weekend will be the last domestic stop in a two-decade career that included trips to the Summer Games in Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
US draws Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico for World Cup qualifying
August 31, 2021 GMTUSA Basketball will face Puerto Rico, Mexico and Cuba in the first round of qualifying for the 2023 Basketball World Cup.
The Americans, who won a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Tokyo but finished only seventh at the most recent Basketball World Cup two years ago, found out their qualifying opponents Tuesday when the draw was held at FIBA headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.
AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead
August 19, 2021 GMTAug. 20
1921 — Molla Bjurstedt Mallory beats Mary Browne, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to win the U.S. women’s national tennis title at the Germantown Cricket Club in Philadelphia.
1931 — Helen Wills Moody beats Eileen Bennett Whitingstall 6-4, 6-1 to capture the women’s title in the U.S.
Madrid’s Ceballos sidelined with ankle injury from Olympics
August 10, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos returned from the Tokyo Olympics with a serious ankle injury, the team said Tuesday.
The club said tests showed a “complete tear” of ligaments.
Brazilian Olympic Committee criticizes national soccer team
August 8, 2021 GMTThe Brazilian Olympic Committee will take action against its men's soccer national team after the players refused to wear the nation's official Olympic uniform during the medal ceremony at the Tokyo Games on Saturday.
Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Sunday, August 8
August 8, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Sunday, August 8, at the Tokyo Games:
France beats Russians to earn 1st Olympic volleyball gold
August 7, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The French players danced around the court, singing and waving towels.
They then threw coach Laurent Tillie in the air a couple of times before heading to the corner of Ariake Arena to sing along some more with the dozens of French officials at the near-empty venue.
Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Saturday, August 7
August 7, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Saturday, August 7, at the Tokyo Games:
US women dissect the Olympics while Canada celebrates gold
August 7, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — For the U.S. women's national team, the soul-searching begins.
The World Cup champions and overwhelming favorites going into the women's Olympic soccer tournament came away with a bronze medal after a disappointing run in Japan.
Ronald Rauhe of Germany wins medal in 5th Olympics
August 7, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Ronald Rauhe of Germany set an Olympic canoe sprint milestone Saturday, and Lisa Carrington of New Zealand just missed another in her otherwise splendid Tokyo Games.
And Serghei Tarnovschi of Moldova, who was stripped of his bronze medal in 2016 because of a positive doping test, benefitted from the yearlong delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic to return to the Olympics and win another medal.
US women’s volleyball avenges loss to Serbia, reaches final
August 6, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — U.S. volleyball star Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson woke up with a vision that her team was poised to make it back to the gold medal game.
Five years after Akinradewo Gunderson could only watch the end of a crushing five-set loss to Serbia in the Olympic semifinals because of an injured knee, she helped lead her team one step closer to the ultimate prize.
Cordova leads Mexico to soccer bronze in 3-1 win over Japan
August 6, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Sebastian Córdova opened the scoring and added two assists to lead Mexico to a 3-1 victory over host Japan in the bronze medal match in Olympic men’s soccer on Friday.
It is only the second time Mexico has won an Olympic soccer medal, adding to the gold from the 2012 London Games.
New in Norway: Mol, Sorum ensure a medal in beach volleyball
August 5, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Anders Mol and Christian Sorum will be bringing an Olympic medal back to Norway.
Russian men’s volleyball team rallies past Brazil in semis
August 5, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The focus for the Russian men's volleyball team had started to shift to the fourth set of the semifinals when it fell behind by a big deficit to powerhouse Brazil in set three.
That ended up relaxing the players and led to an epic third-set comeback that sent them into the gold medal match.
Weightlifting faces uncertain Olympic future after Tokyo
August 5, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Weightlifting had a rare moment in the Olympic spotlight at the Tokyo Games. It may not get another.
When Laurel Hubbard made history as the first transgender female weightlifter at the Olympics, the sport found itself at the forefront of social change.
Aussie skater uncorks ‘stealthy’ trick for gold in Tokyo
August 5, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — As the coronavirus pandemic shut down competitions and clouded the future for the Tokyo Olympics, Australian skateboarder Keegan Palmer and his coach were hatching a cunning plan.
On the other side of the planet, far from the skateboarding community that congregates in California, the 18-year-old set to work perfecting a spinning, twisting, acrobatic trick that is very rarely used in bowl competitions because it is so hard.
Social media stars: A glance at Olympians who went big
August 5, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — At the Tokyo Games, athletes have taken to social media in trailblazing ways — with high-profile results. Several Olympians from niche sports introduced themselves to America through viral videos, with TikTok the preferred platform.
American A-Team will play Aussies for beach volleyball gold
August 5, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — When Stanford indoor volleyball star Alix Klineman moved over to the beach to team up with two-time Olympic medalist April Ross, she knew she was signing up for a lot of extra work.
Short-handed US advances to women’s volleyball semifinals
August 4, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Five years after their quest for a first Olympic gold medal was denied in the semifinals, the United States women's volleyball team has returned to that stage after a relatively easy quarterfinal win.
Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Wednesday, August 4
August 4, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Wednesday, August 4, at the Tokyo Games:
Norwegian beach star Mol keeps Olympics all in the family
August 4, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Even with the pandemic keeping most family at home, Norwegian beach volleyball player Anders Mol has plenty of people in Tokyo to support him.
Mol’s father, Kaare, is his coach, and his uncle is at the Olympics as the team’s assistant coach.
Dearing, who brought swimming diversity debate, loses race
August 4, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Coming into the Olympics, Alice Dearing made a huge impact in the debate over ways to make swimming a more diverse sport.
She had hoped to further her efforts with a strong performance in Tokyo Bay, but it wasn’t to be.
Masked Brazilian volleyball players take virus seriously
August 3, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — For Brazilian volleyball player Lucas Saatkamp, the decision to wear a mask at the Tokyo Olympics is about protecting his family and not sending a message.
With a 5-year-old son back home in Brazil who needs to use an inhaler because of respiratory issues, the last thing the player known as Lucão wants to do is endanger his son, wife and newborn daughter.
Brazil to play Spain in men’s Olympic soccer gold-medal game
August 3, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Defending champion Brazil will face Spain for the Olympic gold medal in men's soccer on Saturday.
Spain beat host Japan 1-0 Tuesday with Marco Asensio scoring a curling shot in the 115th minute in Saitama.
US women’s volleyball likely down 2 starters for quarters
August 3, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The U.S. women's volleyball team will likely be without two starters when the Americans face the Dominican Republic in the Olympic quarterfinals.
Setter Jordyn Poulter and opposite Jordan Thompson were limited at practice on Tuesday after rolling their right ankles during pool play and aren't expected to be available in the quarterfinals.
Biles returns to competition with a bronze medal and a smile
August 3, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles returned to the competition at the Tokyo Olympics in style, and will leave with another medal.
What color it is really isn't the point. That she delivered a tense, heart-pounding routine on the balance beam and nailed it with a smile meant everything.
Heat, humidity pose challenges in Olympic marathon swimming
August 3, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A blazing sun. Drenching humidity. Choppy waters. Gusting winds. Two dozen bodies diving in together for two hours of swimming mixed with a stray elbow here, an occasional kick there.
Marathon swimming at the Tokyo Olympics is as much a test of mental endurance as it is physical conditioning over a 10-kilometer course.
Banged-up US women’s volleyball team heads to quarters
August 2, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Coach Karch Kiraly knew there would be challenges and adversity to overcome if the U.S. women's volleyball team wanted to achieve its goals at the Tokyo Olympics.
He sure was right during pool play, and now the Americans are in position to make a run at their first gold medal in the sport after winning their group.
Brazil’s Andrade tumbles into stardom to hometown funk tune
August 2, 2021 GMTShe kicked her leg above her head as the beat began and the crowd clapped in rhythm to the Brazilian funk song that helped gymnast Rebeca Andrade steal hearts across her homeland.
Andrade has become a superstar since she arrived in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics.
Ross, Klineman advance to face reigning beach queen Ludwig
August 2, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — April Ross and Alix Klineman put away a Cuban team they had never played before.
Next up for the Americans is one of the most familiar faces in all of beach volleyball: Four-time Olympian — and defending gold medalist — Laura Ludwig.
Olympic champion Sunisa Lee adds bronze on uneven bars
August 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Sunisa Lee came to Japan to win a gold medal. And she did. Just not the one she really, really wanted.
The 18-year-old from Minnesota is a revelation on uneven bars, where her routines are an intricate series of connections and releases completed with so much ease it looks like she's making it all up on the fly.
Zverev follows up win over Djokovic with Olympic gold
August 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Alexander Zverev produced a comeback win over top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
Then a dominant performance against Karan Khachanov in the final.
The fifth-ranked German earned Olympic gold in style.
Where’s Neymar? Olympic selections with clubs, not countries
August 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Some of the unusual aspects around Olympic men's soccer are clearer when you consider Neymar's absence.
That selection decision didn't depend on Brazil, but on Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain and its Argentine coach.
Female medalists lift Swiss to best Summer Games since 1952
August 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — While it was National Day back home in Switzerland on Sunday, the Tokyo Olympic champion in women's tennis celebrated by winning a silver medal in doubles.
Belinda Bencic gave the winter sports nation more reason to celebrate its best Summer Games in nearly 70 years.
Tennis mixed doubles has its moment at the Olympics
August 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Novak Djokovic unleashed a scream as if he had just won one of his 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
This being the slightly less prestigious mixed doubles competition at the Tokyo Olympics, Serbian partner Nina Stojanovic broke out into a fit of laughter at Djokovic’s outsized reaction after he served out a first-round win over the Brazilian pair of Luisa Stefani and Marcelo Melo.
Americans ousted by Canada in Olympic beach volleyball
August 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The scoreboard at the Shiokaze Park beach volleyball venue said: “Challenge successful. Ball out.”
Spain, Brazil advance to semifinals of Olympic men’s soccer
July 31, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Mikel Oyarzabal helped Spain into a second semifinal in a month. Brazil remains on track for a quick return to another final.
With youthful squads, Olympic men's soccer lacks the status of the European Championship or Copa America.
Durant sets record, example for US Olympic men’s hoops team
July 31, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Kevin Durant had been just ordinary so far in these Olympics.
That's probably not good enough for gold.
Not on this U.S. men's basketball team, an unproven and for now still unspectacular group.
New Zealand beats France to clinch gold in women’s rugby 7s
July 31, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — After five long years, Portia Woodman has finally been able to shake the mental image of herself in tears, standing under the goalposts.
It was like grief for something lost, but it's been supplanted now by memories of happiness, hugs and, of course, a haka.
Even with no fans, penalty pressure causes best to miss
July 31, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Just what is it about penalties that even the most prolific of scorers, like Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema, cannot get the ball in the net?
A blunt expletive was her agonizing initial response through the raw pain minutes after the Olympic quarterfinal shootout loss to the United States on Friday.
Frustration mounts for US men’s volleyball after 2nd loss
July 30, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A serve at a key moment going into the net. Blocking strategy that was poorly executed. Attacks that couldn't get through Brazil's defense at the net.
Judo star Teddy Riner misses gold mark, satisfied by bronze
July 30, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Although Teddy Riner has already summited almost every peak in judo during his incredible career, the 10-time world champion heavyweight from France spent the past half-decade working for a chance to match Olympic history with three consecutive gold medals.
American gymnast Sunisa Lee takes Olympic gold
July 29, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Sunisa Lee wanted to quit during quarantine.
It all had become too much. The lingering pain from a broken foot. The deaths of two family members from COVID-19. Her father's slow recovery from an accident that left him paralyzed.
Defending women’s volleyball champ China drops 3rd straight
July 29, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — After winning gold in Rio de Janeiro and coming to the Olympics five years later as one of the favorites, China's women's volleyball team is just trying to win a match in Tokyo.
The Chinese dropped their third straight match in pool play at the Olympics with a five-set loss to the Russian team on Thursday that dealt another big blow to China's medal chances.
Fiji upsets Canada, Black Ferns fend off Brits in women’s 7s
July 29, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Reputations and rankings meant nothing when Fiji upset Canada and Britain raced to a 21-point lead against New Zealand on Day 1 of the Olympic women's rugby sevens competition.
The lack of international competition during the COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty for every team.
Now at Olympics, Pedri losing count of games after 11 months
July 29, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Even Pedri Gonzalez can’t be sure how many games he has played in this never-ending season.
“I think it’s a very high figure,” said the Barcelona midfielder, who played for Spain at the European Championship and is now playing some more for his country at the Tokyo Olympics.
Simone Biles makes mental health the talk of the Tokyo Games
July 29, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Brittney Griner has long been open about her ongoing battle with depression, an ailment that triggered suicidal thoughts when she was younger and last year drove her out of the WNBA bubble because the isolation was too much to handle.
Familiar foes: US, Netherlands ready for quarterfinal clash
July 29, 2021 GMTOn to the rematch.
The United States plays the Netherlands on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Olympic women's soccer tournament — bringing together the two teams that played in the World Cup final two years ago in France.
From partial isolation, U.S. beach volleyball team moves on
July 29, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — After beating Argentina to extend his stay at the Olympics, American beach volleyball player Nick Lucena had big plans: Treatment, a shower, “maybe get my nails done, all that stuff.”
“Jerk,” his partner, Phil Dalhausser, muttered under his breath.
Olympic Stadium opens in Tokyo for start of track and field
July 29, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Track and Field begins competition on Day 6 of the Tokyo Games and four medal events will be decided in the pool in Thursday's coverage of the Olympics.
The gymnastics women’s all-around competition will go on without defending gold medalist Simone Biles, who pulled out citing struggles with her mental health.
EXPLAINER: How Biles’ withdrawals impact US gymnastics team
July 28, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — American gymnast Simone Biles' decision to withdraw from two marquee Olympic competitions to focus on her mental well-being changes the landscape somewhat dramatically for the U.S. gymnastics team in coming days.
US volleyball star revels as role model for deaf kids
July 28, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Growing up nearly completely deaf provided a challenge for David Smith as he tried to integrate with other kids at school or on the playground.
Whatever Smith may have lacked in hearing was more than made up with empathy, compassion and most of all athletic ability.