Wrestling boss takes the fall for good

May 17, 2013

Even as they were distracted by an Iranian team’s hasty departure from the United States, wrestling’s leaders got some good news a day before the international wrestling federation (FILA) has an extraordinary congress that needs to embody all senses of the word “extraordinary.”

Saber-rattling fits the family Stone

May 3, 2013

The four Stone kids always were a competitive bunch, especially the three youngest siblings who were separated by three school grades while being home-schooled together.

Loyola once again on brink of NCAA tournament

April 26, 2013

Shane Davis has been here before.

Pay IOC president? yes, BUT...

April 26, 2013

Jacques Rogge told a German newspaper last week that future International Olympic Committee presidents no longer should be volunteers but paid employees.

4 sets of sisters set up Saint Xavier softball success

April 20, 2013

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Softball Pants is having quite a season.

Louisville women rally to reach title game

April 8, 2013

The Big East Conference's basketball swan song will include at least one chorus of "We Are the Champions."

Bitter end for Notre Dame, Diggins

April 8, 2013

NEW ORLEANS — Skylar Diggins was impassive when it ended Sunday night at New Orleans Arena, walking to the bench and wrapping a towel around her neck after coach Muffet McGraw took her out of the game with 20 seconds to play.

High or low: Two views of U.S. medal hopes for 2014 Winter Games

April 6, 2013

The United States racked up a record 37 medals, including nine gold, at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Achonwa's game grows by leaps and bounds

March 29, 2013

In Canada, Natalie Achonwa long has been the precocious one.

Irish women run afoul of bracket rules

March 23, 2013

No sooner had the NCAA women's basketball committee announced the bracket for the Division I tournament Monday than Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw expressed her displeasure over what had happened to her team.

Jenkins knows about conquering adversity first hand

March 21, 2013

Chanise Jenkins has gone through some difficult times.

Smell of reputation judging lingers over skate worlds

March 17, 2013

LONDON, Ontario. -- After covering figure skating for 33 years, you learn to accept the partly subjective nature of judging in the sport.

World pairs: Russian triumph, some U.S. promise

March 15, 2013

LONDON, Ont. - Give credit to Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim, a pairs team for barely 11 months, after they capitalized on an unexpected opportunity with a strong free skate Friday at the World Championships.

Yuna Kim feels skating perfection is possible again

March 13, 2013

LONDON, Ont.  – Her clothes were dark, mostly black, for both practices Tuesday, and the hue fit the expressionless mask that covered Yuna Kim’s face.

After many winters of discontent, the best of times for Kostner

March 12, 2013

LONDON, ONT. -- A decade ago, Carolina Kostner was the ingénue of the World Figure Skating Championships, a 16-year-old Italian who bounded around the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. like a frolicsome fawn as Michelle Kwan won her last of five world titles.

Pairs skater Scimeca gets (sore) foot in worlds door

March 12, 2013

LONDON, Ont. -- By the time Alexa Scimeca of Addison and her pairs partner, Chris Knierem of San Diego, withdrew from last month's Four Continents Championship after traveling all the way to Osaka, Japan, just about everything that could be wrong with her right foot was.

Aaron's career gets jump start

March 10, 2013

Max Aaron was the smallest guy on the Phoenix Firebirds, a select Bantam AAA travel hockey team in Arizona — so small, in fact, that teammates designed a goofy play for him.

Big Ten women's primer

March 6, 2013

Ten things to know about the Big Ten's women's basketball tournament, which runs Thursday through Sunday at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates:

Vermont's Kearney is the ski mogul

March 6, 2013

You look at Hannah Kearney’s record beginning with the 2010 Olympics, and you figure it has to be a misprint.

Better late than never for Illini's GodBold

March 4, 2013

Adrienne GodBold came to Champaign four years ago in the No. 3-ranked class of women's basketball recruits in the country.

Fernandez bona fide force

March 1, 2013

When Javier Fernandez finished his free skate at the European Championships last month, having landed three clean quadruple jumps, a Spanish TV commentator spent the next minute uttering a stream of "bravos."

Wagner wants three to be company at Olympics

February 26, 2013

Ashley Wagner knows what it is like to be on the outside looking in.

DePaul celebrates early, Notre Dame late

February 25, 2013

A representative of USA Basketball was at DePaul to present venerable Blue Demons women's coach Doug Bruno with a Tiffany ring before Sunday's game against Notre Dame.

Long track talent pool drying up?

February 23, 2013

Speedskating is split into two sports.

Vonn confident about Olympics

February 22, 2013

Alpine skiers get used to coming back successfully from injuries.

Miami's McKay makes the big stops

February 21, 2013

You would have to think Ryan McKay was born to be a goalie.

Silver anniversary of a golden moment

February 19, 2013

It was Feb. 20, 1988, a Saturday night in Calgary, where the first week of the Winter Olympics was ending.  And the figure skating event called “The Battle of the Brians,” had reached its final round.

A small-town guy shoots - and skis - for the big prize again

February 15, 2013

Tim Burke grew up in an Adirondack Mountain hamlet with no stores, no gas station, no neighbor within a half-mile of his house and just 671 people, period, according to the 2010 census of Paul Smiths, N.Y.

Grappling with the process for wrestling to stay Olympian

February 14, 2013

Now we are going to see how obstinate the International Olympic Committee can be.

Colleges could feel impact of losing wrestling from Olympics

February 13, 2013

Over the past 40 years, college wrestling programs have been in a frequently unsuccessful fight for their lives.

Conflicts of interest abound in IOC decision on wrestling

February 12, 2013

Wrestling was present at the creation.

U.S. skaters still no singular sensations

February 10, 2013

Looks as if U.S. singles skating is right where I put it at the start of last month’s national championships.

Many branches to Hiller coaching tree

February 7, 2013

It wasn't long after Max Nikias became president at Southern Cal in the summer of 2010 that he asked USC athletic director Pat Haden to start a women's lacrosse program.

2014 Winter Games

February 6, 2013

They installed the first outdoor Olympic rings Wednesday in Sochi, Russia, a 60-by-30-foot reminder that Thursday marks a year to go before the opening of the 2014 Winter Games.

Vonn's bad spill raises doubts about Olympics

February 5, 2013

In recent weeks, the big unanswered question about skiing superstar Lindsey Vonn as she headed toward the 2014 Winter Olympics was whether the rumors about her dating Tiger Woods were true.

Gold's free skate has crowd longing for more

January 27, 2013

OMAHA, Neb. — And the winner was … Gracie Gold.

Farce returns to ice dancing

January 26, 2013

OMAHA, Neb. — In a sport many think of as soap operatic through all four of its disciplines, there is little doubt the most continuously bizarre tales came from ice dance.

Lysacek's coach: "It is going to be a long recovery"

January 24, 2013

OMAHA - Frank Carroll watched Evan Lysacek skate Monday.

U.S. figure skating in sad and uncertain state

January 23, 2013

OMAHA, Neb. — Who's No. 2?

Armstrong comes clean in his own words

January 18, 2013

After nearly 15 years of defiant denials and denunciations of those who said he had doped his way to success, Lance Armstrong put the lie to all that by telling Oprah Winfrey he had used performance-enhancing drugs during all seven of his Tour de France victories.

Futrell heart and soul of Illini

January 15, 2013

B.J. Futrell came back from surgery on a torn labrum and biceps tendon to become a wrestling All-America the next season. He has come back from surgery to repair a heart problem to become the third-ranked 141-pound wrestler in the country this season.

The L words that define Lance Armstrong

January 15, 2013

Ten observations on the Lance Armstrong saga, which took on a new dimension once the Big O got involved and apparently got the defrocked 7-time Tour de France winner to tell the truth, or some of it, about his doping:

Expect Armstrong's 'confession' to be all about him

January 13, 2013

It's not likely to be about the truth.

From basketball court to speedskating rink

December 26, 2012

When Brittany Bowe watched the 2010 Winter Olympics on television, she saw several of her old skating friends on the ice in Vancouver such as Chad Hedrick and Heather Richardson.

Midlands story a well-Krafted tale

December 23, 2012

This has been quite a golden year for Ken Kraft.

Bolt, Douglas top annual Olympic sports awards

December 21, 2012

When the Summer Olympics began with the staid Queen of England taking part in a James Bond skit filmed for the best opening ceremony ever, you knew the biggest event on the global sports calendar had a chance to be a celebration of both winning and whimsy.

If Armstrong loses Olympic medal, why not East Germans?

December 11, 2012

The International Olympic Committee has a tendency to make up rules that suit its purposes.

Gao performing in 2 world-class worlds

December 6, 2012

Christina Gao was doing an interview during her daily, 2-mile afternoon trek from Harvard University to the Skating Club of Boston.

U.S. short track skating team splits again

December 4, 2012

US Speedskating announced Tuesday it has named Guy Thibault as the new head coach for its beleaguered short track National Racing Program.  Thibault takes over at the end of December.

Man, that Lindsey Vonn is something

December 1, 2012

Lindsey Vonn proved again Friday and Saturday she is far and away the best women’s downhill racer in the world.

Pesek tough act to follow

November 30, 2012

Nick Pesek was coming off the best season of his football career. He was a 1,000-yard rusher for a Saint Xavier University team that hit a peak one year earlier than its coaches had expected and was returning 16 of the starters who won the NAIA national title last December.

A long way from home, NU midfielder right at home

November 24, 2012

For three starters on the Northwestern men's soccer team — Kyle Schickel, Layth Masri and Lepe Seetane, former standouts at three Louisville high schools — the Wildcats' Sunday night NCAA tournament match at Louisville is a homecoming.

Wagner's schedule, skating breathtaking

November 21, 2012

Being Ashley Wagner these days means competing in Paris Friday and Saturday nights, skating in a gala there Sunday afternoon, flying to New York Monday, performing at the Rockefeller Center ice rink and appearing on the Today Show Tuesday morning, visiting a third grade class at a Staten Island school and flying home to Los Angeles Wednesday afternoon, then preparing for her you-can’t-get-there-from-here odyssey to the Grand Prix Final on the 2014 Winter Olympic rink at Sochi, Russia in two weeks.

No surprise if Lysacek skips nationals

November 20, 2012

It’s about 15 months before the Feb. 7, 2014 opening of the next Winter Olympics.

Precocious speedskater ahead of his time

November 16, 2012

In an era when most talented young athletes pick one sport and play it year-round, Emery Lehman is a throwback to the age when kids played the field.

Timely returns spark Illini women's soccer

November 13, 2012

The Illinois women's soccer team began this season without the coach who had made the program into a consistent winner over her 11 years in Champaign and the player who had scored one-third of the team's goals the previous two seasons.

Ritter prototype for NU soccer player

November 6, 2012

Senior Chris Ritter could stand as the archetype for a Northwestern soccer player.

Finally, New York cancels Sunday's marathon

November 2, 2012

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg finally got the message that in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the New York City Marathon had become an obscenity.

Six years after Kwan, generation next disappearing

October 30, 2012

Six seasons ago, the post-Michelle Kwan era in U.S. women’s skating appeared to be filling with promise.

Evans, bobsled a natural fit

October 27, 2012

It was no surprise all the initial stories about Thursday's selection of the U.S. women's bobsled team for this season focused on Lolo Jones, even if the high-profile Olympic hurdler had been distinctly discreet while starting her attempt to make the 2014 Winter Games as a sled pusher.

Good for the long run

October 26, 2012

When Al Carius was winning Big Ten titles in cross-country and track as a University of Illinois runner nearly 50 years ago, he wore pants with a size 32 waist and promised himself never to need a larger size.

In cycling's grand fraud, Armstrong not alone

October 22, 2012

So many shoes now have dropped on Lance Armstrong he has enough stock to open an Infamous Footwear store.

Live figure skating coverage disappears

October 18, 2012

As another figure skating season begins in earnest Friday with the first of seven senior Grand Prix events, a sport that has been sliding slowly out of general U.S. consciousness will be losing traction among even its hardest-core fans.

Vande Velde: I thought doping was the only way

October 17, 2012

About six weeks ago, a few readers sent emails complaining because the Tribune had given no coverage to local cyclist Christian Vande Velde’s victory in the U.S. Pro Challenge stage race in Colorado.

Back at full strength, DePaul, Martin thinking big

October 15, 2012

DePaul's Anna Martin didn't fully realize what was missing last season until practice began this fall.

Notre Dame expects a lot from freshman Loyd

October 15, 2012

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — In the last two seasons, the Notre Dame women's basketball team twice came within one victory of the national title.

Flossmoor native has Stanford eyeing 2nd straight title in women's soccer

October 11, 2012

Emily Oliver does not want to look back at the injury last spring that threatened her junior season in goal for defending NCAA soccer champion Stanford.

Speedskate case conundrum: Simon says, Simon doesn't

October 8, 2012

Simon says.

Selection trials end, but skate tribulations continue

October 1, 2012

The trials are over.

Freshman Calistri making big noise for NU soccer team

September 25, 2012

The folks who live on Williams Avenue in Deerfield finally are able to sleep in.

Speedskater charges coach ordered tampering

September 20, 2012

A U.S. speedskater allegedly followed his coach's order to tamper with the skates of a Canadian rival at the 2011 World Short Track Team Speedskating Championships in Warsaw, according to a request for arbitration filed Tuesday.

US Speedskating suspends short track head coach

September 16, 2012

US Speedskating has suspended short track head coach Jae Su Chun after the coach sent a letter to media outlets Sunday morning in which Chun admits to having pushed an athlete but said he had “not abused athletes in any way.”

No medal, but a silver lining for Neimanas

September 14, 2012

Greta Neimanas was bummed about coming home from the Paralympics that ended Sunday in London without a medal.

Gracie Gold looking to step up again

September 13, 2012

A year ago, Gracie Gold began the figure skating season in total anonymity.

For U.S. high hurdler Merritt, a big step forward

September 7, 2012

At age 27, after six unremarkable years on the international track circuit, everything came together for Aries Merritt in 2012.

Pairs skater Brubaker will sit out season

September 1, 2012

It will be a lost figure skating season for two-time U.S. pairs champion Rockne Brubaker of Algonquin.

Armstrong hit with USADA sanctions

August 24, 2012

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency formally announced Friday morning it had issued sanctions that strip Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and 2000 Olympic bronze medal and ban him for life from all sports governed by federations that are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code.

Jake Herbert is not happy to just be there

August 11, 2012

LONDON – When Greek artists portrayed wrestling on red and black figure vases, when it became part of the first ancient Olympics, it was the most elemental of sports.

U.S. track and field prospers

August 10, 2012

LONDON — Doug Logan's legacy from a brief and controversial two-year tenure as chief executive of USA Track and Field is a number.

Fitting himself for a halo, Bolt diminishes its aura

August 10, 2012

LONDON – Maybe it was all part of the act.  Maybe Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt was putting us all on by calling himself a legend countless times after making history Thursday night, the way Ali did by calling himself the greatest.  Maybe Bolt pre-planned it for maximum effect, the way he does the gestures and facial expressions that delight crowds around the world.

Once again, Lysacek says he is coming back

August 10, 2012

LONDON – For the second time in a year, reigning Olympic champion Evan Lysacek has announced his return to competitive skating with the intention of qualifying for a third straight Winter Games.

A great debate: Bolt or Eaton?

August 9, 2012

LONDON — How do you measure greatness? By two events that lasted fewer than 30 seconds combined? By one 10-part event that ground on for 25 hours over two days?

Felix gets redemption with gold in 200

August 8, 2012

LONDON — Someone else might have celebrated the end of the frustration with a scream or a cartwheel or a collapse on the track or goofy gestures. Someone else might have felt unburdened enough to let emotions go wild.

Lomong adds to his reasons to run

August 8, 2012

LONDON — Four years ago, Lopez Lomong was as much a symbol as he was an athlete running in the Olympics.

Olympic softball field is just the stuff of dreamers

August 6, 2012

LONDON — It was a cool evening. The setting sun found a tiny hole in the clouds. The occasional sprinkle fell on Regent's Park, and tall grasses that looked as if they belonged on a Midwest prairie began to sway.

He is (almost) legend

August 5, 2012

LONDON — We want him to be Superman. We knew him that way four years ago, when Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt emerged on the global sports stage and took world records and gold medals away from the Beijing Olympics with an ease that suggested he did in fact come from another planet. We hadn't paid much attention since then, and when the time came for the world to watch Bolt again, it wouldn't have been as much fun to see him as the runner who had struggled at times the previous two seasons.

After suits came off, records still fell at Games

August 4, 2012

LONDON — This is how absurd the swimming world-record situation had become.

Jager's family savors steeplechaser's Olympic run

August 3, 2012

LONDON — The man in the wheelchair on an elevator at Olympic Stadium had an action picture of a runner on his T-shirt. As soon as you saw the runner's trademark shaggy hair and looked again at the man wearing the shirt, the relationship between them was pretty clear.

Before flame goes out, it's going to stay in

August 2, 2012

LONDON — For 70 days, the Olympic flame was one of the most visible sights in the United Kingdom, relayed over land, sea and sky in front of some 15 million people. Then it arrived at the Olympic Stadium for last Friday's opening ceremony and went missing.

Queen's granddaughter hears sound of her failure

August 1, 2012

LONDON – It seems the 2012 Olympic organizers want to punish those ticket-holders actually showing up to watch sports.  The background rock music at most venues is so loud it could make anyone stone deaf in minutes.

Grevers lives to swim another day

July 29, 2012

LONDON -- U.S. swimming coaches didn't want to gamble on Matt Grevers' powers of recovery. They took the safe bet, the one Grevers would have made, the one he supported.

For my 16th Olympics, looking at a bigger picture

July 26, 2012

LONDON - This is my 16th Olympic Games.

What if Chicago had hit gold with 2016 bid?

July 25, 2012

LONDON — What if, on Oct. 2, 2009, in Denmark, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge had said: "Tonight I have the honor to announce that the Games of the 31st Olympiad are awarded to the city of ... Chicago."?

Tasty Olde English food no longer pie in the sky

July 25, 2012

LONDON – It wasn’t so many years ago that if you told friends of plans to be in London for a month, they would have said. “You have to eat English food that long?”

'Sir Paul is in there training'

July 24, 2012

LONDON - I was doing a reconnaissance walk of the Olympic Park Tuesday afternoon, and when I reached the Olympic Stadium, an iconic song was coming from the loudspeakers.

IOC rejects worldwide calls for opening ceremony memorial to murdered Israelis

July 23, 2012

LONDON – As worldwide pressure grows for a memorial to the 11 Israeli victims of the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre during Friday’s opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Games, the International Olympic Committee continues to be resolutely opposed.

A moment spent on running's hallowed ground

July 23, 2012

OXFORD, England – At the London Diamond League track meet July 13, ten of the 11 finishers in the men’s mile run broke four minutes.

Olympic ticket roads blocked for many Londoners

July 22, 2012

LONDON -- When they are not complaining about traffic dislocations and commuting slowdowns created by designated Olympic lanes and the expected crush of Olympic visitors on public transport, Londoners' most frequent complaint about the upcoming Summer Games is their inability to get tickets.

IOC decision on Marial is reason to cheer

July 21, 2012

LONDON – Professional journalists try to keep the proper distance from subjects we write about.

On the Javelin, getting to the point quickly

July 20, 2012

LONDON – London Olympic organizing committee officials weren’t kidding when they said the Javelin was fast.

Weather another challenge for Olympics boss Coe

July 19, 2012

LONDON – As he left the Main Press Center Thursday morning to check in with his opening ceremonies team, London Olympic Organizing Committee chairman Seb Coe was able to eschew a raincoat and an umbrella.

For South Sudanese marathoner, Olympics would be the ultimate refuge

July 18, 2012

If the ideals of the Olympics as expressed in its charter still ring true in any way, the most resonant moment of the last Summer Games was the sight of Lopez Lomong, a refugee from civil war in the Sudan, carrying the U.S. flag into the opening ceremony at Beijing's Olympic Stadium.

Long journey to Olympics for one-time high school phenom Vazquez

July 15, 2012

On June 14, 2003, Sam Vazquez ran the Adidas National Scholastic High School Meet in Raleigh, N.C., against one of the fastest prep mile fields ever assembled. Vazquez won in 4 minutes, 3.87 seconds, beating — among others — eventual two-time U.S. Olympian Leonel Manzano.

If the U.S. Coast Guard shirt made in China fits.....

July 14, 2012

In Friday's Globetrotting entry about the flap over U.S. Olympic team parade uniforms being made in China, I began by saying I had five words for the outraged members of Congress who were wearing the emperor's new clothes.

Olympic gender gap closing

July 13, 2012

On the surface, it looks as if the past 48 hours has brought nothing but good news for women athletes.

Phelps gives swimming a golden age

July 1, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. — Eight years ago, when Michael Phelps was 19 years old and heading for his second Olympics in Athens, he already had developed a mantra about his legacy.

Conor Dwyer keeps elite company

July 1, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. — You get on the blocks for the start of the 200-meter individual medley at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, and you hear the meet announcer exclaim that the guys in the next two lanes have won a combined 77 world and Olympic medals.

Janet Evans' golden moment came out of the pool

June 30, 2012

OMAHA -- We met for the first time for an interview at her home in California before the 1988 Olympics.  Janet Evans was a bubbly 16-year old, and I was a month from becoming a father, a year older then than she is now.

Chicago Marathon gets 3-time Olympian

June 26, 2012

You don’t want to train for the long run in a short time. Dathan Ritzenhein knew that in January, when he ran the U.S. Olympic Marathon trials in Houston after two Achilles tendon surgeries in the previous 10 months had kept him from training for a six-month stretch.

Dwyer makes U.S. team in 400-meter freestyle

June 25, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. — Conor Dwyer pulled himself out of the water, walked across the pool deck at CenturyLink Center on Monday night and autographed the red British phone booth being used as a symbolic prop at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.

Felix, Tarmoh deserved a decision

June 24, 2012

EUGENE, Ore. — Bobby Kersee could not help but appreciate the irony Sunday as he watched Italy and England break a tie immediately with penalty kicks in their quarterfinal match at the European soccer championships.

Magnuson an underdog again at U.S. swimming trials

June 24, 2012

Four years ago, Christine Magnuson's swimming coach at the University of Tennessee suggested near the end of her final college season that she might take a shot at the U.S. trials for the 2008 Olympics. After all, Mark Kredich said, it might be the last race of her career.

Chicago fencing event honors Korfanty

June 21, 2012

Ed Korfanty  is a member of the U.S. Fencing Hall of Fame,  a three-time world champion in the veterans’ saber division  and coach of the most decorated fencer in U.S. history.

Clearing hurdles no obstacle for Riley

June 5, 2012

Andrew Riley agreed with a laugh that any race that needs more than the straightaway might as well be a marathon as far as he is concerned.

Thornton gives NU women's lacrosse best of both worlds

May 25, 2012

There are times when Northwestern women's lacrosse coach Kelly Amonte Hiller must want to say the heck with Solomonic wisdom and split Taylor Thornton in two so one half could play offense and the other half defense.

Deal clears way for U.S. to bid for Olympics again

May 24, 2012

When historians of such things seek the moment the U.S. Olympic Committee found a way to forge the Thursday agreement that put the U.S. back in the game as a potential Olympic Games host, they need look no further than Oct. 7, 2009.

Everyone's talking about the Jones girl

May 24, 2012

I have to hand it to Lolo Jones, her marketing agent, Brandon Swibel, and the edgy promotional gurus at Red Bull.

Figure skater Czisny reveals she needs hip surgery

May 21, 2012

When the 2012 Grand Prix figure skating assignments were announced Monday, with Alissa Czisny getting just one competition rather than the two customary for a skater with her record, it looked as if U.S. Figure Skating might have been saying it felt the two-time U.S. champion is history.

Why USOC execs may look like the 1 percent

May 19, 2012

If I were among the vast majority of U.S. Olympians who struggle to make ends meet, I would be taken aback by the salaries of U.S. Olympic Committee staff members listed in the 2011 USOC tax filing made public today.

Small-sided soccer turns Japan into big-time women's program

May 19, 2012

DALLAS – On their recent trip to Japan, the U.S. women’s soccer team got striking views of two things that left a lasting impression.

L match: Liukin, Lysacek lean on each other

May 14, 2012

DALLAS - Evan Lysacek and Nastia Liukin share an experience that has turned each into an emotional bulwark for the other’s Olympic comeback.

For USOC boss, it's simple math: Revenue conceded to IOC would come from athletes

May 13, 2012

DALLAS - It’s a pretty simple situation.

SIU's McCall throwing in for Olympic bid

May 10, 2012

John Smith, the throws coach at Southern Illinois, was among a dozen Division I track and field coaches watching the girls discus at the 2007 Illinois high school championships. Most were there to size up Bailey Wagner of Grant Community High School.

Dopey Brits get legal slap in face

April 30, 2012

The international court decision allowing past British dopers to compete in the Olympic Games was an issue of law, not morality, no matter how much the holier-than-thou wailers from across the pond wanted to couch it as possibly leading to the end of civilization as they know it.

LeRoy Walker was a man of Olympian achievement

April 24, 2012

The day Dr. LeRoy Walker, then 74, became the first black president of the U.S. Olympic Committee in October of 1992, I noted how Walker's willingness to speak his mind discomfited some USOC officials.

Inside job: U.S. track's CEO search finally ends

April 24, 2012

Six months ago, USA Track & Field handed Max Siegel a one-year deal as a consultant to give a struggling sport some new ideas in marketing, sponsorship, publicity and communications.

Coleman earns spot on U.S. Olympic team

April 22, 2012

Ellis Coleman already was YouTube famous.

Gold: 'I can compete with these skaters'

April 21, 2012

On the final day of the figure skating season, the grind apparently caught up with everyone as the women finished the World Team Trophy in Tokyo.

Solid senior skate debut for Gold

April 19, 2012

Gracie Gold's debut in a senior figure skating competition was solid.

Another plagiarist on IOC?

April 13, 2012

A recent story on the opinion page of the Korea Times English language edition called South Korea a "plagiarizers' paradise."

USOC lifted the bar for Muslim woman

April 13, 2012

Next week at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in South Korea, a computer engineer from Atlanta will take another step she hopes could lead to the 2012 London Olympics.

Changing agents should help get Lysacek back to skate competition

April 9, 2012

Evan Lysacek has taken a big step toward getting back into competitive figure skating.

Nagasu hoping home fires will reignite hers

April 6, 2012

After breaking the story of Mirai Nagasu leaving coach Frank Carroll in a tweet earlier this week, I wanted to fill in a few areas.

Saudis say no to women on their Olympic team

April 5, 2012

Let's see if Jacques Rogge puts his spine where his mouth is.

Another reason for IOC to boot Pal Schmitt

April 5, 2012

If Pal Schmitt's resignation as president of Hungary over a plagiarism scandal isn't enough for the International Olympic Committee to boot him as a member, here's a little more evidence of the fraud Schmitt perpetrated regarding his academic credentials.

No bad: just good and ugly for U.S. women at world skate

March 31, 2012

Half beyond awful.  That was Alissa Czisny in the World Figure Skating Championships that ended Saturday in Nice, France.

U.S. men stumble in skate short program

March 30, 2012

At face value, the results were just plain poor.

Worlds again a blind spot for U.S. women

March 29, 2012

At the end of the women's short program Thursday at the World Figure Skating Championships in Nice, France, an old quote attributed to the Dutch Renaissance philosopher Erasmus kept popping into my head.

Ice dance: as always, c'est ridicule

March 28, 2012

Is there a computer expert available to check the scoring equipment at the Palais des Exhibitions in Nice, France?

Russian pairs in free fall at world skate

March 28, 2012

Someone must have told the Russian pairs teams they were supposed to do a historical reenactment at the World Figure Skating Championships in Nice, France.

Khannouchi calls it quits, which is nothing new

March 27, 2012

I got an email Tuesday from Weldon Johnson, editor of the invaluable track & field / running website letsrun.com, alerting me to its exclusive story reporting four-Chicago Marathon winner Khalid Khannouchi has retired from competitive running.

Skater Wagner looking for third to make crowd

March 27, 2012

Props to reigning U.S. figure skating champion Ashley Wagner for making one of her goals at this week’s world championships in Nice to earn back the third U.S. women’s berth that slipped away in her previous trip to senior worlds.

Big splash for Naperville's Cordes

March 24, 2012

Naperville's Kevin Cordes is making quite a splash in his first NCAA Swimming Championships.

Wagner coming into her own on her own

March 24, 2012

Doubt and inconsistency had been Ashley Wagner's faithful travel companions until this year.

Vonn's greatest season ends with a rare failure

March 18, 2012

Lindsey Vonn left herself a mountain to climb.  

On slopes, Vonn sounds like a broken record

March 17, 2012

It seems not a day goes by without Lindsey Vonn collecting some new mantel ornament or putting her name on a new line in the history books.

Vonn adds drama to her numbers game

March 15, 2012

Lindsey Vonn has just one goal left this season.

Another record day for Vonn

March 14, 2012

Another day, another historic achievement for Lindsey Vonn.

DePaul women overcome rash of injuries to earn 10th straight NCAA berth

March 12, 2012

The injury issues began early for the DePaul women's basketball team.

Gehring takes bronze at short track worlds

March 10, 2012

In what had been her weakest event over the past two seasons, Glenview's Lana Gehring put herself in the same company as the greatest women's speedskater in U.S. history.

Simply the best: Vonn makes more ski history

March 9, 2012

Lindsey Vonn knew she began this World Cup alpine ski season physically stronger than she ever had been.  She also was sure the hundreds of hours spent riding a bicycle last summer had made her endurance better than ever.

Chicago-area boxer fighting to reach Olympics

March 7, 2012

One in an occasional series on the Road to London for the 2012 Olympics, which open July 27.

Two U.S. women have big day on snow

March 7, 2012

It was quite a Wednesday for two U.S. women in winter sports where their country has had little or no historic success.

Good as silver in world junior skate, Gold doesn't mind the gap

March 4, 2012

For a young woman unknown to everyone but figure skating deep insiders until late last fall, Gracie Gold did not lack a sense of her fast developing identity.

Gymnast Sender back for unfinished business

March 3, 2012

One in an occasional series on the Road to London for the 2012 Olympics, which open July 27.

After short, Gold 2d at world junior meet

March 2, 2012

Figure skater Gracie Gold is learning to overcome the vagaries of international travel and major competitions.

With mementoes of her late dad close by, Uhlaender wins world title in skeleton

February 24, 2012

The last time she had raced in a World Skeleton Championships at Lake Placid, N.Y., back in 2009, Katie Uhlaender was mourning the death two weeks earlier of her father, Ted, the former major league outfielder who had urged her to keep competing even as she wanted to stay at his side during a year-long battle with bone marrow cancer.  She finished seventh.

Lysacek optimistic his issues with U.S. skating close to resolution

February 24, 2012

Evan Lysacek came to Twin Rinks Arena in Buffalo Grove Thursday to give a private lesson to a 14-year old figure skater, Rudi Baruch, whose dad had bought the opportunity in a charity auction.

Seeking sports equality for women, Human Rights Watch should target Doha Olympic bid

February 16, 2012

Human Rights Watch is beating the drum this week about Saudi Arabia's discrimination against women athletes, noting among other things it is one of three countries never to have sent a woman to the Olympics.

How U.S. Figure Skating snubbed Czisny

February 13, 2012

By any measure, Alissa Czisny has been the best U.S. women's figure skater over the past two seasons.

For Vonn, another milestone heading toward the biggest

February 4, 2012

Lindsey Vonn won her 50th World Cup race Saturday - a milestone but not THE MILESTONE.

By the numbers: Big Four (U.S. alpine skiing), Lucky 13 (Hannah Kearney), 0-for-3 (Jeremy Abbott)

February 3, 2012

Several ruminations, mostly numerical, about three subjects:

Abbott wins 3rd U.S. men's figure skating title in 4 years

January 29, 2012

SAN JOSE, Calif. — If the men's free skate at the U.S. Championships were a color chart, it would have run from beige to taupe until the black-clad Jeremy Abbott took the ice as the final competitor Sunday.

Abbott unconcerned about old skating rivals' comeback plans

January 29, 2012

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- When the men's event at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships finished Sunday in the HP Pavilion, Evan Lysacek was in Dubai for some promotional work he declined to specify when we talked last week.

Kwan on Kwan: Emotions of skating help with similar challenges

January 27, 2012

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- For several weeks before the 2006 Winter Olympics, I prepared a valedictory on Michelle Kwan's expecting the story to appear after she finished the free skate in Turin, Italy.

Looking toward 2014, Gold should get spot on Four Continents team

January 26, 2012

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- There is an easy way for U.S. Figure Skating to improve Gracie Gold's chances of becoming a factor at the 2014 Winter Olympics:

Bobek not skating on thin ice anymore

January 21, 2012

I was channel surfing in commercial breaks from an NFL playoff game last Sunday when a figure skating show, Improv-Ice, arrested my attention.

Benoit Samuelson tops list of U.S. women marathoners

January 12, 2012

Shorter heads list of U.S. men's marathon greats

January 9, 2012

There is no doubt Frank Shorter is the greatest U.S. men's marathoner ever.

Lochte, Cheruiyot tops in pre-Olympic year

December 26, 2011

Moving the address: a note to readers

December 22, 2011

Some rearranging of the Tribune's sports web site means there now is an easier way to locate everything I have written about international sports - in this Blog, in regular stories and in columns.

Vonn beats wind and winds of personal change in World Cup downhill

December 2, 2011

She has been buffeted all week by the emotions of going public with her divorce.

For Vonn, divorce means big changes in handling ski career

November 29, 2011

Lindsey Vonn still intends to be known as Lindsey Vonn even after her divorce from Thomas Vonn becomes official.

Lysacek won't enter U.S. Championships

November 22, 2011

Evan Lysacek has decided not to enter January's U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Just the facts: Verzbicas must be U.S. citizen to compete for USA at Olympics

November 15, 2011

It's time to clarify the situation about Lukas Verzbicas' eligibility for the 2012 Olympics.

London gets 2017 world track

November 11, 2011

Two months after world triathlon title, Verzbicas finds his calling

November 11, 2011

In a moment of triumph, Lukas Verzbicas began to have doubts about his decision to abandon triathlon and become a runner at the University of Oregon.

Choice of London for 2017 worlds would keep sport on track

November 9, 2011

Almost exactly three years ago, international track federation president Lamine Diack of Senegal called out International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge for Rogge's willingness to let London pull the track out of its 2012 Olympic Stadium after the Games if that made best fiscal sense for the stadium's legacy use.

Young Russian adds needed sparkle to young figure skating season

November 1, 2011

One-third of the way into the Grand Prix "regular season," here are 10 things I know about the state of competitive figure skating:

In the Internet age, happy accidents still happen

November 1, 2011

Splendid serendipity. That's the only way I can account for landing at one of the most marvelous hotels I ever have experienced: the St. Pancras Renaissance in London.

The bottom line: Lysacek, U.S. Skating both losing in dispute between them

October 28, 2011

Just before he began preparing for a comeback into competitive figure skating, reigning Olympic men's champion Evan Lysacek switched agents from International Management Group to Creative Artists Agency.

Caquatto strikes oro again in Mexico

October 27, 2011

Bridgette Caquatto was a lot better at gym than she was at Spanish this week in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Verzbicas set to rebound from 'demoralizing' debut

October 27, 2011

In the final two races of his prep track career last June, Lukas Verzbicas quickly stood the running world on its ear with a sub-four mile and a high school record in the two mile.

An Austrian hill alive with sound of U.S. ski success

October 23, 2011

Home, sweet home.

A giant slalom first for Vonn, already a ski giant

October 22, 2011

The Star Spangled Banner has become the recurring theme in the sound track of Lindsey Vonn's career.

How about this? Jones the doper now a diplomat for U.S.

October 20, 2011

I hadn't heard anything about defrocked Olympic track and field champion Marion Jones in the three months since her one-year WNBA career ended when she was waived in July by the Tulsa Shock, which went on to become one of the worst teams in pro sports history, with a 3-31 record.

Patrick Chan: a skater for all seasons

October 20, 2011

The summer season in Olympic sports has yet to end -- witness the Pan American Games, a multi-sports event of summer disciplines, which runs until Oct. 30 -- yet the winter sports season arrives this weekend.

Messel's team handball journey rolls on to Pan Am Games

October 18, 2011

Jacque Messel was walking back from the mess hall her freshman year at the United States Military Academy when a senior asked Messel if she had played sports in high school.

Lysacek out of Skate America in dispute with federation

October 15, 2011

U.S. Figure Skating said financial issues between Evan Lysacek and the federation led the reigning Olympic champion to withdraw from Skate America Friday.

Injury knocks top young U.S. skater out for season

October 12, 2011

Nine months ago, 5-foot-tall Courtney Hicks seemed on her way to becoming the next big thing in U.S. women's figure skating.

Reigning champ Merritt can compete in 2012 Olympics

October 6, 2011

Common sense won.

Boxer Thomas closer to another Olympic shot

October 3, 2011

Semajay Thomas got a second chance in life when he was acquitted of a first-degree murder charge in November, 2010.

UPDATED: Women's ski jumper Jerome sees Olympics come into view

October 2, 2011

From the top of the jumping tower at the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, the view is of a new season, with yellow and orange tints in the trees marking the change.

Olympian view: From Paris, Lysacek saw Sochi Winter Games on the horizon

September 24, 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS – Sometimes clarity comes in the oddest ways in the oddest places at the oddest moments.

Lysacek calls 2014 Olympics his ultimate goal

September 23, 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS – Evan Lysacek said Friday his training is going well.  He is tweaking programs to figure out what mathematical permutations certain elements will give him, depending on where he places them in the program.

Suspicious minds: why doping always is on mine

September 21, 2011

One day at the 1997 World Track and Field Championships in Athens, Greece, the Sunday Times of London writer David Walsh asked me if I were writing about doping in every story.

Running leaders shoot the sport in the foot

September 21, 2011

Why not have a women's marathon world record category for days with 39 percent humidity?

Top skating official says Mroz could jump into record books

September 21, 2011

Looks like there is a chance Brandon Mroz will enter skating's record books as the first person to land a quadruple lutz jump in competition.

Skater Czisny sees last season as great leap forward

September 19, 2011

For figure skater Alissa Czisny, every past season had ended in a winter of her discontent.

Did Yohan Blake just make it seem dopey to watch track?

September 16, 2011

Dare I say that Yohan Blake would have won the world title in the 100 meters last month even if Jamaican compatriot and defending champion and world record-holder Usain Bolt had not been disqualified for a false start?

London view: Phelps No. 1 to USA, Bolt No. 1 to world

September 13, 2011

Of all the athletes expected to compete in the 2012 Olympics, swimmer Michael Phelps remains the best known in the United States.  Hands down.  No questions asked - even if Phelps hasn't even been his country's best swimmer the past two years (hello, Ryan Lochte).

Making good on vow, Verzbicas wins world junior triathlon title

September 11, 2011

Lukas Verzbicas made good on his vow.

UPDATED: For miler Simpson, shock of world title hasn't worn off

September 10, 2011

The best thing about Jenny Simpson's surprising victory in the 1,500 meters last week at the World Track & Field Championships was her honest and delightful look of astonishment at crossing the finish line first.

One more race, and weary Felix calling it a season

September 8, 2011

Allyson Felix sounded exhausted.  

World track in Doha a hot time in the old town

September 8, 2011

I can't resist.

Two medals, but not old glory for Felix

September 2, 2011

When Allyson Felix looked to her right at the press conference for the women's 200 meters Friday, she saw the two women's sprint stars of her sport.

World silver medalist Merritt now at the mercy of a court

August 30, 2011

LaShawn Merritt showed the world Tuesday he is one of the favorites to win the 400-meter gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.

Olympic bid not happening in Vegas

August 29, 2011

The International Olympic Committee wasted no time depositing Las Vegas' do-it-yourself application to be host of the 2020 Olympic Games into the circular file.

Double trouble: Another big DQ in track worlds; Felix loses 400

August 29, 2011

It couldn't have gotten much better for track and field than the last three races on Monday's program at the world championships.

Bolt and track losers in the sport's Gong Show

August 28, 2011

If you asked fans at any NFL pre-season game or major league baseball game this weekend to name one track and field star, chances are that nearly everyone who answered would have said, "Usain Bolt" or "that fast Jamaican guy."

IOC green light for Qatar Olympic bid smacks of hypocrisy

August 26, 2011

During the McCarthy era witch hunts of the 1950s, when Lillian Hellman was asked by Congress to name fellow artists and writers as communists or communist sympathizers, the playwright answered, "I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions."

Could U.S. men fail to win gold at world track?

August 23, 2011

How's this for a doomsday scenario:

For 2022 Winter Games, USOC should get a Rocky Mountain high

August 22, 2011

There is no doubt when and where the next Olympics in the United States should be.

Verzbicas adds U.S. junior triathlon title to his impressive record, then crashes

August 7, 2011

Lukas Verzbicas has been very clear in talking about his immediate sports future, insisting it lies in running.

Boxer Thomas decides to wait to turn pro

August 4, 2011

Semajay Thomas sent me a text message Thursday afternoon saying, "It's not over 4 me to make the olympic team."

No Hollywood ending yet for Chicago boxer

August 2, 2011

This looked like the script of a heartwarming movie: a promising 15-year old boxer gets falsely accused of murder, spends 15 months in juvenile detention before a jury acquits him, comes back to win a national title and earn a shot at the 2012 Olympic team.

U.S. keeps options open on 2020 Olympic bid

August 1, 2011

In the International Olympic Committee's curious way of doing business, the cart goes before the horse.

For Michael Phelps, law of diminishing returns

July 29, 2011

That Michael Phelps is the best swimmer in history goes without saying.  His 14 Olympic gold medals and 24 World Championship gold medals -- including two more this week - speak for themselves, given that no one else has won more than nine Olympic titles or 11 world titles.

Garmin-Cervelo takes team title

July 24, 2011

The picture shows how the Tour de France ended Sunday for Christian Vande Velde:

Slim chance of U.S. bid for 2020 Summer Olympics getting close to none

July 22, 2011

While the U.S. Olympic Committee continued to make progress in its revenue sharing discussions with the International Olympic Committee in meetings Thursday and Friday, the lack of a resolution reduced the already small chances of a U.S. bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Olympics are coming, but Harry Potter finale is here

July 6, 2011

LONDON - There is going to be a big to-do here on July 27, marking one year to go before the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.

Burden removed, Muslim woman will lift at U.S. Championships

June 30, 2011

Kulsoom Abdullah didn't waste any time.

U.S. bid for 2020 Summer Games very unlikely but still possible

June 30, 2011

While a U.S. bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics still seems very unlikely, USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun didn't completely rule it out in responding to a question during the teleconference after Tuesday's USOC board meeting.

Michelle and Yao: Get the picture?

June 28, 2011

There may be more than a two-foot difference in height between the Houston Rockets' Yao Ming and figure skater Michelle Kwan, but both have similar iconic stature in their country and sport.

U.S. track back to square one in CEO search

June 21, 2011

UPDATE: Johnny Weir, skater 'first and foremost,' puts off Olympic comeback

June 14, 2011

Anyone who follows Johnny Weir on Twitter has to wonder if the two-time Olympic figure skater ever knows where is going next.

Are there now 4.38 billion reasons for U.S. to bid for 2020 Summer Games?

June 7, 2011

Was Jacques Rogge simply swept up by the euphoria that can follow having $4.38 billion fall into your lap?

Ms. Kwan Goes to Washington

June 3, 2011

When Michelle Kwan was 16 and had just won the first of what would be five world figure skating titles, she began to wonder what her life would be like at age 30.