No country competing in the track and field competition at the Paris Olympics has had its athletes subjected to more drug testing than Kenya in recent years. There is a reason for that. Not only is the East African nation a running powerhouse, it has also been trying to emerge …
Read More »Every Four Years, He Gives Ireland a Reason to Watch Basketball
Every four years, the Summer Olympics brings forth a collective fever dream of strange, communal treasures. We discuss synchronized diving instead of the weather. Flavor Flav is temporarily rebranded as a champion of women’s water polo. The phrase “pommel horse” re-enters our shared lexicon. Snoop Dogg feeds carrots to dressage …
Read More »How Norway Became a Powerhouse for All Seasons
As the runners hit the penultimate bend, the racing pulse of the music starts to beat faster. The choice, and the timing, are perfect: Darude’s now semi-ancient trance track “Sandstorm.” But very few of the 15,000 in attendance can hear any of it. Instead, the fans inside the Bislett Stadium …
Read More »