A community fencing project breaks down barriers for Muslim girls

Aug 2, 2024
Muslim Girls Fence is trying to overcome the stereotypes of who fences, often seen as an elite sport.
A group of fencing students at Sandringham elementary school in east London.
Frey Lindsay/BBC

How economics impact Olympic achievement

Aug 1, 2024
A country's athletic infrastructure as well as subsidies and citizens' health influence medal counts. Economist Veronika Dolar weighs in.
Big-picture data like GDP and population can hint at a country's Olympic success. But subtler issues play a role as well, Pace University's Veronika Dolar explains. Above, champion swimmer Katie Ledecky.
Xavier Laine/Getty Images

Paris 2024: The AI-powered Olympics

Jul 26, 2024
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games officially begins today — and this year's tournament will use artificial intelligence more than any other.
The International Olympic Committee is creating a sort of chatbot for competing athletes to have their questions answered.
Chesnot/Getty Images

“Horses blink”: An equestrian sports journalist unwinds memories of 35-millimeter film

Jul 24, 2024
L.A. Berry, a longtime equestrian sports journalist, remembers the attire, hassles and camaraderie of the pre-digital age.
L.A. Berry, wearing a fishing vest while reporting on an equestrian event circa 1995.
Tony DeCosta

Interest — and investment — are surging for Major League Soccer

Jul 1, 2024
The U.S. league's fans are in-demand among advertisers.
When Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi joined Miami’s MLS club, the team’s value jumped to more than $1 billion.
Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images

Why taxpayers keep footing much of the bill for new sports stadiums

Jun 27, 2024
Governments provide big subsidies even if the dollars and cents don't add up, says The Economist's Simon Rabinovitch.
The Kansas City Royals' ballpark, Kauffman Stadium. Officials in Kansas want to lure the team away from Missouri.
Kyle Rivas/Getty Images

How the game has changed for Black college athletes

Following a Florida bill that effectively bans DEI programs at the state's college and universities, the NAACP has called on Black athletes to reconsider attending predominantly white institutions.
"The game has changed, no pun intended," when it comes to athletes and activism, said "Marketplace" special correspondent Lee Hawkins. "NIL deals are now part of the equation, the stakes are so much higher."
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

For many Olympians and Paralympians, the path to Paris is self-funded

May 23, 2024
It's up to many athletes to pay for the bulk of training, coaching, travel, equipment and other expenses on the road to Paris.
Ben Washburne and his Paralympic teammates practice on the Charles River in Boston. Washburne juggles training with a full-time job.
Henry Epp/Marketplace

How can the WNBA maximize this moment?

May 14, 2024
Superstar rookies Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Kamila Cardoso bring a new wave of fans and media attention to the professional game — and now the WNBA's challenge is making it last.
Star players like Caitlin Clark don't hang around forever, so the WNBA is now tasked with getting new fans invested in teams, storylines and the league as a whole.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

When take your kid to work day goes viral

Apr 26, 2024
At 5 years old, Christopher Bess is already a high school basketball coach.
At just 5 years old, Christopher Bess appears to have already found his calling: coaching basketball.
Courtesy Bess