PAUL NEWBERRY
Seiko Hashimoto, the head of the Tokyo Olympics speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Friday, April 16, 2021. Tokyo Olympic organizers are again being forced to assure the world that the postponed games will open in just over three months despite surging COVID-19 cases in Japan.(Kyodo News via AP)
Column: The Tokyo Olympics will go on, but in name only

By Paul Newberry Apr. 16, 2021 04:41 PM EDT
In 1964, less than two decades removed from World War II, Japan used the Summer

FILE - In this July 16, 2017, file photo, Jussi Mikkotervo looks out from the bow of the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica as it sails through ice floating on the Beaufort Sea off the coast of Alaska while traversing the Arctic's Northwest Passage. Salla, Finland has launched a firmly tongue-in-cheek bid for the 2032 Summer Olympics, hoping to use its campaign to raise awareness about climate change and global warming. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
Column: Arctic city throws hat in ring for Summer Olympics

By Paul Newberry Feb. 05, 2021 03:57 PM EST
Erkki Parkkinen had just come in from a lovely February day in Salla.

Former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig speaks during the funeral services for Henry "Hank" Aaron, longtime Atlanta Braves player and Hall of Famer, on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta. (Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves via AP, Pool)
The Hammer makes one last trip to spot where he hit No. 715

By Paul Newberry Jan. 27, 2021 06:58 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Hammer made one last trip to the spot where he hit No. 715.

FILE - In this July 1, 2016, file photo, Elizabeth Beisel, left, and Missy Franklin start the women's 200-meter backstroke semifinal at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb. The U.S. Olympic swimming trials will be split into two meets, a radical change that is designed to provide safer conditions in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. USA Swimming announced Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, that a Wave I meet, comprised of lower-ranked swimmers qualifying for the trials, will be held on June 4-7. The top finishers will advance to the main Wave II meet on June 13-20 to determine who represents the U.S at the Tokyo Games. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
US Olympic swim trials split into 2 meets because of COVID

By Paul Newberry Jan. 26, 2021 10:45 AM EST
USA Swimming wanted to make its Olympic trials as safe as possible during a

FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 file photo, United States' relay swimmer Klete Keller reacts after a men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay heat during the swimming competitions in the National Aquatics Center at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Five-time Olympic swimming medalist Klete Keller was charged Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 with participating in a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol after video emerged that appeared to show him among those storming the building last week. (AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle, File)
Olympian Keller charged with taking part in US Capitol riot

By Paul Newberry Jan. 13, 2021 05:18 PM EST
Five-time Olympic swimming medalist Klete Keller was charged Wednesday with

FILE - This Sunday, July 28, 1996, file photo shows Centennial Park at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, the day after an explosion centered at the bottom of the temporary tower, in the foreground. (AP Photo/John Gaps III, File)
A flame, a look, one of the Olympics' most powerful moments

By Paul Newberry Aug. 13, 2020 05:52 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — EDITORS — With the Tokyo Olympics postponed for a year because

FILE - In this July 23, 1996, file photo, members of the United States women's gymnastics team wave to the crowd after being awarded their gold medals in the team competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. From left are Amanda Borden, Dominique Dawes, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, Dominique Moceanu, Kerri Strug, and Shannon MIller. (AP Photo/John Gaps III, File)
Summer of Women: Females stole the show at 1996 Olympics

By Paul Newberry Aug. 13, 2020 03:48 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Dot Richardson still remembers those two kids, hanging over the

A man wearing a mask against the spread of the new coronavirus walks at the Olympic rings in front of the New National Stadium Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Tokyo. The postponed Tokyo Olympics have again reached the one-year-to-go mark. But the celebration is small this time with more questions than answers about how the Olympics can happen in the middle of a pandemic. That was before COVID-19 postponed the Olympics and pushed back the opening to July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Column: Olympic athletes ponder what might've been in Tokyo

By Paul Newberry Jul. 24, 2020 06:40 PM EDT
Helen Maroulis will never forget that epic night in Rio. As

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 1998, file photo, Jenny Thompson shows off the gold medal she won in the womens 100 meter butterfly final at the World Swimming Championships in Perth, Australia. One of America's greatest Olympic swimmers, Thompson is now on the front line of the fight against coronavirus as an anesthesiologist at the VA hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)
Former Olympic champ Jenny Thompson takes on new opponent

By Paul Newberry May. 04, 2020 03:43 PM EDT
Jenny Thompson still loves speed. Only now, she performs in

FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2016, file photo, Andrew Wilson, center, competes in the men's 100-meter breaststroke during the Arena Pro Swim Series in Austin, Texas. USA Swimming has announced its plans for a return to competition, beginning with a series of regional events in August before the national schedule begins in early November at Richmond, Virginia. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman, File)
Back to the pool: USA Swimming unveils tentative schedule

By Paul Newberry Apr. 27, 2020 05:48 PM EDT
USA Swimming is planning a return to the pool. Though, no