Rugby
FILE - In this July 25, 2019, file photo, the synchronized swimming team of Cuba performs their routine during a training session at the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. Forget boxing or rugby. The most hardcore sport at the Tokyo Games may just be artistic swimming. The sport once known as synchronized swimming has rapidly evolved into one of the most physically grueling specialties at the Olympics. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)
Brutal beauty: Is artistic swimming Tokyo's toughest sport?

By Kristen Gelineau Aug. 01, 2021 10:23 AM EDT

Wayde Van Niekerk, of South Africa, runs in a heat in the men's 400-meter run at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Back in Lane 8: Van Niekerk's struggle to reach the Olympics

By Gerald Imray Aug. 01, 2021 06:26 AM EDT

United States players jog out onto the pitch at the start of their women's rugby sevens 5-8 placing match against China at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fijians, Kiwis celebrate multiple medals in Olympic rugby 7s

By John Pye Aug. 01, 2021 01:24 AM EDT

Fiji players huddle up at the start of their women's rugby sevens semifinal match against New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
New Zealand beats France to clinch gold in women's rugby 7s

By John Pye Jul. 30, 2021 11:48 PM EDT

New Zealand's Tyla Nathan-Wong raises her fists as her team celebrates defeating France in the women's rugby gold medal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Olympic Latest: Bencic wins tennis gold for Switzerland

Jul. 30, 2021 09:08 PM EDT

China's Wang Wanyu, center, trailed by teammates Chen Keyi, right, and Yang Feifei, runs on her way to score a try in their women's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Aussies, US and Canada out; NZ survives Day 2 in rugby 7s

By John Pye Jul. 30, 2021 12:46 AM EDT

Australia's Maddison Levi, right, collides with Japan's Miyu Shirako in their women's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Japan's Miyu Shirako
Fiji upsets Canada, Black Ferns fend off Brits in women's 7s

By John Pye Jul. 28, 2021 11:49 PM EDT

Fiji players huddle up on the pitch after winning their men's rugby sevens gold medal match against New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
COVID-hit Fiji celebrates Olympic rugby sevens gold

By Steve Mcmorran Jul. 28, 2021 06:48 PM EDT

Sarah Hirini and David Nyika, of New Zealand, carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New Zealand Black Ferns aiming to avenge Rio loss to Aussies

By John Pye Jul. 28, 2021 02:22 AM EDT

Member's of Fiji's team and staff hold a national flag, as they pose with their gold medals in men's rugby sevens at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fiji beats New Zealand to clinch back-to-back Olympic titles

By John Pye Jul. 27, 2021 11:38 PM EDT

Madison Hughes, center, of the United States greets Britain's Tom Bowen, left, and Alex Davis after the U.S. team lost to Britain during their men's rugby sevens quarterfinal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
In the market for a medal, US rugby 7s finish just short

By John Pye Jul. 27, 2021 07:40 PM EDT

Argentina players, including Argentina's Santiago Mare, right, embrace as they celebrate defeating South Africa in their men's rugby sevens quarterfinal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fiji, Britain into semifinals, Argentina upsets South Africa

By John Pye Jul. 26, 2021 11:46 PM EDT

The Irish team walks off the pitch after being defeated by South Africa in their men's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
New Zealand unscathed; Fiji, Britain prepare for Rio rematch

By John Pye Jul. 25, 2021 09:29 PM EDT

Lydia Jacoby of the United States swims during a semifinal in the women's 100-meter breaststroke at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Americans seek more swimming medals on Day 3 of Tokyo Games

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 25, 2021 12:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016, file photo, Fiji rugby players show off their gold medal after defeating Britain in the gold medal mens rugby sevens match against Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was rugby in fast forward and it generated millions of new fans across the world. Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 bringing all the usual hard-hitting tackles, collisions and swerving runs but leaving out the slow-mo elements of the traditional 15-a-side game. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Rugby sevens stars on a mission to elevate Fiji, again

By John Pye Jul. 25, 2021 04:09 AM EDT

Mike Friday, the coach of the U.S. rugby sevens team walks on the field during a training session at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
The opposite of distancing; rugby 7s set for kickoff

By John Pye Jul. 24, 2021 10:12 PM EDT

A Tokyo 2020 staff member stands by to help direct team members from other countries for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games as they arrive at Haneda international airport in Tokyo on Sunday, July 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Zero risk? Virus cases test Olympic organizers' assurances

By Stephen Wade, Yuri Kageyama And Gerald Imray Jul. 17, 2021 11:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016, file photo, Fiji rugby players show off their gold medal after defeating Britain in the gold medal mens rugby sevens match against Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was rugby in fast forward and it generated millions of new fans across the world. Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 bringing all the usual hard-hitting tackles, collisions and swerving runs but leaving out the slow-mo elements of the traditional 15-a-side game. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Olympic travel a big challenge for some Pacific Island teams

By Steve Mcmorran Jul. 07, 2021 03:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016, file photo, Viliame Mata of Fiji evades a tackle during the gold medal mens rugby sevens match against Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was rugby in fast forward and it generated millions of new fans across the world. Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 bringing all the usual hard-hitting tackles, collisions and swerving runs but leaving out the slow-mo elements of the traditional 15-a-side game. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Faster, brighter: Olympics a 'game changer' for rugby sevens

By John Pye Jul. 07, 2021 01:27 AM EDT

Perry Baker back in U.S. rugby 7s squad for Tokyo Olympics

Jul. 02, 2021 09:34 PM EDT
CHULA VISTA, Calif. (AP) — Two-time world rugby sevens player of the year Perry Baker has recovered from a serious leg injury to earn his place in the U.S....